National Federation of the Blind of Alabama

Live the life you want!    Changing what it means to be blind!

The National Federation of the Blind of Alabama 

Announces the start of a Chapter at Large.

You are invited to participate in this second organizational meeting being held on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Our meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 PM. You may join the meeting by using https://zoom.us/j/2516565165 Meeting ID: 251 656 5165 or One tap mobile +16468769923,,2516565165#  or dial 1 646-876-9923 meeting code: 2516565165# 

This chapter at large will give those who do not have a local chapter the opportunity to be a part of this great organization.

Bring your questions, interests, ideas and enthusiasm as we start our Chapter at Large. We can change what it means to be blind in Alabama!

Come join us as we become a part of this great organization by creating our own chapter at Large.

For more information contact:

Barbara Manuel, NFB of AL President

Ph: 251-656-5165

nfbal.president@gmail.com

Our 2020 National Federation of the Blind of Alabama Convention is now history.  We had 142 in attendance and enjoyed three days of  educational programing and time for fun and fellowship.  We thank everyone who participated in any capacity.  We look forward to our 2021 convention to be held in Eufaul, Alabama.  Please come back for details.  

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The 2020 Frank Lee Memorial Scholarships were presented to Jennifer Reeves of Talladega, and Jessica Williams of Mobile.  Jennifer is pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at Auburn University, She is planning to work with the blind and to help blind high school students to transition to college and beyond.  Jessica is completing her undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of South Alabama. Jessica plans to begin a Master's program in the fall at the University of South Alabama with the goal of becoming a Mental Health Counselor. We know these ladies will live the lives they want, for they have come to know the federation and its powerful philosophy.  

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The National Federation of the Blind of Alabama knows that blindness is NOT the characteristic that defines your or your future.  Every day we raise expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want, blindness is NOT what holds you back. 


People who are blind can experience all of the joys and empowerment of every day life, and the lack of eyesight can be the least problem of blindness. Great significance is a person's misunderstanding and lack of information. For example, with proper training and opportunity, blindness is often regarded more as a nuisance than a disability.

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Alabama is a self-help group of blind people who provide peer support for one another. The NFB of Alabama can help you understand that blindness need not be a tragedy. We work together to promote the goal of integrating blind people into society as equals and productive members. We work towards this goal by helping people outgrow their many misconceptions about blindness and by changing laws that affect the blind.

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Alabama is one of 52 affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind.  You can learn more about the National Federation of the Blind at our national homepage at www.nfb.org.  We are Alabama's and the nation's largest organization of the blind.  Please come and participate in our organization through a local chapter in your area.  For further information you can contact, Barbara Manuel, President, NFB of Alabama.  She can be reached via email at nfbal.president@gmail.com or at (251) 656-5165.  Come and join us as we change what it means to be blind! 


Parental Rights for the Blind Act

Alabama now has a "Parental Rights for the Blind Act".  The bill was signed into law on May 28, 2019 by Governor Ivy. NFB of AL PARENTAL RIGHTS  ACT 2019 274 provides that the blindness of

An individual may not serve as a basis for denial or restriction of visitation or custody in family or dependency cases, denial of adoption or denial of foster care when the visitation, custody, adoption, or placement in foster care is determined to be otherwise in the best interest of the child.  Blind individuals should be given equal opportunity to successfully parent their children to the fullest extent possible. Our sincere thanks goes to  Representative Hollis? dedication and commitment.  Her collaborative efforts with members of the Alabama State House  made this bill a reality. We were able to place a law on Alabama books. This is just the beginning toward navigating our movement to even greater heights as we enhance the lives of every blind individual in our great state.

 Legislative chair Nathalie Oliver worked diligently to make this bill become law and we will always be appreciative to her for her dedication and commitment toward this effort. Thank you Nathalie !!

Donate to the NFB of Alabama by shopping on Amazon.   http://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-1519150

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National Federation of the Blind of Alabama 

Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning (BELL) Academy 


Now completed, the 2019 NFB of Alabama BELL Academy was truly a success! We were fortunate to have had two BELL Academies, one in Mobile and one in Madison. 


For more information please visit our

BELL Academy Facebook Page at: 


Please visit us at our Facebook Group Page at: 


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Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the 

2020 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be held virtually and in local gatherings as health and safety permit. Please make your plans to register and attend the largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world. 


Come join us for our eightieth convention to be held July 14 through July 19, 2020. 


Preregistration and get up-to-date information now by going to this link: www.nfb.org/convention

 

We want you to be a part of our national convention.  The largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world.  Learn about all the latest technology and informative sessions.  

You won't regret being a part of this record breaking event! See you virtually!!

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 Highlights of our 2018 Washington Seminar-Three Alabamians visited the US Congress along with 550 federationists from around the country.  Follow this link for details:  http://youtu.be/QusTv4RIolI

 

 

The NFB of Alabama and the Alabama Association of Blind Students are pleased to present the second Frank Lee Memorial Scholarship. The aim of this Scholarship is to help blind college students in Alabama unleash their full potential and become leaders in their communities. We are looking for dedicated students who are determined to succeed and facilitate the success of other blind students. We urge all blind college students in the state of Alabama to apply for this scholarship, we will be awarding two scholarships this year.  One scholarship will be in the amount of $1,000, and the second in the amount of $500. The deadline to submit an application is January 14th, and the winner will be notified no later than February 15th.


Once the winner has been selected, he/she will have the opportunity to attend the NFB of Alabama’s 2019 annual convention in March. While there, the winner will meet other successful blind college students and professionals. The Alabama Association of Blind Students will host various activities which will give the scholarship recipient the chance to learn about AABS and become involved in the organization.  Click here for details!

NFB NEWSLINE

Would you like a newspaper with your morning cup of coffee? NFB-NEWSLINE® just added its 370th publication AND it's still growing. Five Spanish language newspapers are now available to all subscribers. The service handles thousands of phone calls each day for individuals across the country who now access daily newspapers and magazines as never before. The toll-free centralized call-in center provides service on demand to any subscriber. This also enables those who cannot read conventional print to have access to all content offered on NFB-NEWSLINE® when traveling throughout the United States twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

National Association of Blind Merchants of Alabama
Find a chapter near you!
Next Board Meeting

National Federation of the Blind Vehicle Donation Program! Honk! Honk!

For more information on how your old car or truck can benefit the NFB's Vehicle Donation Program, please visit our link above or visit, http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org/ or call 1-855-659-9314.  Your support of our cars program is appreciated!

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The National Federation of the Blind of Alabama  participating in a signing ceremony with Governor Kay Ivy. The Parental Rights Bill for the Blind in Alabama is only the beginning!!! We are committed to change what it means to be blind in the state of Alabama. Let’s come together and work to enhance the lives of every blind individual in Alabama and beyond

Donations

Thank you for your interest and support. By donating to the NFB of Alabama, you can help make a significant difference in the lives of blind people across the great state of Alabama.


Please make all donations payable to the NFB of Alabama & mail them to:

NFB of Alabama 

c/o: Lawrence Povinelli, Treasurer 

121 Cork Alley

Madison, AL 35758

Upcoming Event! The next National Federation of the Blind of Alabama Board of Directors meeting will be on, Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 11 a.m.  The meeting will be held in Montgomery, Alabama. Location still being confirmed.

Second Annual Transforming Dreams into Reality Walk-a-thon was a great success!
Thank you to one and all that donated or participated in the walk. 
Saturday, October 12, 2019
go to Walk-a-thon page for more details.