The Braille Forum Vol. VIII November 1969 No. 3 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Alma Murphey 4103 Castleman Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 * 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. ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large type and on tape, 7-inch, dual track, 3-3/4 ips. Subscriptions and address changes should be sent to Floyd Qualls, who is in charge of our three mailing lists. His address is: Mr. Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Items intended for publication should be sent to the editor or to one of the associate editors. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions should be sent to ACB treasurer Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301. ***** ** Table of Contents President's Message, by Reese H. Robrahn Equal Rights Are Sought for Blind, by Doris Wiley Convention Echoes, by Kenneth Hinga The Devil's Advocate by June Goldsmith History of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, by John Thomas South Dakota Convention, by Delbert Aman A Little Light on An Obscure Subject, by Earl Scharry Good News from the U.S. Civil Service Commission Wagner-O'Day Act Amendments Controversy Michigan Federation of the Blind Holds Annual Convention, by Kenneth Hinga ACB Service Net in Action Important Notice to Borrowers of Taped Books The Treasurer Reports A Controversial Survey, by George Card National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults Kansas Association of the Blind Convention Georgia Federation of the Blind Convention Recreation Center for the Blind, by Fred C. Lilley Here and There, by George Card OFB Convenes in Tulsa A Word from the Editor A Special Message from President Reese H. Robrahn Thanksgiving ACB Officers Directors ***** ** President's Message By Reese H. Robrahn Some individuals at a convention last summer voted yes and adopted a resolution proclaiming opposition to amendments of the Internal Revenue Service Act, proposed and supported by the American Council of the Blind, which would give tax credits to employers who hire blind and otherwise disabled workers subject, of course, to certain conditions, controls and limitations. The resolution thus adopted stated that the reason for such opposition is because the plan would subsidize the worker who is blind and would make of him a fourth-class citizen and would make American industry one giant sheltered workshop. That prospect is most preposterous, but that result with all that employment wouldn't be bad! The resolution concludes with the proposition that the way for the blind to become employed is through their rehabilitation agency. Quite without consistency, reasoning, or logic, those same individuals at that same convention voted yes yes yes and adopted several other resolutions, one of which proclaims that the Federal-State Vocational Rehabilitation Program is a continuing "cause of frustration, failure and despair." In another resolution they supported proposed amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, and in still another they called for the expansion of the Randolph-Sheppard Stand Program to Veterans Administration hospitals and military installations, post exchanges and canteens; all notwithstanding the fact that the vending stand program is subsidized on the federal and state levels. And there were still other resolutions supporting still other subsidized programs. Black is not white; and white is not black. A king's edict cannot change the fact, nor can resolutions, not even those adopted unanimously. It is true whether one is blind in Topeka, Kansas or Des Moines, Iowa, or whether a resolution is passed at Charlotte, North Carolina, or Columbia, South Carolina. Indeed, if it is true that the Federal-State Vocational Rehabilitation program is the cause of frustration, failure and despair, and, if it is true that subsidized programs designed to employ disabled persons thereby relegate such disabled workers to an inferior class of citizenship, then why support them and why perpetuate such programs? Why reinforce the vested interests by funding them with more and more tax dollars, and all at the expense of both the worker who is disabled and the taxpayer? Why not give the employer taxpayer credit in money saved on his tax bill as encouragement to provide opportunity for the blind worker to prove himself as a worthy, productive employee. No business man is going to hire a non-producing blind person or an unemployable person because his loss on the production line would be greater than his saving in tax dollars. The American Council does not propose this legislation to the exclusion of other programs; nor do we say that existing rehabilitation programs are the cause of frustration, failure. and despair; nor do we say that such programs make of blind people an inferior class of citizens. Quite to the contrary. We believe that this tax credit plan would be a very useful and meaningful adjunct and supplement to existing programs. ***** ** Equal Rights Are Sought for the Blind By Doris B. Wiley (Reprinted by permission from WE THE BLIND, August, 1969.) A Philadelphia businessman makes a reservation at a Baltimore Hotel. When he arrives there, he is told all the rooms are taken. It isn't until he thumps his white cane on the clerk's counter and raises his voice in protest that he finally gets his room. The hotel runaround is just one kind of discrimination that blind persons say they meet with daily. Others: A bartender finds an excuse not to serve a blind person a drink; an airline can't come up with a ticket; a real estate dealer withdraws a sale; a blind man is rejected as a juror. These and similar instances have led the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind to prepare a suggested amendment to the State's Human Relations Act to ensure that the blind are treated the same under the law as the sighted. William Taylor, Jr., Media lawyer and counsel for the Federation, who drew up the proposed amendment, said yesterday that discrimination against the blind isn't based on "hostility or prejudice in the common sense." Blind since he was seven, Taylor said that the discrimination exists because the average person is fearful of the unfamiliar. He calls it "an emotional rejection" of the blind that can't be explained rationally. Because the blind "have a number of unique problems" unshared by other minority groups, Taylor said, the Federation has urged that the amendment be a separate section of the act. His proposals ask that the blind be given "the same rights and privileges as the sighted to the full and free use of the streets, highways, and sidewalks, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places and places to which the general public is invited as business invitees." The blind, under the suggested provisions, "are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor busses, street cars or boats and ships or any other public conveyance or modes of transportation, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, eating and refreshment, amusement or resort." "We're not trying to force incompetent persons into jobs," Taylor said, "we don't want blind airplane pilots or taxi drivers. But we want to reach persons who think negatively about the blind and change their thinking." The Federation's proposals are being studied by Richard A. Partee, administrative assistant to K. Leroy Irvis, House Majority Leader. Irvis has sponsored most of the amendments to the Human Relations Act. Similar means to curb discrimination against the blind have been undertaken in Philadelphia's City Council. Thatcher Longstreth, some months ago, introduced a bill to ban such discrimination. Hearings were held in February when a number of blind persons appeared before the Council's Committee on Labor and Civil Service to describe instances of discrimination against them. Longstreth said yesterday that his bill is "bottled up in committee." He said he hoped that legislation on the state level would meet with more success. "I was amazed to find that there was discrimination against the blind," he said. "Under the guise of protecting the blind, the blind are denied their rights." (Editor's note: The 1968 convention of the Missouri Federation of the Blind was persuaded to endorse the so­ called "model white cane law," and an appropriate bill was introduced during the 1969 session of the Legislature. It died in committee because our Legislators were unwilling to tamper with the good white cane law already on the books. "We were very favorably impressed, therefore, by Attorney William Taylor's approach to the problem of securing those rights for the blind which need not be spelled out in a law concerned with the safety of blind persons on the streets and highways.) ***** ** Convention Echoes By Kenneth G. Hinga If there is any one concept I brought home with me from the ACB convention in Charlotte, it is the affirmation that we are affiliated with a progressive and well-organized national organization of and for the blind. I became convinced that the management of the American Council of the Blind is in capable hands, and that the leaders are making a personal sacrifice of time and energy in behalf of all of us who are visually incapacitated. I, also, became aware of the fact that as local affiliates we have been lax in sharing our portion of the responsibility to keep the national body in good working order. As state and city groups, we become so involved in our immediate affairs we lose sight of the overall program of securing a better way of life for the sightless. I wonder just how much support we really give to the ACB representative in our nation's capital in contacting our congressmen to promote the various legislative acts so vitally important to every blind individual. The Forum magazine provides us with interesting information and entertainment, but it also directs our attention to specific action we need to take as individual members. Another area in which we have fallen down as local units is in the matter of financial contribution for nationwide efforts. We assume that the official board of the ACB has an everbearing money tree from which they can pluck pecuniary fruit whenever the need arises. Of course, this is not the case, and the leadership is constantly confronted with the problem of raising sufficient funds to carry on the necessary work. Some of our local chapters within the state affiliates have been very successful in raising money and raising donations from concerned citizens. Too often this money remains