                 THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN


               Quarterly Magazine of the

            CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND


Fall 1992              Volume XXXVI         Number 4

                     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
  
           Editor Assistant: Norma Schecter 

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  . . . .1

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER by Robert J. Acosta . . . . . .4

LEGISLATIVE REPORT--SEPTEMBER 1992 
    by Cid Urena   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY NEWS UPDATE 
    by Donine Hedrick  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CCB INITIATES A CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
    by Robert J. Acosta  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

A CALL TO ACTION: PROPOSED DOWN GRADING OF VH 
    TEACHER CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 
    by Frank Ryan, CTEVH President . . . . . . . . . 17

ACB CONVENTION REPORT--1992 by Coletta Davis   . . . 18

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AID NOW AVAILABLE 
    FOR THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES    . . . . . 21

FROM THE WORKPLACE, by Mitchell Pomerantz  . . . . . 23

DR. NEWEL PERRY, EMANCIPATOR OF THE BLIND
    by George Fogarty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

FEDERAL LEGISLATION by Winifred Downing  . . . . . . 29

THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PERSPECTIVE 
    by Stanley Greenberg, Ph. D. . . . . . . . . . . 31

OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE by Cherrie Handy Pomerantz . . . 33

CLUB HONORS VALLEY COUNSELOR TO THE BLIND
    by Mariah Ashraf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

SUMMARY OF RESOLUTIONS by Winifred Downing . . . . . 37

BULLETIN BOARD by Winifred Downing . . . . . . . . . 42

AROUND THE STATE AND NATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
                FROM THE EDITOR'S DISK 

                   by Maria E. Lopez


Time has not permitted me to write more about the history of Mexico as
I mentioned in the previous issue, but again The Blind Californian is filled
with a variety of articles dealing with informative and interesting topics. 
This is because of your excellent contributions.  

One of the regular and dedicated contributors of the BC has been Mitch
Pomerantz, a member of the CCB for many years; unfortunately, his
column will not appear in future issues because he is attending law school
and is quite occupied with his studies.  Mitch, your From the Workplace
will be greatly missed by all of us.  Good luck on your new endeavor. 

My sincere appreciation to Norma Schecter for her profound dedication
in helping me with the editing of the BC.  I just could not do it without her
assistance.  Also, to all of you who have offered your help, I am equally
thankful to know that I can rely upon your support. Furthermore, I must
mention my personal thanks to Denise Weddle and Pat Urena for their
endless cooperation.  

Please send your articles and notices no later than December 1, 1992 for
the next edition.  Your timely efforts will enable me to provide you with
the Winter BC more effectively.

My closing quotation:  "Strength is shown in the things we stand for;
weakness, in the things we fall for." 

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


               REPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS

                  by Robert J. Acosta


This is my last report to our great membership as the President of the
California Council of the Blind.  These past 15 years have truly been very
rewarding to me, serving you as your President.  

I do hope that you will be able to attend our Convention Banquet as I plan
to present a Banquet Address to thank you personally for all your
outstanding assistance during my presidency.  

Many interesting things have been happening since my previous report. 
To start, I'm happy to announce that the California Connection has been
transferred to our Northridge office as of August 21, 1992.  We plan to
update our telephone center message at least once a week.  Things are
happening so rapidly in the blindness community that we must therefore
constantly strive to communicate with you more effectively.  The
California Connection will include updates on legislation, job
announcements, and other news which require your immediate attention. 

The California Connection phone number is 1-800-221-6359 and is in
operation when the office staff leaves, from 6 p.m. or later, until 9 a.m.
or earlier on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.  of course, 
when our office is open, this number is for used by the general public.  

I hope you are making plans to attend the Fall Convention of the
California Council of the Blind to be held November 5-8, 1992, at the
Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza which is adjacent to the Los Angeles
International Airport.  This year the Hotel rates are $52 across.  By this
reading, you will have received your convention announcement with the
attached registration form.  

We have invited many guests to this Convention:  Yvonne Fair Tessler,
narrator of the year, will be an honored guest; Dr. Judy Dixon, Consumer
Liaison Officer of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, will participate on our program; Dr. Doug Wakefield will
speak to us about the role of technology in the lives of blind persons. 
Come and have a great time!  

Have you already written to the Congress regarding our efforts to pass a
strong Rehabilitation Act?  If not, please write to your U.S. Senators and
your Congressional Representatives in support of the House version
HR5482 by Representative Major Owens and ask them to please support
the provisions in this bill without any weakening amendments.  We regret
that the National Federation of the Blind has chosen to lobby against the
Study Commission which will examine programs for the blind in
Rehabilitation and in Education.  In fact, our deaf friends have been
helped greatly by the actions of their Commission.  Remember, the
Commission will stay in existence for 18 months, and the appropriation
needed is one million dollars.  

Also, please ask our Representatives and Senators to support increased
funding for the Independent Living Services to the Elderly Blind. We prefer
a formula grant process whereby every state shall receive funding for  this
program--California has never received a grant under this program, and
yet we have more elderly blind in our state than any other in the nation. 

On a positive note, I am very pleased to report to our membership that
Senate Bill 1793 by Senator Milton Marks was defeated in the Assembly
Ways and Means Committee.  If this bill had passed, it would have
severely hurt our 44-year progress in the guide dog field in California and
would have allowed blind persons to train their dogs and to hire private
trainers without certification of any kind.  

In the interest of compromise, we introduced amendments which would
have allowed blind persons in this state to hire a private instructor to train
their guide dog for profit, but Senator Marks would not accept this
amendment.  The Ways and Means Committee tried to repair this poorly
written bill, but to no avail.  

We are told by the political pundits in Sacramento that convincing the
fiscal committee to concern itself with the policy and philosophy behind
a piece of legislation is truly a miracle.  If so, then Cid Urena is truly a
miracle worker.  

The California Council of the Blind commends the Ways and Means
Committee for its willingness to clearly understand this issue.  We
particularly thank Assemblyman John Burton, Assemblywoman Theresa
Hughes, and Assemblyman Gerald Felando for their great work. 
Personally, I sincerely thank all of you for supporting us in this matter.  

Furthermore, I especially thank Ruth Ann Acosta, Ken Metz, Sharlene
Powers, Vernon Crowder, and our fine citizen advocate Cid Urena for
their notable work on our behalf.  Finally, my genuine thanks goes to the
three guide dog schools and the members of the State Board of Guide
Dogs for the Blind for their assistance.  This was our finest hour!  

Whether you use a guide dog or not, you understand the need for state
licensing of our guide dog schools and our instructors.  Since the CCB
founded the Guide Dog Board, we are not about to let it be dismantled by
those who would have no state regulation. 

In a later article in this issue, I shall report to our readers about the "dog
food boondoggle", perpetrated on the innocent public by the National
Federation of the Blind.  It never ceases to amaze me how the Federation
leaders can turn a major budget crisis into a fund raiser for their
organization.  

I look forward to seeing all of you at our State Convention.

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


                THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

                  by Robert J. Acosta


Summer, 1992 will long be remembered as the time of California's budget
crisis, with the Governor and the Legislature unable to agree on a
spending/taxing program, ultimately forging a budget which changes
California's policies on many fronts.

Among the many reductions in public services and programs, the new
budget cut SSI grants to the blind, disabled and elderly, and dramatically
reduced public services such as medical and indigent care.  At a time
when the numbers of homeless are growing at an alarming rate, drastic
cut-backs in state funding for special programs were effected.  The 1992-
93 budget established California as the state where our children will not
receive the quality of education which we were lucky enough to get.

For weeks, those of us concerned with human needs for financial support,
medical care, and rehabilitation watched and waited, and did what we
could to impress upon our representatives the depth of the problems we
all face without sufficient funding.  The political furor attended upon this
process was of such quality that the news media were hovering around
the Capital from early morning until the wee hours.  Television news,
radio broadcasts, and daily newspapers were filled with stories of the
suffering caused by the State's inability to issue checks for services
rendered or goods delivered.  The Governor started issuing regular reports
about the impact of the failure to have a budget.

The struggle was over which priorities would prevail:  public safety
(police, fire) was pitted against medical facilities; the need for support of
the blind, aged, and disabled, and the desperate needs of AFDC families,
was pitted against aid for cities and countries.  The education of our
children was weighed against community needs.  There is a saying that
came out of the struggle:  that no one, no party, no point of view "won." 
What did happen was that a set of choices was grudgingly agreed to,
choices that all would have to live with.  Right now, I am informed that
there will be a 6% cut in all SSI grants, including those for the blind.  I
don't like it, but frankly, I am grateful for those who worked hard to limit
the reductions to a one digit amount.

Small businesses with contracts with the State for goods -- meats,
staples and other food for prisons and for state schools -- were expected
to continue delivering food supplies though they could only be paid with
"IOU's" for items delivered after July 1.  More than one such company
was forced to the brink of ruin.  State employees were paid with IOU's
which banks willingly cashed at first, but later refused to do so.  There
are people performing the vital work of caring for the elderly and disabled
who wish to remain in their own homes; the State saves a lot of money
by helping these elderly and disabled people avoid nursing home care. 
These dedicated helpers continued with their important duties without
any remuneration and were not paid for two months.

By mid-August we learned that clients of the Department of Rehabilitation
who were starting another college year would not receive timely
assistance with the purchase of important books, materials, and other
supplies for their studies. We could go on and on -- in all these ways and
more the depth of the disruption, the chaos of the failure of our elected
representatives to deal with the budget impasse, became shockingly
obvious.

One of the early warning signals of the disarray caused by the lack of a
budget came with the notice that SSI recipients who are guide dog users
did not receive their July checks  provided under a special state program
which grants $50 per month to each such guide dog user for the
purchase of food and other needs for the dogs. About 450 blind persons
receive this allowance, which comes in a separate check; this program is
supported entirely by the State General Fund without Federal
participation. For years this program was unique to California, but in
recent times, I understand, at least two other states have such
allowances, though the $50 amount here in California is far greater than
the one provided by the other states. Several years ago, the California
program was expanded to include service dogs and hearing dogs as well.

While the budget process inched along in the days after the
constitutionally prescribed completion date of July 1, other business in
the Capitol continued, more or less, in an atmosphere of tension and
concern.  The CCB was watching the progress of AB550 -- the bill which
we sponsored to bring private programs for the blind into line with
independent living centers in having representation by blind persons on
such agencies' boards of directors.  A compromise was reached which
will at least show the way to enlightened private agencies for the blind.
Our fine author for this bill, Mr. Sam Farr, arranged a conference
committee meeting of both the Assembly and the Senate and the other
groups concerned with AB550.  The Council was there and the
Department of Rehabilitation was there, but the NFB of California did not
participate.

