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1990 Resolutions

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Summary of 1990 Resolutions

 

The 1990 ACB Convention Resolutions Committee presented 21 resolutions during the 29th annual convention in Denver.  A brief summary of the resolutions follows.

90-01:  States that ACB opposes the commercialization of highway rest areas proposed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials because of its adverse effects on the expansion and protection of job opportunities for blind vendors.  The resolution calls on ACB members to communicate their opposition to Congress and to enlist the support of other agencies in helping to advance and protect job opportunities for blind vendors in the state highway system.

90-02:  Urges ACB members to seek Congressional support for a $60 million appropriation to strengthen the Randolph-Sheppard Vending program.  Congress had earlier authorized the strengthening of the program, but has not appropriated additional money for that purpose. The resolution seeks to enlist the support of other agencies in achieving this goal. The resolution passed.

90-03:  Urges national, state, and local regulatory or standard-setting bodies to adopt standards for the design of detectable directional surfaces.  The resolution also urges federal and state transportation agencies to require transit facilities to place detectable directional surfaces behind detectable warning surfaces in alignment with all transit vehicle doors where practical.

90-04:  States that ACB opposes co-mingling of funds originally allocated to rehabilitation programs since such co-mingling is detrimental to blind and visually impaired persons.  The resolution urges ACB leaders to communicate with committee leaders and Congress to prevent co-mingling of program funds.

90-05:  States that ACB must take whatever steps are necessary, including legal action, to force national testing centers to provide achievement and other educational qualification tests in braille, large print, and cassette tape.

90-06:  Endorses the concept of a National Commission on the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind which would assess current programs for the blind and recommend other programs which more adequately meet the needs of the blind.

90-07:  Urges ACB leaders to meet with computer industry officials to heighten the industry's awareness concerning the needs of blind computer users regarding designs and interfaces used in hardware and software products.  The resolution further urges ACB leaders to do whatever is necessary to ensure proper compliance with Public Law 99-506 Section 508 which deals with federal procurement of computer devices and electronic equipment. The resolution calls for the submission of a report to the 1991 convention detailing ACB's progress in the above-mentioned areas and establishing legislative and educational strategies for the future.

90-08:  States that ACB leaders must seek through statutory or regulatory measures requirements that will assure full access to telephone networks and services by blind and visually impaired persons. It also calls for a report to be submitted to the 1991 convention detailing ACB's progress in this area.

90-09:  Supports the publication and dissemination of information regarding talking sign technologies.  It further calls upon ACB leaders to ensure that regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act will specifically encompass the use of this technology.  It also calls for the submission of a report to the 1991 convention.

90-10:  States that ACB opposes any policy or action on the part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped which results in the use of different procedures, standards or treatment for persons infected with the AIDS virus.  The resolution calls upon ACB leaders to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that such discriminatory practices are discontinued.  This resolution stems in part from a statement made to ACB's Library Users of America by Frank Kurt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, that NLS permits libraries to destroy materials and equipment which have been sent to persons with AIDS.

90-11:  Supports the development of a North American Central Listing System for materials produced in braille, large print, and in other formats accessible to blind and partially sighted readers.  The resolution specifically mentions the Coalition for Information Access for Print Handicapped Readers.  (See "They're Searching Today So You Can Search Tomorrow," The Braille Forum, March-April, 1990.)

90-12:  Urges ACB to request the United States Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations defining accessibility in public transit for blind and visually impaired persons.  Accessibility should include audible announcements on buses, trains and other public transit notifying passengers of disembarkation details.  Access also includes audible announcements about the identity and destination of approaching transit vehicles, and accessible signage on and in transit vehicles as well as schedule information provided in an accessible media.  The resolution calls for visual and tactile warnings in hazardous areas in and around transit facilities and adequate identification of the location of bus stops and transit platforms.

