The Braille Forum Vol. VIII May 1970 No. 6 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 Ridgway 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. ***** ** Table of Contents Notice to Subscribers President's Message Convention 1970 Okie Style Blind Lawyers Conference in July More W.C.W.B. Resolutions "Of" Organizations in the Total Rehabilitation Program Blind Loses Leader Problems of the California BEP The Making of Blind Men -- A Book Review, by William B. Hansen Blind Farmer Master of His Own Farm (from Tampa Tribune) The Community Agency for the Blind -- What Should It Be?, by Frank H. Kells Eleanor A. Wilson Dies Eyeman Develops Diagnostic Device Is Communism Really A Threat?, by Fred C. Lilley Never Say Die, by Kenneth Hinga Special Announcements Here and There, by George Card ACB Officers Directors ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large type, and on tape -- seven-inch, dual track, ips 3 and 3/4. 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 may be sent to ACB Treasurer Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301. ***** ** President's Message A resolution was adopted by the 1969 Convention of the Kansas Association for the Blind directing its President to appoint a committee to draft vending-stand legislation and directing its Legislative Committee to seek passage of the same now pending in Congress and made appropriate modifications to accommodate the Kansas administrative structures. We added some new features, the most important of which are the head of the licensing agency and five representatives from the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Kansas, Inc., the state organization of vending-stand operators. We successfully guided the bill through the Legislature and to the Governor's desk. At that point the Governor of Kansas made some inquiries based upon his fear that the bill is so general in nature that it could lead to administrative difficulties, the upshot of his inquiries led to an agreement to exempt from the provisions of the Act schools, the Turnpike Authority, the State Park Authority 9 and cities of the third class. I have been urged by many to publish the new Kansas "little Randolph-Sheppard Act" as a model vending-facilities law. Because of the many encroachment on vending-stand programs at all levels, it may be appropriate and expedient for you to seek the protection of similar legislation in your state. The FORUM editors have generously agreed to provide space for the publication of the new Kansas vending facilities act in its entirety. It is as follows: AN ACT relating to blind persons; concerning the operation of vending facilities on state, county and city property; duties and powers of the division of services for the blind of the department of social welfare; assignment of vending machine income; establishing certain requirements for public buildings and establishing a vending facilities advisory committee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF KANSAS: Section 1: For the purpose of providing blind persons with remunerative employment enlarging the economic opportunities of the blind, and stimulating the blind to greater efforts in striving to make themselves self-supporting, blind persons licensed under the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 107, of 1936, and acts amendatory thereto, an act of the Congress of the United States of America commonly known as the Randolph-Sheppard vending stand act, shall be authorized to operate vending facilities on any state, county, city or other property. In authorizing the operation of vending facilities on state, county, ad city property preference shall be given, so far as feasible, to blind persons licensed by the division of services f or the blind of the department of social welfare; and the head of each department or agency in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of state property shall, after consultation with the state board of social welfare, prescribe regulations designed to assure such preference, including exclusive assignment for such licensed blind persons without adversely affecting the interests of the state of Kansas. Section 2. As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) The term "state of Kansas" shall include political subdivisions of and the state of Kansas, EXCEPT SCHOOLS, CITIES OF THE THIRD CLASS AND TOWNSHIPS. (b) The term "blind person" means a person whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20 over 200, in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees. (c) The term "vending facility" includes, but is not limited to, automatic vending machines, cafeterias, snack bars, cart service, shelters, counters, and such other appropriate auxiliary equipment as rules and regulations of the division of services for the blind of the department of social welfare prescribe and as are necessary for the sale of the articles or services referred to in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of section 3 of this act, which are, or may be, operated by blind licensees. Section 3. (a) The division of services for the blind of the department of social welfare shall: (1) Make surveys of concession vending opportunities for blind persons on state, county, city and other property; (2) Make surveys throughout the state of Kansas of industries with a view to obtaining information that will assist blind persons to obtain employment; (3) Make available to the public, especially to persons and organizations engaged in work for the blind information obtained as a result of such surveys; (4) Issue licenses to blind persons who are citizens of the United States for the operating of vending facilities on state, county, city and other property for the vending of foods, beverages, and other such articles or services dispensed automatically or manually and prepared on or off the premises in accordance with all applicable health laws as determined by the licensing agency; (5) Take such other steps, including the adoption of rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this act. (b) The division of services for the blind shall, in issuing each such license for the operation of a vending facility, give preference to blind persons who are in need of employment. Each such license shall be issued for an indefinite period but may be terminated by said division if it is satisfied that the facility is not being operated in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by such division. Such licenses shall be issued only to applicants who are blind as defined by subsection (b) of section 2 of this act. (c) The division of services for the blind, with the approval of the head of the department agency in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of the state, county and city or other property on which the vending facility is to be located but subject to rules and regulations prescribed pursuant to the provisions of this act, shall select a location for such vending facility and the type of facility to be provided. (d) In the design, construction, or substantial alteration or renovation of each public building after July 1, 1970, for use by any department, agency, or instrumentality of the state of Kansas, EXCEPT THE STATE PARK AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY AND THE KANSAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, there shall be included after consultation with the division of services for the blind a satisfactory site or sites with space and electrical and plumbing outlets and other necessary requirements suitable for the location and operation of a vending facility or facilities by a blind person or persons. No space shall be rented, leased, or otherwise acquired for use by any department, agency or instrumentality of the state of Kansas after July 1, 1970, EXCEPT THE STATE PARK AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY AND THE KANSAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, unless such space includes, after consultation with the division of services for the blind, a satisfactory site or sites with space and electrical and plumbing outlets and other necessary requirements suitable for the location and operation of a vending facility or facilities by a blind person or persons. All departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the state of Kansas, EXCEPT THE STATE PARK AND RESOURCES AUTHORITY AND THE KANSAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, shall consult with the director of the department of social welfare or his designee and the division of services for the blind in the design, construction, or substantial alteration or renovation of each public building used by them, and in the renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring of space for their use, to insure that the requirements set forth in this sub­section are satisfied. This social welfare or his designee and the division of services for the blind determine that the number of people using the property is insufficient to support a vending facility. Section 4. The division of services for the blind of the department of social welfare shall: (a) Provide for each licensed blind person such vending facility equipment, and adequate initial stock of suitable articles to be vended therefrom as may be necessary: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That in no event shall the amount of such funds to be set aside from the proceeds of any vending facility exceed a reasonable amount as determined by the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 107, of 1936, and acts amendatory thereto, an act of Congress commonly known as the Randolph-Sheppard vending stand act. (c) If inventories are required by said division of services for the blind to be made of the stock and supplies of vending facilities, permit the licensed operator to elect to make his own inventories and report the same on forms furnished by said division: PROVIDED, That inventory of each vending facility shall be made at least once every four months: AND PROVIDED FURTHER In the event of the election of the licensed operator to make his own inventory, the said division shall have the right to take an inventory of the vending facility at any mutually agreeable time. (d) Issue such rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as