THE Braille Forum Vol. XXVIII March/April 1990 No. 5 Published By The American Council of the Blind PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY Oral O. Miller, J.D., National Representative Nolan Crabb, Editor National Office: 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W. Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 393-3666 THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large-type, and cassette tape (15/16 ips). Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to: Nolan Crabb, THE BRAILLE FORUM, 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions, which are tax- deductible, may be sent to Brian Charlson, Treasurer, 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the continuing work of the American Council of the Blind. The ACB National Office has available printed cards to acknowledge to loved ones contributions made in memory of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the American Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will And Testament may do so by including a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the ACB National Office. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" at (202) 393-3664 eastern time, 24 hours a day; or toll-free, (800) 424-8666, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday Copyright 1990 American Council of the Blind TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message By LeRoy F. Saunders News Briefs from the ACB National Office By Oral O. Miller Countdown to Denver By Robert J. Acosta Some Helpful Hints for a Happier Colorado Experience By Mary MacDonald Affiliated Leadership League Urges Congressional Support of Disability Legislation By Nolan Crabb Brady Speaks Out By Nolan Crabb ADA Moves to the Fast Track By Kathy Megivern What A Way to Start the 1990's By Nolan Crabb They're Searching Today So You Can Search Tomorrow By Nolan Crabb United Blind of Washington State And Washington Council of the Blind Unite Into Single Organization By Oral O. Miller Talking Newspaper Goes On Line in Minnesota Unless Budget Restored, Library for Blind to Shut By Doreen E. Iudica(not available in disk edition due to copyright considerations) Here and There ACB Mid-Year Board Meeting Highly Productive By Pat Price Award Nominations Requested High Tech Swap Shop Meet the Challenge and Get More Out of Life--Life Membership, That Is By Charles Hodge Acknowledgments PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE COMMITTEE CHAIRS SELECTED By LeRoy F. Saunders, President My deadline for this article came hard on the heels of the legislative seminar sponsored by the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (A.L.L.) which I attended. The Washington, D.C. seminar brought together people representing 17 states to review current legislation effecting blind and visually impaired people. Following the instructional portion of the conference, those who attended visited their representatives on Capitol Hill to encourage support for the legislation of interest to A.L.L. members. (See "Affiliated Leadership League Urges Congressional Support of Disability Legislation" and "Brady Speaks Out" in this issue.) The seminar focused primarily on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). I'm reaffirming ACB's support of this legislation without weakening amendments. We still need ACB members to be actively involved in encouraging your representatives in the House to support this bill. I would like to commend A.L.L. for its successful seminar. I heartily commend those responsible for producing information packets in formats that were accessible to virtually every attendee. Materials were provided in braille, large print, and cassette. Printed materials were also provided for each visitor to leave with his or her respective legislators. Some time ago, I asked our state affiliates and special interest groups for input from people in different areas who have the ability and willingness to serve on various ACB committees. I am currently formulating these committees, and I should have them in place soon. The formulation process is more difficult than it might appear. The response from the state and affiliate leaders was excellent; they provided me with more names than I can possibly use. Nevertheless, I'll be picking committee members representing a good geographic cross section of the country. I have appointed the following people as chairpersons for some of the key committees: Alan Jenkins will chair the Resolution Committee, with Jean Jones as vice chair. Contact Jenkins via telephone at (415) 527-0227. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will be chaired by Jean Mann; the vice chair is Steve Speicher. Contact Jean Mann at (518) 459-2853. Jack Lewis will serve as this year's chair of the Awards Committee. He can be contacted at (317) 642-3267. You can assist the committee chairpersons by getting material to the ACB National Office as soon as possible. Staff members will forward the information to the committee chairpersons. The program committee for the convention is hard at work developing an excellent program. I hope you're making plans to attend the convention in Denver. I'm sure our special interest affiliates are planning interesting sessions as well. The convention officially gets underway with an opening session Sunday evening, July 1st. NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ACB NATIONAL OFFICE By Oral O. Miller National Representative Many of the forums and meetings which I attend are truly informative but not very interesting; so I was doubly pleased by the informational and interest content of the first meeting of the National Consumer Forum which I attended during the first weeks of the new year. The National Consumer Forum is made up of invitees from the consumer and disability rights field and the telecommunications industry. The increasing importance of telecommunications and technological issues to blind people and the value of the National Consumer Forum as a resource and communications vehicle were underscored a few weeks later when I was invited to take part in a briefing of White House personnel concerning telecommunications and technological issues. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) was the only organization of the blind invited to take part. Our position, in substance, was that blind people should have access to as many technological sources of information as possible, and the blind benefit greatly to the extent accessible services and equipment are also available to and used by the general public. (See "Report Shows Strong Support by Blind and Low Vision Adults for New Telephone-based Services" The Braille Forum, Jan/Feb, 1990). It is always interesting and enjoyable to take part in "call-in" radio interview shows, and the Philadelphia radio reading service show on which I participated in a few weeks ago was especially interesting because the host was one of the most upbeat and enthusiastic people I have talked to in years. Because he is a businessman by profession with very little knowledge about the field of blindness, he did not hesitate to ask many probing questions as to why things do or do not occur. During the hour we talked, he received many calls from knowledgeable listeners, indicating the apparent popularity of his show. Who said that blind businessmen and women can't independently accept customers' credit cards and do all the requisite paperwork connected with such transactions? If there was any doubt, it was dispelled when a representative of Discover Card Services recently conducted a demonstration of a simple, accessible, relatively inexpensive terminal/printer that enters the charge against the card holder's account, prints a combination charge slip and receipt, and then credits the correct amount to the business's bank account. Representatives of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers and ACB National Office personnel attended the demonstration of the system. Although the system was developed to be used with the Discover Card, it can also be used with Visa or MasterCard. Selected blind businessmen are using this system on an experimental basis in Kentucky and Illinois. We understand that Discover Card Services will be exhibiting or making presentations during the ACB 1990 National Convention in Denver. The ACB National Office recently welcomed three international guests. Keiji Arai, a rehabilitation teacher with the Tokyo Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center, was particularly interested in obtaining information about job opportunities and vocational training programs available in the United States. Yukio Seki, a graduate student at San Francisco State University, also visited the National Office. He previously worked as an editor for the Helen Keller Association Printing House in Tokyo. He was interested primarily in the activities of blind people who work in media positions in this country. Our third visitor was Mitsuhhiro Uinato, also a graduate student at San Francisco State University, has worked as a teacher of acupuncture and physical therapy at the University of Psukupa in Tokyo. Recently it was my pleasure to represent ACB (the only blindness organization represented) at the press conference in the U.S. Capitol called by Sen. Robert J. Dole, R--KS to announce the appointment of Russell Redenbaugh, a blind Philadelphia businessman, to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. ACB members will recall Mr. Redenbaugh's presentation at our National Convention in St. Louis as well as at various state conventions over the years. We commend Mr. Redenbaugh on this important appointment, and we have already communicated to him our willingness to assist him in any way possible as he enters into his new position. A separate article on Mr. Redenbaugh will appear in a subsequent issue of the Forum. Immediately upon conclusion of the very successful seminar sponsored by the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, Ruth Ann Acosta president of the Library Users of America, Braille Forum Editor Nolan Crabb and this writer had the pleasure of meeting with Frank Curt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), and several members of his staff. The meeting was conducted at the ACB National Office. We discussed NLS's reaction to several ACB resolutions regarding library service and related issues. While Mr. Cylke did not concur with every matter presented in the resolutions, the meeting was extremely positive and cordial. Mr. Cylke committed to forward additional materials to Mrs. Acosta. The meeting also gave Mr. Crabb an opportunity to become better acquainted with additional NLS personnel. Since then, he has had two follow-up meetings with them. On March 1, 1990, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of presiding over the meeting at which the United Blind of Washington State merged with the Washington Council of the Blind. (See "United Blind of Washington State and Washington Council of the Blind Unite into One Organization" by Oral O. Miller, this issue.) The March 6, 1990 issue of "The Federal Register" published the long-awaited U.S. Department of Transportation regulations implementing the Air Carriers Access Act of 1986 along with the equally long- awaited Federal Aviation Administration's regulations concerning exit row seating. Since the regulations were published at press time for this issue, a more detailed analysis will appear in a future issue. A very quick reading indicates that functional requirements are being imposed in connection with the exit seating regulations, and that the airlines will be required to provide much better training and sensitization to their employees and that a dispute resolution system will be required. This subject will be covered in the ACB National Convention Legislative Workshop on Friday, July 6. Working toward passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act remains a vital part of ACB's legislative focus. (See "ADA Moves to the Fast Track" by Kathy Megivern, this issue). ACB's Washington Connection provides late-breaking reports on the ADA and other important matters. Call the Washington Connection at (800) 424-8666. The other members of the ACB National Office staff join me in welcoming Nolan Crabb, newly-appointed editor of the Braille Forum, to the National Office. COUNTDOWN TO DENVER By Robert J. Acosta, Convention Coordinator Exciting tours, rodeos, mountain air, and informative conferences- -all this and more await you as you make your final plans to attend the 29th annual convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in Denver. The convention provides us with the opportunity to look to ACB's exciting future. After the meetings, you can look back at Denver's fascinating frontier past with a visit to some of the area's historic saloons. We'll be taking two wonderful trips back in time, so to speak, with two visits to the saloons. You can sign up for either Friday, June 29th or Thursday, July 5th. The tour guide for the saloon visits will be Professor Thomas Noel, a Colorado historian. We're also planning a loop railroad ride on Saturday, June 30th as part of a tour to nearby Georgetown. You can plan on a tour of dynamic Denver on Sunday, July 1st. If you've never experienced the thrills and spills of real rodeo, you'll want to attend the Greeley Stampede. If you want something a little more tame, you might try a carriage ride around the hotel grounds. Carriages will be made available to you for a nominal fee Monday and Tuesday, July 2nd and 3rd. If authentic German food is what you've been craving, the folks at the Coors Brewery have just what you're looking for. Plan to enjoy a good time and a great meal at Coors' Octoberfest in July on Monday, July 2nd. How long has it been since you had a buffalo burger? Make plans now for your visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum on Tuesday, July 3rd. While at the museum, you'll have buffalo burgers for lunch and hear an actual recording of Buffalo Bill. Don't forget the big 4th of July barbecue at the Flying W Ranch. And yip, partner, there's gold in that there mine, and you can visit it. Plan to see an operating gold mine in Central City on Thursday, July 5th. Get ready for the overnight tour of Colorado Springs. You can still sign up by sending your $140 to James Olsen, 310 4th Ave. South, Suite 822, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Tel. (612) 332-3242. In addition to the tours, you can plan on excellent, informative meetings sponsored by the special interest affiliates. VISTA is planning an exercise/nutrition workshop; the National Association of Blind Teachers is planning its reception for Monday, July 2nd. The diabetes seminar is slated for the afternoon of Thursday, July 5th. Gear up for the legislative seminar on Friday, July 6th. You can still make reservations at the Sheraton Denver Tech Center or at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. The Hyatt is the overflow hotel. Call the Sheraton toll-free at (800) 552-7030. You may reach the Hyatt Regency reservation desk by calling toll-free (800) 233-1234. The Wilson Travel Service is ready to help you with your travel plans to and from the convention. By using Wilson, you help ACB minimize convention costs for the staff. Call the Wilson Travel Service toll-free at (800) 523-2742. Indiana residents call toll-free (800) 331-6917. Kentuckiana residents may call (812) 945-2517. For more information about the layout of the hotels and other details regarding tours and meetings, look for your large print registration form to be delivered in May. If you ordered the cassette pre-registration form, you can plan to receive it separately from the large print form. Complete and return one large print form per person to the ACB National Office, 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005. SOME HELPFUL HINTS FOR A HAPPIER COLORADO EXPERIENCE By Mary MacDonald, ACBC President This summer's American Council of the Blind National Convention in Denver has a lot to offer. Indeed, Denver itself can be a conventioner's paradise if you're prepared. Denver's weather is typical of weather throughout the Mountain States region. I never really store my winter or summer clothes. It can be 73 degrees here in February, and it can snow on May 30th. In July, you can plan on 90 to 95 degree temperatures during the day. At night, the temperature falls to 50 or 60 degrees. If you're planning to make the trip to the top of Pike's Peak, bring a light jacket. The peak is snow capped year round. So while the train and coffee house may be warm, the weather will definitely be crisp and cool. If you're planning to start an intense aerobic program during convention week, you may want to reconsider and start either well before you come to Denver or shortly after you get home. Denver's high altitude means thinner air. If you're here for three weeks or more, your body will manufacture more blood to carry necessary amounts of oxygen throughout your body. If you're planning to stay just a week, you may experience shortness of breath--especially if you have high blood pressure or are overweight. That's no reason to stay home though. If you feel winded, simply sit down and breath deeply until you feel better. Bring a good sun screen if you plan to get a lot of exposure to the sun. Don't stay out in the sun as long as you might at lower altitudes. The high altitude could mean more bang for the buck at the bar, too. Some tourists say they feel intoxicated more quickly because of the altitude. If you're prone to dry skin, you may want to pack some lotions or moisturizers. Denver's climate is semi-arid. If you're a dog guide user, you may want to bring some baby oil to brush through your dog's pelt. If you notice your dog scratching more than usual, the problem may be dry skin rather than fleas. Above all else, come prepared to have a good time. Denver has much to offer as a convention city. AFFILIATED LEADERSHIP LEAGUE URGES CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT OF DISABILITY LEGISLATION By Nolan Crabb Members of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (A.L.L.) made their wishes known to Congress during a legislative seminar in Washington, D.C. February 24th through the 27th. Members of A.L.L. gathered from throughout the United States to receive the latest information on the Americans With Disabilities Act, (ADA), the Randolph-Sheppard Act, the re-authorization of the Education of the Handicapped Act, and more. Ralph Neas, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, expressed his support for ADA. In his keynote address to the seminar, Neas praised A.L.L.'s leadership and members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) for their dedicated efforts in furthering the causes of disability and civil rights. Neas said timing is an important factor in the success of the ADA. He pledged his ongoing support of A.L.L. and ACB's efforts to shepherd the act through the various house committees. "We must get the ADA through the House this spring," he said. "If passage is delayed too long, Congress will adjourn without addressing the act." Following Neas's address, seminar attendees heard remarks from Dr. Philip Hatlen, professor of special education at San Francisco State University. Hatlen's remarks were read by AER President Toni Heins. Hatlen called for the establishment of a "Commission on the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind." Hatlen said the establishment of a similar commission on education for the deaf had successfully reversed potentially damaging trends in the education of the deaf. Hatlen said schools for the blind in many parts of the nation are being threatened with closure. The commission he envisions would force legislators and others to take a harder look at available options for educating blind and visually impaired people. Pat Westbrook, executive director of the Texas Commission for the Blind, and Dr. Dennis Thurman, president of the Council of Executives of the American Residential Schools for the Visually Handicapped, expressed their support for the establishment of a commission. A.L.L. has already created a task force to study the commission's feasibility and its implementation. Scott Marshall, governmental relations specialist with the American Foundation for the Blind, provided tips on lobbying Congress and dealing with Congressional staff members. Participants heard from a variety of consultants to the House of Representatives. Mary Hanlen, a consultant to the committee on aging, talked with A.L.L members about possible changes in Title VII Part C of the Rehabilitation Act. Title VII Part C provides for funding of programs targeted toward visually impaired older Americans. As it is currently funded, Part C programs exist in 28 states. Total funding for Part C programs is $5.7 million. A.L.L. called for an increase in funding of Title VII Part C programs to $26 million. Funding would be allocated via a formula which would guarantee a minimum of $250,000 per state. The remaining money would be allocated to states based on other criteria such as population. Durward K. McDaniel, a member of A.L.L.'s board of directors, called for increased funding for the Randolph-Sheppard program. McDaniel presented a fact sheet on the Randolph-Sheppard program. He called for a $6 million appropriation in Fiscal 1991. McDaniel says the $6 million would reverse the decline in the number of jobs in the program. According to the fact sheet, the number of jobs in the program fell by three percent from 1974 to 1988. McDaniel expressed optimism that the labor shortages which many states experience can be overcome with hard work and innovation. During the final luncheon session of the conference, Acosta announced the formation of an A.L.L. task force on the Randolph- Sheppard program. Justin Dart Jr., chairman of the Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of People with Disabilities, expressed his appreciation to A.L.L. members and warned against assuming the battle has been won. Dart also introduced James Brady, vice chair of the National Organization on Disability, and former press secretary for