THE BRAILLE FORUM Volume XLVIII February 2010 No. 8 Published by the American Council of the Blind THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE. Mitch Pomerantz, President Melanie Brunson, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor National Office: 2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 650 Arlington, VA 22201 (202) 467-5081 fax: (703) 465-5085 Web site: http://www.acb.org THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering@acb.org. The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above. Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office. Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, rmilliman@insightbb.com, or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today! To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155. For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org. Copyright 2010 American Council of the Blind ***** TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Message: Changing How Others See Us, by Mitch Pomerantz A Reminder to Social Security Beneficiaries: You Have New Rights in the New Year, by Melanie Brunson The Sunny Southwest: ACB Conference and Convention 2010, by Carla Ruschival Second Annual ACB Walk, by Dan Dillon Board of Publications Awards: This Year It Could Be You! Spotlight Your Affiliate with a BOP Award! The MMS Program Makes It Easier for You to Help ACB, by Dena Wilson Affiliate News Passings My Very First Rehabilitation Lesson, by Carl Jarvis Finding My Niche, by Barbara Mattson Helping Hands, by Diane S. Ferrell Letters to the Editor Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels High Tech Swap Shop FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page. To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L. ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION? Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering@acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you. ***** PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: CHANGING HOW OTHERS SEE US by Mitch Pomerantz In my November 2007 president's message, "Image and Perception," I discussed how blind and visually impaired people are viewed by the sighted public. I mentioned the fact that numerous surveys conducted over several decades have repeatedly shown blindness to be the most consistently feared disability, only topped by HIV/AIDS and cancer. I pointed out that while both medical conditions are often fatal, blindness in and of itself is not, and this speaks volumes about the public image and societal perceptions regarding blindness. A little later I commented that: "It is apparent to me that blind and visually impaired persons as a group still have a very long way to go before achieving full equality and total acceptance by society." I'd like to explore this topic a bit further to see how and whether we as individuals, and/or the American Council of the Blind as an organization, can do anything more to change the aforementioned negative public perception about blindness and blind people. At the outset let me express my feeling that individual interactions, both positive and negative, do more to affect how the public perceives us as a whole. Obviously, such interactions between blind and sighted people involve considerably more time and effort, on a personal level, and may take years or even decades to see positive results. For at least four decades or more, agencies and organizations of and for the blind, including the American Council of the Blind, have developed and disseminated films, public service announcements, and press releases geared toward educating the public relative to the abilities and capabilities of the blind. Of those I've seen and heard, the general theme is that blind and visually impaired people are just like everyone else; all we want is the chance to compete and live on equal terms with our sighted peers. Films and PSAs typically feature one or more of us working in interesting jobs or participating in a variety of amazing (from the public's perspective) recreational activities. Press releases call attention to a specific, noteworthy accomplishment involving the organization or agency which put out the release. Most of these efforts have been pretty good from the standpoint of their overall message. Whether they have positively impacted public perception about us is open for debate. With all due respect to these efforts and particularly to those of ACB's hard-working public relations committee, I suspect that such endeavors, while beneficial to the cause, haven't had the overall positive impact all of us would prefer. I believe this is so for two reasons. First, what someone experiences on a personal or emotional level will affect them far more than something experienced either indirectly or on a more intellectual level. The public can see or read all the stories about successful blind people, but until they actually meet one, it isn't real. Second, the attention span of most people is fairly short and what they will take away from a news story or PSA relative to blindness will fade quickly into a generalized impression. That impression, however, will be incorporated into an individual's previous direct and indirect, positive and negative experiences with blindness. One of the strongest arguments used by proponents of integrating disabled students into mainstream school and classroom settings is that non-disabled students will become more familiar -- and perhaps even friends -- with disabled students. This will occur through regular, personal and positive interaction between non-disabled and disabled students. While I haven't seen the data myself, I've been assured that more than one survey validates this argument. If accurate, this means that the more positive, direct exposure members of the sighted public have with people who are blind or visually impaired, the more likely it is that we will be treated fairly and equitably by the public. Hence, while I unequivocally support our and other organizations' efforts at generating positive publicity about us and ACB through those aforementioned media, I'm inclined to believe that we're more likely to change public perceptions for the better, one person and one positive experience at a time. A brief personal story is in order. After a year-long fight, I finally succeeded in getting the City of Los Angeles to let me take the entry-level civil service administrative examination. The gentleman proctoring the test informed me at the outset that if I scored well, his supervisor, the head of the section, was prepared to offer me a job, already knowing that I was blind. Why? Because this man had been a volunteer counselor for a couple of years at a local agency which conducted Saturday activities for blind and visually impaired youth. I learned this later, after I was hired. Would this man (who became one of my closest friends until his untimely death) have offered me a position without that positive experience? Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Thus began my nearly 34-year career with the city. My point in all this is that while it can be a burden, a hassle, and a general pain, each and every one of us is a representative of the broader blindness community when we step out of our front door. No, we won't always be on our best behavior (I'm certainly not) when crossing paths with someone who is intrusive, boorish or rude. Nonetheless, we should always remember that we may be the first blind person that individual has ever encountered personally and that how we interact with him or her will, for better or worse, affect their subsequent attitude toward and about us. Just something to consider as we proceed through our busy lives. ***** A REMINDER TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES: YOU HAVE NEW RIGHTS IN THE NEW YEAR by Melanie Brunson A recent issue of "The Braille Forum" outlined the court order in the case American Council of the Blind v. Astrue. In that case, the Social Security Administration was ordered to begin providing Social Security beneficiaries and representative payees who are blind or visually impaired notices in alternate formats. SSA was ordered to mail notices to all beneficiaries whose records indicate that they are blind or visually impaired by Dec. 31, 2009, informing them of the options available to them. If you are blind or visually impaired and either receive benefits yourself under Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or you receive benefits as a representative payee for someone else, you can ask the Social Security Administration to send you notices in another format, even if they have not notified you of this option. In fact, people who have visual impairments can request information in alternate formats at the time they apply for any benefits from the Social Security Administration. In an effort to insure that we get the word out about the important options that are now available from SSA, I have decided to print the text of the letters SSA sent to blind and visually impaired beneficiaries in this article. Even if you did not receive this letter, please follow the procedures listed below if you would benefit from receiving your correspondence from SSA in an alternate format, and make your request. The text of the letter outlining options and procedures for requesting them reads as follows. We are writing to you because our records show that you are blind or visually impaired and you are covered by a recent court decision. The court case, American Council of the Blind v. Astrue, recognizes that you have the right under federal law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) to ask for notices and other information about your benefits from us in a format in addition to print. This notice tells you how you can ask for your preferred format. The information in this notice is also on our web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/notices. You can also listen to a recording of this notice by calling toll-free at 1-877-708-1776. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. If you already have chosen to get your notices by means of a telephone call, we will call you to read this notice to you by February 1, 2010. Formats We Automatically Provide Upon Request By law, we must always consider your request for your preferred format. We automatically grant requests for the formats listed below: 1. Standard print notice by first class or certified mail; or 2. Standard print notice by first class mail and a follow-up telephone call to read the notices to you within five business days of the date you get the print notice; or 3. Standard print notice and braille by first class mail (delivery begins April 15, 2010); or 4. Standard print notice and a Microsoft Word compact disc by first class mail (delivery begins April 15, 2010). The compact disc may be used on a computer that has the software needed to access Word, but not in an audio CD player. To select one of the formats we automatically provide, please contact us through one of the following ways: Visit our web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/notices and follow the steps provided; Call us toll-free at 1-877-708-1776. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778; or Write or visit your local Social Security office. Other Preferred Formats If the formats listed above do not work for you, you may ask for another format. To ask for another format, please call 1-800-772-1213 so that we can begin processing your request. We will consider your request and decide if we can provide it according to court-approved guidelines. If we decide against your request, we will send you the reasons in writing and the method of appealing the decision. Your Privacy We collect personal information (such as your name, e-mail address, Social Security number, or date of birth) only as necessary to administer our programs. When you request a preferred notice format, we will ask you for personal information to verify who you are and to ensure that we correctly process your request. We will use the information you provide only for those purposes or as otherwise permitted by law. We do not ask you to send us personal information by e-mail to request a preferred notice format. We do not ask you for credit card information to request a preferred notice format. What You Need to Do If you are satisfied with the way you currently get your notices and other information about your benefits from us, you do not need to do anything. If you would like an alternative to your current format for receiving notices, please follow the procedures described above. It is important that people take advantage of this right now that we have fought for it and won! If you have any questions and can’t find answers by calling SSA or searching their web site, please feel free to contact the ACB national office at (202) 467-5081 or 1-800-424-8666. ***** THE SUNNY SOUTHWEST: ACB CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION 2010 by Carla Ruschival The 49th annual conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind will be one of the best ever. Make plans now to be in Phoenix July 9-17 for all the information, exhibits, fun and friends. The ultra-modern brand-new Downtown Sheraton Hotel is home to ACB for convention week. General sessions and exhibits will be side by side on the third floor, and special-interest group meetings, workshops and social events will generally be on 2. After a busy day in exhibits and meetings, you and your friends may want to walk, grab a taxi, or hop a bus and explore the many restaurants and other attractions in downtown Phoenix. Often people ask if there are activities that can help them in their careers. They want to know about information available on important issues, and how they can learn more about new adaptive technology. Here's a sampling of these outstanding opportunities; share them with your employer and explore the possibility of using your time in Phoenix as professional development. Exhibits: Compare and contrast the latest products for blind and visually impaired people. Discover which video magnifier, scanner, braille display, notetaker or speech program best meets your needs. Examine an endless variety of products for work, school and daily living. Collect materials to take home to others in your office or organization. You will want to spend hours and hours browsing the exhibit hall; it opens on Saturday, July 10, at 1:00 and closes on Thursday, July 15, at 1:00. Workshops and Focus Groups: Every conference and convention features unique opportunities to learn new skills, tips and techniques on a wide range of topics. Seminars on diabetes, employment issues, rehabilitation, transportation and information access to off-the-shelf technology are some examples. Get instruction and tips on high-tech products such as screen readers, braille notetakers, low-vision products, and much more. Programs and Discussions: ACB general sessions (Sunday evening, Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-noon, and all day Friday) address education, rehabilitation, employment, access, health-related issues and much more. The presentation by a talking book