The Braille Forum Vol. X March 1972 No. 5 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * Editor: Earl Scharry 5714 Ridgway Ave. Rockville, MD 20851 * Associate Editors: George Card 605 South Few St. Madison, WI 53703 Ione B. Miller 9291 Fermi Avenue San Diego, CA 92123 * 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. ***** ** Contents Notice to Subscribers Our Editor Is Recovering from an Illness, by Durward McDaniel We're Looking for You in '72 -- ACB Convention, by Madge A. Nelson Special Interest Group Meetings at ACB Convention Register Now for the 1972 Convention Important Notice to Affiliates, by Fred Krepela, Treasurer Support Grows For Civil Rights Amendments Judge Robrahn to Attend WCWB Meeting in Moscow Tax Problems of Ways and Means for the Blind, Inc., by Don O. Nold The Vendorscope S. 1335, The Hartke Bill -- Disability Benefits for the Blind Tucson Association for the Blind Dedicates New Center Welcome to ACB -- Idaho, Minnesota and Mississippi "Veto Power" for Jernigan Criticized ACB Service Net News, by Doris Hauser Proposed Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act Hyde Park Corner: They Say It Can't Be Done -- It Is, by Stanley Doran An Old Friend, Henry F. Schluntz, Dies Treasurer's Report of Contributions California Donates Workshops to the Private Sector, by Ione B. Miller Javits-Wagner-O'Day Committee Social Security and Welfare Amendments — H.R. 1 Bob Riley Proclaims Arkansas White Cane Observance, by Billie P. Elder Call for Nominations National Advisory Committee on Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped Blind Public School Teachers -- The Illinois Situation, by Alvin Roberts Here and There, by George Card An Official Identification, for Check-Cashing, Etc. It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy Mid-America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers The Blind Data Processor -- A New Braille Publication 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 ¾. Subscriptions and address changes for all four editions should be sent to 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. ***** ** Our Editor Is Recovering From an Illness By Durward McDaniel Our friend and Editor-in-Chief of the BRAILLE FORUM became ill late in February. He is out of the hospital and is showing progress on his recovery. In the meantime, Anne Dewees and I have completed the editorial work on the material in this issue of the magazine. Doing even a part of this editing work convinces me all over again of the quality and quantity of the good work we have received from Earl Scharry without fully realizing all that goes into an issue of the FORUM. We know that all FORUM readers join in wishing Earl a speedy recovery. In your spare time, you may want to drop Earl a personal note, preferably in braille. ***** ** We're Looking for You in '72 -- ACB Convention By Madge A. Nelson In Portland. (OREGON, that is!) Portland's name was determined in 1845 when a coin was flipped and Lovejoy, from Boston, lost to Pettygrove, from Portland, Maine. The city sits astride the Willamette River, near its confluence with the mighty Columbia, and its elevation varies from 17 to 1073 feet above sea level. The summer temperature averages 69.7 degrees, with relative humidity low in the warmer months. The city's population is 382,650; the metropolitan area totals 1,050,000. In addition to her own diversified manufacturing industries, Portland serves the lumber industries, agriculture and fisheries of the state in the export market, since she has one of the world's largest fresh-water ports. Rail, bus, truck, air and river transportation serve the city and area. The Portland Hilton is on the west bank of the Willamette River, in the heart of the downtown area. Within a six- to eight-block radius you have access to large department stores, small shops, theatres and many restaurants, with a variety of food from the lowly American hamburger to more exotic cuisine. Churches of each faith are nearby, and cultural facilities abound, such as our new Civic Auditorium with its controversial forefront and ultra-modern waterfalls; Museum of Art; Main Library; Civic Theatre; Oregon Historical Society, and others. Recreational facilities are available for every age and interest and are easily accessible on our Tri-Met city bus system. There are beautiful parks, the great Zoo, noted for its elephant family; golfing; water skiing; boating; fishing; baseball; dog and horse racing. The hotel facility includes a swimming pool and sun-deck for its guests. To the east 55 miles lies our magnificent Mt. Hood, while the Great Pacific is only 79 miles to the west. Both offer unlimited opportunities for fun and sight-seeing. There is much more, but let us turn to the activities of the convention for a bit. The group affiliates, such as the blind lawyers, secretaries, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors, ham radio operators and others, will be meeting Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4. They will be responsible for their own meeting arrangements, although the convention committee will assist, if needed. Tuesday evening, July 4, the Oregon Council of the Blind will host a get-acquainted party, and pay tribute to the ACB officers. There will be music and dancing for your pleasure. A luncheon on Wednesday, July 5, sponsored by the Blind Lions will give an appropriate "kick-off" to the convention proper. Wednesday afternoon's program will include: the President's Report, by Reese Robrahn; Dr. Herman Iverson, ophthalmologist, who in past years has worked with Dr. Albert Schweitzer and only recently returned from another tour of serving the blind in Africa and Asia; Robert Pogorelc, newly appointed Administrator of the Oregon Commission for the Blind; and Robert S. Bray, our much-maligned Chief of the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. A concert by the Melodonic Chorus of Salt Lake City will be an evening feature. Thursday morning's program includes a panel instructing and explaining procedures used for successful legislative programs. Personnel will be: Mrs. Catherine Skivers and Wally Menning, California's and Oregon's legislative chairmen, and a prominent member of Oregon's own legislature, Miss Grace Peck. ACB's legislative report, by Dr. Bradley Burson, will be heard; a report by ACB National Representative, Durward McDaniel; and a representative of the American Optometric Association. Another panel, following lunch, includes: T. G. Merckley, Chairman, Oregon Commission for the Blind; Frank Healy, State Corporation Commissioner; Mrs. Richard Nixon, Housewife; and Kim Young, a high-school student and Legislative Aide. At 3:00 p.m. we're off by bus to the Oral Hull Park for the Blind, a recreational facility 30 miles east of Portland, where we will tour the Gardens of Enchantment (a five-senses garden created for us by the Garden Clubs of Oregon) and enjoy a barbecued chicken dinner while listening to the music of "The Twilighters," our famous young blind combo. Friday morning will bring the report of the Nominating Committee; Adeline Beck, a young deaf-blind speaker; Dr. Charles Margach, speaking on Oregon's grant-in-aid program; Byron Richard, telling of the Amateur Radio Eye Bank Net and a "charming" period with Sue Ferguson of the Cinderella Charm School. Adequate time for questions and answers will be provided throughout the program. Our banquet will be held Friday evening at 7:00 p.m., and will feature the dynamic and stimulating Mike Vance, from Walt Disney Productions. His "The Magic of People" will make you think -- yet laugh at yourself as you do! Reports and items of business will be interspersed throughout the program, and Saturday's meeting will be confined to internal business matters, including the election of officers. FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW: We are urging your cooperation in pre-registration. Read the forms carefully -- each individual must complete a convention registration blank, but you may combine hotel registration on one blank if you plan to share a room. Those who have pre-registered will find all convention material awaiting them at the hotel pre-registration desk. On-site registration will be provided for those not pre-registered. For those with dog guides: park blocks are nearby, and an animal hospital reasonably close. ***** ** Special Interest Groups Meetings at ACB Convention The practice of meeting during the same week as the Council's national convention will be followed again this year by a growing number of special interest organizations. The next issue of the FORUM will contain additional information. Each organization plans and manages its own conference and publicizes the proceedings scheduled. Persons interested in obtaining more information from any of these special organizations may send inquiries to them through the Council's national office. A list of the organizations and their respective chairmen follows: Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, Wallace Menning, President; the American Blind Lawyers Association, John Vanlandingham, President; the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, Betty Ann Jones, President; the ACB Service Net, Travis Harris, President; the World Council of Blind Lions, Fred C. Lilley, Chairman; the Co-ordinating Committee of Visually Impaired Social Workers, Eunice Fiorito, Chairman; the National Association of Blind Teachers, Robert McCann, President; and the Co-ordinating Committee of Dog Guide Users, Donald Connorton, Chairman. Anyone wishing to have his name placed on the mailing list of any of the foregoing organizations may send his request to the Council's national office. All meetings will be held in the Portland Hilton. ***** ** Register Now for the 1972 Convention Participants in the 1972 ACB convention can save time, energy, and even money ($2.50) by registering in advance by mail. Tickets and badges will be ready for you to pick up at the pre-registration desk any time during the frequent registration hours. The special pre-registration forms have been mailed separately to all Braille Forum subscribers. Each person must submit an individual pre-registration form by June 1, 1972. Extra forms can be obtained from Mrs. Edna Williams, Pre-Registration Chairman, 709 S. W. 16th Street, Apt. 201, Portland, Oregon 97205, from presidents of ACB affiliates, or from the ACB national office. You may pre-register for: the convention itself; the Lions luncheon (Wed., July 5); the Oral Hull Garden Tour (Thurs., July 6); and the Friday evening banquet. The application also includes provisions for Hotel reservations and registration for any of three additional tours to be conducted Sunday, July 2, and/or Sunday, July 9, depending on people's preferences and the number of responses. The three tours are: a Columbia River boat cruise; a trip to Mt. Hood and the Timberline Lodge; and a deep-sea fishing expedition (including fishing gear, license and lunch). Tour reservations must be made by June 1, 1972. The Portland Hilton Hotel is located at 921 S.W. 