in some bank account awaiting a worthwhile project upon which to expend these assets. Frankly, there is no better way to put this capital to good use than to offer a fair share to the national organization to carry on its programs and to maintain our representation in Washington, D.C. I can present these suggestions without fear of being accused of using high-pressure tactics because I am not a member of the official board of the ACB and have not been requested by anyone to make this appeal for better communication between the state and national levels. One thing I do know, however, and that is if all of you could have been with us in Charlotte, North Carolina, and heard the message and sensed the spirit of enthusiasm, you too, would have returned home with renewed fervor to endorse and advance the principles of the American Council of the Blind. ***** ** "The Devil's Advocate" By June Goldsmith When the life and works of a holy person are being examined for the purpose of his canonization, one member of the ecclesiastical court of inquiry is appointed to seek out all the reasons against canonization. He is called the Devil's Advocate. The meaning of this term has since been broadened to include secular matters. Apparently, I have assigned to myself the role of devil's advocate in the article which follows. I was very sorry, nevertheless, to learn that the American Council of the Blind had lost the first round in its legal battle on behalf of the blind stand operator in Kansas City, Kansas. I was very glad to read that the case is being appealed. As much as it pains me to say so, I am afraid the day of the vending stand as it is now set up by the various state agencies as a means of a productive livelihood for blind persons is fast approaching its end. I believe there are several reasons for this. Automation is one, strong competition is another, employees' welfare funds is a third. How can a mere mortal vie with a row of machines which will provide coffee, soup, food-stuffs, candy, etc., in a matter of a few seconds? The only thing a person is needed for is to provide the change which must be poured down the maws of these machines to make them give forth the item desired. An individual or a group of persons with capital to invest, can install fifty of these machines in a building. There is the automation and the competition that are helping to run the stand operator out of business. In this materialistic world, money talks louder than anything else. Every office, every industry, every public service has an employees' welfare fund. These run the scale from the welfare funds of the great unions to the coffee can and cigar box funds of small offices. We need not be concerned with the welfare funds of the Labor Unions. It is the local office and industry welfare funds that concern the stand operator. That is why I said money talks. Local employees are given the opportunity to increase their welfare funds by the vending machine people, and they take the opportunity. It is my understanding that these welfare funds are tax free. The question arises, just how much of the fund is used for other, more enjoyable purposes? Of course, it is nobody's business what a group of employees does with its welfare fund so long as it does not violate the law. Furthermore, no person is obligated to patronize a vending stand, if he has a choice between a machine and a vending stand. This is a land of free enterprise and open competition. It seems to me no law can be adopted or upheld that will abridge the rights, or limit them, of a man, or company, who seeks to sell in the open market. The only way blind stand operators could get such a law passed, and have it stand up in court, is to have themselves declared a special, privileged group. Most blind people make much of the fact that they do not want special privileges, they only want equal chance, equal opportunity, the same as sighted people. I do not know how old the vending stand programs sponsored by agencies for the blind of the several states are, but I would hazard a guess at from thirty to forty years. On the whole, the vending stand has provided the best means of livelihood and reward, outside the professions, for blind persons. It is hard enough for sighted people to establish themselves in the practice of law, or medicine, or teaching, let alone blind people. One profession that seems to be especially hard for blind people to get into is social work. It would appear that they should be particularly good at this kind of work, for they certainly know and understand human problems of handicaps, family relationships, the need for education. All these problems affect them more than they do sighted people. Another thorn in the side of the vending stand operator is the ubiquitous sales tax. There is nothing humorous about it, really, for it is a most lucrative source of revenue for state and local governments. It is here to stay, and it will grow larger each year by half cents. The poor stand operator usually winds up having to pay some part out of his own pocket the sales tax his stand should have collected but did not. I understand there is a movement afoot in several states to have the vending stands exempt from collecting sales taxes. I do not believe this idea will ever be accepted by the legislatures. For the simple fact is, that all retail sales outlets are obliged to collect sales taxes, and it would not be fair to other small businesses to exempt a few privileged ones. If the blind vending stand operator wants to stay in business, he will eventually have to come to terms with the vending machine companies, the welfare funds, and the tax man. Meanwhile, he must maintain good public relations, make himself as presentable as possible, keep a clean stand, and hope for the best. (Editor's Note: The ACB, through its energetic support of S. 2461, is fighting hard to overcome the problems mentioned by Miss Goldsmith. Many blind stand operators have solved the vending machine problem by buying, installing and servicing their own machines.) ***** ** History of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America By John Thomas When the Kansas Association of the Blind was an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and I was a delegate to a convention held in Boston, Massachusetts, there was a large meeting of visually handicapped people who wished to start an organization of vending stand operators. There was also a group who operated grocery stores, filling stations and other businesses and who wanted to be a part of some state or national organization of blind business men. The discussion lasted for hours. It was finally decided to call it The Blind Merchants Association. It would include all blind merchants, no matter what their business, and also would include other interested people who wanted to support such an organization. Somehow this organization never seemed to get off the ground, and because of some internal strife in the NFB, Kansas became disaffiliated and nothing more was done as far as national vending stand organization until in 1967. In that year, 1967, at the Broadview Hotel, Wichita, Kansas, a group of about 25, including agency people, stand operators and other interested people held an organizational meeting. Realizing that if the Randolph-Sheppard Act was to be protected or amended in order to improve it, that it had better be by the people most affected. We went so far as to select a temporary set of officers who were directed to draw up a temporary set of by-laws to govern the organization, and as so often happens, with faltering steps the by-laws were written and accepted by the committee so designated. Some of the organizational work was done during the next year. In 1968, we held the first meeting of the Randolph­ Sheppard Vendors of America in San Francisco, California in which officers were elected and a Board of Directors, consisting of 8 people, were elected. A committee was selected to write a constitution and by-laws to govern the organization. It was voted at that time to apply for affiliating with the American Council of the Blind. There were a good many mailings of material to vending stand operators over the entire country. Contacts were made by the various officers of the ACB to state affiliates and also by the temporary officers of RSVA. Several affiliates for RSVA were obtained. The first real annual convention was held in July, 1969, in Charlotte, North Carolina. We had hoped to have 100 members in attendance. We actually had about 65 in attendance. It was a very good convention. The constitution was approved by the convention at that time. The Board of Directors were elected. According to the constitution, the Board of Directors are elected in odd-numbered years and officers are to be elected in even-numbered years. There are over 400 members in the organization at this time. We would take this opportunity to urge all vending stand operators or operators of food vending facilities operating under the Randolph-Sheppard act to contact one of the following officers of RSVA: John Thomas, president, 820 S. Dellrose, Wichita, Kansas 67218; Casey DeLint, secretary, 2220 Las Colmas, Los Angeles, California 90041; Wayne Gilmore, treasurer, 737 S. Clifton, Wichita, Kansas 67218. We need more affiliates and we especially need more members. There is in the constitution a provision for people who are interested and see the need for this organization, but who are not operators, to help financially so that it can succeed. We were proud to receive a congratulatory letter from Senator Randolph, stating the needs for this organization and his pride in visually handicapped people taking an interest in this vital act. A copy of his letter follows at the end of this article. Leonard Robinson, a blind man, who introduced to business people and political leaders the ideas which were ultimately to become the Randolph-Sheppard Act, was a leading speaker at the convention. * UNITED STATES SENATE July 11, 1969 Dear Mr. Thomas: I am very pleased to learn of the formation of your organization and flattered that its name is taken from legislation I helped to write 33 years ago. The first convention of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of American on July 15 is a very noteworthy occasion, and I wish the new association every success. It is by joining together in such groups that people with common interests and concerns can make themselves heard. I have been proud of my part in the Randolph-Sheppard Act ever since it was passed in 1936, not because of any personal