Chapter Five: Programs and Initiatives

In the previous section we listed the four departments of the National Federation of the Blind. Each department is responsible for certain programs and initiatives. In this section we give an overview of most of our programs and initiatives. However, the National Federation of the Blind is always growing and imagining new programs which will benefit our members. Hence, while this is a comprehensive list, it does not describe every initiative we develop, as that would take a significant amount of time and space. As a new leader we encourage you to speak with existing leaders at all levels to continually learn about what we do and how we do it.

Membership

The most important initiative within the National Federation of the Blind is the continual search for new members while retaining existing members. Achieving our shared goals of equality, opportunity and security for the blind are impossible without members and without funding. As an organization we must be searching for new and innovative ways to find, recruit and maintain life-long members.

How can we accomplish this?

There is absolutely no magical answer to this question. In other words, there is no simple solution that will work in the exact same way, every single time for every chapter in the Federation. We know that we all came to the Federation in a number of different ways that we often speak about with one another. It would then seem logical that we go about finding new members in many of the same ways that we were found. Yet, when we turn our thoughts to membership, we often think of it as an unpleasant task that we have to do rather than one we should actively seek out. Thus, perhaps there is a simple solution to membership—we must continually keep it on our minds.

In an effort to sustain and maintain our members, we have adopted an onboarding program that welcomes new members into the organization and seeks to engage them via a series of events that introduce them to the National Federation of the Blind and give them a good understanding of who we are, what we believe, and what we do. This process begins with a conversation with someone who is considering membership in the organization. The Prospective New Member Template should be used to guide this conversation. The template contains basic information about the Federation and can be customized with the contact information for the specific chapter and affiliate. This document is available in the appendix. Next, when the prospective new member makes the decision that they would like to join, the chapter votes the member in and conducts the welcoming ceremony, the treasurer collects the new member’s dues, and someone from the chapter fills out the new member form. The entire onboarding process is outlined below.

Membership Onboarding Process

Goals of This Process:

The NFB values having a diverse organization that includes both blind and sighted individuals. We want new members to feel welcomed into an important, loving, and strong organization; to know that blindness does not define anyone; and to understand that we have high expectations for them and for ourselves. We want members to know that we value and expect active participation by each member within our organization. We want them to know that they are joining a nationwide network—a network of action but one that provides support (family)—and a network that is built on the hope, love, and determination of previous generations of Federationists. An additional goal of the onboarding process is to have continuity across the Federation in our efforts to recruit and develop members in our chapters, divisions, and affiliates.

Membership Onboarding:

The National Federation of the Blind onboarding process is designed to welcome new members into our Federation family with open arms and to invest our resources, talent, and time into discovering where new members are and to help them get to where they want to be. This process is far more detailed and involved than it has been in the past. From beginning to end, a new member should know what to expect from us and that we expect active participation from them as well. The goal is to welcome new members into our family rather than merely asking them to pay dues. Chapter leaders have an opportunity to truly assist new members on their Federation journey.

We Can Think of This as Having Three Distinct Steps:

  1. Pre-membership
  2. The welcoming ceremony
  3. New member orientation period
Pre-Membership:

Actively recruiting and inviting people into the Federation family is a constant effort. We strengthen as our membership grows and becomes more diverse. This also means we need to continue to build a welcoming onboarding process. Each affiliate should have a membership chair appointed by the affiliate president and should build an active membership committee dedicated to increasing membership on the affiliate level. Each chapter should also have a designated individual responsible for helping to guide new member activities in coordination with the chapter president.

The membership coordinator for the chapter (or someone tasked by the chapter president to do this) should be responsible for working with prospective new members of the Federation. It is the responsibility of all members to help new people learn about our organization and come to be members. However, when an individual has expressed interest in becoming a member, the appointed chapter membership coordinator should work with the potential member with the purpose of introducing them to the Federation.

1. Before inviting an individual to join, be sure there has been some discussion of who we are, what we stand for, and what we do (we are not merely a social organization, for example). The goal is not to scare them off but to give them a clear understanding of how we are different from other organizations that exist. They should be given an understanding of the structure of the organization—members, chapters, affiliates, and the national organization. The prospective member form, specifically written to both guide the conversation and to give to the prospective new member as a take-away, is available in a template format for chapters to fill in with their information. The Prospective New Member Template may be found in the appendix. Additionally, the prospective new member will be given a card with the NFB Pledge and our One Minute Message in print and Braille. The pledge cards may be purchased from the Independence Market.

2. If the individual is interested in becoming a member, they should be invited to join the organization at the next opportunity. If, after having the pre-membership conversation, the new member desires to be voted in at the current meeting, proceed. The welcoming ceremony should be explained to them:

  1. They must pay the membership dues—it should be clear what period the membership dues cover. It should also be clear that membership in the chapter gives them membership in the state affiliate and the national organization.
  2. The welcoming ceremony should be described in detail.

3. Each chapter should be prepared to accept new members at the end of every meeting. The membership chair should recommend these new members after they have already experienced a full meeting and engaged in the prospective new member conversation. Chapters may also elect to hold larger new-member events periodically to enhance the celebration. However, in the spirit of welcoming our new members, an individual should be free to join at any meeting, even their first. The membership ceremony must not be rushed; ample time should be allotted for the chapter to vote in and welcome new Federationists.

4. As soon as dues are paid, enter the new member’s information into the new member form at https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/newmember/form. It should take five minutes and will trigger the national office to send a welcome packet and gift.

