                 THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN


               Quarterly Magazine of the

            CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND


Summer 1992            Volume XXXVI         Number 3

                     Published in
          Braille, Cassette, and Large Print

              Robert J. Acosta, President
                  818-998-0044 (home)

                   EXECUTIVE OFFICES

                 8700 Reseda Boulevard
                       Suite 208
                 Northridge, CA 91324
                     818-349-2636
                     800-221-6359

                SACRAMENTO AREA OFFICE 
                      Cid Urena 
             1399 Sacramento Avenue Sp 25
                    Bryte, CA 95605
 
                    BAY AREA OFFICE
                     Donald Queen
                  648 Kearney Street
                 El Cerrito, CA 94530

                EDITOR:  Maria E. Lopez
                3925 East Sixth Street
                 Los Angeles, CA 90023
                     213-268-4526
  
Please send all address changes to the Executive Offices in Northridge. 

              CCB PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE


    Sue Staley, Chairperson, 14144 Burbank Blvd. 4, Van Nuys, CA
91401 (818) 989-2137 

    David E. Weddle, 4058 Moore Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066

    Winifred Downing, 1587 38th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

    Christopher Gray, 549 F Giuffrida Avenue, San Jose, CA 95123

    Cherrie Handy Pomerantz, 1344 North Martel Avenue, 102, Los
Angeles, CA 90046

    Cathy Schmitt, 167 Rockwood Street, Irvine, CA 92714

    Connie Skeen, 3250 Maple Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602

    Ruth Dean Zulli, 8516 Alcott Street 2, Los Angeles, CA 90032


                   ----------------



Nonmembers are requested and members are invited to pay a yearly
subscription fee of $10 toward the printing of The Blind Californian.

If you or a friend would like to remember the California Council of the
Blind in your will, you can do so by employing the following language:

"I give, devise, and bequeath onto the California Council of the Blind, a
nonprofit charitable organization in California, the sum of $---- (or
----) to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons."

If your wishes are more complex, you may have your attorney 
communicate with the Northridge office for other suggested forms. 
Thank you.  


                   TABLE OF CONTENTS


FROM THE EDITOR'S DISK, by Maria E. Lopez  . . . . . .1

REPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS, by Robert J. Acosta  . . . .3

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE--JUNE 1992 by Cid Urena . . . . . .4

BRLC ASKS FOR SUPPORT by Juliet Esterly  . . . . . . .8

BLIND TEMPLE CITY RUNNER PARTICIPATES IN MARATHON 
    WITH HELP FROM A FRIEND by Julie Estrada   . . . .9

SPRING 1992 CCB CONVENTION REPORT 
    by Connie Skeen  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

RESOLUTIONS UPDATE by Robert J. Acosta . . . . . . . 16

THE AFFILIATED LEADERSHIP LEAGUE MEETING 
    by Winifred Downing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ANOTHER EXCITING FIRST by Mary Stockstill  . . . . . 22

FROM THE WORKPLACE, by Mitchell Pomerantz  . . . . . 24

THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNCIL 
    by Robert J. Acosta  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE by Cherrie Handy Pomerantz . . . 38

BULLETIN BOARD by Winifred Downing . . . . . . . . . 40

AROUND THE STATE AND NATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
                FROM THE EDITOR'S DISK 

                   by Maria E. Lopez


Right after the discovery of America in 1492, by Columbus, the question
of the origin of man in this continent arose and hasn't been completely
and satisfactorily  resolved to this day.  There are many theories about
the origin of Native Americans, and some suggest that they came from
China, Mongolia, or the lost continent of Atlantis.  But none of these
hypotheses reveal the true origin of man on this continent.  

Although it is impossible to tell precisely when man first settled in the
valley of Mexico, we know that it was many thousands of years ago. 
Human bones, fossils, pottery, and utensils made of stone were found in
the early 1900's under layers of lava in an area called "El Pedregal de San
Angel".  These show that men were already somewhat civilized in Mexico
over four thousand years ago. 

In Yucatan and Central America, the Mayan civilization was also quite
advanced.   At the time of the conquest by Spain, the Mayas were
already advanced in agriculture, arts, and architecture, and had built entire
cities connected to each other by paved highways.  The remarkable
pyramids they built can be compared with the ones in Egypt and India. 
Of the many pyramids they built, it is important to mention a few:  One
of their pyramids has 365 steps, like the days of the year; another is the
only oval-shaped pyramid in existence; and another pyramid, called "El
Caracol" in the shape of a perfect circle, was apparently used for
observatory purposes.  (An exact replica is believed to be the observatory
at Mount Palomar in California). 

Even though the Mayas' religious beliefs were somewhat different, some
of their practices were similar to the Christian doctrine, which makes one
wonder how or where they learned such practices.  For example, with
some differences, they practiced baptism, confession, communion, and
marriage; had one supreme priest--like a Pope--ruling over all the other
priests who were in charge of keeping order; and believed in life after
death.  Some of the differences are that the Mayas were polytheists,
worshipping 12 gods with one principal god called "Kukulkan"--probably
like Jesus Christ and his apostles; they performed human sacrifices to
honor these gods; and they were also extremely superstitious.  

In contrast, at the time when other Native Americans lived like savages,
the Mayas were highly cultured people.  A few of the many remarkable
Mayan advancements were:  The creation of an unusual and accurate
calendar system which shows that the Maya civilization was flourishing
at the time Christ was born; a most remote date found inscribed with
hieroglyphics on a statuette goes back to the year 98 B.C. which
indicates their knowledge of writing; their development of a language so
abundant and rich in verbs and words which express any kind of thought
or feeling, with a dictionary of over 30,000 entries; their study of the
cosmos which helped them make accurate observations dealing with
astronomy; and their discovery of the concept of the zero which proves
again their intelligence and highly advanced culture.  

The level of civilization that the Mayas reached was not surpassed by any
other country in America; unfortunately, the Spanish conquerors brought
about the total destruction of the Mayan Empire, whose civilization soon
withered away, leaving little behind--so we gaze  in wonder at the ruins
of their cities, magnificent pyramids, and rich civilization.  

When Spain conquered the Mayas in the early 16th century, the
Spaniards burned a great deal of the Mayan codices, erasing their history
for ever, leaving only fragments of information of their customs, beliefs,
and knowledge which suggests--because of cultural similarities--probable
human contact among continents thousands of years ago.  

In a future issue, I will talk about the Aztec Empire and how the Spanish
conquerors  annihilated this entire race in the early 16th century.  I hope
you have found this segment of the history of Mexico interesting in our
500th anniversary of the discovery of America.  
 
As always, please remember our next BC deadline, September 1.  

In closing, I invite you to read this entire issue of the BC, for all its topics
are very interesting and informative.  I surely found my editing both
exciting and enjoyable  from beginning to end thanks to the varied and
excellent contributions of our many tallented CCB members.  

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they make the
best of what they have."

                   ----------------
               REPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS

                  by Robert J. Acosta


We have just completed one of the finest conventions ever held by the
California Council of the Blind.  It took place at the Capitol Plaza Holiday
Inn, downtown Sacramento.  

Our honored guests at the convention included Michael Byington,
member, Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind.  He was
accompanied by his lovely wife, Ann.  They are both from Kansas.  Other
guests were Durward McDaniel; Kay Mulvey, President of the Oregon
Council of the Blind; and Paul Schroeder, Director of Governmental Affairs
of the American Council of the Blind.  We were also pleased to welcome
Shirley Taylor, representing the Washington Council of the Blind.  (A full
report of the Spring Convention is included in this issue.)  

The CCB Nominations Committee members are recommending the
following candidates for our upcoming Fall convention election.  They put
forth the names of John Lopez, President; Robert Acosta, First Vice
President; and Denise Weddle, Treasurer.  Also four Board of Directors
positions are up for re-election:  Winifred Downing, position one; Ron
Staley, position two; Jeff Thom, position three; and Marion Fisher,
position four.  This slate of candidates does not preclude any member of
the Council from placing his/her name in nomination for office.  Our Fall
Convention will be held November 4-7, 1992, at the Holiday Crowne
Plaza, near the Los Angeles International Airport.  

I am pleased to inform you that we have signed another fine contract with
our thrift store manager which will secure the future of this Council
through the middle of 1998.  

My sincere thanks to those members who were able to attend our
reception in honor of the California State Legislature.  This reception was
a roaring success; it featured the Derby Club Band composed of Senators
Mello and Dills, along with Polly, a lovely lady who played the drums.  It
was Senator Ralph Dills who, in 1941, introduced a resolution calling for
the hiring of Perry Sundquist as the first Chief of the Division for the Blind
in the Department of Welfare.  Perry served in this capacity for 27 years. 
I also thank those members who attended our day at the Capitol on
Thursday May 28.  We certainly were able to take our message to the
Legislature.  

A major highlight of the convention was our Memorial in memory of
Robert W. Campbell, the second President of the California Council of the
Blind.  As our readers will recall in the previous issue of the BC, Mr.
Fogarty presented a nostalgic loving biography of his life-long friend Bob
Campbell. 

Also, at our Spring Convention, I appointed the Host Committee for the
1993 ACB National Convention to be held in San Francisco and asked
Chris Gray to serve as the Vice Chair of the committee.  You will certainly
hear more from our Host Committee in the coming months.  Also,  a Task
Force has been created to receive training in ADA Law to teach in
workshops that we will be holding throughout the state during the next
year.

In a historic action, the great membership of the CCB voted a
Constitutional amendment which will place the Lillie Perry Foundation and
the Memorial Fund under the trusteeship of the California Council of the
Blind.  This will allow us to continue the great work of Dr. Newel Perry,
the inspiring founder of the organized blind movement in California.  

For now, I conclude my report, wishing you a happy and a prosperous
summer.  Thank you very much for all your great support.  

                   ----------------


             LEGISLATIVE UPDATE--JUNE 1992

       by Cid Urena, Legislative Representative


Due to circumstances beyond our control, the last two issues of The Blind
Californian have not carried legislative updates, but this report will be
short and I will summarize some of the 1991-1992 legislative sessions.