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97204, and its rates are: $10.00 for a single room; $16.00 for a double, plus tax. There is no charge for children sharing a room with parents. If you make arrangements directly with the hotel rather than through the pre-registration form, be sure to specify that you are attending the convention of ACB and/or one of the special interest groups, and request the special convention rates. ***** ** Important Notice to All Affiliates By Fred Krepela, Treasurer According to the American Council of the Blind Constitution and By-Laws, all affiliates must mail in their affiliate dues at least 30 days prior to our ACB National Convention, which will be held the first week in July 1 1972. That means that your 50 cents per voting member must be in the hands of the Treasurer by June 5. The maximum membership dues is $250.00, even though your membership may be over 500. Do not jeopardize your affiliate vote, which is one vote for each 25 members or major portion thereof, by failing to send in your dues or being late. The maximum affiliate vote is 25, regardless of the size of your membership. It is preferred to receive a membership list with your dues. The foregoing applies also to special interest groups such as RSVA, VISTA, ABLA, etc. IF YOU WANT TO VOTE, BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR DUES IN BY JUNE 5, 1972. Mail check to Fred Krepela, Treasurer, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301. The 1972 membership dues have been received from the Blind Leadership Club of Massachusetts and the Oregon Council of the Blind. ***** ** Support Grows for Civil Rights Amendments We reported on two civil rights bills in the January issue, H.R. 12154 by Yanik, and an identical bill, S. 3044 by Humphrey and Percy. In the House of Representatives, numerous identical bills have been introduced. These bills would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in order to prohibit discrimination on the basis of physical or mental handicap in federally assisted programs. Introduction of so many identical bills points up the significant support for this measure. To date this amendment has gained more support than any other pertaining to protection of physically or mentally handicapped persons. It would add materially to the chances of ultimate enactment if interested persons would request their individual Congressmen to introduce an identical bill. Expressions of interest may also be sent to Congressman Emanuel Celler, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Room 2137, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515. The following letter was received at the Council's national office under date of March 13, 1972: ''Dear Mr. McDaniel, "Thank you for your needed support in our efforts to insure equal treatment for the handicapped in federally assisted programs. "H.R. 12154 is a major step in improving the deplorable and unwarranted discrimination that the handicapped suffer in our society. "Sincerely yours, /s/ Charles A. Vanik Member of Congress" ***** ** Judge Robrahn to Attend WCWB Meeting in Moscow The Executive Committee of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind will meet in Moscow, USSR, May 21-25, 1972. Reese H. Robrahn is one of the members of the Executive Committee and will attend the meetings in Moscow. Mrs. Robrahn will accompany him. Boris Zimin, President of the All-Russia Society for the Blind and a Vice-President of the WCWB, has announced that the participants in the Executive Committee meeting will be given an opportunity to visit training-production centers and institutions of the All-Russia Society for the Blind, social welfare institutions, educational establishments, medical centers, theatres and museums; they will go sightseeing around the city. An additional program of entertainment for the guides will be worked out for the period of the meeting. Then participants will visit one of the sister republics of the USSR (the Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, and Byelorussia), where they will be able to see the achievements in the field of social welfare for the blind. They will also be given an opportunity to visit places of interest, museums and theatres. All the expenses connected with the extended stay in the USSR of participants in the 1972 Executive Committee meeting will be covered by the All-Russia Society for the Blind. ***** ** Tax Problems of Ways and Means for the Blind, Inc. By Don O. Nold Each member of the Congress is well aware not only that Ways and Means for the Blind, Inc., of Augusta, Georgia, exists but that it has been dealt a staggering blow by the 1969 tax law designed to plug loopholes in the income tax dike. Articles in Dialogue and reprinted in Mel's Journal, two recorded magazines for the blind, evoked heavy response from their readers throughout the country. Washington officials have been busy assuring these persons that full consideration will be given their collective complaints. Simply stated, this law attempts to distinguish between private foundations and other non-profit organizations. It was aimed especially at family operations into which private fortunes had been conveniently deposited, tax free. Disguised as charitable institutions, some of these family foundations held most of a family's wealth as unspent principal, handing out all or some of the earnings as charitable donations. Often, expenses of operating these private "dodges" used up most of the earnings, leaving little for charity. For example, dependent relatives, who could not be held as tax deductions if given money directly by wealthy members of the family, were given fictitious jobs, with titles as officers of the foundation, and paid equally fictitious "salaries" for doing nothing. Salaries thus paid were deductible as operating expenses incurred by the foundation. Public, or non-private, foundations are exempt from taxation, however. These are organizations dependent upon public funds -- contributions, fund drives, foundation and federal grants -- and are not designed to evade taxes on private accumulations of wealth. Dialogue, for example, which gets its money from public contributions, was classified as a tax-exempt organization, but Ways and Means for the Blind, which is funded from the earnings of holdings of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert E. Smith as administrators of a legacy, was classified as a private foundation. The 1969 law, however, fails to take into consideration differences between foundations set up to dodge tax obligations and legitimate benefactors whose prime objective is dedicated service to a worthy cause. Ways and Means has been caught in this legal snare and faces extinction despite its impressive record of generous aid to thousands of beneficiaries all over the world. In addition to levying an annual tax of 4% on earnings of private foundations from their capital investments, the law also requires that all principal be dissolved in ten years. Some private, family foundations were already operating in a manner which avoids the adverse effect of the new law. The W. Clement-Jessie V. Stone Foundation, for example, gives out virtually all of its money each year, holding back only that needed for operating costs. The amount it gives each year depends upon how much its parent organization, the huge insurance complex Mr. Stone founded, earns as profit in any given year. Ways and Means, however, has no continual flow of earnings from current operations, but draws only that which its private holdings earn for it from real estate and investments. To force it to dispose of its holdings, therefore, will deprive it of its only source of income. That is why many of the Smiths' blind friends are coming to their defense, by writing to their Senators and Representatives, urging them to pass a remedial amendment designed to distinguish foundations formed to evade taxes from those actually providing needed and worthwhile services for citizens and organizations worthy of help. This writer was asked to head a movement to let Congress know of the plight of Ways and Means for the Blind, and while we have had exceptionally fine cooperation from many, more support is needed. Members of the American Council of the Blind are asked, therefore, to lend support to this urgent drive-by writing to their representatives in Congress, urging them to endorse an amendment designed to remedy the crippling portions of the 1969 act. At present Ways and Means President, "Babe" Smith, awaits a hearing in the Georgia regional office of the Internal Revenue Service. Here he hopes to receive reconsideration of the ruling that his foundation is subject to dissolution. Dates for hearings are not being set, pending a ruling from Washington further clarifying the 1969 law. This waiting period has been most frustrating to "Babe" Smith, now 75, who looks back on nearly 50 years of service to his less fortunate blind peers. Through his and his wife's dedication they sacrificed the opportunity to live comfortable on a huge private legacy. Instead they chose an austere life as benefactors of a most commendable program of sharing their fortune with others. This unfair legislation has dealt them a blow that no one with their big hearts should have to accept. The time has come when many of us who have received their blessings can repay them in a small way by lending a hand. Those wishing to help should write their Senators and Representatives, and send a carbon of each letter to me, Don O. Nold, 3100 Oak Park Ave., Berwyn, Ill. 60402. I would also like to receive copies of any answers you receive. We share them with the Smiths, of course. ***** ** The Vendorscope From the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America January 1972 Bulletin #2 Ione B. Miller, Editor 9291 Fermi Avenue San Diego, Cal. 92123 * Are You a Winner? If you would like to try for the $25.00 award that RSVA is offering for the best article published through THE VENDORSCOPE, submit your article to the Editor at the above address. * We Are Growing! The BRAILLE FORUM has been very generous in allowing space for our bulletin. The March issue will be mailed under separate cover, in print, to members of RSVA. Others wishing to have a copy should notify Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Tell him you want to receive the RSVA bulletin, and this will help us find you. It is our aim to reach operators working under the Randolph-Sheppard program and the independent blind operators. * Gathering of the Operators For several years, Durward McDaniel has been combing this spacious country seeking blind vending stand