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MARY FREEMAN, EDITOR
4227 FREDERICK AVENUE, #300
BALTIMORE, MD 21229
DECEMBER 1980
VOLUME IV, NUMBER 3
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND, INC.
MARY FREEMAN, EDITOR
4227 FREDERICK AVENUE, APT. #300
BALTIMORE, MD 21229
(301) 525-2488
ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
WILLARD FREEMAN
ORGANIZATIONAL OFFICERS:
WILLIE THOMPSON, PRESIDENT
3435 LYNNE HAVEN DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21207
(301) 521-3107
JIM OMVIG, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
TED MCKEAN, SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
LLOYD RASMUSSEB, SECRETARY
AL MANEKI, TREASURER
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AS A N EWSLETTER TO MEMBE3RS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND AND OTHERS WHO SHARE AN INTEREST IN THE WORK OF THIS ORGANIZATION. THE RECORDED EDITION, AVAILABLE ON CASSETTES, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EDITOR UPON REQUEST.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CIRCULATION LIST SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDITOR. ADDRESS ALL NEWS ITEMS, ARTICLES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
NFB of Maryland – 1980 Convention
by Alfred P. Maneki
The Fourteenth Annual Convention of the NFB of Maryland was held the traditional last weekend in October, this year, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th at the Sheraton Hotel in Washington.
In many respects, this was our finest convention. We were honored to have two national officers with us, President Jernigan, who gave the national report and Ralph Sanders, who presented a stimulating banquet address.
On Saturday, we heard from Phillip Holmes, representing Governor Hughes, Senator Victor Cushwa, Second Legislative District, and Anne Stocket, State Department of Human Resources.
While Senator Cushwa has been a staunch supporter of the organized blind in Maryland, this was our first contact with Mr. Holmes and Miss Stocket. Mr. Holmes heard our resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the Governor’s office for Coordination of Services to the Handicapped and our resolution calling for a single state agency for the blind. It was clear to everyone that both Mr. Holmes and Miss Stocket have much to learn about blind people and our movement.
Mrs. Walhoff moderated a most interesting panel on membership in the NFB, why people join and why people continue to belong. Participants related personal experiences which offered remarkable insight on this topic.
Our 1980 banquet featured a stirring and insightful address by Ralph Sanders. In addition, we remembered the long years of dedicated service by our retiring Treasurer, Georgia Myers, with the presentation of a service award.
Members contributed over $2,000 during our annual banquet to cover the cost of our upcoming legislative program.
Several distinguished guests attended our banquet including an aide to Congresswoman Beverly Byron, whose district includes the Hagerstown area.
The Sunday morning business meeting opened with a special tribute in honor of a long time and loyal Federationist, Ralph Thompson, who passed away on October 7, 1980. We offered our heartfelt sympathy to the Thompson family and will sorely miss our dear friend, Ralph Thompson.
A thorough treatment of fundraising activities and the importance of funding our movement was also given Sunday morning. As a result of the PAC appeals which followed this discussion, fifty-five Marylanders are enrolled in the PAC plan contributing $2,250 per month, a national record for dollars contributed.
Board member, Al Saile gave us a description of his job discrimination case against the Department of Labor and the assistance rendered by the NFB. This case has now been brought to a successful conclusion with Al Saile receiving a promotion and several thousand dollars in back pay.
The following officers and Board members were elected:
Willie Thompson – Vice President, Jim Ovig – First Vice President, Ted McKean, Second Vice President, Lloyd Rasmussen – Secretary, Al Maneki – Treasurer, Nancy Painter and Brenda Williams – Board Member (2 years), David Weaver – Board Member (1 year).
This was an excellent convention and Federationists went away with a renewed dedication to our cause.
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Greetings to all of you in the upcoming year of 1981. We have started on this new year; our newly elected officers have begun to work, and the recently appointed committees are getting underway. There is much to remember in the good work of the past year and much to be done in the months ahead.
Let me go back to the 1980 annual convention. This year we demonstrated both that we are growing ever strong, but also that we can finance our own movement. Besides increasing our PAC pledges to the highest monthly total ever reached by any affiliate, the Resolution Committee brought before us a proposal that we undertake state-wide fundraising projects. This state-wide fundraising is necessary for our needs in Maryland and to assist with the funding effort for the National Treasury. Al Maneki has agreed to head up the Ways and Means Committee. The leadership shown by Al in the Legislative Committee bodes well for our fundraising effort this year. We will need volunteers to make this effort a success. I know that we can do the job and I know that each of you will be ready to help.
