THREE HOME RUNS FOR THE BLIND: 1998 General Assembly wrap-up By Sharon Maneki As described in the first three articles of this issue of The Braille Spectator, the 1998 session of the Maryland General Assembly was an extremely busy and productive one for the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Merely calling it a successful one would be a vast understatement. The General Assembly adopted three pieces of landmark legislation--SB 240, Information Technology Procurement Nonvisual Access; HB 1139, Conforming State Law to Federal Law, IDEA; and SB 580, Maryland School for the Blind Board of Directors, Funding, and Services--will profoundly improve the lives of blind persons for many years. The first home run, nonvisual access, was especially sweet since we came within a hair's-breadth of getting this legislation passed last year. Determined to have a different outcome in `98, we started working on this legislation during the interim. When the session began on January 14, many delegates and senators were already committed to supporting a technology access bill. After much negotiation, the Glendening administration finally weighed in with its support in February. For our success, we must thank the prime sponsor of SB 240, Senator Joan Carter Conway, Senate cosponsors Trotter, Pinsky, Sfikas, McCabe, Madden, Dyson, Dorman, Hollinger, Collins, Frosh, Stoltzfus, and Senator Blount, Chairman of the Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee. The companion House bill, HB 185 contained the names of 49 supporting delegates (Curran, Dypski, Hammen, Krysiak, Bobo, Pendergrass, Turner, Morgan, Mohorovic, Montague, McHale, DeCarlo, Dewberry, Getty, Fulton, Marriott, Boston, Opara, Kirk, C. Mitchell, Watson, Branch, C. Davis, Harrison, Malone, D. Murphy, Bissett, Clagett, Crumlin, B. Hughes, Patterson, Proctor, Hutchins, Slade, Exum, Rzepkowski, M. Burns, Hubbard, Dembrow, Mandel, Gordon, Genn, Barve, Snodgrass, Conway, Pitkin, Faulkner, Brinkley, and Benson), all of whom deserve our special thanks. We also could not have been successful without the timely assistance of the members of the House Commerce and Government Matters Committee, the first committee to vote in favor of this legislation, allowing it to make its way through three other committees whose approval was needed. The final version of this legislation was passed by both houses on April 10, just three days before the end of the session. See the next article for the provisions of this new law. Three states, Texas, Minnesota, and Maryland, have now adopted nonvisual access requirements for procurement of information technology. As more and more states join the bandwagon, technology companies will be less able to ignore nonvisual access issues. The second home run, strengthening Braille literacy requirements for blind and visually impaired students in Maryland, was due in large measure to the NFB's successful nationwide efforts to strengthen the Braille literacy provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was amended by Congress in 1997. Since the provisions in IDEA concerning the determination in the IEP process of whether a student needs Braille instruction are now more stringent than the provisions in the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act (the Braille bill,) new legislation was clearly needed to conform state law to federal law. We discussed this issue with Carolyn Ann Baglin, the assistant superintendent for Special Education, at our state convention last year. The language for Braille literacy from IDEA was directly incorporated into HB 1139, a bill, sponsored by the administration, intended to bring several aspects of Maryland law into conformance with IDEA. Unlike the rancor which dominated the discussions of the Braille bill, the Braille literacy provisions of HB 1139 were received and approved without much fanfare--a clear sign of the changing times for blind persons. See the next article for the specific provisions. The third home run, Maryland School for the Blind (MSB), has its origin in my standard practice of reviewing the synopses of all bills introduced into the General Assembly (over 2,000 each year) to gauge their impact on blind persons. We have long argued that MSB is not, as it claims, a private organization because more than 80% of its funding comes from Maryland's taxpayers, and therefore, its Board of Directors meetings should be open to the public. When companion bills SB 580 and HB 1171 were introduced in mid-session, we took immediate action. Since these bills provided for a substantial increase in funding for MSB, we argued for an amendment to subject MSB to Maryland's Open Meetings Law. The General Assembly agreed with us, incorporating such an amendment into the final version of the legislation. Thanks to the active support of our members on very short notice, there will be increased accountability from MSB to the parents, to the blind community, and to the public. In the long term, the quality of education provided by MSB will be enhanced. See the next article for specific provisions. I want to thank all of you for supporting our efforts in the 1998 session of the General Assembly. Our success is directly attributed to meetings with our Delegates and Senators in our home districts, to the many letters we have written, and by buttonholing legislators in their offices and legislative hallways. Since this is an election year, we remind everyone to exercise his right to vote, remembering the officials who helped us promote equal rights and equal opportunities for the blind during the past 4 years. WHAT DO THESE THREE LAWS PROVIDE? By Sharon Maneki Coincidentally or not, Governor Glendening signed all three of these bills into law on May 21. In the following paragraphs, I present the provisions of these laws. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT: NONVISUAL ACCESS (effective October 1, 1998) "Definition: Nonvisual access means the ability, through keyboard control, synthesized speech, Braille, or other methods not requiring sight, to receive, use and manipulate information, and operate controls necessary to access information technology. The Chief of Information Technology in the Department of Budget and Management and the Information Technology Board, in consultation with other units of state government and after public comment, shall develop a nonvisual access clause for use in the procurement of information technology which specifies that the technology: (1) must provide equivalent access for effective use by both visual and nonvisual means; (2) will present information, including prompts used for interactive communications, in formats intended for both visual and nonvisual use; (3) can be integrated into networks for obtaining, retrieving, and disseminating information used by individuals who are not blind or visually impaired. The nonvisual access clause shall be included in each invitation for bids or request for proposals under division II of the procurement article for the purchase of new or upgraded information technology. The nonvisual access clause is not required if: (1) the information technology is not available with nonvisual access because the essential elements of the information technology are visual and nonvisual equivalence can not be developed; or (2) the cost of modifying the information technology for compatibility with software and hardware for nonvisual access would increase the price of the procurement by more than 5 percent. This act shall apply to each invitation for bids and request for proposals issued after December 31, 1998 for award under a State