The Braille Forum Vol. VII January 1969 No. 4 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Ned E. Freeman 136 Gee's Mill Rd. Conyers, GA 30207 * Associate Editors: George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, WI 53703 Earl Scharry 5714 Ridgeway Ave. Rockville, MD 20851 * President: Reese Robrahn 329 Woodbury Lane Topeka, KS 66606 * National Representative: Durward K. McDaniel 20 E Street NW Suite 215 Washington, DC 20001 To inform its readers and to provide an impartial Forum for discussion. In its consideration of a revised statement of Editorial Policy for the BRAILLE FORUM, the ACB Board of Publications will welcome any suggestions our readers might have. ***** ** ACB Board of Publications Chairman -- Miss M. Helen Vargo 833 Oakley St. Topeka, KS 66606 Mrs. Harriet Fielding 2910 Calderwood Lane, Apt. 92 Sacramento, CA 95821 Mrs. Alma Murphey 4103 Castleman Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 Jack Lewis 770 Hemlock St. Macon, GA 31201 George Fogarty 2107 - 28th St. San Francisco, CA 94112 ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large type and on tape, 7-inch, dual track, 3-3/4 ips. All requests, changes of address, etc., should be sent to the BRAILLE FORUM, 136 Gee's Mill Road, Conyers, GA 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 Message ACB National Office Report Are You Doing Your Part? ACB Membership Y'all Come Minutes ACB Board Meeting Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America Amateur Theater -- Elbee Style For a Broader Social Life New Orleans Report More About Job Training Now -- The Sonic Aid Teleteaching Georgia Expands Library Services Latest Public Assistance Regulations Ned's Corner An Open Letter to ACB Members Shock States in Action Problems in Indiana Loretta's Corner Here and There Letters from Readers Refugees from the Round File ACB Officers Directors ***** ** Today Today is ours, let's live it, And love is strong, let's give it; A song will help, let's sing it And peace is dear, let's bring it. The past is done, don't rue it; Our work is here, let's do it. The road is rough, let's clear it; The future is vast, don't fear it. The battle is on, let's fight it; The world is wrong, let's right it. Is faith asleep? Let's wake it; TODAY is ours, let's take it! -- Mary O. Ross True to its name, the BRAILLE FORUM presents varied viewpoints on many questions. The opinions expressed in the signed articles and letters appearing in these pages are those of the authors. They are presented for your information and consideration. No implication of approval or endorsement by the editors or the American Council of the Blind should be inferred because of publication in this magazine. A happy but frustrating situation is developing in the FORUM office. We are receiving so much good material that making a choice is becoming more and more difficult within our limited number of pages. This is not to suggest for a moment that the material should not be sent in -- it is just to ask your indulgence if it seems yours is being ignored. Have patience -- items often must be held over, but we always hope that there will be a time. ***** ** President's Message By Reese H. Robrahn Regretfully, I report defeat in the first stage of the court battle being prosecuted by the American Council on behalf of a Kansas City, Kansas vending stand operator. In his thirteen-page opinion, the Honorable George Templar, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, held in so many words that notwithstanding the question of legality of the assignment of proceeds from vending machines located in the post office facility to the postal employees Welfare Committee, neither the vending stand operator nor the state licensing agency has any standing or capacity to enjoin the acts of the sovereign United States or its officials, even though such acts might be illegal. It is our belief and our understanding of the law that any citizen or properly constituted entity always has the right to enjoin acts when the same are in violation or contravention of Constitutional rights. It is our contention therefore in this case that the assignment of the proceeds of vending machines on Federal properties to any individual or group of individuals without express statutory authority from the Congress of the United States is in derogation of the Constitution because such acts constitute a usurpation of the power and authority of the legislative branch of the government by the executive branch of the government. At this time, an appeal is being perfected to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by the American Council on the behalf of the vending stand operator. It is our intention to prosecute this case to its final conclusion so that once and for all blind people of this nation will have a definitive decision by the courts relative to the strength or weakness of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. At St. Louis, on November 9, the Board of Directors of the American Council adopted a budget for 1969 which represents an approximate 100% increase in anticipated income and expenditures. Thus this budget foretells a tremendous increase in services and growth of the American Council during the coming year. Make your plans now to meet with us and participate in our dynamic movement by attending our annual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 16 -19, 69. The following persons have been appointed to serve as chairmen of some of our key committees: Resolutions Committee, Larry Thompson, 104 W. Hanlon, Tampa, Florida 33604; Legislative Committee, Dr. S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon St., Downers Grove, Ill. 60515; Vending Stand Committee, Don Cameron, 724 South Davis Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33609; Finance Committee, Floyd Qualls, 106 NE 2nd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104; Public Relations Committee, Phyllis Stern, 1178 Kenilworth, Oak Park, Ill. 60304. On November 15, I attended the fall meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Accreditation Council at New York City. The Accreditation and Standards Commission certified the accreditation of three agencies, the Cleveland Society for the Blind, Inc., the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, Inc., and the Rhode Island Association for the Blind, Inc. A number of other applications are pending. I was greatly impressed with the caliber of the members of this Board, and I am certain that the efforts of the NAC will prove to be of great benefit to blind people through the improvement and upgrading of the agencies which serve them. This may come as a surprise to many. I learned that Kenneth Jernigan is a member of this Board, notwithstanding the criticism of the National Accreditation Council by the organization of which he is president. ***** ** ACB National Office Activity Report By Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative When the American Council opened its national office in Washington, D.C., many people assumed that its activity would be primarily concentrated in the nation’s capital. During the first six months of operation, I have traveled about fifty thousand miles visiting eighteen states, engaging in such activities as: Serving as legal counsel for a blind stand operator seeking to prevent the loss of income from vending machines threatened by the assignment by a federal agency of that revenue to a federal employee welfare committee. Filing a brief for a state affiliate in a state supreme court to protect the principal source of earmarked state revenue including all major programs for the blind in that state. Attending an institute on fund raising. Conferring with credit union officials in preparation for expanded credit union services by ACB. Participating in an institute on workshops for the blind. Speaking at nine state conventions and the ACB's San Francisco convention. Recruiting members in five states. Serving as consultant and organizer for a national organization of vending stand operators, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. Serving as consultant in the preparation of a state rehabilitation plan. Representing the ACB on the Planning Committee of the National Citizens Conference on Rehabilitation. Consulting with organizations in five states on state legislative plans. Implementing plans for the establishment of regional councils within the ACB. Representing the disabled as a consultant in hearings conducted in New York and California on rehabilitation services. Publishing the only timely critical analysis of the proposed Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1968. Assisting in plans for a group health program. Assisting in the development of new funding plans for ACB. Representing the ACB at legislative conferences. Giving advice and information to individuals and organizations upon request throughout the country. The trend of these first six months of the ACB's Washington Office has shown that we have just begun to fill a very great need: The response from blind people and organizations indicates a resurgence of interest and a great willingness on the part of growing numbers to work actively in the achievement of our common purposes. The members, officers, and directors of the American Council want the national office to become a clearing house for information and service to all who may have need of it. The measure of the effectiveness of this service will be the extent to which blind men and women throughout the country respond with their activities in the successful execution of these projects. I would like to hear from everyone who would like to join the growing ranks of ACB volunteers. Early in 1969 FORUM readers will be receiving special bulletins about new projects as they materialize. ***** ** Are You Doing Your Part? From the Ohio Council Bulletin What have the blind done for themselves? -- In many areas, the blind have organized. This, in itself, is an accomplishment. An organization without a purpose will not live long. An organization with a single purpose will live only slightly longer. The combined thinking of the organized blind produced many changes to their advantage. For instance; it was blind people who first conceived a school for the blind. It was blind people who pressed for better aid-to-the-blind grants, for better Social Security provisions, for better jobs. Vocational rehabilitation for the blind was the result of pressure applied by the organized blind; pressure is still being applied to make this program more practical. It was the organized blind who insisted that blind persons be certified to teach in our public schools; that they be allowed to work in Civil Service jobs, to practice law, etc. The organized blind have taken their place in the community, showing not only the desire, but the ability to help themselves and others. These are just a few things that the organized blind have done. Those blind who sit outside and cry or complain about what blind people do not have can take no credit for the benefits that the organized blind have brought them. We may be small in the percentage of the total population. Through organization we can accomplish much. ***** ** ACB Membership Voting membership in the American Council of the Blind is of two types. Affiliate members are those whose names appear on the certified membership lists submitted by the affiliated state or local organizations. A list of the twenty present ACB affiliates with their officers appears below. Members-at-large are interested persons who are not members of affiliates. Applications to the ACB Treasurer should be accompanied by a $3 initiation fee. There are no dues for this class of membership. Each member registered at an ACB convention is entitled to his own individual vote and in important matters, such as elections, vote is by secret ballot. In addition to the individual votes cast, the official affiliate delegates cast the number of votes to which their organization is entitled. Such votes are allocated on a per capita basis: one vote for each twenty-five (or major fraction) certified members. No organization may have more than 25 affiliate votes. Affiliates pay annual dues at the rate of twenty cents for each name on their certified list which must be in the hands of the ACB Treasurer not later than 30 days prior to the annual convention. No organization is required to pay more than $100 annual dues. Requirements for ACB affiliation are quite simple. Any organization having at least 25 voting members, the majority of whom are blind, may apply for affiliation. Such application should be accompanied by a certified copy of the resolution or motion by the governing body authorizing such affiliation. It is also advisable that a copy of the organization's constitution or by-laws and a statement of its objectives and activities be included with the application which should be forwarded to ACB President Judge Reese Robrahn, 539 New England Bldg., Topeka, KA 66603. ACB affiliates are completely autonomous; each determines the qualifications of its members, raises its own funds, and determines its activities. The national organization stands ready to assist the affiliates with any problems they may have, but does so only upon request. There is no limitation as to the number of independent affiliates which may exist within a state or community and state-wide membership is not required. Where two or more affiliates exist within a state, each is a separate entity and each is entitled to its own affiliate votes in proportion to its membership. However, no one person may be counted as a member of more than one affiliate. The right of an affiliate to vote at any convention is conditioned upon receipt, not later than 30 days before such convention, by the ACB treasurer of a certified list of voting members (as of the preceding Dec. 31) together with annual dues in the amount of 20 cents for each listed member. New members-at-large must have paid their initiation fee at least 30 days prior to the convention. * ACB Affiliates as of December 1968 Number in () indicates Charter Number Arizona (4) - Maricopa County Club of the Blind Walter Herendeen, Pres.