THE Braille Forum Vol. XXXII October 1993 No. 4 Published By The American Council of the Blind PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY LeRoy F. Saunders, President Oral O. Miller, J.D., National Representative Nolan Crabb, Editor Sharon Lovering, 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 President's Message, by LeRoy F. Saunders News Briefs From The ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller San Francisco 1993, Chicago 1994!, by John A. Horst Ensuring High Quality Education For Children Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired, by Paul W. Schroeder Russian Memories, by Kathy Nimmer Frank Hall And His Brailler Celebrate 100 Years Of Use, by Sharon Lovering Book Review: How Do I Do This When I Can't See What I'm Doing?, by Sharon Lovering It's Good Enough For Sighted People, by Stan Greenberg Video Description Brings Enjoyment To All, by Sharon Lovering A Look At The ACB Life Plan ACB Constitution And Bylaws: Foundation For The Past -- Challenge For The Future, by Charles S. P. Hodge Here And There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon Another Look At Unified Braille, by Chris Gray Summary of 1993 Resolutions High Tech Swap Shop ACB Board Of Directors And Board Of Publications PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE by LeRoy F. Saunders By now you have read the September issue of "The Braille Forum," so you know how ACB reacted to the death of Pamela Schneider in New York while attempting to ride the subway. Over the last few years there have been at least three blind people killed in subway accidents. In my President's Message to the convention I asked, "How many blind people must die before something is done about this problem?" We have been trying to get detectable warnings placed on platform edges to end these tragic deaths. We keep hearing that they are too costly, that installation is time consuming, that they are unnecessary, and the list of reasons not to install the warnings is nearly endless. Detectable warnings on the platform edge would be useful to virtually everyone who must wait for a train. I use the subway system when I am in Washington, D.C., and I can tell you the people during rush hours are doing such things as reading magazines, books, and listening to tapes that interfere with their alertness. ACB through resolution and board decision is committed to using all its available resources to get the federal government to mandate that the transportation providers who operate subway systems throughout this country install detectable warnings as soon as possible on platform edges. I don't know how you measure the value of a life but in my opinion a life is worth far more than the cost, time, and effort needed to ensure safety. It is my hope that all organizations of and for the blind will join us in this effort. By working together maybe we can increase the speed with which the federal government moves to make this happen before another blind person dies. ACB has grown from a very small organization to one of the largest disability-related consumer organizations in this country and maybe in the world. It can be proud of what it has accomplished and the benefits it has brought to blind people. ACB's founders provided us with our constitution and bylaws. It has served us well. However, today's environment is much different than when ACB was founded, and it continues to change more rapidly than ever before in our history. Therefore, I believe the time has come for ACB to take a good look at itself and evaluate what it wants to accomplish over the next five to ten years, define what resources it will take, how to acquire the resources, and a timetable for implementing a plan on a timely basis. To start this process I am appointing a long- range planning committee that will begin meeting in the near future. As soon as I have the committee appointed I will let you know who the members are. I was very pleased with the great success of our convention in San Francisco. It was our largest convention and as you know, many people were involved in making it our best yet. I will not begin to list all the people I need to thank for their endless hours of work since I am sure to leave out someone. My thanks to all for a job well done. CAPTION ACB President LeRoy Saunders stands at the podium in San Francisco addressing the convention. He holds note cards containing the text of his remarks. NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL OFFICE by Oral O. Miller, National Representative Although Congress is generally out of town each year during August, the pace of advocacy, information and referral, program consultation, legal consultation, and other activities during that period seldom slackens. For example, early in the month, both Paul Schroeder and I took part in the meeting that refined the scope and purpose and planned the program for the national summit conference on accreditation, scheduled to take place in Florida in November. As explained at other times by President LeRoy Saunders, the conference will be the most extensive and wide-ranging forum ever conducted regarding accreditation in the field of blindness; it will not necessarily focus on accreditation as understood or administered by any particular organization. Among the international visitors in the ACB National Office recently were Evgenia Shepovalova, a professional librarian from St. Petersburg, Russia, who was serving an educational internship in the United States under the sponsorship of an educational foundation. Our discussions with her regarding, among other things, the establishment of a recording service staffed partly by volunteers, pointed out very realistic barriers which exist in this country, but are not major obstacles -- such practices as mass theft of cassettes and equipment from the mails. I encourage you to read "A Look at the ACB Life Plan" in this issue of "The Braille Forum." Recently, we reviewed its salient positions with the new plan administrator who is interested in letting more members and prospective members know about its features. The plan is, indeed, an excellent benefit of ACB membership. Recently, the ACB National Office mailed to all affiliate presidents a packet containing, among other things, newspaper articles regarding the deaths of blind people on the Boston and New York subway systems earlier this summer, an article regarding ACB's efforts to get the Department of Transportation to enforce existing regulations mandating detectable warnings on subway platforms, correspondence to high-ranking government officials regarding the regulations, and an article regarding related access and safety issues. Although a comment period regarding some of the proposed regulations mentioned in one of the articles is now past, the issue of detectable warnings and the ignoring of ADA regulations by transit systems is still a vitally important one. Anyone interested in obtaining a cassette recording of the materials distributed at that time may do so by contacting Jessica Beach or Laura Thomasch in the national office. Since some of the opponents of detectable warnings insist that they are mobility hazards to some people and are also difficult to maintain in various weather conditions, ACB is now obtaining evidence from the places where such materials have successfully been used for a substantial period of time. CAPTION Oral O. Miller, ACB's national representative, discusses the urgent need for detectable warnings on transit platforms with Stewart Taylor, director of the regional office of the Department of Transportation in San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO 1993, CHICAGO 1994! by John A. Horst, Convention Coordinator It's time to begin thinking about and planning for the 1994 convention to be held at Chicago's Palmer House Hilton Hotel. But first, a quick look back to San Francisco. Our convention would not be possible without the diligent work and sustained efforts of a number of dedicated people. Again, in 1993, we were privileged to work with a very dependable host committee who was of great help in making ACB's 32nd convention a great success. Robert Acosta, who chaired the host committee, provided his usual great leadership. Socorro Queen did yeoman's work on tours and Winifred Downing with volunteers. Additional faithful helpers were Chris Gray and Jeff Thom who assisted in the press room, Sheryl Queen with exhibits, Winifred Downing, Connie Skeen, Cathy Skivers, and Rose Resnick with securing ads for the convention program; Dorothy Vallerga and Cathy Skivers were tremendously helpful at the information desk. John Lopez, Coletta Davis, and Winifred Downing secured clergy and arranged for entertainment. Harry Parker was extremely helpful in a variety of ways, including running errands. We also want to recognize and express our appreciation to our very reliable convention committee members -- many of whom have served enthusiastically year after year. First, I want to thank Patricia Beattie, assistant convention coordinator, who worked with special interest affiliates, gathered program and logistical information, and monitored convention activities. Billie Jean Hill, assisted by Bud Keith, James Fleming and others, has done an outstanding job in the press room. Margarine Beaman, assisted by Leroy Johnson and many others, headed up our volunteer efforts. Laurinda Steele and others were vitally helpful at the information desk. Elaine Sanislo, assisted by Barbara Sherr, handled our exhibits. Jean Mann, assisted by Barbara Hayes and Jennifer Sutton, handled activities in the convention office. Cynthia Towers worked with the tours, and William Orester dealt with guide dog concerns. In addition, we want to recognize the great work of Martha Olsen and the entire Olsen family in handling all the work of pre-registration, the registration office, and all the financial concerns of the convention. Convention attendees should be most grateful that the Olsen family responded to this challenge in light of the illness of our Assistant Treasurer Jim Olsen. No one else could have performed these important duties so necessary for a smoothly run convention. There are many others who assisted including ACB national office personnel, but space is limited. It is because of these concerned people that ACB has great conventions year after year. CHICAGO Time now to look forward to 1994. Chicago! The name is magic. This third- largest metropolis in the United States welcomes you to experience its excitement, culture, and affordability. After the infamous cow kicked over the lantern to start the great fire of 1871 that burned at a rate of 65 acres per hour, the nation's top architects swarmed to Chicago to rebuild the city. The result is what many view as the prototype of a modern city. It was in Chicago that the term "skyscraper" was coined. In the summertime, this not-so-windy city can be viewed by land or by sea. There is so much to see that no less than 50 tours operate