operators and encouraging them to organize so that they can help protect and insure the survival of the vending stand program for the blind. Through his work and that of some of the operators, RSVA originated in San Francisco in July of 1968. RSVA was formed to help operators build a better life for themselves and those around them. The VENDORSCOPE will communicate RSVA business, provide a way to disseminate information on new products, interesting methods of serving our customers, policies, legislative matters affecting operators, and bits of news about blindness, state stand programs, and individual operators. It is the aim of RSVA to assist the state agencies in maintaining the very best vending stand programs possible, to encourage good methods of supervision, to upgrade the stands, and to promote better training programs, in order to insure a high quality of service for our customers. We are a hard­working, determined and often courageous group of independent thinkers and doers. We believe that it is our duty to set a worthy example before the public, to learn and improve wherever we can, to help one another and to maintain a strong, united voice to influence the directives that affect the destiny of the vending stand program. The wheels of this unique organization are moving forward. This is not just an organization of disadvantaged persons, but an organization of those who have met the challenge and learned in some degree to overcome. So ... come, you operators, from across the land; join with us. Many can do much faster, what has been destined to be accomplished. Give us of your fellowship, your capabilities and financial aid, your understanding and suggestions, that together we may grow strong, and with that strength we shall help to build a better tomorrow. * Our President's Prospective I wish to thank past members of the board and the membership of RSVA for their hard work and support of this organization. Because of the foundation they have laid, we can look forward to a progressive 1972 in RSVA. I was extremely pleased to see the fine, talented people who were elected to that board this year, and with their teamwork I know we are ready to move more rapidly. The prospects are very gratifying and exciting to me. For the past two years, Senator Randolph has introduced legislation which would improve and add many new opportunities in the vending stand program. We have urged operators in every area to become aware of and support this legislation. We thank all legislators who support S. 2506, and we particularly thank Senator Randolph for his concern on our behalf. We have a letter from him stating that our views "will receive close consideration in formulating equitable legislation for the blind vendors." We have been anxious to reach operators in all parts of the country so that they may assist us, and we must continue to protect and work for the interests of this program. Oregonians are planning a bigger and better convention for you in July. There will be well-known speakers, a big party for the operators, new forums of agency and operator people, and many other things. The convention will be held July 2-4 (just before the ACB convention) at the Portland Hilton Hotel, Portland, with easy access to bus or plane. Rates are reasonable, and everybody, whether a member or not, is welcome. ALL CHAIRMEN: Please have your reports in to me by April 15 and the convention date. -- Wally Menning, President * Correspondence A letter from Jack Swager, President of the Omaha Association of the Blind, contained the following: "Recently a situation arose in our state which caused some furor. The State Administration assigned a vending stand in the lobby of the State Capitol building to a severely visually impaired person. The Governor was taken to task for alleged political chicanery. We do not believe there were any politics involved and have taken a firm stand on this issue in unequivocal support of our Governor. If you agree with our stand, we would like to ask you to send letters indicating your support for the Governor in connection with his actions to provide opportunities for the blind and visually handicapped." "Aug. 24, 1971 The Honorable Governor Exon Capitol Building Lincoln, Nebraska "Dear Governor Exon: "The Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America is composed of visually handicapped operators throughout the United States. At our national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in July, we voted unanimously to send you this communication. "We wish to commend you for working to place a visually handicapped individual in the news-stand in the Capitol building. If more action of this nature were taken by understanding officials on the national and state levels, employment of the handicapped would be greatly increased. "Cordially, Casey De Lint Secretary, RSVA" "Casey De Lint Secretary R.S.V.A. 7125 Hawthorne Avenue -11 Hollywood, California 90046 "Dear Casey: "I appreciated so very much your nice letter of August 24. Certainly this office will always be in support of the visually handicapped and we appreciated very much the communication that you directed to us as a result of the Milwaukee convention. "Sincerely, J. James Exon, Governor" * Treasury Topic All Members-at-Large and Affiliate Members: It is time to start paying your annual RSVA dues ($5.00 per member). They must have time to be processed through your local chapters and organizations and must reach RSVA by May 31, in order for you to be eligible to vote at the convention in July. And this is election year for officers! Wayne Gilmore, Treasurer 3126 Burlingame Road Topeka, Kansas 66606 * Membership During the past six months, RSVA has been represented before operator groups by Karen Perzentka in Pennsylvania, Chester Holden in Missouri, Art Segal in North Carolina, and Wally Menning in Colorado. They did a fine job, and we are expecting a big increase in membership from these states. Will all presidents and chairmen of local groups please mail lists of names and addresses of members in your area to Byrdyna Goodart, RSVA Membership Chairman, 4458 Oregon St. San Diego, Calif. 92103? * What's New Nabisco is marketing a 7½ oz. meat product for soup kitchens in a pull-top, glass-lined can, as well as puddings and gelatins. Nestle's "Choco 'Lite," an aerated, 10-cent chocolate bar is being introduced in New England, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit areas. Ambrosia Chocolate Company of Milwaukee is introducing a new carob coating for those who cannot use chocolate in their diets. Luden's Peanut Butter Plus is a little goodie that has been doing very well on the market. The University of California Eye Bank estimates that there are 250,000 blind people in the United States. Of these they say 10,000 could regain vision by corneal transplant. The need is still outnumbering the cornea donations. The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for Retinitis Pigmentosa at 243 Charles Street, Boston, claims there are 100,000 children in this country with retinitis pigmentosa who will go blind from it. They are working to develop a cure. * Terry King One of our very own members has made the UPI, with his picture even, found as far away as the San Diego Union. Terry lives in Chicago, and he is building a boat, a 34-foot cabin cruiser. His instructions are on miles of tape. It has 3 double bunks, galley, washroom and bridge. The boat would retail for about $35,000. He plans to take a cruise from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, he told UPI, and we hope he is doing a good job, because we need him in RSVA, and we don't want that boat springing any leaks! * S. 2506 Art Segal did a very fine job in testifying before the Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped on the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments (S. 2506). Letters to your Senators and Representatives in support of S. 2506 are still needed. Act now! ***** ** S. 1335, The Hartke Bill, Disability Benefits for the Blind S. 1335 is similar to bills which have passed the Senate on four occasions. Social Security legislation always goes to a Joint Conference Committee of the House and Senate to resolve differences in such bills resulting from Senate amendments. S.1335 would qualify blind persons to receive disability benefits who have only six quarters of Social Security coverage, and it does not limit the amount of earnings one may have and still receive the benefit. Early in March, the Senate Committee on Finance included the provisions of S.1335 as an amendment to H.R. 1. The question now is what will happen when H.R. 1 goes to the Joint Conference Committee. On other occasions, the House Conferees have opposed similar provisions to those contained in S. 1335, and the Senate Conferees have receded. The Federation, the B.V.A., the Foundation, the AAWB and the Council have supported this measure for several years, and support for it has increased in the House of Representatives. The timing is such that expressions of interest can be sent to the probable Conferees who are listed as follows: Senate: Russell B. Long, Louisiana; Clinton P. Anderson, New Mexico; Herman E. Talmadge, Georgia; Vance Hartke, Indiana; Wallace F. Bennett, Utah; Carl T. Curtis, Nebraska; and Jack Miller, Iowa. House of Representatives: Wilbur D. Mills, Arkansas; All Ullman, Oregon; James A. Burke, Mass.; Martha W. Griffiths, Michigan; John W, Byrnes, Wisconsin; Jackson E. Betts, Ohio; Herman T. Schneebeli, Penna.; and Harold R. Collier, Illinois. ***** ** Tucson Association for the Blind Dedicates New Center (The following is excerpted from the Arizona Council of the Blind Newsletter, March, 1972. Mrs. Clegg, President of the Tucson Association, is first Vice-President of the Arizona Council.) On May 5 of this year, Robert L. Uplinger, President of Lions International, will highlight the dedication of the newly built and paid for Tucson Center for the Blind, operated by the Tucson Association for the Blind. This dedication will take place on the first day of the Arizona State Convention of Lions. The Tucson Association for the Blind was established in 1964; incorporated in 1965; and began a program in a loaned building on Speedway Blvd. in 1966. In 1971, a total of over 22,000 hours was spent there by blind persons, with about half that number spent there by volunteers. Instructions given at the center have included Braille Reading and Writing, Penmanship, Typing, Creative Writing, Spanish, Music, Flower Arranging, Ham Radio, Cooking, Sewing, Ceramics, and other crafts, to mention a few. During the last several years, Mrs. Helen Clegg, with the consent and cooperation of the Board, has served as its Volunteer Director. When we last spoke with Mrs. Clegg, she said she was anxious for the time to come when the center could have a paid administrator, and she thought