

                         THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN



                      Quarterly Magazine of the 

                    CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND



Spring, 2000, Volume 44, No. 2



      Published in Braille, Cassette, Diskette, and Large Print 




                     Catherine Skivers, President 
                          836 Resota Street 
                           Hayward, CA 94545
                           510-357-1986 Res.


                           Executive Office:
                             578 B Street
                           Hayward, CA 94541
                             800-221-6359
                             510-537-7877
                            e-mail ccotb@earthlink.net
                           Fax: 510-537-7830
                           www.acb.org/ccb



                 Los Angeles Area Office, John Lopez 
             3925 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023 
                             323-780-3500


                   Sacramento Area Office, Dan Kysor
                       2657 Truxel Road, No. 41
                         Sacramento, CA 95833
                             916-648-3936
                           Fax 916-929-8370
                       E-mail dankysor@jps.net 


Please send all address changes to the Executive Office in Hayward. 



                       Editor: Winifred Downing
                           1587 38th Avenue
                        San Francisco, CA 94122
                             415-564-5798
                     E-mail wdowning@primenet.com




Call the CALIFORNIA CONNECTION at 800-221-6359 for an update on
legislation and CCB events Monday through Friday after 4 p.m. and all
day on weekends.  At these times it is available also in Spanish.



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 unto 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 Hayward office for other suggested forms. Thank
you.


                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR, by Winifred Downing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

PRESIDENT'S CORNER, by Catherine Skivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ON-LINE SERVICE OFFERS TRANSCRIPTIONS 
     FOR BLIND, by Ronna Abramson  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

THE GOLDEN ERA OF REHAB FOR THE BLIND,
     by Keith Black  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

CALIFORNIA COURTS AND YOU, by Karin Memmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

TECHTALK: SOURCES OF COMPUTER TRAINING FOR 
     BLIND CALIFORNIANS, by Frank Welte  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

ONE MAN'S OPINION, by Gary Legates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

EMERGING TRENDS IN ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN 
     SIGNAL TECHNOLOGIES, by Daveed Mandell  . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

REFLECTIONS, by Larry Seiber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ACC ON THE MOVE, by Linda Flores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

SUMMARY OF FALL, 1999, CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS,
     by Jeff Thom  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

REHABILITATION COMMITTEE RESOLUTION, by Catherine Skivers  . . . . . 24

WELLS FARGO PRINT MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE 
     IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, by Lainey Feingold  . . . . . . . . . . 25

FEDERAL LEGISLATION, by Ahmad Rahman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

BULLETIN BOARD, by Keith Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CAREER CONNECTIONS, by Catherine Schmitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

SSA ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER, submitted by 
     Melanie Brunson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE: THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN 
     PARADISE, by Melita Waters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

MEMBERSHIP IDEAS, by Ardiss Bazyn  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF BLIND 
     CHILDREN, by Bonnie L. Sherrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, by Dan Kysor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

WALKING CUTS DIABETIS RISK, submitted by Dawn Wilcox, RN . . . . . . 38

PETER'S LETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

AROUND THE STATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

CCB OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41


In accepting material for The Blind Californian, priority will be given
to articles concerning the activities and policies of the California
Council of the Blind and to the experiences and concerns of blind
persons.  Recommended length is under 3 pages; if space constraints
make it necessary to divide an article, every effort will b made to
discuss the matter with the author before publication.   

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

                         FROM THE EDITOR`

                       by Winifred Downing

     In the last issue of The Blind Californian, appeared the
formal state announcement of the appointment of Dr. Catherine
Campisi as the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation. 
Though the information it contained was important, it did not
tell us much of Dr. Campisi's personal life.  For that approach,
we are indebted to an article submitted at the same time by Joan
Black, Dr. Campisi's mother-in-law.  Here are some paragraphs
from that article:
     Dr. Campisi has served in several positions at the
Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges and at
the Department of Rehabilitation.  From 1988 to 1992 and from
1998 to 1999, she was a coordinator/specialist at the Chancellors
office for Disabled Student Programs and, until her recent
appointment, served as the Dean of Student Services there.  Her
responsibilities at the Department of Rehabilitation included
being Deputy Director for Independent Living and Technology and,
from 1992 to 1995, Assistant Deputy Director for the Transitions
Programs. 
     Dr. Campisi earned a B.A. degree from Southern Illinois 
University, an M.A. from San Diego State University and a Ph.D.
from the University of Missouri.  She is a member of several
professional organizations including the Association on Higher
Education and Disability, California Association of Post-
secondary Educators of the Disabled, American Psychological
Association and Californians for Disability Rights.
Perhaps, however, the greatest asset that Catherine brings to
this job is not education or experience but an absolute and
tireless commitment to the goal of achieving full inclusion and
equality for all people with disabilities. 
     Catherine is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her
early years in that area where her mother was a teacher and her
father a sociology professor. 
     Despite frequent frustrations with airline policies about
electric wheelchairs, Catherine and her husband Ralph Black are
avid travelers having been to Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland, England,
France, Italy, New Zealand, and Mexico. They also enjoy relaxing
at their cabin in the redwoods. 
     Being the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation is
certainly a very difficult and challenging job. There are just
not enough money and resources to provide for the level of
services that clients and advocacy groups for the disabled would
like to have.  Still, I think that those of us in CCB have a good
deal to be optimistic about.  The legislation may not all go our
way and there is never enough money for everything, but we can
look forward to sincere interest and fair treatment from the new
director.      
     So congratulations to Catherine on her new job and best
wishes for its being a satisfying and rewarding experience!

     As a member of the Board of Publications, I attended the ACB
mid-year meeting.  President Skivers deals with it in her report,
but I want to tell you a bit about the hotel.  We stayed in the
east tower, the older building of the two comprising the hotel. 
My roommate said it reminded her of an elderly dowager, for the
elevators were a little slow and the voice mail system did not
work as it should; but there were lovely paintings on the walls,
wood trim in the corridors, and drop-leaf tables and rocking
chairs in the rooms.  I thought it was great.  We shall have our
meetings and most of the rooms for members attending the
convention in July in the newer building where things will
doubtless work more efficiently, but the charm will be absent. 
Incidentally, there is a good general restaurant with an
interesting menu, reasonable prices, and capable help.  Several
other restaurants are within easy walking distance.
     Now I have some requests to make of those to whom we are all
grateful because of their submissions of articles that make this
magazine enjoyable and interesting.  Please let me know, either
by phone call or e-mail message, that you are sending an article. 
So much material comes to me in the week around the deadline that
I am always worried that I might miss something.  
     Secondly, please do not submit articles by e-mail unless
there  is some really important reason for needing to do that. 
e-mail messages come through with a very irregular arrangement of
the material so that every single line must be edited.  Also,
writers of articles are far less careful in preparing e-mail
messages, not passing them through a spell checker or reading the
finished product through several times to ensure accuracy.  
     Attachments are reputed to be prepared more thoroughly, but
they often present recognition problems beyond solution by my
somewhat meager computer knowledge.  Were it not for Roger
Petersen, I would have been completely unsuccessful in reading
one such attachment used in this issue, not being able to
decipher even the telephone number of the sender to request
further information.     A disk in WordPerfect 5.1 is my favorite
way of receiving articles, but I can also handle documents in
Word; it helps me if you let me know which form you use, cutting
down on the guessing game I must otherwise adopt.  I can also
scan well typed material.  Again, though, letting me know you are
sending such an item is a real help to me, since piles of junk
mail arrive every day and I want to be sure to watch for your
submission.  
     The deadline for the next issue is June 1. 


