2004 Membership Survey Report By Monika Penner

The 2004 National Federation of the Blind: Advocates for Equality membership survey was a great success. We received an approximately 30% response rate from supporting and active members, new members and individuals who have been with the NFB:AE for over five years. We appreciate the time people took to complete these surveys, and look forward to perusing and implementing the valuable feedback.

As well, we thank those members who have offered to join committees and help us in our important work. We encourage anyone interested in participating on a committee or otherwise donating his or her time with the NFB:AE to please contact the national office at 1 800 561 4774 or email info@nfbae.ca

For your information, we have compiled a summary of this membership survey data, which is outlined below. Thank you once again for your time.

2004 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

Out of 161 active and supporting members, the NFB:AE received a total of 49 responses (14 in the mail, and 35 via email). This gives us a response rate of 30%, which does appear low, but is high when com-pared to most other surveys. It is our hopes that all NFB:AE members participate in other upcoming surveys concerning the affairs and matters of the NFB:AE. However, we are happy to say that the responses we received were in-depth, thoughtful, and provided a great deal of insight, and will help us in planning our future goals, directions, and programs. In terms of respondent demographic information, 29 (59%) were females and 20 (41%) were males. 31% of respondents were between the ages of 18 and 45, 51% of respondents were between the ages of 45 and 65, and 18% were 65 years of age or older. As well, 67% of respondents are members of a chapter, and 27% are members at large. (6% of respondents did not answer this question.)

76% of respondents are active members and 21% are supporting members. (3 individuals did not answer this question). 28% (14 res-pondents) have been a member one year or less, 28% (14 respondents) have been a member between two and four years, and a high 44% (21 respondents) have been members of the NFB:AE for five years or more.

The majority of NFB:AE members report having first learned about the organization through a friend or acquaintance (63%) although 5 respondents learned about the NFB:AE through its publications (the Canadian Blind Monitor) and 3 (6%), from the accessible website at www.nfbae.ca Only two respondents (4%) heard about the NFB:AE from a health care or service agency staff person, and miscellaneous (“other”) responses include attending a BALANCE presentation where NFB:AE President John Rae spoke, from the radio, listserve (other than the NFB:AE listserve) and mall displays.

In preference order (with highest at top), these are the main reasons survey respondents joined the NFB:AE

1. - To participate in an organization of blind persons (26%)
2. - To join with others to participate in collective action (25%)
3. - To facilitate opportunities to improve the public’s understanding of blind persons and their needs as well as talents (20%)
4. - To learn more about national, regional and local issues affecting blind persons (12%)
5. - Fellowship and peer support (6%)
6. - Other (12%) “Other” specifications include “curiosity”, “to advocate and get support for advocating”, “to provide English-speaking Quebeccers an opportunity to participate and have a voice in a national movement” and as a parent of a person who is blind, states, wanting “to get to know blind adults and gain their perspectives.”

76% of all respondents felt that the NFB:AE is meeting their expectations and that they have a voice in NFB:AE projects, tasks and undertakings. 16% (8 respondents) said that this was not the case for them, and three respondents did not answer.

Individuals who felt that the NFB:AE is not meeting their needs suggested implementing an advocacy listserve, meeting with the government more often, increasing chapter and AGM attendance, and working specifically on such issues as easier access to election material and ballots, greater availability of accessible ATM’s and improved access to commercially available books.

92% of respondents always or sometimes read the Canadian Blind Monitor, as well as the Activities Reports. (Both questions had two people who did not respond, and two people who never read either). 43% participate on our listserve (for more information email info@nfbae.ca or go to http://www.nfbae.ca/listserve/ to sign on yourself) and only one person appeared to not know it existed.

72% of respondents regularly vote at the NFB:AE Annual General Meeting, either in person (43%), by proxy (25%) while 32% vote by person if they are able to attend, and by proxy if they are not.

From top to bottom, here is what respondents rated as the most important issues facing blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted people:

1. - Informing the public of our abilities (17%)
2. - Access to information (16%)
3. - Employment opportunities for blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted people (14%)
4. - National availability of adaptive technologies and training (14%)
5. - Increasing access to regular products (12%)
6. - Fighting discrimination (7%)
7. - Financial security (7%)
8. - Educational opportunities for blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted people: (6%)
9. - Improving transportation (5%)
10. - Other (2%) Specifications of “other” important issues for survey respondents include “ equitable legislative protection across the country for people with guide dogs” and “access to information for deaf-blind adults.”

80% of survey respondents offered feedback on how to increase membership and awareness of the NFB:AE. A wide variety of ideas were provided. Some have been included below:

• - Recruiting one new member each year, by each NFB:AE member
• - Creating stronger linkages with post secondary institutions, disability programs, and student-run disability related organizations. Perhaps recruit some volunteers with an emphasis on employment experience.
• - Posting messages on phone newslines such as BALANCE about the upcoming events and advocacy challenges of the NFB:AE.
• - Developing a mascot to teach young kids about blindness
• - Developing similar surveys which are issue specific
• - Placing ads in regular print and broadcast media.
• - Public service announcements
• - Ongoing articles in different publications and newsletters
• - Connecting with teachers in the schools.