regularly. The city can be observed by car, bus, bike, or by shoe leather express. But the best way for the first-time visitor is by boat on the Chicago River. River tours date back to the early days of this century. During a river cruise in 1921, passengers noted a fire raging on the side of the river. They all ran to that side of the boat to watch, thereby tipping the boat and sinking it. Visitors of many ages find hundreds of things to see and do in Chicago. More than 35 museums and many art galleries are there, along with professional, collegiate, and amateur sports teams. Specialty shops and department stores abound, and there is an endless supply of restaurants that appeal to every taste. The dates for the 1994 convention are Saturday, July 2, to Saturday, July 9. The hotel is the Palmer House, Hilton located in downtown Chicago, where all the activities of the convention including exhibits will occur. Room rates are $47 per night for single and double and $57 per night for triple and quad. The telephone number is (312) 726-7500. Make plans now to attend a great convention in 1994. ENSURING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED by Paul W. Schroeder Director of Governmental Affairs Education reform has been a particularly hot topic over the past decade, and the endless debate over the nature of that reform continues. Education of children with disabilities is rarely mentioned, but the issue cannot escape attention much longer since Congress will soon be reauthorizing the most significant law in the education of children with disabilities. It is time to begin learning and thinking seriously about the education of children who are blind or visually impaired. Since the mid-1960s, Congress has become increasingly concerned about the education of children with disabilities. Several different laws have been crafted which affect the education of these children including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Education of the Deaf Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Chapter I Handicapped Program. This last law is commonly known as Public Law 89-313, and ACB has often expressed support for it as the primary source of funding for residential schools for the blind. Congress has nearly completed reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and will very soon begin work on reauthorizing IDEA. In order to derive the full benefit of education, children who are blind or visually impaired generally require the provision of specialized services and appropriate supports. These services and supports can be provided in a residential school, regular classroom, resource room, separate facility, or a combination of these alternatives throughout the child's education. However, some advocates for children with disabilities are committed to the integration of these children into the "mainstream" -- the local public school -- often without regard to the specialized services that such children require. There are likely to be disputes over the proper focus of education reform efforts and their impact on disabled children including blind or visually impaired children. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (formerly known as the Education for all Handicapped Children Act, or P.L. 94-142) is the primary source of federal requirements and funding to ensure the education of children with disabilities by state and local school systems. The centerpiece of the law requires states to ensure that all disabled children are provided a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as defined in an individualized education program IDEA is composed of eight parts, Parts A through H. Part A outlines Congressional findings and sets forth the primary purposes of the act. The law emphasizes the importance of special education and related services designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. The responsibility for implementing the law is placed with the Department of Education in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs. Part B of IDEA contains the most important requirements of the law, including the authorization of formula grants to the states to cover part of the cost of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. As noted earlier, the purpose of this formula grant program is to assist states in furnishing a "free, appropriate public education" to all eligible children in conformity with an "individualized education program." As specified in the act, a "free, appropriate public education" includes, among other things, special education which meets the unique needs of a disabled child, and related services, such as transportation, speech pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy and recreation. The IEP specifies the mix of special services and supports which will be provided to a child with a disability as part of his or her education. The IEP must include: (a) a statement of the child's current educational performance levels; (b) annual goals and short-term instructional objectives; (c) a description of the specific special education and related services to be provided and the extent to which the child will be able to participate in regular education programs; (d) the projected initiation date as well as the anticipated duration of services, and (e) appropriate objective criteria and evaluation procedures and schedules for determining, on at least an annual basis, whether the short-term instructional objectives are being achieved. The law also requires that each child's individualized education program be reviewed at least annually. The least restrictive environment provisions of IDEA have proven to be controversial, particularly in the education of blind children. LRE has generally been interpreted to mean ensuring that children with disabilities are educated in settings with non-disabled children. Schools are supposed to ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, disabled children, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are non-disabled. The law also favors the placement of children with disabilities as close to home as possible. However, education agencies are also supposed to ensure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the needs of children with disabilities for special education and related services. The continuum must include instruction in regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions. Resource rooms or itinerant instruction may also be part of this continuum. This tension between appropriate education and integration will undoubtedly create controversy when IDEA is reauthorized. IDEA also contains administrative requirements governing the resolution of disputes between school systems and parents concerning the most appropriate education program for their child. State or local education agencies are required to provide an opportunity for impartial due process hearings when a parent or guardian disagrees about the child's identification, evaluation, educational placement, or program of services. It explicitly authorizes courts to allow parents to recover attorneys' fees when they prevail in court cases filed under IDEA or other anti-discrimination statutes (such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). For federal fiscal year 1993, $2.053 billion were appropriated to be spent on formula grants to state and local education agencies under Part B of IDEA. The House has agreed to spend $2.108 billion next year. The Senate has not yet made its decision. RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND Chapter 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the primary source of federal aid to elementary and secondary schools across the country. Originally enacted in 1965, Chapter 1 also includes the Chapter 1 Handicapped Program (sometimes known as P.L. 89-313). It was developed to provide educational opportunities to children with severe disabilities who were enrolled in state-operated or state-supported institutions. This program was enacted 10 years prior to IDEA and is intended to provide direct services to children whose severe disabilities require longer term, more intensive or more expensive services. Residential schools serving children who are blind or visually impaired are recipients of funds under this program. The federal funds are supposed to be used to pay for services that supplement a child's basic special education program. For example, based on a survey conducted in 1991 by Stuart Wittenstein of St. Joseph's School for the Blind in New Jersey, of the 37 schools which responded, 34 received funding under this program, amounting to a total of $2,447,514 in fiscal year 1989-90. These monies provided services to 3,674 blind and visually impaired students to pay for such services as braille and large print reading and writing programs, increasing individualization in remedial and multi-handicapped programming, purchases of instruction with adapted technology, and for direct-service, community-based integration programs. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the respondents use all or part of their Chapter 1 (P.L. 89-313) money to sponsor community-based programming. For federal fiscal year 1993, spending for this program was $126 million. The House recently passed its version of the appropriation bill which cut this appropriation further, recommending spending $114 million. This is consistent with previous actions by the House, which has been cutting spending for this program over the past few years. The Senate has not yet made its decision. THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT Legislative action is occurring on two fronts. Reauthorization of both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which will take place during 1994, provides an opportunity to re-examine the Chapter 1 Handicapped Program and the overall programs in IDEA. As stated earlier, some "advocates" for children with disabilities believe that all children should receive all of their education in the "regular" classroom in their local public school. This "full inclusion" approach could result in the elimination of all special placements, including "pull-out" services, resource rooms and specialized and residential schools. We must act to ensure that children who are blind or visually impaired receive the necessary education services and appropriate supports. We must fight to protect the specific services we need, the continuum of placement alternatives (including residential schools) and the appropriation of sufficient funding to ensure that education services and supports which are needed can be made available across the continuum of placements. Legislation affecting the education of children with disabilities is handled in the House of Representatives by the Committee on Education and Labor, especially the Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights. In the Senate, the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Subcommittee on Disability Policy, holds principal