The Braille Forum Vol. III May 1964 No. 1 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma To Inform Its Readers and to Provide an Impartial Forum for Discussion * Editor: Mrs. Marie M. Boring 1113 Camden Avenue Durham, N.C. 27701 * Associate Editors: Ned E. Freeman 136 Gee's Mill Road Conyers, Georgia 30207 Mrs. Mary Jane Hills 33 1/2 Edmonds St. Rochester, N.Y. 14607 George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, WI 53703 * Executive Offices: 136 Gee's Mill Road Conyers, Georgia 30207 ***** ** Statement of Editorial Policy The Braille Forum is dedicated to promoting the greater independence, autonomy and dignity of all blind people. The Forum will carry official ACB news and programs, but its pages will also be available for free expression of views and opinions. Insofar as possible the Forum will publish news of organizations and agencies of and for the blind and any developments of interest to its readers. Timely material is solicited. Selections of material will be made on the basis of interest, timeliness, originality, clarity and forcefulness of expression. In controversial matters space will be made available for the presentation of divergent points of view. ** Notice The Braille Forum is available in braille, inkprint and on tape. Miss June Goldsmith, 652 E. Mallory Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38106, should be notified of any change of address or of any person desiring to receive the braille or inkprint editions. The tape edition may be obtained from Mr. Melvin D. Cohen, Tape Library for the Blind, Inc., 94 Broad St., SW., Atlanta 3, Georgia. Letters and material for publication should be submitted to the Editor or to one of the Associate Editors. ***** ** Table of Contents ACB President's Fireside Chat ACB Convention Notice, by Delbert K. Aman Blind Men Don't Bluff, by Jack C. Lewis NCATE: A Problem Facing Prospective Blind Teachers, by Milton M. Alford Blind Association to Educate Social Agencies To the Races We Went, by Loretta Freeman Southern Safari, by George Card How to Be a Successful Blind Bowler, by William L. Lewis If You Want a Job, Go After It, by Ann Stephens Whitfield Home-Based Employment -- A Neglected Field, by John J. Murphey Interested in a Business Career? Mount Prospect Lions Sponsor New Course Notices Hyde Park Corner, Conducted by Earl Scharry Here and There, by George Card ACB Officers and Directors ***** ** ACB President's Fireside Chat My Friends: On Good Friday, or the Eve of Passover, as you may prefer, it was my privilege and pleasure to meet in New York with a distinguished group of representatives of agencies of and for the blind. The occasion was a discussion of the composition of the United States delegation to the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. At present the U.S. delegation is composed of one representative each from the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Association of Instructors of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, the American Foundation for Overseas Blind and two representatives of the American Association of Workers for the Blind. In addition to the six members of the delegation, there were present at the meeting, besides myself, representatives of the Blinded Veterans Association, the Library of Congress, the American Printing House, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Veterans Administration. In accordance with a resolution passed in Chicago, ACB had requested that one seat on the delegation be assigned to it. When called upon to make a statement on behalf of our organization, I took advantage of this opportunity to give a brief outline of the philosophy inherent in ACB, because in some ways this philosophy represents a departure from the older tradition of the organized blind. It seemed essential that my first point should be that ACB is not anti-agency, since we were asking that one representative of a professional organization be replaced so that the viewpoint of blind people themselves might be more fully heard. The purpose clause of our constitution states that we are to cooperate with agencies, both governmental and private, whenever possible in working toward our mutual goals. This does not necessarily mean that we approve all agency programs, but we do believe that most agencies are sincere in wanting to serve the blind. We also believe that those who are being served have a right to be heard. Rehabilitation must begin with orientation and motivation, especially with the newly blinded adult. This process begins with what is referred to as "independent living skills." These are essential and should be available to all blind persons who can utilize them, regardless of whether the individual has "employment potential" or not, but rehabilitation has fallen short of its mark when it does not result in the greatest degree of economic and social independence of which the individual is capable. Perhaps our principal divergence from the traditional attitude is that we do not believe that independence, either economic or social is something that can be purchased with a government grant or handed out by an agency to be carried home in a suitcase. For a blind person, just as for a person with sight, real successful living can only be attained by the application of initiative, determination and self-discipline. These points, which were brought out at the "Summit Meeting" in New York, are ideals which we should ever keep before us. No final decision was reached, but I am sure that the meeting was very worthwhile. I was most cordially received, and I feel that all of these people, many of whom I have corresponded with in the last three years, now have a better understanding of our organization. It is entirely possible that one result of this meeting will be a greater degree of communication between agencies for and organizations of the blind. An annual one or two-day "workshop" conference was proposed where representatives of the blind could sit down and discuss with agency people the programs now in existence and the needs which are still unmet. Such a meeting would certainly make for better understanding on the part of all of us whose ultimate goal is the same. I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Rochester in July. Faithfully yours, Ned Freeman ***** ** ACB Convention Notice By Delbert K. Aman, Program Chairman The 1964 convention of the American Council of the Blind will be held at the Manger Hotel, 26 Clinton Avenue, South, Rochester, New York, from Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, July 26. The ACB Program Committee is planning an interesting and informative schedule of speakers. One of the many outstanding persons to speak at the convention will be John Jarvis of London, England. Mr. Jarvis is Secretary-General of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind; he will discuss the aims and activities of that organization. A tentative resume of the convention program follows: The convention will be called to order on Thursday, July 23, at 9:00 A.M. Following convention announcements will be roll call. The credentials committee will be selected at this will time. President Freeman will present his annual report to the convention at 10:00 A.M. This will be followed by the reading of the minutes of the 1963 convention, the treasurer's report and old business. "Bud" Orrell, chairman of the finance committee, will give his report at 11:00 A.M:, to be followed by the report of George Card, membership chairman. The first speaker Thursday afternoon will be a representative of Services to the Blind in the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration in Washington, D.C. A panel discussion on vocational rehabilitation will follow. The afternoon program will conclude with a business session. Friday morning at 9:00 Hyman Goldstein, Ph.D., Chief of Biometrics, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, will address the convention. Following Mr. Goldstein, Durward McDaniel will moderate a panel discussion on membership and leadership development in state and local organizations. On Friday afternoon the Niagara Falls tour will provide relaxation and entertainment for all who wish to take this trip. The Saturday program will begin at 8:30 A.M. with an address by M. Robert Barnett, Executive Director of the American Foundation for the Blind. Following Mr. Barnett's address and completing the morning program will be the report of the legislative committee by Paul Kirton, committee chairman. Those who heard Mr. Kirton's report last year will look forward to hearing him again this year and will want to take part in the discussion of legislative proposals to follow his report. The Saturday afternoon session will open at 1:30 with an address by the distinguished John Jarvis. At 3:00 P.M. Louis Bettica of the Industrial Home for the Blind and Miss Annette Dinsmore of the American Foundation for the Blind will present a discussion of the special problems of the deaf-blind. On Saturday evening at 7 o'clock the annual banquet and presentation of the "Ambassador Award" will take place. Sunday, July 26, will be devoted exclusively to business sessions. This is an election year. The terms of all five officers and four of the directors will expire, and these positions must be filled by the convention. Selection of the 1966 convention site and the consideration of resolutions will keep members occupied until adjournment time at 5:00 P.M. We hope that many of you will make plans now to attend the convention. Following the convention, those who wish to do so may take advantage of the tour to the World's Fair in New York. The cost of the tours planned in connection with the ACB convention is very reasonable. Please plan to come early and arrange your schedule so that you can remain through the business sessions on Sunday. This is your organization and your convention. * Late Bulletin Since going to press we have been notified by the ACB Convention Arrangements Committee that the tour to the World's Fair planned to follow the convention in Rochester has been canceled. The committee regrets the necessity of this cancellation. Crowded conditions in New York made it imperative that we set a June 1 deadline on the tour, and the committee felt that this would make it unlikely that we could get the word around in time to secure a sufficient number for the tour. We hope that those who plan to attend the World's Fair following the ACB convention will be able to make their own arrangements to do so. ***** ** Blind Men Don't Bluff By Jack Lewis Recently an employee of the Georgia Rehabilitation Service was quoted as saying that the only objection he had to the American Council of the Blind was that when one of their people got hurt, they tried to take care of the situation themselves instead of turning them over to welfare. Perhaps this is a "grievous fault," but all of us who are ACB members are happy to have such a reputation for our organization. This article reports a case in point. For the past 13 years the Georgia Co-operative Services for the Blind, the state licensing agency under the terms of the Randolph-Sheppard act, has operated a snackbar for the benefit of postal employees in the Federal Annex building in Atlanta, Georgia. During this period this installation has steadily increased in sales volume and complexity. At the present time two snackbars are in operation, one of which is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; the