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September, 2005Let's Make Our Craft Room A Success Meeting Harrington by Patti Schonlau Learning to See Herself by Peg Watts-Cartwright Product Review: Accessible Voting Machine by David Plumlee Consumers Beware by Joyce Lehmann Watch Out For Those Quiet Cars! Council Battles State Officials Over Pension Fund From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer Back to the 2005 Chronicle List Back to the Chronicle Archives
Hello, MCB members and friends, Before I start writing about what I have done, what I am doing, and what I hope to do, there is an announcement I must make! Mcb will provide signers for the hearing impaired at our convention. However, since we must contract with the signers ahead of time, we must know who will need signing services. Will those of you attending the convention who need signers contact the office by October 1 so that we can arrange for adequate signing services. Should you be unable to attend the convention after requesting signers, cancellation of your request is required by Wednesday, October 12, to avoid a cancellation charge. Since the last Chronicle went to press, I have enjoyed visiting the St. Charles Council of the Blind. My husband and I attended the annual dinner given by the Key Club for the St. Charles Council. The peach cobbler made by the Key Club tasted just like my mother used to make. It had cake on top instead of a skimpy round of pie crust. About sixty Missourians attended the ACB convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill Burris was presented with a lifetime membership in ACB, and he won a door prize, too. Congratulations Bill. I never heard whether he won any money gambling. Leroy Welch became ill and went to the emergency room Friday morning. They kept him for several hours, but did release him that evening. Leroy, Loretta, Leo, and Donna started driving back to Missouri on Saturday and arrived home Tuesday. Loretta says that Leroy seems to be fine but will be seeing the doctor soon. The DVS movie shown at the convention was, of course, Ray. It was well attended, and I think, enjoyed by all. The general sessions included such varied programming as a talking book narrator, a discussion of universal design, a report from NLS, a presentation of results from some research done on accepting blindness, historical information about Las Vegas, a couple of comedians, a session on accessible cell phones, and the elections. Only the officers were up for election this year. The officers are as follows: Chris Gray, President, M. J. Schmidt, First Vice President, Mitch Pomerantz, Second Vice President, Donna Seliger, Secretary, and Mike Godino, Treasurer. The 2006 convention will be in Jacksonville, Florida. Work continues in the planning of our convention in Kansas City. With the many, many changes in social security, medicare, and medicaid, we have scheduled people from the Social Security Administration to present helpful information on this very complex but important subject. We'll have a report on what troubles the budget cuts are causing MSB. I am told that many amendments have been turned in which will be considered on Saturday morning. Because we have so many elections this year, elections will start Saturday afternoon. The due date for affiliate membership lists and dues is September 1. The due date for convention pre-registration forms is September 13. The last day to be certain of obtaining a room for the convention is also September 13. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the convention.
Please note: MCB will be having signers for the convention for those persons who need them. In order for us to know how many signers to engage, we need to know how many people will be coming to the convention who are in need of signers. The deadline for letting the office know of this need is October 1, 2005. Should you make a request to have a signer and then need to cancel, you must notify the office no later than October 12 that you will not be coming in order to avoid paying a cancellation charge. August, September, October and November are busy months for the MCB office. First, there are amendments and resolutions to prepare and send out. In September there are financial reports to be copied in the various formats for the convention. Of course, there are registrations to process, name tags to make and banquet tickets to make. In October we will be preparing the Convention agenda as well as the pre-convention Board agenda and any other papers which might need duplicating for the Convention. All of this in addition to our day-to-day regular works, including filling the orders for our large print calendars. They are very popular. We even had a call for a 2005 calendar in July! You might think that after the Convention is over, we can let down our hair and relax. Oh no! There is the Board meeting on November 12, 2005. Reservations will need to be made, a Board agenda prepared and duplicated. The Board meeting following the Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn, Forest Park in St. Louis. I have met with the person in charge of sales for the hotel and they are most accommodating. When I asked about a dog relief area, I was told that their hotel welcomes any kind of dogs as the manager is a dog lover. She is a member of Stray Rescue. I completed Mary's six-month review on August 1. Needless to say, Mary scored highly on her evaluation. We are so lucky to have her. The MCB office will be closed on October 13 and 14 for the Convention. Kathey has also decided to close the office on Monday, October 17, to observe the Columbus Day holiday even though it's a week late. I feel we will need to be in the office doing the last minute things for the Convention on the regular Columbus Day holiday of October 10. Perhaps I should tell you that Mary will be helping with registration and wherever else she is needed at the Convention. She is looking forward to seeing everyone. Please be sure to share the information about the signers with any of the deaf-blind members you may have in your affiliates. See you in Kansas City at the Convention. Bev Armstrong Executive Director
I would like to thank all of the members of MCB that have supported me for the last year. As you know my purpose for taking on this responsibility was to use my financial background and knowledge to help improve MCB'S finances and its ability to create new revenue for the future. I would like to briefly outline some of the accomplishments over the last year: The Budget and Finance Committee created an investment policy statement for the organization. It had not been updated since 1996. This Investment Policy statement is the most important tool for the organization because it determines how the organization invests its dollars. As a result we have experienced outstanding growth over the last 9 months which we will communicate to you at our October meeting. In addition we have improved our reporting from our investments; our Rickhoff accounting statements are now available in Braille and our AG Edwards statements can be reviewed by CD. We have also been able to identify the reasons why our Olive Street Thrift store in St. Louis has not been paying MCB since August of 2001. If allowed, I would have liked to solve the problem and continued negotiations with the thrift store management to correct the situation and make it favorable to MCB and would have liked to implement the MCB management training program which would have allowed members of this organization to become active in the running of the thrift stores that bear our names. In order to avoid overspending we initiated a reporting policy where chairmen of each committee were constantly made aware of their budget balances. Our committee changed our primary banking to US Bank which allowed better access for members throughout the state because of the multiple locations. I would like to thank MCB members for your support and look forward to giving you a full report in October during the convention. William Hawkins whawkins2@kc.rr.com. 816-506-7890
by Bessie Reece ACTIVITIES ATTENDED IN 2005: I attended the ACB convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 3rd through July 9th 2005. I attended all the morning and several afternoon sessions. On Saturday morning, I attended the legislative seminars dealing with government affairs, concerning the blind and visually impaired on how we should work hard in our own states. On July 26th, I attended a March and Rally. The March and Rally was sponsored by Paraquad Inc. for the 15th anniversary of the ADA. It was held at Kiener Plaza downtown St. Louis. The Rally was held to discuss the various cuts in the Missouri Medicaid Program. The speakers were Kelly Anthony, Director of Missouri Disability Vote Project; Attorney David Newberger and Robin Acree, Exec. Director of Grass Roots Organizing Awards. Also recognition was given to several others. If you would like a list of how the Senators and Representatives voted on cutting Medicaid, please contact the MCB office: 314-832-7172. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me: Dr. Bessie Reece Office: 314-535-7210 Home: 314-534-4825 e-mail dr.breece@sparkmanpublicati on.com
We have some great speakers lined up such as Susan Spungin from AFB to speak on universal design, Michael Hoenig to inform us on what is happening in Iowa and Susan Alt from social Security speaking about medicare and medicaid changes and how they will affect the blind. From ACB our guest speaker will be second vice President Mitch Pomerantz. There will be other speakers to be announced later. The banquet speaker will be Dr. Steven Silverstein, bringing us up to date on eye diseases and new techniques in treatments. The banquet meal is plated chicken with sauce, baked potato, chef's salad, vegetable and strawberry shortcake for $20, followed by an evening of karaoke. The Hospitality meal on Friday evening will be a bbq brisket sandwich, chips, veggies and coffee or tea for $1.00. Signers will be available if you contact the office by October first and request this service; however, if your plans change and you can not attend please cancel by October twelfth so the signers can be notified and canceled. Hope to see you in Kansas City. Convention Coordinator Eldon Cox
LET'S MAKE OUR CRAFT ROOM A SUCCESS by Phyllis Lovett Our plans for a great Craft Room at the annual M.C.B. convention are in the final stages. I hope many of you have crafts to bring. The money does not go to the M.C.B. but to the person or affiliate who made the craft item. Don't forget to make two lists, one for the Craft Room and one for you. You should list crafts with the number of items at the price and total for all of your items. Attach your name and affiliate and the price to each item. At this time, we don't know what room we will be using, but it will be listed in the agenda. The room will be open on Thursday, Friday morning, Friday evening and Saturday morning. Affiliates may put in their fund raising items but they must handle them personally, both the sale and the money. We have the promise of Lions Club volunteers to operate the Craft Room for us as well as help around the hotel. I hope you will help me make this our best Craft Room ever. The craft room is for M.C.B. members to sell individual crafts or for affiliate fund raising sales, not businesses. If you have any questions, contact me. My name, address, phone and e mail address are in the Chronicle or call the office. Thanks, Phyllis
by Phyllis Lovett chairman of Resource and Development Committee We have started a new fund raiser for the M.C.B. We are asking everyone to save the aluminum pull tabs from aluminum cans. Just the pull tabs, not the cans! Please bring these or send them to the convention or a board meeting. We are trying to come up with a prize for the affiliate with the most tabs. This is an on-going project. When we have saved enough tabs, we will sell them for cash to add to the MCB funds. Currently in Springfield, they are selling for fifty cents a pound. So continue to save the tabs. If everyone will ask their families, friends and businesses to save them, they count up fast. The M.C.B. has given so much to each of us, it's time we paid a little back. If you have any questions, please contact me.
