[Blindtlk] what is Federationism

[Graves, Diane]

Hi Chris,

I am glad you are wanting to become more active in the organization, and am happy to share my thoughts with you.  Don't ever be shy about asking these questions. That is what our list is all about.

To me, federationism means unity and collective action. When I look at the issues of concern to the blind, things like the high unemployment rate, the accessibility issues, the Braille literacy crisis, and a whole host of other things, on my own, I feel overwhelmed to say the least. Most of us wouldn't have the  power to make any real changes in these areas alone. However, as an organization, working together and helping one another we are doing incredible things, and have made major changes since we were originally founded in the 1940s. Yes, we have much to do and a long way to go, but we have come a long way. I don't believe these changes would have been possible without our organization. We are united and helping one another to achieve our best.

The federation philosophy, in a nutshell, is that blindness does not have to define our lives. We believe that, as long as the proper alternative techniques are in place and employed, we are just as capable and competent as anyone else of working in the field of our choice,  raising our families, and reaching our goals.
  
I am a Federationist because I want to make a difference, I want to be a part of the change. I want to have the support of a family who truly understands, and to be able to support and guide others along the way. I have gained so much since joining the organization, and seen blind people performing jobs that I would have thought were out of our reach. Though I would probably classify myself as  a mediocre traveler, meaning that  I get where I need to go and do what I need to do, I have been inspired by others with travel skills that I had no idea where attainable. The NFB has inspired me to do more than I ever thought I could and be more than I ever expected to be. It has been a growing process, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I hope this make some sense. (smile)


Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647
 
"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 4:32 PM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] what is Federationism

Hi, all.

Here's an interesting, maybe somewhat philosophical question for 
all of you.  Sorry for those of you who don't like these topics, 
you don't have to reply.  I've always been an NFB member (since I 
was very little) but I was never really active in it.  Oh sure, I 
followed some of the issues and had some oppinions, but I never 
really was that active in the NFB itself.  Now, after I went to 
the NFB's Leadership and Advocacy program, I seem to have a new 
sense of support for the Federation and as I'm learning more, I 
want to be more active in it.  I really am starting to understand 
and strongly believe in the NFB philosophy, or at least how I 
interpret it.  So I want to ask you a threefold question: what 
does Federationism mean to you, what do you think the NFB 
philosophy is, and why are you a Federationist? I'm not going to 
tell you my opinion just yet, mainly because I don't really have 
a strong one.  That's why I want to hear from you, think about 
your opinions, and finally decide what I believe.  I look forward 
to hearing all of your thoughts!

Chris Nusbaum

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

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