other is in operation sixteen hours a day on a five-day basis. Eight blind or severely visually handicapped persons are now employed, and the gross sales volume averages in the neighborhood of $4,000 a week. This may not be big business as business is counted these days, but it does furnish a comfortable living for these eight blind people. On April 7 I had a telephone call from Otis Booth who is manager of the Federal Annex snackbar. He told me that there had appeared on the bulletin board a copy of a letter which the postmaster had sent out to vending machine companies asking for bids for a complete vending machine service to replace the present snackbar. The letter suggested that four blind persons be trained and employed to service the machines. Needless to say, the operators were perturbed. Wouldn't you be? Otis and I at once called Ned Freeman, president of the American Council of the Blind, to report this most disturbing development. Ned, of course, was as much upset as the rest of us and told us he would do everything possible to prevent the supplanting of the blind-operated vending stand by machines. We also called Walter McDonald, president of the Georgia Federation of the Blind who in his characteristic manner hit the ceiling. Since the new Postmaster General is from Wisconsin, we also called George Card in Madison to see if he could be of any assistance. Ned wrote to Congressman Weltner, who represents the Georgia 5th District, in which Atlanta is located, and Mr. McDonald at George Card's suggestion wrote to the Postmaster General with copies to all members of the congressional delegation. In the meantime some postal employees who are good friends of the blind stand operators had called the Atlanta newspapers and broadcasting media. A petition was circulated among the postal employees protesting any action which would replace the present blind-operated snackbar, and this was signed by approximately three-fourths of those who work in the area served by the snackbar. As the story spread, a great deal of public interest was aroused, and the postal authorities and the newspapers were besieged with telephone calls from people who, although not associated with the operators or the organizations of the blind, still were concerned about this matter. By Friday of that week, four days after the letter appeared on the bulletin board, the Atlanta postmaster realized that he had stumbled into a hornet's nest. As a result of many telephone conversations, a meeting was arranged between representatives of the post office authorities, the Georgia Co-op, and the stand operators. As one who had an interest in the national implications of this movement to replace blind-operated vending stands with machines, Ned Freeman was asked to serve as moderator for this meeting. At the meeting the whole subject of the snackbar operation was discussed in great detail. The Postmaster insisted that he was only interested in obtaining better food, including hot food, and a nicer, cleaner place for his employees to eat. The snackbar presently makes available four different hot soups, hot chili, beef stew, and Franco-American spaghetti with meat, as well as hot barbecue sandwiches and hot beef with gravy. Leon Hall, who is director of the Georgia Co-op, pointed out that these items, as well as nearly 400 other different types of merchandise, were presently available at the snackbar, and stated that the Co-op would be able to furnish any other type of service which was available in the Atlanta area and which was desired by any substantial number of the postal employees. So far as a nicer place was concerned, it was pointed out that this was the responsibility of the post office itself, but that the Georgia Co-op would set up the best possible facilities in whatever location the building engineers made available to them. The final communique, which was issued to the press following the meeting, and which was worked out jointly by the post office personnel director and Ned Freeman, stated that joint plans were being worked out by the postal authorities and the Georgia Co-operative Services for the Blind to bring about improved service for the postal employees concerned. The final words of this communique contained a pledge by the postmaster that none of the blind operators at the Federal Annex snackbar would lose his job or suffer material financial loss as a result of the modifications being made in the snackbar operation. I have been told that similar difficulties have arisen in other parts of the country where vending machine companies have attempted to take over vending services in federal buildings which should be conducted under the provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. This is a situation to which all of us should be alert, and all of us should make the utmost effort to prevent automation from replacing blind stand operators. Our national organization is working to eliminate this threat to the intent of the Randolph-Sheppard act and should have the utmost support from each of us in these efforts. Until this law and the regulations are so strengthened as to prevent what almost happened in Atlanta from happening elsewhere, no blind vending stand operator can feel really secure. ***** ** NCATE: The Major Problem Facing Blind Students Who Desire to Enter Teaching By Milton M. Alford, Tennessee Rehabilitation Counselor, 706 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37403 The standards of training of the public-school teacher in America are increasingly being determined by an organization, of the existence of which most vocational counselors were unaware. Until 18 months ago, the writer was among the unenlightened. Suddenly, heads of schools of education in two Tennessee colleges informed the counselor providing services to blind students enrolled in their schools that their departments were taking a new look at all students desiring to enter the field of teacher education. The result of this self-study included, among other things, the feeling that the university staff was uncertain that they could continue to accept visually handicapped or blind students in the teacher education program of their school. This attitude also applied to the students currently enrolled in their school. For the past five years, six students under agency sponsorship from this Area Office of Rehabilitation for the Blind have entered these two colleges with the express purpose of becoming teachers in elementary or high schools. Two of these students were legally blind but had vision with which they could read ink print, two had travel vision and the other two were totally blind. The first hint of trouble regarding certification of one of these students came from a university which enrolled three blind students all majoring in music education. One student had travel vision and was entering her senior year; of the other two, one was a rising junior, one a sophomore. Both were totally blind. The head of the department of education called one day to inform the counselor that, in his opinion, the senior girl could not successfully teach sighted students. He further stated that a newly established committee at the university would have to receive an application from this student requesting permission to continue in the field of education. Without the approval of this committee, the student would not be allowed to continue in the field of education. Without the approval of this committee, the student would not be allowed to continue nor be recommended for certification to teach. The only reason given for questioning this student's ability to teach was her physical defect, blindness; she was otherwise acceptable. Several conferences were held with other members of the university committee trying to educate them to the possibilities of recommending this student for continuation in this program and eventual certification. This was her senior year and changing majors would be difficult. After the committee met, the counselor was informed that the student would be allowed to continue and thus be recommended for certification by the university, It must be remembered that this student was partially sighted and could see to travel by herself. The junior who had to face the same problem in the fall was totally blind. During the summer of 1962, the writer spent considerable time talking with various members of the university staff about this problem. When the time came for the student to enter school for his junior year, he filed his application for admission to the upper level of the teacher education program. Surprisingly, he was approved and is now a graduating senior in music education, is practice teaching at a local public school and will be recommended for certification in grades 1-12. This student is also graduating with the highest grade-point average of all seniors at the university this June. The third student, rather than face possible rejection from the committee, changed majors at the beginning of his junior year and is now a piano major. He will never be certified to teach in public schools. The decision not to seek admission to the upper level was the student's own. Another school which has accepted many blind students over the past years, this time a state-supported institution, presented the same problem during the same summer. The head of the school of education and the counselor talked at length about their new screening committee, and the larger problem of blind students as future teachers. He suggested that they would approve some entering the field who were well adjusted and partially sighted, but reject others. It was from this school head that the counselor first learned that behind these moves was an organization known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Thus my present interest in the NCATE developed. In an effort to ascertain the motives behind these new attitudes of these schools, it was learned that the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, known in educational circles as the NCATE (pronounced "en-cate"), was playing a major role in this new philosophy of education. Becoming interested in this group because of its apparent effect on a vocational area heretofore open to blind people, the counselor initiated a more searching inquiry. The NCATE was organized in 1952 by a department of the National Education Association and has since accredited some 390 of the 1,100 teacher training schools in the United States program of higher education. By early 1963, 29 states automatically certify teachers who have been trained at the NCATE-approved schools in other states. The NCATE is presently recognized by the national accrediting agency for all programs of teacher education at both the undergraduate and graduate level. This group was recognized by the National Committee on Accreditation on October 10, 1956. The NCATE is not a branch of any educational organization or association, nor is it organically affiliated with any such group. It is completely autonomous in the policies it adopts and the procedures it follows. The purpose of this group is to evaluate teacher training programs in schools upon the invitation of the schools and thus determine whether a particular school meets the NCATE standards. Through the efforts of the NCATE many advances have been made to help teachers, one of which has been the increasingly free flow of teachers across state lines. Differences in certification requirements among the states have been great. The