The Braille Spectator Winter 1992-93 The Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland ORGANIZED BLIND TO CONTINUE LITERACY BATTLE 26TH ANNUAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS This was the type of convention that Federationists everywhere have come to expect from the NFB of Maryland--big, noisy, fun-filled, and productive! There were 217 conventioneers registered (and 199 persons at the banquet), including visitors from the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Canada. The convention was held at the Marriott Hotel in Gaithersburg, and began on the afternoon of Friday, September 18, with two seminarsþone on teaching Braille to sighted persons, conducted by Marylou Stark, chief of the Braille Development Section, Library of Congress, and the other on peer support for the newly blind, conducted by Dr. Betsy Zaborowski, clinical psychologist in private practice. Both seminars attracted many newcomers, some of whom attended the remainder of the convention. With the adoption of the Literacy Rights and Education Act for Blind and Visually Impaired Students, there was much cause for celebration at this convention. However, as President Sharon Maneki reported in her address to the convention on Saturday morning, the passage of this act simply means that we must move to a new battlefield to ensure that proper regulations are put into effect, and that parents become familiar with the law to ask for Braille instruction for their blind and visually impaired children. The adoption of two resolutions on this issue (see Resolutions 92-01 and 92-02) clearly demonstrate the determination of our membership to bring the battle for literacy to a victorious conclusion. Two panel discussions in a crowded Saturday program provided blind job seekers with much valuable information. The first, entitled "Straight Talk from Blind Professionals," featured Gary Wunder, the national representative to our convention and project manager at University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics, Mildred Rivera, an attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, and Greg Lukens, vice president and general manager of Washington Professional systems. The second, entitled "Going Blind on the Job: the Challenge of Maintaining Employment," featured James Gashel, Director of Governmental Affairs, National Federation of the Blind, John Jones, duty officer, Fire Prevention Bureau, Baltimore City, and Officer Eugene Cassidy, instructor, Police Academy, Baltimore City. Delegate Carol Petzold, who has been working on legislation to strengthen Maryland's laws against job discrimination, also appeared on this panel. Congresswoman Connie Morella made a brief appearance on Saturday morning to greet her constituents and promise her continued support . She agreed to speak to congressional leaders about the need to eliminate the commission on blindness from the rehabilitation act. Don Morris was the master of ceremonies for the banquet. Our national representative delivered a Wunder-ful, no-nonsense and down-to-earth banquet address. An unusually large number of prizes and awards were given out. To celebrate the Literacy Rights and Education Act for Blind and Visually Impaired Students, "Braille Readers Are Leaders" sweatshirts were given to Anne Bertsch, Loretta McGraw, Sharon Saylor, Louis Tutt, and Sharon Zervitz for their work on our Braille task force. To emphasize the importance of Braille, a special prize was placed in the center of each table with an accompanying Braille note stating how to choose the winner among the persons seated at that table. Legislative Service Awards were presented to Senator Arthur Dorman and Delegate Sheila Hixson, the prime sponsors of the Braille Literacy bills in the General Assembly. The first Shirley Trexler Media Award was given to radio personality George Dale for publicizing the capabilities of blind persons on numerous occasions. Councilman Bill Howard, Chairman of the Baltimore County Council, received the Equal Employment Opportunity Award for his work in resolving the Ken Canterberry and Bill Ramsey cases. Patricia Maurer received the Kenneth Jernigan Award for her dedicated service to our movement. John T. McCraw Scholarships were awarded to Aaron Bangor ($800), a freshman at Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Danielle Hestand ($800), a freshman at the University of Connecticut, and Patrick Leahy ($1400), a freshman at Millersville College in Pennsylvania. Lorraine Rovig and Penny Miller were the winners of room accomodations at next year's state convention in the contest for PAC plan members. Lillian Walden won $100 in the drawing for Associates recruiters. The Associates recruiters who attended the banquet were also awarded small prizes. The 58 Federationists who took part in the Associates program in the last contest year make up the largest number of participants that we have had from Maryland in any given year. The following persons were elected to two year terms: Sharon Maneki, president; Eileen Rivera, first vice president; Barry Hond, second vice president; Debbie Brown, secretary; Judy Rasmussen, treasurer; Jean Faulkner, Blanche Payne, Brenda Williams, board members. There are so many persons who are to be commended for their part in making this convention a grand successþTom Bickford, Frank Stark, Pat Gormley, and others for the Friday evening get acquainted party; Evelyn Saile and her large crew for Saturday and Sunday morning hospitality; the merchants and parents divisions for their excellent Saturday luncheon programs; Shirley Morris and her registration crew; finally Patricia Maurer and everyone who helped with door prizes. The members of the Sligo Creek Chapter did an excellent job in hosting this convention. To underscore just how productive this convention was, we note that the agenda included presentations by representatives from all of the state-wide agencies serving the blind, and that six resolutions were adopted. The convention was adjourned in the now standard fashion at noon on Sunday with president Sharon Maneki's announcement of the location and date of next year's conventionþthe Princess Royal Hotel in Ocean City, October 29-31, with our typically attractive room rates. THE STATE OF THE AFFILIATE: 1992 by Sharon Maneki From the Editor: Here is the original version of the text of president Sharon Maneki's report, which she delivered at our Gaithersburg convention. After this report was written, she learned that the Metro Board of Directors did vote to approve the 18-inch granite platform edge. She did not learn of this action in sufficient time to make the alteration in her address. Fellow Federationists. When Dr. Jacobus ten Broek and his colleagues established the National Federation of the Blind in 1940, they set three goals for our movementþsecurity, equality, and opportunity for all blind persons. These goals are just as relevant for us today in the 1990s as they were for blind persons in the 1940s. It is only our understanding of the true meaning of security, equality, and opportunity, and our ability to achieve these goals that is greater today than it was in the 1940s. With a greater perspective of the accomplishments of the preceding decades, the blind of each new decade have succeeded in expanding the boundaries of exactly what is feasible and reasonable for us to accomplish in this complex and dynamic society. We are successful in achieving our goals because of our ability to unite in common purpose. Although the obstacles to reaching our goals are numerous, we are able to sustain our determination with the love and concern which we have for each other. Unlike the agencies and the bureaucracies which can stymie progress merely by stalling until the reins of leadership are passed to the next administration, we in the National Federation of the Blind work on our problems until they are solved, even when there are changes in our leadership. We do not adopt the behavior of the ostrich by burying our heads in the sand, waiting for our problems to disappear or for someone else to solve those problems for us. We abide by President Harry Truman's slogan, "the buck stops here"! The lives of blind persons of the present and future generations will improve only if we take seriously the principles of our Federation's philosophy which charge us with taking responsibility for our own actions and for determining our destiny. We must work tirelessly to break down the all too familiar barriers to our freedomþthe public's misconceptions about our abilities, a frequent lack of confidence on our own part that prevents us from reaching our full potential, pure discrimination on the basis of blindness, and an unresponsive system of rehabilitation which keeps us down and out by its sheer incompetence. We must always remain vigilant to new situations which, if unchecked, will turn into new barriers to our freedom. Let the freedom bell ring for security, equality, and opportunity for all blind persons throughout the nation! This is the message, this is the hope, this is the promise, this is the reality of the National Federation of the Blind! At the most basic level, we strive to attain security, equality, and opportunity for individual blind persons. Throughout the year, we assisted several blind persons with their social security claims, ensuring that they received all of the benefits to which they were entitled. During the spring, concerned parents told us of the plan in Montgomery County to merge the vision program with the speech and hearing program. Recognizing the inevitable threat such a merger would pose to individual blind students, the members of our Sligo Creek Chapter took an active part in arguing the case for a separate vision program. Now, the vision program will remain in tact for at least one more year. At last year's convention in Ocean City, we pledged to protect Ken Canterberry's livelihood. Ken's hot dog business was closed down by Baltimore County authorities because he could not comply with the law which required him to move his cart whenever he was not serving customers. Shortly after the convention adjourned, we persuaded the Baltimore County Council to amend the law so that blind and disabled street vendors would be exempt from the requirement to move their carts. Today Ken is back in business, and his right to operate his business and to make his own way in society has been assured. More recently, the livelihood of Bill Ramsey was threatened when Baltimore County officials announced their plan to transfer his canteen at the county jail from the Maryland Vending Program for the Blind to a private contractor. We were not only concerned about Bill's loss of employment, but we also anticipated that a dangerous precedent would be set which would permit other county and municipal facilities to be taken out of the Maryland Vending Program, leading to job losses for other blind vendors. We learned of the problem on May 13, and we had only five days to prepare to bring our case to the meeting of the Baltimore County Council on May 18. Because of our quick action, County Executive Hayden rescinded the plan on May 20, and Bill Ramsey remains in business today. We recognize Joe Byard, Don Morris, George Fear, and others in our Merchant's Division for helping with Bill Ramsey's case. County Executive Hayden's change of heart was no accident. It was the result of the public pressure which we generated. In 1992, many public facilities, business enterprises, and large corporations were brought under the purview of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). We have always recognized that the Americans with Disabilities Act, if properly enforced, can be an important vehicle for helping blind persons to achieve security, equality, and opportunity through its provision for access to information and its prohibition against employment discrimination in the private sector. The act is giving us new opportunities to educate employers. In one instance, Eileen Rivera recently completed a job analysis for United Parcel Service. Many of our members are now serving on advisory committees to organizations which must develop plans for compliance. We have commented on paratransit plans which will provide transportation for disabled persons in localities which do not provide public transportation. We have testified at public hearings to develop plans for greater accessibility for the MARC, MTA, AMTRAK, and District of Columbia's Metro systems. We have distributed the National Federation of the Blind's Information Access brochures throughout our local communities. Our work with the American's with Disabilities Act has been difficult and has presented many challenges. We must not only educate the personnel from the covered entities who are charged with ensuring compliance with the act about our needs, but we must also raise strong objections when unnecessary and harmful accommodations are proposed. Carol Dobak had to remind the MTA that accessibility means that it must provide appropriate information about bus schedules. Today, thanks to Carol's efforts, MTA has more information on bus routes and schedules on its telephone service. Trudie Morical had to inform the transportation authorities in Frederick County of blind persons' needs for designated bus stops, rather than the current practice of having riders flag down a bus from anywhere on the street. Frederick County officials are now looking into the feasibility of establishing designated bus stops. The Metropolitan District of Columbia's subway system is not in compliance with the regulation that warning tiles must extend for a distance of 24 inches from the edge of station platforms to provide sufficient warning to blind commuters. Since most of Metro's Network was constructed before the Act was passed into law, Metro platforms have been built with only 18 inch granite strips. Debby Brown, Tom Bickford, and Lloyd Rasmussen of our Sligo Creek Chapter participated in a test of warning surfaces of different textures and widths. Metro officials were surprised to learn that textured surfaces give very little tactile information to blind commuters, and that there is no significant benefit in increasing the width of warning strips from 18 to 24 inches. One test supervisor suggested that blind persons should scuff their feet to find the warning tiles. Do we really need an accommodation that gives us no information and mocks our behavior by encouraging us to shuffle along rather than walk? Despite this unwarranted suggestion, Metro officials are listening to us. Metro would prefer not to spend the millions of dollars which are needed to widen the warning strips. Metro officials also support our position that truncated dome tiles are both hazardous and unnecessary. Unfortunately, Metro has not yet come to a final decision on warning strips, and this problem will continue to require our attention. One of the negative results of the Americans with Disabilities Act is the renewed interest in the installation of audible traffic signals. Many local communities operate under the mistaken assumption that they must install these signals whenever they receive a request from a single blind individual. Other traffic signals are not installed without extensive study and public consultation. The installation of audible traffic signals should receive the same careful scrutiny. In accordance with the resolution on audible traffic signals which we adopted at our national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, all communities should not decide to install audible traffic signals without first consulting with members of the National Federation of the Blind. We will encourage state and local officials in Maryland to cooperate with us, and we will not recommend the installation of audible traffic signals except under the most extreme circumstances. We will monitor the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act carefully to ensure that our freedom to participate fully in society is not jeopardized and to guard against the wasteful expenditure of funds on accommodations which do nothing to promote our independence. if we are ever to achieve security, equality, and opportunity, we must continue to educate the public and other blind persons to understand that blindness is merely an inconvenience which can be compensated. All of our local chapters again conducted vigorous public education campaigns. Some chapters distributed our literature at community fairs or at shopping malls. Other chapters showed the short video, "The Encounter," at public gatherings or donated copies of it to local libraries. This year, we certainly went a long way toward dispelling the image of the helpless and delicate blind in the eyes of the spectators who saw us marching in the Preakness Parade, or more accurately, saw us slogging along through the Preakness Flood. Educating the general public is only part of our job. We must especially educate and assist the human service professionals. We were invited to set up an exhibit at the annual convention of the American Diabetes Association which was held in Baltimore last April. What a great opportunity this was for us to distribute the "Voice of the Diabetic" and to demonstrate various talking products that help blind diabetics maintain their independence. We also had an exhibit at the week-long convention of the Council on Exceptional Children, held in Baltimore last April, where educators were able to browse through our literature. Barry Hond, Lorraine Rovig, Mildred Rivera, Barbara Cheadle, Carol Dobak, Loretta White, Eilene Rivera, and I participated in these exhibits. Loretta White and Barbara Cheadle conducted in service training workshops for nurses and other medical professionals at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. Because of these workshops, the Wilmer staff now has valuable information to assist parents of blind or visually impaired babies and toddlers. In Ocean City last year, Diane Eberts, Director of the Governor's Office on Individuals with Disabilities, said that she would consider recommending to Governor Schaefer the appointment of one of our members to his Advisory Council on Persons with Disabilities. I am pleased to report that Dr. Betsy Zaborowski began serving on this committee on July 1, 1992. I am also pleased to report that Loretta White was appointed to the Anne Arundel County Special Education advisory committee, and that Marla Sewell was appointed to serve on the Anne Arundel County Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities beginning October 1. I am sure that Betsy, Loretta, and Marla will represent us well. Bringing our liberating Federation philosophy to blind persons by starting new local chapters is a key ingredient in our march to freedom. The Southern Maryland chapter was established on November 20, 1991, and we are already seeing results. Today, Polly Johnson, the chapter's Vice president, is a licensed cosmetologist, in part because of the encouragement she received from the National Federation of the Blind. Chapter board member Lillian Wright asked chapter president Ken Silberman to help Joe Kosiba who faced employment discrimination due to his recent blindness. With Ken's advice and assistance, Joe filed an EEO complaint against the Bureau of Debt in the U. S. Department of the Treasury. Joe won his case and received the raise in salary to which he was entitled. Today, Joe is a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. In Resolution 91-02, we requested that Blind Industries and Services of Maryland permit us to meet regularly with the students in its rehabilitation program. We wanted to offer information, advice, and encouragement to these students, and to challenge them to resume the active lifestyles which they had before they became blind. To its credit, Blind Industries management agreed to our proposal. Our monthly meetings with the rehabilitation students began in January. We discussed public attitudes about blindness, the Job Opportunities for the Blind program, independent management of diabetes, and more. Our favorite activity was the buffet lunch at a public restaurant in which we all went through the line to serve ourselves. We are pleased that several graduates of the rehabilitation program are here, attending their first convention. There is no question that we have been a positive influence on the students and the program. The saddest part of this experience comes from the realization that the rehabilitation program had very little to offer, except for our involvement in it. However, the