Jon Schorsch: The National Federation of the Blind’s Meet the Blind Month

Introduction I worked with the Port of Seattle Police Department for several years

until 2006, when I was blinded in a boating accident on a lake in Washington State.

I choose to live a dynamic lifestyle in spite of losing my sight and am active in several professional and philanthropic organizations including the Port of Seattle Police Benevolent Association and Sight Connections, a not-for-profit offering skill development and rehabilitation services to individuals without sight living in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition, I volunteer with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Each October, NFB hosts Meet the Blind Month, a national campaign with the goal of fundraising and building consciousness around issues affecting members of the visually impaired community.

Purpose of Meet the Blind Month Ultimately, NFB considers it its mission to convey that the

largest obstacle to the visually impaired is the overall lack of proper information about the daily lifestyles of people with that particular challenge.

With a focus on cultivating meetings between individuals who are blind and individuals who are sighted, Meet the Blind Month aims to present opportunities for people that are visually challenged to share stories and experiences.

Various events including fundraising dinners, walk-a-thons, and meet and greets executed by local NFB chapters work toward this goal.

About the NFB A well-established organization, NFB maintains 50,000 active

members and 700 chapters across the United States. In 2004, NFB launched the first-ever research and training facility

benefiting people affected by blindness that is overseen by individuals with blindness, called the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.

In addition, other established blind advocacy groups add unique services to the vision-impaired community. The American Council of the Blind works to build the independence and

promote equal opportunity for individuals that are visually impaired. Also, the American Foundation for the Blind increases technology access

and promotes healthy lifestyles for individuals with blindness and their families.

About the AuthorBased in Washington State near Seattle, Jon Schorsch currently volunteers at the National Federation of the Blind as a self-defense instructor. Full details about Meet the Blind Month are available at www.nfb.org.