State Convention

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a great deal of valuable information to the public
through internet websites; and


WHEREAS, persons who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities should have the same
opportunity to benefit from contents of websites developed or operated by entities of the
Commonwealth of Virginia as persons who are not disabled; and


WHEREAS, for example, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers an extensive website containing

WHEREAS, all Commonwealth of Virginia entities such as departments and agencies are subject to title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and


WHEREAS, Part II of the Americans with Disabilities Act§ 35.107, Designation of Responsible Employee
and Adoption of Grievance Procedures, states “(a) Designation of Responsible Employee. A public entity
that employs 50 or more persons shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to

WHEREAS, technology has revolutionized access to information, textbooks,
course materials, testing, software, interaction with college administrations,
and other facets of student life in postsecondary education; and


WHEREAS, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit
colleges and universities from discriminating against persons with disabilities
and mandates equal access to educational opportunities; and


WHEREAS, many postsecondary institutions are failing to comply with these

Nothing in these rules of engagement is intended to change Article IV, Section 2 of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia’s (NFBV) constitution. The Convention remains “the supreme authority of the NFBV. It is the legislature of the NFBV . As such, it has final authority with respect to all issues of policy. Chapter board delegates and members in attendance may participate in all convention discussions as a matter of right.