THE BRAILLE FORUM Volume XLIII February 2005 No. 5 Published by the American Council of the Blind THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. Christopher Gray, President Melanie Brunson, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Acting Editor National Office: 1155 15th St. NW Suite 1004 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 467-5081 Fax: (202) 467-5085 Web site: http://www.acb.org THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large print, half-speed four- track cassette tape, computer disk and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering@acb.org. Submission deadlines are the first of the month. The American Council of the Blind is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above. Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Ardis Bazyn at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office. To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 2802. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org. Copyright 2005 American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS DVS (R) Enhanced DVD for the Movie "Ray": The Audience Is Listening President's Message: Video Description: It's Here to Stay, by Christopher Gray Executive Director's Report, by Melanie Brunson Position Available: Editor ACB Scholarships Available to Blind Students ACB Seeks 2005 Summer Intern Letters, We Want Letters!, by Nola McKinney McDaniel Fund Committee Offers You the Chance to Take a Trip to Pair-A-Dice, by Carl McCoy Tour Talk, by Berl Colley ACB Welcomes 18 New Life Members, by Charles S.P. Hodge Affiliate News 12 Days to St. Patrick's Day Raffle, by M.J. Schmitt In Memoriam: Cara Dunne-Yates, by Sharon Lovering Taxpayer Advocate Service Lends Support with Difficult Tax Issues, by Margie Donovan Marion Memories: New Signs to Raise Awareness about Impaired Pedestrians, by Brenda J. Donegan Five Rings to Leadership and the Future of ACB: The 2004 Four Corners Conference, by Christine A. Hutchinson Letters to the Editor Here and There, by Sarah Blake High Tech Swap Shop CORRECTIONS There was an error in the election coverage ("Election Results: New Faces in the Crowd," November 2004). Steve Speicher had been first vice president, not second vice president, as stated in the article. Under the rules of succession, M.J. Schmitt, who had been second vice president, was promoted to first vice president when Steve Speicher resigned; the board elected Mitch Pomerantz to fill the vacancy. But under the same rules, Pomerantz had to stand for election at the next convention. During the post-convention meeting of the ACB Board of Directors, Naomi Soule was elected to serve on the PR committee, not on the board of publications as was accidentally stated in the summary of that meeting as published in the November 2004 issue of this magazine. ***** DVS (R) ENHANCED DVD FOR THE MOVIE "RAY": THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING Seems like everywhere you turn, folks are talking about the movie "Ray," the stunning performance by Jamie Foxx, and his eloquent portrayal of the legendary Ray Charles -- a music genius and proud African-American who was blind. To those with visual disabilities, the DVS (R) Enhanced DVD of "Ray" is a real breakthrough and represents the best collaborations between ACB, WGBH's Media Access Group, EIN SOF and Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Melanie Brunson, Terry Pacheco, and Ralph Sanders of ACB, Mary Watkins of the Media Access Group at WGBH, and Tari Susan Hartman's EIN SOF Communications have joined forces with Universal Studios Home Entertainment Division in preparation of the DVS (R) Enhanced DVD of the movie "Ray" (rated PG-13, running time of 2 hours 33 minutes). Historically, access to entertainment for blind and low vision audiences has taken a back seat to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions have become the industry standard while millions of those with visual disabilities have been relegated to second-class status through a relative lack of audio descriptions in movie theaters and on television. Renewed public policy debates focused on bringing descriptions back to more prime-time television programs will occur in the near future. In the meantime, the timing of the DVS (R) Enhanced version of "Ray" couldn't be better, as it brings attention to this much needed and desired access feature, and can prove our clout as a consumer market segment with real purchasing power. Through the technology expertise and years of relationship-building within the entertainment industry and with consumer advocacy organizations of the Media Access Group, thousands of blind and visually impaired men, women and children are able to have equal access to entertainment on both large and small screens. The current DVS catalog touts hundreds of popular VHS titles, all with descriptions. Videos are available for purchase through the catalog, via an 800 number and are also available on loan from many libraries across the U.S. and Canada. WGBH Boston, home of the Media Access Group, is America's pre-eminent public broadcasting producer, the source of nearly one-third of PBS's prime- time lineup and companion online content as well as many public radio favorites. WGBH is also a pioneer in educational multimedia and in media access technologies, having developed captioning for television in the early '70s and brought video description to television and videos in the late '80s. Throughout the '90s, these services were applied and integrated into other forms of mass media, including feature films in movie theaters (via WGBH's "MoPix" technology and service), web sites (through development of free software that enables do-it-yourself captioning and description for digitized media) and classrooms (through projects which utilize captioning and description to increase literacy levels and foster inclusiveness for all students). WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, Dupont-Columbia Awards, even two Oscars. For more information on WGBH's media access initiatives, visit http://access.wgbh.org. The Media Access Group worked with Universal Pictures to bring descriptions (as well as closed captions) for the theatrical release of the movie "Ray" to the large screen in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Toronto and many other North American cities. Movie fans attending a theater with MoPix equipment could enjoy "Ray" with captions and descriptions from the very first showing and for all subsequent showings in the equipped auditorium. (Over 150 theaters in North America have MoPix installations. For a list of equipped theaters, current and coming accessible release and showtimes, please visit www.mopix.org.) The Media Access Group is now working with Universal Studios Home Entertainment and ACB to bring the DVS (R) Enhanced version of the movie to the small screen -- at a home entertainment center near you. The DVD will be available throughout the country online, by 800 telephone sales, and in brick-and-mortar retailers. A list of retailers will be updated by ACB on its toll-free line (800-424-8666) and web site (www.acb.org) to keep you up to date on where to purchase the DVS (R) Enhanced version of "Ray" as the rollout occurs, beginning Feb. 1, 2005. While the movie critics herald "Ray" and Jamie Foxx as "Electrifying Amazing Year's Best Film Superb ..." and the team is headed for the Oscars (TM), ACB has deemed this movie, this actor, and the DVS (R) Enhanced DVD to be worthy of its own award -- ACB's 2005 Media Access Award. "Ray" is the unforgettable story of a man who defied convention by fusing jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues with pop to create a unique sound that changed the musical landscape of America. Jamie Foxx ("Collateral") stars as the one-of-a-kind innovator of soul who beat impossible odds to become a music legend. "Ray" is the triumphant and remarkable story of one of America's true musical geniuses, Ray Charles. From his humble beginnings in the South through his meteoric rise to the top of American music charts, Ray's life story is a tale of hope, redemption and the power of self- determination. Witness the incredible true story of a musician who fought harder and went further than anyone could imagine. Universal Studios Home Entertainment Division values this collaboration and is so proud of ACB's 2005 Media Access Award that each package of the DVS (R) Enhanced DVD of "Ray" will bear the ACB logo and marked as "WINNER -- ACB Media Access Award." This is the first time that ACB has been named on the packaging of a product, and is only a taste of our collective ability to do the business with business. The DVS (R) Enhanced version will also be identified with a ribbon across the top of the package that says "DVS (R) Enhanced; Created for the Original Feature Film; Primarily Intended for Blind and Low Vision Audiences." Hartman has worked with ACB throughout the years with Oral Miller, Charlie Crawford and Melanie Brunson with her clients such as Cingular Wireless, Microsoft, HP, and others, and with EIN SOF's market research provider, Nielsen National Research Group (NRG), hope to conduct focus groups at the next ACB convention in July in Las Vegas. More details will follow in a future issue of "The Braille Forum." ACB is proud of this breakthrough collaborative effort that serves as a blueprint for working with a variety of business sectors in the future, and encourages all ACB members, families, friends and colleagues to prove our purchasing power and buy the DVS (R) Enhanced version of the movie "Ray" -- you'll be glad you did. ***** PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE VIDEO DESCRIPTION: IT'S HERE TO STAY by Christopher Gray (Author's Note: Special thanks and acknowledgements go to WGBH and Joe Clark for information contained in this article.) There seems no doubt that despite the setbacks faced by the blind community in the providing of descriptive video by television networks and film companies, video description has such a strong foothold today that it cannot be overcome by the obstacles placed in its path of progress. The American Council of the Blind has played a continuous and significant role in this work since the early 1990s, and our work on securing more and more titles and shows continues. Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions these days about descriptive video offerings is: What can I get to play on my new DVD player? That's mostly what this article is going to tell you. The second question is probably: How can I get even more DVD or VHS titles to enjoy at home and share with my friends and colleagues? We'll tell you how to do that, too. First, what about accessible DVDs? They do exist, and they are available for purchase from various organizations and companies. It's not as convenient perhaps as buying a described VHS movie from WGBH, but material exists. It's easiest to get if you are online or if you have a friend who can go online for you. WGBH has a good resource of current titles at http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/resources/accessible-dvds.html. There are additional titles available from this site: http://www.joeclark.org. Accessible DVDs come in two varieties. The most notable variety is one in which the program is described, but in addition to the program, the DVD contains an audio navigation talking-menu system. This is the Cadillac of accessibility for DVD titles. The following DVDs contain both of these video description capabilities along with closed captioning for deaf users. The title and how to purchase each DVD is included. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Collectors' Edition/Full Screen Edition (Universal Studios Home Video, available wherever DVDs are sold) American Experience, Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided, PBS Home Video American Experience, Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind, PBS Home Video American Experience, Chicago: City of the Century, PBS Home Video American Experience, Partners of the Heart, PBS Home Video To purchase any of the PBS Home Video DVDs, call 1-800-645-4727, or visit www.shopPBS.org. The following DVDs have been made accessible with captions and video description (the DVDs do not include the audio navigation/talking-menu system). Mystery!, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Set, WGBH Boston Video Mystery!, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: A Great Deliverance, WGBH Boston Video Mystery!, Second Sight 2, WGBH Boston Video Mystery!, Touching Evil 3, WGBH Boston Video Mystery!, Mrs. Bradley Mysteries Set, WGBH Boston Video Mystery!, Mrs. Bradley Mysteries: Speedy Death, WGBH Boston Video ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre, The Blackheath Poisonings, WGBH Boston Video ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, WGBH Boston Video ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre, Warrior Queen, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Battle of the X-Planes, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, The Elegant Universe, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Infinite Secrets, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Magnetic Storm, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Volcano Above the Clouds, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Who Killed the Red Baron?, WGBH Boston Video NOVA, Wright Brothers' Flying Machine, WGBH Boston Video Road to Perdition, DreamWorks Home Entertainment, available wherever DVDs are sold Basic Instinct, Artisan Home Entertainment (1997 release), see below for availability Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Artisan Home Entertainment (1997 release), see below for availability The DVDs from Artisan Home Entertainment included a description track on their original release. However, subsequent re-issues have not included the track. Amazon.com has links to sources of "used" copies of these titles if you are interested in purchasing one or both for your collection. In addition, the ACB Store is trying to find some copies of these DVDs for purchasers. WGBH Boston Video titles are available at 1-800-255-9231 or online at www.shopwgbh.org. Convincing the Movie Industry You can readily see from the preceding material that while there is a lot of fascinating innovation and content in what's already available on DVD, there is a noticeable lack of material from Hollywood studios. Some material that has been produced has already been withdrawn -- not a good sign. One of the big reasons studios currently give ACB and others for not including even existing descriptive video tracks on their commercial DVDs is that blind people don't seem interested. It's time to help the studios understand that this just isn't so. For your convenience, below is a list of key studios and how to contact them. Please send a copy of your correspondence to the national office as well. Tell studios that you really care about descriptive video tracks, and, assuming it's true, you purchase or will purchase such titles as they become available. For updates to this list, go online to http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/studios.html. Artisan Entertainment 157 Chambers Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10007 (212) 924-9417 www.artisanent.com Buena Vista/Walt Disney Pictures 500 S. Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 (818) 560-1000 DreamWorks Pictures 100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 5121 Universal City, CA 91608 (818) 733-7000 www.dreamworks.com Lions Gate Pictures (Trimark Pictures Inc.) 4553 Glencoe Avenue, Suite 200 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 (310) 314-2000 www.lionsgate-ent.com Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. 10250 Constellation Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 449-3000 Miramax Films 375 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013 (212) 941-3800 www.miramax.com New Line Cinema Corporation 116 N. Robertson Blvd., 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 854-5811 www.newline.com Paramount Pictures Corporation 5555 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 956-5000 Sony Pictures Entertainment 10202 W. Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 244-4000 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. 10201 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 369-1000 www.fox.com Universal Pictures 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608 (818) 777-1000 Warner Brothers 4000 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91522 (818) 954-6000 ***** EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT by Melanie Brunson The ending of a year gives us an opportunity for reflection -- the struggles, the disappointments, the triumphs, and the accomplishments. Especially the latter are the seeds we sow from which we can reap greater fruits in 2005. The lessons we have learned from the struggles and the disappointments will be the tools and implements we need to do this. Below are a few examples of what I mean. While we continue the fight for audio description on television, we are making unprecedented progress, with our partners, in getting it on DVDs. As a direct result of our efforts, "Ray," the critically acclaimed film about the life of Ray Charles, is now available with DVS (R) in the general marketplace. A good foundation has been laid for future DVDs of theatrically described films to be a part of the mainstream. There is much more about this exciting development elsewhere in this issue. It is with great appreciation that I report the receipt of substantial contributions to two of our scholarship endowments (the Floyd Qualls and John Hebner Memorials) from the estate of the late ACB leader George Fogarty. George was a long-time member who had a lasting commitment to tomorrow's leaders, our students. ACB thanks him and his family for this most generous demonstration of that commitment. On January 10 we welcomed Day Al-Mohamed to the ACB national office staff as our new Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. Day is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri Law School at Columbia. She has considerable knowledge and expertise in advocacy and governmental affairs and promises to be a dynamic asset to the organization. Many of you will have an opportunity to meet her at the presidents' meeting and legislative seminar later this month. Finally, later in this issue, you will see an announcement that ACB is accepting applications for a new "Braille Forum" editor. It is our hope to fill this position before the convention in Las Vegas. Please feel free to share this announcement with anyone whom you feel would be qualified for the position. If there's one thread that runs through all of the above items, it is that people are the difference! Diversity of talents and capabilities make for dynamic advocacy efforts that improve the quality of life for us all. These are the resources with which we can water the seeds and realize the fruit of our efforts. New Year's Resolution: Turn our struggles and disappointments to triumphs and accomplishments! ***** POSITION AVAILABLE: EDITOR The American Council of the Blind seeks a motivated and qualified individual to become the next editor of "The Braille Forum" publication and to manage the telling of the ACB story within the blindness community and beyond. General duties include: editing, producing and distributing "The Braille Forum" in a variety of alternate formats; assisting with publicity and public relations for ACB events and activities; managing the Communications Center and its production of materials during ACB's national convention; and supervising a staff assistant. Interested candidates must: possess a degree in journalism or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university; have at least two years experience in a similar position; demonstrate familiarity with blindness-related issues; be able to use computers and the Internet in the performance of job duties; and be able to communicate effectively. The editor will work in the ACB national office in Washington, D.C. and will report to the ACB executive director. Salary will depend on experience and qualifications. For a more detailed job description, contact the ACB national office. To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and three to five writing samples (such as articles, opinion letters, or other such writings of a length not longer than 200 words. Excerpts from writings can be submitted to come within the 200-word parameter.) to the attention of Melanie Brunson, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004, Washington, D.C. 20005. All materials must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2005. Resumes accompanied by a cover letter and the writing samples may also be submitted by e-mail to mbrunson@ACB.org. Your e-mail submissions may not be dated beyond March 15, 2005. If you do use e-mail, please mail an additional hard copy of your writing samples to the address above. ***** ACB SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO BLIND STUDENTS The American Council of the Blind will present more than 20 scholarships and awards to outstanding blind students in 2005. All legally blind persons admitted to academic and vocational training programs at the post-secondary level for the 2005-06 school year are encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships. A cumulative grade point average of 3.3 is generally required, but extenuating circumstances may be considered for certain scholarships. Applications and additional information will be mailed to all members of the National Alliance of Blind Students and to those who call the national office to request a copy. Both the information and application are also available on our web site at www.acb.org. Applications may be completed on line, but supporting documentation must be submitted in hard copy print to Terry Pacheco in the ACB national office no later than March 1, 2005. If you have additional questions, please call Terry at (202) 467-5081 ext. 19. Leading scholarship candidates will be interviewed by telephone in April. The ACB scholarship winners will be notified no later than May 31, 2005. Scholarships will be presented at the 44th annual national convention of the American Council of the Blind to be held July 2-9, 2005, in Las Vegas, Nev. Scholarship winners are expected to be present at the convention if they have reached their 18th birthday. Generally, ACB will cover all reasonable costs connected with convention attendance. Former leaders in and near the ACB community who have been memorialized by generous benefactors include Delbert Aman, Dr. S. Bradley Burson, William G. Corey, Dr. Mae Davidow, Nicholas S. DiCaprio, Eunice Fiorito, John Hebner, Grant M. Mack, Alma Murphey, Floyd Qualls, and Arnold Sadler. Special thanks should also be extended to those who remembered Kellie Cannon and Duane Buckley in such fitting manners. The Ross N. and Patricia Pangere Foundation scholarships are also given as a way of giving back to the community. ACB also administers scholarship programs for our affiliates in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oregon. We are hopeful that Kurzweil Foundation will continue its annual gift of the Kurzweil 1000 software to our winners. This is our fourth year presenting Freedom Scientific Awards to several of our scholarship winners. Note: Potential candidates will be considered for other scholarships not yet verified, if available. ***** ACB SEEKS 2005 SUMMER INTERN The American Council of the Blind announces its 2005 internship program intended to provide meaningful work experience for a blind post- secondary student. The paid internship will be for a maximum period of 10 weeks and will also include, if necessary, a reasonable housing and transportation allowance. Duties will include activities in the areas of public information and education, membership assistance, communications, legislative monitoring and publications. Students wishing to be considered should submit a letter of application by April 1, 2005, to: Melanie Brunson, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005. The letter should include documentation concerning the school being attended or to be attended, as well as information regarding the major field of study, vocational or professional objective, prior educational and employment history, skills (e.g., braille reading and writing, typing, computer, low vision aids), extracurricular and civic activities. It should also include a paragraph stating why the applicant would like to spend the summer in Washington and the benefits which he/she would expect to receive from the internship. ***** LETTERS, WE WANT LETTERS! by Nola McKinney Back in the '50s (pardon me for showing my age), there used to be a section of the Perry Como television show that always began with a small song that said, "Letters, we get letters ..." and that's just what the awards committee is asking for. We want lots and lots of letters nominating your most admired folks for awards. I know we bug you a lot, but we truly mean it this time. Our committee will be meeting soon to decide who gets the thrill of being called up to the stage on Sunday night, the first night of convention, to receive one of the many awards. In order to do that, we need your nominating letters. So put on your thinking caps and decide just who you feel deserves this honor. The Robert S. Bray Award is given to a person who has made a contribution for improving library technology or communication devices. It could also be given for expanding access for blind people, or making opportunities within the mainstream media. The George Card Award is given to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to work with and for blind people, making a real difference and improving quality of life, for providing leadership and being a positive role model. The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is one of our most popular awards. It is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has spent his or her life integrating with the community. The Distinguished Service Award is periodically given to individuals who have made important contributions which have advanced opportunities for the blind community. This award can be given to an individual or an organization. The Affiliate Growth Award is based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2004-2005 membership reports. The Affiliate Outreach Award is based on a recommendation by an affiliate president, which recognizes a local chapter for a new outreach program. This program must have a measurable outcome. All of these awards are worthy of your attention. Please write a letter of recommendation for that certain someone who you know to be deserving of an award. This is a small effort, but it creates deep feelings of appreciation and lasting memories. Send your letters to the awards committee, in care of the national office in Washington, D.C. Board of Publications Awards Each year at the national convention of the American Council of the Blind, the board of publications (affectionately known as the BOP) presents awards. The first is the Ned E. Freeman Award, instituted in 1970 and named for the first president of the American Council of the Blind who, after completing his term of office, became editor of "The Braille Forum." The board of publications accepts submissions for the Freeman Award from any writer on a topic of interest to readers of "The Braille Forum." Submissions may be published in the magazine if space allows. Articles appearing in the "Forum" between April 2004 and March 2005 are automatically eligible. Materials published by an ACB affiliate are also welcome. Send a print, braille or electronic copy of the published article accompanied by a letter of nomination. While mastery of the craft of writing is a major consideration by BOP voters, favorable choices in the past seem to have been made because of interesting subject matter, originality in recounting an experience, or novelty of approach. A Freeman Award winner will receive a plaque and $100. The Vernon Henley Award was established in 1988 to honor the man who created and first produced ACB Reports, a radio presentation distributed to radio reading services around the country. At the time of his death, he was chair of the board of publications, having assisted editors by conducting writing workshops and by recording for them on audiocassette materials otherwise not available to them. The award is presented to a person, either sighted or blind, who has made a positive difference in the media -- whether in radio, TV, magazines, or daily newspapers -- which may change public attitudes to recognize the capabilities of people who are blind, rather than focusing on outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. Programs and/or articles written and produced specifically for a visually impaired audience, as well as those intended for the general public, are eligible. Multiple articles or programs submitted by one author or organization will be judged as separate entries. The Henley Award is intended to be a vehicle for publicizing ACB throughout the general media, and to encourage excellence and accuracy in electronic and print coverage of items relating to blindness. Recipients of these awards for the last five years are ineligible to enter the contests. Freeman Award winners 2000-2004: Ken Stewart, Lisa Mauldin, Barry Levine, Mike Godino, and Rebecca Shields; Henley Award winners 2000-2004: Jonathan Mosen, Carol Greenwald and Mathayu Lane, Pat Price, and Mark Ashby and Potomac Talking Book Services. Nor are those who are members of the ACB national office staff, members of the board of directors or board of publications during the awarding period eligible for the Freeman or the Henley awards. Submissions for both awards must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2005. All submissions should be accompanied by a cover letter providing details about the submission, its origin, and any other pertinent information. Include your return address in the cover letter, and, if you want your manuscript returned, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Send submissions to ACB Board of Publications Awards, 1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005. ***** MCDANIEL FUND COMMITTEE OFFERS YOU THE CHANCE TO TAKE A TRIP TO PAIR-A-DICE by Carl McCoy Meetings and seminars on fascinating topics, social gatherings, tours, and all-around good fellowship are just a few of the components of ACB's national convention. The 2005 convention will take place in Las Vegas, Nev., from July 2 through 9. The Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee offers you the chance to throw your name into the hat from which two lucky winners will be selected to receive an all-expense-paid trip to the convention this summer. Durward McDaniel was the driving force who held this organization together during its formative years. He worked tirelessly for ACB, and his forte was membership development. One of his main goals was to increase the membership of ACB. The McDaniel Fund Committee, named in his honor, has the same goal. Since he always said that people are our greatest resource, we decided to sponsor the McDaniel First-Timers' Contest, which brings two new people -- one from each side of the Mississippi -- to each national convention, where their leadership skills will have a chance to blossom and grow. If you're interested, read on! If you have been active in your state or local organization, send us a biographical sketch, so that we will know something about you. Then, approach your state affiliate president and ask him or her to write a letter of recommendation for you. Send your documentation to the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee, in care of the ACB national office, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005. Be sure to get all your documentation in by April 15, 2005. Letters carrying a later postmark will be ignored. You will be notified in plenty of time to make your reservations if you win. If you have never been to a convention, I can tell you it will be a tremendous experience. If you have attended conventions before, you already know how great that is. Describe convention to your friends who have not had that good fortune! (Hint: you'll need a good pair of walking shoes.) ***** TOUR TALK by Berl Colley I have had several questions regarding the cost of our ACB tours in Las Vegas. Prices are not set yet, but there are three tours that will be more costly than we have had in past years. I mention them because those who like to plan for their convention tour costs can include these tours, if they choose. The pre-convention tour to see the London Bridge in Lake Havasu, Ariz., will be in the $120 to $130 range. The float trip on Saturday morning, July 2, will be in the $80 to $85 range. The Wednesday evening, July 6, cruise on Lake Mead will be in the $75 to $80 range. The city and museum tours will be in the same range as they have been in for the last three years, $20 to $40. If we have any show tours, they will be more costly. Most shows in Las Vegas these days are running between $40 and $100 per performance. If you are going on the pre-convention tour on July 1, or the float trip on the Colorado River on July 2, you should fly in to Las Vegas the day before. Both trips will be leaving around 7 o'clock each morning. In my last article we talked about the tours during the first weekend of the 2005 ACB convention. Let's look at some of the tour opportunities on the afternoons of Monday through Thursday. We are looking to add another tour or two, but here is what is in place at this time. Mormon Fort This is the meadow where the first settlers who came to the Las Vegas area first stopped. The staff of this historical site is in the midst of a large upgrading of the site and plans to have a grand re-opening in May of 2005. We will have a guided tour of new facilities with lots of hands-on displays. Bonny Springs The folks at Bonny Springs will provide us with a re-creation of an old Nevada mining town. There is a small railroad that goes from one area of the ranch to another. Tourists are treated to a humorous melodrama, like residents of mining towns of the Old West used to have for entertainment when a drama troop came to town. There may be a shoot-out on Main Street and, if the crime is serious enough, a hanging, right there in