THE
                                           Braille Forum
                                    Vol. XXXII July 1993 No. 1
    
                                           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 call 331-2876.

Copyright 1993 
                                   American Council of the Blind

                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

First Vice President's Message, by Paul Edwards
News Briefs From The ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller
ADA Update, by Paul W. Schroeder
Hillary Rodham Clinton Outlines Health Care Plan To Washington
Audience, by Nicole E. Willson
Bay State Council Demands Action After Tragic Transit Death Of
Member, by Kim Charlson
American Council of the Blind Awards Scholarships to 17
Outstanding Blind Students Touching History In Memphis, by
Charles S. P. Hodge
Taking Part In The Information Age, by Deborah Kaplan
Thirty Years Ago In The "Forum"
Braille Literacy And Braille Codes:  The Debate Continues
I. Braille Users Should Comment Upon The Value Of A Unified
Braille Code For Themselves, by Juliet Esterly
II.  What Braille Literacy Means To Me, by Bob Bitts
"Magazines On Tape":  Good Listening At A Good Price, by Nolan
Crabb Why Should We Be Advocates, by Ardis Bazyn
Here And There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon
Full Inclusion Of Students Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired:  A
Position Paper High Tech Swap Shop

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
                                          by Paul Edwards

      Those of you who are attending the convention this year
already know that I am not seeking a position on ACB's Board of
Directors.  I have served my allotted term as First Vice
President and do not choose, at this time, to seek another
office.  However, I have no intention of lessening my involvement
with ACB.  Indeed, I hope our president can find many jobs for me
to do.  I have several priorities that should assure that I will
remain very involved in the blindness field and in the work of
our organization.       No amount of effort on my part can ever
repay the tremendous debt I owe to the members of this
organization.  That debt relates to the impact ACB has had on my
notion of who I am and how I should perceive the community in
which I live.  Before my initiation into ACB, I saw myself as a
second-class sighted person.  If I worked really hard and did and
said all the right things, I would some day be accepted as "one
of them".  I tried very hard to convince myself that technology,
tenacity and plain hard work could eliminate all vestiges of
difference between me and them.  I looked at many of my fellow
blind people in the same way that they are seen by the sighted
world.  I perceived them as inconsequential, pitiable non-
entities who were unsuccessful because they were incompetent and
inferior.
      This attitude has, I am proud to say, changed a lot.  I
have come to realize that each of us must learn to see ourselves
through a clear window.  Most of the time we gaze at ourselves
through a stained-glass mirror imprinted with the values our
society has, and we see ourselves as the rest of society sees us. 
We value ourselves using the benchmarks the community, as a
whole, employs.
      ACB has helped me get beyond this approach.  I have come to
see myself as I think I really am.  I see my faults and my
strengths without the refraction of society's stained glass.  I
no longer see blindness as a blight and an excuse.  It is a
characteristic as neutral as the color of my hair.  I can be
proud of my disability as often as I can be frustrated by it.  I
can be openly amused at the problems blindness imposes instead of
trying to pretend they don't exist.  I can recognize that my
failures as a blind person are not necessarily my fault.  It may
be that the society I live in has made it difficult or impossible
for me to succeed by its attitudes or the way it does things.  I
must still set high standards for myself but they are my own. 
They are not the warped notions of my ability that often emanate
from employers or teachers.
      Many of you may well be asking what all this has to do with
the American Council of the Blind?  Well, my friends, each and
every one of you has helped this particular blind man see the
light.  You who are great travelers have helped.  Those of you
who can't find your way out of a paper bag have helped just as
much.  You see, ACB has helped me get past seeing us as "the
blind" to perceiving each of us as individuals who are
differently enabled.  You have also helped me to find a community
of friends who accept and understand who I am because they are
all, in part, who I am, too.         At its core, the American
Council of the Blind is an organization that tolerates and
celebrates difference.  It is a community in which it is okay to
be who you are.  We, as members, expect a lot from each other. 
Just as our experiences have taught us that blindness does not
make us inferior, they have convinced us that it is no excuse,
either.       ACB is more than just a large group of people who
have learned to see themselves better.  ACB is also a community
of ideas about us and our world that, if we work at it, may
profoundly alter how others see us, too.  For, you see, ACB has
not only given me a new ability to see myself as I am; it has
also enabled me to see the world around me in a different way.  I
am part of a community where I am accepted.  That community is
struggling toward a constantly changing consensus about who we
are and where we ought to be going.  ACB has given me so much. 
Let me end this message by saying thank you, very much to each
and every one of you!

                             NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL
OFFICE                             by Oral O. Miller, National
Representative

      With the addition of Jennifer Sutton to the ACB National
Office Staff several weeks ago, the involvement of the National
Office in the preparation of the convention preregistration
material and the composite convention program increased
enormously.  These activities, which were performed to assist
National Convention Coordinator John Horst, gave National Office
staff members access to convention information somewhat earlier
than in past years, and hopefully this earlier access made it
possible for convention questions to be answered more promptly
and with more detail.         We commend again the director and
staff of the Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research
and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision for the
outstanding job they continue to do in conducting relevant and
useful research and training activities.  It was my pleasure to
take part a few weeks ago in the 1993 meeting of the Center's
National Advisory Council and to learn of the quality work being
performed.  Dr. J. Elton Moore, director of the Center, gave a
report at the ACB National Convention in San Francisco, and I
suggest that you may want to obtain a copy by ordering the ACB
National Convention Tapes.  
      In recent weeks, National Staff members assisted several
state affiliates in the conduct of their state conventions or
other activities.  Paul Schroeder spoke at the Illinois Council
Legislative Seminar and the state conventions of the ACB of
Wisconsin and the Iowa Council of the United Blind.  Nolan Crabb
spoke to the members of the Colorado Council of the Blind. 
Various staff members spoke at or otherwise played major roles in
meeting the Electronics Frontier Conference and the National
Consumer Forum, both of which dealt primarily with
telecommunications issues.         How often have you been put
off or upset by the portrayal of a blind person in a movie or TV
program?  We can all recall movies in which the blindness of even
minor characters was focused upon at the expense of the role that
person was supposedly playing, not to mention the many negative
and stereotypical attitudes and assumptions that have been
reinforced by such portrayals.  I am pleased to report that both
the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists share some of our concern.  It was my pleasure
to speak recently as a round table forum participant on the
program of the joint convention of the two organizations.  The
two-pronged thrust of the meeting dealt with images of disabled
people as portrayed in the media and the employment of qualified
disabled actors.  Participants included officials and staff
members from the two unions as well as representatives from the
national disabled community.  There was agreement by consensus
that the issues should be pursued further by either a single-
purpose coalition or a task force of an existing coalition of
disability organizations, which would be urged to involve the two
unions to the maximum possible extent.  Do not expect an
overnight change on these subjects; I suspect there are already
more movies in preparation that feature either truly pitiful and
inept blind characters or such remarkable blind people as to be
unbelievable.  However, the meeting which took place here was a
historic first and we are convinced that progress will come.
      I am pleased to announce that the ACB National Office
college intern for 1993 is Kirstyn Cassavechia, a New Hampshire
resident who has just completed her junior year at Cornell
University, where she is majoring in English Literature.  I
regret to report that as of the end of July, 1993, Elena Harper,
our national office administrative coordinator since 1991, will
be leaving ACB and the Washington metropolitan area to move to
another part of the country.  I know that everyone will miss her
friendly, always pleasant voice and her tireless cooperation. 
Those who attended the ACB National Convention had an opportunity
to bid her farewell and good luck, as we do now.

                                            ADA UPDATE
                                       by Paul W. Schroeder
                                 Director of Governmental Affairs

      Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it seems
like a decade ago, but July 26, 1993, is the third anniversary of
the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Of course,
most of the significant provisions of the law have only been in
effect for one year to 18 months.  Other provisions go into
effect on July 26 of this year and still others will not become
effective until later.  But three years after enactment, it seems
appropriate to provide you with a status report on implementation
of the law. EFFECTIVE JULY 26, 1993 
      The recent death of a visually impaired woman in the MBTA
subway rail system in Boston serves as a distressing and powerful
reminder of one of the most important accessibility requirements
of the ADA:  the installation of a detectable warning along the
edge of platforms in rail transit stations.  By July 26, 1993,
rail operators are supposed to make "key" rail stations
accessible by, among other things, installing a strip of
truncated domes in a visually contrasting color along the edge of
platforms.  However, many transit authorities have dragged their
feet and the U.S. Department of Transportation complicated the
picture still further by proposing to extend the deadline for the
installation of detectable warnings until January, 1995. 
Although the Department originally made the proposal back in
November, 1992 and extended its comment deadline until February,
1993, it has, at the time of this writing, still not made a final
decision on the extension.  The result of this confusion has
meant that blind and visually impaired passengers still lack
adequate warnings in most transit rail systems in this country
and, unfortunately, that is not likely to change on July 26,
1993, even though edge protection was supposed to be widely
installed by that date.  Nonetheless, individuals and ACB
chapters should continue to work with local transit systems to
persuade them to install, as soon as possible, detectable
warnings along rail platforms.       Another significant
provision which goes into effect in July is the telephone relay
service which will enable individuals with hearing or speech
impairments who use specialized telephone equipment to
communicate and interact through a relay service with individuals
using standard telephones who do not have such equipment.  
COMPLAINTS SO FAR 
      For 18 months most private businesses and service providers
along with state and local government agencies and transportation
agencies have been responsible for implementing applicable
provisions of the ADA.  For a year, the law has been in effect
for employers who employ 25 or more individuals.  The Department
of Justice has primary authority for enforcing the provisions
which govern private businesses and government agencies (although
in the latter category, an appropriate federal agency has
enforcement authority) and the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission enforces the employment provisions of the law.  The
Department of Transportation has primary responsibility for
resolving complaints of discrimination by transportation
providers.       By far, the EEOC has received the most
complaints under ADA.  As of April 30, 1993, 8,505 complaints
alleging discrimination in employment under the ADA have been
lodged with the EEOC.  Individuals with back impairments have
filed the most complaints, while individuals with visual
impairments fall closer to the bottom of the list.  The most
frequently cited violations concern discharge, failure to provide
reasonable accommodation, hiring, harassment, discipline, layoff,
rehire, wages benefits and promotion.         The complaints
filed with the Department of Justice concerning public
accommodations numbered 1,130 as of March 1993.  Under the
government services section of Title II, the Department of
Justice had received 1,167 complaints as of March, 1993.  Few
details are available from the Department of Justice about the
nature of these complaints.  The Department of Transportation has
received relatively few complaints so far.
CURRENT ADA-RELATED ACTION 
      Along with the Department of Transportation decision on the
installation of detectable warnings on key rail station
platforms, other important decisions also are in the process of
being made.  The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board voted last fall to urge a delay in the
requirement for the installation of detectable warnings by
private businesses at locations where no curb separates the
sidewalk from a street or driveway or around unprotected
reflecting pools.  The Access Board does not have the authority
to change ADA regulations; therefore, the Department of Justice
is ultimately responsible for amending this requirement of the
ADA regulations and the Department has not yet published a notice
carrying out the recommendation of the Access Board.  When, and
if, that notice is published, we must be ready to send our
comments to the Department objecting to the delay.  This means
that the law still requires private businesses to install
detectable warnings under certain conditions.  Hotels and
shopping malls are two examples of places of public accommodation
where blind people could benefit from the installation of
detectable warnings as an aid in independently traveling along
sidewalks which cross parking lots, streets, or driveways. 
      When the Access Board published its proposed guidelines for
access in state and local government facilities in December 1992,
many ACB members expressed an interest in ensuring that the Board
heard about the access concerns of people who are blind or
visually impaired.  At five public hearings and in volumes of
written comments, the Board heard a variety of comments regarding
the access needs of blind people.  The Board is not expected to
draw up its final guidelines until late this year.       The
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also continues to refine
its guidance relating to certain employment discrimination issues
which were not clearly defined in the ADA.  The Commission has
set forth Interim Enforcement Guidance regarding employer-
provided health insurance plans which are alleged to be
discriminatory because of disability-based distinctions.  The
guidance is intended to be used by EEOC when it investigates
complaints of discrimination based on an employers health
insurance plan which bars coverage of specific disabling
conditions.  Investigators will try to determine if a particular
disability or group of disabling conditions, or treatment for a
disability or group of related conditions, is excluded from
coverage.  If investigators find that such distinctions are
included in the health insurance policy of an employer, the
employer must prove the need for the distinction.  Among other
things, the employer must prove that distinctions are not
intended as a means of avoiding hiring an applicant with a
disability.  Employers will be asked to provide factual data
(such as actuarial risk information) supporting the distinctions,
or evidence that the disability-based distinction is necessary to
avoid unacceptable changes to or fiscal instability of the health
insurance plan.  EEOC will eventually seek information about
broader benefit problems under the employment section of the ADA,
such as equal access to health insurance, and clearer guidance on
actuarial principles as they relate to disabling conditions.
ADA MAJOR PROVISIONS
      As a reminder, here are some of the key provisions in the
ADA which are of particular value to people who are blind or
visually impaired.  This is only a summary, so please do not rely
on this information as a legal interpretation. EMPLOYMENT      
Employers with 25 or more employees cannot discriminate against
individuals on the basis of disability in recruitment, hiring,
testing, promotions, compensation, training, and in most other
aspects of employment including the provision of fringe benefits
(employers with 15 or more employees will be subject to the ADA
on July 26, 1994).  Covered employers must provide reasonable
accommodations to qualified applicants or employees with
disabilities, when necessary, unless to do so would impose an
undue hardship on the employer. Individuals with disabilities may
bring complaints of discrimination to the EEOC for enforcement or
they may ask the EEOC for a letter permitting a court suit. To
file a complaint or for more information, write to the Office of
the ADA, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20507, or call (202) 663-4503.
TRANSPORTATION
      Public and private transportation providers cannot deny
transportation services to individuals because of a disability. 
Providers of fixed route public transportation must provide
complementary, comparable paratransit services to individuals
who, because of factors relating to their disabling condition,
including blindness, are unable to use the fixed route system. 
Paratransit services must be available to individuals along a
"corridor" which is based on a fixed route bus or rail line;
services must be available during the same hours as the fixed
route service on a given corridor.  Transportation providers can
implement the paratransit service over a five year period which
began on January 26, 1992, expanding the service each year. 
Fixed route bus or rail systems must incorporate access features
such as:  braille and large print signage, detectable warnings,
schedules in accessible formats, and public address systems. 
Complaints concerning transportation can be filed with the U.S.
Department of Transportation.  The Department of Justice may be
enlisted to enforce the ADA nondiscrimination requirements for
private providers of transportation.  To file a complaint, or for
more information, write to the Office of Civil Rights, Federal
Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, or call (202) 366-4018.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
      Individuals with disabilities cannot be excluded from, or
denied participation in, any service, program or activity
conducted by state and local government, because of disability. 
All government services, communications, and new facilities must
be accessible to individuals with disabilities.  State and local
government agencies may need to alter existing policies or
procedures, or provide auxiliary aids or services to ensure that
individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to
benefit from the service, program or activity being offered.  The
Department of Justice has primary responsibility for implementing
these requirements, although other federal agencies also enforce
these requirements.  PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
      A fairly comprehensive list of twelve categories of private
businesses or service providers are prohibited from
discriminating against individuals with disabilities. 
Discrimination may include such things as refusing to provide an
auxiliary aid or service to enable an individual to have access
to printed material, refusing to modify a policy or practice,
refusing to remove a barrier to access for individuals with
disabilities, refusing admittance to an individual using a
service animal (e.g. dog guides) or not providing an exam or
course in a manner accessible to an individual with a disability. 
Newly constructed buildings or facilities, or alterations of
buildings or facilities, must be readily accessible to and usable
by individuals with disabilities.  Accessibility includes such
items as installation of detectable warnings, certain walkways
and reflecting pools, installation of Braille and large-print
signage on elevators and rooms, and elimination of protruding
objects along walk ways.  Enforcement can be obtained through the
Department of Justice, or, through a court suit.  For more
information or to file a complaint on government services or
public accommodations, write to: Civil Rights Division,
Department of Justice, Tenth Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20530, or call (202) 307-2227.

