THE Braille Forum Vol. XXXV November 1996 No. 4 Published By The American Council of the Blind THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. Paul Edwards, President Oral O. Miller, J.D., Executive Director 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 Electronic bulletin board: (202) 331-1058 THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large print, 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 contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Patricia Beattie, treasurer, at the above address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the council's continuing work, the national office has printed cards available to acknowledge contributions made by loved ones in memory of deceased people. 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 1996 American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message: Random Ramblings, by Paul Edwards Report of the Executive Director, by Oral O. Miller From Your Perspective: Comments On Metrorail For 1997, It's Houston, Texas, by John A. Horst Legal Access: Benefits Or Discrimination: Thanks Or No Thanks?, by Charles D. Goldman Changing What It Means To Be Blind: The 4th Quadrennial Conference Of The World Blind Union, by Brian Charlson Report On The First World Blind Union World Blind Women's Forum, by Kim Charlson Texas Randolph-Sheppard Licensing Agency Wins Major Victory In Federal Contracting Court Litigation, by Charles S.P. Hodge U.S. Brings Home The Bronze In Paralympic Goal Ball, by Sherry Gordon Here And There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon From Memphis To Minneapolis, by Jim Megivern Convention Success For Committee On Aging And Blindness, by Teddie Remhild A First-Timer's Impression Of The ACB National Convention, by Bobbie Probst My First Convention, by Michael Vining Affiliate News Life Membership Update, by Charles S.P. Hodge Happy Anniversary, Randolph-Sheppard Act! High Tech Swap Shop PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE RANDOM RAMBLINGS by Paul Edwards I am writing this message sitting in the conference room of our national office in Washington, D.C. I am, as usual, making Nolan Crabb, the illustrious editor of "The Braille Forum," wait. I am in Washington for just one day and have come here to speak as an individual endorsing the Clinton Gore ticket at a press conference held under the auspices of Justin Dart. By the time you read this the elections will be over and we will have chosen our next President and the next Congress. I found my life pretty disrupted over the last few days because the President of the United States held a campaign presentation right outside the building on the Florida campus where my office is located. It was an interesting event to attend and I was amazed and pleased that more than 150 people with disabilities were in the audience. Mr. Clinton did not mention disabilities in his speech and while he spoke in terms of including all Americans in his initiatives, it would have been nice to see some specific commitments on his part to the 50 million people with disabilities in this country. A couple of weeks ago, our local chapter of the ACB invited both the Republican and Democratic parties to send representatives to our meeting to discuss their positions on disability issues. Neither party did very well. The Democratic representative admitted her unfamiliarity with disability issues and read a statement prepared in Washington. The Republican representative was a former member of the Access Board who had very little familiarity with many of the more pressing disability concerns. What all of this is beginning to say to me is that we need to find ways to make our issues heard more widely. I do not at all believe that ACB should become a partisan political organization. I do believe that disability issues transcend party and that we have not managed to convince very many politicians on either side of the aisle that our issues are important. At least part of the reason for this lies in the failure of disabled people to get out and vote. In Texas our affiliate has worked with other organizations to pass a voting rights bill that creates much broader access to the polls for people who are blind. Perhaps more states need to work on this issue. We as an organization might also want to spend some time talking about what accessible voting is for us. Many blind people vote by absentee ballot. Such documents are impossible for even high partials to read well and I defy anyone lacking substantial manual dexterity to punch just the right holes in the thing. Some of us struggle to get to polling places and vote but, I fear, for many of us the transportation issues and perhaps even pure apathy keep us away from elections. What can we do to make it easier for people who are blind to vote? Technology is moving in many different directions and we need to try to persuade election officials at the Federal and State level as well as our local Election departments to look hard at some of this technology. Could we vote by telephone? Could we use our computers? Could we use the interactive cable systems that are emerging? Voting is a privilege. Too often it is also a pain. I could share horror stories with the best of you about poll workers' attitudes to disabled people who are trying to vote. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to wonder whether my vote was really being cast as I wished. Even when I am sure that it is being handled properly, this is only because I am being manhandled and shown exactly which lever is which so that I can be sure the worker is doing the right thing. Voting for people who are blind is neither very dignified nor very easy. We can make it better! In January we will be at the beginning of a new administration and a new Congress. We must work to assure that our voices are heard early and often at all levels so that the slide backward for disability rights that began over the past four years does not continue. On an entirely different topic, I want to report to all of you a sad event that should be shared. Many of you may well know Charles (Charlie) S. P. Hodge, who has written articles extensively for the Forum. He was of course ACB'S former First Vice President as well. Recently his wife Marilyn died very suddenly and I know that all of you will join me in expressing our deep condolences to Mr. Hodge. I would just like to join others in welcoming Mark Richert to our staff. He is our director of advocacy as of this month. (See "Report of the Executive Director," this issue.) I believe he will make a fine addition to our stable of stars. I hope that Thanksgiving will be wonderful for all of you and will look forward to sending you another message in December. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR by Oral O. Miller The pace of governmental activities in Washington always picks up considerably after Labor Day as Congress returns to town after its recess and starts working frantically before rushing headlong toward its adjournment in time for fall campaigning and election day. This year was no exception in that regard, but many other activities continued according to a pace pre- determined by other events. For example, after what seemed like an eternity of delay, stalling, and evasive tactics on the part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in refusing to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the American Council of the Blind along with the Blinded Veterans Association, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Pennsylvania Council of the Blind and seven individual plaintiffs filed suit against WMATA, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. (See "ACB Sues D.C. Transit System and the U.S. Department of Transportation," October 1996.) What a pleasure it was for me a few weeks ago to attend the state convention of our South Dakota affiliate, the South Dakota Association of the Blind! I had not been in South Dakota for many years, and it was wonderful to greet old friends and meet many new ones. The convention kicked off with great enthusiasm as its members walked throughout downtown Sioux Falls delivering certificates of commendation to businesses that had made outstanding progress in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The program was outstanding and the legislative luncheon that was designed to attract sitting legislators and prospective legislators attracted an unusually large number of very articulate and interested people, all of whom were anxious to explain to the South Dakota voters assembled why they should vote for them in the coming elections. As I write this report, I am preparing to leave for the People's Republic of China as leader of the Citizen Ambassador Delegation that will visit that country and exchange information regarding education of the blind. (See "ACB Executive Director Selected to Lead Delegates to China," October 1996.) I am looking forward to reporting on my observations following my return. I regret to report that Legislative Assistant Christopher Kupczyk, who had been a member of the ACB national office staff for approximately two and a half years, left ACB employment recently to accept a position with a large firm that contracts with the federal government. We all wish Chris the best of fortune as he moves ahead in his career. I'm pleased to report the appointment of Mr. Mark Richert of Arlington, Va., to the position of director of advocacy services for the American Council of the Blind. He is a life member of ACB, a member of the American Blind Lawyers Association, a native of Florida, a recipient of a bachelor's degree from Stetson University and a juris doctorate degree from George Washington University law school, a member of the Arlington County Commission on Physically Disabled Persons, the Florida Bar, and the American Bar Association Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are confident that Mark will be an outstanding addition to our staff. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE COMMENTS ON METRORAIL (Editor's Note: The following written comments represent a response by ACB member Bud Keith to a story which appeared in another publication regarding the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, also know as WMATA or Metro. While Keith's comments addressed something written in another publication, many of his points are valid and worth examining.) As a totally blind person who has used the Metro rail system since its opening day, I'm writing to respond to the summer 1996 update of your Project ACTION newsletter. The update featured an interview with Fady Bassily, deputy general manager for operations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Bassily stated that WMATA has always been committed to consumer safety and that WMATA developed the first fully accessible metro system in the United States. It appears that Bassily has forgotten that a lawsuit filed by a wheelchair user forced Metro to delay opening the system for more than a year and required that elevators be installed in every station. The retrofit cost approximately $60 million. Despite Bassily's contentions that Metro was designed with concern for the needs of people with disabilities, Metro has never been able to produce the names of any knowledgeable people with disabilities who were involved in the design. Sadder still is the continuance of Metro officials to build the system while ignoring reasonable suggestions and constructive complaints from disabled users since before the first train carried passengers. In 1975 or 1976, when only a relatively few stations were under construction, I and another blind advocate for people with disabilities were invited by Cody Pfanstiehl, a Metro public relations official, to tour and make comments on two nearly completed stations. At that time Pfanstiehl was clearly told that the granite edges were not very helpful and not very detectable for blind travelers who use white canes. Our input was ignored, and millions of dollars have been spent to install those granite edges in all stations. During the intervening 21 years, dozens of visually impaired Metro riders have fallen off Metro platforms onto the train tracks. Many injuries and at least two deaths have resulted. During that time Metro officials have also been told of (and mostly ignored) numerous other issues. Inadequate lighting and sign placement have continued to be a problem for many partially sighted people. The public address system on trains is quite often either too quiet, too distorted, or not working at all. Even with the new external speakers, the volume is often too low to be heard when standing on the subway platforms. The timing of announcements is totally up to the judgment of the train operator. I can't count the number of times I've stood in the open door of a train waiting for the announcement of the train destination þ hardly allowing enough time to jump back upon learning it is not the desired train. Now WMATA is on the verge of spending millions of dollars more for another system that won't work. The proposed infrared detection system just has too many areas for probable failure. I attended the initial meeting of a focus group of blind people who were to help in the development of the system. Unfortunately, subsequent meetings were rescheduled from their earlier announced times to days when I wasn't available. However, the problems identified at that single meeting have not been resolved. First, the system depends on a blind user knowing of its existence and being trained in its use. Additionally, the would-be user must, upon entering the Metro station, find the station operator and request the electronic sensor. One must trust that the station operator will ensure that the batteries in the sensor are fully charged. A blind traveler who has a cane or dog guide [harness] handle in one hand and a parcel in the other is probably out of luck since the sensor is a handheld device and must be pointed at the platform edge. From my knowledge as a professional civil rights worker for the past 22 years, I question the legality of requiring blind Metro users to learn and rely on such impractical technology. Almost every other subway system in the country is installing an easily felt platform edge which is a much more simple, low-tech system that will cost one-third as much as the proposed infrared system. Worse than being cumbersome, however, the proposed system does not give the user reliable, precise information about how far away he/she is from the platform edge. Another failure of the proposed system is that it does not orient the blind user to the angle at which the open track lies. I haven't talked with any blind or visually impaired person who thinks this infrared technology system will work other than those awarded the nearly half-million dollar, sole-source contract to develop it. These happen to be the same people who seemingly ignore the deaths and injuries of those blind people who have fallen off the platform edge because they couldn't feel it in time with their feet or canes. It is my understanding that during the demonstration of the infrared technology, there were many problems, and it could not be considered in any way to be successful, let alone be shown as a safe and simple aid for blind travelers. Nonetheless, WMATA seems determined to install this unproven technology. It's a shame that the WMATA bureaucracy that has been so indifferent to the needs of disabled people for so long is the same bureaucracy that protects Bassily from personal responsibility for the millions of dollars of past and potential waste in the name of accommodation. Insistence on the installation of this ill-conceived technology is the kind of behavior that really gives disability a bad name. þ Raymond "Bud" Keith, Arlington, Va. FOR 1997, IT'S HOUSTON, TEXAS by John A. Horst, Convention Coordinator The 1997 convention of the American Council of the Blind will take place in Houston, Texas at the Adam's Mark Hotel. The dates are Saturday, July 5 through Saturday, July 12. The Adam's Mark, a 10-story deluxe hotel, offers 600 rooms. It is located in West Houston in the Westchase business district. The address is 2900 Briarpark Dr., Houston, TX 77042. Reservations can be made at any time by calling (800) 436-2326. All convention functions will take place at this hotel. Room rates are $49 per night (plus tax) for single and double occupancy and $59 (plus tax) for triple and quad. The two overflow hotels are the Marriott West Side, (713) 558-8338 and the Holiday Inn Park Ten West, (713) 558-5580. Rates at these hotels are the same as at the Adam's Mark. As usual, shuttles will operate between the hotels. Dr. Edward Bradley, President of the ACB of Texas, is appointing a host committee. Dr. Bradley resides in Houston, and he along with other members of the Texas affiliate will be working closely with the convention committee to plan a successful convention. Fast Facts On Houston Houston was founded in 1836 by New York land speculators Augustus and John Allen. They were convinced this location on the Buffalo Bayou was the perfect spot for a thriving new land venture. The city was named after Gen. Sam Houston, who led the Texas army in its defeat of Gen. Santa Ana's Mexican forces in 1836, resulting in independence for Texas. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States with a population of 1.6 million. The greater metropolitan area of Harris County has a population of more than 3.7 million. This metropolis is a major port, the eighth busiest in the world, and is the energy capital of the United States. Houston is served by two major commercial airports þ Houston International and William P. Hobby. These airports accommodate more than 20 airlines with service to more than 1,000 U.S. cities. Both airports are about the same distance time-wise from the convention hotels. Airport Express provides van transportation. Mid-year Meetings For 1997, the ACB winter meetings will take place at the Adam's Mark February 15 to 17. The board of directors will meet along with some committees and boards of several special-interest groups. There also will be an affiliate presidents meeting. Hotel reservations for these sessions can be made at any time. The cutoff date is January 27, 1997. Special-interest group presidents and committee chairs will soon receive a response form from the ACB national office. Please use this form to advise ACB of the date and time of your sessions, the estimated number of people who will attend, and any special arrangements you will desire. This should be done as soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 1996. Travel Agency ACB has again selected the AAA Travel Agency of Muskogee, Okla., formerly International Tours, as the agency to provide travel information and services. This agency provides a five percent discount on the lowest fares, has a profit-sharing agreement and makes some free flights available for use by ACB personnel. For 1997, through this agency, agreements are being established with American and Delta Airlines. Your use of this travel program and these airlines for all your related ACB travel will result in savings for you and for ACB. Please call (800) 259-9299 for all your travel needs. Preparation for ACB's 36th convention is well on its way. Don't miss Houston in 1997. CAPTION Carl McCoy presents the credentials report to ACB's most recent convention in Tulsa. (All photos copyright 1996 by Jon B. Petersen.) LEGAL ACCESS: BENEFITS OR DISCRIMINATION: THANKS OR NO THANKS? by Charles D. Goldman (Reprinted with permission from "Horizons," November 1996.) A couple of recent judicial decisions reinforce an old Washington maxim: where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit (and who is paying for the seat). In the spirit of Thanksgiving Day, the decisions in two cases alleging employment discrimination, McNemar v. Disney Store and Kennedy v. Applause, can be cause for giving thanks to consistency in the law. On the other hand, if you are on the losing side, these decisions could make you wonder if the law is a total turkey when it comes to the reality of people with disabilities who have been fired. In McNemar and Kennedy, two federal circuit courts of appeals, the third and the ninth respectively, which traditionally had been relatively receptive to arguments advanced on behalf of people with disabilities, each came down on the side of the employer who had fired the disabled plaintiff. Each court found that the plaintiff was not a qualified individual with a disability at the time of the termination and thus could not bring suit for alleged employment discrimination. In both cases the statements the plaintiffs made before the Social Security Administration and before state disability agencies that they were completely disabled for work-related purposes were used against the plaintiffs when they tried to claim they were discriminatorily fired because of their disabilities. McNemar was HIV-positive and made a number of representations of his inability to work þ before the SSA, the State of New Jersey disability agency and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Agency (to avoid repayment of loans). This is the typical case: a court seeing repeated representations of INABILITY to work will legally halt the plaintiff in the discrimination case from simultaneously claiming he/she had the ABILITY to do the job (with or without reasonable accommodation). Courts will use language like the plaintiff is "playing fast and loose." The decision in McNemar is much like the cases described in this column last September. The Kennedy case has an interesting twist. There the plaintiff, who had chronic fatigue syndrome, applied for benefits from SSA and the state of California. SSA turned down her application finding that she had the ability to return to work þ even though