This is the space in the Chronicle where members can announce their intention of running for one of the many offices that will be up for election at the October Convention. This year we will be electing a Treasurer, the Public Relations Director and the three members who will serve as Directors on the Board for the next two years. We will also be holding elections to fill unexpired terms for First and Second Vice President. The Education and Welfare Committee will be electing a new Chair for that committee. In the June issue, we published the letter from Leroy Welch, who is seeking another term as Public Relations Director. Here are several more letters from members hoping to serve MCB in one of these elected positions. I would like to take the opportunity to express my desire to run for the position of Health, Education, and Welfare chairman at our state convention this October. I am willing to work hard to make this job have an impact on every member of MCB. I want to help everyone be aware of what is going on in our state and federal legislatures that affect disabled people. I have had an interest in the political arena all my life. As a teenager, I was on the committee to help elect Governor Warren Hearnes and I later worked in presidential and senate campaigns. I studied political science and sociology in college with a lifetime certificate in education. I worked on Masters in Learning Disabilities, Rehabilitation, and History. I worked for the Division of Family Services as a caseworker for nine years. I currently do a lot of volunteer work for our local blind organizations and other Disability organizations as well as my church. I realize I will have a lot to learn and am willing to call on those with more knowledge than I possess. If I am elected I will do my best for MCB. Thank you. Mary Lee Pendleton From: Dr: Jerry Holt, Second Vice President, MCB Dr. Jerry Holt, a member of Southeast Missouri United Blind Club, seeks the support of all delegates to the MCB 2005 convention in Kansas City, in his bid for election as Second Vice President of the Missouri Council of the Blind. At the April MCB Board meeting in Kansas City, President Kathey Wheeler appointed Dr. Holt as Second Vice President when Phyllis was elevated to First Vice President due to the resignation of the First Vice President. The appointment of Dr Holt was only for the remainder of the first year of the two year term to which Phyllis had been elected. The office of Second Vice President will be filled at the fall convention. I feel that the officers and the Board have worked well together this year in accomplishing some of the goals which had been set. I have enjoyed working with all of those involved and would like the opportunity to continue in the office of Second Vice President for the coming 2005-2006 year, the second near of the term to which Phyllis was elected. I am a candidate for the office of Second Vice President of the Missouri Council for the year 2005-2006. I ask you for your support and your vote. I will see you at the convention. Thank you. Dr. Jerry Holt My name is Celita White, i am a member of the United Workers of the Blind in St. Louis and in October I will be running for the position of MCB Treasurer. Having served as Treasurer of MCB for four years as well as treasurer for United Workers for the Blind, I feel I am qualified for the position and it will be my goal to see that MCB'S financial obligations are met in an efficient, timely manner and to work with the MCB office as a team. For those who do not know me, I have worked the registration desk at the Convention for several years, I have been the MCB Building Chairperson and am now currently serving as committee member and as a member of the camp committee. I hope you will consider me as your next treasurer when you vote in October. Thank you. Celita White To all MCB members: I, Leo Giger have served on the Board as one of your three elected directors, for the past two years. I am up for re-election this October, at our annual convention to be held in Kansas City. I think everyone knows my past history in the MCB and so I hope I can count on your support for another term serving on the Board. Thank you very much. Hope to see you in Kansas City at the Clarion. Leo Giger My name is Phyllis Lovett. I will be running for the office of first Vice President in October. I am a firm believer in the goals and objectives of the M.C.B. In order for any organization to move forward and progress, I believe the by-laws and Robert's Rules must be adhered to at all times. I feel my experiences have endowed me with dedication, experience and leadership abilities which can benefit the M.C.B. I worked for the Springfield Association for the Blind from 1972 until 1976 as a home teacher. I was employed for 18 years as the Executive Director of the Visually Impaired Preschool, later changed to the Visually Impaired Children's Services. I have been active in the Springfield Service Club of the Blind as affiliate Representative, Secretary, Vice-President and several terms as President. I am a charter member of the Library Users of Missouri and have served several terms as vice-president and President. I am currently serving as Chairman of the committee to write new by-laws. I am proud to be a charter member of the Alpha Lions Club and have been active for the past 11 years. I have served 2 terms as Vice-President and 2 terms as President. I often speak before groups about blindness and the work of the Lions. I joined the M.C.B. in 1972 and I have only missed one convention in the past 33 years. I have been very active in the M.C.B. for many years: 8 years as elected board member 4 years as Public Relations chairman 4 years as Second Vice-President 4 years as affiliate representative. I also, have served on several committees. I am currently serving as the Chairman of the Scholarship committee, Chairman of Resource and Development committee and a member of the Convention committee. I served as the Convention chairman in 1981, 1991 and co-chair in 2001. In 1981, I started the Craft Room which has become a regular part of our M.C.B. annual convention. In 1995, I developed the annual White Cane Walk which takes place on the Saturday during Missouri White Cane Week. The other five area affiliates participate each year. All proceeds are donated to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. I was named Handicapped Woman of the year by the Pilot Club, Outstanding Woman of the Year from the D.A.R. and was listed in the Who's Who of Missouri Women. I feel that I can help lead the M.C.B. into a bigger and brighter future. I have had the privilege of serving as the First Vice-president since last April. I hope you will elect me to this office so that I may continue to work for the M.C.B. Thank you for your confidence and support. For those of you who do not know me, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Beverly Kaskadden, and this article is designed to give you my views and qualifications to help you decide if you would like for me to become your next Public Relations Chair. Currently, I hold the office as President of the St. Charles County Council of the Blind. besides President, I have been the 1st Vice-President, and 2nd Vice-President for SCCCB. I have been a member of MCB for 12 years. I have attended many conventions and board meetings. I have written Public Service Announcements, and given presentations. I am involved with other community service organizations, where I can network with others who might know of someone who would like to know more about MCB. The Public Relations Chair needs to work closely with the Membership Chair. besides increasing our membership, I would like to increase the morale of our present membership. There is a lot of untapped potential within MCB. If we stay focused on the purpose of this great organization, and work together, then we can achieve more than we ever imagined. The rewards are great when you make a difference in someone's life In my opinion, the responsibilities of the PR Chair are to inform the general public about the Missouri Council, represent MCB in a dignified manner, and be available to publicize our events and locations. It is a time of renewal. Time to renew our spirits and our ideas. If we can combine new ideas with knowledgeable experience, then we will have a tremendous team. Let's all work together and take pride in what it means to be a member of MCB. In one of my favorite songs, there is a lyric that says "take your candle, and go light the World". That is certainly what I plan on doing. Will you join me? Thank you, Beverly Kaskadden
by David Plumlee Beryl H. Masters, 85, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, October 3, at Timberlake Care Center. He has been a dynamic worker for the blind for many years, and he will be missed by those who worked with him or benefited from his efforts. I met Beryl in 1971 when I moved to the Kansas City area and joined Allied Workers for the Blind; I soon learned that he was active in audio recording and in amateur (ham) radio under the call sign of WB0-EJJ. For several years, he recorded the official tapes of the MCB convention, and he set up the PA system used at Alpha Pointe until the company's move to its current facilities at 75th and Prospect. He introduced me to VHF ham repeaters and helped me obtain my first VHF ham transceiver. His wife Joyce, who preceded him in death, helped him much as he worked for the blind in the Greater Kansas City area; both Beryl and Joyce came to our house to set up my VHF station. Born April 5, 1919, Beryl was educated in the Kansas City schools and Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis. He became a member of Allied Workers for the Blind in 1939 and held most of that organization's offices through the years. As Financial Chairman, he was instrumental in increasing the size of the organization's treasury from its meager beginnings to an amount which has allowed AWB to do many projects to help blind persons in Kansas City, Missouri. I remember well Beryl's diligent efforts to sell Claxton Fruitcakes in Kansas City; when I see the familiar shape of a Claxton Fruitcake, I think of Beryl Masters, AWB, and the boxes of cakes that several of us checked out from him and sold around town. In 1959, Beryl became the AWB representative on the Education and Welfare Committee of the Missouri Council of the Blind of which he was a life member. As AWB'S representative, Beryl was active on the legislative front, appearing personally before the state Senate and House of Representatives for many years advocating for Blind Pension benefits, white-cane legislation, and other laws designed to make life better for Missourians with impaired vision. Beryl has held several appointed positions in MCB, including seats on the Convention Committee. During one year when Beryl was Chairman of the Convention Committee, the MCB convention was held in Kansas City. When problems arose with the service provided by the hotel, he demonstrated his "people skills" by negotiating a satisfactory resolution between MCB and the hotel's management--a resolution that made us in AWB proud of him. In 1950, Beryl was the first person hired by Bendix/Allied Signal Corporation, where he served as a toolroom machinist until retiring in 1985. He operated lathes and other machinery used for cutting and shaving metal items, thereby demonstrating his resourcefulness in overcoming his disability by the use of braille tools to perform work thought by many to require sight. His performance was instrumental in motivating Bendix to hire many additional persons with disabilities in future years. While Beryl worked at Bendix Corporation, he quietly organized an unofficial group of fellow employees who helped AWB by sponsoring an annual Christmas party for its members and other blind persons in Kansas City. Each year, Beryl accepted names of members' children, and is group of coworkers purchased presents for them. We appreciated the support of those fine folk from Bendix, and I know that Beryl sold a goodly number of AWB'S fruitcakes to them. He was the recipient of many coveted amateur radio operation awards, and he held the Amateur Extra License, the highest-grade amateur radio license issued by the FCC. He assisted other blind persons in obtaining FCC licenses and equipment. He co-founded the Kansas City Association for the Blind Amateur Radio Club (KCABARC), and actively worked through fund-raising to secure the equipment for a ham station at Alpha Pointe Association for the Blind. Beryl created the routes used for the MS-150 bike-athon, arranged for the volunteers needed, and used his skills to provide radio communication each year to raise money for research in multiple sclerosis, and also worked with communications for the Heart Foundation, Cancer Fund, March of Dimes, Eye-Bank Network (a ham-radio network which transmitted information on the availability of donated corneas), and diabetes and other charitable organizations. I would be remiss if I did not mention that night of January 25, 1975, when, as a lark, Beryl started the Paul Revere Radio Net, which quickly became a very popular on-air meeting of amateur operators beginning at midnight each Saturday. Beryl told me once that he had 345 stations to call in to the net on one occasion. He knew Kansas City very well, and he often gave directions to hams who visited the city. Most of them did not know that a blind person was leading them by radio to their destination. Beryl was a Lifetime Member of the American Council of the blind, and he has served on its Membership and Nominating Committees. Intimately aware of the fact that AWB, MCB, ACB, and other organizations of the blind cannot merely rest on their past achievements, Beryl was very zealous in his desire to promote activities which "pass the torch" to young persons with impaired vision. He often articulated his belief that AWB must seek and nurture young people who have the vision, ability, and willingness to "go out and get things done" in fund-raising and other ways to carry the work of the blind forward through the coming years, lest our hard- won gains be lost. A few years ago at the MCB Convention in Branson, I had the privilege of rooming with him and providing a bit of assistance in navigating the complex layout of the hotel. As President of AWB at that time, I learned much from him about the work of organized blind in Missouri as we visited several times in our room or over meals. In view of his long-standing dedication to the betterment of the blind community, his many years of service to AWB and MCB, his pioneering work at Bendix Corporation, his many years of service to the Kansas City community, and his long-standing service through amateur radio, I was pleased to have the honor of writing the letter to nominate Beryl Masters as AWB'S nominee for a Jim Henderson Award. Though he was not selected to win that award, the service which moved Allied Workers for the Blind to nominate him remains well known in our community. The minister who officiated at his funeral was the Reverend Robert Fields, W0-SLQ. His funeral was well attended by many in AWB and ham radio, and he will be missed for years to come.