NCATE accreditation program has proved to be at least a partial answer in 27 states until late 1963. Applicants for certificates who have completed teacher education programs in institutions which at the time of their graduation were accredited by the NCATE will be granted regular certificates for the field or levels for which they were prepared. This is true whether or not they have completed all the detailed requirement specified by the legislature, however. The plan to improve the quality of our nation's teachers and make it easier for them to seek employment outside the state in which they were trained may be considered a significant contribution to the field of teacher education. Just what does all this have to do with the work of a counselor for the blind? In reply to an inquiry from this counselor, W. Earl Armstrong, director of the NCATE, stated in a letter dated November 8, 1963: Each institution accredited by the NCATE established its own requirements for admission to programs of teacher education. Quite often the criteria used include physical fitness. It is understandable that a blind person might be questioned on this score, especially for teaching regular students in the public schools. Since in most states a person who is certificated would not be restricted to teaching the blind, a recommendation for a teaching certificate to be issued a blind person would be tantamount to a recommendation for such a person to teach regular students in the public schools. This, you can see, creates a real problem. Perhaps you, the reader, can begin to see the problem now being faced by rehabilitation counselors for the blind who have students who want to become teachers. Teacher training institutions in many states are making an effort to upgrade their finished product. The writer is in complete agreement with this desire but not at the expense of one group of individuals who may not be physically "normal." Here in Tennessee, most of the teacher training colleges have established committees to screen every candidate seeking admission to the upper level of teacher training. One school of our acquaintance uses the following criteria as a basis for admission to the teacher training program. (Other schools in the state are using similar criteria.) The applicant must file an application for admission which declares that to be accepted, he must demonstrate by his record and/or by examination that four minimum requirements are met. These are (1) a "C" average in all college work, (2) adequate ability in written and spoken English, (3) average physical health with no outstanding physical defects, and (4) good moral character and adequate emotional adjustment. The decision of the committee is generally final on the admission of a student to the teacher training program. The major concern of the rehabilitation counselor is found in the third of these criteria. It boils down to an interpretation of what a physical defect is and which defects are considered outstanding. To most of the sighted public, blindness is a physical defect that cannot be compensated by other factors, particularly in the field of education. Most educators outside the field of education of the blind will agree that a blind teacher can teach blind students, but few will agree a blind person could be qualified to teach sighted students. This is the "thorn in the flesh" to counselors for the blind. Unless persons interested in blind people becoming teachers demonstrate to educators who direct teacher training programs that a blind person can render quality service in public schools, this vocation will be lost to visually handicapped people. If blind students cannot, or are not permitted to, enter teacher training programs in college, then becoming a certified teacher is an impossibility. The emphasis being placed on upgrading the quality of America's teachers by the NCATE and schools of teacher training is to be heartily commended. This new look at teacher training programs in colleges and universities results from a group assuming leadership in a move to provide quality education for America's children. But in the same light, it is mandatory that rehabilitation counselors and all other interested persons assume equal leadership in consulting with administrators of teacher education programs if blind people are to have an opportunity to train to be teachers in public schools. Unless the profession and other interested persons act now to modify the understanding and attitudes of educators toward blind people entering the teaching profession, we can no longer encourage interested and capable blind young people entering college to consider the time-honored role of a teacher. The challenge is one for all of us. Will it be met? ***** ** Blind Association to Educate Social Agencies From LISTEN (June, 1963): "The Mass. Association for the Adult Blind, which is said to be the oldest agency for adult blind in the U.S., is the recipient of a federal grant in the amount of $140,000 for a project intended to teach social agencies in greater Boston to give services to blind people which they are established to give to all people. Under the grant the Association is beginning to employ professional personnel whose chief purpose will be 'to demonstrate a method of referral, consultation and education' to provide 'generalized health and welfare services' to a selected group of blind persons. ... The group to be studied will be blind persons over 55 years of age but whose blindness must have existed for less than three years at the time they are accepted for the project. "To meet its objective, the project must 'overcome or minimize three basic types of barriers which stand between the handicapped person and the generalized agency. These are attitudinal barriers, realistic barriers, and those related to specialized or 'segregated' services. The first concern the prejudices existing in social agencies, the attitudes toward blind persons held by social workers and other professional staff members. ... The final group of obstacles is believed to arise out of the very existence of agencies for the blind. There is a tendency on the part of these agencies to branch out into activities which are the province of generalized agencies. Through program planning and inter- and intra-agency education, it is hoped to minimize this tendency. Such planning, if carried out, would eliminate the tendency of agencies to duplicate services and enter into fields where others are already active. ..." ***** ** To the Races We Went By Loretta Freeman There was no mention of it in official reports. There has been no news of it in the Forum. It wasn't referred to in the minutes. There wasn't even a resolution with a "whereas" or a "therefore" concerning it. The fact remains, however, that ACB conventions are fun -- even when viewed from the headquarters suite, where serious business is enacted and the welcome mat is out until the wee hours. As seasoned convention-goers well know -- and we were soon to learn -- the most memorable hours are not spent on the convention floor, and usually not in smoke-filled hotel rooms. A real highlight for some of those who attended the 1963 convention was the trip to Chicago's Sportsman's Park for the harness races. It was Friday night, and the Convention Committee had invitations to both the ball game and the races. Many went through the throes of decision-making. Which should it be? But we knew it was the races for us. Baseball fans proved to be in the majority, however, so that the request went out for only ten tickets to the races. Arrangements were made, we had dinner a little early -- and then it rained! Not a gentle tapping rain, but a deluge of flooding proportions. Of course, there was no ball game -- and who would choose to go to the races in such a downpour! We, those who didn't have to be in committee meetings or conferences, began to gather for a song fest. "Here, take this $2 and bet it for me," says one of those we left behind, and she thrusts the bills into our hand in the hotel lobby. The group of sports-minded conventioners set out in two taxis for what we expected would be a short drive -- and we almost didn't get beyond the center of town because of the flooded freeway. Traffic was well snarled, and we stood still in a very long line of cars while, one at a time, the drivers made their way along the shallowest narrow edge of a low section which was completely inundated. Conversation in the cabs was lively. We assured ourselves that few people would be so stupid as to go to a park on such a rainy night. It would hardly matter if we were a little late. We were over an hour reaching our destination -- and became involved in another traffic jam. When our skillful driver finally deposited us, we walked up a high flight of steps into a milling crowd of sheer bedlam. The noise was deafening. We were absorbed into the surging sea of people and somehow made our way up the ramps in the completely sheltered grandstand, leaving behind us all thought of rain. We found seats on the top row, which proved handy to the ticket windows, and the first order of business was for the blind racing fans to teach this sighted novice how to read the evening's program: call the names of the horses as numbered down the left side (usually nine), include the name of the driver and something of both the horse's and the driver's record, note the trackman's selection. From then on it was a busy session as we followed the above procedure before each of the ten races -- answering questions, making notes: Dave plays Jowami to win, it's number 8; Bob names Active Virgia, No. 5; Alberta calls Ethan's Boy, No. 2; Ray says Sugar Moon, No. 3; Lori chooses Prairie Star, No. 1. Now we collect each fellow's $2 and go with Irving to place the bets. Irving handles his own to win or place. This scribe is too involved with keeping selections straight to make her own choice. Back we rush with the tickets, make our way to our seats, watch excitedly as the race begins with the horses being driven around in the rain. We watch through a glass wall. The mumbo jumbo like a tobacco auctioneer comes through the loud speakers. There are yells and whoops as No. 8 is the winner. (This is flashed onto a large bulletin board along with much other information about the race -- or we would never have known.) Dave cheers and the others in our group groan. Then we begin all over again. This time Ray and Alberta choose Pulaski Chief, Bob takes Stormy Spring, Gussie says Darn Dandy and Dave picks Avalon Bomber. Others speak for Tally Up, Wildwood Bill, Chief Good Friday -- and back we go to the windows, but this time we pick up Dave's winnings from the first race. So it went on and on through ten noisy, exciting rounds, and each time we dashed back to the windows we took with us at least one winning ticket -- sometimes barely breaking even, sometimes collecting a good profit. (There is probably some racehorse jargon that would be more proper here.) When we had acquired some experience and a little confidence, about the eighth race, we ventured to place Julie's bet, selecting Western Miss, No. 5 -- and she came in a winner! We all were very proud of ourselves about this. We returned triumphantly to the hotel -- under clear skies -- and rather smug in the knowledge that total winnings had been good, if not spectacular, and total losses quite slight. This was adequate reason for some celebrating. ***** ** Southern Safari By George Card Darlene and