The Braille Forum Vol. XXI October, 1982 No. 4 Crisis in Radio Reading Service: ARRS Fights Proposed Deregulation of Subchannels of Public Radio Stations 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 ACB Officers Message from the First Vice President, by Otis H. Stephens News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller First Impressions of an ACB Convention, by Gillian K. Holzhauser ACB 1982 Convention (Part II) Report of the National Representative, by Oral O. Miller Constitution and By-Law Amendments Awards and Charter Gala Update on Proposed Section 94-142 Regulations, by Scott Marshall ACB Requests Extension of Comment Period on Proposed 94-142 Regulations Las Vegas Hotel Gambles on Discrimination … and Loses Pressure Continues to Mount Regarding Future of Radio Reading Services, by Rosie Hurwitz An Important Victory in Voting Accessibility, by Scott Marshall Voting Needs Survey Blind Doctor Battles Bureaucracy New Braille and Large-Type Menus at McDonalds, by Laura Oftedahl Business of Living Booklets Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon Notice to Subscribers ***** ** Message from the First Vice President By Otis H. Stephens At this writing (September 13), ACB President Grant Mack is recuperating from a mild heart attack. Grant returned home on September 3 after a week in the hospital and is now well on his way to full recovery. He expects to resume his normal work schedule -- including the preparation of his monthly "President's Message" for The Braille Forum -- within a few weeks. In pinch-hitting for Grant this month, I am very pleased to have an opportunity to commend our president publicly for the positive, responsible, and effective leadership he has provided since his election just over a year ago. The American Council of the Blind is definitely on the move. We are growing in membership, influence, and national visibility, building on the great tradition established during the first twenty years by the founders of ACB. Our organization today is converting old dreams into new realities. The success of the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship program is a dramatic example of ACB's progress. In providing tangible assistance to deserving blind students, ACB is recognizing achievement, while at the same time advancing the goal of in dependence. This program drew such enthusiastic support that the ACB Board of Directors last July in Atlanta voted to double the size of the scholarship fund for next year. As a result, we may well be able to provide up to a dozen scholarships to qualified applicants in 1983. The Scholarship Committee will soon be making an announcement regarding the 1983 scholarships and will once again be inviting applications. With cutbacks in Federal student loans and educational funding generally, this scholarship program is all the more important. For this reason, we are inviting ACB members and all other readers of The Braille Forum to contribute to the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Gifts in any amount will be greatly appreciated. Checks should be made payable to ACB FQMS Endowment Fund and sent to ACB Treasurer James Olsen, Summit Bank Building, Suite 822, 310 4th Avenue, S., Minneapolis, MN 55415. Another important project recently launched by the American Council of the Blind is our junior membership program. During the student workshop last summer, several people pointed out the importance of encouraging greater participation by young people before as well as after the completion of high school. Look for more details on this new program in future issues of The Braille Forum. The growth of ACB's special-interest affiliates has been phenomenal in recent years. In Atlanta last July, I had the pleasure, along with many other members, to attend the annual meeting of our newest, and one of our most active, special-interest affiliates, the Braille Revival League. With the application of computer technology to the production and distribution of braille, we are at the threshold of a major breakthrough in this communications medium. It is truly an exciting time for braille readers, and the Braille Revival League is in a position to contribute meaningfully to the wider use of braille in a period of technological change. With its growing number of state and special-interest affiliates, its leadership training seminars, its Washington Connection, and its active legislative program, the American Council of the Blind is making a significant impact nationwide. This is a great time, an exciting time, to be involved in the work of our organization. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller, National Representative During the recent national convention of the American Council of the Blind, I asked all state and regional affiliate presidents to send to the National Office within ninety days the name and address of an active member residing in every Congressional district in their states. It would actually be preferable to have the names and addresses of two, or even three, such members from every district so plans for the 1983 ACB national legislative workshop can progress as rapidly as possible after the new Congressional committees are appointed in early 1983. Last month I sent a reminder memorandum to all state and regional affiliate presidents, but to date we have received very few names and addresses. Accordingly, this is a public reminder that the requested information should be sent in as soon as possible. Since Congress is divided into many highly specialized committees and subcommittees, it is essential to be able to contact specific members on a variety of issues. Plans are now well under way for ACB's sixth and seventh regional leadership training seminars, scheduled to take place, respectively, in Omaha, Nebraska, the weekend of October 15-17, and in Fort Worth, Texas, the weekend of November 19-21, 1982. The Omaha seminar will serve ACB members and prospective members from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. The Fort Worth seminar will serve members and prospective members from the remaining states not previously served -- Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. What outstanding success the seminars have been! Many people calling the ACB National Office after Labor Day started hearing a new female voice at the other end. It was early in September when Mrs. Judy Vassalotti joined the staff as our newest administrative assistant. She had previously worked in the office on a part-time basis for several months, during which time many members had an opportunity to become acquainted with her. We are, indeed, pleased to welcome her, and we know that her cheerful disposition and outstanding industriousness will genuinely be appreciated. During August, 1982, it was my pleasure to attend the state convention of the Georgia Federation of the Blind. My participation enabled me to thank in person the members of the hardworking, conscientious host committee that did such an outstanding job in planning and conducting the 1982 ACB national convention in Atlanta. My congratulations to the new president, Dale Albritton, of Macon, as he assumes his duties with an impressive list of service projects to be undertaken. Over Labor Day weekend it was my pleasure to visit and take part in the state convention of the Tennessee Council of the Blind, held in Chattanooga, and to learn of the interesting issues being considered by that affiliate. My congratulations and best wishes to the new president, Wayne Hinton of Spring City, Tennessee, as he assumes the duties of his new office. Although we may not relax yet, we may now rest easier and breathe a sigh of partial relief upon learning that around Labor Day, ACB President Grant Mack was released from the hospital following his August 27 heart attack. As of this date (September 10), he is recovering rapidly at home and has already returned to several of his duties as ACB President. It's great to have you back, Grant! ***** ** First Impressions of an ACB Convention By Gillian K. Holzhauser There is something unique about one's first impressions of a new experience. The concepts so formed are firmly imbedded in one's thinking and remain there for many years to come. The first impressions of this