The Braille Forum Vol. VI November 1967 No. 3 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Ned E. Freeman 136 Gee's Mill Road Conyers, Georgia 30207 * President: Reese Robrahn 541 New England Bldg. Topeka, Kansas 66603 * Associate Editors: George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, Wis. 53703 Earl Scharry 5714 Ridgeway Ave. Rockville, Md. 2081 * Executive Office: Board of Publications 652 East Mallory Ave. Memphis, Tenn. 38106 To inform its readers and to provide an impartial Forum for discussion. ** 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 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 Ave., 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 1. ACB President's Message -- Reese Robrahn 2. Convention Displays -- Otto and Faye Peterson 3. Social Security IS Secure 4. Help Wanted -- Write Now! 5. What Price Nobility? 6. Get Up and Go! --Thomas J. Murphy 7. North Carolina Gives Preview of College -- James G. Taylor 8. Donna Opens a Big Door -- Dean McWethy 9. Railroading -- Again! -- Frank Lugiano 10. Ned's Corner 11. To Touch the Sky -- Jessie G.O. Tourond 12. Homemakers Institute in Michigan -- Kenneth Hinga 13. Touching the Fall Season 14. Now, a Right-Side-Up Braille Slate 15. Loretta's Corner 16. ACB's 1967 Ambassador -- George Fogarty 17. Honors from "Dialogue" 18. ACB Tape Chatter 19. Vending Machines and the Totally Blind 20. Brailled Resource File 21. Letters from Readers 22. Here and There with George Card 23. Refugees from the Round File 24. ACB Officers and Directors ***** Now Thank we All our God, With Hearts and Souls and Voices, Who Wondrous Things hath wrought, In Whom the World Rejoices. *** Out of Eternal Peace into our strife The Way of Truth came down to be your Life. Not as a King in robes of royal red, But as a little smiling Babe instead. A Smiling Babe, yet in His Heart hath space For all the Tears of All the Human Race. Anon. *** With Best Wishes to You and Yours For a Happy Thanksgiving And a Blessed, Joyous Christmas. The FORUM staff ***** ** ACB President's Message President Johnson, on May 29, of this year, proclaimed October 15 as National White Cane Safety Day. A similar proclamation has been issued by the President each year since 1964 when the Congress of the United States adopted a resolution designating October 15 of each year as National White Cane Safety Day, and calling upon the President to issue an appropriate proclamation annually. The American Council of the Blind was instrumental in bringing about the adoption of the resolution by Congress, and we have sought to bring about an ever-wider celebration of National White Cane Safety Day for two reasons: the need for public education on the existence of state white cane safety laws and the use and purpose of the white cane for people who are blind; and the utilization of the event through all media of communication to acquaint the public with the desire and need of people who are blind to be independent and with our capabilities to be self-sustaining and gainfully employed citizens. We have attempted to bring about the foregoing by distributing the President's proclamation to the Governors of all states and requesting the issuance of a similar proclamation in each state and by distributing to at least two interested persons in each state the President's proclamation and appropriate radio and TV spot announcements and news releases for all media with the request that they seek to bring about the issuance of a proclamation in their state and to give the event as much publicity as possible. At this time I have received confirmation of the issuance of proclamations by the governors of 28 states and I am certain that the list is incomplete. By statute the Governor of the State of West Virginia can issue proclamations concerning these subjects designated by its legislature. West Virginians should take note of this and seek passage of a measure by the legislature for the inclusion of White Cane Safety Day as a subject of proclamation by the Governor. Interested persons in all other states should plan now for next year so that there will be ample opportunity to obtain the gubernatorial proclamation and to make arrangements for appropriate publicity. In connection with the latter, it might be helpful to know that most radio and TV stations require one to three weeks' advance notice of requests for such public service announcements. Typical of the response of the governors is the following statement of Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr. of Delaware: "In July of 1961, a group of blind persons, aware of the need for a national organization which would foster individual initiative and independence among the blind, organized the American Council of the Blind. "This worthy organization has as its principal purpose the improvement of training and employment opportunities for blind and other handicapped persons, and the encouragement of the blind -- especially the newly blind -- to develop their abilities and to assume their responsible places in their communities. "As a part of its many-faceted program, the American Council of the Blind today sponsors the dissemination of information concerning the significance of the White Cane, now widely used as a means of identification of our blind pedestrians. In recognition of the initiative and independence of our blind pedestrians, all 50 states today have White Cane Laws, emphasizing the need for caution by sighted citizens. "Nationwide observance of White Cane Safety Day, October 15, is designed to focus public attention on the significance of the White Cane. "The protection of the lives of all of our citizens is the responsibility of each of us. One of our greatest concerns should be the safety of those who are handicapped, particularly those who are sightless. "I commend and heartily endorse the programs of the American Council of the Blind and urge each citizen to make 'White Cane Safety Day' a year-around observance by assuming responsibility at all times for the safety of blind pedestrians." ***** ** Convention Displays Otto and Faye Peterson The joint conventions of the American Council of the Blind and the Kansas Association for the Blind held an extra bonus for those who attended this meeting in Wichita, Kansas, during July. They had opportunities to see first hand prototypes of the electric Perkins Brailler, which operates off a keyboard of the Telllatouch, a special keyboard designed for it or a printing mechanism from pre-punched teletype tapes. Doctor Woodcock from the George Peabody College of Nashville, Tennessee, explained these items in detail as a part of the convention program and ample opportunity was given to interested persons to see these items that evening and the following morning. Mr. Roy Zuvers of St. Louis, Missouri a machinist displayed his full set of Starrett Micrometers which he uses in his work. These included the inside, outside, and depth micrometers and Mr. Zuvers gave a number of hours explaining to individual persons interested in seeing these precision measuring devices used in industry. Mrs. Alice Young of Wichita, Kansas, displayed a mineral rock collection all day Friday, which attracted attention. She explained the types of minerals, where they were found how they appear in natural state, and their uses. This was a very interesting tactile display showing the natural crystal formations, cleavages, and unusual textures such as talc, chalk, and mica. We received requests that she show her collection again at a future state convention for others to see. The Telephone Pioneers Chapter in Wichita arranged for and installed the tactile telephone for the deaf-blind from the New York Telephone Company. This is being used experimentally in New York State at the present time. Some may have missed this since it was on display in the hospitality room at the hotel. The touch tone telephone was also shown, but could not be hooked up to the telephone system. The tactile telephone device included a light which reacted to sound, a code key for the sending of Morse code and a vibrator pad which amplifies sound coming over the receiver. By this method, it would make it possible to tactually sense a dial tone by a constant vibration, ringing by a steady intermittent vibration, a busy signal by shorter intermittent vibrations and with speech or code being sent by the party calling, the deaf-blind person could understand these code patterns. If he had speech, the person could communicate more effectively and the party called would not always need to know Morse code. Tapping on the mouth-piece of the incoming phone produced sufficient vibrations or the same effect was accomplished by sounding dots or dashes. Other devices, including a portable unit that attaches to the receiver of any standard telephone, also are being tested. We were unsuccessful in trying to secure any satisfactory architectural models of modern buildings as we had hoped. The fragile nature of such models and their small scale as made up by architectural firms made this idea impractical. However, in discussing this with visitors to the display, we came up with some future possible ideas of the whereabouts of models built for tactile examination for a future convention. The Associated Blind of New York had a tactile display of the American Flag, which showed the star pattern for the 50 states on our national flag and literature. Mr. Paul Knowles, of the Leader Dog School, had a display regarding their training facility. Items were also displayed from the American Printing House for the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, and Howe Press. The sports game board, magazine type cookbooks and plastic Braille slates aroused considerable interest. Stocker handwriting boards which have been developed by Mrs. Claudelle Stocker of the Kansas Rehabilitation Center, as a new teaching aid to blind persons, were also on display. The measuring devices, including a household scale, were of interest to many persons. A modified folding carpenter's rule and rotomatic rule caught the eyes of the woodworkers in the group. The almost complete display of Braille slates and urethane tape were popular items. The Perkins Unimanual Brailler for the one-handed operator created interest and also the diagramming tools, the tracing wheel, and the free hand stylus. We trust you all saw something new and even a few unusual commercial items that may encourage you to do more window shopping in your local stores in the gadget departments. ***** ** Social Security Is Secure! (From the Congressional Record, Sept. 27, 1967, Pages H-12625-12628) The Honorable Wilbur D. Mills, Chairman House Ways and Means Committee, speaking: Mr. Speaker, the Reader's Digest has published an article by Mr. Charles Stevenson in its October issue which casts doubts on the financial soundness of the social security program. I have read the article very carefully and find that it contains a number of half-truths that lead to misleading conclusions. The Committee on Ways and Means has recently completed a most exhaustive reexamination of the contributory wage-related social security program. The program is actuarially and financially sound. Moreover, the revisions incorporated in the House-passed bill not only