The National Federation of The Blind came into existence in the year 1970 with the philosophy "Let the Blind Lead the Blind". The objective for which the Federation has been established; include to strive for equality of opportunity for the Blind in the field of Education, Training and Employment etc. The Federation is serving the blind community through its various Welfare programmes run by 51 branches/affiliates and units throughout the country. It has total strength of membership of over 25000 and it is affiliated to World Blind Union.

The Federation is running the following projects for the Welfare of the blind in different states:

1. Braille Libraries at Bahadurgarh (Haryana), Raibariely (U.P.) & Coimbatore (Tamilnadu): Under this scheme we circulate Braille books to blind readers throughout the country free of charge and currently have 26500 volumes of 1600 titles.
2. Computerized Braille Press for Blind at Bahadurgarh (Haryana) & Trivendrum (Kerala): Under this project we are providing Braille Books in Hindi & English and regional languages to Students upto 12th Standard. Besides this monthly Braille Magazines are also being published in Hindi & English.
3. School for the sightless children at Kanpur (U.P.), Jammu (J&K), Pune (Maharashtra), Kannur (Kerala), Bilaspur (Chattishgarh) & Mangalore (Karnataka): Under this project free boarding, lodging and education is provided.
4. Hostel for College Going Blind Students: Under this project, we are running hostels for college going blind students at Bangalore and Mysore in Karnataka where free boarding and lodging is provided to the inmates besides meeting their other educational requirements.
5. National Scholarship Scheme:- The Federation has launched a scholarship scheme under which about thousand blind students from different states has been awarded scholarship for pursuing their higher studies. The maximum amount of scholarship is Rs. 1000/- per month per student.
6. National Educational Loan scheme: Under this scheme, the federation is giving interest free loans to the blind students for payment of their tuition fees for B.Ed course since teaching is a major avenue for employment for the blind.
7. Placement Service for the Blind:Under this Project Placement Officers secure employment for blind persons both in Govt. and Private Sector.
8. National Self – Employment Loan Scheme:- Under this scheme, the federation gives soft loans to the unemployed blind to enable them to earn their livelihood.
9. National Rural Rehabilitation Project:- under this project, the federation undertakes survey of blind person in rural areas, identify their needs and facilitate benefits under various government schemes to them. Currently, this project is being run in Baliya, Mau, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Deoria, Gazipur and Varansi Uttar Pradesh and Vaishali in Bihar.
10. National Housing Loan Scheme:- Under this scheme the federation gives housing loan at very low rate of interest and on easy terms to the blind.
11. Orientation & Mobility Service for Blind:- Under this project the federation through its mobility instructor impart training to the blind children and adult in independent mobility and daily living skills.
12. Recording Libraries:- Federation is running Audio Recording Library at Lucknow (U.P.) and Cuddapah (A.P.) 
13. Training and Rehabilitation Centre: Under this project, Uneducated and less educated blind persons are provided with gainful employment after imparting requisite training. Presently, such centers are being run at New Delhi, Lucknow (U.P.), Calicut (Kerala) Trichy and Coimbatore (Tamilnadu).
14. Other Activities: The Federation organizes event such as musical Nights, Kavi Sammellans, Cricket and Chess Tournaments etc. to promote the skills and art of talented blind in respective fields with a view to create a social awareness about the potential of the blind.