writer upon attending her first American Council of the Blind special-interest and convention sessions are no exception. As there has been time for reflection on the total experience, four outstanding events/impressions predominate. The first is the warmth and friendliness of ACB members and staff toward someone who is, for a short time, at least, "the new girl on the block." Beginning with the Saturday evening student mixer, continuing into the Sunday student seminar, and on throughout the week, there was no feeling of strangeness, isolation, or detachment. Everyone extended a hand, a warm greeting or other tangible sign that they were glad to have us there. In terms of "membership recruitment" or "interest of continuing members," there is nothing better than that! The second outstanding event/impression was the Wednesday evening Awards and Charter Gala. Although it can honestly be stated that this writer possesses some bias as a Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship recipient, the dignity and meaning of that evening are undisputed. Not only were the award recipients humbly grateful at the honor bestowed upon them, but in many cases hearing about the people who made the awards possible was equally inspiring. Many hours went into the planning of the Awards Gala, with highly successful results. The third outstanding event/impression for this writer was the conference of the American Blind Lawyers Association (ABLA). While the speakers provided valuable insights into preselected phases of the law, of an even greater significance was the spirit of camaraderie which existed among the members. These men and women took pride in the excellence of their profession and expected the young law students to carry on with that tradition. There was no doubt whatever that these same professional people were there with hands outstretched to answer questions, share experiences, perhaps overcome a few hurdles -- but, best of all, to silently attest, "I've been there, It's not easy, but try hard and you'll make it!" The moment that this writer decided to become an ABLA member (an easy decision after participating in these meetings!), she was given something tangible and special: a listing of ABLA members who had previously consented to be of whatever help possible to young law students. Finally, the most outstanding impression of all was in the attitude of the attendees to their being blind or partially sighted. They did not attempt to "shove it under the rug" or cover it up. They are blind or visually impaired. That's a fact. But let that stop them from what they want to do or what they want to become? No way! Such a thought would be contrary to everything they sought to accomplish. That blend of acceptance and determination is the greatest lesson of all. Thank you, ACB, for a vital, growing experience! ***** *** ACB 1982 Convention Part II ** Report of the National Representative By Oral O. Miller The past year has been, I think, a very important one in the annals of the American Council of the Blind because it has involved a lot of transition. It has involved a transition in the presidency, a transition in the position of the national representative, and pretty much a transition in the national staff. It has also involved major steps forward toward a number of longed-for things. The transition itself was a very smooth one. Durward McDaniel remained in the National Office for a while after I came on board last summer, to provide that essential continuity. At the same time, some functions were moved to the Minneapolis office of the treasurer. So it was necessary to work out coordination procedures to make sure the two offices were functioning on the same wavelength. I was excited by the new position -- and many people who know me would say I don't very often become excited. But I was excited by the new position, because, frankly, it involved what I had been spending perhaps too much time (in the mind of my former employer) doing. It obviously involved activities and duties which are dear to me, so moving into the National Office and doing these things on a full-time basis was not perhaps as new as it would have been to some other people. And those were big shoes to fill! I am referring to the enormous knowledge which Durward McDaniel has. I am referring to his recognition and respect in the fields of work for the blind and advocacy. I am referring to all of the contacts he had accumulated over the years. I am referring to his identification with -- and I might say almost sometimes as -- the American Council of the Blind, and his low-key but constant optimism. The complete new staff was on board and ready to go by about the middle of September 1981 and, according to the words of the song, Sink the Bismarck, "It hit the deck a 'runnin'." The new staff went right to work and, as a matter of fact, the last quarter of last year was an extremely productive one. Some of the things that were accomplished during that quarter by basically a new staff include the southeastern leadership seminar held in Atlanta; a very heavy legislative and governmental activities program; it involved completion of the longed-for public service announcements, together with the completion of a survey so we could get the best use out of those public service announcements; it involved a decision regarding the computer system which we would get; it involved the establishment and operation of the "talking Optacon" evaluation program; it involved the conduct of some six to eight major demonstrations, in particular with reference to the "Talking Optacon" -- major demonstrations such as before the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation. Additionally, it involved in October a Congressional reception and demonstration of the “talking Optacon” by ACB and the House Committee on Science and Technology. This was conducted on Capitol Hill, and believe me when I say it was very successful. That reception was also an opportunity for many of the Congressional people and staff persons who came to meet many of ACB's new staff people and also its new president. Shortly thereafter came the new year, a new budget, new programs, and implementation of a lot of the things already mentioned. I am not going to attempt to give a detailed account on any sort of month-by-month basis, because much of this information has been in The Braille Forum. I will mention a few things, nevertheless, to illustrate the degree of business and the variety of activities in which your National Office and your national staff have been involved. One of the first things, of course, was the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship program. This involved on the part of the National Office, in cooperation with a Board-appointed committee, the preparation pretty well from scratch of criteria for the program, and then the whole process -- publicity, distribution of the forms, preliminary evaluations by the staff and recruited volunteers, and further evaluation, in close coordination with the members of the Scholarship Committee. And, ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about something like 250 applications, which had to be evaluated in a period of something like twenty days, at the same time the legislative seminar and other things were going on. I mentioned the legislative seminar. That was the next major activity. This was our second national legislative workshop. It involved approximately 75 ACB members from around the country. They came, generally speaking, from the districts of Congressmen on key committees as far as concerns of the handicapped go. It involved considerable subsidy on the part of ACB, with assistance also provided by the affiliates, to the extent possible .... The second day of the seminar involved visits to approximately 250 Senators and Congressmen, according to appointments that were set up previously .... At the time the people visited the Congressmen and discussed with them our concern for eight or ten critical issues, critical now because of the Administration's proposed cuts in almost all programs of interest to the blind, we distributed excellent materials, consisting primarily of a loose-leaf notebook containing well-reasoned positions. These excellent materials