[blindlaw] Blind Casa's/Guardian ad litem's

[Ron Dixon]

Hi R.J.:

I think your opinion about a blind person being a Guardian ad Litem in 
Florida is valid.  After all, I am blind and I was an Attorney ad litem for 
nearly three years.  essentially, a GAL and an AAL  generally are both sides 
of the same coin.  We both enforce Chapter 39.  Although, I can't say I ever 
met any blind GAL while I worked in Florida.  However, the Children's 
Advocacy area of law did have a blind Attorney General, a blind private 
attorney who represented both parents and children in the foster care 
system, and myself who represented only the children.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ Sandefur" <rjs59 at hotmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 2:13 PM
Subject: [blindlaw] Blind Casa's/Guardian ad litem's


Dear List, Do you know of any one who is blind, and who is a Casa Volunteer, 
or who is a Volunteer Guardian ad litem? When I approached my Local Guardian 
ad litem program, I was told that It was impossible for me to be a Valenteer 
Guardian ad litem, because one must be able to see, in order to perform the 
duties, of the guardian ad litem. Vallenteer. However, I find this 
questionable, because here is what I found on their website. "Application 
Process

Requirements

Guardian ad Litem

List of 1 items

 Be at least 19 years old.

list end

List of 1 items

 Complete and submit an

application

and photo identification to the program in your area.

Locate your local program.

List of 1 items

 Sign a release for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Florida 
Criminal History Check, which is required by statute. (Individuals with a 
criminal

record of a felony, a judicial finding of guilt for a crime against a 
person, or history of abuse or neglect of a child or adult are ineligible 
for the

program).

list end

List of 1 items

 Provide two written character references.

list end

List of 1 items

 Interview with local program director.

list end

List of 1 items

 Successfully complete 30 hours of training, including classroom lecture and 
courtroom observation.

list end

List of 1 items

 Sign the

Code of Conduct.

list end
" And here is what it says concerning persons with disabilities, Application 
Process

Requirements

Guardian ad Litem

List of 1 items

 Be at least 19 years old.

list end

List of 1 items

 Complete and submit an

application

and photo identification to the program in your area.

Locate your local program.

List of 1 items

 Sign a release for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Florida 
Criminal History Check, which is required by statute. (Individuals with a 
criminal

record of a felony, a judicial finding of guilt for a crime against a 
person, or history of abuse or neglect of a child or adult are ineligible 
for the

program).

list end

List of 1 items

 Provide two written character references.

list end

List of 1 items

 Interview with local program director.

list end

List of 1 items

 Successfully complete 30 hours of training, including classroom lecture and 
courtroom observation.

list end

List of 1 items

 Sign the

Code of Conduct.

list end

ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. In accordance with the Americans With 
Disabilities Act, persons
with disabilities needing specials accommodations to participate in this 
function should contact the GUARDIAN AD

ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. In accordance with the Americans With 
Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing specials accommodations 
to participate in this function should contact the GUARDIAN AD LITEM 
PROGRAM, no later than five (5) days prior to the in-service or training. 
Thank you.
 Is this Discrimination? I would like you're thoughts concerning this. 
Sencerly, RJ


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