THE BRAILLE FORUM is available in braille, large type, half-speedfour-track cassette tape and MS-DOS computer disk. Subscriptionrequests, address changes, and items intended for publicationshould be sent to: Nolan Crabb, THE BRAILLE FORUM, 1155 15thSt., N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005.

Those much-needed and appreciated cash contributions, which aretax deductible, may be sent to Brian Charlson, Treasurer, 115515th St., N.W., Suite 720, Washington, DC 20005.

You may wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in thecontinuing work of the American Council of the Blind. The ACBNational Office has available printed cards to acknowledge toloved ones contributions made in memory of deceased persons.

Anyone wishing to remember the American Council of the Blind inhis/her Last Will and Testament may do so by including a specialparagraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, you maycontact the ACB National Office.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the"Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 6 p.m. tomidnight eastern time Monday through Friday. Washington, D.C.,residents only call 331-2876.

I am very pleased that our national organizations in the blindness field are still working together in order to come to a consensus on major issues that affect blind people. You will find in this issue a joint statement drafted by consumer organizations and service providers in reference to braille instruction in public schools. While many of us have approached this on a state level in the past, we now have the chance to deal with braille literacy on the national level as Congress works to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. ALL SEMINAR AND LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP

More than 100 people traveled to Washington, D.C., and braved the cold to attend the legislative seminar sponsored by both The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America and the American Council of the Blind. At the end of nearly two days of training, those who participated were well-prepared to take their cases to their representatives in Congress.

The training this seminar provides is very beneficial when attendees return to their home states. I'm convinced the kind of top-quality training and information given at the ALL assembly thoroughly prepares every delegate to work with his or her state legislative process when representing blind and visually impaired residents of the state.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

I have been traveling for many years. By now I very seldom visit a state that I haven't been to before. As I write this, I've just returned from the state of Connecticut for the first time. I was there to attend the first ACB Leadership Training Seminar in this decade. The northeastern states were invited to send one person whose expenses were paid in full, and additional people attended with their expenses partially reimbursed.

I was very pleased to see some 65 delegates at the seminar. This seminar was organized by our staff with presentations from staff and board members. A facilitator assisted our speakers and kept delegates involved in the process.

ACB national office staff members developed a booklet for people to take home and use as a more detailed reference to the subjects which were verbally presented. This book was in braille and large print. It will be updated as we continue these training seminars.

By necessity, I left early Sunday morning so I was unable to attend the final session. I will anxiously wait to hear how the delegates evaluated the seminar and whether it was beneficial to them.

PANEL PARTICIPATION

I was privileged to participate on a panel during the Josephine L. Taylor Leadership Institute meeting in Washington in March. In addition to my representation of ACB, the panel consisted of three other organizations -- the National Federation of the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the American Foundation for the Blind. AFB hosted the meetings and organized the panel. AT&T provided facilities which allowed people to call a toll-free number to hear the panel. I understand that about 240 people called in and listened to us. There were more people listening than AT&T's statistics reflect because many were on speaker phones.

I've had many people tell me they were very impressed with this panel and the fact that they were able to call in. Five of the call-in people were given the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. I commend AFB for making this available to people around the country.

Those with whom I spoke are very pleased that the various organizations are making an effort to come together on major issues that affect blind people in this country.

DON'T FORGET TO PLAN NOW FOR THE CONVENTION

I hope all of you are making plans to attend our convention in Chicago. I think it will be one of our largest ever. Make your reservations now, and read John Horst's informative convention story in this issue for detailed information on our 33rd annual convention.

The mere listing of luncheons, receptions, hearings and other functions which are attended and participated in by ACB staff members each month would be somewhat boring and repetitive, in spite of the prestigious names and locations mentioned. Although almost all of these meetings are important for one reason or another, a few stand out because of what they signify. An example: Several weeks ago it was my pleasure to represent ACB at a White House reception publicizing the fact that the administration had (finally) nominated Deval Patrick for the position of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. That key position in the Justice Department had been vacant for many months and during that period little visible action had taken place, and virtually no leadership had been exerted in, among other things, interpreting and enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act. We wish Assistant Attorney General Patrick well as he takes on his extremely important responsibilities and we are looking forward to working with him, inasmuch as "By his actions shall we know him."

Although it was not planned that way, increased staff participation in program activities relating to aging and vision loss coincided with the entry into the staff of Mr. Glenn Plunkett, a nationally recognized authority on Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, health care for older Americans and Medicare. Mr. Plunkett, who came to part-time ACB employment following retirement from the Washington staff of the American Foundation for the Blind, "hit the ground running" by participating immediately in the meeting of the National Coalition on Aging and Vision. Soon thereafter, he also took part in the national conference on the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program, sponsored by the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, and the international conference on aging and blindness, hosted in Atlanta by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Mississippi State University Rehabilitation, Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. Although much of Mr. Plunkett's experience has focused on Social Security and related matters, his vast and respected knowledge about the legislative and regulatory processes, as well as the rehabilitation service program will also be extremely valuable to ACB and its members. His guidance will also be very useful as ACB provides input into the scheduled 1995 White House Conference on Aging.

Some of the other important activities in which I have taken part include the Josephine L. Taylor Leadership Institute, the National Delegate Assembly and the national legislative workshop of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America, and the National Federal Summit for Employment of People with Disabilities and the Washington Council of Agencies. Important activities in which other staff members have taken part in recent weeks include the annual state conventions of the Arkansas Council of the Blind and the Aloha Council of the Blind, the presentation of testimony before Congressional committees relating to telecommunications and health care, and active participation in the national conference of the Alliance for Public Technology.

Blind and other disabled people on juries? Yes, progress is being made, and not just in the form of judicial decisions in individual cases. Recently it was my pleasure to serve as one of only two blind participants in a day-long information-gathering conference conducted by the American Bar Association. The product of the conference -- whose participants included judges, lawyers, court administrators and disabled citizens -- is to be an advisory manual or set of guidelines for use by judges and court administrators regarding, among other things, accommodations needed by visually impaired people during the summonsing, selection and deliberation processes. Although many blind people have served very successfully on juries over the years, there continues to be inconsistency from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and court to court regarding eligibility to serve and accommodations provided throughout the entire process. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled recently that the District of Columbia Superior Court was in violation of federal law by summarily excluding all people known to be blind from the jury pool.

American paper money that can be identified by blind people without the aid of an expensive electronic device? No, it isn't here yet and may never be, but there's a hint of hope because the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the federal agency which actually prints American currency, has commissioned the prestigious National Academy of Science to look into the implications of possible changes in the American currency system -- not specifically due to the inability of blind people to identify it independently, but for the broad range reasons relating to such factors as counterfeiting, use in machines, durability, etc. It was my pleasure recently to speak as a panelist during an information-gathering hearing conducted by the National Academy of Science. In my remarks, I discussed the evolution of the position of the ACB on this subject through the adoption of six national resolutions between 1972 and 1992 and I also answered a number of questions posed by the committee. Two of the other panelists were Billie Jean Hill of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, and George Abbott Sr. of the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America. One of the questions which most of the blind speakers were asked was whether it was possible for a blind person to identify American currency simply by touch. Although all of us answered the question in the negative, George Abbott, who manages a very busy cafeteria in a large federal office building, answered humorously that it might be advantageous to him if his customers continued to believe it is possible for him to identify paper money simply by touch. The gamut of possible changes that could be made covered virtually every possibility of which I have heard -- e.g., clipping corners, holes, different sized and different colored bills, tactile markings, implanted electronic traces or bar codes, dollar coins, etc. I requested a copy of any report that may be issued by the committee and I am confident that I will receive it someday. However, since the research project is intended to be a long-range survey, I do not expect any quick results.

Although there continues to be very consistent and arbitrary practices by postal authorities in interpreting and enforcing the "free matter for the blind and handicapped" mailing regulations, progress is being made in connection with the most flagrant of such interpretations recently, namely the case of Blindskills Inc. and the two magazines which it publishes. The postal service has relented on its claim that both magazines were "advertising" in violation of the regulations by including subscription renewal forms in most issues. However, the postal service continued to press its claims regarding the eligibility of subscribers to receive the magazines via free matter service and the actual cost of producing the magazines compared with the nominal subscription fee charged. The publisher has appealed these rulings and submitted very impressive documentation which hopefully will prevail in this case. However, since this is only one of several cases which we have been monitoring in recent months, it is clear that the postal service is beginning to watch free matter service much more carefully. Inasmuch as we have requested an appointment with the Postmaster General and asked him to appear on the 1994 ACB national convention program in Chicago, I would like to receive copies of correspondence relating to free matter service difficulties which other individuals or organizations have encountered within the past few years. The free matter mailing privilege is an extremely important service to blind people, who, in turn, have an obligation to comply with its regulations if they are unambiguous and reasonable. Unfortunately, we continue to hear of unbelievable interpretations, such as the ruling of one postmaster in a small town recently that otherwise eligible material could not be mailed as free matter because the addresses on the envelopes containing it were handwritten, rather than printed.

I am pleased to welcome Christopher (Chris) Kupczyk as the newest member of the ACB national office staff. Chris, who received his B.A. degree from the University of Tennessee while majoring in political science, will be serving as the Program Administrative Assistant working primarily with Jennifer Sutton and concentrating in the areas of affiliate and membership services. I am confident that our members and the members of the public will enjoy meeting and working with Chris.

