The Braille Forum Vol. IV November 1965 No. 4 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Mrs. Marie M. Boring 113 Camden Avenue Durham, N.C. 27701 * Associate Editors: George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, WI 53703 Ned E. Freeman 136 Gee's Mill Road Conyers, Georgia 30207 John Luxon 7310 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan * 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 ACB official 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 Gee's Mill Road, Conyers, Georgia 30207. 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 Report of ACB Deaf-Blind Committee, by Boyd Wolfe, Chairman Tennessee Convention, by F.W. Orrell ACB Committee Chairmen The Public Library and the Blind Reader, by Otis H. Stephens What We Want Lilliputian Horses Blind Engineer Lands Federal Job A Bold Document A Note of Appreciation Script Writing Boards Available A Gallant Spirit Passes, by George Card Vending Stand Operators, Attention ACB Protest Gets Quick Results Four Presidents in the White House, by Loretta Freeman Do We Face New Wave of Deaf-Blind Children from Rubella? Remarks of U.S. President on White Cane Safety Day Notice Here and There, by George Card ACB Officers and Directors This edition is assembled and mailed by members of the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind. ***** ** ACB President's Fireside Chat My Friends: It was a thrilling experience for Loretta and me to be present when President Johnson signed this year's national White Cane Safety Day proclamation. Loretta's report of this momentous occasion will be found elsewhere in this issue, as well as the President's remarks concerning the need for greater opportunity for blind persons. Excerpts from this speech and from the proclamation itself should prove helpful to you in planning your publicity for next year's White Cane Safety Day. At the present writing (October 22), 30 proclamations or official statements have been received. One of the best of these was from Governor Burns of Hawaii who begins his statement in this way: "That White Cane Safety Day is annually observed throughout the country is both a necessary and deserving recognition of an important traffic law. Consideration of others is the hallmark of a safe driver. Respect for the White Cane must be a primary component of that consideration. ..." We were also very pleased that Governor Rockefeller of New York proclaimed October 15 this year rather than designating the third week in September as has been his previous practice. The Atlanta convention in 1966 will be the occasion for the election of officers and four of the directors of ACB. The Constitution specifies that no officer may serve more than three consecutive two-year terms in any one office and that directors may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms. This causes me some concern because all of the present officers will have completed two full terms in 1966. In order to avoid having all officers exhaust their eligibility at the same time, it is my feeling that there should be some changes made next year and probably as good a place as any to start is with the presidency. Certainly it is not my desire to continue in my present office indefinitely, although I hope I may be able to serve the organization in some capacity for many years. It has been my observation that an organization is usually better served by officers who have actively sought their offices rather than been thrust into them. For this reason, it is hoped that some of you will seek election either to one of the offices or to one of the four directorships which will be open. The pages of the Braille Forum will be open beginning in January for announcements of candidacy, or call it political advertising. It is hoped that a number of you will take advantage of this opportunity to let your willingness to serve be known to the ACB membership. Remember the date of the Atlanta convention is July 20-23. The program is shaping up well, and it is believed it will be highly informative and beneficial to all. Formal announcement of the convention hotel and some details as to the program and entertainment features will appear in the January Forum. Watch for this announcement, but begin to make your plans now. ***** ** Report of ACB Deaf-Blind Committee By Boyd Wolfe, Chairman The major project of your deaf-blind committee during the past year has been a newsletter produced and circulated for us by IHB in New York. Ten copies of this four-page weekly news summary are currently being circulated, which is all the present committee budget of $100 a year will permit. Some feeling was expressed by the committee that there might be some duplication of effort since other newsletters are circulated by other organizations. The chairman was instructed to ask those receiving our newsletter whether they felt it duplicated. Any other news service for the deaf-blind. Later correspondence from 9 of the 10 recipients indicated that 8 of these feel there is no duplication, and all of these expressed the hope that it would continue. The chairman therefore recommends that this service be continued and, if possible, expanded as funds permit. The committee strongly urges ACB to support legislation now pending in Congress liberalizing postal regulations to make all braille, as well as recorded materials, eligible for free mailing, postage free when sent to or from blind persons. It is felt that blind and deaf-blind will be more able to communicate with each other. Your committee feels that deaf-blind persons are not receiving enough local news, which of course nationally circulated newsletters cannot supply. The chairman was instructed to obtain a list of organizations and individuals doing transcribing into braille and to ask these to make one of their transcribers available to do transcribing of local news for the benefit of deaf-blind persons within their respective areas. Your committee wishes to thank the officers and board members of ACB, as well as the membership, for their interest in the work of the committee. Your chairman wishes to express special thanks to Mrs. Julie Bindt, who as a member of the committee has been of great assistance to him. He also wishes to thank Mrs. Mayme Tuttle for her help and encouragement. Mayme is also one of the volunteers circulating newsletters to deaf-blind persons, and her contribution concentrates on "the lighter side of the news." These volunteer-produced newsletters are much appreciated by the deaf-blind recipient, and the committee wishes to thank all of these individuals