The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute's National Center for Mentoring Excellence (NCME) has announced that the program will be expanding to include Ohio, Texas, Georgia, and Utah. The NCME is currently active in Nebraska and Louisiana, and the four additional states will begin their programs in October.

The NCME, established through a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration, works to develop and facilitate model mentoring programs that can be replicated throughout the country. These programs match blind and low vision young adults with positive blind role models who demonstrate good blindness skills, incorporate an exemplary philosophy of blindness into their daily lives, and are successful in their chosen careers.

The NCME aims to help blind young adults, ages sixteen to twenty-six, achieve increased post-secondary academic success, high-quality employment, and community integration through the mentoring programs.

Amy Phelps, coordinator of the NCME, said: "With the NCME program expanding to four more states, we are one step closer to achieving the ultimate goal of having model mentor programs in every state in the U.S. By connecting blind youth and young adults with successful adult blind mentors and role models, success for future generations is guaranteed."

"The value of learning from the experience of others is inestimable. As a result of the mentoring relationship, young adults will have the confidence and knowledge needed to explore the endless opportunities available to them," said Dr. Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind.

For more information on NCME, please visit
http://www.nfb.org/mentoring
or contact Amy Phelps at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2295.