[nfbwatlk] Fw: Reply to op. Ed.

[Mike Freeman]

That's the way it is at the top of the stairs. Read the claptrap below and 
Marion Gwizdala's response.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 7:39 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Reply to op. Ed.


> Dear All,
>    Pasted below is an op. ed. article that appeared in a San Francisco
> paper today and my letter to the author.
> Marion Gwizdala
>
> National Federation of Blind Aligns with Bush Administration Appeal of
> Landmark Currency Ruling
> by Randy Shaw, Dec. 13, 2006
>
> When a federal judge recently ruled that the United States must follow the
> lead of 180 nations and modify its currency to accommodate the blind, the
> decision
> was applauded by sources ranging from the New York Times to The Daily Show
> with John Stewart. But the Bush Administration had an ace up its 
> sleeve---a
> self-described advocacy group for blind persons that has repeatedly 
> aligned
> itself against key civil rights measures for the blind. The National
> Federation
> of the Blind (NFB) stood alone among major blind and disability rights
> organizations in publicly denouncing the ruling, and urged the Bush
> Administration
> to appeal. On December 12, the NFB got its wish, and even issued a press
> release "applauding" the Treasury Department's appeal of the historic
> ruling.
>
> As I wrote on
> December 1,
> the NFB, a controversial nonprofit with ties to Diebold voting machines, 
> was
> trying to provide political cover for the Bush Administration's potential
> decision
> to appeal a federal court ruling that would make US currency more 
> accessible
> to the blind.
>
> I received dozens of responses from blind persons and organizations to my
> article, and all supported the court's decision. But the NFB has made it
> clear
> over its history that it thinks it knows the interests of blind people
> better than they do, and so it issued a press release condemning the
> landmark court
> victory.
>
> Many of these responses detailed questionable practices by the NFB that go
> well beyond what was detailed in my article. For example, I learned that 
> the
> NFB even opposes guide dogs for the blind!
>
> Now the NFB is applauding the Bush Administration's decision to appeal a
> ruling that was lavishly praised across America.
>
> The Bush Administration has had success finding African-Americans who 
> oppose
> civil rights enforcement and affirmative action, Latinos who oppose
> immigration
> reform, environmentalists who support Alaska drilling and labor staff who
> oppose unions.
>
> The NFB fits perfectly in this collection, as it works hard to deny civil
> rights to those it claims to represent.
>
> Send feedback to rshaw at beyondchron.org
>
>
> December 13, 2006
>
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala, Vice President
>
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> 1003 Papaya Drive
>
> Tampa, FL 33619
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. Shaw,
>
> Via Email: rshaw at beyondchron.org
>
>            I am writing to you in regard to your op. ed. article of
> December 13, 2006 in which you express your opinion about the National
> Federation of the Blind's support of the appeal by the Department of 
> Justice
> requiring the Department of the Treasury to modify paper currency in a
> manner that makes it accessible to the blind. As you have become very 
> aware,
> there are two camps of the blind on this issue. A healthy discussion of 
> the
> question is occurring among the blind and there are many opinions on the
> topic. Unfortunately, rather than discussing the issue, the arguments are
> becoming heated and false assertions are being made to discredit those who
> are supportive of the appeal. Just as unfortunate, the choice that you 
> have
> made to publish such erroneous information lends an air of credibility to
> these lies.
>
>            Though there are those who can better address such falsehoods 
> as
> the NFB's opposition to "key civil rights measures for the blind" or the
> Federation's "ties" with Diebold, I believe I can address another false
> impression that you have reinforced. In your piece you write, "I learned
> that the
>
> NFB even opposes guide dogs for the blind!" As the Vice President of the
> national Association of Guide Dog Users, one of the largest Specialty
> divisions of the national Federation of the Blind, I assure you that the 
> NFB
> does not oppose guide dogs for the blind. Rather, the Federation has been 
> on
> the front lines when it comes to supporting legislation to protect the
> rights of all blind Americans, including those who choose to use guide 
> dogs,
> and protecting those legal rights. Perhaps if you would have engaged in a
> bit of research rather than taking the word of those whose motive is to
> discredit our viewpoint by means of the fabrication of such inflammatory
> misinformation, you would have learned the truth about the national
> Federation of the Blind and the immeasurable contributions the oldest and
> largest organization of the blind in the United States has made to the
> quality of life enjoyed by every blind person in our country.
>
>            I want to personally invite you to attend the annual convention
> of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of
> Guide Dog Users, which will meet prior to the convention. I would also 
> like
> to encourage you to attend the American Council of the blind's convention
> and compare them. One of the first things you will notice is the sheer
> difference in the size of the two gatherings, not only in overall
> attendance, but also in the level of participation in their plenary
> sessions. You will also notice a marked difference in philosophy that
> effects a positive correlation on personal independence, as well as
> individual and collective success!
>
> I want to urge you to avoid disseminating false information in the future 
> by
> checking out your sources and by conducting better research. In this way 
> you
> can protect the credibility of your information and the integrity of your
> opinion.
>
>
>
> Respectfully yours,
>
> Marion Gwizdala, M.S.
>
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