[Nfbf-l] NFBF President

[craig kiser]

   I am announcing my candidacy for President of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Florida.   I was saddened by President 
Kathy Davis' decision not to seek another term.  Kathy has been a 
strong and able advocate for the blind and a true and loyal 
Federationist.  I believe I have the ability to continue building 
and strengthening our affiliate into one of the NFB's best.
  My association with the NFB goes back 40 years to my experience 
as a student at the Iowa Commission for the Blind when Dr.  
Kenneth Jernigan was its director.  Learning at the foot of the 
Master, I gained a deep and abiding understanding of blindness, 
discrimination, stereotypes and the low self-esteem they produce 
in blind people.  I learned that teaching the skills of blindness 
is not enough to gain independence.  Though these techniques are 
essential, their value is diminished without 2 more 
factors-adjustment to blindness and public awareness of the true 
nature of blindness, unsullied by stereotypes and assumptions 
based on ignorance.
  Until a blind person properly adjusts to being blind that 
person is likely to have low self-esteem because one tends to 
accept common stereotypes and public beliefs, notwithstanding 
obvious facts to the contrary.  Everyone knew the Earth was flat 
and many continued believing it even after Christopher Columbus 
proved it round.
  Adjustment to blindness isn't simply accepting the fact that 
one is blind.  It involves accepting and truly believing that 
blindness can be reduced to more of a nuisance than an absolute 
block to accomplishing whatever one desires of life.  A gut level 
belief that blindness is much akin to other nuisances such as 
being left-handed, wearing glasses, being too tall, too short, 
too heavy or too thin.  It is believing and carrying out our 
lives without constantly questioning our ability to do what we 
want, when we want and in a manner at least as as efficient as 
our sighted counterparts.  Believing independence is our 
God-given right.
  Public awareness of the true nature of blindness is our 
responsibility.  If we don't want government or the public to 
limit our freedom, we must educate them, in a non-threatening  
way about the true abilities and competence of the blind.
  Throughout the 40 years since leaving the Iowa Commission for 
the Blind I have tried to conduct myself in accordance with the 
above principles.  Whether it was in my career as an attorney, as 
City Attorney for Davenport, Iowa, General Counsel for the 
Florida Department of Banking and Finance, practicing before 
every level of court from County Court to Appellate Court, the 
Florida Supreme Court or the U.  S.  Supreme Court, I never 
shirked my responsibilities  because I am blind.  As Deputy 
Comptroller of Florida I was the primary regulator of banking, 
finance companies, the sale of securities and cemeteries.  As 
Director of the Division of Blind Services I infused these 
principles into every aspect of the division.  I took what was 
commonly viewed as one of the least effective agencies for the 
blind in the country and made it one of the top 5 in just 6 
years.  This I did with the support and assistance of the 
organized blind.  It couldn't have been done without the NFB-BOTH 
nationally and especially the NFB of Florida.
  I want now to devote my time and energy to continuing the work 
of the Federation.    We have much to do and I want to lead the 
NFBF in making a difference.  Together we can move mountains.  We 
can change the thinking of government and the public so 
accessibility will not be an afterthought, but will be a part of 
planning any construction project or software program.  We can 
better our transportation situation.  We can convince educators 
that Braille is essential.  Full independence for the blind truly 
is within our grasp.   I want to take us there, so I am asking 
for your support for Craig Kiser as President of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Florida.  Thank you.
               Craig Kiser
               256 Cocoa Lane,
               Venice, Florida 34293
               941 244-0236 home
               850 345-9122 cell
               sckiser55 at earthlink.net