responsibility. As proposals begin to circulate regarding the education of children with disabilities, ACB will keep you informed about the impact of these proposals on children who are blind or visually impaired and the need for advocacy to ensure that these children receive an appropriate education. As always, "The Braille Forum" will be an important vehicle for this information. The Washington Connection (ACB's toll-free education service available at 1-800-424-8666) and ACB On-line (the ACB computer bulletin board service available at 202-331-1058) are also sources for additional information on this and other topics. RUSSIAN MEMORIES by Kathy Nimmer (Editor's Note: Kathy Nimmer read about Mobility International USA's travel exchange program to Russia in an edition of "The Braille Forum." While we're not generally big fans of travel stories here, we became instant big fans of Kathy Nimmer's writing style and thought you would enjoy excerpts from her notes. In a letter to us, she wrote: "The trip was an incredible adventure which has touched every part of my life, and I want to share it with others." This is Kathy's first submission to the "Forum." We hope it won't be the last.) June 23, 1993 New York -- What a huge airport JFK is, and what a diverse group we Americans seem to be. Time for a nine-hour flight to Moscow! June 25, 1993 Moscow, Russia -- To be here! To actually be riding through a city which is worlds away from Indiana, from America! It is an incredible feeling which will probably grow once we recover from jet lag! At the international terminals they wanted to put me in a wheelchair. People don't understand blindness and disability in general, but that's why we're here, to open eyes. June 26, 1993 Novgorod, Russia -- After our eight-hour ride north from Moscow, we were greeted in this historic city (founded in 859) by the mayor and other officials. Women in traditional garb sang and danced for us, welcoming us with such immense love that I nearly cried. But I am also learning about the very difficult living conditions which are ours for a month, theirs for a lifetime. The bathrooms are primitive, if they work at all. Our hotel has broken stairs, showers that don't work, no regular hot water and mosquitoes which seem unbearable. How can the kind of joyful openness we see in the people exist when these conditions are their everyday reality? I hope I can bear this because it seems impossibly difficult right now. June 28, 1993 Novgorod, Russia -- As strange as it sounds, a beautiful, intricately carved door has brought alive for me the rich history which is so much a part of this culture. I was allowed to touch a door on an old church in the Kremlin, and a flood of gospel stories came alive under my fingers. I found the figure of baby Jesus in Mary's arms as they fled after His birth. It seems the whole Bible is carved into this door. These many churches survived the 70 years of communism when religion was outlawed. I'm glad they survived, especially that one door which my fingers will never forget. June 29, 1993 Novgorod, Russia -- They said yes, but I wonder if it's true. When I asked the blind workers at the special factory we visited today if they liked their jobs, they said yes. But it seems the only other career option is not to work at all, for only 20 percent of the blind are employed, and almost all of those work in these special factories for $21 a month -- even the highly educated blind. I am glad they work, but if they could have a choice . . . Later, my heart pounded to walk into a Baskin-Robbins and eat a tiny scoop of chocolate fudge ice cream! And our collective hearts pounded to experience the cleansing heat of the Russian Bonya. This sauna-like bathing house lifted our spirits -- ah, to be clean! I was brought back from bonya bliss though when we passed four armed military guards descending from the upper floor of our hotel. We did not ask what their mission was. July 3, 1993 Novorgod, Russia -- Tonya and her family welcomed us with open arms as we came to our first and only home stay (not enough families with enough money to host an extra person for longer than a day). They met us at the apartment door -- three rooms for seven people. They gave us so many gifts and so much food, all purchased with money they had saved for a year. Daughter Marcia and I played a duet on the old family piano -- together. Here was the real Russian culture, squeezed into this tiny apartment. They gave what they did not have, and we cried to say goodbye after an acquaintance of only one day. Communism did not dim this love, and my heart was touched beyond belief. July 4, 1993 Novgorod, Russia -- No fireworks today, but they would not be seen anyway with the mere three hours of darkness here. July 6, 1993 Lake Valdai, Russia -- It is a baydarky, a two-person kayak-like boat made of poles and canvas, and it is my enemy! As we begin our five-day boating and camping trip, the temperature is unbelievably low and I am frozen, tired, and wondering if I can really do this! The tents leak a bit, my waterproof bag has a hole in it so my sleeping bag is wet, my blow-up cushion won't stay blown up, and I can't figure out how to use the crazy Russian paddles which are supposed to move the boat on the water, not splash the water into the boat onto us! Help! July 9, 1993 Lake Valdai, Russia -- I can't joke now, for I have never done anything this difficult before. I have never been so cold with nowhere to go to really warm up. But we are the first foreigners on this lake. Communist officials have their summer homes here, and we had to keep our distance from a KGB communication center. It has been over 20 miles of baydarkying, and I truly have learned that what I thought were my limitations are not so firm, for I have survived a test, physical and mental, which few non-disabled people would attempt. No, "we" survived it. I am proud, very proud. July 12, 1993 Lake Valdai and Moscow -- Camp scum now fully and gloriously washed away, we left for a quick stop at the Moscow McDonalds. It is huge! Forty thousand people come through each day, and we were thrilled to be part of that number! No more tomatoes and cucumbers, at least for one meal! Hello Big Mac! And hello Russian Aeroflot! It is off on a one-way ticket to Siberia! (I hope Anatoly can get a hold of the return tickets.) July 15, 1993 Ulan Ude, Siberia, Republic of Briatia -- There are no onion-domed Christian churches here, only Buddhist temples, as we are just a matter of miles from Mongolia. I am defrosting from camping, as southern Siberia is about 85 degrees. It never rains here, but it rained today! There are major earthquakes once a century (and this century has already had its turn), but we had a little shaker today. But, as the Russians so often say, "It is normal; good luck!" We had a traditional Briatian feast today, a slaughtered lamb whose various parts decorated the field where we tried very hard to eat the meat (and tried a little less hard to consume the intestines, heart and blood which were offered to us). Did I mock tomatoes and cucumbers before? At the factory for the blind, I learned that totally blind teachers are not allowed to teach in public schools. I also asked Zinanida about Christianity, and she replied, "Our generation, we don't know what we are." And as I passed a 30-foot-tall sculpture of Lenin's head, proudly preserved in the center square, I realize it is not only religion that the people are unsure of. July 18, 1993 Lake Baikal, Siberia -- This largest fresh water lake in the world is beautiful, and I hope the pollution from the paper mills stops. The international gathering of amputee and wheelchair athletes here has kicked off with sporting events, and I competed today in a 60-meter dash against nine deaf women. The race was so short that I did not want a guide runner, so Cara convinced the reluctant race officials to let me run without a guide. My American friends stood along the outer lane and yelled verbal directions when I strayed as I ran (which I did quite often, it seemed). I lost soundly and felt bad. But Cara said, "You broke a lot of stereotypes by running that race." I am not here to win. I am here with Mobility International to open eyes to new possibilities. In cultural and economic struggles, in how they accept and accommodate the disabled here, there is a goal, a finish line. They need help from people like us to give them ideas. That path to improvement won't be a straight line with no problems, but the goal is there, and it can be reached. Just 60 meters but so much more to me, to them. I would not trade this loss for the world. July 23, 1993 Moscow, Russia -- We are almost there, almost to the end of the journey. I am panting from the pace of these three days in Moscow. So much is ceremony here, such as the viewing of Lenin's preserved body. Are the ideals of Lenin preserved with him? Will that change if they bury him, which they are considering now? Our goodbye party brought a sense that yes, we did do something special here. I'll miss Anatoly, Olya, and all of our Russian guides. I am, however, longing for hot water, normal toilets, and pizza! But there is something that the Russian people have even without those things -- a welcoming, giving nature. Closed-minded, resentful attitudes still exist here in some settings, but that is not my Russian memory. July 24, 1993 Delta to USA -- My seat companion on the nine-hour flight is a Russian immigrant returning home to New York. He is quiet on the flight, so after catching up on the news of the past month -- the flooded Mississippi and the Wimbledon champions --memories of the street vendors in Moscow and the bumpy Russian roads fill my mind. I recall an ambulance we saw loaded with loaves of bread; fitting, I think, as the real emergency there is daily survival. New York ahead, and my seat companion turns to me and says, "Welcome home." Yes, home, America. But also home, the world beyond its borders -- including Russia -- and tears fill my eyes. FRANK HALL AND HIS BRAILLER CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF USE by Sharon Lovering (Editor's note: Special thanks to NLS Director Frank Kurt Cylke for his assistance in providing the information used in this story.) When you sit down to use your brailler, you probably don't think too much about how long it's been in use, or who invented it. You probably think about the task to be done instead, and maybe how much easier it is in some cases to use the brailler than the slate and stylus. The machine has changed quite a bit since Frank Haven Hall's stereotyper in 1893. It still resembles a typewriter, and has the same six keys. But today there are more brands than in Hall's day -- and the machines cost more, too. Hall developed the braille writer in 1892 so that blind people could write things on paper for others to read, according to Walter B. Hendrickson in "Frank H. Hall and His Braille Writer." While working at the Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School, Hendrickson