The Braille Forum Vol. XIII November-December 1974 No. 3 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * President: Floyd Qualls 106 N.E. 2nd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 * National Representative: Durward K. McDaniel 818 18th Street, N.W. Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 * Editor: Mary T. Ballard 190 Lattimore Road Rochester, NY 14620 (716) 244-8364 The Braille Forum seeks to promote the independence and dignity of all blind people; to stress responsibility of citizenship; to alert the public to the abilities and accomplishments of the blind. The Braille Forum carries official news of the American Council of the Blind and its programs. It is available for expression of views and concerns common to all blind persons. ***** ** Contents Notice to Subscribers Special Membership Meeting of NAC, by Reese Robrahn Randolph-Sheppard Veto A History of the Randolph-Sheppard Act -- How to Obtain It, by Durward K. McDaniel Convention Tapes Report of ACB Committee for Deaf-Blind Adults, by Jack Murphey National Association of Blind Teachers 1974 Convention American Blind Lawyers Convention, by Philip Pofcher Horizons for Advancement, by Pat Price World Council of Blind Lions ACB Service Net News, by Doris Hauser Editors Workshop, 1974 Reading Aids for the Blind, by Harvey Lauer Social Security and Blind Disability Beneficiaries, by Durward K. McDaniel Here and There, by Reese Robrahn A Money Tree for ACB, by Billie Elder ACB Officers ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large type, open-reel tape (7-inch reel, dual track, ips 3 3/4) and cassette (ips 1 7/8). Items intended for publication in the Braille Forum should be sent to the editor, Mary T. Ballard, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620, or to one of the associate editors: George Card, 605 South Few Street, Madison, WI 53703 Margaret Freer, 11816 West Blue Mound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Ione B. Miller, 9291 Fermi Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123 Joseph Wiedenmayer, 5604 Montgomery Street, Chevy Chase, MD 20015 Subscriptions and address changes for all four editions should be sent to Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104. Those much needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to ACB Treasurer J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205. Anyone who wishes to remember the American Council of the Blind in his or her Last Will and Testament may use the following language in a special paragraph for that purpose: "I give and bequeath unto the American Council of the Blind, a District of Columbia not-for-profit corporation, the sum of $ _____ "; or: " _____ % of my net estate"; or: "the following described property: ... ". "Said bequest is made and devised to be used for the Council's corporate purposes, in the interest of blind and visually impaired persons." If your wishes are more complex, have your attorney communicate with the Council's national office. ***** ** Special Membership Meeting of NAC By Reese Robrahn On November 6 and 7, 1974, at the Prince George Hotel in New York City, there was held a special membership meeting of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. The special membership meeting was called to consider ways and means and procedures to implement and achieve the principle "that there should be increased constructive involvement in NAC of blind consumers, especially men and women suggested by the national organizations of blind persons." More specifically, the special membership meeting received, considered, and took action on reports and recommendations of the ad hoc Committee on Liaison with national organizations of the blind and the ad hoc Committee to Revise By-Laws, and on a plan proposed at the request of the NAC Executive Committee by its president, Daniel D. Robinson. The ad hoc Committee on Liaison was chaired by W. Harold (Hal) Bleakley. The charge of this committee was: to meet informally and separately with representatives of the three national organizations of the blind -- the American Council of the Blind, the Blinded Veterans Association, and the National Federation of the Blind -- in order to ascertain from each organization its views as to how the standard-setting and accreditation procedures might be improved and made more meaningful and relevant, and how there might be achieved greater involvement of blind consumers in all of NAC's operations, especially with respect to representatives of national membership organizations of the blind; and to make a report and recommendations on the same. The ad hoc Committee on Revision of By-Laws was chaired by McAllister Upshaw. The charge of this committee was: to study the NAC by-laws and to make recommendations on the following: the present by-law provision permitting voting by proxy; the establishment of a class or classes of associate members with voting rights; greater involvement of blind consumers on the boards, commissions, and committees of NAC, especially representatives of national membership organizations of blind persons; and revision, if necessary, to bring its by-laws within the requirements of statutes of the State of New York pertaining to corporations not for profit. These two committees discharged their duties and made their reports and recommendations to the NAC Executive Committee, which simply accepted the same and requested the president of NAC to prepare and present a plan to reflect and implement the principle of greater involvement of blind consumers, especially representatives of national organizations of the blind, in all of NAC's operations. The special membership meeting of NAC heard the reports and recommendations of the two ad hoc committees and the plan proposed by President Robinson, after which representatives of the three national organizations of the blind presented the viewpoints or positions of their respective organizations. Durward McDaniel represented the American Council of the Blind, David Schnair the Blinded Veterans Association, and John Taylor the National Federation of the Blind. The meeting then proceeded to the business at hand, that is to say, action on the three reports. As the days' proceedings progressed, through a somewhat remarkable amount of parliamentary maneuvering, it became apparent that the members present were polarized -- on the one hand, for support of adoption of the plan of President Robinson, and on the other hand, for support of adoption of the recommendations of the By-Laws Committee. The President's plan was a statement of intent to proceed as follows: 1. The Board would declare seven vacancies on NAC's Board of Directors (there being only 28 out of a possible 35 positions filled at the time), notify the three national organizations of the blind of such vacancies, and request each such organization to submit a list of candidates to the NAC Nominating Committee. 2. The Nominating Committee would select seven candidates from the list submitted, and the NAC Board would be called into meeting about four months hence to elect persons to fill the vacancies as the first order of business, and the seven newly elected members would then immediately take part in the remainder of the board meeting. 3. In addition, necessary steps would be taken to achieve substantial involvement and participation of consumer representatives of national organizations of the blind on the boards, commissions, and committees of NAC. It was asserted that all of the foregoing might be accomplished without amendment of the by-laws. The principal differences between the recommendations of the ad hoc Committee on Liaison and the recommendations of the ad hoc Committee for Revision of By-Laws were a stated non-negotiable demand on the part of the NFB for representation on NAC's Board of Directors at the ratio of ten representatives for NFB, two for ACB, and one for BVA, and a non-negotiable demand that on each of the committees on standards and accreditation there be two blind members and that one of the two be a representative of the NFB. It also became apparent from the discussion and debate as the meeting progressed that, for the most part, support for the President s plan came from public members of NAC's Board, that is to say, from those outside the field of blindness, and from a limited number of accredited agency representatives. On the other hand, for the most part, support for the recommendations of the Committee on Revision of By-Laws was gained from NAC's Board who are themselves blind and from a majority of accredited agency representatives. Seven out of nine recommendations for revisions of NAC's by-laws were adopted, together with two recommendations for Board action by resolution to establish procedures for implementation of two of the by-law revisions. The changes in by-laws considered which are pertinent to this report were as follows: 1. By-law revisions were adopted which abolish voting by proxy. 