THE Braille Forum Vol. XXXI March 1993 No. 8 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 has available 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, 6 p.m. to midnight eastern time Monday through Friday. Washington, D.C., residents only Tel. 296-3552. Copyright 1993 American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message, by LeRoy Saunders News Briefs From The ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller ACB Board Approves Budget, Expands Staff, by Nolan Crabb Affiliate Presidents Working Together, Achieving Success, by Nolan Crabb Disability Rights Attorney Speaks On Advocacy In The '90s, by Nolan Crabb Convention Preview, by John A. Horst Bringing Home The Video, by Nicole E. Willson ACB Seeks 1993 Summer Intern How Great Is The Need For A Unified Braille Code?, by Winifred Downing Braille Literacy--Another Perspective, by Walt Stromer Here And There, by Elizabeth Lennon High Tech Swap Shop Acknowledgments Is Medicare Reimbursing You Fairly?, by Glenn M. Plunkett SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT As a result of recent budget decisions by the board of directors and officers of the American Council of the Blind, I'm pleased to announce that beginning with this edition of "The Braille Forum," a new computer disk edition will be mailed directly to subscribers from the ACB National Office. Until now, anyone wishing to receive the disk edition had to send a blank diskette to ACB. We would copy the file on the diskette and return it to the individual. At best, this was an inconvenient system for both the reader and the editorial staff. To compensate somewhat, we provided the electronic issues of the magazine to computer bulletin board systems in various parts of the nation. Those who subscribe to the floppy disk edition will receive their magazine between two and three weeks ahead of those who receive the print, braille or cassette editions. Those who subscribe to the computer disk edition will be switched from their current edition to the disk. The computer disk edition will contain a single ASCII file which includes the complete text of the print, tape, and braille editions. Pictures appearing in the large print edition will not be digitized and used on the computer disk edition, but captions will be included on the disk. The electronic edition of the magazine will not be mailed to readers in any compressed file formats. Diskettes will be available in IBM/MS-DOS formats only. Readers interested in the magazine on computer disk must specify whether you want 5.25 or 3.5 inch diskettes. If no specification is given, double-sided, double-density 5.25- inch diskettes will be supplied. For more information or to subscribe to the computer disk edition, please write or call the ACB National Office. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE by LeRoy Saunders I have just returned from the meetings of the board of directors and the affiliate presidents of the American Council of the Blind. I was particularly pleased with the number of state and special-interest affiliate presidents who attended. It is much easier to communicate in a smaller group. One of the most important elements of this meeting is communication--presidents talking with each other. During our board meeting, the Board passed a budget in excess of $1 million for 1993. This will allow us to increase staff in our National Office, add new equipment, and provide funds for more travel money for committees and board members. Among other things, the new budget allocates funding to increase our efforts in membership activities. These are just some of the areas the budget addresses in which we can enhance our services to every ACB member. (See "ACB Board Approves Budget, Expands Staff," this issue.) As of March 1, Jennifer Sutton will be the newest member of the ACB National Office staff. She will be working closely with our affiliates in the area of membership development and related areas. I am very pleased to have Jennifer join our staff. I look forward to working with her. I believe we will have a lot of work to do during 1993. With the president recommending many cuts in federal spending, we will need to work even harder to maintain funding levels in programs that are very meaningful to blind Americans. It will become even more vital for all of our organizations to join together to ensure that blind and partially sighted people don't become victims of the cutbacks that will be approved by Congress. Congress isn't our only concern. Most of the states in this country are facing major cutbacks in their revenue. This means less money to match federal funding. That directly translates to cutbacks in services to all disabled Americans including blind and visually impaired people. This is already beginning to happen in some states. In order to save money, much of the work that was done in-house by federal, state, and local governments is being contracted out. In fact it's predicted by some that by 1995, 47 percent of all work in this country will be done by contract. Should this become a reality, and I think it will, it will be more important than ever that we make sure the service blind people receive be a service that is of exceptional quality and be judged by its outcome--the performance of the people who received the service. Total quality management must be incorporated in the management of services provided. It will become more important than ever that we have state-of-the-art ways of evaluating and monitoring services that are offered to blind people. This evaluation must be one that takes into consideration the outcome that is measured by the performance of the person served. To this end ACB will be sponsoring a summit on accreditation of services for blind and partially sighted people. This summit is slated for late fall of this year and will be announced as soon as arrangements are in place. This meeting will have nothing to do with any accreditation body but instead will explore a new approach to evaluation of services. Dr. Frank Dickey, a retired college professor, will chair this meeting. Dr. Dickey has been involved in accreditation for many years, and is highly respected by people in the field of accreditation. I hope representatives from all the organizations of and for the blind who are interested in quality services will attend this meeting. I will see that the list of attendees is as comprehensive as possible. The summit will not deal with specifics such as which agency or organization will be the accrediting body, but will only discuss the evaluation process and how it can be improved to be more sensitive to the outcome of people who receive the service. There is much to be accomplished during the coming year. With the support of our board of directors, members, and staff, I am sure we shall succeed and meet the challenge of 1993. Start making plans for our convention in July. Caption ACB President LeRoy Saunders addresses the 31st Annual National Convention of the American Council of the Blind. NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL OFFICE by Oral O. Miller, National Representative The refrain of a once-popular song that opened, "The beat goes on," describes to a great extent the attitudes of some federal government agencies when it comes to publishing in inaccessible formats the proposed regulations that will impact on the lives of disabled people. For example, in November 1992, the US Department of Transportation published in the Federal Register a notice proposing to postpone for eighteen months the regulations which would require transit rail systems to put detectable warning strips along platform edges. No, the proposal was not made available in an accessible format and, since no blind people had received accessible copies in spite of requesting them from the department, very few blind people had submitted comments during the first six weeks after the notice was published. That fact surprised no one but aggravated many! I am inserting below a part of the strong letter of protest which we submitted to the Department. The letter began by pointing out the impropriety of publishing the notice in an inaccessible format and then made the following demands: "1. Make the cited NPRM available immediately in accessible formats--braille, recorded audio cassette, large print and computer disk. "2. Publish in the Federal Register a notice extending the comment period 60 days from the date the last of the aforementioned for accessible formats is made available. Merely reciting that comments may be considered after January 19, 1993, is not adequate inasmuch as such a statement ignores your department's basic failure to make the material available in a form usable by many of the people who will be affected most seriously by the proposed regulations. " ... However, as of the date of this letter, January 4, 1993, we know of no blind or visually impaired person who has received, in spite of countless requests, a copy of the cited NPRM in a format which blind people can use independently--namely, braille, large print, recorded magnetic tape or computer disk. ... The members of the American Council of the Blind, the largest organization of blind and visually impaired people in the United States, find it difficult to understand why the Department of Transportation has effectively denied them and the other blind citizens of this country a meaningful opportunity to comment on proposed regulations which, according to your NPRM's own language, would have an extremely adverse impact on their safety. On page 54212 the NPRM states: 'Having an adequate detectable warning system is a vital safety matter for blind and visually impaired passengers. For example, in one rapid rail system lacking adequate detectable warnings, according to testimony from blind passengers at a 1992 public hearing on the system's proposed key station plan, 15 blind or visually impaired passengers have fallen off the platform in recent years (at least one of them was killed by a train).' Does the Department of Transportation seriously believe that blind people would not be interested in correcting such dangerous conditions as soon as possible? Any possible inconvenience that might be experienced by transit operators cannot compare in equity with the damage that will be suffered by blind people if the compliance date is extended. ... We are giving you notice hereby that we intend to take appropriate legal action as well as appropriate media action if the blind and visually impaired citizens of the United States are not given a meaningful opportunity to comment on regulations affecting their safety. In view of the unconscionable delay which has already taken place in connection with the cited NPRM, we are asking for your reply within seven days from the date of this letter, which is being hand delivered to your office. ... " Soon after delivery of the above-quoted letter, we received word that the comment period would be extended and on January 29, 1993, the Federal Register announced that the comment period was extended to February 18, 1993, although comments filed after that date would be considered to the extent practicable. As of the date this article is being written, we have received copies of many comments and we commend those people who have submitted comments and sent copies to this office. It is very important for us to receive copies of comments so we can accurately evaluate their tone. The situation summarized above underscores not only the effectiveness of the American Council of the Blind as an advocate but