accomplishment but because this legislation opened the door of pride and achievement to so many people. From its modest beginning, the vending stand program has experienced a steady growth until today there are nearly 3,300 blind people involved in its operations. In addition to providing employment, this program has helped to break down the barriers that once existed to prevent handicapped people from participating fully in our society. The demonstrations of ability by the blind facilitated the acceptance of all types of handicapped workers by industry and influenced the establishment of public policy to provide training and job opportunities for handicapped citizens. I have kept abreast of developments in this area and on June 20 introduced a bill to bring the Randolph-Sheppard Act into line with contemporary· conditions and requirements. This is the first time in 15 years that changes to the act have been proposed, and I believe they will make the program even more valuable than it has been in the past. Once again, my congratulations to the new association and to you as its first president. Very truly, /s/ Jennings Randolph ***** ** South Dakota Convention By Delbert Aman The SDAB annual conference was held at the Downtowner Friendship Inn in Aberdeen, on Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6. Out-of-state guests included Mr. & Mrs. Ed Miller, Charlotte, N.C., and Mr. & Mrs. Don Nold, Berwyn, Ill. Ed brought greetings from ACB and gave an excellent report on ACB's most recent annual convention. Don Nold spoke on the purposes and philosophies of Dialogue. Howard H. Hanson reported on the activities of the South Dakota Service to the Visually Impaired. Supt. George McCrea discussed future plans for improved education at the School for the Blind. A panel discussion on educational readiness for multiply handicapped blind children featured four outstanding speakers: Dr. Robert Hughes, Southeastern Mental Health Center, Sioux Falls; Dr. John Moss, Director of Special Education, Northern State College, Aberdeen; Mrs. Mary Hayenga, Child Welfare Worker, Webster; and Supt. George McCrea, School for the Blind, Aberdeen. At the time of the convention the NASA space exhibit, "Enlightenment for the Blind," was on display at the School for the Blind. The convention concluded with the annual awards banquet. Speaker was Tobias Moran, a Sioux Indian currently employed at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Aberdeen. A special award in recognition of 20 years of service was given to Howard H. Hanson. This was the most outstanding convention in recent memory. ***** ** A Little Light on an Obscure Subject By Earl Scharry When the braille edition of Your Career in Computer Programming by I.J. Seligsohn was announced, we were eager to read it, with the expectation that it might dispel some of the frustration we have experienced in trying to translate the Computerese habitually spoken by our computer friends and acquaintances. We found that the book does indeed give some insights into computer concepts and techniques and translates some of the esoteric terms so freely bandied about by the natives of Computeria, such as "FORTRAN," "binary numbers," "bits," "mnemonic instructions," "command structure," "hardware" and "software," etc. However, the book is primarily and frankly career-oriented. The author paints glowing and no doubt basically accurate pictures of the financial and spiritual benefits to be harvested by those who plough the field of data processing, even going so far as to devote considerable space to romances and marriages which have flowered in this lush soil. The author is lavish in his descriptions of the uses to which the computer may be put both actually and potentially. One of the forecasts should be of particular interest to blind lawyers, who find it a great inconvenience and expense to employ sighted help in researching the law. A quotation from Dr. Simon Ramo, vice-chairman of the Board of Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Inc., says: "In the future, every attorney may be expected to have convenient electronic access to a repository of all the laws, rulings, and procedures he needs in his work. In a few seconds the electronic systems will scan, select, and present him with the equivalent results of dozens of trained searchers covering decades of records over the entire nation. The lawyer's intellect will be elevated to the more complex intellectual tasks by supporting him better with the routine aspects of legal practice." A more bizarre application of the computer technique is described in the following passage: "Computer Concepts, Inc., designed a computer system for the Washington Redskins that produces defensive reports on the team's weekly opponents in the National Football League. These reports provide detailed information from which the Redskins' game plan can be formulated. According to Computer Concepts, the system is the first to completely automate all phases of the weekly defensive scouting problems confronting professional and college teams. Coded data on the opposing teams' offensive and defensive capabilities and strategies are fed into the computer, which is programmed to analyze the mass of data and turn out ninety-four reports for the Redskins' defensive players and coaches." Yet, if this picture conjures up visions of the dynamic Vince Lombardi being displaced by a bloodless robot, to the grievous loss of the sporting world, a statement elsewhere in the book helps to put Coach Frankenstein into proper perspective. The author says: "... a computer does not 'think' the way a human does. It cannot solve even the simplest problem -- it cannot even add 1 and 0 -- unless a human programmer has instructed the machine how to solve the problem." The limitations of the computer are also dramatized by a quotation from a cartoon in which a man reading a printout exclaims, "My God! It would have taken five thousand mathematicians five thousand years to make an error like this!" Throughout the book there are discussions of what interests and aptitudes make for success in programming. The point is frequently made and stressed that no particular educational background is essential, though some kind of college degree is desirable, though not mandatory. Successful programmers have had a wide variety of specializations. Among those mentioned are mathematics, music, chess or bridge, and, of course, languages, since programmers must communicate with their machines by means of codes, or "languages." Among the personality characteristics that are mentioned as desirable are "liking for detail, accuracy, ability to work under pressure, ability to work with people, a retentive memory, flexibility and adjustment to changes, persistence and ability to see a problem through, analytical and imaginative thinking, viewing each problem as a challenging mental exercise and attacking it from many angles with enthusiasm." Yet, motivation is given as the most important factor of all for success. The book contains chapters on the place of the computer in government and the place of women in programming. We therefore waited hopefully for a passage on the place of the visually handicapped in computing; but unfortunately, we waited in vain. This book may be of interest to two categories of readers: those who would like to acquire a nodding acquaintance with computer concepts and terminology; and those who would like to explore the possibilities of a programming career for themselves. ***** ** Good News from the U.S. Civil Service Commission (Editor's note: Assunta Lilley, a charter member of both RITE and the ACB, approached officials of the United States Civil Service Commission with the suggestion that the department correspond in braille with its blind employees and job applicants. The following news release is an indication of their prompt and enthusiastic response.) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The St. Louis Regional Office of the U.S. Civil Service Commission has announced the initiation of a program of corresponding in Braille with persons whom they know to be blind. Effective immediately, all official correspondence of the St. Louis Regional Office addressed to persons whom they know to be blind, will be prepared in Braille. It is felt that this new service will have the effect of preserving the confidential nature of official correspondence and eliminating the necessity of having the correspondence read to the blind individual by relatives or friends. In making the announcement, A.H. Sonntag, Regional Director, emphasized that the service will not reduce timeliness in reply to correspondence from the public. timeliness in reply to correspondence from the public. It is important, he pointed out, that the persons desiring replies to be prepared in Braille should identify themselves as being blind in their letter of inquiry. The St. Louis Regional Office is also prepared to receive correspondence prepared in Braille. Response to these letters will be in Braille. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Billy J. Brown, Administrative Officer St. Louis Region U.S. Civil Service Commission 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-622-4297 ***** ** Wagner O'Day Act Amendments Controversy The General Council of Workshops for the Blind voted on October 9, 1969, to approve proposed amendments to the Wagner O'Day Act to expand purchasing by the federal government to other handicapped workshops. A copy of the ACB's 1968 resolution of this subject, a letter from Floyd Qualls to the President of the General Council of Workshops, and the text of the proposed amendments follow this article. Assurance from some of the proponents of these amendments indicates that they will be supported by several groups including National Industries for the Blind. As a practical matter, it is well known that many of the advocates of enlarging the scope of participation in this federal purchasing program are not committed to the compromise proposed in the attached amendments. Once such a bill is introduced, the advocates of complete equality without any priority for the blind workshops can and will have their chance. The most significant fact in this controversy is that there is not enough business, even with the inclusion of "services," to justify the spreading of the work among ten times as many people. Proponents of the amendment argue that it is only fair to permit other handicapped shops to participate and this would be true enough if there were enough work for everybody. In any event, the amendments leave unsettled the question of which or how many agencies will do the allocating of contracts. Even if the priorities written into the proposed amendments should be adopted there would be created a permanent source of friction and of dissatisfaction by those shops failing to receive work. This has been a modestly successful program and the workshops for the blind have built it to its present position. 