This Convention was held in the old-time Maryland tradition – good fellowship and hard work permeated the weekend.
We recognized the hard problems and planned to solve them. At recent Board meetings and at the convention, it was emphasized that we must concentrate on building our affiliate to a bigger, stronger, and more unified whole. Several members have volunteered their services in organizing chapters and strengthening the ones we have. One goal this year will be to form a chapter in the Annapolis area. This is an ambitious project, but I am certain we can succeed.
Again this year, we determined at our convention to ask the Legislature to establish a state services agency for the blind that will really do the work. There is a Legislative Breakfast planned for the last of January or early February, to which all lawmakers will be invited. All of us must be prepared to attend the Breakfast and to talk with our Senators and Delegates. There will be a short program outlining the problems we face and methods for solving these problems. After breakfast, we will go to the Legislators offices to provide information and answer questions about the proposals we support. We should be talking with our Legislators throughout this month and the months ahead about the real need for an act establishing a services for the blind agency. In addition, a supplement to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program is vitally necessary to the lives of blind Marylanders. These proposals go together; with more help in getting rehabilitation and with a little more money in hand to make the search for education and a job feasible, blind people will become successful.
The March on Washington will occur in a few short weeks, February 1 – 4. People will be gathering from throughout the nation to talk with their congressmen about matters concerning blind people. You should prepare to go to Washington on Sunday, February 1 for a meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. The hotel to be used has not yet been selected, but we are negotiating for the best possible rates. Reservations should be sent to P.O. Box 4422, Baltimore, Maryland 21223. Because of a special function Tuesday, February 3, no appointments should be made between 9 and 11 a.m. This must be the year for the big push to secure civil rights protection for the blind of the nation. We deserve to be treated as equals in all aspects and we must demand this of our congressmen.
Finally, let me finish this report with a few words about our 1981 National Convention. We have the honor to be the host affiliate again. The 1978 National Convention was such a success, but this year will be even better. I am so pleased that we have the opportunity to welcome our fellow blind colleagues to our fair city. Also, we have the National Center, which is a real plus for us and without a doubt the finest facility of its kind ever established. More specific plans will be worked out in the next few weeks, and further information will be provided in the future issues of this newsletter. I am proud that we will show the nation the hospitality that Maryland has become famous for.
STUDENTS ON THE MOVE
If you are in school now or have considered entering the competitive world of work, the STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND is ready, willing, and able to help you find your way. Our meetings are held every other month. We will be having a meeting on February 14, 1981, at the Sligo Creek location in Silver Spring, Maryland. Also, we will be and have been visiting colleges to recruit new students. The colleges are: Towson State University, Community College of Baltimore, Bowie State College, UMBC, Catonsville Community College and Morgan State University.
During the State Convention held in Hagerstown, we wrote a resolution concerning better Reader Service for blind college students. The resolution is reported elsewhere in this issue. See also my letter to Dr. Cobun which encloses our resolution.
Officers were elected for 1981. They are as follows: President – Miss Brenda Williams, Vice-President – Mrs. Althea Pittman, Secretary – Mrs. Rosalee Gossard, Treasurer – Miss Nancy Painter. We had new members join also,
The Student Chapter is selling Christmas cards and All-Occasion cards at $1.50 per pack and NFB coasters at $1.00 per box. If you would like to purchase these items, contact Mrs. Marla Miller (646-1218) or (455-4385). You may also purchase them at the Student Chapter meeting held in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Plans are now being made for our second annual seminar to be held at Montgomery College on March 7, 1981. This seminar will take place in the Humanities Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students will be able to participate in discussions to improve programs regarding reader service, library service, DVR service and other matters. One important topic for this year’s seminar is scholarship money and how to get it.
We look forward to seeing all of you at our Chapter meeting in Sligo Creek, Maryland and our 1981 seminar.
The students are on the move and we welcome our blind brothers and sisters from throughout the state. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact President, Brenda Williams – 523-8069 or Vice-President, Althea Pittman – 485-9064.
