[nfbwatlk] Mandatory and most Diversity Training Ineffective, Washington Post, 1/20/08

[Carl Jarvis]

Well said Rick,
And in all the years that I worked for Services for the Blind, I recall only 
one staff training where the organizations of the blind were invited to 
train staff.
When I first became a client of DSB, the blind staff carefully avoided 
belonging to the consumer organizations.  They believed that it would 
compromise their professional objectivity.  Although one VR counselor told 
me that he did not feel he needed to belong because his work was his 
contribution toward improving life for the blind.  It was sure helping his 
own life style.
>From the mid 1970's, with the hiring of a director who was a member of the 
NFB, most blind staff found that it was a good thing to join the organized 
blind.
The difference between these two approaches was like night and day.  During 
those first years as a Commission for the Blind, a positive attitude spread 
among staff and reached out to touch the blind clients.
Having blind leadership that understood the basic issues and had a 
philosophy that was proven to be effective, coupled with energized blind 
staff who stood out as solid role models, put our agency on the map as a 
national leader.
But once again I have been told that a newly hired blind VRC believes that 
in order to maintain professional objectivity she must refrain from joining 
either NFBW or WCB.
And I do not think that she is alone in this thinking.  What that says to me 
is that we, the consumers, are falling down on the job.  The leadership of 
both NFBW and WCB know full well that it is our job to ensure that the 
Department maintains a strong philosophy, and cutting edge programs.  What 
kind of a message is being handed to newly blinded men and women when the 
very professionals serving them will not stand shoulder to shoulder with 
other blind people?
We cannot afford to allow the message to go out, inferring that it's all 
right to try to go it alone as a blind person.  Of all the times when we 
need to work as a solid force, these are those critical days.
If the Agency administration forgets to come to the organizations for help 
in their diversity training, then our leadership should be demanding that it 
happen.

Carl Jarvis