The Braille Forum Vol. XXVIII July-August 1989 No. 1 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 THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large-print and cassette tape (15/16 ips). Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to: American Council of the Blind, 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions may be sent to LeRoy Saunders, Treasurer, at the above address. 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 contact the ACB National Office. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the Washington Connection at (202) 393-3664 eastern time, 24 hours a day; or toll-free, (800) 424-8666, 9:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Copyright 1989 American Council of the Blind ***** ** Contents President's Message, by Otis Stephens ADA and the "Big But" Theory, by Kathleen Megivern News Briefs from the ACB National Office, by Oral O. Miller Immediate Position Opening: Braille Forum Editor How You and the United Way Together Can Help ACB, by Roberta A. Douglas Blind Virginians Succeed in Campaign to Require "Beepers" on Trucks Moving in Reverse The BEP and Me, by Byrdyna Goodart ACB Awards 1989 Scholarships From the Workplace, by Mitchell Pomerantz ACB Sweepstakes Winners Swept Off Their Feet in Washington, by Roberta A. Douglas Orange Juice, Orange Juice, and Stevie Wonder, by Larry Johnson Blind Man Beaten -- Officers Mistake Cane for Weapon The Hapless Cook, by Marcia Keller OC Transpo Provides Bus Hailing Kits to Visually Impaired Riders High Tech Swap Shop In Memoriam: Mae Davidow Here and There, by Elizabeth M. Lennon ACB Officers ***** ** President's Message By Otis Stephens The 28th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind, held in Richmond, Virginia, was a great success. Attendance was up this year, and enthusiasm ran high throughout the week. I want to take this opportunity to commend Robert Acosta, our National Convention Coordinator, and his splendid convention committee for the outstanding job they did in making arrangements for this year's convention. Nelson Malbone, President of the host affiliate, the Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Roy Ward, who chaired the host committee, deserve special thanks for their outstanding leadership in orchestrating the 1989 convention. Once again we had a most informative program and excellent participation by our members, both in posing important questions to many speakers and in transacting ACB business. With over 65 exhibits and numerous interesting tours, this convention offered a great opportunity for learning, recreation, and entertainment. Several standing committees contributed significantly to the success of the national convention. Committees on credentials, constitution and by­laws, resolutions, nominations, scholarships, and awards were chaired by Phyllis Mitchell, Jean Mann, Allen Jenkins, Helen Wild, M.J. Schmitt, and Shirley Brokaw, respectively. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of these individuals and their committees for the effort, dedication, and competence reflected in their contributions to the convention. In the September-October issue of The Braille Forum you will be provided with detailed coverage of this year's convention, including a full set of resolutions as well as changes. in the Constitution and By-Laws. It was a most interesting and productive meeting, as those readers who attended can attest. I urge you to begin planning now to attend what promises to be an equally outstanding convention in 1990 in Denver, Colorado. For a number of years Floyd Cargill, a long-time leader in our organization, has served as ACB's representative to the Braille Authority of North America. Floyd has been a most capable advocate of the primacy of braille as the medium of literacy for blind persons and is currently completing a term as Chairman of BANA. Unfortunately, Floyd has found it necessary for reasons of health to relinquish his duties as our BANA representative effective at the end of the current year. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge publicly the splendid contribution that Floyd Cargill has made as ACB's BANA representative. He has set a high standard of leadership and dedication in this important field of work, so vital to the interests of blind persons. It gives me great pleasure to report to you that our strong BANA representation will continue with the appointment of Christopher Gray as Floyd Cargill's successor. As many of you know, Chris Gray chairs our Board of Publications and is a former member of the ACB Board of Directors. He is not only a proficient and avid braille user, but also has extensive knowledge of modern communications technology available to blind and visually impaired persons. I am confident that Chris Gray will continue the high standard of representation that ACB has received in its work with the Braille Authority of North America. Because of increasing responsibilities at the University of Tennessee and in the political science profession, I decided several weeks prior to the convention not to seek a second term as ACB president. Serving in this important leadership capacity for the past two years has been a great honor. I have enjoyed the work and regard it as by far the most meaningful opportunity afforded me for volunteer service in this or any other field. I want to express appreciation to the officers, directors, and staff of ACB for their splendid cooperation during my term as President. In addition, I want to thank the membership of ACB, many of whom I have come to know better through response to these messages in The Braille Forum. We have had a good dialogue over the past two years, and I am confident that this will continue with our new President, LeRoy Saunders. I congratulate him on his election and am sure that you will give him the same strong encouragement and support that you have provided me in this office. By the way, I intend to remain very active in the work of ACB. You will be hearing from me in The Braille Forum on occasion in the future. The American Council of the Blind is a thriving, growing organization. With the continued active participation of all of us, the stern challenges of the 1990's will be met. ***** ** ADA and the "Big But" Theory By Kathleen Megivern As I reported in the last issue of The Braille Forum, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been introduced into the Senate and the House of Representatives, and there has been a flurry of activity in recent weeks. The Senate has completed its hearings on the bill (S. 933) and plans to "mark up" on July 12. As we go to press, there are 45 co-sponsors in the Senate, and advocates hope to have a majority of 51 co-sponsors by the time of mark-up. The final Senate hearing was held on June 22, and the star witness was Attorney General Dick Thornburgh. Despite several endorsements of the bill by President Bush during and immediately after the campaign, his Administration had been dragging its feet on taking any public position on the bill. While the Attorney General's testimony may not have been the ringing endorsement we would have hoped for, it certainly was more positive than it was negative, and the Administration's support of the bill "in concept" is without question. That gets me to my "big but" theory. Never have I seen a piece of legislation that had so many opponents with so many positive things to say about the concepts and goals of the legislation they are opposing. Every statement of opposition, every editorial, every negative letter seems to start out with, "We wholeheartedly endorse the need for comprehensive civil rights protections for people with disabilities, but ..." There it is -- the "big but"! The business community supports greater rights for disabled people -- BUT they do not want to incur any additional costs. The transportation industry supports more access for disabled people -- BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES. Employer groups support wider employment opportunities for disabled people -- but ... Well, you get the picture. And so, even as the bill seems to be on a fast track in the Senate, the opposition is also moving quickly and gathering strength (all the while, of course, giving lip service to the lofty goals and objectives of the bill they are trying to kill). For this reason, even if your Senators or Congressmen are already co-sponsors of the ADA, letters of support to encourage them to "keep the faith" could be very helpful. On the House side, things are a little more complicated. The bill, H.R. 2273, has been referred to four different committees, which means that no matter how much cooperation there is, getting the bill through those committees and on to the floor of the House will be difficult. In addition, our main sponsor and most passionate advocate was Representative Tony Coelho, the former Congressman from California, who had to resign because of personal financial irregularities. Fortunately, Mr. Coelho has passed the torch to Representative Stenny Hoyer (D.