I have volunteered with their Braille Enrichment Literacy and Learning (BELL) program during the summer and was able to see how engaging, attentive, and caring their teacher and staff was to all the students (ages 6 - 14). They reinforced the braille as well as have many meaningful field trips to several local museums where the children were allowed to touch the sculptures and discuss what they felt or "saw" . Children can be so very honest. They loved their teacher
(at least this what they told me on the car ride home). She as well as all the staff has a visual impairment. This is truly an organization where the blind are doing for each other and the sighted are there to only support them.
I am glad to have been a part of the NFB of DC. It is inspiring to see people with a disability work hard to navigate through their challenges and achieive their goals! And to be involved in life! From the young, to the middle aged, to the Seniors.
Review from Guidestar
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The NFB of DC is a wonderful organization. Two years ago I heard about the many activities they do from some blind and visually impaired friends at a potluck get together. Over the year, I kept seeing more and more very active blind individuals at other parties and cookouts. Their members are very friendly and insightful as well as active and encouraging. I was able to sit in on several of their chapter meetings and was very encouraged by their activities and participants. I also was able to attend the annual National Washington Seminar as well as their annual DC State Convention and became more enthusiastic about the topics discussed that directly impacts (for the better and the worst) the blind community. I was so excited that I asked if I could join at one of their chapter meetings and they voted me in. That was over a year ago and oh how this organization has continued to grow.
As a sighted member, I have seen and heard the many stories of people not knowing where to go after the doctor says there is nothing we can do for your increasing vision loss. Of those who said they had gone into a depression and felt isolated because of fear, anxiety, and grief. Of those who do not really understand, physically, what is going on with their sight. Of those who feel their friends, coworkers, and families don't really get it. From the unexpected change to their independance, to the trying to hide vision changes, to trying to find another way in doing things. This is one of the places people living with vision loss can find encouragement. It is also a place that blind and visually impaired people can work together to make a difference in eachothers lives. In 2014 and 2015 there were successful job fairs with employers that had openings for those with disabilities. There are rock climbing events (indoors), cookouts, golfing, pie making contests, political meetings with our representative, bowling, free summer braille enrichment & literacy program for young children (BELL Program), bingo, salsa dancing lessons, and just meeting and connecting with genuine PEOPLE to go out to a movie or dinner or to invite over for a home cooked meal. Blind Seniors Do It To!!! (I am learning how to use a smart phone from the techie blind members). This organization works well with other like minded groups and also advocates for those who are blind and visually impaired within DC and the surrounding areas as well as Nationally.
I am proud to have volunteered and to be a member of the NFB of DC. As a person with close ties to this community, it has helped me (and my sons) better relate and see the abilities (not the disabilities) of those living with visual differences in their lives.
Sincerely submitted by H. Davis
Review from Guidestar