procurement contract for the purchase of new or upgraded information technology." BRAILLE IN THE IEP (effective July 1, 1998) Maryland state law is now in conformance with IDEA. Here is what it says: "In developing the Individualized Education Program for a child who is blind or visually impaired, provisions shall be made for instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP team determines, after an evaluation of the child's reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media, including an evaluation of the child's future needs for instruction in Braille or the use of Braille, that such instruction or use is not appropriate for the child. A child may not be denied the opportunity for instruction in Braille reading and writing solely because the child has some remaining vision. This section does not require the exclusive use of Braille if other reading and writing media are appropriate to the child's educational needs. The use of other reading and writing media does not preclude the use of Braille or the instruction of Braille." MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (effective July 1, 1998) This legislation prohibits the governor from reducing the state appropriation for MSB during an economic shortfall (a similar status held by the Maryland School for the Deaf). As amended, MSB is subject to the Open Meetings Law just as the Maryland School for the Deaf is. Other provisions of the bill include: (1) additional funding for the establishment of an enhanced services program for students who have other severe disabilities, especially deaf/blind students who are currently being educated in states other than Maryland; (2) a new complex funding formula for MSB based on such factors as the average enrollment over a four year period. This new formula will be used starting July 1, 1999. "For information purposes, the budget submitted by the governor to the general assembly shall include a detailed account of the operating and administrative budget for the Maryland School for the Blind, which shall include a complete list of revenue sources and expenditures for: salaries, wages, and fringe benefits; technical and special fees; communications; travel; contractual services; supplies and materials; equipment; fixed charges; and other expenses;" (3) new monitoring requirements of MSB programs by the Maryland State Department of Education; MSDE must also review MSB's annual budget after it has been approved by the MSB board of directors; and (4) changing the method of appointment to the MSB Board of Directors so that the board is no longer entirely self appointed. "Of the 25 members of the Board; subject to confirmation by the Senate of Maryland, 5 members, including 1 member of the Senate of Maryland and 1 member of the Maryland House of Delegates, shall be appointed jointly by the Governor and the Superintendent, with recommendations from the Chairman of the Board; and 20 members shall be elected according to the charter and bylaws of the Maryland School for the Blind." Board members will have three year terms. "No member of the Board appointed after June 1, 1999, except the Chairman, may be reappointed for more than two additional terms." OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST By Sharon Maneki In addition to the funding requested in SB 580, MSB asked the legislature to create a state debt of $300,000 for an easement for an Historical Trust. Although MSB would have been required to match this grant, SB 775 and HB 1416 failed in committee. Four other bills which we supported were enacted into law this year. The Revision of the Election Code now contains two items of special interest to blind persons. First, persons who take an individual into the voting booth to assist in casting their ballots will no longer have to fill out affidavits swearing that they need such assistance. Second, when certifying new voting systems one of the factors which the State Board of Elections must consider will be accessibility for disabled voters. The new provisions of the Election Code go into effect January 1, 1999. To encourage employers to hire qualified disabled persons, the General Assembly passed two bills which extended the use of tax credits. With the passage of SB 537, employers will now be able to take advantage of these tax credits until 2002. With the passage of HB 1155, tax exempt organizations who hire qualified disabled persons will qualify for tax credits on their payroll withholding taxes. DORS is now required to report specific information about the impact of this legislation to the General Assembly. The General Assembly authorized the creation of a state debt of $600,000 for accessibility renovations to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, in Montgomery County. This bond bill will directly benefit older adults who attend the Internal Light for the Visually Impaired program, directed by long-time Federationist Evelyn Saile. THE REAUTHORIZATION OF IDEA: WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE IEP. From The Editor: The following article is reprinted from the May 1998 issue of the Association for Retarded Citizens of Maryland's newsletter. It accurately summarizes the IEP provisions of the newly re-authorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized in June, 1997. All IEPs written after July 1, 1998 must be in compliance with the provisions of the new law. The IEP is required to include statements of: the child's present level of performance; how the child's disability affects his involvement and progress in the general curriculum; measurable annual goals (including benchmarks or short term objectives, related to enabling the student to be involved in and progress in the regular curriculum); special education services; related services; supplementary aids and services; program modifications or supports for school personnel that will be provided in order for the student to be involved in and progress in the regular curriculum and to participate in extracurricular activities; the extent to which the child will participate in regular classes; the projected date for the beginning of services and modifications and their location, duration and frequency; how progress towards annual goals will be measured, and how the parents will be informed of their child's progress; the extent to which the progress is sufficient to enable the child to reach their goals by the end of the year; a statement of any individual modifications in the administration of state or district-wide assessments of student achievement; and transition service needs, beginning at age 14. The IEP team should consider: the strengths of the child; the concerns of the parents; the results of the initial or most recent evaluation; the need for assistive technology or services; and the communication needs of the child. A regular education teacher must participate in the development, revision and review of the IEP of any child who may or will participate in the regular education environment. The regular education teacher must participate in the determination of appropriate behavioral interventions and strategies, supplementary aids and services, program modifications and support for school personnel. The parents of a child with a disability must be members of any group which makes educational decisions about the placement of their child. A notice that includes procedural safeguards will be made available upon initial referral for evaluation, each notification of an IEP meeting, reevaluation of the child and registration of a complaint. 