THE BRAILLE FORUM Volume XLVII April 2009 No. 10 Published by the American Council of the Blind THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. Mitch Pomerantz, President Melanie Brunson, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor National Office: 2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 650 Arlington, VA 22201 (202) 467-5081 Web site: http://www.acb.org THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering@acb.org. The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above. Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office. Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, rmilliman@insightbb.com, or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today! To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org. Copyright 2009 American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message: The Affiliate Presidents' Meeting, by Mitch Pomerantz How the Economic Stimulus Plan Affects People with Disabilities, by Melanie Brunson ACB Countdown to Convention, by Carla Ruschival Seeking Nominations!, by Cindy Van Winkle Board of Publications Hosts Internet Candidates' Page Can't Make the Watermelon 5K? Be a Virtual Walker, by Dena Wilson Honoring Our Special Heroes, by Carla Ruschival In Memoriam: Patricia L. Price, by Gerry Koors Blind Band Will Be Rose Parade's First, by Jennifer Smith Richards Measuring Services, by Carl Jarvis Affiliate News Here and There, by Sue Lichtenfels High Tech Swap Shop FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page. To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, send a blank e-mail message to brailleforum-L-subscribe@acb.org. ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering@acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you. ***** PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: THE AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS’ MEETING by Mitch Pomerantz In the December 2007 "Braille Forum," I wrote about the importance of visiting Capitol Hill as part of ACB's annual legislative seminar. As I begin my April column, we are a week away from the 2009 American Council of the Blind triple header: the midyear board of directors meeting, affiliate presidents’ meeting, and the aforementioned legislative seminar. All activities are taking place at the Holiday Inn National Airport Hotel, just outside of Washington, D.C. I want to share my thoughts on why this gathering of affiliate presidents is so vital to ACB, now and in the future. My goal in writing about this year's presidents’ meeting is to whet the appetites of those affiliate leaders who chose not to come and in so doing, encourage those leaders to attend in 2010, perhaps at the urging of you the members of those affiliates. Let's begin with the format and agenda. I need to point out that this meeting is definitely not restricted to presidents only. All three meetings are open to everyone; other affiliate leaders, as well as rank-and-file members, are more than welcome. The presidents’ meeting runs from 11 a.m. Saturday (following adjournment of the board of directors meeting), through noon Sunday. Since taking responsibility for the presidents’ meeting agenda in 2008, it has been my intention to have a mix of program items focusing equally on presentations to assist leaders in strengthening their affiliates, and topics to inform attendees relative to the work of the national organization. Minus the specific times of presentations and the names of presenters -- which are subject to change -- here is this year's presidents’ meeting agenda (with commentary as necessary): Saturday: Opening Remarks; Introduction of Participants; Obtaining Affiliate Convention Sponsorships; The Nuts and Bolts of Effective Fund-Raising (working lunch); Conducting a Successful State or Regional Leadership Development Seminar (panel presentation); Importance of Having An ACB Presence on State Rehabilitation Councils (panel presentation); How to Grow Your Own Website; Town Hall Meeting: Ask the Board of Directors. Sunday: All About ACB Radio (panel presentation); The ACB Walk-a-Thon; So You're the Affiliate President (topics including): Basic Parliamentary Procedure, What Should Come Before the Board, and Conducting Productive Board Meetings; Wrap-Up. In listing the program items here, the emphasis this year is clearly on topics geared toward our affiliates. This is certainly appropriate given what I've written and said so many times during my presidency: the American Council of the Blind is only as strong as our 70 state and special-interest affiliates. As such, anything we can do to assist affiliate leaders in developing and growing those affiliates must be the primary reason for our yearly presidents’ meetings. Something else I've mentioned once or twice is my strongly held belief that ACB is a family; granted, an extremely large and diverse family. While the national convention is our annual reunion, the presidents’ meeting and legislative seminar also serve as an opportunity for a significant number of the family to gather, share with and learn from one another, and just "hang out" for a few days. Everyone works very hard, but we also take the time to catch up with the other members of our family, so to speak. Let's now jump ahead a week or so in order for me to offer some observations regarding the just-concluded presidents’ meeting. A total of 80 affiliate leaders took part in this year's get-together. The numbers were down slightly from 2008; understandable given the current state of the economy. Everyone seemed pleased with the content and format of the program, as well as with the presenters themselves. While there were a couple of minor glitches with the hotel (our first time at this venue), the consensus was that we would be well served to return next year. I cannot emphasize enough my sense of pride in the outstanding quality of the presentations as well as in the high level of participation by attendees. In a way, this gathering serves as ACB's unofficial national leadership development seminar. As mentioned previously, one of the primary reasons for this meeting is to assist leaders in strengthening their affiliates. It is also essential that we provide some of the tools necessary for effective leaders to possess: the ability to motivate, a capacity for critical thinking, and facility in communicating openly and honestly. I sincerely hope you will be motivated to think critically and to communicate your interest in attending the 2010 ACB Presidents’ Meeting. ***** HOW THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN AFFECTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES by Melanie Brunson As you may know, the economic stimulus plan, which was signed into law in February, contains a number of provisions that will directly impact people who have disabilities. A very thorough and concise summary of these provisions was put together by the National Disability Institute, and I have obtained their permission to share it with readers of “The Braille Forum.” For more information, visit the web site, www.ndi-inc.org. The $789 billion U.S. economic stimulus package, which was signed into law February 17th by President Barack Obama, contains numerous tax provisions, including $282 billion in tax cuts. Several of the major tax provisions incorporated in the final bill include (i): Making Work Pay Tax Credit: Creates a "Making Work Pay" tax credit of $400 or 6.2 percent of earned income (whichever is less) per individual and $800 for a couple in 2009 and 2010. It is phased out for individuals with adjusted incomes over $75,000 and couples with incomes over $150,000. This credit is not included in income for purposes of any federal means-tested