American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Winter 2026 WHAT'S NEW
https://nfb.org/scholarships
Contact: [email protected]
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026, at midnight EST
The NFB Scholarship Committee invites legally blind students from the United States, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to apply for one of thirty 2026 NFB National Scholarship awards. To apply, read the rules and the submission checklist, complete the official 2026 scholarship application form, supply all required documents, and request and complete an interview with an NFB affiliate president. This year each scholarship award will be valued at $10,000! Remember, the only way to win is to apply!
https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/nfb-stem2u
The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to announce its 2026 youth programming through two signature initiatives: the NFB BELL® Academy and NFB STEM2U.
The NFB BELL® Academy (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) is designed for blind and low-vision children and focuses on building strong foundational skills in Braille literacy, nonvisual independence, and confidence. Through hands-on learning and positive blindness philosophy, students are encouraged to explore, learn, and grow alongside peers.
NFB STEM2U brings hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math experiences directly to blind and low-vision students. These programs emphasize accessible experimentation, problem-solving, and exposure to STEM concepts and careers—demonstrating that blind students belong in STEM spaces.
Programs will be offered in multiple locations during 2026. Learn more and find registration details on our website.
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
https://nfb.org/bolotin
Contact: Everette Bacon, [email protected]
801-631-8108
Application Deadline: April 15, 2026, 11:59 pm EDT
The Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honor individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people. Winners of the Jacob Bolotin Awards break down barriers facing blind people in an innovative way, change negative perceptions of blindness and blind people, and push past existing boundaries to inspire blind people to achieve new heights. Winners receive a cash award, and have included entrepreneurs, volunteers, filmmakers, authors, mathematicians, technology developers, artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations, programs, partnerships, and more. The awards are presented annually at the NFB National Convention.
Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation
National Braille Press
https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/technology/tog.html
Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
The Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is an annual prize of $10,000 awarded to a project or projects that show the most innovative idea in the field of Braille and tactile literacy. Winners and applicants have submitted projects for professional software and apps, educational software and apps, gaming software or apps, and Braille or tactile-related hardware or learning paraphernalia. Innovators have come from all over the world in the fields of education, technology, engineering, tactile graphics, and literacy. This is the only prize to foster and reward innovation in the area of Braille and tactile literacy for the blind and deafblind communities. National Braille Press established this award in 2007, thanks to support from the Gibney Family Foundation, inspiring people to go beyond what was thought possible with their many years of generosity. NBP is very grateful to the Lavelle Fund for funding this program since 2021.
2026 Helen Keller Achievement Awards
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Helen Keller Achievement Awards: social influencer and author Molly Burke, nationally recognized teacher and author Kathy Nimmer, and T-Mobile US Inc. These honorees, who have made significant strides in expanding independence and opportunity for people who are blind, deafblind, and low vision, will be recognized during AFB’s annual celebration on the evening of April 23 at the Harvard Club in New York City. Both of this year’s individual honorees are recognized for their steadfast advocacy to break down stereotypes and create a more positive attitude toward blindness. T-Mobile places significant focus on customer service, and the accessibility team has made notable advances in creating a more digitally accessible universe for smartphone users with disabilities.
2025 Schneider Family Book Awards
The Schneider Family Book Awards are given in recognition of books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience. The 2025 awards were announced at the convention of the American Library Association (ALA) on January 26, 2026.
Younger Children’s Award (ages 0 to 8)
Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Díaz Merced
Charlesbridge Publishing
Young Children Honor Books
Bat and the Business of Ferrets
by Elana K. Arnold, Illustrated by Charles Santoso
Clarion Books
I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea
by Janice Milusich, Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Anne Schwartz Books/Random House Children’s Books
Middle Grade Award (ages 9-13)
Where Only Storms Grow
by Alyssa Colman
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Middle Grade Honor Books
Octopus Moon
by Bobbie Pyron
Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House
The Strongest Heart
by Saadia Faruqi
Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Young Adult, ages 14-18
Whale Eyes: A Memoir about Seeing and Being Seen
by James Robinson
Penguin Random House
Young Adult Honor Book
The Golden Boys’ Guide to Bipolar
by Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Wordsong/Astra Books
Education Newsletter
The National Federation of the Blind will soon launch Raising a Blind Child newsletter for parents and teachers of blind children of all ages. The newsletter will be sent out monthly and will showcase quotes and articles from various NFB publications as well as current happenings in the Federation.
The Amazing Adventures of Braille Boy: Power Outage
https://zuzusampson.com
Contact: [email protected]
Created by a young blind student who couldn’t find books about a blind superhero, Braille Boy is a blind boy with amazing powers. In this latest addition to the series, Braille Town is plunged into darkness after the evil Cane King makes a fatal mistake. By electrocuting Braille Alien and his flock of mischievous birds, Cane King inadvertently knocks out the town’s power grid. Braille Boy and his allies rise to the challenge, teaming up to restore electricity to their community. Their mission becomes a beacon of selfless service, reminding readers of the power of unity, resilience, and civic responsibility.
CripWisdoms, A Feminist Disability Coloring Book
by Haben Girma
Clovernook Prints
700 Hamilton Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45231
513-522-3860
ISBN: 9798992621716
This coloring and activity book was created by Miso Kwaak and Emily Nott, “two graduate students, friends, and co-conspirators” in Madison, Wisconsin. The book includes not only tactile drawings to color, but prompts for poems, activities, reflection, further learning, activism, and dialog with loved ones. The authors’ hope is that this book is “a pathway for people to engage with feminist disability studies theory and crip wisdoms, and that engagement with these ideas creates pathways to care, resistance, softness, struggle, and possibility. We hope this book gives you a place to color, make, spin, and reflect in ways that nourish you.” All profits from this book are donated to the Disability Visibility Project.
Walking Alone and Marching Together
A new podcast series, Walking Alone and Marching Together, brings to life the history of the National Federation of the Blind’s fight for equality and inclusion from 1940 to 1990. Learn about the victories, setbacks, and defining moments of the first fifty years of our movement, all presented in an accessible and engaging format. New episodes will be released every week. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or Podbean.
https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/walking-alone-and-marching-together
National Federation of the Blind Radio Network (NFBRN)
NFBRN is an all-new, always-on audio experience designed to transform, motivate, and raise expectations of blind people. Broadcasting 24/7, this dynamic station brings together a diverse mix of content from the organized blind movement, including legendary speeches, Braille Monitor articles, recent podcasts, convention highlights, uplifting stories, and live events. Send feedback and suggestions to [email protected]. NFBRN will unite multiple publications and voices, offering a seamless listening experience available through Amazon devices and other major radio platforms.
Audible Currency Reader
www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/us-currency-reader-program
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) has partnered with the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to provide currency readers free of charge to eligible individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Educational Technology Survey
https://nfb.org/legal/surveys
The NFB is gathering information regarding the accessibility of educational technology used in our nation’s schools (kindergarten through graduate level). If you are a student, parent, teacher, or administrator who uses screen access software or other accommodations to participate nonvisually in educational programs or services, or if you are the parent, teacher, or administrator of someone who does, please complete the Education Technology Survey once a semester and contribute to this important research.