The Braille Forum Vol. XXII September 1983 No. 3 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 1-800-424-8666 Editorial Office The Braille Forum: Mary T. Ballard 190 Lattimore Road Rochester, NY 14620 (716) 244-8364 ** ACB Officers and Directors * President: Grant Mack, 139 E. 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: Durward K. McDaniel, 9468 Singing Quail Drive, Austin, TX 78758 * Secretary: Karen Perzentka, 6913 Colony Drive, Madison, WI 53717 * Treasurer: James R. Olsen, American Council Of The Blind, Summit Bank Building, Suite 822, 310 4th Avenue, S., Minneapolis, MN 55415 Delbert K. Aman, 115 Fifth Avenue, S.E., Aberdeen, SD 57401 Robert Campbell, 253 Stonewall Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 Adrian DeBlaey, 912 N. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213 Carla Franklin, 148 N. Vernon Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206 Charles Hodge, 2895 S. Abingdon Street, Unit A-2, Arlington, VA 22206 Carl F. McCoy, 925 E. Magnolia Drive, Apt. D-7, Tallahassee, FL 32301 Patricia Price, 337 S. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46201 LeRoy Saunders, P.O. Box 20420, Oklahoma City, OK 73124 M.J. Schmitt, 528 Des Plaines Avenue, Apt. 2-A, Forest Park, IL 60130 Dick Seifert, 1023 Scott Street, Apt. F, Little Rock, AR 72202 ***** ** Contents President's Message: In Memoriam, Margaret Sanderfer, by Grant Mack 22nd Annual Convention, American Council of the Blind Elections Report of the ACB Treasurer, James R. Olsen Report of the ACB National Representative, Oral O. Miller Awards and Charter Gala Convention Tapes Available 1984 and 1985 Conventions Constitution and By-Law Amendments ACB Resolutions, 1983 News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Scott Marshall Transition at NAC Color Sensory Conversion Device, by Louis J. Finkle, Ph. D. Blind Professionals Gain Important Employment Discrimination Victory, by Charles S.P. Hodge Slate Writing Contest Ski for Light International, 1984 High Tech Swap Shop Calendar of Events Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon Notice to Subscribers ***** ** President's Message In Memoriam: Margaret Sanderfer By Grant Mack On Thursday, July 28, Margaret Sanderfer, President of the American Council of the Blind of Texas, passed away in a Houston hospital following heart surgery. This culminated a four-week battle for life which began in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 3, when she entered Good Samaritan Hospital following a pre-convention tour to the Grand Canyon, and just prior to the ACB annual convention. The death of this gentle, effective leader has created a great sense of loss among her many ACB friends as well as an irreparable loss to her very close-knit family. Margaret was a woman with much ability and many talents. In her quiet and unassuming way, she contributed mightily to the welfare of the blind as a teacher, and in recent years as Director of Special Services at the Houston Lighthouse for the Blind. Lorraine Kaliski, who worked with Margaret at the lighthouse, probably said it all when she said: "Everyone loved Margaret. She did her job extremely well and was always in good humor." Margaret was born in Navasota, Texas, February 5, 1915. She was the youngest in a family of twelve children and grew up with nine older brothers. An older sister and brother had passed away when they were very young. Somehow, Margaret maintained her femininity and gentleness as the darling of the Childre family. She is survived by three of these brothers: Duward, Truitt, and William Childre. She married Woodrow W. (Woody) Sanderfer in 1937. Margaret and Woody had both lost their eyesight accidentally in their early youth. Together they became a devoted team working for the education and benefit of the blind, first at the Texas School for the blind and later at the Houston Lighthouse for the Blind. Woody died in 1974. They had two children. Margaret was to have presented the George Card and Ambassador Awards at the ACB national convention in Phoenix on Wednesday, July 6. Even though she entered the hospital on July 3, because of Margaret’s attention to detail and her concern with perfection, the award presentation by Bettye Krause, one of Margaret’s former students, took place without a hitch. All Bettye had to do was read the presentation, which had been prepared in Grade Three braille. It was obvious that many hours and much thought had been devoted to these special awards. Margaret is gone now, but her memory will live long in the minds of those who knew and loved her. We extend our sympathies to her family. We do not know the answers of life and death, but perhaps we can take some comfort in the following thoughts expressed by an unknown author: * Death Why should we look on death as sad? Why should we feel as if we had Suddenly faced an empty world When Death her outstretched arms has curled; Around a farm so near our heart? We felt we could not bear to part; Our spirits lived before their birth Into their dwellings here on earth, Lived in a spirit world with God; And in that world we spirits trod Amid the works of higher form Than those now seen midst sea and storm. Can death then end such spirits' lives As from life's stormy sea it drives The frail bark drifting o'er the tide? No, they passed death's dark portal's glide, To sail a calmer, broader sea Until another port they see. Thus on they ride, through storm and calm, Held in the hollow of his palm; Thus on they ride, forever on, Passing from sea to sea and gone, At least to sail a sea so broad Its bounds are known to none save God. ***** ** 22nd Annual Convention American Council of the Blind A warm welcome awaited the more than 1,300 persons who registered at the Phoenix Hilton and San Carlos Hotels in Phoenix, Arizona, July 2-9, to attend the 22nd annual convention of the American Council of the Blind. While the warmth outside one day reached a sizzling 118 degrees (with a record­breaking high low temperature for that day of 93 degrees), inside there was the warmth of old friendships renewed, of new friendships made, and of Southwestern hospitality which made all those in attendance truly glad they had braved Phoenix on the Fourth of July! The days and nights from Saturday, July 2, through Saturday, July 9, were filled to overflowing with workshops and seminars, conferences of ACB special-interest affiliates, breakfasts, luncheons, banquets, receptions, tours, social events, exhibits — and, of course, from Wednesday morning through Saturday noon, the ACB national convention itself. Some of the seminars and conferences have been or will be dealt with in separate articles or in special-interest affiliate newsletters. Because of space limitations, coverage here is confined to the convention and to related functions sponsored by ACB on the national level. ***** ** Elections The ACB Constitution provides that election of the five officers is to take place in odd-numbered years. All of the current officers were eligible to stand for re-election. However, citing personal reasons, ACB Second Vice President Dr. Robert T. McLean requested that his name not be placed in nomination. Officers elected at the July 9, 1983 business meeting are as follows: President: Grant Mack, Salt Lake City, Utah — A private businessman in the field of insurance. First Vice President: Dr. Otis H. Stephens, Knoxville, Tennessee — Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee Second Vice President: Durward K. McDaniel, Austin, Texas — Retired National Representative, American Council of the Blind Secretary: Karen Perzentka, Madison, Wisconsin — Homemaker and former Secretary of the Randolph­ Sheppard Vendors of America Treasurer: James R. Olsen, C.P.A., Minneapolis, Minnesota — Executive Director, American Council of the Blind Enterprises and Services A complete list of names and addresses of ACB officers and directors is included elsewhere in this issue. ***** ** Report of the ACB Treasurer James R. Olsen The 1982 print ACB Annual Report was distributed at the national convention. Copies are available from either the ACB National Office in Washington or the Treasurer's Office in Minneapolis. A recorded edition is available for the first time. To obtain a copy of the recorded edition (1 7/8 ips cassette), contact the National Office. In addition to the audited financial statement, the Annual Report contains a message and report from the ACB President and National Representative highlighting the programs and services of ACB during 1982. During 1982, the Thrift Stores earned $699,000 on sales of $5,350,000. Other revenue, including contribution to the scholarship endowment fund, amounted to $59,000, for a total revenue of $758,000. Expenditures for program services were $678,000, with $118,000 spent on management and general, and fund-raising, resulting in a deficit of $38,000 (which had been budgeted,) due to new Thrift Store openings. On December 31, 1982, the American Council of the Blind had a bank balance of $18,000 and total assets of $708,000. Of this total, $92,000 was the net value of office furniture and equipment; $12,000 was restricted in the endowment fund; and $560,000 was the net equity in the Thrift Stores (ACBES). The year saw much growth and expansion within ACB, which ended the year in a strong, sound financial position. Thanks to the many individuals and organizations who have answered the letter asking for contributions to the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. We received $4,480 during 1982, and through