What's New at NBP

Scott Richardson poses with his marathon medal

Congratulations to Chris Cavallerano and Scott Richardson for completing the 116th Boston Marathon in oppressive heat in support of NBP! "The marathon was great, but the conditions were brutal," said Scott Richardson of Medford, NJ. In one of the hottest days on record for the famed Boston Marathon, Chris and Scott were undaunted in their quest to complete 26.2 miles! In mid-eighty degree temperatures, Scott and Chris fought through sweltering heat, cramping, fatigue, and dehydration.

Richardson covered the trek from Hopkinton in 4:44, and Cavallerano covered the 26.2 mile distance in 5:58 while blindfolded. "I ran blindfolded to show that what appears to be impossible is possible with the right support. NBP does great work to make sure that blind children learn how to read and write," said Chris Cavallerano of Wellesley, MA, "I am glad I could bring awareness to this amazing organization."

To date, Cavallerano and Richardson have raised more than $17,000! Thank you to John Hancock's Non-profit Program for providing this wonderful opportunity to NBP and its supporters. If you would like to support our Marathon runners, visit our Crowdrise page.

Chris Cavallerano (r) and fellow Trustee George Maley before the Marathon

The Wheelock Family Theatre is presenting The Miracle Worker, a play by William Gibson which tells the inspiring story of Helen Keller's early years and her devoted teacher Anne Sullivan. Friends of NBP can enter the code "braille" at the link below to receive a discounted price of $15 per ticket. Audio described performances are available on May 11th and May 13th. Be sure to check out NBP's Louis Braille Exhibit which will be on display at the theater starting on the evening of April 26th.

NBP is raising funds and awareness by participating in the prestigious B.A.A. 5K on Sunday, April 15th! Learn more about participating. To support our fearless runners, visit NBP on Crowdrise.

Join us on April 11th for a Mixer to support our runners at the Cactus Club in Boston from 5:30-7pm. Enjoy free appetizers and raffle prizes.

NBP calendar hung on the fridge in the patient's apartment

Are you a fan of FOX's hit drama House? In the 'Love Is Blind' episode, airing on March 19th, NBP publications were used as props in the character's apartment.

In honor of Read Across America Day on March 2nd, watch this video of NBP Trustee Bill Henderson reading with his grandchildren.

March 2nd is Read Across America day, as well as Dr. Seuss's birthday!

Check out NBP's Dr. Seuss books: Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now!, Oh, The Places You'll Go! and Hop on Pop. Celebrate this day dedicated to the love of reading! For ideas on what other braille readers are doing to show their love of braille visit the National Federation of the Blind's Read Across America page.

Attend Blind Legislative Informational Networking Day at the State House.

The Commonwealth's leading blindness organizations and agencies will meet at the State House on March 21, 2012 to inform legislators about the necessity for state-funded services for individuals with impaired vision. Representative Patricia Haddad will be honored for her advocacy on behalf of social services issues such as blindness. Consumers will be speaking to highlight the positive impact to this under-served population and the benefits to the entire state when people who are visually impaired, deafblind, or multiply disabled get the services they need to learn, live, and work independently.

National Braille Press took part in the Shops at the Prudential Center's 31 Nights of Light on Wednesday, Dec. 21st. This photo shows Boston's Prudential Center in some of NBP's 6 colors - blue, red, and green.

Mass Eye & Ear Neuroscientist and NBP Member of the Corporation, Lotfi Merabet, was recently interviewed by Anthony Brooks on 90.9 WBUR Radio Boston regarding his research on the effectiveness of using an audio-based virtual environment (based on a gaming platform) to assist in navigation, orientation and mobility, and problem solving skills for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Listen to the radio interview.

As an educator in the Boston Public School system for 36 years, NBP Trustee, Bill Henderson, embraced the concept of inclusion for children with disabilities and built a school that became a national model of excellence. His book, The Blind Advantage, was released this week.

Read more about The Blind Advantage.

Inspired by 7 year old Joshua Goldenberg, a blind boy who asked the question, "Mommy, why isn't there braille on the shelves so I can go shopping, too?," National Braille Press collaborated with the Goldenberg family to create the Braille Independence Initiative. We seek to educate the public about equal access to information through braille.

On Friday, October 14, 2011, the Goldenberg family will be visiting the Boston area to receive NBP's Hands On! Award for their efforts to promote braille literacy. They will also be launching the Braille Independence Initiative at the Whole Foods Market at 647 Washington Street, Newtonville, MA at 10:30am that same day. Please feel free to stop by Whole Foods to meet the Goldenbergs on October 14th!

Watch a video about Joshua Goldenberg.

What is the largest job undertaken by NBP? The New American Bible, Revised Edition, at 45 volumes, surpassing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and The Joy of Cooking. The Xavier Society for the Blind contracted with NBP for this job, and their Executive Director, Kathleen Lynch, recently visited. Read more.

Xavier Society Director Kathleen Lynch stands in front of stacks of brailled Bibles