for their efforts. The committee also thanks Jack and Alma Murphey who served as consultants during the committee meeting in Louisville. ***** ** Tennessee Convention By F.W. Orrell The Tennessee Federation of the Blind held its annual convention at the Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee, the weekend of the 11th and 12th of September. The convention was well attended, with something over 100 people registered. The Saturday morning was taken up with the business of the Federation. The Saturday afternoon session was scheduled with a program of interest to blind people in Tennessee. During the afternoon session, the Federation was honored by a surprise visit from Governor Frank Clement. The annual banquet was held Saturday evening with T.J. Walker being the principal speaker. Mr. Walker is from the Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company and was the featured speaker at the meeting of AAWB in Denver. At the Sunday session a contribution of $100 to Good Cheer and $200 to the American Council was voted. The following officers were elected: Arnold Whaley, president; Mark Thrower, 1st vice-president; J.T. Headen, 2nd vice-president; Floyd Morgan, 3rd vice-president; Leona Miller, secretary; F.W. Orrell, treasurer; and Bertha Wells, member of the Board of Directors. ***** ** ACB Committee Chairmen The following list of ACB committee chairmen is published here for your information. Any of you who are interested in working with any of these committees or who have suggestions to offer are requested to get in touch with the appropriate chairman. Credit Union: Durward McDaniel, 305 Midwest Bldg., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73102. Deaf-Blind: Boyd Wolfe, 74 N. Huron Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204. Education: Otis Stephens, professor of Political Science, Division of Social Science, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia. Employment Opportunities: John Luxon, 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48202. Evaluation of Services: R.L. Thompson, 104 W. Hanlon Street, Tampa, Florida 33604. Finance: F.W. Orrell, 5209 Alabama Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37409. Legislation: Paul Kirton, Room 6327, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240, with Durward McDaniel as co-chairman. Membership: George Card, 605 S. Few Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Public Relations: Mrs. Juliet Bindt, 2709 Derby St., Berkeley, California 94705. Resolutions: Robert McMullen, 9730 So. Seeley, Chicago, Illinois 60643. ACB Board of Publications: Miss June Goldsmith, 652 Mallory Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38106, chairman; Mrs. Harriet Penner, 3318 Kroy Way, Sacramento, California 95820; Mrs. Sylvia Nichols, 46 Chestnut St., Brattleboro, Vermont 05301; Mr. Earl Scharry, 264 Saunders Ave., Louisville, Kentucky 40206; and Mr. Fred Krepela, 363 Court Street N.E., Salem, Oregon 97301. ***** ** The Public Library and the Blind Reader By Otis H. Stephens We have observed in recent years the dynamic increase of educational, occupational and recreational opportunities for blind persons. Few would deny that significant progress has been made in these and other areas of activity and that the general picture is much brighter for blind people today than it was a generation or even a decade ago. But even the most optimistic among us is not likely to argue seriously that all inequities have been removed or that the ideal of equal opportunity has been closely approached. Serious problems, some of them quite fundamental in character, remain unsolved and in some cases unrecognized. One of the most basic of these problems, that of the general inadequacy of library services, has been apparent to most blind readers for a long, long time. Not until quite recently, however, has this problem aroused much critical attention outside the ranks of blind readers and those directly concerned with providing materials for their use. Despite the commendable efforts of numerous agencies such as the Division of the Blind of the Library of Congress, the blind reader remains hampered by serious restrictions both in the range and easy availability of books and periodicals. These limitations are particularly apparent in areas of professional and technical specialization. Understandably enough, the limited number of braille and recorded books and magazines provided by the Library of Congress must be chosen largely on the basis of general appeal to large numbers of readers. While there may be much room for improvement in this area, it is very unlikely that the range of selections can even begin to meet the specialized needs of so many individuals. The present gap between specialized needs and the availability of materials supplied out of public funds is partially filled by the production of hand-copied braille books by dedicated volunteer transcribers and by the equally impressive work of such organizations as Recording for the Blind which produce on request recordings of textbooks, technical manuals and other specialized sources. The blind reader is greatly aided by these services, but they do not and probably cannot eliminate his reliance on the local public library. He has not yet been provided with an effective substitute for the range and depth of ink-print sources. If accompanied by a competent sighted reading assistant, a blind person has little if any difficulty in locating materials in a public library. But he is almost certain to find that the library has no facilities designed to make the use of these materials simple and effective. Though usually eager to be of assistance, most librarians are totally unfamiliar with the practical needs of blind readers. It is true that the number of blind readers served by a given public library is quite small in proportion to the number of sighted readers. At the same time, the small size of the minority should not be used as an excuse for ignoring its needs. It is hardly unreasonable to insist that the existing facilities of public libraries be made more accessible to blind readers. Such is the position taken by a Committee on Standards for Library Services appointed early in 1964 by the Commission on Standards and Accreditation of Services for the Blind, under the sponsorship of the American Foundation for the Blind. The set of standards adopted by this committee received favorable attention in an article by Eric Moon entitled "A Break for the Blind" which appeared in the February 1965 issue of the Library Journal (reprinted in The Home Teacher, July, 1965, pp. 24-38). The standards adopted by the committee cover all aspects of library services for the blind. In his commentary, however, Mr. Moon gives major attention to those recommendations which apply to general public libraries. In this connection the following quotation from the committee's statement of standards is significant: "While each library should attempt to serve blind patrons regardless of their number, any library with ten or more blind readers shall have available ... 