                        PRESIDENT'S CORNER

                      by Catherine Skivers 

     There's an old song that says, "Into each life some rain
must fall" and we have had quite a bit lately in our California
Council of the Blind (CCB) life.  In my last report to you, I
said that you would be receiving a tape in your chapters
outlining the settlement in the Ashe-American Way Thrift case. 
The reason you have not received it is that we still do not have
a settlement.  This comes as no surprise to board members who
have been involved in this litigation for some years.  We hope
that we will have this information to you before the next Blind
Californian is due.
     Those of you who attend the CCB conventions and are members
of the greater Los Angeles Chapter are aware that Barry Weintraub
died a few weeks ago after a battle with cancer.  We will all
miss him.  Barry did a lot of work assisting Perry Wolf with our
sound system and taking the microphone to speakers at
conventions.  He also had an English accent that always made him
easy to identify, along with a tremendous sense of humor.  His
wife, Flora Bech-Weintraub, is doing fairly well.  She and Barry
were very close so this is a hard time for her.  I hope that her
friends will keep in close touch.  Flora has asked that anyone
wishing to remember Barry should send contributions to CCB.  She
does not want flowers.  Happily, CCB sent flowers to Barry while
he was still with us to enjoy them.  
     I believe that the Blind Californian (BC) is one of the best
magazines put out by any state or national organization.  When I
attend meetings, I hear a lot about the articles we have in the
BC.  Congratulations to Jeff Thom, whose article, "Hale to the
White Cane" was republished in The Braille Forum.  
     Most of the time I find the articles uplifting or
exhilarating; however, in our last issue appeared one which I
found somewhat disturbing.  Some committees sent in informative
and interesting reports about what was going on in their area of
endeavor.  The Membership Committee had a number of suggestions
that I usually would not respond to in my President's Corner;
but, since it was sent to all of you, I believe it needs a reply. 
     Let me assure one and all that the CCB membership is not "in
crisis".  We have a database which gives us the names, addresses
and phone numbers of members, and most of the time we know in
what format they wish to receive the BC.  Certainly no half-time
person will be hired in our office to work exclusively on
membership.  Our staff is outstanding and fully capable of doing
what is required for membership and for all our committees.  For
65 years the CCB has brought in members who have been told about
our work by other members who are familiar with our organization. 
I believe it is imperative that we look into the membership
section of our Constitution and By-Laws and follow the
recommendations given there.  If we do that, we will see an
increase in membership.  I am still working on some of the
committees; you will be hearing more in the next BC or in an some
other mailing.  At this time, I welcome any of you to let me know
what committee you would like to be on.  If you are not listed on
the committee of your choice, please give me a call or drop me a
note.  I am hoping to be able to send a pamphlet to each chapter
and committee chair with board members' names and addresses,
chairs of committees, and a list of their members.  
     In the meantime, I am pleased to announce that Rhonda King
has agreed to be chair of the Membership Committee.  She has lots
of energy and good ideas and shares my belief that that committee
should be the group who heads up recruitment of new members. 
That accomplishment will be foremost on our agenda this year.  
     Walter Chavira from Bakersfield has brought together 17
people who are interested in starting a chapter in that city. 
They will hold a meeting and then members of the Membership
Committee and I meet with them.  
     In February I got back out on the road again.  On the 5th,
Ida Johnson and I hosted a party for our late friend Lucille
Rubio Strelow.  It was her wish that she have a party where all
her friends could eat, drink and be merry and celebrate her life. 
About 60 of us did just that.  Lucille didn't think it was a
party without chocolate cake and a drink so we had both with lots
of other good food.  For those of us who knew her for most of our
lives, it is hard to believe that she is no longer with us.  
     The Blind Alliance for Rehabilitation Change (BARC)
committee members had a very positive meeting with Dr. Catherine
Campisi.  She has many ideas that sound promising for improving
the California Department of Rehabilitation (CDR).  We pointed
out to her that, with the infrastructure of the department as it
is, we believe that, without a Commission for the Blind in
California, we will not be able to secure the services vital for
blind and visually impaired persons.  
     We have not been successful, however, in getting an author
for our Commission bill.  Assemblyman Tom Torlakson has written a
letter to Grantland Johnson, Secretary of Health and Human
Services, requesting answers to a group of questions about the
CDR. Another legislator plans to draft a letter to Dr. Campisi
outlining the most relevant  concerns of the blindness community. 
This legislator feels that if substantial improvement is not
reached by the end of this year  he can probably carry the
Commission bill for us.  Legislators seemed to feel that the
governor will not support a Commission because his new director
of CDR needs time to adjust to the job and understand the issues. 
     One successful development, though, I can report to you. 
Dan Kysor and I have been pleading for materials from DVR in
accessible formats, and now the California Vocational
Rehabilitation Program Audit can be ordered in the medium of your
choice.  The report is #99111; To obtain it, call 916-445-0255. 
It is important that those of you who can use this material
should request it, not only for the information it contains but
to strengthen our insistence that materials be made available in
formats we can access.
     I attended a meeting of the Blind Advisory Committee (BAC)
on February 11th.  It was very interesting although much of what
I heard was a repeat of what had been said at our BARC meeting
with Dr. Campisi.  I presented a resolution, passed by our Board
of Directors, requesting that an October, 1999, "independent
service provider directive be repealed, thus  returning  to the
system in place prior to that time.  (See resolution elsewhere in
these pages).  Our resolution was supported by the BAC.
     On February 15th I went to the American Foundation for the
Blind-West office in San Francisco and met with Carl Augusto, AFB
director, and many people from the Bay Area to welcome Tony
Candela, National Program Associate in Employment, who is taking
Frank Ryan's place.  We also met with Scott MacCall, Vice
President of Programs, who heads the Atlanta, Georgia, office of
AFB.  A dinner hosted by Carl Augusto and AFB was held to
congratulate the Blind Alliance for Rehabilitation Change (BARC)
for their leadership in bringing together organizations of and
for the blind in California.  Carl hopes that this kind of action
will be imitated throughout the country.  He also gave us many
suggestions on working toward a commission and assured us that
AFB will help us toward this end.  
     I was one of four speakers on February 16th at the 50th
anniversary of the Oakland Lions Blind Center.  Fifty years ago,
I sent out the first 500 invitations to the community for the
opening of this facility on Opal Street in Oakland.  I thought I
might be the only person there that evening who had been around
for such a long time; but imagine my surprise when a Lion who had
been there working on behalf of the blind for 60 years was
introduced!  He is 94 and going strong!  Although I am on the
Board of Directors of the Lions Center, the program announced me
as President of the California Council of the Blind.  220 people
were present, including Oakland's Mayor Jerry Brown. 
     I left for the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Mid-Year
meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 18.  Darryl and I
were to arrive at 8:35 p.m.  Friday evening but, because of a
blizzard in the East and severe thunder storms farther west, we
did not get to Louisville until 3:00 a.m.  Saturday morning. 
With a meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m.,  I had to sleep really 
fast.  People from all over the country had difficulty getting to
Louisville, so my experience was not unique.  At the meeting were
discussions of membership building and advocacy with reports from
Paul Edwards, ACB President, and Charles Crawford, ACB Executive
Director.  Paul stressed the need for all of us to follow
legislation and work hard to pass laws beneficial to blind and
visually impaired persons.  One interesting thing we learned was
that 26,000 people read The Braille Forum of whom it is believed
that only 50% are ACB members.  I fervently hope that CCB members
are not among those who do not receive The Forum. 
     Finally--and this message really is coming to an end--the
real rain that came down for CCB was the problem with our
California Connection.  We sent away for repair the machine on
which the Connection is made.  We paid to have the factory tell
us that we do not have a problem, but that is obviously not true
since, at this writing, we still do not have the ability to
prepare the Connection, in spite of all we have done.  We are
continuing to work on the problem and are looking into
alternative methods of bringing you this valuable service.  
     I hope that you are all planning to attend the spring
convention in Sacramento, May 18-21, at the Sacramento Arden West
Hilton Hotel, 2200 Harvard St., Sacramento, CA 95815;
916-922-4700.  The room rate is $78 plus tax for single or double
occupancy.  We need to have you make your reservations as soon as
possible.  We are negotiating with the hotel and, as always, the
number of rooms we use has much to do with what conventions cost.
My thanks to all of you for your support and the work you do to
make CCB the fine organization that it is.  


