[nabs-l] How can NFB better include peoplewithmultipledisabilities?
Beth Taurasi
denverqueen1107 at comcast.net
Wed Apr 2 04:22:15 UTC 2014
Good ranting, Kaiti. As someone who could fall under the thing
Desiree described, someone whose parents get guardianship because
they're sighted and "healthy", I had contemplated suicide because
of that guardianship. Because of that, my parents tried to take
me off MySpace, but they will not take me off Facebook. I am
currently working to get a case against them because the
guardianship is way too broad, and it affects lots of my man to
woman relationships. Currently, my relationship with my friend
Blake, a guy from Arizona, is rocky, but yet deep down, I wish I
could swoop Blake up and take him back here to Denver. But alas,
the guardianship prevents us from marrying. To say that such
persons are "nonpersons" or in the case of Orwell's 1984
"unpersons" is wrong. The way to say it in Newspeak would be
complicated, and if such a newspeak word was invented, it would
sound harsh.
Beth
----- Original Message -----
From: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Tue, 1 Apr 2014 22:30:32 -0400
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include
peoplewithmultipledisabilities?
Hello all,
In answer to Carly's question about connections between the
blind, (we
may call them "just blind" for the purposes of this
conversation), and
those with blindness and other disabilities, or other
disabilities
without blindness, I think organizational relationships are the
starting point to working interpersonally. Much like the NFB is
a
huge group of blind people, and is often used as a catalyst for
working interpersonally to accomplish tasks, other groups are the
same. If we want to work interpersonally with the deaf, persay,
then
we need to go where the deaf are and start forming relationships
with
that group. Once repore is established, people from the various
organizations can work interpersonally. Darian might have
phrased it
better than I did, but it's the same sort of view.
I was admittedly not around for that episode that Desiree
described,
but I'm really sad to hear that it happened. Especially since,
as
Arielle pointed out, there are some pretty out there groups like
the
car one. I mean, it's okay for people to get together and
discuss
cars that we can't even drive (yet at least), so their discussion
is
purely based on mechanical and aesthetic knowledge of the cars
rather
than a personal user experience, but a support group for blind
people
who are seen as a minority for another reason is not okay? To
me,
that just doesn't make sense.
I'm not particularly religious, and probably would label myself
as
unitarian even though I was raised catholic if I had to label
myself
at all, so I realize my personal views on things of that nature
are
more liberal than the views of others. However, conservatives
aren't
always going to be happy, just as liberals aren't, and it is
important
that we compromise. I was not under the impression that the NFB
had
any religious affiliation, and even remember asking someone what
Invocation was, because I really didn't know the term. Even in
this
light, why is Christianity made such a prevalent part of
convention?
What about those who practice Islam, Judism, or anything else? I
would hate for a majority faction within the NFB to shun double
minority members, because after all, we're all minorities in the
greater world, so to pretend that those who are different from us
are
less valuable or don't deserve the right to organize a group to
suit
their unique set of needs or circumstances doesn't seem right.
Sorry for the rant.
On 4/1/14, melissa R Green <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:
Arielle once again. You are so right! I also hope that will
never happen
again.
Another way to look at this is, many devisions get started and
then they
just fall by the waist side. Noone will keep it going. IMO the
devisions
are started by people that have to be in the spotlight and be
the darling of
the Federation and the devision suffers. The same happens with
chapters and
state devisions. Then everyone is shaking their head and
wondering what
happened and why this person didn't work out. I could give
examples of
backing the wrong person.
Finally, I always felt badly for those children who were born
and grew up in
the federation. They have a lot of pressure on them to be the
darling of
the federation. Have a blessed day.
Best Wishes
Melissa R. Green and Pj
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people
withmultipledisabilities?