1. At least one standard typewriter for use by readers; 2. Suitable magnifying devices and other optical aids in adequate quantities; 3. One large-type typewriter and an additional one for each 20 readers or major fraction thereof above the first 20; 4. At least one braille writer and an additional one for each ten readers above the first ten; 5. At least one tape recorder and an additional one for each ten readers above the first ten; 6. At least one four-speed record player or talking book machine, and an additional one for each ten readers above the first ten; 7. Oversize tables, shelves, catalog trays, etc., as required by the special nature of the materials to be handled." Commenting on the statement of standards, Mr. Moon concludes that the committee "has produced a bold document which, if it finds enthusiastic support at all levels, can do much to remove another group from the ranks of the 'underprivileged' library users." As members of the "group" to which Mr. Moon refers, we have an opportunity to add our endorsement to the position taken by the Committee on Standards. It is very likely that most members of the library profession are not seriously concerned about the inequities noted here. They may, in fact, be totally unaware of the seriousness of the problem. By openly expressing our own concern in this matter, we may help to bring about improvements in an area too long overlooked amid the general advancement of opportunities for the blind. (Editor's Note: Mr. Stephens is chairman of the ACB committee on Education. It is hoped that many public libraries in the larger cities will implement the suggestions of the COMSTAC Committee. This can only be done with your cooperation.) ***** ** What We Want (Editor's Note: The following excerpts are from the handbook issued by the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.) In all of our many-sided efforts in behalf of the handicapped, just what are we seeking? What are we really striving for? We want no special favors for the handicapped, but rather action to assure the equality of opportunity that should be every man's birthright. We want the handicapped not to be weighed down by society's attitudes toward their disabilities, but to be able to rise to the heights of their abilities. We want the handicapped to be considered not as a group apart, not as people who are "different," but rather as our brothers and sisters, as men and women and boys and girls, unencumbered by the convenient tags of their disabilities. We want the handicapped to grow with a growing America; to share its affluence; to partake of its hope for a brighter and better future. These are the noblest of human objectives. They are worth all of our energies and all of our hearts. They will require ACTION! Chairman Harold Russell (the handless veteran whom so many of us heard in New Orleans in 1957) has this to add: "John Milton never read his poetry; he was blind. Ludwig von Beethoven never heard his greatest works; he was deaf. We are not all Miltons and we are not all Beethovens. Yet we all do have aspirations and talents -- each in his own way. What do we seek? We seek the right of all men and women -- the handicapped included -- to reach upward; to aspire; to use their talents to the fullest. We seek an end to prejudice. We seek true equality for the handicapped -- the equality of opportunity. The path to these worthy goals is not smooth. No noble cause is ever easily served; no great goal easily won. But we are serving our brothers and our sisters, and we must push ahead. ..." ***** ** Lilliputian Horses From the Washington State White Cane: Gilbert Carraher was a businessman before an accident left him blind 15 years ago. He is a businessman now, breeding and raising tiny horses, the first in the United States. These were developed from a breed that existed 2,000 years ago. They had disappeared because of inbreeding until 100 years ago when an Argentina family started 'back-breeding.' Carraher gets his mares and stallions from this family, the Falabellas. The Lilliputians weigh only one pound at birth. When fully grown they weigh about 130 pounds and measure some 2 1/2 feet tall. They live twice as long. ***** ** Blind Engineer Lands Federal Job (Editor's Note: Reprinted from The Coordinator's Scoreboard, a publication of the U.S. Civil Service Commission.) James W. Jennings, totally blind since 1945, achieved a long-sought goal -- employment as an engineer -- when he entered on duty October 12, 1964, with the Bureau of Public Roads through cooperative efforts of its Personnel and Training Division and Office of Research and Development. His principal responsibility will be the study of engineering problems in highway and bridge design to determine the feasibility of using electronic data processing methods in their resolution. He chose civil engineering as his career when he graduated from a public high school in 1950. After several frustrating years spent applying to various colleges for admission to study engineering, he gained admission to Michigan State University College of Engineering and received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors in 1957. While attending the University, he was elected to the following national honorary fraternities: Chi Epsilon (civil engineering), Tau Beta Pi (engineering), Pi Mu Epsilon (mathematics), and Delta Phi Alpha (German language). After graduation from the University, he found that employment in his chosen field was an elusive goal even with his excellent academic background, and he spent seven years seeking employment as an engineer. During this period he acquired his dog Tara, which he and a blind friend trained to be a "guide dog." He supported himself with various part-time jobs including selling newspapers and teaching English. He was employed temporarily as a digital computer systems analyst when he transferred to his new position with Public Roads -- at last as an engineer. ***** ** A Bold Document From the June New Outlook: "Fundamentally, library service for the blind should, as a minimum, accomplish the same objectives