director of rehabilitation recently resigned to return to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. We can only hope that his successor will not be a disappointment to the organized blind movement. Too frequently, programs that were established to assist blind persons become the greatest obstacles to security, equality, and opportunity. A prime example of such a program in Maryland is offered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. During the past year, the division of vocational rehabilitation reorganized itself by reducing the number of regional offices from six to four and by the re-assignment of key personnel. On October 1, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will change its name to the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). A new name and organizational chart are not enough to reform this repressive agency. We have seen no change in the quality of the services offered to blind persons during the past year. Counselors still follow the dictum of not doing today what they can put off until next month or next year. When a client asks for a service, they always have the excuse that the proper form was not filled out or that some new piece of information is needed. Counselors are further not funding employment related equipment with the new excuse that the ADA requires the employer to pay for it. The Americans with Disabilities Act was never intended to absolve rehabilitation agencies of their responsibilities for the purchase of equipment. As an advocacy organization, we continue to help blind persons get what little service there is to be had from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The case of Andre Robinson, who is also the treasurer of the Southern Maryland Chapter, is sad but typical. He tried unsuccessfully to obtain services for years. Well over a year ago, he told his counselor that he wanted to enroll in a computer training course at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. Andre's case was stalled until we stepped in with Judy Rasmussen as his representative. Although we cannot get back the time that Andre as already lost, I am pleased to tell you that Andre started his class 4 days ago on September 15. In December 1991, the DVR sued Blind Industries and Services of Maryland for mismanagement. The court ruled that there was no basis for this suit and dismissed the case. Perhaps, the Division should take a lesson in lawsuits from the National Federation of the Blind. In January 1988, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of Maryland's blind vendors to force the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to comply with the Randolph Sheppard Act and to protect the 17 blind vendors who refused to pay set aside from termination from the program. In 1992, this suit was finally settled with substantial gains for the vendors, as we reported in the last issue of the Braille Spectator. The days when the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation can keep us down and out are coming to an end. We will break the monopoly of the rehabilitation agencies and achieve our freedom when our choice in rehabilitation legislation is enacted into law. There are a few signs of hope in our efforts to teach security, equality, and opportunity to the agencies which are supposed to serve us. Despite our criticism, we must commend the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for finally setting up at least a partial program of independent living for the senior blind. We continue to work in partnership with the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. In these difficult economic times, we recognize that our demand for additional staff positions will not be met as easily as our request for a new building. We are, however, equal to the task. We look forward with anticipation and pride to the opening of the new building early in 1993. We anxiously and eagerly await the day when the library has more books in its collection and can lend those books to borrowers more efficiently. We continue to work cooperatively with Blind Industries and Services of Maryland. Last year, we urged Blind Industries to set up an affirmative action plan to ensure that it becomes an employer who offers real equal employment opportunities for blind persons. Affirmative action goals were established. The challenge for Blind Industries now is not only to meet these goals, but also to improve its rehabilitation program and to find incentives which will enable its industrial employees to become a vital part of the production team. And there is, of course, our work with the Division of Special Education and the Braille Bill. Although we wanted to introduce our model Braille bill into the General Assembly, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland created a broadly based task force of consumers and professionals to write the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act to foster a spirit of cooperation with Richard Steinke and his Division. The task force worked harmoniously, compromises were made, and the bill was introduced with the agreed language. When the Department of Education tried to weaken the bill by offering an amendment to remove the presumption of Braille clause, we stood firm. The attorney General of Maryland agreed with our position. In his opinion, he stated that the presumption that Braille should be taught does not violate the federal law which requires that each child in special education have an individualized education program, as claimed by the Department of Education. The rest is history. The blind of tomorrow will have a better chance at security, equality, and opportunity because the blind of today knew when to compromise and when to stand firm. When the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act goes into effect on October 1, 1992, our battle does not end. We simply move to a new battlefield. We will make sure that this law is widely publicized so that all parents of blind or visually impaired children will know the value of Braille and that their children have a right to Braille instruction. We will insist that the Maryland State Department of Education develop procedures for the state wide distribution of Braille textbooks. We will insist that the Department take full advantage of the new technology to produce Braille rapidly, so that students no longer will have to fail courses because Braille textbooks were not available. We will insist on the adoption of the Braille Competency Test of the National Library Service, Library of Congress, as the standard by which vision teachers are certified in Maryland. It is truly a new day for blind persons in Maryland. For the first time, we are participating with educators from across the state to develop a resource document on the selection of reading and writing media for visually impaired students. For the first time, vision teachers came to a workshop sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind to brush up on their Braille skills. For the first time, the superintendent of the Maryland School for the Blind and a member of its board of directors are attending a substantial portion of our convention. For the first time, blind vendors can count on long term stable set aside rates and income from the Kennelly program. We can expect many more "for the first times" in the very near future. At our national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan described the shifting balances in the field of work with the blind. When we review our accomplishments of the past year, there can be no doubt that what is happening elsewhere in the nation is also happening in Maryland. The agencies and the professionals need not fear the coming changes, for we, the organized blind, understand the difference between cooperation and control. As Dr. Jernigan stated, we are not interested in control. The National Federation of the Blind is not and will never be a pawn for anyone. Our responsibility and our loyalty will always remain with blind consumers. Our accomplishments today point to a brighter future. Let us build on our accomplishments, and let us broaden our horizons just as those from the previous decades have done. Through our efforts, through our persistence, through our ingenuity, let the freedom bell ring for security, equality, and opportunity! BLIND INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES OF MARYLAND; Vindication, Exculpation, Exoneration by Al Maneki Not only do the three words above offer a chance to improve your vocabulary, but in this case, they describe the outcome of the court case involving Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) and the Maryland State Department of Education (DOE.) The Braille Monitor of July, 1992, and The Braille Spectator of Spring, 1992, included articles presenting the then current status of attempts by the DOE to have BISM placed in receivership. (Receivership is a legal maneuver where the assets of one party are given over to another party for management and custody.) The lawsuit charged that BISM was being mismanaged, was in danger of financial collapse, and was being run improperly. Based on these charges, and perhaps the accusations of Ralph Sanders, BISM's dissident former president, financial and programmatic audits were ordered by Circuit Court Judge Joseph H.H. Kaplan. The Department of Education selected the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (now renamed as the Division of rehabilitation Services, DRS) to perform the programmatic audit. The protocols for this audit were agreed upon by BISM and DRS and confirmed in writing by the DRS project manager. The criteria for the programmatic audit consisted of NAC and CARF work sheets, and interviews of BISM employees and students. The report of the programmatic audit included specific information and quotes. Where the information was concrete and factual, it was positive. Employees and students who were interviewed mostly thought BISM was doing a good job. The programmatic audit report also contained "editorial" comments which were not supported by fact or evidence. As DRS employees conducted the audit and DRS employees wrote the report, you might guess (and you would be right) that these editorial comments were negative. It was further