The St. Louis Council of the Blind is both proud and happy to announce this year's winner of the Jim Henderson Member of the Year Award. Each year our affiliate presents a plaque and a check for $100.00 to individuals chosen from a list of nominees sent in by other affiliates. We began this award in 1995 as a tribute to the memory of our dear member, Jim Henderson who was struck and killed by a car in the spring of that year. Each year affiliates receive guidelines for submitting candidates, and our members choose the winner from among those submissions. This year the award goes to Linda and Gary Gerken, who are members of the Blind of Central Missouri. Congratulations! May this award be a reminder that your affiliate recognizes and appreciates your hard work and dedication. We feel that it is an honor to be submitted as a nominee from your affiliate, and, therefore, we would like to list all of those whose names were submitted this year: Andrew and Mickie Ormsby from the Delta Area Council in Sikeston; also Marvin Shelton from the Delta Area Council; Don Wiggins and Patricia Reyes from the Progressive Council in Kansas City; Eujean Dody from the Lake Stockton Area Council; and our 2005 award winners, Gary and Linda Gerken from the Blind of Central Missouri. Congratulations to all of you. It is wonderful to have members such as you! Jo-An Benson, President.
By: Patti Schonlau I held her face in my hands and said in the midst of tears, "you be a good girl," and gave her one last hug. I know she cried too, but our parting was inevitable. My heart ached with a blend of gratitude and intense sadness for Lucy had been a vital part of my life for seven years. Although I knew it was time for her to retire and become "just a dog". I have had the privilege to work with Leader Dogs for the past fourteen years. The first one entered my life in August, 1991. Layla was a black Labrador retriever, beautiful and dedicated. At age ten, she was forced to retire. Layla lost her depth perception and was no longer able to see steps. The unique bond we developed made it painful for us to part. Although I had no choice, I felt like a traitor--Layla had given me the best years of her life and now all I could give in return is a simple good-bye. My heart was shattered. How difficult it was to express my love for her'''I'd hoped she sensed my sorrow when she saw my tears as I hugged her neck. But even then she endured the pain with the strength and dignity she had always displayed. I was without a dog for two days. And they were nothing but torture and despair. Lucy came none too soon. She was a yellow Labrador, My love for her increased slowly. It wasn't immediate because I found myself wondering whether I'd made the right decision. Lucy proved to be a great Leader Dog. She dedicated her life to working everyday for seven years, providing me with the feeling of self-assurance as well as the ability to travel independently both in my neighborhood and workplace. When Lucy turned eight-years-old, she made the decision to retire. Lucy personally chose her new home and the most gracious and loving people she knew. She now is enjoying retirement in Columbia, Illinois and is reaping her reward of love and care she so richly deserves. Time for my next leader dog. I walked down my front steps and got into the car with my husband and we headed for the airport. My thoughts brought me back to my dear Lucy, but I sighed with relief knowing she and I had made the best decision for her and for me. A career change was due for Lucy and a comfortable life of retirement lay ahead for her. Upon arriving in Detroit, the Leader Dog staff met me at the airport. There were several other blind and visually impaired people that accompanied me to the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan. As we rode from Detroit to Rochester, we each were eager to get acquainted and begin our personal journey which would end, when we left the school with a new Leader Dog. Some of us had dogs before and others were getting their first one. Each of us was excited and ready to begin a new chapter in our lives. Upon arriving at Leader Dog, we were taken to our rooms and were given time to unpack and become familiar with the gorgeous facility. This facility had been built since I last was at Leader Dog. It is a ten-million-dollar physical plant and it truly is like a resort. The hospitality the staff gave us was incredible. Every staff person is so unbelievably dedicated and supportive. True, it is their job to be always there for the students, but each staff member truly exceeds "Just doing a job". The staff is so compassionate and focused on helping students to become as successful as their individual abilities will permit. After dinner, a trainer interviewed me. I answered specific questions that pertained to my personal needs and expectations of a Leader Dog. Quickly, the trainer announced that he had a dog on his string that would be perfect for me. The next two days were spent learning about master and dog expectations, carrying an empty harness to become accustom to traveling with a dog, and becoming more familiar with the facility. On Wednesday at one o'clock, we began receiving our dogs. I received a male Golden Retriever named Harrington. Harrington is eighteen months old. He weighs 62 pounds and is overflowing with love and energy. Again, I wanted to immediately fall in love with the new dog, but I simply could not. Even though I knew in my head my retired Leader Dog Lucy was happy, in my heart I was trying to hold to her memory. From the moment a student receives his or her new Leader Dog, it is expected that the team will have twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week contact. This must be observed in order for the bonding process to occur. Quickly, I decided to give Harrington a nickname. I felt Harry was a more appropriate name for this boy. Harry tried to become the "light of my life." He was determined that I would soon realize he was the center of my attention. The only time he wavered on his decision was when his trainer came near him. Harry loved and adored his trainer and simply could not miss any opportunity to get her attention. It mattered not to him if the attention was positive or negative. There were nineteen students in our class. I came in as the nineteenth student. This caused a bit of a problem due to the fact that there were three trainers and each trainer was to be assigned six students. Since I was an extra person, I was presented with the challenge of not having an assigned trainer. This was a situation that was known before my arrival and the training team assumed a rotation schedule that would provide my training. It was a new experience for me to have all the trainers working with me. I was so grateful for the opportunity to come at this time that I was determined to make the situation work. At the initial contact with Leader Dog, I explained it was necessary if possible for me to come to Leader Dog during the June class. I am the Braille teacher at Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri and I planned to work summer school, which was scheduled to begin on July fifth. I needed a new Leader Dog, but my time was so limited. I had asked to be permitted to come home as soon as the new dog and I were ready to work independently, so I could begin working in my home community and workplace. The daily routine of our working day is the following: At 6:00 a.m. the alarm clock rings loudly. The dogs are taken out for park. (Relief purposes.) Return to student bedroom and water dog. 7:30 Breakfast. 8:30 Load bus and travel to worksite. 11:00 a.m. Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog. 12:00 Lunch 1:00 p.m. Load bus and travel to afternoon worksite. 4:00 p.m. Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog. 5:00 p.m. Feed dog. (This happens only once a day.) 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m. Water dog. 6:30 p.m. Evening Lecture. 8:00 p.m. Park dog for the last time before retiring for the evening. 8:30 p.m. Free time. 10:00 p.m. Observe quiet hours. Harry and I progressed quickly and on the tenth day of training my trainers and I decided that we were ready to come home. I was so pleased and felt so confident that Harry and I will become an excellent working team. I know this takes many long hours of work and months of bonding for this to happen. On Saturday, June eighteenth, the greatest joy of my journey took place. Never before was I introduced to the puppy raisers that loved and nurtured my first two dogs. I met Molly, Harry's puppy raiser. As I waited in anticipation, I prayed that she would like me and would feel her effort, love, and sacrifice would be worth her struggle. The other students and I sat on plastic chairs in the banquet room, waiting to meet our puppy raisers, our emotions running wildly through our minds. Molly approached Harry and me with love and devotion. Her spirit of serene understanding and fulfillment filled my heart when she began to say to Harry, "Puppy, puppy." At first Harry did not recognize Molly, but when the realization of who she was came to him, he went crazy with emotion. Harry jumped up to kiss Molly and then instantly fell to the floor rolling on his back and with all of his heart wanting Molly's love and attention. It was apparent to me that Molly and Harry had been so close. So bonded to each other. There were so many questions I wanted to ask her. I wanted to know all of the cute things Harry had done as a puppy. What he liked and disliked and how she brought herself to let him return to Leader Dog and become a service animal. Molly was wonderful. She too, had so many questions. She wanted to learn about my life and the destiny of her sweet baby, Harrington. This experience was the greatest highlight of my personal journey in receiving Harry. Molly shared her sincere love for Harrington and her wish for her baby to live a life of meaningful service so that he would fulfill his destiny. With tears of joy, I thanked Molly for her dedication to Leader Dog, for being a puppy raiser and for giving me the opportunity to live a productive, independent life. Not only will Harrington be "the light of my life" but he will touch so many blind and visually impaired persons as well as fully sighted people. Molly not only visited with us on Saturday, but she returned on Sunday to present a precious album containing pictures of her Harrington throughout his puppy hood. Molly requested that Harrington be returned to her upon his retirement. I agreed to this arrangement. I feel confident that Molly and Harrington will keep in touch through out the years and perhaps as a result of their strong love will meet periodically and reunite their hopes of once again being together in Harrington's golden years. Harry and I left Leader Dog on Monday, June 20th. As we stepped into life as a team, Harry became a professional working dog. Harry held his head with dignity and presented himself to the world with confidence, loyalty, and promise. I have many places to go and things to do in the years ahead, and Harry will be my partner along my way. From The Editor: When I came across the following article, I just had to share it with you. I feel it is one of the best articles about trying to hide blindness before learning to accept it that I have ever read. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wednesday, June 01, 2005
