The Braille Forum Vol. XVI July 1977 No. 1 Published 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 ACB Officers Notice to Subscribers Cooperation and Collective Action -- Key to a "New Day" for the Handicapped, by Reese Robrahn The White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals -- A Time for Togetherness, by Andrew Woods Remarks of President Jimmy Carter to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals Remarks by HEW Secretary Joseph A. Califano to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals Landmark 503 Case -- Ira Grupper, by Durward K. McDaniel Affiliated Leadership League to Hold Second National Delegate Assembly The 504 Regulations -- Some Strengths and Some Weaknesses, by Reese Robrahn Large-Print Book Club Available through G.K. Hall Letter from a Beloved Leader Air Transportation of Handicapped Persons Jumbo Dot Braille, a New Medium, by Norma L. Schecter Clovernook Capabilities Increased by New Computer Installation ALL Continues to Voice Concern for Rights of the Handicapped ACCD Annual Meeting Connecticut Council Spring Convention, by Anna Godrie Here and There, by George Card ***** ** ACB Officers * President: Floyd Qualls, 501 North Douglas Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 * First Vice President: Alma Murphey, 4103 Castleman Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 * Second Vice President: Billie Elder, 5317 W. 29th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204 * Treasurer: J. Edward Miller, 1120 Coddington Place, Charlotte, NC 28211 ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in large-type, cassette tape, and flexible disc. Send subscription requests and address changes to The Braille Forum, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620. Items intended for publication may be submitted in print, braille, or tape and should be addressed 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 Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to ACB Treasurer J. Edward Miller, 1120 Coddington Place, Charlotte, NC 28211. Anyone wishing to remember ACB 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, your attorney should communicate with the ACB National Office. ***** ** Cooperation and Collective Action, Key to a "New Day" for the Handicapped By Reese Robrahn On May 23, at the opening ceremonies of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals, both Jimmy Carter, President of the United States, and Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, appeared and addressed the assembly. Each spoke of the "new day" for handicapped children and adults that dawns with the issuance of final regulation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Each promised vigorous enforcement of the rights of handicapped citizens secured by the Act and the Regulation; and each called for cooperation and understanding -- understanding between and among the groups of disabled people, and understanding of the lack of knowledge of the non-handicapped concerning the special needs of the handicapped. How did we come to the dawning of this "new day"? What economic, social, political, and moral pressures and factors conjoined at last in this land of freedom, of democracy, of affluence, to bring to fruition, at least in part, recognition by the law of the land that all citizens who are disabled have, and are entitled to, the full enjoyment of the same individual rights, and rights and duties of citizenship, which obtain for all citizens? Did we come to this turning point in the history of our country because of a new social awakening and awareness? Did it come about as the result of understanding and humanitarian acts of public servants? Did this day arise because of any massive effort on the part of Government to educate the public? Did it come about because of the glib promises of politicians? Is it a fluke of our democratic process? It is said that there are at least 36 million handicapped Americans today. For two centuries, during the entire history of this nation, there have been handicapped men, women and children, citizens denied access to public buildings because of architectural barriers; denied access to, and the right to use, public transportation; denied access to polling places and the right to exercise that right which is most precious to our Democracy, the casting of votes to select representatives to government. Handicapped children have been consistently and systematically denied a free and appropriate public education. Government and private business and industrial sectors of our land have summarily disqualified job-seekers who have disabilities. Landlords, insurance companies, financial institutions, and places of public accommodation have discriminated against handicapped individuals on the grounds of high safety risk, health risk, credit risk. Yet, in all of the history of the wealthiest nation of the world and in the greatest democracy on this earth, little of significance has occurred to emancipate handicapped people from the dark corners, from the rocking chairs, from the welfare rolls, and from the attitudes of ignorance and misconceived stereotypes of our fellow citizens. What happened to bring about change? What happened to bring about the enactment of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the promulgation of its Regulation on April 28, 1977? The realization of this law did not occur because of the "organized blind movement," composed of a tiny fraction of the total population of disabled people. It did not come about because of the rise and organization of other disability groups -- the deaf, the orthopedically handicapped, or parents' organizations. It did not result from the seeking of special services for one disability, to the exclusion of others. It did not come about through divisiveness and separatism. No! Many forces and factors in our society conjoined to produce the light that is the dawning of the "new day." But first, last, foremost, and indispensable was and is the cooperation and collective action of many groups and organizations of and for handicapped individuals in providing information and consultation to the executive branches of government at all levels through countless meetings and conferences, working with the members of the Congress and state legislatures informally and at hearings, conducting Programs of public information and awareness through literally thousands of Projects, and through rallies and demonstrations, and through the courts. In particular, and of greatest significance has been and is the structuring of that effort into a formal organization for strong and united action, the founding of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Its 46 member organizations represent a total of three million persons. The American Council of the Blind was one of its founding members. ACB believes that collective action through coalition is the only way to protect our gains and to achieve full realization of all civil rights for all handicapped citizens. ***** ** The White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals -- A Time for Togetherness By Andrew Woods (Editor's Note: Andrew Woods as an alternate delegate to the White House Conference from the District of Columbia. He is a member of the D.C. Association of Workers for the Blind (ACB), the American Blind Lawyers Association, and the National Alliance of Blind Students. At its annual meeting immediately preceding the White House Conference, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities.) The White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals was launched officially by President Jimmy Carter on Monday evening, May 23, 1977, with a pledge to end all discrimination against disabled persons. This landmark conference was particularly significant because, for the first time, it encompassed people with a wide range of disabilities, as opposed to previous meetings devoted exclusively to one particular type of disability, such as blindness or deafness. Over 50% of the participants were handicapped individuals, thus assuring that the Conference would truly reflect the needs and aspirations of disabled people. From Tuesday, May 24, through Thursday, May 26, some 700 delegates and over 2,000 non-voting participants labored in eight workshops concerned with the social, economic, health, and educational needs of disabled persons. Issues that had been identified at previous state conferences were given intensive consideration and examination. These workshops were followed by caucuses of each state delegation, to select the three recommendations which each particular state believed should be given the highest priority to meet the needs of disabled people. These recommendations will