[nfb-talk] Open Letter to Marc Maurer

[Wm. Ritchhart]

Rick,

I think you need to reread the press release.  I think you miss it's
points.  

I also think you should understand whether you like it or not, the ACB
has a philosophy that is vastly different from the NFB.  So it is very
rare when the two groups can work together.  Don't expect it to happen
anytime soon.  I certainly don't wish it.  My beliefs about blind people
and our capabilities is vastly different than the beliefs of those ACB
members whom I know.  Where we in the NFB believe the blind are capable
of reducing blindness to just one more characteristic, , the ACB
believes that the blind need constant help from sighted people.  The ACB
views blindness as a tragedy and the NFB believes blindness is only a
tragedy when the blind person is denied proper training and opportunity.
The two views are totally different and totally irreconcilable. 

The blind community was split long before President Maurer's press
release.  It will remain split as long as blind people have different
views on blindness.  The blind community is like any other sub-community
in our country.  The different blindness groups attempt to educate the
public and our law makers.  Each group competes to have it's views heard
and adopted.  You may not like it.  But the NFB is the group of people
who have gained the respect and confidence of most law makers and of
most of the public.  So it is almost always the NFB view that is adopted
by our elected officials.

You take offence at President Maurer's saying that the National
Federation of the Blind speaks for the blind.  Again, whether you like
it or not, it is a true statement.  When the people who craft our laws
want information on the blind, they go to the NFB.  When any progressive
and positive program for changing the lives of blind people is being
implemented, you almost always will find the NFB is a critical player in
it's implementation and the ACB is in opposition.  If the people who
make policy go to the NFB for information and guidance, than it is
totally accurate for President Maurer to say that the NFB speaks for the
Nations blind.  

If you doubt my statements, review ACB history over the past 50 years.
List the things that the ACB has accomplished to improve the lives of
our Nations blind.  Then do the same exercise for the NFB.  If you do it
honestly, you will find that the ACB list is very short.  The list of
NFB accomplishments will be much longer.  If the ACB wants our national
leaders to take them seriously, the ACB needs to start developing
positive ideas and programs to improve the lives of the blind and
implementing them. 

Finally, I wish to address your complaint about the NFB position on
accessible currency.  Why do we need it?  I am an ordinary totally blind
man.  I go to the ATM and get cash.  I go to businesses and I spend the
currency.  I handle the existing currency just fine without
modification.  Is it necessary for me to have accessible money?  No.  I
use the United Sates currency I have just fine as it exists.  I may sort
it by folding the bills in different ways.  But that is no different
than a sighted person sorting it by denomination.  Accessible money
would be a convenience and nothing more.

Which is more important for the average blind person, a job to make
money, or money that you can identify by touch.  I believe the job is a
necessity and the accessible currency is a convenience.  From your note,
it appears you believe the exact opposite about the currency.  From your
note, it appears you rate accessible money as being equal to or more
important than having a job.  To me and I would bet for most members of
the NFB, having a good job that enables them to earn a lot of money,
whether it is accessible or not, is far more important than whether the
money is identifiable by touch.  

I imagine most NFB members would enjoy having accessible money.  However
I doubt any of us want accessible money.  If having it means that we
portray the average blind person as helpless and exploited.  You may not
see it.  But portraying the blind as helpless and exploited is exactly
what the ACB's law suit is doing. 
 

William Ritchhart
Indianapolis, Indiana
 


> _____________________________________________ 
> From: 	nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]  On Behalf Of Rick E Morin
> Sent:	Saturday, December 02, 2006 9:08 PM
> To:	nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject:	[nfb-talk] Open Letter to Marc Maurer
> Importance:	High
> 
> Dear Dr. Maurer,
> I am an individual leading a full life who happens to be legally blind
> all my life. I speak for myself. The blindness community is very
> diverse and no one organization can nor should claim to be the “voice
> of the nation’s blind”. 
> As diverse as the blindness community is,  most agree that employment
> is the top issue. There is great divisiveness in the blindness
> community between those who are blind and those with low vision, and
> between the NFB and ACB. The divisiveness serves no purpose other than
> perpetuate society to pit one blind person against another on any
> given issue, slowing real progress to a crawl.  I am outraged by your
> press release of November 29, 2006 regarding the Federal Court ruling
> on US Currency which has further divided the NFB and ACB at a time
> when we should be working more closely together.
> There are blind and vision impaired who are survivors and those who
> are victims.  Whether you are a survivor or victim, is a matter of
> individual circumstance and choice. There are way too many individuals
> who are blind and vision impaired who feel beaten down by the system,
> subsist and allow themselves to be pitied.  No organization promotes
> that lifestyle. 
> You state “Machines are readily available to identify paper money for
> blind people who run businesses or handle large amounts of cash”.  The
> need to identify paper money is a need of all individuals who are
> blind and vision impaired, not only those who run businesses or handle
> large amounts of money.  
> To deny that there are unscrupulous people who prey on the blind is
> irresponsible.
> The ACB brought this issue to the Federal Court, so that it could be
> judged based on the facts of the case. Using words like “misguided”
> disrespects the court. That does not serve the best interests of
> individuals who are blind and vision impaired who all too frequently
> need to fight for their rights in the court system. NFB, itself
> utilizes the courts extensively. 
> I see absolutely no connection between the currency issue and it
> endangering the ability for blind people to seek employment. If
> anything, it will enhance employability in many areas. 
> The American Council of the Blind is committed to equal participation
> in all areas of society. 
> Mr.  Maurer, you have damaged the credibility of the NFB and yourself
> by the contemptible manner in which the ACB was described in your
> official press release.
> Sincerely, 
> Rick E. Morin
>  << File: ATT00015.txt >>