states that Hall came to believe "that the blind should be trained to work in the world of sighted people," meaning that academics should be brought up to the same level as at schools for sighted students, and more opportunities should be given for students to learn trades and other work-related skills. Hall found other problems as well. Some students could not read Boston Line type, and New York Point was not as easy to work with as braille. While he was thinking over the problem of notation, he talked with students and teachers, and concluded that the form of the machine and the style of letters were interrelated. After realizing this, he looked for technical assistance from Gus Sieber, a skilled general metal worker. Hall showed Sieber a slate and stylus, and told him he wanted a machine to perform the same task. Sieber created the machine, building it of scrap iron and attaching it to a rough board for a base, according to Hendrickson. Hall was interested in immediate production, but Sieber said no, and told him to take the model to Chicago to get the right parts. There he found the Munson Typewriter Company, which produced the braille writer as a low cost -- 94 were made for $940. When Hall realized that a machine could produce a stereotype plate from which copies could be made, he began to experiment with his brailler, then with a heavier machine, and finished the stereotyper in 1893. The first thing he typed on his machine was the first verse of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." The same mechanical principles used in the original machine were used in the models that followed. Apparently, they are still used today. So when you sit down to use your brailler, think of Frank Haven Hall -- and wish his invention a happy 100th anniversary. Source: Hendrickson, Walter B. Frank H. Hall and His Braille Writer. BOOK REVIEW: "HOW DO I DO THIS WHEN I CAN'T SEE WHAT I'M DOING?" by Sharon Lovering Author Gerald Jahoda, blinded by retinitis pigmentosa, has come up with a good resource book for newly blinded and visually impaired people in "How Do I Do This When I Can't See What I'm Doing? Information Processing for the Visually Disabled." From everyday living skills to computers as assistive devices, from leisure activities to jobs, Jahoda's book covers them with the humorous but sometimes serious tone of personal experience. "Before we can adjust to our loss of sight," he writes, "we have to accept it as a fact of life. When we can look at our situation objectively, we realize that we can still do most of the things we have done before, although we will have to do some things differently." One of the things Jahoda changed was his home. "A house or apartment becomes a home when we feel comfortable living in it," he states. Three things can make that house comfortable: the way it's lit, the colors of the rooms and furnishings, and the arrangement of furniture. Lighting needs to be tailored to the individual, he says, adding that trial and error is a good way to find the best lighting for yourself. Fluorescent lights cast no shadows and produce less glare than incandescent bulbs. Jahoda also says that light colors are good for walls, ceilings and carpets; darker colors are good for furniture, switchplates and electrical outlets. And, he adds, "Furniture should be kept in one place to avoid painful surprises." To avoid the surprise of wearing clothes that didn't match, he had to mark his clothing by using several different methods -- abbreviations for the colors, numbers, or geometric shapes. And to figure out where the food was on the dinner plate, he used a "mental map" of a clock face. Jahoda also discusses the pros and cons of using different types of guides: canes, sighted guides and guide dogs. "The sighted guide or sighted companion technique is the simplest of the three techniques to learn because it is the most intuitive, the most natural," he states. He talks about his feelings when confronted with the idea of using a white cane. "As newly blinded persons our perception of a white cane may be the same as a sighted person's and this may explain in part our reluctance to use this tool. . . . For a long time I would not even consider it, despite many incidents caused by lack of vision." He cracked his shins on fire hydrants, hit his head on stop signs and broke his nose on a telephone pole. "It was only when I narrowly escaped being run over by a car that I decided to carry a white cane," he says. He eventually learned to use the cane correctly and use his other senses to clue him in to where he was going. The remaining chapters dealt with computer basics -- the importance of reading the manual before using the computer, necessary items when using them, the different types of input and output, word processing programs, database management programs, remote database searching, and where to find them -- personal information management systems and information gathering; jobs; leisure activities, and the blindness system. Jahoda broke leisure activities into three categories: mental activities, physical activities and volunteering. Mental activities included reading books, magazines, shortwave radio listening, writing, taking classes, going to museums, playing card and board games, and playing computer games. Physical activities included sports such as tandem bike riding. Jahoda thought he would have to give up bike riding when he lost his sight, until the day his wife came to pick him up at work riding a tandem bicycle. ". . . I was a bit reluctant to get on the back seat, partly because of the bike's appearance and partly because I had not biked for a number of years," he says. "I overcame my reluctance and, with a good deal of huffing and puffing, rode the mile or so from the office to home. Soon we used the bike not only for commuting to work but for rides around the neighborhood and, after a while, for rides of up to twenty miles." He also tells about volunteering to be a mediator. At first he used another mediator to read the case and write the agreement or schedule the case for court. Now he asks the plaintiff to perform those tasks. "If and when I get a case with a plaintiff who cannot read or write, or if other problems occur, I will ask for help, just as other mediators do," he states. Jahoda's book contains information about the different components of the so-called "blindness system": independence, assistance, benefits, support groups and organizations of and for the blind. "We are not the only people who need help; everybody needs help at some time or other," he writes. "Our goal should be to become as independent as possible, with the understanding that there will be circumstances when help will be needed from sighted persons." All in all, "How Do I Do This When I Can't See What I'm Doing?" is an informative, useful resource for newly blinded people and their families. It is available for $5.50 from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328. ("How Do I Do This When I Can't See What I'm Doing? Information Processing for the Visually Disabled," 98 pages, available in braille from your regional library as BR 9176 and on cassette as RC 36212.) IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR SIGHTED PEOPLE by Stanley Greenberg, Ph.D. (Editor's note: Stanley Greenberg, Ph.D., is executive director of the Westside Center for Independent Living in Los Angeles, Calif., and is a member of the American Council of the Blind.) The Concord Resort Hotel is a prominent vacation retreat for affluent New Yorkers. If you enter the lobby and walk up the stairs to the dining room, you will notice that there is a bright red strip at the bottom and at the top of each segment of the stairway. Why is it there? The management will tell you that they want you to be aware that you are approaching a landing so that you don't fall, hurt yourself and sue them. At the Holiday Inn in Sunnyvale, Calif., there is a very elegant cocktail lounge. It is built on two levels with a ramp in between. At the bottom and the top of the ramp, there is a bright strip of light. Why is it there? Because the management wants you to be especially aware that the ramp is coming to an end so that you don't fall, hurt yourself and sue them. If you get on a Los Angeles Rapid Transit District bus and look down, you will notice that there is a bright yellow strip across the front of each step. Why is it there? Because the bus company wants to do everything in its power to see to it that you don't trip and fall and sue them. The platforms in the subway stations of the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Boston have bright yellow strips to delineate the end of the platform from the subway tracks. Why? Because they want to be sure that a sighted person doesn't walk off the platform, fall in front of a train and get killed. These same markings are present on the platforms in the Bay Area Rapid Transit System in San Francisco except they have tactile markings as well. No one has fallen off a platform in the BART system. Last summer, a blind person fell off the MTA platform and was killed. The visual warnings work. Most of the time, they are noticed and people don't fall. Yet the National Federation of the Blind has taken the position that blind people don't need warnings. Our skills ought to be such that the environment should not need modifications in order for us to be safe. These modifications are only necessary if you can see. One of the cornerstones of the philosophy of the independent living movement is that the barriers to our full inclusion in our society are not the result of our disability. Rather, they are the result of attitudes and prejudices which keep us from being included fully. We might want to take the time to listen to what we ourselves are saying. Warnings in the environment are deemed necessary for people without disabilities; why are they not deemed necessary for people with disabilities? Does a person who can see feel insulted or degraded if a subway platform has a yellow strip at its edge? Does a guest at the Concord Hotel feel slighted by the painting of a bright red strip at the bottom and top of a staircase? Are we so afraid that we may need additional assistance that we are unable to accept even the accommodations which are made for people who can see? Let's get real! A tactile warning at the end of a subway platform or an audible traffic signal does not reflect on our inferiority. Rather, it reflects on our society's willingness to accommodate us. But what about those who say we must acquire the skills of blindness and if we had them, accommodations would not be necessary? That is sheer nonsense! Of course we need to acquire the skills of blindness. Of course we need a service system which gives us everything we need in order to participate in the world as equals. Equality, however, does not mean that we should have fewer accommodations than people who are not disabled. The world is not designed to accommodate