benefit program. It is included in resources but only after two months. The best and quickest way to benefit from this credit is to make sure that your employer decreases your withholding to reflect it. One-Time Payment for SS Beneficiaries, Veterans & RR Retirees: Provides a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security beneficiaries, railroad retirees and veterans receiving benefits from the Veterans Affairs department. This is in addition to the Making Work Pay Tax Credit, and there is no tax return filing requirement to access this benefit. Beneficiaries will receive an electronic payment within 120 days of the Secretary of Treasury initiating the benefit. Payment will NOT count as a resource or income for SSI beneficiaries, thus making all beneficiaries eligible for the one-time payment. State Government Retirees Also Eligible for One-Time Payment: State government retirees not eligible for Social Security would also get the $250 payment. Also, Sec. 2202 provides for a $250 tax credit (refundable) to those federal and state retirees who worked at a time when their wages were not subject to Social Security payroll tax. They will have to file a return and this credit will reduce the amount they may qualify for under the Making Work Pay Credit, if the filers are still working. This group did not qualify for ESP payments last year based on their retirement pensions, which were not considered qualifying income (although they could have qualified based on income tax liability or other qualifying income). Earned Income Tax Credit Increase: Increases the earned income tax credit for low-income workers with three or more children. Expansion of Child Tax Credit: Expands eligibility for the $1,000 refundable child tax credit to more low-income workers’ families that don’t make enough money to pay income taxes, reducing the income floor to $3,000 in 2009 and 2010 from the current floor of $8,500. Educational Expenses: Provides a new $2,500 tax credit for college education expenses. The credit phases out for individuals earning more than $80,000 and couples with incomes over $160,000. First-Time Homebuyers: Provides an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers for homes purchased between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2009. The tax credit phases out for individuals earning more than $75,000 and couples earning more than $150,000. Alternative Minimum Tax: Provides temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax for millions of middle-class taxpayers. For Businesses Allows small businesses with gross receipts of up to $15 million to write off 2008 losses against five previous tax years. Current law allows a two-year carry-back of losses. Businesses will also be allowed to immediately write off more of their investments in computers and other equipment. Gives a tax break on capital gains from the sale of stock held in a small business for more than five years. For State and Local Governments Creates a new category of tax-preferred bonds for investment in economic recovery zones for job training, education and economic development. Creates a new category of tax-preferred bonds for the construction and repair of public schools, and the purchase of land for schools. Creates a federal subsidy for state and local governments offering bonds that give investors credits against their federal taxes in place of interest payments. Additionally, the stimulus package included several additional forms of assistance beyond tax relief, including the following provisions (ii): Aging Services Technology Study & Report Provides funding to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support a study of the use of innovative technologies to assist the elderly, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers throughout the aging process. Digital-To-Analog Converter Box Program Specifies that $90 million of the $650 million must be used for education and outreach, including grants to organizations for programs to educate vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, minority communities, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and people living in rural areas. The funds can also be used to provide one-on-one assistance for installing the digital-to-analog converter boxes for these populations. Education Emergency Repair & Infrastructure Grants Criterion includes consideration of whether or not current infrastructure is inaccessible to people with disabilities. Health Insurance For individuals who have lost their jobs from Sept. 1, 2008 through the end of 2009 and qualify to extend their health insurance benefits under COBRA, the government will cover 65 percent of the total cost of the employer premium for the first 9 months. Those who didn’t elect COBRA coverage at the time will have 60 days to enroll should they choose. However, COBRA is not available for people whose companies go out of business or drop the insurance. $87 billion to support state Medicaid programs. HUD Provisions Gives the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development broad authority to waive legal requirements in the administration of housing programs under the act, but prohibits the Secretary from waiving requirements related to fair housing, non-discrimination, labor standards, and the environment. Ensures that recipients of HUD assistance via the economic stimulus package must honor Section 8 leases and cannot refuse to rent to Section 8 subpopulations. Infrastructure Development Grants All grantees must ensure that all infrastructure building projects are in compliance with Section 504 of Title 4 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Small Businesses Clarifies definition of “individuals with disabilities and business owned by individuals with disabilities” within the Small Business Act to confirm the rights of disabled business owners to benefit from the tax credits afforded to small businesses (see above). Special Education $12.2 billion, of which: - $11.3 billion is reserved for Section 611 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; - $400 million is reserved for Section 619 of IDEA; and - $500 million is reserved for Part C of the IDEA. Unemployment Assistance Individuals shall not be disqualified from regular unemployment compensation for separating from employment if that separation is for any compelling family reason, including the illness or disability of a member of the individual’s immediate family (as defined by the Secretary of Labor). Those receiving unemployment benefits this year will not have to pay federal income taxes on the first $2,400 they receive. Vocational Rehabilitation $680 million, of which: - $540 million is reserved for part B of Title I of the Rehabilitation Act; - $140 million is reserved for parts B and C of Chapter 1 & 2 of Title VII of the Rehab Act; - $18.2 million is reserved for state grants; - $87.5 million is reserved for independent living centers; and - $34.3 million is reserved for services for older blind individuals. Footnotes: (i) In addition to reviewing the actual text from Division A & B of H.R. 1, The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, recent information on tax provisions included in the legislation was further verified using the following sources: Reuters (Feb. 13, 2009); U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Executive Summary & Detailed Summaries (www.house.gov/appropriations); and the Joint Statement on Division B, U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee (www.house.gov/rules). (ii) All programmatic assistance sections were verified upon review of the Feb. 12 text of H.R. 1, The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. ***** ACB COUNTDOWN