this time would be in the next month or so. The group has more plans for the future. It is hoped that one day a boarding house may stand on the almost two-acre piece of ground beside the new center. Here blind persons from out of town could live while they are acquiring the needed proficiency and skills for enjoying life and working as a blind person. It is presently thought that one day there might be a thrift shop located there which could help in paying some of the expenses of operation, with a section of the shop set aside for home industry projects for which blind persons would receive remuneration. ***** ** Welcome to ACB -- Idaho, Minnesota and Mississippi On January 8th, the first of three organizing conventions was held in Gooding, Idaho, to form the Idaho Council of the Blind. Idahoans wanted an independent, representative organization to deal with problems of blind persons in their state, and they now have such an organization. Two resolutions adopted by the convention are reprinted at the end of this article. Frank Collins, a piano technician of Idaho Falls is the president of the 37th affiliate of ACB. Frank is well known to many Council members. It will be good to have new members from Idaho at our convention in Portland in July. On January 15th, Minnesotans culminated their well-laid plans in an organizing convention which created the Gopher State Blind Associates. Raymond Kempf was elected president. Ray manages his marina business near Minneapolis and lives in Wayzata. On February 26th, the Mississippi Council of the Blind was formed at its organizing convention in Jackson. Rebecca Floyd, a lawyer from Sardis, Miss., was Chairman of the Organizing Committee and was elected president. The Editors of the Forum welcome all of these new members to ACB and look forward to seeing increasing numbers on the mailing list. We will greet many of you in person at the Portland convention. Congratulations to all of you for your good work and constructive actions. Two resolutions adopted by the Idaho Council are of national interest: WHEREAS visually impaired readers in Idaho have been served efficiently and economically for some years through the regional library at Salt Lake City, Utah, by agreement with the Idaho State Library and with the approval of the Library of Congress; and WHEREAS the Idaho Commission for the Blind now proposes to establish a library for the blind in Boise, which would terminate the existing service received by blind persons in Idaho from the Regional Library in Utah, and which would greatly increase the cost of such library service without any apparent benefit to blind readers; and WHEREAS there appears to be a plan to pay most of the cost of a Commission Library from federal funds which are largely intended for the vocational rehabilitation of blind persons in Idaho; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Idaho Council of the Blind in convention assembled on January 8, 1972, that its officers be instructed (1) to favor the retention of the existing arrangement and services for blind readers in Idaho through the Utah Library, (2) to oppose, at this time, the establishment of a separate library by the Idaho Commission for the Blind, and (3) to oppose the use of federal vocational rehabilitation funds to operate a Commission library instead of the purposes for which they are legally intended and badly needed; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor, the Legislature, the State Library, the Library of Congress, and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington, D.C. WHEREAS the State School for the Blind is logically and properly under the administrative jurisdiction of the State Board of Education; and WHEREAS this organization is aware of a minority school of thought that the education of blind children should be under the jurisdiction of non-educational agencies serving primarily adult blind persons; and WHEREAS an attempt was made two years ago to transfer the Iowa Braille and Sightsaving School to the Iowa Commission for the Blind whose director has advocated the same objective for the Idaho Commission for the blind; and WHEREAS this organization is aware of this political objective and of the close collaboration of the directors of these Commissions of the Blind through their offices President and Executive Committee Member, respectively; and WHEREAS this organization believes that the transfer of the Idaho School for the Blind to the Idaho Commission for the Blind would not be in the best interest of the education of blind children; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Idaho Council of the Blind, on January 8, 1972, in convention assembled that its officers and members take all possible action to prevent the transfer of the School for the Blind to the Idaho Commission for the Blind or to any other non-educational branch of state government; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Legislature, the State Board of Education and to other interested persons and agencies of government; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of a speech on this subject made by Wyman Howard, President of the Iowa Council of the Blind, be distributed widely throughout the state of Idaho and particularly to public officials, visually impaired persons, parents of blind children, etc. ***** ** "Veto Power" for Jernigan Criticized The following article is reprinted from the Des Moines (Iowa) Tribune, March 8, 1972 By William O'Keefe Two members of the Iowa Council for the Blind Wednesday criticized the State Board of Regents for giving Kenneth Jernigan, director of the Iowa Commission for the Blind, what they called "veto power" over the selection of a new superintendent of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School at Vinton. The criticism was made in a joint statement issued by Lyle Williams of Des Moines, legislative chairman of the Iowa Council, and Harold Carter, president of the Des Moines chapter. The statement alleges that the Regents have "yielded much of its autonomous right" to select a new superintendent to succeed Dr. Frank Rocco, by allowing Jernigan to sit on a professional advisory screening committee and on a liaison committee. * Interviews Rocco has resigned effective at the end of the present school year and the screening committees are now interviewing candidates for the position. A recommendation on his successor is expected within the next three weeks. The Regents met in executive session Wednesday morning at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to discuss the appointment of a new superintendent. The Iowa Council for the Blind was formed in January, 1970 -- primarily to fight a bill introduced in the Legislature to transfer control of the Vinton school from the Regents to Jernigan's Commission for the Blind. * Bitter Dispute The proposal, later withdrawn, followed a bitter dispute between Rocco and Jernigan over instructional methods at the Vinton school. Williams and Carter charged that Regent Ralph McCartney of Charles City, who they claim is a close associate and legal adviser to Jernigan, is serving with Jernigan on the three-member liaison committee. Regents President Stanley Redeker of Boone is the third member. They claimed that the Regents and Jernigan, who is also president of the National Federation of the Blind, "have made it quite clear that no applicant will be selected for the superintendency of the Sight Saving School without the approval of the commission director." They contend the veto power of the liaison committee has resulted in the rejection of "a highly qualified administrator" ... because the applicant had been at odds with the National Federation of the Blind. "Because of the peculiar conflict created by the fact that the director of the Iowa Commission for the Blind (Jernigan) is also the president of the National Federation of the Blind, and because of his long history of fomenting trouble with the Sight Saving School, he is hardly in a position to render any fair and impartial decisions concerning the school," their statement said. * Redeker Denial Redeker flatly denied in a telephone interview with The Tribune Wednesday that Jernigan would dictate who the new superintendent will be. "The board has not delegated authority to make the selection. We have retained the real as well as the legal authority in selecting the superintendent at Vinton." Jernigan, in a separate telephone interview, categorically denied saying that the new superintendent would not be appointed without his approval as had been claimed by Williams and Carter. "I said the Regents and I would consult together and the Regents indicated they would give weight to my views," he said. "If those views were considered and if there were valid reasons, they would not appoint the candidate." ***** ** ACB Service Net News By Doris Hauser QST ... QST ... QST... All Hams interested in assisting with a call book of Blind Radio Operators should mail a card to Bob Gunderson, Braille Technical Press, 980 Waring Avenue, Bronx, New York 10469, stating your call letters, class of license, name and address, in that order. This is a big job and will require cooperation from every one of us. The Service Net continues to grow and assist many people, such as students looking for hard-to-find books. Wherever there is a Regional Depository of the Library of Congress, there will be a radio operator who can make inquiries and transmit information about such books. Something new that is being discussed on the Net these days is Radio Talking Book. Travis Harris says that Oklahoma is definitely going ahead with this project, and other states are getting the idea from Minnesota, which has had such a program for three years. Since the Radio Talking Book network operates on a sub-carrier of an FM station, a crystal-controlled receiver is used, and therefore there is no interference. I think it is the greatest idea I have heard since the invention of the Talking Book. If every state in the union had a system like this, it could be operated just like TV, with certain hours devoted to nationwide use and other hours to local news. If Minnesota can do it, why can't we? For further details on how this system operates, ask Travis Harris, W5, PGD Oklahoma City, Okla. Everyone will be happy to know that WB4 IDB, Les McGlaughn, is out of the hospital and recovering from his recent illness. Hope to see you all in Portland this July. 73's. ***** ** Proposed Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act The Council and others filed statements and testified on pending amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act during hearings held by the Select Subcommittee on Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor. A summary of the Council's position was filed on Feb. 1, and is as follows: The American Council of the Blind: 1. Opposes the extension of rehabilitation services to persons who are not disabled, such as those who are disadvantaged or who have behavioral disorders as provided in H.R. 8395 (the bill sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Association). 