The Braille Forum Vol. XXVI November-December 1988 No. 3 Published 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 (202) 393-3666 * 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. Copyright 1988 American Council of the Blind ***** ** Contents President's Message, by Otis Stephens Washington Connection Hours Greatly Expanded Teaching History with a Computer and Speech Synthesizer, by Norman Coombs News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller Access to Air Travel by the Blind, by Matthew V. Scocozza Moving on to Richmond -- 1989 ACB National Convention ACB Names Official Travel Agency for 1988-89 ACB Scholarships Available to Blind Students NLS to Offer World Literature Through Book Club Share Your Fund-Raising Successes and Ideas with ACB, by Ken Morlock Highlights of ACB Pre- and Post-Convention Board Meetings 1989 National Skiing and Iceskating Championships for the Blind ALL Delegate Assembly Meets, by Kathleen Megivern High Tech Swap Shop Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon ACB Officers and Directors ***** ** President's Message By Otis Stephens Many ACB affiliates hold their annual conventions during the fall, and this year I had an opportunity to participate in more of these meetings than ever before. Gaining first-hand knowledge of our affiliates and their projects is one of the most interesting aspects of my ACB work. The American Council of the Blind is exerting significant influence at state and local levels. This influence reinforces and strengthens our efforts nationally. The importance of building a stronger partnership between our national organization and its affiliates has never been greater. I am impressed by the effective legislative and advocacy programs under way in many of these affiliates. The success of these efforts depends heavily on vast commitments of time and energy given voluntarily by our members. This volunteer effort deserves the highest commendation, not only because of the personal dedication it represents, but because it is essential to the preservation and advancement of opportunities available to blind and visually impaired people. Challenges to specialized programs in education, rehabilitation, and employment are on the increase. Because blind and visually impaired people constitute a small minority within the total population of disabled persons, our best interests are seriously threatened by the prevailing trend toward generalized programs. We have learned over the years, however, that when we organize effectively, we can exert far greater influence than mere numbers might indicate. For this reason, the efforts of our affiliates, large and small, have never been more critically important than they are today. I am pleased to say that evidence of such efforts is widespread among our affiliates. I observed it close up in the reports given at affiliate meetings attended in recent weeks. These included the District of Columbia Association of Workers for the Blind, which celebrated its 75th anniversary during the weekend of September 22-24. Affiliate President Edmund Browning and other leaders of the DCAWB did an excellent job in planning an interesting program which addressed the history of this influential organization as well as current issues. The North Carolina Council of the Blind also held a very successful convention in Durham during the weekend of October 6-8. I was particularly pleased to learn more about NCCB's advocacy efforts in the workshop field. I would like to take this opportunity to express ACB's appreciation to affiliate President David Alexander and the members of NCCB for their generous financial contributions to the national organization in 1987 and 1988. It was also a great pleasure to take part in the 53rd annual convention of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind, held in Wilkes-Barre during the weekend of October 14-16. The Pennsylvania Council is one of our largest and strongest affiliates, with offices in Philadelphia and the state capital, Harrisburg, as well as active chapters throughout the state. PCB President Julian Siewierski, Vice President John Horst, and others who took part in planning this convention put together an excellent program, which included a number of concurrent sessions on Saturday morning, covering such topics as "Technology and the Visually Impaired Employee" and "Moving About Independently." I want to express ACB's appreciation to the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind for its strong support of our scholarship program, including a substantial contribution for the coming year. It was also my pleasure to attend the annual convention of the ACB New York State, held this year in Albany on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 21, 22, and 23. Among the many interesting program items was a panel on mainstreaming, a topic guaranteed to evoke lively discussion. I thought the exchange of ideas on this occasion was especially productive. Outgoing President David Schreibstein, together with newly elected President Donald Moore, Jean Mann, and other leaders of the ACB of New York State did a fine job planning this year's convention. To round out my busy fall schedule, I also attended the Delegate Assembly of the Affiliated Leader League, held in Alexandria, Virginia, September 29-October 1; the Board of Trustees meeting of the American Foundation for the Blind in York City on October 27; and the semi-annual meeting of the North American Regional Council of the World Blind Union in New York City on October 28. Each of these meetings was informative and worthwhile. ACB's fall Board meeting was in Atlanta on September 17-18. I am pleased to report that the Board continued the restoration of programs and services cut two years ago because of financial exigencies. This restoration included another increase in the hours during which you may call the Washington Connection on our toll-free number, 1-800-424-8666. In closing, I hope that you have a happy holiday season. The year 1988 has been a productive one for the American Council of the Blind. With your continued support and active participation, 1989 will be even more successful. ***** ** Washington Connection Hours Greatly Expanded The American Council of the Blind's toll-free telephone information, education, and legislative service, the Washington Connection, is now available from 9:00 to 11:00 P.M., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. This service disseminates important information concerning recent legislative or other governmental developments, positions available, official activities of the American Council of the Blind, and more. The toll-free telephone number is 1-800-424-8666. ***** ** Teaching History with a Computer and Speech Synthesizer By Norman Coombs The Rochester Institute of Technology has begun using a computer conference program on its main Vax computer to replace classroom discussions. In a highly technically oriented college, it was a surprise that the faculty member who volunteered to develop the system was a history teacher rather than one in engineering or computers. A further surprise was that Professor Norman Coombs is totally blind. And stranger still was the fact that one of the students is deaf, and because of communicating through the computer, no interpreter was needed. The students learned from viewing videos which were shown on the city cable system and from reading weekly assignments in the textbook. However, instead of "attending" a discussion in a classroom, they used a personal PC and a modem to phone the college's Vax computer. RIT has a conference program produced by Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), which let the class carry on the discussion without anyone having to be at the same place or even connected to the computer at the same time. When a student had need for personal help, electronic mail was used instead. This saved the student from the annoyance of trying to find the professor in his office. When students wanted to participate in the class discussion (which was required at least weekly), they would use the PC to contact the RIT computer. First they would choose the Notes conference program, and then select the conference for their course in Modern American History. They would find several topic notes posted by the professor. Each topic contained three or four related questions based on the material they were studying. They then would type the work "Reply" and proceed to add their own comments. The next student would get to read the topic and the previous student replies. This enabled the development of a real discussion. I would check the conference several times a day and try to add replies of my own to stimulate and encourage responses. The Notes program automatically identified the student, which made it easier than usual to get to know them. If students wanted to make private comments to each other, they could readily