The Braille Forum Vol. XXV January-February 1987 No. 4 Published Monthly by the American Council of the Blind Mary T. Ballard, Editor ***** Promoting Independence and Effective Participation in Society * National Office: Oral O. Miller 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 1-800-424-8666 * Editorial Office The Braille Forum: Mary T. Ballard 190 Lattimore Road Rochester, NY 14620 (716) 442-3131 THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large-type, and cassette tape (15/16 ips). 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 Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the continuing work of the American Council of the Blind. The ACB National Office has available special printed cards to acknowledge to loved ones contributions made in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the American Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will and Testament may do so by including a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may wish to contact the ACB National Office. For the latest legislative and governmental news, call the Washington Connection at 202-393-3664. Available 24 hours a day. ***** ** Contents President's Message, by Grant Mack What Happened to the "Reform" in Tax Reform?, by Kathleen Megivern News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller Prospecting for Gold in California -- ACB Convention 1987 Notice Concerning Applications for and Renewals of ACB Membership-at-Large LWG Spells "Working Together," by Robert R. Humphreys Rehab Regulations in the Works Lions Gallery Features "Leonardo da Vinci: The Inventions," by Janet Wallans Research on Substitute Eyesight The 100th Congress: Some Interesting Changes, by Kathleen Megivern CPR: We Can Do It! -- How About You?, by Jean Mann Deborah Kendrick, Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Howe Press Announces Enhancements for Perkins Brailler Scholarship Fund to Aid Blind Law School Students Artworks Sought for International Show by Disabled Artists High Tech Swap Shop In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Hoover Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon ACB Officers ***** ** President's Message By Grant Mack Meet Guillermo and Maria Garcia, a bright, ambitious, and somewhat unusual couple from Toluca, Mexico. In the early '70s, Maria, an Olympic class runner in high school, came to the attention of Clarence Robinson, the Brigham Young University track coach. In 1975 she was recruited on an athletic scholarship to attend that university. During the next four years, she distinguished herself in many ways: all-WAC (Western Athletic Conference) track star, captain of the track team, and all-around good student. The language barrier was difficult to overcome, but she managed. Today she speaks quite good English, laced with a delightful Spanish accent which only adds to her charm. Her winning smile, vivaciousness, and friendly nature resulted in many close, warm, and long-lasting friendships in Utah and the intermountain area. After graduation, Maria returned to Mexico, went to work, and subsequently married her high-school sweetheart, Guillermo Garcia. Recognizing the importance and value of an education, both of them worked hard to get Guillermo through college. He distinguished himself as an outstanding student and graduated with honors this past spring. This laudable achievement merits even greater accolades than normal because Guillermo is blind. The scope of the achievement is even more impressive when one considers the many difficulties encountered in a country like Mexico, which has so many attitudinal, physical, and economic barriers. Guillermo knew that with the proper education and training, blind people can do almost anything. He was aware of the fact that in the United States there are blind teachers, secretaries, lawyers, data processors, and computer programmers. Yes, there are successful businessmen, medical doctors, and salesmen. In fact, you will find successful blind people in any occupation or profession -- except perhaps cab, bus and truck drivers and airplane pilots. This young blind Mexican citizen wanted desperately to help other blind people in his country. He wanted to elevate their expectations and to help them realize their potential. To better prepare himself to do this, he desired to further his training by obtaining an advanced degree in special education. With this additional background, he felt he could become a real force for good in his native land. Grants-in-aid for foreign students of Guillermo's caliber are available in many U.S. graduate schools. Unfortunately, however, Guillermo does not speak English well enough to be admitted. Special English-language study programs to prepare students lacking English speaking skills are available in many universities. Brigham Young University has a special crash course of this type. An accelerated program concentrated into one semester will prepare foreign students with the proper language skills. The big problem, however, is that grants-in-aid are not available for this course. The $2,500 minimum requirement for all costs during the single semester seemed like an insurmountable barrier to Guillermo and Maria. Even though both had been working while Guillermo finished school, low wages and devastating inflationary forces made it impossible for them to accumulate any savings. Maria Lopez of Los Angeles, President of the International Friendly Circle of the Blind, the newest special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind learned about Guillermo and Maria and their dilemma. She was responsible for bringing this problem to the attention of some of Maria's old friends in Utah. As a result, the necessary money for tuition and living expenses has been acquired. Maria's old roommate in college has sent two airline tickets to the Garcias, which will bring them to Salt Lake City for a January 2 arrival. The University has accepted Guillermo's application, and the necessary steps have been taken for him to begin classes on January 5, 1987. To some, this may appear to be a story with a happy ending. To Guillermo and Maria, however, it is only the beginning. It is the opening of a door to an opportunity which they feared would never be realized. Their excitement and gratitude is ample reward to those who made it possible. The big payoff, however, will be realized by future generations of blind Mexicans who will benefit from Guillermo's influence. ***** ** What Happened to the "Reform" in Tax Reform? By Kathleen Megivern I am sure you are all aware by now that Congress has passed and the President has signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Unfortunately, this "reform and simplification" of our Tax Code is already creating nightmares for many taxpayers and creating a bonanza for a lot of accounting firms and other so-called "experts" who, for a hefty fee, will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the new law. In fact, as we neared the end of 1986, everyone from auto salesmen to professional associations had suggestions for how to "beat the system." Some of the schemes have already backfired. For instance, many organizations were offering multiple-year memberships on the premise that you could deduct two, three, or even five years worth of dues on your 1986 taxes, while the Tax Code still treated such deductions a bit more generously (many magazines offered the same sort of deal for multiple­year subscriptions). Unfortunately, the Internal Revenue Service doesn't think that multiple-year subscriptions or memberships are such a good deal. They have ruled that only one year's worth -- that is, the 1987 payment only-will be deductible on your 1986 taxes. Last-minute maneuvering aside, what will be the effect of this new law? Lower tax rates, which have been loudly trumpeted by the bill's supporters, will, unfortunately, be offset for most people by the severe limitation on deductions. Taxpayers who are blind and/or over age 65 will lose the extra personal exemption which has been a part of the Internal Revenue Code. This loss supposedly will be offset by a standard deduction of $750 for blind or elderly taxpayers who are single; $600 for a married person. However, since it is a standard deduction, it will be available only to people who do not itemize. Speaking of non-itemizers, those taxpayers who do not itemize deductions will no longer be able to claim any deduction for charitable contributions. This change in the law is expected to have serious impact on fund-raising for non-profit organizations. While in the best of all possible worlds it sounds fine to say that charitable contributions should be made out of the kindness of one's