                       HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON OUTLINES HEALTH
CARE PLAN TO                      WASHINGTON AUDIENCE
                                       by Nicole E. Willson
WASHINGTON--During a speech at George Washington University here
on May 25, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined some of the
issues which she hopes her health care task force's plan will
address. 
      Clinton began by commending the efforts of the many groups
who attended the conference.  "For the last decade, many of you
have been on the forefront of educating the public about the
issues confronting us both on a human scale and an economic one." 
She also stated that over the past year, she had learned that
implementing change can be hard.  "(Many are) arrayed against
change for their own purposes, but if you believe, as we do, that
part of what the election was about was accepting responsibility
for the problems of this country and being willing to tackle some
hard choices, then I hope that you will stay with us as we travel
down this road together."         Clinton emphasized that making
difficult decisions on health care requires that people
understand exactly what is at stake in health care reform.  "I
cannot emphasize too strongly how all of your grass-roots efforts
are critical and need to be doubled and re-doubled again." 
      In her discussions around the country, Clinton has found
that people tend to focus on their own specific problems with the
cost of health care, and don't realize how interconnected the
entire health care package will be.  For example, she said that
while most people seem to be satisfied with their insurance, they
fear diminished coverage and increased costs.  In addition, they
are reluctant to pay very much more themselves to help cover
people who are uninsured.  However, uninsured people end up
getting the most expensive health care by going into emergency
rooms, often after an illness has become severe due to lack of
previous care.  "This," explained Clinton, "is one of the reasons
why a person with insurance ends up paying $19 for every Tylenol-
-in order to pay for the (uninsured) person in the room next
door.  Most people don't ever see the connection between
uncompensated care and their own insurance rates.  That's just
one of the many examples we have to look for to help people
understand what is at stake in this debate."        Clinton then
listed five issues which she concentrates on in the health care
debate:  security, costs, quality, choice and simplicity.  "Each
of those five words stands for a series of attitudes,
expectations, and feelings which we hope to make clear when we
present a comprehensive plan."  
      She stated that security was a chief concern for people who
frequently lack a sense of security even if they are insured. 
"When you have 100,000 Americans a month losing insurance, when
you have employers shopping around and finding it increasingly
difficult to provide the same benefits at the same costs due to
inflation adjustments, when you have people who see their friends
and neighbors being laid off or having their retirement benefits
ripped out from under them, there is a great deal of insecurity." 
One of the primary intentions of her health care plan, she said,
is to make all people, regardless of insurance status or their
health status, feel that they will have access to the health care
system and to a comprehensive benefit plan.  She stressed that
this will not just apply to the uninsured.  "You cannot win a
national debate if that is the focus.  The uninsured deserve to
have security so that everyone will be more secure."         The
next issue explained was costs, which Clinton said had to be able
to be controlled effectively.  "Through the effective control of
costs will come a reallocation of resources within a health care
system that will do a better job taking care of more people." 
Clinton claimed that too much of current health care costs are
going to support "paperwork" hospitals, where the money "provides
for clerks who are checking and filling out forms, and insurance
underwriters who are spending their time trying to figure out who
does and does not get insurance. ... If we control the costs that
we're talking about, we eliminate from the system a lot of those
features that have very little or nothing to do with the status
of anyone's health."  Money currently used to support the
"paperwork" hospitals can be better utilized elsewhere.
      The third area which Clinton discussed was quality. 
Nobody, she said, wants to do anything which will undermine the
quality of the health-care system.  People want to see "good
doctor-patient relationships that lead to better outcomes;  more
opportunities for people to get information about quality ... so
that they can be better consumers of health care."  Clinton
predicted that the opposition to the task force's health care
plan will focus specifically on the issue of quality.  "No one's
going to say, 'Don't pass this health-care plan; it will cut our
profits.'  It will be played out with somebody in a white coat
... who, in a very Marcus Welby way, says 'Be careful.  We've
always had the finest quality health care in the world.  They--
they--want to take it away from you.'  That will be the argument,
because that is where people's desire for security will run
straight up against their fear of failure.  As bad as things are
now ... at least we feel somewhat comfortable in it because the
quality is absolutely key."  Clinton stressed that without
quality, there won't be the kind of reform that people are hoping
to see. 
      The issue of choice will be the opposition's second line of
attack after the "quality" commercials.  Clinton predicted that
opponents will frame the issue as, "They want to take your doctor
away from you.  They want to prevent you from seeing who you want
to see."  Clinton hoped to be able to prove that choice would
still be as free as possible under the new plan.  
      The final issue, simplicity, is also of chief concern to
the task force.  "We can explain this to people.  If they can't
feel comfortable being able to navigate their way through it,
then that too will be a roadblock to reform,"  she said.      
She concluded her talk by thanking the members of the audience
once again for their input into the reform process thus far.  "I
think, though, that as far as we have all worked to get to this
point in time, it is only the beginning."   She said that after
the plan is introduced,  "we will have an enormous task cut out
for us with educating people and convincing Congress to vote for
it."   After the legislation is passed, "we will also have an
enormous task to make sure it works the way we want it to work,
and every step along the way ... we will need grass-roots
organizations, people like yourselves, who are there not only to
help move it along,  but to understand what should be done to
make it successful."          Clinton also stated that she
believed that all the groups present at the conference are
working towards the same goal.  "Though there may be
disagreement, (though) there may be ways your organization would
have done it differently from somebody else's organization ... I
hope that we will have a united front on behalf of health care. 
Believe me, there will be people out there who do not want
anything changed ... and if we are not strongly united and
prepared to reach across lines that divide us in order to have as
strong a front as possible, we will be picked off one by one."
      Clinton concluded the discussion by taking questions from
members of the audience, in which she enumerated how she hoped
her plan would help groups such as the poor, users of home care,
and people with pre-existing conditions, who were previously
uninsurable.

                                 BAY STATE COUNCIL DEMANDS ACTION 
                              AFTER TRAGIC TRANSIT DEATH OF
MEMBER                                           by Kim Charlson

      Margaret "Peggy" McCarthy, 46, spent most of her adult life
helping others cope with vision loss.  The single parent of a 16-
year-old son, she was an outspoken advocate for persons who are
blind or visually impaired.  She not only volunteered her
services as the chair of the Massachusetts Commission for the
Blind Advisory Council and as an office worker for the VISION
Foundation, but she was also an active member of Guide Dog Users
of Massachusetts and the Bay State Council of the Blind.  Peggy
was also attending the University of Massachusetts Boston, so
that she could continue to work with elders who were losing their
vision.
      On June 9, 1993, Peggy died as the result of injuries she
sustained when she fell into a subway pit of the Massachusetts
Bay Transit Authority on June 4th.  The fall, which took place at
the Somerville Davis Square Station, located in a suburb of
Boston, left Peggy with a broken arm, cuts, bruises, and severe
burns to her arms, back and shoulders from her contact with the
high voltage third rail.  Peggy had been traveling to meet
another blind friend for an evening at the movies when she fell. 
Brian Charlson, President of the Bay State Council of the Blind,
called for, "persons who are blind to come together and demand
the installation of tactile warning strips that can be detected
underfoot or with a cane.  Peggy's death should galvanize the
blind community into a single voice calling for immediate action. 
We have always stated that these detectable warnings would save
lives, and now we have suffered the death of one of our own while
studies and not installations continue."       Denise Karuth,
former Chair of the Governor's Commission on Accessible
Transportation, said, "We've been pushing the MBTA about the need
for detectable warnings for over seven years, and the time for
implementation is now.  Peggy might have recognized a detectable
warning, but she didn't have that chance."       "The Americans
with Disabilities Act was signed into law almost three years
ago," stated BSCB Legislative Chair, Jamal Mazrui, "and it
requires that detectable warnings be installed on platform edges. 
The blind community calls upon the MBTA to comply with the letter
and the spirit of the law without further delay."
      Brian Charlson further stated that he has both written to
and conversed with John Haley, General Manager of the MBTA and
has requested a meeting between the Bay State Council of the
Blind, MBTA management, and representatives from the Commission
for the Blind to discuss general safety issues and the MBTA's
plan for the installation of detectable warnings on subway
platforms.
      Laurie Doyle, the friend Peggy was to meet that evening,
said, "During her hospitalization, Peggy expressed the need for
detectable warnings, so someone else would not be injured.  Until
the T seriously addresses safety issues and installs detectable
warnings in all stations, the healing process for the blind
community cannot truly begin."       Commission for the Blind
Commissioner Charles Crawford said, "The best way we can honor
Peggy is to install those tactile warnings."

                        AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIPS                                   TO 17 OUTSTANDING
BLIND STUDENTS

      At its 32nd annual national convention in San Francisco,
Calif., the American Council of the Blind awarded its 1993
scholarships to 17 outstanding blind students from throughout the
country.  The awards are given to students in academic,
professional and vocational curricula at the undergraduate and
graduate levels.  Hundreds of qualified blind and visually
impaired students applied for these honors.  Approximately 13 of
the winners attended the convention in San Francisco this month
to receive their awards and take part in other student
activities.
     The winners of the three ACB scholarships in the graduate
category are Dan Simpson, of Towson, Md., Behnaz Soulati of Iowa
City, Iowa, and Robert Chappell, of Champaign, Ill.  Simpson is
pursuing an M.A. in English at Johns Hopkins University in
Baltimore, Md.  Soulati, who is the recipient of the Mae Davidow
Scholarship, is working toward her M.A. in computer science and
French.  Chappell is pursuing an M.A. in Germanic studies at the
University of Illinois, Urbana.      The winners of the
scholarships in the undergraduate category are Marilyn Beaupeurt
of Wichita, Kan., and Shawn Mayo of Belleville, Ill.  Beaupeurt
is working towards a B.A. in social work at Wichita State
University.  Mayo will study at Bradley University in Peoria,
Ill., with the ultimate goal of obtaining an M.A. in psychology.  
    In the entering freshmen category, the winners are Jack Chen
of Plainsboro, N.J., and Lori Miller from Warsaw, Ind.  Chen will
attend Harvard University, where he will study computer science. 
Miller will be studying communications and pre-law at Notre Dame. 
                  Donna Grimminger, of Tampa, Fla., and Alma
Harris, of San Diego, Calif., are the winners of ACB's
vocational/technical scholarships.  Grimminger is studying
traditional Chinese medicine at the Suncoast School of
Acupuncture in Tampa, and Harris is pursuing an AA degree in
office information systems from the San Diego City College.       
 The 1993 Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship was awarded to
Ramona Pierson of Rangely, Colo.  Pierson is pursuing a BA in
psychology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. 
     The Telesensory Corporation Scholarship, being administered
by ACB for the seventh year, was awarded to Imke Durre of Fort
Collins, Colo., who will be pursuing her B.S. in applied
mathematics at Yale University.
     Pursuant to a bequest from a Pennsylvania resident, the
American Council of the Blind presented scholarships to three
Pennsylvania students. The winners this year are Qiong Du of
Philadelphia, Andrew Salamone of Royersford, and Jody Sack of
Rosemont.  Du is studying elementary education and English at
Camden County College in New Jersey.  Salamone is pursuing a B.A.
in history at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.  Sack is
attending the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and
pursuing a B.A. in history.       For the third year, ACB is
presenting two scholarships funded by National Industries for the
Blind.  These scholarships were awarded to Scott Meyers of
Greenfield, Wis., and Amy Van Boxtel of Madison, Wis.  Meyers
attends the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he is earning
a B.S. in Management Systems.  Van Boxtel is pursuing an M.S.
with specialization in marketing research at the University of
Wisconsin.      In addition to the above scholarship recipients,
Kimberly Morrow, who received the Scholarship in Memory of Anne
Pekar in 1992, continues to receive the funds from that
scholarship this year.  Morrow, of Overland Park, Kan., is
earning an M.A. in German from the University of Kansas in
Lawrence.       Applications for the 1994 ACB scholarships will
be available in late fall of 1993. For more information, contact
the ACB National Office at 1155 15th St., NW, Suite 720,
Washington, DC, 20005, (800) 424-8666, between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m.
eastern time weekdays.

