[Iabs-talk] FW: U.S. Navy Discriminates Against Blind Americans

[pattisgregory@comcast.net Patti S. Gregory-Chang]

This is why we need the NFB. 


U.S. Navy Discriminates Against Blind Americans

 
Baltimore, Maryland (March 5, 2007): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The fact that a blind person was not permitted to tour the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy like other members of the public is a stain upon the good reputation of the United States Armed Forces.  Members of the military are charged with defending the rights of all Americans, and for them to trample upon those rights instead is unacceptable.  At the very least, United States Navy officials owe Mika Pyyhkala an apology for their conduct in this matter.  The National Federation of the Blind will pursue all available legal remedies under the laws of the United States and the state of Massachusetts.  Our intention is to send, loud and clear, the message that the blind will not tolerate discrimination against us in any aspect of life.  If we allow the claim that we cannot visit an aircraft carrier that is open to the public, based on the patently fallacious justification that our doing 
so would be unsafe, to be made with impunity, we will next be told that we cannot visit a restaurant, or a school, or a park. Blind people work, play, and move about in the world as well as anyone, and we will not stand for being treated like small children.”  
 
# # #
 
 
About the National Federation of the Blind
 
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.   The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.


John G. Paré Jr. 
Director of Public Relations 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 
1800 Johnson Street 
Baltimore, Maryland  21230 
Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2371 
Cell phone:  (410) 913-3912 
Fax:  (410) 685-5653 
Email:  jpare at nfb.org 
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This is why we need the NFB.
 
 
U.S. Navy Discriminates Against Blind Americans
 
 
Baltimore, Maryland (March 5, 2007):
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The fact that a blind person was not permitted to tour the U.S.S.
John F. Kennedy
like other members of the public is a stain upon the good reputation of the United States Armed Forces.
 
Members of the military are charged with defending the rights of all Americans, and for them to trample upon those rights instead is unacceptable.
 
At the very least, United States Navy officials owe Mika Pyyhkala an apology for their conduct in this matter.
 
The National Federation of the Blind will pursue all available legal remedies under the laws of the United States and the state of Massa chusetts.
 
Our intention is to send, loud and clear, the message that the blind will not tolerate discrimination against us in any aspect of life.
 
If we allow the claim that we cannot visit an aircraft carrier that is open to the public, based on the patently fallacious justification that our doing so would be unsafe, to be made with impunity, we will next be told that we cannot visit a restaurant, or a school, or a park. Blind people work, play, and move about in the world as well as anyone, and we will not stand for being treated like small children.”
 
 
# # #
 
 
About the National Federation of the Blind
 
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.
  
The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.
 
It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.
 
In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
John G. Paré Jr.
Director of Public Relations
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21230
Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2371
Cell phone:  (410) 913-3912
Fax:  (410) 685-5653
Email:  jpare at nfb.org