I had not had a really carefree vacation for a number of years, so for many months we had been planning to get a little Florida and New Orleans sunshine, starting about the beginning of February. We think a winter vacation is the very best kind because it provides such a complete change if one has the good sense and good fortune to spend it in the Southland. Darlene broke her right arm on January 3, so we didn't get started until February 24. The high point of the trip down was an overnight stop at the Ned Freeman ranch, some 20 miles east of Atlanta. Walter and Estelle McDonald and Jack Lewis drove out from Atlanta, and we had a delightful evening, including a superb steak supper prepared by Loretta on the spur of the moment, with help from a tiny granddaughter. The magnificent steaks were from one of Ned's ranch animals. Ned says he now has two occupations -- raising cattle and raising grandchildren. The belle of the occasion was certainly Miss Susan, who will be five in May. Her soft, sweet southern voice, her modest demeanor, her eagerness to help everyone and her perfect manners won the hearts of all the guests. We reached Tampa, where we have many friends both blind and sighted, on February 28 and remained until March 4. We stayed with Don and Bernadine Cameron. They now have a six-week-old son, Donald, Jr., to go with their lovely two-year-old daughter, Mary. Young Donald Jr. spends almost all of his time eating and sleeping and cries very little but occasionally cuts loose -- just to prove his virility. They are building a new three-bedroom home close to Don's work. He is now the senior stand operator in the state and has a splendid business. Don is definitely planning to be with us in Rochester next summer. On March 2 we drove down to Bradenton and Sarasota and visited briefly with a number of old friends, including the Whites from West Virginia. Quite a few were staying at the Houck Foundation cottages in Sarasota, but we missed the Ed Lemkes from Rochester, N.Y., whose telephone did not answer. On March 4 in Tallahassee, dinner and a pleasant evening with Al Drake, the former ACB board member. Al demonstrated his magic as a masseur by giving Darlene's slowly mending arm a treatment, and the swelling had almost completely vanished when he finished. The following night we were the guests of Earl and Eileen Pendleton in Mobile. They have just purchased a very impressive new short-wave sending and receiving station, and they both get intense satisfaction from the contacts all over the world this equipment makes possible. We went out to dinner on the Causeway and enjoyed wonderful fresh seafood -- $5.94 for four! We have not encountered such prices since the forties. In New Orleans we were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Wetherford, our high-powered ACB membership chairman in Louisiana. Nannie Mae Segura dropped in during the first evening. She has been traveling to many remote parts of the globe since the loss of our beloved Ufemon. The Crescent City is just as glamorous and fascinating as we always found it to be in the past. The hot doughnuts at the French Market are just as mouth-watering. At Mr. Wetherford's request, we stayed over an extra day so that I could address a good-sized group on the subject of ACB affiliation. Those present asked many searching questions, but the sentiment seemed overwhelmingly in favor. Prospects for 1964 affiliation seem fair in Georgia, reasonably good in Florida, and excellent in Louisiana. That extra day was well worthwhile, but it messed up our return schedule. We had Sunday dinner with the Carlos Irwins in Baton Rouge, and it was mighty good to see them again. We had planned to be in Memphis on Sunday so that we could have a little visit with June Goldsmith and with Hollis and Margaret Liggett but got only as far as Cleveland, Miss., which is in the very middle of "Tornado Alley." We missed one by only a few hours. We were among the last cars to get through western Kentucky before the roads were closed by the torrential rains. At times the water was over our bumpers. After we finally got across the swollen Ohio at Cairo, the rest was uneventful -- except for a six-inch snowfall at Centralia, where we holed up for the last night before getting home. ***** ** How to Be a Successful Blind Bowler By William L. Lewis (Mr. Lewis is a member of the High-Five blind bowlers team from the Wichita Blind Bowlers Association. They hold the high five averages of the league. Each week they play sighted teams in various Wichita bowling lanes for purposes of publicity for the bowling lanes and the WBBA. Of the three games they play, the second game is for pranks. Foul bells ring; pins refuse to fall. Pins jump from the path of balls, and so on much to the mutual entertainment of the bowlers and the numerous spectators. It was at one of these occasions that the following material was delivered.) The foremost problem for the blind bowler is finding and getting up on the apron of the alley where the ball rack is. If the hour of the evening is still comparatively early, and if his capacity for liquor is high, this may be accomplished without too much loss of time. Once there, the task is to remain standing while the room spins. It may be helpful to inform his teammates to sit still while the room is in motion, lest they slide off the bench and up in the gutter. Now he is ready to select his ball. At first glance, this would seem to be a relatively simple operation, but when you recall that there are at least ten other balls on that rack, the task can become formidable. All the balls are round, seem to weigh about the same, and all have three fingerholes in them. Since the blind bowler cannot see the lettering and numbering on the ball, he must rely on identifying markings on his ball to distinguish it from the others. For this purpose a piece of chewing gum should suffice. Place it in the thumb hole of your ball. Remember, though, the flavor of your gum so that you can tell yours from the gum in all the other balls. Now that he has selected his ball, to the cheers of his teammates he is ready to make his approach. This means that he must find the leg brace of the ball rack located about 12 feet from the foul line and coinciding with the black dots painted on the approach floor. He lines himself up parallel with the ball rack and steps to the side. If the ball rack is on the left, step to the right. If it is on the right, step to the left. He must not get this mixed up, lest he trip and sprain his bowling arm. After stepping one wide step to the side, he should be standing over the center black dot on the alley floor, He is facing the pins. He now takes three or four steps forward, depending on personal preference. On the fourth step he slides to a stop. His bowling arm swings forward and he releases the ball. At this moment the ball must also agree to release him. If his thumb hole is too snug, both he and the ball may make a "strike." If this should happen, we all hope that he is wearing his old clothes because the automatic ball return chutes are very, very dirty. Since a strike takes care of itself, the first ball should always be aimed at the strike zone pocket -- one-three pins. If after throwing the first ball at the strike zone pins are still standing -- and the chances are quite great -- he should learn how to pick up the remainder for a "spare." To pick up the one-five pins, he should stand on the center dot and aim straight down the alley. Bottles, shoes or bowling ball should do the trick! The seven pin may be picked up by standing to the left side of the alley and throwing his curve ball straight. This must be executed with delicacy, lest the ball go across too many alleys. The ten pin can be removed by standing on the left side of the alley and throwing diagonally across the alley. This shot can sometimes be difficult unless the bowler is lucky enough to find the ten pin standing in the gutter to begin with. The American Bowling Congress has established rules and regulations for its league and tournament players. Since we are not asking for equal rights in the field of bowling, but are demanding a double standard, we have established the following rules and regulations to improve our playing. 1. All sighted bowlers must bowl with elliptical (football shaped) bowling balls. 2. All sighted bowlers must holler "fore" prior to releasing their ball. 3. All sighted bowlers must at all times keep their eyes on their free arm to prevent it during the approach and release of the ball from swinging wildly and accidentally hitting some innocent spectator on the ear, 4. Any sighted bowler making three strikes in a row will be considered "out" and must leave the game. 5. Any sighted bowler stepping across the foul line will be considered "blind," and his score will automatically go over to the blind bowler's side of the scoresheet. If after playing one full game the blind bowlers do not find their scores considerably improved, don't get nervous; don't get panicked; don't get scared. Be Prepared! Ease out your billfold, slip the scorekeeper a five-dollar bill, hand him an eraser, and CHEAT!! ***** ** If You Want a Job, Go After It By Ann Stephens Whitfield, East Point, Georgia Whatever I have accomplished I owe in large measure to the love and understanding of my parents and to many others who have assisted me through the years. My parents were determined that my brother and I, both of whom were blind, should live productive and fruitful lives. They spared no effort to guide and encourage us toward this goal. My first school days began in an elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia, where there was a special class for visually handicapped children. There I learned to read and write braille, and my study of music began at this school. This later became my major interest. At the age of ten I transferred to the Academy for the Blind in Macon, Georgia, and graduated from high school there in 1955. During that period I continued my music studies under the direction of Mr. Frank S. Pursley, and in my senior year I was honored by receiving a one-year complete scholarship to the University of Georgia in Athens. While at the University of Georgia I became a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, a social sorority, and in spite of the doubts of some, I fulfilled several leadership responsibilities in that organization. During my senior year I was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi, both of which are honorary scholastic fraternities. During my senior year I was married to Larry A. Whitfield. Larry was also a student at the University, and we both graduated in 1959. For four years I had a part-time job playing dinner music at the Davis Brothers' Cafeteria, where my husband was assistant manager. When my husband was transferred to Atlanta, I gave up my job and started teaching piano. I enjoyed this but felt the need for something else to keep me more fully occupied. After talking with Mr. Mira C. Bright of the Civil Service Commission in Atlanta, I decided to take the Federal Entrance Examination. In May of 1963 I learned that I had passed the examination with a score of 82. When Mr. Bright learned of my success thus far, he arranged an interview for me with Mr. Harry P. Wren, Civilian Personnel Officer, Atlanta Army Depot, Forest Park, Georgia. After about two weeks, since I had heard nothing further from Mr. Wren, I phoned him to inquire as to developments. He assured me that he was convinced I could handle the job but that there were certain other persons who needed to be persuaded. After several further telephone conversations with Mr. Wren, I was advised that I had been appointed. On October 1, 1963, I was sworn in as a clerk typist at the Atlanta Army Depot. Mr. Wren assigned me to Mrs. Marcia Lance, one of my colleagues in the depot's personnel office, who is teaching me everything possible concerning the operations of this office. We are labeling into braille all files possible so that I may check out these personnel files for persons needing them in the office and return them to the files later. Certainly there are problems in employment in store for the handicapped person, and the way is not always an easy one. However, if one has determination and good qualifications, I believe that success will be reached. I am extremely happy with my work and hope to make personnel work my career. Mr. Wren is encouraging me to learn all I can about the subject and to take further training so that my activities in the office can be broadened. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Bright, Mr. Wren and Mrs. Lance, and all others who have exhibited their faith in me and have opened the doors for me. ***** ** Home-Based Employment -- A Neglected Field By John J. Murphey (Reprinted from the Missouri Chronicle) (Editor's Note: This paper was delivered at the 1963 convention of the Missouri Federation of the Blind. We believe that it contains a worthwhile message for jobless blind people who, though homebound, are nevertheless employable. The author is a native of St. Louis and has been totally blind since the age of three. Despite a steady loss of hearing, which began during his twelfth year, he graduated from the Missouri School for the Blind (class of 1922) and received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from St. Louis University in 1927. He became extremely deaf in 1936. "After losing my hearing," he remarked, "things were pretty rugged for awhile; but since my marriage to Alma, life has been wonderful." The Murpheys have six children -- four sons and two daughters -- and are expecting their first grandchild.) If only experience hadn't taught me to be cautious, it would be gratifying to introduce myself as a furniture consultant, technician, or engineer. But since there are occasions and this may be one of them for all I know -- when honesty is the best policy, here's the plain truth about me. I'm a chair caner who also repairs rush and porch furniture. Translated into English, this means that objects of all shapes, sizes and condition are brought to my shop, where I strive, thankfully, and often frantically to cope with the influx of work. Because of extreme deafness and total blindness, my remarkably steady employment has always seemed an incomparable blessing to me. Viewing my case subjectively and at a considerable distance, however, the no-nonsense mother of a seven-year-old blind girl commented: "It seems unfortunate that he isn't making a more significant contribution to society." As I see it, that statement is really an indirect expression of the lady's fond hopes for the future of her child -- hopes which I heartily endorse -- yet it reveals her ignorance of the problems confronting that large group of employable blind persons to which I belong. Those are the employment problems I wish to call to your attention today. And since the solution of such problems depends upon the individual's response to a challenging situation, rather than upon the services of vocational counselors and placement agents, perhaps a little more information about my work may help to bring them into better focus. If it also affords temporary relief for insomnia, there's no charge for the service. As some of you already know, my small business venture has been -- and is -- essential to the richly rewarding domestic life with which I have been blessed for many years. In addition to this, it has enabled me to earn money by working on chairs belonging to an ex-president of the United States, a U.S. Senator, at least two Federal judges, an ex-governor of Missouri, and prominent people from many other walks of life -- including, back in the days of prohibition, the chief of police as well as an assortment of bootleggers. Yet there is little evidence that my handicaps play an appreciable part either in attracting customers or in swaying their judgment. People come because they have work to be done, and most of them are as interested in getting a square deal as I am. If my price is right, I get the job; if it is not, I don't. If a chair is damaged while in my possession, I am fully responsible for it. (The time a boy stooped to pick up a dime, and somehow rammed his foot through the cane back chair, is a case in point.) When my bid on an unusual piece equals or exceeds the price for an expensive upholstering job, a person may shop long and carefully before deciding whether to patronize me or an upholsterer. And so it goes. I feel, therefore, that however insignificant my contribution to society itself, the job of repairing furniture is infinitely preferable to the idleness, the discontent, and the bitter isolation which warp the lives of so many home bound blind persons. My shop is in the basement of our home, It is equipped with two battered workbenches, a small electric drill, some old hammers, saws, chisels, wrenches, screwdrivers, clamps, and a few other simple tools. Not an impressive setup, I admit; it has nevertheless enabled me to enjoy full-time employment throughout the past thirty-five years, That is, except when wartime shortages temporarily crippled the business and I weathered the crisis by working in a factory for twenty-nine months -- an irreproachable maneuver, so I thought, until my wife pointed out that she could truthfully say, "It took a global conflict to make that man go out and look for a job." But even feminine logic yields to common sense once in awhile so, when business revived, she let me return to the basement, and there I have worked happy ever after. Although we do not advertise or make any special effort to solicit work, the shop is always full, or nearly full, of things to repair. Over the years they have come from every imaginable place churches, country clubs, department stores, farms, furniture shops, homes, hospitals, hotels, interior decorators, libraries, museums, offices and the variety of assignments still amazes me. The list includes silver pitchers and teapots, radiator covers, lids for very old-fashioned toilet seats, doll furniture, baby cribs, barber chairs used in the tropics, and chairs of every other description. It also includes settees, sofas, beds, tables and even a few doors. But the variety of objects requiring cane is of less interest to me than the different techniques of anchoring the material, the wide variations in hand-woven cane work, and the fascinating problems to be solved when recaning beautiful or very unusual pieces. Some caners feel that those problems are not worth solving, and that really difficult cane jobs are always unprofitable. As a result, they specialize in the easier types of caning, for which prices are lowest and competition is keenest. It has been by experience, however, that the solution of a problem may expand the market for mr services, that with practice, many difficult jobs become profitable, and that the good will of a satisfied customer is at times more valuable than adequate remuneration for services rendered. All of this was strikingly demonstrated early in the great depression, when I ran into trouble with the dining room chairs of a large St. Louis hotel. While bidding for the work I had failed to notice that an oval-shaped piece of wood (a medallion) was fixed in the center of each cane back. Because of that ridiculous oversight, I had asked only $2.25 per chair an impossibly low price by today's standards, yet quite normal at that time for the kind of work I had in mind. Upon discovering my error I realized, of course, that the price should have been much higher, but by that time it was not only embarrassingly late to change the bid, it was also painfully clear that I had better learn how to handle medallions if I was to get any pay at all. On the later point, at least, I was absolutely right, for the wisdom of putting first things first became more and more apparent with each unsuccessful attempt to do one of those backs. Beginning with a natural talent for putting the cane in straight and the medallion in crooked or vice versa, I soon became adept at putting both of them in crooked; but something more than my natural and acquired bungling was needed to put both of them in straight. Thanks to the disconcerting knowledge that we simply couldn't afford to lose such a big order, I devoted an entire week to that problem, trying out contraptions that wouldn't work. And when the ideal solution came to me, its simplicity was almost as aggravating as the problem had been -- two small headless nails and a rubber band did the trick. Costing less than one cent, that nail-rubber band combination was the key to handling medallions with relative ease and considerable precision. What a bargain! Ultimately I grossed hundreds of dollars on those dining room chairs, while the hotel manager's kindly recommendations won for me the patronage of a neighboring hotel as well as work from two large cafeterias. That was indeed a lucky break: chairs from those big establishments formed the backbone of my business during the remainder of the depression, and even now, although plastic and metal have long since replaced cane in most public places, the know-how acquired from working on all those beat-up chairs is still a valuable asset. Hence my respect for the little problems that crop up from time to time. Moreover, my limited knowledge of other gainfully employed blind persons, who find it either necessary or desirable to work at home, indicates that not one of them has achieved a significant measure of self-support without the aid of a similar attitude toward his own problems. For meaningful home-based employment is neither a gift from well-wishers nor a reward for apathy. Rather, it is the product of a suitable location, the will to work with the means at one's disposal, and time -- that precious gift which we may use or abuse but may not refuse. Home-based employment, therefore, depends upon environment as well as personal initiative. But the beginner does not need costly equipment, elaborate training, or the prestige of a college degree in order to sell insurance, to start a telephone answering service, to act as radio dispatcher for the police, to operate a magazine subscription agency, to make brushes, or to cane chairs. Which suggests to me that a good many idle persons among our thousands of stay-at-homes are mentally, physically and financially able to enter these or some other fields of home-based employment. If so, such persons are employable, and they should be made aware of it. Home teachers, case workers, friends -- everyone concerned -- should urge them to try anything and everything that might lead to remunerative work above the level of occupational therapy. Because mere busyness can only relieve the pain of abject dependency, whereas gainful employment can actually cure the malady. Although I do not mean to imply that purchasing power should be the blind person's sole concern, it certainly deserves high priority on his list