TO CONVENTION by Carla Ruschival The 48th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind is on the launch pad and the countdown has begun. We're preparing a fantastic week of programs, exhibits, tours, and fun in Orlando, Fla. Plan now to bring the entire family to the beautiful Rosen Centre Hotel July 3-11 for an ACB experience you won't soon forget. Orbit Orlando with an incredible array of tours and events. Blast off with a day-long tour to the Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 3. Step back in time at the Holy Land Experience, a theme park and interactive Biblical museum that brings the sights and sounds of the Bible to life in a unique way. Visit a citrus grower to find some of Florida's best fruit and candies, and tour the largest library of braille books in the world in Daytona. But wait! There's more! Skim over the water in an airboat powered by an airplane propeller. Spend an afternoon at Gatorland, a 110-acre park and nature conservatory with lots of alligators and crocs, a swamp walk and greeting marsh, and plenty of educational programs. Tour a Harley-Davidson factory, spend a day at NASCAR's Daytona International Speedway, and wind up your fabulous week at a dinner theater. The serious side of the 2009 ACB convention is packed with outstanding workshops, seminars, exhibits, and programs. Below are just a few highlights already on the schedule; the pre-registration packet (coming to you around May 20) and the acbconvention e-mail list (subscribe by sending a blank message to acbconvention-subscribe@acb.org) will include many more events. * Special workshops on rehabilitation, transportation, and employment and careers; * Seminars, training and users' groups on a variety of adaptive technology; * Special informational sessions for human service professionals, blind vendors and small-business owners, teachers, attorneys, and artists and musicians; * Discussions and programs for parents, students, guide dog users, braille readers, people with low vision or who have both a hearing and visual impairment; and * Programs, workshops and events for diabetics, Lions, women, international and multicultural attendees, sports fanatics, and lesbians and gays. Exhibits, Advertising and Sponsorships The ACB convention gives you a great chance to let people from all over the country and around the world know about your company's products and services. Let us help you customize a package that fits your budget and reaches your audience. You might select advertising in the official convention program, placing information or promotional items in our registration bags, targeting specific groups with convention newspaper ads, meeting your audience face to face in the exhibit hall, or sponsoring a convention service or event. Early-bird exhibit discounts close on May 15. Convention sponsorships and advertising must also be received by that date in order to appear in the official convention program. For more information on exhibits, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, visit our web site at www.acb.org/convention, or contact Michael Smitherman (exhibits) at (601) 968-4164, or Margarine Beaman (advertising and sponsorships) at (512) 921-1625. Details Join the countdown to the 2009 ACB convention by making your hotel reservations now. Room rates are $83 single/double, plus tax; add $10 per night for each additional person in the room. Call the Rosen Centre Hotel directly at (407) 996-9840 for reservations. For convention questions or special concerns, contact Carla Ruschival, ACB convention committee chair, at (502) 897-1472 or by e-mail at adamcarla@bellsouth.net; or call the ACB national office at 1-800-424-8666. ***** SEEKING NOMINATIONS! by Cindy Van Winkle It’s nearly spring. May 1 is fast approaching! This is the deadline for nominations to be received by the awards committee. ACB wants to honor those who have done their work well, and we know there are many out there who have contributed much and in so many ways. ACB wants to honor them, but we can’t do so without your help. Please consider sending in a letter of nomination for that extraordinarily deserving someone. The Robert S. Bray Award is given to a person who has made a contribution for improving library technology or communication devices. It could also be given for expanding access for blind people, or making opportunities within the mainstream media. The George Card Award is given to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to work with and for blind people, making a real difference and improving quality of life, for providing leadership and being a positive role model. The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is one of our most popular awards. It is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has spent his or her life integrating with the community. The James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award is periodically given to individuals who have made important contributions which have advanced opportunities for the blind community. This award can be given to an individual or an organization. The Affiliate Growth Award is based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2008-2009 membership reports. The Affiliate Outreach Award is based on a recommendation by an affiliate president, which recognizes a local chapter for a new outreach program. This program must have a measurable outcome. Please read carefully through the award descriptions and share with us why your special someone qualifies and is so deserving. To be considered, nominations must be received by May 1, 2009, and sent to the Awards Committee, preferably electronically to Cindy.vw@msn.com. If mailing in your nomination, send to: American Council of the Blind, Attn: Awards Committee, 2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201. Get those nominations in. We’re counting on you! ***** BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS HOSTS INTERNET CANDIDATES' PAGE The board of publications is again hosting an Internet candidates' page on www.acb.org in 2009. The information from this page will be made available to members who do not have Internet access. The candidates' page is a web page where people declaring candidacy for office present themselves to the ACB membership. This allows ACB chapters and affiliates to have more information at their disposal before they send delegates to the national convention. Many members have told us how much they appreciate the opportunity to participate more actively in ACB's democracy because of the early dissemination of this information. Entries on this page do not constitute nomination for any office. Although people may campaign for office without submitting entries to the Candidates' Page, only those individuals who declare their candidacy on this page will be interviewed on ACB Radio in June. In 2009, ACB members will elect the five officers: president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, and treasurer. All candidates have the opportunity to respond to the same set of questions. These questions, developed by the BOP, are as follows. 1. What office are you seeking, and what are your qualifications? 2. What have been your most worthwhile contributions to ACB and/or its affiliates? 3. What would you do to strengthen the relationship between the ACB national leadership and state and special-interest affiliates? 4. In light of the current national economic crisis, how can long-term financial stability be achieved for ACB? 5. What strategies should ACB implement to make its advocacy efforts most effective? 6. Identify the issues which you think are most important to the welfare of ACB and the blindness community as a whole. 