The Braille Forum Vol. III September 1964 No. 3 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 ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors President: Ned E. Freeman, 136 Gee's Mill Rd., Conyers, Ga. 30207 1st Vice President: Durward K. McDaniel, Suite 305 Midwest Bldg., Oklahoma City 2, Oklahoma 73102 2nd Vice President: David Krause, 4628 Livingston Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032 Secretary: Mrs. Alma Murphey, 4103 Castleman Ave., St. Louis 10, Missouri Treasurer: Reese H. Robrahn, 210 Crawford Building, Topeka, Kansas 66603 ** Directors * Directors Until 1966: George Card, 605 S. Few Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 Delbert K. Aman, 929 South 2nd St., Aberdeen, 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 1968: F. Winfield Orrell, 5209 Alabama Avenue, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37409 Mrs. Mary Jane Hills, 33 1/2 Edmonds St., Rochester, New York 14607 R.L. Thompson, 104 West Hanlon St., Tampa, Florida 33604 Fred Lilley, 53 1/2 West Jackson, Chicago, Illinois ***** ** Table of Contents ACB Officers and Directors ACB President's Fireside Chat From the Ivory Tower, by Norma J. Wagner Impressions of the Rochester Convention, by George Card ACB 1964 Convention Report, by Alma Murphey ACB 1964 Resolutions Californian Receives Ambassador Award ACB Publications Board Report, by June Goldsmith North Dakota Becomes Eighth ACB Affiliate, by George Card Georgia and South Dakota -- New ACB Affiliates, by Ned Freeman Men vs. Vending Machines, by F.W. Orrell Blindness Need Not Be a Handicap in Teaching, by Betty Morton Special Announcement Job Announcement Here and There, by George Card A Ten-Million-Dollar Controversy in Pennsylvania ***** ** ACB President's Fireside Chat My Friends: This column is being written as I snatch a little time in the midst of the meetings of the World Council for the Welfare for the Blind in New York City. We have just been touring the New York Lighthouse, and Miss Dorothy Knight of the Braille Press Service at the Lighthouse has been kind enough to permit us the use of an office and a typewriter. We are now approaching the end of the third week of conventioning and both Loretta and I are, to say the least, a bit weary, but we have found all of these meetings very worthwhile. Our own convention in Rochester was one of the best and most enjoyable any of us have had in many years. Right quickly I want to say a special "thank you" to Mary Jane Hills and to Delbert Aman for an excellent job of planning and arranging the 1964 ACB convention. Together they provided us four smoothly running days of stimulating and enjoyable experiences. Highlights of the program were the panel discussions, and several veterans of many conventions pronounced the trip to Niagara Falls the most enjoyable convention tour they had ever attended. Among our most popular and interesting guests during the entire convention were John Jarvis, secretary-general of the World Council, and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Jefferies of Melbourne, Australia. They not only spoke to the convention but also contributed much in discussions in committee meetings -- and gaiety outside meetings. Elsewhere in this issue and in issues to follow you may hear more about Rochester I wish that many more of you could have been there. Directly from Rochester, we and a number of others from our ACB group came to New York City for the AAWB convention which was attended by nearly 600 persons. Here we obtained much valuable information from the formal papers presented and from personal contacts with many interesting people. Among other things, we gathered some valuable expressions of support for our efforts to overcome obstacles to the training and certification of blind persons desiring to enter the teaching profession, for the strengthening of the vending stand program, and for our news service for the deaf-blind. In future issues I hope to give you a comprehensive report of the World Council sessions. For the present, suffice it to say that it has been most stimulating to meet and talk with outstanding leaders in work for the blind from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America -- in fact, all over the world. There is much that we in this country can learn from the experience of those in other lands. Most of them have problems far more serious than our own, but, in some respects, some of these countries have advanced much further than we have. One of the most frequent emphases has been upon the important role played by organizations of the blind in promoting more progressive programs and services. This morning on my bus coming out to the Lighthouse, I found myself wishing for my tape recorder so that I might give to the readers of the tape edition a sample of the international flavor of this conference. We who spoke English were definitely in the minority, and many of those speaking English had a definite foreign accent. Surrounding us we could hear conversations in German, French, Spanish, and Japanese -- a veritable Tower of Babel. It is hoped that the Braille Forum in coming months will have articles especially prepared for us by some of these outstanding world figures. In closing, let me express to each of you my appreciation of the confidence in me you have indicated by electing me to another two-year term as your ACB president. I pledge to you my best efforts and solicit the rededication of your efforts toward the advancement of the goals we have set for ourselves. It is only through our united strength that we will be able to advance. Faithfully, Ned Freeman ***** ** From the Ivory Tower By Norma J. Wagner This is the era when presidents and people are widely separated by a wall of representatives and committee chairmen. If you wish to talk to a president of any sizable organization, you get your representative to make an appointment, then the president is too busy to give him much time. Like all other organizations, the American Council of the Blind has a president. Unlike all other presidents of his caliber, though, he was far from unapproachable. Nor did his wife stand in the doorway to keep the masses away with such excuses as "He's too busy" or "You don't have an appointment." I arrived at the president's suite on Wednesday night, unannounced, without an appointment, and we sat and had a long talk about things in general. There was no politicking on any of the issues which would be coming before the convention. On Friday afternoon a tour had been scheduled. Because Ned and Loretta Freeman, the president and his wife, were going on the tour, they asked me to stay in their suite and make all who came feel welcome. From that day on, and for the rest of the convention, the president's suite was a beehive of activity, often starting as early as eight o'clock in the morning. People would stop in for a cup of coffee. Teenagers would stop in to try to locate their parents. Someone had a small rip in a dress and needed a needle and thread; someone else needed a safety pin. On Saturday night, due to a strange set of circumstances, no one was able to leave the hotel. A party originally scheduled for a smaller suite was moved to the president's suite, and all involved had a wonderful time. Those who came found a warm welcome. This writer even had occasion to stay in the president's suite for two nights. I do not wish to imply here that the president did not concern himself with important things. Both he and his wife had many important things to do, but they always had time to talk with rank-and-file members and make them feel as though they are an important part of the organization. ***** ** Impressions of the Rochester Convention By George Card (The following report on the 1964 convention of the American Council of the Blind held in Rochester, New York, in July was sent to many who were unable to attend.) This was not just a very good convention -- it was a great one. The attendance was disappointing but not discouraging. We are not yet strong in the eastern part of the U.S. and Rochester is at a considerable distance from the center of our present membership concentration. It now appears likely, however, that we may have greatly increased strength in the East (and elsewhere) before many months have passed. Among those who attended were observers from a number of states which have been hesitating about their future affiliation with a national organization of the blind. Every one of these expressed great satisfaction with what he saw and heard, and several of them told me they felt they had been on the fence too long and were now going home to work for ACB affiliation -- if possible, later this year. I have been attending national conventions for almost a quarter of a century and many of them have been excellent, but not one of them came even close to the 1964 ACB convention in program quality or in the enthusiasm and dedication manifested by those who attended. Both the program chairman -- Delbert Aman of South Dakota -- and the arrangements chairman -- Mary Jane Hills of Rochester -- are deserving of enormous credit, and both received ovations at the close of the sessions. For the first time in my experience, this convention kept exactly on schedule -- a striking evidence of careful planning. Most convention programs in the past have been so crowded and cluttered that getting behind becomes inevitable, and the result has been confusion and chaos -- with much of the latter part cancelled out for lack of time. At Rochester our speakers were of the highest caliber, and all were given ample time, but we did not overload our agenda and everything moved along smoothly and efficiently. I shall touch on only the highlights. Many came a day or two before the formal opening, and on Wednesday, July 22, a goodly number of these early arrivals went in a body to attend the afternoon program at the Finger Lakes Race Track, where the feature race was named "The American Council of the Blind Handicap." The first session of the Board of Directors was held that evening. The morning of July 23 was devoted to opening ceremonies and reports by the Finance and Membership Committees. As chairman of the latter committee, I reported that the number of our affiliates had doubled during the past year (from four to eight), and that our general membership had increased from eleven hundred a year ago to nineteen hundred at the present time. For once the mayor of the host city came in person to welcome us instead of sending a substitute. In the afternoon we were very happy to welcome back George Magers (formerly of Illinois and Nevada), who again came to us from Washington and who again filled us in on the progress being made at the national level in all the areas of special interest to us as blind citizens. Just as it was a year ago at Chicago, his talk was right to the point and full of significant information. The other feature of this session was the finest thing of its kind of work I have ever listened to. It was a panel discussion on "The Work of a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency," moderated by the dynamic Herbert R. Brown, director of Rehabilitation Services in New York