[Home-on-the-range] Blind Speak out Regarding Envision Contract Renewal

Susan Tabor souljourner at sbcglobal.net
Fri Nov 16 03:15:34 UTC 2012


Great press release, Tom!  Good job!
Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: Home-on-the-range [mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Page
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 4:45 PM
To: topage at swbell.net
Cc: alewis at nfb.org
Subject: [Home-on-the-range] Blind Speak out Regarding Envision Contract Renewal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday November 15th 2012
Tom Page
Media Contact 
National Federation of the Blind of Kansas
316-267-7868
316-734-4839 (cell)
topage at swbell.net

CEO Rejoices while Envision Workers Mourn Low Pay, Lack of Opportunity

Wichita, KS (Thursday November 15th 2012): Workers at the nation’s largest sheltered workshop for the blind (Envision) were non-plussed at last weeks announcement that the federal contract guaranteeing their employment had been renewed.  “I suppose this means fat bonuses on Main Street” said one factory employee who wished to remain anonymous fearing retaliation (the company’s corporate offices are on Main Street).  Another worker who also spoke anonymously suggested that it would be “more of the same for the blind”.

More of the same meaning low wages, perpetuated dependence on Social Security programs, and no hope for advancement in the organization.  One worker only identified as ‘Susan’ says “I’ve been working there more than 10 years I make less than $9 per hour and that’s it there is nowhere else to go here”.  “The theory is that if the workers were paid more they would lose their SSI or SSDI benefits.  The reality is that the workshops should be training people to work in the community for competitive wages and thus be able to pay into the system” says Donna Wood President of the National Federation of the Blind of Kansas (NFB of KS).   “It is shameful that this institution that claims to do good work for the blind profits from their labor while denying them the opportunity to advance in the same system.  Envision claims to offer rehabilitation services to their workers but I am unaware of any instances where these services have resulted in
 competitive employment.  Other sheltered workshops have managed to create models where blind persons become skilled and leave the factory floor either for outside jobs or promotions within the sheltered shop itself.  When blind persons are sufficiently represented at all levels of professional staff, management, and the board of directors perhaps we will be in a position to take their claims seriously.  Until then we can only try to raise public awareness about the truth concerning the capabilities of the blind, spread the truth about the lack of opportunities for blind persons within sheltered shops like Envision, and encourage the workers to take control of the factory for themselves.  We cannot sit in silence while our blind brothers and sisters continue to be exploited in these sheltered workshops.  The time has come for them to become empowerment shops.”

Tom Page, 1st Vice President of the NFB of KS, continued with the following statement “We are disappointed when operations such as Envision act as though they are anything but a last resort for  blind persons seeking employment.  The fact is that many tens of thousands of blind people have found employment in main stream professional jobs with duties ranging from being employed as doctors, lawyers, office professionals and practitioners of professional trades such as electricians and general contractors.  Most workers in sheltered workshops simply have not had the opportunity to learn the skill sets that make these or other careers possible.  When sheltered workshops such as Envision represent themselves as main stream employers it supports the mythology that blind persons are unable , unwilling, or unfit, to pursue competitive employment”.  

In light of the blind Envision workers continuing service to this nation’s defense and the clear lack of opportunity for blind persons to achieve financial or personal independence working for this organization.  The NFB of KS calls upon the Envision organization to take immediate action to raise worker wages and benefits and to create paths to professional employment inside and outside the Envision organization.

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About the National Federation of the Blind 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.  For more information please visit: http://www.nfb.org





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