101 WAYS TO USE BRAILLE By Ellen Waechtler From The Editor: Ellen Waechler moved from Nebraska to Maryland in 1993 to assume the duties of the Braille instructor in the rehabilitation program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland--the position she still holds today. Here is her thoughtful article on the many practical uses of Braille, even for the novice. Have you ever opened a can, hoping to add tomatoes to your spaghetti sauce, and then been faced with the dilemma of figuring out how to incorporate green beans into the menu? Have you spent hours searching for a particular cd or tape, becoming increasingly frustrated after each CD you briefly sampled? Or have you ever been worried about loosing your phone service, because you mislaid the bill and are unable to find it in your mile high stack of mysterious print papers? In all these cases Braille could simplify your life. It is surprising how many blind people who know some Braille do not take full advantage of what this powerful tool can offer. Louis Braille's invention was revolutionary, because for the first time it gave blind people the ability not only to read, but also to write. Herein lies Braille's power: it enables you to communicate with yourself. Braille serves the same function for the blind as print does for the sighted, and with a little creative thinking it can be just as versatile. The use of Braille extends beyond reading books and magazines from the library for the blind; it also can be employed for taking notes, keeping records, and labeling everything under the sun. Once you start thinking creatively about how your Braille skills can serve you better, you will be amazed at how versatile Louis Braille's little invention actually can be. Here are some tips for getting started. Soon you will wonder how you ever functioned without Braille. Only your imagination will limit you. A Few Simple Tools Using Braille as an organizational tool most often requires labeling or writing down a few simple directions. Either a slate and stylus ( a metal guide and a punching device equivalent to the use of a pencil or pen) or a Braille writer (comparable to a type writer) can be used. Labels are perhaps most commonly made with dymo tape, also known as 3M labeling tape. This vinyl tape with a self-adhesive back protected with an easily removable strip, comes in a twelve foot roll. The half inch width accommodates both standard sized and jumbo Braille. The Braille labeling gun, as well as the dymo tape attachment for the Perkins Braille writer, are designed for this width. Moreover, many slates on the market today now have a half-inch dymo tape slot. However, the experienced Braillist can easily center the narrower 3/8th inch width in this slot and produce labels in standard sized Braille. For cosmetic reasons or for the convenience of any sighted members of your household, You may prefer the almost transparent tape, which does not obscure what is underneath the Braille label. Since Transparent dymo tape is often not readily available commercially, you may have to purchase it from a supplier specializing in products for the blind. These labels can either be directly affixed onto the desired object after the back is peeled off, or attached with a rubber band threaded through a hole punched with a one-hole punch. The latter type of label has the advantage of being reusable. You can take them with you to the grocery store and immediately mark the can of green beans or chocolate pudding mix you are purchasing. Labels can also be written on index cards or other pieces of Braille paper (usually three to five times heavier than typing paper) and attached with scotch or masking tape, or even a rubber band. Paper clips and/or a stapler also come in handy when labeling print documents. If you have most of the above basic tools, then you are now ready to put Braille to work for you. In the Kitchen Braille labels are especially useful in the kitchen. Attaching paper or dymo tape labels to canned goods, jars and other packaged foods helps to take some of the uncertainty out of cooking. You no longer have to shake a can to try to guess at its contents; your label will positively identify the green beans. Sticking a dymo tape label directly on small spice containers is most effective, as you can read it more easily this way. Since you will be using your cinnamon or coriander jar over a period of time, you won't feel like you are wasting expensive dymo tape. In preparing foods it is not only crucial to identify the correct ingredients, but also to follow the indicated procedure. You can Braille your own recipes either on regular Braille paper or on plastic sheets, which can be wiped off should you spill flour, tomato sauce, or baby food on them, and keep them in a three ring binder. You also can make note of directions for preparing such packaged foods as Stove Top Stuffing or chocolate pound cake and either keep them in your folder or attach them directly to the package itself. Other Household Uses The same techniques which proved so valuable in the kitchen are just as useful in other household areas. Labeling your cleaning supplies with dymo tape, for example, eliminates the possibility of confusing your oven cleaner with your furniture polish. You can also label such items as your shampoo and conditioner bottles, which often feel the same, so that you can differentiate between them before you pour the contents in your hand or on your hair. Dymo tape also works for labeling different colored spools of thread. Place the tape on the flat side of the spool. Now you can choose the appropriate color thread for mending or sewing on buttons. You can also identify different colored yarns for knitting and crocheting by storing them in separate Ziplock bags with index cards noting their colors. This method also works for keeping various shades of pantyhose separated. Other clothes can be marked by sewing in Braille labels. Again several options are available. Some of these include Brailling on garment labeling tape, which is similar to dymo tape but without the adhesive backing, and making use of prefabricated metal labels. Appliances Labeling the controls on some household appliances may also prove helpful. Many modern microwaves have no tactually detectable buttons. Here Braille labels can serve a dual purpose: not only do they help to locate the function keys, they also identify them. Even if appliances have tactile controls, it still may prove useful to label some of them, especially if you do not want to make the effort to remember numerous different settings. Thus you may wish to attach dymo tape labels to your dish washer, your washing machine, and your dryer. These labels are especially helpful with the type of washing machines which use a dial to select different wash cycles. You can use little triangular- shaped dymo tape arrows to point to the beginnings of various stages and place some identifying letters or words nearby. You probably will not need or want to label every single appliance in your home, especially those that you are already familiar with or others which are rather simple to use. But, on the other hand, do not be shy about labeling anything; after all, the manufacturers always include print labels for sighted consumers. Some complex appliances such as video cassette recorders might require a different approach. In addition to labeling some buttons, you may wish to make note of the layout of the control panel, since there may not be enough room to label all keys. You may also want to write down the sequence of steps for operating your machine. As you are programming the VCR, you then can refer back to your notes on