The Braille Forum Vol. XIV September-October 1975 No. 2 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 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 506 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-1251 * 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 Politics and Default -- A Threat to Randolph-Sheppard, by Durward K. McDaniel Who Will Meet the Challenge? by George M. Gillispie From Me to You, by Harold Dachtler Western Union Offers New Message Services The Blind as Jurors, by John P. Nelson Alma Murphey to Attend Conference in Yugoslavia Ours Is Not the Only Way, by Durward K. McDaniel Blind Test Mobile on Aircraft, by Judy Pool National Workshop on the Deaf and the Blind, by Reese Robrahn A Dictionary on Tape, by James G. Chandler ACCD Monitors Federal Hiring Practices SSI Improvements Hyde Park Corner: Currency Identification and the Blind, by Harold Rowley TSI Talking Calculator Blind Athletes Invited to Participate in 1976 Olympic Games Here and There, by Sue Graves ACB Convention Supplement, 1975 ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large type, open-reel tape (dual-track, 3 3/4 ips) and cassette (1 7/8 ips). Send items intended for publication 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, OK 73104. Those much needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to ACB Treasurer J. Edward Miller, 2621 Chesterfield Avenue, Charlotte, NC 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. ***** ** Politics and Default -- A Threat to Randolph-Sheppard By Durward K. McDaniel At the American Council of the Blind convention in Mobile, the delegates unanimously adopted Resolution 75-01, published in the Convention Supplement to this issue of the Braille Forum. It states ACB's protest against the discriminatory conduct of Dr. Andrew S. Adams, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration, in excluding it and other organizations of and for the blind from his consultations and considerations of important matters affecting blind and handicapped people, and his monopolistic favoritism of his lone "special consultant," the president of the National Federation of the Blind. The resolution calls for oversight hearings to investigate this extraordinary situation and the overall administration of the national rehabilitation program. Many concerned persons are responding to the resolution by writing to Senator Jennings Randolph, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, and to Representative John Brademas, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor, to request oversight hearings. ACB is the only organization which has acted openly and aggressively to attempt to correct this incredible situation. If further proof were needed of the Commissioner's subservience to the organization to which he has publicly pledged, "I will never let you down," it came a few weeks after the protest resolution was passed at the ACB convention, when RSA denied an important application for the training of blind vendors. (Dr. Adams' pledge was made to the National Federation of the Blind at its convention because of its singular letter-writing campaign to Congress and to the White House in support of his continuation in his present position.) The Randolph-Sheppard Amendments for the first time provided for the election of a representative committee of blind vendors in each state to participate in the operation of the vending facility program. To help these elected committees meet their new responsibilities, the University of Tennessee with the encouragement of the American Council of the Blind and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (the only national organization of blind vendors), applied for a grant to train vendors elected to those committees. In recognition of the partnership role created by the new amendments, the application provided for substantial participation by state licensing agencies. Nevertheless, RSA, acting through Dr. Adams' subordinate, denied the application on grounds which do not derive from the application itself or from the provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Accordingly, the vending facility program will suffer because of the veto power of Dr. Adams' exclusive consultant. And what of the ambitious amendments of 1974? Congress mandated that the program should be doubled in five years -- reaching a goal of 7,500 jobs for blind people by that time -- and that there should be a stronger federal oversight of the program. Ten months after enactment of the Amendments, very little has been done, and there appears to be no effective will to perform. Congress directed that ten new positions be filled to help implement the amended Act. As of this writing, not one of the ten has been filled, and the Office for the Blind and Visually Handicapped has fewer people working within it than it had twenty years ago. The amendments impose deadlines for action. Consider the following duties on which there has been almost complete default as we go to press: 1. Within 180 days (June 6), establish requirements for the uniform application of this Act by each state agency, including appropriate accounting procedures, policies on the selection and establishment of new vending facilities, distribution of income to blind vendors, and the use and control of set-aside funds. 2. Make annual surveys of concession vending opportunities for blind persons on federal and other properties in the United States. (This duty has been in the law for twenty years; re-enacting it has inspired no action.) 3. Make surveys throughout the United States of industries, with a view to obtaining information which will assist blind persons to obtain employment (another long neglected duty). 4. Conduct periodic evaluations of the program, including upward mobility and other training required by Section 8. 5. Issue rules and regulations. 6. Ensure through promulgating appropriate regulations that uniform and effective training programs are provided for blind people under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 7. Further ensure that state agencies provide programs for upward mobility, including further education, training or re-training, and improved work opportunities for all trainees under this Act, and that follow-along services are provided to assure achievement of maximum potential. 8. After a period of study not to exceed six months after enactment (June 6), and after full consultation with blind persons and state licensing agencies, shall promulgate national standards for funds set aside pursuant to Section 3 (3) of this Act, which include maximum and minimum amounts for such funds and appropriate contributions, if any, of such funds by blind vendors. The prescribed consultation with the only national organization of blind vendors, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, has not taken place. RSA sponsored an instructional conference for state administrators in January of this year, but no blind vendors or their representatives were invited. This is not a complaint against state licensing agencies, who have, on the whole, accepted the new responsibilities and role of blind vendors. They, too, are disadvantaged by the RSA's default. They have a duty to report their progress under the new amendments in December, but they cannot implement the new amendments until the Commissioner performs his duties. Not only has the prescribed consultation with vendors not taken place, but drafts of rules and guidelines being worked on by the RSA staff are classified as top secret and are not distributed to blind vendors and their organizations. Some copies have been distributed to others, but we do not know how authentic they are. It will be said that Congress has not appropriated funds to implement the amendments. However, at least one supplemental appropriation of rehabilitation moneys has been passed, and there was no request from RSA for vending facility funds. As we approach the first anniversary of the landmark Amendments, we find a successful employment enterprise stalled on a "high center" because of political deals and the inability to cope with the requirements of a progressive program. If you agree that blind people cannot afford to have the vending facility program thwarted by such negative leadership, will you join the American Council of the Blind in calling this condition to the attention of the new Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Dr. David Mathews, and to Senator Jennings Randolph, Senate Office Building, and to Representative John Brademas, House Office Building, and request oversight hearings? ***** ** Who Will Meet the Challenge? By George M. Gillispie Chairman, ACB Membership Committee We, the Membership Committee, wish to challenge you, each and every member of the American Council of the Blind to work with us in building a greater membership in the Council. We feel that growth through special-interest areas may be one way to develop a larger, stronger membership. Presently there are nine special-interest organizations within the Council: American Blind Lawyers Association, ACB Service Net (amateur radio operators), Guide Dog Users, Inc., National Alliance of Blind Students, National Association of Blind Teachers, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, Visually Impaired Data Processors International, Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, and World Council of Blind Lions. The programs and activities of these organizations have not only benefitted their own respective memberships, but their potential for stimulating and attracting visually impaired persons in the future to enter these or related fields is unlimited. Let us for a moment reflect upon the variety of interest groups which might be formed: an alliance of blind businessmen; social workers, rehabilitation workers, vocational counselors, taxpayer and Social Security service representatives and Civil Service information specialists; a writers group, perhaps to include those working in the fields of radio, public relations, journalism and advertising; musicians, veterans, senior citizens, sheltered workshop employees ... Presently ACB has affiliates in 38 states. Prospects for growth here are obvious. We want an affiliate in every State of the Union. For those interested in promoting ACB membership in any of these areas, the National Office or the Membership Chairman can supply model constitutions and by-laws, and we are ready to assist in every way possible. As you begin your membership efforts, remember that you have a strong national organization behind you, with numerous state and local chapters. Anyone willing to work with the Membership Committee to meet this challenge may contact me, George M. Gillispie, Membership Chairman, at 100 Stevens Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, or the ACB National Office, 818 18th Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006. By working together in this way, we can increase our membership and strengthen the many worthwhile programs of the American Council of the Blind. ***** ** From Me to You By Harold Dachtler, Chairman ACB Board of Publications Early this summer, you received a letter from me stating that we of the Board of Publications would appreciate any monetary contributions which you might wish to make to further the cause of publications and/or public relations for the American Council of the Blind. The response has been gratifying and rewarding. Contributions are still arriving. For the contributions received, we are grateful; to those who gave, we are thankful. How will the contributions be used? This issue of the Braille Forum is one way. The Board of Publications, with the approval of the ACB Board of Directors, believes that the annual convention should be covered in one issue, rather than have the reports printed in several issues throughout the year. This in itself raised the cost of this one single issue immensely. This action, we believe, however, will make the convention report more practical and useful to the reader. Any additional money will be used to aid the development of a tape cassette program to publicize the work and function of the American Council. The Public Service Committee, with O.L. Joiner of Florida as chairman, also hopefully can benefit financially to further that committee's endeavors. Some members have stated that they do not receive their copy of the Braille Forum. Such persons should be sure to contact the ACB office in Oklahoma City, advising that they wish to receive the magazine and stating in which form (braille, large-type, or recorded) they wish to receive it. Affiliates might also make a list of their members who are not receiving the magazine and also forward it to the President's office. Does your library for the blind receive the Braille Forum in its three forms, in order to make it available to readers? If not, why not request the library to write for copies, thus making them available to all its readers. Mary Ballard, Editor of the Braille Forum, keeps a list of affiliate publications and the editors and addresses of those publications. To keep such a list current, please keep her informed as to any change in your affiliate publication, name, address, or editor. If you wish a list of affiliate publications, either write to Mary or to me, Harold Dachtler, at 600 West Rouse Street, Lansing, MI 48910. At the next annual convention of ACB in Hot Springs, Arkansas, O.L. Joiner, Chairman, Public Service Committee, and I are planning a workshop to cover the area of publications and public relations. Suggestions from you, the reader, as to what areas you wish covered would be appreciated by either of us. Send suggestions either to O.L. Joiner, P.O. Box 775, Alachua, FL 32615, or to me at the address in the previous paragraph. ***** ** Western Union Offers New Message Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Western Union is beginning two new consumer communication services to benefit blind and visually impaired people. The new nationwide services are Braillegrams, mail-delivered messages set in braille, and Large-Print Messages, mail-delivered messages set in 14-point type. The Braillegram and Large-Print Message represent an effort to be responsive to a special communications need of the handicapped," said James L. Johnson, Executive Vice President of Western Union Telegraph Company, principal operating subsidiary of Western Union Corporation. "While many new devices are being developed to help visually impaired people lead more normal lives, most are too high-priced to be of immediate benefit to large numbers of people," said Mr. Johnson. "Our new message services are a practical low-cost tool within the reach of almost everyone who needs to communicate and to have a written record of the message." The cost for each message is $2.00 for the first 25 words of text and $1.00 for an additional 25 words. More than 6.5 million people in the United States suffer