7. In conclusion, please tell the membership anything else you think they should know when considering your candidacy. Candidates must answer each question with a maximum of 300 words. Submit answers in hard copy print or braille, computer disk (in ASCII text, WordPerfect 5.1, or Microsoft Word), or via e-mail. Pasting the text into an e-mail message is preferable to sending attachments, but attachments in ASCII text, Microsoft Word or WordPerfect 5.1 will be accepted. Please do NOT send Word documents as .docx files. Submissions will not be accepted via telephone, voice mail, audiocassette, or in handwriting. Submissions will not be edited for spelling, grammar, or content. Submissions will be coded into HTML for placement on the web site. It is our webmaster's role to convert documents into HTML; therefore, submissions which have already been coded in this format will not be accepted. Word counts are based on the total number of words in each answer, with each answer being a maximum of 300 words. Word counts will be determined through the use of MS Word's "word count" feature, in which every word contained in the answer enters into the total word count. Hard copy submissions will be converted into electronic format and then counted. Entries for each answer will terminate at the end of the sentence containing the 300th word. When submitting answers electronically, candidates must place name, address, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses at the top of the body of the submission. When submitting information in hard copy, place this information at the top of the first page and name and a page number at the top of each subsequent page. Send completed submissions to the following address: American Council of the Blind Candidates' Page, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201. E-mail submissions to slovering@acb.org with "candidates' page" in the subject line. Time Lines All submissions must arrive at the ACB national office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, May 31, 2009. When we receive a declared candidate's materials, we will check the membership database to ensure that he or she is a member in good standing. The candidates' page will be available online at www.acb.org no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, June 5, and will remain available until the conclusion of convention. An announcement will go out to all ACB lists when the page is up and ready for viewing. We encourage ACB members who have Internet access to share the contents of the candidates' page with members who do not. Anyone who does not have Internet access to the candidates' page may call the ACB national office and request that the information be read. When official campaigns begin in earnest at the ACB national convention, declared candidates will present at formal and informal state and special-interest caucuses. In addition, the BOP will sponsor a live question-and-answer Candidates' Forum, which will be held on Thursday of convention week. We encourage all ACB members to submit written questions to be considered for this forum to the convention communications center. More details about this and other aspects of communications center operations will be included in the June issue. ***** CAN’T MAKE THE WATERMELON 5K? BE A VIRTUAL WALKER by Dena Wilson The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has partnered with Track Shack for its first-ever national walk/run (the Watermelon 5K) to be held on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at Mead Garden Park (which is 17 miles from the convention hotel). It is estimated that there will be approximately 3,000 participants. For participants who cannot physically attend the walk/run, you can still show your much-needed support in the following ways. Registering as a Virtual Walker To register as a virtual walker, contact me at ACB’s national office, (202) 559-2045 or e-mail dwilson@acb.org, to request a registration form to be mailed to you. Or visit ACB’s web site, www.acb.org, and download the registration form. When filling out the registration form, select virtual walker, choose whether you want a T-shirt, and the format in which you wish to receive the walk/run packet. Once you have filled out the entire form, send it to the attention of Dena Wilson at ACB, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201. Once your completed registration form has been received along with your $25 entry fee, you will be sent an official entry form to sign and return to the national office only if you have requested a T-shirt. You will also receive a walk/run packet which includes the instruction sheet, strategies for fundraising sheet and 10 pledge forms for your friends, family, etc. If you have not requested a T-shirt, you will only be sent a walk/run packet. However, 100 percent of your $25 entry fee will go directly to ACB. What is Virtual Walking? Virtual walking is a fundraising approach. It takes the concept of a traditional walk or run one step further. In doing so, it enables more participation and more funds raised for awareness on the issues related to the blindness community. How Does a Virtual Walk Work? You would contact friends, family and associates much like you would when you participate in a traditional walk/run event to help raise funds. You would walk in your community, i.e., walk to and from your mailbox or around your local community track or neighborhood. What Makes a Virtual Walk Different? Participants would feel part of the event and have fun while contributing to something worthwhile rather than signing a check. A virtual walk makes canvassing easy because it can be done by phone or e-mail so that you can get on with your busy schedule. Making a Donation Donations can be mailed to ACB’s national office at the above address (attention Dena Wilson) or by credit card by contacting Dena Wilson at (202) 559-2045. You not only have the opportunity to help the blindness community, but the possibility to earn a great prize from our list of fabulous incentives that will be available as a thank-you for your support in helping to make ACB’s first-ever walk/run a success. Remember to specify your state or special-interest affiliate so that your affiliate can earn a chance to win a prize as well. ***** HONORING OUR SPECIAL HEROES by Carla Ruschival The world is filled with special people -- people who go the extra mile, or 10 miles or hundred miles, to help others. Every successful affiliate, local chapter, agency or company serving blind and visually impaired people can count these special heroes among its members or supporters. Think of those people who have helped build your chapter, affiliate or agency. Maybe they have brought in countless members, provided transportation or cooked meals, helped people find a place to live or served on your board. Their work usually touches people in many walks of life; their energy is boundless, and their loyalty and support for your organization is unwavering. In short, they go "above and beyond." Once again we invite you to honor or memorialize that special hero with his or her own page in the 2009 ACB convention program. The page can be in color or black and white, and may contain text and a photo. Page size is 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and the print should be at least 16-point. Text from these special pages will be included in all program formats. 