[nabs-l] what is Federationism

[Chris Nusbaum]

Thanks, Kirt! I completely agree with that philosophy.  Now as I 
think about it, I think Dr.  Jernigan stated the NFB philosophy 
very clearly when he said, "The real problem of blindness is not 
the loss of eyesight.  The real problem is the lack of 
understanding and education which exist.  If a blind person has 
the proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to 
a minor physical nuissance."

Chris Nusbaum

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

--- Sent from my Braille-Note

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Tue, 3 May 2011 16:26:30 -0600
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] what is Federationism

Chris,
  My philosophy is that being blind, if you have the propper 
training
and attitude, is just an inconvenience.  Not a debilitating 
disease,
and not some amazingly wonderful blessing-just a minor annoyance.  
If
that's Federationism, I guess I'm a Federationist.  But I think 
you'll
be surprised how diverse the NFB is in terms of philosophy, the 
extent
which blindness shapes members' personal identity, opinions on 
various
issues and so forth.  I think the two things that basically every 
real
serious member of the Federation believes are (1) blindness can 
be a
mere inconvenience and (2) blind people are able to compete on 
equal
terms with sighted peers.  I also think the majority, although 
not
all, are in favor of legal action to make technology accessible, 
to
one level or another.
  Best regards,
Kirt

On 5/3/11, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
 Hi, all.

 Here's an interesting, maybe somewhat philosophical question for
 all of you.  Sorry for those of you who don't like these topics,
 you don't have to reply.  I've always been an NFB member (since 
I
 was very little) but I was never really active in it.  Oh sure, 
I
 followed some of the issues and had some oppinions, but I never
 really was that active in the NFB itself.  Now, after I went to
 the NFB's Leadership and Advocacy program, I seem to have a new
 sense of support for the Federation and as I'm learning more, I
 want to be more active in it.  I really am starting to 
understand
 and strongly believe in the NFB philosophy, or at least how I
 interpret it.  So I want to ask you a threefold question: what
 does Federationism mean to you, what do you think the NFB
 philosophy is, and why are you a Federationist? I'm not going to
 tell you my opinion just yet, mainly because I don't really have
 a strong one.  That's why I want to hear from you, think about
 your opinions, and finally decide what I believe.  I look 
forward
 to hearing all of your thoughts!

 Chris Nusbaum

 "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities 
motto)

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