August 15, 1983, we have received an additional $8,112, for a total of $12,592 ($8,489 from 434 individuals and $4,103 from 20 organizations). The average individual gift is approximately $20. Additional gifts should be addressed to James R. Olsen, ACB Treasurer, 310 4th Avenue, S., Suite 822, Minneapolis, MN 55415, with checks made payable to ACB Endowment Fund. The financial forecast for ACB is good. Programs and services will definitely increase. Your continued support through personal contributions and the remembrance of the American Council of the Blind in your will is needed and greatly appreciated. ***** ** Report of the ACB National Representative Oral O. Miller Since the members of the ACB national staff have authored at least thirty Braille Forum articles in the past year, and since the Washington Connection has carried approximately fifty different messages during the same time, this report does not attempt to detail activities of the past year, but serves to highlight a few and to direct attention to trends for the future. During the year ended December 31, 1982, ACB spent 85 percent of its income on programs and services, with only 15 percent going for management and fund-raising expenses. The largest expense category was publications and public awareness, due primarily to publication of The Braille Forum. The smallest was a new, but extremely important and fast-growing category: scholarship assistance (see The Braille Forum, July 1983). Another milestone which was passed during the year was completion of the computerization of ACB membership and certain other records — completion, that is, at least to the point where information can now be retrieved very quickly and used in our own programs as well as for the assistance of affiliates and members. One thing, though, which absolutely must be mentioned is his: There is an absolute necessity for the individuals responsible for maintaining affiliate membership records to check the names and addresses of all members for submitting lists next spring. This is essential! This year, the error rate was, frankly, inexcusably bad in the case of several affiliates. We know this because most of the convention pre-registration packets which were returned as undeliverable were sent to addresses that had been received by the ACB National Office only thirty days before. And we are talking about literally hundreds of returns — not just a dozen or so! During the past year, the American Council of the Blind has, principally through the tireless efforts of its Director of Governmental Affairs, Scott Marshall, greatly increased its legislative and governmental visibility and effectiveness, while at the same time improving its communication of timely information both to its own members and to the general public. This is due in large measure to the success of the Washington Connection, ACB's toll-free legislative and information hot line (1-800-424-8666). These three- to four-minute messages usually include recommendations as to actions to be taken. Messages are changed at least once a week, and more often if necessary. Since ACB works closely with a number of other organizations such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Legislative Action Project of the major organizations of and for the blind, no single organization can realistically claim sole credit for the many successes on a wide range of legislative and governmental activities in which ACB has participated. It should be pointed out, however, that the American Council of the Blind is clearly recognized in the halls of Government and on Capitol Hill as the most effective, responsible consumer organization in the blindness field. A few of the major achievements that should be mentioned include the obtaining to date (July 8) of 140 House and 49 Senatorial sponsors for the pending bill on voting rights for the elderly and handicapped; the withdrawal of proposed P.L. 94-142 regulations; the increase of funding for rehabilitation and special education over the President's budget request for fiscal year 1983; and withdrawal of the proposed Section 504 interagency guidelines for Federally assisted programs. Another governmental achievement about which we may be proud is the very effective, and also very listened-to, testimony before Congress recently regarding the sheltered workshop situation and the Javits-Wagner­O'Day Act. During the year, ACB also testified before Congress regarding ways in which to make technology more affordable to the handicapped. A bill has already been introduced to provide Medicare coverage for this, and we are working on a bill regarding tax credit. In the area of legal advocacy and legal assistance, primarily conducted by ACB Staff Attorney Barbara Nelson, hundreds of calls were answered on an enormous variety of subjects, ranging from Social Security to civil rights to taxation. ACB's Staff Attorney worked actively with the Association of Radio Reading Services to obtain the recent very favorable ruling by the Federal Communications Commission regarding the commercial use of subcarrier frequencies vital to radio reading services. ACB participated as a party in an action in a suit in the D.C. circuit regarding discrimination against handicapped air travelers. The ACB Staff Attorney also represented individuals in a number of Randolph-Sheppard cases. As the result of one of her articles published in The Braille Forum on a Social Security matter, a person who is at this convention was able to challenge a Social Security decision, resulting in a saving to him of $5,000.00. During the past year, Laura Oftedahl, ACB's Director of Public Affairs, fielded literally several thousand requests for information on an incredible range of subjects — aids and appliances, dog guides, recreation and leisure activities, socialization, educational institutions, medical services ... Laura was responsible for preparation and distribution of information regarding the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship program, and then for much of the administration of the screening process. This involved approximately 500 applications. Membership development assistance was also provided to many affiliates. Laura was the individual primarily responsible for preparation and supervision of the outstanding national convention publicity and has been very closely involved in the preparation of ACB's newest public service announcements. These PSA's are scheduled to be delivered in mid­July to the top 100 radio markets in the country. There is no way the ACB office could function without the dedication and hard work and capable support of our National Office Manager, Roberta Douglas, who is involved in some way in almost everything mentioned in this report. She is the glue or the mortar that holds everything together. I am going to close with some general remarks about conditions both inside and outside ACB. First, I am going to mention something that concerns me. Our im­ pact as an advocacy organization depends on the image which we create and portray. Recently an article in a large city newspaper quoted several state legislators as saying that they had never heard of the American Council affiliate there, although it is a strong and significant affiliate. However, those same legislators said they definitely were familiar with the members of another organization of the blind involved in the legislative field. In that same state — and this concerns me even more — the state director of services for the blind said candidly that the organizations of the blind merely cancel out one another and that, therefore, they may be disregarded. What an image! What an image! The only way we can undo this, ladies and gentlemen, is by showing fervor and dedication and nerve and willingness to rock the boat whenever necessary. Yes, we are intent on results, as we always have been, rather than just on the appearance of results. But we've got to be willing to stand up and be counted on issues affecting the blind. It's tempting to sit back and do nothing when an issue does not impact upon us personally. But we've got to reach out beyond ourselves and help others, and at the same time look down the road to spot things that may be coming along that will be affecting our own interests in the future. Finally, I have a challenge for you — and, ladies and gentlemen, it's a very strong challenge. This year's student seminar attracted over fifty outstanding students. This year, as indicated earlier, we received perhaps 500 scholarship applications. Very soon after this convention, we are going to be sending to the affiliates the names and addresses of those roughly 550 students on a state-by-state basis. My challenge to you is that by this time next year, I want you to recruit at least three-quarters of those students. Those people are our members and leaders of the future, and this is a golden opportunity to obtain their input and their abilities. We in the American Council of the Blind are moving; we are advancing; we are making fantastic progress. What we're doing, ladies and gentlemen, is working. And, I say in conclusion, let's keep it moving while we've got it moving! ***** ** Awards and Charter Gala A high point of each ACB national convention is the Awards and Charter Gala. On Wednesday evening, July 6, six presentations were made: charters to new affiliates, the Robert S. Bray Award, the Ned Freeman Award, the George Card Award, the Ambassador Award, and the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships. Interspersed throughout the program was