2009 convention memorial pages cost $500 each, and the submission deadline is May 15. To reserve a page for your special hero, submit credit card information or make check payable to the ACB 2009 Convention and send, along with your page content, to: American Council of the Blind, Attn.: 2009 National Convention, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. Have questions? Contact Carla Ruschival, ACB convention committee chair, at (502) 897-1472 or adamcarla@bellsouth.net. ***** IN MEMORIAM: PATRICIA L. PRICE August 20, 1928-February 1, 2009 by Gerry Koors (Editor's Note: Additional information for this article was gleaned from back issues of the "Forum.") Patricia Lou (Mumma) Price, former ACB secretary and board member, former scholarship committee member and former child evangelist, passed away on Feb. 1, 2009. She was 80. Surviving her are her husband of nearly 50 years, Marvin, and three sisters. Pat was born in Lima, Ohio, but grew up in Fort Wayne, Ind. Her mother passed away when she was just 6 days old; she was raised by an uncle. She received a bachelor of arts degree in religious education from Fort Wayne Bible College. After graduation, she worked at several different insurance companies, retiring from Indianapolis Life in 1988 after more than 25 years at the company. She was a true advocate for the blind and visually impaired, and was active in ACB and in the ACB of Indiana. Pat was a charter member of both the state and Circle City chapters, and was editor of the ACBI "Focus" newsletter from its inception until three years ago. In 1996, ACBI established the Patricia L. Price Distinguished Service Award, to be given to a visually impaired individual who has done much to enhance the lives of the blind and visually impaired. She received the first award. Pat was elected to the ACB board in 1981 to fill an unexpired term. She was re-elected in 1982 and 1986, and was elected secretary of ACB in 1989, serving three full terms in that position, stepping down in 1995. She also served on the scholarship committee and the thrift store income committee during the 1980s, and the executive board of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. In 1982, Pat Price received the George Card Award from ACB and the Jefferson Award from "The Indianapolis Star." In March of 1982, she was named first runner-up for the Businesswoman of the Year Award, presented by the Indianapolis Business and Professional Women's Club. She was written up in Strathmore's "Who's Who" 1999-2000 edition. In 2003, Pat received the Vernon Henley Media Award. In describing Pat’s qualifications for the George Card Award, the Forum article states: "'Her professional career takes up her days. Her nights and weekends are devoted to a volunteer career which includes membership in and leadership of a wide array of community, state, national, and international professional associations and special-interest organizations for the visually and aurally handicapped.' She is being honored tonight for her untiring voluntary service and for her dedication to improving the lives of and opportunities for blind people." The article also mentioned that Pat had been the president of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association and of the ACB of Indiana. ("Awards and Charter Gala," October 1982) In March 2004, Pat sat down with Talking Communities' Lorn Bergstresser, who was beginning a new series, "Ordinary People with Extraordinary Stories." She was his first guest. "If you were to define an uncommon life, where might you turn for examples? Those who know Patricia L. (Pat) Price would look no farther than her. Pat's life of ability despite disability is uncommon indeed. Those who scoff at the efforts of one individual are silenced by Pat's ongoing legacy of service to others, a basic belief in the inherent goodness of people everywhere, and an optimism that has been the driving spark of her uncommon and productive life. "… Pat became intimately acquainted with adversity at 16. When a speck of dirt became lodged in her iris, she felt the pain of it; but, she had no idea at that moment that the pain would ultimately evolve into total blindness and deafness. The deafness would last for five years; the blindness for many more. But she never allowed her world to become one of hopeless silence and darkness. Indeed, it was during this period when she developed a keen understanding of the importance of service to others. … "After nearly two decades of total blindness Pat began to see the first intimations of returning sight. Ultimately, with help from various types of low-vision technology, she was able to read some printed materials. Her revitalized vision expanded her career opportunities. She obtained a management position with an Indianapolis life insurance company -- a post she held for 20 years. "Today, literally thousands of blind and vision impaired people recognize Pat as a woman of integrity and competence. She reaches out on a constant basis to those who struggle with vision loss. She learned long ago that the best way to dispel the darkness of an unknown future is to provide information that can help a low-vision person cope with sight loss. To that end, she founded and currently directs Vision World Wide, Inc., an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and outreach to men and women throughout the world who must learn to live with vision loss. "One of the vehicles Vision World Wide, Inc. uses to disseminate information is 'Vision Enhancement,' a quarterly publication that includes announcements and articles targeted to blind and visually impaired people. The how-to and information pieces are written by men and women who have experienced sight loss firsthand, and under Pat's masterful editing, the magazine is alive with timely information designed to help its readers enhance both their remaining vision and their lives. … "While Pat's many achievements are impressive indeed, she would be the last to suggest she has accomplished all she has single-handedly. Her husband Marvin has been a tremendous support to her for more than 40 years. The two met when he was assigned to help Pat solve some on-the-job logistical and technical problems. He was her rehabilitation counselor at the time. As Pat recalls, 'He solved my typing problems in short order. That was the end of it for several years. Then, when I was president of the Indiana Association of Workers for the Blind, I appointed Marvin as one of the committee chairs. The rest is history.' "Pat succeeds in marriage the way she has succeeded in her life of tremendous service -- by paying attention to the details. 'During our years of marriage, we celebrate every month in a special way. Sometimes it is small gifts, a nice dinner out, etc. When we were first married, it often was a hot dog and pork and beans by candlelight. It has done much to keep the honeymoon in our marriage,' Pat comments. … "While Vision World Wide consumes much of her time these days, service to blind and visually impaired people has always been a vital part of Pat's life. She currently serves as the webmaster and treasurer of Library Users of America, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. She and her husband founded the American Council of the Blind of Indiana and Pat has served in a variety of positions with the group. She served as the executive director of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, and was vice president of the National Accreditation Council of Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. In the early '90s, Pat completed three terms as national secretary of the American Council of the Blind … "While her service to organizations representing visually impaired people is significant, it is just part of who this dynamic woman is. She currently serves as a Virginia M. Woolf Foundation board member. She's been the membership chair and treasurer of the Indiana Policyholders Service Association, and she was president of the Indianapolis Insurance Women's Association. … Additionally, she is the