both Kennedy and her treating doctor had said she was unable to perform her job, with or without reasonable accommodations. Kennedy lost both the disability benefits and discrimination cases! Are these cases correctly decided? Legally, probably yes. At any certain date a person with a disability either has or does not have the ability to perform the job þ with or without reasonable accommodation. The trend in the cases, as exemplified by McNemar and Kennedy, is to hold that the person with a disability cannot have it both ways. Employers' lawyers are now successfully using individuals' inconsistent statements about their impairments against plaintiffs with disabilities in much the same way that a plaintiff's inconsistent statements about the events of employment can be used to undermine the merits of the plaintiff's claim. But is there a practical down side to these cases? Do they miss the reality of the situation of the person (including the individual with a disability) who has been terminated? The reality for the terminated person, in a nutshell, is that the person, because he was terminated, lacks money. To obtain even basic resources ("benefits") such as cash and, in the case of the person with a disability, health insurance through Medicare/Medicaid, the person applies for assistance through any and all of the various state and federal programs, including through Social Security. It's the person's basic drive to survive that makes him do whatever it takes. McNemar and Kennedy do bring consistency to the legal arena, a principle which is to be applauded and for which we should give thanks as a general rule. McNemar and Kennedy also underscore the practical dilemma of people, especially those with disabilities, who have been fired. But should thanks really be given for McNemar and Kennedy, or are these turkeys of decisions in the practical world? Cases such as McNemar and Kennedy do not mean that the person with a disability has no rights. Rather these cases seem to mean that a person with a disability must make an election of rights þ pursue either disability discrimination or disability benefits. Do these types of cases show another disincentive in the workplace reality? How you answer these questions depends on where you sit (and whether you can afford the seat). At the very least they are food for thought for people with disabilities, their employers and advocates for both sides. Stay tuned þ and try not to get indigestion. Happy Thanksgiving! CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND: THE 4TH QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE WORLD BLIND UNION by Brian Charlson (Editor's Note: Brian Charlson is ACB's first vice president and represented the organization at the conference described below.) "I call this fourth quadrennial conference of the World Blind Union to order." With those words, WBU President David Blyth brought the 350 delegates from more than 130 countries to order, and my education in the field of international blindness politics began. I donned my headset which allowed the conference delegates to hear the proceedings in five different languages. However, I could still hear the voices of others translating the words of our speakers into yet other languages on a one-to-one basis. This constant murmur of voices, which under other circumstances would have been considered rude, was simply a sign that the members of the WBU were hard at work, learning, teaching and expressing the views of their countries from all around the world. Delegates were seated in alphabetical order by country, so to my left sat the delegation from Uruguay, while to my right sat the other five members of the United States delegation: Susan J. Spungin, American Foundation for the Blind; Frank Kurt Cylke, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Barbara McCarthy representing the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; Elizabeth Carr with the Blinded Veterans Association; and Kenneth Jernigan, National Federation of the Blind. In front of us sat people representing similar organizations from their respective countries, all gathered together with a common goal þ to "change what it means to be blind," the theme of the conference. Over the course of seven days the delegates debated and passed more than 14 resolutions covering subjects as diverse as the representation of women in WBU affairs, condemnation of infanticide of blind babies by some of the world's governments, and the banning of laser weapons used to blind enemy soldiers in times of war. We also heard speakers deal with such subjects as educating blind children, employment opportunities for blind adults, reports from the presidents of the five regional groups, and reports from WBU committee chairs on the activities of their committees over the past four years. Coffee breaks were almost as educational as the program speakers themselves. With a cup of coffee in one hand and a pastry in the other, delegates made new friends and became re- acquainted with old ones. "How do blind people in your country learn to read and write braille?" "In my country blind people do massage, what do they do in your country?" "Every blind child should have access to a mobility instructor, wouldn't that be wonderful?" The questions were almost as instructive as the answers. Meals were also an adventure. I had lunch with the Ugandan delegation and had to explain what hamburgers and French fries were. At a country hoedown, I found myself explaining how to eat corn on the cob to a teacher of the blind from Indonesia. Lest you imagine that all the delegates did was sit and eat, let me assure you that most activities resulted in real constructive accomplishments. I met with a representative from Microsoft who agreed to help us bring Windows access issues to the attention of developers of Windows-based software; I spoke with the engineer working on the new experimental digital talking book technology being developed under the sponsorship of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic; I met with the newly elected president of the World Blind Union, Euclid Herie from Canada, along with the other members of the North American Region; and I collected more than 40 business cards from leaders of the blind around the world. I came away from my first World Blind Union quadrennial conference both disappointed and pleased. Disappointed because so many of our blind brothers and sisters in developing countries continue to battle for even the most basic of services; disappointed that the world's governments continue to spend so much of their resources on arms rather than humanity; disappointed that blindness continues to be viewed by sighted people of all cultures as something shameful rather than a disability that can be met head-on and conquered. But I'm pleased that in spite of the distance we have yet to travel before reaching our goal of independence for all blind men and women, we continue to make real progress. Pleased to find that no matter the language, no matter the religion, no matter the economic standing, we the blind of the world have more in common than just our blindness. We are people of good will, people with a vision, people who rise to a challenge rather than being defeated by it. Attending the 1996 quadrennial conference of the World Blind Union as the representative of the American Council of the Blind was a pleasure and a privilege. I hope that I represented you well and I pray that in four years when the WBU once again meets as a world body, we can honestly say that we are "Changing What It Means to be Blind." REPORT ON THE FIRST WORLD BLIND UNION WORLD BLIND WOMEN'S FORUM by Kim Charlson (Editor's Note: Kim Charlson is a member of ACB's Board of Publications and presides over the Bay State Council of the Blind and the Braille Revival League, both affiliates of the American Council of the Blind.) I was very pleased to serve as an official observer at the World Blind Union Forum on the Status of Blind Women. This important meeting, which brought blind women together from all over the world, was held prior to the Fourth General Assembly of the World Blind Union in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 22-24, 1996. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind was the hosting organization. Gayle Krause served as the official delegate for the American Council of the Blind at the conference. Women from more than 100 countries met for three days of presentations and workshops on a wide range of issues of concern to blind women. The first day of the conference focused on reports on activities for women from the seven WBU regional committees. These regions include: East Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East; European; African; Asian; and North America. Day two of the conference featured skills development workshops on a variety of topics. These included: independence and equality through literacy; family life issues; personal communication skills; global forces facing women; women and small business; support policy and cooperation with sister organizations in developing countries; strengthening organizations for the blind; rehabilitation opportunities; access to adequate and affordable health care programs; and how to empower women and gain knowledge of strategic techniques. These workshops set the stage for participants to begin the process of making recommendations to be forwarded to the WBU General Assembly. The final day of the gathering allowed women from specific regions to meet and discuss common issues within the regional context. Following these regional meetings, reports were given from each group to the entire conference. One of the main recommendations was that the WBU develop a mechanism to allow for women to serve in leadership roles within the officer core and committee leadership of the WBU. This recommendation was further emphasized by a conference resolution. Other resolutions adopted by the women's conference included: a humanity-based resolution calling for countries engaged in armed conflict to suspend such aggression so the economic resources being utilized on war could then be reappropriated for human services; the immediate cessation of feticide and infanticide of blind and visually impaired babies being practiced by some countries; development of a resource-sharing network for women in developing countries to promote mentoring and leadership; and promotion of literacy opportunities for all blind persons, particularly women and girls, who experience a higher rate of discrimination worldwide with respect to the availability of literacy training. Participants unanimously agreed that this first WBU women's forum was just the beginning of an empowerment process for blind women leaders around the world. Future activities and meetings to continue the process of empowering blind women will continue throughout the WBU regions. For more information on the WBU Committee on the