town. Of course, all of the town's buildings sell things to the tourists. There is a petting zoo at the ranch that some may want to visit. Liberace and Elvis ACB tours will be repeating the tours to the Liberace museum and the Elvis-a-Rama museum. The Elvis-a-Rama tour will be combined with a stop at the Ethel M candy factory. The Liberace museum tour will be on Saturday afternoon, July 2, and Tuesday afternoon, July 5. The Elvis-a-Rama tours will be on Sunday afternoon, July 3, and Wednesday afternoon, July 6. Blind Services We have put together some great folks to talk to us while visiting the Las Vegas Center for the Blind. We will be touring this facility and hearing from its director. The head of the bureau for the blind and someone from Clark County Library, who handles talking book distribution for southern Nevada, will be speaking to us. Lake Mead Cruise After a couple of years hiatus, the ACB Wednesday night cruise is back. We will be cruising around a very low Lake Mead. The cruise will consist of a sit-down dinner and dancing. Or, if you choose, you can go out on the deck of the Desert Princess and enjoy the night air. There will be a lounge on the upper deck. When I visited the owners of this ship in October of last year, Lake Mead was 95 feet lower than normal. Cherrie's Ranch This is the largest legal brothel in the state of Nevada. That probably makes it the largest in the U.S. This is an adults only, 21 years and older, tour. It is located 55 miles outside of Las Vegas and is a destination resort. We will be hearing about the world's oldest profession as it exists in the 21st century. After touring the resort, we will have high tea before returning to Vegas. Hoover Dam Built on the Colorado River in the 1930s, the huge dam in Black Canyon is what creates Lake Mead. It provides power to much of the U.S. southwest. Because of the events on Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, its oversight agency, has discontinued giving tours, but ACB has been working with the USBR to have a guided tour for us. You will be amazed at the amount of manpower that it took to complete the Hoover Dam project. Clark County Museum This fascinating tour will be an indoor/outdoor viewing of many of the items and machinery used by the early settlers of Clark County. Mining, gaming and homesteading are some of the subject areas displayed at this museum. You will see several small town replicas at different locations on the museum grounds. As I mentioned in my last article, it will be hot in early July and ACB conventioneers should always keep this in mind when touring, particularly if you use a guide dog. Las Vegas and Clark County are celebrating their 100th birthday in 2005, so we can expect some surprise tour opportunities during our visit this summer. A reminder: This year's Las Vegas ACB convention looks to be our largest convention ever. Tours will fill up fast and we are already planning to limit the number of people for some of them. ***** ACB WELCOMES 18 NEW LIFE MEMBERS by Charles S.P. Hodge At its most recent national convention, held in Birmingham, Ala., the American Council of the Blind had the pleasure of welcoming and honoring 18 new life members. In welcoming these new members, ACB surpassed the 200 life member milestone, ending up with 215. One-half of these new members were committed, dedicated ACB members and friends who stepped up to the plate and purchased their own life memberships. This dedicated group of individuals included: Richard W. Bleecker, Jersey City, N.J.; Patricia Blum of Honolulu, Hawaii; Josephine Carpignano of Millbrae, Calif.; Susie Davis of Raleigh, N.C.; Carol Edwards of Conroe, Tex.; Janelle Edwards of Manhattan, Kan.; Carol Ewing of Las Vegas, Nev.; Robert A. Jones of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Julie Lynch of Lacey, Wash. The other half of the 2004 class was composed of long-time constructive contributors and leaders who were honored by their state or special-interest affiliate or local chapter. For example, in order to honor the memory of her late husband, Wayne Yelton, who died suddenly and very unexpectedly while attending the "Sagebrush" National Blind Vendors Training Conference in Las Vegas in February 2004, and who had been an active officer and leader in both the North Carolina Council of the Blind and the Randolph- Sheppard Vendors of America, the Tennessee Council purchased a life membership for Wayne's widow, Pat Yelton of Mebane, N.C. Not to be outdone, the Virginia Association of the Blind continued its traditional practice of purchasing life memberships to honor three of its leaders: James "Hurricane" Edwards of Portsmouth; Rosa Hamilton of Chesapeake, VAB's current president; and Charles Lydon Harrell of Virginia Beach. Mississippi honored its current president, Rebecca Floyd of Madison, by purchasing an ACB life membership on her behalf. Similarly, the Alaska Independent Blind purchased a life membership for its current president, Jim Swartz of Anchorage. RSVA followed suit by purchasing a life membership for its current president, Richard Bird of Parma Heights, Ohio. The Missouri Council of the Blind purchased a life membership to honor longtime member, contributor and outgoing ACB board member Jerry Annunzio of Kansas City. Last but not least, the Aid Association for the Blind purchased a life membership to honor its longtime volunteer and contributing worker Maryan Harrison of St. Louis, Mo. I urge all of you dedicated and committed ACB members and friends to follow the examples established by those individuals who stepped forward and purchased their own life memberships. I also request that affiliates and their local chapters seriously consider honoring in a very special way those individuals in your chapters who warrant special recognition for their ongoing positive contributions to your respective organizations' endeavors by purchasing ACB life memberships for them. The life membership program presents affiliates and local chapters an opportunity for positive publicity and public relations on the national stage purchase a life membership for an individual now, and he/she will receive the plaque at the convention in Las Vegas. I am looking forward to an even larger delegation of new life members in Las Vegas. ***** AFFILIATE NEWS Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Celebrating 70 Years of Advocacy by Winifred Downing The California Council of the Blind recently celebrated its 70th anniversary at its fall convention, held October 28-31, 2004 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. CCB adopted the above-mentioned theme to honor the 70 years in which it has shared in the development of services for the blind and visually impaired in the state. This year's convention had the largest registration in recent memory -- 294 -- as well as the largest banquet, with more than 230 attending. In the words of Jeff Thom, CCB president: "The 70th anniversary convention of the California Council of the Blind may have ended on Sunday, October 31, but it will be remembered by all who attended for a long, long time. ... We took the time to celebrate past accomplishments and learn about those who have fought so hard for us, but we also examined ways to make our organization more responsive not only to its members but to all blind and visually impaired Californians. I hope the momentum gained from this incredible gathering will be used to make the California Council of the Blind an even better organization in the years to come. If we all work together, we will certainly accomplish this goal." On Thursday afternoon, there were workshops on technology and rehabilitation services, a meeting concerning Damar Travel cruises, a Welcome to Los Angeles party, and board meetings by several affiliates. That evening, the CCB board of directors met -- the gathering attended by all who wanted overall knowledge of the business and activities of the state -- followed by a session for public comment and reaction to the information provided. Then folks adjourned to the hospitality room for refreshment and socialization that lasted past midnight. "Up and at 'em" early Friday morning for meetings of committees and special-interest affiliates: constitution and bylaws, credentials, resolutions, access and transportation, blind students, the Braille Revival League, multicultural concerns, library users, and Citizens with Low Vision. Several of these groups sponsored luncheons featuring speakers or opportunities for members to recount their views, like books they recommend and readers they enjoy. The first general session was held on Friday afternoon, introduced by an invocation, presentation of the colors, and the Pledge of Allegiance. We heard about the history of the California Council of the Blind from a panel consisting of Catherine Skivers, immediate past president of CCB, whose history precedes even the organization's membership in the NFB; Mitch Pomerantz; and Al Gil. The next panel was "Access Financial Services," with panelists Roger Petersen; Frank Welte, quality assurance analyst on web access at Bank of America; and Joann Mar, project manager, Assistant Vice President, ATM Banking/Distribution Strategies, Wells Fargo Bank. They shared with us the quest for accessible ATMs and the current status of working with a variety of banks to make all components of their services accessible. The afternoon's final panel concerned the history of the Blind Students of California. Panelists were Eugene Lozano Jr., a member of the CCB board and one of the pioneers of the student group; Margie Donovan, who was active in the group in the 1980s; and Gabe Griffith, the group's current president. Friday's evening session featured Jeff Thom's report; an address by Chris Gray; and remarks by the neighboring state affiliate presidents in attendance, Cindy Burgett, Washington Council of the Blind; Bob Johnson, Oregon Council of the Blind; and Warren Toyama, Hawaii Association of the Blind. Election of officers and board members followed. A variety of committees and affiliates met on Saturday morning, including the education committee, alumni of the California School for the Blind, Guide Dog Users of California, and the Committee on the Senior Blind. The California Orientation Center sponsored a luncheon. The afternoon session focused on audio description. It offered us an opportunity to speak our minds in an open forum, and included information presented by the Department of Rehabilitation. The high point of the convention was Saturday evening's banquet, emceed by Mitch Pomerantz. Scholarship winners were presented with grants totaling some $35,000; winners were drawn in various raffles and drawings; and our neighboring affiliate presidents were re-introduced. The keynote address was presented by Paul Edwards, immediate past president of ACB and president of the Florida Council of the Blind. A distinguished guest at the head table was state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, to whom we presented our Legislator of the Year Award. She called CCB her "Organization of the Year." After the devotional service on Sunday morning, we had the convention's main business meeting with reports by officers and committee chairs and the presentation of resolutions, all of which were passed. Adjournment came just before 12 o'clock with the promise to meet again in Sacramento in the spring. Something to YAP About: Georgia Discovers the Fountain of Youth in Bainbridge by Penny Zibula and Rita Harrison (Reprinted with permission from "The GCB