Welcoming Ceremony:

The most common entry path for members is through local chapters. As soon as a new member pays their dues, they are eligible to participate in the welcoming ceremony at the end of the meeting. Chapters should close meetings with the membership welcoming ceremony. This means that the new members would be eligible to fully participate at the close of the meeting. This avoids concerns about new people coming to stack the vote. Any member who has not been active in more than two years should go through the ceremony again. If there are no new members for the chapter that month, the membership chair should lead a discussion about how the chapter can identify and recruit potential members.

Elements of the ceremony:

1. A list of individuals wishing to seek membership is presented to the chapter—this could be done by the membership chair or the president of the chapter. It should be confirmed that the potential members have paid their dues.

2. The potential members are invited to come to the front of the meeting, and the ceremony is conducted.

  • Do each of you wish to be members of the National Federation of the Blind?
  • Membership in our organization is a commitment to work together to achieve equality for the blind. Membership grants you the right to help set the direction for the organization. Membership also gives you the responsibility of working collaboratively with other members to achieve the best outcomes for the organization as a whole. As individuals, we receive great strength and value for our participation in the organization. Our goal over time is to give more than we have received. We are reminded of our rights and responsibilities as members by repeating our NFB Pledge. Please repeat after me:

“I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.”

  • Make a motion to accept the individuals as members:

I move to accept (give all of the individual names) as members of the (chapter name) of the (affiliate name).

  • Second motion.
  • Call for discussion.
  • Vote new individuals into membership.
  • The entire chapter recites the One Minute Message.
  • Invite each individual to introduce themselves and share what they hope to do as a member of the Federation.
New Member Orientation:

1. The new member’s information is shared with the state affiliate and the national organization by filling out the new member form. This should be done immediately following but no later than seven days after the welcoming ceremony.

2. The new member is assigned to a mentor no later than seven days after joining. This person could be the chapter membership coordinator or another leader in the chapter or affiliate with whom they may share mutual interests.

3. At the time that the new member form is completed and submitted, several actions take place:

  1. The affiliate president is notified by email. Once the affiliate president is notified, they should phone the new member and personally welcome the new member into the Federation.
  2. The new member will receive a series of seven emails from leaders throughout and across the Federation. Welcome emails come from President Riccobono; First Vice President Pam Allen; National Association of Blind Merchants president, Nicky Gacos; former longtime affiliate president, Sharon Maneki; chapter president, Denise Brown; and membership committee chair, Jeannie Massay. The emails contain a welcome message and a recommended reading with live links from the sender to the new member. The emails begin the process of new member orientation. (Alternative formats for the welcome letters are in the development stage.)
  3. The new member will receive by mail a new member welcome packet sent from our national center. The new member packets contain a National Federation of the Blind membership certificate in print and Braille which features their name, the date they joined as a member along with our logo and President Riccobono’s signature, a membership coin, and important National Federation of the Blind literature.

4. Regular discussions should be planned between the new member and their mentor. Topics of discussion should include but should not be limited to discussion questions relating to all of the suggested readings from the welcome emails. They are as follows:

  • The Nature of Blindness
  • “Competing on Terms of Equality”
  • “What a Relief!”
  • Blindness: Of Visions and Vultures
  • The Power of Belonging

Discussion questions regarding the above readings are available to help prompt dialogue and provoke thought regarding our beliefs about blindness.

The new member orientation process, from beginning to end, should take approximately three to four months. Remember, this is an investment in our future!

Leadership

One of the most important initiatives that is ongoing within the Federation from the chapter level to the national board of directors is the cultivation of leadership. We are a grassroots, member-driven organization. Our leaders are chosen by the membership of the organization, whether it be the election of chapter, state affiliate, or national officers. Our leaders are typically members who have expressed and demonstrated a desire and ability to lead our movement forward. To that end, the search for and development of the next generation of leaders is an ongoing process.

Leadership does not always equate with holding an office. Leadership is defined as influence, direction, or guidance of an organization. There are a limited number of offices within any given level of the Federation. However, it is clear that within the Federation there is room for everyone who demonstrates an ability to get the work of the Federation done. This can best be achieved through collaborative discussion, planning, and implementation of shared goals under our elected leaders.

Often when we think of leadership, we think of elected officials, heads of organizations, or people who make and implement major decisions. We think of people who have status, influence, and impressive titles. We don't immediately think of ourselves. Whether you are an affiliate president, serve as chapter secretary, or hold no official title at all, your leadership is critical to the vitality of our movement; therefore it is important to recognize the values and behavior essential for good leadership.

Time and again people comment on the importance of leaders having passion, vision, and the ability to move others toward that vision. Inspirational leaders imagine the world as it should be but understand the world as it is. While they are strategic and pragmatic, they work to make that vision a reality. They help others believe in what has not yet been tried. They are often people with big ideas and bold plans, and they take the time to share their vision with others.

The most effective and inspiring leaders are defined by their core values. Their behavior reflects and reinforces those values. Good leaders operate from a deeply held set of moral or ethical principles at the core of their commitment to change.

The most effective leaders care about results. They don't just talk; they do. They are committed to creating strong organizations that have the ability to accomplish their mission and achieve results. They know how to motivate others and help them work to achieve a shared goal. Because good leaders are not only concerned about themselves, their reputation, or their status, they know how to bring others along to accomplish shared goals. They get things done by building the capacity of others.

The best leaders are reflective. They learn from experience, and they learn from others. They work hard to know themselves and to understand the dynamics of the groups they lead. Effective leaders are not afraid to acknowledge that they do not have all the answers, and they are open to constructive criticism. They value their own growth, as well as the growth of others.