increase the present benefits for both older retired persons and the future benefits of younger persons now contributing to the program but it strengthens both the wage-related and contributory features of the program. Because of the importance in rebutting the erroneous implications contained in the Stevenson article I am inserting in the Record a statement by the Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Wilbur J. Cohen, replying to this article and a reprint of the article itself. ... Mr. Cohen's statement: Mr. Charles Stevenson's article on "How Secure Is Your Social Security?" in the October issue of the "Reader's Digest" is misleading, and, in my opinion, creates anxiety and fear about the financing of our Social Security system that are groundless. I state categorically that: The Social Security system is soundly financed. Present and potential future beneficiaries of Social Security will get the benefits provided by the Social Security law. Mr. Stevenson begins his article by saying "our social security insurance is in trouble." This is not so. ... Mr. Stevenson has not clarified any fundamental issues. He has not pointed out the great unmet social needs. What he has done has been a great disservice to the millions who are counting on social security benefits in the future. He has obfused and confused the major policy issues in social security. A critical and constructive review of social security would be welcome. A glib and superficial attack on a program so important to millions of Americans is not a contribution to the American People. (Mr. Cohen points out that Chairman Mills and other members of the Ways and Means Committee, which the article implies are profoundly disturbed, joined in supporting the House passed bill (HR 12080) which further extends the social security program and makes needed improvements.) The bill (which passed the House by the overwhelming vote of 415 to 3) reaffirms the soundness of the contributory, wage-related social security program. ... The most recent Advisory Council on Social Security -- an independent group of experts in the field (including the President of the Federal Reserve bank, two actuaries -- one from a private insurance company and one from a university -- and representatives of business, labor and professional groups) which reviewed all aspects of the social security program over a period of 18 months -- stated in its 1965 report: "The Council is in agreement with the previous groups, that have studied the financing of the program, that it is unnecessary and would be unwise to keep on hand a huge accumulation of funds sufficient, without regard to income from new entrants, to pay all future benefits to past and present contributors. A compulsory social insurance program is correctly considered soundly financed if, on the basis of actuarial estimates, current assets plus future income are expected to be sufficient to cover all the obligations of the program; the present system meets this test. ..." Mr. Stevenson's article contains nearly two columns on the so-called "Nestor Case," decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1960. Mr. Stevenson distorts the legal issues. He has several quotes which to a lawyer and a general reader would appear to be from the Court's decision. But they are NOT. He not only does not quote from the Court's decision but fails to mention that the Court decision reversed the contention of the Justice Department brief (prepared in the Eisenhower Administration) that the program is not an insurance program. What the U.S. Supreme Court actually said was: "The Social Security system may be accurately described as a form of social insurance, enacted pursuant to Congress' power to 'spend money in aid of the general welfare,' whereby persons gainfully employed, and those who employ them, are taxed to permit the payment of benefits to the retired and disabled, and their dependents." Thus, as the Supreme Court stated, although the Congress can modify rights granted under the statute, it cannot do so in an arbitrary way. The right to benefits under social security, as the Court has said, is protected under the due process clause of the United States Constitution against denial or diminution by arbitrary Government action. ... Social Security is a sound and equitable program for the young and the old. (Editor's note: The complete statements by Chairman Mills and Mr. Cohen are being recorded on tape and will be available from the FORUM office on request.) ** Help Wanted -- Write Now! The American Council of the Blind, through Durward McDaniel, Legislation Chairman, has filed with the Senate Committee on Finance a statement relative to HR 12080 (1967 Social Security Amendments) which, in general, is in accord with the article by McDaniel which appeared in the September issue of the FORUM. As was pointed out, the bill, as it passed the House, fails to contain a number of provisions which we feel are most important and it contains at least one dangerous and retrogressive provision which MUST be eliminated by the Senate. In his statement to the Committee Durward writes, in part, "We are concerned with some of the negative provisions of HR 12080. Section 156 contains the most reactionary and oppressive definition of disability ever included in a bill passed by either branch of the Congress. The present definition of disability is far from satisfactory and permits the application of subjective and variable standards. But Section 156 will make it easy to deny a claim because there will be imaginary jobs somewhere in the national economy which a claimant might be able to perform. The Social Security Act provides for the denial of benefits to a disabled worker who refuses to accept vocational rehabilitation services. ... Section 156 discriminates against future claimants by requiring a different standard without sufficient regard for the rights and needs of disabled workers." In a statement made to state and regional welfare and rehabilitation officials in Washington, Secretary of HEW John W. Gardner said, "The legislation (HR 12080) rightly places emphasis on the work and training programs. Yet it deleted the Administration provision that would make it mandatory upon the states to pay full need, as defined by each state itself, to public assistance recipients, and to reprice such standards each year. Most states' definitions of full need are far from prodigal. I will recommend to the Senate the reinstatement of these provisions which were included in the Administration proposal." This is a most important deficiency in the bill as it passed the House and Secretary Gardner deserves our full support in his attempt to make the payment of "full need" mandatory. Letters are needed to the Senate Committee on Finance, Honorable Russell B. Long, Chairman; to your own Senators and Congressmen, urging their support for revisions of HR 12080 requested in the statement of the American Council which is on file with the committee. Letters to Senators should be addressed: Honorable _____, Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510. Congressmen should be addressed: Honorable _____, MC, House Office Bldg. 20515. Again, we ask those of you who would like to participate actively in ACB's legislation program to send your name and address to Durward McDaniel, Chairman, ACB Legislation Committee, 305 Midwest Bldg., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102. ***** ** What Price Nobility From Listen: There have, over the years, been many theories on what blind people want to learn or ought to be taught, from passive acceptance of the "will of God" to aggressive pursuit of a reasonably normal existence. But leave it to San Francisco -- always in the avant-garde -- to come up with a really uplifting course for their teachers to pass on to the over 1,600 blind children in the California public schools. According to a recent headline in the San Francisco Examiner, they are now "Teaching the Blind Nobility" at San Francisco State College where there have been courses for teachers of the visually handicapped since 1948. Of course we assume someone on the city desk was slapped on the knuckles, because the next edition of the paper issued a correction. But what worlds of opportunity have they sacrificed by admitting that "Mobility" was what they meant! In all seriousness, San Francisco State currently has eight young men and women engaged in the course for Orientation and Mobility Instructors of the Visually Handicapped. The San Francisco course is the first to have funds from the Office of Education (HEW). ***** ** Get Up and Go! Thomas J. Murphy (Condensed from Journal of Rehabilitation, September 1966) Without special training, a newly blinded adult will have great difficulty traveling to any place away from the immediate environment of his home. The very fact that such an undertaking is thought of as difficult and dangerous causes the person to forgo the risk involved and stay at home where he is "safe" but immobile. Until recently, with the exception of the blind rehabilitation program at Hines (Illinois) Veterans Hospital, there were no quality orientation and mobility programs available to blind people. Methods of teaching had not been formalized, with the result that most instructors lacked thorough training. But now, with these two (Boston U and Western Michigan U) programs graduating 30 students a year, more opportunity for good instruction will be available to more blind persons. The blind person who undertakes mobility training must be rehabilitated, partly through his own effort and desire for a means to be reasonably independent, and partly through the efforts and ingenuity of individual members of the rehabilitation team. The success of various phases of rehabilitation of a blind person depends on whether or not he is mobile. To the extent one is not, he becomes inactive and consequently dependent. Normally a mobility course lasts 12 to 16 weeks and is divided into two basic parts: pre-cane skills and cane skills. Pre-cane skills are those which will enable the person to be mobile without the use of an aid (long cane or dog guide). Proper use of a sighted guide is one of the techniques taught during this phase. Here the main purpose is to show how a blind person and his guide can work together as a team. If a blind person knows the proper way to grip his guide, knows how close to stand to the guide as they travel together, knows how they should work together, going through doorways and crowded areas in ascending and descending stairs, in selecting theatre seats, etc., then he can assume an active role by informing his guide, prior to encountering these situations. If the guide is a complete stranger who knows nothing about assisting the blind, then the blind person may have to inform him on the spot as to what technique to use. The blind trainee is placed in various situations where he will have to make practical use of the skills. In traveling without an aid he must use a set of skills which will allow him to gather information and protect himself at the same time. "Trailing" is such a skill. By allowing the fingers of his guiding hand to follow over the surface being used as a guide, the blind person is able to realize his location at