-MD), and Mr. Hoyer, whose wife has epilepsy, promises to be as committed a proponent as Mr. Coelho has been. As we go to press, no hearings have yet been scheduled in the House. But, despite the more complicated circumstances on the House side, we currently have 187 co-sponsors, and advocates remain optimistic that we will be able to make our way through the jurisdictional quagmire of the four different committees. BUT -- and here's a different "big but" -- BUT we need your help. Congressional offices report that they just are not getting much mail in support of ADA. As an example, Senator Biden of Delaware says that his office has gotten six -- count 'em -- six letters supporting the bill. A lot of work has been done on this legislation, and we have many deeply committed advocates working on our behalf. But without the grassroots, we will surely fail. So please be a part of this most historic civil rights movement: Write a letter, make a phone call, or visit your local Congressional office today. ***** ** News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller National Representative What a pleasure it was to help host LeRoy and Arlys Hill of Wichita, Kansas, around Washington as winners of ACB's "Wonderful Weekend in Washington." A separate article in this issue of The Braille Forum contains many of the details of their trip. We understand, by the way, that several of their fellow chapter members in Wichita were good-naturedly envious of their good fortune, and that LeRoy and Arlys enthusiastically reminded them that they could not win unless they also took part in the ACB Sweepstakes. The next Sweepstakes will be announced this fall, so watch your mailbox! We are pleased to announce that in early May, Mr. Frank Kurt Cylke, Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, and several of the members of his staff met at the ACB National Office with the ACB President, the Second Vice President, and the National Representative to discuss matters of mutual importance and for the exchange of information. The meeting (for which the agenda had been agreed upon beforehand) was cordial, constructive, and informative. This was the third meeting between ACB and NLS officials since the 1988 ACB National convention, and other such meetings are planned for the future. It is generally a pleasure to meet with ACB state affiliates, but the situation was a bit different as I prepared to attend a special meeting of the Michigan Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired in early May. Why? Because the special meeting had been called in Lansing by the President of the MABVI to discuss and respond to an April decision by the Michigan Commission for the Blind to discontinue purchasing services and products from agencies accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC). This action was initiated by a Commission member who is an officer in the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, and the decision was encouraged by a resolution adopted by that organization last fall. At the special meeting of the MABVI held in Lansing (to which all the Commissioners were invited, but to which only two showed up), representatives of the MABVI, NAC-accredited agencies both inside and outside of Michigan, the National Accreditation Council itself, the American Council of the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the National Coalition for the Advancement of Accreditation by NAC, accurately described the resolution as the latest in a long series of attacks based on the inability of the National Federation of the Blind to control NAC and the accreditation of services for blind people. It was also pointed out that the Michigan Commission had done serious disservice to blind people of the state by denying them access to quality services and products -- such as Perkins Braillers from the Howe Press, services from national organizations such as Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind, and services from the accredited agencies in Michigan. Until then it had not occurred to some of the members of the Commission that they had "shot themselves in the foot." The upshot of this matter was that at the May meeting, the Michigan Commission rescinded the questionable decision -- and then agreed to rescind the rescission when the NFB member objected that the Commission had failed to observe strict parliamentary procedures (which, we are informed, had never been so strictly observed before!). No, you have not heard the end of this yet! At the June meeting, the Commission reconsidered the matter. It declined to rescind the original April decision and then, in an absolutely mystifying move, proceeded to adopt another resolution to the ef­fect that the Michigan Commission would, in fact, continue to purchase services and equipment from a long list of NAC-accredited agencies both inside and outside Michigan. No, the matter may not be at rest yet! Now do you understand why many MABVI members wonder who is really being served by the Michigan Commission for the Blind? I had not been in Starkville, Mississippi, for almost two years when I attended the May meeting of the National Advisory Council of the Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Seminar on Blindness. Since some blindness-related research appears to be little more than "academic busy work" which is published once and forgotten, I was pleased by the realistic concerns expressed by the committee -- such as the possible establishment of a Federal center for the concerns of partially sighted people, the relevance of some skills taught and not taught in business enterprise training programs, the delicate balance between the importance of research and training, alternative research techniques, the provision of direct services by the Center, the inappropriateness of medically-oriented centers as models in the blindness field, cooperation with states in evaluating services for elderly blind people, and the possible publication of statistical predictors with adequate warnings to prevent their misuse or the allocation of less funds for high-risk groups of people. The American Council of the Blind continues to be very active in monitoring and supporting the Americans with Disabilities Act. A separate article appears elsewhere in this issue of The Braille Forum concerning the progress of this extremely important bill, which was re-introduced in Congress in early May. The latest developments of importance concerning this true civil rights bill for disabled people may be obtained by calling the Washington Connection on weekday evenings between 8:00 and 11:00 P.M. Eastern time -- toll-free, 1-800-424-8666. ***** Immediate Position Opening: Braille Forum Editor The American Council of the Blind is now accepting applications for the position as Editor of The Braille Forum. Principal duties include: 1) Producing a quality magazine focusing on issues and concerns of blind and visually impaired people. 2) Writing and soliciting articles from appropriate sources on timely subjects in order to promote the independence of blind people and the goals of the American Council of the Blind. 3) Managing the quality and the timeliness of all editions of the magazine. 4) Attending newsworthy events, conducting interviews, and promoting innovative ideas for magazine content. 5) Assisting, when requested, the ACB Board of Publications, the Board of Directors, and staff. Preferred Qualifications: 1) Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, or a related field. Experience may be substituted for education. 2) Demonstrated knowledge in and/or awareness of ACB's organizational goals, structure, and ideals. 3) Awareness of the concerns of users of each medium in which ACB publications are produced; i.e., large print, braille, and audio products. 4) Applicant should be willing to relocate. 