switch to the Mail program. I tried to send personal mail regularly to every member in the class and strove to make these comments informal and to encourage their response. The deaf student said this was the first college class in which she had really participated. The other students had no way of knowing she had any handicap. She commented that she particularly appreciated getting to know the opinions and views of both the teacher and other students. The course, according to her, the was high point of her time at college. Another group of students studied the identical material as did the experimental pilot group. However, they met twice weekly for class discussion. Both groups took the identical multiple-choice exams, and the pilot study students scored two percentage points higher than those who attended classes. There was some reason to suspect that the computer component frightened away those who had lower grade point averages. However, study demonstrates that the system works well for motivated independent learners. In answering the questionnaire evaluating the course, one student complained that "This course would be excellent for someone who has more self-discipline than I." However, another said, "I think that this type of teaching is very helpful to us students who do not like lectures. I like listening to tapes, watching videos, and working on questions pretty much at my own pace." Many people have the impression that computers are impersonal and intimidating. Actually, studies have shown that they tend to help overcome shyness and bridge social distances and other barriers. One student whose comments tended to be abrasive said: "This system helps me to comment on things in a manner I might not try in person because I would offend some as the conversation degrades (when tempers flare). I appreciate the input you offer," he added. "As my friends have given up discussing these topics with me, because my ideas are sometimes too contrary for them." His wife was taking the same course at the same time and commented that what she liked about it was not having to read her husband's comments (Wonder how long that marriage will survive!). The student questionnaire contradicted the standard myth of computer depersonalization. When asked to rate teacher helpfulness and accessibility on a scale of 1 to 5, students scored the item 4.9 -- almost the highest. They appreciated not having to run to the office, only to find the professor was out. Electronic mail was easy to send, and the student received an answer within an hour or two. They ranked electronic mail and the conference as the highest items in achieving this sense of rapport. While telephone calls and office visits were possible, they seldom resorted to their use. Granted, as the teacher, I worked very hard to overcome the supposed problems imposed by the computer, and in the future I might not always be so faithful. But I believe it demonstrates that computers are only as friendly or unfriendly as those who use them. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf is one of the colleges at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, and it has decided to experiment with this system for a group of deaf students this winter. The videos are captioned, which will permit running the course without using an interpreter. Normally, deaf students have the support of note-takers as well, since it is difficult to watch an interpreter and take one's own notes. However, because the video player can be stopped, they will be expected to take notes for themselves. We believe that removing the intermediaries in the communication process will lead to clearer communication. I have worked with several deaf students who like being able to "talk" to the professor without depending on a third party. This system holds the possibility of increasing the deaf students' reading and writing skills, which would be an additional benefit. Finally, the sense of independence derived from not needing a support system should contribute to a heightened sense of self-confidence and personal worth. An added feature, of course, is that the deaf students will be taught by a totally blind professor. Using telecommunications as a teaching tool provides even more possibilities for the future. At RIT, the library "card" catalog has been computerized. When students go the library, they look up books by a computer terminal instead of thumbing through the old card catalogs. This system is now available online and can also be accessed from home with a PC and modem. With the necessary financial support, this system could be integrated with an online dictionary and encyclopedia. fact, it would be possible to provide several database systems to facilitate student research projects. Having these tools available by computer could help transcend learning barriers for persons with a variety of physical disabilities. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller National Representative Anyone who believes that the past summer in Washington, D.C., was dull because Congress was out of session part of the time due to political party nominating conventions should reconsider. Quite the contrary: the advocacy process was moving forward on several other fronts. For example, during one August day, it was my pleasure to present the position of the American Council of the Blind during a public briefing on Capitol Hill sponsored by the disability coalition dealing with the proposed regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986. Yes, the highly publicized proposed regulations, which were published in late June! During my remarks, I expressed the position that the importance of the exit-row seating issue has been greatly exaggerated; that the airlines have been inconsistent in applying their policies on this issue; that the proposed regulations contain a number of highly erroneous and misleading propositions concerning the cost of training airline personnel to provide non­discriminatory service to handicapped passengers; that any future regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Agency should be based on empirical safety evidence to the maximum possible extent (although empirical evidence on some matters will probably never be fully compiled); that the proposed penalty provisions are not sufficiently stringent to discourage airlines from engaging in some particularly embarrassing or demeaning practices; that greatly improved training of airline personnel (in cooperation with knowledgeable and responsible consumer advocates) will probably eliminate many discriminatory practices; and that, of course, such training must be repeated frequently to educate new employees as well as to remind current employees of non-discriminatory practices. Due to the length, complexity, and accessibility of the proposed regulations and the necessity for handicapped people to comment upon them, most of the disability rights organizations that had taken part in the 1987 regulatory negotiations submitted a strong letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting an extension in the comment period. The Department of Transportation acceded to the request and extended the comment period to December 19, 1988. However, the Department declined to make the regulations available in an accessible medium for blind and visually impaired people. So we have had the proposed regulations recorded on cassette. Anyone interested in obtaining a set of these tapes should immediately contact the National Office of the American Council of the Blind and arrange to send in four good-quality C90 replacement cassettes. The American Council of the Blind plans to submit official comments. Of course, all readers of this article are also encouraged to do so. Although the comments may be submitted directly to the Department of Transportation, we request that they be submitted to the ACB National Office so that they can be transmitted with our official comments. The words "southern hospitality" are never over-used when they are applied to the state convention of an ACB southern affiliate. That was truly the situation when I recently visited and spoke to the Georgia Council of the Blind. The weekend's activities included a stimulating combination of entertainment, education, motivation, advocacy, and leadership training. What tremendous talent was displayed by the members who took part in the talent show! What determination was shown as the Georgia Council prepared to join the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors in that state in their efforts to compel the state to comply with Federal law concerning the proceeds from vending machines located at interstate highway rest stops! I want to commend the members of the Georgia Council, also, for the spontaneous and very generous financial support which they gave on the spot to the American Council of the Blind following my banquet address. The implementation of national convention