LETTER TO DR. COBUN
DECEMBER 9, 1980
Dear Dr. Cobun,
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Maryland does not provide readers to blind students except in rare instances. We of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Student Chapter, would like to know why. Do you provide reader service to some blind students and deny it to others because of caprice or is it a matter of favoritism? Why is it that you recognize the real crying need for readers in the case of only some blind students and deny this invaluable service to others? Is it your policy that blind people should be helped to go to college but denied reader service so that they will fail? Do you deny reader service to blind students so that the prophecy carried far and wide by your counselors throughout the State that blind people are not as capable of competing in college will come true? In the face of Congressional Authorization to provide reader service and despite the federal regulations requiring the provision of this service, why do you deny to blind students that reader service that is fundamentally necessary? Why do you deny that service which could help blind people become successful? Are you trying to foster injustice? Is it your purpose to make sure that those who are down and out because of blindness stay as dumb and poor as have always been?
It is no secret that the organized blind of Maryland and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are adversaries. You know it, and I know it. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation holds the keys to those services which could help make our lives better. Yet, you refuse to give us the help that we need. You do not recognize our right to participate in our own rehabilitation. Rather, you take the position that we should be grateful for the largesse parceled out in parsimonious pinches. Your “largesse” serves to exacerbate rather than palliate the pain we feel in being denied the tools we need for a full and productive life. On the one hand you say that you will give us service to help in our rehabilitation. On the other hand, you deny us the most minimal help. You promise but you do not keep your word.
We of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, have asked you before if you would provide reader service to blind students. You have always evaded the question. Your evasion and failure have left blind students without readers. We have ceased to ask, “Will you proved reader service?” We now ask “When will you provide it?” With a little help, we can be fully productive citizens in this state. That is all that we ask. To get the education for our chosen careers, we need readers. We demand that you provide this service.
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland passed a resolution, a copy of which is enclosed, demanding that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provide reader service to blind students. Without reader service, the rehabilitation which you claim to provide, is, for blind students, largely meaningless.
A Student Chapter meeting is being planned for the near future. Students will be anxious to learn whether the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will provide reader service. I look forward to your early reply so that I may provide the answer to this very basic question.
Sincerely,
Brenda Williams, President
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
Student Chapter
Note: The congressional authorization to provide reader service is found in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112 at section 103(a)(6). Federal regulations provide for reader service at 45CFR 1361.71 (b) (8).
CC: Governor Harry Hughes, State of Maryland
Mr. David Hornbeck, Maryland State Department of Education
Dr. Ralph Pacinelli, U.S. Department of Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
SECOND ANNUAL WALK-A-THON, BEST YET
By Ramona Walhoff
Baltimore City Council President, Wally Orlinsky, served as Honorary Chairman of the Greater Baltimore Chapter, NFB of Maryland, second annual Walk-A-Thon.
Mr. Orlinsky not only walked the route himself and recruited pledges of over $1,200; he chaired the Advisory Committee and helped distribute Walk-A-Thon pledge forms to the public as well as working with WJZ-TV (Channel 13) by filming Walk-A-Thon Public Service announcements.
Gino’s Restaurants again sponsored our Walk-A-Thon and three locations served as check points along the route. Gino’s served free Coca Cola products to walkers and helped distribute our pledge forms in advance of the walk.
Approximately $8,000 was pledged and by early December, over $5,000 had been collected, with our State Treasurer, Dr. Al Maneki, turning in over $2,000.
All those who participated in the planning and who worked and walked deserve a special congratulations in making this event successful.
Plans are already underway for our THIRD annual Walk-A-Thon.
REPORT FROM SLIGO CREEK
The Sligo Creek Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland continues to grow. As of our November meeting, our membership topped 26.
Our major activities during the past few months have concentrated upon fundraising. We held our Second Annual Swim-A-Thon this summer and have thus far collected over $1,200 in pledges. During October, we held a bake sale at a local bank and cleared over $100. The Chapter voted to contribute 25% of our total revenues to our State Treasury and 75% to our National Treasury while retaining a $300 balance in our Chapter Treasury.
Al Saile, one of our members who has been fighting job discrimination at the Department of Labor won his case this fall. Al, a professional economist, spent years without work commensurate with his skills because his supervisors did not believe a blind person could do the work. Thanks to the assistance of fellow NFB’ers, and the ACLU, Al has been awarded a well-deserved promotion and cash settlement.
We look forward to our State Board of Directors meeting in Sligo Creek this coming January.
BISM NEWS
By Jean Agin
BISM has experienced growth in its programs and services for blind Marylanders during 1980.
The Rehabilitation Division provided a wide range of services to 479 blind Marylanders in its three locations across the state. Many of these persons attended classes in Braille, travel, cooking and other alternative techniques that will aid them in leading independent productive lives.
Since January 1980, 24 blind persons were placed in vocational training programs of higher competitive employment or education leading to employment opportunities.
