[nfb-db] Deaf-blind resolutions

[Scott Davert]

Hi Janice.
I'm not sure if there were any changes, since I never had a copy of that resolution until today. It was part of a Microsoft Word document that I downloaded from the NFB website which listed all of the resolutions that passed. Sorry, that's all I can tell you about it. Thank you for the copy of the TSA resolution.

Scott

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 19, 2013, at 3:52 PM, Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net> wrote:

> 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 (üTM) program; and
>  
> WHEREAS, the TSA Pre-check (üTM) 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 (üTM) 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 (üTM) 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 (üTM) 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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