the procedure. If you have a remote control device with a complicated layout, you again may wish to take notes on the function of each key. After all you will want to take full advantage of the power of your remote control when you are lounging in your recliner zapping through TV channels. Enhancing Recreation Perhaps the most frequently labeled items are compact discs, audio and video cassettes, and records. In this information age you will also need to label your computer discs. Again you will probably want to choose dymo tape for your labeling medium. While you can record the artist's name and album title and perhaps some other limited information of your choice on the compact disc box, you should not place a label on the compact disc itself. With audio and video cassettes you can label both the cassette and its container. The record cover can also be easily labeled as can the record itself, as long as you confine yourself to the center which also holds the print label. You may wish to follow a consistent format in labeling the covers of the above items, i.e. placing the artist's name on the spine of the audio tape, so that you can arrange them alphabetically and easily retrieve a specific tape later. Your favorite Mozart sonata or Beatles album will then be at your fingertips in moments. In all the above instances Braille is employed to adapt materials so that blind individuals can make more effective use of them. Sometimes already labeled materials are available for purchase. Popular choices include Monopoly and Scrabble. Although you can also buy already labeled playing cards, it is easy to mark your own with a slate. Special slates have been designed for this purpose; however, any slate will do. Organizing Print Materials Braille is a very effective organizing tool for identifying and managing print materials. You can label your bills, using a slate or a Braille writer, noting to whom the check must be issued, the amount due, and the payment deadline on the envelop for easy reference--no more worries about that missing phone bill. After writing out your checks, you can also label them in Braille with the check number, the date, the amount, the name of the recipient, as well as any additional information. When the checks are returned in your bank statement, you can determine which ones have cleared, even if you do not receive a Braille statement. If you are using carbon checks, you can use the Braille information on your carbon to draw up your Braille check register. It is also helpful to label other important print documents, to which you may need to refer later. These Braille labels - which can be written directly on the print item, or noted on a separate piece of paper and either paper-clipped or stapled to the item, help to locate the document as well as to identify such important information as the account number on an insurance policy. Of course, Braille is also invaluable in filing these documents. You can either write on a file folder directly, or attach a dymo tape label. The latter is easier to read and stands up to more wear and tear. You can also create a Braille index card file using commercially available materials for any names, addresses and telephone numbers. As with the file folders, you can employ the same methods to label the alphabetic dividers. But perhaps the most innovative labeling technique is the use of dymo tape to mark your credit, ATM, insurance, and airline frequent flyer cards, etc. As long as you do not cover up the magnetic strip and your signature on the card, you should not experience any problems, even in using an ATM machine. Never again will you have to resort to asking a stranger to paw through your wallet to select the card you need. Of course Braille is not the only method for keeping track of information and for identifying and labeling items. You can use tape recorders, electronic note- taking devices, and computers to store and retrieve information, and other tactile identifiers such as rubber bands, strips of tape, or raised symbols made with glue or High Marks to mark items. However, none of these is as flexible and versatile as Braille for managing all the above household tasks. Far from becoming obsolete, Braille continues to be a valuable self-management tool. Whether you are a whiz at grade two Braille, just know grade one, or use jumbo Braille, you will discover that with a little imagination Braille can serve you in countless ways. If you follow some of these suggestions and are stimulated to implement your own ideas, you will soon wonder how you ever managed without Braille--no more spaghetti with green beans for dinner, you can listen to the music of your choice, and rest assured that you can locate that phone bill to pay it in time. Perhaps even some of you neophytes have had your appetites whetted, and will be inspired to take the plunge and start learning the alphabet. ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS: MAINTAINING ONE'S INDEPENDENCE TO THE NTH DEGREE From The Editor: The following is a transcription of part of a panel that was held at our state convention in 1997. Although space limitations prevent us from including the entire transcription, this segment is typical of the valuable knowledge that one can obtain from participating in our conventions. The panelists represent a diverse group of Federationists who have a firm understanding of Federation philosophy and who are confident enough in their abilities as blind persons that they are willing to share some of their most difficult experiences with others. It is important to understand that these presentations were done impromptu and may lack literary polish, but, all of them were made from the heart. We begin with Sharon Maneki's introduction. Sharon: We're going to have a panel discussion about adjustment to blindness: maintaining one's independence to the nth degree. Rosemary Leardahl, who needs no introduction, is going to be our moderator. She's the director of Rehabilitation of Blind Industries. Tom Bickford is a Quality Assurance Specialist for NLS - Library of Congress; Terry Green is the Life Skills Instructor at Blind Industries; Pauline Johnson - Community Health Assistant, Prince George's County Health Department; Bernice Lowder - housewife and Braille instructor with the National Federation of the Blind Service Learning Project; Lynn Mattioli, clinical dietitian - Harbor Hospital, Baltimore; Joe Sanchez, the president and CEO of Osprey Structural Services LTD. Joe, did he make it? Oh good. Now, you know Joe is a hardy Federationist. Joe was in the hospital, and he said, "Don't worry about it, I'll be out in time for Sunday," and he was not only out in time for Sunday - but he was here last night at the banquet. So Joe you're a trooper, and you're a true Federationist. This panel represents the essence of the Federation Way. We come together, we share our ideas, and we learn from each other. So here is Rosemary Leardahl. Rosemary... Rosemary: What I would like to do is pass the mike back again and have people, what we would do, is describe, if you would, some particularly difficult social situation that you've found yourself in, and found some way to overcome, or if you have some specific examples of things that you do in everyday life that you have found that have been very helpful to you or that you think would be helpful to people in the audience. So, I'll start with you then, Tom. Tom: Thank you. I am not used to [thinking] of social problems in life. I guess I have things arranged, I have arranged things for myself, and I don't largely get into that. I do occasionally get confused and disoriented in my travel. That can happen to anybody, even us guys who think we can travel well. I'm not a good traveler because I don't get lost. I'm a good traveler because I have learned how to get found again. And I'm willing to accept help. I accepted help getting up to this table this morning. They turned the room around, and I'm still not straightened up with it. But look if you want help take it. Who's next? Rosemary: Bernice, that's you. Bernice: Okay. I don't know. I think I'll pass on this because I really can't think of any bad things. I don't have any babies now, they're almost grown now. Sometimes it's almost worse. Rosemary: Yeah, but you've raised a family of several children, you've raised a family, and done all those kinds of things Bernice, that I think a lot of people have questions about. Bernice: Oh my. I will say that one time that little Raymond and I, he had to get a blood test and chest x-ray, and we were sent to a place and we could not find it. I mean we walked around and around and everywhere, and finally we went back to a place that we thought could help us and the lady said to me (because she didn't know who I was, she didn't know who he was) she said to me, "And they sent you with this child." And I said (without even flinching or getting mad or turning red) I said, "Well, I'm the mother, I can't think of anybody better to send him with." Rosemary: Okay, thank you. Lynn: Okay, I guess I'm next. I've been dreading this question. A friend of mine encouraged me to tell this story. I'm embarrassed even to tell it, but you're all family so I know it's okay. Okay, this is an embarrassing social situation I think most of us can relate to at least at one point in our life. This is a first date, blindness related, situation. It's very humorous I think you all need a laugh this early in the morning. Okay, so I was going on a first date with this gentleman. I was very excited to go out with this man - someone I'd met at work, and we decided to go out for dinner, okay. Of course eating around someone you've never eaten around before, okay. So, I was very excited, and sort-of giddy, and a little anxious about the date in general - which is sort of how I am usually. In related to first dates anyway. So, I thought this would be fine, so we decided to go to a sort of casual restaurant. Everything's great and I had already thought about what I wasn't going to order - a salad, because you know - you got to cut it up, right? So, I ordered a roasted vegetable sandwich. Easy, right? So, they bring me the roasted vegetable salad, okay. So it appeared that he didn't notice that they had blundered the order, so I didn't want to make a big situation out of it. I thought, "Okay, you got the salad. Eat it. This is fine. Have your nice little chit-chat, things are going great." So, of course the salad has garden-sized vegetables on it because they don't cut things up in restaurants. They bring the whole head of cauliflower you know. So you know we're having the conversation, things are great, and I'm eating the salad and I end up with this entire half an eggplant on my fork and you know I was fine. So, I put it down, I'm cutting it up. Things are still fine but I'm getting kind of flustered because you've got to think, I mean I was a little flustered to begin with here. So, we're talking and I make it through the salad. Okay, relief, I'm done eating. This is good, okay. So, dessert's offered and I'm like, "No, no, I'm fine. Everything's fine. I really don't want dessert." To which he says, "Oh come on, how about some ice cream. You can always eat ice cream." And everybody knows me, I love ice cream, okay. So when he says, "Let's share some ice cream." I can't turn down a charming man offering to share ice cream, okay. So fine we get this cute little bowl of ice cream, two spoons, life is great. We're eating this ice cream, and I end up with like half of the ice cream scoop on my spoon. Okay, by this point in time he's kind of thinking this is funny to, so he's like, "Well, you gotta eat it, it's on your spoon now." So now, I'm even more flustered okay the conversation is great but this eating is not going well. So, we're getting up to leave the restaurant. We're sitting at sort of one of those outside, those cute little outside places with little flimsy tables. So as I bend down to get my cane, well the table did stay upright but only because we caught it in time. Okay, so the date is now over, and, you know, we were together for a good year after this time, so I mean it worked out okay. And later we talked about it, and laughed hysterically about the whole thing because he knew I was just totally not myself. That I was more, you know, flustered by the whole thing. So, I've considered the option of never going on a first date again - solve the problem. But unfortunately, until Mr. Right strolls into my life I'm sort of stuck with this, you know, horrible experience to occur over and over again. But what I've sort of figured out for myself is, you know, its sort of like in a situation like that - on the second date I'm fine - but the first one, because being all anxious and excited about everything, every alternative technique I use for eating - I mean I can eat okay - it just goes out the window. So this guy and some of my friends, we've decided there are certain foods on first dates you just don't eat, and the best option is just not to eat at all and find something else to do. So, I've learned my lesson, but it was quite [not] enjoyable. Terry: Well that was pretty good. I don't know if mine will be as humorous as hers. But the situation that I recall, I was, not necessarily on vacation, but I was in another state. I was participating in a wedding, and in the midst of packing I forgot my socks. So, I had to do some research, but there was a mall that was adjacent to the hotel in which I was staying. So I made it over to the mall and I located the department store and made my way in - maneuvered through. And as most department stores are set up, the psychology behind this is that - if you notice most areas - entrances you walk into something catered towards women. So, no offense to women, but you walk into the perfume fragrance area or women's department or something of that nature. Right? So I pretty much acclimated myself to where I came in, in terms of the entrance and everything so that I could get back to the mall. I proceeded to the men's department. I did ask someone in the fragrance department where is the men's department so I could get my socks. When I got there, the salesperson, I felt like I was being interrogated. I think this must have been his first encounter with a blind person, and he had so many questions. I said to myself, "Well, look I just came in here to get a pair of socks. That's all I really needed." But I tried to do my best in terms of educating him without being offensive to him in any way or anything. So, after I purchased the socks and made my way back out into the mall, I encountered mall security. So apparently when I entered the mall and made my way into the store either some customers or the individual at the information desk called security. So they approached me and they just asked me a couple of questions - if I was alone. I said, "Yes, I was alone. I was by myself." And you know, right exactly - that I came to purchase some socks and everything. So, they're asking me if I need any assistance out of the mall and I'm telling them, "No, I'm okay." So, I'm pretty much in a rush because I need to get these socks and get dressed so that I'm not late for this wedding. So, I'm