AB 1021 (the California State University reader bill) by Assemblywoman
Hughes was signed into law in late 1991.  This bill has improved the
reading hours, monetary compensation, and also the student's choice of
reader and of place.

Also in late 1991 the Governor vetoed AB 1022, again by
Assemblywoman Hughes.  This bill would have supplied information
relating to the cost of a summer program at the School for the Blind in
Fremont for public school students.

In early 1992 the Governor vetoed AB 1019, which was introduced by
Assemblywoman Hughes.  This bill dealt with the earmarking of funds
that are contributed by the state to the California State University system
for disabled student services programs.  Following is the governor's veto
message in full:

"To the Members of the California Assembly:  I am returning Assembly Bill
No. 1019 without my signature.  This bill would declare the intent of the
Legislature that the Budget Act contain a separate line item appropriating
funds to the California State University (CSU) for disabled student
services, and prohibit the reallocation of disabled student service funds for
other purposes once the budget is enacted.

"This measure runs counter to efforts of my administration to provide
administering agencies with the budget flexibility to effectively and
efficiently manage their resources to best serve their client populations. 
To that end, most of CSU's budget items have been consolidated,
eliminating many of the program and subprogram items found in prior
budget bills.  Such consolidation does not change the accountability CSU
has to the Department of Finance, the Legislature, the taxpayers and to
their students.  In fact, CSU has indicated a willingness to report annually
on expenditures in its disabled student services program as well as the
rest of its equity programs.

"Consolidation does, however, give CSU needed flexibility in implementing
its budget.  Given the severe fiscal restraints facing the State this year,
flexibility is more critical than ever for the success of CSU and other
executive agencies.  A reporting mechanism allows accountability for the
expenditure of program funds without restricting flexibility through a
specific line-item in the budget.

"CSU has voluntarily protected this program from budget reductions even
during these last few tight fiscal years.  In fact, funding has increased
from $4.8 million to $9.1 million over the last 5 years.  These actions
have demonstrated that disabled student services are a priority for CSU. 
This being true, the bill is both unnecessary and sets a precedent that
could "protect" spending for less meritorious programs and defeat the
priority-setting process that has resulted in almost doubling the funds
allocated for disabled student services over the last 5 years.

"Cordially, Pete Wilson"



SB 701 (Braille Bill) by Senator Ed Royce has finally been agreed upon by
the Department of Finance and the CCB.  We will keep you informed of
its progress as soon as we can give you more details.

SB 756 (Guide Dog Board Bill) by Senator Milton Marks was dropped at
the request of the CCB in early January of '92.

AB 567 by Assemblywoman Tricia Hunter--which sought to abolish the
Guide Dog Board--has been standing still, and we are watching its
progress.  

AB 550 by Assemblyman Sam Farr--which originally requested that
boards of private agencies primarily serving the blind must have 51% of
their directors be blind--is before a conference committee and will
probably be heard by June 15.

Following is the new proposed language which the CCB supports:

"Section 1.

"The Legislature finds and declares that the most effective method for
ensuring that agencies primarily serving the blind provide services which
best meet the needs of those persons is by having a sufficient number of
blind persons on an agency's Board of Directors to provide essential
policy input and guidance.

"The Legislature further finds and declares that the current model used by
independent living centers serving the disabled, whose Boards of Directors
include a majority of disabled persons, has proven to be an effective
means of achieving this goal.  

"Section 2.

"The existing Section 1 will be changed to Section 2, and after the words
unless the Board of Directors of that agency the rest of the sentence will
be stricken, and the following will be inserted:  includes a sufficient
number of blind persons to ensure that the Board receives adequate
consumer input and guidance, as determined by the Department of
Rehabilitation."

AB 1703 (Division Bill) by Assemblywoman Archie-Hudson was dropped
early this year, and AB 2832 by the same author was introduced.  If
enacted into law, this bill would unite into one division in the Department
of Rehabilitation all programs related to the blind, with its own division
chief.  The CCB will be in negotiation with the Department of Rehab for
the purpose of bringing about the above-stated bill, if at all possible.  If
not, further legislation will be sought and we will advise you at that time.

SCR 57, authored by Senator Nicholas Petris and co-authored by
Assemblyman Tom Bates, is due for hearing in the Assembly Ways and
Means Committee.  I am happy to report that at this time it is on the
consent file, which means there is no opposition to the resolution.  

Following is the legislative counsel's digest:

"Orientation Center for the Blind.  Existing law authorizes the Department
of Rehabilitation to establish orientation centers for the blind in locations
deemed necessary to provide, on a statewide basis, various services for
the blind.

This measure would declare that the Orientation Center for the Blind
provides a critical service to the blind adults of California which must be
continued."

AB 2298 by Assemblyman Jack O'Connell will extend the current sunset
regulation on special education from 1993 to 1998.  This bill will be heard
on the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, June 10, 1992.  The
CCB supports this bill.

In conclusion, there are two or three other bills that may affect us, but
because of the current uncertainty, I am unable to give you significant
information about them.  Therefore, please always continue to call 
800-458-4553 to learn about new developments on these and the other
bills mentioned in this report.

                   ----------------


                 BRLC ASKS FOR SUPPORT

                   by Juliet Esterly


The Braille Revival League of California wants to get an early start on its
plans for "Braille Literacy Week" next January.  Last year, we did not get
started in time because we kept waiting for the Governor to sign a
proclamation.  

This year, we are asking for a week, so we'll be needing material for
publicity.  Television, radio, and even newspapers need lead time if we
are to get the best attention for our support of braille.  

We would appreciate any of you who wish that you had been taught
braille before you struggled with print to tell us your experiences.  We
believe that many parents and teachers force visually handicapped
children to learn print instead of braille as long as they can possibly do so. 
This is a slow and fatiguing process and rarely permits the child to read
as rapidly as if braille had been taught first.  What if his/her vision fails? 
What if at college level there are not enough large-print books, and he or
she will have to turn to braille at that late date?  

If you could tell us of such experiences, then we could ask you either to
appear on TV or radio or to publish your testimonial in the newspaper. 
The more stories we can gather, the greater publicity we can have.  Also,
it will help to have testimonials on how you use braille now as
homemakers, in civic activities, in employment, etc.  It will take time to
assemble all this material, so please let me hear from you as soon as
possible.  

Another interesting piece of information would be to find out how fast
you can read and write braille.  

Has modern technology made braille unnecessary for you, or are they
both essential?  

    Juliet Esterly, BRLC President, 
2408 Ptarmigan Drive #1, Walnut Creek, CA 94595.

                   ----------------


   BLIND TEMPLE CITY RUNNER PARTICIPATES IN MARATHON
                WITH HELP FROM A FRIEND

             by Julie Estrada, Temple City

(Reprinted by permission of Temple City Times, March 1992.)


Two women put a special buddy system to the test last month at the
seventh Los Angeles Marathon.  

Sharlene Wills of Temple City and Sharon Katchen ran March 1 with a
pack of thousands--but with a difference.  Katchen was handicapped with
a battery pack on her back and a microphone in one hand.  In the other
she held on to the end of a 16-inch-long elastic cord.  Wills, who has
been blind since birth, held fast to the other end.  

Radio listeners were able to follow the progress of the two runners over
the 26-mile course along the Los Angeles streets on radio station KFWB,
where Katchen is a reporter.  That cord was her confidence connection,
Wills said, demonstrating her absolute trust in the running partner she'd
met for the first time just days before.

"Sharon and I only had one 7-mile practice run together before the race,"
Wills said, "but we're about the same size, we have similar running styles,
and we hit it off right from the start."  

The Marathon was Katchen's 19th effort, the fifth for Wills.  

"It was a dream come true for me," Katchen said, "I wanted to run with
a handicapped runner.  It takes courage to run, and finish a marathon. 
It's a mind game.  You have to fight yourself out there."  

Wills, 44, began running five- and ten-kilometers runs with Sheba, the
guide dog she had at the time, and ran her first marathon five years ago
with the dog. 

 "I'd race-walked with the district attorney's team," said Wills, a
transcriber in the DA's Los Angeles office, "but never run a marathon." 


She was not the first blind runner to enter the race, but when organizers
learned she wanted to run with Sheba, they turned thumbs down, Wills
said.  

"I was furious," she said.  "It was ridiculous.  Sheba was a natural
athlete; we'd run in shorter races, and she loved to race.  I thought they
were being absolutely unfair."  

Instead of backing down, Wills contacted attorney Gloria Allred, who
announced at a televised press conference they were suing the city for
discrimination, said Wills.  

"The City dropped its objections, and Sheba and I ran that marathon in
seven hours and 32 minutes," she said.  

Sheba died two years ago of a rare blood disorder.  Wills discovered her
trainer, Jonathan Lurkry, had gone to Israel to start a guide dog program
for blind Israeli veterans.  

Wills waited more than a year, then spent four months at the guide dog
school in Israel, where she obtained her present dog, Rihta.  

"I've only had her six months," she said.  "She runs with me, training, but
she's had no race experience.  She wasn't ready (for the marathon). 
Maybe by next year ..."  

Wills said she and Katchen finished in five hours, 56 minutes, 43 seconds
--her best time ever.  Training on a treadmill loaned her by The Walking
Center, a sports equipment shop in Beverly Hills, was a big help, she said.


 Wills has often demonstrated that she is not easily deterred.  A native
Californian who grew up in San Gabriel, attended the same program for
blind students at Temple City High School as NASA physicist Kent Cullers
during the '60s.  

Wills went on to the University of Redlands, where she majored in
German, and spent her sophomore year in Salzburg, Austria, as an
exchange student. 

 "They (the university) didn't want to let me go because I was blind, but
I fought the school on it, and I went," Wills said.  "I've always believed,
If I can, I will!  It was a marvelous year."  

Following her graduation from Redlands, she returned to Germany to live
and work, including three years with a music therapist.  "I play piano,
flute and lyre for fun.  I'm strictly an amateur," she said.  

She met her ex-husband, who is British, in Berlin.  They have one son
Michael, 19, a student at the University of Bath in Great Britain.  

