By Richard McGaffin

I recently had the opportunity to meet Federationists from all over the country when I attended the NAC tracking demonstrations in Tampa, Florida. It was my first protesting event with the NFB, and my first airplane flight. Both were quite an experience.

I didn't know what to expect, and my adrenaline was running high. I nearly drove my wife mad while we waited for fellow Federationist Joyce Kane to join us so we could depart for the airport.

That morning, I woke at half past four in the morning, checked my email in an effort to waste time, then finished some last minute packing and was out the door. My wife and I headed to a Denny's Restaurant and waited for Joyce.

I waited anxiously, and was excited to head off for my latest NFB adventure. Joyce was to meet us at 8:30 and I was growing more and more excited by the minute. I don't know how my wife put up with me because every two minutes I asked her for the time. I was worried we'd miss our flight, or worse yet, Joyce would forget me.

Finally, Joyce arrived and off to the airport we went. We made it to the airport in plenty of time, and after we signed in we started on our journey through airport procedures. Unlike seasoned travelers who groan impatiently with checking baggage and going through the security checks, I found it one big adventure and was thoroughly enjoying myself. I didn't even mind when I set off the alarm and was asked to unbuckle my belt. The airport staff were courteous and once they determined I wasn't a terrorist, we were on our way.

Some other NAC trackers joined us and we all waited to hear the call for us to board. Because this was my first flight, I happily accepted the offer to board with assistance. I didn't know what to expect. As I said this was my first flight, and as I'm not the most organized person, I thought the faster I got on the plane, the faster we'd be able to take off. Besides, far-be it for me to refuse anyone's hospitality when it's offered.

I settled into my seat and waited for take-off. I wasn't sure what to expect, but as the plane taxied down the runway and we started to lift-off, I thought flying was indeed a very cool thing. I've never been in Colorado, but this must be the closest thing to a Rocky Mountain High.

We stopped over in Washington D.C. and before long, I found myself checking in at the hotel in Tampa. My roommates were 2 other gentlemen and a girl, which made for some interesting sleeping arrangements, but this is the 21st century after all so I adjusted without too much trouble.

After making a phone call to my wife, and telling her how much I loved her, failing to mention the sleeping arrangements for the night, I headed to a meeting to get briefed on the plans for the weekend. A giant of a guy greeted me at the door and invited me in. The meeting started and they sang a few songs, and really whipped the crowd in to a frenzy. I was somewhat overwhelmed by the excitement that filled the room. I was assigned to a group called the green team. Things were progressing and I couldn't wait to start protesting. At last, I could scream to my heart's content without being told to shut up.

Saturday morning came, and after a shower and some breakfast, I located the other members of the green team and we headed out to the front lines.

Now, some of you might think protesting in Tampa, Florida in the middle of December would be a great thing, especially if you're from one of the Northern states where if you're lucky it's forty degrees in December. But this wasn't the sunny Florida I had heard about in Disney commercials; it was pouring rain, a McGaffin rain if I ever did see one. I wasn't happy about the idea of getting soaked; however, after I got out there and started to get wet, the thrill of splashing in the water with my fellow Federationists got me in the spirit of the event. I screamed like a rebel who had finally found his cause and in general enjoyed myself more than I have in a long time. Needless to say, I really let loose.

After 2 hours went by, my group took a break and I wandered into the hotel in search of a hot cup of coffee. I enjoyed the java while I chatted with some fellow Federationists from Connecticut, and then headed to my room to relax for a while.

At 12:30, I headed back out to stomp and scream for another 2 hours. I was having the time of my life and highly recommend this sort of thing to anyone who hasn't tried it before. Between breaks, I screamed, and between screams I rested my voice.

Later in the evening after dinner, there was another meeting to discuss the day's progress, and plan our strategy. I met a nice woman whose first name was Alison and we had a nice chat before the meeting began. She told me she was from Alabama. She introduced me to a gentleman from Missouri. There were Federationists from all over the country.

The next day proceeded much the same, stomping and screaming, then resting. When the protesting came to an end, I headed off to pick up some presents to bring back to my wife and family and headed to the bar to unwind.

I met some folks from Denver in the bar and after introducing myself, I told them this was my first NAC-tracking event. I had explained how much I enjoyed not being told to shut up, or to be quiet. I explained how people usually tell me I talk too much or I am too loud. After giving one of the guys a hard time about how the Dolphins beat the Broncos earlier this football season, Kevin Worley told me that my friends and family were right, I talk too much. I laughed and smiled. It looked like things were getting back to normal for me.

I enjoyed dinner out with some of my Connecticut friends and the next day, I found myself once again eagerly awaiting my flight home. We arrived at the airport and, unlike our earlier flight, there was some confusion over seating arrangements and to our horror, the airport staff gave Joyce a hard time about her dog. Once that was settled, we boarded our flight and took off for Connecticut.

