BY JANET MONTOYA
At Large Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
As the president of the At Large Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico, (NFBNM). I would like to introduce you to this empowering organization. The members of this organization are productive and active citizens, supporting businesses and providing services to the community. The National Federation of the Blind is the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people, and has the power, influence, diversity, and determination to help transform our dreams into reality. We believe in blind people because we are blind people.
The purpose of the At Large Chapter of the NFBNM is to advance the general welfare of the blind statewide, and of the nation; to function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind; to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of the statewide; to operate as a mechanism through which the blind and interested public can come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children; to forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression; to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality; and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.
October is Blindness Equality Awareness Month and I hope you will join our organization Oct. 7 at the Bathtub Row Brewery for our 1st annual fundraiser. We will have food and family friendly events. There will be face painting, ring toss, and a corn hole tournament along with a silent auction.