Ronald Reagan, who addressed the conference. (See "Brady Speaks Out" in this issue.) At the conclusion of the conference, participants met with various members of Congress and their staffs to urge support of the ADA with no weakening amendments. At the final luncheon session of the conference, participants reported on their successes on Capitol Hill. "I hope we'll come away from this seminar ready to press on to victory for ADA and the other important pieces of legislation we've discussed," said Robert J. Acosta, president of A.L.L. ACB President LeRoy Saunders urged seminar attendees to continue their grass roots efforts in behalf of the ADA. "I hope you'll continue your efforts back home," Saunders said. "We don't have to be in Washington to make a difference." BRADY SPEAKS OUT By Nolan Crabb The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most important piece of disability legislation in our nation's history, said Former White House Press Secretary James S. Brady. Speaking to members of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America (A.L.L.) during its Washington legislative seminar in February, Brady called ADA "this nation's third civil rights wave- -the new civil rights movement of the 1990's, following the movement of blacks and women." Brady praised Justin Dart, chairman of the Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of People With Disabilities, as an "outstanding leader." "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "your applause should be for the other fellow in the wheelchair who just spoke, Justin Dart... His dedication is a model for all of us who make up the largest minority in America--more than 40 million of us living with some form of disability." Brady also had praise for the A.L.L. members who came to Washington; he urged them to spread their grass roots efforts throughout their districts at home. "...you and the voters in your areas put those lawmakers up on the hill to represent you, and you can vote them out, too," Brady said. "As you can tell, even though I took a bullet in the head almost nine years ago, I'm still the O'L Irish bear who has never been impressed by pomposity or titles and the like. My mother simply taught me to be tolerant of everyone because, as she used to say, 'Everyone wants to go to the same place--Heaven!' Politicians want to go to Heaven too, but first they want long stops on Capitol Hill! And they know that that depends on you and the other voters back home." Currently the vice chairman of the National Organization on Disability, Brady reminded his listeners that the ADA is a bipartisan effort which has been "enthusiastically endorsed" by President Bush. "ADA should be bipartisan because there is nothing political about disability," Brady said. "All of us in this room know that disability knows no distinctions of any kind." Brady urged A.L.L. members visiting Capitol Hill to "tell it like it is." He emphasized the importance of convincing Congress that ADA would be good for non-disabled Americans too. "As out-of-towners," he said, "you may not know that some of the people who have fallen from subway platforms in Washington, D.C. have not been blind. They have been careless, fully sighted individuals. Thus, safety features such as subway platform markings and adequate lighting would help not only blind or visually impaired people, but the general public as well. That should be emphasized in your Congressional talks." Brady encouraged his listeners to seek "opportunity and fairness, not sympathy or pity." He warned against using a complaining attitude when dealing with Congress. "They hear complaints every day," he said. Brady quoted from an address delivered by U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh in which he called the ADA "the only cost-effective solution to a dependency that costs our society well over $1 billion per year." Brady said the ADA is "the missing piece" of legislation that would guarantee equal rights to all citizens. He called the fears of small business regarding ADA "groundless." Such fears, he said, "reflect the same obsolete attitudes, fears and doomsday predictions that have greeted all previous extensions of basic civil rights protections." Brady hailed ADA as a "vision of the future" since it primarily focuses on making new facilities accessible to people with disabilities. He said the act would "help break the bonds of dependency." He reminded his audience that the legislation pending in the House would help people with disabilities become employees and taxpayers. "Congress listens when the subject has to do with how much things cost," Brady explained. "In this period of increased international economic competition, the talents and skills of people with disabilities are needed in our workforce." Brady cautioned A.L.L. participants that passage of the ADA "won't herald in the millennium," but it will improve our democracy. "I want to see an America where every person, including every child, will be judged on the basis of his or her ability," Brady said. "The Americans With Disabilities Act would level the playing field so that people with disabilities will have equal opportunities to compete and to participate fully in the promise of America and in all that America offers." Brady commended President George Bush and the Senate for their support of ADA. ...they have shown that they have the will to come to grips with the problems of discrimination against fellow citizens," he said. "They have shown that they do not lack the will of justice. Now it's up to the House of Representatives to keep that will strong and not weaken it." Brady expressed the hope that his listeners would take heart from positive changes in Eastern Europe. "The 1990's, as we all know, have begun in large parts of the world because people are in protest," he said. "They want more access to freedom. If they can tear down barriers in those non-democratic areas, surely Congress can bring about changes and tear down walls that limit full participation in this democracy of ours." ADA MOVES TO THE FAST TRACK By Kathy Megivern As we go to press, there is much to report on the status of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The act has been referred to four House committees. The lead committee on Education and Labor completed its markup and reported the bill out just prior to the Christmas recess. Now, at last, there is movement on the other three committees. Negotiations have been going on for some time between the bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Stenny Hoyer, D--MD, and the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rep. John Dingell, D--MI. Mr. Dingell's specific concerns relate to Amtrak and the requirements which the bill will impose on it. Meanwhile, the Committee on Public Works and Transportation has been dealing with the complicated, controversial issues surrounding mass transit, commuter rail, and private transportation such as Greyhound. While a lot of progress had been made on these thorny issues, the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation conducted its mark-up of the bill on March 6th, and the serious issues surfaced there, with little hope for compromise. At the heart of the mass transit provisions is the requirement that all buses and subway cars purchased after the passage of the act would have to be accessible. There are no retro-fitting requirements. This is a point on which the disability rights community has been unwilling to compromise. After all, the expenses are minimal if accessibility is mandated from the beginning; and as it is, it will take another generation before these systems become fully accessible. Nevertheless, there are those in Congress who want amendments exempting small cities (200,000 people or fewer) from the requirement that future purchases will be accessible. Others want an "inclement weather" exemption on the theory that wheelchair lifts don't operate well in cold weather or snow. This argument continues to arise despite testimony from cities like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Johnstown, PA that their lifts perform well throughout the winter. When it became clear at the subcommittee mark-up that arguments from opposing sides weren't going to sway anyone, Chairman Norman Mineta, D--CA called for a vote. Most of the negative amendments went down to defeat on a party-line vote. One negative amendment relating to commuter rail managed to pass on a 20 to 18 vote. The full Committee on Public Works and Transportation took on the issue in mark-up in mid March. The committee on Energy and Commerce scheduled a mid-March mark-up as well. The Judiciary Committee, the last one to move on the bill, planned a late March mark-up. Look for information in the May-June issue of The Braille Forum for complete information on timelines for passage of the act. We'll also be able to let you know which negative amendments, if any, succeed in passing. WHAT A WAY TO START THE 90'S By Nolan Crabb New Year's Eve, 1989 began routinely enough for my family and me. We were making plans for a small family party, and my wife was vaguely wondering what the kids should wear to church. When the phone rang, I switched the two-year-old child I was holding to my other hand and went to answer it, not knowing how quickly and completely that call would change my life. The caller was Chris Gray, chairman of ACB's Board of Publications. "I thought I'd let you know you are the board of publication's recommended candidate for the editorship of the Braille Forum," he said. I had wanted the job badly. While I knew Chris's call wasn't a job offer, I recognized that it was a quantum leap closer to that eventuality. My first impulse was to jump up and down and yell like those highly emotional winners on radio station contests. Had I given into the impulse, I might have accidentally dropped my little girl and certainly would have given Chris cause for second thoughts. "Well," I replied calmly, "I guess that gives me one more reason to celebrate the new year." Not long after Chris's call, I met with ACB President LeRoy Saunders. Ultimately, I received the necessary confirmation from ACB's Board. Following official notification of my confirmation by ACB's board, excitement spread through the house like a forest fire through dry timber. WHAT A WAY TO START THE 90'S Page 2 The two older girls, (aged 8 and 6), began creating little skits based on their perceptions of what life would be like in Washington. They took maps to school for show and tell in which their mother had pasted a yellow star at St. George, Utah and a blue star on Washington, D.C. Suddenly, news stories about Washington became interesting to the girls. They paid great attention to an ABC television documentary on President and Mrs. Bush's private living quarters. In one segment, the camera showed a toy chest in the president's office. He explained the toys were for his grandchildren when they came to visit. My six-year-old daughter turned to me and said excitedly, "I'll bet he's a real nice grandpa. I wonder if he'll let me play with those toys when