AFB Blog

Arlington, VA (Feb. 23, 2023) — The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced today a major bequest in excess of $2.2M made on behalf of Marilyn and Francine Gruder, which will support the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). AFB’s flagship publication of scholarly research to the field of blindness and low vision, in perpetuity. “On behalf of AFB’s staff and its Board of Trustees, we want to extend our deepest thanks to the Gruder Trust for investing in AFB’s scholarly…

February is Low Vision Awareness Month. Low vision is defined as impaired vision that cannot be corrected by glasses, surgery, or medication. The most common causes of low vision include Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy. The most common signs of low vision include difficulty or inability to read print, especially small print clearly; find common items like the TV remote or other items that might just get laid around; bumping into people or things; and difficulty recognizing people…

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to announce registration is now open for the 2023 AFB Leadership Conference, April 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Virginia. This premier event in the field of blindness and low vision convenes leaders from across the country, providing an excellent opportunity to grow in knowledge and network with collaborators in the field. The theme for this year’s event is “Empowering Digital Inclusion,” building on the rich progress that has…

“Children need to find images of themselves and their worlds, and also gain exposure to other cultures and experiences through the books that they read or have read to them,” write the authors of the lead article of a recent issue of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). The article, “Cultural Diversity in Children’s Braille Books,” by Monique A. Coleman and Judith Harrison, features an in-depth investigation into the racial identity of primary and secondary characters in…

July is Disability Pride Month, and we know many have been excited to reconnect with colleagues and friends at the National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind conventions. Here are a few recent stories we have been reading with particular interest. First, the good news: People who need more accessible at-home COVID tests can now receive 12 free tests instead of two. The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a new initiative to expand the availability of…

The Blind Leaders Development Program was created in 2019 and produced its first graduating class in 2021. Since then, the program has seen a steady rise in both applicants as well as fellows and mentors. The third cohort begins this summer, and the positive results of the program are already being realized. “I see so much promise in this incoming class, our largest group thus far,” said Neva Fairchild, who oversees the program. “The personal and professional growth we expect in each…

Today marks the 142nd birthday of Helen Keller! Helen paved the way for so many of us to follow in her example of innovation, courage, and advocacy. When Helen joined AFB in 1924, her work led to state commissions for the blind, funding for rehabilitation centers, and increased access to education for students who are blind or have low vision. The Helen Keller Archive contains over 475 speeches and essays that she wrote on topics as varied as faith, blindness prevention, women's rights,…

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to welcome new Interim Executive Director, Howard Sitron. Mr. Sitron will work with top AFB leadership and stakeholders on the organization’s many ongoing initiatives, such as the advocacy and research of the AFB Public Policy Research Institute, the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program, and the AFB Talent Lab. “I am honored to serve as interim executive director of this renowned and highly impactful organization,” Mr. Sitron said. “I…

[Editor’s Note: The following post comes from Chris Fendrick, a fellow in the Centennial Cohort of the Blind Leaders Development Program, and the second of a two-parter. His first entry describes the program; Part 2 recaps the AFB Leadership Conference.] The in-person Leadership Challenge aspect of the program began in earnest as we convened in Arlington, VA, in advance of the AFB Leadership Conference. My colleague, Ken Meeker, spoke for many of us, noting that it was a transformative…