By Peg Watts-Cartwright A woman who grew blind traveled a hard path to accept it I've been on the road to blindness all of my life. Born with retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary, degenerative disease of the retina, I was diagnosed when I was 4 and became legally blind at 19. A grandfather, my father and two of my siblings also developed RP, as did my daughter. I explain all this because, with RP so dominant in my family, one might think I'd have become more emotionally prepared to accept the blindness headed my way. I wasn't emotionally prepared at all. When I was 7, my mother took me to Lighthouse for the Blind, in New York City, where my academic needs would be assessed. She left me in an empty hallway outside of the administrative offices. Suddenly a bell rang and doors opened. A flood of blind students flowed out, tapping their canes and groping the air ahead of them. I was horrified. Their movements seemed zombie-like to me. I ran out of the building, sat on the front steps and cried. I told myself I would never look like that. I would never allow myself to become a walking, talking freak show. When I became legally blind, the words rang through me like funeral bells. I wouldn't say that "B" word. I spent the next seven years mentally and physically exhausting myself, trying to pass as a sighted person. I became a preschool teacher, but only told my employers I couldn't see in the dark. In the late 1980s, I had cataract surgery to remove the lenses from my eyes. I was only 27. I was given contacts, but they were hard and irritated my eyes; I couldn't wear them and couldn't see without them. So I was forced to apply to New York's Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped for services to adjust to blindness. When my mobility instructor presented me with my first cane I actually felt nauseated. I insisted on doing my mobility training outside of my neighborhood. After lessons, I folded my cane up and placed it in my purse. After lens replacement surgery, my sight improved and I was back to "passing." I'd trip, burn myself, fall down stairs--but accidents seemed a small price to pay to look like a sighted person. I didn't realize I looked incompetent. But my peripheral vision kept deteriorating. My world was shrinking. When I turned 45, my husband's work brought us from Long Island to northwest Pennsylvania. His new job paid better and I didn't have to work. But I grew stir-crazy in my ever-shrinking world. I wanted to return to college and become productive again. So I applied for services from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. But before I could go back to school, I had to attend a four-week, residential personal Adjustment training plan at Pittsburgh Vision Services' office in Bridgeville. I wholly resented it. On the drive to Bridgeville with my husband, I cried. "It'll be the worst four weeks of my life," I moaned. "You have to do this, Peg," my husband insisted. "You have to face this and get past it." I hated him right then, too. I met the other clients the next day. They had varied levels of blindness and I was convinced I wasn't one of them. I looked over my schedule. There would be several private and group counseling sessions with a Mr. Wood. "Yippee" I groaned to myself. "They want me to talk about my eyesight loss." My first session with him was 40 minutes of me crying over my vision loss, expressing remorse for having gifted my beautiful grown daughter with my fate and complaining about being treated like a "blind person." "You know," said Mr. Wood, who had gone blind slowly just like me, "people with some vision make the best liars." "Huh?" "We spend a lot of time moving through the world as if we're not blind. We become very good at fooling ourselves and others that we're not blind. We could win an Academy Award for our acting skills." Bingo! I immediately knew he was right. "Isn't it exhausting?" he asked. "What do you mean?" "Well, you must spend a lot of time and energy trying to pass as not blind. Aren't you tired yet?" "I refuse to be Blind Peg," I insisted. "I don't want the world to see me as a blind person." "But ''' you are," he smiled back. I cried a lot that night, too. But in my classes, I began to realize that being blind could be manageable. I could regain my ability to travel and care for my home and family. I could function smoothly and competently. Still, confronting my emotional denial of my blindness was overwhelming. On the Wednesday of my second week I was having a difficult day. First thing that morning, I came off the elevator without my cane and collided with a staff person. The coffee cup in my hand went flying across the room. I was embarrassed. I knew, if I'd been using my cane, the accident probably wouldn't have happened. I was still the "Queen of Denial." Later, I had group counseling, and I arrived with a pretty bad attitude. Mr. Wood began talking about other people's perception of blind people. Then he talked about what it's like for a blind person to go on a job interview. He asked when might be the best opportunity to tell a prospective employer we are blind. "When I walk through the door for the interview!" I stated emphatically. "Isn't that deceptive?" he asked. "Listen! When they start putting a place on a job application for blindness, I'll consider checking that box! 'Til then, I have rights and being blind should not be what I'm judged on!" A quiet, soft spoken man, who had no vision at all, turned toward me. "Peg," he began. "I really like you a lot. I think you're a great person, but you don't see yourself as blind, do you? That's your problem." I sat in stunned silence. If this quiet, contemplative man, who couldn't see withhis eyes, could see right through my façade and defenses, I must have been a bigger denial-mess than I'd given myself credit for. I felt the room close in on me. I asked to leave, went outside, lit a cigarette and cried uncontrollably. "OK!" I said aloud. "OK, I'm blind! Your're blind! We're blind, blind, blind, blind, blind! My God! I'm so sick of being blind, blind, blind!" I looked up and another client stood in front of me. "You OK?" he asked. "I guess not," I forced a smile and wiped my eyes. "But I'll be OK." "Hey, you really will, you know," he smiled back. "I know how you feel. We all do. We've all been where you are. It gets better." That day was one of the hardest I'd had in the program. It was a breakdown of my defenses, but it was also a breakthrough. When I finally spoke to my daughter that night, she assured me that I didn't need to pretend anymore. Then she said she was proud of me for facing being blind. It was a tremendous relief. I wondered how I'd managed to raise such a wonderfully balanced woman. I later talked to my sister, Nancy, who also has RP. She listened and admitted she was doing the denial dance right alongside of me. She said she guessed she'd have to do the same thing herself--admit she's blind and be OK with it somehow. The next day went much better. I began to say aloud, "I'm blind." While I still never want to be known as "Blind Peg," I realize that how other people see me is really up to me. I can be perceived as an incompetent sighted person, or a competent blind person. I decided that the latter might not be the disgrace I thought it was. Now, I go places with my cane, tap- tap- tapping along. People might look, but they move out of my way and I don't feel stupid if I bump into them. I say "Thanks" when they open a door for me, and don't want to slap those who grab me by the arm and insist on "helping" me. Even more telling, when I do need sighted help, I'm much more comfortable with asking for it. I'm still grieving the loss of my vision. But now I give myself permission to feel it, face it and move through it. I am going to miss seeing things, but I know I'll find other ways to enjoy the scenery. Blind people are capable, competent, normal human beings--and I'm one of them. (Peg Watts-Cartwright is the author of "Chasing Venus" and lives in Farmington Township, Clarion County.)
PRODUCT REVIEW: ACCESSIBLE VOTING MACHINE ES&S AutoMARK "Election Systems and Software (E&sS) and AutoMARK Technical Systems, LLC have teamed up to offer the ES&S AutoMARK, breakthrough ballot-marking technology that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently when using an optical scan voting system. "The ES&S AutoMARK voter assist terminal is a ballot-marking system designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way. The technology also provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions. "Key Features: "An audio function allows voters with impaired vision to listen to choices. "The ability to support write-in candidates. "A zoom feature that enables the voter to increase the font size of each race listed on the optical scan ballot. "Multiple-language capability helps ensure that all citizens in a diverse population can exercise their privilege to vote. "A sip and puff tube for voters who are not able to use the touch screen or touch pad. "Protects legacy systems by allowing jurisdictions to use existing optical scanner hardware/software solutions."-- Quoted from ES&S's on-line information I attended a demonstration of this voting terminal earlier this year in Independence, and those of us who attended received hands-on experience with the unit. Its keyboard was well designed in a rather intuitive manner. The keys are in a kind of diamond pattern with up, down, left and right with select in the center. Voice speed and loudness are adjustable with other keys labeled in braille. A touch-screen is provided for voters with sufficient sight to use that interface. When a blind voter is using the terminal, the screen can be turned off with a single keystroke, and the blind user then wears headphones to ensure privacy. Since the headphone jack appeared to be a standard 1sth-inch mini-jack commonly found on personal stereo equipment, a user should be able to connect his own headphones, if desired. The unit can scan and read a ballot correctly no matter which way it is inserted into the machine. Although the ballot is inserted before voting begins, it is not actually marked by the machine until the voter confirms that he is ready to finalize his vote. A voter can easily revote any race prior to the final keystroke to print the ballot. If a voter remembered that he wanted to vote for a different candidate after he had already printed the ballot, he would have to follow normal election rules, return the ballot to an election official, and request a new one under allowable procedures, as any sighted voter would have to do if he marked a choice he did not want. If the blind voter received a new ballot, he would have to do all the voting over, since the memory of the machine is erased when the ballot is printed (thus preventing the next voter from knowing any of the previous voter's choices). Write-in votes (where permitted) are done by selecting "write-in" on the race being voted and using up-, down-, and Select keys to select letters for the word needed. A blind voter can scan and review a cast ballot, but the write-in vote is read only as "write-in." When the cast ballot is scanned, a "read- only" message indicates that the ballot cannot be changed. ES&S has demonstrated its AutoMark terminal to other conventions of blind persons, and its equipment has been well received. I understand that the AutoMark unit was used to handle the elections in at least one convention of organized blind persons. Voting is secure with no connection to the internet, thus minimizing the possibility of election fraud or breaches of voter privacy by internet hackers. I felt that the unit was well designed for easy use by persons without sight. While I operated the machine, I deliberately tried a few "funny votes" on the keyboard to see if the unit could be easily "fooled" to allow extra votes on races; I was not able to accomplish any "funny stuff" on the unit, and I believe that it is quite well "error-protected" to prevent a voter from casting a ballot with contradictory entries which would disqualify it during the counting process. I found only two rather minor negative aspects of the unit: When the reading speed is changed, the current message begins again. By contrast, a PC user can in most cases change the reading speed "on the fly" as the reading continues. Since the machine has a way to repeat the current message, I would have preferred the common PC-TYPE behavior to the setup on the unit. When I mentioned this complaint to the ES&S representative, he said he would take my comment back to his company so that my thoughts could be evaluated in the context of feedback from other users to see whether changes should be made on the reading speed selection system. Since I feel that most users would get the reading speed set to their liking early in their voting process, they could leave it unchanged for the remaining procedure. As noted above, the write-in name cannot be read back if the user prints the ballot and rescans it to verify his choices. But since the write-in name is readable in speech BEFORE the ballot is printed, and the unit enforces a confirmation that the voter is finished by requiring him to deliberately press a key in order to print the final ballot, I feel that most voters would not need to use the rescan feature. The AutoMark system has an advantage for many counties in that it can be made compatible with the optically-scanned ballots already in use. Stated another way, the ballot which a blind person drops into the ballot box after his voting is not distinguishable from a ballot cast by a sighted voter using the system used by sighted voters to mark a ballot.