a variety of music movingly performed by the 150-voice Arizona Mormon Choir, of which Dick Bailey, member of the Arizona Council of the Blind and Vice Chairman of the Convention Host Committee, is a charter member. Now in its fourth year, the choir was fashioned after the world­famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Salt Lake City and is made up of volunteer members from throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Presentation of charters was made to two new ACB state affiliates by National Membership Chairperson Vera McClain (Alabama Council of the Blind). Although ACB affiliates had formerly been active in two parts of New Mexico, a reorganization effort this past spring resulted in formation of a single statewide organization. "I feel honored to receive this charter," said Pat Salazar, speaking in behalf of the 31 members of the New Mexico Council of the Blind. "I know we have our work pretty well cut out... It certainly is a wonderful feeling to become a part of the ACB national organization." Throughout the past year, the National Membership Committee and the ACB National Office have worked closely with individuals in New Hampshire who were interested in ACB affiliation. The result is the New Hampshire Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, whose charter was accepted by Dennis Allen. "Now that ACB has a foot in the Granite State," he assured those present, "you might say it's pretty solid!" The Robert S. Bray Award, presented by Selection Committee Chairperson Kim Charlson (Oregon Council of the Blind), is given from time to time in memory of the late Chief of what is today the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of library service or toward making print media accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. Recipient of the 1983 Robert S. Bray Award was James G. Chandler of College Park, Maryland. "Volunteer of and for the Blind," reads his business card — and he takes that very seriously, serving, as the need arises, as braillist, reader, volunteer driver, sailing teacher for the blind, counselor... In 1981, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued V-DEX, a trademark for Mr. Chandler's development of the concept of voice-indexing. The award is particularly timely in view of the recent announcement of a voice­indexed dictionary soon to be available. "I interpret this as a recognition not so much of me," he reflected, "but of the size of the problem — a clear acknowledgement that many citizens, persons, individuals, have been lacking a portion of modern civilization, namely, access to reference information. This award is also a realization that something can be done; that the first small steps toward intellectual access are already being taken.” The Ned Freeman Award is presented annually to the first-place winner in a writing competition sponsored by the ACB Board of Publications (Harriet Fielding, American Council of the Blind of California, Chairperson). It honors ACB's first president and a former editor of The Braille Forum. Winner of this year's competition was Mrs. Deborah Kendrick of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was unable to be present. Her essay, "20/20 With a Twist," was published in the August 1983 issue of The Braille Forum. The twelve Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships were presented by ACB Board member M.J. Schmitt (Illinois Council of the Blind). Four $2,500 scholarships were awarded, four $1,500 scholarships, and four $1,000 scholarships (see The Braille Forum, July 1983 for the complete list of scholarship winners). Three of the four $2,500 recipients were present to accept their awards in person. The George Card and Ambassador Awards were to have been presented by Margaret Sanderfer (American Council of the Blind of Texas), Awards Committee Chairperson. However, because of her critical illness immediately preceding the convention, the awards were presented by one of her former students, Bettye Krause (Nevada Council of the Blind). The George Card Award was established in 1968 and bears the name of its very first recipient. George Card, who passed away last July, made of his life an inspiration and an example of total dedication to improving the quality of life for blind people. In presenting the 1983 George Card Award to Elizabeth M. Lennon of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the American Council of the Blind honors more than 45 years of work dedicated to ensuring a better present and a brighter future for visually impaired people of all ages — through the education and motivation of blind students at many levels, the training of skilled rehabilitation and special education professionals, both blind and sighted, and the continued dissemination of relevant, current information regarding visual impairment to a national audience. "I truly want to thank each one of you for this special recognition. Coming from ACB, it means a great deal, and I think especially getting the George Card Award, because for a number of years George and I shared the writing of the 'Here and There' column for The Braille Forum ... He really was an inspiration and a challenging kind of person to know." For twenty years, the American Council of the Blind has presented the Ambassador Award to honor a blind individual whose successful integration into and involvement in the community has been exemplary. By recent action, the ACB Board of Directors elected to add to the name of this award the name of an individual whose life, associations, and activities for more than forty years have extended far beyond his own community; whose life and work have been dedicated to effective integration of all blind people into their communities throughout the nation; whose special mission has been to make ambassadors of all of us; whose tireless efforts and dedication have had a singular effect on the laws of this land; and who, through his even­handed, even-tempered discussion of issues, has. earned the respect and admiration of friends and adversaries, blind and sighted, alike. The 1983 Ambassador Award, now known as the Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award, was presented to Durward K. McDaniel. "I am delighted to see the leadership of this organization bringing more and more young people into its participation, and ultimately into its leadership," said Mr. McDaniel in accepting the award. "In this organization of conviction and philosophy as to the rights and responsibilities of all of us, I hope that we never stop being ambassadors, and that we never stop realizing that change is inevitable and progressive. ... We, as an organization, are going to achieve those rights and opportunities which citizenship implies and requires. ... I hope that you will always be ambassadors for ACB and for blind people, and that you will realize, in the words of a song writer, that, in a very real way, ACB's world is always turning toward the morning." ***** ** Convention Tapes Available The following programs, recorded during the 1983 national convention of the American Council of the Blind, are now available on cassette (1 7/8 ips, two-track): 1983 ACB National Convention (eight cassettes) — Includes major program presentations, key officer and committee reports, and the Awards and Charter Gala. Cost, $8.00. Seminar and Panel on Accreditation of Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (three cassettes). Cost, $3.00. Third Annual ACB Student Seminar (four cassettes). Cost, $4.00. To order, send a check made payable to the American Council of the Blind to: The Braille Forum, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620. ***** ** 1984 and 1985 Conventions The 1984 ACB national convention, hosted by the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, will be held the week of June 30-July 7 in Philadelphia. Convention headquarters is the Philadelphia Center Hotel (formerly the Philadelphia Sheraton), where 550 rooms have been blocked. The convention rate is a flat $38.00 for a single, double, triple, or quad. PCB President Dr. Mae Davidow promises a memorable week — the opportunity to examine the Liberty Bell, to visit the rooms where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, and much, much more. Read The Braille Forum for details as plans develop. It's back to the west again in 1985! Unanimously, the convention voted to accept the invitation of the Nevada Council of the Blind to come to Las Vegas the week of July 6-10. Convention headquarters is to be the Holiday Inn Central Strip, where rates are $32.00 for a single or double. The Holiday Inn is located about in the center of the Strip, a short walk from many of the big-name Las Vegas hotels. Meeting room facilities are outstanding. Within the hotel there are three restaurants — one for leisurely, gourmet dining, one for open-air dining, and an inexpensive, fast­service coffee shop which has been known to serve 7,000 people on a busy day. Tour, entertainment, and recreational possibilities are virtually limitless in number and variety, according to NCB President Rick Kuhlmey. ***** ** Constitution and By-Law Amendments Two amendments to the ACB Constitution and one amendment to the By-Laws were presented by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee (Sue Graves, Badger Association of the Blind, Chairperson) and adopted by the 1983 convention. Article V, Section D, is amended to provide for roll-call voting at meetings of the Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall consist of one (1) person