- 313 No. 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009 Miss Maxine Schramm, Secty. - 531 E. Willetta, Phoenix, AZ 85004 California (3) - Associated Blind of California Mrs. Catherine Skivers, Pres. – 836 Resota St., Hayward, CA 94545 Mrs. Juliet Bindt, Secty. – 2709 Derby St., Berkeley, CA 94705 Florida (19) – Florida Federation of the Blind Richard Knight, Pres. – 4691 Linwood St., Sarasota, FL 33580 Earl Johnson, Secty. – 221 W. 4th Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32303 Georgia (1) – Bertha Perry Memorial Thrift Club Jack Moore, Pres.- 162 Lawshe St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30314 Mrs. Flora Mae Talley, Secty. - 726½ Beckwith St., SW Atlanta, GA 30314 Mrs. Willie D. Billingslea, Exec. Secty. - 194 Wellington St., Atlanta, GA 30314 Georgia (13) – Georgia Federation of the Blind Ned Freeman, Pres. – Rt. #3, Conyers, GA 30207 Mrs. Leena Luallen, Secty. – 120 Montpelier Dr., Mableton, GA 30059 Illinois (11) – Illinois Federation of the Blind Jack Reed, Pres. – 108 Alby St., Alton, IL 62002 Floyd Cargill, Secty. – 216 W. Miller St., Springfield, IL 62702 Kansas (6) – Kansas Association for the Blind Miss Helen Vargo, Pres. – 833 Oakley St., Topeka, KS 62707 Mrs. Bonnie Byington, Secty. – 950 Drury Lane, Wichita, KS 67207 Kentucky (7) – Associated Blind of Kentucky Carl Dotson, Pres. – 155 N. Bellaire, Louisville, KY 40206 Michigan (16) – Michigan Federation of the Blind Kenneth Hinga, Pres. -131 So. Berkeley, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Mrs. Lorrene Cypher, Secty. -1120 Burns St., Mt. Morris MI 48458 New York (15) – Associated Blind, Incorporated Joseph E. Travers, Pres. -127 W. 23rd St., NYC, NY 10011 Barney Marnett, Secty. Irving Selis, Executive Secretary North Carolina (9) – North Carolina Federation of the Blind J.B. Hinson, Pres. - 921-9th St., Hickory, NC 28601 Mrs. Marie Boring, Secty. 2609 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC 27707 North Dakota (10) – North Dakota Association of the Blind George Iszler, Pres. - 2220 6th Ave., N., Grand Forks, ND 58201 Mrs. Don Neal, Secty. - 914 Stanford Rd., Grand Forks, ND 58201 Oregon (8) – Oregon Council of the Blind Wally Menning, Pres. -2750 Ellis St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 Mrs. Lucille Krepela, Secty. - 363 Court St., Salem, OR 97301 Oklahoma (2) – Oklahoma Federation of the Blind Bill Eden, Pres. - 3004 E. Archer, Tulsa OK 74110 Miss Judy Boston, Secty. -210 N. Madison, Apt. 3, Enid, OK 73701 South Dakota (12) – South Dakota Association for the Blind Vernon Williams, Pres. – 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, SD 57401 Rev. Sterling Simonson, Secty. – 1301 W. 38th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Tennessee (5) – Tennessee Federation of the Blind Arnold Whaley, Pres. - 8458 E. Brainard Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411 Mrs. Patsy Whaley, Secty. - 8458 E. Brainard Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411 Texas (18) – Lone Star Federation of the Blind Marcus Roberson, Pres. – 511 Travis Bldg., San Antonio, TX 78205 Texas (20) – Rio Grande Council of the Blind Marvin Klein, Pres. – 5405 Vancouver St., El Paso, TX 79900 Vermont Council (14) – Vermont Council of the Blind Hayden Nichols, Pres. – 18 S. Main St., Fair Haven, VT 05743 Wisconsin (17) – Wisconsin Council of the Blind Herbert Pitz, Pres. – 403 Merritt Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54901 H. Alton Davis, Secty. – 1900 W. State St., Janesville, WI 53545 Miss M. Helen Vargo, whose appointment as chairman of the ACB Board of Publications has just been announced, is also president of the Kansas Association for the Blind. The FORUM is proud to welcome Miss Vargo, whose accomplishments reflect the ability which was recognized in her early school years. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Arkansas School for the Blind and went on to earn a BSE from Arkansas State Teachers College. Then came graduate work at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work, the University of Arkansas, and a Master's Degree in rehabilitation counseling from William and Mary College. For the past eleven years she has been a social worker-counselor for the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Topeka. She has served as president of the Midwest Conference of Home Teachers and has held offices in the Social Workers Interest group, AAWB. ***** ** "Y'all Come!" Charlotte Calling ACB By Ed Miller, Convention Chairman The 1969 ACB Convention will be held at the White House Inn, Charlotte, North Carolina, July 16-19. Already the wheels are in motion to extend to our friends across the Nation the warm southern hospitality that Charlotte enjoys the year 'round. The hotel personnel has gone all out to see to it that we have every convenience possible. Room rates will start at $8.00 for a single - up; double $12.00- up. The hotel is air-conditioned and is located in the heart of downtown Charlotte. We have a good selection of speakers in mind, including Harry Golden, well-known author and traveler, to be our banquet speaker. Two delightful tours are planned for your pleasure and your Program Committee is going to exert every effort toward making this 1969 ACB convention a stimulating, meaningful one. So, Y'all come, all of you. Eastern Airlines, Piedmont, Southern, United and Delta provide our Queen City with excellent service from all points across the country. The hotel has provided us with postage-free reservation cards which you will be receiving in March, and we hope you will mail them in promptly, if you wish to make reservations earlier address the White House Inn, 237 West Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28201: telephone: area code 704-332-1121. For further information, I shall be glad to hear from you: address J.E. Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205. ***** ** Summary of Minutes -- ACB Board Meeting The fall meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind was called to order by President Reese Robrahn, Saturday, November 9, at 10:20 AM in the Ramada-Lambert Motel, St. Louis, MO. All fourteen members of the Board were present. After establishing an agenda, Ned Freeman, editor of THE BRAILLE FORUM, reported that the FORUM mailing list was showing a phenomenal increase. He furnished Board members with a braille copy of material prepared for his use at the AAIB and AAWB meetings in Toronto. In his opinion ACB attendance at these conventions stimulated interest in ACB and was very worthwhile. ACB National Representative Durward McDaniel gave a highly informative and thorough report of his activities since our July convention. He then explained a project for expanding credit union services and recommended that we make application for assistance on this project from the Department of HEW. He also outlined a proposed program which would extend Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage to ACB members on a nationwide basis. Finance Chairman Floyd Qualls then reported on several new fund-raising proposals for the Board's consideration. On behalf of the Oregon Council of the Blind, Treasurer Fred Krepela presented President Robrahn a gavel made of Oregon myrtlewood to be used by him and his successors. The Board expressed appreciation for this fine gesture of friendship. The Treasurer proceeded with a detailed report of receipts and disbursements since August 1. Budget Committee Chairman Dave Krause read the prospective budget for 1969 with its estimated receipts totaling $86,550 and estimated disbursements of $79,458.36. The budget was discussed item by item and approved. During a discussion of the Public Relations item in the budget, a letter was read from the President of the American Association of Workers for the Blind offering Ned Freeman, as a member of the AAWB Board and an ACB representative, a temporary seat on the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. Some financial ACB participation would have been required and, in view of some restrictions stipulated in the letter, the Board instructed that a polite negative reply be sent. Following discussion of ACB awards it was decided that both awards currently existing be retained and that either or both awards shall be given in 1969, provided worthy recipients are found. President Robrahn then initiated a discussion relative to an Illinois resolution. Bradley Burson took the floor and explained that this resolution was drawn up by the Illinois Federation of the Blind Board of Directors as a step toward consolidating the national organized blind movement. The President was instructed to reply to our affiliate expressing our willingness to participate, should such a discussion actually be arranged by the IFB. ... The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Jane Schmitt ***** ** Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America By Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative American Council of the Blind At the end of November three state organizations of stand operators have voted to affiliate with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. Individual operators in many other states have already joined as members at large. The initial plans for this occupational group originated at the Council's 1967 convention. The RSVA now has a board of directors and will continue to have the backing of ACB as it works to establish the first national organization of its kind. This progressive organization is led by operators who understand the acute need for the strength which comes from unity. They realize that the problems connected with their employment are growing and that they can protect themselves only through their combined efforts. The proposed Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1968 are but one example of the need for collective action by operators and other blind persons. Those amendments were killed in committee because you sent such a flood of letters and telegrams to Congress expressing opposition and requesting public hearings in response to the critical analysis circulated by the American Council of the Blind. Stand operators everywhere are urged to join the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. Information and assistance can be obtained by writing the ACB Office, Suite 215, 20 E Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20001. ***** ** Amateur Theater -- Elbee Style By David Swerdlow, Director The ELBEE AUDIO PLAYERS of New York City has just opened its 7th season of dramatic reading productions for the community. Their name is taken from the initials of Louis Braille, who did so much to open the treasures of music, literature and drama for those of us who cannot see. With over 30 plays in its expanding repertoire, ELBEE is an independent troupe of blind, amateur, Repertory Players directed by the author and his sighted wife, Lilian. They have developed a most flexible art form — a kind of portable theater, offering great opportunity for creative self-expression and