Wills, who  returned to California several years ago, has lived in Temple
City for the last 18 months.  The City Council will recognize her marathon
achievement at its next meeting on April 7, said Councilwoman Mary
Manning.  

                   ----------------


          SPRING, 1992 CCB CONVENTION REPORT

                    by Connie Skeen


Sacramento was the site where several hundred conventioneers gathered
to greet fellow members and friends and to participate in the Spring, 1992
Convention of the California Council of the Blind held May 28-31.  

Many arrived early to attend a gala reception for the Legislature at the
State Capitol on Wednesday evening.  On Thursday members streamed
to the Capitol, just minutes away from the hotel to visit representatives
and to share with them issues of concern to the blind and visually
impaired. 
In the afternoon Interested persons were treated to an outstanding guided
tour of the Capitol.  

Once again, the ever-increasing number of committees, workshops,
special interest meetings, luncheons and exhibits were very popular and
informative.  

On Thursday evening the Board of Directors of CCB held an open board
meeting.  After initial remarks by our president, Bob Acosta, Ron Staley
introduced Gene Walden, Media Coordinator for the Ross Perot Petition
Campaign, who described efforts to get Perot's name on the ballot.  He
distributed braille petition information  and biographical sheets.  

Guests Paul Schroeder, ABC's Director of Governmental Affairs; Michael
Byington, ACB Board Member from Kansas; Shirley Taylor from
Washington and Kay Mulvey from Oregon were welcomed.  

In response to Paul Schroeder's challenge that all affiliates become
knowledgeable about the Americans with Disabilities Act, an ADA task
force is being formed which will be chaired by Mitch Pomerantz with Ruth
Ann Acosta as vice chair.  Training will be sponsored by Disability Rights
Defense Fund (DRDF) who received a grant from EEOP.  

President Acosta announced that plans are going forward for the 1993
American Council of the Blind national convention which will be held at
the San Francisco Airport Marriot Hotel.  A host committee is being
formed.  

Shirley Taylor, from the Washington Council of the Blind, described how
she and others set up a crisis aid committee to help needy blind families. 
After some discussion, the Board voted to form a committee to explore
the formation of a similar program in California.  

The convention program commenced on Friday afternoon with opening
remarks by Sacramento Mayor, Ann Rudin.  

CCB member Guillermo Ayala announced that he is seeking donations of
used canes, braille paper, slates, watches and other equipment to send
to the blind of El Salvador.  Donated equipment can be sent to the CCB
office where it will be forwarded.  

A panel discussion folloed, moderated by Jeff Thom, chairman of the
Committee on Access and Transportation.  Panelists were Bill Durant,
Executive Director of Paratransit, Inc.; Ron Brooks, a member of the BART
Task Force; and Anne Flemmer, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
of the Bay Area, who provided an extremely educational discussion about
future paratransit plans for northern California.  

Our next speaker was Pat McPartland of the Office of the State Architect. 
She said the mission of the Access Compliance Unit was to provide as
much access to disabled persons as possible.  She discussed three main
functions of the unit:  (1)  To write the regulations for inclusion in the
State Building Codes to make buildings accessible, (2) to interpret those
regulations on an ongoing basis, and (3)  to check architectural plans for
state buildings and public schools.  

Linda Smith Gaston from the Department of Consumer Affairs shared
general information about what the Department does to protect
consumers.  She explained that there are a number of important programs
including licensing, conflict resolution, and education.  A number of good
publications are available, but unfortunately none in braille.  She
mentioned an 800 number which offers pre-recorded information on
topics such as landlord-tenant issues, credit, sales tax, etc.  The number
is 
1-800-344-9940.  

The final speaker for Friday afternoon was Jim Kay, Deputy Director, Field
Operations Division of the Department of Rehabilitation.  He gave an
overview of the major services of the Department of Rehabilitation.  It
was pointed out during the question period that San Diego, the second
largest city in California, with only one counselor-teacher, was in dire
need of at least one more counselor-teacher.  

On Friday evening a memorial service was held for Robert W. Campbell,
second president of the CCB and former president of the American
Council of the Blind.  Close friends spoke fondly of his outstanding
leadership and his delightful sense of humor.  

Next, our CCB President, Bob Acosta, gave an inspirational address in
which he spoke with feeling of past achievements and disappointments
by the organized blind, of present victories, and also of challenges yet to
come.  He urged us to do our utmost to protect special services for the
blind.  In closing, he said that we must look to the development of new
leaders to carry on the philosophy of the Council and announced that he
is bringing forward the name of John Lopez as candidate for president of
the CCB.  

Other items on the program included a report of the Constitution and
Bylaws Committee; a report from the Credentials Committee; and an
update from Ysidro Urena, our Capitol Representative.  

On Saturday morning conventioneers had an opportunity to attend an
excellent 3-hour ADA workshop skillfully led by Paul Schroeder, ACB
Director of Governmental Affairs, Mitch Pomerantz, and Ruth Ann Acosta.

Saturday afternoon's session began with Braille and Talking Book Librarian
Donine Hedrick, who conveyed both good and bad tidings.  The good
news is that on June 12 a ground-breaking ceremony will take place for
our new California State Library.  The bad news is that due to deep
budget cuts, the library has experienced reductions in staff and reference
services, and the discontinuance of the newsletter; calls to the library will
be handled after 10:00 a.m., and readers will no longer receive overdue
notices.

Brenda Premo, Deputy Director, Independent Living Services Division,
Department of Rehabilitation, was then welcomed to the podium.  She
listed three major areas which will receive priority by the Department:  (1)
To set up a task force on technology, (2) to improve services for the deaf-
blind, and (3) to study and improve the existing curriculum at the
Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany.  

"How To Strengthen Your Local Chapter" was the topic of a panel
discussion moderated by Margie Donovan.  Other panelists were Chris
Gray, Cathie Skivers and John Lopez.  Some helpful tips were to make
everyone feel welcome, get everyone involved in chapter activities, and
keep lines of communication open with phone calls and newsletters.  

Saturday afternoon's session concluded with a lively speech by ACB
board member Michael Byington.  After listing some of the anticipated
attractions of the ACB National Convention in Phoenix, he closed by
giving us the good news that ACB's debt, incurred in 1986, will be retired
by September, 1992.  

The Spring Convention Banquet was held Saturday evening and followed
by a "Dance of the Decades" sponsored by the Blind Students of
California.  The banquet's Master of Ceremonies was Jeff Thom, member
of the CCB Board of Directors.  Highlights of the banquet included
financial donations and pledges by CCB chapters around the state, and
recognition of 25- and 50-year members of the organized blind movement. 
The Randolph Sheppard Vendors of California, a new CCB chapter,
received its charter.  Once again we were welcomed aboard the famous
Al Gil bus.  Juliet Esterly, a Council member since 1935, who was
celebrating her 80th birthday, was presented with a gigantic birthday card
measuring an impressive 25 inches in length, a beautiful bouquet of
flowers, and a cake large enough to feed the entire crowd at the banquet. 
The keynote speaker was Michael Byington, who delivered a humorous
yet thought-provoking address.  

Sunday morning's session began with a report from the Nominations
Committee recommending the following candidates:  President, John
Lopez; First Vice-President, Bob Acosta; and  Treasurer, Denise Weddle. 
Candidates for the four board positions are Win Downing, Jeff Thom, Ron
Staley, and Marion Fisher.  

The Resolutions Committee, chaired by Win Downing, presented 26
resolutions.  Issues of concern covered everything from accessible
automatic teller machines to signage on restrooms.  

The next item on the agenda was a report on national legislation given by
Paul Schroeder, ACB's Director of Governmental Affairs.  He focussed on
five major areas:  (1) Since 1978 there has been a link between the
allowable earnings of retirees and those of blind SSDI recipients.  During
the past year the link has been severed.  He urged everyone to do
everything possible to see that this link is maintained.  (2)  "Targeted Tax
Job Credit" deals with tax incentive packages for employers to encourage
employment of people with disabilities.  (3)  Equal Rights Remedies Bill
(SB2067).  (4) Growing interest in making governmental and other
information more accessible electronically.  (5)  The difficulty of securing
grants for the elderly blind, the largest and fastest growing sector of the
population.  More details on these issues are available in "The Braille
Forum" or by calling the Washington Connection at 1-800-424-8666.  

The morning's activities concluded with adoption of two out of the three
proposed constitutional amendments.  Article VIII, Sections 1 and 4 now
provide that the president, the vice-president and a majority of members
of chapters must be blind.  The other amendment in Article IV provides
that the Lilly Perry Memorial Foundation be a part of CCB and that its
trustees appoint successors.  

As we departed Sacramento for all corners of the state, most of us came
away with the inspiring message that as long as we continue to maintain
a strong organization such as ours, where hard-working people come
together to submit new ideas and to work out solutions, there will always
be hope for the future.  

                   ----------------


                  RESOLUTIONS UPDATE

                  by Robert J. Acosta


Time did not permit at our Spring Convention to update our membership
regarding many of the resolutions which we passed at the Fall 1991 CCB
Convention.  For this reason, I'm writing this article.  

91-B-1:  Commended Senator Petris for his strong support of the
Orientation Center for the Blind and for his sponsorship of SCR 57.  This
resolution was signed by the 70 members of the State Legislature asking
the Governor to save OCB.  The resolution was sent to the Senate.  

91-B-2:  A similar resolution commended Assemblyman Tom Bates for all
of his fine work to save OCB.  This resolution was sent to the
Assemblyman.  

91-B-3:  Asked the Council and especially its President and Board of
Directors to take all steps to oppose the confirmation of Director Bill
Tainter of the State Department of Rehabilitation.  This resolution was
implemented.  

91-B-4:  Directed the Council President to do his best to urge the State
Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind to establish an arbitration process
which will go into effect when it appears that a guide dog will be removed
from its master.  The CCB is pleased to announce that it has played a
major role in developing an arbitration process which is expected to be
approved by the three schools and by the State Board in the near future. 


