News from the Regional Unit of the South Central States

Welcome New State Directors to the Regional Unit of the South Central States.

Rachel Hernandez Oklahoma State Director rhernandez@rfbd.org

Paula Graves Arkansas State Director rhernandez@rfbd.org

Click here to view our latest newsletter for Spring 2008

The following are parts of our current Media Kit. Please contact Jenny Falke at jfalke@rfbd.org if you are a member of the media and would like further assistance.

Backgrounder
Fact Sheet
Testimonials
National FAQ

A quest to move forward, a defeat of stubborn habits and a change in attitude inspire RFB&D® scholarship awards

AUSTIN, TX - Three remarkable students have been chosen as the 2008 Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic® Regional Unit of the South Central States scholarship recipients. All three have some form of dyslexia and chose to accommodate their learning disability by using RFB&D's audio textbooks only to find the difference it made in their education was life-changing.

One overcame his frustration of never understanding what he read because he used so much energy to get to the next word in the book and is now performing at his highest level with a 3.78 GPA. Another realized he could keep up with his peers more easily if he changed his study habits - since then, his confidence level has improved his leadership abilities in his band's student organization, his community service and his religion. The last winner learned to use her obstacles as ways to sense compassion in others which she shows through her art work and appreciates the fact that her grandmother's volunteer work recording books at one of RFB&D's studions has come full circle in saving her and her sister's academic lives.

A committee of judges reviewed the applications in early January and the results of the $1,000 awards were announced to each of the following winners this past week:

• Kevin Luecke, a Senior at St. Michaels Catholic Academy in Austin, TX, son of Jane Peddicard and John Luecke, was honored at the Regional Unit of the South Central States Celebration Luncheon at the Omni Downtown on Feb. 6 at 11:30 a.m. He will speak at the event and describe how he began to move forward in his education. "Someone once told me that reading with dyslexia is like walking backwards; it's possible but never comfortable…Getting books on CD from RFB&D made a world of difference," said Kevin.
• Steven Mintz, a Senior at Greenhill School in Addison, TX is the son of Sheryl and Howard Mintz. Steven said he remembers the long nights he spent reading with barely any comprehension. He thought his system was intact until he became a musician and realized he was an auditory learner which made him try RFB&D's audiobooks. "Right from the start, I realized a significant increase in comprehension… there has been a steady increase in test taking abilities, essay writing skills, and class grades," Steven said.
• Jessica Adams, of Houston and now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, is the daughter of Joseph and Gail Adams. In her scholarship essay she recalled what she said were painful memories of her struggles. "There is always denial about a disability… which is another self-conscious dimension of learning differences that I constantly struggle to overcome." Later, Jessica said that she has ironically been inspired by her disability and she attributes her success to the goals she made to overcome dyslexia.

The Regional Unit of the South Central States of RFB&D is celebrating a 10 year anniversary of its studio building in Austin and the expansion of its program to serve students in Texas, Arkansas & Oklahoma at the Celebration Luncheon on Feb. 6. The other winners will be recognized at events near their hometowns.

RFB&D scholarships show support to students who consistently strive to do their best while facing a print disability that would cause them to need the nonprofit's accommodation. RFB&D's playback devices and educational materials in audio format are supported by research. A John Hopkins University study shows the materials increase content acquisition by 38% for students with learning disabilities and difficulties.

2007 News Archive

2006 News Archive