                                    TOUCHING HISTORY IN MEMPHIS   
                      by Charles S. P. Hodge, ACB Second Vice
President

      A recent Memorial Day weekend trip found me in Memphis. 
While there, in the company of a partially-sighted friend, I
visited a rather unique and highly accessible museum exhibit--an
exhibit you won't want to miss if you're in Memphis this summer. 
My friend and I decided we wanted to see the enormous exhibition
concerning the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte, which opened
at the Cook Convention and Exhibition Center in Memphis in late
April of this year.  The Napoleon exhibition, which is drawn from
approximately 50 different museums and private collections,
offers literally thousands of items from the Napoleonic era for
public view.  These items included original documents such as the
original volumes of a Napoleonic code and many genuine artifacts
such as uniforms, other pieces of court dress, and unbelievably
valuable pieces of gem-studded court jewelry, including crowns,
diadems, and bracelets.  Of course, all of these items are
enclosed in climate-controlled glass display cases, thus making
them virtually inaccessible to those of us who are blind.  Even
though the sponsors of the exhibit have put together a
professionally-developed exhibition tour cassette tape narrated
by actress Patricia Neal,  which is available for all who go
through the museum, my friend and I might well have lost much of
what the exhibition offers if it were not for a very special
person and his very special organization.  
      Dr. John Hughes, a member of the American Council of the
Blind's Memphis chapter, started an organization about ten years
ago called Arts for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Together,
Hughes and Arts for the Blind and Visually Impaired have worked
over the years with many galleries and museums in the Memphis
area, including the city-run Cook Convention and Exhibition
Center, to make art shows and exhibitions more accessible to the
blind and visually impaired.  In the case of the Napoleon
exhibition, Hughes and his organization have arranged to have
life-scale replicas of many of the exhibition's most interesting
and important display items made out of papier-mache and other
materials.  He has created a small but representative hands-on
mini-exhibition from the Napoleon exhibition itself.  The hands-
on mini-exhibition created by Arts for the Blind and Visually
Impaired includes approximately 20 pieces including articles of
clothing and pieces of jewelry.  The exhibition really came alive
for me when I could touch and examine a life-scale replica of the
diamond-studded necklace containing more than 1,000 individual
diamonds at a carat weight of approximately 270 carats, which
Napoleon had given his second wife Marie-Louise as a gift upon
the occasion of the birth of their son in 1811.         While the
materials in the replica were obviously non-precious, I could
feel the size and spacing between each depicted gemstone.  I also
was able to feel and examine at my leisure other items such as a
breastplate worn at the battle of Waterloo, which had a
cannonball hole in it.  The replicated artifacts made possible by
Arts for the Blind and Visually Impaired really made the Napoleon
exhibition come alive for me.  The Napoleon exhibition will
remain open at the Cook Convention and Exhibition Center in
Memphis through September 22 of this year.  So, if any of you
blind or visually impaired art or history buffs are passing
through Memphis at any time in the next few months, I strongly
recommend that you call ahead and contact the Cook Convention and
Exhibition Center.  They will be happy to put you in touch with
Dr. John Hughes, who in turn will be happy to guide you through
the hands-on mini-exhibition from the Napoleon exhibition. I
believe that you will find the experience stimulating and thought
provoking.

                                TAKING PART IN THE INFORMATION
AGE                                          by Deborah Kaplan
                   Director of Technology Policy, World Institute
on Disability

      (The following is an excerpt of Deborah Kaplan's speech to
the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission's annual consumers
conference.)  I've been working on access to telecommunications
for people with disabilities because it is a cross-cutting issue
affecting people with all kinds of disabilities.  It is a true
coalition issue that we need to work together on as we move into
the future.
      It's not just voice-telephone services anymore, which is
what most people in the general public tend to think of when you
say telecommunications or telephone service.  And for those of us
in the disability community, it's not just relay services, which
is what the Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on.  Vital
and important as relay services are, there's a lot more to come. 

      There are questions that we, as disabled people, really
ought to be asking about emerging new technologies.  Will the
video that will soon be coming over the telephone lines and is
now on cable be captioned?  Will there be descriptive video? 
Will it be accessible in ways that exist now, that we will be
able to take advantage of?  And will that accessibility be built
into the network architecture so that it's a normal, natural
thing?  Or is the disability movement going to get involved later
than it should and have to argue with regulators and the industry
about retrofitting?  Not only is this more expensive, it results
in less satisfactory solutions for us.        The answer to the
accessibility questions lies with us.  If we aren't there
pointing out the issues and defining accessibility for all of
these new technologies and communication media, then it simply
won't be accessible.  That is why what's going on with
telecommunications policy in Washington, D.C. is exciting and
worth your attention.       What's interesting is that I am not
talking about disability bills.  Legislators are often surprised
to find that the disability community is concerned about
telecommunications.  We have to explain that disability issues
belong in legislation concerning national telecommunications
policy and that accessibility is a key issue that Congress must
consider as it looks at the structure of the telecommunications
industry and tries to formulate a national telecommunications
policy.
      Whenever I talk to people about technology and people with
disabilities, I point out that we are usually early adopters of
technology, because we aren't afraid of it.  We know how vital
and important it is for our own lives.  We use it all the time. 
And we have very definite ideas, based on our experiences, about
how technology ought to function in the future.  And often, what
works for us works for everyone else too.  If industries pay
attention to us and ask us what we want, chances are they are not
just finding out about us, but they're finding out how to make
their products and services more friendly to everybody and how to
get a competitive edge.       For example, even though we
advocated for curb cuts, we're not the only ones who use them. 
What was a good idea for us turned out to be a wonderful idea for
making the urban environment a little more livable for people who
deliver things, for parents with baby strollers, for kids with
skateboards, for bicyclists, and for people who have trouble
stepping up and down a curb.
      The same is true for telecommunications.  Pacific Bell held
a series of brainstorming sessions with people with different
disabilities.  The group of people who are blind and visually
impaired said that they would like to pick up the telephone and
not hear the dial tone, but hear announcements to know what to
dial in order to get it.  The folks at the phone company said to
themselves, "Hmmm.  Dial tone.  It doesn't have to sound like
that."  With current technology, the dial tone could be anything. 
My husband could pick up the phone and the "dial tone" could be
me telling him to take out the garbage.  Pacific Bell turned the
concept into a new product called "Designer Dial Tone."       By
getting involved in the debate on telecommunications, we have a
chance to stop retrofitting--to stop adding on additional stuff--
and to have accessibility built into the telephone network and
the equipment that the telephone companies may start designing if
they get permission from Congress to manufacture equipment.      
I can't stress to you how important I think this is and how
critical it is that we begin to implement accessible design that
we expect as consumers.  Not rehabilitation consumers, but
consumers who have money to spend.
      What can you do about all of this?  First of all, read the
information about pending legislation.  Get more information as
you need it and take a position.  Get involved.  Figure out what
it means for you, and communicate your feelings.  Learn more
about what's going on in your state.  Become familiar with the
state Public Utilities Commission and how it works.  When they
have a rule-making procedure about public telephones, people with
disabilities should be there.  Even if the PUC doesn't think it's
a disability issue, it's up to us how to define how it affects us
and what we want.         More importantly, it's time to engage
the industry directly.  It's time to go to the companies that
manufacture equipment and sell services to people, and let them
know who we are and what we want.  Ask to be on an advisory
committee that companies have or ask them to form one.  You can
talk to them about those ideas.  I think they're ready.      
It's time to take our rightful place at the table with the
industry, consumers who are not disabled, and regulators and
legislators who influence telecommunications policy.  The time is
now to have a significant impact in designing accessibility into
the networks of the future, so that people with disabilities will
be an ordinary part of the "Information Age."       We can shape
the future for better access to communications, for more useful
information products for everyone, and for a more competitive
American business base.  When we take our place at that table and
the other people who are there say, "How can we help you?" it's
our time to say, "No, no.  You've got it wrong.  It's how we can
help you."

                                  THIRTY YEARS AGO IN THE "FORUM"

      By the time you read this, many of you will have returned
from the 32nd Annual National Convention in San Francisco, which
at press time was shaping up to be one of the biggest conventions
in ACB's history.
      In July of 1963, approximately 100 ACB members and friends,
from 19 states, met at the St. Clair Hotel in Chicago.  In "Some
Impressions of the 1963 ACB Convention,"  George Card, one of
ACB's charter members, offered the following observations on
ACB's second annual convention.  Happily, the number of
convention attendees has risen far above 1963's number; however,
many of the developments Card reported on are still in effect
today:
      " ... Although the number in attendance was a bit
disappointing, this was more than made up for, in my opinion, by
the spirit of confidence and optimism which was so much in
evidence.  We know for sure now that we are going to survive and
grow.  Where we had only about 180 members a year ago, we now
have more than 1100.  This time last year, we had no affiliates; 
now we have for and at least six to eight strong organizations
are seriously considering throwing in their lot with us.  Nearly
all the doubt and apprehension and skepticism that was whispered
about in the corridors and social get-togethers in St. Louis have
gone.  It is felt that many who have been waiting for
developments will now find the courage to stand up and be
counted.             ... There was genuine uninhibited
participation by the membership.  There was no fear of political
reprisals or of future purges.  There were spirited exchanges of
different views, but the will of the majority prevailed in all
cases, with no coercion or brow-beating, and the democratically
arrived-at verdict of the majority was accepted without any
bitterness or recriminations.  
      ... Some of the highlights of the program of the 1963 ACB
convention were the following:  Col. E. A. Baker, President of
the World Council and a truly world figure in blind welfare, gave
us an intensely interesting address at our banquet.  The first of
our annual Ambassador Awards was also presented on this occasion
to Miss Jearldine Noeller, President of the Kansas Association
for the Blind ... This award will go each year to a blind person
who has made an outstanding contribution toward the creation of a
favorable image of blindness and blind people in the minds of the
sighted public.       A very notable event on the regular
convention program was the brilliant legislative report by Paul
Kirton, Chairman of the ACB Legislative Committee.  As a result
of this report, the convention later adopted some eleven briefly
but clearly worded legislative resolutions. 
      ... On the first day of the convention, we had a most
excellent panel discussion on state projects participated in by
Clyde Ross of Ohio, Wanda St. Clair of Oklahoma, and Juliet Bindt
of California.  Later, there was a thoroughly stimulating report
on the credit union movement as a valuable adjunct to the
organized blind movement and as a sound investment for blind
persons and groups. 
      ... The only important constitutional change was the voting
power of affiliates.  According to the amended section, each will
have one vote for each 25 paid-up members.  It was formerly one
for each five of its members.  It was felt that the revised
formula preserved the principle of proportional representation
but was somewhat fairer to individuals who spent their money to
be present in person at future conventions."      

                                BRAILLE LITERACY AND BRAILLE
CODES:                                        THE DEBATE
CONTINUES

      (Editor's note:  The articles "How Great is the Need for a
Unified Braille Code?",  by Winifred Downing, and "Braille
Literacy--Another Perspective," by Walt Stromer, which both
appeared in the March 1993 "Braille Forum," have provoked more
response than any "Forum" articles in recent memory.  Following
are responses from two readers, one of whom addresses the issue
of the Unified Braille Code, and one who has comments about both
pieces.  The opinions voiced in these articles do not necessarily
represent the opinions of the "Braille Forum" staff or of the
American Council of the Blind.)                          BRAILLE
USERS SHOULD COMMENT UPON THE VALUE OF A                          
      UNIFIED BRAILLE CODE FOR THEMSELVES                         
                by Juliet Esterly

      Less than 200 years ago, Louis Braille provided the first
practical method for blind persons to read and write.  His
punctaform system has been accepted worldwide with various
modifications.  At the beginning of the century, there was great
concern about preferences for dot arrangements in the American,
Braille and New York Point codes.  Mainly decided by the
superintendents of the various schools for the blind, the braille
code was finally accepted as the standard code to be used in
America.  There have been some changes since 1915, but now the
computer has appeared and there may be the need for major
changes.
      At first we had both a literary and a music code, and
nobody had trouble learning them despite their great differences. 
As needed, we developed textbook, mathematics, computer and
scientific codes, which do have great variations from the
literary code.  The computer has opened so many doors of
opportunity academically, vocationally and recreationally that
research is now being done to determine the feasibility of
combining all codes except the music code.  
      This would mean that in a unified braille code only one
symbol would be used to represent a print symbol with a similar
meaning.  For example, in the current braille system, opening and
closing parentheses use the same character, whereas in print two
different characters are used.  Similarly, in braille the same
characters are used for the opening quotation mark and the
question mark, while in print two different characters are used. 
The plan is to make it possible for an embosser to produce good
copy in either braille or print.
      Braille users should consider how valuable this possibility
will be to each individual.  Don't say, "Well, if it is needed by
some people for their school or work, I guess I better go along." 
We don't know how many braille users would benefit by making
these changes.  Maybe the literary code should be left out and
those who really need such technical information could combine it
into a single code.  There should be no more problem in learning
third code than we had with the music code.  No changes have been
made yet and consumers need to let their preferences be known
now.  After all, braille was meant to serve the blind, not the
computer.
      The goal of the researchers is to make as few changes as
possible in Grade II. No contractions will be changed.  However,
14 contractions would be dropped, namely the part-word
contractions for "com" and "ble;" the whole-word contractions for
"to," "into," and "by," and the final seven contractions
beginning with dots 5-6 ("ence," "ong," "ful," "sion," "ness,"
"ment," and "ity") along with the final two contractions
beginning with dot 6 ("ation" and "ally").
      Some rules would be changed.  There must be spaces between
the contractions for "to," "into," "by," "and," "for," "of,"
"the," "with" and "a."       Punctuation and composition marks
have changes.  The opening parenthesis would be "of" and the
closing parenthesis would be "with."  Opening brackets would be
dot 4 ("of") and closing brackets would be dot 4 ("with")
respectively.  Quotation marks would remain the same, but the
question mark would be dots 1-5-6, presumably because few words
end with "wh".  The asterisk would be dot 4 and dots 1-6.  The
slash would be dots 4-5-6 and dots 3-4.  The backslash would be
dots 4-5-6 and dots 1-6.  Dots 2-5-6 would serve as either period
or decimal point as print characters are similar.  The hyphen
would be dots 3-6 but the dash would be dots 4-6 and 3-6.
      The terminology used in the rules confuses me.  For
example, a lower case letter of the alphabet is described as a
graphic symbol, while a capitalized letter is termed an augmented
graphic symbol.  When I asked one of the researchers if this
would not be difficult to explain to a pupil, he replied that the
teacher needs to understand but the pupil doesn't.  My experience
in teaching braille for 32 years is that often the student asked
"Why?" or wanted to study the rule book for himself.         I
believe I could adjust to these changes, even though more cells
are required and thus more expensive paper, which adds to the
bulk.  I'm wondering what would happen to our thousands of
braille books.  Would we have to request editions in "Unified
Braille Code" or "American Braille Code?"
      What concerns me the most is the effort to have indicators
that will portray every kind of type.  The researchers have
worked out a very good system for doing this, but I believe it
will make it so difficult to read that people will not want to
learn braille and those that already know it will feel it is not
worth the effort.  There are indicators to show italics, boldface
type, underlining, script, and sans serif.  Provision has been
made for additional kinds of type.  Here is the pattern for
italics indicators:  dots 4-6 go before anything that is to be
italicized.  If these are followed immediately by a lower case
"e," just a single letter will be italicized.  If dots 4-6 are
followed by a lower case "g," the entire word is to be
italicized.  If dots 4-6 are followed by a lower case "i," the
following passage will be italicized until you reach another 4-6,
indicating the end of the passage.  This last 4-6 follows the
word and there must be a space following it.  Dots 4-6 followed
by dot 3 indicates that the italics end within the word.  This
same pattern is used for the other typefaces.       Note that
this involves a pretty sensitive touch, especially when a dot 4
indicates script and dot 5 indicates sans serif.  Perhaps I may
as well go on to say that dots 4-5-6 indicate boldface type and
dots 4-5 indicate underlining.  Many people would have trouble
with these fine distinctions.
      How many people would care about the typeface unless it was
really needed for emphasis, and then the italics sign represents
almost any type difference.  Should the whole literary code be
confused for the sake of the few who need to know?       I hope
that all braille readers will express their opinions after they
have read articles in braille magazines and heard discussions at
state and national conventions.  Try to be objective and willing
to change if you believe it is progress, especially in light of
the computer.         If no one comes up with a better form for
tallying purposes, you might try to answer these questions:
      1.  Would a Unified Braille Code have value for you at
school, work, or in other activities?  
      2.  Would you prefer that Grade II braille be left as it is
and that UBC just include textbook, mathematics, computer and
science codes?
      Please send your answers and comments to Dr. Hilda Cayton,
Chair, Braille Research Committee, c/o American Printing House
for the Blind, P.O. Box 6085, Louisville, KY 40206.
                                 WHAT BRAILLE LITERACY MEANS TO
ME                                            by Bob Bitts
      
      This is in response to the two thoughtful articles on
braille which appeared in the March issue.  I'd like to take them
one at a time.
      I'd like to first respond to Ms. Downing's article setting
forth the facts of the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Unification of the Braille Codes.  I had always thought, since
learning braille as an adult in 1959, that the whole purpose of
braille was to enable the blind to read and write.  It never
dawned on me once during those years that it might also be used
as a printer's code for going from braille to print.  Desirable
as it might be for a writer, reversibility has no use for most
braille readers, who write it only for the purpose of composing
and recording their own thoughts, and communicating with other
blind folks.        As Ms. Downing points out, not all blind
children are learning braille these days anyhow.  Though I have
never been a blind child, I suspect that a child of whatever
visual acuity needs to learn spelling early, and for that reason
I would endorse Grade I for at least the primary grades. 
Otherwise, you'll have blind kids spelling braille "brl," as I
have been tempted to do in this letter, knowing that it will go
to braille literate people.  Surely the alphabet could be learned
by any dedicated person in the teaching profession, no?       The
minor changes in the literary code brought about by the strange
new philosophy regarding reversibility would not be hard to
learn;  in fact, they would hardly be noticed.  But I would
hesitate to sacrifice any of the hard-won stability of the
literary code for the sake of a code that is used by few and
constantly changing.  Besides, although the English language has
changed considerably since the Battle of Hastings, a dedicated
reader can still read Shakespeare, and even Chaucer.  Certainly
major changes should be avoided for the sake of stability.  I
should be able to read any brailled book that still has its dots
more or less raised!       Here is a sample of a thing that can
be done now and will not be allowable under the proposed new
rules.  Had Lincoln been blind, and even more word economical,
the last phrase of the Gettysburg Address might have come out
like this:  " ... and that government for the and with the and of
the people shall not perish from the Earth!"       When I first
started learning braille, I was a math teacher candidate and my
braille was about the right speed for math, so I read several
texts from cover to cover.  At that time, Nemeth Code was in its
first edition, and very thin for braille, about one and a half
inches.  But the next edition seemed to have been purposely
concocted by someone trying to make it harder for me to read.  I
put up with it, even the nicety of distinguishing between the
several different means of denoting a fraction in print.  I
really didn't care much what the thing looked like in print form,
so long as I knew which was the top and which was the bottom.  
But the second edition of the Nemeth Code was in two or three
volumes, each over three inches thick!
      It was only on reading Ms. Downing's article that it dawned
on me that dear old Abe was working on something that might
benefit him and a few other scholars, but wouldn't benefit the
vast unwashed masses of math teachers, few of whom publish
anything at all.       Now I have a very thin booklet of computer
braille symbols, just ASCII.  It ought to be fully integratable
into Nemeth code for the naive.  There is no need to make
literary braille integrate into the Nemeth computer code; it will
be obvious to the reader from the context.  If math writers want
their text to be reversible, well and good; but let the rest of
us get along on the simpler version of Grade II that has become
so standard.  Reversibility should be reserved for those who
publish; perhaps it could be called Grade IV.       Now, I'd like
to respond to Mr. Stromer's fine article, particularly to the
plea in the last sentence of his article:  "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."         The first thing first:  literacy.  It seems to me
that a person is literate when he knows a certain hard-to-define
amount of literature.  By this, I mean that the literate person
is able to take in new information and make logical evaluation of
it as it fits into the rest of his store of knowledge.  Thus, a
literate person who suddenly becomes blind is still literate.  No
braille has yet passed through his fingers.  He is not by any
stretch braille literate.         If this person picks up enough
braille to puzzle out a short message, he is now braille
literate.  He can communicate thoughts at the top level of his
thinking ability, no matter how slowly.  Would anyone say that
Stephen Hawking is illiterate because it takes him five minutes
to compose a simple sentence?  
      I suspect that there are several varieties of braille
readers.  Some, like myself and probably Stromer, became blinded
in adult life, felt illiterate, and grabbed eagerly at braille to
free us from that illiterate feeling.  I will always remember the
joy it gave me to read, "Abe had a deaf dad," "A chef had a bad
cabbage," and "A hedge had a jagged edge."       On the other
hand, we have folks who have been blind from birth;  it would be
unthinkable to classify such a person as braille literate unless
he has successfully mastered at least one of the many other
avenues to communication for the blind.  For this person, braille
literacy may mean the ability to use all the reference works in a
braille library, if that is his capability.  
      "How many people use how much braille how often?"  I am one
person, and I use up to a pack of index cards weekly, and that is
about half my braille use.  Having taken disability retirement
from the community college where I taught math for 14 years, I
work in real estate.  For that, my talking computer is the best
new tool imaginable, as it enables me to sort and edit listing
information for clients and colleagues.  However, if I had to
choose between the computer and the Perkins Brailler I bought in
1960, the brailler would stay!  This is because the brailler sits
by the phone and allows me to take notes on index cards for all
incoming phone calls.  I keep these cards in a filing cabinet,
and they are the core of my business.     
      (Bob Bitts lives in Littleton, Colo.) 

                        MAGAZINES ON TAPE:  GOOD LISTENING AT A
GOOD PRICE                                           by Nolan
Crabb

       Those of us who have access to a variety of magazines on
flexible disc tend to sit up and take notice when we hear of a
new taped magazine.  In the case of "Magazines on Tape," we can
sit up and take notice for a variety of reasons--good listening
being one of them.
       "Magazines On Tape" is a commercially-produced monthly
compilation of stories from such periodicals as "The New
Republic," "World Press Review," "Popular Science," and
"Mirabella."  Targeted toward commuters primarily, "Magazines On
Tape" is available on a 60-minute two-track cassette.
       Stories average 10 minutes in length, and each story is
introduced by Robert Seigel, host of "All Things Considered," a
production of National Public Radio.  In fact, "Magazines On
Tape" has an "All Things Considered" flavor.  Each story is
intertwined with short musical takes and Seigel's narration of
the teaser, designed to interest you in the next story.       
One of the things that impressed me most about the introductory
issue of "Magazines On Tape" was its diversity and balance.  A
story by a black woman about growing up in the 1960s as part of
the first "integrated generation" was juxtaposed with a
fascinating essay on why gun control as currently proposed won't
work.        The first issue contained a story about the luxuries
of wealth and fame, particularly as they apply to having others
do the nitty-gritty day-to-day mundane things to which the rest
of us are so accustomed.  It also included a story from "Popular
Science" about the so-called Ice Man, whose body was extremely
well preserved in a glacier in Europe.        In short,
"Magazines On Tape" is a fantastic blend of stories from
fascinating periodicals--most of which aren't currently being
recorded by the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped.  In fact, if you've ever listened to
"Choice Magazine Listening," you have a good idea of what
"Magazines On Tape" sounds like.  The information in "Magazines
On Tape" is lighter and devoid of some of the lugubrious, heavy-
handed, intellectual "the-world-is-going-to-pieces" writing that
occasionally afflicts the tracks of "Choice Magazine Listening."
       While he introduces the stories, Seigel doesn't narrate
any of them.  The narrators, one man and one woman, are unnamed,
but both are excellent.  If you're concerned about NLS-quality
narration, you won't have a problem with "Magazines On Tape." 
Since the magazine is on a standard-speed two-track cassette,
there's obviously no crosstalk, and the equalization is superb.
       Having said all those good things, there are a few things
about "Magazines On Tape" that aren't so good.  First, it would
be helpful if the issue date of the magazine from which a story
is taken were included.  Seigel tells you at the beginning of a
story the name of the publication where it originally appeared,
but no clue is given as to the date or month, not even on the
print table of contents that accompanies the tape.        It
seems to me that even commuters, housewives, or whoever else
"Magazines On Tape" is targeted toward, would like to have some
idea of the length of each story before they begin reading it. 
Unlike "Choice Magazine Listening," "Magazines On Tape" doesn't
give any estimated reading time.
       Then there's the price:  "Braille Forum" readers can
receive the publication for $47.88.  That's significantly less
than the $95.88 the rest of the world will pay.  If I had to
choose from the commercial products available, I'd pay the price
and enjoy "Magazines On Tape."  Those who pick the stories used
for "Magazines On Tape" have done a phenomenal job of finding a
balance between the fast-paced upbeat and the intellectually
stimulating.  If you're hungry for current information that both
informs and entertains, the $45.87 is money well spent.  That's
especially true if your lifestyle includes a fair amount of car
travel or if you don't have a four-track portable you can take on
the road with you.  The two-track format means "Magazines On
Tape" goes anywhere you do, and with a convenience that makes it
worth the price.
      For more information or to order, contact Magazines On
Tape, 903 S. Hohokam Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281.  Visa and MasterCard
are accepted.  You must mention that you became aware of the
product through "The Braille Forum" in order to receive the
$45.87 price.  Call (800) 682-7399.

