[nfb-db] Deaf-blind resolutions

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Scott,
Was this the one I sent before convention? The Resolution committee had 
wanted to change some words. That is why I have not post it.

However, I will post the TSA, even though it did not get passed this 
year because Sharon Maneki's comments to me after the resolutions were 
voted on in general session that we should have as many deaf-blind 
members try for pre-checking and be ready to clarify the working or 
purpose based on that information.

WHEREAS, because of the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11, 
2001, the U.S. government created the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) to screen all commercial airline passengers and 
baggage to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation 
systems; and

WHEREAS, in response to complaints by airline passengers about security 
checkpoints and procedures, the Obama administration established the TSA 
Pre-check (ü^TM ) program; and

WHEREAS, the TSA Pre-check (ü^TM ) program allows qualified, 
pre-screened travelers who are considered to be a low security risk to 
move through security more easily by allowing them to keep on their 
shoes, belts, and jackets, and to leave laptops and liquids in bags 
while being screened; and

WHEREAS, individuals who are deafblind use mobility aids such as canes 
or service animals, or use hearing aids, have medical implants, or other 
assistive technologies, frequently require assistance to comply with 
security procedures; and

WHEREAS, because of their circumstances, these travelers are frequently 
subject to a pat-down search and required to wait off to the side for 
gender-appropriate TSA personnel to assist them; and

WHEREAS, TSA personnel often do not understand the purpose of mobility 
aids and assistive technologies, which leads to embarrassing and 
humiliating experiences for the traveler; and

WHEREAS, participation in the TSA Pre-check (ü^TM ) program is currently 
limited to frequent travelers who are invited by participating airlines, 
or current members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted 
Traveler programs; and

WHEREAS, deafblind individuals who supply the necessary background 
personal information should have the same opportunity to apply for the 
TSA Pre-check (ü^TM ) program regardless of frequency of travel: Now, 
therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind, in convention 
assembled this fifth day of July, 2013, in the city of Orlando, Florida, 
that this organization strongly urge the Transportation Security 
Administration to expand its criteria to permit qualified deafblind 
travelers to be accepted into the TSA Pre-check (ü^TM ) program.



Janice
Secretary
Deaf-Blind Division/NFB







On 7/19/2013 2:08 PM, Scott Davert wrote:
> Hi all.
> I hope no one takes my posting this the wrong way, as it's not
> intended to step on any toes, but I have here the full text of all the
> resolutions that passed from the 2013 convention. I have pasted the db
>   related one below for your reference.
>
> Best,
> Scott
> Resolution 2013-13
> Regarding Support Service Provider Programs for Deaf-Blind People
>
> WHEREAS, deaf-blind people rely on Support Service Providers (SSP’s)
> to reduce reliance on family members and friends by facilitating
> communications and by providing environmental and situational
> information so that they can participate in all aspects of community
> life; and
>
> WHEREAS, the SSP’s are not responsible for providing personal care or
> serving as the interpreters required by law at legal and medical
> appointments, i.e., must serve only as facilitators, not decision
> makers; and
>
> WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are 45,000 to 70,000 deaf-blind
> people in the U.S., a statistic that will rise because people are
> living longer and will experience sensory losses as part of the aging
> process, necessitating the need for more SSP’s; and
>
> WHEREAS, according to a 2012 survey by the Helen Keller National
> Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, only ten states have
> state-wide programs to provide SSP’s, and only fourteen states and the
> District of Columbia have smaller, regional SSP programs, and the
> remaining states have no SSP programs at all; and
>
> WHEREAS, in addition to the lack of availability of SSP’s in many
> states, the level of service in states with some programs fluctuates
> because the state or region determines who are eligible for the
> service and how many hours they receive; and
>
> WHEREAS, since some SSP programs such as those in Louisiana,
> Connecticut, and Washington State, are under the jurisdiction of an
> office or department for the deaf, these programs frequently
> discriminate against deaf-blind people by requiring them to
> communicate by using American Sign Language, which is more visual,
> rather than the communication method of their choice such as oral
> English, English Sign Language, or tactile sign language; and
>
> WHEREAS, since SSP’s are vital to the independence of all deaf-blind
> Americans, the federal government should implement a national program
> that will eliminate discriminatory practices and provide a higher
> level and greater uniformity of service: Now, therefore,
>
> BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention
> on this fifth day of July, 2013, in the city of Orlando, Florida, that
> this organization strongly urge the U.S. Department of Health and
> Human Services and the U.S. Congress to immediately take all necessary
> steps to establish a national SSP program so that deaf-blind
> individuals can maintain independence and become productive citizens.
>
>
>                                                            ----------
>
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