may be necessary for the operation of this program. (e) Provide to any blind licensee dissatisfied with any action arising from the operation or administration of the vending facility program an opportunity for a fair hearing, including binding arbitration by three persons consisting of one person designated by the director of the division of services for the blind, one person designated by the licensed blind operator, and a third person selected by the two. (f) In employing any personnel as may be necessary for the operation of the vending facility program give preference to blind persons who are capable of discharging the required duties: PROVIDED, That the licensed operator of a vending facility shall have final authority to hire and to discharge employees of his vending facility. Section 5. (a) An arbitration board of three persons consisting of one person designated by the director of the department of social welfare who shall serve as chairman, one person designated by the head of the state department or agency controlling state property over which a dispute arises, and a third person selected by the two who is not an employee of the departments concerned shall hear appeals as provided in subsection (b) of this section. (b) If, in the opinion of the division of services for the blind any department or agency in control of the maintenance, operation, and protection of state property is failing to comply with the provisions of this act, or any regulations issued thereunder, it may appeal to the board. The board shall, after notice and hearing render its decision which shall be binding. If the board finds and determines that the acts or practices of any such department or agency are in violation of this act, or the regulations issued thereunder the head of the affected department or agency shall promptly cause such acts or practices to be terminated, and shall take such other action as may be necessary to carry out the decision of the board. All decisions of the board shall be published. Section 6. Notwithstanding other provisions of this act, any blind person suffering legal wrong because of any agency action, or adversely affected or aggrieved by such action within the meaning of this act or other relevant statutes, shall be entitled to and shall have standing for judicial review thereof. Section 7. There is hereby established a vending facilities advisory committee to the division of services for the blind consisting of five members who shall be designated and certified annually by the board of directors of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Kansas, Inc., a nonprofit organization of blind vending facilities operators, and the director of the division of the division of services for the blind shall meet with said advisory committee at least one time annually for the purpose of mutual advice and consultation; and the actual expenses incurred by the members of said advisory committee in attendance of such meetings are hereby authorized to be reimbursed by said division of services for the blind: PROVIDED, Special meetings may be called upon the written request of the said committee or upon written request of the director of the division of services for the blind which special meeting shall convene within fifteen (15) days of the making of such written request: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, Expenses incurred by the members of said committee in their attendance of special meetings convened at their request shall not be reimbursed as hereinbefore stated. Section 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book. ***** ** Convention 1970 Okie Style Chief Okie: Governor Dewey F. Bartlett Others Dr. Robert D. McCullough and Miss Wanda Jackson The week beginning July 12th, must be a MUST for you. To paraphrase the famous lines of George M. Cohan: Oklahoma welcomes you, the Skirvin Hotel welcomes you, and the Oklahoma Federation welcomes you. This week is planned to offer outstanding entertainment and information. By air, by rail, by bus, by car -- Oklahoma City is easily accessible from all parts of the nation. Monday and Tuesday will be devoted to conventions and seminars of special groups. These include Visually Impaired Secretarial-Transcriber Association, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, Visually Impaired Data Processors International, Amateur Radio Operators and others. Specified ACB Committees will meet on Wednesday morning. The first general session of the convention will be Wednesday afternoon. Highlight of Tuesday evening is a show presented by the internationally famous Country and Western Music Star, Miss Wanda Jackson. Her current schedule includes appearances in Hawaii, Phoenix, Arizona, followed by a month's tour of Europe. During late May, June and July, Miss Jackson will be telling the nation about the ACB Convention and inviting people to attend. She will prepare tapes to be used by radio stations throughout the nation. If you will contact your local radio stations throughout the nation (the one that features Country and Western Music) and inquire if it will air the taped spots, please advise Floyd Qualls, 106 N. E. 2d Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. This will expedite the distribution. Wednesday evening, the town is yours. Movie, shopping centers, night clubs and outstanding restaurants invite you. The Lyric Theater will be presenting "THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN" for those who like live theater. Many Oklahoma City Churches hold mid-week services on Wednesday evening for any who may wish to attend. Thursday evening, Governor Dewey F. Bartlett will host a reception at the Skirvin Hotel. The Governor is the State's best conveyor of the "OKIE HOSPITALITY" and you will enjoy meeting and visiting a bit with this very warm and congenial Okie. Friday night is the annual Banquet, preceded by the "ACB President's Reception." The customary awards will be presented, and delegates will be privileged to hear Dr. Hayden Donahue, Superintendent of Oklahoma's Central State Hospital. Dr. Donahue is an internationally known psychiatrist. He is constantly sought for consultation in his chosen field and in rehabilitation. Eye problems are not unfamiliar to Dr. Donahue. He has a sight limitation himself and you can be sure that whatever he chooses to say will be worth the listening. Senator Ralph Graves, one of the States most capable legislators, will act as master of ceremonies. Senator Graves is legally blind and has demonstrated his concern for the blind of Oklahoma through many pieces of legislation. Program participants include Dr. Clayton Morgan, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program at Oklahoma State University. He molded and now directs one of the nation's best-known courses for training counselors. Graduates from Dr. Morgan's class are in constant demand. Mr. John Linvill, Executive Head of the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University, developer of the "OPTACON," will discuss and demonstrate this reading device for the blind. His daughter Candy, who is blind, will read from the printed page and explain the techniques of learning to use the Optacon. Dr. Vito A. Proscia, Director of the Sensory Aids Evaluation and Development Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will display and discuss mobility aids now available and under discussion. Mr. William F. Crawford, Assistant to the Regional Director for Regional Council for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Dallas, will discuss programs and assistance available to the blind through his department. A specialist on "Low Income Housing," from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, will explain the procedures required to take advantage of this federal program. Dr. Robert McCullough, Tulsa, President of Lions International as of July 1, 1970, will address a Thursday noon Luncheon for Blind Lions and friends, Dr. Bob, as he is affectionately known throughout the world, is sincerely concerned with blindness and the problems that attend it. Each reader is requested to invite all blind Lions of his acquaintance to attend this high point of the convention. Special features call for one-hundred carnations to ladies that register early. Door prizes include: steak dinners (with transportation from the hotel and back) at a well-known restaurant, transistor radios, twenty-five-dollar gift certificate and many others. The grand prize is a Sony Cassette Tape Recorder. Make your reservation now with the Skirvin Hotel, Park at Broadway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Send a copy to Floyd Qualls, 106 N. E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Special room rates are: $9.00 for singles; $11.00 for doubles; $13.00 for twins. Single bedroom and parlor - $35.00, two bedrooms with parlor - $40.00. THIS CONVENTION YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS. Important Notes: A shuttle service from the airport to the hotel is being arranged for the convention guests. Upon your arrival at the airport, ask the "sky cap" to escort you to the Insurance Booth. There, someone will be responsible for your transportation to the hotel. This service will be available from eight a.m., (8am) to eight p.m. (8pm). More about this in the July issue. The deadline for nominations for the Ambassador and the George Card Awards has been extended to June First. Send nominations to Awards Committee Chairman, Assunta Lilley, 7629 Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117. ***** ** Blind Lawyers Conference in July Last summer plans were carried out which led to the establishment of the American Blind Lawyers Association. Lawyers met in Charlotte and a larger group of blind and visually impaired attorneys will meet this year in Oklahoma City immediately prior to the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind. This new professional organization will serve a special purpose for its members and for future members of the profession. A special bulletin will go out later to those on the mailing list. Any blind lawyer who would like information may obtain it from the Council's Washington office. The address appears on the front cover of this magazine. The provisional board of trustees of the American Blind Lawyers