were prepared mainly by our staff, and to some extent by others involved in an active coalition program with us. This was followed by a discussion of how to set up and operate an effective legislative action program after going home. The importance of this is obvious. We are now facing the "New Federalism," and that emphasizes the transfer of human service programs from the Federal Government to the states. That obviously means it is going to be more and more important to function effectively on the state level. As has been explained before, the Board of Directors has decided to use the key district system in conducting the legislative seminars. That means we try to get ACB members who are from districts of Congressmen who are on the key committees dealing with the handicapped. In order to make this a more effective system, we need more assistance from the affiliates. I am going to ask all of the affiliates here, and all those who may hear the tapes, and all those who may read this report in The Braille Forum, to send to the National Office within the next 90 days a list of members of your affiliate who live in all of the Congressional districts in your state. List the number of the district and then list at least one active member, and if possible, two or three active members living in each one of those districts. … I referred earlier to assistance on the part of the affiliates. This year a system was used whereby affiliates were asked to put a star by or otherwise mark the names of new members. This is of assistance in entering them into the computer. As you know, all affiliate presidents. received a letter far in advance of the deadline, asking that membership lists be in by the time that was decided upon when the By-Laws were amended last year. Of the lists which came in, on the new addresses — people who were members for the first time or people whose addresses had changed -- we discovered when the convention mailing went out that upwards of 40% of those were incorrect. So I am asking, please be careful when you list new members or list an address change, please be sure it is accurate .... The American Council has made great strides forward in the last year in the field of public information and public relations. I will not give a detailed report on this, but it involves such things as the distribution of the public service announcements to over 1,100 radio stations throughout the country and, in addition, mailing them to the radio reading services. I am going to refer, also, to the preparation of an excellent series which goes out each month to all the radio reading services. If your radio reading service does not get "ACB Reports," or if it is not being played, please get in touch with Laura Oftedahl in the National Office. In addition, in the field of public education, the American Council has conducted at least two dozen exhibits or demonstrations at events such as the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. And I am going to say very proudly that people are now coming to look for us at these demonstrations and these exhibits, because they know we provide reliable information and we serve as a very valuable resource. I am not going to attempt to go into detail regarding the enormous legislative program we are in. But I am going to refer to the establishment of the "Washington Connection." ... This has provided enormous visibility to the American Council of the Blind as a source of accurate, current information on timely topics. I have to refer only to the recent crisis concerning the "Free Matter for the Blind" funding. On busy nights, the Washington Connection received in the neighborhood of 250 to 300 calls from all over the country. We also have records of how many people try to get it when it is busy, and there are as many calls attempted, but not completed, as made. Let's give an overall view and peek a little bit into the future of the American Council. ACB is still an active member of a number of coalitions, because we know it must be involved in united activity. We continue active in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, the Save Our Security Coalition, and others. … Also, the American Council has been an active member of an ad hoc group set up to trigger and unify governmental or legislative action throughout the United States, connected with human service programs of concern to the blind — education, rehabilitation, library service, employment … Furthermore, the thrust of the ACB National Office continues to be to serve the blind and visually impaired. We do this primarily through various national programs, which are sometimes implemented on a regional basis. We have our regional seminars, our national scholarship program, our legislative action program, and others. … To give you an idea how we are using our resources, during 1981 ACB devoted 83% of its resources to services and only 17% to administration and fund-raising. Of those services, 30% was devoted specifically to publications and public awareness, 12% to research and governmental affairs, 10% to program consultation, and 22% to organizational development, followed by 9% to liaison. You, as members of the American Council of the Blind, can help your organization in many ways. … I am going to ask you to assist by planning ahead, especially to next year, so your affiliate back home will be able to participate with ACB in some of those absolutely essential co-sponsored programs. I am asking that you take back home with you the word that you should be prepared next year to participate both in terms of manpower and financial co-sponsorship with us. We will do everything we possibly can. I know the Board of Directors is dedicated to assisting just as much as possible by using all of the resources we can possibly devote to this — assisting in programs such as the student seminar, the leadership training seminars, the editors workshop, and other such events. These are your future. These are our future. … Thank you very much. ***** ** Constitution and By-Law Amendments The 1982 Constitution and By­Laws Committee was chaired by Joe Fallin of Oklahoma. Four amendments were adopted by the convention. By amendment to Article III of the Constitution and to By-Law 3, a new membership class, junior members, was established. ARTICLE III — Membership, Voting, and Dues A. 2. Non-voting members shall be the individuals holding sustaining memberships and individuals under the age of 18 years, who are junior members. BY-LAW 3. — Dues C. Dues for sustaining members shall be $10 a year for individuals and $25 a year for organizations, and dues for junior members shall be $1 a year. The language in Section A, Article V of the Constitution was stricken and new language adopted clarifying the role of the convention as the ultimate authority of the American Council of the Blind: ARTICLE V — Powers and Duties of the Convention, the Officers, the Board of Directors and Committees A. The annual convention of this organization shall be the ultimate authority within this organization on all matters except those matters delegated herein or in the By-Laws to the final authority or discretion of the officers, the Board of Directors, or standing committees. The annual convention shall determine the dates, times, and places of its future meetings. Any voting member or member-at-large of this organization may make or second motions, propose or second nominations, serve on committees, and be eligible for election to office at each annual convention or special membership meeting of this organization. By-Law 4 was amended to regularize a procedure which has already been followed over the years; that is, the furnishing of a financial report by the ACB Treasurer to each annual convention. BY-LAW 4 — Duties of the Officers C. … The Treasurer shall furnish a financial report to each annual convention and to each meeting of the Board of Directors. The existing By-Law 8 was stricken and language was adopted to reflect procedures currently in practice. BY-LAW 8 — Credentials A. At the first session of each annual convention, the Secretary, as the first order of business, shall call the roll of affiliate organizations so that each affiliate shall have the opportunity to publicly announce to the convention