walking out of the mall and I hear this little walkie-talkie behind me in the background. And I stopped, and then they stopped so I proceeded again. I hear the walkie-talkie again so I stopped and then they stopped and I said, "I'm being followed here." So, I proceeded again, because this was getting kind of hilarious actually, so I proceeded again and then they proceeded and I said, "Okay, that's it. I've had enough." So I turned around immediately and I said," You really do not have to follow me." But he didn't say a word. He or she, I'm not sure, but they didn't' say a word. So I said, "Okay, well it's going to be like that." Well, I'm in a hurry. I don't have time for this. So I continued again and what they did, apparently they backed off some, but I could still hear that walkie-talkie on their hip in the distance. So, I virtually made it out of the mall. I didn't have an encounter with the security guard after that, but I did make a phone call to the mall, and I did express my concerns about that situation and how it was handled. Made some suggestions to them as to how they could handle that in the future. So that was a difficult - that was the first time I encountered a situation as such. It really annoyed me, so I did my best in terms of educating and taking some social action regarding that particular situation. Rosemary: Thank you, Terry. Now that one I think you do feel like you have to take some kind of an action like that, you know when things like that happen or else you're just going to be upset about it. I think that's a great way to deal with that. Pauline, you want to go ahead? Pauline: Well, I guess I am a mother, and I do have in my house right now a thirteen month old little girl. And she doesn't know that I'm not her mother so she greets me every afternoon when I come home with a "gaaa-eee" and that's the day. I get nothing else done, I mean until she goes to bed or she doesn't allow me out of her sight. She does have a heart problem and so I have had to take her to different doctors and of course everyone asks, "How do you take care of this baby?" Well, you know the thing happened. This child came to live with me from birth, from the hospital. And I just thought, "Well, I can't just take care of this baby." But believe it or not from the moment she came home and I started to change her. Things have fallen right into line. I'm a mother of five children. Of course my kids are - I have five sons. (Pauline was sighted when raising her five sons--The Editor.) And this is the first time that I've had to take care of a little baby girl and it's a little different. But everything came back. I found I could wash her and shampoo her hair and change her and dress her and you know I kind of use the same method of, you know, hanging all her little pinkies and whities and all together, and also she's cared for well. And matter-of-fact my neighbors, one neighbor came up to me, she said, "You know I've been suspicious of you for a long time. I saw you with that baby. You can't see!" But I had to assure her that I can't. As I said, I had five sons until recently, and of course they come in and they bring their dates and their wives and their children and the kitchen is my domain. I don't like people in my kitchen. But they come in occasionally and they decide, well you know, I need to change this for mom or I'd like to do that. I use Braille, one so I have the alphabet so I use that as a way of doing my kitchen. I, you know, I shop a lot, like I said I have a big family. So, when I go out to get canned goods. I get ten cans of asparagus and you know things like that. So I use many things around the house to kind of let me know where things are. Nothing takes the place of just using good old common sense. You have to put things in the refrigerator where things go. You know, your mustard and ketchup in the door or whatever. So, there are general places where everybody else can keep their things so it makes it easier when the kids come over, and if the put things back then it's usually where I would have them anyway. I use tape and I use rubber bands particularly on my medicines. I use medications a lot and tape with Braille letters on it sometimes, and if I'm in a hurry when I leave the pharmacist I just keep a rubber band on my hand, that you see all the time, and I whip one out, and I put it on the bottom if its one particular medicine - or at the top if it's the other - till I can get to were I can mark it. So, that way I'm always clear about what I'm taking. I use bookends, you know the little - you don't see them much anymore, but the bookends that are real thin and most [offices] have them and when they got rid of them a lot. I take them in - a lot of times I use them to separate canned goods. I shop at Shoppers, and if anybody does, you know you have to bag your own things. The only thing that I have to ask for help with at all times is when I go to buy cat food and tunafish. I have no problem with saying, "Miss, would you put this cat food in this particular bag?" And you can choose you know paper bags or plastic bags but I always make sure that cat food goes in that particular bag, so I know where I can put it in safety. Rosemary: Thank you Pauline, that was great. Okay, we are back to Joe then. Okay, here you go Joe. Joe: So, you know my name's Joe Sanchez. I'm president of Osprey Structural Services. We specialize, we have a steel fabricating shop which specializes in life structural services and steel buildings. We, my specialty, is automated precision equipment installation. The code name is Integrated Systems. If you've ever seen a T.V. commercial for, like, robotics and conveyers in automotive plants - General Motors, Ford, Chrysler. My specialty is precision installation of this type of equipment, and integrating robotics with the conveyers. As far as going blind, when I went blind two years ago, probably within six weeks of going blind, all my supervision, everybody bailed on me. Bailed out and went to work for the competition, and so I've been spending the last two years rebuilding from that point. Interesting situation is, one of my managers - I went to BISM for a couple of weeks - or I was trying to go to BISM for a couple of weeks for classes, and the - I got a phone call and evidently he had stopped working on me. Went back to work on a Friday afternoon, and found some things - not being done, and consequently came in on Monday morning and his response was, "But you can't fire me. You're blind. How are you going to do the job?" You can't fire me - you're blind, right? So, not only that, he went to one of my competitors to look for a job the next day and I get a phone call. In our business, it's a very small business, everybody's competitors but everybody's friends at the same time. And so Dennis calls me up and says, "Well so-and-so was down here looking for a job." I said, "What was the problem." He said, "He explained to me everything that happened he said but Joe couldn't fire me he's blind you know." And Dennis looked at him and said, "Well you worked for Joe for a year and you still didn't know him..." Or something like that. I mean he was gone, unbelievable. But since then we've had quite a few good people, you know, that have come to work with me. So hopefully we'll be able to build it back up. That was an interesting situation that I've run into several times since then. GRANTS TO FOCUS ON JOBS FOR BLIND By Ernest F. Imhoff Reprinted from the Baltimore Sun, August 1, 1998 Jobs and job postings for blind people throughout the country are the focus of two new U.S. Department of Labor grants