1967 was its high-water mark when 28 million dollars' worth of merchandise was sold to the federal government. Current sales are running about 6 million dollars per year behind that peak figure. It seems obvious that, such amendments pose a threat to the continuance of a program which has furnished employment to several thousand blind people. Opinions differ on the value and virtues of workshops for the blind but the workers in these shops have not been consulted about these proposed changes and they have no effective way of representing their interests except through an organization of the blind. We are primarily concerned with the welfare and interests of the blind workers in the shops more so than with the shops themselves. It is represented that Senator Jacob Javits is interested in introducing such amendments. Letters to Senator Javits asking him not to tamper with his modestly successful program will be effective whether from individuals or organizations. * September 8, 1969 Austin G. Scott, President General Council of Workshops for the Blind P.O. Box 64420 Dallas, Texas 74204 Dear Austin: I was glad to learn from your August 20 memo, that the Committee of the Purchases of Blind-made products did not want to be recorded as approving the proposed amendment to the Wagner-O'Day Act. It is difficult for me to understand why the executive committee of the General Council and NIB approves it and appears to be seeking administration endorsement of a measure that may close down many General Council Workshops. The bill enclosed in your August 13 memo indicates the legislation has not been introduced. Furthermore, it does not reflect changes recommended by some of the agencies said to have been consulted. Once this bill is introduced it becomes public property. Anyone can try to amend it, and many will. If the General Council and NIB open this "Pandora box," what assurance is given by non-blind shops that no effort will be made to delete "blind priority" from the bill? Can you circulate a statement from Goodwill Industries, National Association of Sheltered Workshops and Homebound Programs and/or National Association for Mentally Retarded giving assurance they will not ask "priority" to be stricken? Have any of these organizations approved the amendment in its present form? The blind have been down the rose petaled path of marriage with general handicap before. They know from sad experience, this leads only to their receiving last and least consideration. GSA says it can provide all the work all shops can do. NIB's 1968 annual report shows a six million dollar decline in Government Purchases. Many shops including the Oklahoma League for the Blind, are asking for more Government work and it is not available. I fail to see the benefits you feel are apparent in this amendment. It calls for the new Committee to name a non-profit agency to allocate Products and Services to "Blind" and "other handicap workshops." The Committee may or may not designate NIB. When one pokes a skunk, he had better plan to be up wind. The General Council of Workshops represents less than one hundred of the more than three thousand workshops. I strongly urge the Executive Committee of General Council, and NIB, to reconsider their position: It is much easier to buttress a dam than to stop a flood. The blind have struggled hard and long for their position. They will not give it up easily. Sincerely yours, OKLAHOMA LEAGUE FOR THE BLIND /s/ Floyd Qualls, Executive Manager * American Council of the Blind Resolution 68-04 Adopted July 20, 1969 WHEREAS, the Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938 has resulted in the purchase of substantial quantities of blind-made products by the United States government thereby affording employment to many blind persons; and WHEREAS, such government purchases have encouraged and permitted production of other blind-made products for commercial markets thereby adding to the work available to blind persons; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind continues to be interested in and concerned about needed improvements in workshops for the blind and the protection of the rights and interests of blind employees; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind is concerned about the national trend toward and pressures exerted for the enlargement of the Wagner-O'Day program to permit all handicapped shops to participate in such government purchases which would thereby spread the business so thin as to greatly reduce available work for blind employees; and WHEREAS, more than 4,500 blind persons are now employed in workshops participating in the Wagner-O'Day program wherein they have met government standards and specifications; and WHEREAS, other handicapped shops do not have comparable records or experience and might thereby jeopardize the future of such programs; and WHEREAS, blind workers in workshops are in need of a representative system of procedures whereby they can protect their rights and interests; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 20th day of July 1968, at the Bellevue Hotel, San Francisco; California, that this organization instructs its officers to oppose the expansion of the Wagner-O'Day Act to include other handicapped shops and to assist blind workers in workshops in the establishment of a representative system and procedures which will protect the rights and interests of such workers. * A Bill To Amend the Wagner-O'Day Act to extend the provisions thereof to severely handicapped individuals who are not blind. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Act entitled "An Act to create a Committee on Purchase of Blind-made Products, and for other purposes", approved June 25, 1938 (52 Stat. 1196; 41 U.S.C. 46-48), amended by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu of the matter stricken the following: "That there is hereby created a Committee to be known as the Committee for Purchase of Products and Services of the Blind and other Severely Handicapped (hereinafter referred to as the 'Committee') to be composed of two private citizens conversant with the problems incident to the employment of blind and other severely handicapped individuals and a representative of each of the following Government Department or Agencies: The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, and the General Services Administration. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the President, shall serve without additional compensation, and shall designate one of their number to be chairman. "Sec. 2. (a) It shall be the duty of the Committee to determine the fair market value of all brooms and mops and other suitable commodities produced and offered for sale by, and services offered by, blind and other severely handicapped individuals to the Federal Government by any nonprofit agency for the blind or other severely handicapped, organized tinder the laws of the United States or of any State, to revise such prices from time to time in accordance with changing market conditions; and to make such rules and regulations regarding specifications, time of delivery, authorization of a central nonprofit agency or agencies to facilitate the distribution of orders among the agencies for the blind and other severely handicapped, and other relevant matters of procedure as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act: Provided, That no change in price shall become effective prior to the expiration of fifteen days from the date on which such change is made by the Committee. "(b) Rules and regulations of the Committee shall provide that, in the purchase by the Government or commodities produced and offered for sale by the blind and other severely handicapped, priority shall be accorded to such commodities produced and offered for sale by the blind, and that, in the purchase by the Government of services offered by the blind and other severely handicapped, priority shall, until the close of June 30, 1975, be accorded to services offered by the blind. "Sec. 3. All brooms and mops and other suitable commodities and services hereafter procured in accordance with applicable Federal specifications by or for any Federal department or agency shall be procured from such nonprofit agencies for the blind or other severely handicapped in all cases where such articles or services are available within the period specified at the price determined by the Committee to be the fair market price for the article or articles or services so procured; Provided, That this Act shall not apply in any cases where brooms and mops and other suitable commodities and services are available for procurement from any Federal department or agency and procurement therefrom is required under the provisions of any law in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, or in cases where brooms and mops and other suitable commodities and services are procured for use outside the continental United States. "Sec. 4. For purposes of this Act -- "(a) the term "severely handicapped" means an individual or class of individuals who is under a physical or mental disability which constitutes a substantial handicap to employment and is of such a nature as to prevent the individual under such disability from currently engaging in normal competitive employment; and "(b) the term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands." Sec. 2. The amendments made by the first section of this Act shall take effect on the first day of the ninth month following the month in which this Act is enacted. ***** ** Michigan Federation of the Blind Holds Annual Convention By Kenneth Hinga The Michigan Federation of the Blind held its annual convention at the Pick Fort Chelby Hotel in Detroit on October 4th and 5th. The Saturday afternoon session featured Mr. Harold Payne, Director of the Michigan Division of Services for the Blind, who presented a frank discussion outlining the goals of his new administration. He informed the membership that the state is now operating on the largest budget ever appropriated by the Michigan legislature — a grant of over seven hundred thousand dollars which will be augmented by Federal matching funds. Mr. Payne