[nfbmi-talk] Pros and Cons of Preferential Treatment

[Elizabeth]

Interesting article. It seems to speak to the cultural values that were being promoted by the dominate culture that was prevalent during the time period the speech was written. Personally, I do not agree with those who promote such a homogenous society when reality clearly seems to paint us a different picture.
 
I understand that this organization as a whole does not promote the use of personal loans for blind students to attend college, nor does it promote the use of a means test for determining what services a student can receive from the Commission. However, does requiring all students to contribute a small reasonable amount towards their college education regardless of their income equate to a means test? If blindness automatically qualifies someone to receive Social Security benefits, then is asking a student to contribute fifty or a hundred dollars a month towards tuition, room, and board too much? If we just simply give every student a completely free ride, then how will students learn how to manage their money responsibly when they leave the vocational rehabilitation system? 
 
I’m not asking these questions as a way to spur on an argument over the positions our organization has made, nor am I trying to work in opposition to these positions. I simply want to see a dialog between members of our organization to determine what action steps are needed to move forward on this issue. In the past few months, our organization as a whole has taken actions against a number of issues. However, I have not seen our organization as a whole take any decisive action against this issue, and I’m sorry, but as a current college student, I would like to see this organization take some action on this issue. I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure that the Commission adopts a college policy that is in the best interest of students, but sometimes it feels as though I am the only one who really cares about this issue.
 
Respectfully,
Elizabeth 		 	   		  
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