2. By-law provisions were adopted which provide for the establishment of two classes of associate membership, one voting and one non-voting; and by definition of the voting class, national membership organizations of the blind are eligible to apply for membership upon payment of dues computed from the formula which now applies to accredited agency members. 3. The meeting failed to adopt two recommendations concerning the commissions on standards and accreditation. The two recommendations provided for by-law provisions which were precisely alike as to the two commissions in that each commission now has nine members appointed by the president of NAC, three of whom are appointed for staggered two-year terms, and the proposed revision would have required that one of the three be a member of a national membership organization of blind persons. 4. The meeting adopted a by-law provision which provides that one-third of the membership of NAC's Board of Directors shall be members of or persons recommended by national membership organizations of the blind, and the meeting adopted a recommendation for action by the Board by resolution for the implementation of the same as follows: "... the Nominations Committee shall: a) notify each voting member of the Corporation and each national membership organization of blind persons of the qualifications established for directors and the number of directors to be elected; b) invite voting members of the Corporation and national membership organizations of blind persons to suggest director candidates and state their qualifications; c) prepare a nominations report that recommends a number of candidates at least equal to the number of directors to be elected, and provides that: -- at least one-third are from the suggestions submitted by the voting members of the Corporation, and, -- at least one-third are from the suggestions submitted by the national membership organizations of blind persons. d) mail or personally deliver its nominations report of director candidates to each voting member of the Corporation not more than forty (40) days and not less than ten (10) days before the annual meeting of members. The meeting also passed a motion adopting, in addition to the foregoing, the President's plan, excepting any part of the same which might be in conflict with the adopted by-law revisions. The crucial vote of the meeting concerned the proposed by-law revision that would require one-third of the membership of NAC's board to be members of or persons recommended by national organizations of the blind. At the outset of the discussion and debate on this proposal, there appeared to be little chance of its adoption, especially in view of the failure of the two proposals concerning representation of members of national organizations of the blind on the commissions on standards and accreditation. Many impassioned statements and speeches were made, but the event that turned the tide was the appearance of the superintendent of the school for the blind and visually handicapped for the State of Iowa. He very strongly supported adoption of the proposal and concluded his presentation by stating that while he preferred not to say it, he was compelled to state that if the proposal was not adopted, he would recommend to his board that the school be withdrawn from NAC accreditation. The effect of this statement was very dramatic, and when all was said and done and the question was called for, there was a unanimous voice vote in favor of adoption. The actions taken by this special membership meeting of the National Accreditation Council are of great historical note in the field of accreditation, because traditionally accrediting bodies have adhered strictly to the concept that the profession being accredited can be accredited only by peers and colleagues within the profession. The American Council of the Blind has worked long and diligently within the established NAC government to bring about the changes accomplished on this occasion, and ACB believes that the actions taken augur well for the future of NAC. At the conclusion of the meeting of the Board of Directors, the representatives of the three national organizations of the blind were again invited to comment and state their views on the outcome of the membership meeting. Representatives of both the ACB and BVA were obviously pleased with the outcome; however, John Taylor, representing the NFB, stated that the hopes of his organization for ending the conflict with NAC had been dashed this day, and that his organization would continue its opposition to NAC in all ways possible. Space does not permit the recitation and discussion of all the facts, circumstances, and events which culminated in this special membership meeting of the National Accreditation Council, and which would put into proper perspective the calling of the meeting. However, a recent event, the release of the GAO report of its investigation of the charges made by the NFB against NAC is significant enough to merit additional space here. About three years ago, Kenneth Jernigan, president of the National Federation of the Blind, launched an attack against the National Accreditation Council, and as time passed, his attacks and charges became more frequent, vitriolic, and exaggerated. In recent months, Dr. Jernigan has consistently referred to the conflict as the NFB war against NAC. Because NAC has been receiving Federal funds under a program grant from HEW, Mr. Jernigan seized on this circumstance to direct his attack against NAC to members of the Congress. At the request of Congressman John Brademas, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor, the General Accounting Office reviewed several charges against NAC made by the NFB. In the course of their investigation, GAO representatives visited four NAC-accredited agencies, surveyed 34 non-accredited organizations by telephone, interviewed officials of the principal organizations and agencies representing and/or serving the blind, and discussed the issues raised with individual workshop employees and students. Its report, entitled "Charges Made By The National Federation Of The Blind Against The National Accreditation Council For Agencies Serving The Blind And Visually Handicapped," was issued September 27, 1974. As summarized in the report, NFB's general charges are that NAC does not act in the best interests of the blind, holds closed board meetings, and does not adequately represent users of services for the blind. While the report is essentially a presentation of facts and opinions gathered in the survey, without any independent valuation, it does present NAC, as HEW comments indicate, as "a respectable and legitimate organization that was fulfilling its objectives with a few minor areas of concern." With respect to the more important specific charges and issues, the GAO found that: 1. Workshops visited had obtained required workshop certificates authorizing the payment of less than minimum wages. 2. Generally, workshops visited were meeting NAC standards on fringe benefits and the distribution of personnel manuals. The extent and means for providing employees an opportunity to meet with management varied, however, and participation in union activities was minimal. 3. According to NAC policy adopted by its board in May, 1974, its annual meetings are open, copies of board minutes are available on request to members and sponsors, and at cost to others, representatives of national organizations concerned with services for blind and visually handicapped individuals are welcome as observers at NAC board meetings, except executive sessions, and every reasonable consideration will be given to requests for special-purpose appearances at or presentations to meetings of the Board. 4. Contracts under the Wagner-O'Day Act are not contingent upon NAC accreditation. 