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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Ohio Members and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below are the 2022 National Resolutions: Please review them with your Chapter members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>///<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2022 Resolutions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-01<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Need for Federal Legislation Requiring All Websites and Applications to be Accessible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the activities of a vast number of employers, retailers, restaurants, other public accommodations, educational institutions, state and local governments,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>other public entities, and many other entities now occur in whole or in part through websites and applications, a shift that has been greatly accelerated<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by a global pandemic; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to a report with statistics covering the period from 2005 to 2020 conducted by the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, the digital<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>economy alone accounts for nearly 10 percent of the gross domestic product of the United States; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to a study published in March 2021 by the Pew Research Center, 85 percent of American adults visit the internet at least once per day;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, equal access to digital spaces is necessary for the blind and others with disabilities to participate in the mainstream of economic, cultural,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and political life; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the vast majority of the entities identified above want their websites and applications to be accessible and usable by all, including the blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and others with disabilities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the blind and others with disabilities constantly face access barriers to websites and applications as indicated by a recent survey of the one<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>million most visited websites, which revealed that at least one access barrier existed on over ninety-seven percent of those million websites; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to numerous news sources, the United States has approximately two open jobs for every unemployed American, yet unemployment and underemployment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the blind has not improved due in part to accessibility barriers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many, including the Federation, believe that Congress intended for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to apply to websites of those entities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>covered by the ADA when it said the ADA "should keep pace with the rapidly changing technology of the times"; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, despite such clear legislative intent, the courts of our land have varied wildly in their opinions deciding whether the ADA covers websites, with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>some courts saying that websites and digital spaces of any entity are not covered by the ADA, others saying that only websites of covered entities with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a physical presence are covered, and yet other courts saying that all websites of covered entities are covered regardless of whether those exist entirely<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in cyberspace or whether they have both physical and digital locations; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, we had fervently hoped that the United States Department of Justice would clarify these legal uncertainties when, in 2010, it published an Advanced<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Notice of Proposed Rule Making with the intention of ultimately promulgating regulations clarifying that websites of covered entities fell within the scope<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the ADA's protection, regardless of whether such entities existed entirely in cyberspace; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, to the great sorrow of the disability community and others, no further action has been taken on the proposed regulations since 2010, and in fact<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the proposed rulemaking was canceled in 2017; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, neither current law nor the proposed regulations from 2010 clearly cover applications used on mobile phones and other devices; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many businesses, employers, educational institutions, and other entities rely on third-party commercial entities, which are not currently covered<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by the law, to design and implement their websites and applications; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, it has become abundantly clear that there is a critical need for federal legislation to clarify exactly who must offer accessible websites and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>applications and how they must do it: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>we urge Congress to adopt a law requiring websites and applications of employers, retailers, restaurants, other public accommodations, educational institutions,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>state and local governments, other public entities, and any other entity currently covered by the ADA to be accessible to the blind and others with disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>through compliance with an accessibility standard defined by Congress; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon Congress to require those commercial entities that design and implement websites and applications and then sell<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>them to all other covered entities to design and implement websites and applications which are accessible to the blind and others with disabilities in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>compliance with the accessibility standard defined by Congress; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Congress to direct the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Equal Employment Opportunity<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Commission (EEOC) to develop and then promulgate an accessibility standard in which accessibility shall mean perceivable, operable, understandable, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>robust websites and applications that enable persons with disabilities to access the same information as, to engage in the same interactions as, and to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>enjoy the same services offered to other persons with the same privacy, same independence, and same ease of use as nondisabled persons; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Congress, in the new law, to include provisions that allow the law to be enforced by EEOC and DOJ acting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>on complaints filed with them or on their own initiative and that private individuals and organizations may also enforce the law by instituting private<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>causes of actions in our courts with the full array of legal remedies and damages available to them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-02<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding State Legislation Guaranteeing Fully Accessible Vote by Mail<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the ability to cast a secret ballot independently is a cornerstone of our democracy that enables citizens to vote