enjoyment for blind persons interested in drama. Taking two old forms — dramatic readings and radio drama — we have combined and given them a richer, fuller dimension for players and audience alike. By telling their story here, ELBEE Players hope to stimulate other groups throughout the country to take a closer look at the vast potential of dramatic reading productions. It is a Wednesday evening, 10 pm, at 621 West End Avenue. We have just finished another rehearsal for our latest production -- An Evening with Somerset Maugham" three fascinating one-act plays adapted from the motion pictures -- "Trio" and "Quartet." Now we can relax. Refreshments -- soda, cake, ice cream -- are being brought in. The Players put their braille scripts back into briefcases. There is laughter and a buzz of animated conversation. We begin our interview for the BRAILLE FORUM by posing some basic questions: What do you get out of performing with the ELBEE Players? How do you reach and hold your audience? What do you think of our audio-drama technique? How do you bring a character to life with your voice alone? Do you think ELBEE creates a good image for the Blind? Why don't sighted drama groups invite blind players to join them more often? The cast of ten agrees unanimously that the first important reason for such a project is the opportunity for self-expression and the personal enjoyment it affords, plus "the satisfaction and inspiration when we perform at hospitals, institutions, etc." Ed Weiss, Rehab Counselor, wanted since childhood to be an actor. "As acting, by and large, is not open to the blind, I've been forced to make this an avocation rather than a vocation. I am certain there are many blind persons who enjoy dramatics as I do. ..." Stephen Cassel, student, Manhattan School of Music, is a singer who "always wanted to act." He says, "An audience must be caught in the first few minutes. I listen closely and when I hear that certain indefinable hush, I know I have them. In singing, it's the same way -- a hundred little signs, not only laughter and applause — tell you how you are doing. It's great to know that you've reached them by your voice alone. This is exciting. The true creative process." "Quiet attention on the part of the audience is the true criteria," Kitty Gormley, teacher at the New York Institute, believes. "This usually comes after the audience has become involved in the play and gotten over their awe in seeing us read braille so fluently." Gary Kiffel, student, NYU, ELBEE's sound engineer, says, "I think we are working in an art form which relies to some degree on pre-recorded music and sound on tape to help the Players guide the audience across the stage of its imagination. Music and sound effects are subtle additions to the reality of a production and add measurably to the realism of a performance. The Players themselves, however, are the major contribution to the painting of any mood in a performance." Barbara Wetmore and Marcia Moffitt are Dictaphone-typists, Welfare Dept. Barbara reports, "When we played at Hillside Hospital before a group of psychiatric patients, I was Sara Delano Roosevelt in the play 'Sunrise at Campobello.' Later a boy in his 20s came over and shyly thanked me. The Social Worker got very excited. 'That's the first time that boy has uttered a word in 3 weeks.'" Lilian Swerdlow added, "I like to think we have a constant love affair going with our audiences. This is what a good theater is all about." Bob Dunderman and Dolores Loewy, both of whom work for a department store, are new members of the troupe and find themselves "amazed by the way a character comes to life through the voice alone." "Everything we know and feel about a character must be put into our voice," said Steve. "We know that this is it. No gestures, movement or any of the usual stage business to fall back on. ... Our plays are a symphony of voices. Audio-drama is far-reaching. There are practically no limits to where you can go. Shifting from scene to scene is just a music break away." The Players have master copies of the scripts in braille and inkprint. The first thing they do is read the entire script, then study carefully and partially memorize their part — although in audio it's not necessary to memorize lines. The characters become alive as the players become the person they are portraying, and they begin to relate to each other. The Players believe that ELBEE creates a wonderful image for the blind. Because of their complete independence and tremendous repertoire, ELBEE goes out and performs for sighted people in their own organizations. The public is learning that the blind can perform artistically in any setting and under any condition. Audio is an excellent dramatic medium for the blind because the effort of mobility on stage is avoided. Barbara says, "Sighted drama groups don't invite us to join because they are simply not aware of what we can do." Therefore, ELBEE, in its search for new players, invites sighted players to join them. As Ed says, "It would be pointless to discriminate against a player who performs well merely because he is not blind. After all, it is a blind and sighted world in which we live. Why not a blind and sighted amateur dramatic Repertory Group?" ELBEE may be an amateur dramatic group, but we have a professional attitude toward our work and love good theater. We hope that blind men and women living in the New York area will join us. We are now rehearsing "Dear Me, the Sky is Falling" by Leonard Spigelgass. ***** ** For A Broader Social Life (Excerpts from an Editorial by Winthrop K. Howe, Jr., member AFB Board of Trustees, which appeared in the February NEW OUTLOOK.) In recent years, much has been done to help the blind, but unfortunately the overall effort has not, in my opinion, included an aggressive program to develop an adequate social life for persons with little or no vision. In the following paragraphs I hope to persuade the blind, and those who work for the blind, that such a program is not only necessary but practical. … Despite phenomenal gains made during this century in bringing new and improved services, there is, I believe, one area where little has been done and great achievement is possible. Many blind persons who would benefit substantially from a more interesting social life have been unable to do so. They have not learned to combat the problem arising from the fact that the blind ae discriminated against socially. Many persons engaged in helping the sightless do not agree that there is such discrimination and as a result the subject is extremely controversial. My own experience, plus that of other knowledgeable blind persons, convinces me that social discrimination against us exists and makes our attempt to live normally very difficult. Such discrimination exists because of what is often called the law of minorities. This law, simply stated, is that the public judges individuals in a group, whether they be there because of race, color, creed or physical impairment, by its impressions of the average, less competent members. Those who are competent are only recognized as being better than the "norm" when their accomplishments are appreciated as a result of long association with members of majorities. I decided that one way to overcome this discrimination is through training in the social amenities. For many years I have had increasingly strong convictions that there are numbers of blind people with sufficient learning capacity and tenacity materially to improve their social lives if someone would show them how. My hope is that those who work for the blind as well as the blind themselves will appreciate the fact that there is a vital need for a social training program and will take action to implement it. Such a program would involve a careful selection of candidates; the preparation of a course of study; the organization of an extensive series of practice sessions and, perhaps most important, the choosing of appropriate teachers and assistants. ... The curriculum would include instruction in grooming, dress, acceptable conversational practices, the elimination of blindisms such as shuffling, stooping, improvement in the attitude of blind participants toward sighted persons who offer help of various kinds, and the development of what for lack of a better word can be called the "light touch." The watchword should be "laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone." ... Practice sessions would involve the assumption of the role of host or hostess at social functions with socially knowledgeable sighted persons as part of the group. The most logical candidates for this training would be single boys or girls in their late teens or early twenties. In this age group the need is greatest because courting is difficult and lack of social success with sighted persons is apt to drive young blind people to associate exclusively with each other. I have been commercially blind since birth and went through the tortures that seem to be the lot of teenagers with little or no vision. After graduation from Harvard Business School I was urged to join church, political and social groups where I made many lasting friendships. Interest in music also permitted me to join in many social functions. I have perhaps been more fortunate than many in having a father and others who encouraged and advise me ... I am sure I could not possibly have done as well if I had not had their encouragement. I have worked at convincing sighted persons that I do not bear characteristics of the "norm" as discussed above and I feel that I am able to hold my own in groups of interesting, sighted people. I desperately want other blind people to be able to look forward to the type of progress I have achieved and, therefore, am taking every opportunity to sell this concept to workers for the blind as well as the blind themselves. The many advances in education, technology and in economic areas are not enough to create in the minds of sightless people a healthy attitude toward society. Satisfactory social life must be added, when and where possible. ****** A happy bit of news which will be of special interest to many ACB members has reached the FORUM office just as this issue goes to press. Wanda St. Clair, formerly field representative for the Oklahoma League for the Blind and now in Washington as secretary to ACB's National Representative, was married on November 22nd to Joe C. Krauel, also from Oklahoma City. The groom is well acquainted with ACB having served as a proofreader for the large type edition of THE BRAILLE FORUM, which is published by the Oklahoma League. He plans to establish his own band instrument repair business in Washington. The wedding took place in Washington with Dave and Betty Krause as attendants. On behalf of the American Council the FORUM staff extends all good wishes to these good friends. ****** ** New Orleans Report By Ned Freeman While in New Orleans to attend the National Rehabilitation Association convention, October 21-23, there were opportunities for contacts and meetings which may prove of greater importance to ACB and the blind of Louisiana and the Southeast than the convention itself. Although the notice was short, some 25 members of the New Orleans chapter of Louisiana Federation turned out for an evening meeting. We discussed many things during several hours, including ACB, the advantages of a strong national voice for the blind, and the problems facing vending stand programs throughout the country. Eight operators were present and these appointed a 3-man committee to take preliminary steps toward the possible formation of a Louisiana Chapter of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. Additional information has been sent to this group from the National Office and it is understood that an organizing meeting of operators has been called. The Louisiana VR agency has recently established a Rehabilitation Center in conjunction with Delgado College, a vocational oriented school which has many years of experience in this field. The Center evaluates and counsels clients and then funnels them into appropriate training programs of the college. The most recent innovation at this facility is a department which specializes in the training and placement of the deaf. In discussing the fact that only the business school and craft shop facilities of the college were being utilized for blind clients, mention was made of the pilot machine shop and small motor repair project begun three or four years ago at the North Dakota School of Science. Those I spoke with were unfamiliar with the work at the ND school but expressed interest -- perhaps something of this kind could be done at Delgado. Information has been sent to Louisiana officials by the Washington RSA office. There is a distinct possibility that in the not too distant future blind persons in the southeast with mechanical aptitudes may be able to receive training in this field. The NRA is a huge organization and getting bigger every year. As it grows, the relative position of services for the blind becomes ever smaller. But before I discuss the convention, let me first advise anyone in charge of convention arrangements to sign a contract with the hotel employees' union as well as with the hotel itself. A strike at the headquarters hotel really fouled things up for the committee. Many events originally scheduled for one hotel had to be transferred to two others some six blocks away (in opposite directions!) and taxi drivers were loath to pick up or discharge passengers across the picket lines. Conventionaires were quartered all over town and information was most difficult to come by. There was the program mailed out in advance, a revised program for those in attendance, and a correction sheet issued at the last minute and, even so, additional changes were made apparently on the spur of the moment. And not a single cell of braille anywhere! (What with strikes, and riots and an earthquake during our Board meeting in St. Louis, we are really coming to a realization of the instability of the times!) But back to the matter of VR expansion. Even those working in general rehab agencies are beginning to fear their programs, for all categories of the physically handicapped will be seriously curtailed by the new emphasis on the emotionally, culturally and socially disadvantaged. One state administrator was heard to say, "If a boy wants to go to college and his parents can't afford to send him, all he has to do is steal a car, spend six months in prison, and VR will hand him four years free tuition." Of course, it isn't that simple, but there is a danger that available funds will be syphoned off from the vocational rehabilitation of the physically handicapped. We do not object to anyone with an employment disadvantage receiving all the assistance he can use. We do believe that such programs should be funded and administered separately from the services for the vocational rehabilitation of the physically handicapped. There were special group meetings in New Orleans for those concerned with services for the blind at which this problem was among the matters discussed. Both Miss Mary Switzer, Administrator, SRS, and Joseph Hunt, RSA Commissioner, assured the group that no dilution or decrease in concern for the older programs would occur. We hope they are right, but all of us must be on the alert against such a possibility. ***** ** More About Job-Training By George Card I should like to comment on the article by Mr. Leonard Aymon appeared in the November issue. Mr. Aymon is certainly right. The greatest and most glaring weakness in our American blind welfare program is the lack of advanced vocational training. True, we do send more blind students through college than in any other country and some of these do find jobs in teaching, social work, the civil service and the practice of law, but many others just take their diplomas home and wait. At times it has seemed as though some counselors simply shunt blind youngsters into college when they are really not college material, as a way of getting them off their backs for four or more years and thus postponing the day when they will have to face up to the placement problem. Many idle blind college graduates could have become excellent physiotherapists, piano technicians, stand operators, mechanics, switchboard operators, darkroom technicians, medical secretaries, operators of telephone answering services, etc., etc. -- if only the advanced vocational training they needed had been available. Adjustment and orientation centers offer pre-vocational training and a little mobility (which are certainly important and necessary), but no really salable skills. Many residential schools for the blind no longer teach piano tuning, although there are many openings for good blind tuners. Most regular vocational schools are closed to the blind. Schools of osteopathy no longer accept blind students, and it is becoming more and more difficult for blind chiropractors to get past their state examining boards. The one bright spot in this picture is the field of computer programming. The situation in Great Britain presents a striking contrast. The Royal National Institute for the Blind maintains an excellent college for blind physiotherapists, with all the most modern equipment and many specially adapted devices for the use of blind practitioners. After completing the course, the blind trainee spends his senior year at a regular sighted physiotherapy college and takes the same final examination as his sighted peers. When we visited this RNIB facility away back in 1954 we were told that there were then more than six hundred graduates in remunerative practice, most of them on hospital staffs or working with a physician as a member of a team. In the United Kingdom there are also splendidly run facilities for advanced training for the blind in machine shop techniques (which they call "light engineering"), for blind telephonists and for shorthand typists and other facilities for the training of home teachers and musicians. The great adjustment center at Torquay can now handle up to three hundred newly blind a year and, after each has been given the most thorough evaluation, can send them on to one or another of the specialized advanced training facilities, or recommend them for a university course. And finally, there is Hethersett, where dropouts from the residential schools or others who need a few additional credits for the equivalent of a high school diploma are given wonderful individual training and counseling. ***** ** Now -- The Sonic Aid The Ultra Sonic Aid, first electronic mobility device commercially produced to assist the blind, is now being distributed by Beltone Electronics Corp., which has been concerned primarily with devices to assist the deaf. A recent issue of Beltone's magazine BETWEEN FRIENDS features several color photos of Fred Gissoni, Lexington, Kentucky, putting the Sonic Aid through its paces before fascinated onlookers in Washington, DC. "Gissoni recently appeared nationally on NBC news programs demonstrating the new Beltone Sonic Aid. A young man with an endearing sense of humor ... he remarked facetiously that he thought the Sonic Aid might even ferret out a gal in a mini-skirt. But, he added, the style probably won't stay around long enough for people like him to master the full art of the Sonic Aid detection. "About the size of a flashlight, with an attached cord and earpiece, the Sonic Aid is hand-held. … It projects a beam of ultrasonic sound which a blind user 'aims' at objects ad the terrain in his path. It operates in a fashion not unlike a ship's sonar, searching for a submarine beneath the ocean. In fact, its inventor, Dr. Leslie Kay of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, was a developer of radar. "The Aid user learns to distinguish the various sounds of objects much as the trained listener to music can sort out the sounds of particular instruments in an orchestra. For example, the symmetrical pattern of stairs produces a sound much like the notes of a musical scale. Once a Sonic Aid 'trainee' masters the whole range of sounds, there is no practical limit to the number and nature of objects he or she can learn to identify. Objects may be detected and identified at a distance of up to 20 feet and a user may even locate an empty seat on a bus or train! "A comprehensive training course will be conducted initially by the Hadley School. The cost of the Sonic Aid includes the carefully planned course of instruction." The "language" of the Sonic Aid is complicated and the user requires a considerable period of training to enable him to interpret fully the information concerning his environment which the Aid can supply. To meet this training need Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm St., Winnetka, IL, has developed a training course for potential users which will also determine whether a given individual can benefit from this new device. It is our understanding that the Beltone Untra Sonic Aid will only be sold to those who have demonstrated an aptitude for its use and who are recommended by their Vocational Rehab Agency. ***** ** Teleteaching From the October NEW OUTLOOK FOR THE BLIND: Each weekday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Lillian Brown sits in a tiny anteroom at Washington Boulevard School in Los Angeles and drops nine perforated plastic cards, one after another, into the automatic dialer of a telephone console unit. Immediately the telephones of nine blind students begin ringing and within a few minutes she is teaching a class in braille writing. Teleteaching, as the system is called was first started in 1962 as a cooperative project of Pacific Telephone Company and the Los Angeles City School System. Last year there were 637 public school children in Los Angeles participating in the simulated form of classroom instruction designed for homebound physically handicapped students. Since a large number of blind adults are also homebound (by multiple handicaps, lack of transportation, etc.) Braille Institute's executive director, Russell W. Kirbey, decided six months ago to initiate a pilot project, using the system with a selected group of nine students. He believed that several subjects necessary for the rehabilitation of the blind could be taught successfully with the system: Braille reading, typing, certain parts of home management classes as well as portions of the techniques of daily living class (learning to organize clothes, identify money, grooming, etc.). In addition to the basic training courses, there were other courses which the Institute schedules at the request of blind students and which seemed particularly consonant with the system: current events, spelling, languages, creative writing, literature, business law, etc. Although the nine students in Mrs. Brown's class have vastly dissimilar backgrounds and differ greatly in formal education, she feels that the instruction is definitely effective. She finds that the more advanced students are willing to help the less advanced ones. The console allows "conference calls" or hookups which allow all students to speak or hear her -- or to each other as a group; it allows her to isolate members for private instruction; it allows her to tie two or more students into a secondary bridge while she works with a beginner; or she can play taped instructions and recordings to one segment while teaching another directly. Lights on the console indicate which students are conversing at all times. Mrs. Brown finds teaching the adult blind students quite challenging since there can be no reference to visual aids. And it is perhaps a little more stimulating since the instruction also provides a needed sociability which is not available to many sightless. "They make friends with each other very quickly," she says. "And they are quick to help each other. They see that someone cares." Although it was anticipated, the Institute found the therapeutic value greater than expected. Loneliness, a very real factor in the lives of many blind persons, is not completely eliminated but with the advent of teleteaching some of the blind can be expected to feel released from the four-walled prison to which circumstances or physical disabilities other than blindness have confined them. Kirbey hopes to acquire a new unit for the Institute in order that the program can be extended to as many as one hundred students during a semester. Thus the homebound blind will have an unparalleled opportunity to receive daily instruction from highly qualified teachers in a large variety of subjects and skills. ***** ** Georgia Expands Library Services Two programs designed to give blind persons greater access to the printed work, which we in Georgia have been advocating for some years, have now been put into effect. These additional services were made possible by Federal funds made available for the expansion of the Library of Congress program, and the energetic and imaginative efforts of Lee Steele, new director of state library services. ACB took an active part in securing the legislation improving library services and was largely responsible for much of the wording of the final bill which was passed by both Houses. The