some form of severe visual impairment. Many more, particularly older persons, experience difficulty in reading normal size type, even with corrective lenses. The need for a low-cost, speedy message service for use by visually impaired people was conceived by Joseph Wiedenmayer of the American Council of the Blind, to whom, appropriately, the first Braillegram was directed: Mr. Joseph E. Wiedenmayer U. S. Consul Ret. American Council of the Blind 5604 Montgomery Street Chevy Chase, Maryland 20015 This is the first official Braillegram. Western Union wishes to express its appreciation for your concern for the special communications needs of the nation's blind and partially sighted. Because of your initiative visually impaired persons will be able to receive personal and confidential messages. Sincerely, Earl D. Hilburn, President The Western Union Telegraph Company Late in 1974, Mr. Wiedenmayer, who is legally blind and deaf, passed the suggestion to Senator Jennings Randolph's Subcommittee on the Handicapped, and the Senator asked Western Union to explore the feasibility of the idea. The public can send Braillegrams and/or Large-Print Messages by calling the Western Union toll-free telephone number in their area, by using Telex or TWX terminals, and over the counter at Western Union public offices and agencies. When the sender phones in the message, he need only say "Braillegram" or "Large-Print Message." Western Union cautions anyone sending a Braillegram to be certain the recipient reads braille. Only about 25 percent of legally blind people are familiar with braille, and only some 12 to 15 per cent can read it with ease. The Large-Print Message might be more suitable in some cases. Braillegram and Large-Print Messages will be routed electronically to special equipment at Western Union's Central Telephone Bureau in Morristown, New Jersey. Both will be mailed from Morristown on a "next mail" basis. On receipt at Morristown, messages for the blind are automatically converted into braille by means of a special printer. The American Council of the Blind, Washington, D.C., the American Foundation for the Blind, New York, and the New York Association for the Blind, New York, advised and aided Western Union in the development of these services. "Western Union's new services will enable blind people to be more independent of help from sighted relatives and friends in time of need and participate more fully in time of joy," said Mr. Wiedenmayer. Commented Albert Asenjo of the American Foundation for the Blind, "Not only are Braillegrams and Large-Print Messages one more element to lend independence to blind people's living, but they also offer a visually impaired person an opportunity for confidentiality. For the first time, someone with a visual impairment has the option of sharing a communication or not. This is something sighted people take for granted." ***** ** The Blind as Jurors By John P. Nelson Qualifications for serving on a jury vary in different jurisdictions, but the general principles set forth in this article would apply almost everywhere in the United States. Can a blind person serve on a jury? To answer this question, let us look at the way jurors are selected. The first step is to select a panel of prospective jurors from which a jury for a particular case can be chosen. Jury panels and the methods of their selection have been challenged in recent years because of the claim that the panels do not represent a cross section of the community. As a result the trend is toward limiting qualifications for the panel members to citizenship, residence and legal age. Due to the changes in the procedures for selecting jurors being adopted to assure the selection of juries which represent a cross section of the community, the chances of a blind person being selected as a member of the panel are increasing. Let us assume that Mrs. Jones, a blind person, has been selected as a member of a jury panel in the county in which she lives. Judges may excuse jurors from serving for good reasons, and if she asks to be excused from jury duty because of her blindness, probably most judges would excuse her for this reason. However, we assume that she wants to serve and does not ask to be excused and is not excused by the judge. The next step is to draw names for prospective jurors for a particular case. These are drawn from the names of those on the panel. The fact that Mrs. Jones is on the jury panel does not mean that her name will be drawn to serve as a juror. Just like with all the others on the panel, there is a chance that her name will never be drawn for a case. However, let us now assume that one of the names drawn is that of Mrs. Jones. The next step is then for the attorneys for each of the parties to exercise their challenges. Challenges are of two kinds, for cause and peremptory challenges. The challenges for cause will normally be exercised first. The common challenge for cause is for possible bias, but another ground for such a challenge is quite often the physical or mental inability of a person to perform the duties of a juror. If the particular case involved maps, pictures, or other evidence which would require sight for a complete understanding of the evidence, it is probable that a challenge to Mrs. Jones as a juror would be sustained. It has even been held, however, that if a person is blind so that he cannot see the witness and the witness's reactions and expressions, he cannot adequately serve as a juror. Different results could very well be obtained in different situations. Whether or not the challenge for cause would be successful would probably depend upon the kind of case involved, the evidence to be presented, the background of the particular blind person, and the attitudes of the attorneys and judge involved. We will assume that there is no challenge for cause to Mrs. Jones or that the challenge was not allowed. The parties have a certain number of peremptory challenges, the number depending upon the jurisdiction and the kind of case involved. If a party is entitled to three peremptory challenges, he can strike three names of prospective jurors as a matter of right without giving any reason therefor. If Mrs. Jones is not stricken by a party through the exercise of a peremptory challenge, she would be on the jury to hear the evidence in the case and participate in the rendering of a verdict. To answer our question, "Can a blind person serve on a jury?" yes, it is possible for a blind person to serve on a jury, but because of the many possibilities of elimination along the way, it is not likely that there will be very many who do so. ***** ** Alma Murphey to Attend Conference in Yugoslavia Alma Murphey of St. Louis, Missouri, a former editor of the Braille Forum, past president of the Missouri Federation of the Blind, and former national secretary of the American Council of the Blind, will represent the latter organization at the International Conference on the Situation of Blind Women. The Conference will be held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, November 18-20. Its theme will be: The Contribution of Blind Women to Development and Peace. Mrs. Murphey will deliver a paper and participate in a workshop on "The Participation of Blind Women in a Modern Society, Her Family and Community." Other papers and workshops will deal with blind women's access to education, access to rehabilitation, and access to training and employment. The Conference's program committee was created by the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, in cooperation with the International Federation of the Blind. The idea for the conference was inspired by the United Nations' declaring 1975 as International Women's Year. We congratulate our esteemed member, who will represent us and blind women well on this occasion. At our national convention, delegates and affiliated organizations contributed more than $700 toward her expenses for this conference. Her letter of appreciation follows: Dear Editor: This is just a note to convey my heartfelt thanks to those individual members and affiliates of the American Council of the Blind who responded so generously to the motion that a collection be taken up to help with my travel expenses when I fly to Belgrade, Yugoslavia in November. Without such munificent assistance, I never could have hoped to take such an expensive trip. But now, with such help as may come from the Missouri Federation of the Blind, I feel that all should go well. Though I still do not know how the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind Program Committee ever heard of me, I certainly shall try to let the conference know that America is a grand place for a blind person to live and work. Cordially and gratefully yours, Alma Murphey ***** ** Ours Is Not the Only Way By Durward K. McDaniel During a three-week vacation in the United Kingdom, I visited Thomas J. Parker General Secretary of the National League of the Blind and Disabled, which represents production workers in most of the workshops for the blind. I also visited two of those workshops in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In many ways, these shops resemble some of the more productive and more progressive shops in our country. They differ significantly from the shops in the United States in the degree of responsibility accorded to any exercised by the production workers. In both of the shops I visited, the personnel directors were members of the union, the National League of the Blind and Disabled. In visiting with the shop directors, it was apparent that there exists an effective working relationship between management and labor and a sense of mutual responsibility for the success of the business enterprise. Wages of production workers are equated to those of manual workers of the municipal corporations, which operate these two shops. Rights, responsibilities, benefits, and working conditions are prescribed in a national agreement entered into by management and labor through the National Joint Council for Workshops for the Blind. This is not to say that these workshops are entirely self-sustaining or that they have no problems within the very troubled British economy. The factor which intrigued me most in what I learned was that blind production workers occupy a more respected and responsible position in their relations with management and with society generally than do their counterparts in the United States. Why such a difference? Is it a difference in management -- in labor -- or in both? The status and role of blind production workers in workshops in the United States, with few exceptions, is comparatively inferior to what I observed. I suggest that we must re-examine the premise which recognizes and perpetuates that inferiority. I also visited the Scottish Braille Press. It appeared to be a highly productive and efficient operation. It has 53 employees, thirty of whom are visually impaired. I was mightily impressed with that ratio, and I suggest that we should find out how own braille production institutions compare. ***** ** Blind Test Mobile on Aircraft By Judy Pool According to test results reported by the Department of Air­Medical Research at the Federal Aeronautical Administration in Oklahoma City (the world-wide research center for civil aviation), blind persons are definitely mobile on aircraft. Testing occurred about one year ago after the topic of emergency evacuation of aircraft was featured on an open "talk show" on the Radio Talking Book at the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Most of the participants in the testing were active members of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind, state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Testing consisted of filming and timing blind individuals while moving about the aircraft. Blind persons were seated in various sections of the plane, with work tasks consisting of unfastening seatbelts and moving into the aisle and to the nearest emergency evacuation exit. This was done from seats both near the aisle and near the wall of the plane. Comments and recommendations from the OFB accompanied test results to Washington, D.C., where the final decision regarding the number of blind people on a single flight will be handed down. Researchers have indicated that a restrictive policy is unnecessary to impose on the blind at this time. It is of particular significance to note that the "consumer" actually played a major role as a deciding factor in this case by merely remaining positive and cooperative, rather than employing radical trends of rioting and picketing. ***** ** National Workshop on the Deaf and the Blind By Reese Robrahn (Editor's Note: The American Council of the Blind was represented at this conference by Reese Robrahn, who delivered a paper on "Social Aspects and Implications of Blindness.") On June 17-19, there was conducted what is believed to be the first National Workshop on the Deaf and the Blind at the Student Center facility on the campus of Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C. The workshop was sponsored by the National Public and Community Relations project at Gallaudet College, Albert Pimental, Coordinator. Its purpose was to bring together professional workers in the field of deafness and blindness for mutual exchange of information and knowledge, and to demonstrate the great need for academic training and practicum experience in both fields to properly serve the ever-increasing population of children and adults, especially the aging adults, in which there is found the combination of both disabilities. The workshop director was deaf-blind, and most of the participants who addressed the assembly of workers were either deaf, blind, or deaf-blind. The program was designed to include aspects of deafness and blindness from birth and through the life span. It encompassed papers presented on the pre-school-age deaf child and the blind child, diseases and conditions of the eye and the ear by an ophthalmologist and an audiologist, psychological aspects of blindness and deafness, social aspects of blindness and deafness, vocational training aspects for both disabilities, recreation, employment, and panel discussions by parents of children having either or both disabilities. A report of the workshop, including the papers presented, will be made and published. What is the significance of this workshop? Reliable studies indicate that medical knowledge and technology make it possible for many babies with multiple disabilities to survive who formerly would not have survived, and the life span to continue to lengthen. The same reliable studies indicate a high incidence of blindness and hearing impairment in combination one with the other, and each in combination with other disabilities and chronic conditions, especially in the aging groups; and that the incidence is ever increasing. Obviously, then, these statistical facts of life establish the reality that it is