As this compromise was being ironed out, we were also watching the
progress of SB1793, which was characterized as a measure to "conform"
California law to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The Council
supported the opinion that one aspect of SB1793, and a minor one,
would have the effect of casting confusion in the law about who would
be able to train guide dogs in public places.  In discussions with the three
California guide dog schools, and the Guide Dog Board itself, the Council
was gratified that we were all in agreement that this obscure section
would only lead to difficulties about just who and what a guide dog
trainer might be.  Efforts to gain the attention and concern of the author's
office, funneled by that office to his consultant for this bill, were fruitless.
Almost before we knew it, the bill had passed through the Senate and
was being taken up in the Assembly.

Though Cid Urena was able to gain the attention of the staff for the
Assembly Judiciary Committee, the efforts of the CCB, the guide dog
schools, and others were without effect as the Consultant for this
Committee seemed to accept the contention of proponents for SB1793
that the Guide Dog Act of California was out of conformity with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.  Proponents of SB1793 -- and the only
one we saw was the NFB of California -- contended that to deny a blind
person the right to select any trainer for preparation of a guide dog was
to break Federal law. It was like saying that while medical patients have
a right to have licensed medical personnel, and those who need
accountants have a right to have CPAs, somehow if you are blind you
have no right to have the services of those who are clearly licensed to
perform work as guide dog trainers. You figure that one out.

The impact of the events of August 12, 1992, when the Assembly
Judiciary Committee voted to permit any person to train guide dogs
whether licensed or not, broke over the guide dog users community of
California like a shock wave. We're proud of our licensing act, worked
hard to get it in place, and certainly don't want just anyone going into
business. After all, it was in the California Council of the Blind under the
leadership of Dr. Newel Perry and Dr. Jacobus tenBroek that the Guide
Dog Board was born. This Board is one of the most enlightened efforts of
California or any other state in protecting the right of blind people to have
safe and effective training.  Others would do well to emulate it. 

Our alarm at the loss of the Board's authority was only reinforced and
made credible when a self-described dog trainer presented himself at a
large LA-based agency to pass out brochures offering his services as a
guide dog trainer, at a discount -- and this the day after the Judiciary
vote.

Nobody ever said life has been easy for the blind or the California Council,
but nobody can say we're quitters or faint of heart. Experts and
experienced lobbyists told us the matter was closed, that the only
Committee left to consider this bill was the Assembly Ways and Means,
and that the Committee would only discuss fiscal matters.

Armed only with our sense of what is right and our knowledge that the
Guide Dog Board is a program worth saving, guide dog users in California
(organized and unorganized) joined hands with each other and with the
Guide Dog Board and were thrilled with the level of support from the
guide dog schools.  Guide dog users who couldn't get to Sacramento
communicated with their legislators' home offices by telephone and
telegram; even with such short notice (we had but a week to work on
this) numbers of guide dog users came to Sacramento joined by the Guide
Dog Board and representatives from Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Our people
visited the offices of every member of that committee, running into Guide
Dog Board reps doing the same thing, and sometimes sharing space with
trainers of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Then, we found that we had the
support of the California Restaurant Association, which was unhappy
with the manner in which SB1793 would treat access problems (a
minimum penalty of $2,500 for failure to admit guide dogs and a
prohibition on inquiring as to the disability of a dog user).

It was quite a campaign.  Going into it, none of us were at all certain of
the outcome, but we knew it was worth the trouble to fight.  Our
liabilities were many: little time, asking for further consideration of policy
matter in a fiscal committee, an author's staff that was not willing to
assist their Senator to understand the complexities of the issue involved
and were all too willing to commit their boss to a point of view held by
the NFBC -- which has, after all, something of a reputation as an
unyielding, stiff-necked bunch, unable to appreciate any point of view but
their own.  Our representatives -- people like Charlene Powers, Vernon
Crowder, Ruth Acosta, Ruth Zulli, Dan and Ann Kysor, Ken Metz, Audrey
Hebner -- took to the halls of the legislature, seeing to it that every
member of the Ways and Means Committee understood the seriousness
of literally tearing up the Guide dog Act provisions for licensing guide dog
trainers.

Thankfully, our message was heard and understood.  By the time the
matter got to hearing, friends of the blind like John Burton, Teresa
Hughes, and Geraldo Felando -- to mention but a few -- were asking the
kinds of questions, making the kind of suggestions that clearly showed
they were willing to consider changes in the Business and Professions
Code, but not the wholesale elimination of licensing.  We are all so
grateful to all members of the Committee and hard-pressed as they were
by the crisis in the budget which preoccupied their every moment.  But
nevertheless, they took their time to listen -- they cared.  Chairman John
Vasconcellos, a veteran of the many budget wars in the Capitol, whose
staff had indicated the Chair's lack of enthusiasm for any non-fiscal
matters, cared.  When the Restaurant Association stated their objections
to the access penalties in SB1793, he immediately questioned proponents
on the $2,500 amount.  He got no reply, save silence, and the amount
was reduced to $250.  When proponents made an agreement based on
what the law is in other states, his respond was exactly on target; he said
that he was a California legislator concerned with good laws for
California.  

What are the results of all this?  SB1793 failed to receive enough
favorable votes to get out of committee -- and, at that, it had been
amended in committee in such a way that its most negative aspects
where eliminated.  The sad part is that positive parts of the bill (such as
requiring the owner of a vicious dog which attacks a guide, signal or
service dog to pay damages) were lost as well.  Let there be no mistake: 
the staff of the author had been warned of substantial opposition to this
bill as it came to the Ways and Means Committee and before, but refused
to compromise in any way.  The only organization speaking for the bill
before Ways and Means was the NFBC, and they were of like mind.  

Did anybody win?  In all limited ways, those who support occupational
licensing in guide dog work prevailed, but I believe this was only because
our cause was right.  In truth, all blind people lose when the blind go to
war in the legislature, when one particular point of view is held despite
common sense and good judgment, despite the need to compromise and
find ways to work together.  This guide dog issue was an example of
how difficult it is to work in the atmosphere of "trench warfare"
established by the behind-the-scenes manipulations of those who will rule
or ruin.  I think there is no doubt the CCB's position prevails on any issue
where we are responsible and sound in our thinking.  This is true whether
or not a legislative staffer makes it his/her business to try to manipulate
rather than submit ideas to the fair and open process in the legislature.

By the way, in the middle of the whole sorry story of SB1793, the NFBC
was engaged in what they seemed to feel was the far more important
work of publicizing the great crisis where guide dogs would go hungry
without their food allowance -- remember the $50 from the state?  News
media across the state were alarmed to a grave crisis where the poor
dogs would go hungry.  At first the public was invited to donate dog
food; then, there seemed to be a change in emphasis to cash
contributions to guess who?  As one would put it, only the NFB can turn
a budget crisis into a fund raiser.

This particular sham was made to seem even more ludicrous when the
three California guide dog schools actively worked to assure that no guide
dog in California need go hungry -- and one, International Guiding Eyes,
notified everyone they would provide food for any guide dog from any
school.  Guide dog users understood that the schools would provide the
kind of food required for our animals, and not some grocery store brand
not suitable for our dogs.  Did those NFB'ers collect much money for their
effort?  We don't expect to ever know.  What we wonder about is how
these individuals can justify the image of the blind begging for dog food. 
Remember, these are the same people who object to audible traffic
signals because they are "demeaning" to the blind.  Makes one wonder,
doesn't it?

In the meantime, now that the dust of the budget crisis has begun to
settle, we hope that all SSI recipients with guide dogs will receive their
checks soon, the in-home workers are paid, college students get their
supplies, and there will be enough teachers to educate our children. 
Everyone has learned some lessons from the budget crisis, and we know
we must be even more vigilant and committed to protect those important
programs for the blind which, though costly, are so all-important for the
future lives of the blind men and women.  This is true for all blind people,
and not just guide dog users.

Congratulations to the CCB on achieving a significant round in our battle
for first-class citizenship.  It is indeed heartening to know that California's
guide dog schools were willing to join with us not only in our legislative
struggle, but also in assuring that guide dogs in California were cared for
properly.  Heartfelt gratitude and praise for the many legislators and their
staffs that listened and cared.

The NFBC has now tried to eliminate the Guide Dog Board twice:  first by
a bill to do so outright, and later in a parliamentary ploy involving
manipulation of a legislative office.  In both efforts they have failed
miserably.  They tried to manufacture a crisis involving guide dog care,
garnering in the process some publicity and an unknown amount of
donations.  We know many SSI recipients with guide dogs who were
outraged by these tactics, and pleased to accept assistance from their
schools -- schools which weren't concerned with publicity campaigns but
rather in getting the job done for the guide dog users and the dogs.

So there are lessons for all of us in the dog days of the summer of 1992,
and not just for guide dog users. 

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





          LEGISLATIVE REPORT - SEPTEMBER 1992

                     by Cid Urena


This report will cover the items for the 1991-1992 Session that have
been omitted in earlier updates.  Some bills that have been discussed in
previous updates may simply be referred to without further discussion.

AB 550 by Assemblyman Sam Farr is currently on the Assembly floor.

                FINAL VERSION OF AB 550

"Under existing law, the Department of Rehabilitation administers various
programs for individuals who are blind or disabled.

"This bill would require that, on or after July 1, 1993, the Department
shall recommend to each organization or agency, the purpose of which is
to provide services to blind persons and that receives grants or contracts
from the Department, the number of blind members of the Board that is
appropriate to meet the needs of the community being served by that
Board.

"The bill would also require the Department to examine and report to the
appropriate committees of the legislature, on or before January 1995, on
the level of compliance with the recommendations of the Department
made pursuant to this bill."

AB 1019 by Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes was vetoed by Governor
Wilson earlier this year.  (CSU system money mismanagement bill.  See
Summer 1992 The Blind Californian legislative update for further
information).

AB 1021 by Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes was signed into law in late
1991.  [Blind students CSU system reader bill.]

AB 1022 by Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes was vetoed by Governor
Wilson earlier this year.  This bill would have provided us information
regarding a summer school program at the California School for the Blind
for blind students attending public schools.

SB 701 by Senator Ed Royce is in limbo.  This is the Braille bill.

