AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD FOR THE BLIND

Specialized programs and services - conducted and participated in activities to eliminate massive systemic barriers to full participation by blind individuals embedded in education; employment; transportation; governmental services; commerce; recreation; housing; retail establishments; medical facilities; web-based and automated kiosk and touch-screen based information services; and all other forms of exclusion based on non-visually accessible information systems, devices, and tools and upon misunderstandings of the true nature of the problems caused by lack of eyesight and the resultant low expectations. These activities are multifaceted and include: direct services to blind individuals; support for parents of blind children; massive, broad-based communications to and interaction with individuals, governmental, educational, cultural, and business entities aimed at making widespread and permanent changes to public perceptions about blindness; leadership training; support for self-advocacy and self-organization groups; legal action to enforce existing laws and governmental regulations; support for creation and distribution of new tactile methods for access to information; efforts to locate blind people needing assistance; and collaboration with other entities working toward similar goals. All blind persons and persons with visual disabilities in the united states (approximately 7 million as reported by the u.s. Census department) are potentially benefitted by these activities.