any one time as he moves toward and finally locates his objective. The hand and forearm are brought across the body in the upper and lower position as a technique used primarily to protect oneself while moving about alone in unfamiliar areas. This technique can be combined with trailing and with some cane skills to give the most complete protection possible. The instrument known as the long cane is designed to have a definite functional value as opposed to being merely a symbol of blindness. The cane may be used as a bumper to afford the user protection against walking into objects and also as a probe. In this case the cane is used to examine the area where the person is about to walk. This is accomplished by synchronizing the foot and cane movements so that the cane clears a path for each foot as it is brought forward. The length of the cane is determined by the height and gait of the user. The touch technique combined with the methods of using the cane in going up and down stairs and the diagonal technique (cane held across the front of the body acting as a bumper) will give a blind person the means to travel independently in almost any type of travel situation. Typically, a trainee is taught these techniques in an isolated setting so that he can master them before attempting to use them in traveling to specific objectives within the community. As the blind person progresses from quiet residential areas to a more complex environment, he learns how to use landmarks and other recognizable auditory and tactile clues which will enable him to remain oriented as he travels to his objective. The final lessons in the course are designed to test the trainee's ability to use all the skills he has learned during the course. A typical run might include traveling downtown by bus, making purchases in a store; eating lunch in a public restaurant and returning home by bus. The purpose of such training is to foster independence -- to teach the person the skills that will restore lost mobility to a reasonable degree. Once the skills are learned they can be applied to almost any travel situation. If a person is properly motivated, he should be able to come into a strange city and, once having received adequate instruction, travel to his destination with little help. ***** ** North Carolina Gives Preview of College A student's viewpoint by James G. Taylor The North Carolina State Commission for the Blind, with the cooperation of Western Carolina University, sponsored some seventeen visually handicapped students in a College Preparatory Program this summer. As a high school graduate, desiring to go to college, I was required to participate in the program. After satisfactorily completing one summer session, we would be permitted to attend the colleges of our choice, with VR assistance. After a long, mountainous bus ride, we arrived on the campus of which we would be part for five weeks. Everything seemed so large, and those of us who were totally blind had to begin immediately learning to mobilize on the campus. We lived in the dormitories, with no exceptions made. Our roommates were sighted students -- we were to adjust to the situation, with the very minimum of assistance. There were people participating in the program who were willing to advise and assist when it was absolutely necessary. The chief goals were for us to learn to live a normal life in a college dormitory and to overcome any obstacles that might confront us in the classrooms. The first day each of us was assigned to a student who was to serve as our aide. The aide was to be our reader and to render assistance to us in learning the campus for the first couple of days. After learning the campus our aides were used only as readers -- the reader could either read directly to us, or record. Each student was issued a tape recorder, Braille writer and typewriter for his use. Each of us was required to take one five-hour course scheduled in the morning. There weren't more than three or four of us in any one class. We either took English, biology, geography, or geology -- this permitted us to discuss any problems that were confronted in various courses. The classroom was a unique experience for us, especially the first day. Many of us had attended a small, residential school, with small classes, and were not accustomed to the large classes and the rapid pace in which the material was covered. Those of us using braille had to take notes in such a manner that we could keep pace with the class. We learned to use the people around us -- for instance if the professor wrote a word on the board that we did not know how to spell, there was always someone who had it in his notes and who was happy to assist, if asked. During the afternoons, we would have our own sessions. These consisted of group discussions and vocational counseling. The group discussions concerned many phases of the program. We would discuss our classes -- if we had any major problems, our counselor would help us find a solution. There were representatives from the various departments discussing the opportunities for a visually handicapped person in his or her particular field. We were given advice on how to study, and how to use our readers so that we could receive the most benefit through their help. There was much taught us about the library, what could be found there, and how we could best use it. A program of this type will benefit the visually impaired greatly. There is first-hand experience given in all phases of college life. The student is able to experience the difficulties knowing that he is there for that reason. When the student goes to college in the fall, even though there may be no other visually impaired student on the campus, the summer experience will give him confidence. There will be additional minor problems -- but, the actual experience of college has been gained and it will contribute much. Those of us who have participated in the College Preparatory Program feel it has done much to prepare us for the coming year. ***** ** Donna Opens a Big Door Dean McWethy Michigan DSB Counselor (From paper presented at the 1967 AAWB Convention.) Until I met my first totally deaf-blind client, I had no conception of the problems and involvements connected with the training and placement of such a client. To begin with, I had no idea or conception of the total deaf-blind client. I was extremely fortunate to have as one of my first clients one who was, and is, exceptional in so many ways. This girl, now 22, blind and deaf since the age of three months as a result of measles, has been able to benefit from training, first at the Michigan School for the Blind, then the Perkins Institute, and finally, the Industrial Home for the Blind. Although I was involved in all of these activities as far as making arrangements, etc. it wasn't until the completion of her training at the Industrial Home for the Blind when Mr. Bettica, the Coordinator of the Anne Sullivan Macy Service, informed us that she was ready, able and willing (willing is a very mild way of putting her desires) to make someone a good and productive employee, that I came really to know this client. ... Donna is a slightly built, red-haired young lady and the only way I can describe her actions is "effervescent." She is vitally interested in everything going on. One thing I didn't realize about deaf-blind persons is that unless they are in physical contact with someone, they are isolated, or you might say are almost in a vacuum. Consequently, while Donna is with you she wants to have her hand on your arm. This is the only way she knows you haven't walked off and left her. Donna has been taught to speak with an exceptionally normal voice and is very easy to understand. The big advantage to anyone around her is her ability to read your lips with her thumb, which makes communication with her relatively simple. Donna is employed in a small furniture factory. This company employs about fifty people and makes only davenports and chairs. In the front arm of each is a panel approximately four inches by twelve inches. These panels, however, come in several shapes for different styles. Donna takes a piece of material the inside up, places a piece of pressed board on this and brings the material around the board and staples it to the board with an air stapler. The problem in this operation, due to the curves in the shape, is not to have any wrinkles in the material. A very few hours of instruction was all it took to make her proficient in this operation. It was found, in fact, that she was soon doing this so well that it would not keep her busy all of the time. It was suggested that an operation by which tee nuts were driven into the wooden rails by hammering could be done with a small bench press. These nuts are placed in the underside of the bottom frame for the legs to screw into. As stated, these were hammered in and not always too straight, which necessitated scraping the piece. With this press, Donna was able to put the nuts in the frame, always straight, and much faster than before. ... Donna had spent most of her life in training school, and, after making arrangements for living quarters with a young blind couple, the next problem was getting her to work. Here again, the Anne Sullivan Macy Service was indispensable. Miss Mary Hoffman, the mobility instructor who had worked with Donna at the I.H.B., was sent to Flint, at which time the best of several routes was selected. Donna had to walk eight blocks to catch a bus. This involved crossing two busy streets and transferring to a second bus, all of which she readily learned to negotiate with the help of her "I am deaf-blind" button, cards, helpful people, and her ability to speak. ... Here she was, before daylight, bundled up to her ears in winter clothes, carrying a purse which all women have, a lunch basket and a cane. Because her trip to work was made before daylight, a jacket with reflecting strips was secured for her. There were reflectors fastened to each end of her lunch bucket and her cane was wrapped with reflecting tape. ... Donna's social life has not been neglected. In addition to her church, she has joined the Genesee Federation of the Blind, Inc. in Flint and goes to social and business meetings, attends craft classes and is on a bowling team with the help of that agency's volunteers. Donna was awarded a citation by the Governor's Commission to Promote Employment of the Handicapped as the outstanding handicapped employee of the year. ... This has been a real challenge and experience for me. From a caseworker's involvement, the time necessary, and the overall number of cases carried, I surely am glad that a case like this doesn't come along too often, as I know that some of my work has been neglected to work with this one. I know, though, that everyone agrees that the end result justifies the means. (Editor's note: It is regretted that space does not permit us to carry Mr. McWethy's story in full. It will doubtless appear in the New Outlook and we would recommend that those interested in the deaf-blind read the full article. Donna is a pretty vivacious 22-year-old red-head interested in everything and everyone.) ***** ** Railroading -- Again! Frank Lugiano, President, Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind The recent national railroad strike, with its extremely swift action by the Congress and the President, certainly indicated the seriousness of the problem. However, I'm not going to dwell on that subject; for we have, in my estimation, a "railroading" problem of our own which has been going on for a long time within the National Federation of the Blind. I am not going to revive the heartbreaking memories of 1960 and 1961 for which I blame our NFB leadership. Instead, I shall report to you actions of the 1967 convention just passed. The Alabama Federation of the Blind which has been, since its founding many years ago, a staunch supporter of the NFB "top brass" -- good, bad, or indifferent -- fell victim to the same unscrupulous dictatorial axe that has severed the independent powers of other states. However, I hasten to say that it was through no fault of Mr. Roger Smith, State President, since Mr. Smith and his membership come highly recommended by the same NFB for their legislative accomplishments. It was purely and simply an internal-state problem which the "authorities" made it their business to supervise. Every word that was uttered before the Executive Board of the NFB was slated to condemn the faithful Alabama Federation. (It would appear that when the Powers of the NFB decide to purge, all previous acts of loyalty matter little.) Last year the NFB's concern was that there were too many "paper affiliates." This year they are remedying this by adding still another one: Alabama. The Convention, it is said, in almost every organization, is the final authority; yet, here is an example in which the Convention was not permitted to indulge in one word of discussion. Smith was not allowed to speak even briefly in his own defense; as a matter of fact, when President Smith valiantly persisted in pleading his cause, he was 'gaveled down' and ordered to leave the room. When a vote was called to expel Alabama, Pennsylvania was the only state to shout "no!" As the Pennsylvania Delegate at the Convention, I was appalled at the indifference of those present and their willingness to condemn and thrust from their midst their own fellow blind. Yes, their faithful comrades from Alabama were jeered and laughed at by what appeared a well-trained mob! The betrayal could not have been better perpetrated had the strategy been issued by the Kremlin. It is time for the blind to rally for the cause of justice, for, like Alabama, no affiliate will know when his turn has come, It is my sad observation that serious matters affecting the blind of each individual state are no longer of primary concern to the NFB; but rather it is in their best interest to continue the carnival-like atmosphere of fun and frolic -- let the axe fall where it may. The silent vote was further evidence of NFB's present policy of "MOB RULE," and as long as this policy is permitted, the blind of our country stand in danger of helplessly watching true darkness come upon them. ***** ** Ned's Corner Can the leopard change its spots? Apparently not, judging from Frank Lugiano's report, "Railroading" in this issue. The Alabama story cannot be told in full as yet, but it brings back unpleasant memories to many of us. We still shudder at the recollection of our own experience in Miami when to admit being from Georgia meant cold shoulders, leers, and sudden withdrawal of hands extended in friendship. I, too, know the fruitlessness of attempting to defend an affiliate marked for a purge by the national leadership. And the parallel between what happened in Alabama and the experience of the Vermont Council in 1962 is very close, indeed. At the convention of the Alabama Federation at Anniston in October, 1966, Roger Smith, AFB president said, "A pattern has been developing over the past ten years; a sort of rectangle with one corner in Santa Fe, another in Miami and a third in Kansas City. The fourth is now being constructed here in Anniston." Unfortunately, his prediction proved too true. I can't help wondering when the rest of the thoughtful blind people of the country will wake up and realize that freedom of thought and expression, and independence of action in the organized blind movement are to be found only in ACB, at the national level. The Louisiana Federation, at whose convention I had the privilege of speaking in October, has a most interesting and democratic way of deciding important questions, such as elections and amendments to their constitution or by-laws. The state secretary sends ballots to each chapter (there are six), and the matter is discussed and voted upon at the chapter meetings. The vote is tabulated and reported by the chapter representatives to the Board of Directors, or the convention, where the votes are totaled and the decision arrived at on the basis of the majority of all votes cast. Thus, important matters can be decided by action of the total membership and the Board without waiting for the next annual convention. And every member has the satisfaction of having his vote counted whether or not he is able to attend the meetings. Another interesting aspect of the Louisiana procedure is that any member who wants to run for a state office files a notice with the secretary who places his name on the ballots sent to the chapters. This seems to me much more democratic than a nominating committee which -- except in ACB -- can "railroad" a slate, or spur-of-the-moment floor nominations when there may not be time for careful consideration of qualifications. Two years ago I suggested that those who felt able and willing to serve ACB in an elective capacity should let this be known to the membership through the pages of the FORUM. I feel that we of ACB might well follow Louisiana's lead, to this extent. Open campaigning by candidates and/or their supporters would be preferable to secret negotiations and manipulations whereby even the candidate himself may not know who is running until the report of the nominating committee is presented. 1968 is an election year in ACB. All five offices, four directorships and three positions on the Board of Publications will be open. The present second vice-president and secretary will have exhausted their eligibility for re-election to the same office. Beginning with the January issue, the pages of this magazine will be open to anyone wishing to announce his availability for elective office. Perhaps it may be necessary for some of you to do some urging to overcome the reticence of some well qualified potential candidate who you feel would serve ACB well. It is hoped that by this means the members and delegates at the San Francisco convention will know well in advance the candidates, at least for the major offices. ***** ** To Touch the Sky Jessie G.O. Tourond, Calgary, Alberta (From CCB Outlook) I often wonder how my parents and relatives, having had no previous experience with blindness, were able to cope so efficiently with my handicap. Having lost my sight through an accident when very young, two very simple things I never have been able to do correctly, tie the bows in my shoe laces and hold the scissors properly when cutting. I have a technique all of my own for these arts. My first ice cream cone I believe was also my first embarrassing moment. I had always had ice cream in a dish with a spoon before. We were at a picnic, and someone gave me an ice cream cone. I had no idea how to handle it so I took a couple of fair sized bites out of one side of it; the result was pretty messy. Someone grabbed the cone and someone else started a mop up job on me with a large hankie. My aunt ran and got another cone and giving it to me, she said, "Now, Dollie, eat it round and round." Immediately I stuck the point in my mouth and bit it off, the ice cream fell out onto the nice green grass, and I wondered what happened to it. At last dad came to the rescue -- he got another cone, put it in my hand right side up and held it firmly telling me to take a bite, which I did. Then he turned it slowly in my hand telling me when to bite and when to turn, and finally I got the idea and looked forward to picnics and ice cream cones. When I was very young I had three great desires: One was to have a bottle of violet perfume. One day dad came home from town with a fair-size bottle of perfume and it smelled good and it made me happy. Another thing I wanted was a band. Whenever I heard a brass band play, I wanted to take it home with me and couldn't imagine why everyone was so astonished. I thought it was a sort of glorified music box about the size of my mother's sewing machine. One day she told me that a band was a whole lot of horns and drums, and it took several men to play it, and that if we took it home she and I would have to cook for all the men and wash their dishes and find some place for them all to sleep. I was disappointed that it was not a music box, but decided to settle for a toy piano. My greatest ambition, however, was to touch the sky, I thought it would feel like warm blue deep-piled velvet and the clouds would feel like thick foamy soap suds. I was always climbing up to touch the sky. My uncle was quite tall, and he used to lift me up holding my feet in his hands away above his head, and I would reach my hands up as far as I could, but I always came down and ran off feeling bad because once again I had failed to reach the sky. I guess most of us have reached for the sky at one time or another, but I don't think very many have expected it to feel like blue velvet dotted here and there with foamy soap suds. ***** ** Homemakers Institute in Michigan Kenneth Hinga, Coordinator On Sunday afternoon, July 30th, the clientele arriving for the 1967 session of the Blind Homemakers Institute began on the campus of the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing. They were fifteen apprehensive, frightened husbands and quite helpless women who had relied all too much upon husbands and relatives to do most everything for them. It required a considerable amount of counseling to keep a couple of the ladies from going home with their husbands and forget the terrifying experience. Four of the students went home for the first weekend informing us that they would probably not return even though we were lovely people and did all we could to make their stay pleasant and informative. Without exception, however, they did come back on Sunday, and the next weekend they asked to call home and advise their drivers that they wanted to remain on campus so they could attend the picnic planned for Saturday. By the end of the third and final week of the institute these same ladies were approaching staff members telling us that the time had gone all too quickly, and how much they had gained from the training and just being with others in the same situation as themselves. It is really amazing what can be accomplished in so short a time in changing the attitudes of people when they are active and in company with fellow travelers. The most gratifying result of this project is the progress these women make in finding their way around the campus and the elaborate building used for class activities. These facilities are quite widely scattered and are not easy to find by a newly blinded person. The spirit of competition must be the key to this remarkable success in mobility orientation. The students at B.H.I. took very well to cooking instruction, sewing, typing, handicrafts and the activities of daily living. Most all of the group, however, found Braille extremely difficult, and some chose to drop out of this class. The diabetics complained that they had impaired tactile ability, and some others said they would rather listen to the Talking Book machine. A few did get a good start with Braille and stated that they intended to continue with the assistance of a Teacher of Adult Blind. The average age of the enrollees of this year's Homemakers Institute was about 42, and the range in ages went from the late twenties to the oldest member who celebrated her 68th birthday during her stay in Lansing. These ladies were on the go from breakfast at 7:30 A.M. until the final class bell at 4:30 P.M. They were usually a quiet and tired group when they came for dinner at 5:30 in spite of a strenuous day, blisters, and fatigue, however, they were always ready to participate in an evening recreational program. As in previous years, bowling turned out to be the most popular evening activity. Instructors from the Lansing League of Blind Bowlers taught clients to bowl who had never been in an alley before. Oh yes, one of our mobility instructors from Western Michigan University made a big hit with the ladies by taking them for rides on a tandem bike all over the M.S.B. campus. Would-be brides to overweight grandmothers could be adding their strength to pedals behind the over-worked mobility instructor. Here again, it was the spirit of competition that drove the students to compete in sports they had thought impossible. Some of the participants were disappointed that we did not conduct swimming classes in the School for the Blind pool. Dr. Edward A. Fitting, Director of the Michigan Division of Services for the Blind, spoke at the closing ceremony on August 18th and restated the agency's contention that this three-week period is not sponsored as a total rehabilitation program, but, rather, as a motivating force that will encourage clients to move out and seek further instruction from Home Teachers and other departmental personnel. Most all of the former students of the B.H.I. have written to advise that they are grateful for being allowed to attend the summer school, and to inform us that they have found professional help and are going ahead with the introduction to personal adjustment. Dr. Fitting further told the graduating class that next summer would be the final Homemakers Institute because by 1969 it is anticipated that we will have a formal rehabilitation center located in Kalamazoo, that will offer detailed and total rehabilitation for the blind. ***** ** "Touching the Fall Season" (The Braillist's Brief, Braille Association of Kansas) "Touching the Fall Season" was the theme of the fashion show in Topeka when fifteen blind and partially sighted models ranging in age from 15 to 68 -- graduates of the summer program at the Rehabilitation Center -- displayed the latest styles through the courtesy of Topeka business firms. Each model wore four costumes, from casual wear to the finale which was a formal wedding scene complete with men in cutaways. The runway was carpeted and a slightly raised place indicated where to pause and pivot; and a gold rope hung at hand level if needed. A local store provided the clothes, an experienced director, the hair-dos and a pair of hose to keep. The director showed them the model's tricks in posing and turning to show themselves and the clothes to the best advantage. Following the show the entire "cast" -- men and women -- still in their formal attire from the wedding scene, enjoyed a "night on the town." The mayor and over 200 friends and relatives were invited to attend this occasion -- a first in the country, it is believed. The Topeka Capitol-Journal gave a full page spread with pictures and a good story. The models themselves reported this as one of their most interesting and exciting experiences and the staff at the center "were still on cloud 9" because everyone, including the audience, were thrilled with the success. ***** ** Now, A Right-Side-Up Braille Slate Carol Rehg, St. Louis Globe-Democrat (via the Missouri Chronicle) A new braille slate for the blind has been designed by a housewife and mother from Webster Groves, Missouri, who is occupational therapist supervisor for the newly blind patients at McMillan Hospital. The new slate makes it possible for the blind to write and work out math problems without the complexity of "thinking backwards," which is necessary with the standard braille slate used by the blind since the 1820s. Pilot tests show speedier results and fewer errors with the new slate, designed by Mrs. Ruth Barr and perfected for her master's thesis in social science at Wester College. Ten pupils at the Missouri School for the Blind are using the new slate. Both the American Printing House and Howe Press of the Perkins School have shown interest in it. Mrs. Barr's project, begun six years ago, got off the launching pad with a $1,000 contribution from the Women's Auxilliary fund raising committee at Barnes Hospital. The $1,000 donation made it possible for a technician friend to construct 20 pilot models to test third grade pupils at the Missouri School for the Blind, and also as a control measure -- third and fourth graders at the Ohio State School for the Blind, Columbus, Ohio. The new braille slate looks similar to the standard slate which has been in use since braille was first invented by a captain in Napoleon's army. On a closer examination, however, the slates are vastly different. Mrs. Barr's upward writing slate with raised dots makes it possible to write from left to right without taking the paper out and turning it over for reading. The hollowed-out stylus, which takes impression from the raised dots, resulted from the housewife's brainstorm that a "cookie cutter" technique would solve the problem. She first used a ballpoint pen on the standard slate to test the technique. Dr. J.M. Enoch, research associate professor in the department of ophthalmology, Washington School of Medicine, helped her design her first model slate. Made of copper, the inverted slate was taken to Dr. Walter E. Evens, Principal of the Missouri School for the Blind, for experimentation by his teachers and students. ***** ** Loretta's Corner Annual banquets are designed and intended to be convention highlights and ACB has, in its short lifetime, set a pretty good precedent. Wichita followed through in great style with a banquet program brin full of good entertainment, generously flavored with wit and inspiration. It was a special privilege to hear the well-known author and lecturer, Kenneth H. McFarland, deliver a stirring flag-waving speech to make us proud to be Americans and to strengthen our determination to instill patriotism in our children. He and toastmaster Jerry Hall had the jokes flying thick and fast. It was the toastmaster who especially held our attention. We were among the few who knew that he was in for a big surprise. We wish that many others could have shared with us the warmth and pleasure of that experience -- but secrets must be carefully guarded! George Fogarty, Chairman, Ambassador Award Judges, was well into his cleverly planned presentation speech before our young toastmaster became slightly suspicious. He blinked a bit, sat a little straighter in his chair, and the surprised smile slowly became a disbelieving chuckle. As the description became unmistakable a red glow began to rise from his collar and the smile became a broad grin, The audience, too, gradually began to identify our Ambassador and a swelling murmur of happy approval spread through the room. In the meantime, attractive Dorothy Hall, sitting with Jerry's brother at the speakers table, displayed a marvelous composure. They both fairly glowed with pride and only he was in on the secret. Standing before us, the first words our 1967 Ambassador Extraordinary could manage were, "Did you ever see a grown man cry?" ***** ** ACB's 1967 Ambassador George Fogarty, Ambassador Awards Chairman Presenting the award at Wichita Someone has said, "No one can get to know himself better through introspection, but only through action; doing is our best clue to being, and it is how we relate to the world (and not what we think about) that determines our character." This, in a single sentence, describes our Ambassador. When he lost his sight at the age of fourteen, he says, he had two choices before him: "To sit haunched in a corner and be miserable, or to go out and enjoy life." His life story shows the course he took. For this he credits his mother's unswerving faith in his ability to overcome and to make of this obstacle a stepping stone. She had the rare wisdom to know that only by doing things for himself could he hope to retain that spirit of independence that is so essential to success. After graduating in the top fourth of his large high school class, which he served as president, he entered the University, majoring in music and education. He organized a dance band, playing a terrific trumpet that rivaled Harry James. In addition to playing for dances on Saturday night and teaching Sunday school, he sought to supplement his income as a used-car salesman. And during his second year in college he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy. He received his B.A. degree in 1955 and, after many applications, he finally found employment as a high school band and voice instructor; this after one of his instructors had spoken enthusiastically of his ability. Having earned the support he received, a brief interview did the rest. During his five years here he was very active in school and community affairs. He then moved to his present place of employment, a much larger high school where he teaches German and instrumental music. He is also Music Supervisor for the entire school district. To further his studies in German he received two grants, the second taking him to Germany in the summer of 1964. He has had several works published in this language. This summer he is teaching German composition at the State university. His teaching and community activities have prompted these accomplishments: president of his county's teaching association, president of his Lions Club; Sunday school teacher and substitute preacher; and often in demand as a public speaker. He also gives private music lessons, has directed senior high school plays, is a class sponsor, and has Senior Honors Class. During his leisure moments LEISURE MOMENTS? our Ambassador likes to cook, takes over the household chores when needed, and has even been known to help out with Girl Scout meetings! He enjoys camping, fishing, swimming, skating, and, yes, cycling. He often accompanies a fellow-teacher to school on his tandem bike. Bridge is his favorite game. It is not primarily for these things that THIS man has been selected the American Council's Ambassador for 1967. Because he has asked no more than that he be accepted on his own merits, that he be judged by what he CAN do, not on what he CAN'T; because he has the rare gift of knowing how to enjoy life, and himself, a joy in living he has never ceased to share, enriching the whole