THE Braille Forum Vol. XXX January/February 1992 No. 4 Published By The American Council of the Blind PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY LeRoy F. Saunders, President Oral O. Miller, J.D., National Representative Nolan Crabb, Editor Nicole Willson, Editorial Assistant National Office 1155 15th St. N.W. Suite 720 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 467-5081 Fax (202) 467-5085 THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large type, half-speed four-track cassette tape, and MS-DOS computer disk. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to: Nolan Crabb, THE BRAILLE FORUM, 1155 15th St. N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions, which are tax-deductible, may be sent to Brian Charlson, Treasurer, 1155 15th St. N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the continuing work of the American Council of the Blind. The ACB National Office offers printed cards to acknowledge to loved ones contributions made in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the American Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will And Testament may do so by including a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the ACB National Office. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 8 p.m. to midnight eastern time Monday through Friday. Washington, D.C., residents only, tel. 296-3552. Copyright 1992 The American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message: Some Thoughts on the Economy Rediscover Phoenix in 1992 ADA: Get Ready to Implement News Briefs From the ACB National Office The NLS Combination Machine: Renovations and Reservations Legal Access: Remembering the Beginning of Evolution ACB Member Receives Migel Award Letter to a Rehabilitation Counselor ACB Scholarships Available to Blind Students Award Nominations Sought Otis Stephens and Kevin Kolbo Honored in Awards Ceremony ACB Membership At Large Applications Here and There High Tech Swap Shop PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ECONOMY by LeRoy F. Saunders The holiday season has just passed, and I can't help but reflect on the news I've heard about the state of the economy in this country. It's extremely hard not to get discouraged and wonder what changes we will have to deal with in the future. I am always very concerned about the health of the nation's economy, since the Oklahoma League for the Blind is a manufacturer and more than 90% of our income is derived from our monthly production. Since we sell in the commercial market as well as to the government, we will eventually be affected by what happens in these areas. Just over a year ago, we had some very trying times. Difficulties at the League necessitated some massive layoffs. Of course, ours were nothing like those we hear about from General Motors and the other major manufacturers here, but percentage- wise we were affected just as badly. We were fortunate in that we had just added a new product line; this helped us to partially recover from this massive downturn. The activity during Desert Storm also gave us a much-needed boost. We manufactured some items that were very much in demand. During the war, we manufactured three times as much of some items as we normally do in a year. For quite some time now, I have seen a real change in our economy. This change is happening much faster than many people want to realize and it will eventually affect all of us. We have gradually changed from a manufacturing-oriented economy to a service-oriented one. The main disadvantage to this change is that people who work in services do not earn the same amount of money as do their counterparts in industry. You might say, "I work for the federal, state or municipal government and therefore I don't really have to be concerned about this." I can assure you that you should be concerned because as unemployment rises and people make less money, the amount of taxes received by various governing bodies will be adversely affected. Many states are having difficulty meeting their expenses, and are making major cutbacks. Some of these states are on the verge of bankruptcy; municipal governments are no better off than the states. With this in mind, I've tried hard to analyze what we might face during the coming year at ACB. By the time you read this, President Bush and Congress will be very concerned about stimulating the economy. I think there will likely be some major cutbacks in defense. This money will be used to spur the economy, and some of it may be used to enhance social programs. This is where we can play an important role. For a long time, people have talked about cutting the defense budget, and some people are very happy that this is coming to pass. However, cutting defense has its disadvantages. The government will decrease the purchase of defense items which many people are employed to manufacture. Still others may also be discharged from the various branches of the military. This means that there will be more people competing for fewer jobs. However, I don't think we should become completely negative about our economic situation. Somehow we all must work together to turn a negative situation into a positive one. I certainly understand that this is much easier said than done. In early January, I went to Washington, D.C., to meet with our Budget Committee. The bright side of this article is that our thrift stores have shown a major improvement in recent months. This is mainly because we now manage them ourselves through the American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services. With the thrift stores doing better, we will probably have the opportunity to expand a little in the coming year. Whatever type of expansion we undertake will be done cautiously. We will expand gradually. We are making progress on retiring our debts, and we must also develop some reserves to draw on as needed in the future. In order for us to survive in the coming year, we must develop the most positive outlook on what we have to face. Generally, every situation has its silver lining, and it is up to us to make this silver lining work for the benefit of ACB and our members. Change is inevitable. Those who cannot deal with change will be lost in the future. I don't intend for myself or ACB to be lost. I hope all of our members will develop this type of attitude about dealing with what lies ahead. We need your help more than ever and as I keep pointing out to our affiliate presidents, the action really is in your state. Without your help, ACB can only partially do its job. Your attitude is extremely important. With your help, I believe ACB can handle any situation it encounters. REDISCOVER PHOENIX IN 1992 By John A. Horst, Convention Coordinator The middle of winter is a great time to think about Phoenix, Ariz., and to make your plans to attend the 1992 convention of the American Council of the Blind. Phoenix and the surrounding area has much to offer including great desert vistas, deep canyons, Native American culture, ghost towns from the last century, and much more. Rediscover the old Southwest in 1992. This year, there will only be two hotels and no shuttles to worry about. The Hyatt Regency Hotel, where most of the convention activities will occur, is located in downtown Phoenix at 122 Second St. This hotel has ample space for all convention functions except for the exhibits. The second hotel, now the Omni-Adams will be used as a backup hotel for room reservations. This was the Hilton Hotel where ACB held its 1983 convention. This hotel is located immediately behind the Hyatt regency on Adams Avenue and First Street. Exhibits will be at the Phoenix Civic Center located across Second Street and the Civic Center Plaza, a short walking distance from the front of the Hyatt. The 1992 convention will begin July 4 and end July 11. You can make your reservations now by calling the Hyatt at (602) 252-1234 or the Omni-Adams at (602) 257-1525. A credit card number, check or money order for one night's lodging is required before your reservation can be confirmed. Rates are $45 per night for single, double, triple, and quads. There is an additional charge if a roll-away bed is desired. Downtown Phoenix offers a number of shopping areas and malls for the convenience of convention attendees. We are negotiating with the hotels to provide transportation to these malls. The Arizona Center located just three blocks from the hotel and the Marcado Mall, five blocks away, have a variety of stores and eating places. There are restaurants across Adams Avenue from the side entrance of the Hyatt and, of course, the Hyatt has the Plaza Cafe coffee shop open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight and the Revolving Campus Restaurant and Lounge on top of the hotel which affords a great view of the city. Your convention committee, assisted by local representatives of the Arizona Council of the Blind, is working diligently to make the 1992 convention the best ever. Nola Webb, president of Families With Visual Impairment, will again coordinate special sessions and tours for children. Descriptive Video Service, a division of WGBH-TV in Boston, is considering showing two movies for your viewing pleasure. A preliminary general session will again occur Sunday evening, July 5. The convention schedule will be crowded with seminars, workshops, professional meetings, receptions, social functions, and tours. New for 1992 will be an Editor's Workshop conducted by Billie Jean Hill and the Board of Publications. The Hyatt has a beautiful swimming pool with sauna, jacuzzi, and an exercise room for your enjoyment. Arrangements for the overnight tour Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4, are now complete. The destination is the Grand Canyon, but there will be many fascinating attractions along the way. Convention attendees will depart the front entrance of the Hyatt at 7:30 a.m. Friday via air-conditioned bus with tour guide and volunteers. Coffee and doughnuts will be served on the bus. The first stop will be at Jerome, an old mining town. In 1890, Jerome was the largest city in Arizona with close to 300,000 people. It was the largest producer of copper ore in the world. Departing Jerome at 10:45 a.m., visitors will tour the red rock country of Sedona. Travelers will see the beauty and splendor of this area which has been home to many western movie sets. See where John Wayne was chased by the Indians past Cathedral Rock. Plan to enjoy the mystique of Sedona's art galleries and boutiques. After a quick lunch, visitors will continue on to Flagstaff to view the Oak Creek Canyon with its beauty and wonder second only to the Grand Canyon. The tour will arrive at the Five Flags Inn in Flagstaff for dinner and overnight lodgings. The price of the dinner and Saturday's breakfast and dinner Saturday are not included in the tour. The tour departs the hotel at 8 a.m. Saturday, and arrives at the town of Williams at 8:45 a.m., where travelers will board a 1901 steam train for the trip to the Grand Canyon. Live entertainment and complimentary refreshments will be provided on the train. Visitors will enjoy a 2-1/2 hour ride through some of the most scenic country in the state. Arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 12:30 p.m., the tour will board the buses to view the canyon from several lookout points. The tour guide will describe the canyon in detail. Box lunches and beverages will be served on the buses. At 2:30 p.m., the bus will depart for the Imax Theater where viewers will live the Imax experience, feeling as if they are actually taking part in a helicopter ride, rafting down the mighty Colorado River, and participating in other exciting journeys through the canyon. Departing the theater at 3:30 p.m., travelers will again board the buses to return to Phoenix, stopping at Flagstaff for dinner and arriving in Phoenix at about 9 p.m. Advance reservations are required for this fabulous tour. They can be made by contacting Jim Olsen, ACB Convention registration chairperson, 310 4th Ave. South, Suite 822, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Tel. (612) 332-3242. Reservations will be accepted after March 15 and will only be confirmed when full payment is provided by Visa or MasterCard number, check or money order made payable to ACB Convention 1992. You will also need to indicate if you desire a single or double room for Friday night at the Five Flags Inn. The cost of this overnight tour is only $150 per person, which includes air-conditioned bus transportation, snacks and soft drinks on the bus, lunch both days, all admission tickets, and one night's lodging at the Five Flags Inn. All rooms have two double beds. Dinner Friday and breakfast and dinner Saturday are not included. Be certain to sign up for this tour as early as possible after March 15 since space on the buses is limited. The tour committee is planning additional excursions to exciting attractions in Arizona. Watch the next issue of The Braille Forum for a further update. If you have not made your travel plans and hotel reservations, please don't delay. Remember to use International Tours, Inc. of Muskogee, Okla., ACB's designated travel agency. The toll-free number is (800) 847-7676. Oklahoma residents call (800) 722-9822. International Tours of Muskogee offers the lowest air fares and very courteous service. For 1992, special agreements through International Tours have been made with American, Delta, and US Air for discounted rates. Your use of this travel agency reduces ACB travel costs for convention planners. The 1992 ACB Convention offers you opportunity for learning, growth, and fellowship. Each year, our conventions get better and better. 1992 will be no exception. ADA: GET READY TO IMPLEMENT by Paul W. Schroeder Director of Governmental Affairs This is the second of a series of articles designed to provide brief, but detailed, descriptions of some of the most important rights and protections provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act as enumerated in its implementing regulations. The focus here is on public accommodations. Beginning January 26, 1992, businesses and service providers will have to serve people with disabilities in a nondiscriminatory manner. Newly constructed or significantly altered facilities must be fully accessible to and usable by people with disabilities if the construction or alteration is completed after January 26, 1993. The United States Department of Justice published the regulations to implement these provisions which are found in Title III of the ADA on July 26, 1991. The rule imposes requirements on public accommodations and commercial facilities. There are twelve categories of places of public accommodations including: lodging, such as hotels; establishments serving food or drink; entertainment establishments such as theaters; public gathering places such as auditoriums; places selling or renting goods such as video rental stores or shopping centers; service providers such as banks, pharmacies, insurance offices or hospitals; public transportation stations or terminals; places with exhibits or collections such as libraries or museums; recreation or leisure areas such as amusement parks or zoos; private education establishments; social service centers; places for exercise or recreation such as health spas or bowling alleys. A public accommodation itself is the person or entity which owns, leases or operates one of these places of public accommodation. Meaning of Nondiscrimination An individual who has a disability cannot be denied a good or service simply because of the presence of a disability. This requirement also extends to an individual accompanied by a service animal, meaning that public accommodations must permit an individual to use a service animal in nearly all situations. Nor can a public accommodation use an eligibility requirement to limit participation by any person because of his or her disability alone. For example, accepting only a driver's license as identification would be discriminatory treatment. Eligibility or safety standards may be established, but the public accommodation must show that such standards are necessary for the provision of its goods or services and that they are not based on mere generalizations about disabling conditions. Additional Steps Beyond simply welcoming an individual with a disability, public accommodations also have other duties designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full access to the goods, services, entertainment, or other advantages being offered. Simply allowing someone in the door of a store, or movie theater, is not the same as ensuring that person the opportunity to fully enjoy and benefit from that step through the door. For instance, a retail store employee may assist a visually impaired customer in retrieving items as long as the employee can do so without jeopardizing the operation of the store. One of the most important and useful sections of the ADA requires public accommodations to furnish auxiliary aids and services to ensure that individuals who are blind or visually impaired are not excluded from or denied access to visual material. These aids or services include, according to the Justice Department's regulations, qualified readers, taped texts, Brailled material, large print material "or other effective methods of making visually delivered material available ... ." It is expected that individuals with disabilities and ADA-covered entities will work together to determine which auxiliary aid or service is most appropriate. If one aid or service is too costly or difficult for a business to provide, there is still a requirement for the entity to provide a less burdensome aid or service as long as the result is effective communication. Individuals or groups who use such aids or services are not to be charged extra for them. Remember, ADA does not cover all businesses and services in our society so not all "visually delivered material" will be made accessible. Using the list of twelve categories will help you determine what kind of material and services are covered. Businesses and other public accommodations are required to remove architectural and communication barriers when doing so is "readily achievable, i.e., easily accomplishable ... without much difficulty or expense." The first priority for barrier removal is measures which allow individuals with disabilities to enter the facility. The second priority is removing barriers to enable access to places where goods and services are made available. The Justice Department regulations mention several examples of barrier removal which may be useful for people who are blind or visually impaired including adding raised markings to elevator controls, the installation of sound buffers where constant noise masks sound cues and the addition of accessible signage. The list of barrier removal examples is not meant to be exhaustive. There is room for flexibility to meet individual needs. Exams or courses offered by public accommodations must be accessible to individuals with disabilities including those who need the exam or course materials in alternative formats. In addition, exams must be offered so that the results obtained accurately measure the aptitude, achievement or other factor for which it is designed rather than reflecting an impairment caused by an individual's disability (unless the impaired abilities are the skills being measured). Accessible exams must be offered in equally convenient locations, as often and in as timely a manner as the "inaccessible" exam. Fully Accessible and Usable In new construction or significant alterations, stricter guidelines must be observed to ensure that a facility is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. For those of us with visual impairments, these standards include: * no objects protruding beyond four inches in the space between 27 and 80 inches above the walking surface on a walkway, corridor or other path of travel * Brailled and raised characters on elevator panels and doorjambs * Detectible warning surfaces--consisting of material which has a visual contrast, a texture of slightly raised, small domes and a depth of 36 inches--to be placed where no curb separates a walkway from a street or driveway, and along the edge of unprotected drop-offs such as transportation platforms and reflecting pools * Accessible signage--consisting of large-print signs with characters enlarged in proportion to increased viewing distance; and, brailled and raised character signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces * Accessible automatic teller machines with instructions and information required for use to be accessible to and independently usable by blind or visually impaired persons Enforcement Individuals who feel that they have been discriminated against can bring a direct action in court to demand that the provisions of the ADA be fulfilled. Individuals cannot obtain monetary damages because of discriminatory treatment under this section of the law. Attorney's fees may be awarded. Individuals may also complain to the Attorney General, the head of the Department of Justice. The Attorney General can seek monetary damages in a suit where a pattern of discrimination exists. Update on Legislation Civil Rights--On November 21, 1991, President Bush signed the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-166). Because this law changes certain sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, people with disabilities will be able to bring suits asking for compensatory and punitive damages for certain kinds of employment discrimination once the ADA employment section begins to go into effect in July, 1992. The law also enhances the remedies available to federal employees alleging discrimination on the basis of disability. More details on this law will be included in a subsequent discussion of ADA's employment provisions. The ink was barely dry on the new law before efforts were underway to remove the caps on damages which were part of the new law. The caps on total monetary damages were included in the legislation as one of many compromises deemed necessary to pass the legislation. The legislation, called the Equal Remedies Act, was introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward M. Kennedy D- Mass., as S. 2062. In the House the legislation is sponsored by Rep. Barbara Kennelly, D-Conn.,as H.R. 3975. Unlimited compensatory and punitive damages are available to victims of intentional race or national origin discrimination under a separate law. As a matter of equity, damages available to other victims of discrimination, including people with disabilities, should not be limited by arbitrary and artificial caps. Transportation--The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (known as the highway bill) was signed on December 18, 1991 as P.L. 102-240. This legislation reauthorizes substantial federal spending and support for highways and public transportation for five years. The legislation substantially increases federal support for public transportation, finally illustrating a commitment to supporting alternatives to the use of the personal automobile. In addition to increased federal support, this legislation enables states to be more flexible in the use of funds so that additional support can be targeted to public transportation if the states finds it important. Our advocacy at the state level is more vital now than ever. Health Care Reform--Forces are continuing to push Congress and the President toward reform of our nation's health care system. Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have increased their attention to the health care issue. President Bush will likely recommend a series of reform proposals as well. Some of the President's proposals may include changes in the tax code to provide credits to individuals who purchase health insurance, incentives designed to encourage individuals to join health groups such as health maintenance organizations and limits on damages available in malpractice suits. Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, are seeking more extensive reforms designed to entirely reshape our system. Look for intense debate, articulate proposals, and, unfortunately, little action this year because the principal policy leaders have such divergent reform proposals. NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL OFFICE by Oral O. Miller, National Representative Smiles, commendations, and good wishes were bountiful in late October in New York during ceremonies in which the prestigious Migel Medal was presented to Durward McDaniel by the American Foundation for the Blind. (See "ACB Member Receives Migel Award," this issue). Durward is a current member of ACB's Board of Directors, a former ACB National Representative, a founder and charter member of ACB, and a life-long advocate in behalf of blind people! It was my pleasure to add my congratulations to those of dozens of other well-wishers and to extend our best wishes and congratulations also to William F. Gallagher, recipient of the Migel Award as a professional worker in the field of blindness. The British Are Coming! In fact, they've already been here and left, but not before discussing audio description and Descriptive Video Service at length in early November. It was our pleasure in the ACB National Office to enjoy a cup of tea and a considerable amount of discussion with two British theater managers who offer audio description service to their blind patrons. It was agreed, among other things, that the best description isn't necessarily the wordiest or most poetic. In mid-November, it was ACB's pleasure, in cooperation with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Blinded Veterans Association, to co-host the meeting in Washington of the North America and Caribbean Regional Committee of the World Blind Union. The business meetings included reports on, among other things, the meeting of the WBU officers held recently in Hong Kong, the Far East and Pacific Regional Committee conference held recently in Tokyo and several other activities of importance to blind people internationally. The international assembly of the WBU is scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt in November 1992. While no one put on "an old gray bonnet" as mentioned in the old song, as we "drove up to Dover" in mid-November, it was my distinct pleasure to take part in the 1991 state convention of the Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. That was the first convention of that organization held outside the Wilmington area, and the attendance from down- state Delaware and the nearby Eastern Shore of Maryland was pretty good. Among the excellent reports given by a variety of speakers was one concerning a very large catering contract that had been won by the state's Randolph-Sheppard vending program--a good example of an old but proven employment program moving into the market of the 1990's. The American Council of the Blind continued to provide input on telecommunications issues and to monitor developments therein by participating during November in the National Consumer Forum and the Blue Ribbon Panel on National Telecommunications policies of the World Institute on Disability. In addition to the telecommunications implications of the Americans With Disabilities Act, consideration must be given on a continuing basis to, for example, the efforts in Congress to re-impose on the Regional Bell Operating Companies the restrictions U.S. District Court Judge Harold Greene lifted a few months ago. The lifting of the restrictions would allow those companies to generate and provide information of various types rather than merely transmit information generated by others. This subject is covered when appropriate on the Washington Connection--ACB's toll-free telephone information and education service. During November, Nolan Crabb participated as a representative on the National Consumer Advisory Committee of Recording for the Blind, where he had an opportunity to observe the operation of that organization's recently-instituted computerized book program. Books and reference materials are produced on computer disks which can be purchased by RFB subscribers. While the weather was cold in Vermont in December, the hospitality extended to Paul Schroeder, ACB's director of government affairs, was very warm and cordial as he traveled to Burlington to address the Vermont Association for the Blind. While there, he had an opportunity to meet with several ACB members and to observe the policies and operations of a private agency that provides services and serves as an advocate for blind people. Some of the notable foreign visitors who came to the ACB National Office during the past 60 days included an official of the South African Association for the Blind, a successful blind publisher from Pakistan, and Chief S. A. Okubanjo, president of the Nigerian Association of the Blind. We enjoyed meeting each of them and learning more about the activities of blind people in their countries. Chief Okubanjo in particular underscored the need in Nigeria for educational and communications equipment such as braille writing instruments and supplies and basic audio cassette recorders. In early November 1991, we said farewell and good wishes to Coraline Bell, the National Office administrative coordinator for the past 18 months, as she prepared to leave the area to return to school. The new administrative coordinator, who was able to come on board before Coraline left, is Elena Harper, a 1990 alumna of Earlham College in Richmond, In. Z THE NLS COMBINATION MACHINE: RENOVATIONS AND RESERVATIONS by Donna Slivoski Recently, the NLS disc/cassette player combination machine, Model CT-1, was distributed, in limited quantity, to cooperating network libraries. In an age when electronic equipment is becoming smaller and lighter, the NLS combination machine, weighing nearly 15 pounds and measuring approximately 15 3/4 inches deep by 13 3/4 inches wide by 6 1/4 inches high, is a bit hefty. Assuming that the carrying handle is facing you when the machine is opened, the cassette player is located to the right of the turntable. The cassette and disc players share the on/off, speed selector, volume, tone, variable speed, rewind and fast forward controls. The cassette player differs radically from the standard NLS player. To begin with, the cassette is placed on the machine braille side up, allowing the microprocessor inside the machine to play any of the four tracks without turning the tape over. If in automatic mode when the end of a track is reached, the machine will pause for about 30 seconds and then beep the same number of times as the new side of the tape, i.e., twice for side two, three times for side three, etc. The sliding door, which must be pulled forward in order for the tape to play, also acts as a pause feature. When the door is pushed toward the back of the machine, play is immediately halted even though the play button is still engaged. That's one of the neatest things about this machine. It's high time NLS cassette players were equipped with a pause feature. As on other NLS disc players, the speaker is located in the detachable lid. When I played the operating instructions, I was really impressed by the sound quality emanating from the speaker. Upon playing a cassette book and some magazines on disc, however, I confirmed the fact that when the sound quality of a recording is muffled, a good speaker won't have much effect. Why don't all NLS recordings sound as clear as those operating instructions? The tone arm on the combination machine (as well as on all NLS disc players produced these days) does not lift. Instead, it is moved by pressing down on the top front end and swinging it toward the turntable, where an indicator at the edge of the turntable causes the needle to drop into place at the beginning of the disc. Though this worked fine, I found that pressing down on the arm in order to retract and reposition the needle makes it virtually impossible to move around on a disc without scratching it or losing one's place. Closing the lid causes the machine to turn off while allowing the needle to stay on the disc in roughly the same spot. While NLS claims that the rewind and fast forward features can be used on discs as well as cassettes, the operating instructions suggest that these features only be used on magazines, as opposed to flexible discs which must be returned to the library. Initially, I was excited at the convenience of being able to rewind and fast forward discs, but after some experimenting, I strongly advise that these features not be used while in disc mode. Because the needle is not retracted, the rewind and fast forward functions pull the needle through the grooves, causing damage. Equipped with a rechargeable battery, the cassette mode's projected battery life is two-and-a-half hours, while the disc function runs for approximately six hours. The battery recharges in 14 hours, during which time the player can run on house current. The microprocessor in the combination machine sends messages to the user in the form of tones rather than indicator lights. For instance, when the battery needs charging, the user hears two consecutive tones varying in pitch. When the rewind or fast forward button has not been pushed down far enough to engage, two short tones sound; and when the player is in automatic mode, a series of short tones in rapid succession indicate that it has reached the end of a cassette. All in all, I feel that NLS has done a good job with the combination machine, but a few features need some rethinking. Though it actually takes longer to change tracks when the end of a side is reached while in automatic mode than when using the old NLS cassette player, I really like the cassette player portion of the combination machine. The disc player function, however, is another matter. On the plus side, I'm glad that the variable speed control has become a standard feature on all NLS disc players produced nowadays. Yet I'm concerned that the fast forward/rewind feature is going to cause damage to disc books in circulation. The benefits of having a tone arm that remains in place when the machine is closed are outweighed by the damage that this particular tone arm could do to records. Scratched books will cost NLS money to replace, and inconvenience both readers and NLS. LEGAL ACCESS: REMEMBERING THE BEGINNING OF EVOLUTION by Charles D. Goldman (Reprinted with permission from "Horizons" February 1992.) As winter settles into the Washington area and the quadrennial national turbulence we call a Presidential election begins to unfold, it is important to reflect on the past four years. It is time not only to evaluate the politicians but more importantly to gain a sense of the remarkable progress, all of which got a major jumpstart four years ago at a small college (now university) in northeast Washington, D.C. At this time four years ago, the Board of Directors of Gallaudet College were looking for a new president. Now, that decision is generally made by the governing body. However, this time, the situation changed. The governing board bypassed hearing-impaired candidates for an able-bodied person. Student demonstrations, vintage 1960s, ensued. Then, the board chairperson made a major gaffe when she was reported to have made remarks to the effect that deaf persons were not qualified to lead. While the remarks were repeatedly and emphatically denied, the dispute escalated and became a veritable cause celebre, attracting bipartisan political support for the students. The rest, as they say, is history. I. King Jordan, a hearing-impaired administrator and faculty member, was selected and has served successfully as President of Gallaudet. Think of it. What should not have been a public debate, i.e. who should run a university, became a major civil rights battle. Now realize what came later that spring, as a veritable floodgate of activities ensued: The Fair Housing Act Amendments are adopted, which give persons with disabilities protection under the federal law. The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988 is passed over a presidential veto, legislatively reversing Grove City vs. Bell, and extending the nondiscrimination obligations of recipients of federal funding. And finally, Sen. Lowell Weicker and Congressman Tony Coelho introduce a major new bill, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Debate begins on a comprehensive civil rights measure to protect persons with disabilities. Gallaudet shattered two fundamental myths about persons with disabilities. First, that disability is inability. Clearly there were qualified persons with disabilities who could (and now do) lead the college. Second, it shattered the myth that persons with disabilities could not speak for themselves. The hearing- impaired students did quite well in the mass media, from "Nightline" to the New York Times, and all points in between. The successes of the ADA will be based on the shattering of those myths. As persons with disabilities are employed and receive services from the private sector, as well as from state and local governments, there will be growing recognition of their abilities, not their disabilities. Something special happened at Gallaudet. Civil rights for persons with disabilities became a national issue. Today, we would say that the genie was "out of the bottle and not going back." A national momentum, a new recognition of persons with disabilities as persons, had begun. Now flash forward from 1988 to 1992. Gallaudet and I. King Jordan are both alive and well, thank you. The ADA was adopted in 1990 and even had regulations issued on time (in major parts) in 1991. Today there are new major issues, such as national health insurance and a national personal attendant policy. And there are old issues, too. The budget deficit is simply too large to be ignored -- regardless of who wins the election. Program/agency effectiveness assessments are on the horizon. The legislative and regulatory mandates of the ADA must be translated into the realities of jobs, services, and activities. Most importantly, society's attitude of accepting persons with disabilities as persons continues to evolve. Gallaudet was a watershed for persons with disabilities. There is little doubt in my mind that candidates from both political parties will claim credit for the series of events which Gallaudet catalyzed. Gallaudet set the stage for persons with disabilities and their supporters to avail themselves of the political process to make significant gains in their individual rights. What began as a student uprising has become a civil rights evolution. In this election year, listen to the politicians take their due and make more promises, but give the real credit to the community of persons with disabilities. And when you pass by that campus in northeast Washington known as Gallaudet University, remember -- and feel a little extra proud! LEAST WANTED AWARD: In these days of projected fears over the costs of ADA, the Least Wanted Awarded will be given to the grossest distortion promotion on ADA. Send all nominations to the Editor. ACB MEMBER RECEIVES MIGEL AWARD NEW YORK - Durward K. McDaniel, a founding member of the American Council of the Blind and a member of its current Board of Directors, received the Migel Medal in ceremonies here October 31. Sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind, the Migel Medal is given in both the layperson and professional categories. McDaniel received the layperson award, and William Gallagher, former president and executive director of AFB, received the award in the professional category. The medal features an angel carrying a lighted torch on one side and the inscription, "For outstanding services to the blind" on the other. "I've never had the medal described to me before. I expect to get some ribbing from my friends about the angel on here," McDaniel quipped when he received the award. Jansen Noyes, Jr., honorary chairman of AFB's Board of Trustees, presented the award. He said McDaniel "will be a leader among us so long as he shall live." McDaniel, who lost his sight at age 14, received his Bachelor of Arts and Law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He served as president of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind from 1947 to 1950. In 1949, he co-founded the Oklahoma League for the Blind, and still serves on its board. He was one of the founding members of ACB in 1961. McDaniel maintained a successful private law practice in Oklahoma City for 20 years. In 1968, he moved to Washington to become ACB's national representative, a post he held until his retirement in 1981. He is the nation's preeminent expert on the Randolph- Sheppard vending program. He has served as the legal counsel for the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, an ACB affiliate, since 1981. Early in his career, McDaniel recognized the need for blind and disabled people to work more closely together. He was a founding member of the American Coalition of Citizens With Disabilities. He spearheaded ACB's involvement in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. "As many of you know," McDaniel said, "I didn't do all those things by myself. Jansen acknowledged (my wife) Aileen's participation in all this, and that goes on even now. "I'll say this about the Migel Medal," McDaniel said. "I will cherish it, but I do believe that whatever monument there may be to what I've done in these years will be in the results of the standing and esteem that blind people are held in, and to some extent, the improvement of their economic condition. "Of course, no one person can do it all," he said. "But the momentum is going in favor of blind people, and I'm pleased with that. I know that ACB will be in the forefront of all those changes that will come about." CAPTION Jansen Noyes, Jr., honorary chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Foundation for the Blind, presents the 1991 Migel Medal Layperson Award to Durward K. McDaniel--Photo by Barbara Loudis/courtesy of AFB. LETTER TO A REHABILITATION COUNSELOR by Jenine McKeown Dear Rehabilitation Counselor, I realize that ATTITUDE plays a crucial part in our relationship. I am willing to comply by the following terms to maximize our productivity. I submit them for your consideration. A: ACCEPT the fact that the party on the other side of the desk is only human. You as a counselor are not perfect in your opinions and actions just as I as a client am not perfect in my opinions or follow through. T: TOLERANCE. A certain amount of tolerance goes a long way. I will allow you to have a bad day if you extend me the same courtesy. T: TOUGH. What we are going through is tough. Losing my eye sight is tough no doubt. Cutting through the paperwork jungle when you were trained to give service not fill out forms is tough. I: INITIATE. We must learn to initiate. I, as a client, must not rely solely on you, the counselor, to guide the way to my future. I must initiate potential solutions. You must be willing to initiate new and innovative ideas for rehabilitation. Just because Man started out living in caves and cooking over camp fires does not mean we still have to do things that way. T: TOGETHER. We are in this thing together. Not only do I, the client gain a job or an education or whatever I decide to gain from the agency but you, the counselor, gain a closure for your record and the satisfaction of assisting someone to re-enter society. U: UNDERSTAND. I, as a client, understand that you, as a counselor, must conform to standards set by the agency. You may make some innovations but you will always be limited in some way, usually financially. You must understand that I am limited in ways as well. I do not know what I can achieve. Along with the frustration of the physical reality of blindness, I must also cope with the frustration of acceptance by society, bureaucracy of service agencies and my own lack of self confidence at times. D: DEVELOP. We will develop. You as a counselor will develop a sense of what my talents are, what types of areas I might be inclined toward and you will also develop a sense of me as a human being rather than a case file to be completed by the numbers. I will develop a sense for the endless paperwork trail you must leave when I request something. I will develop my own skills so that I will not expect you to come to my rescue or do all the work for me. I will develop a sense of you as a human being, not just the great power which governs my life by the approval or denial of services. E: EXCELLENCE. We will strive for excellence. The work we each have to do is hard. I must look at myself as the sighted world sees me and keep that image in mind. You must try not to become disenchanted with those people who do not meet your expectations or are held back by some force you cannot break. We should both try to be the best we can at what we do, and not worry about how well or how badly anyone else does what they do. ACB SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO BLIND STUDENTS by Veronica Braun, ACB Scholarship Coordinator The American Council of the Blind will award sixteen scholarships to outstanding blind students in 1992. All legally blind persons admitted to academic, vocational, technical and professional training programs at the post- secondary level for the 1992/93 school year are encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships. A $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to each of the top two applicants in each of these categories: entering freshmen in academic programs, undergraduates (sophomores, juniors and seniors) in academic programs, graduate students in academic programs, graduate students in academic programs and vocational/technical school students. Applicants will be compared with others in their category, which means that entering freshmen in academic programs will be competing with other first year students. The $2,500 Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship, provided by the Tarver Memorial Fund, will be granted to an outstanding student at the undergraduate level. A $1,000 Ann Masimore scholarship will be awarded to an ACB member who demonstrates financial need. National Industries for the Blind will award two scholarships of $2,000 each. The $1,000 TeleSensory scholarship, provided by Telesensory Systems, Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., will be awarded to an outstanding student in the undergraduate category. Two scholarships will be made available in the amount of $1,500 each to Pennsylvania residents. We encourage all qualified Pennsylvania residents to apply. The American Council of the Blind is pleased to administer a $4,000 Scholarship in Memory of Anne Pekar to a female student between the ages of 17 and 25. This is the first year ACB will administer the scholarship. Applications are available from the ACB National Office, Attention Veronica Braun, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. Tel. (202) 467-5081. All completed applications and supporting documents must be postmarked no later than April 1, 1992. Leading scholarship candidates will be interviewed by telephone in May or early June. The ACB scholarship winners will be notified no later than June 15, 1992. The scholarships will be announced at the 31st national convention of the American Council of the Blind to be held July 3 to 11, 1992 in Phoenix, Ariz. Scholarship winners are expected to be present at the convention and ACB will cover all reasonable costs connected with convention attendance. Scholarship selection criteria includes: demonstrated academic record, involvement in extracurricular/civic activities, and academic objectives. The severity of the applicant's visual impairment and his/her study methods will also be taken into account in the selection process. AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT ACB's Board of Publications is pleased to announce criteria for the 1992 Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award and Vernon Henley Media Award. For the Freeman Award, the Board of Publications will accept submissions from any writer on a topic that would be of interest to readers of The Braille Forum. Submissions may be published in the magazine if space allows. Articles published in the magazine between April 1991 and April 1992 are automatically eligible. Materials which have been published by an ACB affiliate will also be considered if submitted. When submitting previously published material, send a print or braille copy of the original manuscript along with the published article. The Vernon Henley Media Award will be presented to a person, either sighted or blind, who has created a radio, television or print media product conveying positive and useful information concerning blind people in general or the American Council of the Blind in particular. Submissions for the Ned E. Freeman Award and the Vernon Henley Award must be postmarked no later than April 1, 1992 for the Henley Award and April 30, 1992 for the Freeman Award. All submissions should be accompanied by a cover letter providing details about the submission, it origin, and any other pertinent information. Please include your return address in the cover letter. If you want your manuscript returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send submissions to: ACB Board of Publications Awards, 1155 15th St. N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. The annual presentation of awards recognizing outstanding dedication, distinguished service, and achievement by and/or for blind and visually impaired people has become a widely anticipated event at recent American Council of the Blind National Conventions. The award committee, chaired by Marie Simpson, seeks nominations for the 1992 awards and asks that all nominations be sent directly to the ACB National Office at 1155 15th St., N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. For your information, criteria for the several ACB awards for which nominations are sought are: The Robert S. Bray Award, established in 1975 in memory of the late chief of what is now the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, is presented periodically in recognition of outstanding work in extending library services or access to published materials, or improving communications devices or techniques. The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award recipient is selected each year from among blind candidates who, by their lives, associations, and activities, have demonstrated their integration into and their interaction with the life of the community. It is not necessary that the candidate be a member of or active in any organizations of the blind, or be engaged in work for the blind. The George Card Award is presented periodically to an outstanding blind person who has contributed significantly to the betterment of blind people in general. This award is not limited by locality or by nature of the contribution. Nominations should be postmarked no later than June 1, 1992. OTIS STEPHENS AND KEVIN KOLBO HONORED IN AWARDS CEREMONY On November 18, 1991, former ACB president Otis Stephens and ACB member Kevin Kolbo received State Victory Awards. The award ceremony took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and was sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Hospital. The Victory Awards are given each year to individuals who "best exemplify exceptional strength and courage in the face of adversity," according to the awards program. State Victory Award recipients are selected by their state governors. National Victory Awards also go to celebrities selected by the National Rehabilitation Hospital Board of Directors. Kevin Kolbo has been a North Dakota state legislator since 1986. (See "Legislator's Job Requires Vision, Not Sight," The Braille Forum, July/August 1991.) He also works with the North Dakota Association of the Blind and the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Otis Stephens is currently a professor at the University of Tennessee. He is also on the board of trustees of the American Foundation for the Blind and serves on the Governor's Advisory Committee of Fair Employment Opportunities. He is a past president of both the American Council of the Blind and the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. ACB MEMBERSHIP AT LARGE APPLICATIONS The American Council of the Blind Constitution and Bylaws provide that any person who has reached the age of 18 and who is not a voting member of an ACB state/regional affiliate is eligible to become an ACB member at large with the right to an individual vote at the ACB national convention. Annual membership at large dues are $5. Application forms for new members at large are available from the ACB National Office. The ACB Constitution and Bylaws further provide that all dues are to be received no later than March 15. All membership at large dues must be clearly identified as such and should be sent so as to be received no later than March 15, 1992, to American Council of the Blind, Brian Charlson, Treasurer, 1155 15th St. N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. HERE AND THERE by Elizabeth M. Lennon The announcement of new products and services in this column should not be considered an endorsement of those products and services by the American Council of the Blind, it staff or elected officials. Products and services are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers. The Braille Forum cannot be responsible for the reliability of products or services mentioned. CHAPTER CELEBRATES The Columbus Chapter of the American Council of the Blind of Ohio is participating in Ameriflora 92, a horticultural celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America. Local lions club members are building "Symphony of the Senses," a floral nature display designed to help celebrate Columbus Day. The Columbus chapter invites other ACB affiliates and chapters to join with the ACB-Ohio affiliate and the Columbus chapter in making a contribution to the celebration. Gifts of $100 or more will be specially recognized. For more information, contact Dan Rossin, Project Director, 1815-F Northwest Blvd., Columbus, OH 43212-1644. Tel. (614) 488-4410. CAMP SCHEDULE Highbrook Lodge will begin its summer camp schedule June 18, according to a press release. The camp, operated by the Cleveland Sight Center of the Society for the Blind, will host seven weekly sessions, closing August 23. For applications and information regarding fees, contact Camp Director Bashir A. Masoodi, Highbrook Lodge of the Cleveland Sight Center, 1909 E. 101st St., Cleveland, OH 44106. Tel. (216) 791-8118 ext. 256. SUMMER IN MEXICO Mobility International USA is looking for people aged 18 to 26 who are interested in traveling to Mexico between mid-June and mid-July. Participants will be hosted by disabled residents. The trip will include participation in disability rights discussions and idea exchanges. The cost of the trip is $2,000, but major scholarships are available, according to a press release from MIUSA. Applications must be completed before March 15. To obtain an application or for further information, contact Mobility International USA, P.O. Box 3551, Eugene, OR 97403. Tel. (503) 343-1284. NO TURKEYS HERE President Bush recognized volunteers at the Connecticut Institute for the Blind Adult Day care Program as his 627th daily Point of Light this past Thanksgiving. The 35 blind and disabled adults volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program provided by the Visiting Nurse and Home Care, Inc. in Bloomfield, East Hartford, and Windsor, Conn. According to a press release, the blind and disabled volunteers presented their elderly clients with Thanksgiving cards in addition to the meals. MINORITY TRAINING The Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America will develop materials designed to acquaint disabled members of various minorities with the benefits of assistive technology, according to a press release. Funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the training materials will be piloted in Virginia and will ultimately be made available to all states funded under the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. RP VOLUNTEER HONORED ACB Member George P. Dolan of Richmond, VA., has been named National Volunteer of the Year for 1991 by the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation Fighting Blindness, according to a press release. Dolan has been an RP Foundation volunteer for 16 years. He is a founding member of the RP Foundation's central Virginia affiliate. TOUCH BOOK RELEASE Touch Books, Inc. has released a book that allows blind and partially sighted readers to enjoy full-color images. While the pictures in the book are reproduced in full color, the colors are represented by textures and a specially designed color code so totally blind people can get an idea of the variety of colors and their locations on the picture. Entitled "The Journey," the book includes 10 photographs and a fictional story which weaves the pictures together. The story is produced in large print and braille, and an audio cassette is included. The book costs $59.95 and may be ordered from Touch Books, Inc., P.O. Box 14219, Tampa, FL 33690. Tel. (800) 628-6824. BRAILLE SPORTS MAG "Inside Sports" is a new braille magazine produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. The magazine covers a variety of sports, offering interviews, profiles and columns on prominent sports figures. To be included on the list, contact your regional library. AFFORDABLE SCREEN ACCESS OMS Development announces the availability of Tinytalk, a screen access program for use with most speech synthesizers. In addition to offering features found in most screen readers, Tinytalk can deal with light bar tracking and can read spreadsheet column titles. A fully functional shareware evaluation copy of the program is available for $5, which can be applied to the $75 registration/purchase price. To order or for more information, contact OMS Development, 1921 Highland Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091. Tel. (708) 251-5787. DONATED EQUIPMENT The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources is a clearinghouse designed to help nonprofit organizations receive equipment donated by various corporations. According to an announcement from the company, nonprofit groups willing to pay $625 annually can receive up to $7,000 in donated equipment. Equipment includes computer supplies, toys and games, paper products, janitorial and maintenance items, and teaching materials. The company offers a money back guarantee to first- year subscribers. For more information, contact the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, Department BN-12, 560 McClure St., Galesburg, IL 61401. Tel. (800) 562- 0955. AARP BOOKS ON TAPE Twenty-eight of the most popular publications of the American Association of Retired Persons are now available from regional and subregional libraries for the blind and physically handicapped. The publications are available on cassette as a result of a collaborative venture between AARP and the American Foundation for the Blind. The publications are divided into six categories: Medical care, housing and living arrangements, consumer issues, financial matters, health and nutrition, and long-term care. ACB MEMBER RECOVERING Julian Siewierski, of Philadelphia, former president of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, and currently its executive secretary, suffered a stroke on August 16, 1991. This stroke has severely limited his mobility and speech. Julian has spent several months recuperating at the Delaware County Hospital and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center and is now at home, showing good improvement. Several weeks before the stroke Julian had undergone corneal transplant surgery, which had improved his visual acuity. Cards and letters may be sent to his home address, 9 Martin Dr., Lansdowne, PA 19050. SPOCK IN BRAILLE "Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" is available in braille, according to a press release from National Braille Press. Written by Child Care Expert Dr. Benjamin Spock, the braille edition of the book costs $45. NBP also offers "Play it Safe" in braille. "Play it Safe" is produced in print by the National Association of Trial Lawyers and the Johns Hopkins Injury Prevention Center. The book is a guide for parents which details potentially dangerous components of toys. "Play it Safe" is free in braille. To order, or for more information about other products, contact National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA 02115. Tel. (617) 266-6160. LOW-FAT COOKBOOK A cookbook dedicated to providing low-fat and gourmet recipes is now available in large print and braille. The book features low-fat meatless dishes from around the world, including a variety of soups, pastas, salads, and even desserts. To order, send $3.95 to No Limits, Inc., 2936 W. Fitch, Chicago, IL 60645. Tel. (312) 465-8569. Specify whether you want braille or large print. Allow three weeks for delivery. NEW DIRECTORY A directory of organizations providing tapes of Jewish interest is now available to physically and visually disabled persons. Some tapes may be borrowed; others can be purchased at a discount. Topics include: Torah studies, Jewish history, Israel, the Holocaust, and more. Contact The Jewish Heritage for the Blind, 1655 E. 24th St., Brooklyn, NY 11229. BRAILLE DIRECTORY A one-volume 51 braille page "Guide to Health and Consumer Toll-free Hotlines" is available from Beach Cities Braille Guild. The directory costs $10. The guild also announces its desire to transcribe material from print to braille, according to a letter from the organization. To order the directory, write Beach Cities Braille Guild, P.O. Box 712, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. To arrange for braille transcription, write Mrs. Jacqueline DeMasters, 18512 Lime Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Tel. (714) 962-5008. HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Macintosh plus Computer, includes MB4 of ram, K800 external floppy drive, turbo mouse, system software, manuals, tutorial tapes, and disks. Screen access software is not included. $1,350. Also, Optacon model R1D, $2,000. Contact Margaret Ricciardi, 86 Simcoe St., Oyster Bay, NY 11771. FOR SALE: IBM PC/AT Computer running at MHZ8 with MB1.5 RAM. The unit includes a MB40 hard drive and a MB1.2 floppy drive. Also included is a 360K floppy drive, a 101-key keyboard, an 80287 Math coprocessor, two serial ports, and two parallel ports. It offers a Votalker speech synthesizer and an EGA display card. Also includes TSI Soft-Vert screen access software and VISTA EGA display magnifier system. The unit also features a Hayes Smart Modem 2400B, an Okidata Microline 392 wide carriage dot matrix printer, Mountain MB60 streaming tape drive with interface card and software, MS-DOS 3.2, dBase III Plus, Turbo Pascal, Lotus 1-2-3, various communications packages, c-86 compiler and source level C language debugger, Microsoft Macro Assembler, all items in original boxes with complete manual and serial numbers, excellent condition, will help with setup and use after sale. $2,200 for the package. Also available, TSI Vista/2, $1,900. Contact Larry Silvermintz, 1530 S. 6th St., Chase-507, Minneapolis, MN 55454. Tel. (612) 339-2088. Wanted to Buy: Echo PC Speech Synthesizers, including power supplies and cables. Contact Mike Lepich, 1201 Paquin St., #906, Columbia, MO 65201. Tel. (314) 443-4321. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT LEROY SAUNDERS P.O. BOX 24020 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73124 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT PAUL EDWARDS 170 N.E. 123rd STREET NORTH MIAMI, FL 33161 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT CHARLES HODGE 1131 S. FOREST DRIVE ARLINGTON, VA 22204 SECRETARY PATRICIA PRICE 5707 BROCKTON DR. #302 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220-5443 TREASURER BRIAN CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVENUE WATERTOWN, MA 02172 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ELIZABETH M. LENNON