[Tall-Corn] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors

Fri Dec 11 22:42:12 UTC 2020

Please see important message below. It is crucial that each and every one
of us is committed to this. Change must be made.

Katy Olsen

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: National Federation of the Blind via NFBNet-Members-List <
nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Fri, Dec 11, 2020 at 4:06 PM
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] We stand in solidarity with victims and
survivors
To: <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>

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<http://nfb.htm>

*The National Federation of the Blind Stands in Solidarity with Victims and
Survivors*

Content warning: the following statement addresses sensitive topics
regarding sexual misconduct and violence.

In light of recent discussions taking place in the blindness community, the
National Federation of the Blind offers this statement expressing our
unwavering commitment to supporting blind people and others in our
community while emphasizing the importance of our NFB Code of Conduct. As
the leading civil rights organization of the blind in the United States,
every day we work to bring equality, love, and hope to our community. The
blind community, like the rest of society, is not immune to violence and
sexual misconduct, and we deeply regret and express our sincerest empathy
for any blind person who has suffered pain and hardship frominstances of
abuse and violence.

The National Federation of the Blind and our affiliated training
centersthe Louisiana Center for the Blind, Colorado Center for the Blind,
and BLIND, Inc. strongly condemn sexual violence and sexual misconduct of
any kind. We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors. Additionally,
we acknowledge how difficult it is for many to come forward, and we
continue to seek avenues for victims and survivors to be heard. As the
collective voice of the nation’s blind, we are committed to and welcome an
ongoing process of learning how to heal from past trauma, to prevent future
instances, and to protect victims and survivors. In undertakingthis
priority we rely on learning, both through internal discussion among
members with lived experiences as well as through consultation with outside
experts, to strengthen and improve our policies and practices and to
support victims and survivors. To that end, we continually encourage
comment and seek input on these issues.

The National Federation of the Blind works hard to create a welcoming and
safe environment for our members and the public. For several years now,
Federation leadership has endeavored to understand how to appropriately
handle the difficult topics of sexual misconduct and other forms of abuse
within our organizational structure. It has long been the policy of the
Federation to, at the very minimum, prohibit sexual misconduct of any kind
at our events or in our programs and create the most inclusive, welcoming,
and safe environment to conduct our business. In an effort to address our
sexual misconduct policy as well as other important issues, in2018 we
determined more was needed and we created an additional written code of
conduct and grievance process to ensure that consistent and assertive
actions were taken. The written code is only one aspect of committing more
organizational resources to the ongoing effort to improve our Federation.
As part of our normal practice, we report instances of sexual abuse and
misconduct to law enforcement when necessary and required, support victims
in filing reports when needed, report our findings to relevant certifying
entities when appropriate, and remove members and employees from the
organization when warranted. We take all steps necessary to maintain
confidentiality and we do not tolerate retaliation of any kind. Our code of
conduct isroutinely reviewed and continues to evolve as we learn and grow
in these efforts. Furthermore, we continue to implement programs to support
this work throughout our organization. Nevertheless, we know there is more
work to be done, and it is a priority for our organization to be a safe
space.

If you feel unsafe, under imminent threat, or in immediate danger, you
should contact law enforcement or other appropriate authorities. This is
also a reminder to our members to report violations of our code, especially
those involving sexual misconduct or any form of abuse, as soon as you are
able, and a reminder that concerns can be raised anonymously. Comments
about our policies and practices, or concerns and reports alleging
violations of the code, can be recorded verbally at 410-659-9314, extension
2475, or sent via email to code at nfb.org
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19380&qid=4667017>.
Together with love, hope, and determination, we will continue building the
Federation to be the most inclusive, safe, and welcoming place where we
support one another and carry out our important, life-changing work. Our
full NFB Code of Conduct can be found at
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19381&qid=4667017>.

This statement is also available on our website:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-stands-solidarity-victims-and-survivors
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19390&qid=4667017> .

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-- 
Katy Olsen

President | Iowa Association of Blind Students
Vice President | National Federation of the Blind of Iowa
515.783.4522 | president.iabs at gmail.com
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