91-B-5:  Asked the Council to request that the State Board of Guide Dogs
for the Blind urge the three schools to have a representative number of
blind persons on their board.  The resolution was delivered to the State
Board, and we have received no answer as of this writing.  

91-B-6:  Asked the Council to assure that licensed guide dog instructors
give training to humane officers regarding the disciplining of guide dogs. 
The CCB was involved in such a training program at International Guiding
Eyes on March 18 of this year.  Implemented.

91-B-7:  Not adopted by the convention. 

91-B-8:  Not adopted by the convention and referred to the Committee on
Access and Transportation.

91-B-9:  Requested that the blind be charged what the local residents of
a city who are blind will pay without regard to the posting of ID.  This
resolution was sent to the Department of Transportation and was referred
to the Committee on Access and Transportation.  

91-B-10:  Commended the honorable Russell Gould, Secretary of the
Health and Welfare Agency, for his role in saving the Orientation Center
for the Blind.  Implemented.  

91-B-11:  Was referred to the Blind Advisory Committee.  This resolution
urges the Department of Rehabilitation to review its policy of purchasing
high-tech equipment when similar benefits and other similar issues do not
function.

91-B-12:  Asked the Department of Rehabilitation to provide computers
to blind college students and to interns in training programs.  The
Department feels that there are not enough funds to carry out this
request.  

91-B-13:  asked that the Clearinghouse for Specialized Media and
Technology work with the California Transcribers and Educators of the
Visually Handicapped and the California School for the Blind to address
the problem of training transcribers.  Implemented.  

91-B-14:  Requested the Assessment Systems, Inc., which handles the
testing for the Behavioral Sciences Licensing Board, to permit blind
applicants to bring their own readers to exams.  This resolution was
implemented, and we believe that certain provisions under the ADA will
alleviate this problem.  

91-B-15:  Requested that this Council urge Blue Cross of California to
make its materials available in accessible format.  This resolution was
implemented; but again, the ADA should help to alleviate this problem.  

91-B-16:  Asked that the Council advise the Social Security
Administration that it must provide materials in accessible format under
Title III of the ADA.  

91-B-17: Was withdrawn by the author. 

91-B-18: Asked that the Council do its utmost to network with paratransit
officials in order to improve the service.  This resolution was referred to
the Committee on Access and Transportation.  

91-B-19: Asked that the Department of Rehabilitation release the Bruce
Brown Report.  This report clearly demonstrates that we were correct in
calling for a separate Division for the Blind.  This resolution was
implemented.  The Blind Advisory Committee passed three major motions
requesting that the Department  implement the major portions of Mr.
Brown's Report.  

91-B-20: Asked that the Council and all of its affiliates take all steps to
ensure that transit authorities install effective warning strips for all fixed-
rail systems.  Implemented.  

91-B-21:  Instructed that the Committee on Access and Transportation
make recommendations to the Spring Convention regarding the linkage of
paratransit networks.  Implemented.  

91-B-22:  Asked that the Council request that the Attorney General of
California investigate the Barbara Fabricant atrocity toward Steven
Hazzard.  Implemented.  

91-B-23: Requested that the State Director of Consumer Affairs conduct
a full investigation of the Barbara Fabricant matter.  The resolution also
requested that the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind hold a hearing
on the Steven Hazzard matter.  Implemented.  

91-B-24:  Placed the Council on record in support of Steven Hazzard in
every feasible way in assisting him to get his guide dog back from the
clutches of Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Implemented.  
 
91-B-25:  Asked that the Council seek from the three Guide Dog Schools
their written policy regarding the follow-up on complaints made through
anonymous phone calls.  This resolution was sent to the schools, but
there was no response.  

91-B-26:  Commended International Guiding Eyes for its financial
contribution to the quarantine lawsuit which is pending in Hawaii. 
Implemented.  

                   ----------------


       THE AFFILIATED LEADERSHIP LEAGUE MEETING

                 by Winifred Downing 


The Affiliated Leadership League of and for the Blind of  America  (ALL)
is a coalition of representatives of organizations composed of blind
consumers and of agencies which serve the blind.  The organization holds
its main meeting in the spring each year with a Delegate Assembly
composed of the voting representatives of member organizations and a
Legislative Seminar through which those same persons and many others
who are interested in national issues concerning the blind are acquainted
with subjects of importance, given position papers on these issues, and
motivated to visit their own legislators to inform them and court their
favor.  The number of persons attending the ALL meeting has increased
significantly since Bob Acosta has become president and has infused it
with his usual energy.  This year over 100 individuals attended.  For
obvious reasons, the meeting is always held in Washington, D.C.--this
year at a Holiday Inn which was comfortable and located near the Senate
and House buildings. 

The meeting began on Friday, March 20, with dinner and an interesting
address by Carl Augusto, Executive Director and President of the
American Foundation for the Blind.  That evening the Delegate Assembly
held its business meeting; and Ruth Westman, Executive Director of NAC,
and Ritchie Geisel of Recording for the Blind addressed the group.  Ms.
Westman described the streamlining that NAC has instituted in its office
management and reviews in keeping with the more limited federal support
that it now receives.  It remains committed to keeping standards high for
the services and procedures of agencies which NAC endorses.  She and
Mr. Augusto noted the proliferation of agencies and services and the great
diversity of organizational structures by which these services are
administered as compelling reasons for the importance of continuing and
strengthening accreditation.  

The message of Recording for the Blind explained the recent merger of
this organization with Computerized Books for the Blind and offered
statistics on the number of people served, the areas of service, etc.  

On Saturday the Assembly heard from Nell Carney on the progress of
rehabilitation programs, Paul Schroeder on the ADA, a panel on suggested
plans for national health care, Joan Bregger on NLS book selection, Susan
Spungen on braille literacy in the United States, and a panel dealing with
the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act.  A banquet that night and an
address on disability rights on Sunday morning ended the Delegate
Assembly. That afternoon began the Legislative Seminar intended to
introduce those attending to the positions ALL adopted regarding
measures under consideration at the federal level which needed emphasis
and explanation to members of the House and Senate.  Before going to
Washington we who attended the ALL meeting had made appointments
with our legislators; the Californians present, for example, had signed up
so that all the legislators from the state would receive a visit from
someone in CCB.  Armed with the information gained from the Saturday
and Sunday meetings and position papers summarizing the organization's
stand on the issues stressed in this year's action and assisted by some
sighted persons to help find the offices to be visited, the group dispersed
to cover all their appointments on Monday and Tuesday. Coletta Davis did
a marvelous job in keeping track of all of us and making sure we had the
help we needed.  

We covered miles of corridors over those two days.  The offices of
members of the House are located in three large buildings, the Cannon,
Longworth, and Rayburn buildings.  Security checks are conducted at the
entrance of each building; and along with assuring safety by their work,
the checkers were often helpful with directions.  Elevator operators, too,
were of valuable assistance.  Long underground passages connect the
three buildings with a variety of elevators and escalators, so we were all
grateful for the directions we received.  It was especially fascinating to
take the underground train which connects the Senate and House
buildings and the Capitol.  

Most of the time we were not able to talk with the legislators themselves,
especially since Monday is the day on  which they return from their home
districts and so are not in their offices.  Most of them have a staff
member, though,  who is particularly knowledgeable about disability
issues; and since we had made our appointments ahead of time and
indicated the general areas of our concern, it was with these staff
members that we met.  Usually they took us to an inner office where we
sat and discussed our topics of interest for about 15 minutes.  The staff
members exemplified a wide range of awareness--from those with almost
no background to people who were so well informed that they anticipated
the next line of discussion before we advanced it.  Just about all the staff
members contacted by the CCB representatives felt that their legislators
would have no difficulty approving the measures we advocated.  

And what were these measures?  Most were involved with the
reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, which was postponed in 1991
on the assumption that it would certainly be taken care of in 1992.  The
members of ALL were encouraged when, at the Board of Directors
meeting preceding the Delegate Assembly on  Friday, a representative
from Major Owens' subcommittee read the draft bill, for it encompassed
all the issues of concern to the blind.  ALL emphasized the importance of
a change in Title VII, part C, of the  Act which pertains to establishing
training in skills of daily living for persons who lose their sight in later life,
by providing to each state an annual grant for this purpose which does
not require state matching funds.  A second issue mentioned was the
establishment of an 18-month commission to study the education of the
blind to provide information on such matters as:  What is the least
restrictive environment for educating blind children, what service delivery
systems are working best, how is braille literacy being assured, and what
areas are not being given the attention necessary to improve employment
possibilities for students after they leave school.  Strengthening the 
national rehabilitation office was another item ALL emphasized with
special importance accorded to returning to its original significance the
office of the director of the Randolph-Sheppard program.  ALL advanced
a request for a special fund to insure that the number of persons operating
enterprises under that program would not continue to decline as they
have in recent years.  Other Rehab concerns were the importance of state
plans which stress specific services for blind persons rather than the
generalist approach which has been gaining in recent years and the
importance of the client's knowledge of, and involvement in, his
Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan.  

Social Security was a second major area of concern in the positions ALL
adopted.  One issue concerned keeping the earnings ceiling for blind
recipients of SSDI tied to that for retired individuals 65-69 years of age. 
Since 1978 that link has assured to the blind much larger benefits than
those accorded to other disabilities, thus providing work incentives for the
blind who would otherwise be afraid to risk returning to work and possibly
also losing Medicare coverage.  Bills have been introduced in both houses
of Congress which raise or abolish the earnings ceiling for retired persons
65-69 but which do not include the blind.  HR1289 by Tom Campbell
addresses this problem. 

One more Social Security issue dealt with the amount of money being
allowed to hire officers to rule on the eligibility of persons applying for
SSDI.  In 1991 a backlog of 509,000 cases existed, representing a 32%
increase over the previous year; and it is estimated that, if no change is
made, the average period required to determine eligibility by the end of
1993 will be 213 days.  Money for hiring these officers does not come
from general government funds but from the Social Security Trust Fund;
yet determinations of amounts to be used are being subjected to deficit
estimates and calculations.  S2117 and HR2898 address this problem.  

Those who attended the ALL meeting had a busy and stimulating four
days and, it is hoped, a positive effect on the legislative process.  