90-13:  States that ACB should urge state rehabilitation agencies and others to require that at least one-third of the membership of any private agency for the blind which is certified for receiving rehabilitation act funds be composed of blind persons representing consumer organizations.

90-14:  Encourages ACB's board and staff, in conjunction with Guide Dog Users, Inc., ACB's special-interest affiliate, to seek passage of national legislation or adoption of regulations which would assure that properly vaccinated and tested guide dogs be permitted to travel with their owners to and from Hawaii without being subject to the state's 120-day quarantine. The resolution also encourages financial support for possible litigation.  Such support would come from other interested organizations, the ACB national organization and its affiliates.

90-15:  Charges the Board of Directors with the responsibility of developing an internship program designed to meet the needs of students and the needs of ACB's staff.  The program would be implemented when funds are available.

90-16:  Endorses the development and implementation of a disability tax credit modeled on the Earned Income Tax Credit currently available.

90-17:  Supports changing funding of services to elderly blind people from the current discretionary method to a formula grant totaling $26 million.

90-18:  Calls for the ACB president and the president of the National Alliance of Blind Students to appoint a joint committee to review discriminatory practices in financial aid programs, reasonable accommodation, and vocational rehabilitation.  The resolution calls for reports to be made to the boards of directors of both organizations during the 1991 convention.

90-19:  States that ACB supports the Public Switched Network as a telecommunications system designed to offer electronic communications, transactions, and information retrieval services to all consumers in a manner that would be accessible and affordable to blind consumers.  It also states that ACB supports explicit procedures for access to telecommunications proposed by interested groups.

90-20:  Urges ACB affiliate and individual member participation in library conferences at the state level.  These conferences are designed to prepare delegates for a White House conference on libraries.  Participation by ACB members at such state conferences would ensure that the interests of blind persons are well represented at local, state and federal levels.  The resolution encourages members to become delegates at these conferences.  The ACB National Office is charged with sending copies of this resolution to state and special-interest affiliates.

90-21:  Seeks to address the shortage of mobility and orientation instructors in the United States.  It urges that university training programs, the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, state education and rehabilitation agencies develop pilot projects to train blind and partially sighted mobility instructors.  It encourages those agencies to review their certification and employment standards for orientation and mobility professionals and revise those standards which contribute to the shortage of trained orientation and mobility instructors and discriminate against blind and visually impaired people seeking employment as mobility and orientation instructors.

Resolution 90-01

Kennelly Highway Vending Program

 

WHEREAS, the Kennelly Highway Vending Program (PL 97-424) provides employment opportunity for blind entrepreneurs; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly was successful in obtaining this important legislation and the resulting job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is an association of State highway officials who are charged with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining rest areas on interstate highways; and

WHEREAS, AASHTO's standing committee on highways created a task force to make recommendations on commercialization of highway rest areas; and

WHEREAS, said task force has recommended that the Federal Surface Transportation Act be amended to permit the operation of a great variety of commercial enterprises on these highway rest areas; and

WHEREAS, those recommended commercial enterprises would be in addition to the operation of vending machines through state licensing agencies as provided for in the Kennelly Amendment; and

WHEREAS, those recommendations do not contemplate and are not made for the purpose of increasing job opportunities for blind persons;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that we join the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in (1) communicating to members of Congress and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials our opposition to the commercialization of highway rest areas because of its adverse effect on the expansion and protection of job opportunities for blind persons and (2) enlisting the support of other interested organizations, including the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, in helping to advance and protect job opportunities for blind persons in the operation of vending concessions on interstate highway rest areas.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-02

Strengthening and Further Implementing the Vending Facility Program

 

WHEREAS, although the Randolph-Sheppard Act contained authorization for appropriations for the vending facility program even before the 1974 amendments, Congress has never appropriated money under that authority to expand job opportunities for blind persons, and the executive branch has never requested or supported such appropriations; and