their conscience without fear;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>provided by state and local government entities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, this requirement extends to voting privately and independently by mail; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, only twenty-eight states require an accessible way to mark a vote-by-mail ballot; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, in 2022, as a direct result of the advocacy efforts of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Access Living Chicago, Equip for Equality,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and the Illinois Council of the Blind, Illinois became the latest example when the state’s general assembly passed legislation requiring that voters with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>print disabilities be provided an accessible way to mark their vote-by-mail ballot; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, only the states of Colorado, Hawaii, and West Virginia have passed legislation to require an accessible way for voters with print disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to mark and return their vote-by-mail ballot; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, voters with print disabilities in jurisdictions that do not provide an accessible way to mark and return their vote-by-mail ballot must either<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>tell their choices to a sighted person and trust that person to mark the ballot as instructed, or they must go to a physical polling place to use an accessible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ballot-marking device: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization demand that all US states, territories, and districts that have not yet enacted legislation to require an accessible way to mark and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>return vote-by-mail ballots pass such legislation so that all voters with print disabilities have the same opportunity to vote by mail privately and independently<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as voters without disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-03<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Manufacturers’ Development of Accessible Medical Devices<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, an increasing number of medical devices are being developed that provide individuals with the ability to practice independent self-care at home,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>leading to better patient outcomes; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, as stated in the study, Improved Cost and Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries Dispositioned From the ED to Receive Home Health Care Compared<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With Inpatient Hospitalization, “Not only is home healthcare more effective at improving patient outcomes, but it is also a cost-effective alternative<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to hospitalization, saving both Medicare and taxpayers money"; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, most medical device manufacturers are not working to integrate nonvisual accessibility features into the design and development of these medical<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>devices, leaving far too many of them inaccessible to blind individuals; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many of these inaccessible devices—such as insulin pumps, home dialysis machines, and chemotherapy machines—are used to assist those with critical<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>healthcare concerns, leaving the health, safety, and independence of many blind Americans in imminent danger; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, accessibility is relatively easy and inexpensive to implement when it is incorporated in the design of a product from the outset and results in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a product with a multimodal interface that is more useable by everyone; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, members of the National Federation of the Blind are actively working with some manufacturers who have come to realize that the active participation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the blind is essential in the design and development of devices that will be nonvisually accessible, usable, and useful to the blind: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization demand that manufacturers work collaboratively with the blind to incorporate nonvisual accessibility in the design and development of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>their existing and emerging medical devices so that blind people can benefit from the improved quality of healthcare and cost-effective alternatives to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>hospitalization that they offer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-04<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Rights of Blind Prisoners<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice Statistics identified in 2016 that 11 percent of state and federal prisoners report having a vision disability; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, including those who are incarcerated;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the United States Constitution guarantees citizens’ right to due process of law and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind prisoners nationwide have reported disparate and discriminatory treatment by departments of corrections, including the denial of necessary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>medical care and prescriptions, failure to provide accommodations and effective communication, lack of equal access to training and work programs, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>inclusion among dangerous prisoners; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, this disparate and discriminatory treatment has forced many blind prisoners to purchase their own accommodations or to rely on the help of sighted<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>prisoners, causing the blind prisoners to be beholden to other prisoners to read and write mail, navigate to the dining hall and other areas, read posted<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>prison rules, use the law library, prepare grievances, and complete commissary sheets, among other tasks; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, this has compromised blind prisoners’ privacy and exposed them to extortion, stealing, and other harm; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the lack of equal access to prison-based training and vocational programs has resulted in blind prisoners’ inability to earn wages, reduce their<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>sentences through participation credits, and engage in work release; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind prisoners who advocate for equal access and their other rights risk retaliation from prison staff and receive limited to no support from<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>prison ADA coordinators, ombudsmen, and state and federal lawmakers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has sued on behalf of blind prisoners in Maryland and Colorado and secured systemic relief within both states;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, discrimination against blind prisoners persists outside of this relief: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization demand that state and federal prisons comply with requirements of the United States Constitution, Rehabilitation Act, Americans with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Disabilities Act, and other state and national disability rights laws; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge active state and federal oversight of the treatment of blind prisoners, including the provision of medical<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>care, accommodations, and effective communication; equal access to training and work programs; and separation from dangerous prisoners.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-05<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Discriminatory Driver’s License Requirements in Non-Transportation-Related Jobs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, for generations blind employees have worked effectively in jobs that require travel by using mass transit and other forms of public and private<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>transportation; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the job postings of many employers require applicants to possess a valid driver’s license to be eligible for the position, even though the essential<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>functions of the position do not involve operating an automobile or other mode of transportation; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from requiring a driver’s license unless one of the essential functions of the position<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>includes driving; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, modern job application software can automatically exclude applicants who do not have a driver’s license, denying the applicant the opportunity<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to discuss the possibility of a reasonable accommodation; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, these driver’s license requirements discriminate against blind people as a class because blindness makes a person ineligible to receive a driver’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>license; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the leading federal law enforcement agency dedicated to preventing and remedying<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>employment discrimination and advancing equal employment opportunity; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Objective I of EEOC’s 2018 to 2022 Strategic Plan states in Outcome Goal I.A: “Discriminatory employment practices are stopped and remedied, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>victims of discrimination receive meaningful relief”; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, since at least 2006, the EEOC has prioritized the elimination of systemic discrimination when it created its “Systemic Initiative” which identified,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>investigated, and litigated systemic discrimination cases; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, having a systematic, apparently neutral policy on driver’s licenses that eliminates disabled individuals from consideration is discriminatory;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, on June 21, 2005, the EEOC issued a memo stating, in part, that driver’s licenses can be required only where transportation of goods or people<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>is the objective to be accomplished by the position; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, EEOC guidance is not binding law: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization strongly urge the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to elevate the importance of eliminating the driver’s license<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>employment barrier by issuing a rule that clearly prohibits discrimination by employers who require a driver’s license when driving is not part of the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>essential functions of a job.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-06<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Audio Description and Text-To-Speech<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, audio description is an auxiliary service for blind movie and television viewers that provides narration of key visual elements such as actions,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>facial expressions, scene changes, costumes, scenery, on-screen text, and other purely visual elements of a film or television program; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, a growing number of broadcast and cable channels, as well as streaming services, are increasing the hours of audio description they provide in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>response to federal law and regulation, legal agreements, and expanding consumer demand; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, some providers, such as cable television's The Hallmark Channel and streaming service Amazon Prime Video, are increasingly or exclusively using<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>text-to-speech (TTS) voices rather than human narrators to verbalize scripted audio description; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, in some cases TTS may be appropriate, for example in purely informational programming, but overall it is problematic for a number of reasons:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(1) TTS often mispronounces character and place names and other important story elements, creating confusion; (2) TTS introduces awkward or incorrect phrasing;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and (3) the tone of the TTS narration is often at sharp variance from the tone of the content, e.g. an overly robotic delivery for a light comedy; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, regardless of how well the underlying audio-description script is written, all of these issues and others have the effect of jolting most blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>viewers, distracting them from the content, and forcing them to focus on the delivery of the TTS narration, thereby defeating the purpose of enhancing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the entertainment experience for these viewers that is the very reason for audio description; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, while some providers justify the use of TTS in the name of providing more hours of audio description, there are thousands of professional voice<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>talents, including many blind professionals, who are willing and able to do this work; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, some defenders of TTS make the insulting suggestion that blind viewers ought to be grateful for the audio-described programming that is provided<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>rather than complaining about the methods by which it is done, but blind users have every right to expect a quality audio-description experience just as<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>sighted viewers have the right to expect full color, high definition, accurate subtitles and captioning, and other markers of quality, and are not and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>would never be expected to accept an inferior viewing experience: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization demand that television channels and streaming providers deploying audio description using TTS stop the use of this technology in the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>narration of audio description for content intended for entertainment; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that, before resuming any use of TTS, providers meaningfully consult with blind Americans in determining<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>whether and when its use may be appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-07<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Participation of Individuals with Disabilities in Medical Research<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, federal public health policies and resource distribution are based on data; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Revitalization Act of 1993 and National Institutes of Health (NIH) created guidelines for including women and racial and ethnic minorities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in