5) Compensation commensurate with experience. Submit resume or request a copy of the job description and application form to the ACB National Office, 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 393-3666. ***** ** How You and the United Way Together Can Help ACB By Roberta A. Douglas Director of Development It may be little known, but you can assist the American Council of the Blind financially by contributing to your local United Way drive. Each year, usually in the fall, United Ways throughout the country hold their annual fund-raising drives. It is possible to designate the American Council of the Blind to be the recipient of your gift or pledge. Just write in "American Council of the Blind, Washington, D.C.," and you'll be helping ACB maintain and expand its programs and services. This gift, though given to a national organization, will filter back to your community in many ways and forms, such as The Braille Forum, toll-free information and referral available nationwide, the Washington Connection (including its new feature, the "Job Connection"), scholarships, and many other ways in which ACB interacts with local agencies and service providers. So, remember this fall when your United Way (or whatever it is called in your community) asks for support: designate the American Council of the Blind to receive your contribution. It's a very easy and a very effective way to support ACB. ***** ** Blind Virginians Succeed in Campaign to Require "Beepers" on Trucks Moving in Reverse On April 24, Governor Gerald L. Baliles signed legislation that will require all refuse trucks with limited rear visibility to use audible signals or "beepers" when traveling in reserve -- thanks to the strong advocacy efforts of blind residents of Virginia. The law will go into effect July 1, 1989, and will be enforced through state motor vehicle inspectors. Among those praising the new legislation were Richard Harris, a counselor at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, who had testified in support of the proposed legislation earlier this year before committees of the Virginia State Legislature. Harris became actively involved in advocacy efforts after his wife, Joyce, was fatally crushed under the rear wheels of a beeperless trash truck in August 1988 (see "Tragic Death of Blind Woman Reveals Need for New Motor Vehicle Safety Law in Virginia,'' by Oral O. Miller, The Braille Forum, January-February 1989). In his testimony, Harris said: "If it remains legal for that driver to back his trash truck without warning over my wife, then I, as a blind man, ought to be issued a driver's license." Harris's testimony culminated a campaign -- launched by organizations of and for blind people in Virginia -- after the fatal accident. "This is a pedestrian safety issue, not just a blindness issue," said Edward T. Ruch, Director of the American Foundation for the Blind's Mid-Atlantic Regional Center in Washington, D. C. "These safety devices should be installed on all such vehicles to safeguard the lives of pedestrians, regardless of whether they are sighted or visually impaired." Three Virginia legislators introduced "beeper" bills after police and news reporters discovered that there was no such requirement in the Commonwealth, as there is in neighboring Maryland and the District of Columbia. The Northern Virginia affiliate of the American Council of the Blind took the case to Delegate Warren G. Stambaugh, (D-Arlington), who introduced a bill that would require audible backup warning devices on all trucks licensed in Virginia. Another bill was quickly amended in the Senate Subcommittee to apply only to trash trucks. Organizations of and for blind people then sent representatives to Richmond in an effort to expand the requirement to all trucks with limited rear visibility. Joining in to support a compromise bill that would require the beepers by July 1 on all trash and refuse trucks, as well as highway and road maintenance vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more, were spokesmen for the Lions Clubs of Virginia, law enforcement officials, the state's refuse haulers, and leading lobbyists for the trucking industry. Companion bills with the same language passed both chambers of the General Assembly -- 97 to 0 in the House of Delegates and 40 to 0 in the Senate. The final bill was adopted February 16 by the House of Delegates, 96 to 1. "We didn't achieve a full victory," said Charles S. P. Hodge, Second Vice President of the American Council of the Blind and Legislative Chairman for its Virginia affiliate, Old Dominion Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, "but we did manage to convince legislators that truck drivers have no right to back over people with no warning." Adds Laura Oftedahl, Director of Public Affairs at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind: "We need to work to require these warning signals on delivery and public utility trucks as well as refuse collection and road maintenance vehicles. These are the vehicles which often are traveling in areas where pedestrians normally have the right of way, blocking sidewalks and driveways -- sometimes traveling so slowly that people cannot tell by sound which way they are going." ***** ** The BEP and Me By Byrdyna Goodart There is a tendency within the blindness community to demean the vending program as well as the vendor. It was refreshing to read Oral Miller's comments in The Braille Forum (November-December 1988 issue, "News Briefs from the ACB National Office"), which encouraged me to write this article. I had contemplated writing one for some time. Vending is a very positive as well as lucrative pursuit, and although it may entail long hours of hard work, it engenders confidence and ability and can also became an adventure. The California program, of which I was a member from 1954 to 1983, is called the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEP). Titles of these programs for the blind vary from state to state, as does their implementation, and this is important to understand. The California BEP is distinctive in that it allows its operators (vendors) to assume the full responsibility of personal management as a private businessman. Each vendor in the program has access to all information on any location opening up and the opportunity to compete for each one. Hearings are held for every facility, where the applicants are interviewed individually by a committee of several persons, including a vendor, a purveyor (salesman), the building manager, and a local businessman. Each committee member is given a score sheet with several categories listed. As a vendor is interviewed, he/she is scored on these categories. The vendor scoring the highest becomes the new operator of that location. Every interview is taped by the BEP representative to ensure fairness and non-discrimination. It has proved to be a very equitable system. The financing for the BEP comes from Federal financing funds in a ratio of four-to-one, or four Federal dollars to one Trust Fund dollar. To quote a prominent legislator: "It is the only Federally funded program that pays its way and returns a profit in the form of income taxes, sales taxes, and savings in public assistance." At the time of my introduction to the BEP, there were very few vendors in southern California, and my training consisted of one week's experience with a licensed operator. From there I had to "wing it" on my own. But there's nothing like necessity to learn things in a hurry, and experience is the best teacher. During 29 years and 9 months with the BEP, I have operated two cafeterias, two wet stands, a dry stand, and a coffee shop (a wet stand is one which serves coffee and other beverages). Along with making a living, it was a wonderful way to assess human nature and to show compassion to others less fortunate than ourselves. One of my snack bars was in the outpatient clinic of the Veterans Administration, where I served many disabled Vietnam veterans. It was a humbling experience and really mitigates the problems of blindness. When I left the clinic, the V.A. presented me with a citation which I truly treasure. The coffee shop that I operated was in the headquarters of the Immigration and Naturalization building at the international border. It was unique in that it was run on the "honor system" and was not open to the general public, but only the agents and their guests. Each morning I placed a bowl on the counter containing $10.00 in change. The agents did their own cashiering and at the end of each day there was always more money in the bowl than would have paid for the goods sold. There aren't many places like that today. While there, I learned a great deal about the huge influx of illegal aliens and what the tremendous cost is to the American public in jobs, crime, and welfare. All the time that I was there I was treated with great consideration and was always introduced to guests as "our girl Friday." Another interesting location -- and my last before retiring -- was at the Defense Supply Depot, a place that furnishes the Pacific Fleet with all materials needed to maintain the Fleet for months at a time. The guards' desk was just across the lobby from my stand and, in addition to being good customers, they saw that no one cheated me. While there I was privileged to witness a "change of command" just outside the snack bar door, with all the pomp and circumstance that attend such a ceremony -- even the Navy Band. They were a great group of