2023 Year in Review

We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or our future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Raising Expectations

Ride for Literacy - A Journey of Strength, Dedication, and Connection

Dan O' Rourke poses with two NFB members under the Route 66 Trail Sign

“My dad is the inspiration behind my Route 66 ride. He had RP, but that never defined who he was or what he felt he could do. That is why I feel so fortunate to be partnered with you here at the NFB…you also believe that you can live the life you want. With this ride I want to get this great organization’s name out there in the public. I would love to help kids come in and learn Braille and also realize they can accomplish anything in their life.” - Dan O’Rourke

Employment Initiatives

4 Where the Blind Work webinars
445 job-seekers and 64 employers attended national career fairs
Career Quest, a new week-long career mentoring program, launched at the national convention

Enriching Education

Developing Braille Literacy and Nonvisual Skills for Blind Kids across the Country

312 NFB BELL® Academy participants – 242 blind and low-vision students attended in-person across 18 states, 79 blind and low-vision students participated in the in-home edition from 33 states.

A young BELL participant explores a tactile device

“When I was a blind kid in school, Braille was never a priority. But nine months ago, I gave birth to a blind daughter. I want her to grow up to be a leader. I want her to have all of the flexibility and opportunity that I missed because Braille was not prioritized in my life. And that means it’s time for me to learn ahead of her and model to her that Braille is beautiful, valuable, and wonderful.” – Jamie, NFB member

 

 

Reaching More Blind Children and Families through Early Childhood Initiatives

723 participants in the Braille Reading Pals program
371 winter celebration and Santa letters sent to young blind children

Fostering Inclusion and Independence

“As a part of our Kentucky NFB BELL® Academy, I introduced NFB-NEWSLINE® and invited parents to sign their children up. During demonstrations with students, the children were enthusiastic about the Kid’s Reading Corner publications. One student, K.M., was so excited. He scrolled through the Kid’s Corner options, asked if the most recent version of Highlights was available, and was thrilled to find the July 2023 issue on the E-Reader. His brother has a subscription, as was so happy that he will be able to read Highlights as well.”

NFB-NEWSLINE®

A free audio service with more than 500 publications
131,294 subscribers accessed news, job postings, and other information by telephone, mobile apps, and web
29 new publications were added and a limited access account for children was made available in 2023

Free White Cane Program

Lashaya, a member of the NFB of Arizona smiles with her long white cane in hand

6,170 blind people across the country received free white canes

Planning Ahead

The National Federation of the Blind is a diverse community of blind people that advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. You can discover more about the programs highlighted here and our other initiatives by calling 410-659-9314 or visiting our homepage at https://nfb.org.

Accountability & Transparency

The National Federation of the Blind meets the most rigorous standards for charity accountability and transparency.

CFC Combined Federal Campaign Approved CharityGuide Star Exchange Gold Participant

Financial Statement

2023 Fundraising and Management and General Expense as a percent of Total Revenue, Gains and Other Support. To read our 2023 annual report, visit https://nfb.org/annual-report.

Pie chart showing 4 percent fundraising 93 percent program services and 3 percent management and general

Fundraising 4%
Program Services 93%
Management & General 3%

How You Can Help

We could not do this critical work without our many generous supporters. Here are some ways that you can help us continue to help blind people live the lives they want.

Give Online or by Phone

Make a credit card contribution online at https://nfb.org/donate or call 410-659-9314, extension 2430.

Contribute by Mail

Checks should be made out to the “National Federation of the Blind” and mailed to the National Federation of the Blind, attention Outreach, at 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

Planned Giving

Including the National Federation of the Blind in your future plans is a thoughtful way to transform dreams into reality and ensure the next generation accelerates beyond the previous. It’s easier than you think. Learn more at https://nfb.org/planned-giving or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422.