to the National Federation of the Blind, in Baltimore. The Federation will receive $488,400 for a job training program in Baltimore. "Graduates of the program will be placed in jobs with participating companies around the country," said Marc Maurer, Federation President. "Our goal is to train 80 here the first year for employment throughout the country," he said. "It's the first step in an exciting initiative to promote competitive employment for the blind." United Parcel Service will be the main employer in the first phase, but other companies are expected to take part in the hiring program. The effort will train blind clients of state vocational rehabilitation agencies in information-access technology. The agencies will refer applicants to the Federation as the first step in the selection process. Applicants must be ages 18 to 65, be high school graduates, be able to read and write in Braille, use computers at a basic level and be willing to relocate. In another project, the Federation will get $3 million to expand to 40 states its America's Jobline service, which allows blind and sighted people to use standard push-button telephones to hear a list of jobs from the department's national database, America's Job Bank. "This gives the blind access to the same job listings that sighted people can see on computer screens," said Betsy Zaborowski, the Federation's Director of Special Programs. "But everyone can use the service." Since March, callers in Maryland have been able to learn about more than 100,00 jobs around the country. "Some jobs, such a driving a truck are for sighted people, but many are available to the blind if they qualify," she said. "Minnesota just added the service, which is expected to expand to 40 states within a year," she added. The service uses the Federation's expertise in text-to-speech conversion technology and statewide electronic job banks. In each state, sponsoring agencies will help support the program. In Maryland, the service is sponsored by the State Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. The Federation is setting up a network distribution system with a central computer facility here and satellite distribution devices, Zaborowski said. Using the Internet for the high-speed transfer of computer files, Jobline's command center here will get job-order databases from cooperating agencies, process them into speech format and distribute them to the posting network. In Maryland, people can call 24 hours a day and use keypad to respond to menu choices. They will find basic categories of jobs, such a computers. From that grouping, callers can go to sub-categories such as programmers, analysts or managers. The Jobline number in the Baltimore area is 410-767-2626. Elsewhere in Maryland, call 800-765-8692. Call the Federation at 410-659-9314. BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS: 1997-98 This year, 24 students participated in our Annual Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest. They were: Raven Bakewell, MSB; Molly Barnes, Severna Park Middle; Brian Blevins, MSB; Marlena Bogden, MSB; David Bolling, MSB; Alycia Breitschwe, Baltimore Highlands; Amanda Delriego, Clarksville Middle; Courtney Despeaux, Millersville Elementary; William Granger, Jefferson; Annette Harvey, MSB; Amy Herstein, St. John's Lane Elementary; Lisa Johnson, MSB; Gary Kammerer, MSB; Jennifer Karns, MSB; Jimmer King, MSB; Jeremy Lincicome, Johnnycake Elementary; Jessica Markle, MSB; Michael Moore, MSB; Angela Moran, Brandywine Elementary; Vy Pham, MSB; David Shields, MSB; Danielle Shives, Clear Spring Elementary; Shervonda Smith, MSB; Jessica Watson, Church Creek Elementary; and Nicole White, Home School. We congratulate all of you for participating in this contest and commend your achievements. We assure you that your efforts to develop your Braille literacy skills will amply reward you in the future. Four Maryland students received national recognition for their achievements in the contest. Marlene Bogden and Jennifer Karns, received Most Improved honors. Jessica Watson received Honorable Mention in the second to fourth grade category for reading 5,799 pages. Angela Moran received Honorable Mention in the fifth to eighth grade category for reading 4,891 pages. Details on the 1998-99 Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest appear elsewhere in this issue. SPECKS DEATHS We are saddened by the deaths, which have occurred since the last issue of this newsletter, of the following Federationists and friends: Dorothy Klea died shortly before Christmas 1997. Losing her sight as a senior citizen, Dorothy committed herself to ensuring that blind students would have the opportunities to pursue their education by making substantial contributions to the John T. Mc Craw scholarship fund during the past 12 years. Ron Burns passed away in Oklahoma after a prolonged illness. Ron served as president of the Cumberland Chapter for many years. He and his wife Audrey worked at BISM in Cumberland before moving to Florida, and later Oklahoma, in order to be closer to Audrey's family. Jenifer Baker died at the young age of 23 after a prolonged illness. As a student, Jennifer always participated in our Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest. Many of us still remember Jennifer's stunning Braille reading performance at our 1989 state convention in Ocean City, the year she won first place in the contest. Betty Schwalm, a charter member of the Baltimore County Chapter, died after a prolonged struggle with diabetes. Her spirit and courage were an inspiration to all who knew her. Polly Johnson also died after a prolonged struggle with the complications of diabetes. Polly was a charter member of the Southern Maryland Chapter and served as its Vice President and Secretary for several years. Jim Partridge, a member of the LBPH staff for more than 20 years, died after a short illness. Jim dedicated his career to providing reading materials to library patrons. We will miss his cheery voice on the telephone, and his diligent professionalism. Edith Riddle died suddenly in early June. Edith was a generous donor, who attended many NFB conventions and functions with her daughter, Lorinda Riddle, who worked at the National Center for the Blind for several years. As we are completing this issue, we have just learned of the death of Kim Dodd, a recipient of our annual Anna Cable Award. Kim died after a long struggle with diabetes and cancer. We will miss all of these fine folks immensely. May they rest in peace. GRADUATIONS: We are pleased to recognize the accomplishments of the following students: Jackie Mushington received a B. A. degree in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University; Yasmine Reyazuddin received a B. A. degree in Sociology and English from the University of Maryland, College Park; Nichole Fincham graduated from Liberty High School in Eldersburg; Diane Grant graduated from Howard High School in Columbia; Raymond McCraw Lowder graduated from Lake Clifton High School in Baltimore; Ellen Nichols graduated from Arlington Baptist High School in Catonsville, and received an NFB scholarship at our convention in Dallas, Texas; Sheria Young graduated from Mergenthaler High School in Baltimore. Both Pat and Tina Gormley have completed work for their Masters' degrees in Human Resources Management and Development at the University of Maryland - University College. SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS Best wishes to Georgia Myers who celebrated her 75th birthday on June 11th. Best wishes to Anna Cable who celebrated her 105th birthday on June 29th. Anna would