heart rather than out of a motivation to save taxes, the reality is that most contributors need that added incentive called deductibility. Another provision which could create hardship for some disabled or chronically ill people is the increase in the "floor" for itemized medical deductions. The new law says that unreimbursed medical expenses must be in excess of 7.5 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. This is up from 5 percent. Probably the change which will hit the greatest number of taxpayers where it really hurts (in their credit cards!) is the loss of the deduction for consumer interest. This deduction is phased out over the next five years, with 65 percent of such interest remaining deductible for 1987. Tax-exempt IRA's (individual retirement accounts) are retained for taxpayers who have no other retirement plan, but are phased out for employees who are in a retirement plan. Individuals who are not eligible to make deductible IRA contributions for a taxable year may, of course, continue to make non-deductible contributions. Many employees of non-profit organizations currently have tax­sheltered annuities, and these tax- exempt retirement plans remain allowable, although the annual limit on how much can be set aside is lowered considerably to a maximum of $9,500. To use the appropriate "lingo," what is the bottom line on all this? For the vast majority of low- to middle-income Americans, their tax liability will remain pretty much the same. As is often the case, the rich will benefit most, while only a limited number of very low-income persons will be removed from the tax rolls entirely. One bright note about the Tax Reform Act: The law included the long-overdue extension of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) for employers who hire disabled and other certain categories of employees. Since the TJTC had expired on December 31, 1985, its extension was made retroactive to that date. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller National Representative How often have we as blind people, when faced by a mountain of important printed material, lamented the fact that we do not have a small, efficient, versatile, reliable, and inexpensive reading machine that would not get tired or become bored? I have -- more times than I can count -- and I'll bet you have, too. I have never believed in creating false hope, and I do not want this paragraph to create such hope. However, there might be a tiny bit of light around a few more turns and at the end of the reading tunnel. Recently it was my pleasure to confer for several hours with a marketing specialist who represents a corporation that is "testing the waters" by obtaining information concerning the features and characteristics which such a machine should and should not have. The representative was not at liberty to disclose the name of his client, and your guess is as good as mine as to who the client may be. Was it merely coincidental that several weeks earlier the National Office received a low­key inquiry from the trade commission of a technologically sophisticated country concerning the subject of reading machines for the blind? Further commendations to Justin Dart, Jr., the new Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, for his unparalleled efforts to obtain input from consumers and service providers alike regarding the content of regulations that are to be issued pursuant to the recently enacted Rehabilitation Reauthorization Act! During November and December 1986, he traveled the length and breadth of the United States to conduct forums during which interested parties were given an opportunity to provide input. At the same time, he initiated a series of teleconferences involving as many as 25 advocates each, to elicit input on specific subjects, such as supported employment, eligibility or employability, fair hearings, etc. It has been my pleasure to attend one of the forums as well as another similar meeting, and to take part in the teleconferences. Many members of the American Council of the Blind around the country participated in the regional forums and reported very favorably on the treatment they received and the wide range of topics covered. Obviously, the regulations cannot please everyone and cannot incorporate all the suggestions received, but the efforts made by Mr. Dart underscore his determination to do the best job possible within the Federal/state rehabilitation framework. During November, Laura Oftedahl, ACB's Director of Public Affairs, took part in the outstanding state convention of the California Council of the Blind. The excellent attendance, the quality of the program, and the care with which the convention was planned and executed were just a hint of the outstanding national convention we expect to have in Los Angeles next July. Recently Laura Oftedahl also visited the prestigious Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, to provide input on the delicate issue of accurate testing and making standardized tests reasonably accessible to handicapped people. Practical difficulties are encountered by test planners and administrators in determining whether accommodations made may unduly affect the outcome. During November, it was my pleasure to attend some of the sessions of the fall conference of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB). I was pleased by the time and effort devoted by one NCSAB committee to some of the very current and difficult problems faced by most state business enterprise programs -- matters such as continued participation in the Randolph­Sheppard program by small states, the policies of large Federal departments concerning the Randolph-Sheppard program, the progress made or lacking in the implementation of the Surface Transportation Act, and the hopefully stronger position of the U.S. Department of Education in the Randolph-Sheppard program. This important employment program has changed considerably over the fifty years of its existence, and it is encouraging that state administrators realize it must continue to change if it is to survive as a significant source of employment for blind and visually impaired people. It is possible that people who have called the ACB National Office in recent months may have been greeted by pleasant voices that were previously unfamiliar. That is because we are making greater use of volunteer assistance than ever before. At this time, I would like to briefly profile one of those volunteers. If you have spoken to a very friendly and cheerful young woman with a delightful English accent, you were speaking to Mrs. Valerie Morris, who, with her husband, will be in this country for at least two years during his tour of duty as an executive with the British Telecommunications Company. Before coming into the ACB National Office, she had never had any significant experience in the field of blindness. But she has "taken to it like a duck takes to water!" We have been extremely pleased with the assistance she has given in a very busy office. I regret to announce the resignation from ACB employment of Laura Oftedahl, our Director of Public Affairs since 1981. Laura has assisted thousands of ACB members and non­members alike who have called the National Office, and the impact of the work she has done in the field of public information and public education has been enormous. For the past six months, she has hosted and produced "ACB Reports" and appeared in the outstanding public service announcement now being shown on TV stations throughout the country. We wish her well as she accepts a newly created position with Ski for Light, Inc. ***** ** Prospecting for Gold in California -- ACB Convention 1987 When the '49ers learned that there was gold on the American River in California, hundreds of thousands of courageous pioneers rushed across the great expanse of this nation — some by wagon, others by ship around South America, and still others through the jungles of Central America and the Isthmus of Panama. It took an average of nine months to reach the gold fields of California then. Today, in 1987, it will take members and friends of the American Council of the Blind but a few hours to traverse this great nation to Los Angeles, site of the largest meeting of blind people ever held in the history of the United States. This event is the 26th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind, to be held July 11-18 at the ultramodern, 17-story, three-year-old Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel. The hotel is but five minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport, and there is free transportation between the airport and the hotel. Special ACB convention room rates are $38.00 singles, $40.00 