people, and I hated to retire. The two cafeterias were also interesting, but in a different way. Customers used to ask me how I knew so many of the people in the building, and I would remind them that eventually everyone gets hungry. As a "people person," I loved meeting new folks, and this friendly attitude toward others is an essential to being a success, I believe. Several years ago I attended chiropractic college, receiving my degree and license. It was in 1935, and people had no money for treatments. On top of that, I was very young and a woman -- a bad combination at that time. For the next few years I worked in a workshop for the blind, until I heard about the BEP. I found that many of the subjects I had studied as a chiropractor were just as useful as a vendor. Toxicology had taught me all about food poisoning. Psychology helps me to be more understanding of customers. And even "mother wit" played its part. My father had a saying that common sense isn't all that common. Amen! These are only a few of my personal experiences in the vending program, but there are hundreds of other vendors to sing its praises for allowing blind and visually impaired persons the opportunity to become independent wage-earners, with self­respect and a secure future. It is very fulfilling to be your own boss and to develop your potential. Professionalism is as essential for a well-managed food service as in any field of endeavor and should demand the same recognition. There is still great discrimination against blind persons in the marketplace, and it seems to me that the vending program for the blind is a viable alternative for employment. It was my pleasure to be able to thank Senator Jennings Randolph several years ago at an American Council of the Blind convention for his foresight in working to establish such a worthy project. It enabled me to support and educate three children as a single parent. Being a vendor can provide financial stability, exposure to the sighted world, and an opportunity to advance the cause of blind and visually impaired people by demonstrating our abilities, not our disabilities. It is difficult for me to understand the rationale or rehabilitation agencies who cannot see the logic of the vending program and the opportunities it provides. Financial advisers and leading economists predict difficult times ahead, but people will always require food and drink. It has been proven that the vendor can supply those needs. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted by placing clients in "no win" situations, and when they fail they either drop out completely or become perpetual students, and unproductive. Why not take the practical approach? Not everyone can achieve the aesthetic goals that rehabilitation agencies seem to espouse. Why not encourage clients to train as vendors? They are needed badly, and it is a good life, filled with companionship and varied experiences. In conclusion, I hope that this article will enlighten you, the reader, as to the many possibilities presented by the vending program for the blind, and that you will support the vendors and give them their just due. ***** ** ACB Awards 1989 Scholarships At its 28th annual convention, held July 1-8 in Richmond, Virginia, the American Council of the Blind awarded scholarships totaling over $16,000 to thirteen outstanding blind students. The awards were given to students in academic, professional, and vocational curricula at the undergraduate and graduate level. Hundreds of qualified blind and visually impaired students applied for these honors. Many of the winners attended this year's ACB national convention, to receive their awards and to take part in other student activities. The recipients of the two ACB scholarships in the graduate category are Rebecca Eaton of Florissant, Missouri, and Wendy Pava of Bellevue, Washington. Rebecca has received her Bachelor of Science in nursing and will be continuing her studies toward a Master's degree at St. Louis University. Wendy is attending the University of Washington in Seattle to receive her Ph.D. in child psychology. In the undergraduate field, the winners of the ACB scholarships are Annee Worsham of Mesa, Washington, and Tony Roe of Seabrook, Texas. Annee is pursuing her studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, in the field of politics. Tony is continuing his work at the University of Texas, Austin, in the field of marketing and hopes to pursue a degree in law. Other undergraduates who beat stiff competition for the 1989 ACB scholarships in the entering freshman category are Joseph "Marty" McLeod of Dublin, Georgia, and Ann Oliver of Muncie, Indiana. Marty will be pursuing his B.S. in sociology and Ann plans to attend Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, to receive a degree in English and foreign languages. The American Council of the Blind is pleased to award its 1989 scholarships in the vocational/technical category to Jacqueline Valvo of Beaverton, Oregon, and Lynne Moore of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jacqueline is pursuing her associate's degree in electronics at Oregon Polytechnic Institute in Portland. Lynne is working toward her certificate as a medical secretary at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship for 1989 was awarded to Sandeep Kishan of Millersville, Maryland. Sandeep will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign relations at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The VTEK scholarship, being administered by ACB, was awarded to Olegario "Ollie" Cantos, VII, an undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Ollie is pursuing his B.A. in liberal arts. In 1989, the American Council of the Blind has had the honor of administering a scholarship in memory of Linda Stephens, late wife of ACB President Otis Stephens. This $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Ren Wang of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ren is attending the Community College of Allegheny County, working towards his Associate's degree in data processing. Ren intends to continue his studies at a four-year college after graduation. For the second year, the American Council of the Blind has administered two scholarships for residents of the State of Pennsylvania. These scholarships were made available by the Estate of William G. Corey of Pittsburgh. The winners of these ACB scholarships are Brian McCall of Lansdowne and Zachary Shore of Philadelphia. Brian is attending Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, working toward a B.A. in politics. Zachary is working toward his B.A. in European history at the University of Pennsylvania. For information and applications for the 1990 ACB scholarships, contact the ACB National Office at 1010 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 393-3666 or toll-free, 3:00 to 5:30 P.M. eastern time weekdays, at 1-800-424-8666. Application deadline is April 1, 1990. ***** ** From the Workplace By Mitchell Pomerantz (Reprinted from The Blind Californian, Winter 1989. Published by California Council of the Blind) "One of the most misunderstood aspects of the employment of disabled persons is the term 'reasonable accommodation'." That is how I began an article several years ago which became part of a newsletter devoted to the subject of employment and disability that went to all employees of the City of Los Angeles. I have been attempting to educate managers, supervisors, and anyone else who will listen for what seems to be a long time. After a conversation I had at our recent convention, it occurred to me that it might be time to deal with the issue of reasonable accommodation here in this column. One of the things which I tell would-be employers is that the disabled job-seeker is in the best position to tell what he/she needs. While that sounds good, it may or may not be true, depending upon how knowledgeable the disabled applicant is. So for the next few pages let's bring everyone up to speed regarding this frequently complex topic. Just exactly what is "reasonable accommodation"? Section 84.12 -- Reasonable Accommodation, Part (b), of the Regulations covering the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) states the following: "Reasonable accommodation" may include (1) making facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, and (2) job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, the provision of readers or interpreters, and other similar actions." More simply put, "reasonable accommodation" may be defined as efforts made by the employer to remove artificial or real barriers which prevent or limit the employment and upward mobility of disabled persons. What makes this concept so difficult for most employers to understand and implement is the fact that it