medical research; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Revitalization Act does not require inclusion of individuals with disabilities in NIH-funded studies, leading to an absence of data regarding<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>individuals with disabilities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind Americans have been denied participation in critical medical studies by research institutions based on an individual’s blindness, inaccessible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>components of the studies, and the institution’s refusal to provide appropriate accommodations; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, this denial of participation and subsequent lack of disability-related data prolong ableist attitudes about disability and further marginalize<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>individuals with disabilities within the medical system; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, research institutions such as Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center and Bloomberg School of Public Health have proposed strategies to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>increase participation of individuals with disabilities in medical trials, including adherence to universal design principles, incorporation of auxiliary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>aids in research protocols, and establishment of a federal disability-centered organization similar to the Office of Research on Women’s Health or the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization commend those research institutions that have voluntarily included individuals with disabilities in their definitions of inclusivity<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and related research procedures and have called for national guidance to increase the participation of people with disabilities in medical research; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization call upon Congress and the National Institutes of Health to mandate inclusion of individuals with disabilities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in NIH-funded research studies; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that all research institutions implement policies and processes that include and accommodate blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>individuals in medical research.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-08<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Consent Culture<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FRAMING STATEMENT - Pause and read this aloud whenever this Resolution is discussed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please note that, due to the purpose of this Resolution, it contains discussions of sexual misconduct. Its intent is that they be examples of why this<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Resolution is necessary.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Consent culture affirms and normalizes the following in both social and sexual interactions: that each individual has bodily autonomy, that the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>action of asking for consent is an expected practice, that boundaries stated in response are to be respected, that each person has the right to choose<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>what is comfortable for them, and that the lack of consent or a clear and affirmative response constitutes a “no”; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, consent violations, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence affect everyone, including blind and low-vision individuals; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, The Climate Assessment commissioned by the National Federation of the Blind and conducted by the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>shows that of the respondents:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 5 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• 58.8 percent believe that sexual misconduct is somewhat of a problem or a big problem within the NFB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• 55.7 percent have concerns about power dynamics,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• 53.1 percent have concerns about difficulty communicating, understanding, and respecting interpersonal boundaries,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• 46.1 percent have a lack of understanding about consent, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• 48 percent are confused about what sexual misconduct is; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many of these areas of concern reported in the RAINN survey are also concerns for the entire blindness community generally, including interactions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>not associated with Federation activities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind people are not only physically and mentally harmed when they experience sexual misconduct or consent violations within the blindness community,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>they are also restricted from reaching their full potential and living the lives they want in their quest to receive necessary blindness services; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind is the leader in advocating for, creating cultural change for, and promoting bodily autonomy for the blind,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and is actively working to establish a culture of consent through advocacy, education, curriculum development and incorporation, consent language development,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and the implementation of accountability practices: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization call on all other providers of services for the blind to join the Federation in incorporating consent education and language into their<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>curricula, policies, and procedures to foster a more general understanding and confidence in the blindness community around matters of consent and bodily<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>autonomy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-09<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Accessible At-home Medical/COVID-19 Testing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the COVID-19 virus continues to cause significant illness and death; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, despite all efforts to mitigate this pandemic through vaccinations and masking, COVID-19 continues to mutate and spread around the world; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, at-home tests are a critical resource in stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and no one, including blind people, should be excluded from<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>such important and potentially lifesaving testing opportunities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, we appreciate the current administration’s effort to offer free at-home COVID-19 tests to all Americans, but are extremely frustrated that no<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>effort has been taken to ensure that blind Americans have the ability to use any of the tests being distributed independently; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has been able to engage with the administration and is currently collaborating on the development of home<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>COVID-19 tests that have accessible instructions and their ability to be used independently by blind people; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, our experience has shown that, given the proper commitment to innovation, most technology available on the market can be made accessible to those<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>who are blind or have low vision, including at-home COVID-19 tests; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, unfortunately, based on our testing