5. Consideration should be given to some method of obtaining the views of representatives of national organizations of the blind and other interested parties when NAC site visits are made to agencies seeking accreditation. 6. NAC is generally recognized and supported by organizations of the blind and by agencies and professional organizations in the field. The NFB is the only exception cited. ***** ** Randolph-Sheppard Veto The combined efforts of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the American Council of the Blind to generate 75,000 expressions of support for the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments produced House and Senate action to include the amendments as part of H.R. 14225, which originally contained only vocational rehabilitation amendments. A bill providing for a White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals was also added to the bill, which President Ford vetoed on October 29. Extensive negotiations were conducted by Congressional staff with supporters of the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments and the American Postal Workers Union, resulting in several changes. However, the amendments contain many strong and essential improvements over the present law. The President created a legal controversy by returning the bill unsigned to the House of Representatives several hours before a pocket veto could have become effective. As we go to press, the solution to this dilemma is unsettled. The position of RSVA and ACB is set forth in a letter to Congressman John Brademas in reply to his letter, both of which are reprinted below. Apparently, the ambiguous veto message was not based on objections to the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments, and we are determined to obtain the enactment of this legislation in this session of Congress. November 11, 1974 Dear Durward: I must tell you how much I appreciate your Herculean efforts in helping develop the amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act and increasing public understanding of them. I very much regret that President Ford so thoughtlessly vetoed important legislation such as H.R. 14225 but I am confident that we will be able to send the same provisions back to him before the 93rd Congress adjourns. With renewed thanks and warm best wishes, Sincerely, John Brademas, Chairman Select Education Subcommittee November 14, 1974 Dear Congressman Brademas: The American Council of the Blind and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America appreciate your work on behalf of H.R. 14225, and particularly on the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1974. We concur in your criticism of the veto and the reasons given for it. We are determined to achieve these legislative goals in the 93rd Congress, and we appreciate your reassurance and continued support. We are concerned about the effect of the legal controversy as to whether this veto is one which can be overridden. We respect the reasoning and judgment of the House Parliamentarian, but because of the legal controversy, we question the strategy of overriding the controversial veto. We urgently recommend the alternative of a clean bill with the same provisions and without hearings, and the overriding of the President's veto of it while Congress is in session. We cannot afford the time and expense which would be involved in the adjudication of the issues inherent in the present veto controversy. We believe that the necessary vote to override can be obtained, although we are not certain that some members of the House will not vote to sustain, for the sole reason that they doubt the legality of overriding the alleged pocket veto. We are, of course, joining with others to support an override because we cannot afford to have the veto sustained. We hope that you and the House leadership will consider favorably the alternative strategy advocated above, in order to minimize the risk and to assure the certain enactment of essential measures on which we have worked for such a long time. If the controversial veto is overridden and the President refuses to recognize it as a law, we will then feel compelled to urge further action of S. 2581, with modifications to conform to the provisions of Title II of H.R. 14225. Respectfully, American Council of the Blind And Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America By Durward K. McDaniel ***** ** A History of the Randolph-Sheppard Act -- How to Obtain It By Durward K. McDaniel Light at the Tunnel End, by Leonard A. Robinson, will be published in February, 1975. It will contain 193 pages and 26 pictures. The foreword is written by Senator Jennings Randolph, who on many occasions has given Leonard Robinson full and proper credit for the legislation which created the vending-stand program. This is the only book we know about which d al with the history of this important program from the beginning to the present. It is doubly significant because its author is uniquely the best source of this information. If the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments of 1974 become law in time, the revised Randolph-Sheppard Act will be published in full as an appendix to the book. Advance orders for Light at the Tunnel End can be sent now and your copy will be mailed shortly after the printing is completed. The advance sale price is $6.00 per copy. Make checks payable to the American Council of the Blind and send your check, name and address to ACB's National Office, Suite 700, 818 18th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. This is a book which every blind vendor, volunteer, and professional worker in the field of blindness should have. We are indebted to Leonard Robinson for this factual success for which has an obvious continuing value to visually impaired persons and to work with the blind in our country. The following is a review of this book by William McCahill, former Executive Secretary of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped: If Dean Acheson was "Present at the Creation" of our post-WW II foreign policy, Leonard Robinson has provided "Light at the Tunnel End" in illuminating one aspect of blindness in America during the past forty years. Despite his own blindness, or perhaps because of it, Robinson sees clearly in retrospect the events, large and small, leading up to the passage of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and hands down for posterity, a story of how the Act worked and still works today. It is good to have his first-hand account, told modestly and with restraint, of the legislative and administrative history of the blind vending-stand program in the United States, a history which is even now being written in the halls of Congress as the latest amendments are working their way through hearings to passage. The fact that more than 3,600 blind persons are currently employed in the operation of vending stands and machines in the Federal-state programs is indisputable testimony to the success of the original idea and to the good sense of many Americans who have made the program a useful and necessary part of our economic life. Upon retirement from the Government, which he served with distinction, Robinson activated his dream of telling the Randolph-Sheppard story and threw himself into several voluntary pursuits in the field of blindness and the handicapped. Always the activist, he is well aware that "much more remains to be done," and, pragmatist that he is (a pragmatist being a successful dreamer), he reminds us all of the tunnel's end that "In whatever endeavor the handicapped person finds himself, he is out to prove that ability, not disability, is what counts." And, thanks to the staying power of folks like Leonard Robinson, the confidence of the American people in the abilities of the handicapped has never been higher. ***** ** Convention Tapes Tapes of the 1974 ACB convention are now available. These may be had on four-track (two reels) or on two-track (four reels), seven-inch open-reel tapes, 1 7/8 i.p.s. Send orders to Floyd Qualls, 106 N. E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. You are asked to replace the tape used -- two 1,800-foot reels for the four-track recording, four 1,800-foot reels for the two-track recording. If you prefer, the tapes may be purchased at $1.50 per reel. The recording includes the ACB convention and banquet program. ***** ** Report of ACB