The Industries Division achieved record sales of $4,809,215 for fiscal year 1980. Our Western Maryland Division reached a record sales month of $86,510.96 for October. During 1980 BISM introduced several new products to its catalog of high-quality products. Fireproof draperies and cubicle curtains were added to products manufactured in our Eastern Shore Division in Salisbury. Disposable washcloths are an addition to our Cumberland Manufacturing Center. Easel pads and stitched legal pads are now manufactured in the Baltimore paper department.
Currently, the average hourly wage paid to production employees is $3.55. At a time when national industries such as GM are seeing minus employee productivity rates, BISM employees achieved a 23% increase in per person productivity for 1980. BISM production employees received $955,295.80 in wages and benefits.
The transition of the Vending Facilities Program is moving smoothly. A statement of agreement between BISM, the nominee agency, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the licensing agency, has been signed to both party’s satisfaction.
During the year, BISM’s Community Outreach Programs have been reaching a variety of audiences from elementary school children to senior citizen centers.
The 1980 Fall edition of BISM’s quarterly newsletter, THE WHITE CANE, is now available. Anyone wishing to be on the mailing list to receive the newsletter or wishing to borrow a cassette of the newsletter should contact Jean Agin at BISM.
“POET’S CORNER”
Editor’s Note:
The SPECTATOR’S Editorial staff has been asked if poetry about blindness and the blind could be included in our publication. We recognize the creative spirit of our members and want to encourage our poet laureates. Below is the first poem to be submitted in the “Poet’s Corner.” Please send your poems.
Shabby, shabby AFB
You won’t stop us from being free
Playing master in New York City
What you’re doing’s a terrible pity
Mangy, mangy, shameful NAC
We know you are way off track,
Losing power day by day
Sooner or later, you’ll go away.
Freedom, freedom, NFB
We won’t stop until we’re Free
Working harder day and night
The blind will win, ‘cause we are right
-Willard Freeman
NEWSBRIEFS
The Baltimore Chapter has changed the location of its monthly meetings. It now meets at the National Center for the Blind. All of you are invited to come spend the 3rd Saturday of any month beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the Chapter.
October was the election month for the Baltimore Chapter. Elected to offices and the Board were: Althea Pittman – President, Marla Miller – First Vice President, Raymond Lowder – Second Vice President, Marc Maurer – Treasurer, Mary Freeman – Secretary, and Board members Ron Metenyi, Dorothy Harris, Sylvia Matthews, and Margaret Thompson.
The Annual Vendor’s Luncheon held at the State Convention had many vendors and guests in attendance. Among those who spoke to the Chapter were Ralph Sanders, President of BISM, Don Morris, Vice President of BISM and Art Segal, President of the National Vendor’s Division. Mr. Sanders and Mr. Morris spoke with us about the transfer of the Vending Program, and Mr. Segal encouraged the Chapter to take a more active part in the affiliate affairs and in the planning of the upcoming National Convention.
The Chapter elected its officers and Board at this luncheon. Serving are: Pat Capuano – President, Johnny James – First Vice President, Pete Reppert – Second Vice President, Raymond Lowder – ‘Secretary, Harry Cook – Treasurer, and the Board, Joe Byard, Betty Main, Clara Leatherbury, and Shirley DeLuca.
President Althea Pittman has appointed the Membership Committee for the Baltimore Chapter. The committee plans to hold seminars for new members in order to acquaint them with the issues and the goals of our organization. Another project the committee will undertake is that of recruiting new members by speaking at schools and organizations about the NFB.
The Membership Committee welcomes your suggestions and help in making this one of the most successful years in the growth of the GREATER BALTIMORE CHAPTER.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND RESOLUTIONS
80-01
Re: Minimum Wage Laws for Blind Persons
Whereas, sheltered workshops for the blind were established on the erroneous theory that blind persons could not successfully compete in regular employment; and
Whereas, as a supposed logical result of this erroneous belief, it was assumed that blind persons working in sheltered workshops could not achieve productivity and should not be paid the minimum wage and, accordingly, an exemption was written into the Fair Labor Standards Act permitting production workshops to pay less than the minimum wage; and
Whereas, as a result of this law, thousands of blid persons find themselves employed at the present time at wages far lower than those paid to other American workers; and
Whereas, in order to remedy this inequity, the National Federation of the Blind has introduced legislation into the Congress on numerous occasions; and
Whereas, in the spring of 1980 Congressman Edward Beard of Rhode Island held hearings on this issue before the House Committee on Labor Standards, developed a complete record, and has pledged that a bill to remedy this problem will be introduced early in 1981: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland, this 25th day of October 1980 that this organization strongly supports enactment of legislation requiring that sheltered workshops pay the minimum wage to blind workers; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to each and every United States Senator and Congressman from the State of Maryland urging their support for this much-needed legislation, and
Be if further resolved that Maryland representatives be urged to contact Congressman Beard in order to become co-sponsors of his bill and that the Senators be urged to introduce companion bills in the Senate.
