The Braille Forum Vol. XXIV August 1985 No. 2 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 ** Notice to Subscribers The Braille Forum is available in braille, large-type, and cassette tape (15/16 ips). As a supplement, the braille and cassette editions also include ALL­O-GRAMS, newsletter of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to: The Braille Forum, 190 Lattimore Road, Rochester, NY 14620. Those much needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to LeRoy Saunders, Treasurer, American Council of the Blind, 1010 Vermont Ave., N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 2005. You may wish to remember a relative or a 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/her Last Will and Testament may do so by including a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the ACB National Office. Copyright 1985 American Council of the Blind ***** ** Contents Notice to Subscribers Song of Reunification, by Durward K. McDaniel Important Announcement from ACB President Grant Mack Looking Both Ways: ACB Conventions Then and Now, by Carla Franklin 24th Annual Convention, American Council of the Blind: Elections House "Uncovers" Playboy Funding -- Assails Right of Blind Persons to Read What We Choose, by Scott Marshall Aging and Blindness, by William J. (Bill) Ferrell Elderly, Handicapped Move with Grace in Modified Sculls Making Historic Sites More Enjoyable for Blind People, by Laura Oftedahl INSPIRE 85 -- An International Forum on Leisure, Arts Supreme Court Strikes Major Blow at Section 504, by Charles Hodge Dr. Mae Davidow Presented Annual Gimbel Award, by Leroy Price Back Issues of NLS-Produced Magazines Available Letters from Readers In Memoriam: Don R. Cameron In Memoriam: Duke Andrews High Tech Swap Shop Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon Calendar of Events ACB Officers and Directors ACB Board of Publications ***** ** Song of Reunification By Durward K. McDaniel Second Vice President American Council of the Blind I am indebted to my dear friend, Leonie Jenkins, for the title used for this writing, and I will say more about it. ACB President Grant Mack invited me to write this column this month, just after the largest-ever convention of the American Council of the Blind. I welcome this opportunity to observe some of the significant contrasts and trends which need to be better understood in this organized blind movement. This ACB charter member is, of course, immensely pleased with ACB's momentum and with the knowledge that it is clearly the largest, fastest-growing organization of blind and visually impaired persons in this country. It is natural that I would reflect at such a time, going back to the 7th of July 24 years ago, when we decided to form the American Council of the Blind. It was the next summer that 200 of us met at St. Louis for our first convention. Gradually over those early years, fifteen old and numerous new state organizations joined ACB, followed by an impressive number of national special-interest organizations, and then still more older state organizations. Our more recent progress is well-known by all. The year 1961 marked the end of an era -- one which had earlier held such great promise for the organized blind movement and for the improved well-being of blind and visually impaired people in this county. Much of that promise has been restored by and through ACB. However, we know that so many people then and since have dropped out of the organized movement, and we need and want them back. The history of that troubled; divisive era, when published, will relate the facts, the issues, and much about the people -- the architects of the schism and our insurgent resistance. George Card had spent the year campaigning for the voting strength to preserve there being a single organization of the blind. His and our efforts would have succeeded in 1961 if all of the affiliated organizations could have voted, but six of them could not vote because they had been arbitrarily suspended the year before. But for the suspensions, we would have had a decisive majority of the votes. I write from a mixed perspective: one of personal satisfaction and pride in ACB's accomplishments, and of great confidence and optimism for its future and increasing worth; another of regret for the lack of the strength we could have had together -- individuals and organizations; still another of exhilaration and expectation inspired by the continuing trend of other organizations joining ACB (the Hawaii Association of the Blind having just joined), and by that remarkable major event, the merger of the American Council of the Blind of California and the California Council of the Blind, which has been agreed on and which will be completed by their joint convention in November. These California organizations are leading the way for reunification, and they believe it is in their best interest and that of all blind people. It was this California merger which inspired Leonie Jenkins to write her poem, "Song of Reunification," and to set it to music. It was performed twice at the ACB convention by John di Francesco and part of the chorus he directs. You will be hearing it across this country, and I hope everyone in and outside of ACB receives and acts upon its message. It is not my purpose to renew old arguments or old contests. I perceive a latent but growing conviction for unity. I am impressed with some words from Ecclesiastes: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven." Let this be the season for unification. Will you join in this purpose? ***** ** Important Announcement from ACB President Grant Mack The American Council of the Blind is on the move in more ways than one! In addition to constant and dramatic increase in membership in recent years, plus an ever-widening circle of influence in blindness-related matters, it has now become advisable to make a physical move of the National Office in Washington, D.C. On August 1, the ACB National Office will move to 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. Still in the downtown Washington area, the new space is only a few short blocks from the present location. More space and lower rental cost are two very welcome advantages of the new location. We apologize for any inconvenience or interruption of service occasioned by this move, but we feel confident you will understand. Thank you for your patience. Please plan to stop by on your next trip to Washington. Remember, this is your office, and you are always welcome. ***** ** Looking Both Ways: ACB Conventions Then and Now By Carla Franklin ACB Convention Coordinator * The Past 1965 -- Louisville, Kentucky -- Fourth Annual ACB Convention -- Attracted a small, but enthusiastic crowd from east, west, north, and south. The banquet and one tour were the major events. Only general sessions were held; no special-interest organizations had yet been organized. 1973 -- Knoxville, Tennessee -- 12th Annual ACB Convention -- ACB fills the Knoxville Hyatt. Highlights include several tours, the banquet, and general sessions. A few special-interest affiliates had begun to organize. 1978 -- Salt Lake City, Utah -- 17th Annual ACB Convention -- Somewhat smaller than its immediate predecessor in Miami, this convention gave the sparse western membership the chance to participate in ACB close to home. A more modern look -- the scheduling included RSVA dance, numerous tours, and special-interest meetings and activities at the beginning of the week. 1980 -- Louisville, Kentucky -- 19th Annual Convention-Conventioners filled the 20-story, modern Galt House and overflowed to another hotel. A week filled with activities -- CCLV wine and cheese party, special­interest group luncheons, ACB-sponsored seminars. Registration opened on Sunday; the exhibit area contained 25 booths. 1983 -- Phoenix, Arizona -- 22nd Annual Convention -- Attendance nearly doubled since the Salt Lake City convention five years before. Convention statistics: nearly 550 rooms; 40 booths. Registration opens on Saturday; FIA Performing Arts Showcase, a Tuesday night tradition; VISTA fitness seminar leads the way to expanded special-interest programming. * The Present 1985 -- Las Vegas, Nevada -- 24th Annual Convention -- The convention doubles again -- this time in two years. Statistics: over 1100 rooms; nearly 3000 attendees; 48 exhibit booths. Six breakfasts, eight luncheons, two banquets, three wine and cheese parties, four receptions, one dance, and five tours -- just a sampling of the many events held this year. * Las Vegas Highlights Sunday, July 7, to Tuesday, July 9 — ACB and its special-interest organizations and affiliates pack each day with workshops, seminars, and interesting speakers. Topics range from microcomputers (VIDPI) to diabetes and blindness (ACB); from fundraising ideas (ACB) to hair care (VISTA); from vendor training (RSV A) to good nutrition for your dog (GDUI). FIA offers the first hands-on art workshop in convention history, and the ACB first-timers meeting gives new convention-goers the chance to get acquainted with the system. Wednesday, July 10 -- The ACB keynote session opens with a roll call of a record number of affiliates. Two new groups -- the Hawaii Association of the Blind and the ACB Radio Amateurs -- are seated. Sheik Abdullah M. Al Ghanim, President of the World Blind Union, gives an outstanding address on the welfare of the blind throughout the world and outlines how the blind of America can help those less fortunate than we who live in developing countries. The session closes with the awarding of 17 scholarships to outstanding blind students from across the United States -- a fitting conclusion to an inspiring morning. Wednesday, July 10 -- A convention "first": ACB holds a seminar especially for those who have recently experienced a loss of vision. Well attended, well received, this will surely become a regular feature of the convention schedule. 1985 Thank-Yous: Thanks to the 1985 Host Committee for the many sleepless nights and hours of hard work that made this convention possible. One cannot express the gratitude due the small, dedicated group of people who gave completely of themselves to make this convention enjoyable for you. A Thank-You to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Casino: It wasn't just another convention, another account. A big thanks to the hotel staff, from the front desk to the restaurants and Housekeeping for a job well done. And thanks especially to the sales and convention staff for their unparalleled interest in the American Council of the Blind that made this convention smooth sailing. Finally, if you weren't there, how can I tell you of the tremendous volunteer effort in Las Vegas? Conventioners were met at the airport during the three major arrival days; upon leaving, they were once again assisted at the airport by volunteers. It wasn't even necessary to learn your way around the hotel: a volunteer was always close by to take you to restaurants, meeting rooms, casino ... Volunteers walked dogs, took ACBers shopping, ran errands, made hospital calls -- and much, much more. Fifteen hundred-plus volunteers were recruited from among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; countless others (more than 500) donated an unbelievable number of hours after learning of the convention through a public service announcement taped by Dave Krause, Chairman of the 1985 Host Committee, and aired on all TV stations in the Las Vegas area. And many more found out about the convention as the week progressed and came to the hotel to see if they could help. What an unprecedented effort by a city of 600,000 that wants to make its guests feel at home! * The Future Now it's time to look ahead to 1986. The convention will move east, to the Tennessee Mountains and Knoxville. Tennessee doesn't offer casinos, but the lure of the Smokies will draw you like a magnet. In 1973, ACB met in the Knoxville Hyatt. In 1986 we will celebrate our silver anniversary and will require three hotels -- all luxurious, all modern, all conveniently located around the World's Fair site. This time around, ACB will fill the Hyatt, the Hilton, and the Holiday Inn. All hotels will be inter-connected by a continuous convention shuttle system. Convention dates are June 28 to July 5, 1986, and room rates are $32.00 per day, singles, doubles, triples, quads. The 1987 convention will be hosted by the California Council of the Blind at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton, Los Angeles, California. Convention dates are July 11-18, 1987, and room rates are $38.00 singles, $40.00 doubles, triples, quads. ***** ** 24th Annual Convention, American Council of the Blind: Elections In accordance with the Constitution of the American Council of the Blind, five officers were elected at the 1985 annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, to serve for a two-year term. Re-elected were: President, Grant Mack, Salt Lake City, Utah; First Vice President, Otis Stephens, Knox­ville, Tennessee; Second Vice Presi­dent, Durward K. McDaniel, Austin, Texas; Secretary, Karen Perzentka, Madison, Wisconsin. Because he had served his three-term limit, ACB Treasurer James Olsen was not eligible for re-election. Elected to his first two-year term as Treasurer was LeRoy Saunders, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Convention elected Dick Seifert of Little Rock, Arkansas, to serve the remaining one year of Mr. Saunders' unexpired term on the A CB Board of Directors. Carol McCarl of Salem, Oregon, was elected to a one-year unexpired term on the ACB Board of Publications, left vacant by the untimely death of Don R. Cameron. ***** ** House "Uncovers" Playboy Funding -- Assails Right of Blind Persons To Read What We Choose By Scott Marshall Director of Governmental Affairs The scene was the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, July 18, 1985. The pending business before the House was the Legislative Branch appropriations bill for F.Y. 1986, which funds the many activities of Congress, including the Library of Congress. To observers in the House gallery, all seemed to be rather routine as members of the House offered and then passed various amendments to Congress's own funding bill. Some of the amendments stuck to the very essence of the way Congress does its business; e.g., whether the Congressional franking privilege should be limited, and whether elevator operators should continue to be employed to operate the Capitol's automatic elevators. What was not expected on that Thursday afternoon was an amendment offered by Representative Chalmers Wylie (R., OH) which effectively bans the braille edition of Playboy magazine from the list of 36 periodicals produced in braille by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Representative Wylie had unsuccessfully attempted to pass a similar amendment in 1981. "Making material of literary merit and value available to the blind, I think, is a laudatory and valid purpose. But I do not feel that Playboy meets those standards, and I do not think that the public should be left with the impression that the Federal Government sanctions the promotion of sex-oriented magazines like Playboy," said Representative Wylie from the House floor. In another statement quoted by The Washington Post in its July 19 issue, Wylie said that Playboy "assails traditional moral values." "I believe that promoting the reading of Playboy in this way does lead to undesirable activities." In a strong statement in opposition to Wylie's amendment, Representative Vic Fazio (D., CA), Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, pointed out that the issue was one of censorship; that blind persons themselves had requested inclusion of Playboy in the National Library Service program; and that Playboy contains much literary material, including interviews with notables such as former President Jimmy Carter, Jerry Falwell, Barry Goldwater, and Bill Buckley. Fazio further reminded his colleagues that the cost of producing the braille edition of Playboy is approximately $98,000, "not a lot of money in a (Legislative Branch) budget of $4.3 billion. This amendment is obviously offered for symbolic purposes." "l certainly hope," Fazio said, "that the members will be mature about this and really reflect on the diversity of American life, and that the same diversity exists in the community of the handicapped and blind. I think we ought not to intrude. I do not think we ought to become the censors. I do not think we ought to make a decision which should be best left to the people who utilize the service." The Wylie amendment passed on a roll-call vote of 216 members in favor and 193 opposed. Reaction was swift. In a statement released by the Librarian of Congress, Daniel Boorstin, Mr. Boors tin said that he views the House's attempt to censor the NLS program with "profound regret." He also noted the broader issue of censorship. "The next step might be to deny funds to the Library of Congress for the purchase of books which the House deemed inappropriate, subversive, or unacceptable to the majority of the House. Censorship has no place in a free society." Boorstin also stated that Playboy is one of the more popular titles in the NLS braille magazine program; that the magazine had been in the program since 1970; that it was selected for braille transcription at the request of blind readers. ACB Membership Resolutions 81-04 and 81-23, passed at the St. Louis convention in 1981, clearly state the vigorous opposition of the American Council of the Blind to any censorship in the production of material in braille or recorded form. Given this mandate, ACB has contacted other interested organizations such as the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom, Playboy Enterprises, and the Association of American Publishers to seek their support in preventing a similar amendment from being offered or passed in the Senate. What can you do? Contact your Senators immediately. Tell them that the right of blind persons to read what we choose should remain inviolate. Let your Senators know how important the NLS program is as a source of reading material, and let them know how you feel about any attempt to censor the kinds of materials to which you have access in braille or recorded form. Letters should also be sent to members of the Legislative Branch Sub­committee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Since we do not know at this time (July 20) when the Subcommittee will take up the Legislative Branch appropriations bill, stay in close contact through the Washington Connection for late-breaking details. Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch are as follows: Alfonse D'Amato (R., NY), Chairman; Mark Hatfield (R., OR), Ted Stevens (R., AK), Dale Bumpers (D., AR), and Tom Harkins (D., IA). Address letters to your Senators as follows: U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510; telephone (202) 224-3121, or call Senators at their local offices. Since many of the House Subcommittee members may also be members of a joint House/Senate Conference Committee on the Legislative Branch appropriations bill, letters should also be sent to the following House members: Vic Fazio (D., CA), Chairman; David Obey (D., WI), Bill Alexander (D., AR), John Murtha (D., PA), Bob Traxler (D., Ml), Lindy Boggs (D., LA), Jerry Lewis (R., CA), Silvio Conte (R., MA), John Myers (R., IN), John Edward Porter (R., IL). Special thanks is also in order to Representative Vic Fazio and to Representatives Parren Mitchell (D., MD), Dante Fascell (D., FL), and Jerry Lewis (R., CA), who all spoke in opposition to the Wylie amendment on the House floor. Mail should be addressed to: U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515; telephone (202) 225-3121, or call members' local district offices. ***** ** Aging and Blindness By William J. (Bill) Ferrell (Note: Bill Ferrell retired to Merritt Island, Florida, in 1977 from Tennessee, where he had served as Director of Services for the Blind. Currently he is Second Vice President of the Florida Council of the Blind. He is a member of the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Rehabilitation Association, and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. He attended the 1981 White House Conference on Aging as a National Observer from Florida and as a representative of the American Council of the Blind. The following article is based upon an address which he delivered at the 1984 Annual Convention of the Florida Council of the Blind.) The topic of aging and blindness has for too long received far too little attention in the blindness system. Scott, in his book, The Making of Blind Men, defines the "blindness system" as the more than 800 public and private agencies and organizations of and for the blind across the country which purport to serve blind persons. During the past fifteen years, more attention has been given to the processes, problems, and adjustments to aging and blindness than there was in the previous 150 years. In the late 1960's, the American Foundation for the Blind, realizing the seriousness of the problem, developed a policy statement entitled "Aging and Visual Loss," which states: It is generally agreed that in today's society, the older population is a victim of social neglect. A good portion of that population is visually impaired. Some have been blind since birth; others are newly blinded; and still others are confronted with a gradual visual decline which interferes with their ability to function independently. An agency for the blind must work in concert with all other community agencies toward improving the life pattern for senior citizens. Special to agencies for the blind is the obligation to assume an advocacy role and make certain that groups within the community are fully aware of the unique needs of people who are blind. To the community's total effort, the specialized agency contributes special services needed to facilitate the blind person's use of the general resources available. Hence, we see the needs of the aged blind not only encompass the services of the public and private agencies for the blind, but the entire complex of all services in the community for all other older persons. Today we are living in an aging society, yet a society which is oriented to youth culture. In the '70s, the general population increased at a rate of 4 percent, while at the same time the older population -- that is, those over 65 -- increased at a rate of more than 9 percent. There is no accurate census of the blind, but it is conservatively estimated that there are more than a half-million legally blind persons in this country today. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of the legally blind are 65 or older. Thus, there are more than a quarter-million aged legally blind persons. In addition to the legally blind aged persons, there are 1.7 million functionally blind persons, more than half of whom are 65 or older. (Functionally blind means unable to read a newspaper.) When you combine these two groups, you can see we have a large number of older blind persons to serve. While more and more people grow older and older, we center more and more attention on the youth of the land. For example, hundreds of thousands of people fill the football stadiums to see young men defend the goal behind them and push forward toward the goal in front of them. We train young men in the science of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. We think of youth as being strong, vigorous, and alert. At the same time, we think of the "old" person as dull, senile, uninteresting, incompetent, and debilitated. Need I remind you of the attitudes toward the blind, much less the older blind? Neither age nor blindness per se determines ability or inability of a person. Another important factor is the attitude of the older person. Traditionally, 65 is the age of retirement from work. Many persons not only retire from work, but they also retire from social interaction, community activities, and from participation in family activities. They blame others for many things which they fail to recognize as their own fault. Thus, the negative attitudes of society and the aged blind become "double negatives" and compound the complex issues. Let me digress here just a moment. Unfortunately, the attitudes of many practitioners in the field are also negative toward the blind, especially the aged blind. What are the problems of the aged blind? The problems of the older blind are about the same as those of all older persons. Blindness makes it more difficult to cope with the problems. Persons who have been blind all or most of their lives do not have to adjust to blindness as they grow old. However, when we look at the principal causes of blindness -- glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes -- we find that most of these conditions occur in later life. As people grow old, and at the same time experience a decline in vision, they find it difficult to accept the "autumn" of life. Social planners for the geriatric population are often short-sighted and prejudiced. They see the older person as one who has little time left, and they fail to provide such services as low-vision aids, mobility training, and recreational activities. We believe that every elderly blind person should have an opportunity to maximize his or her potential, whatever it may be, to the fullest extent possible. What are the needs of the older blind? The needs of the older blind include: 1. Mobility training. This may include the use of the long cane, the use of a human guide, or the use of other devices to meet individual needs. In some instances, special transportation may need to be arranged through volunteers and other means. 2. Housing. Housing may become a problem after the loss of a spouse or when one has to move to a new location. The use of handrails and the elimination of barriers may be needed. 3. Health care. Regular physical examinations, with special attention to loss of hearing, visual problems, and the use of low-vision aids where residual vision exists. Medicare and Medicaid help, but do not meet all needs. 4. Socialization. The older blind often become isolated, and special attention should be given to helping them become more integrated into full participation in community life. 5. Self-care. The older blind should be provided training in personal skills of daily living — housekeeping skills, shopping, nutrition, home maintenance, and whatever else may be needed for independent living. 6. Employment. The older blind who desire should be given the opportunity to work either full-time or part-time. The knowledge and experience of the older blind should be utilized by employers as an excellent source of manpower. 7. Income maintenance. Older blind persons are often in the low­income group. Many receive some type of financial assistance which is not enough to meet their needs. Blindness often requires the purchase of special services. Attention should be given to providing adequate income for all older blind to meet their needs. 8. Supportive services. The older blind person should be made aware of the many services available to him or her and to his or her family, such as legal services, mental health care, meals on wheels, etc. How well are services to the older blind being met? We are seeing programs, but services to the older blind are still spotty and certainly are not uniform across the country. The American Foundation for the Blind has stimulated interest in the older blind through its many conferences on aging and blindness during the past several years and has contributed much toward the development of new programs. Public agencies in the blindness system generally provide only limited services to the older blind. Most metropolitan areas have some type of private agency services, but many serve only small numbers of elderly blind. Dade County, Florida, for instance, developed some cooperative programs, but it is my understanding that each was limited to serving only 20 older blind persons, which, of course, failed to meet the needs of many of the elderly population in the area. Although we have come a long way during the past 15 or 20 years in the development of services to older blind persons, we yet have a longer way to go. I propose the following ideas and programs and "ways and means" to help meet the needs of the aging blind: 1. Greater cooperation between, and better coordination of, services of the Administration on Aging and the Division for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Rehabilitation Services Administration, on the Federal level with the same being filtered down to the state and local levels. 2. Development of programs which include the aging blind in each of the approximately 6,000 senior citizen centers now in operation throughout the country. 3. The Congress should appropriate adequate funds to carry out the intent of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1978, which authorizes services to elder blind persons without regard to vocational potential. 4. Both joint and cross in-service training for personnel in the field of blindness and in the field of aging on how to work with the geriatric blind. 5. The use of mobile teams to "carry" services to the older blind, especially the rural blind. The team should consist of a minimum of a rehabilitation teacher, a mobility specialist, and a medical social worker. An ophthalmologist or optometrist and a psychologist should be retained for consultation as needed. 6. An adequate transportation system such as "Dial-a-Ride" through the use of taxi cabs should be developed for the elderly blind. The process of aging, as we have discussed, brings about many problems. Blindness compounds these problems, but not beyond solution. The geriatric blind can and should be provided the services necessary to make them self-sufficient, self-sustaining, contributing members of society. To achieve this, you and I, as well as all persons working in the blindness system, will have to take the responsibility to see that it comes about. ***** ** Elderly, Handicapped Move with Grace in Modified Sculls (Reprinted from AARP News Bulletin, November 1984) The slender boat resembled a graceful waterbug as it slid in smooth bursts down the placid Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. And as she easily pulled a pair of oars through the water, Dorothy Driscoll said, "I feel so free out here. Rowing opens up a whole new dimension of life for me." Rowing may be considered the province of strong-hacked college men, but Dorothy Driscoll is 60 years old ... and she's a quadriplegic. She knows, and more and more older persons are finding out, that rowing can be surprisingly easy, as well as therapeutic. "Rowing can be a rewarding exercise for most anyone," Driscoll noted, "because you can use whatever muscles you have use of." Driscoll, a biophysicist at Thomas Jefferson University, has to have her hands taped to the oars, but she can make her "scull" glide with the best of them. She is in no danger of tipping over because her scull is balanced by pontoons on either side of the craft. Those safety-producing floats, as well as the concept of rowing for the elderly, evolved from several handicapped rowing programs around the country. The Freedom on the River program at the University of Michigan, originally spearheaded by Doug Herland, is perhaps the best known in handicapped circles. The U.S. Rowing Association (USRA), headquartered in Philadelphia, has a similar effort -- in fact, it was that group which first sought out Dorothy Driscoll four years ago. And in Oak Ridge, Tenn., 78-year-old Chris Keim is chairman of the Rowing for the Handicapped Committee, which recently branched out to include elderly participants. Keim credits development of the pontoon-buoyed scull with keeping him going in rowing. "The actual scull is only 12 to 15 inches wide, and balance is critical," Keim said. "I wanted one of the pontoon boats so I could row year-round without fear of tipping over in icy water. But they're obviously ideal for the handicapped, too." Which is why his committee has seen its effort grow to include 50 persons since its inception in 1981, and why he believes the elderly participation will soon increase. "We've already had the local senior center and the Federal Retired Employees Association contact us about participating," he said happily. "We've had a lot of community support." Interest is growing around the country, according to Leo Riley of the USRA. "We've had numerous inquiries from a variety of cities," he said, "and we've put on a number of demonstrations and participated in quite a few regattas." Riley could serve as the greatest single inspiration for rowing to anyone less than physically robust. "I am blind, I have diabetes, which caused me to have a leg amputated below the knee, and I've had four kidney operations," he said matter-of-factly. "But you couldn't keep me or the others off the water -- we're fighters." As is Driscoll, who with her sister co-captained the 1946 Radcliff College rowing team, one of the few female competitive units in existence at that time. "I loved it," she said, "but after a neck injury left me a quadriplegic, it never occurred to me I might row again -- and now look." It never occurred to Tom Komar he would do much of anything, much less row, after a car accident in 1980 left him paralyzed except for minimum movement of his arms. But that was before Komar, now 26, picked up some literature on Freedom on the River and contacted Doug Herland at Michigan. Now he's a prime mover in the program at Ann Arbor, where some 30 handicapped persons are very active in rowing, and he's hard at work developing a rowing project for the entire community called Rowing in the Mainstream. "At first I was very hopeful and somewhat skeptical," Komar said of his own introduction to rowing. "But when I found I could do this on my own, the feeling was unbelievable." Sort of like skimming along like a waterbug. ***** ** Making Historic Sites More Enjoyable for Blind People By Laura Oftedahl Director of Public Affairs The National Trust for Historic Preservation has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to conduct a series of workshops dealing with accessibility for disabled people. The American Council of the Blind is pleased to be involved in the project, which will entail six regional workshops over the next six months. An ACB representative will participate in each workshop and will present practical ways to make visits to historic properties more worthwhile for blind and low-vision people. The sessions, which will focus on both programmatic and architectural access, will be conducted at the following National Trust properties: Woodlawn Plantation, Mt. Vernon, VA; Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA; Drayton Hall, Charleston, SC; Shadows-on-the-Teche, New Iberia, LA; Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park, IL; and Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, NY. Site managers from nearby properties will participate in the two-day sessions. The workshops are designed to instruct historic site managers on how to evaluate the current level of accessibility and to identify ways to expand the accessibility of their programs and physical sites. The emphasis will be on integrating disabled visitors into existing programs. ***** ** INSPIRE 85 An International Forum on Leisure, Arts ... INSPIRE 85 -- An International Festival and Forum on Leisure, Sports, and Cultural Arts, will be held September 17-21 on the Capitol Mall in Washington, D.C. First Lady Nancy Reagan is the Honorary Chairperson, and Senator Robert J. Dole is Chairman of the National Advisory Board planning the program. INSPIRE 85 is being sponsored by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped along with Government agencies, private companies, and groups representing the disability community. It will feature demonstrations, exhibits, and a wide variety of festive activities focusing public attention on the many gains disabled people have made in the home, in the community, and in the workplace. Included will be races, aquatic events, blind skiing, wheelchair basketball, bike hikes, equestrian events, camping demonstrations, and stage performances by both disabled. and non-disabled celebrities. Workshops will include demonstrations by professional artists in the area of music, drama, dance, and the visual arts. Exhibits will include displays of adaptive sports equipment and clothing, an adapted playground for disabled children, and an adapted home featuring special equipment as well as sewing and cooking demonstrations. An international forum will take place at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel on September 17-19 preceding the festival. The forum will focus attention on the attitudinal, architectural, transportation, and communications barriers which confront disabled people. The program will feature state-of-the-art presentations and a public hearing at which individuals representing disability organizations will testify. Recommendations resulting from the two-day forum will be transmitted to the White House, Congress, and state officials. For more information, contact PCEH/INSPIRE 85 at Health and Human Services, North Building, No. 4220, Washington, DC 20201; (202) 245-9186. ***** ** Supreme Court Strikes Major Blow at Section 504 By Charles Hodge On June 28, 1985, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of Atascadero State Hospital vs. Scanlon. The case was commenced in 1979 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California under Section 504. of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by a visually impaired diabetic graduate student who alleged that the hospital had denied him a job as an assistant recreational therapist solely because of his disabling condition. Scanlon's claim had originally been dismissed on erroneous grounds by the lower Federal court, and after an earlier successful appeal to the Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit had ruled that ScanIon's court complaint did state a valid claim under Section 504, which should be tried in full by the district court. The State Hospital, however, persuaded the Supreme Court to hear and decide its appeal. Mr. Justice Powell announced the five-to-four decision of the High Court, holding that the hospital, as a subdivision of the California state government, was immune under the 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution from all claims against it under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act brought in. the Federal courts. The majority opinion went on to explain that if Congress desired to abrogate the traditional sovereign immunity of the states, it must demonstrate its intent through express wording in the statute itself; and in Title V of the Rehabilitation Act, as originally enacted or in its subsequent amendments, Congress had not expressly evidenced its intent to strip the states of their 11th Amendment immunity. Thus, the Supreme Court held that the Federal courts have no jurisdiction at all to entertain Section 504 claims against state governments or their subdivisions. In dissent, Mr. Justice Brennan analyzes at great length the debates on Federal court jurisdiction over the states which occurred in the ratification of the United States Constitution during the late 1780's. The dissent argues cogently that the immunity of the states should be strictly limited to those situations where the states would have had immunity in their own courts, and not to a situation such as the instant one where a legitimate powers of Congress. The dissent also argues strongly that the state, by participating in and accepting funds under a wide-ranging Federal program of assistance, knew full well the conditions -- including the anti-discrimination provisions -- which attached to such participation, and thus had consented and subjected itself to the Federal requirements and had waived its 11th Amendment immunity. The dissenting arguments, however, did not carry the day, and we, as consumer advocates, are confronted with a Supreme Court decision which exempts from judicial remedies under Section 504 a major chunk of the universe of recipients of Federal financial assistance. A large percentage of Federal financial assistance goes directly to the states and their subdivisions. With this major portion of the universe of recipients being exempted by the Atascadero decision from effective remedies for violation of the anti­discrimination provisions, Section 504 enforcement efforts may well be effectively gutted. In order to overcome these devastating effects of the Atascadero decision, we must, as part of the process which is currently under way in Congress to reauthorize the Rehabilitation Act, seek amending language which will unequivocally express in the statute itself Congress's intent to make the states subject to the same responsibilities and judicial remedies as all other recipients of Federal funds under Section 504. ***** ** Dr. Mae Davidow Presented Annual Gimbel Award By Leroy Price Dr. Mae Davidow, President of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, nationally respected educator who has devoted her life to aiding the visually impaired, received the distinguished Gimbel Award during ceremonies on May 7 at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel. The Gimbel Award is presented annually to an outstanding woman in the Delaware Valley who has excelled in her field and who is recognized as a contributor of outstanding service to humanity. Mae Davidow graduated from the Overbrook School for the Blind. She received a Master and Doctorate from Temple University. Returning to the Overbrook School for the Blind, Dr. Davidow remained on the teaching staff for 35 years until her retirement. Dr. Davidow currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Overbrook School for the Blind, the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, and the Board of the U.S. Association for Blind Athletes. Dr. Davidow has received many awards for her accomplishments, including the George Card Award from the American Council of the Blind in 1984. The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind is indeed proud of Dr. Mae Davidow. ***** ** Back Issues of NLS-Produced Magazines Available "After Indira, Can India Hold Together?" -- U.S. News and World Report, Nov. 12, 1984 "Find a Municipal Bond Tailored for You" -- Changing Times, November 1984 "A Taster's Tour of California Wineries" -- Money, June 1983 "Parents in Nursing Homes: A New Burden for Kids?" -- Good Housekeeping, March 1983 These titles are a sampling of the broad range of articles available in back issues of magazines maintained by the NLS network. In addition to being a source of information on timely subjects, back issues can help a potential subscriber to determine whether a particular magazine is of interest. Network libraries can help readers find articles on a particular subject. Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, which is a subject and author index to a broad range of general-interest magazines, is available at most public libraries. It can also provide readers with information about articles on specific topics. When a needed back issue of a magazine has been identified, a reader can request it through his or her cooperating library. Unlike current subscription magazines, these copies must be returned to maintain the collection of back issues. Back issues will arrive in containers similar to those in which books are packaged. As with books, these magazines can be returned by reversing the address card. For more information on back issues, contact your cooperating network library. ***** ** Letters from Readers RE: "A Consumer's Perspective on the Rehabilitation System," by Brian Charlson, The Braille Forum, July 1985 * Dear Mr. Charlson: I was extremely disappointed to see the testimony you gave before the United States Congress, House Select Committee on Education, on June 11, 1985. Your statements were in poor taste and were not well taken by this agency. ... Brian, I was also personally disappointed in you. You and I served almost six years together on the Board of the Oregon Commission for the Blind, and during that time you never once made me or any of the other Commissioners aware of the alleged problems you were having with the system. If you had some constructive criticism to make, the time to do it was when you were in a position to effectuate a positive change. I am sure you realize that it would have been better to light one positive candle of change rather than stand before the United States Congress and curse the darkness. Your comments regarding the agency were not well taken. I was also disappointed to learn that The Braille Forum was publishing a transcript of your testimony. I feel that their action in doing this without giving us an opportunity to respond is irresponsible at best. As you know, the Oregon Commission for the Blind is one of the best agencies of its kind in the country. We pride ourselves on being responsive to our consumers' needs and on being in the forefront of positive change for the visually handicapped. Your thoughtless comments may set us back a good deal in our attempts to effectuate upward mobility for the blind of Oregon . ... -- Leonard D. DuBoff, Chairman, Oregon Commission for the Blind, Portland, OR * Dear ACB Members: The American Council of the Blind has for many years enjoyed a stature of reasoned, deliberate, and progressive advocacy. ACB has always approached a situation from the perspective of an involved partner and in this fashion achieved a degree of cooperation that has well served the organizational goals. So inherent is this approach of the Council that it has often been praised for its inclusiveness. While the strategies of the Council and the Federation may differ in some respects, it is clear that both organizations have achieved real successes on behalf of their members and other blind people. But for the purposes of this letter, I am addressing a potential strategic shift on the part of the Council as evidenced by ACB's written testimony on Rehabilitation Act reauthorization. I further beg to assume, for reasons of space, that you are already familiar with the testimony and that I need only to address the larger issues of implication. I speak of the recent testimony by ACB wherein erroneous conclusions could be drawn adversely affecting the effort, value, and work of those who serve the blind. Although it is unnecessary to engage in point-by­point discussion, I would suggest that A CB take the time necessary to research and discuss the points to be offered with potentially affected parties so as to ensure accuracy and constructive criticism. I have sent this letter because of my long years of association with ACB and my knowledge of the many caring, active, and professional workers in this agency and others who know there are problems with the system, but can and do make it work. Let us move to the future with a view of perfecting an imperfect system as partners in human and societal growth. We can point out each other's faults, but that yields no fruit unless we are joined in each other's accomplishments and dreams of a nation in which all blind people -- indeed, all people -- are free to live and work in the knowledge of our own interdependence and common humanity. -- Charles H. Crawford, Commissioner, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Human Services; Commission for the Blind, Boston, MA. ***** ** In Memoriam: Don R. Cameron Don R. Cameron, a leader of Florida's blind population, and respected nationwide, died of natural causes on Wednesday, July 10, 1985, while attending the 24th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind in Las Vegas, Nevada. Don, who had been blind since the age of 18, had been a vending facility operator in Florida from September of 1942 until his retirement in December 1978. He opened the first blind vending facility in Florida. With assistance from the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, he organized the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Florida in September of 1973 until the time of his death. He was a charter member of Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and served on its Board of Directors until 1983. Don was also a charter member of the American Council of the Blind and at the time of his death was an elected member of the ACB Board of Publications. He was a charter member of the Florida Council of the Blind, serving on its Board of Directors for several years, including the presidency from 1977 to 1979. At the time of his death, he was editor of that organization's newsletter, The White Cane Bulletin. He was active in the University of South Florida's WUSF Radio Reading Service and served as Chairman of its Advisory Committee. Don's accomplishments were many. Among the awards and honors he received were: Florida Council of the Blind Henry P. Johnson Award (1975); Sunshine State Association for the Blind Award for Outstanding Blind Person in Florida (1977); Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America Vendor of the Year (1978); Durward K. McDaniel Award for Outstanding Service to the vendors in Florida and throughout the nation, presented by Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Florida (1978); Florida Council of the Blind President's Award (1978); Sunshine State Association for the Blind Award for Leadership in Government (1980); Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped Award for outstanding and meritorious service to blind Floridians (1981). Don was a man of many talents and many strengths. One of his greatest was his ability to effectively present the concerns and needs of his blind peers to all who might listen -- from local service organizations to the Florida Legislature. The effects of his lobbying in Tallahassee will long be recognized by Florida's blind. Don will be missed by his many friends, who are filled with respect, love, and wonderful memories of this enthusiastic and dynamic man. -- Paul Verner, President, Randolph­Sheppard Vendors of America. I first met Don Cameron several years ago, but to my regret did not come to know him until I assumed the post of Chair of the ACB Board of Publications. Prior to that time, I had only known Don as a great bear of a man with a hearty, ready laugh and an easy, engaging manner. After I became Chair, it was my pleasure to work closely with Don on publications matters. I soon came to rely on his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the organized blind movement and of the founding of the American Council of the Blind. Possibly as much as anyone, Don Cameron cared about the American Council of the Blind and the egalitarian principles that it represents -- though he probably would not have used the word egalitarian: Part of his grace was his simplicity of style. And, as much as anyone, he felt a need for continuity between the past and the future. He reveled in the company of 19- and 20-year-old members as much as he relished the companionship of his peers. One of his most ardently sought projects was a comprehensive history of ACB, a project that I discussed with him just a few days prior to his final heart attack. Above most things, Don loved fishing and those stories. I remember one snowy, quiet late afternoon in Rochester, New York, when Don regaled Chris Gray and me for a couple of hours with mirthful and intriguing stories about ACB, his own career, and his beloved wife and daughter. Don had come to Las Vegas especially to attend the Board of Publications meeting. He told me only a doctor could keep him away. And it was Don who cast the deciding vote in this year's Ned Freeman Award. It is the contributions of a person to his family and community which cause him to live on, and Don Cameron will be with us for many years to come. -- Vernon Henley, Chair, ACB Board of Publications. ***** ** In Memoriam: Duke Andrews 1910-1985 Duke Andrews, First Vice President of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, died April 8, 1985, following a brief illness. He was 75. Mr. Andrews joined the organized blind movement in Pennsylvania in 1937, very soon after the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind (now the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind) was formed. The last living charter member of the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind, he served on its Board of Directors for over 30 years, although he was never president. Duke Andrews was born January 21, 1910, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was blinded in 1935 as a result of a mishap in a boxing match. Businessman, entertainer, and poet, he became known for his courageous way of living, for his efforts in behalf of various charities, and for his dedication to improving the lives of blind people. Following the accident which forced him to abandon his job as a steel-worker, he learned to play the violin, and then added both the guitar and piano to his musical skills. Music became his livelihood, playing mostly the drums. He and his wife owned and operated the Duke Andrews Music Store. For over 39 years he was leader of the 11-piece Duke Andrews Orchestra and Band, which toured ballrooms and clubs throughout western Pennsylvania. "Choose to travel toward a goodly deed, not a corrupted greed," he wrote in a poem extolling the virtues of the Lions Club, an organization which he served with fervor. Another poem of which he was particularly proud dealt with his personal experience in the famous Johnstown Flood. He was one of the founders and served on the Board of Directors of the Beacon Lodge Camp for the Blind. In October 1960, the Cambria County Medical Society bestowed its prestigious Benjamin Rush Award on Mr. Andrews. The bronze medal was presented to him in recognition of his efforts to help disabled people obtain training for self-employment. He and his wife Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 1983. Duke Andrews is certain to be present in spirit as well as in the minds and thoughts of those attending the 50th annual convention of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind this October. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * FOR SALE: P2C VersaBraille -- Being sold under service agreement. Price: $4,500.00. Contact Barbara Mattson, 309 Highland Court Apartments, 144 W. Henry Street, Spartanburg, SC 29301. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Julius Ton, an engineering professor at the University of Florida's Center for Information Research, is involved with the development of a computerized mobility device for blind persons, according to The White Cane Bulletin (Florida Council of the Blind). The device consists of a small camera to be hung around the neck, a small computer to identify the images seen by the camera, and a voice converter to give verbal descriptions to the user through earphones. Ton and two graduate students are currently working with a lab model of the device. The 80th anniversary of the Maine Center for the Blind was celebrated in June with an open house, including tours, demonstrations, exhibits, and a formal program. With a budget of approximately $1 million, the Center last year served 711 clients in a workshop, residence/rehabilitation center, community service program, and low-vision clinic. The Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision announces the availability for fall 1986 of six graduate research assistantships to persons interested in the field of rehabilitation research in the field of blindness and low vision. For further information, write Research Director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, P.O. Drawer 5365, Mississippi State, MS 39762. From the Los Angeles Times: From a bird's-eye view, the clay model of a home created by sculptor Michael A. Naranjo for a California developer's Indian Springs Estates bears an uncanny resemblance to a legendary Hopi flute player -- hence its name, Kokopeli. When built, the 80,000-square-foot modern-day adobe residence, designed by the noted Tewa Indian artist, will occupy a choice four acres in the rugged, scenic region of buttes and rock canyons above Chatsworth, California. The uniqueness of Kokopeli residences is the uniqueness of its designer, who lost the sight of both eyes and the use of his right hand during the Vietnam War. A recipient of the Purple Heart, Naranjo has been honored by Presidents and received by Pope John Paul Il for his rare accomplishments as a sculptor. Naranjo loves to design houses, he says. "Basically, it's like creating sculpture on a grand scale. When one is blind, the home environment becomes the focal point. So often, houses are not the way I like them, so I set about creating them in my mind." The new Sharp ZX-330 daisy­wheel large-print typewriter is now available at a cost of $575.00, according to the CCLV Newsletter. It has the capability to produce various type sizes and styles, including Orator 14-point print. It can make letters bold and will even underline simultaneously as letters print. This typewriter can also be programmed for formatted printing, justification, etc. Contact your local Sharp dealer for further details. Camp Wapanacki, a program of the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind, is pleased to announce two new fall recreation events for adults: September 13-16 -- Canoe Weekend; October 11-14 -- Quebec City vacation trip to Canada. After last winter's successful season, plans are also under way for a full schedule of cross-country and downhill skiing for adults, children, and families. For a detailed schedule of events, fees, information, and travel arrangements, contact Kris and Joe Ingram, Camp Wapanacki, Hardwick, VT 05843; (802) 472-6612. "Carrier Alert" is a program being sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service. A "Carrier Alert" sticker is placed inside the mailbox of participants in the program. If the mailman notices that mail has not been picked up, he notifies the agency coordinating the service. The agency then investigates the situation. If this service is not available in your community, you may want to interest some local service agency to initiate such a program. The OPTA-GUIDE is a device to enable one to write on a line, place checkmarks or numbers in the appropriate box or location, etc., easily and accurately. Cost, $9.50. Order from Ann Morris, OPTA-GUIDE, 26 Horseshoe Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. The National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC) announces that its 1985 annual meeting will be held December 13-15 at the Little Rock Excelsior Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas. The meeting of the corporate membership will be held Saturday, December 14, followed by a reception and banquet. NAC's Board of Directors will meet on Sunday, December 15. These meetings are open to the public. For nearly two years, there has been an extraordinary effort under way -- involving a school for the blind, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and big business -- to train and place blind and visually impaired workers in meaningful jobs. The collective endeavor is known as the Perkins Projects with Industry (PWI). The project began when the Perkins School for the Blind was awarded a three-year Federal grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. The grant was designed to allow Perkins to work closely with three major New England businesses -- AT&T Communications, New England Telephone, and Wang Laboratories. Hundreds of different jobs have thus far been identified within dozens of New England companies as being adaptable to blind and visually impaired persons. PWI clients, for example, have been trained and placed as repair assemblers, lawyers, customer service representatives, programmers, telemarketing specialists, collection clerks, claims investigators, and many more. Six new merchandise catalogs on tone-indexed cassette are now available from Playback Marketing. Catalog No. 6 consists of general merchandise in 25 categories. Each of the other five catalogs focuses in depth on specific categories: 1. Jewelry, trinket boxes, personal items. 2. For kitchen, table, and special entertaining. 3. Collectibles and display accessories. 4. Alert devices, audio, auto accessories, and tools. 5. Toys. Price for the four­track format is $1.25 per cassette, or $6.00 for the set of six; two-track format, $2.25 per cassette, or $12.00 for the set of six. Order from Playback Marketing, 1308 Evergreen Avenue, Goldsboro, NC 27530; (919) 736-0939. The Office of Disabled Student Services at California State University-Northridge will hold a conference, "Computer Technology and Persons with Disabilities," October 17-19 in the University Student Union. The conference is expected to draw about 50 presenters, 60 exhibitors, and 1,000 participants. The latest in hardware, software, adaptive devices, and training programs will be presented and on display. For more information, contact Dr. Harry J. Murphy, Conference Coordinator, Office of Disabled Student Services, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330; (818) 885-2578. What Can We Do About Limited Vision, by Irving R. Dickman, is an informative booklet available from Public Affairs Pamphlets, 381 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Single copies are $1.00 each; multiple copies are available at quantity discounts. The publication deals with visual acuity versus visual efficiency, the right not to be blind, low vision clinics and low vision aids, where to get help, etc. It is intended as an introduction to the topic of limited vision. The Council of Citizens with Low Vision, ACB affiliate, is listed as an organizational resource. Cooking by Touch, a large-print cookbook written by visually impaired patients at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco, is available for $11.50. It contains over 100 basic recipes and helpful hints. Order from: Laguna Honda Hospital Volunteers, 375 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94116. The 1985-86 Resource Directory published by HEATH (Higher Education and the Handicapped) is now available through both single-copy orders and bulk shipment requests. This useful directory provides a variety of information pertaining to handicapped students in postsecondary education. Sections cover specific disabilities as well as technology, architectural and program accessibility, independent living, employment, legal resources, toll-free phone numbers, career preparation, and other directories. Order the HEATH Re­source Directory from HEATH, One Dupont Circle, Suite 670, Washington, DC 20036. Breaking New Ground, a newsletter for farmers with physical disabilities, is available from: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Vision Loss: Focus on Feelings is a new 16 1/2-minute color film available for sale or rent from Oracle Film and Video, 230 1/2 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291. In this film, six people with different types of eye problems discuss their common fears and concerns. Through expression of feelings, reliance on their inner strengths, and support of others, they show how they have faced their vision loss and have found a new sense of values. ***** ** Calendar of Events This Calendar of Events is prepared by the Public Affairs Director in the National Office of the American Council of the Blind to assist ACB affiliates as well as national organizations of and for the blind in publicizing their events. We need your conference dates to maintain this popular service. Please contact Laura Oftedahl at 1-800-424-8666 as soon as your meetings are set. August 23-25 - Michigan Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention - East Lansing August 30-September 1 - Tennessee Council of the Blind State Convention - Memphis September 20-22 - Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention - Arlington, VA September 27-29 - Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired State Convention - Topeka September 27-29 - Pennsylvania Council of the Blind State Convention - Harrisburg September 28-29 - Mountain State Council of the Blind State Convention - Harpers Ferry, WV October 4-6 - Oklahoma Council of the Blind State Convention - Oklahoma City October 4-6 - South Dakota Association for the Blind State Convention - Aberdeen October 11-13 - Missouri Council of the Blind State Convention - St. Joseph October 18-20 - ACB of New York State Convention - Hauppage (Long Island) October 18-20 - ACB of Ohio State Convention - Columbus October 18-20 - Oregon Council of the Blind State Convention - Portland October 19 - Rhode Island Regional Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Fall Convention - Providence October 25-26 - ACB of Minnesota State Convention - Minneapolis ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors * 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: LeRoy Saunders Box 24020 Oklahoma City, OK 73124 Delbert K. Aman, 423 S. Lincoln, Apt. 5, Aberdeen, SD 57401 Robert Campbell, 253 Stonewall Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 Brian Charlson, 14 Riverside Street, Apt. 1-2, Watertown, MA 02172 Adrian DeBlaey, 912 N. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213 Carla Franklin, 148 N. Vernon Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206 Charles Hodge, 1131 S. Forest Drive, Arlington, VA 22204 Patricia Price, 337 S. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46201 M.J. Schmitt, 528 Des Plaines Avenue, Apt. 2-A, Forest Park, IL 60130 Dick Seifert, 1023 Scott Street, No. F, Little Rock, AR 72202 Paul Verner, 7505 Robindale Road, Tampa, FL 33619 ** ACB Board of Publications Vernon Henley, Chairman, 513 E. Hughbert, Norman, OK 73071 Christopher Gray, 2700 Del Medio Court, Apt. 123, Mountain View, CA 94040 Billie Jean Hill, 987 E. Northside Drive, Apt. 11-1D, Jackson, MS 39206 Deborah Kendrick, 9652 Gertrude Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45231 Carol McCarl, 735 21st Place, N.W., Salem, OR 97304 ###