blind people. It's absolutely appropriate for us to insist that changes and accommodations be made. The need for accommodation is not a negative reflection on us. The absence of an accommodation is a negative reflection on our society. VIDEO DESCRIPTION BRINGS ENJOYMENT TO ALL by Sharon Lovering What began as live description at the Paper Mill Playhouse in northern New Jersey has become a full-time business for Bert Hecht, one of the founders of Audio Optics Inc. Hecht began description in 1988 at the Paper Mill Playhouse. He and several other describers were taught how to describe the actions on stage by Margaret and Cody Pfanstiehl of "The Washington Ear." "Showboat" was his claim to fame; he spoke to some people from the local public television station, who came down to the playhouse and aired the description on TV. Many shows later, in 1989, he incorporated the group as Audio Optics. Since then, business has been doing well. It has its not-for-profit sticker from the government, and has described many films, including "It's A Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart, "Tim," starring Mel Gibson and "The Man with the Golden Arm," starring Frank Sinatra. "One of my favorite pictures of all time is 'Tim,'" Hecht says. That's why he fought so hard to get it. "It's a marvelous picture." Audio Optics recently finished describing "Tim." A fourth film is in progress. "The Third Man," starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton, is in the writing stage. Another project in the writing stage is a kids' feature movie, "The Adventures of Choppy and the Princess." "We're doing it as a test," Hecht says. The woman doing the describing is a schoolteacher, and "we want her to {describe} as if she's got a kid on her lap, telling a story." But this isn't everything Hecht and Audio Optics do. "We do all kinds of pictures," he says, "because we believe that blind people are perfectly normal except for their vision." They don't censor -- "we let all the filth go as it is. If you want it, you take it," he says with a smile. One of the difficulties posed by descriptive video is the cost, but Hecht says he wants to keep his prices down. Hecht says his movies sell for an average price of $12.95. "I'm trying to help people," he adds. Another problem is negotiations with vendors and companies, which slow him down. He believes when the company has a few more successful videos -- ones that sell about 3,000 copies -- under its belt, the process will be easier. "Success breeds success," he says. So far, Hecht says, business has been successful. He feels good "when blind people call up and say, 'When's your next one coming out? The last one was so good.' "I feel tremendous about the end result, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it." The end is worth all the work, he says. Hecht has high hopes for the future of descriptive video. "I don't see it on every picture coming out of Hollywood, like {captioning} . . . I would like to see 50 motion pictures a year; one {program} a week on television." He hopes Audio Optics will be in 14 warehouses soon, and predicts that "Tim" will be a successful video. Hecht should know about the components of a successful video. Prior to losing his sight, he maintained a lifelong career in television and film production. For further information about Audio Optics, or to order one of the available programs, write to Audio Optics, Inc., 24 Hutton Ave., #26, West Orange, NJ 07052. (201) 736-5490. A LOOK AT THE ACB LIFE PLAN You may not be aware that the American Council of the Blind sponsors a Term Life Plan for members. It is possible to purchase up to $300,000 of coverage for yourself and up to $150,000 coverage for your spouse. This competitively priced insurance is available through the ACB Group Insurance Plan. Life insurance has come in recent years to assume a greater role in protecting investments and savings while continuing to serve as a traditional shield against financial disaster. Understanding the basics of life insurance -- what it is and how to assess your particular needs -- can save you time and money. WHAT IS LIFE INSURANCE? Simply defined, life insurance is a plan for which you periodically pay a sum of money (the premium) to an insurance company. In return, the company promises to pay your beneficiary a predetermined amount of money (the benefit) should you die during the policy period. Essentially, there are four kinds of insurance policies available to choose from: term, whole, endowment, and universal life policies. Since the ACB plan is term life, that's the point of focus for this story. TERM LIFE Term life insurance pays a benefit in the event of your death during a specified policy period (the term). Premiums are inexpensive while you are young but increase as you grow older. What's important to know is how a term life policy pays out the benefits. The most attractive policies offer a constant benefit amount throughout the term of the policy. Others reduce the benefit amount as the policy matures. Some term policies gradually reduce the benefit each year. Still others slowly decrease the benefit amount during the initial policy years and then later more rapidly. There are two other important features to look for in term life plans. Guaranteed renewability allows you to continue coverage throughout the term of the policy regardless of your health. Guaranteed convertibility allows you to switch to another form of life insurance without medical examination at a specified time, e.g. at the end of the policy term. ASSESSING YOUR NEEDS Financial analysts recommend you evaluate your life insurance needs every couple of years and certainly when major circumstances in your life change. When evaluating your needs, remember you want life insurance to maintain your dependents' standard of living, not to raise it. And, when settling on a final figure, assume you might die tomorrow, i.e., do not project your future needs. Ask yourself these questions: How much income would your family need to live on? How much to pay off a mortgage? Debts? If you are unmarried, do you support parents or a child? How long would you want your insurance to cover these needs? When you determine the answers to the above questions, subtract any other income resources available to your survivors and you should have a reasonably accurate guide for how much life insurance coverage you need. Term life is probably the best buy for most people. For one thing, it's the easiest type of policy to understand because it's pure insurance protection. It can provide a high amount of financial security for your family at relatively low cost in the event of your untimely death. It's also an inexpensive way to insure a mortgage -- considerably less than the cost of mortgage insurance. Or it can insure the cost of higher education for your children. If you choose to buy a term life policy, determine what the difference would be in premium amounts for you between a term plan and another life plan. Invest this savings in some form of interest-earning or tax-deferred fund of your choosing. You should find that this provides you with the security and flexibility you need. Remember, as your life changes -- when you buy a new home, or have a child, or your salary increases -- re- evaluate and add to your coverage. Life insurance is an investment in your family's future and, as such, is a basic necessity of life. A good starting place for comparing life insurance plans is with the ACB Group Insurance Program. The ACB-sponsored Term Life Insurance Plan provides the financial security a family needs along with high benefits. For more information, write to the Administrator, ACB Group Insurance Program, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037. Or, telephone toll-free 1-800 424-9883; in the Washington, D.C. area, call (202) 457-6820. ACB CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: FOUNDATION FOR THE PAST -- CHALLENGE FOR THE FUTURE by Charles S. P. Hodge ACB First Vice President The ACB Constitution and Bylaws were initially adopted at the first national convention in St. Louis, Mo., in summer 1962. Although the document has been amended over the years, the basic outline remains the same. Clearly, it has served us well, though the organization is bigger and more diverse than it was in 1962. It may be appropriate for ACB to look more closely at the constitution with an eye toward updating it. Such scrutiny may lead to incremental improvements. With these purposes in mind, I intend to review two or three articles of the constitution and bylaws in each month's "Braille Forum," raising areas of past or present concern or controversy, leaving the readers to decide whether the issues touched upon merit action by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and national convention. If something raised here strikes you as needing attention or reform, then you should feel free to submit a proposed amendment in writing to the ACB Constitution and Bylaws Committee. THE FIRST THREE ARTICLES Article I simply sets forth the name of our organization, American Council of the Blind, Inc. What is in a name anyway? Depending on the viewer's perspective, the answer can be "all" or "nothing." A name is symbolic and important. In recent years, a number of our affiliates have changed their names in an effort to broaden their focus and constituency to include the partially sighted or low vision elements of the community. With the advent and growth of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, similar suggestions for a name change have been made from time to time. Those who have resisted or opposed such an idea have argued that the blindness community's parameters are well-known internally and externally, and to avoid confusion to the public, no change should be made. The proponents of change have a heavy burden to carry on this issue. Since any proposed changes require a two-thirds vote of the convention, proponents of a name change would have to work hard to develop the consensus to make the change possible. I would urge serious, thoughtful debate on this matter. Article II sets forth the purposes for which ACB stands. I have no quarrel with the purposes as currently set forth, but I wonder if additional, more modern purposes might be added. For instance, the current purposes do not even mention furthering or fostering the civil rights of the blind or disabled. The article does not put our organization on record as standing for stamping out discrimination against the disabled in general, or the blind in particular, in every area of life. The current purposes do not speak in today's language about empowering the blind to control their own destinies. Particularly in light of the priorities for the '90s which our organization has adopted, maybe we should update our purposes. Article III is entitled Membership, Voting and Dues. Section A sets forth that membership in ACB is divided into two classes, voting and non-voting. Voting members