On the way back I shared seats with Charlie and Beth, a wonderful couple from the Southern Connecticut Chapter. They made me laugh the whole way home.

Joyce's husband picked us up, and soon I was home dealing with laundry and the usual stuff. I am looking forward to my next event with the National Federation of the Blind. If you haven't become involved, I highly recommend it. I've met some of the nicest people in my life through my work with the Connecticut NFB.

Why Agencies Serving the Blind
Should Not Belong to NAC

Note from the editor: The following comes from The National Federation of the Blind web site at www.nfb.org. For further information about NAC or other articles relating to NAC's activities, contact the national office at: National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 or visit their web site and type NAC in the search query.

Who is NAC?: NAC is an organization based in Ohio, known as the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

Since 1967, it has attempted to get every agency and school in the blindness field to join. The inducement for NAC affiliation is "accreditation." But in its many years of trying to survive amidst widespread lack of support, NAC is fighting for its life. Only one-fourth of the agencies and schools qualified to join NAC have ever been interested enough to pursue membership, and majority that were once affiliated with NAC have dropped out.

The Root of the Problem: Most agencies don't accept NAC because it is not an objective, professional, standard-setting organization. NAC's reputation in the blindness field is one of divisive political intervention. NAC's claim to improve the quality of services for the blind is not based on evidence. The
objective facts show that NAC has defended its member agencies and professionals who have actually committed illegal, unethical, or questionable practices. The circumstances involved in each case are
matters of public record and not opinion.

How NAC Hurts the Blind and the Agencies: Throughout its existence, the record of NAC has been marked by controversy and discord. During this time dedicated professionals in the blindness field have made positive efforts to improve the quality of services. While their efforts have been constructive in some instances, the blindness field has faced virtual paralysis because of NAC's continued divisive conduct. While controversies surrounding NAC have paralyzed the field, governmental programs have begun to focus on serving "people with disabilities" as a generic clientele. This change of emphasis threatens the very existence of specialized services to the blind, but because NAC has so divided the blindness field, agencies and organizations serving the blind have not been able to respond effectively.

In 1991 NAC announced its intent to seek legislation which would have made its accreditation a condition for agencies to receive federal funds under the Rehabilitation Act. Despite a significant investment of NAC's resources in lobbying, the legislation was never seriously considered. Rather than using special-interest legislation to force itself on agencies in the blindness field, NAC should have been working with the agencies and with blind people to become a partner in improving services.

NAC's record of conduct cannot be overlooked by any agency now under pressure to affiliate or to continue its affiliation. The record shows a pattern of political behavior which completely undercuts NAC's claims of objective standard setting and accreditation. The record includes several documented instances in which NAC has participated (formally and otherwise) in the legal defense of agencies facing charges brought by official authorities.

NAC Is Dying: Several NAC standards require compliance with applicable laws; but when agencies have violated these laws, NAC has rushed to their defense. This conduct is not the business of accreditation; it is the business of political intervention and back-room dealing. This is why NAC is dying. Worthy agencies do not respect it. Most blind people do not respect it. Even NAC's traditional allies (among them, National Industries for the Blind [NIB] and the American Foundation for the Blind [AFB]) have withdrawn their substantial financial support.

Several years ago, AFB and NIB entered into a three-year agreement with NAC whereby they would provide funding and NAC would increase the number of its accredited members and work to support itself financially. Because NAC failed miserably on both counts, AFB and NIB terminated their funding of NAC one year earlier than originally promised. NIB's president explained his agency's decision as follows: "This decision to discontinue funding for the third year of NAC's plan to achieve financial independence was based on the fact that there was minimal progress reported by NAC on their goal of achieving this objective. It was also felt that this goal could not be accomplished during the third year of their plan."

When both of these agencies terminated their funding, NAC lost over sixty percent of its anticipated annual revenue. A sharp and continuing membership decline is further evidence that NAC is dying. In January 1991, NAC reported a total of 98 member agencies and schools. That number has declined steadily ever since.

NAC Lacks the Resources Necessary to Carry Out Its Accreditation Activities: Clearly NAC is now a shell of an organization, staying alive in name but not in fact. For example, NAC is generally unable to meet its own schedule for re-evaluation of accredited member agencies, allowing their accreditations to be extended from year to year without conducting the required review procedures for continuing the accreditation. Given this established pattern of performance, it is most unlikely that any NAC member agency due for a reaccredidation review would ever undergo thorough and timely scrutiny. Because of limited funding, NAC has been operating with a skeleton staff. As a result volunteers largely conduct on-site reviews. Under the circumstances, affiliation with NAC cannot mean quality services since NAC lacks the resources to evaluate the programs it accredits.

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