the identity of its official delegate and alternate delegate(s), in the order of their precedence, and representative who will serve on the Nominating Committee. B. In addition to announcing its official representatives during the roll call at the first session of the convention, each affiliate may submit in writing to the Credentials Committee before the opening of the second session of each annual convention the names of its official delegate and alternate delegate(s), in the order of their precedence, and representative who will serve on the Nominating Committee. C. The Credentials Committee during the second session of each annual convention shall make a preliminary report which shall contain the identity of each affiliate organization's official delegate and alternate delegate(s), in the order of their precedence, and representative who will serve on the nominating committee, as determined from either the roll call of affiliates conducted at the first session or from the written submissions made to the Credentials Committee by each affiliate organization. ***** ** Awards and Charter Gala The Awards and Charter Gala has come to be a high point of each annual ACB convention. Master of ceremonies this year was Chester Holden of Arkansas, with musical entertainment before and during the ceremonies by Mr. Tom Ridgeway, music teacher at the Georgia School for the Blind in Macon, and Mr. Haskell Murray, a blind musician in the Atlanta area. The Ned E. Freeman Article of the Year award is presented annually in memory of ACB's first president. It is given for the first-place entry in a writing competition sponsored by the ACB Board of Publications. This year's award, consisting of a certificate and check for $100, went to Mr. John Dashney of Salem, Oregon, whose essay, "The Secret Cane of Walter Mitty" was published in the July issue of The Braille Forum. Presentation was made by Harriett Fielding, Chair of the Board of Publications, to Brian Charlson of Oregon, since Mr. Dashney was unable to attend. Mr. Dashney is a member of the Oregon Council of the Blind, has had stories published in Dialogue magazine, and has received numerous community awards for citizenship and for his volunteer work as a story-teller in the Salem public schools. The Ambassador Award was first presented in 1963 and has been given annually since that time. Webster's New World Dictionary defines ambassador as "an official messenger or agent with a special mission." Certainly that definition characterizes those who over the years have been honored by this award. The Ambassador Award is given annually to a blind citizen whose life, associations, and activities demonstrate successful integration into community life. From a group of outstanding nominees, the ACB Awards Committee (Margaret Sanderfer of Texas, Chairperson) selected Charles A. (Chick) Crampton of Florida. Chick is the owner of a general contracting company in Winter Park, Florida. He has been active in many phases of Lionism for over thirty years and in 1981 was elected District Governor of the 35 Lions Clubs in District 35-0. Currently he is President of the Florida Council of the Blind, and he is involved in many facets of the life of his community. "Chick Crampton exemplifies the quality of responsible citizenship which is at the heart of American community life," said Ms. Sanderfer in making the award. "We recognize his active participation in the life of his community and appreciate his notable contributions to the betterment of life for all of its citizens." The George Card Award was established in 1968 and bears the name of its very first recipient. George Card's life was then, and over the years continued to be, an inspiration and example of total dedication to improving the quality of life for blind people. The recipient of the 1982 George Card Award was Patricia Price of Indiana. Pat is a member of the ACB Board of Directors, Immediate Past President of the Visually Impaired Secretarial Transcribers Association and of the American Council of the Blind of Indiana, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Affiliated Leadership League. "Her professional career takes up her days. Her nights and weekends are devoted to a volunteer career which includes membership in and leadership of a wide array of community, state, national, and international professional associations and special-interest organizations for the visually and aurally handicapped." "She is being honored tonight for her untiring voluntary service and for her dedication to improving the lives of and opportunities for blind people." The Robert S. Bray Award, presented this year by Selection Committee Chairman Walter Smith of North Carolina, is given from time to time in honor of the late Chief of what is today the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The award is presented for outstanding contributions in the field of library service to the blind and visually impaired, or for outstanding contribution toward making print media accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Recipient of the 1982 Robert S. Bray Award was Mr. C. Stanley Potter of Minnesota, in recognition of his leadership in the development and promotion of the concept of radio reading services utilizing the subcarrier of an FM station. The Minnesota Radio Talking Book went on the air on January 1, 1969. Today there are over 100 such stations in operation throughout the country, with dozens more in the planning stages. Special-interest affiliates continue to play a key role in the growth of the American Council of the Blind and its potential for service to blind people. "Ordinarily, in the organization of affiliates we have to go out and do some promoting, talk to people, tell them why they should join,'' reflected National Membership Chairman Durward K. McDaniel in presenting the charter of affiliation to Floyd Cargill, President of the Braille Revival League. ''Contrary to the usual pattern as I have outlined it, this organization put itself together out of a concern and zeal for braille as a communications tool.'' The Braille Revival League, with over 300 members in its first year, is the sixteenth chartered special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Echoing a deep sense of price in the growth and accomplishments of the American Council, ACB Board member Carl McCoy, as Chairman of the Selection Committee, presented the very first Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships were established early in 1982 by the ACB Board of Directors in memory of ACB's third president and dedicated leader in work with and for the blind. From over 250 applicants, four outstanding students were selected to receive $2,500 scholarships for 1982: Linda Gilmer of Beaumont, Texas, a computer science and business administration major at Lamar University; Gillian Holzhauser of Findlay, Ohio, who will begin law school this fall at Ohio Northern University; Christopher Kuczynski of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who will enter Villanova University as a freshmen, where he will pursue a degree in English and pre-law; and Lonnie Lanning of Elk Point, South Dakota, an electrical engineering and science major at the University of South Dakota at Springfield. ***** ** Update on Proposed Section 94-142 Regulations By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs Last month The Braille Forum carried a summary of the proposed changes to the Section 94-142 regulations governing the education of handicapped children. Since the time that article was written in early August, the U.S. Department of Education has announced that it may consider “holding for further study” certain of the more controversial sections of the proposed regulations. These sections relate to the parents' right of prior consent to evaluation and placement of the handicapped child, to the time deadlines for the IEP meeting, and to the requirement that the handicapped child be placed in the "least restrictive environment." The "least restrictive environment" concept includes the sections of the proposed regulations dealing with the extent to which disruption to non-handicapped children can be considered in determining whether to place a handicapped child in a regular classroom, as