AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-01 WHEREAS, the American National Standards Institute is in the process of revising its 1961 version of specifications for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by physically handicapped people; and WHEREAS, one of the suggested changes is to have raised international symbols in elevators, representing the operations of "Open Door," "Close Door," and "Emergency Stop"; and WHEREAS, many persons who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf find it difficult to identify and interpret the proposed National Elevator Industry, Inc. international symbols for these operations; and WHEREAS, these international symbols pose a problem for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf who have poor tactile discriminating.sensations and who cannot make out small, detailed lines without blurriness, and are therefore prevented from having the elevator accessible to them; and WHEREAS, blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf individuals not being able to identify the purpose of the international symbols would be left in an unsafe situation if an emergency might occur in the operation of the elevator; and WHEREAS, the blind, the visually impaired, and the blind- deaf have been surveyed and have found the intent of the California Alliance of Blind Students international symbols to be more easily and quickly identified, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, that the ACB support the adoption of the proposed international symbols by the California Alliance of Blind Students. Submitted by Eugene Lozano Sacramento, California Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-02 WHEREAS, the American National Standards Institute is in the process of revising its 1961 version of specifications for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by physically handicapped people; and WHEREAS, there is controversy as to whether to have braille and raised-print numbers and letters for floor designations and elevator control panels; and WHEREAS, some people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind read only braille and others read only raised-print numbers and letters; and WHEREAS, braille and raised-print numbers and letters make elevators more accessible to a larger number of persons who are blind, visually impaired, and blind-deaf; and WHEREAS, manufacturers of elevator control panels indicate that there is no significant cost increase in having both braille and raised-print numbers and letters on the panels, as opposed to having one or the other; and WHEREAS, these manufacturers have indicated that the majority of elevator control panels can accommodate both braille and raised-print numbers and letters to the left of the floor and other essential buttons, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, that braille and raised-print numbers and letters and signs shall be only on the left side of the floor and other essential buttons on elevators; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that door-jamb and floor indicator signs shall be braille and raised-print numbers and letters. Submitted by Eugene Lozano Sacramento, California Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-03 WHEREAS, the American National Standards Institute is in the process of revising its 1961 version of specifications for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by physically handicapped people; and WHEREAS, the American National Standards Institute has inadequate consumer input as to the needs of persons who are blind, visually impaired, and blind-deaf; and WHEREAS, organizations such as the National Elevator Industry, Inc. are determining what the needs are of persons who are blind, visually impaired, and blind-deaf and how to correct them; and WHEREAS, consumers who are blind have found that proposed regulations that are to benefit them are as inadequate as the existing ones, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, on this 28th day of July, 1978, that the President of ACB establish a task force to seek the removal of architectural, transportation, communication, and attitudinal barriers, and to consult with and assist public and private agencies and organizations in developing standards that will remove these barriers; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that members of this task force include consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or blind- deaf, and other persons who have expertise in these areas. Submitted by Eugene Lozano Sacramento, California Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-06 WHEREAS, the Television media frequently transmit both vital and emergency information in visual form only; and WHEREAS, this information is necessary for the safety, comfort, and dignity of persons who are blind, as well as sighted, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, directs the National Office to contact the Federal Communications Commission, urging them to develop and adopt regulations requiring that vital and emergency information be transmitted in both audio and visual form. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind directs the National Office to initiate discussion and negotiations With the national television networks to provide remedies for equal access to this information. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ACB general membership make a concerted effort to contact the management of their local television stations, requesting that such information be placed in both visual and audio forms. Submitted by American Council of the Blind of Texas Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-07 WHEREAS, the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 now being promulgated by Federal agencies which provide financial assistance require program accessibility as a part of non-discrimination; and WHEREAS, Federal agencies often seem insufficiently aware that program accessibility means both physical and informational accessibility; and WHEREAS, informational accessibility is critically important to us, as blind people participating in Federal programs, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 28th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, that the Officers and Directors and Staff of this organization be directed to monitor the promulgation and implementation of Section 504 regulations of all agencies providing Federal financial assistance, bringing to their attention informational issues which otherwise might not be addressed; which shall include, but not be limited to, auditory traffic signals, access to information on routes and schedules of public transit systems, auditory as well as visual information of arrivals and departures at airports and other transportation terminals, complete auditory information for blind passengers relative to location of emergency exits and other emergency procedures, and access to planning documents to be discussed at public hearings in fields such as Title XX, community development block grants, etc. Submitted by Janiece and Roger Petersen Washington, D. C. Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-08 WHEREAS, American Council of the Blind national conventions should be open to all persons who are blind, including those with additional disabilities; and WHEREAS, national conventions should also be open to our colleagues in the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities; and WHEREAS, with the implementation of Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, more and more Government officials whom we invite to our conventions will be disabled, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 28th day of JuLy, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, that a very high priority in selecting convention sites should be placed on physical accessibility of the hotel to disabled people; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that affiliates bidding for the national convention be instructed by the National Convention Coordinator to determine the accessibility of proposed convention sites, in consultation with local organizations of disabled people, including other members of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and that such information be presented as part of the bid. Submitted by Janiece and Roger Petersen Washington, D. C. Resolution Adopted. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-09 WHEREAS, the current Medicare program does not provide coverage for low-vision aids to eligible persons; and WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for low-vision aids, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, urges the Congress of the United States to enact into law Senate Bill 3038 and its companion House of Representatives Bill 13248, which amend the Social Security Act to include low-vision aids. Submitted by Council of Citizens with Low Vision Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-10 WHEREAS, Public Law 94-142 mandates the education of children who are visually impaired in the least restrictive setting; and WHEREAS, children with low-vision can be expected to perform significantly better in school with the help of low-vision aids than they could without the help of these aids, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled the 28th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, urges the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare to seek funds to pay for these aids and to encourage state departments of education and rehabilitation to see that every low-vision child is provided with the visual aids that he or she needs to participate visually in the educational process in school and at home. Submitted by Council of Citizens with Low Vision Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-11 WHEREAS, the quantity of information transmitted from the National Office to affiliate presidents is steadily increasing; and WHEREAS, it is often difficult for affiliate presidents to have print material read to them in a timely manner, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, that henceforth affiliate presidents of ACB shall receive materials from the National Office in a form that they can read. Submitted by American Council of the Blind of South Carolina Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-12 WHEREAS, space-age technology has already shown its potential for enhancing both employment opportunities and the general life style of blind and otherwise handicapped individuals; and WHEREAS, many advanced devices have been developed for use of blind people, often with limited evaluation especially by blind consumers; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind is eminently qualified and obligated to act as consumer advocate in this area, just as it has in the field of legislation, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, that the present Committee on Electronic Aids and Technology be known in the future as the Committee on Technology and Visual Impairment, with its scope and membership expanded accordingly; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Officers, Directors, and Staff of the American Council of the Blind be directed to formulate and implement a plan for increased involvement by the organization in the monitoring and evaluation of technological developments from the point of view of the visually impaired consumer; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this plan include specific actions designed to obtain funds to carry out the intent of this resolution. Submitted by Visually Impaired Data Processors International Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-14 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Membership of the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 28th day of July, 1978, instructs and directs the Officers, Staff, and affiliates of ACB to take all appropriate steps, direct and indirect, to assure the adequate representation of persons who are blind or visually impaired or physically handicapped at the White House Conference on Libraries, scheduled to be held during 1979. Submitted by American Council of the Blind of Maryland Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-15 WHEREAS, the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped establishes standards for organizations that serve blind people and gives public recognition of accreditation to those agencies and schools that render quality services, efficient management, and public accountability; and WHEREAS, NAC's standards appeared initially in the COMSTAC REPORT, and since then have been revised and published as self-study and evaluation guides for use by organizations engaged in the