Two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars to Go Into Space Today

National Federation of the Blind Launches Program to Sell 50,000 Coins before
the Shuttle Returns

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
-- When the space shuttle Atlantis takes off today, it will carry two Louis
Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars. This unique coin commemorates the birth
of the inventor of the reading and writing code for the blind and is the first
United States coin to contain tactile, readable Braille. At the same time,
the National Federation of the Blind will launch a program to sell 50,000 of
these limited edition coins to raise funds to advance Braille literacy in the
United States before the shuttle returns to earth in eleven days.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"This is an exciting moment because the general public has the chance to buy a
piece of history -- a coin that not only represents knowledge and empowerment
for blind people but that also will visit the Hubbell Space Telescope. Just
as the Hubbell telescope has advanced our knowledge of the universe,
purchasing the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will advance the cause
of equality for the blind."

Mark Riccobono, executive director of the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, said: "Blind children in America are facing a crisis --
only 10 percent of them are learning Braille, leaving 90 percent illiterate.
It is imperative that the general public act swiftly to reverse illiteracy
among blind children. That is why we are asking everyone to purchase a Louis
Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar before Atlantis returns to earth."

To purchase the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, please visit
www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The proof silver dollar is
$41.95 and the uncirculated silver dollar is $33.95. For more information
about the National Federation of the Blind and the Braille Readers are Leaders
campaign, please visit www.braille.org.

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind

Chris Danielsen, Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of
the Blind, +1-410-659-9314, ext. 2330, +1-410-262-1281 (Cell),
cdanielsen@nfb.org