2007 FCB RESOLUTIONS


TABLE OF CONTENTS
FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION 1
FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION 2
FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 2
FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 3
FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 4

FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION 1

Autumn 2007-1
DBS POSITION

WHEREAS, the Division of Blind Services (DBS) is the crytical service provider for all blind and visually impaired citizens of Florida; and

WHEREAS, individuals who are blind or visually impaired require unique services for rehabilitation and to maintain a level of independence; and

WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of this organization that the Commission on disabilities currently meeting and appointed by Governor Christ may be considering in the future the almalgamation of all services for disabled Floridians under a single agency; and

WHEREAS, other states which have attempted to implimment a single service model have achieved none of the financial savings promised; and

WHEREAS, in all of these cases, blind citizens of such states experience a substantial decline in the quality and quantity of services, leading to greater levels of unemployment, lower levels of education, and a general decline in their capacity for effective indipendent living;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind Board of Directors, in session at the Sheraton Safari in Orlando, FL, on this day of November 3rd, 2007, that this organization direct its president to:

(A.) Write a strongly-worded letter to the following state government officials: Governor Christ, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.
(B.) The president is hereby directed to seek a meeting with the above mentioned elected officials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization direct its representative to the Division of Blind Services Rehab Council to seek the signiture of that body on all position papers, resolutions, and letters opposing such an agency that may be adopted on this subject by the Florida Council of the Blind in cooperation with other organizations of and for the blind in this state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization will through its Members immediately begin a campaign with the assistance of all local chapters to inform state representitives and senators of its inttention to oppose any attempt to deliver services to the blind residents of this state through such a combined agency; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization, if necessary, will take all measures including legal action to prevent people with other disabilities being included in the service delivery model of the Division of Blind Services.


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FCB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION 2

Autumn 2007-2
White Cane Law on Drivers' License Examinations

WHEREAS, pedestrian safety is a critical issue for all blind persons in Florida; and

WHEREAS, at this time, penalties for violation of the White Cane Law are insufficient and rarely enforced;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind Board of Directors, in session at the Sheraton Safari in Orlando, FL, on this day of November 3rd, 2007, that this organization urges its membership and affiliates to promote and support House Bill 189 and Senate Bill 154, whose objectives are to increase the penalty for violating the White Cane Law and which would mandate the inclusion of questions concerning these issues on the Drivers’ license examinations in the state of Florida.


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FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 2

Resolution 2007-2
Funding for NLS Transition

WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Impaired is about to embark on a major upgrade of its system from an analog cassette tape system to a digital system using flash cards to deliver talking books to eligible print-disabled people; and

WHEREAS, this conversion will require special allocations over the next several years to cover the costs of new machines and new media for new and replacement books; and

WHEREAS, the National Library Service provides books to almost a million people throughout the United States who would find it hard to afford any other form of reading;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Tallahassee Florida on this the 20th day of May 2007 that this organization calls upon its officers, Directors and members to lobby their Congressional representatives to be sure that they are aware of the need for these allocations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Florida Council of the Blind is hereby instructed to arrange to talk with the Director of the Florida regional library located in Daytona Beach to develop ongoing, cooperative strategies that the organization can follow.


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FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 3

Resolution 2007-3
ADOPTION of the ACB White Paper on Rehabilitation by the Rehab Council and by the Board and membership of FAASB (the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind)

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind's Board of Directors has adopted a White Paper on Rehabilitation which sets out a set of philosophical and practical principles which this organization believes ought to be a part of service delivery to people who are blind at every level from local communities up through and including our nation; and

WHEREAS, that paper has now been presented to the Rehab Council of the Division of Blind Services for their adoption; and

WHEREAS, the approaches and principles incorporated in this document have validity for private agencies as well as for those run by states;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Tallahassee, Florida on this the 20th day of May 2007 that this organization urges each of its chapters to present the white paper to each private agency in their local area and to the local office of the Division of Blind Services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Florida Council of the Blind is hereby instructed to forward a copy of our white paper to the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB) with a recommendation that that organization adopt the paper as the principles they agree ought to underpin service delivery at member agencies.


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FCB CONVENTION RESOLUTION 4

Resolution 2007-4
Involvement of Blindness-related organizations in the Process of choosing the next Executive Director of the Division of Blind Services

WHEREAS, Craig Kiser, Director of the Division of Blind Services has announced that he will be retiring soon; and

WHEREAS, in the past, the Commissioner of Education has invited representatives from agencies of and for the blind to interview the finalists for the position of Director of the Division of Blind Services with a view to soliciting their feedback about the candidates which can then be used by the Commissioner for making decisions.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Tallahassee, Florida on this the 20th day of May 2007 that this organization instructs its President to send a letter to the Commissioner of Education making this request and to take such other steps as may be necessary to effectuate the outcomes proposed in this resolution.


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