Association is composed of: Professor T. Mumford Boyd, Charlottesville, Virginia; Paul Kirton; John Vanlandingham of Phoenix; Marcus Roberson, San Antonio; Vernon Williams, South Dakota; Reese Robrahn; John Patterson, Buffalo; and Durward McDaniel. ***** ** More W.C.W.B. Resolutions * Resolution 4 National and International Action RECOGNIZING that, despite impressive advances in some countries, the standard and scope of work for the blind in many countries still falls short of the minimum requirements suggested at the Oxford Conference in 1949, and repeatedly affirmed by this Council since its Foundation. RE-AFFIRMING the validity and practicability of those minimum requirements and the right of blind people everywhere to opportunities in economic, social and cultural life equal to those enjoyed generally by the citizens of the countries in which they live; REGRETTING that existing resources to cope with the formidable and growing problem of blindness in the developing countries, and most inadequate and concerned that such resources should be augmented and used to the best advantage; CONSCIOUS of the importance and value of the programmes in this field of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and of the fact that further development of these programmes depends upon initiatives taken by participating Governments: THE ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDS: 1. That each National Delegation to the W.C.W.B. should examine the adequacy of the provision made for the blind in its country in the light of standards set by this council, and, where achievement falls short of an acceptable minimum, should set up appropriate machinery to formulate a Development Plan with specific objectives and priorities and, in a well-designed programme, should take vigorous and concerted action to mobilize nationally and internationally the resources necessary to achieve the objectives of that Plan. 2. That in those countries which have overseas aid programmes, the National Delegation to W.C.W.B. should examine the adequacy of the contribution which their country is making to the advancement of work for the blind and the prevention of blindness in the developing countries, and that, where a greater contribution is considered possible, should take the initiative in consultation with the specialized international organizations concerned to achieve an increase in that contribution. 3. That National Delegations from the Developing Countries should, in consultation where necessary with the Specialized International Agencies concerned, identify needs and priorities and should take all possible action to urge their Governments to request the necessary aid from appropriate international sources. 4. That the United Nations, I.L.O., UNCESCO and other specialized Agencies with responsibilities in this field should review their respective programmes with the intention of ensuring that adequate priority is given to the needs of the blind and that they should act, together with the Non-Governmental Organizations concerned, in conducting research into problems affecting the blind and into determining the best means of collecting, collating, classifying and distributing information in this field. 5. That the Secretariat of the World Council, and the International Organizations which are associated with it, should do everything in their power both to stimulate and systematize an increased flow of international and bilateral aid and also to strengthen arrangements for consultation and coordination and to achieve high professional standards in project planning. * Resolution 5 Education RECOGNIZING that in this age of science the need to provide education and vocational training for the blind, geared to meet the technological challenge and designed to enable them to lead a fuller life, is of fundamental importance, THE ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDS: 1. That blind people have the right to a basic technical training in the course of which they may acquire the knowledge and skills they need in order to overcome their handicap. Within that training the maximum use should be made of any residual vision. Blind people should be encouraged to maintain the standard of behaviour and appearance prevailing in their surroundings. The aim should be to give blind people the fullest possible independence and personal freedom. They should be given every opportunity to develop their initiative, their activities and their capacity for adjustment. 2. That all blind people are entitled to education, vocational training and development according to their individual capacities and their gifts. This right, consistent with the U.N. Declarations on Human Rights, is particularly important for blind people who must work competitively within a seeing community. The blind who have the necessary gifts and who have undergone the requisite training should have the same opportunity as sighted people to attend universities, technical colleges or other academic institutions offering higher education. 3. That blind people have the right to benefit from the services of teachers, educationalists and vocational training staff selected by reason of their aptitude and their concern for their students' progress and who have been specially trained for the purpose. These teachers should keep abreast of the latest developments in their own subjects and in educational techniques; they should be concerned with everything that occurs to the individuals in their care and be prepared to adjust themselves to constant changes in both society at large and in the requirements of specific trades and professions. The demands made on the teachers and instructors are high and to attract staff of the right caliber it is essential to ensure that they are paid a salary which recognizes their special qualifications and experience. Among teachers and instructors, there should be a number of blind people appointed on the basis of their capabilities in developed programmes. * Resolution 6 Economic Opportunity AWARE that the cost to Society of the maintenance of its blind Citizens through Public Assistance and Family Maintenance is many times greater than the cost of programmes providing Rehabilitation, Training and Placement resulting in gainful occupations, thereby producing contributing instead of dependent Citizens; CONCERNED that there exists throughout the World widespread discrimination against blind people in the employment field by reason of blindness; RE-AFFIRMING that it is the right of every human being in every Society to be afforded opportunity to achieve maximum potential; ACKNOWLEDGING that for some blind people sheltered employment is necessary, expedient and desirable either as the interim or terminal employment, but cognizant that some Workshop programmes in certain countries are inadequate because the employment in such undertakings all too frequently leads to terminal employment at sub-standard wages, working conditions and fringe benefits and with little regard to modern industrial and management techniques or to the profitability of the undertaking; CONSCIOUS that in a rapidly changing technological situation, with increasing automation, retraining for a variety of occupations is a condition or competitive survival, THE ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDS: 1. That all countries be urged to endorse and invoke the principle that every blind person who is educable and trainable is entitled to self-attainment and to the opportunity to achieve full potential and remunerative occupation. 2. That Governments and Employing Authorities in all countries be urged to abolish all discriminatory have practices, the automatic procedures effect or of qualifications which would have the automatic effect of excluding blind persons from admission to or advancement in trade, profession, service or occupation. 3. That the Authorities concerned with planning employment programmes for the disabled should at all times ensure that the specialized needs of the blind are fully provided for, and that staff qualified and trained to serve these special needs are utilized in any workshop training, employment, placement or after-care programme for the blind. 4. That rural training facilities, which are the only of the practicable outlet, for the employment of that majority of the blind who live in Agricultural Communities, should be recognized as the main element in the rehabilitation programmes of the Developing Countries. Re-affirming, in this connection, the Resolutions of previous Assemblies, the Council urges the Authorities in all Developing Countries to study the impressive benefits which have resulted from agricultural training programmes for the blind in Africa and Asia, and to introduce or expand such programmes together with accompanying systems of rural re-settlement. ***** ** "Of" Organizations in the Total Rehabilitation Program (Editor's Note -- This is a condensation of an article which was prepared by Ned Freeman for the Journal of Rehabilitation. After paying a warm tribute to our founding President, the Editor wrote: "We join the many friends of Ned Freeman in mourning the loss of a dedicated leader who guided the ACB as it its president during the first five years of its existence and whose voice was the voice of reason and benevolence, asking only to serve the cause of the handicapped people of this nation.") There is a growing realization that those most vitally concerned for the improvement of social agencies, the clients themselves, have much to contribute to the planning and implementation of better programs of service. This was first given official recognition when President Johnson stated that the poor should be integrated into policy-making and policy­implementing positions in the economic opportunity program ... Perhaps the most important contribution which other persons with the same disability can render in the rehabilitation of a given client is the example and encouragement which the members of a group give to each other. The value of this type of interaction is recognized in the group sessions at rehabilitation centers ... These people can do more for the newly blinded adult than any professional worker. It is not always easy to get the more successful blind people to take part in the meetings and work of