for blind people as library service is expected to accomplish for the sighted." This statement appears in the introduction to a set of Standards for Library Service to the Blind prepared by a committee appointed in February 1964 by the Commission on Standards and Accreditation of Services for the Blind. The report states that, although the blind have special problems, this does not mean that their needs are any less real or far-ranging than those of the sighted reader. Cost is the reason or excuse most frequently given for the comparative neglect of the blind reader. The real difficulty in providing highly specialized materials to blind people arises from the relatively low density of the blind population. The report emphatically insists, though, that the blind are entitled to as high a standard of service as other readers, even though this philosophy has not yet permeated to all areas of the library profession. The desired standard is not yet reflected in the present range and depth of library services and materials for the blind at most levels. This committee has produced a bold document which, if it finds sufficient enthusiastic support at all levels, can do much to remove another group from the ranks of the "underprivileged library users." ***** ** A Note of Appreciation The tape library services furnished by the American Council of the Blind are made possible by the generous financial support of Ways & Means for the Blind, Augusta, Georgia. Ours is one of seven tape libraries currently being sponsored by Ways & Means. We are indeed grateful to this organization for making it possible for so many blind persons to have the benefit of the informative and inspiring material supplied by these libraries. We would also like to express our appreciation to Moe Tuschman of Flushing, Long Island, who records the Braille Forum for the tape edition. ***** ** Script Writing Boards Available New techniques for teaching handwriting to blind persons have been developed by the Kansas Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Topeka. These methods were studied and evaluated over a three-year period at the Center. A descriptive article concerning this method appeared in the July, 1963, New Outlook entitled "A New Approach To Teaching Handwriting to the Blind." This method has proven highly satisfactory in teaching handwriting to the congenitally blind. The boards used in conjunction with the Kansas Center technique are now available from the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40206, at a cost of $14.75 per set including a separate board illustrating the numerals. Printed instructions in the method of teaching (which must be used if the process is to be successful) may be obtained free of charge by writing to Mrs. Claudell Stocker, Kansas Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, 2516 West Sixth, Topeka, Kansas. ***** ** A Gallant Spirit Passes By George Card There have been a great many noble and dedicated men and women in the field of blind welfare and in the organized blind movement but very few, if any, who have been more deserving than Emil Arndt of the heartfelt gratitude of his fellow-blind. His career came to an untimely end on Thursday, September 9. His body was ravaged by one of the most terrible forms of cancer; death came as a blessed release from pain. Emil grew up in Milwaukee and served a number of terms as president of the Badger Association of the Blind. Twenty-five years ago there were no employment counselors in our state, and the state agency was very skeptical as to the feasibility of spending money in an effort to place blind people in competitive jobs. Although our state-organized blind movement had very little money at that time, at the end of ten years of depression, Emil offered to become our employment man for a mere pittance to demonstrate that the thing could be done. He was so tremendously successful that, after a very few months, the state agency was forced to admit that it had been wrong and to put Emil on its own payroll as one of the very first employment counselors in the whole country. He achieved such startling results that his fame spread outside our state, and Illinois made him such an attractive offer that he felt, in justice to his growing family, he could not turn it down. He moved to Springfield, and his record in his adopted state is now history. In addition, he served for 20 years as the treasurer of what was in those years the only national organization of the civilian blind. Emil Arndt could count his friends -- blind and sighted -- in the thousands. His genial, sunny disposition, his modesty, his eagerness to help, his quick understanding and sympathy, his willingness to put in countless hours of unrecorded and uncompensated overtime, and his unshakable personal rectitude, endeared him to all who knew him. Unlike some social workers, he did not consider that his deepest obligation was to his employing agency or even to the taxpayers, but to his fellow blind. He never hesitated to cut red tape when it came to getting a blind person a job or setting him up in self-employment, even when doing so meant risking his job. He could get away with it because his agency knew he was irreplaceable. He is survived by his lovely and gracious wife, Carol, and by a son and daughter -- both just entering young adulthood. ***** ** Vending Stand Operators, Attention I have heard from a number of vending stand operators that they are concerned because not enough emphasis is placed on the various vending stand programs among organized blind groups. These operators feel that theirs is a good profession and that many blind persons would enter the field if they realized its potential for earning a living. Also, there is apprehension over the fact that many states are finding it difficult to find competent blind persons to operate vending stands, and there is more and more talk about other handicaps being used in the handicapped vending stand programs. Everyone agrees that other persons should be able to earn a living, but those in this program know that if a building manager has a choice between a blind person or another with most any other physical handicap, the blind person would suffer from the choice. By request, I have offered to serve as a coordinator of research to determine if vending stand operators have a desire to organize at the national level for the purpose of educating each other in various areas and to try to project the image of a vending stand operator as a professional businessman so as to attract other competent persons. If you are