then be put into a computer, resulting in identification of those recommendations given the highest priority by the states. The results of this process will constitute the major component of the White House Conference Report to be submitted to the President and to the Congress for consideration and implementation. The Conference was significant to participants for various reasons. To some, it afforded an opportunity to express their special needs in terms of their personal experience in living and working. To others, it represented an opportunity to discuss and foster wider understanding of their particular interests and objectives. To all, it was a time for communication with one another, breaking down the barriers caused by lack of knowledge and lack of awareness of the problems and concerns of other disability groups. This process had the effect of unifying the groups and strengthening their determination to work together for common goals. Notwithstanding the togetherness evident throughout the Conference, there was some dissatisfaction and dissension. This was to be expected, perhaps, considering the number of participants and the disparity in the needs and interests of the various groups represented. Jack F. Smith, Executive Director of the White House Conference, is to be commended for his sensitivity and his affirmative methods in trying to be equitable in dealing with the causes of dissension. For example, non-whites believed that they were not being fairly represented at the Conference because many states failed to give the non-white community sufficient notice of the state meetings at which voting delegates were selected. Mr. Smith, recognizing the lack of proper representation prior to the Conference, used the authority of his office to mitigate this discrimination by selecting a number of non-whites to be voting members of the Conference. Further, he agreed to add four non-white consultants to the Conference Review Committee which will oversee the final Conference report. Some participants, including members of the National Federation of the Blind, protested the rigidity of Conference procedures, believing that the prior selection of issues and recommendations at state meetings denied them full opportunity to express their particular views. Participants in the White House Conference came away with a feeling of optimism about the statements and promises regarding living and working conditions of disabled people made by President Carter and several Cabinet members. Most importantly, the Conference participants enthusiastically applauded the President when he stated, "We have bound ourselves together in a common purpose, understanding one another and overcoming the differences that exist." His statement expressed the fact that this is the time for togetherness of disabled people. Only through unity will disabled people achieve their civil rights as various minority groups have done in the past. This philosophy of togetherness has been recognized and embraced by the American Council of the Blind through its membership and active Participation in the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Coalitions such as ACCD and the Leadership Conference are ready to provide guidance, technical assistance, and direction to implement and oversee enforcement of laws and regulations affecting the lives of disabled people. Hopefully, this week of workshops, state caucuses, and meetings of special-interest groups (e.g., women, lawyers, and non-whites) will culminate in a clearer understanding by the leaders of this country, both inside and outside Government, of the needs and concerns of disabled persons and the nation's responsibility to and for them. All participants firmly believed that disabled persons are entitled to the exercise of their human rights in the same manner as all other citizens in this Democracy, and that nothing short of equal treatment is to be tolerated. ***** ** Remarks of President Jimmy Carter to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals ... I am very proud to be here tonight in what I think is a historic occasion that will perhaps go down in the history of our country as a turning point in the minds and hearts of the American people in their long overdue concern about a large group of Americans, about 36 million, who in the past have too often been ignored. This is the first White House Conference on the Handicapped. I know that this is a tremendous assembly of leaders who have fought a long and sometimes discouraging battle to arrive here in Washington tonight. But this is not the first meeting. There have been dozens of meetings, attended by thousands of people in the fifty states of our country, and you have already brought to the consciousness of local and state officials an awareness of potential changes for the better and many improvements that have already been made. ... There is hardly a national leader on earth in all the 150 nations that span the globe who is not now thinking about two words: "Human Rights." And now we in our own country are applying these two words to the handicapped people of our country. It is long overdue. For too long, handicapped people have been deprived of a right to an education; for too long handicapped people have been excluded from the possibility of jobs and employment where they could support themselves; for too long handicapped people have been kept out of buildings, have been kept off of streets and sidewalks, have been excluded from private and public transportation, and have been deprived of a simple right in many instances just to communicate with one another. When I was inaugurated Governor of Georgia in 1971, I made a speech, and I said in that Southern State the time for racial discrimination is over, and I sat to you tonight, the time for discrimination against the handicapped in the United States is over. It would be a mistake for the rest of America to think that the benefits are only going to the handicapped, because when you get freedom, we share that freedom, and when the handicapped get benefits of education and a job and a purposeful life, we all share in the benefits of that education, that job and a purposeful life. The Bill of Rights for the Handicapped was spelled out in Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and we are going to enforce the regulations that are specified in that bill. We are going to enforce the regulations that tear down the barriers of architecture and we are going to enforce the regulations that tear down the barriers of transportation. ... As you know, Section 504, of which I am sure you have all heard, and of which I am sure now that Joe Califano has also heard, has provided a framework for the regulations that have been adopted, and Joe Califano assures me and he assures you that these regulations are going to be enforced. It is almost inconceivable, and it is a reflection on all of us in leadership positions, that these basic rights have been delayed so long. ... The civil rights of handicapped persons is not the only element of the laws that have been put into effect. We have more than 100 different programs in the Federal Government already for the handicapped. They are administered by many different agencies. There are a lot of different kinds of definitions of the handicap of the same person, and that means that many of you who have sought for a long time to take advantage of these programs which the Congress and my predecessors in the White House have passed have often had to go to four or five or six different agencies to get the simple treatment or opportunities which you deserve under the law. It is time for us to change that, and one of the very good benefits of the reorganization authority that Congress has now given me is to bring all of those programs for the handicapped together into one agency so you can Understand them and take advantage of them. As I look out across this tremendous auditorium, with many different kinds of handicaps represented here, I know that many of them could have been prevented in your early life. And we are not just concerned about the correction of an existing handicap or an opportunity for those who are handicapped; we want to prevent the handicaps that might occur in the future. ... We want to be sure that we don't forget the handicapped among us who cannot hold a job, who cannot respond to a full education, but we want to make sure that even when they are dependent for constant help that they have every chance to grow and to learn and to take advantage of whatever great or small talent or ability God may have given them. We cannot forget them. In closing, I want to ask you to do one more thing, and that is that since you have bound yourselves together in a