can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the applicant, his/her specific disability, the particular job duties, the working environment, and the financial capabilities of the employer. That is why we, as blind and visually impaired persons seeking employment, must be as well-informed as possible concerning the type of accommodation we need in order to do a particular job. The first thing that you need to keep in mind is that reasonable accommodation is not a new concept. Employers have been accommodating their workers ever since the first coffee break was written into a labor contact. Such things as air-conditioning, sick leave, and paid vacations are common examples of accommodations which are routinely provided all workers and which have been accepted as standard practice by employers. One of the things which I tell employers is that very often an accommodation for a disabled person can also benefit non-disabled co­workers as well. Typically, I cite my own experience with Telesensory Systems, Inc.'s "talking calculator. " A number of years ago, I was doing a great deal of budget work for the old CETA program. Several of my colleagues realized that by using my calculator, they would not have to keep glancing between the display and their worksheets, but could simply listen and write down the answer. As a result, they began asking to borrow my calculator. Many of you who use a speech-output computer system probably can relate similar experiences. There are several categories or types of reasonable accommodation. For the sake of brevity, discussion will be limited to just three: job re­structuring, support services, and auxiliary aids. "Job restructuring" means the replacement of certain duties which the disabled person cannot perform with certain other duties which he/she can perform. The Rehabilitation Act does not require that the "essential" duties of the job be substituted, but only those duties which are considered non-essential in nature. The difference between an essential and a non-essential duty relates to how critical that duty is to the overall job. If, for example, one of the duties of the position of secretary is sorting mail, and that task requires about an hour a day to perform, assuming that you would not be able to perform that task efficiently, it would be. possible to re-assign that task to another clerical employee, while you in turn become responsible for your co-worker's share of the reception and telephone work (another non-essential duty). A major area of concern for employers is the notion that other employees will have to pick up the slack for the disabled worker. If you can convince the interviewer that you are willing and able to participate in the job restructuring process, you may be able to allay that employer's concern. Little needs to be said regarding the use of support services (readers). It is likely that you will have to explain to a potential employer that a reader does not actually do your job for you, but only provides the means by which to carry out your job. The interviewer needs to understand that reading is not in and of itself a job duty. Getting printed material read permits you to perform various tasks which make up the position you are seeking. While your employer will normally pay for a reader, try to avoid having the reader selected for you. The reader should work for you as an independent contractor. Auxiliary aids (assistive devices) is the accommodation about which employers express the most concern. High tech equipment is not cheap, whether or not it has been specially adapted for use by blind and visually impaired people. It has always been our philosophy within the California Council of the Blind (with respect to blind persons entering the job market for the first time) that the Department of Rehabilitation should provide the necessary equipment for its clients. While reality often differs from philosophy, the would-be employer needs to know that alternatives do exist, and you, as the job­seeker, should be prepared to discuss the available options, including "lease-back" agreements and purchasing the equipment yourself. Remember that the Rehabilitation Act permits employers to argue "undue hardship," which simply means that, under some circumstances (such as size), a business or agency would not be required to provide the accommodation. The "bottom line" is that the blind or visually impaired applicant should never lose out on a good job because an employer will not or cannot pay for a reader or a piece of equipment. Sometimes the employer will provide an accommodation once the new employee has passed probation. So, even if the accommodation is not provided to you at the outset, it may be forthcoming after a time. While the law is on our side, getting your job is what matters. Reasonable accommodation should be a tool for us to use in the workplace. It should never be used as a weapon. ***** ** ACB Sweepstakes Winners Swept Off Their Feet in Washington By Roberta A. Douglas Director of Development It might have been Oz revisited ... The key players were from Kansas, and their whirlwind trip was as adventure-packed as Dorothy's trip through the Land of Oz! But, instead, it was the ACB 1988 Sweepstakes payoff ... the "Wonderful Weekend in Washington!" And to hear the Hills of Wichita, Kansas, talk about it, it was "Over the Rainbow." Just imagine celebrating an anniversary in the elegant Watergate Hotel, lunching at the Kennedy Center, enjoying an afternoon of theater with audio description at Arena Stage, and having your picture taken with Senator Dole in the Republican leader's office in the Capitol. This and more awaited Arlys and LeRoy Hill, the lucky winners of the Wonderful Weekend in Washington Sweepstakes, as they stepped off their USAir flight at Washington National Airport. Their "Yellow Brick Road" led them to the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, a unique backstage tour of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a high­speed subway ride from Washington's newly restored Union Station, an historical tour of the Capitol, and a walk along the hauntingly beautiful "Mall" at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. No "wicked witches" on this tour! Instead, an opportunity to make new ACB friends and dine sumptuously at a variety of restaurants. It all ended when, laden with souvenirs for family and friends and memories to last a lifetime, the Hills made a dash to Dulles Airport and their trip home. It was a wonderful weekend in Washington! We want to take this opportunity to thank USAir, the Watergate Hotel, Arena Stage, staff members in Senator Robert Dole's office, and ACB members and friends for their generosity in making this "Wonderful Weekend in Washington" possible. Once again in 1989, the American Council of the Blind will give members and friends a chance to win a weekend in Washington. Watch for the announcement. You might be a winner. ***** ** Orange Juice, Orange Juice, and Stevie Wonder By Larry Johnson I worked as an American deejay in Mexico City during the 1960's and early '70s. It was during the time that Beatlemania was at its peak, and Detroit's Motown, sounds of Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, and Stevie Wonder were the hottest thing on wax. Whenever American artists would come to town, I would make every effort to interview them for my late­evening show over XEL, Radio Capital. On this occasion it was Stevie Wonder who came to perform at the El Camino Real, one of the plush tourists hotels in Mexico City. A sighted friend of mine, a semi­professional photographer named Bill del Valle, enjoyed going along with me on these late-night interviews. It was exciting, and it usually got us the chance to witness the artist's performance without paying. My on-the-air shift ran every night till 12:30 a.m. This meant that Bill and I would have just enough time to drive to the hotel to catch Stevie's last performance. So we grabbed our tape recorder and camera and off we went. We at first encountered a bit of resistance from the door manager at the club. However, we soon won him over when we promised to mention his name on the air the next night for allowing us to have the opportunity to meet and interview Stevie Wonder. Oh! the vanity of human nature. And oh! the power and might of the media. We were given a table right up front. It was about ten minutes to show time. Unfortunately, the room was only about half filled. We asked to talk to Stevie Wonder's manager. A couple of minutes later he came by. We introduced ourselves and explained our purpose for being there. He looked at us rather suspiciously. In response to our request for an interview with Stevie, he gave us a firm maybe: "We'll see after the show," he said. There was nothing further to be said, so we