The Braille Forum Vol. XXII June 1984 No. 12 Published Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Mary T. Ballard, Editor For the latest legislative and governmental news, call the Washington Connection after 6:00 P.M. weekdays or all day weekends and holidays. Toll Free-1-800-424-8666. ***** * 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) 442-3131 * Contributing Editor 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: 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 Promoting Independence And Effective Participation In Society ***** ** Contents ACB Officers President's Message: On "Chaos and Political Shenanigans," by Grant Mack ACB 1984 National Legislative Seminar: Making a Difference on Capitol Hill, by Deborah Kendrick What Legislative Seminars Can and Cannot Do, by Michael Byington News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller Experience the Blessings of Liberty: Attend the ACB 1984 Convention, by John A. Horst The Personal Computer Explosion: How to Enjoy the Benefits and Avoid the "Fallout," by Joseph E. Sullivan GSA Memo Kennels Dog Guides of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors, by Barbara Nelson Laughter and Tears Can Be Good for You, by Patricia A. Haddock New Library Guidelines and Standards, by Chris M. Cook Accreditation of Guide Dog Schools: What's In It For You!, by Phyllis Mitchell Progress on Randolph-Sheppard Appropriation: An Update Report, by Scott Marshall SSI Improvements Pending, by Barbara Nelson A Model School for Blind Children Calendar of Events Notice to Subscribers ***** ** President's Message: On "Chaos And Political Shenanigans" By Grant Mack The Independent Blind of Idaho is a new consumer organization formed within the past year, composed mainly of former members of the National Federation of the Blind. At the present time, it appears that the Independent Blind is the largest blind group in the state. In response to a Braille Monitor account of the Ramona Walhof firing, entitled "Idaho: Chaos and Political Shenanigans," they have prepared a rebuttal. We believe Braille Forum readers deserve to read the account of this situation, as seen by members of the Independent Blind of Idaho. For that reason, I am relinquishing this space so that the basic statement can be printed in its entirety. We, the Independent Blind of Idaho and other concerned citizens of our state, offer the following response to the article entitled, "Idaho: Chaos and Political Shenanigans," that appeared in the March 1984 issue of The Braille Monitor. That article does not present an accurate picture of many situations and frequently strays far from the truth. There are so many half-truths, distortions, and such misleading information in the Monitor article, it would take a very lengthy letter to rebut all of them. That is not our purpose here. Our comments will show how false the Monitor article really is and why the firing of Mrs. Walhof was the best possible course of action the Board of the Commission for the Blind could take. Letters to local newspapers and others, written by blind Idahoans, testify to the reasons Mrs. Walhof had to be fired. Some issues raised in the Monitor article are so biased and distorted we feel compelled to address them. The description of Mr. Barton's resignation as Director of the Commission for the Blind in September of 1982 and the appointment of Mrs. Walhof to that position is completely misrepresented. Mr. Barton offered his resignation at the Commission Board meeting September 21, 1982. At that meeting, it was agreed Mr. Barton would stay on as Director until December 31, 1982, to allow for an orderly transition to a new administration. The Board members instructed Mr. Barton to develop an announcement of the Director position to be reviewed by them at their next meeting in October. A tentative plan was developed to interview applicants in November and hire a new Director in December. There was no urgency and no need for any immediate Board action. The Commission was not "in chaos and on the verge of collapse," as stated in the Monitor article. Norman Gardner, a member of the Commission Board and state president of the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho, apparently was not satisfied with the proposed orderly transition. Perhaps he was most concerned that if the vacancy was announced, qualified individuals would apply that were not of his political persuasion. Whatever the reasons, he moved swiftly and secretly. He didn't even bother to notify the membership of his own organization of his actions. Several calls to Baltimore, Maryland, where the national headquarters of the NFB is located, were made. A decision to promote Mrs. Walhof for the position was made. It is ironic to note that Mrs. Walhof was interviewed and hired without anyone else even having the opportunity to apply. Gardner, creating a false sense of urgency, got Mrs. Walhof hired seven days after Mr. Barton had informed the Board of his decision to leave the agency in three months. The Monitor article makes much of violating the open meeting law in the firing of Mrs. Walhof. But apparently it was all right to hire her in such obvious violation of that law's provisions. Subsequent to Gardner's action, on September 28, 1982, another Board meeting had to be held to -- using Gardner's own words -- "whitewash that action." The way Mrs. Walhof was hired, with complete disregard for any fair and reasonable procedures, and the way Norman Gardner defended his action, distorts the motives of his critics. Consider the article's comments about Jack Ugaki's appointment to the Board of the Commission for the Blind. Mr. Ugaki has been interested in services provided the blind since being asked by a Commission staff member to attend an NFBI function in mid-1979. Later, a number of concerned individuals asked Mr. Ugaki to consider running for the Board position that Mr. Miyasaki had elected to vacate when his term expired. Mr. Ugaki has served on several human services boards. Mr. Miyasaki also encouraged Mr. Ugaki to seek the position. Mr. Ugaki proceeded through the proper channels to have his qualifications considered by the Governor. A senior senator had strongly recommended Mr. Ugaki to the Governor, and his appointment was made by Governor Evans in June 1983. The Governor had no ulterior motive nor planned conspiracy. The idea of a vendetta concerning actions toward Mr. Ugaki's wife is nothing but an ill­conceived and totally false smoke screen. Consider the Monitor article's comment about Mr. Larry Barnes' blind sister. Mr. Barnes loves his sister and feels good about her accomplishments. For years, she worked for the blind of Idaho and was well respected in the blind community before there was a Commission for the Blind. Other issues raised in the Monitor article clearly reflect standard methods of distortions used by Mrs. Walhof, Mr. Gardner, and their supporters. They state that, "The Commission (under Mr. Barton) rejected the offer to establish a low vision center at the Commission." True. What they don't tell you is the offer was effectively killed because Norman Gardner expressed philosophical concerns during a Commission Board meeting about establishing such a center. In no area are the comments made in the Monitor article more blatantly slanted, with almost no regard for factual information, than those made about staff morale. They state in their manufactured list of problems that existed when Mrs. Walhof arrived: "Most of all, perhaps, was the morale of the Commission staff." In another place, recounting her accomplishments, they say: "The morale of the Commission staff was good and becoming better." How do they explain the fact that fourteen staff members out of a staff that averaged about 25 left the agency during Mrs. Walhof's 17-month administration? Many of these people wrote letters to the Commission Board protesting actions taken by Mrs. Walhof. At one point, almost half the staff members of the agency contacted the Board concerning Mrs. Walhof's seemingly complete lack of any personnel management skills. Under Mrs. Walhof, if you agreed that the highest priority was active support of the NFB, Norman Gardner and herself, you were rewarded. If there was any hint of disagreement for any reason, a staff member was threatened, intimidated, and deprived of his/her rights. Perhaps the biggest distortion is the claim, "The blind of the state were feeling increasing confidence and the