we get out there?" I repeatedly stressed to her that she would probably never see the president in person, let alone be allowed to play with the toys in the office. While she accepted my counsel, I think even now she still secretly believes it just might happen. The long car ride across the country was a welcome relief from the intense days of packing boxes. Upon our arrival in Washington, we were warmly welcomed by the national office staff. Virtually every staff member has reached out in his or her own special way to make our adjustment to life in Washington a pleasant, enjoyable experience. I'm deeply grateful to them for their many kindnesses in my behalf. They've gone more than the extra mile to help. I'd like to thank President LeRoy Saunders for his support and What a Way to Start the 90's Page 3 encouragement. My thanks also to the Board of Publications interviewing committee and ACB's Board of Directors for the thorough, even-handed manner in which they conducted the search. At the risk of being too personal, let me say that my move to Washington would not have been a success without the tremendous support of my wife Valerie. At press time, Valerie gave birth to our fourth child by Cesarean Section in a strange city under the care of a relatively unfamiliar doctor. I admire her quiet strength; I appreciate her constant encouragement; and I am comforted by her faith when mine temporarily weakens. Indeed, she is the finest and truest friend I have ever known. It's my sincere hope that many of you will submit nonfiction pieces for use in the Forum. I hope the various editors of the affiliate newsletters will continue to send their newsletters to the National Office. Those I have read so far have made me proud to be part of an organization whose members are articulate and whose editors know how to produce a quality publication. So as I look back at the events that transpired since that New Year's Eve phone call, I can't help but think what a way to start the 1990's. I believe this decade holds a great deal of promise, not just for my family and me, but for every member of ACB. I'm convinced this decade holds the most promise for those who work together to move forward legislatively, technologically, and in many other ways. Indeed, it's that pulling together to achieve the goal that can make so much difference. THEY'RE SEARCHING TODAY SO YOU CAN SEARCH TOMORROW By Nolan Crabb Imagine a world where you could call one central location and find out whether a book you need has been published in a format you can read. Contrast that future with today's sometimes frantically frustrating attempts at finding that hard-to-get book. The day of calling one number to get a comprehensive search is still a dream, but it's a dream worth working for, say members of the Coalition for Information Access for Print-handicapped Readers known as CIAPHR. During the February meeting of the coalition held at the Washington office of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), CIAPHR members talked about a variety of ways to implement the dream of a central, comprehensive listing of braille, tape, large print, and tactile book and materials collections throughout North America. The group's goal is the construction of one large database that would list collections of materials published by a variety of producers in the United States and Canada. While committee members admit they face major obstacles in the development of such a list, all agree that the listing must be implemented if blind and visually impaired readers are to gain complete access to the various tape, tactile, and braille collections available. "We realize we're not ready to implement a database on a grand scale," says Dr. Kathleen Huebner, AFB's director of education, low vision, orientation and mobility, "but we're making good progress, and we're getting good input from the members of the committee." But Frank Curt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) continues to maintain his position that such a database already exists. "My position remains unchanged," says Cylke. "The centralized database already exists. We've spent large amounts of money and countless man hours to implement this system, and we now have it in place." In a meeting at the American Council of the Blind (ACB) national office in late February, Cylke said he had decided to send one of his staff members to the next CIAPHR meeting. In recent weeks, CIAPHR distributed nearly 1,000 questionnaires to producers and collectors of material in alternative formats. The questionnaire is designed to give CIAPHR members a better idea of the types of materials available, how large the various collections are, and whether those producers and collectors would be willing to be included in a comprehensive listing. During the second day of the meeting, CIAPHR members discussed possible database designs for CIAPHR's listings. Committee members deferred a final decision on how to implement the database until a future meeting. The committee ultimately looked at three database models, any one of which might be set in motion once the survey and technical data are compiled. Under the first model, participants would maintain their own databases on one of the on-line computer database networks such as Bibliographic Retrieval Service (BRS) Dialog or another similar network. Libraries or blind individuals who called BRS, for example, would be allowed access to all the separate databases through a transparent gateway. "The advantage to this model," says John Kelley, manager of library services for Recording for the Blind and CIAPHR's former secretary, "is that each producer or collector could maintain his own database without worrying about being forced to meet someone else's standards of collection. "With the transparent gateway," Kelley explains, "the user could jump from one database or list to another and not be consciously aware that he has done so." The second model, proposed in large measure by Lorraine McQueen, representing the National Library of Canada, would rely heavily on CD- ROM technology. Libraries would be given a disk which would contain CIAPHR's listings. The disk could be used by librarians and individual blind users to produce spoken, brailled or printed search results. "I'm a big fan of CD-ROM technology," McQueen says. "I realize it's expensive right now, and I know there will be people who need a more up-to-date listing than a CD-ROM product could provide, but it would certainly allow individual users a great deal of flexibility in terms of receiving braille, print or voice output search results." McQueen estimates 80 percent of those users needing information could be satisfied with data gleaned from the CD-ROM product. Under the third model, producers and collectors would be asked to supply their lists in a standard established by CIAPHR. Once the information is supplied and encoded in accord with CIAPHR's standards, a single database would be established and operated by CIAPHR or a CIAPHR-designated organization. "This is the model that would perhaps be the most difficult to implement," RFB's Kelley says. "Not everyone is going to be willing to change the way they list their information to fit a format compatible to standards CIAPHR might set." Ralph McCracken, representing the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) says APH may not be willing to change its database to meet new standards. "I'm sure we would look at other possibilities," he says. "We certainly want to participate in CIAPHR in a meaningful way." APH operates a database called APH-CARL, which lists pre-college textbooks and other materials available in an alternative format. "We're committed to CIAPHR," McCracken insists, "but it might be difficult for us to change the structure of our database." APH isn't the only producer who would have problems restructuring its catalogues. Many of the small producers and collectors don't even maintain computerized lists. Many of them may not have the funding, let alone the desire, to digitize their catalogues. Some committee members suggested one way around the database list incompatibility problem would be to simply buy the raw information from the producer or collector and encode it according to CIAPHR standards. Huebner believes the key to CIAPHR's success is positive thinking and a desire on the part of committee members to see the database established. "There's no question that some hard decisions are going to have to be made by this committee," she says. "But I believe the money can be found; I'm sure we can solve the compatibility problems and the turf wars about who's going to do this database and how it will look. We run into trouble when we become pessimistic about our goals." The committee agreed it wanted to invite technical people from the on-line databases and other consultants related to database production to its next meeting. "We may talk to those people and decide we don't want to use any one of these models," Huebner says. "We're just not ready to tell the world we've made a final decision and set this down in stone." In other action, the committee drafted a resolution which will be presented to ACB's convention resolutions committee for possible inclusion in the convention resolutions to be presented this summer in Denver. The resolution calls for ACB's support of the CIAPHR concept. The committee also elected RFB's John Kelley to serve as its new chairman. Lorraine McQueen was elected secretary. UNITED BLIND OF WASHINGTON STATE AND WASHINGTON COUNCIL UNITE INTO SINGLE ORGANIZATION By Oral O. Miller, National Representative In the late 1970's or early 1980's, four major state chapters of the National Federation of the Blind left that organization after serious disagreements with national leaders and their policies. Those chapters were in Iowa, Idaho, California, and Washington. In 1983, leaders of those organizations met with the leadership of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in order to learn more about ACB, which had always been described to them as an inferior organization dominated by service providers. Soon thereafter, those organizations established a dialogue with existing ACB affiliates in their states concerning membership in the council. The result of that cooperation was the rapid blending of California's former NFB chapter whose members number in the thousands with the American Council of the Blind of California to form the magnificent California Council of the Blind. The blending of the former NFB chapter in Iowa, (once the flagship chapter of that organization), to the Iowa Council of the United Blind also occurred. That same dialogue with ACB leaders ultimately led to the blending of the former NFB chapter in Idaho, with its strong, independent leadership, to the Idaho Council of the Blind. Meanwhile, the chapter in Washington operated as an unaligned organization while gradually working more closely with the Washington Council of the Blind. In 1989, the United Blind of Washington State and the Washington Council of the Blind adopted resolutions that called for the merger