resolutions is sometimes a rather perfunctory matter. This is not so, however, in the case of ACB Membership Resolution 88-05, dealing with the quality of tape players distributed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. ACB President Dr. Otis Stephens, Second Vice President Charles Hodge, and I spent several hours in spirited discussion with Frank Kurt Cylke, Director of NLS, and several of his staff members. During the meeting, a number of very frank points were made. The discussion ended on an amicable note. It was agreed that as a follow-up, Mr. Cylke would meet with the ACB Board of Directors in January 1989, would meet with other officials of ACB at other times during 1989, and would speak to the members of the American Council of the Blind during the 1989 national convention in Richmond, Virginia. Library service for blind and visually impaired people in the United States is an extremely important and far-reaching service, and it is essential that the good lines of communication that have been open in the past remain open in the future. One of the most important forums for the exchange of worthwhile information between the disability community and the air travel industry for the past several years has been the annual "Access to the Skies" conference, held this year in Washington, D.C. It was my pleasure to represent the American Council of the Blind on a panel dealing with consumer response to airline practices. Although my approach was calm and reasoned, I never received a truly satisfactory answer from a representative of United Airlines concerning the policy of that company in setting limits as to how many handicapped people are allowed to travel on a United flight at the same time. It was United which served as the official carrier for the United States Disabled Sports "Olympic" team that took part in the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, Korea. In transporting the nearly 500 people making up the U.S. team as well as many family members, friends, and official observers, United saw fit to set aside its policy restricting the number of handicapped passengers allowed per flight. The American Council of the Blind was, indeed, well represented by its President and several Board members at the Delegate Assembly of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, held in Alexandria, Virginia, in late September. Although my most direct involvement consisted of serving as a panelist regarding the Legislative Working Group, I had an opportunity to hear an outstanding and very educational program. A little later in the fall I had the rare opportunity to invite a real expert on Randolph-Sheppard vending matters to share the podium with me when I was invited to speak about the attitudes of vendors toward state licensing agencies at the national training workshop sponsored in Washington, D.C., by the Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness. As soon as I was invited, I knew that a "natural" to share the program would be George Abbott, then President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, and for many years an extremely successful and hard-working cafeteria manager in Maryland. George spoke straight from the shoulder and from his position of daily dealing with the problems encountered by vendors in this unique program. Some of the issues covered in our presentation were the need for more operators, the "stigma" which some well-meaning but misguided rehabilitation counselors have given the vending program, and the need for the vending program to use the most up-to-date methods, policies, and technology. Gene Heisler, the new President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, was also present and able to add a few pertinent remarks. Press conferences, even on Capitol Hill, can be somewhat perfunctory. But no one felt that way about the October press conference called to announce and exhibit the recently completed tactile model of the Washington, D.C. Mall area. The Mall area is outlined by such famous features as Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, the Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. The tabletop display, which is approximately 3 feet by 9 feet in size and is contoured to match the topography of the area, contains very durable scale models of the various buildings and monuments as well as realistically conceived tactile indicators of streets, grassland, bridges, water, etc. The project was funded by the Senate Committee on Administration, and ultimately administered by the American Foundation for the Blind, through a grant from the Department of Education. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the helpful man who had been quickly identifying many of the buildings and features for me (eliminating the need for me to refer to a braille key) was Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. I readily recognized the familiar voice of another helpful spectator standing next to me, who identified himself simply as "Bob Dole," as well as the rich tones of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Administration (and one of my own Senators), Senator Wendell Ford of Kentucky. No, the exhibit is not just another tactile map. The tactile representations of the various buildings, in particular, accurately show their shape, relative size, and relative position to one another. It is my understanding that the exhibit will be put on permanent display in the Capitol and made available to any blind visitors interested in seeing it. I recommend wholeheartedly that any visitors to Washington avail themselves of the opportunity to examine the exhibit at leisure. It will not enable you to walk easily from place to place: the distances are too great. But it will vastly improve your understanding of many of the famous places in the nation's capital. When I was invited to address Oregon the Council of the Blind at its 1988 state convention in Coos Bay, I could hardly believe that I had not attended that affiliate's convention for ten years. The program was interesting, educational, and uplifting, and attendance was outstanding. I was pleased to note that the Oregon Council is devoting some of its resources to leadership training. President John Dashney conducted the meetings with his usual flare of an experienced raconteur. I want to thank the Oregon Council for its decision to donate to the American Council of the Blind 10 percent of the proceeds it receives from its bingo fund-raising program during 1989. ***** ** Access to Air Travel by the Blind * Remarks by Matthew V. Scocozza, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, Before the National Convention of the American Council of the Blind, July 5, 1988 I have been asked to address the topics, "Access to Air Travel by the Blind." This is a sensitive issue ... one that has raised the emotions of all parties affected. Volatile questions of human dignity, transportation safety, civil rights, and even economics, all come into play when considering this subject. In 1986 Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act, with the objective of prohibiting discrimination in air travel on the basis of handicap. The Department of Transportation is charged with developing regulations to meet the mandate of that Act. This morning I would like to discuss how the Department is carrying out these responsibilities. Once the task of devising a program to meet the requirements of the Air Carrier Access Act had been handed to the Department, groups representing persons with disabilities (including the American Council of the Blind) urged DOT to use the regulatory negotiation process to do the job. Accordingly, from June until November of last year we conducted a regulatory negotiation which brought together representatives from all sides of the matter. I'd like to note that Oral Miller, a member of the panel, was a very effective advocate for the ACB and contributed much to the process. I would characterize the meetings of the regulatory negotiation group as anything but dull. There were, and are, wide gaps in perceptions held by the parties involved, and the process certainly permitted an airing of views. I believe all of us were educated and did some educating. It was a useful exercise from this perspective, and the meetings produced concrete results. The Department has drafted and recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment, which we believe carries out the directive of Congress as set forth in the Air Carrier Access Act. The proposed rule would apply to all domestic airlines and their contract agents. It calls for a prohibition of discriminatory air practices in serving persons with disabilities. Regulatory proposals in the Rule cover a wide range of issues -- everything from requiring air carriers to provide physical accessibility features on-board aircraft to mandating sensitivity training for all personnel in contact with travelers with