common purpose, understanding one another and overcoming the differences that exist among you, that now you try to understand the special needs of the non-handicapped to understand the needs of other handicapped people. It is not a time for hatred or lashing out or recrimination or condemnation of the non-handicapped for the long delays in meeting your needs, because many people who are not handicapped cannot understand those special needs. So it is a time of education both ways, and for a realization that only when we work together, the handicapped who are leaders, the handicapped who will always be dependent, the potentially handicapped child who wants to have that prevented, and the non-handicapped adult leader, when we work together we can continue to make even greater progress. ... Our country needs you and I know that you will never disappoint those who look to you for leadership. Thank you very much. ***** ** Remarks of HEW Secretary Joseph Califano to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals May 23, 1977 ... A White House Conference is a catalytic event -- one that focuses concerns and develops an agenda for action on matters of the greatest national importance. Tonight you embark on this Conference with three vital goals: first, to provide a national assessment of the problems and the potential of individuals with mental or physical handicaps; second, to generate a national awareness of these problems which have meant that handicapped individuals have in the past been an oppressed minority, subject to unconscionable discrimination, beset by demoralizing indignities, detoured out of the mainstream of American life and unable to secure their rightful place as full and independent citizens; and third, to make recommendations to the President and to the Congress which, if implemented, will enable individuals with handicaps to lead proud and productive lives, despite their disabilities. Too often, however, the promise of a White House Conference has not been realized after the hotels have emptied and the media have carried away their cameras and typewriters. But I know that this Conference will be different. ... We are now entering a new era of civil rights for the handicapped individuals of America. And we will not turn back. For too long, America's handicapped individuals have been victimized by demeaning practices and injustices. But now there is a recognition that unjust obstacles to self-determination and fair treatment must fall before the force of law -- an understanding that the nation as a whole must end the shameful neglect of handicapped citizens and help translate many of their legitimate needs into legal rights and meaningful programs. Last month, I signed a Regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As you well know, Section 504 prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of handicap against otherwise qualified handicapped individuals, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance. The 504 Regulation is a landmark in the quest of handicapped citizens for equal treatment, and it will be a fundamental guidepost to the new era of civil rights for the handicapped. It calls for ... dramatic changes in the actions and attitudes of institutions and individuals who are recipients of funds from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. ... Section 504 and the 504 Regulation constitute a striking recognition of the civil rights of America's handicapped citizens, just as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and their companion regulations, are critical elements in the structure of law protecting the civil rights of racial minorities and women. But we must now begin the process of making the new Regulation a reality for handicapped Americans. I pledge that this process will be monitored forcefully, fairly and expeditiously by HEW. There are firm timetables in the Regulation. We should stick to them. Let me briefly share with you some of the steps we have taken or will take to assure compliance with the 504 Regulation. We have an outstanding new team of leaders in HEW's Office for Civil Rights, headed by David Tatel, a distinguished attorney with broad civil rights experience. We have begun work with the other Federal agencies and departments which will be issuing regulations similar to the 504 Regulation and that will apply to all recipients of Federal funds. We have already begun last week to mail out 36,000 Assurance of Compliance forms to HEW recipients. These are due back on July 5. And, if we do not get a timely and adequate response, we will move immediately to enforce this requirement. We will be ready to begin processing complaints brought under Section 504 by June 1. Over 200 complaints have been filed with the Department. We have prepared, and begun to distribute, braille and recorded copies of the 504 Regulation so that handicapped citizens can learn first-hand of their rights. We have planned -- and will soon begin -- a major public awareness campaign that will inform handicapped individuals of their rights, recipients of their obligations, and the American people, including business and labor, about the striking new change in the law. Schools should understand mainstreaming; colleges should learn about the program accessibility requirements; other recipients should understand how to restructure jobs; and myths about handicapped and disabled people must be dispelled. A manual explaining 504 will soon be ready for wide distribution. ... Through these and other measures, the Section 504 Regulation can work. But voluntary compliance, aided by deep involvement of handicapped citizens and groups, will make the Regulation work far more quickly. If handicapped individuals, recipients, leaders in public and private life, and the Federal Government can be guided by sensitivity, fairness and common sense, then the Regulation can immediately become a charter of equal opportunity, not an invitation to litigation. But ending discrimination is only the first step in assuring that handicapped citizens can assume their rightful role as participants, to the fullest extent possible, in American society. But ending discrimination is only the first step in assuring that handicapped citizens can assume their rightful role as participants, to the fullest extent possible, in American society. As the next three days will demonstrate, the task of guaranteeing that handicapped individuals have equal opportunities in fact, and not just under the law, will require initiatives in many facets of our social and economic life ... During the next few days, you will discuss and debate many issues that ... are of great significance to handicapped Americans. On Thursday, I hope to return to you and discuss the work of the Conference and where we go from here. But for now I just want to stress the warmth of my welcome to you, to echo President Carter's strong words of support, and to thank you -- for the wisdom you will share with us and for the courage you have shown us, and all the American people. ***** ** Landmark 503 Case -- Ira Grupper By Durward K. McDaniel In July, 1975, Ira Grupper applied for a job as a miscellaneous worker in a tobacco plant. He was to go to work on July 21, but in the meantime, he had to have a pre-employment physical examination, which revealed that he was only partially sighted in one eye. For that reason, he did not get the job. He knew about Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and began reading the law and regulations for himself. He also consulted with Carl Dotson and officers of the Associated Blind of Kentucky -- ACB. Initially, he prepared his own charges and complaint and filed them with the United States Department of Labor. Later he obtained the services of an attorney in Louisville, David Ratterman, and, through ACB, the consultative service of this writer. Although the Department of Labor had issued Section 503 Rules, its complaint and investigative procedures were still in a formative state, and the Department was not adequately staffed to cope with the large number of complaints which it had already received. Ultimately, the Department's staff did a competent investigative job, and on July 20, 1976, issued its determination concluding that Mr. Grupper could have performed the duties of, and should have been hired as, a miscellaneous worker, and requested the parties to attempt to resolve the matter by informal conciliation. After six months of negotiating, a conciliation agreement was signed, and Ira Grupper is now working. His is believed to be the first 503 case which has resulted in job placement after conciliation. He received a compromise settlement of his claims for back wages and full seniority beginning July 21, 