American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults

10/13/2026

Did the American Action Fund predict the National League team that will appear in the 2026 World Series?

Through our free Braille Books Program, we distributed our August book (about the Milwaukee Brewers) and the July book (about the Dodgers) to thousands of blind children across the country.

Mark Riccobono, Executive Director of the American Action Fund, and Everette Bacon, Chief of Blindness Initiatives, at AIRA, admire their favorite picks from this year’s AAF free Braille Book Program. Who do you think will win the 2026 World Series?

10/08/2026

With profound love, gratitude, and sadness, the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults remembers our longest-serving President, Barbara Loos, who passed away today, October 8, 2026.

Barbara was a remarkable blind leader, a devoted champion for Braille, and a mentor whose belief in blind people helped others recognize their own possibilities despite the low expectations they often encountered. Her dedication to blind people fueled our work to distribute tools for independence free of charge, including thirty years of monthly Braille books, more than 100,000 long white canes, and nearly 10,000 Braille writing supplies, among many other projects initiated during her Presidency. In honor of her legacy, we will continue changing the world in the positive way Barbara modeled for us.

Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

08/04/2026

We are always looking for great books to add to our free Braille book program. What are some books or series that families and young readers are enjoying?

As we consider future titles, we're especially interested in books that:

*Are approximately 120 pages in length
*Have a reading level between second and fourth grade
*Are not already widely available in Braille through NLS or other Braille book producers

If you're not sure whether a book or series has already been produced in Braille, that's okay. We're happy to check. Books available in audio format or through Bookshare may still be good candidates for our program.

Your ideas help us continue providing engaging, age-appropriate Braille books for blind children and readers across the country.

06/16/2026

May is Get Caught Reading Month, and we're celebrating by shining the spotlight on the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults Free Braille Book Program! Since 1997, this program has provided a free braille chapter book every month with selections designed for readers at a 2nd–4th grade level. Learn more about this fantastic program and apply today: https://bit.ly/4uT9UX1

05/26/2026

We are so grateful for our relationship with the American Printing House for the Blind, and to be recognized for our mutual committment to Braille excellence and literacy over the years through our Braille Book Program! Here's to many more years of advocacy, literacy, and growth!

“Since 1919, the Action Fund has centered Braille literacy and provided programs and services to blind and deafblind Americans to fulfill unmet needs,” said Mark Riccobono, Executive Director of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. “We are honored to receive the APH Navigator award in recognition of the past commitment of our leaders, volunteers, and donors, and we intend for this recognition to further inspire us to do even more to empower blind and deafblind people in our second century.”

The American Printing House for the Blind Navigator Award recognizes the collaborative efforts and partnerships necessary to remove barriers and provide pathways ensuring that individuals have full access to education and life.

04/29/2026

"I'm a speech therapist and I incorporate as many Braille materials as I can into my visually impaired students' speech sessions. Phonological awareness skills are so important for both speech and literacy skills so incorporating the physical Braille letters strengthens both skills...Getting access to books at home will support all these skills...This is a wonderful program that will encourage reading and sharing Braille in the home setting."

With just $10, you can help us provide Braille books to increase literacy for blind and deafblind children. Give the ultimate gift, literacy, at: https://actionfund.org/donate.

04/29/2026

Everything is bigger in Texas, so let's make this the biggest Braille Book Fair ever. That's right, the Biggest Free Braille Book Fair's in the country is just around the corner. It will take place this July at the JW Marriot in Austin, Texas. To make this a huge success, we need donations of Braille books for all ages, all reading levels, and all genres. We particularly love Twin Vision® books, cookbooks, and books for beginning readers (no textbooks, Bibles, or magazines please!).

To make a book contribution, please contact: [email protected] for mailing information and details.

Help make this year's Braille Book Fair TEXAS sized by donating today!

04/29/2026

It's "Show and Tell Day"at the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults!

This year's Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest had some of the best and coolest prizes around, and we want YOU to share below what you won and how you are using it!

Share a few sentences, a picture, a video, or a story... of your winnings below, and you could be featured in your own post!

04/28/2026

Did you know blind people can draw and even feel images at their very fingertips? They can, and we want to show you how!

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is excited to announce the 2026 “Tactile Art Teach In,” for community educators and learners. Come learn how to create tactile art using various craft supplies and a Sensational Blackboard, from some of the best professionals in the country!

The best part is it’s FREE for those who attend! All events will be held at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore June 12-14 (for Educators) and June 14 (for learners). You can register at the attached link.

Spots will go fast, so be sure to register today!