The Cobb County Empowerment chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia Ink.
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia Ink.
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The Cobb County Empowerment chapter is committed to partnering the blind in achieving technology and employment goals. As well, the Chapter serves in the areas of accessible transportation and legislation. To fulfill on this programming, the Chapter serves as a central gathering place for related information, tools and resources and aggressively interacts with the general public.
ACCESSIBILITY
Technology affects the blind in every facet of life; daily living, home appliances, computers and software, internet tools and websites, telephones and other communication devices are the most common. Technology proliferation has created incredible resources and opportunities, but making the same accessible to the blind has not been a priority.
The Cobb County Empowerment Chapter considers gaining accessibility to current and future technologies a priority. The Chapter does not see technology accessibility as the sole responsibility of business. Instead, the Chapter takes partnering responsibility as it provides user education and resources to the blind. By educating ourselves we advance the blind community and gain further license to demand responsiveness from business.
The Cobb County Empowerment Chapter takes a no-limit position on mobility and transportation. Like the general population, the blind must be free to travel to any chosen location without undue hardship. The Chapter acknowledges accessibility in this area is an ongoing effort that requires consistent participation of the blind; developing strong mobility skills is only the first of essential responsibilities.
The Chapter works with transportation advocates and authorities, legislators and complainants to maximize transportation accessibility.
More than eighty percent of the blind population is currently unemployed. This speaks to several issues, including lack of preparedness and lack of opportunity. The Cobb County Empowerment Chapter has taken a lead in working toward solutions in these two areas. Chapter Accessibility and Mobility/Transportation programming combine with educational programs for the blind and prospective employers to increase employment of blind individuals who want to work.
Chapter employment advocates, vocational specialists, trainers and supporters work with employers to determine what is needed to have successful hiring and workplace experiences. Chapter members and other interested members of the blind community enjoy prospective and actual work opportunities through cooperation with this process.
Even though several studies have shown that people who are blind and know Braille are far more likely to be employed than those who rely on voice synthesizers, Approximately 90% of all blind individuals are Braille illiterate. These are the hard facts of the workplace. Although technological advances now provide people who are blind with additional workplace tools in the same way technology has enhanced the efficiency of sighted people, computers, scanners, and voice synthesizers do not replace the need for Braille.
Braille, like print, enables a person to make notes, read a spreadsheet, take minutes at a meeting, file materials, label CD’s and do a variety of
other tasks efficiently and independently.
A person who knows Braille is statistically more likely to be employed. That is true today and will continue to be true years from now. Technology is wonderful, but it will never be a substitute for basic literacy skills. People who do not read and write well have trouble succeeding in school and in the workplace. This is why the Cobb County Empowerment Chapter has launched an aggressive campaign to increase Braille literacy in our public schools by offering tutoring that will supplement the curriculum that is currently being taught. We are simultaneously educating the general public on the need and benefits of Braille. We believe that the success of blind citizens is our business and we are seriously taking it one cell and one dot at a time!!
Office Phone: (678) 603-4881
Fax: 229-846-6919
E-Mail: officeofthepresident@ccecnfb.org
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccecnfb
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