to date of the many home COVID-19 test kits on the market, we have found only the Cue Health and Ellume Limited<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>tests currently to be nonvisually accessible to the blind, and both these kits require the use of a smartphone, leaving blind people who lack the knowledge<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and/or the technology unable to use the tests independently; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, accessibility is relatively easy and inexpensive to implement when it is incorporated into the design of a product from the outset and in collaboration<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with the National Federation of the Blind, and results in a product with a multimodal interface that is more useable by everyone: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization strongly urge companies working to develop at-home COVID-19 tests to work with the National Federation of the Blind to ensure that the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>tests, instructions, packaging, execution, and test results are nonvisually accessible to blind Americans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-10<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Increased Funding for the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program (IL-OIB) is authorized under Title VII, Chapter 2, of the Rehabilitation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Act and managed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA); and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to the RSA's Report on Federal Activities Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for Fiscal Years 2017-2020, the IL-OIB program allows<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>grantees to "deliver training and independent living services to individuals who are 55 years of age or older and whose significant visual impairment makes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>competitive integrated employment difficult to attain but for whom independent living goals are feasible"; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2020, the IL-OIB Program served 47,764 individuals nationwide, with federal funding of $33,317,000, which is an average of $697.53<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>per person served; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the RSA states in its report that these funds are used to provide services intended to promote adjustment to blindness and assist older individuals<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>who are blind with "managing activities of daily living and increasing their functional independence by providing adaptive aids and services, orientation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and mobility training, training in communication skills and Braille instruction, information and referral services, peer counseling, and individual advocacy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>instruction"; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the current level of funding provided through this program makes it impossible for the nation's vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>more than cursory access to adjustment to blindness training; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the intent of the program is to preserve or increase independence and extend the quality of life for older blind Americans while offering alternatives<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to costly long-term institutionalization and care; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, an essential element for accomplishing this goal is allowing for access to meaningful, long-term training like that offered at a residential center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for the blind; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, in order to make that option available to older blind Americans, a substantial increase in funding for this critical program is required; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, prioritizing enhanced funding for IL-OIB by the Department of Education and the Rehabilitation Services Administration could spur Congress to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>action on this issue: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization urge the Department of Education to request additional funding for this much needed program in order to make substantive training available<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to older blind Americans; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge Congress to amend the Rehabilitation Act to mandate that all older blind Americans be offered the opportunity to receive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>long-term adjustment-to-blindness training at a center of their choice so that they can reach the goal of preserving their independence, improving their<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>quality of life, and allowing them to age in place as opposed to spending the last years of their lives in a nursing home or other care facility; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we strongly urge Congress to provide funding sufficient to allow this choice to become a reality for all older blind Americans<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>who wish to take advantage of the opportunity for true independence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-11<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Access to Cryptocurrency Exchanges<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, on March 9, 2022, President Biden signed an executive order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets, laying out a national policy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for digital assets with six key priorities: consumer and investor protection, financial stability, illicit finance, US leadership in the global financial<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>system and economic competitiveness, financial inclusion, and responsible innovation; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, inaccessibility is a problem among the various cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges, as well as media platforms that report the performance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of digital assets; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, most cryptocurrency platforms and exchange services do not offer blind or deafblind investors appropriate accessibility for signup and account<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>maintenance, nor are their infographics, charts, graphs, and other data and metadata accessible to the blind; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind and deafblind investors should have all the benefits of data available to other investors on cryptocurrency platforms to manage their digital<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>assets: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization call upon the Administration to incorporate accessibility in any regulation of this technology, requiring that all major cryptocurrency<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>platforms and exchanges in the United States develop and implement accessibility strategies, including web and mobile app accessibility and other components<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>designed to be fully and equally accessible to blind and deafblind consumers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that cryptocurrency platforms build their online and mobile applications in a manner that allows blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and deafblind users full financial inclusion, including the ability to access the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy with equivalent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>privacy, security, independence, and ease of use the same services offered to other users.