CONCERNING BECOMING A FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENT  

WHEREAS
blind Floridians have the same desire to be parents as their sighted counterparts through natural means, fostering or adoption; and;

WHEREAS
blind adults have shown themselves to be loving, capable parents; and

WHEREAS
the Americans With Disabilities Act does not contain language to protect prospective blind parents from discrimination based on their disability in adoption and fostering children; and

WHEREAS
the Florida Department of Children and Families engages in discriminatory practices including, but not limited to, terminating parental rights and custody, unequal consideration of blind parents in home studies and eligibility determinations, and denying consideration to blind people as resources for fostering and adoption

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida in convention assembled this 30th day of May, 2005 that we condemn and deplore discrimination against the blind in adoption and fostering children;  and

FURTHERMORE
the National Federation of the Blind of Florida encourages the Florida Department of Children and Families to actively encourage blind adults to become foster and adoptive parents.