Status of Blind Women contact: Kicki Nordstrom, S-122 88, Enskede, Sweden. TEXAS RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD LICENSING AGENCY WINS MAJOR VICTORY IN FEDERAL CONTRACTING COURT LITIGATION by Charles S.P. Hodge In the spring of 1995, the contract to operate a major mess hall at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, came up for renewal. The Air Force sent out requests for proposals to interested bidders, including the Texas Commission for the Blind, the Randolph-Sheppard Act recognized state licensing agency. The state licensing agency along with one of its vendors and a highly qualified subcontractor, Food Service Inc. (experienced in meeting the requirements for serving the needs of uniformed service personnel in operating major food service facilities on military bases), jointly submitted a proposal in response to the Air Force's request. The incumbent contractor, Southfork Systems Inc., also responded to the request for proposals. The Air Force evaluated all of the submissions received and determined that the joint proposal submitted by the Texas state licensing agency was within the competitive range; therefore, under the provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and its implementing regulations, the Air Force planned to enter direct negotiations with the Texas Commission for the Blind with the intention of awarding the mess hall contract to the agency upon successful completion of those negotiations. In late December of 1995, the Air Force sent letters to all offerors including the incumbent contractor, informing them of its determination and intentions. Southfork Systems Inc. immediately protested and challenged the anticipated award of the mess hall contract to the Texas Commission for the Blind. In January of 1996, Southfork Systems Inc. commenced a legal action in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, challenging application of certain provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act to this particular procurement and seeking declaratory and injunctive relief invalidating the anticipated contract award. The Texas Commission sought and received permission from the court to intervene as a party defendant in the case. After cross motions for summary judgment were filed, briefed and argued by both sides, and after appropriate motions to dismiss from the Air Force and the Texas licensing agency were heard, the Court of Federal Claims rendered its decision August 28. The court rejected all of the often novel and creative challenges of the plaintiff, thereby upholding the award of the Lackland Air Force Base mess hall contract to the Texas Commission for the Blind and handing the agency a smashing legal victory. In reaching its conclusion, the court had to contend with several novel arguments and legal theories raised by the incumbent mess hall operator. For example, the plaintiff seriously contended that the Randolph-Sheppard priority by its very terms and language runs in favor of blind people, and since the Texas state licensing agency is obviously not such a blind person, it cannot claim advantage of the Randolph-Sheppard priority to sustain the contract awarded to it. The court responded that the Texas Commission for the Blind as the recognized state licensing agency has a special status under the act and its implementing regulations, and that the agency could properly act to further the employment and economic opportunities of its vendors. The plaintiff also argued vociferously that since the licensed blind vendor designated in the Texas Commission for the Blind proposal to be the contract manager did not technically meet the experience requirement set forth in the request for proposals, the Air Force improperly found the Texas agency's proposal to be within the competitive range, and that the agency's proposal should have been deemed to be utterly non- responsive for failure to meet the single specification regarding experience in major food service operation management of the proposed manager. The court rejected this contention, pointing out that compliance with the contract manager's experience specification was only one of several specification compliance factors which had to be weighed by the Air Force in arriving at its determination that the proposal submitted by the Texas Commission for the Blind met the threshold test of being within the competitive range. Many of the other arguments raised by the plaintiff were attempts to challenge the implementing regulations under the Randolph-Sheppard Act promulgated by the Department of Education. The court deflected these challenges by ruling that the Air Force as the contracting agency had no authority to question the presumptive validity of regulations issued under the discretion and expertise of another federal agency. Further, the court indicated that the only basis for Southfork Systems Inc.'s legal action in the court of federal claims was that in some way or manner, the Air Force had breached the implied covenant of fair dealing and fair consideration contained in its request for proposals. In other words, the only way for it to win its case was for Southfork Systems Inc. to show that by carrying out the dictates of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and its implementing regulations, the Air Force had failed to fairly review, evaluate and consider Southfork Systems Inc.'s proposal as compared to the winning proposal submitted by the Texas state licensing agency. The court in all fairness could not conclude that Southfork Systems Inc. had successfully made such a showing. Therefore, it granted judgment in favor of the Air Force as contracting agency and the Texas state licensing agency as successful contract awardee thereby declaring the award of the Lackland Air Force Base mess hall contract valid and proper. The victory of the Texas Commission for the Blind is an important one. It upholds under the provisions of the Randolph- Sheppard Act and implementing regulations contract proposals such as this one, which was prepared jointly by a state licensing agency and an experienced food service subcontractor for large food service management contracts at major military installations. It may well clear away some legal underbrush and lead to the awarding of more of these large mess hall contracts to state licensing agencies and their licensed blind vendors. If that happens, this court decision could create a veritable gold mine for at least some Randolph-Sheppard vendors. Let's hope it happens. One cautionary note: the battle is not over, even in the Texas state licensing agency contract award matter at Lackland Air Force Base, as Southfork Systems Inc. has filed a notice of appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals seeking reversal of the decision rendered by the Court of Federal Claims. Stay tuned. U.S. BRINGS HOME THE BRONZE IN PARALYMPIC GOAL BALL by Sherry Gordon (Editor's Note: The 1996 Paralympic games were held in Atlanta, Ga. August 15-25. More than 350 athletes from the United States participated, including ACB member Sherry Gordon. Gordon lives in Kalamazoo, Mich., and is treasurer of the Kalamazoo Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, one of the chapters of the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. "The Braille Forum" congratulates the U.S. women's goal ball team on its reception of the bronze medal at the Paralympic games. In addition to Gordon, team members include: Jennifer Armbruster, Colorado Springs, Colo., Irene Davis-Sparks, Austin, Texas, Patty Egensteiner-Asbury, Belle Harbor, N.Y., Margaret Ostrowski, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Maureen Ryan Esposito, Tampa, Fla. The head coach is Ken Armbruster, Colorado Springs, Colo., and the assistant coach is Wendy Fagan of Pennsylvania.) Paralympic competition is held for 10 days following the regular Olympics. Paralympic athletes have a variety of disabilities including blindness and visual impairment. Competitions are held in goal ball, swimming, stand-up volleyball, sit-down volleyball, track and field, tennis and cycling. I was proud to compete on the U.S. women's goal ball team. Goal ball was developed shortly after World War II to enhance recreational activities and opportunities for blinded veterans. The game is played on a court that measures nine by 18 meters, similar to a volleyball court. Three players from each team are on the court at a time, although each team may have a maximum of six players. A ball about the size of a basketball is used. The ball has bells inside it so when it rolls on the floor, the bells ring. The audience must be totally quiet during the game. Each player has territory to defend and boundaries are marked by a quarter-inch rope that is taped to the floor. This helps prevent players from colliding. The ball is rolled at the other team, as fast and hard as possible. When the ball gets past all three players and passes over the goal line, a goal is scored. I began playing goal ball seven years ago after losing my vision due to diabetic complications. Before I lost my sight, I was very involved in sports, playing softball in the summer, biking, walking, jogging, skiing, etc. Now the types of sports in which I participate have changed, but my competitive nature has increased. In addition to goal ball, I attended a tandem cycling camp in 1994 and have ridden enthusiastically ever since. I also enjoy water skiing, downhill and cross-country skiing and beep baseball. In 1994, I was chosen for the U.S. national goal ball team which competed at the World Games, held in Colorado Springs. The team didn't do well that year, coming in sixth in a field of eight. Earlier this year, I was again chosen for the U.S. women's national goal ball team. The team traveled to Gravesend, England during the latter part of June, participating in the British National goal ball tournament. The U.S. team won all games in its round robin competition, as well as the two games in the final rounds, finishing in first place. The team competed at the Atlanta Paralympic games, with the first game on August 17 against Germany. It also played against Finland, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Australia and Denmark. In the semifinal round the U.S. team lost to Germany in a 3-2 thriller. In the bronze medal round, the U.S. smeared Spain 6-5 in overtime. In the final game, Germany beat Finland and took the gold medal. In the men's competition, Finland took the gold, Canada took the silver, and Spain got the bronze. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people from all over the world. Some 3,500 athletes from 192 nations were in attendance. We exchanged pins; I brought back numerous pins from around the world. Paralympic athletes resided at Georgia Tech's Olympic Village facilities. We visited Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta, although many of the exhibits had already been demolished prior to our arrival. Security was exceptionally high due to the recent Centennial Park bombing. What's next as far as my sports activities? Sydney, Australia in 2000, of course. 