well as the current requirement that a school district must provide a "continuum of placement options", i.e., a range of placement alternatives, one or more of which may best meet the educational needs of the handicapped child. Advocates for handicapped children should stress the sections of the proposed regulations when preparing their written comments to be filed with the Department of Education. The American Council of the Blind will furnish upon request an analytical section-by-section guide to the proposed regulations which will assist you in the preparation of your own submissions to the Department of Education. If you would like a copy of this comparative analysis of the current and proposed regulations, please call the ACB National Office. The period for filing comments with the Department of Education expires on November 2, 1982. ***** ** Members of Congress Join Effort to Stop Proposed P. L. 94-142 Regulations Representative Mario Biaggi (D., NY) has introduced House Resolution 558 concerning the proposed P.L. 94-142 regulations. If you agree with Mr. Biaggi that the proposed regulations are unacceptable, urge your Representative to co-sponsor House Resolution 558. A list of those Representatives who have already co­sponsored House Resolution 558 follows Mr. Biaggi's remarks. The Senate has already passed language similar to that contained in the Biaggi resolution. The principal sponsor in the Senate was Lowel Weicker (R., CT). * Remarks of the Honorable Mario Biaggi of New York In the House of Representatives on Thursday, September 9, 1982 Mr. Speaker, the week after Labor Day signifies the beginning of the new school year across the Nation. It is a time when schoolchildren can look forward to a new year of learning and challenges. However, for the four million handicapped children served under Public Law 94-142, the Education of the Handicapped Act, this new school year threatens to be fraught with attempts to take away their right to attend classes along with their non-handicapped peers. On August 4, the Department of Education issued proposed rules revising programs under Public Law 94-142, landmark legislation which has brought handicapped children into the mainstream of the classroom and has no longer relegated them to learn in separate facilities away from their nonhandicapped peers. As one of the original sponsors of this legislation, I can attest to the kinds of conditions that these children were once forced into and the progress they have made since this program has been in effect since 1977. It is this kind of progress in education that promoted me to introduce House Resolution 558, legislation which urges that these rules, in their proposed form, be rejected. Clearly at a time when appropriations for Public Law 94-142 have not grown consistent with the original intent of the law, coupled with drastic cuts in other Federal education programs, relief is needed by local school districts. In my own city of New York, it costs nearly $10,000 a year to educate a handicapped child. Of this cost, less than $250 is provided by Federal funds — the remainder is provided through State and local tax levy dollars. Relief can and must be provided to local jurisdictions in the absence of dollars. However, this relief cannot fly in the face of the intent of the law, and the rights of handicapped children — and their parents — must be preserved. * Co-Sponsors to House Resolution 558 'as of September 9, 1982 Biaggi (NY), Weiss (NY), Broadhead (MI), Fithian (IN), Pepper (FL), McGrath (NY), Markey (MA), Horton (NY), Bedell (IA), Smith (NJ), Santini (NV), Moakley, (MA), Won Pat (GU), Hoyer (MD), Ford (TN), Stark (CA), Rodino (NJ), Downey (NY), Bingham (NY), Chisholm (NY), Addabo (NY), Gejdenson (CT), Hopkins (KY), Ratchford (CT), Wolpe (MI), Edgar (PA), Gilman (NY), Gore (TN), Miller (CA), Roe (NJ), Peyser (NY), Foglietta (PA), Boner (TN), Martinez (CA), Wortley (NY), Schneider (NY), Frank (MA), Leach (IA), Boland (MA), Patterson (CA), Rosenthal (NY), John L. Burton (CA), Garcia (NY), Studds (MA), Vento (MN), Long (MD), D'Amours (NH), Solomon (NY), Lee (NY), Heftel (HI), Foley (WA), Conyers (MI), Edwards (CA), Bailey (PA), Oberstar (MN), Mollohan (WV), Young (MO), Heckler (MA), Minish (NJ), Nowak (NY), Crockett (Ml), Fauntroy (DC). ***** ** ACB Requests Extension of Comment Period on Proposed 94-142 Regulations As we go to press, the American Council of the Blind has taken the lead in requesting that the Department of Education extend the comment period on the proposed P.L. 94-142 regulations. The reason for this request is that the Department of Education failed to provide cassette recorded copies of the proposed regulations when promised. ACB believes that the comment period should be extended for the reasons stated in the attached letter to Dr. Ed Sontag, Director of Special Education Programs, Department of Education. Please contact Dr. Sontag to urge that the comment period be extended. We understand that cassettes are now available from the Department of Education and may be requested by writing to Dr. Sontag at the address below. September 16, 1982 Dr. Ed Sontag, Director Special Education Programs Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Donohoe Building, Room 4000 Washington, DC 20202 Dear Dr. Sontag: In your August 16, 1982 letter to me, you urged the American Council of the Blind to disseminate information on the proposed revisions of the P.L. 94-142 regulations to our members. You also stated that the NPRM and material highlighting the key changes in the regulations was available on audio tape to accommodate the needs of visually impaired people. We announced this fact to our members. Unfortunately, to date this tape­recorded material has not yet been available from your office. Blind people have now missed the opportunity to participate fully at the regional hearings. It seems that the tape-recorded version of the NPRM will not be available in time for blind, visually impaired, and other "print handicapped" individuals who are waiting for the tape-recorded material from your office to prepare detailed comments on the proposed regulations by the November 2, 1982 deadline. On August 3, 1982, Secretary Bell announced that he wished to encourage full participation by all interested. parties, including handicapped individuals, in this important rulemaking proceeding. The Department of Education has failed to take the steps necessary to meet Secretary Bell's objective. We feel it only just and appropriate that the comment period be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days between August 4 and the date the tapes actually become available. Please inform us as soon as possible of the exact date on which the promised tape-recorded edition of the NPRM will be available. Also, please advise us of your intention with respect to extension of the comment period. We look forward to your cooperation and prompt reply to this urgent request. Sincerely yours, J. Scott Marshall, J.D. Director of Governmental Affairs ***** ** Las Vegas Hotel Gambles on Discrimination … And Loses When ACB members Dave and Bettye Krause attended a recent per­formance at the Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas, they were ushered to a front seat so that Mrs. Krause, who is partially sighted, could see the performance more clearly. This was quite a contrast to the last time they attended a performance at the Desert Inn, when, although Mrs. Krause and their two sighted friends were seated up front, Mr. Krause was forced to remain in the back of the auditorium. Following the tragic MGM Grand Hotel fire, the Desert Inn Hotel had initiated a policy of seating handicapped people in the back, so that they could hey could be assisted to leave in case of a fire. Dave Krause felt that this policy was discriminatory and unreasonable and in September 1981 filed a complaint with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. The Nevada Council of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind worked closely with an attorney for the Nevada Equal Rights Commission to educate the Desert Inn. Research proved that the hotel gambled as much by having handicapped persons sit in the back of the auditorium as in the front, since odds were about even