the organization. They tend to forget how much help they themselves had ... Unfortunately, all too many of our handicapped workers in the field have acquired this same attitude and can be just as patronizing and paternalistic as any "Lady Bountiful" or "Mr. Do-Good." ... The second important role for the OF organizations is that of critic. This is the sore spot which has estranged the organizations and the agencies. The agency feels that it is presumptuous and impertinent for Oliver Twist to ask for more -- more effective services and more voice in planning. The clients, on the other hand, feel that they are being exploited for the benefit of the professional. We all know cases where one or the other of these is well justified. But, with good will on both sides, it is possible for the two groups to work together to the advantage of all concerned. In a number of states the organizations OF the blind and the state agencies FOR the blind are working together and in these states some of the best and most progressive programs have developed as a result of such cooperation ... This does not mean that we have surrendered our responsibilities for criticism. Nor would we recommend such surrender to state or local groups. Rather it means that criticism should be responsible and that primary reliance is to be placed on face-to-face discussion of differences ... Organization representatives should realize that agency personnel, too, have problems which may prevent them from doing some things they would like to do ... Third, organizations OF the blind can help to convince state and federal law makers and the general public of the needs for improvement in existing programs and the establishment of new ones. ***** ** Blind Loses Leader Gordon P. Stephens, President of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind, suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after 7 a.m., Monday, April 13th. Mr. Stephens, a resident of Oklahoma City, was attending a board meeting of the Capitol Sertoma Club in the State Capitol Building. At the time of his death, Mr. Gordon P. Stephens was very active in work for the Blind. He was elected President of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind in October of 1969, and immediately set about working on arrangements for the National Convention of the American Council of the Blind which the Federation will host this summer in Oklahoma City. He has been very concerned with the development of a health and hospital program for Federation members. Shortly after formation of the Oklahoma League for the Blind in 1949, Mr. Stephens was elected to its board of directors. He became secretary-treasurer of this organization and for many years has filled this position and acted as chairman of the League's Finance Committee. His wisdom, his willingness and his council, have served to guide the League over many difficult paths. In 1953, Mr. Stephens joined with others to form a statewide, federally chartered, credit union primarily for its service to blind persons. Never one to shirk a duty, when a chairman of the credit union's loan committee was needed, Mr. Stephens was available and willing. It was, and is, a thankless position, but someone had to do it and without hesitation Mr. Stephens did. Much of the success of the organization grew from a beginning of less than one thousand dollars to its present stature -- more than four hundred members, upwards of $200,000 in share accounts and a record of having loaned approximately one and three-quarter millions of dollars. Mr. Stephens is well known in music circles as an excellent pianist. For many years he and his brother have operated the Stephens Brothers Piano Service, and unquestionably set the standard for quality piano technology throughout metropolitan Oklahoma City. The Symphony and touring artists depend on the Stephens Brothers for excellence in piano service. For more than a decade Gordon Stephens has been active in the Piano Technicians' Guild -- an international organization of piano craftsmen. He was re-elected president for the Guild's Oklahoma Chapter on Saturday, April 11th. His concern and interest for the young piano tuner technician has been demonstrated uncountable times. "When you need a helping hand, go see Gordon." This advice was generously given to any technician facing a problem he was unable to solve. The Guild's governing Council has often had Mr. Stephens sit as a delegate from Oklahoma. His ability to remove the veneer and reveal the core has saved many individuals and organizations from following a damaging course. It has been frequently said that no man is indispensable. Mr. Gordon Stephens is certainly one that is irreplaceable. The world may never build a monument in his memory, but he will always be a living monument in the memory of those who knew him and were privileged to work with him. ***** ** Problems of the California BEP (Editor's Note: The following article is reprinted from the California Blind Businessmen Incorporated Newsletter of April, 1970.) It has come to our attention that while only 5 additional locations for the blind were added to the BEP during the entire last fiscal year, some of the funds from the Special Vending Stand Trust Funds containing fees collected from operators within the BEP are being spent contrary to the intent and purposes of the provisions of the state law governing the BEP. Following is the complete analysis and opinion of the Legislative Counsel of Calif. as written Feb. 11, 1970 #1543: Honorable James Mills. * QUESTION NO. 2 You have asked whether the service charge collected from blind vending stand operators that is deposited in the Special Deposit Fund may be used for administrative staff, staff retained as consultants, and administrative operational expenses such as travel, telephone, clerical help, clerical material and rent. * OPINION NO. 2 It is our opinion that the service charge collected from blind vending stand operators that is deposited in the Special Deposit Fund may not be used for such staff or expenses. * ANALYSIS NO. 2 Section 19629 of the Welfare and Institutions Code provides as follows: "19629. The department shall: "(a) Make surveys of opportunities for the operation of vending stands by blind persons in public buildings. "(b) Prescribe all necessary rules and regulations for operation of the vending stands, and do all things necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including the collection of a service charge based on gross sales, which service charge shall not exceed 6 percent thereof from each vending stand operator, and shall be placed in the Special Deposit Fund to be used for maintenance, repairs, and replacement of equipment, for additional equipment, for the construction of new vending stands and food service facilities, for loans to operators for initial stock, and for such other expenditures as are found necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; provided, that no portion of such service charges shall be used for administrative salaries. It is the intent of the Legislature that the expenditure of such service charges as are authorized by this section shall be supplemental to and in augmentation of any current appropriation or diminution of any such appropriations. A sum equal to 4 percent of the wages paid by an operator to any blind person, as defined in Section 6905; or any disabled person, as defined in regulations issued by the department, shall be deducted from any service charge paid by the operator, to encourage operators to employ more blind and disabled workers and thereby set an example for industry and government. "There shall be no deduction from any service charge paid by an operator if the operator does not pay wages at least equal to the minimum wages required of employer pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1171) of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Labor Code. "(c) Select a location for each vending stand constructed or installed in any building subject to the approval of the person, governing board or legislative body having the car, custody, and control of such building. "(d) Issue licenses for the operation of vending stands to blind persons who are citizens of the United States and 21 years of age or over. "The amendments to this section made at the 1959 Regular Session of the Legislature apply only to persons hired by an operator after July 1, 1969." Thus the service charge collected from blind vending stand operators and deposited in the Special Deposit Fund is required to be used for maintenance, repairs, and replacement of equipment, for additional facilities, for loans to operators for initial stock, and for such other expenditures as are found necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; provided, that no portion of such service charges shall be used for administrative salaries. It is a general rule regarding statutory construction that where general words follow the enumeration of particular classes of persons or things, the general words will be construed as applicable only to persons or things of the same general nature or class as those enumerated (Pasadena University v. Los Angeles County, 190 Cal. 786). Thus other expenditures as are found necessary to carry out the purposes of the chapter would be construed as expenditures of the same general nature as expenditures for equipment, construction of facilities and supplies to blind vending stand operators. Since administrative staff and administrative operational expenses such as travel, telephone, clerical help, clerical material and rent are not persons or things of the same general nature as those enumerated, we do not believe that they could be construed as other necessary expenditures. In addition the statute specifically excludes any portion of the service charges in the Special Deposit Fund from being used for administrative salaries. Since without the exception administrative salaries would not have come within the scope of the act, it is clear that the exclusion of such salaries from the provisions is made out of an abundance of caution and not to indicate that without the exception the thing excepted would come within the scope of the act (Mono County v. Industrial Ace. Com., 175 Cal. 752). Thus it is our opinion that the service charge