imperative not only to conduct many such training workshops throughout the country, but that there must be a vast expansion in the effort of this nation to properly serve these populations of disabilities, especially the aging, and for examination and evaluation and reorganization of professional training programs to meet the current and shifting demands upon the services and expertise of workers in the fields of blindness and deafness. ***** ** A Dictionary on Tape By James G. Chandler (Editor's Note: James Chandler, who dreams of a dictionary on tape, was for thirty years a librarian, most recently as Assistant Director of Libraries at the University of Maryland. Now that he has "retired," he has found a dozen ways to work with and for the blind. He is Secretary of the Chillum (Maryland) Lions Club, and for a year and a half he was President of Volunteers for the Visually Handicapped, a group of more than 200 persons in the Washington, D.C. area who serve the blind in many ways. His current specialties are brailling and transportation -- he even drove Leonard Robinson, author of Light at the Tunnel End, from Silver Spring, Maryland to Mobile for the ACB convention, 1,000 miles each way! The following article is the text of a talk by Mr. Chandler to a meeting of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association (VISTA) in Mobile Alabama on July 22, 1975.) All of my life, I have worked with words -- editing, proofreading, dabbling in foreign languages. In my home are more than sixty dictionaries. No, I am not a collector of dictionaries. It is just that I use them and feel uncomfortable without them. Two years ago, it struck me that blind persons are being short-changed in their access to dictionary information. Braille dictionaries are bulky and expensive and out of date. There were efforts several years ago to put a dictionary on tape, but they were abandoned chiefly because of the probable high cost per unit and the difficulty in keeping a comprehensive dictionary down to a manageable size. Recent developments now make possible a dictionary on tape that can be easy to store and easy to use. First, the development of slow-speed recording and playing equipment, running at 15/16 i.p.s., permits storage of more text on each track of tape. Second, the use of four-track tape, fully developed but not yet in wide use, will accommodate nearly six hours of recording on a single cassette. Third, by recording index terms at fast-forward speed, while the text is recorded at slow speed, it is possible to locate the desired word within a tape quickly and accurately. So much for the good news. Now for a few sobering thoughts, and then I will summarize my dream of the dictionary that will some day be available. Although the basic principles of compact storage are well known, there must be further tests to be sure that the finished product will be easy to use and fully intelligible, especially for those who have had little previous opportunity to work with dictionaries. These tests will take time. Second, there are many minor, but nevertheless real decisions that will have to be made as to the phrasing of the elements within each definition. It is not so much a question of being right or wrong, but rather, of being consistent and avoiding ambiguities and unclear phrasing. Once again, a quality product will take time to produce. Third, the need for a dictionary is an article of faith with me, but to many others, it is a relatively low priority, or may not be worth doing at all. At last year's ACB convention in Chicago, a resolution was passed endorsing this project in general. But, unfortunately, it did not include the kind of hard evidence of urgent need and number of potential users that might raise the priority for developers and producers. Now for my dream! I predict a dictionary of approximately 50,000 words of recent edition, at the elbow of any blind or physically handicapped person who has access to a Library of Congress cassette reader or similar equipment. Assuming that the index recording and the text recording can be put on the same track, such a dictionary could be stored in approximately thirty cassettes. At today's prices, the actual production cost would not exceed $75 per set. We are still many months away from major decisions regarding the dictionary project, and perhaps a year or two from production. The American Printing House for the Blind will be conducting tests of sample recordings during the fall. Any suggestions regarding the project or an indication of interest in the project should be sent to Miss June Morris, American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206, or to me, in care of the American Council of the Blind, 818 18th Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006. ***** ** ACCD Monitors Federal Hiring Practices The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act) is in the process of hiring a staff for regional positions and will be hiring for its office in Washington, D.C. In discussions with the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities and others, it was stated that people with disabilities would be given priority in these positions. ACCD would like to try to monitor the hiring practices of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. In order to determine if people with disabilities are getting an equal opportunity for jobs, the Coalition needs to know how many disabled people have applied for jobs and have been turned down. If you apply for one of these jobs and are turned down, please write to ACCD, indicating the position applied for and whether it is in Washington, D.C. or a regional office, and include a resume of your qualifications for the job. If you have applied for a job and not been turned down, ACCD would like to know the current status of your application. Information should be sent to American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, Du Pont Circle Building, Room 308, Washington, DC 20036. ***** ** SSI Improvements (Reprinted from AFB Washington Report, October, 1975) (Editor's Note: The American Council of the Blind participated in the hearings on SSI and notes with approval the changes concurred in by the Subcommittee on Public Assistance, related to individuals between ages 18 and 22, judicial review (which had not been provided in the original law), and benefits for aged, blind, and disabled residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, who had not been included for benefits in the original SSI law. These changes have a way to go to become law, but we are optimistic about their chances.) Late in July, the Subcommittee on Public Assistance of the House Committee on Ways and Means ordered two bills reported to the full committee to improve the program of Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (SSI). One of the bills, H.R. 8911, SSI Amendments of 1975, would make extensive improvements on the SSI program. The other, H.R. 8912, would authorize supplementary cash housing allowances to SSI recipients. The full committee is expected to act on this bill during September. H.R. 8912 would allow an SSI recipient to receive additional financial assistance for housing costs if these costs exceed 33 1/3 per cent of such individual's annual income. Items which would be counted as expenses are rent or mortgage payments, real estate taxes, expenses for gas and electric utilities, and home and water heating. The rate of benefit would be the lesser of the two levels: $600 per year or the amount by which an individual's housing expenses exceeded one-third of his annual income. This legislation is needed to alleviate the burden of those SSI recipients who, because of local market conditions, are forced to pay shelter costs beyond their limited means, says Representative James C. Corman (D., Cal.), Acting Chairman of the Subcommittee. The SSI population, because of their age and disability, frequently needs housing that is more expensive than normal. H.R. 8911 does the following: 1. Authorizes the presumption of blindness provision under which a blind person may receive SSI benefits for up to three months while his claim is being processed. 2. Establishes a "common core" of hearing officers to hold hearings on claims for SSI and old-age survivors and disability insurance (OASDI) benefits and includes identical procedural safeguards provided under the Social Security Act and Administrative Procedure Act, including judicial review in certain cases. 3. Provides that all blind and disabled individuals 18 years of age and older will be treated as adults for SSI cash benefit purposes. However, the exemption of earnings for students under age 22 will not be affected. 4. Requires referral to state rehabilitation agencies of blind and disabled individuals between the ages of 12 and 65, and to state maternal and child-health and crippled children's agencies for individuals under age 13. The full cost of restorative and other rehabilitative services will continue to be covered, while 50 percent of the cost of services for children under age 13 will be covered by the Secretary. 5. Explicitly directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to carry out an outreach program to inform individuals who may be potentially eligible for SSI benefits about the program and authorizes contractual arrangements with state and local public and private non-profit agencies to facilitate this effort. 6. Authorizes direct payments to drug addicts and alcoholics in certain cases. 7. Authorizes continuation of SSI payments to individuals temporarily hospitalized in Canada or Mexico under Medicare, when such foreign hospitals are close to their residences in the U.S. 8. Authorizes treatment of certain gifts and inheritances not readily convertible into cash as resources rather than income for SSI benefit purposes. 9. Requires each state to maintain its supplementary payments at the same level in effect before an increase in federal SSI payments effective with SSI increases made in and after 1975. Provides for federal reimbursement to the states in accordance with the "hold harmless" provisions in effect when the SSI program became effective in January of 1974. 10. Effective January 1, 1976, extends the SSI program to Guam Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, with a proviso that benefit amounts will be reduced by the ratio of the per capita income of these three jurisdictions to the lowest per capita income state. 11. Authorizes emergency payments for three months to presumptively eligible individuals in financial need in the amounts of monthly SSI benefits. However, the three-months limitation on payments to presumptively eligible individuals would not be applicable for twelve months following the enactment of these provisions. 12. Authorizes prompt federal replacement of emergency payments made by states to SSI beneficiaries whose benefit checks were not received. 13. Removes the dollar ceiling on the valuation of a home of an SSI beneficiary. 14. Effective October 1, 1975, terminates mandatory minimum supplementation to SSI beneficiaries on state rolls in December, 1973 under certain conditions: (1) after the month in which the individual ceases to be a resident of the state; (2) when the individual receives SSI benefits equal to or greater than the level of mandatory supplementation; (3) when the individual is an inmate in a public institution other than a hospital, extended-care facility, nursing home, or intermediate care facility; or (4) the individual becomes ineligible for SSI benefits. 15. Establishes a monthly rather than a quarterly accounting period for SSI benefits. 16. Reduces the SSI benefit by 20 percent instead of by one-third for an individual living in the household of another. 17. Continues SSI benefits for up to three months for individuals who are institutionalized. 18. Excludes from consideration as income assistance based on need, provided by a tax-exempt organization, whether the SSI beneficiary is institutionalized or not. 19. Excludes from consideration as income assistance payments made to an SSI beneficiary under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for a dwelling unit leased or occupied by the individual. 20. Exempts the SSI cost-of-living increases from consideration as income in determining an individual's eligibility for public and other subsidized housing under the United States Housing Act of 1937. ***** *** Hyde Park Corner (Editor's Note: This column exists to provide a forum for the expression of divergent views of writers on timely subjects. Views expressed need not necessarily be concurred in or endorsed by the publisher.) ** Currency Identification and the Blind Dear Editor: Even though that soapbox looks a bit wobbly, I'd like to use it for a few minutes to state my views on H.R. 402, the bill introduced into the National House of Representatives by Representative Hamilton Fish (R., N.Y.), to place braille markings on the U.S. paper currency. I personally believe this would be one of the greatest boons to the blind ever, and a real step toward liberation and self-determination. It is true that our blind friends in the National Federation of the Blind are opposed officially to this bill and have arrayed a long list of arguments against it, not one of which, if you ask me, holds up for long. First, the braille (or other raised line) markings on the currency would, according to its opponents, constitute a "blindism." But what about braille markings on elevator buttons? Don't they call attention to blindness and therefore constitute what might be called a "blindism"? What about the white cane, in fact? Doesn't it call attention to blindness? What about schools for the blind, if you want to enumerate every possible blindism? And vending facilities in public places? And dog guides? We could go on and on. Actually, the truth is that each of these things is a step forward that was won only by much toil, imagination, and foresight on the part of the blind themselves and their sighted co-workers who assisted them in Congress, in state legislatures, and before many other august bodies whom it was not always easy, to persuade. Next, there are those who say that braille markings on paper bills would benefit only a few of the blind, because "so few blind know braille." But when you consider that only about five symbols would be in use -- one on each bill including the one, five, ten, twenty, and fifty -- the effort to learn these symbol would certainly not be gargantuan. Furthermore, it would not be necessary to know braille to master these simple markings. After all does one have to "know braille" in order to use a braille watch? Such use of "braille" is mere position scanning. Or if true braille symbols really are not the most desirable form of marking, then some other raised identification could be adopted: say, a straight line for the one, a print v for the five a print x for the ten, thereby following more the Roman