of the two groups into a single organization; and, accordingly, each appointed members to a joint committee that would draft a constitution for the new organization. The draft constitution was completed and distributed late in 1989 and the joint meeting of the two organizations was scheduled for March 3, 1990 in Seattle. It was, indeed, a pleasure and honor for me to preside over the meeting that officially merged the two organizations. A spirit of democratic cooperation and respect prevailed throughout the long meeting as different operating procedures were blended together and a complete slate of officers and directors was elected. The membership considered approximately 23 names for the new organization and chose the Washington Council of the Blind as its name. Following adoption of its new constitution, the membership elected Sue Ammeter as president, Tim Schneebeck as first vice president, Dan Tonge as second vice president, Frank Cuta as secretary, and Synthia Towers as treasurer. After a number of spirited ballots, the membership elected as board members Joleen Ferguson, Rhonda Nelson, Sharon Keeran, Shirley Taylor, Peggy Shoel and Marilyn Donnelly. We commend the members of the new Washington Council of the Blind for their splendid cooperation and recognition that they can work better for the advancement of the well-being of blind people as a united organization. They have adopted a positive plan of action and the new officers and directors bring to the new organization many years of dedicated advocacy. We are, indeed, looking forward to welcoming all the Washington Council of the Blind members who come to the national convention in Denver this summer, and we commend the organization's leaders for encouraging as many members as possible to attend the convention. TALKING NEWSPAPER GOES ON LINE IN MINNESOTA The newspaper is as close as the phone for some blind Minnesota residents. On March 1, Telephone Computer Systems, Inc. began transmitting The St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minneapolis Star- Tribune over telephone lines to blind subscribers. "I'm sure most of your readers have heard of the talking newspaper in Michigan," said Brian Wilson, president of Telephone Computer Systems, Inc., "but our system is designed differently from theirs." Minnesotans who want to hear their newspapers pay a $6 monthly subscription fee, Wilson says. By pushing buttons on a touch-tone phone, the reader accesses a computer which retrieves digitally-recorded stories from the paper and plays them over the telephone. "We have 18 phone lines which can be accessed by our readers," Wilson says. "The other six lines are used by both our readers and the volunteer narrators who call the computer and actually record the paper over the phone. The system is known as the Dial-In-News and Information system. It can be operated by a blind operator. "Our software lets the operator determine what categories will be available for people to access," Wilson explains. "Aside from marking up the paper for the narrators and checking written logs after recording, the blind operator can run this system without any problems. Wilson says a blind person would have to spend nearly 28 hours on the phone to read the entire paper. "It would take a good while," he says. "We have four or five volunteers working five hours a day. The Sunday paper is a real job!" Wilson says his system had 100 subscribers by mid-March. There is room for up to 1,200 subscribers. "We feel pretty good about our response rate," he says. "We haven't even promoted this as hard as we eventually will." Wilson is hopeful that his company will receive the bid for the talking newspaper system slated to go on line in Albuquerque in the near future. For more information, contact Telephone Computer Systems, Inc., 2833 Fairview Ave. N., ST. Paul, MN 55113. Tel. (612) 639-1565. HERE AND THERE Compiled By Nolan Crabb INPUT REQUESTED REGARDING EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS Earlier this year, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), in conjunction with the President's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities, the University of Arkansas, and other organizations, asked several hundred ACB members and friends to complete and return a questionnaire concerning the comparative importance of several dozen services or factors in preparing for employment, looking for a job, retaining a job, and upward mobility. The questions dealt with such issues as availability and cost of transportation, technological aids, appropriateness of job training, attitudes of vocational training schools, etc. We have been informed by university personnel that the questionnaires are being returned at a very slow pace and that considerably more must be received in order to constitute a statistically-valid sample. Therefore, readers who have not returned their completed forms are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The information gathered by this survey will be extremely helpful in planning employment services for blind people. Anyone who has misplaced his/her questionnaire may obtain another one by calling the ACB National Office toll-free at (800) 424-8666. WILLARD SCOTT SPEAKS UP FOR BLIND VETS NBC's Willard Scott is talking about more than the weather these days. Scott has recorded a series of public service announcements for the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). The announcements were sent to 1,500 radio stations throughout the United States. The spots feature the BVA's new toll-free number. For more information about the spots or any other issue related to blind veterans, contact the BVA by calling toll-free (800) 669-7079. (From The BVA Bulletin, January-February 1990, used with permission) FOUNDATION PUBLISHES NEW BOOK ON AIDS/SIGHT LOSS Aids and Vision Loss, a new book published by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) covers the topic of AIDS and sight loss from a variety of angles. Studies estimate that 75 percent of AIDS patients experience some degree of vision loss. Funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the book looks at sight loss among AIDS patients from the prospective of professionals in the blindness field, medical personnel, Hospice volunteers and others. The book was first distributed in January during a conference on AIDS and vision loss. Written by Medical Writer Edward Keyster, Jr., the book can serve as a reference guide to rehabilitation workers, medical personnel, and others who work with AIDS patients. To order a print or cassette copy of the book, send $15.95 plus $3.00 postage and handling to the American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011. Tel. (212) 620-2000. GALLAGHER GETS NEW TITLE AFB Executive Director William F. Gallagher has also been named president of the organization, according to "AFB News." In other action, Geraldine T. Scholl , formerly vice president of AFB, was named vice chairman of the board. Michael M. Maney, an attorney with the New York law firm of Sullivan and Cromwell, was named chairman of the executive committee. MIGEL MedalS AWARDED Carson Y. Nolan and John S. Crowley were the 1989 recipients of the Migel Medal, presented annually by AFB. Nolan, former executive director of the American Printing House for the Blind, received the medal in the professional category. Crowley, of Saugatuck Capital, a private risk capital partnership, received the medal in the layperson category. The recipients were honored during ceremonies at New York City's Doral Inn late last year. NEW STUDY SHOWS BEING BLIND AND FEMALE MEANS ECONOMIC DOUBLE TROUBLE Well-educated blind women are more economically disadvantaged than sighted women and blind men, according to a three-year national study released by AFB's Social Research Department in conjunction with Mississippi State University's Rehabilitation Research Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. The study looked at the income levels of 379 blind and visually impaired people from a variety of backgrounds. Sixteen percent of blind and visually impaired women had household incomes of $2,500 per month compared to 27 percent of sighted women and 42 percent of blind men. A college-educated blind woman's monthly income is $1,786. The college-educated sighted woman's monthly income is $2,394. According to the study reported in AFB News, the income gap between blind men and sighted men is smaller. Blind men have an average household income of $2,710 from all sources. Sighted men have an average monthly household income of $2,824. This is the first phase of the study. Other phases will look at how blind people spend their time compared to sighted people. The study also addresses transportation issues and more. The study indicates that blind women are doubly disadvantaged--by sex and disability. CD-ROM TECHNOLOGY OFFERED AT HENTER-JOYCE Henter Joyce, Inc. now has its own line of computers with special accessories. The HJ can be purchased with a variety of processors including 8088, 80286, and 80386. The machines can be configured with an 860-megabyte (mb) CD-ROM drive. The CD-ROM drive includes such reference works as MicroSoft Bookshelf, Grolier's Encyclopedia, (21-volume series), U.S. Zip Code Directory, U.S. Address and Phone Directory, World Atlas, World Almanac, 30 games, word processing and spell checking software, an electronic phone book with automatic dialer, and a memory-resident calendar/note book combination. Computers bought through Henter-Joyce are equipped with Jaws and one of several pre-tested synthesizers , according to a press release. Price quotes are available either in writing or by phone. You may obtain quotes with no obligation to buy. For more information, contact Henter-Joyce, Inc., 7901 4th St. North, Suite 211, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Tel. (813) 576-5658 or (800) 969-5658, toll-free. MAGAZINE SEEKS LEGISLATIVE WRITER Dialogue Publications, Inc. has an opening for a legislative columnist. The company seeks a writer who is familiar with legislative issues of interest to blind and visually impaired readers. Objectivity is a must. Applicants need not live in the Washington, D.C. area, but should have ways of gaining access to legislative information and material. Payment is $50 per column; the magazine is quarterly. To apply for the position, contact Deborah Blank, features editor,Dialogue Publications, Inc., 3100 S. Oak Park Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402-3095. Tel. (708) 749-1908. UTAH INDUSTRY SEEKS TO ENHANCE YOUR VISIBILITY No, it's not one of those expensive courses on assertiveness, but Utah Industries for the Blind wants to give you a higher profile, especially if you're out after dark. Utah Industries manufactures and sells highly-visible reflective traffic safety vests. The vests are designed to be worn by someone who travels outdoors at night on busy streets or highways. The vests come in three sizes--small, medium, and large. They slip on easily over clothing. They're made of a highly reflective bright orange nylon net fabric with bright yellow cotton binding. The vests are coated with Scotchlite, which makes them even more reflective to motorists at night. Drivers can see the wearer from distances up to 1,000 feet. Each vest costs $9.95 regardless of size. Be sure to specify which size you want when ordering. Utah Industries also offers reflective raincoats for large dogs and a net laundry bag designed to let you wash clothes without removing them from the bag. Contact Utah Industries for the Blind, 1595 W. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84104. Tel. (801) 533-5191. AUDIO DART TOURNAMENT SLATED FOR MAY The Braille Sports Foundation in conjunction with the Minneapolis Dart League will host the second annual National Audio Dart Tournament May 10th through the 13th in Minneapolis. Contestants will compete in three events--Count-up, Team 501, and Individual 301. Count-up events begin the evening of May 10th and conclude by noon on May 11th. Team 501 events will occur during the afternoon and evening of May 11th. May 12th will be reserved for Individual 301 competition. Competitors will pay a $2 registration fee and an additional $10 for each event. Make checks or money orders payable to the Braille Sports Foundation. Participants will stay at the Hopkins House, where room rates are $40 per night for single rooms and $45 for doubles. Winners will receive plaques; up to $1,700 in cash will be given away. To register for the competition or for additional information, contact the Braille Sports Foundation, 7525 North St., Minneapolis, MN 55426. (excerpted from "Feeling Sports", February 1990.) CHRISTIAN LIBRARY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION The Ruth Berry Versaw Library for the Blind has added more than 600 books to its collection during the past year, according to a library press release. The library offers Christian fiction and nonfiction, a Bible study series, weekly church sermons, and more. Printed or taped catalogues are free. Material will be loaned for up to 30 days. Contact The Ruth Berry Versaw Library for the Blind, 11104 N. Brauer,Oklahoma City, OK 73114. Tel. (405) 751-5121. NATIONAL RADIO CLUB OFFERS NEW SERVICE TO BROADCASTERS/READING SERVICES The National Radio Club now offers a new service which can be used by broadcasters and radio reading services. The program called "DX Audio Service Script Service," became available in early 1990. The five-minute long programs are available on C-10 cassettes or on open reel tapes. The Script Service must be used for broadcasting or programming purposes, and the tapes must be returned to the National Radio Club. To be placed on the mailing list for the tapes, contact Mike Knitter, National Radio Club, P.O. Box 24, Cambridge, WI 53523-0024. AIDS UNLIMITED NOW OFFERING CLARKE AND SMITH EASIPLAY Aids Unlimited now offers the Clarke and Smith Easiplay Automatic Cassette Machine. Made in Britain, the Clarke And Smith plays both NLS-formatted four-track cassettes at 15/16 IPS and ordinary two-track cassettes at the standard speed. The user simply pushes the tape through the top of this toaster- shaped machine. Pushing the stop/eject button pops the tape out much like toast pops up when the toaster is finished. The Easiplay includes such features as a snooze switch, audible track indicator, and variable speed. Accessories available include an on/off remote and a cigarette lighter cable. Contact Aids Unlimited, Inc., 1101 N. Calvert St., Suite 405, Baltimore, MD 21202. Tel. (301) 659-0232. ARKENSTONE GIVES AWAY SCANNERS Arkenstone, Inc., manufacturer of the Arkenstone Reader, is offering a limited number of Hewlett-Packard ScanJet scanners free of charge to blind or visually impaired persons who purchase the Arkenstone Reader. According to Arkenstone President Jim Fruchterman, the free scanner included with the reader reduces the total price of the package from $3,250 to $2,250. One hundred scanners were originally donated to Arkenstone. Many have already been included with reading machines sold in recent months. The readers include the necessary add-in boards, hardware, and software. Contact Arkenstone, Inc., 540 Weddell Dr., Suite 1, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. Tel. (408) 745-1188. Fax (408) 745-6739. LOEB FOUNDATION OFFERS KITCHEN SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND MORE The Gladys E. Loeb Foundation offers a variety of items including Where-What-When a resource book for blind people, their family and friends. The book details aids, services, and benefits available to blind people. The book costs $10 and is available on cassette. In a recent press release, the foundation announced the continued availability of safety items used when cooking. The Guard Rail Rings slip easily around the rims of stove burners and prevent pots and pans from slipping off burners and spilling their hot contents. The rings are available in two sizes--8-1/2 inches for large burners and 6-1/4 inches for small ones. When ordering, be sure to specify the desired Guard Rail Ring size. Rings cost $8.95 each. The foundation continues to offer Voxcom Talking Kits. Voxcoms can be used to produce talking labels, recipes, or other taped material. The unit comes complete with 50 cards which have been prepared for recording. The kit also includes two rolls of adhesive-backed tape which the user attaches to cards for later recording. The complete kit costs $50 plus $2 for handling. The foundation also offers a variety of booklets on braille and non-braille labeling and food supply management. To order any of the above-listed material, contact The Gladys E. Loeb Foundation, Inc., 2002 Forest Hill Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20903. Tel. (301) 434-7748 ORAL HULL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind has announced the two dates for its annual summer camps. The first camp session begins July 21st and concludes July 28th. The second session begins August 18th and concludes August 25th. The cost for the week-long camps is $150. . Contact Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, Inc., P.O. Box 157, 43233 S.E. Oral Hull Rd., Sandy, OR 97055. Tel. (503) 668-6195. USABA ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABILITY The United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) will award two $500 scholarships to legally blind scholar/athletes for use in the 1990-91 academic year. The Arthur E. Copeland Scholarship will be awarded to a male; a female will be the recipient of the Helen Copeland Scholarship. Applicants must be legally blind and must have been participating members of USABA for at least two years. Applicants must be admitted to an academic, vocational, technical, professional or certification program at the post-secondary level during the 1990-91 academic year. The application package should include a completed application form, a biographical sketch (not more than three pages) detailing USABA involvement and the academic goals and objectives for which the scholarship will be used. The packet should also include official transcripts from the school the applicant presently attends or last attended. Applicants should also include three references--one from USABA, one from the academic sector, and one personal reference. Names, addresses, work and home phone numbers of the references should be included. The completed forms and supporting documents should be postmarked no later than May 10th and mailed to the USABA National Office. Winners will be announced at the USABA Summer Championships in Colorado Springs this summer. Top scholarship candidates will be interviewed either in person or by phone in late May or early June. The scholarship committee is looking for applicants who can demonstrate a solid academic record, engage in a variety of extra- curricular and civic activities, and can prove involvement in USABA on a variety of levels. To obtain an application form, contact the USABA National Office, 33 N. Institute St., Brown Hall, Suite 015, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Tel. (719) 630-0422. CORRECTIONS The zip code for Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc. was incorrectly listed in the January/February issue. The correct address and zip code is: Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc., 26 Horseshoe Ln., Levittown, NY 11756. Tel. (516) 796-4938. The telephone number for the Highbrook Lodge was incorrectly listed in the January/February issue. The correct address and phone number is: B. A. MASOODI, camp director, or Dorothy Hughes, camp registrar, Cleveland Sight Center, 1909 East 101 St., Cleveland, OH 44106. Tel. (216) 791-8118 Ext. 256 or 260. The story entitled "AFB Accepting Applications for Low Interest Loans to Help Visually Impaired People Purchase Portable Reading Machines" in the January/February issue contains an incorrect New York telephone number. The correct address and telephone for more information on low interest loans is: Mark Uslan, American Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th St., New York, NY 10011. Tel. (212) 620- 2051. The address for Computer Conversations was incorrectly listed in "Here And There" in the January/February issue. The correct address is: Computer Conversations, 6297 Worthington Rd. S.W., Alexandria, OH 43001. Tel. (614) 924-2885. ACB MID-YEAR BOARD MEETING HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE By Pat Price, ACB Secretary Thirteen American Council of the Blind (ACB) Board members, one ex-officio member, and three staff members convened in Denver January 12th and 13th, 1990. The Board considered many important matters impacting ACB's future financial strength, membership growth, and advocacy efforts. According to Treasurer Brian Charlson, ACB retired $62,500 of its debt during 1989 and still met all its other financial commitments. It is important to note that the balanced budget approved by the Board during this meeting includes $50,000 for debt retirement during 1990. ACB has realized savings in several areas, and additional savings are expected to result as further consolidation of functions occurs. Price Waterhouse was selected to conduct the ACB 1989 audit. Each ACB resolution adopted at the 1989 annual convention underwent a review similar to one which was done at the September Board meeting. Most have already been implemented and definite steps have been taken to implement the remaining few. ACB'S continued membership growth was again evident as the Board approved acceptance of the charter application of the American Council of the Blind Social Service Providers. Another special interest affiliate application was considered, but action was deferred pending receipt of additional information. In other action, the Board approved a contemplated name change of the ACB Parents to the American Council of Families with Visual Impairments. As reported in the last issue of the Braille Forum, the Board of Directors confirmed the decision of the Board of Publications' selection of Nolan Crabb as the new editor of the magazine. After considerable research, every effort should be made to negotiate a new lease with the present