         ON-LINE SERVICE OFFERS TRANSCRIPTIONS FOR BLIND 

                        by Ronna Abramson 

     (This article was sent to me from the Internet by several
people, including the CCB office.  Ronna Abramson is identified
only as Business Writer, and the locale of the article is given
as Oakland)
     Every day after arriving home from school, 17-year-old
Khaled Saad sits down at his computer and sends out two to three
dozen letters to blind people around the country and sometimes
the world.
     It's a routine he has been following since he and family
friend Olivier Giulieri, 30, launched their Internet company
HotBraille.com Inc. in November.  HotBraille provides one-of-a-
kind, free Braille transcription service via the Internet.  Last
weekend, Saad and Giulieri finished the first major overhaul of
their site, taking the first step toward creating what they hope
will become an online community for the blind.
     The site now includes links to other blind resources on the
Web, suggests books on braille with links to Amazon.com and
offers two versions of braille for sending letters.  HotBraille
also launched a member directory to allow members to register
their name and some useful demographics information to
communicate with each other--while keeping their addresses
confidential.
     "A lot (of people) are asking for pen pals to communicate,"
explained Saad during a recent interview at his family's
Montclair home.
     "Our goal is HotBraille will ... grow a virtual community,"
Giulieri added.
     Neither Saad, a senior at Skyline High School in Oakland,
nor Giulieri, a senior software engineer in San Francisco, is
blind.  The pair, who met through family friends in France seven
years ago, came up with the idea for HotBraille one day last
summer.  They were talking about the Internet and Giulieri's
experience as an intern helping a nonprofit launch the first
French weekly newspaper in braille.  They figured, why not
combine the two?
     "We had the idea Aug. 29.  I know that day.  That's a good
day," Saad said.  "We waited a month to work on it and went from
the idea to sending out the first letter in 60 days."
     Giulieri set up a database to collect letters and the
HotBraille Web site.  They bought off-the-shelf transcription
software, a used braille printer for $2,500 and are eating the
costs of envelopes and paper.  U.S. postage for the blind is
free.  Saad is in charge of daily operations, which include
responding to the numerous e-mails HotBraille receives from
users.
     On a recent visit to his house, a neat stack of envelopes
sat next to the Braille printer, ready to be sent to such places
as Philadelphia, Belgium, France and Portugal.  HotBraille sends
letters in 19 languages.
     "A lot of visually impaired persons ... and totally blind
don't have the equipment to transcribe print," said Oakland
resident Merle Long, a blind computer consultant who owns a
company called Computer Access Systems.  Long can't even count
the number of letters he has sent to friends and customers
through HotBraille.
     "This is cool because we can create it right there in
e-mail, send it to them and (HotBraille) pops it right out
there," added Long, who trains rehab counselors and other people. 
"I've been telling lots of folks (about HotBraille).  ... Every
chance I get I tell them."
     Saad and Giulieri tout the site as being very private
compared to other transcription services, which generally read
and edit the braille.  HotBraille relies on its translation
software, which customers have testified is producing consistent,
good quality braille.
     "There was only one mistake that I could find. ...  In the
middle of the bottom of the page they put 'page 1.' Braille
numbers have to be preceded by a '#' sign," said Louise Wolf, a
blind Oakland resident, who was surprised to receive a short note
in braille.  "It's a nice service for anyone who has blind
friends."
     It's also unusual, said Joan Anderson, a technology
coordinator for the California School for the Blind in Fremont.
     "I've never heard of anything quite like this.  There are
many, many transcription agencies that do that, but nothing that
does it at no cost and will send it out and mail it for you," she
said.
     Saad, who has taken computer courses at the University of
California, Berkeley, and Giulieri hope to continue the service
even if Saad goes away to college next year.  But the costs are
starting to add up, they acknowledge.  Still, it's not completely
clear their goal is to turn a profit.
     "We're not sure," Giulieri says.  "We are thinking there
could be future deals."
     For instance, when they attract enough users, they could
charge restaurants a fee for sending out menus transcribed in
Braille to members who agree to receiving them.
     Meanwhile, a white knight may ride to their rescue.  Without
even telling them.  Merle Long, the blind computer consultant in
Oakland, has started to look for grant funding to keep HotBraille
going.
     "We don't want to see the service go away," he said.  Ronna
Abramson can be reached at (510) 208-6430 and 
rabramso@angnewspapers.com.


