WHEREAS a nation-wide study of agencies for the blind performed by a non-government organization (Management Associates of Austin, Texas) has been completed; and
WHEREAS this study by competent businessmen indicated that independent state agencies for the blind provide the best possible structure for the delivery of services to blind persons; and
WHEREAS the State of Maryland services for the blind are fragmented or obliterated by being divided among or integrated into several different structures; and
WHEREAS this separation lends itself to lack of coordination, lack of efficiency, and lack of quality; and
WHEREAS the centralization of these various agencies will result in a continuous flow of related services beginning from school age through retirement, with a one-stop agency for all services; and
WHEREAS these services inter-relate from both a funding mechanism as well as a program purpose; and
WHEREAS the present system causes confusion, lack of communication, and most importantly lack of quality services to blind people: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 29th day of October 1978 in Baltimore, Maryland, go on record in support of the establishment of a comprehensive agency for the blind and to seek passage of such a bill through legislative contact, letters and testimony; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such a bill combine all known State supported services for the blind into one comprehensive agency; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the officers, Board of Directors and membership in general take all necessary action to bring about the passage of such legislation.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND
Baltimore, Maryland, October 1978