are affiliated organizations, their voting members, life members and members-at-large of ACB. Non-voting members are those individuals and organizations holding sustaining membership and individuals younger than 18 who are junior members of ACB. Section B sets forth the definition for applying for affiliate membership: any organization with at least 25 members, a majority of whom are blind, is eligible. All such applications must be voted on and approved by a majority of the board of directors. This section does not prohibit the granting of more than one affiliate charter in any state or region, and some have argued that ACB should adopt a "one affiliate per state" rule. Section C leaves the matter of granting affiliate charters and the standards for such approval or rejection solely to the discretion of the ACB board of directors. Many have wondered aloud whether such discretion is healthy, and have suggested that clearer, more specific criteria to guide the board should be developed for inclusion in the constitution. Toward this end, the board of directors has directed the president to appoint a committee to look at the matter of criteria for affiliation. Section C also sets forth that voting at national convention will be conducted in one of two manners: voice vote or record vote. It specifies that a record vote must be composed of two elements: a standing vote of individual members and members-at-large, and a roll call of affiliate organizations, during which delegates of the affiliates will announce the votes to which their respective organizations are entitled. This section also sets forth that in cases where a voice vote is too close to determine a result for the presiding officer, or where 25 members request it, a record vote will be used. While it is clear that the second component of the record vote has been included to protect the rights of affiliates to cast the votes to which they are entitled, everyone agrees record votes are cumbersome and time-consuming. In order to ameliorate this, two solutions have been discussed: permitting a standing vote, which would be easier; or raising the number of members it takes to require a record vote from 25 to 50 or 100. Some members have talked about devising a secret ballot that could be used for elections. I encourage further thought and deliberation, as well as possible future action, on such ideas. It is imperative that we make our voting system at conventions more efficient while protecting the democracy we all cherish. Other voting issues will be discussed in a future article. Section D simply states that dues are to be paid as specified in the bylaws. This provision leaves the issue of dues to the bylaws, thereby permitting changing dues amounts and scheduled by a simple majority vote by means of a bylaw amendment rather than requiring a two-thirds vote to change the constitutional provision. Section E deals with suspensions and expulsions, and provides that an affiliate or member-at-large may be suspended or expelled by a two-thirds vote of the convention after a hearing, as provided by "Robert's Rules of Order Revised." This section provides that an affiliate or member-at-large who is threatened with suspension or expulsion has the right to vote on the proposed disciplinary action against it, him or her, in marked contrast to the provisions of bylaw six regarding the credentials committee and appeals to be taken from its adverse recommendations. Those provisions, while permitting the adversely affected affiliate or member-at-large to be admitted to the floor for the limited purpose of presenting an appeal, specifically states that the person or organization should not have the right to vote on his, her or its own credentials appeal. Maybe it is time for us to cure this inconsistency. HERE & 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. CONVENTION TAPES Tapes of the 1993 ACB national convention are now available from the ACB National Office. Available in a two-track standard-speed format, the 19-tape set costs $23. Each individual session is $3. This year's package includes all morning convention sessions, the Friday afternoon legislative seminar, the Sunday evening opening session, and the banquet. The banquet tapes include the unabridged address of Dr. Thomas Sutherland, a former hostage held in Lebanon. While an earlier edition of "The Braille Forum" indicated that Sutherland's remarks would not be included as part of the banquet tape, he agreed while at the banquet to allow ACB to record and distribute his address. Those who ordered tapes as part of their pre-convention registration fee will automatically receive them. To order the complete set or any session, write to: Convention Tapes, The American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th St. N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005. Make check or money order payable to the American Council of the Blind. Remember to specify which session you want when ordering single sessions. VITAMIN A, NOT E The Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation-Fighting Blindness has launched an international education campaign to alert people with RP to the first treatment that may help them prolong their vision. Taking a 15,000 International Units vitamin A supplement and avoiding high doses of vitamin E may save years of sight, according to the results of a study primarily funded by the federal government's National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health and the RP Foundation. DOG OR CAT FOOD To have dog or cat food delivered right to your door, call Mike Blanck anytime at (919) 752-7291. MARFAN SYNDROME One cause of a dislocated lens is Marfan Syndrome. Marfan Syndrome is a medical condition that affects the eyes, heart and skeleton due to a connective tissue problem. The tissues holding the lens of the eye in place don't function properly, so the lens isn't directly behind the pupil. Other characteristics of Marfan Syndrome are mitral valve prolapse, enlargement of the aorta, scoliosis and a breastbone that protrudes or indents. People with Marfan Syndrome tend to be tall and thin, have long fingers and toes and unusually flexible joints. To learn more about the condition, call the National Marfan Foundation at 1-800-8-MARFAN, or (516) 883-8712. Booklets are available, and for a membership fee, people can join the foundation and receive a newsletter and information on a yearly conference. MATILDA'S 86 The "Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind" is celebrating its 86th anniversary. The magazine is published in two formats: grade two braille and four-track, half-speed cassette. Subscriptions are free. Write or call for more information: The "Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind," 20 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011, (212) 242-0263. PROGRAM HONORS 10 The Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program has recognized 10 people for making health care more available to those who need it. Those people are: Neil Calman, M.D., New York City; Michael Cronin, M.S., Boston; Lorelei DeCora, R.N., Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.; Lou DeSitter, Hood River, Ore.; Barbara Garcia, Watsonville, Calif.; Doriane Miller, M.D., San Francisco; Judith Panko Reis, M.A., M.S.C., Chicago; James Roundtree, South Bronx, N.Y.; Beatrice Clark Shelby, Marvell, Ark., and Kenneth Tittle, M.D., Calexico, Calif. DICTATION PLUS Now available: the TwoTimer. If you use a talking computer and are taking dictation from a tape machine, the TwoTimer lets you don a pair of headphones and hear both your computer's speech and your dictation machine, one in each ear. It is equipped with 1/8-inch connectors that will fit most synthesizers and tape players. It costs $75, including earphones. Contact Traxler Enterprises, 611 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, WI 53226-4248, (414) 774-2331 voice, (414) 774-2475 computer Bulletin Board Service. EQUIPMENT MATCH The Used Equipment Clearinghouse is a free service that matches someone who wants to buy an item with a person who wants to sell that item. For more information, write in print or braille, on tape or 3- or 5-inch IBM ASCII disks to Barbara Mattson, 519 E. Main St. #8, Spartanburg, SC 29302, (803) 585-7323. WANTED: USED BRAILLE D. Sreekumar is interested in receiving used braille magazines. Send your old braille to D. Sreekumar, Shyla Nilayam, Valiya Vila, Thirumala-P.O., Trivandrum-6, Kerala, S. India. TACTIC WINS AWARD "Tactic," the Clovernook Center's quarterly periodical for blind computer users, received an award from the Southwestern Ohio Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication. "Tactic" is available in braille, large print and on IBM-compatible disks for $20 annually. For information, call Clovernook at (513) 522-3860. COOKBOOK FOR TRADE For trade: one copy of "Cooking for One," a hardback, 166-page braille cookbook, for at least two standard-sized slates with styli, which I will send to needy persons abroad. Please inquire for availability in advance via braille or cassette: Janell Peterson, 303 Harvard Ave. East, #302, Seattle, WA 98102. PHELPS ON MCKINLEY Joni Phelps, a mountain climber from Pennsylvania, was apparently the first blind woman to climb Mount McKinley, according to a story in the June 7 "Boston Globe." OFFICE SUPPLIES DEAL Nonprofit hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, medical research organizations and public health departments can receive brand-new supplies donated by U.S. corporations. Materials include office and computer supplies, paper products, janitorial goods, arts and crafts, tools and hardware, and wall covering. This program is administered by the National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources. Recipients pay NAEIR $645 annual dues, plus shipping and handling, and select what they need from 300-page catalogs issued every 10 weeks. For a free information packet, call 1-800-562-0955 or write NAEIR Dept. HC-6, 560 McClure St., Galesburg, IL 61401. BRISTO NOMINATED Marca Bristo, a Chicago resident, has been nominated by President Clinton to chair the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency providing leadership in the identification of emerging issues affecting people with disabilities and in the development and recommendation of disability policy. Bristo is president and CEO of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago. ANOTHER LOOK AT UNIFIED BRAILLE by Chris Gray (Editor's note: Chris Gray is ACB's representative to the Braille Authority of North America. We include his letter to fellow BANA members here in an attempt to inform readers of his position on the committee's draft report.) July 23, 1993 Dear Hilda and Darleen: As the representative to BANA of the American Council of the Blind, I am writing to you at this time in order to provide an official statement on the Unified Braille Code research project. This letter contains both input that I have