North Pole (November 14, 2008):  Once again, Santa has enlisted the help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas season. 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:  “Santa approached the National Federation of the Blind a couple of years ago and asked us to be his helpers.  I’m quite fond of the fellow and was delighted that we could assist him in his work.  Braille literacy is the key to success and opportunity for the blind; besides, reading Braille is lots of fun.  It’s really exciting for kids to get their very own Braille letter at Christmas time from jolly old St. Nicholas himself.”

Between November 16 and December 16, parents can go online at www.nfb.org and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form.  The form can also be printed and faxed to (410) 659-6893.  Beginning December 1, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around the country.  The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read), and parents can choose the contracted or uncontracted form of Braille for the letter.  Requests for letters must include the writer’s name, the child’s name, birthday, gender, mailing address, and a telephone number or e-mail address in case Santa’s helpers at the National Federation of the Blind have questions.

The deadline for letter requests is December 16, to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received before Christmas.  For more information about this and other programs of the National Federation of the Blind, please visit our Web site at www.nfb.org.