Three: National Braille Literacy Month

January is National Braille Literacy Month. In researching today's charity, The National Federation of the Blind, I also found a certain peace knowing they are there advocating, mentoring, and finding ways to assist and empower blind people and researching and addressing blindness itself. "The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression by the blind. " https://nfb.org/who-we-are  I found great peace in reading about the NFB both in their programs and advocacy as well as in the tone and tenor of the site's copy and design. The resources they offer appear excellent and inclusive. The main appeal for me is the NFB's desire to empower and the means by which the NFB does so, because I think, by nature, philanthropy must address empowerment. The NFB has state and local chapters in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. They have a products and technology sector: https://nfb.org/products-and-technology, including the KNFB Reader app, which looks amazing and is up for a 2016 Golden Apple Award. I hope you'll find the sentiment behind each of "The Courtesy Rules of Blindness" below can be applicable in many situations.

The Courtesy Rules of Blindness (https://nfb.org/who-we-are)

When you meet me don't be ill at ease. It will help both of us if you remember these simple points of courtesy:

1. I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want -- "Cream in the coffee?" -- ask me.
2. I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently; or I may ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
3. I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce me to the others. Include children, and tell me if there's a cat or dog.
4. The door to a room or cabinet or to a car left partially open is a hazard to me.
5. At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
6. Don't avoid words like "see." I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you.
7. I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information through those senses than you do - that's all.
8. If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window - the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are on.
9. I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
10. Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to be blind.