                   ----------------


                ANOTHER EXCITING FIRST

                  by Mary Stockstill


It was Sunday evening, March 1, 1992; as my clock chimed six, my
telephone rang.  I was excited and a little nervous because this was the
call I was expecting.  

Michael Byington, chairman of the American Council of the Blind
Committee for Deaf-Blind held the first telephone conference of his
committee.  This was not an easy feat.  For one thing, only two of the
seven members were in the same state, which meant arranging the
meeting at a time of day when all of us would be available.  There were
other complications too.  Donald Petty of Mid-West City in Oklahoma and
I were using TDD's and the relay services.    

For those of you who are not familiar with the Telecommunication Device
for the Deaf (Tdd), I will explain very briefly.  You probably already know
that for years the sighted deaf were able to have use of the telephone by
means of a teletype.  In the 80's, Telesensory Systems Inc. developed a
paperless device with a braille attachment that enabled deaf-blind to have
access to the telephone.  On October 30, 1984, three other deaf-blind
ladies and I received the first such TDD units in Southern California. 
Shortly after that, AT&T started a relay service between TDD users and
those who did not have such a machine.

The California Relay Service (CRS), however, was not equipped to handle
long-distance calls until recently.  That fact greatly complicated the
telephone conference.  Mike had to place the call to me through another
state, and that meant a double charge for Don's and my participation. 
When the bill comes, Mike will file an ADA complaint on ACB's behalf
about the additional billing.  That is not the way the law is supposed to
work, and we are going to raise the issue.  All of us on the committee
agreed that we need to get together.  

Mike began by giving the agenda and the rules.  Because Don and I could
not recognize voices, Mike made it a rule that as each person came on the
line, he or she identified the speaker throughout the entire meeting.  Each
of us then gave a short introduction of ourselves and why we have an
interest in the ACB hearing-impaired or deaf-blind.  

The remainder of the first telephone conference of the ACB committee for
deaf-blind continued smoothly.  Don and I, though TDD users, had an
equal part in the meeting.  I sincerely compliment Mike on his planning
and conducting of the conference.  I also thank and commend the relay
services for their excellent help.  In my opinion, the American Council of
the Blind made a wise choice in appointing Michael Byington as chairman
of the Committee for Deaf-Blind.  

                   ----------------

                  From The Workplace
      
      Some Thoughts On Rights, Responsibilities, 
               Employment and Blindness:

                 by Mitchell Pomerantz


It is Saturday afternoon of the Memorial Day weekend as I begin this
piece.  Exactly 24 days have passed since the start of the three days of
civil insurrection (my label) which rocked the City of Los Angeles.  This
will be a somewhat different "From The Workplace" column from those
which I've written over the last four years.  There are some things which
I need to say and which--believe me--relate to the subject of employment. 
So please bear with me while I set the stage.

Wednesday evening, April 29, began as a fairly typical one for Cherrie and
me.  I got home around 6:00 P.M., and turned on the radio.  There it was,
the first news reports of the three days of turmoil and fear which every
Angelino lived through.  We listened to each story and became
increasingly concerned about the safety of several of our Greater Los
Angeles Chapter members living in South Central L.A. and the "Korea
Town" district.  At around 9:00 P.M., I called two of our members who
live near where things got started and woke them up.  They were still
okay.  We stayed up past midnight listening to the news.

I also got worried as reports came in about the ever more violent
demonstration taking place at Parker Center, the main police headquarters
building just across the street from where I work.  I suspected when the
demonstrators were forcibly removed from the grounds that there would
be trouble.  I was right!  A rampage ensued which included the breaking
in and setting fire to the lobby of City Hall South, where the Recruitment
Division (my office) is located.  When I got to work Thursday morning
(having arranged with a neighbor and co-worker for a ride), the lobby was
a mess and one of the glass doors into the office had been shattered.  I
spent the first hour--after we were allowed into the building--cleaning soot
from every surface in my work area.  The first floor smelled like the inside
of a smokehouse and did so for a couple of weeks.

Thursday evening Cherrie and I again followed the news and listened to
the sirens and helicopters.  We had to close the windows before going to
bed because the smoke began getting heavy.  The Silo store six blocks
from us was looted as was the mini-mall across the intersection of our
street and Sunset Blvd.  Friday at work I heard about a major fire near
Braille Institute and the Blind Childrens' Center.  There are several blind
people I know (including Chapter members) who were in the midst of the
"action".

At our meeting last Saturday, one member told me of not having
electricity for three days and of being unable to leave his apartment
because of where he lives.  I know many others were similarly affected
and that all of us were very shaken by the events of those three days.

In the aftermath, we've been told that the Rodney King verdict and the
other incidents prominently featured during the past year by the media
precipitated the violence.  These are, in my view, simplistic and politically
sensitive answers not within the purview of this column to address.  On
a much deeper level however, we've been assailed by numerous--and you
can choose the appropriate word--excuses, reasons, justifications for
what happened.  Basically, they seem to fall into two categories:  1. 
long-term discrimination and oppression; and 2.  lack of education and
employment opportunities.  I want to deal with these "excuses",
"reasons", "justifications" in the context of our experience as blind
people.

Let me briefly address this issue of discrimination and oppression.  I am
proud to be part of two distinct minority groups with some knowledge
and experience concerning such matters.  As a Jew, our people have
faced discrimination and oppression going back thousands of years.  Even
today, in many parts of the world we still do!  

As a blind person, an activist in the "organized blind movement", and a
member of the larger disability community, our people have also
experienced these barriers and for nearly as long.  With few exceptions
throughout history, if you were disabled you were a ward of your family
or your country, unable to undertake even basic independent living and/or
work-related activities.  Sadly, the state of blind and disabled people
around the world is still unconscionably poor in most places.  This
includes the so-called western nations where sheltered employment is the
best that most of us can hope to achieve.  While minority inner-city youth
experience an unemployment rate of around 20%, our unemployment rate
is closer to 70%.  Personally, if our jobless rate ever reaches just 20%,
I would be ecstatic.  We all know something about discrimination and
oppression, don't we?

What about the lack of educational and employment opportunities as
justification for what took place in Los Angeles?  By way of discussion,
let me begin by citing just two people I know who seemingly had little
opportunity to succeed but did so anyway.  There is the woman in my
Chapter who was employed for some years at a sheltered workshop, the
old California Industries for the Blind, when it closed down in the
mid-'70's.  When it did she lost her job along with many others.  What
was her reaction to this situation?  Did she get angry?  Probably.  Did she
blame society for the injustice of losing her job?  Maybe, I don't really
know.  What I do know is that she turned this crisis into an opportunity
by accepting responsibility for her future.  She went to college and
obtained her teaching credential and became a successful teacher in the
Los Angeles Unified School District for many years.  She made the
opportunity herself!  By the way, this successful blind woman also
happens to be African-American.

I recently was contacted about acting as a mentor for a 16 year old blind
teenager who is interested in becoming an attorney.  He is intelligent and
articulate; attending one of the best magnet high schools in Los Angeles
County, the California Academy of Mathematics and Science.  He is
taking courses that most of us wouldn't get passing grades in, let alone
carry an A-minus grade point average.  His blindness has had little effect
on this young man's ability to keep up with his classmates and to excel. 
He will succeed because he has taken the responsibility for his own future
and the opportunity for academic excellence.  By the way, he also
happens to be Hispanic.

I'm certain that we all know many similar individuals; people who have
taken direct responsibility for their own lives and actions and who aren't
complaining about their lack of opportunities while "demanding their
rights".  What troubles me deeply is that over the past 30 years, the
emphasis has been on civil rights but almost nothing has been said
concerning civil responsibilities.  The last politician who is remembered for
speaking about what the individual could do for the country (or for
him/herself) was John Kennedy in his famous "ask not" statement.  Since
we as blind people are indeed a microcosm of the society in which we
live, we also share the same overall mind-set, attitudes and values which
have predominated in our American culture for a generation or more. 
While I sincerely believe that the greatest obstacle to full equality for blind
and disabled individuals is society's attitudes and misconceptions about
us, I also believe that to some extent we ourselves have incorporated
such notions into our own thoughts and actions.

Notwithstanding the positive changes which will occur thanks to passage
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), too many of us are
stridently demanding our rights without also considering our
responsibilities as blind and disabled people.  Take for example the
passenger who boarded a City bus on which my wife was recently riding
to work.  When a front seat was not immediately forthcoming, this
passenger shouted that "you have to give me a seat; the Americans with
Disabilities Act says so because I'm disabled!"  (Cherrie relinquished her
seat.)  An extreme example?  Perhaps, but it illustrates the point.  Many
blind job seekers expect (demand) their rights without considering their
responsibilities as well.

By the same token, opportunity seldom comes to us but must be sought
out.  It was not especially surprising to learn in our recent employment
survey that well over 80% of employed respondents found work without
direct assistance from the Department of Rehabilitation.  This is a
significant statistic in my opinion.

Specifically, what do I mean by taking responsibility?  Again, an example
is in order.  Over the past couple of years I learned about three blind
individuals who were certified by the Department of Rehabilitation as
having attained a certain level of clerical proficiency and who were then
referred for possible employment.  In all three instances the employers
determined that they were nowhere close to the DR-CERTIFIED
proficiencies required for these positions.  In two cases the job seekers
were not hired.  In the third, the individual was employed but it has taken
many months and much trial-and-error in order to get this person truly
qualified to carry out the duties of the job.  Taking responsibility in this
instance means knowing that you need additional skill building even when
you are told otherwise, understanding that you do have a right (that word
again) to receive quality training, and knowing what to do if you aren't
receiving it.

In sum, taking responsibility for one's own future is the best way to gain
the opportunity to succeed.  Let us balance the notion of rights with the
concept of responsibility as we go forth to implement the Americans with
Disabilities Act.

              THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNCIL

            by Robert J. Acosta, President

                     May 29, 1992


The California Council of the Blind will soon celebrate its 60th birthday,
and what an exciting time it has been.  We have accomplished much,
experienced much, and endured much.  

