The Braille Forum Vol. XIV May-June 1976 No. 6 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 Special Notice Notice to Subscribers "ALL" -- A New Concept, by Floyd Qualls New Horizons for ACB Staff Member, by Mary Ballard Washington Office Expansion, by Floyd Qualls Recipe for a Great Convention, by Joe Register Special-Interest Meeting Notes Publication/Public Relations/Fund Raising Workshop, by Harold Dachtler Enforcing the Law and Preventing Discrimination Against the Handicapped, by Reese Robrahn ACB Accepted by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, by Floyd Qualls Blind Training Firm Faces Financial Ruin Fifth Year of Focus Sees Phenomenon, by Margaret Freer A High Point of Achievement by and for the Blind, Now and for the Future, by LeRoy Saunders White House Conference Rescheduled Genealogy Opens Up to the Blind, by Jean Tyson Latest on Iowa Lawsuit, by Durward K. McDaniel ACCD Second Annual Delegate Assembly Credit Union News: An Introduction to Oklahoma's Federal Credit Union, by Linnie Swink In Memoriam: John F. Nagle, by Philip E. Pofcher Here and There, by Elizabeth Lennon ACB Officers ** Special Notice Please note the following address changes. Effective immediately, all correspondence to the ACB National Office and to the ACB Treasurer should be directed as follows: Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative American Council of the Blind 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 506 Washington, DC 20036 J. Edward Miller, Treasurer American Council of the Blind 1120 Coddington Place Charlotte, NC 28211 ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, in large-type, open-reel tape (dual-track, 3 3/4 ips) and cassette tape. Items intended for publication may be submitted in print, braille, or tape, and should be addressed to Mary T. Ballard, Editor, 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 N. 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. ***** ** "ALL" -- A New Concept By Floyd Qualls A new organization on the scene is really nothing new. From the dawn of history, or near then, men have organized to protect themselves or to advance their common interests. Thousands of organizations exist, and as many as a few of them are organizations of and for the blind. While organizations are in abundance, they strive for selfish interests -- selfish in the sense of "good" for the interests of their own members. Because of this, no comprehensive approach to services for the blind and physically handicapped has been made. Both efforts and results have been fragmentary. Early last fall, the idea of an organization -- an organization of organizations -- came to fruition. This new organization is designed to bring together organizations of and for the blind, for the purpose of reaching unified goals and pressing toward them as one solid force. Before this, each organization established its own objectives and pressed for them, sometimes with cooperation from others, but more frequently on its own. From several planning sessions came a name, a constitution and by-laws. The ACB Constitution states in Article II, Section G., that the Council's purposes are to be achieved "By cooperating with the public and private institutions and agencies of and for the blind." Based on this, and because I hold much optimism for the new organization, I proposed to the Board of Directors that ACB participate in the "Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America." A copy of the proposed Constitution and By-Laws accompanied my recommendation. On January 30 of this year, the Board approved this affiliation. I think you will find the Statement of Purposes impressive. It is quoted here verbatim: A. We advocate the improvement of the social and economic conditions of blind and visually impaired persons. B. We are committed to the delivery of quality services to the blind and visually impaired. C. We are committed to the concept of specialized services for the blind and visually impaired. D. We are committed to the concept of standards and accreditation. E. We are committed to an integrated, democratic, plural society in which every individual is accorded equal rights and equal justice, without regard to race, sex, religion, ethnic origin or handicap, and equal opportunity to enter fully into the general life of society, with mutual acceptance and regard for difference. F. We hold that blind and visually impaired persons share the responsibility for the achievement of these commitments and principles. G. We believe that these goals can and must be achieved through democratic means and within the American political system. H. The responsibility for achieving these principles and goals is shared by all Americans who believe in justice and equality. I. We are committed to the promotion and implementation of these principles and goals. Each affiliated organization will have one representative on the Delegate Assembly, regardless of size or wealth of the affiliated organization. Any organization of or for the blind is eligible for affiliation -- state and national organizations, workshops, agencies, professional organizations, and others. Dues are based on the annual budget of the organization, with a minimum of $100. This is not beyond the reach of very small organizations, and the very large organizations cannot dominate policies or procedures. ACB affiliates are urged to become members of the Affiliated Leadership League. If the annual budget is not more than $500,000, annual dues are $100. For applications and additional information, write Mr. Joseph Larkin, Treasurer, in care of the Industrial Home for the Blind, 57 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The Constitution provides that the chairperson of the Delegate Assembly be selected from an organization of the blind. He is also the chairperson of the Executive Board, which functions on behalf of the League between meetings of the Delegate Assembly. Mr. Durward McDaniel will serve as chairperson until the first Delegate Assembly, scheduled for July 11 and 12 at Hot Springs or Little Rock. The bringing together of many individual interests to achieve a common goal is a refreshing new idea in organizations. ***** ** New Horizons for ACB Staff Member By Mary Ballard Anyone who has called the ACB Washington Office over the past three years has come to know and to anticipate with pleasure that friendly "American Council!" at the other end of the line. Kathy Megivern joined the ACB staff in 1973, and from the very beginning it was evident that she was more than just a 9:00-to-5:00 secretary. Kathy attended conventions at Knoxville, Chicago and Mobile and seemed truly ubiquitous —-- spending long hours at the registration desk, present on the platform and at countless meetings, running innumerable errands for innumerable people from morning till night -- and still finding time to mingle with and make many friends among conventioners. She took an active interest in national health care legislation and wrote articles on that and other timely subjects for the Braille Forum. And when last summer it became necessary, almost on the spur of the moment, to make an alternative arrangement for production of the cassette edition, Kathy stepped in as reader, and with the help of Richard Patrick of ACB of Maryland on duplication, that friendly voice has become familiar to ACB members all over the country. But either we were not able to keep Kathy busy enough or she has found the secret of going beyond the limitations of a 24-hour day. Last fall (in her spare time), she began studying law evenings at Catholic University of America. Thus, it was with sincere regret, but not really with surprise, that when I called the office recently, I learned Kathy was leaving as of May 5. She has been offered a clerkship with a Washington law firm, an opportunity too good to pass up. Along with my regrets and good wishes came a question which apparently had already been asked by others: "Will you still read the cassette Forum?" She assures us she will! May I extend personally, as Editor of the Braille Forum, and on behalf of ACB sincere thanks to you, Kathy, for your efforts on behalf of the American Council, and best wishes for the future. ***** ** Washington Office Expansion By Floyd Qualls Some eight years ago, the American Council of the Blind, by an act of its Board of Directors, opened the Washington office. There were some misgivings at the time as to ACB's readiness for this giant step. Subsequent events have proved that the Board action was based on good judgment, and today ACB's National Office is constantly called upon for consultation and direction by both legislators and other organizations in the field of blindness. The cover of this issue of the Braille Forum will list the current address of the National Office. This is the second move since the office was first opened. Each time, the move has been made necessary because additional space was essential. The Washington staff was very fortunate in securing the Connecticut Avenue address. A lease held by a firm of architects was taken over. Approximately three times as much space is available here as the office had at the 18th Street address. The Board of Directors at the November, 1975 meeting approved a contingency budget, which the President was authorized to implement in full or in part, when in his judgment the Council was in a position to finance it. This budget included expansion of the Washington staff. Mr. McDaniel, with the aid of one secretary, has delivered a tremendous amount of work, but it has been impossible for him to meet all of the demands for his time and services. In mid-December, I appointed Reese Robrahn to assist in the Washington Office as Director of Research and Governmental Affairs. For many months prior to his appointment, Reese had volunteered his time and talents to the Council. Since his appointment, he has been assigned duties and responsibilities which have made it possible for Durward to devote more attention to pressing matters which heretofore had to be shelved strictly because there was not enough manpower, and not enough hours in the day, to attend to them. Mr. Robert D. Carter was added to the staff recently as Administrative Coordinator. Mr. Carter spent from 1942 through 1945 in the United States Air Force in World War II. He retired after 22 years as budget and finance officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. From 1971 until coming to ACB, he was Administrative Director and Acting Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association, Washington, D.C. His background and experience indicate superior qualifications to meet his duties with ACB. The addition of these two staff persons will require an additional secretary. With this staff, the Council is in a position to more nearly meet its obligations to its members and to carry out the programs assigned to the Washington Office by the National Convention. It is a major step forward in the Council's growth. Its many advantages will be quite apparent as the Washington Office uses this additional staff. Reese is, of course, thoroughly acquainted with the American Council and its objectives. Mr. Carter is no stranger to work with and for the blind. We can look forward to ACB's visibility and influence becoming more prominent in the days ahead. ***** ** Recipe for a Great Convention By Joe Register 1776 -- Charity with Dependence 1976 -- Independence with Dignity Ingredients: Use one beautiful resort location such as the Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Roll out one outstanding program. Sprinkle with entertainment, recreation, and other assorted fun. Add a large portion of Arkansas hospitality. Bring to a boil on July 7, stirring frequently until July 10, and you have one delicious ACB convention. Serve all a generous helping. Guaranteed to contain ingredients that will stimulate the taste buds of individual conventioners. As you noticed, the ingredient that serves as the basic foundation for all the other ingredients is the program. So now let us roll it out. Question: Have you wondered what effects the trend toward large, centralized departments in Federal and state government has had on state agencies serving the blind? You can find out the first afternoon of the convention from Mr. A.A. (Bob) Mallas, President of Management Services Associates, of Austin, Texas, who made a study of this matter, the results of which are very significant and somewhat alarming. What have you heard about the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals and the potential long-range results this could have on the lives of handicapped individuals in the United States? You will have an opportunity to hear about plans for this extremely important conference from the Executive Director, Jack Smith, of Washington, D.C. Have you had difficulty keeping up with new developments in research and technology affecting blind persons? You can be brought up-to-date quickly on Thursday morning in three major areas. First, what is new in low vision will be discussed by Dr. George Helinger, who operates the Industrial Home for the Blind Low-Vision Clinic, New York City. What is new in ophthalmology will be covered by Dr. Fritz Fraunfelder, Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. With the proliferation of so many technical devices for the blind in the past several years, such as reading and mobility aids, it is difficult for blind persons to keep abreast of what is really happening. Therefore, because of the research and evaluation of such devices being carried on by the Veterans Administration, a representative of that organization will be on hand to bring conventioners up to date in this very important area. Do you have friends who belong to the Blinded Veterans Association, and have you been curious as to what programs they have going? The president, Mr. Jerry Monroe, of Bricktown, New Jersey, will be on hand on Thursday morning to inform us. Do you hear everyone around you talking about affirmative action plans and programs, but you have been unsure what it all means? You will get the straight scoop as to the potential of such programs for employment of handicapped individuals from two different aspects: first, from a representative of the United States of Labor, which oversees affirmative action programs with employers having Federal contracts; and second, from a representative of the Civil Service Commission who is responsible for the affirmative action programs for the handicapped in Federal agencies. Also, the Civil Service representative will discuss the problems some blind persons have encountered in applying for Federal employment and taking Civil Service examinations. What are the trends in this country in serving blind persons, especially in areas such as education, private facilities, and state agencies? On Friday morning, these trends will be discussed by a panel of notable experts, including such people as Dr. Roy Kumpe, Executive Director of the Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind and International Services for the Blind; also Mr. Louis H. Rives, Administrator of the Arkansas Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired and President of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. How many blind persons do you know in radio broadcasting? Ah! You say you know several. But how many blind persons do you know in radio and television broadcasting? You will get the chance to meet and hear such a rare person on Friday morning in the person of Ed Walker, co-host of a TV program called "A.M. Washington." How about it, sports enthusiasts? It looks like a great year for enjoying sports events, and especially the Summer Olympics. But did you know there is going to be a Special Olympics for the blind in Canada this summer, too? Find out all about it from the man who helped organize it, Dr. Charles Buell of San Juan Capistrano, California, a noted physical educator. What is the situation of blind women in the world? There was an international conference on this subject in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, attended by two of our very own ACB members, Billie Elder of Little Rock and Alma Murphey of St. Louis. They will join us on Friday morning to discuss this very important conference. Have you long admired the determination and courage of our friends who are both deaf and blind? You will have the privilege to hear an outstanding speaker concerning the future for deaf-blind persons in the United States, Geraldine Lawhorn, a member of the faculty of the Hadley School for the Blind and also a member of the ACB Committee for Deaf-Blind Adults. Of course, on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon, it is the important business of business. You are reminded again that this is an election year. Resolutions, Constitution and By-Laws amendments, committee reports, and the elections will require your full attention and attendance at all three business sessions, with adjournment scheduled for 5:00 P.M. on Saturday. Remember, the Constitution provides that Constitution and By-Laws amendments must be submitted in writing on or before the first day of the convention. This year's Constitution and By-Laws Committee chairman is Vernon Daigle, 5230 Wilson Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122. Gordon Haldiman, 5353 North Berkeley Boulevard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217, is chairman of the Resolutions Committee. He asks that proposed resolutions, typewritten or braille, be in the hands of the committee by the evening preceding the first business session. The recipe calls for sprinkling on the entertainment, recreation, and other assorted fun. On Monday evening, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America will host an Anniversary Dance to celebrate the fortieth year since passage of the all-important Randolph-Sheppard Act. Everyone is welcome. On Tuesday evening, the National Association of Blind Teachers and the National Alliance of Blind Students are co-sponsoring a pool-side party to which all are invited. The annual Awards Gala will take place Wednesday evening, followed by an old-fashioned hoe-down sponsored by the National Alliance of Blind Students. Other fun features were mentioned in the March-April issue of the Braille Forum. You remember: hunting diamonds, walking tours of the National Park, duck rides over the lakes, and an old-fashioned Arkansas barbecue on the shores of Lake Hamilton. Don't forget your hiking shoes, swimming suits, and appetites. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! This best describes the kind of speaker that is being secured for the annual ACB banquet on Friday evening. But, unfortunately, at this time we can only promise that the speaker is a headliner. The dates are July 4-10, with the main convention to convene on Wednesday afternoon, July 7. Place, the Arlington Hotel, Central Avenue and Fountain Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901. Special ACB convention rates: $14 for a single room, $18 for a double. To be assured of hotel reservations, your reservation request must reach Hot Springs on or before June 25. For plane reservations directly into Hot Springs, conventioners are urged to use the convention travel service being extended by Frontier Air Lines. Their toll-free number is 800 525-1138. If you cannot get reservations directly into Hot Springs and must come through Little Rock, limited ground transportation will be available at $3 per person (see pre-registration form). Cabs are expensive, and there is no regular limousine service. Trailways buses leave Little Rock for Hot Springs at 7:00 and 10:00 a.m., 12:20, 2:20, 5:15 and 9:25 P.M. For pre-registration forms or additional information, write Miss Billie Haymes, Registration Chairman, 1976 ACB Convention Committee, 1807 Maple Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114. Well, the program has been rolled out, and it looks like there is something for everyone. The question this year may not be, "Can I afford to go to the ACB convention?" but, "Can I afford not to go?" Y'all come! ***** ** Special Interest Meeting Notes Any "main dish" such as the one described in the preceding "Recipe for a Great Convention" should, in all fairness, be accompanied and complemented by appetizers sufficient in quantity and quality to stimulate the gourmet tastes of all ACB conventioners. Your attention is invited, therefore, to the wide range of special-interest conferences and seminars to be held from Sunday, July 4, through Wednesday noon, July 7. Each special-interest affiliate is sending out its own conference announcement, and information on any of the meetings listed below may be obtained from the ACB National Office. The following schedule and notes will be of interest to conventioners and readers not familiar with the wider range of interests and activities which are the concerns of the American Council of the Blind and its affiliates: American Blind Lawyers Association — July 4-7: Conference to include such topics as "Administrative Law Practice Before Federal Agencies Especially in the Field of Public Lands and Minerals"; "Commencing the Practice Law as a Private Practitioner"; "Effects of No-Fault Insurance on the Practice of Law"; and "Civil Rights and the Handicapped." ACB Service Net -- July 4-10: The Net will maintain a "ham shack" at the hotel throughout Convention Week; business meeting July 7. Guide Dog Users, Inc. -- July 5-6: "Consumer Rehabilitation Counseling Services and Employer Interface." National Alliance of Blind Students -- July 4-7: Job hunting; Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity legislation. National Association of Blind Teachers -- July 4-6: Discussion in such areas as the blind teacher in the public classroom and in the residential school; entering the teaching profession -- problems and opportunities; recruitment and placement of blind teachers; and teaching at the college level -- where is the market? Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America -- July 4-7: Program to include seminars on marketing, legislation, etc. Visually Impaired Data Processors International -- July 4-7. Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association -- July 4-7: Topics include history of the visually impaired secretary and transcriber demonstration of aids and devices for the blind secretary; "Today and Tomorrow" -- panel; "Teaching Transcription One at a Time"; "Future Employment for Advancement in Clerical and Secretarial Occupations." World Council of Blind Lions — July 4-6: Banquet Tuesday evening, July 6 -- Main speaker, James M. Fowler of Little Rock, past International Director. Advocacy Workshop, sponsored by Rehabilitation Teachers -- July 5: Sessions led by O.E. Catledge and Sam Negrin, both associated with the American Foundation for the Blind, and both well qualified to help ACB members learn the important role of advocacy and how to become effective advocates. Publication/Public Relations/Fund Raising Workshop -- July 6: See detailed article elsewhere in this issue of the Braille Forum. Seminar on Citizen Consumer Participation -- July 7. Credit Union Workshop -- July 7. ***** ** Blinded Veterans Workshop -- July 7 Publications/Public Relations/Fund-Raising Workshop By Harold Dachtler In the January-February issue of the Braille Forum, O.L. Joiner, chairman of the American Council of the Blind's Public Service Committee, outlined some general considerations for a workshop to be held at the forthcoming convention in Hot Springs. As chairman of the ACB Board of Publications and co-chairman of the workshop, I wish here to give some specific data as to the content and function of such a workshop. We wish to encourage as many affiliates as possible to have representatives present. The more varied the representation, the greater the output. As a result of the workshop, we hope to be able to put together a compilation of data for affiliate use. The workshop is scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, July 6, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The time will be divided equally among the three topics to be covered: publications, public relations, and fund-raising. We plan to have resource persons available for each segment. By evaluating interest and participation in this workshop, we will be able to determine areas which would warrant more thorough and separate workshops at future conventions. None of the three areas covered will be taken up by a speaker who will use the allotted time. Rather, each section will be open to comments, questions, problems and suggestions put forth by those present. Publications: Most affiliates produce some type of publication, whether it be a magazine. information folder, or the like. Therefore, the time will be used to deal with all types of publications. May I encourage you to send me a copy of any and all types of publications your affiliate produces? These should be sent to Harold Dachtler, 600 West Rouse Street, Lansing, MI 48910. Might I also encourage you to bring a supply of varied publications to the session to pass out to those present. Mary Ballard will be present to deal with matters related to periodical production, and I will assist with other types of publications. Fund-Raising: Every affiliate has some program or policy which it follows for the raising of necessary funds for affiliate needs. Would you be willing to tell us how you raise funds? If sales is one of your methods, would you share with us information regarding type of merchandise sold, names and addresses of suppliers, and selling techniques? O.L. Joiner hopes to compile a directory of such information which can be made available to all affiliates. Some funds are raised through solicitation programs. If you have used such a method, would you kindly share it with us? Public Relations: O.L. Joiner will handle the last segment of the program. He will not only relate the first two portions of the afternoon's presentation to public relations, but he will be able to add much of value. Samplings of public-relations materials would be appreciated. How have you used radio, TV, newspapers and the like in promotional endeavors? As you will note, we hope to do much in a short time. If time is short, then we will be aware of future greater need for such workshops. ***** ** Enforcing the Law and Preventing Discrimination Against the Handicapped By Reese Robrahn The 1973 Rehabilitation Act contains a provision prohibiting discrimination against handicapped individuals in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. That provision is short and simple and reads as follows: Section 504. No otherwise qualified individual in the United States as defined in Section 7(7), shall, solely by reason of his handicap, b; excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Quite significantly, except for the references to "handicapped individual" and "handicap," it is noteworthy that the language of Section 504 is the language, verbatim, of Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. However, you will note that the Congress, in drafting Section 504, quoted above in its entirety, made no provision for complaint procedure for violations, no provision for enforcement of compliance, and no provision directing the issuance of standards or guidelines or promulgation of rules and regulations. At the time of the passage of the 1974 Amendments to the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Congress, in its Conference Committee report, made the observation that no progress had been made toward implementation of Section 504, restated its intent in passing the section as a part of the Act, and clarified the scope of the section. Notwithstanding this action of Congress and the many complaints lodged by organizations of handicapped individuals such as the American Council of the Blind, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the Executive Branch of Government took no steps. Rumors concerning the section were rampant. It was rumored from time to time that the promulgation of regulations by the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of HEW was imminent; that the Office of the Attorney General was about to issue a ruling that the section applied only to programs and activities administered by the Department of HEW; and that an Executive Order was about to be issued. In March of this year, a handicapped individual and an organization of handicapped individuals commenced a court action against the Department of HEW and the Secretary for affirmative injunctive relief, seeking an order from the court requiring the issuance of regulations. The handicapped individual is confined to a wheelchair, and his petition in the case was narrow and very limited because it was predicted on lack of access to programs by reason of architectural barriers. With the cooperation of the Children's Defense Fund, a motion in the case was filed by the American Council of the Blind, the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and the National Association of the Deaf to intervene as parties plaintiff, to put at issue in the case the promulgation of regulations appropriate to the scope of the section in accordance with the intent of Congress. On April 26, the motion was presented and argued, and the court ruled summarily that it had no intention of permitting the issues of the case to be expanded, and the motion was denied. On April 30, the President of the United States did indeed issue an Executive Order on Section 504. That order reads in part as follows: NONDISCRIMINATION WITH RESPECT TO THE HANDICAPPED IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS ... and in order to provide for consistent implementation within the Federal Government of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. The Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare shall coordinate the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, hereinafter referred to as Section 504, by all Federal departments and agencies empowered to extend Federal financial assistance to any program or activity. The Secretary shall establish standards for determining who are handicapped individuals and guidelines for determining what are discriminatory practices, within the meaning of Section 504 ... Section 2. In order to implement the provisions of Section 504, each Federal department and agency empowered to provide Federal financial assistance shall issue rules, regulations, and directives, consistent with the standards and procedures established by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare ... In view of the foregoing Executive Order, the three organizations which filed the motion to intervene in the court action referred to above have elected to take a wait-and-see position for the time being. If there is further and persistent inaction on the part of HEW, then the way is still open to us for the commencement of court action quite separate and apart from the court action now pending. ***** ** ACB Accepted by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights By Floyd Qualls Resolution 75-20, unanimously adopted at the Mobile convention, authorized the President "to effect participation of the American Council of the Blind in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights." This has been achieved. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights is a voluntary, non-partisan association of autonomous national organizations seeking to advance civil rights of all Americans through governmental action at the national level. The Conference now (with ACB) has 137 members, which gives it considerable influence when speaking to legislation affecting civil rights. The blind and physically handicapped are all too often excluded from civil rights legislation. Discrimination against sex, race, religion, and ethnic origin is spelled out, but blindness and handicapping conditions rarely are cited. ACB's participation in Leadership Conference is the first national organization of blind or handicapped individuals to be accepted by the Conference. Participation in the Conference in no way interferes with ACB's autonomy, nor does it commit ACB to support any action in which it does not concur. No public statement of the Conference will list as supporting such statement any member organization without the member's consent. Section 5, Paragraph B., of the By-Laws states: "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 on the participating organizations." Section 6 of the same paragraph says: "Where 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 or action without their express authority." With these assurances, ACB has everything to gain and nothing to lose. We can enlist support from the Conference on programs of specific interest to the blind and have a far better chance of getting "blind and physically handicapped" written into legislation to eliminate discrimination against other groups. The fact the AFL-CIO is an active participating member greatly strengthens the effectiveness of the Leadership Conference and can result in a vastly broadened base of support for our cause. Roy Wilkins, the venerable leader of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, is the chairperson of the Leadership Conference. In the months and years ahead, the blind and physically handicapped will reap many benefits because of ACB's participation in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. ***** ** Blind Training Firm Faces Financial Ruin (Reprinted from the San Diego Union, March 19, 1976) (Editor's Note: California Industries for the Blind is one of 87 institutions affiliated with National Industries for the Blind. Catherine Skivers and Robert Campbell, who are well known as leading persons in the American Council of the Blind and in its California affiliate, the Associated Blind of California, are on the present Board of Directors of CIB. Speaker Pro Tempore introduced the legislation referred to in this article, Assembly Bill 4094, March 19, 1976. Since there are lawsuits pending and numerous audit exceptions taken by the State, it is apparent that this major institution for the blind will be in the news for some time. The Associated Blind of California is supporting Assembly Bill 4094.) Failure Admitted by State: The State admitted yesterday that it had failed to properly supervise California Industries for the Blind since the training system was handed to private operations four years ago, and said the statewide operation is on the verge of bankruptcy. The State said it was mismanagement by the operators that resulted in unpaid debts in excess of $1 million, but agreed that State officials did little monitoring, gave poor supervision, and did almost no auditing, as required under a trust agreement. The Industries for the Blind, operated by the State for many years, was turned over to private operators in 1971 under a Reagan Administration policy, approved by the Legislature, of getting the State out of many functions the Governor felt private enterprise could better operate. Value Reported: Buildings in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Emeryville worth $6 million and an inventory of raw materials worth $800,000 were turned over to a new non-profit corporation formed by a former employee of the state agency for the blind. Yesterday Ed Roberts, director of the State Department of Rehabilitation, told the Legislature in a report that the firm needs $300,000 immediately just to pay its debts, meet its pay roll, and purchase raw materials to fill about $1 million in Federal orders. Under the trust agreement with the State, the corporation was required, in exchange for the buildings and inventory, to teach the blind a useful occupation. The State was required to monitor, supervise, audit, and give advice. Job Problems: A spokesman for the State said if bankruptcy is declared, the Rehabilitation Department would have to find jobs for the 150 blind employees at the three factories. In San Diego, the former State facility at 1344 F Street has a normal complement of thirty or more blind employees and several staff members. Yesterday it reported eighteen have been laid off because it did not have the cash to pay for supplies to fill orders, and only twelve were working, including four trainees. All officers and members of the Board of Directors were forced out of the private corporation in November, a State official said, and a suit has been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in an attempt to recover an estimated $231,000. The new Board chairman, San Diego attorney Robert Deems, said the day the officers left, they received checks totaling $31,000 in severance pay. He said this almost wiped out the firm's cash. Recovery Sought: The Court, he said, is also asked to recover about $200,000 in funds which Deems alleges went for unauthorized salary increases, improper contracts with friends, and other general misuse of funds. The Legislature was told that because of Deems' new direction and the presence of other corporate officers elected last year, the financial picture "holds a promise of change," but Roberts did not predict survival. Roberts said he also would not seek collection of this year's annual $85,000 payment to the State on a note the State holds for the $800,000 in raw materials provided when the State stepped out. He said none of the annual payments have been made. Too Optimistic: Cal Pitts, Public Relations Officer for the Rehabilitation Department, said that under the Reagan Administration, the annual reports to the Legislature had been too rosy, too optimistic, on the operation of the Blind Industries. Another official blamed "cronyism" for the problem, contending the former State employee who operated the Industry was so well connected in the State that he once was able to have a State auditor transferred when he came down hard on their lack of proper accounting. Deems said attempts to reconstruct events of the past few years led him to believe that the Industry was not replacing raw materials as they were used, thus easing their own substance, consuming the inventory. Quick Use Told: He said the $800,000 in raw materials given them by the State were quickly used up and never replaced. He estimated the present outstanding debts at $1.3 million owed to suppliers of raw materials, the State, and to various banks for loans. "Our employees have tried to loan us money," he said, "to continue to operate, and reluctantly they even offered to take vouchers instead of pay. But it's just too risky for them, so I wouldn't allow it." The Blind Centers produce a variety of products for sale mostly to government agencies, including deck swabs for the Navy, web belts for all the Armed Services, a wide variety of floor-care tools, and seatbelts for automobiles. Works on Bill: Deems said he is working with Assemblyman John Knox (D., Richmond) on a bill that would put the organization on its feet if it passes the Legislature and is signed by Governor Brown. The bill would give title in $6 million in buildings to the Blind Industries, thus allowing a mortgage to wipe out old debts, get working capital, and begin operating at full strength again -- something that has not been done, said Deems, for about eighteen months. Pitts identified the former officers of the Industry as James Gibson of Los Angeles, President; Anthony Mannino of Los Angeles, Chairman of the Board; Charles (Ed) Grant, head of Rehabilitation; and Gerald Gibson, bookkeeper. None of the four could be reached for comment. Tells of Action: He said James C. Gibson was formerly employed by the State and worked with the State-run blind agency until it was turned over to a non-profit agency which Gibson was instrumental in forming with a friend, Mannino. Deems said creditors recently got together and gave the firm a six-months moratorium on attempts to collect their debts, thus providing time to get the bill through the Legislature. "We have a breather now," he said, "but without that bill we are going to go belly up in six months." ***** ** Fifth Year of Focus Sees Phenomenon By Margaret E. Freer I know a man who was out of touch. He'd sit in the house and wouldn't say much. Like a man with a tiger outside his gate, He couldn't relax, he couldn't relate. Neil Diamond goes on in his ballad to say, "Now he can." The man might easily be a newly blinded person. The reason for his ability to cope: a group called FOCUS. This Milwaukee-based Family Oriented Counseling for Understanding Light-Loss, as its title denotes, is headed by ACB members Gordon Haldiman and Richard Pomo. Their concern for people with sight problems reaches out beyond their daily jobs of social counseling, to Saturday sessions which could include family members often absent week-days. Conceived five years ago, funded by the Fay MacBeath Foundation, FOCUS has grown in graduates and concepts. Though true to its original idea of serving as a "bridge to rehabilitation," it emphasizes creation of positive attitudes in new blindness as being the first step. When this is accomplished through catharsis of talking out feelings and frustrations that sight loss brings, one is ready to go down his own chosen rehabilitation pathway. Often obscured by bureaucratic titles, services available to those in need are pointed up by FOCUS, which acts as a guide to agencies, aids, and appliances needs, and a myriad of services, erasing the time lapse between onset and help. A phenomenon that has been noted in the past two years, with the growth of the no-red-tape service, is that of persons seeking help immediately upon the prognosis of oncoming blindness. Though medical science may still hold answers for some, people need the assurance that, should the curtain finally come down, they will be able to cope with the challenge. FOCUS offers its free services to those with visual problems just this side of "legal anointing" as a blind person, necessary to receive most state and Federal assistance. Eliminating this confusion (in addition to that of sight loss) seems one step ahead of present programs. When attitudinal adjustment has been accomplished and the inevitable accepted, the person applying for rehabilitative programs is ready for new goals in life. The return of FOCUS graduates as resource persons, telling of detoured lives, lends encouragement to those temporarily grounded by blindness. Sometimes this detour has led to the discovery of a buried talent, offering an interesting new life style. Legally blind are led to educational opportunities or new work avenues, more competent in new roles because of FOCUS initiation. Family members, too, gain understanding and knowledge of how to live with a new situation. As one participant wrote: "I saw mutual understanding emerge from bitterness and despair. Where there was a smiling mask, I saw a genuine smile. Where there was silence, I later heard a poem. From out of chaos came acceptance and serenity. Those who have shared in the "gut-level" open forum discussions and later been fortunate to have had sight return, or partial sight, perhaps through new surgical techniques, feel the 16-week sessions have broadened their understanding of the shoes a blind person wears. Many go to serve in causes that help the blind population. They become a ready reference for the ones in their circle or friends or family to whom fate might point next. (Note: Gordon Haldiman is a DVR counselor for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Social Services, Health, Education and Welfare, Milwaukee Office. Richard Pomo's position is with the Milwaukee County Director of Family Counseling of Handicapped Children.) ***** ** A High Point of Achievement by and for the Blind -- Now and for the Future By LeRoy Saunders December 12, 1975, was probably just another day for most people, except it meant Christmas was drawing near. To the people at the Oklahoma League for the Blind, it was a very eventful day, in that it was the day the League began moving to its new facility. This new facility is located at 501 North Douglas Avenue, Oklahoma City. It was purchased in September, 1973. The property was acquired from the Lone Star Brewing Company, and the main building consisted of approximately 70,500 square feet, distributed over five floors. In addition, 4.3 acres of land was acquired with the building, which gives tremendous potential for future expansion as needed. Many hours went into the planning and the assembling of money to do the renovation necessary to change a brewery building into a rehabilitation facility for the visually handicapped of Oklahoma. The monies were raised through a Federal grant, private donations and foundation grants, for a total sum of $635,000. The actual renovation of the building commenced on March 15, 1975 and was completed by the date the move was started, except for installation of the elevator. This new facility will allow the League to expand for many years to come. At the present time, we are only using 40,000 square feet of the available space, which is actually encompassed on the first two floors. Already our rehabilitation services have been expanded and we are now offering a much more comprehensive service to the visually impaired than we were able to offer before. More vocational courses will be set up in the future, and there is also space to expand the workshop services. Needless to say, the staff and all the employees of the Oklahoma League for the Blind feel extremely fortunate to have a new facility of this type. April 30, 1976 was the dedication day for this facility. Heading the program was Governor David Boren of Oklahoma and Mayor Patience Latting of Oklahoma. This organization was founded in 1949 by a group of visually handicapped people who saw the need for the type of services for the visually impaired of the state that the League has developed. So for them, and for many other people who have been involved with the League for many years, this is certainly a dream come true. ***** ** White House Conference Rescheduled President Ford has authorized extension of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals to May 25-29, 1977, from December, 1976, to provide additional time for a more thorough assessment of the problems facing mentally and physically handicapped Americans. The authorization was made possible by the Congress in response to a request from the Conference's National Planning and Advisory Council. "A spring, 1977 conference is strongly supported by many of the states and by various organizations for the handicapped," the President said in making the announcement. "This will allow the states time to plan their conferences properly and involve more people, especially the handicapped. This should contribute to a better national conference." Planning is under way to conduct conferences in every state and territory, and governors have appointed state White House Conference directors, 37 of whom are disabled individuals. State conferences are expected to be held between July 1 and December 15, 1976. "A high degree of importance is being placed on the findings and priorities that emerge from state conferences," added Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., chairman of the Conference's National Planning and Advisory Council. "The National Conference to be held at the Washington Hilton Hotel will then mirror the state deliberations," added Jack F. Smith, Executive Director. The entire conference should have a profound impact on private, state, and Federal action for the next decade. ***** ** Genealogy Opens Up to the Blind By Jean Tyson Diane Dieterle likes old things -- her family, for instance, from the time the first one was born. She likes for other people to like their old family members, also. Diane Dieterle is a genealogist and has been teaching others how to get their pedigree chart in order for eighteen years. Now she is into a new area of genealogy, an area that hasn't been touched by anyone before. Mrs. Dieterle has established the Genealogical Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Inc. It is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. "I thought there must be some way the blind could learn to do this. This is a new thing, something no one else has done, and it looked like it would be fun. "Pedigree charts usually go across the page. I figured it would be easier for the blind to go down the page. The important thing is to get the right information in the right place. It really doesn't matter what style you use. "I had to learn braille to figure out which was the best method for the blind. I went to the Atlanta Services for the Blind and got a slate and stylus to begin with. The people at the Georgia Library for the Blind sent me a book and I taught myself braille." Mrs. Dieterle has written a genealogical textbook and will adapt it for the blind. "There is no genealogical library for the blind and nothing in print for them. There was no one to help them get started. All they really need to know. is what to do. As long as they can write everything down, they can work with this. "We will provide genealogical materials and instruction by correspondence for the blind. I know from experience that most genealogy work can be done by correspondence. "We don't plan to do the work for the blind, but show them how and assist them in doing it themselves. We already have twelve blind people registered with us and doing their family pedigrees. Once you get the information you know written down, you can see what is missing and go from there. "Some of the blind people I work with write to me in braille, but most of them type. I send out materials to them in either braille or large type for the legally blind, or on cassette tape. "The blind are very interested in this. It is a hobby they can do. Genealogy is the third largest hobby now, behind stamp and coin collecting. The blind can't do either one of those. "The deaf are interested in this, also. We will serve all handicapped people who want to learn this. It used to be the only people interested in genealogy were the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mormons. Today everybody is interested. People are interested in their families now because society has gotten into such a mess. We have a very uprooted society and people like to know from where they came. "This sort of thing draws a family closer together. You find many relatives you didn't know about. ... " Mrs. Dieterle also is director of the Genealogical Library in Sandy Springs, a branch of the Genealogical Society Library of the Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. This library acts as an agent for the library in Salt Lake City. "We get their microfilms on inter-library loan. This library is open to the public. My work with the branch library is not related to my work with the Genealogical Library for the Blind. My work with the blind is not connected with the Church." However, she became interested in genealogy through the Church. "I had gotten married and gone to Texas. I was pregnant all the time so I couldn't go back to school. I read a manual on genealogy and fell into it. I wrote a family history -- mine. This got me into it. "We in the Church believe we will live as a family in the next life. We have to perform certain evidence of faith. We can't do the Temple work for our families if we don't know who they were." (Mrs. Dieterle's address is: 4176 English Oak Drive, Doraville, GA 30340.) ***** ** Latest on Iowa Lawsuit By Durward K. McDaniel The District Court of Polk County, Iowa, has dismissed a suit which was filed by eighteen Iowans on July 15, 1972. The suit asked that the director and board members of the Iowa Commission for the Blind be enjoined from using Federal and State funds to promote the interests of the National Federation of the Blind and its affiliates, and business interests of certain Commission employees. Testimony of some of the plaintiffs was taken by the defendants in deposition proceedings. The plaintiffs issued seventeen interrogatories to the defendants which were not answered. The case was never fully tried, but early in 1973 the District Court issued a summary judgment in favor of the defendants. This was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, which reversed the judgment on March 19, 1975. Back in the District Court, plaintiffs confronted two new problems -- first, the court file was missing, and second, the Court Clerk issued a notice based on Section 215.1 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, which would, if applicable, have required the case to be tried or dismissed prior to January 1, 1976. Plaintiffs asked the Court for more time, contending that the rule did not apply to this case, but the request was denied and a dismissal entered on January 2, 1976. The plaintiffs filed another motion seeking to avoid the effect of the rule, but it, too, was denied. Any application to reinstate the case must be filed within six months. The dismissal was without prejudice to the filing of a new suit by the same or other plaintiffs, and it is subject to an appeal to the State Supreme Court. As we go to press, no intended actions have been announced. ***** ** ACCD Second Annual Delegate Assembly On April 25-26-27, delegate representatives of national, state, and local member organizations of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities convened at Washington, D. C. for the Coalition's second annual meeting. The three days were filled with important business such as consideration of many proposed by-laws amendments, resolutions, and the election, as well as many interesting program features. Eunice Fiorito was elected to a second term as president, and Reese Robrahn was elected to a two-year term as director. Eunice Fiorito is Director of the Mayor's Office for the Handicapped, New York City, and is president of the American Council of the Blind of New York State. Reese Robrahn is the immediate past president of the American Council of the Blind, and he recently joined the Washington staff of the Council as Director of Research and Governmental Affairs. Perhaps the highlight of the meeting was the political forum conducted as the evening session on the 25th. This consisted of the appearance of representatives of four of the candidates for nomination to the office of President of the United States. The four candidates sent their representatives on the invitation of the Coalition, and they were: Ford, Carter, Church, and Udall. Each was allowed fifteen minutes to speak, and each submitted to questions from the audience for fifteen minutes. This is probably a first for any organization of handicapped citizens. Another important feature of the program was the appearance of high Government officials to discuss and respond to questions concerning issues of vital interest to handicapped individuals. These included Dr. Henry Viscardi, Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals; Martin H. Gerry, Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Department of HEW; Stanley B. Thomas, Assistant Secretary, Office of Human Development, Department of HEW, and Chairperson of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; Ward McCreedy, Director of Affirmative Action for Handicapped Individuals, Office of Federal Contract Compliance, Department of Labor; and Andrew S. Adams, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of HEW. To the Coalition, and especially to Eunice Fiorito for her tireless energy and work as spokeswoman for the Coalition and for all handicapped individuals of this nation, hats off! ***** ** Credit Union News An Introduction to Oklahoma's Federal Credit Union for Blind People By Linnie Swink In 1953, a small group of blind people decided that the time was right to form a credit union to serve blind people all over the State of Oklahoma. A credit union is a group of people who agree to pool their savings and lend each other money at a reasonable rate of interest. It is a legal corporation chartered under the law as a non-profit organization, to serve its members only. It is a service that helps members in the practical ways that count most: making money go farther. The name chosen for this credit union was the LASS Federal Credit Union, the initials being from the four organizations in Oklahoma that serve blind people. The group of organizers made application to the then Bureau of Federal Credit Unions and was granted a charter in December of 1953. The organizing meeting was held on January 17, 1954, and the Credit Union began operating in that month. A specific field of membership had to be set up, and it is stated thus: "The field of membership shall be limited to those having the following common bond: members, associate members, and employees of the Oklahoma Federation of the Blind and the Oklahoma League for the Blind in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; employees for the State Services to the Blind who work in Oklahoma; employees of the Oklahoma School for the Blind who work in Muskogee, Oklahoma; employees of this Credit Union; members of their immediate families, and organizations of such persons." The definition of "immediate family," as stated in the By-Laws of the Federal Credit Union, includes grandparents, parents, wife, husband, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, living under the same roof and in the same household. "Organizations of such persons" means an organization or organizations composed exclusively of persons who are within the field of membership, regardless of race, color or creed. Dividends are paid with Credit Union earnings once a year. Therefore, shares must remain on deposit through December 31 to earn dividends. Our dividends are usually higher than the returns on savings accounts and other financial institutions. This is because every dollar left after expenses and reserves must be used for the benefit of the members. We have been paying 5.5 percent dividends for a number of years. The 23rd annual meeting of the LASS Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City on March 21 was a success in spite of getting off to a bad start. The treasurer arrived some thirty minutes ahead of the scheduled time for the meeting, only to find that the room was not set up in the usual way. She was told by the personnel in charge of such arrangements that their orders were to set it up for twenty people. Tables and chairs were needed for at least one hundred people. Members began arriving in twos, threes, sixes, and guests, and still no tables. There were enough chairs around the walls, so some of our men, knowing that there were tables in another room on the same floor of the hotel, carried them in and set them up for our use. Thereafter, the meeting got under way, even though it was thirty minutes late. There were some 100 members out of a 600 total, and ten to twelve guests, all talking at the same time, which made it difficult for our soft-spoken president, Floyd Qualls, to call them to order, even with a PA system. Reports were heard from the President, Treasurer, Supervisory Committee, and Credit Committee. The Treasurer noted that the LASS Federal Credit Union had its ups and downs during 1975, as had most other financial institutions, but that our financial soundness is still A-1. The Oklahoma League for the Blind had pulled out large sums from its account to use in readying the Lone Star Brewery building for the League's occupancy, and this unusual outgo of shares caused the NCUA computers to start sending up little red flags, which excited the powers that be. It seems now they have decided we are still afloat and kicking. At least, they have ceased to ask for a report every month. At the end of 1975, the number of share accounts was 599, with a gross amount of $249,172.94. There were 205 loans outstanding, in a gross amount of $264,228.18. Cash in the bank was $4,318.07. The amount of $10,311.87 was invested in the Oklahoma Central Credit Union. There was $9,350.42 in reserves and $995.12 in allowance for loan loss. There was $4,317.52 in undivided earnings, and total assets were $279,902.28. Durward McDaniel reported on the meeting of the committee of L.A.S.S. members studying the feasibility of organizing a national credit union for the blind who do not have access to credit unions. The committee recommended to the Board of Directors of L.A.S.S. Federal Credit Union that it offer to serve as home base for the A.C.B. National Credit Union if a charter can be obtained. The President conducted a question-and-answer period on some of the most basic points about credit unions. It seems that no matter how many times these points are brought out in print, in braille, over the air waves, on tape, or by word of mouth, they fail to penetrate. During the afternoon program, twelve door prizes were given of one $5.00 share each, and three miscellaneous prizes. Each person present at adjournment received a Bicentennial half dollar. ***** ** In Memoriam: John F. Nagle By Philip E. Pofcher John F. Nagle, for many years a nationally prominent figure in organized work of the blind, died of a heart attack at his home in Needham Heights, Massachusetts, on April 15. A graduate of Perkins School for the Blind, Mr. Nagle studied journalism at Boston University and in 1942 received a law degree from Northeastern University. For the next fifteen years he practiced law in his hometown of Springfield and during this time took an active part in advancing the opportunities of blind persons in his state. In 1958 he joined the Washington staff of the National Federation of the Blind, and from 1960 to 1973 served as Chief of the Washington Office. His many honors included the 1969 Migel Award for outstanding service, presented by the American Foundation for the Blind, and the District of Columbia Award for outstanding contributions to the rehabilitation of the handicapped, 1973. He was active in promoting legislation beneficial to blind persons and was instrumental in the establishment of National White Cane Safety Day. After leaving the national office of NFB, Mr. Nagle worked as an attorney in the United States Department of Labor, and later for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. In representing the interests of blind persons, Mr. Nagle stressed the values of self-reliance and individual dignity. As he once stated in a newspaper interview: "I always battled for the principle that handicapped persons should not batten on sheltered workshop jobs and relief funds, but should use these only as springboards to rehabilitation, independence, and self-chosen careers." In recognition of John Nagle's outstanding contribution, his friends have established a memorial fund to promote the educational opportunities of blind persons. Anyone wishing to contribute to the John F. Nagle Memorial Fund should contact Mrs. Virginia Nagle, 609 Hunnewell, Needham Heights, MA 02194. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth Lennon From THE CHRONICLE (Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is planning publication of a braille magazine which would contain articles on subjects in the fields of education, science, culture, and communications. The magazine would. be produced in English, French, and Spanish, with copies available free of charge to blind people throughout the world. Anyone who would like to receive the magazine should write in print or braille to F.H. Potter, UNESCO Visitors Information Center, UNESCO House, 7 Place de Fontenoy, Paris, France. From ACBI NEWSLETTER (Indiana) -- The Negro Braille Magazine, a free quarterly braille periodical, is available to anyone requesting it. It contains interesting articles on Negroes in every field of endeavor -- drama, sports, politics, business, and literature. All ink-print correspondence should be addressed to Mrs. Margaret Whisenton, Editor, 510 Massey Avenue, Durham, NC 27701. Mail braille correspondence to John W. Carter, 1401 Ridgeway Avenue, Durham, NC 27701. From SEEING EYE GUIDE -- The fifth edition of "A Summary of Legislation Relating to Travel with Dog Guides" is now available. The 73-page booklet, which contains a compilation of statutes relating to dog guide users both in the United States and Canada, is available free to Seeing Eye graduates and at a cost of $1 to others from the Seeing Eye, Morristown, NJ 07960. From BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW -- A NEW COURSE -- "Rights and Responsibilities," is available on cassette and in braille from the Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois 60093. It deals with the modern political implications of the Bill of Rights, including the meaning of freedom of speech, trial by jury, and due process. From WASHINGTON REPORT (American Foundation for the Blind) -- Representative John Brademas (D., Ind.) introduced H.R. 12018, a bill to re­name the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults for Helen Keller. Representative Brademas said that this measure would "honor the remarkable woman whose life was an inspiration for the creating of the National Center." The present Center was authorized by Congress in 1967 and offers rehabilitation services to persons who are both deaf and blind, as well as providing training for professional staff working with individuals who are thus handicapped and conducting research into the problems and methods of rehabilitating deaf-blind persons. From VCVH VIEWS AND VENTURES (Virginia Commission for THE Visually Handicapped) -- Luther Morris, 75, has been named National Blind Worker of the Year. Mr. Morris has been employed at Virginia Industries for the Blind, Charlottesville, for the past fifty years and has no plans for retirement. He boasts that he can operate any machine in the shop. During the first week in May, he journeyed to San Francisco with a companion to receive the J. Peter Salmon Award, which has been presented annually for the past nine years by National Industries for the Blind. ---- "The American Foundation for the Blind will continue to support the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped," says L.E. Apple, Executive Director of the Foundation. "The accreditation process, involving as it does self-evaluation and peer review, is in the best tradition of the democratic process of decision-making by consensus. The AFB believes strongly in such a process and encourages participation by all concerned persons. The Foundation has no intention of reducing its moral, financial, or staff commitment to NAC. If anything, future months will see an increase in such support." From THE LANTERN -- When the Perkins Brailler was developed by David Abraham in 1951, it was expected that there would be a market for one or two thousand machines. By 1975, less than a quarter century later there were 90,000 braillers in use throughout the world. A large percentage of the machines sold has gone to adults, many of them volunteers who transcribe books for school children and college students. From CONTACT (Massachusetts Association for the Blind) -- The Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, has selected the New York Times Large Type Weekly as the news periodical to be produced and distributed in braille on a national basis. The entire publication will be produced in braille except for the crossword puzzle. Each issue will have 60-70 pages and will contain about fourteen news articles; an editorial, "Personalities Information"; and twelve columns on a wide variety of subjects. The Library of Congress will add this publication to its program in July 1976. It is the first time an established newspaper is to be offered nationally in braille. Leonard Robinson's book, Light at the Tunnel End, is now available in braille and cassette editions from the Library of Congress, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. In ordering from the regional libraries, ask for BR2797 or RC8565. Light at the Tunnel End, published in 1975, is the story of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, beginning with Leonard Robinson's crusade for its enactment and containing the updated law and a summary of the new Amendments specially prepared by Senator Jennings Randolph. Print copies of the book are available at $6 from the ACB National Office, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 506, Washington, DC 20036. The Oral Hull Foundation plans to hold a summer camp at its recreation park in Sandy, near Portland, Oregon, July 11-30. The cost is $3.00 per day per person for a five-day stay, Sunday through Friday. There is a Trailways bus from Portland to Sandy, where guests will be met. Write for an application to Mrs. Marie Webb, 43233 S.E. Oral Hull Road, Sandy, OR 97055; phone: Area 503, 668-7587. Professional Opportunity: Executive Director, Center for the Sightless, Inc., Elyria, Ohio 44035. The Center for the Sightless, Inc., serving all of Lorain County through its Vision Center (social and rehabilitation services) and Skills Division (sheltered workshop) is in need of an active and creative director, capable of furthering the progress already made in the field of service to the visually impaired. Salary: $15,000 to $19,000. An active Board of Trustees invites inquiries from innovative candidates. Send resumes to Personnel Committee, Center for the Sightless, Inc., 220 Oberlin Road, Elyria, OH 44035. Now available in braille are the Reach and Recovery materials, part of a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, for women who have lost a breast to cancer. The literature, which has been transcribed into braille by the Jewish Guild for the Blind in New York City, will be available free of charge to blind women through their local chapter of the Cancer Society. From PROGRAMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED -- In Denver, Colorado, a 45-passenger bus has been converted for use as a mobile grocery store for elderly and handicapped persons. Stocked with groceries prices slightly above wholesale levels, the mobile store makes ten stops a week in low-income neighborhoods and housing projects. A police escort protects customers from possible attack by vandals. From CONTACT -- Is there a good system other than braille that can be used in marking objects and keeping track of miscellaneous household items? The Fishburne Alphabet, a system of raised-lines and dots, has been developed for use by blind adults who wish to have labels, telephone numbers, etc., in a touch medium other than braille. For more information, write Mr. S.B. Fishburne, 4243 Warren Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95822, or Telephone Pioneers of America, Sacramento Chapter, 2700 Watt Avenue, Room 2352, Sacramento, CA 95821. ***** ** ACB Officers * President: Floyd Qualls, 501 North 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 St., Little Rock, AR 72204 * Secretary: M. Helen Vargo, 833 Oakley Street, Topeka, KS 66606 * Treasurer: J. Edward Miller, 1120 Coddington Place, Charlotte, NC 28211 ###