80-02
Re: Inclusion of Disabled Persons Within Title VII Protection
Whereas, disabled persons now have some civil rights protection pursuant to state anti-discrimination laws and Sections 501, 503, and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and
Whereas, many employers do not come under these laws and, in addition, some federal courts have ruled that Section 504 is not applicable to employment, and
Whereas, the National Federation of the Blind will be securing introduction of legislation in the next Congress which would include disabled persons with the protection of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Now, therefore
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland this 25th day of October 1980, that this organization strongly supports the inclusion of disabled persons within the protection of Title VII; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to each and every United States Senator and Congressman from the State of Maryland urging their support for this much-needed legislation.
80-03
Re: Blind Jurors in Federal Court Proceedings
Whereas, based upon misconception as to the capacities of blind persons, massive discrimination is practiced against us in all facets of society; and
Whereas, in many jurisdictions the decision has been made to bar blind individuals from jury duty; and
Whereas, in order to correct this inequity in the Federal court system, the National Federation of the Blind will be securing introduction of legislation to permit blind persons to serve as jurors; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland this 25th day of October 1980, that this organization strongly supports the position that blind persons should be permitted to perform their civic duty by serving on Federal juries; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to each and every United States Senator and Congressman from the State of Maryland urging their support for this much-needed legislation.
80-04
Re: Draft Registration for Blind Persons
Whereas, a fundamental principal of the National Federation of the Blind is that blind persons should hare responsibilities as well as derive benefits from important rights; and
Whereas, the last Congress passed a law requiring draft registration for young Americans; and
Whereas, while the National Federation of the Blind takes no position in favor of or against draft registration, if there is to be a draft registration, blind persons should be included so that w3e can share in the responsibilities placed upon other citizens – legislation to this effect will be introduced in the next Congress: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland this 25th day of October 1980, that this organization strongly supports the concept of draft registration for blind persons if there is to be draft registration at all; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to each and every United States Senator and Congressman from the State of Maryland urging their support for this much-needed legislation.
80-05
Re: A SEPARATE MARYLAND COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AGENCY FOR THE BLIND
Whereas, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has long been concerned about the quality of services available to blind persons in the State; and
Whereas, such services as are now available are offered not through individual expertise and commitment but as a part of general vocational rehabilitation services; and
Whereas, the blind of this nation have long recognized that services which should be provided to blind persons have little if any relation to those needed by deaf persons, wheelchair persons, etc., since the problems of blind are unique; and
Whereas, because the overwhelming negative attitude about blindness shared by members of the general public is that blindness is a much more severe disability than other conditions, services provided to blind persons must generally be more comprehensive and expert than those needed by other disabled persons; and
Whereas, in recognition of this fact Congress has authorized states to separate out services for blind persons from general rehabilitation services so that the specific needs of bind persons can be adequately met. Many states have taken advantage of this Congressional mandate and the blind agree that, in almost every instance, a separate agency provides better service: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland this 25th day of October 1980, that this organization reaffirms its commitment to secure much-needed improved services for blind persons in this state by working toward the establishment of separate comprehensive services for the blind agency; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor and appropriate members of the General Assembly.