stressed the need for better communication between the D.S.B. and the blind citizens of the state. The speaker, also, advised the gathering that the Michigan Rehabilitation Center would be in operation with the start of the new year, and that it is estimated the new facility will serve about ninety clients during its initial year. Other speakers during the afternoon included Miss Elizabeth Ferris, who directs the program for the physically handicapped at Wayne State University, and Mr. John Luxon, who spoke concerning his efforts to establish a meaningful architectural barrier law in Michigan. The speakers were well received by the entire audience. Durward McDaniel, Washington representative for the American Council of the Blind, was the principal speaker for the six-thirty P.M. banquet. Durward pointed out the need for the Michigan Federation to get out and increase its total membership. He stated that he could see no reason why this organization could not grow to seven hundred members in the next year if all would cooperate and make a concerted drive to achieve this goal. Durward further emphasized the importance of better communication within the local federation, and, also, in the working relations with the national organization. He remained for the entire convention, and it can be honestly stated that this man was the spark plug that ignited the affair into a sparkling success. The Sunday morning session began with the installation of new officers. Phillip White, an instructor with the Flint school system, was sworn in as the new president, Kenneth Hinga, Rehabilitation Counselor with the D.S.B., became vice president. Miss Elizabeth Lennon, instructor at Western Michigan University, will be the new secretary, and Kenneth Strasburg, employee of Michigan Industries for the Blind in Saginaw, Will continue to serve as treasurer. The business meeting adjourned at one P.M., and the entire membership left with a revitalized spirit to make this affiliate of the A.C.B. an ongoing and vital part of the program in behalf of all the blind. ***** ** ACB Service Net in Action The ACB Service Net is now in progress and doing well. It meets daily at 1700 GMT on 14.305 MH and has a dual purpose: number one, that of handling traffic such as phone patches, messages, formal or informal, and has a second purpose to provide a gathering place for blind amateurs who can use the Net as a forum for gaining information about any subject, which concerns the blind, especially things which will help them to help themselves. ***** ** Important Notice to Borrowers of Taped Books from Recording for the Blind We have decided for the present that effective January 1, 1970 student copies of completed titles available from our Master Tape Library in New York will be supplied only on 1-7/8 ips 4-track tape, 5" reels (4 hours of reading material) Student copies of books being recorded on request will be supplied by our Recording Units only on 1-7/8 ips 2-track tape, 5" reels (2 hours of reading material) This policy was approved by our Board of Directors after a survey of all RFB borrowers showed that by early 1970 will have tape recorders capable of playing 1-7/8 ips 2 track tape. A detailed breakdown follows: Elementary (grades 1-6), 85.7% Junior High (grades 7-9), 65.3% High School (grades 9-12), 66.9% College, 79.6% Full-time graduate school, 82.7% Part-time graduate school, 88.6% Business/Professional aduIts, 83.1% General adults, 62.8% Average 76.3% The chief advantage of 1-7/8 ips 4-track tape to you, as a reader of RFB books, is that the number of reels per book borrowed from our Master Tape Library will be reduced to 6 reels on the average and consequently easier to store and handle, thread and return. Although our Recording Units will be able to supply only 1-7/8 ips 2-track copies in the near future, eventually conversion to 1-7/8 ips 4-track copies will be affected. The advantages to RFB are primarily in reducing the tape cost of supplying 4 hours of reading material from $2.40 to $.60, with other substantial savings in mailing containers and postage. The number of books circulated during the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1969 increased by 36% over the preceding year, with a consequent increase in our operating expenses of $88,000 over budget. Our projected budget for July, 1969 - June, 1970 has risen to $873,000 anticipating a further increase in the use of taped books of 50% during the coming year. By standardizing on slower speed 4-track tape we can provide four hours of reading on a smaller reel using substantially less tape. You will appreciate that we must reduce our operating costs as much as possible if we are to meet the increasing demand for tape. RFB recommends the APH Modified Sony 105 Tape Recorder which plays 1-7/8 ips 2-and 4-track (and 3-3/4 2-and 4-track) tapes and is adapted so that the page indexing beeps on RFB taped books are audible at fast forward and rewind. This model sells for $139.50. Another model also includes a variable speed control unit for speeding up or slowing down tapes for study purposes and sells for $160.00. Write for further information or order from: The American Printing House for the Blind P.O. Box 6085 Louisville, KY 40206 NOTE FOR STATES, SCHOOLS, BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND OTHER AGENCIES TO WHOM RFB SUPPLIES MASTER TAPES FOR DUPLICATION: Master Tapes will continue to be recorded on 3-3/4 ips 4-track tape to ensure high quality copies. ***** ** The Treasurer Reports The following memberships and contributions were received during July, August and September 1969 by your ACB Treasurer, Fred Krepela, 241 State, Salem, Oregon 97301: * Members at Large $3.00 Mike Madee, Texas Henrietta R. LaGrone, Gaithersburg, Md. Robert E. LaGrone, Gaithersburg, Md. Frank L. Vetere, Harrisburg, Pa. L. Earl Jennings, Raleigh, N. Carolina Grady R. Galloway, Raleigh, N. Carolina Russell G. Broaddus, Raleigh, N. Carolina Claude de Lorraine, Elmira, N.Y. Nancy Sniter, Pittsburgh, Pa. Melvin J. Siegel, Potomac, Md. Dr. Irwin S. Monsein, McLean, Va. * Sponsoring Members $5.00 Earl M. Dawson, Los Angeles, Calif. Miss Shirley D. Smith, Wichita, Kansas Albert R. Falt, Lawrence, Massachusetts Betty Jones, Utica, New York * Sustaining Members $10.00 Geraldine Nold, Berwyn, Ill. Don O. Nold, Berwyn, Ill. Irwin Lutzky, Brooklyn, New York Community Services for the Blind, Atlanta, Georgia * Contributions to Braille Forum from Individuals - Total $61.00 Miss Cora Grant, Chicago, Ill. Miss Marie Busch, Jefferson City, Mo. Mr. & Mrs. Ted Fuller, Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. & Mrs. Wally Menning, Salem, Oregon George Fogarty, San Francisco, Calif. D.F. Woods, San Bernardino, Calif. Jay Spell, Fayetteville, N. Carolina Will Bowman, Los Angeles, Calif. Yamhill Chapter, Oregon Council of the Blind, McMinnville, Oregon $15.00 Willamette Chapter, Oregon Council of the Blind $10.00 Wisconsin Lions Foundation - Hail, Wisconsin. $200.00 Wisconsin Council of the Blind - Hail, Wisconsin $300.00 * General Contributions from Individuals - Total $191.00 Luis Trillas Louise DeWeese, Harrisburg, Pa. Leonard Krauss, Bronx, New York Ethel. M. Nelson, Topeka, Kansas Frances Whitely, San Francisco, Calif. Mrs. Mollie Becker, Madison, Wisc. Frank Vetere, Harrisburg, Pa. Irving Shuck, New York, N.Y. Barney Mamet, New York, N.Y. Miss Anne E. Marvin, Charlottesville, Va. Austin Berkey, Chicago, Illinois Anonymous Hail Wisconsin Council of the Blind, Hail, Wisc. - $1,000.00 * Individual Contributions to the Ned Freeman Memorial Fund $20.00 and from the North Dakota Association of the Blind $25.00. * Contributions toward Thermoform Machine Kalamazoo Federation of the Blind, Kalamazoo, Mich. $250.00 We are especially appreciative of the excellent support received from all of the above and we particularly want to compliment Wisconsin. The following is edited copy of a letter received with the Wisconsin Lions Foundation $200.00 check dated September 14, 1969: "Enclosed check #1839 for $200.00 is in accord with recent Board action of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and is to be used in connection with the publication of the Braille Forum. "This action was taken in response to a suggestion by one of our Wisconsin Lions ... He explained that this magazine is sent to many of our blind friends in Wisconsin and so it is really therefore a statewide project which is one of the general guidelines for our activities. ... will you please arrange to have both a printed and Braille copy sent to us so it can be displayed at our next Board meeting at Wisconsin Lions Camp, Rosholt, Wis. 54473. Sincerely, Wisconsin Lions Foundation Lester Huseboe, Treasurer" ***** ** A Controversial Survey By George Card From Time via the Washington State White Cane: More than 800 social service organizations and programs seek to help the approximately 1,000,000 blind men, women and children in the U.S. According to a devastating and controversial new survey of how the blind are treated, most of these well-intentioned service groups actually encourage a sense of helplessness and dependency on the part of their clients. In THE MAKING OF BLIND MEN Princeton sociologist Robert A. Scott contends that the agencies have paid far more attention to help­ing society tuck the social problem of blind people out of sight than to meeting the needs of the afflicted. Clients who resist agency proposals are often labeled as "uninsightful," assigned low priorities for job programs and all but written off as hopeless cases. In rebuttal, agency spokesmen strongly contend that Scott's brush is much too broad. They correctly note than many progressive organizations for the blind, such as New York's Lighthouse, have modified their methods since the study began. ***** ** National Center for Deaf-Blind (Youths and Adults) The Industrial Home for the Blind, Brooklyn, New York will receive $600,000 from the Federal Social and Rehabilitation Service to establish and operate the first National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Funds to establish and operate the Center were authorized by the 1967 Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. The Industrial Home for the Blind was selected from among a group of applicants because of its success in developing regional training and rehabilitation services for deaf-blind youths and adults over a period of eight years. As the result of a research and demonstration project, also funded by the Social and Rehabilitation Service, the Industrial Home is now offering services to deaf-blind in 