Updated December 19, 2021
I. Introduction
II. Who Must Follow This Code and When?
III. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
IV. Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Retaliation Policy (General)
V. Sexual Misconduct Policy
VI. Social Media and Web Policy
VII. Conflict of Interest Policy
VIII. Policy While Interacting with Minors
IX. Alcohol and Drug Policy
X. Other General Principles
XI. Violations and Reporting Procedures
Reporting
Processing Reports of Sexual Misconduct
Processing Other Reports of Violations of This Code
Notifications
General Principles of Report Resolution
XII. Minimum Standard
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. The Federation knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. To help carry out the Federation’s vital mission, this Code of Conduct sets forth policies and standards that all associated with the Federation community, as defined below, are expected to adopt and follow. This written Code was first established on January 26, 2018, by the NFB Board of Directors, who review and update it regularly to reflect current practice and the continuous feedback of Federation members. The strength of our Federation community depends upon each individual doing their part to uphold the commitments we make through the principles outlined in this Code.
Adopting and implementing a strong Code of Conduct enables the Federation to carry out its vital mission. The standards set forth in this Code apply to all members, employees, program participants, event attendees, contractors, and volunteers.
Hereafter, all those subject to this Code shall be referred to as “covered parties.” As a national policy, it applies to any national division, group, or committee; all state affiliates; all local chapters or divisions of affiliates; and other affiliated programs of the organization (e.g., NFB training centers).
The Federation’s Code applies to both in-person and virtual settings and governs all interactions reasonably associated with NFB-sponsored/related activities. Specifically, the Code applies to covered parties in the following situations:
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values in its mission to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind. We are committed to building and maintaining a nationwide organization with state affiliates and local chapters that is unified in its priorities and programs and is directed by the membership. We respect differences of opinion, beliefs, identities, and other characteristics that demonstrate that blind people are a diverse cross section of society. Furthermore, the organization is dedicated to continuing to establish new methods of membership and leadership development that reflect the diversity and full inclusion of the entire blind community. In promoting a diverse and growing organization, we expect integrity and honesty in our relationships with each other and openness to learning about and experiencing cultural diversity. We believe that these qualities are crucial to fostering social and intellectual maturity. We recognize that our views and convictions will be challenged, and we expect this challenge to take place in a climate of tolerance and mutual respect in order to maintain a united organization.
While we encourage the exchange of differing ideas and experiences, we do not condone the use of demeaning, derogatory, or discriminatory language, action, or any other form of expression intended to marginalize an individual or group. The National Federation of the Blind does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics.
The National Federation of the Blind prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, background, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, or any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics. Harassment or retaliation based on any of these characteristics similarly will not be tolerated. Although this Code of Conduct establishes a minimum standard prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, nothing in this Code should be interpreted to limit in any way a person’s right to report abuse or harassment to law enforcement when appropriate or to take other action outside of the Federation.
Under this policy, harassment can be verbal, written, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual, or their relatives, friends, or associates, because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law and that (1) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; (2) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or involvement in the organization; or (3) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s opportunities for participation/advancement in the organization.
Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts including bullying; denigrating jokes; and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group that is placed on walls or elsewhere on the organization’s premises or circulated by email, phone (including voice messages), text messages, social networking sites, or other means.
Retaliation of any form is strictly prohibited by this Code, whether that retaliation is based on someone’s protected characteristics (as outlined in Section III of this Code and elsewhere) or whether the retaliation is based on the actions, beliefs, or opinions of someone else covered by this Code who is not otherwise violating this Code. Anyone who retaliates against someone who is exercising their right to report violations of this Code is subject to discipline under Section XI of the Code.
The National Federation of the Blind prohibits sexual misconduct of any kind. Generally, sexual misconduct is a non-legal term used to describe a broad range of sexually inappropriate behavior, which includes inappropriate jokes, inappropriate touches, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape, and which may or may not be criminal.
The following list illustrates specific behaviors that are deemed unacceptable under this Code. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather indicates the types of actions, both in-person and online, that are subject to disciplinary action by the NFB.
All covered parties under this Code should be mindful that the general public frequently does not distinguish between personal views and official ties to the National Federation of the Blind. Therefore, covered parties should take care to make clear distinctions so that their role within, and messaging of, the National Federation of the Blind is not publicly confused with their personal statements of opinions and beliefs. Individuals should consider their role within the Federation community and whether their commentary on social media or other communication channels might reasonably be attributed to their elected or appointed role within the Federation. A pattern of public communications mixing personal viewpoints with Federation positions or policies using an individual’s personal social media or communication accounts that has the effect of harming the programs or public outreach of the organization may be considered as a violation of this Code. In addition, inappropriate use of social media or other communication accounts that are owned by or in the name of the National Federation of the Blind, any of its state affiliates, or an affiliated training center is a violation of this Code.