landlord. That was the finding of a presidentially-appointed committee mandated to examine the practicality and economics of relocating the National Office when its current lease expires this summer. After lengthy discussion of affiliate fund-raising, the Board reaffirmed its previously-established position. The officers, Board members and staff are not authorized to endorse any individual fund- raiser to affiliates. The Board agreed to place special supportive emphasis in two areas in the coming months. First, support will be provided to the Randolph- Sheppard Vendors of America to ensure that the Rehabilitation Services Administration complies with the law by filling the 10 positions dealing with vending matters. Second, emphasis will be placed on legislative efforts to protect the interests of blind Social Security Disability Income beneficiaries with respect to exempt earnings. The Board approved the selection of the Arizona Council of the Blind as the host affiliate for the 1992 annual convention in Phoenix. The California Council of the Blind was chosen as the host affiliate for the 1993 convention in San Francisco. The 1994 convention in Chicago will be hosted by a consortium comprised of the Illinois Council of the Blind, the Visually Handicapped Managers of Illinois, and the ACB of Metropolitan Chicago. When the final gavel fell, 21 decisions were voted upon and implemented. AWARD NOMINATIONS REQUESTED The annual presentation of awards recognizing outstanding dedication, distinguished service and achievement by and/or for blind and visually impaired people has become a widely-anticipated event at recent American Council of the Blind (ACB) national conventions. The award committee, chaired by Jack Lewis of Anderson, Indiana, seeks nominations for the 1990 awards and asks that all nominations be sent directly to the ACB National Office at 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005. For your information, criteria for the several ACB awards for which nominations are sought are: The Robert S. Bray Award established in 1975 in memory of the late chief of the Division for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Library of Congress (now the National Library Service) is presented periodically in recognition of outstanding work in extending library services or access to published materials, or improving communications devices or techniques. The Durward K. McDaniel Embassador Award recipient is selected each year from among blind candidates who, by their lives, associations, and activities, have demonstrated their integration into and their interaction with the life of the community. It is not necessary that the candidate be a member of or active in any organizations of the blind, or that he/she be engaged in work for the blind. The George Card Award is presented periodically to an outstanding blind person who has contributed significantly to the betterment of blind people in general. This award is not limited by locality or by nature of the contribution. Nominations should be postmarked no later than June 1, 1990. HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP FOR SALE: Pathological Words and Phrases, a Quick Reference, 1988, three braille volumes, $25. Also a stylebook, Editorial Manual for the American Medical Association, 1981, five braille volumes with two supplements, $35. Also, AAMT Notebook, one braille volume, free. For additional information or to determine availability of listed items, contact Janell Peterson, 303 Harvard Ave. East, Apartment 302, Seattle, WA 98102-5486. Tel. (206) 328-4778. FOR SALE: Jumbo Print piano and organ music books and sheet music, 3,875 songs in all, sold in an encyclopedia format which includes an index. Musical formats include: Sing-a-song, semi-rock, Country, Mood music, and more. Music costs $500. Also available, one Lowrey Organ, used for entertainment. Includes two external Leslie Speakers, built-in tape machine and synthesizer. manuals included, $1,000. Contact Larry Taylor, Hillcrest Village Mobile Home Park, Space 32, 1600 Sable Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011. Tel. (303) 364-7200 FOR SALE: LED Braille Embosser with an LED 170 keyboard. Excellent condition. The keyboard is like new. $4,500 or best offer. Contact Paul Jackanin, 564 46th St., Brooklyn, NY 11220. Tel. (718) 851-2854. WANTED TO BUY: Dorlin's Medical Dictionary/Speller, prefer seven- volume set. Contact Kathy Coons, 863 Rowland St., Clarkston, GA 30021. Tel. (404) 296-7014. MEET THE CHALLENGE AND GET MORE OUT OF LIFE--LIFE MEMBERSHIP, THAT IS By Charles Hodge, ACB Second Vice President During the past decade, Americans have increasingly focused their attention on the investment scene. Computer services offer up-to-the- second stock quotes to ever larger numbers of men and women who practically live and die by the numbers that blip across the screen-- numbers from the world's economic centers in New York, London and Tokyo. While many Americans focus on investing, we as members of ACB should focus on investing as well. Right now, we can make an investment in our future and in the future of ACB. This type of investment doesn't require an MBA degree or even a broker. Yet it well may be one of the most important investments we can make. I'm talking about investing in an ACB life membership. In recent years, the annual convention of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has adopted constitution and bylaw amendments which have created a new class of voting membership called life membership. The dues for this new membership category are set at $1,000. The life membership is payable in a lump sum or in up to five annual installments. While not everyone can afford the life membership investment, those who can make such an investment are given the unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference. If even one out of 100 of our members and friends would make the life member investment, our organization would derive over a quarter of a million in additional revenue. When we examine the difference that would make in the lives of countless blind and disabled fellow citizens, it's clear that a life membership investment is an investment in the future for all of us. Life membership contributions are substantial, but so are the gains realized by ACB when members become life members. As one who works in the civil rights and disability area of the federal sector, I am constantly reminded of the crucial need for an organization like ACB. When I plunked down my $1,000 life membership, I did so with the conviction that my contribution would help ACB in its ongoing work with Congress and others to ensure a better, more productive life for ACB members. As a recently-minted life member of ACB, I challenge all of you who can make the financial commitment to join with me in giving ACB the added financial resources necessary to convert our most noble goals and objectives into reality. Finally, I believe we wait too long to memorialize outstanding ACB members and friends. Rather than waiting for outstanding ACB members to die before we memorialize them, why can't we as state affiliates and local chapters purchase life memberships in honor of those who are still among us? I believe such a purchase would truly be a tribute to those leaders who are currently making a difference. They could enjoy the benefits of life membership now. I deem it a great honor to stand up for the finest goals and objectives of our organization by being a life member of ACB, and I strongly suspect that many dedicated members would also consider life membership a great honor if their affiliate or local chapter would so honor them. I respectfully challenge our affiliates, chapters, and individuals to become life members or to honor one of your members by purchasing life memberships for them. I will feel that my challenge has been met if 29 life memberships are awarded at the ceremonies this summer during our 29th annual convention. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACB wishes to thank its many members and friends who gave so generously in response to our fall 1989 letter requesting support for ACB's ongoing programs and services. This partial list of donors reflects only those persons who gave us approval to publicly acknowledge their gifts and who made their contribution after November 1, 1989. John Albino, OR: Mary Alexander, FL; Sonja Allard, MI; Louise Almy, CA; Margaret Alvarez, OR; Sue Ammeter, WA; John Anderson, CA; Lorraine and H.C. Arnes, AR; Frederic Arny, MN; Arnold and Jeanette Auch, SD; Harriet Axelson, CT; Edna Axelson, CT; Agard H. Bailey, IL; Everett Bailey, TX; Jean K. Bain, CO; Sally Baird, NE; Jerry Baker, WY; Marie Bane, AR; Judy Barnes, CA; James J. Barnes, IN; Susan Barnes, TN; Beatrice and Walter Barrett, NY; Frank A. Bartola, FL; David S. Bates, CT; Michael Bayus, FL; Margarine Beaman, TX; Karen Beckhorn, VA; Gerald and Rose Belcher, CA; Dorothy Belisle, ND; William J. Benson, FL; Billie and Louise Bentzen, MA; Kevin Berkery, CA; Robert and Hazel Bieskie, MI; Gail Bishop, IN; Ralph Black, CA; Marlene Black, OR; Ada E. Blair, IL; Richard Bleecker, NJ; Lilliane and Ronald Boisvert, NH; Jeffrey Boivin, NH; Cheri Boland, IN; Roger J. Bourdon, VA; Ed Bradley, TX; Buelah Flynn Brazzell, SC; Joseph Brett, IN; Dorothy A. Brinkley, IL; Rev. Maurice Brockman, IN; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Brockman, WI; Gloria Broderick, CA; Meredith Brody, WI; Donna Brown, WV; Edmund and Alice Browning, DC; Dorothy Bryant, AR; Barbara Buchanan, MD; Charles and Josephine Buell, CA; Elston R. Buhrow, CA; Alfred N. Bull, PA; George E. Burck, FL; John Bush, OH, Bonnie Butera, MI; Alice Butler, TX; Harold Buzzard, IN; Patricia Byrnes, VA; Anna Cain, KY; Terry Camardelle, LA; Mrs. B.C. Cameron, FL; Elmo Campbell, LA; Dr. Louis J. Cantoni, MI; Loran Canupp, IL; Alejandro Caragay, MI; Viola and Walter Carl, NE; Laura and Walt Carroll, CA; Norman Case, Jr., VT; Fred and Elizabeth Cash, NY; Sylvia Cassell, CA; Jo R. Cassidy, TX; Vida and Harry Castaline, CA; Gary W. Cates, FL; Barbara Chandler, MD; Ann Chapman, DC; Dorothy Chairella, AZ; Winston Ching, CA; Betty Christian, KS; Joseph Cicala, PA; Theodore Ciesielski, FL; Bob Clayton, IA; Genevieve J. Clugston, PA; Carolyn Cochran, TX; Margaret Cody, VT; Mrs. Paul E. Coil, OK; Diana J. Colburn, CA; James D. Collins, MN; Victor Conklin, NJ; James W. Conway, CA; Alice E. Conway, MO; A. Everett Cook, WA; Gayle Coons, FL; Stephanie Cooper, DC; Thelma Cooper, NM; Robert Copeland, CA; Juanita A. Corwin, AK; Dorothy E. Cosgrove, IL; Susan Crawford, FL; Carol Crawford, MD; Lewis Crozier, TX; Blanca Culbertson, CA; Sandra Adams Curry, VA; Ronald Cyphers, GA, Gaetano and Inez D'Agostino, NY; Vernon and Hazel Daigle, LA; William Dailey, Jr., CA; Roger Dammann, MN; Clark Daniel, CA; Juanita Darling, NM; Dorothy Datter, VA; Glenn W. Day, MO; Michael De Angelis, NY; Danny De Natale, IL; Paul and Virginia DeSarro, OH; Doug and Mary Dettor, TN; Sally Deutsch, FL; M. M. Devine, AR; Dr. Emmet T. Dewitt, NY; John Di Francesco, CA; Mariella Dibble, OR; Nicholas DiCaprio, OH; Jo