also the importance of staying up to date on the latest developments by calling the Washington Connection--(800) 424-8666. Since regulatory and other matters change so rapidly, it is essential to obtain the most current information available. Other matters which continue to demand considerable attention by the National Office staff include ongoing negotiations with the telecommunications industry concerning the possible development and manufacture of "accessible" technology and systems, environmental accessibility, adequate appropriations, the value of categorical services, and prosecution of and appeal of an adverse decision by the American National Standards Institute regarding its accessibility standards. Some of the activities which will require considerable attention in coming months include active participation in the legislative workshop following the delegate assembly of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind and the resumption of ACB's regional leadership training seminars (similar to the very popular seminars conducted in the early 1980s). ACB BOARD APPROVES BUDGET, EXPANDS STAFF by Nolan Crabb SAN FRANCISCO--The Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind adopted the fiscal 1993 budget and voted to fill a newly-available staff position in the ACB National Office. The board took action on these and other items during its mid- year meeting held here February 6. Jennifer Sutton, a member of the Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the current editor of "The Student Advocate," the National Alliance of Blind Students newsletter, is ACB's new coordinator of affiliate membership relations. Prior to her employment with ACB, Sutton worked for the Committee for the Purchase from the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped, the federal agency which is charged with implementing the provisions of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, the federal law which regulates contracts with workshops nationwide. Sutton will work closely with affiliate presidents, ACB's scholarship committee, and the membership committee, to name only a few. The 1993 budget adopted by the board officially expands "The Braille Forum"'s publishing schedule to 12 issues per year and provides funding for a computer disk edition. (See "Special Announcement," this issue.) The budget allocates funding for an upcoming accreditation summit to occur later this year and regional leadership training seminars slated for late 1993 or early 1994. A computer bulletin board system has also been funded. Additional information on the system will appear in future issues of "The Braille Forum." Board members approved a $10,000 allocation to begin a written history of the American Council of the Blind. They agreed that beginning in 1994, the eight Floyd Qualls scholarships will be increased from $2,000 each to $2,500. REPORTS ACCEPTED The board heard reports from Convention Coordinator John A. Horst, National Representative Oral O. Miller, Editor Nolan Crabb, Treasurer Brian Charlson, Membership Committee Chairman Durward K. McDaniel, Environmental Access Committee Chairperson Patricia M. Beattie, Personnel Committee Chairman Michael Byington, and Dr. Otis Stephens, chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services, the company which manages ACB's thrift stores. In his report to the board, President LeRoy Saunders commended ACB Member Marvin Price of Indianapolis, In., for his efforts as ACB's representative on a standards committee sponsored by the American Library Association. Saunders asked Otis Stephens to report on a meeting of the Joint Organizational Effort Committee which the two attended in January. The JOE committee consists of representatives from the ACB, the National Federation of the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the American Foundation for the Blind, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and others. Stephens said Social Security policy, braille literacy, and categorical versus generic services for blind and partially sighted people were among the items discussed. "I'd say the tone of the meeting was positive," Stephens reported. The meeting was hosted by the National Federation of the Blind at its Baltimore headquarters. A more detailed report on the committee's activities will appear in a future issue of "The Braille Forum." In his membership committee report, Chairman Durward K. McDaniel said the committee is placing high priority on updating ACB's membership introductory packet which is distributed to prospective members. He said his committee would work closely with Jennifer Sutton to produce membership development material. He said Committee Member Sue Ammeter continues to work with ACB members in Idaho to strengthen the affiliate. John Lopez and Richard Villa are working with key individuals in New Mexico to rebuild the affiliate there. The board adopted a motion by ACB First Vice President Paul Edwards that a member of the National Alliance of Blind Students be added to the membership committee. Patricia M. Beattie, chairperson of the Environmental Access Committee, said her committee has been involved with the rulemaking processes for three federal agencies-- the Department of Justice, the Access Board, and the Department of Transportation. She said in recent months, the committee has dealt with audible traffic signals, detectable warnings, and audible signs. She introduced Dr. Billie Louise Bentzen, a psychologist at Boston College, who recently conducted a study on the value of detectable warnings at intersections. Bentzen said her study was conducted in eight cities around the country in conjunction with a group of orientation and mobility instructors. She said 10 students in each city approached 10 intersections from different angles. The student had to notify the instructor when he felt his next step would propel him into the street. Each student was carefully interviewed by the instructor to ascertain what cues he or she used to determine where the intersection began. Bentzen said 35 percent of the time, the students went into the street without stopping. She said 58 percent of those mistakes were made even though there was traffic in the street at the time. A more detailed story on the study will be presented in the "Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness" published by the American Foundation for the Blind. AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND ENTERPRISES AND SERVICES Otis Stephens, chairman of the board of directors of the American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services reported that the thrift stores "continue to make impressive progress." Stephens said the stores had experienced a 46 percent net income increase in 1992 over the previous year. He said one store is doing well as a result of relocation. ACBES plans to open a thrift store in the upper midwest in the near future. James R. Olsen, executive director of ACBES and assistant treasurer of ACB, said all the stores showed good growth in terms of customer dollars spent. In other action, the board denied a request from the Oklahoma Council of the Blind for a $75,000 loan to help the Oklahoma League for the Blind in Oklahoma City, Okla., resolve some difficult financial problems. Prior to denying the request, board members heard from Judy Pool, who represented the Oklahoma Council. Pool reminded board members of ACB's early history when the Oklahoma League loaned the fledgling consumer organization office space and supplies. Board members said while they were appreciative of the League's crucial role in ACB's history, they were concerned about setting a precedent if they loaned the money to the workshop. During the course of its deliberations, the board went into executive session, a move which was strongly opposed by some board members and by some ACB members who were observing the meeting. The pre-convention board meeting was scheduled for Saturday, July 3 at 8:30 A.M. AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS WORKING TOGETHER, ACHIEVING SUCCESS by Nolan Crabb When state and special-interest affiliate presidents met in San Francisco in early February, they came with an eye on the future and a hand of fellowship extended to one another. They returned home armed with new ideas, willing to experiment with new solutions, and determined to succeed. "One of the things I hope we understand," said ACB President LeRoy F. Saunders in opening remarks to the presidents, "is that our future is going to depend greatly on how well all of us work together." He reminded his listeners that the large federal deficit combined with President Clinton's proposed programs will result in different circumstances for all ACB members. "Whether we like it or not," he said, "there has to be a change in what all of us are accustomed to." He cautioned against complacency, warning his audience that federal and state budget cuts would result in reductions in programs that are all too often taken for granted. "We're not the only kids out there on the block anymore who lobby Congress and our state governors," he cautioned. "We're a minority within a minority as far as handicapped people are concerned. (Other disability groups) have learned from us, and they're learning real well. We used to be the people who knew the ropes in Congress and who had a lobby. But they've learned from us; they have more numbers than we have, and they're certainly going to have an impact." Saunders urged affiliate presidents to tap the talents of their membership. He said funding is now available to help with travel and other expenses of local ACB members who could testify at hearings in their states regarding programs essential to blind and partially sighted people. He encouraged affiliate presidents to help cultivate talent and leadership so they could attend meetings and speak in behalf of ACB-supported programs where necessary. Attendees heard from Patricia M. Beattie, chairperson of ACB's Environmental Access Committee, who introduced Dr. Billie Louise Bentzen, a psychologist from Boston College, who has recently been involved in an ACB-supported study to determine the value of detectable warnings at intersections. Widely recognized as a leader in the area of detectable warnings and audible signage research, Bentzen has also done research in the areas of tactile maps, telephone information systems, and audible signals. She said tactile warnings and raised signs began surfacing as an issue in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She said in recent years, the teamwork effort among representatives from ACB, the American Foundation for the Blind, and her department have been valuable in the ongoing effort of standard setting by committees of the American National Standards Institute. Bentzen explained that some of the momentum gained in the first year to 18 months with regard to environmental access standards slowed when representatives from the National Federation of the Blind got involved in the ANSI meetings. "The NFB was conspicuously absent from these meetings until about a year and a half ago," Bentzen explained. "Since that time, we haven't been able to present such a united front, and there has been a lot of controversy. Needless to say, people who are not particularly interested in making any changes in the environment because they cost money have capitalized on this lack of unity to make excuses for not doing anything." Bentzen described some of the requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act titles which deal