The Minnesota Parents of Blind Children is a division of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, which is part of the National Federation of the Blind. Our purpose is to increase opportunities for blind children in their homes, schools and communities. Membership is $5.00 annually (in addition to NFB of Minnesota $5.00 dues), and includes subscriptions to two national publications, The Braille Monitor, and Future Reflections. Our activities in Minnesota are focused on the support and education of parents, and advocating for children. We publish a monthly newsletter for parents of blind children, promote the Braille Readers are Leaders contest, and offer periodic parent seminars. Information is available by calling Carrie Gilmer at 763-784-8590 or e-mail carrie.gilmer@gmail.com.
We also sponsor several monthly events, held at our NFB of Minnesota Headquarters, designed for children and teens.
"Teen Night" happens on a Friday night each month.
Blind teenagers have the opportunity to get together with blind
adults to participate in fun activities while getting exposure to
positive attitudes about blindness.
"Saturday School" is a monthly session
on Saturday morning for younger children to have fun while
learning skills of blindness that might not be covered during
regular school or at home, such as how to carry a lunch tray with
a cane or how to pour a drink of water. Blind adults make
excellent teachers and role models for the children.
These events are attracting the notice of teachers of blind students working in schools-recently a teacher, noticing the positive impact that Saturday school had on one of her students, attended both teen night and Saturday school on her own, and got more of her students involved. Of course, not only do the children benefit from these activities, but the parents do too. The parents have the chance to talk with one another and with blind adults about blindness-related problems and solutions, and they have the chance to tap into the vast, rich network that is the National Federation of the Blind.