disabilities. Specific regulatory proposals of the Rule indicate that: Air carriers may not refuse service to any person with a disability, unless that person cannot be carried safely. Carriers may not restrict the number of passengers with disabilities on any flight. Carriers cannot require disabled passengers to travel with personal attendants in most circumstances. Specifically, the provision concerning deaf-blind persons is drafted to be consistent with DOT's enforcement decision in the Southwest Airlines case. This decision, issued after the negotiations, held that an airline cannot require attendants for deaf-blind persons as long as a means of communicating can be established with carrier personnel. Subject to some limitations, our rule would allow deaf-blind persons to self-assess their ability to establish a form of communication with carrier personnel and travel independently. Advance notice requirements would be prohibited, except where special services such as medical oxygen, an on-board chair or stretcher are needed. In our view, blind travelers would seldom or never require special services. Carriers would have to supply on-board wheelchairs on request. Carriers would have to carry passengers' canes a well as other mobility aids and equipment on board the aircraft and stow them in close proximity to the passengers' seats, consistent with FAA rules. In most cases, travel canes may be stored under seats or in overhead compartments. Dog guides and other service animals would be permitted to accompany their owners to any seat in the aircraft. The rule specifically prohibits mandatory placing of dog guides at bulkhead seats. Carriers could not require passengers with disabilities to accept services they do not want, such as pre-boarding, deny them services provided to other passengers, or require them to listen to a safety briefing, read a braille safety information card, or be quizzed on such materials. Carriers would be required to train their employees and contract personnel to enable them to comply with the provisions of this rule and interact with persons with different disabling conditions in a professional and efficient manner. We are well aware that one of the major problems in air travel experienced by persons with disabilities relates to discriminatory treatment and insensitivity displayed by some airline personnel. Individual dignity has been affronted, ability questioned, and intelligence insulted. It is our hope that the proposed training and education programs will change this by providing airline personnel with a better understanding of the needs of blind passengers. I'd like to applaud the American Council of the Blind at this point for taking the initiative some time ago and publishing an extremely effective handbook instructing airline personnel on how to serve blind and visually impaired passengers. That was a positive, productive step and typifies the progressive character of the ACB. Returning to the subject at hand, the Department has written a strong enforcement procedure into the Proposed Rule, including imposition of civil penalties. This procedure requires that each carrier appoint a complaints resolution official who would have authority to resolve consumer complaints on behalf of his carrier ... preferably on the spot. Unresolved complaints would be reviewed by DOT. If the Department finds a carrier violated a regulation, compensation would be due. We are suggesting a compensation proposal in the Rule which follows a pattern similar to DOT’s existing consumer rule governing denied boarding compensation. Our intention is to provide an incentive for carriers to avoid any difficulties by hitting violators where it hurts: in their pocketbooks! We are well aware that there is a difference between violating a person's civil rights and violating his or her legal rights. Our compensation procedure, while not addressing that distinction purely, should be an effective deterrent, given the "cost" to the potential violator. Next up is an issue that proved the most sensitive and volatile of all considered during the regulatory negotiation process. In fact -- and most unfortunately -- the negotiations broke down over this matter. I refer to exit­row seating. During our deliberations on this matter, we had to be cognizant of FAA's legal responsibility to assure the safe transportation of all air passengers. This concern for safety was given explicit recognition in the Air Carrier Access Act, which provides for non-discriminatory treatment of air passengers "consistent with the safety of all passengers." I am aware that the interpretation of what measures are required for safety under FAA regulations has led to a great disruption for blind passengers. Let us stop and explore for a moment: How did things get this way? As you may be aware, each airline files with the FAA its procedures for assuring the safety of passengers in the event of an emergency. Included in these procedures are many measures that the airline will exercise for those who may have special problems during an evacuation: those with disabilities, children under 12, pregnant women, prisoners, and stretcher cases, to name just a few. The airlines each developed policies which they believe are necessary to assure to their own satisfaction that they are providing maximum safety for all passengers. These policies vary with each airline. Some include varying degrees of restrictions on who may be seated in exit rows. Others have no exit-row seating constraints at all. The result is that persons such as yourselves may encounter different policies with every different carrier you fly -- and even with different flights of the same airline. Most of these airline policies received tacit FAA approval a long time ago. This issue is now getting the serious regulatory attention it deserves. During the regulatory negotiation process, FAA reviewed its own policies, the policies of the airlines, and the results of various studies that had been conducted on evacuation of aircraft in emergency situations. So, as one by-product of the negotiations process, things are coming to a head regarding seating in exit rows. The FAA is concerned about achieving still higher levels of safety and is considering rulemaking action. The FAA feels it may be necessary, in the interests of safety, to exclude from exit rows persons who cannot perform one or more essential functions needed to permit quick exit of all passengers in an emergency evacuation. But issues such as this are not decided in the bureaucracy. Under the Administrative Procedures Act, the FAA will have to gather its facts, consult with various experts, present its evidence, and publish its proposed rule for comment. I am sure the ACB will have many comments. Every proposed rule has to be supported by facts and data. If the FAA cannot substantiate its position with facts, evidence and experts, the rule won't survive in court. It is also possible that this could become the subject of extensive Congressional hearings. Others are proceeding down the legislative path, proposing to prohibit by law any restrictions on seating of blind passengers. We as a nation now will have to determine once and for all what is to be the appropriate policy for sitting in exit-row seats. What is the proper balance between maximizing safety and minimizing discrimination? So that's where we are today. Under our system of government, this issue will be decided through the force of informed public opinion, the level of interest of the Congress, and the enduring need to fight against discrimination always, in any form, while also protecting the safety of all passengers. While the outcome of the FAA rulemaking is being decided, the language from our proposed rule will prevail in the interim. That is: "Carriers cannot exclude any person from an exit row or other seat, or require that a person sit in a particular seat, except where required by an FAA safety rule." Further, any FAA rule would have to apply the exclusion of persons from exit rows in a neutral, non-discriminatory way, applicable to all passengers who may be unable to receive and understand emergency instructions and perform them safely and rapidly. An exclusion could not be based on handicap: it would deal strictly with the need to perform essential functions and would apply to all those who could not perform such functions -- for whatever reason -- size and age, for example. Under DOT's proposed rule, no seating restrictions will be permitted unless final rule­making action by the FAA, based on the non-discriminatory application of safety standards, mandates their imposition. So in developing the proposed regulations, the Department has endeavored to strike a balance to ensure that the air transportation needs of disabled persons are met fairly and safely. We also had to factor in another consideration: costs. Many of the provisions in the regulations can be implemented at little or no