RE: Maintaining a Separate Agency for the Blind in Nebraska

WHEREAS, Governor Kerrey has entered into contracts with a number of national, prominent auditing firms to conduct management studies of state agencies including the Department of Public Institutions (DPI), which includes the Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired (SVI); and,

WHEREAS, the Governor has been quoted in the Lincoln Journal as comparing this project with the Thone Task Force on Government Improvement; and,

RE: National Federation of the Blind Month / White Cane Safety Day

WHEREAS, October has been proclaimed “National Federation of the blind Month” in Nebraska by Governor Kerrey; and,

WHEREAS, this proclamation also recognizes October 15 as National White Cane Safety Day; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor has appointed a representative to formally present the proclamation to our organization at our Convention Banquet: now, therefore,

RE: Representation on SVI Advisory Committee

WHEREAS, the blind of Nebraska are taxpaying citizens and are consumers of services in Nebraska; and,

WHEREAS, specific governmental actions directly affect the quality of life of blind citizens; and,

WHEREAS, the organized blind have a strong concern for the quality of life of all blind people; and,

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind is our state’s largest and most “representative” organization of the blind; and,

RE: Special Park in Omaha for the Blind and Handicapped

WHEREAS, the Nebraska Association of Landscape Architects, with assistance from the Rotary Club of Omaha, has designed and plans to construct a new, special park for the blind and handicapped; and,

WHEREAS, the park is being promoted as a special place for the blind and handicapped by having such items as a “touch and smell garden”; and,

RE: Summer Independent Living Program for Blind Youth

WHEREAS, Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired has sponsored a program to enhance the independence of blind youth in Nebraska; and,

WHEREAS, the fostering of independence is an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind; and,

WHEREAS, currently, state rehabilitation agencies receive no federal support for services to blind youth; and,

WHEREAS, the N.F.B. is not subject to federal regulatory constraints, thus allowing for greater flexibility for development and service delivery; and,

RE: Maintaining Quality Training at N.S.V.I. Orientation Center

WHEREAS, the Director of Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired has proposed the implementation of a three-month program for blind college students; and ,

WHEREAS, this program would take place in the orientation center, with participants receiving training along with students concurrently enrolled in the standard orientation program; and,

WHEREAS, the summer program calls for accelerated training in cane travel and vocational development; and,

RE: Walk-A-Thon Proceeds

WHEREAS, since 1980, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska has sent one hundred percent of its Walk-a-thon proceeds to our national treasury; and,

WHEREAS, in the fall of 1982, and again in the spring of 1984, it became necessary for this affiliate to request grants from our national treasury; and,

WHEREAS, on both of these occasions, the amount of money granted was in excess of our Walk-a-thon proceeds; and,

RE: Nebraska School for the Visually Handicapped Advisory Committee

WHEREAS, the members of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska feel that consumer input is essential to the provision of a quality education to blind children; and,

WHEREAS, advisory committees can facilitate open communication between consumers and program administrators; and,

RE: Affordable in State Bus Transportation

WHEREAS, the physical and economic access to public transportation is of primary importance to the independence of blind persons; and,

WHEREAS, many blind persons in Nebraska utilize bus transportation as their main source of transit between communities throughout the state; and,

WHEREAS, the Continental Trailways bus company has proposed a rate hike of seventy percent throughout Nebraska; and,

RE: Public Education

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has always placed a strong emphasis on our commitment to educate the general public about blindness and the true capacity of blind people; and,

WHEREAS, we appreciate any opportunity to convey our message to the public; and,