Fundraiser Monday will support programs for blind, visually impaired

October is Blind Equality Achievement Month.

The National Federation of the Blind is hosting a fundraiser Monday to support its advocacy work and blind-specific programs. A portion of sales at the following businesses will go to the National Federation of the Blind-Idaho: Papa Murphy's, Post Falls or Hayden; Grounded Coffee, Post Falls or Coeur d’Alene; and Roger's Burgers, Post Falls.

The National Federation of the Blind is the biggest blind advocacy organization in the U.S. and Puerto Rico with upwards of 50,000 members and more than 700 chapters.

The Idaho affiliate advocates for blind people at the federal and state level. Representatives have attended a seminar in Washington, D.C., every year in January to advocate for blind issues such as website and apps accessibility, medical device accessibility and prescription bottle accessibility to be able to read the name of the medication and dosages independently, to name a few.

In September, a bipartisan bill was introduced into the House and the Senate that will support website and apps accessibility. While this is exciting news for the blind community, much work is left to be done.

The Idaho affiliate works to support and improve projects specific to blind individuals such through scholarships for blind college students, access to newspapers and magazines by phone, Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning for blind and visually impaired children and teens, career mentoring, distance education and more.

Info: nfbidaho.org/donate