National Press Release

Alliance President & CEO Dave McCurdy to Speak at Event

BALTIMORE, Feb. 27, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced today that the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a coalition of eleven major automakers, will participate in the NFB's third annual March for Independence. The Motor City March for Independence will take place on the morning of July 6, 2009, as part of the convention of the National Federation of the Blind that is to be held in Detroit. Over a thousand blind citizens from across the nation will march to raise money to benefit blind people all over the United States and to raise awareness about the capabilities of blind people.

Dave McCurdy, President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said: "Alliance members support organizations, such as the National Federation of the Blind, that are doing important work to ensure the health and safety of drivers, pedestrians, and others who use America's roadways. I'm pleased the organization is supporting Detroit by choosing it as the location for this event. Although ours is a global industry, automakers have many historical ties to this area."

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "We are pleased to have the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in this year's March for Independence. It is particularly fitting that at our Motor City March we will be joined by the organization that represents the most innovative and influential car manufacturers in the world."

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (www.autoalliance.org) represents eleven car and light truck manufacturers, including BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen. It represents the common interests of its members and provides a forum to enable them to advance public policies that meet consumer and societal needs for clean, sustainable, safe, efficient, and affordable personal transportation.

For more information about the March for Independence, including how to participate and how to sponsor a marcher, visit www.marchforindependence.org. To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind, please visit www.nfb.org.

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.

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

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind