The Braille Forum Vol. XIV January-February 1976 No. 4 Published Bi-Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Oklahoma City, Oklahoma * President: Floyd Qualls 501 N. Douglas Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73160 * 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 Important Notice Notice to Subscribers Reese Robrahn Joins ACB Staff, by Floyd Qualls Progress in ACB Litigation to Protect Handicapped Children 1976 ACB Convention in Hot Springs, by Dick Seifert Like to Host an ACB National Convention?, by Oral Miller Public Service Notes, by O.L. Joiner International Conference on the Situation of Blind Women, by Alma Murphey New Chief Named to Head Blind Rehabilitation for V.A. Central Office White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals NRA Honors Senator Randolph Variable Speech Control Module Available from APH Hirshhorn Sculpture is Touchable, by James G. Chandler NFB Adjudged to Be in Contempt Credit Union News Merry England in the Merry Month of May, by George Card Social Security Information Items Hyde Park Corner: Current Currency, by Bob Monaghan State Convention Highlights: South Dakota Convention, 1975 1975 Illinois Convention Highlights -- Michigan Convention ACB of Maryland, by James G. Chandler A Tribute to Joe Clunk Here and There ACB Officers ***** ** Important Notice Effective January 1, 1976, the address of the office of the American Council of the Blind President Floyd Qualls will be 501 North Douglas Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Send all communications, including Braille Forum requests and address changes to this new address. ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, in large-type, and on open-reel (dual-track, 3 3/4 ips) and cassette tape. Items intended for publication may be sent to the editor, Mary T. Ballard, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620, or to one of the associate editors: George Card, 605 South Few Street, Madison, WI 53703 Margaret Freer, 11816 West Blue Mound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Ione B. Miller, 9291 Fermi Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123 Joseph Wiedenmayer, 5604 Montgomery Street, Chevy Chase, MD 20015 Subscriptions and address changes for all four editions should be sent to Floyd Qualls, 501 North Douglas Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. 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. ***** ** Reese Robrahn Joins ACB Staff By Floyd Qualls I am pleased to announce that Judge Reese H. Robrahn has accepted the position of Research Director for the American Council of the Blind. He will be based in Washington and, in addition to his research assignments, will participate in our expanding activities in governmental affairs and litigation. We are fortunate, indeed, to have the full-time services of ACB's immediate past president. He has been a dedicated volunteer in our work for more than 25 years. While most of you are familiar with Judge Robrahn's services to ACB, some may not be aware of all of the following facts about his professional career and his activities in connection with organizations of and for the blind. 1. He was Judge of the Magistrate Court of Shawnee County, Kansas, for eight years. 2. While on the bench, he served on the Kansas Governor's Committee on Criminal Administration, on the committee which drafted the Kansas Uniform Code of Civil Procedure for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, on the Topeka ad hoc Committee on the Offender Assessment and Referral Program, and as co-chairman of the Shawnee County chapter of the Kansas Council on Crime and Delinquency. 3. He has been president of the Kansas Association for the Blind and chairman of its Legislative Committee, and was president of ACB during the six years ending in 1972; currently he is chairman of ACB's Commission on Citizen Consumer Participation and is secretary of the American Blind Lawyers Association. 4. He has been a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, a member of its Executive Committee, and a U.S. representative at World Council conferences at New Delhi in 1969 and at Moscow in 1972. 5. He has served as chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Division of Services for the Blind on the Kansas Department of Social Welfare, as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Services to the Blind and Visually Handicapped of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and as chairman of the Services Advisory Committee of the American Foundation for the Blind; he now is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Foundation for the Blind and is on the Board of Directors of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. I know that you share my pleasure in ACB's improved ability to expand its services to blind and visually impaired persons. Our Board of Directors has approved ambitious plans for further expansion which will be implemented as resources become available. I believe that the appointment of Reese Robrahn is the first of several progressive actions which will be taken by ACB during the near future. ***** ** Progress in ACB Litigation to Protect Handicapped Children The last issue of the Braille Forum reported on the American Council of the Blind's suit filed on November 12, 1975 against the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and its Office of Education to protect the rights and interests of handicapped children who will be involved in the activities of school systems and related agencies in their efforts to identify, locate, and evaluate such handicapped children, pursuant to portions of the Education of the Handicapped Act and the General Education Provisions Act. The suit produced quick results. On November 26, HEW issued its long overdue proposed rules on the subjects involved in the suit, and on December 30 a Consent Decree was approved by the Court. ACB's comments on HEW's proposed rules appear in this article immediately after the significant portion of the Consent Decree, which is quoted as follows: 4. WHEREAS, defendants shall not make any fiscal year 1976 fourth quarter grants under Part B of the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) to any state until having received in substantially approvable form a complete fiscal year 1976 annual program plan amendment which fully meets the requirements of Section 613(b)1 of the EHA (20 USC 1413(b)1) and the final regulations promulgated thereunder (published in proposed form at 40 F. R. 54804-54805 (November 26, 1975); and 5. WHEREAS defendants shall not make any fiscal year 1976 third-quarter grants under Part B of the EHA to any state until (1) having received and reviewed a draft annual program plan amendment from the state and made a determination that such draft plan amendment includes policies and procedures which would ensure the confidentiality of information obtained in identifying, locating, and evaluating handicapped children under Part B of the EHA, using the proposed regulations (40 F. R. 54804-54805 (November 26, 1975) as guidelines for drafting the amendments; or (2) having determined that the state has fully met the requirements of Paragraph 4 above; and 6. WHEREAS defendants shall promulgate the regulations required by Section 613(b(1(B) of the EHA (20 USC 1413 (b(1(B) in final form by March 1, 1976, after taking into account and responding to all public comments; and 7. WHEREAS defendants shall provide plaintiff's counsel upon request copies of any third-quarter draft plan amendments referred to in Paragraph 5 above, and copies of any final plan amendments referred to in Paragraph 4 above; and 8. WHEREAS, parties agree that jurisdiction of this case is retained by this Court for the purpose of making such other or further Orders as may become necessary. * December 29, 1975 Memorandum TO: The Commissioner, Office of Education FROM: The American Council of the Blind, Inc. Durward K. McDaniel, Esq., National Representative This organization concurs generally in the criticisms and suggestions made by the Children's Defense Fund, but would suggest further revisions. The proposed rules fail to recognize that the real party in interest is the handicapped child -- not the parents, the educational system, or the social service agency. Accordingly, the rules should require that the child be included as a party in all proceedings: notice, consent, access to information, disclosure of information, construction of information, and hearings. It will be argued that some children will be too young or otherwise unable to act for themselves. The principal concern in such cases must be to protect such children from the possible reluctance of the educational system and from parents who may be disinterested, unwilling, or unable to make an affirmative decision in the child's best interest. Clearly, where decisions