by Joyce Lehmann From The Editor: Here is an article from Joyce Lehmann, former Chair of the Technology Grants Committee about some disturbing things that she apparently observed while working with MCB'S technology grant program. Between security alerts and budget cut warnings it is always another heads up about something these days. And that is not even mentioning the hurricanes and tornados. There is another warning that should be given to MCB members, in particular, the low vision members. Beware of unscrupulous salesmen. While I had the privilege of working with the adaptive technology Grants Committee I became aware of how deceitful some of these individuals can be. This applies not only to MCB clients but also RSB clients. Copies of MCB grant applications are carried on their sales calls. Clients are urged to pay for the equipment and then be reimbursed by a grant from MCB. It is heart breaking to take a call from someone in their 70s or 80s living on a fixed income who is anxiously awaiting a grant to repay sorely needed funds. The price of the equipment is inflated so that a grant pays for the entire amount of purchase. Equipment is oversold to individuals. Only the most expensive items are offered as the only option available. Or clients are urged to buy tables, computer hookups etc. Some older clients are under the impression that they are getting a computer to use--not that the equipment is compatible with a computer. Companies operate under multiple names. Thus they can give clients the three quotes the state requires for purchasing new equipment. The quoted prices often are different for the same piece of equipment from client to client. The model numbers given are often incorrect or missing. One applicant was quoted a $3,000 price and the next week another applicant buying the same equipment was $6,000. When questioned, the salesperson said that a secretary had not given the applicant the "MCB price." The quote was rewritten and resubmitted with the "MCB discount." Sometimes a salesperson will offer a free Extra to applicants to influence their purchasing choice. For example, the applicant agrees to purchase a CCTV at an inflated price and is told that a handheld device will be given to them at no further cost. There is nothing free. Clients in remote areas of the state are not aware that there are solid reliable companies that offer equipment. The implication is that this product is the only thing that will work for them. Budget cuts for the state agencies make buying the correct equipment even more important because replacing it soon will be out of the question. Suggestions: A vendor registry could be provided to prospective applicants whenever they request an application. Applications that are numbered and recorded would eliminate the distribution of unauthorized copies being made. Having a rating system in place on salespersons and companies would also be helpful. (It works for Ebay) Everything is expensive these days. Disabled clients do not need their choices limited or exploited by poor business practices. Fraud, waste and abuse are rampant in all areas. This is what makes getting new equipment so difficult in the first place. Report any unusual practices to RSB. And MCB members should definitely, BEWARE!
This is a letter from Kim Kilpatrick, a blind person in Canada which has been circulating around the Internet regarding a subject which may be of great concern to us all in the future: those new hybrid cars which make no sound. A very good article on this topic also appeared in the June issue of the Braille Monitor, written by Deborah Kent Stein, which you might want to read. The NFB has in fact just formed a committee to try to find some solutions for dealing with this issue of quiet cars. Hello all my blind and sighted friends, I wanted to write and talk to you all a little about the issue of quiet cars. I have (as I'm sure many of you have) heard about quiet or hybrid cars for several years now. I am conscious of and concerned for the environment and the basic idea of quieter and more environmentally friendly vehicles always seemed like a good thing to me. I have been blind since birth and traveled with a white cane from age 6 on. For the past 13 plus years I have been partnered with three wonderful guide dogs. I have always considered myself a competent and confident traveler and thought that I could overcome any challenge in my environment. Last week while walking on a very quiet residential street with a sighted friend, we paused at the corner. There was no background noise, no traffic noise, no loud music, etc. I told Gia forward. She refused to go. My friend said, "There is a car on your right coming through the intersection." I heard nothing. It was a quiet or hybrid car. I have since learned that these vehicles make absolutely no noise when going at low speeds or when idling waiting for a light to change. This impacts all kinds of situations for people like me who are blind. Contrary to popular belief, our guide dogs do not read the traffic lights for us. When I reach a lighted intersection, I listen for the noises of traffic flow. If the traffic is flowing parallel to me, it means my light is green. However, I often wait for a fresh light to cross the street. If the traffic is perpendicular to me (moving across in front of me) the light is red and I wait for a green light. If the intersection was full of quiet cars, I could not read traffic and would not know when to give my dog the forward command. But this is not the only issue. When I stop at the corner of a stop street with no light, I listen to make sure no traffic is approaching before giving my dog the forward command. Again, if the intersection was filled with quiet vehicles I would not know when it was safe to do this. When I travel on a sidewalkless road, I walk on the left hand side with my dog on my left facing traffic. When cars approach us, I turn us into the curb edge to make sure we are out of the line of fire! Again, I would not know when traffic was approaching in this situation. When walking through parking lots, I would not know if quiet cars were suddenly turning in front of me or coming from behind. When walking down a sidewalk, I would not know if a quiet car was pulling out of a driveway. Many of our big cities are now filled with wheelchair ramps at curbs. This is generally a good thing but makes lining up with an intersection trickier for someone who is blind. I use traffic noise to make sure I am pointing in the correct direction for a street crossing. This is especially useful when coming to rounded curbs which make it even more difficult to line up with intersections. In the winter here in Canada with snow covered corners, lining up with intersections is trickier. When it is windy or raining hard or in winter when you need to wear a hat, traffic noise is muffled more. I couldn't imagine coming into contact with quiet cars under these circumstances. This issue really concerns me as I cherish being able to travel independently. My dog is trained to stop for traffic but we are a team and a partnership and I like to be able to provide as much input and guidance as I possibly can. I just wanted everyone to be aware of this issue. I have spoken to someone at Toyota Canada who has passed my concerns and those of others on to their engineering department. We would just like these cars to make some kind of noise. If you come across anyone who works in this field or who might have suggestions as to how I could proceed with this matter, I would appreciate hearing from you. Technology certainly has made my life easier with talking computers and scanners, talking global positioning systems (which I want desperately) etc but this type of technology could prove deadly and dangerous for people who are blind.
Council of the Blind battles state officials over pension funds 6-3-05 The question is an interpretation of state law.By: Michelle Sherwood, KY3 News JOPLIN, Mo. It's taken Chip Hailey a long time to accept who is he is today. "Just as any sighted person would use a computer, I can do the same thing," said Hailey, sitting at a computer in his home. Hailey lost part of his vision at age 12. "I lost the sight in my right eye playing baseball," he said. He lost another portion just four years later. "In the left eye, I was 16 years old and playing football," he said. He completely lost his vision at age 25. By that time, he was married and had children. Hailey says he lost more than his eyesight. He also lost his positive outlook on life. "I was embarrassed and ashamed of being blind," he said. "I didn't want to accept social security, blind pension, any of that stuff, because, to me, that would be the final stamp, stating, accepting that I'm blind and I just didn't want to do that. But I did. I had to. I was forced to. It was either that or my family would starve." After seven years, his attitude changed. "I finally got my life right with God," he said. Hailey slowly became a loud voice for people with disabilities. Now, he is one of thousands of people who accuse the state of stealing money from a pension fund for blind people. "For a lot of people, the blind pension is all they get and they're in dire straights, financial straits of needing this money," said Hailey. The Missouri Council of the Blind believes the state took at least $24 million from the group's pension fund in the last decade to pay for things like Hancock Amendment tax returns and more. "It is pretty incomprehensible that they'd want to steal from the blind pension fund," said Bev Armstrong. "I think they see it as a pot of money." Armstrong not only receives a pension for being blind but she also works for the Missouri Council of the Blind in St. Louis. Armstrong says the council always thought the state was stealing money. Now it has legal help. Armstrong says the group is moving forward with a lawsuit -- not to ask for more money, but for real change. "We want them to resolve this once and for all and that they cannot use the blind pension money for other than what the law says," said Armstrong. The law is supposed to work like this: for every $100 assessed valuation of property, a three-cent state property tax is supposed to go to the blind pension fund. The council says, as property taxes increase each year, it's also supposed to get 75 percent of that increase. Instead, the council says the state's taking anything it wants. "Raiding these kinds of funds is wrong. It is illegal," said Tom Kennedy, an attorney for the Council of the Blind. Kennedy says the state has illegally used pension money to pay for things like tax returns and fringe benefits for state employees. "It just makes me mad. I don't think that's what Missourians expect when they pay their property taxes," he said. "I don't like where this is headed," said Hailey. Hailey says he's grateful for the money he's received but he wants the state to follow the letter of the law, especially in a time when his other sources of income, like Medicaid and Social Security, seem to hang in the air. "It's wrong to take something that rightfully belongs to someone else," he said. "I can't overemphasize that it's terribly wrong." The council withdrew its original lawsuit against the state but likely will file another one, although it hasn't decided when. The Missouri Department of Social Services oversees the way the fund is administered and will not comment on this issue.
In the last issue, I carried an article about protests over plans to restructure the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA.) RSA is the Federal agency which oversees all of the individual state rehabilitation programs. Here is the latest information on this situation, provided by ACB and sent to me by our Education and Welfare Chairman, Bessie Reece. RSA IS NOW SEPARATING INTO TWO DIVISIONS From the Desk of Krista Merritt, Policy Analyst (Edited by Day Al-Mohammed, Director) Department of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Rehabilitation Services Administration Restructure July 22, 2005 As many of you have heard the Rehabilitation Services Administration is going ahead with its restructuring plans. The new organizational structure will be made effective on October 1st 2005. RSA will be separated into two major divisions-the State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division (SMPID) and the Training and Service Programs Division (TSPD). The State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division (SMPID) carries out major activities related to the following programs: Basic Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants Supported Employment State Grants Independent Living State Grants Centers for Independent Living Discretionary Program Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Client Assistance Program (CAP) Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology Program (PAAT) Program Improvement Evaluation The Training and Service Programs Division (TSPD) administers the following programs and comprises the Training Programs Unit and the Service Programs Unit. The two units are responsible for programs as follows: Training Programs Unit Rehabilitation Training Demonstration and Training Service Programs Units Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Projects With Industry American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Recreation Program Helen Keller National Center Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facilities Program Alternative Financing ProgramstTelework AT National Activities Technical Assistance Program AT State Grant Program The SMPID will perform the compliance and performance reviews, and will provide technical assistance to all state agencies and independent living centers. The TSPD will administer the majority of RSA''s discretionary and training grants and service programs. Grants planning will be strategically linked to state program improvement. Specifically, there will be a team of individuals assigned to each state with one or more representatives from each of five functional units: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Fiscal, Data collection and analysis Independent Living (IL) Technical Assistance (TA). Each state team will be led by a state liaison, and that person will be the single point of contact for the state agency and IL centers in the state. What is of interest is that this new structure supposedly includes a unit that promotes meaningful communication between RSA and consumer organizations. This new unit would work with State Rehabilitation Councils, State Independent Living Councils, and disability advocacy organizations such as ACB, to better assist persons with disabilities to become informed consumers of VR services. In August, RSA will conduct a monitoring conference to discuss the new monitoring process with stakeholders and allow them to provide their input. Our own Melanie Brunson, Executive Director, has been heavily involved in weekly telephone conferences about the new monitoring process and is a member of the steering committee organizing the monitoring conference. Additionally, we are engaged in writing a comprehensive response to the Department of Education on the plans to restructure RSA. We will continue our efforts to ensure that the Department of Education appropriately addresses our questions and concerns.
We have a bumper crop of affiliate reports this time, sixteen in all, including some we haven't heard from in quite a while. Keep it up. The Adaptive Technology Special Interest Affiliate Board has been working the past few months in getting things in place for the October convention in Kansas City. The plans are being put into place to have an exhibit of an accessible voting machine in the exhibit room for anyone to experience the privilege of a private casting of your own ballot. Since this is not an election year, during our monthly meeting, we will have a guest speaker. To save time for the brief business meeting, and to make time available for our speaker, we ask any A.T. member to contact Franklin Johnson to update any information on your home address, and any changes to your e-mail address. He will be taking dues of $5. If any new member would like to join, it would also be very helpful if you could either braille out your information for Franklin or send it to him by e-mail. This task takes a lot of time from our annual meeting, so any advance collection of information would be greatly appreciated. There will be a question and answer section in the A.T. newsletter so if anyone has a question concerning Adaptive Technology, please address it to our editor, Linda Coccovizo. In order to receive your newsletter it is vital that Linda has your up-to-date e-mail address. Her address is: mammabraille@sbcglobal.net. Sincerely, Beverly Kaskadden, Secretary AWB Report by David Plumlee It has been a long time since AWB has been represented in the AFFILIATE AFFAIRS section, but we hope to bring news from our affiliate with more regularity in the future. Here's an update on some things that have happened over the past several months. On April 17, Melvin Smith graduated with his guide-dog Julius. As far as I know, they are getting along well together. Symie D.Menitove resigned her post as Director of the Jewish Parties for the Blind after serving in that position for the last few years. Many blind persons in the Kansas City area attended the parties, and I am sure that they wish her well. We had our annual election in June, and the following officers were elected: David Plumlee, President; Sabrina Fowler, Vice-President; William Hawkins, Treasurer; Brandy Emmons, Recording Secretary; Bobbye Priddy, Corresponding Secretary; Health Benefits Chairman, Melvin Smith; Special Services Chairman, Cindy Reynolds; with Gregg Hollins having another year remaining on his term as Education and Welfare Chairman. I won first prize in an essay contest held in Independence, Missouri to celebrate Flag Day and Independence Day. Entries had to be between 700 and 1,500 words in length on the subject of what freedom means to me. Since I learned of the contest only a couple of days before the deadline, I was about to let it go by; but I decided to "revisit" my college days by taking the project as if it were a college assignment. I was very surprised when I received a call telling me that my essay had been awarded first prize, giving me an attractive certificate and $100. Occasionally, I have heard of sinkholes opening around the Kansas City area and how a car has occasionally dropped into one. I never dreamed how close such a story could get to home until one of my feet broke through the edge of the street near our house and I dropped about two feet into a large hole. "How could I at 150 pounds break through a surface meant to support hundreds of pounds?" I wondered as I got myself out of the hole and went to report it to the police. A friend checked me and found that though I had some very sore fingers and a bad scrape on one leg, I was fortunate in that I sustained no serious injuries in the accident. When the policeman took my report, he asked to borrow my cane to probe the depth of the hole; he found that it was perhaps four feet deep and extended a few feet away from the hole made by my foot. Some time later, the Street Department came, dug up several feet of roadway, repaired a pipe whose leakage had apparently eroded the support for the pavement, and made proper repairs to the road and its supporting foundation. I laughed as I told a friend that I could now say that my cane has been used as a makeshift depth gauge to determine somewhat the extent of the hole; I also told him that I was thankful that I had no serious injuries and that a child or a car had not fallen into the hole. We have had a few members ill during the past several months. Debbie Plumlee had a hernia repaired in November, having her surgery on the thirty-second anniversary of the day that I met her. In june, I had a small hernia repaired by the same surgeon; and I jokingly told him that I must have caught the "herney virus" from her (there is no such virus). Debbie is doing well now; I am still a bit sore, but my recovery is progressing exactly as we expect. Hazel Collins had her other hip replaced early in July. After a few days in the hospital, she was sent home and scheduled for in-home therapy rather than a couple of weeks in an extended-care setting. She said that she would have preferred the extended-care setting; but insurance companies and doctors seem to opt for methods that save money for the health-care system. I got a good laugh out of her, though, when I jokingly offered to bring a boombox and some 1950's rock by so that she could "get that hip moving by dancing with me." We pray that she will continue to improve over the months ahead. Early this year, I was invited to attend a demonstration of an accessible voting system made by Election Systems and Software; when I reported on the machine at an AWB meeting, I stated that I was quite favorably impressed with the product. I hope that more work will be done by makers of other equipment to improve our access to modern electronics, which play an increasing part in our lives these days. We hope to see many of you at the MCB Convention in October. Blind of Central Mo Monday August 1, 2005 Hello to everyone from Sedalia. Camp is always a lot of fun, There is always something for everyone. The Blind of Central Mo. had their annual picnic on Thursday July 7 2005 at 6:30 PM. It was held at Liberty Park at shelter house 2. The menu was as follows: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, vegetable tray, fruit trays, s'mores, and assorted soda. The ones that wanted to rode the little train. There were around 35 to 40 members and guests, and it was a great time of food fun, and fellowship. I understand that it was a very good picnic. Galen and I unfortunately couldn't be there because we left with Galen's sister Mari for Fairfield Bay Arkansas which is 70 miles north of Little Rock. We left on Sunday July 3, and came back on Sunday July 10. We had a very nice time. We had a very nice time at camp. Galen and I won the late night swimmers certificate because we were in the pool until 11:10 pm. We enjoyed participating in the camp activities. I thought the talent show was great. We hope you all have many good months ahead. Until next time, keep your smile, and a song in your heart, and if you can't be good, be good at it. Trudy Blood Recording Secretary Blind of Central Mo. Delta Area Blind Report Hello from the Delta Area Affiliate, Here we are with half of 2005 behind us. The MCB 2005 Convention and the Holidays will be here before you know it. The Delta Area affiliate is gaining one or two new members. Our newest member is Betty Buckthorpe, who is sighted. Welcome to our group, Betty; we are happy to have you. Several of our members attended the River City Workers picnic in Cape Girardeau in June and as usual they did a bang up job. The food and the fellowship was great. Thanks for inviting us. By the time you get this, the Delta Area blind and sighted members will have had their picnic on September 10. See you at the MCB Convention. Marie Thompson Joplin Service Club Summer is here and its also time to get an article ready for the chronicle. We are sorry to say that we have lost two of our members. Mildred King passed away in May and Don Willett in June. There were several of our people that attended camp. Also that week we had our United Way day of caring at Schifferdecker Park. We had our lunch there and we had a lot of volunteers attend. One of the highlights of the day was the volunteers played Beeper Ball with the kids. Don't know who enjoyed it the most the kids or the volunteers. June 18th twelve of our people went to Grove, OK and attended a good show. We stopped at Drakes and ate dinner before returning to Joplin. Several of our people journeyed to Springfield for the white cane walk and we have a list started of those going to Stockton. Our May Thursday evening dinner was fixed and served by "The Kota-Church" from Carthage. We did not have a dinner