Federal Spending for Blindness Programs

Our advocacy is needed to enhance Congressional support for federal appropriations for important blindness-related programs. At this time, ACB believes that three programs are in critical need of Congressional support: Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind, Recording for the Blind, and Video Description. Appropriations committees are now deciding on federal spending for fiscal year 1995 which begins in October. The House Appropriations Committee takes action before the Senate, and as is usually true in Congress, most of the work is done in a subcommittee. In the area of federal appropriations, subcommittees of the appropriations committees are structured along categories of federal agencies. For example, each of the issues mentioned here are included in the budget for the U.S. Department of Education so they are under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind is a program contained in the Rehabilitation Act. The current federal appropriation of $8.38 million permits only 33 states to receive grants. Each state could get funding to provide independent living services to the older blind if federal support reaches $13 million. Congress, especially those members who serve on the appropriations committees, must be convinced to provide $13 million for independent living services for the older blind, an increase of approximately $4.6 million. The Clinton administration is only requesting a continuation of the current $8.38 million.

Our nation's older population is growing faster than any other segment and loss of sight with age is very common. Except for this modest federal independent living grant program, older individuals who are blind or visually impaired have no source from which they can obtain the services needed to live independently with blindness. Examples of services are: low-vision and other communication aids, orientation and mobility training, services to help maintain or improve vision, and training in activities of daily living.

Apparently, the Clinton administration has recommended funding cuts for both Recording for the Blind and for video description. These programs currently receive very modest amounts of federal support, but that support is essential. Members of Congress, especially those serving on the appropriations committees, must come to understand that RFB and video description are important to Americans who are blind or visually impaired. RFB requires federal spending of $4.5 million and video description deserves to continue receiving its current $1.5 million. RFB must keep pace with increasing demands and to continue improving electronic information access services. RFB is the primary provider of accessible educational materials on cassette tape and computer disk. The current $1.5 million in funding for video description has enabled grantees (notably WGBH) to make public television programs, home videos and other video programming accessible to blind people. ACB is currently urging Congress to require television programs to eventually include video description so this would be a terrible time to cut federal support for video description. In fact, now is the time to increase support for video description. Indeed, closed captioning has benefited from significant federal support over several years, so asking for support for video description is merely asking for an expansion in federal support for video program accessibility.

Information Superhighway

S. 1822, proposed legislation known as the Communication Act of 1994, could bring about dramatic new information products and services and lead to the development of innovative telecommunications devices. The legislation, introduced by Senators Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.) and John C. Danforth (R-Mo.), would allow telephone companies, cable TV companies, broadcasters and other providers of telecommunications services to expand their services through new technologies and markets.

Senators, especially those serving on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, must be urged to ensure that S. 1822 includes requirements for full access by people who are blind or visually impaired to telecommunications equipment, networks and services and to television programs through the phased-in use of video description.

The increasing use of graphics, icons and images make computers and many information networks unusable by those who need screen reading alternatives such as voice or braille output. Heat or touch-screen input devices, common in many new information devices, are virtually impossible for blind people to use. That is why devices and networks used for telecommunications must be required to meet accessibility standards in their design to enable full and independent use by individuals with visual or other impairments.

In addition, affordable access by people with disabilities to advanced telecommunication services is also essential. A subsidy program could be considered as part of a universal service fund in order to ensure that blind people can afford the network services and adaptive equipment needed to obtain and use electronic information.

Finally, new communications legislation must ensure that video description is required to accompany television programs. Legislation moving through the House, H.R. 3636, requires that video description be studied to determine how to include it in television programs. However, merely studying video description is not enough. Television program access should be phased in over a gradual period, but the time is now for Congress to direct that the future of television programming include video description.

Health Care Reform

The initial results of Congressional activity on health care reform show support for universal coverage, an irreducible goal set by President Clinton. The president's bill (H.R. 3600, S. 1757) calls for universal insurance coverage to be provided to most Americans through requirements on their employers to pay for health insurance. The overheated Congressional and interest group activity will most certainly lead to several compromises which will narrow the president's proposal. For example, these compromises will likely lead to reform legislation with fewer insurance benefits and more restrictive coverage for personal assistance services. Currently, most public and private health insurance benefit packages do not cover specific health-related services needed by people who are blind. Except for the president's proposal, the key reform packages now in Congress either dodge the benefit issues or provide insufficient benefits.

As policymakers work to reshape the concept of health care, the time is right to ensure that whatever reforms are eventually enacted will include a benefit package which addresses the services which blind Americans require to maintain healthy, independent lives. Specifically, we must ask Congress, especially the members who serve on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Finance Committee, to amend health care reform proposals to accomplish the following:

-- Include coverage for outpatient rehabilitation services provided by "orientation and mobility" specialists and "rehabilitation teaching" specialists;

-- Expand the definition of durable medical equipment to cover mobility devices such as white canes and assistive technology which reduce functional limitation associated with vision loss;

-- Ensure that individuals with visual or other impairments have access to medical specialists trained in the treatment of their conditions; and

-- Include individuals with sensory impairments in, and add additional elements to, new coverage for personal assistance services which should include assistance with such needs as communications, home management and transportation. Contacting Your Member of Congress

To contact your representative, write: The Honorable (name of representative), United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515, or telephone (202) 225-3121. To contact your senators, write: The Honorable (name of senator), United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or telephone (202) 224-3121.

To find out who your representative and senators are you should contact your local library, board of elections, or the League of Women Voters.

Convention time is fast approaching. The dates are July 2 through 9, 1994, about six weeks from the time you will read this. Hotel reservations must be made no later than June 10, 1994. Contact the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603; phone (312) 726-7500. Room rates are $47 for single and double and $57 triple and quad. Remember to use ACB's designated travel agency, International Tours, Inc. of Muskogee, Okla., (800) 259-9299, for all your ACB travel planning.

Chicago is served by two airports -- O'Hare, the larger of the two offering a greater flight selection, and Midway. Midway Airport is smaller, but located closer to downtown. Both airports are serviced by Continental Transportation Company vans. Continental provides shuttle service to the Palmer House. These vans are clearly marked Airport Express in huge letters on the side. Round trip tickets between the airport and the hotel may be purchased at either airport for $25.50 per person. There are also trains from both airports that will take you within two blocks of the hotel. Taxis are also available, but I want to remind you that Chicago natives encourage caution when using cabs. Find out the approximate charge before you get in the cab. Be sure the driver understands your destination and does not charge individual fares for each person in your group.

SAFETY CONCERNS

When in Chicago, as in most larger cities in the United States, you should be extra cautious about safety. Convention attendees should not wear their name badges outside the hotel except on ACB convention tours since that indicates you are from out of town. Ladies should carry smaller purses that are easy to hold onto. Men should carry their wallets inside their jackets or side pockets, especially in a crowd. Don't go outside the hotel alone at night, and even during the day, it is best to be accompanied by others. You will park your dog on the sixth floor of the hotel. Going outside for guide dog care is not necessary.

OVERNIGHT TOUR

The overnight tour for Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2, is to Mount Horeb and New Glarus in southern Wisconsin. It is a historical/cultural tour to two areas settled in the mid-1800s by Norwegian and Swiss immigrants. The tour will depart the Palmer House at 8 a.m. July 1 and return by approximately 5 p.m. July 2. The first stop will be at the Cave of the Mounds at Mount Horeb. There will be a detailed narrated walk through this cavern. After a box lunch at the cave picnic grounds, you will visit Little Norway, a farmstead built by early Norwegian settlers. A costumed guide will lead you through the authentically furnished log buildings and wooden church. You will be staying overnight at the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus where you will be on your own for dinner. On Saturday, July 2, breakfast is served at the inn; you will order from the menu. At 8:30 a.m., you will depart for America's Little Switzerland where 12 original and replica buildings have been preserved which depict Swiss pioneer life. This also will be a narrated guided tour which will take the entire morning. For all these tours, the group will be divided into smaller groups of about 20 people, each with its own guide and narrator. Please note that much walking is required. After lunch at a restaurant in the area, the tour will return to the Palmer House.

The cost for this tour is $160 and includes transportation via air-conditioned motor coach, all admission fees, a box lunch on Friday, double room lodging at the inn, breakfast and lunch on Saturday. If you desire a single room, there is an extra $19 charge.

You must make advance reservations for this tour. You may do this by contacting ACB's Minneapolis office at 120 S. 6th St., Suite 1005, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1839; phone (612) 332-3242. Reservations should be made before June 15, 1994; reservations will only be confirmed when full payment is provided by Visa or MasterCard number, check or money order made payable to ACB Convention 1994. You will also need to indicate whether you desire a single or double room for Friday night at the Chalet Landhaus Inn.

Additional tours planned for convention week include: Chicago city tour, July 2, repeated July 3; Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, July 4, repeated July 8; Architectural Boat Tour, July 5, repeated July 6; walking tour of Museum of Broadcast Communications, July 5; Chicago Cubs v. Colorado Rockies baseball afternoon game, July 6; Spirit of Chicago dinner cruise, July 6; Six Flags Great America theme park, July 7; Aurora Casino tour, July 7; Friends In Art tour to Horizons for the Blind and Milk Pail Village, July 7; Lighthouse for the Blind, July 8; dinner and Second City comedian tour, July 9. Be sure to check your convention packet for details.

