[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1522

[David Houck]

October 14, 2015

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1522

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              I hope all of you have recovered from the extensive rain and
flooding that occurred last week.  In talking to many of you across the
state, it appears most of us came through this ordeal with minimal or no
damage.  However, some of our members did not fare so well and therefore, we
need keep these individuals in our thoughts and prayers during their
difficult time.  Tiffiny Mitchell, President of our Columbia Chapter, is
asking members to bring personal and nonperishable items to the chapter
meeting Thursday evening which will be donated to The Harvest Hope Food Bank
to assist flood victims in the Midlands area.  Kudos to Tiffiny and the
Columbia Chapter for their initiative in this area.  

I hope many of you are planning to attend The 2015 Christmas Board Retreat
which will be held at Rocky Bottom December 4, 5, and 6.  This will be a
busy time since we will be holding three Board meetings beginning with the
RBRCCB Board of Directors meeting Saturday, December 5, followed by the
Federation Center Board of Trustees meeting, and ending with the NFB of SC
Board meeting.  Saturday evening will be a time for observing the Christmas
season, singing carols, fellowship, and eating delicious desserts.  I hope
we will have a large turnout.  Make plans to be there!  

Governor Haley has proclaimed October 2015, as Disability Employment
Awareness Month.  Below, is her proclamation. 

State of South Carolina Governor's Proclamation

WHEREAS, South Carolinians with disabilities have the same aspirations to
competitively work and contribute to their communities as everyone else; and

WHEREAS, business and community leaders have called for a diverse and
capable work force to further advance the South Carolina economy; and

WHEREAS, the support and cooperation of all people are needed to reduce the
attitudinal and physical barriers that hinder full acceptance of people with
disabilities and their rightful place in employment; and

WHEREAS, Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes that individuals
with disabilities are capable, contributing members of society worthy of
full access and inclusion in South Carolina's workforce.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nikki R. Haley, Governor of the Great State of South
Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2015, as

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to identify
barriers to employment for persons with disabilities and continue to work
toward improvements to ensure a competitive wage in an integrated
environment for all South Carolina's citizens.

Seal

NIKKI R. HALEY, GOVERNOR

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day, we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams.  You can live the life you want:
blindness is not what holds you back.  Joining me for comments in this
Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr.
Capps.  

              Let me first thank those of you across the state who have
called to enquire about our well-being.  The damage from the rain
storm/flood was so extensive that progress is very slow.  My next door
neighbor, the Wallace's, had a tree to fall across the roof of their house
two or three days ago.  In late August we also had a tree to fall across our
back porch and carport.  Many of my neighbors lost everything and this is
true in many neighborhoods.  

              Wednesday, October 15 is White Cane Safety Day.  More than 50
years ago, NFB Founder, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek wrote the White Cane safety Law
which was adopted by many states without change including South Carolina.  I
remember in 1972 I gave a copy of the bill covering civil rights for the
blind to legislators in both the House and Senate.  The following is the
first provision of the bill which reads, "It is the policy of this State to
encourage and enable the blind, the visually handicapped, and the otherwise
physically disabled to participate fully in the social and economic life of
the State and to engage in remunerative employment."

              White Cane Safety Day, October 15, is an important part of
this bill and reads as follows, "Each year, the Governor shall take suitable
public notice of October fifteenth as White Cane Safety Day. He shall issue
a proclamation in which: 

(a) He comments upon the significance of the white cane; 

(b) He calls upon the citizens of the State to observe the provisions of the
White Cane Law and to take precautions necessary to the safety of the
disabled; 

(c) He reminds the citizens of the State of the policies with respect to the
disabled herein declared and urges the citizens to cooperate in giving
effect to them; 

(d) He emphasizes the need of the citizens to be aware of the presence of
disabled persons in the community and to keep safe and functional for the
disabled the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings,
public facilities, other public places, places of public accommodation,
amusement and resort, and other places to which the public is invited, and
to offer assistance to disabled persons upon appropriate occasions."

              With October being "Meet the Blind Month," provisions of the
White Cane Law are very applicable.  I'm glad to see several chapters
promoting Meet the Blind Month projects as our public relations are very
important.

 

Final Thought:  "Come heavy rain or high water, people come together when
everything falls apart."

 

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