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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Over the weekend there was a discussion on the Chapter President’s email list about whether we should refer to ourselves as “blind,” “visually impaired” or some variant thereof. President Ricobono sent out a nice compilation of articles discussing these topics. Please see below for some great food for thought and a peek into Federation pfilosophy:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Kristen Jocums<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(706) 718-8055<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Chapter-Presidents <chapter-presidents-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>President, National Federation of the Blind via Chapter-Presidents<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 18, 2023 2:48 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list <chapter-presidents@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [Chapter-Presidents] Use of the Word Blind<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Leaders,<br><br>Since the weekend was filled with the question about language, I thought I would give you all some reading to consider in your Federation development.<br><br>Resources on Why the Word Blind<br><br>A Definition of Blindness<br><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/definition-blindness%09" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/blog/definition-blindness </a><br><br>Handicap or Characteristic<br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/blndnesh.htm" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/blndnesh.htm</a><br><br>Why Use the Word "Blind"?<br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm09/bm0901/bm090107.htm" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm09/bm0901/bm090107.htm</a><br><br><br>Are We Handicapped, Disabled, or Something Else?<br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1901/bm190111.htm" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1901/bm190111.htm</a><br><br>Language, Action, and Destiny: The Lived Experience of the Organized Blind Movement <br><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/language-action-and-destiny-lived-" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/language-action-and-destiny-lived-</a><br><br>The Pitfalls of Political Correctness<br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm09/bm0903/bm090308.htm" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/sites/default/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm09/bm0903/bm090308.htm</a><br><br>Sincerely,<br>Mark<br><br><br><br><br>Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind <br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>(410) 659-9314 | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><br>Mastodon: @President@nfb.social <br>Pronouns: he, him, his<br><br><br><br> <br><br>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>