cost to carriers; others will involve substantial outlays. ... Training of carrier personnel is by far the most costly requirement. Initial training of personnel over the first couple of years after the rule is implemented would cost roughly $38 million. Estimates of the annual recurrent training costs range from $5 million to $20 million. The total expense to the carriers over the next 21 years is estimated to range between $250 million and $700 million. The final figures may be higher, as data were not available to estimate all of the costs, especially those of small carriers and air taxi operators. There is no price tag on dignity; none for fair and equitable treatment. I would never talk of costs in those terms. I am laying out the figures simply to give all of us an idea of what the economic implications are for the proposed action. ... We think this is a good draft rule. It recognizes the right of disabled persons to accessible air transportation and implements the 1986 Act effectively. The rule is intended to ensure non-discriminatory treatment of air passengers, consistent with the safe carriage of all passengers, as Congress intended. And the Department intends for the enforcement measures to be strong and responsive as well. In closing, let me note that there are no pat answers to the difficult issues surrounding accessibility. But over the years we have traded views, and the American Council of the Blind has consistently provided intelligent, reasoned, helpful guidance that has allowed for progress in a difficult area. We at the Department have always appreciated your approach and cooperation: Cooperation is, after all, the key to understanding. Thank you. ***** ** Moving on to Richmond 1989 ACB National Convention Soon after President Otis Stephens gaveled to a close the 1988 national convention of the American Council of the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas, attention was focused on the 1989 convention, to be held July 1-8 in Richmond, Virginia. The Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired is proud to host this 28th annual convention, particularly since few areas offer the intrinsic beauty and historic significance of Richmond. Located on the James River, the state capital is a visitor's paradise. Here are located the sites of epic events that have shaped this nation's history. Richmond was the home of Jefferson Davis and was the capital of the Confederacy. Listen closely if you visit Old St. John's Church: you may hear echoes of Patrick Henry's famous words, "Give me liberty or give me death." Hotel accommodations in Richmond are outstanding. Four hotels are to be used, with the Richmond Marriott (located approximately eight miles from the Richmond International Airport) serving as headquarters for the convention. All meetings and general sessions will be held within its facilities. The exhibits will be located in the Convention Centre a short distance from the Marriott, accessed by an overhead walkway or by shuttle. The Marriott invites guests to enjoy its indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and exercise room. In addition to its own shops, it is located adjacent to the 6th Street Marketplace, where there are more than 100 shops and restaurants. The Omni Richmond is located at 12th and Cary, about twelve blocks from the Marriott. It is situated in the heart of the Shockoe Historic District's night clubs, fashion boutiques, antique stores, bistros, and restaurants, and it is only a short trolley or cab ride from the 6th Street Marketplace. On Sundays its main restaurant, the Whitewater Café, boasts a New Orleans-style Cajun brunch, with Dixieland music. Accommodations include an indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and more. The Radisson is located in downtown Richmond, just six short blocks from the Marriott, at 6th and Canal Streets. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and health club and is the home of the sophisticated Palio Restaurant, featuring outstanding Italian cuisine. The Days Inn Marketplace is located at 7th and Marshall, just two blocks from the Marriott. Children under 12 years of age may eat free at the hotel's Exchange Restaurant (which serves breakfast, lunch, and sandwiches until closing) when accompanied by an adult lodging at the hotel. Complimentary coffee and a heated pool are also provided. The Richmond Trolley will be available free of charge from 6:30 A.M. to midnight for conventioners wearing badges. The trolley will make stops at each hotel and will be supplemented with shuttle service as needed. Daily room rates at the four hotels are as follows: at the Richmond Marriott, $45.00; at the Omni Richmond, $45.00; at the Radisson, $40.00; at the Days Inn Marketplace, $38.00. Hotel reservations for the 1989 convention will be handled by the National Convention Coordinator's office, 8915 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91324; (818) 349-2636. You may begin making reservations by contacting the above office beginning January 23, 1989, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon, Pacific time. If you prefer to write for reservations, please remember to include either your credit card number and the expiration date or a check payable to the Richmond Convention Bureau. One night's deposit is required. Include your phone number and address, in the event further information is needed. Richmond is served by the following airlines: American, Delta, Eastern, Florida Express, Piedmont, USAir, and United. Delta Airlines has been selected as the official air carrier for the 1989 ACB convention. And again this year Northridge Travel Service has been named ACB's official travel agency. Northridge will be pleased to make your travel arrangements. To contact Northridge Travel Service, you may call toll-free: outside California, 1-800-842-8880; inside California, 1-800-523-4396. Ask for Patty, Sandy, or Tenci, and remember to mention that you are with the American Council of the Blind. ACB receives free tickets based upon the volume of sales through Northridge. ***** ** ACB Names Official Travel Agency for 1988-89 Northridge Travel Service has been named as the official travel agency by the American Council of the Blind for the 1988-89 year. Northridge Travel has agreed to treat ACB as a preferred corporate account, guaranteeing the lowest air fares available or they will pass back the difference. We hope that you will use this agency for all of your air travel, as ACB receives free tickets based upon the volume of sales with the company. These free tickets assist ACB staff, officers, and the Convention Coordinator in developing future programs for the organization. Northridge Travel Service may be contacted as follows: Outside California, please call (during regular business hours) 1-800-842-8880. Inside California, call 5-800-523-4396. Please ask for Patty, Sandy, or Tenci. Delta Airlines is the official carrier for the ACB national convention to be held July 1-8, 1989, in Richmond, Virginia. The ACB National Convention Coordinator will be accepting bids from travel agencies for future years from June 1 to August 15, 1989. Please refer any travel agencies you believe can give ACB good year-round service to: Robert Acosta, ACB National Convention Coordinator, 8915 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91324; (818) 348-2636. ***** ** ACB Scholarships Available to Blind Students The American Council of the Blind will award twelve scholarships to outstanding blind and visually impaired students in 1989. All legally blind persons admitted to academic, vocational, technical, and professional training programs at the postsecondary level for the 1989-90 school year are encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships. In 1989 the Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships will be one $1,500 and one $1,000 scholarship for the top students in each of the following categories: entering freshmen in academic programs, undergraduates (sophomores, juniors, seniors) in academic programs, graduate students in academic programs, and vocational/technical school students. Applicants will be compared with other applicants in their category, which means that entering freshmen in academic programs will be competing for funds with other first-year students. The $1,500 Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship, provided by the Tarver Memorial Fund, will be granted to an outstanding student at the undergraduate level. The $1,000 VTEK scholarship, provided by the VTEK Corporation of Santa Monica, California, will be awarded to an outstanding student in the undergraduate category. For the second year, two scholarships will be made available in the amounts of $1,500 and $1,000 to Pennsylvania residents. We encourage all qualified Pennsylvania residents to apply. Applications are available from the ACB National Office, 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 