narrator and update on library services are always popular. While the 2010 program is not yet complete, you can be assured that it will be exciting and information-packed. ACB committees, special-interest affiliates and others sponsor an endless variety of break-out sessions and small-group discussions. Look for informative programming for teachers, government employees, blind vendors and entrepreneurs, attorneys, and information technology specialists. Students can explore careers and meet people working in their areas of interest. Special programming targets issues related to low vision, guide dogs, deaf-blind concerns, braille, etc. Networking: It is often said that networking with others with similar interests is as important as education and training, and that it greatly enhances the job-seeking process and long-term success in any career path. Whether you are a teacher or student, rehabilitation counselor or administrator, parent or caregiver, employer or job-seeker, you will be able to network with others in your field. Exhibits, Advertising And Sponsorships The 2010 ACB conference and convention gives businesses and agencies a chance to let people from all over the country and around the world know about their products and services. Booth space, advertising, and sponsorships are now available. Discounts are available for exhibitors who register early and who purchase advertising. New This Year: Reserve at least one premium booth in the exhibit hall and grab our registration bag special. We'll stuff one brochure or other item of your choice FREE in our registration bags (a $250 value)! This is your chance to reach every attendee and drive traffic to your booth. Color Pages: Make your products and services stand out from the rest! Full-page program ads and covers are once again available in color. Exhibit Special for Blind Entrepreneurs: Are you a blind small-business owner? Do you have products such as CDs, books, crafts, or computer games to sell? Are you a representative for a company that sells jewelry, toys, home decor, etc.? Would your products be a popular addition to the ACB exhibit area? If you have always wanted to give the exhibit area a try, but haven't been sure that the hours and cost were right for you, now is your chance. Discounts on tabletop booths are available to blind small-business owners during their first, second and third years of participation in the exhibit hall. For more information, contact Michael Smitherman (exhibits) at (601) 968-4164 or e-mail msmitherman@mbhs.org, or Margarine Beaman (advertising and sponsorships) at (512) 921-1625 or e-mail oleo50@hotmail.com. Convention Details Special-interest groups, ACB committees, and others wishing to sponsor programs or activities at the convention should submit all information for the pre-registration form by April 1. Program details need to be submitted by May 1. Make all arrangements related to convention events (reserving space, ordering food or A/V equipment, etc.) with Carla Ruschival (phone, (502)897-1472 or e-mail, adamcarla@bellsouth.net). Make your hotel reservations at the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton hotel. Room rates are $89 plus tax per night. Call 1-800-325-3535 to make reservations. For convention questions or special concerns, contact Carla Ruschival at (502) 897-1472 or by e-mail at adamcarla@bellsouth.net, or call the ACB national office at 1-800-424-8666. ***** SECOND ANNUAL ACB WALK by Dan Dillon Get your walking shoes on and begin training for the 2010 ACB Walk. It will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 8 a.m. at Arizona Mills Mall. This is an air-conditioned facility. Each lap around the mall is about one mile. You can walk one lap or up to three laps around the mall which would be about a 5K walk. This is strictly a walk, not a run, because of the liability issue which is due to the fact that there are different walking surfaces throughout the mall. Arizona Mills Mall is approximately a half-hour away, so we'll be busing participants to and from the walk site. Last year we had only 47 participants. We want to do much, much better this year! We will officially kick off this event at the midyear presidents' meeting in February and hope to have many of you sign up then. The entry fee will be $25 and every penny will go to ACB. For more information about the walk, contact Dena Wilson in the national office at (202) 559-2045 or dwilson@acb.org, or contact Dan Dillon at (615) 874-1223 or dan.dillon@bellsouth.net. ***** BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS AWARDS: THIS YEAR IT COULD BE YOU! The ACB Board of Publications proudly recognizes excellence each year with two awards. The Ned E. Freeman Writing Award, instituted in 1970, is named for the first president of the American Council of the Blind who, after completing his term of office, became editor of "The Braille Forum." The Vernon Henley Media Award was established in 1988 to honor the man who created and first produced ACB Reports, a radio presentation distributed to radio reading services around the country. The Freeman Award applies to articles published in either the Forum or an affiliate publication and is awarded to an individual piece of work. Mastery of the craft of writing is a major consideration by BOP voters. Interesting subject matter, originality in recounting an experience, or novelty of approach are also considered. All articles published in “The Braille Forum” between April 2009 and March 2010 are automatically eligible for the Freeman Award. Articles published in state or special-interest affiliate publications within this time frame are also eligible if submitted by either the president or newsletter editor from that affiliate. If submitting such an article for consideration, please include a cover letter noting the affiliate, publication name, edition and a brief notation about the article. The Vernon Henley Media Award is presented to an organization or person, either sighted or blind, who has made a positive difference in the media -- whether in radio, TV, magazines, newspapers or electronic media -- that may change public attitudes to recognize the capabilities of people who are blind, rather than focusing on outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. Programs and/or articles written and produced specifically for a visually impaired audience, as well as those intended for the general public, are eligible. Multiple articles or programs submitted by one author or organization will be judged as separate entries. Recipients of these awards for the last five years are ineligible to enter the contests. Members of the ACB national office staff, the board of directors or board of publications serving during the awarding period are also not eligible. Submissions for both awards must be received by Sharon Lovering at the ACB national office on or before April 15, 2010. Presentations will be made at the 2010 national convention. For more information about judging criteria, please consult the Board of Publications Policy Manual, found on the ACB web site at www.acb.org/resources/bop-policy-manual-2007.html. Send all submissions with cover letter to: BOP Awards, c/o Sharon Lovering, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201, or e-mail slovering@acb.org. ***** SPOTLIGHT YOUR AFFILIATE WITH A BOP AWARD! 