[nabs-l] Future of the NFB

[Jedi]

Ah, but then don't we assume that multi-disabled persons do better in 
sheltered shops more than in "the real world?" Something to think about.

Respectfully Submitted

Original message:
> For example, what if we pushed for rehab agencies to shut down 
> sheltered workshops because many blind people were placed there 
> wrongfully.  What happens to the people with multiple disabilities, 
> which may include blindness, whose lives may have been better from 
> working at these workshops?



> On Mar 7, 2011, at 8:00 PM, Brice Smith wrote:

>> Kirt,

>> While I think everyone can agree with your message in principle,
>> reality and common sense tell us it's not always so easy.

>> Advocacy and nonprofit organizations must, above all, align their
>> resources and programs with their mission and beliefs. Our
>> organizations purpose states that we "Help blind persons achieve
>> self-confidence and self-respect and to act as a vehicle for
>> collective self-expression by the blind." It's great if we can help
>> people with additional disabilities in this framework without
>> compromising our own beliefs. Unfortunately, that cannot always
>> happen.

>> Certainly we must embrace diversity and balance the common good with
>> our own individual interest. But, our legislation and advocacy speak
>> directly, often exclusively, to blind people in America. What do we do
>> when these are not always compatible, and what should we do in the
>> future if we want to stay relevant to Americans and on the
>> cutting-edge?

>> As Darian has said, there are no easy answers. Still, it's a question
>> that we need to consider as we move forward.

>> Brice

>> On 3/7/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Darian, George, Brice, Joshua, Marsha and all,
>>>  I would hope that us as blind people wouldn't judge those with other
>>> disabilities.  We understand what it's like to be judged, doubted and
>>> ignored.  Would we want any of our multi-disabled friends, especially
>>> within our organizations, to feel that same judgment?  In that regard,
>>> we seem to share an eary resemblence to the sighted public so many of
>>> us love complaining about.
>>>  True other disabilities doubtless pose challenges.  So does
>>> blindness, and we overcome those inconveniences as best we know how.
>>> Why shun or belittle someone whose other disabilities make it
>>> impossible, or at least more difficult than practical, to use the same
>>> techniques we do?  Our alternative techniques should never be seen as
>>> a one size fits all kind of system.  Because others, and I'm talking
>>> about people like Marsha who have disabilities in adition to
>>> blindness, may use a different approach.  I'm disappointed in anyone
>>> who thinks their way works for everyone.  As Batman said, "it's not
>>> who we are that defines us.  It's what we do."  So let's all help each
>>> other to do the best we can with all our various challenges and
>>> disabilities, not just blindness.
>>>  Best,
>>> Kirt

>>> On 3/7/11, Jorge Paez <jorgeapaez at mac.com> wrote:
>>>>> Marsha:
>>>> I think in that regard we have the same issue as the sighted.

>>>> Just as some sighted judge us on our sight, or lack thereof, I think we as
>>>> the "vanila blind" to use your words, have a very similar issue.

>>>> Jorge



>>>> On Mar 7, 2011, at 7:58 PM, Marsha Drenth wrote:

>>>>> This is a very interesting question. Lets take those of us who are
>>>>> hearing
>>>>> impaired and blind. Now blindness is my primary disability, but I am hard
>>>>> of
>>>>> hearing. Yes we have a deafblind division, but is it promoted as much as
>>>>> say
>>>>> the parents, or the students? No, not at all. Are these disabilities any
>>>>> less than our blindness? No, not at all. But then my question is that why
>>>>> are those of us who are hard of hearing, deaf, hearing impaired, or
>>>>> whatever
>>>>> you want to call it, second class to those vanilla blind persons in the
>>>>> NFB?
>>>>> Why are those vanilla blind people so quick to judge those of us who
>>>>> can't
>>>>> do things in the same as everyone else?Its the judgement of people, that
>>>>> has
>>>>> kept some away from the NFB. I feel like a broken record in this matter.
>>>>> But
>>>>> frankly blind people are very quick to judge others who are blind for
>>>>> their
>>>>> abilities or the lack of skills. And its those same people who judge
>>>>> others
>>>>> for the additional disabilities they may have.

>>>>> Just my two cents,
>>>>> Marsha



>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Brice Smith
>>>>> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 7:26 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Future of the NFB

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

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