NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF
RESOLUTION 2006-01
Concerning the Presumption of Braille
Literacy in
WHEREAS,
the National Federation of
the blind believes that, given the proper training and opportunity, the blind are
able to compete on terms of full equality with their sighted peers in all
aspects of society, including school, work, and play; and
WHEREAS,
literacy is the most essential element in accessing
information and achieving an effective, competitive education; and
WHEREAS,
there is a positive correlation between braille
literacy and competitive gainful employment; and
WHEREAS,
in 1993 the National
Federation of the Blind of Florida gained sponsorship of a braille
bill based upon the Model Braille Bill suggested by the National Federation of
the Blind; and
WHEREAS,
the presumption of Braille was stricken from the Act as
the result of poor advice from the Division of Blind Services under pressure
from the Department of Education: and
WHEREAS
the current Commissioner of the Department of Education
and the Director of the Division of Blind Services understand the importance of
the presumption of Braille during the Individualized Education Plan
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
that the National Federation of the Blind of Florida in
Convention assembled this 29th day of May, 2006 in
“In developing the
individualized education program in the case of a child who is blind or
visually impaired, provision shall be made for instruction
in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP Team determines, after an evaluation of the child's
reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate
reading and writing media (including an evaluation of the
child's future needs for instruction in Braille or the use of Braille), that
such instruction
or use is not appropriate for the child.”