State, and participated in by four of his best counselors. They made no attempt to romanticize or glamorize what they are doing, or trying to do, but gave us a rea1 candid view of their problems, their successes and failures, and their plans for the future. Mr. Brown impressed us all as being the type of administrator we would like to see in every state -- no starry-eyed dreamer, no ivory tower theoretician, no blandly optimistic dispenser of snow-jobs, spouting pious platitudes, but a man with both feet on the ground, a cutter of red tape, a no nonsense realist, aware of the difficulties and pitfalls in his path but determined to get a job done. He had apparently succeeded in infusing this spirit into the minds and hearts of his lieutenants. The final hour was devoted to convention business, as planned. Numerous important committee meetings were held during the evening, with a get-together dance beginning at ten. The forenoon of July 24 contained two more outstanding items. Dr. Hyman Goldstein, chief of the Biometrics Branch, National Institutes of Neurology and Blindness, spoke on the topic "So That All May See." He came to us from the federal agency which plans and supervises most of the eye research being carried on in this country, and his address was most interesting and informative. He urged upon us the vital importance of obtaining reliable statistics and asked for our help and cooperation. Next came the second and last panel discussion its subject being "Membership and Leadership Development at the State Level." Durward McDaniel of Oklahoma, our first vice-president, moderated this panel, and those taking part were George Burck of New Jersey, Frank Lugiano of Pennsylvania, Jeraldine Noeller of Kansas and Alma Murphey of Missouri. Each of these is a former state president and each made a solid contribution based on his or her actual experience. Even those of us who are also former state presidents (and there were quite a few in the audience) learned a good deal from what was brought out by this panel. The afternoon and evening, of course, were given over to the twelve-hour tour to Niagara Falls, and most of the delegates, visitors and observers went on this trip. They returned about midnight, most of them tired but all of them very happy with what they had seen and experienced. During the forenoon of the third day there were a number of committee reports, including the legislative report by Paul Kirton. Legislative resolutions and a few others were considered and acted upon. The featured speaker of that session was Dr. M. Robert Barnett, executive director of the American Foundation for the Blind. He was in top form and delighted his hearers with his presentation. He had not been assigned a specific topic, but he covered as many subjects as possible that he knew we would be interested in. It was notable that the spirit of belligerent anti-agency which was so evident in former years at the national conventions of another organization, and which resulted sometimes in discourtesy to visiting agency speakers, was wholly absent. Dr. Barnett was accorded a most friendly and cordial reception and remained with us as long as he could. In the afternoon of the third day there were reports by our treasurer and by the chairman of the Auditing Committee, Marshall warren of Nashville. The two program items were both outstanding. John Jarvis of London; secretary-general of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, held his hearers spellbound, just as he did in Boston in 1948. John had come to Rochester the day before the convention began and stayed to its end. His personal charm and magnetism were a delight and inspiration. He threw himself into all our activities with abandon; he attended every session faithfully and was the life of the party at all social gatherings. He exhibited prodigious stamina and staying power when it came to the usual convention test -- going almost without sleep. He made a warm friend of everyone he met -- and he managed to meet and talk with almost everybody present. On leaving us he said, just a bit ruefully, "I have two more conventions to go on this trip -- the AAWB and the World Council -- and I probably can't quite keep up this pace to the end." The other Saturday afternoon program item was the appearance of Miss Annette Dinsmore of the American Foundation and Mr. Louis Bettica of the Brooklyn Industrial Home, in a most interesting discussion of the problems of the deaf-blind. The hard-working chairman of our Deaf-Blind Committee is Mr. Boyd Wolfe of Columbus, Ohio. The convention banquet was the occasion for the presentation of the 1964 Ambassador Award to Mr. Eben Whittlesey, a successful blind lawyer of Carmel, California. This award goes to the blind person selected each year as the result of a distinguished performance in bringing to the sighted public a truer and more accurate understanding of the normality of the blind. The presentation was made by Julie Bindt, famous Home Teacher in Mr. Whittlesey's home state, and the recipient's gracious acceptance speech warmed the hearts of those who were present. The address of the evening was delivered by Dr. Philip Nelbach, executive vice-president of the World Health Organization. He had been a last-minute substitution for the Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who had been forced to remain in Washington. The speaker gave us much to think about. All of both sessions on the final day were devoted to organization business, including the election of the five constitutional officers and four directors. All officers were given a second term -- president, Ned Freeman of Georgia; first vice-president, Durward McDaniel of Oklahoma; second vice-president, David Krause of Washington, D.C.; secretary, Alma Murphey of Missouri; and treasurer, Reese Robrahn of Kansas. Two of the directors whose terms expired were replaced, more or less in deference to their own wishes. The four elected were Mary Jane Hills of New York, "Larry" Thompson of Florida, Winfield Orrell of Tennessee, and Fred Lilly of Illinois. The following were elected to the Publications Committee Carl Wylie of Florida, Sylvia Burton Nichols of Vermont, and Earl Scharry of Kentucky. The final four days of the fourth week in July were selected as the dates for the 1965 convention which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky. Atlanta, Georgia was chosen as the site of the 1966 national convention. Among other distinguished visitors at this convention were Mr. John Patterson of Buffalo, a long-time member of the New York Commission for the Blind, and Mr. Don Nold of Illinois, editor of Dialogue (formerly The Talking Lion). The teen-age rioting, which was given such widespread publicity brought a few long-distance telephone calls from worried relatives and friends, but caused only mild excitement in the convention hotel. The curfews prevented nocturnal outside excursions, but this may have been all to the good. ***** ** ACB 1964 Convention Report The American Council of the Blind held its third annual convention at the Manger Hotel in Rochester, New York, July 23 through 26. Thanks to magnificent teamwork on the part of program chairman Delbert Aman and local arrangements chairman Mary Jane Hills, the convention, though small for a National organization, was an outstanding success. The high quality of program items, the delightful and unusual recreational events, the warm hospitality of our Rochester hosts, the splendid hotel accommodations, all of these combined to produce that rare phenomenon -- a truly satisfactory convention. Second Vice President David Krause presided over the first session, which began at about 9:30 A.M. Thursday, July 23. Following the invocation by President Ned Freeman, there were welcoming addresses by Rochester's Mayor Frank Lamb and assistant manager Alfred Starling of the Manger Hotel, to which Chairman Krause responded. Then after greetings and announcements by Arrangements Chairman Mary Jane Hills, the convention heard a partial report from the Credentials Committee and Program Chairman Delbert Aman reviewed the agenda, which was immediately adopted by the assembly. The remainder of the session was devoted to business. The secretary read the minutes of the 1963 convention, and they were approved. Delbert Aman, substituting for chairman "Bud" Orrell, gave the finance committee's report. Chairman George Card gave the report of the membership committee which revealed that the ACB's eight affiliates and three hundred members at large made a grand total of approximately 1,900 members. President Freeman's annual report concluded the session. Just prior to this report the President introduced and explained an Executive Board recommendation on voting procedure to be tried out during elections the following Sunday and, if found satisfactory, to be used at future elections. Proposing the secret ballet for the general assembly and a roll call vote for representatives of affiliates, the recommendation provided that voting by secret ballot should precede the roll call vote, but only the total number of votes for and the total number of votes against a candidate need be announced. The treasurer's report given at the beginning of the after noon session showed a balance of $4800.64 as of June 30, 1964, That figure compares well with our balance of only $1900.00 a year ago. The first guest speaker of the afternoon was George Magers, Assistant Chief, Division of Services to the Blind, Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, Washington, D.C., substituting for Louis Rives, who had been scheduled to address the convention. Mr. Magers' splendid talk and thoughtful replies to many questions pleased everyone. Then, as scheduled, a panel of agency officials discussed "Vocational Rehabilitation Services as Provided by a State Agency." In addition to moderator Robert R. Brown, Albany Director, State Rehabilitation Services, the panelists were: Mr. Ronald I. Johnson, Miss Elizabeth J. Smith, Mr. William Pickman and Mr. Jesse Kornelli. Resuming business during the latter part of the session, two resolutions were adopted, and the assembly approved the resolution committee's decision not to introduce the much-discussed statement of principles and beliefs. The general feeling seemed to be that such a statement is unnecessary at this time. The first part of the Friday morning session was devoted to the roll call, appointment of the nominating committee, report of the credentials committee, and a splendid address "That All May See" delivered by Mr. Hyman Goldstein, Chief, Biometrics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness. The rest of the morning was filled by a panel on "Leadership and Membership Development." The panelists were Durward McDaniel (Okla.), Frank Lugiano (Penn.), George Burck (N. Jersey), Miss Jeraldine Noeller (Kansas), and Mrs. Alma Murphey (Missouri). There was no business session on Friday afternoon. The Saturday morning session began with the report of the committee on employment opportunities for the Blind. Because of the absence of committee chairman John Luxon, the report was presented by President Freeman. Resolutions committee chairman Earl Scharry then