Full Description
This book recounts the dramatic story of the transformation of the Iowa Commission for the Blind from a verifiably ineffective service agency to perhaps the most outstanding and effective adult service program in the nation in the span of 10 short years. What happened in Iowa was revolutionary, and the character of work with the blind in America and around the world was altered forever—the alternative civil rights-based service model worked. Using Kenneth Jernigan's own writings of Board meeting minutes, reports, and letters, I present the details of the remarkable story from an activist's point of view.
Contents
Preface.
About the Author.
Acknowledgments.
Foreword.
Introduction.
Chapter 1. The Problem and the Solution.
Chapter 2. Jernigan: The Man, The Revolutionist.
Chapter 3. Courtesy and Good Manners: From Humble Beginnings.
Chapter 4. Vision, Timing, and Risk-Taking.
Chapter 5. Knowledge of and Commitment to an Agency Defined Philosophy.
Chapter 6. The Vision Remains, But Plans Change: Flexibility, Ingenuity, and Perseverance.
Chapter 7. An Apparent Death Knell for the New Program: Optimism, Determination, and Resolve.
Chapter 8. Resilience, Ability to Strategize, and Prescience: Dreams and Drudgery.
Chapter 9. Compassion, Knowledge of the Political Process, and Communication Skills.
Chapter 10. Determination, Conviction, and the Empowerment Motive: Washing Dishes and Other Such Tidbits.
Chapter 11. Compromise, Personal Involvement, and Meeting Challenges: More Erbe Antics.
Chapter 12. An Inevitable Conflict: Civil Rights versus Institutionalized Ignorance.
Chapter 13. Trustworthiness and the Calm After the Storm.
Chapter 14. Recognition, Discrimination, Foreign Visitors, and, Oh Yes, Iverson Departs.
Chapter 15. More Growth and More Optimism: The Vending Program, State Civil Service, Governmental Reorganization, Job Offers for Jernigan, and the Revolution Expands Beyond Iowa's Borders.
Chapter 16. The Visioning Extends to Federal Food Service Opportunities, State Civil Service, Governmental Reorganization, and Blatant Discrimination.
Chapter 17. A Hero in History: The Revolution is Validated.
Epilogue.