Convention packets are mailed in May and contain detailed information on tours, social functions, group meals, receptions, etc. Be certain to complete your registration form early, since space on buses and admission to some functions is limited. You can receive this packet of information on cassette tape by calling the national office at (800) 424-8666 between 3 and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. You may also call (202) 467-5081 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Your registration must be completed on the print form, one form per person.

The ACB convention in 1994 will offer many learning opportunities and challenges. Exciting agendas are being planned by the program committee and special-interest groups. Several committees are also conducting seminars. We believe our 33rd annual convention will be the best one ever.

If you were in San Francisco last year, you may have been a contributor to the success of FIA's activities. We thank you for your participation last year and invite you back with more new and old Friends In Art.

This year's scope is again broad -- from a crafts venue to a Chicago Blues night spot; from a well-known writer/speaker and writers' workshop to a book-signing reception; from inputting MIDI to printing out a full page of music; from the intimacy of sharing prose and poetry in the suite to the challenge of public performance in Tuesday night's Showcase for the Performing Arts. There are how-to's in large workshops and hands-on follow-up time in the FIA suite. You'll want to know the specifics as far ahead as you can. Please read on.

Sunday Suite Stuff -- Board Meeting and Mixer

The FIA board meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 3 in Suite 9-142. This meeting is open, and your ideas are welcome, but it is a board meeting. The membership meeting is Tuesday, July 5.

Our annual mixer will be in the suite from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. This is the ideal time to meet new friends and say "hello" to old ones. A bit of wine, cheese, and other light nibbles will be available.

This is also the best time for people performing in the showcase to sign up for the rehearsal/audition. Because of the ever-increasing participation, we suggest that people make us aware of their choice of material. If musicians wish to have their accompaniment performed note for note by a sighted accompanist, plan to bring the sheet music to the mixer to give the sighted reader optimum time for practice. Also, let us know if you will need an accompanist who can improvise; let us know if your accompaniment is on cassette to be played through the sound system. If your guitar or keyboard has an output for patching in, let us know in case an adapter is required. Any microphone or cabling information you can tell us at the mixer helps the rehearsal run more smoothly.

Every event in the suite will include several door prizes. Thanks to the generosity of Radio Spirits, Poly-Line Corp., and other suppliers, we will have old-time radio cassettes and CD's, batches of blank cassettes, and music software packages.

Monday Madness: MIDI Workshop, Rehearsal/Audition, Prose/Poetry Evening

"Making Money With MIDI" is a workshop devoted to those already using digital technology with music and those interested in getting better acquainted with the process. It's a time to examine the latest breakthroughs for blind people and recent developments in the field. It's a time to discuss each other's ways of working with hardware and software and the possibilities that open up for making your talent pay off.

Equipment will be demonstrated by the encore team of Jay Williams and Mike Mandel. There may be some hands-on time during the workshop. But the MIDI system will be in residence in the FIA suite throughout the week with the same team at hand to instruct. If you arrange a strictly one-on-one lesson, FIA requests a $3 donation.

The auditioning committee needs to hear every performance planned for the Tuesday showcase on Monday afternoon. Doing so allows the committee to provide a balanced show and address any technical problems that may arise. Performer/accompanist teams are forged at the rehearsal. Singers and instrumentalists should come prepared; e.g., lyrics memorized and, if possible, you should know the key you sing or play in. It's best to prepare more than one selection in case of duplication. Remember, it's important to bring music to be read by the sighted accompanist to the mixer in advance of the rehearsal.

Tapes to play through the sound system should be on high bias tape and ready to use at audition time. Bring your guitar cable, the poetry you will read, and your throat lozenge. To keep the show moving, and to showcase as many talented people as possible, please be aware of the length of your performance so it does not exceed four minutes. This includes your introductory comments.

Prose/Poetry Evening: Bring Your Own Writing to Share

FIA's Monday activities will conclude with a prose/poetry reading in the FIA suite at 9 p.m. Come prepared to reap the rewards of listening to others and being heard yourself. From last year, we remember suggesting that a writer might amplify a theme that seemed important. We found ourselves pointing out words and phrases that resonated with us, being impressed with another's focus, clarity, or choice of a topic we'd thought of writing about. You can come late and stay later. Just don't forget to tuck your poem, story, essay or any verbal creativity into the tote you carry on the plane. At least keep it close to you, anyway. The suite is a safe, pleasant place to exhibit art and talk about it. Last year, we exhibited several pieces of sculpture and received several requests for more visual art. FIA wants you and your artwork to come together. Not only do we want shipping to be your responsibility, we also feel it is the enriching aspect of how you achieve your art with limited vision or no vision that adds the final dimension. You may also have techniques or resources that can encourage fellow painters, sculptors, and creators.

Tuesday's Tight Schedule

Food for Friends -- We'll begin our luncheon as soon after the morning session as possible. Our speaker will be Geraldine Lawhorn, a woman well-known for her wit, wisdom, and way with words. She is a writer and instructor of prose and poetry for students at the Hadley School for the Blind. Her first career was in vaudeville as an entertainer, and she has much to tell about gaining access to the arts.

Following Lawhorn's presentation, we will have our business and general membership meeting. One important item on the agenda is the election of officers. This is also a time to share information on arts access achievements and challenges. At 3 p.m. in the suite, you can be a part of the process of printing music. Mike Mandel has been experimenting with an off- the-shelf MIDI program which, through the use of a code of letters and numbers, allows the user to write staff notation as a text file and convert to a standard MIDI file. This file is then printed out on paper. We invite anybody who has experience in this area to join us and share their findings. The countdown begins at 7. Yes, performers do gather before the audience comes in for last-round mike checks and other preliminaries that make the show flow. And then, at 8 p.m., the Showcase for the Performing Arts goes on, highlighting acts from blues to Brahms, from comedy to the very serious -- all produced by new and more familiar performers who bring their current best before an audience of around 500. Buy a tape on your way out, or come to the suite to wind down.

Wednesday: Writers' Workshop

This is not a board of publications workshop for editors. It's aimed more directly at arousing your creativity and connecting it to the other factors that must come together to end with a published manuscript. The workshop is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday. We will cover such topics as journalism, poetry, fiction and editing. Each of them may have do's and don't's, publishing pointers or information on how the presenters work with technology. You may wish to bring some writing to share, time permitting.

Thursday: Double Tour and Blues in the Night

Besides individual time in the suite with music technology in the morning, Thursday is tour day. Grab that lunch and be on the bus by noon to go on a double tour with dinner at the right price. The first stop is Horizons for the Blind. There we will see 10 models of Chicago buildings for that concrete architectural experience. There are also 24 costumed dolls reflecting the dress of various countries. We will also see firsthand the process by which Horizons' high-quality raised pictures are produced. There will be a short time for purchasing how-to books and pictures from Horizons' unique catalog; but hold onto some of your cash. From Horizons, we will take the bus to Milk Pail Village. There is a craft shop, a Christmas shop, and other shops to visit (we'll have a list). Individual artisans will also be about with perhaps a must-have item you might possibly fit into your luggage. Horizons is enlisting a local Lions Club to provide approximately one guide for each two people.

When your energies and money are spent, we will stop for a reasonably priced dinner with options that should fit your diet. We should be back at the hotel by 7 p.m. Blues in the Night is just that: a night of blues with a soul food buffet at one of Chicago's renowned blues night spots -- Buddy Guy's Legend. Attenders meet at the suite to share cabs. The fun begins around 10:30 and goes until closing or your turn-in hour. The club features authentic Chicago blues, wings, rice and leeks, etc., and memorabilia such as Buddy Guy's guitar and gold records from other blues stars. Cover and buffet are included in the $11 price. Drinks and cab are your responsibility. Cab round-trip is $9 for two, less if four share one taxi.

Friday: Book Signing

There's no scheduled activity until after the banquet, however, we will have information in the suite in experiences of interest you can fit into your schedule. The suite's also a good place to find a partner for a walk to a museum, etc. After the banquet, John Dashney will be signing two recently published books in the FIA suite. Large print, braille, and cassette copies will be available for purchase.

We are aware that the plate is very full this year and that if you did everything with FIA you'd have little time for other activities. We also know that our Friends-In-Art have many different interests to pursue at conventions. If some art activity is missing which you feel would be rewarding, let us know so it can be addressed in the future. For this year, bring your art and your heart to Chicago.

It was a suggestion by S. Bradley Burson in 1974 which led to the first meeting on women's concerns, chaired by Billie Elder at the Hot Springs convention in 1976. Thereafter, at each national convention a group of blind and visually impaired women got together, sometimes with speakers and other times it was just a gab session. The 1993 San Francisco convention presented an opportunity to expand the program. Subsequently, ACB President LeRoy Saunders announced at the August board meeting that he was going to appoint committees on minority concerns and women's concerns. Recognition of the importance of women's concerns in this manner is a fitting tribute to the memory of Billie Elder, who died last July.

The expanded program has three components: a Saturday afternoon "Issues Forum," a Monday morning "Breakfast Rolls and Role Models" and a Thursday evening "Eye on Fashion" workshop. This year the Saturday afternoon forum will focus on women's health issues and health care reform. The Monday breakfast will emphasize employment, with a panel of women with interesting careers. The Thursday evening workshop will be entitled "Let's Take it from the Top" and relate to hair and imaging. The fashion angle will be further enhanced by a "consultation by appointment" plan in the area of colors and cosmetics. (See "Cosmetics Made Fun" in this issue.)