sincerely interested in such a movement, please drop me a note and say so. However, I only want to hear from those persons who will give more than lip service to such an organization. I hope that there are many of these throughout the United States. Write to me at: Fred C. Lilley, 8623 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60620. ***** ** ACB Protest Gets Quick Results (Excerpted from the Florida White Cane): On May 1, Paragraph D, Rule 7, was amended to read that transportation by bus, train or plane may be denied any handicapped persons who in the opinion of the ticket agent or conductor are "unable to care for themselves." This regulation went into effect on May 1. Immediately on May 1 a blind person who had always traveled alone was denied passage in Savannah, Georgia, unless he was accompanied by a guide. The American Council of the Blind, a national organization primarily of blind people, went immediately into action. Their strong protests resulted in an amendment which exempted the person handicapped by blindness from this discriminatory regulation. It went into effect on June 1 and reads as follows: "This rule in no manner prohibits the transportation of a blind person traveling alone who is capable of properly caring for himself or herself." ***** ** Four Presidents in the White House By Loretta Freeman "The President has asked me to invite you ... " read the telegram from the White House. Now, messages from the White House are not such a rarity at the ACB Executive Offices any more -- and the man in the office accepted the message without undue emotion -- and promptly sent his regrets. He then contacted his vice-president, David Krause, and Paul Kirton at their offices in Washington. It would be a simple matter for them to attend the signing of the White Cane Safety Day proclamation, and each would represent ACB well and adequately, he reasoned. But this was before the family and interested friends heard about it. "You can't turn down an invitation from the President!" "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" "You MUST go!" "You'll always regret it!" -- such phrases came hot and fast. Still the man in the office said "no" emphatically. The President had said nothing about sending his plane for us -- and airplane tickets are expensive. (There wasn't time to go except to fly.) "You must go! We'll share the expense," said the children -- and their plan included me! Gifts must be accepted gracefully. So -- off we went on a flying carpet to Washington with just a few hours' notice and some encouragement from our Congressman, James Mackay, who made hotel reservations for us. Next morning via taxi, in the pouring rain, we made our way to the White House where the red carpet awaited us. We were ushered into the large, attractive lounge which adjoins the Cabinet Room, and there we found Paul and Dave chatting with John Nagle, chief of the NFB Washington office, on one of the long green leather sofas. Soon another group arrived including Irving Schloss, legislative analyst for the American Foundation and vice-president of BVA; Russel C. Williams, Veterans Administration; Mrs. Isabella S. Diamond, AAWB; Jim Hyde, president, Blinded Veterans Association, and Mrs. Hyde. And we were joined by Dr. Walter Campbell, president of Lions International, who had come up from Miami especially for this occasion. Then we were in the Cabinet Room -- our small group on one side of the very long table and a swarm of newsfolks on the other side. We waited there by the podium for some time in the full glare of much wattage-power from huge lights on the opposite side -- and chatted with reporters. The President came in without fanfare and stood among us there at the podium. He delivered the short message (reprinted elsewhere) with sincerity and quiet emphasis and then took his seat at the table, where he signed copies of the proclamation and presented pens to each member of the group. (He gave Dave two -- one for Betty!) He had a special word of greeting for each of us, and Ned had an opportunity to say, "Our best wishes for tomorrow, Mr. President, and God bless you." And Paul and the President chatted a moment about Texas! It was all very pleasant, and looking into the President's eyes one saw a gentle, homey man, weary with the weight of much responsibility, but sincerely concerned for his people. I had permission to use my camera and have a picture of President Johnson with the three national presidents in our group. We were disappointed that the four people most responsible for the passage of the White Cane Safety Day resolution by Congress last year were not present on this occasion: William Taylor, Jr., Media, Pa., who has devoted much time and energy to the promotion of White Cane Safety Day for many years; and former Congressman E. L. Forrester (Georgia), Congressman Robert Corbett and Senator Hugh Scott, both of Pennsylvania, all of whom used their influence to secure the enactment of the joint resolution. We had looked forward to thanking them personally at this time. Still in the pouring rain and after a pleasant lunch with Dave and Paul we filled an appointment in the HEW building where Ned had a cordial and productive visit with Dr. Douglas McFarland, chief, Division for the Blind, VRA, and Mr. Joseph Hunt, assistant commissioner, VRA. Then back again on the flying carpet with some wonderful memories to enjoy -- and we are told that Ned and Dave appeared on two national TV programs with the President! ***** ** Do We Face New Wave of Deaf-Blind Children from Rubella? (Excerpted from the Florida White Cane): An editorial in the Lantern, a publication of the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts, points out that the retrolental wave came during the 1950s. In 1952 the Perkins kindergarten reached a peak of 52, and by 1960 it numbered 9 children. The retrolental wave made children blind, but the rubella wave causes blindness and other handicaps such as deafness and mental retardation. Rubella is commonly known as German measles, and it does its damage to the child in the early months of pregnancy if the mother suffers the slight personal inconvenience of German measles. The number of children in the deaf-blind department grew from 6 to 32 from 1955 to 1960. There are many deaf-blind children not being educated. In the Perkins program the shortage of trained teachers has slowed down growth. The only place one can train himself as a teacher of the deaf-blind is at Boston University in cooperation with Perkins School. The New York Times for Sunday, April 25, 1965, reported that