Board Member with a "Disability"

I have a question. One of our board members is legally blind. Their sight is such that if you call their name from more than a few feet away you better introduce yourself. I saw them confuse homeowners at a meeting and the only similarity was this man who she confused as her neighbor wears glasses.

Her disability is often a hinderance to the board in the way decisions are made. ( The 20 year old stained carpet in our club house looks fine, I don't see issues with the (chipping) paint)
As you can imagine sight is very important when it comes to making decisions on the cosmetics of a building.

We can't discriminate against her, but her input is often quesitonable and her decisions are often against the board due to sight issues! ( We had issues with tresspassers climbing a fence last summer to enter our pool, and she said, " I don't believe anyone can do that, I don't see how anyone can jump that fence" We had a homeowner who had seen it done, yet the comment from the "pres" clearly sounded as if she did not believe them!

Had anyone ever been on a board where someone's disability was actually a hinderance? I admire her tenacity, but I have often wamted to say " You can't see what we can, perhaps you should listen !" Instead of the umcomfortable silence when she says... the carpet looks fine to me ( stains rips galore)

I guess it's more of a frustration, her opinion is often followed by the "newer" members on the board, so it is a concern when ideas concerns and standards are such that it is bit reflective on the lack of actual vision.

The carpet for example. Because of her statements, 3 out of 5 have opted not to clean or upgrade carpeting, or remodel because "it looks fine".

I was just wondering if any of the other boards have had this as an issue. It is delicate and very senisitive in nature not doubt.

SuzyC: No, I personally am not familiar with a Board member with impaired vision which also impairs her Board decisions.

You have not stated how many B-members make up your Assn. board, but she is only one vote, not the majority. When she renders her decision or vote on an issue, you state the newer B-members follow her. Each B-member, whether new or old, takes responsibility for their own decision, and should be educated on the particulars before rendering it. She has no responsibility for other B-members decisions.

Perhaps if/when you get elected to the Board next month you will be in a better position to assist from the inside in governing your association.

Disability of any kind does not equate to intellectual inefficiency or lack of common sense. Highly intelligent people often respond in ways that a reasonable person would find unreasonable.

Such responses can be based on a variety of reasons, from deep seated prejudices to just total inexperience. People do not have the same priorities you do, or the same education, background, training, expectations you do.

Is more to this? Are there structural or mechanical problems that need attention before the cosmetics? A pretty building is not as important as one that is safe, warm, and dry.

How does one person stop a board of even just 3 people? Basing a/your decision on intelligence and common sense is not discrimination.

How would you treat your best friend if they had a similar response to the stained carpet or chipped paint?

Maybe you are not clear in what discrimination is.

I agree with SusanW's comments, especially in relation to the above. A very strong argument can be made for the fact that a "stain" is more than a visual or aesthetic issue.

Carpeting that is stained is an attractant for dirt and oils and will damage fibers. That will, as a result, cause the stained carpet to wear and degrade faster than carpet that does not have stains.

So it's not just a "looks fine" issue; it's a "it's going to damage" the carpet issue.

Contact a carpet cleaning specialist to provide the board with the facts and those are what should be voted on. Until then, people just appear to be weighing one person's speculation over another's speculation.

Also, I'm just having a tough time feeling that people are siding with her for no reason other than her visual impairment.

It appears that the strength of the argument for action just isn't there.

Like all sales propositions, one would need to find out exactly what the objections each individual has to the actions proposed. I'm sure it's more than "it looks fine." Once you know what the actual objections are, you can methodically present facts to counter those objections.

Rather than her disability being a hindrance to the process, then, the discussion that needs to ensue because of it may force more thorough vetting of options which will, in the long run, result in better decisions and more efficient expenditure of funds.

Good luck to you.

Make your motion at the Board meeting then, and force a vote on all these matters you think she controls. At least it will be in the minutes. Your record will stand in the minutes (having made the motion)

I does sound like your frustration is coming out, try to be a bit more patient.