National Federation of the Blind officers, national board members, state affiliate presidents and their boards, division presidents and their boards, local chapter presidents and their boards, employees, and contractors with independent decision-making authority on behalf of the organization (hereafter, “Federation leaders”) are expected to avoid all conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when a person’s personal or professional interests interfere, or even just appear to interfere with the interests of the Federation. A conflict may arise if a Federation leader takes action or has personal interests that make it difficult for the Federation leader to effectively perform their duties to the Federation. The common factor in all conflict-of-interest situations is the division of loyalty, or the perception of a division of loyalty, between the leader in performing their duties as a leader of the organization and their personal and other interests. In specific, Federation leaders are expected to take appropriate responsibility to protect the Federation from misappropriation or mismanagement of Federation funds (including funds of an affiliate, chapter, or division in which Federation leaders assume leadership roles).
National board members, national division presidents, and state presidents are expected to disclose the existence of any potentially conflicting personal financial interest or relationship to the full National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors and seek its review and approval, and all other Federation leaders are required to disclose conflicts of interest to their governing boards, as specified below. For example:
For purposes of this Code of Conduct and consistent with most legal standards, a minor is any individual under the age of eighteen. While interacting with a minor, any adult that is a covered party to this Code must recognize that a minor cannot legally give consent for any purpose, even if said minor is verbally or otherwise expressing consent. For example, a minor may say that they consent to physical interaction. However, such consent is not valid or legal and should not be accepted. A parent or guardian must be informed and consulted about any action requiring consent from the minor. Covered parties shall report any inappropriate interactions between adults and minors to the minor’s parents/guardians and law enforcement when appropriate. Covered parties should consult state and local requirements regarding mandatory reporting to determine when reporting is required. The National Federation of the Blind's Board of Directors maintains a Youth Participant Protection Policy to facilitate a high standard of oversight related to the organization’s youth programming. For more detailed information regarding sexual misconduct and minors, see Section IV of this Code.
Although alcoholic beverages are served at some Federation social functions, members, employees, contractors, event attendees, volunteers, and program participants may not take part in any such functions in a condition that prevents them from participating safely and from conducting Federation business effectively or that might cause embarrassment to or damage the reputation of the Federation. The Federation prohibits the possession, sale, purchase, delivery, dispensing, use, or transfer of illegal substances on Federation property or at Federation functions.
In addition to the other policies and standards set forth herein, all covered parties shall adhere to the following standards:
Violations of this Code of Conduct, after first being established through the process set forth below, are subject to disciplinary action by the Federation. Such disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to counseling; verbal and/or written reprimand; probation, suspension, or termination of officer/leadership duties; and/or suspension or expulsion from the Federation. The below procedures detail how the NFB Board of Directors intends to carry out its responsibilities under Article III, Section E, of the Federation’s Constitution.
As explained above, all reports received are first reviewed to determine if they include violations of Section V, Sexual Misconduct, of this Code, which would activate specific response procedures for the organization. Once it is determined that a report does not activate response procedures related to Section V, the report will be reviewed by the President and the Federation's legal counsel. If either or both of these individuals have a conflict, the report will be referred to other officers of the Federation. In this way, two individuals will determine the course of action for addressing the report.
Disciplinary decisions made under this Code are significant actions to protect the Federation community. Therefore, the board has established an internal policy to guide providing appropriate notice to the leaders, the Notification of Leaders Regarding Code of Conduct Violations. Key national and affiliate leaders as well as certain employees and strategic partners will be informed of the name of the individual being disciplined, the type of discipline (e.g., probation/suspension/expulsion), and the state where the individual resides. The notification policy is intended to balance privacy with safety within the Federation community. No details regarding the report, the reporting party, or individual survivors will be shared in the notification process. Requests for information regarding membership status of any individual should be directed to the Office of the President, but this information will only be disseminated to individuals who are eligible to receive notifications according to the policy. In limited but significant circumstances (i.e., investigations involving (1) rape, stalking, or other violent sexual acts; (2) unwanted physical, written, or verbal contact of a severe or pervasive nature; or (3) any misconduct of a sexual nature involving a minor), an accused individual will be directed to immediately cease all participation in the organization while the investigation is conducted, and leaders who are critical to monitoring the participation of the individual will be notified. Once an investigation of this type has concluded, those who were notified of the investigation will be notified of the outcome even when the result is no disciplinary action.
This Code of Conduct is intended to outline a minimum set of standards expected of covered parties. It sets forth the spirit that the Federation expects of all of its participants toward each other and toward those who work with the Federation at all of its levels. It is intended to be interpreted broadly to instill a respectful, cooperative, and welcoming spirit within covered parties to this Code and in the activities of the Federation.