[NFBC-Info] Positive Change

Mon Dec 14 22:25:40 UTC 2020

I take a lot of pride of suggesting to people about the importance of going to training! I think that the skills that are taught are outstanding but their are some issues that need to be addressed, and in my personal opinion i can’t continue to advocate to others about training until some serious reform and restructureing is done! That doesn’t mean that i hate the centers or anything like that! 

Warm Regards,
Mr. Dimitrios Kouniaris
Direct Phone: 504-607-2776
Email: dkouniaris at gmail.com

> On Dec 14, 2020, at 4:15 PM, Dimitrios Kouniaris <dkouniaris at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Tim, and all: 
>    Tim thanks for your well detailed email! You said a lot and i want to try and keep this short, and to the point. 
>    My frustration with all of this is for example with the story with the 16 year old girl that got touched in her private areas by an instructor should not have happened. This instructor that taught at the step program 1/2 should have been fired, and 2/2 in my personal opinion he should get time for what he did. 
>    A parent who sends their child to training should not have to deal with this. Those who allowed this to happen should be held accountable. All parties should be heard when a complaint is filed regardless if they are well known or not. Let the investigation run it’s course! 
>    All instructors at centers that train blind people need to be patient and not disrespect or discriminate them in any way shape or form! Some restructureing needs to be done! I challenge our national president and the national board of directors and the rest of us to continue to find solutions so we can put a end to this! Yes we are different and we all come from diverse backgrounds, and cultures! At the same time Tim, and all we want the same thing! We as the National Federation of the blind need to address these issues and not sweep them under the rug! 
> 
> Warm Regards,
> Mr. Dimitrios Kouniaris
> Direct Phone: 504-607-2776
> Email: dkouniaris at gmail.com
> 
>> On Dec 14, 2020, at 4:02 PM, president--- via NFBC-Info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear Friends,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Some have recently been discussing the history of sexual harassment and
>> disrespectful behavior within the activities of our organization.  I welcome
>> a loving and considerate discussion.  We should validate those in our family
>> who have been hurt in the past by their blind colleagues.  For those who
>> raised concerns, I hear you and understand your frustration.  We must
>> affirmatively work to improve so that this inappropriate behavior is
>> absolutely eliminated.  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Every blind person, regardless of background, wherever they might be on
>> their journey in life, deserves to benefit from the unique life-changing
>> experiences of the National Federation of the Blind and the remarkable
>> training it provides.  We cannot succeed in our struggle for equality if we
>> injure our fellows and exploit our peers.  Racism, sexual harassment,
>> discrimination, elitism, exploitation, apathy, and corrupt motivation are
>> unfortunate flaws of our society.  Without exception, our Federation has
>> been vulnerable to these dangerous diseases of selfish behavior that
>> distract from our collective impact.  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> We are a people's movement.  The individuality of the people are
>> simultaneously our greatest strength and greatest struggle.  But I believe
>> in the capacity of humans to grow smarter, become better, and advance for
>> good on the whole.  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> As President of our California affiliate of the National Federation of the
>> Blind, I reaffirm my commitment and our organization's commitment to foster
>> a welcoming and inclusive environment that is safe for everyone.  I will do
>> everything within my power to act upon the concerns that have been raised
>> and support the leaders of our movement in response.  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> If you have been the victim of such harmful mistreatment, my heart breaks
>> for the injustice and injury that you experienced.  you have my sympathy,
>> apology, and devotion to earn your trust back.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> We can and will do more.  As a leader, I promise not just to react, but to
>> affirmatively prevent.  I will work to see the "culture of consent" that we
>> discussed at our most recent state convention become the norm.  I will help
>> educate our long-standing leaders in California to ensure that our
>> leadership structure understands the relevance of this moment in our
>> evolving movement.  I will affirmatively seek diverse leaders and role
>> models to ensure that blind people from all cross sections have a voice in
>> the solution.  I will take time to further understand the nature of these
>> problems and how other organizations have made progress.  I will work as an
>> ally with those who want to support our national leaders' effort to advance
>> positive change.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> We need to have this conversation to figure out what more needs to be done.
>> And we need to have it without disenfranchising or further harming blind
>> people.  The Federation is ours to build.  Please help me and the many other
>> leaders and members who want to be a part of the solution and commit to
>> change and healing.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Tim Elder
>> 
>> President
>> 
>> National Federation of the Blind of California 
>> 
>> president at nfbcal.org <mailto:president at nfbcal.org>  
>> 
>> (916) 382-0372 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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