I too was at the NFB convention when the LGBT group wasn't able
to
announce its meetings. I'm disappointed this happened,
especially the
symbolic exclusion it represented, and hope never to see
something
like that again as long as I am part of the Federation. I
completely
understand the leadership's desire not to have a division for
every
special interest. However, we need clearer and more evenhanded
criteria about what should constitute a division. It doesn't
make
sense to allow a division for car enthusiasts with its own
annual
activities and then not even allow an LGBT group to advertise
informal
meet-ups. We can't try to say we don't want LGBT because it's
too
politically controversial and then have religious invocations at
all
the general sessions. Has the general membership ever even been
polled
about whether to keep having these religious invocations? In
other
words, unless we want to be in an organization that reflects the
president's or the board's interests and political views alone,
we
really need to have some transparency about how divisions are
formed
and what kinds of characteristics are meaningful enough to
justify
forming a division. Furthermore, as Darian pointed out, a
well-run
group can probably be just as effective without a lot of the
hassle
associated with keeping up a division. I know at least some of
the
folks in the LGBT group would have been totally happy with just
a
group, not a full division, but even that wasn't supported.
Arielle
On 4/1/14, melissa R Green <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:
what a good topic. I know that there is a blind rollers list.
But the
devision never came into being. I think that the committee of
the under
served is supposed to address these issues. However this is not
occurring.
I agree that nfb has a primary focus of blindness. Yet, we are
a diverse
population. So I believe that the nfb needs to become more
diverse. I
also
believe that the leadership are going by their assumptions that
if they
have
a devision dedicated to a certain grou that it will not do
anything to
assist blind people. For example, years ago, a group came
together and
wanted to form a devision for blind gay bisexual and
transgendered
people.
I was at the convention when doctor Maurer was reading the
announcement
and
then he ripped it up in the middle of reading it. Many people
left the
federation because they felt that they were not wanted and that
the
leadership assumed that it would be a devision strictly for
social
purposes.
Many people are hopeful that the new president will bring many
more
changes
and lots of diversity to the federation. I am going to wait and
see what
happens.
Have a blessed day.
Best Wishes
Melissa R. Green and Pj
----- Original Message -----
From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 3:53 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people with
multipledisabilities?
Hi all,
I'd like to start a separate thread to address an important
issue
that's come up recently. It's clear that more and more blind
folks
today also have other disabilities. For several reasons, the
number of
blind people with additional disabilities is likely to increase,
and
more than that, the number of blind people with additional
disabilities who are getting educated and involved in advocacy
is
likely to increase. I do think that, for the most part, the NFB
centers do a good job of tailoring training to the needs that
people
with other disabilities may have, but I also think that we as an
organization have far to go in order to truly appreciate the
contributions of all blind people. I think it's particularly
true when
we think about including people with intellectual disabilities
and
mental illnesses. These kinds of conditions are stigmatized in
general, but especially since our leadership has tended to be
highly
educated and to stress academic excellence and consistent effort
from
the leadership, I can see how folks who have intellectual
disabilities, mental illnesses or chronic health conditions can
feel
left out. I've known some blind folks who had trouble holding
down
leadership positions in the NFB due to the ups and downs of
mental
illnesses, for example, but who are still incredibly creative
and
passionate people with a lot of good ideas that are getting
lost.
Further, as several folks have pointed out, people with multiple
disabilities can experience difficulties related to getting
employment, education, etc. that the NFB hasn't really been able
to
help them with.
I agree that NFB can't be expert about all disabilities, just
blindness, but I think there is a definite place for more
divisions
and groups within the NFB that focus on other conditions. There
is a
deaf-blind division, but I have not heard many great things
about its
effectiveness. I have heard about efforts to possibly start a
blind-rollers division, and it makes sense to me that blind
wheelchair
users might have unique concerns they'd want to discuss with
each
other. But to my knowledge such a division has not been formed.
I
would love to see a division for blind people with mental health
conditions. This is a huge segment of our population, and there
are
probably unique concerns there. I am not sure if such divisions
don't
exist because the national leadership opposes them or if there
just
hasn't been enough interest or momentum to get them going. But I
think
having such divisions could help folks who have additional
disabilities obtain leadership positions within the
organization, and
also to provide a vehicle for collective action and education
about
issues affecting these groups specifically, even if the NFB as a
whole
should just focus on blindness. I hope that makes sense. I would
be
interested in other suggestions from you about how members with
multiple disabilities can feel more valued. While there is
something
to be said for going ahead and running for leadership positions
in
order to change things, change also needs to come from the
organization as a whole if folks with multiple disabilities are
going
to be elected and welcomed in these positions.