Georgia Federation has been striving to persuade local public libraries to move toward the criteria for library services for blind patrons of public libraries which were set forth in the COMSTAC standards and endorsed by the American Library Association. In October the Georgia Regional Library began circulating "Tape Editorials, Atlanta," consisting of editorials taken from the Atlanta Constitution and the Atlanta Journal. The Editorials are read daily as they appear during the week, Monday through Sunday, concluding Saturday night with the early edition of the combined Sunday paper. The copying is done by volunteers on Sunday afternoon and the tapes are in the mail Monday morning. This is a one-drop mailing: each subscriber receives his own copy which is read promptly and returned. At present about fifty copies are distributed, but this number is increasing as the word spreads. The second new service is one which may be of far greater importance, especially to Georgia's blind high school and college students. The Library has placed 26 Sony 105 portable tape recorders in public libraries throughout the state to serve exclusively blind and otherwise physically handicapped readers. One tape recorder has been loaned to the Georgia Rehab Center for use by its students. Librarians have accepted the tape recorders in order to make their inkprint collections accessible to blind readers. The tape recorder and a supply of tape is available for use by a friend or relative of the blind reader at any time the library is open. This service is offered free of charge, and it is expected that the tape used will be replaced or returned. Books which can be borrowed from the library cannot be recorded at the library and there can be no listening to pre-recorded tapes. It is our hope that many other libraries will follow Georgia's lead in opening new doors to learning. ** Latest Public Assistance Regulations A HEW release just received advises that the Dept. has issued a proposed regulation which would require State welfare agencies to continue regular assistance to a welfare recipient in cases in which a recipient is dissatisfied with a proposed termination or reduction of his assistance and requests a fair hearing, pending the hearing and decision by the State agency. The regulation would apply to disputes which arise over issues of either fact or judgment relating to the eligibility or amount of entitlement of a recipient. The policy is issued as an interpretation of the requirement in the Federal Social Security law that each State plan provide a recipient or claimant with a fair hearing, recognizing that the fair hearing requirement cannot be truly effective if persons are deprived of the necessities of life while awaiting the hearing. This is in line with a decision handed down in November, as a matter of constitutional requirement, by a three-judge Federal district court in New York. The regulation would apply to the federally aided programs of old-age assistance, aid to the blind, aid to the permanently and totally disabled, aid to families with dependent children and medical assistance. ***** ** Ned's Corner Two articles in this issue concern social life and especially the need for more contacts between blind and sighted persons. However, as is pointed out, this is not always easy. Some, but all too few, rehab centers, private agencies and volunteer groups make some attempt at training in the social amenities. Integrated campaigning programs, such as Scout groups conducted in some localities, are of much value toward the goal of greater participation. Every center, residential school and any other agency or group dealing with young blind people should institute a program of social communication in their courses of "daily living skills" and should include as an integral part of this project periodic social functions for blind and sighted young people of similar age and background. A large part of inter-personal communication between sighted persons is visual — eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, etc. -- what psychologists and social workers call "non-verbal communication." This constitutes a serious problem for the blind, especially the congenitally blind. They can't know without much sighted help the difference between a smile, a frown or a sneer. Sighted children learn these things by observation and imitation -- including practice before the mirror. How is a blind boy or girl to develop an attractive smile and "facial mobility" which will speak to the sighted world unless some concerned sighted person serves as his "mirror?" On the other hand, blind people are much more sensitive to vocal intonations and make greater use of physical contact -- a smile or a wave of the hand from a friend across the room or even across the table is completely lost on me. But a handclasp, the tone of voice, a touch or a hug can speak volumes. Our sighted friends wonder why we stand so close in conversation, even prolonging the handshake for minutes -- how else can we know we are not speaking to "the little man that wasn't there?" Our daughters learned early that they could best express annoyance with me by staccato or rhythmic stampings and squeals (which invariably turn the mood to laughter). Sighted persons need to understand that physical expressions of affection are not intended as undue familiarity. With this understanding might it not be more acceptable, for instance, for a blind person to feel the face of a friend without being considered forward? Must we depend always on another person's description or opinion of our friend? Such friends should be willing to respond meaningfully as they would return smile for smile. "Brailling" a person is really more than a joke. It is just as important that staff workers, volunteers and all others who have dealings with the blind learn this form of non-visual communication as it is for blind persons to learn to reach out visibly to their sighted associates. For this reason training in non-verbal communication with the blind should be mandatory for agency personnel and in special education courses and should be available to the families and friends of blind persons and to the general public. Better understanding of each other's form of communication would not only establish closer rapport between the blind and sighted, but sighted participants would find their own inter-personal relationships immeasurably enriched. ***** ** Open Letter to ACB Members At the Chicago Convention five years ago I sensed a secondary emphasis on things religious, which seemed so inconsistent with all other facets of ACB. Personal experiences over the past three years have confirmed this suspicion, prompting this open letter. At the Atlanta Convention in 1966 I was privileged to give the opening Invocation. My acceptance of this honor reached the President after the programs had gone to press. A Chaplain would have eliminated this oversight. A Resolution pertaining to the election of a chaplain was submitted by the writer for consideration at the Wichita Convention in 1967. This Resolution never reached the floor, it having been killed in committee with reason unknown to me. Civic, Fraternal and Military groups have Chaplains. The Blinded Veterans Association has a Chaplain. Why not ACB? The California affiliate is now considering a Constitutional Amendment to elect a Chaplain, the first reading having been made at Fresno I October 1968. Hitherto, a member of the Executive Committee has acted in this capacity by appointment of the President. A California affiliate executive phoned me the day before the 1968 Convention urging my presence as opening Invocationist and to say Grace at the banquet: In my Judgment, the parent body, not the affiliate, should have supervised this function with a Chaplain personally responsible. I believe a Memorial Service should be observed each year in memory of our honored dead with a Chaplain in charge. Their departure unnoticed constitutes a weakness in our organization. I affirm that a roll call of our entire membership would favor daily Invocations and a Memorial Service at each Convention. Hoping that things religious comparable to all others will prevail in all future programs of ACB, I am Cordially yours, Harry G. Earle ****** The BRAILLE FORUM and ACB are grateful to the following for generous contributions to "help defray expenses of publishing the BRAILLE FORUM." Braille Association of Kansas, Inc., by Stephen Lee, Treasurer John Patterson, Buffalo, NY Arthur Bushman, Reno, NV Harry Earle, Long Beach, CA ****** Shock By Louis and Lucille Cantoni We think that sudden harrowing occurrences are rare. Indeed, they seem so uncommon that, in most instances, we know about them only through television or the newspapers. The sad fact is that such happenings are not as rare as they might appear. Forty thousand fatal traffic accidents occur every year in the United States. All the survivors of these accidents have experienced some degree of emotional shock. Multiply traffic fatalities by ten to get the number of people severely maimed in automobile collisions each year in the United States. These are just ordinary people, going about their business from day to day, and in one split second their lives are completely changed. No longer are they whole, independent; no longer free to go their accustomed ways. They have lost their sight, or their hearing, or their limbs or their ability to talk, or their ability to make their bodies respond in a usual fashion. Many of the men must find new jobs and many of the women must depend upon someone else to care for their families. Social activities are changed -- one's orientation to every phase of life is different. Every day we hear and read about all kinds of accidents. The people who were hurt, those who might have been hurt, those who saw the accident, those who might have been responsible, and the loved ones who care -- each of these may suffer emotional shock, each may have his future altered because of an accident. Suddenly something tragic happens! The whole body reacts to the experience, but what was it? What struck? Something has happened so suddenly, a person is unable to integrate it into his being. He faces an often lengthy process of reliving the experience to discover what it was all about. A person's usual reaction, after he has had time to catch his breath, is to talk about the experience. Two of the girls at the office almost got hit by a car at lunch time. They tell everybody in the office, each talks at the same time, excited words tumbling in all directions. They just can't settle down and concentrate on the job! But after they have re-enacted the scene several times, they become calmer and the office settles back to normal routine. If the consequence of the accident had been more serious, and the girls more intimately involved, they may have been reluctant to tell their story to the whole office staff. In fact, if the emotional impact had been very great, it may have been difficult to talk about the experience at all. By contrast, each girl might have sought out one person to whom she could tell what happened. The words might then come slowly, with painful intensity, instead of bubbling over from sheer excitement. Whenever someone you love avoids talking about a painful experience, you can be sure that he has his reasons. Since this is something he should talk about you may feel that you need to prod him. It may be that he does not want to talk about this with you. Perhaps he started telling someone else about it and finds he needs to share this experience with one person only. Or it may be that you are just the one he cannot talk to about this. It isn't that he doesn't love you -- he may love you too much. You are simply not the one to help him see this thing in perspective. Encourage him whenever, hesitantly, he broaches the subject. Quietly, ask him if he wouldn't like to tell you about it. Assure him that it is better to get it out of his system. But don't argue. Just urge him -- gently -- and listen. If you are his close friend or relative, and if he does not tell you what happened, you will want to find out whether he has confided in anyone. If he has not, you may well be concerned. Weeks after the event occurred, if he still cannot talk about it with anyone, you may want to consult a psychiatrist. In any case, should physical symptoms appear, you will take your loved one to a doctor. If he is badly depressed, or seems to be walking around in a fog weeks after the experience, try to get him to a psychiatrist. A little skillful handling now may prevent many trying