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. HOLIDAY CARDS Prophecy Designs has braille Christmas cards available with free name personalization. For more information, or a catalog, contact the company at P.O. Box 84, Round Pond, ME 04564, or phone (207) 529-5318. CHOCOLATE LABS The Chocolate Experience now has chocolate guide dogs and regular dogs. Chocolate guide dogs are embossed with a harness and the words "best friend." They cost $15 plus $6 shipping and handling. Regular dogs come in labrador, $15, and retriever and German shepherd, $10 each. The company is also holding a contest to name its chocolate guide dog. Entries must include your name, address, phone number, whether you're a child or adult, and if you own a dog. Short stories or poems would be appreciated. The winner gets a Choco-Lab and a gift certificate. Get your entries in quickly; the contest ends November 30. Send your suggestion in print to The Chocolate Experience, "Dog," P.O. Box 540836, Flushing, N.Y. 11354. Choco-braille cards are still available with "Thank You," "Have a Nice Day," "I Love You," "Happy Birthday," "Happy Anniversary," "Happy Retirement," "Good Luck," "Congratulations," "Merry Christmas," "Happy Chanukah," "Happy Easter," and "Happy Holidays." Regular chocolate bars cost $2.50 each; sugar-free bars cost $3.50 each. Sign language "I Love You" chocolate pops are available, as are numerous other chocolate novelties. Contact the company at (800) 669-6665 (New York state residents call (718) 461-1873). AFB WINNERS The American Foundation for the Blind recently announced its 1996 scholarship winners. They are: Jay E. Foory, Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Robin Langman, Culver City, Calif.; Linda Wilder, Tacoma, Wash.; Thomas Woodman, San Francisco, Calif.; Stacey R. Dent, Lenexa, Kan.; Amy Melinda Wilson, Cincinnati, Ohio; Laura Neff, Huntsville, Ala.; Dana Patrick, Amarillo, Texas; Frances Shefl, O'Neill, Neb.; Lai-Yee Emily Chan, Princeton, N.J.; Adam Thomas Schmidt, Fredericksburg, Texas; Sarah Louise Gales, Felton, Calif.; and Thien Nga Vu, Bronx, N.Y. SKI CAMP Challenge Aspen Visually Impaired Ski Camp is designed to provide intermediate and advanced level skiers the opportunity to perfect their turning, carving, bump and racing skills. Registration is limited to 10 participants. Camp will run from January 29 to February 2, 1997. The $350 fee includes four days of lift tickets, small group instruction, daily skier analysis, indoor clinics, equipment storage and breakfast. Visually impaired participants may bring their own guide or request one from Challenge Aspen. Lodging will be at the Wildwood Lodge in Snowmass Village. Lodging costs $37.50 per night (double occupancy) or $75 (single occupancy). The daily schedule runs like this: 7:30-8:30 a.m., breakfast and plan the day; 9 a.m. to noon, on-snow instruction; noon-1 p.m., lunch; 1-3:30 p.m., on-snow instruction; 4:30-6:30 p.m., skier analysis. Contact Challenge Aspen at P.O. Box M, Aspen, CO 81612, or phone (970) 927-0578 before December 15. MUSIC TAPES Traditional and pops Christmas music dictated on audio cassette is available from Jeanine Linster for piano, keyboard, chord guitar, and organ; melody, chords and words are included. Other music available includes classical, pops, show tunes, hymns, old favorites, from beginners to advanced musicians. Also available are teaching methods and theory tapes. For more information, call or write to Jeanine Linster, 409 30-1/4 Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81504; phone (970) 434-8639. 1996 CATALOG The Massachusetts Association for the Blind now has its 1996 store catalog available in braille, large print and cassette. It is also available on IBM disk if the requester provides one. Call or write the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, 200 Ivy St., Brookline, MA 02146; phone (617) 732-0246. CHEMISTRY PROGRAM According to ACB of Indiana "Focus," researchers at Purdue University have created a computer program that translates chemical equations on computer disk into braille. The program works with WordPerfect, and is available free on the World Wide Web at http://www.chem.purdue.edu/facilities/sightlab/index.html BOOK REISSUED James Wilson's "Biography of the Blind" has been reissued with notes by research librarian Kenneth Stuckey of the Perkins School for the Blind. It is a commemorative edition sponsored by Friends of Libraries for Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals in North America and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The book, originally published in four editions, contains biographical sketches of blind individuals, from Homer and Nicholas Sanderson to an obscure miser named Adam Mond. Biographies are arranged by field of interest; each group is introduced with an essay giving up-to-date information and historical perspective. If you are interested in buying a copy, contact Friends of Libraries for the Blind, 1555 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036; phone (202) 462-9600, or fax (202) 462-9043. The paperback edition costs $16.95; hardcover, $22.95. Free annual membership in Friends is included with the purchase of either edition. EASTERN CULTURE The Foreign Languages Department of the China Braille Press is launching a program that makes publications about Eastern cultures and alternative medicines, especially those of China, available in English for braille and talking book readers worldwide. Among the books available are "The Miracle of Acupuncture," two volumes, $25; "Mao Zedong: Man, Not God," two volumes, $21.50; "Westerners Through Chinese Eyes," two volumes, $19; "The Magic Bird: Folk Tales from China," one volume, $9; "A Guide Book for the Blind Traveling in China," two volumes, $20. Catalogs are available upon request from China Braille Press, Chengnei Street, Lugouqiao, Beijing 100072, China. RNIB GOES MEGA Raised Dot Computing recently landed a large contract with the Royal National Institute for the Blind in England. RNIB decided on MegaDots after comparing it with Duxbury and the institute's own ITS braille software. BRAILLE T-SHIRTS The Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind is offering braille t- shirts with a new design which pictures a pair of hands reading a braille book framed by the aphorism "Braille is a Touchy Subject." On the back is the braille and print alphabet done in a puff paint. Shirts are 50-50 cotton and polyester, short sleeves for year-round wear. Choose royal blue or raspberry, large, extra large, or extra extra large. Send check or money order for $16 (includes shipping) to Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind, 800 Rosebank Ave., Nashville, TN 37206. For more information, call (615) 353-8603. HIKERS AND HELPERS Joyce Rogers of Cincinnati, Ohio would like to establish a hikers and helpers network to collect information about trails to hike, blind people who hike, and sighted guides who could help with hikes. The network will begin by collecting information from blind hikers and interested helpers across the country about trails. If any existing hiking group would like to work in partnership with the network, she would consider that possibility. If you would like to participate, contact Joyce Rogers at (513) 921-3186. HOME READERS Home Readers offers catalogs on half-speed four-track tape. Current titles are: L.L. Bean, Lands End, Newport News, Foster & Smith, R.C. Steele, Dr. Leonard's Catalog, Puritan's Pride, Back to the '50s, Everything on Earth, Harriet Carter, Lillian Vernon, Peter Drake, Colonial Gardens Kitchens, Carol Wright, Fingerhut, The Lighter Side, Miles Kimball, Taylor Gifts, American Spoon Food, Pepperidge Farm, Swiss Colony, Walnut Acres, Adventures in Cassettes, Coca-Cola, Mayberry Collectibles, Music City General Store, and Avon. All catalogs are $4 each, except for Coca-Cola, Mayberry, Music City General Store, and Adventures in Cassettes, which cost $2 each. For a free recorded list, call Home Readers at (913) 893-6939 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, or write the company at 604 W. Hulett, Edgerton, KS 66021. NEW FROM DVS Descriptive Video Service has several new releases: "Rookie of the Year," "The King and I," "Frosty the Snowman," "Scent of a Woman," "Pocahontas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Roman Holiday," "True Lies," "Speed," "Basic Instinct," and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." For more information, or to order, call (800) 736-3099. CHANCES ARE "Chances Are ... You Need a Mammogram" is available on tape and in braille from the American Association of Retired Persons. If you need the tape version, include the cassette title and stock number C1245, and write to AARP Fulfillment, 601 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20049. For a free braille copy, contact the AARP Disability Initiative at (202) 434-2477. RENT TO OWN Arkenstone Inc. recently announced that it will offer a rent- to-own purchase program for its reading machines and PC clones. This applies to Arkenstone's First Reader system; Open Book reading machine and the ArkenClone PC bundled with An Open Book Unbound software. Rental payments for qualifying users are 8 percent of the system's purchase price, including shipping and tax (if applicable). The minimum rental period is three months, and renters will make an initial payment of three months' rent. Those making 12 additional monthly payments will own the equipment. If the user decides to buy the unit before the end of 15 months, three-fourths of each rental payment can be applied to the total price. For more information, contact Arkenstone at (800) 444-4443. MOVE WITH MARGE "Moving with Marge" is an exercise tape produced for all ages. Side one contains detailed instructions for the exercises to be done to the music on side two. "Learn to Play Country Quickly" is a 90-minute instructional tape for beginning guitarists. "To You with Love" is a tape of 10 country songs featuring Ray and Lois Howard and their seven adult children. Each tape sells for $7.50 a copy. Write to the Howards at 61951 High Hill Rd., Cambridge, OH 43725, or phone (614) 432-2287. CATALOGS International Disabled Marketing Associates now has the 1996-97 catalogs for Ann Morris Enterprises, the Amway Christmas catalog, and an electronics catalog for home and business. The Ann Morris catalog is available in large print, tape, and IBM disk for no charge; the electronics catalog is on tape, and costs $1; and the Amway Christmas catalog comes on two tapes for $1.50. IDMA also offers part- and full-time business opportunities; a free tape of information is available upon request. Make your check or money order payable to Jack H. Morgan and send it to IDMA, 901 Freeport Rd., Creighton, PA 