To assure yourself of a seat at these events and to allow us to plan for the right size room and the right number of "rolls," please pre-register and pay the modest but necessary fees we are charging. These fees give us the flexibility to improve the quality of interaction with small additions such as an extra roving microphone.

Comments and suggestions about future programs are welcome. My address is: 2211 Latham Street, #120, Mountain View, CA 94040. Phone: (415) 969-1688.

Since my sensitive teen-age years, I have known how important appearance is considered in the sighted world. And admittedly as I like shopping, staying abreast of the trends in clothing and accessories has been more fun than work for me. It is in the area of applying cosmetics that my frustrations manifest themselves. I was reluctant to wear anything that I was not certain enhanced my appearance. An application of a product is crucial to a successful outcome. My fear was looking like a clown or wearing colors that were not complimentary to my skin tone. No one is available at a drugstore to demonstrate how to apply makeup. Help is available at far more expensive cosmetic counters and department stores, but even those salespersons have limited time for teaching necessary techniques.

It was in the most unlikely place that I first received individual help that started me having fun with selecting and applying cosmetics. I attended the regional Ski for Light event at Deadwood, S.D., in February of 1993. Upon my arrival, my friend said, "By the way, I forgot to tell you, we're hosting a Mary Kay party this evening." I was not enthusiastic.

The young woman representing Mary Kay was remarkably organized, patient and knowledgeable. She encouraged us all to experiment with products under her direction until we were satisfied we could do it successfully for ourselves.

Upon my return to Seattle, I contacted a Mary Kay distributor. My relationship continued to be a positive one. Rhonda Kinzig, the Mary Kay independent sales director, has become an expert at teaching cosmetic application skills to visually impaired women in the Seattle area. That's because she's genuinely interested in making appearance enhancement a positive experience. Women's Concerns is now helping in bringing Rhonda and her expertise to the ACB convention in Chicago. Women's Concerns is not necessarily endorsing Mary Kay cosmetics, but is dedicated to offering visually impaired women choices in the cosmetic market. Rhonda will be scheduling small classes of approximately six people who will meet in a private setting. Each class will last about 90 minutes, and participants will be taught basic skin care as well as advanced cosmetic application techniques. Other persons on Rhonda's sales team will be available to aid individuals with specific questions. Products include a selection of fragrances, hair, hand, and nail care, and specialty items developed to treat problem skin.

Here's how it works: There will be several private classes daily; a person will be stationed at the information desk outside the main meeting room doors. Simply sign up for the class that is convenient for your schedule. The schedule will be in the daily newspaper and the convention telephone information line. Although this five-day event is sponsored by Women's Concerns, men's products are also available, and Rhonda is anxious to help everyone with basic skin care. There will be a drawing each day which will include all those participating in classes or individual consultations.

That's right. The 1994 convention of the American Council of the Blind will be held July 2-9 in Chicago, Ill. In addition to the wide variety of speakers and exhibitors ACB has planned for the convention, NABS also offers a diverse array of discussions and activities to enable us as blind students to achieve maximum success and enjoyment from our college experiences.

"No one understands . . ." You're not alone! One of the most important aspects of the convention is the chance we have to make friends and network with other blind students from all over the country. It's both exciting and challenging to meet successful blind students from diverse fields of study, many of whom share similar experiences and goals.

"But I don't know anyone . . ." That may be true, but the convention will give you ample opportunity to get to know lots of people. In fact, NABS is providing a way of cutting costs, which will also give opportunity for students to get to know each other. Hotel accommodations are unfortunately one of the more expensive aspects of the convention. But if you share a room with one or two (or more) other students, that cost will be reduced by at least half. If you are looking for a roommate at the convention, contact NABS president Sylvia Munoz at (909) 922-9187, and she will add your name to a list of students who have a room and need roommates, or a list of students who need a room. It is, of course, up to the students to make their own room reservations, and to work out the financial details of room sharing among themselves.

"So what on earth will I do in Chicago for a whole week, anyway?!" Well, NABS will preface the convention the right way -- with relaxation and fun. On Saturday night, July 2, all students are invited to "games and goodies night." If you are a "serious" student and don't like to play games or attend "social mixers," at least come for the goodies!

Sunday night we will kick off the convention with a student orientation and general meeting, after which we will reserve space in one of the hotel restaurants for those who wish to eat dinner together. Monday afternoon NABS, in conjunction with local law enforcement, will present a self-defense workshop. All are encouraged to attend this, to learn important safety and self- defense tips. That evening will consist of a special get-together for "non-traditional" students (i.e. those who are returning to school after pursuing other activities), and later a reception for ACB scholarship recipients.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep Monday night, so that you're ready for the intensive information marathon on Tuesday afternoon. NABS will offer four panel presentations: (1) "tips for hiring, training, and working with readers," (2) "the value of internships," (3) "why study abroad?" and (4) "adaptive technology at home and on campus." These panel discussions are both presentations and dialogue sessions, so be sure and bring lots of questions for the panelists. Also on Tuesday afternoon, a representative from Recording for the Blind will give a short presentation and will be available for questions. Wednesday, July 6, will be our day to have fun and to appease those of us going stir-crazy from sitting in meetings all week. Although the exact plans are still tentative, we will leave in the late morning for a tour of one or more famous sights in the Chicago area. That evening, those who choose not to go on the tour can meet up with the group at a local restaurant to pig out on world- renowned Chicago pizza. The NABS business meeting and elections will take place Thursday afternoon, followed that evening by the popular, NABS-sponsored comedy show.

The convention banquet will be Friday night, and this will give us as students one final opportunity to hang out together before going home the next day.

Don't forget about the ACB general sessions every morning, and other ACB-sponsored tours and activities. Future editions of "The Braille Forum" will carry information about these. If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding NABS-related convention activities, please feel free to contact any of the NABS officers.

Don't miss out! Make plans now to take part with other students in what is sure to be the best-ever ACB convention.

As the undeniable signs of spring, such as the flowering of the fabled cherry blossoms here in the Washington, D.C. area are now upon us, my thoughts are turning to springtime and to summer and the upcoming national convention, which will take place at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago during the first week of July. One of the social events which is becoming an annual custom at the convention, and to which I always look forward with great anticipation, is the reception held by the ACB president for new and existing life members of ACB. These social events provide a forum for recognition of the special level of commitment of life members to the organization as well as providing a special forum for serious discussion about the current and future course of the organization.

As a life member, I realize full well that the decision to become a life member of ACB involves a serious and substantial financial commitment to the organization. Life membership dues are $1,000. Yet this financial obligation can be paid in up to five annual installments of $200 each, thus bringing life membership dues at least into the realm of consideration for a reasonable segment of our membership. While life membership dues are, I admit, a serious and substantial financial commitment, the benefits of such membership are considerable and substantial as well, i.e. the opportunity to ensure the perpetuation of the myriad of positive, constructive programs and services which ACB provides to and promotes for blind people every day of the year. We blind people should put our money and commitment where our mouths are and stand up to support and sustain the ongoing constructive and responsible work of ACB. I, therefore, as a life member who has made the financial commitment and sacrifice, call upon all members to honestly consider and assess whether you are in a position to make a similar commitment to join a still small and exclusive but growing group of ACB life members. Nothing would please me more or make me feel prouder and happier than to have a sizable new crop of life members join with us at the life members' reception at the upcoming convention in Chicago. Anyone desiring to pay life membership dues or dues installments, or wanting further information about ACB's life membership program should feel free to contact ACB's assistant treasurer, James Olsen, at 120 S. 6th St., Suite 1005, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1839, or by phone at (612) 332- 3242. I am looking forward to meeting a number of new ACB life members in Chicago.

How do they do it? Early in convention week about 15 of ACB's knowledgeable and articulate members meet to hammer out the language of from 20 to 40 resolutions. What they produce comes to the convention floor for a vote, and keeps coming, and keeps coming . . . usually until late Saturday morning.

What do they do in there, anyway? I can't really tell you, because, like Santa Claus, they do most of their work when I'm asleep. But to judge from the results, they take very seriously the challenge of addressing a wide variety of often complicated issues in the clearest and most comprehensive language achievable under the circumstances. You're right: this is only a qualified endorsement. While honoring the dedication and ability of resolutions committee members past and present, let me suggest that our resolutions process could use improvement in several areas.

In 1990, the convention did me the honor of placing me on ACB's board of directors. I was excited about this new opportunity to learn about and help ACB; but a problem quickly became apparent. Our constitution provides that the board of directors ". . . shall make no policy decisions and take no official action in conflict with existing decisions or actions of the convention." How could I honor that restriction without some way to check on what the convention had said or done in the past? A few board members demonstrated prodigious and detailed memories for such information. But should I as a new board member rely solely upon the memories of these few? I found myself abstaining from some votes simply because, although I felt the convention had probably addressed the topic in question, there appeared to be no way to check that feeling against hard evidence. As a lawyer, I knew that the exact wording of convention positions could be crucial in determining whether the board was about to act "in conflict" with them. Such positions are most often stated by way of a resolution; so it seemed to me that our constitution required board members to be familiar with all the resolutions ACB had passed over the years. I even started to wonder how the convention itself could determine whether a proposed resolution contradicted or simply repeated an existing one?