community thereby; these are the reasons, the real and compelling reasons, why HE is our Ambassador. With warm appreciation for the image he gives OF the blind, we extend our congratulations to Jerry Hall for all his varied accomplishments; to his lovely wife, Dorothy, who helped make it so; and to his three little girls, Susan-11, Janis-9, and Julie-7 we say, "Thank you," for sharing your daddy with us, for we know he is Your Ambassador, too. We but echo the thought of all when we say, Jerry Hall is a great individual who just happens to be blind. ***** ** Honors from Dialogue We were proud and happy to receive the following release from Don Nold. It is always good to see a friend receive well deserved recognition and the FORUM joins in extending congratulations to Cecily Biondo. Dialogue, recorded service for the blind, was singularly honored on Wednesday afternoon, October 18, when the Honorable Timothy Constello, Deputy Mayor of New York City, presented Dialogue's second annual Public Service Award to a blind resident of that city. In the presence of many dignitaries, Mayor Costello, who is president of the New York City Council, presented a handsome plaque to Cecily Hoffman Biondo. This attractive blind woman won the award as the result of an outstanding record in public service in New York. Among her accomplishments, she served on New York City's Planning Board No. 7 and was especially effective as a member of the Narcotics Committee. She was editor of The Profile, Jewish Guild for the Blind, in which position she campaigned for legislative advantages for the blind. She was also active in amateur dramatics and has made many radio and television appearances on behalf of her many projects. Present at the ceremony which took place in Mayor Costello's office were Norman Cook of Arlington Heights, President of Dialogue: Don O. Nold, Executive Director; and Howard Goldenstein, Dialogue's New York Regional Vice President. ***** ** ACB Tape Chatter John B. Sevier, Coordinator 442 East 28th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 Hi, there, this is your ACB Tape Coordinator coming back at you after what was hopefully a most enjoyable and profitable summer. Now that the "taping season," as some of the hobbyists refer to the fall and winter season, is upon us, how about a listing in the column? Better still, how about taking this opportunity to send off a tape to one or all the club members who interest you? Remember, only you can make this club a success! Only you can put over the ACB program in all areas and make friends at the same time. Please feel free to let me know if there are others who would be interested and if you would like a listing yourself. Now for a few new members: Harold M. Baskin, 628 East Capital Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62701, has Wollensak dual-track two-speed (3-3/4 and 7-1/8 ips) tape recorder, is a Salvation Army evangelist, has guide dog, and is interested in problems of the blind and people in general. Lillan C. Snow, 418 13th St., North, St. Petersburg, Florida, is a transcribing machine operator who is mainly interested in people and wants to learn more about legislation for the blind. She has a 3-3/4 ips. dual track tape recorder. Howard and Bertha Metzler, 1655 Summerfield St., Brooklyn, New York 11227. The husband is a typist-transcriber, 42 years of age, and works for National Industries for the Blind. The wife is a typist-receptionist-telephone operator. They like people, problems of the blind, hi-fi and sports. Mary Walton, 1915 Lane St., Topeka, Kansas 66604, is 39 years of age and has Wollensack 5710 three-speed dual-track tape recorder. She is an evangelistic singer, plays the autoharp, and is interested in religion, poetry, history and writing; she collects hymn books. "Front gate is open to any taper." Well folks, that's all for now. Send me and all the club members a tape today before you forget it. ***** ** Vending Machines and the Totally Blind The District of Columbia DVR has been carrying on a pilot project concerning the ability of totally blind operators to handle vending machine installations. Preliminary reports have appeared in other publications and a final and complete report of this study is expected to be issued early next year and will be available to the FORUM. A letter regarding this project from Mr. Wm. W. Thompson, Vending Stand Program coordinator, states the tentative conclusion: "I feel we have proven conclusively that total blindness, as such, is no bar to the successful operation of a fully automated vending stand. Four vending machine companies can attest to the proposition that a properly trained blind person, who is otherwise capable, can perform satisfactorily the duties normally expected of an attendant in a fully automated food facility. "The keys to success in this matter involve the appropriate arrangement, construction, and marking of storage equipment and certain aids which allow the blind operator to receive and store food and supplies and to retrieve necessary information which enables him to stock and otherwise service the vending equipment accurately and efficiently." ***** ** Brailled Resource File A resource file listing 200 or more items of interest to home teachers, rehabilitation center instructors, etc., as well as to active blind people, will be brailled on 5 by 8 cards. This is a project of the Midwestern Conference of Home Teachers. A master file is now ready and is being updated with additions, and will be ready for production March 1, 1968. This will be the deadline for placing orders for a copy of this file, which will cost $5. Price includes the brailled cards and dividers, punched for three ring binder. Members of the Midwest Conference, who have paid their membership for 1967-68 biennium, will receive a copy of this file as part of their membership. Memberships should be sent directly to the new treasurer, Mr. Marshall Stroud, 818 Cobb St. Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401. Among the eighteen headings in this file are: Craft Materials and Supplies, Deaf-Blind Services, Organizations of Interest, Recreation, etc., and Local Resources (to be filled out by you). We would appreciate hearing from any interested person who has a special resource that is available nationally and yet not well known, and it will be considered for inclusion in the file. To place orders, or for further information, write directly to Otto L. Peterson, Services for the Blind, 1513-1/2 E. Fulton, Garden City, Kansas 67846. ***** ** Letters from Readers Mrs. Lorrene Cypher, 1120 Burns St., Mt. Morris Michigan 48458, Secretary, Michigan Federation. Your article "Michigan Federation Affiliates" in the September issue of the FORUM had two errors which we would like to correct: First, the active Chapters in Michigan are: Flint, Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Saginaw. Second, Kenneth Hinga from Kalamazoo accepted the Charter. He was an official delegate along with Lorrene Cypher from Flint. Henry Cypher was our guest. (Thank you, Lorrene, and please accept our apologies. However, we are glad for another opportunity to welcome the Michigan Federation into ACB.) *** Mrs. Catherine Goff, 1977 Piedmont St. Augusta, Georgia 30906, addresses Mrs. June Mann, reader of the tape edition of the FORUM. Thank you for reading the Braille Forum for me. I am very much interested in what is going on in the world and like to know of people who are willing and able to help their fellow man. I work with the aged and the handicapped, bringing them the kind of music they like to hear, information and stories they can enjoy. Thank you for the good work you are doing for us. (Editor's note: We, too, are most grateful to our faithful volunteer whose voice has become pleasantly familiar to our many tape readers. June has asked us to extend her best wishes to all FORUM readers. She reports that her taping chore has come to mean a great deal to her and she enjoys it very much.) *** Chas. F. Swank, Rt. 4, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22501 (Correcting the name of his town.) I met John Sevier and his wife in Baltimore this summer. They are two of the nicest people I have met. I find the FORUM very interesting. Keep up the good work. I have recorded 10 LP records and 3 45-RPM singles. Four with the CHMEN and another coming out soon. Four other recordings are with the organ and piano. The records seem to be selling well. *** Kenneth Hinga, Division Services for the Blind, 1746 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, Michigan. ... My friends in California have seen fit to publish some very unkind, unfair and untrue articles concerning our program for the blind in Michigan. The NFB token affiliate in Michigan has gone all out to tear down plans and persons without adding anything constructive. I think the FORUM, so far, is doing a good job of treating each matter in a fair manner, I enjoyed my stay in Wichita and the programs well presented. I'm sure you'll find the Michigan Federation to be a congenial and cooperative group. I hope I'll be able to attend your next national convention. I had a slight problem convincing my wife that Kansas is a dry state after I explained to her that the little scratch on my forehead came from bumping into a B-52 bomber ... *** Bonnie Byington, 950 Drury Lane, Wichita 62707 I would like to suggest an addition to your convention coverage: A convention is no better than those who attend and I'm still getting comments about the interesting, intelligent guests who accepted our invitation to come to Wichita. It was a new experience for KAB and for this community, but we gained much. Thank you for coming. ... There just isn't any way to thank you properly for the coverage given by the FORUM. ... Editing the FORUM is lots of work. I know what a job it is to put out our own state publication, and many times I am embarrassed by errors I have made or should have caught, but the difference is, I am not an editor ... Anyway, you do a good job. (Thanks, Bonnie. Alas, I am an editor but not a proofreader!) *** Mrs. Sammie K. Rankin, 700 South 15th St., Waco, Texas As a member-at-large I am grateful to have an opportunity to make a contribution to the work of ACB. ... I have enjoyed the FORUM since Durward picked up my membership at Shreveport two years ago. I believe, however, that the current issue has topped them all. As one blind person to another thank you for a significant service to all of us. I am beginning to think of attending a national ACB conference. ***** ** Here and There with George Card From the American Medical Association NEWS: "A poll by the National Federation of Independent Business showed that most of its members favor legislation to permit social security recipients to earn as much as they can from employment without sacrificing any of the social security benefits ... " "Some people believe that they are thinking when all they are really doing is re-arranging their prejudices." -- William James In a VIEWPOINT article describing the growth and development of the organized blind movement in Germany, I thought the following statistics were quite interesting: By 1914 there were fifty branches, total membership 2,200; by 1922, 70 branches, 6,000 members; by 