Sacramento has been the scene of many high points and low moments. 
It was here, with the support of legislators like our wonderful friend
Senator Ralph Dills, that Perry Sundquist was appointed Chief of the
Welfare Department's Division for the Blind in 1941.  It was here that so
many good laws were promulgated to assist the blind--measures like the
first White Cane Law in 1935; the establishment of the Guide Dog Board
in 1947; the provision of support services for students in colleges and
universities; voting rights laws; the right to serve on juries, which became
our guarantee in 1976; our wonderful Orientation Center for the Blind,
which the legislature created in 1951; and our assiduous effort to
preserve this irreplaceable resource just last summer.  

And there have been the defeats:  The loss of true specialization in the
establishment of the Department of Rehabilitation in 1963; the loss of
Rehabilitation's Division for the Blind altogether in 1969, along with the
numerous times our  legislative proposals to reinstitute such a Division
have failed in the past--even though we now have hopes to achieve a
substantial part of this critical goal; the loss of the Aid to the Potentially
Self-Supporting Blind.  

It was May 6, 1978, that a few of us questioned the direction being taken
by the leadership of the National Federation of the Blind which led to a
five-year court battle in which we saved our large treasury, we kept our
name, and we gained our freedom.  But, of course, as is quite
characteristic of this Council, we turned the problems of the NFB into a
new opportunity for our organization to grow and to prosper.  

Surely, the California Council of the Blind has proven itself to be a multi-
faceted organization, able to encompass a broad range of
accomplishments and, yes, to face disappointments as we work
throughout our state to improve the lives of blind people.  I want you to
know how proud I am of you as we work together to ensure that blind
people have the kind of lives that we all know are possible.  We don't
spend a lot of time boasting about it, but as dedicated volunteers, all of
us work with no personal gain in view.  This is in the finest tradition of
the Council.  And our success in all our endeavors is due to our
knowledge that citizen advocates--whether it be in the halls of
government, in our communities, or in our everyday lives--are the best
means we have to reach our fellow citizens with our message of hope and
belief.  In addition to the important work that we do on behalf of the
blind, we all have normal lives, working, participating in family activities,
carrying out the many regular responsibilities of citizens, and hopefully
taking out some time for recreation.  

Yes, my friends, we have much to be proud of, and much to applaud; as
the CCB, we have all started on our work for the 1990's.  We have
achieved much, and we have survived much, to come to this degree of
success.  I deeply believe that we draw strength not only from our
triumphs but from adversity as well.  And I look back at that long line of
blind men and women who were our forebears, reaching back into the
19th century when a few progressive blind people began the work which
we continue today.  Join me for a moment to look back and think of
people unknown to some of us, like Leslie Schlingheyde; James Garfield;
the inestimable Dr. Newel Perry, the founding father of the blind
movement; our unforgettable ambassador to the world's blind Dr. Isabel
Grant; Dolly Glass, an outstanding business woman in her own right; Dr.
Jacobus tenBroek, who served as the chair of the Speech Department at
the University of California and whose brilliance still lends a special luster
to California, the nation, and, indeed, the world.  

This line of wonderful blind people no longer with us includes so many,
but I can recall here only a few:  There was Tony Mannino, who brought
such humanity to our efforts; certainly the one and only Perry Sundquist,
who taught us all that those with high positions in government should not
turn their backs on their fellow blind; and, of course, another great man
in our movement to whom we paid tribute tonight, Robert W. Campbell,
who was the second President of the California Council of the Blind and
who  retained his great dignity and fine sense of humor throughout our
highs and our lows.  We miss all the blind men and women who added
joy, caring, and strength to the California Council of the blind.  

The character of this Council is special and distinctive.  We have met the
challenges of history; and every generation of our wonderful membership
has left a better world for blind people.  Today we are poised to begin our
great mark into the 21st century and to face the new challenges of the
modern world.  I want to discuss with you these challenges, the issues
which confront us, and the way to look forward to new success.  We
must continue our record of solid accomplishment and strive ever to
improve the lives of ordinary blind people, and especially our blind
children.  

While one cannot predict the future with any certainty, we do know there
are surprises which we cannot anticipate now.  But as I look down the
road, I see that we may identify some challenges, some new
opportunities, and the need to make choices, as we move down that road
to the future.  In this Council, we know that we must be flexible and
prepared to meet life's challenges.  But we also know that to change
direction we must be thoughtful and thorough, since the change of
direction means we are altering our view of how best to deal with the
problems of blindness.  

Our principal challenge remains unchanged since the founding of this
Council:  to be true to those ideas and beliefs which forward the cause of
the blind.  While I doubt that there are many beliefs that must be set in
concrete, I firmly hold that if we are to change our ideas and goals, this
can only take place after careful examination of the alternative views.  We
must remain strong in our insistence that our goals continue to be relevant
for blind people now and in the future.  

But there are new ideas which require our thoughtful examination.  To be
strong, we must examine all ideas so that we may understand what we
believe, and why we believe in them.  We must know what we believe,
and why we believe it.  

With this in mind, let us consider some of the new challenges which
confront us as we move ever forward.  In this examination, we must try
to deal fairly with ideas, no matter from what quarter they arise.  We are
defined as an organization in terms of what concerns us, what inspires us,
and what qualifies our leaders whom we look for among our own.  

This past year has given us much opportunity to learn about ourselves as
well as others.  As we engaged in the struggle to maintain important
special services for the blind in California--primarily the Orientation Center
for the Blind--we learned a lot about our willingness to really fight for
what we believe.  I was truly inspired, and I know many of you were as
well, by the manner in which the blind of California rose with one clear
voice to say:  "We must save our Orientation Center."

Our stunning victory in this David and Goliath struggle was, in my
opinion, a watershed in our development as an organization.  We
reaffirmed ourselves as an organization of blind people working to expand
and protect special services for the blind.  I can say, without reservation,
that the overwhelming majority of Council members--and many, many
other blind people--joined the struggle with purpose and joy in our unity. 
My friends, I was inspired.  It was the blind leading the blind to a truly
super victory despite crushing odds.  Some were not so concerned as
most of us were; and for those who would aspire to leadership in this
Council, they must come to understand where the true priorities of the
blind lie.  We have demonstrated that we as blind people are willing to
fight to the death to preserve our specialized programs.  No director and
no governor can thwart our resolve.  

The Orientation Center is representative of what the CCB stands for--our
best ideals and the most exemplary program in the State of California. 
We say this not in support of any one element there, no staff members,
for we believe that OCB is so important that it is a whole whose sum is
greater than its parts, even so wonderful a staff as that at OCB.  OCB
stands for helping the blind to become normal people who are coping with
a physical disadvantage, and who are striving to eliminate the additional
suffocating handicap of the pity of others.  Proper rehabilitation services
for the blind, like the Orientation Center, liberate blind people from
dependence upon agencies or anybody else for that matter.  Blind people
want to be freed from agencies; we want rehabilitation to be an avenue
of escape from dependency.  My friends in the independent living center
movement do not understand this reality.  They have not listened to the
blind as they designed services right from the cradle to the grave.  

What the blind want is liberation from the rule of others, a liberation
which comes hard for us, but once won cannot be given back.  We are
not willing to become clients for just another agency, no matter who runs
it.  Blind people are justifiably sensitive about how agencies behave. 
We've had a lot of experience with them.  

At present, the CCB has, I am pleased to report, achieved a certain
credibility in the halls of government.  We have earned the reputation of
being an organization willing to stand up for what we believe.  Last year,
we decided, in convention assembled, that unless the current Director of
Rehabilitation would moderate his stance against programs for the blind,
we could not support his confirmation by the State Senate.  We were
prepared to offer specific and detailed testimony opposing his
confirmation.  Then, at almost the eleventh hour, the Director and his
staff offered substantial assurances that rehabilitation programs for the
blind will receive some of the much-needed attention these programs have
lacked for years.  

The CCB Board of Directors considered our position and agreed with me
that continued opposition would not be in the best interest of blind
people.  However, let no one mistake our resolve:  This Council withdrew
its opposition to Mr. Tainter's confirmation only in the expectation that
the Department will make good his promises for better programs for the
blind.  We will support the Director and the Department where that
support is deserved.  We want them to continue to work creatively on
behalf of blind and visually impaired people.  We want progress on behalf
of the blind.  This is no game we play. 

During the high drama of our defense of the Orientation Center, another
critical problem arose involving the right of blind people to move about
freely on the streets and highways of this land.  Of course, I speak of the
Steven Hazzard story, in which a blind man was deprived of his guide dog
for five months--all because of the unwarranted interference of misguided
self-styled animal rights activists.  Thank God I can report to you that
Steven Hazzard has his guide dog now and has traveled unmolested by
these "humaniacs" for over five months.  

The critical part of this story is truly the right of the blind to move about
freely.  The true problem was the role of what we call animal rights
terrorists who claimed that a blind person had no right to a guide dog.  I
do not stand here and defend Steven's school for its apparent confusion
which resulted in a five-month lapse before Steven got his guide dog
back.  But let us be fair, and let us confront the problem that there were
some--within the Council and outside it--who called for a crusade to put
the school out of business.  I am proud of this Council and our stand on
behalf of a blind person and against the true villains of this scenario, the
"humaniacs."  We must be ever vigilant to recognize our true adversaries. 
For those who seek positions of leadership in this Council and wanted to
sue the guide dog school, I say, "what a ruinous course you would have
taken us on, urging us to spend unlimited amounts of money on lawyers
to bring down an agency for the blind which has done good work for over
50 years.  And all the time, the very people who were responsible for the
whole mess have remained untouched."  This Council has chosen to back
the blind guy, to help him get his dog back, and to work for improvement
of the school's policies; and, we are still pursuing ways to prevent the
humaniacs from ever interfering in the lives of blind people again.  This is
what the Council is all about; this is why we are here.  

There are public policy issues of other kinds which require our attention
as we move toward the 21st century.  We are hearing much about the
"voucher" system for all kind of services which our government has
traditionally provided.  This seems to arise at least partly because of
recent interest in the privatization of all kind of services--remember
President Bush's thousand points of light?  Vouchers would be dispensed
from public funds and used to buy private services.  

The most significant discussion has been in the area of the education of
our children.  In various proposals, including one which may make it to
the California ballot, proponents of the voucher system in public education
would have government vouchers given to parents who want to put their
children into private schools.  I must tell you that as a public school
educator, I have grave doubts about the voucher system in education.  I
believe it would tend to erode accessibility to public education rather than
improve it.  I foresee that the voucher system would have the effect of
diluting the strength of our public schools, of placing our children in
educational systems which are not responsive to our nation's generally
agreed goals for our schools.  

There are serious questions about accountability in any private setting. 
I wonder if this is truly the American way.  I wonder if this isn't just
another attempt to avoid taking responsibility for the many social ills
which should be solved rather than sidestepped.  

There are some who propose to have a voucher system in vocational
rehabilitation.  "It would," they say, "make it possible for blind people to
have freedom of choice in the selection of orientation and mobility
services, job placement services, and other requirements for successful
rehabilitation."  As usual, the voucher system is celebrated as a way to
save money.  But what is the reality?  We do know that private vocational
rehabilitation services under the workmen's compensation system have
not been all that successful and are ruinously expensive.  

At this point, I have to be convinced because my preliminary opinion is
that the same problems apply to rehabilitation vouchers as to education
vouchers.  I also have some deep misgivings about the motives of at least
some of those favoring the voucher system.  It's about time we see these
proponents not as advocates on behalf of the blind, but as just other
agencies for the blind with their own axes to grind.  

But there is one issue that I want to bring to your attention today, the
problem of the future prospects for our specialized needs in the fields of
rehabilitation, education, mobility, and all the others.  I have come to
believe that this problem is the most serious issue confronting blind
people everywhere--but particularly for those blind people who need good,
sound, relevant specialist services from educational institutions,
rehabilitation agencies, and the like.  It will come as no surprise to you
that this issue arises out of the independent living center movement and
philosophy.  

Back in 1987, a book was published entitled Disabled Policy:  America's
Programs for the Handicapped.  It was published by the prestigious
Cambridge University Press and written by a member of the faculty of
George Washington University, Edward Berkowitz.  He had obviously
spent a great deal of time with articulate spokesmen for the independent
living center concept, people like Ed Roberts.  Mr. Berkowitz casually
dismisses the specific and specialized needs of blind people as "special-
interest politics."  He goes on to discuss what he sees as a weakness in
rehabilitation programs and planning, "Special treatment for the blind is
a classic example of fragmentation in vocational rehabilitation and in
disability policy generally.  When Congress holds rehabilitation hearings,
it often hears first from representatives of the blind.  In fact, because of
divisions within the blind community, there are usually two spokesmen for
the blind, one representing the National Federation of the Blind and
another representing the American Foundation for the Blind." 

See, this man has apparently not bothered to get enough information to
understand the kinds of organizations which are involved in this business. 
We shouldn't be surprised--that some people are misinformed, even the
so-called experts.  

Berkowitz goes on:  "The reasons for the special treatment of the blind
are not clear.  Possibly it is because the unimpaired can easily imagine
and sympathize with their plight; unlike mental illness, for example, the
state of blindness involves little stigma."  I am tempted to inquire what
this author was smoking?  

Berkowitz interprets the present laws for the blind in typical independent
living center fashion:  "The blind enjoy special privileges in the American
social welfare system."  Any aspect of law or program which sets aside
special treatment for the blind is regarded as negative and
counterproductive.  You will remember that Bill Tainter talked of any
special programs for the blind as "segregated."  This has been the general
direction of the independent living center movement for years, and it
shows over and over again that the proponents of the ILC's are not
concerned with our needs, our opinions, our empowerment.  I fear that
too much of the time, when independent living center people speak of
empowerment, they aren't looking to empower the blind.  Is it any
wonder that the Independent Living Center Organization right here in
California opposed our efforts to establish a Division for the Blind within
the state Department of Rehabilitation?  

This whole erosion of the position of services for the blind isn't any idle
exercise.  It is taking place alongside, and maybe as part of a general drift
to dramatically waken the vocational aspects of our rehabilitation
program.  The California Council of the Blind believes, and I think it
always has believed, that the true problem of the blind is getting jobs. 
We believe that the job comes first; then, the blind individual can make
his or her way in life.  

The independent living center movement, on the other hand, is concerned
with providing whatever services are required to give its clientele access
to life at all levels.  This approach, coupled with a recognition that
employment is the hardest part of the rehabilitation process no matter
what anybody tells you, has found great support among rehabilitation
agencies and others who are reluctant to take the time and effort to
seriously engage in job-placement activities.  The entire framework of
vocational rehabilitation is under attack, not from evil men and women,
but rather from people who truly believe in what they are doing despite
the potential negative impact of their efforts.  So we have arrived at the
day when the word "vocational" has been stripped away from
rehabilitation in the Federal Act, and when serious proposals are
circulating to re-title the Rehabilitation Act by calling it the Independent
Living Act.  

Another very negative proposal would have what rehabilitation
professionals call Title VII C funding for services for older blind
Americans, merged with independent living center funds.  We really don't
have to wonder what would happen to funding for older blind people. 
Whereas, John Lopez's idea for a return of blind senior citizens to their
home communities and activities is liberating, the independent living
centers would, in my opinion, turn these folks into a highly dependent
group.  

I could go on and on.  We have all understood for a long time that the
struggle is endless, but the rewards are great.  What are the implications
upon the Council of all these factors that I have mentioned as we move
toward the 21st century?  How we respond to the challenges of
tomorrow as we develop our own agenda of needs, as we look to our
membership for new leadership to help us in the future, I believe, is our
biggest pending challenge.  

The answer is clear.  The California Council of the Blind must rely upon
its own resources, which have served us so well in the past.  My dear
friends, I have every expectation that this Council will survive strong and
free, as we have survived throughout our history.  The only requirement
is that we remain strong and clear in our philosophy, both inside and
outside our organization.  I, for one, am in no doubt as to the outcome,
for I believe that the Council is so important in the lives of our people that
it often is the only hope for true progress in the lives of blind people.  I,
for one, believe in the Council's vision of hope for blind people, and I, for
one, know that the hard work is worth it all.  

Recently, I heard the story of a young blind man who lives right here in
Sacramento.  Educated in another state, he received special computer
training in preparation for work with the Internal Revenue Service.  When
that training was completed, he got a job here in Sacramento, where he
has worked for several years.  What a different story from the careers of
so many of us from the past, when blind people had to fill out hundreds
of applications, endure countless refusals, take the jobs nobody else
wanted, and too often sue to get consideration.  The list of problems is
endless, but I foresee that we are truly making progress, and I am thrilled. 
If a normal progression from college to a career is possible for one blind
person, many can and will follow.  That is the mission of the California
Council of the Blind--to work for normal opportunities and treatment of
blind people.  That is why I was thrilled to become part of the CCB, and
why I am delighted to be involved in our Council.  

I believe that it is imperative that this Council select leaders who
understand our priorities, our needs, and the true problems of blindness. 
The bond and the agreement between our membership and those you
select to lead is a very precious thing.  I have tried my best to meet the
goals you have set and to never betray your trust.  Now, as we look to
develop new leadership--a process that goes on all the time--we need to
consider who can best represent us.  We look to the challenges ahead.  

Recently, in a discussion of future possibilities with some Council
members, I discovered a truth about myself.  It is, I believe, that a part of
the character of the great membership of this Council is a part of us all. 
This truth is that improving opportunities for blind people is inherent in our
spirit.  We need leaders for whom we can work, in whom we have
confidence and belief.  We need to know that those leaders have
understood our philosophy and grasped the important and distinctive
character of this Council.  We have rejected the concept of turning our
organization into just another social/recreational club.  We have rejected
the blind bullies who would destroy that which they cannot subjugate. I,
for one, cannot be involved in projects I believe are unworthy of the blind
or bad for the blind.   Personally, I cannot consider being involved with a
leadership which does not honor that which I hold dear:  The principles
upon which this organization was founded and those principles which we
as a membership adopt.  This is where I stand.  This is one of the reasons
I have brought forward the name of John Lopez as a candidate for
president of the CCB.  John is a man whose day has come.  

John was one of the many of us who struggled against often
overwhelming forces to achieve his personal and professional goals. 
While he and Maria were raising their family and he was working two
jobs, he had the initiative to complete a college degree in night school.

I believe this Council will continue its splendid record of achievement on
behalf of the blind, with the leadership of John Lopez and all the other
fine people who work to achieve our goals.  Years ago, the great
philosopher of the organized blind movement, Jacobus tenBroek, spoke
eloquently of the role of the blind working together to achieve great
things:  "As the possessors of power, we must exercise it responsibly,
impersonally, and with self-restraint.  As a people's movement, we cannot
allow others to deflect us from our course.  We must apply our power and
influence to achieve our legitimate goals ... as long as the organized blind
movement continues to be representative in its character, democratic in
its procedures, open in its purposes, and loyal in its commitments--so
long, that is, as the faith of the blind does not become blind faith--we
have nothing to fear, no cause for apology, and only achievement to look
forward to.  We may carry our program to the public with confidence and
conviction--choosing the means of our expression with proper care but
without calculation ... The greatest hope for the blind is that they may be
seen as they are, not as they have been portrayed; and since they are
neither wards nor children, their hope is not only to be seen but also
heard--in their own accents and for whatever their cause may be worth." 

My dear friends, you have been magnificent as together we carved out
the great history of the California Council of the Blind.  Always remember
that our destiny lies in our hands, for the future is ours.  

Thank you, and God bless you all.

                   ----------------


                  OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE

              by Cherrie Handy Pomerantz


It's hard to believe that 1992 is halfway over, but so it is.  Our spring
convention in Sacramento has come and gone too, and I'd like to share
some of its highlights with those of you who were unable to attend.