15 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Deaf-blind in 17 states outside these regions also got assistance on a more limited basis and information on the psychological and therapeutic aspects of rehabilitating persons with the dual handicap was provided 19 additional states and Puerto Rico. The major services include case-finding; medical, psychological, social and vocational evaluation; communications training (including speech therapy and language development); training in independent travel; low-vision rehabilitation; recreation; and long-term rehabilitation services including sheltered workshop employment and residence, and resettlement for those capable of resuming life in their communities and competitive employment. Of the several hundred individuals participating most recently in the experimental rehabilitation program, substantial numbers achieved significant and even spectacular rehabilitation. All participants shared reduction in degrees of dependency, many of them moving to total self-support. The new Center will enable the Industrial Home for the Blind to extend its deaf-blind rehabilitation program to the Midwest and far west where it plans to open regional offices. Until 1958, when the Industrial Home reported the high potential for rehabilitating the deaf-blind found in a two­-year study, deaf-blindness was in general considered too great a handicap to elicit positive action. ***** ** 49th Annual Convention Kansas Association for the Blind, Inc. Rain saturated clouds over Topeka, Kansas heralded the arrival of the young-at-heart as they converged at the Jayhawk Hotel October 10th to open the 49th Convention of the Kansas Association for the Blind. The theme: Listen, Oh Listen; the challenges of "To look toward things to come" and "build continually bridges over your difficulties" formed a common bond between all in attendance. Several of the members were unable to attend due to illness, but a surge of new members was a contributing factor to the feeling that the work was marching forward. The sessions were directed by excellent speakers, indicating those who made the preparations were diligent in detail. A highlight of the banquet was the presentation of the Extra Step Award. This was accepted by Faye Peterson in behalf of Otto Peterson in recognition for his special effort toward self-rehabilitation and his contribution to his fellow man. He was praised as the founder of the Southwest Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired, and the long hours spent in teaching braille transcribing classes. Ester Taylor was presented the Outstanding Service Award at the Breakfast and Business Meeting, where she was acclaimed to be "a true friend of the Blind." The more important resolutions adopted were: 1. To direct the legislative committee to support and aid the library council's plan and its adoption by the Kansas Legislature. 2. Expansion of home services to pre-school blind and parents under administration of D.S.B. 3.Request Ophthalmologists and Optometrists to alert their patients in regard to heredity implications of their eye problems. Final business was the installation of the following officers: Helen Vargo, President; Walter Schreiner, Vice President; Buelah Jennings, Recording Secretary; Shirley Smith, Treasurer of Revolving Fund; and Lorene Thompson, Finance Treasurer. Closing remarks included plans for the Golden Anniversary Convention, which will be held in Topeka. -- Walter Thomas ***** ** Georgia Federation of the Blind Convention The 14th Annual GFB Convention brought together an interesting group of blind folks from throughout the state for some good fellowship and an informative and worthwhile program. Of special interest was the Saturday afternoon panel discussion participated in by the Honorable Bill Burson, Director of Georgia Family and Children Services; Mr. John S. Prickett, Jr., Assistant Supt. of Schools in charge of Rehabilitation; Attorney L.S. Cobb of Marietta; Dr. Fred Crawford, Executive Director, South Carolina Commission for the Blind; and Mr. Wayne Edwards, Executive Director of Community Services for the Blind, Atlanta. There was thoughtful discussion following each speaker's remarks and it was clear to those listening that both Mr. Burson and Mr. Prickett are sincerely concerned with the needs of Georgia's blind citizens and are bending their efforts toward improving the program. The big "if" in all such hopes and plans is "funds available." Dr. Crawford reported that The South Carolina Comm. has several blind counselors and field workers on their staff and he gave a very impressive account of the growth of the Commission over its short period of existence. Mr. Edwards clarified the role of the "private service organization" and illustrated its areas of special effectiveness. He also announced some rather exciting plans for the future. Cooperation among all groups was especially emphasized. The morning session, too, brought together an impressive group of successfully employed blind persons who told of their work and something of their experiences in attaining their goal. These included: Larry Truttier, Taxpayer Service Representative, IRS; Magnolia Lyon and Eleanor Smith, switchboard operators in Atlanta; Ben Manley, Macon, piano tuner; Oselka Stanfield, Atlanta, Stand operator; and Mary Johnson, Macon, Medical Records Secretary. The Annual GFB Banquet was presided over by President Jack Lewis and Dr. Fred Crawford, Columbia, S.C. They brought an inspiring and encouraging message. Following the program the group was delightfully entertained by Miss Mary Wiley, Macon, at the accordion and Steve Keith, Atlanta, at the piano. Many joined in some joyful singing of familiar songs. The Sunday morning business session included reports by Chapter Presidents, Talmadge Barnes, Atlanta; Richard Holt, Bainbridge; and Mary Johnson, Macon, and announcement of the affiliation of the Georgia Chapter, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors with the GFB. After considerable discussion the convention passed a motion suggested by the president that the GFB will subsidize each local chapter by a minimum grant of $100 annually and up to $250, based on total active membership. This is designed to encourage membership and activity. ***** ** Recreation Center for the Blind By Fred C. Lilley Real Independence Through Employment, Inc., a small but dynamic St. Louis organization of mostly blind people, has attained a goal which is sought by many similar organizations — the recent purchase of a building which is intended to be used as a recreation center for all the blind people of the St. Louis area. The building, though not a new one, is well constructed. There are two large halls, both suitable for dances or dinners, each with its own bar and kitchen facilities. In addition, there is a meeting room seating small groups of twenty to thirty, which RITE plans to use for its monthly meetings. The second floor of the building houses a 5-room apartment, the living quarters of the caretaker and his family. The building is completely furnished with folding chairs, tables, pianos and other furniture and is ready for immediate occupancy. At present, the two large halls are rented by various groups for Friday and Saturday evenings for the: next several months in advance, and although RITE will of course honor these commitments, it looks forward to the time when the building can be used exclusively for organizational purposes. It is hoped that ultimately the property can be remodeled to more adequately meet the needs of the group. For example, in the future are plans for bowling alleys and a swimming pool in the building. It is also hoped that a stock of supplies and equipment needed by blind people can be maintained for their convenience. If, in the future, an adequate economic level can be reached, it is RITE's hope to have a telephone listing under the heading of "blind information" or other such heading, and employ a blind person full-time to answer the telephone calls and give factual information about available facilities and services as may be needed. Thus, the building will serve several purposes: a recreation center for the blind people of the St. Louis area, a source for handling merchandise, supplies and equipment, and a clearing-house for information, with a blind person employed to see that all runs smoothly. ***** ** Here and There By George Card Clyde Rose writes: "The award which rests on my very beautiful desk tends to remind me of the tremendous amount of work not yet done. When one works for his fellow blind he does not do so with the thought of awards. I get my reward daily from the satisfaction that comes from the reaction that I feel and hear from those I am trying to help." In order to provide faster service, Recording for the Blind, Inc., asks that borrowers now send two inkprint copies of each book to be recorded. The American Foundation for the Blind has issued a policy statement on a number of issues, from which the following is excerpted: (1) The Foundation strongly approves of services, activities and benefits which recognize the special needs of blind or visually impaired persons but disapproves of any such activity which perpetuates misconceptions and stereotyped thinking and tends to set blind or visually impaired persons apart from the rest of the community. Within this philosophical framework the Foundation does not believe that the establishment or continuance of special fragrance garden projects is in the best interests of visually impaired persons. (2) The Foundation is opposed to the practice of providing services on a segregated basis. Since its inception the Foundation has believed and continues to believe that democracy cannot tolerate discrimination directed at any part of its population or barriers that isolate groups of individuals from each other ... (3) Present laws on relatives responsibility are rooted in the Elizabethan Poor Laws. The AFB proposes the elimination of laws invoking relatives responsibility as a prerequisite to receipt of public assistance by all persons including those who are blind or ... (4) Any housing projects which tend to separate persons who are blind from the sighted community would be considered by the AFB as a contradiction to present-day concepts of integration of handicapped people in normal community living. The AFB affirms the principle that blindness in aging people is not a special debilitation requiring separate facilities but is rather one of many found in aging people and that whatever special services blind people