Large Type Edition The Braille Forum Vol. XIX July, 1981 No. 1 ACB 1981 National Convention St. Louis, Missouri, July 5-11 Blind Man Successful in "Iron Man " Triathlon Congressional Committees Reject Block Grants for Rehabilitation, Special Education Published Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Mary T. Ballard, Editor ***** * National Office: Durward K. McDaniel National Representative 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 506 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-1251 * Editor, The Braille Forum: Mary T. Ballard 190 Lattimore Road Rochester, NY 14620 (716) 244-8364 ** Contributing Editors George Card 605 South Few Street Madison, WI 53703 Elizabeth Lennon 1315 Greenwood Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 ** ACB Officers * President: Oral O. Miller 3701 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 236 Washington, DC 20008 * First Vice President: Delbert K. Aman 115 Fifth Avenue, S.E. Aberdeen, SD 57401 * Second Vice President: Dr. Robert T. McLean 2139 Joseph Street New Orleans, LA 70115 * Secretary: M. Helen Vargo 833 Oakley Street Topeka, KS 66606 * Treasurer: James R. Olsen Summit Bank Bldg., Suite 822 310 4th Avenue, S. Minneapolis, MN 54415 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 Report from the ACB President, Oral O. Miller Reagan's Social Security Proposal: The "Safety Net" Keeps Shrinking, by Kathy Megivern The "Iron Man" Triathlon, by Harry Cordellos The International Year of Disabled Persons -- Its Significance and Potential, by Eugene Saumier Blind Employees Work with Sighted Peers in Enclave Arrangement French Honor Braille Block Grants Rejected by Congressional Committees, by Kathy Megivern A New Curriculum BANA Spring Meeting Robert R. Humphreys Testifies on Nevada Legislation Tape Spillage: Finding the Culprit CCTV Restores Job to Visually Impaired Bank Teller Handicapped Parking Open to Blind at National Airport Project for Handicapped Victims/Witnesses of Crime Here and There, by George Card Notice to Subscribers ***** ** Report from the ACB President, Oral O. Miller Have you ever tasted the fantastic seafood and Creole cooking for which New Orleans is justly famous? Although my trip there was planned rather hurriedly in May of this year (to attend an American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services board meeting), and although I was there for a relatively short period of time, I did manage to find barely enough time to enjoy some of its famous cuisine, to get at least a glimpse of Bourbon Street, and to experience some of the fine hospitality that was being served up in generous quantities during the state convention of the Louisiana Council of the Blind. The convention program was excellent, and those of us who were not in the American Council of the Blind at the time of its formation twenty years ago were both moved and impressed by Durward McDaniel's banquet address about the early days of the Council. As most readers know, Durward is not a sentimental or nostalgic person, but his reflections about those early days added greatly to our understanding and appreciation of the democratic principles on which the American Council is built. And the string of successes goes on! What am I talking about? ACB leadership training seminars, of course! That is another way of saying that the seminar held in Honolulu in late May for the benefit of the members and friends of the Aloha Council of the Blind was a tremendous success. As announced earlier, it was held there in response to several specific requests by the Aloha council and in recognition of the fact that, due to the tremendous distances involved, most of the members of that affiliate would never have an opportunity to attend one of the regional leadership training seminars. More than eighty people from the main island of Oahu and at least two other islands registered and took active part from the beginning to the end. The event was covered extremely well by the media, and it was also recognized widely by public officials -- such as the Mayor of Honolulu and the First Lady of the State of Hawaii, both of whom spoke at the seminar luncheon. The hard-working members of the Aloha Council are to be commended warmly for the outstanding job they did in making local arrangements for the seminar and the seminar staff. Because of the distance involved, many arrangements which are customarily made by ACB staff personnel had to be made by local volunteers. Although our short stay in the Islands was virtually filled by the seminar and related activities, we had a few opportunities to experience the warm hospitality and genteel customs for which Hawaii is so famous -- such as a native Hawaiian meal made up of such delicacies as kalua pig and lao-lao, as well as the presentation of beautiful and very fragrant flower leis. My only regret about the seminar is that I had to start back to Washington within four hours after it ended. During the first weekend of June, it was my pleasure to meet and speak to the members of our North Dakota affiliate, the North Dakota Association of the Blind, in Bismarck. Since I had never been in North Dakota before, and since it is difficult for large numbers of North Dakota members to attend national conventions, I had an opportunity to meet many new people. I was especially impressed by the industry, initiative and activity of the affiliate, as well as by the record attendance at its convention. Since this issue of The Braille Forum may reach some of its readers by the date of the 1981 national convention in St. Louis, I want to urge you to make your arrangements to be present, if you have not already done so. Two of the high-ranking public officials who will be present are Mr. George Conn, the Commissioner-Designate of the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education, and Congressman Paul Simon of Illinois. In addition, it is obvious now that our collection of exhibits is going to be the largest to be attracted by any convention of the blind or workers for the blind in the United States or Canada. In conclusion, I am looking forward to seeing you in St. Louis! ***** ** Reagan's Social Security Proposal: The "Safety Net" Keeps Shrinking By Kathy Megivern On May 12, 1981, the Reagan Administration unveiled its plans for "strengthening" the Social Security system. Within hours, a storm of opposition had arisen and Washington's political columnists were calling it the first serious political blunder of an administration highly skilled in the art of politics. Congressmen reported that their offices were being flooded with calls and letters protesting the Reagan proposals. Only one week after details of the program were released, Secretary of Health and Human Services Richard Schweiker was talking about possible compromise and said that all of the program's elements were negotiable. Probably the most controversial part of the Reagan plan is the proposal to cut back on early retirement benefits. Under current law, anyone who chooses to retire at age 62 rather than 65 is eligible for 80% of his or her regular benefits. Mr. Reagan would cut that percentage to 55% in order to discourage early retirement. What the Administration failed to anticipate was the outcry from large numbers of people now in their 50's who have contributed to the Social Security system all their lives and have planned carefully for early retirement. In addition to the lower percentage, another element of the Reagan plan would change the benefit computation formula for persons aged 62 to 65. This change, again intended to discourage retirement and save money, would result in lower benefits for the affected persons. In the area of disability insurance, several negative amendments were proposed. First is a change in the determination of disability. Currently, workers can qualify for disability benefits based on combinations of medical and non-medical factors such as age, education, and work experience. The Administration plan would limit qualification to medical factors only. The second proposal would increase the waiting period from five months to six. Thirdly, the law would be changed to require that the prognosis for duration of the condition be at least 24 months (instead of the current requirement that conditions be expected to last twelve months). The final proposal relating to disability, which would severely limit eligibility, is an increase in the required quarters of coverage. The law now requires that a person be covered for 20 out of the last 40 quarters. The amendment would raise that requirement to 30 of the last 40 quarters. The outline of the Reagan proposal provided by Secretary Schweiker makes no mention of changing the applicability of the fully insured rule to blind persons. If no change is made in that provision, the change in quarters of coverage will not affect persons qualifying for benefits on the basis of blindness. Two of the Reagan proposals are intended to reduce what they call the "welfare elements" of the Social Security program. One change would eliminate dependents' benefits for the children of those who choose to retire at age 62. Another would apply the same limitation on benefits for families of retired and deceased workers as now exists for families of disabled recipients. This is the "cap" on family benefits which was part of the 1980 Disability Insurance Amendments. Other elements of the Reagan proposal include the extension of the Social Security tax to the first six months of sick pay; moving the automatic benefit increase based on the Consumer Price Index from June to September; and phasing out the retirement earnings test. Delaying the cost-of-living increase until September would result in a loss of about $100 next year to each of the 35,700,000 beneficiaries currently on the rolls. The proposal to phase out the retirement test would raise the current earnings limitation for retirees from $5,500 per year to $10,000 in 1983, $15,000 in 1984, $20,000 in 1985, and unlimited earnings thereafter. The Administration plan has been sent to Congress, but has not yet been introduced as a specific bill. One bill which has been introduced is H.R. 3207, sponsored by Representative J.J. Pickle (D., TX). Mr. Pickle is Chairman of the House Social Security Subcommittee, but this particular bill is his own initiative, not the subcommittee's. In fact, many of the provisions in H.R. 3207 were discussed by the subcommittee, but no agreement could be reached. Mr. Pickle's bill would make many of the changes proposed by the Administration, although in most cases they would be phased in over longer periods of time. The major provisions of the Pickle bill are as follows: 1. A "mega-cap" on disability benefits. Currently, disabled persons can receive a combination of Social Security disability insurance and any other Federal, state, or local disability benefits to which they are entitled, regardless of the amount of the combined benefits or their pre-disability earnings. The earlier Administration proposal as well as the Pickle bill would reduce Social Security disability insurance benefits so that the sum of all disability benefits would not exceed 80% of the person's pre-disability earned income. (This would not include veterans' benefits, needs-based public assistance, or private insurance.) 2. Elimination of the minimum benefit. Currently, even if calculation of a retired person's benefit results in a lower amount, the minimum monthly payment is $122. 3. Elimination of Students' benefits. Currently, the children of Social Security recipients are eligible for a benefit if they are enrolled full-time in postsecondary education and have not reached the age of 22. 4. Elimination of the lump-sum death benefit unless there is a widow, widower, or young children eligible for survivor benefits. 5. Elimination of Social Security payments for the costs of vocational rehabilitation services to disabled persons receiving either disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income. Reimbursement to the state rehabilitation agency for vocational rehabilitation services is premised on the idea that rehabilitating disabled persons will put them back to work and thus save more money than it costs the Social Security trust fund. Even though this has been proven statistically to be working, both the earlier Reagan Administration proposal and Representative Pickle's bill have proposed cutting the program. 6. Raising the age of eligibility for retirement benefits from 65 to 68. Mr. Pickle's bill would phase in this change. With the Administration proposal, the Pickle bill, and various other plans being discussed and debated, the House Committee on Ways and Means began its consideration of proposed spending reductions. Since the Social Security program is within its jurisdiction, the committee voted on various changes and approved the following: 1. Phase-out of student benefits for children aged 18 to 22 who first enroll in postsecondary school after December, 1982. 2. Termination of mothers' and fathers' benefits when child attains age 16. Under current law, monthly cash benefits are paid to mothers or fathers caring for a child receiving Social Security benefits until the child attains age 18. The Ways and Means Committee voted to end entitlement to benefits for mothers and fathers when the child attains age 16. The provision would not apply in the case of a parents caring for a disabled child aged 16 or over. 3. Eliminate the Social Security minimum benefit for newly entitled beneficiaries. 4. Pay one-half of the Consumer Price Index increase due in July, 1982, and pay the remainder in October, 1982. 5. Lower retirement test exempt age to 71. Under current law, the age at which the retirement test no longer applies is scheduled to drop to 70 in January, 1982. The committee provision would reduce that age to 71. 6. Trust fund financing for successful vocational rehabilitation services. The committee voted to repeal the program that allows trust fund money to be used to pay states for vocational rehabilitation services provided to beneficiaries. However, the states would be provided reimbursement for rehabilitation services provided to disabled beneficiaries if they engage for nine continuous months in substantial gainful activity. While both the Senate and House continue to struggle with the various proposals before them, the Senate on May 20 unanimously agreed to a resolution in response to the announced Reagan plan. The resolution, as amended, was sponsored by Senator Robert Dole (R., KS). Comments made on the floor by other moderate and conservative Senators indicated that the Reagan Administration's desire to use cuts in the Social Security program in order to balance their budget is unacceptable to most lawmakers, no matter what their party or their philosophy. The Administration's stated rationale that the cuts were necessary because of the program's financial problems seem to convince no one. Senator Quentin Burdick (D., ND) said on the Senate floor: "I am upset by the sudden and drastic nature of some of these cuts, and I am even more upset that they go far beyond what is necessary to attain solvency in the Social Security system." Commenting on the unnecessary harshness of the proposed cuts, Senator Dennis De Concini (D., AZ) said: "This leads one to question the purpose of the proposals. Are they actually intended to ensure the integrity of the Social Security system, or are they designed to cover deficits elsewhere in the budget?" This theme of using Social Security to balance the budget was repeated again and again, as in remarks by Senator David Boren (D., OK): "Restoring the economy is essential. But penalizing the nation's elderly in a misguided attempt to effect economic recovery is wrong." The resolution, prior to some amendments by Senator Dole, had been introduced by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D., NY), and he led the way with several empassioned speeches, reminding everyone of Mr. Reagan's promise not to cut Social Security benefits. Senator Moynihan does not accuse the President of bad faith. Rather, he thinks these radical proposals are the result of trying to keep another campaign promise -- a huge tax cut. "It is because they have understood that if they are going to keep to their extraordinary tax proposals, they have to have extraordinary reductions in expenditures. They now know that the tax proposals will not return sufficient revenues. Therefore, if they are going to keep their tax proposals, they are going to have to get rid of the Social Security system as we know it." After a long series of speeches, the Senate agreed upon some relatively mild language in its resolution, which still makes clear their position on the Reagan plan: "It is the sense of the Congress that Congress should carefully study all options in order to find the most equitable solution to ensuring the fiscal integrity of the system; and that Congress shall not precipitously and unfairly reduce early retirees' benefits; and that Congress will enact reforms necessary to ensure the short-term and long-term solvency of the Social Security system, but will not support reductions in benefits which exceed those necessary to achieve a financially sound system and the well-being of all retired Americans." The American Council of the Blind, through its own efforts and as a member of the Save Our Security Coalition, will continue to oppose any and all regressive, negative amendments to the Social Security Act. ***** ** The "Iron Man" Triathalon By Harry Cordellos Over the past three years, friends have told me about an event in Hawaii called the "Iron Man" Triathalon. Apparently, over a glass of beer one day, some people got together and decided to take Hawaii's three ultra-endurance events and lump them together into a single-day event. These included the Waikiki rough-water swim (2.4 miles), the round-the-island bike ride (112 miles), and the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles). I wanted to try the "Iron Man," but never could get the training necessary. Late last fall, a long-time running partner, Peter Mattei of Danville, California, again threw the challenge my way. He had done the event himself and wanted to do it with me. I recalled that 1981 was the International Year of Disabled Persons and figured that this would be my year. We made the commitment to each other, and then the bottom dropped out. Peter often had business meetings which cancelled him out of training. Then I had complications and it looked as though we had lost every hope of trying the event. I tried to get training with other partners during the frustrating three months before the Triathalon, but the flu hit California hard this year and most of my partners either were sick, were recovering from the lingering after?effects of the flu, were injured, or in a few cases had moved out of the Bay area. Over the two critical months before the event, I piled up only four sessions of long-distance swimming in a pool, the longest two miles non-stop. During that same period, I had only four rides on the tandem bike with Peter. As for running, I left for Hawaii averaging 26 miles per week, and normally I would never consider a marathon unless I had 40 to 50 miles per week. I was not only going to try to run as far in one day as I had trained all week, but I was going to do that distance after a 2.4-mile swim in the open ocean and a 112-mile bike race. The airline balked at the size of the shipping carton for the tandem bike and almost refused to take it on board. The uncertainty about my going was so great that my ticket was not finalized until literally minutes before takeoff. I wondered why I was even getting on that plane, but I remembered that while it would be a disappointment to fail, it would have been worse to have to make excuses for not even trying. In Hawaii we finally had a positive note. A young surfer offered to paddle along with me to keep me on course in the swim. This meant that Peter could stay with me, but would not have to use his energy to keep both me and himself on course. Greg Hill was 14 years old, but very knowledgeable about handling a surfboard. The event was moved to the "Big Island" of Hawaii from Oahu because of traffic control during the dangerous bike race. On Valentine's Day, while most people were thinking about their sweethearts, we stood on the beach near the Kailau pier and waited for a cannon shot which came at 7:15 A.M. More than 325 swimmers splashed into the ocean to begin the long day. Without sight, distance swimming is a lonely and often boring sport. All I heard for two and one-half hours was the rhythm of gurgling and splashing. Greg added much enthusiasm to the swim for me by occasionally yelling such encouragements as, "You're doing great!" "Good job! You're on course." The spectators who sat in outrigger canoes along the course also cheered us with yells of, "Aloha!" Since I am a steady but slow swimmer, there were not many athletes left in the water when I stepped out at the finish ramp. But the crowds were just as enthusiastic as they had been for the first who exited the surf. Then came a quick shower on the beach to the cheers of the crowd. After removing the salty film from our bodies, we slipped into a tent to change into biking clothes and then were off again. Peter and I used a racing tandem with twelve gears. Knowing how much I dislike hard racing saddles, I had added the soft seat from my own tandem. Riding a bike for eight hours is difficult enough, but I had to think of 26 miles of running afterwards. The soft saddle turned out to be a good move, since in view of the tremendous heat of the lava beds (up to 120 degrees at times), it was good to know that a sore seat would not add to the problems. One thing about two on one bike: we could douse each other with water and not even break rhythm. Most of the course along the Kona Coast was gently rolling, but in that heat, even the slightest hill was a rollercoaster or a mountain. We had our act well together as far as aid stations were concerned. We would ride in, yelling whether we wanted water or one of the athletic drinks, and then reach forward. By the time a new bottle was shoved into our hands, we would be reaching slightly behind us and would have a full grip on the bottles before blasting away again. At one station at about 60 miles, we had a slight mishap, however. I noticed that one bottle had dropped to the ground, and, expecting a crash, I jerked my feet out of the toe clips. Peter was not as lucky, and as we stopped pedaling, the bike toppled over an aid table. A little embarrassing, but no problem! The worst problem came with only two miles of biking to go. We had gone 110 miles, and the Kona Surf Hotel was almost in view. We were tired and began to stall out on a short, steep hill. Then the bike toppled over a guard rail and I was pinned between the rail and the bike, with my partner on top of everything. We squirmed out with a few scrapes and scars, but no injuries. During the ride, and several times in the marathon to follow, we had to weigh in so that they could see that we did not lose too much body weight to dehydration. The ride finally ended, and after a short rest for a massage, we headed out of the hotel for the start of the marathon. Most runners talk about "hitting the wall" at 18 miles in a marathon. This refers to the fact that the body has used up its muscle fuel, or glycogen. Well, in this marathon the wall was not at 18 miles: it was at the starting line. But we headed out in good spirits, and after an hour of running in sunset and dusk, we were back in the lava beds in total darkness. Now the temperature was a "cool" 85 degrees or so. Our stride was constantly broken on the two-lane road as drivers came at us with their bright headlamps. We had to walk in the lava until after they had passed and start running again, only to have the stride broken still one more time. Finally the lights of the town came into view, and with people still lining the street, Peter Mattei and I crossed the finish line at approximately 11:39 P.M. We had been at it for 16 hours, 26 minutes, and 17 seconds. This was good enough for 259th place out of 300 who finished. I found the event very long and tiring, as one might expect. But, surprisingly enough, it was not as painful as some of my faster marathons. Now that it has been done by a blind athlete, I know someone will be chomping at the bit to break my record. But there will always be one part of that record that will be mine: I was first! ***** ** The International Year of Disabled Persons -- Its Significance and Potential (Ned E. Freeman Article of the Year) By Eugene Saumier (NOTE: The ACB Board of Publications is pleased to announce that Eugene Saumier of Flint, Michigan, was the recipient of the Ned E. Freeman Article of the Year Award at the 1981 convention of the American Council of the Blind. Mr. Saumier won first place in the first annual writing competition sponsored by the Board of Publications. He is an active member of the Michigan Association of the Blind and editor of its publication, The MAB News. Our thanks go to all those who entered the composition. All entries were worthy, appropriate, and competitive, which made judging a challenge. The topic and guidelines for the second annual writing competition will be announced soon. We encourage each of you to consider the selected topic and to submit your article for consideration. -- Harold Dachtler, Chairman, ACB Board of Publications) The world of the disabled is a heterogeneous segment of society whose divergent needs and interests preclude consideration as a single entity. It has been a composite of life here on earth almost since the creation of man. Like the rest of society, its citizenry includes scientists, doctors, teachers, lawyers, musicians, athletes, parents, and just plain folk who are "the salt of the earth." This citizenry shares with the rest of society all human emotions. Like the rest of society, this citizenry is illiterate, educated, lazy, ambitious, destructive, constructive ... It is apparent, therefore, that this citizenry shares the common needs, hopes, and desires of society in general -- to be given the opportunity to be gainfully employed in accordance with one's skills and talents; to be made to feel needed, wanted, loved, and accepted socially in accordance with one's human attributes. The world of the disabled, as we know it today in the developed countries, is a virtual paradise compared with what it was a mere 2,000 years ago at the beginning of the Christian Era. However, compared with the larger world in which it is engulfed, it still has a long way to go to achieve parity even in the more developed countries. In many places, life is still a virtual hell where the citizenry must beg for the dubious privilege of mere existence. It is this loss of thousands of years of partially developed or altogether discarded talent, therefore, that merits recognition in, and gives significance to, this long overdue International Year of Disabled Persons. We have been granted the opportunity in what we see, say, and do during these twelve months, to eradicate the archaic myths and fallacies too often associated with those who may differ from the norm in some physical or mental capability. We, every human being, must inevitably realize that we are all created equal to our individual role in the Creator's Plan. None of us were created especially gifted or especially disabled to justify the fallacies of human imagination. To exemplify one such fallacy, we need only ask: How can a parent plan constructively for the rehabilitation of an offspring while believing that the disability of the offspring is a manifestation of God's displeasure for a sin of the parent? Such destructive guilt is not merely a relegation from the Dark Ages. It is heard even today as an insult to a just, loving, and forgiving Creator. Even the person so disabled as to be considered by most of society to be "a living vegetable" makes a precious contribution to God's plan of life. Such a person can be the receptacle and appreciator of our richest love and the animator of our most precious human qualities. We can achieve the maximum potential of this special year for ourselves and our fellow man if we learn and accept the true meaning of the term "disabled." Disability is a comparative weakness which all mankind shares to a greater or lesser degree. God has granted to each of us a sufficiency of skills and attributes to fit us perfectly into His pattern of life. Those of us who are not lawyers are disabled when we require an interpretation of the law; but those of us who are mechanics negate this disability when the lawyer's automobile, lawn mower, or home appliance needs repair. Those of us who crave good music to soothe the cares of life are disabled when we cannot create this music; but those of us who repair musical instruments are compensated when the instruments on which the music is played need repair. It is apparent, therefore, that although the word "disabled" may have abhorrent connotations for many people, it is relevant to all of us. Similar comparative examples could also apply in the identified world of the disabled. Education, together with specially modified tools and appliances, plays a major role in narrowing the imaginary gap of inequality between the world of so-called "normal, healthy people" and that of the disabled. The blind are seriously disabled in the performance of a job requiring normal vision, but they perform efficiently, and often excel, in hundreds of other creative and constructive life-sustaining functions. The deaf and mute have multiple disabilities in the performance of a job requiring auditory communication but that does not prevent them from using their hands, feet, eyes, and minds with skill and artistry. Those who cannot use their arms and legs may be seriously disabled in athletic competition, but a melodious singing voice, an articulate speaking voice, and a brilliant mind do not depend upon the use of arms and legs. If what we see, hear, and read during this special year of the disabled imprints upon the minds of society a clear, understanding, and indelible picture of this world of much too long underestimated capabilities -- a picture in which we see everyone as having something to contribute in the blueprint of the Master Architect -- a picture in which we see those we consider handicapped as equals, deserving of social justice and loving acceptance -- then this year will have achieved its ultimate potential. ***** ** Blind Employees Work with Sighted Peers In Enclave Arrangement (Reprinted from Opportunity, publication of National Industries for the Blind, April-May 1981) The enclave concept -- establishing a separate department within industry where blind workers are able to compete with sighted peers -- was first put to practice by an NIB-associated workshop in 1977, through a cooperative arrangement between Crest Chemical Co., Inc., Oldsmar, Florida, and the Tampa Lighthouse. According to Jeff Ditchek, National Industries for the Blind's Assistant Director, Consumer Marketing Division, an enclave arrangement has three requirements: blind workers must be paid the same wages as sighted peers to perform similar tasks; it must involve a contract for a product made for industry; and its primary objective is eventual direct placement into that industry. The enclave arrangement between the El Paso Lighthouse for the Blind and American Hospital Supplies/Convertors Division in El Paso, Texas, established two years ago, is an excellent example of this concept successfully put into practice. According to Bill Winkley, Executive Director of the El Paso Lighthouse, the contract currently provides employment for 19 blind workers, including a blind supervisor and one sighted sewing operator. "These workers manufacture a disposable surgical stockinette used in orthopedic surgery," Bill said. "It is a procedure that requires a sewing operation, followed by folding, sterile wrapping, heat sealing, boxing, crating and marking for shipment." Prior to moving blind workers from the El Paso Lighthouse into the AHS/Convertors Division plant, a volunteer industrial engineer was consulted. "This individual thoroughly inspected Convertors' production line and suggested certain design and equipment changes to create greater efficiency, productivity, and to accommodate blind workers," Bill said. The initial three-month contract proved so successful that it became an annual one and was recently renewed for 1981. "In June, 1980, there were six blind workers in the enclave, producing 20 cases a day," Bill said. "Today, the 19 blind workers are up to more than 90 cases per day, and Convertors is totally satisfied with quality control." This past December, four enclave blind workers were placed into Convertors' own production lines and on to its payroll, thus realizing the enclave goal. "In addition to providing new jobs for blind workers, the AHS/Convertors Division enclave allowed us to decrease our emphasis on commercial products," Bill Winkley noted. "The enclave project enabled blind workers to develop diversified skills that could be better applied to the El Paso business community," he added. According to Robert Taylor of American Convertors in El Paso, the enclave has been very successful for Convertors. He reiterated Bill Winkley's comment on the quality product made by the blind workers. "This project entailed very little work on our part," Mr. Taylor explained, "since Lighthouse counselors took care of training the blind workers right on the job in our plant. The only thing we had to ensure was that the work site stayed in the same spot in the plant, convenient to the exits, the lunch room and other necessary facilities," he added. Mr. Taylor sees the El Paso/American Convertors enclave growing in the future as new product lines are introduced and blind workers are available. He also expects the enclave to result in additional placement of blind workers directly on to Convertors' production lines. ***** ** French Honor Braille The Paris Mint, the official state mint of France, issued a commemorative medal in 1952 for the centenary of the death of Louis Braille (1809-1852). The Paris Mint has made available a re-issue of this historical medal from the same dies kept in the archives. The medal was designed and engraved by sculptor Pierre Bouret (1897-1972). It shows on the face the profile of Braille, with his name and the dates of his life in Latin at the top and repeated in braille letters at the bottom. On the reverse, the dates, 1852-1952, and the French, "ET LALUMIERE FUT" ("AND THE LIGHT WAS"), in Latin and Braille letters. The medal is unique among French Mint offerings because of its use of braille and is a tribute to the accomplishments of the blind and organizations for the blind. The medal has a diameter of about 2 3/4 inches and is available in sterling silver (.925) for $367.00 and in bronze for $39.25. Please allow six weeks for delivery. The distributor in the United States is International Government Trading Corporation (IGTC), 575 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022. IGTC is a subscription agent for coins and medals issued by various countries such as France. ***** ** Block Grants Rejected by Congressional Committees By Kathy Megivern Opponents of the Administration's proposed block grants scored several major victories as the Congressional authorizing committees completed their work on budget cuts during the second week of June. On the House side, the Democratic-controlled Committee on Education and Labor never even discussed the block grant proposal as part of their budget recommendation. Budget cuts of $12.1 billion in education, welfare, and rehabilitation programs were made by the committee, but this action was accompanied by a message that the committee had acted under duress and disapproved what it had done. Chairman Carl Perkins (D., KY) said that he had been assured that when the committee recommendations come to the floor, amendments will be permitted to restore some of the lost money. The committee voted to cut $72.5 million from education for the handicapped. Rehabilitation programs did somewhat better, losing $18.4 million, with money for the basic state grants and independent living (Title VII) remaining at 1981 levels. In the Senate, special education, rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities programs fared well. In all cases, funding levels were either maintained at 1981 amounts or increased by 5% for 1982 and 10% for 1983. Of even more importance in the Senate was the "compromise" reached with the Administration on the block grant issue. Thanks primarily to the insistence of moderate Republicans Lowell Weicker (CT) and Robert Stafford (VT), several major programs, including education of the handicapped, rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities, were exempted from any block grants. Even though Senator Orrin Hatch (R., UT) stated that the Administration was pleased with the compromise, Senator Dan Quayle (R., IN) complained, "It's categorical grants disguised as block grants." The committee recommendations will now go to the floor of each House for approval, and because there are certain to be differences between the Senate and House versions, a conference committee will undoubtedly be necessary. Thus, it is far too early to claim victory or defeat, but the sound rejection of block grants is of major importance. It is dear that the early victory for Mr. Reagan on the first budget resolution was not the end of the battle, and, in fact, proponents of human services programs will continue to fight to save these important programs. Senator Weicker and Stafford are to be congratulated for their courage and determination in the face of severe pressure. The budget battles will continue through the summer, and the block grant proposals will undoubtedly remain on the scene as a threat to categorical programs. Braille Forum readers are urged to continue to communicate to their representatives our opposition to any attempt to block grant important social programs. ***** ** A New Curriculum By J. H. Reavis, Assistant Superintendent Cincinnati Public Schools Once upon a time, the animals decided they must do something heroic to meet the problems of the new world, so they organized a school. They adopted an activity curriculum consisting of running, climbing, swimming, and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects. The duck was excellent in swimming -- in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to stay after school and also drop swimming in order to practice running. This was kept up until his webbed feet were badly worn and he was only average in swimming. But average was acceptable in school, so nobody worried about that except the duck. The rabbit started at the top of the class in running, but had a nervous breakdown because of so much makeup work from swimming. The squirrel was excellent in climbing until he developed frustration in the flying class, where his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He also developed charley horses from overexertion and then got C in climbing and D in running. The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. In the climbing class, he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there. At the end of the year, an abnormal eel that could swim exceedingly well, and also run, climb and fly a little, had the highest average and was valedictorian. The prairie dogs stayed out of school and fought the tax levy because the administration would not add digging and burrowing to the curriculum. They apprenticed their child to a badger and later joined the groundhogs and gophers to start a successful private school. ***** ** BANA Spring Meeting The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) held its 1981 spring meeting at the Clovernook Home and School for the Blind, Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 22-23. The directors present were: Floyd R. Cargill, Chairman; Betty Epstein, Richard Evensen, Dr. George V. Gore, III, Ralph McCracken, Michael Sears, and Joseph E. Sullivan. Three new directors were seated to fill vacancies created by resignations and staff changes within member organizations. The new directors are: Mrs. P.T. Bogart, Canadian National Institute for the Blind; William E. Milton, American Association of Workers for the Blind; and Dr. Susan J. Spungin, American Foundation for the Blind. Mrs. Bogart was elected secretary to the Board. Ralph McCracken, Chairman, Braille Textbook Format Technical Committee, distributed copies of the changes to the "Code of Textbook Formats and Techniques." The changes became effective February 1, 1981. They deal with the format for transcribing glossaries or vocabularies and dictionaries and for text information presented in outline form. Copies of the changes are available to transcribers through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) and for purchase from the American Printing House for the Blind. Plans are under way to produce a revised edition of the "Code of Textbook Formats and Techniques," incorporating all official changes. A list of magazines and journals was compiled to be used as regular channels for releasing announcements of adopted changes in the braille codes. The Braille Forum is included. A copy of all changes will automatically be directed to each publication when the changes are ready for distribution. The Textbook Format Technical Committee will study methods of labeling cassette and reel-to-reel tapes and braille volumes in order to develop a standard procedure. Dr. R.T. McLean, Chairman, Braille Mathematical and Scientific Notation Technical Committee, presented a report of his committee's work and plans for the coming year. High priority will be given to the compilation of a sub-set of braille mathematical and scientific symbols and rules that will meet the needs of blind students and their teachers in elementary and secondary schools. The committee will continue to work on the braille symbols and rules for mathematics and science at the higher levels, as well as a workable code for computer operations. Efforts to refine guidelines for transcribers to produce mathematical diagrams by hand continue. A letter from the Royal National Institute for the Blind, London, was read conveying the preference of the Braille Authority of the United Kingdom to come to America for an international conference. Accordingly, BANA voted to hold such a conference in Washington, D.C., at the National Library Service, Library of Congress. A committee will meet (probably in Toronto) to plan the date, length, and nature of the conference. Dick Evensen is chairman of the arrangements. The conference will be limited to representatives from English-speaking countries which have major braille production capability. Its goal will be to eliminate differences which exist in braille codes used in Britain, the United States, and other English-speaking countries. No major revision of braille will be undertaken. One of BANA's major guiding principles is to simplify and standardize braille, and not make wholesale changes. The annual business meeting will be held in November, 1981, at the American Foundation for the Blind. Comments and suggestions of topics you think BANA should consider are welcome. Communications should be mailed to Floyd R. Cargill, Chairman, Braille Authority of North America, 216 W. Miller Street, Springfield, IL 62702. ***** ** Robert R. Humphreys Testifies on Nevada Legislation (Editor's Note: The Nevada Council of the Blind opposed the Governor's plan to abolish the Nevada Bureau for the Blind and, as a major strategy, developed a bill to create a Division of Visual and Aural Services. The Governor's bill was killed in committee. Even though the bill supported by blind and deaf persons was not enacted, it gained wide support in the Legislature and effectively preserved special services for the blind. Mr. Humphreys came to Nevada from Washington, D.C., with the assistance of the American Council of the Blind, to testify in support of the Nevada Council's position. We commend our Nevada affiliate for its effective work for its good cause.) By way of introduction, I am currently a member of a Washington law firm, Hoffheimer, Johnson and Peterson; I am the immediate past U.S. Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, a post in which I served at the pleasure of the President for a period of three years. RSA is the Federal administering agency through which formula grants to states as well as a variety of discretionary grants are provided for vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to physically and mentally handicapped persons, with Federal funds of more than $1 billion annually. Prior to my service as Commissioner, I was for six and one-half years Special Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. In that capacity, I was chief Senate draftsman of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Randolph-Sheppard Act for the Blind Amendments of 1974, and other measures. I believe I am in a unique position to provide insight to this committee, based on my experience and knowledge in both the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch of the Federal Government, on the two measures now under consideration. I have traveled to Nevada for two reasons: First, the action this committee and the State's Legislature takes on S.B. 631 and S.B. 575 will have national implications for service programs to aid blind persons; and second, I feel very strongly that the needs of blind persons are best met through a system of specialized services. I have had an opportunity to review both of the bills that are the subject of this hearing. The Administration's bill, S.B. 575, would submerge with the Rehabilitation Division of the Department of Human Resources the existing Bureau of Services to the Blind and would greatly reduce the authority of the chief of that bureau. The bill supported by blind consumers and their organizations as well as by organizations of deaf persons, S.B. 631, takes an approach that is diametrically opposed to that of the Administration. It would establish a Visual and Aural Services Division in the Department of Human Resources that is equivalent in organizational level to the Rehabilitation Division and other major components of the Department. Although I was unable to attend this committee's hearing held last week on the Administration's bill and thus cannot comment on the specifics of testimony by the Administration's representative, I assume that the committee was assured that savings, both in terms of service dollars and personnel, would accrue to the State of Nevada should S.B. 575 be enacted. I assume, further, that you were told that the organizational structure for providing rehabilitation services would be improved along with overall program accountability. ... The arguments in favor of the changes proposed by S.B. 575 have a superficial appeal. No one can be against cost savings and organizational improvements, particularly in a time of severe financial constraints that are affecting every state and community in the country. I submit, however, that these appealing arguments are based on premises that are fatally flawed, and that, further, good policy dictates that the bill advocated by the blind and deaf citizens of Nevada should be the measure enacted rather than the one supported by the Administration. A national study evaluating programs for blind and visually handicapped persons was published in December, 1980. The findings and recommendations of that study are directly applicable to the issues before this committee, and I believe you will find them enlightening. The study concluded that blind clients are served better in specialized case loads. The corollary recommendation was that blind and visually handicapped vocational rehabilitation clients should be served in specialized case loads of only blind and visually handicapped clients. Another conclusion of the study was that the type of administrative structure of state rehabilitation agencies has only a slight relationship to program outcomes and that there is no evidence to indicate that any one type of agency is more cost-effective than another. The study stated that "the assumption that combined agencies are more cost-effective (than separate blind agencies) should be seriously questioned." The study, entitled "Evaluation of RSA Program for Blind and Visually Handicapped Persons," was developed under contract to the Rehabilitation Services Administration by the JWK International Corporation, a well-known consulting organization of good reputation ... Senate Bill 575, in my opinion, would do substantial, perhaps permanent, damage to programs serving blind persons in Nevada. The specific and visible authorities for the provision of services to blind persons contained in current state law would be eliminated. Such services very possibly would be reduced and de-emphasized as a result. Further, the proposed legislation compounds the danger by designating the chief of the Office of Services for the Blind as an advocate for blind persons in the state, while at the same time placing that former program office head in a position subordinate to -- and reporting to -- the Rehabilitation Division director. It is most unlikely that free and unfettered advocacy for blind persons would be possible under such conditions. In any case, the submergence of the chief of Blind Services represents a major step backward, and I respectfully urge the committee to consider carefully the implications of such a result. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to turn now to the other measure before this committee, S.B. 631, to establish in the Department of Human Resources a separate Visual and Aural Services Division. This bill represents a new and exciting organizational and service delivery concept which, if enacted, would unquestionably enhance services to both blind and hearing-impaired persons, while in no way diluting or reducing services to other handicapped populations. It is a proposal that is worthy of your support, and I endorse it with great enthusiasm. The bill supported by organizations of and for blind and deaf persons represents a departure from the usual organizational structure of state agencies delivering rehabilitation services. In many states there are two agencies -- a general agency providing services to physically and mentally handicapped persons, and a separate agency providing services for blind and visually handicapped individuals. In other states there is only one rehabilitation agency which serves all categories of disabilities. Because of the uniqueness of the structure proposed in S.B. 631, concerns have been raised by the State Administration and by the regional office of RSA that the creation of a Visual and Aural Services Division in the Department of Human Resources would not be in conformity with the requirements of Section 101(a)1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. As a former Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and chief Senate draftsman of the Rehabilitation Act, let me put those concerns to rest. It is my expert opinion that enactment of S.B. 631 would not violate Section 101(a)1 or any other provision of the Rehabilitation Act. The Federal statute requires each state to designate a sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation, except where state law authorizes rehabilitation services to be provided to blind persons through a separate agency. A state agency may share funding and administrative responsibility with another state or local agency to carry out a joint program of services to handicapped individuals. The law is sufficiently flexible to permit the creation of the proposed Division, since there would be, under the terms of S.B. 631, separate state agency for the blind and one, as Section 101(a)1 provides, for "the rest of the state plan." I can assure you, further, that no lawmaker who developed the 1973 Rehabilitation Act contemplated either the exclusion or inclusion of a state unit such as that described in S.B. 631. Neither the Federal law nor legislative history nor enabling regulations specifically prohibit the inclusion of services to aurally impaired persons by a state agency serving blind persons. The 1978 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act distinguish between a "designated state unit" and a "state agency." The latter may be, and often is, an umbrella agency that includes a designated state unit for vocational rehabilitation. In the case of Nevada, for example, the state agency is the Department of Human Resources. As long as that state agency includes a unit primarily concerned with vocational rehabilitation, such as the Rehabilitation Division, the state agency could also house a Visual and Aural Services Division. The principal overriding purpose for the rather unusual and strict requirements of Section 101(a)1 was the perceived need to ensure that the vocational rehabilitation program in a state is not scattered or diluted by intermingling its activities with other kinds of human or social service needs. Clearly, the proposed Division is not of the kind the Federal statute was designed to prevent. Section 101 of the Rehabilitation Act undertakes to do much more than limit the authority of states in creating their organizational structure. That same section also requires states to be innovative and creative in striving to provide better services for their handicapped residents. The proposed Visual and Aural Services Division would be the very kind of innovative activity contemplated in Section 101(a)4, 5 and other paragraphs of that section; an activity that would enhance service delivery to a substantial segment of the population that is severely disabled: those who are blind and those who are deaf. ... A final argument against the establishment of a Visual and Aural Services Division states that it would be required to undertake a host of activities beyond the mere provision of rehabilitation services to clients, including research, training, interagency agreements, studies and evaluation, technical assistance, accounting, and computer programming. The suggestion seems to be that these would be duplicative, new, and expensive. Such activities are routinely provided by any service agency of substance. ... In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, the Governor's bill, S.B. 575, would have a negative impact on services to blind persons in the State of Nevada. In contrast, S.B. 631 would enhance those services and would, in addition, improve the State's attention to the needs of another underserved population, those who are deaf and hearing impaired. Nothing will be lost by the enactment of S.B. 631, and there is much to be gained. I urge your approval of this important measure. ***** ** Tape Spillage: Finding The Culprit (Reprinted from National Library Service News, March-April, 1981) NLS is nearing the end of a prolonged effort to solve the cassette tape spillage problem. Research points to not one but several sources of the problem. First efforts to tackle the problem led to improvements in players and containers. In the summer of 1976, NLS redesigned the containers to reduce handling damage to the tape path on the exposed side of the cassette case. The redesigned containers prevented users from removing cassettes by grasping the unprotected side. Next, machine design specifications were rewritten to limit spillage caused by the players. Beginning with the C-76 model, machines have been built with a tape-motion sensor that shuts off the machine whenever the cassette take-up reel stops. Though the added feature does not prevent spillage, it does limit fouling from spilled tape. Rapid shifts from the fast-forward to the rewind mode were also suspected as a cause, so specifications for the C-77 model required a mechanical interlock. Users with these and later models cannot shift from one mode to another without first pressing the stop key. This, too, has helped improve operation of machines and lessen tape fouling, but again it is only a partial solution. Thus, in 1979, NLS initiated an investigation of the total cassette playback system. By simulating conditions and trying out different operating sequences, the machines, the cassette cases, and the tapes were evaluated. Rapid shifts from fast-forward to rewind caused spillage with some cassettes. The trouble was then narrowed to cassettes from one producer. Testing different combinations of cassette cases and tapes, researchers found that the tapes were to blame. Having identified the source, they turned to scrutinizing the defective tapes. They removed the cassette player door, packed the tapes in transparent cassette cases, and began to film the inner workings of the cassettes in slow motion. The films revealed what they were looking for. During the shift, the tape stuck to itself and formed a loop, probably caused by electrostatic or frictional attraction. The chemical composition of the binder holding the magnetic material to the tape was therefore fingered as the most probable cause. During the final phase of the project, not yet completed, the consultants will determine the chemical composition of the tape binder material. NLS will apply these findings to improving specifications for future tape purchases. New tape specifications will lessen but not eliminate the problem. Readers may continue occasionally to receive bad tapes for older books in years to come, until these are all identified and weeded from the collection. "We are at the end of the line now," says NLS Chief of Materials Development Henry Paris. "It's obvious that technical solutions won't completely solve the problem. There's not much more we can do to improve the design or production process. It's up to the librarians now to inspect books before recirculating them, as required in the new ALA standards. If this is not done, the benefit of our work will never be realized." ***** ** CCTV Restores Job to Visually Impaired Bank Teller (Reprinted from Rehab Newsletter, published quarterly by Visualtek. May, 1981) Cathy Hinsley is currently employed at the South Grant's Pass branch of the First National Bank of Oregon as a teller. Partially sighted when she began work at the bank in 1977, she lost more of her residual vision in late 1978. She remained employed by the bank until January, 1979, when it became obvious she could no longer perform her job effectively. When this occurred, Cathy was unaware of the services offered by the Oregon Commission for the Blind, so she remained at home for a number of months, caring for her two small children. Finally, Cathy was contacted by an instructor from the Commission who offered her mobility instruction and an opportunity to learn to read braille. During the period of instruction, Cathy was encouraged to go back to school, since her career at the bank seemed to be at an end. Cathy resisted this idea for a number of reasons, and with a little encouragement from her husband, called her former supervisor at the bank. Within a week of this call, Cathy received a phone call from a representative of the Human Resources Department of the First National Bank of Eugene, who wanted to arrange a meeting with the South Grant's Pass branch manager, Cathy, and herself. In the meantime, Cathy contacted her counselor at the Commission, who told her about closed circuit television and arranged an evaluation of Cathy's ability to benefit from one of these systems. After a number of interviews with the bank in which Cathy proved she could visually sort coins and cash accurately, and with assurances from the Commission that a CCTV had been ordered for her use on the job, she was re-hired by First National Bank to work as a teller in the South Grant's Pass branch office. Within two days, Cathy was given her own cash and the drive-up window to handle on her own. Cathy is now working as a full teller, handling all bank transactions and services independently. In June of this year she will be adding computer viewing capability to her present system, which will enable her to access information from the bank computer independently. Along with CCTV, the bank has also provided Cathy with a large-print IBM typewriter which allows her to type loan sheets, letters, and other forms on her own. With the support of her family, the help of an accommodative employer, personal determination, rehabilitation training, and the help of technological aids, Cathy has regained her ability to work and to do her job to the best of her ability. As Cathy wrote: "I hope this article will help other visually impaired persons to go out and try to get jobs -- at least try." ***** ** Handicapped Parking Open to Blind at National Airport The Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and Washington National Airport have developed a way for blind passengers using the airport to take advantage of reserved parking for handicapped persons. Cars displaying a special sign that says, "PICKING UP-DELIVERING BLIND PASSENGERS," with the Lighthouse logo, will be able to park in the airport's handicapped parking zone, Charles Fegan, Lighthouse Executive Director, has announced. "Blind persons have a unique problem," Fegan said. "They don't drive, and usually don't own a car to qualify for special tags. They depend on many different people for their transportation." Fegan, who approached the airport with the problem, stated further: "As much as other handicapped passengers, the blind or severely visually handicapped need to negotiate the shortest distance possible in the maze of lots and terminals and therefore require the special parking areas. Even though someone may pick them up, the distances, combined with the burdens of luggage, canes and/or dogs can be a formidable obstacle that this new system can help to alleviate." Cars displaying the sign can now park in the handicapped zone. The numbered signs are issued directly to blind persons and can be transferred to any vehicle. They are available from the Lighthouse free of charge. The Lighthouse requires that persons requesting signs furnish proof of disability. The Lighthouse project, believed to be the first of its kind in this area, grew out of a parking problem faced by one of its board members whose blind daughter frequently flew into National Airport. The Lighthouse hopes that other airports in the Washington area and around the country will follow National's lead and institute similar systems. For further information, write Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, 1421 P Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, or call (202) 462-2900. ***** ** Project for Handicapped Victim/Witnesses of Crime The National Academy of Gallaudet College, aided by a grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, has embarked on a research and information oriented "Victim/Witness Project for the Handicapped." The project will focus on the physically handicapped population (hearing impairments, visual impairments, deaf-blindness, mobility impairments, and communication impairments) and how the needs of individuals with physical disabilities can be met by victim/witness services. The project will develop and disseminate informational materials for two audiences: (1) for victim/witness counselors, on the nature of specific physically handicapping conditions and how to make their services more accessible to handicapped victims and witnesses of crimes; and (2) for physically handicapped persons, to introduce them to the role and utilization of victim/witness services, their legal rights, and the criminal justice system. The project is seeking information on relevant materials that have already been developed for the handicapped population and on special programs already in existence which outreach to the handicapped community. Please contact Myra Per-Lee, Project Coordinator, Victim-Witness Project for the Handicapped, National Academy of Gallaudet College, 7th and Florida Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20002; (202) 651-5480. ***** ** Here and There By George Card In the current issue of The Missouri Chronicle, President Darrell Lauer proudly announces what he terms a long step forward in the progress of the ACB Missouri affiliate -- the establishment of a permanent headquarters at 2683 Big Bend Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63143. It is being staffed on a part?time basis by a former state president, Fred Lilley, with the title of Executive Secretary, and an assistant. A brief reference to the "Flying Doctors" project appeared in this column some time ago, but without the rich and interesting detail now available. From Parade: A teaching plane stocked by doctors from many nations fights eye disease worldwide. At first glance, the plane looks like an ordinary DCB-until you look inside. Instead of rows of seats, there are an 18-seat classroom, a treatment/operating room, and enough television equipment to set up a small station upon landing. But the human cargo is the most precious -- volunteer eye specialists from more than 21 countries, winging their way around the world to teach their colleagues the latest in sight-saving techniques. This "Flight for Sight" Project Orbis that will bring skilled eye surgeons for two- to three-week stints anywhere in the world will finally take to the air this coming fall and will be the culmination of more than a decade of work. The plane is a school, not a hospital, stresses Dr. David Paton, Chairman of the Ophthalmology Department of Baylor college of Medicine. Some 1,100 airports worldwide are capable of receiving the plane. On arriving, the medical team can go right into action, since the airplane works off its own power supply. Volunteer patients will be treated without charge. Local physicians will either "scrub in" or watch from the 18-seat classroom through ten color TV monitors. Project Orbis surgeons will wear microphones, and a translator will be on hand if needed. The plane will carry enough electrical cables and hookups so that audiences of several hundred persons can watch over monitors in adjacent sites such as an airplane hangar. And all the work done on the plane can be put on video tape for future use in teaching. The flying classroom will serve as a boon to the physician lacking easy access to medical centers in this country as well as abroad. Since an estimated 80% of recent advances in the treatment of eye diseases have originated outside the United States, Project Orbis will transfer new ideas and techniques to doctors here. The faculty will be learning about diseases which they rarely see in their own countries. The volunteer teachers will fly on a rotating basis, will be backed up by a paid staff of nurses, technicians, anesthetists, an audio-visual engineer and two eye surgeons just out of residency training. An international law firm is arranging for temporary licenses for visiting professors. The Canadian Council of the Blind which has always been more or less a spoon-fed company union, has come out for the complete integration of blind children into the public school system. If I were to be permitted a modest, strictly person opinion, it would be: "Hooey! Hurray for the residential schools -- what is left of them!" When the Wisconsin affiliate held its "ACB Day" on April 7, Durward McDaniel came to spend that day with us. He spoke to us of his impending retirement, and to me he sounded happier and more relaxed than at any time since the middle 1950s, Darlene said he looked at least 20 years younger. He has been carrying a very heavy load for a very long time. Since he became the leader of the reform movement almost 24 years ago, he has piloted that movement through some mighty rough waters. In its darkest days, when its prospects seemed the bleakest, it was his unflinching courage, his unfaltering faith, and his irrepressible optimism which inspired the rest of us and gave us heart. From the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind Newsletter: There were only 200 eye specialists in the whole vast country in 1949 when the Communists "liberated" China. Now there are 50,000 eye-care units, in addition to the mobile units which go out to the villages. Over 100,000 cataract operations were performed in 1979, and great importance is attached to the prevention and treatment of eye injuries. Sadly enough, only a little over 7% of blind children in China have an opportunity because -- during the "great cultural revolution" -- all schools for the blind, as well as all other schools and colleges, were shut down and the young people were encouraged to go on a rampage of destruction. Not until 1978 were the blind permitted to organize. Now there are 221 associations which work in 29 provinces. For the first time last year a delegation of blind leaders was permitted to visit five northern European countries to observe how modern, progressive nations treat their blind citizens. In the People's Republic of China today there are approximately 2,300 visually impaired persons working as masseurs, some of them also practicing acupuncture. From The Missouri Chronicle: The Audio Aid is an inexpensive, solid-state amplifier system specifically designed for communicating with persons who are hard-of-hearing and who, for various reasons, cannot use expensive hearing aids. It has proved invaluable in conversing with people, many having not been able to assimilate conversation for many years. The Audio Aid can be used as a simple listening device for radio, TV, and recordings. It allows the individual to amplify sound without disturbing others. The unit consists of earphones with solid-state amplifier built in, and powered by a 9-volt battery. A microphone is included with each unit, and also a compact carrying case. For additional information, contact K-C Electronics, Inc., 15929 Heather Glen Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017; telephone (314) 532-2009. ... The U.S. Association for Blind Athletes has embarked on a special project funded by the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The major thrust of the project is: to develop opportunities for children aged 12-18 to participate in various sports, athletic, and recreational activities despite visual impairment; to organize groups of professional persons on the local level to develop programs using existing facilities; to use guidelines, coaching techniques, and information provided by USABA; and to award seed money grants to ensure the initial work being accomplished. For further information, contact Arthur E. Copeland, President, USABA, 55 W. California Avenue, Beach Haven Park, NJ 08008. Inquiries must be received by September 15. From The Trumpet's Voice (Iowa): Floyd Qualls, past president of the American Council of the Blind, has been under the weather recently. ... Your editor thinks it would be nice if each member would send him a little "Thinking of You" card. His address is 111 N. W. 25th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. ... The Vinton Area Council of the Blind is in the process of having an updated (1981) telephone directory made available to blind people of the area. The first and only other braille edition was done in 1975. Since Vinton is a comparatively small community (slightly over 5,000), the braille telephone directory can be done in one volume by not including the addresses. ***** ** 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. As a bimonthly supplement, the flexible disc edition also includes ALL-O-GRAMS, newsletter of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. 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 Editor Mary T. Ballard at the above address. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to James R. Olsen, Treasurer, c/o ACB National Office, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 506, Washington, DC 20036. You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the continuing work of the American Council of the Blind. The National Office has available special printed cards to acknowledge to loved ones contributions made in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the American Council of the Blind in his or her Last Will and Testament may do so by including in the Will a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you or your attorney may wish to contact the ACB National Office. ###