393-3666. All completed applications and supporting documents must be postmarked no later than April 1, 1989. Leading scholarship candidates will be interviewed by telephone in May and early June. The ACB scholars will be notified no later than June 15, 1989. The scholarships will be announced at the 28th national convention of the American Council of the Blind, to be held July 1-8, 1989 in Richmond, Virginia. Efforts will be made to enable many of the winning scholars to be present at the ceremonies. Among the criteria to be considered in selecting the scholars will be demonstrated academic record, involvement in extracurricular/civic activities, and academic objectives. The severity of the applicant's visual impairment and his/her study methods will also be taken into account in the selection process. ***** ** NLS to Offer World Literature through Book Club Best-sellers and long-time favorites from other English-speaking countries will shortly be available to patrons of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, through a World Literature Book Club that will begin operation this spring. "The club will give people the opportunity to read -- and experience -- more books and different books," said NLS Director Frank Kurt Cylke. "It's a way to broaden what the Library of Congress can offer, and at the same time take advantage of material already recorded for blind and physically handicapped readers." The Book Club will begin on a trial basis to determine reader interest and establish procedures. It will operate for a two-year period, offering books recorded in English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. The club was made possible through the cooperation of libraries in these countries serving blind and physically handicapped individuals. "We will not only be offering books from other countries, but books narrated with the sounds and accents of those countries," Mr. Cylke says. "It will bring a new dimension and a different experience for readers." Club members will receive monthly print brochures announcing main selections for that month, plus one or more alternates and other titles still available. They will be asked to select up to three titles in order of preference. "This concept is a new one, in a way," says Mr. Cylke. "It's based on book clubs print readers are familiar with, but it's for library patrons, not purchasers." Because of copyright requirements, books will be in limited supply and will be sent only if ordered, and must be read within a reasonable length of time and sent back for the use of other members. For the trial period, member will be limited to the first few hundred patrons who apply. When fully operational, the club will be open to all blind and physically handicapped citizens and residents of the United States. For further information, please contact Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, NLS/BPH, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542; (202) 287-5104. ***** ** Share Your Fund-Raising Successes and Ideas with ACB By Ken Morlock, Chairman ACB Fund-Raising and Development Committee Recently, ACB President Otis Stephens appointed a Fund-Raising and Development Committee to work with Roberta Douglas, Director of Development. I serve as Chairman. Other committee members are: W.A. Ouzts, Jacksonville, Florida, and Shirley Musillo, Staten Island, New York. The committee's main focus will be to raise money on both a short- and long-term basis for the American Council of the Blind nationally. We would appreciate your input on how this might best be accomplished. The committee therefore invites each ACB member and Braille Forum reader to share successful fund-raising experiences and ideas which we might review and possibly implement. Many of you belong to a variety of organizations, and we would like to compile a list of fund-raising ideas which have been successful with your national or international organization. If someone tells you that every fund-raising idea has been thought up already, prove that person wrong by coming up with your own unique idea to share. The committee would also like to assist local chapters and state affiliates in their fund-raising efforts by compiling a list of fund-raising adventures which have proven to be successful. Here again we ask for your assistance in sharing what has worked for you. This information may even serve as a base for a seminar at a future ACB national convention. So, no matter how unusual you think your suggestions may be, send all your ideas and suggestions to: Fund-Raising, P.O. Box 21488, Columbus, OH 43221. ***** ** Highlights of ACB Pre- and Post-Convention Board Meetings The pre-and post-convention Board of Directors meetings of the American Council of the Blind were held July 2 and July 9, respectively, at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. In his President's report, Otis Stephens expressed optimism with regard to ACB's improving financial condition. He reported that James Olsen, although doing well following heart bypass surgery, will not be present at this year's convention. LeRoy Saunders reported on plans to open a Thrift Store in Denver, Colorado, in early August. In his National Representative's report, Oral Miller indicated that significant grants have been received from a number of corporations -- one to assist with the 1988 convention; others targeted for scholarships and other educational purposes. Additionally, ACB has again agreed to work with Dow Jones & Co. in monitoring radio advertising for its Wall Street Report. ACB is actively participating in the National Committee on the Advancement of Accreditation by the National Accreditation Council and in the Coalition for Information Access for Print Handicapped Readers. As National Representative, Mr. Miller has agreed to serve on the recently established Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities, chaired by Justin Dart, Jr. Purpose of the Task Force is to gather evidence of discrimination against handicapped individuals, to be used in conjunction with lobbying efforts in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Board voted to charter the Visually Impaired Piano Tuners International as an ACB special-interest affiliate. Membership Chairman Durward McDaniel reported that, for the first time, representatives from the State of Alaska were attending this year's convention. In accordance with Membership Resolution 87-15, resolutions follow-up is now an agenda item at each ACB Board meeting. First Vice President and former Resolutions Committee Chairman Paul Edwards reported on improvements made in the format of pre-registration and registration materials, as directed by Membership Resolution 87-36. National Convention Coordinator Robert Acosta reported as follows: The Old Dominion Council of the Blind will host the 1989 convention, to be held July 1-8 in Richmond, Virginia. Four hotels are to be used -- the Marriott (the headquarters hotel), the Omni, Days Inn, and the Radisson -- with shuttle service to be provided. Special concerns which have been expressed to the Convention Committee include: shuttle service, repetition of menus at served meal functions, daily charge for telephone usage, and cancellation of pre- and post-convention tours. President Stephens announced reappointment of Robert Acosta as National Convention Coordinator and John Horst as Assistant Convention Coordinator for 1989. As ACB representative, Janiece Petersen reported on the meeting of the National Policy Task Force on recruitment of professional personnel to serve the blind and visually impaired, held at the Maryland School for the Blind in March under the auspices of the Affiliated Leadership League. More than 20 causes were identified for the decrease in persons being attracted to work in the blindness field and five areas were targeted for concentrated study. The Board voted unanimously that each ACB scholarship recipient is to be given a one-year membership in the National Alliance of Blind Students. The following persons were elected to a one-year term on the Board of Directors of ACB Enterprises and Services: LeRoy Saunders, Grant Mack, Durward McDaniel, Otis Stephens, and Calvin Wooten. Upon recommendation of the Budget Committee, the Board approved funding of a special issue of The Braille Forum to report on the 1988 annual convention. Director of Development Roberta Douglas reviewed a number of fund­raising projects currently being implemented or under consideration. A Fund-Raising and Development Committee has been appointed, with Ken Morlock of the ACB of Ohio as Chairman. Upon recommendation of Christopher Gray, Chairman of the Board of Publications, the ACB Board of Directors approved creation of the "Vernon Henley Media Award." The award is to be presented annually by the Board of Publications to a communicator, sighted or blind, whose work in television, radio, or print best represents the ideals demonstrated