gathered from ACB members and my own comments based on the study of the Committee 2 report, commentary on the report from Bill Poole, and the response from Committee 2 to his input. In a major meeting of the Braille Revival League of California and of the national Braille Revival League, I was able to discuss this project in detail with a diverse group of people who have an interest, overall knowledge, and commitment to braille. Based on this collective discussion and my own study, I wish to formally present the following comments and requests regarding the Committee 2 report as it stands today. First, it is clear that we must greatly increase our distribution of reports and sample materials. Given BANA's very limited staff and money, this will be difficult; but it is essential to the success of the project and to learning what is and is not an acceptable level of change for readers. While the primary means of distribution will probably always be hard copy or computer disk from which hard copy can be generated, the electronic network that is being put together through the Internet will be helpful as well. I am investigating the possibility of using a newly formed, nationwide, ACB bulletin board to further assist in this process. Second, in order to clarify my representation to my constituency, the membership of the American Council of the Blind, I wish to publicly say that I do not support the Committee 2 report as it stands today. It is important to reiterate to braille readers, transcribers, and educators that the purpose of the Committee 2 report was to begin a discussion and start defining the path toward unification. I see this report as an indispensable first step in helping us think about how codes can be unified. While I can agree that it provides a tremendous theoretical methodology for such unification, there are other models that should be explored. Even if this model was to be chosen as the best, many elements of it must be fine-tuned in order to achieve maximum reader satisfaction for current readers and minimal change for future readers of braille who will need to read older texts. Third, I have some specific requests for the international version of Committee 2. It became clear during our meeting in Sacramento that there is continuing discussion within Committee 2 regarding some of the basic framework of the Committee 2 report. The problem relates to the use of the upper-cell numbers and the constraints such usage places on other symbols, symbol indicators, etc. For this reason, it was agreed that the European numbering system be considered as an alternative. As I said at the time, I am convinced that U.S. braille readers will never accept this numbering scheme. However, I do support an investigation of this in order to understand its implications, and in the name of thorough research, I feel strongly that it is essential that Committee 2 also investigate use of the 'Nemeth' numbering system and provide a full report of usage and consequences if this system were to be ultimately proposed. While on this topic, I want to mention a problem that has not been widely discussed thus far. Certainly, the biggest transition hurdles will be faced by users of technical materials if we adopt the Committee 2 report in something like its current form. Both Nemeth and Computer Braille Code users face many more changes to their codes and changes of a far more fundamental nature. While I agree that we want to have the least impact on literary braille users, there is no need to unnecessarily penalize users of Computer Braille or Nemeth codes either. Based on input to currently proposed changes, I think it is reasonable to consider whether current literary braille readers would prefer Nemeth numbers and their accompanying tradeoffs to the present Committee 2 methodology. Fourth, it is imperative that we get some hard data on space increases when the full Committee 2 report is employed. We cannot wait until NLS produces some sample magazines and books. That's too late in our development cycle. We should get some computer disks of magazines and do an analysis now. Fifth, we need to assess in earnest the usage of the contractions that are proposed for deletion for this methodology as well as any others that are brought forward for serious consideration. Also, we need to know whether parts of words i.e. 'ation', 'ence' can be analyzed in a valid manner given the lists of words that are available to us. In conclusion, I have been and remain completely committed to the concept of a unified braille code. The work of Committee 2 has been an excellent first step in the process of creating such unification. It has led the way in helping us know that such a project has a good chance of succeeding. My comments and requests are meant to strengthen this original work and create what we all wished for in the first place: a unified code that requires as little change as possible in our current literary braille code. Sincerely, Chris Gray SUMMARY OF 1993 RESOLUTIONS 93-01: Expresses the American Council of the Blind's profound sorrow at the untimely death of Grant Mack; further expresses the Council's heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for Mack's many years of service to the blind of the nation and the world. Directs the ACB president to convey the substance and spirit of this resolution to Mr. Mack's widow, Olive Beth, and their children. 93-02: Calls upon the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Louis Braille in time for Braille Literacy Week in January, 1995; suggests that this stamp include a sample of braille such as "USA" in simulated braille (printed rather than raised dots), and that the Postal Service design such a stamp in consultation with ACB. This resolution will be submitted to the Postmaster General of the United States and to other appropriate government officials. 93-03: States that ACB staunchly defends the rights of guide dog users against any unwarranted intrusion or interference by animal rights extremists, and that this may include, but not be limited to, taking legal action against any person or organization attempting to interfere with a guide dog user properly utilizing his or her dog; calls upon the officers, directors and staff of ACB to take actions to assure that this harassment is recognized as a clear violation of the federal civil rights of guide dog users; directs that copies of this resolution be sent along with an appropriate cover letter to all guide dog training establishments, strongly urging them to publicly endorse this resolution, to adopt and publicize policies protective of their graduates' rights, and to request that copies of such policy statements be forwarded to Guide Dog Users, Inc. Copies of this resolution and related materials are to be sent to appropriate organizations and/or individuals including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and recognized service dog organizations. 93-04: Calls on ACB to condemn and actively oppose the opinion issued by the Chief of the Private Radio Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission effectively prohibiting blind radio amateurs from serving as volunteer examiners; further calls on ACB to work closely with the FCC and other interested parties, including the American Radio Relay League, to secure a ruling affirming the capabilities of the blind to serve as volunteer examiners. Copies are to be sent to the Chief of the Private Radio Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission, all FCC Commissioners, and the president of the ARRL. 93-05: Calls upon state and federal governmental entities to meet the extra costs of equipment adaptation often required as a reasonable accommodation in the employment of blind and visually impaired individuals; points out that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide such reasonable accommodations, but suggests that this broad requirement leaves individuals who are blind or visually impaired, whose accommodations are often quite costly, in an uncertain position when employers state that a requested accommodation is too costly to be reasonable. 93-07: Congratulates the parties to the Honolulu International Airport Agreement, which will result in the operation of vending facility concessions at the airport in conformance with the provisions of the Randolph Sheppard Act as well as Hawaii state law. 93-08: Calls upon ACB to work toward developing and/or adapting standards for the production of materials in braille, large print, electronic files and recorded format by entities covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act; further calls upon ACB to work for the inclusion of such standards, once they are agreed upon, in the regulations implementing the ADA under Titles II and III. However, nothing in this resolution shall relieve any entity from the responsibility of producing material in accessible formats pending the adoption of these standards. 93-09: Urges the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities to increase their activities and emphasis on supported employment specifically targeted toward the deaf-blind. Such services should include, but not be limited to, the initiation of training programs to assist interpreters for the deaf in becoming interested and skilled in provision of employment-related support services to deaf-blind individuals, as well as the initiation of categorical supported employment programs oriented specifically to serving deaf-blind and/or multiply disabled blind people. 93-10: Recognizes Frank Haven Hall on the 100th anniversary of the Hall Brailler; commends the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired for its leadership in recognizing the great significance of this event; calls upon ACB to join with the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in expressing its deep appreciation of the foresight of Frank Haven Hall for the invention of the technology which has done so much to make it possible for blind people throughout the world to take their rightful place in society as useful and productive citizens. 93-11: Calls for reciprocity among the nation's local bus and rail transit systems and over-the-road, common carriers, in the acceptance of identification cards which authorize individuals with disabilities to receive discounted fares, and to accept other nationally recognized forms of written disability certification; calls upon the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations making such carriers' continued receipt of federal financial assistance contingent upon adoption of such policies; directs ACB's national staff to make copies of this resolution available on request to state affiliates and local chapters of ACB for use in transit advocacy efforts. 