Ruth Ann Acosta did an outstanding job setting up this program, ably
assisted by Leslie Thom.  Susan Edgar of U. C. Davis made an excellent
presentation on dog nutrition.  Handouts are being made available in
braille, courtesy of U. C. Davis.  Contact Ruth Ann at the CCB office for
further information.

Pat Urena, acting as staff of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind,
brought us up to date on efforts to establish an effective arbitration
process, acceptible to both the guide dog schools, and us, as dog guide
users.  Pat also read to us a letter from PETA (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals), indicating its opposition to guide dogs as a means
of mobility for blind people.  Both Pat Urena and Tom Ainsworth of Guide
Dogs For The Blind stressed that this is not a matter to be taken lightly,
that there are other animal rights groups who hold similar beliefs, and that
we, as dog guide users, must be aware of these organizations and their
beliefs if we are to counteract effectively the threat they pose to the
guide dog movement in this country.  

One way to alleviate such beliefs is through public education.  Jane
Brackman, Executive Director of International Guiding Eyes, Bill Emerson
of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, myself, and others are in
the process of developing a public education campaign to be focused on
the Los Angeles area, where Steve Hazzard had such a negative
experience with animal rights activists.  Our hope is to develop a package
which can be implemented in other parts of California and the United
States.  We hope that the other two guide dog schools in the state will
choose to participate also. 

Saidie Super, Executive Director of the State Association of Humane
Officers, also made a presentation to GDUC.  She was accompanied by
Tom Marxbury, a Humane Officer for Marin County.  Tom discussed the
training being offered presently to humane officers and indicated their
interest in becoming more informed about dog guide training, and how
dog guides and their partners work together.  


In our business meeting GDUC passed four resolutions:  The first
commended IGE for granting immediate ownership to graduating dog
guide users; the second commended Guide Dogs for the Blind for offering
$200 per year in veterinary costs to graduates' dogs, as well as those
dogs now retired from service; the third requested that a dog guide user
be placed on the ACB Convention Committee and the Site Selection
committee to insure that the needs of guide dogs would be considered
when convention activities are planned, and sites for future conventions
are being reviewed; and the fourth urges that all avenues for both
legislative and/or administrative remedies be explored to insure that in the
future humane officers who interact with guide dog users will not misuse
or overstep the appropriate bounds of their authority.

The GDUC membership voted to increase dues to $15 a year, effective
in November of this year and also including 1993.  This increase is in line
with what other affiliates are charging their members.  Dues were raised
in order to cover the cost of GDUC's newly established newsletter, which
I hope all of you have received by now.  I should also mention that there
was a slight technical glitch, and most of you got yours with side 2 as the
first track; therefore, you will need to turn your tape over and move
forward a bit on side 1 to hear the first part of your newsletter.  If you
have not received your copy of "Have Guide Dog Will Travel," please
contact Doris Fisher, at 310-866-2131 so that she can verify your mailing
address and alert our newsletter editor, Ruth Dean Zulli.  

We had a wonderful turn-out for our luncheon on Saturday.  Kay Cook,
President of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, was our keynote
speaker.  We also heard from Kay Mulvey, President of Guide Dog Users
of Oregon.  

I'd like to take a moment here, as we did at our luncheon, to pay a last
tribute to Ray Underwood of Guide Dogs for the Blind.  I know that many
of us remember him with respect and affection, and this loss will be felt
at Guide Dogs for the Blind by its graduates and former grads.  He gave
so much of himself to the school and to us--the people he served and
sincerely cared about.

                   ----------------


                    BULLETIN BOARD

                  by Winifred Downing


The American Foundation for the Blind has published its new 1992
catalog of special aids, Products for People with Vision Problems.  It is
available without charge in large print or braille.  Write to AFB at 15 W.
16th Street, New York, NY 10011.

From The Xavier Review, May, 1992: Twin Peaks Press has just published
their Disability Workshop Catalog, a shop-by-mail bookstore  stocking
hard-to-find titles covering a wide range of health topics for the general
public and matters of interest to disabled persons. To receive the catalog
send $2 for postage and handling for the print issue or $8 for two 90-
minute tapes to:  The Disability Bookshops, P.O. Box 129, Vancouver,
WA 98666-0129; 800-637-2256.

From Dialogue, Spring, 1992: APH introduces the Century  Series Braille
Book Club which offers braille books at print paper-back prices.  When
joining, members agree to purchase three Century Series Braille Books
during the first year; they will then receive a free braille book chosen from
a list containing a wide variety of titles.  APH will publish at least six new
titles a year and will send a mailing listing every other month all Century
Series Books available for purchase.  Contact American Printing House for
the Blind, Inc., 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206-0085; 502-
895-2405. 

The following country music books sell for $8.50 each including shipping
and handling:  "Introducing Ray Starr," "Feelings of Love," and "Ray
Starr, Number 3."  Contact Raymond Rokita, 850 Armstrong  Road,
Lansing, MI 48911. 

"Braille Literacy" is a pamphlet published by the American Foundation for
the Blind.  It discusses the braille literacy crisis in America and presents
possible solutions.  To obtain a braille or large print copy, contact the 
American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W. 16th Street, New York, NY
10011; 212-620-2000. 

Arts Computer Products, Inc. announces the availability of a lease option
on the Arkenstone Reader and its relevant components which would allow
users to make monthly payments.  For more information contact Arts
Computer Products, Inc., 121 Beach Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA
02111; 800-343-0095. 

From The Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, April, 1992: The
Social Security Administration, in collaboration with the Library of
Congress, NLS, has produced audio-cassette  versions of materials
outlining Social Security programs and benefits.  The three-hour, four-
track tape provides summaries of the administrations's major consumer
booklets, "Understanding Social Security", "Retirement", "Survivors",
"SSI", and Medicare.  Note: Though the article doesn't say so, the tapes
can apparently be secured from any regional or subregional library. 

From Our Special, March 1992: General Electric offers free overlays in
braille for all its appliances.  For this service, get the model and serial 
numbers of your  appliance, and call the company at 800-626-2000. 

From Our Special, April, 1992: The magazine Parenting is now available
in braille through your regional or subregional library.  Just ask to have
your name placed on the subscription list. 

One braille cookbook  and two craft books are being sold by Our Special. 
The cookbook sells for $8 and is a compilation of recipes submitted by
readers of the magazine.  A book of crochet patterns costs $10 and one
with items to knit costs $7.50.  The craft books have patterns for
scarves, afghans, and other items appropriate for sale at a fair or church
function.  Write to Our Special at 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA
02115. 

From Our Special, May, 1992: Another braille cookbook, "The Best of
Pancake and Waffle Recipes," can be purchased for $10 from the
Massachusetts Association for the Blind, 200 Ivy Street, Brookline, MA
02146.  You can also request a list of all braille materials that can be
bought from MAB.  

"R U Hungry?", a book for the blind cook, is being sold by the CCB Inland
Empire Chapter.  The book contains more than 80 personal recipes for
dinners and desserts in grade-2 braille, has an easy-to-find table of
contents and is bound in attractive plastic covers.  To order, make a
check for $20 to the Inland Empire Chapter, Christy Crespin, 6667 Cathy
Place, Riverside, CA 92504.  Your book will be mailed "free matter".  
 
Send contributions for this column to Winifred Downing, 1587 38th
Avenue,  San Francisco, 94122.  

                   ----------------


              AROUND THE STATE AND NATION


ADA TRAINING TAPES AVAILABLE.  The Silicon Valley chapter/NCAER
sponsored ADA training cassettes recorded in two-track format.  The
price is $12.00 per set.  For your order, make checks payable to SVCB,
P.O. Box 493, Mountain View, CA 94042.  Please include the following
information in Braille, print, cassette, or computer disk: name, mailing
address, and telephone number.

                        *  *  *

LOOKING FOR TWO VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND MARATHON
RUNNERS to participate in the "First World Marathon for the Blind and
Visually Impaired" to be held in Japan.  The marathon will take place on
December 16, 1992, and all expenses including airfare to Japan will be
covered from December 4 through 17.  To qualify, a man must be able to
run a marathon in four hours and a woman in 4.5 hours.  All those
seriously interested, please contact Ronda Tichman at 415-824-6056 or
at 445 Clipper Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.

                        *  *  *

"FREEDOM'S VISION" OFFERS SAILING TRIPS on a specially equipped
boat to young, physically able blind and other handicapped individuals. 
The boat has access to wheelchairs and a talking compass for blind
sailors.  There is no fee for the crew, but participants may donate money
for food and fuel.  If you wish more information write to Angela Keyser,
1220 Rosecrans Street Suite 134, San Diego, CA 92106.

                        *  *  *

(Editor's note:  Following is the main body of a letter sent to the CCB
from the office of the Secretary of State, March Fong eu, by the Chief of
Elections Division, Caren Daniels-Meade.)
 

"May 13, 1992

Dear Mr. Acosta:

Every now and then it is important to take time out from the hectic pace
of our work environment and make sure that people who are doing really
fine work receive some well-deserved recognition.  

This letter is to express the gratitude of the Secretary of State for the
assistance and expertise of Mr. Ysidro Urena.  He has been an invaluable
resource for our office in our efforts to encourage participation in the
democratic system of elections by persons who are blind or otherwise
visually impaired.  

During the past several years, Mr. Urena and I have worked together on
a variety of projects, including:  providing voter registration forms to
individuals and organizations; distribution of a "Know Your Voting Rights"
brochure describing the voting rights of persons with disabilities; and the
production and distribution of an audio cassette version of the state-ballot
pamphlet.  

In addition, Mr. Urena has been invaluable to me personally in increasing
my understanding of the specific needs of persons who are blind.  This
"sensitization" has been important to my role in the implementation in
California of the federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and
Handicapped Act of 1984.  

Finally, as you know, the Legislature created the Visually Impaired Voter
Assistance Advisory Board and Mr. Urena was instrumental in the
passage of that legislation and was appointed by the Secretary of State
to this advisory board to advise her on actions and programs in the area
of the accessibility of the elections system to persons who are blind or
otherwise visually impaired.

I look forward to continuing to work with the California Council of the
Blind and Mr. Urena to make the elections system in California as
accessible as possible."  