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-13<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Continued Denials Experienced by Service Dog Handlers When Using the Lyft Platform<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Lyft is a rideshare company which offers automobile transportation services; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to its own terms of service, Lyft riders cannot be discriminated against based on race, religion, or disability; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, despite attempted educational efforts, service dog handlers everywhere continue to experience ongoing and flagrant discrimination by Lyft drivers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>when traveling with their service dogs; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, these denials often result in the service dog handler being stranded in unfamiliar areas, thus compromising their safety; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, these denials also result in service dog handlers being late to important medical appointments, work, or picking up their children from daycare,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>often leading to added monetary cost and undue stress and frustration; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the process to report a Lyft denial has become increasingly complicated due to the trip disappearing from the user’s ride history; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, when service dog handlers attempt to report their denial using the Lyft platform, they are unable to provide pertinent information that will help<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to identify the driver accurately; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many drivers claim that allergies, religious beliefs, or their fear of dogs prevent them from transporting service dog handlers and their dogs,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>despite agreeing to Lyft’s driver terms of service: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization condemn and deplore Lyft’s continued discriminatory practices against service dog handlers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Lyft not remove any denied or refused trips from the rider history, and contact any person who<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>submits a denial-of-service complaint within twenty-four hours and provide the person with confirmation that the report was received and will be addressed<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with due diligence; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Lyft require prospective drivers to participate in mandatory service dog awareness training before<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>being activated on its platform and that drivers be properly educated about the Americans with Disabilities Act, with an emphasis on the two questions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that drivers can legally ask service dog handlers about their dogs; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Lyft forbid their drivers from using allergies, religious beliefs, and fear of dogs as excuses<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>not to transport service dog handlers and their dogs in their vehicles; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Lyft permanently remove any driver from the platform who discriminates by denying service to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a service dog handler.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-14<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Continued Denials Experienced by Service Dog Handlers When Using the Uber Platform<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Uber is a rideshare company which offers automobile transportation services; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to its own terms of service, Uber cannot discriminate against riders on the basis of race, religion, or disability; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, despite past litigation and a settlement agreement with the National Federation of the Blind, signed by Uber in April 2016, service dog handlers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>everywhere continue to experience ongoing and flagrant discrimination by Uber drivers when traveling with their service dogs; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, these denials of service often result in service dog handlers being stranded in unfamiliar areas, thus compromising their safety; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, service dog handlers are often late to important medical appointments, work, or picking up their children from daycare, which leads to added monetary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>cost and undue stress and frustration when Uber drivers refuse to transport them; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the process to report an Uber denial has become increasingly complicated due to the trip disappearing from the user’s ride history; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, when service dog handlers attempt to report their denial using the Uber platform, they are unable to provide pertinent information that will help<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to identify the driver accurately; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, because Uber now offers a pet-friendly ride choice, many drivers insist that service dog handlers use this feature of Uber, which is discriminatory<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>because service dogs are not pets and because it results in service dog handlers’ having to pay more for rides; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, many drivers claim that allergies, religious beliefs, or their fear of dogs prevent them from transporting service dog handlers and their dogs,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>despite agreeing to the terms of service of Uber: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization condemn and deplore Uber’s continued discriminatory practices against service dog handlers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Uber not remove any denied or refused trips from the rider history, and contact any person who<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>submits a denial-of-service complaint within twenty-four hours and provide the person with confirmation that the report was received and will be addressed<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with due diligence; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Uber require prospective drivers to participate in mandatory service dog awareness training before<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>being activated on its platform and that drivers be properly educated about the Americans with Disabilities Act, with an emphasis on the two questions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>they can legally ask service dog handlers about their dogs; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Uber forbid their drivers from using allergies, religious beliefs, and fear of dogs as excuses<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>not to transport service dog handlers and their dogs in their vehicles; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demand that Uber permanently remove any driver from the platform who discriminates by denying service to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a service dog handler.