of special interests; for in our free industrial society, where myriad commodities and services are sold, the coin of the realm is an unrivaled substitute for eyesight. Money, wisely used, makes a blind person less blind; it minimizes the disabling effects of his handicap and expedites his adjustment to the sighted community -- that goal so dear to the hearts of our educators. This unique virtue of purchasing power underlies our persistent quest for more generous and enlightened public assistance programs. Furthermore, it explains why remunerative employment is a major topic on the agenda of every convention held by workers for or of the blind. There is a dangerous tendency, however, to concentrate upon new and attractive employment opportunities, and either to neglect or to disparage the most common occupations of the blind prior to 1936 -- when the Randolph-Sheppard Act opened the door to phenomenal economic progress for qualified blind workers. But in view of authoritative estimates that twenty-five percent of the nation's blind citizens are employable, can we afford such a clean break with our recent past? Isn't our starry-eyed contemplation and single-minded pursuit of jobs, many of which may be destroyed by automation, unwarranted? It seems so to me, for I suspect that our employment needs are extensive enough to encompass the old jobs as well as the new. Of course I realize that, come what may, capable blind persons should grasp the new opportunities; it would be criminal folly to reject them. Nevertheless, we should remember that even if automation posed no threat, many of us will never get competitive jobs in the business, the industrial, or the professional world. One reason for this was summed up by Mr. E.T. Ruth, Director of Educational Services, Xavier Society for the Blind. Writing on the problems confronting blind applicants, he said, "It would seem then that the blind applicant must be as usual, a little bit better than the best in order to be regarded as being equal to the average sighted counterpart." He might have added that, even where discrimination is forbidden, as in certain branches of the Federal Civil Service, the blind worker must be above average in some respect, say, tact, or perseverance or ingenuity, in order to compete successfully with his sighted peers. Lacking that plus-factor -- that ability to put into the job something not required of his fellow workers -- an otherwise qualified blind person is apt to fail in competitive employment. There are other and more obvious reasons why some able blind people may never hit the competitive employment jackpot -- job scarcity, for example, or the residence requirements for public assistance which tend to deter clients from moving to areas where jobs are available. Though by no means homebound in the usual sense of the word, such persons may also have to choose between home-based employment and idleness, Who knows! Faced with those alternatives, they might, conceivably, welcome a chance to engage in what one writer refers to as "the pre-Industrial-Revolution handicrafts, such as broom making and brush making, which are traditionally the scraps from the industrial feast left to blind workers." That quotation exactly describes the immemorial status of blind handicraft workers, and I have no fault to find with it. Trouble is, those "scraps from the industrial feast" are being swept away too thoroughly and too soon. With our schools and our rehabilitation centers striving to prepare the blind for better jobs, with our public education campaigns designed to create a realistic public image of the blind, with the more progressive blind eager to profit from their new-found employability, with most of us warring on the undesirable stereotypes of blindness -- with virtually all our eggs in one basket, as it were, the handicrafts of yesteryear have little or no place in the new look. Shouldn't we face the fact that only a minority of the employable blind can benefit from the new jobs? Shouldn't training along the old lines be readily available to the rest, since brooms, brushes, baskets, chairs, and so on are still very widely used? Can't we continue to honor the old occupations while successfully combating false notions of our economic usefulness? My answer to those questions is yes, because, as mentioned above, I suspect that our employment needs are extensive enough to encompass the old jobs as well as the new. ***** ** Interested in a Business Career? The Hadley School for the Blind has nearly 300 openings for new home-study students. Already 1,700 students in 50 states and 50 foreign countries are enrolled in Hadley courses -- all tuition-free -- ranging from beginning braille to advanced work in their specific field of interest. For example, Hadley offers a complete secretarial training program, including braille shorthand, typewriting, and business letter writing, Commercial courses include salesmanship, business law, and a variety of subjects that give added ability and comprehension to blind persons in the business world, and open new worlds of interest and earning power for the beginner. Each Hadley student corresponds with his teacher who gives him individual help and guidance, As soon as the student is enrolled, he receives all required study material and textbooks by mail to study at his own speed. Once he has completed a lesson, he mails his tests and exercises to his teacher at Hadley. The Hadley School is located in a handsome, six-year-old building at 700 Elm Street, in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It is air-conditioned, partly to preserve the world's largest braille textbook library of 25,000 volumes. The Hadley School includes a staff of 50 full- and part-time members, 11 of them blind, all skilled and dedicated. Volunteers contribute many hours each week in a variety of responsibilities. This is the world's only correspondence school for blind persons. Hadley is accredited by the National Home Study Council, and is a nonprofit organization entirely supported by donations. The Hadley School began late in 1921 with the inspiration of William A. Hadley, a Chicago teacher who suddenly lost his sight. Mr. Hadley labored long hours to present one course, "How to Read Braille," by mail. Six months later he had added courses in English composition, Bible studies, and business and was teaching 204 blind students. Now, 42 years and over 15,000 alumni later, Hadley offers more than 100 courses, These include braille, elementary schooling, programs leading to high school diplomas in liberal arts or commercial arts, college courses accredited with the University of Wisconsin, and general courses as widely varied as accident prevention, insurance, music appreciation and poultry raising. Blind persons enroll with Hadley for many reasons -- vocational, cultural, recreational. All students are eager for the freedom, enrichment, and independence that knowledge and educating skills bring them. And right now there are openings at Hadley School for the Blind. Simply write to the Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois, 60093 for the general catalogue. ***** ** Mt. Prospect Lions Sponsor New Course (From the Fall 1963 issue of the Winnetka (Ill.) Hadley Highlights) The Mt. Prospect, Illinois, Lions Club has just presented the Hadley School with a $1,000 donation to be used in creating a new home study course. The course will be a Career Information course, designed to provide blind teenagers with pertinent data on the choice of a vocation; and will also assist the adult blind in realizing their job potential. The Mt. Prospect Lions Club has been a faithful supporter of the Hadley School for several years. Always trying to provide blind persons with a chance to receive a better home-study education they have contributed substantial amounts toward the development of other Hadley courses, in particular, Education 091: The Human Eye, a University of Wisconsin course. Without such loyal support, the Hadley School would be unable to continue to serve the blind persons of the world. ***** ** Notices The Hadley School for the Blind takes pleasure in announcing that the school is accepting enrollments for a new course, "Introduction to Rehabilitation." The course will be taught by Robert McQuie, who holds a Master's degree in guidance. The text is Dr. Herbert Rusalem's "Rehabilitation of the Blind." The course is of an introductory nature and will be followed by others more specialized in their subject matter. It is designed to acquaint the blind person with every service and resource available to him because of his handicap and to encourage him to grasp every opportunity open to him despite his handicap by acquiring new skills, information and training. The course is intended primarily for the newly blind, and Hadley also hopes to reach many of those blind persons who have not yet evaluated what their blindness means to them and who have not yet started on their own personal, social and economic rehabilitation. Hadley's new course will help the blind person understand the value of braille and other special aids and skills which he can use in activities of daily living. Braille, the guide dog, the use of the cane and other topics are explored. The student will be informed of local, state and national services and agencies ready to help him and the specially trained teachers and counselors who can assist him in using his individual talents to best advantage. Home teachers and rehabilitation counselors are recommending that their clients enroll for either the braille, taped or printed version of this course as the first step in their personal and social adjustment. For further information on this course or on other courses provided by the school, write to The Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm St., Winnetka, Illinois 60093. *** Now available from Science for the Blind, Haverford, Penn sylvania 19041, is a monthly publication -- General Science Monthly -- on tape. This publication is on a 5-inch reel, 3 3/4 ips, with 1 1/2 hours of playing time. This monthly is available to the blind through the permission of the publisher, Doubleday of Garden City. The Monthly is designed for persons with limited background in science -- for children who are studying science in school, for adults who are interested in a simple but interesting presentation of a wide variety of scientific topics, for persons who wish to review and update their high school science. Topics such as criminology, space, weather, atomic power and gravity are a few of the many that will be covered. *** Science for the Blind, Haverford, Pennsylvania 19041, has available braille notations and tables which may assist blind people interested in science. Science for the Blind will supply free of charge a loose-leaf booklet entitled Braille Notations and Tables. This book contains such data as tables of four place logarithms, trigonometric functions, hyperbolic and exponential relations, a table of integrals, atomic element tables, etc. The math code used is a hybrid made up partly of Taylor, Nemeth and "Benham." A full explanation is given at the beginning of the non-standard notations. As additional material is prepared, sheets are sent to those who have requested the book so that the new material may be added in the proper place. *** Beacon Lodge Camp for the Blind located in central Pennsylvania will conduct its camping program this year from June 27 to August 29. The program will