Welcome to the NFB of Pennsylvania

2023 Piano Bar Fundraiser:
Pianos vs. Guitars

The Piano Bar is back in 2023! This year, it’s pianos versus guitars and it is taking place on Saturday, April 1 starting at 7 pm Eastern. Please register for the event. We are suggesting a $5 donation, but feel free to give more!

Learn More & Register

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

The National Federation of the Blind of PA knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.

Since 1977, the National Federation of the Blind of PA has been helping members live the lives they want! We know that the real problem concerning blindness is not blindness itself but the lack of knowledge, understanding, and opportunity from our sighted peers. Get involved in the NFB of PA, the largest organization of the blind in the nation and in the state, and help us live the lives we want!

The National Federation of the Blind of PA is a state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.

Our Mission:

The mission of the National Federation of the Blind of PA Is to improve the general well-being of the blind of Pennsylvania by Serving as a vehicle for collective action, to provide opportunities for blind and interested sighted persons to come together in local chapters and state meetings to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life of the blind; to provide opportunities 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 provide a mechanism where the blind of Pennsylvania can become equal partners in society with their sighted counterparts.

What is the NFB?

The National Federation of the Blind is an organization of the blind speaking for ourselves. Click here to learn more.

Important News

Voting in Pennsylvania

  • Friends and Family, voting is one of our most important rights and duties.
  • In the state of PA, you must be 18 and a US citizen in order to register.
    • May 2, 2022 is the last day to register for the 2022 primary election. If you have even recently moved within the state you must update your registration by then.
    • October 24, 2022 is the deadline to register for the 2022 general election. If you have even recently moved within the state you must update your registration by then.
    • Visit vote.pa.gov for county election information and an online registration form.
    • We do not recommend waiting till the deadline to register.

    Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need assistance of any kind. Your vote does count! For questions, please email Emily Gindleesperger, legislative director, at vp2@nfbp.org.

    Applications for the DemocracyLive Ballots Now Available!

    Voting Is Your Right Not A Privilege! The Pennsylvania Primary will be here soon and you do not want to get left out of being able to cast your ballot!!!!! The Pennsylvania Department of State in working with DemocracyLive has recently made their forms totally accessible for those using screen reader software!

    Visit the link below and follow all the instructions. Do It Now Before It is too late!

    https://www.vote.pa.gov/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Accessible-Remote-Ballot-Marking-Solution-for-Mail-Voting.aspx

    National Federation of the Blind COVID-19 Policy Relating to Public Events

    Please give attention to the policy directive from the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind related to the immediate postponement of public meetings of the organization. You can read the policy directive and hear an emergency Presidential Release related to this matter at https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-covid-19-policy-relating-public-events.

    COVID-19 Resources

    The National Federation of the Blind is closely monitoring the COVID-19 emergency, which is changing everyone’s lives but has unique effects on blind people. The health and safety of all of our members, colleagues, and friends is always our top priority. Information on the NFB’s COVID-19 Resources page, <www.nfb.org/resources/covid-19-resources>, provides resources that may be particularly useful to blind people facing challenges during the emergency. If you have found other resources that you believe are useful, please email the information to communicationsteam@nfb.org. For the latest happenings with the NFB surrounding COVID-19, please visit www.nfb.org.

    NFB of PA Zoom Events

    Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania are hosting conference call meetings on a variety of topics. These meetings are conducted on the Zoom platform. To view the listing of upcoming meetings, please visit our Zoom Meeting Calendar page for a listing of the most current Zoom meetings.

    You can listen to past Zoom events from our Archive page, which contains recordings of our trainings and other events.

    For a full listing of Zoom events hosted either by other state affiliates or the national organization, please email communicationsteam@nfb.org and they will add you to their listing.

    2023 NFB of PA White Cane Coffee Fundraiser

    Helping the affiliate has now become as easy as drinking your morning cup of coffee!! As featured at the 2019 State Convention, White Cane Coffee and the National Federation of the Blind of PA are working together.

    Purchase your coffee here:
    www.whitecanecoffee.com/ref/nfbp

    10% of the sales will come back to us – the NFB of PA – so we can continue to help our fellow blind and increase our programs for our seniors, students, and children! Spread the word!

    National Convention

    The National Federation of the Blind National Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the world. Click here to learn more.

    State Convention

    The NFBP State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. Click here to learn more.

    White Canes Connect Podcast

    White Canes Connect is a monthly audio program shining a spotlight on the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, its chapters, divisions, groups, and people. Click here to learn more or send an email to the podcast’s hosts at WhiteCanesConnect@gmail.com.

    NFB BELL® (Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning) Academy

    The NFB BELL® (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) Academy is a one to two week summer day program that teaches confidence and independence skills through Braille, crafts, games, field trips, and interaction with blind mentors. Children ages 4 -12 learn that their blindness or low vision does not define them or their future. They can live the lives they want. Click here to learn more or contact Emily Gindlesperger, coordinator, at pabell@nfbp.org.

    NFB-NEWSLINE®

    NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, or print-disabled that offers access to 500 publications, job listings, weather alerts, and more. Access through the phone, apps, computer, Alexa, and more. Click here to learn more.

    KNFB Reader

    KNFB Reader is an award-winning mobile app for blind, low-vision, dyslexic, and other print-disabled users that converts text to speech or text to Braille. Click here to learn more.

    We Need Your Help! Monitor Uber and Lyft Compliance with Service Animal Agreement

    If you use Uber or Lyft and have a service animal or travel with someone who does, please complete our Uber and Lyft survey.

    Green Drop Program

    Donate clothing, household items, toys and much more to benefit the NFB. Drop off at a GreenDrop collection site, or call 888-610-4632 for home pickup. Learn more at gogreendrop.com.

    NFB Vehicle Donations Program

    Donate a vehicle to the NFB by calling 855-659-9314 or by making an online donation.

    Additional Information

    For additional information about the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania or how to send us a donation, please contact NFBP President Lynn Heitz at the following:

    National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania
    33 Merganser Drive
    Sinking Spring, PA 19608
    Phone: 215-988-0888
    Email: president at nfbp dot org
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindpa
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nfbpa