[CCCNFBW] resolutions associated with our philosophy discussions today

[Don Mitchell]

Below are two resolutions from 2024 and a referral to a resolution made
in1993 that discuss the use of the words blind, visually impaired and
related verbiage used in talking about blind people.

 

RESOLUTION 2024-21: Regarding Calling Upon the News Media to Use the Word
"Blind"

WHEREAS, blind people are held back by a common set of misconceptions about
being blind, low expectations for blind people, and barriers resulting from
a lack of equal access to information and public services; and 

WHEREAS, since 1940 the National Federation of the Blind has used the word
"blind" as an inclusive term with a functional definition that encompasses
individuals with varying degrees of blindness, but who have in common the
need to use nonvisual tools and techniques, some or all of the time, in
order to learn, work, play, and otherwise live the lives we want; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, we have rejected the tendency of society to
treat the word "blind" as a word to be avoided; and 

WHEREAS, for example, in 1993, our convention affirmed in Resolution 1993-01
that "We believe that it is respectable to be blind, and although we have no
particular pride in the fact of our blindness, neither do we have any shame
in it. To the extent that euphemisms are used to convey any other concept or
image, we deplore such use"; and

WHEREAS, because of our belief in the normality and capacity of blind
people, we reject the idea that eyesight or vision is a requirement for
success, and believe that vision-centered language focuses on what we are
perceived to lack, a negative framing of blindness, rather than on our
fundamental normality as people who share a characteristic that, while it
does not define us, is a positive part of who we are; and

WHEREAS, increasingly other groups of people with disabilities and the wider
society have embraced the idea that "blind" and other words describing
disabilities are not words to be avoided, but positive indicators of
identity; and

WHEREAS, a common euphemism for the word blind is the phrase "visually
impaired," or variants thereof, which is an example of vision-centered
language that portrays us as broken because of our lack of eyesight; and

WHEREAS, the news media, in all its forms and to varying degrees, uses words
to inform and shape the perceptions of those who consume it; and

WHEREAS, the phrase "visually impaired" continues to be used by many media
outlets to describe blind people, even in stories about individuals who
embrace their identity as blind people and which purport to be positive and
affirming: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention
assembled this seventh day of July, 2024, in the City of Orlando, Florida,
that we call upon all of the major broadcast, print, and digital news
outlets, services, and other entities that influence the language used
throughout the American news media to stop using the term "visually
impaired" to describe blind people, and to instead use the word "blind" in
the way that those of us who have the authentic lived experience of
blindness use it; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon all of these entities to consult
with the National Federation of the Blind as they review and revise their
guidance to journalists, editors, and producers, and otherwise make
decisions about the language they use in describing and characterizing
blindness and blind people. 

RESOLUTION 2024-22 - Regarding the use of the term "visually impaired" when
referring to blind people with some vision

WHEREAS, language plays a crucial role in shaping society's perceptions and
understanding of different perspectives and aspects of life; and

WHEREAS, accurate terminology is an essential factor in the creation of a
climate which fosters respect and inclusivity for everyone, including the
blind; and

WHEREAS, at its 1993 convention, the National Federation of the Blind
unanimously adopted Resolution 93-01, which says in relevant part, ".the
word blind accurately and clearly describes the condition of being unable to
see, as well as the condition of having such limited eyesight that
alternative techniques are required to do efficiently the ordinary tasks of
daily living that are performed visually by those having good eyesight.";
and

WHEREAS, this resolution clearly declares that the word "blind" is meant to
include people with poor vision or no vision and does not circumvent the use
of a word which, in other circles, is either avoided altogether or combined
with other terms such as "visually impaired," "visually challenged," "sight
challenged" or "hard of seeing,"--euphemisms  which are thought to be more
acceptable and less off-putting to the broader community; and

WHEREAS, the term "visually impaired" (often combined with the word "blind"
as in Blind and Visually Impaired) is used by many programs and agencies
serving the blind as an attempt to clarify that their services are available
to individuals with limited or no eyesight and not just to individuals who
are totally blind; and

WHEREAS, the word "impaired" when combined with the word "vision" or
"visual" implies a sense of deficiency and inferiority and perpetuates the
incorrect notion that people who have lost part or all of their eyesight are
automatically less capable or limited in their abilities as compared to
people with normal eyesight; and

WHEREAS, when referring to a group of people comprised of individuals with
varying degrees of sight--from total blindness to legal blindness to
significant vision loss--the term "blind and low vision" is a more accurate
and positive description in that it correctly indicates less-than-20 20
vision without connoting the negative assumptions and stereotypes that have
too often been associated with the blind; and

WHEREAS, other minorities, such as the deaf community, have successfully
advocated for the use of terms like "deaf or hard of hearing" in place of
"deaf and hearing impaired," recognizing the value of moving away from
terminology that includes the word "impaired"; and

WHEREAS, self-advocacy and asserting preferred terminology can do much to
challenge existing misconceptions and encourage others to adopt more
accurate and respectful language; and

WHEREAS, raising awareness and educating the public to use appropriate
terminology that is free from negative assumptions and stereotypes can be
achieved through educational campaigns, media initiatives, and inclusive
language guidelines in academic and professional settings: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind, in Convention
assembled this seventh day of July, 2024, in the city of Orlando, Florida,
that this organization reaffirm the respectability of the word "blind" as
articulated in Resolution 93-01; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization call upon organizations,
agencies, and entities that work with or serve individuals who are blind who
feel that it is appropriate to use terms such as "blind and visually
impaired," "visually impaired," or similar terminology in their names and/or
promotional materials to use instead "blind," "blind and low vision," "low
vision," or similar phrasing instead; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization acknowledge and praise the
United States Federal Government for making a strong effort to use the term
"blind and low vision".

 

 

 

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