American Foundation for the Blind and Blind Mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer to Announce Availability of New Online College Curriculum at American Association of Community Colleges Annual Conference on April 23 in Long Beach.

DALLAS -- Braille Textbook Transcriber Curriculum Offers Rewarding Lifelong Career Option and Addresses National Shortage of Braille Textbooks and Learning Materials

WHO:    The American Foundation for the Blind and legendary blind
        athlete and Verizon Literacy Champion Erik Weihenmayer, the
        only blind man to conquer the seven summits, will announce the
        availability of a new online college curriculum - Braille
        Textbook Transcriber - that will impact the future of
        thousands of schoolchildren who are blind or have vision loss.

WHAT:   The Braille Textbook Transcriber curriculum will provide
        students with the necessary general education coursework,
        applicable workforce skills and transcribing experience to
        successfully transcribe textbooks and learning materials in a
        standardized format. This unique curriculum is conducted
        entirely online by Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, TX,
        and is available to students everywhere.

WHY:    As new Braille Textbook Transcribers are trained and available
        for work, students who are blind or have vision loss will no
        longer wait months for textbooks to be transcribed, allowing
        them access to an education equal to that of their sighted
        peers. It is estimated that the U.S. needs 380 full-time
        transcribers now, will need 735 additional transcribers in
        five years, and 1,020 additional transcribers in 10 years.

        This effort is the result of a four-year collaboration between
        AFB, Northwest Vista College, the Texas Education Agency
        (TEA), Verizon Communications, through the Verizon Foundation,
        and 48 of the leading national organizations and associations
        in education, literacy and service. Verizon Foundation has
        invested more than $800,000 in its partnership with AFB to
        develop and promote the new career of Braille Textbook
        Transcriber, and improve literacy for America's blind and
        low-vision schoolchildren.

WHEN:   April 23, 2006, 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

WHERE:  American Association of Community Colleges Annual Conference
        Long Beach Convention Center
        Promenade Ballroom, Room 104C
        300 Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach

        The American Association of Community Colleges is a national
        organization representing the nation's almost 1,200 community,
        junior and technical colleges. The colleges comprise the
        largest sector of higher education, enrolling close to half of
        all U.S. undergraduates.

RSVP:   Anna Marie Johnson Teague, 214-599-1966 or 214-793-7164 (cell)
        to attend Erik's session or to schedule interviews.

About Verizon Foundation

Verizon ensures that technology touches peoples' lives. The Verizon Foundation supports initiatives that improve literacy, K-12 education, support families victimized by domestic violence and facilitate the use of technology to improve health care. In 2005, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States responsible for two million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) - the organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life - is a national nonprofit that works to expand the possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB promotes wide-ranging, systemic change by addressing the most critical issues facing the growing blind and low vision population - including braille literacy. In addition to its New York City headquarters, AFB maintains offices in Dallas; San Francisco; Atlanta; Washington, DC and Huntington, WV.