[NFB-DB] Fwd: Ideas for the DB Community

[Stuart Salvador]

Hi Tracie, Stuart here.

I thought it was just me and I might have been blocked or something. I
appreciate you sharing that happened to you also.

EOM

On Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 12:33 PM Tracie Inman via NFB-DB
<nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hey Maurice,
>  I sent the below email to you privately but it bounced back. I decided to send it to you on list to ensure you receive it.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Tracie
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Tracie Inman <tracielinman at gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 1:29 PM
> Subject: Ideas for the DB Community
> To: <mmines at mmauricemines.org>
>
>
> Hi Maurice,
> Congrats again on your election as President of the NFB DB division. I am thankful they elected someone who is a long-time member of the Federation & the Division itself. Experience  and knowledge of the philosophy of the NFB, and the History of the Division are important to its future.
>   I could probably write a book with all that needs to be done, but I shall refrain from lengthy dialogue in which you may not have the time to read it through.  That being said, here are just a few highlights of priorities that you might consider to be important to the DeafBlind community, empowerment of independence, and the sustainability of this diverse population.
> 1. Beginning within the NFB DeafBlind Division. Change starts at home.  Please consider meeting with President Riccobono (at the very least via phone or Zoom) to discuss changes for the Division's future.  This includes, but is not limited to, allowing those attending meetings virtually to have voting rights.  I know this is a hot topic. However, keep in mind the unique needs of the Deafblind Community.  Many of us have additional challenges and can not travel, or have limited ability to travel, to and from conventions. I know the Federation is against this due to its ability to decrease physical attendance of conventions. I believe the DeafBlind members of the NFB should have full inclusion with and without the ability to  physically attend conventions.
> 2. Find ways for the Deafblind  community to attend National Conventions.  If we wish to grow the division, and make it possible for as many people as possible to physically attend conventions and division meetings, then it must be a priority of the division to remove the barrier.  There are several ways to make it possible.  Again, this may be a discussion you could have with President Riccobono.  It might be possible to create a special fund on the National Level to help those with low income and diverse needs and a companion who could assist as a SSP/CoNavigator to attend conventions. Another thing you could do is set up a monthly payment plan to allow Deafblind people who wish to attend, but do not have credit cards or credit ability to make payments towards attending the convention with the stipulation that the total cost of the lodging must be paid in full 30 days prior to convention. (Travel expenses on-your-own)
> 3. Creating a Task Force to discuss and determine Priorities & Goals for the Division for the next 4 years. This would help you determine which direction your board should take and ensure the division is moving in the right direction.
> 4. Setting up an Advocacy Committee.  The committee could review  the 2023 Resolutions from the National Convention which passed and determine which ones  most benefit the DeafBlind population, determine ways in which they apply to the Deafblind population, and set next steps for advocacy. Once again, our National Leadership must be told that the DeafBlind must be included.  The Washington Seminare must have representatives from the DeafBlind Community that speak for the DeafBlind Community. We can not be represented by non- DeafBlind members of the Federation who neither know, nor understand, our needs.
> 5. Work towards creating Legislation to establish Support Service Providers/CoNavigators as a Reasonable Accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act.  This is long overdue.  Until it is done many states will continue to struggle to get funding for SSP/CN programs.  Federal guidance and rule revision is needed.
>   I'll stop there as those are the most pressing needs. Please do not hesitate to call on me to assist, serve, etc. as needed.
>   Wishing you the very best as you serve this group of diverse people.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Tracie Inman
>
> "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." - Helen Keller
>
> --
> Tracie Inman
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Tracie Inman
>
>
>
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