an epidemic of rubella struck the East Coast during the summer of 1964. It is estimated that seventy thousand babies will be affected adversely by the rubella epidemic. A good number of these will be deaf-blind. Can we meet the need and educate these children? ***** ** Remarks of U.S. President on White Cane Safety Day Good morning, ladies and gentlemen: The blind poet Milton once asked, "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" And he answered, "They also serve who only stand and wait." This morning, America's blind citizens -- nearly a half million of them -- stand and wait. But now they wait for us. It is no longer the physical condition of blindness that rules their fate. It is our attitude toward that condition. Too many blind people are condemned to a life of frustration because we have been willing to accept the fact that they can do no more. Well, I have not been willing to accept that fact, and as long as I hold this office of Presidency I am going to try not to accept that fact. Because today we know from experience that blind people can master such diverse occupations as teaching, sales, computer work, public relations, journalism, and law. I just recently appointed to one of the highest legal assignments in this country -- a member of the Tax Court -- a person who is blind. He will serve with great distinction on that Federal bench and by so doing, I think, will open many other opportunities to blind people, not only on the bench but in other places in Federal service. Notwithstanding this, too many of these blind people today are making brooms and wicker furniture because no one has given them any chance to do anything else. We are going to move forward in this area. We just must understand that blind people want to live normal, productive lives -- and we believe they have the ability to do so. So, today, we have come here to proclaim October 15 as "White Cane Day." In so doing, we hope to remind all the American people, through the generous services of all the media, that the blind are dependent on them. So let us respond as the kind and the compassionate people that I believe we really are. When we see a blind person on the street, let us try to be a little extra courteous and helpful. Let us give him the right-of-way. If we are on foot, let us speak to him. Let us offer our assistance at the crossings. Above all, let us light the world of our blind citizens with opportunity. The white cane is not a symbol of uselessness. I think it is a symbol of determination. But it is up to all of us -- everyone in this country -- to open the way. If there ever was a time for us to apply the Golden Rule, let us set an example and engage in a little introspection this morning and ask ourselves if we would do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The blind need no longer stand and wait in order to serve. It is my judgment that now they are just awaiting our call and waiting for an equal opportunity. Thank you very much. ***** ** Notice The Montana Association for the Blind, Box 536, Kalispell, Montana, is accepting applications for the following positions at its 1966 Summer School for the Adult Blind to be held in Bozeman for a period of five or six weeks beginning June 19 or 26: directors; school hostess; orientation instructor; and instructors in such courses as braille, typewriting, handwriting, home economics, loom weaving, woodworking, and small handcrafts such as ceramics, leather, knitting, etc. Applicants should give at least three references and should be qualified to teach at least two subjects, or be able to assume nursing duties. Applications for director should be received not later than January 5, 1966; applications for other positions, by March 1. Applications and requests for additional information should be sent to the above address. ***** ** Here and There By George Card From The Horizon: "Arrangements are being made for the special training of guides who will accompany blind visitors at the World's Fair being planned for Montreal in 1967." The latest annual report of the Hadley School emphasizes the new courses for trained blind medical secretaries, in the use of the abacus and a thoroughly renovated homemaking course. With the cooperation of the Universities of Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota it is now possible for a blind student to get in two full years of university credits entirely through home correspondence. From We, The Blind (Pa.): "Our state now has 150 blind-operated vending stands and during the past year 14 blind persons have undergone training as computer programmers. ... Mrs. Florence Plenty, who devoted many years of her life to the welfare of the blind, died in Haverford Hospital. She was 67 and was former corresponding secretary of the PFB. For years, she was the coeditor of this magazine. ... We record with regret the retirement of two of our long-time friends on the Overbrook faculty -- Miss Agnes Locuson, craft teacher, and Mr. Joseph G. Cauffmann, principal. ... 29,000 people in the United States have gone blind as a complication of diabetes. The best hope for preventing such blindness among diabetics appears to be an operation which reduces the activity of the pituitary gland." From The Florida White Cane: "A Miamian, Kenneth C. Clark, who has been a counsellor for Travelers' Aid Society during the past 12 years, received the FFB award as Florida's Outstanding Blind Citizen of the Year. ... Another outstanding blind Floridian is Francis H. Zeller. At the age of 25 he now operates a thriving telephone answering service which employs only handicapped workers and is the only one in the country to use tape recorders to ensure accuracy. ... After a desperate legislative fight, a bill to place the Florida Federation of the Blind under the absolute control of the state agency (Florida Council for the Blind) was finally defeated in the Senate. The FFB is grateful to Senator Tom Whitaker of Tampa who successfully championed the rights of the organized blind. ... The Dade County chapter's new center in Miami was recently dedicated with impressive ceremonies. The building has been assessed as worth $50,000; but because of donated materials and labor it cost the chapter only $13,000. The design was by Charles M. Enjeian, president of the Dade chapter, a former engineer who is now totally blind. ... Recently a blind vending stand operator was falsely accused of a misdemeanor. Our state agency immediately fired him, but when he refused to leave without a fight, suspended him. Now he has been adjudged innocent, but he has no