reported that DRS violated several of its own protocols while conducting the review. The most offensive to many BISM employees was the failure of DRS to notify them in writing prior to conducting the telephone interview. BISM has an annual independent audit performed by certified public accountants. Even so, a new financial audit was ordered. The additional audit was performed by CPAs selected by DOE, and, as expected, supported the original BISM audit which was already in DVR's possession. BISM was not being mismanaged, and although cuts in State support and rapid expansion created demands for financial resources, BISM was not found to be in financial jeopardy. On August 10, 1992, attorneys for DOE and attorneys for BISM met with Judge Kaplan. All of the charges against BISM were dismissed "with prejudice." The meaning of this term is that the State of Maryland may no longer bring suit or further charge BISM with any of these allegations. Judge Kaplan ordered "that the comprehensive review of all programs and services operated and offered by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland conducted by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Maryland Department of Education and filed with this Court on May 11, 1992 in the form of two volumes, consisting of a report and appendix, entitled Comprehensive Program ReviewþBlind Industries and Services of Maryland is no longer confidential and may be released to the public with the cover statement from Frederick Puente, Chairperson, BISM Board of Trustees, attached hereto as Exhibit 1 affixed hereto." Some good has resulted from BISM's having to defend itself in court, and proving the accusations to be false. BISM formerly reported its budget through DVR. Personality and philosophical differences between BISM and DVR were evident for quite some time, and were perhaps a major reason for the conflict. In any event, it was clear that the relationship between BISM and DVR was not good. The continued reporting by BISM to DVR would not improve this unproductive relationship. As a result, we believe that the Department of Education made a very wise decision by shifting the responsibility for the monitoring of the BISM grant directly to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Now, all that remains is for Ralph Sanders to face the truth and quit making false statements. he recently wrote to a number of people, claiming falsely that BISM pays its employees in cash and has changed its policy on independent travel by blind people. Both of these statements are blatantly false. He makes other meaningless accusations which, although unimportant, are equally false. One can only wonder at his motives. It has been reported that more than $100,000 was spent by BISM to defend itself in Court. It is clear that BISM had to defend itself against the attempted DOE takeover and the false charges which had been brought. It is equally clear that had the false charges not been brought, at least $100,000 of additional services could have been provided to students and employees at BISM. At the October meeting of the Board of Trustees of BISM, Richard Brueckner, BISM's president, stated that the blind-sighted ratio problem, which BISM had earlier identified, has been corrected in accordance with BISM's earlier plan. He reported that over 77% of all direct labor at BISM is now performed by blind employees. He also reported that blind employment at BISM is now 173 people. He noted that this is a 97% increase from the 88 blind people employed when he was hired in 1989. Brueckner also reported that as a final step in the DOE litigation, state legislative auditors reviewed the results of the audits mentioned above, and submitted several recommendations to be considered by the BISM Board of Trustees. The majority of these recommendations have already been implemented and the few remaining will be reviewed and voted upon in early November. The NFB of Maryland will continue to monitor BISM's programs closely and report on BISM's activities. As for now, we congratulate BISM for the continuing improvement both in programs and in employment opportunities for blind adults in the State of Maryland. MY FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION by Pauline Johnson I joined the Sligo Creek chapter of the National Federation of the Blind in 1989 after I finally reached the end of the road in loss of vision. I was attracted to the Federation because it is an action organization. I could hardly believe that blind people were doing all of the things that my fellow chapter members did. I was invited to attend national conventions on many occasions, but was always afraid to go because I have never been able to obtain mobility training. I decided to go in 1992 because of the encouragement from many members of the chapter, especially Terry Powers, who agreed to room with me and help me get from place to place. Since this was my first trip alone as a blind person, I was scared to death. Many people, especially Terry Powers, Tom Bickford and Andre Robinson helped me when I needed it. I gained confidence as I began to realize that I really could get where I wanted to go. I was especially proud when I did things that I wanted to do and my room mate did something else that she wanted to do. I never thought of myself as being able to learn martial arts, but I did just that at the Charlotte convention. Meeting people once a month at a chapter meeting is helpful, but living for a week with blind people from every walk of life and from every part of the country gives you a sense of belonging to a family that is unique. The National Federation of the Blind is a nurturing organization that provides help without diminishing the individual's dignity or respect. My experience at the national convention convinced me that I do not have to settle for a life of sitting on my back porch. There is also no shame in admitting our fears to fellow Federationists. We are never alone because our federation family will be there to assist us only if we need it. We are a brotherhood of blind persons. I am ready to give to others some of what I have received from all of you. PARENTS' GROUP FORMS CHILDREN'S CANE BANK by Loretta White The Parents of Blind Children Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is a grassroots organization of parents and friends of blind children. It is our conviction that blind children can lead happy, fulfilled lives. They develop much the same as their sighted peers, and their blindness may eventually be reduced to a physical nuisance. The realization of this goal requires appropriate and adequate supports. It is for this purpose that the NFB Children's Cane Bank has been established for the State of Maryland through a grant from the Severn River Lions Club. Good mobility facilitates exploring and learning about the world for all children, especially for those who are blind. While sighted children will acquire tremendous amounts of information about their environment from the confines of their cribs by casually looking around at their surroundings, blind children must be taught early to move and explore in order to learn. Once blind children have learned to walk, skills need to be introduced to optimize their mobility in order to keep them safe, curious, confident, and moving at an appropriate pace. The best way to accomplish this is to equip them with white canes as soon as they have learned to walk. The Cane Bank accepts referrals from all sources including (but not limited to): educators, school administrators, health care providers, therapists, family members or friends, or students themselves. The NFB of Maryland Children's Cane Bank is physically located in the Aids and Appliances Center on the first floor of the National Center for the Blind at 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD. All visually impaired children in the state of Maryland who would benefit from a white cane are eligible to borrow canes from the NFB of Maryland Children's Cane Bank at no cost. Referral and application forms may be obtained from the President of the Parents of Blind Children Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. When the application with the necessary information is received, the cane will be mailed directly to the user from the Aids and Appliances Center in a reusable cardboard tube. The first mailing will include a one-week loan of the video Kids With Canes and print and/or braille instructions on the care and use of the cane. When a cane is outgrown or broken, parents are encouraged to trade it in for a longer one. The smaller cane will be refurbished and returned to stock. For more information call the Parents Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland at (410)360- 5108. BLIND 12-YEAR-OLD DETERMINED TO BECOME A LAWYER Reprinted from Horizon, the family newsletter of the Parents of Blind Children Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Summer, 1992. This article is reprinted from the Sun dated July 5, 1992. Christine is a former Braille Readers are Leaders winner. Christina Shorten, a 12-year-old Frederick County middle-schooler, wants very much to become a lawyer. It's sometimes easy to forget that Christina is only 12. It's also easy to forget that she is blind. "I can't exactly be a nurse," she said. "Everybody says I can argue. I like crime." Her mother, Terri Shorten, thinks her daughter just might manage to become a lawyer. After all, Christina learned to waterski, cooks and cleans around the house and even gives her little brothers a bath. She also picks out her own clothes and is about to tackle a new challenge: Doing the laundry. All of this helps cause people to forget about her blindness. "I think it's funny," Christina said with a toothy smile. "My mom forgets and tells me to get the white towel." Christina is a top student at Ballenger Creek Middle School. She uses a talking calculator for math and has to read lessons transcribed into Braille and type homework and tests on a machine that prints the special raised script. It's a cumbersome process that requires two aides and lots of time and patience. IN class, the keys of her Brailler clack as she types. In the next room, the Braille version of Webster's dictionaryþ72 volumesþlines one wall. While her classmates read, Christina's