The Kentucky Council of the Blind works for better education, employment, services, and technology for the blind and visually impaired. Below are examples of how KCB is addressing issues that face blind people and how we help individuals overcome problems in their everyday lives.
KCB and the Blue Grass Council (Lexington) visited Kentucky's Congressmen and Senators in their Washington offices to educate them on the importance of increased safety for pedestrians. The critical need for regulations requiring that hybrid cars make enough noise to be heard by pedestrians was emphasized. Such requirements would also help children, senior citizens and others.
KCB also discussed with our Congressmen and Senators the importance of accessible technology, talking menus on televisions and DVD's and cell phones and other electronics, and audio and video description. We explained to them how people with low vision are being left behind as the nation transitions from analog to digital television. We asked their assistance to insure that accessible features are built into future technologies as they are developed.
KCB is participating in meetings and advocacy activities which we hope will result in new intercity bus transportation throughout the state. Although the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet continues to reject viable proposals for rural transportation and ignores the needs of countless numbers of Kentucky's blind citizens, KCB continues its efforts in the hopes that some day our state government will be responsive to our needs and permit new service to be offered.
KCB members participate on state boards and councils that oversee rehabilitation, training, employment and independent living services for blind and visually impaired people.
Here are more examples of ways KCB has assisted blind and visually impaired individuals.
A couple received an eviction notice. Their living conditions were deplorable, and their landlord was unscrupulous. The wife was blind, and her husband was a disabled veteran. KCB helped them utilize community resources to move into a much nicer, more affordable apartment.
Parents are often unhappy with the quality of education their visually impaired children receive from the local public schools. With the guidance of Council advocates, parents are able to successfully fight the harassment they sometimes face from the county school systems. With the right information and support from the Council, parents are able to insure that their children obtain the services to which they are entitled through the IEP process. When appropriate, and with the help of KCB advocates, parents have been able to enroll their children in short course and/or full-time placement in the Kentucky School for the Blind.
A KCB member was getting the run-around from the Food Stamp worker. Well-placed phone calls from a KCB advocate solved the problem.
The county social worker didn't think a visually impaired couple could raise their baby. KCB knew the couple could provide a loving home for their little one. KCB co-ordinated resources for a successful court case; the parents kept their baby.
A visually impaired man applied for a job. The company said he couldn't see well enough, but the man proved he could handle every job requirement. KCB advocates helped the man obtain partial back pay, seniority, and, most importantly, the job.
KCB advocacy often helps many people at the same time. Over 60 blind and visually-impaired people are working full-time today at LC Industries in Louisville because KCB wasn't afraid to speak up against foolhardy employment practices and unwise company decisions that were destroying jobs for blind people. KCB supports efforts of the American Council of the Blind that will bring money identifiable by touch to your wallet. KCB actively works for paratransit practices that will provide much-needed transportation for the visually impaired. KCB and its chapters work for more sidewalks, more audible pedestrian signals, more detectable warnings on curb cuts, and audible indicators on quiet cars.
For more information about KCB advocacy, call us at (502)895-4598, or email KCB with your questions and concerns.