that a fire would start in the back rather than in the front. Research also indicated that studies of fire safety for handicapped people pointed up that the real trump cards are building design and crowd reaction. Thus, the deck is not stacked against handicapped people exiting safely during a fire. To settle Mr. Krause's complaint, the Desert Inn on June 11, 1982, signed a consent decree agreement to drop its handicapped seating policy. "After ten months of stalling," wrote Dave Krause in a recent letter to the Editor of The Braille Forum, "the Desert Inn finally signed a cease and desist agreement rather than face a public hearing. Bettye and I and some friends went to see the current production at the Desert Inn last Sunday and were given seats next to the stage, as we had requested. … You, the staff in the Washington office, and Grant Mack all deserve a large share of the credit for bringing about this important victory." ***** ** Pressure Continues to Mount Regarding Future of Radio Reading Services By Rosie Hurwitz, President Association of Radio Reading Services Federal Communications Commission Docket 82-1, which would deregulate subchannels of public/educational FM radio stations, will be decided very soon. A new FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Docket 82-536, would permit a broader deregulation of all FM SCA's, permitting their use for any non-broadcast (commercial) use; would broaden the broadcast base band, permitting another available subchannel; would waive the need for record-keeping of program logs on the SCA's; and would permit their use 24 hours a day, independent of main-channel programming. The FCC Commissioners have asked for comments regarding the "extent of possible impact" of this ruling on public telecommunications services such as radio reading services for the blind, which currently occupy the space in question. They have asked for comments from interested parties on the extent of the possible impact and for means of addressing it. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, at its Board meeting on September 1, issued a resolution that calls for protection of one subchannel on each public radio station, with a renewable temporary waiver upon proof that this space is not needed for public telecommunications purposes. The Association of Radio Reading Services is grateful for CPB's awareness that public broadcasting has an obligation to serve public telecommunications needs. Nevertheless, ARRS feels that the commitment expressed in the amendments to the Telecommunications Act of 1981 (399B(c)) must be reflected in the regulations that interpret the law. The official position of the Association of Radio Reading Services remains unchanged: protection of the 67 kHz subchannel of public/educational FM radio stations for existing and future public telecommunications services, such as radio reading services for the blind and handicapped. Your expression to your members of Congress of interest and concern for the protection and future growth of radio reading services can play an important role in their survival. Please know that the members of ARRS need and appreciate your help. ***** ** An Important Victory in Voting Accessibility By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs At its 1980 convention, the American Council of the Blind passed Resolution 80-20, which recognized the need for accessible voting and registration places for handicapped persons. The resolution further stated the right of handicapped citizens, including visually impaired citizens, to participate fully in the political process of this nation. Given this mandate, voting accessibility for all handicapped persons was highlighted at ACB's 1981 and 1982 legislative seminars and was made an important part of the ACB legislative program. Recently, an important step toward the goal of full voting accessibility was realized as President Ronald Reagan signed into law amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. P.L. 97-205, which was signed by the President on June 29, provides, among other things, that "any person who requires assistance to vote, by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, may be given assistance by a person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union." This provision becomes effective in January 1984. Although this new law is an important victory for disabled voters, it does not require full accessibility in registration and polling places for all handicapped persons. To help address this broader objective, Senator David Durenberger (R., MN) has introduced S. 2334, the Voting Rights for the Handicapped and Elderly Act. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House by Representative Hamilton Fish (R., NY) and Representative Doug Walgren (D., PA). Hearings on the Senate bill are anticipated in December, assuming that the Congress re­convenes after Election Day. H.R. 6036 and S. 2334 go beyond the Voting Rights Act Amendments by mandating accessible registration sites, simplified absentee ballot procedures for those who prefer to vote via absentee ballot, and temporary architectural accessibility to registration and polling places for handicapped and elderly persons with mobility impairments. Appended to this article is a voting needs questionnaire which is designed to furnish the American Council of the Blind with valuable information concerning the needs of blind and other handicapped voters. It is not designed as a scientific survey, but, rather, is a method by which you can communicate your own experiences in the election process. The answers to these questions will be used in drafting any necessary amendments to existing legislation and will be valuable during the upcoming hearings as evidence of voter needs. ***** ** Voting Needs Survey PURPOSE: To investigate accessibility to polling and registration places for handicapped and elderly persons in Federal elections. INSTRUCTIONS: Please answer all questions in terms of your own experience with Federal elections. You may communicate your responses in braille, tape, or print. Please refer to the applicable item number in your response. Mail your answers before November 5, 1982 to: Voting Needs Survey, American Council of the Blind, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 506, Washington, DC 20036. 1. Describe the nature and effect of any disability in addition to blindness or visual impairment which causes difficulty in the registration or voting process. 2. When did you last vote in a Federal election? 1982? 1980? 1978? 1976? Before 1976? 3. How often do you vote? Not at all? Rarely? Occasionally? Regularly? 4. If you do not vote regularly, why not? 5. If you must register before being eligible to vote, how did you register? Mail? Door-to-door? Polling place? Other? Please specify. 6. If you need assistance in registering, what type? Does your voting precinct provide this necessary assistance? 7. How do you vote? At the polls by machine? At the polls by paper ballot? By absentee ballot? Other? Please specify. 8. Do you need assistance in casting your vote? What type? 9. Does your voting precinct or polling place provide: a) large-print paper ballots and voting instructions? b) braille paper ballots and voting instructions? c) large-print and/ or voting machine markers? d) assistance in reading and completing registration and voting forms? e) assistance to those having mobility problems? f) other if not listed above? 10. Where do you vote? School? Church? Firehouse? Post Office? Private residence? City hall? Hospital? Library? Community center? Other? 11. Do you have any difficulty with entering or exiting the polling or registration place by reason of architectural barriers (steps, etc.)? 12. Does your polling or registration place change from year to year? No. Yes. Don't know. 13. How do you travel from your residence or place of work to the polling or registration place? Private automobile? Bus? Taxi? Train/subway? Walk? Other? 14. If transportation is necessary to the polling or registration place, is this transportation a problem for you? 15. Who provides necessary transportation to the registration or polling place? Self? Public transit authority? Friend? Relative? Precinct official? Political party workers? Other? 