2. Favors greater emphasis on the vocational objective of rehabilitation services and a more nearly adequate statement of findings and purposes in H.R. 8395. 3. Favors the enactment of H.R. 9847 with certain amendments. (H.R. 98471 introduced by Rep. John Brademas, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on Education, is supported in major part by the organizations of and for the blind. A summary of its provisions appeared in the Nov. 1971 issue of the Forum.) 4. Favors an amendment to H.R. 9847 to create (by law rather than merely by administrative regulation) a Division for the Blind and Visually Handicapped within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. 5. Favors an amendment to H.R. 9847 to create a National Advisory Council on Blindness and the Visually Handicapped in the Department of HEW. 6. Favors an amendment to H.R. 9847 to control the priority of matching of third-party funds. 7. Favors 100% federal funding of the cost of administration and of rehabilitation services for blind and other severely handicapped persons. 8. Favors a requirement in H.R. 8395 that representatives of organizations of and for the blind be appointed on the National Policy and Performance Council, the National Advisory Council on Vocational Rehabilitation and the National Commission on Transportation and Housing for the Handicapped. 9. Favors enactment of H.R. 7949. (This bill, introduced by Rep. Carl Perkins, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, is identical to S. 1030, the Older Blind Persons Rehabilitation Act, which was introduced by Senator Jennings Randolph. A summary of S. 1030 appeared in the May 1971 issue of the Forum). 10. Favors H.R. 528 and S. 41, to create a National Information and Resource Center for the Handicapped. The House passed a revised version of H.R. 8395 on March 20. It contained some favorable changes but omitted important amendments advocated by organizations of and for the blind. Hearings will be held on H.R. 8395 by the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Senator Jennings Randolph is chairman of the Subcommittee. Expressions of interest in this legislation may be sent to your senators and to Senator Randolph at the Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. Print copies of the complete statement filed by the Council are available from the national office upon request. ***** ** Hyde Park Corner: They Say It Can't Be Done -- It Is By Stanley Doran For thirty years I have performed safely in work which the National Accreditation Council says is impossible for a legally blind person to perform safely. When I began my career as a guide dog trainer in Michigan in 1942, I found that I had no difficulty in observing trainees, making corrections, or showing them how to make corrections. Out of speaking range, I could follow their progress for a block or so with a small monocular glass. I tailored my instructions to work within those limits, and after nearly thirty years, I am proud to say that none of my students has become a traffic fatality while working at home, and none has been injured during training. This is a record which the National Accreditation Council ignores as if it does not exist! After five years of learning at the school in Detroit, I started Pilot Dog training in Columbus, Ohio. I taught the apprentice trainers, and the safety record mentioned above not only applies to my graduates but to the graduates of all of the trainers at the school. I am the only one there with impaired vision — in fact, the only visually impaired guide dog trainer in the entire world. A year after I started Pilot Dog training, I walked into the first class in Ohio designed to teach people to become instructors of the long cane technique. Since 1948 I have taught. these techniques for the Ohio Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, for the Vision Center in Columbus, for the Ohio State School for the Blind, and for Pilot Dogs, Inc. I have worked cooperatively with two peripatologists. I attended the formative meetings of the Mobility Group of the American Association of Workers for the Blind. At that time I was told that the accreditation standards being developed would allow those presently employed to be accredited under a "grandfather clause." Now my application for accreditation has been refused because I do not have 20/20 vision. It seems not enough to know that each cane traveler had also been safe during training as well as throughout his years of travel at home. How can we who are legally blind alleviate the blindness of some who see? I now lay before you a record of nearly thirty years in which I have worked safely and successfully with guide dogs, with guide dog masters, and with cane travel students. I am the only person, sighted or otherwise, who has been able to work with both cane travel and guide dog students. Here is a record proclaiming that others with visual impairments can do as well, and might do much better. Why should I be the only legally blind person in the entire mobility instruction field? I submit that guide dog schools could employ blind persons to assist with the training of the advanced dogs, giving them a clearer understanding of how people walk who do not see changes in the levels under foot. A blind person walking with the regular class trainer should be able to add training of significant value to fifty dogs per year. If blind trainers participated in the test walks and in the discussions of training procedures, the blind students at the school would have greater faith that their needs as blind persons were being met. The blind person who is a traveling demonstrator is important, but blind persons can fill other administrative positions also. In my career I have been a trainer, kennel man, office worker, cook and trouble shooter. I know that what I have done others can do. This opportunity should not be closed off. I think it is very wrong to say that a job which is being done cannot be done. ***** ** An Old Friend, Henry F. Schluntz, Dies For years Henry Schluntz practiced as a chiropractor in Iowa and took an active part in organized efforts of blind persons. He was active in the National Federation of the Blind. and served for a time as president of the Iowa Association of the Blind. When he retired, he moved to San Diego, California. In recent years, he was an active participant in the American Council of the Blind Service Net, about which FORUM readers may read a short article in this issue. Much could be written about such an outstanding person and friend. We acknowledge his passing on March 4th with regret and with appreciation for his friendship and service. ***** ** Treasurer's Report of Contributions The following contributions have been received prior to February 1, 1972, since our last notice in the Forum. SPONSORING MEMBERSHIPS ($10.00 total): Earl M. Dawson, Los Angeles, Cal.; Charles M. See, Cumberland, Md. BRAILLE FORUM ($10.00 total): Miss Anne Marvin, Charlottesville, Va.; Harold Buzzard, Elkhart, Ind.; Mrs. Madge Nelson, Portland, Ore. GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS ($317.00 total): Cecil R. Card, Milwaukee, Wisc.; John J. Talamo, Chicago, Ill.; Ways and Means for the Blind., Inc., Augusta, Ga. (3 times); Marvin E. Wegener, Sun City, Arizona; Estate of August F. Vogel, Toledo, Ohio. ***** ** California Donates Workshops to the Private Sector By Ione B. Miller Editor's Note: The following release was forwarded to us by the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Governor Ronald Reagan announced on January 3, 1972, that the state-operated California Industries for the Blind and the Opportunity Work Center programs have been transferred to non­profit private corporations. The Governor commended Wells Fargo Bank and its officials for their cooperation and assistance in providing a loan of $300,000 to one of the organizations, which will enable it to apply for a federal grant to establish the workshops under private operation. Six workshops operated by the State Department of Rehabilitation are involved. Five are being transferred to California Industries for the Blind, Inc., a private, non­profit corporation, and one to Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, Inc. The action has the approval of the major blind organizations in the state. The California Industries for the Blind program, which the state has operated for the past 80 years, involves plants in Berkeley, Los Angeles and San Diego. Each employs blind and handicapped workers in the manufacture of a wide variety of products for sale. The Opportunity Work Center program also involves three plants in Berkeley, San Jose and Los Angeles, which employ blind and handicapped workers in the production of work under subcontract with the private sector. Under the transfer, all plants of the California Industries for the Blind will be operated by the California Industries for the Blind, Inc. The organization will also absorb the workers of the Opportunity Work Centers in Berkeley and Los Angeles. The Opportunity Work Center in San Jose is being closed, with its workers being transferred to Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, Inc., in San Jose. The Goodwill organization will establish an expanded program of services for the blind. The Department of Rehabilitation will monitor the operation of the workshops for five years and report its findings annually to the legislature. All the plants employ handicapped persons whose primary disability is blindness or visual impairment, although other disabled persons are employed also. The transfer assures continued employment of about 250 blind or otherwise handicapped persons currently working in all plants. The programs to be conducted by the new management are planned to increase employment opportunities for many more blind and other handicapped persons. Vocational rehabilitation services will be provided in the workshops to prepare the employees for work in competitive occupations in outside industry. President of California Industries for the Blind, Inc., is James C. Gibson, formerly the administrator of Industrial Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Rehabilitation. Chairman of the board of directors is Anthony G. Mannino, president of the National Federation of the Blind in California. Other board members include Mrs. Catherine Skivers, president of the Associated Blind of California, Inc., and one worker from each workshop. * Editor's Note: Ione Miller, the newly acquired associate editor of the Forum, comments on the subject as follows: For 80 years California has been overseer and director of