WHEREAS, between fiscal years 1974 and 1988 the number of jobs held by blind persons operating vending facilities declined by 117, a statistic which effectively underscores the need for a FY 1991 appropriation of $16,000,000 to assist in the establishment of new vending facilities and jobs for blind people licensed to operate such vending facilities; and

WHEREAS, the 1974 amendments directed that 10 additional positions be created in the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired to assist in the administration of this employment program, a direction which currently is only partially complied with by the executive branch; and

WHEREAS, the 1974 amendments also directed the Rehabilitation Services Administration to conduct annual national surveys for the purpose of finding vending facility locations to be operated by licensed blind persons;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that we join the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in communicating to members of Congress and the Rehabilitation Services Administration our continued strong support for the statutory goals recited above and in requesting that they implement these goals and responsibilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the appropriation of $16,000,000 for FY 1991 on a formula grant basis in order to provide state licensing agencies with money to establish new vending facilities; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we enlist the support of other interested organizations, including the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, in obtaining implementation of these goals.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-03

Detectable Directional Surfaces for Transit Areas

 

WHEREAS, in numerous areas, such as transit platforms and curbs with blended curb cuts for the physically disabled, detectable directional surfaces, such as bar tile configurations, when used in conjunction with detectable warning surfaces, have proved an important safety and mobility aid to the blind and visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, the numerous light and heavy rail systems which have recently been, or are in the process of being, constructed throughout the nation frequently present safety and accessibility problems for the blind and visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, one of the primary problems is that transit vehicle doors must, in many systems, be opened by the individual passenger through use of a button located on the outside of the car; and

WHEREAS, detectable directional surfaces enable blind and visually impaired persons to locate these buttons; and

WHEREAS, the Metro-Dade County (city of Miami) Transportation Administration has successfully utilized a bar tile configuration on its transit boarding platforms; and

WHEREAS, currently there is no universal standard for the design of detectable directional surfaces;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that this organization urge national, state, and local regulatory or standard-setting bodies to adopt standards for the design of detectable directional surfaces; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization urge federal and state transportation agencies to require that, where practical, transit facilities place detectable directional surfaces directly behind detectable warning surfaces in alignment with all doors of transit vehicles where passengers will embark.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-04

Vocational Education Act

 

WHEREAS, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act,

introduced as H.R. 7 in the 101st Congress, contains a provision which would permit commingling of Rehabilitation Act funds with other funds received from the Department of Labor; and

WHEREAS, commingling of funds constitutes a threat to the adequate funding of Rehabilitation Act programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that any attempt to dilute funding for rehabilitation programs by combining funding with other programs is detrimental to blind and visually impaired persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers, directors, and staff of this organization communicate with the appropriate committees and members of Congress this organization's opposition to such harmful provisions wherever proposed.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price

Resolution 90-05

Accessible Media for Achievement and Other Educational Tests

 

WHEREAS, an increasing number of colleges and universities are requiring achievement tests and other educational tests for students; and

WHEREAS, in taking test sections which involve diagrams, graphs, and the like it is extremely difficult to rely on the ability of a reader to describe the often extensive visual material employed; and

WHEREAS, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and other testing services has evidenced its awareness of the special problems of blind and visually impaired persons in taking tests through the accommodations it has made for those taking the SAT; and

WHEREAS, ETS suggests that it will produce the achievement tests in large print in the future, but has no plans for furnishing them in braille or on cassette; and

WHEREAS, many other tests produced by ETS and other testing services are not available in accessible media;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that the ACB take all necessary steps, including possible legal action, to require ETS and other testing services to furnish achievement and other tests in braille, large print, and on cassette tape.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-06

National Commission on Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind

 

WHEREAS, there is growing concern regarding the education and rehabilitation programs serving the blind; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 94-142, which addresses the education of disabled children, has not been kind to low incidence disability groups such as the blind; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a national commission on the education and rehabilitation of the blind would assess the quality and effectiveness of current educational and rehabilitation services; and

