We offer:

• Scholarships to blind students in Connecticut who are entering or attending college, and personal advancement awards to blind individuals in Connecticut seeking better career opportunities. Also, through funding by the Brendan Cummins Family, the NFBC is offering a scholarship to college and graduate students who are enrolled in a full-time program to teach blind and visually impaired students in Connecticut. Applicants need not be legally blind.

· The NFBC-Coccomo Quarterly Grant is a means through which Connecticut's blind and visually impaired community can receive assistance in the pursuit of training, employment, independent living and technological advancement. It is designed for easier and more frequent access to support opportunities. The intention of the program is to facilitate a higher yield of blind community support through a manner that is as equitable as it is immediate. Grants will be disbursed directly to vendors.

· The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut is proud to announce the return of NFB-Newsline® to our state. Thanks to the efforts of our national office, the Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) and CRIS Radio, a new improved NFB-Newsline is available for your use.
New! In December, 2006, the National Federation of the Blind partnered with Tribune Media Services to add a television listing option to NFB-Newsline.

• A support and information network for blind diabetics through our state and national Diabetes Action Network. The Voice of the Diabetic is a quarterly publication which is available for the asking. Our national network has created a Resource List that contains information concerning products and equipment for blind people with diabetes. The Diabetes Action Network now also has a list serv for people with diabetes and their families and friends. Click here for more information about diabetes-talk.

• Free information and support networks to enable newly blinded persons adjust to blindness. Members of the NFBC reach out to newly blinded persons to help them with problems of adjustment and orientation.

• Monthly chapter meetings throughout the state. Our members are diverse and include professionals, students, children, and people who have family members or friends who are blind. If you are seeking information about blindness or about what it means to be blind, join one of our chapters in Connecticut and meet other blind people who want to let you know that it’s respectable to be blind.

• Informational and interactive seminars for blind job seekers, people with diabetes, and parents and educators of blind children.

• Books, videos and literature to schools and colleges, senior citizen centers and libraries concerning blindness and the capabilities of blind persons.

• Advocacy on behalf of blind persons who have met with discrimination in employment, housing, guide dog accessibility, etc.

• Information for legislators on issues pertaining to blindness.

• Volunteer readers throughout the state.

• You can contribute: donation information

Brailled materials for blind persons in Connecticut.

Blindness does not discriminate. Any individual can become blind in childhood or in later life. You may have a family member, an employee, student, client, or educator who is blind. You may come in contact with blindness or a blind individual on a daily basis or simply in passing. Regardless of the way your contact with blindness occurs, it is in the best interest of every individual to understand it and issues concerning blindness.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Call the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut Outreach Office at: (860) 289-1971
• Write to us at: 477 Connecticut Blvd, Ste 217, East Hartford, CT 06108
• E-Mail us at: info@nfbct.org

For more information, E-mail us at: info@nfbct.org