80-06
Whereas, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has long sought needed improvements for services to the blind in this state by recommending to the General Assembly that services for the blind be separated from general vocational rehabilitation services into a comprehensive service agency; and
Whereas, rather than acting decisively upon this request, a decision was made to direct that a study of services for the blind be conducted by the Governor’s Office for the Coordination of Services to the Handicapped (GOCSH), and
Whereas, this organization is keenly aware that studies can be useful for two purposes: first, to study a situation truly to determine facts which lead to decisive and appropriate action; and secondly, to “study” a situation to death in order to avoid appropriate and decisive action, and
Whereas, actions taken by GOCSH clearly show that its intent is to “study” this situation to death, i.e.;
-
GOCSH promised to have immediate results and recommendations in 1978;
-
An advisory group of consumers and agencies was created in 1979 to ensure that no immediate result and recommendations would be available;
-
Input from the advisory group was not used directly to ascertain results and recommendations;
-
The State Department of Planning was called upon to evaluate data and input from the advisory group, and;
-
The State Department of Planning report is not the final report form GOCSH, and;
Whereas, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has severely taken GOSCH to task for issuing a report in the name of the State Department of Planning filled with unsubstantiated claims and irrational arguments, and
Whereas, while the “study” goes on, the needs of blind persons in this State continue to go unmet: Now, therefore
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland this 25th day of October 1980, that this organization condemns and deplores the action and inaction taken by GOCSH in its “study” and in its misuse of the reputation and good offices of the Department of State Planning; and
Be it further resolved that this organization urge the Governor of Maryland t have the “study” of the State Department of Planning immediately withdrawn and completely disregarded and to take decisive and appropriate action to reform services for the blind.
80-07
Whereas, the membership of the National Federation of the Blind has a major responsibility for financing our organization at both state and national levels; and
Whereas, the membership of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland could do more to support the National Treasury beyond our participation the PAC plan and the Associates program; and
Whereas, the treasury of the National Federation of the blind of Maryland continues to be inadequately financed, such an inadequacy being detrimental to the operation of our state organization and limiting the scope of our activities; and
Whereas, statewide fundraising can be more effective and profitable than that carried out by local chapters; and
Whereas, effective fundraising results in effective public education: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved that this organization aggressively engage in statewide fundraising activities; and
Be it further resolved that proceeds from these activities be used to support the National Treasury to the maximum extent possible.
80-08
Re: Title XX Funding for Blind Persons
Whereas, the full participation of blind persons in the benefits of society is immeasurably enhanced by effective rehabilitation services; and
Whereas, approximately 70% of the blind are over the age of 60 and, therefore, are unlikely to receive rehabilitation services from the vocational rehabilitation agency in Maryland; and
Whereas, Title XX of the Social Security Act contains special provisions for such services to these older blind persons; and
Whereas, many states have established separate and specific services under Title XX for blind persons; and
Whereas, Maryland does not provide separate and specific Title XX services for blind persons: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland, this 25th day of October, 1980, that this organization take all steps necessary to encourage and persuade appropriate state officials to establish separate and specific Title XX services for blind persons, with appropriate funding.
80-09
Whereas, discrimination against blind persons with respect to education, employment, and daily living is widespread; and,
Whereas, Maryland should be a model for the nation in providing equal opportunity for blind persons in all facets of life; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland, this 26th day of October, 1980, that this organization develop and implement a vehicle wher3eby discrimination can be fought systematically and decisively.
80-10
Whereas, blind college students need reader service to perform the assignments in matriculating through school; and
Whereas, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 specifically authorizes vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide this service without reference to financial need; and
Whereas, the Maryland Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has made an arbitrary decision, based on erroneous logic, to withhold reader service in most instances from blind college students thus virtually ensuring problems or ultimate failure for these students; and
Whereas, the decision to insure that blind college will fail was adopted by rehabilitation officials unilaterally and is in keeping with their approach to de-emphasize the importance of rehabilitation in general and denigrate the efforts of blind students in particular; and
Whereas, this practice has no rational basis other than that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation does not seriously believe that blind persons should enter educational institutions with an expectation that they can achieve employment opportunity in the professions; and
Whereas, the National Federation of the Blind knows from demonstrated experience that blind persons can compete successfully in the educational process and in the professions and that, in order to achieve success, reader service is not only needed but authorized by federal law and regulations for those students who need it regardless of their financial capability; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled in the City of Hagerstown, Maryland, this 26th day of October, 1980, that this organization condemns and deplores this regressive and oppressive practice by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; and
Be it further resolved that this organization demands that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provide reader service to all blind college students in order to ensure maximum vocational success; and
Be if further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Hughes and other appropriate State and Federal officials.
80-11
Re: Congressional Funding of Rehabilitation Services
Whereas, the 1978 Rehabilitation Act amendments authorize the provision of reader services, independent living and other services for blind persons and also authorized funding for these services in the amount of $27,000,000; and
Whereas, these duly authorized funds have not yet been appropriated by the Congress so that these new services are not being provided to blind persons; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assemble in the city of Hagerstown, Maryland, this 26th day of October, 1980, that this organization take all steps necessary to ensure that these much-needed funds are appropriated without delay; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to all members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation urging their support for this critical legislation.