recipient of three Sertoma Service to Mankind Awards." To quote her "In Memoriam: Gertrude Musier" article (May 1982, pp. 28-29), "Yes, we have lost a friend and a dynamic leader. How grateful, though, all must be for having had the privilege to know and work with so magnetic a human being." Readers’ Remembrances of Pat Price Pat was a mentor to me and was one of the people I most admired in ACB. She was always gracious and never complained about the work she had to do. She will truly not be replaced. She devoted more of her life to helping people who are blind and visually impaired than most people I have met. Unlike most of us who are getting older, she learned new technologies and championed their use. Pat will never be replaced. She is unique and very, very special. -- Paul Edwards, Miami, Fla. I had about a half-hour telephone conversation with her on either Tuesday or Wednesday before she went into the hospital. As Paul said, we should all take a lesson from her, and never fear learning new methods of communicating and accessing information. -- Mike Duke, Jackson, Miss. I remember Pat when I first joined ACB in the 1980s. She was a tireless worker for everything she tackled for ACB. I remember two things she told me about herself. She said as a child, she had been a child evangelist -- with long, flowing white robes. She also mentioned that all her life she has never needed more than 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night. No wonder she was a tireless worker; she was tireless at birth. I think her life was dedicated to working on behalf of everyone who is blind or visually impaired. -- Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, Va. Pat Price will certainly be missed by many of us. Pat was very active in ACB for many years. She served as secretary of ACB, and for a few years we were on the board together. Pat and Marvin came to Kentucky Council conventions for a number of years. KCB was relatively small and was trying to grow, and Pat sure could give an inspirational banquet speech! She was responsible for several people deciding to join KCB and become active. Her enthusiasm was contagious. -- Carla Ruschival, Louisville, Ky. ***** BLIND BAND WILL BE ROSE PARADE'S FIRST by Jennifer Smith Richards (Reprinted with permission from “The Columbus Dispatch,” October 21, 2008.) The entire student body had been herded into the gym to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was video-recorded for a school project. That was pretty cool, in itself -- several of the roughly 120 students at the Ohio State School for the Blind have perfect pitch, so it wasn't your average school-choir rendition. What happened next was even cooler: Music director Carol Agler's cell phone rang and the crowd went quiet. She held the microphone to the phone's earpiece as a man, calling from California, invited the school's marching band to join the 2010 Rose Parade. You'd have thought Paris Hilton or the Jonas Brothers had just walked in -- that's how loud the screaming was. "Congratulations, and we look forward to seeing you all," said Gary Di-Sano, the parade's president in 2010. The Rose Parade, which features flowers-only floats and takes place in Pasadena, Calif., each New Year's Day, has never hosted a blind marching band. In fact, Agler said she doesn't know of another one in the country. Right now, there are only 17 band members, plus about as many sighted marching assistants who help them stay in formation. "I think this will generate more kids in the band," said Agler, who co-directs the band with another teacher, Dan Kelley. They've got a year to whip the band into shape and to raise money for the cross-country trip. Band members likely will practice marching on the school's campus and even on one of the gym's treadmills. The parade route is about 6 miles and will take about two hours to march, a grind the band isn't used to. "I'm nervous, but I'm excited, too. It's gonna be hard, but we're gonna get through it," said Bria Goshay, a 15-year-old snare drummer from Columbus. The band was formed in 2005 and played its first full season with about 20 members in 2006. Its uniforms are castoffs from another high school that got new ones. During a regular season, the band plays for an audience a handful of times: at deaf-school football games, at a Dublin high-school pregame show, at the Ohio State University Skull Session in St. John Arena. The band recently marched in a Circleville Pumpkin Show parade. Twenty-one bands from across the country have been booked for the Rose Parade, said music committee chairwoman Stacy Houser. Two others, Pickerington Central High School and Ohio University, are from Ohio. "A blind marching band is such an incredibly unique thing," she said. "We're hoping it'll be an inspiration throughout the country." Bands are chosen using several criteria, including marching and musical ability, uniqueness and overall talent. Macy McClain, who plays the flute and piccolo in the band, likened the honor to being on American Idol. "Except you don't have to stand in line," she said. The band's trip to Pasadena, Calif., will cost about $1,500 per person. If you would like to help, donations can be sent to the Ohio State School for the Blind Parent-Teacher-Staff Organization, 5220 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214. ***** MEASURING SERVICES by Carl Jarvis The other day someone said to me, “With our economy in the tank and our state budget about to be cut to the bone, we’re going to have to prioritize services for the blind.” “That sounds logical,” I said, “but how do we go about doing that without cutting some services? The state agency is already pretty lean.” “Well,” my friend said, “you look at which services give you the most bang for the buck.” “Bang for the buck?” I asked. “Did we just get recruited?” “You know what I mean; we need to invest our money where it will make the biggest return to our economy. We must protect vocational rehabilitation services because, once trained and working, those are the people who will make the greatest impact. They will be paying taxes, buying homes, renting apartments, shopping at the mall. You know, become contributing members of their community.” “What about blind children and the older blind?” I asked. “No problem about the children. The school for the blind already handles most of their needs, and as for the older people, well, providing them services doesn’t bring much back to the economy.” “Wait just a darned minute!” I cried, pulling myself up to the fullness of my 73 years. “You just blew off the majority of blind people in our state.” I dusted off my soap box and clambered aboard as my friend ducked beneath the nearest chair. “Not only that, this is the fastest growing segment of our population. And despite all the talk about their needs, they are the most poorly served population in the blind community. Did you know that there are large areas in our state where older blind people are not receiving any services at all?” I got so excited that I almost fell off my soap box. “But even more to the point, how can you say that these people don’t make significant contributions to their community? With proper services they will stay in their homes and apartments, go to their local stores, pay their taxes, consume lights and heat, and even hire help. Stick them away in nursing homes or adult family homes and they will not be making contributions, they’ll be costing taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.” My friend made a frantic dash for the door, but I was too quick. Barring the door, I shouted, “All that aside, what about our obligation to these folks? These are our parents, our grandparents and beyond. These are the people who brought us out of the Great Depression, marched off to war in order to keep us safe, worked hard and raised their children to be productive citizens, paid their taxes and took part in community activities. These people are what America is all about. Is this how we plan to repay them? After all they did for us, are we going to measure the services we provide by the dollars we can still squeeze out of them?” I heard my friend sobbing. “There, there,” I soothed, “I’m sorry to have upset you.” “Please, please,” my friend blubbered, “you put your soap box down on my foot.” ***** AFFILIATE NEWS Nebraska’s State Convention The American Council of the Blind of Nebraska will hold its 2009 state convention April 17-19 at the Quality Hotel and Convention Center, 2205 Osborne Dr. E. in Hastings. For more information, call 1-888-218-8061 or visit www.acb.org/nebraska/. Lousiana Convention in Metairie The Louisiana Council of the Blind convention will be held at the Best Western Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Ave. in Metairie June 4-6. Louisiana and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Louisiana hold their conventions together. Room rates are $79.99 per night. To reserve a room, call (504) 888-9500. The Older, The Better! Just think about which affiliate in ACB has had so many of the established leaders, the movers and the shakers, as members. Yes, if you look at the membership lists of all the many affiliates in our great organization, you would be amazed to recognize the names of the most famous belonging to AAVL. The cream of the crop, those folks you have counted on for great ideas and interesting programming, are a part of AAVL. We want you to join us and find out why we are the affiliate that has the best programming! When you make out your convention schedule this year, check out AAVL for fun, information, and just plain enjoyment. It’s AAVL’s habit to start convention week with an event to make you laugh. So, we will be starting our programming with a fun-filled luncheon starring the silly original parodies of Michael Byington. This will be on Monday at 12:30; afterward is our business meeting. We hope you will stay and meet our president, Ed Bradley, and our vice president, Oral Miller, and learn that we do have a serious side. On Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, we will present a panel that asks the question, “Which life are you living now?” On the panel will be program co-chairs Nola McKinney and M.J. Schmitt, along with Billie Jean Keith and Pat Beattie and one more speaker (yet to be confirmed). This will be touching on the many life problems we face and how we coped with them. After that serious discussion we kick up our heels again at 4 with the wine and cheese musical mixer. There will be wine, cheese, sing-along music and the drawing of the cash raffle prizes. Three great money prizes to the winners! See any AAVL board member or officer for tickets. Please keep us in mind. Remember, you are not getting older; you are getting better in AAVL. ***** HERE AND THERE by Sue Lichtenfels The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. The Braille Forum cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to info@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. SUMMER BRAILLE MUSIC INSTITUTE The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians is accepting applications for its seminar for blind college-bound musicians, to be held July 19-25 at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, Pa. Designed for serious braille-reading music students preparing for or already in college, the program tailors instruction to each person's need to develop braille music and theory skills, and to learn to use technology to submit music assignments in print notation. Applicants must have already studied some music theory, have had several years of music lessons, and be able to present a polished and pleasing performance. They must be willing to put effort into braille music study, and demonstrate a commitment to use the braille music and computer skills they will learn at the Institute when they return to school. Applicants must also show they have begun thinking realistically about reachable goals, and that they have the independence skills, social readiness and maturity to be a contributing part of a close-knit group. Contact the Resource Center regarding the application and audition procedure. Deadline for requesting applications is April 30; all application materials must be in the Resource Center office by May 14. Parents and teachers of younger students are invited to discuss coming for an evaluation and guidance. For more information, visit www.blindmusicstudent.org, call David Goldstein at (203) 366-3300, extension 229, or e-mail info@blindmusicstudent.org. SCHOLARSHIPS Incight Resources for Self-Empowerment offers scholarships to individuals who are full-time students with documented disabilities. Applications are available online at www.incight.org; or contact the company by phone, (971) 244-0305, or e-mail, scholarship@incight.org. SHARED VISIONS 2009-10 The Eye Care Center at the Southern California College of Optometry has extended the "Call for Artists" for its fifth annual juried art exhibit. Submissions that are selected will be displayed in the Eye Care Center for a period of one year, and are available for purchase. The deadline for entries is May 13, 2009. For entry and application details, visit www.sccoeyecare.com/news.html#sharedvisions, and click on the links "Call for Artists" and "Application Packet" in the section "Shared Visions Art Exhibit 2009-2010 Call for Entries." For further details, contact Rebecca L. Kammer, O.D. at (714) 992-7865 or SharedVisions@scco.edu. GUILD AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS The Jewish Guild for the Blind has awarded scholarships to 13 college-bound high school seniors who are legally blind. Winners are: James Baker, West Valley, N.Y.; Nicole Caso, Bronx, N.Y.; Gabriel Castellanos, Tempe, Ariz.; Michael Forzano, Yonkers, N.Y.; Briana Friel, South Salem, N.Y.; Gene Kempfer, Springboro, Ohio; Janice Jihyun Lee, Huntington Beach, Calif.; Samantha Pinnell, Carlsbad, Calif.; Nicole Press, Norwalk, Conn.; Heather Marie Rasmussen, Watertown, Tenn.; Abby Schoenbeck, Apple Valley, Minn.; Rose Sloan, Schaumburg, Ill., and Ashley Claire Townsend, Ormond Beach, Fla. This year, JGB also awarded a former teacher of one of the students, Nancy Burrows of Pine Trail Elementary School, Ormond Beach, Fla., for her role in encouraging and bringing out the best in her student. For more information on the GuildScholar Program’s scholarships for the 2010 academic year, contact Gordon Rovins at (212) 769-7801 or e-mail guildscholar@jgb.org. NO MORE FEES TO UPGRADE! Serotek has announced that it will no longer require a fee to upgrade or maintain any software in its System Access product line. Serotek will continue to provide regular upgrades and software improvements but will offer them free of charge to all Serotek customers; no longer will customers need a software maintenance agreement. DISABILITY POLICY ASSISTANT Kareem Dale has been appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. Dale, who is partially blind, will coordinate the administration's efforts to see that people with disabilities are on a level playing field with all Americans. Originally from Chicago, Dale previously served as the National Disability Director for the Obama campaign. He also served on the Arts Policy Committee and the Disability Policy Committee for then-Senator Obama. NEW VISION POSTER As part of its national vision awareness campaign, the Jewish Guild for the Blind has available a new, colorful poster. It measures 