[Ohio-Talk] Policy on Legal Coordination

[Richard Payne]

National Federation of the Blind
Policy on Legal Coordination

Adopted September 25, 2016
Updated December 2, 2023

A primary objective of the National Federation of the Blind is to protect
and expand the rights of blind people in the United States with the goal of
achieving equal protection under the law. The effectiveness of the
Federation's legal program depends heavily on making strategic decisions
about where to place resources and when to use the judicial system instead
of or in conjunction with other branches of government. The organization's
name carries considerable weight among many influential institutions and
individuals because of the thoughtfulness with which the organization has
utilized its resources in this regard. Therefore, the National Federation of
the Blind Board of Directors has established this policy to ensure that
activities at one level of the organization do not negatively impact the
broader objectives of the organization at a higher level. 
It is the policy of the National Federation of the Blind that any state
affiliate or national division is required to seek approval of, and
coordinate with, the national President prior to seeking legal actions,
governmental complaints, or demand letters using the name of the National
Federation of the Blind or any variant thereof. Furthermore, local chapters
or divisions within state affiliates will similarly not be permitted to seek
legal action on behalf of the organization without prior approval from both
the national President and the state affiliate president who will be
responsible for coordinating with the national President. State affiliates,
national divisions, and local chapters or divisions may not take legal
action without approval from the national President and may not commit the
resources of the National Federation of the Blind to legal action without
approval from the national President. The National Federation of the Blind
has the right to approve any attorneys, including the state protection and
advocacy organization, used by any state affiliate, national division, or
local chapter or division, whether paid for by the National Federation of
the Blind or by said affiliate or division. Any unauthorized legal action
taken by a local chapter or division, state affiliate, or national division
using the name National Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof, or
implying the support of the organization, will be grounds for disciplinary
action by the NFB Board of Directors or the National Convention.


Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> 
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.


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