promise of opportunity." In reality, the blind of the state were seeing their agency destroyed and services disappearing. It was the blind of Idaho who formed a new organization, the Independent Blind of Idaho, stating as one of its positions that no one organization should control the day-to-day operations of the Commission for the Blind. It was the blind of Idaho who continued to draw out of the Walhof-Gardner-dominated NFBI, to the point that the once prosperous organization is becoming a feeble shadow of its former self. It is the blind of Idaho who united their various organizations for the first time ever to express their growing concerns about the lack of effectiveness in Mrs. Walhof's administration of the agency. It is the blind of Idaho who are combatting the distortions and falsehoods being circulated by the Walhof-Gardner-NFB clique, and it will be the blind of Idaho who will prevail; who will see their agency return to providing good services and rid themselves of Mrs. Walhof and her disastrous methods of operation. ***** *** ACB 1984 National Legislative Seminar ** Making a Difference on Capitol Hill By Deborah Kendrick (Deborah Kendrick is a member of the ACB of Ohio, recipient of the Ned E. Freeman writing competition award at the 1983 national convention in Phoenix, and a first-time participant this year in ACB's national legislative seminar, held May 9-11 in Washington, D. C.) Everyone from EST to Amway to Billy Graham will tell you of your personal worth. All of them are right, of course. But when it comes to the government, many of us find it more difficult to believe. Unless your education centered itself in the law department, it can be pretty alluring to get mesmerized into an "us and them" mode. They set policy. They make amendments. We sit back and pray that it all turns out all right. When Kenneth Morlock, President of the American Council of the Blind of Ohio, asked me to represent my area in ACB's 1984 legislative seminar, I suspect that at least part of my thinking was still riveted to the concept of "us and them." What difference could I make? Stereotypes being as inescapable as they are, who would listen to a bunch of blind folks, anyway? The reality is, however, that blindness holds no copyright in the land of stereotypes. There are quite a few myths regarding our legislative leaders, too, and those were quickly dispelled within the first few hours of the ACB legislative seminar. There were 75 of us present, representing most states (including Hawaii), and at the seminar's outset, we were all operating at diverse levels of understanding the legislature. By the end of that first day, however, we were all professionally trained lobbyists. As one man put it, we were "rarin' to go" to Capitol Hill. Essentially, the first day of the seminar was devoted to briefing participants on relevant issues and on lobbying techniques, and the second day to individual and small group meetings with Congressmen, Senators, and their staffs. The presentations that first day were thorough, concise, and provided participants with all necessary information. Admittedly, however, I had my own simultaneous track of revelation playing in my head. That inspired track ran something like this: Of course, we are all the experts. What possible reason could there be for being intimidated? Where, after all, did such things as SSI, SSDI, Randolph­Sheppard, mainstreamed education, and that extra tax exemption every year come from? They did not -- as our "us and them" psychology might try to persuade us -- fall like manna from Heaven! Rather, they are all the results of the persistent effort and articulation of blind and visually impaired persons. The second day of the seminar only confirmed this new enlightenment. My only previous involvement with political leaders had been on the city level. I considered the possibility that this was different. City leaders are just people. You sit around committee tables with them. You see them at public social functions. Maybe Washington, D.C., was another story altogether. Thirty seconds inside Congressman Thomas Luken's office, however, was enough to convince me that Washington, D.C., was not another story. Coffee and friendly chatting with the Luken staff were followed by a 45-minute visit with the Congressman. We talked about the nearness of our neighborhoods at home and about the recent local primary. More importantly, we talked about the amendment to the Civil Rights Act, the appropriation of independent living funds for older blind adults, and the possibilities for making sensory and communications aids more affordable to blind people. There was nothing mystical or extraordinary in my conversation with Mr. Luken, and that is exactly why it is so significant. In eight hours' time, 75 blind and visually impaired people had conversations similar to the one described above with legislators and aides from their home states. Did we make a difference? I think so. It is a fairly safe assumption, for example, that when a discussion arises on the House floor concerning assistance to blind persons for sensory aids, the issue will not be a blur to Representative Thomas Luken. My guess is that such a discussion will recall to mind for him the woman who sat in his office one May morning and explained how braille word processing would enable her to work more productively as a writer. And, for my part, I was strongly attracted to the energy and activity generated in that legislative office environment -- and I plan to return to it again. ***** ** What Legislative Seminars Can and Cannot Do By Michael Byington (Michael Byington, another first­time seminar attendee, is a member and the registered lobbyist of the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and works for a center for independent living as a disability rights advocate.) Most national seminars, no matter how wonderful, are useful mainly to those who attend. Most readers know this, so after-the-fact writeups often do not get read. It is thus with some reluctance that I confess to this being yet another article about another ACB legislative seminar. If the reader will read on, however, I promise to offer some information he/ she needs. I also promise to stay away from the "If you read this, it will be just like you were there" type of journalism. There are certain catharsis-producing experiences which just cannot be recreated, and the fourth annual ACB legislative seminar falls into this category. Guest presentations included "The 98th Congress and Disability Issues," by Senator Robert Stafford (R., VT); "Lobbying in the Congressional Fishbowl," by Joseph Luman, Esq., former Staff Director, Subcommittee on Manpower and Housing, House Committee on Government Operations; "Community Consultants and How We Can Work Together," by Patricia Beattie, American Foundation for the Blind; "From the State Legislator's Perspective," by Representative Warren Stambaugh, Virginia House of Delegates; and "Joint Action Committees," by Bruce Harrell, member of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind of California. The ACB Washington staff also provided excellent training in lobbying skills and concerning the issues to be addressed. The format consisted of one full day of training on lobbying skills and the issues, one extremely full day of lobbying activity, with each of the 75 participants visiting three to eight Congresspersons, and a half-day on state lobbying. Issues covered were Medicare and Medicaid funding for high technology items leading to employment, proposed tax credits for these items, the re-arming of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in light of Supreme Court action which has negated its effectiveness, and appropriations for the Randolph-Sheppard vending program and Title VII-C of the Rehabilitation Act, which would provide independent living services to older blind persons. Personally, this was my first ACB legislative seminar, but my second trip to Washington to lobby and take lobbying training. My first training was done by a professional organization having only this one specialization. The trainers, however, were not as competent as our own Washington staff. I report this because I feel that next year, there should be a lot of healthy competition among state affiliate members, with many new people wanting to attend. As well as providing an informational forum for Congresspersons, this seminar was a good myth killer. For example, one Senator's staff