are negative by the educational system or the parents, there needs to be a required procedure which could produce an effective decision by a third party. Certainly, the right to legal counsel or other representation should be recognized for the child, without dependence upon the will or judgement of a parent, guardian, or others. The Act affects persons up to the age of 21 years, so they are not all legal minors. The rules should be revised to recognize this basic fact and to give further balance to the respective rights and interests of the parties. The rules should not assume that all information which might be destroyed would be detrimental to the child's interests. Conceivably, some of the information, if preserved, could assist the child in proving his right to an education, which the Act seeks to assure, or in establishing his eligibility for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits. We recommend that the rules require the retention of all records until the child is at least 18 years of age, and that none of the records be destroyed without the participation of the child and his representative. The rules should be broad enough to apply equally to potential students as well as eligible students. We concur specially in the contentions of the Children's Defense Fund pertaining to written instruments to be received and acknowledged by the parent and child. In that regard, we believe the rules should clearly provide for interpreters or translators in necessary cases, regardless of the cause of the inability to read or write. The rules should provide special protection for such persons, and also for persons whose primary language is not written, as in the case of many American Indians. In recognizing the difficulty and necessity of protecting the rights and interests of handicapped children, while assuring their right and opportunity to an education, this organization is interested in and willing to consult further in the recommended revisions of the rules. ***** ** 1976 ACB Convention in Hot Springs By Dick Seifert The 1976 convention of the American Council of the Blind will be held July 7-10 at the Arlington Hotel in the "Spa City," Hot Springs, Arkansas. Special-interest meetings will begin on Sunday, July 4, and will run through Wednesday noon, July 7. As well as an excellent program, the Host Committee is planning lavish entertainment. Examples include the always enjoyable activities sponsored by the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, the Arkansas Council of the Blind's pool-side reception on the seventh-floor balcony, a fish fry at Lake Hamilton, followed by a dance, the banquet, and tentatively, a square dance to be hosted by the National Alliance of Blind Students. Nestled among the pines in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains is the Arlington Hotel, where conventioners can unwind from an active day on the convention floor by relaxing in the swirling waters of a thermal bath. After the bath, how about a soothing massage? What an experience! When using the bath house in the hotel, you can go directly from your room in dressing robe and slippers by means of a private elevator which will take you to this experience you won't forget. In addition, the hotel offers twin cascade swimming pools and a reflector sundeck. Special ACB convention rates are $14 for a single room, $18 for a double. Bath House Row is reached by turning left on Central Avenue when leaving the hotel by the front entrance. Enjoy a thermal bath or walk behind the bath houses up to the promenade and feed the pigeons. Just outside the headquarters of the National Park, listen to a description of the hot springs and feel the hot water as it flows out of the ground. Just behind Bath House Row, visit the famous Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center. Immediately across Central Avenue from the Arlington, dine in the outstanding restaurants, visit the quaint shops, enjoy the fun of auction sales. And don't miss the exciting nighttime entertainment at the many night clubs. Or how about a tour of Hot Springs in a surrey with the fringe on top, or a cruise on Lake Hamilton in an aqua-duck? If you have a desire to be near alligators, visit the Alligator Farm, where you will find hundreds of them. An activity for everyone is the I.Q. Zoo, where a raccoon can make a ball go through a hoop, a chicken can bat a ball, and a pig can play a piano. For sightseers before and after the convention, Arkansas can accommodate you with numerous extravaganzas. In northwest Arkansas, visit the "Little Switzerland of America," Eureka Springs. This is a Victorian show place where artists and writers congregate and where wide attractions draw visitors from all over the world. Blue Spring, Onyx Cave, the Passion Play, the Christ of the Ozarks, and Miles Mountain Music Museum await you. In nearby Berryville, Saunder's Memorial Museum offers an outstanding display of firearms for gun fanciers. In Mountain View, return to yesteryear, to the era of the dulcimer, the fiddle and the pickin' bow, when the Rackensack Society musicians assemble for an evening performance at the new $3.4 million Ozark Folk Center. Observe the mountain craftsmen assemble their time-honored crafts. Explore folklore by eating your heart out on mountain specialties and by joining the jig dancing at the Folk Center, where you will have the time of your life. If you are coming to Arkansas from the east, you might enjoy the thrilling dog races at West Memphis. If you are in the Fort Smith area, located on Arkansas's western border, don't miss the national historic site where "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker's Courtroom has been restored, along with the infamous gallows on which desperados ended their days. At Altus, east of Fort Smith, on Interstate 40, tour the Wiederkehr Winery and sample the superb German-Swiss cuisine at its Wein Keller Restaurant. In west central Arkansas, visitors will enjoy Petit Jean State Park, where the late Winthrop Rockefeller's Winrock Farm is an added attraction. The Crater of Diamonds State Park in southwest Arkansas, near Murfreesboro, is the "happy hunting ground" for the only diamonds found in their natural matrix in North America. Here finders are keepers. Here too, the Caddo Indian Burying Grounds attract archaeologists interested in the culture of the "First Americans." Little Rock, Arkansas's capital city, contains three capitols open for your inspection: the Territorial Restoration, the first State House, and the present State Capitol. Little Rock also offers the acclaimed Arkansas Art Center, the Museum of Science and Natural History, and a fine collection of city parks, including the municipal Zoo. And don't forget about Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind, the Arkansas Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Arkansas School for the Blind. On the more serious "business" side, remember that this is an ACB election year. Conventioners must select a full slate of officers and several members of the Board of Directors to guide and implement the Council's programs and policies for the next two years. Also, the Resolutions Committee and the Constitution and By-Laws Committee will be seeking your ideas and suggestions as far in advance of the convention as possible. In addition, three awards traditionally are selected from nominations by the membership: the Ambassador Award, the George Card Award, and the new Robert S. Bray Award. Committee chairmen will be announced in the March-April issue of the Braille Forum. We're expecting you in Arkansas. Y'all come! ***** ** Like to Host an ACB National Convention? By Oral Miller ACB National Convention Coordinator The guidelines adopted by the American Council of the Blind's Board of Directors provide that national convention invitations are to be submitted in writing 120 days before the convention at which the selection of a convention site is to be made. The time between the submission of the invitation and the next national convention may then be used by the Convention Coordinator to communicate with the prospective host organization, to conduct an on-site inspection, to begin negotiations with hotels, and to make other inquiries needed to prepare a complete presentation for the information of the ACB membership at the convention. Any ACB affiliate that may be interested in hosting a future national convention should first read the Convention Guidelines a copy of which may be obtained from the ACB National Office or directly from me, Oral Miller, ACB National Convention Coordinator, 3701 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Apt. 220, Washington, DC 20008. The Guidelines list the information that should be included in an invitation. However, even if all the needed information cannot be submitted at one time, letters indicating interest in