by Vernon Henley, who originated ACB Reports and who at the time of his death was serving as Chairman of the Board of Publications. The Board thanked retiring Directors Paul Verner, Adrian DeBlaey, and Bob Campbell for their service to ACB over the years and welcomed newly elected Board members Robert Acosta, Patricia Beattie, and Jean Mann. The fall Board meeting is scheduled for the weekend of September 16-18 and the winter Board meeting for the weekend of January 13-15, 1989. ***** ** 1989 National Skiing and Iceskating Championships for the Blind Some people say that you haven't skied if you haven't skied the Rockies! The 1989 National Skiing Championships for the Blind will give participants an opportunity to verify this statement for themselves. The 1989 championships, sponsored by the United States Association for Blind Athletes, will take place in world-famous Vail, Colorado, during the period March 5-11. The championships that were conducted in Vail in February of 1988 have been described as the best and the most enjoyable in the history of the event. The 1989 event is expected to be even better because of wonderful snow, beautiful slopes, fantastic weather, excellent ski guides, generous community support and hospitality, comfortable living accommodations, outstanding evening entertainment, professionally laid-out race courses, and incomparable competition. The nature and extent of speed skating and Nordic skiing competition will depend upon interest shown by competitors. Competition in all sports will be pursuant to the visual classification recognized by the International Blind Sports Association. Under this system, competitors are placed in one of three visual categories based on established visual acuity. Participation in competition sponsored by the United States Association for Blind Athletes is necessary in order for a person to be considered for selection to a team to represent the United States in international competition sanctioned by the International Blind Sports Association. In order to obtain entry forms or further information about the national skiing or speed-skating championships, or any other sports for blind people, contact the United States Association for Blind Athletes at 33 North Institute Street, Brown Hall Suite 015, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; (719) 630-0422. ***** ** ALL Delegate Assembly Meets By Kathleen Megivern The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America held its 1988 National Delegate Assembly from September 30 through October 2 in Alexandria, Virginia. Delegates were welcomed to Alexandria by Mayor James Moran, and the keynote address was delivered by Evan Kemp, Commissioner, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The emphasis on civil rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities continued into the evening, when attendees heard remarks by Jay Rochlin, Executive Director of the President's Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities. Saturday's session featured an in-depth look at the missions and activities of several national organizations of and for the blind. The first panel featured Gerry Miller, representing the American Foundation for the Blind, Dr. Otis Stephens, President of the American Council of the Blind; Robert Hanye, from National Industries for the Blind; and Toni Heinze, President of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. The second panel was composed of Norma Krajczar, President of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind; Dennis Hartenstine, Executive Director of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped; George Stocking, representing the Blinded Veterans Association; and Gene Heisler, President of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. While most people in the room knew a little bit about nearly every organization listed, many expressed satisfaction at having learned more about the programs and goals of the many organizations involved in ALL. The afternoon included an in-depth look at critical issues facing two major programs, the Randolph-Sheppard vending facility program and the Javits-Wagner-O'Day program. The Delegate Assembly was preceded by meetings of the subcommittees of ALL's National Policy Task Force on personnel shortages. Dr. Richard Welch, who has agreed to chair the Task Force, reported to the delegates on the activities and plans of the three subcommittees. The subcommittees deal with the following three areas: (1) recruitment of individuals into special education and rehabilitation careers -- specifically, working with blind and visually impaired persons; (2) innovative strategies for training these professionals; and (3) standards and accreditation to ensure high-quality services and to promote the professions. All three subcommittees developed plans for how to proceed, and hopefully you will be hearing more about their activities in months and years to come. Sunday morning may seem like a terrible time to have to attend more meetings, but a provocative panel on advances in low vision technology managed to hold everyone's attention very well. ALL's next major project will be a twofold legislation effort. The first part involves updating the Legislative Manual which was distributed to every member of Congress two years ago. This manual, which provides comprehensive background information on programs affecting blind and visually impaired people, will be re-distributed to the members of the 101st Congress during the second part of ALL's project, the 1989 Legislative Seminar. The seminar has been scheduled for February 1989 and will include some "how-to" training, as well as information updates for those who participate. The most important part of the effort will, of course, be visits to Congressional offices by the individuals who take part in the seminar. Membership in the Affiliated Leadership League has grown under the leadership of Grant Mack, ALL President. With the successful initiation of the National Policy Task Force on the personnel crisis, the ALL Board of Directors is looking at addressing other major issues through this same Task Force model. In addition, the work of the Legislative Working Group continues, coordinated by ALL's National Administrator, Robert Humphreys. If you would like more information about ALL or would like to be on the mailing list for ALL materials, contact Mr. Humphreys at the ALL executive office, 1030 15th Street, N.W., Suite 468, Washington, DC 20005, or call (202) 775-8261. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * FOR SALE: BEX Version 2.3 word processing and Grade 1 to Grade 2 translation for the Apple computer. Braille manual is included. $175.00, including shipping. Also Prairie battery pack for the Apple IIc. This battery has been modified by the manufacturer for use with the Cricket speech synthesizer. $175.00, including shipping. Write Richard Fiorello, 180 Euclid Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217, or call evenings, (716) 873-4132. ***** ** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon The Piedmont and Coastal regions of the Southern Division of Pizza Hut now provide braille menus for visually impaired customers. A total of 316 restaurants in five states -- Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky -- are participating in the pilot project. Along with the braille menus, the print version includes a statement, "Braille Menus Available." Hopefully the project will be expanded to include Pizza Hut restaurants nationwide. From FCCLV Viewpoint (Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision): A short questionnaire is available to any individual with partial sight who wishes to participate in a nationwide study of low-vision people. The survey will endeavor to obtain a realistic description of who low-vision people are and how they cope. Anyone who would like to participate in the survey is invited to contact Janice Goldhaber, Center for the Partially Sighted, 720 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has produced an educational brief, "How Big Is the Universe?"; for persons who are visually impaired. Brailled by Clovernook Printing House of Cincinnati, Ohio, the publication is available from: Educational Services Office, Mail Stop 7-4, Attention: "How Big Is the Universe?"; NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135. Stevie Wonder, one of pop music's most eloquent humanitarians, has been thinking of entering politics, according to The New York Times. The blind singer, who recently ended an extended engagement at Radio City Music Hall, is thinking of running for mayor of Detroit in 1992. "The idea first occurred to me several years ago, but as time has gone on it seems more and more like a realistic possibility," the singer said in a recent interview. "If l were mayor, I would use my real name, Steveland Morris," he went on. "I would ban most handguns in the city, and those