Best,
Arielle
On 3/31/14, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
Joe and others,
It is not my position that anything said about the NFB that is
negative
is
wrong. Organizations are made up of
human beings and we are not perfect so our creations are not
likely
going
to
be perfect. Still, some of what one
person may seem as wrong isn't so much a matter of right or
wrong as
perspective and opinion. We embarked a good
while back now on an expansion that has resulted in the need to
raise
more
funds than we used to have to raise. I
do not think I am alone among NFB supporters in recognizing that
this is
a
risk. When you look at our budget and
that of the ACB and then compare legislative successes as you
did, Joe,
it
is certainly clear that legislative
successes are not
proportional to one's budget. Whether I completely agree with
legislation
ACB passes or not, I recognize that the
ACB has made contributions. However, I have felt for some time
and I
feel
particularly more so now that our
problems can't be solved by legislation alone. Let's take
accessibility,
for example. There is a lot of emphasis
on getting more legislation passed that will force software to
be
accessible, for example. I happen to believe
this is necessary, but it isn't going to make everything better
for us,
particularly on the job, all by itself.
If we are going to make any serious gains, we need to understand
the
limits
of current technology and explore ways
of getting information that is new. I am not one who got all
excited
about
being able to drive a car, although I
certainly hope that blind people can do that at some point.
However, I
got
very excited about the fact that as a
result of looking at the problem, we experimented with a number
of ways
of
getting information that had not been
explored before. A significant portion of our budget went into
the KNFB
reader. At the time, it was something
nobody was doing, and it was a moving experience when I held up
a KNFB
reader to the lists of registered people at
a national convention that were just hanging from a crossbar and
have it
start to read the content. There have
probably been over a thousand kids who have attended science
camps of
one
kind or another through our efforts. We
have been able to sponsor other gatherings as well for blind
lawyers,
teachers, and major players in the
technology field. We couldn't have done any of this in the 80's
or
90's,
and much of this would not have been
done even now if we hadn't tried it.
So what's my point, I'm not saying anything new, you know all
this. My
point is that a lot of this is about risks
and perspectives. We won't know for a long time if some of
these
efforts
will make a difference. Frankly, I am a
believer that one learns almost as much from what doesn't work
as one
learns
from what does, because if you make a
mistake you can eliminate or refine that approach. Will some of
those
thousand kids get into math or science
because of what we did? Is the OCR in the new HIMS product a
little
better
because of what we did with the KNFB
reader? Will we see a really good reader on the iPhone? Might
we ever
see
a reader that could use artificial
intelligence to interpret software on a computer screen instead
of
having
to
educate every person who writes
software? Will some of our efforts mean that there might be a
way for
us
to
control the Google self-driving cars
because of some of the work we did on our own car? I hope that
at least
some of the answers are yes, but at this
point I can't really say. What I do know is that the smaller
dynamic
grass
roots organization that we were in the
80's couldn't have had any affect on some of what I've listed
above, nor
was
it the right time for that. But it
also means that we change. Not only do we change, but we make
mistakes
as
we adjust to change. Joe, what you see
as a downward spiral, I see as the challenges of change. I'm
not
satisfied
to say that it has to be that way,
though. We can and must learn how to do better, as individuals
and as
an
organization.
Joe, I think you are right that getting training at one of our
centers
won't
miraculously make life better, and
the marketing does sometimes imply that. However, you are wrong
to draw
conclusions about such training based
upon the marketing. Discussing and exploring the uncertainties
and
challenges of seeking employment as a blind
person is a big part of what is addressed at BLIND Incorporated
here in
Minnesota and I assume by our other
centers. Some of the point of such training is to encourage the
idea
that
you have to have a set of tools to
approach a given situation and not just one tool. Still, we
have to do
more
than run people through training.
This is true of any single aspectof our challenges, though.
