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

[Tracie Inman]

Hi Stuart,
 You are welcome. I was wondering why my email bounced.

Kind Regards,
Tracie

On Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 6:10 PM Stuart Salvador via NFB-DB <
nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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-- 
*Tracie Inman*
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