SB 756 by Senator Milton Marks, the Guide Dog Board bill, was dropped
on January 5 of this year.

SCR 57 by Senator Nicholas Petris, Orientation Center resolution.  (See
the Summer issue of the BC). 

AB 1077 by Assemblyman Bronzan is a very lengthy and comprehensive
bill dealing with ADA regulations and implementation of same in the State
of California.  Briefly, it would make a violation of the ADA of 1990 a
violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act and would expand the express
coverage of that act.

AB 2832 by Assemblywoman Archie-Hudson.  This bill would create a
division for the blind within the Department of Rehabilitation.  The bill will
not have a final determination until negotiations are concluded with the
Department.

AB 1067 by Assemblyman Robert Frazee deals with safety at roadside
rest stops.  Briefly the bill would prohibit the solicitation of money within
any vista point or roadside rest areas and would authorize a member of
the Highway Patrol to relocate any person or property which creates a
safety problem, hazard, or nuisance to a vista point or roadside rest area. 
This bill would also authorize the removal of a vehicle which is stopped
or left standing for more than eight hours.  The bill is waiting for signature
in the governor's office.

AB 2298 by Assemblyman Jack O'Connell is a special education bill that
extends the date on which specified provisions governing special
education would expire, until June 30, 1998, has been chaptered--92-
0528.

ACR 55 by Assemblyman Sam Farr is a measure that would request the
State Department of Education (in cooperation with education agencies,
organizations, and individuals) to develop and evaluate regionalized pilot
programs for pupils with low incidence disabilities and to conduct a study
on the effectiveness of those programs.  Chaptered--92-R-030.

SB 1793 by Senator Milton Marks contains language that we believe to
be detrimental to the current guide dogs, signal dogs and service dogs
regulations.  It provides, among other things, for nonlicensing of
individuals who wish to train their own dogs.  This bill has died in
committee. 

The following is a copy of a brief statement that I delivered on behalf of
the CCB on June 12 at the ground-breaking ceremonies for the new State
of California Braille and Talking Book Library Annex:

"We of the California Council of the Blind are proud to be a part of
today's dedication ceremonies.  As you know, the California Council of
the Blind is the largest state organization of blind people in this country. 
California has always been on the leading edge and the CCB plays an
important role in developing and promoting the best programs possible for
blind Californians.  

"From the beginning of this effort to construct an annex to the new
library, we participated with great enthusiasm.  This is simply because the
project is good for all people:  blind, sighted, and future generations.  

"This library annex is being built in an area that will be accessible to a
greater number of people.  In the long run it will result in the saving of
many dollars due to the fact that all library services will be centralized.

"The California Council of the Blind participated in the support of SB
2602, as introduced by Senator Barry Keene, to make this project
possible.

"It is my great pleasure to be here as a representative of the California
Council of the Blind, working together with Doneen Hedrick, Program
Manager of the Braille and Talking Book Library, and Gary Strong,
California State Librarian.  You can be certain that the California Council
of the Blind will continue to support our state library and in particular, the
Braille and Talking Book Division.  Thank you."

In closing this report, I'd like to say many thanks to all those who gave
of their valuable time to participate in the 1991-92 Session of the
California Legislature.  Without your help, our successes would probably
have been much less.

And now rest up for the next round!

     BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY NEWS UPDATE

                  by Donine Hedrick 


At the May CCB state convention, Winifred Downing suggested that the
Braille and Talking Book Library submit articles for the Blind Californian
since BTBL has discontinued its newsletter due to budget cuts made in
1991/92.  We are glad to accept this offer as a means to communicate
with many of our Northern California readers.  

A total of $150,000 was cut from the BTBL budget in 1991/92. 
Maintaining the basic book service for readers was the primary guideline
used in making the program cuts.  One librarian and two clerical positions
were eliminated.  Public relation activities have been suspended -- the
newsletter, the advisory forums, calling new patrons, promotional
activities and general public education.  In-depth reference services are no
longer available.  Staff reductions have caused slower replacement times
for books and equipment returned by readers.  

The good news is that the library is busier than ever!  BTBL now serves
over 13,000 patrons and last year over 600,000 books were circulated--
the highest annual circulation to date.

Regarding the fiscal picture for the current year, you probably know as
much as we do.  At this time, the state budget has not been passed.  

A bright spot on the horizon is the new building BTBL will move to in
1994.  Thanks to help from many readers, the monies for a new State
Library Annex were approved.  A ground breaking ceremony was held on
June 12 and Sid Urena represented CCB.  A big hole is now very visible
at the corner of 9th and N Streets in Sacramento.  BTBL will occupy the
ground floor and store materials in the basement.  The new space will
offer a central location for readers served by public transportation, a
browsing room, assistive devices, and access to the State Library's
materials.  Your suggestions for items to include in the new reading room
are encouraged and welcomed.  

Again, thanks to CCB for sharing this information.  BTBL staff people
appreciate your patience and understanding during these changing times. 

Here's a list of helpful hints for readers or ways you can help the library
provide better service:  1) Only use the toll free telephone line for service
or machine problems; 2) keep phone calls to a minimum as each reader
assistant serves approximately 3000 to 4000 readers; 3) when you leave
a message, call-backs may take 2 to 3 days; 4) submit book requests by
mail, making sure your name and address are on all correspondence; 5)
if you leave a recorded message, please give your name (spelling it) and
telephone number; 6) rewind the last cassette tape before returning a
book; 7) readers who receive Talking Book Topics on cassette, please
staple the order form booklet or tape it shut before mailing; 8) walk-in
readers need to give the library 24 hours notice if they want to collect
books; 9) when you return equipment, please include a note so we will
know whether you are requesting a repair, new machine or cancelling
service; 10) avoid using equipment around food or liquids -- spills and
crumbs are very difficult and time-consuming to clean.

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


       CCB INITIATES A CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

            by Robert J. Acosta, President


The California Council of the Blind Board of Directors met on August 4,
1992 and voted to institute the Crisis Assistance Program (CAP).  Our
Board feels that whenever possible, we should try to give direct services
to our members.  

At our May meeting, we listened with interest to Shirley Taylor from the
Washington Council of the Blind, who spoke about the great success of
the Council's Crisis Assistance Program in Washington State.  The actual
guidelines will follow; but first, let me give you a general outline.  

This program is available only to our members on a one-time basis, and
the most that the program can give to any one member is $500.  The
President of the Council shall serve on the committee and shall appoint
four more members.  Any CCB member in crisis should call the Council
headquarters where he or she will be referred to the Committee Chair
who will then ask a committee member to fill out an intake sheet with the
cooperation of the member in crisis.  If the committee turns down a
member, proper referrals shall be given to the member in need.  We shall
begin with a budget of $5,000 per year.  Let us carefully examine the
following guidelines:  

1.  The CCB Crisis Assistance Committee shall provide a one-time only
financial support--an amount not to exceed $500--to blind individuals and
their families.  The total annual budget for CAP shall be $5,000.  

2.  The Committee shall consist of five members, one of whom, shall be
the President of the Council.  The President shall appoint the chair of the
Committee.

3.  Crisis calls will be taken at the CCB's 800 number and will then be
referred to the Committee Chairperson and the Committee for action.  

4.  A member of the Committee will return the call and fill out the intake
sheet.  When possible, the local chapter president shall be consulted.  The
member of the Committee who contacts the person shall verify the
information given, insofar as he or she is able. 

5.  The whole Committee shall make the final decision.  A quorum shall
be three persons, one of whom shall be the Committee Chair.  

6.  Direct payment to persons requesting assistance shall be forbidden. 
Bills shall be paid directly, and food requests shall be handled by
certificates obtained from a local chain store.  

7.  The person in crisis shall then be notified by the intake member.   If
the request is denied, the intake member shall recommend other referrals. 

8.  The intake sheets and all other written information shall then be sent
to the chairperson, who shall hold these on file and keep track of the
money being expended.  Each Committee member shall be notified when
80 percent of the yearly budget has been spent and again when depleted. 
 
Bear in mind, your crisis must be very serious, and it is hoped that you
have exhausted all other possibilities before applying to the Council--
Remember our funds are limited. 

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

    A CALL TO ACTION:  PROPOSED DOWN GRADING OF VH 
            TEACHER CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  by Frank Ryan, President, California Transcribers 
      and Educators of the Visually Handicapped 


The California State Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is about
to act upon a task force recommendation to eliminate virtually all Special
Education Credentials through a major restructuring of the overall
Credential process.  There's a shortage of appropriately credentialed
teachers; instead of taking positive steps to recruit and retain adequately
trained teachers, the CTC is proposing to drastically lower the
requirements for obtaining Special Education credentials!  They propose: 

(1) That the current list of 10 to 12 Special Education credentials be
reduced to only  two generic credentials.  These are identified as
"Mild/Moderate" and "Moderate/Severe".  

(2) That the existing two VH-specific credentials (Teacher of Visually
Handicapped, and Clinical Rehabilitative Credential in Mobility) be
eliminated.  Future VH and O&M teachers would be required to obtain one
of the proposed new credentials (M/M or M/S).  These future combined
VH/O&M teachers could receive an "authorization" to teach both VH and
O&M by taking a few as 3 or 4 courses altogether, to master
competencies braille instruction, visual skills, mobility, and all the other
blindness-specific needs of our students.  (And they would also be
required to obtain a regular education credential, and take an unspecified
number of generic special education courses during this same "fifth year"
of study.) 

Just as critical is the proposed change in teaching VH students from birth
to age 5.  A regular education credential would not be required.  Teachers
would simply be required to have a Bachelor's degree in child
development or a related field, and complete a fifth year of study in early
childhood education.  No coursework specific to VH is required.  Under
this scheme, a child born blind could be in kindergarten before a teacher
with VH or O&M competencies is involved in the child's educational
program -- that's 5 very essential years wasted.  

What can you do?  

It forms the "powers that be" of your concern about the negative impact
of these proposed credential changes.  Address your input to:  Dr. Marie
Schrup, Commission for Teacher Credentialing, 1812 Ninth Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814. 

Share this information, and your concern, with friends and colleagues ,
with parents of blind children, etc.  Encourage them also to write to the
CTC.

YOU MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY!  Though the CTC's stated deadline for
receipt of written input is October 9, December 3 has been announced as
the date on which the proposed changes will be discussed by the
Commission as a whole.  Get your input to them as promptly as possible. 
Make your opinions known to CTC staff right up until their final action on
these recommendations.  