with local governments and private businesses. She said the proposed regulations fit into two categories--safety and information. "The regulations set limits on how much objects can protrude into the travel path," she explained. The proposed regulations under Title III of the ADA require a detectable warning at places where vehicles may drive across walking areas such as parking lot entrances or similar driveway areas where there is no barrier or delimiter separating the sidewalk from the driveway. "The regulations require that this warning be three feet wide and that it extend along the entire distance where you have this blend between pedestrian and vehicular way." She said the Access Board has chosen to refer to detectable warnings as "truncated domes." The proposed regulations stipulate that detectable warnings should be placed on curb ramps and along the edges of transit platforms where there is a drop. Such detectable warnings along transit platforms are to extend the full length of the platform and are to be at least two feet wide. She said in the category of information, the proposed regulations state that overhead signs can have characters no smaller than three inches high. Both raised characters and braille are required in a number of situations. There are significant differences in the regulations between ADA Title II, which deals with state and local governments, and Title III, which deals with private businesses. Detectable warnings on curb ramps are required for private property, but not in public areas such as intersections, which generally fall under the purview of state and local governments. She referred to a recently-completed study which was done in eight cities around the nation simultaneously using 10 long-cane users. Each student traveled a route that brought them to 10 streets which were unfamiliar to them. Students notified instructors each time they felt their next step would place them in the street. They provided information about the cues that indicated that they were, in fact, in the street. "Out of the 800 approaches," Bentzen explained, "they went right down the middle of curb ramps 557 times." She said students went into the street 195 times without stopping. "That's 35 percent of the time." 75 percent of the travelers rated themselves as good or excellent travelers. 75 percent of them traveled independently five or more times a week. Bentzen said 58 percent of the time, there was traffic in the street into which the students had stepped. "This represents a much greater vulnerability than what I had expected," Bentzen said. Paul Schroeder, ACB's director of government affairs, told the presidents that a lack of response on the part of local ACB members has eliminated potential environmental accessibility gains that could have been achieved under the Americans with Disabilities Act. "We have existed for a number of years," Schroeder said, "letting a few people carry the load for making comments and making these things happen. We had really no right to expect detectable warnings to be in the ADA document. We got our butts kicked in public hearings, we got our butts kicked in comments, and I think we were very lucky that the ADA Guidelines kept detectable warnings." Schroeder warned the affiliate presidents that it's not enough for ACB to simply sponsor research or send its director of governmental affairs to push the issues. "What's really critical is that you and your membership make the point and tell people why blind people need to have the world adapted in some relatively small but important ways to make it more accessible to us." Following Schroeder's remarks, the group heard from Charles D. Goldman, a Washington, D.C., disability rights attorney and frequent contributor to "The Braille Forum," who urged his listeners not to expect the federal government to solve their problems and resolve their discrimination complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (See "Disability Rights Attorney Speaks on Advocacy in the '90s," this issue.) At the conclusion of Goldman's address, affiliate presidents heard from four panelists whose topic was "How do you spell money? Bingo." Doris Marcy, executive director of the Oregon Council of the Blind, was the first panelist. She assured her listeners that establishing Bingo as an affiliate fund-raising tool isn't nearly as simple as buying a few game tables and running an ad in the paper. "The Oregon statute and administrative rules on Bingo is in excess of 35 pages right now," she explained. "We're being told that they're being revised, and I'm sure they won't come out any less than what they are currently. They are exhaustive. They cover everything from each Bingo sponsor being responsible legally for auditing their funds and accounting for how they are collected and dispersed to designating who has jurisdiction over who pays for the paper towels." She said while the rules are difficult and time consuming, they actually allow the Oregon Council to operate the game. "Accountability is the number one priority if you're going to operate a Bingo operation. A certified public accountant is a must." Marcy described the Oregon Council's application process and the various regulations the Council complies with in order to keep its Bingo license. "Our gross income is limited to no more than $1,160,000 per year," she explained. "We haven't made it yet. We're working on it, though." She said the Oregon Council's Bingo operation in Portland is open more than any other hall in the city. Some of the space is rented to other non-profits who run Bingo operations. "We're open seven days a week," Marcy said. "We open at 8 o'clock in the morning, and we close down for about an hour and a half in the afternoon. We reopen in the evening six nights a week and are there until 2:30 in the morning." Since the Bingo operation handles large amounts of cash and deals with gambling clientele, the Oregon Council also employs security personnel. Marcy said there's no shortage of business. "On Christmas night, we had a full house. We had to close our building for a day and a half due to snow and ice, and we were inundated with complaints. They didn't care if there was snow and ice. Public transportation was running, and they wanted to play Bingo. In fact, a customer survey that I circulated a few months ago indicated an interest in breakfast Bingo." Marcy said the bottom line is the Oregon Council nets between $10,000 and $12,000 per month. The snack bar operation brings in an additional $1,200 to $1,400 per month. The Oregon Council collects $3,500 per month from non-profit organizations who rent Bingo space. There are currently five non-profits renting space. Judy Pool, representing the Oklahoma Council of the Blind, was the second panelist. Unlike Oregon, the Oklahoma Council had to rent its Bingo space. She said the organization who ran the games for the Oklahoma Council kept all the books and merely provided the OCB with a printout each month detailing its income and costs. Pool said all too often, the Oklahoma Council made enough to pay its taxes, but was told that it owed the organization who ran its games for other things. "We would like to do our own like Doris is doing. We'd like to do it with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors in Oklahoma and the blind bowlers, but we don't have the wherewithal yet to do it." At the present time, the Oklahoma Council is not involved in Bingo. Teresa Blessing, president of the Florida Council of the Blind, was the third panelist. She said while the Florida Council doesn't run Bingo operations, two of the local chapters do. Blessing requires those chapters to provide her with an independent audit since they use the Florida Council's tax exemption number. Dawn Christensen, president of the American Council of the Blind of Ohio, was the final panelist. She said ACBO's Bingo operations began over a year ago. "We run our own Bingo basically," she explained. "There's a lot of red tape." She said while the ACBO went into debt initially to purchase chairs, tables, Bingo cards and boards, the operation has become "quite profitable." "Last year," she said, "we sold half a million dollars in instant Bingo tickets. These are like the rub-off lottery tickets. In one afternoon, we can sell $5,000 to $10,000 in instant Bingo tickets. We netted somewhere in the area of $80,000 last year, but you have to understand that we had to pay all the start-up costs." Christensen said like Oregon, there's no shortage of business. "A lady came to our Saturday game, left with labor pains, had her baby, and came back Sunday night." At the conclusion of the Bingo panel, ACB National Representative Oral O. Miller presented a draft document which elicits information about affiliate members who could serve on various committees appointed by President Clinton and others. Miller urged affiliate presidents to encourage their interested members to submit resumes to the ACB National Office targeted toward service on such committees. He presented an outline which he suggested affiliate leaders follow when helping their members to compile resumes for such advisory positions. President LeRoy Saunders opened the evening session by introducing Jennifer Sutton, ACB's new coordinator of affiliate and membership relations, who spoke briefly. Following her remarks, Vera McClain, president of the Alabama Council of the Blind, and Cathy Schmitt, president of the National Alliance of Blind Students, talked about special projects and activities in their affiliates. Schmitt said it's essential for the affiliate to set goals. She said special projects and defined goals allow members to say, "This is why I'm a member of this organization. This is what I can expect to gain from being a member." She said in addition to setting agendas and creating a mission statement, the student affiliate created a brochure which lists the affiliate's mission and purpose and elucidates the benefits of membership. Patricia Price, president of the Council of Citizens With Low Vision International, and Sue Ammeter, president of the Washington Council of the Blind, spoke briefly on the need to delegate work to others. Price said some leaders are action oriented while others are idea oriented. "Sometimes there's a real misunderstanding among our peers and colleagues that occurs when they don't understand where their leader comes from." She said there are "special benefits" in delegating work. Delegation develops leaders and provides an influx of new ideas. "There's more than one right way to do the job. There are some great ideas locked up in many of our members' heads along with the skills and talents they have. Delegation allows us to tap into that." Ammeter told the presidents that delegating "is something I've had to learn to do." She said leaders often don't delegate because they may be afraid someone else might do a better job or challenge their leadership. "Organizations who don't have change in their leadership, organizations that don't have new ideas, organizations who don't periodically change their structure are going to die or become stagnated or do the same thing over and over." The remainder of the evening session was spent preparing for and breaking up into small groups where affiliate presidents discussed such things as membership development, special projects and activities, and involvement of all members on a wider scale. During the second day of the meetings, presidents were introduced to a newly- designed calendar of events provided by Governmental Affairs Director Paul