fingers glide over a Braille book. "She's very bright," said Celia Kirby, a teacher who works with visually impaired students. "She knows people have to help her in certain ways. But she doesn't want you to cross the line." When asked how her friends take notes for her, Christina impatiently replies: "They read me what's on the board and I take notes myself." Christina, a native of Oklahoma, was blind at birth, but her parents didn't know it until she was two months old. The family now lives in a rustic home near Point of Rocks in Frederick County. Ms. Shorten said helping her daughter grow up has been a roller coaster rideþschools that worked, schools that didn't and a frustrating search for help. Teachers have to prepare written assignments one week ahead for Christina. Tests, especially math tests with geometric diagrams, are particularly difficult. Ms. Kirby said Braille books can cost $500þif they can be found. Doris Plansker, a special education aide, spends much of her day with Christina and will stay with her until she graduates. Ms. Plansker loves to talk about how Christina is using a saw in technical education class and how she has mastered paper weaving in art class. "She paints. She made clay lions," Ms. Plansker said. "She came in one day and said she watched a video. I said, "What?" "I can't say I heard a video or I went to hear a movie," Christina said, adding that she follows movie plots by listening to the dialogue. Christina begins her day with chorus, which she loves. Then she has a study period, language arts and math, which she hates. After lunch is social studies and special classes such as art. The only class she sits out is gym. Ms. Plansker said that doesn't mean Christina is afraid of physical challenges. Once, she deliberately took a rocky path at Cunningham Falls State Park with Ms. Plansker in tow. "To see her walking through the woods and up and down over stumps..." Ms. Plansker said. "She has gained the respect of everybody." COMMENTS ON WASHINGTON METRO KEY STATION PLAN by Lloyd Rasmussen Editor's note: The following is the text of the memorandum submitted by Lloyd Rasmussen, president, Sligo Creek Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, to James Miller, Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on August 23, 1992. As president of the Sligo Creek Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, a consumer organization of blind residents of Montgomery and northern Prince George's Counties, I am writing in support of the Key Station Plan as proposed by WMATA. I only wish to discuss a few matters which impact upon blind and visually impaired passengers specifically, and to answer some of the objections to the plan which were raised at the August 19 hearing. I approach this subject from the perspective of a blind Metro user and an electronics engineer, in addition to representing blind and visually impaired consumers. It is tempting, when examining a number of accidents in the Metro system, to think that you have a problem which has an engineering solution. But it is important, when looking at a problem, to define the specifications carefully, weigh the outcomes, and set criteria which will measure whether the application of a particular solution will result in improved accessibility and safety for all Metro passengers. Detectable Warnings Metro is being asked to submit a Key Station Plan which complies with accessibility guidelines on the assumption that these guidelines are set in stone, and that the transit agencies around the country are now required to set them in stone literally. But you should be aware that the federal guidelines are not perfect, do not represent the last word in proper design, and are likely to undergo major revisions within the next two years. Many of the ADA accessibility guidelines came from committee A.117 of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which was in the process of adopting new standards as Federal ADA deadlines loomed last year. Since the date of issuance of the ADA guidelines, the A.117 committee has reviewed its work, re-examined its assumptions about braille signage and detectable warnings, reversed its position supporting truncated domes for use as detectable warning surfaces, and modified the specifications for braille signage. The Access Board (ATBCB) apparently is also finding something lacking in the design of detectable warnings, since it was proposing to study them further during FY 1993. It is difficult to estimate how much time will be required for Federal regulators to reflect ANSI's changed standards in their ADA enforcement, but it is certain that the requirement for detectable warnings will be scrutinized, and new standards adopted, before Metro could set the present requirements in stone. It would be foolish for Metro to spend even one or two million dollars on detectable warning treatments for platform edges if the requirements are likely to change, unless there is an over-riding safety reason to do so. The WMATA Safety Office has probably provided some of the information that changed ANSI's mind. You found that some types of applied tiles were flammable, and questioned whether they would cause an increased hazard of tripping for all transit passengers. Transit agencies in New York and Connecticut have conducted tests which showed that the maintenance costs of truncated domes will be excessive, since it is nearly impossible to remove ice, snow and debris from the surface without deep-cleaning equipment which doesn't yet exist. An then there is BART. Tactile tiles which have been installed in the Bay Area Rapid Transport system beginning in 1986, have been cited as a major improvement in subway platform safety. If you do not already have it, you should ask for BART's data on the number of falls per year by blind and sighted transit passengers since the opening of the system. The data indicate that, for blind and sighted passengers alike, the number of falls was initially high, dropped to a base level, and has gradually increased as detectable warning surfaces of the recommended type have been installed throughout the BART system. This is one piece of information which gave the ANSI committee pause, and it should be enough to give any responsible transit designer pause, as well. I believe that Metro already has a great deal of information about detectable warnings which was not incorporated in the Key Station Plan. Staff were not equipped to answer many of the questions which were asked at the hearing, and this unpreparedness left an appearance of incompetence or uncertainty. When the Key Station Plan is submitted to the Federal Transit Administration, it will be necessary to marshall even more facts in its defense, especially concerning the request for equivalent facilitation by grandfathering the existing 18-inch granite platform edges. One of the weak areas of the proposed plan was the description of the testing which took place. I was one of three people from the Sligo Creek Chapter who examined three different textures of granite extension surface near one end of the lower platform at the Gallery Place station. Although we were carefully using our canes, we were unable to find the extra six inches of material until they were pointed out to us by a Metro staff person who had come there for the test. We found little tactual distinction among the three types of six-inch extension surface treatments at that location. Whether we agree with them or not, truncated dome-treated surfaces, as required in the present guidelines, should have been included in the actual platform testing, and a much larger number of blind and sighted passengers should have been solicited for their comments on all of the surface treatments. This would have necessitated a longer test period, but it would have exposed more people to the decision-making process, and would have strengthened your case. If there was some reason for not including the truncated domes in the test, it should be documented in the Key Station Plan. Signage Braille and raised-character signage may be a useful addition to the Metro system. Several factors will affect its usability by blind and visually impaired readers. It is difficult to imagine a standardized location for an entrance sign. Without some kind of standardization, a blind passenger would be obliged to explore a large expanse of walls, gates or pillars to find the sign, which may not provide any information he/she doesn't already have. Signs which indicate which trains are on which side of a platform will be useful orientation aids for those of us who frequent many stations occasionally, and only use a small number of them on a regular basis. They need to be placed on more pylons than the ones nearest the escalators, and, in some stations, could indicate which escalator is used when chaining trains onto a split platform. Signs are still no substitute for courteous and knowledgeable station personnel. As you can see from this testimony, braille signage is a convenience feature which will marginally improve accessibility, but it should be implemented with consultation by consumers, or much of the money spent on this cause will be wasted. If this takes longer than the prescribed time, so be it. We would rather have a well thought-out system of signage than one which was hastily put in place to comply with regulations. We, the members of the National Federation of the Blind, have found the Metro system to already be safe and accessible. Metro should not waste money on features which are not helpful, and may be harmful, for all passengers, including the blind and visually impaired. If you have questions concerning this testimony, you can reach me at the above address, or call me at (301)946- 8345. We look forward to helping Metro to continue to be a model of practical accessibility for blind and visually impaired people. HOW SMOOTH IS THE ROAD TO THE JURY BOX by Tom Bickford It's not nearly as hard as it used to be for a blind person to be selected for jury duty. Back in the 1950's a blind person was not just denied the chance when it came up, we were definitely prohibited from getting any chances. It made no difference that there already were blind lawyers, blind judges, blind plaintiffs, and blind defendants. Sighted judges and bailiffs presumed that blind people were unfit for jury service. I won't repeat the tired old reasons they used. There were some blind idealists who tried going to court just to get into the jury box, but all that got them was an appearance before a judge who said, "no." The decades have passed. The National Federation of the Blind has spread its influence across all areas of society including officers of the court. Dr. ten Broek was more than our organizational founder. He was also a legal scholar of note. Using his legal background he drew up model legislation for the "White Cane Law," which became a state-by-state approach to a basic civil rights law for the blind. Part of the reason that I know about the model legislation is that the members of the NFB/DC and I shepherded it through Congress to become the White Cane Law for the District of Columbia. In recent years the Americans with Disabilities Act has broadened social awareness that disabled people want to take our full part in society, and it has given us more tools to work with in making our way. The world is broadening its views on the capabilities of the disabled. The road to the jury box is much smoother now than it used to be, and I know why. All those blind people who argued with judges and bailiffs, who were written up in newspaper articles, and who encouraged each other to keep on trying and not to give in at the first refusal were pushing aside rocks and filling in potholes along the road. Even now when the road is relatively smooth, there are some curves that need to be straightened out. For us, now, there is still the responsibility to maintain the road so that those who come after us can spend their energies on the main purpose of the journey, making our system of justice work, and not on the side issue of who should be part of that system. It is no longer unusual to find blind people in the jury box. Among names known to readers of the Braille Spectator who have served on juries are Kenneth Jernigan and Sharon Maneki. I was called for jury duty several years ago, but at that time I did not serve. I was in a pool of potential jurors that was being held for a case. The judge and lawyers settled the case themselves about 1:30 p.m., and we all went home early. This time my trip to the jury box started in the Spring of 1991, and then was put on hold for almost a year. In Montgomery County the first inquiry form must be filled in by hand, and they want to know if you filled it in yourself, and if not, why not. The reason I gave was that I am blind. I try not to wave my blindness around where I think it is irrelevant, but I could not think of a better wording to use in this case. A few weeks later I received a call from an officer of the court who had noticed that I was blind. She was willing to exempt me from jury duty because of my blindness, but how could I hold up my head in the Federation if I let that happen? The lady did ask if I had a preference on when to serve, so I said I had a Federation convention in New Orleans that started at the end of June. Most of a year went by, and I thought I had been exempted anyway, but no ... In Montgomery County you are required to serve for one day or one trial, whichever is longer. My day to report was the Monday before the Charlotte convention. I was hoping for short trial. I knew there would be plenty of waiting time, so I took my own braille reading material. The film strip and the explanatory speech by the head bailiff were clear enough, so I settled down to wait. Just after I ate my bag lunch my number was called. Off to the eighth floor we went. In the court room our names were called one at a time so we could stand and be seen by the lawyers on each side. After that the first twelve people were called up to the jury box and seated. We had been warned not to take anything personally, either being accepted or excused. With relief I found myself still in the audience, but the party was just beginning. For no stated reason the prosecution and the defense started asking that certain people be excused. That meant that more people from the pool of uncalled jurors were called up, and after a while I heard my name. I grabbed my cane and walked up the aisle to the front where other people had stood to be questioned. Nobody objected to my looks, so I was in. After a few more adjustments we had our twelve jurors plus an alternative. It was about this time that the judge, himself, led me around the last curve in the legal road. For one of the actions, I think it was taking an oath, the judge started to ask the jury to stand, then he mentioned me by name saying that I need not stand, and then he decided that none of the jury needed to stand. He must have forgotten that he had just seen me walk up to the front of the room, but I didn't want to start a shouting argument with him across the court, so I let it go. It was a criminal case and centered around how much medication had been given from a particular bottle. There were ordinary witnesses and expert witnesses. The defense even brought in large colored charts for us to consider that illustrated several kinds of medications. The irony of the charts was that because of my position at the end of the first row, I was closest to the charts, and I got the least value from them, that is, none. It wasn't quite like Perry Mason, but I recognized a few points. I have been to lots of lectures, and I can take notes. I also know that almost all visual displays are only illustrative of what is in the verbal part of the lecture. I have been in some classes where that was not true, but it was true this time. The medicine bottle, itself, was passed among the jury members, and I asked my neighbor to put my thumb nail on the two lines that marked the level of the contents which were points of concern. After all parties had their say, we, the jury, went into the back room to deliberate. You know how group discussion and decisions go. We each had our say, as much as we wanted, but the discussion finally settled down to a champion on each side. You are wondering about the verdict, I am sure, so I will tell you that we agreed on "not guilty" on one charge but were unable to reach agreement on the second charge. The whole process took time. We started on Monday, and it was after lunch on Wednesday when we finished. After a few trips in and out of the jury room I learned my way. One of the lady jurors who was walking with me as we whipped around the corner of the jury box and headed for the back room began to make sounds of distress about my high speed turn. I grinned at her and said, "You're not used to dealing with us rebelliously independent blind guys, are you." Let me say this for the A.D.A. and the compliance with it by Montgomery County. In the court building the elevator control panels and the walls beside each door are marked with touch-legible signs, braille and raised Arabic numbers. Over the three days of the trial I used the elevators many times, often with other people, sometimes alone. Once, while riding alone, I found the number 8 button and pushed it. There were no intermediate floors that time, so when it stopped, I reached out to confirm where I was. On the first quick look I did not recognize the dots, and I began to think, "What? Straighten up the hand and feel again. Braille gibberish; Look again, fast, before the door shuts on my arm." It was an "8" all right but some numbskull who was illiterate in braille had mounted the sign upside down. Oh well, Glory Federation. Our cause goes marching on. THE DRIVEL FROM BALTIMORE MAGAZINE by Al Maneki Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the media doesn't get the message. Sometimes, regardless of how convincingly we might argue our case and regardless of how compelling our facts might be, reporters and feature writers are hell-bent on telling our story as they think it should be told. They are just too caught up in their own prejudices and misconceptions to listen to and comprehend what we are saying. This was the case with Amy Cunningham and her article entitled "Blind Loyalty" in the July, 1992 issue of Baltimore Magazine. Although she vents her wrath primarily against Kenneth Jernigan, she clearly intends to impugn the character of all of us for associating with him. Kenneth Jernigan is just the obvious target for her fury. The blind are the true objects of her attempted ridicule. If Amy Cunningham's own words are not sufficient to convince us of her prejudice, then her ill will must surely be revealed in the accompanying photographs which were deliberately contrived to cast us in a most unfavorable light. We can take little comfort in the fact that she had to stoop so low as to compromise her journalistic standards in her attempt to belittle us. Make no mistake about it! Amy Cunningham does not display a reporter's keen eye for detail when she describes Kenneth Jernigan as having "a balding crown that swoops over his closed eyes like an awning." She is at best insensitive or naive. Neither does she display a reporter's ability to formulate unfamiliar concepts in ordinary terms, for her comparison between canes and guide dogs is incorrect and silly. She does not display a reporter's tireless quest for the truth when she reports on the preposterous charges made against us in the Des Moines Register over fifteen years ago as if these charges contained an iota of truth. Rather, she forgets her journalistic ethics and is more intent on doling out innuendo, for she is well aware that none of these charges were ever substantiated. She implies that those of us who have accepted Kenneth Jernigan's leadership are guilty of poor judgement. Yet she herself displays very poor judgement when she accepts a verdict against our national conventions as gospel, without the benefit of attending a convention herself. Worst of all, Amy Cunningham exercises such poor judgement of character when she suggests that Bob Acosta is much more intelligent than the rest of us just because he speaks critically of Kenneth Jernigan. She quotes Bob Acosta as saying that "In the old days, when Jernigan started drinking carrot juice, we all drank carrot juice. Then when he started drinking milk, we all drank milk." Poor Bob Acosta! High school teacher that he is, he should know enough to drink milk and carrot juice for