collected from blind vending stand operators that is deposited in the Special Deposit Fund may not be used for administrative staff, staff retained as consultants, and administrative operational expenses such as travel, telephone, clerical help, clerical material and rent. Very truly yours, George H. Murphy Legislative Counsel Mary Shaw Deputy Legislative Counsel ***** ** The Making of Blind Men -- A Book Review By William B. Hansen (Editor's Note: The Making of Blind Men by Robert Scott is one of the most controversial books ever written in the field of work for the blind. We were not surprised to find strongly adverse reactions from agency personnel, because this book hits many of them hard where it hurts — in the underlying philosophy which supports their livelihood. However, the rash of criticism which has come from some quarters among the organized blind has been much more difficult to understand. Much of Scott's basic hypothesis would seem to lend support to the philosophy which has motivated organizations of the blind in the past. He faults some agencies, for instance, for what he calls "sequestering" the blind. He cites one instance in which a paternalistic agency, instead of training its clients to cope with the community environment, sequesters them in a facility in which all rooms and halls have been marked in braille; a bell has been installed at the front door to ring periodically to apprise clients of the location of the building; and many clients were bought to and from the agency in cars provided by it. Scott seems to have been appalled by this over-protectiveness, as many of us would be. Yet all the reactions to this book which have come to my attention have been highly charged with emotion. It is for this reason that I have sought an objective evaluation from someone with a background in sociology, someone who would extract the essence of Scott's thesis without nit-picking quotations out of context and without measuring it against preconceived organizational dogmas. The author of the following review is well qualified to make this evaluation. He is currently working on his Ph.D. at Brown University and teaching at Providence College. His specialty is Medical Sociology. Incidentally, he happens also to be my son-in-law, which though it may not contribute to his qualifications, it has helped to make him available. Earl Scharry, Associate Editor) * Are Blind Men Made? By William B. Hanson Judging from the new book, The Making of Blind Men, by Robert Scott, the answer to the intriguing question of whether or not blind men are made would have to be an unequivocal yes. In this book, the reader is presented with a rather concise and convincing argument that "the disability of blindness is a learned social role." This means that the various attitudes and behavior patterns which are characteristic of blind people are not inherent in their condition itself. On the contrary, they are learned through the ordinary processes of social role learning (i.e. "socialization") which all of us go through. This in and of itself, is perhaps not such a shocking or provocative thesis. However, Scott goes on to lucidly demonstrate how "the blindness system" (i.e. the agencies, foundations, and programs of and for the blind) are largely responsible, through role learning, for creating and perpetuating what the public knows today as the blind person. Most of the 800 organizations of and for the blind are characterized by what Scott calls the "accommodative approach" to the problems of blindness and rehabilitation. According to this view, blindness presents insurmountable barriers to the achievement of independence by blind persons. This attitude and belief on the part of blindness workers leads to settings and programs in the blindness system designed to "accommodate the helpless, dependent, blind person. A fact which is even more shocking, at least to those of us who constitute the sighted public, (and I would suspect to most blind people also) is that this helplessness and dependency syndrome is really exactly the way we, the public, want it. The underlying tensions entailed in a simple interaction encounter of a sighted person with a blind person and the uncertainty, awkwardness, and ambiguity of such meetings make them frustrating and embarrassing and, therefore, situations which sighted people prefer to avoid. Thus, the public's conception of the role of blind men inadvertently dictates that they be hidden from the sighted public. In order to survive blindness organizations, being largely supported by public monies, must function in accordance with the public view of what the social role of blind men should be. Consequently, the person with severe visual impairment who goes to an agency for assistance is made to conform to the image which the workers (and the public) have of what blind people should be like (i.e. dependent and relatively helpless individuals). A most convincing element of Scott's argument, and one he does not emphasize enough, is his analysis of the "independent blind" and the blinded veterans. Those are persons who have been clients or trainees of blindness organizations, but who are now living on their own in the community (independent blind) or persons who have been rehabilitated through Veterans' Administration programs which adhere to what Scott calls "the restorative approach." This approach is based on the notion that blind people can be restored to a high level of independence, enabling them to live a reasonably normal life. With regard to the independent blind, the author concludes that none of the six people interviewed in this category evidenced "the attitudes and behavior patterns so common among clients of agencies practicing the accommodative approach to rehabilitation." The situation is similar with the blinded veterans whose rehabilitation program is geared entirely toward providing the kind of skills that will enable blind veterans to return home and live on their own. For instance, Scott cites a reliable study which concluded that few, if any, differences existed between the blind veterans studied and the general sighted male population of the same ages. This clearly points to the fact that the kind of rehabilitation one receives can produce extremely different outcomes among blind people. It is likely that social scientists, and especially sociologists, will not find Scott's thesis as difficult to accept as will the general public, blindness workers, and many of the blind themselves. Sociologists have studied the socialization process in terms of the impact that various kinds of organizations, large bureaucracies, hospitals, schools, and persons have on the personal and social development of individuals interacting within them. General knowledge gained from these studies would certainly be supportive of Scott's thesis. The important point here is that serious consideration be given by persons connected with the blindness system to the proposition that blind men are fit into a mold which society has prepared for them and that blindness agencies as mediators for the public play a very influential role in this molding process. While Scott's presentation is clear and relatively free of professional jargon, some may fault him for presenting so little of his own data. This consisted largely of his observations of the operation of the blindness system and his interviews with a wide range of people, both sighted and blind, associated with the blindness system. The scanty presentation of actual interview material, for instance, deprives the reader of the opportunity to test his own interpretation against that of the author and to follow the thinking the author used in arriving at his conclusions. In view of Scott's own conclusions and the general knowledge acquired by social scientists in the area of socialization and social deviance this does not rank as a serious problem. The same judgment also applies to the fact that Scott's "sample" is probably not entirely representative of the total blindness population. He acknowledges this but feels "reasonably certain that (he has) encountered most of the situations, experiences, and sentiments of blind people who are clients or former clients of agencies for the blind." The material which Scott does present clearly indicates that he has not gone beyond his data in drawing his conclusions. On the other hand, it is unfortunate that the author has not explicitly gone much beyond his conclusions. In Appendix B, he does discuss briefly and generally the interplay and importance of "practice theory and scientific theory" in the application of social science knowledge. However, he does not discuss the possible specific implications of his major thesis for other aspects of the life cycle of the blind. Certainly, this is not his main purpose. Yet, it does not seem too soon, even now, to look at some possible questions which Scott's thesis suggests in at least one important area, the education of blind children. This, of course, includes a different type of blind population than Scott studied, but his findings are suggestive of many problems in this area. For instance, how do blind children who attend a residential school (accommodative approach?) compare on social background, personality traits, type of blindness, performance, etc., with blind children who attend a public school (restorative approach)? Are residential schools more likely to produce blind children who end up as clients in blindness agencies or as independent blind persons? What exactly are some of the different role learning processes which go on in these two different settings, and how do they affect, for instance, the adjustment personality of blind men? Questions such as these are directly related to the rehabilitation and the future of people who have severe visual impairments. These remarks only serve to emphasize the importance of Scott's argument that "alternative approaches to rehabilitation can produce radically different socialization outcomes among blind people." Apparently, if blind people are not to be "duped" into adopting a dependent social role which an ignorant public imposes on them out of self-interest, all people associated with blindness and blindness organizations must subject themselves and their programs to the re-examination and critical evaluation