          THE GOLDEN ERA OF REHABILITATION FOR THE BLIND

                          by Keith Black

     Rehab for the blind in California, it seems to me, went
through three different stages between 1964, when I started as an
RCB, and 1994, when I retired.  The Department was new in 1964
and more or less conducted business as usual with the staff and
policies carried over from the Department of Education, where the
program had been administered previously.  The principal
resources available to us were the Randolph-Sheppard Vending
Program, the sheltered workshop for the blind (CIB), the
community colleges, and the state universities.  Some clients
eventually entered professional fields, while others settled for
lesser occupations or entered sheltered employment, whichever
seemed indicated by circumstances.  
     Then, in about 1968, things began to change dramatically
with the introduction of the SSDI Program and its accompanying
rehab provisions.  At the same time, new ideas were developed,
which, in the next few years, presented us with a wide range of
special training programs for the blind.  This I remember as the
best period of my career.  At least six such new resources were
developed in California:  computer programming, medical
transcribing, Social Security Representative, Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) Representative, Small Engine Repair, and Automatic
Transmission Rebuilding.  
     This situation lasted until about 1982, and it was all
downhill after that.  Until then, RCB's were responsible for only
legally blind clients, but at that point we started being
expected to handle other disabilities and even to participate in
general intake.  At about that time also, the special vocational
programs for the blind began to disappear.  By 1994, most of us
had more than half a caseload made up of non-blind clients, and
all the above-mentioned training resources were gone, replaced by
"mainstream" vocational school and college classes.  
     The special programs seemed far better to me for several
reasons:  first, the teachers were well prepared to guide blind
students in work-related skills, either by their own experience
or specific training; second, help with placement was usually
provided at the end of training; third, clients felt a definite
sense of structure in such programs that was hard to find in open
vocational schools; and fourth, it gave the RCB an attitude of
optimism and confidence to talk about good training opportunities
specially intended for legally blind clients.  Of course, we did
not offer these programs as the only options available.  Clients
were encouraged to voice their own hopes and plans and to
consider other vocational training alternatives, and the RCB had
to determine the likelihood of success in the client's choice.  
     I am convinced that the elimination of such programs was
brought about by a combination of budget considerations, the
trend toward mainstreaming education for the disabled, and
failure on the part of those responsible for leadership in rehab
for the blind at that time.  Those leaders could have strongly
resisted the mainstreaming trend in the interest of quality
training and fought to preserve a variety of choices for our
clients.  
     It is true, of course, that technology has opened up many
new job opportunities for the blind, but it is also true that the
general unemployment rate among legally blind people of working
age is about the same as it has been for a long time.  That would
seem to indicate that something, or several things, may be wrong
with the Department's approach to the problem.  
     It should be said that RCB's in California now are allowed
to have a caseload made up primarily or entirely of legally blind
clients.  They do not have, however, the advantage of specially
designed training programs that could present a wide range of
choices to all kinds of clients.  
     This element of tailored programs may be the greatest
benefit to be gained from a commission or separate division for
the blind.  Appropriately trained counselors and rehab teachers
are certainly important, but administrative decisions directed at
the best interests of this clientele would make their work far
easier and more effective.  
     The following item is an example of the kind of specially
designed vocational training programs which could be started
again for blind and visually-impaired rehab clients in
California. 
     (reprinted with permission from Dialog Magazine, Winter
1999)
                 The National Statler Center for 
                  Careers in Hospitality Service

     Currently employing 10 million individuals, the hospitality
industry is expected to expand to more than 12.4 million jobs by
the year 2005.  This optimistic forecast, along with
extraordinary potential for advancement with the field, leaves
employment possibilities in this multi-trillion-dollar industry
wide open.  
     The Elizabeth Pierce, M.D., Center for the Visually
Impaired, formerly known as the Blind Association of western New
York, recognized this need and created the National Statler
Center for careers in Hospitality Service.  One of the first
projects of its kind, The Statler Center in Buffalo, New York,
provides blind, visually impaired, or physically disabled
individuals with the right tools for successful careers in this
rapidly growing industry.  
     The Statler Center's curriculum was developed in partnership
with Jonson and Wales University, one of the premier learning
institutions in hospitality service.  The curriculum is specially
adapted to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, and all
staff are professionally trained in working with visually-
impaired people.  
     Students receive expert, specialized instruction in
hospitality service such as:  hotel front desk procedures,
reservation services, night auditor operations, and hospitality
marketing.  Computer training is offered, using industry standard
software.  A concentrated three-week "externship" is built into
the program, giving students direct insight into the hospitality
industry through work experience in a hotel, tourism bureau, and
travel agency.  Follow-up advisement is provided after graduation
and employment.  
     The Statler Center offers three 13-week program sessions
annually, beginning in January, May, and September.  There is no
cost to participate in the program, and high school or
equivalency graduates who are visually impaired or physically
disabled are eligible.  
     With the 1999-2000 school year, applicants must have resided
in Western New York.  For the 2000-2001 school year, applicants
must reside in New York state.  For the 2001-2002 school year,
applicants will be accepted from throughout the U.S.  
     Contact Renee DiFlavio, Director, National Statler Center
for Careers in Hospitality Service, 1160 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
14209; 716-882-5690.  
 

                    CALIFORNIA COURTS AND YOU

                         by Karin Memmer

     Have you been involved in a California court proceeding in
the last two years?  Perry Hall wants to hear from you if you or
someone whom you care about is affected by a disability and has
been denied equal access to the courts based on the lack of
appropriate accommodations to your disability.  None of the 58
California county courts has programs which make available
trained court personnel, appropriate auxiliary aides, and
services for people requiring reasonable accommodations to their
disability. Such programs are mandated by the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990.
     As a result of this noncompliance, individuals continue to
experience problems during court proceedings because of the lack
of knowledge and awareness among court personnel (judges,
attorneys, court staff), problems which can affect the outcome of
the proceedings.  As juror, plaintiff, defendant, attorney, or
judge, anyone with a disability can be adversely affected by the
California  Courts' lack of compliance with the ADA.
     Please contact Perry Hall, a member of the Committee for the
ADA Compliance Review of the California courts at 707-825-7421
and/or carinmemm@aol.com, if you have participated in the
California courts; and the outcome of your involvement has been
affected by your having a disability.  With your help, this
advocacy project will bring our court system up to date! Thanks!


             TECHTALK: SOURCES OF COMPUTER TRAINING 
                     FOR BLIND CALIFORNIANS

                         By Frank Welte

     Previous installments of this column have suggested some
sources and strategies that vision impaired people could use to
acquire computers.  Of course, once one gets a computer, one must
learn to use it.  The following resources--And other sources of
training not listed here--can help the blind computer novice down
the path to computer proficiency.
     Because most new computers use the Microsoft Windows 98 or
Windows 95 operating systems, we will discuss training for this
computing platform.  These recent versions of Windows are
similar, so most of the skills you learn in one version will
apply to the other just as well.
     Since each person's learning style is different, it is a
good idea to consider a variety of strategies for obtaining
computer skills.  You may find one of the following approaches
helpful even if some other method doesn't work for you.
     Ask a Friend: Try to develop friendships with knowledgeable
computer users in your community who can share advice and help
you solve problems.  If your circle of friends and relatives
includes a few computer enthusiasts (most of us know such
people), then get to know those persons better.  If you don't
know any such people, find a local computer users' group.  Such
groups are filled with friendly people who like to share their
knowledge.  If you aren't familiar with your local computer
users' group, you may find contact information for local groups
in your telephone directory, in local computer magazines, or from
flyers posted at local computer stores.
     Go to School: Many of the colleges and universities have
"high tech" centers dedicated to making adaptive technology
available on CAmpus to disabled students.  Unfortunately, the
quality of the equipment and training can vary widely from CAmpus
to CAmpus.  However, if your community college has a good
adaptive technology program, you should take advantage of this
cost-effective local training resource. 
     Go to an Agency for the Blind: A number of the agencies
serving the blind in California have added computer training
along with their other services.  You can contact the following
agencies for sdecific details about their programs.  Some
agencies require students to be clients of the Department of
Rehabilitation.  This list is  not comprehensive, so if the
agency providing blindness services in your community isn't on
this list, it may still offer computer training now or in the
near future.
     Braille Institute of America, 741 N. Vermont Street, Los
Angeles, CA 90029-3594; 323-663-1111; 
Www.brailleinstitute.org; (Offers introductory computer courses
and job search skills training to Braille Institute students,
featuring Windows 95, Microsoft Office, Zoomtext, and JAWS For
Windows.)
     Lions Blind Center, 3834 Opal Street, Oakland, CA 94609;
510-450-1580; (Offers training classes using a variety of
adaptive hardware and software products.) 
     Lions Blind Center of San Jose, 101 North Bascom Avenue, San
Jose, CA 95128; 408-295-4016 
     Orientation Center For The Blind, 400 Adams Street, Albany,
CA 94706; 510-559-1208; Fax: 510-525-4922 
     Peninsula Center For The Blind And Visually Impaired, 2470
El CAmino Real, Suite 107, Palo Alto, CA 94306; 650-858-0202;
800-660-2009; Www.pcbvi.org
     Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102; 415-431-1481; tdd:
415-431-4572; Fax: 415-863-7568; Cityline: 415-808-5000 X1200;
Www.lighthouse-sf.org; (Offers a variety of computer classes and
access to a number of different computer access products.)  
Sacramento Society For The Blind, 2750 24th Street, Sacramento,
CA 95818; 916-452-8271
     Sensory Access Foundation, 1142 West Evelyn, Sunnyvale, CA
408-245-7330; Fax: 650-323-1062; Www.sensoryaccess.com;
(Offers a variety of computer training classes; also sells a
cassette tutorial "Learning Windows in About an Hour" for
$10.00.)
     Learn at Home: Whether you are the kind of person who likes
to study at your own pace or you want to supplement your learning
by building up your personal reference library, there is now a
considerable amount of accessible training literature available
from a variety of sources.
     Because most screen reader software packages include at
least a basic introduction to Windows in their manuals, you
already have the beginnings of your reference library if you own
such software.
     The following organizations offer a wide variety of training
materials for Windows and for specific software packages in a
variety of accessible formats.  Space doesn't allow for detailed
descriptions of all the products, but the author hopes to present
selected product reviews in future "TechTalk" columns.
     American Printing House For The Blind, 1839 Frankfort
Avenue, Post Office Box 6085, Louisville, KY 40206-0085; 
502-895-2405; 800-223-1839 Or 800-572-0844; Fax: 502-899-2363;
Www.aph.org; "Listening to Windows 95" tutorial, access
technology tutorials, and other Products For The Visually
Impaired.
Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc., 890 Fams Court, East Meadow, NY
11554-5101; 516- 292-9232; 800-454-3175; fax: 516-292-2522;
Annmor@webspan.net; Www.annmorris.com; mail order supplier of
products for the blind; includes some training materials in that
catalog.
     Braille & Talking Book Library, P.o. Box 942837, Sacramento,
CA 94237-0001; 900 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-654-0640;
800-952-5666; limited selection of computer books.
     Brl Inc., Peter Duran, Proprietor, 110 Commerce Drive, Suite
210, Fayetteville, GA 30214; 770-716-9222; 800-407-5839; 770-
716-9599; Brlinc@mindspring.com; Www.wyfiwyg.com; braille Windows
95 Command Summary, Windows Tutorial, Blind E-mail Disk, Freeware
And Shareware, PC Braille Translator, Microsoft Documentation in
Braille, Resource Directory.
     CrissCross Technologies, Crista Earl, Propriator, 110-64
Queens Blvd., #406, 
Forest Hills, NY 11375; 718-268-6988; Info@crisscrosstech.com;
Www.crisscrosstech.com; "Listening In" Bi-monthly cassette
Tutorial Series, Windows Tutorial Tapes.
     Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL
60093; 800-323-4238; 847-446-8111; Info@hadley-school.org;
Www.hadley-school.org; Correspondence school for the blind has a
few basic computer courses.
     Henter-Joyce, Inc., 11800 31st Court North, St. Petersburg,
FL 3716-1805; 800-336-5658; 727-803-8000; fax: 727-803-8001;
Info@hj.com; Www.hj.com; Ftp.hj.com; Screen Reading & Screen
Magnification Software, Windows Tutorials.
     The Iowa Department for the Blind, 800-362-2587; 
515-281-1316; Www.blind.state.ia.us/assist; project Assist,
screen reader-specific Windows software Manuals available on
cassette and On The Web.
     National Braille Press, 88 Saint Stephen Street, Boston, MA
02115; 617-266-6160; 800-548-7323; Fax: 617)437-0456;
Www.nbp.org; Braille computer books, quick reference pamphlets
which are especially handy.
     Recording for the Blind and  Dyslexic, 20 Roszel Road,
Princeton, NJ 08540; 609-520-8080; 800-221-4792; 609-520-8031;
Subject Reference System;  Fax: 609-520-7990; Info@rfbd.org;
Bklind@rfbd.org; Reference@rfbd.org; Www.rfbd.org; Telnet
Wais.jvnc.net 4445; With its library of over 80,000 textbooks on
cassette on nearly all subjects, and with its growing collection
of electronic textbooks, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic is
an essential resource for any vision impaired person who is
interested in learning.

     Top Dot Enterprises, Dean Martineau, Proprietor, 8930
11thPl. SE, Everett, WA 98205; 425-335-4894; Deamar@eskimo.com;
Www.eskimo.com/~deamar; "SOUND COMPUTING" Magazine, Computer
Tutorials.
     Tri Visual Services, P.o. Box 221310, Sacramento, CA 95822;
1713 J St., Suite 211, Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-447-7323;
valuable computer resource directory produced in several
accessible formats, which lists many providers of adaptive
technology resources for the blind.
     The author welcomes your questions, comments, corrections,
and suggestions for additional learning resources.  The author's
contact information is as follows: Frank Welte, 1432 San CArlos
Ave., #6, San CArlos, CA 94070-2205; 650-508-8329;
 fwelte@crl.com.


                        ONE MAN'S OPINION

(Taken from the Fall, 1999, issue of The Blind Teacher, news
letter of the National Association of Blind Teachers.  It
represents Gary Legates's opinion on attitudes that affect most
people, not just students.)
     Today I saw a story on the Internet which I want to share
with you since I believe it applies well to our profession.  I am
sharing it because it is a story about struggle--a thing which, I
fear, is often absent from our classrooms today.  
     We seem to be doing all we can to eliminate struggle from
our students' lives.  We want things to be easy for them; we want
them to feel that everything is fun.  All knowledge should be
interesting and easily mastered, we are leading them to believe. 
Yet, as is illustrated by the story, what a gift struggle is to
our lives!  How many of us struggled to learn to ride a bike,
catch a ball, tie our shoes, learn the intricacies of braille, or
play an instrument!  Struggling to acquire a particular skill
carries with it a tremendous joy and sense of accomplishment when
the skill is mastered.  Will our students be able to feel that
joy, or have we made things so easy for them that no struggle was
necessary? . . . 
     One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon.  A man sat and
watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force
its body through that little opening.  Then it seemed to stop
making any progress; it appeared that it had gotten as far as it
could but could go no further.  
     So the man decided to help the butterfly.  He took a pair of
scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.  The
butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and
small, shriveled wings.  The man continued to watch the butterfly
because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would expand
to support the butterfly's body which would contract in time. 
Neither occurrence happened.  In fact the butterfly spent the
rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and
shriveled wings.  It never was able to fly.
     What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand
was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the
butterfly to get through the opening was God's way of forcing the
fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it
would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the
cocoon.
     Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. 
If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles,
it would cripple us.  We would not be as strong as we could have
been; we could never fly.
                  EMERGING TRENDS IN ACCESSIBLE
            PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL TECHNOLOGIES            

