Resolutions

The official policy statements of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa are established every year at the state convention with annual resolutions 

The resolutions committee meets early during the convention. Each proposed resolution is read, spoken for by the authoring member, considered, and then ultimately withdrawn or recommended for passage or disapproval by the Convention.

At times, resolutions may also be presented and adopted during an affiliate board meeting when timely action is needed between conventions. These resolutions hold the same official weight and reflect the affiliate’s ongoing commitment to addressing current issues affecting blind Iowans.

Resolution 2026-01

Regarding Consumer Involvement in the Selection of the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind

WHEREAS, the Iowa Department for the Blind exists to empower blind Iowans to work, live independently, and pursue the lives they choose, and provides services intended to promote independence, confidence, and competitive employment for blind and low vision Iowans; and 

WHEREAS, Iowa Code Section 216B.3A provides that the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind is appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate, and serves as the executive officer responsible for implementing the policies of the Iowa Commission for the Blind; and 

WHEREAS, the selection of the Director is therefore a matter of significant consequence to thousands of blind Iowans who rely upon the Department for rehabilitation, employment, independent living, education, library, and other services; and 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a statewide consumer organization composed of blind Iowans and interested sighted individuals who work collectively to improve the lives of blind people and advance equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa possesses substantial collective expertise concerning blindness, blind rehabilitation, education, employment, technology, independent living, and the lived experiences of blind Iowans; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa believes that blindness is not a characteristic that should limit a person's ability to live a full, productive, and meaningful life, and that high expectations, effective training, appropriate technology, and opportunity are essential to ensuring that blind people can achieve their goals; and

WHEREAS, an effective Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind should possess a positive philosophy of blindness; demonstrate a thorough and current understanding of blindness and the skills blind people use to live independently; understand the importance of high expectations for blind people; and possess the professional, administrative, and leadership abilities necessary to translate these principles into effective programs and services; and

WHEREAS, expertise concerning blindness is not limited to professionals who work in the field, but is also possessed by blind people themselves, whose lived experience, collective knowledge, and consumer advocacy provide an essential perspective on the effectiveness and accessibility of programs and services intended to serve them; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa believes that meaningful and intentional consultation with Iowa's organized blind community would provide the Governor with an important additional resource when evaluating candidates for Director and would help ensure that the person selected understands both the responsibilities of the position and the expectations of the people the Department exists to serve; and

WHEREAS, consumer involvement in the selection process would not diminish the Governor's statutory authority to appoint the Director, nor would it require the Governor to select a candidate recommended by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, but would instead provide the Governor with direct access to individuals possessing specialized knowledge of blindness and the needs of blind Iowans; and

WHEREAS, one appropriate mechanism for such meaningful consultation would be to invite designated representatives of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa to participate in, observe, or otherwise provide structured input regarding interviews of finalists for the position of Director, subject to applicable confidentiality, personnel, and public-records requirements; and

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa believes that the Governor and the organized blind community share an interest in identifying a Director who can serve blind Iowans with integrity, skill, accountability, and a commitment to the long-term success of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

WHEREAS, establishing a consistent process for consumer participation in future Director searches would help institutionalize meaningful communication between the Governor's Office and Iowa's organized blind community rather than relying upon informal or inconsistent consultation from one administration to another;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa in convention assembled this 11th day of October 2026, in the city of Coralville, Iowa, that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa urge the Governor of Iowa to establish a meaningful and intentional process for consulting with Iowa's organized blind community when selecting a Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa urge future Governors of Iowa to recognize the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa as a significant source of expertise concerning blindness and to seek the organization's input during the process of identifying and evaluating candidates for Director; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa specifically encourage the Governor's Office to permit representatives designated by the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa to participate in, observe, or provide structured input regarding interviews of finalists for the position of Director, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with appropriate confidentiality requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that representatives designated by the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa for this purpose should be individuals with demonstrated knowledge and experience concerning blindness, blind rehabilitation, independent living, education, employment, technology, and the needs and priorities of blind Iowans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa urge that future candidates for Director be evaluated, among other lawful and relevant qualifications, on their understanding of and commitment to a positive philosophy of blindness; their knowledge of the skills and techniques that enable blind people to live independently and pursue competitive employment; their ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with blind consumers and consumer organizations; and their capacity to provide stable, ethical, transparent, and effective leadership of the Department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa encourage the Governor's Office to view consultation with the organized blind community not as a ceremonial gesture, but as an intentional means of drawing upon the expertise of blind Iowans when making a decision with substantial and lasting consequences for the Department and the people it serves; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, or their designee, be authorized and directed to share this resolution with the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Senate, the Iowa Commission for the Blind, and other appropriate state officials and stakeholders, and to pursue opportunities for establishing an ongoing process of consumer consultation in future selections of the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind.