The Braille Forum Vol. XVI May, 1978 No. 11 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 Notice to Subscribers The Emperor's New Clothes, by Billie Elder ACB Conventions -- The Fringe Benefits, by Byrdyna Goodart A Beloved Blind Man Passes On, by George Card Iowa Commission for the Blind, Claims Versus the Facts Anybody for a Seeing-Eye Mule? ACB Convention, Shaping Up A Workshop for Improving Publications, by Harold Dachtler Another Milestone in Civil Rights for Handicapped Persons, by Reese Robrahn "Handicapping America: Barriers to Disabled People," A Book Review Glaucoma Drug Said to Relieve Pressure on Eye NCSAB, Harry Vines Resigns Hyde Park Corner: Are the Public Airwaves Really Ours?, by Charles H. Crawford Leadership Conference Supports Equal Treatment of Disabled Persons in Affirmative Action and Employment Second National Conference on Aging and Blindness Protest from Handicapped Causes Postal Service to Change Plan on Handwritten Addresses ACB Affiliate News: Old Dominion Council Holds First General Membership Meeting Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon ACB Officers Associate Editors ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large-type, and two recorded editions -- flexible disc (8 1/3 rpm), which may be kept by the reader, and cassette tape, which must be returned so that tapes can be re-used. Send subscription requests and address changes to The Braille Forum, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620. Items intended for publication may be sent in print, braille, or tape to the Editor, Mary T. Ballard, at the above address, or to one of the Associate Editors. Those much needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to the ACB National Office, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. -- Suite 506, Washington, D.C. 20036. The National Office now has printed cards available to acknowledge to loved ones contributions sent in memory of deceased persons. You may wish to remember someone by sharing in the continuing work of the American Council of the Blind. 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 may communicate with the ACB National Office. ***** ** The Emperor's New Clothes By Billie Elder According to legend, there was once an emperor who could not tolerate advice from others, and so he surrounded himself with close "Yes" men. His "Yes" men fawned upon him, flattered him, and always told him what he wanted to hear. They stood as a buffer between the emperor and his people, never allowing a bit of light and truth to filter through their protective screen. And so the emperor lost contact with the people. In time the emperor began to think that he was so wise that he was infallible. All of his pronouncements and actions were applauded by the little clique of "Yes" men, who cared nothing for the people, but feathered their nest with the wealth of the land. The emperor decided he wanted a new wardrobe. He commanded his counselors of state and assistants to find the best weavers of cloth, furriers, goldsmiths, and designers in the realm to bring in samples of their craft so that he might select the materials for his new wardrobe. The richness and splendor of it was to be unsurpassed. The counselors of state, the assistant administrators, and the hangers-on had by this time become so powerful and so much in control that they had stripped the emperor of the ability to think rationally. They saw in the emperor's desire for a new wardrobe the opportunity to further enrich themselves. And so they plotted to deceive the emperor. When the merchants came in to display their rich velvets, brocades and satins, they came empty-handed. However, they described their fabrics in glowing terms, stroked the imaginary cloth, and convinced the emperor that he was seeing and touching the most splendid of fabrics. The counselors of state, the assistant administrators, and the hangers-on helped the emperor select the most expensive fabrics offered by the merchants. The emperor was flattered into thinking that he had excellent taste. Next came the designers, the tailors, and the pattern-makers with their drawing boards, their scissors, and their needles and thread. They draped the imaginary cloth and fitted it to the body of the emperor, all the time flattering him and commenting on his excellent taste. Like the counselors, the administrators and the hangers-on, the merchants and the tailors had one hand in the public till, while the other pretended to fit the emperor's new clothes. Finally the day came for the emperor to display his new wardrobe to the people. A great parade was arranged. The hangers-on went through the motions of helping the emperor don his new clothes, and then he stepped out of his palace to walk down the thoroughfare lined with great throngs of people on both sides. Nothing had been spared for the public viewing of the emperor's new clothes. After appropriate fanfare, the emperor descended the steps of the palace and began to march down the thoroughfare. Suddenly, a child standing on the curb remarked, "The emperor doesn't have on any clothes." Human nature being what it is, and governments and organizations being what they are, it is sometimes necessary to point out the fact that those agencies who pretend to serve the people have no clothes on; that all is bareness and delusion. If indeed, an agency of the government has ceased to serve the people and exists only to provide lucrative jobs for people who push paper all day long, fill out forms, and never mingle with the people to find out what the people need or desire, then it becomes incumbent upon consumers to say, "You don't have any clothes on." This is only the first duty of a consumer -- the first and the simplest. Even a child can do this. The problem is to rectify the situation, to inject truth and reality, to overhaul and to create service programs which really serve people. Those consumers who can only negate and point out fallacies and shortcomings in agencies which were originally designed to serve them fall short of the mark. Consumerism is a powerful force capable of injecting new life into structures and situations that have become archaic, self-serving, or a parasite of the body politic. Otherwise, token consumerism will be the result and no real reformation of services will take place. The idea that a consumer is a consumer is a consumer can be fatal to the movement. An agency or an institution can select untrained, inept, uninformed consumers and place them on advisory boards or on committees as tokens. Without information, a consumer may unwittingly become a part of the system he wishes to reform and become a mere "Yes" man, eventually seeing rich fabrics, furs, and golden ornaments where, in reality, nothing exists. Because of lack of knowledge or the inability to work with others to achieve desired goals, a lone consumer may feel isolated and powerless, and consequently develop an attitude of cynicism toward the consumer movement. But if plugged in to a viable consumer organization, that same consumer can experience the strengths that come by associating and working with others. Through association, negatives can become positives and the powerless become powerful. One of the objectives of a consumer organization must be the education and training of its membership in the skills of consumerism. Consumers who, like Topsy, "just growed," need an opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills. Such a membership organization must constantly replenish and renew its supply of trained leaders capable of guiding the internal affairs of the organization, and of planning and carrying out a program to meet the needs of members. Leaders must have the skills necessary to interact effectively with agencies who serve them and to educate the public regarding the needs of members. In order to make permanent gains and bring about desired changes, a consumer organization dare not leave to chance the development of leadership skills of its members. Therefore, an ongoing program of education and leadership training is a vital function of the organization if the consumer movement is to be more than a "flash in the pan," with a discordant accompaniment of sound and fury. The American Council of the Blind must maintain a constant supply of visually handicapped consumers who are knowledgeable, who are well trained in the skills and techniques of leadership, and who have this expertise to present their needs to the public. Consumerism is more than sound and fury. ACB must expand and intensify its program of leadership development. The visually impaired consumer has many roles to play. Whether these roles are played effectively or whether they are acted out with a sense of futility and non-involvement depends upon the opportunity to acquire the requisite skills of leadership. If the American Council of the Blind does not educate its members in the new role of the consumer, then someone else will -- other organizations or agencies who serve, or claim to serve, the visually impaired. Consumerism is an idea whose hour has arrived, and that idea must be embodied in individuals who are intelligent, disciplined, informed, and caring, if it is to serve the highest purposes of society. ***** ** ACB Conventions -- The Fringe Benefits By Byrdyna Goodart As the time approaches for the 1978 convention of the American Council of the Blind in Salt Lake City, my good friend, Ione Miller, and I are dusting off our suitcases, looking over our wardrobes, planning what additions our budgets will allow, and wondering just what adventures this year's convention will bring. Our "love affair" with ACB conventions started in 1968 when we decided to attend the one in San Francisco. I had been active in ACB's California affiliate for a number of years, so knew the host group. Both being vendors and therefore used to working, Ione and I immediately offered to help. There was much to be done, and we were kept busy throughout the entire convention. We met hundreds of people, made dozens of new friends, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Although I did not attend the Charlotte and Oklahoma City conventions, I haven't missed one since. I was present in Milwaukee, Portland, Knoxville, Chicago, Mobile, Little Rock, and Miami Beach. In fact, when Ione and I were on our way to Milwaukee, a friend met us at the Los Angeles airport to see us off, and we gave such a good sales pitch that she went home, packed, and joined us that night. We already have our reservations made for Salt Lake City and wouldn't miss it for the world! Aside from all the excellent program material offered by the special-interest organizations and the main ACB convention, there are many, many wonderful fringe benefits, and these are what I would like to stress here. We have made so many good friends all across the country, and it is always a thrill to pick up the phone when you least expect it and hear someone say: Hi, this is Wally, or Dalton, or someone else you have met and who enriches your circle of friends. Friendship is a wonderful gift, and it is important to remember that in order to have a friend, one must be a friend. It is always sad to see people sitting alone in the hotel lobby or at meetings, after the time and expense they have gone to in order to attend the convention. It would mean so much to them and add to the spirit of the convention if we would all take the time to say hello to the people we don't yet know. The ACB convention trail is an ideal way to broaden one's horizons. We have seen parts of the country and taken tours we would never have been able to otherwise. In Milwaukee we came face to face with pollution problems when we took an excursion out on Lake Michigan, where there were hundreds of dead fish floating on the surface of the water, while in a different vein, there were huge freighters waiting to be loaded with grain for foreign countries. Our daily news reports began to have substance and added meaning. In Portland many of us took an unforgettable bus tour up through the mountains. We passed waterfalls that descended a thousand feet; visited an inn that looked just like a European castle; then on through gorgeous scenery to a spot where a picnic was held. From the top of the mountains, we viewed the great Columbia River gorge with its thundering waters rushing through; then on to the Bonneville Dam, one of the largest dams in the United States, where we saw the salmon hatcheries; and then, boarding excursion boats, went back down the mighty Columbia to Portland. Knoxville found us at the beautiful Hyatt-Regency Hotel, with a winding river and green mountains just outside our windows, and inside, our rooms overlooking an indoor patio the length of two football fields. We took a tour to the top of Old Smoky, seeing many bears and beautiful dogwood flowers along the road. The University of Tennessee Players performed the Wizard of Oz in a lovely natural amphitheater, and we were treated to an outdoor picnic in a large meadow, just at sunset, by the Lions of Knoxville. The Tennesseans were perfect hosts. Chicago was equally fascinating, but in a different way. Again we had a trip on Lake Michigan, but this time the water was lovely and clear, and we were told that the lake supplied all the water for the Chicago area, after being filtered. Coming from San Diego, where there are very few tall buildings, I was impressed by all the skyscrapers. Mobile seemed just the opposite -- so small in the downtown area where we stayed! Then, we took a trip down the Mobile River to the Gulf of Mexico, and I really felt at home, for there were many Navy ships in the harbor, as in San Diego. While some conventioneers went on a beach party, others of us toured an antebellum mansion built by the man who procured the first Coca-Cola franchise in Mobile. There were invaluable collections of antique furniture, china, silver service, rare bottles (some of them the first Coca-Cola bottles made), and a table radio that looked just like the old-fashioned Coke machine -- all of them priceless heirlooms. Little Rock, too, was unique in its own way. The Arlington Hotel, built against the side of a mountain, was quite old, and although it had been modernized, it had not lost its charm -- beautiful antique light fixtures in the lobby; long verandas to sit on; mineral baths to luxuriate in; and best of all, warm-hearted Arkansas hospitality. There was a trip up the river for conventioneers on "ducks" that traveled on both water and land -- old World War II troop carriers. We had a ball! There was an expedition to a diamond field, where some of the folks found diamonds, but I took the easy way out and bought mine. In Miami Beach last year, the Deauville was the convention hotel, right on the Atlantic Ocean. The manager gave a special cocktail party for our group. There were many social activities and a trip to Fort Lauderdale, then up the river to an outdoor restaurant and a vaudeville show; then back down the river, with boatloads of ACBers singing their hearts out. These are only capsule glimpses of just one aspect of ACB conventions over the past few years, designed to trigger instant replay in the minds of those who attended and to show those who did not just what they are missing. I can hardly wait for Salt Lake City. Won't you join us and get acquainted with some of the nicest people around? You'll have a wonderful time. ***** ** A Beloved Blind Man Passes On By George Card I was deeply saddened by news from England of the sudden death of an old and very dear friend, John Jarvis, who will be remembered by many in this country fondly. Back in 1958, when many of us were still in the National Federation of the Blind, he was the featured speaker at the Boston convention. In 1964, at our own ACB convention in Rochester, New York, he was not only a principal speaker, but was the moving spirit of social life during that happy weekend. John had many talents. Besides being a fine public speaker and a notable linguist, he held the European championship for the speed-writing of braille with slate and stylus. When he got really warmed up, his stylus sounded like a riveting machine in high gear. Because he knew so many languages, he was for years the foreign correspondent of the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London. Later he held the highest office in the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind, that of its Secretary-General. I was on its Board of Directors at that time, and it was my privilege to nominate him for that post. John Jarvis had a happy, outgoing disposition, with a never-failing sense of humor. He had friends and admirers in literally every corner of the globe, because he had a wonderful gift of friendship. He was a superb cane traveler, getting about the frantic maze of London traffic with amazing skill. But he loved to tell of this incident: Returning from a meeting one night, he was obliged to leave the subway train at a station which was jam-packed from wall to wall with hundreds and hundreds of celebrating football fans. He found himself unable to move. The gatekeeper, who knew John and saw his dilemma, shouted, "Hey, Pat, help that man get to the street level." Pat came lurching over, grabbing John's arm, and they went staggering off together. After about a minute, Pat said, "Oh, now I see. It's blind ye ere, and I thought you were just drunk like me!" ***** ** Iowa Commission for the Blind Claims Versus the Facts (NOTE: The following statement was presented in April by Noma Hochstatter to a committee of private citizens who were appointed by the Governor of Iowa to hear complaints about the Iowa Commission for the Blind. As presented, the statement included several statistical tables which are not reprinted here, and some citations to those tables have been omitted below. Finally the claim of superiority widely made for the Iowa Commission has been placed in a realistic perspective by this comparison of information furnished to the Federal Government by the state agencies referred to, including the Iowa Commission.) A number of extravagant claims about the Iowa Commission's program have been made recently by Kenneth Jernigan and the defenders of his regime. These claims appear to have been accepted uncritically by many in the Administration and the Legislature. It is time to take a closer look and make an evaluation of the Iowa agency's work based on facts. We are citing in the discussion which follows the latest published Federal statistics on rehabilitation programs for the blind and the Randolph-Sheppard vending facility program, and the 1976 estimates of state population and income issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Fiscal 1976 statistical data are available on 24 separate state agencies for the blind. They are of particular value in measuring cost effectiveness of programs in these agencies. Among the subjects covered are: expenditures by category, service for individuals by category; training services by category; and number of clients rehabilitated. As Iowa is relatively high in money spent on services to the blind, ranking eighth among the 24 separate agencies in per capita cost, we would expect this higher cost to be reflected in a proportionately greater number of blind Iowans rehabilitated. This is not the case, however. Available statistics show 1976 total population and the total number of blind clients rehabilitated for the 24 separate agencies, ranked in descending order according to the total number rehabilitated per 100,000 general population. Here Iowa ranks 16th, or at the bottom of the middle third of the 24 states, with 4.53 blind rehabilitations per each 100,000 general population. The average for the 24 is 8.53 per 100,000, and the first-ranking state had 23.31 blind rehabilitations per 100,000. Thus, it appears that prospects for the rehabilitation of a blind person in Iowa are considerably below those of blind persons in most states with separate agencies for the blind. Iowa taxpayers, who have been generous with their money in supporting programs for the Iowa Commission for the Blind, expect their dollars to be spent in the most cost-effective way. Accordingly, it is worthwhile to compare the Iowa Commission with other state agencies with respect to the amount of money expended in relation to the number of rehabilitations. Data available from each of the 24 separate agencies indicates that Iowa's average cost per rehabilitation is the third highest; that it is more than twice the average for the for the 24 agencies; more than twice the cost for South Carolina, the state nearest in population; and nearly four times that of Texas, the state with the lowest average cost. It is clear from the foregoing comparisons that the Iowa Commission has been spending relatively large amounts of money on relatively few blind people. The low productivity ratios for the Iowa Commission indicate the need for further analysis of how the money provided has been spent. During fiscal year 1976, the $61,946,469 total expenditures of the 24 separate agencies for the blind were distributed percentage-wise as follows: administration, 8.0; counseling and placement, 32.9; services for individuals, 42.0; small business enterprises, 8.1; establishment of rehabilitation facilities, 6.4; facilities and services to groups, 2.3; agency-operated rehabilitation facilities, 0.05; construction, 0.2. The major categories in which money was spent for the training and employment of blind persons -- counseling and placement services for individuals (including training), and small business enterprises -- accounted for 83% of the total expenditures of the 24 separate agencies. Nineteen of the 24 spent more than 80% on these categories, and more than half spent 85% or more. We consider it significant that the Iowa agency spent only 67.2% of its money in these three job-producing categories and that it ranked 23rd, next to the bottom, of the 24 states in the proportion spent. Where, then, we ask, did the rest of its money -- almost one-third -- go? The percentages were: administration, 8.4; facilities and services to groups, 24.4. The proportion spent by Iowa for administration was close to the average for the 24 states. The percentage spent on facilities and services to groups, however, was more than ten times the average for the 24 states, the highest among the 24, and almost twice the percentage spent by the second ranking state. Of the 24 states, 14 had no expenditures in this category, 4 had less than 1%, and only 3 had more than 5%. What are these facilities and services on which the Iowa Commission spent $481,008, almost one-fourth of its income? Were there any groups besides the National Federation of the Blind? The disproportionately high expenditure in this category obviously contributed to the mediocre record in number of blind rehabilitations and the extremely high average cost of those rehabilitations. Only a thorough check by Federal auditors familiar with the programs involved can ascertain the facts. We have requested such an audit. A major employment resource for the blind nationally is the Randolph­Sheppard vending facility program. In fiscal year 1976, it employed 3,780 operators in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, or 1.8 for each 100,000 general population. This program has been neglected in Iowa, however, which had only 1.1 vending operators for each 100,000 in fiscal 1976. The state nearest Iowa in population, South Carolina, had 3.1 operators for each 100,000 population in fiscal 1976, or almost three times as many for its size as Iowa. Furthermore, the average income of Iowa stand operators is mediocre in comparison with other states, ranking 23rd in the 51 jurisdictions. South Carolina's per capita income in 1976 was 18% below that of Iowa, yet the average income of South Carolina Randolph-Sheppard operators in fiscal year 1976 was $564 higher than the average for Iowa operators. When Congress enacted the Randolph-Sheppard Amendments in 1974, it made a finding that the vending stand locations could be doubled in five years, but this program is static in Iowa. We do not advocate less money for the Commission's programs. We do advocate that the Commission's funds be spent for the delivery of quality services to blind people in Iowa. The Commission needs non-partisan leadership and management throughout and absolutely must stop spending public funds to support a private political organization. ***** ** Anybody for a Seeing-Eye Mule? (Orford, N.H. -- March 22 -- AP) There is no such thing as a seeing-eye tractor for a partially blind farmer, so Al Wilson has the next best thing -- a seeing-eye mule. Mr. Wilson has three, in fact. Having traded four wheels and a noisy motor for four sturdy legs, the New Hampshire farmer vows never to return to mechanized farming. "I have no peripheral vision, so my mules do my seeing for me," says Mr. Wilson. "All I've got to do is watch for changes in their ears. They can spot anything for miles." ... He likes to tell about the time he plowed four acres in five days "without being able to see what I was doing." The credit, he says, goes to Maude, Jenny, and Emma. "They have an uncanny sense of self-preservation," Mr. Wilson says. "They won't step into a hole and they won't run off into the woods. "They won't drink if they're too hot, and they won't eat themselves sick like horses do. They'll work awful hard, but you can't over-work them. When they figure they've done enough work for one day, they'll just call it quits." Mr. Wilson says mules combine the strength of a horse with the stamina of a donkey. Their sure-footedness, he says, lends itself to his 200-acre farm, a mixture of green pasture, rocky hardwood, and muddy till. ***** ** ACB Convention, Shaping Up By the time you read this article, the 1978 national convention of the American Council of the Blind will be less than three months away. If you have not already received your pre-registration materials from the Convention Committee, you may look forward to having them in your hands very shortly. All mailing should have been completed early in May. The convention planners are themselves growing more excited as the week of July 23-29 approaches. Not only are they anticipating hosting old friends, but they share the excitement of the convention itself. Some very exciting speakers have been invited to participate in the program: Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare; David Tatel, Director of the Office for Civil Rights; and Midge Costanza, Assistant to the President for Public Liaison. Lucille Johnson, a world-renowned lecturer, will participate in our awards ceremonies. Frank Kurt Cylke, Chief, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Louis H. Rives, Jr., President of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and Donald W. Perry, State Coordinator, Utah Services for the Visually Handicapped, will be featured speakers and participants. The United States Association of Blind Athletes will have its representative explain the plans and activities of this new and growing project. And for a change of pace, an author by the name of Larry Pointer has consented to add a bit of the Old West flavor to the proceedings. Mr. Pointer is one of the most knowledgeable persons in the country on outlaws of the Old West. He has recently published a book entitled In Search of Butch Cassidy, which deals with the life of this notorious Utah outlaw. Three exciting choices of sight-seeing tours will be available to conventioneers on Thursday afternoon: Tour A -- Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake -- Those choosing this tour will be met at 1:00 P.M. at the Hotel Utah and driven past the various historical sites; taken to Snowbird for a luncheon; ride the famous tram there; and return via the Great Salt Lake. Tour B -- Lagoon Picnic -- This tour includes round-trip transportation to Lagoon from the Hotel Utah. Lagoon is a mini-Disney Land amusement park which includes a restored town of the Old West, Pioneer Village. Also included is an all-day pass for attractions at Lagoon, as well as a box lunch. Tour C -- The Heber Creeper -- This excursion includes travel to Heber City, admission to the Heber Creeper, an old-time steam locomotive, for a ride up through Provo Canyon, a picnic box lunch, and stop at the Osmond Studios. Some of you have asked about a post-convention excursion through the southern Utah parks. the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. A five-day trip has been tentatively arranged immediately following the convention. The group will leave Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 30, traveling through Bryce and Zion Canyons in southern Utah. Included, also, is a 100-mile cruise on beautiful Lake Powell, the premier attraction being the 309-foot-high Rainbow Bridge, the world's tallest known stone arch and the last national monument to be discovered. Following the cruise, you will visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, and the tour will end with two days in Las Vegas. The cost of this five-day trip is $169 double occupancy and $204 single occupancy. The tour will be limited to 38 people on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested, please send your request for reservations, plus a $25 deposit for each person, to Grant Mack. Should any of you not receive your pre-registration mailing by the middle of May, you will want to contact Grant Mack at 139 E. South Temple, Suite 5000, Salt Lake City, UT 84111; telephone (801) 355-7417. ***** ** A Workshop for Improving Publications By Harold Dachtler, Chairman ACB Board of Publications When making plans for the American Council of the Blind convention in Salt Lake City this July, save time to attend personally or have someone represent your organization at the planned workshop on publications, sponsored by the Board of Publications on Tuesday afternoon, July 25. "An affiliate publication is the life blood of an organization and the only form of dependable communication available to the rank-and-file members," says Jack Lewis, one of the speakers to participate in the workshop. He says further: "I believe the more progressive affiliates are those which have publications. It is difficult for me to see how affiliates are able to maintain enthusiasm, communication, and organizational successes without a good publication, considering that members are scattered throughout a large geographic area." Bring your problems, your successes and failures, your contributive comments to be shared. Three speakers will briefly discuss editing, producing, and distributing the affiliate publication. Then the session will be open to give and take. Other experienced persons will be present to serve as resource speakers. Chairperson for the workshop is Harriet Fielding, 1880 Pacific Avenue, No. 504, San Franscisco, California 94109. Your contribution will be a valuable asset to the workshop. ***** ** Another Milestone in Civil Rights for Handicapped Persons By Reese Robrahn The United States Civil Service Commission, on March 24, 1978, published in the Federal Register its non-discrimination and complaint procedure Final Rule in the selection, placement, and advancement of handicapped persons in Federal Government employment. The Rule is based on both Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1948 Act which prohibits discrimination in employment practices in the Federal Government with respect to physically handicapped persons. Neither of the foregoing acts expressly directs the issuance of regulations; and until the Carter Administration, the Office of General Counsel of the Civil Service Commission, notwithstanding the ruling of many courts to the contrary, had insisted that without an express mandate from the Congress, there is no authority or duty to promulgate regulations. This policy on the part of the Federal Establishment put it in the untenable position of in1posing upon recipients of Federal financial assistance under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as, Federal contractors under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, the legal obligations to remove architectural barriers, eliminate practices of discrimination on the basis of handicap, and adhere to affirmative action in the employment of handicapped persons, while the Federal Establishment itself refused to acknowledge its obligations under the law as mandated by the Congress and, with few exceptions, continued, and even reinforced, gross and flagrant practices of discrimination against handicapped persons. The inevitable result of this state of affairs plagues the civil rights movement for handicapped persons. Its consequence is permissiveness in the implementation and enforcement of Sections 503 and 504 and general confusion and misunderstanding. The new Civil Service Rule, then, represents a tremendously important step in the right direction-in the direction of handicapped persons, and in the direction of clearing the air on Sections 503 and 504. The Rule declares as general policy that: "Agencies shall give full consideration to the hiring, placement, and advancement of qualified mentally and physically handicapped persons. The Federal Government shall become a model employer of handicapped individuals." While this new Civil Service Rule is an important step in the right direction, it is only an initial step of three which must be taken before the Federal Government will become a model employer of handicapped persons. The second action must be the adoption of an effective and meaningful affirmative action rule; and the third must be aggressive and effective compliance and enforcement throughout all Federal departments and agencies. To achieve the reality and to bring into being Steps 2 and 3, the American Council of the Blind continues to work collectively with a host of organizations of handicapped individuals and advocacy organizations in the development of proposed rules and procedures, and by seeking adoption of the same through formal petitioning actions and judicial orders, if necessary. In addition to other similar actions, the new Rule specifically requires Federal departments and agencies to provide reasonable accommodation to the known handicapping conditions of an applicant for employment or an employee, such as: (1) making facilities readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons; (2) job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules; (3) acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, appropriate adjustment or modification of examinations, provision of readers for blind persons and interpreters for deaf persons. The Rule prohibits pre-employment medical examinations and pre-employment inquiries as to handicaps, except for certain limited purposes and under limited circumstances. Important: The new Rule becomes effective on April 10, 1978, and it covers an act or acts of discrimination from and after one year prior to that date; provided that the act is brought to the attention of the agency within thirty calendar days of its occurrence, or if a personnel action, within thirty calendar days of the effective date of such action; and provided, also, that a formal complaint is filed within 180 calendar days of the effective date of the Rule, that is to say, April 10, 1978. If any reader wishes to receive a copy of the new Rule or wishes to obtain additional information such as how to file a complaint, you may obtain the same by contacting Reese Robrahn at the ACB National Office, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 506, Washington, DC 20036. The entire text of the Rule is included in the recorded editions of The Braille Forum, and extra copies of the flexible disc are available from the Editor upon request. ***** ** Handicapping America: Barriers to Disabled People Almost 36 million Americans -- one out of six -- have a physical, mental, or emotional handicap. Together they constitute one of the largest minorities in America today. Dr. Frank Bowe is the director of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, of which the American Council of the Blind is a member organization. He writes, "America handicaps its disabled citizens, and in doing so, handicaps itself." On March 29, 1978, Harper & Row published his book, "Handicapping America: Barriers to Disabled People." Himself totally deaf, the author has had three decades of professional and personal experience with disabled people. He states that, over the years, the nation has been designed for the average, able-bodied majority, even though millions of people cannot enter many buildings, ride subways and buses, enjoy educational and recreational programs, or use communications systems. But slowly, things are changing. Today more and more disabled Americans actively seek their basic rights. Dr. Bowe's book is about those rights and the people who are fighting for them. It is written for all Americans, for Dr. Bowe believes that each of us plays a role in creating the obstacles that disabled people face, and that each of us can work toward the removal of those barriers. ***** ** Glaucoma Drug Said to Relieve Pressure on Eye (Reprinted from the Washington Star.) Eye pressures that lead to blindness from glaucoma may be controlled by a new group of drugs that could revolutionize the treatment of the disease, according to a Louisiana ophthalmologist. Dr. Thom J. Zimmerman told delegates to the International Glaucoma Congress, which ended yesterday, that newly discovered "beta blocker" drugs apparently work by cutting off the abnormal surges of adrenaline that build up pressure within the eye. "Eye drops containing the drugs lower internal eye pressure within 20 minutes for periods of up to seven hours," Dr. Zimmerman said. He said more study is needed before the drugs can be released without fear of side effects. Zimmerman said he has tested timolol maleate drops on more than 200 patients and found a single drop of this drug produces "an almost immediate relief of intraocular pressures." He said 1.8 million Americans suffer from glaucoma and that 6,600 persons lost their sight because of the malady in 1975. Similar reports were filed by Drs. Karin Wettrell and Maruizio Pandolfi of the University of Lund, Sweden. They used another kind of beta blocker -- atenoll -- and discovered that a single dose took two to three hours to build up to its maximum response and that this wore off in less than eight hours. Use of the drops three times daily extended the drug's effect for a full week, they said. Timolol, said Zimmerman, "lowers intraocular pressures significantly within 20 minutes, for periods of up to at least seven hours." ***** ** NCSAB, Harry Vines Resigns The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind has been a seriously divided organization for some time. The National Federation of the Blind and the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind were controversial issues and factors. In 1975, Harry Vines was elected as President-Elect of the NCSAB. He was then the director of the state agency for the blind in Arkansas. It was at the 1975 meeting that NCSAB voted to defer renewal of its membership in NAC. Harry Vines had been a staunch supporter of NAC and for standards and accreditation. To the surprise of many, he and Robert Pogorelc of Oregon supported the negative action affecting NAC. For some months prior to the NCSAB meeting, Vines had been engaged in a hot political controversy with Russell Baxter, director of Arkansas' general rehabilitation agency. Shortly after the NCSAB meeting, Vines was fired from his state director's job. After several months and an unsuccessful campaign for a local political office, he took a job with the Texas Commission for the Blind. In September, 1976, the NCSAB, acting through its president, Robert Pogorelc, filed suit against Jim Carballo (who had succeeded Vines as President-Elect) to enjoin him from conducting meetings in the name of NCSAB and from holding himself out as an officer. The court ordered that all of NCSAB's elective positions be filled according to rules prescribed by the court at NCASB's October, 1976 meeting. Vines was again elected President-Elect by a narrow margin in a stormy session which was reported in The Braille Forum (November-December, 1976). In the fall of 1977, he succeeded to the presidency. But rumors persisted that his work in Texas had terminated -- that he was on leave of absence -- that he had health problems. Eventually it was known that he was again residing in Arkansas. He had applied unsuccessfully for several jobs in other states. In resigning, effective March 27, 1978, Vines wrote in part: "I am professionally and personally saddened that I will not be able to carry out my duties as president ... I will forward all pressing business matters relating to the organization to Mr. Mervin Flander, President-Elect, and I will attempt to the best of my ability to assist Merv and the other members of the Executive Board to bring about an orderly transition and continuation of NCSAB work. It is my hope and prayer that the organization's membership has learned from its most recent trying experiences and will as the outgrowth of its trials and tribulations become the effective advocate organization that it should be for state programs for the blind, as well as for the people throughout our country who represent the basic reason for the existence of the NCASB and other agencies for the blind." Harry Vines was liked by many who believed that his "collision course" approach would be his undoing. His change from one political faction to the other in NCSAB during the past two and a half years provides a significant learning experience. ***** ** Hyde Park Corner Editor's Note: This column exists to provide a forum for the expression of divergent views of writers on timely subjects. Views expressed need not necessarily be concurred in or endorsed by the publisher. * Are the Public Airwaves Really Ours? By Charles H. Crawford Ever get "hooked" by one of those TV ads where the audio tells you about some great product, only to learn that it is available in these fine stores ...? Ever listen to the pretty music on the TV while they show the latest scores or give temperatures around the country? And what about the classic action scene at the end of the movie, or those ads that show video disclaimers that you find out about only after you buy the product or use the service? In October of 1975, I testified before a local hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, contending that the use of purely visual information on television was an unfair trade practice. The local affiliate of the American Council of the Blind sent representatives to area TV stations, who were willing enough to talk about the problem, but did little to resolve it. I sent a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission regarding a nationally televised commercial that failed to disclose audibly the fact that prices would be higher in certain areas than in others, listing those places visually. More recently, I sent a letter to the FCC, essentially restating my oral argument of two years ago. You may well ask whether or not what I am suggesting is reasonable. Of course, it is unreasonable to expect TV to become nothing more than a radio with pictures. However, it seems to me neither impossible nor unreasonable to expect TV to communicate its programming to its entire audience -- including the blind community. In short, it does not seem unreasonable to expect TV to make some "reasonable accommodation" so that the audio portion of the broadcast will let people know what's going on. (Even many sighted viewers say that much of the time they don't actually watch the screen.) Several questions arise. Will TV stations ever do this on their own? More important, perhaps, are they, or should they in fact be obliged to? If an advertisement fails to communicate material data in a manner which is understandable by the person it is aimed at, then when does it become an unfair and/or deceptive trade practice? If a station's use of the public airwaves is contingent upon its operating in the public interest, then does a station not fail to meet that licensing requirement by not communicating to all the public -- or are we not a part of the public? And on the radio side: There is that FM station that tells you you can't have a subcarrier for a radio reading service because it will affect the signal of the main channel. There is some question that that need be the case. Aside from that, however, do not print-handicapped persons have a right to demand services from a radio station licensed to operate in the public interest, in some cases with Federal dollars? What, after all, is more in the public interest than a radio station making available current printed materials to persons previously in large measure denied such materials? At its state convention, the Bay State Council of the Blind passed a resolution condemning such practices and setting up a Media Action Committee to work on doing something about it in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I plan to present a similar resolution at the ACB convention this July. I say the answer is really up to all of us. Let's talk about it in Salt Lake City! ***** ** Leadership Conference Supports Equal Treatment of Disabled Persons in Affirmative Action and Employment On March 30, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare released the report of an internal task force on affirmative action and employment of minorities, women, and handicapped persons in the Department. The report revealed that the performance of the Department lags shamefully behind the performance of agencies of the Federal Government generally. Specifically, with regard to employment of handicapped individuals, the report stated that the Department's percentage of disabled employees was about one-half of the average percentage for all other departments and agencies. HEW Secretary Joseph A. Califano, Jr., stated that the Department should not do less than what it requires of others, and he pledged that he would bring about changes immediately by adopting numbers goals and timetables and would see that they are implemented by all departmental agencies. While the Secretary did not say it in his press release, it is reported by reliable sources that the goals and timetables will not apply to employment of disabled individuals in the Department. The Department of Labor last January announced a similar decision with respect to its affirmative action rule for Federal contractors. Reese Robrahn of the National Office of the American Council of the Blind is a member of the Executive Committee of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and he brought the matter to the attention of that body, which voted unanimously to support the demands of disabled persons to be included in affirmative action goals and timetables rules. And the Leadership Conference directed its protest by letter reprinted below to the U.S. Department of Labor, Donald Elisburg, Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards. Secretary Califano will be the recipient of a similar letter soon. "We were surprised and distressed at a recent meeting of our Executive Committee to learn that the proposed affirmative action rules governing Federal contractors are intended to apply to women and minorities, but not to handicapped persons. We can see no justification for any such distinction. We are of the firm belief that the handicapped are entitled to the same protections as other disadvantaged groups, and that effective enforcement of Section 503 requires an affirmative action program including the establishment of goals and timetables. "We trust that the rules as finally issued will include such provisions, and we look forward to hearing from you on this matter." ***** ** Second National Conference On Aging and Blindness The Second National Conference on Aging and Blindness was held in Atlanta, Georgia, March 27-30, co-sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind and the Administration on Aging and the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. About 300 conferees attended. Three issues were addressed: the older blind person, the service delivery system, and legislative policy. The problems posed by the "greying of America" were graphically outlined by keynote speakers Cruickshank and Colenbrander who described the magnitude of the problems created by a rapidly increasing population of older persons. The characteristics and needs of the older blind person were enumerated by the two speakers. Visual impairments and the effects of these impairments upon the ability of older persons to function independently were delineated, the nature of visual impairments predominant among the aging population and suggested remediation of these visual problems were discussed. Special services, including mobility and rehabilitation teaching services, were emphasized. The inter-relatedness of the problems encountered in the aging system and those in the blindness system was reported, and the severity of the problem created by a loss of vision and by aging was addressed. Speakers emphasized the need for a team of trained professionals who understand the complexities of the problems and who can adequately provide the services needed. The need for research into visual impairments associated with the aging process, the need for low-vision optical aids, and the need for services of mobility specialists and rehabilitation teachers were pointed out. Arabella Martinez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Human Development, HEW, was the principal speaker who addressed the second issue, the service. delivery system. This area was also addressed by representatives of all levels of government and private agencies in the fields of aging and blindness. The present state of the service system was found to be inadequate to serve the' needs of older visually handicapped Americans. The system is marred by serious gaps in services, under-utilization of existing services at Federal, state and local levels of government, inadequate formulation of goals and objectives at all levels, fragmentation and sometimes duplication of services by both private and public agencies, a general lack of consumer input, and uncoordinated development of the two systems, aging and blindness, which seldom meet to exchange ideas about the visually impaired older person. The noninvolvement of the visually impaired aging consumer in the design of a more adequate and equitable service system was deplored by program participants who analyzed the service delivery system. Design of a "continuum of care" that would coincide with the "continuum of loss" which often accompanies the aging process was proposed. Planning for such a comprehensive service delivery system, it was pointed out, is long overdue and is now imperative in view of the rapidly increasing older segment of the population. The kind of comprehensive service system proposed, it was felt, should contain the following points: (1) A needs assessment of the service needs of older persons, especially the visually impaired. (2) Identification of all private and public resources which can be mobilized and utilized. (3) A bringing together in an effective coalition of all existing programs serving the elderly blind into a working relationship to develop an integrated service program, with a clear statement of purpose, goals, and objectives, based on fiscal accountability and a view of the elderly visually impaired individual as a person of dignity and worth. (4) The proposed services should be delivered to the older American in the home or community whenever feasible, and vast expansion of "in-home services," adequately financed and staffed by trained, qualified professionals, will be needed. When institutional care is supplied, it should be a quality service, predicated on the dignity and worthiness of the older person. (5) The proposed comprehensive service program should mandate an outreach program which would involve and impact the community. While working toward a delivery system based on these concepts, the two systems of aging and blindness must come together for study and action. Integration of the elderly visually impaired into existing services must begin now, as must the training of service providers in both fields. Also needed is the development of an articulate and effective advocacy voice among the elderly visually impaired, as well as development of advocacy groups within the system and within the community. The key word in dealing with the third issue, legislative policy, was action. Much-needed legislation was suggested by the legislative experts who addressed the conference -- legislation which would affect all facets of the lifestyle of older impaired citizens -- running the gamut of housing, transportation, health, nutrition, income, and legal and support services. Conferees were urged to work for change in regulations of governmental programs which could benefit consumers of services more quickly than new or revised legislation. The need for standards as a means for ensuring quality services was reiterated during the final session. National standards for many service programs already exist. Where they exist, application is a necessity; where they do not, formulation of standards is imperative. ***** ** Protest from Handicapped Caused Postal Service to Change Plans On Handwritten Addresses (From NEWS AND VIEWS -- American Association of Workers for the Blind -- Feb., 1978) Under pressure from individuals and organizations representing the physically handicapped, the U.S. Postal Service has dropped a plan to determine a rate for "Citizen's" First Class Mail. In July, the Postal Service proposed that the current $.13 rate for First Class Mail be continued for any envelope with a handwritten forwarding or return address, but that other First-Class Mail be raised to $.16. Postmaster General Benjamin Bailar said many objected that the handwritten provision would bar many handicapped individuals from taking advantage of the reduced rate. Senator Harrison A. Williams (D.-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, introduced a bill to block the proposal. In lieu of its original plan, Bailar said that the Postal Service would "appeal to the honor system" to prevent businesses from using the Citizen rate. ***** ** ACB Affiliate News * Old Dominion Council Holds First General Membership Meeting Rehabilitation services, legislation, education of visually handicapped children, Title XX, and support for a radio reading service were among concerns of the 25 to 30 Virginians who attended the first general membership meeting of one of ACB's newest affiliates, the Old Dominion American Council of the Blind. The meeting was convened in Richmond the weekend of March 31 and April 1, with President Charles Hodge of Arlington presiding. Following committee reports on Saturday morning, Mr. Roy Ward of the Virginia Commission for the Visually Handicapped spoke concerning efforts to form a new non-profit corporation, Virginia Voice for the Print Handicapped, to establish a radio reading service within the Commonwealth. By resolution later that day, the Old Dominion Council unanimously endorsed support for the project and authorized Virginia Voice for the Print Handicapped to indicate such support in its promotional materials. William T. Coppage, Director, Virginia Commission for the Visually Handicapped, outlined ongoing programs and future plans of his agency. Mr. Coppage was questioned closely particularly with reference to efforts to obtain sites for vending facility locations, and concern was voiced that many state agencies are ignoring the "Little Randolph-Sheppard Act" in Virginia and that blind vendors are not being given the priority considerations mandated by state law. On Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Patricia Hodge and Mr. William Erickson, a graduate student, reported on their work as members of an advisory committee to the Virginia Commission in developing the State's Title XX plan. Interested persons were encouraged to attend public hearings being scheduled for late April and early May, before final submission of the plan to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The strengths, weaknesses, and problem areas of programs of the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind were candidly presented by its director, Mr. John Fiorino. He mentioned particularly the challenges presented in working with multi-handicapped clients. Upon recommendation of the Legislative Committee, a resolution was adopted protesting the failure of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor to include in its newly revised affirmative action plan any goals and timetables for employment of the handicapped under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Two representatives of the national American Council of the Blind were present and participated in the Saturday evening banquet. Reese Robrahn, Director of Research and Governmental Affairs, reported on efforts of the National Office to further civil rights for the handicapped and attempts to obtain from the Civil Service Commission an effective non-discrimination and affirmative action rule for employment of handicapped individuals within the Federal Government. Eunice Fiorito, member of ACB's Board of Directors, has recently assumed a position with the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of HEW, where she will be developing an advocacy program for the handicapped. Ms. Fiorito spoke forcefully about the duty and responsibility of each handicapped individual to speak out aggressively in his or her own behalf. Unanimously elected as official delegate and alternate, respectively, of the Old Dominion Council at ACB's national convention in Salt Lake City were President Charles Hodge of Arlington and Second Vice President Paul Kirton of Ladysmith. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon The Federal District Court, Tallahassee, Florida, has ruled against the State of Florida in its appeal, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services v. Joseph A. Califano, Jr. (see The Braille Forum, April, 1978, "Florida One-Stop Service -- Attack on Brademas"). In its decision, the Court ruled that the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, as organized, is in violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The Court further ruled that the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare had no authority to waive the law; that there was no evidence of undue Congressional pressure on the State of Florida; that there was no attack on Florida's Constitutional rights; and that there was no need for a factual hearing. A cassette film-strip program which introduces primary-grade students to the needs and problems of their exceptional classmates is now available. The program, "Special Friends," consists of eight 15-minute cassette lessons, 200 film-strip illustrations, a teacher's guide, and a color poster. The special friends are children with visual and learning impairments, learning disabilities, physical and other disabilities. The material may be obtained from Listen and Learn Company, 13480 Pescadero Road, La Honda, CA 94020. From JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS -- Telebraille is a new device invented and developed by the Research Department of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. It enables deaf-blind persons to converse with each other in complete privacy. The device is totally self-contained and portable and uses the standard telephone and the latest electronic technology to convert combinations of push buttons pressed to form braille characters into audio-frequency shifted binary signals, acoustically coupled to the telephone headset. Also under development is the Wrist-Com, which will sense the ring of a telephone acoustically and transmit it to a vibrating wrist receiver. ... A safety message from the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Bureau and the State Board of Education and Services for the Blind is being inserted in each driver's license renewal. Entitled "A Word About Blind Pedestrians and Their Right-of-Way," the message states that by law, the driver of a motor vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a blind or visually impaired person carrying a cane or using a dog guide. From THE GUIDE DOG MAGAZINE (Australia) -- In a program directed by Australia's Guide Dog Association, cabin hostesses of Ansett Airlines now participate in training under the blindfold to enable them better to meet the needs of visually impaired passengers. They are also given instruction in assisting blind persons in emergency exit procedures including use of the chute. The 1978 annual meetings of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped is scheduled for November 4 and 5 at the O'Hare Hilton, located in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Both meetings -- membership on November 4 and Board of Directors on November 5 -- are open to the public, and all interested persons are invited to attend. Further information may be obtained from the National Accreditation Council, 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. BPHL UPDATE (Michigan) reports that a new braille edition of the MTA Subway Guide for New York City has been produced by the Lighthouse, New York Association for the Blind, 111 E. 59 Street, New York, NY 10022, for $1.50. The guide contains the latest information on transfer points, shuttle points, lost and found, and points of interest such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. Construction began in January, according to THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN (Florida), on a new rehabilitation center for multi-handicapped blind at Daytona Beach. Following completion in approximately ten months, the center will be operated by Lions Aid to the Blind of Florida. Funding for construction and operation will be provided by grants from the Division of Blind Services and from private sources. Rehabilitation services will be provided to severely multi-handicapped blind persons, including the deaf-blind and those who are, in addition to being visually impaired, educationally mentally retarded. The U.S. Postal Service has issued new mail-opening regulations detailing what its employees and others must do to protect the privacy of correspondence. the new regulations, effective May 5, prohibit anyone from opening First Class mail without a Federal court order, with exceptions for mail arriving at customs stations, prison mail, and dead-letter mail. The new regulations were proposed a year ago, after disclosure of illegal mail openings by agents of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Included in the final version is a new provision protecting the privacy of braille letters sent unsealed. From ACBI NEWSLETTER (Indiana) -- Earlham College and the Art Association of Richmond, Indiana, are co-sponsoring a tactile art exhibit to be held in March of 1979. The purpose of the exhibit is threefold: (1) to build an awareness of the tactile art experience; (2) to provide a quality art exhibit accessible to people who are visually impaired; and (3) to promote integration of visually impaired and sighted persons in museums. ... Thermoform copies of the two-volume braille edition of Crockpot Cookbook are available for purchase for $11.50 from Beth Shalom Sisterhood, c/o Mrs. Max Benjamin, 8831 Ensley Lane, Leawood, Kansas 66206. UPI -- Annapolis, Md. -- A third-grader who said he would be "very angry" if his bill requiring braille numbers in elevators was killed got a quick response from a Maryland legislative committee. Eight-year-old David Knellinger of Baltimore told the Senate Economic Affairs Committee he got the idea from a magazine article reporting the success of a Chicago grade-school class in getting braille numbers installed in elevators. His class petitioned State Senator Norman Stone to place the bill before the Legislature. The Committee, bowing to the pressure of the thirty young lobbyists lining the committee room, gave the bill a favorable report. As many of you know, the office and shop facilities of Science for the Blind were totally destroyed by fire last spring. SFB is anxious to try to locate customers, both old and new. So if you dealt with them in the past or if you would be interested in being placed on their mailing list, contact Science for the Blind, P.O. Box 120, Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004. Donna Pastore, Mathematics Braille Specialist at the Division for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Library of Congress, was recently named Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employee of the Year. The award, a plaque, was presented in Washington, D.C., by Mrs. Rosalyn Carter. Donna was chosen for the award because of her enthusiasm, originality, and practicality exhibited during her seven years as a volunteer coordinator with DBPH. Disabled leaders representing groups of handicapped individuals from throughout Texas met in Houston in February and formally established the Texas Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. The function of the organization is to coordinate the efforts of more than a million Texas citizens who. because of past discrimination, have not shared fully in benefits available to the general population. An interim board comprised of persons who are blind, deaf, orthopedically impaired, and developmentally disabled was selected. An immediate priority of the Coalition is the inclusion of viewpoints from all sectors of the State's handicapped population through a strong communication network. If you wish to be included, please contact Ms. Pat Pound, 11511 Fast Horse, Austin, TX 78759. ***** * 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 * Secretary: M. Helen Vargo, 833 Oakley Street, Topeka, KS 66606 * Treasurer: J. Edward Miller, 1120 Coddington Place, Charlotte, NC 28211 ** 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 ###