Others had also been thinking along these lines; but at the January 1991 board meeting I learned that previous efforts to index ACB's resolutions had stalled out. In volunteering to continue this project, I didn't realize what I'd just let myself in for. It turned out that through the 1991 convention, ACB had considered 582 resolutions. Many of them, especially the earlier ones, existed only in print. Being a braille reader sympathetic to the desires of those who prefer large print, I decided to scan all the resolutions onto my computer and have them proofread, so that each resolution could be easily reproduced in any desired medium. This took a while; and it was only a prelude to the indexing task.

Think about the ways in which you and five of your friends organize your kitchens, your wardrobes and your basements or libraries. Organizational method can tell you almost as much about the organizer as it does about the things being organized. To avoid creating an index that would work fine for me but be useless or misleading for others, I built in a lot of redundancy. For example, a resolution about the inadequate state of braille instruction in residential schools clearly had to be listed under the major headings of "Residential Schools" and "Braille." But I decided it also had to show up under "Education," "Mainstreaming," "Least Restrictive Environment," "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," "Particular Populations, Children" and maybe even "Employment." If the index was to work for everyone, it would have to allow for different levels of knowledge and different perspectives; so every major heading had to include a "see also" list of other, possibly related major topics. Finally, I decided resolutions could not be indexed solely according to the words they used: concepts had to be considered, too. Doing a computer search for all resolutions mentioning "guide dogs" would miss those referring instead to "dog guides" and those talking broadly about all methods of orientation and mobility. In short, all resolutions had to be read, practically word for word, and then thought about with some care and, if possible, consistency.

Just before the 1992 convention, I submitted a draft resolutions index to the board. Paul Schroeder has since updated it and doubtless improved it significantly. Originally intended as a way for the board to be sure of acting in compliance with actions and positions of the convention, it turns out to be useful to national staff as well. When someone asks about ACB's position on currency identification, the certification of mobility instructors, residential schools, the financing of low vision aids or a convention no-smoking policy, national staff can more quickly locate the pertinent resolutions. The index also serves the resolutions committee and anyone proposing a new resolution by offering an easy way to find out what position, if any, ACB has already taken on a particular issue. If you're thinking about proposing a resolution, consult the index. If you notice ways in which it can be improved, talk to those responsible for keeping it up to date. The more we use it, the more helpful it will become.

But no matter how good the index gets, isn't it just for historians, for the resolutions committee and for picky lawyers who actually read the ACB Constitution? What about today's problems and tomorrow's? What about implementation of resolutions after they're passed?

Any person or any affiliate can submit a resolution to the resolutions committee, which must report the resolution to the convention. Last year, with apparently good intentions, the committee decided not to bring a particular resolution to the convention floor, and the convention took strong exception. In short, both the bylaws and the temperament of future conventions are likely to assure that your resolution will get a hearing of some sort on the convention floor. On the other hand, the decision doesn't have to be "thumbs up" or "thumbs down:" the convention might decide to refer the resolution to a particular committee for further study.

How can you avoid having your pet project exiled to such a state of limbo? Do your homework. Identify concisely and accurately the good or bad state of affairs to be addressed. Be precise about the reasons why action ought to be taken. And be specific about the action you want. Following these rules doesn't guarantee anyone will agree with you, but at least the resolutions committee and the convention will know what you're talking about, what you want and why you think your idea deserves ACB's formal support.

These rules also walk you through the standard parts of a resolution. Because the ones I've seen use rather formal language, I offer here an unauthorized, "English for the rest of us" translation:

Part 1, "WHEREAS," that is, "because" there is either a problem of some sort or something to celebrate; and

Part 2: "WHEREAS," that is, "because" someone really ought to do something about it;

Part 3: "NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED," that is, "OK, let's everybody get real serious, now;"

Part 4: "that ACB (or its staff, board, officers, directors, president or some combination of them) take," that is "actually take," some more or less specific action to address the problem or celebration in question.

Each part is important. Unless you define the problem clearly in part 1, the rest of the resolution won't make much sense or have much impact. Unless you're persuasive in part 2 about why something needs to be done, you won't convince the people to whom the resolution needs to speak most clearly. The "be it resolved" language (part 3) identifies your statement as a resolution, thus giving it a certain status under ACB bylaws and showing that, if passed, the statement becomes a formal position taken by ACB as a whole. Unless you say in part 4 exactly what is supposed to be done, those doing the actual work won't know what to do or when the job is done. On the other hand, naming a certain person or group to do the actual work may give you a feeling of power; but as a practical matter, the great bulk of work required to implement our resolutions falls on national staff.

That simple fact raises three complicated issues. First, should staff organize its resolution implementation work according to a system of priorities? Second, if so, what criteria should be used in assigning priority status? Third, by what process should such criteria be applied, and by whom?

At its post-convention meeting last July, the board established a committee to look at these questions. To keep things straight, let's call it the RPC, for resolutions prioritization committee. Serving with me on the RPC are Pat Beattie, Oral Miller, Paul Schroeder, Pam Shaw and Jean Mann.

At the August 1993 board meeting, the RPC offered its observations on why priorities should be set. In no particular order of importance, here are some samples:

"[Setting priorities] necessarily acknowledges that lower priorities are likely to be completed only when higher priorities are accomplished or that they will receive less attention or fewer resources. So long as resources are limited, an item with a low enough priority may not get done at all, since the budgeting of resources must allow slack to accommodate work spilling over from past years as well as an ability to respond to issues arising between conventions." (These issues include staff's handling of around 18,000 phone calls per year.)

"A sufficiently open and responsive priority system should eliminate criticism of national staff for non-implementation of low priority items. Potential authors of such criticism would instead be encouraged to spend their time and energy increasing the priority rating of their favored project or issue by lobbying the priority-setting process rather than national staff only. The key to achieving this purpose is for the priority criteria to be as objective as possible and widely known throughout the organization."

"A priority system helps to select among multiple worthy resolutions when attempting to implement them all would place all of them at risk: for example, where spreading available resources between two time-sensitive resolutions is likely to prevent either one from receiving the attention necessary to its success." (Or, as my father would say, "You can't put two pounds of peanut butter in a one-pound sack.")

"Once the priority criteria are known, having a priority system encourages the kind of front-end work and post-passage commitment by a sponsor or proponent which would result in the resolution's receiving a high priority. If the resolution passes, this work and commitment give the staff a running head start on the road to implementation, assisting them to complete a higher number of projects."

As possible factors to consider in setting priorities, again in no particular order, the RPC suggested the following items:

"ACB'S organizational priorities: . . . time-sensitivity. Some things have to be done at once if they are to be done at all. Specificity of the objective. Can those responsible for implementation tell, from the resolution's wording, when implementation has been accomplished? Achievability before the next convention. If implementation is likely to require more than one year, is the item important enough to justify continued work despite the arrival of a new crop of resolutions? If implementation is likely to take more than two years, are the issue's importance and other conditions such that ACB should be committed to a long-haul effort?" (Consider, for example, how much work remains to be done on implementing the ADA.)

"What portion or portions of ACB'S constituency will benefit from the resolution's implementation, either directly or through the establishment of a principle, precedent, etc.?" (For example, how important is litigation which would primarily benefit the members of a single affiliate?)

"What resources will be required for implementation, and are such resources available without suspending or reducing work on projects with a higher priority? To what extent is the resolution's sponsor willing to supplement ACB's usual resources by contributing time, money, etc. throughout the implementation process? Is the resolution supported by background documentation . . . [which] could significantly reduce the time and effort necessary for national staff to prepare advocacy statements, background research, etc., thus helping them complete a higher number of projects? Has the resolution been reviewed and approved by an affiliate or ACB committee with pertinent technical expertise?" (For example, what does RSVA think about a resolution concerning the Randolph-Sheppard Act?)

"In what way does the amount of resources required for implementation relate to the benefits expected to result from implementation?"

Why bother with all these questions? (I hear an exasperated sigh.) Well, what happens when friends ask you to do five things and you have only the time and energy for two of them? Every year we give national staff a long list of new projects, yet I've never heard us consider how much work remains to be done on the projects from last year or the year before. When national staff has more pending assignments than they can tend to simultaneously (which I suspect is all of the time), then they have to make choices. If we leave those choices to them, we should not complain of the results. But conversations with staff leave me with the strong impression that they do not want this responsibility. Instead, they have indicated that they would welcome some sort of flexible priority system, some guidance from the board to assist in the focusing of their considerable energy and abilities. A priority system would help the board do a better job of providing such guidance. As a board member, I would prefer a priority-setting process which assured the board that it knew with accuracy what our members consider most important. We are, after all, supposed to be carrying out the will of the convention.

So what about a process? How could we possibly undertake anything as complicated as establishing priorities for each year's new crop of 20 to 40 resolutions? Relax. So far I've heard no one suggest that we should try it on the convention floor with the full set of Robert's Rules of Order in place (although it might be fun - - once). Instead, the RPC will, at the board's pre-convention meeting, suggest that we try a specific experiment this year. It may change between now and then, but right now, the suggestion looks like this:

1. The board should adopt a list of working prioritization criteria;

2. Those criteria would be used to place each resolution in either of two groups. Group A would receive primary attention from staff; group B would receive staff attention only as work on group A and other staff commitments permit. These placements would provide the staff with working directions coming out of the convention; the board would remain free to move a resolution from its initial group into the other as circumstances indicate.