2009 saw a wide range of affiliate publications entered to win the Hollis K. Liggett Braille Free Press Award. “Vision Access,” the newsletter of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, was the winner in an extremely tight race. This year it could be your affiliate! This award was named in honor of Hollis Liggett, and is intended to promote best journalistic practices and excellence in writing in publications of ACB's state and special-interest affiliates. All periodicals of ACB affiliates, distributed no less than semi-annually, are eligible to be considered for the Hollis K. Liggett Braille Free Press Award. Nominations must be submitted by the affiliate's newsletter editor or president. Submissions are due by April 15, 2010, and should be sent to "The Braille Forum" editor. Submissions must include the following: 1. Two issues of the affiliate's publication from the previous calendar year sent electronically and in hard copy in the format which the affiliate recognizes as the format which best represents its readership. 2. Answers to the following questions: A. How many members are in your affiliate? B. How often is your publication published per year? C. In what formats is your publication produced? The BOP will take the submitted information into consideration as well as the following: 1. The number of contributing writers in a single issue; 2. The variety of information written about in each issue; 3. How well the publication portrays the affiliate; 4. The quality of writing throughout the publication; and 5. The overall layout and presentation of the publication. Recipients of this award for the last five years are ineligible to enter the contest. Send your submissions to Sharon Lovering, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201. Make sure they'll arrive no later than April 15, 2010. We look forward to receiving your nominations. This award will be presented at the convention in Phoenix, Ariz. ***** THE MMS PROGRAM MAKES IT EASIER FOR YOU TO HELP ACB by Dena Wilson Giving to the American Council of the Blind means you strive to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. Although there are many ways that you can choose to give to the American Council of the Blind, the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program offers you a more convenient way to choose when to have your monthly gift charged to your credit card or deducted from your bank account. The MMS Program offers a cost-efficient way for you to give a larger gift because it converts your gift into a smaller monthly amount, making it easier for you to support the programs and services of ACB. The benefits of joining the MMS Program are: • Great satisfaction. You will know you are helping to build a better future for blind and visually impaired individuals every month. • Convenience. When you participate, your gift will be transferred and will appear each month on your credit card or checking account statement. • Reduced paperwork and overhead expense. Automatic monthly payments mean more of your donation goes to support the independence, dignity and advancement of blind and visually impaired people. To join the MMS program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB, simply e-mail Ron Milliman at rmilliman@insightbb.com or call him at (270) 782-9325. ***** AFFILIATE NEWS CCLVI Scholarships Available The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) will award three scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to one full-time student in each category: entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate. College students who are visually impaired, maintain a strong GPA and are involved in their school and/or local community are encouraged to apply. Applications may be submitted beginning Jan. 1, and all materials must be received by March 1. Scholarship monies will be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year. To read the scholarship guidelines and complete an on-line application, please visit www.cclvi.org and click on the "scholarship" link. Applications will be available to submit on-line until March 1 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. Please plan ahead so that documents mailed will be received by March 1. Faxed materials will NOT be accepted. Questions may be directed to CCLVI at 1-800-733-2258. We look forward to receiving your application materials! ***** PASSINGS It has come to our attention that we are rapidly losing members of our community, friends and supporters of ACB. In order to honor these people whose lives have impacted us, in large and small ways, we are publishing this column. See below for the format in which to submit information. Obituary Format Please include as much of the following information as possible when submitting material for this column. Submissions must involve dates no more than six months from intended date of publication. Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate) City of residence (upon passing) State/province of residence (upon passing) Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person) Occupation Date of death (day if known, month, year) Age ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees) MORLOCK, ALBERT Albert "Bert" Morlock, 72, died Jan. 3, 2010. He was one of the founding members of the Gopher State Blind Associates, which later became the Minnesota state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Bert was an active member of the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota (ACBM) and received the first ACBM life membership during the 2009 state convention. A tireless worker for the rights and dignity of people who are blind, Bert championed many causes throughout his life. Most importantly, Bert lived an independent life where he did and "saw" more things than many other people, sighted or blind. He had a wicked sense of humor and could tell a story like no other person, including Minnesota's own Garrison Keillor. Bert was blessed with grandchildren in his later years and would not hesitate to talk about them whenever the opportunity arose. Bert retired after 26 years with the Minnesota State Services for the Blind as a management coordinator. He was always generous in life. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorials be made to the Communications Center at State Services for the Blind or Vision Loss Resources. He will be missed by everyone in the Minnesota blind community as well as by everyone who came to know him well. -- Bob Lockwood (with excerpts from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune) ***** MY VERY FIRST REHABILITATION LESSON by Carl Jarvis Blind or sighted. Male or female. Black, white or any color between. We Americans are all products of the same culture. Who we are is, in great part, shaped by the cultural beliefs about us. We have certain stereotypes that define certain members of our greater society. We do not discard our stereotypes easily because they are the foundation from which we make sense out of our world. At 30 years of age I became totally blind. Even having been a person of limited vision, I had never allowed myself to think in such terms. I was sighted. I had to be sighted in order to fit into my perception of who I was. Now, at 30 and totally blind, I referred to blind people as "those people." I was not one of them because I did not fit my beliefs of who blind people were. If I were to be rehabilitated as a blind man, I had to learn far more about blindness than how to wave a stick in front of me, or how to run my fingers over bumps, or how to flip a burger on a hot grill, or how to run a board through a table saw. I had to unlearn all that my culture had taught me about who we blind people are. My greatest single step on the road to rehabilitation came not through hours of walking with an O&M instructor, or days of