RE: Administration of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

WHEREAS, from all indications it is apparent that the Department of Public Institutions, Division of the Rehabilitation Services for the Visually Impaired had been willing to take a stand on L.B. 661 in the past session of the Unicameral, that stand, we feel sure, would have supported the stand of consumer groups of the blind , and,

RE: Administration of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

WHEREAS, in the 1976 session of the Unicameral, Senator Gerald Cook introduced, on behalf of the national Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, L.B. 661, a bill that would have transferred the Administration of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped from the Nebraska Library Commission to the Division of rehabilitation Services for the Visually Impaired, and,

RE: Misuse of information by the Nebraska Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

WHEREAS, it is obvious to all those concerned with library services to the blind and physically handicapped within Nebraska, that over the past few months, there has been illegal use of the franking privilege as well as the consumer mailing list, and ,

RE: Quality of Services Provided by the Nebraska Library Commission

WHEREAS, access to written material is vitally important to all persons, and,

WHEREAS, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is the major source of such material for blind Nebraskans, and,

RE: Education of Government Officials about Blindness

WHEREAS, the goals of security, equality and, opportunity for the blind cannot be achieved without adequate and progressive legislation, and,

WHEREAS, members of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, because of their firsthand knowledge and collective self-expression, are in a unique position to assist public officials in formulating policies which will advance these goals, now, therefore,

RE: Nebraska State Employment of the Blind

WHEREAS, there are a multitude of job opportunities in Nebraska State Offices, Agencies, and Departments, and,

WHEREAS, there are many blind Nebraskans qualified to work at all levels of employment within the various state offices, agencies, and departments, and,

WHEREAS, many blind Nebraskans are unemployed or under-employed, and,

RE: Discrimination of Blind Teachers in Nebraska

WHEREAS, the blind have amply demonstrated their ability to successfully teach in public schools, at all grade levels – kindergarten through college, and,

WHEREAS, there is evidence that blind teachers of Nebraska have encountered prejudice and discrimination in their attempts to seek or retain employment as licensed teachers with Nebraska schools, now, therefore,

RE: Equal Access to Housing Accommodations

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska believes that blind persons are entitled to the full rights of citizenship, including the right to full and equal access to housing accommodations, and,

WHEREAS, the 1975 Unicameral passed L.B. 83 to insure such rights to blind people, and this legislation was approved by the governor on March 4th, 1975, and,

RE: Positive Attitude about Blindness

WHEREAS, the attitudinal development of a child is influenced by those surrounding him - his peers, his school and, his parents, and,

WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind stresses the importance of blind people having a positive attitude toward themselves and blindness, now, therefore,

RE: Rights of Blind Voters

WHEREAS, the right to vote is the constitutional right of all citizens, and,

WHEREAS, there is a requirement that a blind voter be assisted in marking his ballot by a registered voter in the state of Nebraska, and,

WHEREAS, this requirement often denies the right of free choice on the part of the blind voter in the selection of the person assisting, thereby infringing on the constitutional intent that voting be a secret act, now, therefore,