RE: Commend Cindy Wanek and the KOLN / KGIN Staff

WHEREAS, education of the public concerning blindness is one of the major purposes of the National Federation of the Blind; and,

WEREAS, the media plays an important role in helping us to educate the public; and,

WEREAS, the ETC. program of October 15, 1982, aired on KOLN / KGTN TV, portrayed the blind in a positive and realistic manner; now, therefore,

RE: Condemning John Knight for not appearing at the 1982 NFBN State Convention

WHEREAS, since the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska is the largest organization of the blind in the State of Nebraska, it is imperative that the Governor’s Office interact with blind constituents on issues of concern to the blind; and,

WEREAS, this organization was led to believe that John Knight, Executive Director, Office of Human Services, Office of the Governor, would make an appearance at the 1982 convention of the NFB-N in Grand Island on Saturday, October 16th; and,

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,