doubles, triples, quads. The California Council of the Blind, host affiliate for these festivities, is doing everything in its power to allow you to "prospect" the numerous "golden tours" being made available during and immediately following Convention Week. Make plans now to come early to Los Angeles. On Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, the Central Coast Chapter of the CCB will host an overnight excursion up the scenic El Camino Real (Kings Highway). On this narrated tour, you will pass such historic sites as the Santa Barbara Mission on your way to the Danish hamlet of Solvang. Upon arrival, you will be treated to a horse-and-carriage drive, and volunteers will be on hand to escort you through the many little shops in this quaint community. Be sure to partake of the mouth-watering Danish pastries that are offered — especially the abel skivors. And you won't want to miss the handmade wooden toys, Swiss music boxes, and all the other authentic imported goodies. Your day will end with a visit to a California winery for a wine-tasting repast; then on to dinner at a famous restaurant in the area. After a restful sleep, you will once again board your bus and be whisked to historic Hearst Castle in San Simeon, to visit the home of the famous William Randolph Hearst. No man more influenced the news through his chain of newspapers than did Mr. Hearst. This will be a hands-on tour of the castle and its fabulous grounds. On Saturday, July 11, ACB members and friends can enjoy a day-long tour of the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland. On this special day you can be a kid once again and lose yourself in fantasy land. Numerous tours are being planned throughout Convention Week. Have you ever wanted to attend a TV game show or see a movie being made at Universal Studios? What about a sight-seeing tour of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills? One cannot visit California without going to a beach party or enjoying music under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. And for sports buffs, there are the LA Dodgers and the California Angels. Mid-week, a dinner and cruise at the Los Angeles Marina are being planned. Be sure to save time for a trip to Knotts Berry Farm, where you can enjoy a delicious chicken dinner prepared by Mrs. Knott, visit a Wild West town, pan gold in a gold mine, and see the many other attractions at this park. Later in the week, International Guiding Eyes will host a barbecue. They promise there will be much good food, much fun, and many prizes for those who attend. On Saturday, July 18, for those who couldn't make it the first time -- or for those who just want to go again -- another trip to Disneyland is being offered. Last, but by no means least, the California Council of the Blind is sponsoring a post-convention cruise to Old Mexico aboard the 21-ton, nine-deck cruiseliner, S.S. Emerald Seas. You will leave Los Angeles on Monday, July 20, and return Friday, July 24. Price is $396.00 per person for an inside cabin, $530.00 for an outside cabin, based on double occupancy, plus $27.00 port tax. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 per person must be received by the California Council of the Blind no later than March 1 (see address at the end of this article). Tour schedule and price information will be available in the Convention Supplement to the March-April issue of The Braille Forum (braille and cassette) and in the large-print pre-registration form to be mailed by mid-May. You may make hotel reservations by calling the Hilton toll-free reservation number, 1-800-445-8667, or by calling the Los Angeles Airport Hilton directly at (213) 410-4000. In making travel arrangements for the convention, we urge you to contact Linda Ward of Cosmopolitan Travel Service. She has been working diligently to obtain the absolutely lowest rates possible for ACBers planning to attend the 1987 convention. Linda will ticket you on the airline of your preference and will obtain the very lowest available fare for you. Making. your travel arrangements through Cosmopolitan results in free airline tickets for ACB and thus assists the organization to decrease its operating expenses. You may contact Linda Ward as follows: In Florida, call 1-800-447-TRIP (that's 1-800-447-8747). In Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii, call collect, 1-904-743-9080. From all other states, call toll-free, 1-800-435-TRIP (that's 1-800-435-8747). If you have questions about the 1987 ACB national convention, call or write 1987 ACB Convention Committee, California Council of the Blind, P.O. Box 2714, Northridge, CA 91323-2714; (818) 349-2636. ***** ** Notice Concerning Applications for and Renewals of ACB Membership-at-Large The American Council of the Blind Constitution and By-Laws provide that any person who has reached the age of 18 years and who is not a voting member of an ACB affiliate is eligible to become a member-at-large, with the right to an individual vote at the ACB national convention. Annual membership-at-large dues are $2.00. New applicants for membership-at-large pay an initiation fee of $3.00, which includes the first year's dues. Application forms are available from the ACB National Office. The ACB Constitution and By­Laws further provide that all dues are to be received no later than ninety days prior to the ACB national convention: that is, in 1987, no later than April 13. All membership-at-large dues must be clearly identified as such and should be sent, to be received no later than April 13, 1987, to the ACB National Office, Attention: LeRoy Saunders, Treasurer, 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. ***** ** LWG Spells "Working Together" By Robert R. Humphreys (Note: Robert R. Humphreys, a lawyer in private practice in Washington, D.C., serves as National Administrator and Counsel of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America. He has worked with organizations of and for the blind since 1971 when he was Special Counsel of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee. He was Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration from 1977 to 1980.) As Braille Forum readers may know, the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (ALL) is an umbrella organization whose purpose is to advocate for programs and services affecting blind persons. One of the key activities sponsored by ALL is the LWG -- the Legislative Working Group. The LWG is composed of Washington­based representatives of several organizations: the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Blinded Veterans Association, and National Industries for the Blind. The group meets biweekly for the purpose of sharing information, developing plans and strategies, and coordinating activity in a variety of areas from legislation to regulation to litigation. LWG members agree that the Working Group has become an invaluable adjunct to the work they do for their own organizations. Over the past couple of years, the LWG has evolved into a coherent, mutually supportive group which works for the benefit of all related organizations of and for the blind and the people these organizations represent. A typical LWG meeting is an informal bull-session, with each member contributing whatever information he or she has on a particular issue, and the group discussing what joint action should be taken, if any, with respect to the issue. The issue may involve legislation, such as the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986, reported by Kathleen Megivern in the November-December 1986 Braille Forum; or the issue may be the current status of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired at RSA, or a Supreme Court decision. Whatever the topic of currency may be, it is thoroughly discussed and analyzed by the LWG. We are always alert to opportunities for joint action or a joint statement to present to a Congressional committee or an Executive Branch agency. The most recent joint action was the preparation of an outline statement on issues of concern to the blindness community resulting from the 1986 Rehabilitation Act Amendments. The Commissioner of RSA has been holding regional forums to receive the views of disability groups on how RSA should address regulation development, both as to substance and process. The LWG hammered out an agreed position on several issues and distributed the resulting paper throughout their member organization offices and affiliates across the country, for use in addressing each regional forum. The LWG is fast becoming an effective and unified voice, working together to bring about positive change in programs and services for the blind. This is the objective of the