15030-1049, or phone (412) 226-9855. HOME BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY An audiocassette which provides information on a home business opportunity in the field of health and nutrition may be ordered for 85 cents from Ben Ruiz, (505) 281-6222. No collect calls please. According to Ruiz, the business is a good opportunity for blind and visually impaired people who would like to work at home. CASSETTE COURSES "60 Minutes Towards Computer Literacy" is an audio cassette that makes basic computer concepts and terms understandable to virtually anyone. "Internet Explained þ Short & Sweet" explains what the Internet is all about. Both are available from BusinessFilm International. Contact the company at (800) 260-7717. MAY RECEIVES AWARD Arkenstone's vice president of sales, Michael G. May, recently received the inaugural Catherine T. "Kay" Gallagher Award from the American Foundation for the Blind. The award recognizes blind or visually impaired individuals who have "demonstrated exemplary participation in the workplace and the community, and have mentored other people with similar disabilities," according to an Arkenstone press release. May holds a master of arts in international affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He skied in Sarajevo during the 1984 Olympics. NEW WEB SITE The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center has developed a comprehensive disability information site on the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.rsa.lib.il.us/~hitbc/heart.htm SCOURBY WINNERS On June 3, the American Foundation for the Blind presented its 10th annual Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year Awards. The winner in the fiction category is Chuck Benson, a narrator at Denver, Colo.'s Talking Book Publishers since 1988. He has recorded nearly 200 books, including best sellers such as "The Chamber," "Jurassic Park," "Get Shorty" and "The Night Manager." The non-fiction winner is Lou Harpenau of Louisville, Ky. Harpenau has narrated more than 350 books at the American Printing House for the Blind since 1970, including "Truman" and "Dreadnaught." And the winner in children's literature is Catherine Byers, who began recording in AFB's New York City studios in 1976. Byers has recorded nearly 350 books, ranging from "Amelia Bedelia" and the "Nancy Drew Scrapbook" to "Gorillas in the Mist" and "Reviving Ophelia." Byers is also an actress, and has appeared on and off- Broadway in productions of "The Philanthropist," "Equus," "Passion," "Noises Off," and "M. Butterfly," to name a few. AMERITECH ID Ameritech has a Talking Caller ID, according to ACB of Indiana's "Focus." It speaks the caller's phone number and can be programmed to speak the names of friends and relatives who call often. It costs approximately $119, billable to the buyer's telephone bill, or can be paid for in three monthly installments. To order, call (800) 433-8505. VISUAL VOICE ON NET Visual Voice, an organization of professional audio describers providing descriptive services for the blind and visually impaired, is now on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.best.com/~jdovano/vv.htm It is a home page that is continuously updated with information such as schedules of audio- described events, workshops for new describers, whose voices are on staff, and more. If you live in northern California, take a look at the schedule of described performances available to you through May 1997. ADA HOME PAGE Information about how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act is now available on the Internet's World Wide Web. The address is http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm The ADA hotline is (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). LOVE BIKE IS TANDEM According to "The Blind Californian," the love bike is a tandem bike that is close-coupled, shorter, and lighter than other tandems, allowing the riders a common center of gravity, better balance and handling. It was designed so that the person on the back can sit upright and reach the handlebars with full control. The front-seat rider has a smaller, extended set of handlebars. For more information, write: The Love Bike, P.O. Box 999, Willits, CA 95490, or phone Bob, JoAnne or Ralph at (707) 459-1359 or Chris at (707) 459-2851. MONTHLY ON CASSETTE "Disability Resources Monthly," a newsletter that monitors, reviews and reports on resources for independent living, is now available on tape. The newsletter includes informational articles, reviews, news items, and resources. Those eligible for free matter can receive the taped edition for $25 a year ($30 in Canada, $35 overseas), which is the same price as the print edition. Organizations and individuals not eligible for free matter privileges can receive the print edition for $25 a year, or the cassette edition for $35 a year, plus $5 in Canada or $10 overseas. To order this newsletter, contact Disability Resources, Inc., Four Glatter Lane, Centereach, N.Y. 11720-1032; phone (516) 585-0290. NABS GUIDE Now available from the National Alliance of Blind Students is its recent publication, "A Guide to Establishing an Affiliate of the National Alliance of Blind Students." This guidebook details the steps necessary to establish an affiliate of NABS, basics in membership development, newsletter editing, meeting governance, advocacy, fundraising and much more. The guidebook is available in large print, braille, and 3.5-inch ASCII computer disk. If you are interested in establishing a NABS affiliate in your state and would like a copy of this guidebook, contact Jessica Beach, Coordinator of Affiliate & Membership Services, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 467- 5081 or (800) 424-8666, or via e-mail at jbeach@erols.com SWISS WATCHES Tempus Watch of Switzerland has several watches available for low-vision people. For more information, contact Tempus Watch, Tempus Handels AG, Dorfstrasse 277, CH-4713 Matzendorf, Switzerland. BASEBALL GAME Version 11 of the World Series Baseball Game and Information System is now available. To play it, you need an IBM-compatible computer with a screen reader and synthesizer. This version comes with 159 teams and will include the 1996 pennant winners and all- star teams. There are two games and 10 information programs. It costs $15 for new users, $5 for upgrades. Send your check with your name and address to Harry Hollingsworth, 692 S. Sheraton Dr., Akron, OH 44319 or phone (330) 644-2421. NEW READING MACHINE Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc. recently introduced the Omni 1000, an advanced PC-based reading machine. It offers the most accurate optical character recognition and the clearest-sounding synthetic speech at a cost less than that of other complete systems. The Omni 1000 quickly scans print documents and reads them aloud in one of 14 voices, at various speeds and volumes. It includes a Pentium processor with 16 megabytes of RAM, 1 gigabyte of hard disk storage, a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, 17-button keypad, color scanner, speech synthesizer, speakers and a microphone (on the Quick Plus version only). Other available options are a monitor and full-size keyboard. Omni 1000 costs $995. For more information, contact Kurzweil at (800) 894-5374, or write them at 411 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02154. MIGEL RECIPIENTS The American Foundation for the Blind recently named the winners of its Migel Medal. Joseph E. Sullivan, founder and president of Duxbury Systems, Inc., received the professional award. Helen G. Levine, a volunteer who has worked to improve the quality and accessibility of services to blind and visually impaired people since the 1940s, received the Volunteer Award. The late Milton J. Samuelson, executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse, was named to receive a special posthumous Professional Award. NEW BOOK "Ray Charles: Soul Man" by Ruth Turk will soon be available in braille from Seedlings. For more information, contact the company at P.O. Box 51924, Livonia, MI 48151-5924, or phone (800) 777-8552. IRWIN WINNERS The Robert B. Irwin Award of National Industries for the Blind was presented to two people this year: Ernest A. Ochel, former member of NIB's board of directors, and the late Milton J. Samuelson, former executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse. Accepting the award for Samuelson was his wife, Ramona. FROM MEMPHIS TO MINNEAPOLIS by Jim Megivern Did you ever take a vacation that turned out to be more than a vacation? Here's how a couple of days of ordinary tourism, combined with plans to attend a friend's family wedding, turned out also to provide me with some very valuable lessons in ACB history. In mid-August I had the opportunity to join a colleague on an eight-day auto trip, driving from North Carolina to Minnesota. We drove through Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, Tenn., Branson and Kansas City, Mo., Omaha, Neb., Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, S.D., to Marshall, Minn., getting there in plenty of time for my friend to officiate at the wedding of a niece. Then we drove on to Minneapolis where I caught a plane which got me back home to Wilmington, N.C. in time for the opening of the school year (and for hurricane Fran, but that's another story!). Our trek through the Ozarks included these tourist specials: 1) We arrived in Branson just in time to get second-row seats for one of Charley Pride's shows; 2) we took the fascinating drive-through tour of Fantastic Cavern, Mo., and 3) we explored the Indian quarries and their unusual history in Pipestone, Minn. But the two unanticipated highlights of the trip were visits with a couple of ACB members. We were having supper on Beale Street in Memphis when it occurred to me that this was not only the place of "the birth of the blues," but also an important place in the story of the birth of the ACB. It was here that Durward and Aileen McDaniel had made a special trip in early 1959 on a crucial mission to meet with Hollis Liggett and plan the start of a "Free Press" to give a voice to those in the NFB who could not get a hearing in "The Braille Monitor" of the day. Two and a half stormy years later the result was the ACB. I checked the phone book and not only located the right Liggett but called the next morning and received a cordial invitation to lunch despite the short notice. Legendary southern hospitality came into full play when I arrived and was greeted by Hollis, his wife Margaret, and one of their twin daughters. The four of us soon sat down to a delightful meal and had a grand time discussing a broad array of topics, including the present and past of the ACB. Marjorie had interviewed Hollis by phone early in our work on the ACB history project, and I had had occasion to call him more recently about some of his articles, but these contacts were no substitute for a good ol' down-home