AFB Blog

“Children need to find images of themselves and their worlds, and also gain exposure to other cultures and experiences through the books that they read or have read to them,” write the authors of the lead article of a recent issue of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). The article, “Cultural Diversity in Children’s Braille Books,” by Monique A. Coleman and Judith Harrison, features an in-depth investigation into the racial identity of primary and secondary characters in…

July is Disability Pride Month, and we know many have been excited to reconnect with colleagues and friends at the National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind conventions. Here are a few recent stories we have been reading with particular interest. First, the good news: People who need more accessible at-home COVID tests can now receive 12 free tests instead of two. The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a new initiative to expand the availability of…

The Blind Leaders Development Program was created in 2019 and produced its first graduating class in 2021. Since then, the program has seen a steady rise in both applicants as well as fellows and mentors. The third cohort begins this summer, and the positive results of the program are already being realized. “I see so much promise in this incoming class, our largest group thus far,” said Neva Fairchild, who oversees the program. “The personal and professional growth we expect in each…

Today marks the 142nd birthday of Helen Keller! Helen paved the way for so many of us to follow in her example of innovation, courage, and advocacy. When Helen joined AFB in 1924, her work led to state commissions for the blind, funding for rehabilitation centers, and increased access to education for students who are blind or have low vision. The Helen Keller Archive contains over 475 speeches and essays that she wrote on topics as varied as faith, blindness prevention, women's rights,…

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to welcome new Interim Executive Director, Howard Sitron. Mr. Sitron will work with top AFB leadership and stakeholders on the organization’s many ongoing initiatives, such as the advocacy and research of the AFB Public Policy Research Institute, the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program, and the AFB Talent Lab. “I am honored to serve as interim executive director of this renowned and highly impactful organization,” Mr. Sitron said. “I…

[Editor’s Note: The following post comes from Chris Fendrick, a fellow in the Centennial Cohort of the Blind Leaders Development Program, and the second of a two-parter. His first entry describes the program; Part 2 recaps the AFB Leadership Conference.] The in-person Leadership Challenge aspect of the program began in earnest as we convened in Arlington, VA, in advance of the AFB Leadership Conference. My colleague, Ken Meeker, spoke for many of us, noting that it was a transformative…

Victoria Watts is many things – entrepreneur and mother foremost among them. She is also a woman committed to giving back. When her youngest son, Cyrus, was born visually impaired due to a genetic disease known as familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Victoria had just launched her eponymous beauty line, VictoriaLand Beauty. As a result, a key component to the entire VictoriaLand Beauty skincare range is the CyR.U.S. System of Raised Universal Symbols, a proprietary tactile…

[Editor’s Note: The following post comes from Chris Fendrick, a fellow in the Centennial Cohort of the Blind Leaders Development Program, and is Part 1 of a two-parter.] This last year I was fortunate to be chosen as a Fellow in the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Blind Leaders Development Program. This unique program in the blindness community was an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. As a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) I have had the…

[Editor’s Note: The following post comes from Laurie Alice Eakes, a mentor in the Centennial Cohort of the Blind Leaders Development Program.] I perch on the edge of my chair, fingers poised on my keyboard. I’m ready to take notes between yawns from too little sleep and coffee. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has invested considerable resources in my presence in this room, and I am determined I won’t waste it, even if, so far, I’ve been leaning more toward the attitude, “What can…