WHEREAS, this commission would also recommend programs which more adequately meet the needs of the blind;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that this organization supports the concept of such a commission.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-07

Computer Usage and Access

 

WHEREAS, the 1980's were marked by the development of computer technology which afforded to blind and visually-impaired persons a high degree of functional equality with their sighted peers; and

WHEREAS, recent developments in the computer industry have tended to reduce the opportunities available to blind and visually-impaired persons to utilize the same computer systems and to function as effectively as sighted computer users; and

WHEREAS, these trends, if continued, are likely to lead to a constriction of employment and other opportunities for blind and visually impaired persons; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that this organization authorizes and instructs its officers, directors, and staff to undertake, in consultation with such other organizations as they may deem appropriate, systematic outreach efforts to the computer hardware and software industries, with a view to sensitizing these manufacturers and vendors to the design issues which bear so heavily on the accessibility of their products to blind and visually-impaired persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said officers, directors, and staff be instructed to take all appropriate measures to assure that federal procurement of electronic equipment of all kinds be undertaken in strict compliance with the letter and spirit of Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act; and

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a report be submitted to the 1991 annual convention of the American Council of the Blind detailing the progress made in these efforts and setting forth comprehensive strategies for such additional legislative, public education, or other activities as may be necessary to reverse the disturbing trends noted above.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-08

Access to the Telephone Network

 

WHEREAS, access to telephones and to the telephone system has long been and remains a key element in the independence and productivity of blind or visually-impaired persons; and

WHEREAS, recent developments in telecommunications technology have erected barriers to full use of the telephone network by blind or visually impaired persons; and

WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act, when enacted, will contain explicit provisions guaranteeing access to the telephone network for hearing or speech impaired persons; and

WHEREAS, the telecommunications industry cannot be relied upon to assure full access for blind or visually-impaired telephone users;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that this organization instructs its officers, directors, and staff to seek, through statutory or regulatory measures, requirements that will mandate and assure full access to the telephone network by blind and visually impaired persons through appropriate technologies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a report be made to the 1991 annual convention of this organization indicating the steps taken and progress made in achieving the goals set forth in this resolution.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-09

Access to Environmental Information

 

WHEREAS, the right to public accommodations and equal access is now a central feature of public policy and law in connection with persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, wheelchair access, assistive listening systems, priority parking, and similar enhancements to accessibility are now widely accepted and legally mandated in connection with persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, low cost and effective technology now exists whereby signs and other critical environmental information and cues can be made available to blind, visually impaired, and other print-handicapped persons; and

WHEREAS, the widespread use of these "talking signs" could enable such persons to achieve greatly enhanced levels of independence, safety, and autonomy in all aspects of life;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 6th day of July, 1990, that this organization supports all efforts to disseminate and publicize information regarding the availability and efficiency of this technology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers, directors, and staff of this organization are directed to make certain that regulations to be issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act, when enacted, will specifically encompass the use of such technology as a means of alleviating significant environmental and transportation barriers faced by blind, visually impaired, or print-handicapped persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a report regarding ACB's involvement and promulgation of such regulations shall be submitted to the 1991 annual convention of this organization.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary
 

Resolution 90-10

Non-Discrimination in the National Library Service Program

 

WHEREAS, Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) represents in some persons a cause of vision loss making them eligible to receive reading materials and equipment under the program of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; and

WHEREAS, the number of such persons, while small, is likely to grow in coming years; and

WHEREAS, the even-handed and non-discriminatory treatment of all library patrons is essential to the public reputation of the NLS program and to its ability to provide effective service under its charter; and

WHEREAS, Frank Curt Cylke, Director of NLS, stated to the Library Users of America on July 2, 1990, that NLS permits libraries to destroy materials and equipment which have been sent to persons with AIDS; and

