Resolution 2022-06 Concerning Sufficient Blind Board Representation
Whereas proper training in Braille, technology, independent living skills, and orientation and mobility is beneficial and necessary for blind people to be independent and self-reliant, and
Whereas, there are more than two dozen centers throughout California which contract with California’s Department of Rehabilitation to provide training for blind individuals, and
WHEREAS the quality, comprehensiveness and positive blindness philosophy varies considerably at such centers, and
Whereas, many of these training centers have few and in some cases no blind people serving on their governing boards of directors, a lost opportunity to benefit from the lived experience and wisdom of the very blind people these centers seek to serve, and
WHEREAS private blindness agencies, unlike numerous disability organizations, currently have no legal or regulatory requirement that any blind people serve` on their governing boards, while by contrast all of California’s 29 independent living centers must have 50 percent of their boards of directors and 50 percent of their management be people with disabilities, and
WHEREAS the California Department of Rehabilitation already sets competitive contract standards for tiny details like bathroom soap dish height and the color of signature ink, it is high time DOR establishes contract preferences for blindness expertise as demonstrated by significant blind membership on private agency governing boards, and
Whereas, in 2019, the National Federation of the Blind of California passed a resolution urging California training centers to have at least 25% blind representation on their boards, and
WHEREAS in 2020, the National Federation of the Blind also passed a resolution ASKING PRIVATE AGENCIES FOR THE BLIND TO ESTABLISH A FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO ACHIEVE A 50 PERCENT PARITY OF BLIND AND SIGHTED BOARD MEMBERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE organizations, AND
Whereas these resolutions urging centers to increase blind representation on their governing boards have so far met with little success;
now, therefore, Be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of California assembled in convention on this 6th day of November, 2022 that this organization call on the California state Legislature to enact laws requiring that all Community Rehabilitation Centers providing training for the blind and receiving state fees for service have at least 25% blind representation on their boards, and
Be it further resolved that as a condition of eligibility to receive DOR payment for blindness services DOR must ensure that each training center must establish – as a part of certification — an active blind advisory committee composed of representatives from all local blindness organizations in their jurisdictions, including local chapters of NFB, CCB, and all other relevant groups, to be tasked to advise on all board appointments and advise on best practices in blindness training, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the California Department of Rehabilitation to establish specific competitive contract preferences when awarding contracts to blindness training centers who include a minimum of 25 percent blind governing board membership. These contract preferences shall be applied to, but not be limited to contracts such as the Older Individuals who are Blind, Residential training center support, transition youth services contracts and other emerging blindness services contracts.
