Large Type Edition The Braille Forum Vol. XIX October, 1981 No. 4 Budget Reconciliation Act Slashes Social Security Benefits DOT Interim Rule Repeals Section 504 Regulations on Accessible Transportation for Handicapped Published Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Mary T. Ballard, Editor ***** * National Office: Oral O. Miller 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: Grant Mack 139 East South Temple, Suite 5000 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 * First Vice President: Otis H. Stephens 2021 Kemper Lane S.W. Knoxville, TN 37920 * Second Vice President: Dr. Robert T. McLean 2139 Joseph Street New Orleans, LA 70115 * Secretary: Karen Perzentka 6913 Colony Drive Madison, WI 53717 * Treasurer: James R. Olsen Summit Bank Bldg., Suite 822 310 4th Avenue, S. Minneapolis, MN 54415 ** Directors Delbert K. Aman 115 5th Avenue, S.E. Aberdeen, SD 57401 Robert Campbell 253 Stonewall Road Berkeley, CA 94705 Adrian DeBlaey 912 N. Hawley Road Milwaukee, WI 53213 Christopher Gray 1104 N. Stafford Stret Arlington, VA 22201 Charles Hodge 2895 S. Abingdon Street, Unit A-2 Arlington, VA 22206 Carl F. McCoy 925 E. Magnolia Drive, Apt. D-7 Tallahassee, FL 32301 Patricia Price 337 S. Sherman Drive Indianapolis, IN 46201 LeRoy Saunders P.O. Box 24020 Oklahoma City, OK 73124 M.J. Schmitt 528 Des Plaines Avenue, Apt. 2A Forest Park, IL 60130 Dick Seifert 1023 Scott Street, Apt. F Little Rock, AR 72202 ***** ** Contents ACB Officers Directors President's Message, by Grant Mack Drastic Social Security Cuts, by Barbara Nelson News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller The International Year of Disabled Persons -- A Different Point of View, by Bud Keith Blind Teachers Deliver Quality Education International Symposium on Visually Impaired Infants and Young Children, by Gretchen H. Smith Summary -- ACB Post Convention Board Meeting ACB Board of Publications Update, by Harold Dachtler Accessible Transportation -- The Reagan Approach, by Scott Marshall The Listening Ear, by Dorothy Stiefel A Challenge for Leadership -- ALL 1981 Delegate Assembly, by Patricia Price Our Library Shall Not Be Moved, by Milly Stokes Letters to the Editor Here and There, by George Card Notice to Subscribers ***** ** President's Message By Grant Mack All of us live in a world of change. Not only are our individual lives changing daily, but our social structure, our government, and the world are undergoing dramatic changes. In order to survive in this environment, we must be flexible and maintain a positive attitude toward change. In my acceptance speech, I indicated that my life would probably be changed upon becoming president of the American Council of the Blind. This prediction has certainly come true. Even though my work week has increased to a seven-day operation, the opportunities to meet new people and challenges have been very stimulating. Changes have also occurred recently within the American Council -- changes in which you should be interested. Perhaps the most important change is in the ACB Enterprises and Services board. This five-man board whose direct responsibility is to manage the Thrift Stores has been revamped dramatically. Ray Kempf, who has chaired this board since its beginning in 1978, has tendered his resignation and it has become necessary to remove Oral Miller from the Board due to his appointment to the post of ACB National Representative. In the process of restructuring this very important group, it is my pleasure to announce the following appointments and assignments: LeRoy Saunders will be the new chairman, with Durward McDaniel as vice chairman. Delbert Aman, new to the Board, will serve as secretary?treasurer. The final two members are Otis Stephens and myself, Grant Mack. As all of you know, during its three-year existence, ACBES has been quite successful in improving dramatically the financial situation of the American Council. The ACBES Board has been a hard-working group, and much of its success is due directly to the efforts of Ray Kempf. This very effective, dedicated businessman from Minneapolis has given a great deal of his time and energy to the efficient direction of this operation. It was with extreme reluctance that his resignation was accepted. However, we do anticipate that Ray's contributions will be felt in vital areas in the future. You who know LeRoy Saunders know that the future of ACBES is in good hands with him at the helm. Under his leadership, you will soon note progressive changes in the Thrift Store involvement. At this writing, Durward and Aileen McDaniel are in the midst of pulling up stakes in Washington, D.C., and moving to their new home in Austin, Texas. The many tributes that have come to Durward and Aileen in recent weeks certainly should leave no doubt in their minds that they will be greatly missed. It might be easy to view this type of change with remorse and regret. However, change is often times a good thing. Even though Durward will be sorely missed by us in ACB and by many leaders on the Washington scene, he will still be deeply involved with the American Council of the Blind. It is with great pleasure that I not only inform you of his acceptance to serve on the ACBES Board, but also to tell you that he has accepted responsibility for being National Membership Chairman for ACB. Durward has a history of demonstrated ability and interest in national membership development, so be assured that he is not going to disappear in Texas. Finally, it is my distinct pleasure to announce a new staff appointment in the Washington office. The position of public relations director will be filled by a young lady named Laura Oftedahl, who brings her enthusiasm and energy and a new face into a vastly changed scene at 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Her addition to the staff will complement the recent new arrivals -- Barbara Nelson, Staff Attorney, and Scott Marshall, Director of Governmental Affairs. This new combination of effective staff people, under the able direction of Oral Miller, should prove the basis for a positive step forward in all directions. This fresh, new look in the Washington office reflects a general air of optimism pervasive throughout ACB. All eyes are firmly fixed on the future, and it is easily predictable that the growth, strength, and influence of the American Council of the Blind will be greatly expanded. Even so, a glimpse at the past, like a glance in the rear-view mirror, is a wise strategy. ***** ** Drastic Social Security Cuts By Barbara Nelson, Staff Attorney Exactly 46 years after the Social Security system was created, President Ronald Reagan signed the Reconciliation Act of 1981, which slashes many Social Security benefits. Following is a summary of the major provisions of that Act which affect Social Security. 1. MEGA CAP. -- Before the law was changed, there was a limit on the amount of money a person could get from the combination of Social Security disability and worker's compensation. Social Security disability payments were reduced so that the combination of Social Security and worker's compensation did not exceed 80% of the person's prior earnings. Under the new law, this limit will apply to income from any public disability benefit program, such as government employees' disability benefits. It will also extend to people between the ages of 60 and 64. Fortunately, income from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Veterans Administration service-connected disability benefits, and private pensions or insurance is not counted. The "cap" will start reducing benefits for people who first start receiving Social Security after September, 1981. 2. MINIMUM BENEFITS. -- Currently, anyone who meets all of the requirements for Social Security disability will receive a minimum of $122.00 per month, even if the calculation of his or her benefit using the regular formula would yield a smaller benefit amount. Beginning with checks which arrive in March, 1983, the minimum benefit will stop. This is the first time in history that the amount. of Social Security payments to people already receiving benefits will decrease. It is true that many people who had received higher payments because of the minimum benefit have other sources of income or will recoup the loss of benefits through increases in their SSI or their spouse's Social Security. However, over 500,000 people who receive the minimum benefit are over 80 years old. The Social Security Administration estimates that 400,000 people who receive the minimum benefit would be eligible for SSI to make up the loss, but are too proud to "go on welfare." The emotional and financial hardships caused by lowering the payment to current recipients of the minimum benefit will undoubtedly be great. 3. STUDENT BENEFITS. -- Benefits for students between the ages of 18 and 22 will be eliminated by the year 1985. Students who are currently receiving payments will stop getting them during the four summer months and will find that their benefits will decrease by 25% at the beginning of each school year starting with 1982. High-school students who turn 19 this school year will receive checks until August, 1982. After that date, children will not receive benefits after their 19th birthday. This will save some money for the Government, but may make it very difficult for the children of disabled or elderly people to attend college or vocational school. 4. SPOUSE'S, MOTHER'S, AND FATHER'S BENEFITS. -- The old law allowed the spouse of a person who gets Social Security to receive benefits while caring for a child under age 18. This has been changed so that the spouse will be able to collect only until the child turns 16. This provision goes into effect immediately for people who first become eligible for Social Security after September 1, 1981. For families already receiving children's benefits, the provision will not become effective for two years. Benefits of spouses or parents who care for disabled children are not affected by this change. 5. EARNINGS LIMIT FOR RETIRED PEOPLE. -- At the present time, after a retired person reaches the age of 72, the amount of his or her Social Security is not affected by earnings. This age has been scheduled to be lowered to 70 on January 1, 1982. However, Congress has delayed the effective date of the change until January, 1983. 6. TRUST FUND PAYMENTS FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES. -- After September, 1981, state vocational rehabilitation agencies can only be reimbursed from the Social Security disability trust fund for the costs of rehabilitation programs for people who work at gainful employment for nine continuous months after they finish their rehabilitation program. One practical result of this change is that it will be harder for states to finance rehabilitation programs for severely handicapped people. 7. LUMP-SUM DEATH BENEFIT. -- The lump-sum death benefit of $256.00 is currently paid to the heirs of every person who dies and would have been eligible for Social Security benefits at the time of death. The new rule is that this amount will be paid only to a spouse living with the deceased person at the time of death, or who would be eligible for widow's benefits. If there is no surviving spouse, the benefit will be paid to a dependent child of the person who dies. If the decedent has no dependent children or no spouse, the death benefit will not be paid at all. This means that adult children who care for their elderly parents will not be able to obtain the lump-sum death benefit to help defray the costs of burial when their parents die. 8. SSI COMPUTATION. -- Currently, the amount of Supplemental Security Income benefits is computed using earnings over a three?month period. At the end of each quarter, the Social Security Administration looks at the recipient's earnings for the quarter to determine if the correct amount of SSI has been paid. This has caused many over-and under-payments. Under the new law, the amount of SSI a person will be eligible to receive in one month will be based on earnings in the previous month. For example, if a person earns $100.00 in May, 1982, the Social Security Administration will base the amount of the June SSI check on earnings of $100.00. For the first month of eligibility, the previous month's earnings will not be considered. When this provision becomes effective in April, 1982, it may cut down the number of SSI over-and under?payments. However, it may have an adverse effect upon the Medicaid eligibility of people whose income fluctuates. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller, National Representative How can you adequately say "Farewell and good luck!" to capable, dedicated, indefatigable people like Durward and Aileen McDaniel? There's no easy way! Hundreds and hundreds of ACB members and friends chose to do so by attending the 1981 ACB national convention banquet, which was in the form of a testimonial "roasting." However, there were so many friends, admirers, and well-wishers from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who could not attend the banquet in St. Louis that it was necessary to schedule a separate dinner in the Washington area. The dinner took place on Wednesday evening, September 2, 1981, in the beautiful dining room of the National Academy of Sciences. Among the ACB national personages present was Treasurer James Olsen, and on the guest list otherwise were countless government officials, local ACB members, former ACB employees, and local Randolph-Sheppard vendors who, although not members of the American Council of the Blind, wanted to express their gratitude for the outstanding work which Durward has done in their behalf over the years. Proceedings were conducted informally, but almost everyone present chose to say at least a few (and some said many more than a few words) in tribute to Durward and Aileen. As I said initially, there is no easy way for all of Durward's and Aileen's friends and admirers to wish them well as they move to their retirement home in Austin, Texas. I am pleased to announce that the next ACB regional leadership training seminar will be conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, the weekend of November 27-29, 1981, at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel. Although other states may be added in the near future, as of now the seminar will be for the benefit of ACB members in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. As with all previous regional seminars, an action memorandum tape containing the details of the seminar will be distributed to the affiliate officers in those states. Since that tape will probably have been distributed by the time the October issue of The Braille Forum is in circulation, any officers who have not received information about the seminar by the time this announcement appears should contact the ACB National Office for further information. Some of the subjects to be presented at the seminar will include communications, goal-setting and achievement of goals, membership development, fund-raising, effective advocacy, and legislative activity. Although outside consultants will again be used, the upcoming southeastern seminar will be an excellent opportunity for ACB members and friends in that region to become better acquainted with some of our new staff members, who will play active roles in the seminar. Coming soon -- an announcement concerning a system under which ACB members may purchase prescription drugs and certain over-the-counter drugstore items by mail at discount prices! ***** ** The International Year of Disabled Persons: A Different Point of View By Bud Keith I have read the award-winning article in the July, 1981 Braille Forum, "The International Year of Disabled Persons: Its Significance and Potential," by Eugene Saumier. I would like to protest the fostering of a point of view that the pain, injustice, embarrassment, frustration, discrimination, and other disagreeable aspects of life that disabled people share in a disproportionate degree are all part of a "master plan." To suggest that the most severely disabled people have purpose in life by being "the receptacle and appreciator of our richest love" is patronizing and condescending to a repugnant degree. These are my personal feelings and have no more basis in academic thought than do the ideas of Mr. Saumier to which I object. Mr. Saumier also presented a position which attempts to show how everyone is disabled, and this position has been challenged by academic thought. This challenge attempts to more clearly define several words and link them to concepts which, I believe, help realistically look at the individual differences that stem from disabilities so that more appropriate responses can be made to those differences. The words are "impairment," "disability," and "handicap. " The word "impairment" refers to a physical or mental anomaly which detracts from or adds to a state of being which is generally thought to be "normal." It can be something missing, something broken, something discolored or misshapen, or some other characteristic of a person which differs simply in its being. An impairment does not necessarily imply a malfunction; examples of such are growths or scars. It is basically something that isn't the way it is supposed to be. A "disability" is a lack of proper function. It does not imply the consequences of that lack of functioning. In the case of those of us who are blind, the disability is not being able to see; in the case of deafness, it is not being able to hear. The impairment connected with blindness is an optical system that has something wrong with it. The disability that results is not being able to see. Some impairments such as scars need not result in a disability, since there is no limitation imposed by the scarring, except in those cases of severe scarring, where the skin cannot stretch. The term "handicap" is the important word, and the meaning of which must be distinguished from that of the word "disability." A handicap is the consequence of an impairment or a disability. In the case of facial scarring, the handicap might be in the area of social interaction. This can be a severe handicap, although there is really no disability. An impairment in the nature of scarring can be measured quite objectively, as can any disability which results from severe scarring. However, the handicap resulting from scarring cannot be so measured. The impairment which causes blindness can be diagnosed in scientific terms. The degree of disability can also be objectively measured. But the resulting handicap cannot. The handicap depends on the person's coping skills, level of compensatory learning, life style, and environment. Blindness can impose quite a severe handicap on the mobility of a person who lives in a rural situation with no public transportation, while it may be little more than a nuisance for a person who lives in an urban setting with plentiful housing and taxis. There is a tendency to lump disabled people together in the same manner as we do when we use these three terms interchangeably. What results from this lumping is an inability to treat people as individuals with unique needs and abilities. True, there are certain common needs shared by persons with one or another disability, but we must be careful to allow for individual needs to also be met. We see the problems and ineffective service that often results from placing responsibility for serving blind people in the same organizational structure that serves deaf people, retarded people, and others who have very different group needs. We suffer the same risk of ignoring and passing over the needs of disabled people in general when we say that "all people are disabled." The IYDP was not intended to call attention to piano technicians that can't play the piano or business executives that can't type. It was designed to call attention to the needs of a limited number of people -- those millions of us who have mental or physical impairments that impose significant limitations in functioning and who are, therefore, handicapped in dealing with the challenges and opportunities presented by life on this planet. My final point is to suggest that it is much more healthy and productive to base our commonality with the rest of mankind on skills, abilities, and common interests. To attempt to base our commonality on the existence of problems and inadequacies lowers our potential, gives the most depressing basis for conversation, and urges us to wallow in our common misery. Let us recognize the fact that there are significant differences between people. Let us clearly define those differences and the strengths and weaknesses we have. Let us then develop our strengths and build our commonality with mankind on what we can do, and not on what we can't. ***** ** Blind Teachers Deliver Quality Education Hundreds of blind people have been and are employed as teachers. They can be found in virtually every kind and level of educational facility: nursery, elementary, or high school; college, university, or graduate school; technical, trade, or professional school; private, public, or parochial school. They are teaching in most subject areas and at educational levels from basic reading, writing and arithmetic, to graduate-level history, foreign language, mathematics, psychology, law, or political science. No matter what subject area or level of education you name, the chances are favorable that, somewhere, a blind person can be found successfully performing in that segment of the teaching profession. These teachers have demonstrated that they can deliver quality education. As a group, their performance follows a pattern similar to that of all teachers. Some find the profession too difficult or not to their liking and soon drop out, while others spend a long, distinguished career in a single school system. Most might be classed as ordinary, run-of-the-mill, average teachers, while many are recognized by their supervisors and colleagues as outstanding teachers, true leaders in their schools and communities, genuine inspirations to their students, and authorities in their areas of specialization. They publish their share of articles and books in their subject fields. The success of this group of teachers is, to a very large degree, the result of each one having enough imagination and creativity to develop a work pattern and a system of special techniques to meet every demand of that particular position in the teaching profession. The teacher?training programs in our colleges and universities have not been equipped to offer a course in "Methods and Techniques for Teachers Without Vision." On the contrary, blind students have been denied a chance to train for the teaching profession because the educators had had no prior experience with blind teachers and no resource material to learn how a blind person can perform successfully in this profession. Even though there are hundreds of stories of successful blind teachers, the bombardment of typical questions faced by a blind person when applying for a teaching position does not seem to diminish. Early in the interview, the principal, school board member, or other prospective employer is likely to ask: How will you get back and forth to work? How will you get the material read? How will you keep attendance and grade records? How can you deal with classroom cheating and other discipline problems? What will you do when there is a fire drill? How will you know when a young student has a health problem? And, on and on and on. Such questions relate to details so routine and elementary that they would not likely be presented to an applicant with vision. Yet, they cannot be brushed aside. All of them deserve a logical, plausible, and believable answer because they probably represent sincere concerns of the school administrators. The blind applicant who feels insulted by being asked such routine questions may react by displaying frustration or anger. The sad reality is that blind applicants too often come to the job interview unprepared to field such inquiries. Their college courses did not include the practical knowledge necessary to give straightforward answers. Hundreds of blind teachers are dealing with teaching details every day ? apparently doing so satisfactorily, in the judgment of their supervisors. They are doing so with skills, work systems, and special techniques they have developed. Why isn't information about such methods, skills, techniques, and systems passed along to young prospective blind teachers? Why do not teacher-training programs have such information in their collection of resource materials? Why do not principals and supervisors of blind teachers have such information available to help new blind teachers succeed and grow in their profession? Why is not this material used in evaluating the performance of experienced blind teachers? The answer to these questions is simple: This valuable information has never been collected, put in writing, and published in usable form. The National Association of Blind Teachers (NABT) is collecting anecdotal records of the various ways blind teachers handle specific classroom and classroom-related tasks. They will be grouped according to subject and distributed in a loose-leaf binder or similar format that will allow for future expansion and updating. The compilation of methods and techniques of teaching without vision is expected to be a practical resource document for blind teachers and their supervisors, blind students studying to become teachers, and the professional staffs in teacher?training programs where blind students are enrolled. To encourage people to record their experiences and share them with others as part of the collection, NABT will award prizes for the three entries the judges believe are the most practical ? $75 for the first prize, $50 second, and $25 third. Anyone who has a plausible idea for handling a teaching-related problem is urged to submit it for the collection. To be eligible to win one of the prizes, however, the author's vision must be too limited to be of any value in the situation described, and the anecdote must reflect a true experience in the author's life as a teacher or former teacher. Entries to be considered as part of the prize competition must be accompanied by a brief statement of the author's visual acuity and teaching background. There is no limit to the number of entries a person may submit. Each entry should begin on a new sheet of paper; be as short as possible; and deal with a specific teaching-related task -- grading papers, using the chalk board, handling fire drills, managing field trips, conducting parent-teacher conferences, patrolling halls, selecting textbooks, etc. Any format or media may be used -- braille, typewriter, tape recorder, pencil. The submission of an entry implies consent for NABT to use it in the collection, and it will become the property of NABT. All entries will be considered for inclusion in the final document. In the event two or more entries deal with the same subject, the NABT judges reserve the right to choose the one to be included. The authors of entries used will each receive one free copy of the finished document. NABT reserves the right to edit all material for length, style, and format. All entries should be mailed to: National Association of Blind Teachers, 216 W. Miller Street, Springfield, IL 62702. To be considered as part of the prize competition, entries should be postmarked before March 31, 1982. ***** ** International Symposium on Visually Impaired Infants and Young Children By Gretchen H. Smith, President American Council of the Blind Parents Since the American Council of the Blind Parents received its charter as a special-interest affiliate of ACB in 1979, I have traveled widely and am beginning to feel that there should be a new publicity slogan: Join Work for the Blind and See the World! How privileged I was in late June to go to Israel to participate in the International Symposium on Visually Impaired Infants and Young Children. I believe the greatest value of this symposium is the fact that it was actually held. To my knowledge, there has not previously been an international meeting directed specifically to the needs and problems of visually impaired infants and young children. On Monday, June 15, we gathered at the convention center from five continents and 27 countries, with a few others arriving later in the week. Primarily we shared ? yes, about parenting and visual problems. The sharing was done on the formal level of general sessions, reports, talks, and discussion periods, with varied opportunities between these formal portions of the program to exchange ideas informally. English, thank goodness, was the official language of the symposium. Naturally, much was geared to professionals. However, the real emphasis was on the importance of parents in a child's development, and this point was reiterated by speakers in almost every session every day. Each day's keynote address set the tenor for the morning discussion group and the afternoon concurrent sessions. There was so very much information to share, and, regrettably, each day participants had to choose from among five concurrent sessions. However, the symposium booklet distributed upon registration included general information, the program, and abstracts of the presenters at the concurrent afternoon sessions. Subjects addressed included: early identification; working with parents, to enable parents to teach their children; socioemotional, motor, language, intellectual, and residual visual development; assessment; medical/educational aspects; teacher training; technological aids; educational options; family and community support systems, and other special support services. Particularly noteworthy was a "Demonstration of Physical Education Programs for Visually Impaired Children," including dance and recreation, by Ms. Edna Medalia, a former Olympic athlete, who now coordinates physical education programs in several hundred Israeli schools and also works with blinded veterans. As the parent of a congenitally, totally blind child, I was amazed and delighted. What surprised me even more, however, was the same reaction from other symposium participants, mostly professionals, who seemed to be as awed and impressed as I was. The program began with a cycling demonstration. Rather than using the tandem cycle with which we are familiar, two bicycles were placed in parallel, attached just in front of the steering front wheels, midway on the center bar near the seats, and on the frame above the back wheels. The latter two bars on a second pair of cycles held seats with backs to allow as many as six children to ride, with only four pedaling -- ideal for the multi-handicapped child unable to pedal. Using a lightweight, portable dance bar, six pre-schoolers did a routine of ballet stances and movements. Obviously, this was excellent for developing coordination, balance, spatial concepts, and graceful movement. The children then danced both individually and together in folk style. Another demonstration took place on a large, grassy, flat field about the size of a football field. Each child ran from one end of the field to the other as Ms. Medalia called through a megaphone, "To me! To me!" in Hebrew. Although some were congenitally, totally blind, they ran the length of that field with the momentum and free sprint of any sighted child. Of course, those with additional physical limitations may not have run as freely, but they made the length of the field! A series of tumbling mats stretched end to end was the setting for the finale. Along the mats, each child traversed a course consisting of: (1) a 12-foot plank about one foot above the ground; (2) over about 12 feet of mat, up a ladder at a 45-degree angle to a four-foot, rubberized platform; (3) continuing forward, either standing or sitting on the platform, to a second plank two rungs down the ladder (about three feet in height); (4) along the plank to a second rubberized platform; (5) descending a ladder to a plank about two feet above ground; (6) along the plank to another ladder leading up to a slide; (7) down the slide to the mat; (8) walking the length of two mats to a waist-high pipe, where each child circled his/her body once around the bar; (9) over two more mats to a bar to duck under; (10) across two more mats, up a foreshortened ladder to a three-foot-high platform, from which the child jumped to the ground. I was enthralled to see the ease with which many of the children accomplished this course and with the patience of the teacher with each child, no matter how difficult it was for many of the children to complete. We visited schools in Tel Aviv and Natanya where visually impaired and blind children were "mainstreamed" into the same activities as the other children. In Tel Aviv, cane hoops about two feet in diameter were the basis for a series of exercises by pre?schoolers, performed to piano music. Many spatial concepts were reinforced, with the children sitting, standing, and moving about, and moving the hoops to waist, shoulders, overhead, to floor, etc. Then each child danced around the hoop, being careful not to touch the hoop or to go inside. We visited an upper elementary class where we observed one youth using a monocular lens; a totally blind youth in woodworking class; to a bakery class, where the one totally blind student was laughing with classmates as they made funny shapes of the dough they were forming into cookies; to a lower elementary class in reading, with the teacher having the students describe pictures on the page for the blind student whose braille text had no pictures. There was a well-equipped resource room, as well as a room set aside with tables where visually impaired students could go to work on any project desired ? Jewish history, the sea and shells, space and rockets ... Particularly significant was a corner which had been set up with one brailler to enable others in the school to learn braille, should this be of interest. There are now two tables, with five braillers, because there has been so much demand by the sighted students. And they even have a waiting list! Our coordinator, Mrs. Shoshana Gefen, led us to an unimposing building on a Tel Aviv side street, where we followed her up four flights of stairs. There we entered the extraordinary realm of Yael Ulmer -- a room full of tables lining the walls, with a path between -- filled and stacked -- hanging from walls and ceiling -- standing on the floor -- a creative encyclopedia of colors, shapes, and sounds that are play toys and games for visually handicapped children. Each is specifically designed for a particular child's need at a particular time in his or her life. Yael proudly told us these toys are made of discardables -- wood, cartons, plastic -- things others consider "useless." There is some consideration of publishing the proceedings. I hope this will be done, because the symposium brought together a wealth of materials and ideas which need to be shared among parents and professionals working with visually impaired infants and young children. ***** ** Summary, ACB Post-Convention Board Meeting The post-convention meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind was held July 11-12, 1981, following the annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri. To allow time for consideration of all items on the lengthy agenda, the meeting was divided into two sessions, one on Saturday evening and a second on Sunday morning. All Board members were present for part or all of the two sessions. President Grant Mack extended a special welcome to the new Board members, Karen Perzentka and Pat Price. A complete list of ACB Officers and Directors appears elsewhere in this issue. Mrs. Billie Elder of Arkansas requested ACB sponsorship for a grant and for help in marketing a project known as "Touch Color." Purpose is to acquaint congenitally blind persons, especially blind children, with the concept of color image and to teach children to color in workbooks as sighted children do. The Board made no commitment. The matter will be discussed further at a future meeting, after the grant proposal has been studied. Upon recommendation of the ACB Committee on Thrift Store Income Sharing (Dr. Otis Stephens, Chairman), grants to three affiliates were approved by the Board: to the Oklahoma Council of the Blind for purchase of duplicating equipment; to the Nevada Council of the Blind for membership development and related activities; to the Visually Impaired Data Processors International for membership development. Dr. Stephens reported that a grant application had been received immediately prior to the meeting from the Iowa Council of the Blind. This was approved conditionally pending further review. At the January, 1981 Board meeting, the Personnel Committee was directed to refine draft manuals for personnel policies and regulations and for procedures detailing reimbursement regulations for officers, employees, committees, and volunteers. The revised drafts were discussed in detail. Suggestions and changes will be incorporated, and the Personnel Committee will report again at the January, 1982 Board meeting. Oral Miller reported on discussions with Vernon Henley of the Oklahoma Educational Radio Talking Book Network concerning a proposal to develop and distribute program material generated by ACB to radio reading services throughout the country. Since the proposal has not been fully developed, it will be considered further at a future Board meeting. The Board discussed at some length what would be an appropriate memorial to ACB founding member and past president, Floyd Qualls, who died June 29, 1981. A committee consisting of Carl McCoy, Chairman, M.J. Schmitt, and Bob Campbell will consider various suggestions and bring a specific recommendation to the winter Board meeting. LeRoy Saunders, Chairman of the Budget Committee, presented a supplemental budget reflecting ad?justments for salaries, travel, and additional equipment; increases in production costs and in circulation of The Braille Forum; and removal of the funding for ACB participation in evaluation and testing of the "Talking Optacon" from contingency to the base budget. This raised the base budget of $644,000 approved at the January, 1981 meeting to $685,000 through the end of calendar year 1981. Additional monies were also approved for purchase of computer equipment. Priorities were removed from the remaining contingency projects, with funding left to the discretion of the President, Treasurer, and National Representative. Assuming funding of contingency contributions to the Research and Education Project of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America and to the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, the overall budget for calendar year 1981 totals $714,000. This revised total reflects savings in earlier budgeted items for programs and services for which monies are not anticipated to be expended in 1981. The southwestern regional leadership training seminar was postponed until early 1982. The National Representative was authorized, in consultation with the Computer Committee, to obtain specific proposals for computer equipment to be installed in the National Office and in the Braille Forum office in Rochester. In-house computerization of mailing lists, records, and other relevant information is becoming increasingly a necessity. Durward McDaniel and Oral Miller reported on progress of the soon-to-be-released public service announcements designed to promote ACB and to educate the public about blindness (see The Braille Forum, September 1981). It is anticipated that these PSA's will have been distributed to radio stations throughout the country by early fall. In the absence of Chairman Harold Dachtler, Phyllis Stern reported on behalf of the ACB Board of Publications. The Publications Board requested that it be given more input into brochures and other publications being developed by ACB. This will be discussed in detail at a future meeting. Funding was approved to have the recorded editions of The Braille Forum professionally produced and for the purchase of cassette duplicating equipment in the Braille Forum office. When implemented, this should result in earlier circulation each month of the cassette and flexible disc editions. Several Board members expressed concern over the unique problems being encountered by the National Alliance of Blind Students. A new constitution has been drafted and approved in principle which should greatly strengthen the organization. It was agreed that a plan, a mechanism, funding, and national staff support should be developed to strengthen this special-interest organization so vital to the future of ACB. Before adjournment, an executive session was held where personnel matters were discussed. The winter Board meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, the weekend of January 9, 1982. In the meantime, conference calls will be held as necessary to consider important matters as they arise. ***** ** ACB Board of Publications Update By Harold Dachtler A new affiliate publications directory, a revised brochure, a recorded constitution, a publications workshop, and a new writing competition are available for you. The latest, revised ACB affiliate publications directory is now available in print form. This directory lists ACB affiliate publications, with names and addresses of editors, frequency of publication, and formats. Request copies from the Braille Forum office. The ACB brochure has been updated and re-designed. You will like it. Copies may be obtained from the ACB National Office in Washington, D.C. The brochure is available in print or in braille. The ACB brochure is an excellent companion to the brochure of your affiliate. The Board of Publications plans to arrange for a recorded edition of the ACB Constitution. Watch The Braille Forum for further word on this. A publications workshop is planned for the 1982 ACB national convention in Atlanta. We wish the content of that workshop to be determined by you. Please let us know your wishes, preferences, and problems related to publications so we can plan the agenda according to your needs. Address all suggestions to Publications Workshop, c/o the Braille Forum office. Help us to help you at the next publications workshop. The Board of Publications was pleased with the first annual Ned E. Freeman Article of the Year writing competition. We feel certain that the second one will be received with even more interest and enthusiasm. For the complete set of guidelines, see the September issue of The Braille Forum. Deadline for submission of manuscripts is March 1, 1982. Entries must be at least 1,000, but not more than 1,500 works in length. Entries must be typewritten, double-spaced, on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper. The title chosen for this year's competition should be thought-provoking and challenging: "If My Cane (or Dog Guide) Could Talk ..." What would they say? Think ... Write ... Compete! ***** ** Accessible Transportation -- The Reagan Approach By Scott Marshall On July 20, 1981, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published an interim rule, effective immediately, repealing DOT's Section 504 regulations relative to accessible transportation for handicapped persons. The old Section 504 transportation regulations mandated that transit authorities must take certain steps to make their transit systems accessible to handicapped persons. Such steps included the installation of ramps, lifts, and other special equipment on fixed-route buses, as well as specialized "paratransportation" services (vans, subsidized taxi rides, etc.), wherever needed to make the system accessible to handicapped persons. The American Council of the Blind, in its resolution 80-08, supported the DOT's Section 504 regulations and has consistently opposed any efforts to dilute these regulations through the so-called "local option" approach to accessible transportation, which, for the most part, leaves to local transit authorities the task of deciding how to best comply with the law. Under the "local option" approach, a concept, embodied in the Zorinsky and Cleveland amendments (which failed to pass Congress in 1980), local transit operators could opt for paratransportation services for handicapped people rather than being required to ensure that the transit system as a whole was accessible. In addition, since the new interim rule requires only that transit operators certify that their systems are accessible to a "significant fraction" of the handicapped community in their service areas, it is feared that transit operators will be able to comply with the regulation by serving only a relatively few handicapped people in their service areas. The American Council of the Blind, in cooperation with other interested organizations, is preparing comments to be filed with the Department of Transportation concerning its interim rule. Under the interim rule, transit operators need only certify to the Secretary of DOT that they are making, or will in the future make, "special efforts" to ensure that their systems are accessible. The certification need not specify details concerning the nature or extent of the "special efforts" being made. Obviously, such a certification is inadequate and fails to give the Secretary of DOT any meaningful information concerning whether or not a system complies with the law. In effect, such a self-policing system assumes good faith on the part of all transit operators ? an assumption which may not be justified in every case ? and is an invitation to abuse and fraud. Space does not permit a full explanation and critique of the interim rule here. Although it is likely that the interim rule may become permanent, the American Council of the Blind will continue to voice its opposition. ACB members and friends are urged to monitor the progress made by local authorities with respect to accessible transportation and to express their concern wherever transportation needs of the handicapped are not being met. ***** ** The Listening Ear By Dorothy Stiefel * Dear Dorothy: I am in my 30's and have had to make a few major adjustments due to more vision loss. I am getting to the point where performing all of my regular tasks is difficult. I know I need help, so I have attempted to learn as much as I can about various organizations which are supposed to be in existence to aid the handicapped. My conclusion, unfortunately, is that there are many organizations and people in this area who have little or no desire to truly aid the handicapped. There seems to be great disagreement between one side which says the visually handicapped should strive to be totally independent and should shun help from others, and the other extreme which encourages handicapped people to utilize all of the help they feel is appropriate. My own personal belief lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, and I hope I can maintain this position as my vision continues to change. Could you help me learn about the various organizations which specialize in helping people learn to cope with the loss of vision? -- R. F., New York * Dear R. F.: Your letter reflects a common desire all of us share, whether visually impaired or not: Independence. Losing vision over a period of time is difficult to cope with or adjust to because it is an ongoing process. By the time an individual thinks he or she has figured out a smooth accommodation technique, more loss occurs and another problem emerges to tackle. You did not mention which organizations seem to be guilty of such extremes. Perhaps you were not in touch with the groups most knowledgeable in the area of your individual concerns. The philosophy of the "happy medium" is one of balance, and a wise one. The straightjacket of "I can do it myself" may lead to the proverbial "Pride goeth before a fall" -- literally. And total dependency can become emotionally strapping to loved ones while leading the dependent person through another loss: self-esteem. You seem to be in need of tapping into comprehensive and relevant resources which will help you with your "coping" needs. I believe the following will be most helpful to you at this time: The American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. Write for information on their booklet, "Living With Impaired Vision: An Introduction," their list of low vision clinics and catalog of aids and devices. Vision Foundation, Inc., 770 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02158. Write for more information about their new book "Coping with Sight Loss: The Vision Resource Book," their Inventory List, Vol. V, and how you can get on the "buddy network system." The best method I know of to learn everything about coping with vision loss or learning about the particulars of the vision problem is to read about it and to talk to others with like personal experiences. You're on your own with the rest of it, as each individual copes in his or her own unique way. As for professional assistance, there is a growing trend for low vision clinics to provide resources for their patients and rap sessions for individuals and family members, along with assistance in visual needs. Good luck! * Dear Dorothy: What can I do about people who stare at me? Even when I am in the elevator, I catch someone looking right at me. It is very annoying and has bothered me for years. I am in my 70s. ? B. C., Texas * Dear B. C.: People are inquisitive creatures by nature! Have you ever noticed the clan of "bench people-watchers?" I think with nothing else to do momentarily, the situation would be most obvious in elevator cubicles. You did mention the gentleman in question was tall, wore a smart-looking tweed suit, bright tie, and then you noticed him staring at you. Do you suppose he was observing you observing him? At any rate, if you really feel someone is being outright rude with their stare, I find that if I say, "I'm sorry. Should I know you?," with a quick smile, the offender usually answers, "No, I don't think so." To which I reply, "Oh, I noticed you staring at me so hard that I just wondered ?" Stops 'em every time! Readers are encouraged to share their comments in response to any letters published here. If you have a concern to share or a gripe to air, write to Dorothy Stiefel, c/o The Listening Ear, 4630 Coventry Lane, Corpus Christi, TX 78411. Send SASE for a personal response. ***** ** A Challenge for Leadership ALL 1981 Delegate Assembly By Patricia Price The Sixth Annual Delegate Assembly of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, dedicated to the memory of its late executive director, William T. Snyder, was held in St. Louis, the historic yet vital city of the '80s, July 2-3. Under the expert guidance of Program Chairman Grant Mack, the theme, "A Challenge for Leadership," furnished delegates and observers a variety of extremely current concepts highly relevant to the blindness community. Early in the two-day meeting, ALL paused momentarily to reflect upon the very substantial and far-reaching contributions its first executive director, William T. Snyder, and his supportive wife and assistant, Eleanor, had made to the growth and future of the organization. At the recommendation of Durward K. McDaniel, it was unanimously decided that the Executive Board establish an appropriate lasting memorial to perpetuate this memory. Then attention was focused upon the present and the future as newly appointed Executive Director Dr. James P. O'Hair energetically and optimistically accepted the challenge to build upon the organizational foundation to promote betterment of the blindness service delivery system and an awareness of our needs. Emphasizing the intrinsic and extrinsic values of the U.N.-proclaimed International Year of Disabled Persons, with its theme of "Full Participation and Equality," Pat Price presented three widely diversified approaches involving the private and governmental sectors. "The Kids on the Block," a puppet show under the auspices of Larry Fletcher of the St. Louis Easter Seal Society, effectively dispelled the atmosphere in which several generations of children had grown up with parental admonition not to look and/or stare at individuals with physical or mental disabilities. This childlike approach has encouraged children and adults to openly discuss one another's differences so that human beings will be led to a realization that it's really okay, not pitiful or shameful, to be physically or mentally impaired. Arizona's Employers Handicapped Hot Line, enthusiastically described by its founder and coordinator, Shirley Wilson of Phoenix, is providing a network of professional, concerned employers in Job Service, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Economic Security, plus numerous other community agencies, and is making it easy for qualified handicapped job applicants to become known to prospective employers. Conversely, employers can circumvent yards of red tape and costly delays by dialing just one number to get needed information on qualified handicapped applicants. Commissioner Deborah K. Phillips articulately enumerated ways her St. Louis Office on the Disabled has, since its establishment in 1977, been a vital resource agency in all matters relevant to disabled persons. "Priming the Pump" was the title of a thought-provoking session in which lobbying as a process and as an art was candidly analyzed by several leading authorities: Kathaleen Arneson, formerly of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and currently legislative liaison for the League of Disabled Voters; Harriet Woods, Missouri State Senator; Jack King, Missouri state lobbyist; Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative, American Council of the Blind; and Don Clark, former APL/CIO labor union lobbyist. Each participant reinforced the basic concept that lobbying is an essential, effective ingredient in the democratic legislative process and a most valuable tool to ensure that our ultimate, worthwhile goals are made known to legislators. To quote Don Clark, "People, properly organized and unified as in coalitions, can overcome the monetary need, and can, in fact, impact the scene forcefully to monitor closely the regulations and implementations which necessarily must follow legislative enactment." Because Washington is an ever?changing parade of people responsible for directing the nation's destiny, continual cultivation and indoctrination is absolutely essential. Durward McDaniel summed it up eloquently: "We must be introspective enough to ask ourselves is the system really working the way it should? One of the truisms for this year is that crisis has brought a lot of people together who were formerly not really together and not really in true coalition. The overriding principle which kept us together and has made us effective is that we have refused to accept the inevitability of the sweeping changes which are so simplistic in their nature and scope that they actually would sweep away most of the tried-and-true programs that deliver services to people. Lobbying is an art, admittedly not always practiced perfectly. But, nonetheless, it is of utmost importance." Ms. Chris Lord, legislative aide to U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, outlined concisely the chain of events and methods used by Senator Hatch which led to the recent preservation of programs affecting the disabled community. In summation, she said: "The picture is a little chaotic right now. Senator Hatch, however, is a friend of the disabled and is not fatalistic about the tried-and-true programs. The lobbyist's role is more important than ever. But your role, where you live, is going to be more important than ever before, for elected officials will always be looking to constituents for what is good or bad." The need to cultivate an early conviction that independence is not only desirable but attainable, even though sight loss has occurred, was discussed most straightforwardly by the panelists developing the topic, "Bootstrapping, Leadership, and the Senior Young." Mimi Winer, founder and Executive Director of Vision Foundation, Inc., Newton, Massachusetts, is avidly attempting to make available a comprehensive network of referral resources to enhance the rehabilitative process of coping with sight loss. Grant Mack, newly elected president of the American Council of the Blind, discussed the impact sight loss has on the family as it seeks to rearrange its goals and life style. The amusing and not-so?amusing contradictions experienced by persons who gradually lose their sight were interestingly presented by Dorothy Stiefel, Director of Human Services, Texas Association of Retinitis Pigmentosa, Inc. Those who are neither blind nor sighted do have a unique world in which to live and work, and, therefore, they should receive emotional support and realistic solutions to the specific problems which they encounter. The concept of role models in developing the leadership image is especially important when one recognizes the trauma sudden sight loss causes. It is important to be able to identify other individuals with sight loss who are successful, well?balanced, and visibly productive. Two such models were Joe Ingram, Vice President of Wheat First Securities, an investment house in Roanoke, Virginia, and Russell Redenbaugh, Vice President, Cook and Bieler, an investment firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ingram indicated that since success is really self-perceived, it is difficult to accurately measure. "True success," he indicated, "lies in what you think of yourself." Similarly, Mr. Redenbaugh pondered the reality that the greatest obstacle encountered in climbing the ladder of success is getting through the crowds at the bottom. "Attainment of success," he said, "is directly related to the efforts and contributions we make in our own futures." While each arrived at success differently, both clearly manifested that personal and vocational satisfaction are predicated upon development of technical and self?presentation skills, an enthusiastic assumption of new responsibilities, an avoidance of the self-defeating fear of failure, and a fervent desire to compete and win. The leadership challenge continued even during the relaxation of the traditional ALL banquet. Dr. Robert T. McLean intrigued the audience with his thought-provoking comments on "Rolling Stones and Other Gifts." "Individuals, groups, organizations, and corporations, just like rolling stones, have their rough edges smoothed as they rub shoulders and together form an excellent foundation. Some rolling stones," he said, "seem to have little use. But actually, their true worth is not realized until later. The gift of blindness is like that. Just like other gifts that come to you from the environment, you live and you work with the tools, training, and opportunities you have in life. If you see blindness only as a bleak, black, frustrating, sad world, you are in trouble. These feelings can be wiped aside, washed up, and rolled over by you, working to attain goals you are very strongly capable of attaining." As the conference concluded, one could not help but agree that ALL is reflective of the mighty "spirit" of St. Louis -- a rich history, a vibrant present mirroring the north, south, east and west, and a promising future. ***** ** Our Library Shall Not Be Moved By Milly Stokes On March 14, State Librarian Mrs. Sylvia Short proposed that the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped be closed in Delaware. Some of the reasons were: present location is too small; building is not accessible for wheelchairs; and budget will be cut 25% in Federal funding. Mrs. Short, in a March 30 letter addressed to members of the 131st General Assembly, stated that the service could improve by having talking books mailed from a neighboring state and having machines delivered by special service coordinators in each of the three counties of Delaware. A total of three full-time coordinators was proposed. Mrs. Short also stated that the FY1982 cost would be the same as the FY1981 cost. Then we learned that three states would be involved and that New Jersey would have the contract for the Delaware library service. Now it was time for all of us to start working. A number of organizations, including the Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, National Federation of the Blind of Delaware, American Association of University Women, Dover Century Club, the State Federation of Women's Clubs, Delaware Association for the Blind, Pioneer Club of Sussex County, and many individuals wrote letters and made phone calls to public officials in an effort to keep the library in Delaware. Members of the State Legislature were extremely cooperative. Senator Herman Holloway, Sr., drew up a resolution to prevent the State Librarian from signing a contract for services with New Jersey. This resolution passed the Senate without difficulty. On the same day, April 8, 1981, State Representative Edward J. Bennett was instrumental in having the same resolution passed by the house. The library was moved to a new location and money has been appropriated in the FY1982 budget. Mr. Frank Kurt Cylke, Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, attended a meeting in Delaware and opposed the idea of joining with New Jersey or any other state. Mr. Cylke was very helpful by supplying statistical information to us. "Once responsibility for mailing discs, cassettes, and machines passes to another state," he said, "control, costs, type of material, and other factors are lost completely." We also want to thank Durward K. McDaniel, National Representative, American Council of the Blind, for his support. This experience emphasizes what can be done when all of the blind and physically handicapped people of a state unite in efforts to rewrite the book of state rights. ***** ** Letters to the Editor * Friends: For some of us, braille is vital. Cassette braille is becoming somewhat of a threat. From reports, the single-page display is not being considered, and for many of us it is the only desirable replacement to embossed books and records. Costs for braille reading equipment become greater than the cost of the Optacon for reading ink-print. Currently, library attention is being directed at: What do we do to meet the greatest number of needs? More confusing, the blind are involved in considerable disagreement as to what will resolve the greatest numbers of needs. At our convention, we were alerted more to what the problems seem to be than to what the alternatives for solution may be. I offer this letter in the hope that full-page display equipment may be included in decisions as to Government participation in ordering braille reading machines. --Merrill A. Maynard, Taunton, MA. * Dear Editor: I am a graduate student at Arizona State University. At present, I am engaged in a research project and would appreciate your assistance. I am looking at the dynamics involved in humor and disability. I am seeking jokes, cartoons, and/or personal accounts about the experience of being disabled. I would like to invite members of your organization to send me anything that they feel is appropriate ... Part of my interest in humor and disability stems from the fact that I have been a quadriplegic for twelve years. During that time, I have found numerous situations in which humor has turned possible disaster into something I could put behind me. I feel that I cannot be the only one to use humor in such a manner and am asking others to share their experiences with me. -- John E. Bignall, P.O. Box 2306, Mesa, AZ 85203. ***** ** Here and There By George Card The St. Louis convention marked not only the 20th anniversary of the American Council of the Blind, but also the 40th anniversary of the very first national convention of the organized blind movement in the United States. It was held in Milwaukee in 1941. It is certainly worthy of note that no fewer than six members of the 1981 Wisconsin delegation had also attended that long-ago convention in 1941. They were: Edna Schmidt and Egbert Roth of Milwaukee; Saphronie Peterson and H. Alton Davis of Janesville, and an enthusiastic, young couple from Madison ? last name, Card. In The Missouri Chronicle, MFB President Darrell Lauer proudly announces that our Missouri affiliate -- with the addition of almost a hundred new members during the past year -- now boasts a total membership approaching 60. The American Council of the Blind now has at least one flourishing affiliate in every state except four -- New Hampshire, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska. When Durward and Aileen become Texans, within striking distance of the states to the west, things will begin to happen in Wyoming. There were several observers from Montana at the St. Louis convention. I firmly believe that if my dear friend, President Harold Campbell, had not suddenly been struck down by death, Montana would have been in the ACB fold almost from the beginning. The Montana Association of the Blind is a very proud and independent group, not all inclined to take orders from outside. It is reported that when it was ordered to give up its old name and become "National Federation of the Blind of Montana," unlike its meekly obedient sister affiliate in Minnesota, it flatly refused. After the elections at St. Louis, I overheard several expressions of the opinion that, with the addition of Pat Price of Indiana and Karen Perzentka of Wisconsin ? both rising stars in the ACB firmament -- we may just possibly have the strongest Board of Directors in our history. It was quite wonderful to see again such long-time absentees as Dave and Bettye Krause (now of Nevada), George and Dolly Burck of New Jersey, and Cathy Skivers of California. We know their hearts have been with us all along. Alma Murphy, former First Vice President and a founding member of ACB, was prevented from attending, even though she lives in the convention city, because of a serious injury to her husband, Jack. When I talked with her on the telephone, she reported that Jack is making a good recovery. The honor of owning the first Visualtek ever built belongs to Judge David Norman of the Washington, D.C., Superior Court, and it is still in use. The Association of Blind Intellectuals in France has just celebrated its 30th anniversary. Among its achievements is a recorded library, one of the most important in France. Of the 15,000 works recorded on tape or cassette, more than half are school books or on occupational subjects. From the ACBC Digest (California): ACBC has received a generous gift from the Lillie Perry Foundation for the Blind, Inc., which will be used to provide $500 scholarships for three blind Californians. A highlight of the St. Louis visit for some of us occurred some distance from the convention hotel. Our little party of eight had dinner at the world-famous Stan Musial Restaurant, in the hope that the great Hall?of-Famer might drop in while we were there. We were in luck. He came right over to our table, shook hands with each of us, visited with us, and answered our questions. He said he thought he could bat as well as ever, but had become so slow afoot that if he hit a three-bagger against the fence today, he might very well get thrown out at first. No one could possibly have been more genial or friendly. Vision Systems is pleased to announce the addition of two new products to its line of low-vision aids. The Omni Voice Master Talking Wrist Watch features voice output which announces the time in hours and minutes, alarm and snooze alarm, and the capability of being used as a stop-watch and timer. Included with each watch is a stainless steel band, watch stand for home use, and key chain and pouch for pocket-watch use. Cassette instructions are also included. Price, $78.75. The SP1260-D, 12-digit Cannon Canola Talking Calculator features clear, distinct speech output which can be varied in speed and volume as selected by the user, as well as verification and many other standard functions. Price, $385.00 plus shipping. The instruction manual in braille or on tape is included at no extra charge. To order, or for further information on these and other low-vision aids, contact Philip Barton Vision Systems, 3911 York Lane, Bowie, MD 20715; (301) 262-3665. The Northwest Chapter, Arkansas Council of the Blind, is compiling "Lois's Helpful Hints and Cookbook." Passing along ideas can be especially helpful to the adult who suddenly is without sight or to the low-vision person who does not have access to rehabilitation training. If you have found a way to make a seemingly impossible task simple, or if you have figured out a way to make little things a little easier, drop Lois a letter or tape. She is collecting ideas and recipes for a new book to be available in braille and large-print at the ACB national convention in Atlanta next July. Your name can be withheld from the idea or recipe if you prefer; otherwise, it will be printed. Send your helpful hints and favorite recipes to Lois Eubanks, 1701 Cambridge, Springdale, AR 72764. Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI), 375 Distel Circle, Suite A-11, Los Altos, CA 94022, offers as a service to blind consumers a subscription to its new cassette magazine, Technical Innovations Bulletin. Subscription for 1981 is $6.00 and includes two issues of the bulletin (June and October), as well as all IRTI cassette brochures. Subscribers are also eligible for special discounts on some items. Products handled by IRTI include Maxell cassette and open-reel tape, batteries, two models of the "Talking Time" clock, a wide assortment of braille and limited-vision watches, Sony radios and cassette recorders, wide?angle mobility lights, and more. "Coffee Klatch Hints" is a collection of more than 125 household hints (including cleaning, laundry, cooking, handicraft, plants, and numerous miscellaneous items) which has been compiled by the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association. The book, available in braille, large-print, and voice-indexed cassette, is designed for use by sighted, blind, and visually impaired men and women. The V-Dex cassette, voice-indexed by James G. Chandler of College Park, Maryland, can be played on the special four-track NLS cassette players or the APH GE cassette players. Order now by sending check for $2.50, payable to VISTA, to Pat Price, 337 South Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46201. The Reading Center is a cabinet which holds a talking book player of the 1972-to-present models at armchair or bed height, and which can he moved from place to place on casters. It also has three shelves for tapes, records, or braille material. Finished in clear, walnut, cherry or mahogany; made of 3/4-inch solid wood, except for the back, which is 1/4-inch panel. Price: for plain edges, $89.95; for molded edges, $104.95. Shipped anywhere in the continental United States. Send check or money order to John Postma, 1466 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. From the Watertown (Mass.) Sun: During May, nine members of the scout organizations at Perkins School for the Blind and their three leaders made a nine-day trip to Greece as part of the school's 150th anniversary celebration. The group's itinerary included a 300-mile journey northward from Athens to the village of Papingo, where Michael Anagnos, Perkins' second director, was born and where the Anagnos library is housed. ... In Athens, the Perkins scouts visited the Parthenon, which they were allowed to enter, and the Acropolis museum, where they were permitted to touch the statues and other objects. Other highlights of the trip included a visit to famed Delphi, home of the ancient Oracle, and a trip to the ancient site of Mycenae, home of the legendary King Agamemnon and the Theater of Epidabros. While in the region, they visited the town of Tripolis to see the statue of Samuel Gridley Howe, Perkins' first director. Before leaving Athens for home, the group had the pleasure of meeting two great-granddaughters of Michael Anagnos at a special reception. ***** ** 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. ###