3. Formal assignment of a resolution to one group or the other would occur by adoption or modification of a committee report at the board's post-convention meeting.

4. The committee making that report would meet twice during convention week: once on either Thursday or Friday afternoon, and again between the close of convention business and the board's post-convention meeting. These committee meetings would, of course, be open.

5. The committee would be composed of the following members: a member of the board who is also a member of the long-range planning committee, to be selected by the president; a member of the resolutions committee, selected by that committee; one member of the professional staff, selected by professional staff; two members-at-large, selected by the president, who would also name the chair, once the identity of all members is known.

Is this a wonderful process or even a workable one? All we can say for sure is that it's the best one we've thought up so far. Your thoughts and comments are certainly welcome. You can reach me through ACB On-Line, or at home between 6 and 9 p.m. Central time at (402) 489-7836, or contact any of the other committee members: Pam Shaw, Oral Miller, Paul Schroeder, Pat Beattie or Jean Mann.

Now would someone kindly show the parliamentarian where the exit is so we can get some real work done around here?

In late February 1994, Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio) drafted a braille literacy amendment which he was prepared to offer on the floor of the House of Representatives. Concerns were raised both within Congress and the blindness community over the timing and language of the amendment. Rep. Traficant eventually agreed to seek an amendment on braille literacy through the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law which establishes most of the requirements for the education of children with disabilities is scheduled for reauthorization this year, but will likely be postponed to next year.

In the wake of the disagreements among organizations representing the interests of blind people over the language contained in the so-called Traficant amendment, the National Federation of the Blind called for a meeting to attempt to establish an agreement regarding the language for an amendment to IDEA on braille literacy. The American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the National Federation of the Blind have agreed on the text of an amendment.

The centerpiece of IDEA is a document known as the Individualized Education Program which is a document specifying the educational goals and special education services to be provided to a student with a disability. The IEP is written by a team which includes school personnel and the parent or guardian of the child with a disability (if appropriate, the child is included). The proposed amendment agreed upon by the organizations would add definitions to IDEA for "Braille Literacy Plan" and "blind or visually impaired" for purposes of establishing a Braille Literacy Plan. The amendment would add "Braille Literacy Plan" to the current definition of the IEP. In addition, the amendment would require state and local education agencies to ensure that Braille Literacy Plans are included in the IEP process and that publishers providing textbooks purchased with federal funds would also provide electronic text versions of the book appropriate for braille production. The National Literary Braille Competency Test developed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped would be the standard for determining competency in braille.

The next step is to work with members of Congress and the administration to include the amendment in IDEA. Here is the text of the proposed amendment:

BRAILLE LITERACY
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

References to the "Act" are references to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

DEFINITIONS:

Amend Paragraph 20 of Section 602 of the Act by inserting after subparagraph (F) thereof the following new subparagraph:

"(G) for a child who is blind or visually impaired such program shall also include a Braille Literacy Plan."

Amend Section 602 of the Act to add the following new definition:

For purposes of a Braille Literacy Plan, "blind or visually impaired" means:

(a) visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens or a limited field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees;

(b) a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration; or

(c) a functional limitation resulting from a medically diagnosed visual impairment which restricts the child's ability to read and write standard print at levels expected of other children of comparable ability and grade level.

Amend Section 602 of the Act by adding the following new definition:

Braille Literacy Plan: The term "Braille Literacy Plan" means the components of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a child who is blind or visually impaired which are designed to enable the child to communicate effectively using braille either exclusively or in combination with other skills.

The plan shall:

(a) be individually developed after the child's present literacy performance and future literacy needs have been evaluated or independently assessed if the parents or the child, as appropriate, disagree with the results of the evaluation;

(b) be based on the presumption that for the child who is blind or visually impaired effective communications skills commensurate with ability and grade level will often require braille instruction and use; and

(c) in the event that braille has not been found necessary for the child's present educational progress or future needs, assure that all members of the team responsible for the IEP have concurred, provided that if any member or members have not concurred, braille instruction and use will be included in the child's IEP along with other appropriate literacy skills.

STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Amend Section 613 (a)(11) of the Act by adding "Braille Literacy Plans" after "programs" the second time it appears.

Amend Section 613 (a) by adding the following new subparagraph:

"16. set forth assurances that in the expenditure of federal funds for the purchase of textbooks or other educational materials, the state, a local education agency, or an intermediate educational unit, as appropriate, will obtain such materials in electronic text versions appropriate for producing braille."

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

Amend Section 614 (a) of the Act by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as (7) and (8) and by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:

"(6) provide satisfactory assurances that the local educational agency or intermediate educational unit will: (a) establish or revise, whichever is appropriate, a Braille Literacy Plan which shall be incorporated into the Individualized Education Program of each child who is blind or visually impaired as defined in Section 602;

(b) assure that braille instruction under each such plan is provided by appropriately trained and certified personnel who have demonstrated braille competency at a level consistent with the National Literary Braille Competency Test adopted by the Library of Congress."

GRANTS FOR PERSONNEL TRAINING

Amend section 631(a)(1) of the Act by adding after subparagraph (E) thereof the following new subparagraph: "(F) pre-service and in-service training of special education personnel and other personnel in braille to a level of competency consistent with the National Literary Braille Competency Test developed by the Library of Congress." In 1987, the members of the American Council of the Blind passed the following resolution which speaks quite appropriately to the above amendment.

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
RESOLUTION 87-01
Braille in Schools

WHEREAS, it is a fact that braille is the only medium of literacy available to blind people; and

WHEREAS, recorded materials, the Optacon and other reading machines are a complement to but not a substitute for braille because none of them make writing possible; and

WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired high school graduates need every advantage available to them in order that they may continue their education, compete successfully in employment, and perform activities of daily living; and

WHEREAS, the visual problems of school age students are likely to become more serious in adult life; and

WHEREAS, braille can be most appropriately learned during school years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this the 16th day of July, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, that this organization abhors the gross neglect of the teaching of braille that exists both in residential schools and public school systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization believes that if children must rely on magnification for effective reading and if reading speed in print is less than that of average braille readers, such students should be taught braille; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the staff and directors of this organization shall take all appropriate action to assure that the teaching of braille is mandatory to all students for whom it is appropriate both in residential and public schools.

Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the Council of Executives of American Residential Schools for the Visually Impaired, and the Secretary of Education.

This resolution was adopted. Karen Perzentka, Secretary

The Social Security Act has provisions in both Titles II and XVI which provide procedures for giving special notices to people who are blind and who are applying or in receipt of benefits under the programs. Congress recognized that blind beneficiaries and applicants may have difficulty in realizing they are the recipient of a notice mailed to them and may unknowingly let a response deadline date lapse. The failure to respond would affect their rights under the program.

The following quote from recent testimony before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, by the National Senior Citizens Law Center sums up in very succinct language why it is necessary that blind recipients need to know if and when SSA has mailed them a notice that would affect their rights.

"One cannot obtain due process unless he or she is aware of actions taken by SSA that would affect his/her rights. A basic tenet of due process is the right to be heard, and, in order to be heard, the right to first be notified. Thus, notices must be understandable, providing enough information to explain the nature of the action taken to provide an opportunity to present objections. This right to be heard has little reality or worth unless one is informed that the matter is pending and can choose for himself whether to appear or default, acquiesce or contest." In (partially) addressing that problem, Congress had earlier enacted the requirement that individuals who apply for or receive SSI or SSDI on the basis of blindness are entitled to receive special notices from SSA (P.L. 100-203 & P.L. 101-239). They can elect to:

a. Receive supplemental notice by telephone within 5 working days after the initial notice is mailed,

b. Receive the initial notice in the form of a certified letter, or

c. Receive notification by some alternative procedure established by the secretary and agreed to by the individual.

The election may be made at any time, but an opportunity to make such an election shall in any event be given to every individual who is an applicant for benefits under Title II (SSDI) on the basis of disability by reason of blindness, at the time of his or application. In the case of an SSI applicant, he or she should be given the opportunity to make an election at the time of his/her application, and at the time of each redetermination of his/her eligibility.

If you have not made an election to receive notices from the Social Security Administration, you can do so at any time. If you have difficulty in determining when or if you received a notice, you may want to establish a special procedure so that you will not overlook a notice that might affect your rights to, or the amount of, your benefits. To make such an election, you should contact your local Social Security office and discuss with them the most effective procedure for you. You should then write the Social Security Administration (send it to your local office) and request that the special procedure be established for you without delay. As you know, notices from SSA to you give you a certain number of days to ask for a reconsideration of, or to appeal, the decision stated in the notice. If you are not aware that such a notice has been received you may well lose an opportunity to exercise your right to be heard.

Further, you should retain a copy of the letter to SSA in which you requested the special procedures in case your request is not acted upon.

In January, NABS (the student affiliate of ACB) founded an E- mail discussion group on the internet for blind and visually impaired students. We currently have more than 80 participants, and have had lively discussions about many topics. Our statement of purpose and subscription information follow. If you have access to the internet, you might want to consider joining this exciting new forum.