Legislating
that software must be accessible and that
one cannot discriminate based upon a disability was and is still
needed,
but
it won't matter much if we don't have
training. Legislation and even training won't matter all that
much if
we
don't get a good basic education.
Requiring that school districts teach braille won't fix that
problem if
there are no braille instructors in a
given area. You can't pick any one thing out and say that it
can lead
to
success by itself, and you can't see any
given issue as completely standing on its own.
I feel that we are in a better position as an organization to
impact the
complex challenges we face with a larger
budget than we were. However, it is more important than ever
that we
understand where we are going and how our
philosophy fits in. The question of what can we change to
address the
challenges of the world and what do we need
the world to change is more important than ever, and I don't see
anyone
asking questions like that outside of this
organization. With our strengths and our failings, I think our
understanding of asking for help and looking for
our own solutions is what has set us apart in my mind, and while
it is
risky, I think that branching out is a risk
worth taking to try to have a wider impact. We need the help of
all
members, though, to handle change.
Best regards,
Steve Jacobson
On Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:57:22 -0600, Jamie Principato wrote:
Arielle,
That was a very thoughtful and politically sensitive response.
Joe,
I am pleased to see I am not alone in making these observations
furring
my
own relationship with the NFB. while I
deeply respect the organization's history and truly appreciate
the raw
potential the organization has moving
forward, the passion I joined with back in high school has
turned to
cautious cynicism. I don't think this
perspective is bad, though. I think the NFB desperately needs
members
who
can see past the smoke and mirrors of
PR, and who are willing to discuss issues of blindness and
politics in a
no-nonsense way that isn't always easy to
hear. It is a shame though when those of us less willing to toe
the line
and
pander to those with political power
are treated with hostility by some at the national level, and
more still
within our local chapters.
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 30, 2014, at 12:00 PM, Arielle Silverman
<arielle71 at gmail.com
wrote:
Hi Joe,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have not been following
the
Braille Monitor that closely but I can understand what you are
saying
about the increased emphasis on fund-raising. I have also felt
like
the national convention is turning into more of a carnival with
all
the exhibitors and prizes being given away, and much of banquet
that
used to focus on philosophy and NFB spirit is now taken up with
prize
drawings and the like.
To be fair, NFB was stronger financially when we joined than it
is
now, and I understand that some national programs have been cut
due to
a decrease in revenue from what used to be steady reliable
income
sources. So NFB may be pushing fund-raising more, but the
alternative
could be a loss of programs and resources.
I have not heard of anyone being blatantly turned away or
refused
membership in an NFB chapter. If that ever happens it is truly
shameful. I do think that sometimes prospective members choose
not to
join because they perceive hostility from the organization or
judgment
of their lifestyle choices. I think part of that is perception
only,
and part of it is reality. The NFB is stereotyped as a radical
one-size-fits-all organization, and new members expecting to
find that
could be especially sensitive to cues of hostility. However,
there
probably is some real lack of acceptance among certain segments
of the
organization, which, again, is unfortunate. I will say that I am
not
the most graceful blind person and was relatively unskilled when
I
first joined, and I still felt completely accepted. But I know
not all
of us are so lucky. I would encourage prospective members who
have a
negative experience to try again in a different chapter or
division
and perhaps they will find acceptance there. But at the same
time,
this is something we need to be sensitive to in the
organization.
Arielle
On 3/30/14, Michael Capelle <michael.capelle at frontier.com>
wrote:
Hello all.
This is why I am not apart of any "blind movement." I live my
own
life,
live my own philosophy, ETC. I do not believe in a one size
fits all
mentality, which is unfurtunately what the NFB does.
Thanks.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: RJ Sandefur
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 11:51 AM
To: jsoro620 at gmail.com ; National Association of Blind Students
mailing
list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
Joe, I agree with you. I had to attend both college, and
Seminary
without
the NFB's help, although it would have been nice to have a
mentoor.
RJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 12:25 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
2006 was the last year I attended a national convention. While
there
I
was
caught up in the ra ra of the movement and felt glad to be in
the
company
of
so many people who could relate to the challenges that awaited
me as
a
recent college graduate. I left convention, finished up my
summer as
a
counselor in Iowa, and set off for DC to begin my business with
the
real
world. I would never take away someone's enthusiasm from
attending a
national convention or Washington Seminar or one of the weekend
leadership
seminars in Baltimore. They are very well-suited to boost a
person's
spirit,
but I believe too many people fall through the cracks when faced
with
reality outside of those infrequent gatherings.
To be fair, the organization is no different from any other
nonprofit
business. It needs money to sustain itself, and in turn it needs
more
members to help raise the money. Still, I found it rather
disappointing
that
so much of the board meeting I tuned into listen to last summer
was
dominated by calls to raise money for this fund or that effort.
I
found
it
even sadder that a recent issue of the Braille Monitor, our
monthly
dose
of
inspiration, featured several articles just to the focus of
generating
more
ways to drum up more financial support, but perhaps the most
frustrating
byproduct of this new NFB are the e-mails from so-called friends
from
whom
I
have not heard in years but boldly ask me to contribute to their
NFB
fundraising campaigns.
In short, at some point the NFB embraced enterprise and forgot
about
the
movement. Between 2006 and 2012 I went on to help lead
development
efforts
for other nonprofits outside of the blindness field, also
national
in
scope.
They too made fundraising a priority, but it never felt like the
top,
or
the
only, priority. It gets tiresome when we focus on recruiting new
blood
and
raising new money and forget about strengthening the members and
resources
we've already had.
Nowadays I have the privilege of knowing some excellent blind
professionals.
I think they would do well in the NFB. They are smarter than I
ever
will
be
and have accomplished more than I may ever achieve, but they
shun
the
organization because they were turned away or because they were
never
welcomed in the first place. It's something I should have kept
in
mind
when
I had my brief taste of leadership in the organization. I had
too
much
of
a
mouth on me to ever be anyone's golden child, but I was reliable
enough
to
get the job done. But, getting the job done should have really
meant
attracting and pulling in these men and women who could have
made
the
NFB
lots better, listening to new ideas, and most important,
remaining
true
to
the cause and not some multi-million-dollar institute we find
ourselves
incapable of sustaining.
So, what does any of this have to do with the original post? I
don't
want
it
to ever be said I was a hypocrite. The leadership may as well
know
what
I
think of them, but more importantly, to the college kids on the
verge
of
spreading their own wings, I want you to know the NFB banner
will
only
guide
your way so far. Take what's great about the organization and
leave
the
political drama and marketing ploys behind. In the end it will
be
your
own
wits and talents that will earn your pay check. The NFB will
never
give
you
anything new. The philosophy merely helps you uncover what you
always
had
to
be successful. Anything could happen with the new NFB president,
and
I
will
be the first to retract my words if he is brave enough to
reverse
this
downward spiral. You see, we no longer live in a world where the
NFB
is
necessary for collective momentum. Technology has seen to that.
Whether
or
not the movement sticks around largely depends on how badly we
want
it
to
exist.
Is the ACB doing it any better? That's debatable, but you know
what
I've
found from the people I've met on that side of the house? They
seem
happier,
and that's something we can't seem to figure out in our camp.
The
few
victories they celebrate they do with even less money. Let that
be a
lesson
in financial management to you.
I don't know what the hell I'm doing back here. I told myself I
would
never
become one of those bitter former NFB members. My only goal was
to
provide
different perspectives to the new generation of leaders coming
up
through
the ranks. After all, if you never taste the real world, you
have no
business leading. That's like the teacher who teaches because
they
couldn't
cut it, and believe it or not, I want to see more and more of
you
excel
at
whatever it is you want to do. The more of you there are, the
greater
our
strength.
Moving forward I reckon I'll keep my opinions to myself here
lest I
be
the
rotten apple that spoils the bunch, but in some lame attempt to
answer
the
original question, my answer would be this:
The characteristics of a successful blind person are humility to
consume
what they need to be successful, fortitude to turn away what
will
not,
and
wisdom to recognize the difference.
Joe
--
Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
Visit my blog:
http://joeorozco.com/blog
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