Legislative Working Group. It is forging a network which will, through its parent organizations, state affiliates, and related groups, have a lasting effect nationwide. ***** ** Rehab Regulations in the Works As reported in the last issue of The Braille Forum, the Rehabilitation Reauthorization Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President last fall. Virtually before the ink on the Presidential signature was dry, the new Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Justin Dart, had scheduled public hearings around the country to discuss the regulations which have to be issued to implement that new law. Each hearing was conducted by the Regional Office of RSA, and Commissioner Dart made it a point to attend every session. In addition to soliciting input through these hearings, the Commissioner also scheduled a series of conference calls with advocates around the country. All of these efforts to gather information and opinions are quite historic. In the past, we sometimes had problems just getting regulations published (you may remember the sit­ins of the 1970's to "encourage" publication of Section 504 regulations). The recently enacted legislation contains some significant new sections and introduces some relatively new concepts, such as supported employment, which made necessary a fair amount of interpretation and guidance from RSA. The Legislative Working Group, which meets biweekly at the American Council of the Blind, put together a list of critical issues concerning programs serving blind people. These points were circulated around the country and were used by many organizations and individuals who testified at the regional hearings. Reprinted here is the text of the paper prepared by the Legislative Working Group concerning issues for RSA's attention as they draft rehabilitation regulations. Proposed regulations should be published early in 1987, and there will, of course, be opportunity for further public comment at that time. * Rehabilitation Re­Authorization Act and Possible Regulations: Major Issues of Concern to Blind and Visually Impaired Persons 1. The 1986 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act contain Section 102(b), which calls upon the Secretary of the Department of Education to take such actions as are necessary to ensure that RSA shall have sufficient numbers of qualified staff with experience in rehabilitation. Obviously, Congress was well aware of the problems within RSA, and we wish especially to emphasize the importance of sufficient numbers of qualified staff in RSA's Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Past efforts to "reorganize" this division right out of existence have left the Division seriously weakened. The Federal commitment to maintenance of a strong, effective Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired should not be allowed to diminish. 2. The Amendments add a new definition to the Act for the term "employability." This definition discusses full-time employment as a primary objective, but also recognizes "any other vocational outcome the Secretary may determine consistent with this Act." There is some danger that if regulations are too narrowly drafted, some traditionally acceptable closures, such as homemaker or placement in a sheltered workshop, will become unacceptable. A full range of options must be made available to the individual, and the regulations should recognize the validity in certain cases of closures such as homemaker or unpaid family worker. 3. The new provisions on supported employment will require considerable interpretation. Regulations must be drafted in such a way that individuals are not automatically "dumped" into supported employment programs because they might be more difficult to place. But, on the other hand, eligibility for supported employment services should not be so narrowly defined as to eliminate blind and visually impaired persons who might best be served in this kind of a program. 4. Section 803 of the Act provides for the establishment of "State Independent Living Councils" in every state which receives money under Title VII, Part A. The amendments do not specifically address the situation where the state has both a general rehabilitation agency and a separate agency serving blind persons. In those cases where each agency is receiving money under Title VII, Part A, they should have the option of forming two separate State Independent Living Councils, one for each agency. However, if the relationship is such that one Council will more effectively serve the purpose, two Councils should certainly not be mandated. This decision should clearly be left to the individual state agencies involved. 5. Section 805 of the Act talks about "evaluation and review of Independent Living Centers." The Commissioner is required to publish indicators of what constitutes "minimum compliance" consistent with evaluation standards. These standards, as approved by the National Council on the Handicapped, include a requirement that each center must serve a "cross-disability" population. There are currently some Part B centers which are operated exclusively for blind persons or deaf persons. The Senate report on the 1986 Amendments included some language stating that there was no legislative intent to "de-fund" these centers just because they are serving single disability groups. Indicators of minimum compliance should recognize the value and validity of those Part B centers which are serving discrete populations such as the visually impaired or the hearing impaired. 6. Section 804 of the new law inserts a requirement that an application from a center for money under Title VII, Part B (Independent Living Centers), "(3) contains assurances that each Center will have a board which is composed of a majority of handicapped individuals." We applaud this effort to increase consumer involvement, but we urge the regulation writers to keep in mind the language of the statute. In cases where Centers are operated by a larger public or private agency, the board in question should clearly be the advisory or policy-making board of the Center itself, not of the larger agency. 7. Section 203(b) of the Amendments provides for the appointment of an "impartial hearing officer" to review a determination made by the rehabilitation counselor if the handicapped individual requests such a review. There is no indication as to who these impartial hearing officers will be. We recommend that RSA consider conducting training sessions for those persons who will serve in the capacity of impartial hearing officers, since familiarity with the Rehabilitation Act and its regulations will be absolutely essential if these officers are to be able to make informed decisions. ***** ** Lions Gallery Features "Leonardo Da Vinci: The Inventions" By Janet Wallans Most people are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci as a painter. However, he was also a consummate scientist and inventor. He documented his observations of man and nature in hundreds of notebook sketches. Included in these sketches were designs for devices ranging from military equipment and flying machines to clocks. In 1951, an artist named Roberto Guatelli approached the IBM Corp. with his idea of making detailed models based on these notebook sketches. IBM now owns over 150 models made by Mr. Guatelli. The models are grouped into six separate exhibits that tour the country. The Lions Gallery at the Wadsworth Atheneum in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, has had 24 of the models on display through January 11, 1987. This is one of the first tactile art galleries in the United States. It features a variety of exhibits, which may include sound, taste or smell, as well as tactile pieces. Each exhibit is on view for two to three months. One of the more popular pieces is the pile driver. Total height of the device is about two feet. It consists of a large weight of five to ten pounds which can be lifted by a series of ropes and pulleys to the top of the structure. When it reaches the top, it is automatically released (clamps holding the weight are squeezed open, allowing the weight to fall). The resulting thud is impressive. One of my favorite pieces is the odometer. This device for measuring distance consists of a wheelbarrow­like structure with a large horizontal gear on top of the wheel. As one walks along pushing the odometer, the wheel activates a series of gears, including the one on top. A sufficient number of revolutions of the wheel causes a pebble placed in a hole on the top gear to fall into a box underneath. This occurs when the hole on top is aligned with the opening over the box. When one reaches one's destination, the number of pebbles