If you or others you know can be physically present at the CTC building
on December 3, that will get the message across loudly and clearly.  The
address is the same as Dr. Schrup's, on the preceding page.  

With all letters, send a copy to:  Dr. Philip Fitch, Executive Secretary of
the CTC; and to:  Dr. Mary Jane Pearson, Chairperson of the CTC.  You
might try reaching them by phone at 916-445-0184 or 916-327-2966. 
It will also help to inform Governor Wilson and/or his Legislative
Secretary, Maureen Higgins, The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. 

Our youngsters need and deserve a first-class education -- let's all try to
help them get it by providing them with teachers well trained in the skills
needed to teach them.

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


             ACB NATIONAL CONVENTION 1992

                   by Coletta Davis


America's great Southwest was the setting for the ACB National
Convention of 1992, complete with Indian reservations, gorgeous desert
vistas, and high temperatures.  Conventioneers were able to sample the
delights of Phoenix and other parts of Arizona, even the Grand Canyon
with all its wonders.  Those of us who took advantage of the Grand
Canyon tour found ourselves in the middle of one of the most notorious
manhunts in recent history:  a convict had escaped from the State
Penitentiary and was terrorizing people along the southern rim of the
Canyon.  Our buses were stopped twice and searched from front to back.
Notwithstanding, we had time to take full advantage of the Southwestern
hospitality and cuisine.  But even though recreational activities abounded,
the business of the Convention was brisk and well attended.

By Saturday, July 4, Convention activities were in full swing.  There were
committee meetings, seminars, and workshops; conventioneers were able
to attend religious services.  There were parties to welcome us to
Phoenix, breakfasts, lunches, and even a Banquet, and presentations by
important Phoenix and Arizona dignitaries on the attractions of their
beautiful area.  There were reports from ACB officers and staff, from
government officials both State and National, from agencies for the blind. 
Awards were made to ACB members, scholarships were bestowed on
deserving young people.   The hustle and bustle of the Convention, the
momentum of its lively agenda, were electric.  

The excitement of the opening ceremonies, with an Air Force color guard
and the singing of the National Anthem, was lent extra color by Hawaii's
presentation of a beautiful lei to ACB President LeRoy Saunders. Our
president then gave us a report of his stewardship of the organization
regarding ACB's involvement in the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation
Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; a new relationship with the All
Russia Association of the Blind; ACB's  financial health; debt free,
developing of additional staff; and plans for ACB's future into the next
five to ten years.  President Saunders characterized ACB as an
organization working within the system to encourage change wherever it
is needed, wanting to build up rather than rearrange everything. 

The ACB family welcomed our newest affiliate, the Wyoming Council of
the Blind.  Life Memberships were presented to several prominent ACB
members, including our own Bob and Ruth Acosta.  Our delegation was
100 members strong, and you can be sure California was represented at
Convention sessions and also in the some 20 special-interest groups
active at the Convention.

Among the noteworthy presentations to the Convention was won by Nell
Carney, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, who
announced that President Bush nominated Mr. Richard Casey, an attorney
and ACB member, as Judge of the US Court in New York -- he is the third
blind person that the President has appointed to positions of leadership. 
The Bush Administration aims to improve accountability for the
expenditure of public funding and responsiveness by public rehabilitation
programs.  The administration is also concerned with improving choice for
disabled Americans in selecting vocational goals and training.  The goal
is to create more job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Also appearing for the Bush Administration was Mr. George Kemp of the
Federal Transit Administration, discussing application of ADA to
transportation facilities.  He discussed the problems in implementing ADA
for local transit authorities.  The National Library Service was represented
by Mr. Michael Moodie, who discussed the Braille and machine
centralization study and standards of service.  Then Dr. Tuck Tinsley
reported on the American Printing House for the Blind.  APH has
developed a strategy to promote independence for blind persons by
providing media, materials, and tools for education and life.  He recounted
some basic successes in making APH's work more relevant to the day-to-
day needs of blind persons.

Unique services for blind people discussed in Phoenix included the Arizona
Council of the Blind Federal Credit Union, now in its twentieth year and
recently featured in the AARP publication, Modern Maturity.  With
minimal expenses and a skeleton operation, the blind of Arizona have a
credit union with 140 members and assets of $90,000.  Another
interesting item was the presentation of Descriptive Video Services,
WGBH TV, Boston.  Descriptive video makes television and movies
accessible to the blind by describing the visual elements of films during
pauses in the dialogue.  DVS has had good success in obtaining grant
funding and is now providing its services to eight Public Television
programs.  It has been featured in TV Guide.

After absorbing presentations from Recording for the Blind and the
Caribbean Council of the Blind, the Convention heard from a panel of
distinguished speakers on services to America's older blind population. 
Among the highlights of this panel:  nearly 80% of visually impaired
Americans are over age 55; there is a great need for increased Federal
funding for rehabilitative programs for older blind Americans; early
intervention at sight loss is crucial.

Always a high point at ACB Conventions has been the awarding of
scholarships.  This year, it involved seventeen students, most of whom
were at the convention.  We Californians were so pleased that several of
our students were recognized with awards, including Frank Lopez,
Kenneth Frasse, and Linda Carney.  Keep up the good work!

Oral Miller, ACB's National Representative, reported the good news that
the organization's financial outlook is sound.  One year ago, Paul
Schroeder was hired as Director of Governmental Affairs, working on
short- and long-term priorities and legislation.  Communication with
members and affiliated organizations is critical, and ACB has recognized
this priority by such means as the "Washington Connection," 
participation of staff in affiliate conventions, and ACB publications. 
Recent initiatives include increased funding for the support of programs
for older blind persons.

We were all so pleased that Bob Acosta was re-elected to the Board of
Directors of ACB.  Also elected were Patricia Beattie, Jean Mann, and
Ardis Bazyn.  A number of resolutions were passed by the Convention
and can be found in the pages of the Braille Forum.  Californians will be
glad to know that Mitch Pomerantz chaired the important Resolutions
Committee.

As delegates departed Phoenix, we left that "dry heat" with all the
knowledge that we gained and the uplifting feeling of knowing that we
belong to an organization that cares about its members -- an organization
that will fight for blind and visually impaired persons so that we may take
our place in the world.

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


  MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AID NOW AVAILABLE 
         FOR THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES!

(Reprinted by permission from Reference Service Press.)


Millions of dollars in financial aid have been set aside for America's
largest minority group:  the 43 million Americans with disabilities and
members of their families.  In fact, more money is available today than
ever before!  This funding is open to applicants at any level -- from high
school through postdoctorate -- for education, research, travel, training,
career development, or emergency situations.  

The question is:  How can you find up-to-date information on these varied
and often ephemeral sources of funding for individuals with disabilities
and/or members of their families?  Now the answer is easy.  Turn to the
newly revised and expanded 1992-1994 edition of the award-winning
Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families ($44.22 includes tax and
shipping; pub date:  2-92).  Send your check to Reference Service Press,
1100 Industrial Road Suite 9, San Carlos, CA 94070, telephone 415-594-
0743 (soon available in cassette from Recordings for the Blind and
probably in braille from the Library of Congress.)  More than %70 of the
original entries in the directory have been substantively updated (new
addresses, different deadline dates, etc.) and nearly 200 new programs
have been added.  In all, the 1992-1994 edition describes more than 750
scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards, and internships set aside
specifically for the disabled and their children, parents, or siblings.  Some
examples:  
-- $10,000/year for the undergraduate or graduate education of a blind
student.  
-- Up to $42,500 in home improvement loans for the disabled.  
-- $2,000/year to college students with a primary immune deficiency
disease.  
-- $5,000 to performing musicians who are physically or mentally
challenged.  
-- Up to $500,000 in loans for the disabled to operate small businesses. 
-- $1,000/year to the parents of hearing-impaired infants in preschool.  
-- Income and property tax exemptions for the disabled in numerous
states.  

Each entry in the directory provides detailed information on program title,
sponsoring organization address and telephone number, scope and
purpose, eligibility, financial data, duration, special features and
limitations, number of awards, and deadline dates.  The information is
organized by recipient group (hearing disabled, orthopedic/developmental
disabled, disabled in general, etc.), subdivided by type of support
(scholarships, fellowships, loans, etc.) and indexed by program title,
sponsor, geographic coverage, subject, and deadline date.  

In addition, the volume lists the addresses and telephone numbers of
several state sources of benefits and describes the 60 key directories that
any individual (disabled or not) can use to locate additional sources of
financial assistance.  

The unique value of this directory has been praised by reviewers. It was
chosen as one of the "best reference books of the year" by Library
Journal and as one of the "outstanding reference books of the year" by
the New York Public Library, which commended Reference Service Press
for its "excellent contribution in an area of publishing where quality is at
a premium."  The American Reference Books Annual predicted that "this
directory will assuredly be a major reference tool in most libraries."  

Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families 1992-1994 is written by
Gail A. Schlacter and R. David Weber, who are also the authors of two
other financial aid titles published by Reference Service Press:  Financial
Aid for Veterans, Military Personnel and Their Dependents, and Financial
Aid for Research, Study, Travel, and Other Activities Abroad.  Dr.
Schlacter has worked for more than two decades as a library
administrated, library educator, and library-oriented publishing company
executive.  She was the reference book review editor of RV for more than
10 years, has served on the councils of both the American and California
Library Associations, and is a past president of the American Library
Association's Reference and Adult Services Division.  Dr. Weber, who
teaches economics on the college level, has written a number of critically-
acclaimed reference books.  

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


                  From The Workplace 

                 by Mitchell Pomerantz

"One Man's Opinion: California--The Land of ... What?" 
 

This is my final column "From The Workplace" for a while.  I began
attending Law School's evening division  classes at Loyola University on
August 17 for what I hope will be a four-year program.  As I'm still
working full time, some re-ordering of priorities is obviously necessary,
though I will continue to be involved in CCB and ACB activities as time
permits.  A quarterly column such as this is not feasible for now;
therefore, I urge anyone with an interest in and a perspective on
employment issues to pick up the baton and run with it!  

Before going on, a special thanks to both Maria Lopez and Denise Weddle,
the current and past editors of The Blind Californian, for their support and
assistance to me over the last four-plus years.  The relationship between
author and editor is not always a happy one so I consider myself
fortunate to have had two  persons who dealt with my columns with a
very delicate scalpel, not with a carving knife.  Thank you both very
much! 
 