Digest," fall 2004.) The 2004 GCB state convention in Bainbridge saw the inauguration of a new program designed to encourage Georgia middle- and high-school students to get involved with GCB. The Youth Awareness Program (YAP) involved five visually impaired and five sighted students competing individually and in teams as they tested their skills in public speaking, completing research projects, problem solving and communication. The Yappers came from various chapters across Georgia and ranged in age from 13 to 17. Although neither of us is a member of GCB or any other consumer organization, we managed to find ourselves acting as chaperones and facilitators for YAP from August 5-8. How did this unique situation come about? Well, it began when four members of the STARS Mentoring Program at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta, including our own mentees, were selected to participate in the first ever YAP event. Our initial intent was to attend the convention in order to cheer our mentees and the other STARS on. It then followed that since we were going to Bainbridge anyway, we were asked to chaperone all four girls. The next thing we knew, we were facilitating the entire competition phase of the program for all 10 Yappers, which turned out to be one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and exhausting experiences of our lives! The individual aspect of the competition involved each of the teens preparing and presenting a speech to the convention at the YAP-Off on Friday evening. The five students who were blind or visually impaired spoke about their lives, challenges and aspirations. Two of the sighted students told of their experiences as children of visually impaired parents, while the three others related what they had learned through their involvement with GCB members who had had an impact on their lives. All of the presentations were poignant, amusing and well thought out, and we were extremely grateful not to have been charged with the difficult task of judging the speeches and having to select one blind and one sighted winner. Sheenika Campbell, a 17- year-old rising senior from Tucker High School in Atlanta, and one of the STARS mentees, and D.J. Grenevitch, a 14-year-old home-schooled daughter of a blind mother, were declared the winners of the first annual YAP-Off. Sheenika and D.J. will go on to give their presentations to an even larger crowd at the Touch the Future Conference in Augusta in October. The team competition consisted of 10 tasks which two teams of Yappers had to complete by Saturday evening. Each team was made up of a mix of both blind and sighted Yappers. Rita's team included David Brenner, Patricia Cox, Alicia Morris, Grecia Ramirez (Rita's mentee) and Alexandria Watkins. Penny's team included Sheenika Campbell, D.J. Grenevitch, Abigail Jones, Elizabeth Jones and Ashley Whitley (Penny's mentee). Their assignments included listing eye disorders, their causes and cures, writing an essay on transportation issues and listing all the GCB chapters. The teams also had assignments which required mingling with GCB adults, such as asking members to record a message for Alva (Bubba) Anchors, who was being honored at the banquet, engaging at least 25 GCB members in conversation, finding out to which chapter they belonged and coming up with a sentence about each individual, as well as selling raffle tickets. Other assignments dealt with the teens' impressions of the first YAP event and how it could be improved. The teams requested that they be permitted to present the results of these assignments together. The Yappers were very frank regarding what they liked about the experience and what changes they would like to see. Their comments were honest, fair and constructive. Each of the assignments was worth 100 points, for a possible total of 1,000. We had requested that the teams make their presentations before Saturday's banquet, so that the teens could enjoy some well-deserved down time. That way, the judges had plenty of time to reach a decision. However, Saturday night became Sunday morning, and still no word. Finally, at the start of Sunday's general session, the judges threw in the towel and declared it a tie. Both teams completed all the assignments, each had full participation from its members, and each team made an impressive presentation to the judges. Even though Penny's team encountered a techno- tragedy when Ashley's files mysteriously disappeared from her Voice Note at the last minute, the team came through with all members pitching in and reciting everything they had compiled on the recalcitrant piece of equipment. The Yappers worked hard all weekend, so Saturday night was strictly their time to have fun. Some of the teens swam and splashed in the hotel pool under the watchful eye of Becca Bartels, a certified lifeguard, while others watched TV, listened to CDs and hung out with friends. We gave them the luxury of sleeping in until 8:30 on Sunday morning. During the convention, we functioned at a hectic pace, making sure that the Yappers were where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there, providing encouragement and assistance as they worked on their team assignments and generally keeping track of them. It was not until Saturday evening when we, too, had some time to relax and catch our breath that we really became aware of what had been happening for the past three days. We saw 10 youngsters from different backgrounds and areas of the state join together to accomplish something truly wonderful -- the birth of YAP. We watched strangers become friends, support and look out for each other and work together to achieve their goals. Even though the teams were determined to earn the maximum 1,000 points, each team was also rooting for the other. The Yappers showed themselves to be caring, intelligent and gregarious young people who, by their very presence, added a new and refreshing dimension to the weekend. We cannot count the number of GCB members who told us how much they enjoyed the teens and what wonderful young people they all were. Of course, we had to agree. After all, they gave us no trouble and were a pleasure to be around. We developed an even greater appreciation of the teens we knew and delighted in getting to know the others. What made the weekend even more special, if such a thing was possible, was when the Yappers told us we were "cool." Coming from adolescents, there is no higher praise! Having lived through our own teen years with visual impairments, we realize that being a part of a program like YAP might have made our adolescence less intimidating and more productive. The changes that all teens go through on their way to adulthood can be even more confusing and frightening to someone with a disability. Blindness or visual impairment compounds already existing feelings of isolation and inadequacy. GCB's YAP gives youngsters with vision impairments an opportunity to interact and learn from positive, successful role models which are a critical element in elevating the self-esteem of these teens. For their part, the Yappers can bring new energy and perspective to GCB and insure its future as a viable consumer organization. To us, GCB and YAP are a definite win-win situation. Thanks to Jim Sparks and Ann Sims, as well as countless others, for making us welcome at the convention, giving us guidance and providing us with a safe haven in which to vent when we needed it. Thanks to GCB and all the Yappers, we had an amazing experience that will not be soon forgotten. The Youth Awareness Program is a golden opportunity to involve young people in GCB and give them a sense of belonging in an organization that makes a difference in the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. It is our fervent hope that GCB will support and nurture YAP, so that it can grow into a stronger and even more dynamic aspect of the affiliate. In embracing these 10 outstanding Yappers at this year's convention, GCB embraced its future. ***** 12 DAYS TO ST. PATRICK'S DAY RAFFLE by M.J. Schmitt Need a little extra cash? Are you willing to take a chance? Enter the 12 Days to St. Patrick's Day Raffle! I am running this raffle for ACB. It is based on the evening three- number draw of the Illinois state lottery. The raffle runs from March 6-17, 2005. For the first 11 days, winnings are $100 per night. But on St. Patrick's Day, an individual could win $1,000! And what's better, you will have the same numbers every night, giving you 12 chances to win. Tickets cost $5 each. There are only 1,000 tickets available. If you are interested in participating, send me a check or money order for the number of tickets you want, made out to the ACB 12-Day Fund. Be certain to include your name, address and telephone number, and e-mail address if you have one. Mail them to: M.J. Schmitt, 7320 Dixon, Unit 204, Forest Park, IL 60130. When I receive your payment, I will put your ticket stubs in an envelope and mail them to you. Once the raffle starts, I will put the winners' names out on the ACB e-mail lists. I will also call the winners. ***** IN MEMORIAM: CARA DUNNE-YATES March 17, 1970-October 20, 2004 by Sharon Lovering (Editor's Note: Many thanks to Mark Lucas and Rich Zabelski for their assistance with this article.) "In God, all things are possible." That was Cara Dunne-Yates' personal motto, and no one understood it better than she did. Born in Chicago, she lost her sight at the age of 5 due to retinoblastoma. At 11, she was the youngest member of the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team. She competed throughout the world in giant slalom and downhill competitions. Dunne-Yates won more than 13 medals in world championships and Paralympic Games competitions over the next several years. And she was one of the few athletes in the world who medaled in both a winter and summer sport. Cara (who won medals in skiing at the 1984 and 1988 Paralympic Games) was also the first disabled skier to compete in a major able-bodied event. She was more recently known for her success in tandem cycling. With pilot Scott Evans, she took 10th place in the kilo at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. In 2001, she received the Carpe Diem award from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She was the United States Association of Blind Athletes' 1997 Female Athlete of the Year; in 1998, she received the Gene Autry Courage Award for showing heroism in the face of adversity. At the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, Dunne-Yates won the silver medal in mixed tandem kilo, a bronze in the mixed 200-meter sprint, and set new American and world records in the process. She also participated in numerous USABA championships throughout the years. In 1995, she completed a 1,000-mile bike race in central Siberia. Among her many accomplishments outside the sports arena, she successfully forced the Law School Admissions Council to provide the LSAT in braille. She published in "The Journal of Law and Medicine" (October 1998) on the ethical debate surrounding the prenatal diagnosis of genetically based disability. As an official emissary of the city of Chicago, she toured Japan, inspiring many throughout the country. She appeared on Japanese television and extensively lectured on the rights of the disabled. She was a journalist for several local newspapers and the U.S. Olympic Committee's 1998-2001 web site. Her essay on female athletes with disabilities appears in the Encyclopedia of Women and Sport in America. Numerous articles have been published