From: Bill Reif 
Subject: Jamal & NFB membership
I have my concerns about Jamal Mazrui's re-admission to the NFB; but
they have nothing to do with his past ACB membership, or even with his
alleged efforts of the past in creating organizational division, efforts
which I think rightly ought to be left in the past.
My concern with Jamal regards his views as expressed through his support
of the National Counsel on Disabilities March 1997 recommendation that
all rehabilitation programs which exclusively serve the blind and the
program which provides independent living services to the  elderly blind
no longer receive federal funding.  While there is much that the NFB and
the ACB disagree on, we both agree that training in the alternative
techniques of blindness, provided by someone with both a positive
attitude about the capabilities of the blind an a working knowledge of
the effective use of those techniques, is essential if the blind are to
compete on terms of equality.  Jamal's pan-disability approach, while it
pleases both coalitionists and bureaucrats who regard disability as
welfare, is at odds with everything we are trying to do.  If Jamal is
sincere in working with us, I think it is as important he renounce his
demonstrated pan-disability philosophy as it is he renounce his ACB
membership.
I realize i'm expressing my concerns about something that has already 
taken place and there's not much we can do but hope we haven't made a 
mistake.  Given the considerable opposition to the NCD statement 
earlier, I think it is something we need to keep in mind.
With that understanding, I would be among those to have Jamal's
considerable talents applied toward the goals of this organization.
Bill Reif
Springfield, Illinois
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