may need should be built into regular residential facilities ... (5) The right of free movement for all persons including those who are blind can be served best through removal of length of residence requirements ... (6) The quality of an agency's services should be subject to the judgment of colleagues and other knowledgeable persons through a sustained and regulated plan of applying standards through a recognized accrediting system ... (7) Each multiply handicapped blind individual must be afforded opportunity to achieve his maximum potential. H.R. 7873 would require that impact-resistant eyeglasses be issued under the medical program for members of the armed services on active duty. The Department of Defense is opposing this bill, as it invariably does anything which involves change. If you have a loved one in the service, you should support this bill by writing Congressman Henry Helstoski, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. From a Washington State White Cane editorial: Blind people have learned one thing -- no one is better equipped to lay out the course and manage the race than the blind themselves. Enlightened agencies and workers for the blind should recognize this fact and listen to the advice and counsel of the organized blind. From the Illinois Braille Messenger: August 11 was designated by Governor Ogilvie and the Illinois State Fair staff as Illinois Federation of the Blind Day at the fair. Personal invitations were mailed to blind men and women and their designated sighted escorts to be guests that day. (Our ACB Illinois affiliate had a float in the opening day parade of the state fair.) -- Dr. Valvo, an ophthalmologist in Rome, claims to have observed about 50 cases of sight restoration. For those who have been blind since infancy: "Immediately after surgery, there is an initial phase of shock, followed by psychic depression. Finally after a variable length of time (sometimes more than a year) there is integration, with abandonment of behavior patterns of the blind." -- Research is in progress and test models are on trial to make the blind diabetic independent in testing sugar content. The blind may be able to use a device which activates buzzers of different tones. -- Science for the Blind has adapted a Singer Disc player to the particular needs of talking book and soundscriber readers. This battery-operated machine, with AC adapter, plays at 16 2/3 and 8 1/3 rpm, It has special features which protect the needle, permit movement of the machine while a record is playing and provides reverse rotation of the turntable to review a phrase or sentence, For a complete description of this player, which sells for $37.50, write to Science for the Blind, 221 Rock Hill Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. -- Six blind students of the University of North Carolina proposed a solution to the racial problem — blinding everyone so no one would know what's black and what's white. From the Florida White Cane Bulletin: Walter Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, became the first blind person in the U.S. to receive a degree in library science and the first blind individual to be employed as Chief Librarian in any of the branches of the Library of Congress system. Many schools and numerous counselors have hitherto regarded a library career as closed to blind people. -- Counselor Don Wedewer has been the driving force in exploiting a comparatively new field of employment for the blind. A group of sightless men and women are training in the Social Security offices in Miami. When that training is completed they will be able to handle the answering of the innumerable questions which come to all such offices through letters, direct interviews and via telephone. -- Richard Knight was re-elected as President at the Florida Federation of the Blind 1969 convention. One answer to the dearth of nominations for the two ACB annual awards might be found if the state organizations which make their own awards each year -- such as Illinois, Florida, Oregon and California -- would examine their lists of previous winners. I know that many of these have been outstanding personalities and might very well be eligible for the national awards. In reporting the opening of Canada's new million-dollar National Training and Vocational Guidance Center, the CNIB News states: The average sighted person must be retrained three times in the course, of his career and it has been apparent for some years that this is even more necessary for blind people. Since the majority of employed blind people now work in industry, plans are underway to conduct job feasibility studies in new industrial employment possibilities. Pilot projects in many untried areas will be set up. -- In 1965 Professor Bernard A. Hodson, University of Manitoba, established a training course for blind computer programmers. Of the 24 graduates all have been placed. Only six failed to complete the course which, according to Prof. Hodson, is a much better record than sighted students hold. -- At the Oita (Japan) Ecological Aquarium one section is especially for the blind, where there are many kinds of fish molded from polyester resin, labelled in braille, and when headphones are plugged into a jack a tape recorder automatically plays a description of the fish. From the California stand operators' Newsletter: Approximately 292 blind locations are returning to the state well over $350,000 per year in sales tax revenue alone and over $500,000 annually in cigarette tax. New locations could quickly return the $351000 in sales tax revenue that would be the cost per year in employing the additional staff needed. The Department of Rehabilitation opposes all efforts by blind organizations and individuals to upgrade the stand program or to promote programs that could result in large numbers of blind people obtaining gainful employment. The Department wanted to use the vending stand funds which have been set aside for maintenance and equipment for administrative salaries. But through our efforts this bill was killed. From the OCB (Oregon) Newsletter: June 25 might well become a red-letter day in the annals of the blind of Oregon, for it was on that day of this year the State Supreme Court decided that the Commission for the Blind was not the proper trustee of the Ella Munro Burden trust. This means that some $200,000 in trust assets will henceforth be used for the benefit of the needy blind and not for the benefit of the State of Oregon Treasury. An attitude survey by Roper Associates of a cross section of the U.S. shows that 56% thought that the blind should be in institutions or workshops. Clarence and Elizabeth While, charter members of ACB, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 24, surrounded by a host of friends and admirers. Clarence organized the West Virginia Federation of the Blind in 1954. These young people spend their summers in Huntington, W. Va., and their winters in Bradenton, Fla. The Stevens Brothers Foundation, Inc., 610-612 Endicott Building, St. Paul, Minn., which for years has been making loans to college students, has invented four items which it supplies free to any blind applicant. These are: Templet Signature Cards, Templet Envelope Addresser Cards, Templet Letteriter Cards and Embossed Giant Telephone Dials. This Foundation claims that the use of these four items makes writing available to all blind persons in 10 or 15 minutes by following the direction printed on these Templets. From the Ziegler Magazine: Lon E. Alsup, former Executive Director of the Texas Commission for the Blind, died August 7. -- The Library of Congress has ordered 10,000 tape cassette play-back machines. Requests for these must be placed through your regional library. -- New recorded magazines: Ebony, Ranger Rick's Nature Magazine and five new braille magazines: Atlas (to replace The Reporter), Today's Health, Playboy, Fortune and Psychology Today will soon be available. From the Ohio Bulletin: Never argue with a fool. On­lookers may not be able to tell who is which. There is grave danger that the Wagner-O'Day Act may be amended in a way that would deprive workshops for the blind of their present monopoly on government orders and would subject them to competition from all other types of workshops for the handicapped. The ACB adopted a resolution opposing such amendments in 1968. It is now doing all it can (almost singlehanded) to prevent their introduction. If this effort fails, our organization will do its utmost to bring about their rejection. The Florida Federation suffered a heavy loss with the passing of Rev. Loy Sumner, of Miami, on September 11. He was the first blind graduate of Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., and he was also a graduate of Western Pennsylvania Theological Seminary. He was the Editor of the Florida White Cane Magazine and was one of the most active members of the organized blind movement in his home state. From the Missouri Chronicle: Fred Lilley, of St. Louis, ACB Board member and Vice President of the Missouri Federation, has been appointed Finance Chairman of Lions District 26-A which is composed of 62 Lions clubs. -- Two new telephone gadgets sound interesting. The first of these allows a blind person to select any one of the 36 telephone numbers and have the unit automatically dial that number. Also available is a simpler device which allows a blind person to dial a single number by pressing a button. -- Mrs. Maxine Zuvers, blind since childhood, was presented an award by Bethesda General Hospital for five years of service. She has mastered the electric typewriter and the IBM-MTST, a high speed magnetic tape typewriter. -- The Missouri School for the Blind was the first to introduce braille to the western hemisphere in 1860, nine years before it was introduced in England. Now it is the first to use the new type braille slate, which writes from left to right and was described in the Forum some time ago. It is expected to supplant the conventional type in use since the 19th century. -- Roy Zuvers writes: "We know that we can educate and equip blind programmers, but we need strong progressive programs to educate employers concerning the availability of qualified, reliable help. Many people have said that automation has presented us with problems, and it has, but it has also created many new opportunities." ***** ** O.F.B. Convenes in Tulsa By Judy Boston The Oklahoma Federation of the Blind held its 1969 annual convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 10-12. Approximately 102 persons registered Saturday