in June. Our July dinner will be fixed and served by the First Presbyterian Church. We appreciate what these folks do for us very much. The Bramlett Boys will be singing for us after dinner. Congratulations to Roger Casperson and Janice Brown as they exchanged their wedding vows on June 20th. Shirley Ritter who has had a raffle each week since January 1st made a motion at our last business meeting that the money she had collected be given to The Joplin Association for the Blind. The majority voted to do so. Cynthia McNett resigned as vice president at our April business meeting and at our May meeting Robert Harwell was elected to serve the remainder of her term. At the June meeting Kathy Parmley resigned as president. So if possible we will elect someone to finish her term. Will soon be convention time. Sincerely Valva York P.R. LAKE STOCKTON AREA COUNCIL OF The BLIND Hello from Lake Stockton We have been fortunate to have over thirty members and guests attending our covered dish dinners and meetings. Each month we have a different host or hostess that decorates our tables and then the decorations are given as door prizes. The chance for someone to win a little cash and leave a little cash in our treasury from the 50-50 always brings a lot of anticipation as we listen for Linda Chastain to call the winning number. Christina Williams takes charge of the birthday recognitions each month. Each person celebrating a birthday that month receives a small gift as the group sings Happy Birthday. After our meetings, several stay to play Bingo as Robert and Teresa Evans call out the numbers and deliver the gifts. In May, Robert and Teresa Evans, Angie Crowson, and Ellen Bell put together a program for the Spring Fling. They handed out cookies and popcorn for us to munch during the entertainment. Pauline Eggert provided song sheets and piano music as the group sang songs including "In the Good Ole Summertime" and "America the Beautiful." Our guest, Willa Jean Hood, should have won a prize for being the "Most Enthusiastic Singer." Pauline Watkins read about the "Fabulous 50s," and Linda Dawes read several Irish blessings. We received an invitation to the White Cane Walk from the Springfield Service Club. Lake Stockton was happy to donate $100 to this worthwhile endeavor to raise money for the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. Our president, Harry Hickman, gave us a report on his week's activities at Cobblestone Lodge. He stated that he had a good time despite the five days of rain and that he was presented a trophy for being the "King of Trivia." Hickman also stated that he appreciated the assistance and good visits from his cabin neighbor, Emma Lou. As of this writing, we are just a few days away from our Annual Dinner and Auction and look forward to seeing all of our friends and, hopefully, making some new ones. And until next time, May the Lord keep you in His hand And never close His fist too tight. Linda Dawes, Secretary LIBRARY USERS MEETING by Phyllis Lovett, President Our annual meeting of the Library users will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 7 a.m. I don't know what room yet but will announce it Friday and it will also be in the agenda. Due to the high cost of meals, we are forced to charge each member $5.00 for breakfast. This is reasonable and I hope it will not keep anyone away. We will be adding amendments to our new bylaws so that finally we can send each member a final copy. I hope to see every member there. The half and half raffle tickets are our only fund raiser so I hope each member will do their best to sell lots of tickets. The drawing will be on Sunday morning. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thanks, Phyllis. Missouri Guide Dog Users Report It is almost time for the 2005 MCB Convention. I would like to remind all of the Guide Dog Users who are coming to the convention to please bring your own pick up bags, handy wipes or waterless hand cleaner. Make sure you pick up after your dog has relieved itself. There is a large field area in which to take your dogs. Try to keep them on a relief schedule so that there will be no accidents in the hotel. Keep your dogs under control at all times. There will be several containers outside for dog waste. We would like to have you join us at the Missouri Guide Dog Users breakfast on Friday morning, October 14, from 7:30-8:30. You will be pleasantly surprised. Dues are five dollars per person. See you at the Convention. Marie Thompson Progressive Council News We have had a very busy summer. Nine of our members attended the ACB Convention in Las Vegas. Despite the intense heat, all had a great time and learned about some interesting technology. Hank Pearce told us about a portable scanner he had purchased that was the size of two pencils glued together that you move over a page. It has a cable for the computer or lap top to read the information immediately. Valerie Stanard got to see a Selene Dion show while in Las Vegas. Barbara Dewberry attended the Governors' Council on Disability Youth Mentoring Conference on July 26 in Jefferson City. She shared some of her work experiences and encouraged the Youth to strive to meet their employment goals. Our annual picnic will be held in September after our monthly meeting. I was fortunate to witness the signing of House Bill 116 which is our new guide dog legislation in July. Donna Jacobs and rep Bill Deacon, who sponsored the bill were also present for the signing. We welcome Carol Dodd as a new member to our group. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the October convention. Have a blessed fall. "A positive attitude is as refreshing as a cool breeze on a summer day." Mary Lee Pendleton queen City Council Report Greetings from The Queen City Council, We hope you are all in good health and trying to keep cool through this terribly hot summer. Every year we plan a pizza party in July for the blind children and their families in our area and this year was no exception. We had sixty-three people in attendance, twenty-seven children and ten blind children. We had pizza, cookies, games and water balloons. It was a complete success and we want to thank everyone who had a part in it. Six of our members and one guest attended summer camp in July and we hope others will come in September. By the time you get this, the St. Louis Cardinals will still be going strong and preparing for the play-offs. God bless each and every one of you. We will see you at the Convention. Marilyn Tuso, Secretary The RITE Report By the time you read this, the weather should be cooler and summer will practically be history. My, how time does fly. Just yesterday I heard my knees pop and I found a grey hair. Oh, well, enough of that. Congratulations to our President, Angelo Trapasso, who just became a brand new retiree as of August first. We wish him a long and happy retirement. The Strassenfest is an event that occurs once a year in St. Louis. It is similar to a German fair and features specialties of the culture such as dancing, music, food and, of course, beer. This year RITE will be participating in the fun. We will have a booth and will feature items from our past and MCB paraphernalia. This celebration takes place oo the first weekend in August and we plan to have a real hot time. Four of us attended the ACB convention in Las Vegas. It was dry and it was hot but it was fun. I don't know what kind of luck anyone else had, but this writer came home over $600 richer than when she left. Maybe that's why the trip was so enjoyable. Any lost blind person out looking for an affiliate to call home? Anybody yearning for an organization that promises both work and pleasure promoting beneficial opportunities for the blind? Anybody longing to become part of an organization trying to rebuild after losing members due to death or remaining members who have health problems and can no longer serve as officers or chair committees? If you are such a person, come to us, and we promise we will not give you rest. In fact, "we gar-un-tee it." We will be looking forward to seeing you at the MCB convention in Kansas City. We will be selling raffle tickets for a Dvd-vcr player and recorder which will be awarded to some lucky winner at our 50th anniversary party on October 29th. Invitations will be coming your way shortly. In the meantime, keep smiling and may you walk with God's hand on your shoulder. Warm Blessings Bunny Mcginnis River City Workers of the Blind It has been said as you get older time really passes quickly. Well, I guess I'm that older now because summer is rushing by with the hot and humid days soon to be in the past. RCWB has been busy this summer. At our annual picnic we had 45 attending. Conversation, food and fellowship were enjoyed by all. We are looking forward to attending Delta Area summer picnic. Betty Gaddis and Teresa Glasser worked a booth at the Delta Community Picnic. Between the showers of rain, they sold hot dogs, soda, chips and candy. They entertained the children with a fishing pond. A cake walk was held with members and friends donating the cakes. If the Lord is willing, we are hoping to make this an annual event. Our thanks to Betty and Teresa for all their hard work. Next year just might be a little easier. Mary Ellen Emmons has improved so much that she has been able to return to her home. Mary Howard is still at Lutheran Nursing Home. RCWB once again is furnishing snacks for summer school at Parkview State School for the Severely Handicapped. Our prayers are with these children and their families. As I write this, some of our members are getting excited about going to summer camp, and seeing their friends, doing crafts, playing games, and enjoying the food. They don't have to prepare it. Fun, fun, fun and more fun. Our August meeting will be a Fish Fry held at Elaine Shirrell's house. Slim and Betty Gaddis are furnishing the fish and members are bringing the side dishes. This will be our second one. Clinton Shirrell and Bill Godwin are the lucky cooks. We will also be making plans for fall projects, service and social. These warm days remember to drink water and keep cool. God Bless you all with many good things. Keep smiling; it increases your face value. River City Workers of the Blind Communications Committee Greetings to our dear friends across the State: The St. Charles County Council of the Blind has been very active this year. We have mixed work with play, and the end result is a more active and congruent membership. We have held two garage sales this year. This accomplishes three factors. We get our closets cleaned, we increase our bank account, and we publicize the Council. The garage sales take a lot of work, so we need to play. One of our members has opened his home to entertain with bar-be-cues, and relaxation. In June, we hosted a dinner sponsored by the Duchesne High School Key Club. We were honored by the attendance of our State President, Executive Director, and MCB members throughout the State. This was a very delightful and delicious evening. The support group, named the Comfort Group, is successful with its purpose. For our own members, it is an opportunity to address questions that are not brought up at a business meeting. For others of the community, they have the opportunity to connect with others who can empathize with their adjustments of vision loss, and to share resources. Fifteen of our members just returned from Cobblestone, and some of us will be attending the week-end get away. We encourage you to visit our web site and let others know of its existence. You may access it by going to www.scccb.org. Sending you Best Wishes from St. Charles County Council, Beverly Kaskadden Hello from the St. Louis Council, We're all very proud of one of our members, and we wanted to share the news with you. On June 18, Eugene (Deke) Edwards was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at a lavish dinner and ceremony held at the Sunset Country Club. In high school, Deke had a record of 75 wins and only 2 losses with 58 pins. In college his record was 45 wins and 6 losses. His entire senior year he wrestled with a herniated disk. In 1981 he was inducted into the Missouri State Wrestling Hall of Fame, and now he is a member of the National Hall of Fame. He is certainly deserving of this honor, and we are very proud of him, and very proud to have him as a member of our affiliate. We have been holding Trivia Night fundraisers for about ten years now, and have done pretty well with them. As an experiment, we thought we would hold our next Trivia Match on Sunday afternoon rather than Friday or Saturday night. It may make it a little easier for some folks to attend. The date is November 6 at 