Despite the prestige, influence, and power leaders often enjoy, leadership can be a very difficult task. Leaders can easily become the focal point of our frustrations, disappointments, and losses. It can be a lonely position. Because having and maintaining good leaders is so critical, it is worthwhile to consider what can be done to nurture and sustain those who provide good leadership. Leadership is a two-way street, requiring a great deal from both those who lead and those who are led. An important aspect of quality leadership is helping to sustain other leaders. There are several concrete ways to support the leadership we believe in and value in the Federation.

Thank our leaders for jobs well done. People in leadership hear constantly from those who are unhappy about something. Rarely do they hear from those who think they are doing a good job. Leaders need affirmation, both publicly and privately. If you think that a leader in the Federation is doing a good job, tell them.

At the same time, when leaders are heading down the wrong path, it is important and appropriate to voice caution and concern. Learning how to disagree with leaders, especially those you believe in, is important for the growth of the organization and both of you. Leaders need to hear respectful, clear, and non-personalized criticism of their decisions and their behavior. This approach allows them to take in the criticism or disagreement and consider it as they move forward. In supporting the leadership at every level of the organization it is important to remember that discretion be practiced when providing feedback. When you feel strongly that you have concerns about a decision that a leader has made that you do not agree with, please have the courtesy to privately discuss the concerns with the leader in question rather than with others before having done so. Open lines of communication should build the Federation, not tear it apart.

Leaders also need information in order to do their job well. They need to be well informed and armed with facts, analysis, and real life stories. Federation members can be very helpful in bringing useful information and perspective to those who must make important decisions; we must all play a role in helping Federation leaders to develop innovative solutions to sometimes very difficult problems. While it is impossible to make sure that leaders know everything they should know what is happening within the Federation that you are aware of. Don’t assume that they already know what you do.

Advocacy

As a vehicle of collective action, one of the central pillars of the NFB is advocacy, thus it is vital that as leaders we are competent advocates and are able to teach advocacy skills to our members. Often, our members are the only blind individuals in their communities, and hence their ability to self-advocate, and to recognize when they need to bring in support to advocate on their behalf, will have a lasting impact beyond the individual. In this section we will define advocacy and review some concepts that are important to remember when you are advocating as a leader.

Being an advocate simply means that one supports or defends a cause, principle, or person. There are three types of advocacy. Systemic advocacy involves larger systems or organizations. For instance, our national legislative efforts seek to change laws or to write new law to protect the rights of the blind. On the state level, your affiliate may decide to advocate for a change in legislation, such as passing a bill of rights for blind parents. This would change the way that institutions interact with all blind parents, on multiple levels, thereby making this a systemic change. Individual advocacy means that one is advocating on behalf of a person to improve their circumstance. Often, the outcome of those cases will have a larger implication for others in similar situations. For instance, the National Federation of the Blind often takes on legal cases to represent individuals facing barriers because of their blindness. And although we may be representing a specific student in higher education, bringing those cases and winning them not only allows that student to acquire the equal access to their education but also helps blind students in universities all over the country. There are countless instances where our settlements serve as examples that other institutions can follow to ensure equal access. On the local level, perhaps you are advocating on behalf of a guide dog user who is being denied entrance to a public place of business. Though that individual benefits directly, other guide-dog users will be impacted as that business will have been educated by your previous efforts. Last is self-advocacy, and this is one that most of us are very familiar with. This simply means that we speak up for our own rights. The National Federation of the Blind has many tools and resources that empower our members to be self-advocates. Some examples are the Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit, which gives students the knowledge they need to self-advocate at the university level. The Blind Parents website has a list of resources for blind parents to refer to if their rights are being violated. On the local level, be sure to provide your members with resources and information they can use when they come across common barriers. These may include: knowledge of the rights of students under an IEP, resources to assist with denial of services from a state vocational rehabilitation agency, or job related issues such as lack of accommodations. Always remember, though, that self-advocacy is the first step. Even the best self-advocates among us will sometimes need backup and assistance, and that is when you as a leader must follow through with your membership.

In his article “In the Spotlight,” Dan Frye lays out in depth definitions of advocacy, as well as techniques for becoming an effective advocate. Below are some highlights from the articles as well as some general advice to keep in mind. However, we encourage you to read both the article by Dan Frye and the article by Gary Wunder, "On Advocacy: A New Paradigm and Personal Reflection."

  • Advocates should possess a strong personal foundation in Federation philosophy and believe in the ability of the blind. As leaders in the movement, we know that blindness does not prevent us from living fulfilling, productive lives. As advocates we must be able to not only verbalize the philosophy of the Federation but to also serve as examples of how that philosophy applies to real blind people.
  • Advocates must research the issues carefully and seek help when they lack enough expertise. As a leader, it is important to thoroughly prepare when taking on an advocacy battle. If you are trying to change a systemic issue, be sure to know the law. If you are seeking to change a law on the state level, make sure you have coherent and cohesive arguments as to why your position should be heeded. Before beginning any advocacy effort regarding the law you must contact President Riccobono for guidance and to keep him aware of what is happening in your affiliate. Likewise, if you are engaging in advocacy efforts at the chapter level you must contact your affiliate president before moving forward in representing the Federation on any matter. Most important, make sure you know when you need to reach out for expert advice. None of us are equipped to deal with every type of barrier, thus seeking expert advice is never a bad idea.
  • Advocates should always remember that every instance of advocating is a type of negotiation. As such, while we are all passionate about the rights of the blind, we must stay calm and composed always. We must be articulate with our verbal and written communications and know when it is time to retreat to reconvene.
  • Last, know who you are advocating for. Again, refer to Gary Wunder’s “On Advocacy…” article. It is vital that you as a leader know what kind of person you are dealing with. While we are all susceptible to discriminatory treatment, not everyone is built to deal with the fight it may require to right any wrongs. If you are taking a strong stance on behalf of a member, always remember that it is the organization taking a stance on behalf of that member. Thus, it is important that is it someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and responsible.