Committee For Deaf-Blind Adults By Jack Murphey The American Council of the Blind's Committee for Deaf-Blind Adults met in Chicago on August 1, 1974. Being an informal, open meeting, it was attended by 34 persons, eight of whom were deaf-blind. The latter included Robert Ables, Leonard and Betty Dowdy, Geraldine Lawhorn, Jack Murphey, Dr. Robert Smithdas, Maxine Tuttle and Boyd Wolfe. Others who attended included outstanding rehabilitation personnel, several representatives of the Chicago Lighthouse, and a number of ACB leaders. Also present was Mr. Sam Block, a most interesting deaf man who represented the National Association of the Deaf. Assisted by an interpreter, Mr. Block followed the proceedings and participated in discussions remarkably well. He repeatedly expressed the hope that the sighted-deaf would take more interest in their deaf-blind neighbors. After lengthy discussion, two proposed resolutions were approved and sent to the ACB Resolutions Committee. Both were adopted by the assembly on the final day of the ACB convention. The first resolution noted the immense potential of the IBM Electric Braille Typewriter as an easy means of communication with blind and deaf-blind readers of braille. Stating that this machine should be standard equipment in every office, school, library, nursing home, and other facility serving the blind and physically handicapped, it urges the American Council of the Blind to seek ways and means of encouraging the production, sale, and widespread distribution of this braille typewriter. The second resolution briefly reviewed the importance of Good Cheer, the national braille magazine for the deaf-blind, as an effective means of keeping isolated members of that doubly handicapped minority in touch with each other, and stressed the never-ending financial worries of those responsible for publishing the magazine. It then proposed that officers of the American Council request the Library of Congress, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, to underwrite the actual cost of publishing this braille quarterly, as is done by the British and Canadian governments for similar braille magazines in those countries. On the evening of August 1, the Committee had also arranged for a social hour and display of communication methods and devices used by the deaf-blind. That event was a colossal success. Though we had not dared hope for more than token attendance by conventioneers, our large reception room was crowded for hours, and, thanks to the grand cooperation of the Hadley School for the Blind, there were ample and appropriate refreshments for all. Looking back on that enjoyable gathering, one feels that it may have marked the beginning of a new era -- an era in which the organized blind of the nation will consciously and actively strive to promote the welfare and well-being of the deaf-blind minority in their midst. ***** ** National Association of Blind Teachers 1974 Convention The 1974 convention of the National Association of Blind Teachers was held in Chicago, July 30-31, just prior to the national convention of the American Council of the Blind. The keynote address was a paper prepared by Dr. Carlton Eldridge, Springfield College, Springfield, Illinois, entitled "Blindness -- Not A Handicap, Just An Inconvenience." Dr. Eldridge pointed out that during the past two hundred years, great strides have been made in work of and for the blind. Throughout these years, the word "discrimination" had been used to describe the attitude of the sighted toward the blind. It was his feeling that of late, this word has taken on a tone of militancy, and he cited some of the reasons for this change. Stating that it should be our intention to make ourselves equal, and even superior, thus making ourselves more valuable to an employer, Dr. Eldridge suggested elements in successfully closing the gap between "equal" and "superior." Mrs. Linda B. Carlson, Resource Room Teacher, Endicott Public Schools, Endicott, New York, discussed keeping the visually impaired child in the public school. Presently she has in her resource room eleven visually handicapped children, ranging from first through twelfth grade. The blind student participates with sighted children in his regular grade according to his ability, spending at least an hour a day in the resource room learning braille, reading and writing skills, typing, and so on. Mrs. Carlson stated that the trend is toward educating blind children in public schools whenever possible, but not all blind children are best placed in this type of learning situation. "When there's no job, make one!" was the theme of a presentation by James Rhoades, graduate of Southern Illinois University in instrumental music. After having a number of applications refused, Mr. Rhoades heard about Holy Angels School in the ghetto of southeastern Chicago. This was an entirely black school, and nobody else wanted to teach there. He applied for the job and got it. Presently he is teaching instrumental music in the grades, expects to start a course for first- and second-graders in the fall, and plans to organize an elementary-school drum and bugle corps which will be the only one in the metropolitan area of Chicago. Initially, Mr. Rhoades provided some of his own instruments, and the Lions Clubs, by advertising in their magazine, were able to get many more. A college-level class to assist blind teachers in handling classes of sighted children in the public schools was described by Dr. A. James Nezol, Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois. This three-hour credit course is a pilot program initiated by the Illinois Association of Blind Teachers. The course is conducted by Dr. Nezol, and six students are presently enrolled. Thomas H. Stout, Jr., Rehabilitation Counselor, Green Bay, Wisconsin, emphasized the importance of placement counselors and stressed that such workers should be well-trained salesmen in order best to sell a blind person's abilities to an employer. Dr. Rodney Moag of the University of Missouri at Columbia described the preparatory program sponsored by the Bureau for the Blind in Missouri to help blind pre-college students bridge the gap between the home and high-school environments and the college situation. Out of 75 names on the NABT membership roll, 49 persons attended the July 31 business meeting. The membership voted to contribute $25 to ACB as a token of gratitude for the excellent arrangements made for this year's convention. Also plans are under way to compile a national directory of successful blind teachers. In response to persistent rumors concerning discontinuance of the study of braille in the schools, which it is felt would be a grievous mistake, the Association decided to write to the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., urging continuance of the teaching of this very important skill. The National Association of Blind Teachers urges all blind teachers and blind students who plan to enter the field to join in an attempt to prove to school boards, superintendents, and principals that blind persons can be successful in the teaching field. For further information, contact Robert McCann, President, 2638 N. Troy, Chicago, IL 60647. ***** ** American Blind Lawyers Convention By Philip E. Pofcher For two intensive days, a well-attended meeting of the American Blind Lawyers Association participated in seminars describing methods of practice used by blind lawyers on many subjects, including: Bankruptcy, Wage-Earners Plans, Workmen's Compensation, Consumer Protection, Public Defenders, Prosecution and General Practice. Each seminar was presented by a member specializing in that field. The Student Lawyers Section reported on preparation for law school, law boards, readers and materials needed for maintaining their positions in school and summer placement. The entire group is interested in aids, techniques and employment opportunities. The various presentations have been recorded on cassettes. Also available are cassettes for law students by Harold Krentz, a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, and by Barry Scheuer, a second-year Yale law student. The American Bar Journal has given permission to the Association for the reproduction of its monthly article on "Supreme Court Reports" and "What's New in the Law." All cassettes are available to members without charge from this Association's President, Philip