possibly hosting a convention should be submitted early. At the ACB national convention to be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in July, 1976, the ACB membership will consider invitations for the 1979 national convention, as well as invitations already submitted concerning the 1978 national convention, pursuant to a resolution adopted during the 1975 convention. Invitations concerning the 1979 convention should be submitted to me by March 10, 1976. If additional time is needed to prepare an invitation, please let me know by that date. ***** ** Public Service Notes By O.L. Joiner, Chairman ACB Public Service Committee Meeting in conjunction with the American Council of the Blind's Board of Directors in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 8, the chairmen of the ACB Public Service Committee, Finance Committee, and Board of Publications made plans for a "short course" to be given at the Council's 1976 convention in Hot Springs. This "short course" will cover in one four-hour session the areas of publications, fund-raising, and public relations. The plan is to utilize personnel from within ACB who are experienced in these activities. Such persons, the Committee feels can speak more directly to the problems and needs of the American Council and its affiliates than could anyone brought in from the outside. The format will be that of a panel type discussion, with the presentation in each of the three areas being followed by a question-and-answer session. It is hoped that following the "short course," the Committee will be able to compile a handbook on publications, fund-raising, and public relations, based upon information presented at the meeting. Such a handbook could then be made available to ACB affiliates and local chapters, where it could serve as an invaluable guide. Anyone with ideas or suggestions is urged to contact Harold Dachtler, Chairman, ACB Board of Publications, at 600 West Rouse Street, Lansing, MI 48910, or O.L. Joiner, Chairman, Public Service Committee, at P.O. Box 775, Alachua, FL 32615. Watch the Braille Forum for further details as they become available. But plan now to have representatives of your affiliate attend this very worthwhile meeting. The Public Service Committee also announces the availability of radio "spots." Although as written, these refer to and contain the address of the American Council of the Blind, they are readily adaptable for use by affiliates and local chapters. The "spots" may be obtained upon request from O.L. Joiner at the above address. ***** ** International Conference on the Situation of Blind Women By Alma Murphey The International Conference on the Situation of Blind Women was exceedingly interesting, as well as most enjoyable. Attended by 170 delegates and observers from 37 countries, the Conference was held at Belgrade, Yugoslavia, November 18-20, 1975. The meetings were held in the Hall of Engineers and Technicians, where all speeches were immediately translated into English, French, German, Russian, and Serbian -- the latter being the language most used in Yugoslavia -- and each of us was supplied with earphones attached to a little battery-operated instrument (probably a radio) so that we could listen to the language of our choice. Communication was more difficult outside the meetings, but a surprising number of delegates used English fluently, and interpreters were usually available when needed. The opening session on November 18 was largely devoted to warm welcoming addresses by the President of the City Council, Belgrade's highest official, by the President of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, and by the President of the International Federation of the Blind, Dr. Fatima Shah. We also heard a telegram from the United Nations, regretting that it could not send a representative to the Conference, and a telegram from Portugal stating that their delegation was unable to attend as had been planned. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dorina Nowill on the general status of blind women. Dr. Nowill of Brazil is Vice President of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind and was Program Chairman of the Conference. She speaks English quite fluently. Early in the afternoon session, I was called upon to read my paper, "The Blind Woman and Her Family and Participation in the Community, in an Urban Setting." Dr. Fatima Shah, a charming blind woman from Pakistan, then delivered her paper, which described the appalling trials and tribulations of most blind women in her country, where many people equate blindness with uselessness and shame. I hope her paper will be published someday, because it cannot fail to rouse American Blind women to a fuller appreciation of their countless blessings. The latter part of the session was devoted to education. One paper, delivered by a teacher of the blind, discussed schools for the blind in Yugoslavia. Dr. Isabel Grant of California followed with a discussion of the integrated public-school program. During a lovely reception that evening, I presented the Vice President of Belgrade's City Council with the key to St. Louis and conveyed warm greetings from the Mayor and the people of my beloved city. Then I had the great pleasure of personally meeting delightful people from many parts of the world. Their comments on the paper I had read that afternoon were truly gratifying, for I had felt a bit uneasy, lest my remarks would be of little interest to such a group of professional workers for the blind. Rehabilitation was the theme of the Wednesday morning session. We heard several excellent papers on that subject, including one about rehabilitation programs in Yugoslavia and another about a recently initiated program for blind women in Ghana, West Africa. A discussion period followed during which many delegates spoke briefly on rehabilitation programs in their respective countries. Wednesday afternoon was devoted to a most interesting tour of Belgrade's school for the blind. It reminded many of us of the residential schools we knew so well. The geography class was using maps with which we are all familiar, and the children in the math class had Perkins Braillers on their desks. On Wednesday evening, we attended a splendid concert by blind musicians. It began with a choral group from the school we had just visited. This was remarkably good. Then numbers by Bach, Mozart, and other great composers were expertly performed by older blind musicians. The program ended with folk music, which the Yugoslavs love so well. Employment was the theme Thursday morning. We were treated to several fine papers on the subject. Then, during the discussion period, seventeen persons from fourteen countries briefly described what is being done to employ the blind in their own countries. During the final session on Thursday afternoon, a resolution was presented which outlined the major problems of blind women and suggested certain general procedures which, hopefully, could help in their solution. During that same session, we learned that the two blind delegates from Uganda, Africa, had just arrived. Their delay had been caused by the refusal of an airline on which they had reservations to let them board without a sighted companion. By the time they had made travel arrangements on another airline, the Conference was nearly over. What a frustrating experience that must have been for those two delegates! Although the Conference was formally adjourned late Thursday afternoon, a lovely banquet and very gay three-hour party kept all of us very busy and happy far into the night. It was the climactic event of three fascinating days in Belgrade as guests of the Yugoslav Government, the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, and the International Federation of the Blind. I shall always treasure the memory of that deeply satisfying encounter with dedicated workers for the blind from all over the world. Accompanied by a charming sighted girl, a resident of Belgrade who had spent a year in St. Louis during the mid-1960s, we three Murpheys -- my son Paul, his wife Anne, and I -- went shopping Friday morning. Our young friend's efforts to help, her fluency in both English and Serbian, and her familiarity with the best stores made that a delightful experience. She was a jewel! We made the short flight from Belgrade to Vienna that afternoon. There we enjoyed a delicious dinner at our hotel, then had a long, restful night -- we needed it, too. We shopped a little and did a lot of leisurely sightseeing on Saturday, had another marvelous dinner, slept well, and finally boarded a TWA plane for home Sunday morning. When we landed in St. Louis at 8:30 P.M., Sunday, it was actually 3:30 Monday morning in Vienna and Belgrade -- a fact which added one more Alice-in-Wonderland touch to my wonderful trip. ***** ** New Chief Named to Head Blind Rehabilitation