person was quite convinced that the Randolph-Sheppard vending program should be open to other disabilities besides blindness. When the ACB constituent left, his mind was changed. Unfortunately, there is always going to be confusion on the part of the general public between the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind. This confusion currently extends to many Congressional offices. Seventy­five persons all on Capitol Hill all at once, however, can usually straighten out such things much faster than one person can do in 75 days. The state lobbying training session was useful in that many people approach lobbying naturally with a defeatist attitude. They assume that their organization, or they, individually, cannot make an impact. They base this, perhaps, on a bad experience they have had in past lobbying attempts. This type of seminar tends to make people realize that they can make a difference. It makes them realize that if they "goofed up" their lobbying efforts in the past, it is probably because they did not play the game by the right rules. As the title of this article suggests, as well as addressing the glory and effectiveness of the legislative seminar concept, I feel it is important to recount some things that such seminars cannot do. They cannot take the place of hard work at home. Generally, the seminar participants who had the best luck were the ones who already knew the Congressperson or the aide before entering the office. In other words, they had already had frequent contact with their elected officials' Washington and local district offices. Legislative seminars cannot stand alone. People who never attend them still have to contact their elected officials on the issues. The Senate is a small enough body so that 75 people can make a significant impact. Seventy-five people, however, can hardly make a dent in the House. As has been implied, grassroots support is needed at all levels of government, but at the national level, it is probably needed the most in the House. House members represent a lot less people than do Senators, and if constituents talk, they usually really will listen. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller National Representative Mid-April was the income tax time for most Americans, but it was also the time for a beehive of activity in the ACB National Office, connected with two demonstrations conducted jointly by representatives of the Kurzweil Computer Products and Telesensory Systems, Inc., to show additional and imaginative uses of their equipment and that of other companies. The dozens of spectators who attended the demonstrations, conducted in the modest conference room of the ACB National Office, were treated to presentations as to how ink-print material can be converted into paperless braille or hard­copy braille, how paperless braille can be edited into corrected and formatted hard-copy braille, etc. The American Council of the Blind was pleased to lend its Kurzweil Reading Machine and to host the demonstrations, in furtherance of technological advancement in behalf of blind and visually impaired people. April was also an extremely busy month for ACB staff personnel, who testified before Congressional committees and commented on proposed Federal regulations. During the month, ACB personnel testified before Congressional committees in behalf of increased appropriations for the National Eye Institute and in behalf of a first-time appropriation for the establishment of new Randolph­Sheppard vending locations (pursuant to a statutory provision that has existed for a number of years, but has never been funded). ACB also submitted written testimony to a separate committee in support of the Randolph-Sheppard provision referred to above, and submitted analytical and instructive comments to the Justice Department regarding the prototype Section 504 regulations governing Federal programs. The period ended with, among other things, presentations by the National Representative before the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and the Sheltered Workshop Subcommittee of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. ACB again exhibited at the annual conference of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, and various staff members took part in seminars and workshops conducted as part of the PCEH meetings. During the period covered by this report, ACB personnel participated in the state conventions of the Badger Association of the Blind (Wisconsin), the New Hampshire Council of the Blind, and the ACB of Minnesota. Each convention had its highlights and unique features — such as an outstanding collection of exhibits at the Minnesota convention and an announcement during that convention by a representative of Northwestern Bell Telephone Company to the effect that the Northwestern Bell intends to establish a program under which handicapped people can borrow money at extremely low interest rates, or no interest at all, for the purchase of telephone-related equipment. We are sorry to report the illness of Steven Buckley, President of the New Hampshire Council of the Blind, and the recent death of its Vice President, Dennis Allen. Its hard-working Treasurer, Linda Metcalf, has been designated by its Board to serve as presiding officer until elections are conducted in the fall. Anyone who attends the upcoming ACB national convention in Philadelphia will have a perfect opportunity to comment on several sets of standards now being considered by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped. The standards, which relate to the organization and management of service-providing agencies, were drafted by committees several months ago and are now available for comment by the general public. During ACB National Convention Week, the National Accreditation Council plans to sponsor a continental breakfast meeting on Thursday, July 5, during which recommendations, criticisms, objections, and any other sort of input may be given. This breakfast is listed on this year's national convention preregistration form, so anyone who may be interested in taking part should register for the breakfast so materials can be ready for him or her. Obviously, the Philadelphia meeting will not be the only time when input can be given. The period for national comment on the proposed standards will not end until later in the summer. Again, this is an unparallelled opportunity for consumer input into accreditation standards. I am sorry to report that during April, Laura Oftedahl of the National Office was out of action for some time due to planned eye surgery, and that Scott Marshall was out of action for some time due to emergency surgery. However, both are now back at work and returning to full speed. ***** ** Experience the Blessings of Liberty: Attend the ACB 1984 Convention By John A. Horst Assistant Chairperson 1984 Convention Host Committee If you are a blind person or have limited vision, or if you are concerned about such persons, you cannot afford to miss the 1984 national convention of the American Council of the Blind. The dates are June 30-July 7. The place is the Philadelphia Centre Hotel, 1725 J. F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102; (215) 568-3300. The rates are $38 per night for single, double, or triple rooms. You now have your pre-registration packet. If you have not already responded, please do so immediately so that you will not miss out on the biggest and best ACB convention ever! If for some reason you have not received your packet, call the ACB National Office at 1-800-424-8666. When our forefathers met in convention in Philadelphia in 1787 to write the Constitution of the United States, they had much to say about "the blessings of liberty." They knew first-hand the bondage of tyranny, the restriction of ideas, and the lack of personal freedom. At the 1984 ACB convention, you can experience the freedom that comes from increased information and knowledge, new ideas, lasting friendships, and up-to-date technology. As a result, you will be better able to deal with prejudice and discrimination, and with those who would seek to control your thinking and limit your op­portunities. * Last-Minute Details 1. The Philadelphia Centre Hotel day begins at 5:00 A.M. If you check in before that time, you may be billed for the previous day. 2. Five tours are available during Convention Week. See your pre­registration packet for details. Tour reservations should be made as soon as possible, as space is limited on each and tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Don't miss a tour because all tickets are sold. 3. The Philadelphia Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will have information on Philadelphia available in braille and on cassette at their exhibit booth. This will include a street guide, public transportation data, and walking tour information of the city. 4. There will be a "Welcome to Philadelphia" party on Sunday evening, July 1, at 9:00 P.M. Several barbershop quartets will entertain. 