ResolutionsCommitteeMeeting-2020NFBPAConvention
Okay, I think everybody is here that's on the actual resolutions committee. So we're going to go ahead and call the resolutions committee to order for convention 2020. And I'm gonna read the resolution and then take a vote on whether we want to pass it and see if there's any discussion on it. And we'll go from there. And there's five resolutions. And they're all you gave me a break. There's five of them, but they're pretty short. So we're good. All right, where's the solution 2020 dash 01 regarding prescription eyedrops whereas many persons require prescription eyedrops for in home treatment of their related eye conditions. And whereas during the self administration of this required in home treatment, uncontrollable environmental factors negatively impact the laboratory condition of the eyedrops and or their administration. And whereas current laws prohibit the refill of sterile compounded preparations such as eyedrops at the time of need and rely solely upon the replacement. We're okay I'm gonna really that eye drops at the time of need and rely solely upon the replacement date dispensed replacement for prescription refill and whereas laws have been enacted in other states, which govern the existing practices for Responsible preparation, controlled method of delivery and timely dispensing of eyedrops including early refills Now, therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania in convincing assembled this 15th day, November 2020, in the city of Pittsburgh, this that this organization present the above matter to the president of the National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland and be it further resolved that this organization work with the national office as well as other stakeholders in pursuing a nationwide and or state solution. Is there a motion to pass this resolution
is only nine people.
Brian make a motion to approve replacement day hold on just a second. Okay. Replacement date for prescription refill let's say I know what you're talking about I think comparative preparation such as eyedrops at the time of need and rely solely upon the replacement date dispensed. Then it says replacement for description refill. Okay, I
so what what had been down and I don't know if it just are you reading let's come on across on your
display.
Now that's I've got the paper okay? Because is the date dispensed for prescription refill? So I mean, it's just a matter of The word therefore. Yeah. Yeah. Our other Yes. Yeah. So yeah without with that correction, I you know, I so move to accept the wrong
All right, all those in favor of accepting the of resolution 2020 dash 01 Okay. I
I say hi I'm sorry my phone was ringing in the background
in the Committee recommends do back. Alright. Resolution 2020 dash zero to accessible voting whereas on October 31 2019 Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a bill creating no excuse mail in, but oh goodness, okay. Let me find it. I'm reading it off the Braille display and some of Jason's dots aren't as good as they used to be, I don't think signed into law I feel no excuse mail in balloting. And whereas, okay, now that I sort of know which cells and whereas the male in and I'm gonna read, okay, cuz I can finish what the rest of it okay? We're gonna do this this way. Whereas the mail in absentee ballots provided by the state are not accessible for the blind, preventing blind voters their rights of voting privately and independently. And whereas, the onset of the SARS COVID pandemic resulted in many, many counties across the state, closing in person voting for the 2020 primary, thus, further limiting letting options for the blind. And whereas in May 2020, the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth in federal court seeking relief for the inaccessible balance and wherever whereas less than 72 hours prior to the deadline to request balance, the Commonwealth provided a solution of the accessible right in ballad which the federal judge accepted for the primary but continued the case for a permanent solution for the November 2020 election. And we're not whereas in August 2020, the Commonwealth presented a contract with democracy live to provide an accessible ballad marking tool satisfying the judge and settling the lawsuit. And whereas on November 15 2020, the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania determined that the Commonwealth contract with democracy live is for only one year. Now therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania in convention assembled the 15th day see Find it other way Oh, yeah, just going to find it, of the bond of Pennsylvania convention assemble this 15th day of November 2020, in the city of Pittsburgh, that this organization remain vigilant in the fight against
discrimination of the blind in our constitutional right to vote privately and independently being equal with all US citizens in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as defined by the Pennsylvania State Constitution, and be it further resolved that this organization advocate to not what is that to something, there's a to advocate to other legislation in voting reform, including when possible attending in his in attending hearings, on these on the matter of voting, equality and accessibility in order to mobilize in
law, the the guarantee of can considerable, oh, inaccessible voting in every format available to other voters in Pennsylvania. And be it further resolved that the National Federation of the Blind of
blind and the members of this state affiliates be commended for their courage and resolve to fight this injustice? Is their motion to pass this revolution? resolution? I can't talk today.
Make a motion to pass this revolution. I second, Emily.
So any discussion? Yes. Could you could you reread the whereas prior to the therefore let it be resolved. At this convention assembled? I think there was a date that I thought I heard no, October 15. Okay. Okay. Yeah, I know, I when I read that, I was like, wait, that doesn't sound right. But it's October 15. Okay, thank you. All right. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All right. This Committee recommends do pass. All those opposed? I should say Actually, I guess.
Yes.
Okay, got it. Okay.
Resolution Number three, resolution 20 dash c were three regarding 2020 pandemic response and outreach whereas In early 2020, SARS covered, two was declared a global pandemic. And whereas in March, the Pennsylvania governor and Secretary of Health instituted mandatory mandatory closures of government agencies, schools, resources for the disabled and other community businesses. And whereas, National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania president Lynn heights requested from the state board and subsequently the membership to accept the offer from the National Office of a zoom license and create programming to aid blind members during this critical time. And whereas, as a result of this leadership, the state affiliate pulled together a zoom meeting platform for the duration of the pandemic with activities ranging from accessibility, accessibly, okay, it says accessibility, tech, oh, accessibility, technology training, health and fitness, education, legislation, trivia and more. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania in convention, assembled this 15th day of November 2020, in the city of Pittsburgh, that this organization commend all of its membership for becoming for coming together and this time of need to serve others throughout the state. And what ended up being throughout the world was support and education thus moving the message of the Federation forward and be it further resolved that this organization continue with this outreach, reinvigorating our membership, local and abroad, increasing the recommendation of the recognition of our name and mission in order that this organization become the go to resource for any in the state seeking knowledge, direction and advocacy in future policies so that the blind of Pennsylvania can live the lives they want. Is there a motion to pass this resolution?
primary emotion
there second. The second Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right Committee recommends do pass resolution 20 dash z were for regarding access to educational platforms and materials.
Whereas access to the full curriculum is vital for participation in in person and virtual education settings for all students. And whereas accessibility barriers impede full access to the educational environment for blind and low vision students and for others with print disabilities. And where as both section five or four of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require schools to revert provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. And whereas the United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of Education issued a joint Dear Colleague letter on June 29 2010, noting that individuals with disabilities must be provided with the same aids benefits or services that provide an equal opportunity to achieve the same results, or the same level of achievement as others. And whereas on November 12 2014, the US DOJ and the US do, he issued a joint Dear Colleague letter stating that students with disabilities, like all students must be provided the opportunity to fully participate in our public schools and that a critical aspect of participation is communication with others, and whereas in September 2017, on March 12, whereas in September 2017, and on March 12 2020, the US do e. an equivalent equivocally reminded school districts and other local education agencies that students with disabilities retain full rights to educational opportunities, including access to a free appropriate public education whenever school districts provide any educational opportunities to non disabled students, and whereas many school districts in Pennsylvania have ignored their long standing accessibility obligations to blind and low vision students by purchasing, implementing, and allowing the use of educational technologies that are only partially accessible to the students or are not accessible at all. And whereas, despite clear guidance from the US Doa, that shift to part time or full time remote instruction in many Pennsylvania public schools due to the covered 2019 pandemic has heightened learning barriers for blind and low vision students due to the use of partially or fully inaccessible educational technologies. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania in convention assembled this 15th day of November 2020, in the city of Pittsburgh, that this organization strongly urged the Pennsylvania Department of Education, intermediate units, school districts and other local education agencies throughout the state to limit their purchase, use and an implementation of educational materials to only those that are fully accessible to blind and low vision students. And be it further resolved that these entities be encouraged to consult with the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. For recommendations about the purchase and implementation of full accessible materials. Is there a motion to pass this resolution?
This is Emily, I make the motion to pass the resolution.
Is there a second area second? Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Right, the Committee recommends do pass resolution 2020 dash 05 regarding commending the walk family, whereas Michael walk sought out the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as a resource for his family and daughter, Laura, walk and whereas Michael walk became president of the Pennsylvania organization of parents of blind children substantially, revitalizing it. And whereas Laura walk, flourish flourished, graduating from swathmore College and then law school at Notre Dame in 2016. And whereas, Laura, what continued support barriers, becoming not only the first blind lawyer, but the first blind female lawyer, clerk for the United States Supreme Court, just for the United States Supreme Supreme Court, justice, Claire's clarence thomas and 2019 to 2020. Now therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind Pennsylvania, in convention assembled this 15th day in November 2020, in the city of Pittsburgh, that this organization come in to the highest degree, they work, Michael work and his family have done in support of their bond child in support of this organization. And be it further resolved that this organization commend to the highest degree, Laura work for her vast achievements and tireless effort to become the best person she can be. All the while in her actions. Proving blindness is only a characteristic and we can live the lives we want. And be it further resolved that the Pennsylvania organization of pants of blind children work together with the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania affiliates in creating a program honoring Michael and Laura walk to support parents and children with their own with their own journey with the National Federation of the Blind, to assist them and living a life they want their emotion to pass this resolution.
Alright, man emotion is
Emily second.
Any discussion?
Harriet?
Harriet.
Um, can you go over that part where it says that the does it well, does it specify the type of recognition?
I don't think it
does Michelle Harkin answer. Okay. It is a request that the state affiliate and the parents division work together to come up with something so it's not anything specific in the actual resolution. It's just to move forward to ideally put together a committee to come up with something.
Thank you.
Any other discussion? All those in favor?
Aye.
Any opposed? All right, the Committee recommends do pass and that is all of our resolutions for 2020. So Thank you all very much.
Thank you.
Motion to adjourn.
All right.
Any, any All in favor?
Aye. Aye.
All right.