Upstate Student Division
(Western New York Association of Blind Students)
- a division of the New York Association of Blind Students
and the National Association of Blind Students.
Mission
The mission of the National Association of Blind Students is to promote equal
access to opportunities for all blind students inside and outside of the
classroom. Through conferences, professional networks, mentoring and advocacy we
are changing what it means to be blind in the 21st century, and we achieve this
by adhering to and supporting the goals of the National Federation of the Blind.
Purpose
The purpose of this Organization shall be to promote educational
opportunities and the general well-being of the blind of this nation and the
state of New York as well as the western new York area to function as an
integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.
Organizational philosophy
President Dr. Kenneth Jernigan (1968-1986) states in the mission statement of
the National Federation of the Blind, "The real problem of blindness is not the
loss of eyesight. The real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of
information which exist. If a blind person has proper training and opportunity,
blindness is only a physical nuisance". What does this mean to students?
The philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind empowers students to be
independent, take any course of action they choose and to promote self-advocacy.
Upstate Student Division Contact:
Rob J Blachowicz
students@buffalonfb.org
(716) 381-4492
State Student Division President:
Alexander Castillo
National President:
Arielle Silverman
national website:
http://www.nabslink.org/
National student division message board:
www.nfbnet.org