5. The speaker at the luncheon on Monday, July 2, sponsored by the Council of Citizens with Low Vision (CCLV), will be Jack Kelly, brother of Grace Kelly. Mr. Kelly is active in the Special Olympics for the Disabled. This luncheon, like most activities of the special-interest organizations, is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Tickets can be purchased through your pre-registration form. 6. On Thursday morning, July 5, from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M., the National Accreditation Council (NAC) will host a continental breakfast/workshop at the ACB convention in order to provide an opportunity for members to have input into the current revision of NAC's management standards. This is particularly important to ACB since Section C-1-Policy and Administration, contains the standards on the rights of consumers. ACB First Vice President Dr. Otis Stephens will chair this workshop. If you are interested in attending the complimentary breakfast/workshop, please contact the NAC office at 79 Madison Avenue, Suite 1406, New York, NY 10016; (212) 683-8581, to order advance copies of the draft standards, which are available in print and braille and on cassette tape. There is a special reduced rate of $2.00 for the standards for those persons who participate in this workshop. 7. Are you a newcomer to the ACB convention, or do you have questions about convention activities? If so, be sure to attend one of the orientation workshops. They will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1. Check at the information desk for time and place. 8. During 1984 convention, ACB is hosting the first national workshop on diabetes and blindness, to which diabetics, service consumers, service providers, and the general public are invited. The workshop will take place on Sunday afternoon, July 1, and the program will include demonstrations of and information on the very latest medical equipment of importance to visually impaired diabetics (such as a talking glucometer which has not been officially introduced to the public as of the date of this writing); living a fuller life as a diabetic; and overcoming possible complications of diabetes. The moderator and program coordinator will be Mrs. Joyce Schultz of Minneapolis -- a registered nurse who is nationally recognized as an authority on diabetes and visual impairment. This workshop is listed on the pre-registration form, so anyone who is interested in attending should sign up for it so adequate seating arrangements can be made. 9. When you check in at the hotel, ask for a convention information sheet (available in print or braille) from the hotel registration desk. This sheet will give you important telephone numbers and other information. Scouts and other volunteers will be available to help you. The convention registration and information desks are located on the third level. Your program contains a description of the hotel. The special-interest organizations and the convention committee have their programs ready. The hotel, the Host Committee, and the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind are finalizing all arrangements. All that is necessary to make Convention Week a tremendous success is your participation. If you need additional information, contact the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, No. 5 Mezzanine, 1235 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 561-1079. ***** ** The Personal Computer Explosion: How to Enjoy the Benefits and Avoid the "Fallout" By Joseph E. Sullivan, President Duxbury Systems, Inc. (NOTE: The author is a leading international authority on development of systems for computerized braille production. More recently, he has been involved in development of ways to more successfully translate computerized braille into print. Mr. Sullivan serves as a consultant to many governmental and private agencies for the blind on five continents. He has also helped hundreds of individuals integrate the use of computerized braille systems in their work. In this non-technical article, he describes the positive impact which this has had in enabling blind people to perform their work more successfully. As a special service to Braille Forum readers, he is willing to offer additional counsel.) The enactment of Federal legislation to protect the civil rights of handicapped individuals signals new hope for the future. In employment, for example, there are stronger guarantees that discrimination solely on the basis of disability is much less likely to be a material factor, as long as the individual demonstrates that he or she can do the job at hand. The result is new employment opportunities for handicapped workers, including those who are functionally blind or partially sighted. However, these new opportunities must be accompanied by advances in training and technology which narrow the gap between blind and severely visually impaired workers and their visually unimpaired peers. The so-called "computer revolution" offers an outstanding example of how the gap has been narrowed between those who are fully sighted and those with major vision problems. Examples abound of how blind workers in a broad spectrum of occupations use personal computer software, coupled with the right hardware, to perform a variety of tasks on their own -- from accessing vast numbers of facts stored in computer memory banks to quickly locating a single name or address -- often using adaptive devices to retrieve information in braille, synthesized speech, or large print. The need for assistance has been either eliminated altogether or greatly diminished. This article will focus more on uses of computer software systems which either translate print into braille output or vice versa. Wonderful though these advances are, careful planning must precede purchase of any well­integrated set of equipment to serve as "tools" for getting the job done efficiently. You will be involved in making decisions about everything from the right microcomputer and keyboard to which software is needed to perform a variety of important tasks. You thus may wish to first talk with a consultant skilled in providing assistance with compatible units. Such a consultant can help in analyzing exactly what you want your system to do. This would include how to keep costs within budget, and how to handle writing, editing, and production demands, plus determining how much help from non-visually impaired co-workers may still be necessary. Duxbury Systems, Inc., has worked with many clients in this way. Our company specializes in software for reproduction of grade one and grade two braille, as well as the mathematical codes and English braille, in addition to braille software in selected foreign languages. Because our software is compatible with so many types of equipment, we remain in a position to counsel blind people before they invest heavily in what may not be the most ideal match in software and hardware. Considerable time and money may be saved en route to increased productivity. Perhaps some examples of how we have worked with individual clients will demonstrate what can be accomplished when professional counsel is coupled with informed consumer decisions about equipment. These examples focus on how computerized braille can be integrated along with other features. John Jackson, Braille Music Specialist, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. -- Mr. Jackson was faced with the problem of having to produce documents and reports, needing to edit them in braille first. He not only needs the computer capability of braille editing, but also requires being able to translate the information from braille into print for co-workers to read. He frequently works with a sighted secretary who does not know braille. The secretary uses Duxbury software, while sitting at a regular computer terminal keyboard. Under Mr. Jackson's guidance, the secretary can produce well-formatted