that were left, l would want to know where they were and why." Wonder said he would also start a work program that would supply the unemployed with jobs that would involve some community responsibility. More than 140 items gathered nationwide (many of them free of charge) are listed in the newly revised 11th edition of the popular Vision Resource List. Resources include brochures, catalogs, cookbooks, sample magazines, and other materials in print, large-print, braille, disc, and cassette. Two popular sections — funding sources for visually impaired students, and resources for blind diabetics -- have been completely revised. Many of the items on the list have been recorded on cassette for people who can no longer read print and cannot read braille. To order, write Vision Foundation, Inc., 818 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02172. Human Ware, Inc., formerly Sensory Aids Corporation, is offering for a limited time a variety of refurbished demonstration stock at half price. Included are Keynotes, Braille "n" Prints, ViewScan Text Systems, printers, modems, Mowat Sensors, SonicGuides, as well as accessories and/or software for the above. Most include a one-year warranty. Contact Human Ware, Inc., 6140 Horseshoe Bar Road, Suite P, Loomis, CA 95650. Over 70 innovative products for blind and visually impaired persons are featured in the new 44-page catalog of the Trian Corp. Included are talking clocks and watches, talking health and fitness aids, magnifiers, and more. Items of special note include the Music Magni-Viewer, Pyramid alarm clock, a biofeedback headache pain reliever, and electronic flea collar. Contact Trian Corp., 177 Telegraph Road, Suite 302, Bellingham, WA 98226; 1-800-628-2828, Extension 558. *** Volume III of the Ann Morris Enterprises catalog is now available free of charge in large­print, cassette, and IBM and Apple format disk. Write in any format to Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc., 26 Horseshoe Lane, Levittown, NY 11756; (516) 796-4938. *** The 1988-89 Option Central catalog is available in large-print free of charge, in braille for $1.00, and on cassette for $1.00, or free if a blank C60 cassette is supplied. This catalog includes greeting cards, housewares, braille writing supplies, and talking products. Contact Option Central, Fred Sanderson, Proprietor; 1604 Carroll Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54304; (414) 498-9699. *** The 1988-89 catalog of LS&S Group contains descriptions of more than 800 products -- many of them new -- of particular interest to blind and visually impaired people. The large-print catalog is free; voice-indexed cassette costs $3.00, refundable with your first purchase. LS&S Group, Inc., P.O. Box 673, Northbrook, IL 60065; 1-800-468-4789; in Illinois, 1-312-498-9777. Henter-Joyce, Inc., of St. Petersburg, Florida, has announced the availability of JAWS Formwriter, a new software program designed to permit blind and visually impaired people to accurately complete pre-printed forms on a computer and printer. JAWS runs on the IBM PC, XT, AT, Personal System 2, or compatibles, and can work with a variety of speech synthesizers and screen-reading software programs. For more information or to obtain a demonstration version of JAWS Formwriter, contact Henter-Joyce, Inc., at (813) 576-5658. Expectations, the annual braille anthology of current children's literature published by Braille Institute, is now available free of charge to all English-speaking blind children in grades 3-6. This year's volume contains ten complete juvenile books; many kinds of stories, and one poem; also a new microfragrance page and four embossed picture pages to illustrate four of the books. Schools, libraries, and organizations serving blind children who wish to receive this 40th anniversary edition should write to: Douglas Menville, Braille Institute, 741 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029. An article in the May-June issue of The Braille Forum described a 24-hour-a-day telephone service giving information about positions available in the U.S. Department of Education. Please note that the number listed in the article has been changed, and no change-of-number message was run. The new DOE employment number is (202) 732-5499. Dr. Samuel Genensky, founder of the Center for the Partially Sighted, Santa Monica, California, was recently inducted into the California Governor's Hall of Fame for People with Disabilities. At the induction ceremony in Sacramento, Dr. Genensky and four other Californians were honored for overcoming significant limitations imposed by their severe disabilities, and for making extraordinary contributions in their chosen fields of endeavor. Dr. Genensky was the first President, and is now an honorary board member, of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision, an ACB affiliate. Microwave Times is a bi-monthly magazine featuring an average of 45 pre-tested recipes as well as tips and techniques for microwave cooking. A one-year subscription is $34.00 in braille, $31.00 for tone-indexed cassettes, with binder. To subscribe, contact CL Productions, 2905 Berkshire Lane, Mesquite, TX 75150; (214) 681-2771. As a college research project, a survey has been developed to investigate the technology used by visually impaired individuals, where they got it, and how satisfied they are with the help they received. It is hoped that the results can be shared with manufacturers, training institutions, publishers, and other interested parties. If you are interested in participating, please contact Melvin Sheire, 1959 Euclid Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68502; (402) 435-3400. "Playthings: Preserving the Fine Tradition of Foolishness," is the title of a new exhibition of dolls, toys, games/puzzles, and the like, assembled for the coming season at the Mather Homestead Museum, Library and Memorial, 343 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Many of the games can be played by those with little or no sight -- braille dominos, raised checkers, and much, much more. Breaking New Ground is a quarterly newsletter for farmers with physical disabilities. Agricultural equipment that has been adapted for farmers with disabilities is an example of the material covered. Print subscription is $10.00 per year; cassettes cost $5.00 per tape. To subscribe, write Breaking New Ground, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Engineering Building, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Blind Professionals' Services (BPS), whose principal objective is to promote the training and employment of qualified blind professionals in the blindness community, is in the process of planning up to a week-long institute to be held at Yosemite National Park during June 1989. BPS plans to deal primarily with the concerns of blind professionals and students in the fields of education, social services, and rehabilitation as they relate to practice in the blindness community. For additional details, write BPS, P.O. Box 3704, Pinedale, CA 93650. When writing, please give your background and interests, and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in order to be placed on the mailing list. National Industries for the Blind wishes to announce a senior management position opening for Director of Special Workshop Services at its corporate offices in Wayne, New Jersey. Resumes should be forwarded to Ms. Mary Jane Surrego, Vice President-Administration, National Industries for the Blind, 524 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470. NIB is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Persons who are legally blind are encouraged to apply. ***** ** ACB Officers and Directors * President: Otis H. Stephens, 2021 Kemper Lane, S.W., Knoxville, TN 37920 * First Vice President: Paul Edwards, 170 N.E. 123 Street, North Miami, FL 33161 * Second Vice President: Charles Hodge, 1131 S. Forest Drive, Arlington, VA 22204 * Secretary: Elizabeth Lennon,1400 N. Drake Road, Apt. 218, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 * Treasurer: LeRoy Saunders, P.O. Box 24020, Oklahoma City, OK 73124 * Immediate Past President: Grant Mack, 139 E. South Temple, Suite 5000, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Robert Acosta, 20734-C Devonshire, Chatsworth, CA 91311 Patricia Beattie, 1900 S. Eads Street, No. 716, Arlington, VA 22202 Michael Byington, 706 Buchanan, Topeka, KS 66606 Brian Charlson, 12 Riverside Street, Apt. 1-2, Watertown, MA 02172 Carla Franklin, 148 North Vernon Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206 Jean Mann, 422 Sand Creek Road, Apt. 230, Albany, NY 12205 Durward K. McDaniel, 9468 Singing Quail Drive, Austin, TX 78758 Patricia Price, Tower 2, Apt. 2102, 600 N. Alabama Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 M.J. Schmitt, 528 Des Plaines Avenue, Apt. 2B, Forest Park, IL 60130 Dick Seifert, 1023 Scott Street, Apt. F, Little Rock, AR 72202 ###