                                    WHY SHOULD WE BE ADVOCATES?   
                                       by Ardis Bazyn

      Many blind people don't see the need to advocate.  While
it's true that we have many things today which weren't available
twenty years ago, this doesn't mean we have no reason for
advocacy.  We need to continue to be interested in what is
happening both in local and national government.  With the advent
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we have an opportunity to
strengthen our choices in the future.  By participating in
hearings, committee meetings and forums, we have a chance to make
a difference for many blind persons to come.
      The new administration and many state government officials
are looking for ways to cut budgets.  There is much talk about
total inclusion into society for disability, which means that
many of us are very concerned about the possibility of programs
being cut.  If we want to keep useful programs alive and promote
new ones that will give us even more opportunities in the future,
we must speak up.  We have gained too much ground to be
forestalled by the threat of cutting special services for
particular disabilities.       You may say that there are enough
blind people speaking out for our rights, but you are wrong.  Did
you realize that by keeping silent, we are actually being
advocates?  We're saying that we don't care, that these things
aren't really important.  By our silence, we are giving our okay
to cuts in funding, unenforced guidelines, and deteriorating
programs.        You may say that you don't know how you can make
a difference.  There are countless ways in which our input can
help.  We can write letters to our local officials, state
legislators, and national legislators.  We can call the local
offices of any government agency with which we have a concern. 
We can participate in public hearings, forums, and committee
meetings which alert newspapers about concerns in our community. 
If necessary, we can pass out petitions to be signed by friends
and neighbors about issues of importance.  Once you get into
action, you may find that you will want to get involved by
participating in state legislative receptions or the national
Affiliated Leadership League conference on legislative issues. 
The main idea is to get interested in blindness issues, if not
for yourself, then for the younger blind people who will need
your help.
      So you see, there are many ways in which you can make a
difference for all of us.  I would encourage you to join a local
organization or committee involved in disability rights and see
how you can help us all to become the best citizens we can be.    
  (Ardis Bazyn, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a member of the ACB
Board of directors.)

                                          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.
BOOK CLUB EXPANDS
       National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA
02115, announces the availability of "New York, New York!," one
of many books written by Ann M. Martin, author of the Baby-
sitters Club series.  The books are targeted at girls aged 8 to
13, and they feature the adventures of a group of girls who
operate a baby-sitting consortium.        NBP offers three other
titles for children aged 8 to 13, including "Hanna," the story of
a 9-year-old child which deals with blindness issues from a young
person's perspective.  For additional information about
availability of books in the intermediate category and prices,
contact National Braille Press at the above address. AWARD
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
      The United States Association for Blind Athletes is
currently accepting nominations for the Charles Buell Volunteer
of the Year Award.  The award is named for Dr. Charles Buell, a
founding member of USABA.  For applications, contact USABA at
(719) 630-0422. NEW SUPPORT GROUP
      People who suffer from von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome are
invited to join the VHL Family Alliance, an international network
of family support groups.  VHL is a complex condition which can
damage the retina.  Families affected by VHL can share their
knowledge and experiences with each other and with the medical
community.  The group offers a newsletter, pen pals and phone
support.  The goal of the group is to improve diagnosis,
treatment and quality of life for VHL families.  Inquiries can be
made in braille.  Write to the VHL Family Alliance, 171 Clinton
Rd., Brookline, MA 02146.  Call (617) 232-5946 or (800) 767-4845
for the nearest contact person. BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION
      Abilities First offers large type and braille transcription
to businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals. 
Materials transcribed include bus schedules, menus, work-related
forms, product instructions, building directories and the like. 
For more information on transcription and other services, please
contact Abilities First at P.O. Box 927, Greenfield, MA 01302, or
call (413) 774-6756.
TALKING THERMOMETER
      Blazie Engineering is now offering Temp Talk, a palm-sized
talking thermometer which accurately measures body temperature
from 89.6 to 107.6 Fahrenheit.  Readings are spoken clearly and
shown on an LCD display.  The thermometer comes with large print
and taped instructions and a carrying case, and is available in
English, French, German, Italian or Spanish-speaking versions. 
For more information, contact Blazie Engineering, 105 East
Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050.  (410) 893-9333.
LETTERS NEEDED
      The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired is looking
for letters from people who grew up with Hall Braille Writers and
wish to share their recollections with the school's current
students.  The letters are being sought as part of the school's
celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Hall Braille Writer. 
The school will print two or three of the letters in its weekly
calendar.  Send letters to the Illinois School for the Visually
Impaired, 658 East State Street, Jacksonville, IL 62650.  
NEW REGISTRY FORMED
      Prevent Blindness in Premature Babies is seeking people
with the eye disease Retinopathy of Prematurity, previously known
as Retrolental Fibroplasia.  ROP is the leading cause of
blindness among children in the United States.  People who have
ROP (or whose children have ROP) should contact Prevent Blindness
in Premature Babies, P.O. Box 44792, Madison, WI 53744-4792.
NEW MAGAZINE ON CASSETTE
      "Lifelines," a monthly publication of Victory Christian
Center, is now available on cassette tape and is free to blind
and visually impaired persons.  For more information, write to
Victory Christian Center, Rt. 4, Box 560, Carthage, MO 64836. 
Tel. (417) 358-6032.
BRAILLE PRINTING SERVICE
      The South Dakota Industries for the Blind Braille Printing
Service provides transcription of phone bills, bank statements,
employment procedures, and more.  For more information, contact
the SDIB Braille Printing Service at (605) 339-6581 or (800)
658-5441, or write to 800 West Avenue North, Sioux Falls, SD
57104. NEW TOY GUIDE
      The American Foundation for the Blind and the Toy
Manufacturers of America recently announced an agreement to
produce a toy-buying guide for the parents of blind and visually-
impaired children.  The U.S. program is being modeled on similar
successful efforts by toymakers and organizations for the blind
in Great Britain and Japan.       "We are delighted to be working
with TMA on this important project," AFB President Carl R.
Augusto said.  "AFB's mission is to ensure quality of access and
opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired.  By
working with TMA, we will create a direct communication to
parents, grandparents and teachers and be able to ensure that
children who are visually impaired have access to fun, safe and
educational toys."         The AFB has prepared criteria for
suitable toys, has formed a committee of experts to review
product submissions and will make the final selections for the
toy-buying guide.  The guide, which has an expected publication
date of October 1, 1993, will, in addition to offering general
information on toy selection, have practical advice on playtime
safety as well as illustrations and large-print descriptions of
approximately 50 of the best toys available.  
CANADIAN CONFERENCE
       "Here's Lookin' At You, Kid" is the theme for the eighth
annual conference of the Council for Blind and Visually Impaired
Children.  The conference will be held in Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada from September 30 to October 3, 1993.  To obtain
conference registration material, contact Linda Stanton or Eugene
Lechelt, c/o CNIB, 12010 Jasper St., Edmonton, AB 75K OP3 Canada.
AFB GETS ELDERCARE GRANT
       The American Foundation for the Blind has received a grant
from the United States Administration on Aging to conduct a
project entitled Improving Access to Services for Older Visually
Impaired Persons Through Elder-care coalitions," according to the
Spring 1993 issue of "AFB Midwest Regional News."  Through this
project, AFB, in conjunction with five other agencies, will
establish local model coalitions on aging and vision loss.  Each
coalition will be responsible for carrying out a
professional/consumer education activity and for producing one or
more products such as brochures on aging and vision loss for
general or targeted audiences.  These products, along with
materials created by AFB staff, will become an eldercare packet,
the end product of the project.  For more information, contact
Alberta Orr, AFB National Consultant, (212) 620-2034. JEWISH
PUBLICATIONS
       The Jewish Heritage for the Blind announces the
availability of the following publications:  "The Braille
Passover Haggadah," "The O. U. Passover Directory," (abridged)
available in large print and braille, and "Updated Directory of
Organizations Providing Cassette Tapes of Torah, Jewish Culture
and Music," available in large print.  The publications are
available at no cost.  Write to Jewish Heritage for the Blind,
1655 E. 24th St., Brooklyn, NY 11229.  (718) 338-4999.
HIGH-TECH LOW-VISION AID
       Johns Hopkins Medical School and NASA have jointly
developed a new high-tech device to improve diminished vision,
according to "AARP News," March 1993.  The Low Vision Enhancement
System is comprised of a lightweight headset goggle.  It allows
individuals with limited sight to adjust the contrast and
magnification of what they see as one would on a large screen
television.  
RP RESEARCH
      New research by scientists studying retinitis pigmentosa
has shown that some naturally occurring chemical substances known
as neurotrophic factors, can prevent the deterioration of
photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells of the retina.  The
ultimate value of this work for treatment of retinal degeneration
still needs to be defined.  One of the next steps, according to
"RP News," March 1993, is research to study the ability of these
substances to rescue photoreceptors in animal models that are
directly relevant to human retinal disease.  However, this new
finding presents a strong basis for continuing studies of the
potential use of neurotrophic factors in producing treatment for
inherited retinal degeneration disorders.  CROSS-COUNTRY BIKE
TRIP
      Eyecycle is a non-profit organization committed to
providing visually impaired people with opportunities to enjoy
tandem bicycle riding with a sighted guide.  The organization is
planning a cross-country trip beginning in the spring of next
year, according to "The Blind Californian."  The trip will follow
a southern route beginning in Santa Monica, Calif., and end in
Washington, D.C. at a White House reception.  In an effort to
expand its membership nationally, Eyecycle invites visually-
impaired people who might be interested to ride across America
and celebrate Physical Fitness Month on the way to Washington. 
Eyecycle is currently accepting applications.  It is also
sponsoring the entire event by providing the necessary equipment
and manpower to ensure the safety and comfort of all
participants.  For additional information, contact Claudia
Folska, President, 1714 Armacost Ave., Suite 2, Los Angeles, CA
90025.   CASSETTE NEWSLETTER
      "Pipeline" is an informative newsletter on relationships. 
It is being offered on cassette for those who are perplexed and
amazed by the vagaries of human relationships or for those who
have had experiences or who have solved relationship problems in
ways that might help others.  For a free introductory cassette,
send your name, address and phone number (if you wish) in braille
or on cassette to Janiece Betker, Pipeline, 1886 29th Ave. NW,
New Brighton, MN 55112.  
BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION LIST
      As a public service, National Braille Press has compiled a
list of braille transcription services across the United States. 
For a free braille copy, contact National Braille Press, 88 St.
Stephen St., Boston, MA 02115.
DESCRIPTIVE VIDEO NUMBER
      For complete information about Descriptive Video Service
broadcasts and videos, call (800) 333-1203.  DVS Videos can be
ordered using that number, also.  When you call, you will reach a
voice-mail system which will quickly and easily inform you about
what DVS sounds like, whether it is available on public
television in your community, what equipment you need to receive
it, and which public broadcasting series and specials include
DVS.  Also, you can get a listing and description of the most
recent DVS video titles and prices. 

