Skip to Content

BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning) Academy

NFB BELL Academy logo

The National Federation of the Blind of California (NFBCA) will be sponsoring its 2018 BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning) Academy held weekdays, June 18 through June 29, 2018 between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. The program will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church located at:
2440 Hilltop Drive
Redding, California 96022

The BELL Academy will provide instruction in Braille and daily living skills to children ages 4 through 12 who have lacked the opportunity and sufficient exposure to these important areas. In addition, the children will form new friendships with other vision impaired/blind children and adults.

The children will have access to blind adults that will serve as mentors and facilitators of our program. Our goal is to enable the children to live the lives they want through upbeat and positive attitudes, skills, and experiences provided by the BELL Academy.

If you would like to review and/or complete an application for the BELL Academy, please visit https://nfb.org/bell-student-application-form. You can also read the affiliate-specific Frequently Asked Questions brochure for California at https://nfb.org/bell-academy-faqs-affiliate/ca. For more information, please contact Deborah Worstman, our state BELL coordinator, at dlworstman@gmail.com or by phone at 5306467149.

BELL Academy Sponsorship Request for 2018

You Can Help Sponsor This Summer’s BELL Academy
From Ice Cream to T-Shirts, Braille Paper to Pizza

Please consider the opportunity to help sponsor some part of the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy this summer, to be conducted in Redding, CA. The BELL Academy dates for 2018 are June 18th to 29th.

The BELL Academy is a two-week program for vision impaired and blind children ages 4 through 12, many of whom have had minimal exposure to braille. The program presents opportunities to enhance braille and blindness skills. Instruction in activities of daily living furthers the children’s independence and self-sufficiency. Blind mentors and volunteers provide excellent role models, keeping expectations high and proving that blindness is not the characteristic that defines one’s future. All BELL Academy children receive a free white cane and a free slate and stylus from the NFB.

Please review and consider the following list of sponsorships. Thank you.

  • $200 Tee shirts for all participants
  • $200 Supplies for arts and crafts
  • $150 Christmas in July party with Santa
  • $100 Louis Braille birthday party
  • $100 Various games: Twister, Bingo, etc.
  • $100 Field trip
  • $30 Mid week pizza party
  • $30 Braille paper
  • $20 Dark lined paper
  • $15 20/20 pens
  • $10 Snacks per day
  • $5 Water for each day

Sponsorship for Tactile Graphic Products

Competence in understanding and using tactile/raised-line illustrations is critical for blind children both for academic and expressive needs. The following five items promote this important but often less-recognized subject area.

  1. 4 or more Sensational Graphics Blackboards at $49.95. Here’s a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHt_QYMg8E
  2. 3D Doodler Pens, $100 each with “ink” strands. More packs of “ink strands” cost $12.00 for a 25-pack.
  3. InTact Sketch Pad $125. http://www.easytactilegraphics.com
  4. InTact Sketch Pad electric eraser $150
  5. Extra InTact Sketch Pad paper: 100 sheets for $24.00

Note: We have received several sponsorships prior to this posting, and we thank those that have made the donation.

Once again, thanks for your interest and support to drive the BELL Academy vehicle along the road to literacy and learning for blind children. Together, with love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

Please make checks payable to NFBCA and mail to:
Ever Lee Hairston, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
8484 Crescent Drive
Los Angeles, California 90046

In the memo, please write “BELL.” Any sponsorship in any amount will be appreciated.

Back to top