introduced two resolutions bearing upon the work of the employment opportunities committee. They were adopted. The highlight of the session was a most interesting address on the origin and operation of the American Foundation for the Blind delivered by its Executive Director, N. Robert Barnett. Following Mr. Barnett's address, there was just time for legislative committee chairman Paul Kirton's report. Early Saturday afternoon the convention considered and adopted several legislative proposals, then listened with rapt attention to Mr. John Jarvis of England, Secretary-General, World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. His talk about the World Council was fascinating. The audit committee's report followed Mr. Jarvis' address. Chairman Marshall Warren reported the ACB's books were in perfect order. The latter part of the afternoon was devoted to a program arranged by the ACB's committee on work for the deaf-blind, Boyd C. Wolfe, Jr., chairman. The first speaker was that beloved friend of the doubly handicapped, Miss Annette Dinsmore, who heads the American Foundation's Department of Services to the Deaf-Blind. In addition to describing the various services rendered by her department, Miss Dinsmore showed the prize winning TV movie of the most popular methods of communication used by the deaf-blind in this country. Mr. Louis Bettica, head of the department for the deaf-blind of the Industrial Home for the Blind, was also scheduled to speak, but upon learning that Mayor Lamb had proclaimed an eight o'clock curfew for Rochester, that part of the program was regretfully cancelled so that our annual banquet could begin an hour earlier than usual. Mr. Bettica's prepared speech will appear in the Braille Forum. At the banquet on Saturday evening, Mrs. Juliet Bindt presented the ACB's Ambassador Award to Eben Whittlesey, outstanding blind attorney of Carmel, California. The guest speaker was Philip Nelbach, Director, World Health Organization, United Nations. Chairman Don Cameron gave the nominating committee's report at the beginning of the Sunday morning session. Then it was decided to schedule the 1965 convention for July 21-24. Atlanta, Georgia was chosen as the site of our 1966 convention. Two legislative proposals and two resolutions were also discussed and adopted. Election of five officers and four directors followed. The names of those who were elected are: Ned Freeman, president; Durward McDaniel, first vice-president; David Krause, second vice-president; Alma Murphey, secretary; Reese Robrahn, treasurer. Directors are Mary Jane Hills, "Bud" Orrell, "Larry" Thompson and Fred Lilly. The final session on Sunday afternoon adopted a number of resolutions, elected Earl Scharry, Sylvia Nichols and Carl Wylie to the publications board, and approved the resolutions committee's suggestion that the ACB endorse the program of the Medic-Alert Foundation and publicize its services in the Braille Forum. After routine instructions to the secretary and the usual closing announcements, the convent on adjourned at 5 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Alma Murphey, Secretary Note: All legislative proposals and resolutions adopted by the convention will appear in the Braille Forum. ***** ** Resolutions Adopted by the 1964 Convention American Council of the Blind * No. 6401 WHEREAS, Federal matching funds are distributed by formula to the states having approved plans for rehabilitation programs without regard to the quality of performance of placement counsellors and agents in the job placement of clients who are blind, and without regard to the potential of their clients numerically and otherwise, and without regard to the potential of the geographic area being served: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, in meeting assembled this 25th day of July, 1964, that this convention hereby directs the Employment Opportunities committee to conduct a study of the matching formula and its attendant weaknesses and report on the same to the 1965 convention * No. 6402 WHEREAS, the national committee for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (otherwise known as NCATE) is gaining increasing recognition in educational circles as the national accrediting agency for all programs of teacher education for the purpose of standardizing and improving the quality of their educational programs; and WHEREAS, some schools, notably in the State of Tennessee, have set up physical standards for the admission of students into their programs of teacher training, and there is danger that other schools may do likewise; and WHEREAS, the imposition of strict physical standards for admission to teacher training programs is likely to result in the exclusion of academically qualified blind students from the opportunity to procure an education as a teacher; and WHEREAS, the schools taking such action have indicated that they have done so in order to conform to the standards established by NCATE; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 25th day of July, 1964, in Rochester, New York, that we respectfully urge NCATE to clarify its position on the importance of physical standards for the admission of students to programs of teacher training, so as to prevent its name being used to justify the denial of opportunity of academically qualified students to obtain an education in their chosen field; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the officers and directors of the American Council of the Blind be directed to take all appropriate measures in order to obtain such a clarification. * No. 6403 WHEREAS, there have been a number of instances in which the right of academically qualified blind students to enroll in programs of teacher education has been questioned, or in which blind graduates from such courses have been denied accreditation or licenses solely because of their blindness; and WHEREAS, abundant documented proof is available that blind persons can be successful and even outstanding teachers; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind assembled in annual convention at Rochester, New York, this 25th day of July, 1964, as follows: 1. That it is the consensus of this convention that the proposition is completely untenable that physical disability in itself is an insuperable bar to achievement in any field; and that on the contrary, the history of government, literature, the arts, sciences and all other areas of human endeavor proves that it is more often a spur to achievement. 2. That we recognize that the teaching profession is justified in doing everything possible to raise its standards of intellectual capacity, academic achievement and moral integrity, but that if a candidate for training, accreditation or licensing meets these standards, he should not be denied the opportunity to put them to use simply because of a visual defect of whatever degree. * No. 6404 WHEREAS, H.R. 5194 commits the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration to an enlarged and permanent departure from and perversion of the basic concept of vocational rehabilitation and diverts both money and effort from the primary purpose of the rehabilitation of blind and other handicapped persons; and WHEREAS, it is the belief of this organization that the sheltered workshop can be only for those who are not capable of engaging in competitive employment, or for the initial training and orientation of those who can engage in competitive employment, and that the placement in sheltered workshops as terminal employment for those who are capable of engaging in competitive employment is a violation of the true objectives of rehabilitation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this 1964 convention of the American Council of the Blind, assembled in Rochester, New York, this 26th day of July, instructs its Legislative Committee to oppose the workshop provisions in H.R. 5194. * No. 6405 WHEREAS, it would be directly contrary to the democratic spirit of the American Council of the Blind if its members were compelled to select its officers and Board members on the basis of their personal wealth and financial ability to attend conventions and Board meetings: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in convention assembled this 26th day of July, 1964, in Rochester, New York, that this organization recognizes that it has a financial responsibility toward its elected officials and that, at such a time as the condition of the treasury will permit, convention expenses, in a degree to be determined by the Board, shall be made available to the members of the Board and to the constitutional officers. * No. 6406 BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind at this 1964 convention, that a service program be established for existing credit unions having blind people in their fields of membership, including exchange of publications of relevant material, and offering consultative service to groups of blind persons who wish to establish or consider the establishment of new credit unions. * No. 6407 WHEREAS, for the past two years the President has appointed a committee of three Ambassador Award judges whose function it has been to select annually a legally blind resident of the United States to be given an award by the American Council of the Blind as Ambassador Extraordinary, who, by his personal characteristics and example of a full and active life dedicated to the public interest, has rendered invaluable service to the entire blind population by improving the public's understanding of the abilities and potentialities of blind persons; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 26th day of July, 1964, at Rochester, New York, that this convention approves the establishment of such a committee and award, and authorizes its continuation; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Directors is authorized to appropriate funds for the award, and for the expenses of the recipient incident to his attendance at our convention for its presentation in an amount reasonable in the existing circumstances; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee of Judges shall consider all nominations submitted to it and that it shall make its selection solely on the merits of the nominee independent of political or other considerations, and that the Committee shall set up its own rules of procedure. * No. 6408 WHEREAS, one of the most serious problems encountered by persons who are both deaf and blind is their difficulty in communicating with relatives and friends; and WHEREAS, this inability to communicate not only has the effect of making large problems out of small ones, but creates a condition of extreme loneliness for deaf-blind persons; and WHEREAS, the solution of this problem cannot come alone from national, state or local organizations, but needs also to be handled on an individual basis; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 23rd day of July, 1964, at Rochester, New York, that this organization encourages every council member to become acquainted with deaf-blind persons in his community, learn and use their methods of communication, and do whatever seems practical and feasible to assist deaf-blind persons so that they might live happier and more useful lives. * No. 6409 WHEREAS, in a recent survey conducted by a committee of the American Council of the Blind, it was revealed that deaf-blind persons feel the need for a service which will make up-to-date local news available to them; and WHEREAS, publication of information concerning this survey inspired persons in various locations throughout the country to volunteer to prepare such news bulletins in Braille and circulate them to deaf-blind persons in their respective areas; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 23rd day of July, 1964, at Rochester, New York, that this group of volunteer workers is hereby heartily commended, and encouraged to continue to perform this service as long as it appears that the need exists. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that minor expenses incurred in providing this service be underwritten by the American Council of the Blind, the total expenditure not to exceed $100.00 annually. * No. 6410 WHEREAS, when a blind individual also has a serious hearing loss, he is apt to have additional expenses for such items as hearing aids, special devices for communication, guide or companion service, etc., in order to live a happy, useful life; and WHEREAS, aid to the blind welfare grants often are not large enough to ameliorate the special problems of such multiply handicapped persons who represent only a tiny percentage of the total population; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 26th day of July, 1964, in Rochester, New York, that the Legislative Committee of this organization be instructed to seek liberalization of Titles X and XVI of the Social Security Act so as to provide additional financial allowances to individuals with profound deafness or seriously impaired hearing who are receiving public assistance grants. * No. 6411 BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 26th day of July, 1964, in Rochester, New York, that this organization urges that, because of the extremely specialized needs of persons who are both deaf and blind, the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration provide more training opportunities for professional workers who may have deaf-blind clients, and for the deaf-blind themselves, with a view to enriching the lives and increasing the constructive activities of deaf-blind persons. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Miss Mary Switzer, Commissioner of the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, and to the thirty-seven colleges offering training for vocational rehabilitation counsellors, and to Western Reserve University's training program for home teachers. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Council of the Blind strongly favors more programs for training deaf-blind persons such as are now being offered in Brooklyn, New York, by the Industrial Home for the Blind, and in other areas of our country. * No. 6412 BE IT RESOLVED that the American Council of the Blind in meeting assembled in Rochester, New York, this 26th day of July, 1964, deplores the practice of mendicancy on the part of blind persons, and hereby urges all municipalities and states to enact and enforce legislation prohibiting the same; and further urges the Federal Government and the State governments to liberalize welfare and rehabilitation programs so as to eliminate all justification for the soliciting of alms. ***** ** Californian Receives Ambassador Award Each year at its convention banquet the American Council of the Blind recognizes some blind person for his contribution as an outstanding citizen in his community. This recognition takes the form of an award as "Ambassador Extraordinary." The 1964 Ambassador Award went to Eben Whittlesey of Carmel, California. Mrs. Juliet Bindt of California, Chairman of the committee of judges, presented the award at the annual banquet. During the presentation Mrs. Bindt gave a summary of Mr. Whittlesey's life and his community activities. Mr. Whittlesey was born in New York City around a half century ago. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts and in 1939 from the law school at Stanford University in California. In the following year just before he was to take the bar examination, he was suddenly blinded during a wrestling match. Instead of sitting down and lamenting his misfortune, he immediately set about building new techniques for solving his problems. He learned braille in a remarkably short time and has made good use of this valuable tool for reading and writing. He got a guide dog to assist him in getting around independently. In October of 1941 he passed the California bar examination and started practicing law in the office of a Carmel attorney. In 1946 Mr. Whittlesey was married and is now the proud father of a 15-year-old daughter. In 1950 he was elected to the Carmel City Council for a 4-year term. In 1954 he was re-elected to the City Council with the largest number of votes ever given a candidate for this office in Carmel. Mr. Whittlesey found many ways to serve in his church. He taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a vestryman and now is trustee for the parish day center. He was a charter member and president of the Carmel Lions Club. He was a director in Carmel's version of a chamber of commerce, on the board of the American Red Cross, a president of the Monterey Peninsula Community Chest and a founder and president for two seasons of the Monterey County Symphony Association. He wrote music reviews and has served in many choral groups. He is now vice-president of the Monterey County Bar Association. While mayor, he, with his wife and daughter, went on a "red carpet" trip with several California dignitaries as guests of the Spanish government to Majorca to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Father Junipero Serra, who founded many California missions and is now buried at Carmel. Some of Mr. Whittlesey's hobbies include hiking, fishing, gardening and carpentry. He did a major portion of the work in building a large addition to his home. He mows the lawn, splits firewood and is a capable bartender in his own home. Mr. Whittlesey is a member of the Associated Blind of California, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Mr. Whittlesey modestly comments, "I cannot think of anything I have done that has not been done better by other blind people I know. But I can say that blindness has not interfered with my having a full and interesting professional, civic and social life. Blindness has never seemed to interfere seriously with my taking a full part in the life of the sighted community in which I lived." A portion of the scroll presented to Mr. Whittlesey, at the ACB banquet states that the award has been presented "... in recognition of outstanding performance as a citizen of his community, state and nation. By his example of a full, active life, dedicated to the public interest, he has rendered invaluable service to the total blind community by improving the public's understanding of the abilities and potentialities of blind persons. ..." ***** ** Report from the ACB Publications Board, July 1963-July 1964 The Board of Publications is happy to announce a satisfactory year in its existence. It acknowledges that it has, at times, very broadly interpreted the Bylaw which gives it being, and the Chairman believes the Board enjoyed itself in doing so. During the past year the Publications Board selected an editor and three associate editors. It accepted the statement of editorial policy as it appears on the inside cover of the Braille Forum. The Board recommended a budget to the Board of Directors of ACB for the maintenance and publication of the magazine. The Board took part in the discussions which preceded the decision to make the Braille Forum a bi-monthly publication. The Board is also taking part in the consideration being presently given to putting the Forum on discs. The Board feels that in the present editorial staff of the Forum it has assembled the finest of any non-profit magazine in the country. The Board feels that these people can rank with the professionals. It should be pointed out that their work is all strictly voluntary, and this fact makes them that much more worthy. The highly favorable comments of readers are testimony of the interest and excellence of the magazine they edit. The mailing list of the Braille Forum is up to date. It is a conservative and hopeful estimate that by the end of the calendar year, the list of subscribers will have reached 2,500. The Forum is beginning to reach the more isolated areas of the United States through correspondence, the kindness of friends, and the lending libraries. The Chairman would like to say a few words here of commendation for the people who are engaged in putting out a newsletter of day-to-day news for the deaf-blind, They contribute their time, and as far as the writer knows, furnish their own supplies in getting out this newsletter. It takes a bit of knowledge, good judgment, and human understanding to know what news items will interest the greatest number of people. All of us want to know what is happening in this world of ours, but, unfortunately, some of us have to depend on others to be told. This newsletter project is in its infancy, and it must be nurtured carefully. It is, and can, continue to be a boon to the deaf-blind. The Chairman wishes to thank the other members of the Board of Publications, Mrs. Harriet Penner, Miss Jeraldine Noeller, Mr. Floyd Qualls, and Mr. Will Routh for their services. It has been a pleasure to serve. Miss June Goldsmith, Chairman Board of Publications ***** ** NDAB Becomes Eighth ACB Affiliate By George Card At its June convention, the North Dakota Association of the Blind voted by a strong majority to join the steadily growing American Council of the Blind. This is a sturdy organization with most of its members independent, self-supporting citizens. Because of the relatively sparse population of the state, it has no chapter system, although much of its membership is concentrated in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck-Mandan and the Minot areas. Its president is James McLaughlin, 501 1st Avenue, North, Fargo. The NDAB maintains excellent relations with its state agency and has been consistently active on the legislative front. It battled long and hard for a new residential school in a new and more accessible location, and eventually triumphed. This past summer it sponsored a summer session for blind adults and the newly blind. President Freeman has sent warmly welcoming letters to its officers, and we all look forward to greeting its representatives at Louisville next year. ***** ** Georgia and South Dakota -- New ACB Affiliates By Ned Freeman Two years of earnest effort toward informing the membership of the Georgia Federation of the Blind as to the principles, philosophy and structure of ACB culminated in the overwhelming endorsement by the GFB Convention of a resolution authorizing and directing the officers to take the necessary steps to bring about affiliation with the American Council of the Blind. This action gives the state of Georgia two affiliates