THE Braille Forum Vol. XXX March 1992 No. 5 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: Braille Forum Expands to Nine Issues News Briefs From the ACB National Office National Accreditation Council Recommended for Continued Recognition by U.S. Department of Education RFB: Much More Than Just Cassettes A Dynamic Convention Schedule, Great Tours and More Legal Access: Abolish Them All When Advocacy Makes A Real Difference To Help Or Not To Help Getting A Grip On Graphics ACB Board Accepts Russian Invitation, Elects Budget Committee Thinking Young At Heart Here and There ACB Seeks 1992 Summer Intern High Tech Swap Shop PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE BRAILLE FORUM EXPANDS TO NINE ISSUES by LeRoy F. Saunders I am pleased to announce that the ACB thrift stores are doing much better under our supervision than they were under the direction of a management company. I want to take this opportunity to commend Jim Olsen, ACB assistant treasurer and executive director of the American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services for a job well done. Hopefully ACBES will be able to expand our stores during the year. The success of these stores will allow ACB to better serve the blind of this country. In fact, the success of our stores in 1991 is reflected in our budget approved by the board for 1992. The approved budget includes the following provisions: 1. Retire our indebtedness in 1992; this will amount to approximately $110,000.00. 2. Increase the Braille Forum from six to nine issues per year; 3. allow $5,000 to support members attending the Legislative ALL Seminar; 4. increase allotment for travel for both staff and board; 5. give some additional financial support to both committees and committee chairpersons; 6. allow for the purchase of additional computer equipment for our national office; 7. allocate funds to send up to six members to visit Russia. Needless to say, I am very pleased we are able to increase our activities in a meaningful way. Perhaps we can expand even more next year and also begin to enlarge the staff in our national office. PRESIDENT'S MEETING REPORT I was very pleased with the attendannce at our presidents meeting. We started with 75 people and ended with 68. I would like to thank all the participants who brought good information to everyone who attended. The interchange between the people attending added tremendous value to the meeting. We learned a great deal from each other with the assistance of the presenters, who enhanced the communication process. Perhaps next year we will not be competing with the Super Bowl. I cannot express enough how important our affiliats are in extending ACB to each state. Laws passed in Washington, DC do not directly affect blind people until they are implemented on the state level. This is why I need the help of all affiliate presidents to make sure these laws are properly established in each state system to best benefit blind people locally. Some years ago ACB offered Leadership Training Seminars in different areas of the country. One of my goals is to implement this type of training program again as soon as possible. The reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act seems to be moving very slowly. There have been and will be other articles in The Braille Forum regarding it, so my discussion will be brief. It is my understanding that a voucher system for services will probably be included as a pilot program in the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. There are a few organizations very much in favor of a voucher system. I think it is worthwhile for us to try a pilot program to determine its merits. The voucher system would allow a person in need of training as part of their rehabilitation program to receive a voucher and take it to the training program of their choice. The voucher would serve as payment. In order for this to work well, it will be necessary for organizations providing the training programs to prove the value and success of their training through evaluation. If a person is going to use such a program, he should certainly have a way of knowing how successful this program has been in placing people in quality employment after training. In the past, too many people have attended training programs and received very little value from them. In my opinion, this has to stop. Money simply isn't available to spend on programs that are not successful. Should the voucher system be establishsed as a pilot program in the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, I hope that some thought will be given to how these training programs will be evaluated and what criteria will be used to determine the program's success. A CONVENTION REMINDER Remember, our convention is coming up in July. It's not too early for people to start making their plans and setting their schedules for that week. In fact, you can call the hotel now and make your reservations. This will assure that you can stay in our lead hotel. NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL OFFICE by Oral O. Miller, National Representative A visitor to the ACB National Office during a busy day recently described it as an arena in which dozens of different services, meetings, activities, functions and plans are constantly being played out or arranged simultaneously. The items which make up this fascinating blend are, indeed, interesting and stimulating -- e.g., the endless meetings needed to formulate and coordinate positions on pending or possible legislation, preparation of positions regarding forthcoming regulations, conferring with manufacturers who are sure their products will solve major problems encountered by blind people (and, at the same time, hopefully make the manufacturers rich), counseling with employers concerning appropriate accommodations for blind workers, working with national policy-making organizations interested in input from a wide range of blind people and communicating with program administrators, employers and others regarding compliance with federal law. Using the preceding paragraph as a road map, I want to encourage cooperation and participation by the readers of the Braille Forum who recently received a simple survey questionnaire from the Electronics Industry Foundation and the United States General Accounting Office. The Electronics Industry Foundation survey requested input concerning the possible need for a sort of "seal of usability by disabled people" for electronic equipment and the GAO survey asked for input regarding various types of barriers encountered by disabled people. Such surveys are being used increasingly by decision-makers to obtain input and therefore, should be returned whenever possible. Membership in or close affiliation with the American Council of the Blind increases the opportunities of blind people to provide such direct input. Recent attendance at a meeting in Washington of the US Council for International Rehabilitation underscored the importance of sharing and exchanging information regarding a service as important internationally as rehabilitation. Although many countries have developed favorite fields of employment for blind people, and although there are still countless improvements that could and should be made int the USA, taking a part in such meetings always reminds us anew of our good fortune, which is due to a great extent to the advocacy efforts of blind people who have joined together in organizations such as the American Council of the Blind. One of the international guests in the ACB National Office recently represented the International Catholic Association of Agencies for the Blind, an international organization recently established to formulate and facilitate services for blind people via the denominational route. We were pleased to learn, however, that the new organization is, indeed, interested in working cooperatively with nonsectarian organizations of and for blind people. The Rehabilitation Services Administration of the US Department of Education is now in the process of reviewing the regulations which implement the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program -- the federally-regulated and state-administered employment program that provides jobs for thousands of licensed blind vendors in federal and many other office buildings throughout the country. I am pleased to announce that the American Council of the Blind is one of the organizations asked to provide input concerning possible amendments. During recent weeks, a task force made up of Durward McDaniel, Robert Humphreys, RSVA President Gene Heisler, former RSVA President George Abbott and this writer has been hard at work preparing recommendations. In view of the importance of this program for more than fifty years as a source of employment, and in view of its potential as an even better employer during the 1990s, such participation is essential. Since extremely important legislative matters such as the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, an extension of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, funding of the national rehabilitation program and the formulation of a national health insurance plan, among many others, will be moving very quickly and often sporadically through Congress and other branches of the government this year, you are reminded to call the Washington Connection at least once a week to stay abreast of the latest happenings of importance -- as well as to learn about very good employment opportunities which often have relatively close application deadline dates. The Washington Connection, (800) 424-8666, can be reached toll-free from anywhere in the United States between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight every day of the week plus all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Applications for American Council of the Blind and many other scholarships are due in the ACB National Office by April 1, 1992. (See "ACB Scholarships Available," January/February). Information concerning the scholarships available, as well as applications, may be obtained by contacting the National Office. ACB plans to administer a student internship program through the national office during the summer of 1992. (See "ACB Seeks 1992 Summer Intern" this issue). NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL RECOMMENDED FOR CONTINUED RECOGNITION BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION by Oral O. Miller, National Representative The regulations of the U.S. Department of Education require, in substance, that students who wish to receive certain benefits (such as Pell Grants and guaranteed loans) must attend schools or other institutions that are accredited by accrediting authorities which themselves meet rigid Department of Education criteria. However, it is not necessary for an accrediting body to comply with these federal standards in order to function as an accrediting organization and, in fact, many well-known accrediting organizations do not seek or receive federal recognition because the programs which they accredit do not require accreditation by a federally-recognized accrediting body. The National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped first received federal recognition approximately twenty years ago and that recognition has been continued since, following determinations that the National Accreditation Council met the applicable federal standards. At a public hearing in Washington, D.C., on February 4, 1992, the Federal Advisory Committee on Accreditation heard the petition of the National Accreditation Council for continued recognition. The staff of the Department of Education had recommended the Council for continued recognition for two years and, after hearing several hours of well-planned and well-rehearsed opposition to the Council, the Committee recommended that the Secretary of Education recognize the National Accreditation Council for two more years. The hearing was attended by perhaps as many as 150 members of the National Federation of the Blind, who were in town taking part in that organization's annual legislative seminar, and most of the speakers who opposed the National Accreditation Council petition were members of the NFB. In fact, several of the NFB members who were scheduled to speak were removed from the agenda when a staff member of the NFB used the speaking time allocated for at least three speakers. The speakers who supported the petition of the National Accreditation Council were Dr. Richard Welsh, vice president of the National Accreditation Council and president of the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Kathleen Megivern, executive director of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Ruth Westman, executive director of the National Accreditation Council and Oral Miller, national representative of the American Council of the Blind. In his opening remarks, Dr. Welsh, who dealt mainly with the areas of concern raised by the staff in its evaluation of the petition, pointed out, in pertinent part, that the National Accreditation Council was strongly endorsed by the Affiliated Leadership League (the only national coalition of organizations of and for the blind) as well as by five of its leading member organizations; that the National Accreditation Council is the only recognized accrediting body that specializes in programs, schools and agencies for people who are blind and visually impaired; that the Council has had broad and active participation in the development and updating of its standards from people all over the country; that adjusting to the recent loss of very substantial financial assistance from two major supporters (the American Foundation for the Blind and National Industries for the Blind) is, indeed, a significant challenge; that the National Accreditation Council is making this adjustment in several ways (reducing its occupancy costs, reducing the size of its staff, reducing the size of the board of directors and Commission on Accreditation, and developing and implementing a fund-raising campaign in order to establish an ongoing base of support); that the professional staff has been reduced to the minimum number required to continue administering the size of the accreditation program currently managed; that the ratio of staff size to number of accredited members is similar to that of many other specialized accrediting agencies and still better than some others; that the National Accreditation Council has developed a realistic and balanced budget for the current year; that the financial solvency of the National Accreditation Council will for the first time be directly related to its ability to deliver a quality product that agencies will select and pay for; that the accreditation of three agencies had been extended from 1991 to 1992 without evaluation (due to major construction or renovation at one location and due to the National Accreditation Council's own uncertain situation in early 1991) and that the Council has also streamlined its on- site evaluation procedures. Both Megivern and Miller emphasized the support which their organizations have given over the years to the Council, including a resolution of support adopted unanimously by the board of directors of the American Council of the Blind on January 25, 1992. The members of the Federal Advisory Committee on Accreditation questioned Dr. Welsh and Mrs. Westman carefully with reference to many of the assertions made by the speakers who had opposed the petition (including the Commissioner of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and the new chairman of the Michigan Commission for the Blind). The Committee was clearly concerned by the impact of the loss of substantial financial support by the National Accreditation Council and clearly had that in mind when it recommended the continuation of recognition for two years rather than the maximum five years. One member of the Committee, a college president, before casting his vote in support of continued recognition, remarked that what many people were pointing to as an opportunity for the National Accreditation Council to fail was also an opportunity for it to succeed. Inasmuch as the NFB has opposed the National Accreditation Council for approximately 20 years and inasmuch as the NFB's efforts to persuade the Federal Advisory Committee on Accreditation failed, we are assuming that the same pressure will now be directed toward the Secretary of Education. RFB: MUCH MORE THAN JUST CASSETTES by Annemarie Cooke Outreach/State Funding Officer, Recording for the Blind Imagine a situation in which you and a sighted co-worker have just received some mail. He quickly opens his package and discovers the latest journal relevant to your occupation. In your package, you find some computer disks from Recording for the Blind. Your disks contain the same journal your colleague just opened. Using your computer, you scan the journal to find the latest government statistics which will perfectly round out the 1:30 presentation you have to deliver. The day when you receive computerized reference information at the same time your sighted co-worker receives his print copy isn't here yet, but officials at Recording for the Blind say they're working to make that scenario a reality. For personal computer users, a look toward the future means floppy disks. Consider Atlanta resident Richard Cannon, editor of "VIDPI News," the publication of the Visually Impaired Data Processors International, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Cannon says he relies on his personal computer "the way some people rely on their cars." Another computer scientist, Robert Arnzen of St. Louis, also employs high-tech tools at work as well as at home. And there's Scott Marshall, director of government relations for the American Foundation for the Blind in Washington, D.C., who describes himself as "an access freak" with his personal computer as the gateway. So it seems only natural that these three computer users have become fans of E-text, the new digital format for books and other materials now available from Recording for the Blind in Princeton, N.J. Most people associate RFB only with books on audiotape. Last July, however, RFB moved into the digital arena by joining forces with Computerized Books for the Blind of Missoula, Mont. In the course of the merger, CBFB's founder, George Kerscher, became RFB's director of research and development, and he and his staff continue to work in Missoula. The union was "an ideal marriage of two unique organizations," notes RFB president and CEO Ritchie Geisel. "With George Kerscher as head of R & D, RFB has benefit of his considerable technical skill and talent, which he's now applying to refining the software he developed and making electronic text easier to use, and the ultimate benefit is to our consumers, who will have a broader range of materials available to them, as well as the increased flexibility that computerized books afford." Long-time RFB consumer Mickey Quenzer concurs. "I've been using RFB since the early '70s," says Quenzer, a technical support specialist for Arkenstone in Sunnyvale, Calif. "Taped books are great and so is electronic text, but having both to choose from is even better." So just what is electronic text -- E-text, for short? In many cases, E-text books are the publishers' computer files that have been modified for use with personal computers and adaptive software. Other titles are the result of scanning the print copies prior to adaptation for E-text use. RFB's E-text books are sold rather than loaned, so, unlike the books in RFB's audiotape library, they become the property of the purchaser. According to Pamela Wilkison, RFB's director of consumer marketing, prices range from $10 to about $50 and cover simply the costs of production, distribution, and customer service. The procedure for ordering E-text is the same as for ordering audiocassette books from RFB--by mail, by fax or by telephone. Consumers need only to specify the disk size and format they use -- E-text is available in IBM and compatible, Macintosh and Apple 3-1/2 inch disks; IBM and compatible books are also available in the 5-1/4 inch size. E-text purchases can be paid for by check, Visa or MasterCard or with a purchase order. RFB consumers can also order a free "E-Kit," an information packet on computer disk that details all of RFB's services, highlights E-text, and lists all E-text titles currently available. Computer manuals comprised many of Kerscher's initial E-text offerings. The list has now grown to approximately 275 titles that include a range of reference materials, such as dictionaries, a thesaurus, law books and even two versions of the Bible. "Right now, print-disabled people are generally overlooked when publishers think of marketing books in paper," Kerscher points out. "Our goal is to have publishers include RFB in that completion process. We hope that when printing is underway, publishers will send their files to RFB so that an E-text version of the book will be available concurrently with the release of the printed version." While such an arrangement with all publishers is indeed the future goal, John Kelly, RFB's vice president of consumer services, says RFB is presently working in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind in negotiating with the major school book publishers. The two organizations want these publishers to make text files available for reproduction in accessible formats-- electronic text and audiocassette for RFB and braille and large print for APH. As part of RFB's continuing involvement in accessibility issues, Geisel adds Kerscher is now a member of the Texas Braille Commission "that will be setting the standard for the manner in which educational materials are made available in accessible form." With so much material available in braille, large print and audiocassette, why try E-text? Cannon, who's a systems analyst and Arnzen, who oversees an information systems section, both for the U.S. Army, agree that computer books and manuals in E-text are especially useful in their careers. "I particularly like that you can be working on a document or a program and dive right into the manual for reference, then return to what you were working on," Arnzen says. Kerscher points out that digital format makes it especially convenient to use "search and find" strategies to locate specific information. Cannon notes that an electronic book management system would make RFB's dictionary easier to use -- something, Geisel says, is in the works. Professional journals and other materials with a relatively short shelf life are on the E-text production horizon. Wilkison says RFB always welcomes ideas from consumers and is particularly interested now in suggestions for specific journals for E-text production. Marshall, formerly the director of governmental affairs for ACB, says he uses E-text "both at work and avocationally, as well." Through E-text books, he's enhanced his knowledge of WordPerfect 5.1 and of the Norton Utilities, a collection of programs designed to enhance the performance of a computer. An attorney himself, Marshall has also read "It's Legal," a do-it- yourself lawyer kit for consumers. "Nowadays, if someone wants me to read something quickly, they know I'm more likely to get to it if it's on disk," he says. "The personal computer is an important accessibility tool." "The electronic format allows for a much closer examination of the material, character by character, which isn't possible with audiocassette," adds Kerscher. "And it's the future. Why stay at second base when you can have a home run?" A DYNAMIC CONVENTION SCHEDULE, GREAT TOURS, AND MORE by John A. Horst, Convention Coordinator The Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind and most affiliate presidents have just returned from Phoenix, where the ACB mid-year meetings occurred. We found the Phoenix Hyatt Regency Hotel most accommodating and very comfortable. It is a great hotel for our large national convention. You can make your reservations now by calling (602) 252-1234. All convention activities except the exhibits will be held in this hotel. The Omni-Adams Hotel, adjacent to the Hyatt, will be used only for additional rooms. The telephone number there is (602) 257-1525. Room rates at both hotels are $45 per night for up to four persons in a room. This year again there will be a preliminary general session Sunday, July 5 at 8:00 p.m. The convention will open officially with a general session Monday morning. An exciting and dynamic program is being planned. Some of the presenters invited to address the convention include Arizona Gov. Fife Symington; the Rev. Warren Stewart, a noted civil rights leader from Phoenix; Roy Firestone, interviewer on ESPN; Presidential Candidate Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa); Lamar Alexander, secretary of the Department of Education; and Talking Book Narrator Yvonne Fair Tessler, among others. Of course, the special-interest affiliates are planning their programs for afternoon sessions, and there will be a plethora of breakfasts, luncheons, receptions, entertainment, and hospitality. A Board of Publications workshop for newsletter editors will be among this year's convention activities. President LeRoy Saunders is again planning an affiliate presidents session. Plan to come early and take in the whole convention week. As you know from the previous issue of The Braille Forum, the convention committee has put together a pre-convention tour. The Arizona Council of the Blind will be hosting a great Welcome to Phoenix party with entertainment on Saturday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m. The convention banquet will occur on Friday evening, July 10, and a dinner with entertainment will be held July 11 in a facility not far from the hotel. Watch for your pre-convention packet, which will be sent out in early May. This packet will list most activities. Be sure to pre-register early so you can quickly pick up your convention packet and be on your way to your first function without any delay. In addition to the overnight tour to the Grand Canyon, the convention committee is planning tours that include trips to Laughlin, Nev., with its casinos, a city tour of Phoenix, a visit to the Heard Museum with its accessible exhibits, and a trip to the Biosphere. The Biosphere is a huge experimental ecology project where eight researchers are sealed in a closed climate- controlled environment. You can touch a model of the 2-1/2 acre complex and check out the plants and animals placed in the Biosphere and learn all about this controversial experiment. The ACB information desk will have brochures and other data on tours not sponsored by ACB for the convenience of ACB convention participants. The Wednesday evening dinner will be at Raw Hide, a western town some 1,000 feet above the desert and about 30 miles from our hotel. Raw Hide has covered wagons, a hay ride, souvenir and curio shops, a sheriff with six-guns to order you out of town by sundown or put you in jail, and a delicious sit-down steak dinner with entertainment and dancing to follow. Again this year, there will be several tours for children, craft and video sessions, and a pizza and pool party Friday evening during the convention banquet. If your company, agency, organization, or special-interest affiliate wants to have an exhibit or boutique at the 1992 convention, or if you would like to place an ad in the convention program or become a sponsor or patron, please contact Elaine Sanislo, exhibit chairperson, at (201) 595-9200. She will provide you with all necessary information. Remember when making your travel plans to call International Tours of Muskogee, Okla., at (800) 847-7676. Oklahoma residents call (800) 722-9822. This travel agency offers the lowest fares and very courteous service. ACB has a special contract through this travel agency with American, Delta, and USAir for reduced fares. Your use of this travel agency and these three airlines will reduce your travel cost and help ACB save money on convention planning. Our 31st annual convention in Phoenix will be one of the best. You won't want to miss this exciting time of learning, fun, and fellowship. If you need more information, or need assistance in your planning, please contact Assistant Convention Coordinator Patricia Beattie at (703) 521-4144 or Convention Coordinator John Horst at (717) 826-2361. LEGAL ACCESS: ABOLISH THEM ALL by Charles D. Goldman, Esq. (Reprinted with permission from "Horizons," March 1992) In his State of the Union address, President Bush said he wanted to eliminate 246 programs. Two months ago in this space, readers were invited to submit their suggestions for which agencies and programs should be eliminated because of the budget deficit. As expected, the response was underwhelming. Not a single letter was received, not even from the Bush Administration indicating which of the 246 programs targeted for elimination affected people with disabilities. Here are a few basic principles to keep in mind while considering the budget cuts and programs: 1. The cuts needed must be done on an institutional -- governmental function -- basis. Recognize the heroes by giving them major appointments. Reward the individuals' loyalty and achievements but eliminate the programs whose time has passed. 2. Any program or agency can be justified. Every bureaucrat will talk about the need and uniqueness of what they do. While the individual may be sincere, a reality check says don't believe it. 3. The legal climate has become a highly legislated and highly regulated one. The private and public sectors are both subject to major nondiscrimination legal mandates. True, there is a big push for volunteerism in society, but the days of "pity," of "poor crip," are over. This is an era of empowerment. 4. The budget deficit is real. How high do you want your taxes to go? When Walter Mondale said in 1984 that this country needed a tax raise, he was right on target. Of course, he was a big loser to the Reagan juggernaut. We didn't get a tax boost and the deficit has grown steadily. Every day we hear of state and county officials with doomsday budgets, making clear that services -- health services, education services -- will (not may) be cut. So what about the federal establishment -- is it business as usual? The "peace dividend," the money realized from cutting defense spending, has been long spent a multiplicity of times by both political parties -- to a point of exhausting their credibility. Without cutting spending, the tax boost will give each of us a financial hernia. So, which agencies should stay and which should go? Keep those which enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. Include in one of them all the federal accessibility functions. Keep one central office for technical assistance on ADA and fund it fully, a process facilitated and actually enhanced by the consolidation. Ditto on research related to persons with disabilities. Keep the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs but try and consolidate some of them into the conventional education budget if possible. Keep a nonregulatory think tank which can take an honest look at what the rest of the federal establishment is doing (particularly to watch the ADA effort from a more distant perspective), try and make sense of it, and make creative recommendations for the future. Social Security will stay for solid reasons -- program and political. Now which agencies should be eliminated? The answer is -- all of them! Too simplistic? Hardly. If you start every entity from a zero authority-zero budget premise, you focus on serving people and getting the maximum value for the taxpayer dollar. If agencies are to survive, they must serve people and provide a product or service that reaches people. Realistically, every agency has some political clout -- either from the nature of the program or the persona of the people running it. Congress should not give these agencies a free pass. No matter what it does, Congress will be accused this year of ruining Administration programs and not caring about people because it did not appropriate the funds to do the job as the Administration requested. Given that, Congress must make sure these agencies are providing services and products for people. As for the other agencies, everything else should be up for debate on an institutional basis. "Uniqueness" should not be the criteria. The criteria should be serving people -- not layers of insulated and isolated officials --in a cohesive, coordinated, cost-effective manner. How many of you have ever heard of the Community Services Administration? What about the Fair Employment Practices Committee? These are entities which in fact have gone on to agency heaven (perhaps agency purgatory would be more accurate and less oxymoronic) after being abolished. CSA was a vestige of the old war on poverty. The Fair Employment Practices Committee was a volunteer-oriented forerunner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If Congress were really bold, it would freeze domestic spending and hiring. Then Congress would turn to the White House with a laundry list of programs Congress was going to consolidate or abolish. It would give the Bush Administration 30 days to respond by Executive Order. When there was no Executive Order forthcoming, Congress should start leading by eliminating programs. If Congress were to be really super-bold, it would give the Bush Administration a limited version of the line-item veto, for which conservatives clamor and which the President again requested in the State of the Union, on domestic programs. If the President wanted to exercise leadership, the Administration would do its own consolidation and use an Executive Order or two to eliminate nonregulating, nonfunctioning committees, consolidate the technical assistance, research and access functions, and other programs. Er...what, Michael? Time to wake up and go to the soccer game? You say I was mumbling, talking in my sleep or dreaming ... Did I say anything important? WHEN ADVOCACY MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE by Jennifer Sutton (Reprinted with permission from "The Student Advocate" January 1992) When I decided to return to graduate school to earn a Masters in English, I immediately contacted the Educational Testing Service to register to take the Graduate Record Exam General Test and the English in Literature Subject Test. I was pleased to learn that the General Test was available in my preferred medium of Braille; however, I discovered that I would have to take the Subject Test using a reader. As I prepared for the exams, I had a nagging concern about the Subject Test, but I tried to quell my fears by reminding myself that my years of listening to tapes surely had honed my listening comprehension sufficiently. Nothing could have prepared me for the nightmare I encountered on the day of the test. My reader was not familiar with the field of English, but luckily, he was patient and willing to try hard, and try hard we had to. As I recall the six hours of the test, I seem to have spent the entire time giving him instructions on how to read. "Read the passage first and then read the questions," seemed to be my constant reminder. "Please spell that word," or, "Read that question again," were the remarks I threw in when I needed to add some variety to keep from screaming in frustration. I rarely remember choosing letters for responses. We managed to muddle through the exam simply through sheer willpower. As I left the exam part of me wanted to forget the whole dreadful experience. Perhaps I could reapply and look for schools that didn't require the Subject Test ... but no. I knew I couldn't take the easy way out. As I thought about it, I concluded that no student should have to go through such torture, not if I had anything to do with it. Buoyed by encouragement from my local chapter affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, I took the first step along the path of advocacy. Fortunately, an excellent opportunity presented itself only a few weeks later. I was able to testify in front of the Department of Justice as it sought comments on its proposed regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act. As I said in my testimony, Braille was the only appropriate medium in which I could take the test on an equal basis with my peers. Testifying was certainly scary, but a great confidence builder. Imagine the triumphant feeling I had when I read the Department's Final Rule for the ADA and there was language in it which was almost identical to what I had said. I really had made a difference for future students who would come to take the test. "Would the regulations really make the difference, though?" I wondered. I wanted to be sure that they would, so I contacted ETS and informed them of the recent developments in the Justice regulations, enclosing a copy of my testimony for emphasis. A short time later, I received a letter informing me that the Graduate Record Exam Program was preparing the Subject Test in Braille. I plan to take the exam in April and am looking forward to it as much as I can, considering that it's a test. My persistence paid off. Advocacy works! (Jennifer Sutton is the editor of "The Student Advocate," the newsletter of the National Alliance of Blind Students, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.) TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP by Walt Stromer We were eating lunch in a restaurant, three brothers-in-law and I. We all ordered soup. The man to my left said, "Here, I opened the crackers for you." I was a little annoyed. It took me at least 15 years to discover how to open one of those cracker packages. The trick is to grab the flap that runs down the middle of one side, and with the other thumb and forefinger, grab the edge of the package. It neatly rips apart. I sometimes took delight in demonstrating this to sighted friends who were still using their teeth to get the tear started. So I felt a little demeaned and cheated by being handed the naked crackers. Yet, if the roles had been reversed, and I had been sighted, I might well have done the same thing with the best of intentions. As we finished eating, one of the three in-laws grabbed the check. Foiled again. The blind person is usually at a disadvantage when it comes to grabbing the check and demonstrating affluence or generosity. A minute later, the one who had paid the bill said to me, "Need to make a pit stop?" I said, "Yup," and he showed me to the rest room. I was pleased that he had asked. Why wasn't I annoyed at his offer of help? Partly, it's because I detest having to ask, "Where is the men's room?" There may be a Freudian explanation for this dislike, going back to my childhood toilet training, but let's skip that. It may also have to do with the personality of the person offering the help. I can accept gracefully from one person the same help I would find demeaning when offered by another. So, if I don't know exactly when I want to be helped, or in what way, how is anybody else supposed to know? It's about as chancy as a game of blind man's bluff. When I was teaching, I would often stop for my mail at about 5 p.m. at the administration building. While doing this I sometimes met a colleague, also getting his mail. Almost every time, he would ask, "Going home, Walt? Can you find your way? Can I help you?" I always graciously declined his help. I honestly didn't feel annoyed. Why not? Because I knew that this man had suffered under the Nazis, and that he was genuinely perplexed that he should have survived when so many had perished. I knew that he offered help out of a deep sense of compassion and that in nearly all other ways he was highly respected for his scholarship and good sense. What right had I to cut him down simply because he did not understand my own little quirky