[nabs-l] Future of the NFB

[Jedi]

When it comes to other disabilities, I think we reflect the broad views 
of disability held by the general public. I think that because some of 
us are unfamiliar with other disabilities, these disabilities might 
seem like serious handicaps rather than characteristics similar to 
blindness. However, those of us who are more familiar might think that 
other forms of disabilitiy represent an even broader array of human 
characteristics that have some inherent limitations and advantages. 
Still others of us might range in familiarity with other disabilities, 
but still be able to apply jernigan's philosophy of blindness as a 
characteristic. And finally, there will be those who, regardless of 
familiarity or philosophy, will always see other disabilities as 
seriously handicapping conditions. If anything, we will have to 
understand our blindness in the context of other disabilities and 
visa-versa; I'm hoping that we will learn to apply Jernigan's 
philosophy to other disabilities as well as our own.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> Hi Brice,
>   You bring to light a very interesting point. I seem to notice a
> similar trend.  Now, one can argue that  people with multiple
> disabilities are  the case outside the blind community, but  that
> wouldn't be  the point here.
>   a question that might be worth asking is how  will we adjust  to
> this.  How do we interact with    the deaf-blind members of  our
> organization? for example.
>  do we view other disabilities as we view blindness, or do we view
> other disabilities like the general  public does blindness?
>    just some thought, not so much answers, as I don't think I could
> begain to attempt to fashonone.
>   Darian



> On 3/7/11, Brice Smith <brice.smith319 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I spoke to one of my old VI teachers last week who gave me some
>> interesting observations to consider. At least from the perspective of
>> this professional, more and more students who are blind often have
>> multiple disabilities. She suspects that medical advancements have
>> made it so that children who previously did not survive are now living
>> longer lives, but often  with more profound impairments. She notes
>> that it is a "rare treat" for VI professionals to work with students
>> who are simply visually impaired. Please understand that I do not have
>> any hard data or research to back up any of these observations.

>> I realize the NFB respects and values other disabilities. there are
>> many divisions within the NFB including the Diabetes Action Network.
>> However, I think most people can agree that our organization is
>> concerned primarily with blindness and not other physical or mental
>> disabilities.

>> This is not meant as a criticism of the NFB. Advocacy organizations
>> simply cannot be everything to everyone, and I think it is a testament
>> to our strength that we gather thousands of blind people and raise a
>> unified voice that might otherwise go unheard. But if the number of
>> people with blindness as their only disability is shrinking, what does
>> this mean for our future?

>> There has been discussion on this and other NFB lists about the future
>> of the organization with regards to membership recruitment and
>> legislation and advocacy. If more and more people with visual
>> impairments are born with multiple, "profound" disabilities, I'm
>> curious what, if any, impact would this have on the NFB in the future
>> and years to come.

>> Any thoughts are welcome.

>> Brice

>> --
>> Brice Smith
>> North Carolina State University, Communication - Public Relations
>> Brice.Smith319 at gmail.com

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> --
> Darian Smith
> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
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> "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.

> — Robert Byrne

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