                      by Daveed Mandell and 
                          Sheila Killian

     Introduction: People with disabilities maintain that the
amount of energy and concentration they must expend just trying
to function in a largely inaccessible world are significantly
greater for them than for people who don't rely on such access
enhancements as ramps, curb cuts, tactile platform edge detection 
and accessible pedestrian signals.  We have often heard disabled
persons  remark that they feel as physically and emotionally
exhausted by noon as most able-bodied people do by day's end.  
     Let's consider how a blind or visually impaired pedestrian
assesses a typical intersection.  He or she must first approach
that street and determine such basic information as the shape and
location of both the curb and the crosswalk, the direction to
face when crossing, whether or not there is a traffic light, the
type of signal installed, whether or not it is necessary to push
a button to activate the walk sign, and where the light pole is
located.  This process can be quite stressful especially in
unfamiliar areas.  Just one mistake can result in serious injury
or even death.  Not only are we expected to figure out when and
how to cross a specific street, but we must also navigate safely
across that intersection.
     Enter Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Traffic lights convey
important information to sighted pedestrians.  For the most part,
it does not matter whether or not they are familiar with a
particular area.  At a glance on arriving at an intersection,
they can identify the street, the street that intersects it, the
direction of travel and when it is safe to cross.  They can see
traffic movement and additional landmarks such as angled streets,
median strips, islands and turning lanes.  
     Accessible pedestrian signals should be as easy to use for
blind and visually impaired pedestrians as traffic lights are for
those who are sighted.  The information conveyed should be clear,
precise and quickly perceptible, requiring relatively little
effort, even if the blind or visually impaired pedestrian does
not know the area in question.  Other populations--including 
young children, senior citizens, cognitively impaired
individuals, and those who become distracted by multiple visual
stimulae--benefit from these signals.  
     Drawbacks of Current Accessible
Pedestrian Signals: In one form or another, audible traffic
signals have been around since about the mid-1970's.  During the
past thirty years, you may have encountered bells, buzzers,
cuckoos or chirps at various intersections indicating that the
walk sign is on.  Although they are helpful to many people, these
signals of yesteryear have some very significant shortcomings. 
The older systems--which are still widely used--were originally
considered the latest and greatest technology.  For the first
time, blind and visually impaired pedestrians knew, without
having to guess, exactly when the walk sign was illuminated, thus
allowing them the maximum amount of time to cross the street.  
     There are, however, several serious problems with this type
of signal.  For one thing, the speakers from which the sounds
emanate are installed high up on light poles and are often
pointed in ambiguous directions.  Frequently they point away
from, or even perpendicular to, the streets in question.  In
addition, echoes from the "bird" sounds bounce off nearby
buildings making it difficult to determine their origin and
location and therefore which intersection they concern.  
     In addition, the recent trend of incorporating three or more
distinct sounds in some signals at complex intersections is
disturbing.  It certainly does not conform to the U.S.  Access
Board's interim guidelines for accessible pedestrian signals. 
According to this organization, the American Council of the Blind
and the National Federation of the Blind, a cacophonous blend of
beeps, chirps, cuckoos, clicks and other sounds only serves to
confuse rather than assist.  They make it difficult to listen to
traffic patterns and tend to become intermingled with other 
sounds in the environment. 
Promising Technology Breakthrough: Exciting new and effective
technologies for accessible pedestrian signals are now being
developed.  They convey much more information than current
signals.  The old technology does not provide essential
information like street names and direction of travel.  Hundreds
of blind people who attended last summer's ACB national
convention in Los Angeles crossed West Century Boulevard near the
Westin Hotel at least once during that first week in July.  In so
doing, they doubtless discovered that modern accessible
pedestrian signals, such as those manufactured by Polara
Engineering of Fullerton, California, use several modalities to
convey relevant information--information which is not being
conveyed by current technology.
     As you approach a Polara signal, you hear short, unobtrusive
locator beeps--one every second--that direct the blind or
visually impaired traveler to a speaker and push-button mounted
approximately four feet off the ground on a traffic light pole. 
You must press the push-button to activate the signal, producing
an audible walk sign indicator, which can be most any sound
desired.  In its standard form, the signal is programmed to give
a verbal walk message, e.g., "Walk sign on to cross Broadway." 
It is possible to press and hold the signal's push-button for
four seconds to hear a more detailed message, which can be up to
sixteen seconds long, announcing whatever additional information
might be necessary to inform pedestrians about the layout of the
intersection.  You might hear, for instance, the direction of
travel in order to cross the street or the names of the
intersecting streets.  
     In addition to the verbal cues and locator tones, the Polara
signal is equipped with a unique pulsating tactile arrow on which
can be embossed an optional braille and raised print
direction-of-travel indicator, such as an N for North.  The arrow
pulsates in conjunction with the walk sign.  It also points in
the direction you must face to cross the street.  Quickly
pressing and releasing the push-button activates the pulsating
arrow.  Alternatively, the signal can be programmed to pulsate
the arrow automatically whenever the walk message is on.
     Several other features make the Polara signal attractive. 
Its face-plate can be fitted with braille and raised print
information such as street names or brief directions for
negotiating a complex intersection, island and/or turning lane
shapes and arrangements.  Its verbal and written messages can be
tailored to the requirements of specific intersections.  The
volume of both the already relatively quiet
locator beeps and voice messages can be adjusted separately to
conform to the ambient traffic noise so as not to disturb the
general public.  Because the speaker and push-button are located
in one unit on the light pole, the Polara signal accurately
indicates the line of direction required to cross the street
safely. 
     To summarize, the Polara accessible pedestrian signal
conveys information about the layout of specific intersections
quickly, quietly and clearly, and requires relatively little
effort to learn.  The signal can be available to pedestrians
twenty-four hours a day without disturbing the general public.
While familiarity with a specific area helps everyone, that need
not be a requirement for a pedestrian who merely wants to 
cross the street.  Simply put, just as sighted people must watch
the traffic and look at traffic lights, so must blind and
visually impaired people pay attention to traffic patterns and
either listen to, or touch, traffic signals.  Traffic signals are
equally accessible to, and useable by, both sighted and vision-
impaired pedestrians.  


