[nabs-l] Appreciating our roots

[Corbb O'Connor]

I am confused by the comments that Federation philosophy has been lost  
because of the fundraising and technology-based projects that our  
national office is working on. Those are two important projects, but  
our leadership in Baltimore is doing more than those. We have lawyers  
who are working to ensure we can take advantage of the same  
opportunities as the sighted; our governmental affairs team is working  
on our legislative priorities, including touch-screen kiosks and quiet  
cars; our education team continues to bring blind youth into the  
organization to show them that the possible career paths are  
limitless; our affiliate action team is working to strengthen the  
chapters and affiliates we have while finding new members and starting  
new chapters; and the list goes on.

Yes, we are working on lots of priorities and projects, but each of  
them is backed by our philosophy on blindness. I don't understand how  
our philosophy is primarily for the banners -- it seems to me that the  
projects on which we work are effective precisely because of the  
philosophy. We aren't developing a car that the blind can drive just  
because it's fun or the technology is there, but we are working on  
this project because we believe that the blind are entitled to full,  
equal participation in society. Driving is one of those ways to  
participate. Am I a little scared by the idea of a bunch of blind  
people in cars on city streets? A little. But I'm confident that, just  
like when we teach people to use a chainsaw at the National Center, we  
will make sure that the skills are taught in a way that maximizes  
safety, confidence, and independence all at the same time.

I would love to hear, Joe, why you say that the Federation won't exist  
in 50 years. To me, our work is timeless because our philosophy is our  
guiding light.

--Corbb