[Missouri-l] No sighted E.D.

[James Hollins]

I don't have to name a blind director but you are making my point for me and 
I thank you.  You yourself are mentioning the jobs blind people are not 
given because of that reason and here we are wanting to play the same game 
just because someone happens to be qualified and not have the same sight or 
lack thereof.  No matter how anyone spins it it is double standard.  We do 
not have the right to fight for the equality of blind people and then say 
the only way we want you to work for us to help us in this fight is if you 
are blind.  I did not spend the last four months educating the sighted 
public to have them apply for a job and me not hire them based on the fact 
that they have sight.  People let us take a long hard look at what we 
proclaim to be truth.  The fact is the call went out to hire a blind person 
and not one met any of things sought after or that person has things they 
wanted that could not be met or if this were any other place they would not 
have even been afforded the nerve to ask for.  One of the best public 
relations directors in the business is a blind man and he worked for nothing 
but the sighted public. Oh, and if it is only executive directors you are 
speaking of, then give me a bit and I am sure I will find you a blind 
director or a few.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Altschul, Lisa Wayland (MU-Student)" <lwb6c9 at mizzou.edu>
To: "James Hollins" <jlhollins21 at hotmail.com>; "Peter Altschul" 
<paltschul at centurytel.net>; <Missouri-L at moblind.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 3:48 PM
Subject: RE: [Missouri-l] No sighted E.D.


Can you name anyone that is blind and director of a large sighted 
organization that is not disability related organization?
Or how about large private companies?  Very unfortunately, visually impaired 
people are usually given customer services jobs, and the potential for 
upward movement is very limited.
Even these jobs are few and far between.   Why does ACB have an employment 
task force?
The fact is that it is terribly difficult to get a job as a blind person in 
the sighted world.
Believe me I know.
Even if you have better credentials that most people or a PHD, there is 
always a bias you face.
I believe if we can offer the opportunity to a blind person, we should by 
all means do it.  Visually impaired people do not get many opportunities to 
move up to higher management positions, especially in this economic climate.



Lisa Wayland Altschul BSBE, BS, BSN
NIH Predoctoral Fellow (NHLBI)
Department of Biological Engineering
University of Missouri
168A Ag. Engineering Building
Columbia, MO 65203


________________________________

From: James Hollins [mailto:jlhollins21 at hotmail.com]
Sent: Thu 4/2/2009 2:55 PM
To: Peter Altschul; Missouri-L at moblind.org
Cc: Altschul, Lisa Wayland (MU-Student)
Subject: Re: [Missouri-l] No sighted E.D.


I understand the concern that people are having about the ED business 
however I do not agree with the blatant double standard most seem to be 
getting on board with.  If we should not hired a sighted director then none 
of us who are blind should be allowed to be executive directors for any 
sighted organization.  And please do not respond by telling me it is not the 
same thing, because indeed ladies and gentlemen it is.  How do we have the 
nerve to say we should be afforded the right to any job but not offer that 
same right when we have a job available?  Those are just some of my 
frustrations and questions they are rhetorical so take it for what it is 
worth!