                              REFLECTIONS

                           by Larry Seiber

      I recently submitted an article which was published in an
issue of The Blind Californian about my experience learning to
fly.   I have since learned that at least one blind CCB member
has sat at the controls of a plane in flight.  This was the whole
point of my writing the article.  I wanted to express my intense
feeling and belief that you should do whatever in life you really
want to do.  If you don't succeed, at least try.  The person with
the most failures will probably be the person with the most
successes.  Obstacles should not be the deciding factor, but
rather your determination and courage. 
     Because of the many comments and interest in the first
article, I am sharing more about my flying experience.  No doubt
you have heard the old expression, "Time waits for no one."  I
doubt that there are very many people who have learned to fly a
plane who did not eventually find themselves in a situation that
was embarrassing, very risky, or even dangerous.  It never quite
leaves your mind that something could go wrong or a bad decision
might be made that could be of serious consequences.
     Flying is much like sailing the ocean.  It is very exciting
and can be addictive.  There is nothing really quite like it.  If
you do something foolish, make a mistake, or something goes
wrong, it can be absolutely and forever unforgiving.  
     Small planes have what is called the carburetor heat
control.  Without fail, before you pull back on the throttle to
idle the engine for a landing, you must pull that carburetor heat
control lever.  If you fail to do so, ice will quickly form in
the carburetor ventura and the engine will stop.  The small plane
I flew had a stick and two rudder pedals.  To turn left, you
would move the stick to the left and push the left rudder pedal. 
Move the stick to the right and push the right rudder pedal, and
you would be in a right turn.  
     One thing I just loved doing was what was called a cross
wind landing.  It was one of the first things a student learned
to do to land safely when the wind is blowing across the runway. 
The idea was to tip the wing into the wind with the stick and
press the opposite rudder pedal.  This was exciting to the point
that I would do it every time I came in for a landing.  If there
was a cross wind, it was necessary to keep the plane over the
runway.  
     Without the cross wind it would still work.  I would sit in
the plane with my left hand on the throttle and my right hand on
the stick.  On final approach to the runway, I would pull the
throttle back and put the engine in a low idle and then push the
stick to the left.  I would then push hard on the right rudder
pedal.  This would cause the plane to tip to the left and pull
the nose of the plane far to the right.  In effect, it would put
the plane into a cross-controlled sideways gliding skid. 
Altitude and airspeed were both very critical.  The engine was
kept at constant speed and the airspeed was controlled by pushing
the stick slightly forward or backward.  If you lowered
the nose and sacrificed a little altitude, the airspeed would
increase.  If you started to go too fast you just pulled back on
the stick and raised the nose and the airspeed would slow down. 
     About the only way I can accurately describe this is to say
it would be like sitting with your face pressed against a picture
window while floating through the air.  It was almost
mesmerizing, and I had to keep reminding myself I was getting
close to the ground and needed to reverse the controls back to
neutral to line the plane up on the runway for a correct
landing just before touchdown.  This was especially critical
because the landing strip at the small country airport where I
learned to fly had a fence at the end of the runway.  It was not
unlike remembering to pull the rip cord on a parachute even
though you are having a great time free falling.
     One morning after a flight, I had just reached the airport
and was starting a landing configuration.  I pulled out the
carburetor heat control, reduced the throttle and put the engine
at idle.  I  flew the downwind pattern, made the crosswind turn
to the left and then the turn for final approach.  I carefully
lined the nose of the plane up with the runway, pushed the stick
to the left and pushed hard-right rudder and started the magical
sideways crosswind descent.  The air was so smooth and I was just
totally engrossed in slow floating to earth once again.  
     I remember seeing a jackrabbit run across the field below. 
I thought to myself, "I could just stay up here forever."  There
were two cows standing by the fence at the end of the runway not
aware at all that another world existed including planes and
runways.  At this point, though, I noticed something didn't sound
right.  A very strange phenomenon occurs when something goes
wrong in the cockpit of an airplane.  Time seems to go into slow
motion.  The seconds become very critical--each seeming to last a
whole minute.  I have experienced this only twice.  An instant
decision can be the difference between surviving and becoming a
statistic.  What I had noticed was that the engine was slowing 
down.  The RPM gauge was dropping as well as were the altitude
and airspeed indicators.  I returned the controls to neutral as I
quickly pushed full forward on the throttle, but the engine just
started to cough.  I looked over at the carburetor heat handle
which was full out, eliminating in my mind carburetor icing.  It
became deathly silent and all I could hear was the wind passing
over the wings as the propeller was free spinning.  I was losing
altitude fast and the engine would not start.  I had already lost
too much altitude to reach the runway.  
     I considered touching down and trying to skid on the grassy
slope to the end of the runway, but I couldn't do that because of
the fence.  To make a turn that low to the ground without engine
power and minimal airspeed so that I would miss the fence would
cause a certain stall and a drop to the ground like a rock.  I
had to keep pushing the stick forward and trade altitude for
flying speed to avoid a stall.  Trying desperately to get the
engine started and trying not to panic, I noticed that the cows
had become alarmed and had started to run in different directions
away from the runway.  
     The airspeed was now very critical and I was quickly running
out of altitude.  I thought about trying to bounce over the fence
by slamming the wheels on the ground just before the fence, but I
quickly ruled that out because the soft ground of the cow pasture
would probably let the wheels sink and most likely cause the
plane to flip.  There was nothing left but to take my chances and
try to fly through the fence.  I started to release my grip on
the throttle and the stick to cover my face and chest when a
miracle happened.  As I shoved the throttle forward  and pulled
back on the stick with all my strength, the engine caught and
started to churn full speed.  It roared and the nose of the plane
shot upward so that I just cleared the fence.  I flew down the
runway several hundred feet before I had the courage to pull back
on the throttle and bring the plane to a careful landing. 
     My hand was frozen to the stick and my knees were shaking. 
To say that I was scared would have been a huge understatement. 
I taxied off the runway toward the hanger convinced that I was
going to act very cool and relaxed.  When I got near the hanger,
however, I noticed my flight instructor and the airport mechanic
silhouetted against  the open hanger door watching me.  They
walked over to the plane as I taxied to a stop.  As I stepped out
of the plane reaching for solid ground, the mechanic unhooked the
lock snaps and lifted the engine cowling cover.  He reached in
and pulled out the carburetor heat flex pipe which had come loose
during the flight and was just hanging free.  "This is the
problem," he said as he held the end of the tube.  "You had no
heat to the carburetor and your engine iced up."  
     "Are you all right?" the flight instructor asked as he put
his hand on my shoulder.  I couldn't decide right at that moment
about "all right," but I did decide I was mighty glad to be safe
on the ground.  I knew I had to fly again soon, and did so the
very next day.  
     Later that summer I continued my flight instruction at a
school in Arizona where I was assigned to fly a more powerful
plane called a Piper Super Cub.  Late one morning I was preparing
to take off for my first routine practice flight.  With only one
person aboard, when you pushed the throttle full forward, the
Super Cub would climb fairly rapidly.  The door on the right side
of the plane was split in the middle with one half attached up on
the wing and the other folded out on the wing strut.  The door
could thus be left open during flight allowing a spectacular view
of everything below from an open cockpit.  
     This particular morning, there was an unusual change in wind
direction and Flight Control assigned me to take off on a rather
short runway.  It concerned me that there was a fairly large
quonset hut and some other buildings at the end of the runway.  I
thought, "This can't be right," but when I double-checked with
the controller, he said this was my assigned runway, and I was
cleared for takeoff.  I didn't feel comfortable; but there was a
head wind, and I knew the plane had a good climbing rate.  After
a few moments of hesitation, I decided to go.  
     Still having some doubts, I did what is called a short field
takeoff.  I  held the brakes firmly in place and pushed full
throttle.  At full RPM, I released the brakes and the plane shot
forward.  I began picking up speed and the tail lifted off the
runway.  In just moments I was beyond the point of no return, but
my airspeed was not quite fast enough, and I was quickly
approaching the buildings.  I was so close that I had to pull up
without delay.  As I pulled back on the stick, the plane shot
upward but I was borderline on airspeed.  I had to pull back on
the stick a bit more as the plane just cleared the top of the big
quonset.  I got a good close-up of the air vents as I was passing
over; but I had sacrificed a little too much airspeed for that
extra few feet of altitude, and I knew I was not only at stalling
speed but actually starting to stall.  You do not have time to
look at gauges or instruments when you are this close to the
ground.  No problem, all I had to do now was push the stick
forward to dip the nose down and trade a little altitude for
flying speed, and I would be on my way.  
     The prop was churning the air full blast, and the plane was
really rocking in the wind.  I pushed the stick forward, lowering
the nose of the plane as I passed the curvature of the big
quonset hut and was just absolutely stunned to find myself
directly over a baseball game in progress.  The game had stopped;
and every face was turned up at me, for I could not have been
much more than 40 feet directly above home plate.  It looked as
if everyone was frozen in time.  Nobody moved.  I remember
looking right down into the pitcher's face.  His mouth had
dropped open, and I saw the ball roll out of his hand and drop to
the ground.  The only movement on the entire field was that ball!
     The umpire was pointing at me.  It was as if he was calling
me out or, more likely, throwing me out of the ball park!  In
just a few seconds I was off to the horizon.  Later that day when
I returned to the hanger, the student controller was there
waiting for me and apologized for inadvertently assigning me to
the wrong runway--one that was no longer in use because of the
big quonset hut.  Nothing more was said about that flight until
graduation when it was casually mentioned to a laughing standing
ovation that it was considerate of one student pilot to leave the
big quonset standing.  I think what they were really saying was
that they were glad I was still standing.  
     That was a lot of years ago, and I have never shared these
flying experiences with anyone before.  Occasionally, when I hear
a small plane flying overhead, I think back about those two
events in my life when, for me, the clock stopped for just a few
brief moments.  I just can't tell you how relieved I was that day
when I made it over the fence and also how happy I was that
nobody hit a high pop fly ball the moment I crossed over home
plate.   