NEW CANES
      AmbuTech's new mobility cane folds and unfolds with
exceptional ease and provides excellent tactile transmission,
according to "Lifeprints," Winter 1993.  All AmbuTech canes are
repaired promptly at a nominal cost.  For a product list and
descriptions, contact AmbuTech, 370 Gollspie St., Winnipeg,
Manitoba, R2K 2V3, Canada. BRAILLE BUSINESS CARDS
      A metal hand-held embosser that is custom made from your
business card allows you to create your own braille business
cards.  For details, contact the American Printing House for the
Blind at (800) 223-1839, or (502) 895-1809 fax.  The embosser
costs $70. CHURCH ACCESSIBILITY
      "That All May Worship" is an interfaith handbook which
assists congregations in welcoming persons with disabilities. 
This 56-page handbook details a religious and disability program
urging churches to remove obstacles to worship that alienate
persons with disabilities.  Single copies are $10.  Request print
or tape and order from National Organization on Disability, 910
16th St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20006.   PLAY THE PIANO
      A new recorded self-instructional piano course is available
from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped.  "Put Your Hands on the Piano and Play," by Daniel
Abrams, requires no previous knowledge of the piano or of music
and is complete on six cassettes.  The order number is CBM-109. 
Abrams and Homespun Tapes of Woodstock, NY, have produced this
special edition of their commercially-narrated course in
cooperation with NLS.
CHRISTIAN TAPES ON LOAN
      The Martha Arney Library for the Blind, 3911 Hayes St.,
Minneapolis, MN 55421, lends Christian-oriented literature, both
fiction and nonfiction, on cassettes.  According to "Focus," the
newsletter of the ACB of Indiana, the retired couple who operate
the small non-profit lending service, screens the literature
carefully, with volunteers reading each selection.  The library's
catalog is available on request.  It includes approximately 1,000
titles.  
SUMMER CAMP
      The Oral Hull Foundation is sponsoring its annual summer
camp for visually impaired people 18 or older in Sandy, Ore.  The
camp offers a full spectrum of activities in rural surroundings
with modern accommodations.  One week costs $150 for Oregonians
and $165 for non-residents.  The final weekly session runs from
August 17 to 21.  Contact the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind,
P.O. Box 157, Sandy, OR 97755. BRAILLE SAFETY CARDS
      Air Canada offers pre-flight safety briefing cards in
braille and large print for visually impaired passengers.  Ask
for them when making reservations at (800) 776-3000.

                            FULL INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WHO ARE
BLIND OR                                 VISUALLY IMPAIRED: A
POSITION PAPER

      (Editor's Note:  The following represents the position on
total inclusion taken by  the Joint Organizational Effort, of
which ACB is a member organization.  For additional thoughts on
total inclusion, see "Leadership League Delegates Meet with
Congress, Hold Assembly," May 1993.)
      "Full inclusion," a philosophical concept currently
advanced by a number of educators, is not a federal requirement
of special education law.  Proponents of "full inclusion"
nevertheless take the position that all students with
disabilities must receive their total instruction in the regular
public school classroom regardless of individual needs. 
Unfortunately, "full inclusion" would eliminate all special
placements, including "pull out" services, resource rooms and
specialized schools.  Such an arrangement would be seriously
detrimental to the educational development of many students with
disabilities.         We, the national organizations of and for
the blind listed below, are firmly committed to appropriate
educational opportunities designed to provide students with the
competencies necessary to ensure full participation in society. 
It is significant to recognize that our field was the first to
develop a broad range of special education options beginning with
specialized schools as early as 1829, and extending to public
school programs since 1900.  These options have provided
critically important educational preparation for several
generations of highly successful and independent blind people. 
Based on this long and impressive record of success in making
optimal use of both special and public school programs to meet
the diverse needs of blind students, we strongly agree upon the
following:
     If provided with timely and adequate specialized services by
appropriately certified teachers, students who are blind or
visually impaired can develop skills that will enable them to
achieve success and independence as responsible citizens in a
fully integrated society.  If these students do not receive
appropriate instruction designed to develop competencies that
meet the sensory deficits of blindness and low vision, critical
learning opportunities will be lost, thus diminishing the
potential for future accomplishments.  In this context, ample
opportunities for instruction in such areas as braille, abacus
use, orientation and mobility, and use of prescribed optical
devices must be made available to students as needed.      
Educational decisions must be made on a case by case basis
consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
which guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education in the
"Least Restrictive Environment" from among a "Full Continuum of
Alternative Placements," based on the Individual Education Plan
for each student.  Educational decisions should not be made
simply on the basis of philosophy, limited school budgets,
administrative convenience, or concerns about socialization.      
Full inclusion in regular education classrooms for all students
with disabilities irrespective of individual needs is in sharp
conflict with procedural guarantees of IDEA.
     Least Restrictive Environment and Full Continuum of
Alternative Placements are critically important IDEA provisions. 
LRE is not one sole physical location.  It is, rather, a
principle, which if properly applied matches the need of the
student with an appropriate school setting which provides
meaningful challenges, realistic expectations, and maximum
opportunities for achievement and development of healthy self-
esteem.
     The regular education classroom may be considered the LRE if
the student possesses sufficient readiness and survival skills
and can be provided adequate supports, specialized services (from
personnel trained in education of the visually impaired), and
opportunities to develop skill commensurate with his or her
potential.  Extreme caution must be exercised so that full
inclusion does not result in "full submersion," social isolation,
lowered self-esteem, poor performance, or a setting in which
services are unavailable.
     In cases where the needs of the student cannot be met in the
regular classrooms, an alternative education placement must be
provided and be recognized as the LRE for that particular
student.  Such alternative placements should not be negatively
viewed as discriminatory or as "segregated" settings when
legitimately warranted to develop the needed skills for future
integration in school and society.
     Since it has been clearly demonstrated that blind children
benefit from interacting with disabled and non-disabled children,
both interaction opportunities should be fully encouraged in
whatever setting that is considered appropriate.  We believe that
the mandate in IDEA which states that, "To the maximum extent
appropriate, children with disabilities (should be) educated with
children who are non-disabled," does not intend that blind
children avoid interaction with each other.       We strongly
urge that decision makers carefully consider and be sensitive to
the impact of reform initiatives on the education of students
with visual disabilities.  Caution must be exercised to insure
that educational philosophy and trends such as full inclusion do
not seriously endanger appropriate and specialized services for
students who are blind or visually impaired.  If properly
implemented, IDEA can provide legal safeguards to insure that all
individual children can realize their full potential for
independence and success.
        (Signed by representatives of the American Council of the
Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the Association for
Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
the Blinded Veterans Association, the Canadian Council of the
Blind, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the
National Federation of the Blind, and the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.)

                                        HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP

       FOR SALE:  Old-time radio programs, available on four-
track NLS-formatted cassettes.  For free cassette catalogues,
write to the Duane Griffin Radio Library, 2265 Wahlquist  Dr.,
Idaho Falls, ID 83401.  (208) 522-9008.
      FOR SALE:  4-year-old Toshiba laptop.  40 mg hard disk
drive.  Excellent condition.  $1200.  Contact Jack Lewis, (317)
642-3267.
      WANTED TO BUY:  Original Sharp Talking Clock number 1. 
Must be in good condition.  Lee Razak, 2717 Augusta Lane, Apt. B,
Hays, KS 67601.  (913) 628-3655.  Call any time.
       FOR SALE:  Braille 'N Speak Model 640, August 1992
revision date, all cables, complete interface kit, charger, case,
and manuals included.  $1,100 negotiable.  Also, disk drive for
the Model 640, $300.  Excellent condition; will ship free within
continental U.S.  Contact Richard Petty, 119 Fairview Rd., Little
Rock, AR 72205.  (501) 663-2615 evenings.  CompuServe 76630,1712.

                                           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