his good health, and not because Kenneth Jernigan was drinking milk and carrot juice. Let us set the record straight. Kenneth Jernigan is not a hideous pied piper who calls us to follow him to carry out his evil plans. Kenneth Jernigan is a humanitarian who has recognized and articulated the injustices suffered by blind persons universally. Through his hard work, his eloquent writing, and his personal contact with so many of us, the ideas and the actions of the National Federation of the Blind have improved the quality of life for blind persons everywhere. Amy Cunningham ridicules the three honorary doctoral degrees which have been conferred upon him, for she does not understand that these degrees are granted rarely and only after very careful scrutiny. She is at a loss to understand, or to explain, the reasons for our success. Let us close this sorrowful journalistic incident with a few words of advice for Amy Cunningham. It is time for her to open her eyes to the truth! The National Federation of the Blind is the leading force for change today because blind persons have thought long and hard about what Kenneth Jernigan has been saying, and because we have organized not to do as he commands but to work together in common cause. If she had only listened to and thought about what we were saying, if she had freed herself from whatever prejudices she holds against us, and if she had only forgotten her motives for writing about us in the first place, then the story she would have written would have been more compelling, more powerful, and more truthful. Those of us who were here fifteen years ago remember the devastation of the attacks in the Des Moines Register. In comparison, the impact of Amy Cunningham's article is paltry. Those of us who lived through that bitter experience are well aware that we survived it and have grown into a stronger force than we ever were. Just as that experience has faded into a dim memory, so too will Amy Cunningham's article fade away. EXPECT THE BEST AND GET IT Reprinted from the Merchants Messenger of the National Federation of the Blind, November, 1991. Expecting the best means that you put your whole heart (i.e., the central essence of your personality) into what you want to accomplish. People are defeated in life not because of lack of ability, but for lack of wholeheartedness. They do not wholeheartedly expect to succeed. Their heart isn't in it, which is to say they themselves are not fully given. Results do not yield themselves to the person who refuses to give himself to the desired results. A major key to success in this life, to attaining that which you deeply desire, is to be completely released and throw all there is of yourself into your job or any project in which you are engaged. In other words, whatever you are doing, give it all you've got. Give every bit of yourself. Hold nothing back. Life cannot deny itself to the person who gives life his all. But most people, unfortunately, don't do that. In fact, very few people do, and this is a tragic cause of failure, or, if not failure, it is the reason we only half attain. In this process of achieving the best it is important to know where you want to go in life. You can reach your goal, your best dreams can come true, you can get where you want to go only if you know what your goal is. Your expectation must have a clearly defined objective. Lots of people get nowhere simply because they do not know where they want to go. They have no clear cut, precisely defined purpose. You cannot expect the best if you think aimlessly. A man who is self-reliant, positive, optimistic, and undertakes his work with the assurance of success magnetizes his condition. He draws to himself the creative powers of the universe. Norman Vincent Peale, 1952 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 1992 CONVENTION RESOLUTION 92-01 WHEREAS, the ability to read a textbook in the media of one's choice is essential if the student is to have a successful educational experience; and WHEREAS, parents of blind children, vision teachers, and even students agree that it is extremely difficult and frequently impossible to obtain a textbook in braille, large print, or cassette in a timely manner; and WHEREAS, the technology to produce braille and large print rapidly presently exists, leaving no excuse for the unavailability of textbooks in these media; and WHEREAS, the American Printing House for the Blind is making arrangements to obtain computer disks of textbooks directly from publishers for the specific purpose of speeding up translation into non-visually-accessible media; and WHEREAS, the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act for Blind and Visually Impaired Students, which goes into effect on October 1, 1992, requires the Maryland State Department of Education to coordinate the statewide distribution of textbooks in non-visually-accessible media; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992 in the city of Gaithersburg, that this organization urge the Division of Special Education, Maryland State Department of Education, to implement procedures that will enable blind and visually impaired students in Maryland to have every textbook that they need in the appropriate media on the opening day of classes, beginning with the 1993 school year; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge the Division of Special Education to sponsor workshops to train vision teachers and others to use the technology to translate books into non-visually-accessible media; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge the Division of Special Education not only to work with the American Printing House for the Blind, but also to work directly with publishers and other resources to obtain their computer disks, if these computer disks are not available from the American Printing House for the Blind. RESOLUTION 92-02 WHEREAS, the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act for Blind and Visually Impaired Students was enacted to provide blind and visually impaired students with basic literacy skills; and WHEREAS, this Act requires the Professional Standards Board on Teacher Education and the Maryland State Department of Education to strengthen requirements for both the certification and the re-certification of vision teachers in Maryland; and WHEREAS, vision teachers must be competent in braille reading and writing if they are to work successfully with their students; and WHEREAS, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, which is the leading authority on braille in the United States, has developed a test to measure braille competency specifically for vision teachers; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992, in the city of Gaithersburg, that this organization strongly recommends that the Maryland State Department of Education develop the necessary regulations and take steps to implement and enforce the Maryland Literacy Rights and Education Act for Blind and Visually Impaired Students immediately and without unnecessary delay; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization strongly recommends that the Professional Standards Board on Teacher Education and the Maryland State Department of Education adopt the competency test of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped as the measure of competency for the certification and re-certification of all vision teachers in Maryland. RESOLUTION 92-03 WHEREAS, the Governor's Office for Persons with Disabilities was created in the 1970's both to coordinate services for persons with disabilities among state agencies and to promote consumer involvement in state policy- making affecting persons with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Maryland General Assembly will review the mandate for the Governor's Office for Persons with Disabilities during its 1993 session; and WHEREAS, disregarding the mandate for consumer involvement, personnel of the Office have often ignored their responsibility to reflect consumer viewpoints, and have customarily spoken for other agencies of the state, even in opposition to consumers; and WHEREAS, the Governor's Advisory Council on Persons with Disabilities has always been dominated by representatives of the state agencies, and has not had a majority of consumer representatives; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992, in the city of Gaithersburg, that this organization recommends to the Maryland General Assembly that the Governor's Advisory Council on Persons with Disabilities be reconstituted so that a majority of the council consists of persons who are nominated by organizations representing persons with disabilities, and who are not officers or employees of agencies or political subdivisions of the state of Maryland; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we also recommend that the positions expressed by the Governor's Office for Persons with Disabilities, whether to the Governor or the Maryland General Assembly, be limited to those matters which have been adopted by a majority vote of the Governor's Advisory Council on Persons with Disabilities. RESOLUTION 92-04 WHEREAS, the importance of braille literacy for blind children is increasingly being recognized across the nation; and WHEREAS, the appalling lack of knowledge of braille among teachers of the blind is the major cause of braille illiteracy; and WHEREAS, Claudell Stocker, as Head of the Braille Development Section at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), has been the key developer of a braille competency test for teachers of the blind; and WHEREAS, she has used her professional contacts and credentials to promote the teaching of braille; and WHEREAS, she has recently retired from service at NLS; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992, in the city of Gaithersburg, that the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland commends Claudell Stocker for her distinguished service to the blind community; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland wishes her well in her future endeavors. RESOLUTION 92-05 WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) both require state rehabilitation agencies to produce documents in accessible media; and WHEREAS, clients of the Maryland State Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) cannot