needs? Coming out of the same administration building one evening, I was stopped by a colleague who said, "There's a telephone service truck parked right in front of the door here and it has a service door jutting out at right angles; you might run into it." He was right. My cane would have gone under the door, which started about three feet off the ground. My obstacle perception is not so keen that I could have noticed the edge of the door, until I hit it. Was I annoyed at my colleague for giving me some useful information? No, but I was a little annoyed at the fact of my blindness, which led a decent thoughtful human being to make a helpful observation. He could have said to himself, "This man with the cane is supposed to know how to travel by himself, so I won't tell him anything. If he runs into the door and cuts a bloody gash in his head, that's tough, that's his problem." I think that is more objectivity than we can expect from most human beings. This summer, my wife and I were standing on a patio after breakfast, talking to another couple. The two wives went up three steps and into the kitchen, and I felt we were expected to follow. The man on the patio didn't offer help, and I didn't want to ask. I turned right, found the three steps, and went into the kitchen thinking, "What does my wife mean, abandoning me on the patio?" I did not worry very long, because I don't want my wife feeling that she has to take care of me whenever I'm within grabbing or shouting distance. To help or not to help, that is the question. Last month, I was in a group of blind people about to have dinner in a private dining room in a motel. Just before the food was served, the waitress came in to say, "On all your plates, the swiss steak will be at six o'clock, green beans at nine, and potatoes at two." My reaction was, "Skip the clock analogy. I'll find what's on the plate and eat it if I like it." Should I write the restaurant tomorrow and tell them that such advice is unnecessary and even degrading? I think not. The clock idea may be helpful to some blind people. I might suggest to the waitress that next time she offer help in a more tactful way. She might say, "I know that some of you blind folks are wonderfully independent and graceful and don't need any suggestions on finding your food. Others of you may eat like pigs and won't care what it is or where it is. For those of you who care to know, I'll explain." For the distant future, somebody should give thought to what will happen in about 30 years when everybody will have digital clocks and watches, and the face of a clock will be about as unfamiliar as the face of the man in the moon. Am I saying we should never defend our ego, never point out where we need help and where we don't? Not at all. Over a period of years, I think most of us can do a good job of educating those who know us best as to our needs and pet peeves. Information campaigns can help educate the public, but there are limits. It is not realistic to expect that 220 million Americans can learn to understand all the detailed needs of 30 million people with a hundred different handicaps. I was reminded of my own limits of understanding last week. We were visited by friends who have a daughter, age 30, who is retarded and has cerebral palsy. We decided to go out for pizza. As we left the house, the daughter took my arm. I was pleased that she trusted me enough to do so. As we went down a short flight of steps, I realized how unsteady she was on her feet. I thought, "What if I don't do it right and she falls?" Behind us, I could feel her mother holding her breath. We made it. I was reminded that I'm not an expert on how to treat disabilities other than blindness. To help or not to help, that is the question. Too much unwanted help may threaten my self-esteem. On the other hand, I can demolish the self-esteem of others who try to be helpful. It is a continuing challenge for all of us. GETTING A GRIP ON GRAPHICS by Nolan Crabb Ask a blind computer user what his worst nightmare is regarding his job, and he may tell you he fears a world where every computer in the office uses a graphical user interface--an interface so graphical that his voice synthesizer won't provide any clues and his braille display is too limited to give him any real answers regarding access to information. While highly visual computers with graphical user interfaces are here to stay, such a world isn't necessarily a fait accompli, says Dr. Gregg C. Vanderheiden, director of the Trace Research and Development Center in Madison, Wis. Vanderheiden says while researchers and programmers are working to make highly visual computers more friendly for blind users, other trends are developing within both the computer industry and the business world that will prove beneficial. "I think the first thing we have to do is stop the panic about computer graphics," he says. "If you're worried about this, nothing's going to happen in the next five years that's going to disenfranchise blind people. Industry is slow to retool. Until industry updates its software, the character-based versions of these programs will still be around." Character- based programs, Vanderheiden explains, are those which can easily be read by a voice synthesizer or braille display. He says blind people who lash out against graphical computers are doing themselves and other blind computer users a great disservice. "Don't try to say that you can't use the graphical interface, because no matter how loudly you declare that graphics are terrible, you won't stop them from being used," he says. "I've found the best way to work with industry is to walk in and state up front their case, then you state your problem, versus coming in and stating your problem while they try to state their case. If you take their side, then give them your problem, and ask what they think you should do about it, you've placed them in the role of the problem solver rather than challenged them to a debate on the validity of graphical interfaces." He says the computer industry and businesses who use computers extensively are giving birth to a trend he calls "alternate access." Alternate access means different computers could run different versions of a program and still allow users to swap information. "That sort of thing is going on already in the industry," Vanderheiden says. "You may have a word processing program that is very visual and graphic in nature running in the same office with a character-based word processor produced by the same company. It just means that one person might use a keyboard while another would use a mouse to create similar files. Those files can then be swapped between the different users." Vanderheiden says while he by no means presumes to tell blind computer users what to do, he encourages a reasoned approach to solving graphical problems. "Blind people have to continue to let the computer companies know that they are interested in access to graphical user interfaces," he says. "If we say, 'the graphical interface is wonderful for a sighted person, and I want to access that too,' we're more likely to get those companies to pay attention. They won't do it because of the size of the market, but they'll do it because they're interested. I just don't think we can go in to those company and demand that they abandon their product line. That's not going to happen." ACB BOARD ACCEPTS RUSSIAN INVITATION, ELECTS BUDGET COMMITTEE MINNEAPOLIS - The Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind officially accepted an invitation for up to six delegates to visit the Russian Republic this spring. In its September 14 meeting, the Board unanimously accepted the invitation proffered by the All Russia Association of the Blind. The Board re-elected ACB Treasurer Brian Charlson, Second Vice President Charles S. P. Hodge, and Board Member Patricia M. Beattie to the budget committee for 1991-92. In accord with ACB's constitution and bylaws, the board authorized the secretary to forward a list