its workshops for the blind. During the past three decades there have been many investigations, studies and suggestions for changes in the business structure of the shops. Those who were closest to the situation and those who seriously studied the problems generally agreed that the business was top-heavy with civil service personnel who had been installed to assist the blind in procuring this small amount of remunerative employment. In the 1971 legislative session, the Administration sponsored a bill to permit the Director of General Services to make surplus state property available in trust to any non-profit corporation which would operate these facilities for the blind. After the property has been used continuously for this purpose for a period of 5 years or more, the title to it is to be donated free and clear by the State to the corporation. The State claimed this was necessary to encourage bidders to accept the responsibility of operating the shops. The property involved consists of several well-used buildings, some simple and often antiquated equipment and some rather valuable land. When the bill to transfer the property was introduced in the legislature, the shop workers did not feel that their right to work was adequately protected. After many deliberations and after calling on Durward McDaniel, the workers and the organizations of the blind continued to press for such things as the right of workers to unionize, the percentage ratio of blind to non-blind employees to be hired in the shops, and for a board of directors which would include a delegate from each of the shops and from the organizations of the blind. When these stipulations were met, the shop workers and the organizations of the blind supported the transfer of the shops to private enterprise. The new California Industries for the Blind, Inc., expects to take on some new types of work. The brooms from Berkeley, the mattresses from Los Angeles and the mops from San Diego are expected to continue in production. Mr. James Gibson, former operations manager for the shops under the state program, is now executive director of the corporation whose final bid was accepted. Many of the key people in the corporation are well acquainted with the workshops. Civil service personnel have been replaced by persons from the private sector. Some positions have been deemed unnecessary and are not being filled. A counselor and an aide are expected to be available in each shop to assist those who would like to train there and be placed in outside industries. Jobs are to be procured through a brokerage on a percentage basis. At this writing there is not enough work to keep the shop workers busy, and many have been working only every other day. The new management began on January 1, 1972. It is much too early for a fair appraisal, but for the first time in many years the workers have hope for improved working conditions. ***** ** Javits-Wagner-O'Day Committee (Reprinted from the Washington Report of the American Foundation for the Blind, February 1972.) The White House announced on December 22 appointment of the three private citizen members of the Committee for Purchase of Products and Services of the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped, called for in P.L. 92-28, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Jansen Noyes Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Foundation for the Blind and the private citizen member of the committee under the old Act, was appointed for a five-year term in the category of the member knowledgeable about employment problems of the blind and other severely handicapped. A general partner in the brokerage firm of Hornblower & Weeks-Hemphill, Noyes, has served on the Board of Trustees of the Foundation since 1946. He is currently also chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for Overseas Blind and a member of the Board and Executive Committee of National Industries for the Blind. Dr. Anne Carlson, administrator, Crippled Children's School, Jamestown, North Dakota, was appointed to a four-year term on the Committee as the private citizen member representing severely handicapped workers in sheltered workshops. Active in both the education and rehabilitation of the handicapped, Dr. Carlson was selected as the Outstanding Handicapped American by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped in 1958. She was given the Outstanding Humanitarian Award of the Council for Exceptional Children in 1970. In 1960, she served as a consultant to various rehabilitation centers in Australia. Thomas C. Hasbrook, head of Employee Communication at Eli Lily & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, was appointed to a three-year term as the private citizen member representing blind workers in sheltered workshop. Blinded during World War II while serving as a lieutenant with the Marine Corps, Hasbrook has been active in Indiana politics and has served as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate. He is currently president of the Indianapolis-Marion County Council. From 1948 to 1950 Hasbrook served as national president of the Blinded Veterans Association. He is a sponsor of the Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, member of the advisory board of the Indiana School for the Blind, and has served as a member of both the Governor's and President's Committees on Employment of the Handicapped. ***** ** Social Security and Welfare Amendments -- H.R. 1 ACB filed its statement on H.R. 1 with the Senate Committee on Finance on January 20, 1972. Print copies of the 12-page statement may be obtained from the national office upon request. Differences between the House and Senate versions of H.R. 1 will be resolved by a Joint Conference Committee, the probable members of which are listed in the article on S. 1335 in this issue. A summary of the Council's position follows: The American Council of the Blind: 1. Favors most of the Social Security provisions of H.R. 1, but with certain amendments. 2. Favors the inclusion of S. 1335, which provides for disability insurance benefits for blind persons with at least six quarters of coverage. 3. Favors the participation of social security beneficiaries in the periodic evaluation of the program, and advocates the provision of additional procedures for the representation of the interests and views of beneficiaries. 4. Favors entitlement to child's disability benefits for persons becoming disabled before age 22 without regard to the retirement, death or disability of either parent. 5. Favors the extension of Medicare coverage to recipients of aid to the blind. 6. Favors the merging of Medicaid with Medicare. 7. Favors the repeal of Section 224 of the Act, which provides that the Social Security benefit plus workmen's compensation cannot exceed a percentage of prior earnings. 8. Favors an increase in Social Security benefits of at least 12 1/2%. 9. Favors application of the fully insured rule to blind beneficiaries of Social Security. 10. Opposes the two-year waiting period for Medicare benefits for disabled beneficiaries. 11. Favors the federalization of welfare benefits for the adult categories. 12. Favors a special amendment to continue eligibility under the proposed Title XX of blind persons who qualify for aid in any State under the present law, and particularly in Missouri and Pennsylvania. 13. Favors an amendment to proposed Section 2011 (a) of the Social Security Act to provide that each eligible and each eligible spouse will be entitled to own up to $1,500 worth of non-excluded property. 14. Favors an amendment to proposed Section 2012 to exclude from consideration income received (including Social Security benefits) as a result of the earlier investment of earned income. 15. Favors an amendment to proposed Section 2012 (as advocated by Senator Charles Percy) to assure that each eligible individual and each eligible spouse will be entitled to have $1,500 of his earned income excluded from consideration, regardless of his age. 16. Favors an amendment to Section 2014 (f) (1) and (2) to exclude the income of an ineligible spouse or step-parent when such income is not actually available to the beneficiary. 17. Favors an amendment to provide safeguards at least equal to those in Title XXI for beneficiaries referred to rehabilitation agencies. 18. Favors a tax credit for a limited term for employers hiring blind persons. 19. Favors mandatory State supplementation of federal benefits to assure that there will be no reduction in total payments to eligible persons because of federalization. 20. Favors federal matching for mandatory and voluntary State supplementation to federal benefits. 21. Favors the deletion from proposed Section 2016 of the two references which would give the Secretary of H.E.W. unwarranted authority over State supplementation of State pension and other programs which are entirely financed by the State. 22. Favors an amendment to proposed Section 2031 providing that the Secretary's findings of fact shall be subject to judicial review. 23. Favors equality of eligibility and benefits for persons residing in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. 24. Favors an amendment to protect the rights, conditions and status of employees of State welfare departments and to require transfer to the Social Security Administration of handicapped employees of State Welfare departments who may be displaced by the enactment of H.R. 1. ***** ** Bob Riley Proclaims Arkansas White Cane Observance By Billie P. Elder Lieutenant Governor Dr. Bob Riley, a blinded veteran of World War II, officially opened the observance of White Cane Week in Arkansas on Oct. 14, 1971, signing the White Cane Proclamation in the Governor's office surrounded by members of the Arkansas Council of the Blind. Mr. Brueggman, Director of the Department of Public Safety of the state of Arkansas, attended the signing and assured those present that in the future the driver's test would contain questions on the section relating to the white cane in the Manual of Instruction which is required reading for persons applying for a driver's license in this state. The Lieutenant Governor was presented an Arkansas Traveler cane by Mr. Roy Kumpe, Executive Director of Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind, a regional rehabilitation center located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Riley took a few turns around the Governor's office to try out his new cane. Mr. Chester Holden, president of the Arkansas Council of the Blind, posed with the Lieutenant Governor for TV pictures which were broadcast later statewide. Mr. L.H. Autry, Deputy Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Dr. J.M. Woolly, Superintendent of the Arkansas School for the Blind, Mr. Sam Wilkes, Business Enterprise Program Supervisor, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Miss