<div dir="auto">Please see important message below. It is crucial that each and every one of us is committed to this. Change must be made.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Katy Olsen</div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">National Federation of the Blind via NFBNet-Members-List</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Dec 11, 2020 at 4:06 PM<br>Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] We stand in solidarity with victims and survivors<br>To: <<a href="mailto:nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a>><br></div><br><br>
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<h1><b>The National Federation of the Blind Stands in Solidarity with
Victims and Survivors</b></h1><br>
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Content warning: the following statement addresses sensitive topics
regarding sexual misconduct and violence.<br>
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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.<br>
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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. <br>
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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.<br>
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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
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19380&qid=4667017" target="_blank">
code@nfb.org</a>. 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
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19381&qid=4667017" target="_blank">
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct</a>.<br>
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This statement is also available on our website:
<a href="https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19390&qid=4667017" target="_blank">
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-stands-solidarity-victims-and-survivors</a>
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</div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Katy Olsen<br><br>President | Iowa Association of Blind Students<br>Vice President | National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br>515.783.4522 | <a href="mailto:president.iabs@gmail.com">president.iabs@gmail.com</a></div>