documents, which may include tables. "I can use regular computer disks and have the information come out in braille," Mr. Jackson says. "This means I can also access material at the same time other sighted co-workers have it." He thus narrowed the gap between himself and users of ink-print. Maryanne Masterson, Consular Affairs Officer, U. S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. -- Miss Masterson is involved in processing complicated immigration cases, including resettlement in the United States of refugees from communist countries. She must have quick retrieval capability in order to review regulations on changing immigration policy, besides being able to enter new data on each case. Miss Masterson uses both braille and voice terminals, integrated with a microcomputer and appropriate software. We have helped her with general production and editing of documents she must prepare in dealing with U.S. embassies overseas and have made these tasks less time-consuming and more efficient. L.E. Apple, Doctoral Candidate, University of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina -- Mr. Apple uses a computer terminal at his home to connect with a braille-adapted terminal and printer at the University's computer center. He must prepare many lengthy papers and reports, also making use of a voice-output unit at home which helps with editing. The University also prepares examinations in braille for blind students, using Duxbury Systems software. Paul and Esther Evans, Volunteer Reproducers of text, Textbook Lessons in Braille for Blind School Children -- Mrs. Evans formerly used a regular braille writing machine in manually reproducing school materials for students unable to use ordinary ink-print. Her husband is a semi-retired Xerox Corporation physicist who already owned a microcomputer, an ordinary keyboard and CRT screen for editing, and a simple braille printer. He developed a system of continuous paper feeding for the printer instead of the page-by-page process which was much less efficient and very time­consuming. Duxbury software is also being used to translate print materials into braille. Mary Ballard, Editor, The Braille Forum, Rochester, New York -- Duxbury Systems is proud to have served as consultant in maintaining the mailing list for this magazine. This is a list of some 15,000 names, which continues to grow and change on an almost daily basis. With the use of appropriate software and a small computer, Ms. Ballard can update and retrieve single names or entire segments of her list. Besides regular alphabet and zip code retrieval capability, Ms. Ballard has easy access to subscriber information based on whether a reader receives the magazine in braille, large-print, flexible disc, or cassette. This article has focused on microcomputers and their use in individual work settings. However, our translator equipment also is used by major braille producers in North America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Duxbury not only offers translation systems for English-speaking countries, but systems for translating print into Spanish, Arabic, Afrikaans, and certain mathematical braille codes. But regardless of whether the user is an agency or an individual, it is important to first analyze the specific task requirements, seek experienced counseling before proceeding with equipment acquisition, and spend only what is absolutely necessary to do the job. I would be pleased to assist readers of The Braille Forum in solving these problems. Please address all inquiries to: Joseph E. Sullivan, President, Duxbury Systems, Inc., 77 Great Road, Acton, MA 01720; (617) 263-7761. ***** ** GSA Memo Kennels Dog Guides of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors By Barbara Nelson Staff Attorney Despite Federal law, state law, and GSA regulations to the contrary, the General Services Administration has issued a memorandum requiring dog guides of Randolph-Sheppard vendors and their blind employees on Federal property to be kennelled. The memorandum, issued on April 4, purports to give Federal building managers the authority to determine "whether a guide dog may be kennelled in a Randolph-Sheppard vending facility.'' According to the memorandum, the building manager can require that the dog guide be approved by the state licensing agency which administers the Randolph-Sheppard program in the state, that the dog guide be inoculated, and that it be kept in a kennel which it will require the state licensing agency to provide. Clearly, the GSA memorandum does not recognize that dog guides do not pose a health hazard even in food­service facilities. It does not acknowledge that it is a serious matter to exclude a blind person accompanied by a dog guide, or that in taking this action, GSA is impinging upon rights protected by Federal and state law. The decision about whether to exclude a dog guide should never be left to the unbridled discretion of building managers, nor should the unfounded fear of building managers be the basis for the conclusion that a dog guide should be kennelled or excluded from any part of a Federal building. In those rare instances where there is a legitimate fear about a hazard from the presence of a dog guide in a specific setting, decisions to limit the access of a blind person accompanied by a dog guide should be made carefully, and by knowledgeable people, should be based on verifiable facts, and should be surrounded with procedural safeguards to ensure that a blind person's right to be accompanied by his/her dog guide is protected to the maximum extent possible. GSA should follow the lead of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, which set out guidelines for the use of dog guides in hospital settings, (See "The Braille Forum," December 1982) based on the premise that blind persons must be permitted to use dog guides in all situations except where it can be clearly shown that the presence or use of a dog guide would pose significant, verifiable health risks. HHS has found that a blanket policy of excluding dog guides is discrimination on the basis of handicap, which violates Section 504. The American Council of the Blind is working to have this policy rescinded and will keep Braille Forum readers up-to-date on progress. ***** ** Laughter and Tears Can Be Good for You By Patricia A. Haddock (Reprinted from the Newsletter of the Texas Association of Retinitis Pigmentosa) No one knows why we feel better after a good cry. Scientists think that tears may help purge the body of chemicals released when we're under stress. But tears are good for us even when we aren't aware of them. Tears and blood are made up of much the same ingredients, except there are no red blood cells in tears. We produce two kinds of tears — basal, or protective tears, and reflex tears. The eyes automatically secrete about a thimbleful of basal tears each day. Reflex tears flow during emergencies or when a foreign object is in the eye. It's reflex tears we shed when chopping onions. Tears clean the eyes every time we blink by washing out foreign particles. They kill bacteria, bathe the cornea with water and nutrients, and provide a smooth, clear surface by continuously coating the eye with a layer of water. Tears are good for us. So is laughter. Laughter: • Works out the heart, lungs, diaphragm and liver. • Clears out the respiratory system. • Increases heart rate and circulation. • Flexes muscles in the face, arms, and legs. • Relieves boredom, depression, guilt, and tension. • Helps ease headaches and backaches. ***** ** New Library Guidelines and Standards By Chris M. Cook The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association, has completed its review and revision of existing guidelines and standards governing library services for the blind. The Library of Congress, through the National Library Service, Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, provides such services through its national network of libraries. As a member of ACB's West Virginia affiliate, the Mountain State Council of the Blind, I represented the American Council of the Blind on ASCLA's Advisory Committee, which met several times between December 1982 and October 1983. At the ACB National Convention in Phoenix last July, I outlined for those in attendance the Advisory Committee's activities and reviewed the initial drafts of standards. The final draft of the new library guidelines and standards for service to the blind and physically handicapped