from each affiliate, the method of selection to be determined by that affiliate. The President shall appoint a chairperson who shall conduct the committee meetings. The chairperson shall have no vote. All meetings of the Nominating Committee shall be closed, with only committee members permitted to attend. All voting where there are two or more candidates shall be conducted by roll call (amending language is italicized). In Article III, Section B. 1, the reference to "directors" was amended to read "Board of Directors," for clarification purposes: Any organization having at least twenty-five (25) voting members, the majority of whom are blind, may apply for affiliation with this organization. Such application must be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors (amending language is italicized). By-Law 6 was amended to add a new Section E to provide for a Scholarship Grant Committee: Each year, within sixty (60) days after the close of the annual convention, the President shall appoint a Scholarship Grant Committee consisting of a chairperson and at least four (4) additional members, two (2) of whom shall be members of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall have the responsibility of reviewing and/or revising written sets of guidelines concerning submission and subsequent evaluation of applications for all scholarships to be awarded by this organization. In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee shall be authorized to enlist the support and assistance of the National Office staff. The Committee's selection of scholarship grant recipients shall be final. The identity of such recipients shall be announced during each annual convention. ***** ** ACB Resolutions, 1983 The 1983 Resolutions Committee (Paul Edwards, Florida Council of the Blind, Chairman) presented thirty resolutions to the 22nd annual convention of the American Council of the Blind. Of these, one was tabled; 29 were adopted. Those resolutions adopted by the convention are summarized below. Further information or the complete text of any specific resolution may be obtained by contacting the ACB National Office. Resolution 83-01. Recites the fact that there is currently no remedy for individuals who have been denied employment opportunities by Federal contractors in violation of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, except enforcement by the U.S. Department of Labor, and that some courts have held that Section 504 only requires non-discrimination in employment by recipients of Federal funds when the primary purpose of the Federal funding is to provide employment. The resolution urges Congress to provide a private cause of action to individuals who have been denied opportunities for employment or for advancement in employment in violation of Section 503, and to take necessary steps to ensure that Section 504 is applicable to the employment practices to recipients of Federal financial assistance. Resolution 83-02. Commends President Ronald Reagan for his appointment of Mrs. Madeleine Will as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education. and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), within the U.S. Department of Education. Resolution 83-03. Supports the concept of an independent status for the National Council on the Handicapped, which would enable it to communicate recommendations concerning the Federal role in services to handicapped persons directly to the President and to the Congress, thus permitting the Council to become more visible within the Federal bureaucracy. Resolution 83-04. Urges the Department of Justice to issue for public comment Section 504 coordination guidelines for federally conducted programs which will assure non-discrimination against handicapped persons at least to the same extent as the guidelines which presently apply to recipients of Federal financial assistance; urges the President, the Congress, and the Department of Justice to make the Federal Government a leader in providing equal opportunity to handicapped persons. Resolution 83-05. Points out that the Federal Government has recognized the specialized needs of blind and visually impaired persons for more than forty years; that a plan of reorganization currently being considered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration would jeopardize the identifiable status of services for the blind within the jurisdiction of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The resolution opposes any reorganization of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired which would operate to undermine the function and responsibilities of the Division. Resolution 83-06. Urges the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration to conduct immediately a nationwide search to locate the most qualified individual for the position of Director of the Division, who, if otherwise qualified, should be a blind or visually impaired person. Resolution 83-07. Points out that the current Targeted Jobs Tax Credit Act provides incentives in the form of tax credits to employers who hire recipients of SSI benefits or clients of rehabilitation agencies, but does not cover handicapped persons who do not fall within these special categories. Supports the enactment of H.R. 3211, which would allow employers a tax credit for newly hired, severely handicapped persons during their first year of employment, provided that such new employees do not displace other employees. Resolution 83-08. Urges passage of S. 1115, which provides for coverage of sensory and communications aids such as talking computer terminals, reading machines, and large-print displays under the Federal Medicare program, and which would further permit the individual states to reimburse for such equipment under state Medicaid programs. Resolution 83-09. Supports passage of S. 1220, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, which would extend coverage of the fair housing provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to handicapped persons and to families with children, and would further provide a prompt, inexpensive administrative adjudication of fair housing complaints. Resolution 83-10. Points out that the Medicare program currently excludes from coverage the cost of low-vision examinations, routine eye care, and vision testing, and that elderly as well as severely visually impaired persons would be greatly assisted if routine eye care and vision testing were covered under Medicare. Urges enactment of H.R. 3009, which would provide for low-vision coverage, and H.R. 3010, which, in addition, would allow for payment of routine eye care and vision testing. Resolution 83-11. Expresses the strong conviction that access to high technology devices such as talking computer terminals, reading machines, and closed-circuit magnification equipment is essential in order to maximize the education, employment, and independent living potential of blind and visually impaired persons, and instructs the Board of Directors and staff of the American Council of the Blind to support and/or initiate statutes and regulations to make high technology equipment more affordable and more accessible to blind and other handicapped individuals, with particular attention being given to the recommendations contained in the Office of Technology Assessment report, "Technology and the Handicapped," which outlines various ways in which technology can be made more readily available to handicapped persons, including tax incentives, loan guarantees, and Medicare coverage for such equipment. Resolution 83-12. Recognizes that the U.S. Department of Labor should more vigorously monitor the issuance of "individual rate" certificates and should increase its investigatory and audit oversight of sheltered workshops to ensure their compliance with the law; and that elimination of the ''individual rate'' certificates would mean that the Department of Labor must rely upon a workshop's own internal records to determine whether workers are paid in accordance with the law, and would increase the likelihood of error or abuse by the workshops in the calculation of wages paid to workers, thereby increasing the possibility that workers would not receive the wages to which they are entitled by law. The resolution goes on record as opposing H.R. 3091, which, if enacted, would seriously undermine the ability of the Department of Labor to engage in its oversight and audit responsibilities with respect to the issuance of and compliance with special minimum wage certificates. Resolution 83-13. Commends the National Braille Press, Inc., of Boston, Massachusetts, for its plans to publish a computer primer, and urges other publishers, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and volunteer transcribers to make available in all accessible media materials that will forward the understanding of computers by the blind and visually impaired population. Resolution 83-14. Recites the role of the Honorable Jennings Randolph of West Virginia in the United States Senate as a champion of legislation to help the handicapped, and his particular dedication to the causes of blind and visually impaired persons. Extends the deep appreciation of the American Council of the Blind to the distinguished Senator for his efforts in enriching the lives of handicapped people in general, and of blind people in particular. Resolution 83-15. Directs ACB to develop strong programs to promote voter registration and voter education, and to promulgate such information among its affiliated organizations throughout