Since the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, California has been
viewed as the land of opportunity.  It may still be, but certainly not in the
way it has traditionally been thought of by those immigrating here.  
  
California has also been perceived as being in the forefront of employment
and other opportunities for blind and disabled people throughout the
country.  Much of the progressive legislation  on behalf of the blind and
other disabilities was enacted here first.  

In the early 1900's, the organized blind movement got its start in
California.  Here also is the birthplace of the independent living movement
(for better or for worse), so there has been ample reason to look to the
"Golden State" as the land of opportunity.  Whether or not this will
continue to be the case is certainly open to question; however, to my
mind, there are two major obstacles to be faced by current and future
blind and visually impaired job seekers here in California.  The first has to
do with the fact that we are in a recession, and the number of new jobs
being created is relatively small.  The economic down-turn isn't limited
just to California or the U.S., it is truly world-wide in scope!   

The second major obstacle here in California is the outbreak of world
peace and the subsequent down-sizing of the defense and aerospace
industries as we have known them for almost four decades.  

I doubt that there were many who mourned the demise of Communism
and the end of the "cold war".  The reality however, is that conclusion of
the arms race means major cut-backs in an industry which has been the
lifeblood of tens of thousands of Californians for a long time. 
Additionally, corporations such as Hewlett-Packard, Hughes, Lockheed,
TRW and others have been in the vanguard of companies employing
qualified blind and disabled persons.  

The people who have been laid-off over the past two years or so are not
your no-skill or low-skill workers either.  Typically, they are  machinists,
engineers, computer programmers, administrators and skilled clerical
personnel; frequently, the positions which employed blind and visually
impaired persons occupy.  In my current capacity as a Recruiter for the
City of Los Angeles, I see and talk with many well trained and
unemployed persons every week; some of them are, in fact, disabled. 
The point is that there are consequences to everything, including peace. 
So, what does this mean for the blind job seeker (or blind person who has
been laid-off) here in California?  For one thing, it means that we are now,
more than ever, competing against people who have far more work
experience to show a would-be employer (as if we needed more
competition).  While a number of these people will opt for early
retirement, starting their own businesses, or leaving the state for  greener
pastures, most will persevere.  The recession will pass and the aerospace
industry will ultimately be redirected to other areas (eg., space
exploration).  The current work force will age and fewer young people will
enter the labor market. 
 
In the meantime, there are some things to do and consider.  For starters,
the blind person who is seeking employment for the first time or who has
been "displaced" must utilize every available resource to obtain work:
Department of Rehabilitation, high school and/or college placement
services, Employment Development Department, newspapers, anyone and
everyone who is in a position  to be of assistance.  I've discussed this in
other columns so I need say no more on the subject. 
 
Beyond this, it may be necessary to set your immediate sights just a little
lower than you first intended.  While I was working on my Master's
Degree, my goal was some sort of administrative position which would
utilize my hard-won education.  Reality soon set in, however, and my first
job after graduation was as a sales representative for an educational
organization offering a very good speed-reading course.  What I really did
was work for 18 months as a "telemarketer".  My second job was as an
Administrative Assistant (read secretary) under the old CETA Program. 
It wasn't until 2 and a half years after graduation that I finally found a
position which I considered appropriate to my level of education.  I cite
my  own example because during the past year, both Cherrie and I (in our
capacities as recruiters) have spoken with a recent college graduate with
a visual impairment.  This individual has a very marketable graduate
degree (in normal times) from a good school.  Thus far, this person has
been quite adamant in refusing to "start at the bottom", as most people
-- both blind and sighted -- had to do.  If you are one of those who is
waiting for the "right" first job, consider that increasingly even so-called
professional people are having to begin their careers at the bottom, and
that doesn't necessarily mean at the bottom of the professional ladder
either. 
 
It is very apparent that in view of the current economic conditions in
California, we blind and visually impaired persons must continue to assert
our rights to the best possible rehabilitation services available, must be
still "better than average" in order to obtain employment, and must also
prove ourselves on-the-job.  Employment opportunities do exist, but as it
was for the original opportunity seekers in California, those opportunities
will have to be searched for and carefully mined.  The more things
change, the more they stay the same! 

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


       DR. NEWEL PERRY, EMANCIPATOR OF THE BLIND

                   by George Fogarty


Recently, I received many gracious comments concerning my article on
Bob Campbell in the Spring issue of The Blind Californian.  One, in
particular, stayed with me through the months between.  A charming
young lady, sitting across the aisle from me at dinner, said that for her it
had a special significance.  She worked with young blind boys and girls
and wished to convey to them a realistic picture of how we had come to
our present state of things and of its relevance to the fulfilling days
ahead.  

This cogent comment convinced me of the need for this article to be
presented at this time.  As one of the very few students still living who
knew him and was close to him during the last 25 years of his life, I feel
it is imperative that I share this knowledge with a vast generation of blind
men and women, particularly those who have unknowingly enjoyed the
fruits of his labor, for it is something they would want to know, and
should know, in order that they, too, may be inspired to greater efforts
in the commendable goals of achievements.  In no other way can we
hope for him to have the immortality on earth his truly herculean efforts
on behalf of his fellow-blind so rightly deserved.  

To the best of my knowledge, there has not been (at least for the last 30
years) a comprehensive article on Dr. Perry's life-long accomplishments
and of their significance for all of us who are blind.  I am going to share
with you a tribute to him, superbly written, and beautifully presented
shortly after his death, preceded by a most appropriate appraisal made by
Dr. Brown Barr, the sighted minister presiding at his funeral on February
24, 1961.  He said, "It is strangely appropriate that on the day of the
year our nation pauses to remember Abraham Lincoln, we should be
gather here to praise God for the life and work of another man equally
entitled to be called EMANCIPATOR -- a man who, like the great
president, sought to deliver great numbers of his fellows from
unreasoning and oppressive bondage.  

"For almost four score years, Dr. Newel Perry organized and channelled
the impressive resources of his mind and character to open up the
loveliness of a full and creative life to those who had been previously
regarded only as pathetic objects of charity.  This courageous and
exciting story could be told again this day in far clearer and more
impressive terms by many persons in this room, than by me; but the
larger truth is that it is being told in permanent and inescapable fashion
every time a blind lad enters a university class-room or is received as an
ordinary blind man by his seeing friends; it will be told long after we are
forgotten as sightless persons make their contributions as human beings
to the general welfare through the ordinary channels of professional,
commercial, and public life.  

"We would scarcely honor the memory of Dr. Newel Perry if we only
marked him as an exceptional blind person; the truth is that he was an
exceptional person, not because he was blind, but because of the sort of
human being he was.  His emotional stability, his incisive wit, his
intellectual composure, his realistic approach to knotty problems, his
active disposition, his dogged persistence, his selflessness and energy--for
all this, and more, we honor him and praise the Almighty who has granted
us the boon of benefiting so richly through the accidents of our creation
in a place and time where Newel Perry lived, labored, and loved.  The
whole world stands in his debt; we acknowledge it and give our gratitude
substance and validity as we now commit ourselves to continue the work
he began.  It is fitting to recall, in this hour, the words which were
intended for another but come now with deep appropriateness:  The
world will know little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it
can never forget what Newel Perry did in his time and place."

What were the things he did?  Read Newel Perry--Teacher of Youth and
Leader of Men, an address by Professor Jacobus tenBroek, and you will
know.  And believe me, friends, when I say it is all true, and more. I was
there. I know.

What a flood of memories is called forth in the reading of this.  These
memories, while deeply personal, are not unique, for those privileged
others had them, too.  

I shall forever treasure the countless hours I spent in Doctor's stimulating
company, and the lasting influence they had on my life.  Of the hours
spent reading history with him far into the night, as if read for the first
time for him, too, making of it an exciting and living thing that has ever
after been a source of inspiration to me; of walking beside him through
the halls of the legislature day after day, year after year, unknowingly
fashioning my life and philosophy as I did; there were so many truths and
experiences he shared that molded our accomplishments in a way that
made life good.  

In my 20 years of seeking opportunities for my fellow-blind, I shared this
truth with prospective employers, influential legislators, and others who
were in a position to open additional doors for us, and did so.

His words, his voice!  How often they echo in the tabernacle of my
memory!  Yes, we who knew him shared his life, and loved him; we were
very special people, and knew it, for he made it so.  

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






                  FEDERAL LEGISLATION

                 by Winifred Downing 


Several issues on the federal level have engaged attention all summer, but
it is impossible to predict what will be their status by the time this
magazine is being read.  Congress is eager to end its session in this year
of elections, and extensive discussion of issues may well suffer
accordingly. 

Rehabilitation Reauthorization Act: The House and Senate both passed
versions of the rehabilitation act (HR5482 and S3065) in August, but the
House version is much closer to what ALL and ACB have been
advocating.  It contains proposals to establish a Commission on the
Education and Rehabilitation of People Who Are Blind and Visually
Impaired and to expand Title VII, Part C (Independent Living Services for
Elderly Blind Persons) to a formula grant program.  That would mean that
each state would receive a grant to cover such services rather than
limiting grants to 28 states as is now the case.  The differences between
the two versions of the bill will be settled by a conference committee for
which the senators have already been chosen with the house conferees
to be selected in early September.  

Opposition to the establishment of a commission and to expanding
independent living services has come from many quarters including the
secretary of education, Lamar Alexander.  The department has
increasingly advocated generalist, as opposed to categorical, services so
that the implications of defeat in these proposals present a real danger for
the direction of future services to the blind and visually impaired. 
Opponents of the Commission are so determined that they are ready to
see the plan for increased independent living services go down to defeat
"in exchange" for the defeat of the Commission.  Staff people say that
it was the 200 letters received in support of the Commission that
convinced Congressman Major Owens to proceed with the proposal. 
While continuing to let House members know of our interest in the
controversial proposals, we must also instruct the senators in this matter. 
The three most crucial senators are Edward Kennedy, Tom Harkin, and
Orrin Hatch.  Use the ACB hot-line to know where and how to direct your
letters since the details cannot now be furnished. 

Access Issues: In June the American Standards Institute A117.1
Committee distributed a "final draft" of its American National Standard for
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.  It is designed to be
adopted by government agencies which set accessibility standards.  At
its national convention in July, ACB passed a resolution urging ANSI to
reject this document unless certain standards relating to access for the
blind are reinstated.  

The standard is supposed to provide specifications which will make
buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by people with disabilities,
including blindness and visual impairment.  According to the standard,
"accessibility and usability allow a person with a physical disability to
independently get to, enter and use a building or facility." The standard
as presented in the "final draft" failed this test as it relates to access for
blind people because it did not include certain critical items mentioned in
the ACB resolution.

Important features omitted in the "final draft" included warnings required
at curb cuts, unprotected drop-offs, and reflecting pools. Requirements
for accessible routes included a sidewalk to be installed across parking
lots to link public sidewalks or transit stops to the entrances of facilities
such as malls, office buildings, or other large complexes surrounded by
parking lots.  Significant also was the requirement of tread marks on
stairs for persons with low vision.  

Letters on these matters were requested by August 24 to the ANSI
A117.1 Committee and to the American  Standards Institute.  We will
undoubtedly learn more on this subject in coming months.

Social Security Issues: Bills have been introduced to raise the amount
retirees 65-69 can earn without affecting their Social Security benefit
payment.  Since 1978 the amount that blind recipients of SSDI can earn
before their grants are reduced has been tied to that for retirees 65-69,
and it is important for us to advocate to retain this link. 

Pressure is still needed to reduce the delays by the Social Security
Administration in the determination of eligibility for persons seeking SSDI. 
The Social Security Disability Insurance program was established to
replace wages lost because of a disability, and it is unconscionable that
the Administration is not permitting SSA sufficient funds to carry out its
responsibility for the payment of benefits and for the appeal  of decisions
which potential recipients oppose.  The administrative costs are paid by
the trust fund and should not, therefore, be subjected to the deficit-
limiting measures imposed in other areas of government.  The monetary
health of the Social  Security fund is not affected by the deficit.  The
backlog of claims is projected to be 1.4 million by the end of the year,
indicating the necessity for increased staff.  Even if that increase is
addressed, it will take time for a positive effect to occur since hiring and
training take time.  Disability decisions will soon reach seven months, and
that is already the time required for an appeal.  Specific recommendations
for ways in which to address the problems have been made, and it is
hoped that they will soon be recognized and solved.  

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


          THE INDEPENDENT LIVING PERSPECTIVE

             by Stanley Greenberg, Ph. D.


(Note:  Stan Greenberg is a member of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter
CCB and is the Executive Director of the Westside Center for Independent
Living in Los Angeles.)

The speech on the future of the California Council of the Blind delivered
by our President at our recent convention in Sacramento stirred our
emotions and fueled our spirits.  For this writer, the most exciting part of
the address was the admonition to us to be open to new ideas and
differing perspectives.  The purpose of this article is to put some differing
perspectives into our consciousness and to propose some new ideas from
the Independent Living point of view.   

Let's be honest:  

For the most part, the Independent Living Movement in general and many
Independent Living Centers in particular have not been responsive to the
specialized needs of blind and visually impaired people.  Has anyone in the
blindness system ever wondered why?  Well, there is an answer.  To
begin with, until recently, organizations of blind people have adopted a
"go it alone" attitude.  Coalitions were avoided like the plague and blind
people who participated in cross-disabilities organizations were looked
upon as traitors. This attitude is changing, but it is still ingrained in the
minds of many.  Furthermore, the Independent Living Movement was
founded in the late 1960's by a group of wheelchair users in the Bay area
who were no longer willing to be excluded from buildings which were
inaccessible and programs which did not serve their needs.  They coveted
the advances achieved by blind and visually impaired people and sought
to receive equal treatment.  Very few people in the blindness community
came to their support.  When Independent Living Centers were
established, their founders sought to take care of themselves just as blind
people had done.  

The acrimony of the Ed Roberts era, the inertia of the Cecie Fontanoza
years and the turmoil of the early Bill Tainter administration need not be
chronicled here.  It is important to recognize, however, that the roots of
our differences extend deep into history.  Blind people want to protect
and indeed expand the independence and specialization of our programs
and services.  Other disabilities groups want to catch with us and expect
us to support them in that effort.  The logical consequences are a cross-
disability focus from their point of view and a protectionist attitude from
ours.  

Virtually every responsible person in the Independent Living Movement
has come to the realization that categorical services are essential in order
for people with disabilities to take a rightful place in society.  Those same
individuals also believe we all must work together in order to achieve our
common goals.  We must recognize that with shrinking budgets and
extreme pressure on government funds, we cannot advocate for a system
which would increase bureaucracy because that system would inevitably
reduce the availability of money for services.  At the same time, we all
must insist that every person with a disability receives the specialized
services which each of us need in order to function in our complex
culture.  The bottom line is that we must choose to look forward and
recognize that our individual success is dependent on our cross-disability
collective action.  This does not mean that we should abandon efforts to
improve services for our categorical needs, nor does it mean that we
should abandon the organizations which have supported us over the
years.  It does mean that we seek ways to come together, work together
and recognize that if one of us is threatened, regardless of the nature or
severity of our disabilities, all of us are threatened.  

So, how about it if we establish a joint CCB/Independent Living
Coordinating Committee to work together with representatives from the
Independent Living Movement to educate one another, develop common
initiatives and seek goals which protect our individuality and at the same
time forge our alliances.  It would be a noble effort and risks would be
involved but members of the CCB have taken risks before.  We are strong
and we are capable of holding our own while recognizing we have much
to offer and, incidentally, much to gain. 

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


                  OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE

              by Cherrie Handy Pomerantz


What did I do over my summer vacation?  First, I attended the ACB
convention in Phoenix, Arizona.  At the annual GDUI (Guide Dog Users,
Inc.) meeting, I was elected president, which makes me feel very
privileged to have this opportunity to serve guide dog users nationally, as
I have been doing in California. 

 My little German shepherd guide Heidi worked perfectly, handling the
crowds and general commotion with grace and style.  Unfortunately,
about three days after my return to L. A. she became ill, and the Vet
diagnosed her condition as quarta equina syndrome, which is a
degenerative spinal disorder.  It was clear to me, after talking with the
Vet, that I needed to replace her immediately.  Feeling quite stunned and
panicky, I called Guide Dogs of the Desert.  

Keith Laber, whom many of you know, was extremely supportive when
I indicated that I felt it necessary to retire Heidi immediately, so he
supported my decision, since both of us wanted Heidi to have the
opportunity to be a pet and enjoy her retirement, after all her committed
service with me.  Keith said that he had the right dog for me and he
further suggested that it might be possible for us to do a home training. 


So it was possible.  On July 30, I flew to Palm Springs, where Keith met
me and drove me to the school.  Here, I was presented with Gunner, a
two-year-old black Labrador.  We started training right away.  That
evening, we worked a residential route so successfully that we went out
to dinner.  The whole experience hit me just like fall previews; so this was
what I could have with Gunner if I earned it.  

The next two days, we worked almost 12-hour days.  On Friday, Gunner
and I had what you'll probably recall doing on your second and third
weeks of training.  I still don't know how he managed to cram so much
tension into that 12-hour period, but by Saturday, it was behind us and
we really began to feel like a team.  

On Friday while we worked out our problems, we also managed to include
in our repertoire residential environment, commercial buildings, stairs, and
elevators.  By Saturday, we completed our traffic obligations and
graduated to working in a crowded mall and mastering escalators.  On
Sunday, the day we returned to Los Angeles, we had taken our country
walk and done our farewell residential in Banning.  

For the next five days, Keith and I worked together around my work
schedule, identifying and then working the routes that Gunner and I
would be using most frequently.  We paid special attention to rush-hour
buses and city traffic, a far cry from Banning, and officially completed the
training course at 7:43, Friday, August 7.  

Guide Dogs of the Desert was both supportive and responsive to my
situation, and I take this opportunity to thank them.  However, let me
stress that the school's decision was made, and will continue to be made,
only on a case-by-case basis.  We discussed its current limitations with
regard to staff and the cost of sending an instructor into a student's
home area.  I was an experiment for the Desert and believe that the
results have proven positive; certainly, for me they did.  

Yet, while I support domiciliary or home training, I see why it's a good
idea to spend at least a few days at the school, meeting and working with
the dog (at least in the beginning) on the turf where the dog feels
confident.  It's my belief that home training has a value especially for
those of us who have difficulties arranging time out from work to spend
the required two weeks on site to train with our new dogs.  I am truly
thankful that the law has now been modified to permit home training
under specific circumstances, and that GDD was willing to employ those
changes which provided the help I needed.

In the biscuit basket this fall from your Treasurer, Doris Fisher:  Please
note that dues are now $15 and that these dues also cover your
membership in GDUI.  You do not need to join both organizations.  Also,
please send any changes of address or phone to Doris Fisher, 9146 E.
Compton Blvd, 21, Belflower, CA 91104.  Those area codes are
changing, and she'd like to keep GDUC's records up to the minute.  

Be on the watch for the fall edition of HAVE GUIDE DOG WILL TRAVEL. 
See you all in L. A. this November. 

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


       CLUB HONORS VALLEY COUNSELOR TO THE BLIND

            by Mariah Ashraf, Staff Writer

(Reprinted by permision of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, May 1992.)


"Since 70 percent of the blind are unemployed, I'm pretty lucky to have
a job," said Patricia LaFrance, a counselor and teacher for the blind at the
State Department of Rehabilitation in Industry.  

LaFrance, 49, who has been blind for 15 years due to diabetes, has been
named Disabled Professional Woman of the Year by the Pilot Club, a
global organization of business and professional leaders dedicated to
improving the quality of life in local communities and in the world.  

Nominated by the Pilot Club of Pomona Valley, where she is a member of
the board of directors, the Rowland Heights resident thought other people
might be more deserving of the award.  

"It was a big shock that I had won," she said.  

LaFrance received a district-wide award May 2 in Monterey and is being
honored by the President's committeE for the Employment of the Disabled
this week in Washington, D.C. 

In July, she will receive another award at the Pilot Club's international
convention in Chicago.  

"I almost fainted when I heard about that," she said.  

But the honors come as no surprise to those who understand her
achievements.  
LaFrance was a registered nurse in Cleveland, Ohio for 11 years before
she was declared legally blind in 1977.  A year later, her family moved to
California, where being blind did not deter her from earning a master's
degree in educational and rehabilitation counseling from Cal State San
Bernardino in 1986.  

Although she was overqualified for her first job at the Landmark Medical
Center in Pomona, LaFrance said, "I wanted that job to show people that
I could work.  It was a starting point."  

The starting point led her to take a position as counselor/teacher at the
State Department of Rehabilitation, which involves going to the homes of
the visually impaired and teaching them how to become independent
homemakers.  

Because many ophthalmologists do not know too much about available
services to the visually handicapped, the Braille Institute frequently refers
people to her.  

"I love this job because I get to use my nursing skills, too,"  LaFrance
said.  "Like a lot of nurses, I have a need to feel useful and I'm glad I
have a medical background, which is an asset for this position." 

Besides her work as a counselor/teacher, LaFrance is president of the
Whittier Chapter of the California Council of the Blind and Vice President
of that organization's San Gabriel chapter.  

LaFrance is aided in her busy life by her guide dog, Rudi, a 4 1/2 year old
black Labrador retriever she has had for two years.  

"Rudi is the star of every show," she said.  "We work together really well
and she moves me around a lot faster."  

Among the many who hold a high regard for LaFrance is Susan Elzie,
treasurer of the Pilot Club of Pomona Valley.  

"We felt the whole community should know about her because she is an
inspiration to us all," Elsie said.  

As for LaFrance, she is overwhelmed by the acclaim.  

"I am very honored, amazed and pleased that people think that much of
me." 

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


                SUMMARY OF RESOLUTIONS

                 by Winifred Downing 


The following resolutions were passed on May 31, 1992 at the
convention of the California Council of the Blind in Sacramento, California. 
Anyone wishing the full text of a resolution can request it from the CCB
office.

Resolution 92-A-1: calls for the participation of Rehabilitation Counselors
for the Blind in the preparation of the Individualized Transition Plans
required by law for students in special education no later than their
sixteenth year and, in many cases, earlier.  The CCB urges "the
Department of Rehabilitation and the school districts to work
cooperatively with programs such as Project Workability and Regional
Occupation Programs to provide blind and visually impaired high school
students with quality educational and employment opportunities which
will lead to a successful transition from school to adult life."

Resolution 92-A-2 makes known to the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit
Board the great dependence upon public transportation which blind people
have in all aspects of their lives.  The Board should do all in its power to
maintain full service and to countermand the proposed decrease in the
number of buses serving the public and even in the number of existing
routes. 

Resolution 92-A-3 directs CCB's Committee on Access "to develop model
guidelines regarding issues such as identification of bus stop locations and
the size, contrast, and placement of vehicle identification numbers for
submission to the CCB for adoption."  The approved guidelines are to be
"disseminated to the local chapters to permit them to work for adoption
in their local communities."

Resolution 92-A-4 commends the Blind Advisory Committee to the
Department of Rehabilitation for unanimously adopting the July, 1990,
report entitled "Evaluation of Field Services to Blind and Severely Vision
Impaired Clients" prepared by Bruce Brown, Program  Evaluation Section. 
The report revealed serious shortcomings in services being given to the
blind and in the reporting methods which tended to obscure important
facts.  Once recognized, the problems would emphasize the importance
of categorical services to blind persons as constituting the only help
which would adequately meet their needs.  The CCB urges "the
Department of Rehabilitation immediately to authorize the Program
Manager of Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted to obtain and
publish separate totals on the number of competitive vocational goal and
nonvocational (homemaker) cases carried by Rehabilitation Counselors for
the Blind, Counselor Teachers, and generalist counselors in each district,
as was recommended in the report. 

Resolution 92-A-5 was combined with 92-A-4.

Resolution 92-A-6 reminds the Department of Rehabilitation that it
declared as policy the intention of keeping the work of Rehabilitation
Counselors for the Blind and Counselor Teachers distinct when it was
revealed that in the San Diego District its only two RCB's were carrying
146 homemaker cases, thus making it fairly obvious that attention could
not be given to persons with employment potential.  Evidence furnished
by members of the Silver Gate Chapter, CCB, and the city colleges in San
Diego, indicates that the situation has not improved even though the
Department is well aware of the problem.  The CCB calls upon the
Department of Rehabilitation to "correct this deplorable situation by
increasing the number of CT's in the San Diego district in order to allow
CT's and RCB's to serve their special populations." 

Resolution 92-A-7 urges "the California Department of Rehabilitation
immediately to begin the computerization of personal and mutual goal
cases" so that the work done by Counselor Teachers is correctly reported. 
As matters now stand, only the 50% of cases registered as homemakers
are counted even though funds have also been set aside for the needed
computerization of personal and of mutual goal cases.  

Resolution 92-A-8 was withdrawn by the author. 

Resolution 92-A-9:  at the instigation of the Silicon Valley Chapter, the
CCB is requested to "provide convention materials on audio tape and
computer disk as funds and resources, including committed volunteer
services, are available" and "that future convention materials include a
verbal description of the hotel lobby and convention meeting areas."  

Resolution 92-a-10 points out that, since bank statements are available
only in print, blind and visually impaired persons must rely on telephone
calls to banks to obtain needed information.  The CCB urges banks to
forego the charges (as much as $1.50) for these calls and provide
telephone service free to those who cannot read ordinary print.  

Resolution 92-A-11 brings to the attention of California banks the
necessity to "provide ATM's with private speech output, e.g. a standard
earphone jack, so that the screen can be read by blind and print
handicapped people."  Banks are beginning to provide less expensive
checking accounts to those who use only automatic teller machines, a
practice which discriminates against the blind when ATMs are not
accessible. 

Resolutions 92-A-12 and 92-A-13 were withdrawn by their authors. 

Resolutions 92-a-14 was combined with 92-A-10.

Resolution  92-A-15 was not adopted by the convention.

Resolution 92-A-16 urges the Braille Authority of North America to
consider the following points:  1) Before major braille code changes are
adopted, extensive peer review should be carried out by a broad cross-
section of the braille reading community; 2) when code changes do occur,
the information should be promptly and widely disseminated to the
general braille reading public, the teachers of school-age blind children,
the teachers of blind adults, the transcribers who produce braille, and the
creators and producers of computer translation programs; 3) in the
general non-textbook literature, braille should be an efficient medium for
communicating ideas rather than a slavish production of print, particularly
since print usage is increasingly irregular.  The resolution is to be offered
to the American Council of the Blind at its 1992 national convention. 

Resolution 92-A-17 urges the San Francisco Municipal Railway to cease
its many delays and speedily install textured edges on its subway
platforms to meet the Americans with Disabilities Title II standards.  The
California Transportation Commission and all its regional transportation
commissions will be informed of the necessity of taking action in this
matter.  

Resolution 92-A-18 deplores Governor Wilson's veto, in spite of its
passage by both houses of the legislature, of AB1022 which provided for
study of the feasibility of establishing a six-week summer program at the
California School for the Blind to teach students braille, mobility, and skills
of daily living which are not being adequately provided in the public
school setting in which most blind and visually impaired students are now
being educated.  The CCB intends to work toward the reintroduction of
this legislation and its vigorous support and is sending copies of this
resolution to the governor, the legislators, the press, and other
appropriate persons.  

Resolution 92-A-19 deplores Governor Wilson's veto, in spite of passage
by both houses of the legislature, of AB1019 which would have assured
that monies requested for services to disabled college and university
students would in fact be used for these students and not diverted to
other university programs, as is often now occurring.  No additional funds
would be necessary to implement this measure.  The CCB will seek the
reintroduction of this legislation and vigorously promote its passage. 
Copies of this resolution are being sent to the governor, members of the
legislature, the press, and other appropriate persons. 

Resolution 92-A-20 commends Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. for its
practice of furnishing up to $200 a year for veterinary expenses for guide
dog users with the additional provision that greater reimbursements will
be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Resolution 92-A-21 deplores any proposal to reduce the state's part of
the amount paid to recipients of Supplemental Security Income and
requests the members of the legislature to take all necessary steps to
protect the blind, aged, and disabled from the deprivation that would
inevitably result from a decrease in SSI grants.  

Resolution 92-A-22 requests the American Council of the Blind to include
a guide dog user on its planning and site committees, to assure that
adequate consideration be given to providing suitable areas for guide dog
relief at conventions.  

Resolution 92-A-23 commends International Guiding Eyes, a training
school for guide dogs and users, for granting "ownership of dog guides
to graduates immediately upon completion of the training program." 
Other schools deny such ownership for at least one year after graduation
from their programs, thus contributing to the user's insecurity and feeling
of being threatened.  

Resolution 92-A-24 establishes that the CCB, in consultation with Guide
Dog Users of California and the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind,
will explore "administrative or legislative remedies to insure due process
guarantees for guide dog users and to prevent state humane officers from
exceeding their authority."  In Los Angeles County a humane officer who
believes that use of a guide dog constitutes abuse of the animal, was
successful in having a dog removed from its master by its training facility
for several months without presenting any evidence of abuse or
mishandling of the dog.  

Resolution 92-A-25 commends California's Secretary of State, March
Fong Eu and her representative, John Mott-Smith, for their outstanding
effort in furnishing to blind voters taped material that is easy to read, tone
indexed, and comprehensive but concise in its coverage. 

Resolution 92-A-26 urges publicly funded colleges and universities to
"make at least one computer per lab accessible to blind and visually
impaired students" in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and Section 202 of the  Americans with Disabilities Act.

Resolution 92-A-27 urges the office of the State Architect to adopt
regulations which comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act but
which retain the state requirements for geometric shapes on restroom
doors.  ADA regulations require that restroom identification be
accomplished by signs in braille and large print on walls adjacent to the
restrooms.  

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



                    BULLETIN BOARD

                  by Winifred Downing


Braille  Christmas cards can be ordered at four cards for $1.00 from Ruth 
Dimarzio, 246 Dale Avenue, Mansfield, OH 40903.

>From Newsreel, June, 1992: A very small timer that can easily be set to
seconds, minutes, or hours by touch, can be bought for $19.95 plus
shipping from Exceptional Teaching Aids.  The digital read-out is not
discernible except by sight, but tones make it possible to set and hear the
device easily.  Its small size means that it can be easily carried in shirt
pocket or purse.  Contact Exceptional Teaching Aids, 20102 Woodbine
Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546; 510-886-8422.

>From Newsreel, August, 1992: BIT Coporation, which formerly sold many
attractive products including the Talkman, is being at least partially
replaced by Technology for Independence.  The organization will repair
the Talkman and send a catalog of produdcts.  Write to Technology for
Independence, 529 Main Street, Boston, MA 02129. 

>From AFB Western Region News, Spring/Summer, 1992: Books Aloud is
a free circulating library of more than 5,500 titles on cassette at regular
(not NLS) speed and format.  For a catalog and application write to Books
Aloud, Inc., 180 W. San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95113; 408-277-4878. 

