American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-01 Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Automatic Deficit Reduction Mechanism and Congressional Action WHEREAS, the Supreme Court has ruled that those sections of the Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Act which allow the executive branch to take decisions concerning budget allocations out of the hands of the legislative branch (Congress) are not constitutional; and WHEREAS, the Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Automatic Deficit Reduction Mechanism would have served to place programs serving the blind and visually impaired in jeopardy by leaving open the possibility that the executive branch could arbitrarily cut such programs without regard to their quality and value and without the checks and balances created by congressionally oriented advocacy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization urges the Congress not to abrogate its responsibilities as set out in the Constitution of the United States and as currently interpreted by the Supreme Court to make all decisions with regard to budgeting that lie within its prerogative. This resolution was adopted on July 1, 1986 without amendment. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-02 Advocacy of Separate Schools for the Blind WHEREAS, it has been well documented that blind individuals are better served in programming which is not combined or integrated in facilities with other disability groups; and WHEREAS, this concept has been borne out particularly in the experience of residential educational facilities serving the blind; and WHEREAS, there is an increasing trend toward the creation of residential educational facilities aiming to serve blind children in combination with other disability groups, and particularly with the deaf; and WHEREAS, such combined residential facilities are being formed for purely economic reasons; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization deplores this trend to combine residential schools and urges all state affiliates and this organization to actively oppose any effort to dilute services to the blind by such combining of residential facilities. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 1, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-03 Resolution Asking for a Change in Standards for Orientation and Mobility Instructors WHEREAS, the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) is the national organization of professionals in work for the blind; and WHEREAS, Division Nine of AERBVI has as one of its standards for certification of mobility instructors a requirement that the instructor have a visual acuity of not less than 20/40; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind recognizes the need to set effective standards for orientation and mobility instruction which make proficiency and safety paramount in the certification of mobility instructors and yet does not discriminate against any qualified individual based upon class of disability; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization express to AERBVI our strong disagreement with Division Nine's policy with regard to visual acuity and the certification of orientation and mobility instructors; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind urges Division Nine to broaden its visual acuity standards at least to the point where individuals who are legally blind and who meet other appropriate standards can be certified as orientation and mobility instructors. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-04 Minimum Wage and Workshops for the Blind WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has long been concerned with the welfare of workers in sheltered workshops for the blind; and WHEREAS, it is recognized that individuals may have a documented secondary physical, mental or emotional disability which may make it impossible for a person to produce at levels that would justify the payment of a minimum wage; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization urges that all individuals who do not have a documented secondary physical, mental or emotional disability should receive at least the statutory minimum wage; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, for those individuals with a documented secondary physical, mental or emotional disability who it is determined do not produce at a level that justifies minimum wage payment, this organization directs its staff and directors to work jointly with National Industries for the Blind to encourage the Department of Labor to carefully oversee the issuance of sub-minimum wage certificates and to assure that effective and regular review of such certificates be conducted by the Department of Labor. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-05 Sub-minimum Wage Certificates and Department of Labor Actions WHEREAS, many workers in sheltered workshops are currently receiving less than the statutory minimum wage; and WHEREAS, all individuals receiving less than the statutory minimum wage are covered by a sub-minimum wage certificate issued by the Department of Labor; and WHEREAS, there is considerable evidence that oversight by the Department of Labor of such certificates is often ineffective; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization urges the Department of Labor to develop effective and appropriate procedures for the continuous and appropriate oversight of such sub-minimum wage certificates; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sufficient funds be made available specifically earmarked to increase the number and effectiveness of field compliance reviews and to provide for adequate training of a sufficiently large staff to make the conduct of such reviews viable; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization strongly urges the Department of Labor to adopt a significantly more comprehensive set of standards to govern the issuance of such certificates that will assure that no individual who is employed in an industrial workshop and who is blind and does not have a documented, secondary, physical, mental or emotional disability shall be covered under such certificate. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-06 Management Responsibilities in Workshops for the Blind and National Industries for the Blind Responsibilities WHEREAS, many state-operated and some privately-operated sheltered workshops for the blind feature disincentives to upward job mobility; and WHEREAS, some sheltered workshop programs are paying sub- minimum wages as a result of poor management; and WHEREAS, many workshops have not developed effective and systematic approaches to the transition of workers into competitive employment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled,in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization urges National Industries for the Blind to continue to strengthen its efforts to provide direction and assistance to workshops with whom it works to assure that the occurrence of such abuse is eliminated; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and staff of this organization are ordered to work closely with National Industries for the Blind and other appropriate agencies to seek ways of eliminating such practices where they occur in sheltered workshops for the blind not affiliated with National Industries for the Blind. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-07 Accessible Banking WHEREAS, several banks are now making effective accommodations to allow their blind and visually impaired customers to receive and review bank statements and other finance-related information without sighted assistance; and WHEREAS, such services encourage the independence and self- sufficiency of visually impaired customers; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July, 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization commends those banks that have made such efforts and requests that the American Bankers' Association and other appropriate organizations be asked to develop effective and appropriate standards for serving blind customers in a confidential manner which will be disseminated to member banks. Such standards should be developed in close consultation with the American Council of the Blind and the officers and staff of this organization are directed to actively work toward the achievement of the goals of this resolution, This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-08 Architectural Barriers Removal Committee of the American Council of the Blind and Research into the Efficacy of Directional Tiles WHEREAS, in 1985 the American Council of the Blind passed a resolution calling for research into the usefulness of directional tiles as supplementary mobility aids; and WHEREAS, this research was to be conducted by the Architectural Barriers Committee of the American Council of the Blind with a report to be presented to the Board of Directors at the January board meeting; and WHEREAS, no evidence that the President appointed such a committee or that such a report was prepared, exists; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization reiterates its request expressed last year that the Architectural Barriers Committee sanctioned by resolution in 1978 now be established; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this committee undertake as its first task a review of the viability of directional tiles as supplementary mobility aids and report to the Board by its January meeting. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-09 Resolution urging the Retention of Crosswalk Markings WHEREAS, crosswalk markings serve as a valued visual orientation guide for low vision individuals; and WHEREAS, there appears to be evidence that the State of California is considering the elimination of such markings; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that were this to occur, other states might follow California's lead; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization strongly opposes the revision of any national, state or local laws, regulations or policies pertaining to crosswalk markings and resulting in a reduction of the quantity or quality of markings of said crosswalks. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-10 Resolution Expressing Concern over States Leaving the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the American Council of the Blind have, since their formation, strongly supported the provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program; and WHEREAS, the States of Montana and Wyoming are withdrawing from the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program; and WHEREAS, it now appears that other states are considering leaving the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program; and WHEREAS, such actions can only be seen as detrimental to the cohesion and viability of said program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee, that this organization and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America urge all states to attempt to find solutions to problems they may be having, within the parameters of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and staff of this organization and all state affiliates are urged, as a matter of priority, to take all actions necessary to assure that state licensing agencies seek substantive remedies including rule changes within the Randolph-Sheppard Program and with corresponding state and local ordinances; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the staff and officers of this organization are urged to provide such assistance as seems appropriate to forward the goals of this resolution. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 3, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-11 Resolution on Birthday Celebration and Contribution to a Service-Oriented Fund WHEREAS, recent budget cuts have caused the suspension of legislative seminars in Washington, D.C. and the curtailment of other outreach activities oriented to the strengthening and developing of affiliates; and WHEREAS, affiliate development is vital to the growth and well-being of this organization; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization establish a special budgetary category for the purpose of conducting legislative seminars held in Washington, D.C. at times appropriate to maximize Congressional impact and to finance other activities oriented solely to affiliate strengthening and development; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a birthday celebration shall henceforth be a part of each national convention with attendees and non-attendees alike encouraged, but not required, to offer monetary birthday gifts which will be specifically earmarked for the budgetary category created by this resolution. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-12 Hotel Room Markings for the Blind and Visually Impaired WHEREAS, hotels can be confusing to totally blind people and visually impaired persons; and WHEREAS, part of this confusion could be considerably lessened were braille and tactilely recognizable print with high contrast affixed outside the doors of rooms; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization and all affiliates be strongly encouraged to work with hotels in this country to ensure that permanent, recognizable signage as described be installed; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization and all affiliates accept the responsibilities previously embodied in resolutions with regard to architectural barrier removal particularly as it applies to elevators and hotel accessibility. This resolution was adopted as amended on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-13 Handicapped Children and Senate Bill 2294 WHEREAS, there are increasing numbers of handicapped children in the birth through five-year age range; and WHEREAS, specifically, there is a projected increase of 17% by 1990 in the prevalence of visually impaired children ages birth through five; and WHEREAS, research strongly supports the long-range cost- effectiveness and quality-of-life benefits of early intervention programs for visually impaired children; and WHEREAS, currently there are federal mandates for education of handicapped children ages 5 through 21; and WHEREAS, only 19 states mandate services for handicapped children ages 3 through 5 and only ten states require services for the birth to 3 age range of this population; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization strongly supports Senate Bill 2294, the Handicapped Education Amendments Act of 1986, principally authored by Senator Lowell Weicker, which mandates services to all handicapped children between the ages of three and five under Public Law 94-142 and which creates a new state grant program authorized at one hundred million dollars for fiscal year 1987 to enhance services for handicapped children from birth to 3; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization strongly urges the amendment of Senate Bill 2294 to additionally mandate services for all handicapped children between birth and 3 years of age; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the staff and directors of this organization are requested to take such actions as are deemed appropriate to forward the objectives of this resolution. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-14 The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Censure WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has for many years conducted a training program and certification program for those who transcribe books into braille; and WHEREAS, these individuals contribute their services not only to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped but to private libraries and individuals throughout the country, rendering invaluable aid to the blind; and WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has decided to suspend all hand-copied transcriptions for that library in compliance with the necessity of cutting costs to respond to the Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Act; and WHEREAS, curtailment of this service suggests strongly that when next year's cuts become necessary, the library may, since it will be receiving no benefit from the work of transcribers, terminate the training and certification program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee this organization urges the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to change its position regarding hand-copied books, thus assuring continued interest and enthusiasm for this valuable volunteer program; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all members of the American Council of the Blind will, if no interest is taken in our request, contact their congressmen to object to this particular cut in services in recognition of the fact that within programs it is the administrator who decides where cost reductions will be made. This resolution was defeated on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-15 National Accreditation Council Support by the American Foundation for the Blind WHEREAS, the American Foundation for the Blind has actively supported effective accreditation of agencies serving the blind at least since it played a seminal role in the preparation of the COMSTAC Report; and WHEREAS, that report led directly to the formation of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired which has, for the past twenty years, sought to enhance the quality of programs serving the blind and visually impaired; and WHEREAS, accreditation of agencies is now more crucial than it has ever been owing to the increasing competition of other less competent accrediting approaches; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization commends the American Foundation for the Blind for its unflagging efforts to encourage quality services through effective accreditation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Foundation for the Blind is urged to continue its financial support of the National Accreditation Council until that agency has developed a sufficiently autonomous funding base to be able to operate and accredit independent of financial assistance from AFB; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and staff of this organization are urged to work with the National Accreditation Council, AFB and other appropriate agencies to devise an arrangement that will assure the creation of an autonomous, ongoing, viable financial base for the National Accreditation Council that will make it the independent, self-sufficient entity it must become if it is to continue to be the leading accreditor of programs for the blind. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-16 Thrift Stores WHEREAS, the thrift stores operated by the American Council of the Blind derive their revenue from the states in which they are located; and WHEREAS, the visually impaired people in these states support the stores with their patronage and with their advocacy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that these thrift stores shall pay a small percentage of their revenue into the treasury of the state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, said percentage to be set by the managing body of the stores; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the manager of each store give serious consideration to the employment of qualified, visually impaired persons on their staffs. This resolution was defeated on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-17 Savings Account interest Should Not Count as Income for Supplemental Security Income Recipients WHEREAS, blind recipients of Supplemental Security Income are permitted to have limited bank accounts without regard to their eligibility for such benefits; and WHEREAS, interest from these accounts is considered by the Social Security Administration to be income; and WHEREAS, this practice works a hardship on a significant number of Supplemental Security Income recipients; and WHEREAS, this deplorable practice not only is harmful to blind recipients but almost certainly results in costs to the Social Security Administration that far outweigh the financial gain to that program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization urges the Social Security Administration to adopt rules that would permit some mechanism to be devised that would enable such recipients not to have such interest counted as income; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization recommends to Congress that legislation designed to achieve these ends be adopted forthwith. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-18 Open Meetings Policy WHEREAS, the American council of the Blind has, since its inception, had a reputation for openness in its decision-making Process; and WHEREAS, the only committee of the American Council of the Blind whose meetings are authorized by the constitution to be closed are those of the nominating committee; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization establishes the policy that the times and places of all committee meetings shall be announced as early as possible via all appropriate convention information systems; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization reiterates that all committee meetings except for the nominating committee, are fully open to the American Council of the Blind membership attendance for the purpose, at least, of observation. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-19 Home Recording Act WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1739 (The Home Recording Act) and its house companion HR. 2911 propose to tax recorded tapes, blank tapes and tape reproducing equipment; and WHEREAS, such a tax would seriously impact the blind and visually impaired people of this country who depend upon audio recording for communicating, reading and information storage; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization and Friends in Art urge all members and affiliates to work actively to defect this bill and its house equivalent. This resolution was adopted as amended on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-20 Restore the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Cuts WHEREAS, Congress has lowered the budget allocation to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped by 4.3 million dollars in two reductions, once prior to Gramm- Rudmann-Hollings and once subsequent thereto; and WHEREAS, these reductions have resulted in the cancellation of one hundred cassette titles from the production schedule, the suspension of a large portion of the hand-copied braille production schedule, the elimination of thirty-seven press braille titles, the closing of one multi-state regional service center and the freezing of magazine list levels; and WHEREAS, future years' implementation of Gramm-Rudmann- Hollings could result in even more devastating impact to programming offered through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; and WHEREAS, the services offered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are absolutely essential to the progress, education, recreation, and independence of blind children; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization abhors the budget cuts sustained by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and adamantly urges Congress to take such actions as may be necessary to return monies lost to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and to remove this program from further impact under the Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Act. This resolution was adopted on July 5, 1986 without amendment. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-21 Playboy WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind is fully supportive of the United States Constitution including all assurances afforded through the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights; and WHEREAS, the action taken by the United States Congress in delving into the budget of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped specifically to remove funding for the production of Playboy Magazine in braille was heinous, repugnant, and not in the best tradition of America inasmuch as it clearly violates provisions of the United States Constitution by wantonly censoring reading materials available to the blind; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization opposes and regrets the action taken by Congress and strongly objects to as discriminatory and censorious activities with reference to the blind through its limitations on their access to reading matter as based on arbitrary standards of social value; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization commends the swift and well-considered actions of its directors and staff in attempting to secure judicial remedy for this violation of the rights of the blind. This resolution was adopted as amended on July 4, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-22 Radio Reading Service Petitions WHEREAS, this organization continues to support the concept and expansion of radio reading services to benefit blind and visually impaired people and others having a reading handicap; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind participated in the formation of the Association of Radio Reading Services and continues to have a representative on its board of directors; and WHEREAS, that association has filed two petitions for rule- making with the Federal Communications Commission; one to further protect the use of subsidiary carrier authorizations for reading service purposes, and the other to obtain the use of broadcast frequencies in the 220-225 megahertz frequency range for the expansion of reading services throughout the nation; and WHEREAS, that band is only and not extensively used by amateur radio operators with whom reading services are willing to share frequencies; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization's officers and staff act to support the pending petitions as filed by the Association of Radio Reading Services; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED. that the American Council of the Blind encourage that association and the American Radio Relay League to coalesce on the common goal of preserving the 220-225 megahertz band for public service use by amateur radio operators and radio reading services. This resolution was defeated on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-23 Resolution Asking for Less Braille Cuts for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped must endure its share of the ravages of the Gramm-Rudmann-Hollings Act; and WHEREAS, the administration of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has chosen to cut each of the reading media for the blind (including braille) by a specific dollar amount rather than by equal percentage; and WHEREAS, braille production is already the lowest in number of all the reading media used by blind readers, which means that being cut by a specific dollar amount as with the other media, inevitably results in a substantially higher percentage; and WHEREAS, the braille medium is being made to sustain a dis- proportionately higher percentage in cuts, thus further reducing the production of braille reading material for all braille readers, especially the deaf-blind for whom there is no other medium; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that the Braille Revival League, together with the American Council of the Blind, strongly urge the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to reconsider its cutting procedure so as to use percentage rather than an arbitrary, specific dollar amount. This resolution passed without amendment July 5; 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-24 Commendation for Oakland, California for Allocating Funds to make Travel by Blind Persons Easier WHEREAS, the City of Oakland, California is deeply committed to maximum accessibility for all handicapped people; and WHEREAS, in furtherance of this commitment, the City of Oakland has allocated seventy-five thousand dollars for the installation of audible pedestrian traffic signals at appropriate intersections; and WHEREAS, the City of Oakland intends to implement this project, despite ill-considered opposition; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that the American Council of the Blind commends the City of Oakland, California for its wisdom, understanding and determination to make itself more accessible to blind pedestrians. This resolution passed without amendment July 5; 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-25 Resolution Honoring Vernon Henley WHEREAS, for many years, Vernon Henley was an invaluable member of the American Council of the Blind; and WHEREAS, among his many achievements, were the production of "the American Council of the Blind Reports", service as chair of the Board of Publications and general convention trouble-shooter; and WHEREAS, his recent and untimely death has shocked and saddened the membership of the American Council of the Blind; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization publicly recognizes his many years of dedicated service and extends our heartfelt sympathy to his family. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-26 Resolution Recognizing Delbert Aman WHEREAS, Delbert K. Aman is a charter member of the American Council of the Blind and greatly contributed to its formation; and WHEREAS, Mr. Aman is concluding ten consecutive years of service as an officer and board member during which he dedicated himself to the growth and development of the American Council of the Blind; and WHEREAS, he has also contributed to the guidance of the American Council of the Blind Enterprise Services as a member of its board; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Aman and commends him for his long tenure of service; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization looks forward to his continued participation in the American Council of the Blind and related activities and to his further support and work for causes in the best interest of blind and visually impaired people. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-27 National Accreditation Council Self-Study WHEREAS, the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired is currently engaged in a detailed self-study; and WHEREAS, such a self-study is examining several areas of that agency's operations and policies; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has long supported the National Accreditation Council as the most effective available body for accrediting agencies serving the blind and visually impaired; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization expresses its concern that the National Accreditation Council, by shrinking its Board of Directors and Commission on Advancement of Accreditation, will lessen the opportunities for viable consumer input; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization asks that the National Accreditation Council self-study take particular cognizance of the need to have adequate, trained, responsible staff involved at all levels of the accreditation process but especially during the on-site review which is at the core of said process; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in an effort to encourage American Council of the Blind members who are qualified to serve as on-site review team members, the National Accreditation Council arrange to conduct an on-site review team training seminar at the 1987 convention of this organization; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization expresses its firmly-held belief that accreditation of human service agencies is effective only when that process is sufficiently consumer-oriented that it serves to empower and enfranchise the consumers of the services being accredited. This resolution passed as amended on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-28 Resolution Seeking the Production of an Inexpensive Slate WHEREAS, the use and ownership of a slate and stylus constitutes the cornerstone of literacy for blind persons who are braille users; and WHEREAS, the slate is becoming increasingly inaccessible to low income people because of its escalating price; NOW, THEREFORE, HE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization urges National Industries for the Blind to explore the possibility of producing a slate that would be both usable and economical; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and staff of this organization are requested to communicate this resolution to the American Printing House for the Blind, and Howe Press. This resolution was passed without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-29 Resolution Honoring Dr. Hoover WHEREAS, Dr. Richard Hoover Pioneered development of the long cane and thus laid the foundation of all current practice and theory of cane travel; and WHEREAS, the members of the American Council of the Blind have benefited from the creativity and systematization that was implicit in this development; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that the members of this organization commend Dr. Hoover for his quantum leap forward in mobility for the blind and express our deep appreciation for his efforts on behalf of the blind of the world. This resolution passed without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-30 ATBCB Board Membership WHEREAS, the blind and visually impaired people of this country have a vital interest in the removal of