National Legislation

The government affairs group is responsible for coordinating national legislation and supporting affiliates with state and local legislative initiatives. It is also a general resource on all regulatory issues including the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP), an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Free Matter for the Blind program, and the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program.

With regard to national legislation, the government affairs team develops and distributes fact sheets, coordinates legislative alerts, organizes and runs our Washington Seminar. They serve as a resource for affiliate leaders and members on all questions of advocacy and policy.

We urge NFB leaders and members to develop a relationship with your elected officials at both the federal and state levels. This can be done by visiting your official’s local office, attending town hall meetings, and by inviting your local official to speak at affiliate conventions and/or chapter meetings. Many of our national bill sponsors have sponsored our legislation as a result of excellent relationships established at the local level. If a member of Congress is scheduled to speak at one of your events, please be sure to let the government affairs team know so they can maximize the value of the visit.

For more information about the Department of Advocacy and Policy or to get help with any of these topics, please contact the executive director for Advocacy and Policy, John Paré. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 410-659-9314, extension 2218.

State Legislation

Introduction: This piece was contributed by Sharon Maneki, long-time Federationist and immediate past president of the Maryland affiliate. Under Sharon’s direction, the Maryland affiliate has long been a model for advocacy on the state level. Here, Sharon shares best practices when advocating for legislative change.

Every NFB state affiliate should make it a priority to develop a working relationship with its state legislature, not just when there is a dire emergency, but every year. Every affiliate should hold an annual statewide seminar like our Washington Seminar. This is necessary for state affiliates to build legislative relationships, explain and promote our legislative agenda for the legislative term, make friends with legislators, and learn about how your state legislature functions. If you don’t do this on a regular basis, it will be more difficult to achieve your legislative goals when you encounter an emergency that requires a legislative solution. Setting aside an annual day in your state capital will not only help legislators learn about the NFB and blind people but will also help your affiliate build its membership. Members want to be involved in an organization that does something.

In Maryland, we conduct our “Day in Annapolis” usually on the third Thursday in January, the second week into the Maryland General Assembly’s annual legislative session. Prior to this day, we have made appointments with almost every member of the assembly for our members to visit them in their offices for a few minutes. Before this day, we have organized the members who are planning to attend into about a dozen teams. Each team is given a schedule of legislators to visit. We have also prepared “fact sheets” of our issues which each team gives to every legislator on its list. We have prepared about three priority issues which we want the General Assembly to consider during its annual ninety-day term. We hold a dinner meeting at the end of the day at which time each team reports on the delegates and senators with whom it was able to visit and gives us an assessment of their reactions to our priorities. We take a few minutes at the start of the day to hand out assignments and packets to each team along with last minute instructions. Teams are on their own until we get together at the end of the day.

Warning: All team members are reminded to refrain from discussing issues other than those listed in our fact sheets. Legislative issues constitute official policy of the NFB of Maryland. Since we are a broad-based membership organization, individuals may have widely ranging opinions about matters not covered in our fact sheets. Since you have at most five or ten minutes with each legislator, you only have time to discuss the priorities on our fact sheets.

If you would like to review the NFB of Maryland’s legislative priorities visit the Current Advocacy Issues section of our website. To review past priorities, you can visit Archives and select the year you’d like to review.

How do NFB state affiliates develop legislative priorities? There are three easy steps to do this:

  1. Follow the guidance of the national organization.
  2. Think about the problems blind people face in your state.
  3. Work to amend or oppose bills that your legislature is considering.

1. Work to have your state enact all pieces of model legislation proposed by our national office, such as a parental rights bill. All model bills constitute NFB national policy, and we are committed to work for their passage. Sometimes a national priority bill will work well in your state.

On the national level, NFB is working to obtain a federal tax credit for blind persons who purchase nonvisual access technology. If your state assesses taxes on individual earnings, your NFB affiliate may attempt to secure a similar credit on your state’s income tax.

In a similar vein, national resolutions can provide other ideas for local legislation. For instance, in Resolution 2017-16, we expressed our deep concern about plans to commercialize interstate rest areas because Randolph-Sheppard vendors would be displaced by corporate concerns. Pay careful attention to what is happening to blind-vendor-operated facilities in your state, especially those in state highway rest areas. Depending on what your investigations reveal, your state affiliate may need to take legislative action to improve employment opportunities for blind vendors.

2. When proposing legislative solutions to problems in your state, remember to deliver a focused and logical message. Define a specific problem and offer a solution that is easily understood. For instance, consider “the quality of education for blind students is very deplorable.” While this statement is true, it is too broad and too difficult to correct by legislative remedy. Break the bigger problem into smaller pieces that can be tackled more easily. Focus instead on requirements to improve the teaching of Braille reading and writing or improving opportunities for more children to receive mobility instruction, including students with partial vision. When arguing for legislative changes, follow the “KISS” principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).

3. Someone in your NFB affiliate must be responsible for reviewing the synopsis of every bill introduced in each legislative session. This information may be available through direct mail subscription or through your state’s legislative website. Speaking of websites, is your state’s legislative website accessible? If it is not, you need to act. The bill synopses will help you find bills that need to be amended or opposed. For instance, if there is a bill about online learning, be sure that this bill includes nonvisual accessibility requirements. If you find a bill to increase the number of classroom teachers, see if you can have language inserted to include teachers of blind students. Frequently, there are bad bills that will harm blind persons. Legislators do not always understand the full impact of their bills until they are made aware of the negative consequences. Some examples include bills proposed by businesses that would really weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sometimes there are proposals to weaken other civil rights protections such as the rights of guide dog users or parents’ rights in the IEP process.

