[nfb-talk] Proposal to Decrease the Blind Unemployment Rate

[Eddie]

I apologize for the duplicate message.  The first one didn't come through 
right away.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eddie" <jazzdogg1 at comcast.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 11:22 AM
Subject: [nfb-talk] Proposal to Decrease the Blind Unemployment Rate


> Dear List Members,
>
> I would like to propose an as yet very general outline on how to improve 
> the unemployment numbers in the blindness community. I am open to 
> suggestions
>
> on how this may play out in actuality.
>
> We have heard the 70 percent unemployment statistic for the last 30 years 
> with little or no fluctuation. I propose a capital campaign not unlike the 
> one
>
> initiated to build the Jernigan Institute. The funds raised by this effort 
> would be exclusively used to purchase access technology for blind job 
> seekers,
>
> effectively bypassing the red tape often experienced with state 
> departments of rehabilitation and other governmental employment agencies. 
> We know that
>
> employers are extremely hesitant to hire people with disabilities due to 
> the perceived expenses involved in doing so. This would affectively 
> nullify that
>
> concern while demonstrating that we are some of the most dedicated and 
> loyal workers once we obtain gainful employment. Perhaps funds for this 
> project
>
> could be incorporated under the umbrella of the imagination fund. While 
> some may argue that this effectively turns the NFB into a rehab agency, I 
> posit
>
> that we could do this kind of work as we have undertaken every other 
> project--with a high level of standards and expectation for our members, 
> along with
>
> a positive philosophy of blindness. Please respond with ideas and 
> thoughts.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Eddie Salcido
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