M. DiMaggio, AZ, Angela Discart, FL; Frank and Rosemary Distifan, KS; Charleen Y.K. Doi, HI; Marilyn Donnelly, WA; Jan Doremus, MA; Roberta Douglas, DC; Winifred Downing, CA; Pamela Drake, NY; Robert L. Draves, WI; Judi Drazba, IL; Alice Drell, IL; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dubel, NY; Arthur Durson, CA; Philip Ebersman, OH; Jane Egen, IN; Lucille Eisman, OH; Julius Eitington, MD; Joseph Eldridge, NY; Donald V. Emery, IA; Donald and Jeanne Enos, KS; Juliet B. Esterly, CA; Agnes Eugster, UT; Walter Evans, PA; F.R. Family, IN; James Faimon, NE; David Faucheus, LA; Leo and Gloria Fawley, IN; Sukosh Fearon, NY; Edward Fedush, NJ; John Ferguson, VA; Lorene Ferraro, NY; William Ferrell, FL; Wes Ferrell, TX; Thomas Ferris, MI; Louis P. Ferris, MI; Richard H. Fidler, PA; Howard Fink, NY; Eunice Fiorito, VA; Mary Ann Fitch, TX: John and Doris Flanagan, CT; Anthony C. Fleming, LA; Tom Fletcher, CO; George and Martha Fogarty, CA; Rochelle Foley, SD; Jacob Fongemie, ME; James R. Foote, FL; Harold S. Forbush, ID; Thomas Formiller, AZ; Ed Foscue, WA; N.B. Fouts, FL; Gregory Fowler, CA; Peter Frandsen, UT; Mildred Frank, FL; Mrs. Mary Ann Freeman, KS; Ruth French, OR; Bill R. Fulp, NC; B.D. Gallman, SC; Patricia G. Gann, UT; Nellie B. Garacia, CO; Ninetta Garner, WV; Dorothy Gaw, KY; Ernest Gay, CT; Ottila Gilliland, MN; George and Carol Gillispie, CT; Terri Gleasman, FL; Howard Goldstein, CT; Margo A. Gonier, OR; Lula Gooch, TN; Dr. Burton E. Goodman, WI; Claudine Grady, MA; Lawrence Graff, PA; John L. Granger, MS; Rebecca Gray, OH; Willie Green, CA; Leroy Green, FL; Daryl C. Greene, OH; Agnes V. Grinnan, IN; Clarice Groseclose, OH; Joan Groves, CA; Miss Una Helen Guillot, LA; Ester Gunther, KS; Vera Gurrola, CA; Joanne Hackerott, KS; Charles Hackney, FL; Nadeen Hackwell, UT; Marjorie Hagarty, VA; Gordon Haldiman, WI; Kenneth Hale, TN; Richard Hardy, NY; George F. Harris, PA; James N. Henry, CA; Jack and Sharon Hicken, MN; Mary Hiland, OH; Kelly Hill, AZ; Joseph P. Hill, GA; LeRoy and Arlys Hill, KS; Billie Jean Hill, VA; Yvonne Hillman, NY; Neil Himel, II, LA; Cynthia Hirakawa, HI; Hazel Hodgdon, OR; Charles S.P. Hodge, VA; Chester and Adeline Holden, AR; Sandi Holowej, MD; Veronica Holt, DC; Emil Holte, MN; Norma J. and Ivan P. Hoppe, UT; John Horst, PA; Laura Horwitz, CA; Roy Howe, CA; Connie Hubbard, CA; Dennis Huber, PA; Lillian R. Huddleston, MI; John Huffman, OH; J. Dan Hughes, GA; Oren Francis Hughes, CA; Marilyn Huheey, MD, OH; Susan Humphries, MI; Virginia Hunt, MO; John Hunter, AZ; Richard Hutcheson, NY; Carl C. Hvarre, NJ; Mary Lavonie Hynes, CA; Leo Imerti, NY; Thomas Imlah, FL; Dennis Ishimoto, HI; William Jackson, MO; Sandra Jacobs, IA; Betty Jacobs, MI; Karen James, MT; August R. Jankowski, NY; Felice Janowiak, WI; Allen Jenkins, CA; Tom and Joann Jeray, WI; Russell Johnson, CA; Anna C. Johnson, IA; Annie Rose Johnston, NJ; Gloria Jones, IN; Barbara Jonsson, NY; Elizabeth Juvet, NY; Herbert Kadish, TX; Thomas E. Karnes, CA; Evelyn Kaufman, PA; Fred Kazzie, IL; Jeptha Kerr, PA; V. Keuter, IL; Margaret King, PA; Janice King, TX; Ruth Klebaner, NY; Paul L. Kleinsorge, OR; Bernice Klepac, TX; Jerold G. Klevit, PA; William and Alberta Knorr, VT; Audrey Kock, MD; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Koors, IN; John H. Kopka, FL; Frances Kowalski, MI; James Kracht, FL; Norma F. Krajczar, NC; 0ale Krause, WI; Anna Mae Krotke, NV; Avis Krupke, WI; Debbie Kuczwara, KY; Grace Kumar, NY; Mayme Lahti, MI; John Lane, AZ; Robert Langford, TX; Roger H. Larson, IA; Mark H. Leeds, NY; Donald E. Lehmann, WI; Barbara LeMoine, DC; Elizabeth Lennon, MI; Janet Leonard, CO; Marion M. Lerner, MA; Helen B. Levine, MD; Elizabeth Lewis, CA; Virginia Lewis, IN, Eugene Lewis, IN; Jerry Lewis, IN; William L. Lewis, KS; Dr. Howard Lewis, NC; John D. Lewis, PA; Assunta Lilley, MO; Donald Lingle, VA; Mary Grace Lodico, MD; Lester D. Loken, WI; Ron Lucey, TX; Jim and Jean Luttrell, IL; Virginia Luttrell, MO; Jesse and Mary Lyons, OK; David Mackay, CA; Marilyn Maguire, CA; Mary Mahoney, MD; Jesse and Barbara Manley, GA; Jean Mann, NY; Frances Mannino, CA; Dian Manry, OK; Renee Mark, OK; Leonard T. Martin, IL; Comfort Martin, OH; Kim Martinie, IL; Anna Masimore, PA; Joseph Massaro, NY; Beryl Masters, OH; Marita Mathews, PA; Cassie Mayer, KY; Barbara J. Maynard, NJ; Roberta McCall, MI; Anne Marie McCall, PA; Carol McCarl, OR; Jere McClarigan, IN; Nyal McConoughey, AZ; Fusako McConoughey, AZ; John McDermott, NC; Mary Ellen McDonald, TN; Ruth McLain, IN; Darcey McMahan, MD; Betty McWethy, MI; Kathy Megivern, VA; Maureen Mennella, NY; W.G. and Iva Menning, OR; Margaret Mercer, PA; Mr. and Mrs. Merten and Belva Wagner, MN; Thomas H. Miller, DC; Oral O. Miller, DC; Harvey Miller, NC; Gordon M. Minor, CA; Andrew Mitchell, Jr., LA; Lou Moneymaker, IN; Clinton and Ruth Moore, FL; Fern D. Moore, MI; Donald C. Moore, NY; Virginia and Aldie Moran, MN; Ken Morlock, OH; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Morrill, AR; Charles and Lola Muench, IN; Janice N. Muller, WY; William F. Murray, NY; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Musillo, NY; Alfred Nabhan, CA; Richard Nason, FL; Carolyn Neerhof, WI; Elena Negrete, CA; Scott F. Nelson, MN; Rhonda Nelson, WA: Frederic T. Neumann, MI; Irving Newman, MI; Thelma R. Nichols, AL; Al and Joann Nichols, VT; Don Nold, IL; Agnes Novatkoski, NJ; Tom O'Brien, CA; Billy O'Brien, PA; Terry O'Donnell, IN; Martha A. O'Keefe, VA; John and Dorothy O'Leary, IA; Ev and Elaine Oftedahl, IL; Virginia Okamura, Japan; Jim and Ann Olsen, MN; Joanne Oosterhouse, MI; Ruth Opal, NY; William Orester, NE; Everett Orzack, NJ; H. Kirkland Osinach, MI; Edward Ostrowski, NY; Chiyo K. Oyagi, HI; Mildred R. Pace, KY;, Lori Ann Padley, UT; Elizabeth R. Pannell, PA; Richard O. Parsons, VA; Charles S. Passler, FL; Lucille B. Patrick, MI; Mrs. Freddie Peaco, DC; Karen M. Pearson, MO; Dorothy M. Pease, OH; Drs. Ray and Arda Penix, CA: Linda Perisee, WA; Steven Perry, IL; Janiece Petersen, DC; Gary Pettengill, NC; George Pfefferle, TX; Luther Phillips, GA; Theresa Pierce, PA; Deborah Pigott, WA; Crawford B. Pike, GA; Faye Pinchasik, FL; John and Linda Pinette, MN; Rona Pogrund, CA; Antonio Pollino, FL; Felix Polo, Jr., FL; Mitch Pomerantz, CA; Sue and Paul Ponchillia, MI; Kenneth Pond, NC; Mary M. Price, WI; Henry Prottengeier, MN; Robert W. Pugh, NV; Mika Pyyhkalla, MA; B.W. Radtke, WA; Robert Redington, MA; John M. Reed, LA; Marion Reinert, MA; Lois Renfro, CA; Ernest M. Reshew, MS; Valentine and Margaret Reznicsek, OR; Charles Rhein, FL; Mr. and Mrs. Vance J. Rhodes, LA; Betty Jo Riblet, FL; Kenneth Ridgway, CA; Thomas Riebe, IL; Everett Roberts, VA; David L. Robinson, CT; Lisa M. Robinson, NY; Helen E. Robles, AZ; Margaret Roman, DC; Doris Root, FL; Charles Rosenbom, IL; Lillian Rosenbom, IL; Jim and Joyce Russell, IL; Vera F. Ryle, IN; Sara and Pat Salazar, NM; Irvin Sall, MO; Jack L. Salzburg, FL; Roger Sanders, LA; Allen Sanderson, AK; Bernardo Castro Santiago, PR; Ralph and Mary Santorelli, NY; Terry Ann Saurmann, IL; Doug and Audrey Schading, NY; Fred W. Scheigert, VA; David W. Schmidt, MN; Cathy Schmitt, CA; Michael Schmitt, PA; Jeannette Schmoyer, PA; Obbie J. Schoeman, CA; Walter and Doris Schofield, OR; Arne Schonberger, TX; Velma Schultz, SD; Peter Schustack, VA; William A. Scott, PA; Dick Seifert, AR; Dr. Robert Senn, NY; Pat Shelton, OH; R.Y. Sih, MD; Irving Silverman, NY; Margaret Simpson, KY; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simpson, OK; Helen Skarpentzos, VA; R.C. Slayton, IA; Kathryn and Hynes Smith, KS; Herman Smith, NY; Linda Smith, OK, Mildred Snitz, MI; Mary E. Solbrig, IN; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Spantikow, WI; Kathie Spellman, NY; William Spiers, DC; Mary T. Spry, NC; Ron Staley, CA; Mrs. Virginia Staver, IL; Herbert L. Stein, MD; Rob L. Stephens, CA; Otis and Mary Stephens, TN: Phyllis Stern, IL; Earl Stone, Jr., PA; Thomas H. Stout, AZ; Ethel Stover, FL; Alfred and Grace Strahs, FL; Russell E. Stromberg, MD; Walter F. Stromer, IA; Frederick E. Sturm, KS; Gloria Sussman, VA; Max Swanson, MN; Inez Swinney, IN; Paul and Lois Tapia, NM; Geraldine Taylor, UT; Dr. Vaughn Terrell, VA; Norma Thomas, IN; Jennifer Thompson, IN; Pearl Thompson, OR; Leo T. Tibensky, IL; Abraham To, CA; Ina Torreano, FL; Dr. Lucy Torres, IN; Steven Trammell, OK; Michael Triplett, AR; Lewis M. Tucker, CA; Jean C. Turley-Sinclair, CA; Mrs. Dolores Tyburski, PA; Robert Uber, WI; Kenneth Underwood, TX; Amy Van Boxtel, IA; Ruth Vander Molen, MI; Charles Varney, WV; G. Richard Veal, ND; Dorothea Vogel, AZ; William Wade, NY; Sally Wagner, KS; Robert F. Waker, PA; Marie A. Wallace, FL; Joe Wallace, PA; Maxine and Charles Warnath, OR; Fred and Wanda Warren, VA; Edwin R. Waterman, CA; Louie and Nellie Waymire, OR; Eugene Weathers, Jr. MO; David E. Weddle, CA; Melissa R. Weiser, CO; Tracy L. Westerlund, NY; Janet Wettenstein, NY; Jim Wheeler, CA; Jack Wheeler, UT; Beverly W. Wieland, DE; Glenn Wiemer, IL; Keith Wilbur, PA; Jacquelyn Holan and John Wild, IL; Beth L. Wilkins, PA: Richard P. Williams, IN; Helen E. Williams, NY; Robert Willis, GA; Allen F. Witham, NH; 0letha Wodzienski, CA; David Woker, PA; Bruno and Lorraine Wolozyn, PA; Allen Womack, LA; Gary Wood, MI; Gloria J. Wood, TX; Eugene Wood, UT; John Wright, GA; Jessie Wrighten, NC; Elva Young, PA; Harriet Young, MI; Robert Young, NJ; William L. Young, MI; Rita Zaug, IL; Mrs. Geraldine Zeigler, PA; Robert Zeigler, MN; Susan Ziegler, PA; Clarence W. Zuleski, OH. Organizations affiliated with ACB as well as corporations and foundations have made contributions in support the American Council of the Blind. Therefore, ACB would like to thank the following groups for the support received since November 1, 1989. California Council of the Blind; Hospice of Charleston, Inc., SC; Lighthouse of the Palm Beaches, FL; North Central Chapter, ACB of Indiana; Jackson Chapter, Mississippi Council of the Blind; St. Louis Chapter, Missouri Council of the Blind; Nevada Council of the Blind; Cincinnati Chapter, ACB of Ohio; Rehabilitation Consulting Service, NJ; Southwest Chapter, Oregon Council of the Blind; Dunes Chapter, Oregon Council of the Blind; Ophthalmology Ltd., SD; Golden Triangle Council of the Blind, Pennsylvania Council of the Blind; Vermont Council of the Blind; American Council of the Blind Parents; Kent Lions Club, OH; QuadGraphics, Inc, WI;Valentine & Margaret L. Reznicsek Family Trust, OR; Tudor Investment Corp., NY; Solano County Adult Blind Club, CA; and Southwestern Bell Corporation. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT LEROY SAUNDERS P. O. BOX 24020 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73124 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT PAUL EDWARDS 170 N.E. 123rd STREET NORTH MIAMI, FL 33161 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT CHARLES HODGE 1131 S. FOREST DRIVE ARLINGTON, VA 22204 SECRETARY PATRICIA PRICE RILEY TOWER 2, APT. 2102 600 N. ALABAMA STREET INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204 TREASURER BRIAN CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVENUE WATERTOWN MA 02172