Lila Lampkin and Mrs. Billie Elder also attended. Dr. Bob Riley, elected Lieutenant Governor in 1970, teaches political science at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. He occupied the governor's chair during the absence of Governor Dale Bumpers who was on a goodwill trip to Russia at the time. ***** ** A Call for Nominations Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota Street, Hayward, California 94545, is the chairman of the ACB Ambassador Award Board of Judges for 1972. Some nominations of candidates for the Ambassador Award have already been received. Now is the time to make your nomination. The ACB Ambassador is selected each year from candidates who are blind and who by their lives, associations and activities demonstrate their integration into and interaction with the life of their communities. It is not necessary that a candidate be a member of or active in any organization of the blind or that he be engaged in work for the blind. Send your nominations now in print or braille to the chairman of the Board of Judges. ***** ** National Advisory Committee on Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped HEW Secretary Elliot L. Richardson announced on March 7, 1972, the appointment of the 17 members of the newly formed National Advisory Committee on Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. In announcing the membership of the Committee, Secretary Richardson described its formation as "one of the most, important moves forward in the field of work for the blind in many years." Mr. John D. Twiname, Administrator of HEW's Social and Rehabilitation Service (SRS), said, in commenting on the formation of the Committee, "This step will bring the Federal Government in closer communication with the blind and the people who work for the blind in communities, States and private agencies." Dr. Edward Newman, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration in SRS, said he is anxious for the work of the Committee to begin because "I am confident that the most important advances in services to the blind in the years ahead will result from the work of this committee." Dr. Newman added that with formation of the Committee, six large organizations of and for the blind have been brought together for the first time to serve as spokesmen for the blind and as an advisory body to the Secretary of HEW, the SRS Administrator and the RSA Commissioner. Represented on the national committee are the American Association of Workers for the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, the Association for Education of the Visually Handicapped, and the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. The Committee advises on policies and procedures dealing with comprehensive services for the blind and visually handicapped, as authorized by law, in the areas of vocational rehabilitation social services, aging, prevention of blindness, the multi-handicapped blind, and the Randolph-Sheppard vending stand program, which provides opportunities for blind persons to operate vending stands on Government property. The Committee held its first meeting in Washington, on March 7 - 8. After the introductions and opening remarks, the Committee took the oath of office which is required of all Federal employees. The oath was administered by John Twiname. Throughout the two-day meeting, the agenda was filled with presentations of Administrator Twiname, Commissioner Edward Newman, Dr. Douglas MacFarland, Director of the Office for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and other staff members of that Office. These presentations were designed to brief the members of the Committee on the administrative structure of the Department of HEW as it relates to the Office for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and on the various programs and services which are a part of the operations of that Office. This first meeting of the Committee was programmed as an orientation and informational exercise. The foregoing was deemed necessary and advisable since some members of the Committee had no knowledge of the programs and services for the blind and visually handicapped, and indeed, some had had no contact or association with any agency serving the blind. The Committee demonstrated that it intends to be a working and meaningful advisory committee to the Secretary of the Department when it suspended the printed agenda and declared itself to be in executive session. Several formal requests were then presented by the Committee to Administrator Twiname and Commissioner Newman, who acceded to them. The requests included such items as: 1. A call of the Committee into a second meeting at a time no later than September 1972; 2. Distribution of the agenda at least 30 days in advance of any meeting; 3. Inclusion of time for executive sessions of the Committee in every meeting agenda; 4. The conducting of work of the Committee between meetings through task forces or sub­committees, with provision for the funding of meetings of such task forces or subcommittees; 5. Distribution of minutes to the members of the Committee as soon as practicable after each meeting; and 6. Discussion and review at each meeting of any pending legislation concerning programs and services for the blind and visually handicapped and of progress in the implementation of such legislation adopted by the Congress. There is no doubt that the appointment and convening of this committee is a landmark on the Federal level in the administration of programs and services for the blind and visually handicapped. The effectiveness of the Committee will depend in great part upon the willingness of its several members to accept their responsibility to represent the interests of blind and visually handicapped citizens, and upon their ingenuity, recognition of innovative ideas, and pith and vigor of advocacy. The 17 members of the Committee are listed below. All of them attended the meetings on March 7 and 8 except Mr. Jernigan. Mr. J. Michael Freeman, Vancouver, Washington; Stanley N. Clark, M.D., Provo, Utah; Mrs. Myroslava Oryshkewych, Parma, Ohio; Miss Barbara E. Richards, ACSW, Stockton, California; Mrs. Robert Estes Johnson, Englewood, Colorado; Mr. Carl J. Davis, Watertown, Mass.; Mr. Peter J. Salmon (Chairman) Brooklyn, New York; Mr. John S. Crowley, Greenwich, Conn.; Mrs. Leah K. Manning, ACSW, Carson City, Nev.; Mr. Kenneth Jernigan, Des Moines, Iowa; Mr. F. Robert Wiesenberger, Rocky River, Ohio; Miss Betty Ann Jones, Utica, N.Y.; Mr. Voris G. Bailey, Kansas City, Kansas; Mr. James S. Nyman, San Antonio, Tex.; the Honorable Reese H. Robrahn, Topeka, Kansas; Mr . Lewis P. Myers, Madison, Wisc.; and Mr. L.H. Autry, Little Rock, Arkansas. ***** ** Blind Public School Teachers -- The Illinois Situation By Alvin Roberts Although a recent study has shown that there are at least 300 blind teachers successfully employed in public elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States, blind teacher candidates continue to encounter strong resistance from teacher training facilities, school boards and administrators. This resistance is frequently embodied in administrative regulations or legislative prohibitions denying teaching positions to persons with physical impairments. More frequently, however, the teacher candidate is barred from the profession by more subtle, unwritten prohibitions. A number of Illinois students, for instance, have encountered no administrative roadblocks until they have completed their academic courses, at which late date they have been told that they could not be given practice teaching assignments. When these students persisted in their request for an assignment, the teacher training officials would consent to make the assignment when "an appropriate training position could be secured." One student waited four years for "an appropriate assignment." Another practice has been for some school administrators and professors of education to state that blind persons could not teach in public schools because they would not be able to maintain discipline in the classroom, keep attendance records, write on the board, etc. Such "conclusions" are not based on any research findings whatsoever. A recent study of 30 blind teachers and their supervisors in the State of New York revealed that most of the common objections to blind teachers were not significant problems in the classroom. This type of discrimination is more difficult to combat than a forthright legislative or administrative prohibition because it is almost impossible to pinpoint responsibility for the prohibition or even to define the exact nature of it. Some recent developments give blind teacher candidates in Illinois cause for cautious optimism. In 1969 the Illinois Federation of the Blind adopted a resolution to promote the employment of blind people as teachers. This resolution provided the stimulus for a conference on quality education held June 29-July 1, 1971, on the Carbondale campus of Southern Illinois University. This conference revealed that there are approximately 30 blind persons teaching in the public schools of Illinois. At the conclusion of this three-day conference an organization of blind teachers and teacher candidates was created to improve training and employment opportunities for blind teachers. This organization will also strive to improve communication among employed teachers and those who are preparing for the teaching profession. On March 26, 1971, the convention of the Illinois Federation of Teachers unanimously adopted a resolution unequivocally opposing "the denial of teacher training or employment opportunities to qualified candidates who are blind" and pledging to take action "to secure the enactment of legislation prohibiting the withholding of teacher training or employment opportunities from qualified candidates who are blind." We are advised that the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Association of Blind Teachers will seek these legislative goals in the next session of the Illinois General Assembly. It is significant that Illinois passed the first "Equal Employment Opportunities for the Handicapped" Act, which became effective July 1, 1971. No one suggests that all blind persons possess the personal qualifications to become successful teachers. What is being striven for in Illinois and throughout the nation is the opportunity for blind teacher candidates to succeed or fail by the record of their performance in the classroom. ***** ** Here and There By George Card From the AFB NEWSLETTER: AFB is launching a market feasibility study to evaluate a number of sensory devices for potential financing, manufacture and distribution by private industry. -- Cleo B. Dolan, new President of the AAWB, has replaced Dr. Douglas C. MacFarland, AAWB's outgoing president, on the AFB Board of Trustees. The only other change on the Board