in both the United States and Japan. Her story was featured in a 1997 episode of ABC's "20-20." Dunne-Yates was co-director of the National Retinoblastoma Foundation, as well as a full-time mom and athlete. At her passing she was a member of the Brandeis University Women's Studies Research Center. She was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 2002, as part of her 10th alumni reunion celebration at Harvard, she received the distinguished Jane Rainie Opel Young Alumna Award from the Radcliffe Institute. She was inducted into the International Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame in Rhode Island and the Taft High School Hall of Fame. An advocate for the rights of the disabled, she received the prestigious Reynolds Award from Massachusetts General Hospital. She enjoyed skiing, hiking, ice skating, writing children's stories, reading, poetry, and languages. But most of all she was an adventurer. She believed in dreaming and using those dreams as her guiding force to accomplishment. Dunne-Yates is survived by her husband, Spencer Yates; daughter Elise, age 4; and son Carson, age 1. You may send cards to: Spencer Yates, 87 Central Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590; and Mary and Rich Zabelski, 6153 N. Nettleton Ave., Chicago, IL 60631. ***** TAXPAYER ADVOCATE SERVICE LENDS SUPPORT WITH DIFFICULT TAX ISSUES by Margie Donovan A recent experience with the Taxpayer Advocate Service has led me to submit this article. This service was very instrumental in assisting me to resolve an issue with the IRS, as well as to obtain accessible correspondence in braille. Prior to the taxpayer advocate's service, my issue was not resolved for over a year. I am happy to say that not only did my problem get resolved, but it was in my favor. Individuals and small businesses with unresolved federal tax problems may be eligible for free assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent branch within the Internal Revenue Service that represents the interests of taxpayers. TAS recognizes the hardship that tax problems impose on individuals and small businesses, and will assign knowledgeable advocates to help qualified taxpayers navigate the federal tax system, understand what is causing their unresolved tax problems, and reach closure with the IRS. Because TAS is a part of the IRS, the advocates are experienced in the business and know how to navigate the system. They are impartial and will work on your case until it is finalized, so you can move on with your life. TAS works to solve both specific and system-wide tax problems. Both individuals and small businesses may be eligible for free TAS assistance. Taxpayers may be eligible for assistance from TAS if they have tried normal channels to resolve their issues and still face: - economic hardships or significant cost due to their tax problem, - a 30-day delay to resolve the issue, or - a response or resolution deadline that was promised by the IRS but not met. If you want to request the assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, call toll-free 1-877-275-8271. Alternative Media Center Makes Access Happen Making accessibility a reality is an ongoing effort of the IRS' Alternative Media Center (AMC). The IRS established the AMC in 2001 to provide alternative media resources to taxpayers and IRS employees with disabilities and to exemplify the spirit of the laws designed to enhance access to government information by people with disabilities. The AMC provides braille, large print, and accessible electronic versions of IRS documents, including tax instructions, tax publications, and of course tax forms. Your local IRS Customer Service office can request any document in an alternative format from the Alternative Media Center. You can either call the toll-free number (1-800-829-1040) or walk in to make your request. However, if you're in a hurry, you can also find many accessible tax products on the IRS web site at http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=96151,00.html. The tax instructions and tax publications are available in text and braille-ready format (.brf) while tax forms are available in an accessible PDF format. Sometimes called "talking tax forms," these filable, screen-reader-friendly tax forms are accessible to MSAA-compliant screen readers like JAWS and Window-Eyes. ***** MARION MEMORIES: NEW SIGNS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT IMPAIRED PEDESTRIANS by Brenda J. Donegan (Reprinted from "The Marion Star," Marion, Ohio, October 15, 2004.) MARION -- You're visually impaired and have waited through at least two traffic light changes and no one seems to notice you have a white cane or a guide dog. That should not happen in Marion anymore. Recently the Eye-to-Eye Low Vision Support Group, with the labor provided by the city, erected signs alerting motorists to the white cane law and also of the possibility of visually impaired crossing the street with the help of a guide dog. The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence for the visually impaired and blind, it is also a symbol to alert others to the fact of their visual impairment. Today is White Cane Safety Day. Recently signs were erected at the entrances to the city and at other strategic places in the city to alert motorists to use caution when approaching those intersections and be on the lookout for a person or persons using either a white cane or a guide dog. Marion's Eye-to-Eye Low Vision Support Group approached the city to see if appropriate signs could be placed in the city. Kay Whitehead, who was one of the organizers of the Eye-to-Eye group, said she got the surprise of her life when she contacted the American Council of the Blind in Washington, D.C. to find a source to purchase the signs. "They told me there was one place in Ohio," she said. "That was Innovative Display in Marion. We were so excited to find a company in our own community. They are located on David Street and their professional advice helped us so much to meet all the regulations of the city and state." With that information in hand, Whitehead and a few other members of the board, including Mary Ann DeLong, presiding officers of the group, met with Ellen Moore and others from Innovative Display to make plans to purchase the educational/informational signs which require motorists to yield the right of way to legally blind pedestrians who are carrying a white cane or using a guide dog. "The goal of Eye-to-Eye," Whitehead said, "is to increase public awareness of the white cane law. The law has been on the books for many years but a majority of vehicle drivers are ignorant of its significance. This fact has led to many serious accidents to visually impaired and blind pedestrians as well as to many guide dogs. The goal of everyone is to be safe and independent. The same is true of all those with a visual disability." Moore of Innovative Display told members of the support group her firm makes custom signs and she had never seen a white cane law sign standardized. "I told them the only other place I've ever seen the signs was in Daytona Beach, Fla.," she said. "That was several years ago. The ones we made for here in Marion are my design. They have a white post with the bottom painted red to appear as a white cane." The only disappointment, Moore said, is that no signs are posted in the downtown business section. She said the vast amount of concrete makes placing them downtown virtually impossible and/or cost-prohibitive. Stan Carlyle, city engineer, said he had been contacted by the group for permission to put up the signs, took it to the traffic commission and got the OK. "I guess there are very few cities in the U.S. that have such signs," Carlyle said. "I'm glad we were able to help and hope it helps them raise awareness of folks who have vision problems." Working with the board was also an eye-opener for Moore to work with visually impaired. "It was hard for me to say, 'This is how it looks,'" she said she would say as she would show them a design of the proposed signs. "They would have to trust us that they looked like we said they did. They're a fabulous and wonderful group of people. It was great working with them to get the signs ready. It has really made me believe even more in the need for the white cane law and how valuable our eyesight can be." Sharon Baldwin has had her guide dog, Kala, for just over two years. And although their relationship is good, she senses the frustration of Kala when motorists ignore them at a traffic light and often cause them to wait for the light to change several times before they can proceed. "Right turns by motorists are the worst," Baldwin, who was diagnosed at age 50 with retinopathy, said. "People act like they don't see me or her. Hopefully, this [story] will help educate people and raise awareness of the need to watch for folks with white cane or a guide dog." Whitehead said the group is grateful to several factions who have been instrumental in making the project come to fruition. "We are so grateful to the Community Foundation, United Way and the George Alber grants," Whitehead said. "We could never do what we're doing without that support. We've been really, really blessed with the support of the community." White Cane History Throughout history, the cane, staff and stick have been used as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired. The introduction of the white cane in North America dates back to 1930 when a Lions Club member watched a blind man attempt to make his way across a busy street using a black cane. That recognition prompted Lions to paint canes white for use by the visually impaired with the hopes that it would be more visible to motorists. On Oct. 6, 1964, a joint resolution of Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim Oct. 15 each year as White Cane Safety Day. ***** FIVE RINGS TO LEADERSHIP AND THE FUTURE OF ACB: THE 2004 FOUR CORNERS CONFERENCE by Christine A. Hutchinson The Four Corners Regional Conference, featuring state affiliate participants from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah, was held on Sept. 11, 2004 in Salt Lake City. Participants came for leadership training, networking, and to obtain vital information to bring back to the grassroots level. Participants marked this day with hope and prosperity for the leadership for the future of the American Council of the Blind. The conference was held at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Bill Gippson, director of training, donated the use of the building, provided staff to volunteer during the conference, and donated boxed lunches for conference attendees. The morning began with a brief moment of silence for those lost on September 11, 2001. A Boy Scout troop led by Scoutmaster Brian LaStage presented the flags and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following an invocation were the speakers: Bill Gippson; Utah Council of the Blind President Bernece Stradley; ACB of New Mexico President Rene Fernandez; Arizona Council of the Blind President Kevin Chinn; and ACB of Colorado President Christine Hutchinson. Mitch Pomerantz, ACB second vice president, gave an overview of ACB. He discussed ACB's mission, some of its strengths and weaknesses, projects and programs currently being focused upon by ACB, and some of the goals it has for the future. Sue Ammeter, membership committee chair, and treasurer Ardis Bazyn gave a presentation titled "All About ACB Membership & Growing Your Membership at a Grassroots Level." Utah Council executive