appreciate a visit. She lives at the Mariner North Arundel Health Center. Call Sharon Maneki, (410) 992-9608, for directions. THE LIST Did you ever want to find out where to rent a tandem bike, hire a pet sitter, or locate hard to find items? The members of the Greater Baltimore Chapter have compiled THE LIST, an eclectic collection of useful information. THE LIST is the brainchild of Peggy Chong who also coordinated its compilation. THE LIST is available for $5 in print and in Braille. For further information call President Lynn Mattioli at 410-625-0076. AWARDS In June 1998, two Federationists were recognized for their accomplishments. Raymond Lowder, longtime member of the Greater Baltimore chapter, received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Baltimore City Police Department for his outstanding contributions to his neighborhood community. Raymond serves as the President of the Frankfort Home Improvement Association. Joyce Callahan received the Award of Excellence from the Mass Transit Administration's Interagency Programs Department for her work as the ADA coordinator. This is a particularly significant recognition because Joyce, nominated by her peers, was selected from the MTA's 3,000 employees. Congratulations Raymond and Joyce! APPOINTED Eileen Rivera was appointed to the Board of Directors of the B & O Museum in April 1998. Thanks to Eileen's leadership, we can look forward to more accessible programs at this museum. DALLAS '98 One hundred seventy-two enthusiastic Maryland Federationists attended the National Convention in Dallas in July. This year's NFB Convention, while not the largest in terms of convention attendance, was significant for its many "firsts". Among others, there was the live video hook-up to Labor Secretary Herman in Washington, D.C.; there was the service award bestowed on Dr. Kenneth Jernigan by the AFB; etc, etc. We had the usual array of interesting and inspiring presentations, several by young, upcoming Federationists. If you missed this convention, be sure to read about it in forthcoming issues of the "Braille Monitor". CALENDAR Oct. 3 Sligo Creek Chapter John T. McCraw Scholarship Buffet Oct. 15 National White Cane Safety Day Nov. 1 1998-1999 Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest begins Nov. 6-8 Thirty-Second Annual NFBMD Convention, Holiday Inn, Cumberland Nov. 11 Newsline(R) Night, call Betsy Zaborowski, 410-659-9314 for details NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION HOLIDAY INN CUMBERLAND 100 SOUTH GEORGE STREET CUMBERLAND, MD Friday, NOVEMBER 6 - Sunday, NOVEMBER 8, 1998 Enjoy the small town atmosphere of Cumberland in the picturesk alleganey mountains and the comfortable accommodations at the Holiday Inn. Visit the shops and historic sites or party at Harriganžs high energy lounge. For your dining pleasure Hariganžs restaurant features everything from salads to fresh seafood and steaks. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ATTRACTIVE ROOM RATES All rooms $64.00 per night. Tax included. ARRIVE EARLY Special room rate is available from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 8. RESERVE YOUR ROOM NOW Send your completed reservation form and full payment for your room to NFB of Maryland by October 10, 1998 DO NOT call the hotel for room reservations. FOR MORE INFORMATION Call Sharon Maneki, President, NFB of Maryland (410) 992-9608. CONVENTION PREVIEW National Representative Diane McGeorge, Member of the Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind; President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado; Director, Colorado Center for the Blind. Friday Afternoon Activities! Including Tips on Selecting the Right College A Tour of Frostburg State University for Students of all Ages NFB Jeopardy Test your knowlege of the NFB with fellow federationists Board of Directors Meeting Resolutions Committee Meeting Friday, 8:00 PM Family Talent Show, Party and Auction Wanted: Performers of all skills and ages. Single and group acts are welcome. Prizes will be awarded. Call Debbie Brown Now (301)-881-1892 to reserve time for your performance. Snacks and Refreshments. Saturday Evening Banquet Awards, scholarships, banquet address. General Sessions on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning. Door prizes given throughout the General Sessions and the Banquet. Special events for kids, students, parents, and business persons. Adjourn at Noon, Sunday NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND 1998 CONVENTION AND DONATION FORM Holiday Inn Cumberland Friday November 6 - Sunday November 8, 1998 Donations are appreciated. This is the only opportunity that we have to ask for donations from most of you. Mail completed forms and checks to Shirley Morris, NFB of Maryland, 16547 Old Emmitsburg Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, by October 10, 1998. Do not contact the hotel. We will not confirm your reservation without the total payment of your room. Name:______________________________________ Address:___________________________________ ___________________________________________ City/State/Zip:____________________________ Telephone:(______)_______-_________________ My Donation to the NFB of Maryland: $______________ _______ I will _______ I will not attend the 1998 Convention. _______ I wish to reserve a room in my name. $64.00 per night singles, doubles, triples and quads. Tax Included. Available from Thurs Nov 5. Arrival date: _____________ Departure date: _____________ Payment in full for ________ nights: $_____________ Transportation ($25.00 per person) will be available from 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, and DC Metro Area, to the Holiday Inn, Cumberland on November 6, returning November 8, departure times to be announced. $_____________ Total: $_____________ Make your check payable to the NFB of Maryland. I understand that in order to qualify for the special hotel rate, I and each person in my room must register at the convention and pay the convention fee of $10.00. I also understand that the special room rate does not include the cost of phone calls and other incidentals that I may charge to my room. _________________________________________ Signature ROOM RESERVATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND CHILD CARE List names of all people, including yourself and any children, who will occupy the room with you. If persons in your room do not reside at your address, list their addresses and phone numbers in the space provided. Please check below if you or anyone in your room will need transportation. Number of persons in room:_____________ Special Requirements:____Smoking ____Non-Smoking ____Handicapped with one bed For two persons in a room, specify room with _____1 king bed _____2 double beds __________________________________ Under 17: Yes No Needs Transportation: Yes No __________________________________ address:___________________________ city:______________state:____________ zip:__________phone:_______________ Under 17: Yes No Needs Transportation: Yes No __________________________________ address:___________________________ city:______________state:____________ zip:__________phone:_______________ Under 17: Yes No Needs Transportation: Yes No __________________________________ address:___________________________ city:______________state:____________ zip:__________phone:_______________ Under 17: Yes No Needs Transportation: Yes No __________ I am requesting child care service for ______ child(ren) during the Saturday sessions and the banquet. Please note: Refunds will not be considered if requested after October 22.