>From Lifeprints, Summer, 1992: "Experiencing America" is a new
cassette series featuring an informative and descriptive narrated tour
through each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Written by
university historians in cooperation with each state's travel council, it
assists the traveler in knowing as much about a state as possible before
visiting.  The total number of tapes is being made available to blind
persons at a special price of $195 including postage.  Individual tapes can
be bought for $9.95; you can request braille labeling for any tape. 
Contact Experiencing America, P.O. Box 250, Department N, Cedar City,
UT  84721; 801-586-2600. 

The  Americans with Disabilities Act (law and regulations that offer an
interpretation of the law as well as guidelines for implementation) has
been recorded for the Department of Justice by Recording for the Blind. 
The Department of Justice and the Federal Equal Opportunity Commission
are making the text of the law and a suppplemental ADA regulations
handbook available in accessible formats to people with disabilities. 
Besides this material done by RFB , the federal government is making the
law available in braille, large print, and on computer disk.  To order copies
call the Department of Justice at 202-514-0301.

The LM 6000 SE (Language Master Special Edition) talking dictionary is
a combination dictionary, thesaurus, grammar guide, game-player, and
spell-checker featuring 110,000 head words, 330,000 definitions, and
about 500,000 synonyms.  . . . The speech synthesizer will give full
speech, single letters, or phonetic spelling.  Low vision users will
appreciate the high contrast coloration provided in keyboard and screen
and the enlarged type font.  . . . The unit measures 5.5 inches, weighs
12 ounces, and uses four AA batteries or an AC adapter.  It retails for
$495.95.  Contact IRTI, 1605 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA
94040; 415-961-6161 or 800-322-4784. 

Sharp talking clocks and watches may be repaired.  Contact  Sharp
Electronics Corporation, Attn.  Factory Service Center, 1300 Naperville,
Romeoville, IL 60441; 708-759-8555. 

>From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, July, 1992: Cooking classes on tape. 
Ina Young, noted Massachusetts cooking instructor, conducts cooking
classes specifically designed for visually impaired people by means of
hour-long cassettes.  These tapes contain recipes and a complete course
of cooking instructions.  Also included is a "Starting to  Cook" gift tape. 
Volume 1 of these "Tasty  Tapes" (Fabulous Party Main Dishes) with a
large print booklet costs $12.95 plus $3 postage.  The accompanying
braille shopping list for Volume 1  may be ordered for $3 more.  Write to
Ina Young, Tasty Tapes, PO Box 552, Marblehead, MA 01945.

>From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, September, 1992: Federal Recreation
Pass.  The Golden Access passport is a free lifetime entrance pass to
federally operated parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and
wildlife refuges charging entrance fees.  The Passport is available to U.S.
citizens who are blind or have a permanent disability and can show proof
they are eligible to receive federal benefits.  For more information and a
list of regional offices, ask for the Federal Recreation Passport Program
brochure when writing to the National Park Service, U.S. Department of
the Interior, Office of Public Affairs, PO Box 37127, Washington DC
20013-7127; 202-343-3676.

Excerpt: A company named Braille Sterling sells earrings and pendants in
sterling silver and 18-karat gold-plated sterling silver embosssed with
various braille mesages which form a cross shape.  Earrings can be
adapted for clips, and chains can be purchased for pendants.  For more
information contact Christiansen Studios, PO Box 583, Hanover, NH
03755; 603-643-1344.

The Body Shop is an international cosmetics company that produces and
sells more than 350 naturally based, ecologically friendly skin and hair
preparations.  The company's catalog may be obtained in braille by calling
800-541-2535.  "Color Sense," the Body Shop's guide to applying
makeup, is available on a standard speed cassette for $5.40. 

>From Our Special, Summer, 1992: The National Cancer Institute's Cancer
Information Service and the Massachusetts Association for the Blind have
available cancer information fact sheets in braille and on cassette.  Topics
covered include breast exams, mammogram, Pap test for cervical cancer,
and pelvic exam. To obtain free copies of the fact sheets, call the Cancer
Information Service at 800-422-6237 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. 

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


              AROUND THE STATE AND NATION


ACCESS NEWSLETTER ON COMPUTER DISC:  The CCB Committee On
Access and Transportation is involved in a variety of issues, including
paratransit services, building accessibility, the appropriate utilization of
detectable warnings, and access to automated teller machines.  The
committee is concerned not only with more traditional access concerns,
but access to information is an area that will be requiring more and more
attention.  

With the explosion of activity in these areas, the committee has
recognized a need to provide information to, and acquire information
from, the membership on access issues.  Thus, Tom Karnes, vice-chair of
the committee, has agreed to edit and distribute a quarterly newsletter on
computer disc devoted to access and transportation concerns.  

Due to limited resources, the newsletter will be distributed only on
computer disc.  Anyone desiring to receive this newsletter should provide
Tom with a disc of the size he or she would like to receive, as well as an
indication of whether ASCI or Wordperfect format is preferred.  Also, any
item submitted for the newsletter should be provided to Tom on disc.  His
address is 4529 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.  

Your input can make this project an overwhelming success by keeping all
of us better informed about accessibility concerns, and thus better able
to serve the needs of the blind and visually impaired of this state.

                        *  *  *

THE NEWLY-FORMED CCB COMMITTEE ON SENIOR BLIND and Visually
Impaired will hold its first workshop at our CCB Convention site on
Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  This workshop will
consist of two panels who will speak on the topic "The Myths and
Realities of Aging and Blindness."  After each panel presentation, time
will be allowed for questions and discussion.  

First panel will be made up of professionals who do "hands-on" work with
newly visually-impaired seniors.  They will share their experiences,
discuss the real needs and analysis of current program services available. 
The panel will include Pat LaFrance, Jerry Arakawa, and Nellie Glaze--all
Counselor-Teachers with the Department of Rehabilitation; also, Elmer
Chapson, who has worked in counseling with the Lions Club, and Rose
Resnick, Founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Rose Resnick
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco.  

The second panel will consist of directors of agencies who provide
services and programs for the blind and visually impaired:  La Donna
Ringering, Executive Director, Center for the Partially Sighted; Linda
Williams, Executive Director, Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley;
Dee Dee Futch, Community Outrich Coordinator, Braille Community
Service of Redlands, Riverside, and San Bernardino; Fortune Cuckerman,
Director, Braille Institute, Desert Center; Christy Crespin, President, Board
of Directors, Blindness Support Services, Riverside.  These panelists will
discuss their perspective on efficiency in current programs and projected
needs.  
Teddie Remhild, chairperson, will introduce the workshop.  This will be
the first major effort of the Committee and we are hoping to inform and
interest our audience and create dialogues that will help our committee
grow into an important state-wide resource for the senior population
coping with visual loss. 

For further information, please call the CCB office or Teddie, committee
chairperson, at 818-842-7295.

                        *  *  *

Leigh Anne Stepper is selling an almost new APOLLO visual-tech for $850
or best offer.  For more information call Leigh Anne at 818-885-1825 in
Northridge.   

                        *  *  *

For sale, an almost new braille book-maker printer, fully paid for,
suggested price $8,000 plus remaining warranty, it does braille interpoint,
about 80 cps, and many other features.  For more information write to
Constance Griesmer, 836-C Santa Barbara Street, Pasadena, CA 
91101-1233, or call 818-793-9684, (outside the free-calling area, dial
800-484-9990, at the beep, dial 9684).  

                         * * *

LET THE WORLD KNOW you're proud of your knowledge of Braille!  The
Joint Action Committee of Organizations Of/And Serving the Visually
Handicapped of California will send to you a license plate frame for your
car which states "DRIVER READS BRAILLE".  The reaction of fellow
drivers alone is worth the price!  If you are interested, please send check
for $12 (includes shipping and handling) for one frame.  For larger orders,
enclose $9.50 (includes shipping and handling) per frame to:  J.A.C.
Fundraising Chairperson 3527 Gondar Ave. Long Beach, CA 90808, 310-
420-9177.  Send your name, address, phone, number  of frames ordered,
amount enclosed.  Your order should arrive in six to eight weeks. 

                       *  *  * 

BLIND ATHLETE RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR: In September, Harry
Cordellos of San Francisco received a national honor in Atlanta.  He was
one of ten to be given the Healthy Fitness Leader Award for 1992. Harry,
55, is totally blind but is very active. With sighted partners he has
competed in thousands of races, including 100 marathons. Also, Harry
has competed and demonstrated in many other sports.  

                         * * *

THE GUIDE DOG USERS OF CALIFORNIA continues to sell dog toys and
dog accessories, but our method of doing so has changed.  To order
products, send your payments with order to Marni at the CCB office and
to make suggestions of what other items we might want to carry or to
obtain a price list, contact Margie Donovan-Johnson at 415-493-7776 or
write to 4237 Pomona Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306.  

For your convenience, attached is a list of items currently available: 
05652B-S Pet rug, 30 in. x 40 in. sheepskin, $19 each; 02486A Ultra
rubber rings giant $7.50 each; 06092B Nylabone wolf 6 in. $5.50 each;
15386 Bone natural large $4.00 each; 02485B Ultra rubber ball wolf
$8.50 each; 02656B Wag bag plain 42 in. $33 each; 03678 Collapsible
water bowls $5.25 each. 

Items can be returned within the first 72 hours only if they are in the
original condition and no teeth marks are found on the item. 

 If there are other items you would like to see GDUC sell, please let us
know.  

                         * * *

NATIONAL CONSUMER FEEDBACK NETWORK SEEKS PARTICIPANTS: 
Under a grant from the U.S. Dept of Education, Mississippi State
University's Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on blindness and
low vision has created the NATIONAL CONSUMER FEEDBACK
NETWORK.  Its purpose is to ascertain what persons with visual
impairments really need, what helps us and our opinions about the state
& federal rehabilitation program. This information will be used to direct
future research and training in the field.  Future surveys and
questionnaires will be provided in your preferred medium.  For additional
information call 601-325-2001.

                         * * *

ON HER 90TH BIRTHDAY, Vickie Solis received the following award: 
"With deep appreciation for your endless involvement in the needs and
the goals of the blind in our community and for your unconditional love
and care throughout the history of this chapter since 1963, the East Los
Angeles Chapter CCB is proud to present this token of sincere gratitude
to you Vickie Solis, our devoted volunteer, on your birthday, October 22,
1992."

                   ----------------