visit. We found that we had numerous unexpected areas of common interest, and it was great to hear Hollis give his impressions of those heady days when the ACB was a-borning. That was Tuesday, early in my trip, but it was paralleled the following Monday at its end. I had a few hours before flight time, so I decided to search out Jim Olsen and the ACB fiscal headquarters. Time was all too short, but once again, it was a memorable occasion as Jim put aside the piles of work awaiting his attention and gave me the full tour as well as a lively account of the Tulsa convention, as he had experienced it. It was an interesting complement to my several visits to the Washington office, presenting a good overall appreciation of how ACB ticks and the manifold aspects of its current administrative operations. Upon my return home it occurred to me that I could not have done better if I had sat down and planned my trip for weeks. It just so happened that these two visits were like bookends of the history of ACB: Hollis Liggett, Memphis, the "Free Press," the birth of an ideal in the distant past; Jim Olsen, Minneapolis, the functioning of a thriving reality in the demanding present. Two guys with such very different histories and roles of their own, but joined by their common devotion to the causes that most truly benefit blind Americans as envisioned by Durward McDaniel back then and pursued, as he had hoped, by the ACB today. CONVENTION SUCCESS FOR COMMITTEE ON AGING AND BLINDNESS by Teddie Remhild ACB's Committee on Aging and Blindness broadened its scope at this year's national convention by presenting four programs which addressed the issues of aging and blindness from a variety of perspectives. Two of these programs were "Aging with Lifelong Blindness" and "Vision Loss in Later Years." The second two- program offering consisted of focus/discussion groups facilitated by Teresa Blessing and Betty Gayzagian, who are members of the committee. These focus groups met in the president's suite and were meant to be small and of a peer support nature. All four programs were very well-attended and enthusiastically received. These responses led the committee to believe that there is a great need and interest for more of such programs at future conventions. The workshop panels were made up of ACB members who presented and represented the diversity of life experiences, as well as the experience of blindness. The panel on aging with lifelong blindness presented examples of lifelong partial vision, little or no useful vision and the challenges of aging with these circumstances. It was also pointed out that additional losses such as hearing created some frustration and renewed determination to carry on. Bettye Krause, Betty Gayzagian, Arianna Calesso and LeRoy Saunders were the panelists for this program and shared their life experiences honestly, displaying great strength in their willingness to be vulnerable. The workshop which discussed vision loss in later life brought together four individuals with distinctly different experiences of vision loss, even though they all occurred after the age of 50, after a lifetime of normal vision. This was also a positive indicator of the membership recruitment potential among those older people now in the majority of those facing visual impairment in our country today. These panel members were Alan Beatty, Jane Kardas, Carol Ewing and Peggy Shoel. The causes ranged from diabetic retinopathy to neurologic damage due to respiratory arrest, from macular degeneration to toxoplasmosis. Resilience was a common denominator among these individuals. Art Linkletter wrote a book titled "Getting Older Isn't for Sissies" and all these panelists displayed the courage implied by that title. There is a myth that at some point in life one becomes a senior citizen overnight and all that that stereotype conjures up. The truth is that each individual becomes more unique with age, and in the aging process becomes more of what he or she has always been. Uniqueness is far more prevalent as one ages than in youth. This was certainly obvious in all these workshop presentations. The focus groups discussed the feelings of participants about their aging and blindness in a small-group setting. Philosophical humor, frustration, calm acceptance of reality, anger and resourcefulness were some of the expressed attitudes. These focus groups were intended for peer support and sharing in a setting of a dozen or so with a facilitator who has experience in this skill. The second day's topic was "Blind Persons and Their Dealings with the Medical Community." This was a lively group that shared problems, solutions and various community resources. These groups were so well-attended that expansion may occur at next year's convention in Houston. In the upcoming year, the committee has set many goals for itself. It will be more visible on the national scene via articles in "The Braille Forum." It will write about committee goals as well as individual community programs in which many members are involved. It hopes to be able to create a nationwide network of peer support and information and referral to resources and problem- solving. There is much of this currently going on in Florida, Nevada, California and Michigan. Other communities and states are also involved in similar projects but all are basically autonomous. The committee will be doing more outreach and networking at national conventions and, hopefully, in between, as it participates in state conventions other than members' own. Another goal of the committee is to elicit, by means of a simple questionnaire, from all state affiliates, an estimate of the number of members over the age of 60 and, if possible, the number with vision loss later in life. These questionnaires will be sent out in the next few months; responses by phone or mail will be greatly appreciated. This information will be useful for creating future convention programs, as well as providing an overview of ACB membership. While sketchy, this basic information will be helpful in future recruitment and in addressing the realities of membership needs at conventions and throughout the year. 1996 is the first year that the nation's "baby boomers" are turning 50, and as that generation ages, the issues, both politically, legislatively, economically and medically, will become even more urgent and visible. Aging is not something that happens one day when one turns 65 þ it is a lifelong process and requires attention and planning. The Committee on Aging and Blindness hopes to play an increasingly important role in dealing with all these challenges and realities. As the committee evolves during the next year with dedication toward accomplishing the above goals, it will be bringing the ACB membership more provocative and stimulating programs at the 1997 national convention in Houston. We hope to see more of you there. A FIRST-TIMER'S IMPRESSION OF THE ACB NATIONAL CONVENTION by Bobbie Probst (Editor's note: Bobbie Probst is one of the winners of the first-timers contest sponsored by the Durward K. McDaniel Membership Retention Fund.) As a winner of the First-Timers Contest, I arrived in Tulsa on Saturday afternoon, just in time for the first-timers orientation. My life became a whirlwind for the next seven days. There were meetings, breakfasts and luncheons, tours, parties, workshops, seminars, and caucuses. I didn't want to miss anything! The hotel was first-class, and my room was comfortable. Although there was only one restaurant in the hotel and one a block away, there were literally hundreds in the outlying areas. The hotel provided vans for those who wanted to venture forth. Tulsa is a charming, well-kept city with trees and flowers everywhere. Wherever you go, there is evidence of the grandeur the city possessed in its early days when oil was king and many oil barons called Tulsa home. It is truly a city of churches. In every direction from the hotel, a graceful church spire could be seen. Many of them were stops on the "Holy Tulsa" tour. Tulsa is the home of Oral Roberts University, and we visited this impressive, sprawling college and religious complex. We also visited Will Rogers' birthplace and museum a few miles from Tulsa. The country home was situated among trees and flowers on a large lake and must have been a little bit of heaven to Will whenever he visited after moving to Hollywood. The museum contained numerous artifacts and memorabilia. It is in the outskirts of a small town called Claremore, whose other claim to fame is the singer Patti Page. I took in a visit to an audio- described performance of "Oklahoma!" What a treat! Back at the convention, constant activity reminded me of a giant beehive with people and guide dogs buzzing around. Many of the meetings were held at the convention center, accessible to the hotel via a long, covered skybridge. It was a long walk, but we needed the exercise to work off the extra meals we ate. It would be difficult to name the most outstanding feature of the convention, but to me one of them had to be the exhibits. There were numerous booths featuring diverse things from electronics and visual aids to T-shirts, jewelry or guide dog supplies and a college student who was doing research for her thesis on tactile proficiency and needed volunteers. The Friends-In-Art Showcase was very popular. There is so much talent in this group and it was showcased in a three-hour program. There were acts of all kinds, from bluegrass music and yodeling to classic singers. There were poets, comedians, pop singers, a chorus, and even visits from a Minnie Pearl impersonator! And we met people from all over the country, and indeed the world. There were international events, cultural events, special- interest events, and parties, parties, parties in many rooms on every floor. I formed many lasting friendships at this convention. The convention committee assembled an outstanding group of speakers, all of whom were inspiring to me. They have met their visual challenges and succeeded in accomplishing their goals. On the last day, someone asked me if I had become "hooked on the convention." I can only respond by saying now that I have had a taste of "national," my plans are definitely to be in Houston in '97 and Orlando in '98! My sincere thanks to ACB and the Durward McDaniel Fund Committee for introducing me to the national convention. I believe they plan to expand the contest and offer more trips in the future, making it possible for more first-timers to attend. In short, the contest was a complete success! MY FIRST CONVENTION by Michael Vining (Editor's Note: Mr. Vining is a member of ACB's Minnesota affiliate. His wife is a member of the staff of ACB Enterprises and Services and assisted at the Tulsa convention.) Because I was at the hotel a few days earlier than most convention attendees, I was able to map out my schedule and find my way around the hotel and convention center. In fact, I learned it well enough