director Leslie Gertsch and AzCB president Kevin Chinn provided answers to the questions of "what's happening on the national level with legislation" and ways to create and motivate legislative change on a local level. Chinn focused on the information he obtained while attending the 2004 legislative seminar. He gave information on the Rehabilitation Restoration Act, descriptive video, charitable donation legislation, IDEA, transportation legislation, and the Help America Vote Act, just to name a few. Gertsch focused on the importance of being active in legislation on a local level. She related a story of an 80-year-old man and his experience obtaining dental coverage. He went to the legislature, taking along a bottle of his top teeth, which he'd lost due to lack of dental coverage. He stood and said, "I am here to impress upon the legislators to impact change for dental coverage for all disabled in Utah. Listen." He shook the bottle of teeth. "Hear that? Those are my top teeth that I have lost because of not having dental insurance. Do you want me to lose the bottom teeth as well? Please don't let anyone else lose their teeth like I have!" This man made such an impact on the legislators that they passed dental insurance coverage for the disabled in Utah. Gertsch told the group that they can make a difference and that it only takes one person. Robert's Rules are an important part of the leadership process. Vicki Flake, DSBVI educational instructor, made this information fun and easy to understand. To get a copy of her presentation, contact her at vlflake@comcast.net. The next section featured an ADA recap, presented by Geoff Ames of the Rocky Mountain ADA Information Technology Center. He gave a lot of great information to the audience. Ames brought handouts in different media, and took time afterward to answer questions. The final topic was fund-raising. Linda Braithwaite, immediate past president of Utah, provided examples of different ways the local affiliates can raise funds. She shared with her listeners how UCB is successfully raising funds for programs and activities. She told them that it is a difficult task to ask for donations, grants, and volunteerism for fund- raising, yet it is important. Rene Fernandez wrapped up the conference by leading the attendees in a verbal conference survey. New Mexico will chair and host the next ACB Four Corners Conference. During the survey, Pomerantz and Ammeter shared a story from the past. In 1982, Grant Mack held a similar leadership training seminar in Utah. He wanted the states of California, Idaho, Washington, and New Mexico to learn about ACB and the importance of such an organization. Shortly afterward, all four states joined ACB. Grant was positively impacting the blind and visually impaired community with leadership. Not knowing Grant Mack and living in Utah for almost eight years, I somehow felt that he was watching over me. After we completed the day's work, we all went to the hospitality room. Ammeter and AzCB sponsored a great way to unwind and wrap up the conference. Thank you to all who participated in the event; we hope to see you next year in New Mexico! ***** LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The contents of this column reflect the letters we had received by the time we went to press, January 14, 2005. Letters are limited to 300 words or less. All submissions must include the author's name and location. Opinions expressed are those of the authors. Regarding Elections A curious thing happened to me on the way to the polls this past Election Day. The lady who assisted me this time told me about a conversation she had with an acquaintance. Person B asked Person A what one assisting a disabled person in voting should do if the disabled person requests that their ballot be marked in a manner conflicting with the assistant's views and choices. My assistant immediately told Person B that the purpose of being anyone's assistant is to enable the person being helped to achieve the goal of their choice. Those assisting should not make decisions for the one being assisted. It is the disabled person's vote after all. I do agree with those who urge that a system be provided in which we can all vote privately. It may not be practical to do so in all situations. Sometimes we do have to sacrifice some independence to be able to participate in the process. I understand the concerns, but compromise is sometimes required. I was amused by Jake Joehl's anecdote about the question of disabled people voting Republican (or any party affiliation, for that matter). The liberal mind-set assumes that government programs and mandates address and solve all problems. It isn't surprising that most disabled people tend to vote Democrat. A few of us, though, would prefer government to get out of the way and let free enterprise and private endeavors take over. Ronald Reagan said it best: "Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem." I couldn't agree more. Even our current president observed that government should help people enhance their lives, but not control their lives. I agree there, too. Happy 2005. Keep on keeping on. Phyllis Lackershire, Richland Center, Wis. Pedestrian Safety Dear Editor, I would like to call the attention of your readers to a current pedestrian safety issue. Like most states, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has developed a manual for potential drivers and for those required to re-take the test in order to update their drivers' licenses. The manual contains information about guaranteed pedestrian right of way for blind and visually impaired pedestrians partnered with guide dogs or using a white cane. However, material from the manual related to this issue rarely appears on written examinations. In California, only one out of 400 questions deals with blind pedestrian safety. Since 20 questions are randomly selected from the pool of more than 400 available, the question only appears on one out of 20 tests. Backed by the mayor and Fresno City Council, we approached the DMV with a request that more pedestrian safety questions be added to the pool from which the written test was derived. Recognizing the validity of the request, the DMV has committed to writing more questions on pedestrian safety, and also guaranteed that one question on blind and visually impaired pedestrian right of way in crosswalks will be included in every future written test. I recommend that a similar effort be undertaken in every state to raise awareness of pedestrian safety concerns. As right on red, left turn lanes, shortened pedestrian walk time at major intersections and traffic ambient timed signals have been incorporated into traffic engineering patterns throughout the United States, crossing streets has become a more and more dangerous endeavor! Sincerely, Ed Eames, Ph.D., Chair, Fresno Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Council, Fresno, Calif. ***** HERE AND THERE by Sarah Blake The announcement of products and services in this column is not an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its staff, or elected officials. Products and services are listed free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The Braille Forum" cannot be held responsible for the reliability of products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, you may e-mail Sarah Blake at sblake@acb.org, or call ACB at 1-800-424-8666 and leave a message in mailbox 26. Please remember that postal regulations prohibit us from including advertisements, and that we need information two months ahead of actual publication dates. UPCOMING CONFERENCE ON DISABILITIES AND ABUSE The 10th National/3rd International Conference on Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities will be held March 14-16, 2005, at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, Calif. Please register early to get the best rate. The Internet discount fee is $265 until March 1, 2005, and $340 after that date. All others: early registration is $275 through February 11, 2005, and $350 after that date. Pay online by credit card for the best rates. Continuing education units are also available! Register online at: www.disability-abuse.com/cando/conf. GDUI GREETING CARDS Don't miss the new GDUI greeting cards! These cards come in a boxed set of 10, containing two styles. There are five general purpose note cards and five special birthday cards in this pack. Both have beautiful artwork and make great gifts for puppy raisers and friends. Buy a box for yourself and always have a handy note card or birthday greeting on hand. The set costs $15. To order, call GDUI's toll-free number, 1-888-858-1008. For more exciting gifts, check out the catalog at www.gdui.org/products.html. SURVEY ON ADA AND BLIND PEOPLE The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University is conducting research on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affects people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are blind or have low vision. Your input will help us describe the effects of this law on people with severe visual impairment. The survey includes questions about accommodation requests made because of a visual impairment since January 2000. If you have a severe visual impairment, but made no ADA requests, there is a section for sharing your reasons for not requesting accommodation. Participants may describe none, or only one request, or up to 25 requests that they believe relate in some way to their employment search or job. This includes accommodation or barrier removal requests related to transportation, school and training, communication, or requests for private services such as banks, utility companies, restaurants, and stores, or requests to government services including local, state or federal government services as well as requests for accommodations needed for job interviews or on-the-job. The information gathered is confidential. The names of people who fill out the survey and the names of any entities mentioned that are covered by ADA will not be published. To take the survey online, visit www.blind.msstate.edu/cgi/survey/consent.pl. If you agree to participate, check "yes" and follow the consent link at the bottom of the page to the survey form. If you have difficulty using the online survey form, contact Dr. Frank at 1-800-675-7782, or e-mail jfrank@colled.msstate.edu, for a phone survey. NEWS FROM CLOVERNOOK Jeffrey Brasie, president of Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, was recently elected to serve as vice president of the National Council of Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Clovernook was also recognized recently as a finalist for the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau. 102 TALKING BOOK CLUB HONORS 1,600 The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped recently formed the 102 book club to honor its centenarians. National kickoff of the club was held Oct. 27, when a 103-year-old North Carolina woman became the nation's first inductee. Edna White of Jacksonville, N.C., was one of 20 people in the state eligible for club membership. GUIDE DOG CAMP The next guide dog camp will be held at Camp Wawona in Yosemite National Park May 8-12, 2005. This three-day session will include evaluation of the guide dog team and recommendations for post-graduate training to meet individualized goals and objectives. Seminars will deal with common interests of handlers as well as others who are interested in getting a dog. Other programs will include: country walking, obedience and