drilling braille, or making a chess board in shop, or making a Denver omelet. It was that day, early in my new world of blindness, when Harry Trabaugh, a totally blind rehab teacher, appeared at my door. I was shocked to open the door and find Harry standing there all alone after he'd taken a bus across Seattle to reach my house. I explained to Harry that I was unable to do any of the things that were important to me. Certainly I would never work again. I was afraid that as time went on I would begin to "look blind." This meant to me that I would begin to look like an idiot, since that was my innermost unspoken image of blind people. But I also told Harry that I loved to run. I would never be able to run again. Harry, a short, wiry man, jumped to his feet, grabbed his cane and told me to take his arm. We went out the door, across the front yard and down into the middle of the street. Harry turned to the east and said, "Here we go." With that, he took off at a dead run with me clinging to his arm like a frightened rabbit. After about half a block Harry stopped dead in his tracks, looked up at me and asked, "Just how much faster do you want to go?" And so began a new picture, a different stereotype, inside my brain. As I went through the Orientation and Training Center, this little rehab lesson grew and flourished and bloomed into the person I now am. Was there risk in doing what Harry did, running wildly down the middle of the street? You bet! But so was the fact that he, a totally blind man, jumped on a bus in the south end of Seattle and traveled the length of that city, crossed a very busy highway and came to my door. Living life is a risk. But if we lay all our fears at the door of blindness it tells me that we are not overcoming our cultural fears about who we are. ***** FINDING MY NICHE by Barbara Mattson One of the things that has fascinated me over the years is programming computers. I was pretty good in math, but my logic and reasoning were weak. I took my first aptitude test to see if I was computer programming material at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind rehabilitation center. The materials were in braille, and testing, as far as I recall, took much of the day. I don't remember the results, but my counselor promised me I'd attend a computer programming school in Florida. Then things didn't come through. While I was waiting, another avenue kept haunting me. A rehab teacher had encouraged me to go to college. My high school English teacher, however, had impressed on me while talking to the whole class, that none of us would make it in college. Nonetheless, it was with fear and trembling that I finally decided that's what I was going to do. I graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a secondary education teaching certificate in social studies. But I wanted to be a counselor. So I made arrangements to begin studies at the University of South Carolina. Meanwhile, a home teaching position came open with the Commission for the Blind in Charleston and my counselor asked me if I wanted it. Because my counselor had told me "counselors are a dime a dozen," I was afraid if I didn't grab the job, I would be job hunting forever. Since having a teaching certificate requires earning six hours of credit every five years, I began graduate work in counseling, but also took courses in the disabilities field. Eventually I quit work to go to school full-time to earn a counseling degree. But the desire to have that certificate of accomplishment wasn't as great as my fear that I would ruin someone's life. Meanwhile, I took some statistics-type courses. In one course I surveyed schools for the blind and rehab agencies and found there was a need for a book for blind parents. So I set about writing it with the American Foundation for the Blind's backing. However, I was once again drawn into taking computer programming courses when I acquired equipment that I believed would enable me to link with the computers at the college I was attending. However, after several weeks of trying, I finally had to withdraw from the Introduction to Computers course. This was a huge blow to my confidence, as I'd never had to withdraw from a course. Years passed, and I continued my writing. One year, apparently preparing to renew my teaching certificate, I thought, again, about computer programming. So I went to the community technology college and took a test with my mother reading and writing. This time it was timed, and I spent, at the most, two hours. I could have challenged the results -- complaining that conditions weren't ideal. But I also felt that if my ability had been true, it wouldn't have mattered. Now I find myself concentrating on transcribing books into braille and writing. Though I've said I've wanted to break into publishing, right now I'm just content to write when I'm inspired. Meanwhile, I'm helping people read with my brailling, and that gives me hope for a better life – for others as well as me. ***** HELPING HANDS by Diane S. Ferrell From the perspective of one who has worked in the field of special education, and having a visual disability myself, I have been involved in some interesting discussions with others who are employed in the same general field of work. Their interests in entering the "helping professions" vary from being altruistic to custodial. Someone who chooses to work with individuals with disabilities has a particular responsibility to promote the welfare of these individuals rather than hinder it. As is illustrated in the following episode which was told to me, this mandate is, at times, overlooked. Mr. West, in a somewhat harried manner, entered his office at the university and, while smoothing his ruffled brown hair and somewhat disheveled clothing, began to survey his roster of disabled students to be served that day. As coordinator of students with disabilities, it was his job to ensure that the university met the academic needs of its disabled student population. He was especially preoccupied on this day with his wife Kathy's lamentations about not being able to become pregnant. Their conversations now were always pretty much the same. "I want to have a child," she would wail, repeatedly, whenever they were alone. He felt as if he was a robot, having to perform sexually, on cue. He heaved a deep sigh. "I don't know how much more of this I can take," he grimaced. "She doesn't want to adopt, either." His first appointment of the day was with Cindy Black, a totally blind sophomore who was scheduled to take the entrance test required for the teacher education program. Cindy, a petite brunette in blouse and slacks, arrived for her appointment on time, wearing an excited look of great expectation. She was accompanied by a tall, blond young woman, who smiled, cordially. "Hello, Cindy. You're right on time," said Mr. West, shaking her hand. "What a small hand," thought Cindy, "and so soft, too …" Coming from an agrarian background, Cindy was accustomed to a man's hands being large, muscular and a little rough. "I'd like you to meet my friend Anne," she said, "who will fill in the answer sheet for me, after I’m finished with the exam." The coordinator led the two young women down a corridor to a small carpeted room containing two conference tables and assorted chairs. "This is where many of our students come to take their tests. It's soundproof, so you won't be bothered by any exterior noise." Cindy asked Anne to return to the room in a couple of hours when she should be about finished with the test. Anne said that she had brought along a good book and also planned to visit