to assist others. One of my earliest adventures was the Tulsa City tour on Saturday. We lunched at Billy Ray's Barbecue. It set the standard for ribs for me. I also attended mass, and was amazed at how blind people were reading the prayers in braille. On Sunday I attended a couple of meetings on data processing and job searching. These were beneficial, since I am seeking new employment. I joined others at the Baseball Fanatics luncheon, and in the evening I attended the opening session, which I found very interesting. I tried to attend other sessions during the week. On Monday I took the Narrative Television Network tour. Jim Stovall is the head of Narrative Television Network, a company which provides audio description of movies and other programs. Sports took center stage Monday evening when a group of us went to the Tulsa Drillers baseball game. It was great because it was outside, temperatures were in the 90s, and there was beer, ballpark food, and good friends. Have you ever heard of a Frito pie, or Polish sausage with cheese and chili on it? We also got to meet the Tulsa Drillers mascot, Hornsby, and the Tulsa University mascot, the Golden Hurricane. Wednesday we attended the musical "Oklahoma!" It was performed outside, with real animals, gun shots, and tree frogs making noises like locusts so loudly we could hardly hear the actors on stage. Some of the guide dogs started barking when the shots were fired, but everything else went well. Staff members from Stovall's NTN described the play for all of us. I thought it was great, but sometimes the descriptions were drowned out by the music on stage. We met the actors after the performance. On Thursday, the Fourth of July, we spent some time at Remington Park racetrack in Oklahoma City. Some of us won; some lost. That night we also saw the Coasters, the rock group of the '50s and early '60s. They sang all their hits. The convention was great. I met blind people from all over the country. Some parents brought their blind children to the convention. I wish this had been available to me when I was a child. It was a great experience for these kids. They met us and got an idea how blind adults work and live, and found out that we are fun people also. With my wife Elaine working for ACB Enterprises and Services, and helping in the convention, I think it will be an annual event for our family. It gives me an excuse to see other cities that I would probably never see. So if you have the opportunity to attend an ACB national convention, and you've never been before, you should come. You may want to come again and again. AFFILIATE NEWS GEORGIA CONVENTION The Georgia Council of the Blind held its 1996 convention on Jekyll Island August 8-11. Sessions highlighted descriptions of the programs and services of two Georgia rehabilitation agencies; information about the Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to blindness; an update on library services for the blind; an explanation of the Long-Range Plan; and information about a new policy initiated by the Division of Rehabilitation Services which would do away with specialized counseling for the visually impaired. The Theresa Elmore Hinton Memorial Scholarship was presented to a high school graduate from Augusta. There was also entertainment featuring GCB members. A resolution that opposes the new policy initiated and soon to be implemented by rehabilitation services was adopted. Next year's convention will be held in Macon. LIFE MEMBERSHIP UPDATE by Charles S.P. Hodge At least to some degree in response to my earlier articles in "The Braille Forum" regarding life memberships, the American Council of the Blind has received a heartwarming response and proudly awarded more than a dozen life membership certificates to deserving new life members at the recent convention in Tulsa, Okla. Congratulations to the many new life members in ACB for their tangible commitment and dedication to our organization, and we express our thanks for their ongoing financial and other contributions to ACB. I hope their example will inspire others of you to join the ever-growing honor roll of ACB life members. In addition to the ceremony of awarding life membership plaques at the convention's opening session, President Paul Edwards hosted a reception for all current and new life members in his suite at the Doubletree Hotel on Thursday evening, July 4. He was most gracious in his remarks on this occasion directed to the attending life members, and most generous with his time during a busy convention week in serving as host for the life membership reception. Now that the autumn state affiliate convention season is nearly complete, I trust that those of you who held conventions this fall have caught the life membership giving spirit. If not, there's still time to think about it as you enjoy holiday socials and upcoming board meetings. In fact, the spring state convention season isn't far off. I have a friendly suggestion for the members and leaders of our affiliates. I am sure that many of us know members and colleagues in our respective organizations who for many years have given sustained, dedicated service or contributions to our causes. All too often we wait until such contributors have passed from amongst us before we thank and recognize them through memorial awards or scholarships. Now, I am certainly not talking against or denigrating the significance of memorial awards and scholarships, but I am suggesting that we may want to honor and thank such contributors while they are still alive to bask in the glory of a well-earned honor. What a meaningful gift it would be to honor those among us as the holiday season approaches. I am asking you as members and leaders of our affiliated organizations to consider whether a living member of yours merits your affiliate purchasing an ACB life membership in their behalf. Such a distinction can be purchased for $1,000; that dues payment can be spread out over as many as five equal payments of $200 each. If your affiliate wishes to honor a member in this way, contact Jim Olsen at (612) 332-3242. By so doing, you can be assured that you will be adding your deserving member's name to a growing honor roll and that your contribution to ACB will go toward sustaining the ongoing good works of our national organization. CAPTIONS Naomi Soule thanks Paul Edwards for her life membership certificate given during the Tulsa Convention. Pam Shaw accepts the microphone and a life membership certificate from Paul Edwards at the Tulsa convention. Paul Edwards hands Alice Malbone her life membership certificate in Tulsa while chiding Nelson Malbone for taking so long to purchase her membership. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD ACT! (Editor's Note: The following text was prepared and distributed earlier this past summer by the White House to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. We reproduce it here and add our own congratulations to the men and women of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and others who participate in this valuable program.) June 20 marked the 60th anniversary of the signing into law of the Randolph-Sheppard Act for blind entrepreneurs by then-president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program is a unique success story. Operating in nearly every state, blind facility managers provide full-scale cafeteria service, snack bars, vending machine operations and other retail establishments to the American public daily. Though America is a very different place from what it was in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility program has endured and developed to meet the changing business climate. The White House Washington Warm greetings to everyone celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Our success as a nation depends upon our ability to embrace the energy, creativity, and talents of every one of our citizens. Only when we know that all Americans have the opportunity to live up to their full potential and to make their own unique contributions to society can we truly say that we are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow. For six decades, the Randolph-Sheppard Act has played an important role in this endeavor, advancing employment opportunity for thousands of blind vendors on federal, state, and other property. Among other provisions, the act today grants these entrepreneurs a priority in operating vending facilities in all buildings owned or leased by the federal government, enabling them to generate millions of dollars in sales and to maintain their economic independence. As we mark the 60th anniversary of this vital legislation, I join you in celebrating its success and in saluting the entrepreneurs whose participation in the Randolph-Sheppard program has strengthened our society. (Signed) Bill Clinton HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Keynote Companion notetaker. Includes disk drive and all documentation. Asking $1,750. Contact Alice Lockwood at (516) 273-3577. FOR SALE: Hewlett Packard Scanjet 3P with internal DECtalk synthesizer. In excellent condition. Serious inquiries only. Call (918) 273-0409. FOR SALE: Electric brailler. Includes felt pad, dust cover and large wooden eraser. Used very little. Asking $620. Contact Terri Chicoine, Elk Point Jefferson School District, P.O. Box 578, Elk Point, SD 57025; phone (605) 356-2606. FOR SALE: Braille 'N Speak 640 with disk drive, carrying cases, and manuals. Both updated to current versions. Service contract runs through October 1997. Asking $1,200. Contact Nancy or Don Moore at 9 Ridge Terrace, Albany, NY 12205 or phone (518) 452-3500 or e-mail hiram1@capital.net ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sue Ammeter, Seattle, WA Ardis Bazyn, Cedar Rapids, IA John Buckley, Knoxville, TN Dawn Christensen, Holland, OH Christopher Gray, San Jose, CA John Horst, Wilkes-Barre, PA Kristal Platt, Omaha, NE M.J. Schmitt, Forest Park, IL Pamela Shaw, Philadelphia, PA Richard Villa, Irving, TX BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Carol McCarl, Chairperson, Salem, OR Kim Charlson, Watertown, MA Thomas Mitchell, North Salt Lake City, UT Mitch Pomerantz, Los Angeles, CA Jay Doudna, Lancaster, PA Ex Officio: Laura Oftedahl, Watertown, MA ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT PAUL EDWARDS 20330 NE 20TH CT. MIAMI, FL 33179 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT BRIAN CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVE. WATERTOWN, MA 02172 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT STEPHEN SPEICHER 825 M ST., SUITE 216 LINCOLN, NE 68508 SECRETARY CYNTHIA TOWERS 556 N. 80TH ST. SEATTLE, WA 98103 TREASURER PATRICIA BEATTIE CRYSTAL TOWERS #206 NORTH 1600 S. EADS ST. ARLINGTON, VA 22202 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT LeRoy Saunders 2118 NW 21st St. Oklahoma City, OK 73107 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ELIZABETH M. LENNON, Kalamazoo, MI