by Christopher Gray
Some years ago I was talking with a friend of mine who is a member of the Tamil race. We were discussing the Tamil Tigers and their bid for power in Sri Lanka. Having read of their heroism and determination, I was eager to learn about their situation from somebody who might have some first-hand knowledge and perspective. When I asked my friend for his perspective on the situation, he gave me a very simple and direct answer. “In struggles such as these, 99 percent of what happens is just about politics and money. It’s about the power these things engender.” Though disappointed in his answer, I have often remembered his cut-to-the-chase outlook over the years, and very often, it has seemed to be painfully true.
As things shape up for 2003, the two major factors with which we must contend this year seem to be money and politics. In financial terms, ACB is coming off what may be the most painful year of reductions in our thrift store income stream. Our national economy is changing, and the thrift store business is changing along with it. Major enhancements and innovations were required to stimulate our stores, and these investments negatively affected ACB’s 2002 income stream. This leaves us in 2003 with less income to run our organization, and also with the need to bolster ourselves from losses experienced in 2002, not a great place to be, but something we can certainly manage.
I say this with a relatively high degree of confidence. My confidence comes in large part from the support we are now receiving from ACB members and affiliates. You have truly stepped forward and responded to the needs of the organization. Our first attempts at creating a group of major donors have realized some notable successes. General contributions from members are greatly appreciated, and more and more members are participating in the Monthly Monetary Support Program.
By far the largest contributions for 2003 have come from ACB affiliate organizations. At the beginning of 2003, ACB received a $5,000 contribution from the Hawaii Association of the Blind. In a letter accompanying their check, Hawaii President Warren Toyama raised a challenge to all other affiliates of ACB to match or exceed the Hawaii grant. As I write this message a few days before our scheduled Presidents’ Meeting, this challenge is scheduled to be announced at those mid-year meetings. I fervently hope our affiliates will accept Hawaii’s challenge.
Not long after we received this generous gift from Hawaii, the Washington Council of the Blind sent a very positive and welcome shock-wave through ACB by contributing $25,000 toward ACB operations in 2003. What words can adequately express the appreciation of this organization as a whole for such a generous gift? We can only say “thank you” to the leadership and membership of WCB for this funding and continue to earn the respect of those who made this happen.
Finally, I am told to expect additional contributions at ACB’s mid-year meeting. ACB is certainly grateful for the efforts on behalf of the organization extended by so many of you out there.
So much for the money, now what about the politics? You can learn the up-to-the-minute details on this at the ACB legislative seminar in March of this year. It appears right now that ACB is going to have an overflowing plate of legislative assignments in 2003. Rehab reauthorization is a big task by itself, and, as of right now, we believe that the reauthorization will be combined with the even larger Workforce Incentive Act which could be a very complicating factor in our efforts to improve rehabilitation services for blind Americans.
IDEA reauthorization still appears to be on track. Much advance work has been done for ACB’s legislative advocacy, but keeping track of events and promoting the ideals expressed in the documents prepared by our IDEA Task Force represent a demanding challenge for ACB staff and members.
Another major legislative thrust is the Transportation Equity Act. Along with determining and appropriating adequate funding for all aspects of federally mandated transportation programs, availability of formula versus specific grant funding for disability-related items will be a hot topic during this session of Congress.
As if this weren’t enough, Medicare reform looms large on the horizon. Covered in this legislative category are important matters related to certification and how blind people will be assisted. Who will provide services for blind people: generalists in the fields of eye care, occupational therapists, or others? Should Medicare cover our assistive technology? What kinds of medical procedures will be made available: Visudyne therapy for people with certain forms of macular degeneration?
Finally, we must seek appropriations for the Help America Vote Act. While funding was authorized last year, it has yet to be appropriated by Congress. Adequate funding is critical to support your grass-roots efforts in local communities to gain accessible voting rights.
ACB must prioritize and work on all of these issues, and probably others which we may not yet even know about. Much information will be available to you on these topics at our upcoming legislative seminar, March 23-25 in Washington, DC. I hope to see many of you there and work with you on promoting these key ACB legislative initiatives and issues. Contact your affiliate leaders and the ACB national office for information about attending these critical, informational meetings.
Thank you all for your help and support as we move forward together in strength and solidarity of purpose.