Michael Hingson – In The News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org>cdanielsen@nfb.org
Michael Hingson to Serve as National Ambassador for Braille Literacy
Baltimore, Maryland (November 24, 2008): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s leading advocate for Braille literacy, announced today that Michael Hingson, World Trade Center survivor and internationally acclaimed public speaker, will serve as a National Ambassador for Braille literacy. As an ambassador, Michael will help advance the NFB’s Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, a national initiative to promote the importance of reading and writing Braille for blind children and adults.
The Braille Readers are Leaders campaign kicked off in July of 2008 with the unveiling of the design of a commemorative coin to be minted in 2009 in recognition of the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809-1852), the inventor of the reading and writing code for the blind that bears his name.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to have Michael Hingson as part of this historic initiative to bring Braille literacy to all of the blind children and adults in America who need it. As a unique keynote and inspirational speaker, as well as a user of Braille, Michael will certainly be an enormous asset in spreading the importance of Braille literacy to the masses. There can be no doubt that the ability to read and write Braille competently and efficiently is the key to education, employment, and success for the blind. Despite the undisputed value of Braille, however, only about 10 percent of blind children in the United States are currently learning it.
Society would never accept a 10 percent literacy rate among sighted children; it should not accept such an outrageously low literacy rate among the blind. The Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, with the support of influential Americans like Michael Hingson, will reverse the downward trend in Braille literacy and ensure that equal opportunities in education and employment are available to all of the nation’s blind.”
Michael Hingson said: “It is an honor to serve as a National Ambassador for the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign. Braille is the only viable means for both reading and writing by blind persons and the only true alternative to printed matter. I would never have been able to learn to read and write, much less be successful in the work place, if I hadn’t learned to use Braille. As a public speaker and living proof of the power of Braille, I am dedicated to helping the National Federation of the Blind to inspire children and adults across the country to learn Braille.”
For more information about the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign and the Louis Braille commemorative coin, please visit <http://www.braille.org/>www.braille.org.
“Beyond Surviving to Thriving,” Applying Lessons from 9/11 To Overcome Today’s Challenges
San Francisco Bay Area, CA, May 9, 2009
Join Robert Acosta, host of Accessible World “Tek Talk,” to hear WTC survivor Michael Hingson share his life-changing story of how to navigate “beyond surviving to thriving!”
This special live radio program broadcasts on www.accessibleworld.org on Tuesday, May 12th at 6 p.m. PDT, 9 p.m. EDT.
Far from being an increasingly distant event from our collective history, the lessons of 9/11 are vital for successfully coping with the chaos of today’s economic climate.
According to Michael Hingson, WTC survivor, “this country is undergoing a radical attack of the status quo, as people are confronted with radical changes – whether changes in livelihood, financial status or the competitive environment – many of which are confusing and painful. Safety and security in the traditional ways of doing things have been stripped away.”
A study in contrasts: Michael Hingson is an expert on cutting-edge, assistive technology, including the new KNFB ReaderMobile. As a National Ambassador for Braille Literacy, Michael is also an advocate for technology that is over two-hundred years old, yet still vital to the cultural health and vitality of blind people throughout the world.
To some, Michael Hingson is another person with a “disability.” For those who know his amazing story, his superior “abilities” enabled him to successfully navigate through the chaos of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
These contrasts make perfect sense when you get closer to Michael Hingson, who has a completely unique way of synthesizing and making sense of change.
Michael and his Guide Dog Roselle lead a group of people down from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center to safety moments before the building collapsed. His “disability” – blindness – became an asset; his teamwork with Roselle saved his life and the lives of those with him. During the crisis of 9/11, teamwork was the key to survival.
During discouraging times like these, teamwork remains a key to our survival, as we face and overcome challenges like never before. Now is the time when “teamwork” needs to be more than a cliché.
Michael Hingson is a National Public Speaker, addressing important topics such as Trust and Teamwork, Diversity and Inclusion and Assistive Technology.
Michael incorporates his unique experience as WTC survivor, Guide Dog user to motivate audiences around the world with a message which is especially encouraging during the tough times we are facing.
For Michael Hingson, teamwork and overcoming adversity are not optional. Nor are they for you! This special live radio program broadcasts on www.accessibleworld.org on Tuesday, May 12th at 6 p.m. PDT, 9 p.m. EDT. Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time, go to The Auditorium at: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs5affc3cfa191 or: select “The Auditorium” at: http://www.accessibleworld.org
Contact:
The Michael Hingson Group,
info@michaelhingson.com; 415-827-4084