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The Race for Independence is quite simply the expression of our desire to speed toward our goal of achieving first-class citizenship status in society at an ever-increasing pace. It is the anchor of the National Federation of the Blind’s Imagination Fund, the annual campaign to raise proceeds for NFB programs at the national, state, and local levels.
Background
The Imagination Fund is the fundraising arm of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, which opened for business on January 30, 2004. The only facility of its type in the world, the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute leads the way in developing and implementing innovative programs of education, technology, and training for the blind.
From the very beginning, the work of the Institute has been made possible by the efforts of blind and sighted men and women in communities across the nation. As supporters of the Imagination Fund (or “Imaginators”), these men and women have made annual commitments to spread the word about the work of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute and to secure funding for its programs and initiatives.
Each year, 50 percent of proceeds raised for the National Federation of the Blind's Imagination Fund are used for programs at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, and 50 percent are distributed among the fifty-two affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind to support local and state outreach efforts benefiting blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision.
At the 2007 convention in Atlanta, Georgia, the National Federation of the Blind conducted its first ever March for Independence--A Walk for Opportunity, a 5K walk-a-thon fundraising event and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind movement and its supporters.
The 2007 March was so successful that it was repeated at the 2008 convention in Dallas, Texas, and again at the Convention in Detroit, Michigan, in 2009, netting a three-year total of well over $1.3 million for the Imagination Fund.
Since its inception in 2004, the Imagination Fund has distributed over $1 million to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute and $1 million to NFB state and local programs. Our Imaginators are working hard to build upon this success in the 2010/2011 campaign.
Over a thousand marchers gathered in front of the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas, Texas, on July 2, 2008, for the second annual March for Independence--A Walk for Opportunity.
Watch the National Federation of the Blind 2008 March for Independence rally with our Braille Resolution and the unveiling of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
The Imagination Fund has proven to be a sterling example of grassroots organization and commitment since 2004. But now the time has come to pick up the pace.
2010 and Beyond
In 2010, the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute is collaborating with students at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory at Virginia Tech University’s Mechanical Engineering Department to develop a road-ready vehicle that can be operated by a blind driver without sighted assistance.
This vehicle is not merely equipped with an audio guidance system designed to tell the driver where to go, but it is also being fitted with technology that describes the environment through tactile imaging. This way, the driver can make informed decisions about how to navigate the vehicle as opposed to simply following spoken instructions.
The 2010-2011 Campaign
The car will be debuted on the world stage on January 29, 2011, in Daytona, Florida just before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. It will also be on display at the 71st National Federation of the Blind convention in Orlando Florida. To learn more about our national conventions and the registration process, visit www.nfb.org. Please note that registering for the convention is a completely separate process from registering to be an Imaginator.
Join us in the summer of 2011 in Orlando, Florida, as we display this innovative technology and prepare to make history. Let us race toward tomorrow together.
Race for Independence
2009-2010 Medallion Recipients
Lindsay Adair
Jennifer Applegate
Carolyn Baron
Denice Brown
Dan Burke
Anthony Cobb
Parnell Diggs
John Fritz
Michael Hingson
Mary Ellen Jernigan
Kayleigh Joiner
Ann-Marie Laney
Marc Maurer
Patricia Maurer
Patricia Miller
Ed Morman
Jack and Pat Munson
John Paré
Barbara Pierce
Mark Riccobono
Joe Ruffalo
Judy Ruffalo
Kevan Worley
Top Ten Teams
Jernigan Institute
Ruff Ruff Pet Care
Team NAGDU
The Imaginators
Captain Ken's Team
Central Oklahoma Imaginators
Team Moe & May Whitaker
Florida Organization of Parents of Blind Children
California Dreamers
Lucas Cassi
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