AFB Blog

Each year on December 3rd we recognize International Day of Persons With Disabilities, to raise awareness about the civil rights of persons with disabilities, on every level of life, be it social, political, economic, or cultural. This day, first recognized by the United Nations in 1992 at its headquarters in New York, serves as a tool to mobilize support and advocacy efforts, and inform the public about issues related to disabilities. At the American Foundation for the Blind, we believe that…

Last week, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a law investing $1.2 trillion in physical infrastructure and reauthorizing the surface transportation programs. We have been paying close attention to this legislation because the funding it authorizes impacts the availability of various public transportation systems that are important to people who are blind or have low vision for the next five years and beyond. As we know, lack of transportation is a leading barrier…

Today, as you think about the things you are grateful for, please know we are thinking of you. We are thankful for your kindness and commitment to creating a world with no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. Each day of the 100 years since our founding, we have chipped away at barriers in school, the workplace, and the community — you can look back at key milestones in our accessible, interactive timeline. Now, as we prepare to enter a new century of advocacy, innovation,…

This year and every year, the American Foundation for the Blind wants to take a moment to give tremendous thanks to the veterans who so selflessly have defended and protected our country with honor and pride. Thank you for your service. When veterans leave the military, it is not uncommon that they do so with disabilities. The Veteran’s Administration Office of Blind Rehabilitation Services estimates that there are over 130,000 veterans in the United States who are legally blind. AFB was…

Marc Safman is a fellow in the Blind Leaders Development Program Centennial Cohort. Marc is deafblind and has experience as a paralegal specializing in anti-money laundering compliance and litigation. He sits on the board of the American Association of the DeafBlind (AADB) and helped form the New York State Coalition of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Legislative Advocates. He frequently engages with legislators, candidates, and their staff to discuss disability and accessibility issues,…

One of the first questions people ask one another is, “What do you do for a living?” That question has such deep implications for most of us. Our jobs can be closely tied to who we are and what we value. What we do for work tells the world a lot about us: It can indicate our level of education or give an idea about someone’s personality. We often associate our self-worth with our careers. When we get a new job, we feel valued and when we get a promotion or raise, we feel a sense of…

Editor’s note: In the United States, October 15 is celebrated as White Cane Awareness Day — originally established as White Cane Safety Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. White canes are a powerful mobility tool and symbol of independence for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. In 2011, President Barack Obama also referred to White Cane Safety Day as Blind Americans Equality Day. In honor of White Cane Awareness Day, Amir Rahimi, AFB’s Major Donor and Corporate…

On October 11, 2021, the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee (FDR Committee) hosted a celebration to commemorate the 137th birthday of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with a wreath-laying ceremony at the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC. The wreath-laying coincides with the 75th anniversary of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt becoming chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights and drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Featured guests included Dr. Kirk Adams, President and CEO of the…

Video Transcript National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM's 2021 theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” This year, we reflect on the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand the…