episodes in the future. ***** ** States in Action The 1968 annual convention of the Illinois Federation of the Blind concentrated on services available to blind people in Illinois. The seminar committee, Richard Schrempf, chairman, Victor Buttram and Floyd Cargill assembled three panels of professional speakers to discuss public assistance, patterns of administration, and services through a specialized publication. More than 160 members of the federation registered for the convention at the Stratford-Motor-Hotel, Alton, Illinois on October 18 and 19. The friends and guests are believed to have swelled the number to more than 200. Fewer than 2000 people receive blind assistance in Illinois. The blind assistance rolls continue to go down while all other categories of assistance go up, according to Henry McCarthy, Chief, Community Services, Department of Public Aid. There is no one answer for this, but McCarthy thinks that it is partly because of good education and rehabilitation programs; and because employment opportunities in our affluent society make such assistance unnecessary. Other members of Richard Schrempf's panel and members of the audience suggested that we also look at factors such as: strict eligibility requirements, conservative attitudes of some individual interviewers, lack of knowledge of such services, tendency to hide a blind person rather than seek assistance, keeping blind people on other forms of assistance to avoid paying the special allowances granted to blind people, and the degrading embarrassment of the "relative responsibility" and "lien" provisions. Participating on this panel were Dr. Brad Burson and Durward McDaniel. Victor Buttram's panel considered the question "Where do you go for help if you are, or know someone who is blind?" Participating were Edward Weaver, director of the state Children and Family Services, Vincil H. Swearingen of the state Division of Rehab, and Joseph Kohn, director of New Jersey State Commission for the Blind, who endeared himself to the audience when he observed that, in the final analysis, the integrity of the individuals who provide the services is more important than the formal organizational chart. The third panel featured Mrs. Patricia Smith, Information Director, AFB, who suggested ways to deal with problems inherent in producing a state publication. Participating were Mrs. Joanne Cargill, Editor, "Illinois Braille Messenger"; Don Nold, Editor, "Dialogue"; and George Stanton, State Dept. of Public Aid. Raymond Dickinson, Coordinator of Visually Handicapped Services in Illinois was recipient of the Federation's Mary McCann Award. Resolutions adopted during Saturday's Business Session included one authorizing the board of directors to invite representatives from the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind to meet with it to discuss a merger of the two National organizations. IFB officers are: Jack Reed, President; Norman Robinson, immediate past president; S. Bradley Burson, first vice-president; Victor Buttram, second vice-president; Phyllis Stern, treasurer; Floyd Cargill, secretary; Terry King, Robert O'Shaughnessy, Verle Wessel, Bernard Bunfill and Natalie Grebenic, board members. ***** ** Problems in Indiana By John P. Bermingham When the Director of Indiana's State Agency for the Blind announced that he would retire as of April 1968 the blind community of Indiana hoped that at last a person of high qualifications with real appreciation of the plight of the blind would be appointed by the Governor. Several blind persons with excellent academic qualifications, experience, and insight into the problems of the blind applied. The Advisory Committee of the Agency for the Blind appointed a three-man sub-committee to process the applications and interview the applicants before recommending four. A representative of the Indiana Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, was a member of the sub-committee. Since at present there is no affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, the NFB affiliate has virtual monopoly for representing the blind on state committees. There were 23 applicants for the position, out of which 17 were interviewed by the sub-committee. The State Director of Special Institutions sat through each interview and the State Health Commissioner was also present at a few. The sub-committee recommended a blind person for the position and also submitted names of eight other persons for consideration. The Governor refused to appoint the blind man recommended by the committee because he was not a member of the state organization and had his residence in a different state. Among the eight names recommended by the sub-committee were a couple of blind persons with high scholastic attainment and long experience in the field of general work with adult blind persons. Appointment of one of them would have made a long time dream of the Indiana blind come true. Since there is an increasing emphasis on encouraging handicapped and other minority groups to assume positions of leadership in their own communities, it was hoped that a blind person would be selected. However, the advisory committee chose the least qualified four names. The Indiana Council representative went along and did not try to get one of the better educated and experienced blind persons appointed. He had considerable weight on the committee since he represented a state organization of the blind and was on the board of a national organization of the blind. The NFB had always made noises about getting blind persons to guide their own destinies, yet a board member of theirs did not try to get well qualified blind persons recommended. The Director of Special Institutions was supposed to have personally interviewed the recommended candidates and explained to them the salary and other terms of employment. It is reported that none of the blind persons recommended by the sub-committee was so interviewed. Pressed for time, the Health Commissioner submitted one name to the Governor, after the Governor had told a group of blind persons that he had received no names from the Health Board and the Health Commissioner had told the same group that he had sent up names for final approval. The appointment went to a sighted person with far less education than the blind candidates and with no experience in work with the adult blind. In answer to protest, the Governor agreed that there were highly qualified blind persons who had applied for the position but since a decision had been reached, he felt that the new Director should get a year to prove his competency. Both the present Governor and the Health Commissioner will leave office in January 1969. We hope that their successors will be more considerate of blind persons and will try to improve the state services for the blind. But if this is to happen in order to get better services through the state, blind persons themselves will have to take a more active part by writing to state officials and legislators. They should also organize themselves as a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind and break the present monopoly of the NFB. The blind of Indiana would like to see more blind persons on the Advisory Committee of the Agency and that of the State School for the Blind. They would also like to see the abolition of the present discrimination against the hiring of qualified blind teachers in the State School for the Blind and in public schools. ***** ** Loretta's Corner First of all I would like to say how much we appreciate the many thoughtful messages that come to us at the Blessed Holiday Season. Please accept this as our personal message to each one of you with all good wishes for a New Year of usefulness and contentment. Some have been kind enough to ask that our travelogue be continued -- so, now we are back in the good ol' USA. After a full and interesting week in San Francisco (interrupted for me by two trips to the doctor and too many hours spent feeling puny) we headed home, but not too hurriedly. Flying over those great green mountains of our West presented quite a contrast to the jagged volcanic ones of Hawaii -- and it was thrilling to look down on the sapphire jewel below that was Lake Tahoe! In Salt Lake City we learned much about the Mormons, their faith, diligence and dedication -- and we toured the lofty site from which their founding fathers first glimpsed the great valley. It was interesting to learn that the extensive, well-planned gardens that abound throughout the area must be maintained with water which comes from way up the mountains -- it almost never rains in the valley. A short hop on a much smaller plane took us to Jackson, Wyoming, where, from a tiny airport out on an apparently deserted plateau, we had our first glimpse of those awe-some snow-covered Tetons, a sight never to be forgotten. We met our Yellowstone Tour at picturesque Jackson Lake Lodge and were soon deep in the majesty of Yellowstone Park -- more splendid than any words or pictures could describe. Here, as throughout our entire vacation, the weather was perfect, enabling us to get pictures of fantastic views of water falls and far away mountain peaks, as well as closeups of bears beside the road and unique rock formations. An hour-long boat ride around the enormous Yellowstone Lake took us to the very old, but elegantly simple Lake Hotel where we had a sumptuous dinner and a restful night after lingering a while just enjoying the beauty of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Another day of driving amid lofty mountains, steaming pools, geysers, lava beds -- including lunch at Mammoth Hot Springs -- brought us to the fabled Old Faithful Inn, which is a priceless legend in itself. Built entirely of native trees selected for the shape of their branches, knots and even the roots to form the stairways and balconies which have become polished from many hands through its sixty years, the lodge is still a dignified, beautifully managed hotel. We were privileged to see Old Faithful geyser perform twice -- the second time a long-delayed eruption after dark which lasted beyond the usual span and was well worth watching for. Next morning brought another special for us when we strolled through the geyser basis in the chill and humidity of early morning. The entire surface of the area was steaming with innumerable little spurts of vapor which soon disappeared with the warmer air. Here again, we were reluctant to leave without seeing the entire park, but there was yet much ahead for us. A glimpse of the amazing Idaho Falls as our bus drove through that city was quite a surprise and a well-timed layover in Cheyenne gave us an opportunity to experience the "Old West" in great style. This was the annual celebration of Frontier Days and almost everybody was in costume. There was pistol shooting in the streets, costumed dancers enjoying the Virginia Reel in a hotel lobby, all amid much noise and hoopla. A weekend in Denver with relatives climaxed a very special vacation which will live long in our memory. ***** ** Here and There By George Card From TODAY'S HEALTH: There are frequent cases where an individual wishes help for defective vision, but is unwilling to undertake well-recognized treatment. As a result, people suffering from blinding eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataract may ignore essential treatment in favor of exercises and other methods based largely on wishful thinking. There is no basis in fact for extravagant claims of "curing" such eye defects as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism (all of which are related to structural conditions) by means of eye exercises. From the OCB BULLETIN: The combined thinking of the organized blind produced many changes. It was blind people who first conceived residential schools for the blind; it was blind people who pressed for adequate aid grants, better Social Security provisions, better jobs. Vocational rehabilitation for the blind was the result of pressure being applied by the organized blind; pressure is still being applied by the blind to make the vocational rehabilitation program more practical. It was the organized blind who insisted that blind persons be certified to teach in our public schools, that they be allowed to work in Civil Service jobs, to practice law, etc. Those blind who sit outside and complain can take no credit for the benefits that the organized blind have brought about. Clyde Ross writes: "We have just installed a $3000 machine for cutting rubber in the little workshop which our chapter operates. We have other equipment for other kinds of work and a