[Missouri-l] No sighted E.D.

[John and Donna Weidlich]

This  is a good discussion and very good points are being made on both sides 
of the issue. This is somewhat beside the point, but Lisa does raise an 
interesting question. it would be interesting to know how many blind people, 
especially totally blind people, are former or curren executive directors of 
agencies that have nothing to do with disability. I would bet the number is 
very, very small unless the person happens to own the company or the company 
is owned by his or her family. It is very rare for us to reach high level 
management positions, just as it has been in the past for women and 
minorities. That picture is changing but has it changed for the blind? Yes, 
there are blind EDs of blindness-related agencies or organizations but how 
about companies outside of the disability field. Companies will hire us for 
many jobs but how many companies would hire us to run their operations? 
Again, that has little if anything to do with MCB's situation but I would be 
interested in the answer to that question. I hope things are better in this 
regard than I think they are. Maybe AFB has figures on this. John
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Hollins" <jlhollins21 at hotmail.com>
To: "Altschul, Lisa Wayland (MU-Student)" <lwb6c9 at mizzou.edu>; "Peter 
Altschul" <paltschul at centurytel.net>; <Missouri-L at moblind.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Missouri-l] No sighted E.D.


>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!
>
>
>
>
>
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