16. If you vote at the polls, do you bring someone with you to provide assistance? If yes, is this person someone of your own choosing? (See accompanying article.) 17. If you prefer to vote by absentee ballot: a) Are you required to prove your disability by submitting a doctor's statement: only once? Every year? Every three years? Every five years? Other? b) Notarization of absentee ballot: Required? Not required? c) Any difficulty with the absentee ballot procedure, such as early voting deadlines, notarization, doctor's certificate, other? 18. Do you receive any notice of registration and voting procedures for disabled people? No. Yes. 19. Are you satisfied with state/local efforts to make registration and voting places accessible? If not, what changes would best meet your needs? 20. Describe any difficulties you have experienced in registration or voting during the past six years not covered by this questionnaire. Comments: Name, Address, City, State, Zip (Note: Print copies of this questionnaire are available upon request from the ACB National Office.) ***** ** Blind Doctor Battles Bureaucracy (United Press International) Dallas — A blind doctor suffering from multiple sclerosis successfully battled the bureaucracy to keep his job at the Dallas County Health Department, but his reward was an office, a desk and nothing to do. In the four years Dr. Donald Balaban has suffered from MS, he has been fired by health directors three times. Each time he was reinstated by state and Federal commissions who found he had been harassed and that his working conditions violated Federal standards for the handicapped. Unless the County installs facilities to accommodate Balaban, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services threatens to withdraw financing for county health projects. Meanwhile, Balaban sits in virtual isolation in his office at the Woodlawn Jail, drawing a $1,200.00 per month salary, and is told to do nothing. "It seems to me it is a tremendous waste to take a man and tell him to do nothing, although he has four years of college and thirteen years of medical training," he said. Balaban, 41, said he only wants the job he had before — answering medical telephone inquiries from the public and professionals. He was bounced out of that job three years ago when Health Director Dr. Elliott Salenger was hired. "The one function I have left is that intellectually, I am relatively intact," Balaban said. "I can't see and feel, but I can think. For the most part, that's what a physician does is think." Salenger said he would not subject patients to Balaban’s treatment because MS has caused the doctor to deteriorate mentally. Not true, said Nancy Walters, a registered nurse and executive director of the Tarrant County Multiple Sclerosis Association, Inc. "MS affects the sensory and coordination skills and not his (Balaban's) cognizant abilities at all," she said. "He would be able to give advice as well as any doctor with his training." In August 1981, Salenger asked the State Board of Medical Examiners to evaluate Balaban's competency. The Board is still investigating. The County Health Department has only one concern, Salenger said: "Is he capable of practicing medicine? His condition has deteriorated since I've been here. No one feels that he is capable of making any medical decisions," Salenger said. ***** ** New Braille and Large-Type Menus at McDonalds By Laura Oftedahl, Director of Public Affairs New braille and large-type menus have recently arrived at every McDonalds restaurant in the United States and Canada. And, as in 1971 when the friendly “golden arches” folks introduced these convenient menus, the American Council of the Blind played a big part in making them available. The ACB National Office staff has worked with McDonalds Corporation in setting up a program whereby these braille menus will be customized to reflect special items not shown on the standard menu. These regional specialties, new items, and special restaurant hours will be brailled on clear plastic, self-adhesive strips and placed on the back on the menu. ACB state affiliates and local chapters are being asked by their local McDonalds to do the brailling for these additions to the standard menus, which have already been sent to the restaurants. By now, every state affiliate president should have received a memo from the ACB National Office detailing the procedure to follow in working with their local McDonalds restaurants on this project. If state affiliate presidents did not receive a copy of this memo, or if there are questions, please contact the ACB National Office. ***** ** Business of Living Booklets "Dealing with the Threat of Loss" is the first in a series of booklets directed primarily to persons newly diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, but of potential benefit to others faced with vision loss. Author of the series is Dorothy H. Stiefel, well known to readers of The Braille Forum for her monthly column, "The Listening Ear." Not only is Dorothy herself legally blind as a result of RP, but she serves as Coordinator of Human Services for the Texas Association of Retinitis Pigmentosa. "Dealing with the Threat of Loss" has been characterized as a book about feelings; it emphasizes the emotional factors encountered by those threatened with loss of vision. It takes the reader from the uncertain to the understandable, offers practical "how to" suggestions, and it incorporates a sense of humor in dealing with a critical, sensitive subject. What are people saying about the first booklet in the series? "She touches on areas that people know, but just don't talk about." — James G. Chandler, Voice Indexer "It will serve as a reference that can be given to persons with retinitis pigmentosa so that they can take the important first step in learning to understand themselves." — Randall T. Jose, O.D., Director, Low Vision Clinic, University of Houston "(The booklet) is much more useful to those who are living with the effects of RP than a technical book describing the medical condition." — Evans N. Wentz, Commission for the Blind, Austin, Texas "Dealing with the Threat of Loss" is available in 14-point, bold-face type at $3.00 per copy or on cassette for $5.00 per copy. Texas residents add 5% sales tax. International orders add $2.00 per copy for postage/handling. Make check or money order payable to: Business of Living Booklets, P.O. Box 8388, Corpus Christi, TX 78412-0388. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon From The Periscope, Mississippi: Just as cars must frequently visit a filling station to get some "go-juice," it is sometimes necessary for us, as Council members, to attend an ACB convention for the ideas and enthusiasm that constitute our "go-juice." … Members of the Hazlehurst chapter of the Mississippi Council of the Blind won’t walk a mile for a camel, but they will walk a mile for a buck. In fact, they walked five miles for about 250 bucks (dollars, that is). Twenty-three members of the Hazlehurst chapter and two dog guides walked five miles early on Saturday morning, May 1. By asking local individuals and merchants to pledge so much per mile, they were able to raise $250 by their walk. A part of the money raised was used to defray some of the expenses for members of the Hazlehurst chapter who attended the ACB convention in Atlanta. Three local outlets for the Perry Drug Store chain in Kalamazoo, Michigan, are now providing braille labels for both prescriptive and non-prescriptive drugs purchased at the stores. The project stemmed from an interest in braille by one of the pharmacists employed by the chain. Patrons desiring braille labels are asked to call ahead so that the labels can be prepared. The program was begun with the help of the staff of the Michigan Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. Federal regulations on national origin, racial, and handicap discrimination, which are often difficult to read, are now available in 14-point type. For a free copy, write Director, Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health and Human Services, 330 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201. The new Sensory Trail at the Belle Isle Nature Center in Detroit was designed so that no one