of major actions taken at Board meetings to the editor of The Braille Forum for inclusion in the magazine. Board members accepted recommendations from the budget committee which increased the revenue figure on affiliate donations by $10,000. The increase reflects a decision by the Florida Council of the Blind to forgive $10,000 in debts owed by ACB. The recommendations also increased the projected revenues from ACB's thrift stores by $19,000. ACB's debt retirement goal was increased by $10,000, and the amount budgeted for legal expenses was increased by $19,000. The Board authorized a $1,500 expenditure to assist in a law suit brought by ACB Member Dick Cannon against the rail transit system in Atlanta. The money would be allocated only if the Georgia Council of the Blind agreed to provide additional financial support. The action was approved in an 8 to 5 roll call vote. The Board voted to notify Cannon's attorney that the $1,500 represented a one-time grant and should not be construed as a commitment for future expenditures. International Tours, Inc. of Muskogee, Okla., was again named ACB's official travel agency for 1992. In other convention decisions, Board members authorized the convention committee to charge a $1.00 surcharge per ticket to organizations that have ticketed functions. The committee may now also charge organizations a $25.00 administrative fee for functions for which there is no charge. Based on a motion from First Vice President Paul Edwards, the Board reduced the amount of the Floyd Qualls Scholarships to $1,500. The motion passed with a seven to five roll call vote. The Board encouraged the ACB national staff to discuss a response to resolutions from Frank Kurt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, with Ruth Ann Acosta, president of the Library Users of America. Board members passed a motion introduced by Hodge urging ACB to encourage the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training and the Minnesota Attorney General to take a case involving vendors in that state to federal court. Doing so would allow the state to receive judicial review of the adverse holdings of the arbitration panel. (See "Three Randolph-Sheppard State Licensing Agencies Win Major Victory in McDonald's/Burger King Arbitration Case," November/December 1991.) Board members authorized Assistant Treasurer Jim Olsen to investigate the cost and coverages available for liability insurance on the officers and directors of ACB. The motion called for a report to be given during the January 1992 Board meeting. The Board agreed to postpone further action on the scheduling change of the affiliate programming at the convention until the January Board meeting. Under the terms of the proposal, vocational special-interest affiliates would meet at the beginning of the week while non-vocational special-interest affiliates would meet at the end of the week. The proposal was sponsored jointly by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the Council of Citizens With Low Vision International. THINKING YOUNG AT HEART by Catherine Schmitt, President National Alliance of Blind Students What do Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Iowa, Florida, Washington, New York, California, Oregon, and Ohio all have in common? These are among the state affiliates within the American Council of the Blind who have taken the initial steps in recognizing that the future of our organization depends upon the leaders of tomorrow- the students. Mere recognition that students are indeed ACB's future leaders isn't enough. We need to work together to see this goal accomplished. Students must also recognize the importance of active membership in their state affiliates. How do state affiliates recruit and maintain student members? Here are some suggestions. 1. Listen and show respect to young members. All of us want to feel like we are valued and belong. By actively listening to the concerns and creative ideas of students, you are helping to develop their self esteem. 2. When planning a program at a local meeting or at a state convention, be sure to include a seminar or lunch especially for students. This provides the opportunity for students to interact with their peers and the program designed with them in mind shows that your organization cares about them and wants to meet their needs. 3. Make personal contact with the student. This is the most important component in successful recruiting. That one-on-one approach makes a big difference. The personal contact also says "we want you to belong." Although these points appear to be very simple, they actually are the most challenging aspects in attracting any member. The student's role in the recruitment process is crucial as well. The student interested in developing leadership skills, discovering his rights on equal access, and learning to advocate for himself and others will gain valuable information by showing interest and becoming an active member of your state affiliate. Students interested in learning more about their state affiliate should contact the ACB National Office by calling (800) 424-8666 weekday afternoons between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. eastern time. As all of us begin thinking "young at heart," we can build membership foundations today that include ACB's leaders of tomorrow. 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. RECENT DEATHS Walter Robert (Bob) Campbell, a charter member of the American Council of the Blind, died on Christmas Eve in Oakland, Calif., following a heart attack. He was 82 years old. He served in various capacities as a member of ACB's Board of Directors, and was California's delegate for many years. He began his professional career at the California School for the Blind and was ultimately appointed to the position of director of Advanced Studies, a post he held until his retirement in 1973. He was president of the American Council of the Blind of California at the time of its merger with the California Council of the Blind in 1985. CCB President Robert Acosta called Campbell "one of the master architects which led to the merger of the American Council of the Blind of California and the California Council of the Blind." Campbell served as president of the Lillie Perry Foundation for the Blind, a California-based organization which loans money to blind Californians beginning their professional careers. Campbell's family has asked that any charitable contributions be made payable to the Lillie Perry Foundation for the Blind, Inc., and sent to Judge Donald H. Wilkinson, the foundation's treasurer, at 2003 H. St., Eureka, CA 95501. Alaric G. Nichols, 72, died May 18, 1991 after a long illness. A graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, Nichols was a charter member of the American Council of the Blind. In 1956, he was a founder of the Vermont Council of the Blind. He was a strong advocate for the blind for 30 years. He worked as a braille proofreader for the Works Project Administration. He worked for many years for the Sidney Gage Basket Company in Bellows Falls, Vt., and at the Margolin Company in Brattleboro, Vt. He is survived by his wife Joann to whom he was married on October 6, 1973, three brothers, and one sister. CONFERENCE ON AGING BLIND The New York Light House National Center for Vision and Aging will host a national conference on support groups for older visually impaired people June 5 and 6. Dr. C. Everett Koop will be the keynote speaker. The conference will be held at the Empire Radisson Hotel in New York City. For further information, contact Cynthia Stuen, New York Lighthouse, 800 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017. Tel. (212) 808-0077. ORAL HULL SCHEDULE The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind will hold its summer camps for blind adults in two sessions, according to a press release from the foundation. The first week-long camp session will begin July 18 and end July 25. The second week begins August 15 