E. Pofcher, Roslindale Square, Boston, Mass. 02131. Please send a C90 blank cassette and indicate the material you wish copied. ***** ** Horizons for Advancement By Pat Price The entire format of the three-day convention of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, held in Chicago July 29-31, emphasized repeatedly ways and techniques by which the visually impaired secretary can successfully attain new horizons for advancement. Several extremely qualified professionals, representing the legal, medical, and Civil Service fields, outlined specifically the secretarial skills and responsibilities necessary, irregardless of sight limitations, to make job promotion possible. Workshops involving all persons in attendance then thoroughly discussed each job duty to determine ways in which it is or can be performed without sight. Additionally, demonstrations of newly developed equipment and devices, including the correcting Selectric typewriter with a memory, the transceiver, the Optacon, various low-vision aids and the laser cane, vividly revealed the tremendous role modern technology plays in enabling the visually impaired secretary not only to secure a position, but then to advance even to supervisory and management levels. Perhaps the high point of the conference came during the Monday evening banquet when Christine Emley of San Jose, California, a totally blind legal secretary for the law firm of Glassby and Rice, was chosen by a panel of three judges to receive VISTA's first "Secretary of the Year" award. Chris truly is an outstanding example that "It can be done." At the final session, Betty Ann Jones of Utica, New York, VISTA's founder and most capable president since its beginning in 1970, handed the gavel to newly elected President Trudie Musier of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, who with Pat Price, First Vice President, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jean Dorf, Second Vice President, from Washington, D.C., George Illingworth, Third Vice President, from Detroit, Michigan, Roseanne Diehl, Secretary, from Springfield, Virginia, and Loretta Bourgoin, Treasurer, from Rochester, New York, immediately accepted the challenge and began exploring new horizons for VISTA's advancement in the coming year. ***** ** World Council of Blind Lions The annual meeting of the World Council of Blind Lions was held on the morning of July 31, 1974. Although attendance was not large, it made up in quality what it lacked in quantity. It was interesting to note that there were seven blind Lions in attendance who had not been there before. This means that new Lions are becoming interested each year. Some of the discussion centered on the fact that a relatively small number of Lions were sending in dues, and that the expense of the project was falling on the shoulders of Fred C. Lilley, the chairman. Mr. Lilley pointed out that although it was difficult for him to communicate with the group very often, he would do more if he had the funds. Several Lions offered to help if they could be of service. On Tuesday evening, July 30, a banquet was held, rather than a luncheon as in previous years. The toastmaster was District Governor of 1-A, Lion G. Leonard Pearson, who had been Lion Lilley's vice president when Lilley was president of the Oak Lawn Lions Club. The guest speaker was none other than newly elected International President, Lion Johnny Balbo, of La Grange, Illinois. He gave an excellent talk and said that his theme for the year was "Today's Heritage Is Tomorrow's Challenge." Although attendance was good, it was the consensus of opinion that a luncheon meeting is best because local Lions are more apt to attend. The chairman of the 1975 convention, which will be held in Mobile, Alabama, has already been asked to attempt to arrange such a luncheon, and it is hoped that the business meeting can be held at a time when other special-interest activities will not overlap our meeting. Y'all come, heah? ***** ** ACB Service Net News By Doris Hauser Seventeen amateur radio operators met in the Caucus Room of the LaSalle Hotel, Chicago, on Wednesday evening, July 31, to discuss the ACB Service Net and its problems. A net coordinator, Kevin Nathan, WA7QVP, of Boise, Idaho, was elected. A demonstration of a light probe, an audiometer, and the laser cane was given by a representative from Science for the Blind. Full information on these and other electronic products is available from Science for the Blind, 221 Rock Hill Road, Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004. The new FCC ruling about no log-keeping for mobiles was discussed. There is still some controversy over the ruling concerning fixed-station operating. This reporter and her "OM" attended the Dayton, Ohio hamfest last April. Of particular interest was a display of some of the new transceivers which require no tuning. Their price is high, but for those who can afford them, they certainly do solve a lot of operating problems for blind hams. Anyone having news of general interest to blind ham radio operators, please send it to Doris Hauser, WA9MWM, 1110 High Street, Aurora, IL 60505. ***** ** Editors Workshop, 1974 More than thirty bulletin and magazine editors and others interested in writing and public relations work attended the fourth annual Editors Workshop of the American Council of the Blind immediately preceding the ACB 1974 convention in Chicago. Annette Victorin, author, teacher and lecturer, was guest speaker. Mrs. Victorin, who is fiction and poetry editor for Dialogue, presented a lecture on how to write several kinds of non-fiction articles. Touching lightly on fundamentals -- "It takes years to become a polished writer, but you must take the first step now or you will never write a thing worthy of publication" -- she outlined basic guidelines for constructing acceptable articles that will meet with an editor's approval." "The very first words must catch the reader's eye, and every word that follows must hold his attention," she said. "You must write with an economy of words, and check and double check everything you write for accuracy and clarity." Discussion on how to write effective brochures and convincing letters followed, with Mrs. Victorin adding much to the discussion from her wide experiences in many fields. Margaret Freer, Associate Editor of the Braille Forum, who has produced many effective brochures in her role as public relations worker, presented several examples of folders that were read and passed around for inspection. Margaret, who did an outstanding job as Public Relations Chairman of the convention, has handled much public relations work for Focus, Wisconsin's program for the newly blind. The three-hour program was arranged by M. Helen Vargo, Chairman of ACB's Board of Publications. ***** ** Reading Aids for the Blind Information for Consumers and Teachers By Harvey Lauer (Part I) (Mr. Lauer is Electronic Reading Specialist, Central Section for Visually Impaired and Blinded Veterans, Veterans Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141.) Scope: This article concerns inkprint reading aids for people who cannot see optical aids and closed-circuit TV (CCTV) systems. Available devices and some current research are described and discussed. The paper covers work with adults, though there are many implications for children. History: Before escorting you into the microcosmic world of reading aids, let me supply some background. In 1913, the British physicist, Dr. E. E. Fournier d'Albe, described a reading aid for the blind, and later built a crude model. A young woman, Mary Jameson, demonstrated it. Then a British engineering firm, Barr and Stroud, re-designed it and built six copies. Several blind persons have used them down to the present. Miss Jameson, the first user and teacher of the skill, is today active in the field. The British device is the first member of the optophone family. Optophone is the name for a class of machines which convert letter shapes into tone patterns. As the probe or camera is moved horizontally, each tone responds to an assigned portion of the letter along its vertical axis. For example, the letter V is heard as a descending scale of sound, followed by an ascending scale. The letter I is heard largely as a chord, because several of the photocells "see" the print simultaneously. Through the years, several designs of optophone have been built. The