obtain copies of the Client Assistance Handbook, other relevant policy information, and their Individualized Written Rehabilitation Programs, in large print, braille or on cassette; and WHEREAS, lack of access to this vital information is not only unlawful, but deprives clients of full and equal participation in decisions affecting their future; and WHEREAS, newly blinded people already have a difficult time obtaining information about their rights and responsibilities in the rehabilitation process; and WHEREAS, DORS counselors often use the client's lack of knowledge to hinder and delay the provision of quality individualized rehabilitation services; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992, in the city of Gaithersburg, that this organization urges the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services to take all steps necessary to produce and make available all pertinent documents relating to the client's rehabilitation in formats they can read independently. RESOLUTION 92-06 WHEREAS, public transportation agencies are now required to submit plans to the U.S. Department of Transportation documenting their compliance with the accessibility provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority conducted hearings and examined alternatives in the area of accessibility; and WHEREAS, on September 3 the WMATA Board of Directors adopted a Key Station Plan outlining its plans for accessibility; and WHEREAS, the plan which WMATA has adopted asks the Transportation Department to grandfather the existing 18-inch granite platform edge rather than extending it to a width of 24 inches and/or changing the platform edge surface texture to truncated domes as requested by the DOT; and WHEREAS, the Maryland State Railroad Administration has taken a similar position, citing cost and safety concerns; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this 20th day of September, 1992, in the city of Gaithersburg, that we commend the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Maryland State Railroad Administration for having the good sense to adopt Key Station Plans which balance the legitimate accessibility needs of blind people against cost; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urges MTA and other transit agencies in Maryland to adopt accessibility plans which do not inappropriately emphasize detectable warning surfaces, since these are being re- evaluated, and are likely to be withdrawn from the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. SPECKS LBPH UPDATE. Lance Finney reports: The activity level around LBPH is very high as we prepare to move into the new LBPH. (At the Progress Meeting of September 17 the project was carried as 89% complete.) We plan to move into 415 Park Avenue the week of December 7, and we are now busy preparing for that move. The furniture items to be furnished by State Use Industries are already on order. The list of furniture and equipment to be supplied by other manufacturers is now being prepared to go out to bid. All staff members have had a tour of the new facility and are eager to move. To bring you up-to-date on our request for staffing: two positions were transferred to LBPH from other sections within the Division of Library Development and Services. These were an Office Secretary II and an Office Supervisor I. Two six-month (1/2/93-6/30/93) contractual positions were approved for this fiscal year but were taken away in MSDE's plan for resolving the big budget shortfall. The computer operator position has not been filled. At our convention Maurice Travillian reported that the LBPH, formerly part of the public library branch of the Division of Library Development and Services, Maryland State Department of Education, has been upgraded to branch status. This change demonstrates that MSDE recognizes the importance of the services to blind persons provided by LBPH. JOB REMINDER. Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Labor in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. JOB offers free services to U.S. residents who are blind and looking for work in the United States. Services include a nationwide reference and job referral service, a job hunter's magazine on cassette (the JOB Recorded Bulletin eight times per year), recorded job information literature, print materials for employer education, local and national career-planning seminars, consultation on low vision aids and appliances, and introductions to blind peers employed in the jobs of interest to the job seeker. For a sample JOB packet, call 800-638-7518. Are you assisting a blind person to find a job? JOB offers additional free services and assistance to high schools with programs on transition to the world of work, to counselors of legally blind clients, and to other persons assisting a blind applicant. JOB's volunteers are available in every state. JOB offers employers free, nationwide job listings to locate competent workers who are legally blind, free consultation on cost-effective solutions for reasonable accommodation needs, and free educational seminars on hiring legally blind employees. VOICE OF THE DIABETIC NOW FREE. The Diabetics Division has a positive philosophy and attempts to show all diabetics, especially those experiencing ramifications of the disease, that they have options. Our main vehicle for disseminating information is the Voice of the Diabetic, a quarterly publication. Through this magazine, we have found thousands of blind diabetics; but unfortunately, many more thousands haven't heard about our organization. The Diabetics Division will now offer the Voice of the Diabetic free to any interested person upon request. This means that we can really reach out to educate and lend a helping hand to diabetics experiencing ramifications of diabetes. We can now make real headway in showing the blind and those losing vision that there is no need to hibernate and not be involved in the mainstream. For your free subscription call (410)992-9608. BISM NEWS. At our 1992 convention, Sharon Maneki announced that Governor Schaefer appointed Eileen Rivera to the BISM Board of Trustees. Although M. Eugene Spurrier was also appointed to the BISM Board at the same time, he resigned from the Board after attending its October meeting. As this issue of The Braille Spectator goes to press, we have learned that Rosemary Lerdahl has been hired as the director of BISM's rehabilitation program. Congratulations, Eileen and Rosemary! DIES. Betty Hazelwood, a member of both the Greater Baltimore and Baltimore County Chapters, died suddenly on Monday, November 2, 1992. May she rest in peace. KUDOS. James Daughton recently retired after 35 years of employment in the Industries Division of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland. Frank Stark, vice president of the Sligo Creek Chapter, recently accepted the position as the day program activity coordinator at Psi Associates Day Treatment Center, Washington, DC. Congratulations, James and Frank! BIRTHS. During the month of October two members of the National Center staff had baby boys. Congratulations to Susan Boeshore on the birth of her son Robert Junior and Patricia Swiger on the birth of her son Matthew Wade. REDUCED MTA FARES. Recently enacted Federal legislation has changed the criteria by which a person qualifies for the reduced fare programs offered by transit companies nationwide. The Mass Transit Administration (MTA) started its recertification program in July 1992. All applicants who meet the new criteria will be issued a photo ID card or temporary card that will entitle them to a reduced fare when riding the MTA. Every reduced fare rider must be certified this year even if they qualified before. Applications can be picked up at any public library or you can call the MTA Reduced Fare Office. Applications are being processed now. Thanks to our efforts MTA will accept a copy of an SSDI eligibility letter or similar document to show proof of blindness. It is not necessary to get a signature from an ophthalmologist for your application. If you have any questions please call 333-3568. BANKING SERVICES. Lou Smith has asked us to carry the following announcement: For several years, Maryland National and Equitable Trust Banks offered extensive telephone banking services to consumers by the use of a touchtone telephone. It was possible to make balance inquiries, obtain detailed account information similar to that found in a bank statement, make funds transfers, and pay bills. As of January, 1992, this service was discontinued. Maryland National Bank now offers a similar service. It is possible to make banking transactions using a specially equipped telephone. The telephone has a screen, and users make selections from menus which appear on the screen. If you would be interested in having such a system made accessible through speech, large print, or braille, contact Lou Smith at (410)665-1404. SEASON'S GREETINGS. The officers and members of the Board of Directors of the NFB of Maryland send you their best wishes for a most enjoyable holiday season! This has been a very exciting year for the organized blind movement. May the coming year be filled with happiness, prosperity, and success for all of us. CHAPTERS AND DIVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND Baltimore County Chapter Ken Canterberry, president (410)866-6877 Monthly meetings second Thursday Greater Baltimore Chapter Eileen Rivera, president (410)433-5176 Monthly meetings third Saturday Central Maryland Chapter Brenda Mueller, president (301)551-7057 Monthly meetings third Tuesday Greater Cumberland Chapter Ron Burns, president (301)759-4673 Monthly meetings first Tuesday Frederick County Chapter Gerald Schultz, president (301)662-6803 Monthly meetings fourth Tuesday Sligo Creek Chapter Lloyd Rasmussen, president (301)946-8345 Monthly meetings second Saturday Mountain City Chapter Jean Faulkner, president (301)729-8942 Monthly meetings third Thursday Southern Maryland Chapter Ken Silberman, president (301)552-2839 Monthly meetings fourth Saturday Parents of Blind Children Division Loretta White, president (410)360-5108 Merchants' Division Joe Byard, president (410)284-1768 Diabetics Support Network Donna Goodman, chairman (410)730-9430 Monthly meetings fourth Tuesday