and runs through August 22. Cost for the week is $150, which includes three meals daily, lodging, and transportation from Portland, Or. Camp activities include fishing, hiking, swimming, field trips, live entertainment and more. Space is limited, according to the release. Contact the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, P.O. Box 157, Sandy, OR 97055. Tel. (503) 668-6195. DECISION MAGAZINE The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association publishes "Decision," the association's magazine, in braille and on tape. Produced and distributed by Christian Fellowship for the Blind, Inc., the magazine is free. For more information or to order, write Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1300 Harmon Pl., Minneapolis, MN 55403. Tel. (612) 338-0500. MORE BOOKS FOR KIDS National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA 02115, is expanding its children's book club to include titles for young people who read on a fourth grade level or higher. According to a press release, NBP's first selection for those beyond the third grade level is "The Bobbsey Twins." For more information on new titles, write NBP or call (617) 266-6160. NEW STANDARDS FROM NAC An all-new revised edition of the "Agency Service Standards" is available from the National Accreditation Council, according to a letter from NAC. The new single publication replaces the individual standards booklets previously used. The book contains standards for orientation and mobility, residential, social work, vocational, workshop (as revised in 1987), low vision, rehabilitation teaching, recreation, and provision of reading materials. To order by mail, (print or tape), contact the National Accreditation Council, 232 Madison Ave., Suite 907, New York, NY 10016. Tel. (212) 779-8080. The standards publication costs $50. LARGE PRINT PUBLICATION Grey Castle Press announces the publication of the "Consumer Reports 1991 Buying Guide" issue in large print. The guide includes stories on camcorders, answering machines, laptop computers, peanut butter and more. According to a press release from Grey Castle, "The Universal Almanac 1991" and the "Old Farmer's 1991 Almanac" are among the publications planned for future release. The "Consumer Reports Buying Guide" costs $29.95. For more information contact Tricia Kubic, (203) 435-2518. Write to Grey Castle Press, Pocket Knife Square, Lakeville, CT 06039. LARGE PRINT ALMANAC Grey Castle Press also announces the publication of "The Old Farmer's Almanac" in large print. For more information, write to the above address. NEW BOOK FROM AFB "Visual Impairment: An Overview" is a new book published by the American Foundation for the Blind. The book is written for people who are learning to cope with the vision loss of a friend or family member. The book describes the anatomy of the eye and shows photographs depicting how images look to people with visual impairments. It also details services, techniques, optical and other devices that allow visually impaired people to maximize the use of whatever vision they have. The book also includes a resource list of agencies and organizations nationally which offer services or information to visually impaired people. To order, send $12.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling to Publication and Information Services Department, American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011. ART GUIDE The American Foundation for the Blind and the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City have published an art guide for blind and visually impaired people. The book, "Access to Art: A Museum Directory for Blind and Visually Impaired People," lists hundreds of museums, historical societies, and other facilities that provide special services to help make art accessible to blind and visually impaired visitors. Copies of the book may be ordered for $11.95 plus $3.00 for postage. Contact AFB at 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011. PARTICIPATE IN JOB BANK AFB is also searching for people willing to participate in its Job Index/User Network which features information from more than 1,100 blind and visually impaired people who use adaptive equipment in a variety of jobs. Participants are asked to share their knowledge and expertise with others and help evaluate existing and newly developed adaptive devices. Evaluations of these devices are published in the "Random Access" section of "The Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness." Those interested in assisting the National Technology Center with the Job Index/User Network should call AFB at (800) 232-5463 and express their interest in participating. ACB SEEKS 1992 SUMMER INTERN The ACB Board of Directors has reauthorized the student summer internship program intended to provide meaningful work experience for a blind post-secondary student during the summer of 1992. The paid internship will be for a maximum period of ten weeks and will also include, if necessary, a reasonable housing and transportation allowance. Duties will include activities in the areas of public information and education, membership assistance, communications, legislative monitoring and publications. All students who have submitted 1992 ACB scholarship applications will automatically be considered for this internship. Any other students wishing to be considered should submit a letter of application by May 1, 1992 to Oral O. Miller, National Representative, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC, 20005. The letter of application should include documentation concerning the school being attended or to be attended as well as information regarding the major field of study, vocational or professional objective (if known), prior educational and employment history, skills (braille reading and writing, typing, computers, low vision aids, etc.), extracurricular and civic activities. The letter should also include a paragraph stating why the applicant would like to spend a summer in Washington and the benefits which s/he would expect to receive from the internship. HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Lowrey organ with brass synthesizer, stereo tape machine, Leslie external speaker, excellent condition, $1,500. Contact Larry Taylor, Hillcrest Village Mobile Home Park, Space 32, 1600 Sable Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011. Tel. (303) 364-7200. FOR SALE: Vantage 14-inch Closed Circuit TV System, practically new, includes manuals. $1,900. Contact Sam Silver, 8808 Spring Valley Rd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Tel. (301) 656-6541. FOR SALE: VersaBraille II in very good condition, includes manuals and cables, $1,295. Also, VersaBraille II Plus, in fair condition, $975. VersaBraille P2C (cassette-based), in very good condition with manuals, charger, and cables, $795. Contact Irene Rojas, 7806 Kellwood Dr., Houston, TX 77040. Tel. (713) 937-6419. FOR SALE: a 2 1/2 year old IBM PS2 Model 30 computer with MB20 hard disk, a 3.5-inch K720 floppy drive and three expansion slots, one serial and one parallel port. Includes a word processor and various shareware and freeware programs including a double-entry bookkeeping system and a simple personal finance program. Includes a dictionary, many games, and a personal calendar. $750 plus shipping. Contact Robert Langford, PH.D., 11330 Quail Run, Dallas, TX 75238. Tel. (214) 340-6328. FOR SALE: Visualtech Voyager with 14-inch amber screen, excellent condition, includes manual, dust cover, and insured shipping in original carton, $1,300 or offer. Contact Barry Wood, 6904 Bergenwood Ave., North Bergen, NJ 07047. Tel. (201) 868-3336 evenings and weekends. FOR SALE: Vtek Voyager without monitor, $999; Vtek DP10 large print system for Apple II Series computer (does not include computer and monitor), $999. Contact Tom Cordes, 2105 Valley High Dr., Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Tel. (319) 266-8175. 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