For V.A. Central Office On January 1, 1976, George M. Gillispie assumed his duties as Chief of Blind Rehabilitation for the Veterans Administration Central Office, Washington, D.C. He replaces Russell C. Williams, who retired from that position on June 30, 1975. Mr. Gillispie -- or "Buck," as most people know him -- has been associated with blind rehabilitation one way or another since 1945, when on January 28 he was hit and blinded by a mortar shell in Colmar, France. One measure of a man, perhaps is the enemies he has overcome. After having undergone two years of extensive medical treatment and surgery, the enemies Buck still faced were blindness and severe injury to face, hands and legs, loss of occupation, and a limited formal education. After adjustment training in the V.A. blind rehabilitation program, he entered Occidental College in Los Angeles, graduating in 1953 with a B.A. in sociology and psychology. From 1963 to 1969 he held various field representative and consultant positions with the V.A., helping to formulate legislation; carrying out liaison with other veterans organizations; counseling staff and members of V.A. hospitals, out-patient clinics and regional offices on motivation of the blinded veteran toward rehabilitation and techniques of rehabilitation; and directly assisting hundreds of veterans in their personal adjustment to blindness. His efforts and contributions to the program were a large factor in the expansion from one V.A. blind rehabilitation center to the present three centers. In 1969, he was selected as Chief of the Blind Rehabilitation Center, V.A. Hospital, West Haven, Connecticut. Here he developed a variety of new programs which have been incorporated into blind rehabilitation centers throughout the country. These include the team-coordinated concept, which ensures efficient patient care and encourages staff development, and the family program, which extends rehabilitation services to the home of the blinded veteran. Psychological services were expanded, a low-vision clinic established, and research programs utilized extensively. He has been active in many professional and civic organizations, was one of the founders of the Connecticut Council of the Blind (an ACB affiliate), and during 1975 served as ACB National Membership Chairman. That Mr. Gillispie has not performed his job with excellence, but has exceeded its requirements and expectations, is confirmed by this appointment to the V.A. Central Office. ***** ** White House Conference On Handicapped Individuals President Ford announced on November 22, 1975 that the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals will be held in December, 1976. The White House Conference, established by Public Law 93-516, was signed into law by President Ford on December 7, 1974. Before the national meeting, a series of state conferences will be held to assist in determining the agenda and priorities of the national meeting. The Act authorizes a grant of up to $25,000 for each State and Territory for this conference; in addition, $2 million is authorized for the national conference. The Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare has appointed a 28-member National Planning and Advisory Council to the conference. Council members include nationally known educators, rehabilitation specialists, medical personnel, social workers, government officials, relatives of handicapped individuals, and consumers. The mission of the conference is: (1) to stimulate a national assessment of problems faced by individuals with physical or mental handicaps: (2) to generate a national awareness of those problems; (3) to develop recommendations for legislative and administrative action to allow individuals with handicaps to live their lives independently, with dignity, and with integration into community life. Five major areas of concern (and probably others) will be dealt with by both the local and national conferences. These are: Health -- Including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of handicapping conditions. Educational -- The full educational opportunities of handicapped persons at all age levels. Social -- Psychological adjustment of handicapped individuals and their families; attitudes of the public; elimination of architectural, transportation, and communications barriers. Economic -- Including employment and the economic impact on handicapped persons. Special -- Community and residential care, civil rights, and service delivery systems. Dr. Henry Vicardi, Jr., of Kings Point, Long Island, an internationally known rehabilitation specialist and author, has been appointed chairman of the Council and will direct the White House Conference. He, like many of the Council members, is handicapped. Administrative responsibility for the conference rests with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The Executive Director of the conference is Jack F. Smith, who before his appointment was an assistant dean in the Educational Extension, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology. Mr. Smith is handicapped. Handicapped citizens will be involved in all phases of the conference. Handicapped individuals are on the Advisory Council and have been hired to help plan and conduct the White House Conference and to serve as consultants in the development of issue papers. At least half of the delegates to the national conference will be handicapped persons. Also, handicapped individuals are encouraged to participate in the state conferences. For further information about the national and state conferences, communicate with Mr. James P. Gelatt, Director, Public Affairs, White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals, Room 813, 1832 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 382-3725. ***** ** NRA Honors Senator Randolph (Reprinted from AFB Washington Report, December, 1975) On October 12 at its annual convention held in Cincinnati, the National Rehabilitation Association presented the Bell Greve Award for outstanding leadership in rehabilitation to Senator Jennings Randolph (D., W.Va.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. In accepting the award, Senator Randolph said: "I am committed to doing all I can to bring about a social, economic, and physical environment in this nation that will enable each handicapped person to achieve his or her maximum personal potential. The 1973 Rehabilitation Act has often been referred to as 'landmark legislation.' I sincerely believe that to be true, but much more needs to be done ..." Senator Randolph went on to say that the Subcommittee has received disturbing reports that the intent of Congress with respect to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is not being carried out, and that funding for some of the programs has been meager or non-existent. He indicated that the Subcommittee would explore all aspects of implementation of the Act in hearings to be held this year and next. Senator Randolph was awarded the Migel Medal of the American Foundation for the Blind in 1972 in recognition of his leadership since 1936 in the enactment of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act for the blind and other legislation to assist handicapped persons to become productive, taxpaying citizens. ***** ** Variable Speech Control Module Available from APH The American Printing House for the Blind has announced production of its new Variable Speech Control Module. This unit allows recorded speech to be increased or decreased without pitch distortion. Without variable speech control, speech at increased speed sounds like Donald Duck. Thus, the speaker's normal rate of delivery (around 150 words per minute) can be increased during playback from normal (150 w.p.m.) to 2.5 times normal (375 w.p.m.) or decreased to .7 of normal (105 w.p.m.). This means that a person can now listen at a rate comparable to the average sighted person's reading speed. The Variable Speech Control Module being produced by American Printing House for the Blind utilizes integrated circuits and operates on 120 volts AC. It also has a power amplifier and speaker. Other features are a rate control, volume control, earphone jack, and off/on switch. A patch cord and adaptor plug are supplied which will allow the Variable Speech Control Module to be used with any APH variable-speed playback machine. Although the Variable Speech Control Module has been designed to work with APH variable-speed playback machines, it may be used with any machine with variable speed capabilities. The price is $85.00. For further information on the Variable Speech Control Module (Catalog No. 1-0710), write American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206. ***** ** Hirshhorn Sculpture Is Touchable By James G. Chandler Blind persons have equal access to one of the latest acquisitions at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., the