1. Jon Schorsch: The National
Federation of the Blind’s
Meet the Blind Month

2. Introduction
 I worked with the Port of Seattle Police Department for several
years until 2006, when I was blinded in a boating accident on a
lake in Washington State.
 I choose to live a dynamic lifestyle in spite of losing my sight
and am active in several professional and philanthropic
organizations including the Port of Seattle Police Benevolent
Association and Sight Connections, a not-for-profit offering skill
development and rehabilitation services to individuals without
sight living in the Pacific Northwest.
 In addition, I volunteer with the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB). Each October, NFB hosts Meet the Blind Month, a
national campaign with the goal of fundraising and building
consciousness around issues affecting members of the visually
impaired community.

3. Purpose of Meet the Blind
Month
 Ultimately, NFB considers it its mission to convey that the
largest obstacle to the visually impaired is the overall lack of
proper information about the daily lifestyles of people with
that particular challenge.
 With a focus on cultivating meetings between individuals who
are blind and individuals who are sighted, Meet the Blind
Month aims to present opportunities for people that are
visually challenged to share stories and experiences.
 Various events including fundraising dinners, walk-a-thons,
and meet and greets executed by local NFB chapters work
toward this goal.

4. About the NFB
 A well-established organization, NFB maintains 50,000 active
members and 700 chapters across the United States.
 In 2004, NFB launched the first-ever research and training
facility benefiting people affected by blindness that is overseen
by individuals with blindness, called the National Federation of
the Blind Jernigan Institute.
 In addition, other established blind advocacy groups add unique
services to the vision-impaired community.
 The American Council of the Blind works to build the independence
and promote equal opportunity for individuals that are visually
impaired.
 Also, the American Foundation for the Blind increases technology
access and promotes healthy lifestyles for individuals with blindness
and their families.

5. About the Author
Based in Washington State near Seattle, Jon Schorsch
currently volunteers at the National Federation of the Blind as
a self-defense instructor. Full details about Meet the Blind
Month are available at www.nfb.org.