W. Schroeder. Presidents were given time to discuss the previous evening's small group sessions and provide comments on the affiliate meetings. President Saunders said an affiliate presidents meeting will be scheduled during the 32nd Annual National Convention in July. DISABILITY RIGHTS ATTORNEY SPEAKS ON ADVOCACY IN THE '90S by Nolan Crabb Don't assume that the federal government will help you resolve discrimination complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That's the advice of Charles D. Goldman, a disability rights attorney and frequent contributor to "The Braille Forum." Goldman gave that advice to state and special-interest affiliate presidents during the affiliate presidents meeting in San Francisco February 7. Goldman said the Americans with Disabilities Act has increased the sense of empowerment and awareness among disabled people and raised the consciousness level of employers, but he pointed out that many state human rights laws are stronger than the ADA. It is the strength of those state laws, he said, which can bring action and resolution of complaints. "Everybody thinks the ADA is the greatest thing since sliced bread," Goldman said. "But I can tell you, it's not, folks. It's good, but it's not the be-all end-all." Goldman said while doing research for a book, he "was amazed at how much stronger the state laws are." He said the history of disability legislation starts in the 1860s with President Lincoln signing bills which provided for the education of blind children. He said the two world wars spawned rehabilitation legislation, and civil rights laws. While those civil rights bills didn't mention visually impaired people, they introduced concepts that would later be an integral part of ongoing rehabilitation legislation and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He said state laws which had prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, etc. were amended in many states to include people with disabilities as early as the 1970s. Goldman briefly described the ADA's five titles and explained their significance. "Let me talk about Title V first," he said. "No one else talks about it. They forget about it and say 'Well, that's not a government agency who administers it.' The private sector is very much aware of Title V. Why? Because it says critically that if there's a state or local law that affords a person with a disability ... more protection than ADA, the state or local law counts. If there's a law that gives you more protection in your community, follow that local law." He said under the ADA, companies with 25 or more employees are covered under the employment provisions. California's state law covers businesses with five or more employees. He said Title V also deals with insurance in the work place issues. Goldman blasted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for what he termed irresponsible attitudes toward enforcement of the ADA's employment provisions. "I had the good fortune to go to the briefing announcing the ADA rules on employment," he recalled. "That morning, on the front page of 'The Washington Post,' was a report that CitiCorp had laid off 6,000 people, announcing a loss of $300 million. So I asked the question of Chairman Kemp and his staff, 'Do employers losing money still have to spend money to make a reasonable accommodation?' The answer was, 'That's a theoretical question.'" He urged the presidents to be prepared to educate the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other federal agencies on their disability and what it means in their daily work. "You have to almost know the law before you walk into some of those EEOC offices," Goldman warned. "You're playing at your peril. I'm not really a big fan of EEOC, particularly at the local level." The EEOC isn't the only bad guy on Goldman's most unwanted list. "Let me tell you about the Department of Justice," he said. "They need help! I'm fed up with everybody who says 'File a complaint with Justice.' That's not going to do it. If you think they're going to do the job, you're dreaming." He described a case which had been referred to him recently through the ACB attorney referral program. The client, a terminally ill Texan, had been evicted from a Greyhound bus by the driver who said the terminally ill visually impaired man was cheating on Greyhound's Helping Hands program. Under the Greyhound program, a sighted companion can travel with a blind or visually impaired person at no charge. The driver, assuming that the visually impaired man's sight was better than it is, evicted him from the bus. After consulting with ACB and Goldman, a letter was written to the Department of Justice and the Federal Department of Transportation. "What happened?" Goldman asked. "Nothing for six weeks. Greyhound was more responsive. I cashed a dispersement check to the man. We won the case based on Texas's white cane law. It was a local justice of the peace who took action--not the Justice Department." He said currently the Justice Department has some 700 pending complaints under Title II of the ADA, the section which deals with state and local governments, and 700 complaints under Title III, the section which covers the private sector. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has some 2,500 pending complaints under Title I, which deals with the employment provisions. "In a nutshell," he said, "they're overwhelmed. Don't expect a thing from the federal government, frankly." He urged his listeners to work with such groups as the state human rights agency, civil rights agency, or governor's committees on employment of people with disabilities. "If you don't know what agency handles discrimination cases in your state, call your governor's office. All state laws across the board in this country protect people with visual impairments against employment discrimination." He said when asking for a reasonable accommodation to do a job, the prospective employee should do everything possible to keep the costs down. "The lower the cost to the employer, the less is the burden. Very commonly, you'll see a situation where the employer will say, 'Well, the talking computer costs $3,000. What am I supposed to do?' You say, 'Excuse me, Mr. Employer, but everyone else in this office has a computer. That costs $2,000, so there's only $1,000 difference. You get a tax break on this issue, and since you're in the 50 percent bracket as a corporation, your net cost is $500, not $3,000.' If it's a private employer, make sure he takes every tax break he can." He said prospective employees should be prepared to educate employers about available tax credits and state agency funding sources where they exist. Goldman said the best advocates are those who have researched the entire situation. For example, if building accessibility is an issue, the advocate should find out when the building was built and what the building code was at the time. "As I said, the state laws came in in the '70s. They required hotels to do things then that they're finally doing today. We got their attention with ADA." Finally, Goldman stressed the importance of reaching out to prospective employers and state and local governments. "Reach out to these people," he said. "They may be down-sizing, but let them know you exist. Let them know you have services. They may need your help when they're accommodating their existing employees." He suggested to the affiliate presidents that they obtain copies of their local government's self evaluation, a document required under the Americans with Disabilities Act which details what the local government has done and will do in the future in terms of meeting the act's requirements. He said advocates should interview the lawyers, architects or whomever they work with to determine how much they know about the issue in question. "The best definition of advocacy is one I learned in a high-school journalism class," he said. "Understand what happened, how it happened, to whom did it happen, why did it happen, and where." (Editor's note: Charles D. Goldman is the author of "The Disability Rights Guide," second edition. The book is available on cassette from Recording for the Blind, 20 Roszel Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540. (800) 221-4792. (609) 452-0606.) CONVENTION PREVIEW by John A. Horst, Convention Coordinator The first business in San Francisco is tourism. The city is the most photographed, televised, and talked-about city in the world. Yet it never fails to surpass the expectations of its millions of visitors. San Francisco may be sparkling in the warm sunshine or coolly covered by fog, but a view from any of its seven principal hills will reveal why this city holds such great fascination for its visitors. From these hills, majestic bridges, shining blue-green water, ships, sailboats, skyscrapers, rows of pastel-colored victorian houses along steep streets with cable cars, magnificent churches, and great parks can be seen. The city has everything. Don't miss this great opportunity to visit San Francisco in 1993. As I write this in early February, the ACB board of directors, staff, and many affiliate presidents have just completed several days of meetings at the Airport Marriott Hotel near San Francisco. This hotel and the Airport Westin are the convention hotels for 1993. We found the management and staff of the Airport Marriott to be accommodating and courteous in every way. Our experiences to date with both the Marriott and the Westin have been most pleasant. They are enthusiastic about our convention and are really looking forward to it. Both hotels are first class and will do their best to provide outstanding service. In planning your convention attendance for July, you should be aware that although the temperature is usually in the 60s, cold winds blowing from the ocean can drop the temperature significantly. Watch for information on what to wear in an upcoming issue of "The Braille Forum." Unfortunately, food and other necessities are more expensive in and around San Francisco. The convention program will include detailed restaurant information. Also, the Orchids Restaurant at the Marriott offers a 25-percent discount to all American Association of Retired Persons card holders. The discount does not apply to the dinner early bird specials and the buffets, which are already discounted. Of course, the fast food service for breakfast and lunch will be available as usual. We are negotiating a refrigerator rental price with both hotels. Subsequent issues of "The Braille Forum" will include additional information about the cost. The Westin Hotel is located within a short walking distance of the Marriott. One can walk along the bay or along Old Bayshore Drive. There is only one intersection to cross. There is a signal light at this intersection with a button to push to stop traffic. A shuttle will also operate between both hotels. The exhibits will be at the Westin, as will some of the special-interest affiliate meetings. We anticipate an above-average attendance in San Francisco. Both hotels will fill up quickly. If you want to be near the exhibits, make your reservations at the Westin early. The cut-off date is June 12. You may not be able to reserve a room at convention rates after that date at either hotel. The convention dates are July 3 to 10. Room rates at both hotels are $45 per night for single and double and $55 for triple and quad. Call the Marriott at (415) 692-9100. Contact the Westin at (415) 692-3500. Remember to use ACB's travel agency, International Tours, Inc. of Muskogee, Okla. Call (800) 259-9299. Agreements have been obtained with Delta and United Airlines through this travel agency, but reservations must be made through International Tours. These agreements allow International Tours to offer the lowest fares. If you ask, the staff at International Tours can keep you informed as to when the reduced fares are available. If you want to combine your convention attendance with a vacation trip to Hawaii, you may do so on the same round-trip ticket. Call International Tours for more information. The overnight tour for 1993 is to Reno and Virginia City, Nev. The tour will depart the Airport Marriott at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 2. The tour will return to the Airport Marriott at approximately 6 P.M. on Saturday, July 3. Visitors will spend Friday in Reno. The bus will stop first at the Virginian Casino, where visitors will receive $10. From the Virginian, you may wish to visit other casinos in the area. You may want to end the day at the Sundowner, where you will receive another $10. This casino is located one block from the Cheers Hotel, where you will stay the night. The tour departs for Virginia City on Saturday at 9 a.m. While there, you may choose to visit more casinos or to tour this city rich in Nevada history. The itinerary will include a visit to a gold mine, perhaps a visit to a museum, and some time for souvenir shopping. The major casinos in Reno and Virginia City have been made aware of this tour. They have assured us that they will do their best to accommodate our convention attendees. Each bus will have an ACB person in charge plus four volunteers. However, those taking this tour should understand that they cannot expect a volunteer to be with them at all times, either for gambling or securing meals. Volunteers will be generally available to assist as much as possible. However, they will not be able to provide individual attention. Tour buses will not have lifts. Wheelchairs can be placed in the luggage area of the bus. The cost of this tour will be $60. Twenty dollars will be returned to you at the two casinos as explained above. This price includes transportation and lodging. Meals are not included, but they are available at a very reasonable cost at most casinos. All rooms are double occupancy with two beds. If you require a single room, there will be an extra $15 charge. You must make advanced reservations for this tour. You may do so by contacting ACB Assistant Treasurer James R. Olsen, 310 4th Avenue South, Suite 822, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Call (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 1993. You will also need to indicate whether you desire a single or double room for Friday night at the Cheers Hotel. Additional tours planned for the San Francisco area include: A narrated city tour of San Francisco, Saturday, July 3, repeated Sunday, July 4; a tour to Alcatraz, Monday afternoon, July 5; a tour to Alcatraz and the Fishermen's Wharf area, Tuesday, July 6; A tour to one winery, Tuesday afternoon, July 6; a "shop till you drop" tour of various outlet stores, Wednesday, July 7; a Great America theme park tour, Wednesday, July 7; a tour of the Exploratorium, a touch museum, Thursday, July 8; a wine country tour, including visits to two wineries and lunch, Thursday, July 8; a Guide Dog Users, Inc. tour of the San Rafael Guide Dog School, Thursday afternoon, July 8; an Oakland A's/Boston Red Sox baseball game, Thursday afternoon, July 8; a TeleSensory Corp. tour of its Mountain View, Calif., facility, Friday afternoon, July 9; and a dinner theater or comedy club excursion, Saturday evening, July 10. Finally, a dinner cruise on the bay is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 7. Plans are tentative for some of these tours. Additional tours may be included later. Stay tuned for more information. In addition, a bus will be available to take people to downtown San Francisco and return Monday through Friday of convention week. This will be your opportunity to see the downtown attractions such as Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square, cable car rides, and elevator rides at the Coit Tower for a breathtaking view of San Francisco. Several walking tours of the city lead by Jerry Kuns of Jose Can You See Tours will also be available. Volunteers will not be provided for these downtown visits. While the San Francisco area offers many attractions, the most important reason for your trip will be the 32nd Annual National Convention of the American Council of the Blind. Exciting events are being planned by your program committee, and the special-interest affiliates are hard at work developing their programs. The 1993 convention will be a special one with increased attendance and activities. You won't want to miss this unique opportunity for challenge, education, and growth. BRINGING HOME THE VIDEO by Nicole E. Willson Imagine being able to stop by your local video rental store and pick up a recent hit movie with audio description. It's not a reality yet, but it's one of the plans of WGBH- TV's Descriptive Video Service. Since November of 1991, DVS Home Video in Boston has been making popular movies with narrative description available to the public. Currently, these films can be ordered through a direct mail catalogue and through public libraries. If wider distribution of popular titles interests you, DVS needs your help. According to Ray Joyce, the marketing director of DVS Home Video, consumer input helped to get the home video project under way. Viewers of WGBH's audio-described public television programs requested popular movies with audio description. WGBH's Barry Cronin arranged a test marketing with two studios, Buena Vista (which encompasses Walt Disney, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures) and Paramount. Ten films from the studios were offered to DVS viewers through a mail campaign, and the tremendous response convinced DVS to begin making the home video service a permanent program. Currently, 33 titles, including "Ghost," "Parenthood," and "Field of Dreams," are available. Unlike the Public Broadcasting System programs described by DVS, no special equipment is needed for viewing DVS Home Video. In addition to the initial two studios, DVS is now working with MCA/Universal and MPI, and hopes to begin negotiations with additional major studios in the future. Comments from DVS viewers also play a part in deciding which movies are selected for video description. Not surprisingly, films which were popular during their theatrical runs tend to be the most frequently requested titles. Action-adventure and drama films also tend to be most popular with DVS viewers. "Basically, we're choosing the titles based on the input we get from our viewers," Joyce says. DVS tries to strike a balance in the titles available to avoid too great a concentration in any one genre such as comedy. Joyce says that this process will become easier as more titles become available. In addition to theatrical hits, DVS will also soon offer educational programs such as the PBS series "The Civil War" and "Eyes on the Prize."These educational titles are more likely to be available for loan from local libraries, which Joyce says is another facet of the home video program. Initially, DVS had wanted to rent films through the mail. However, a survey indicated that viewers were unwilling to spend the money required for the renting and mailing of the films. Since not all viewers wanted to buy every film they wished to see, DVS developed the idea of lending the films through public libraries. Another test mailing to public libraries proved very successful, and Joyce hopes that word of mouth will bring described videos to even more libraries. This, says Joyce, is another way in which ACB members can help the home video program. He encourages members to contact their local libraries. If a library doesn't carry the videotapes, blind patrons can give the library DVS's phone number and request that they order the cassettes. "This is a way for libraries to make their tape collection accessible," Joyce points out. And since DVS does not charge extra for the description, the price would not pose an undue burden for any library. Once DVS has a few more titles in its collection, Joyce says, the next step will be to test market the videos with a major video rental chain. This would bring the price of renting a described tape into a range which consumers said they were willing to spend during the earlier survey, and it would give people the convenience of renting straight from a store instead of through the mail. Joyce emphasizes that feedback from ACB members has contributed to the success of DVS in general and the home video tapes in particular. In response to several requests from DVS viewers, all new home video titles will have braille labels. DVS has also received comments from ACB members during such events as the "movie nights" at the annual conventions, and Joyce relays those comments to movie studios when he is enlisting their help with the project. "We always need to get input from (consumers)," Joyce says. "There's no point in doing it if the person is unhappy with the description." Local advisory groups help offer input on both the videos and the public television shows. Joyce also points out that the home video service benefits DVS's public television service. DVS public television currently reaches about 60 percent of viewers across the country. The home video tapes are a way to reach people whose public television stations don't yet carry DVS. If people enjoy the tapes, Joyce says, the next logical step is to contact the local public television station and request that it carry audio description. "Initially," Joyce says, "DVS on TV was getting the word out about the home video, and now it's sort of working both ways." Since movies are such an integral part of our culture, Joyce says that ideally, DVS will be working to get current popular titles available as close as possible to their release dates on regular video. The current delay is due to the fact that popular releases can be initially sold for prices as high as $99 in video stores, a prohibitive cost for many. Six months later, when the prices tend to drop to around $19.95, the titles will then become available through DVS. DVS Home Video also tries to alternate between producing current titles and producing classics, such as John Wayne films and the "Godfather" series. Upcoming films include "Sister Act," "Mary Poppins," and "Terms of Endearment." Joyce also hopes to sign on more studios in order to gain access to their film libraries. To place orders or request catalogues in braille and large print, consumers can call (800) 736-3099. Starting in April, DVS will be offering a new 800 number which will enable people to call up and hear a listing of available films. The number is (800) 333- 1203. This number will also list public television programs, such as "Mystery," which are featured through DVS. In addition, callers will be able to dial in their local area code and find out whether their public television station carries DVS. Those callers whose stations do not carry DVS are urged to contact their stations and get involved. (Please, no calls before April.) Caption Laurie Everett, director of WGBH-TV's Descriptive Video Service, updates ACB members on home video and other DVS developments during the 31st Annual National Convention of the American Council of the Blind ACB SEEKS 1993 SUMMER INTERN The American Council of the Blind announces its 1993 internship program intended to provide meaningful work experience for a blind post-secondary student. 