architectural and transportation barriers; and WHEREAS, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board is one of the chief agencies responsible for overseeing said removal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization deplores the fact that no person with visual impairment currently serves on the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers and staff of this organization are directed to communicate our serious concern to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and the President of the United States who has the responsibility of making appointments to this Board. This resolution was passed without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-31 Commendation of Frank Kurt Cylke for Arranging to make Possible Sale of Braille Books WHEREAS, a resolution passed by this organization last year urged the Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to seek means of making it possible for producers to sell braille books at low prices despite Federal regulations that seemed to prohibit such sales; and WHEREAS, Frank Kurt Cylke, the Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, announced at this convention that such a method had been worked out; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization commends Mr. Cylke for this responsive and laudatory action and urges all producers to take advantage of the opportunities to market books that this action offers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of this organization are urged to make every effort to participate in such a sales program so that this meaningful and revolutionary opportunity will not be wasted. This resolution was passed on July 5, 1986 without amendment. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-32 Fiftieth Anniversary of Randolph-Sheppard Program WHEREAS, during the past fifty years, over 39,000 visually impaired people have had an opportunity to be small businessmen and women in Federal buildings and other sites in the United States; and WHEREAS, as of June of 1986, there were 3875 people who were engaged in retail activities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act; and WHEREAS, these visually impaired people are earning and paying taxes on average incomes per year of $18,500; and WHEREAS, on June 20, 1986, Senator Robert Stafford (R) Vermont, on the occasion of the fiftieth birthday of the Randolph- Sheppard Act, entered, in part, these remarks into the Congressional Record: "the Randolph-Sheppard Act has allowed between 3500 and 4000 people a year who are either totally blind or seriously visually impaired to be productive, self-supporting citizens of the United States of America." NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization recognizes the fifty years of valuable service of Senator Jennings Randolph and congratulates all vendors whose program has now lasted half a century; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization gives its highest commendation to Senator Randolph for his tireless and consistent efforts in monitoring and improving the Randolph- Sheppard Act and resultant programming; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization congratulates the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America for their continuing involvement in such a fine program. This resolution was adopted without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-33 Early Vocational Rehabilitation Service WHEREAS, there is increasing evidence that visually impaired students graduating from high school are virtually bereft of work experience; and WHEREAS, such experience plays a major role in their job- readiness and career orientation; and WHEREAS, the Job Training Partnership Act could allow students to access work experience as early as the age of fourteen; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization urges the Rehabilitation Services Administration to encourage state rehabilitation agencies serving the blind to begin rehabilitation services to visually impaired high school students at least at the ninth grade level to allow them to have access to three years, as a minimum, of vocational counseling. This resolution was passed without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-34 Recognizing the American Foundation for the Blind for its Role in Transition Team Training WHEREAS, the American Foundation for the Blind has embarked, through a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration, on a major effort to transition blind, visually impaired, and multiply-handicapped blind from school to work; and WHEREAS, the American Foundation for the Blind has afforded the American Council of the Blind extensive participation through the selection of its members for consumer transition training; and WHEREAS, this effort will ultimately place skilled transition teams to work with the blind, visually impaired, and multiply-handicapped blind in each of the fifty states; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled, in July 1986, in Knoxville, Tennessee that this organization commends the American Foundation for the Blind for its efforts with reference to transitioning and for its involvement of the American Council of the Blind in this vital project. This resolution passed without amendment on July 5, 1986. American Council of the Blind Resolution 86-35 Communications Network for the American Council of the Blind WHEREAS, there now exists a variety of electronic and computerized communications media that would be particularly useful to blind people and to this organization; and WHEREAS, only through prompt and effective communications is it possible for the American Council of the Blind's legislative and other activities to be properly carried out; and WHEREAS, the Visually Impaired Data Processors International (VIDPI) has the expertise and commitment to help the American Council of the Blind maximize these new, computerized, communications possibilities; and WHEREAS, VIDPI has offered its professional service to the American Council of the Blind by establishing a committee at its annual business meeting on Monday, June 30, 1986 to study the various associated aspects of a communications network and to provide a report and proposal to the American Council of the Blind Board of Directors; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled in Knoxville, Tennessee in July 1986 that this organization express its support for such a network, and that the President be authorized to work with this committee of VIDPI and, in conjunction with the American Council of the Blind Board of Directors, consider its recommendations for future action by the Board. This resolution was passed without amendment on July 5, 1986.