[NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

Sun Aug 9 16:41:50 UTC 2020

Hi Kaye.

FYI, all signatures are verified when it reaches the Supervisor of Elections
office.  If there is a problem, someone will contact you.

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kaye Baker via NFBF-L
Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2020 12:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kaye Baker <kaye.j.zimpher at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

Hello:
I am enjoying reading the discussion about this topic on the list, and I'd
like to weigh in. Independent voting has been a hot button topic for me for
a while now. I can remember in Georgia, we the NFB fought and fought to get
accessible voting machines, and it was a long road. When we finally had
them, we were so proud. The issue was that not all blind people used them.
We still had so many folks who would go to vote with a friend, or trusted
family member and thereby not use the machines we fought so hard for. While
this might be comforting to the blind person, because they have a trusted
person assisting them, it sends a message to the elections officials and
others that we don't need full integration and accessibility. 
I was discussing this electronic voting issue with some friends yesterday,
and I asked, why would it be wrong for me to fill out the ballot
electronically and just have Aira or Be my Eyes help me sign. My friends
quickly and somewhat calmly advised me that by doing that, I am not actually
voting independently, and I am allowing a stranger, the Aira agent to see
and possibly form an opinion about my vote. My friends are correct. Voting
is a right. It is not just something we do. It is a simple fundamental right
that we as Americans have, and just because we are blind should not diminish
that fact in our own or anyone else's eyes. Sometimes, we need to step
outside that comfort zone, and realize that it is ok to be independent.
Everyone loves the comfort of a trusted friend, but the empowerment that is
felt by doing something as important as casting our own independent vote can
not be matched.
There other issues surrounding this as well. Some blind people's signature
can not be duplicated. That means that when they send their ballot off it
will possibly not be counted unless verified. Furthermore, some of us do not
have family or friends that help us with daily tasks. We are in such a
position that it is necessary to do as much for ourselves as possible. I for
instance do not have anyone that can drop by and help me sign something. It
either gets done, or it does not. I have found ways during my life to
improvise and get things done, and yes, I do feel a sense of empowerment
that I am doing life on my own. 
Lastly, I did not see anything in the message referenced bashing the FCB.
Our philosophies differ and that has been a fact for many, many years. There
are times when we can work together, but there are others when we must
separate ourselves from them so that the true efforts of our organization
can be reached.
These are just my 2 cents, and I thank you for reading my message.
Best

Kaye Baker
Listen to Epic Radio
Visit us on the web at www.epicradio.net

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of PLipovsky via NFBF-L
Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2020 12:07 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: PLipovsky <plipovsky at cfl.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

Wow George.

I believe this sounds pretty harsh? And to think you would give no credence
to what has been accomplished here just because it was procured by FCB?  

Perhaps you need to read the agreement again, as there is no hidden agenda?
It's simply about the right and freedom for print impaired people to vote
independently by mail should they choose to, rather than going to the poles.
This is a huge step forward for all of us in this state, and even though not
perfect at the moment, it's something to be proud of, along with giving
credit where credit is due .  

I have to say I'm very bewildered and shocked by your response.

Patricia Lipovsky

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jorge Hernandez via
NFBF-L
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 8:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jorge Hernandez <jeh1065 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

A brief explanation to the topic at hand from my perspective:

We the National Federation of the Blind advocate for accessibility not a
product that states "accessible voting" is the solution to  vote
"independently, privately, and safely" in the comfort of your home.

There are several products that are implemented throughout our nation that
allow individuals with disabilities to vote "independently, privately, and
safely"from the comfort of their home.

Now, in regards to the Democracy Live certification that our state procured;
before claiming victory, educate yourself and bring substance to the debate.
Read the summary settlement carefully. Read between the lines, come to a
conclusion and then you will see that no victory is to be declared by any
party.  The federation has a distinctive approach on who, what, when and
where to act in behalf of our name and brand.

Our organization collaborates with many groups to assure our philosophy,
policies, and enforcement of our civil rights in order to improve our lives.
The Democracy Live summary settlement does not follow our philosophy or
policies.  The settlement discards hundreds of thousands of individuals in
our state that will benefit from voting "independently, privately, and
safely" in the comfort of their homes.  Moreover, why did the State of
Florida did not allow the complete Electronic Ballot Delivery System "EDBS"
which permits the transmission of the ballot to the elections office
electronically. Thus, we still have to assure our signature matches the
filed document at the Supervisor of Elections office. Or, you will need to
complete a new signature verification document "if it is accessible for you
to complete independently" or visit the elections office to have this
document to be completed in person.

Again, this is my perspective as a blind person who took advantage of the
early voting process and visited the main office of my counties supervisor
of elections to cast my vote.  To my surprise, the poll worker actually told
my companion to assist me to vote.  By the way, they never asked me if I
wanted to use an accessible voting machine or directly asked me any
questions in regards to how I would like to cast my vote.

Needless to say, here is the difference on our philosophy.  I took the
initiative to educate those individuals that I can speak for myself; I can
use an accessible voting machine, I can place a vote independently even if I
was not in the comfort of my home.
There is still work to be done, but work that we need to do as and
organization and I am proud to serve as a member of the board of directors
for our state. I am proud of our President Denise Valkema and the leadership
she demonstrates.  We are unified; we live the lives we want; we follow the
philosophy of our founding fathers. We are the National Federation of the
Blind.

Jorge Hernandez

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-L [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Mann via
NFBF-L
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 8:27 AM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Cc: Ryan Mann
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

Thank you Sherri for posting this. I would actually like to hear why the NFB
of Florida didn't support this.  Maybe somebody from the state board can
explain?

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Sherri Brun via NFBF-L
<nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 12:47:05 AM
To: NFB Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sherri Brun <flmom2006 at gmail.com>; Sheila Young <sheilayoung125 at att.net>
Subject: [NFBF-L] Press Release - FCB _003_.pdf

I want to thank all those from the FCB who ensured the right for blind and
print-disabled people to vote securely and privately. No matter what
explanation is offered, I will NEVER understand why NFBF was not a part of
this action! Nowhere in the press release did I read a word that the legal
action taken was to promote Democracy Live, but rather, to make it possible
for us to be able to independently and safely vote.

Sherri

Sent from my iPhone

flmom2006 at gmail.com
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