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. Students wishing to be considered should submit a letter of application by April 1, 1993 to Oral O. Miller, National Representative, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th St, 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. HOW GREAT IS THE NEED FOR A UNIFIED BRAILLE CODE? by Winifred Downing The Braille Authority of North America ad hoc committee, dedicated to researching the feasibility of creating a single braille code to embrace literary braille, computer braille, and Nemeth, has a number of sub-committees assigned to various aspects of the task. One of these is concerned specifically with the extension of the code, the second objective identified by the committee. This committee, composed of Tim Cranmer, Emerson Foulke, Abraham Nemeth, and Joseph Sullivan, worked together for several months and issued a draft statement on October 12, 1992, corrected through November 23, 1992. This is a draft document; it has not been voted upon by the ad hoc committee or by BANA as a whole. Some may think, therefore, that it is premature to comment on the report; but once a prestigious committee has taken a position on an important issue, it is difficult to sway its members to a different point of view, and it therefore seems prudent to let those who are interested know what is being discussed so that they can perhaps affect the position finally taken on this matter. BANA has assured us that no code changes will be made without extensive input from all areas of the community interested in braille; but we cannot help a certain skepticism in view of the very recent October, 1991, changes which none of us were aware of until we began seeing altered symbols in the magazines we read. Transcribers and proofreaders were sent lists of the changes, but we have never seen an explanation for why they were adopted. In any case, we must believe that knowledge of what is being planned is less dangerous than ignorance, and we all thank the Objective II Committee for releasing the report openly and not adopting the understandable protection of keeping things to itself until a smooth process could be set in place. The proposed alterations, random as they may seem to the casual observer, are entirely consistent with the new code the committee has developed for presenting symbols of up to three characters in length which, they say, would allow for representation of more than 3,000 possibilities for expressing in braille all that inkprint conveys. The code would, for example, have ways of showing much more than italicized material--underlining, boldface print, sans serif print, and more. It would have symbols to indicate differing print for a single character, a word, or a passage. The object is to have an exact braille correspondent for every print presentation. To accomplish this goal, however, extensive changes would be made in the existing literary code. The signs for "to", "into," and "by" would be dropped, as would the final signs beginning with dots 5-6--"ence," "ong," "ful," "tion," "ness," and "ity"--and the sign for "com." Other signs using the lower four dots of the cell would be retained, but the rule regarding the use of signs like those for "was" and "were" after or before punctuation signs would be dropped. The use of the "ble" sign, especially when followed by a letter, is in question. The practice of omitting the space between "and," "for," "of," "the," "with," and "a" would no longer be allowed. A number of changes would also occur in punctuation. The present period would function also as the decimal point and the dots in an ellipsis. The question mark would be represented by the present sign for "wh" (dots 1-5-6) because no words end in these letters. (Such an arrangement, however, would affect words like "which," "where" and "whose." The present square brackets (dot 6 followed by dots 2-3-5-6 and dots 2-3-5-6 followed by dot 3) would function as the nondirectional quotation mark and the symbols for inches and seconds. The present parentheses would be replaced by the signs used in Nemeth and computer braille--the "of" sign as the opening parenthesis and the "with" sign as the closing one. Because directional parentheses exist in print, committee members think they must be so represented in braille. Readers who have been seeing "of" and "with" written close up to other words all their lives may have difficulty in recognizing this new use and placement of such very familiar signs. This is but a sampling of the kinds of changes being suggested. They do accomplish the expressed BANA guideline of having an exact braille representation for everything expressed in print. It is understandable that those planning the new code might think in this way, but one statement in the report is baffling: "The committee felt that a braille code should be considered primarily from the point of view of translating braille to print rather than that of translating print to braille." Most braille users think we've spent our lives trying to get in braille what exists in print. How often do any of us have the occasion of translating braille to print? Differences in basic ideas like this one are perhaps the principal reason for disagreement between those who are devoted to developing a unified code and those who find themselves opposing it. Proponents say that children are not learning braille and teachers are not able to teach them because of the proliferation of codes and the contradictions and inconsistencies between them. Proponents feel that changes like those proposed are a small price to pay for the convenience that will be experienced by everyone concerned for generations to come. Those who are skeptical or who downright oppose the project believe that the price to be exacted is too high. They feel that the causes for the decline in the use of braille by children are far more complicated than just code problems. In the first place, the young child does not encounter symbols like the Nemeth code parentheses or computer braille until he has long since mastered literary braille. What has contributed to a decline in learning braille are factors like mainstreaming students without enough itinerant teachers to assist them in learning to read and write; poor assessments so that print is chosen as the medium for many beginning readers without due consideration for the amount of reading they will need to do later or the prognosis of their visual problem; increased ability to use print by children with limited sight because of advances in medicine, optometry, and magnification technology; marked growth in the number of children who have handicaps in addition to blindness which may limit or prevent their ability to learn to read at all; and funding cuts which damage teacher-preparation programs in specialized areas like braille. For older students, introduction of computers and synthesized speech, much as they positively affect opportunities for blind persons, may limit the amount of braille that is read and written. Adults who use braille are, on the whole, content with it. With braille, as with the English language, everyone has an idea of what should be changed or added. Most adult users, too, have not been trained in the intricacies of writing braille of a quality that the Library of Congress would accept. What is important, however, is that most of us have no trouble reading or writing what we need to. There are some problems, of course; one that is seen fairly often is that, once a student has worked in the Nemeth Code, he tends always to make his numerals in the lower part of the cell and to precede a period following a numeral with dots 4-5-6. Annoying as this practice is, however, it does not render material unreadable. Those who have needed the mathematical or computer code have been able to learn it. Sometimes such mastery is not necessary, for it is possible to use computers extensively without ever learning the computer code. For many years I taught for the Hadley School, which teaches more braille than does any other agency in the country--probably more than most of them combined--and braille is received from people of every age, intellectual level, and geographic distribution throughout the world. I never had anyone complain about the fact that we have various codes to meet various needs. Increasingly we have relied on computer-produced braille for things like newsletters and government documents. For best results, material brailled from translation programs requires some intervention; but even when none is provided, we can usually read the material produced. Reading and writing braille, then, does not provide us with a perfect world, but it does give us a medium that is widely and satisfactorily employed. Many braille users recognize that we need some additions to the code--to express plus and minus, solve some of the foreign language transcribing difficulties, and so on; but it's hard to believe that we need something as extensive as a whole new code, even though it can represent things like boldface and sans serif print which have previously been indicated only by italics or, if necessary, by a transcriber's note. Would not the cost of adopting a new code be more than the gain? Though some BANA members believe that braille readers could adjust fairly easily to the new practices, it seems likely that a learning process would be required for most--a process which might well represent enough difficulty that readers just wouldn't bother and that the use of braille would consequently decline. New students of braille would have to learn not only the new code but the old one as well, for it will be four or five generations before books now on the shelf can be replaced by new ones. Braille reading might also be discouraged by the increased bulk of the books and the slower reading rate because the hands must pass over and recognize more characters than is the case with the present code. Since most print items needed by braille readers are still provided by transcribers, we cannot ignore the difficulty they would face in learning a new code--a difficulty exacerbated by the fact that many transcribers are now elderly and have been using the code for many years. The universality of the present code is yet another factor to be kept in mind. Presently blind persons who learn English in any country of the world can read literary braille. Many have had little formal training and would have no way of learning a new code. Some observers think that the makeup of the Objective II Committee itself may be a problem, for its members are skilled in codes and computer knowledge but may have little awareness of the thinking of the average braille user. The chair of the committee, though he is a person of unquestioned ability in his field, is a sighted person who, of course, doesn't rely on braille as his communication tool; his interest comes from the fact that he developed the Duxbury translation program. One university professor comments that the committee's code decisions should rest, at least in part, on knowledge of what symbols braille learners have found most difficult. While the suggested unified code is entirely systematic and logical in its development, it would seem to represent a very large number of symbols to be learned and remembered. All in all, a great deal of discussion and analysis remains to be done before anything as drastic as a new braille code is adopted. BRAILLE