little more sub-contract work seems to be coming in. I am working with the Vocational Rehabilitation counselor for the development of jobs and blind prospects for the jobs. Our school for adult blind and sighted transcribers totals about 50. We have introduced some new classes. They are first aid, public speaking and current events. We were and are teaching the use of the abacus braille, typing, hobbies and handicraft. From September through May our adult school for the blind will cost approximately $3000. We are in the process of purchasing a house to be used for our multi-handicapped blind school. We are paying for the house out of money left in an estate. The operation of the school runs approximately $10,000 a year." (I wonder if any other local chapter can match the above for productive activity — especially since, in addition to what Clyde mentions, the chapter operates a modern and comfortable residential home for the blind). From the ILLINOIS BRAILLE MESSENGER: Confusion concerning rights of blind people wielding white canes or being guided by a dog was clarified by recent acts of the Illinois legislature which passed definitive laws to augment existing vehicle codes. Blind persons experiencing embarrassing challenges when entering public restaurants and places of accommodation, public transportation entertainment and recreational facilities, etc., may now refer their objectors to H.B. 235, which provides that persons denying such entries to blind persons with guide dogs will be subject to penalties as a misdemeanor. -- In New Zealand research workers are fitting rats with contact lenses. This enables them to take photographs of the rat's retina. The researchers are studying eye damage and blindness caused by high blood pressure. -- Officials in New York are recommending free transportation to jobs for handicapped persons who support themselves. During recent hearings, one woman told how she had to give up her job because she earned $69 a week working in a state job, and it cost her $50 a week for taxi fare because she was unable to use other transportation. -- The Illinois Congress of the Blind was organized August 10 at the Sherman House in Chicago. The organization is an affiliate of NFB and has 78 charter members. It is described in the FIRST CONGRESSIONAL RECORD issued by the new affiliate as "For almost a decade now, the first organization in Illinois which is truly of the blind, by the blind and for the blind." (This last must have come as quite a shock to the Illinois Federation of the Blind, which has been a truly representative organization of the blind for a great many years.) The current issue of the FLORIDA WHITE CANE calls attention to the fact that you need no longer return your Talking Book Machine when moving to another state. Simply report your move to your state agency, together with the serial number which is found on the side with the carrying handle. The lending agency in your new state will be notified by your former lending agency and you can go on from there without interruption. From LISTEN: A program guaranteeing a basic annual income for civilian blind persons who are in need could lead to the replacement of our whole ingrown, outmoded, degrading welfare system, members of the Blinded Veterans Association were told by the Rev. Thomas J. Carroll, national chaplain. In calling for active backing of the proposal now, Father Carroll said that the guaranteed annual income is no longer a partisan idea but is backed by the leading conservative economist, by manufacturers and bankers, by a group of governors, by the Mayors' Conference, by liberal forces. -- The BVA achievement award this year went to Paul Duke, of Cherry Hill, N.J., the first blind person to enter the computer programming field. Irvin P. Schloss, Washington, D.C., was re-elected president. -- The Center for Sensory Aids Evaluation and Development at Massachusetts Institute of Technology has named Vito Proscia to take over the duties of the late John K. Dupress. His principal job will be to direct research on new mobility aids and devices in order to bring them to the point of practical use by blind persons. -- George Toporcer, St. Louis Cardinal infielder in the 1920s who has been blind since 1951, feels that in today's baseball, there are too many strikeouts and not enough hits. His remedy is to move the pitching rubber back four inches and lower the maximum height of the mound by the same amount. -- Buddy LaBrozzi, who is seven and lives in Ohio, was given a trip to Disneyland by neighbors who raised $1,300 so that the youngster could go before he becomes totally blind. -- A recent study showed that 11% of rubella children are mentally retarded, some degree of deafness is common, about 15% of the children are blind in one eye or both, 28% have behavioral or personality problems, about 40% are unusually small in physical development and 50% have neurologic abnormalities, often with limitations on motor skills. -- Computers are being used to help measure the cornea to allow more accurate fitting of contact lenses. -- In his column, John Mungovan writes: "One of the principal factors in keeping the Commission for the Blind an up-to-date, viable organization is the fact that we are fortunate enough to have supervisors with imagination and enterprise. They do not devote themselves to the maintenance of the status quo. They see ways to keep our service programs alive and responsive to the needs of persons who become blind ... I think that the title of home teacher for the blind is an honored titled and should be preserved." -- Joseph Lazaro won the National Blind Golfers' Tournament for the third time this year nosing out his old rival, Charles Boswell (who had won it fifteen times) by two strokes. The tournament was held at Concord, Mass. -- A Hong Kong blind choir is making hundreds of appearances throughout this country in the course of its current tour. From the NAPH PIONEER: At the national bridge tournaments in Minneapolis a blind woman from Oak Park Illinois Mrs. Lois Wiley, received the highest rank of any blind player in the U.S., finishing fifth in the mixed bridge team championships. From the Iowa Association of the Blind BULLETIN: We have learned to fly through the air like birds and to swim through the sea like fish. All that remains is to learn to walk on the earth like men. -- True liberty consists in the privilege of enjoying our own rights, not in the destruction of the rights of others. -- The editor, Bill Klontz, writes that he is not opposed to the IAB Credit Union, but he did oppose putting the Loan Fund money into the Credit Union because he felt it was a breach of faith with the public. The money was raised to give cheap three percent loans to needy blind. Now no one can borrow from it but the moderately well-to-do who can pay 12 percent interest. – Bill is retiring with this issue after many years of splendid service. The Washington State WHITE CANE contains the account of an editorial in THE ISSAQUAH PRESS which sharply criticizes the mayor for having appointed a blind man as dispatcher for the police and fire departments, ignoring the fact that his sighted wife is also on duty at this switchboard. In a devastating reply the WHITE CANE editor uses this incident to point up the narrowminded prejudices which still exist in the minds of so many uninformed persons. THE BLIND ADVOCATE (U.K.) records the passing of T.H. (Tom) Smith, General Secretary of the National League of the Blind and Disabled, who has deserved a high rating among world leaders of the blind. The National League of the Blind is the largest and mot powerful organization of the blind in the United Kingdom and Mr. Smith contributed greatly to its growth and its many achievements. From the CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OUTLOOK: There are at least 4,200,000 blind people in the British Commonwealth of Nations, about a third of the world's blindness. If they marched two abreast, the column would stretch 1,100 miles. Unless decisive action is taken, the number will increase through population growth to 8,000,000 by the end of this century. From the AFB WASHINGTON REPORT: Sen. Lister Hill told his colleagues that the newly created National Eye Institute would focus concerted attention on medical research into the causes, cures and prevention and in addition would support studies related to the health, social and economic characteristics of the blind population. From THE LION: Man in his weakness is the creature of circumstances; man in his strength is creator of circumstances. From the November NEW OUTLOOK: The American Foundation's Migel Medals went this year to William Gibson, author of "The Miracle Worker" and other plays, and to Dr. Berthold Lowenfeld, pre-eminent in the field of education of the blind. -- The Rev. Dr. Gabriel Farrell, director of the Perkins School for the Blind from 1931 to 1951, died September 18 at his home in Cambridge, Mass. -- The title of the magazine, THE HOME TEACHER, has been changed to REHABILITATION TEACHER. The change in name has been made to conform with current terminology. -- A new piano tuning school for adult males, the Piano Clinic and Training Center, will open shortly in Batavia, N.Y. For more information, write Loren A. Pelkey, program instructor and director, Piano Clinic and Training Center, 544 East Main Street, Batavia, N.Y. 14020. After demonstrating how inadequate present appeals procedure is, under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and other appeal legislation, Durward McDaniel writes: "It is often asserted that the consumer always has a remedy because judicial review of agency action is available. This assertion does not withstand careful analysis. The courts are no longer an effective instrument for remedying the wrongs of modern administrative action. They are too costly, too cumbersome and too slow. Moreover, the extent of their power to review is severely limited by the doctrine of sovereign immunity and by statutes providing for the finality of agency decisions." The organized blind movement in Australia lost one of its greatest leaders with the passing of Tim Fuery on November 11. Tim had visited the U.S. and Europe several years ago and had planned to repeat this journey in 1969. He will be sadly missed. On November 10 a sizable organization of blind vending stand operators in California voted unanimously to join the national organization known as the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. This national organization is growing very rapidly and will probably become an occupational affiliate of A.C.B. From the Wisconsin Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped NEWSLETTER: Q. Suppose I were to hire a blind applicant who seems competent, and I find later that he doesn't measure up to the requirements of the job. Won't I find myself in a most difficult situation in disassociating him from the company? A. New Employees are customarily "on probation." The handicapped applicant is not looking for special favor. He wants a chance to try out the job and the right to be treated as any other employee. Those who work with the handicapped insist that emotionalism either for or against the handicapped person has no place in the program. -- Q. We are in a sharply competitive business. Our production standards are high and our work force must be able-bodied and healthy. It may be all right for some companies but under the circumstances how can I mix the handicapped with A-1 employees? A. The term "handicapped" to some people implies a lack of ability or capacity to perform useful work competitively. So-called "handicapped" workers have proved successful in thousands of jobs where their skills and abilities have been matched with the work requirements. You want efficient workers and there is no suggestion that you hire applicants on any other basis than their ability to perform the job. To do this successfully, prejudice against physically handicapped persons who are able and willing to work must be eliminated. From the Washington State WHITE CANE: In most continental European countries a white cane is not the standard instrument to help and identify the blind. Instead most wear an armband in yellow with three large black dots. The white cane would seem to be a superior method. -- Under P.L. 90-431 disabled veterans are authorized to undergo vocational rehabilitation on a part-time basis and trainees will be able to work while taking advantage of the training available. Previously disabled veterans were required to enter full-time training in order to qualify for this benefit. -- I