control, and health and care of a guide dog. Legally blind adults over age 18 who wish to enhance their skills, and others interested in obtaining a guide dog, will be considered for the session. A $50 deposit for individuals ($100 for schools and organizations) is required. Deposits are due before April 1. The session is limited to 36 campers. For more information on the program, call (559) 439-4457 between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Pacific, weekdays only. TEACHER HONORED ACB member Kathy Nimmer, an English and creative writing teacher at William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind., was recently honored with a Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award from the Turnaround Management Association. ATHLETES OF THE YEAR The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes recently named the winners of the 2004 Athletes and Team of the Year awards. Track athlete Royal Mitchell (Hardeeville, S.C.) was named Male Athlete of the Year; tandem cyclist Karissa Whitsell (Eugene, Ore.) received the Female Athlete of the Year award. The U.S. women's goalball team was named Team of the Year. The team included: Jennifer Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lisa Banta (Boonton, N.J.), Nikki Buck (Paw Paw, Mich.), Jessie Lorenz (San Francisco, Calif.), Asya Miller (Battle Creek, Mich.), and Robin Theryoung (Clarkston, Mich.). INFO FOR ELDERS Sedgwick Press recently released the fifth edition of the "Older American Information Directory." This edition includes information on associations, disability aids, libraries, government programs, and checklists and articles on topics of concern to most senior citizens -- such as factors to consider when choosing an assisted living or continuing care facility, and two new glossaries on health and medical terms and legal terms. For more information, or to order, contact Sedgwick Press, 185 Millerton Rd., PO Box 860, Millerton, NY 12546; phone 1-800-562-2139, or e- mail books@greyhouse.com. BRAILLER REPAIRS Bring your brailler back to life! The Selective Doctor, Inc. specializes in the repair of Perkins braillers and IBM typewriters. Repairs for braillers are $50 for labor, plus the cost of parts. Send your brailler via U.S. mail to: The Selective Doctor, Inc., PO Box 28432, Baltimore, MD 21234. Free matter shipping is accepted. Please insure your brailler; this will cost about $7.20 (if you insure it for $600). The company will add the cost of insurance to your invoice. For more information, call (410) 668- 1143, e-mail braillerrepair@yahoo.com, or visit www.selectivedoctor.net. RECENT DEATHS Anna Schneider, a Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarship winner in 1994, died of cancer on June 29, 2004. She was a graduate of the University of Washington in cell and molecular biology, an artist, volunteer, and Mary Kay consultant. Her art was on exhibit at the university during the summer study program. Schneider also held a black belt in aikido. Arne Husveg, first vice president of the World Blind Union and the immediate past secretary general of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, died in his sleep Nov. 16, 2004 at the age of 71. He was dedicated to working for the blind in poor countries; in 1979, he began the Norwegian association's work for the visually impaired in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Husveg also played a key role in the development of the European Blind Union in 1984; he served as EBU's president from 1987 to 1996, and as a board member until 2003. LUCKY TOUCH Lucky Touch Fortune Cookie Company is raising the prices for its cookies. It has small fortune cookies, which are customizable (if ordering 50 or more); chocolate-dipped small cookies; giant cookies; giant chocolate- dipped cookies; and customized gift baskets. For pricing details, call (510) 794-3800 extension 300, fax (510) 794-3828, or write to Lucky Touch Fortune Cookie Company, California School for the Blind, Westridge Dorm, 500 Walnut Ave., Fremont, CA 94536. FREE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE Sprint now offers up to 10 free directory assistance calls per month for wireless customers who are blind, visually impaired or physically disabled. As a part of this offer, Sprint will also provide free Voice Command (SM) service. Sprint PCS Voice Command is a voice activated dialing platform that helps customers with disabilities by reducing keypad use and reliance on handset display information. Voice Command works hand-in-hand with directory assistance: once you've requested a phone number, you have the option to save it in your Voice Command directory, so you don't have to call 411 again. For more details about this offer, or to obtain an application for this program, contact Sprint Customer Care at (888) 211- 4727. You can also find out more by visiting www.sprint.com/accessibility. LOW-VISION MARKETING ALLIANCE Pulse Data HumanWare and Eschenbach Optik of America recently announced that they are forming a low-vision product strategic marketing alliance in the Americas. Eye care and rehabilitation professionals will have access to Pulse Data's products for the first time through this partnership. Pulse Data and Eschenbach will also work together on marketing activities to professional resellers. Pulse Data will focus on low-vision end users, providing training and installation for consumers, non-profit agencies, educational buyers and strategic accounts. For more information, visit www.pulsedata.com or call 1-800-722-3393; visit www.eschenbach.com or call 1-800-396-3886. ADA AND STUDYING ABROAD Wondering how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to U.S. students while studying in another country? "Rights And Responsibilities: A Guide To National And International Disability-Related Laws For International Exchange Organizations and Participants," a newly updated 125-page booklet, explores different insights on the interpretation of the ADA and its impact on international educational exchange policy and practice. This publication also looks at non-discrimination laws in other countries, shares stories and perspectives from students with disabilities and disability service advisors, and provides case studies to show how various laws may be interpreted in international exchange settings. The publication can be downloaded at www.miusa.org/publications and is also available at no cost in print and alternative formats. PORTABLE SCANNER The Docu-Edge system combines cutting edge hardware and software to offer the first truly accessible pocket scanning solution. It includes PaperPort software to enable the user to transfer files from the scanner to a PC, as well as OmniPage for advanced optical character recognition. Docu- Edge also includes audio manuals for use by blind and visually impaired clients. The price is $249. To order, call (916) 956-2054, or visit www.assistivetechcenter.com. LARGE PRINT PRESCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS Walgreens now offers large print prescription instructions free of charge at all of its stores across the country. Pharmacy patients can request the large print option when they drop off or call in their prescriptions. The pharmacist will provide instructions printed in 19-point type on 8 « x 11 paper. All prescription instructions are available in large type in both English and Spanish. NEW YORK ALUMNI Tim Hendel seeks alumni news for the alumni bulletin of the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia. If you ever went to Batavia, even for a few years, even if you did not graduate from there and do not belong to the alumni, Tim would like to have your news. People who remember you from school would love to know what you are doing these days. Tim can also tell you how to join the alumni association for $5 per year. Contact Tim by e- mail at tim@hiwaay.net or by phone at (256) 512-9988. ***** HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: BrailleNote 32, used very little. Asking $3,400. Type Lite 40, asking $2,800. E-mail s23li2000@yahoo.com or call Jay Sarl at (801) 358-7783. FOR SALE: Clearview 317 in excellent condition. Comes with all manuals and cables. Asking $1,200 (negotiable). Contact Jackie Boutros at (954) 735-7054. FOR SALE: Alva Satellite 544 44-cell braille display. Works with Windows 95/98/2000/ME/NT. It has both serial and USB ports. Never used. Asking $3,000. Navigator 40-cell braille display. Recently serviced, $1,500. Artic Transtype notetaker with QWERTY-style keyboard and speech output. Used very little, $350. Artic Squirt notetaker with QWERTY-style keyboard and speech output. Used very little, $200. Two Perkins braillers in good condition, $275 each. Thiel high-production braille printer. Produces 7 languages. Used very little, $5,500. Please call with serious inquiries before 11 p.m. Eastern time at (215) 487-0347 or send e-mail to saluki@shellworld.net with the subject line "sale items." FOR SALE: Type 'n Speak with adapter, disk drive, and Braille manual. In very good condition, hardly used. Asking $725 including shipping. If interested, please contact Kathleen by e-mail, kprime1774@aol.com, or by phone at (631) 698-5149. FOR SALE: Braillex Elba notetaker, hardly used. Has QWERTY keyboard with 8-dot and 20-cell braille display; full Internet and e-mail access; internal 56K modem; Linux-based software; word processor, scientific calculator, Voice Note, spreadsheet, database, MP3 player, multitasking, and much more. Under warranty. Any reasonable offer will be considered. Call Toula at (973) 214-4210 or e-mail twmat@verizon.net. FOR SALE: Power-Braille 40 refreshable braille display. Good condition. Asking $1,000. Please write to Sutter at bv407@freeshell.org. FOR SALE: 1996 Clearview CCTV. It has true color and can be connected to a computer running Windows 95, 98, or ME. Asking $700 including shipping. Large-print Webster's dictionary, asking $60, including shipping. Large-print Webster's thesaurus, asking $60, including shipping. Contact Danielle Earl by e-mail at sunshinedanielle@mail.com. WANTED: Donation of four-track cassette recorder. Must be in good condition. Call Jerry Hamrick at (304) 339-6489 or write to him, PO Box 213, Valley Head, WV 26294. WANTED: An electric Perkins brailler in good condition. Write to: Jos‚ In cio Laurini, 324 C“nego Motta Street, Cabre£va, SP, Brazil CEP 13315-000. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER GRAY 94 RAMONA AVE. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT M.J. SCHMITT 7320 DIXON UNIT 204 FOREST PARK, IL 60130 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT MITCH POMERANTZ 1115 CORDOVA STREET #402 PASADENA, CA 91106 SECRETARY DONNA SELIGER 3912 SE 5TH ST DES MOINES, IA 50315 TREASURER ARDIS BAZYN 500 S. 3RD ST. #H BURBANK, CA 91502 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT PAUL EDWARDS 20330 NE 20TH CT. MIAMI, FL 33179 ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alan Beatty, Fort Collins, CO Ed Bradley, Houston, TX Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, VA Oral Miller, Washington, DC Carla Ruschival, Louisville, KY Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD Naomi Soule, St. Louis, MO Cynthia Towers, Seattle, WA David Trott, Talladega, AL BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Charles Hodge, Chairperson, Arlington, VA Cindy Burgett, Bremerton, WA Winifred Downing, San Francisco, CA Mike Duke, Jackson, MS DeAnna Noriega, Colorado Springs, CO Ex Officios: Ralph Sanders, Vancouver, WA Janelle Edwards, Manhattan, KS