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-15<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Accessibility of Peacock<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Peacock is a streaming service provided by NBCUniversal, which in turn is owned by Comcast Corporation; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Peacock offers NBCUniversal shows and movies, as well as original and third-party content; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, live sporting events, such as the Olympics and World Wrestling Entertainment programs, are also part of the Peacock content; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Peacock is not accessible to blind customers using a screen reader to access the service, some examples of this include unlabeled buttons, lack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of organization using headings, and playback controls that are not visible to a screen reader; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, even though Peacock offers auxiliary services like audio description for some of its content, these services are difficult, if not impossible,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to access due to the screen-reader issues mentioned above; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Peacock can be accessed with less difficulty on Comcast’s own Xfinity and Flex platforms, but because Peacock is available to customers who do<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>not have Comcast, blind users should not be forced to maintain a Comcast subscription to have equal access, since this puts a premium on accessibility;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, this popular streaming service has over 50 million free signups and 13 million paid subscribers, and it should go without saying that the blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>should have the same opportunities as the sighted to use its content: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization demand that Peacock and NBCUniversal make a commitment to full and consistent accessibility across all platforms, including initial set-up<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and using all aspects of the service; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge Peacock and NBCUniversal to work with the National Federation of the Blind to ensure that all Peacock<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>apps, its website, and all other access methods across all platforms are fully accessible to the blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-16<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Audio Description in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, for blind Americans the lack of equal access to information continues to be one of our greatest barriers to living the lives we want; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, audio description can be an effective tool to provide access to visual information in video presentations; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, in society today, especially in such arenas as education and employment, there is an emphasis on presenting information visually, using inaccessible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>screen-sharing technology in both live presentations and online platforms; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, even though audio description is a good solution to the information gap problem, many people overlook the importance of employing audio description<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>when they display informational text or graphics (PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.) via inaccessible visual-only<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>means in training videos, educational presentations, business conferences, etc., because they view audio description primarily as a source for entertainment<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>information from movies and television; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, presentations that rely on the visual display of information place blind people at a serious disadvantage, in their ability both to participate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and to acquire knowledge; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the World Wide Web Consortium recognizes the value of audio description and has included a definition and examples of its use in the Web Content<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, but these guidelines are weak and imprecise; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the current WCAG does not require the presenter to read shared documents, interpret graphics, or describe other written signs or messages that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>appear on the screen but are not accessible; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, if the identical informational text or graphics are presented in a non-accessible manner in a video, existing standard WCAG (2.1, Levels A and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>AA) require that this information to be described only to the extent that those descriptions fit into "existing pauses in dialogue" which may not allow<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>enough time for all of the information to be communicated; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the World Wide Web Consortium has the perfect opportunity to strengthen these guidelines since they are currently revising WCAG; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to its website, the US Access Board “promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>development of accessibility guidelines and standards,” placing it in a position to help ensure that the revised WCAG guidelines grant greater access to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>information through audio description for blind people: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization strongly urge the World Wide Web Consortium to revise its guidelines to enhance the use of audio description in live and recorded presentations<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>so that blind people have the same access to all information as their sighted peers; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization insist that the US Access Board engage in dialogue to strengthen the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to promote access for the blind to all visual information in live or recorded presentations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-17<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the Accessibility of TikTok<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to various websites such as Investopedia.com, TikTok is a social media app dedicated to short-form videos of fifteen to sixty seconds<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>created by users, emphasizing comedy and other forms of entertainment, as well as self-promotion and information about fashion, personal finance, and cooking;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, TikTok is extremely popular with young people and claims to have one billion users and growing; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, to participate fully in society, blind people must have equal access to the same social media platforms used by all to consume content and to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>contribute their own content if they wish; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, according to tiktok.com/accessibility, TikTok offers accessibility features, including photosensitive epilepsy toggle and warning, text to speech<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that reads embedded text, benefiting blind or visually impaired users, animated thumbnails, and auto captions, but while these features are a step in the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>right direction, more features are needed to provide true accessibility; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, TikTok makes no mention of following or attempting to follow any accessibility guidelines or standards, including WCAG, the internationally developed<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and widely recognized guidelines commonly adopted by those wishing to make digital experiences accessible; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind and deafblind people are denied the opportunity to participate in this medium on an equal basis with their sighted peers because some buttons<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and controls within the TikTok app have not been properly coded