sat back to enjoy the show. And what a show it was! Stevie came on in a burst of energy. He was talent in perpetual motion from start to finish. He moved with ease from harmonica to bass to drum to accordion and back again. He sang and played with the enthusiasm and energy of someone who truly loves what he is doing. The highly rhythmic Motown sounds made you want to move in your seat, clap your hands, and tap your feet. Much of the material was Stevie's own. Bill and I felt that even if we did not get an interview, the evening had been well worth it. An hour later when the performance finally ended, with the adrenalin still pumping through our veins and our hands stinging from so much applauding, we approached Stevie's manager a second time. He looked at me and said: "Are you really blind, man?" "Well, yes," I said, a bit perplexed. "Okay, then," he replied. "Maybe Stevie will want to meet you. Wait here. I'll let you know." A few minutes later he came back and said, "Okay, come on." We followed him to the dressing room, where we were introduced to the star. Stevie shook my hand and said, "My brother says you're blind?" "Yeah, that's right," I said. "Hey, that's cool, man," he replied approvingly. "Well, can we do an interview with you?" I asked. "Yeah. Okay, but not right now, man. I need something to drink," he explained, "I'm just drained out." So the four of us set off -- Bill and I, Stevie and his brother -- to the hotel coffee shop. Now, the El Camino Real hotel is a very large and beautiful facility which sprawls through Mariano Escobedo Avenue for half a block or more. The coffee shop was located at the opposite end from where we were. It was one long, straight, wide corridor we had to travel. It was 3:00 A.M., and no one was around. Suddenly I had this wild impulse. "Hey!" I said, "Let's race." And without a moment's hesitation Stevie and his brother took off, Bill and I right after them -- camera and tape recorder swinging wildly as we dashed down the corridor. I have no doubt at all that if we had been seen by the hotel detective, we would have been taken for thieves trying to escape in the night. Fortunately, no one challenged our impulsive behavior. About halfway down the corridor Bill and I decided to make our move to take the lead. Stevie and his brother cut us off. We crashed noisily into the wall. Bill and I decided that, out of concern for the equipment which we were carrying, and because we wanted to be good hosts we would let them win. The four of us arrived at the coffee shop puffing and huffing and laughing. It was then I found out just how much liquid a human body can consume. Stevie told the waitress to bring him fresh orange juice in the largest glass that she could find. She came back with one of those glasses that are usually used to serve milkshakes. Stevie said, "Wait, don't leave." He lifted the glass to his lips, and without stopping to take a breath he drained it to the bottom. "Fill it up again," he said. A few minutes later she returned, and the process repeated itself. Stevie raised the glass and in one giant swallow inhaled the contents. "Once more," he said to the waitress, handing her the empty glass. "Wow! You were really thirsty," she marveled. Stevie absorbed his third giant glass of orange juice. He cleared his throat, turned to me, and said, "Okay, man, now we can talk." By this time everyone was in a relaxed and joking mood. Some of the earlier suspiciousness and apprehension on the part of his manager had disappeared. There were a few awkward moments with some pointed references to the Black Panthers — jokes which Bill and I didn't fully understand. Living in Mexico as we did, we were not that much aware or involved with the controversy surrounding the black militant group. The subject was set aside, and conversation turned to music, the universal bond of understanding and communication. We talked of artists and friends and Stevie's career. We even tried a couple of times to tape the interview, but constant kibitzing from the sidelines and the late hour finally persuaded us to schedule the interview for another day. Since Stevie would be performing at the El Camino Real for yet another week, he agreed to have us come by his hotel room in the late afternoon so that we could do a serious and extended interview without interruption. It was an excellent interview -- in fact, one of the best interviews that I have ever accomplished. We spent about two and a half hours together, and I came away with a 40-minute interview which was divided up and used over a series of programs. The audience loved it! I found Stevie to be a warm, sincere, and remarkably modest human being -- with a tremendous sense of humor. This was the first and only time that I met Stevie Wonder, but it was a memorable episode in my deejay career. ***** ** Blind Man Beaten -- Officers Mistake Cane for Weapon Hayward, CA, May 16 -- Associated Press. Two police officers beat a blind man with their batons after mistaking his collapsible cane for an illegal martial-arts weapon, the authorities said. "It bothers me to the core, and I want to get to the bottom of this right away," said Dick Dettmer, the acting police chief who on Monday announced an investigation into the beating. According to a police report, Eric Ristrim, a training officer, and a trainee, Marie Yin, came upon the blind man, David St. John, 37 years old, Thursday afternoon at a bus stop. Officer Ristrim said Mr. St. John placed in his pants pocket what appeared to be a set of nunchakus, a martial-arts weapon that consists of two foot-long sticks of wood connected by a chain or strap. Possession of the weapon is illegal in California. The officers thought Mr. St. John could see their uniforms, so they did not identify themselves when they demanded that he hand over the contents of his pockets, the report said. Officer Ristrim said Mr. St. John's eyes were milky in color, but were wide open as if looking at the officer. Mr. St. John said later that he thought he was about to be mugged. In the struggle that followed, "I did what my self-defense training and my instincts told me to do," Mr. St. John said. The officers said they first hit St. John twice on the legs. Then when he pulled the cane out of his pocket "and raised it about to face level," they struck him on the forearm in an attempt to get him to drop it. It was then that someone yelled, "He's blind," and the officers identified themselves, bringing an end to the struggle. "It's a very regrettable incident," Chief Dettmer said. (A subsequent article in the San Francisco Chronicle reports that an internal investigation is being conducted by Hayward Police. The two officers involved could face punishment ranging from a simple reprimand to firing, if investigators conclude that St. John was struck without justification.) ***** ** The Hapless Cook By Marcia Keller Popped lentils Cornmeal-sweetened coffee ... Plastic-coated pork chops ... If these appetizing delicacies turn your stomach, they no less turned my reputation as a cook upside-down for a while. But I am a firm believer in getting up when I fall, and I have had many successful dinner parties for friends, acquaintances, and strangers that would do us blind chefs proud. Let me tell you about each of my failures, in order to get down to "ingredients" -- or brass tacks, as the saying goes. To keep you in suspense about the lentils, which mishap befell the same friend as did the coffee, let me begin with my tale about this popular beverage. It is difficult to ruin a cup of coffee, but I succeeded, as I so often do at whatever I undertake. I had just moved into a new apartment, where I met a friend living there whom I had not seen for years. Eager to test my gourmet skills, I offered him a cup of coffee which, as it turned out, he drank heroically. Instant coffee can be a mystery to novices, but I sallied forth bravely, offering him a second cup of nectar. This he accepted with alacrity. Much to my chagrin, I noticed that the "sugar" would not dissolve. I discovered to my horror that my "guinea pig" had been drinking cornmeal with his morning coffee. My friend showed profound courtesy by sparing my feelings in silence, but he was a soldier going above and beyond the call of duty by risking a second barrage. Not to be outdone, I proceeded to turn my culinary efforts to lentils -- and at his house, of all places. I don't go in for popped lentils, but had, rather, intended to pop corn. Being in an unfamiliar kitchen, I did not know where the essentials were housed, nor did my friend, whose wife was out at the time. The butter sizzled in the pan, and the thought of popcorn made me salivate like one of Pavlov's dogs. But I quickly became unconditioned for the moment as the lentils were heating. Expecting to hear pop­pop, I