numeral system. This would have the one advantage of making those who do and do not know braille start together from scratch to learn the new markings -- a process which, I should imagine, would take about five minutes at most. Some loudly call to our attention the fact that the Treasury now has on hand stocks of new paper bills that cost $20 million to manufacture. I, of course, would not be in favor of discarding this stockpile and starting new with braille, or raised-line markings, on every bill. But the forces of attrition work rapidly, as we all know, and gradually more marked bills would be in circulation. And they would be of great help to all blind people, who must daily meet, and make change for, the public. And, lastly, there's the objection that bills would get old and perhaps the raised lines or braille would be hard to read. Well, all bills must get old. They get so that even the print numbers are hard to read. Yet, at this stage, their illegibility itself means that they'll soon be taken out of circulation and be replaced with new, legible bills. And so it would be with the raised markings. They will be made of hard, durable material, but when even they are no longer distinguishable, the bill itself will be ready for the discard. I would like to urge all Braille Forum readers who favor some such system for identifying bills by touch, to write to their national representatives urging passage of H.R. 402. And a letter to the Hon. Hamilton Fish of New York, thanking him for originating and introducing the bill, would not be amiss either. Thanks for the use of the soapbox. It held up pretty well -- considering the way I jumped around. Sincerely, Harold Rowley Battle Creek, Michigan ***** ** TSI Talking Calculator A completely portable "talking calculator," SPEECH PLUS, will soon be introduced following over a year of development by Telesensory Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, manufacturer of the Optacon. TSI conducted extensive research and field trials, surveying over 180 blind people with calculators with a variety of tactile and tonal outputs. The clear preference was for a calculator with speech output. Features of TSI's SPEECH PLUS talking calculator include: price, $395; hand-held, weighing less than a pound; size, 7 by 4 1/2 by 1 1/2 in.; completely portable, with rechargeable batteries allowing over three hours of continuous use without recharging; total spoken verification, with a 24-word vocabulary providing audible feedback for every input key and display result; "Speech Key" which can be pressed repeatedly to announce whatever is on display without initiating additional calculations; spoken warning for low battery or overflow conditions; earphone for private listening; speech suppression switch which allows silent entry, but spoken feedback from the display or memory registers; eight-digit visual display; and solid-state electronics, the only moving parts being the speaker and the keyboard. It has the following functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root, and per cent, with memory, automatic constant, floating decimal, and algebraic logic. Instructions are available in braille, print, and cassette. Some units will be distributed this fall, with significant production quantities available the first quarter of 1976. For further information, write Telesensory Systems, Inc., 1889 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304. ***** ** Blind Athletes Invited to Participate in 1976 Olympic Games Blind athletes of the United States are invited to compete against blind individuals of other countries at the Olympic Games in August, 1976, in Toronto, Canada. It is known that the Canadians will furnish board and room, and it is hoped arrangements can be made in this country to provide travel expenses. Top performers will be awarded medals, and all will be representing their countries. There will be competition for male and female athletes, who must be 16 years or older, except in the swimming events. The track and field events to be contested are the dashes, discus throw, shot put, high jump, standing long jump, running long jump, and the 3 km. walk. Swimming races of 100 m. will be held in freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, individual and medley relays. Unfortunately, only exhibition rather than competitive wrestling will be held. Minimum standards have been set for each event. To qualify, one must meet the requirement, not more than 1/20 vision. Totally blind athletes will compete in a separate group. Individuals who feel they meet requirements of vision and performance are urged to write to Dr. Charles Buell, 33905 Calle Acordarse, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Applicants should list age, address, amount of vision, sex, and performances in the events in which they excel. Evidence to support statements may be required of those selected. A committee working side by side with the National Wheelchair Athletic Association will screen blind applicants. ***** ** Here and There By Sue Graves Last month it was reported that Herb Pitz had suffered a severe heart attack and stroke. Readers will be pleased to know that Herb is making good progress. On August 31 and September 1, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce sponsored "Appreciation of Herb Pitz Days." Menomonie Park in Oshkosh was the scene of a community picnic, with all proceeds, from concessions being donated to Herb. Three groups of local musicians supplied the music, and the citizens of Oshkosh supplied the fun. Herb was present during part of the gala event, and it was the kind of event that Herb enjoys and supports when he is able. He deserves the recognition, and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce deserves a vote of thanks from those of us who also appreciate Herb. The Alza Corporation of Palo Alto, California, has developed a new pharmaceutical product for the control of glaucoma. This is a tiny oval reservoir called an Ocusert. The device contains an anti-glaucoma drug, pilocarpine, which controls glaucoma by administering in a steady flow about one-tenth the amount of drug normally taken as eye drops four times a day. The Ocusert is a thin, smooth, flexible device which is worn under the lower eyelid and needs replacement only once a week. The quantity of the drug is regulated according to the patient's need. The Alza Corporation is also working on similar preparations for other eye conditions. Russell C. Williams, Chief of Blind Rehabilitation for the Veterans Administration, retired on June 30. "Probably no other individual has contributed as much to the rehabilitation of the nation's blinded veterans as has Russ Williams," said Richard L. Roudebush Administrator of Veterans Affairs, in presenting Williams with an Exceptional Service Award, the V.A.'s highest recognition to an employee, in a special ceremony shortly before his retirement. Williams has spearheaded rehabilitation programs for blinded veterans since 1945, when he became a counselor at Valley Forge General Hospital-following his own rehabilitation there, after having been blinded during World War IJ by an artillery shell explosion. In 1948 he became Chief of the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center, V.A. Hospital, Hines, Illinois, the first of the V.A. 's rehabilitation centers for blinded veterans. He became Chief of Blind Rehabilitation for the Veterans Administration Central Office, Washington, D.C., in 1959. Under his leadership, V.A. programs for blinded veterans have increased in size, scope, and effectiveness. In April, 1974, he was honored as one of the ten Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employees of the Year. Those who use large-type may be interested to know that the subscription price for the large-type edition of Reader's Digest has been lowered. The cost is now $19.95 per year. The size of the type is approximately double the normal size. Each issue measures approximately 6 by 9 inches and contains 24 selected articles, plus the usual book section. The Library of Congress has published a complete listing volunteer transcribers and proofreaders in the United States. For more information, write Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1291 Taylor Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20542. From the Standard-Bearer: A braille edition of the report compiled by the General Accounting Office on charges made by the National Federation of the Blind against NAC is now available to regional and subregional libraries "and other organizations providing services to the blind and visually handicapped." The report was requested by Congressman John Brademas, Chairman, Select Subcommittee on Education, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives. Ink-print copies may be obtained direct from the U.S. General Accounting Office, Distribution Section, Room 4522, 441 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20548. In requesting the braille report from your nearest regional library or the ink­print copy from GAO, please refer to the report number, B-176886, and the date, September 27, 1974. Help for Deaf-Blind Children: A correspondence program to help parents stimulate the development of their young deaf-blind children is being offered by the John Tracy Clinic, 806 W. Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007. Available in English and Spanish, the course consists of twelve basic lessons and supplementary learning steps designed to assist parents in developing in their child the skills he or she needs to communicate and to gain independence. Among the subjects included in the basic lessons, entitled "You and Your Child," are: characteristics and behavior of deaf-blind children; parent attitudes; setting limits and discipline; language development; toys and play equipment; and creative activities. Each section also includes a list of free or inexpensive publications on the subjects discussed in the lessons, and names of organizations and agencies who can provide related services. From Newsletter of California Blind Businessmen, Inc.: Homer Steele, president of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, has received the National Confectioners Association Public Service Award for recognition of his use of successful confectionery sales and marketing techniques and service of blind businessmen and women. Mr. Steele designed a new type of candy display rack which has enabled blind vendors to increase their confectionery sales by its use. Homer has been active in setting up marketing seminars for operators, including one at RSVA's convention in Mobile, Alabama in July. From CNIB NATIONAL NEWS OF THE BLIND: A CNIB rehabilitation teacher, Steve Fedorowich, a blind person himself, and twelve visually handicapped workers are busily turning out shiny wooden VW Love Bugs for under-privileged children. The assembling, drilling, and painting are all handled by the group. The only assistance needed is when the car bodies have to be cut out by a sighted person on a band saw. ---- An electric light amplifier now being developed by International Telephone and Telegraph may help people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa to see some day. The device picks up an image like a tiny TV camera pick-up tube, is electronically amplified, and appears like a tiny television picture to the viewer. ---- "The black eye can result in permanent damage to the vision if it is not treated quickly and properly," say the editors of the British Medical Journal. The damage results from a fracture of the socket, rather than the bleeding that blackens the area around the eye. When the socket or orbit is fractured, the patient with the black eye can develop diplopia or double vision. ---- Braille books no larger than the space occupied by a typewriter ribbon are a definite possibility, if the equipment developed by Argonne Laboratories proves successful. The size of a small portable typewriter, the Argonne Braille Machine operates by taking symbols recorded on magnetic tape and converting them into patterns of upraised braille dots on a re-circulating plastic belt which moves past the fingertips of the braille reader. The speed of the plastic belt can be varied to suit the desired reading speed of the reader, who reads by simply placing his fingertips on the belt. After the embossed symbols move beyond the reader's fingers, they are erased and, acting on symbols from the magnetic tape, new up­raised dots appear on the belt. The reader can also refer conveniently back to material he has already read, and stop or start the machine as desired. The belt is made of a special durable plastic that can be used for months before replacement is necessary. Cleveland, Ohio (AP): Gordon Beggs, Director of ACLU's Cleveland branch, said that the Ohio Youth Commission was ordered to consider applicants individually instead of maintaining a policy that blind persons could not be youth counselors. Beggs said that the testimony by ACLU witnesses showed that some blind persons were capable of handling such jobs. The ACLU brought the suit on behalf of Andrew Hoffman of Cleveland, who has a doctorate in psychology. The suit charged that in 1969, the Youth Commission told Hoffman he would not be considered for a job as a youth counselor because he was blind. Ruling orally after a two-day trial, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Lambros agreed with the ACLU that the procedure denied Hoffman his constitutional right of due process and equal protection of the law. Beggs said that it was the first such ruling in the United States. Hadley School for the Blind announces two new courses, top-rated by consumers. "Rapid Braille Reading," the free correspondence course receiving most votes in a national survey of consumer priorities, is now accepting enrollments. Written especially for the Hadley School by Dr. Vearl G. McBride, in two braille volumes, comprising nine lessons, the course covers both the techniques involved and the principles behind them. "Home Repairs by the Blind Householder," the course placing a photo-finish second on the same survey, is also ready in either braille or cassette form. From painting to plumbing, hammer to fuses, "Home Repairs" presents both basic information for the beginner and up to date resources for the veteran. Write Coordinator of Student Services, Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL 60093. It is with much sadness that we report two deaths which occurred during the month of August: Richard (Rick) O'Hara and John Watson. Mr. O'Hara was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was known to many people across the country, especially to those who belonged to the American Blind Bowling Association, of which he was a past president. John Watson, from Indianapolis, Indiana, was a charter member of the American Council of the Blind of Indiana and served as a member of its first Board of