Resolutions
2009-05
WHEREAS, there is a crisis in employment for blind people in this country, with estimates of between 70 and 85% of blind Americans being without a job; and
WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program provides meaningful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to thousands of blind Americans nation-wide; and
WHEREAS, the individual employee at the Oregon Commission for the Blind who is responsible for management of the Randolph-Shepperd Vending Program here in Oregon is retiring; and
WHEREAS, some questions have been raised regarding the Oregon program's compliance with the Randolph-Shepperd Act which could potentially result in risks to the program, and to the blind people who benefit from it: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon in convention assembled this 10th day of October, 2009, in the city of Cottage Grove, Oregon, that this organization call upon the Oregon Commission for the Blind to work with the National Federation of the Blind to use this opportunity to carefully examine its Randolph-Shepperd Vending Program to secure this program's future by ensuring its compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization calls upon the Oregon Commission for the Blind to demonstrate its commitment to seeking employment of blind Americans by looking outside its own organizaton to find a qualified blind individual to manage this program by keeping the position open to all applicants until it is filled by such a person.