and brings the total ACB membership in Georgia close to the three hundred mark. With the addition this month of South Dakota and the GFB, there are, at the present writing, 10 ACB affiliates. The ninth annual convention of the Georgia Federation of the Blind was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 15 & 16, and was one of the most interesting and enthusiastic conventions in the history of that organization. The Theme of the Convention was "Meeting The Needs of The Blind In Georgia." Mrs. Patricia Nadine Yarbrough, now of Southern Pines, N.C. and formerly an active member of GFB, outlined the excellent program of services to newly blinded adults in North Carolina where she is a Social Case Worker. Mr. Oscar Turk of Community Services for the Blind, Inc., of Georgia, told of the progress which is being made by that newly established organization in developing services to the blind which have heretofore been woefully lacking for the white portion of the blind population of the Atlanta Metropolitan area and in Georgia, generally. Bob Crouse, a recent graduate of Western Michigan's training course for Mobility Specialist, and now employed by Community Services for the Blind, outlined the program which is now being offered to the elderly and heretofore home-bound blind persons as well as to the younger and more active blind. Mrs. Eva Jacques and Mrs. Geraldine Pye gave hints and techniques on personal appearance and home management for the ladies in the group. The Banquet Speaker on Saturday night was the young and dynamic Congressman from Georgia's fifth District, Hon. Charles L. Weltner, who has, in the two years he has spent in Congress, achieved considerable, favorable nationwide recognition. He spoke of the progress which had been made by the present Congress in the fields of education, greater opportunities for all, the war on poverty and civil rights. Mr. Weltner has proved himself a real friend to the blind people of Georgia and to ACB, and it is hoped that he will continue to serve his nation in the Congress for many years to come. Resolutions adopted by the convention covered the following subjects in addition to affiliation with ACB: Support of Legislation to strengthen and expand the Randolph-Sheppard Act; Creating a News Letter for GFB; Urging the addition of blind Braille Specialist to the Staff of Georgia State Library for the Blind; Urging establishment of Professional Placement Service. A committee was also appointed to advise the State Library for the Blind as to improvement in its services to blind readers. Walter R. McDonald, for more than 40 years a member of the Georgia Public Service commission and now its chairman, who has served as the President of the Georgia Federation since its inception in 1956, indicated his desire to relinquish the reins of leadership to other hands. The convention, with great reluctance, acceded to his wishes, but established the position of President Emeritus and in a standing ovation elected Mr. McDonald to the office for life. Jim Corbett, 291 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, Ga., 30303, executive director of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation and of the Georgia Eye Bank Foundation, was elected as the new GFB President. Jim has been active in the affairs of GFB from its beginning and is well known throughout the state for his Lions activity. He was the person responsible for getting the author of this report involved in the organized blind movement and it was a pleasure for me to be able to retaliate to this extent. Other officers elected were: First Vice-President, Ned Freeman, Conyers; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Geraldine Pye, Macon; Third Vice-President, Fred Shockley, Atlanta; Secretary, Lamont Jacques, Atlanta; Treasurer, Mrs. John L. Wilson, Tucker. Edwin Starr of Macon was re-elected for a three-year term on the Board of Directors. The two other directors-at-large, whose terms have not expired, are Garland Layton of Bainbridge and Gerald C. Pye of Macon. The Publications board, which was established by this convention, will consist of one member from each Chapter and two members-at-large elected by the convention. These latter are Jack C. Lewis of Atlanta and Loretta Freeman of Conyers. Although we do not have as much detail concerning the convention of the South Dakota Association of the Blind, which was held at Pickerel Lake, South Dakota, the weekend of August 9-10 and which voted unanimously to affiliate with the American Council of the Blind, this splendid organization is nevertheless enthusiastically welcomed into our ACB family. We do know that the following officers were elected Vernon Williams of Aberdeen President; Francis Guhin of Aberdeen, Vice-President; Dean Sumner of Watertown, Secretary; and Genie Aman of Aberdeen, Treasurer. ***** ** Men vs. Vending Machines -- What of the Future? By F.W. Orrell (F.W. Orrell of Chattanooga, Tennessee, delivered the following address at the July, 1964, convention of the American Association of Workers for the Blind in New York City.) Ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to be here today to discuss with you "Men vs. Machines -- What of the Future?" I would like to preface my remarks by stating that the percentages used and conclusions drawn in this paper are from my 25 years' experience in the vending machine business and are applicable in my particular locale. I believe, however, that the facts set forth reflect the general situation that exists throughout the country. From the beginning of modern industry, the area of selling merchandise to the employees has been of concern to employers. We have witnessed an almost complete cycle of thinking in this field. In the beginning we had the company town and company store, which were designed to exploit the employee so that practically all of the worker's wages were returned to the company in purchases made at an exorbitant price from the company, so that the bare necessities of life were all that were obtained by the worker for his labor. Through the years we have seen this operation change to the company lunchroom, the company cart system, and vending machines. While vending machine businesses are still enjoying a tremendous growth, there is a leveling off in this area and return to lunchroom situations. To understand these changes, we must understand the changes in the attitude of the employer. An employer is in business to make money. How to make the greatest amount of money in the most efficient manner is his chief concern. Experience has taught that exploitation of the employee is not a long-range profitable venture, and thus the attitude of the employer with regard to sales to employees has changed from one of profit-making to an attitude of service to the employee. How to render this service in the most efficient manner is now the chief concern of the employer. With the advent of the vending machine, it seemed employers had the perfect answer. Here was a selling device that was compact in nature, versatile and relatively efficient in operation. However, with time and experience employers have found that vendors are not the panacea they first seemed to be, and they are once again taking a new look at the food service situation. Actually, from the viewpoint of an employer, the serving of food within his plant is a costly operation. It costs in time of employees away from their jobs and in space which must be allotted to the service. The only reason an employer tolerates this expenses is that he feels the liability is more than offset by the asset of a more efficient and satisfied employee. Thus the whole problem, as far as the employer is concerned, is how to render this service to the employee in the most efficient and satisfactory manner and at the least cost to the company. To persuade the employer that the vending stand is the best answer to his problem is our job. I think we have some very good arguments on our side. Now let us talk vending machines versus vending stands. Of course, there are arguments pro and con. First, let us consider the question of space. It is true that a vending machine is compact. Space can be found for individual machines almost anywhere within the plant, and this is a tremendous argument with vendors. However, the question with the employer should be "Is this the most efficient use of space and a desirable situation?" Numerous employers are finding that it is not. Machines scattered throughout a plant cause time loss. There is no way to control the sales. Employees leave their jobs helter-skelter and congregate at the machine. Nearly every company that I have contacted recently which is building new facilities is allocating space for food service in a particular area and not allowing sales in any other location. Thus definite breaks can be given, sales can be controlled, and time for employee refreshment can be cut to a minimum. On this basis, there is no question but that a vending stand can concentrate the greatest amount of service in the smallest area, and sales to employees may be controlled. Now let us consider service time. This is a selling point used by vendors and is one of the biggest fallacies ever imposed upon the employer. It is argued that vending machines are faster than vending stands. In my opinion, and time studies have proved this is not true provided the vending stand is set up on a self-service basis and an efficient operator is in charge. In the operation of every vending machine there is a time lag. In coffee makers, after the coin is dropped, there is a seven- to fifteen-second time lag until the merchandise is delivered. The same is true with drink and other types of food vendors. The purchase of each item desired is a different operation and takes time. Also in the area of time is the question of correct coins for the machines as against change given by an operator, and the question of bent and worn coins that must be reinserted. There is no question but that an efficient operator with a well-trained clientele can serve more people more items in less time than any battery of vending machines. Vending machines are fine, they look good, but after all they are only machines. They break down. The time they break is when they are being used. A broken or jammed machine renders no service. There is nothing more unhappy than a line of employees expecting service and receiving none. This fact is so true that vendors have been forced to station servicemen with each battery of machines within a plant. If a person must be with the machines to sell the merchandise, then why have the machines to begin with? Variety? There is no question but that a vending stand can offer a greater variety of products to the employee than vending machines. To make a vending machine profitable, a sizeable volume of products must be sold, whereas in a vending stand relatively small sales of any one product can be combined to acquire total volume. Thus a candy vendor may display 10 bars of candy whereas in a 2-foot square area on a counter some 30 varieties can be offered. In proportion, the same holds true in drinks, sandwiches, cakes and all other items generally sold. This question of variety