NABS-L Statement of Purpose

NABS-L is an open-forum discussion list to facilitate dialogue among blind/visually impaired students regarding relevant issues and topics of interest. Examples of appropriate topics include, but are not limited to: educational equity and equality for the blind, employment issues and opportunities, the use of computers and other assistive technology, accessibility issues, discrimination, advocacy, working with readers, dealing with campus offices of Disabled Student Services, breaking down prejudice and stereotypes of blindness, maintaining and fostering independence, and exchanging ideas and personal experience stories of blindness. It is hoped that this list will enable blind students to make the most of their college experiences, and will encourage their full and equal participation in society.

This list will also serve as a forum for disseminating information and discussing issues specifically related to the National Alliance of Blind Students, which is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. However, all blind students are encouraged to join; list participants need not be members of NABS or ACB.

NABS-L is primarily intended for blind/visually impaired students. However, other interested persons may also take part, provided these individuals are committed to independence and equality for the blind, and provided this list does not lose its student-oriented focus. To subscribe, send a message with no subject to [email protected]. The message body must consist of the following line:
subscribe NABS-L YOUR_NAME where YOUR_NAME is your first and last name.

If you have any problems with the list, please contact Robert Englebretson via E-mail at: [email protected].

Men and women from throughout the nation came to Washington in early March to discuss health care, telecommunications, the reinvention of government as it applies to workshops, and vending issues. Armed with information based on those topics, members of the Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of America took their concerns to their representatives in Congress as part of ALL's annual delegate assembly and legislative seminar. Howard Moses, acting commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, kicked off the delegate assembly with a dinner speech in which he said the next six months would be critical ones for the Clinton administration and its efforts to change disability programs and policies. "We're about to begin our fiscal year 1996 budget process," he explained. "The fiscal year '96 budget process is the last opportunity we have during the first term of the Clinton administration to make systemic changes in disability programs and establish priority for funding. Within a very short amount of time, we have some critical issues to face that will set the pattern, not only for this administration, but for the rest of this decade."

He said reforms in education and in the transition of disabled young people into the work force are major goals of the current administration. "I can't overemphasize the importance of quality transition services," Moses said, "and I can assure you that we're working hard to strengthen the linkages between education and rehabilitation."

He said there is an immediate need for the appointment of an RSA commissioner. Other priority items for RSA include completion and implementation of the regulations under the 1992 rehabilitation act amendments and the 1993 tech act amendments, improved services to older blind Americans and increased employment opportunities under the Randolph-Sheppard program. Finally, he urged his listeners to be active in the health care debate.

Health Care

Much of the ALL assembly was devoted to health care issues. In one panel, participants discussed various options for changing the current system so that technology, readers, drivers, and other services of value to blind and visually impaired people could be included. Dr. Richard Welsh, president of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped, moderated a panel which focused on changing health care legislation to include rehabilitation services. The panel dealt with areas which are currently covered and discussed ways of expanding coverage.

Bonnie O'Day, who directs an independent living center in Boston, said major work disincentives that force blind and visually impaired people to remain unemployed so they can qualify for health benefits are good reasons to pay attention to the health care debate. "The health care train is the one that seems to be leaving the station," O'Day said. "Whether we like it or not, this is our major avenue for advocacy during the next 10 years. I think we really need to look at how quickly we can get on the train and then how much we can change the direction of the train to make it go where we want to go." O'Day focused primarily on the Clinton Health Securities Act, hailing its universal coverage component as an important one for blind and visually impaired Americans.

Scott Marshall, representing the American Foundation for the Blind, completed the health care discussion with a review of the Clinton plan and a brief discussion of other proposals in Congress at the time.

Reinventing Government

George J. Mertz, president and CEO of National Industries for the Blind, talked about the Clinton administration's National Performance Review, a report that calls for restructuring of government procurement procedures among other things. He expressed concern that changing government specifications and purchasing habits would have an effect on NIB and its affiliated industries. "We're getting a lot of challenges right now by private industry," Mertz said. "The federal government pie is getting smaller and you have more people looking at a piece of that pie. So the private sector keeps biting us on the heels and unions are becoming very disturbed in the area of service contracting in the field of janitorial and building maintenance services."

William Thompson, representing the Lighthouse of the Palm Beaches, said newly issued government credit cards are allowing agencies to purchase small amounts of items from commercial suppliers which were once provided by NIB-affiliated industries in larger quantities. "These credit cards make it difficult to track the purchases of these agencies," he explained. "The cards make it easy to circumvent the Javitts-Wagner-O'Day Act." Education

Beth Bader, a policy analyst for the American Federation of Teachers, told ALL attendees that while including blind and other disabled students in regular classrooms is a good idea, the concept of "full inclusion" in which all disabled students are placed in the regular classroom can create serious problems for students, teachers, and parents. "Is the way to provide the least restrictive environment to put students who can only read braille in a classroom where only print material is available and where no one else can provide braille instruction?" she asked. "Of course not.

"We believe that the present rhetoric does not take into account the need for some children to be in different settings," Bader said. "We believe that while the civil rights issue of discrimination is correct in some cases, in many cases, the separate placement is made precisely because it takes into account the educational and social needs of the students. Separate placements for some students are educational and not segregational."

Bader said full inclusion "threatens to return millions of students to unprepared classrooms -- classrooms that were unable to meet their needs in the past -- the very places where they were failing before." She denied allegations that the American Federation of Teachers is calling for a return to "the warehousing of students with disabilities, nor is it calling for an end to services for disabled students. What we are saying is that a small group of people must not decide what is the right education program for everyone. Your voices and ours must be heard together, and we must work together to right the wrongs, reinforce and not dismantle the continuum of placements, and make the schools work for all children."

Following Bader's remarks, conferees heard from a panel which represented a continuum of education placements. Randolph-Sheppard Issues From education, the group turned its attention to the Randolph-Sheppard vending program. Durward McDaniel, a renowned expert on the Randolph-Sheppard program and the legal counsel for the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, listed some of the problems under the current program including a lack of expertise on the part of state licensing agencies and problems within the Department of Education that have resulted in difficulties for vendors. He said he has warned federal officials that if the Rehabilitation Services Administration cannot or will not properly apply the Randolph-Sheppard statute, he and others would advocate to change the program's administration to another federal agency. He urged Clinton administration officials to formally recommend a proper appropriation for the program. Other panel members included ALL Executive Director Robert Humphreys and Virginia vendor Bernard Werwie. Telecommunications

Roann Robinson, representing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said NTIA offers a new grant program that will fund targeted demonstration projects and research. It also seeks to guide telecommunications policy to ensure that unserved and under-served groups have access to the National Information Infrastructure.

"Universal service is one of the most important goals of this administration's National Information Infrastructure Initiative," Robinson said, "and the commitment starts at the top. We're very pleased to see that legislation is moving forward in the Congress that will ensure that access is open to the NII for all Americans."

The announcement of new products and services in this column should not be considered an endorsement of those products and services 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 responsible for the reliability of products or services mentioned.

PRESIDENTS' TAPES

Tapes from the affiliate presidents' meeting held in Chicago in early February are now available from the ACB national office. Call (800) 424-8666 and request the affiliate presidents' tapes. The set of four tapes costs $5. Send your name, address and payment to the national office. Tapes will not be sent until payment is received.

REUNION IN NEW YORK

The annual New York State School for the Blind alumni association reunion will be held June 23-26 at the Sheraton in Batavia, N.Y. All are encouraged to attend, as this is election year. For more information, contact Patricia Rescorl, housing chairman, 268 Maigs St., Rochester, NY 14607.

GUIDE TO CASSETTES

"Words On Cassette 1994" is now available in print. It is a guide that features 59,000 audio books and cassettes in more than 125 subject areas, from art and architecture to personal growth and achievement. Listed as ISBN-0-8352-3432-0, it costs $139.95 and is available from Reed Reference Publishing, 121 Chanlon Rd., New Providence, NJ 07974. For ordering information, call 1-800-521- 8110.

LIBRARY STANDARDS REPORT

A second draft of the standards revision for libraries serving the blind and physically handicapped has been prepared and is currently being reviewed by the ASCLA/NLS Standards Revision Advisory Committee. ACB members should be pleased to know that suggestions and comments they made on the first draft were carefully reviewed and are reflected in the second draft. Following receipt of the suggestions and comments from the advisory committee, the document was revised and distributed to the network in early April, which provided an opportunity for the network to review the standards prior to the May 1994 National Conference of Librarians Serving Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals. At that conference, there was an open hearing for participants to discuss the standards draft with the working team. An open hearing is also scheduled for the June 1994 annual conference of the American Library Association. It is possible to provide input on this draft until July 31, 1994. At that time, the working team will prepare the final draft of the standards for distribution in January 1995.

DROLET WINS BRONZE

Blind skier Michele Drolet, manager of community relations at The Seeing Eye, is the first woman on the U.S. Ski Team ever to win a medal in cross-country skiing. She captured the bronze in the 5K race at the Paralympics in Lillehammer, Norway, on March 15. She raced again on March 19 in the 15K race.

REACHING FOR STARS

The Indiana School for the Blind's student council is selling T-shirts and sweatshirts. Susie Brown of The Logo Factory created them using a process involving heat and pressure. They have a raised tactile design of hands reaching for stars on the front, and a braille statement -- "Just because you can't see the stars doesn't mean you can't reach for them" -- on the back. The saying originated with students from Indiana and Kentucky schools for the blind who attended the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. in 1991. Proceeds will be split between the student council and the Riley Hospital Caring and Sharing Program. Sweatshirts cost $25, T- shirts cost $18. Both are available in sizes medium to extra- extra-large. To receive shirts by mail, send your name, address, and payment, including $4 for shipping and handling, to Indiana School for the Blind, c/o Student Council, 7725 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46240.

