Resolutions Adopted at the 1994 Annual Convention

Resolutions Adopted at the 1994 Annual Convention

                                    Resolution A‑94‑01

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is responsible for providing guidance for all independent living services in the state; and

WHEREAS, a July 1993 agreement between committees representing the interest of consumers of State Services for the Blind and the Division of Rehabilitation Services among other things, recognized the unique character of independent living services to the blind; and

WHEREAS, the SILC has failed to honor this agreement by, among other things:

1.     concealing the times and places of its meetings from the general public and, in certain instances, from some of its own members, in violation of the state's open meeting law;

2.     failing to provide in advance critical materials in an accessible format such as Braille or tape, despite the rather ironic fact that the SILC is composed primarily of people with disabilities; and

3.     claiming genuine support, knowledge, and sensitivity to the needs of blind people while demonstrating appalling disrespect and ignorance; NOW, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, in convention assembled this sixth day of November, 1994, in the city of North Mankato, that this organization condemn the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) for its cavalier treatment of blind people during the past year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization call upon the Governor and the Commissioner of Economic Security to ensure that the SILC:

1.     adheres to the provisions of the Minnesota Open Meeting law;

2.     provides all materials to its members in a timely manner and in an accessible format;

3.     honors the July, 1993 agreement recognizing the unique character of independent living services to the blind; and

4.     treats blind people with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

                                    Resolution A‑94‑02

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has long championed the right of blind sheltered workshop employees to be paid at least the Federal minimum wage, engage in collective bargaining, and enjoy the other rights and privileges accorded to employees of manufacturing facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Lighthouse for the Blind in Duluth has a long history of failing to provide a positive work environment for blind employees of its sheltered workshop; and

WHEREAS, blind employees of the Lighthouse are currently engaged in a struggle to improve wages and working conditions; and

WHEREAS, Lighthouse management has thus far failed to respond positively to their efforts, NOW, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, in convention assembled this sixth day of November, 1994 in the city of North Mankato, that this organization express its commitment and support to our blind brothers and sisters in their struggle to improve wages and working conditions at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Duluth; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization call upon the management and Board of Directors of the Lighthouse to begin immediately paying all blind workers at least the Federal minimum wage and address affirmatively the grievances of workshop employees.

Resolution unanimously adopted.

                                    Resolution A‑94‑03

WHEREAS, a forum convened by the American Foundation for the Blind recently recommended that adjustment‑to‑blindness training and other training and rehabilitation services for the blind be incorporated into the health care system; and

WHEREAS, some of the concepts included in the "Consensus" paper produced include:

1.     "prescription and provision of training in communications, independent living skills, and independent travel;"

2.     "prescription, purchase, and provision of training in the use of both high and low tech assistive technology devices and services including canes, signature guides, Braille writers, CCTV's, and computer access technologies;" and

3.     "nationally recognized licensure or equivalent credentialing which is modeled on the AER certification and university program approval standards;" and

WHEREAS, this represents a clear attempt to reverse the progressive, pro‑consumer changes contained in the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 and replace them with the custodial medical service model of the past; NOW, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, in convention assembled this sixth day of November, 1994 in the city of North Mankato, that this organization reject with contempt the regressive concepts embodied in the "Consensus" paper entitled Expanding Access to Vision Related Rehabilitation Services Through the Health Care System; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization direct the American Foundation for the Blind and its followers to recognize blind people as consumers‑‑not patients requiring prescriptive services‑‑by abandoning the outmoded and thoroughly discredited medical service model of blindness.

Resolution unanimously adopted.