NCSAB Organizational Goals for 2005

1.   Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act – WIA Reauthorization

a) to align the NCSAB position with CSAVR and accept the Senate version on the cap.

b) to advocate for the upgrade of the RSA Commissioner to an Assistant Secretary level.

c) to maintain support to change language in the Older Blind Program so that the minimally funded states receive $350,000 and the territories receive $60,000.

d) to bring equity to the COLA process so that no state will receive less than a cost of living adjustment.

2.  Assure the continuity and relationship between RSA and NCSAB.

3.  Invite the new OSERS Assistant Secretary to the spring 2005 conference.

4.  Implement new contracts for the NCSAB Congressional Liaison and Policy Analyst.

5.  Continue 1) to develop and nurture relationships with other groups, 2) to maintain the NCSAB liaisons, and 3) to brainstorm with the NFB Jernigan Institute regarding programs for the blind.

6.  Request that each NCSAB committee chair develop a mission and goals for approval by the Executive Committee that will be included on the website.

7.  Determine the budget.

8.  Send a welcome letter/phone call to new directors. Provide a concurrent seminar at the fall and spring conferences for new directors (new within the past two years) for the purpose of sharing an overview, mission, and goals of NCSAB.

9.   Maintain support for the increase in funding for the Older Blind Program.

10. Oppose legislation that undermines the priority for blind vendors afforded by Randolph-Sheppard.

11. Oppose any legislation that espouses the medical model for Rehabilitation Services.

12. Support the position that the Section 121 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Programs become funded by a formula grant instead of the current discretionary grant.

13.  Oppose block granting.

14.  Maintain dedicated funding.

15.  Maintain separate state agencies for the blind.

16.  Maintain Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Education.

17.  Oppose any efforts to combine the Older Blind Program into any other entity.