vending stand. It is a shame the Blind Council does not apply the same strict rules of conduct to its highly paid staffers that it applies to some poorly paid blind person they theoretically are trying to rehabilitate. Some time ago it did fire its chief of rehabilitation for misuse of funds but did not prosecute and helped him get a responsible job with another governmental agency." The West Virginia Federation of the Blind has dedicated its 1965 Year Book to its first president, Clarence White of Huntington. Mr. White now spends his winters in Florida. He and Mrs. White are charter members of ACB. From the September Ziegler: "Helen Keller celebrated her 85th birthday in June. She is very frail now and finds it necessary to conserve her strength, which therefore confines her to her home, in contrast to the active life of traveling and lecturing which was her way of life for many long and useful years. The U.S. Senate noted this birthday with a resolution commending her many achievements. ... Thomas C. Hasbrook of Indianapolis, a blinded veteran of World War II, was presented with the 'Achievement Award' of the Blinded Veterans Association at its annual convention in July. Mr. Hasbrook is a member of the City Council and has served in both houses of the State Legislature. He now heads one of the legal departments of the Eli Lilly Company, a major U.S. firm of pharmaceutical manufacturers. ... In fiscal 1964, recently ended, more books than ever before were borrowed from the 31 regional libraries by blind people. The number was 3,444,719, an increase of 18% over the previous year -- which meant 7,705 more users. To keep pace with its needs, the Library of Congress increased its books for the blind by 206% from 1955 to 1964. ... Maurice Olsen, who has been the executive secretary of the American Association of Instructors for the Blind since 1959, has become the new superintendent of the Missouri School for the blind, to succeed Dr. George Heltzell, who is returning to his former work as superintendent of a public school system. ..." From the World Council Newsletter (Spring): "Finland now has 330 blind masseurs, with their own organization and magazine. Many are in private practice, and they form the largest group in the National Federation of Physiotherapists. ... The American Foundation for Overseas Blind and the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind have each undertaken to provide a sum of 10,000 per annum for two years in support of a program called the 'Kapur Plan' for the education of 9,000 blind children in some 500 Indian schools during the next seven years. Other international agencies are now joining in what may well become the most spectacular educational project ever undertaken in work for the blind." All officers were re-elected at the Washington State Association of the Blind convention held in Seattle, August 5-7. A chartered bus took convention delegates to tour the new Northwest Rehabilitation Center in Seattle which now has some 40 blind trainees. From the Hoosier Star-Light: "'There's really no reason why a blind swimmer can't compete in speed events,' says a former Olympic champion who teaches swimming to blind youngsters in the Washington, D.C., area. She is Shelly Mann, winner of the 100-meter butterfly event at the 1956 Olympics, who currently instructs blind children under co-sponsorship of the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and the YWCA." From Listen: "Among the more unusual occupations held by blind persons is that of Raymond Walker of Columbus, Ohio. He is a professional building wrecker. According to a Boston Traveler description of his job, he 'climbs around on rooftops, walks on beams and once edged along the top of a 175-foot-high smokestack.' Blind for 31 years, he has been a wrecker for 18. During his career he has demolished more than 2,000 buildings." At its annual convention last July, the Montana Association for the Blind chose Mr. Tony Persha, Box 713, Red Lodge, as its new president. He succeeds Stanley Proctor of Kalispell. Viewpoint (London) reports that at its annual convention last summer the British National Federation of the Blind elected Mr. Duncan Watson of London as its new president, succeeding Dr. Anthony DeSilva. The Vernon Charles Grimshaw Award went this time to Arthur Sculthorpe, secretary of the Deaf-Blind Helpers League. His most cherished aspiration has been the completion of a project to build flats where deaf blind folk could lead independent lives while remaining closely integrated with the life of the town in which they dwell. Twelve such flats are now in use -- six being occupied by deaf blind householders and the other six being used for the training of the deaf-blind in independent living and management. Following the lead of British European Airways, five other airlines in the United Kingdom have now extended a 50% concession to blind persons accompanied by a guide. The financial management of Good Cheer, a magazine for the deaf-blind to which many organizations of the blind contribute annually, has been transferred to Mr. John Murphey, 4103 Castleman Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. From the Weekly News: "A leading cause of blindness, hemorrhagic disease of the retina, which is often a result of diabetes, can now be treated by proton beams with the patient under a local anesthetic. Surgery is often a high risk. Dr. Raymond N. Kjellberg of Harvard states that the proton beam procedure involves destruction of the pituitary gland. 'Although patients other than diabetics can be treated surgically, diabetic complications rule out any form of treatment other than by proton beams,' says Dr. Kjellberg." In the ABC Digest (California), President Catherine Skivers writes, "I was tremendously impressed by the caliber of delegates and guests attending the Louisville convention. We in Associated Blind of California may be extremely proud to be affiliated with such a fine organization." ... Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, former superintendent of the California School for the Blind and world-renowned writer, was the recipient of the Shotwell Award for distinguished service to the blind at the 1965 convention of the American Association of Workers for the Blind held in Denver. ... A report by Dr. M. Robert Barnett, chairman of the six-member delegation to the World Council, indicated that there is some possibility of AAWB relinquishing one of its seats on the delegation and of the American Foundation for the Overseas Blind giving up its seat on the delegation. If this does materialize, the four remaining members of the delegation will consider how to fill these two vacancies. There seemed to be a strong inclination to give them to the Blinded Veterans Association and to the ACB. This would result in three organizations of the blind and three agencies or organizations serving the blind being represented. ... The Western Conference of Home Teachers elected Mrs. Juliet Bindt as president. ... The Howe Press (Watertown, Mass.) sells it for $10, extension keys for the Perkins brailler so that it can be operated by either hand, while the other hand can follow braille material you are copying. ... A bill signed by Governor Brown eliminates the residence requirement for rehabilitation service except where required by federal law. ... Another bill which has now become law raises the maximum readers' service for any one student to $1,250 per annum for the undergraduate and $1,500 for the graduate student. ... A third new law requires that a blind person shall be allowed to receive training to be a teacher and prohibits a school district from refusing to hire a teacher because he is blind, where the teacher is able to perform his duties. The October Ziegler reports that Congress increased its appropriation for books for the blind by $216,400. Also, that the newly elected president of the Blinded Veterans Association is James F. Hyde, Jr., of Washington, D.C. In the current Missouri Chronicle, the Ozark chapter of the Missouri Federation reports: "Our radio program, which each year introduces our candy sale, was aired this year over approximately a dozen stations in southeast Missouri. Publicity Chairman Wenona Sucher chose as the subject for this year's script the employment of well-trained blind persons. It was adapted from one of our newspaper publicity articles, which had also received wide coverage throughout our area. We hope this kind of education will help lift the barrier of prejudice against hiring the blind." ... Vernon Sucher was again elected police judge in St. Genevieve. From the CCB Outlook (Canada): "The mobile eye clinic in Kenya, sponsored by the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind of the United Kingdom, treated 4,000 patients last year and performed 650 operations .... In Uganda 280 blind Africans have been trained as farmers and 240 are now at work -- many of them have become the most prosperous in their respective areas. ... In Southern Arabia the mobile eye clinic is achieving remarkable results in a country where trachoma is practically universal. ... In Urambo 30 blind farmers have just harvested their first tobacco crop; one made a profit of 300. ..." On October 6 Durward McDaniel, ACB first vice-president, journeyed to Milwaukee to speak to a conference of sheltered workshop officials on the advantages of credit unions with blind memberships. After visiting a number of his old friends in Milwaukee, he came on to Madison and we were delighted to have him as our house guest. The next morning he departed for Shreveport, Louisiana, to address the annual convention of the Louisiana Federation of the Blind. A bulletin from the office of the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind: "Good news; on August 26 Governor Scranton signed the dual blind pension bills HR 1212 and HR 1211. This raises the monthly federal-state pension grant to $83.50 per month, with an increase each succeeding quarter until the flat amount reaches $100 probably within six months. The state pension grant, for those who do not qualify under the federal-state requirements, will be $75 a month, which is also a substantial increase." Although there are as yet no federal funds earmarked for this purpose, the Arizona Civil Defense authorities have already trained 50 blind persons in the techniques of nuclear attack survival, and these 50 are now ready to teach other blind individuals. It is expected that the next federal appropriation will correct the previous oversight. Those interested in obtaining information and material may write to Mr. Edgar L. Rose, 1015 S. 18th Place, Phoenix, Arizona 85034. From The Illinois Newsletter: "Mrs. Anna T. Stearns, well-known worker and personality among the blind people of Chicago, succumbed quite unexpectedly to a heart condition on September 3. She was a pioneer in the organized blind movement. ... On Friday evening, July 2, the Social and Mutual Advancement Association of the Blind of Chicago held the final meeting of its long and historic existence. Founded in 1895, it was for many years the only active organization of the blind in its area and among its achievements were the successful promotion of the first state legislation for direct financial assistance to indigent blind, and it was responsible for the inception of what became the American Association of Workers for the Blind. It is hoped that some inspired individual or group will record the history of the Association while yet there are memories to make it possible. ... Colorado State College, Greeley, Colo. 80631, announces a program leading to the doctorate in education with concentration in the area of the visually handicapped. For information and details of fellowship awards, direct inquiries to their Special Education Department. ... The Tuner Supply Co., Winter Hill Station, Boston, Mass. 02145, has in braille a Catalog of Tuning Tools and Supplies compiled by Sydney Durfee of the Perkins School for the Blind piano tuning department. ... Diabetics with tape recorders may apply to tape-lending regional libraries for Forecast, a bi-monthly for diabetics. ..." ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors President: Ned E. Freeman, 136 Gee's Mill Rd., Conyers, Georgia 30207 First Vice President: Durward K. McDaniel, Suite 305 Midwest Bldg., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 Second Vice President: David Krause, 4628 Livingston Rd., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20036 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 St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703 G. Paul Kirton, Room 6327, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 Vernon Williams, Aberdeen, South Dakota Mrs. Marie M. Boring, 1113 Camden Avenue, Durham, N.C. 27701 * Directors Until 1968: F. Winfield Orrell, 5209 Alabama Avenue, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37409 Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 55 Queens St., Rochester, N.Y. 14609 R.L. Thompson, 104 W. Hanlon St., Tampa, Florida 33604 Fred C. Lilley, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Room 1449, Chicago, Ill. 60604 ###