AFB AND VERIZON READS - THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR LITERACY, TEXTBOOKS, TRANSCRIBERS, AND TECHNOLOGY 2002-2004

Verizon Reads is the umbrella organization for Verizon's support of improving literacy in America. Established in 1999, Verizon Reads is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and is dedicated to establishing meaningful programs that create awareness, raise funds, support a wide diversity of literacy programs, and encourage collaboration among literacy organizations nationwide.

The AFB and Verizon Reads National Campaign will:

• Raise broad-based awareness across America of the needs of blind and low-vision schoolchildren for access to textbooks and instructional materials,
• Achieve acceptance at the policy level for the new college-based career- braille textbook transcriber and advocate the employment of trained and credentialed transcribers to federal and state decision-makers,
• Deliver broad access to the career course work through community college programs, and
• Promote the new college-based career and access to the training to potential recruits across America.

The Campaign Components

Verizon Reads Literacy Champion - Erik Weihenmayer

Erik Weihenmayer will serve as the Verizon Reads Literacy Champion and spokesperson for the Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers and Technology National Campaign. Mr. Weihenmayer will be featured at the National Introduction Event on October 3, 2002, and at two on-campus events each year in 2003 and 2004. He will be pictured on the poster and recruiting materials, and appear in public service announcements and the videos for advocacy and recruiting. He will also be available to media for interviews relating to the AFB and Verizon Reads National Campaign.

National Awareness Program

Beginning in 2002 and consistently through 2004, AFB and its communications partner, Dawson/Duncan, will launch and maintain a broad-based media relations and publicity program to achieve maximum national awareness. Media targets will include key consumer media, from Oprah to People Magazine, as well as media segments in public policy, education, careers and training.

The National Introduction Event - October 3, 2002 - Washington, DC

A reception, featuring a keynote address by Verizon Reads' Literacy Champion Erik Weihenmayer and remarks by AFB and Verizon leadership, will be held for key national leaders, policy and decision-makers, parents of children with visual impairments, and corporate partners.

On-Campus Events

On-campus events will be held in four key markets in Texas, California, New York and Florida. Each event will feature the Verizon Reads Literacy Champion, Verizon and AFB representatives.

The on-campus events entail a visit to a local public school by Verizon Reads Literacy Champion Erik Weihenmayer, who will speak to an assembly of the general public, college students, and students who are blind or have low vision. Mr. Weihenmayer will speak about the events and challenges described in his book, Touch the Top, and relate these to the National Campaign for Literacy, Textbooks, Transcribers, and Technology. Each student attending will be given a paperback copy of the book.

Events are tentatively scheduled as follows:

• Texas - September 2003
• California - October 2003
• New York - May 2004
• Florida - October 2004

For more information contact, Mary Ann Siller, AFB, 214-352-7222, ext 15 or at siller@afb.net.