British machines first had five channels or tones; then they were given a sixth. Twenty years ago, I read that Mary Jameson was reading her mail and checking her typing, and I decided to seek an opportunity to use a reading aid. So ten years ago, I learned to read with a device the size of a train case which had nine tones. It was called the VA-Battelle Optophone. For many years after World War II, the Veterans Administration was responsible for most reading aids research, and the Battelle machine was one of its projects. In 1960, I taught Margaret Butow to read with it. She is now teaching the use of the Stereotoner at the Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, Illinois. In 1967, the Visotoner came on to the scene. The Visotoner was an optophone made by Mauch Laboratories of Dayton, Ohio, under V.A. sponsorship. In that year, I began working as a Reading Machines Specialist in the Veterans Administration. In 1973, Mauch Laboratories began manufacturing the Stereotoner. It is the latest form of optophone, and I shall describe it later. Other Audible Devices: Over the years, a number of designs have been proposed. The RCA A2 Reading Machine was a V.A. project of the 1950s. It used a raster which scanned vertically. The Canadian Lexiphone and the Russian optophone are among research efforts of the 1960's. There are basement laboratory designers who propose reading aids consisting of single-channel optical probes. These make good light detectors, but have severe limitations as reading aids. Tactile Outputs: Probably the first reading aid to have a tactile output was the Visotactor. It was built by Mauch Laboratories in the early 1960s. Its eight vibrating pins are felt by four fingers of the right hand. Several people learned to use it, but it is now considered obsolete. Expensive research is going on at Smith-Kettlewell Institute, San Francisco, California, on tactile displays for sensory aids. Other efforts throughout the world range from the modest to the ambitious. Various parts of the body, including the back stomach and forehead, are under consideration. Most recently: electrical stimulation of the brain is being studied. The Optacon: The Optacon is the result of expensive research begun in the early 1960s at Stanford Research Institute and Stanford University in California. It has been on the market for three years and is manufactured by Telesensory Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, California. The firm's president, Dr. James Bliss, had a large part in the Optacon's development. The word Optacon means optical-to-tactile converter. It measures in inches 2 by 7 by 9. It has a probe or camera, electronic circuits, and a matrix of vibrators. The matrix or array of vibrators consists of six columns and 24 rows and is felt by one finger. They vibrate in the shape of print symbols as the user tracks the print with the camera held in his other hand. Eight hundred Optacons have been sold throughout the world. The price is $3,450, and a service contract is available, costing $200 per year after the first year. A number of data processors are among its most enthusiastic users. A newly designed tracking aid is available. Another accessory is a visual display monitor by which a sighted teacher can monitor the student's reading. A blind teacher can do this by connecting another Optacon (usually his own) to the student's machine. The Stereotoner: Designed under contract with the V.A. Research Center for Prosthetics, the Stereotoner is manufactured by Mauch Laboratories. It measures in inches 4 by 5 by 1 1/2 and is usually worn on the chest by means of a neck strap. As its probe is moved along a line of print, a ten-tone (ten-channel) code is heard stereophonically in earphones. Each tone is heard at a different volume in each ear. High tones are heard louder in the right ear and softer in the left. With low tones, the situation is reversed. The letter V, which was described earlier also sounds as if it moves from side to side. The price of the Stereotoner is $1,120.00, and about 75 machines have been sold. A ruler-shaped tracking aid is provided. This facilitates tracking for users, but beginners need a larger version. Monitoring is done by connecting a second set of earphones. An accessory which permits visual monitoring is also available. About 25 people are using Stereotoners, most of them having been trained within the past year, so data on long-term usefulness is not yet available. Several typists are among the enthusiastic users. Demonstrations: After countless lectures and demonstrations, I have concluded that the biggest mistake an interested person can make is to form a firm opinion either for or against a given reading aid after a lecture or brief demonstration. Few people are equipped to judge their ability or lack of ability to learn to use rapidly presented tonal or vibratory patterns. Even fewer people understand the several tasks involved in using an aid -- the interaction between man and machine. Typically, the demonstrator slowly presents to the observer some simple letter shapes. This is done to show the principles of operation and the intelligibility of the signals. This experience leads some to conclude that the skill is easily mastered, while others are discouraged by its apparent difficulty. The observer's reaction depends as much upon his self-image as it depends upon his abilities and the quality of the demonstration. On some occasions, however, a skilled user demonstrates by reading normally, while the observer listens to the sounds of the Stereotoner or feels the output of a "harnessed" Optacon. The observer then reacts in whatever way he customarily reacts to the performance of a well-trained athlete, magician, or psychic. Such diverse reactions also occur as people watch braille being read for the first time. Demonstrations are suitable for the casually interested. For the deeply interested, we should provide demonstration, experience, testing, and counseling. Training: Learning to use a reading aid is much like learning a second language. Self-training is not recommended. From two to four weeks of fairly intensive training is given, which should be followed by several months to a year of regular practice. Ideally, before a wise decision is made, several hours of training and experience with each machine are needed. Utility: Reading aids are used chiefly for tasks requiring small but important amounts of reading. These include checking one's typing (often while still in the typewriter) and reading correspondence, bills, memos, definitions, recipes, currency, and so on. We do not read handwriting, and few people read books and newspapers, because braille, recordings, and radio are much faster. Speech compressors should soon cost under $200. They will make reading by listening even more efficient. Some business machines can be equipped with braille or audible outputs which do not require use of a reading aid. These alternatives should be studied and reported to consumers. On the other hand, many developments in technology and standardization favor the use of reading aids. For example, a typewriter equipped with an erase feature, used by a typist equipped with a reading aid, add up to an efficient and rewarding combination. Reading aids are a useful addition to the lives of certain people. It takes many people a year or so to re-orient their habits and skills before they know exactly how the aid will fit into their lives. The decision to acquire an aid and training is made even more difficult by changing technology, the newness of the aids, the lack of good studies of their usefulness, and the glamorization of sensory aids for the blind. Studies of Utility and Reading Rates: At present, reading rates and the usefulness of reading aids are difficult to assess accurately. Most testing has been done while students are in intensive training, where rates and utility are naturally low. After training, data are usually obtained through questionnaires and telephone interviews. Generally, such data are unreliable because users' estimates of their reading rates are often inaccurate. Their estimates of how efficiently they use the aids are very subjective. What is additionally needed is an independent study of people who have used reading aids for at least one year and those who have discontinued their use. A test battery should be given to determine reading rates