accreditation process; and WHEREAS, blind and visually handicapped people participate in all phases of the accreditation process, including organizational self-studies and on-site team reviews; and WHEREAS, blind and visually handicapped people should have access to the standards and self-study guides in braille, Large-print, and recorded forms in order to participate more effectively in the accreditation process; and WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has responsibility for reproducing in brailLe and recorded forms materials of importance to blind and visually handicapped persons; and WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped previously has demonstrated acceptance of this responsibility by reproducing the COMSTAC REPORT in braille and recorded forms, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 28th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, that the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped be requested to reproduce all of NAC's standards and revised standards and self-study and evaluation guides in braille, large-print, and recorded forms; and, further, that copies of these materials be made available through the regional library network so that all blind and visually handicapped persons may participate more effectively in the accreditation process. Submitted by LeRoy Saunders Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Adopted by voice vote. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-16 WHEREAS, the art work of blind and other handicapped individuals is receiving more attention and promotion than in the past; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind and its affiliates have considered fund-raising activities in which art work is sold, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 28th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, that this organization take an active role in promoting arts activities for the handicapped; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in selling art for fund-raising purposes, this organization and its affiliates give priority to the sale of high-quality work of handicapped artists, including works by artists who are members of the American Council of the Blind. Submitted by Janiece and Roger Petersen Washington, D. C. Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-17 WHEREAS, bills have been introduced in both Houses of the Congress of the United States providing for the establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Education, separate and independent from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare; and WHEREAS, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs has amended the Senate bill to require the transfer of the Rehabilitation Services Administration from the Office of Human Development Services in the Department of HEW to the proposed Department of Education, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 29th day of July, 1978, opposes such transfer unless the Rehabilitation Services Administration is placed at the level in the organizational structure of the proposed Department of Education so that the chief administrator of RSA would be an assistant secretary of the new department. Submitted by 1978 Resolutions Committee Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-18 WHEREAS, House Bill 13015, the Van Deerlin-Frey Communications Bill of 1978, would entirely restructure the radio and television broadcasting industry and end vitally needed Federal regulation of radio and television stations, including present requirements for public service announcements, public affairs programs, and equal time in political campaigns; and WHEREAS, radio stations--and within ten years, television stations, also--would be granted licenses in perpetuity, not subject to renewal or periodic review, thus giving the broadcast industry even less incentive to be responsive to listeners and to the public; and WHEREAS, such lack of duty and responsibility of broadcasters to the public would almost certainly impair the ability of non-profit organizations to communicate with the public without the burden of commercial advertising rates; and WHEREAS, the provisions of this bill would almost certainly reduce the incentive of commercial broadcasters to participate cooperatively in the transmission of radio reading services for the blind and visually handicapped; and WHEREAS, this bill would exempt the broadcasting industry from equal employment and affirmative action requirements for broadcasters; and WHEREAS, this bill would make it difficult for public radio and television stations to raise money from foundations by forbidding grants for specific programs and the giving of credit on the air for such grants, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah, on this 29th day of July, 1978, that the National Office of the ACB be instructed to take such action as may be necessary to prevent passage of House Bill 13015 in its present form; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, as a part of this effort, the National Office of ACB be authorized to join an ad hoc coalition of national organizations opposed to the broadcast provisions of House Bill 13015. Submitted by Durward K. McDaniel Washington, D. C. Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-19 WHEREAS, recent legislation has mandated new programs that vitally affect the lives of persons who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf; and WHEREAS, the service of persons who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf on advisory boards and commissions is necessary to implement said legislation; and WHEREAS, the education of consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf relative to said legislation is the responsibility of organizations of the blind, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 29th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, that the American Council of the Blind Board of Directors give high priority to financing, development, and implementation of seminars for education of consumer advocates; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these seminars be developed on a regional or sub-regional level, and that state affiliates be requested to assist in the planning, development, and financing of such educational programs. Submitted by Raythel