eBay to Sponsor the National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, today announced that eBay has signed on to be the title sponsor of the national convention to be held in Orlando this summer. The national convention gathers nearly three thousand blind people each year to discuss issues of importance to the blind. The 2011 event will be the largest disability conference of its kind this year.

“eBay has long believed in the power of entrepreneurs to build successful businesses online, and we are proud to have partnered with the NFB in championing e-commerce and opportunities for the community to start and grow small businesses”

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “We are pleased to have eBay as the title sponsor of our national convention. The national convention is always a momentous event, bringing thousands of blind people together to share ideas about how we will effect positive change across the country. With the help of generous sponsors like eBay, this year’s convention will surely be the best we have ever held. We sincerely thank eBay for its commitment to improving the lives of the blind in America.”

In September 2010, the NFB and eBay announced a partnership to increase employment and business opportunities for blind Americans. eBay.com now includes enhanced features for users to buy, bid and sell using the keyboard alone, as well as improved ways to navigate content using assistive technologies such as screen access software. The blind can now more easily connect with eBay’s 95 million active users and shop from 200 million live listings.

“eBay has long believed in the power of entrepreneurs to build successful businesses online, and we are proud to have partnered with the NFB in championing e-commerce and opportunities for the community to start and grow small businesses,” said Jonas Klink, eBay senior product manager for search front-end and global accessibility efforts. “We thank the NFB for the chance to connect its members with new, innovative technologies and ways to use eBay to drive job creation and e-commerce opportunities.”

The 2011 NFB National Convention will take place from July 3 to July 8, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. For more information about the NFB, please visit www.nfb.org. To learn more about how to get started as an eBay seller and entrepreneur using screen access software, please visit www.ebay.com/accessibility.

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.