A successful legislative campaign requires considerable forethought and planning. If legislative proposals can be worked out prior to your state’s convention, then these should be drafted as resolutions. If legislative priorities cannot be considered by your state’s convention, or if an urgent matter develops during a legislative term, then such actions should be considered by the officers and board of directors. All legislative actions must be consistent with the policies of our national organization.

After you have identified what you want to accomplish, the real work begins. The legislative process is very similar in most states. After a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee where it will be considered. If this committee acts favorably on this bill, then it will be considered by the entire legislative chamber. In states whose legislative body consists of two chambers (house and senate), a bill proceeds to the second chamber only after it has successfully negotiated passage in the first chamber. Since passage in both chambers is required, to speed up the process, it is helpful to have a house version and an identical senate version of a bill introduced simultaneously.

As your bill negotiates the legislative hurdles, diligently keep track of its progress. Any number of missteps can occur. Legislators are working on many bills, so you must be vigilant. In any dealings with legislators, remember to be polite, persuasive, and professional.

To be most effective, learn how the legislative process works in your state. Learn what citizens must do to have bills introduced. Be sure that you understand how bill language can be corrected if it is improperly drafted. Familiarize yourselves with the various personalities in your legislature. Make friends with your legislators. Find out who can be of greatest help to you because of the committees they chair or the committees on which they serve. It is most helpful when our members develop familiarity with their own delegates and senators. Keep abreast of legislative developments year-round, even when the legislature is not in session.

I have been serving as the chairman of the NFB of Maryland’s legislative committee since 1984. My introduction to the Maryland General Assembly came from my meeting with the former Delegate Virginia Thomas, who graciously took my phone call and came to my home to tell me how the Maryland legislature works. Since then, I have met and worked with many people who have taught me valuable lessons. I have made my share of mistakes, but I have always profited from them. I have always paid careful attention to our annual Washington Seminar. My advice to you: pay attention to what is happening around you, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and listen to what others are saying.

You may be able to increase library services, improve rehabilitation programs, and strengthen civil rights for blind people through legislation. When you ask state government departments for reforms, they may not listen to you. But, they must listen to the legislature. Blind people will have more opportunities to live the lives we want if you work with your legislature to pass meaningful laws. Blind people, today and in future generations, are counting on you.

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

Each July at the annual convention of the NFB, our organization awards a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program is our investment in the future of blind people who demonstrate scholastic aptitude, leadership, and service.

The cash value of our thirty scholarships, generally ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, is only one aspect of this prestigious program. Each winner also receives funding to travel to and attend the National Federation of the Blind National Convention, where they can network with other blind students, exchanging information and ideas, and meeting hundreds of blind people who are successfully functioning in many occupations and professions. Our past winners often comment that the money was quickly spent, but the contacts they made and the information they gathered at convention have continued to make their lives richer than they ever imagined.

The online scholarship application becomes available November 1 each year. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than the March 31 deadline. A list of eligibility requirements, as well as documents containing answers to frequently asked questions, a submissions checklist, and other supporting materials can also be found on the scholarship program webpage. Throughout the application period, reminders and information about the scholarship program will appear in the Braille Monitor, on our website, and will be shared via social media.

State affiliate presidents play a key role in supporting the scholarship program by conducting interviews with each applicant from their state and then submitting a letter to the committee that becomes part of each candidate’s application. By sharing their impressions of each applicant, following either an in-person meeting or a telephone interview, they help the committee get a deeper understanding of each student that cannot be communicated via an essay or a transcript.

The NFB Scholarship Committee is comprised of dedicated, successful Federation leaders from across the United States who will review all the applications and select the top thirty candidates from the nationwide pool. These thirty scholarship finalists will be notified of their selection by telephone no later than June 1. During the annual NFB convention held each summer, finalists will be mentored daily by members of the scholarship committee, who will then decide which specific award will be presented to each winner. Attending and participating in the entire convention is one of the requirements to become an NFB scholarship winner. Of course, attending the convention is also a significant part of the prize.

The National Federation of the Blind is dedicated to creating opportunities for all blind people. Recipients of NFB scholarships need not be members of the National Federation of the Blind. Toward this end, we encourage leaders in our organization to take an active role in spreading the word about the scholarship program by forwarding our informational flyer far and wide via affiliate and other mailing lists, posting and reposting links to the application on social media, and sharing information about the achievements of past recipients to inspire future applicants.

To reach the broadest potential pool of applicants, we recommend that leaders at the state and local level forward information about the scholarship program to high schools, colleges, and rehabilitation agencies, as well as to any local organizations that serve blind youth and their parents. We also recommend that information about the scholarship program be posted on affiliate websites. Many state affiliates have their own scholarship programs as well, and the same methods of outreach can also be utilized to disseminate information about these state-level scholarship opportunities.

The NFB Scholarship Program is our investment in the future of blind people. It is also a tremendous asset in investing in the future of our organization. While applicants need not have a history with the NFB to become finalists, these successful students have the potential to become a dynamic part of our future. It is impossible to stress the importance of follow-up enough—networking with winners at the state level both during and after national convention can make the difference between the former winner who takes the money and is never heard from again, and the person who becomes an active and ongoing participant in the work of the Federation. We urge all leaders to reach out to and get to know scholarship winners from their state, and to make the effort to connect former winners with members who have similar goals and interests. Invite them to state convention, student seminars, and other events where they can continue to build the relationships that can turn an introduction to the NFB into lifelong participation in the work we do to help blind people achieve their dreams.