18 by 24 inches, and features New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning falling back to throw a pass during Super Bowl XLII, then how the same scene looks to someone who has macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma. For one free copy of the poster (also available in Spanish), contact: SightCare, Jewish Guild for the Blind, 15 W. 65th St., New York, NY 10023; phone 1-800-539-4845, or send e-mail to sightcare@jgb.org. BOOKSHARE.ORG RELAUNCHED In 2008, Bookshare.org completely rebuilt its online library of accessible books and expanded its collection of textbooks. Bookshare recently re-launched its site with state-of-the-art web technology that simplifies the reading experience. Improvements in accessibility and ease of use now make it easier for individuals to get the books they need quickly. The new library implements many of the current best practices for website accessibility and puts most features of the library within two or three clicks. It also provides improved support for its rapidly growing collection of more than 43,000 books and 150 periodicals. Students can register for the service for free; others pay $25 to sign up and $50 annually to access the library. 2009 TRIPS FOR THE BLIND Mind's Eye Travel, which organizes trips for people who are visually impaired or blind, recently released its 2009 schedule. This year’s trips include: New York City and the Arts, May 13-17 for $1,595; Discover the Coast of Maine, July 22-26, with prices starting at $995; and Santa Fe and Taos, Sept. 16-20, with prices starting at $1,195. All prices are per person based on double occupancy. For more information, visit www.mindseyetravel.com. For reservations, call (207) 542-4438. OREGON ALUMNI REUNION The Oregon State School for the Blind Alumni Association will hold its 2009 reunion at the school June 12-14. Activities will include: a pizza party, lots of time for getting back with old friends, good food, bowling, staff meet and greet, memory walk around the school grounds, professional karaoke and much more. For more information, contact Carl Belnap at (503) 857-5687 or carlbelnap@yahoo.com. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COURSE Julie Goldbeck, a teacher with low vision, is offering an on-line course called Introduction to Children's Literature for 10 clock hours. It is a self-paced course that can be completed from home with an Internet connection. The course will cover all areas of children's literature, including: special events in children's literature, U.S. and international children's literature awards, authors, illustrators, children's book publishers, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, etc. To register, e-mail goldbeckjm@comcast.net and Julie will send you the course materials. A $50 instructor fee is due upon completion. STANLEY HOME BUSINESS Alice Crespo owns a home-based business with Stanley Home Products. To learn more about the products, how you can earn extra money in your spare time, or to host a demonstration and get free prizes, call (917) 696-8115. NEW TAPE MAGAZINE The Talking Voice is a new magazine where blind folks talk to each other. It is a quarterly magazine on tape. Features include: recipe roundup, voices of the Talking Voice, technology corner, the talent show, tape pen friends, and much more. For more information, write to Carl Belnap, 900-A Ash St., Dayton, OR 97114; call (503) 857-5687; or e-mail carlbelnap@yahoo.com. ***** HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Brand-new Emerson radio with AM, FM, weather band. Asking $27. Toshiba laptop computer with 15.4-inch wide screen, 160-meg hard drive, 1 gig RAM, Windows XP Professional, JAWS 7.10 and ZoomText 8.0. Brand-new; asking $720. Toshiba laptop, brand-new, 17-inch wide screen, 160-meg hard drive, 3 gigs RAM, Windows XP Professional, JAWS 7.0 and ZoomText 8.0, wi-fi ready. Asking $900. Desktop computer with 500-gig hard drive, 2 gigs RAM, Windows XP Professional, JAWS 7.10 and ZoomText 8.0, wi-fi ready. Asking $525. Contact Jose at (818) 220-6256. FOR SALE: PAC Mate BX420; speech and 20-cell braille display unit with an eight-key braille keyboard, eight function keys and cursor cross. Uses JAWS for speech output. Runs Pocket PC versions of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, MSN Messenger, Media Player, and many more. One 1GB external flash card included, as well as a mini USB port. Purchased two years ago, but not used. In its original box, carrying case. Asking $1,500. Contact Hamid at (416) 633-1591, or via e-mail, hamid@sympatico.ca. FOR SALE: Optelec Clearview 517XL CCTV. Comes with user’s manual and all cables. Asking $1,000. Contact Linda Fry at (717) 264-0619. FOR SALE: PAC Mate Omni QX400. Comes with all cables, documentation, wi-fi card, carrying cases, and packaging. Asking $1,600. Contact Laura via e-mail, laurao@tsoft.com, or phone (510) 851-3716. FOR SALE: VersaBraille II with additional disk drive. Free. Recipient pays shipping. Navigator 40-cell braille display. Free. Recipient pays shipping. Contact Don Forrester at (540) 786-2784 or via e-mail, donforrester@vbc.edu. Include the phrase “braille equipment” in subject line of e-mail. FOR SALE: Aladdin black-and-white 20-inch closed circuit television, about 4 years old, hardly used. Call Gregg Welch at (503) 408-1419 if interested. FOR SALE: BrailleNote mPOWER with 32-cell refreshable braille display, KeySoft version 7, a braille user's manual, and a leather carrying case. Asking $3,000 or best offer. Contact James Konechne via e-mail, jakon22@gmail.com, or by phone, (410) 925-0707. FOR SALE: Manual Perkins brailler. Asking $150. Contact Helen Driskill at (806) 379-7909. Will ship via free matter mail. FREE TO GOOD HOME: 8,000 blank cassette labels, 250 to a box; 400 floppy disks, 1.4 meg. 2 bulk erasers. Call Bob Langford at (214) 340-6328 business hours Central time. WANTED: Linux expert to buy an El Braille Assistant 32-cell notetaker. Brand new, never out of the box. Asking $3,000. Machine can use parallel-to-USB adapter to download files to a compact flash card. Has VT100 visual capability, voice recorder, scientific calculator, day planner, MP3 player, other features. Documentation available from www.papenmeier.de, and I have an old braille basics manual. Need USB-powered Braille display such as BC640 which is supported by the System Access screen reader. Easy to use on the Internet. Serious buyers only. Call during the day Pacific time, (626) 578-9365; e-mail chandra@dslextreme.com. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT MITCH POMERANTZ 1115 CORDOVA STREET #402 PASADENA, CA 91106 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT KIM CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVE. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT BRENDA DILLON 313 OVERRIDGE COVE HERMITAGE, TN 37076 SECRETARY MARLAINA LIEBERG 632 S. 189TH ST. BURIEN, WA 98148 TREASURER MIKE GODINO 104 TILROSE AVE MALVERNE, NY 11565-2024 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER GRAY 94 RAMONA AVE. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ray Campbell, Glen Ellyn, IL Berl Colley, Lacey, WA Marsha Farrow, Summerville, GA Michael Garrett, Missouri City, TX Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, VA Carla Ruschival, Louisville, KY Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA David Trott, Talladega, AL Cammie Vloedman, Oklahoma City, OK Ex Officio: Paul Edwards, Miami, FL BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Paul Edwards, Chairman, Miami, FL Marcia Dresser, Reading, MA Judy Jackson, San Antonio, TX Jenine Stanley, Columbus, OH Ken Stewart, Warwick, NY Ex Officios: Barry Levine, Homer Glen, IL Ron Milliman, Bowling Green, KY