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FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY:
inline'>Greetings
to all!</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>During the 42nd state convention of the National Federation of the
Blind
of</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>New Jersey, Live The Life You Want, Blind With Vision, the membership
passed a resolution Protecting The Right To Parent.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>The resolution was presented to Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez prior to her
presentation. She has agreed to assist the NFBNJ with the research and
writing of a bill to present to the New Jersey legislators.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Linda Melendez, Vice-President of the affiliate, Joanna mallard, a
certified</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Foster mom and I, conducted an in-person meeting with Assemblywoman
Lopez
in</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>late December.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Recently, we have forwarded information for Ms. Lopez and her staff
to</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>review with the list of states that have passed a bill and links to
all</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>bills from the ten states.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I have pasted the resolution for your review.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>In addition, the resolution is located on the state website, please
visit,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>www.nfbnj.org</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Important Request:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I am constructing a data base of blind/vision impaired parents, those
that</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>have adopted, those that are foster parents, grandparents that care
for</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>their grandchildren and those that have or had the responsibility to
care</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>for a child.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Also, we are collecting information from anyone that is fearful
of
having a</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>child taken from them as blindness as the main concern.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>If you are thinking of becoming a parent and are hesitating with the
fear
of</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>the state taking away your child, we need information.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>What will happen with your information?</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I will keep in a data base and as we move along on the process of
presenting</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>a bill to the New Jersey Legislators, some of your contact information
may</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>be needed to contact you to write emails, make phone calls and or
travel
to</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Trenton to discuss further with those that make decisions pertaining to
this</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>bill.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>What is needed?</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>name:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>address:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>home number:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Cell Number:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>email:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: write a sentence or two with information as a parent, parent
either
a</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>foster or adopted parent,grandparent, etc.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Please forward to the following email,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>nfbnj@verizon.net</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Please provide in a clean email.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>My contact information is located in my signature block.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Joe Ruffalo, President</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>973 743 0075</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>nfbnj1@verizon.net</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>www.nfbnj.org</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Raising Expectations to Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>www.carshelpingtheblind.org</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>or call 855 659 9314Resolution 2018 Parenting Rights</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>On Saturday, November 3, 2018 during the 42nd State Convention of
the</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey, Live The Life You
Want;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Blind With Vision, the members passed the following resolution
highlighting</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>the need to protect the civil rights of blind parents.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The resolution was read in Braille by Mary Jo Partyka, Chair of the
Braille</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Committee, to all in attendance. Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez was
presented a</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>copy, she provided positive remarks and indicated her support for
this</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>resolution. Linda Melendez, First Vice President of the NFBNJ,
Joanna</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mallard, a certified foster parent and I will be meeting Assemblywoman
Lopez</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>at her Perth Amboy office in late December.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We will keep all posted on the results.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In the meantime, read and share the following material provided
below.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Joe</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>From the desk of Joe Ruffalo, President, NFBNJ.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Received from Ryan Stevens, Director of Legislation, NFBNJ.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Distributed by Ellen Sullivan, Secretary, NFBNJ.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>****</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Resolution 2018-01</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(Regarding Protecting the Civil Rights of Blind Parents)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, protecting the rights of parents with disabilities is a
notion</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>that, incredibly, was rejected by the United States Supreme Court in
the</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>case of Buck v. Bell 274 U.S. 200 (1927), in which Justice Oliver
Wendell</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Holmes wrote, "It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting
to</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>execute degenerate offspring for crime, or to let them starve for
their</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit
from</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>continuing their kind"; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, this insulting and unjustified view that people with
disabilities,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>including blind people, are somehow "manifestly unfit" to be parents
(or</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>otherwise to live the lives they want and to participate as members
of</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>society with all rights and privileges associated therewith) has too
often</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>continued to prevail in the courts even as we move further into
the</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>twenty-first century; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, this bias is reflected in matters involving adoption and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>guardianship and in contested child custody proceedings, because
blind</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>parents have been perceived by the courts, child protection
agencies,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>guardians ad litem, hospital staff, and others as incapable of
caring</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>adequately for their children's needs, which has resulted in blind
people</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>routinely being denied the right to be parents without unfair bias
or</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>unnecessary overreach by government entities; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, for most people a fundamental aspect of living life to the
fullest</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>includes the joy of being a parent and sharing in the nurturing,
growth,
and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>development of a child; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, being a parent and raising children is a fundamental right
which
is</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>protected under the Constitution of the United States of America by
the</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>First and Ninth Amendments and under the Fourteenth Amendment as
applied
to</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>the states; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, in the case of blind parents, there is a need to protect
this</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>fundamental constitutional right; yet New Jersey has no laws at all
to</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>protect the right of blind citizens to be parents and raise their
children</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>without the fear of discriminatory treatment or unnecessary inquiries
of</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>fitness solely based on blindness; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WHEREAS, ten states across the country have enacted legislation
that</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>specifically protects the rights of blind parents, and momentum toward
the</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>goal of equal rights for blind parents is growing: now,
therefore,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
in</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Convention assembled this third day of November, 2018, in the Township
of</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Woodbridge, New Jersey, that this organization call upon the New
Jersey</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Legislature to enact laws that establish procedural safeguards to
protect</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>the right of blind people to be parents and prohibit
discriminatory</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>presumptions of manifest unfitness solely because a parent (or
prospective</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>parent) happens to be blind; and</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the New Jersey Attorney General,
in</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>protecting the best interest of children in court proceedings, to use
his
or</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>her good office affirmatively to protect blind parents in the state
against</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>discrimination and bias based solely upon blindness and to urge the
courts,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>guardians ad litem, and officials of child protection agencies to
base</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>decisions about what is in the best interest of the child on the
same</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>criteria used for sighted parents.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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