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This page will give you information about some different groups and organizations that are "for" and "of" blind people. Read on to discover the difference between groups "for" and groups "of" the blind.
The American Foundation for the Blind: The American Foundation for the Blind, or AFB, is an organization that has been around for 71 years, and advocates for the blind and educates people about blindness. They also publish an access technology related publication, called Access World, which is published 6 times a year.
The American Printing House for the Blind: The American Printing House for the Blind, or APH, has been in business since 1858, providing adaptive low-tech and no-tech daily living items and other things for the blind and visually impaired. They are a great source for supplies, technology such as a talking calculator, portable note takers such as the Braille N Speak, and other technological products; Braille paper, writing supplies; large print supplies, and much, much more.
Blind Ambitions Groups is an organization that helps blind people with life skills as well as in finding employment. They have various support groups around the Dallas/Fort Worth area and in other parts of Texas. As of March, 2007, the head of the organization, Mark Marvel, has two different radio shows that appear on ACB Radio's Mainstream channel. Check out the site for details.
We've reached the point where I explain the difference between "for" the blind and "of" the blind. In the 1930's and 1940's, there were many organizations and groups that spoke for the blind. So many in fact, that a small group of blind people from around the country chose to speak for themselves, and thus in 1940, formed the: National Federation of the Blind. This group, along with the American Council of the Blind are blind people that speak for themselves. They don't always agree though, that being the Federation and the Council. In fact, many of their views are opposite of each other. Truth be known, the Council, or ACB, was formed from a faction that was expelled from the Federation (NFB) in 1961. but, far be it from me to try and pursuade you to follow a certain group of the two, so I'll leave it to you to make up your own mind. As you will notice though, there are links to both these groups here on my site. I seem to align myself and my views with the NFB, because their philosophy makes sense to me. I'll let you make up your own mind though.
The National Federation of the Blind of Texas and the Texas Association of Blind Students (TABS) , are two state organizations that I am involved in within the NFB. I am a board member of the Texas Association of Blind Students, and have been since the fall of 2001. I hope to maintain this position at least until I graduate next year. Both of these groups have email discussion lists that you can join, if you are a blind student in Texas, or interested in the NFB of Texas. The TABS list is a public list, but I believe that the NFB of Texas list is private and by invitation only. If you are interested, then contact me and I can help you get involved.
The National Association of Blind Students is the national student division of the National Federation of the Blind. this page lists NABS student divisions around the country, upcoming NABS events, contact information for the president of NABS, and more.
The National Association of Guide Dog Users is a new website for a division of the same name, apart of the National Federation of the Blind. Check it out.
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