in the box is an indication of the distance traveled. Like most of da Vinci's inventions, it is very simple, yet also unique. Some of the other inventions in the exhibit include a clock, a helicopter, a paddlewheel ship, and a military tank. As you can tell, some of the models have workable, moving parts. This always makes an exhibit more interesting. In addition, the workmanship is quite attractive. The models are made of highly polished wood and brass and are pleasing to look at and touch. The Lions Gallery has been inundated with school groups. However, adults enjoy the exhibit just as much. At the opening reception, a group of engineers hovered around the pile driver. It is always helpful to have people who are experts in the field as visitors. One visitor spent some time explaining how one of da Vinci's devices is exactly what is being used today in certain air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Actually, da Vinci implemented only a few of his inventions. One was the water wheel. Apparently, he also tried out one of his flying machines, though unsuccessfully. Perhaps it was his diversity of interests that kept him from following through on any one thing. It was also pointed out that many of the devices would have required manufacturing sophistication that was not available in the 15th century. Since the closing date for the exhibit at the Lions Gallery is January 11, Braille Forum readers will be too late to see it in Hartford. However, the exhibit travels, through the generosity of the IBM Corp. If it has not come to your area and you would like to see it, you may contact Herbert Pedersen, Touring Exhibitions Program, at the IBM Corp. in Armonk, New York. Anyone who may be in the Hartford area is always welcome to visit the Gallery. Our next exhibit will open January 25 and will show wood and ceramic sculpture. Admission to the Gallery is always free. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. ***** ** Research on Substitute Eyesight Two Ohio State University researchers are developing an electronic substitute for vision that could hold promise for helping the blind to "see." The work, though still early in the research stage, entails a small video camera that is worn on the blind person's head. The camera takes pictures that are translated by a microprocessor into vibrations. The microprocessor then, in effect, "paints" the image on the flat surface of the person's abdomen, using 256 tiny metal vibrators arranged in an 8-inch by 8-inch grid. The brain then translates that two-dimensional "map" into a three-dimensional picture. When completed, the system -- the brainchild of Herman Weed, Director of the University's Biomedical Engineering Center, and biophysicist Leo Lipetz, a Professor of Zoology, will resemble the childhood game in which someone guesses a letter being drawn on his back. A face, for example, might be felt as a circle of vibrations, says Weed, a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Preventive Medicine. While practice helps, early studies have shown that most people do not need to be taught to "read" the vibrations. "You're using information that's already there in the brain," Lipetz says. "The underlying aim is to tie, in using the sense of touch, to that part of the brain that maps out shapes that we touch or see or hear. People can map three-dimensionally using many different senses," he says. "We can see something and determine depth. We can hear and determine distance (television, in comparison, is only two-dimensional). There are several places in the brain where these maps come together." Weed and Lipetz hope to create a low-cost, portable device that would be commercially available within three years. "We envision the user attaching a tiny camera to an eyeglass frame," Lipetz says. "The user should have control over where it's aimed just by turning his head.'' A similar idea is now seeing limited use by military helicopter pilots as a means of aiming weapons systems. "Eventually we'd like to be able to tell the blind person how far away the object is that he's looking at," Weed says. By controlling the camera lens' depth focus, either manually or automatically with the aid of a computer microchip, an individual some day may be able to differentiate objects at distances ranging from a few inches to several feet. The overall concept is not new. Similar research done in the late 1960's and 1970's was discontinued because of problems in converting pictures into tactile sensations. According to Weed, much of his research group's early work has been confined to "smoothing out the system, trying to find the best way to present the visual information and then getting it converted into vibrations." This often involves testing a smaller, 5-inch by 7-inch vibrator array on the forearm. The wearer might be asked simply whether or not he feels vibrations and if they form a recognizable shape. Some forty students, both sighted and blind, have served as volunteers during the three-year project. Weed compares an image created by the half-inch mechanical vibrators attached to a corset that fits around the waist and chest to a television picture. Dots on a television screen, whether bright or dull or in different colors, represent bits of information, he says. "The more dots there are per line and the more lines per picture, the greater the definition of form. "We can't go into any kind of detail comparable to a television or camera. Skin can't react to vibrations that close together. We have to pick out all the information on the screen in a square centimeter and present the average of that as one piece of information." The strength or frequency of vibrations, however, might enable an individual to distinguish light and dark, for example, or black and white, Weed says. For now, the system remains highly experimental. The picture stimulation process is relatively slow, registering one picture every few seconds. Information must be constantly "updated." While they hope for speedier microprocessors, the skin and brain can respond only so fast. Meanwhile the images, confined to a fairly small area, are only basic shapes and lack much detail. "We must get each of the vibrators to move separately, not in sync," says Weed, explaining the skin's tendency to perceive close vibrations as "one big lump." "We think that way, the skin might be able to distinguish points within a region." The system's power source eventually will be reduced to a carry-along battery pack. The researchers already have been able to cut the equipment's power needs by a factor of 100, though it still makes too much noise, Weed says. As the work progresses, the apparatus may have to be redesigned for comfort's sake. Right now Weed describes it as an "inflexible, somewhat uncomfortable, hot blanket." "We are still working on many of the basics," Weed said. "Do you present an image -- a person, a table, a plant -- all at once or one at a time? How much information can the brain take in? These are questions to tackle very far down the line. We are still building parts of the system to find out how to make them do the best job. It's going to take a lot more volunteer testing as we get more sophisticated about our equipment." NOTE: The ROSE project was inspired by a resolution passed at the national convention of the American Council of the Blind in Louisville in 1980. Authored by Mr. Kenneth Boger, President of the Blind Guild, Inc. (the ACB chapter in Canton, Ohio), it resolved that ACB support the Ohio effort on research on substitute eyesight, whose results would then be shared with all blind people. Mr. Boger proceeded, singlehandedly, in 1983 to assemble a committee of scientists, psychologists, and other professionals to launch the project. An even more amazing feat: Ken Boger has been personally responsible for raising $50,000 which has gone directly into the project. In the last three years, Dr. Herman Weed and his research team have demonstrated their prototypes at ACB of Ohio conventions as well as at the Blinded Veterans Association convention held in Columbus in 1985. As seen from the above, the Ohio State University Research on Substitute Eyesight project has come a long way in a few short years, and it serves as evidence for all of us of what one man can accomplish with commitment and perseverity. Contributions to the project may be made payable to OSU ROSE Account 537-439 and sent to: ROSE, P.O. Box 21488, Columbus, OH 43221. ***** ** The 100th Congress: Some Interesting Changes By Kathleen Megivern Ever since the November 1986 election results became final, the Washington rumor mills have been working overtime guessing and second­guessing who the real power brokers will be when the historic 100th Congress convenes in January 1987. For programs affecting disabled people, the major changes will happen in the new Democratic-controlled Senate. Ironically while it is presumed that social programs will fare better under the Democrats, that may not be the case for special education and rehabilitation. Why? The answer can be summarized in two words: Lowell Weicker. Senator Weicker (R., CT) has been a passionate advocate for disabled people. But while he will remain on the Subcommittee on the Handicapped, as a member of the new "minority party," he will no longer have the added leverage of being chairman. In fact, we still don't know who will chair that important subcommittee. Early presumptions had been that the new chair would be John Kerry (D., MA). However, the senior Senator from Massachusetts, Edward Kennedy, decided that he wanted to chair the full Committee on Labor and Human Resources (rather than the Judiciary Committee, as had been expected). Two Senators from the same state cannot serve in such key positions on the same committee (the Subcommittee on the Handicapped is, after all, part of the full Committee on Labor and Human Resources.) Those infamous "informed sources" next reported that the Subcommittee's new chair would be Senator Paul Simon (D., IL). That leaves us with the possibility of a chairman who is not only brand new to the Subcommittee, but also a freshman in the Senate. The three new Democratic Senators who will serve on the Committee on Labor and Human Resources are Barbara Mikulski (D., MD), Tom Harkin (D., IA), and Brock Adams (D., WA). We may have a lot of educating to do in order to have a well-informed Subcommittee which will protect the programs of concern to blind and handicapped Americans. Keep reading The Braille Forum for additional information as it becomes available. ***** ** CPR: We Can Do It! -- How About You? By Jean Mann Last spring, at a meeting of the Capital District Chapter, American Council of the Blind of New York, one of our members mentioned that she had been going to work on her night job a couple of hours earlier than was required. Was she working overtime, we asked? No, she informed us. Her employer was offering a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and she was taking it. She suggested that our chapter might consider doing the same. One of her co-workers volunteered on a rescue squad and was certified to teach CPR. We invited her to speak at one of our chapter's monthly meetings. The topic for the evening was to be first aid, but in the course of the discussion, the subject of CPR was approached. Our speaker volunteered to teach us if logistics such as manuals in readable format and a place large enough to accommodate our group could be found. Upon inquiry, we learned that braille manuals are available from the Wichita, Kansas chapter of the American Red Cross for $19.00 apiece. We purchased several, and also obtained cassette recordings of the book from Recordings for the Blind. One of our members belonged to a club where there was plenty of floor space, and the club willingly donated their facilities. We set a starting date for November 1985 and got to work. CPR is a method for keeping a heart beating by performing chest compression because the heart has stopped beating on its own. But there's much more to it than that. One has to learn artificial respiration and how to perform chest compression. There is a correct way to check for a pulse so you can be sure there isn't one when you start compressions. You have to learn the ratio of compressions to breaths, and this is different, depending on whether you are working by yourself or someone is helping you. I read my book before attending the first class and found I was a little apprehensive. Could I learn to perform all these techniques properly? Did I want to? What if I was called upon to use this knowledge some day and I did something wrong or just plain panicked? And it would be more difficult on a real person than on a mannequin. What if there was nobody around who knew how to help me? What if I was the only person there? At about this point, my conscience took over. I knew I could never forgive myself if I passed up this opportunity and had cause to use the skills at a later date. And I did learn. As I attended classes, the concepts gradually fell into place. We were taught what symptoms to check for in order to determine if CPR were needed. We learned how to handle situations by ourselves and what to do in a different way should we have a partner. We learned how to help a choking victim, be the person conscious or unconscious. And we learned how the techniques vary from children to adults. The excitement of the group mounted with each accomplished skill. Once our instructor was satisfied that we were competent in all aspects of the training, she administered a written test, the final course requirement. Nine of us scored high enough to receive certification. We are required to take a refresher course annually to remain actively certified. Now we would like to suggest that other chapters take CPR courses. It is an extremely worthwhile project. We found it beneficial to take the course as a group of mostly blind persons because it allowed us to proceed at a slightly slower pace, which enabled everyone to receive individual instruction when it was necessary. However you choose to take it, just remember that there is no reason why a blind person cannot learn CPR. We are proof of that. Chances are that most of us will never be called upon to render our services in an emergency situation, but we are prepared — just in case. Why don't you be, too? ***** ** Deborah Kendrick Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year (Reprinted from the Cincinnati Enquirer, Feb. 16, 1986) (Note: The Cincinnati Enquirer annually recognizes ten women for service to the community. Among those honored for 1985 was Deborah Kendrick, member of the ACB Board of Publications and Vice President of the American Council of the Blind of Ohio. The 18th annual banquet, held March 4, 1986, spotlighted accomplishments of winners whose backgrounds vary as much as their achievements, in fields ranging from science and social work to politics and professional volunteerism. The 1985 winners were selected from among almost 700 nominations.) One of the letters nominating Deborah J. Kendrick as an Enquirer Woman of the Year is a two-page, double-spaced list of her accomplishments as a writer, teacher, speaker, advocate for the rights of the disabled, mother, civic organizer and more. Only in the last sentence does it mention that she is blind. That is the way Deborah Kendrick prefers it. Just as life is a challenge, blindness is a challenge, not a handicap. "Being blind makes certain things take more energy sometimes and more concentration," says the 35-year-old. Springfield Township writer, wife and mother of two. "I think of myself as just an ordinary human being who does what we all want to do-and that is to do what we can and live up to our potential." The Toledo native, a Cincinnatian for ten years, has harnessed her energies as an advocate for the rights of the blind and as a free-lance writer who carries her message and insight to many groups of people. She edits newsletters for Cincinnati's Radio Reading Service and the American Council of the Blind of Ohio. She is Children's Editor of Dialogue ... Mrs. Kendrick has offered training and workshops to learning-disabled children; blind or visually impaired children, teenagers and adults; and to graduate-level teaching students at a number of schools, including Clovernook Home and School for the Blind, ... the University of Cincinnati, Kent State University, and Toledo City Schools. She offers workshops to blind parents whose children are sighted, and is in charge of the Clovernook Speakers Bureau. As an advocate for the rights of disabled persons, she (was) one of several (three) plaintiffs in a Federal lawsuit against the Library of Congress for abolishing the braille edition of Playboy magazine. Most recently, she founded the quarterly journal Tactic ... (Note: Tactic is a consumer-oriented publication sponsored by the Clovernook Associates, Clovernook Printing House for the Blind. It contains timely information on microcomputers and adapted technology for the blind and visually impaired.) In its 18-month existence, Tactic has picked up 350 subscribers and brought Kendrick letters in braille from readers in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and England. "It's exciting for a lot of reasons," she said of the computer journal. "One is because I had never seen a computer until I organized a conference on computers a year and a