February 20/21, 1999

Whereas the traditional blindness specific organizations based on the medical or agency model, such as CNIB, are characterized by sighted experts presuming to know what is best for people who are blind, and

Whereas the model is paternalistic and disempowering to people who are blind, and

Whereas such agencies damage the status of the blind by capitalizing on public stereotypes of pity and neediness in order to raise money at our expense,

Be it resolved that this organization does not recognize as a legitimate spokesperson or accountable service provider, any blindness specific organization that does not have a majority of blind voters in its membership and on each of its boards.

Be it further resolved that members on each board be elected by a majority of blind voters.

Be it further resolved that this organization will not collaborate with blindness specific organizations that do not meet this essential criteria.