would face a barrier to experiencing nature, according to an article in Labor Register, Michigan Department of Labor. A person who is blind can examine the detail of a squirrel or skunk. Visitors without a handicap can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell nature. All visitors can touch and smell Michigan plants, examine stuffed animals and three-dimensional examples of their skulls, jaws, footprints, and pelts. A carved tree stump allows visitors to feel the way a tree grows and count the annual rings to determine the age. There is a tree which was struck by lightning many years ago, with a living side and a dead side. The Sensory Trail is a collaborative effort, with the Junior League supplying the funds and the Detroit parks staff supplying the labor. The Ocu-Aid pocket monocular is a new low-vision aid which may be of benefit to persons who have poor central, but good peripheral vision. It permits a myriad of routine activities to be viewed from normal distance. By using a microlens attachment, many low-vision persons are able to read mail, telephone directories, etc. Concerning the Ocu-Aid, ACB member Crawford Pike of Georgia writes, ''With the microlens, I can read the phone book, and I have only 20/800 vision." For further information and prices, write H. Ralph Appleby, Director, Ocu-Aid Enterprises, P.O. Box 5772, Columbus, GA 31906. Harold Richterman, Director of the Rehabilitation Services Division, National Industries for the Blind, was the recipient of the Ambrose M. Shotwell Award at the 1982 conference of the American Association of Workers for the Blind. From Access America (A& TBCB): During the last year, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board has received complaints involving eleven Federal agencies in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Prompting most complaints were lack of handicapped parking spaces, curb cuts, ramps, signage, accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms. Locked doors, overhead hazards, stairs, and non­functioning platform lifts were the subjects of other complaints. Dr. Michael Young, founding president of the Visually Impaired Veterans of America, has announced his retirement from that position, effective immediately. Vice President Jack E. Courtney will serve as President of VIVA for the remaining two years of Dr. Young's current term. "Even though I accept the position as the first Immediate Past President of VIVA and retire from full-time VIVA service," writes Dr. Young, "it is my intention to participate in VIVA activities for many, many years to come in a consulting capacity." Inquiries concerning VIVA should be addressed to Jack Courtney, 244 Fig Court, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. The Gladys E. Loeb Foundation has announced publication of "What, Where, When — A Resource Book for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Their Families and Friends, and the General Public." This is a single source document listing aids, benefits, and services available to the blind. It was designed for use by blind individuals, their families and friends, libraries, doctors, hospitals, volunteer organizations, legal and travel aid societies, and others. 182 pages. Price, $10.00. Available soon in cassette. Order from Gladys E. Loeb Foundation, 2002 Forest Hill Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20903; (301) 434-7748. From Talking Book Topics: Defense Mapping Agency, the largest mapping, charting, and geodetic agency in the world, is actively recruiting disabled people. As part of this effort, the Agency recently published a six-page, large-print brochure, “Career Opportunities for Disabled Persons.” The brochure outlines the Agency's functions, benefits for Federal employees, accommodations and services for disabled employees, and addresses of branch offices throughout the United States. Defense Mapping Agency serves the armed forces and other national security operations. Free copies of the brochure, applications, and further information are available from Paul A. Hayduk, Handicapped Program Coordinator, Defense Mapping Agency, Civilian Personnel Division, Building 56, U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, DC 20305. International Pen Friends, which has 61,000 members in 143 countries, and which can provide service in English, French, German and Spanish, is now making its services available to blind persons through the exchange of cassette tapes. The organization serves people of all ages, with programs for both individuals and groups, such as classes or scout troops. For further information, contact International Pen Friends, P.O. Box 65, Homecrest Station, Brooklyn, NY 11229. Frank Wilmot of Montrose, Michigan, a member of the Michigan Association of the Blind, was the recipient of the S. A. Dodge Award for Distinguished Service from the Michigan Lions at their recent state convention. The award was in recognition of his public relations accomplishments on behalf of Welcome Home for the Blind in Grand Rapids. Mr. Wilmot graduated from the Michigan School for the Blind in 1936 and has been active in Lionism on the local, state, and national levels for many years. From the TCB Newsletter: Alma Broyles, member of the Athens chapter, Tennessee Council of the Blind, was recently named Business and Professional Woman of the Year by the BPW Club of Athens .... The Tennessee Legislature at its 1982 session passed a law prohibiting discrimination in rental of housing to blind persons who have dog guides. The National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, has begun a one-year project to revise standards for workshop services. The work of the project will be done by a Standards Advisory Committee chaired by William S. Thompson, Executive Director of the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches (Fla.). Mr. Thompson is a past president of the General Council of Workshops for the Blind and a member of the Board of Directors of National Industries for the Blind. Other members of the committee include administrators of workshops, consumers, and representatives of NIB and the General Council of Workshops for the Blind. From CCCH Newsletter (Conn. Coordinating Committee for the Handicapped): A jury has awarded a deaf woman $25,000 as a result of a suit she filed against Texas International Airlines. TI had refused to transport her and her dog guide from the Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Connecticut. TI was found in violation of a Maryland state equal accommodations and privileges law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 404 of the Federal Aviation Act. New from Sears Roebuck and Co.: a thermostat designed especially for use by blind and visually impaired persons! This thermostat may be used with heating and air-conditioning or with heating only. It has a movable arrow that the user lines up with a fixed reference point for the 70 degree setting. When the arrow-shaped lever is moved up or down from 70 degrees, it clicks for every two degrees. Large-type operating instructions are included. Instructions in braille or on cassette are also available at no extra charge. See the Sears Fall 1982 General Catalog, page 1149, Item 10, Cat. No. 42H9182. Price, $24.99. "Independence for Disabled People Through Technology" is the theme of the 35th annual national journalism contest sponsored by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. Five national winners will be chosen. Each of these winners will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., and a cash scholarship. All state winners will also receive a trip to Washington, D.C., and state prizes. This contest is open to juniors and seniors in public, private, or parochial high schools located in participating states. For full details, write to the State Chairman, Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, c/o your state capital; or National Journalism Contest, President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Washington, DC 20210. The national deadline is March 1, 1983. State deadlines vary. ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large-type, and two recorded editions — flexible disc (8 1/3 tpm), 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. ###