Sharing Resources, Forming Partnerships, and Fighting for What's Right in a Tough Economy

Abstract

In these difficult economic times we hear many cliches about how challenges create opportunities: When one door closes another opens, for example; and, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. These platitudes are all well and good, but how do these traditional ways of putting a positive spin on hard times really translate into new ideas and new possibilities? For the Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB), turning challenges into opportunities has meant deepening relationships with stakeholder groups such as organized blind groups, parent organizations, and professional resources, as well as forging new alliances with groups that share COSB's values, beliefs, and concerns. JVIB INITIATIVE At a recent meeting, the 45 member schools of COSB formally recognized that the single greatest source of information for cutting-edge research of the field of visual impairment and blindness is the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), which translates scholarly research into practical strategies that can be used in the classroom or in other settings. In order to support this vital resource at a time when budgets are tight, the COSB membership recently voted to supply a monetary donation to assist JVIB with its operational expenses. Although COSB's grant represents a very small percentage of the annual cost of publishing JVIB, the members of COSB and I are hopeful that others will join us in support of the journal--whether by subscribing or by giving similar donations. The field of visual impairment and blindness has benefited from JVIB's resources for over 100 years. It seems natural for all of us to assure the journal's success into the future by supporting JVIB and the valuable literature of the field by subscribing, encouraging others to subscribe, or donating funds. ACB SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND TASK FORCE The American Council of the Blind (ACB) recently recognized that the current economic downturn has led to threats against schools for the blind in many states--severe budget cutbacks, radical changes in governance, and even closures have been proposed by state departments and legislatures. One school has already been closed: The Oregon School for the Blind closed in September 2009 after 135 years of providing high-quality services to Oregon's children with visual impairments (see the August 2009 From the Field column to read more about the school closure). Although the Oregon chapter of ACB led a valiant effort to save the school, the state's legislature, led by Representative Sara Gelser, made the decision to close the program. …