WHEREAS, hysteria and prejudice regarding AIDS (particularly in light of scientific evidence that no transmission of the virus can occur in any manner related to library service) represents one of the major barriers to an effective societal response to this disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization deplores and rejects any policy or action on the part of NLS which would result in the use of procedures, standards, or treatment for HIV-infected persons different from those for other borrowers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers, board, and staff of this organization be instructed to develop a policy and take all appropriate action to assure that such a practice does not continue.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-11

North American Central Listing System

 

WHEREAS, there is no North American Central Listing System for locating all books in special format for print-handicapped readers; and

WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired persons should have free and easy access to a North American Central Listing System to locate materials in alternate format, and the problem of illiteracy in the United States is a priority issue both in the community at large and in the blindness field; and

WHEREAS, a 1984-1985 survey of all known producers, disseminators, and collectors of alternate format materials for print-handicapped readers revealed that (a) nearly 50 percent of these organizations do not list their available alternate format titles, (b) 80 percent use several different databases, and (c) the remaining 20 percent are produced by approximately 500 agencies throughout the United States and Canada and are not included in any existing database, therefore confirming the critical need for an information bank of available titles in alternate formats through a North American Central Listing System; and

WHEREAS, there continues to be some duplication of materials in alternate formats for print-handicapped readers; and

WHEREAS, the Coalition for Information Access for Print-

Handicapped Readers (CIAPHR) continues to study methods of implementation for a North American Central Listing System for the United States and Canada;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that we support the development of a North American Central Listing System for all materials produced in braille, large print, and recorded form for print-handicapped readers in North America, and urge that the system be accessible to blind users.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-12

Public Transit Access

 

WHEREAS, visually impaired persons are largely dependent on public transit to carry out the activities of their daily lives;

and

WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended requires all recipients of federal funds, including public transit authorities, to provide equal access to disabled persons; and

WHEREAS, the impending adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act will provide additional requirements for non-discrimination in the provision of public accommodations, such as public mass transit; and

WHEREAS, public transit authorities are currently addressing the access needs of wheelchair users but are not yet adequately addressing the access needs of blind and visually impaired persons; and

WHEREAS, passengers who are blind and visually impaired are not being reasonably accommodated so that they may equally benefit from fixed route public mass transit systems, such as bus and rail, in that they are not provided equal and safe access to:

  1.  The location of bus and rail disembarkation points;
  2.  Signage on transit vehicles and facilities; and
  3.  Schedule, route, and fare information;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization urge the United States Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations defining accessibility for blind and visually impaired persons as including the following:

  1.  Internal and external audible announcements of all bus and rail disembarkation and transfer points either by the operator or by automated systems;
  2.  Audible announcements of the identity and destination of approaching transit vehicles at the point of embarkation;
  3.  Signage on and in transit vehicles and facilities in accessible media;
  4.  Schedule, route, and fare information provided in accessible media on a 24-hour basis;
  5.  Visually and tactually detectable warnings at hazardous areas in and on transit vehicles and facilities; and
  6.  Adequate identification of the location of bus stops and transit loading platforms.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-13

Consumers on Boards of Private Agencies for the Blind

 

WHEREAS, many boards of directors of agencies for the blind have traditionally distanced themselves from the blind, and especially from organizations of the blind; and

WHEREAS, lacking knowledge of the abilities of blind persons, such boards of directors have too often offered custodial programs which mirror societal misconceptions of blindness and tend to perpetuate dependence rather than encourage independence of the visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, in contrast to this archaic and dismal state of

affairs, centers for independent living that receive funds through the State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies pursuant to Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, must have a majority of their boards of directors composed of disabled persons and thus are not permitted to relegate disabled consumer representatives to advisory committees where they can be ignored; and

WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act requires that all state

rehabilitation agencies set or approve standards which private agencies must meet as a condition of receiving Rehabilitation funds but to date have not required consumer participation on the governing bodies of such agencies, a practice which has worked so well in the case of independent living centers; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization strongly urge that state rehabilitation agencies require that at least one third of the board of any private agency for the blind which is certified for receiving Rehabilitation Act funds be composed of blind persons representing consumer organizations.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-14