half ago. And it's exciting to me because computers are so new to me." Mrs. Kendrick is a Girl Scout leader, member of the PT A Board, and coordinator of the "Everybody Counts" program at Assumption School. She is married to Kevin Kendrick, an engineer at General Electric, and is the mother of Melinda, 9, and Sean, 7. "My husband says my greatest problem is that I want to do everything," says Mrs. Kendrick. "I think of myself as an information processor. I want to know everything there is to know, experience everything there is to experience." ***** ** Howe Press Announces Enhancements For Perkins Brailler Howe Press of Perkins School for the Blind has introduced three new products, all designed to enhance the use and flexibility of its Perkins Brailler. Each product was developed as a result of consumer needs and requests. A "soft-side carry case" with handles, shoulder strap, and inside pocket is now available for $39.50. This item was designed to free up the user's hands. The shape matches the brailler and is navy blue with gray trim. Also available is a "print copy holder" for the brailler, which attaches to the handle. At $29.50, this simple, but strong device places written material at eye level, facilitating the transcription process. Finally, an exciting product which makes the preparation of Dymo tape far easier. Howe Press has finalized the design of a "Dymo tape holder" which inserts into the Perkins Brailler and securely holds the plastic tape during brailling. This unit retails for $15.95. Interested individuals should contact Howe Press regarding purchasing procedures. A Howe Press catalog is also available in print or braille. The catalog includes braillers, drawing and mathematical supplies, braille paper and slates. To receive a free catalog, write to the address below, specifying print or braille. By signing up to receive the catalog, you will be assured of receiving Howe Press mailings on a regular basis. For information on any of the above items, write Howe Press of Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02172; (617) 924-3490. ***** ** Scholarship Fund to Aid Blind Law School Students A scholarship fund for blind law school students has been established by the American Foundation for the Blind in memory of a former Trustee, the late Louis H. Rives, Jr., who died September 4, 1986. Rives, blind since early childhood, earned a law degree from the College of William and Mary and devoted more than 40 years to the field of blindness. He began his career in vocational rehabilitation in the Office of the General Counsel in the Federal Security Agency. Later he joined the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and retired in 1974 as head of its program for the blind. Rives then served as Director of Research at the Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind and later as Administrator of the Arkansas Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He was a past president of the American Association of Workers for the Blind, former director of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, and a member of AFB's Board of Trustees from 1979 until his death. The scholarship for blind law school students is being funded by AFB as well as through public support. For information, write: Louis H. Rives, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th Street, Box 612, New York, NY 10011, or call (212) 620-2022. ***** ** Artworks Sought for International Art Show by Disabled Artists Artists with a disability are invited to enter their artworks in the 24th annual Sister Kenny Institute International Art Show by Disabled Artists. Artworks should be sent to the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis no later than February 15, 1987. The art show will be held at Sister Kenny Institute from April 3 to May 1, 1987. Any artist with a physical or mental disability which limits one or more major life activities (such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, or working) is eligible to enter up to three pieces of art. All media are accepted, including oils, acrylics, pen and ink, watercolors, pastels, sculpture, and photography. More than $1,300 in prize money will be awarded to artworks judged best in their category. Artworks will be on sale during the Art Show Grand Opening on April 3 and while the works are on display through May 1, 1987. Items not for sale are accepted and included in the judging for awards and prize money. Entry forms or further information may be obtained by contacting Art Show, Public Relations Department, Sister Kenny Institute, 800 E. 28th Street at Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; (612) 863-4482. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * FOR SALE: Smith Corona Model 8000 Electric Cartridge Typewriter with bulletin print. Approximately 18 extra cartridges and parts. Very good condition. $300.00, including UPS. Contact Richard Brock, 15806 Fernway Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120; (216) 752-0355. * FOR SALE: VersaBraille II, with less than 10 hours' use. Price, $5,750.00, f.o.b. San Juan, PR. Please call collect, (809) 722-5258. * FOR SALE: Maryland Computer Services Total Talk I; modified Hewlett-Packard 2621A computer terminal, with Votrax speech output. $2,500.00 or best offer. Price includes braille and print manuals and I/O cable. For more information, call (207) 454-7066, or write Rob Mclninch, 16 Harrison Street, Calais, ME 04619. * FOR SALE: VersaBraille Pt, best offer before April 1. Call Enid Schumpert, (803) 794-6558. * FOR SALE: Viewscan Text System, like new. $3,500.00 or best offer. Contact Gary Guidry, 562 W. Maple, Adrian, MI 49221. ***** ** In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Hoover (Reprinted from AER Report, Vol. 3, August 1986, published by Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired) The field of services to blind and visually impaired people lost a good friend and creative pioneer with the death on July 7, 1986, of Dr. Richard Hoover. A highly respected ophthalmologist, Dr. Hoover is better known among persons who work. with blind people as the creator of the "long cane" technique. Through this development, Dr. Hoover contributed in an unparalleled way to the creation of opportunities for blind people and low vision people throughout the world. He occupied a unique position in ophthalmology, having revolutionized the training of the newly blinded before he ever studied medicine. Dr. Hoover served during World War II as an enlisted man with the Army Medical Corps at Valley Forge Military Hospital, which had been designated the center for the care of soldiers with eye injuries. It was at Valley Forge that Dr. Hoover set up an original regime of training in the skills of blindness based on a new type of long cane. The Hoover Cane technique subsequently became the basis for mobility training of blind people worldwide. After the war, Dr. Hoover returned to Baltimore, where he studied medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He taught ophthalmology for fifteen years at the Wilmer Eye Institute, serving as chief ophthalmologist there in 1954. He served in that same role at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center for 27 years. He retired last fall. Since 1973, Dr. Hoover was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland School for the Blind, where he also served as the school's ophthalmologist for 24 years. In addition, he was president of the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Blindness from 1959 to 1967. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Recently the Mid-State Chapter of the Tennessee Council of the Blind held an open house to celebrate the first anniversary of Nu-Visions, a volunteer instruction and peer counseling program which is held two days a week at the organization's headquarters in Nashville. The chapter has also established a telephone information service where callers can obtain such information as the time and location of meetings, how to arrange for transportation, and how to order products such as tape recorders, writing supplies, etc. In addition, it serves as a newsletter to keep callers informed on what is going on among chapter members and in the community. Those with touch-tone phones can have a message reverse and replay, pause, go faster or slower, louder or softer. From Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness: The Mexico City News reported that Pedro Venegas, a blind street vendor and father of five, hanged himself at Santiago, Chile's Leatherworkers Union Hall, where he and others were in their 30th day of a hunger strike. Blind vendors in Chile are given a stipend of $16 a month on which they are expected to survive. To supplement this income, they sell wares and perform songs in the center of Santiago. The article reported that the government had ordered police to drive these vendors off the streets because officials contended that the vendors were selling their goods illegally. In the wake of Venegas' suicide, the Mayor of Santiago agreed to allow the blind vendors to work without persecution. The RP Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold a national conference, "RP Foundation at 15: Dedication and Discovery," February 22-24, at the Golden Nugget Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City. The conference is designed for a lay audience. There will be informal sessions on such topics as coping with RP, living with Usher's Syndrome (hearing loss with RP), orientation and mobility, low-vision aids, etc. For a registration form, write RP Foundation Fighting Blindness, 1401 Mt. Royal Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217. A grant of $49,575 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will be used for continued support of the toll-free Eye Care Helpline -- 800-222-EYES -- for U.S. citizens and legal residents 65 years of age and over who do not have an ophthalmologist or who have not seen one in three years or more. Helpline patients not covered by Medicare or other insurance are eligible for free eye care. The Helpline, sponsored by the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and by ophthalmology societies in all 50 states, has been operating nationwide since July 1986. Through the program, ophthalmologists have examined more than 40,000 persons and treated more than 30% for various eye diseases. About 32% had never had an eye exam until they called the Helpline. Surgeons who use everything from laser beams to frozen probes for re­attaching retinas soon may have another weapon -- a super glue -- according to the Associated Press. Researchers at Duke University, Durham, NC, say they have found a way to use a medical-grade variation of commercial glues for the delicate eye surgery. Although the method is experimental, they say it has been successfully used in cases where conventional treatment failed to reattach retinas. Mitchell Pomerantz, a member of and President of its Greater Los Angeles Chapter, was recently recognized with a "Mainstream Milestone Award" by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. A member of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Mr. Pomerantz is employed as a Personnel Administration and Training Specialist by the City of Los Angeles. AP: Two of the last paintings Claude Monet did in 1926 before his death, when he was practically blind, are among 64 canvases of his famous Water Lily collection, which is drawing record crowds at the Basel Kunstmuseum in Switzerland. Monet began to suffer from double cataracts in 1912. His eyesight continued to worsen, but he continued to work feverishly. "I want to paint everything before I stop seeing," he wrote in 1922, complaining, however, that his vision was obstructed by "total fog." One of Monet's paintings was included in the exhibit, "Art of the Eye," on display during the 1986 ACB national convention in Knoxville. Be sure to inquire about the three different types of Reading Center Cabinets for your talking book machine and tape player: the Economy model; the Superior model, which entirely encloses your talking book machine; and the Deluxe model, which entirely encloses your talking book machine and your tape player. Also inquire about the Mini-Clothes Hanger to hang one set of matched clothing together on your clothes rod. For a further description, send $1.00 for a "you keep" cassette to: John Postma, 1466 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017; (616) 962-0185. Doll Times, 218 W. Woodin Street, Dallas, TX 75224, is trying to determine whether there is enough interest in this magazine among visually impaired readers to issue it in braille and/or on cassette. The magazine contains articles, ads, and information about doll shows. The classified section contains ads for antique and modern dolls, miniatures, toys, books and paper dolls, and there is also a section for items wanted. Subscription is $18.00 annually. From Hoosier Starlight (IN): An ophthalmologist on the staff of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winnemac, IN, is now inserting an elastic lens through a 3mm incision during cataract surgery. The lens, which can be folded in half, is the first soft silicone intraocular lens (101) in the United States for use following cataract surgery. Because the elastic lens can be inserted through a 3mm incision, the least invasive cataract surgical procedure possible today, the patient's discomfort following surgery is greatly reduced, healing time is shortened, and recuperation and return to normal activity usually are faster. Further, the cost of the 101 is comparable to that of conventional lenses on the market today. For the past two years, Jan Burgess has been teaching classes of low­vision persons to paint with oils at New View, Inc., a non-profit organization serving the visually impaired in Tulsa, OK. "Not only can one see by the art work of a low vision person what is seen, but also what is not seen," says Ms. Burgess. To our knowledge, says New View Director A. Marie Morrison, this is the first class where persons who are severely visually impaired are taught to paint with oils. A blind entrepreneur wishes to help those who wish to start and then hold on to their world of business. For a list of cassette titles, send No. 10 self­addressed, stamped envelope to: Linwood Gallagher, Box 4816, El Monte, CA 91734. *** A catalog of all-natural food supplements and vitamins is available from Ada Drew, P.O. Box 2208, Hempstead, NY 11550. There is a $1.00 charge for cassette; no charge for print. The 1985-86 Annual Report of the American Foundation for the Blind, "Technology: On-Line for Independent Living," is available free on request in print or cassette. The report highlights AFB's National Technology Center. Write American Foundation for the Blind, Public Relations Department AR, 15 W. 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. "How to Use WordPerfect" is the latest in a series of computer courses on tone-indexed cassette available from FlipTrack Learning Systems. The course consists of four cassettes of approximately two hours each and features audio "branching": at key points in each lesson, the learner is invited to turn the tape for optional topics, extra practice, and troubleshooting tips (see "Technology Notes," The Braille Forum, May 1986). For more information about this and the more than 20 other computer courses, write FlipTrack Learning Systems, 999 Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 6013 7, or call (800) 222-FLIP; in Illinois, (312) 790-1117. Computer Aids Corp. has announced its Screen-Talk Pro, which includes powerful macro compatibility that offers a solution to the problem of applications programs such as Lotus 1-2-3, Word Perfect, DBase, etc., that write directly to the computer's video circuitry. For complete information, contact Computer Aids Corp. at 124 W. Washington, Lower Arcade, Fort Wayne, IN 46802; (800) 647-8255. The John Milton Society provides religious materials for visually impaired youths and adults in braille, talking-book records, and large-print -- at no charge. Request a Publications Brochure from: John Milton Society for the Blind, Room 249, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. The Microwave Times, a bi­monthly (six issues per year) cooking magazine is now available in braille for $34 yearly and on tone-indexed cassette, with a six-slot storage album included, for $31 yearly. The magazine features an average of 45 recipes per issue; tips and techniques of microwave cooking; also, what's new in microwave accessories. To subscribe, contact C. L. Productions, 2905 Berkshire Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150; (214) 681-2771. The Alumni Association of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children will make its 1987 convention something special. They will be helping the school celebrate its centennial. Former students who qualify for membership in the Association, and all graduates who are interested in the centennial, are asked to write the Association at 201 N. Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. ***** ** 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: LeRoy Saunders Box 24020 Oklahoma City, OK 73124 * Contributing Editors: Elizabeth Lennon 1315 Greenwood Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Kathleen Megivern 7113 Fort Hunt Road Alexandria, VA 22307 ###