[DSM-Iowa] Affiliate Covid-19 update - April 6, 2020

Tue Apr 7 01:25:28 UTC 2020

Good Evening Federation Family:

As I indicated in my last Covid-19 update on April 2, 2020, the National
Federation of the Blind of Iowa would be extending the policy that  the
national Federation of the Blind first published on March 13, 2020
suspending all in-person meetings of the organization. I originally stated
the policy would be in effect until April 30th, 2020, unless further
direction was issued by President Riccobono and the national board of
directors. That direction has now come and is copied below for your
convenience. To summarize, unless local guidance dictates that we need to
extend further, in-person meetings of the organization are suspended through
May 31, 2020. In the meantime, I will be working with chapter leaders to
move forward with virtual meetings until we can resume in-person ones. As we
schedule meetings, we will make sure information is shared with everyone so
you can attend the meetings that may be of interest. Please note that, due
to scheduling conflicts, some meetings may need to be moved, and we will
share that information as well. Please let me know if there are any
questions. Here's the official announcement sent to affiliate leadership
today.

National Federation of the Blind COVID-19 Policy Relating to Public Events -
Extended

This document updates previous policy issued by the National Federation of
the Blind Board of Directors on March 13, 2020. Effective April 4, 2020, the
organization has extended its request that all in-person meetings, events,
and public gatherings of Federation affiliates, chapters, and divisions are
to be canceled or postponed until May 31, 2020 or until local, state, and
federal governments permit, whichever is later.

The National Federation of the Blind is closely following the rapidly
evolving situation with respect to the novel coronavirus and its associated
illness known as COVID-19. Since we issued our initial guidance on this
situation on March 11, public officials across the nation have escalated
their response to the virus and issued new and more aggressive directives.
Generally, while specific directives as to the size of permitted public
gatherings vary across states and local jurisdictions, public health
officials agree that it is advisable to engage in "social distancing" in
order to prevent or mitigate the spread of the virus, and people are being
directed to minimize proximity and/or physical contact with others outside
the home as much as possible. As a result, the National Federation of the
Blind Board of Directors has continued to monitor and revise the below
policy directive related to public meetings of the organization.

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide
organization of blind people, with affiliates in all fifty states, the
District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; hundreds of local chapters; as well
as statewide and national special-interest divisions. Together these are
comprised of some fifty thousand members and countless volunteers and
supporters who conduct various public meetings and events. The health and
safety of our members and friends is our top priority, and we are also
mindful of our obligation to follow public health directives and to engage
responsibly with the general public. We also recognize the need for
consistent guidance across our organization as our affiliates, chapters, and
divisions consider or plan meetings and public events.

To that end, the President and board of directors of the National Federation
of the Blind hereby direct that all meetings, events, or public gatherings
of Federation affiliates, chapters, and divisions are to be canceled or
postponed consistent with the date listed above. This includes, but is not
limited to, statewide conventions or meetings, local chapter meetings, and
statewide or local division meetings. Of course, where practicable, meetings
to conduct the ongoing business of the Federation may be held via phone call
or videoconference. Furthermore, the outreach and advocacy priorities of the
organized blind movement can and should continue despite the disruption to
public meetings, including monitoring unique barriers that blind individuals
encounter due to the extreme circumstances. However, no official business of
the organization should be conducted via in-person gatherings during this
period. The national leadership will re-evaluate the situation on or shortly
after May 31, 2020, and issue additional guidance if needed.

We are issuing this directive to align with the best available public health
advice as well as with multiple state and local directives, and to carry out
our general obligation to protect the health and safety of everyone in our
Federation family. We wish everyone the best as together we meet the
challenges and make the sacrifices required by this public health emergency.

Scott Van Gorp, President
National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
Phone: 515-720-5282
 <mailto:svangorp at nfbi.org> Email

 <http://www.nfbi.org/> Website 

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Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day
we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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