was accepted unchanged by the American Library Association at its mid-winter session in January 1984. The new standards will be published in July, and braille and cassette editions will be available in late fall from state libraries. These standards will be reviewed again in five years. Although significant changes in consumer participation in certain aspects of policy-making practices at the regional and state levels were strengthened, we, the users, can further our involvement in delivery of these services in the next five years by: (1) familiarizing ourselves with what are reasonable services as outlined by the standards; (2) participating on regional library policy-making committees; and (3) providing our libraries with useful criticism on delivery of services. Library programs touch more blind and visually impaired individuals than any other government effort. The quality of library service depends not only upon staffing, budget considerations, formatting, and floor space, but also on consumer interest and participation. ***** ** Accreditation of Guide Dog Schools: What's In It For You! By Phyllis Mitchell, Chairperson GDUI-NAC Committee For several years, Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) has, along with the American Council of the Blind and a number of its affiliates, been a sponsoring member of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC). Recently, GDUI has begun a campaign to convince guide dog schools to become accredited, because we believe that, through accreditation, these schools would benefit blind persons even more than they do at the present time. Many blind people, once they have made the decision to obtain a guide dog, experience a tremendous amount of frustration and confusion because there are many differences among the schools and it is hard to know which one to attend. GDUI believes that this confusion would be minimized, if not altogether eliminated, if there were specific minimum standards that guide dog schools were expected to achieve. GDUI believes, further, that this would be accomplished through accreditation. Let us examine some of the reasons. There would be clearer and better publicized standardization of services; e.g., in training of the dogs, in commands taught to students, and in followup services provided by the schools. There would be consumer advisory councils which would give guide dog users a vehicle through which to examine and comment upon existing policies. This would also afford them the opportunity to have input into new proposed policies of the schools as well. The bottom line is this: Guide Dog Users, Inc., believes that consistency of services and quality control would be achieved if guide dog schools became accredited. Through accreditation, guide dog users would have their greatest opportunity to influence the delivery of quality services. How do you feel about this? Do you believe guide dog schools should seek accreditation? If so, we need your help. Write to me (or bring your written comments to the ACB National Convention) and tell us how accreditation of the schools could benefit you, or write and simply express your support for accreditation of the schools. Write Phyllis Mitchell, Chairperson, GDUI-NAC Committee, 10 Kenmore Street, Apt. 1-201, Boston, MA 02215; or call (617) 267-0064. ***** ** Progress on Randolph-Sheppard Appropriation: An Update Report By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs As reported last month in The Braille Forum, the American Council of the Blind has asked Congress for a $5 million appropriation for the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facilities program, to be used to establish new vending locations. This appropriation request was given strong emphasis at ACB's recent national legislative seminar. Earlier in May, ACB testified before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies of the House Appropriations Committee and submitted testimony for the record before the same subcommittee in the Senate. Several influential members of the House of Representatives have also given heir support to the request. Representative Austin Murphy (D., PA). Chairman of the Subcom­mittee on Select Education, and Representative Carl Perkins (D., KY), Chairman of the full Education and Labor Committee, have communicated with members of the Appropriations Committee to urge inclusion of $5 million for the Randolph-Sheppard program in the appropriations bill. Representative Robert Young (D., MO) has also supported this effort by joining with Representative Murphy in a "Dear Colleague" letter to Appropriations Subcommittee members. Thus, momentum is building rapidly for inclusion of ACB's appropriation request in the Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill for F.Y. 1985. The bill does not as yet have a bill number. Subcommittee and committee action can be expected probably in early June. Accordingly, please stay in touch through the Washington Connection for up-to-the-minute details. If we are successful at the subcommittee and committee levels, the appropriations bill will then proceed to the House floor. Because of the short Congressional session this year, these steps may be telescoped into a matter of days. Therefore, we should be ready for prompt action when necessary. In addition, members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee should be contacted now to familiarize them with this issue and to let them know that their constituents are interested in funding for the Randolph­Sheppard program. Finally, notes of thanks should be sent to those members who have already supported us. Following is a list of Senate and House subcommittee members who are key on the Randolph-Sheppard appropriations issue: Write or send a mailgram to each member, addressed either to U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or to the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. The message is simple: Support a $5 million appropriation for the Randolph-Sheppard blind vending facilities program to establish new vending locations. Be sure to mention if you are a vendor and, further, indicate the need to expand this important employment program. If you are trained as a vendor, but no locations are currently available in your state, your letter will be particularly useful. Please send a copy of your letter to the ACB National Office. Your help is needed now! Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives: William Natcher (D., KY), Chairman; Neal Smith (D., IA), David Obey (D., WI), Edward Roybal (D., CA), Louis Stokes (D., OH), Joseph Early (D., MA), Bernard Dwyer (D., NJ), Steny Hoyer (D., MD), Silvio Conte (R., MA); George O'Brien (R., IL), Carl Pursell (R., MI), John Porter (R., IL), C.W. (Bill) Young (R., FL). Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, U.S. Senate: Lowell Weicker (R., CT), Chairman; Mark Hatfield (R., OR), Ted Stevens (R., AK), Warren Rudman (R., NH), Arlen Specter (R., PA), James McClure (R., ID), Pete Domenici (R., NM), William Proxmire (D., WI), Robert Byrd (D., WV), Ernest Hollings (D., SC), Thomas Eagleton (D., MO), Lawton Chiles (D., FL), Quentin Burdick (D., ND), Daniel Inouye (D., HI). ***** ** SSI Improvements Pending By Barbara Nelson Staff Attorney The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is administered by the Social Security Administration and provides income to nearly 79,000 low-income blind people in the United States. When it began in 1974, SSI was designed to provide a guaranteed level of income for elderly blind and disabled people. H.R. 5341, the SSI Equitable Improvements and Reform Amendments of 1984, would update the program and provide some additional protections for beneficiaries. First, the bill would raise the amount of resources (other than a home and a car) that a person could have and still be eligible for SSI. Since 1974, the countable resource limit has stood at $1500 for an individual and $2,250 for a couple, despite the fact that the Consumer Price Index has risen 120 percent during that period. H.R. 5341 would raise the resource limit to $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. The bill would also exclude emergency assistance and energy assistance provided by non-profit organizations from being counted as income and thus reducing the SSI check amount. It would not allow retroactive SSI and Social Security checks to be counted as resources that could cause an individual to become ineligible for benefits. In