The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut has a strong commitment to all blind people in Connecticut. The recent layoffs of twelve state employees at the Board of Education and Services for the Blind Industries Program has led to the layoffs of everyone else in the Industries Program. With guidance from Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind, fellow Federationists Alfonse DeLucia, Jason Ewell, Bruce Woodward and I have spent a great deal of time at the Legislative Office Building, talking to legislators about why we want to see the program restored. With certain changes we feel confident that this program will become revenue neutral and very possibly earn some money for the state coffers.

By the time you read this article I will have met with Marc Ryan, the governor's budget chief, in the hope of coming to an equitable agreement. Stay tuned.

Betty Woodward, President
National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut

For more information, E-mail us at: info@nfbct.org