Reguarding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

WHEREAS, consistent with the National Federation of the Blind's code of conduct and reflective of the Federation's members, the Federation does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, marital and/or socioeconomic status, age, genetic information, disability, and any other characteristic or intersectionality of characteristics; and

WHEREAS, these differing characteristics and life experiences are tied together by the common bond of blindness, and many of those intersecting identities are also subject to inequalities, public misconceptions, and injustices; and

WHEREAS, the current climate in our State and nation has shown us that the only way to effect change is to be deliberate in addressing issues of diversity and equity. And that just talking about the issues without action is not productive.

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky on this third day of October, in the city of Louisville, Kentucky that the state board of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky will form a committee to address concerns and resolve issues around equity, diversity, and inclusion for all persons who are blind in the state of Kentucky and who wish to participate actively in the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that his committee shall be composed of a cross section of the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky membership. It shall be composed of members who are invested in reaching blind people from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, experiences, and identities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this committee will be charged with creating outreach opportunities into underrepresented communities with a variety of intersecting identities who also have the common bond of blindness; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kentucky State affiliate will be deliberate in our efforts toward addressing any and all concerns of persons who may have previously felt underrepresented in order to strengthen our commitment to full inclusion for all.