was the retirement of Byron M. Smith, who has served since 1952. -- Arthur L. Voorhees, a rehabilitation specialist with AFB since 1957, retired recently. He had been an AFB consultant to agencies all over the country for many years in providing vocational and employment services for blind persons. -- Recording for the Blind, Inc. has received substantial grants to explore the feasibility of a four-track monaural cassette that would operate at a speed of 15/16. If perfected and adapted, a conversion would mean that the cassettes would have four times as much playing time as that of current cassettes. From the ILLINOIS BRAILLE MESSENGER: We have learned that many highly skilled sighted persons have become interested in what our organization stands for and in what we want to do. Many of these would have helped us more than they have but have held back from participating in our group because they could not become members. A 1971 constitutional amendment now permits these persons to join the IFB as full members. -- Two new special interest affiliates joined the IFB in 1971, the Illinois Association of Blind Teachers and the Illinois Visually Impaired Secretarial Association. -- George W. Wolber became the new President, succeeding Victor Buttram. His address is 1911 Shinkle Avenue, Sterling, IL 61081. -- Two new cottages for 24 additional children have been completed at the Hope School for Blind Multiple Handicapped Children in Springfield. The two new buildings raise the capacity of the school to 64 children. At the present time there are 45 children from 13 states enrolled at Hope with a staff of 65 employees. Hope School was established in 1957 by Dr. Charles E. Jordan for blind children who were not eligible for any program for the blind in the U.S. -- Twenty-five years without an accident, helping Caterpillar make the big crawlers, is the record of Jack Warren, Peoria (IFB Board member). On October 16 a 9-pound, 7-ounce baby boy came to the home of Jack and Carolyn Lewis. Jack is President of the Georgia Federation and well known to ACB convention goers. DIALOGUE's spring 1972 issue will mark its 10th year of publication. Judging by my mail, there is considerable interest in recreation areas, marked trails, etc., which are being developed in various parts of the country for the handicapped. The S.D. NEWSLETTER states that information can be obtained by writing to: Inyo National Forest, 2957 Birch Street, Bishop, CA 93514 and Apalachicola National Forest, 214 South Bronaugh Street, Box 1050, Tallahassee, FL 32302. From the NEW OUTLOOK: Mobility specialists in New York now have their own organization. -- The National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is presently evaluating an experimental instrument, developed by the General Electric Company, which it is hoped will provide an avenue for the tactual input of verbal communication to hearing-impaired individuals. The instrument, the Deaf-Blind Communication Aid, divides words spoken into the microphone into various sound frequencies and, through five circuits, activates finger-sized vibrators mounted in a small box. By placing his hand on these vibrators the deaf-blind person is able to feel the vibrations produced by the spoken words. -- The JOURNAL of the American Medical Association reports a new safe and simple triple vaccine for effective immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. Of the 715 children aged seven months to seven years and who had never had measles, mumps or rubella involved in the testing of the vaccine, 96% developed immunity to measles, 95% to mumps and 94% to rubella. This combination vaccine will simplify administration, reduce costs and minimize the required number of contacts by patient with physician. -- Blind and visually handicapped residents of Virginia are now able to receive a special identification card that is similar in appearance to a driver's license, thus giving them a standard and "official" form of identification for cashing checks and similar activities for which a driver's license is usually accepted. -- The Visual Science Information Center, a computer-based bibliographic service covering the world's literature on vision, has been established at the University of California, Berkeley. No. 5 of the ARIZONA NEWSLETTER (an extremely well written issue) reports that students at a new facility directly across the street from the Phoenix Regional Library for the Blind are receiving training in four areas: mobility; communication skills, such as braille reading and writing, typewriting, handwriting, the use of the telephone and of recorders; activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, clothing selection and care and appearance in public; psychological counseling is available to help persons better accept blindness and to develop a healthy attitude toward living with this limitation. -- "Do you sing or play an instrument? If so, no doubt like most of us you have found accompanists with whom you can practice rather few and far between. You can now obtain recorded accompaniments on reel or cassette tapes and some on records from the following sources: Accompaniments Unlimited, Inc., P.O. Box 5109, Grosse Pointe Branch, MI 48236; or Accompaniments Minus One, 43 West 61st Street, New York, N.Y. 10023." From the Washington State WHITE CANE: The Emil Fries Piano Hospital in Vancouver is a beautiful new air-conditioned brick building, double the area of the old Piano Hospital. It provides six tuning booths, seven repair studios and a first-rate refinishing room with adjacent space for disassembling pianos. There is also a store room for pianos needing reconditioning, complete with grand lid and panel racks. From the ARIZONA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND NEWSLETTER: Share savings accounts of all members of the Arizona Council of the Blind Federal Credit Union are now fully insured. The insurance provided by the National Credit Union Administration, an agency of the federal government, covers all members' share deposits up to $20,000. Savings are matched with life insurance, also, up to $2,000. Deposits made before the age of 55 are matched dollar for dollar. After that, there is a sliding scale of coverage, depending on the member's age at the time of deposit. The Credit Union continues to grow. In less than four months, members have deposited nearly $2,000. There are now 69 members, and loans are being made. An excerpt from a Floyd Qualls letter: "The ACB is too big for personal prejudices and too small to afford the luxury of petty personalities." ***** ** An Official Identification, for Check-Cashing, Etc. Raymond F. (Buddy) Keith of Washington, D.C. has called attention to an adequate official identification which is available to any American citizen, whether born in this country or naturalized. The Washington, D.C., Evening Star on Feb. 7, 1972, published the following information of interest to blind persons who have a need for an official identification with which to facilitate their cashing checks. The Immigration and Naturalization Service issues a "U.S. Citizenship Identification Card." The identification card costs $10, and photographs are required. The application form number is I-196, and can be obtained from any office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Inquiries may be directed to the Central Office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 119 D Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20536. ***** ** It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy From "The Washington Merry Go Round," by Jack Anderson, in the Washington Post, March 3, 1972: "... Senator Jennings Randolph, the West Virginia Democrat who fought for the 18-year-old vote for 30 years, recently went home to personally escort a college student to the voter registration desk. The unawed young lady registered Republican." ***** ** Mid-America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers The 1972 biennial convention of the Mid-America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers is scheduled to meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 24-26 at the Read House Hotel. Mrs. Berit Yank of Omaha, Nebraska, is president. Details of the conference are not yet available, but will be available soon from Miss Vera J. McClain, Publicity Chairman, 621 South 18th Street, Birmingham, Ala. 35233. ***** ** The Blind Data Processor -- A New Braille Publication This is a bi-monthly publication prepared and edited by the Publications Staff of the Visually Impaired Data Processors International. It is distributed by the Library of Congress, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The periodical is a digest of articles from the major data processing publications. It is published for members of VIDPI and other eligible braille readers. Names can be added to the mailing list by writing to Mr. William McPherson, 2946 Cashion Place, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112. Librarians wishing to obtain copies should write to the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. The first issue is that of November-December 1971. It consisted of approximately 60 braille pages. The Publications Staff members are: Richard J. Snipas, Editor, 166 South Bay Avenue, Freeport, N.Y. 11520; Helen Moore, Associate Editor, Denver, Colo.; Richard McMillan, VIDPI Publications Coordinator, Chicago, Ill. Staff reviewers are: Dr. Warren Germain, Winnetka, Ill.; Solomon Greene, Anniston, Ala.; Donald Keeping, Winnipeg, Canada; Thomas Lutes, Frankfort, Ky.; Richard E. Poncin, Chicago, Ill.; R. Dean Wilbur, Cincinnati, Ohio; and McKinley Young, Austin, Tex. VIDPI was organized for blind computer programmer in 1969 following an educational seminar sponsored by the American council of the Blind. VIDPI has held annual conferences in Oklahoma City and Milwaukee since its formation. The 1972 annual business meeting of VIDPI will be held on May 18 on the last day of the Spring Joint Computer Conference of the Association for Computing Machinery. ***** ** ACB Officers * President: Judge Reese Robrahn, 329 Woodbury Lane, Topeka, Kansas 66606 * First Vice President: Dr. S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon St., Downers Grove, Ill. 60515 * Second Vice President: Vernon Williams, 217 Western Union Bldg., Aberdeen, South Dakota 54701 * Secretary: Mrs. Mary Jane Schmitt, 510 Tarrington Rd., Rochester, New York 14609 * Treasurer: Fred Krepela, 241 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301 ** Directors Mrs. Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota St., Hayward, California 94545 George Card, 605 South Few Street, Madison, Wisc. 53703 Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Okla. City, Okla. 73104 Earl Scharry, 5714 Ridgway Ave., Rockville, MD 20851 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 ###