enables the vending stand operator to offer to the customer a variety of products that cannot hope to be equaled through vendors. The question of variety leads to the discussion of personal service. This is an important advantage of a vending stand. Real service to the customer is as important as the product being purchased. A smile and a cheery word by a person catering to the particular needs of the individual customer are important factors in selling. There is nothing more cold nor impersonal than a vending machine. Also the very attitude of the vending machine company is different from the attitude of the vending stand operator. The vending stand operator does his purchasing and selling for this individual location. This is his only concern. A vending machine operator considers his entire route. He must obtain volume. Since his vending machine business must include several locations to be profitable, he must think of the whole route rather than the individual location. His control of inventory cannot be a thorough as that of the operator of the vending stand. If faulty merchandise is vended, he is not there to rectify the mistake. Machines gain the reputation of cheating or vending stale merchandise. The individual vending stand operator can adjust mistakes at the time they are made and keep the customer happy and satisfied. Then there is a question of morale. Nothing gives a greater boost to the morale of a group of employees than to see a handicapped person doing a worthwhile job in an efficient and effective manner and to feel that through their purchases they are helping with this handicapped person's rehabilitation. In a like manner, there is nothing more upsetting to employees than to expect service from a vending machine that is out of order and to lose their money. Morale is an important factor in production, and anything to stimulate it is a great asset to the employer. There is one area, however, in which we can compete where we have not been competing. This is in the area of a commission to the account. Numerous companies use the proceeds from the food sales in the plant to maintain flower funds, athletic activities and other employee services. Vending machine companies offer a percentage on sales for these finds. Heretofore we have offered nothing for locations in Tennessee. I believe that we are wrong in this matter and that a percentage can be offered by a well-run program. The average offer by a vending machine company for complete in-plant service in my area is five percent of gross. There are variations, such as 10 percent of gross sales on drinks, cakes and candies with no payment being made for food service, salads, etc. However, the basic offer averages out at something like five to ten per cent. In a well-run vending stand operation, our percentage of gross profit should be 25 to 30 percent, and with this margin it is feasible to offer from 3 to 5 percent of gross sales to the location. This is a reasonable offer and should make the difference in the obtaining of locations. Here I would like to insert a word of warning. In the vending stand program in Tennessee, and I am sure it is true in other states, we are beginning to get offers of cooperation from vending machine companies. The general proposition is that the vending machine company will install its vending machines in locations obtained by us, paying a percentage to the program or to an operator for the location. These percentages are sometimes quite exorbitant. I would like to say that we should be extremely cautious with regard to these offers. The whole proposition is designed to get the vending machine into the location instead of the vending stand. A vending machine company is prepared to lose money for a time in order to obtain a location. The theory is that, once in, contracts can be renegotiated and that management will hesitate to disrupt a service already established. Thus after vending machines are in and vending stands out, the blind person can eventually be squeezed out. When vending machines are substituted for vending stands, we defeat our own purpose. The major portion of the profits from sales of food in locations will be going to vending machine companies and not to blind persons. A blind person retained on a location by vending machine companies is only a figurehead and not a self-sufficient, self-employed handicapped individual. All the foregoing comparison has been based on premise, however, and that is that we have a well-stocked, well-equipped, well-arranged vending stand with a well-trained and efficient operator. This is essential. Unless we can supply this type of operation, we are hopelessly outclassed in this competition. But we can offer this type of service. Experience has shown us that blind people can operate vending stands efficiently and profitably. It is our duty to obtain for them the opportunity to do so. To obtain these opportunities, there are requirements that we must fulfill. First, we must believe in the people we serve and in the program that we must sell. We must know our products, our equipment and the service that we can render. We must be able to sell this service to prospective employers. When we sincerely believe in our program and in blind people and dedicate ourselves to the promotion of the program, then we can compete, and compete effectively, with vendors. This is our job, and with dedication we can sell our service and get our fair share of new locations. Thank you. ***** ** Blindness Need Not Be a Handicap in Teaching By Betty Morton (The following address was delivered at the 1964 convention of the American Association of Workers for the Blind held in New York City. Miss Morton is a fourth-grade teacher from North Syracuse, New York.) In sharing with you some of my experiences as a fourth-grade public school teacher, I feel it necessary to first set the scene with certain considerations. First of all, I feel that there can be no such thing as a world of the blind. This is, in reality, a seeing world. "I see," has come to be one of our most common phrases, used by all and meaning, "I understand." We who are involved in education must constantly be on the job spotting individual differences among children. Each one of those little bundles of differences grows up and becomes an adult, also unique, still with individual differences, varying abilities, diverse talents, and possible exceptionalities. Each grows, learns, develops, adjusts, sees, in his own way. The physically blind are no exception. We may use a different avenue, but our destination is the same, the all-knowing, great interpreter of all that is seen, the brain. The eyes can be thought of as a very wonderful and necessary set of extras on the machine of the body. The great Architect of the Universe was also first among designers. He gave us five senses with which to perceive his magnificent works. We are fortunate, indeed, if all five are in good working order, but just in case one is amiss, the other four will do nicely, or three, or two, or even one. Secondly, I believe in ability and not in disability. Nobody was standing first in line when talents and abilities, dreams and ambitions were passed out, and neither were the blind at the end of that line. This world is plenty big and there is room enough for everyone to live together, sharing with and learning from each other. In fact, it would seem most essential that we learn better how to live together as members of the human race. To borrow a phrase, "No man is an island." Thirdly, I believe that anybody can do anything, provided he has the ability, he is well qualified, and he can stand on his own with confidence in what he knows he is and can do. Then, of course, there must be opportunity. A competent, well-trained applicant cannot be prejudged because of a disability. His evaluation must be made in accordance with ability and performance. How well does he do the job? At my first interview, eight years before I found a teaching position, these questions were asked. How would you maintain discipline? What would parents say if they knew their children had a blind teacher? The man who interviewed me really did not care what parents would say, he was afraid of what they might say. I did not know what they might say, but neither was I afraid. I only knew my ability was not at issue here, but rather, my disability. Eight years later, I still did not have answers to these questions. The questions were premature. However, Dr. Franklyn Barry, then superintendent of schools in North Syracuse, New York, and Mrs. Frances Dittman, principal of Allen Road Elementary School, were willing to help me find answers. I was given a position as a fourth-grade teacher, and I was told that my job was to educate children. Before I began teaching in the fall, a meeting was held for the parents of the children I would have. I tried to answer these questions. How will you check cheating? How will you know a daydreamer, and what will you do about it? How will you mark papers? My answer to most questions was this: "It's up to your children. I am here to teach them, to guide them. I cannot learn for them. I do not need to use my eyes in order to teach your children to use their eyes as well as their other senses. I believe in self-discovery and in the child's own initiative." During just two years of teaching, I have found for myself how I would answer questions. There is discipline, and the children achieve it. I know a daydreamer by his lack of participation and find keeping all children interested in varying activities makes for very few daydreamers. Problems arise almost daily, but I can never anticipate, and a solution cannot be presupposed. When a situation presents itself, an answer is sought and found. There is a great deal of work these days for youngsters, but good times are a part of education too. Education is blooming all around us and simply cannot be contained in books. These past two years we have experienced many wonderful times together. We traveled, by way of a field trip to Syracuse University School of Forestry to forests all over the world, and backwards in time as well. Overnight we converted our own classroom into "A Little Bit of Japan." We served tea, Japanese-style, and cooked Japanese food. India came into our lives by way of a guest speaker who dressed up my young ladies in saris and veils, much to their delight. New Orleans and the Mardi Gras came alive by way of a Mardi Gras of our own, complete with floats and costumes, with much fun and a learning experience for all, parents included. Room 18 is a novelty for a few days each year because the teacher is blind and there is a beautiful German shepherdess in attendance. However, this novelty soon wears off. The teacher is a teacher of children, and the business of school goes on. The business of school begins at 8:45 in every room with the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. After that, attendance is taken. In my room attendance is checked by row or table captains and recorded on a card for the office by my helper. I also record it in braille for my own use. If the day happens to be Monday, the children glance at the side board at the list of helpers