Urging Rehabilitation Professionals to attend NFB Conventions

Whereas most blind Floridians are served directly or indirectly by the state agency for the blind; and

Whereas it is in the best interest of the State of Florida to provide the most complete and comprehensive rehabilitation services possible to its blind citizens;  and,

Whereas the National Federation of the Blind has sponsored Blind Centers that are models of success in teaching blindness skills with positive professional and personal outcomes;  and,

Whereas the State of Florida’s blindness rehabilitation services are not providing the comprehensive range of blindness skills available at rehabilitation centers sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind leaving blind Floridians without the full range of training necessary for full professional and personal success;

Therefore, be it resolved  in Convention assembled this 25th day of May, 2003 in St. Petersburg, Florida, that the National Federation of the Blind of Florida urge administrators and key rehabilitation personnel of the State blindness services to attend the National Federation of the Blind annual National Conventions so they can be introduced to representatives from the NFB rehabilitation Centers;  and

Be it further resolved that such personnel from the State Agency shall become familiar with NFB philosophy and training strategies that result in graduates who are fully competent to lead independent and productive lives so similar strategies and philosophy can be implemented at the Florida State Rehabilitation Center and other blindness training centers throughout Florida; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization remain firmly supportive of the Federal right of the consumers’ informed choice to attend the training program of their preference, including out of state programs.