morning, and approximately 96 persons enjoyed the very fine banquet Saturday evening. Those who attended this convention would undoubtedly agree that it was a most beneficial and worthwhile event. The resolutions committee got the convention under way Friday evening. Several resolutions were introduced and discussed, and it was necessary to appoint a drafting committee to finalize some of these. Sunday morning -- before and after the election -- the committee presented nine original resolutions to the Federation board, each of which was passed. The O.F.B. also gave its full support to the eleven resolutions adopted at the A.C.B. convention in July. One very important resolution will initiate legislation to prevent the denial of teacher certification of qualified blind applicants in Oklahoma. Another resolution of vital importance will obligate the Federation to make certain, in whatever way necessary, that blind persons in Oklahoma are not denied merit testing, thereby denying state employment. These two resolutions at least indicate the need and urgency for progressive changes in our State in order to improve the welfare of the blind. The initial speaker on the program Saturday afternoon was Patricia Merriman, the only visually handicapped employ on the staff of the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. This library was a mere section of the state library prior to its transfer to the Division of Visual Services under the State Institution of Social and Rehabilitative Services, July 1, 1969. Mrs. Merriman discussed the rapid progress which has evolved since the transfer, and time was allotted for questions from the audience. President Bill Eden, 1966-69 O.F.B. president, reported on the functions of the Federation, and Linnie Swink, as treasurer, gave the report on the L.A.S.S. Federal Credit Union. A very interesting panel discussion, accurately and realistically portraying the blind person as a computer programmer, a masseur, and a "successful" stock holder on Wall Street, concluded the well-organized program. Don Stephens acted as a jovial and delightful Master of Ceremonies at the banquet Saturday evening. Featured speakers -- Durward McDaniel, National Representative of the A.C.B., and Senator Ralph Graves of Shawnee, Oklahoma — gave informative talks concerning legislation on both the national and state levels. An on-stage band provided music for the dance and games which followed the banquet. Saturday evening proved to be "peak of excitement" of the 1969 convention. The O.F.B. constitution requires that the election of Federation officers to serve in the coming year be held on Sunday morning of each convention. The officers now serving on the board are: President -- Gordon Stephens; first vice-president -- Robert Qualls; second vice-president -- Gerald "Mo" Bradley; treasurer -- John Simpson; secretary -- Judy Boston; board members at large -- Shirley Croxton, John McColley, Jesse Lyons; and, public relations -- Floyd Qualls. The delegate and alternate delegate to the A.C.B. convention are Gordon Stephens and Robert Qualls. Desired improvements for the blind in the coming year depend largely on this board which represents the 927 members of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind. Let it be said in conclusion that the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind is anticipating, with great pride and pleasure, the opportunity of hosting the 1970 convention of the American Council of the Blind. We sincerely hope this convention to be in Oklahoma City in July will be well attended. It isn't too soon to be planning a trip to the Sooner State! ***** ** A Word from the Editor A hearty thank you to those who provided the excellent material for this issue. If such splendid assistance continues, the Braille Forum will easily retain its traditional eminence as a truly informative and thought-provoking periodical. Remember: The contest for our NED E. FREEMAN article of the year award is open to all readers. We earnestly hope that many informed and thoughtful writers will participate. By so doing, you will have the thrill of competing for a substantial prize, to be presented at the ACB's next annual convention, as well as the good feeling that you have done your part to make the Braille Forum uniquely ours. So give special attention to the original articles (those written for the Braille Forum) in this issue, then show us what you can do. At least for the present, entries should not exceed four or five pages in length. Being convinced that our magazine should serve as a vehicle for affiliate news, I was delighted to receive several convention reports for the November issue. However, conventions are only once-a-year happenings, whereas the Forum (published every two months) could present affiliate news in each issue. To this end, I suggest that you continue to appoint someone to submit additional reports on your activities. Thus the Braille Forum, by serving as a clearing house for helpful information concerning the problems and projects of the affiliates, can plan a more effective role in the internal development of our rapidly growing American Council of the Blind. Best wishes for a joyful Thanksgiving and Christmas. ***** ** A Special Message from President Reese H. Robrahn At the close of the fourth World Assembly of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, I am seated at my desk in our hotel room to write for you, the readers of the Braille Forum, a hurried sketch of what I have witnessed. I am overwhelmed! How can I convey to you, in one brief article, all that I have heard, and smelled and touched and otherwise perceived during these twelve days -- two of them devoted to the deliberations of the WCWB Executive Committee, eight filled with professional sessions, and the last two spent at business sessions of the general assembly? By what magic of words or phrase can my imperfect writing skill depict the scope of my experience here? How can I, in one brief moment, sketch the history of blind men through the ages to reveal the utter despair and misery, the waste of human intellect and dignity, and staggering and seemingly insurmountable height and breadth of obstructions barring the liberation of blind men from pity and prejudice; and, in recent years, the dawn of hope and understanding and emancipation? For this is the panorama of the state of blind citizens of the nations of the world today, from the so-called emergent or developing countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America to the industrialized nations of Europe and North America. This World Assembly of the WCWB was truly an international conference, with 54 nations represented of India gave it that status, which was evident from the several high officials constantly in attendance or participating. Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, gracefully inaugurated the assembly; her words of wisdom and insight set the stage for the days and events that followed. India's population of about five hundred million includes approximately five million blind persons, yet it has only four special schools for them. True, some blind children attend schools for the sighted, yet the appalling fact is that only two percent of India's blind children are being educated. According to estimates, two thirds of blindness here is preventable and one-third is curable. Why blindness here isn't prevented, why it isn't cured when curable, why all blind children are not given an education or training -- all of this is the result of extreme poverty, woeful lack of public health regulations and ignorance of the basic rules of hygiene, religious impediments, and other economic and cultural factors. This is India's problem of staggering proportions -- a problem that recurs again and again in Africa, the Middle East, and remainder of Asia and Latin America. Yet, amidst the dreadful revelations, the theme of our conference was, "The Blind in an Age of Science." In addition to adopting eight resolutions, other than acknowledgements, the Assembly elected Mr. Charles Hedkuist, of Sweden, to serve as president for the next five years, and voted unanimously to employ a full-time Secretary General. M. Robert Barnett, representing the American Foundation for the Blind, Howard Hanson, representing the American Association of Workers for the Blind, and your president were elected as members of the WCWB Executive Committee, with Mr. Barnett being elected to one of the five positions of Vice-President. Probably because of my background in law, I was assigned the task of recommending revisions in the WCWB constitution. When we visited the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, we were told that its construction required the labor of twenty thousand workers for a period of twenty-two years. However, after we had examined its size, its precise yet intricate architecture, the minutia of detail in marble and stone, I marveled that it had not required many more laborers over a much longer period of time. And I thought somberly, even sadly, what wonders the people of India could now perform if so many lives labors for so many years were devoted to the restoration of sight, the prevention of blindness, and the rehabilitation and education of blind children and adults. Finally, I wish to stress that virtually all the progress here in education and work for the blind has come about during the past twenty years. Comparatively, then, a notable wonder has been wrought; and the small but ever-growing band of dedicated workers, both blind and sighted, has made the kind of effort and impact that can move mountains. ***** ** Thanksgiving Anonymous We thank Thee, Father for the care That did not come to try us; The burden that we did not bear, The trouble that passed by us; The task we did not fail to do, The hurt we did not cherish; The friend who did not prove untrue, The joy that did not perish. We thank Thee for the blinding storm That did not lose its swelling; And for the sudden blight of harm That came not nigh our dwelling. We thank Thee for the dart unsped, The bitter work unspoken, The grave unmade, the tear unshed, The heart-tie still unbroken. ***** ** 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, 241 State St., Salem, OR 97301 ** Directors Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota St., Hayward, CA 94545 Floyd Qualls, 106 NE 2nd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 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 Arnold Whaley, 8458 E. Brainard Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421 ###