The State of the Law on Technology and the Blind: What It is and What It Ought to be‪.‬

There ought to be a law! When during one of its annual national conventions the members of the National Federation of the Blind pass a resolution to address an inequity for blind Americans, a new piece of legislation may be the only way to comply with the resolution and the will of the members. The Director of Governmental Affairs for the National Federation of the Blind is assigned the task of carrying out the work necessary. Having laws made, rather than having machines made, is often America's way of fixing things and solving problems. "Too many laws" is what many people say is wrong with our country. Perhaps that is so, but for those who are blind, the advent of modern and evolving communications technology virtually forces this response--"There ought to be a law." Many observers have wondered about the success the National Federation of the Blind has had in changing so many laws over the years. The fact is, it has not been "luck"; but a combining of the American system of government and a citizen's right to "educate" elected officials in order to mitigate inequities, along with the sagacity and persistence of a series of hard working NFB leaders and members. According to long-time NFB members, the NFB's success comes about year after year because of several factors that they take care to make work together. The founder of the National Federation of the Blind in 1940 was Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, blind university professor and author of books on the U. S. Constitution which are still used in law courses today. Leaders of the NFB learned how laws are made in the various states and in the U.S. Congress. When new leaders are elected, they are helped to utilize the legislative process.