Jones Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-20 WHEREAS, Title XX of the Social Security Act was designed to make innovative social and related services available to aged, blind, and disabled citizens; and WHEREAS, it was the intention of Title XX to require a state to maintain its previous level of effort in appropriating state funds and delivery of services; and WHEREAS, a national study of Title XX programs was made and published by the American Foundation for the Blind, which shows a complete lack of consistent patterns for implementing service delivery systems for the blind under Title XX, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the delegates of the American Council of the Blind, meeting in convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 29th day of July, 1978, instruct the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind to advise all state affiliates to investigate and determine how Title XX funds are assigned to the respective states and how funds are used to conform to the guidelines required by Title XX regulations; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each state affiliate take upon itself the duty of setting up a monitoring committee to participate actively in the state's Title XX planning process and to see that Title XX funds are properly distributed, and that no state is using Title XX funds as a substitute for budget items previously made available, as this practice limits the effectiveness of services which are to be provided by the Title XX Act. Submitted by Illinois Federation of the Blind Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-21 WHEREAS, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 recognized the rights of all people, regardless of race, creed or color, to live in dignity and to be accorded the identical rights of all in housing, education, employment, public service, and community living; and WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 further emphasized the need for recognizing the handicapped as a group or segment of our population that must be accorded the same rights as those set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and WHEREAS, Public Law 94-142 further emphasized the need for guaranteeing special education for the handicapped and the inclusion of all who qualify as eligible for employment in Federal programs, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 28th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, reaffirms its commitment to press for greater employment of the handicapped and for more upgrading of mobility of the handicapped through the ranks in the form of proper promotion; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind urge its state affiliates to set up monitoring groups to see that the various regulations that have been initiated to implement the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Public Law 94-142 are being observed and are being properly carried out to make it possible to have more handicapped persons enter the stream of employment; and to report periodically problems and progress to the Staff of the National Office of ACB and to the ACB Task Force on Civil Rights. Submitted by National Association of Blind Teachers Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-22 WHEREAS, the Sons of Norway has undertaken the task of promoting healthsports for the disabled in the United States, as exemplified by the Ski for Light program; and WHEREAS, the Norwegian Government in 1976 gave a Bicentennial gift of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) to the United States to establish a healthsports center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be called the Vineland National Center; and WHEREAS, additional funds necessary for completion of this project, which will further promote the health and dignity of handicapped persons, are currently being sought in the Congress, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 29th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, give consumer support of this legislation from the National Office; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ACB encourage its affiliates to contact their Representatives and Senators in support of said legislation. Submitted by ACB Members of Ski for Light Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-23 WHEREAS, the National Alliance of Blind Students (NABS) is a consumer organization whose interests and programs are directed toward improving the economic, social, and educational lives of all students who are blind; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has shown itself to be in support of student affiliates such as NABS; and WHEREAS, NABS believes itself in need of professional assistance to continue its development, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 29th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, directs the National Staff to assist the National Alliance of Blind Students in seeking funding for a professional staff position to aid the students in research programs and to assist in compiling and producing materials of particular importance and usefulness to blind students and those who work with them. Submitted by National Alliance of Blind Students Adopted Unanimously. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND RESOLUTION 78-24 WHEREAS, persons who are blind must be dependent upon persons who are sighted for identifying currency; and WHEREAS, tactually identifiable money would place persons who are blind on a more equal footing with sighted persons; and WHEREAS, tactually identifiable money would increase job opportunities for persons who are blind; and WHEREAS, the following countries: The Netherlands, Israel and Switzerland, are using tactually marked currency successfully, and other countries are using currency of different sizes and shapes varying with denominations, and find it to be advantageous, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 29th day of July, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, directs the Board of Directors and the National Staff to seek passage of legislation by the United States Congress requiring all newly printed money and circulated currency to be tactually identifiable by characteristics such as tactile symbols, size, and/or shape. Submitted by Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America Adopted by voice vote.