LITERACY--ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE (Editor's Note: Walt Stromer, a frequent "Braille Forum" contributor from Mt. Vernon, Iowa, wrote us to offer another point of view on the issue of braille literacy. The editorial staff welcomes mail on any subject covered in the magazine, and we would particularly be interested in seeing comments on the points raised by Mr. Stromer.) If I'm going to comment on braille, then I should do it in braille, right? Wrong. My typing is much more accurate, and faster, than my braille, even though braille might be more convenient at the receiving end. In the February, 1993 issue of the "Forum," there was a complaint that not many readers had sent braille letters to be passed along to President Clinton's staff. Maybe they are lazy. Maybe they doubt that another letter will make a difference. Or maybe they are not fully convinced of the importance of braille. Another article stated that employed blind persons depend on braille. Yes, but the key question is, to what extent and in exactly what way? Some people may use it every hour of the day and others once a day or once a week. Later in that article it was pointed out that unemployed blind people are also low in braille skills. That seems to imply cause to effect, but the braille may be a symptom. Unemployment is usually due to many factors. Then, your expert on braille reading suggested starting with Grade 2, to get to the contractions, so as to speed reading, even if it meant spelling would have to wait. That puts a dent in the spelling argument. Carl Augusto said that braille is the primary tool for literacy of the blind. That needs proving and defining. What is literacy? I read braille at 95 words per minute. Is that literacy? I have never read a braille book in my life. Am I literate? I browse lightly through one small braille magazine a month. I use braille for phone numbers, but as I get older and lose some skin sensitivity I make more mistakes in reading phone numbers. Am I a braille illiterate? Plato thought that when writing was invented, people would lose their ability to remember. It was said the typewriter would wipe out penmanship, and to some extent it did. Have pocket calculators killed off arithmetic skills? Now some people think we may be moving out of the reading and book culture into a new visual culture. Will that be a disaster? Come back and read the "Braille Forum" in 100 years and find out, although you may be acquiring it through sensory implants directly into your brain. I do think we need more precise definitions of literacy, and we ought to know exactly how many people use how much braille, as well as how often. 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, its 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. ACCESSIBLE MUSEUM If you have a mobility problem, are hard of hearing or are blind or visually impaired, you can still fully enjoy Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. The museum has made most of its facilities accessible and has developed a number of programs for persons with varying disabilities, according to "Disability Issues," November 1992. The program, "Feeling Form," provides the opportunity for tactile exploration of selected sculptors and furniture in museum galleries. This program can be adapted to meet the needs of participants of various ages and abilities. For more information, call Museum Special Services at (617) 267-9300. ACB MEMBER HONORED The Thomas J. Carroll award for Blind Employee of the Year was recently given to Kim Charlson, assistant director of the Braille and Talking Book Library of Massachusetts. Charlson began working in the library almost seven years ago. According to the Winter 1992 issue of "The Lantern," the awards committee was most impressed by her commitment to excellence and to the quality services she delivers to thousands of patrons who utilize the library on a regular basis. Charlson is a member of ACB's Board of Publications and is an active member of ACB. PARENTS GROUP EXPANDS The National Association of Parents of the Visually Impaired officially moved its national headquarters from Wisconsin to the campus of the Perkins School for the Blind at Watertown, Mass. Susan Lavemire, the parent of a visually impaired child and a New Hampshire resident, has been selected as NAPVI's first full-time executive director. She began September 1, 1992. DISABILITY STATISTICS According to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and the Center for Disease Control, America's disabled population includes 22 million hearing impaired people (two million of whom are deaf), three million blind or visually impaired people, two million people with epilepsy, three million wheelchair users and 9.2 million developmentally disabled individuals. Some 2.1 million people have forms of speech impairments. 2.5 million people are mentally retarded, and an estimated one million people have been infected with HIV. LOST ALUMNI SOUGHT The Lavelle School for the Blind is exploring the possibility of forming an alumni association and is looking for lost alumni. Two issues of an alumni newsletter have already been produced. Plans for an alumni reunion in the fall of 1993 are being discussed. For further information, contact Mrs. Dorothy Casabianca, Lavelle School for the Blind, 221 Street and Paulding Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469. (212) 882-1212. ALUMNI MAG ON TAPE Hofstra University is now producing its alumni magazine on cassette. If you are a Hofstra graduate and are interested in receiving the recorded newsletter, contact Dave Obedzinski, Director of Alumni Relations, 101 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11550. (516) 463-6636. RECENT DEATH Barbara Akin, editor and publisher of "The Parent Family Newsletter," officially known as Insight International, Inc., died February 7, 1993. Akin's newsletter was a cassette tape magazine which served as a support group for visually impaired parents raising sighted children. Akin is survived by her mother Dorothy Hinck, her sister Deborah, a daughter April, age 11, and a daughter Michelle, age 7. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Akin's mother at 3026 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018. SCOURBY AWARDS ANNOUNCED The American Foundation for the Blind has presented its sixth Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year awards, according to a press release. Awards were presented in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. The fiction award recipient is Jill Ferris of Littleton, Colo., a narrator since 1974 at Talking Book Publishers, Inc. in Denver. In the nonfiction category, the winner is Gordon Gould. Gould has narrated books for AFB at its New York city studios since 1970. The award recipient in children's literature is Barbara Caruso, who has narrated talking books for AFB since 1973. According to a press release from AFB, the Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year awards were established by AFB in 1986 in memory of its most popular talking book narrator. The event also celebrates the contribution of talking books to the cause of literacy for blind people. HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: VersaPoint Braille Embosser, unused, still in original packing carton, $2,200. Braille and print manuals included. Contact, braille only, Ms. Michelle J. Smithdas, 10 Marino Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050. FOR SALE: Kurzweil Personal Reader Model 30, with hand and book-edge scanner. Documentation in large print, braille and cassette. Asking $4,000 or best offer. Contact Alan Clive, 143 Fleetwood Terrace, Silver Spring, MD 20910. (202) 646-3957 (day) or (301) 589-7145 (evenings). FOR SALE: "Cooking For Myself" by Beaulieu, one braille volume, 165 pages, hard-back edition, $20. Contact in braille or cassette to confirm availability Janell Peterson, 303 Harvard Ave. East, Apartment 302, Seattle, WA 98102. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACB wishes to thank its many members and friends who gave so generously in response to our fall 1992 letter requesting support for ACB's ongoing programs and services. This partial list of donors reflects only those persons who gave us approval to publicly acknowledge their gifts. A list of corporations who contributed to the American Council of the Blind will appear in the April issue. Bill Finch, Dothan, AL; Mamie Baranowski, Northport, AL; Samuel Lyons, Little Rock, Imogene E. Johnson, Little Rock, AR; Dick Seifert, Little Rock, AR; Virginia R. Gratz, Hot Springs Village, AR; Mary Ellen Simmons, Tempe, AZ; John E. Lane, Scottsdale, AZ; Genevieve Jean Peterson, Phoenix, AZ; Robert & Faye Williams, Phoenix, AZ; Lynne Robles, Mesa, AZ; John Di Francesco, Oakland, CA; Patricia La France, Rowland Heights, CA; Donna Sanches, San Jose, CA; Ray and Alda Pereux, Burbank, CA; John Rucker, Torrence, CA; J. Henry Kruse Jr., Albany, CA; Winifred Downing, San Francisco, CA; Rose Resnick, San Francisco, CA; Frances Mannino, Glendale, CA; Marvelena Desha, Pacifica, CA; Ann De Lint, Cerritos, CA; Mr. & Mrs. R. D. Smith, Chatsworth, CA; Edna Betlach-Odegaard, Santa Barbara, CA; C. & F. McNulty, Fremont, CA; Lemu Jenkins, Berkeley, CA; Samuel Tang, El Cerrito, CA; Allen Jenkins, Albany, CA; Virginia Katsanes, Union City, CA; Tracy Barna, Costa Mesa, CA; Marion & Hazel Beal, Pueblo, CO; Melissa R. Weiser-Rose, Denver, CO; Jean K. Bain, Denver, CO; Marcia Nigro, Hamden, CT; Louise Manginello, Hartford, CT; Ernest W. & Rosalie Gay, E. Hartford, CT; Maureen Carr, Brandford, CT; David J. Bates, Wethersfield, CT; Harriet C. Axelson, Hartford, CT; Anna Godrie, Fairfield, CT; Bernie Kassett, Tolland, CT; Cheryl Dresser, W. Hartford, CT; Cynthia & Norman Banta, E. Hartford, CT; Christine Ethier, Manchester, CT; David Goldstein, Bridgeport, CT; Barbara Lombardi, Shelton, CT; Barbara Blejewski, Wethersfield, CT; William Gaughan, Plainville, CT; Sandra Sermons, Washington, DC; Janiece A. Petersen, Washington, DC; Stephanie Cooper, Washington, DC; Mrs. Freddie L. Peaco, Washington, DC; Thomas H. Miller, Washington, DC; Charles Sutton, Washington, DC; Oral O. Miller, Washington, DC; Milly Stokes, Wilmington, DE; Charles Calvert, Jr., Wilmington, DE; Claude E. Forkner, Deland, FL; Nellie E. Saari, Ocala, FL; Mary B. Smiech, Clearwater, FL; Luis Oliva, Opa Locka, FL; Leroy Green, Sarasota, FL; George E. Burck, Boynton Beach, FL; Faye Pinchasik, Miami, FL; Shirley Huss, Yulee, FL; Ida Patrick, Sarasota, FL; Judith & Frank Mazza, Naples, FL; Chick Crampton, Oviedo, FL; David Lang, Ormond Beach, FL; Jay Naiman, Delray Beach, FL; John & Earlene Brockington, Jonesboro, GA; Carlene Wilson, Savannah, GA; Phil Jones, Decatur, GA; Crawford & Desma Pike, Columbus, GA; Janet Clary, Augusta, GA; Joseph Hill, Atlanta, GA; Maquita Dutton, Atlanta, GA; Nancy Wooten, Powder Springs, GA; Cynthia K. Hirakawa, Honolulu, HI; Don Hansen, Des Moines, IA; Homer Fiscel, Ft. Dodge, IA; Kerry Norrgard, Coralville, IA; Ardis and David Bazyn, Cedar Rapids, IA; Robert Clayton, Cedar Falls, IA; K.D. Flock, Boise, ID; Dorothy Robertson, Salmony, ID; Irma Nagle, Belleville, IL; Natalie F. Miller, Evanston, IL; Kim Marinie, Urbania, IL; Doris A. Hauser, Aurora, IL; Glenn Wiemer, Glenview, IL; Jill Meyer, Crystal Lake, IL; Robert Denton, Elgin, IL; Loran Canupp, Urbana, IL; Herbert Porter, Alton, IL; Paul C. Reinert, Decatur, IL; Richard J. Olsen, Morton Grove, IL; George Wolber, Slerbey, IL; Joyce Russell, Moline, IL; Rachel Wiley, Vandalia, IL; Florence Horton, Chicago, IL; Donald G. Morrow, Chicago, IL; Vivian Schmucker, Goshen, IN; Rev. Maurice E. Brockman, Bloomington, IN; Inez E. Swinney, Columbus, IN; Janet Markiewicz, South Bend, IN; Vivian Anderson, Wichita, KS; Donald D. and Jeanne Enos, Wichita, KS; Ruth E. Armstrong, Wichita, KS; Dona-Rose Hackerott, Manhattan, KS; Kathryn Hynes Smith, Manhattan, KS; Mrs. Walter Kunau, Owensboro, KY; Troy Watters, Monroe, LA; Una H. Guillot, Metairie, LA; Robert Beyer, Sr., New Orleans, LA; Laura Oftedahl, Watertown, MA; Jamal Mazrui, Somerville, MA; Betty Gayzagian, Watertown, MA; Chris Devin, Quincy, MA; Rose M. Mathews, E. Harwich, MA; Harold Carver, Watertown, MA; Frederick McGraw, Westfield, MA; Jo Ann Kucic, Baltimore, MD; Charlotte Gale Seltser, Chevy Chase, MD; Francis & Sheila McKeown, Baltimore, MD; Maxine & Jean Dorf, Silver Spring, MD; Richard R. Siegel, Westminster, MD; Jane C. Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD; Robert A. Kerr, Mechanicsville, MD; Nolan Crabb, Gaithersburg, MD; Susan Humphries, Southfield, MI; Paul & Sue Ponchilia, Portage, MI; Elizabeth Lennon, Kalamazoo, MI; Ed & Louise Martin, Lapeey, MI; Susan Gormezuno, Southfield, MI; Dorothy Mullenix, Redford Township, MI; Dennis Raher, Oshtemo, MI; Gerald & Evelyn Clark, Benton Harbor, MI; Joanne Oosterhouse, Grand Rapids, MI; Stanley Hollander, Okimos, MI; Ottila Gilliland, Edina, MN; Sharon & Jack Hicken, Duluth, MN; Max Swanson, Minneapolis, MN; Alden & Virginia Moran, St. Louis Park, MN; Maryann Jokela, Sandstone, MN; Juliette M. Silvers, Minneapolis, MN; Mrs. E.J. Conway, St. Louis, MO; Ruth Cramer, Lawson, MO; Ronald Coleman, Festus, MO; Dr J. Elton Moore, Miss State, MS; David O. Puckett Jr., Tupelo, MS; Judith K. Redfield, Clemmons, NC; Norma F. Morehead City, NC; Carl Robert Johnson, Rocky Mount, NC; Kenneth R. Pond, Charlotte, NC; Wilhelmina Glenn, Kinston, NC; Archie B. Perry, Durham, NC; R. William Joyce, Madison, NC; Mary Susan & Bill Orester, Lincoln, NE; Edward Fedush, Garfield, NJ; Mr. & Mrs. R.C. Agnew, Bloomfield, NJ; Lisa Valvano, Edison, NJ; Frank E. Fixter, Kearny, NJ; James P. Swed, Gibbstown, NJ; Donald & Jeanne Sanders, Bordentown, NJ; F. Ebersman, Fair Lawn, NJ; Doris Petersen, Albuquerque, NM; Pat & Sara Salazar, Belen, NM; Harriet Peavy Burke, Red Hook, NY; Joseph Massaro, N. Babylon, NY; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cash, Rochester, NY; Janet Wettenstein, Rochester, NY; Peter Altschul, New York City, NY; Richard Hutcheson, Potsdam, NY; Elizabeth Juret, Bethpage, NY; Carol Roy, Bronx, NY; Jean Mann, Guilderland, NY; Jacob Goldfein, New York City, NY; Joan O. Brown, Pittsford, NY; Thomas Solich, Warren, OH; Cathy Manghelli, Lima, OH; Louisa Alamond, Cincinnati, OH; Mary Hiland, Gahanna, OH; Phyllis R. Cottle, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Thomas Tobin, Cleveland, OH; Robert E. Kleinoeder, Elyria, OH; Elmer E. Fischer, Columbus, OH; Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Lyons, Ardmore, OK; Tommy Robertson, Muskogee, OK; Margaret B. Alvarez, Tigard, OR; Wally Menning, Salem, OR; Kitt A. Jordan, Portland, OR; Donald & Carolyn Patrick, King City, OR; Cathy Bickerdike, Pendleton, OR; Imogene Nixon, Portland, OR; Catherine Deraco, Philadelphia, PA; Elizabeth R. Pannell, Audubon, PA; Theresa Pierce, Philadelphia, PA; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Long, Camp Hill, PA; Blanche Johnson, California, PA; John A. Horst, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Dorothy Adams, Erie, PA; William McDonald, Norristown, PA; Mildred Mahan, Waterford, PA; Stacy Keller, Wexford, PA; Jeanette Schmoyer, Allentown, PA; Evelyn B. Kaufman, Philadelphia, PA; Dolores Tyburski, Johnstown, PA; Margaret Sutter, Pittsburgh, PA; Anne B. Porter, Gap, PA; Beulah Flynn Brazzell, Columbia, SC; Evelyn Zentis, Milbank, SD; Arnold and Betty Auch, Sioux Falls, SD; Kevin Puetz, Rapid City, SD; Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Dettor, Memphis, TN; James Carter, Knoxville, TN; Jo Cassidy, Cypress, TX; Berniece Klepac, Houston, TX; Stafford S. Sechelski, Livingston, TX; Bruce Monroe Anderson, Corpus Christi, TX; Peggy Copeland, Houston, TX; Fred & Mackye Stockton, Ft. Worth, TX; Robert Langford, Dallas, TX; McLeod Stinnett III, Dallas, TX; Guy W. McRoberts, Austin, TX; Arne Schonberger, El Paso, TX; Melissa Mann, Mesquite, TX; Eugene M. Wood, Salt Lake City, UT; John H. Freebairn, Salt Lake City, UT; Noel Rasband, Salt Lake City, UT; Eileen B. Wood, Salt Lake City, UT; Linda Reeder, Salt Lake City, UT; Nancy P. Jenkins, Richmond, VA; Mabel and Roy Ward, Richmond, VA; Betsy Jenkins, Roanoke, VA; Patricia Beattie, Arlington, VA; Carol A. Moore, Chesapeake, VA; Everett & Cynthia Roberts, Woodbridge, VA; Charles Hodge, Arlington, VA; Fred Scheigert, Arlington, VA; Joann H. Nichols, Brattleboro, VT; Mr. and Mrs. Emil B. Fries, Vancouver, WA; George Fukumitsu, Oak Harbor, WA; Rhonda Nelson, Auburn, WA; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Brockman, Milwaukee, WI; Edwin Sluter, Wauwatosa, WI; Robert L. Draves, Colfax, WI; Donald Lehmann, Kenosha, WI; Alan & Sharon Haberman, Milwaukee, WI; Helen Broeren, Madison, WI; Stephen J. Hopkins, Madison, WI; Amy Van Boxtel, Madison, WI; Tom Jeray, Madison, WI; Walter F. Johnson, Milwaukee, WI; Ninetta Garner, Romney, WV. IS MEDICARE REIMBURSING YOU FAIRLY? by Glenn M. Plunkett, American Foundation for the Blind There have been indications from time to time that people who are blind or severely visually impaired do not obtain Medicare reimbursement for the speech output part of their glucose monitors, and for other items of equipment such as blood pressure meters with voice output; talking electronic thermometers; and loading devices that allow people with visual impairments to quickly and accurately load syringes by touch alone. The American Foundation for the Blind has attempted to obtain a national policy on Medicare reimbursement for the items listed above, but the Health Care Financing Administration has taken the position that we have to show that the "carriers" are paying for the standard version of an item and not paying for the special features needed by blind and severely visually impaired people before they will consider setting a national policy. The only way the reimbursement pattern can be established is by asking the users, and the providers who file on behalf of a user, to provide a history of reimbursement. AFB is providing a questionnaire in large print to elicit your experience with Medicare reimbursement for durable medical equipment designed for people who are blind or severely visually impaired. If a history of non-payment can be established, AFB will work with HCFA in establishing a national policy if possible. Response to the questionnaire may be in writing, tape or braille. A response by April 12, 1993 would be appreciated. In addition, HCFA has contracted with four organizations, listed below, to be carriers to serve the entire nation for Durable Medical Equipment claims under Medicare. However, the new carriers will not accept claims for durable medical equipment reimbursement until the latter part of this year. No claims should be sent to the new carriers listed below until you receive a notice that the carriers are accepting claims from or for people living in the States covered by a particular carrier. In the meantime, claims for durable medical equipment should be submitted to your current carrier as in the past. The new carriers will be: The Travelers Insurance Company, Hartford, Conn. for the Northeast region-- Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Associated Insurance Companies, Inc. (doing business as Blue Cross/Shield of Indiana)for the Mid-Atlantic region--District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Blue Cross/Shield of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., for the South and Southwest region-- Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the Virgin Islands. Cigna Corporation, Hartford, Conn., for the Western region--Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Questionnaire: Please return by April 12, 1993 to: Glenn M. Plunkett, American Foundation for the Blind 1615 M. Street, NW, S.250 Washington, DC 20036 This questionnaire elicits information about your personal experience in obtaining Medicare reimbursement for purchases of durable medical equipment for your medical needs. Please complete and return to the above address by April 12. The information will be used in attempting to insure that Medicare reimbursement is made for medical equipment that is specifically designed for use by people who are blind or visually impaired. The American Foundation for the Blind asks permission to use your name and address, if needed, to show past reimbursement experience. We asked the Health Care Financing Administration for a national policy on the types of items listed here, but we must show that carriers are not now reimbursing for items designed specifically for use by people who are blind or visually impaired before they will proceed. I purchased the following equipment: ___ 1. Talking blood glucose monitoring system A. I received Medicare reimbursement for both the monitor and the voice output features. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (See B.) B. I received reimbursement only for the glucose monitor and not the voice output features. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (I received no reimbursement.) ___ 2. Talking blood pressure meter. A. I received reimbursement for both the meter and the voice output features. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (See B.) B. I obtained reimbursement only for the blood pressure meter and not the voice output features ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (I received no reimbursement.) ___ 3. Talking electronic thermometer. A. I received reimbursement for both the thermometer and the voice output features. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (See B.) B. I obtained reimbursement only for the thermometer and not the voice output features. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (I received no reimbursement.) ___ 4. Syringes for medication (glucose, etc.) I received reimbursement. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (I received no reimbursement.) ___ 5. Syringe supports, needle guides, liquid guides or similar devices needed by people who are blind or severely visually impaired to ensure correct dosage for self administered medications I received reimbursement. ___ Yes Date of reimbursement __________ ___ No Date of rejection __________ (I received no reimbursement.) I hereby grant permission to use my name and address in any discussions with personnel in the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) or with the carriers handling the Medicare reimbursement program for HCFA. _____________________________________ Date _________ Signature of Medicare beneficiary Please do not use my name and address. _____________________________________ Date _________ Signature of Medicare beneficiary Printed name, address, and telephone number of individual identified by signature above. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT LEROY SAUNDERS 2118 N.W. 21st ST. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73107 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 DRIVE #302 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220 TREASURER BRIAN CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVENUE WATERTOWN, MA 02172 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ELIZABETH M. LENNON