consist of one session for children and one for adults. For further information write to Beacon Lodge Camp for the Blind, Box 22, Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044. *** The American Association of Instructors of the Blind is interested in obtaining new members from among those who are interested in the problems and future plans in the education of blind children. If you wish to become a member of the AAIB, send $9.00 dues for 1964 to the American Association of Instructors of the Blind, Inc., 1964 South Spring Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. Your membership will entitle you to receive both The New Outlook for the Blind and The International Journal for the Education of the Blind, as well as a free copy of the Convention Proceedings of the AAIB 1964 convention. The AAIB will hold its convention this year at Perkins School for the Blind from Sunday, June 21, through Thursday, June 25. For reservations write to Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass. 02172. *** Henceforth all books recorded by the National Braille Press, Inc., will be done on 1800 ft. reels of magnetic tape. Those wishing to have books recorded must provide a full set of the reels or must purchase them all from the National Braille Press at the rate of $2.25 per 1800 ft. reel. Many books can be recorded on tape provided by the Library of Congress, provided the books are accompanied by an authorization slip obtained by the reader from the Library of Congress and sent to the National Braille Press accompanying the book to be recorded. All books to be recorded on magnetic tape should be sent directly to Mrs. Frances Patterson, National Braille Press, Inc., 88 St. Stephen St., Boston 15, Mass. ***** The Brooklyn Bureau of Social Service and Children's Aid Society, 285 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, New York 11217, has developed a Braille Convenience Foods Cookbook which will open a heretofore almost closed section of the food market to blind women. To assist blind homemakers across the country to make better use of this important source of food supply, the Bureau has published a sturdy, easy-to-handle cookbook which contains a listing of the various kinds and forms of frozen and dehydrated foods and packaged mixes available; directions for preparing; guides for storage; nutritional value of the various foods; and suggestions for planning balanced and tasty meals. The book is produced in plastic for use in the kitchen where it will not be damaged by water or grease. The braille edition of this cookbook will sell for $4.50 -- the inkprint edition for $1.25 ***** *** Hyde Park Corner Conducted by Earl Scharry We believe that the following remarks by S.C. Simonton describe the plight and needs of the deaf-blind most forcefully. We feel sure that the members and officers of ACB (and particularly the legislative committee) will be found responsive to these needs, especially the need of the deaf-blind for an adequate supply of braille literature. If it is found that pending legislation would diminish or endanger the present supply of free braille magazines, we are confident that appropriate action will be taken on behalf of ACB. ** Spare That Braille If the pending bill designed to allow publishers of braille magazines to charge a subscription is enacted into law, the effect will be to deprive a large segment of our blind population of much of their braille reading matter. Only a small percentage of our blind population are privileged to work. The overwhelming majority eke out an existence on their substandard blind aid. Many live in nursing homes or in homes for the blind. After paying for board, room and laundry, they have no more than five or ten dollars a month left. How many magazines could such people subscribe to even if the rate were as low as two dollars? If this bill should pass, it is almost a foregone conclusion that most of the agencies that publish braille and recorded magazines will take advantage of its provisions. Some subscription rates may be much higher than the two dollars I have mentioned. Is it fair to place this additional burden upon those who are existing upon such a meager stipend? Also consider the deaf-blind, the crippled blind, and the oldsters. Practically all the services offered by the agencies are meaningless to them. Very few among these three groups can benefit from education, rehabilitation centers, etc. Such things as switchboards, vending stands, dictaphone operating, teaching, government jobs and outside employment are out of their realm. To deprive these groups of about the only service the agencies are rendering to them is unjust. They are just as blind as the younger and the more precocious. They are entitled to some benefits from the thousands of dollars collected annually in their name. Yet they may be said to be the forgotten men and women of the blind fraternity. The totally deaf-blind, that group to which I belong, will perhaps be the hardest hit. No radio, TV, talking books, tapes or telephones for us. Our only medium for news and entertainment is our braille. More than one has said to me, "If it were not for my braille magazines and letters, I think I would go crazy." Some of them never set foot outside their premises from one year's end to the other. Some of the publishers of braille are sending their publications all over the world. If they are in financial straits, they could retrench by curtailing much of their overseas activities and concentrating more on their own people. After all, charity begins at home. I believe that the objective of agencies should be to provide their clients with the services they need most but are unable to pay for. Certainly braille magazines for the three groups I have mentioned is one of their greatest needs. Some of the publishers are already inviting their readers to contribute to a variety of "funds," and one asks for a specific amount. Only a very few are in need of funds to keep their periodicals in circulation. At least one is heavily endowed, and others have assured sponsorship and do not have to engage in fundraising. Purely voluntary donations are valid, but readers should not be constantly needled for money they need for the barest necessities of life. Any savings accruing to the blind through the granting of a free letter concession would be cancelled out by the far greater amount they would pay for their magazines. Passage of this legislation would deprive the lonely, isolated and impoverished of much of their braille and recorded reading matter. Since most of them have no employment, this would tend to increase their hours of just sitting with nothing to occupy their minds or hands. A few of the "give-'em-nothing" school of thought among the blind say: "If you can't afford it, go without it." This usually comes from those privileged to work and earn something to augment their blind aid, or from those comfortably situated and able to pay. Those who expound that philosophy have little compassion for their fellows in less propitious circumstances. I hope the ACB will use its influence to block passage of this bill. -- S.C. Simonton, 362 Seabright Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15214 ***** ** Here and There By George Card A fatal kidney illness cut short the life of one of America's most promising young blind lawyers, Arnold Grever, Jr., of Louisville, Ky., who died in January at the age of 31. He was blinded by glaucoma in the second year of his law school course at the University of Louisville but made a quick and adjustment -- teaching himself braille and touch typing and making good use of tape-recorded textbooks. He was secretary of the Kentucky Association of Trial Attorneys. On January 25 Mrs. Tena Younberg of Livingston, Montana, passed away after a two-month illness. She was one of the most active and energetic members of the local and state organizations of the blind. Darlene and I were guests in her home during our "crusade" in the fall of 1960. The Peoriarea Observer reports that the Caterpillar Tractor Co. of Peoria, Ill., was selected over 49 other nominees as the handicapped employer of the year. It now has some 3,000 handicapped employees. ... Also that Bernice Heldt, whose husband Elmer died last July, was critically injured when struck by a truck on November 12. Bernice was arrangements chairman for the 1950 NFB convention in Chicago. Among its other activities, the Washington State Association of the Blind collects braille magazines and used eyeglasses and ships them to Pakistan regularly. The Hoosier Starlight reports another great step forward by the Indiana School for the Blind, under the energetic and inspiring leadership of its new superintendent Durward Hutchinson. A social service worker under the direction of the school will begin visiting parents of blind children throughout the state and supplying them with the counsel and information that is so desperately needed by these parents, who so often are frightened and bewildered by what seems to them an almost unbelievable calamity. This school has also started a class in amateur radio and will have the services of a speech-hearing therapist three days a week. A special summer school and camping program at Hardwick, Vt., in the heart of the Green Mountains, for intellectually superior blind youths between the ages of 14 and 20 will be offered for the summer session of July and August, 1964. Forty blind youths will be chosen from the United States and Canada to participate in this unique opportunity. For further information, write: The New York Institute for the Education of the Blind, 999 Pelham Parkway, Bronx, New York 10469. From The Blind Advocate (London): "Blind people in North Wales will soon be able to have talking books in Welsh. ... Dr. C.M. Phillips told a medical conference that traditional native African remedies were mostly acid, often highly abrasive, and always prepared under filthy conditions. When used to treat eye conditions they often aggravated them and led to permanent blindness. ... Mr. Robert Livingstone, a blind one-armed ex-serviceman, has made an important contribution to the construction of a big new bridge by producing 10,000 plastic plugs which fit into the bolt holes in the main box beam girders at the approach viaduct to the bridge, thus preventing corrosion of the beams, which are hollow ... Australia's new decimal currency is being designed with the needs of blind people in mind, including bold numerals on the various coins." After a lapse of several years, the North Carolina Federation of the Blind is again issuing a publication, in the form of a newsletter, in braille, ink-print and on tape. The first issue announces the election of J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28205, as NCFB president and of Marvin J. Gatlin, Sealey, as president of the NCFB Credit Union. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Liggett of Memphis, Tenn., twin girls -- this makes four girls and one boy. From the South Dakota Visually Handicapped News: Wayne Sumner (I think he is Dean's brother) has been added to the staff of the South Dakota Services to the Blind and will act as a home teacher in the territory formerly served by Delbert Aman. Delbert will be moving to Aberdeen shortly to take charge of the northeast office, filling the vacancy left by Raymond Melhoff. The latter has left the staff to manage a supermarket. The Aman family are expecting an addition some time next summer. On January 15 the State Junior Chamber of Commerce presented Dean with a plaque citing him as the man under 35 who had made the greatest contribution to his community and his state during the past year. Al Nichols reports that the Greater Westfield Chapter has withdrawn from the Associated Blind of Massachusetts. From Science Newsletter: "A blind person may be superior to a sighted person of equal intelligence in planning programs for computers, it was claimed by authorities at the University Medical Computing Center, Cincinnati. Obstacles usually faced by the blind have been overcome in the pilot training program, and a full-fledged training program, designed to open many new career opportunities to the talented blind, is beginning at the Center this year." Braille pamphlets containing excerpts from the Occupational Handbook issued by the U.S. Department of Labor are now available at the regional library. Although no reference is made in these pamphlets to opportunities for blind persons, there are blind men and women successfully engaged in each of the fields covered by the pamphlets. The present shortage of fully trained and qualified workers is especially acute in the fields of psychology and social work. With the December 1963 issue, the Matilda Ziegler magazine discontinued its New York point edition. The wife of Joseph Clunk, widely acclaimed placement officer of the blind and past president of the AAWB, passed away in January. Those who would like to have available a recorded edition of the National Rehabilitation Association's Journal are urged to write without delay to Mr. John Riley, P.O. Box 1049, Clarksburg, W.Va., 16302. From the January New Outlook: "In September Richard Wayne Edwards was appointed program director of the Illinois Visually Handicapped Institute in Chicago. The Library of Congress' collection of musical scores is being developed primarily by acquiring all available scores which have already been produced by the American and European braille presses. It will be supplemented by hand-transcribed scores produced by volunteers. ... The Louis Braille Foundation, 112 E. 19th Street, New York City, is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the blind in the field of music, both as an avocation and as a profession. Members of the Foundation's advisory committee include: Yehudi Menuhin, Benny Goodman, Lukas Foss, Rudolph Serkin, Leontyne Price, Dr. William Schuman, Noble Sissle, Gregor Piatigorsky, and Vernon deTar. The New York Association for the Blind has prepared a descriptive outline of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, which will be available in braille for blind visitors at the Fair. It will serve as a guide to the layout of the various structures and furnish information regarding many of the important features. It will be obtainable free at the National Industries for the Blind exhibit in the Better Living Building." The February issue mentions our national organization twice. Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, head of the California School for the Blind, enumerates the mileposts on the progress of the blind during the last 30 years. He considers one of these mileposts to be the development of the organized blind movement and mentions specifically the American Council of the Blind. ... Irvin Schloss, in his Report on National Legislation, states that the American Foundation, the American Association of Workers for the Blind, and the American Council of the Blind appeared in favor of Congressman Cecil King's bill providing for medical care for the aged, financed through Social Security. ... Many read with real regret Mr. Barnett's announcement of the discontinuance of his wise and humorous column "Hindsight." And from the March issue: "Bernard M. Krebs, librarian at the Jewish Guild for the Blind, has invented a new mechanical process for binding braille books. Soon to be manufactured by the American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, Ky., the new binder will make it possible for any braille transcribing group to do its own permanent or temporary binding at a very minimal cost. ... Lyle Thume, psychologist at the Rehabilitation Center of the Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind, has organized a course in ham radio for trainees, stand operators and staff members who wish to enroll. The course will prepare trainees to qualify for a novice and a general license. ... Oliver 'Carl' Bacon of Gardena, Calif., formerly a home teacher with the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, was appointed executive director of the Blinded Veterans Association. ... Wayne Ponnenwirth has joined the South Dakota Service to the Blind staff as counselor of parents of preschool blind children .... " From Listen: "J. Robert Atkinson, founder of the Braille Institute of America and its managing director until his retirement in 1957, died in Los Angeles on February 1 at the age of 76. ... Visually limited persons interested in learning the touch system of typewriting may obtain a specially prepared typing manual in either braille or on talking book records from the regional lending libraries .... M. Robert Barnett, executive director of the American Foundation for the Blind, Inc., received his second honorary doctoral degree on February 15 in DeLand, Fla., from his alma mater, Stetson University. (Mr. Barnett will be a featured speaker at our Rochester ACB convention.) ... Seventy-year-old Edward Raymond, a former circus clown now nearly blind, purchased a box of greeting cards from a young door-to-door peddler last December and mailed them out to friends in time for Christmas. The trouble was that the assortment contained birthday cards, get-well cards, wedding congratulations and various other greetings, but not one Christmas card. ... A staff reorganization at the American Foundation for the Blind has caused widespread comment in the field of work for the blind .... Of particular interest to the field is the departure from the Foundation of Kathern F. Gruber, identified with the agency for over 20 years. ..." The ABC Digest (Calif.) reports that the new building will be ready for occupancy by the former Oakland Orientation Center shortly after midyear. It will be located in Albany, adjacent to Oakland. It will be a greatly expanded facility, with student capacity increased to 40 and with three additional teachers. Also a training center has been established in the Los Angeles area, with an enviable record in the training of the blind for our own stand program, and in the training of other disability groups for job placement in outside restaurants and cafeterias. In addition, we have won a commitment that all state building in-plant feeding facilities will, in the future, go to our blind operators, and 20 additional locations in industrial and public buildings are planned for the next fiscal year. ... Blind medical secretaries who are interested in becoming a part of an organization where there will be a mutually profitable exchange of ideas with others of their calling should write in braille to Miss Helen E. Olsen, Pleasant Street, Hamden Highlands, Maine, or in ink-print to Miss Anita Brown, R.R. 2, Box 271, Laurel, Miss. ... John Postma, Jr., 139 Jordan St., Battle Creek, Mich., would like to hear from door-to-door salesmen. He has fishing lures which he will sell to them wholesale. ... California leads the nation in vending stand, snack bar and cafeteria locations. On June 30, 1963, the total number of stands in the United States and territories was 2,365, with California having 225. ... Our nearest competitor is Alabama with 148, followed by 131 for Pennsylvania, 131 for Ohio and 112 for New York." From the Peoriarea Observer: "In February the beautiful new wing at the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind in Springfield was opened to residents. Many additional blind people, both men and women, can now be accommodated. ... Our deepest sympathy goes out to Fred Lilley, whose wife passed away on February 11." Late in February the Missouri Federation conducted a highly successful seminar, stressing problems of organization, legislation, fund-raising and credit union growth. Fifty-one members registered for the full three days, and many others attended as often as they could. The MFB was enthusiastic in its praise of the warm hospitality extended the seminar by the Missouri School for the Blind, which supplied dormitories, meals and meeting rooms. Paul Kirton was among the guest speakers. A 13-page booklet, "Social Security Benefits for Adults Disabled in Childhood," contains valuable information for the parents of disabled sons and daughters and is now available at all local offices. Many parents who are covered by Social Security are not aware that children who became disabled before the age of 18 may continue to receive benefits after that age. More than 193,000 adults whose disabilities began in childhood are receiving social security benefits. "The flourishing credit unions sponsored by state-wide organizations of the blind in Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, California, and in a few other states, are our answer to the widespread belief that the average blind person is a poor credit risk.' -- Alma Murphey in the Missouri Chronicle. From the New Beacon (London): "It is not generally known that Aldous Huxley, author of 'Brave New World' and other notable books, was nearly blind most of his life. He could read print slowly and with difficulty in daylight, but he learned braille and did most of his reading in bed in the dark, just as so many of us do. His brother, Sir Julian, says that his visual handicap proved a blessing in the long run. If he had possessed perfect sight, he would have become an undistinguished doctor; but he was obliged to turn to literature and became a world figure. ... The braille press of the Nippon Lighthouse has just completed work on its most ambitious project, a 71-volume English-Japanese dictionary. The whole of the manuscript was prepared by one woman, Miss Amiko Minami, a task which took her 16 years of full-time work. She began this immense job at the age of 20, having lost her sight four years earlier. The preparation of this work provides striking evidence of the great interest of many blind Japanese in reading braille books and magazines in English." **** ** ACB Officers and Directors President: Ned E. Freeman, 136 Gee's Mill Rd., Conyers, Ga. 30207 1st Vice President: Durward K. McDaniel, 305 Midwest Bldg., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 2nd Vice President: David Krause, 4628 Livingston Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032 Secretary: Mrs. Alma Murphey, 4103 Castleman Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Treasurer: Reese H. Robrahn, 308 Columbian Building, Topeka, Kansas 66603 ** Directors * Directors Until 1966: George Card, 605 S. Few Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 Delbert K. Aman, 220 West Second St., Pierre, South Dakota G. Paul Kirton, Room 6327, Department of the Interior, Washington 25, D.C. Mrs. Marie M. Boring, 1113 Camden Avenue, Durham, North Carolina 27701 * Directors Until 1964: F. Winfield Orrell, 5209 Alabama Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee Mrs. Mary Jane Hills, 33 1/2 Edmonds St., Rochester, New York 14607 Earl Scharry, 264 Saunders Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, 40206 Robert W. Campbell, 253 Stonewall Road, Berkeley 5, California ###