4 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 2505 Brentwood boulevard We would love for you to come and be with us, but it is necessary for you to make reservations if you can come. Call me at 863-6353. Hope you have a wonderful Fall, and please join us in counting our blessings as Thanksgiving rolls around. Jo-An Benson THE SPRINGFIELD SCENE by Phyllis Lovett White Cane Walk: Our 10th annual White Cane Walk was terrific. Greene County Sheriff, Jack Merit, and Springfield city Manager, Tom Finney, both walked blindfolded and using a white cane. They both said it was a shocking but interesting experience. I think it helped to raise awareness of the white cane and its use. We raised almost $1000 for the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. Thanks to everyone who participated. We'll see you next May. Summer Camp: Several of our members went to Cobblestone. Of course, they had a great time even though it was very hot. Maybe I can go next year. Lake Stockton Visit: On August 6, a van load of our members went to Bolivar for the annual Lake Stockton lunch and auction. We always have more food than we can eat and a great time. I have been saving my money for the auction. I hope they have some great things as usual. Service Club bylaws: We are in the process of up-dating our bylaws. We had not done this for about six years so it was over due. It's important for every affiliate to keep their bylaws up to date. Southwest Missouri Friendship Council Our club is stronger than ever, even though we had some members, including officers, resign. United we stand, and we are very united in everything we do. Franklin Johnson is our new president. He had heart surgery in May, but is doing very well. He says he wants to spend his time devoting himself to our club and also to the MCB and the ACB. He expressed to me that maybe he can give back a little of what he has received in the past forty-five years, working with people in Vocational Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology. He said that throughout the years, there have been many rewards, whether it has been assisting people with gainful employment, or providing assistance for a person to develop computer skills. "Only by having goals can we achieve, and I think we are never too old to grow and strive toward a more fulfilling life," he said. Ed Forcum is our new first vice, Margaret Forcum our new secretary, and Linda Hailey is our treasurer. We had a 50-50 raffle, and I forget the exact amount, but Franklin Johnson won over six hundred dollars. Of course, so did our club. Ed Forcum recently received a contribution to our club from a local bank. Harold and Alice Poiry, and Harold Griffith went to the first session of summer camp. They had a great time. Harold Poiry said it rained a couple of times, but not during any of the activities. Chip and Linda Hailey just got back from the National Convention, and are planning to go to the second session of summer camp. I have become Grandma again, as my daughter Linda Coccovizzo had a baby girl on May 31. They named her Terra Rochelle. She was born on her big sister's birthday. What a wonderful birthday present for Sarah! Of course, this also makes Jackie Kennedy an aunt again, too. That is all I have to report for this time, but I'll look forward to writing much more in my next report. Bye for now. Cindy Smart, PR
From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer A reading machine small enough to fit in your pocket? That's just one of the things you will be reading about in this column. It's a smaller than usual drawer this time, but I hope you will find something of interest to you. If you run across any new device or service that you think might be beneficial to our readers, please send the information along to me and I will put it in the drawer for later use. Seedlings has published its 2005 catalog of Braille books for blind children. To get a copy, call (800) 677-8552. The Princeton Braillists have produced a series of Braille maps of California. The 84-page book, containing 19 individual maps, sells for $15. The address is 76 Leabrook Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540. Phone: (215) 357-7715 or (609) 924-5207. They have also produced lots of other maps that you can ask about. All inPlay has introduced a new accessible poker game to be played on a computer called Texas Hold'em. You can visit the company on the web at www.allinplay.com. Lions World Services for the Blind (LWSB), is an adult rehab training center in Little Rock. Since its founding in 1947, it has served more than 10,000 blind adults from the US and 54 other countries. It provides personal adjustment services, vocational training, technology training and college preparation. The vocational courses include IRS training, bicycle assembly and repair, medical transcription, small business management, small engine repair, and training for receptionists and switchboard operators. The address for LWSB is 2811 Fair Park Boulevard, Little Rock AR, 72204 and the phone number is (501) 664-7100. You can visit their web site at www.lwsb.org or send e-mail to training@lwsb.org. After 43 years of publication as a quarterly, Dialogue magazine will now be published bi-monthly. It is now also available by e-mail. To receive Dialogue that way or to switch your existing subscription to e-mail, just send an e-mail to subscribers@blindskills.org. Here are some sources for large print books: Library Reproductive Services, (800) 255-5002; Thorndike Press, (800) 223-1244; American PrintingHouse, (800 +223-1839; and Amazon, www.amazon.com. The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, Illinois is offering a new course on economics, which, like all of their courses, is free. For information, call (800) 526-9909 or send e-mail to studentservices@hadley.edu. ACB is selling the Ultracane from Sound Foresight of England. It is a battery-operated cane that detects overhead objects and other obstacles by ultrasound receptors. Information is also conveyed through vibrators on the cane's handle. The price is $778. For more information, call ACB or visit the online store at www.acb.org. Labels for Literacy produces sheets of self-stick labels that identify common brands and products using large print and uncontracted Braille. The goal is to increase braille awareness and give blind people access to product information. To receive a free packet of labels each month, call (866) 325-2235 or send e-mail to info@labelsforliteracy.com. Read Please is software that reads material on a computer that has been pasted into the software program. I really don't know much more about it, except that you can download a free demo version from www.readplease.com. Judging from some of their latest new offerings, the folks at the National Braille Press really seem to be into cooking and eating these days. For example, NBP is selling a new diabetes cookbook of desserts from the American Diabetes Association. These are low fat, low calorie recipes that make healthy eating a pleasure for diabetics or anyone who wants to watch their weight. It is available in Braille or as a Porta Book for $19. But that's not all. Also new from NBP: Baking Illustrated, chapter six: Crisps, Cobblers and other Fruit Desserts, one Braille Volume for $6.00, and another book of 100 indoor grilling recipes by George Foreman, two Braille volumes for $19.95. National Braille Press also has other new books that are not related to food, including The iPod Experience by Anna Dresner and the latest book in the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. To order any of these titles or to get a catalog, contact National Braille Press, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston MA 02115, (800) 548-7323, e-mail orders@nbp.org. Speaking of the new Harry Potter book, it can now be downloaded from Web Braille. It is in nine volumes and the number is BR 16000. Caroll Tech offers online courses on Windows-based computer applications for people who use screen readers or magnification. Courses include Outlook, Power Point and Excel. Each course costs $50. Classes last six weeks with a maximum of five students. To enroll, visit carrolltech.org/classes. American Express now provides statements in Braille and large print for its customers. Call Customer Service at (800) 528-4800 or the phone number listed on your American Express card. GW Micro has established a lease to own program for purchasers of Window Eyes, that allows you to pay for Window Eyes in $100 monthly installments while you use the program. For more information, call (260) 489-3671 or visit www.gwmicro.com. Talking Toolbox is a screen reader program from Marvel Soft Corporation. It cannot be used to read web sites, but it can be used for e-mail and word processing. It also has a calendar, a calculator, an address book and a CD player. It sells for $75. The phone number for Marvel Soft is (800) 987-1231. The company's web site is www.marvelsoft.com. The Book of Common Prayer is now available on CD-ROM in Microsoft Word format and text in 18-point type. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with three stamps to Anne Vahlen, 1900 6th Avenue, Apartment 513, Rock Island, IL 21201. The National Institute on Aging has developed a web site with resources to help seniors with low vision learn to maintain an independent life style. The site is www.nihseniorhealth.gov. The Missouri Assistive Technology Project has set up a statewide recycling program to make refurbished computer systems available to Missourians with disabilities for fees ranging from $60 to $300 based on an applicant's income. To get an application, write to the Statewide Recycling Program, 4731 South Cochise, Suite 114, Independence, MO 64055-6975. You can also call (800) 647-8557 or e-mail Mike Parker at gmprkr@swbell.net. Sprint is offering its voice dialing service, PCS Voice Command, free to blind customers. Calls can be made by speaking a name or phone number. For an application, contact Sprint Customer Solutions (888) 211-4727. Enhanced Visions has released the Merlin LCD desktop video magnifier. It has a 17-inch monitor that can be rotated and adjusted for the viewer's most comfortable position. It also has four viewing modes and color combinations with 5-61X magnification. For more information call (888) 811-3161 or go to the web site www.enhancedvision.com. There is a new e-mail list for blind people who like logic and word puzzles. To join send an e-mail to blind-puzzlers-subscribe@smartgroups.com. MCB member Ned Cox from St. Louis will give away a Braille copy of Songs of Faith and Praise, a five-volume Braille book containing words to more than 1,000 songs and Bible readings. You can contact Ned at (636) 349-8090 or write to him at 1 Arbor Terrace, Fenton, MO 63026. Who would have dreamed back when Ray Kurzweil introduced his first reading machine--a huge device that cost around $25,000--that we would someday see this announcement? Kurzweil Technologies Inc. and the National Federation of the Blind are currently testing a reading machine that is said to be so small that it can fit into a user's shirt pocket. It will use a consumer digital camera and a pocket personal computer to convert text into speech and will be able to read everything from hand-outs at meetings to street signs, print on packages and electronic displays. No price is being given but it may be available for sale sometime next year. If it does what the developers say it will do, I think I want one. Are you listening, Santa? Finally, an online publication that deals with diversity in the workplace has just compiled a list of the top ten companies for people with disabilities and one of them is a St. Louis-based company. The rankings were based on several factors, including hiring people with disabilities, marketing to the disabled and purchasing from companies run by people with disabilities. The top company was Merrill-Lynch Company, the New York-based financial services firm. The local company listed at number six was SSM Health Care of St. Louis, which just happens to employ our very own Bob Jaco as a medical transcriber. Here's the list: Merrill-Lynch, Procter and Gamble, Hewlitt-Packard, Morgan Chase, Verizon, SSM Health Care, General Motors, Sodexho USA, (a hospitality services company), Merck and Company, and Prudential Financial. That just about empties the drawer for this time, except for a few left-over items we'll save for next time. See you in December. MISSOURI COUNCIL OF the BLIND 5453 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109 Phone: (314) 832-7172 Toll-free (800) 342-5632, Fax: (314) 832-7796 e-mail: |
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