1975, and numerous safeguards were included in the agreement to assure his opportunity to prove his ability during a thirty-day probationary period. He is now a member of Local 16 of the Tobacco Workers International Union. Section 503 protects handicapped workers against discrimination based on their handicapping condition after they are on the job. Ira Grupper did not request that the employer make any "reasonable accommodation" related to his working, but the law contemplates accommodation by the employer, and that duty exists if accommodation should become necessary. In every new area of civil rights, it is important to win a landmark case. Ira Grupper and his advisers believe that his could be that case for Section 503. He would like to share his experience and encouragement with any others who may encounter the denial of employment by reason of their handicap. His address is 1524 S. 2nd Street, Louisville, KY 40208. Ira Grupper's case inspired a policy resolution adopted at the 1976 ACB Convention to assist visually impaired persons in the protection of their rights under the law. (Editorial Note: Mr. Grupper generously praises those who assisted him in this case. He is to be commended for his efforts and persistence on his own behalf and for the legal effect of his victory on the employment rights of other handicapped persons.) ***** ** Affiliated Leadership League to Hold Second National Delegate Assembly The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (ALL) will hold its Second National Delegate Assembly on August 6 and 7 at the Ramada Inn, 1351 Dunn Road, St. Louis, Missouri. ALL is a voluntary coalition of organizations of and for the blind. It offers a mechanism for united action on issues affecting blind people, after a consensus has been reached by participants in the National Delegate Assembly or by the Executive Board. Participating organizations are not bound to such decisions, but retain their own identity and autonomy. Dues are based upon an organization's expense budget for the preceding year. Each affiliated organization is entitled to one representative to the Delegate Assembly, regardless of its size or financial status. ALL's 47 affiliated organizations presently include public and private workshops and agencies, national and professional organizations for the blind, four state agencies (New York, Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia), and sixteen affiliates of the American Council of the Blind. For further information, contact Roger P. Kingsley, Administrative Director, Suite 506, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. ***** ** The 504 Regulation -- Some Strengths and Some Weaknesses By Reese Robrahn As previously reported in the June issue of The Braille Forum, the Regulation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1974, was signed by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, on April 28. This Regulation became effective as of June 3, 1977. In most respects, the Regulation is reasonably strong, much stronger than the indicators and discussions and events in recent months predicted. In the months and even years ahead, many controversies will arise from time to time during the evolution of the implementation of this law and regulation, which constitutes the first major civil rights act on the Federal level for handicapped persons. It is designed to ensure that programs and activities which receive or benefit from Federal financial assistance are operated without discrimination of the basis of handicap, in the areas of employment, program accessibility, physical accessibility of facilities, and delivery of aid, benefits, and services. It is not feasible here to present a thorough critical analysis of the Regulation. However, the following, it is hoped, will be of assistance to readers in arriving at an understanding of what the Regulation requires and prohibits. At the outset, recognition must be given for a most important strength of the Regulation: It prescribes that compliance and enforcement procedures shall be those adopted for compliance and enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, pertaining to racial discrimination, and under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, pertaining to discrimination on the basis of sex. A different or separate compliance and enforcement procedure would have relegated the status of the compliance and enforcement program under 504 to a minor position; most likely to be neglected in funding and staffing and most likely to foster administrative and court rulings creating unrealistic differences from those arising out of similar circumstances, but involving a race or sex question. Another important strength of the Regulation is its broad definition of "handicapped persons," which is most significant and desirable because of the wide range of disabilities or handicaps and wide variations from individual to individual in the degree of severity of a given disability or handicap. The definition is as follows: "Any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment." The important terms and words used in the definition are then defined in the Regulation. Among the practices specifically prohibited as discriminatory are these: - to deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate as a member of planning and advisory boards; - to aid or perpetuate discrimination against handicapped persons by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization or person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in providing an aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program; - to provide a handicapped person with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective as that provided others; - to provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to any handicapped person, or any class of handicapped persons, unless such action is necessary to provide that which is as effective as that provided to others; - to conduct pre-employment or pre-admissions medical examinations, or make pre-employment or pre-admissions inquiry as to whether the applicant is a handicapped person, or the nature of severity of a handicap, except when that inquiry is made for the purpose of correcting past discrimination through remedial action or through voluntary action to overcome a state of limited participation in a program by handicapped persons, however, provided that it is made clear that one of the foregoing is the purpose for the request of the information and that the information sought is to be given voluntarily, will be kept confidential, and refusal to furnish the same will not result in adverse treatment; - to use employment or admissions tests which screen out, or tend to screen out handicapped persons, or any class of handicapped persons, or which reflect impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills instead of what the test purports to measure, or which measure skills not job related. In addition the Regulation requires the employer to provide reasonable accommodations to the job sought to be filled by a handicapped applicant and prohibits discrimination in the provision of fringe benefits. The Regulation further prohibits exclusion on the basis of handicap of any otherwise qualified handicapped person from educational programs in the areas of academics, research, occupational training, housing, health, insurance, counseling, financial aid, physical education, athletics, transportation, recreation, or other extracurricular activities, or other post-secondary educational programs, receiving Federal financial assistance or benefitting from the same. In the area of health services, the Regulation is made applicable to the providers of Medicaid services. On the other hand, the Regulation is negative and weak in many respects. For example, while it includes the providers of Medicaid, it excludes from its provisions the providers of Medicare and Federal contracts of procurement, and contracts of insurance and contracts of guaranty. It permits so-called small providers of health, welfare, and social services (those having fewer than fifteen employees), whose facilities are not accessible, to refer handicapped persons to some other provider facility which is accessible, without regard to the additional cost of transportation, the distance, or the inconvenience involved. In rural and sparsely populated areas of the country, the effect of this provision will result in the denial of such services to many handicapped persons. In arriving at these very apparent inconsistencies, the Department relies for justification on some very circuitous arguments and some rather circular logic, which is set forth in Part III of the Regulation, entitled "Analysis of Final Regulation." Thus, on the one hand, at the convenience of the Department and when it serves the purpose and desires of the Department, it complains that there is lack of legislative history and, therefore, that it is impossible to determine the intent of the Congress. On the other hand, when it serves the desires of the Department, it relies on the declaration of the Congress at hearings on the 1974 Amendments of the 1973 Act that the scope of Section 504 and its enforcement shall be like that provided under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Department then argues that since the 1964 Act and the 1972 Act specifically exclude contracts of insurance and of guaranty, it must have been intended by the Congress that there is such exclusion under Section 504, even in the absence of specific language of exclusion. Section 504 contains no exclusions, no exceptions, and no timetables. Yet the Department, while requiring that all handicapped children shall be admitted to an educational program upon the effective date of the Regulation, does not require the provision of appropriate educational placement and programming until September 1, 1978. It is estimated reliably that approximately four million handicapped children will be without appropriate educational services in the meantime. The public notice requirements, designed to inform and assure awareness, fall far short of those requirements mandated under other civil rights laws and regulations. The justification for this shortcoming is based on the cost. Why cost is such a determining factor in the case of handicapped persons, and not so for race and sex, is not explained. The Regulation permits a three-year period for bringing inaccessible facilities into compliance. While the Regulation requires an evaluation of the accessibility of programs and facilities and a transitional plan, whether real progress toward compliance is made will depend upon the aggressiveness and thoroughness of compliance and enforcement by the Department. It must be emphasized that this Regulation and the law which it implements is but a first step. Where we go from here in securing and protecting the civil rights of handicapped citizens is dependent upon the constant vigil collective action, voice, and strength of all groups of handicapped individuals. ***** ** Large-Print Book Club Available Through G.K. Hall Avid readers who have experienced difficulty with standard print will be happy to hear of a new concept in book clubs -- the Large Print Book Club. The club is a recent innovation of G.K. Hall & Company, a leading large-print publisher in the United States, who believes that everyone has the right to read, regardless of visual, educational, or physical limitations. Book selections cover a wide variety: mysteries, westerns, Gothics, adventures and biographies, as well as numerous special-interest and inspirational books. Many of the selections are best-sellers. One feature of the Large Print Book Club is that there is no automatic shipping of books; members order exactly what they wish. And there is no membership fee or minimum number of books to purchase. One becomes a member simply by buying a book at half price. Once a month, members receive "The Large Print Review," the club's listing of current selections. This magazine is published in the same large type used in the books. A recent issue of the Review included such titles as "Touch Not the Cat," by Mary Stewart; "Saving the Queen," by William F. Buckley, Jr.; "The Great Train Robbery," by Michael Crichton; and "Markings," by Dag Hammarskjold. For more information on this unique book club, write G.K. Hall & Company, Customer Relations, Department PR7, 70 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. ***** ** Letter from a Beloved Leader (Editor's Note: Fred Pearson of San Diego is a charter member of the American Council of the Blind and was very active in organizing its California affiliate. He is now past his 80th birthday, but still going strong.) Dear Friend: ... 1976 was marked by two significant accomplishments in my work for the blind, the main purpose of my life. Shortly before his death in 1961, Dr. Newel Perry, world-famed benefactor of the blind, created the Lillie Perry Foundation for the Blind, naming two of his former students at the California School for the Blind and myself as trustees. The purpose of the Foundation was to help blind persons become self-supporting through low-interest loans. During the past fifteen years, we have made it possible for several blind persons to achieve financial independence in business and in the professions, our prize exhibit being a blind man in San Jose who, with two sighted partners and a $5,000 loan from us, set up in the sub-assembly business. The last I heard, they were employing 132 persons, most of them handicapped. In 1969, the Federal Tax Act threatened the existence of our Foundation by requiring outright grants of money rather than loans to be repaid. We sought relief through legal counsel, without success. Then I petitioned the Washington office of IRS for a favorable ruling and after 17 months received an affirmative decision which permits us to make repayable loans. Thus the Lillie Perry Foundation can continue in business. Prior to World War II, I planned and began to develop a program for the blind of San Diego County, which had as its ultimate objective meeting the needs of all the blind in the county. The war put an end to our efforts, and it was not until five years ago that they were resumed. At that time, Conway Alsup, a blind friend of mine with wide experience in work for the blind, and with motives similar to mine, offered his services in developing our program. With the help of an annually decreasing Federal grant on a matching-fund basis, he developed what is generally conceded to be the best and most complete program in the State. For purposes of the grant, it was required that the program be under the direction of an existing corporation, the Blind, Recreation Center, which annually involved us in a political struggle. Last spring, in order to avoid this and to enable us to secure needed, enlarged headquarters, we formed the San Diego County Service Center for the Blind, Inc., with a directorate of leading business and community people who took over direction of the program on December 1, the expiration date of our Federal grant. We have been fortunate in acquiring a modern, well-constructed building with 1,100 square feet of floor space, situated near the campus of San Diego State University, at a cost of $295,000, on a monthly lease basis, lease payments to be applied to the purchase price. Now we are faced with the problem of raising the necessary money to pay for this and an estimated $150,000 annual operating cost. Most of the credit for our achievements during the past five years is due to Conway Alsup. It is a deep tragedy that he did not live to enjoy the full realization of his dreams. Death claimed him on August 3, and eleven days prior to that date, it also robbed us of our counselor, Bertram Chombeau, depriving us of two top men in our program, both dear personal friends. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have worked with and supported them in the development of the greatest service for the blind of San Diego County. We are most fortunate to secure Mr. Howard Bergherm as successor to Conway Alsup as director of our program. Mr. Bergherm is a highly intelligent and dynamic individual, with a pleasant personality and with many years of experience in work for the blind, and is full of innovative ideas for our program. With him at the helm, under the direction of our new board, I have firm hopes of achieving in time the ultimate goal I had in mind for the blind of San Diego County to the highest extent that may be proven possible. -- Fred Pearson ***** ** Air Transportation of Handicapped Persons The Federal Aviation Administration issued a circular to air lines on March 25, 1977, "to identify the problems handicapped air travelers face and to provide guidelines to airline personnel to help alleviate these problems." The circular does not resolve all issues which may arise because of procedures established by air lines. It does contain some constructive provisions which may be cited if necessary. Refer to Advisory Circular No. 120-32. The following quotes from the ten-page circular will be of particular interest to blind passengers. 5. ASSISTING DISABLED PERSONS The handicapped person knows best the manner in which he can be assisted, and flight attendants should not hesitate to discuss this with the individual. Keep in mind that different disabilities have different needs, and injury can result if a person with a disability is improperly assisted. Handicapped travelers usually fall into one of the following categories: ... F. Blind Persons -- When offering assistance to a blind person, the following points should be kept in mind: (1) If it appears appropriate, assistance should be offered. Sometimes the offer will be accepted and sometimes it will not. In any event, let the blind person decide, and act accordingly. (2) When blind persons desire to be guided, it is desirable that they hold the attendant's arm rather than the other way around. Using this technique, the attendant can stay approximately one-half step ahead so that turns, steps, etc., can be anticipated. (3) Air line personnel should be cautioned to forewarn blind persons traveling alone of corridors or a portion of the corridor that suddenly becomes a moving walk. Blind persons should be able to handle this situation if they are aware of its existence. (4) Blind people generally employ one of two methods for independent travel. Many use long white canes, often made of aluminum or fiberglass while others prefer the dog guide. Both techniques enable the user to travel from Point A to Point B with little or no assistance. In maneuvering through crowded corridors at air terminals, many blind travelers prefer to be accompanied by ground personnel if this service is available. Some would rather make their way from gate to gate and about the terminal unassisted. Again, this should be their choice and, if in doubt, ask. (5) Boarding and deplaning present no difficulty for most blind people. The modern methods of independent mobility have provided them with both the necessary skills and the confidence to handle escalators, steps, ramps, and so on. Most blind passengers prefer to board and deplane along with the other passengers, and they do not require special assistance beyond the boarding areas. In situations where enclosed movable ramps are not available, the blind often appreciate some guidance from the terminal building to the aircraft. (6) Wheelchairs, special electric carts, and other such conveyances are usually not appropriate when assisting blind travelers. Most have a strong preference for moving about under their own power, and they are thoroughly capable of doing so. The fast-paced walking through crowded hallways, which is sometimes necessary in making close connections, poses no problem for the blind. Some of them have little, if any, difficulty maneuvering about airports and making connecting flights. If a prolonged layover is necessary, most blind travelers wish to occupy themselves in the same manner as other passengers by shopping, visiting, etc. (7) Mealtime, whether on the ground or in the air, presents no problem for blind people. Flight attendants should tell the passenger what is being served and where the utensils and beverage are located by describing as ten o'clock or three o'clock position. Occasionally, a blind person may ask for assistance in cutting meat or in handling other mealtime chores. In those instances where a menu is available, the flight attendant should offer to read it. (8) Most blind persons would appreciate having copies of menus and briefing cards written in braille. (9) In an emergency, a blind person will, of course, require the same briefing information as other passengers and will follow directions along with them. Let them feel oxygen masks and life jackets. Should it become necessary to evacuate the aircraft, the blind person, if accompanied by a dog guide, should go down the chute with the dog in his lap. It is the master's responsibility to see that the dog is wearing its harness so that the pair can leave the area quickly once they are on the ground. The harness also helps to activate the dog's sense of responsibility and assurance. If dog and blind person should become separated in the course of evacuation, the dog should be led by its leash to the top of the chute and pushed down after its master has left the plane. Blind persons may use one of two kinds of canes: folding (telescoping or collapsing) or a rigid cane. The folding types do not present a problem since they can fold and fit into one's pocket. The rigid cane is normally 4 1/2 to 5 feet in length. Canes are not necessary for the blind to use in the evacuation of an aircraft, as they would use the backs of seats for guidance or follow passengers. The canes would be of help in leaving the vicinity after the blind person has gone down the escape slide. However, the possibility of the cane doing damage to the slide, hindering the evacuation, does not warrant the blind person keeping his cane with him at his seat and, therefore, it should be stowed in accordance with Part 121.589 of the FAR's. ... 6. DOG GUIDE A. A guide dog has been carefully selected for intelligence, responsibility, and gentleness and has been thoroughly trained for its job. The blind person, too, has received intensive instruction in the care and control of the dog. He or she has been taught to keep it well groomed and healthy and not permit it to run free. The dog should remain with its owner throughout the flight. They should be seated in the first-row seat of the section next to the bulkhead where there is more room for the dog. A window seat is also recommended so that other passengers will not be required to step over the dog to reach the aisle. Dogs and blind persons work together as a closely coordinated team, and any interference between them, such as grabbing the harness or seizing the master's arm, can be distracting. If it appears that help is needed, address the blind person quietly, identify yourself as an employee of the air line, and offer assistance. Persons need not be fearful in approaching dog guides. They are taught to accept strangers, and are frequently exposed to new situations and people. However, they should not be touched or petted, and flight attendants should discourage children from yielding to their natural desire to pat the dog. B. If it is necessary to give directions to a man or woman with a dog guide, try to be specific in terms or right, left, or straight ahead so that the master can direct the dog properly. On the other hand, if you are walking with the pair through the terminal or to the plane, the blind person may temporarily drop the harness and ask you to act as guide while the dog heels on leash on the owner's left side. In this case, go to the individual's right side and offer your left arm. Escalators should be avoided, as they can injure a dog's paws. C. Since the dog's collar is made of metal and there is a metal component in the leather-covered harness, the magnetometer will be activated if the dog passes through it. Consult the blind person -- some will be glad to have their dog held by the leash while they pass through the magnetometer, while others may prefer a hand-held detection device. ***** ** Jumbo Dot Braille, A New Medium By Norma L. Schecter When our Beach Cities Braille Guild was asked by Rehabilitation counselor/teacher Mildred Hartford of Pleasant Hill, California, to re-transcribe the excellent primer by Krebs, ABC's of Braille, into Jumbo Dot Braille, my first thought was a gleeful, "At last! A transcribing assignment that can have no possible braille problems. We'll be going from braille to braille!" I should have known better. The book is finally completed after more than a year and available from Braille Institute of America, Inc., 741 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029; two volumes, $8.75. This includes facing pages in large print for new readers who don't have access to a professional teacher. Both the space limitations of the medium and the special problems of the touch-impaired reader population were considered in evolving a group of "Tentative Guidelines to Possible Solutions of Jumbo Dot Braille Problems,'' which were developed out of our own experiences and further discussed and clarified at a recent workshop of the California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped. Some of the items covered include discussions of: Running Heads; Master Identification; Prefatory Pages; Centered Headings; Italics; Capitals; Contractions; Recipes and Cookbooks; Line Spacing; Title pages; and Contents. But what I really need at this point is more feedback from the users of Jumbo Dot Braille -- both the readers and their teachers -- because as an empathetic transcriber I may think a particular presentation will be clear to diabetes-damaged fingertips, but only those fingers themselves can tell for sure. I plan to start a tiny, informal whenever-it-comes-out round-robin newsletter to share suggestions and experiences. For the time being, I'll pay for the cost of preparing and mailing. Anyone who reads this article and who reads Jumbo Dot Braille is urged to write to me (in print, cassette or braille) at 8432 Northport Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92646. ***** ** Clovernook Capabilities Increased by New Computer Installations The Clovernook Home and School for the Blind, also known as the Clovernook Printing House, producer of many monthly magazines and books in braille, has completed installation of the most advanced equipment using Digital Computers for control, braille transcribing, and editing. The system utilizes CRT terminals for the input and editing of text; a paper reader capable of reading multi-level paper tapes supplied by publishers of local newspapers and magazines. The computer accepts ASCII code, braille cell code, and compositor's code. The output is on an LED 120 (fast braille Printer) in braille grade two or on a paper tape which in turn drives a stereotype machine, which produces the necessary plates for mass production. The system supports all of these devices in the time-sharing operation, which has the capability of editing text and translating text to braille grade two. The basic mode of operation of the system is as follows: The text input is provided by one or more sighted persons typing on CRT terminals. Minor errors in the typing are corrected by the typists simply by observing the CRT display and by utilizing the editing capabilities of the terminal. If the text is found to be satisfactory, it is then transmitted to the computer system as part of a file. to be After completion, the computer will translate the text into braille grade two. A proof copy is generated on the LED 120 braille processor and is then proofread by a blind proofreader. If corrections are needed, the input is retrieved on the CRT screen and corrections are made. If necessary, a second proofreading can be introduced. The corrected and proofread material is then produced on paper tape to run the automatic stereotype machines. The produced zinc plates then go to the pressroom for production. This installation should increase the production capabilities of Clovernook in order to meet the demand for material in braille. ***** ** ALL Continues to Voice Concern For Rights of the Handicapped The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America continues to voice its concern over Government policies affecting the lives of blind and handicapped persons. Twice in the past month, ALL has spoken out forcefully when statements and regulations were issued by the United States Civil Service Commission and the Federal Railroad Administration which failed to make reference to the handicapped. A portion of the text of the letter to Civil Service Commission Chairman Alan K. Campbell was published in the June issue of the Braille Forum under the caption, "Why Not Us?" The text of a letter dated June 7, 1977, directed to Bruce Flohr, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, D.C., is reprinted here: Dear Mr. Flohr: This letter is written out of concern about the Regulations pertaining to implementation of Section 905 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, as published in the Federal Register on January 24, 1977. These Regulations ensure opportunities for certain minorities to participate in employment and other programs and activities. We applaud your efforts at advancing and safeguarding the rights of women and racial minorities, but we are distressed that the lengthy Regulations made no reference to the handicapped population. Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act mandates that: "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual ... shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Although the implementation of Section 504, to date, has been with respect to HEW funding, it is clear that the intent of Congress extends much further. The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, a coalition of 47 non-profit organizations, is seeking to improve the lives of visually handicapped people throughout the country. Because of the nationwide reach of railroad service, it is imperative that handicapped Americans are extended the same rights and protection that have been guaranteed to other groups. Accordingly, we request a conference with you at a mutually convenient time to discuss the equal protection of blind and other handicapped persons who may be involved with national railroad service. Sincerely, Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America By: Roger P. Kingsley Administrative Director ***** ** ACCD Annual Meeting The American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities concluded its third annual Delegate Assembly in Washington, D.C., Sunday, May 22. More than 250 delegates and observers, representing all parts of the country and a wide range of disabilities (including ten delegates and five alternates from the American Council of the Blind), took part in three days of business meetings and workshops. Resolutions adopted include an expression of support for a national health insurance plan; a proposal that ombudsmen for the disabled be made part of every national program; a suggestion that an energy-efficient vehicle suitable for use by handicapped persons be developed; and a recommendation that a national seminar on the education needs of all disabled people be convened. In the area of civil rights, there were resolutions calling for more staff in HEW's Office of Civil Rights; more attention to accessibility and communications problems in all civil rights offices; extension of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to cover the disabled; and effective implementation of Sections 501, 503, and 504, the anti-discrimination provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Resolutions were forwarded to the appropriate Congressional committees, Federal agencies, and the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals. In accordance with one important resolution, ACCD President Eunice Fiorito will appoint a committee to monitor the progress of White House Conference recommendations. The highlight of this year's Delegate Assembly was the first Rights and Opportunities Banquet. Joan Claybrook, Administrator of the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration, and Stephen Coyle, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, spoke briefly about heightened concerns within their agencies for the needs of disabled people. The main address was delivered by Dr. Frank Bowe, Director of the Coalition's Washington Office. His main theme was unity among the disabled -- unity of purpose and action -- why it is essential and how it is developing. Several positions on the ACCD Board were up for election this year. New members are Janeice Petersen and Andrew Woods of Washington, D.C., Buffy Fetter form Dallas, Max Starkloff from St. Louis, and Ann Ford from Chicago. ACCD is a nationwide, consumer-based coalition of organizations of disabled individuals. The annual delegate assembly brings together representatives of member organizations to chart the course of the disabled peoples movement. Plans for the 1978 assembly will be announced throughout the coming months. ***** ** Connecticut Council Spring Convention By Anna Godrie The Horseless Carriage restaurant, East Hartford, was the site of the spring convention of the Connecticut Council of the Blind, held Saturday, April 30. Proceedings commenced at 10:00 a.m. with registration, the first hour being devoted to renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances over coffee. CCB President Gertrude De Leo brought the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. During the next hour and three-quarters, five diversified speakers brought a wealth of information to new and old members alike. National ACB was represented by two of its full-time staff members, Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative, of Washington, D.C., and Mary T. Ballard, Editor of the Braille Forum, of Rochester, New York. Mr. McDaniel's talk covered the general makeup of ACB, its state and special-interest affiliates; the Council's present concerns in the area of legislation -- such as the signing of regulations to implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, civil rights legislation, supplemental security income (SSI) amendments, concerns in the restructuring of the Government into "super agencies"; radio reading services; and the present status of the Randolph-Sheppard vending facilities program. Mrs. Ballard outlined the growth and development of the Braille Forum over its fifteen-year history and told of some of the behind-the-scenes details which must be handled by the editorial staff. She also stressed the value of a newsletter to any organization, whether it be on the national, state, or local level. The Oak Hill School, located in Hartford, is the state school for the blind and deaf-blind of Connecticut. Dr. Lars Guldager, superintendent of Oak Hill School since January 1 of this year, spoke of the new direction now being taken by most schools for the blind throughout the country. Presently, enrollments in residential schools consist largely of deaf-blind and multi-handicapped students, educated while most students with the single handicap of blindness are being educated within the public school system. The existing "live-in" schools for the blind, he contended, must operate the year around and must implement programs which will train students in all phases of day-to-day activities which will help them toward independent living when they leave school: housework, cooking, mobility, shopping, to name only a few. The main thrust of the talk by William E. Patton, Director, State Board of Education and Services for the Blind, State of Connecticut, was to inform those in attendance concerning the present status of the bill to re-structure state government by creation of an "umbrella" agency to include services to the blind. All organizations of the blind in Connecticut united, apparently successfully, to oppose this "umbrella" concept. Mr. Patton indicated that minimal changes will be made so far as blind persons are concerned; that although services to the blind will be administered under the human rights department, the agency for the blind will remain independent, with the State Board of Education and Services for the Blind to continue as a policy-making body. The final speaker on the program, George Precourt, outlined some of the activities and future plans of the Home Industries program which he directs. This program has been at a standstill because of the possibility of government re-structuring. However, with that matter now resolved, the Home Industries program can again go forward. Included in future plans is a vending facility at the Oak Hill School where students can receive actual training and experience, as well as a bus to exhibit blind-made products, which should be in full service by June. At the afternoon business meeting, a newsletter was authorized, and emphasis was given to establishing firm committees in such key areas as finance, publicity, legislation, and membership. Looking back, those present were somewhat surprised how much had been accomplished in so short a time. In this third year of its existence, the Connecticut Council has tried its wings and has learned to fly. Its voice is becoming stronger and firmer, and with continued good leadership and membership on the increase, the future looked brighter than ever as the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. ***** ** Here and There By George Card The current newsletter of the South Dakota Association of the Blind (ACB's South Dakota affiliate) tells of the formation of the South Dakota Council of Citizens with Disabilities, its president being Dawn Brush -- who is also the president of SDAB. The coalition of various groups of handicapped citizens was formed to present a stronger voice on behalf of the handicapped when dealing with state government. The Council's initial concern centered on the Department of Social Services and its costly and wasteful bureaucracy. Miss Brush stated that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being diverted from rehabilitation services to support the social service bureaucracy. -- In a supportive editorial, Arliss Fousek writes: "It was King George III's bureaucracy of oppressive rules and special demands that finally caused the American colonists to act. One can draw many parallels between the experience of the colonists and South Dakota's handicapped of today." -- The net profit from the annual raffle which is the main fund-raising projecting of SDAB will be about $3,000 this time. Stevie Wonder, graduate of Michigan School for the Blind, became music's No.2 Grammy award winner by clinching four key honors given by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" was voted top album of 1976. In addition, he was voted best producer, male pop singer, and male rhythm and blues singer. The four honors boosted to fourteen the number of Grammies he has won. Only Henry Mancini with twenty has more. Winner of the "most original recording" in a recent English contest was a Gloucestershire man whose entry was a tape of a snail munching lettuce! The Reader-Transcriber Registry of the National Braille Association has received a grant which permits it to lower its price for original transcriptions from $.04 to $.03 per page. Minimum order remains at $1. Masters of several titles which were transcribed for the Registry have been placed in the NBA Braille Book Bank because it was felt there are many people who might like to order copies. Thermoform copies are available from the Braille Book Bank at the usual price of $.05 per page. For further information, contact NBA Braille Book Bank, 85 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. From the K. A. B. NEWS: Harry E. Hayes, Director of Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped since 1937, has retired. He originated the program and at one time turned down a good promotion to stay with it. As an official, Hayes "stood up" to bureaucrats from a host of state administrations, always going through channels and never with a chip on his shoulder, to hold his ground whenever the needs of the blind were being considered. An employee's comment in Hayes' Memory Book says: "He helped blind persons to live with purpose, dignity and usefulness." Our Oregon Council is introducing a bill to prohibit the reduction of welfare supplements when SSI is increased to compensate for higher costs of living. The Illinois Braille Messenger reports the resignation of Jack Warren of Peoria as IFB president. Homer Nowatski, first vice president, will serve as acting president until the next convention election. From a Sidney Harris Column: Isaac Stern, the great violinist, has a dynamic range of 50 decibels, so that his loudest note is 100,000 times more powerful than his softest. ... The body and fenders of the old Model T were heavier gage sheet metal than are used in most modern automobiles. ... The first Bourbon whiskey made in the United States was distilled by a Baptist minister. From ABC DIGEST (California): The Associated Blind of California has officially changed its name to the American Council of the Blind - California. -- After only two years of employment, ACBC member Brenda Osborn, blind contact representative of the Canoga Park District Office of the Social Security Administration, was named Handicapped Employee of the Year. From AARP NEWSLETTER: Testimony before the Senate Small Business Monopoly Subcommittee has indicated that bans on advertising of eye glasses may cost consumers some $400 million each year. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, chairman of the Subcommittee, said he had found that the same pair of glasses may be available at one store for $15 and an identical pair at another store nearby for $50 to $75. (Glasses are mass produced by machine, and it pays to shop for bargains, a staff economist stated.) From the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind Newsletter: One of the items in the current issue records the death of 86-year-old Mrs. Queenie H.C. Captain, perhaps India's most famous social worker. She was one of only two women ever awarded the honor of life membership in the World Council. The other was the immortal Helen Keller. -- The statement is made that the sight of two-thirds of the 16 million blind people in the world today could have been saved if one 10,000th of the world's military budget had been used for that purpose. Sad tidings from Mobile -- the passing of Earl Pendleton, retired stand operator and stalwart ACB member. He and his wife, Eileen, attended a number of national conventions and made many friends. In the late 1950s they helped to organize the first Mobile chapter. According to the AFB Newsletter, of the 7 1/2 million persons eligible for talking book service, only 6.5% are availing themselves of the service. Important Notice from Science for the Blind Products -- The office and shop facilities of Science for the Blind Products were completely destroyed by fire on May 12, 1977. If you are on our mailing list or have an order or repair pending, we need to hear from you. Everyone can help us locate our customers and correspondents. If you would like to be on our mailing list, specify print or recorded catalog, or both, and send name and address to Science for the Blind Products, P.O. Box 120, Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004. ###