the United States. Resolution 83-16. Reaffirms ACB's commitment to strengthening and expansion of, and accessibility to, radio information and reading services wherever needed. Resolution 83-17. Recites the value of C-SPAN, a service which provides cable television companies with programming covering the proceedings of the United States Congress on a 24-hour-a-day basis; and commends and pledges support for the work of Friends of C-SPAN, an organization which encourages cable TV companies throughout the United States to carry this unique programming of in-depth legislative coverage; and directs the Board of Directors and staff of ACB to investigate the possibility of making C-SPAN available to radio reading services. Resolution 83-18. Publicly commends the American Public Health Association for its recognition of the importance of extending Medicare and Medicaid services to cover both vision care and optical aids for eligible visually impaired persons; and pledges ACB's willingness to work with APHA and others toward achieving these worthy objectives. Resolution 83-19. Relates to the use of bioptic lenses in the operation of motor vehicles. This resolution was tabled. Resolution 83-20. Directs that ACB strongly urge its state and local affiliates to work actively to expand the number of audible traffic signals in their areas. Resolution 83-21. Directs that the American Council of the Blind join with the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities and similar disability advocacy organizations in a national, non-partisan ''Disabled But Able to Vote'' campaign aimed at promoting and encouraging all citizens of voting age with disabilities to register for and participate in the exercise of their fundamental right to vote in the 1984 national elections. Resolution 83-22. Directs that ACB adopt as a priority national goal the inclusion of disabled people under the protection of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. and directs the President and Board of Directors to take such actions as may be necessary to mobilize support for passage of such legislation in 1984, including promoting and encouraging the direct involvement of all ACB affiliates and their members; and further directs that progress be reported periodically in The Braille Forum, as well as at the 1984 ACB national convention. Resolution 83-23. Deplores the decision of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) to accredit programs serving blind and visually impaired persons, and calls upon CARF to reverse its decision; directs the Board and staff of the American Council of the Blind to communicate this position to appropriate CARF officials, and urges the membership of ACB to work actively to encourage facilities to seek accreditation by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and to educate professionals in the field of blindness so as to ensure that the best services possible will be available to blind persons. Resolution 83-24. Reviews ACB Membership Resolution 79-06, which provides that production employees in sheltered workshops should be employed under "individual rate'' certificates issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, having a wage floor guarantee of not less than 75 percent of the statutory minimum wage. Recognizes that some employees may be so limited by multihandicap as to be unable to earn at the 75 percent floor guarantee level; and recognizes that National Industries for the Blind (NIB) opposes ACB's position with respect to payment of production employees in sheltered workshops as outlined in ACB Membership Resolution 79-06, primarily on grounds that many workshops would not be able to bear the excess wage over productivity cost incurred for workers who cannot produce at the proposed guaranteed wage floor level. Resolution 83-24 recommends that any excess wage over productivity costs necessary to reach the proposed guaranteed wage floor level be offset by one or both of the following methods: (1) part of the commissions paid to National Industries for the Blind and to National Industries for the Severely Handicapped be utilized to ensure that production employees receive a wage at least equal to the proposed guaranteed wage floor level; and/or (2) a fair market price formula be established by the Committee for Purchase from the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped, which would include a factor equal to the excess wage over productivity cost necessary to assure payment of wages at least equal to ACB's proposed guaranteed wage floor level. The resolution further directs that ACB present the foregoing recommendations to the Congress, the staff and Board of Directors of NIB, and the staff of the Committee for Purchase from the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped without delay, with the goal of implementing the proposals contained in this resolution no later than July 1, 1984. This resolution is intended to be supplementary to ACB Membership Resolution 79-06, which resolution remains in full force and effect. Resolution 83-25. Urges the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) to more widely market office technology such as the Model 3278 Talking Terminal and other equipment such as the Audio Typing Unit which can be connected to the Memory 100, the MagCard Media System, and similar devices; and joins with the Visually Impaired Secretarial/ Transcribers Association (VISTA) in commending IBM for its leadership in making office technology more accessible to blind and visually impaired office workers. Resolution 83-26. Directs that ACB cooperate with the Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCLV) to urge all governmental entities — local, state, and Federal — to adopt certain specified regulations for marking steps to all public buildings and other facilities, and specified symbols to be used to identify doors leading to restrooms in public buildings. This resolution is to be submitted to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (A&TBCB), with a view to its becoming part of Uniform Code of Facility Accessibility. The resolution further requests that the A&TBCB and standard-setting bodies consult with a committee to be appointed by the officers of the American Council of the Blind, in consultation with CCLV, in the consideration of these and other matters dealing with tactile and visual markings. Resolution 83-27. Directs ACB to undertake a program of publishing all material addressed to its membership, such as notices of annual legislative seminars, announcements of the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships, recruitment brochures, etc., in large­print and in some other form independently accessible by a totally blind individual. Resolution 83-28. Strongly urges the officers and staff of ACB to ensure that at least some preliminary background materials be in the hands of national legislative seminar participants a minimum of two weeks prior to each annual legislative seminar; and urges that the legislative seminars be lengthened to three days, and that the additional day be devoted to providing legislative background. Resolution 83-29. Expresses ACB's sincere appreciation to the management and staff of the Phoenix Hilton and San Carlos hotels for their dedication and willingness to help make the 1983 ACB convention week a pleasure and a success. Resolution 83-30. Congratulates the Arizona Council of the Blind, and the 1983 convention host committee, in particular, for its efforts in arranging a smooth, effective, and well coordinated convention; and expresses ACB's deep appreciation to the Arizona Council of the Blind, the Convention Host Committee, and all organizations and individuals who volunteered so much time to assist those who were in attendance at the convention. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller National Representative In late June, members of the ACB National Office staff attended a Capitol Hill reception honoring Irv Schloss on completion of 25 years of outstanding service as the director of the Legislative Office of the American Foundation for the Blind. We want to take this opportunity to commend Irv for the excellent job he has done over the years monitoring and analyzing legislative and other governmental activities. The number of Government officials, professionals in work for the blind, and service consumers who attended the reception underscores the high regard in which Irv Schloss is held by everyone who is acquainted with his work. As a sideline, one of the familiar "voices" heard at the reception was that of "Thomas the Talking Optacon" — clothed in the Kurzweil Reading Machine loaned to the American Foundation by ACB for demonstration during the reception. During July, ACB Staff Attorney Barbara Nelson met with the Committee of Vendors in Indiana to assist them as that state prepares to establish a set-aside program for vending locations. Previously she had met and consulted with the vendors of Tennessee regarding the strengthening of a statewide RSVA chapter in that state. As if those activities plus the ACB national convention had not kept her busy enough, during early August she spoke in Minnesota at a seminar for parents of deaf-blind children. During the third week in July, Laura Oftedahl, ACB's Director of Public Affairs, attended the annual conference of the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education (AHSSPPE), in Oakland, California. The conference was well attended, which gave Laura a chance to tell many professionals about