93-12: Expresses ACB's opposition to services provided by individuals not trained in blindness-related skills; directs its officers, directors and staff to take all necessary action to oppose the practice of assigning generic professionals to teach skills requiring knowledge and application of specific blindness techniques; maintains ACB's policy that specialized education and/or long-standing experience in the areas of teaching travel, daily living and communications skills to blind persons are major factors to be considered in determining the qualification of blind or sighted orientation and mobility or other skills instructors for the blind. 93-13: Supports the appropriation of sufficient funds to enable state rehabilitation agencies to ensure that a comprehensive array of independent living services, including those specialized services needed by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, are available to all eligible individuals residing in the state; urges the Rehabilitation Services Administration and state rehabilitation agencies which provide grants to independent living centers under Title VII, Chapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act to place a high priority on the ability of such grant applicants to provide an array of independent living services, including specialized services which are directed toward individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to the Rehabilitation Services Administration, all state rehabilitation agencies, including those which are designated to serve individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and appropriate members of Congress. 93-14: Calls for newspaper listings for audio description; requests that the standard notation for television programs broadcast with audio description be a "D" next to the individual program listing; directs ACB to send letters to television data listing services and to all affiliates for local advocacy efforts. 93-16: Directs ACB's staff, officers, and directors to advocate for the addition of live audio description requirements to regulations implementing Titles II and III of the ADA as well as additions to regulations describing assistive listening devices, stipulating that such devices, when acquired for purposes of ADA compliance, shall feature at least two channels per receiver thereby allowing for use of the second channel to provide audio description. 93-17: Asserts that blind and visually impaired people must not be denied access to the vast quantity of previously unavailable information which may become available over the "electronic highway"; directs ACB officers and staff to work with appropriate policy-makers to enact legislation that mandates universal access to telecommunications equipment, networks and services; directs ACB to take a leadership role in developing a consensus among disadvantaged citizens in order to develop approaches that will assure the emergence of an affordable and fully accessible delivery system for the transmission, reception, use, retrieval, and storage of the array of information and other communications to be provided in electronic media; stipulates that protocols for file transfers, the platform on which the information system is delivered, and the documentation that is distributed with regard to such a system shall also be usable and affordable by people who are blind or visually impaired; demands that manufacturers, designers, and developers of new technologies incorporate the access concerns of blind and visually impaired persons from the inception of such technologies; requests that the president of ACB report on the progress that has been made to the 1994 national convention in Chicago. 93-18: Pledges ACB's support in working actively with the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America to help states attempting to implement state-based vending programs; specifically, supports efforts currently under way in Alabama and South Dakota to pass such legislation; directs officers, staff and directors of ACB to actively assist these states and others where such extensions of the Randolph Sheppard program are sought. 93-19: Reaffirms ACB's support for the 1974 amendments to the Randolph Sheppard Act and unequivocally opposes any efforts to dilute the clear and categorical requirement that vending machine receipts be provided to vendors as a supplement to their other income. Copies are to be sent to each State Licensing Agency and to the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. 93-20: Opposes any imposition of a "competency test" of blind vendors to be applied by the General Services Administration as unnecessary, arbitrary and irrelevant; categorically affirms that vendors are as capable of operating cafeterias as are other contractees. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to the Administrator of the General Services Administration and to the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. 93-21: Commends Mr. Stewart F. Taylor, Regional Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in San Francisco, for his conduct, actions and efforts in response to a demonstration by ACB members in support of the immediate installation of detectable warnings along the edge of transit platforms in existing rail stations; reasserts the need for immediate installation of detectable warnings in order to ensure full access and safety for all transit users, including individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 93-22: Directs the officers, staff and directors of ACB to advocate for the following: 1. All public and private colleges and universities must adapt computers in computer labs open to the general student population for access to, and use by, people who are blind and/or print handicapped. 2. The set-up, training and maintenance costs of these computers must be incurred by the department or school housing the computer lab, not by disabled student services programs. 3. Public and private colleges and universities must provide specific training to personnel employed in such labs to ensure their ability to enable blind or print handicapped students to utilize effectively such adaptive equipment. 4. Each computer lab open to the general student population must have a minimum of one fully adapted computer for people who are blind and/or print handicapped. This policy statement is to be forwarded to the United States Secretary of Education; the Director of the Association of Higher Education and Disability, and the Director of Higher Education and the Handicapped. 93-23: Encourages manufacturers to modify and produce raised print, audible, and other appropriate labeling devices in forms that are independently usable by visually impaired persons and to make such devices widely available. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to manufacturers of such devices. 93-24: Encourages continued research and development of vision enhancement technology; directs ACB officers, staff, and directors to provide technical consultation and letters of support for research and development entities working with such technology who contact ACB requesting such assistance; stipulates that ACB, in cooperation with CCLVI, be prepared to assist researchers in contacting those members who are visually impaired and who have expressed interest in this research and technology. 93-25: Expresses gratitude to IDC Traconex-Multisonics, the Millbrae and Burlingame Departments of Public Works, Verbal Landmarks, Talking Signs, and Dr. Billie Louise Bentzen for their support of important activities at the 1993 annual convention and for their commitment to furthering the interests of blind and visually impaired individuals. 93-26: Conveys sincere appreciation to the staff and management of the convention hotels. 93-27: Expresses appreciation to the California Council of the Blind and to all affiliate chapters for their efforts on behalf of the convention; conveys ACB's appreciation for the major contributions made by the many volunteers who assisted with the convention. HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Kurzweil Personal Reader version 2.0, with auto and hand scanner. Documentation on tape/print. Price $4,500. Contact J. Morgan at the Braille Institute, (213) 663-1111 extension 237. FOR SALE: Braille 'n Speak, $900. Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary, $100. 1980 World Book Encyclopedia with braille and large print index, and tape machine for cassette information, $600. Thirty-six volume collegiate dictionary (missing one volume), $150. Seven-volume American Vest dictionary, $50. Five-volume "How to learn Nemeth braille," $75. All items available for prices mentioned or best offer. If you are interested in any of them, contact Theresa Taylor at (612) 782-9576. FOR SALE: Classic cassette-based VersaBraille unit. Includes overlay tapes and braille manuals. Battery may require replacement. $500 or best offer. This item is being sold by the ACB National Office. For more information, call (800) 424-8666 weekday afternoons between 3:00 and 5:30 eastern time. ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Sue Ammeter, 3233 NE 95th St., Seattle, WA 98115. Ardis Bazyn, 2816 Glen Elm Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Patricia Beattie, Crystal Towers #206 N, 1600 S. Eads St., Arlington, VA 22202. Michael Byington, 909 SW College, Topeka, KS 66606. Christopher Gray, 549F Guiffrida Ave., San Jose, CA 95123. John Horst, P.O. Box 1386, 221 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-1386. Jean Mann, 6-D Downing Square, Guilderland, NY 12084. Dick Seifert, 1023 Scott St. Apt. F, Little Rock, AR 72202. Pamela Shaw, 8750 Georgia Ave., Apt. 322A, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Stephen Speicher, 825 M St., Suite 216, Lincoln, NE 68508. Otis Stephens, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Dept. of Political Science, 1001 McClung Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996. BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Billie Jean Hill, Chairperson, 737 N. Buchanan St., Arlington, VA 22203-1428. Kim Charlson, 57 Grandview Ave., Watertown, MA 02172. Mitch Pomerantz, 1344 N. Martel Ave. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Edward Potter, 1308 Evergreen Ave., Goldsboro, NC 27530. Dana Walker, 2137 Woodmere Loop, Montgomery, AL 36117. Laura Oftedahl, 104 Coolidge Hill Rd. #7, Watertown, MA 02172. CORRECTIONS Due to an editing error, the price of "About Food and Drink" in "Here And There," August 1993, was incorrectly stated as $12.50 a year. The correct cost is $8.50 a year. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT LEROY SAUNDERS 2118 N.W. 21st ST. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73107 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT CHARLES S. P. HODGE 1131 S. FOREST DR. ARLINGTON, VA 22204 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT J. ACOSTA 20734-C DEVONSHIRE CHATSWORTH, CA 91311 SECRETARY PATRICIA PRICE 5707 BROCKTON DRIVE #302 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220 TREASURER BRIAN CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVENUE WATERTOWN, MA 02172 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ELIZABETH M. LENNON