Hawaii Quarantine on Dogs

 

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is presently free of rabies and has long since adopted a number of protective measures tailored to prevent the importation of rabies; and

WHEREAS, the 120-day quarantine imposed on dogs entering from any place in which a dog could have been exposed to rabies has placed a severe restriction on the right of persons traveling with dog guides, including blind Hawaiians wishing to leave the islands and return there with their dogs, to move freely about the United States; and

WHEREAS, we believe that the advances in immunology and virology, when properly applied, have reduced the risk of introducing rabies to very nearly zero; and

WHEREAS, modification of the quarantine to admit dog guides which have been adequately vaccinated and tested would be a great benefit to blind persons using such dogs, with virtually no risk of the introduction of rabies into the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Aloha Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, in cooperation with Guide Dog Users, Inc., spearheaded legislative efforts within Hawaii to resolve this issue; and

WHEREAS, these efforts have thus far been unsuccessful; and

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind considers this to be a major civil rights issue, affecting blind and visually impaired persons throughout the United States; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that the Board of Directors and staff of the American Council of the Blind, with input from Guide Dog Users, Inc., are directed to seek passage of national legislation or adoption of regulations which would assure that properly vaccinated and tested guide dogs and their owners be permitted to travel to and from the State of Hawaii without being subject to the 120-day quarantine; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that financial support for this effort, including funds for possible litigation, be sought from all interested parties, including, but not limited to, ACB affiliates and the national organization.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-15

Internship in ACB Offices

 

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has shown its continuing interest in and support of the needs of blind and visually impaired students; and

WHEREAS, the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Melva T. Owen Scholarship Fund, and other funds assist blind and visually impaired students in obtaining the college education required to get employment in their chosen fields; and

WHEREAS, meaningful internship programs providing valuable experience are difficult to obtain; and

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind's national office and the ACBES office in Minneapolis are excellent settings for obtaining such experience and are in need of additional qualified staffing;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that the Board of Directors of this organization be charged with the responsibility for developing an internship program which will meet the needs of qualified blind and visually impaired students as well as those of the ACB and ACBES offices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this program be implemented as soon as necessary finances are available.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-16

Earned Income Tax Credit For Disabled Beneficiaries

 

WHEREAS, under the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain single parents, and married parents living with dependent children, are entitled to claim an earned income tax credit; and

WHEREAS, the ability to claim such a credit augments for such taxpayers the prospect of obtaining and retaining first time employment; and

WHEREAS, disabled individuals, including those who are blind or visually impaired, would have greatly enhanced prospects of obtaining and retaining employment, especially first time employment, if a credit similar to the earned income tax credit were made available to such disabled individuals without regard to parental status;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization advocate the development of, and the enactment into law as part of the Internal Revenue Code, of a disability tax credit modeled upon the existing earned income tax credit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization direct its officers and staff to disseminate the substance of this resolution to the appropriate tax writing committees of the Congress and to appropriate executive branch officials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization directs its officers and staff to take all necessary and appropriate steps toward having the substance of this resolution enacted into law.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-17 

Services to Older Blind Persons

 

WHEREAS, Title VII, Part C, of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, as amended, provides funding for services to older blind citizens; and

WHEREAS, all states are confronting an increase in the number of older blind persons; and

WHEREAS, Title VII, Part C, currently is a discretionary grant program providing funding to approximately one half of the states; and

WHEREAS, this program has been woefully underfunded;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization instructs its board of directors and staff to support: (a) changing the funding of Title VII, Part C, from discretionary grants to a formula grant and (b) making a minimum total appropriation for this formula grant of $26,000,000, with a minimum of $250,000 to each of the states.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-18

Student Resources Study Committee

 