smelled burn-burn. Luckily, my instinct for survival was greater than my instinct in the kitchen back then, and I removed the pan from the stove. But this incident will forever remain scorched on the memories of my friends, and I will never forget the burning my ego received that day. I assure you that I have no ill designs on my friends. However, let me now tell you what happened to the wife of my unfortunate friend. Having people for dinner is one of my favorite things to do. This particular evening, I proceeded to put six plump porkchops into hot grease in my Fry Daddy. Wanting to avoid splatters, I put the plastic storage lid on the top. Suddenly, as I placidly chatted on the phone, I heard a burst of disturbed grease from the kitchen -- far more than one would ordinarily hear during the normal frying process. Dashing to investigate, I put my hand over the lid of the cooker, intending to remove it to spot the trouble. I spotted nothing on top but empty air. I am cool during an emergency, and I calmly, if not hurriedly pulled the plug of the appliance. The frantic grease stopped complaining, but my pork chops were plasticized. My friend got baloney sandwiches that night. Since these adventures, I have learned to prepare such appetizing dishes as lasagna, mashed potatoes, casseroles, delectable cakes, pork chops, soups and stews, veggies -- and last, but not least, with the undeserved aid of my friend, popcorn. I have entertained friends, acquaintances, and strangers without fear of failure, and that's what it's all about. Sometimes sighted people feel uncomfortable around blind folks, and a home-cooked meal is sure to break the ice. When they sample my savory roast beef with carrots and potatoes, or tingle with anticipation for my spaghetti, or cheer after my cheesecake, I know that I'm just another human being among friends. And, more importantly, so do they. It has been said that the way to a heart is through the stomach. I believe, further, that the way to a heart is through another heart, willing to share companionship, love -- and popped lentils, if the need arises. Try the recipe: Success is guaranteed. (Marcia Keller is President and chapter newsletter editor for the El Paso Chapter, American Council of the Blind of Texas.) ***** ** OC Transpo Provides Bus Hailing Kits To Visually Impaired Riders Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind recently have made available bus hailing kits to all registered blind persons. The kits will allow the Commission's visually impaired customers to hail a bus by route number. Each user is supplied with a plastic holder marked with OC Transpo's name and a set of brailled number cards. By changing the number cards, the user can hail any bus route in OC Transpo's service. Drivers spotting one of the cards will pull up to the stop and announce the route. In a trial conducted earlier this year, blind users of the system reported that one of the major advantages was that other waiting passengers offered assistance by announcing the approach of the bus. OC Transpo likes the transit advantages to the system as well. When a driver spots a visually impaired passenger with a dog guide or white cane, he stops his bus and announces the route. But if the passenger carries a bus hailing system, the driver knows without stopping whether the passenger is waiting for his route. This can save time for buses at any stop with more than one bus route. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop FOR SALE: VersaBraille classic, with two adapters, overlay tape, microphone, earphone, and braille and print manuals. Asking price, $1200.00 or best offer. Also Smith­Corona large-print typewriter. $250.00 or best offer. Write or call Isaac Obie, 55 Waverly Avenue, Apt. 210, Watertown, MA 02172; (617) 923-3050. FOR SALE: Used VersaBraille II -- Two years old; little used -- With disk drives, software disks and manuals. In excellent working condition. A printer is available at extra cost, if desired. Unit will be shipped at our expense. Price: $2,695.00. Jeanie or P.C. Wood, 8103 Viola Street, Springfield, VA 22152; (703) 569-6676. FOR SALE: DECTalk --Excellent condition and practically new. $1,000.00. Contact Director, CEPTAR, Inc., P.O. Box 8276, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 587-8686. ***** ** In Memoriam: Mae Davidow Mae E. Davidow, 77, long-time educator, advocate, and leader in work of and for the blind, died in Philadelphia on Monday, June 12, following a long illness. Mae Davidow was left nearly blind at the age of 10 as the result of spinal meningitis and mastoid surgery. Later she became totally blind. She always maintained, however, that blindness need not be a handicap, given the will and the desire to succeed. "I was 10 years old when I had the privilege of becoming blind," she reflected in a 1964 interview quoted recently in the Philadelphia Enquirer. "Despite my first fears and heartaches, it has opened up a new world to me." The Overbrook School for the Blind played a major role throughout Mae Davidow's life. It was there that she was educated following her loss of sight, and it was there that she returned following receipt of her Bachelor's degree in 1935 from Douglass College for Women. Later, while pursuing research work, she became the first blind person to earn Master's and Doctoral degrees at Temple University. A teacher at Overbrook for 36 years, she retired in 1971. At Overbrook, she led classes in civics and mathematics and guided many of her students in occupational training. But mathematics was unquestionably her specialty. She was one of the first American instructors to teach students to use the abacus. In 1964 she participated in the first Abacus Institute in the United States, and in 1966 she authored Abacus Made Easy. She also pioneered in use of the electronic abacus, developed in 1972 by graduate students with whom she worked at Temple University, and she was involved in development of the "talking calculator." Long active in organizations of the blind, Dr. Davidow was the first woman to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Federation of the Blind. She was a founder and first President of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. In pursuit of her goal to have the sighted world accept blind and visually impaired persons socially, professionally and economically, she started the Pennsylvania Association for Blind Athletes. At the age of 75, she won gold medals for swimming, and diving in a national competition sponsored by the U.S. Association for Blind Athletes in Long Beach, California. Dr. Davidow was honored with numerous awards in recognition of her work. Among these was the prestigious Gimbel Award, presented each year to an outstanding woman in the Philadelphia area who has excelled in her field and who has been recognized for her service to humanity. At the 23rd annual convention of the American Council of the Blind in Philadelphia in 1984, she received the George Card Award, presented periodically to an outstanding blind person who has contributed significantly to the betterment of blind and visually impaired persons. Mae Davidow often summed up her philosophy for success in life in four words: GIVE -- Give of yourself. HELP -- Help others. LOVE -- Love those about you. WORK -- Work with love, and love your work. Blind and visually impaired Americans throughout the nation have lost a true colleague and friend with the passing of Dr. Mae Davidow. ***** *** Here and There By Elizabeth M. Lennon Robert Hayworth of Volunteer Industries of Morristown, Tennessee, was recently selected as runner-up for the Peter J. Salmon Blind Worker of the Year award by National Industries for the Blind, according to Opportunity, the agency's publication. Mr. Hayworth was the organizer and first president of the Morristown Chapter of the Tennessee Council of the Blind. Two groups have joined together in the Washington, D.C. area to combat one of the biggest problems faced by blind people -- that of shopping, according to ACB Reports. The Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia chapters of the Delta Gamma Alumnae (a group of sorority sisters) and the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Extension Service get together two or three times a year to visit a number of shopping malls. Trips last three to four hours, and blind shoppers are given braille or large-print lists of stores in each of the malls visited. How do the Delta Gamma Alumnae like the idea? Well, they say, it's "a piece of cake" -- helping other people spend their money! Tech Optics has announced the availability of a new, low-cost video reading system which can be used in conjunction with any TV or computer monitor. The EZ-Reader is portable, requires no focusing, reads flat or curved surfaces, weighs