1936, 25 regional associations, 248 local branches, 14,000 members. (All this before there was even a beginning of a national civilian organization in the U.S. and at a time when in no more than half a dozen individual states was there a start toward the organization of the blind). From the Union Labor NEWS (Madison, Wis.): "Stay young by taking inspiration from the young in spirit who remained creatively active all their lives: Goethe completing Faust at 80; Titian painting masterpieces at 98; Toscanini conducting at 85; Justice Holmes writing Supreme Court decisions at 90; Edison busy in his laboratory at 84; Benjamin Franklin helping to frame the American Constitution at 80." The EYE CATCHER (N.Y.) notes that the state law forbidding discrimination against applicants for teaching positions on the sole ground of blindness has been greatly strengthened during the last legislative session. A few months ago a blind teacher in New York City whose application had been denied on the sole ground of blindness brought a legal action but the court threw out his suit on the ground that the law applied only to state schools. An amendment now makes it entirely explicit that the anti-discrimination law applies to every public school in the state. The following excerpt is from a letter to me from Eric Boulter, Secretary-General of the World Council and the Co-Director of the American Foundation for Overseas Blind, Inc.: "You will be interested to know that in Europe we are initiating a new program for the education of deaf-blind children. This program is imperative since the rubella epidemic of 1963 resulted in increased numbers of deaf-blind children for whom no adequate educational facilities are available. In Africa we have begun to help the blind persons in nations which were formerly French colonies; a new rural center in Cameroon, recently opened with our assistance, is the first step in a new era for the large number of blind people in Central Africa who were formerly forced into a life of poverty and begging. Similarly, the establishment of an AFOB regional rehabilitation team in Asia will lead the way to a number of vocational training centers so that the blind people of the Far East can share in the industrial development of those lands." The Peoriarea OBSERVER reports that Dick Nelson, charter ACB member, has secured a position in the office of Business Economics, Division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. ... Taxi fares have become so high that the Blind Center in Peoria finds a newly inaugurated community service much more economical for those attending its activities. For a very reasonable monthly payment, subscribers are entitled to a given number of trips each month throughout an area up to ten miles distant. ... Editor Buttram announces that the blind people of Peoria are up in arms over a decision to terminate the employment of five blind switchboard operators at the State Hospital. These operators have from 5 to 20 years' seniority and there had been a promise from the state rehabilitation agency that $13,000 would be forthcoming to purchase the Braille attachments which could have saved these jobs but -- as Vic puts it -- "some big wheel said no." From the BLIND ADVOCATE (London): "A new invention has been patented which will make reading easier for those with seriously defective sight. The feature of this simple piece of equipment, which uses an old television lens as a super magnifying glass, is that it enables the reader to enlarge a complete page of a book or paper at a time. It has been used in a Liverpool school for partially sighted children; the reading of a third of the children has improved. The 'Davies Viewer' may be used in industry when it is desirable to magnify tiny bits of mechanism ... Alexander Zotev, a young Russian architect, who was totally blinded and lost his left hand during the war, not only returned to his profession, but has become one of the leading architects in Central Asia. At present he is in charge of a large architectural bureau in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, which is responsible for a ten-year plan for parkland development ... The Ministry of Transport is urging local authorities to take special precautions to safeguard blind people from the dangers of street obstructions and excavations ... The move follows two cases in London recently in which a blind person fell into a street excavation. In both cases the works were protected only by red lights and tripods." From LISTEN: "In his doctoral dissertation, entitled 'Can a Blind Person Be a Successful Teacher,' E.F. Huntington, principal of the Canton Central School in Canton, N.Y., noted that many administrators feel that blindness would lead to excessive discipline problems but that in actual practice blindness is not a major factor in discipline. Instead, the key factor was identified as the respect commanded by a teacher. Principals in schools where the blind have been employed reported that students forget about the teacher's lack of vision after the first few months of teaching ... Over a hundred students from colleges on the West Coast went to Tijuana, Mexico, during the spring vacation to help build a school for the deaf and a center for the blind. The Amigos, as the students from UCLA, Berkeley, Occidental and San Fernando Valley State College call themselves, all paid for the privilege of doing something constructive by supporting themselves while on the job and by trucking to Mexico hundreds of dollars worth of building materials which they had purchased or promoted from California firms. ... A testimonial dinner, attended by several hundred of his friends and admirers, was held in honor of Dr. Peter J. Salmon on June 1, as a tribute to his 50 years of outstanding service to the blind and the deaf-blind. He had joined the staff of the Brooklyn Industrial Home for the Blind in 1917. In his student days at Perkins he had acquired an insight into the lonely and isolated lives of deaf-blind children and a realization of the great human potential so often hidden behind the communication barrier ... Kenneth R. Ingham of Natick, who was blinded several years ago in an accident, is the first blind person to be awarded a Ph.D. degree by Brandeis University. He received his doctorate in theoretical physics and will teach computer science at MIT next fall ... Title IV of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 makes business loans available to disabled persons, including the blind. It is directed by the Small Business Administration. An added feature of this cooperative project is the availability of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) who can offer advice and counsel to people who are interested in starting a small business ... It may be possible to relieve the manpower shortage in our hospitals by opening up many of the job classifications to blind persons, such as dietary, engineering, laundry, housekeeping and other service departments, according to a report recently issue by the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Hospital Association and the VRA. ... In his regular column John F. Mungovan, head of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, says, "The advice of the representatives of the organized blind of the state is of inestimable help in planning services to blind people." The current issue of PIONEER lists the ten visually handicapped graduates of the initial computer programming course given by the International Academy, Inc., at Brentwood, Md. One of the names on this list is a most familiar one Gerald Pye of Macon, Georgia, active in the Georgia Federation and charter member of ACB. It is heartening to note that the Oregon Council of the Blind plans to publish its bulletin from now on. Its new editor, Marie Webb, of Portland, points out that a regular publication is badly needed in order to keep the chapters informed and in close touch between annual conventions. At its June Meeting, the O.C.B. Board of Directors voted to recommend an appropriation of $50 for each chapter toward the expenses of a delegate to the ACB convention in San Francisco next year. A diplomat is a man who won't tell you you have a hole in your head, he'll say you have an "open mind." Following the success of its legislative campaign to repeal the lien law affecting the blind, the Montana Association for the Blind, at its annual convention July 14-16, decided to concentrate during the coming session on repeal of the relative responsibility law. All incumbent officers were re-elected. From WE THE BLIND: At a surprise ceremony in his Capitol office, Governor Raymond P. Shafer officially recognized P.F.B.'s president sightless Frank Lugiano for his 40 years of service to the blind at community, state and national levels and distinguished representation for them in the legislative halls in Harrisburg and Washington .... It is with sadness that we mark the passing of two notable women, each in her own way, in work for the blind. Mrs. Jessie Royer-Greaves, beloved founder of the Royer-Greaves School for Retarded Blind Children in Paoli, Pennsylvania, left our midst in June of this year. Her monument will be the comfort and happiness brought about by her tireless endeavors in behalf of the thousands of otherwise helpless children who have passed through the doors of her famous school. The month of July marked the passing of one of Overbrook's most colorful personalities, Mrs. Elsie Bruggeman Cowgill. There are few of us who can remember Overbrook's Music Hall without being reminded of "Miss Bruggeman's" agitated advice to "stop playing that jazz and practice. -- The Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind presented its President's Award and a beautiful bronze plaque to Frank Lugiano for "outstanding service to the blind and for providing an encouraging example of the independent blind person to other blind men and women." Frank was the first lay person to receive this award, which has previously gone to professional workers. From PERFORMANCE: Although blind and deaf, Edward Ries, employed by Associated Craftsmen of Hackensack, N.J., assembles devices to r the signal level in switchboards. The workshop, which operates like a private company, is sponsored by the Bergen County Tuberculosis and Health Association. -- Alan S. Boyd, Secretary of the new Department of Transportation, regards mobility as the "fifth freedom." From the KAB NEWS: Jon W. Thomas, 820 S. Dellrose, Wichita was elected president of the Kansas Association for the Blind Inc. at the organization's business meeting in Wichita, July 23 succeeding Judge Reese H. Robrahn, Topeka. -- A big "Thank You" is extended to Ray McGuire and Russell Hampton, Wichita, for raising $1500 recently in money-making projects for the KAB. More than 50 local advertisers supported the convention. -- This issue contained a feature article inspired by the 95th birthday of Mrs. Eleanor Wilson who attended the joint conventions in July, as she has attended so many others in the past. Her interest in the blind began in 1904 when, as a fully sighted high school teacher, she married the Rev. I.A. Wilson, totally blind. She became a charter member of KAB, and it is entirely probable that no one else has made such a