to interact with screen readers, making it very difficult to access content and use features;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, blind and deafblind content creators are denied the opportunity to engage with followers during live broadcasts without delays or difficulties<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>because of the lack of accessible navigation and controls; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the accessibility barriers on the platform prohibit blind and deafblind individuals from creating content on social media as a form of employment,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>thus helping to perpetuate the nearly 70 percent unemployment and underemployment rate among blind people; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, TikTok’s website presents many other accessibility challenges, including unlabeled elements, automatically playing videos with no obvious mechanism<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to control them, and many others; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, too many videos on TikTok lack auxiliary services such as closed captioning and audio description, making many of them inaccessible to blind and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>deafblind users because content creators need more education about the need and use of these features: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization call upon TikTok to commit to make all of its digital experiences, including its apps and website, fully accessible by developing the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>teams and processes necessary to comply with the industry standard WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge TikTok to eliminate the option to forego audio description, closed captioning, and other auxiliary services<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to creators and instead allow the end user to opt in or out of these services; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization strongly urge TikTok to partner with the National Federation of the Blind to ensure that its efforts create<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and maintain an accessible experience for blind and deafblind TikTok users who consume and create content.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-18<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding the European Accessibility Act and Accessible eBooks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, eBooks now represent over 20 percent of all publications currently sold in the United States, with publishers reporting the percentage of eBooks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>sold increasing every year; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, it is possible for each of those eBooks to be fully accessible to the blind and other persons with disabilities through the use of nonvisual and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>other access technology; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, there is no law in the United States which directly mandates that all eBooks be accessible from the beginning of their existence; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the European Union adopted the European Accessibility Act, which requires that all eBooks—among many other goods, services, facilities—be fully<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>accessible to persons with disabilities by June 28, 2025; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the law also requires the entire supply chain for eBooks (retailers, e-commerce sites, hardware and software reading solutions, online platforms,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>digital rights management solutions, etc.) to provide accessible content; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS United States publishers will be subject to the European Accessibility Act and its requirement that eBooks be sold in an accessible format; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, work is going on right now in Europe to plan how publishers will meet the requirements of the law by June 2025; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, it only makes sense for United States publishers to engage in similar work, not only to be eligible to sell in the large European market but also<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to embrace inclusive publishing principles and thereby expand their markets: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>we urge Congress to adopt a law requiring that all eBooks being sold in the United States market must be fully accessible by June 28, 2025 and that the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>law also require the entire supply chain (retailers, e-commerce sites, hardware and software reading solutions, online platforms, digital rights management<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>solutions, etc.) to provide accessible content; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon United States publishers to work closely with their European counterparts to adopt the most robust standards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>assuring that all eBooks are born accessible wherever they are sold.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RESOLUTION 2022-19<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regarding Disqualifying Subminimum-Wage Employers from Fair Trade Certification<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, since 1998, Fair Trade USA® has empowered producers, promoted sustainable livelihoods, enabled more transparent business operations, and improved<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>supply chain practices; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, the purchase of products with the Fair Trade Certified™ seal has generated $846 million to farmers, workers, and fishers who have used those funds<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to directly improve their lives and communities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Fairtrade America® is a similar organization offering similar certification, with social standards typically at the co-op or producer organization<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>level, which do not allow exploitative child labor or any discriminatory employment practices; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, when consumers purchase products which are fair trade certified by either entity, they commonly expect that fair trade principles have been monitored<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and practiced throughout the supply chain for that product; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, allows employers with special wage certificates from the United States Department<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of Labor to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage based on their disabilities; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, paying subminimum wages to workers with disabilities is unfair and discriminatory; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>WHEREAS, neither Fair Trade USA nor Fairtrade America include any mention of Section 14(c) subminimum wages for workers with disabilities in their certification<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>standards: Now, therefore,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention assembled this ninth day of July, 2022, in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, that<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>this organization urge Fair Trade USA and Fairtrade America to include language in their certification standards to disqualify any applicants for fair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>trade certification who use Section 14(c) special wage certificates allowing employers to pay subminimum wages to workers with disabilities at any point<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in their supply chain.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>