WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind encourages its members to become active participants in amateur sports because they instill self respect and confidence; and
WHEREAS, many of our members participate in, and win medals in world wide competitions such as the Paralympics; and
WHEREAS, the Paralympics, like the Olympics, is supervised by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); and
WHEREAS, Blind athletes do not receive the same quality of training as non-disabled athletes because they lack adequate sponsorship; and
WHEREAS, Paralympic athletes are not compensated on the same level for their achievements as Olympic athletes: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the blind of California in convention assembled this sixteenth day of October, 2008, in the city of Irvine, California, that the USOC be encourage to provide the same level of training and assistance to all athletes regardless of disability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the USOC is hereby called upon to remove any disparities in compensation for achievement of athletic standards or receipt of championship medals between Paralympics and Olympic athletes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of California through it’s Sports and Recreation Division with State Funding and other assistance as needed, set up a sports committee to Assist blind athletes in finding sponsorship to provide funds for adequate training for, and travel to, their sporting events So they can compete at the same level as their non-disabled counterparts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of California, primarily through the Sports and Recreation division, work with the USOC to assist in removing any barriers that would impair equal participation in either form of Olympic activities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the blind of California through its sports and recreation Committee develop materials for dissemination showing competent blind athletes as well as a database that will provide Mentors, tips and information to aspiring blind athletes. Funding for this project shall be provided through the State affiliate, the database shall be supervised by the sports and recreation division.