The official policy statements of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa are established every year with annual resolutions adopted at the state convention.

The resolutions committee meets early during the convention. Each proposed resolution is read, spoken for by the authoring member, considered, and then ultimately withdrawn or recommended for passage or disapproval by the Convention.

At times, resolutions may also be presented and adopted during an affiliate board meeting when timely action is needed between conventions. These resolutions hold the same official weight and reflect the affiliate’s ongoing commitment to addressing current issues affecting blind Iowans.

Resolution 2024-01: Regarding Strengthening and Clarifying Braille Literacy in Iowa

WHEREAS, Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers; and

WHEREAS, this system of writing and reading was developed by a young Frenchman, Louis Braille, in the 19th century, which would eventually lead to more easily produced books and improved writing ability, improving the functional literacy of the blind; and

WHEREAS, many educators have deemed Braille to be antiquated and slow, trumped by today’s technological advances; and

WHEREAS, technological advances have also increased the use of Braille; and

WHEREAS, only about 70% of the blind of this nation are employed, but of those employed, the highest percentage are using Braille regularly; and

WHEREAS, using digital recordings is not equal to the ability to read and write the printed word; and

WHEREAS, children are graduating unable to read print or Braille efficiently; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, a bill was passed in the Iowa Legislature mandating that Braille be taught to blind and visually impaired children; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, a model Braille literacy bill has been passed in several states, including Maryland, Missouri, and several others, that not only raises the standards for Braille literacy but also promotes the inclusion of good Braille instruction: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa in Convention assembled this twentieth day of October, 2024, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa seek passage of a more current bill establishing specific definitions of who will receive Braille instruction, how this will be determined, and how teachers of the blind and others serving blind children will prepare for teaching these children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization seek passage of a newer and stronger Braille literacy law by the Iowa Legislature, based on the law passed in several other states and that it be signed into law by the Governor, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we work to make known the importance of Braille for the blind to legislators, teachers of the blind, and the public, so that Braille and its uses are better understood; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization encourage children and youth to learn Braille to open up doors to learning, recreation, and employment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge teachers to encourage and promote programs, like the Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academy that is now being offered by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa during the summer for one or two weeks to promote good Braille literacy and other blindness skills for the youth of Iowa.

Resolution 2024-02: Regarding Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Formerly the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest consumer organization of the blind in the nation; and

WHEREAS, likewise, the Iowa affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind is also the largest consumer organization of the blind in the state of Iowa; and

WHEREAS, the Iowa Legislature has appointed the entity known as Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI,) formerly the Iowa Blind and Sight Saving School, as the primary entity responsible for the education of blind children from early intervention through grades K-12; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa has always been highly committed to ensuring that blind children in Iowa receive the highest quality training in the alternative techniques of blindness, including Braille instruction and orientation and mobility skills; and

WHEREAS, historically, this commitment to proper instruction has sometimes put the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa at odds with IESBVI due to disagreements regarding what this instruction should entail; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has invested significant time and research in the development of effective degree programs for teachers of blind students, including extensive training in teaching Braille and orientation and mobility; and

WHEREAS, these certification programs have proven to be effective; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa believes that, with a proper attitude and training, blind teachers trained in structured discovery methods are just as effective at training blind children as sighted ones; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa and IESBVI have shared a cordial and cooperative working relationship: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa in Convention assembled this twentieth day of October, 2024, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa call upon IESBVI to work with the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa to ensure adequate opportunity to voice concerns regarding the lack of Braille instruction for students who are blind in this state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization call upon IESBVI to work collaboratively with the National federation of the Blind of Iowa to achieve common goals.

Resolution 2024-03: Regarding the Process of Applying for Iowa IDs

WHEREAS, the Iowa Department of Transportation is charged with the issuing of Iowa drivers’ licenses, Iowa ID cards, and other documents of this type; and

WHEREAS, such applications are handled by the Iowa driver’s license stations in each county; and

WHEREAS, such identification documents are required for all people to board airplanes, access government buildings, and enter other secure areas; and

WHEREAS, the process employed by the Department of Transportation requires the scheduling of an appointment, and upon arrival at many driver’s license stations, check-in is completed on a kiosk, which currently is not accessible to blind persons; and

WHEREAS, the applicant is assigned a number, which is visually displayed but not always audibly announced, so that the applicant is not always aware that their number has ben called: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa in Convention assembled this twentieth day of October, 2024, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that the National federation of the Blind of Iowa urge the Iowa Department of Transportation to work with this organization to find ways to make the process of applying for an Iowa ID more accessible for blind persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Legislature, the Governor, Disability Rights Iowa, and the Developmental Disabilities Council.