the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships, the National Alliance of Blind Students, and other ACB programs of interest to blind college students. A Blindness and Visual Impairment special­interest group was formed, and this will give the American Council of the Blind an opportunity to become more involved in AHSSPPE. Have you heard ACB Reports lately on your radio reading service? We hope so. It is now carried on 67 services across the country. Check your local program guide for the day and time, and spread the word about this informative monthly show. If it is not being aired in your area, start a campaign to get it on the air. The ACB National Office will be happy to help you. ***** ** For Whom the Bell Tolls By Scott Marshall "Breaking up is hard to do!" So sang Neil Sedaka in the 1960s. In the 1980s, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) is finding out just how hard a break-up can be, and customers of AT&T wonder whether the consumer will benefit as all of Ma Bell's children compete in the telecommunications business. The full effect of "divestiture" -- i.e., the severance of the relationship between AT&T and the local Bell operating companies -- has yet to be felt. Some anticipated effects include higher cost for local telephone service; a surcharge for access to the long­distance network; and purchase of telephone equipment at market prices instead of renting equipment from local Bell companies. Arguments can be made on both sides concerning the issue whether deregulation of the telephone industry is indeed in the consumer's best interest. The purpose of this article is not to debate this question, but, rather, to illustrate how the current revolution in the telecommunications industry could adversely affect disabled customers. As readers of The Braille Forum know, Congress passed last year the Telecommunications for the Disabled Act (P.L. 97-410), which, among other things, permitted local phone companies to subsidize the cost of special-needs telephone equipment such as amplifier phones, large-button phones, and telecommunication devices for the deaf (and deaf-blind). It was the clear intent of Congress that this expensive equipment should be made available to disabled persons at reduced cost. The reorganization of AT&T vis-a­ vis the Bell operating companies, however, requires the local telephone companies to transfer installed equipment and inventories to an unregulated subsidiary of AT&T, which in turn will sell the equipment to the public. Unfortunately, this transfer also includes the special-needs equipment. Such a transfer would cause much confusion between AT&T and local companies with reference to their respective roles concerning provision of specialized equipment to disabled persons and would undoubtedly result in increased prices for such equipment. This, of course, would be in direct violation of the intent underlying P.L. 97-410. In mid-July, AT&T announced before the Federal Communications Commission that it planned to create a national special needs center which would assume the responsibility for providing equipment to disabled customers. AT&T further stated that it would propose a plan for "price predictability" for such equipment. It remains unclear at this time whether AT&T plans to subsidize the cost of equipment provided through this national special needs center. In response to these developments, the American Council of the Blind, with the support of other interested individuals and groups, took the lead in protecting the interests of disabled telephone users in the reorganization plan. Public attention was drawn to the possible adverse effects of deregulation upon disabled telephone customers. Timing was critical. Judge Harold Greene of the Federal Court was about ready to confirm the reorganization plan. Given this time constraint, the strategy was simple: If the interests of disabled telephone users were to be protected, fast work was necessary. Letters were immediately sent to Judge Greene which fully documented the problem, and statements regarding the effect of deregulation were included in the Congressional Record. In his decision, Judge Greene stated that the reorganization plan was "without prejudice" to any arrangement between AT&T, the Bell operating companies, and the disability community with regard to the provision of special-needs equipment. This victory is not the end of the story, however. At this writing, it is still unclear as to exactly what AT&T has in mind concerning service to disabled customers. A meeting with AT&T officials is being arranged, and hopefully a mutually acceptable arrangement can be worked out which will ensure that expensive telephone devices will be available to persons who could not otherwise gain access to the telephone network. Obviously, most blind and visually impaired people do not need special telephone equipment. However, for those individuals who do, and for the many other disabled people for whom such equipment is a necessity, ACB is proud of its leading role on this important issue. ***** ** Transition at NAC On June 17, Dr. Richard W. Bleecker announced his decision to resign as Executive Director of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, effective at the close of NAC's annual meeting in November. Dr. Bleecker joined the NAC staff as Associate Director in February 1973 and has served as Executive Director since January 1975. Commenting on Dr. Bleecker's record of achievement, NAC President Dr. Otis Stephens said: "Richard Bleecker has provided outstanding leadership for more than a decade. During this period, the number of accredited agencies has doubled, consumer involvement in NAC's work has dramatically increased, and NAC has gained steadily in professional influence. Over the years, NAC has faced its share of adversity, but thanks in large part to Dr. Bleecker's dedication to high standards of professional accountability, NAC has more than met the challenge." At its recent meeting in Atlanta, NAC's Executive Committee commended Dr. Bleecker for his "outstanding contributions of leadership and service" and for his "exceptional skill in the sound fiscal management and administration of NAC." In announcing his decision to resign, Dr. Bleecker reaffirmed his belief in the value of accreditation to blind persons and the agencies serving blind persons: "NAC's mission is vital to the attainment by this field of greater effectiveness and accountability. What remains is to assure NAC's permanence through achievement of financial independence and to strengthen its professional authority by linking tangible incentives and benefits to accreditation. Movement toward these goals is well under way, and I believe that their attainment is inevitable." ***** ** Color Sensory Conversion Device By Louis J. Finkle, Ph.D. To date, relatively little research has been done to provide for color recognition by the totally blind person. The Applied Concepts Corporation, at facilities in Colorado and Virginia, proposes to initiate the research and development of an affordable, self-contained, hand-held unit that will allow any blind person the capability to identify colors. The prototype will convert energy in the form of "photons" of discrete wavelengths into a form of energy that is most discernable and comfortable to blind persons. Thus far, a "breadboard design" prototype has been developed which allows for pure tone discrimination of several basic colors and the three primary colors. This is accomplished by using photosensor arrays with both an electroluminescent panel and a variable-density filter. By diffusing reflected light from a colored surface, the differentiated signal is then fed to a voice-synthesized or braille output, thereby signaling the correct color to a person holding the pickup mechanism. While the Corporation devotes its time and efforts to the technical and fiscal problems relating to the development of such a device, I am seeking two forms of input from readers of The Braille Forum. First, anyone who may have information regarding any other projects similar to this one is urgently requested to contact me as soon as possible. Second, if there are totally blind persons in the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the D.C. area who might be interested in field-testing the device if it is successful, please send me your name and address. This will speed the development of the device. Write Louis J. Finkle, Ph. D., James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. ***** ** Blind Professionals Gain Important Employment Discrimination Victory By Charles S.P. Hodge On Tuesday, July 12, 1983, Judge Louis H. Pollak of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania rendered a landmark decision under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, for blind workers everywhere, in the case of Nelson v. Thornbergh. The lead plaintiff, Martin Nelson, a blind caseworker for the State Welfare Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with two other blind caseworkers, had initiated this action to challenge the established policies of their employer that blind caseworkers must independently hire and, out of their own resources, pay for readers to assist them with the massive volume of written materials necessary for their jobs, and to fill out the complex reports and forms required for all of their cases. The plaintiffs contended that this policy discriminated against them because of their handicapping condition, and that the Welfare Department failed to meet its "reasonable