tremendous contribution to the organization's effectiveness all these years. She is now losing her own sight but keeps up her reading through the use of powerful visual aids. I had the privilege of speaking at a KAB convention some years back. Mrs. Wilson took me in charge, and it was a wonderful experience to become a little acquainted with this truly great lady. "When I come out of my hobby shop and try to brush some of the sawdust out of my hair, my wife Lurene always wants to know whether or not I am afraid of brushing away a whole head and she implies that the sawdust did not come from the lumber in the shop." -- From a Joe Clunk letter. The current issue of the PROMOTER (N.D.) reports that the student band from the N.D. School for the Blind was sent by the Grand Forks Lions to a Lions International Sectional Conference at Regina, Saskatchewan, and while there played a command performance for royalty, in the person of Princess Alexandra, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth. From TIME magazine: Joseph Pulitzer, famous newspaper editor and the originator of the prestigious Pulitzer prizes, at 40, and at the height of his power, was struck by almost total blindness. His blindness, in fact, was the culmination of a truly staggering list of afflictions -- asthma, insomnia, dyspepsia, diabetes, rheumatism. On September 13 ground was finally broken for the new Badger Home for the Blind in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The cost will be about $750,000 and it has taken many years to get about two-thirds of this amount together. This institution is the largest in the U.S. to be maintained and operated by the blind themselves, without help or interference from others and without a cent of local, state of federal subsidy. It has been in operation since 1924. The Badger Association of the Blind also maintains a nursing home for the elderly blind at a separate location in Milwaukee. We are grieved to report the recent death of a leader in our Michigan affiliate and a very old personal friend -- Clare Lynch, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who had been ill for several months. Clare was also high in the organized labor councils of his state. From the AFOB BULLETIN: New horizons were opened up for Japanese blind people when two men from an Osaka vocational training center for the blind went to work at a factory in Joto-ku, Osaka. Traditionally, employment opportunities for the sightless have been confined largely to such jobs as massagists, acupuncturists, players of musical instruments and teachers for the blind. The two sat at grinding machines at the Kyodo Seiki machine tool company while the thirty-two sighted employees of the company cheered. Sotaro Higashino, president of the company, said that the two are so well trained that they have the same skill as workers who can see, and that the company will employ more blind persons. From the ABC DIGEST (Calif.): It is evident that gains made by the organized blind this year were made in terms of bad legislation defeated, rather than in new legislation. Clearly the Governor has turned a deaf ear to problems of the blind in most instances, and the administration has indicated that he feels that the blind, as it was put to me recently, have too much already, or more than most otherwise handicapped groups. -- Mrs. Juliet Bindt, first president of the Associated Blind and member of ACB's first Board of Directors joined the staff of the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany on September 11 as a Braille teacher. Julie is a veteran in this field and has taught in California for the last 27 years. This is a promotion for Julie and a much deserved one. We wish her every success in the new job. We are sure she will bring much sincere effort to this job, as she has in all the many areas in which her endeavors have meant so much to so many. -- If you want your children to look up to you, walk in and turn off the TV set. From the Hoosier STAR-LIGHT: In 20 or our 50 customary states, the licensing of blind persons to teach has been rather than exceptional for many years. We were pleased during the early part of the year by a special feature in the INDIANAPOLIS STAR which questioned Indiana's archaic teacher licensing practice. The story bore fruit. Two Hoosier blind persons recently were licensed and one already has been promised a job in the Lake County School System. At its annual convention in August the Washington State Association elected Tom Gronning, 5126 20th Avenue, Seattle, as its President. The Hadley School plans to begin the issue this fall of a tape magazine containing articles gleaned from about a hundred ink-print publications -- subjects that are discussed in a way to arouse deep intellectual interest, anger or indignation, sympathy or laughter, and that will stimulate to active disagreement or agreement -- but that will not bore. If you wish to receive this tape (12 hours reading time) on a two-week loan basis, write to the Hadley Forum, 700 Elm St., Winnetka, Illinois. Twelve thousand police whistles have been distributed to various agencies by the Stevens Brothers Foundation of St. Paul, Minnesota. This group recommends that a blind individual keep one of these on his person for instant use in case he is in need of help. ***** ** Refugees from the Round File Rehabilitation Amendments of 1967, including provisions for a National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, became a law on October 3 a special ceremony in the White House was attended by over a hundred persons including Congressmen, interested persons in various phases of rehabilitation and several officials of the Industrial Home for the Blind with Dr. Peter J. Salmon, whose efforts over the years are chiefly responsible for this dream becoming a reality. "President Johnson made a brief but very appealing and hopeful talk relative to the development of various programs for the handicapped over the years and concluded with a special reference to the needs of deaf-blind persons. He expressed confidence that the provisions for the establishment of a National Center will result over the years in the development of adequate services for every deaf-blind person," reports the IHB MEMO. "The next step will be the selection of a voluntary agency to conduct the Center and to develop the services provided for in its establishment. The program will undoubtedly begin slowly and gradually develop over the years. ... In the meantime, however, services to deaf-blind persons throughout the nation will be developing." *** The Montana Association for the Blind, Box 536, Kalispell, Montana 59901, will be accepting applications for positions on the staff of its Summer School for the Adult Blind until February 1, 1968. Applications for the position of School Director should be in the mail by January 5. Courses to be offered are cane travel, personal grooming, daily living, public speaking, cooking and sewing, typewriting, hand writing and braille, wood working, ceramics, loom weaving, and other small crafts; also courses in creative writing and salesmanship may be offered. Needed too is a counselor for college-bound students. The Summer School session covers a period of six weeks beginning in late June. For further information write to the above address. *** Metropolitan New York has an interesting year-round camping service for the blind which includes a winter program of special weekends: Life Begins at 60; Young Adults; Pre-Holiday (Christmas) for all campers; Young Adult Salute to Winter featuring winter sports, tournaments, music, etc.; Family Weekend; Second Honeymoon; and Welcome to Spring. All this in addition to the two-week camping periods throughout the summer. The camp is located in Spring Valley, New York, and is operated by Vacation Camp for the Blind, 117 West 70th St., New York 10023. *** The New York Chapter of the National Association of the Deaf-Blind is being organized by Miss Leona Smith, 130 Chapin St., Binghamton, New York 13905, and Mrs. Helen Napolitano, 35-51 - 95th St., Jackson Heights, New York 11372. All deaf-blind persons in the state are urged to join the group. Membership dues will be $1 and can be sent to either of the above. (We are grateful to Mrs. Napolitano for sending us several interesting items.) *** This month will mark the beginning of the Marie H. Katzenbach School in West Trenton, New Jersey, the country's first junior college for the deaf. *** President Calvin Coolidge said, "No man was ever honored for anything he received. Honors are only given for what a man gives." *** Golf World of October 20 reports: Charles Boswell, Birmingham, Alabama, received the handsome Coca-Cola trophy from Famous Golfer Bob Hope as winner of the third International Blind Golfers' Championship at Edgemont Golf Club, Media, Pennsylvania. Boswell, former Crimson Tide football star and still going strong at age 50, recovered from near disaster and successfully defended his championship against Canadian titleholder Claude Pattemore by one stroke. Charlie tied with Pattemore after round one, appeared to have shot himself from contention when he took 10 at 13, but played the last five just four over par. They were even going to 18 and Boswell won with bogie when Pattemore left a putt ten inches short. Congratulations again, Charlie! *** Paul Knowles, Wayne, Michigan, ACB Charter member and Field Representative for Leader Dogs, recently experienced some heart difficulty which hospitalized him for a month. But you can't keep a good man down. As we go to press Paul is back on the road attending the convention of the North Carolina Federation. *** ACB President Reese Robrahn was a guest speaker and consultant at the recent convention of the Associated Blind of California in San Diego. *** The ABC Digest (California) reports the marriage of its editor and ACB Publications Board member, Harriet Penner, to Mr. H. Horace (Jerry) Fielding in July. Our hearty congratulations and best wishes to the Fieldings! ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors President: Reese H. Robrahn, 541 New England Building, Topeka, Kansas 66603 1st Vice President: Ned E. Freeman, 136 Gee's Mill Rd., Conyers, Ga. 30207 2nd Vice President: David Krause, 4628 Livingston Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032 Secretary: Mrs. Alma Murphey, 4103 Castleman Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Treasurer: F.W. Orrell, 5209 Alabama Ave., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37409 ** Directors Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 510 Tarrington Rd., Rochester, N.Y. 14609 R.L. Thompson, 104 N. Hanlon St., Tampa, Fla. 33604 Fred Lilley, 7629 Dale Street, Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117 J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, North Carolina 28205 George Card, 605 S. Few Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 Vernon Williams, 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, S.D. 57401 Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota St., Hayward, California 94545 Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 *** This sight saving edition was assembled and mailed by members of the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind. ###