Barbara Cheadle

The parent of a blind son, Barbara Cheadle presided over the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children from 1985 to 2008. She was the founding editor (1982) of Future Reflections, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) magazine for parents and teachers of blind children, which she edited from 1981 to 2009. For many years, she was also director of children's programs for the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Youth where she managed the Free Braille Books program for children. A tireless Braille literacy advocate, Barbara was instrumental in establishing the NFB's national Braille reading contest, the pre-literacy program for blind and visually impaired children, Braille Reading Pals; and the Braille is Beautiful program--a diversity-awareness program to teach sighted children about blindness.

A long time supporter of library programs and charter member of the Friends board, Barbara recently obtained her Masters degree in library science and launched into a second career as an adjunct instructor/ reference librarian at Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland. Barbara and husband, John, live in Catonsville, Maryland. They have three adult children, one is a minister, one is a teacher, and their blind son is currently working as a computer specialist with a firm in Manhattan, New York. Barbara enjoys reading, photo journaling, and volunteering for her local congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Catonsville.