The National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas and its chapters are dedicated to helping the blind and visually impaired community in our state. We are constantly working towards making the general public aware of the challenges blind people face in everyday life. Through our advocacy and fundraising activities, we strive to show blindness doesn't limit our abilities. The real problem of blindness is the misunderstanding and lack of information about blindness, not the lack of eyesight itself.

The NFBAR is one of the National Federation of the Blind's 52 National Chapters, which include Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Our 4 local chapters are part of the NFB's more than 700 local chapters. With more than 50,000 members, the NFB is The largest organization of blind persons in the United States. The mission of the NFB is to improve the lives of persons who are blind through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. The NFB is known as "The voice of the nation's blind", and is the largest and most influential advocacy organization of blind persons in the United States. There are also many sighted members who are interested in promoting the NFB's positive messages.

The NFB was founded in 1940, and has its national headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The NFB has also established the Jernigan Institute, a facility for research and for the education of blind persons by teachers who are also blind. The Jernigan Institute is located next door to the NFB National Headquarters in Baltimore. To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind please visit the NFB Homepage (External Link Opens in New Window).

We are striving to change what it means to be blind. Whether you are blind or sighted, if you would like to become a part of the largest organization of the blind in the nation, and be a part of our efforts in Arkansas please contact our state affiliate or any of our local chapters.

Affiliate History

The National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas was founded in 1959. The NFBAR is composed of elected members from all chapters in the state of Arkansas, and as such does not have a permanent location. Our state affiliate currently consists of 4 chapters serving locations across the state. The largest chapter is located in Northwest Arkansas (NFB of NWA) and it serves the major Northwest Arkansas area including the cities of Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville. The next largest chapter is the Central Arkansas chapter, based out of Little Rock, and serving the central Arkansas region. The River Valley chapter is located in Fort Smith, and serves the greater river valley region. The newest chapter, NFB of the Ozarks, is also located in Northwest Arkansas, and is based in Rogers, and serves the greater Benton County region. For more information about our local chapters, including contact information, see the Local Chapters page.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas shall be to:

1. Advance the general welfare of the blind of Arkansas and the nation
2. Function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind
3. Serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of Arkansas
4. Act as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together locally to plan and carry out programs which improve the quality of life of the blind in their local community
5. Provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children
6. Forward the interests of blind students and provide them with a means of joint action and expression
7. Promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind
8. Achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the sighted
9. Take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind