The Braille Forum Vol. XX June, 1982 No. 12 Legislative and Leadership Seminar Sponsored by American Council of the Blind 60 ACB Members from 34 States Visit Capitol Hill Published Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Mary T. Ballard, Editor ***** ** National Office: Oral O. Miller 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 506 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-1251 ** Editorial Office 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: Dr. 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 55415 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 Contributing Editors ACB Officers President's Message, by Grant Mack News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller ACB Convention Count-Down Double Jeopardy, by Billie Elder Atlanta Airport Designed with Handicapped Users in Mind, by Haskell Murray Highlights of Second Annual ACB Leadership and Legislative Seminar, by Scott Marshall Update on IVHI: Victory is Complete, by Kathy Megivern Major Steel Company Sponsors Student Design Project to Benefit the Blind, by Oral O. Miller Graduate Program Established in Work with Deaf-Blind Adults Update: Unionization of Workers in Sheltered Workshops, by Barbara Nelson Abacus Added as Test Aid Troubling Questions in Treatment of Newborns Playback ? Audio and Electronics Newsletter Tell It To Washington: A Citizen's Guide to Effective Letter-Writing to Public Officials, by Scott Marshall Association of Radio Reading Services 8th Annual Conference, by Laura Oftedahl The Listening Ear, by Dorothy Stiefel Deaf Child's Case Makes Court History National Year of Disabled Persons The Washington Connection in Review Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon Notice to Subscribers ***** ** President's Message By Grant Mack Mazatlan is a city on the west coast of Mexico, approximately 800 miles south of the Arizona border. It lies directly east across the Gulf of California from the tip of the Baja Peninsula, which puts it in almost the same longitude as Hawaii. And, like Hawaii, it is famous for its soft breezes, palm trees, and almost tepid ocean temperatures. The seemingly endless beach at Mazatlan, with its powdery, white sands, slopes gently into a pleasing surf that draws myriads of people from the United States and Mexico. The long expanse of luxurious beach is fast filling with hotels and condominiums, but the Mexican tourists still find room for their tents and blankets, especially during a holiday. It was Holy Week of this year, April 5-11, that my wife Bobbie and I and another couple found ourselves in this relaxing, stimulating atmosphere. The sprawling city of approximately 400,000 reflected the festive spirit in Mexico during this special week. Schools were closed and many people were on vacation, except for the omnipresent vendors who made their way up and down the beach with their blankets, jewelry, and assorted trinkets. Children of all ages played in the surf from dawn till dark, and the evenings were punctuated by the melodious strains of wandering mariachi bands. All in all, it was a perfect atmosphere for a week of complete relaxation, and that was exactly what we had in mind when we went "south of the border" that second week of April. During our stay, we saw just about all there was to see in a Mexican city, including a day at the market and a Thursday afternoon bullfight. This was my first experience at a Mexican market since I lost my sight completely, but I found that one doesn't lose a thing by not being able to see. The smells, hubbub, and excitement are accentuated when one is just listening and feeling. I had alerted the other people in our group to be on the lookout for blind people, but by Thursday, no one had spotted a blind person. So early Thursday morning I decided to make a search of my own. Jesus Osuna, a young man employed by the hotel where we were staying and who was fluent in English, agreed to be my guide. Jesus located a taxi driver who was willing to spend most of the day in the search, and we began our adventure. Although neither of them knew any blind persons, they had heard about one who ran a fruit stand outside the large market. We soon located Pedro Vazquez at his fruit stand, and he was eager to speak with us. The conversation was not a dialogue, but, rather, a question-and?answer session: Q. Do you run the fruit stand yourself? A. No, my nieces and nephews help me. Q. How do you get to work? A. I never go anywhere without help from my nieces and nephew. Q. Do you have access to braille material? A. What is braille? Q. Braille is a method of reading with your fingers. Can you read? A. No, I can't read anything. Q. Has anyone given you any training with a cane? A. No. May I see yours? As the interview continued, it became obvious that Pedro had never had any kind of rehabilitative training. He lost his eyesight when he was 5, regaining it for ten years during his late teens and early twenties. He said he thought there were schools for the blind in Mexico City and Guadalajara, but the schools, he felt, were only for the rich. He personally knew no one who had attended either school. "How many blind people do you estimate there are in Mazatlan?" I asked Pedro. Because of his lack of contact with the blind, he estimated only sixty or seventy. In a city of 400,000 there would normally be about a thousand blind persons. Pedro directed us to the next blind person, telling us she did her begging in the next block. We found the young woman in her late twenties on the street playing a kazoo. She was reluctant to provide much of an interview by getting into the cab because she was afraid of losing her favorite spot. Apparently, this was her only trade and she couldn?t risk losing an hour?s work. At this point, Jesus remembered a musician from his childhood neighborhood. After some searching, we found Remigio in front of a small shanty. He was very friendly, warm, and communicative. Remigio also had never attended school. He has been blind from birth and learned to play the guitar at an early age. Each evening he teamed up with some friends who were also freelance musicians, and they would wander in and out of the cafes and taverns, entertaining for gratuities as they went. He had no mobility skills and seemed amazed when Jesus told him I had traveled thousands of miles alone this year. When I inquired what happened to blind children in Mexico, he replied that they just stay at home. The fourth person we were able to interview during our search that day was Estanislad. He arrives at the market each day at 4:00 A.M. and sells newspapers to the early morning crowds. His job is finished by 8:30 or 9:00 A.M., and he then returns to his home to await the next day's work. Estanislad had developed some mobility skills, and he stated that he was the only blind person he knew who could get around by himself. He seemed content with his quiet, simple life. On the way back to the hotel and quite often since, I have thought about Pedro Vazquez, Remigio, Estanislad, the blind beggar woman playing her kazoo, and the hundreds of other blind people in Mexico and elsewhere. I compare their bleak existence with the opportunities I see for blind people in this country. I came away from that day with feelings so many American tourists share after they have witnessed life in other parts of the world. With all its shortcomings, there is no place so full of hope and opportunity as the United States, particularly for the blind. That day, I felt especially fortunate to be an American. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller A tip of the hat and a word of thanks to National Industries for the Blind (NIB) for inviting me to attend its workshop management orientation course, conducted at Royal Maid Industries in Mississippi in late March! The hospitality which I received was outstanding, and the program of subjects presented was extremely informative, interesting, and stimulating. Although NIB realizes that the American Council of the Blind, as a consumer organization, may sometimes find it necessary to disagree with NIB policies or procedures, the NIB personnel connected with the course were very open and candid about NIB and its program. During early April, it was my pleasure to speak to the members of the ACB of Texas and the Randolph?Sheppard Vendors of Texas. I was very favorably impressed by the excellent program presented by the ACB of Texas, as well as the dedication of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Texas. It is obvious that the experience and dedication of Durward McDaniel, now a resident of Austin, is already being put to good use by the enthusiastic officers and members of the Texas organization, which is one of the fastest growing in the American Council. Although the legislative and governmental activities of the American Council of the Blind are usually discussed in separate articles, one of the important legislative actions taken by ACB during April consisted of my testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Education, Health and Human Services and Labor, in support of a requested appropriation of $191 million for eye research during fiscal year 1983. Our action was taken in conjunction with those of the Friends of Eye Research. During early May, it was my pleasure to speak at the Philadelphia regional seminar of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. Each year, the Pennsylvania Council conducts at least four regional seminars in addition to its annual statewide convention. The program at the Philadelphia seminar dealt primarily with human services available under Title XX through both private and public agencies. I was pleased that Dr. Mae Davidow, the indefatigable president of the Pennsylvania Council, is recovering rapidly from her recent surgery, and that she still has the same fire and enthusiasm which has been her trademark for so many years. The 1982 national legislative seminar, held in Washington May 5-7, was an absolute success! Approximately sixty ACB members from key Congressional districts throughout the United States visited over 200 Representatives, Senators, and Congressional staff persons during the seminar and, after discussing important and pressing issues with them, left with each a very attractively packaged and well-put-together set of position statements which the Congressmen may use in the future as valuable resources. Thanks and commendations go to the ACB staff members who conducted the seminar and to the hard-working ACB members who attended and invested three hard, grueling days of work into this invaluable activity. I am confident we are going to reap immeasurable benefits as a result of the visits made to Capitol Hill. ***** ** ACB Convention Count-Down By the time you read this article, you should have received your pre?registration packet for the 1982 national convention of the American Council of the Blind, scheduled to take place at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel the week of July 3-10. So, if you have not done so already, send in your pre-registration form now in order to reserve space in the numerous seminars, workshops, meetings, and other activities scheduled to take place during that busy week. The pre?registration form will, if space permits, ask for the name of your Congressman, i.e., the name of your Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. This information can be obtained from your local government or library and will be added to ACB's computerized legislative files for future use. Remember that the Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel provides complimentary transportation between the airport and the hotel, so be on the lookout for its brown and yellow bus in the transportation area in front of the terminal. Although the little bus is on the move almost constantly between the hotel and the airport, you may call the hotel, if you wish, by means of the direct line telephone near the baggage areas. Be sure to bring your swimming suit to Atlanta with you, because the Marriott Hotel's indoor-outdoor pool will be waiting for you. In an effort to facilitate food service especially at lunch time, arrangements are being made for a simple, fast, and inexpensive soup and sandwich luncheon to be served each day in one of the restaurants. However, since most of our seminars and meetings will be breaking for lunch at about the same time, it is recommended strongly that conventioneers allow as much time as possible for getting served. Please do not expect to receive record-breaking service under such crowded conditions. Channel 12 on all TV sets in guest rooms in the convention hotel is a "pay" TV movie channel, and it is possible for a blind person to inadvertently dial it and thereby incur a charge for the movie. It is possible to avoid this risk by setting a selector switch in the proper position on a separate control box affixed to the top of each TV set. So you should ask the bellman escorting you to your room to make this adjustment as soon as you arrive. However, if you still inadvertently use the "pay" channel, the charges thus incurred will be removed from your bill if you, as a blind person , inform the cashier when you check out that you did not mean to view that channel. The wide range of exhibits accompanying the ACB national convention has come to be the largest and best collection of such exhibits in connection with any convention of the blind in the United States, and this year will be no exception. Be sure to set aside as much time as you can for strolling through the exhibit area, because that is the best way to stay informed concerning the very latest technological advances, interesting and unique merchandise items, and services for the blind and visually impaired. As of this date, there are more than 25 exhibitors scheduled to be at the convention, and that number undoubtedly will increase by convention time. Among the very popular exhibitors who will be back will be Independent Living Aids, Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI), Bossert Specialties, the American Foundation for the Blind, and Maryland Computer Services. Also, be sure to check the convention program regarding a special exhibit that we are attempting to set up involving air travel safety and emergency equipment. As for the national convention program: OUTSTANDING! For example, you will have an opportunity to directly question Mr. George Conn, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, regarding the possibility that all services for the handicapped might be placed in the hands of one Federal Government agency, and the possibility that the Randolph-Sheppard vending program might be opened up to include people with other handicaps. Also, almost everyone in ACB now knows about "voice indexing" of tapes. But by listening to Dr. Gerald Jahoda of Florida State University, you will learn about possible application which you never thought possible. In addition, you will have an opportunity to hear first-hand the experiences of Dr. Bud Keith and Mr. Doug Wakefield, two of the blind people who climbed Mount Rainier during July of 1981 as part of a group of climbers having a variety of different handicaps. Finally, you are in for a real treat in the form of professionally prepared musical and verbal introductions to be used preceding many of the sessions. Again, send your ACB national convention pre-registration form in NOW! Not only will the 1982 convention be informative and enjoyable, but it will also give you an opportunity to play a direct role in influencing the future of your organization - an organization which is definitely on the move. ***** ** Double Jeopardy By Billie Elder Double jeopardy: What is it? Who has it? What does it do to people? Unfortunately, double jeopardy is ex?perienced by many female members of the American Council of the Blind. It is neither recent nor innocuous. It has been around for centuries and affects females around the globe, except for the fortunate few who are very talented or whose families have great resources. Being female places a handicap on those of that gender, but being female and severely visually handicapped places a female in double jeopardy. At the American Council of the Blind national convention, there will be a session devoted to women's concerns on Tuesday night, July 6, at 7:30. Martha Carrick, one of the pre?senters in the Mary Switzer seminar, "Women in Rehabilitation," held in Washington, D.C., in November 1981, will be one of the presenters at "Women's Concerns." Ms. Carrick, of Atlanta, is well known in rehabilitation circles as an outstanding speaker and writer in the field of rehabilitation and women. Other presenters will be outstanding blind women from among the ACB membership. All interested ACB members, men and women, are urged to attend. ***** ** Atlanta Airport Designed with Handicapped Users in Mind By Haskell Murray (Reprinted from Journal of Rehabilitation, Vol. 47, No. 3, July/August/September, 1981) (Note: Haskell Murray, who is blind, has a Master of Arts degree in rehabilitation teaching from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is presently employed as a program specialist for the blind with the Georgia Division of the Vocational Rehabilitation. He is a member of the Atlanta Airport Authority's Advisory Committee on Accessibility, the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Elderly and Handicapped Advisory Committee, and the City of Atlanta Commission on the Handicapped.) The Midfield Terminal at the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is the world's largest in size and the world's second busiest in volume. It is also the most accessible airport in the United States for handicapped travelers, and the first to have its transition plan approved by the Federal Aviation Authority. This was accomplished by relying heavily on the input of a Citizen Advisory Committee composed of a cross-section of experts. Most people who arrive at the Midfield Terminal of the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport for the first time are overwhelmed by its size and features. The main passenger building is sprawled over an area of 2 1/2 million square feet. It contains more than four miles of aircraft boarding space, almost a quarter of a mile of ticket counter space, fourteen elevators, and 31 escalators. It houses dozens of cafeterias, coffee shops, and other merchandising establishments. In the center of the building, there is a huge transportation mall approximately one mile long. It runs the full length of the building and connects the two main ticket terminals and the baggage claim area with the five flight concourses. On either side of the mall, there are moving sidewalks which transport passengers from concourse to concourse to baggage claim area. On either side of the mall there are also trains which run at two-minute intervals between the baggage claim area and the last concourse, and stop at each concourse. Outside the building, there is parking for 12,000 cars; 7,500 can be parked outdoors and 4,500 can be parked in a three-level parking deck. There are huge parking areas for taxis and other vehicles. The terminal also has adequate space for curbside pick?up ... Physically, the Atlanta Midfield Terminal is the world's largest. In volume of traffic, it is surpassed only by Chicago's O'Hare International. Despite its size, the Atlanta Terminal is the most accessible in the United States. It contains 110 outdoor parking places for the handicapped and approximately half that number inside the deck. There are ramps in the parking deck and in the main passenger building and curb cuts which can be used by persons in wheelchairs. Each restroom has at least one stall that is constructed for use by persons in wheelchairs. The panels in the doorjambs of the elevators, the entrances to the restrooms, and several other locations are marked with raised letter signs which can be read by the totally blind. Audio tapes make frequent announcements instructing travelers in the safe and convenient use of the terminal facilities. Each station on the train is also announced. Contrasting colors on floors and walls indicate entrances and exits to various areas, to aid those with limited vision. TTY's are located at various points in the terminal and the concourses to assist the deaf. Ten percent of the telephones, at least one in each cluster, are equipped with amplification devices for the hard-of-hearing. There are certain telephones which activate a screen that displays information about the airport in six foreign languages. There are plans to expand this service to ten languages and to add audio to the display. One is hardly ever out of sight of a TV display screen which gives flight information, and there is a passenger service information center on each of the five concourses. These features were brought into being because of many hours of careful planning by a cross-section of people. Before the terminal was designed, the City of Atlanta, the Federal Aviation Authority, the airlines, and the architects and builders made a commitment that it would be accessible. In 1977 an advisory committee was impaneled which consisted of select faculty members from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University; designated professionals from the City of Atlanta, and city and state law enforcement officers; representatives of the airlines and the Department of Aviation; representatives of the architectural and construction firms which were involved in the building of the terminal; and persons who had demonstrated proficiency in coping with the problems of blindness and visual impairment, hearing, mobility, and aging. The committee had regular monthly meetings scheduled, but met on an as-needed basis in order to address the problems that arose. Most meetings were held at the airport site itself so that adequate inspection could be accomplished. All of the principals agreed that the advisory committee would have primary access to the plans. Therefore, the committee and architects reviewed proposed plans before they were put into blueprint. Decisions were put in writing and given to the architects and builders. There were times when suggested recommendations from the committee had to be changed or modified because of existing laws and building codes. Meaningful dialogue was developed, and compromises had to be made ... The committee operated from the philosophy that all of its recommendations for design and modifications should be structured to serve a maximum number of people at a minimum cost ... This concept provided the committee with adequate rationale to go beyond national standards, state and Federal laws, and state and Federal regulations on accessibility when it seemed necessary, and to make new and independent recommendations based on its own expertise and knowledge of given situations. For example, it was felt that large print raised letters were better for tactile markings than braille. Most blind persons who have occasion to use the airport, it was felt, would be familiar with print lettering. The blind could read tactile signs by touch and others could read them with their vision. It also cost considerably less to produce raised letter signage than braille. ? The recommendations of the committee were incorporated into the transition plan which was presented by the City of Atlanta to the Federal Aviation Authority and was approved in July 1980. This is the first airport transition plan in the United States which was approved by the Federal Aviation Authority. Although the Atlanta Midfield Terminal Complex is extremely large, its design and operation are relatively simple. All passageways lead to or away from each other at 90-degree angles. The transportation mall crosses each concourse at its mid?point. Each flight gate on the concourse is the same size. The flight gates are numbered in street fashion along the sides of the concourses. All gates on one side have odd numbers, and all gates on the other side have even numbers. There are passenger information centers at the entrances to each of the concourses from the mall. Each of these information centers is equipped with a TTY and an amplified telephone. Merchandise areas, food service, and restrooms are located on each concourse in the same general structural area. It is therefore necessary for a traveler to learn the structural pattern of only one concourse to become oriented to travel throughout the concourse network. The moving sidewalks and the trains travel in the same direction. Audio tapes instruct travelers in use of them. Each train station is located in the same structural proximity to the concourse. Upon leaving the train, one turns to the left to find the concourse entrance. The two ticket terminals (north and south) are relatively free of barriers which would block the view. There may be some difficulty in locating the ticket counter of a particular airline if the traveler does not know from which terminal that airline operates ? The Atlanta airport terminal is a manifestation of how a strong advisory committee can be used as an effective tool in the design and construction of a facility to make it accessible. Since all facets of the terminal design and construction were represented on the committee, accessibility was always a part of the underlined perspective. This was particularly true where marginal decisions had to be made with respect to specific features. It was also evident that when a new facility is to be constructed for public use, it can be made accessible without difficulty. The needs of handicapped users are identifiable. If these needs are incorporated as part of the requirements for the general market that the facility is constructed to serve, they can be met without inconvenience to others. This adds to the number of users and makes the facility more "public." Perhaps the most important identifiable factor that came from this experience was that by approaching the problem of accessibility early, the cost of designing and constructing the terminal was not substantially increased. Special equipment and signage could be ordered in bulk, thus lowering the cost. It was not necessary to remove steps in order to build ramps. The extra space which is required in some areas such as the restrooms was incorporated into the blueprints and required less building materials. According to the architectural firm which was responsible for the design and construction of the terminal, to achieve the level of accessibility which now exists increased the cost by less than one-half of one percent. ? ***** ** Highlights of Second Annual ACB Leadership and Legislative Seminar By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs May 5, 1982, was a beautiful spring day in Washington, D.C. The weather was just right for sightseeing, fun and relaxation ? the kinds of attractions that bring most tourists to the nation's capital. But for about sixty members of the American Council of the Blind from 34 states, May 5 was the beginning of three intensive days of briefings and meetings with U.S. Senators and Representatives on important issues of concern to blind and visually impaired Americans. Seminar participants were carefully selected based on a key district/committee concept which brought to Washington a sampling of ACB members whose Senators and Representatives sit on the committees most directly associated with legislation affecting the blind. The Wednesday afternoon session featured Mr. Walter Kravitz, a nationally recognized lecturer and author on the Congress, and former staff director of the House Budget Committee. Mr. Kravitz briefly outlined the pitfalls of the legislative process and further explained the various techniques of oral and written communication with members of Congress and their staffs. The remainder of the Wednesday afternoon and evening sessions was devoted to substantive briefings on issues ranging from rehabilitation and special education to Social Security and library services. Materials were available to all participants in accessible media, and specially designed fact sheets and other materials had been prepared for distribution to Congressmen and their staffs. Seminar participants spent Thursday on Capitol Hill, in personal meetings with over 200 Congressmen and Congressional aides. A Thursday evening debriefing and unwinding session gave participants an opportunity to report back on reactions, mutual experiences, and the need for follow-up contact. The Friday session was devoted to methods of developing a state legislative program, information gathering, and the all-important subject of how to interest members in the legislative process on the local and state level. The reactions of seminar participants were extremely positive, and ACB is looking forward to developing ways to improve this training for its members in the future. Tapes of the seminar will be available as soon as editing and production are completed. ***** ** Update on IVHI: Victory Is Complete By Kathy Megivern The Braille Forum reported last month on the fight to keep the Illinois Visually Handicapped Institute open. When Governor Thompson ordered IVHI to be closed permanently effective April 30, consumers and professionals in the state joined together in a battle to save the Institute. The first step involved a lawsuit to prevent the state from closing IVHI prior to the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 1982). At the same time, an intensive lobbying effort was begun to convince state legislators to include appropriations for IVHI in the fiscal year 1983 budget. The lawsuit brought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the American Association of Workers for the Blind, and certain individuals resulted in an agreement by the Governor that IVHI would remain open "at least until June 30." It now appears that the lobbying efforts of Illinois consumers and professionals have also proved successful. Governor Thompson has reversed his decision and has requested fiscal year 1983 appropriations for IVHI, with a slight increase over the FY 1982 funding level. The immediate, unified, organized response of the individuals and groups in Illinois is an example of legal and legislative advocacy at its finest. In this era of threatened block grants and "New Federalism," as much of the action does, indeed, shift to the state level, what happened in Illinois can serve as a model for other states. All the individuals and organizations are to be commended who joined in the cooperative effort to save Illinois' only publicly funded residential rehabilitation facility for blind adults. ***** ** Major Steel Company Sponsors Student Design Program to Benefit the Blind By Oral O. Miller Instituted in 1965, the Student Design Program sponsored by the Armco Steel Company, has been bridging the gap between business and academia for seventeen years. Each year, Armco assembles talented students from three or four major industrial design colleges, and they are asked to focus their energies on a specific social area. In earlier years, they concentrated on such areas as aids for the handicapped, clothing for fire fighters, designs for health care and teaching aids. Last year, the program focused on the need for both economical and humanitarian changes in this country's penal system through cost-effective products for prisons. In 1982, the area of "Products for the Visually Impaired" was intended to combine today's advanced technology with the special needs of the blind and visually handicapped. The three schools selected for the 1982 design program were California State University at Northridge, the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut), and North Carolina State University. Armco assisted with technical advice and funding. The 1982 Armco Student Design Program culminated in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 15-16, when the students formally demonstrated their designs and subjected them to examination and review by panels of both technical and non-technical judges. It was my pleasure to serve as one of the judges or critiquers, and it was made very clear to us at the beginning that the program is not a contest, but a dialogue between students about to enter various fields of industrial design and professionals already in these fields. In the past, the criticisms following some of the presentations generated new or refined concepts that led to practical applications. For example, in 1979 one student designed a project which is now being marketed by an international health care company. His project was a patient gurney or stretcher that could be nested with other stretchers much like shopping carts, for space efficient storage. Space will not permit me to describe, evaluate, or even mention more than a few of the dozens of items that were displayed or demonstrated by the students. Unfortunately, the great majority of the items did not work; they were merely design models whose operating principles had supposedly been worked out by their student designers. However, a few of the more interesting models that worked (setting aside their possible usefulness for the moment) included a security doll and body protector for blind infants and small children, a simple and inexpensive plastic cover for converting the "Speak and Spell" toy for braille usage, a cane tip to increase sensitivity while being used on carpets or grass, a cane designed to "track" a magnetic path (for use in shopping centers and industrial or business environments), a complete bathroom designed with safety features for visually or otherwise handicapped people, an inexpensive and highly portable magnifying reader for low?vision use, a directional, heat-seeking fire extinguisher, a measuring medical hypodermic syringe, a complete working kitchen with features designed for the blind or visually handicapped, and a variety of teaching aids. A few of the design models (models only) which seemed to be based on fairly sound engineering and human principles included a hand-held paper money identifier with both tactile and audible output, a braille learning de- vice using the principle of the "Speak and Spell" computer, with a visual readout to facilitate classroom teaching, a streamlined and lightweight braille writer (similar to the Perkins Brailler, but to be constructed of more modern, lightweight, and quieter materials), a paperless braille note taking machine using a microcassette and compatible with a separate printer for paper braille copy, and a portable, adjustable, lighted reading table with magnifier. Several of the items mentioned above were almost amusing in that their assumed need was predicated upon fairly stereotypical attitudes concerning the blind. But many of the students had made sincere efforts to obtain consumer input (such as from blind children) while designing their models. Although Armco Steel Company is not in a position to make judgments about the models and support their further development or production, Armco officials agreed to explore the possibility of encouraging the designers of some of the most promising models. Although many of the models which I saw were dearly little more than laboratory projects which will soon be forgotten by their designers, Armco Steel Company and the participating universities are to be commended for the sincere efforts they made in a relatively short period of time and subject to very definite financial limitations, to improve life for blind and visually impaired persons, one of the smallest of the minorities. The remarks of Dr. Robert Redman, a professor of design at the University of Bridgeport, are also very appropriate: "This particular program has turned out to be more extensive and difficult than we anticipated. The assignment of design for the visually impaired is really a very complex one. Armco's commitment to this program has given the students the opportunity to analyze a problem facing many Americans. It has forced them to make some very dramatic confrontations about blindness and visual handicaps in their personal lives as well as in their engineering and design work. Combined with the fact that the students have to make working models of their inventions, it?s obvious that this project is more valuable than most conventional assignments." ***** ** Graduate Program Established in Work with Deaf-Blind Adults By Barbara Hausman Helen Keller National Center (Reprinted from Newsletter of New York State Association of Workers for the Blind) The Helen Keller National Center, in cooperation with Western Maryland College, located at Westminster, Maryland, has initiated the first master's program in the world to prepare professionals to work with deaf-blind adults. Historically, Western Maryland's program in deafness has earned national respect and recognition. The program will now incorporate the singular expertise of the Helen Keller National Center staff in teaching methodology and strategy of providing comprehensive rehabilitation training to deaf-blind adults. The proposed 33-hour master's degree will include nine course credits in deaf-blind education, plus six credits for field work at the Helen Keller National Center or one of its affiliated agencies. Interns enrolled in the program will spend three weeks to a month on the Center's campus and will be assigned to different departments to work directly with trainees and staff. Teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, physicians, audiologists, and speech pathologists are among the professional disciplines who will benefit from this training. The need for specialists in this field is particularly acute at this time because the 6,000 children born deaf-blind as a result of the rubella epidemic during 1963-67 are now entering adulthood. Multiple disorders, heart defects, neurological and neuro?muscular problems, usually accompany the dual handicap as well. The influx of rubella cases will more than quadruple the prevalence of deaf?blindness stemming from diseases such as Usher's syndrome. The Helen Keller National Center is responsible for the development of course content and will provide an appropriate staff as faculty for the first two courses to be offered during the summer session, 1982, on the Western Maryland College campus. For further information about the master's program or registration for the program, call (301) 848-7000, Ext. 500. For information on specific courses, contact Sister Bernadette Wynne, Helen Keller National Center, 111 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050. ***** ** Update: Unionization of Workers in Sheltered Workshops By Barbara Nelson Staff Attorney Should blind employees in sheltered workshops be allowed to choose to be represented by labor unions in negotiations with workshop management about wages and working conditions? Can the National Labor Relations Board require a sheltered workshop to bargain with a union selected by its employees, in the same manner that it can require regular employers to do so? The position of the American Council of the Blind on these questions is set out in Resolution 81-10, which states " ... that blind workshop workers employed in the regular production programs of sheltered workshops for the blind are in fact employees and not mere clients, as asserted by the management of many workshops; and that, as employees, such blind workers have the right under the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act to organize and select their own collective bargaining representative and to take concerted action to promote their best economic objectives." Two United States Circuit Courts of Appeals also recently faced these questions and reached opposite conclusions. Last fall the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided that the National Labor Relations Board had no jurisdiction to intervene on behalf of workers at the Lighthouse for the Blind of Houston. It found that the NLRB could not require the Lighthouse to bargain with the union selected by the workers because of the risk of "intrusion into the rehabilitative process by bargained demands which could prejudice the Lighthouse?s many-faceted efforts at rehabilitation." On the other hand, in March 1982, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reached a conclusion consistent with ACB Resolution 81-10. The court stated that the Cincinnati Association for the Blind must bargain with the union selected by its employees. The court in this case held that the NLRB acted appropriately when it distinguished between workshops whose programs are "primarily oriented toward providing social services" and those which "closely resemble traditional, for-profit enterprises." It stated, further, that employees in this second category of workshops "enjoy the same legal protections as their counterparts in private industry." It did not agree with the Fifth Circuit decision and with the Cincinnati Association or the Blind that allowing workshop employees to unionize would disrupt the ability of workshops to provide rehabilitation and a therapeutic environment for its employees. The National Labor Relations Board is seeking a re-hearing of the Houston Lighthouse case, and the Cincinnati Association for the Blind will be asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn the Sixth Circuit decision. Therefore, it will be some time yet before this important issue is finally resolved. ****** ** Abacus Added as Test Aid The administrators of the General Educational Development Test (GED), a national, standardized achievement test which measures whether a person has the equivalent of a high-school education, recently clarified their rules to provide that blind persons may use an abacus as an aid when taking the test. This clarification became necessary when confusion arose about a new rule which prohibits people from using calculators during the test. A cautious test administrator in Florida decided that this rule applied to the abacus as well as to calculators. The American Council of the Blind and the State of Florida Division of Blind Services educated the GED Testing Service about how an abacus is used, stressing that, unlike calculators, the abacus cannot be used by a person who lacks basic mathematical concepts. The GED agreed and made an addition to its handbook which allows the abacus to be used by a blind person during the test. ***** ** Troubling Questions in Treatment of Newborns (Reprinted from CCCH Newsletter, Published by Connecticut Coordinating Committee on the Handicapped) Should the state, or parents, or medical personnel decide which newborns should live and which should be allowed to die? Does a severely retarded and physically disabled baby have the same rights as any other infant, or should the parents be allowed to decide whether they wish to raise the child? These troubling questions are being debated throughout the country. The Hartford Courant reported in February that a Presidential Commission on Medical Ethics recommended that hospitals set up ethics committees to advise parents and doctors who are considering withdrawing medical attention from newborns. The committee would rule on only the most difficult cases - the ones that could mean the difference between life and death for an infant with a severe disability. The article said that infants' rights would be protected under this plan by allowing any member of the medical team to request a review if the decision is made to withdraw medical treatment. If the ethics committee were to agree with the doctor who decided to withhold treatment, the doctor would be protected, as the courts would, presumably, support the committee's decision. There were disagreements among the Commission members concerning the morality of allowing certain infants to die. The newspaper article mentioned that they did agree that children with Down's syndrome should never be allowed to die. In Connecticut, the General Assembly's Public Health Committee is considering a bill that would require hospitals to report cases in which medical treatment was being withdrawn. Under the bill, the State Department of Children and Youth Services would be required to go to court to protect the infant's rights. ***** ** Playback - Audio and Electronics Newsletter Playback is a bi-monthly newsletter on cassette, designed for people interested in news about and sources for audio and other electronic gear. Each issue includes (1) addresses and toll-free numbers for shopping at discount prices; (2) news of new products; (3) reader feedback and consumer reviews of equipment; and (4) free classified ads. The introductory issue, which includes full particulars on membership, is $2.00 plus a return, addressed mailer stamped with "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND." Among items for sale, Playback offers an instruction tape for the new Sharp talking calculator for $2.00, economical and reliable C60 cassettes at $.60 each, or $6.50 per dozen, or $50.00 per 100, plus hard boxes at $.20 each and soft, hinged boxes at $.15 each. Communicate in any format with Playback, 1308 Evergreen Avenue, Goldsboro, NC 27530. ***** ** Tell It To Washington: A Citizen's Guide to Effective Letter-Writing to Public Officials By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs Do you want to comment on pending legislation? Do you need help in dealing with the Government bureaucracy? Would you like to extend an invitation to speak at your local chapter meeting? These are only a few of the reasons why you might want to contact a public official. How to write that letter or make that personal visit may mean the difference between achieving your objective or simply wasting your time. This article will contain tips for effective letter-writing. A future Braille Forum article will suggest effective approaches for face?to-face meetings with your public officials. Keep It Short and Simple. Whether your message is oral or in writing, keep it short, direct, personal, and to the point. Letters should be no more than one page in length and should include: (a) all relevant facts; (b) the name of the bill and the bill number, if known; and (c) a clear description of the problem and what you want the public official to do about it. Don't use pre-printed form letters, post cards, or "canned" language which someone else has provided to you. The personal touch is the best. Be neat, polite, and never abusive. Timing. A letter which arrives too late is useless, like last year's calendar, as is a letter which arrives too early. Public officials may receive thousands of pieces of mail each week. Unless your letter relates to subject matter which is current, it will lose its effectiveness. Telegrams should be used only if timing is critical; e.g., just before a key vote. Otherwise, don't waste your money on these impersonal communication tools. If you need a telegram, however, you can obtain a discount rate for a Political Opinion Message from Western Union. Finally, if you or your family have voted for the public official, be sure to mention this fact. Be subtle, but frank. You may have to rewrite your letter several times. Remember, though, if it achieves your goal, the extra time was worth it. ***** ** Association of Radio Reading Services Eighth Annual Conference By Laura Oftedahl Director of Public Affairs April 23-26 was a very busy time for many operators and employees of radio reading services from throughout the United States. They met in Columbus, Ohio, for the Eighth Annual Conference of the Association of Radio Reading Services, during which time many important issues were discussed. The biggest concern on everyone?s mind these days is the Federal Communications Commission plan to re?allocate the closed-circuit FM channels now used for radio reading services to public radio stations for licensing to commercial interests. This would open up the use of these channels to profit-making enterprises which are able to pay more money for the use of these channels than public service ventures such as radio information services for the print handicapped. Rosie Hurwitz, newly elected president of ARRS and director of the University of Kansas Radio Reading Service, said: "The Association is determined to pursue all means, including legal action, if necessary, to prevent this encroachment and the devastating impact it would have upon this vital means of access to the printed word." Barbara Nelson, ACB Staff Attorney, will have her hands full with this and many other issues, as she is the newly appointed chairman of the Legislative Committee and member of the ARRS Board of Directors. She fills the position on this board which Durward McDaniel has occupied since formation of the Association of Radio Reading Services. The American Foundation for the Blind also has an appointed representative on this board. Radio reading services have been rapidly growing in number since the first service was established in 1969. There are nearly 100 services on the air in cities all across the country and nearly fifty in the planning stage. Many radio information services signed up to receive the new American Council of the Blind radio show during the Columbus conference. "ACB Reports," the exciting new monthly program specifically produced for RRS's, is currently carried on over half of the services, with more subscribing to the free half-hour program daily. If "ACB Reports" is not being aired over your radio reading service, please inquire about this informative program. Program directors may receive a sample program by contacting the ACB National Office. ***** ** The Listening Ear By Dorothy Stiefel Dear Dorothy: I am writing in response to the letter from the Las Vegas, Nevada, reader concerning white cane travel and drivers' reactions when a blind person using a cane wishes to cross the street. In the drivers education book used in many of our Virginia high schools, there is a passage which states that drivers are not by law commanded to stop every time they see a blind person using a cane while crossing a street. I am speaking of the basic outdoor technique we learn, where the cane has contact with the ground in a two- or three-point touch or sliding motion. The only time a driver must stop when a cane user is seen crossing the street is when the individual has his cane raised, and not in contact with the ground ... I asked a mobility instructor about this, only to have the identical information reiterated to me. Perhaps the Nevada reader could check this out and maybe discover that using the cane is not as important as the position at which it should be held if she wishes drivers to stop for her ... - Laura Lowe, Alexandria, Va. Dear Laura: The more I research this topic, the more amazed I become at the apparent confusion about what should or should not be practiced. I find that a lot of the trouble may be a matter of semantics and interpretation of existing laws concerning white cane and dog guide users as well as pedestrians in general. You did not say specifically if you are a white cane user, but let's look at some of the information gathered. I hope readers from various states will provide feedback on this subject. Better communication may evolve out of this so that at least our understanding of the law will be consistent and compatible with written texts. 1. A source in the East checked with T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and was told that a textbook used for the drivers education class includes a section headed "Required Stops." It clearly indicates drivers must stop for persons utilizing a dog guide or carrying a white cane. 2. A source in Austin, Texas, concedes that the word "carry" is a bottleneck. It could mean the cane touching the ground in the one, two touch method in front of the pedestrian, sliding it, carrying it, pointing it. outward horizontally, or, for that matter, raising it overhead. In Texas, the law states that the white cane must contain red or green markings. It does not state how the cane is to be carried. 3. The Texas Department of Public Safety, Human Resources Code, Sec. 12.007(b) states: "A driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection or crosswalk where a pedestrian guided by a guide dog or carrying a white cane is crossing or attempting to cross shall take necessary precautions to avoid injuring or endangering the pedestrian. The driver shall bring the vehicle to a full stop ..." if necessary. Paragraph (c) states that the failure of a "... person to carry a white cane or be guided by a guide dog does not deprive the person of the rights and privileges conferred by law on pedestrians crossing streets or highways and does not constitute evidence of ? contributory negligence." This would seem to imply a person not using his/her cane would not be penalized, as the same consideration must be given to all pedestrians. Does this confuse you? Here is another piece of information. A friend, recently relocated from Cincinnati, Ohio, states that she was told by her mobility instructor that if she failed to use her cane while crossing the street and was hit, she would be considered negligent and the driver could not be held responsible. She also told me her daughter recently took a Texas driver's test and no mention was made of the driver's responsibility to stop or use caution. One of the officers was kind enough to furnish me with the section of the written test applying to white cane users. While it has questions dealing with which places a driver must always stop, the only question applying to cane users is a multiple-choice question which I think is ridiculously misinformative: Pedestrians using white canes are usually: 1. crippled; 2. old; 3. blind; 4. deaf. Think about it. How does that question help educate the driving apprentice to observe proper cautionary measures? I don't have the answer, readers. But it is clear to me that much confusion exists. I hope to have several letters from readers of different states to share with others in the next couple of months. If you can, please send a copy of the particular law in your state. If you call the Department of Public Safety in your area, they will kindly oblige by sending it to you by mail. Who knows? We might be able to move (or remove) a mountain of musty statutes. Readers are encouraged to share their comments in response to any letter appearing in this column. If you have a concern to share or a gripe to air, write to Dorothy Stiefel, c/o The Listening Ear, P.O. Box 8388, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. For a personal response, please be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. ***** ** Deaf Child's Case Makes Court History (Gannett News Service, Tuesday, March 23) Washington ? A deaf attorney from New York State made Supreme Court history today by arguing a case with the help of computer technology that enabled him to respond to Justices' questions instantly without lip-reading. Attorney Michael Chatoff, the first deaf attorney to appear before the High Court, pleaded the case of a deaf Westchester County school girl, Amy Rowley. She and her parents, also deaf, claimed the Hendrick Hudson School District violated Federal law by refusing to hire an interpreter to aid her when she was in kindergarten ... Amy, 10, is a fourth-grader now ... As Chatoff spoke in the ornate marble chamber of the Court, a modern computer terminal with a video-display screen sat beside him. When a Justice asked Chatoff a question, a stenographer, using steno graphic code, typed it into a computer, which instantly translated it into whole words and flashed them on to Chatoff's display screen. He then read the question from the screen and responded, almost instantaneously. Justices actually asked few questions during the hour-long arguments. Justice John Paul Stevens asked Chatoff whether his view was that interpreters should be hired for all deaf students across the country. Chatoff leaned over to read the question, paused, and said, "Definitely not. Every child is different. This case involves Amy, and Amy only." Chatoff continued that, in Amy's case, if an interpreter is provided, she would be able to keep up fully with the rest of her class. At issue in the case is the Federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, which requires a ?free, appropriate public education? for all qualifying students. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Amy eligible for a sign?language interpreter under the Act. However, in their written appeal urging the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court ruling, New York officials argued, "The cost of interpretive services for Amy Rowley will be approximately $20,000 to $25,000 per year ... An extension of that cost to similarly situated deaf students in the State would cost over $100 million per year." Schools officials did take several measures to aid Amy. A teletype machine was installed in the school office so she could communicate with her parents, and a sign-language interpreter was also brought into the classroom on a temporary basis. But the District determined that the interpreter was unnecessary. ? ***** ** National Year of Disabled Persons (Reprinted from AFB Washington Report, April, 1982) The President has approved a joint resolution establishing 1982 as the National Year of Disabled Persons. The new law, P.L. 97-149, in effect, authorized continuation of activities begun in 1981 as part of the observance of the International Year of Disabled Persons in the United States. This new NYDP is being handled by an office in, Washington, the National Office on Disability. Its Acting Executive Director is Sydney H. Kasper. The main thrust of the new effort will be at the grassroots level, to keep local projects alive, to encourage more of them, and to develop cooperation among local public and private forces. All of these efforts are designed to foster a better climate of acceptance in employment of qualified handicapped persons. ***** ** The Washington Connection in Review The Federal budget - the overall budget process and evolving budget proposals - was the subject of information made available during the past month to callers on the Washington Connection, the information and legislation hot line of the American Council of the Blind. The Federal Budget Process - Following is a summery of the steps in the Federal budget process: On February 8, 1982, the Administration presented its budget to Congress. Between February 8 and March 15, authorizing committees made recommendations for program budgets. Budget committees held public hearings on the President's proposal. March 15-April 15: Congress must develop the First Concurrent Resolution on the budget - a non-binding spending target for fiscal year 1983. House and Senate budget committees act on proposals in each spending category or function; i.e., education, training, employment, and social services. Each committee approves the budget resolution, with priorities in general areas of spending. On March 31, 1982, the FY 1982 Third Continuing Resolution expired. Congress enacted a Fourth Continuing Resolution which funds Government programs through the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Between April 15 and May 15, the full House and Senate debate and each develops a budget resolution. If there are differences between their plans, a conference committee develops a compromise agreement. When approved by the full House and Senate, this agreement becomes the FY 1983 First Budget Resolution. By May 15, all authorizing legislation creating or continuing a program must be reported from committee. Funds must be set aside and bills acted upon before this date for programs to be included in the FY 1983 budget. Between May 15 and September 15, Congress must approve a binding Second Concurrent Resolution on the budget. House and Senate appropriations committees develop detailed spending ceilings for most Government programs. Between September 15 and September 25, Congress may approve appropriations that exceed the amount allowed in the Second Resolution. If so, Congress can order the affected authorizing and appropriations committees to reconcile their spending plans and make them conform to amounts approved. Often program cuts are made at this time. October 1: Fiscal year 1983 begins. The Government operates under the authority of the 1983 budget. Senate and House Budget Committee Alternative Proposals - During the first week of April, Senator Pete Domenici (R., NM), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, proposed an alternative to President Reagan's FY 1983 budget. On April 10, Representative James Jones (D., OK), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, announced yet another alternative budget for FY 1983. The Jones plan, which has so far received some support from House Democrats and moderate Republicans, would increase taxes, cut less in domestic programs, and provide for less defense expenditures than the Domenici approach. The projected deficit under the Jones plan for FY 1983 would be approximately $102 billion, while the projected deficit under the Domenici plan would be approximately $106 billion. Here are some of the highlights: Domestic spending would in both plans be frozen over the next three years. The amount saved under the Domenici approach would be $38.3 billion, while under the Jones approach $32.7 billion would be saved. Taxes would be raised $145 billion over the next three years under the Jones plan, while the Domenici plan would raise taxes only $95 billion. The Jones plan would cut defense expenditures by $46.2 billion in three years, compared to a cut of only $22 billion under the Domenici proposal. Social Security would be cut $40 billion in three years under the Domenici plan and would be unaffected under the Jones proposal. Entitlement programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps, etc., would be cut only $14.3 billion in three years under the Jones plan, while the Domenici plan would cut these expenditures by only $33.6 billion. The President has indicated that he would be able to support the Domenici plan. It is obvious that this is a time of heated budget negotiations on Capitol Hill. If the economic assumptions underlying the Jones plan remain accurate, it would seem that his proposal is less damaging to social programs than the Domenici plan. However, rather than supporting a particular budget package at this time, the American Council of the Blind suggests that you continue to write to your Senators and Representatives, and particularly to members of the House and Senate budget committees, telling them that programs such as rehabilitation and special education should remain categorical and should be funded at at least the current funding levels. The Washington Connection is a public service of the American Council of the Blind. This hot-line service is available by calling toll-free 1-800-424-8666 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 A.M., Eastern Daylight Time, weekdays or any time on weekends and holidays. Messages are changed weekly, or more often if necessary to reflect the latest breaking developments in Washington. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Welcome Home for the Blind, Grand Rapids, Michigan, is celebrating its 30th year of operation in 1982. Originally developed by the Michigan Association of Workers for the Blind, the home is today a project of the Lions Clubs of Michigan. The specially designed, single-story residence has the capacity to house 39 ambulatory visually impaired persons. Married couples are eligible if one of the spouses is legally blind. For further information, write Welcome Home for the Blind, 1953 Monroe Avenue, N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. "The old advice to go for a kidney transplant quickly to preserve both the life and eyesight of a diabetic no longer applies," according to Dr. Carl M. Kjellstrand, University of Minnesota, in an article in Medical World News. Experts agree that, because of technical improvements, "for the first time, after a diabetic develops kidney failure, dialysis can just about now equal the good survival odds given by a transplant." By putting the person with diabetes on dialysis, the physician has time to look for a donor so that he can perform human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identical kidney graft. The matched kidney graft is better than dialysis, but dialysis is preferable to a cadaver kidney transplant. The Kaiser Roll is a 5- and 10-kilometer race for able-bodied runners, wheelchair racers, and blind runners. The event is scheduled to take place in Bloomington, Minnesota, on Saturday, July 17. Proceeds of the race, expected to attract a national field of wheelchair racers, will go to Camp Courage and the Sister Kenny Institute. Sponsors hope the race will become an annual event. The race committee already has a commitment from top wheelchair "rollers" in the country. They hope to attract a large number of top able-bodied runners and are actively looking for blind runners and sighted partners to take part in the blind division. For further information, contact David L. Mona, Vice President/Communications, Kaiser Roll Foundation, at (612) 381-8515. All former Oregon School for the Blind staff and students, their families and/or closest friends, are invited to attend an old timers get-together. The event will take place on the school campus in Salem on Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22. For further information, contact Mrs. Claude Garvin, 3730 S.E. Elder, Portland, OR 97214; telephone (503) 232-1344. Please indicate whether you prefer braille or large-type notices. Business, education, and personal "talking" computer systems for the visually impaired are available from Foley's Low Vision Aids, 1357 E. David Road, Kettering, OH 45429. Each system includes an Apple II computer, full speech synthesizer, disk drive, and talking programs. A display monitor, printer, and clock are available as options. Prices range from $2,630 to $4,590. The National Exhibit by Blind Artists, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce its fifth art exhibition, scheduled to open in October 1982. All legally blind artists are eligible. Full details and official application forms (available in braille if specified) may be obtained from N.E.B.A., 32 Chestnut Road, Paoli, PA 19301. From Newsletter, Old Dominion Council of the Blind (Va.): Recording for the Blind has added a toll-free telephone number to its services: 1-800-221-4792. ... The Japanese have developed a robot to guide the blind. It utilizes sensors to guide and warn the user of obstacles or danger. Watch out, dogs, you may be replaced! The second annual Western Vendors Sagebrush Convention will take place at the Marina Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, November 12-14, 1982. The event is co-sponsored by the blind vendors of California and Nevada. State coordinators Joe Smith of California and Kae Pohe of Nevada anticipate attendance of 350-500 persons, with 30 to 40 exhibitors. The 32nd annual meeting of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights was held February 22-23 in Washington, D.C. Conference theme was "Civil Rights in Crisis." Sessions focused on questions of court limitations, employment, education, and a potpourri of equal rights amendments, D.C. voting rights, housing, and block grants. A major lobbying effort on the Voting Rights Act extension took place on the second day of the conference. The Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award Dinner honored the late Roy Wilkins, a co-founder and long-time chairman of LCCR. The 1982 recipients of the Hubert H. Humphrey Award were Representative Don Edwards (D., CA) and Arthur Flemming, Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, as well as Arnold Aronson, also a co-founder of the Leadership Conference, who was honored as retiring secretary. From The Vendorscope (Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America): Talking coke machines have recently been tested in Atlanta, Detroit, New Orleans, and Houston. Put in a coin and the machine says, "Hi! I am the Talking Vendor Machine from Coca-Cola." It may then add: "You need to put in more money," "Make your selection, please," "Sorry, sold out," "thank you for using the Talking Vendor," or "Don't forget your change." Unless separate legislation is enacted to modify it, the 1982 automatic increase in Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will be 7.4%. The increase was calculated by comparing the Consumer Price Index for the first quarter of 1981 with the first quarter of 1982. The increase will be reflected in July checks and will go to about 36 million Social Security beneficiaries and about four million aged, blind, and disabled SSI recipients. The fiscal year 1983 cost will be $11.3 billion to the Social Security trust fund and $4 70 million to the general treasury. All Federal SSI expenses, including the cost of automatic increases, are paid by general tax funds rather than the trust fund. As many of you know, writing any amount of Dymo braille labels with a slate and stylus can be a slow and usually tiring process. Dora Nava of Dorebel Custom Leather Creations has the answer: a specially designed Utility Stylus which makes writing on labeling tape much faster and easier. Dora also makes a wide variety of customized leather items, including leather covers for braillers and waterproof leather cases for the Sharp Talking Time clock. Each item is specially made to order and may be personalized with name, initials, etc. Dora can also do repair work on all types of leather items. For further information, contact Dora in braille or on cassette at Dorebel Custom Leather Creations, 2732 Greenleaf Drive, West Covina, CA 91792 From Human Development News: The manner in which television portrays disabled people was the subject of a recent study by the Regional Rehabilitation Research Institute on Attitudinal, Legal and Leisure Barriers (RRRIALLB). For a three-week period, random samplings were taken of afternoon and prime-time evening programs. Then, for one month, programs were viewed that have characters who are handicapped. The study indicated that disabled people are still not part of the general scene; that they are set apart. Fictional portrayals tend to focus on the disability, to the exclusion of other facets of personality, and the disability itself invariably became a part of the plot. RRRIALLB researchers felt that it is unfortunate to have so few portrayals of disabled people showing them as ordinary people going about their daily lives, since such realism is important in overcoming stereotypes. Outpatient cataract surgery, with or without the implantation of intraocular lenses, is as effective as inpatient procedures, according to Dr. Douglas E. Williams, Venice Eye Clinic, Venice, Florida. Speaking at the Second International Congress on Cataract Surgery in Florence, Italy, Dr. Williams said, "In practice since 1959 I haven't had a single patient who couldn't receive cataract surgery on an outpatient basis. Ultimately, success of the operation depends on meticulous technique." He pointed out that outpatient surgery not only saves time and money, but the older person who returns home the same day is less likely to develop pneumonia and tends to recover more rapidly in a family setting. ***** ** 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. ###