Directors. ********* ACB Convention Supplement, 1975 ***** ** Contents ACB Convention Highlights, by Betty McWethy From the Secretary, M. Helen Vargo: ACB Business Session, 1975 Expo '75, an ACB Original, by Charles J. Smith Highlights of 1975 ABLA National Conference, by Oral O. Miller Guide Dog Users, Inc. -- Fourth Annual Convention, by Catherine Gleitz National Alliance of Blind Students, by Mack Riley National Association of Blind Teachers Holds Fourth Annual Conference, by Otis Stephens Randolph-Sheppard Vendors Convention Review, by Ione B. Miller Solving Problems the Professional Way, by Pat Price World Council of Blind Lions, by Raymond J. Powers Report of ACB Committee for Deaf-Blind Adults, by Jack Murphey Rehabilitation Teachers Breakfast, by Elizabeth Lennon ACB Resolutions, 1975 ACB Officers and Directors ***** ** ACB Convention Highlights By Betty McWethy Things really "came alive in '75" when nearly one thousand people met in Mobile, Alabama, for the fourteenth annual convention of the American Council of the Blind, held July 23-26. Delegates began converging on the Admiral Semmes Hotel, convention headquarters, as early as July 19 for preliminary committee meetings and meetings of the special-interest organizations. That famous Southern hospitality prevailed everywhere! The program was packed with interesting speakers and with ACB business from the time the convention was called to order by ACB President Floyd Qualls at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, the 23rd, until the time of adjournment late Saturday afternoon, the 26th. Greetings were extended to the delegates by Calvin Wooten, president of the host affiliate, the Alabama Federation of the Blind, and the keynote address was delivered by Jerry Beasley, Alabama's Lieutenant Governor. Minutes of the 1974 convention were read by Helen Vargo, Secretary, and the preliminary report of the Credentials Committee was given by Roseanne Diehl, Chairman. The remainder of the first session consisted of talks by Frank Kurt Cylke, Chief of the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and by Dr. Richard W. Bleecker, Executive Director of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. Mr. Cylke told of long-range planning in the library program. Dr. Bleecker discussed the programs and accomplishments of NAC. Fifty-eight agencies and organizations are now accredited. An Awards Gala and reception was held on Wednesday evening. Dr. S. Bradley Burson, ACB First Vice President and Chairman of the Legislative Committee, was presented with the Ambassador Award for his outstanding work in behalf of the blind. The Ned Freeman Award, which is presented annually to the person who has submitted the best article to the Braille Forum, was awarded to Oral O. Miller for his article entitled "Cross-Country Skiing by the Blind -- A Reality and a Success," which appeared in the May-June, 1975 issue. Trudie Musier, president of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, was the recipient of the George Card Award in recognition of her efforts in work for the blind. Oral O. Miller, member of the Committee on Recreation and Leisure, President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, and John Ross, editor of Feeling Sports magazine, discussed physical activities and sports in which blind persons can actively participate. Plans for a sports center for the handicapped are presently under way. It is their opinion that enough emphasis has not been placed on the importance of physical activity in the rehabilitation program. "What Are We Doing and Where Are We Going in Agencies Serving the Blind Community?" was the subject of a panel discussion of distinguished persons working in the rehabilitation field. This panel consisted of William D. Porter, Area Supervisor, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mobile, Alabama; moderator; Marguerite McKinnon, Supervisor, Services to the Blind, Vocational Rehabilitation, Montgomery, Alabama; Travis Harris, Director, Division of Visual Services, Oklahoma City; and Harry Vines, Deputy Commissioner, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Little Rock. Each speaker discussed the details of the progress and expansion of services to the blind in their respective states. Dr. Donald Selwyn, Executive Technical Director of the National Institute for Rehabilitation Engineering, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, had as his subject, "A New Approach to Low-Vision Services." He told of recent developments in several low-vision aids and gave members of the audience an opportunity to examine some of them. The banquet was held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, with John L. "Red" Granger, General Manager of Royal Maid, Inc., Hazelhurst, Mississippi, acting as Master of Ceremonies. The guest speaker was Chester H. Lauch, radio and film star, and creator of Lum Edwards in the radio hit show, "Lum and Abner." Immediately following Mr. Lauch's most entertaining presentation, the President's address was delivered by Floyd Qualls. Other subjects of interest discussed by speakers of note during the first two and a half days of the convention were the Blind Writers Association, public relations, purposes and programs of the Alabama Sight Conservation Association, correspondence learning program for parents of deaf-blind children, the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and the history and programs of the American Foundation for the Blind. Saturday was devoted strictly to ACB business matters. First came the reading of and action on resolutions (which will be found elsewhere in this issue), the final report of the Credentials Committee (47 affiliates were represented), the Educational Radio Committee, the Membership Committee; the report of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee, with action taken on several proposed changes (which will also be found elsewhere in this issue); and reports of the National Representative and of the Board of Publications. The 1976 convention will be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the week of July Fourth. ***** ** From the Secretary, M. Helen Vargo ACB Business Session, July 6, 1975 The final Credentials Committee report certified 446 affiliate votes and 705 individual votes. The Convention Coordinator reported that the 1976 convention is scheduled for the week of July 4 at the Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and the site for the 1977 convention is Orlando, Florida. Invitations for the 1978 convention are being evaluated according to the convention guidelines. The membership voted to defer final selection to the 1976 convention. The Educational Radio Committee reported on the first national Radio Reading Services Conference in March of 1975. More than 30 programs are already on the air, and about 50 others are in planning stages. There is now an active national Membership Committee. At this point, they are urging increase in dues and the production of an organizational brochure to be used in recruiting. The Finance Committee is also urging production of an ACB brochure to be used in publicizing the organization, its goals and achievements. The National Representative referred to his major activities: legislative hearing statements on air travel, unemployment compensation for handicapped, special education, civil rights, and other lobbying activities (refer to earlier issues of the Braille Forum for more details). He has also spent much time in membership work and representing ACB in other organizations. He pointed out that ACB's accomplishments result from efforts of many members and other people and commended ACB for its affiliation with the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities because it will expand our understanding of mutual concerns and problems and add strength for positive action. The Treasurer's brief report reflected improving financial status. The Board of Publications called for monthly issues of the Braille Forum and reported that the Board is evaluating possibilities for a recorded soundsheet issue. It was also announced that the convention reports will be contained in a convention supplement to the September-October Braille Forum. The complete text of adopted resolutions appears elsewhere in this supplement, and the adopted changes to the Constitution and By-Laws read as follows: (Amending words are underlined.) Article III. Membership, Voting and Dues. A1. Voting members shall be affiliated organizations, their voting members, and members-at-large of the American Council of the Blind. A2. Non-voting members shall be individuals or organizations holding sustaining memberships. Article IV. Officers. G. The Nominating Committee or the Chair shall announce to the convention the place of residence, the employer, and type of gainful employment of any nominee for elective office in this organization. Article V. Powers and Duties of the Convention, the Officers, the Board of Directors, and of the Committees. D. A new first sentence to read: The Nominating Committee shall consist of one person from each affiliate, the method of selection to be determined by the affiliate. By-Law 1. Members-at-Large. Second sentence: Such applications shall be made to the Treasurer in writing and shall be accompanied by an initiation fee of three dollars ($3.00), which includes the first year's dues. By-Law 2. Voting. A new Section B is added, to read: The right of an affiliate to vote shall be conditioned on the payment of dues and the furnishing of a certified alphabetical list of names and addresses of voting members to the Treasurer and the National Office not less than sixty (60) days prior to a national convention. If an affiliate fails to comply with this section, the first year of non-compliance shall result in the loss of voting privileges, and the second consecutive year of non-compliance shall result in revocation of the affiliate's charter. By-Law 3. Dues. The entire by-law is amended to read as follows: A. Dues of members-at-large shall be two dollars ($2.00) a year. B. Affiliate dues shall be paid on a per capita basis at the rate of one dollar ($1.00) per voting member, provided that no affiliate shall pay more than six hundred twenty-five dollars ($625.00) a year. C. Dues for sustaining members shall be ten dollars ($10.00) a year for individuals and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) a year for organizations. D. Charter members of ACB shall remain on the rolls until removed by written request or otherwise. E. All dues are due not less than sixty (60) days prior to each annual convention. F. Not less than ninety (90) days prior to the national convention, the Treasurer shall notify in writing each affiliate and member-at-large of the deadline for receiving dues and required membership lists. A new by-law is added as follows: By-Law 8. Credentials. A. Prior to the second session of each convention, affiliates will provide to the Credentials Committee in writing the names of their official delegates, alternates, and representatives on the Nominating Committee. B. At the second session, the Credentials Committee shall present a preliminary report, which shall include a roll call of affiliates so that each affiliate may announce its official representatives. ***** ** Expo '75 -- An ACB Original By Charles J. Smith To the stirring strains of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Dixie" and the ringing of an exact replica of the Liberty Bell, the Honorable Robert Doyle, Mayor of Mobile, cut the ribbon and officially opened Expo '75 at 1:00 P. M. on Sunday, July 20. For the first time on a national scale, an organization of the blind had brought together a comprehensive exposition featuring products, equipment, and services produced by and provided for the blind. From Sunday afternoon through Wednesday noon, some 2,500 ACB conventioners and interested Mobile residents visited Expo, and all came away glad they had taken the time to do so. When Expo '75 was in its planning stages I was not a member of the American Council of the Blind or any other organization of the blind. My association with ACB began last September when the Mobile chapter of the Alabama Federation of the Blind, our state's ACB affiliate, was formed. My association with Expo '75 began about a month later at the state convention of the Alabama Federation, at which time I volunteered to be chairman and exhibits manager. Lester McGlaughn, chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, handed me an envelope containing what information he had gathered on how to set up such an exhibit. With this material and a list of potential exhibitors provided by Durward McDaniel, my wife, Fannie Lou, and I drew up and sent out in January a letter of invitation to approximately 200 companies, agencies, and individuals. Replies were slow coming in. At times we wondered if there would be enough response to have Expo '75. Then, about the middle of June, seemingly we had run into insurmountable difficulties. The newly constructed Sheraton Inn, scheduled to open July 1, where the exhibit was to have been held, notified us it would not be able to open in time for the ACB convention. With the assistance of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce and the Mobile Municipal Auditorium, an exhibit area was provided in the Municipal Auditorium. By the time Expo was to open, we had secured seventeen exhibitors, and a latecomer showed up the second day. Agencies and organizations represented at Expo '75 included the following: The Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association and IBM had adjoining booths, with VISTA demonstrating the use of a variety of IBM equipment. Bell Telephone exhibited telephones and related equipment developed for use by blind and handicapped users. The Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America distributed literature dealing with the vending-facility program and sold Leonard Robinson's recently published book dealing with the history of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, Light at the Tunnel End. Four local chapters of the Alabama Federation of the Blind participated: Anniston exhibited the skills of a blind physiotherapist; Gadsden displayed a simulated broadcasting station, complete with blind D.J.; the Huntsville booth was manned by a totally blind man who repairs and maintains cameras used in the space program; and Talladega displayed an automatic voting machine with braille over the print so that it can be used independently by blind voters. Two Government agencies were represented: the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, and the Bureau of Supplemental Security Income, Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The largest exhibitor was National Industries for the Blind, which had four booths displaying products of various workshops for the blind across the country. Other exhibitors were: Christian Record Braille Foundation, Telesensory Systems, Inc., American Foundation for the Blind, Northwest Foundation for the Blind, and Science for the Blind. All exhibits were open to the public, as well as to members and guests attending the ACB convention. Although preparing for Expo '75 entailed considerable work and time, Fannie Lou and I felt rewarded by whatever success it may have achieved. All of the exhibitors were most cooperative, and the Mobile Municipal Auditorium Administration rendered help and courtesies which were greatly appreciated. ***** ** Highlights of the 1975 ABLA National Conference By Oral O. Miller The forty or more blind lawyers, judges, and law students who met in Mobile, Alabama, July 20-22, at the seventh national conference of the American Blind Lawyers Association were treated to an interesting, stimulating, professional quality program and a very, very generous serving of wonderful southern hospitality and graciousness. An article, such as this, cannot possibly summarize the remarks of every speaker. However, good conscience dictates that as many as possible should be mentioned. The comments and reactions of our younger members, in particular, were very enlightening to Professor William Julavits of the University of Maine Law School; he heard first-hand from people who were quite familiar with his topic, testing blind students for admission to law school. The very sensible, yet occasionally humorous remarks of our own Judge Mario Pieroni of Muncie, Indiana, could easily serve as a guide to any blind lawyer interested in entering local government and going on the bench. Who will ever forget the spirited, fast-paced, technical discussion which followed the presentation by Dr. Otis Stephens, who spoke on recent trends by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding exclusionary rules of evidence? Those of us who had never been closely involved in environmental pollution cases were thoroughly impressed and informed by our own James Turner's account of the latest developments in that fast-growing field of law. Because I was late arriving at one session, and because of the widespread interest in his topic, I had to stand throughout the presentation of our own Joseph Sims, who is with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Denver, Colorado. He spoke on the fascinating topic of how to prove a case of discrimination by reason of blindness. Other memorable highlights of the conference include a reception by the Mobile Bar, an outstanding luncheon (at which the featured speaker discussed the legal rights of the handicapped in the community), a reception for our members and friends, a session devoted to matters of interest to blind law students, an outstanding panel discussion by several experienced practitioners, further implementation of our plan to collect and circulate legal materials already recorded and in braille, and a visit to Expo '75 to learn of the latest technical developments of relevance to the blind. Several of our featured speakers were honored while speaking by being filmed by Fred Graham, the Legal Reporter with the CBS Television Network. His interest in filming the ABLA conference, as well as some of the activities of several other special-interest organizations, was stimulated by a recent article in the American Bar Association Journal on the ABLA. Whoever prepares the program for the 1976 ABLA national conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas, will have to work extremely hard and burn much midnight oil if he wishes merely to equal the 1975 conference. The entire conference was recorded, and the various presentations are available to those interested. Please send a blank C90 cassette to ABLA President Philip E. Pofcher, Esq., 749 South Street, Roslindale, MA 02131, indicating the material you wish copied. Information concerning membership in the American Blind Lawyers Association may also be obtained from Mr. Pofcher. In addition to blind lawyers and blind law students, any blind paralegals are also cordially invited to associate membership in the organization. ***** ** Guide Dog Users, Inc. -- Fourth Annual Convention By Catherine Gleitz The fourth annual convention of Guide Dog Users, Inc., was held July 22-23, 1975, in Mobile, Alabama. The Tuesday afternoon program featured a panel discussion entitled, "The Guide Dog Team, Its Rights and Responsibilities." Panelists representing three dog guide schools were: Geoffrey Lock, Director, from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc., Yorktown Heights, New York; Barry Hatton, Senior Instructor, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc., Smithtown, New York; and Charles (Chuck) Jordan, Field Representative, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., San Raphael, California. A new concept was exchanged of constructive ideas between the consumer group, Guide Dog Users, Inc., and one-third of the national dog guide schools. Represented in the audience were seven dog guide schools, as well as approximately one hundred dog guide teams. The seminar was so well received that Guide Dog Users, Inc. agreed to present another in Hot Springs, Arkansas at its 1976 conference. Special-interest organizations introduced a new idea by combining to enjoy a banquet among Guide Dog Users, Inc., Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association, and Visually Impaired Data Processors International on Monday night, with American Council of the Blind President Floyd Qualls as banquet speaker. His subject was, "Advantages of Organization." Alabama residents fulfilled their reputation for Southern hospitality, their charm, courtesy, and assistance. The Mobile Register, television, and radio gave excellent news coverage to Guide Dog Users, Inc. ***** ** National Alliance of Blind Students By Mack Riley The National Alliance of Blind Students held its third annual conference July 23 at the Admiral Semmes Hotel in Mobile, Alabama. Blind students from all across the nation discussed the various programs available to them on their individual campuses during the Blind Student Forum. Students were urged to initiate new aids and services beneficial to blind students and to promote the exchange of ideas which would result in more comprehensive programs, with NABS providing essential coordination. Another session urged students to press their campus handicapped student services to hire more blind students as aides and student workers. Such employment, it was pointed out, could provide important work experience beneficial to the student after graduation. Students already involved in employment situations shared their experiences and provided ideas on ways and means to obtain such experiences. It was reported that the current membership includes students from thirty states and most of the major universities, with more than a hundred campuses being represented to date. The membership has quintupled since last year. NABS members met with many ACB officials during the convention in an attempt to promote better relationship with the parent organization and initiate projects mutually beneficial. A delegation of students met with Billie Elder to discuss the 1976 convention in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and later with Dr. Otis Stephens to discuss a coordinated program with the National Association of Blind Teachers. The final official session of the national student organization concluded with the election of new officers. They include the following: President -- Eugene Lozano, Jr., graduate student in rehabilitation counseling, San Diego State University; First Vice President -- Andrew Baracco, San Francisco State University; Second Vice President -- Gail Duchmann, George Peabody College, Nashville. Bernice Kandarian was re-elected Secretary, and Charles Glaser was elected Treasurer for the 1975-76 academic year. They are from California and Georgia, respectively. Edward Bradley (Texas) and Jack Goldfein (New York) were elected to directorships, while Mack Riley (California) and Andrew Woods (New York) were named as national coordinators for external affairs for the following year. Additional information and inquiries relating to the National Alliance of Blind Students should be addressed to the President, Eugene Lozano, Jr., 4881 Rolando Court, No. 22, San Diego, CA 92115, or to one of the coordinators, care of National Alliance of Blind Students, P.O. Box 2401, Bell Gardens, CA 90201. ***** ** National Association of Blind Teachers Holds Fifth Annual Conference By Otis Stephens The National Association of Blind Teachers held its fifth annual meeting on July 21st and 22nd at the Admiral Semmes Hotel in Mobile, Alabama. A large part of this year's program was devoted to an informal discussion of the kinds of problems that blind persons encounter in various teaching situations. Several NABT members described their respective teaching duties and indicated ways that they have developed to meet particular difficulties that they encounter. This sharing of information included public-school teaching at the elementary level, teaching in a braille resource class, high-school teaching in a residential school, and teaching at the university level. It was apparent from this discussion that the biggest problems are outside the classroom. Largely through experience and the sharing of ideas, blind persons have devised ways for dealing with virtually all problems that a teacher at any level is likely to encounter, but negative attitudes still characterize the employment practices followed by many school administrators. This is particularly true at the public school level, but is also a factor that must be recognized by blind persons entering the college teaching profession. The members agreed that NABT can help to counteract this negative attitude primarily by publicizing the attainments of blind persons in the teaching profession. Various means for achieving this objective were discussed, and the membership agreed that the development of a national directory of blind teachers must be given continued priority by the organization. One of the highlights of the program was a presentation on the most recent developments in reading devices by Harvey Lauer, Reading Aids Specialist, Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois. In addition to basic information on the Stereotoner and Optacon, Mr. Lauer gave a demonstration of one of the modern speech compression devices and also of the new talking calculator. Mrs. Betty Layton, a special consultant with the Alabama Department of Education, described the placement of blind teachers in the Alabama public school system and discussed problems encountered in that area. At its business meeting on Tuesday morning, NABT adopted a resolution calling for the production in braille of standard public-school curricula. The organization elected the following new officers: President -- Otis Stephens, Massachusetts; First Vice President -- Mary Inez Mauldin, Florida; Second Vice President -- Robert Campbell, California; Corresponding Secretary -- Georgia Layton, Kansas; Treasurer -- Mabel Bailey, Illinois; Board member­at-large, James Gibson, Alabama. Edna Schmidt of Wisconsin will continue to serve as Recording Secretary. Anyone wishing further information about the National Association of Blind Teachers is requested to write Otis Stephens, 20 Fernald Drive, Apartment 32, Cambridge, MA 02138. ***** ** Randolph-Sheppard Vendors -- Convention Review, 1975 By Ione B. Miller July 20-23 were busy days for the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, largest of ACB's 47 affiliates, in Mobile, Alabama. The convention was interesting and well organized. Dalton Brown, Danny McDaniel, and all convention workers did an outstanding job of keeping things in order and moving. Once the hotel or motel doors were closed after arrival, however, each conventioner was lost into his or her own world for some time, and all will swear the switchboard operators had set up a deliberate conspiracy to inform all callers that "No one by that name is listed at the Admiral Semmes." So it took a bit of lobbying and some sheer adventure to find anyone, but the vendors are very resourceful people and were soon reunited to carry on. Many vendors were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for Expo "75, and after enjoying the display, they hurried back to the hotel for the RSVA Board meeting. The RSVA convention convened on Monday morning, with roll call showing participation by over half of the states of the nation, with a total increase in membership. A large crowd attended the Victory Dance celebration on Monday evening. The racket they raised and the number of leg-shaking participants was a true indication of its success. In addition to business sessions and reports, a marketing seminar, with purveyors from Armor Meat, Borden Milk, and Campbells Soup companies was held on Monday, and on Tuesday, there was a forum consisting of Durward McDaniel, National Representative of the American Council of the Blind, Henry Seward from the Federal Office of the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and state agency administrative people, to discuss the prospective rules and regulations for implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Act Amendments of 1974. RSVA members defeated a proposal to amend their by-laws, adopted five resolutions, and supported the proposal of San Diego for the 1978 convention site. Leonard Robinson, author of Light at the Tunnel End, was guest speaker at the RSVA luncheon on Tuesday. His message contained inspiring and progressive ideas for RSVA people. On behalf of RSVA, Awards Chairman, Byrdyna Goodart, presented "Mr. Vending Stand of 1975" award to Leonard Robinson; the 1975 Year Award to Marguerite McKinnon for outstanding humanitarian interest and devotion to the blind; and a plaque to Durward McDaniel, with the words, "To our favorite Legal Eagle," for his dedication to the passage of the Randolph-Sheppard Act Amendments of 1974. A walking tour of vending facilities in the Mobile area was moving along quite rapidly in the general follow-the-leader fashion when some of the vendors became amazed and excited at the volume of merchandise displayed and the counter space available on the site. They suddenly became aware that they had followed Chester Holden into a drug store where he was purchasing film and they were not even on the intended site, whereupon a quick back-up session was encountered. The vendors are looking forward to the convention in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1976 and say to Chester Holden. "Where thou goest, there we shall follow, with one line of caution: Will you kindly tell us where the heck you're going?" ***** ** Solving Problems the Professional Way By Pat Price It was an exciting and extremely profitable three and a half days for members of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association who attended the 1975 Mobile, Alabama conference. The program was designed to motivate, inform, and involve each person -- three essential prerequisites for growth and development. Primary emphasis was placed upon the three professionally conducted seminars by Bertha Stronach, Manager of Training, Office Products Division, IBM Corporation, which furnished specific guidelines for those interested in attaining a higher level of efficiency and productivity, which in turn results in greater personal and vocational success. So challenging and relevant was her presentation that many ACB conventioners crowded the conference room to capture nuggets of wisdom and sparks of enthusiasm to enrich their lives. To reinforce the seminar material, opportunities were examine provided for persons to personally operate or examine the latest devices, office machines, and electronic equipment currently available and/or being researched. These included the Spellex III, a voice spelling unit to assist blind typists, blind programmers, and blind persons generally wishing to read print easily; the Talking Calculator; the Kurzweil, a computer voice reading device; the Braille Typer, a 50,000-word cassette dictionary, and a small, inexpensive, but highly functional money identifier, to mention just a few -- all terrific reminders that we live in a truly great age. As Trudie Musier, VISTA president and recipient of the 1975 ACB George Card Award, presented her comprehensive report on her 25-day working vacation in Europe, it became quite evident that the availability of these dramatically significant devices seemed to be limited to the blind in North America. As she talked with other invited guests of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, visited training facilities and government offices in several countries where blind persons were employed, interviewed blind clerical employees and clients of her employer, IBM, she found equipment and methods quite archaic by our standards, and opportunities for advancement much less prevalent. Her listeners shared her feeling of deep gratitude for the opportunities afforded the blind of the United States and Canada to reach out and attain desired goals. Throughout the entire fast-moving conference attention was focused upon the individual and the urgency of acquiring the necessary skills to fulfill the secretary's/transcriber's traditional role as professional problem-solver. "Success is attainable and inevitable if one possesses a positive mental attitude is self­motivated and goal-directed. Remember always, yesterday is a cancelled check; today is cash; tomorrow is a promissory note. Careers are only limited by ourselves." ***** ** World Council of Blind Lions By Raymond J. Powers On Wednesday morning, July 23, 1975 the World Council of Blind Lions held its annual business meeting in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind in Mobile, Alabama. It was a lovely and interesting meeting, presided over by Chairman Lion Fred Lilley. Blind Lions from several sections of the country were in attendance. Discussion centered around the relationship of blind Lions with their individual clubs. Other discussion concerned better communications with members of WCBL during the year. A newsletter will be sent out shortly. My appreciation to Lion Fred Lilley, first chairman of WCBL, for his work and devotion to this organization during the past few years. Lion Fred Lilley found it necessary to resign as chairman due to other pressing commitments. All blind Lions interested in learning about WCBL are invited to contact me, Lion Raymond J. Powers, as the newly elected chairman, at 34572 Sims Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184. ***** ** Report of ACB Committee For Deaf-Blind Adults By Jack Murphey The ACB Committee for Deaf-Blind Adults met at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, on Thursday, July 24, 1975. Designed as a mini-seminar for rehabilitation workers interested in serving the deaf-blind, some thirty persons attended the meeting. Miss Geraldine Lawhorn, the Hadley School forthe Blind's instructor for deaf-blind, spoke interestingly about Hadley's correspondence course, "Independent Living Without Sight and Hearing." She also reported that four deaf-blind persons now own IBM electric braille typewriters. Dr. Robert J. Smithdas, Director of Community Services, National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, spoke briefly of the Center's work in rehabilitating deaf-blind clients and explained how the fine new permanent headquarters at Sands Point, Long Island, New York (which will be opened sometime this fall) will enable the Center to handle fifty (its present capacity is eighteen) clients at a time. Boyd C.Wolfe, Jr. told of the training he has received in recent months at the Vision Center in Columbus, Ohio. He indicated that the training has been most helpful to him. Mrs. Judy Pool, Rehabilitation teacher for the Oklahoma Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, described a seminar her department held concerning rehabilitation of deaf-blind clients. Jack Murphey, editor of Good Cheer, first talked about that magazine; then stressed the importance and desirability of remunerative, home-based employment for those deaf-blind persons who have marketable skills and who live in a suitable location. Mrs. Desma Pike, teacher of the deaf-blind at the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind, Talladega, was to have told about her work with deaf-blind children. Unfortunately other obligations prevented her from attending the meeting. On Thursday evening, the Committee held its annual reception from 8:00 P.M. to midnight. Thus, many of the nearly 1,000 people attending the convention were able to meet the Committee and become acquainted with those remarkable deaf-blind professionals, Dr. Smithdas and Miss Lawhorn. We feel that those two "pros" made the reception a success. Their poise, their communication skills, their outgoing personalities, were striking proof of what education and training can do for the deaf-blind. ***** ** Rehabilitation Teachers Breakfast By Elizabeth Lennon An enthusiastic group of twenty rehabilitation teachers met for their third annual breakfast on Thursday morning, July 24, during the ACB Mobile convention. Billie Elder (Arkansas) presided and shared with the group some of the concerns regarding standards and certification that were brought out during the recent AAWB conference. George Gillispie, ACB Membership Chairman, outlined steps involved in forming an interest group, and a committee -- Ruth Williams (New York), Sue Illingworth (Michigan), Carol Esposito (Connecticut), Judy Pool (Oklahoma), Jeanie Campbell (Tennessee), and Elizabeth Lennon (Michigan) -- was named to contact present and potential ACB members who would be interested in joining such a group. Names are to be sent to the acting secretary, Elizabeth Lennon, 1315 Greenwood Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Resolutions were passed to request that more emphasis be placed on rehabilitation teaching in the 1976 convention program, and that a half-day meeting be planned by the group for Wednesday morning at the Hot Springs conference. ***** ** American Council of the Blind 1975 Resolutions * Resolution 75-01 WHEREAS, Andrew S. Adams, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Human Development, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, terminated, as of the 31st day of March, 1975, upon questionable grounds, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare Research and Demonstration grant to the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped; and WHEREAS, the said Andrew So Adams, acting in his official capacity, terminated the said NAC grant, notwithstanding the following facts and cogent considerations: 1. Said grant had been given official review approval through the calendar year of 1976; 2. Said grant had prior approval by appropriate departmental authority for the entire calendar year of 1975; 3. Funds for said grant for the entire calendar year of 1975 had been included in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare appropriation request, had been considered by the Appropriations Subcommittee of the House, and had not been deleted therefrom; 4. And without seeking the advice and consultation of all national consumer organizations of the blind or agencies providing services to the blind; and WHEREAS, the said Andrew S. Adams, acting in his official capacity, has designated the National Federation of the Blind as his "special consultant consumer organization, to the exclusion of all other national organizations of the blind and all other national organizations of citizens with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the said Andrew S. Adams, acting in his official capacity, has appointed the president of the National Federation of the Blind as his "special consultant" in all matters of concern in programs and services for the blind in his office, to the exclusion of all other national leaders of national organizations of the blind; and WHEREAS, further demonstrating the undue influence acceded to by him in the performance of his duties as a high public official, the said Andrew S. Adams cancelled his scheduled appearance before the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind, upon the demand of the president of the National Federation of the Blind, even though he remained present at the convention of the National Federation of the Blind for two days or more (on July 18, he did send a perfunctory mailgram to the ACB convention); and WHEREAS, further demonstrating this pattern of undue influence, the said Commissioner Adams (without the knowledge and consent of the American Council of the Blind) did delete sentences, words and numerals from an informal memorandum concerning the annual convention of the American Council which was distributed by him to the said Rehabilitation Services Administration and to all state rehabilitation agencies (general) and state rehabilitation agencies for the blind, which memorandum was prepared by the American Council of the Blind at his request, said deletions being highly detrimental and prejudicial to the American Council of the Blind; and WHEREAS, the said Commissioner Adams has failed and neglected to implement for the most part the provisions and mandates of the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments which became effective on the 7th day of December, 1974; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, in Convention Assembled at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that the officers of this Council are hereby directed and mandated to initiate all appropriate action deemed by them to be necessary to being into being Oversight Hearings by the Congress of the United States to investigate the complaints set forth hereinabove; and, further to conduct an investigation on the overall administration of the programs of the said Rehabilitation Services Administration; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of this Council are hereby authorized and mandated to take all action deemed by them to be necessary to achieve correction of the above and foregoing practices and to improve the administration of the programs of the said Rehabilitation Services Administration; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the President and to member organizations of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, together with an accompanying explanation and request for appropriate action. (Submitted by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind; adopted unanimously.) * Resolution 75-02 WHEREAS, a dog guide is an instrument of mobility for a blind person; and WHEREAS, a dog guide, being a living creature, necessitates a certain amount of expense for a blind person; and WHEREAS, a dog guide is currently recognized as a deductible medical expense for a blind person by the Internal Revenue Service; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in Convention Assembled, at the Admiral Semmes Hotel in the City of Mobile, Alabama, on the 26th day of July 1975, that the American Council of the Blind takes the position that other agencies of government, federal, state and local, should also fully recognize a dog guide as a medical expense for a blind person. * Resolution 75-03 WHEREAS, the amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act provides for ten additional positions for the Office of the Blind to administer the vending facility program; and WHEREAS, no funds have been appropriated to implement this law; and WHEREAS, it is urgent that these provisions be expedited in order to implement the remaining provisions of the recently passed amendments to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in Convention Assembled, at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that this organization strongly urges implementation of the ten additional positions by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare immediately seek necessary appropriations to implement this provisional act; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, to the President of the United States, and to all members of Congress. (Submitted by Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America.) * Resolution 75-04 WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, has prepared a resolution advocating continuation of set-aside funds in the vending facility program; and WHEREAS, a copy of that resolution has been filed with the American Council of the Blind and read into and made an official part of this resolution, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, at its annual convention, at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that it hereby endorses the action taken by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America in that resolution. *** WHEREAS, set-aside funds have been contributed for the advancement and growth of the vending-facility program for the blind; and WHEREAS, the majority of states rely on the set-aside funds to ensure the growth of the vending-facility program; and WHEREAS, statistics show that in most states where set-aside funds are collected, earnings of the operators have shown growth; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America that this organization shall encourage and support continuation of the set-aside funds. * Resolution 75-05 RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, in Convention Assembled at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, on July 26, 1975, endorses action taken by the Arizona Council of the Blind at its June, 1975 annual convention by resolution urging the American Council to assist its affiliates in forming committees and/or agencies to improve opportunities for employment of the blind and physically handicapped. * Resolution 75-09 WHEREAS, the American Library Association has recommended that ten dollars ($10.00) per citizen be expended to provide good library service to all; and WHEREAS, library service for the blind and physically handicapped is nationally inferior to service available to citizens privileged to use conventional libraries, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, at Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that this organization shall instruct its officers to seek introduction of legislation providing ten dollars ($10.00) per estimated blind and handicapped citizen, to provide adequate library service; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the purpose of this effort the recognized estimate of 3.7 per cent of the last decimal census shall be considered to be eligible for this service; thus the appropriate legislation shall provide a minimum of $76 million to be divided among the various libraries rendering service in the Library of Congress network. * Resolution 75-12 Handbook on Federal Handicapped Employees WHEREAS, it is a fact that throughout the country many blind and severely handicapped persons are functioning normally in the Federal service; and WHEREAS, the customary response to a supervisor who is asked to employ such a person is: "Oh, he couldn't handle this job"; and WHEREAS, many rehabilitation counselors are unaware of the jobs being performed by these persons, and as a result, they are not channeling their clients into the avenues where the potential jobs are available; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, at their annual convention at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that the National Representative is hereby instructed to draft a proposal to be presented to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, offering to prepare a handbook of such jobs now being held by severely handicapped persons in the Federal service, and that this handbook, when completed, be distributed to all Federal agencies and offices, and to all state rehabilitation agencies; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such proposal contain a budget of at least two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the completion of this project. (Submitted by Federal Civil Service Employees Committee.) * Resolution 75-13 RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in Convention Assembled this 26th day of July, 1975, at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, that ACB President Floyd Qualls be urged to institute a periodic presidential bulletin (preferably monthly or bi-monthly), said bulletin to contain comprehensive information concerning the activities and accomplishments of the President and of the National Representative, of the Board of Directors, and of others conducting business on behalf of the American Council of the Blind; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ACB President shall appoint consultants to assist state affiliates and their chapters with advice and direction concerning such organizational matters as public relations, fund-raising, legislation, organizational development, and community involvement; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above information be provided on cassette tape and/or in large-type to state and chapter presidents. * Resolution 75-14 WHEREAS, the National Association of Blind Teachers, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, has enacted a resolution calling for wider distribution of curriculum materials in braille to blind students and with regard to residential school programs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, at its annual convention in Mobile, Alabama, on July 26, 1975, endorses the action taken by the National Association of Blind Teachers. Resolution of National Association of Blind Teachers WHEREAS, movement between public and residential schools by blind students is the prevailing trend; and WHEREAS, teachers of visually impaired students have expressed a need for coordination of curricula between public and residential systems; and WHEREAS, blind students who are enrolled in programs of professional education have access to little curriculum material in readily usable form; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association of Blind Teachers, meeting in Mobile, Alabama, on July 22, 1975 requests the Library of Congress to obtain copies of current curricula from residential schools for the visually impaired and make them available in both braille and print through regular library channels. * Resolution 75-16 WHEREAS, the quality of life is more than shelter and sustenance; and WHEREAS, over half the blind population is over 60 years of age; and WHEREAS, many blind persons live in residential facilities or in rural areas not accessible to public transportation, thus making it difficult for them to find activities to satisfy their recreational needs and otherwise occupy their leisure; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, at its annual convention, this 26th day of July, 1975, in Mobile, Alabama, encourage and urge its affiliates to take an active part in gathering the resources necessary, financial and otherwise, to provide leisure-time activities for the elderly blind persons who need them. * Resolution 75-17 Today it is not enough just to be right; we must be recognized as right by the general public, and our goals and aspirations must be clearly known and understood. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this 26th day of July, 1975, at Mobile, Alabama, that the American Council of the Blind shall produce a documentary and/or promotional "spots" of its history, goals and activities, for release over any available TV and radio outlets; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that funds for the promotion of this endeavor shall be solicited from affiliates, members and supporters, in order to produce a product which will reflect credit on the organization and which will have commercial appeal in today's competitive market; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that to achieve this end, the President shall direct the public-relations representative of the American Council of the Blind to analyze the needs, techniques, and costs of this undertaking for presentation to the ACB Board and upon approval, to direct the development of such documentary and/or promotional "spots." * Resolution 75-18 WHEREAS, mobility is generally acknowledged to be a major problem of the blind; and WHEREAS, efficient and safe mobility is a prime prerequisite for the remunerative employment or self-employment of the blind; and WHEREAS, there are two major methods of mobility which have been proved to be satisfactory solutions to this problem, those being the white cane and the dog guide; and WHEREAS, it is absolutely essential to the well-being and best interests of the blind to have access to all places of business open to the public, as well as all forms of transportation, accommodations, and hotel and motel facilities and housing which is for rental or purchase; and WHEREAS, it is common objective of blind people to be independent and self-supporting on an equal basis with other people; and WHEREAS, it is just, fair, and reasonable for them to have adequate opportunity to achieve these goals; and WHEREAS, state laws governing those situations differ from one state to another; and WHEREAS, it is desirable to have fair, just, reasonable, and uniform protection throughout the United States for blind people under the laws of the nation as a whole; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in Convention Assembled at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, July 26, 1975, that the American Council of the Blind shall cause to be drafted a comprehensive Civil Rights Act for the Blind, and shall introduce such legislation before Congress within the next twelve months, prior to the ACB convention in 1976. * Resolution 75-19 WHEREAS, the education and training of blind children through elementary and high-school years is of the utmost importance; and WHEREAS, throughout the United States, many years of experience have proven that the residential school has led the way in providing sound and thorough educational basis for blind persons, which has enabled them to become self-supporting, independent, participating, leading members of society; and WHEREAS, the success of any educational program depends upon its ability to provide thorough training in the basic skills needed in order to permit full development of the individual, including those skills which will permit him full integration into the society in which he lives; and WHEREAS, the residential schools throughout the United States which have been most successful in the training and development of blind persons have been those schools which have not only taken great pains in providing thorough training in all academic skills, but have also provided for the integration of the student into the community in which he is located; and WHEREAS, it is well established that most blind persons find opportunities for employment and full participation in urban areas where mobility for a blind person is most easily acquired, and where opportunities for employment are most easily found; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, at its annual meeting in Mobile, Alabama, on the 26th day of July, 1975, that the organization urges that whenever any state is considering the location of a residential school for the blind, that it not only consider the physical plant for housing and training, but that it also give utmost importance to the location of the school in an area which will permit full development of mobility skills, maximum participation in the community, and maximum utilization of community resources, including colleges and universities, medical facilities, vocational training facilities, easy availability of volunteer resources, utilization of public school facilities, and good public transportation. * Resolution 75-20 WHEREAS, Sections 501, 503, and 504 of the Rehabilitation Amendments of 1973 prohibit discrimination in employment because of handicapping conditions; and WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind was a leading exponent of those sections, which represent an important but partial achievement of the goal of fair and equal treatment of blind and handicapped persons; and WHEREAS, because of those sections of the Rehabilitation Act the American Council of the Blind was invited recently to participate in a joint effort with 168 other national organizations to oppose newly proposed rules which would, if finally promulgated, reduce the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to a complaint-receiving agency rather than one which investigates and enforces various laws against discrimination; and WHEREAS, it is the long-standing policy of the American Council of the Blind to have blind and handicapped persons included as protected classes in all federal civil rights laws; and WHEREAS, the support of the 136 national organizations which comprise the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights is essential to our extending such laws to include blind and handicapped persons; and WHEREAS, the By-Laws of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights provide in part: B. Participation Section 5. Participating organizations retain their autonomy and distinct identity and are the sole arbiters of their own positions, policies, and programs. Policies and recommendations arrived at by consensus in the Conference are not binding upon the participating organizations. Section 6. When there is consensus in the national board or in the executive committee, a public statement may be issued or a public action taken in the name of the Conference; provided, however, that the names of participating organizations shall not be listed in such statement of action without their express authorization. and WHEREAS, the official Statement of Purpose of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights provides: The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights is a voluntary, non-partisan association of autonomous national organizations seeking to advance civil rights for all Americans through government action at the national level. By "civil rights," we mean not only the establishment and enforcement of rights and law, but also the realization of social and economic conditions, in which alone the fulfillment of these rights is possible. The Conference operates within the framework of the following principles and commitments: A. We are committed to an integrated, democratic, plural society in which every individual is accorded equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal justice, without regard to race, sex, religion, or ethnic origin; and in which every group is accorded an equal opportunity to enter fully into the general life of the society, with mutual acceptance and regard for difference. B. We believe that this goal can and must be achieved through peaceful, democratic means and within the American political system. C. Responsibility for achieving our goals is shared by all Americans who believe in justice and equality. Accordingly, there can be no distinctions based on race, sex, religion, or ethnic origin among those engaged in the common effort to achieve them. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, in Convention Assembled at the Admiral Semmes Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, this 26th day of July, 1975, that the President be authorized to effect participation of the American Council of the Blind in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. (Adopted unanimously.) * Resolution 75-21 WHEREAS, education is the basis and foundation of human endeavor; and WHEREAS, education of the blind is imperative to the success and accomplishments of blind individuals; and WHEREAS, quality and quantity of equal educational opportunity is the basis of a successful educational program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Council of the Blind, meeting in Mobile, Alabama, July 26, 1975, strongly support and encourage a program of legislation aimed at the achievement of equal educational opportunities for the visually impaired. ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors * 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 George Fogarty, 5565 Florence Terrace, Oakland, CA 94611 Jack Lewis, 541 Woodland Hills Drive, Athens, GA 30601 Lester McGlaughn, 2403 Monroe Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901 Wallace Menning, 2750 Ellis Avenue, N.E., Salem, OR 97301 Herbert Pitz, 403 Merritt Street, Oshkosh, WI 54001 Norman Robinson, 7107 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60619 Reese Robrahn, 818 18th Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006 Otis Stephens, 20 Fernald Drive, Apartment 32, Cambridge, MA 02138 John Vanlandingham, 5800 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85015 ###