American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-00 WHEREAS, H.R. 3236 would place a regressive ceiling on the total family benefits of future disabled beneficiaries; and WHEREAS, this legislation would change the dropout years formula, to the detriment of disabled beneficiaries, especially those who become disabled before age 47; and WHEREAS, we recognize that H.R. 3236 is only the first step in an announced plan to reduce benefits for other categories of Social Security beneficiaries; and WHEREAS, a coalition of more than one hundred organizations, including the American Council of the Blind, has been formed to oppose the reactionary and regressive provisions of H.R. 3236; and WHEREAS, this organization appreciates the substantial assistance being given through this coalition by organizations of older persons, labor, women, minorities, and others, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled on this 7th day of July, 1979, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, that this organization actively participate in the collective effort to defeat H.R. 3236 and other detrimental legislation affecting other classes of Social Security beneficiaries; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization petition the House of Representatives to defeat H.R. 3236 and that Council members be urged to petition their Representatives accordingly. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-04 BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Pantlind Hotel, this 7th day of July, 1979, that its officers, staff, and members take all possible steps to implement the 1979 and previous resolutions. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-05 WHEREAS, totally blind and visually impaired persons of the community use public transit systems regularly; and WHEREAS, such blind and visually impaired persons are unable to quickly and effectively recognize the destination of each particular vehicle they desire to use; and WHEREAS, this disability places such persons in an unequal position with sighted persons of the community; and WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation, in its recently issued regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, mandates equal access to public transportation systems by people with disabilities, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that a letter be sent to the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation urging that all transit systems, whether publicly or privately owned, provide the transit vehicle with public address equipment situated inside and outside of the vehicle, so that the operator can audibly inform passengers of their present location and inform those desiring to board the vehicle of its identity. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-06 WHEREAS, we in the American Council of the Blind recognize that the purpose and intent behind the enactment of the sub-minimum wage provisions of Section 14c of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, is to both further employment opportunities for handicapped workers and to curtail loss of such employment opportunities for such workers; and WHEREAS, this, in its present form, may be subject to abuse in some cases, BE IT RESOLVED, by the national convention of the American Council of the Blind, assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, on this 7th day of July, 1979, that we in the American Council of the Blind believe that the status quo regarding the payment of sub-minimum wages to handicapped workshop workers can no longer be tolerated; and, further, that we urge the Congress and responsible officials of the United States Department of Labor to achieve the following changes in the current statutory scheme and regulations governing payment of sub-minimum wages to handicapped workers: 1. The current practice of permitting blanket sub-minimum certificates to be granted to sheltered workshops for the handicapped should be abolished and, as is the practice for private employers, workshops should have to carry the burden of proof of showing the necessity for only individual sub-minimum certificates. Thus, only individual sub-minimum certificates for specific handicapped workers should be granted, and then only upon a clear showing by any employer that the handicapped worker is not sufficiently productive to be retained absent the requested sub- minimum certificate. 2. The base floor for the remaining individual sub-minimum certificates should be raised from the currently authorized floor of fifty percent (50%) of the Federal minimum wage to at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Federal minimum wage, thus guaranteeing handicapped workers at least a subsistence level of income. This resolution is not in any way addressed to the issue of workers in work activity centers, and this resolution only applies to handicapped workers employed throughout regular industry and in the ordinary production program of sheltered workshops for the handicapped. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-07 WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii's quarantine regulations, as they are applied to guide dogs, appear to be a violation of the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution and deny the guide dog user his constitutionally guaranteed right of free and unrestricted travel between and among the states, commonwealths, and territorial possessions of the United States; and WHEREAS, these quarantine regulations as they are applied to guide dogs are of highly dubious medical and scientific value, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that this organization (1) place itself on record as opposing the quarantine regulations of the State of Hawaii as they are applied to guide dogs, and any other restrictions on the guide dog user's constitutionally guaranteed right of free and unrestricted travel between and among the states, commonwealths, and territorial possessions of the United States; (2) fully supports Guide Dog Users, Inc., in its attempt to negotiate with the State of Hawaii in order to have adopted in the State of Hawaii acceptable regulations with respect to guide dogs entering the State from the mainland; and (3) supports Guide Dog Users, Inc., or any other responsible organization and/or individual who initiates or participates in litigation against the State of Hawaii in order to obtain legal redress on this issue. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-08 WHEREAS, the purpose of The Braille Forum is to promote and publicize the goals and objectives of the American Council of the Blind; and WHEREAS, one of these goals and objectives is the elimination of discrimination based on disability and/or use of a guide dog; and WHEREAS, the publicizing of any goods or services which either directly or indirectly discriminate based on disability and/or use of a guide dog is contrary to these goals and objectives, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that the editor of The Braille Forum, as well as the ACB Board of Publications, be directed to carefully screen all requests for publicizing goods or services, to be certain prior to publication that the providers do not discriminate based on disability or use of a guide dog. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-09 WHEREAS, one of the major purposes of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (ALL) is to serve the needs of blind and visually handicapped individuals; and WHEREAS, one of these needs is the right to make an informed choice of mobility aids; and WHEREAS, the information and attitudes conveyed by agency personnel play a major role in this choice, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that this organization call upon the Affiliated Leadership League to issue a policy statement (1) endorsing the guide dog as an equally acceptable means of mobility to any other mobility aids; (2) calling upon member agencies to encourage their clients to fully explore all mobility aids, including guide dogs; and (3) calling upon member agencies to eliminate any restrictions on the use of guide dogs within their facilities. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-10 WHEREAS, an organization, to stay alive and viable, must always recruit new members; and WHEREAS, many people want to study an organization before they join; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has benefitted blind people across the nation and is a group in which its members can take pride, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that the American Council of the Blind shall publish a pamphlet detailing the past history of the Council since its founding, what it has done in the past, what its goals are, and its basic philosophy; and that this publication shall be made available in at least two formats, i.e., flexible disc and large-type, and that it be made available to interested persons by the president of each state affiliate, or his or her duly authorized representative, or, in the absence of a state affiliate, by the ACB National Office. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-11 WHEREAS, computers are taking a continually increasing role in the lives of citizens of this country; and WHEREAS, there are many computers which can give current news, magazine article references, and other materials in braille; and WHEREAS, as technology improves in the next year, this information will be available in the spoken word; and WHEREAS, the use of computers could help the American Council of the Blind and its affiliates in the following ways: (1) blind lawyers could receive complete cases available in braille from the United States Supreme Court and many state courts; (2) state and Federal employees could be provided copies of administrative codes, rules, and regulations; (3) blind teachers could, at this very moment, receive complete listings from the American Psychological Association and the Council on Exceptional Children; and (4) administrative and financial records of the American Council of the Blind could be kept for easy access and use, including mailing lists; and WHEREAS, much of this could be done in the very near future, under the Rehabilitation Amendments of 1978, which provide for a National Institute of Handicapped Research, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979: 1. That the ACB President be authorized to appoint an ad hoc task force empowered to explore real and effective possibilities for implementing the above clauses; and 2. That this information be reported to the Board and to the membership of ACB; and 3. That this task force be allowed, with the approval of the ACB Board of Directors, to seek funding for a demonstration project involving as many ACB affiliates as possible. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-13 WHEREAS, fuel shortages are evident throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, there are many blind, other handicapped persons, and senior citizens who are unable to drive, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that this organization request the Congress to issue fuel ration coupons to blind, other handicapped persons, and senior citizens, regardless of whether they possess a vehicle, in order that those persons providing transportation to the above-mentioned groups may be given coupons to supplement the loss of fuel should a ration system be implemented. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-14 WHEREAS, blind and otherwise handicapped individuals have been subjected to longstanding, invidious discrimination in their efforts to obtain adequate housing accommodations, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in annual national convention assembled it Grand Rapids, Michigan, on this 7th day of July, 1979, that the American Council of the Blind actively sup- ports and will urge the passage and enactment of S. 506 and H.R. 2540, which, if enacted, would expand the coverage of prohibited practices under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act to handicapped individuals by forbidding discrimination on the basis of handicapping condition in the sale or rental of most residential housing accommodations. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-15 WHEREAS, blind and otherwise handicapped individuals have long been subjected to widespread and stereotypical discrimination in the workplace, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in national annual convention assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that the American Council of the Blind actively supports and will urge the passage and enactment of S. 446, which would add discrimination on the basis of handicapping condition in employment to the prohibited unfair employment practices under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, thereby giving blind and other handicapped individuals for the first time genuine Federal civil rights protection. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-16 WHEREAS, numerous commercial companies have entered into the manufacture and sale of high technology devices for the visually impaired; and WHEREAS, these devices are frequently at a price level far beyond the ability of the average visually impaired consumer to pay; and WHEREAS, we recognize that such pricing practices are necessary in order to assure the manufacturer a fair return on investment, given the small size of the potential market, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that the American Council of the Blind strongly urge manufacturers of such high cost, high technology devices to employ full-time staff personnel whose duty shall be to assist visually handicapped persons in identifying and securing financial assistance for the purchase of such devices, such sources to include commercial banks, private foundations, and public agencies. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-18 WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind is concerned about the next appropriation for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; and WHEREAS, such appropriation will directly affect regional and subregional Libraries concerning equipment, materials, consultative services, etc., THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at the Pantlind Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, go on record in support of the National Library Service's portion of the Library of Congress's budget, and that copies of this resolution be sent to the chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and to the director of the American Library Association. Resolution carried, to be referred to ACB Library Committee. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-19 WHEREAS, access to computer information has become vital to the performance of routine tasks in business, governmental, scientific, and educational settings; and WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired persons presently tend to be denied the appropriate means to achieve this access, owing to the lack of relevant non-visual systems; and WHEREAS, this group of people has been grossly neglected in terms of reaping the benefits of technology offered their sighted peers; and WHEREAS, Electrically Alterable Graphic Braille Display will, for the first time ever, permit blind and visually impaired people to perform all necessary functions inherent in their utilization of full-page braille and graphic computer (CRT) display; and WHEREAS, this ability will enable them to obtain, retain, or advance in professional positions and in all areas of the world of work, and permit pursuit and attainment of their academic and career development goals, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that the American Council of the Blind is committed to the concept of the Electrically Alterable Graphic Braille Display and will support its continual development with the resource of its membership by consumer input and evaluation. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-20 WHEREAS, Public Law 94-142 requires that each handicapped child be placed in the least restrictive educational environment and be provided with the materials that he/she needs to perform successfully in that environment, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that each partially sighted child be given a complete low-vision examination by a licensed low-vision specialist upon entering school for the first time, and at least once every three years thereafter; and that he/she be provided with the visual aids prescribed as a result of those examinations, where they are considered to be important by the low-vision specialist to the student's successful performance in school and/or at school-related tasks carried out in the school environment; and that he/she be given thorough training in the use of these aids so that he/she will be able to use them successfully to accomplish the tasks for which they were prescribed. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Director of the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped and to ACB affiliates for presentation to their respective state departments of special education. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-22 BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, assembled in convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, urges the manufacturers of low-vision aids to do all that they can to speed up the delivery of aids to prescribers and dispensers of those aids, so that the persons in need of them will not have to wait several weeks, or even several months, before benefitting from them. The American Council of the Blind also urges the manufacturers and distributors of visual aids that may require servicing to provide that servicing as promptly as possible so that persons using the aids will not be deprived of their use for periods of time measured in weeks or months; and, further, urges that agencies who pay for and provide such visual aids adopt administrative procedures to ensure efficient delivery. American Council of the Blind Resolution 79-23 WHEREAS, identification of paper money continues to be a problem for the blind; and WHEREAS, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving of the United States Department of the Treasury, responsible for the production of paper money, has rejected the idea of initiating tactile identification on paper money because some blind people apparently convinced this agency that such identification was not needed, and because the Department of the Treasury has not yet successfully developed a satisfactory method of tactile identification, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, assembled in convention at the Pantlind Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 7th day of July, 1979, that this organization wholeheartedly endorses the concept of some form of tactile identification on paper money; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ACB officers and National Representative are hereby instructed to take steps as may be necessary, including Congressional action, to bring such identification about.