[nfb-db] Deaf-blind resolutions

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Scott,
Thanks I will check with Sharon because she said there had been minor 
changes to the SSP resolution from that of what I submitted.
Janice

On 7/19/2013 4:23 PM, Scott Davert wrote:
> 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 <mailto: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 (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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>>
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