[nabs-l] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Saturday Night Live Segment

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind
Comments on Saturday Night Live Segment





Largest Organization of the Blind Criticizes Attack on Blind Americans



Baltimore, Maryland (December 15, 2008): Chris 
Danielsen, spokesman for the National Federation 
of the Blind, said: “The biggest problem faced by 
blind people is not blindness itself, but the 
stereotypes held by the general public about 
blindness and blind people.  The idea that blind 
people are incapable of the simplest tasks and 
are perpetually disoriented and befuddled is 
absolutely wrong.  This misconception contributes 
to an unemployment rate among blind people that 
stubbornly remains at 70 percent.  That is why 
the National Federation of the Blind is 
disappointed that Saturday Night Live chose to 
portray Governor Paterson in a comedy routine 
that focused almost exclusively on his 
blindness.  Attacking the Governor because he is 
blind is an attack on all blind Americans­blind 
children, blind adults, blind seniors, and newly 
blinded veterans returning from Iraq and 
Afghanistan.  The National Federation of the 
Blind urges the producers of Saturday Night Live 
to consider the serious negative impact that 
misinformation and stereotypes have on blind 
people before continuing in this unfortunate vein of humor.”




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