WHEREAS, the experiences of blind and disabled students enrolled at colleges and universities strongly suggest the need for review and study of issues related to reasonable accommodations, discriminatory practices related to student financial aid programs, and vocational rehabilitation support; and

WHEREAS, students can benefit materially and perform more successfully when they know their rights and potential resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that the president of the American Council of the Blind and the president of the National Alliance of Blind Students are directed to appoint a joint committee charged with conducting a review of practices related to discrimination in financial aid programs, reasonable accommodations, and vocational rehabilitation support; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this joint committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the respective boards of directors of the two organizations no later than the 1991 annual convention in Tampa, Florida.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-19

Telecommunications Policy

 

WHEREAS, telecommunications technology has been very beneficial to blind persons and persons with vision impairments, and potential future technologies hold great promise of making information and interactive communications available for blind persons; and

WHEREAS, new telecommunications services, such as Prodigy, have already been developed by private enterprises using communications technology making them inaccessible to blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled persons; and

WHEREAS, there is no federal legislation that requires

telecommunications technology to be accessible to persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Subcommittee on Telecommunications of the United States House of Representatives is considering legislation to restructure the telecommunications industry;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization supports the development of the public switched network as a telecommunications system designed to offer electronic communications, transactions, and information retrieval services to all consumers in a manner that will be fully accessible, usable, and affordable for consumers with disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind fully supports the Consumer Safeguard Amendments proposed by the World Institute on Disability, the Older Women's League, and other public groups, which include explicit procedures for access to telecommunications to be provided as a part of basic telephone service for persons with disabilities and a specific provision that the national policy of the United States is the creation of an accessible telephone network.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-20

Library Conferences

 

WHEREAS, preparations are now under way to convene a White House Conference on Library and Information Science in 1991; and

WHEREAS, most states will be holding governor's conferences on this subject to develop proposals to submit to the White House Conference; and

WHEREAS, library services are of vital concern to blind and visually impaired people all over this country whether delivered through local public libraries or through regional libraries for the blind and physically handicapped;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization strongly urges Library Users of America and all its other affiliates to participate in such local and state conferences with a view to assuring that the interests of blind persons are well represented at the local, state, and federal levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge members of these organizations to actively seek to become delegates at all levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent by the national office of ACB to the president of each state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind and to the president of the Library Users of America.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

Resolution 90-21

Orientation and Mobility Instruction Reform

 

WHEREAS, tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired persons have no reasonable prospect of obtaining adequate orientation and mobility training because of a long-standing national shortage of qualified personnel to provide this instruction to both youths and adults; and

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind firmly believes that moving about one's environment safely, independently, and confidently is a basic human right; and

WHEREAS, this organization vigorously supports high standards of safety and competency for orientation and mobility instruction; and

WHEREAS, substantial numbers of blind and visually impaired individuals are productively engaged in a wide variety of teaching careers but are largely excluded from the orientation and mobility field even though some blind and visually impaired individuals have been highly successful teachers in this area which is so vitally important to the independence of visually impaired persons; and

WHEREAS, current university programs and professional standards exclude blind and visually impaired persons from entrance into this profession and discourage alternative personnel preparation options; and

WHEREAS, no occupation should categorically exclude the entrance of individuals who are blind or visually impaired without regard to reasonable accommodations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at Denver, Colorado, this 7th day of July, 1990, that this organization strongly urges that university training programs, the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and visually impaired, state education agencies, and rehabilitation agencies:

  1. Develop pilot projects and alternative personnel preparation training strategies to meet the immediate and future needs of blind and visually impaired Americans for orientation and mobility instruction; and
  1. Immediately review certification and employment standards for orientation and mobility professionals and revise those standards which unjustifiably contribute to the shortage of trained orientation and mobility instructors and discriminate against blind and visually impaired Americans without regard to the principles of reasonable accommodation.

This resolution was adopted.
Patricia Price, Secretary

File ACB 1990 Resolutions.docx