for the week. I have a personal helper weekly to act as my seeing eyes. There are other helpers such as lunch captain (to record the lunch order for the kitchen), board eraser, counter and locker checker, desk and floor checker, librarian, etc. Room 18 is not unique in this respect. Developing responsibility in children is an essential role in education, and the children at Allen Road learn early that cooperation and teamwork are vital ingredients in living together successfully. Early in the year, Room 18 learns about elections and class officers are chosen. The treasurer is kept very busy, for he collects money for Red Cross, books, pictures, insurance, school banking, and any other financial matter that might arise. Another important job is that of the secretary, for he or she makes out lists or notes that might have to be sent during the day. When all details are attended to, lessons begin. During arithmetic children put their assigned work on the board, recite orally, and check each other. I have braille texts and excellent hearing with which to follow them. When teaching a new concept such as long division, I write on the board myself, with my pupils' helpful criticisms. Visual and tactile aids are very much a part of my teaching. Reading is very basic, a necessary skill for the mastery of all other subject areas. A good deal of time is, therefore, spent in strengthening reading skills. Here again, my texts are in braille, and listening to my children is hardly a problem. Reading is small groups, playing word games, acting out stories, setting up a library, reading independently are but a few ways in which we have worked together in this area. Science and social studies present excellent opportunities for the children to work together on projects. Paper work, seat work, assigned work are of prime importance, but children also need opportunity to work together in groups and on committees. The teacher need only set good foundations upon which the children might build. Children have a wealth of untapped potential, talents, abilities, creativity and imagination. They too must be given opportunity to develop that which they have. Their own accomplishments help to develop pride in work well done, and self-done. When I promote a group of fourth graders, I am proud of every one of them. I have seen such tremendous growth take place. They have received grades for work well done. They also leave with visible marks of responsibility and cooperation. Another inch is added to growing up. After just two years of classroom teaching, I am sure that a teacher is a teacher is a teacher. Let me leave with you my opening thoughts. This world is and must be a seeing world. Let there be opportunity for those with ability. ***** ** Special Announcement Awards totaling $200 will be given annually to blind authors and readers of Dialogue, recorded magazine for the blind, as the result of an endowment made by Ways and Means for the Blind of Augusta, Georgia, it has been announced by Don O. Nold, Executive Secretary and Editor of the publication. "These awards will be made in the memory of Walter G. Holmes, a Tennessee newspaper man, who, in his lifetime, was exceedingly helpful to the blind," commented Nold in announcing the grant. "It was through his efforts that a grant of more than one-half million dollars was made by Matilda Ziegler to establish a magazine in braille, and it has been publishing a monthly edition for more than 40 years." Dialogue has received this grant because of the desire of Hubert Smith, founder of Ways and Means for the Blind to encourage blind persons to enter the writing profession: Fifty dollars will be awarded with each of the quarterly editions, totaling $200 in all. The $50 will be divided as follows: $25 for the best short story; $15 for the best piece of non-fiction; and $10 for the best poem. A committee of judges will soon be named to select the winning literary efforts. Only legally blind persons are eligible to compete for the awards. Persons wishing to submit short stories of not more than 3,500 words, non-fiction of not more than 1,500 words, or poetry should send them to Literary Award Editor, Dialogue Publications, Inc., 3206 Grove Avenue, Berwyn, Illinois 60403. No material will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and sufficient postage. ***** ** Job Announcement The Sacramento Society for the Blind, Inc., in California will have an opening for the position of Executive Director on October 19, 1964. The salary offered is approximately $7200. Persons applying must have a college degree and two years of experience in closely related work. The Sacramento Society for the Blind at present is serving about 160 blind persons in an area of approximately 500,000 in population. The services of the Society include group work, recreation, informal education, social activities, skills training, counseling, low vision optical aids, distribution of specialized aids and materials, public education, and information and referral. The Society requests that inquiries or applications be addressed immediately to Mrs. Mary R. Mulcahy, Personnel Chairman (Sacramento Society for the Blind), 1150 Swanston Drive, Sacramento, California 95818. ***** ** Here and There By George Card No one who attended the 1954 convention in Louisville is likely to have forgotten Dr. David Guiton of Blue Mountain, Miss., who was a featured speaker. Many times he convulsed us with laughter, but there was also much shrewd wisdom in his message. Blind since early childhood, he became a distinguished college professor, a bank president and chairman of the board, a much sought-after public speaker and an author. Last May he slipped quietly away at the grand old age of 85. In its annual report the Hadley School for the Blind announces several new programs, including a training course for blind medical secretaries a course in the use of the abacus, and a home study electronics course. "Hadley's new emphasis on vocational subjects is receiving acclaim from all over the country. ... We plan to run tests parallel to those of the cartridge-type recorders played at slow speeds, and in the use of eight-rpm recorders. Both media will save the School thousands of dollars a year as compared with older methods." From the Peoriarea Observer: "Bob O'Shaughnessy has given up directing the vending-stand training program and is now attending college on a full-time basis. This will permit him to obtain his degree much sooner. ... Due largely to the hard work of Bob McMullen and his committee, it is believed the annual spring festival will net the Illinois Federation about $2,000 this year. ... Homer Nowatski, after teaching for a couple of years at Southern Illinois University, is back in Springfield and is directing the business enterprise program for all the handicapped. " The Hoosier Star-Light reports the availability of several new gadgets designed for the use of the blind. Nonslip leather cane grips in all sizes may be obtained from the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, 5231 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh 32, Pa. at $1.50 each or $11.50 per dozen. Ice grippers -- they'll fit over boots or shoes to give a firm footing, no matter how slippery the surface -- they are made of steel and are held in place by stout webbed straps and steel buckles. Women's sizes will fit all women's and children's shoes or boots, and the men's sizes will fit all men's shoes or boots. They are available from Miles Kimball, 41 West 8th Avenue, Oshkosh, Wis. Prices are $1.50 for women's and $2 for men's. Automatic self-threading take-up reel -- tape recorder users, who have found it something less than a snap to thread the lead of an audio tape into the take-up reel may find this one is a must. When the self-threading reel is used, the tape needn't be secured to the take-up reel. All you need do is draw the tape onto the track of the reel and pull it toward the rear of the recorder until the tape touches the pull or center of the reel, and start the machine. As long as the tape is in contact with the center of the reel when the recorder's motion begins, the tape will thread automatically. The reel is manufactured by the Three M Corporation and is made available to the Division for the Blind of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540, for free distribution to users of books on magnetic tape. Direct your request to Charles Gallozzi, Library of Congress. "Twenty-two civic and professional leaders from various parts of the U.S. have been named to a special commission on standards and accreditation for agencies serving the blind, it was announced early this year by the American Foundation for the Blind, Inc. The Commission will conduct a three-year study." From the Montana Observer: "Floyd McDowell has been appointed to succeed Glenn Harris as superintendent of the Idaho State School for the Deaf and Blind. Mr. McDowell, who graduated from the Blind Department of the school in 1941, has been principal of the school for the past two years." From the United Press: "Kempten, in West Germany, is known as the 'City of Blind Telephone Operators.' Nearly 2000 blind phone operators work in the Federal Republic. Many of them were trained at Kempten, headquarters of the Bavarian Association of the Blind. Other such schools are at Nuremberg, Stuttgart, and Hanover." During a recent visit to Louisville, W.A. Routh, our high powered Kentucky membership chairman, recruited a dozen additional members for our affiliate the Associated Blind of Kentucky. Harold Russell, who was a featured speaker at the 1957 national convention in New Orleans, has been appointed by President Johnson to succeed the late General Melvin Maas as chairman of the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped. Mr. Russell lost both hands while a sergeant in the U.S. Army and was later fitted with artificial forearms and hooks, which he has learned to use with great expertness. He says he can do everything with them except to pick up a dinner check. He has received many national honors and held many important offices, including three terms as national commander of the Amvets. He was the star of the 1946 Academy Award-winning picture, "The Best Years of our Lives." From the HiFi/Stereo Review: "'You can get real bargains by buying unbranded tape,' one tape-recorder owner tells another. Inferior tape can damage your recorder by wearing down its heads and gumming up the works, and you stand the chance of losing potentially good recordings by putting them on unbranded tape." From the National News of the Blind (Canada): "Since 1956, 600 blind and near-blind Canadians have had their vision restored through the Eye Bank of Canada. To date, more than 38,000 sighted Canadians have signed pledge cards authorizing delivery of their eyes to the Eye Bank after death. ... Mortifee Munshaw Ltd., Vancouver's longest-established and most complete film processing laboratory, now has four blind employees engaged in film processing, motion picture splicing, and spooling miniature film at the same wages as its sighted employees. ... Valmore Trudel of Joliette, Quebec, decided to attempt to resume his former