National Federation of the Blind
Policy on Legal Coordination

Adopted September 25, 2016
Updated December 2, 2023

A primary objective of the National Federation of the Blind is to protect and expand the rights of blind people in the United States with the goal of achieving equal protection under the law. The effectiveness of the Federation's legal program depends heavily on making strategic decisions about where to place resources and when to use the judicial system instead of or in conjunction with other branches of government. The organization's name carries considerable weight among many influential institutions and individuals because of the thoughtfulness with which the organization has utilized its resources in this regard. Therefore, the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors has established this policy to ensure that activities at one level of the organization do not negatively impact the broader objectives of the organization at a higher level.

It is the policy of the National Federation of the Blind that any state affiliate or national division is required to seek approval of, and coordinate with, the national President prior to seeking legal actions, governmental complaints, or demand letters using the name of the National Federation of the Blind or any variant thereof. Furthermore, local chapters or divisions within state affiliates will similarly not be permitted to seek legal action on behalf of the organization without prior approval from both the national President and the state affiliate president who will be responsible for coordinating with the national President. State affiliates, national divisions, and local chapters or divisions may not take legal action without approval from the national President and may not commit the resources of the National Federation of the Blind to legal action without approval from the national President. The National Federation of the Blind has the right to approve any attorneys, including the state protection and advocacy organization, used by any state affiliate, national division, or local chapter or division, whether paid for by the National Federation of the Blind or by said affiliate or division. Any unauthorized legal action taken by a local chapter or division, state affiliate, or national division using the name National Federation of the Blind, or any variant thereof, or implying the support of the organization, will be grounds for disciplinary action by the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors or the National Convention.