only eight ounces, is hand-held, is available in three fixed-focus lens options (10X, 20X or 30X), and sells for under $1,000.00. For further information, contact Robert Levy, Tech-Optics International Corporation, 59 Hanse Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. Carl McCoy, former member of the ACB Board of Directors, was recently named Deputy Director of the Florida Division of Blind Services. He has been serving as Chief of the Bureau of Client Services for that agency. The Ramses the Great Exhibition, a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts currently on display at the Dallas Museum of Natural History, is accessible to visually impaired persons through descriptive and tactile tours. The special tours program is being co­sponsored by the Southwestern Regional Advisory Board of the American Foundation for the Blind and the Dallas Museum of Natural History Association. Tickets for the tours (which run through August) are available on a limited basis at $6.50 for adults and $4.00 for students. For reservations, contact Bobbi Kenyon, American Foundation for the Blind, 260 Treadway Plaza, Exchange Park, Dallas, TX 75235. From AFB News: Visitors are encouraged to see, hear, smell, and touch objects related to 1830's rural New England life through sign­language interpretations and sensory tactile tours conducted at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. Old Sturbridge Village features more than 40 restored buildings where museum staff in historical dress demonstrate the life, work, and community celebrations of early 19th-century New Englanders. For further information on museum accessibility for persons with disabilities, contact Eric White at (508) 347-3362. Which museums provide special services for blind and visually impaired persons? Where can blind artists find information about art on cassette or in braille? How can museum guides help people with visual impairments to appreciate art? These and many other questions are addressed in two new publications of the American Foundation for the Blind. Access to Art: A Museum Directory for Blind and Visually Impaired People, published jointly by AFB and the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City, lists several hundred museums, historical societies, and other facilities which provide special services to help make art accessible to blind and visually impaired visitors. It is available in large print, braille, and cassette. A docent's handbook, What Museum Guides Need to Know: Access for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors, provides practical guidelines on how to assist visually impaired museum visitors and includes a training outline for museum professionals, as well as guidelines for preparing large-print, braille, and cassette materials. What Museum Guides Need to Know (PIL158) and Access to Art; A Museum Directory for Blind and Visually Impaired People (PIL 156) are available for purchase for$7.95 and $11.95, respectively, plus$2.50 for postage and handling. Write Publications Department, American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. Touch Toys, Inc., a non-profit organization whose volunteers meet in workshops to make toys for visually and otherwise handicapped children, has just published a new edition of their manual, Touch Toys and How to Make Them. Copies may be ordered for $4.00 plus $.90 postage (postage-free to blind persons) from: Touch Toys, Inc., P.O. Box 2224, Rockville, MD 20852. The Touch Toys Newsletter and information about Touch Toys projects may be obtained from Eleanor Timberg by calling (202) 363-2949. Howe Press has announced several changes in its Perkins Brailler. Larger feed knobs on each side of the machine now provide added leverage for feeding in paper. Also, the long, grooved roller extending across the width of the machine has been replaced by a new roller which consists of a series of rubber rings spaced along a smooth metal tube. In addition to permitting brailling on any width of paper, the new pressure roller will also allow the user to braille on cards as small as a business card. An older brailler can be updated with the new knobs and pressure roller, and installation can be performed by any qualified brailler repair technician. *** Also under development is a handwriting frame based on the braille board slate system. Rather than the braille cell, an upright rectangular cell large enough in which to write is being created. There will be four lines of 21 cells. When the four lines have been used, the user will simply move the frame down the board, just as is done with the braille slate. For further information, write Howe Press of Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02172. Paul Prudhomme's book, Authentic Cajun Cooking, is available in braille and large-print from the New Orleans Lighthouse for the Blind. The book features recipes and anecdotes and costs $9.00 plus $1.50 for postage and handling. Contact New Orleans Lighthouse for the Blind, 123 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. *** Cooking with Catherine Wise is now available on voice­ and tone-indexed cassette for $6.00 from Tacoma Area Blind, 3320 Lewis Street, Big Harbor, WA 98335. *** Remove stress and tension from your daily life by learning to relax. Relax and Live is a 15-minute tape of professionally narrated relaxation exercises. Price: $6.00 each; two for $10.00. Write Larry Johnson, 10863 Lake Path Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217. The Reading Center Cabinet holds your talking book machine and tape player at armchair or bed height; is made of solid wood, mounted on casters, and finished in walnut, cherry, mahogany, or golden oak. Two additional shelves hold tapes, records, etc. All this for $99.00, shipped via UPS anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. For further information or for a tape containing a full description, contact John Postma, 1466 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (616) 962-0185. The South Dakota School for the Visually Handicapped, 423 17th Avenue, S.E., Aberdeen, SD 57401, is planning a student reunion for 1990. If any former students of the school are Braille Forum readers, they are asked to contact the school for details. From Special and Individual Needs Technology: A prototype "talking glove" which allows non­vocal deaf or deaf-blinded persons to "speak" has been developed at Stanford University. The glove is equipped with flexible sensors which monitor the deaf person's finger motions as he/she finger-spells. A micro­computer employs a recognition algorithm which uses this finger position information to select the most probable letter of the finger-spelling alphabet. Once the letters of a word have been recognized, the entire word is output as synthesized speech. The typed response is then transmitted and displayed for a sighted deaf person on an LCD wristwatch or for a deaf-blind person on a specially designed braille display worn on the belt. The latest best-sellers in fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, how-tos, and more, all printed in easy-to-read large type, are now available through the Doubleday Large-Print Home Library. Everything about these books has been planned to enhance readability -- the paper, the ink, the large type size, even the space between words and lines. You choose the books you want in the comfort of your own home, and they are sent direct to you. Cost is never more than the publisher's hard-cover editions in regular size print, and all are full length, hard-cover books. For further information, write Doubleday Large­Print Home Library, 501 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530. In an effort to reach out to special populations of parents in the United States with safety and prevention guidelines for their children, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) recently made available its first publication for the blind -- a braille edition of Just in Case ... Parental Guidelines in Case You Need a Baby Sitter. The braille brochure launches a campaign by the Center to reach the blind constituency who need child safety information, but who are often overlooked by many public service programs. Single copies of the publication are available at no cost from: NCMEC Publications Department, 1835 K Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006. ***** ** ACB Officers * 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 M. Lennon 1400 N. Drake Road, Apt. 218 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 * Treasurer: LeRoy Saunders Box 24020 Oklahoma City, OK 73124 ** Contributing Editors Elizabeth M. Lennon 1400 N. Drake Road., Apt. 218 Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Kathleen Megivern 203 Yoakum Parkway, Apt. 725 Alexandria, VA 22304 ###