addition, this initiative would prohibit the Social Security Administration from reducing a recipient's SSI check by more than $10 per month or 10 percent to recoup an overpayment. Currently, the Social Security Administration sometimes stops checks entirely to collect overpayments. Because it is estimated that a large number of people — especially elderly women — who are eligible for benefits are not participating in the SSI program, H.R. 5341 would require the Social Security Administration to conduct an ongoing outreach program to ensure that there are no disincentives to applying for benefits. Also, the bill would relax the "one-third reduction rule." Under current practice, an SSI beneficiary who lives with another person sustains an automatic one-third reduction in his or her benefit amount, which is designed to reflect the value of the support that the beneficiary receives at no cost. This recognizes neither whether the beneficiary is contributing to the household nor whether the value of the support the beneficiary receives actually amounts to one-third of the benefit amount. H.R. 5341 would allow Social Security to look at the actual value of the support received by a beneficiary in determining whether the one-third reduction rule would apply. Hearings on this legislation were held on May 9 in the Subcommittee on Public Assistance of the House Ways and Means Committee. There has to date been no action in the Senate on this important piece of legislation. The Washington Connection will keep callers up-to-date on this initiative as they occur. However, grassroots support is necessary if the bill is to be passed in this session of Congress. ***** ** A Model School for Blind Children (Reprinted from UNESCO Braille Courier, Issue 23, December 1983. Published by the United Nationals Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.) Ten years ago, in the little town of Bargur in South India, a school for blind children opened its doors. Life is hard in this part of India. The majority of people are very poor, and for most of them life is a struggle for survival. There is no industry, farm land is scarce, and the crops are very often destroyed by droughts or floods. These conditions result in poverty, disease and malnutrition. There is a very high incidence of blindness in this part of India, especially among children. The parents of such children are helpless, and blindness constitutes an additional burden on the family. Assistance and advice are not available — on the contrary, blindness meets with superstition, prejudice, and fear. Perhaps the same situation would still exist today had it not been for a lady whose vision and determination brought some drastic changes. Near her home, she often saw parents taking their blind children to the local temple in order to seek miracle cures. One day, while visiting the temple, she suddenly became convinced that she should initiate some kind of assistance for these unfortunate people. She happened to meet a representative of an international organization, Christophel Blindenmission, based in the Federal Republic of Germany, and asked them for support. After a long series of talks and negotiations, in which she encouraged and stimulated other people in the community, plans were finalized for the establishment of a blind school, in close collaboration with the international agency. However, those responsible were determined not to create a conservative type of school. Academic knowledge alone would not be sufficient to equip all children to cope with adversity; they would have to learn many other skills to be able to stand on their own feet. Consequently, the leaders of the project decided to make Bargur a "school for life," and the normal curriculum for blind children was enlarged and enriched by a great variety of useful and practical projects. From the day of admission onwards, every student is helped to become independent. Naturally, the three "r's" are not neglected, so that the child learns to read and write in braille and do basic arithmetic. At the same time, a wide variety of daily living skills are taught, including very simple tasks such as dressing, cooking, laundering, ironing, sewing and knitting, but also mobility and orientation and a multitude of pre-vocational skills. Great efforts are made not to separate the children from their homes. Realizing that their parents are often more in need of help than the children themselves, regular home visits are paid by the school's social worker, and parents are frequently invited to visit the school. During the school holidays, all children must return to their homes, and the school also encourages weekend visits to families and friends who live in the vicinity of the school. The counseling service is extended even to blind people beyond school age, and it is planned to organize special handicraft courses for them in the near future. When the school opened in 1973, there were already 42 pupils, and by 1979, with the addition of another hostel and two more classrooms, their numbers had risen to almost a hundred. One of the biggest problems is the recruitment and training of good staff. The management committee decided against sending any of the teachers abroad, and instead initiated an in-service teacher-training programme at the school. For this purpose, an experienced German teacher of the blind was invited, and under her guidance almost twenty teachers were helped to become familiar with appropriate modern teaching methods. Residential schools often have disadvantages for children, and the Bargur committee has seen to it that these will be avoided in their school. Several visitors have commented on the atmosphere of joy and happiness which prevails there, which shows that even in these simple conditions, children can grow up to be happy young adults. ***** ** Calendar of Events This Calendar of Events is compiled by the ACB Public Affairs Director in the National Office to assist ACB affiliates and other organizations of and for the blind in publicizing their events. We need your meeting dates to maintain this popular service. Please contact Laura Oftedahl at 1-800-424-8666 as soon as your conventions are set. June 22-23 -- ACB of Nebraska State Convention - Lincoln June 24-28 -- AAWB/ AEVH Alliance International Conference - Nashville, Tennessee June 30-July 7 -- American Council of the Blind National Convention - Philadelphia August 3-4 -- Idaho Council of the Blind State convention - Idaho Falls August 7-11 -- Blinded Veterans Administration Annual Convention - Nashville August 11 -- Aloha Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention - Honolulu August 31-September 2 -- Tennessee Council of the Blind State Convention - Knoxville September 28-30 -- Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention - Hays October 5-7 -- Michigan Association of the Blind State Convention - Benton Harbor October 5-7 -- Illinois Council of the Blind State Convention - Chicago October 5-7 -- South Dakota Association for the Blind State Convention - Mitchell October 6-7 -- Washington Council of the Blind State Convention - Seattle October 19-21 -- ACB of Ohio State Convention - Columbus ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Blind musician Stevie Wonder received ten standing ovations during a recent visit to Harvard Law School, where he led 1200 students in a sing-along and urged them to help the poor, according to an Associated Press article. Wonder appeared as a guest of the Harvard Law School Forum. He is a graduate of the Michigan School for the Blind. From Discover 1984, the News Magazine of Science: Are El Greco figures elongated because of astigmatism? Was Van Gogh's vision harmed by digitalis? With paintings to examine, but no patients, doctors can only speculate. In the modern case of Terrence Billings, however, distortions on a canvas are firmly linked to a disease: macular degeneration. Billings, a doctor and artist, now retired in Maryland, painted pictures with his more afflicted right eye alone, and with both eyes, that show classic effects of the ailment. The 1984-85 edition of "Handicapped Funding Directory" contains information on more than 600 relevant corporations, foundations, government agencies and associations. Also included are guidelines on how to obtain a grant, addresses of state agencies, and a bibliography of grant funding publications. The book can be ordered for $18.95 from Research Grant Guides, P.O. Box 