WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, since its inception has been a pioneer in obtaining civil rights for blind persons in the State of Maryland; and
WHEREAS in our march toward gaining freedom, equality and first class citizenship, the only barrier confronting blind persons is one constructed of misconceptions and poor attitudes on the part of society towards blindness; and
WHEREAS the Office for Civil Rights has concentrated 504 training efforts on a narrow interpretation of program access pertaining to the removal of architectural barriers; and
WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland fully supports the removal of legitimate architectural barriers for individuals in wheelchairs or on crutches so that these individuals may be afforded the right to move about in their environment with freedom and dignity; and
WHEREAS trainees have been taught that architectural barriers such as protruding water fountains and fire extinguishers mounted on walls are hazards to the blind; and
WHEREAS such information perpetuates a mythical stereotype about the ability of blind persons to travel about in the environment in a responsible manner and reinforces the barrier constructed of misconceptions and poor attitudes; and
WHEREAS these training efforts detract from the original spirit and intent of Section 504 which is to guarantee civil rights to handicapped individuals; and
WHEREAS we deplore the use of such misinformation in official training programs: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Baltimore on the 28th day of October that the leadership and members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland urge that corrective measures be taken by the administration and training staff of the Office for Civil Rights to cease the
dissemination of such erroneous information to staff, trainees, and the general public.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND
Baltimore, Maryland, October 1978