which Scott recommends. This, as the author makes clear, will enhance the potential of blindness organizations to use their powerful position as a tool for positive social change. ***** ** Blind Farmer Master of His Own Farm (from Tampa Tribune, March 12, 1970) It's just as easy for Allen A. Iseley to work his 250-acre farm near here at midnight as it is at noon. In fact, Iseley prefers nighttime farming because "there's so much less noise distraction." "Sound and my fingertips are my eyes," says the 50-year-old farmer, who began losing his eyesight in high school due to retina deterioration. Today Iseley, who barely perceives the change from day to night, remains master of a large herd of cattle and nine acres of tobacco. And he does it without having had any special training. "I adapted on my own by improvision," says the man who, carrying a staff, can drive 45 cattle from one pasture to another, can feed and inject them with hypodermics and can even castrate the bulls. "I can do everything in tending cattle except mow the pasture," says Iseley, who has hung different size bells on several cows so he can identify their location. "My only problem is that people who help me sometimes try to take over, when I know I can do it better. I can load the cattle more quickly and easily because they know me." With tobacco, his money crop, Iseley again describes himself as a "full hand." "I can do anything in farming tobacco that I can touch with my hands, except plowing, hoeing and chopping. "Sometimes my help can't see to thread the tying machine, so they call me," he said of the two hired hands who help with the farm. "I've made a device which makes it easy, and to keep from walking into the tobacco and bruising it I always place a two-by-four in front of me in the barn." At corn planting time, Iseley carries the fertilizer and distributes it to the person doing the planting. "I stick a transistor radio on the wagon where the fertilizer is and by hearing can walk from anywhere in the field back to the wagon to the fertilizer," he explains. "Anytime I'm near buildings and roads l have no trouble in knowing where I am, but out in the middle of a field I get turned around." Iseley, who began farm chores as a child, says he's seldom lost, and when he is, it's not for long. He listens for a highway noise or the train three miles away, wind blowing through trees or birds singing. "Sometimes I go in a circle but being lost has never been a real problem. One time when there was snow on the ground, I'd been a mile across a field to the neighbor's. I decided to come home through the woods, but got lost. I knew there were two streams in there but a good ways apart, so when I came to the first one I got down in the water to see which way the stream was flowing. I knew by the way the water was running which way was home." Sound is one of Iseley's key direction aids. "By distinguishing what I hear I can tell whether I'm walking on sand or gravel, and all that points me in the right direction." He also can determine when he's near an object like a tree or tractor. "The sounds are different and I realize something is there," he says. Iseley's ability doesn't stop with his farm work. He wired his home, with the only help coming from his wife who told him the different color of the wires. He also cleans gutters, cuts firewood with a chain saw, builds and repairs fences, tends several beehives and does maintenance jobs around his home. Iseley has been working as a full-time farmer -- almost 18 hours a day from April to November -- since his graduation from Elon College with a degree in business administration. He decided to "come home and pull corn," rather than enter Duke University Medical School, where he had been accepted for study. In his spare time Iseley "reads" everything he can get his hands on. He has found it difficult to master Braille because of the lack of time and his work-roughened fingertips. Most of his "reading" is done by listening to recordings. ***** ** The Community Agency for the Blind -- What Should It Be? By Frank H. Kells (Editor's note: Mr. Kells is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Center for the Blind. He was scheduled to speak on our 1969 convention program but last-minute developments made it impossible for him to come to Charlotte. He has prepared the following excerpts from his convention remarks for publication in the Braille Forum.) To me, such an agency should be a place where any individual who happens to be blind can enhance his efforts to pursue his life as nearly as possible in the way he might have pursued it, if he DIDN'T happen to be blind. Now, this either says it ALL, or it says NOTHING, depending on how you interpret it, so, here are a few interpretations -- the important ones, as I see them: 1. "... any individual" ANY individual -- not ALL individuals. They're all different. Many don't need you. Some may need you, but don't know it. Many don't know that you exist. Others need something you don't have, or need what some other place has. Some may not even know they are blind! (I found out that I was blind when I read it in a newspaper!) 2. "... who happens to be blind" It's not a new expression, but it can make a big difference. Is "blindness" the most important thing about a blind person? Is it even his major problem? He may think so, but I have yet to meet the blind person whose biggest problem is poor eyesight. Lick REAL problems like self-doubt and lack of necessary skills, and you are well on your way. 3. " ... can enhance his efforts" If anything good is to happen, HE is going to do it. We must LET him do it, placing some proven tools, and skills, and attitudes, where he can take advantage of them, if he wants to. 4. "... to pursue his life" Yes, HIS life -- the one he had long before he met us. Whatever shape it's in, it's still the only life he has. He may need to make repairs, but he can't trade it in on a brand new one. However, aren't we often guilty of acting like "new life" salesmen? 5. " ... as nearly as possible" Not "EXACTLY" -- just "as nearly as possible." While eating your heart out for one "might-have-been," you can miss out on a hundred "can-be's." 6. "... in the way he might have pursued it" This is the toughest decision of all. No one can predict how he might pursue the rest of his own life, let alone anyone ELSE'S. Even without blindness in the picture, we can only speculate. But we can at least try to help him avoid "settling for less" because he thinks he cannot be more. Happy is he who does his best -- and finds this to be enough. 7. "... if he didn't happen to be blind" THERE is a most useful yardstick for our achievements. Do we really come to grips with lack of eyesight as a factor in our lives? Have we scrapped the broken record, "I'm NOT different, I'm NOT different," in favor of some hi-fi stereo like, "Sure, I'm different -- isn't everybody? But INFERIOR I'm NOT!" Have we learned to place "blindness" well down among our important characteristics, and to blame it ONLY for difficulties it actually causes? Do we accept the fact that we are ONLY HUMAN? Can we laugh at ourselves on occasion? If we have learned these things, we can't be doing too badly. And if you happen to be one of those "community agencies" we started out to discuss, and if blind individuals who come to you are moving in these directions, then you can't be doing too badly, either. What do YOU think? ***** ** Eleanor A. Wilson Dies Eleanor A. Wilson, who could well be called the First Lady of the Kansas Association for the Blind, passed away on January 17 of this year. She was born in 1872. She was a founder of KAB, chairman of a committee which established a workshop for the blind in Kansas, the first adult worker for the blind in Kansas, the first worker responsible for talking book machines in Kansas and instrumental in establishing the division of services for the blind. A cause she championed was "To Make Every Blind Kansan a Self-Supporting Citizen." Judge Reese Robrahn writes, "The most unique quality of Eleanor A. Wilson was that her wisdom and understanding concerning the problems of blind children did not become fixed and static as the years passed by. Quite to the contrary, her understanding and knowledge grew with each passing year and in her sagacity she accepted change for the better and recognized new techniques and procedures much more readily than some young contemporaries. Her sage advice and counsel on many issues has marked every step of progress of the blind in Kansas during the past half century." (I had the privilege of knowing this great lady and I rank her with Mary Switzer and Eleanor Roosevelt.) ***** ** Eyeman Develops Diagnostic Device From Listen: A relatively quick test that will detect the early symptoms of several major eye ailments may be possible within the next few years, thanks to an electronic diagnostic device conceived and carried out to date by a team at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, headed by Dr. John H. Lynn. The equipment uses a computer and a rewired television set to produce a map of the patient's field of vision. "The seven major causes of blindness each affect a person's field of vision," Dr. Lynn is quoted as saying. "By analyzing electronically produced maps of the field of vision, we can help diagnose an ailment at an early stage and then monitor the effect of treatment." (The point, of course, is that early diagnosis makes possible effective treatment, whereas the same condition detected at a later stage may be hopeless.) ***** ** Is Communism Really a Threat? By Fred C. Lilley If you have listened to the hue and cry about the threat of Communism and wondered how well the Communists are succeeding in their quest for world domination, read the following "Rules for Revolution" and make your own judgment. 1. Corrupt the young, get them away from religion. Get them interested in sex. Make them superficial, destroy their ruggedness. 