Additional media inquiries:
RFB&D News Desk 1-800-803-7201, press 6
media e-mail inquiries

VERIZON FOUNDATION SUPPORTS RFB&D-LA

Los Angeles, CA, October 16, 2002 - RFB&D-LA (Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic-Los Angeles) is proud to announce today that the Verizon Foundation has contributed $25,000 in support of RFB&D-LA's Educational Outreach Expansion Initiative. This initiative intensifies RFB&D-LA's Learning Through Listening Program by supporting the hiring of additional outreach staff to better serve students in the San Fernando Valley and the rest of Los Angeles County.

RFB&D-LA's Executive Director Carol Smith said, "We are so grateful for this substantial gift to help us reach out to more students in more schools who are not able to access the printed page."

RFB&D is a national nonprofit organization that for more than 50 years, has provided audio textbooks for students of all ages with vision, physical or learning disabilities. RFB&D-LA has three recording studios located in Hollywood, Reseda and El Segundo. Their educational outreach department includes teacher, student and parent training.

Verizon Foundation's priority focuses on literacy, community technology development, workforce development and employee volunteerism.

For more information about RFB&D-LA, call 1-800-732-TEXT and visit their website at www.rfbd.org/LA.

# # #