the student bookstore in the interim. Cindy then put her braille-writing equipment on one of the tables, thanked Mr. West and proceeded to read the test which had been left on the table for her. About an hour later, Mr. West came to check on Cindy's progress. "How is it going?" he asked her. He looked at Cindy, who was intensely concentrating on her immediate task. "You've been working quite a while, with no break. You look like you could use a good back massage …" "When I finish with this test, that's just what I might do … have a nice back massage," answered Cindy while returning to her task. Mr. West approached Cindy. "I give my wife shoulder massages all the time, to help her relax." He grabbed her shoulders, and his firm hands began to move in an undulating motion. He was no longer touching Cindy, but Kathy, as she was beginning to relax and talk about having a child of her own. Cindy uttered a startled, "Thank you, now I'll have to finish my work!" But the large snakelike fingers continued moving down her shoulders, across her breasts, and relentlessly downward. Cindy started screaming and strangely felt as though she were beginning to leave her body … Now she was frighteningly suspended above this horrifying situation which she was observing. "Why is that woman screaming?" she wondered. "I have to try and help her." Cindy was again back in her own body and in control. "Stop! That's enough! Stop!" she yelled, pulling herself free of the gigantic tentacles. Nothing was said as she heard his footsteps walk to the door. The door opened, closed, and there was silence. Then, ever so slowly, a profound sense of calmness began to encircle her body like a cloak; she felt safe again. Then she began to question herself. "Did this really happen, or was it a terrible dream? No, it really happened, and now it's over. I will tell someone what happened. This must never happen to anyone else." Dazed, she sat down at the table and finished the exam. Anne returned, as planned, and filled in the answer sheet for her friend. As they were walking back to the coordinator's office to deliver the testing materials, Anne commented, "I've never seen you so calm." Cindy sighed. "I guess it's kind of like the calm after a storm." As Cindy placed her test papers on the coordinator's desk, she felt the pat of his small soft hand on hers. "Just let me know whenever I can be of help, or when you need a helping hand." ***** LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The contents of this column reflect the letters we had received by the time we went to press, Jan. 7, 2010. Letters are limited to 300 words or fewer. All submissions must include the author's name and location. Opinions expressed are those of the authors. In Reply to 'President's Message: Technology and Independence?' I agree wholeheartedly with Mitch Pomerantz's assessment on our reliance of technology. My computer allows me to do things I could never do independently when I was younger, and it allows me to do some things more quickly or more thoroughly than I once did. I enjoy taking audio books with me. They greatly reduce the boredom while waiting for transportation. The blindness market is small, so devices are expensive. It behooves us to be selective. Computers crash. Batteries die. It takes a backpack to carry all of the "stuff" we think we need. And sometimes the dog destroys a charger or something. High tech is wonderful -- but low tech served us well for generations and continues to do so if we will but allow it. I recall a young man with whom I worked a number of years ago whose laptop computer was stolen. He often missed appointments because he didn't know how to keep track of them without his computer. He couldn't remember assignments or keep track of his bank account or phone numbers. He had always relied on his computer and, when he didn't have it, he was lost. His independence was stolen right along with his computer. My suggestion is that we integrate low-tech and high-tech skills to make ourselves maximally efficient, even when high-tech fails. I'm not sure sighted folks do that very well. But that's no reason for us blind folks to let our low-tech skills fail. -- Nancy Johnson, Topeka, Kan. I'm responding to the "Technology and Independence" President's Message in the December Braille Forum. Although I agree that society as a whole has gotten dependent on technology, I need to say -- with pun fully intended -- that for blind people it depends on the situation. The examples cited regarding cell phone gadgetry and GPS support the president's point very well. But how about these examples? My husband has been diabetic since age 2 and has neuropathy in his fingers which does not allow him to read braille. I've been a huge advocate of braille and gave my husband a hard time during our courtship about his inability to read braille. That is, until I watched him struggle to read one word on a label. People called him illiterate because of his inability to feel bumps as an alternative to seeing a page. However, with the computer and talking books, he's probably one of the most intense readers I know. Because he can't read braille, does that make him dependent? And let's talk about those talking books. Despite the explosion in technology, they've been around in one form or another for a long time! Is the argument that we are more dependent because someone is reading it? I love braille, but aren't we also just as dependent on someone to produce readable and accurate braille in the books and magazines we read? How about that new bill reader which some think is pesky? I'll be very happy not to take one more electronic gadget to read my bills whenever only accessible bills are in circulation. But until then, I'm looking forward to being in control of my own money without the possibility of someone being dishonest with me. We will still have to fold or organize money as we do now, unless one really isn't interested in saving time and has the compunction to read the bill each time it is encountered. So although the point about maintaining skills is well taken, I think each individual has to evaluate for him/herself what uses of technology are or are not independence. This leads to my final point. I know of another blindness organization that would be happy to evaluate each individual's independence skills. They've infiltrated state agencies for the blind and have taught sighted people to make such judgments using their so-called philosophy of blindness. They even set up centers where they make money with staff-assessed evaluation and improvement of attitudes and blindness skills. I think there are enough quasi-independence police out there, and I want to caution ACB members not to add to their numbers. -- Rebecca Kragnes, Minneapolis, Minn. ***** HERE AND THERE Edited by Sue Lichtenfels The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The Braille Forum" cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to info@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. ** SEEKING HALL OF FAME NOMINEES Nominees are currently being sought for the 2010 class of inductees to the American Printing House’s Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. This honor recognizes those individuals who have provided outstanding service to people who are blind or visually impaired. Bios of the current 44 members of the hall can be viewed at www.aph.org/hall_fame/index.html. For the nominee qualifications and nomination process, visit www.aph.org/hall_fame/nominate.html. Nominations close March 26, 2010. ** SERVICE DOG EYE EXAMS For the third year, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will sponsor National Service Dog Eye Exam Month throughout May 2010. More than 150 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S. and Canada will provide free eye exams to thousands of dog guides, assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs. To be eligible, the dogs must either be certified active working dogs or dogs in training. In order to participate, dogs must be registered online at www.ACVOeyeexam.org between April 1 and May 16. Once registered, you can access the list of participating veterinary ophthalmologists to schedule an exam on a first-come, first-served basis. ** CAMP SILOAM 2010 Camp Siloam 2010 will be held May 22-29 at the Golden Cross Ranch located north of Houston, Tex. This year’s theme is "A Passion for Christ Is a Passion for Life." The week will include morning and evening worship services, swimming, horseback riding, hayrides, horseshoe pitching, and more. Individuals ages 17-68 and in good health are invited to attend. The cost for the week is $220 per person. Assistance with finding sponsors to help with the cost of registration or transportation may be available. To receive the full camp registration packet, mail a $25 non-refundable registration deposit to: The Gospel Association for the Blind, PO Box 1162, Bunnell, FL 32110, along with a 3 by 5 card that includes your name, address, phone numbers and e-mail address. For additional registration details, call (386) 586-5885. For updates on the camp program, check the recorded message toll-free at 1-866-251-5165 and enter mailbox 7128#. Camp registration closes April 15, 2010. ** SUMMER BRAILLE MUSIC INSTITUTE The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians is accepting applications for its seminar for blind college-bound musicians, to be held July 11-17, 2010 at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, Pa. Designed for serious braille-reading music students preparing for or already in college, the program tailors instruction to each person's need to develop braille music and theory skills and to learn to use technology to submit music assignments in print notation. Applicants must have already studied some music theory, have had several years of music lessons, and be able to present a polished and pleasing performance. They must be willing to put effort into braille music study, and demonstrate a commitment to use the braille music and computer skills they will learn at the Institute when they return to school. Applicants must also show they have begun thinking realistically about reachable goals, and that they have the independence skills, social readiness and maturity to be a contributing part of a close-knit group. Contact the Resource Center regarding the application and audition procedure. All application materials must be received by May 5. Parents and teachers of younger students are invited to discuss coming for an evaluation and guidance. You may also contact the Resource Center about customized distance learning throughout the year. For more information, visit www.blindmusicstudent.org, contact David Goldstein at (203) 366-3300, extension 229, or send an e-mail message to info@blindmusicstudent.org. ** TAX ASSISTANCE & ACCESSIBILITY For anyone seeking assistance this tax season, many communities have volunteer income tax assistance sites or local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers, which will prepare your return without charge. To locate a volunteer site, call your community’s 211 or 311 number for local services or call the IRS at 1-800-906-9887. The IRS offers numerous documents in alternative formats for people with print disabilities at www.irs.gov. Follow the home page link to "Accessibility," then the link to "Accessible IRS Tax Products" and select the appropriate link to download accessible forms or publications. The IRS web site provides accessible electronic files in formats including: ASCII text (.txt), braille-ready format (.BRF), and Talking Tax forms in PDF that work with MSAA-compliant screen-reading software and braille display devices. ** CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COURSE Julie Goldbeck is offering an on-line course in Introduction to Children's Literature for 10 clock hours. It is a self-paced course that can be completed from home with an Internet connection. The course will cover all areas of children's literature, including special events in children's literature; U.S. and international children's literature awards; authors, illustrators, children's book publishers; picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, etc. To register, e-mail goldbeckjm@comcast.net and Julie will send you the course materials. A $50 instructor fee is due upon completion. ** COMING OF AGE "Coming of Age: A Personal Memoir," co-authored by Clara Bowie and Lydia Hazel, is now available. Part one includes an overview, a review of relevant literature, discussion of lifelong pursuits and thoughts on other views of aging. The book includes strategies for navigating the aging process and a variety of personal experiences. For more information, contact Clara Bowie at 800 W. Mill St., Apt. #303-A, Carbondale, IL 62901, or phone (618) 457-8273. ** NEW LEADERSHIP BOOK “The Blind Visionary” chronicles the life course of Virginia Jacko, current CEO of the Miami Lighthouse. The book discusses Jacko’s journey from being diagnosed with RP while working as a university executive to becoming a client at the Miami Lighthouse and to working her way up to be its CEO. In the book, Jacko and co-author Doug Eadie, a seasoned consultant in organizational leadership, demonstrate four areas of practical advice: reaching out aggressively to cultivate mentors, role models and potential partners; acting on opportunities and overcoming barriers; believing in yourself no matter what the naysayers might tell you; and keeping your ego in check and your sense of humor alive. “The Blind Visionary” is available in soft cover for $19.99 and hard cover for $29.99 from www.governanceedge.com. ** TRANSITION RESOURCE The Full Life Ahead Foundation is a national organization that focuses on providing resources and inspiration for young people with disabilities as they transition into adulthood. The foundation has a workbook to assist in navigating the process, both written and video success stories, and interactive workshops for students, parents, and providers. To learn more about this organization, call toll-free 1-866-700-2026 or visit www.fulllifeahead.org. ** SEEKING CAMP BLOOMFIELD ALUMNI Walter Chavira would like to hear from Camp Bloomfield alumni. If you attended the camp, contact him at (661) 808-4334 or via e-mail, walterchavira@earthlink.net. ** AUTHOR SEEKS FEEDBACK Do you suffer from migraines with piercing pain? Do they last for hours? Ojocion Ingram has developed her own home remedy that gets her up and out in 40 minutes most of the time. If you would like to try it, she'll send you her pamphlet (or read it to you) in exchange for a 25- to 50-word statement of your results. Please call her at (415) 846-2027 and leave your name and mailing address. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly. Or you may send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Ojocion Ingram, P.O. Box 330426, San Francisco, CA 94133-0426. ** NEW UK COMPANY John Gill of the UK has established John Gill Technology Ltd. to fill the service gap resulting when RNIB discontinued its scientific research unit. This company specializes in the needs of disabled and elderly people, including assistive technology and inclusive design. For detailed service descriptions, visit www.johngilltech.com or e-mail John at johngill@btconnect.com. ** VOICE ACTIVATED CLOCKS The Moshi Travel Alarm Clock is the newest in the line of voice-controlled talking clocks. When you speak commands like "time," "temperature," or "today's date" to the Moshi, it speaks the response aloud. Other voice commands can be used to set the alarm, time, or date; turn the alarm to "snooze"; or select sleep sounds. The newest model is available in four colors, measures 3.75" x 2.75" x 1", weighs 2.7 oz, and uses three AAA batteries. The Moshi line of products is sold by many blindness product companies, some mainstream retailers, and is widely available online. ** 2010 TOURS FOR THE BLIND Mind’s Eye Travel, which offers group trips for people who are blind or visually impaired, including sighted guides, has planned several tours for 2010. The first is a four-night tour of San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa scheduled for May 17-21. From May 22-June 1, the company offers a 10-day cruise to Alaska's Inside Passage aboard the Sea Princess. October 6-9, Mind's Eye will show off many of the historical landmarks and museums of New York City. The Canada & New England Fall Foliage Cruise sets sail for seven nights, Oct. 9-16, on the Caribbean Princess. And in November, the company offers its final group tour of the year: seven nights on New Zealand’s South Island. Group tour prices are based on double occupancy and a minimum of six participants. Travel packages can also be organized for individuals and families to a variety of locations. For more information, contact Mind's Eye Travel at (207) 542-4438 or e-mail sue@mindseyetravel.com. ** SMART CANE PROJECT Kumar Yelamarthi, an engineering professor at Central Michigan University, and five of his students have created a prototype Smart Cane. Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), the cane’s sensor picks up signals emitted from RFID tags placed on buildings and obstacles. A signal, either audio for those who can hear or tactual through a vibrating glove for hearing-impaired users, indicates navigational corrections to assure a clear path. Down the line, Yelamarthi wants to work toward integrating the Smart Cane’s data with GPS. ** VIRTUAL MAPS TO AID ORIENTATION Dr. Orly Lahav of Tel Aviv University’s School of Education and Porter School for Environmental Studies has invented a new software tool to help the blind navigate through unfamiliar places. It is connected to an existing joystick, a 3-D haptic device, that interfaces with the user through the sense of touch. People can feel tension beneath their fingertips as a physical sensation through the joystick as they navigate around a virtual environment which they cannot see, only feel: the joystick stiffens when the user meets a virtual wall or barrier. The software can also be programmed to emit sounds – a cappuccino machine firing up in a virtual café, or phones ringing when the explorer walks by a reception desk. ***** HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP ** FOR SALE: SmartView 8000 CCTV with full color, auto focus, split screen computer link and foot switch. Magnification ranges from 3.5x to 50x with a 17-inch monitor. The camera has two user-definable presets and easy controls. Asking $1,200 or best offer. Contact Danielle Earl via e-mail, dearl@bism.org, and in the subject line, type SmartView CCTV. ** FOR SALE: 20" Magnasight Explorer Custom Focus CCTV for sale. This is an auto-focus unit, full color, with several positive-negative choices for reading display. Asking $1,250 plus shipping. Contact the Kansas Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired at 1-800-799-1499, or e-mail us at kabvi@att.net. ** FOR SALE: Braille Note mPOWER, 32-cell, in excellent condition. Comes with original packaging, manuals, runs latest version of KeySoft. Asking $2,800. Perkins brailler, hardly used, with dust cover. Asking $275. Contact Gama at (616) 990-5151, or e-mail him, gamadurango@sbcglobal.net. ** FOR SALE: Toshiba laptop with 15.4" screen, 250-gig hard drive, 2 gigs RAM, Windows XP, JAWS 9 and ZoomText 8.0. Asking $700. Flash drive Internet radio, lets you listen to radio stations from around the world. Only works with Windows XP. Asking $45. Desktop computer with 19-inch monitor, 1 TB hard drive, 2 gigs RAM, Windows XP, JAWS and ZoomText, DVD burner, wi-fi ready. Asking $800. Call Jose at (818) 220-6256. ** FOR SALE: Brand-new 13" black-and-white Reliant CCTV. Asking $1,700 (negotiable). Call Tim at (623) 692-6472. ** FOR SALE: Book Port reader with USB cable, flash card, CD software and instruction manual. Asking $80 plus shipping. Contact Cynthia at (408) 656-2102 or e-mail cirqitous650@yahoo.com. ** FOR SALE: VoiceNote mPOWER QT running KeySoft 8.0 build 20 in very good condition. Includes Ambicom wireless card, AC adapter, USB cable, carrying case with shoulder strap and one SMA account. Asking $500, which includes shipping in the continental United States. Will accept a cashier's check or money order. Contact Keith Bucher at (304) 386-4889 or e-mail him, kbucher@earth1.net. ** FOR SALE: Sendero GPS software for the BrailleNote mPOWER, most current version, fully functional. Asking $750 or best offer. Contact Grinnell Almy at (310) 849-9694. ** FOR SALE: Romeo Pro 50 braille printer, barely used. Comes with all cables and manual in braille. Asking $1,000 or best offer. Contact Norm Burke-Yale at (816) 254-9670. ** WANTED: Donation of Perkins brailler. Contact Derrick Hayward, 05A6489, P.O. Box 338, Napanoch, NY 12458-0338. ** WANTED: Good refurbished laptop with 13-inch monitor, speakers, Alva 80-cell braille display; Open Book; Internet Explorer and JAWS for Windows; Juliet braille printer and box of tractor-fed braille paper. Contact Carla Lack at (580) 237-8032 room 16. ** WANTED: Sharp Talking Time 1. Contact Robert Feinstein at (347) 489-5324 or e-mail harlynn@panix.com. ** WANTED: Nylon cassette and CD carrying cases, either by Case Logic or someone else. Must take CDs with cases. No CD wallets. Contact Mark and Shannah Kueffler at (701) 478-6413. ** WANTED: Braille dictionary. Contact Dwain at (773) 597-4263. ** WANTED: Used Power Braille 80 in good condition, with all pins functioning. Contact Andre at (847) 318-6413. ** WANTED: Owasys 22C cell phone. Contact Frank Lapiano at (212) 675-7856. ACB OFFICERS PRESIDENT MITCH POMERANTZ 1115 CORDOVA ST. #402 PASADENA, CA 91106 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT KIM CHARLSON 57 GRANDVIEW AVE. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT BRENDA DILLON 313 OVERRIDGE COVE HERMITAGE, TN 37076 SECRETARY MARLAINA LIEBERG 632 S. 189TH ST. BURIEN, WA 98148 TREASURER MIKE GODINO 104 TILROSE AVE. MALVERNE, NY 11565-2024 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER GRAY 94 RAMONA AVE. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 ACB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ray Campbell, Glen Ellyn, IL Berl Colley, Lacey, WA Marsha Farrow, Summerville, GA Michael Garrett, Missouri City, TX Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, VA Carla Ruschival, Louisville, KY Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA David Trott, Talladega, AL Cammie Vloedman, Oklahoma City, OK Ex Officio: Marcia Dresser, Reading, MA BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS Paul Edwards, Chairman, Miami, FL Marcia Dresser, Reading, MA Judy Jackson, San Antonio, TX Jenine Stanley, Columbus, OH Ken Stewart, Warwick, NY Ex Officios: Michael Malver, Minneapolis, MN Ron Milliman, Bowling Green, KY