2. Get control of all means of publicity, and thereby: (a) Get people's minds off their government by founding their attention on athletics, sex, books and plays, and other trivialities. (b) Divide the people into hostile groups by constantly harping on controversial matters of no importance. (c) Destroy the people's faith in their natural leaders by holding the latter up to contempt, ridicule and obloquy. (d) Always preach true democracy, but seize power as fast and as ruthlessly as possible. (e) Encourage government extravagance, destroy its credit, produce fear of inflation with rising prices and general discontent. (f) Foment unnecessary strikes in vital industries, encourage civil disorders and foster a lenient and soft attitude on the part of government toward such disorders. (g) Specious arguments cause a breakdown of the moral virtues: honesty, sobriety, continence, faith in the pledged word, ruggedness. 3. Cause the registration of all firearms on some pretext, with a view to confiscating them and leaving the population helpless. Now, I know that your first reaction will be to downgrade those "rules" as being propaganda, published by right-wing reactionaries. Well, the "authority" comes from George A. Brautigam of Florida State's Attorney's Office. And, lest you feel this stems from activities which are currently troubling the nation, let me add that these papers were captured by the Allied forces in May, 1919 at Dusseldorf, Germany. Now, armed with this information, go back and read the "rules" again, and ask yourself, "Is Communism really a threat? I am sure you will agree that rules written in 1919, when viewed in the light of today's events, are very disturbing. Perhaps it is time for each of us to make himself more aware of what is going on around us and take a more active part in our government. If freedom is worth dying for, it should be worth living for. ***** ** Never Say Die By Kenneth Hinga One of my phone calls this week was from a thirty-six-year-old man who advised me he was experiencing serious vision problems and wanted to apply for rehabilitation service. He informed me that his vision is so poor now that he has to walk down the middle of the street at night in order to find his way. The situation is so bad, in fact, that unless he drives his automobile, he has extreme difficulty in getting around at night. Of course, he justified this action by stating that he only drives over routes which are familiar to him -- even though this route takes him through the heart of the busy city traffic. After our telephone conversation I called the attending ophthalmologist and learned that he too had insisted that this man definitely should not be driving a motor vehicle at any time on any thoroughfare regardless of how familiar it might be to him. I think the legally blind gentleman was a little sorry he called me after I added my remonstrating remark that he certainly had no business driving his car under this circumstance. He appealed to me not to "Rat" on him and pass this information on to the Secretary of State Office, who in turn would demand the surrender of his driver's license. In reflecting on this conversation, I recall that I know of three individuals who are legally blind and still operating their autos on the public highways. In fact, I used to have a client who drove to the County Department of Social Services to complain about his Aid to the Blind check not being on time. I have two elderly ladies in my clientele who see large print with a strong magnifier and continue to drive -- only on the familiar roads, of course. I am convinced that if these cases are true in my small sphere of operation, there must be literally hundreds of persons menacing our streets and highways by driving when they have seriously impaired eye sight. It must be that next to the stigma of using the cane comes the tragedy of surrendering the privilege of sitting behind the steering wheel. To drive your own car, and to come and go at will is a mark of independence which is not easy to forego. This puts the counselor in a peculiar strait, in that he questions whether he should perform his civic duty and report these instances, or if he should keep quiet lest he betray confidential information required for rehabilitation services. The ophthalmologist is under no obligation to report his findings, and the records of the agency for the blind is sworn to secrecy in not allowing any other state department to inspect the files. You might say that this matter should be left up to the licensing bureau when the driver applies for a renewal of his permit. The problem here is, however, that motorist renew their licenses only after a period of years, and, especially the older, may find radical changes in their vision during the interim. At any rate, this topic ought to stimulate some response from the Forum readers, and perhaps some will clear the counselor's conscience from being a "Rat" to a responsible citizen. ***** ** Special Announcements The Associated Blind, Inc., 135 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10011, announces a contest for the purpose of collecting incidents from blind people who have had unusual experiences with sighted people as with family, community, agency, rehabilitation, at work, while traveling, just anywhere and anything. Such experiences should illustrate lack of understanding, misconceptions, peculiar attitudes, supercilious remarks or inexcusable questions indicative of ignorance or thoughtlessness. The Associated Blind reserves the right to use and edit such material as part of its campaign to "educate" the sighted toward improving their daily relationship with the blind. The entry adjudged the best will receive $10.00; the second best $5.00; and the next five $2.00 each. Entries will not be acknowledged or returned. The deadline for entries is June 30, 1970. Winners will be notified by September 15, 1970. The Mid-American Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers will hold its 1970 biennial convention on July 21 and 22 preceding the AAWB Regional in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Hotel Marian. Any person involved or interested in the field of rehabilitation teaching is invited to attend this convention and is eligible for membership in the Conference. Membership dues are only ten dollars for two years, and they may be submitted to: Mrs. Kathryn Viskant, 938 Ontario, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Science for the Blind is offering a special introductory reel containing recorded excerpts from all of the periodicals currently being circulated. The introductory reel is recorded on new one-mil mylar tape on a seven-inch reel. Periodicals excerpted are: SCIENCE RECORDED, CONSUMER REPORTS, POPULAR SCIENCE, TIMELY TOPICS, EXTRAS, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, PSYCHOLOGY TODAY, RADIO DIGEST, OCEANOGRAPHY, COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM. To obtain a sample reel, send your name and address and one dollar to: Science for the Blind, 221 Rock Hill Road, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa. 19004. Sample reel is yours to keep. SFB CONTINUITY CHECKER NOW $10.00 Audible unit with basic attachments: Light probe on cable (or without cable on request) Liquid level indicator Clip leads Attachments at additional cost: Oven Thermometer: $8.50 Rain Detector: $2.50 ***** ** Here and There By George Card Teleprinters connected by direct line to a computer system and operated on a shared-time basis have been used experimentally during the last year by the Perkins School for the Blind. Two groups of six students have been learning the use of the teleprinter keyboard and something of basic computer language, including the writing of programs and their implementation. The Minnesota Bulletin reports the death on December 10, 1969, of John Lysen, Superintendent of the Minnesota Braille and Sight Saving School at Faribault from 1934 until 1965. He had a host of friends among the blind of the state. From Listen: Harvard has received a gift of $600,000 from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia for research into the causes of trachoma and other diseases of concern in the Middle East. -- Jean Langlais, well-known blind composer and organist at Ste. Clotilde Church in Paris, is currently on his eighth tour of the U.S. From the Calif. Blind Businessmen's Newsletter: Our members would like to know why funds appropriated to equip and maintain locations for the employment of the blind are being spent on sighted civil service employees while 12,000 blind people remain on the welfare rolls. -- We have not seen any evidence that the reorganization plan does anything for us that we could not do better and cheaper for ourselves. From Archives of Ophthalmology: The corneal ulcers and perforations which inevitably occur with severe alkali burns have been prevented in six of eight eyes by the use of collagenase inhibitors. (The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is proud to have made a substantial money contribution to the research which led to this breakthrough.) From Hoosier Star-Light: Two seniors in the U. of Toledo's College of Engineering have invented a thermometer with which the blind can take their own temperature. It has two audible tones. The blind person places the thermometer in his mouth and manipulates a tone switch and dial until the tones match. He can then feel the Braille-like numerals on the dial for the correct reading. The inventors believe the thermometer can be manufactured to retail for $10 to $15. From the Vermont Informer: On November 10 Al Nichols went to Boston for another checkup which was the most encouraging so far. He doesn't have to go again for four months. * Born Without Irises From the Missouri Chronicle: For most of the 10 years of her life, the world has looked to Dana Tift of Bremerton like an overexposed photograph. Now, however, she can see colors without painful brightness -- thanks to an unusual pair of contact lenses. She was born without irises, the colored portion of the eye that contracts and expands to regulate the amount of light admitted. Dana had only a pupil, incapable of adjusting in size. About a year ago her optometrist ordered a pair of contact lenses painted black except for a four-millimeter clear spot in the center. These have worked well for Dana, eliminating the need for sunglasses, partially closed eyelids and a head-down posture outdoors. Now a second pair of lenses has been ordered. They were specially painted by an artist from color photos of the eyes of her parents. From the Lions Magazine: Eyes willed to Eye Banks become unusable because death often occurs at a place other than a hospital and a doctor is unavailable to perform enucleation within the necessary time limit. For the Eye Bank to function to its full capacity, by using all eyes bequeathed, it was obvious to the Lions that someone other than a doctor must be made available to perform enucleation. Due to their training and because they usually arrive on the scene shortly after death, morticians were selected for specialized training in enucleation. This plan has received both statewide and national approval and its success indicates that it may be made a permanent part of the Eye Bank program. From the Montana Observer: The International Federation of the Blind is continuing to progress. It has recently added its first affiliate in Africa, which makes 19 affiliates with all continents represented. This year also marked its first worldwide convention of distinguished blind leaders which was held in Colombo, Ceylon. From the AP: Dr. William Feinbloom designed a special combination of lenses for an 11-year-old Ohio boy suffering from microphthalmos (small eye) who had been blind since birth. He had never seen more than blurred images and blobs of light and darkness. With the new lenses he is expected to have 50 percent vision. From the GFB Digest: The Atlanta Chapter has grown by leaps and bounds under the leadership of President Talmadge Barnes. -- The Lions Clubs of Macon sponsored a city-wide Glaucoma Screening Clinic on Sunday, October 18. The clinics were set up in four high schools. Nearly 1200 people showed up for their tests over a three-and-a-half-hour period. Eight ophthalmologists took part. Two active cases of glaucoma were detected, and thirty-eight suspected cases were referred. -- William K. Stanley, a blind Macon City Councilman, was recently elected Judge of the Bibb County Court of Ordinary, Mr. Stanley won over two worthy opponents both having served in the Georgia Legislature. -- At the present time the North Carolina Commission employs 60 social workers for the blind -- of these 36 are blind. Unfortunately Georgia has no blind rehabilitation counselors. -- President Jack Lewis writes, "Doesn't it seem rather inconsistent for an agency whose purpose it is to find employment for the blind to reject an applicant for employment solely on the basis of blindness?" Mary E. Switzer, administrator of HEW's Social and Rehabilitation Service, has resigned to head the Washington office of the World Rehabilitation Fund. A veteran of 48 years of government service, she has had the largest administrative responsibility of any woman in government. She has been in charge of programs totaling more than $8 billion annually in Federal funds. Question to a young police recruit: "How would you break up a hostile crowd?" Answer: "I'd take up a collection." The Observer (Peoria, Ill.) reports that state Lions have purchased a mobile glaucoma screening unit for $30,000, equipped it for another $20,000 and turned it over to the state Society for the Prevention of Blindness. It will tour the state, stopping for a day or more in each population center. At its first stop 540 persons were checked, 37 were referred to their doctors and 12 actually had glaucoma, including an eye doctor. According to the Palmetto-Auroran, "A state officer of the South Carolina Lions was heard over a radio station to say that the public ought to buy brooms because blind people are not able to do much else." This view expressed is unfortunately held by many Lions as well as the average sighted citizen, simply because of an inadequate public education and public relations program." From an editorial in the Washington White Cane: Why is it that the Mayor of Seattle, the County Executive of the County of King and the Governor of the State will jump through hoops to spend ten million dollars for a ball team while so little is being done to alleviate suffering and anguish of thousands of our fellow citizens caught in the welfare squeeze, the job crunch and the cost-of-living wringer? In all decency and for the common good we ought to get our priorities straight. The Oregon Council Bulletin reports that highlights of a recent picnic held by the Multnomah Chapter (Portland) were shoe-kicking contests, nail-driving contests, Bingo and plenty of prizes. In addition to making his highly original style of singing an extremely profitable career, blind Jose Feliciano is active in water skiing, horseback riding, playing baseball and similar sports. The current issue of the AAWB News and Views records the passing of George F. Meyer, pioneer in the education of the blind. He was for 10 years President of the Minnesota Council of Agencies for the Blind and later the Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. -- The vending stand program underwent a healthy growth in 1969. Gross sales showed a 9.4 percent increase over 1968. There were 3,002 locations compared with 2,918 the preceding year. The number of operators was up by 2.5 percent. The annual average earnings of operators increased from $5,580 in 1968 to $5,868 in 1969. From Listen: Medical researchers are experiencing "alarm that sometimes approaches panic" over the combined effects of inflation and Federal budget cuts. -- New York Sunday Times. -- Curtailment of adequate services to war-blinded veterans as a means of controlling inflation or for any other purpose is unconscionable. -- Irvin P. Schloss. -- There are four blind teachers now employed in Massachusetts public schools. -- According to Harold Russell, over half a million jobs in data processing will be opening up in the next five years ... "And no one" he says, "is stopping handicapped persons from coming through." -- A braille input-output terminal that provides instant "touch reading" access to computers and computer systems has been designed at MIT. The terminal is expected to open the whole field of time-shared computer operation to blind persons. The new equipment includes a standard teletypewriter which sends the message to the computer and a braille embosser through which the computer replies. Of the graduates of the Orientation Center in Albany, Calif., 36 are in the teaching profession -- 27 in public schools, kindergarten through college level; 3 in adult schools; 4 in centers for the adult blind and 2 in foreign countries. -- The current issue of the Alumni Newsletter features the story of Bette White Minall, who is not only blind but black and who went through innumerable harrowing and frustrating experiences before finally becoming an emcee on a 5-hour-a-day talk show in Hawaii. From the Missouri Chronicle: A most interesting addition to the surgeon's resources is glue in the form of a liquid adhesive. A tiny drop can be used to plug corneal perforations. The adhesive is applied with a special applicator stick and is pressed to the cornea for about 10 seconds. It offers great promise as a substitute for sutures. -- RITE is most happy to announce that the purchase of their building for a recreation center was made final October 81 1969. It is a rather old building in need of many repairs and improvements, but the membership is proud of this stepping stone. (Members of the ACB Board of Directors were guests at a meeting in this new building last November.) Bob Hartwig, our famous 82-year-old totally blind Wisconsin Bowler, was a member of the team which finished first at the end of the annual tournament of the Midwestern States Blind Bowling Association, held this year at Madison on March 14. From the New Beacon, London: It is all very well for us to talk of educating the sighted public, but this writer thinks a good deal more attention should be paid in schools and training centers for the blind to making us more acceptable members of the community. On the practical side, table manners should be stressed a lot more than they appear to be now and there are far too many drooping heads among those who leave schools and training centers. Thomas A. Benham, blind professor of engineering at Haverford College, founder and director of Science for the Blind and inventor of many devices for the use of the blind, has been selected by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped as one of the Ten Outstanding Americans of the present day. Among his most distinguished achievements are the inventions of a laser cane which senses obstacles above and ahead of the blind person, an electric thermometer which is read in braille and a Simpson meter which measures various aspects of electricity (voltage, wattage, amperage and resistance). Recording for the Blind, Inc., has announced that from now on all of its tapes will be recorded at 1-7/8 ips. Newly recorded books will be on two-track tapes while books already recorded will be supplied on four-track tapes. From the AFB Newsletter: On a recent Today Show, Roy deGroot, a gourmet chef who is blind, demonstrated a pressure cooker used by blind persons to Barbara Walters, one of the show's regulars. "The streets of our country are in turmoil. The universities are filled with students rebelling and rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our country. Russia is threatening us with her might and the Republic is in danger from within and from without. We need law and order, or our nation cannot survive." -- Adolph Hitler, 1932. ***** ** ACB Officers President: Judge Reese Robrahn, 329 Woodbury Lane, Topeka, Kansas 66606 First Vice President: George Card, 605 South Few Street, Madison, Wisc. 53703 Second Vice President: Vernon Williams, 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, S.D. 54701 Secretary: Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 510 Terrington Rd., Rochester, N.Y. 14609 Treasurer: Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 ** Directors Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota Street, Hayward, Cal. 94545 Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104 Dr. S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon Street, Downers Grove, Ill. 60515 J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28205 David Krause, 2121 P Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 Fred Lilley, 7629 Dale Ave., Richmond Heights, MO 63117 Don Cameron, 724 S. Davis Blvd., Tampa, Fla. 33609 Arnold Whaley, 8458 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37421 ###