AFB SCHOLARSHIPS

The American Foundation for the Blind awarded nine scholarships to blind and visually impaired students in higher education. Valerie Simon of New York City and Angela Rodecker of Orange, Calif., received the Ralph Dillman Memorial Scholarship of $2,500, awarded to graduate students who are legally blind and studying rehabilitation and/or education of the blind and visually impaired. The R.L. Gillette Scholarship of $1,000, awarded to women who are legally blind and enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program in literature or music, was awarded to Jessica Reid of Nanticoke, Pa., and Anastasia Charalambakus of Sarasota, Fla. Karen Anne Burke and Deborah Kaye McMullen were the recipients of the Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 awarded to women who are legally blind and studying classical or religious music. Debra Hamilton of Eugene, Ore., was the recipient of the Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship, worth $1,000 to a legally blind junior, senior or graduate student studying rehabilitation and/or education. Valerie Ann Negri of Glenwood, Ill., received the $1,000 Telesensory Scholarship. Dana Simon of Brooklyn, N.Y., a graduate student at the Pratt Institute, received the Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship.

BRAVO ARRIVES

AccessAbility Technologies Inc., part of Baum USA, has recently released the Bravo braille display. It is available in 20- and 40- cell models, with cursor routing technology and configuration software integrated into both units. Bravo comes with an AC power charger/adapter, display cover and padded carrying case. The Bravo 20 costs $3,999 and Bravo 40 costs $5,199. For more information, contact AccessAbility Technologies, 17525 Ventura Blvd., Suite 303, Encino, CA 91316-3843; phone (800) 225-3150.

COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH

Helping Hands for the Blind has formed a "Cookbook of the Month" club, which is currently producing braille cookbooks on various food items. For more information, call (818) 341-8217, or write to Helping Hands for the Blind, 20734C Devonshire St., Chatsworth, CA 91311.

MAINSTREAM-ED DISK

"Mainstream," the national magazine for people with disabilities, is now available on disk. Blind and visually impaired people, or those who have difficulty handling printed materials, can now access the magazine through computers. Disks come in ASCII format on 5 1/4- and 3 1/2-inch sizes for PCs and 3 1/2-inch format for Macintosh. Disks are available by subscription only. One year costs $24; two years cost $40.

READING ENHANCERS

The Sewell Reading Enhancers magnifies print six to 40 times, has high-contrast images on positive or negative mode, and light- sensitive optical scanner function. It is small, lightweight and portable. For more information, contact Advanced Medical Instruments Inc., Sewell Reading Enhancer, P.O. Box 5826, San Clemente, CA 92684; phone (800) 660-0804.

Forget McDonald's Big Macs and french fries when you go on one of Susan Brewer's cruises. There are lots of other food choices and entertainment a-plenty.

Brewer, the owner of Custom Cruises, Unlimited, says she has a cruise for everyone, from kids to adults, blind or sighted. There are cruises to India, Africa, the Orient, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Holy Land and Alaska. Cruises to Alaska are only offered during the summer. Seven-day cruises, 10-day cruises, and longer cruises are available, as are special events cruises such as honeymoons and graduations. And there's a special group called the Cruise Club.

Cruise Club sailings are her favorites, she says. In these trips, the people on board the ship meet with other blind and visually impaired people in all ports of call. Those on board get to see what people in other countries do, what their social activities are, and how the culture interacts. "It's a different perspective," she says, that the people in other parts of the world have.

Brewer originally worked for a full-service travel agency, but left when she found that the agency didn't want to deal with access. Now she makes everything accessible, from elevators to deck plans to itineraries and shore excursions. And, she says, she wouldn't give up her job for anything. "I'm a travel agent first," she states. "My job is to make cruises accessible." Often, the most interesting parts of cruises are the shore excursions. "I felt there was a need to create shore excursions," she says. Shore excursions often were such things as looking through glass-bottomed boats or watching people make cheese at a factory, which aren't accessible to blind people. One excursion that is accessible occurs in Grenada's spice factory during the Spice Islands tour to the southern Caribbean. This shore excursion takes its participants through the process of making nutmeg. They pick it from the tree, take it to the factory, and workers there walk them through the process "so that we can actually experience it," Brewer says. "Knowing we can't view things, they sometimes let us do things." She adds that she's even received calls from sighted people who want to go.

Hearing the stories from returning vacationers, she says, "I get jealous." Sometimes she hears conversations from the hot tub and people trying to learn the ship's lingo. "A lot of people don't know the difference between docking and dropping anchor," she states. One time a friend of hers asked if they would be docking at sea or dropping anchor. (The ship dropped its anchor.) She's even heard some people say that they learned to leave food. On board, there are four meals a day and snacks available all day.

Often she hears people say, "'I can't wait to go again!'" or "'I didn't want to come back to the real world!'" She understands that feeling. Going on a cruise is a lot of fun, she says. Cruises she arranges cost, on average, between $1,200 and $1,700, including food, entertainment, air fare and transportation to and from the ship, a double-occupancy stateroom, taxes, port charges and gratuities. Entertainment does not include alcoholic beverages or gambling. For a single traveler not sharing a stateroom, the cost is about 50 percent higher.

"I love it -- I absolutely love cruises," Brewer says. "I think I get more excited about my customers' cruises than they do." She knows they'll enjoy themselves on the cruise. And she feels good when she puts a single customer on a Princess Cruise Lines ship. "If I don't have to ask you to do it, and you do it anyway, that tells me you care about your passengers," she says of Princess. "They're used to us." And they do a little more for their passengers, she adds.

In November, there's a tour going to the eastern Caribbean on the Love Boat, and Brewer is trying to stir up interest in it. It will go to St. Martin's and St. Thomas islands, and will include a private beach party. People will get to hear steel bands and enjoy the island paradise, and enjoy tropical drinks. And in December, there will be a kid-and-parent cruise featuring the Looney Tunes characters. It's for blind and sighted kids and parents, and arranged to be a socializing event.

But if you want to have a Big Mac, go to your local McDonald's. They're a lot less expensive, and, she adds, she hasn't yet met anyone who wants to pay $1,500 for one.

Custom Cruises, Unlimited, was founded in May 1993. For more information on its services, leave a message on Susan Brewer's voice mail at (513) 931-2234, or write to her at 8036 Congresswood Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45224.

FOR SALE: Freedom monitor, $450. Electric brailler, $350. Accucheck 2, $50. Call Robert and Diane Ziegler at (612) 537-8000, or write them at 5307 Northport Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55429.

FOR SALE: Four books of the Bible in braille -- Matthew, Mark, Acts and Revelations. Call or write Clayton Wall, 36A Graham St., Biddeford, ME 04005; phone (207) 284-6404.

FOR SALE: Rainbow Robotron Reading Machine. It reads any and all printed materials placed on its glass aloud clearly. It is new and up-to-date, and the size of a desktop copier. Asking $4,000. Call Carol Jaskula at (908) 527-4800 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

FOR SALE: Perkins braille writer, $325. In good condition. Call Susan at (215) 925-3213 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.

WANTED: IBM or compatible laptop, preferably 286 or better. Price negotiable. Contact Michael Todd at 506 Plunkert Rd., Littlestown, PA 17340; phone (717) 359-8254.

ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sue Ammeter, 3233 NE 95th St., Seattle, WA 98115
Ardis Bazyn, 2816 Glen Elm Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Patricia Beattie, Crystal Towers #206 N., 1600 S. Eads St., Arlington, VA 22202
Michael Byington, 909 SW College, Topeka, KS 66606
Christopher Gray, 549F Guiffrida Ave., San Jose, CA 95123
John Horst, 221 S. Main St., Box 1386, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-1386
Jean Mann, 6-D Downing Square, Guilderland, NY 12084

Dick Seifert, 1023 Scott St. Apt. F, Little Rock, AR 72202
Pamela Shaw, 8750 Georgia Ave., Apt. 322A, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Stephen Speicher, 825 M St., Suite 216, Lincoln, NE 68508
Otis Stephens, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Dept. of Political Science, 1001 McClung Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996

BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS

Billie Jean Hill, Chairperson, 737 N. Buchanan St., Arlington, VA 22203-1428
Kim Charlson, 57 Grandview Ave., Watertown, MA 02172
Mitch Pomerantz, 1344 N. Martel Ave. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Edward Potter, 1308 Evergreen Ave., Goldsboro, NC 27530
Dana Walker, 2137 Woodmere Loop, Montgomery, AL 36117
Ex Officio: Laura Oftedahl, 104 Coolidge Hill Rd. #7, Watertown, MA 02172

ACB OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
LEROY SAUNDERS
2118 N.W. 21st ST.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73107
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
CHARLES S. P. HODGE
1131 S. FOREST DR.
ARLINGTON, VA 22204
SECRETARY
PATRICIA PRICE
5707 BROCKTON DRIVE #302
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220
TREASURER
BRIAN CHARLSON
57 GRANDVIEW AVENUE
WATERTOWN, MA 02172
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ELIZABETH M. LENNON

Return to the Braille Forum Index