accommodation" obligation under Section 504 by refusing to provide, at the agency's expense, the reading assistance essential to the performance of their job. In response, the Welfare Department argued that since the ability to independently fill out the required reports and to assimilate manuals, guidelines, regulations, and other important written materials was an essential function of the job which the blind caseworkers could not independently perform, the blind caseworkers were, therefore, not "otherwise qualified handicapped individuals'' within the meaning of Section 504, and thus did not have standing to bring the action. The defendant also contended that to require it to provide reading assistance at its own expense would be tantamount to requiring it to employ two persons to do the work of one and would thus constitute undue hardship and unreasonable accommodation. Judge Pollak held, first, that a recipient of Federal financial assistance such as the defendant Welfare Department does have an obligation to reasonable accommodation to an employee's handicapping condition, even after the U.S. Supreme Court's restrictive decision concerning the obligation to make reasonable accommodation in Southeastern Community College v. Davis (442 U.S. 397, 1979). The Court then swept aside the defendant's contention that the blind caseworkers are not "otherwise qualified handicapped individuals" by observing that the caseworker plaintiffs had all performed in exemplary fashion for an extended tenure with the Welfare Department, even under the burden of their makeshift reading assistance arrangement. The Court went on to observe that the requested reasonable accommodation of State­provided reading assistance would only involve a fraction of the work time of a clerical support worker, based on the actual experience of the plaintiffs, and that, therefore, the requested accommodation would not, as contended by the defendant, subject the state agency to the unreasonable hardship of required double-manning of specific positions. The Court then ruled that the defendant had violated its reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination obligations under Section 504. However, because of the immunity provided to states and their agencies under the 11th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States against claims for monetary relief, the Court denied the plaintiffs' claim for reimbursement for their out-of­pocket expenses for providing their own reading assistance during their tenure with the defendant. Despite the denial of monetary relief, the decision for the first time places a Federal Court squarely on record in support of the proposition that a recipient of Federal financial assistance must, in furtherance of its reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination responsibilities under Section 504, provide reading assistance at its own expense to its blind employees. Needless to say, this constitutes a major breakthrough in the continuing struggle for equal employment opportunity for all blind workers. ***** ** Slate-Writing Contest — Braille Revival League By Juliet Esterly Contest Chairperson A unique event at the 1983 ACB annual convention was a slate-writing contest conducted by the Braille Revival League (BRL). Entries were corrected and returned. The Hadley School for the Blind generously allowed its booth in the exhibit area to be headquarters. Contestants were given twelve sentences written in Grade One braille and asked to write them in Grade Two braille in about half an hour. Only 27 of the 76 persons who took the test completed the twelve sentences; another nine finished eleven sentences. All contestants were non­ professional braillists. The $50 first prize was won by Assunta Lilley of Missouri (BRL secretary), with only five errors. The $35 second prize went to Belle Marie Rudys of California, and the $20 third prize went to Kay Blackburn of Texas. Contestants seemed to enjoy checking up on themselves and expressed a desire to write accurate braille so that people would not have to guess their meaning. Many fast readers were surprised that they were not sure which contraction to use, and that they did not know the 1980 rule changes. The questions and answers will be in an upcoming BRL Newsletter. Anyone wishing to support the use of braille by joining the Braille Revival League may send a $5.00 annual membership fee to Treasurer Vernon Daigle, 1919 N. Amelia Avenue, Gonzales, LA 70737. Specify either print or braille. State present or past occupation along with mailing information. ***** ** Ski For Light International, 1984 Lake Placid, New York "Most people never dreamed a blind person in his right mind would be on a ski slope — It's a tremendous thrill to feel that freedom." "When my guide wasn't keeping me in the (ski) tracks … he was drawing verbal pictures … of the pines ... and we listened to a woodpecker and to the sound of the wind rustling the leaves …" "It was the greatest week of my life!" These beautiful feelings can be yours because we have a cross-country-ski sharing and growing experience for you! We are Ski for Light International, a week-long program where sighted guides teach blind people to ski on a one-to-one basis. Ski for Light is a gathering of spirited people from throughout the United States and many foreign countries who ski and share the exercise and energy with one another. For 1984, Ski for Light International comes to Lake Placid, New York, for its 10th annual International Event. The dates are firm for February 26-March 4, 1984. So, get the ski spirit and join us — but be prepared to get hooked! Guides soon realize that they are the ones who are really coming out of this event with something special, and blind skiers declare, "If I can do this, I can do anything!" For further information, costs, and applications, write Ski for Light, c/o Grethe Winther, P.O. Box 2971, Reston, VA 22091. Applications are due November 15, 1983. Stipends are available. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * For Sale: Visualtek XL-1, with 19- inch monitor and adapter for TV. Contact David W. Wilhelmus, Sutherlin, Iverson and Tucker, Attorneys at Law, 805 Barrister Building, 155 E. Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204; telephone (317) 634-3644. * For Sale: Appollo Laser closed-circuit TV with 19-inch monitor. Good condition. Reasonable. Write Harold Jaeger, Box 1341, Santa Monica, CA 90406. * For Sale: Visualtek with 19-inch monitor. Price: $1,000.00. Contact John Konz, Jr., 23 W. 701 Warrenville, Lisle, IL 60532; telephone (312) 971-2349. ***** ** Calendar of Events Attention, ACB affiliate presidents and convention chairpersons: This Calendar of Events is compiled by the ACB Public Affairs Director in the National Office to assist you in publicizing your events. We need your meeting dates and cities, however, in order to maintain this popular service. Contact Laura Oftedahl at 1-800-424-8666 as soon as your conventions are set. Sept. 17 — Maine Fraternal Association of the Blind Annual Convention Sept. 17-18 — Old Dominion Council of the Blind (Virginia) Fall Convention, Richmond Sept. 23 — Mountain State Council of the Blind (West Virginia) Second Annual Student Seminar, Morgantown Sept. 24-25 — Mountain State Council of the Blind Annual Convention, Morgantown Sept. 23-25 — ACB of Ohio State Convention, Columbus Sept. 30-Oct. 1 — ACB of Indiana State Convention, Indianapolis Sept. 30-Oct. 2 — Pennsylvania Council of the Blind State Convention, Harrisburg Sept. 30-Oct. 2 — Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention, Hutchinson Sept. 30-Oct. 2 — Oklahoma Council of the Blind State Convention, Oklahoma City Oct. 1 — North Carolina Council of the Blind State Convention Oct. 7-8 — South Dakota Association for the Blind Fall Convention, Pierre Oct. 8 — ACB of Maryland State Convention, Baltimore Oct. 13-16 — Alabama Council of the Blind State Convention, Huntsville Oct. 14-16 — Oregon Council of the Blind State Convention, Corvallis Oct. 14-16 — ACB of California State Convention, Hollywood Oct. 15 — Aloha Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention, Honolulu Oct. 15 — Rhode Island Regional Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention, Providence Oct. 27-28 — Washington Council of the Blind State Convention, Vancouver Nov. 4-6 — ACB of New York Annual Convention, Uniondale Nov. 4-6 — National Accreditation Council of Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped Annual Membership and Board Meetings, Daytona Beach, Florida ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Vera McClain, ACB National Membership Chairperson, recently received the Bruce McKenzie Award for outstanding contributions in the field of rehabilitation training. The award was presented during the 1983 annual conference of the American Association of Workers for the Blind in Phoenix. The American Printing House for the Blind and Sears, Roebuck and Co. are pleased to announce the release of an informational disc describing services and products available from Sears. Recorded at 33 1/3 rpm, the disc is designed to help visually impaired persons shop more easily at Sears. It is free of charge and may be obtained by writing American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frank fort Avenue, P.O. Box 6085, Louisville, KY 40206. Geraldine Lawhorn became the sixth deaf-blind person to earn a college degree when she received her baccalaureate diploma from Northeastern Illinois University this past June. Now 67, Ms. Lawhorn lost her