Free White Cane Program

The National Federation of the Blind offers the Free White Cane Program to blind children and adults. The cane sent is a straight fiberglass cane with a metal glide tip. An individual may apply for the free white cane on our Free White Cane Program webpage, and they are eligible for a free cane every six months. The canes are mailed via Free Matter for the Blind.

Free Slate and Stylus Program

Several years ago, at Washington Seminar, we announced that we were starting up a Free Slate and Stylus Program. The program allows an individual to receive a free slate and stylus once per year. The slate is a four-line, twenty-eight cell, metal slate and comes with a plastic bulb stylus. A set of abbreviated instructions on the use of the slate and stylus are sent in print and Braille. Everything is shipped via Free Matter for the Blind. Please visit the Free Slate and Stylus Program webpage to apply.

NFB-NEWSLINE®

NFB-NEWSLINE is one of the trademark programs of the Federation, and it often brings people into the organization we would not have reached otherwise. NFB-NEWSLINE provides access to over five hundred periodicals, newspapers, and magazines in accessible formats. In addition, subscribers have access to TV guides, local ads, and national job listings. Subscribers can access these materials online, on the phone, on their smart phone, via email, and in many other ways. NFB-NEWSLINE was established by the Federation. However, many states sponsor the program for their residents. That funding can come from agencies like the library for the blind, state agencies, or from legislation at the state level. NFB-NEWSLINE is a powerful tool for recruiting members, engaging new members, and spreading information about NFB activities in your state. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with how to use the service yourself as demonstrating it can be useful in many different aspects of being a leader in the Federation.

Local chapters should be sure that blind individuals in the area know of this service, know how to apply for it, and know how to use it. Local chapters should be sure that local libraries and other service providers are supplying application forms and encouraging applicants to sign up. Since people are continually losing vision, there will be those who know little or nothing about NFB-NEWSLINE for some time to come. There are a variety of materials (e.g., brochures, Braille brochures, posters, how-to manuals, and instructional CDs) available free of charge to affiliates and members. Simply contact NFB-NEWSLINE at the national office, and they will be happy to provide you with materials to share with potential subscribers and potential sponsors of the service.

In addition, NFB-NEWSLINE provides a local channel which can be used by the state sponsor to provide information of special interest to the blind. Channels can be created for state affiliates, as well as individual chapters and divisions in your state. This allows them to post information and news directly to NFB-NEWSLINE so that subscribers can access the information. It is important to take advantage of this avenue for communicating with the blind community in your state. The channel is accessible to any NFB-NEWSLINE subscriber, whether or not they are an NFB member, and can help non-members see what the NFB has to offer. It has the capability to post general information, events, newsletters, articles, and advocacy and legislative information, and is a fantastic resource for disseminating information. These should be maintained and kept up-to-date, as out-of-date information leads people to believe there is no reason to check the local channel for new information. It is encouraged that someone be appointed to maintain and update the local channel for state affiliates, chapters, and divisions. The national office will gladly provide training on how to maintain the local channel on NFB-NEWSLINE.

To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE and how to sign up, visit www.nfbnewsline.org or call 866-504-7300.

Note: NFB-NEWSLINE is always spelled with all caps and a hyphen between NFB and NEWSLINE. It should always be referred to as NFB-NEWSLINE, not just NEWSLINE. Also, the name NFB-NEWSLINE is registered to the National Federation of the Blind, so there should always be the mark symbol (® in a superscript) when NFB-NEWSLINE is used for the first time in a document.

Jacobus tenBroek Library and NFB Archives

The Jacobus tenBroek Library is the research library on blindness that is owned and controlled by the blind themselves. Our goal is to serve as a comprehensive information resource on blindness from a nonmedical perspective, created by the blind for the blind, which aids in the removal of barriers between blind people and their dreams, and supports their desire to live the lives they want. We look after the history of blind people by collecting NFB literature, maintaining the Federation's archives, and building the library collection.

Affiliate Preservation and Records Management

Since 1940, the work of the National Federation of the Blind has been driven by the activities of its state affiliates and national divisions, committees, and groups. Without the hard work and passion of Federation leaders at all levels, the NFB would not be the effective national organization that it is today. To ensure the preservation of a complete and accurate historical record which documents the NFB at all levels, the Jacobus tenBroek Library needs the help of state and local leaders in gathering the records created outside of the national office. NFB chapter and affiliate officers should send in records documenting the important activities of their organizations. Information on the types of documents sought and how to donate them to the NFB archives can be found online.

Jernigan Institute Oral History Program

The Jacobus tenBroek Library recognizes that much of the history of the NFB and the organized blind movement resides in the experiences of those who have lived it. Over the years, many Federationists have recorded the memories of their friends and colleagues by conducting oral history interviews and contributing them to the NFB. To continue to grow this collection and properly represent our more than 50,000 members, we need the help and participation of NFB members across the country. If you would like to learn how to record and submit interview recordings to the program, please visit the Jacobus tenBroek Library for more information. Additionally, if you are interested in assisting with the transcription of interviews already submitted, please contact please contact the Jacobus tenBroek Library at 410-659-9314, extension 2310, or at [email protected].

Research

There are two main ways that Federationists can access the materials preserved at the Jacobus tenBroek Library:

  • THE BLIND CAT is our online public catalog (OPAC) of published materials, a collection which includes items in print, talking book, Braille, audio, and digital formats. We collect books and audio recordings that pertain to all facets of blindness and the lives of blind people, excluding materials on the medical treatment or prevention of blindness. Consult THE BLIND CAT for more information and availability.
  • THE CANE TIP is our online portal for finding aids that describe our manuscript and archival collections. This includes information on the papers of NFB leaders, the NFB institutional records, and several smaller collections highlighting the lives of blind people in the twentieth century, as well as the work of sighted people who have made a significant contribution to the blindness community. Information on our oral history interview recordings can also be found here. For more information, please visit THE CANE TIP.