357, Oceanside, NY 11572. Alan Haines recorded 331 talking books during a 24-year span which ended with his sudden death in February. Mr. Haines came to the United States from England in 1950 as stage manager for a Broadway play. He started as narrator in the talking book studios of the American Foundation for the Blind in 1960. The first national conference of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) will be held July 27-29 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Washington Post reports that the Internal Revenue Service currently employs 150 blind and visually impaired taxpayer service representatives who use braille word processors to answer taxpayers' questions. According to the article, the IRS plans to assign electronic mailboxes to these staff members so that they can send and receive messages in braille. Visually impaired consumers will now be able to obtain brochures in large-print on a wide range of subjects from the Michigan Consumers Council, according to Aging in Michigan. The available brochures include: "How to Sue Someone in Small Claims Court," "What To do When You Can't Pay Your Bills," "How to Complain," "How to Review and Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment," "Complaint Referral Guide," and "How to Buy a Used Car." The large-print brochures are available at no charge from Michigan Consumers Council, 414 Hollister Building, Lansing, MI 48933. Zayre has announced the release of a new series of brochures to its employees, designed to help them assist Zayre customers who may have special needs, according to an item in Programs for the Handicapped. The brochures address the special shopping needs encountered by customers who are blind, deaf, or in wheelchairs, and offer special tips on how store employees can best assist the customers. The brochures are being distributed to over 25,000 Zayre employees in the 23 states in which the company does business. A limited quantity is also available to the general public and interested groups. Single copies of "Assisting Deaf Persons," "Assisting Blind Persons," and "Assisting Persons Who Use Wheelchairs" may be ordered without charge from Zayre Corporation, Consumer Services Department, Office of Consumer and Committee Affairs, Framingham, MA 01701. From Media Center for the Visually Impaired Newsletter (Michigan): The Oak Hill School for the Blind (Connecticut) has recently released a new film entitled "From Now On," which describes the school's group home program for severely and profoundly multihandicapped persons who have no self-preservation skills. The film is well suited to show to professionals in the field, as well as to community groups interested in starting a group home and to groups opposed to having group homes in their neighborhoods. "From Now On" may be obtained by contacting Catherine C. Eckert, Director of Public Information, Oak Hill School, 120 Holcomb Street, Hartford, CT 06112. From Maryland Computer Services Newsletter: Cassette tapes and computer disks with maps of the eastern United States, western United States, and all 50 states are now available for use with the Cranmer Modified Perkins Brailler (Perkie). These maps can be ordered by sending a check for $50 to Maryland Computer Services, Inc., 2010 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050. * * * Maryland Computer Services now offers accessibility to Juris and Westlaw legal databases and is working with Mead Data Central to include access to the popular and widely used Lexis database. The 1984 camping season at Camp Tuhsmeheta (Touch-Smell-Hear­Taste), located near Greenville, Michigan, has been announced from June 25 to August 4. A camping experience for visually impaired children, youth, and young adults is provided, including swimming, boating, camp craft, campouts, arts and crafts, dramatics, and fishing. One- and two-week sessions are available. For further information, write Camp Tuhsmeheta, Michigan School for the Blind, 715 W. Willow Street, Lansing, MI 48913. Austin D. Scott, Executive Director, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home on Sunday, April 22. Mr. Scott was Treasurer of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America and a member of the Board of Directors of National Industries for the Blind. The Betty Crocker Food and Nutrition Center now has available the fifth large-type edition of "Cooking with Betty Crocker Mixes." This book contains package directions and simple recipes for many Betty Crocker products, to help prepare delicious foods quickly and easily. To order one free copy, write: Cooking with Betty Crocker Mixes, Box 6, Department 885, General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55460. Initial steps in implementing the first national census of visually impaired infants, children, and youth in more than two decades were taken recently when a task force organized jointly by the National Society to Prevent Blindness and the American Foundation for the Blind met in Washington, D.C., according to Prevent Blindness News. Data collected in the survey will enable agencies to plan needed programs in education and prevention of blindness at the local, state, and national levels; to overhaul existing programs; to create new services as warranted; to determine educational, epidemologic and social research and assess needs for various kinds of professional and non­professional staff. Eighty percent of the 42 million people destined to lose their vision between now and the end of the century could be spared their sight if measures to controls four eye diseases are implemented worldwide, according to a report issued by Helen Keller International (HKI) in New York. The report, "Research Priorities for the Prevention of Blindness in Developing Countries," notes a backlog of 16 million cases in developing countries due to unoperated cataract, which is the most common cause of avoidable blindness throughout the world, including the United States. The National Committee, Arts for the Handicapped, has announced a new scholarship program, the Itzhak Perlman International Scholarship Competition. The program will award money to a handicapped youngster 10 to 21 years old to study the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. The young musician must currently be studying with a music instructor. The program is designed to identify and recognize a handicapped artist and give him/her career recognition and assistance. For further information and/or an application and guidelines when available, contact Sue Ohle, NCAH National Office, Education Office, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 20566. The Matilda Ziegler Magazine has announced the retirement of Frances E. Koestler and the appointment of Michael Mellor as editor, effective June 1, 1984. Mrs. Koestler took over the magazine's editorship in March 1978. She was the first woman to take charge of the magazine and was only the fourth editor in its more than 70 years of continuous publication. She is nationally known in the blindness field for her award­winning book, The Unseen Minority: a Social History of Blindness in the United States. Mr. Mellor, a native of Yorkshire, England, has spent the last eight years with the Publication and Information Services Department of the American Foundation for the Blind and has served as Executive Editor of the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. The newly re-opened National Theater in Washington, D.C., is believed to be the first theater to have built a special booth for volunteers who provide audio description for blind and partially sighted theater­goers. Funds for the booth and the audio equipment were provided by Information for the Partially Sighted, a comparatively new organization in suburban Maryland. The National Theater will have audio description every month at its first Sunday matinee and third Tuesday evening performances. ***** ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large-type, flexible disc (rpm 8 1/3), and cassette (ips 15/16). As a bimonthly supplement, the recorded and braille editions also include ALL-O-GRAMS, newsletter of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. Please send subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication (which may be submitted in print, braille, or tape) 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, 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/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. ###