sight at age 13 and her hearing at age 19. She is chairperson of the Deaf­Blind Department at the Hadley School for the Blind, Winnetka, Illinois. From The Stylus (Oregon Council of the Blind): Concerned parents, educators, and representatives of the Oregon Council of the Blind have joined together to form the Alliance for Blind Children (ABC). The first priority of the group is to fight a legislative attempt to close the Oregon School for the Blind. The organization intends to work toward improving the quality of education for blind children throughout the state. The BIT Talkman is a new high­fidelity, hand-held, personalized stereo cassette recorder/player with FM radio, that also plays Library of Congress format tapes (15/16 ips, four-track). Note that although it both plays and records in stereo, and plays the NLS format tapes, it does not record in the four-track, NLS for­ mat. Features include variable speed, tone indexing, and battery operation. Size: 3 5/16 by 5 1/2 by 1 5/16 inches. Includes headphones, belt clip and shoulder strap, stereo microphone, and cassette instructions, with a one-year limited warranty. Price, $195.00. Write Massachusetts Association for the Blind, 200 Ivy Street, Brookline, MA 02146; (617) 738-5110. Each year, floods, storms, tornados, fire, and earthquakes ravage the nation. Disabled and elderly persons are among the most vulnerable groups to these hazards. Many deaths, injuries, and psychological traumas have been suffered by the disabled or aged when disasters occur — losses which often could have been prevented. Three Federal agencies are joining together to sponsor a day­long conference in Washington, D.C., October 28, dealing with the latest information on how handicapped and elderly persons can prepare for and survive disasters. The conference, "Preparing for Disaster — Emergency Planning for Disabled and Elderly Persons," is being sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administration on Aging, and the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. For registration materials or for further information, contact Edmond Leonard, Program Director, President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, 1111 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. From Programs for the Handicapped: Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization in Santa Rosa, California, which provides specially selected and trained dogs to enable people with disabilities to lead more personally fulfilling lives. Canine Companions provides three types of trained dogs: service dogs, which assist the physically disabled by performing physical tasks such as turning lights on and off, opening doors, carrying packages, fetching dropped items, or pulling wheelchairs up ramps and curbs; signal dogs, which alert the hearing impaired to sounds in their environment; and social dogs, which provide that much-needed love and interaction known as "pet therapy." For further information, contact Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402. … The National Council on the Handicapped has published its 1982 annual report, which chronicles the activities of the Council and offers an overview of Federal agency activities for handicapped persons and the state of research on problems pertaining to the handicapped. Copies are available without charge from National Council on the Handicapped, Room 3116 Switzer Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202. The Gwynedd Designs cassette gift catalog is a new service tailored to the needs of today's working blind person who wants an easy way to shop for unique gifts and fashions. Up-to­date gifts, Christmas ornaments, personal items, and comments on today's fashion trends are provided by the proprietor, who is a fashion merchandiser. Send for a free cassette catalog, write Gwynedd Designs, Box 17872, Milwaukee, WI 53217. … Fashion­Able, Box 5, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553, has issued a new, illustrated catalog of self-help items for the handicapped. The catalog is free upon request. Persons interested in receiving cassettes of music programs are invited to contact the Audio Volunteers Music Library for the Blind, c/o Ed Tomlinson, R.F.D. 1, Box 213, Green Forest, AR 72638. Programs range in length from three to six hours and are loaned free of charge. Choose from the following musical categories: nostalgia, classical, jazz, country, and Christian. Please send requests on an audio cassette, which will be returned. Any ACB affiliate interested in forming a state chapter of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCLV) is invited to contact Chapter Development Chairperson Deborah Gibson, 6209 Lycoming Road, Montgomery, AL 36117; telephone (205) 277-2798. Mrs. Gibson will be happy to help by furnishing necessary information and/or assistance. A wide variety of "Feel and Read, See and Read" greeting cards has been available for the past 21 years from Harry A. Fribush — Christmas cards, combination print/braille, with or without Scripture text; everyday greeting cards: birthday, get-well, sympathy, etc. Also 6 1/2 by 9 1/2 in. envelopes, with or without clasp. For details and prices, write Mr. Fribush at 400 Hudson Avenue, Apt. 104, Albany, NY 12203. The ELBEE Audio Players is a troup of blind and sighted repertory players which presents plays and popular musicals to be heard instead of seen. Now beginning its 22nd season, ELBEE uses a radio style format exclusively. Productions are performed live, never broadcast. No sets, costumes, or memorizing of lines is necessary. However, dramatization — not just reading — is required. You should be a good braille reader and be able to travel independently when necessary. Rehearsals: usually one evening a week. Performances: about 18, from October to June, at temples, churches, hospitals, and community centers in the Greater New York area. Why not join this congenial group? Call David Swerdlow, Director, at (212) 874-5704. From Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (American Foundation for the Blind): The Mountbatten Memorial Trust has commissioned the Royal National College for the Blind at Hereford, England, to develop a new brailling machine. Funding of 126,000 pounds over the next three years will be used to develop a light-weight, electronic unit that will prove inexpensive enough for mass distribution in Third World countries. It is planned to have a standard interface for connection to electronic input and output devices and to use a modular design to simplify repairs. Royal National College officials hope to have the unit ready for production by the end of 1986. From Diabetes Outlook: The outlook for vitrectomized diabetics is· good, with 50% of patients regaining and retaining economically useful vision and 25% obtaining ambulatory vision, according to a recent study reported at the 11th Congress of the International Diabetes Federation. The study involved 57 diabetics who had undergone vitrectomy surgery for treatment of diabetic retinopathy at least five years previous. Both Type I and Type II diabetics were represented in the study. From The Periscope (Mississippi Council of the Blind): Kenneth Reed, former President of the Mississippi Council of the Blind and current President of the Hazlehurst chapter, recently received the Blind Career Achievement Award from the Mississippi Association of Workers for the Blind. … At its June meeting, the Hazlehurst chapter voted to join in a cooperative gardening project. A local resident provided the land, and chapter members agreed to provide muscle power. It was hoped that there would be enough vegetables to share among the working members, with some left over to sell. Advances in technology have made braille use and production a dynamic subject. Braille Research Newsletter No. 14 contains articles on a variety of subjects such as tactile diagrams, telebraille, braille-to-print systems, etc. Braille or print copies are avail­ able for $6.00 from National Braille Press, Inc., 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115. Please specify print or braille. From Talking Book Topics: Business Review is a new monthly magazine, issued on two cassettes, which selects, screens, and condenses news and feature articles from leading magazines. For subscription information, write Business Review, 88 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02161. Bypassing the spinal cord, a new invention has reportedly made it possible for paraplegics to walk merely by thinking about it. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, several patients in Israel have tested the device successfully. It uses electrodes to pass nerve impulses from the body to two microcomputers. Picking out and amplifying those impulses that stimulate the leg muscles, the computers send them to other electrodes on the legs, allowing movement. ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large-type, and two recorded editions — flexible disc (8 1/3 rpm) and cassette (15/16 ips). As a bimonthly supplement, the recorded editions also include ALL-O-GRAMS, newsletter of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. Send subscription requests and address changes, as well as items intended for publication, to The Braille Forum, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620. 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 ACB 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 a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you or your attorney may wish to contact the ACB National Office.