If you are interested in donating materials to the archives or in conducting research with our collections, please contact the Jacobus tenBroek Library at 410-659-9314, extension 2310, or at [email protected].

NFB Youth Slam

NFB Youth Slam is a weeklong event that gets blind students excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and careers in STEM by offering hands-on learning opportunities. NFB Youth Slam is a program sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind's National Center for Blind Youth in Science initiative.

NFB EQ

The National Federation of the Blind Engineering Quotient (EQ) program is a weeklong summer engineering program for blind and low-vision teens from around the country. NFB EQ is a jam-packed week of fun and learning. Participants spend each day engaged in activities designed to strengthen their knowledge of engineering as well as their problem-solving abilities. In the evenings, participants socialize with the other teen participants while exploring the local community and participating in various recreational activities. Throughout the week, participants will forge new friendships while increasing their engineering knowledge, problem-solving abilities, self-confidence, and independence. Information to apply to NFB EQ will always be distributed to state leaders, so be sure to promote the program when the application period opens.

NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (BELL) Academy

NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy prepares blind and low-vision children, ages four through twelve, to grow into confident and independent blind people who will live the lives they want. The program provides Braille and nonvisual skills instruction through fun, hands-on learning in a day program or residential setting. In addition to Braille crafts, games, and other engaging projects, children learn vital independent living skills, interact with blind adults who serve as mentors, and enjoy field trips to sites related to the NFB BELL Academy curriculum. Through these activities and interactions, the children learn that blindness or low vision does not define them or their future. For more information on the NFB BELL Academy, visit the NFB BELL Academy webpage.

NFB Early Childhood Initiatives (Braille Reading Pals and Early Explorers)

The NFB Braille Reading Pals Club introduces young children and their families to literacy through Braille and fosters positive attitudes about Braille. The Braille Reading Pals club helps families promote early literacy skills and a love of reading through shared reading of print/Braille books with their blind children.

The NFB Early Explorers program introduces young blind children and their families to the long white cane. Children will become more independent, confident, and curious travelers throughout life. Early Explorers provides parents strategies to teach their children beginning cane travel skills which allows them to learn the benefits of independent cane travel and the ability to play alongside their peers. For more information about these two programs visit our Early Childhood Initiatives page.

Blind Parent Initiative

The National Federation of the Blind knows blind men and women can live the lives they want by becoming parents. Unfortunately, too often the abilities of blind parents are questioned based solely on blindness and the fears sighted people have for the safety of children. Also, like all parents, blind parents have many questions… How will I give my baby medicine? How will I measure formula? What’s the best way to begin spoon feeding my baby solid foods? What kind of stroller is best to pull behind me? What’s the lightest, yet safest car seat? How will I teach letters, colors, and numbers? How will I help my child with homework? And the list goes on and on.

To help parents, the National Federation of the Blind has the Blind Parent Initiative. This initiative has four parts. First, blindparents.org is our website with resources for blind parents, their families, and professionals who would like to learn about the techniques blind people use to parent. This website includes links to our Parenting Without Sight brochure, parenting related articles from the Braille Monitor, blog posts having to do with parenting from the Voice of the Nations Blind Blog, and more. We are always looking for content for this website. We need stories from blind parents and their children, product reviews, and audio and video tutorials. As a leader, you should feel free to take advantage of all the resources this website has to offer, and you should encourage members to visit the website and submit content.

The second part of the National Federation of the Blind Parent Initiative is our Parent Mentoring Program. Parents who have questions and would like to be mentored are matched with more experienced parents who want to serve as mentors. In order to participate, those who are interested can fill out the mentor program form located on blindparents.org. Please encourage members to take advantage of this program as either mentors or mentees.

The National Federation of the Blind also has an email list specifically for blind parents and a group for blind parents which meets each year at the national convention. There is also a group on Facebook called Blind Parents Connect. This group does not specifically belong to the NFB, but it is moderated by several NFB members and is one more place parents can go for advice and support.

For questions about the Blind Parent Initiative, please email Melissa Riccobono at [email protected]  or call her at 410-659-9314, extension 2466.

National Federation of the Blind Training Centers

Our three NFB training centers, the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB), the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB), and Blindness Learning in New Dimensions, Inc. (BLIND, Inc.) provide individuals with the most effective, life-changing blindness rehabilitation available in the world today. We teach skills at a high level, but we instill something just as important and enduring–the belief in blindness skills and confidence in oneself as a blind person. These are the building blocks of true independence, and independence for the blind and the right to live our lives as we wish is what the National Federation of the Blind has worked toward since our founding in 1940.

In the 1980s three dynamic leaders in the National Federation of the Blind, Joanne Wilson, Diane McGeorge, and Joyce Scanlan worked with then-President Dr. Kenneth Jernigan and others to form our three training centers. They had a dream along with the determination, tenacity, and love to make that dream a reality. They wanted to spread the seeds of hope and opportunity first cultivated by Dr. Jernigan in Iowa in the 1960s and 1970s. For twenty years at the Iowa Commission for the Blind, Dr. Jernigan demonstrated that blind people could live independent, productive, and personally meaningful lives through excellent training and high expectations. It was an extraordinary approach in the history of the rehabilitation for the blind. It was revolutionary. A blind man himself, Dr. Jernigan added something more than just a belief in his blind students, he loved them. These three extraordinary women–each already a leader in her own right–knew that it was time for the blind to take charge of rehabilitation for the blind and provide training that had those qualities Dr. Jernigan pioneered based on the positive philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind. Our centers in Louisiana, Minnesota, and Colorado have carried forward this revolutionary approach to blindness training for over thirty years. We have provided our training to thousands of blind people from all across the country and around the world. Our training model has had far-reaching effects because those thousands have learned first-hand, day-by-day to believe in themselves and know that blindness does not hold them back.