occupation, turkey raising, after he became blind. He started with 16 birds; his flock soon reached the 1,000 mark; now 7,500 day-old birds are delivered to the Trudel farm every four weeks, where Mr. Trudel, his wife and two hired men begin the delicate process of rearing the turkeys. After 20 years he can boast that he owns the largest turkey farm in the province of Quebec." The Hadley School for the Blind received a special award of merit from the Pan American Congress of the Blind which met at Montevideo, Uruguay, last April. Did you hear about the conceited plumber who took one look at Niagara Falls and said, "Give me time and I could fix it"? From the ABC Digest (Calif.): "Dr. E.J. Waterhouse was a featured speaker at the semi-annual convention of our California affiliate, held in San Diego, April 16 through 19." Returning from one of his numerous journeys to the Orient, where he saw 24 graduates of Perkins now in the teaching field in Asian countries and making significant contributions where they would have been but a burden before, the different viewpoint that an area takes upon the return of one of Perkins' trainees to the scene of his prior hopelessness gives him cause to predict a marked improvement in the very near future." A later speaker told of the formation of the Southern California Federation of Blind Vending Stand Operators. Organized last October, some 75 strong in the Los Angeles area, it will have a commanding buying power through centralized purchasing. ... On the final day of its April convention, members of our California affiliate visited the U.S. aircraft carrier Constellation, the largest conventionally-powered ship in the world. ... Eben Whittlesey, blind mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea and winner of our ACB Ambassador Award this year, visited the island of Majorca in June as a guest of the Spanish government. The occasion was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Junipero Serra, the remarkable Franciscan monk who founded many of the California missions. Mrs. Whittlesey accompanied her husband, and other members of the party included Chief Justice and Mrs. Earl Warren. ... Alvin Meyer, prominent in ACB activities and a charter member of that organization, and Clyde Richardson, for ten years a rehabilitation counsellor in Oregon, have joined the staff of the Division for the Blind in the Department of Rehabilitation. ... An award from the Employ the Physically Handicapped Committee was recently presented by the governor of Kansas to Reese Robrahn, president of the Kansas Association for the Blind and treasurer of the American Council of the Blind." Congratulations to the Georgia Federation of the Blind on its decision to issue a regular newsletter. This will be of enormous help in strengthening the organization and in keeping its members informed of state and national developments. Word has just come of the sudden death of another Massachusetts leader, Norman Hamer, former president of the Lawrence chapter and very active in the state organization. From the Peoriarea Observer: "On July 13 Leo J. Flood suffered a heart attack while playing golf in a Kiwanis Club tournament in Jacksonville, Ill., and passed away in the ambulance en route to the hospital. Mr. Flood retired in 1962 after serving as teacher and later as superintendent of the Illinois Braille and Sight-Saving School in Jacksonville for 51 years." From the IAB Bulletin (Iowa): "Superintendent Lee A. Iverson was elected president of the American Association of Instructors of the Blind at its convention at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass.9 late in June. ... At its June convention, the Iowa Association of the Blind elected Neil Butler, a Des Moines stand operator, to succeed Bill Klontz, of Waterloo, as its president." From The New Outlook for the Blind: "A project has been initiated by the Management Development Center at the University of San Francisco in California for a graduate program in workshop management. Donald W. Wells, for the past three years executive director of the Tennessee Association for Retarded Children and Adults, has been named project director. ... The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, Ill., is accepting enrollments for a new course, 'Introduction to Rehabilitation'; Hadley's new course 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 by acquiring new skills, information and training. It is intended primarily for newly blind persons." From the Nebraska Observer: "We did not send a delegate to the NFB convention at Phoenix this year. ... Jack Swager, president of the Omaha Association of the Blind, fell and broke his leg on April 19. ... Girl (on doorstep at end of date): 'Since we've been going Dutch all evening, you kiss yourself and I'll kiss myself.'" From the Denver Post: "Joe Pasqua of Frontier probably the only blind aviation mechanic working in the United States, the Federal Aviation Agency says. He strips down five 1400-horse-power piston engines each month." From The Blind Advocate (London): "British European Airways are planning to offer blind people, accompanied by a guide, a 50 percent fare reduction on 30 domestic air routes, including those between Scotland and London, and in the Highlands and Islands.... The British Post Office (which also operates the telephone system) is considering a proposal to give free telephone service to elderly blind persons living alone." From Listen: "Newton E. Ottone of Springfield, former president of the Associated Blind of Massachusetts and well known to blind persons and workers for the blind throughout the commonwealth, died on April 29 at the age of 53. ... Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, internationally known educator, author and specialist in work for the Blind, has retired from his position at the California School for the Blind where he has been superintendent since 1949. His career in the field of work for the blind, which began in his native Austria, has spanned more than four decades. During his distinguished career, Dr. Lowenfeld has written numerous books and articles dealing chiefly with the education of blind youngsters. Perhaps the most widely known of his works is Our Blind Children-Growing and Learning with Them, which has been called 'a God-send for the ophthalmologist as well as a Bible for parents.' ... Stella Holt, who has in the past 12 years produced 31 plays off-Broadway -- including the works of Tennessee Williams, Sean O'Casey and Langston Hughes -- will bring the professional theater to Hawaii, according to the New York Herald Tribune. In a recent trip through our 50th state, she induced 250 businessmen to put up $500,000 for her project. ... Luci Baines Johnson, younger daughter of the President, who has an eye problem herself, has a part-time summer job helping a Washington optometrist with visual training of patients. She puts in an eight-hour day three days a week. ***** ** A Ten-Million-Dollar Controversy in Pennsylvania (Editor's Note: Bill Taylor, Jr., is a prominent blind lawyer in Media, Pa., and a long-time leader in the organized blind movement. His letter was addressed to one of our associate editors.) Some will recall reading in a former issue that a very large sum of money was designated in the will of a wealthy Pennsylvanian as a bequest for the benefit of the blind and deaf in that state. The Pennsylvania Federation objected strongly when a substantial amount from this legacy was arbitrarily assigned, without any public hearing and without any consultation with organizations or agencies of and for the blind. Here is a portion of Bill Taylor's most recent report: "In 1961 our Orphans Court, after a cozy little hearing of which no notices were given, awarded over one million dollars to the Overbrook School out of these trust funds -- which we feel were intended to benefit the vast majority of the blind who are aged. Overbrook is notorious for underpaying its teachers, especially the few blind ones, and hence gets only people who cannot find employment elsewhere. In spite of this glaring need for reform, the money was spent on a luxurious field house -- a splendid memorial for the trustees. We have nothing against athletic buildings, but this seems an extravagance when there is so much dire need among the aged blind and deaf. "The Federation filed exceptions, and these led to a conference in the attorney general's office, at which it was formally agreed that, in return for the Federation's withdrawing of its exceptions, in the future when decisions were to be made concerning distributions of the money, full and timely notice would be given to agencies of and for the blind. This seemed to be a good deal, since there are still some ten millions to be eventually distributed, and there is always hope that public bearings reduce the likelihood of rash and silly action. "Two years later the Society for the Advancement of the Deaf moved to review the whole matter. The Federation was named in the citation issued, and we filed a request that if further bearings were held, notices should be given in line with the formal agreement. Both the attorney general and the counsel for the trustees took the position that agreements with the blind did not count; moreover, the lower court agreed that formal agreements with the blind need not be recognized -- of course the language was not quite so brutal. "In its printed brief filed with the Supreme Court (page 4) the attorney general said: ... notice to the Federation or any other charity is a matter of grace, not of right; of conscience and not of contract.' But the Supreme Court held that '... the right to notice arises from the agreement, not from any statute. ...' "We fully expect that some other effort will be made in the future to escape honoring the agreement and the court's opinion. Our guess is that future proceedings will carefully avoid using the words 'cy pres' and instead may be styled a petition for distribution under the fiduciary statute. "The shocking part of this whole business is that both the trustees and attorney general set out to dishonor their promise. Surely this was a promissory estoppel because they had employed their promise as a device to get the Federation to withdraw its exceptions, which we did, and the lower court noted of record the circumstances under which we withdrew our exceptions. Possibly your suspicious mind may enable you to guess just who persisted in having the notation made by our lower court. Although we know that both the attorney general's office and the trustees were pained by a holding that contracts made with the blind are binding, we expect some monkey-business in the future. An effort is being made to put interested agencies on notice in order to make it politically more risky to act in a high-handed manner in the future. "All this goes to prove, if proof be needed, how important strong and fearless organizations of the blind really are. Sincerely, Bill Taylor." ***** **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. Ned E. Freeman, 136 Gees Mill Road, Conyers, Georgia 30207. Letters and material for publication should be submitted to the Editor or to one of the Associate Editors. ###