Registration for the 2010 Vision 5K is now open! Join us at Boston College on June 20, 2010. Bring the entire family, including 'Dad,' to celebrate Father's Day at this unique event. Sign up as an individual or participate as part of a team - walk, run, or take on the Blindfold Challenge!

The Vision 5K is one-of-a-kind. It's organized by renowned race director Dave McGillivray of the Boston Marathon and is the USABA National Championship for the Blind. It's an event for all ages and abilities, with blind and sighted participants walking and running together. For those looking for adventure, there's the Blindfold Challenge, an opportunity to complete the race blindfolded with a sighted guide. All-inclusive and inspiring, the Vision 5K supports programs - at the Carroll Center for the Blind, MAB Community Services, National Braille Press, and Perkins School for the Blind - that make a measurable difference in the lives of thousands of people. For more information or to register, visit www.vision5k.org.

On January 21, 2010, Rocco Fiorentino, a 13-year-old braille reader and recipient of the NBP's 2009 Hands On! Award, will appear in an episode of Sesame Street.

In Rocco's segment, he first meets Telly Monster and Elmo. Elmo is surprised that Telly has to describe Elmo's appearance, and Rocco explains it's because he is blind and can't see him. Elmo initially feels sorry for Rocco, but is put at ease immediately when Rocco says, "It's just natural for me." Elmo invites Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Maria and Gordon to meet Rocco and they all gather on the famous Sesame Street steps to sing a jazz version of "Everybody's Song."

Rocco and the Sesame Street cast. Photo by Richard Termine.

Rocco, who is totally blind due Retinopathy of Prematurity, had a great time taping his Sesame Street segment. "I like people to know that even though I'm blind, I can still do many things I love - like singing, playing piano, drums and the saxophone. Everyone was so nice. Elmo made me laugh the whole time."

The 2009 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation was awarded to Jeffrey Killebrew for his submission, "The System for Conceptualizing Spatial Concepts," also known as (SC)².

(SC)² is an instructional tool for individuals who are blind that provides equal access and participation in science, math, and related coursework. (SC)² uses a system of beveled and magnetized wooden blocks affixed to a magnetic white board which allows students to spatially arrange, manipulate, and calculate complex mathematical and scientific formulae by simply inserting 3x5 cards brailled with the values and labels of each term.

A blind student uses (SC)² to solve a chemistry equation.

Mr. Killebrew will be presenting his system at the 2009 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation Award Ceremony at the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center in Cambridge on January 20, 2010. If you would like to attend or receive more information, please contact Kathleen Cronin at kcronin@nbp.org.

Our Children's Braille Book Club recently offered the publication Have You Filled a Bucket Today? - a sweet book that teaches children "to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis." The braille version was dedicated to the memory of a CBBC subscriber, Eli Eckman, who brought out the best in all who knew him with his love of life, bravery, and gentle spirit.

Eli Eckman

Eli's community fully embraced 'filling a bucket.' One individual donated a braille copy to the public library in Oak Harbor, OH - the first braille book in the neighborhood library of a visually impaired child. Another individual donated one to a school in Maryville, TN where a guidance counselor read it to over 500 children. The local pastor also read the book during a children's sermon, and as a result, a church member sent 2 copies to Al-Shurooq School for Blind Children in Palestine.

This community is not only passing along the wonderful idea of filling someone's bucket, but also spreading awareness about braille literacy. National Braille Press would also like to thank Bucket Fillers, Inc and Ferne Press who donated 200 additional copies of the book after the book sold out in record time.

On November 21, 2009, National Braille Press held its Fall Community Volunteer Day. Twenty volunteers spent the day working on projects and learning about braille literacy. This amazing group of volunteers was able to complete a variety of projects including the assembly of 300 print/braille copies of the popular children's board book That's Not My Monkey and 700 print/braille magnets.

Volunteers assembling the book "That's Not My Monkey" during Community Volunteer Day

Tomorrow, December 5th, is the United Nations annual "International Volunteer Day." The purpose of this day is not only to volunteer, but also to recognize volunteers. We would like to extend our appreciation to all of the corporate and individual volunteers who have offered their dedication and time this year. Thank you for your hard work on behalf of braille literacy!

NBP Signs Historic Agreement with China Braille Press

In a historic signing ceremony Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Beijing, China, National Braille Press (NBP) and China Braille Press (CBP) have agreed to combine their expertise and resources in braille literacy, cutting edge engineering, and technology to help reverse the decline of braille literacy worldwide.

National Braille Press President Brian MacDonald (left) and China Braille Press President Zhang Wei (right) signing the agreement during the signing ceremony in China.

NBP President Brian MacDonald and CBP President Zhang Wei committed to combining a team of researchers to design, develop, and produce low cost braille displays. In the United States, National Braille Press has partnered with the National Federation of the Blind and the American Printing House for the Blind to share funding, research, and distribution of this product so we can reach as many consumers as possible.