and skills at whichever tasks are appropriate to individual users. Anything short of such a study runs the risk of being a disservice to consumers and organizations who invest time, money, and effort. When the successful users are identified, we can give informed counsel to new candidates. In the absence of suitable follow-up data on reading rates, there is little to be said. Attained rates vary widely. A minority of users read around ten words per minute. Speeds in excess of sixty words per minute are fairly rare. A low-speed user with lots of time to spend may be happier than a high-speed user who is in a hurry. It will be possible to predict more accurately attainable reading rates when further research findings of two projects conducted by the American Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California. These are the Optacon Project sponsored by the United States Office of Education, and the Stereotoner Project, sponsored by the Veterans Administration. ***** ** Social Security and Blind Disability Beneficiaries By Durward K. McDaniel Two years ago, Congress changed the requirements for blind persons applying for disability benefits under Title II. Up to that time, blind and disabled applicants were required to have worked for at least five of the preceding ten years on Jobs covered by the Social Security tax. Usually that formula is stated in terms of quarters of years -- or twenty of the past forty quarters. Non-blind applicants must still satisfy the old requirement. ACB has long advocated that the requirement for the blind should be at least as liberal as that for persons who have reached retirement age. That requirement is known as the "Fully Insured Rule," which is that an applicant must have at least one quarter of coverage for each calendar year elapsing after 1950 or after his 21st birthday, whichever I slater, in order to qualify, except that no one can qualify with fewer than six quarters. This rule now applies to blind disability beneficiaries. Accordingly, one who applies for benefits in 1975 must have 24 quarters because that is the number of calendar years which will have elapsed since 1950 unless he is not yet 45 years old. Suppose the applicant is only 40. Then he will need l9 quarters because that is the number of years which have elapsed after he was 21. Quarters may be counted regardless of when they were earned. That is the Fully Insured Rule which has qualified more than 30,000 blind people for benefits. To applications by blind persons, a very significant interpretation was made in a case in which this writer was involved as counsel in 1973. It is described here because it is not well known or understood generally, even by many claims representatives. The rule is that a blind applicant can qualify for benefits if at any time during his blindness he has sufficient quarters to have met the requirements of the Fully Insured Rule, had it been in effect at that time -- even if it was before disability benefits were a part of the law. An example will make it easier to understand. Suppose the blind applicant is 45 years old in 1974; that he became blind when he was 35, when he had a total of 14 quarters. That would be exactly enough to qualify him, because the difference between 35 years and his 21st birthday is exactly 14, the number of quarters credited. Note well that it is the coinciding of the blindness and the required number of quarters which controls, even though the application is made years later. The individual case does not have to work out exactly as the example did. The rule will produce favorable results in any case in which the applicant at any time has or had the necessary factors of blindness and at least the minimum number of quarters required at that time. There is much confusion abroad about the possibility of a blind person qualifying for benefits with only six quarters of coverage. It is possible, if the blindness was a fact before 1957 or before the applicant's 27th birthday. Note that the last statement is simply the result of the Fully Insured Rule as explained earlier. Much of the confusion comes from the mistaken belief that a bill which has passed the United States Senate six times has become law. But it has not. This reference is to a bill which was originated by Congressman Anfuso of New York twenty years ago. It would, if finally passed and signed by the President, permit a blind person to qualify for Social Security benefits with only six quarters of coverage, regardless of his age or the amount of his earnings. Such a provision is now pending as Section III(E) of H.R. 3153. Section III(E) and other amendments were added by the Senate, and the bill, H.R. 3153, is stalled in a joint Congress committee. Historically, a majority of the conferees appointed by both the House and Senate have been opposed to the provisions now contained in Section III(E). That opposition is based primarily on the fact that it would place no limit on the amount of a blind beneficiary's earnings. All of the major organizations of and for the blind have supported this liberal measure, and it has gained considerable support in the House of Representatives. In this Congress, for the first time, Chairman Wilbur Mills of the House Committee on Ways and Means, introduced a separate bill containing the provisions of Section III(E). However, it was not reported by that committee or passed by the House. The Fully Insured Rule was an achievable alternative to the more liberal proposal which is still pending as Section III(E). The Fully Insured Rule does not change the current limitation on the amount of earnings a blind beneficiary can have and still be eligible for the benefits. All statements about and examples of the Fully Insured Rule are based on the applicant's claiming benefits on his own earnings record. Anyone whose claim for benefits is denied because of an interpretation of the Fully Insured Rule different from that stated above should refer the Social Security claims representative to Section A-6001 of the Social Security Manual. If the result is still unsatisfactory, any blind person or his representative is invited to consult the ACB National Office for assistance. ***** ** Here and There By Reese Robrahn Another widespread inequity in the Supplemental Security Income program has now been corrected by amendment passed by Congress and signed by the President, known as the Church Amendment: Public Law 93-484, which exempts from consideration as unearned income for SSI purposes support and maintenance payments made by a nonprofit organization on behalf of an SSI beneficiary residing in a nonprofit retirement home or similar residential institution. Thus, no longer will the subsidized portion of the SSI beneficiary's maintenance in the nonprofit home for the aged, or like facility, be considered as unearned income and thereby reduce or eliminate his SSI payment. On October 24, 1974, at the headquarters of the American Foundation for the Blind, New York City, the annually awarded Migel Medal was presented this year to Senator Jacob K. Javits of New York and to Alexander F. Handel, Executive Director of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. This Foundation award is designed to give recognition to professionally employed practitioners in education, rehabilitation, and social welfare concerned with blind persons, and to lay individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to the advancement of services and programs for blind persons. From AFB NEWSLETTER (Oct., 1974): The American Foundation for the Blind announces publication of its twentieth edition of its Aids and Appliances catalog, "Ideas for Better Living," available in braille and print, free of charge. --- The Foundation announces innovations in its Aids and Appliances program: Orders will be filled within three days of time of receiving the same; orders may be placed by telephone over special lines set up for the same; charge accounts may be established; purchases may be charged to American Express, Master Charge, or Bank Americard; in addition to Parcel Post, United Parcel Service is now available for shipping purchases. These details, including telephone numbers, appear in the catalog. Also, the Foundation announces publication of its 1974-75 Catalog of Publications. Both catalogs may be ordered free from the American Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. From ILLINOIS BRAILLE MESSENGER (Oct., 1974): The University of Illinois has developed a new instrument, labeled "successful" and "extremely promising," which makes it possible to remove the blood condition from the eyes known as vitreous hemorrhage. This condition occurs in many cases of eye injury, diabetes and sickle cell anemia. Perfection and refinement of this instrument will enable restoration of sight in many cases. From the BADGER INFORMER (Aug., 1974): On August 10-11, the Badger Association for the Blind, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Badger Home for the Blind. Over two hundred celebrants attended the festivities, which included a formal banquet on Saturday and a picnic the following day. The program was filled with much music, games and fun, with beer, soda pop, and snacks served in a tent erected on the premises, which facility and refreshments were furnished complimentary by the Schlitz Company. From NEWSLETTER, Arizona Council of the Blind (Sept., 1974): John Vanlandingham, president of Arizona Council, has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Services for the Handicapped. Mr. Vanlandingham attended his first meeting of this committee on October 21-22-23 and learned that he is one of only three handicapped members on the 15-member committee. Scholarship awards are available for oral deaf students who were born with profound hearing impairment or who lost their hearing before acquiring language, and who are entering or attending regular, full-time colleges or universities for hearing students, in academic year 1975-76. Funds for these awards are obtained by the A.G. Bell Association through memorial gifts, bequests, and donations from individuals and organizations concerned with higher education for deaf individuals. Applicants who have serious handicaps in addition to their deafness -- for example, blindness -- are encouraged to apply. The deadline for receipt of applications is April 15, 1975. For application forms, write to the Scholarship Committee c/o Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc., 3417 Volta Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. There are eight scholarships available, ranging from $200 to $500. Through the efforts of the Associated Blind of Kentucky, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, an arrangement with the Yellow Cab Co. for the Louisville, Kentucky area makes it possible for blind users of cabs to receive special attention on their calls for service. Any blind person may be assigned to the program. A special code number is given when the call for service is made, and the dispatcher and driver respond with special attention. Many thanks to Mr. Eldon B. Lake, a rehabilitation teacher at the Oregon Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Salem, for sharing correspondence concerning the G.E.D. exam. Mr. Lake received information from the State Department for G.E.D. in Salem that a decision had been handed down from the G.E.D. Testing Service of the American Council on Education which would have forbidden blind persons from using an abacus when taking the exam. Mr. Lake wrote a letter to Mrs. Hazel Ripple, Assistant Administrator of the Service in Washington, D.C., and outlined precisely why the blind person has as much a need and a right to use the abacus as the sighted person has to use a pencil. Within ten days, Mrs. Ripple responded that she had reconsidered her decision and that visually handicapped persons will be authorized to use the abacus when taking the special editions of the G.E.D. The Catholic Guild for the Blind, of Chicago, recently announced the publication of a new book on sewing, "So What About Sewing." The book was compiled by a blind Chicago woman and is helpful to both beginners and experienced sewers, and is available in braille and large type. For further information, write the Catholic Guild for the Blind, 67 West Division Street, Chicago, IL 60610. The Science for the Blind Products Catalog is now available in recorded form at 8 1/3 r.p.m. on a soundsheet. The catalog is entitled "Aud-A-Log." Address: SFB Products, 221 Rock Hill Road, Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004. The U.S. Customs Service has published a braille edition of its "Customs Hints for Returning U.S. Residents." It is available at any Library of Congress library for the Blind. The Hadley School for the Blind announces that its "Hadley Optacon Project" ("HOP") is ready for students. For information, write Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL 60093. Jack M. Redding, 7653 Bellerive, Houston, Texas 77036, is interested in the organization of a national blind writers association. Mr. Redding is a full-time, non-fiction, free-lance writer for nationally published magazines. He believes that there are other blind writers, those who would like to become writers, and others who would like to have more information about the writing profession, who would benefit from such an association by sharing experiences, techniques, and ways of doing the job better. For more information, contact Mr. Redding either on tape or in print -- no braille, please. From, LISTEN: A foundation has been established in Palo Alto, California, with seed money from the Seeing Eye, to provide loans up to $2,950 of the purchase price of $3,500 for the Optacon. The term of the loan is five years, and the interest rate is 2 percent. Blind persons who after thorough training decide that the Optacon can be of sound, practical use to them will, therefore, be able to purchase the instrument. It has already been determined that the cost of the Optacon and the deduction is an exemption from one's income. From VISUALLY HANDICAPPED VIEWS (South Dakota): Research conducted by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in sixteen states, and compiled by the National Eye Institute, indicates that non-white women can be as much as three times more vulnerable to blindness from diabetic retinopathy -- a progressive disorder of the retinal blood vessels -- than either white women or men of any race. The study also shows that blindness rates in general are higher in the sixteen states among non-whites than whites. The greatest difference occurs in glaucoma, which is eight times more prevalent among non-white populations. Martha Hartman, of Little Rock, Arkansas, an active member of the Arkansas Council of the Blind, passed away on November 3. Stricken while talking to a friend on the phone with what was later diagnosed as a cerebral hemorrhage, she lived a little over a week, most of the time in a coma. Many readers will remember her from the Knoxville and Chicago conventions. Martha's daughter has suggested contributions to ACB in lieu of flowers. ***** ** A Money Tree for ACB By Billie Elder The season of gift-giving is here. Gifts are given to individuals and organizations which are significant to us and which have made life more pleasant for us. ACB is of great significance to the blind and visually handicapped, and a gift of money at this blessed season of gift-giving will express our gratitude and goodwill for all ACB has accomplished for us throughout the past year. A tangible and "fun" way to make such an expression would be to make a money tree for ACB at your Christmas party. Use either an artificial tree or a natural one, and decorate with money. Let the tree serve as a table decoration, and to add zest to the festivities, have a carol-writing contest and encourage talented members of your affiliate to write appropriate words to a familiar tune such as "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree," or go modern and use the tune to "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree." The lyrics might begin: Tie a big old greenback on the money tree for ACB. Send leaves off the money tree quickly to Treasurer Ed Miller. If anyone comes up with good lyrics, send them to Billie Elder for distribution to other affiliates. ***** ** ACB Officers * President: Floyd Qualls, 106 N.E. 2nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 * First Vice President: S. Bradley Burson, 917 Kenyon Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 * Second Vice President: Billie Elder, 5317 W. 29th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204 * Secretary: M. Helen Vargo, 833 Oakley Street, Topeka, KS 66606 * Treasurer: J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205 ###