The philosophy of the training centers is what really sets up apart. For starters, we believe in the capacity of blind people to live the lives they want. As programs of the National Federation of the Blind, everything that we do in our training centers reflects that belief, which is at the core of our philosophy. We hire only positive role models to work with our students. Most of our instructors are blind themselves and thus use, not just the skills they teach, but also the skills we teach in every class. In fact, many of our instructors are graduates of our centers, while sighted staff undergo months of sleep-shade training before they ever step into a classroom as an instructor. Thus, our instructors have real street cred. They aren’t just teaching something academic but living the reality of it.

Our students are required to use sleep shades during training hours. This use of sleep shades along with our full curriculum gives each student belief in blindness and their blindness skills. All students are required to participate in a wide variety of challenge recreational activities that push them to realize that they can tackle anything that comes their way. Students live in apartments so that they use all their skills each day as part of their program, including traveling to and from the center, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Our students mentor each other, teaching new students the skills that they have learned and gaining even more confidence in themselves because of this mentorship. Giving back to other people is part of the curriculum.

Structured discovery learning is a teaching method that, grounded in the knowledge that blind people possess the capacity for self-direction, employs problem-solving strategies, such as the use of clarifying questions to find their answers. Thus students are empowered to think for themselves and to challenge themselves. Answers are not handed out. If a student wants to figure out what direction they are traveling in the instructor may ask, “Where is the sun?” If someone drops their stylus, the instructor will show them how they can find it. If someone is not sure how to hook up their computer, the instructor will have the student think through logical steps to do it. Structured discovery, in reality, is how everyone figures out how to make the most of their lives, sighted or blind.

Chapter and affiliate leadership can be built from participating in our training. Independence, a sense of confidence and a belief in the nonvisual skills of blindness are part of the philosophy of the Federation. We inspire our students to achieve these qualities, along with the willingness and confidence that they have something to give back to other blind people and to the wider community. Helping blind people in your area to get excellent training at one of our NFB training centers will help that person live the life they want, but it may also mean a renewed energy and commitment in that person to the work we do in the National Federation of the Blind when they come homed

Most blind people can benefit from training. The person who is newly blind and has no idea of all the things a blind person can do can benefit. So can someone who has been blind all his or her life but denied opportunities to learn and grow as a blind person. Over the decades blind folks who have few skills and little belief in themselves have attended training alongside affiliate presidents in mid-career. Our NFB training centers offer six- to nine-month intensive programs for blind individual wishing to enter or re-enter the work force. But we also offer summer youth programs and year-round programs for seniors losing their vision. Our websites give all the information you want, as well as contact details.

Share our videos and websites at chapter meetings and presentations to clubs and service groups, you can let blind people know about our three centers. Build a chapter meeting around what good training can do for you! This is a perfect way to weave in a philosophy discussion about blindness.

When and How the NFB Builds Coalitions with other Organizations

In the 1970s a number of organizations were created to represent the interests of persons with disabilities. Many of these were state-based, and affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind were invited to participate. When state affiliates of the organization did participate, the argument was put forward that the participation of our state organizations meant that decisions of the coalitions were binding upon our state affiliates. Our state organizations became minorities within the larger coalition. Frequently the larger coalitions did not favor advocacy for specialized services for the blind. A program that taught travel with a cane, the specialized techniques for teaching the blind to cook, and skill in the use of Braille were regarded by some of these coalitions as elite systems that served only one disability. They argued that the blind were seeking elitism and special preference. They also argued that the National Federation of the Blind could not speak independently for blind people because it had agreed to participate in a broader coalition. For these reasons the NFB adopted a resolution prohibiting state affiliates from joining coalitions of organizations representing disabled people.

Creating coalitions of people with disabilities is different from cooperating with other like-minded individuals or organizations. The argument about joining a broader disability group that has occurred within states of the United States has also been a part of the work of the National Federation of the Blind at the national and at the international levels. At one point in the late 1980s a nationally recognized disability leader explained to members of Congress that he was the spokesperson for all persons with disabilities including the blind. The National Federation of the Blind informed the Congress that he had not been elected by blind people. Without being elected by representatives, a person may not speak on behalf of a constituent group. Our President is elected, and our President has a right to speak for the blind of the nation.

At the international level an international disability organization has represented to the United Nations that it is the only appropriate organization to determine policy for people with disabilities. However, the World Blind Union (with significant help from the National Federation of the Blind) drafted and proposed a treaty that was eventually adopted by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization. This treaty declares that books accessible to the blind produced in one country may be shared across international borders with blind people in another country.

The National Federation of the Blind cooperates with other organizations of people with disabilities as long as the interests of the blind are not buried within programs established for other people and as long as the separate identity of the National Federation is maintained. Because the National Federation of the Blind has managed to become influential with a significant amount of political power, it is frequently invited to join with others in pursuing their objectives. Sometimes we do this whenever pursuing these objectives is in line with what we would want to do anyway. We do not join with others if to do so would be to diminish our influence in an effort to support programs that are not a central part of what we want to do. Many people tell us they would like our help. If they are willing to help us in return, we are much more likely to want to help them. If what they want to do is to use the influence we have without responding in kind, we avoid the arrangement that is proposed.