most recently opened portion of the Smithsonian Institution. On October 14, 1975, First Lady Betty Ford unveiled a five-foot-high replica of Alexander Calder's Pink Flamingo. The original stabile is 53 feet high and stands in the open plaza of the Chicago Federal Center. This smaller version was specially made under the supervision of the artist. Other speakers at the ceremony were Senator Jennings Randolph; Arthur F. Sampson, Administrator of the General Services Administration; Abram Lerner, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum; Nancy Hanks, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts; and Leonard A. Robinson, author of "Light at the Tunnel End." Reduced to approximately one tenth the size of Calder's original, the miniature has two sweeping arches which span eight feet and terminate in three diamond shaped fins balanced on their points. A braille plaque made by the Howe Press is provided on a pedestal to give pertinent information on the artwork and on Calder. Both of the "Flamingos" were commissioned under GSA's fine arts program to provide newly constructed federal buildings with the finest examples of contemporary American art. GSA's Fine Arts Counsellor, Karel Yasko, says that the sculpture "will provide a new set of experiences for the visually handicapped. For creators of form sculpture, the ultimate success is the viewers' tactile response rather than the visual reaction. One prominent American sculptor measured this success by the number of finger marks on his stone sculptures." ***** ** NFB Adjudged to Be in Contempt (Editor's Note: The following pertains to litigation which determined the right of the Missouri Federation of the Blind (until 1961 an affiliate of the National Federation) to the exclusive use of the principal words in its corporate name.) * Order and Judgment This cause having come on to he heard October 10, 1975, on an Order directing defendant, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, Inc., and its officers to appear and show cause at 9:30 a.m., October 10, 1975, why they should not be found and adjudged in contempt for an alleged violation of an injunction ordered and adjudged by this Court April 25, 1972; and the parties appearing by counsel only; and the Court having heard and considered the evidence and statements of counsel, now finds as follows: After a hearing in this cause, the Court entered its Order and Judgment, inter alia, permanently enjoining said defendant from using any combination of the words "Missouri," "Federation," and "Blind," unless defendant desired to revert to the use of its prior name, "Progressive Blind of Missouri." Thereafter defendant and defendant-intervener, the National Federation of the Blind, appealed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Kansas City District, which thereafter affirmed the judgment in an opinion filed December 3, 1973. Defendant's and defendant-intervener's motion for re-hearing or for transfer was denied January 4, 1974, and their subsequent application for transfer was denied by the Supreme Court February 11, 1974. Plaintiffs Exhibit D, received into evidence at this hearing without objection, reveals that on January 26, 1974, defendant's members caused its name to be changed to National Federation of the Blind and its Articles of Incorporation to be amended accordingly and Article of Amendment accordingly to be filed with the Secretary of State of Missouri on February 20, 1974. Defendant admits it changed its name accordingly in its Answer filed to plaintiff's Petition for an Order to Show Cause. ... Plaintiffs evidence was, and the Court so finds, that since February 20, 1974, defendant has held its name out to be National Federation of the Blind and utilized a letterhead describing itself to be "National Federation of the Blind (a Missouri Corporation)," plaintiff's Exhibit C. Defendant's Answer to plaintiff's instant Petition so admits. ... The Court further finds and concludes that the use of the two words "Federation" and "Blind" in defendant's present name is a combination heretofore permanently enjoined, and that by causing its name to be changed to use such words, coupled with its use of the parenthesized phrase "(a Missouri Corporation)" in its letterhead, defendant has acted in direct and contumacious violation and contempt of the Order and Judgment of April 26, 1972. The Court further finds that plaintiff has incurred expenses of attorneys' fees and costs in the prosecution of its instant claim for relief and should have judgment therefor. * It Is Therefore Ordered, Adjudged And Decreed: (A) That defendant National Federation of the Blind be and is hereby assessed a fine in the amount of $50.00 for each day as defendant shall (a) hereafter continue to use the name National Federation of the Blind, or (b) hold itself out to be National Federation of the Blind (a Missouri Corporation), or (c) use any combination of the words "Missouri," "Federation," and "Blind," except "The Progressive Blind of Missouri"; and (B) That plaintiff have and recover of defendant the aforesaid fine in the sum of $50.00 for each day as defendant shall (a) hereafter continue to use the name National Federation of the Blind, or (b) hold itself out to be National Federation of the Blind (a Missouri Corporation), or (c) use any combination of the words "Missouri," "Federation," and "Blind," except "The Progressive Blind of Missouri," together with its costs and attorneys' fees in the sum of $1,000.00; and (C) That execution on aforesaid fine in judgment in the amount of $50.00 per day be and hereby is stayed for a period of ninety (90) days from this date, and that in the event defendant shall cease and desist using either the name National Federation of the Blind or National Federation of the Blind (a Missouri Corporation), or any name incorporating therein any combination of the words "Missouri," "Federation," and "Blind," except "The Progressive Blind of Missouri," within said period of time, then, in that event, plaintiff shall have and recover of defendant the sum of $1.00 in full satisfaction of aforesaid fine, together with its costs and attorneys' fees in the sum of $1,000.00; and (D) In the event that defendant shall either fail or refuse to satisfy this judgment in accordance with Paragraph (C) hereof, the fine set forth in Paragraphs (A) and (B) hereof shall be calculated commencing this date. Dated the 13th Day of October, 1975. ***** ** Credit Union News Now in its 18th year, the Missouri Federation of the Blind Credit Union in 1975 exceeded for the first time the $100,000 mark in assets. The MFB Credit Union boasts 235 members; total assets (including both general shares and one-year certificates) of $112,306.90; 69 loans outstanding (50 of which were granted in fiscal 1975), aggregating $80,243.69. This year, a 5 1/2% dividend was paid to general shareholders, with 6% interest on one-year certificates. "Friends helping each other" is the way MFB Credit Union President Betty Briggs summed up this remarkable achievement. The Arizona Council of the Blind Federal Credit Union in just a little under four years is proud of its growth, as evidenced by the following impressive record: There are presently 225 members; 185 loans have been made, ranging in amount from $10 to $2,500; assets have grown from an initial $125 to $41,000. As a service to members, travelers' checks are now available upon two to three days' notice. The Editor welcomes news of other ACB credit union activities. ***** ** Merry England in the Merry Month of May By George Card (Reprinted from The Badger Informer) A few weeks later the landscape would have been all cluttered up with tourist buses, but during our leisurely, lighthearted, three-weeks trip through the South and West of Britain, including a bit of Wales, it seemed as though we had it almost to ourselves. The Welsh mountains, the great bleak moors of Cornwall and Devon, with the yellow, flowering gorse and many little herds of wild ponies, the flat-topped down of Sussex, the picturesque villages, the fertile valleys -- many believe this is the most beautiful countryside in all the world. We avoided the big commercial cities, but visited the lovely old cathedrals in Exeter, Wells, Chichester, Salisbury, Winchester and Canterbury, attending a High Episcopal service in one of them. It was much like a mass, and the music was glorious. When Darlene told me that those powerful, soaring soprano voices came from the throats of little choir boys, I found it hard to believe. The high points for me were the visits with old friends from the days when I represented the U.S. on the World Council in the 1950s. ***** ** Social Security Information Items Social Security Beneficiaries Can Earn More in 1976. -- People who get Social Security checks can earn $2,760 in 1976 and get their full payment every month. The yearly earnings limit for 1975 was $2,520. People can earn considerably more than $2,760 for 1976 and still get some payments. Payments are reduced by $1 for every $2 of earnings above $2,760. But regardless of total earnings for 1976, full payment can be made for any month a person neither earns over $230 nor does substantial work in his or her own business. The monthly amount for 1975 was $210. Different rules, which include medical considerations, apply to people getting benefits because of disability. People 72 and over get full Social Security payments regardless of how much they earn in a year. New Booklet Gives Basic Facts on Social Security. -- "When You Work at a Job," a new booklet providing basic facts about Social Security, is now available at Social Security offices. The booklet, intended for people with limited reading skills, tells how workers build Social Security protection and describes the benefits Social Security provides. The Supplemental Security Income program also is briefly described. "When You Work at a Job" is available free at any Social Security office. The booklet also is published in Spanish. Prompt Appeal Can Postpone SSI Payment Change. -- A Supplemental Security Income recipient who disagrees with a proposed change in his or her monthly payment can postpone the action by asking for reconsideration within ten days. Under Social Security regulations, aged, blind, or disabled people who get SSI checks always are notified in advance that their payments are to be reduced, suspended, or ended. The notice also gives the reason for the change and the date it is to occur. Recipients have thirty days from the time the notice is received to ask for reconsideration of the decision, but if the request is made within ten days, Social Security will not change the payment amount until the case has been reviewed and the recipient notified of the new decision. However, if the reconsideration decision goes against the recipient, he or she may have to pay back any over-payments received because the change in the check amount was delayed. For that reason, recipients can waive the right to delay the payment action if they choose to do so. In that case, if the reconsideration decision is in the recipient's favor, he or she will get a check for any back payments due. 2.8 Million Sign up for Direct Deposit of Checks. -- Some 2.8 million people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income checks were taking advantage of the new direct deposit program as of November, 1975. Direct deposit is a voluntary program that lets people have their checks sent directly to the financial organization of their choice. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of checks being lost or stolen and assures that checks are deposited when people are away from home. Direct deposits can be made in either savings or checking accounts in banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations or similar institutions, or Federal or state-chartered credit Unions. People sign up for direct deposit by filling out an authorization form, SF-1199, available at financial organizations. Completion of the authorization form does not permit withdrawals by anyone other than those authorized by the beneficiary. ***** ** 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. * Current Currency By Bob Monaghan Having handled perhaps a normal amount of money for almost a lifetime, I was interested in the well-written article by Harold Rowley in the September-October issue of the Braille Forum. Though I am in complete accord with minor points and highly respect Mr. Rowley's competent appraisals, I am in thoughtful disagreement with the fundamental conclusions. Surely, many of the arguments against "marked money" are of no consequence: Any blind person capable of using paper money would quickly learn the few necessary symbols; the mechanics of printing and distributing the bills pose no significant problems; the wear of the currency is presupposed. Now this digression: I highly favor tactile numerals on elevators buttons and room doors, but I believe they should be the regulation print figures, in the belief that blind persons who do not already know them could learn them. This would place us where we, though a minority group, say we want to be: a normal member of a larger society, able to adapt to that society, thus avoiding the cost of both braille and print characters on the same label. Now for paper money. Have you noticed how rapidly cashiers and bank tellers flip the bills when counting them? Perhaps three or four per second! Should workers and patrons endure the slow-down caused by raised markings? And for anyone with a simple tool, counterfeiting would be so easy! The addition or erasure of a dot or a line would confuse the blind themselves. Even the small stand operator stacks his bills; the bulges and slippage would become most frustrating. Can we not more graciously adapt to logical procedures in the country in which we are privileged to occupy a productive place? By chance, in the same issue of the Braille Forum, Pat Price, in her article, "Solving Problems the Professional Way," writes, "Reinforcing the seminar material, opportunity was provided ... to examine ... a small, inexpensive, but highly functional money identifier ... " Isn't this really the professional way, the normal, unselfish, independent way to solve the problem if it bugs us? ***** ** State Convention Highlights * South Dakota Convention, 1975 Services to deaf-blind and multi-handicapped blind children was the subject given major emphasis at the 1975 convention of the South Dakota Association of the Blind, held October 3-5 in Aberdeen. In addition to a roster of well qualified speakers in this area, workshops were conducted dealing with post-high-school planning and training, the South Dakota vending facility program, and coordination of efforts directed toward improving services to multi-handicapped and deaf-blind children. By way of a bit of change of pace, also included among the speakers was a presentation by Dorothy Clark of Ipswich, South Dakota, very likely the country's only blind deputy sheriff -- and a female blind deputy sheriff, at that! At the Saturday morning business meeting, the membership voted to conduct a raffle with Series A Bonds as prizes, to be the primary fund-raising project for 1976. Adopted at the meeting were resolutions calling upon the Governor and Legislature to preserve independent, identifiable services to blind persons, in accordance with nationally accepted standards for services to the blind; that an itinerant resource teacher program be established for blind and visually handicapped students capable of attending public school, and that serious consideration be given to discontinuing the secondary-education program at the School for the Visually Handicapped, since it duplicates services already available to academically qualified blind persons in their home community; calling upon the State Government to develop affirmative action plans for recruitment, employment and promotion of qualified disabled persons; for amendment of the White Cane Law to provide protection for dog guide users in access to places providing services to the public, and establishing penalties for violations; and encouraging the State of South Dakota to provide more adequate financial support for programs and staffing for the deaf-blind. * 1975 Illinois Convention A wide range of panel discussions and reports highlighted the 1975 convention of the Illinois Federation of the Blind, held in Chicago on the weekend of October 24. Programs for the deaf-blind were discussed in a panel moderated by Robert Barnhart, Field Representative from the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Participants in the discussion were Gail Lieberman, Coordinator, Services for Deaf-Blind Children, Illinois Office of Education, and Miss Geraldine Lawhorn, deaf-blind instructor for the Hadley School for the Blind. Harold Carter, IFB Executive Director, led a discussion of radio reading services, with panelists Joanne Jonson, Communications Center Supervisor, Minnesota Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and two representatives from Radio Station WBEZ, an educational FM station in Chicago. "The Blind in Independent Business" was the topic of a panel led by Robert McCann. Maureen Young told of her radio "talk show" and of her work doing commercials. Bill Warren owns a trailer court; Richard Mize owns a sanitary supply business; and Dave Rutledge owns a bicycle shop. Milton Samuelson, Acting Director, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, spoke concerning the wide variety of programs offered at the Lighthouse and showed a film on that subject. A report on the 1975 ACB national convention was given by IFB President Jack Warren. The Legislative Report, given by Harold Carter, evidenced considerable activity in that area during the past year. Mr. Carter also gave the Executive Director's Report, in which he announced that he would be leaving that position at the end of the year. Official convention business included election of the following officers: Jack Warren, President; Homer Nowatski, First Vice President; Robert O'Shaughnessy, Second Vice President; Sherill O'Brien, Secretary; and Michael Crivello, Treasurer. Resolutions adopted included the following: to repeal the "Turn Right on Red" law; to reorganize rehabilitative services for the blind in Illinois: to establish statewide workshops for the blind; to increase employment of blind and deaf people in state government; and to change the name of the Illinois Federation of the Blind to the American Council of the Blind of Illinois. * Highlights -- Michigan Convention Attitudes for a blind person not to have! This was the theme stressed by Floyd Cargill, Resource Specialist for Blind and Visually Handicapped, Illinois Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, when he represented the American Council of the Blind at the second annual convention of the Michigan Association of the Blind, held in Lansing October 24-26. Among such attitudes, Mr. Cargill specifically mentioned the attitude that blindness is a mere inconvenience -- one which requires millions of dollars for agencies to meet special needs of blind persons -- who then sometimes seek to destroy those same agencies if they cannot control them. The kind of leadership not to have is an insecure person, dominating other insecure people. The American Council, he pointed out, motivates people in a positive, constructive way, and believes that one must know where one is going and be able to think for himself as an individual. Among other timely and provocative topics which stimulated the 183 persons in attendance at the general sessions was an overview by Frank Kurt Cylke, Chief, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, of present and future library services. During the coming year, 1,000 new titles will be recorded, 500 on discs and 500 cassette tape. All recorded magazines are now available on soundsheet records, and it is hoped that soon books, too, may be produced on soundsheets, thus reducing the cost and making available a greater number of copies. Combination cassette and disc machines should be available in limited quantity by mid-1977. Mr. Cylke estimated that 7 million people in the United States are eligible for library service -- two million being blind people and five million being otherwise physically handicapped. The Library now serves 450,000 readers, 90% of whom are visually impaired and 10% physically handicapped. Of the people served, only 4.5% read braille. Richard Estell, Manager of Radio Station WKAR AM/FM, Michigan State University, reported on progress of the radio reading services program. Initially, less than 200 receivers were in use, with programs aired four hours a day, five days a week. The station celebrated its first anniversary on October 1. It now broadcasts eight hours a day to over 800 subcarrier receivers. Dr. Nancy Bryant, Superintendent of the Michigan School for the Blind stated that the mandatory education law was passed on Michigan in 1971 'but was not implemented until 1974. Thirty states now have such a law.' During 1966, half of the population of physically handicapped students was served in community schools. That number has now increased to two-thirds. She emphasized the importance of realistic communication between professionals, parents of blind children, and agencies serving the visually impaired. At the annual banquet, the Robert D. Mahoney Award was presented to Mrs. Betty McWethy of Flint. This award is given in recognition of outstanding, dedicated service to the visually impaired of Michigan. Betty has a long record of caring about blind people and has worked constantly to improve opportunities and services for the blind through local, state, and national organizations. Presently, in addition to her full-time profession as social worker and supervisor of the Comprehensive Adjustment Program of the Service Center for Visually Impaired, she is a member of the ACB Educational Radio Committee, Consumer Participation Committee, and Committee on Centers for the Blind; is a Board member of the Michigan Association of the Blind, and has served as an NAC visitation committee member. From these activities can be seen her interest and dedication in all areas to improve opportunities and services to blind people. * ACB of Maryland By James G. Chandler When the ACB of Maryland held its 6th annual convention in Baltimore November 1, 1975, some of the latest developments in aids for the blind were on display. Everyone got a chance to handle the "Speech Plus" talking calculator being introduced by Telesensory Systems. Paul Liniak, the sales representative, fielded a steady stream of questions and gave a presentation on the main features, including the price ($395), the vocabulary (24 terms), and the size (7" x 4 1/2" x l 1/2"). It is easy to operate, easy to understand, and the volume control, the speech suppressor, and the repeat capability make it adaptable to many special situations. There was also a wide array from Science for the Blind; the experimental Telebook being developed by the MITRE Corporation on contract from the Library of Congress; and a presentation and samples of the Triformation LED-120 computer activated braille printout. This latter device permits instant access by a blind person to the vast data files in computer storage. It can also be activated by a manual keyboard, permitting the braille output to be formatted in unlimited variations, and providing cassette storage of the data being processed. Such output equipment is expensive but for those with access to large-scale central facilities, it opens many possibilities that were previously closed. Short talks brought us up to date on many subjects: State Senator Julian Lapides on the outlook for new legislation; Herbert Wolfe on the Maryland School for the Blind; Louise Emanuel on Blind Industries and Services of Maryland; George Abbott on the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America; and Willard Bryant on the state building code. The speakers went home with one of the greatest of compliments: There were more questions than there was time to answer them. President Joan Bennett and Program Chairman Bob Johnson gave the members a day full of information and fellowship. ***** ** A Tribute to Joe Clunk 1895-1975 (Reprinted from ACB of Maryland Newsletter) Joseph F. Clunk died September 26, 1975 in Catonsville, Maryland. Leonard Robinson, who worked closely with Mr. Clunk in the early days of the D.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Service, refers to him as "positively the greatest blind man who ever lived." Fifty years ago, it was commonly believed that blind persons could not handle machinery. Joseph Clunk proved by doing that a blind person can work with almost any kind of woodworking, metalworking, or industrial equipment. He opened doors for prospective blind employees by showing plant managers what he himself could do. In 1928, he developed the vending stand program in Canada that applied good management principles and became a dependable source of income for blind operators. It was the model on which the Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936 was based. Joseph Clunk's positive outlook and proven accomplishments were an inspiration to blind persons everywhere. ***** ** Here and There Romanian-born professional jazz trumpet player, Vasile Snacoveanu, excels in more than one form of art. He is also a talented woodcarver, whose works were recently displayed during Disabled Artists Week at New York City's Lincoln Center. Mr. Snacoveanu lost his sight and four fingers on his left hand at the age of nine when a terrorist fountain pen bomb exploded in his face in his home town of Iasi, Romania. He recuperated in a training school for the blind and shortly thereafter learned woodcarving and began to play the trumpet. After being jailed several times for listening to Voice of America, Mr. Snacoveanu sought political asylum in Italy and eventually came to the United States. From the Braille Reporter (Washington State). The National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is pleased to announce the opening of its sixth regional office, located in Seattle, Washington. Craig S. Wright, Regional Representative, will be contacting and serving deaf-blind youths and adults throughout the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and North Dakota. From the Bulletin of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Scotland: Alwyn, House, ceres, Fife, the rehabilitation center of the Society for the Welfare and Teaching of the Blind (Edinburgh and southeast of Scotland), has a lapidary section where rehabilitees are taught how to use tumbling machines, a diamond-tipped saw, and a lapping machine. Most of the work is done with Isle of Skye marble, agates, and amethyst quartz. The jewelry being made includes necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. ---- U.K.: Braille bank statements are being produced by a new high-speed automatic method developed by the Warwick Research Unit for the Blind, in association with Lloyds Bank Ltd. The new system enables blind customers to receive their braille statements in only a day or so longer than the regular service for sighted customers. The content of the statement is delivered by the bank in the form of a magnetic tape. This is then run through a small computer connected to an automatic "on line" braille embosser. Although the present printer only operates at 10 characters per second, more advanced machines are capable of 120 characters per second. Further development of the system may make possible the transmission of statement information from the bank direct to the computer, using a telecommunications circuit. Voluntary service should not be a question of a grateful recipient on the one side and a generous donor on the other, but one of people aware of and sensitive to each other's needs, with neither conscious of giving or receiving. --- G.R. Eustance, Liverpool, England. Beep baseball and tandem cycling proved to be the winning combination in a unique fund-raising effort by the Braille Sports Foundation, publisher of Feeling Sports Magazine. On Friday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, in the parking lot of Metropolitan Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and North Stars, ten pairs of enthusiastic tandem cyclists started out for Rochester, Minnesota, ninety miles and two days away. Highlight of the trip was a beep baseball game in which the nearly exhausted BSF team barely managed to squeak out an 11-10 victory over a group of blindfolded surgeons from the world-famous Mayo Clinic, garbed in surgical gowns and masks. Money was raised by selling sponsorships of cyclists and bikes, and 26 sponsors helped raise over $1,300. Braille, Inc., is a professional braille transcribing company specializing in the furnishing of braille materials to adult blind persons on special order, quickly and with guaranteed accuracy, including music, mathematics, and literary braille in English, French, Spanish, and German. For newly transcribed braille, the charge is $.75 per braille page for literary braille and $1.00 per braille page for Nemeth Code or music braille. All braille is delivered in thermoform. For further information, write Braille, Inc., 184 Seapit Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536. Two more agencies have been accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped: the Albany New York Association of the Blind and the Vision Center for Central Ohio in Columbus. This brings the total number of accredited agencies and schools to 59. In addition, NAC also announces the availability of revised standards for vocational services offered by agencies for the blind and visually handicapped. This new publication includes standards for planning for vocational services, vocational rehabilitation personnel, vocational evaluation; work adjustment; vocational training; placement, follow-up and post-employment and evaluation. Copies of the revised Standards may be purchased at $1.50 from the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Suite 1406, 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. The Hadley School for the Blind announces addition of two new courses to its ever-expanding curriculum. "Introduction to Business Management" presents essentials on marketing, advertising, production, accounting, data processing, and law. "Essentials of Nemeth: a Reading Course" deals with the braille code essential for all advanced studies in mathematics. Both courses are available in braille and cassette tape form. For further information, write Student Service Coordinator, Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL 60093. Recording Exchange for the Blind loans cassette tapes of music to any blind person upon payment of a $1.00 membership fee, plus a $.25 handling fee for each tape mailed. This handling charge is a loan fee, since tapes are not for sale. Over 3,000 albums and 1,600 singles of all types of music make up the collection. Write Ray Irwin, 3712 Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55449. --- A survey to determine potential interest in a country music magazine is being conducted by Raymond Rokita, 1515 Ridge Road, Lot 260, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. He invites comments and ideas, preferably in braille. --- Media Projects for the Blind will shortly begin publication of a new braille magazine for women. Miss Lynne Koral is editor-in-chief of the magazine, which will focus on women's issues and activities and also provide selections from current women's literature. Interviews with leading women and a continuing dialogue with its readers will be featured. Those interested are invited to write for a sample issue. The subscription rate is $4.00 per year. Address all inquiries to Media Projects for the Blind, c/o Miss Lynne Koral, 60 E. 12th Street, New York, NY 10003. From VISUALLY HANDICAPPED VIEWS (South Dakota). Ability Tours, Inc., a special tour company with headquarters in Washington, D.C., has announced its 1976 bicentennial tour program for groups of handicapped and elderly travelers. Several group package tours have been arranged, including a four-day tour of Washington, D.C., a three-day tour of Williamsburg, Virginia, and a six-day combination tour of both Washington and Williamsburg. Ability Tours, Inc. was established to expand travel opportunities for handicapped and elderly travelers. The tours offer unique features such as sightseeing itineraries pre-planned for barrier-free access, and tour escorts trained to assist with participants' individual needs. For further information, contact Bruce Berger, 1230 M Street, N.W., Suite 910, Washington, D.C. --- Senator Clairborne Pell (D., R.I.) has introduced legislation (S. 2478) that would guarantee full and equal utilization of transportation, business services, housing and accommodations for blind motor vehicle) from refusing to accept as passengers blind persons because of a person's blindness or his use of a dog guide. The legislation also prohibits owners or operators of public accommodations from refusing to admit or serve a blind person as a result of that person's disability. Owners or operators of housing facilities are likewise prohibited from discriminating against blind persons, nor can they charge additional fees for possible damage that might be caused by dog guides. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The Alfred Allen Award, presented annually by the American Association of Workers for the Blind to an individual whose character and dedication epitomize the spirit and quality of direct service to blind persons was presented this year to Donald Wing Hathaway, recently retired long-time president of the Hadley School for the Blind. In his response at the Association's membership luncheon in Atlanta last July, he commented primarily upon the life of Alfred Allen, and the fact that it was ironical that he was receiving an award named for the man who was the first executive director of the Hadley School. From ILLINOIS BRAILLE MESSENGER: A secretarial training system originally valued at $15,000 was recently donated to the Chicago Lighthouse by Standard Oil Company (Indiana). The MINDMASTER Model 100 Educational System, which includes over 300 cassette tapes, cassette tape recorders, and supportive texts and workbooks, offers courses in mathematics, vocabulary, stenography, and language skills. Sources of Federal Funds: Mrs. Barbara D. McGarry, Specialist in Governmental Relations in the American Foundation for the Blind's Governmental Relations Office, has prepared a listing of Federal programs which may be potential sources of funds for some activities of agencies serving blind persons, entitled "Suggested Sources of Federal Funding for Non-Profit Agencies." The compilation also lists as an appendix Federal regional offices to which agencies may apply. Copies in ink-print or thermoform braille (exclusive of appendix) may be obtained from Governmental Relations Office, American Foundation for the Blind, 1660 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. ***** ** ACB Officers * President: Floyd Qualls, 501 South Douglas Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 * First Vice President: S. Bradley Burson, Sussex House, Apartment 406, 4970 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20014 * 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 ###