Nonprofit Criticizes Historic Court Victory for BlindRandy Shawbyline‚ Dec. 01‚ 2006A federal judge ruled this week that America must join 180 other nations in producing paper currency that can be easily identified by blind and visually impaired people. The ruling in the suit brought by the American Council of the Blind and its members was hailed by disability rights activists, but was attacked by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) as a “gimmick” that “could make things actually worse.” The NFB’s criticism of the suit led some media to claim that the community was split over the issue, and could lead the Treasury Department to appeal the ruling. But what media stories did not reveal was the NFB’s background, which includes its receiving a $1,000,000 donation from Diebold while promoting the company’s controversial electronic voting machines. The group also had a close relationship with Ohio Congressman turned convicted felon Bob Ney, who sponsored federal legislation this year creating a Braille coin----whose sale proceeds go to the NFB. |