MINNESOTA BULLETIN Quarterly Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, Inc. 100 East 22nd Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404 (612) 872-9363 Tom Scanlan, Editor Volume LXI, Number 3, Winter 1997 WE ARE CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND Table of Contents Les Affaires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 SSB Staff Receives Blindness Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pride Costs: Hiring Readers Pays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Electronic Information Kiosks -- What's All the Fuss About?. . 9 Getting in Touch with Literacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Clippings Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Blind in the Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 This Could Be the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Blind Candidate Wins West-central House Seat . . . . . . . . . 18 An Earlier Blind Lawmaker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Parents' Column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Central Minnesota Chapter Celebrates 25th Anniversary. . . . . 27 Convention Alert!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Les Affaires By Joyce Scanlan, President December 31, 1996, marked the tenth anniversary of the founding of our Federation training center in Minnesota, Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions, BLIND, Inc. The occasion gave us cause for celebration and reflection upon a decade of success as an orientation-to-blindness training program. Graduates, staff and friends gathered in the formal dining room of our NFB/BLIND headquarters building in Minneapolis on December 13 for a four-hour party with music, fine food and a skit put on by students and staff, capturing memorable moments and events of the past ten years. Current students and staff planned meticulously for the occasion. The holiday season allowed us to decorate the center with two real Christmas trees cut down by students with their own little hand saws after a selection process which involved everyone available. The banisters of the grand staircase were adorned with garland, and the two lions at the front entrance were festooned with wreaths, which glistened in the daytime sun and even in the moonlight. Musical bells were strung along the archway of the conservatory, and throughout the building one could hear the songs of a musical bear or view the beautiful candle and floral arrangements prepared by Marilyn, Betty and Dara. Oh, yes, the center looked spectacular. The paneling throughout the downstairs was polished to a gleam. We had all labored for days to clean and decorate. Everyone had an assignment, and everyone had a title. We had an "Arborist," a "Branch Manager," a "Czarina," a "Knight of Illumination," a "Madame Cuisine," a "joyful jester," and a Structural Integrity Engineer. The Tree Orientation Specialist had a formidable task to perform, as did the Ornament Placement Technician. Each person had a meaningful title and a worthy task to perform. At 3:00 on the afternoon of Friday, December 13, we were all in our places to welcome our guests. After all that preparation, what if nobody came? Well, we didn't wait long. We were pleased to see many former students and graduates of the training program, including many people from State Services for the Blind (SSB) many of whom had been students in our center over the past years. It was like a great family reunion. Somewhat later in the evening, Mr. Richard Davis, Assistant Commissioner of SSB arrived. He surprised everyone by presenting BLIND, Inc. with a Certificate of Commendation from Governor Arne Carlson commemorating our tenth anniversary with a plaque inscribed as follows: State of Minnesota Governor's Office Arne H. Carlson Governor Certificate of Commendation In recognition of your commitment and dedication to excellence in the training of blind Minnesotans, and in honor of your 10th anniversary celebration; this commendation is presented to: BLIND, Inc. with the appreciation and respect of the people of Minnesota. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at the State Capitol this Thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and ninety- six and of the State the one hundred and thirty-eighth. Arne H. Carlson Governor This plaque now stands in a very visible spot on the display shelves of the executive director's office, where it can be seen by everyone who comes to our center. Everyone enjoyed the skit presented by students and staff of BLIND, Inc. It was written by Jennifer Dunnam, our braille instructor, and depicted events from our first ten years as a training program (as seen from the perspective of the year 2026). As usual, the food was excellent. We had sandwiches, two different casseroles, and, of course, a birthday cake. The students in the home management department always do a top notch job. We can be sure our students will never go hungry. They become skilled in putting on an outstanding feast for guests. Our best time of the evening was probably spent in doing what all families do when they get together. We did the "do you remember?" game. We recalled our humble beginnings in a small two-bedroom apartment; our first two students; the $17,000 with which we began; our better days when we could buy two computer systems; and our very prosperous time when we purchased a building for our permanent location. The experiences in the home management kitchens, our trips to Iowa, rock climbing, and all the other activities passed before us. Reminiscing is always such fun. BLIND, Inc. has been in existence for ten years. When we opened for business with our first students in January of 1988, there were many who thought we would perhaps last until April. Here we are, alive and stronger than ever ten years later. We are thriving. The National Federation of the Blind has taught us all that it is o.k. to dream. BLIND, Inc. was a mere dream until December 31, 1986. It became a reality and now plays a vital role in the lives of blind people in this nation and indeed throughout the world. Just in the past year we have had one hundred thirty-eight students from many of the United States and from Cyprus, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. We continue to work with the blind of Poland and will soon have four students in training here. They will be here for six months before returning to Poland to teach the techniques and attitudes they have learned at BLIND, Inc. These are exciting times. This celebration in 1996 was a rehearsal for the real ten-year anniversary we'll have on January 4, 1998, which will signify ten years of actual program operation. That will be another party to remember. Plan to be there. This is your invitation. We'll be expecting you. SSB Staff Receives Blindness Training By Dona Champlain (Editor's Note: State Services for the Blind (SSB) is now requiring all of its staff to take six weeks of "adjustment to blindness" training at one of the three training centers in Minnesota (BLIND, VLR, or Duluth Lighthouse). This training provides each person working for SSB with a wider experience with blindness. In most cases, people working there have received no meaningful information about blindness beyond the typical stereotypes, misconceptions, and fears with which they grew up. The training is meant to take them beyond those stereotypes, misconceptions, and fears. Counselors also take an additional week at each of the other two centers to provide them with experience and real knowledge of each center. Some of the staff have fiercely resisted such training. Most have welcomed it. Here is the story of one of the first to take the training.) Though I have been a Braillist for many years, and my knowledge about blindness issues is better than average, I wanted to participate in Adjustment to Blindness Training for several reasons. First, it became Agency Policy. Second, last year there was a question and response in the Star Tribune Fixit column that really bothered me. The column said, "I drove past the Lyndale and Franklin intersection the other day and was surprised that the Minneapolis Society for the Blind was no longer there. Where are the blind employed now?" I think the response gave the impression fewer blind people are employed because the Minneapolis and St. Paul Societies for the Blind combined and now provide more services than employment. I think an opportunity was missed in the response to let people know that blind people are employed in many different places, have many skills, and need or don't need services from agencies for the blind. Third, I am left-handed. Kenneth Jernigan wrote "Blindness: A Left-Handed Dissertation" which helped me better understand my left-handedness and increased my understanding of blindness. Fourth, my mother has macular degeneration, glaucoma, and has had cataract surgery. I want to know as much as I can to help her stay independent and do the things she can and wants to do. Fifth, I have had diabetes for seventeen years and have glaucoma and minute amounts of retinopathy. Someday I may be blind because of diabetes complications, heredity, or age. If that happens, I want it to be okay with me to be blind. I want it to be okay with anyone I meet that I am blind. Those are some reasons I appreciated the opportunity for Adjustment to Blindness training. Training at BLIND, Inc. continually taught and reinforced the idea that it is all right to be blind. I learned to use the main alternate techniques of blindness, especially: a. use of the long white cane and the philosophy about its use b. learning Braille tactually and reading to learn, to have fun, to use recipes, to record information c. using speech synthesis to input and access information from a computer Although other alternative techniques were taught and used, there is more emphasis on common sense and how to use what is available. Every class day brought a variety of ways to practice what I had learned the day before. I traveled using my cane and wearing night shades in and out of the building; on bus or train or by car; in stores, museums, restaurants, in a park, on a mall. Each of my classes had different ways of using Braille, reading and/or writing. Some ways I practiced my new skills were: a. I Brailled a shopping list, took it to Lund's and asked a shopping assistant to help me find what was on my list. b. I got separated from the group I was with on the Nicollet Mall and asked another pedestrian what corner I was on. I found my group almost before they knew I was missing (to me it seemed like a very long time). c. The skills I learned in computer class allowed me to keep a journal of my activities at BLIND, Inc. Proofreading with speech synthesis let me know what I was typing and I had the fun of embossing it and reading it in Braille when I was finished. d. Braille class gave me lots of speed practice both with reading and writing Braille. It was really helpful to listen to my instructor and more advanced students read and write quickly. It helped me try harder; I knew it could be done. e. Industrial Arts and Home Management classes used many implements that would be found in any home. Common sense prevailed. Few items were specifically made for blind users; the click ruler, and needle threader were a couple adaptations I was pleased to work with. My day to day observations helped me see the effectiveness of experiential learning. My learning about attitudinal and skill change came from conversations with other students and instructors. For example, a student who graduated while I was there told me about his coming to BLIND, Inc. with an attitude of not wanting to be there. He said his attitude was expressed through anger and becoming easily frustrated. As he experienced ways of doing things that helped him do what he wanted to do he felt less anger. He still did not carry his slate and stylus with him all the time, but knew when it could be helpful and used it to make notes to himself as reminders. He always had his cane with him and used it effectively. He was willing to travel most anywhere and seemed confident about his abilities to go where he wanted to go. My appreciation for blind people as peers has increased as I have become acquainted with people who have interests similar to mine such as using the Internet for communication and information gathering and discussing diabetes related issues. A couple instructors and other students and I have maintained contact since classes and will probably continue to do so. Some resources I will continue to use to increase my awareness of blindness issues are: "Reflections," Internet access to ACB and NFB and other groups; subscribing to the NFB Diabetes newsletter; and talking with people about blindness. I think orientation centers for blind programs are important because of the resources they have and can lead people to. Most importantly though, BLIND, Inc. offered lots of reinforcement, experiential and verbal, between instructors and students and between students and students. The main thing I learned about full-time adjustment to blindness training was the day-to-day increase in confidence building and the feeling that it is okay to be blind. My personal goals during training were met by asking lots of questions, trying new ways of doing tasks and being allowed to share what I know with others. Much of what I learned I had been taught in Diabetes Management classes over the years. Planning ahead, learning from success or error, and learning from each other are concepts that work for me and were constantly reinforced while at BLIND, Inc. Pride Costs: Hiring Readers Pays By Patrick A. Barrett (Editor's Note: The Metro Chapter conducted another essay contest this year. This is the winner of that contest.) Why use readers? When I was in college, it was more a decision I had made not to use them than to consider the possibilities. I was dating my wife Trudy at the time, who is blind and used readers. She encouraged me to use readers. Trudy knew how much time I was spending at the special resource room at the library using the Visualtek machine to read books that had not been recorded yet. I was getting books from Recordings for the Blind. I knew Braille, but at that time felt I was too slow at reading it to apply it to college work. I had reading covered. Trudy kept insisting I try readers. I finally relented. She gave me the name of a reader of hers she felt did well. The person did! I got the assignment read in less time than using the print enlarger, experienced no eyestrain and had time to take Trudy out. A heck of a deal! Pride prevented me from realizing the real value of employing readers until years later. All of us grow up with the formidable conviction that it is better to see, even a little. Five senses are certainly better than four. The strong emphasis placed on relying so much on a partial sense of sight eclipsed the thought of more efficient alternatives. Regrettably, this "partial," (and I know I speak for others of you out there), has mentally put down "totals" for having no sight and depending on readers. Puffed up with pride, we unwittingly blinded ourselves to better ways of covering reading. The totals had it covered all along! Ten years after college, I was working at an independent-living center in Idaho. I had two long-term jobs before this one and had not used readers. Working out reasonable accommodations for that job, I requested readers over a print enlarger. I cannot recall what made me make that commitment. Perhaps it was knowing role models in the NFB who did their jobs successfully using readers. I enjoyed the flexibility and lack of eyestrain using a reader with 20/20 vision. Depending upon what needed reading, my reader could read verbatim, scan, or skip material. I have hired readers on the job ever since. I also apply synthesized speech, Braille, large print, and the enlarging machine (only if a reader is not immediately available). Experience using readers has helped me be more informed on the best alternative for a given facet of the job. Enrolled as a student at BLIND, Inc. in 1994, I realized that the python of pride had not been pried sufficiently loose. Pam Iverson, my Life Skills teacher, urged me to complete the class goal to start using a personal reader at home for mail and other print. My main concern was intrusion into my privacy. But like Trudy, Pam kept at me until I agreed. I can honestly say now that, after employing readers for the past two years, I would not be without them. Examples of personal reading made easy are the none-too-brief government documents, bank statements, information from our landlord, and handouts connected with our church classes and jobs. Also, there's my daughter Raeann's school stuff, reports, teacher notes, and field trip permission slips. What has worked best for Trudy and I is to find a reader that can come the day after the school stuff arrives home with Raeann, because of the short turnaround time. Sharon Menlove is our current reader, and has worked for us for two years. We met Sharon through our church, and knew her to be responsible. The concern I mentioned earlier about privacy has never been a concern. Just as if I were hiring her on the job, I let Sharon know what the job entailed and how she would do it. I have been flexible that if there is a day she cannot make it, if she lets me know a day ahead, we can reschedule. If something needs to be read immediately, I arrange for a substitute. As of this writing, I am looking for work. (Editor's Note: He found it as a salesman for a drug company.) I have hired a second reader, Doug Christy, who had worked with me on my previous job at State Services for the Blind. Doug has read Job Service handouts, filled out job apps, and helped with library research on employers. It has paid off. In a recent interview, I was told that I knew more than most applicants about the company. Another matter that is somewhat related to readers is customer service. I cannot believe that I was so stubborn as to spend forty-five minutes or more trying to find two items in a store by myself! Trudy cannot believe that I have cast that pride aside and now routinely ask for customer assistance. Another slick trick I picked up at BLIND, Inc. One department store, when paging for a clerk, refers to you as "customer 1,000." Shouldn't I win a prize for being the thousandth customer? More often than not, the clerks know the store better than you do. Not only do I ask for customer service at stores, but more readily ask for the server's help in reading menus at restaurants, if a Braille menu is not available. Relying on readers and customer service saves time. All of us complain about there never being enough hours in the day. Hire readers and enlist customer service, buying time to do fun or productive things. Waste time feeding pride. Which investment gets the greater return? Electronic Information Kiosks -- What's All the Fuss About? By Curtis Chong What is an electronic information kiosk anyway? Generally speaking, an electronic information kiosk is a public computer terminal designed to give and receive information. It is intended to be operated by anyone--especially by someone with limited or no computer experience. Information is usually presented on a video display, sometimes accompanied by pre-recorded speech. Some kiosks contain a printer that can be used to produce paper copies of information that you might want to take with you. There is typically no typewriter keyboard or numeric keypad with keys that can be felt. Information can be entered by pressing "buttons" displayed on the screen. For more complex data entry, a typewriter keyboard or numeric keypad image can be displayed on the screen. You then touch the keys shown to enter information. Information on the screen is displayed using a combination of text and still or animated pictures. The visual buttons can be located anywhere on the screen. There is no way to find any button by touch. These kiosks are appearing with increasing frequency in public places and they could literally replace human beings as sources of valuable information and services. Such public information terminals are meant to increase public accessibility to governmental and private sources of information. Federationists have not missed the ironic significance of the term "accessibility" as used in this context. As far as the blind are concerned, electronic information kiosks were anything but accessible. There is little thought given to whether these devices will be useful to persons who are blind. At least, this is the way it appears today. Is the inability to operate an electronic information kiosk without sighted assistance something for blind people to get excited about? Will our lives be irrevocably damaged by the proliferation of these devices throughout Minnesota and the nation? As I see it, we are faced with two fundamental questions: 1. Will the proliferation of electronic information kiosks--at least in their current form--harm our prospects to compete on terms of equality with the sighted? To put it another way, will the widespread use of this technology force blind people to rely upon sighted assistance to perform those basic tasks that we perform independently today? 2. If we wish to have full and equal access to the data and services available through information kiosks, what solutions should we be pushing for? In other words, how do we want to interact with an electronic information kiosk? Do we want to deal with it on its own terms (i.e., using the touch screen instead of a regular keyboard) or do we want to promote only those modifications that would make it possible for us to use them with our own access technology (e.g., personal computer, Braille 'n Speak, or whatever)? Although I do not regard the proliferation of information kiosks as an immediate threat, I do believe that we should begin formulating answers to the question of how the technology should be adapted so that it can be used without sight. State and federal agencies find kiosks appealing not only because they give the appearance of increasing public access to the government, but also because they represent a way to reduce staff while appearing to provide the same amount of service. We are already seeing kiosks spring up in California, Washington, Texas, and other states. They are under serious consideration in Minnesota. Kiosks are simply too appealing to resist. So, although today it is no big deal for us not to have access to government information and services through these kiosks (we can always visit an office where there are live human beings to provide the service), what will happen if the decision is made to close down a local office because the service can be provided more cheaply and efficiently through an electronic kiosk? It is no stretch of the imagination for a bank or airport to replace live staff with an automated kiosk. The day will come when electronic kiosks will be even more common than automatic teller machines, and it is incumbent on us as knowledgeable and concerned blind consumers to have a say about how we will use this technology. Turning to the second question--how will we access electronic kiosks--I will be the first to admit that we do not have all of the answers. However, the work of Dr. Gregg Vanderheiden, head of the Trace Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin, has really helped us to get a jump start in this area. Dr. Vanderheiden took the computer program from an existing kiosk application running on the University of Wisconsin campus and modified it to work on a Personal Computer equipped with a touch screen and a speech synthesizer. Then, he took this prototype to local and national meetings of the blind to learn what consumers wanted. Taking the comments and suggestions received from many blind people across the country (people with a wide range of computer expertise), Dr. Vanderheiden put together a system that has since been incorporated into a kiosk at the Mall of America. Here is a little about how it works. At a minimum, the system consists of a computer, a touch screen, and a single "select" push-button. With speech turned on, all functions of the kiosk can be operated without sight. Menu items can be heard simply by sliding a finger down the left edge of the screen. When a particular item is to be selected, the blind operator lifts the finger off the item just spoken and presses a "select" button. If information is to be entered (e.g., one's name, address, or social security number), the letters to be typed can be displayed vertically (the letters a through z in a single column) or in a different format. The kiosk operator slides a finger across the screen, hearing each letter traversed, and when the right letter is located, lifts the finger off the screen and presses the "select" button. All informational text is spoken whenever and wherever needed. The work of Dr. Vanderheiden has given us a jump start in this area. Locally, right here in Minnesota, a company called Intuitive Solutions is working with the Federation and with Dr. Vanderheiden to ensure that the kiosks it places in public areas are accessible. Blind people can use a talking kiosk based on this work at the Mall of America to learn about and apply for jobs at the mall; and we can do this without any sighted assistance. This kiosk is at the east end of the Mall of America, on the third floor, next to an ATM machine, near the Copy Center. Besides listing information about jobs at the Mall of America, the kiosk also contains job ads from the St. Paul Pioneer Press and other information. The unique thing about this kiosk is that it is completely accessible to someone who is blind. It has a keyboard, a touch screen, DECTalk synthesized speech, and digitized speech for the initial prompt. All you have to do to use it is to walk up and touch the screen. The kiosk will walk you through the rest of it. This is the first ever public job information kiosk providing information to the blind. I think that blind people should find time to visit the mall and try out the unit. It's not perfect--not by any means. But the designers from Intuitive Solutions, working cooperatively with the Trace Research Center, want to hear from people about how well it works and what could be done to improve the kiosk's usefulness to the blind. The proliferation of electronic information kiosks may not be anything earth- shattering for blind people today. But as it is with everything else in life, we as blind consumers need to participate actively and affirmatively in the development of solutions that affect us. Accordingly, we will continue to work toward positive solutions as far as independent access to electronic information kiosks is concerned. In the end, the work we do today will bear fruit for blind people tomorrow. Getting in Touch with Literacy By Tom Scanlan Blind people have always had to fight for literacy. Braille was not firmly established as a method for reading and writing by blind people until nearly a third of the way into this century. Opposition to Braille generally came from people who didn't want to bother to learn it and thought the blind should learn to read raised print. Today there are those who believe blind people should use recordings and computer speech instead of Braille. The National Federation of the Blind has always led the fight for Braille. We have twice successfully gone to the Minnesota Legislature and gotten Braille literacy placed into law. NFB organizations in other states have done likewise. At the national level, we are getting close to having Braille placed firmly in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). As part of our ongoing efforts to promote Braille, the NFB of Minnesota is an organizer of an upcoming Braille literacy conference. We are glad to join with others who know that Braille is important to blind people. Here is the flier that announces the conference. MARK YOUR CALENDAR for The Third Biennial Conference of GETTING IN TOUCH WITH LITERACY A National Conference Focusing on the Needs of Individuals Who are Blind or Visually Impaired will be held at Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis Minnesota September 25, 26, & 27, 1997 Organized by MN Teachers of the Blind & Visually Impaired, MN State Services for the Blind, National Federation of the Blind of MN, MN Department of Children, Families & Learning, MN Deaf/Blind Technical Assistance Project, MN State Academy for the Blind & Visually Impaired, AER of MN, and the Wisconsin Bureau of Exceptional Children. Help us make the 3rd Biennial Conference exceptionally exciting! A conference of innovative as well as practical applications to literacy in all stages of life. Clippings Needed By Peggy Chong For the past 25 years, the NFB of Minnesota has contracted with a clipping service to look for material in newspapers throughout the state regarding blindness. At the November 1996 board meeting of the NFB of MN, it was decided to stop this service as the accuracy of the service has declined significantly as the cost continues to climb higher and higher each year. In the past few years, because of Dial-In-News, and lately, Newsline, members and friends are finding more articles than the clipping service was. Articles about the activities of blind people, and issues that affect the blind community, are being mailed to our office frequently. It is very important to keep up to date on what is being said about the blind in the media. Some chapters read newspaper and magazine articles at local chapter meetings. From time to time, interesting news articles will be reprinted in the Minnesota Bulletin. We forward any articles that may be of interest to persons outside our state, to the national office and the Braille Monitor. Each clipping is kept at our state office for future use and reference. So you can see just how important it is to look for and send a copy of any news article about blindness to our state office. Now more than ever, everyone needs to be on the lookout for articles. When you hear of an article in a paper, try to get a copy of the article. If you do not get the paper, try to purchase one or get a copy from a friend. If you cannot get the article, try to find out what day the article ran, what section of the paper it appeared in and in what paper. Send our state office a copy. Chapters may wish to appoint a person who regularly reads the papers to be the media-watchdog for the chapter. This could be a good way for sighted members to participate regularly in your local chapter. The Blind in the Media By Peggy Chong In the past several months, blind persons have been the latest gimmicks in the advertising world. In September, we learned that the Barnes and Nobel bookstores had a poster that equated blindness with illiteracy to promote their literacy week. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) have had a radio commercial that said "Driving drunk is like driving blind." Of course everyone has now seen or heard one of the ads for AirTouch where a blind man, Rick Boggs, promotes cellular phone service by comparing it to his blindness. Barnes and Nobel did not talk with blind persons before they printed their posters. After Joyce Scanlan, our state president, contacted their national office and talked with one of their Vice Presidents, we received a letter promising not to use blindness in any of their promotions without talking with the NFB. MADD contacted our state office to ask our opinion on their advertising. Joyce informed them that equating blindness with drunkenness did not put blindness in a good light. They have just changed their advertisement. AirTouch did contact the National office before going ahead with their ads using blindness to promote their product. AirTouch is using a blind actor for the commercials. They are portraying the blind spokesman in a normal light, doing normal, everyday activities. However, some ads are a bit demeaning to the blind. The ad where Rick is getting his hair cut and implies that a blind person could not cut hair, the ad where the dog guide brings a bone from the dinosaur exhibit to his master's feet, do not portray blind persons in a positive light. When we see ads that do not portray blindness or blind people in a positive light, it is our responsibility to let the advertiser know how we feel. Contact your chapter and state president, discuss the material at chapter meetings and let the advertiser know how the Federation feels. Point out what is offensive. If possible, make suggestions on how to change the ad. This Could Be the Year By Judy Sanders During our Day at the Capitol in mid-January, we introduced our legislative priority for this session. Now we have our work cut out for us. Who knows better than the National Federation of the Blind that what is worth having is worth working for. Read the following fact sheet and call your legislator to express your support for the establishment of a Department for the Blind. FACT SHEET PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MINNESOTA January 15, 1997 CONTACT: Joyce Scanlan, President ATTN: Members of the 1997 Legislature The following Information and Request for Legislative Action is presented to you by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, the voice of Minnesota's blind citizens. We represent a cross-section of society: rich, poor, professionals, unskilled laborers, senior citizens, children, parents, and friends of the blind. The National Federation of the Blind is an organization of the blind speaking for ourselves. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE We request that you create a Department for the Blind to conduct services provided by State Services for the Blind (SSB). SSB currently is located in the Department of Economic Security. Services to the blind are so unique that no current State Department exists with which SSB is compatible. RATIONALE FOR LEGISLATION A look at SSB's service statistics for FY96 shows that while some of SSB's services provide competitive employment, most of them go far beyond the basic job-service mission of the Department of Economic Security. Here is a breakdown of services provided by SSB, the number of blind people served in each service category, and the percentage of total services. The total number of people served by all services was 32,924. However, each person receiving more than one service is counted in each category. Career and Independent Living Services: 6,016 (18%). Only 3,496 of those (58%) sought competitive employment. The rest received independent living services allowing them to remain in their own homes. Business Enterprise Program: 74 (less than 1%). This means that SSB licenses 74 vending facilities in the state that are operated by blind persons. Client Staff Support: 11,093 (34%). This includes people eligible for the special homestead property-tax credit for the blind and customers of The Store where special aids for the blind (white canes, talking clocks, Braille writing material, etc.) can be purchased. Communication Center: 15,741 (48%). These services include the Radio Talking book, transcription of textbooks into Braille and tape, Dial-in News, distribution of tape players to listen to recorded books, and transcription of work-related or pleasure reading into Braille or tape. These statistics show that SSB's services aid the whole blind person's lifestyle; not just the employment factors. One of our chief concerns has to do with extraneous issues that SSB staff must deal with to help the Department develop and operate Workforce Centers. While blind people seeking employment may want to use Workforce Center services this should be possible without SSB staff spending time and money to bring it about. Another concern that happens when an agency like SSB is a part of a larger Department is the temptation to consolidate our services with other agencies. Such an attempt was made last year when the Department of Economic Security contemplated combining SSB with its Rehabilitation Services branch. With the help of some legislators, our distinctive services were preserved. Establishment of a Department for the Blind would go a long way toward diminishing this risk from happening again. We acknowledge that this proposal bucks trends of consolidation but we hope that you can acknowledge that there are exceptions to all trends and that you can best serve blind Minnesotans through this new structure. We ask you to lend your support to the creation of a Department for the Blind. Help SSB better use its funding and provide first-rate service that will be a model for the whole country. *** This could be our year. We visited with more legislators than ever, and where we could not make personal visits we left the fact sheet. Some legislators were enthusiastic, others were noncommittal, and still others said it didn't have a chance. A great deal depends on whether we make a case that the needs of blind people are truly unique and that we do not fit into any already existing Department. We have commitments for hearings in both the Senate and House Government Operations Committees. Plan to join us throughout this Legislative session and be a part of history in the making. Blind Candidate Wins West-central House Seat By Richard Meryhew (Reprinted from the November 7, 1996 Star Tribune) Torrey Westrom was in the sixth grade when he first toured the State Capitol and saw its majestic dome and golden horses. But when he returns in January as a newly elected representative from House District 13A, those images will be only memories. Westrom, 23, has been blind since he was 14, when he was injured in a car accident on his family's farm. He fractured his skull in six places, and has seen nothing but darkness since. In defeating DFLer Clair Nelson of Barrett by 228 votes Tuesday, the Republican will become the first blind person to serve in the Legislature in recent history. Mark Sathe, a Republican from St. Louis Park, who also is legally blind, was defeated in his bid for the District 44 state Senate seat vacated by Ted Mondale. "It's quite an honor," Westrom said of his triumph Wednesday from his home in Elbow Lake, a community of 1,180 people about 170 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It's a humbling experience." He will represent a large strip of west central Minnesota that includes parts of seven counties and 26 communities. But his victory, which wasn't certain until late returns trickled in about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, was cause for celebration far beyond his district's borders. "To see one of our citizens who happens to be blind really make it in the political field is another sign of our progress," said Joyce Scanlan, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, based in Minneapolis. "We don't want to get caught up in the fact that this is just a blind guy. This really is a Member of the Legislature who has campaigned and won an election and been successful. And he happens to be blind." Said Dick Davis, Assistant Commissioner of State Services for the Blind with the Department of Economic Security, "People in his legislative district looked at him as somebody who could do a good job for them in the Legislature and elected him. That's the neat part. They trusted him enough to put him in the Legislature. That's just dandy." Westrom, who has participated in Republican politics for about six years, was elected to office on his first try. He says his agenda in St. Paul will be simple; economic development, education and property-tax changes. But he also knows that along the way, his blindness quietly may become part of his mission, too. "It's going to be a point people will ask about, and it's something he'll have to talk about," Scanlan said. "But I found him to be very open, and I think he'll do well." Overcoming difficulties Westrom, the son of a dairy farmer, was 14 when he hopped into a car, drove out to a hay field and lost control of the vehicle on an "S" curve. The car flipped, his forehead crashed into the steering wheel, and the car's roof collapsed on his head. The optic nerve connecting his eyes to the optic centers of his brain was irreversibly damaged, cutting off "all the light perception between the eyes and the brain," he said. He credits his family, friends and community with helping him through difficult times. "It was always a question of 'If there's anything we can do, let us know,'" he said. He graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1991 and from Bemidji State University in 1995 with a degree in political science and business administration. He works in sales for a telecommunications firm. Scanlan, who is blind, said she met Westrom in August, when he met with blind students at the organization's training center in Minneapolis to discuss his handicap. "It's encouraging for them to see a person who is not that much older than they are, doing what Torrey is doing," she said. "Whether he likes it or not, he's going to be a role model." Westrom said he's prepared for the responsibility. "There have been lots of people throughout my life who have been major players or minor players, and they've been anything from helpful to inspirational," he said. "So, yeah, I think it's not a bad thing to try and be a role model." Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, said Westrom is one of several officeholders nationwide who are legally blind. It's not unprecedented in Minnesota, either. Thomas D. Schall, who was blind, represented Minnesota in Congress from 1915 to 1935 - first as a representative and later as a senator. "I don't think there (are) any problems Torrey won't be able to deal with, because he's resourceful, he's sharp, he's intelligent, and you know, I think he knows where to go if he has problems or questions that he needs help with," Scanlan said. "He's not going into it without a lot of planning and thought of how handle it." Westrom said he'll travel to St. Paul before the start of the legislative session to learn the layout of the Capitol complex. "I'll get familiar with it," he said. "Once I get that map in my head, it's there. It's memory." An Earlier Blind Lawmaker By Peggy Chong The election of Torrey Westrom to the Minnesota House of Representatives has caused some in the press to marvel at his courage. But he is just following other fine blind Minnesotans into politics. Our most famous blind Minnesota politician has got to be Thomas David Schall. Friends, as well as enemies of Mr. Schall all would agree that he was a strong force in our country's political world. Thomas David Schall was born in Michigan on June 4, 1878. After his father died in 1880, his mother left Michigan to make a life for her and her son. They eventually settled in Traverse County where his mother worked as a cook. From early childhood, Tom led a tough life. At an early age he was selling papers in the streets until late at night. He tells of sleeping in boxes in the streets of Minneapolis after selling his last paper for the night. Being able to dance and having a strong voice, he joined the circus for several months. After that, he found himself back with his mother in Wheaton. Wanting the best for her son, his mother arranged for his adoption by a wealthy farmer with the understanding that Thomas would get a good education. Instead of school, Thomas was put to work on the farm. His first attempt to run away was unsuccessful. But the second time, he made it back to his mother. Tom started school at the age of 12 in Wheaton. He went to Ortonville High School where he was convinced to enter an oritorical contest and won first prize. He went on to state competition and won second place. Previously, his interests had been fighting and baseball. Now he turned to speaking. His oratorical gift earned him a scholarship at Hamline University. After transferring to the University of Minnesota in 1900, he continued to win honors for himself and his school in the Northern Oratorical League. While at the U. of M., he also won the Pillsbury Prize. He once told a reporter that the more expensive his suit for the contests, the higher his placement. Thomas earned his BA degree from the University in 1902, and received his LLB degree from the St. Paul College of Law in 1904. He was admitted to the bar in 1905. He and his new bride set up house while Thomas began his practice in corporate law. He felt that things had turned out right well for himself. In 1907 he was trying a case in Fargo, North Dakota. Court had recessed for lunch. Thomas and another attorney went to the cigar stand to purchase a cigar. The other attorney lit his cigar with a match. But Thomas lit his with a new electric cigar lighter. The lighter exploded and threw Schall backwards. His arm was seared, but he still went back into court to finish off the day. Thomas noticed that his vision was a bit unfocused. As the days progressed, he lost more of his sight. Within a year, Schall was totally blind. Schall and his wife went to doctor after doctor, hoping for a cure. They exhausted their savings, sold all their belongings, sold his law library and eventually everything they owned. Tom heard of a doctor who had a new surgical procedure. But it would cost much money -- money that they did not have. He had to go back to work. A friend gave him some space in his law offices. Gradually, his confidence came back. He focussed on personal injury law. Soon he forgot chasing after a cure for his blindness and opened his offices in the Security Building in Minneapolis. Margaret, his wife, became his personal secretary both in the law offices and in Washington. While she was attending the University of Minnesota, she earned extra money reading to a professor who was losing his sight. Given Thomas's past and her knowledge of what the blind professor accomplished at the University, she urged her husband to continue in his law profession. The Schalls also started on their family at this time. Their first son, Thomas Jr. was born in 1911. Richard was born in 1913, and their daughter Padget Ann was born in 1920. As a favor he began making speeches for his friends who were running for political office. Soon he decided to run for office himself, filing for the congressional seat as a Progressive in 1913. All his life, just like his father, he had been a Republican. But when Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Schall's hero, bolted from the Republican Party, so did Tom. He rejoined the Republican Party a few years later, but was always on the outside because of his defection and unwillingness to follow the Party line. Schall began his term as the first blind Congressman on March 4, 1915. He was reelected each year until 1925, when he began his first term as Minnesota's blind U. S. Senator. In the House, he chaired such committees as the Committee on Alcohol Liquor Traffic and the Committee on Flood Control. Tom also served on the Rules Committee. One thing he loved to do was to speak to the people. It is said that he would talk to any group and at great length on current issues. Most of his supporters were the poor people of our state. He would address crowds, primarily outdoors, at community picnics or on street corners from the back of a car. It didn't matter to him. It has been said that if three people were found loitering outside his Lake Harriet home, he would take that opportunity to speak from his retaining wall to those who would listen. He did not forget his blind brothers and sisters. Tom Schall was the first legislator to accept an invitation to speak to the convention of the Minnesota State Organization of the blind (MSOB, now the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota) in June of 1924. The MSOB counted Schall as a friend in the Congress and contacted him on issues such as the Pension for the Blind Bill. While in the Senate, Schall met with MSOB representatives over the Robbins bill that was the forerunner to the Randolph-Shepard Act that gave blind persons preference to vending stands in Federal buildings. The press of Minnesota was controlled by the Democratic Party and therefore had little to say in support of Schall. But this did not bother him. He gave as good as he got. His associates describe him as "unyielding" and "not afraid of any man." Schall took his work seriously, serving on his committees as well as attending and participating in committees he was not a member of. He once was described as "blazing forth in strong and vivid language" to make his point for the State of Minnesota. He also took great pride in the fact that he answered all his letters within a twenty-four-hour period. William Randolph Hearst was a big supporter of Thomas Schall. With his support came many front page articles about the Senator in his many papers. This also prompted criticism back home. His opponents tried to paint him as part of an eastern block of politicians and not interested in the affairs of Minnesotans. Yet, with each election, Schall's popularity grew. Schall voted to repeal Prohibition so that men and women could purchase better liquor openly. He was the first senator to stand up and strongly oppose the New Deal and President Roosevelt. Tom lobbied hard for an import ban as he felt that by eliminating imports from other countries that duplicated American goods, more Americans could go back to work and end the depression. He openly commended people and communities that refused federal support and worked to make it on their own. Politics was not his only love. Ever since he was a child, working on farms and taking care of the animals, he loved horses. While visiting his daughter's school in Virginia in October 1935, Tom showed off his skills as an equestrian. Using a buzzer system that he had worked out, Schall rode the horse around the area then took it over four-foot jumps. Other hobbies included flying and shooting. He often could be seen flying on an Autogyro from his Washington office to his Maryland home. When he could, he would choose to fly across the country. Both of his sons had pilot's licenses. He also enjoyed target shooting at his Maryland home. He would use sound to focus on. Sometimes a person would stand at a great distance and hit the target with a stick. It is said that he was a pretty good shot. Blindness was something Thomas was never ashamed of. Most often, he could be found in the front row of the House with his cane between his knees. Early photos of Thomas Schall show him using a walking stick. Often he traveled with his wife or one of his staff. A German Shepard police dog named Lux was given to Schall to walk through the streets of Washington. Lux earned a following of his own. The dog's picture was used to sell dog food. In 1926, Schall and Senator Wadsworth introduced a bill that would allow a guide dog to accompany his master on public transportation and other public places. Traveling back and forth between Minneapolis and Washington alone, Lux was forced into the baggage car on every occasion. The railroads would not allow Lux to accompany his master into the main train or a private compartment. Thomas Pryor Gore and Sen. Thomas Schall, the two blind Senators, posed for press photos in 1932 with the new white canes with the contrasting red tip that would make it easier for motorists to see a blind person crossing the street. On December 19, 1935, Thomas Schall stopped on his way home in Maryland to do some shopping. While crossing the street with his aid, they were hit by a car. Thomas Schall died two days later on December 22. Schall was buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. The state and the nation mourned the great loss of a strongly opinionated and tireless supporter of the poor and working class. The Parents' Column By Barbara Schultz Volunteer Braille Services has capacity to print requested materials in large print if your child needs that. Contact them directly at 521-0372 for information. If you are on our parent mailing list, you should have received a questionnaire recently. If you have not returned it, please do. Our parents' division wants to meet the real needs of families in Minnesota, and we want to know what we should be doing. Thanks! There are several children who have expressed an interest in a mentoring relationship with a blind adult. Ages and hometowns follow. Please call Barbara Schultz at (612) 772-4093 if you want to become a mentor. Thank you. 19-year-old boy, Babbitt, MN 17-year-old girl, North Mankato 14-year-old boy, Hayfield 6-year-old boy, Stillwater 7-year-old girl, St. Paul A parent in North Mankato is willing to set up a local group of Parents of Blind Children for support, social activities, sharing ideas, etc. Call Barbara at (612) 772-4093 if you are in the Mankato area and are interested. The 1996-1997 Braille Readers Are Leaders contest is underway! For information, rules, or an entry form, please call Barbara at (612) 772-4093. And while we're on this topic, congratulations to last-year's Minnesota participants; Brandon Cole of Plymouth, Lisa Kidder of Owatonna, and Emilie Schultz of St. Paul! If you have information, announcements, or questions for this column, or if you are interested in participation in the parent's division in any way, please contact: Barbara Schultz President, Parents of Blind Children 1728 Leone Avenue St. Paul, MN 55106 (612) 772-4093 The Insights group continues to meet monthly in the metro area for education/information/support/socialization for families of blind children. There is now also a discussion/support group meeting being held separately, monthly for parents. For information on either or both, call Carol at 429-7293. Future Reflections Special Issue, 1995, is available to children in Braille, large print, or on tape. It was devoted to articles written for blind children grades 3 and up. Request it, free of charge, from: Future Reflections National Federation of the Blind 1800 Johnson St. Baltimore, MD 21230. Slate Pals is a pen pal program for blind Braille reading students who want to correspond with other students. Contact: Slate Pals 5817 North Nina Chicago, IL 60631. Central Minnesota Chapter Celebrates 25th Anniversary By Tom Scanlan Our Central Minnesota Chapter, based in St. Cloud, was 25 years old in November. And its members are proud of it. State President Joyce Scanlan sent the following letter to Chapter President Andy Virden and the members in honor of the event and to wish them well from all the members of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. November 7, 1996 Mr. Andrew P. Virden, President Central Minnesota Chapter National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota Waite Park, Minnesota Dear Andy and Members of the Central Minnesota Chapter: Congratulations to all of our fellow Federationists in the Central Minnesota Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of this very outstanding chapter. I am sorry I cannot be with you today to take part in the celebration, but I am in San Juan on assignment as the national representative at the NFB of Puerto Rico convention. I would very much like to be in St. Cloud with all of you today. Vice President Curtis Chong and Metro Chapter President Peggy Chong are our official NFB of Minnesota representatives, who will bring this message to you. Like many of you, I was in attendance at the founding meeting of our Central Minnesota Chapter in 1971. It was a very exciting time for all of us. To mention names of leading Federationists who were there on that founding day from the chapter and from the entire Minnesota affiliate would be difficult because there are so many. Jim Schleppegrell, Rosemary Varey, and Mary Hartle certainly deserve recognition, as do you, Andy, since you have served as chapter president for most of those twenty-five years. There are certainly many other memorable leaders: Tom Anderson, Sister Jude, Brad Hodges, Agnes Marklowitz, Lenore Ruhof, and many, many more. Our Central Minnesota Chapter has been a vital part of our state and national organization throughout its twenty-five-year history. The chapter has had a prominent presence in the community of St. Cloud as it served as the voice of the organized blind in that area. Everyone knew of the existence of our chapter, because Federationists were always on hand to express the views of the organization on all significant issues. Whenever an individual in the area who happened to be blind experienced difficulty due to blindness, the chapter members were available to lend support and provide advocacy until the problem was resolved. Yes, the chapter has filled a very important role in the community and throughout the entire National Federation of the Blind. Everyone should be justly proud of the role Central Minnesota has played in the National Federation of the Blind. Please have a wonderful day as you celebrate the birthday of our chapter. I will be thinking of all of you with warm and friendly thoughts and memories. Congratulations again, and I know we will have even a more brilliant future which exceeds the success of the past twenty-five years. Have a wonderful day. Very truly yours, Joyce Scanlan President The chapter has worked hard over the years to improve the lives of blind people and uphold the principles and philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind. In recognition of their success, the following article appeared in the St. Cloud Times on November 7, 1996. IN 25 YEARS, ADVOCACY GROUP FOR BLIND MAKES POSITIVE STRIDES "Chapter president says group has increased opportunities for disabled" (by Kendra E. Johnson) Back in 1971, not many businesses took chances on blind people or those with seeing disabilities. Local historians say few of the area's blind were able to get steady jobs -- a fact largely due to stereotypes and misinformation. Today, more than half of area residents with full or partial blindness have careers or are working steady jobs. More than 15 of the 30 members of the Central Minnesota chapter of the National Federation of the Blind work, said Andy Virden, chapter president. Virden said he likes to think the consumer group deserves much of the credit for changing those working statistics and people's attitudes. As organizers prepare for the chapter's 25th anniversary celebration Saturday, Virden and other members reflected on the organization's achievements. "I think attitudes are improving toward blind people as well as other people with disabilities," said Virden, who's been a member of the national organization since 1951. Virden credits the organization for several strides for blind people nationally, including helping to pass copyright laws that allow literature to be available in Braille or on recordings almost immediately, and lobbying for maintaining appropriations for the Library of Congress to continue publishing and recording books in Braille. Statewide, Virden said, the organization helped get Braille books to needy children by working to get a bill passed that provides the necessary money. The local chapter lobbied for the bus depot and provides scholarships for blind youth, Virden said. "I think we've made it easier to create a better climate for securing opportunities for blind people, and more members have become active in our community because of the organization," he said. Member Patti Karim agreed. Karim, who moved to St. Cloud a year ago, said the organization made her feel at home. "I'd been in the organization for about 23 years, but that was in other places. This provided me with the community, the commonality and the interest by people going in the same direction," she said. Karim, who's looking for a job in her field of broadcasting, said, "I didn't know that much about St. Cloud, but it was through other blind people that I learned what services I could tap into, places to go, things like that," she said. Between 30 and 50 residents are expected to attend the celebration, which will be at noon at the Waite Park American Legion, Virden said. Convention Alert! Exciting times are coming in NFB conventions. Keep these in mind as you plan your activities throughout the coming year. The Semiannual NFB of Minnesota Convention will be held in the Twin Cities in April. Members will receive a letter with details in early March. The National NFB Convention will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana during the first week of July 1997. This is a whole week of friends, fun (the French Quarter!), and serious business. It is a chance to be part of the largest gathering of blind people in the world. Full details are in the December 1996 issue of the Braille Monitor. However, get your reservations into the NFB National Office right away. The Hyatt Regency hotel has reserved only 1,100 rooms for our convention, but we expect to need nearly 1,500. Dr. Jernigan is working hard to get the rest, but there is a big jazz convention at the same time. So don't take a chance and wait too long and be left out in the cold (even in New Orleans in July). The Annual NFB of Minnesota Convention will be held in October in the Twin Cities.