find it helpful when reading Braille magazines to place a paper clip at the top of the last page read. It is easier to turn to when you are ready to read again. -- Oscar Mortenson. The Pa. Federation of the Blind FALL BULLETIN reports that the P.F.B. has been added to the number of state organizations of the blind seeking legislation to try to create a state commission for the blind. -- For 33 years the PFB policy has been to object to public and private state agencies with "Blind" in their names to violate the definition of blindness by soliciting funds in the name of the blind and serving the non-blind. A quote from a former Executive Secretary of the Pa. Assn. for the Blind, "25 of 31 P.A.B. Branches of the Blind serve no useful purpose," and from a former Commissioner of the Office for the Blind, "2/3 of 76 State Agencies 'for the blind' in Pa. could close their doors and they would not be missed by the blind." ***** ** Letters from Readers (Addresses furnished on request) Lana Crawshaw, Bridgeville, PA: I am so glad that there is a magazine that is so dedicated to the blind. I'm one of the new readers and I find the FORUM very informative and provocative. I learn things about state agencies and other facts pertaining to the blind that I never knew before. I intend to be a bi-monthly reader of the FORUM for the rest of my life so please keep me on the FORUM mailing list. I am also interested in ACB. John P. Patterson, Buffalo, NY: ... I was quite interested in the articles on Braille Writers, Slates, etc. I have had two Banks Braille writers whose inefficiency I exhibited to the Lions Club through whom they were purchased before throwing them away. At the same time, I envy two friends who have workable models which they use to put down telephone numbers and other short memos. I like the Perkins Brailler especially for office work. ... In traveling I often carry a light braille pocket slate which I place on a piece of plywood 13" x 7", which serves well as a table. ... We should have a good interpoint slate. I purchase ledger paper #28 which is lighter in weight but holds the dots well and comes in sheets 22" x 17". This is cut in quarters for me. Then with a standard hole punch it becomes serviceable in a conventional 3-ring notebook. I find the FORUM a real source of information and help and have been happy to recommend it to others; and to send in a few names myself. Mrs. Connie Williams, Greensboro NC: I want to tell you how pleased I was to see the article (Nov. FORUM) entitled "The Volunteer -- An Unpaid Employee" by Ray Dickinson. I know from my own experience that serving as a volunteer is wonderful; and wish more blind people were aware of the opportunities that exist for them in volunteer service. ... It provides work experience, which isn't easy to get. ... Even though I was a college graduate people were reluctant to hire me because in addition to being blind I had never worked before. But when one asks to do volunteer work, he is offering his services and his time at no cost to the agency and can usually use this experience to test the boundaries of his own capacity ... and later claim real work experience. Such work helps one gain confidence in his ability to handle new tasks associated with daily living. For instance, a blind woman expecting her first child has probably never handled a baby -- or done baby-sitting. She can volunteer in a daycare center or a nursing home. ... The biggest social problem of handicapped persons is that they are so often in a position of taking and seldom have a chance to give. People seldom think of putting such a person in a position where he can help someone else. It is only through giving that we can think of ourselves as productive members of society ... and become fully integrated into the world around us. Thank you for the opportunity to express myself on this subject. Golam Maula, East Pakistan: I am a blind student ... I got myself admitted into the Haragonda College and have a great ambition to study L.L.B. in my future. During my school life it was impossible to correspond with your magazine. At present I am reading in College, so I would like to correspond with your magazine. (Editor's note: We frequently have requests for writing materials from students overseas. If any FORUM readers would like to assist in providing slates and paper for some of these students you may send a special contribution to the FORUM.) Mr. Udo Rall, Bethesda, MD: Thank you for sending the Sept. FORUM on tape. ... I have learned touch-typing, in a fashion, since I became blind at the age of 73. ... Dr. S.C. Roy, Mansfield State College, PA: You are to be highly commended for putting out such a high type magazine. ... Are all members of the ACB Board and the FORUM staff blind? (Editor's note: Of the 13 members of ACB's Board listed on the back cover of the FORUM, all are totally blind except for two with very limited vision. Among them are attorneys (one a judge), a computer programmer, independent businessmen, a nuclear physicist, Civil Service employees. Our National Representative, the FORUM editor and the Associate Editors are totally blind. Two members of the Board of Publications have partial vision.) Mary Ford, Crowley, TX: I note in your magazine that New York is not going to license anymore homes for the blind as they think blind should integrate. It is very hard for a blind person to get into a home for older people. then there are too many activities in which the blind cannot participate. A priest near Chicago wanted to build a home for aged and handicaps with a department for the blind ... the blind could mingle and enter into things which they could enjoy and have the particular attention they need. There should also be nursing facilities. … I hope someday blind people will have a certain income and not have to take a means test … especially those who cannot work. A.R. Rao, Mysore, S. India: The used magazines which I am receiving benefit me along with my friends immensely. It is really an eye-opener to the eyeless persons. I am really benefitted by reading the contents of the issues. Conveying my sincere thanks. ... Besides my teaching profession I am attached with many social activities ... am also serving a Blind Girls Home. Due to my efforts some of these girls are attending the normal High School the first time in our area. I am transcribing text books and other useful books into braille on slate. (Braille material may be forwarded to Mr. RAO, 2640 Chamundi Extension, Mysore 4, S. India, by simply gluing his address over yours on the envelope.) Mary Walton, Marion, KS: (Concerning transportation) ... I am now living in a suburb of Kansas City, which is one of the world's worse places to get around in ... yet I have almost whipped my transportation problem and haven't had to spend a penny for cab. ... Any church that is worthy of the name will make some effort to see that anyone who wishes to attend can have a way. ... There is a little secret to this having transportation always available -- 1. Don't make your driver wait for you, but be waiting. 2. Don't try to think up all the things you need to stop for while you have a car and driver available. 3. Be willing to go at your driver's convenience. 4. Know how to tell the driver where you want to go. This will save lots of wear and tear on nerves. Now -- a pet peeve: I get downright mad at news articles telling of some "courageous parents" who put up a fight to keep their child out of the "institution" and see that he is permitted to go to public school with "normal" children. This creates a false image of the residential school as a place where the poor child, deprived of his parents, gets not an education but a serious case of emotional damage. I grew up in a residential school, and came out with a few little emotional problems — show me anyone, blind or sighted, who has none. Most of our problems are not caused by the institution but by the attitude of parents and others. ***** ** Refugees from the Round File From DBPH NEWS, Library of Congress: Some days you can't do anything wrong. This June 27, as the American Optometric Assn. was presenting its Apollo Award to DBPH Chief Robert S. Bray in Miami Beach, the American Library Assn. Round Table on Library Service to the Blind was conferring its Francis Joseph Campbell Citation upon him in Kansas City. Both citations, representing the highest honor bestowed by each group, acknowledged Mr. Bray's role in "the phenomenal growth" of the Division's services and took note of his efforts to upgrade the library system, to improve technical capabilities, and extend eligibility to all who could benefit. In ceremonies marking these honors, Mr. Bray emphasized that the work of the Division was being honored by the two groups. Mr. Bray has served the Library of Congress since 1940 when he was a desk attendant during his college years. Annually the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln NE 68506 produces a religious music record as a part of the regular subscription to the Christian Record Talking Magazine. The same songs appear in a corresponding copy of the braille record. These songs have words and piano accompaniment and are originals by blind composers. This number is known as "Christian Record Songs of Faith, Book III." It and subscriptions to the magazine are free for the asking. "Israel by Hand, Nose and Ear!" This 14-day tour will be directed by Miss Mary Wimberly, experienced blind traveler, and is tentatively scheduled for departure on July 5th. Total cost of the tour including round-trip airfare from New York is $795 per person. Those interested may contact Miss Wimberley, 1233 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Tel. 213-473-1589). The first blind man to serve as president of the National Rehabilitation Assn. will be Howard Hanson, Director of Services for the Blind, South Dakota, who was elected at the October convention in New Orleans to take office in 1970. Gregory Khacjadoorian, blind Massachusetts attorney, was re-elected to his 7th term in the Mass. House of Representatives and re-appointed by the Governor to another 5-year term on the Advisory Board of the State Commission for the Blind, which he will serve as chairman. Bob Patch, Brattleboro, VT says, "At my vending stand I sell Republican Live Savers -- they are Spiro-mint!" By personal invitation from Lorne Green, star of NBC-TV's "Bonanza," a group from the Phoenix Center for the Blind were given a special red-carpet tour of their traveling ranch house exhibit at the Arizona State Fair in November. Hostess was Betty Shea of the PCB who visited the house last year and so impressed Lorne Green and staff that they invited her for a 3-day "Cinderella" visit to Hollywood. They also inaugurated special tours for the blind everywhere the exhibit went. VISION UNLIMITED reports, " ... Inside the beautiful replica of the Cartwright's TV home ... we were given complete freedom to roam. We sat in every chair, 'brailled' all the equipment and furnishings and asked 101 questions. It was a wonderland of Old West lore!" "It was the most fun I ever had in all my life," reported a pretty young girl as the bus unloaded at Community Services for the Blind in Atlanta. It was a day filled with thrills and excitement at the fabulous amusement park "Six Flags Over Georgia." Nobody wanted to miss a thing: the Skylife with its bucket-like cars gliding high in the air, the hair-raising boat trip through the "jungle, the breath-taking runaway mine train; the many, many attractions and the total beauty of it all made for a gay and joyous experience. ***** ** ACB Officers President: Judge Reese Robrahn, 539 New England Building, Topeka, KS 66603 1st Vice-Pres: George Card, 605 Few St., Madison, WI 53703 2nd Vice-Pres.: Vernon Williams, 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, SD 57401 Secretary: Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 510 Tarrington Rd., Rochester, NY 14609 Treasurer: Fred Krepela, 363 Court St., NE, Salem, OR 97301 ** Directors Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota St., Hayward, CA 94545 Floyd Qualls, 106 NE 2nd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 F.W. Orrell, 5209 Alabama Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409 Dr. S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon St., Downers Grove, IL 60515 J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205 David Krause, 2121 P St., NW, Apt. 615, Washington, DC 20037 Fred Lilley, 7629 Dale St., Richmond Heights, MO 63117 Don Cameron, 724 S. Davis Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609 ###