Give Today“Tomorrow! What possibilities are in that word.”
- Helen Keller
Dear Friend,
Dreams do come true – and thanks to your support, we’ve been able to turn many of our dreams into reality in recent years. Tomorrow presents plenty of possibilities, and you can help us maximize them. At the American Foundation for the Blind, we’re ready to take on what’s next, and your continued support will bolster our efforts.
The world is changing fast, and AFB is always working to address both the opportunities and potential barriers the future may bring. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a perfect example, something nearly everyone has questions about.
AFB’s research team is looking for answers about what this emerging technology could mean to people who are blind or have low vision. AI is already improving lives through tools such as Alexa enabled devices. But it could also put-up roadblocks to accessibility such as job displacement, digital exclusion, bias in automation processes, privacy and security concerns, and more.
“Like all of our research, our AI study could potentially change the trajectory of policies and laws that affect blind people,” says Arielle Silverman, Ph.D., AFB’s director of research. “It’s not enough to prevent AI from discriminating against people. We need to use AI to create opportunities, such as building accessible websites.”
Blind since birth, Dr. Silverman feels fortunate that she hasn’t faced many barriers to achieving her dreams, other than dispelling people’s misperceptions about her abilities.
“Currently, our entire research team is blind,” Dr. Silverman says. “I long dreamed of representation of blind people in research, and AFB’s team is a testament to what blind people can do.”
But she knows that many people who are blind or low vision don’t have the same positive experiences she’s had. Dr. Silverman uses research to find barriers and the solutions to them – reflecting AFB’s goal of making sure that everyone who is blind or low vision has an equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
Will you stand alongside me and everyone at the American Foundation for the Blind to help us achieve that goal? Your gift will bring us closer to the day when people who are blind or have low vision have everything they need to fulfill their dreams.
Give now and double your impact! All donations made by April 30 will be matched up to $100,000 by a generous friend.
There’s no time like the present to think about tomorrow – and the endless possibilities that stand just beyond the horizon, thanks to the support we receive from donors like you.
Thank you for your commitment to making a difference in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.
With gratitude,
Eric Bridges
President & CEO
The American Foundation for the Blind
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