                         AMC ON THE MOVE!

               by Linda Flores, AMC President, and 

                            Don Brown

     Have you ever wondered what it might be like if some morning
we were to wake up to the news that this planet, and everyone on
it, had been healed of its strife and misery?
     What a wonderful thing that would be!  Of course that has
not happened yet, but we can all have a part in making this
world a better place to live. It takes desire, good will,
constructive ideas, energy, and action.
     The Association for Multi-cultural Concerns is a proactive,
special-interest affiliate of the California Council of the
Blind.  We embrace diversity and include everyone!
     During our business meeting at the fall convention in
Fresno, our membership voted to initiate Project Unity with the
primary purpose of collecting  new and used donated items.  AMC
will help to distribute these materials among organizations and
schools assisting the blind and vision-impaired in other
countries where they are desperately needed.  
     This year our chosen project is the Milton Margai School for
the Blind in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Africa.  We have been
coordinating our efforts with Dennis Holter who has specific
knowledge of the school.  The students there range from 5 years
of age to adults and receive only a small sum from the government
of Sierra Leone.  
     Suggested  items needed are: canes, magnifiers, slates and
styluses, braille paper, and educational braille and large print
books.  Please no magazines, or battery-operated items! 
     We are asking for your support.  There are two ways in which
you can  help.  If you plan to attend the spring convention in
Sacramento, you can drop items you have to contribute in the
Project Unity container next to the registration desk.  You may
also send them to the following addresses: 
     Lilian Scaife, 1620 Molino Ave., Long Beach, CA 90804;
562-494-4306
     Don Brown, 1816 San Benito Street, Richmond, CA 94804;
510-528-1744
     We hope that you will get involved in this worthwhile
project to help make this world a better place to live for
someone else.  For more information, contact Linda Flores,
619-286-4857; E-mail: 
lflores@sdcb.org 
     AMC is also promoting an ethnic cookbook as a fundraising
effort.  Please send your recipes to Don Brown at the above
address and phone number.  His e-mail address is
dlbl23@mindspring.com

          SUMMARY OF FALL, 1999,  CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

                           by Jeff Thom

     All resolutions were passed except for 99b-7, which was
withdrawn and combined into 99b-8.
     Resolution 99b-1 urged the Public Utilities Commission to
provide funding for the continuation and expansion of Access News
and other similar programs.  If the Commission does not take this
action, legislation will be sought to provide for this funding. 
     99b-2 urged each local Access News program site to establish
a consumer advisory committee.
     99b-3 requested the CCB President to establish an ad hoc
committee to review the services provided by the Orientation
Center for the Blind, as well as the accessibility of its
facilities, and to report its findings to the CCB president and
Board of Directors.
     99b-4 called for the San Juan School District to adhere to
all federal and state tactile signage requirements.  The
resolution provided that, if this demand is not met, the Board of
Directors take whatever action it deems necessary, including
legal action, against the San Juan School District. 
     99b-5 expressed CCB's support for the action of the Temple
City blind community in seeking the installation of audible
traffic signals.
     99b-6 commended the producers of Jeopardy on the treatment
of a blind contestant and the positive image of blindness it
conveyed.
     99b-8 discussed policies used by the Department of
Rehabilitation that adversely affect the hiring of blind and
visually impaired clients and demanded that the Department
prohibit any practices resulting in disincentives to the hiring
of blind and visually impaired individuals.
     99B-9 urged the Federal Communications Commission to require
the announcement of telephone numbers, internet addresses and
similar information which is  contained in public service
announcements, weather forecast information, emergency
information announcements, and commercials, and which is
displayed on screen.  The resolution also provided that a copy be
sent to the American Council of the Blind for consideration at
its 2000 convention. 
     99b-10 expressed the organization's profound appreciation
for the outstanding efforts of the staff of the Fresno Radisson
Hotel. 
     99b-11 expressed the profound appreciation of the CCB for
the outstanding efforts of the volunteers from the Fresno
Adventist Academy at the 1999 fall convention. 
     99b-12 commended Charles Schwab and Co. for providing
braille statements.
     99b-13 called for the Department of Finance and the Governor
to seek funding in the 2000-01 Budget Act for various proposals
related to the California School for the Blind.  The resolution
called for the CCB to seek legislative action on this matter in
the absence of such action being taken by the Department of
Finance and the Governor.
     99b-14 called for the CCB to fully subsidize the
transportation, accommodations and per diem cost, to the extent
that General Fund moneys are available, for CCB scholarship
recipients attending the fall convention of the California
Council of the Blind.


               REHABILITATION COMMITTEE RESOLUTION

                       by Catherine Skivers

     Employment of Readers:  This resolution was passed by the
Rehabilitation Committee of the California Council of the Blind
and given to its Board of Directors for implementation.  We are
awaiting a response from Dr. Campisi.  The resolution was
presented to her on February 11th, 2000.
     WHEREAS, the Department of Rehabilitation provides a
significant portion of reader hours for blind and visually
impaired college students; and,
     WHEREAS, until recent years, blind and visually impaired
students were able to obtain readers through funds provided by
the Department of Rehabilitation under a system that allowed the
client the exclusive right to employ readers of his or her
choice, subject to the client's reader hour limitations; and,
     WHEREAS, notwithstanding the efficacy of this system in
enabling blind and visually impaired students to find a
sufficient number of competent readers, even in instances when
expeditious replacement of readers was required, this system was
superseded by requirements under which rehabilitation counselors
must approve each reader; and,
     WHEREAS, although these requirements unnecessarily
hinder the ability of blind and visually impaired students to
acquire readers, students have, for the most part, managed to
maintain their ability to obtain readers; and,
     WHEREAS, largely due to an incident of rehabilitation
counselor conduct and in the absence of any evidence that the
vast majority of blind and disabled clients abuse the system, a
directive was issued in October, 1999, applicable to independent
service providers, the category of contractor which includes
readers, note takers, attendants, and many other types of
providers; and,
     WHEREAS, under this directive, not only are prospective
independent service providers required to submit extensive
paperwork, including a resume and letters of reference, as part
of the application process, but district administrators or
supervisors are required to conduct face-to-face interviews with
such providers prior to approving their employment; and,
     WHEREAS, because of the low hourly wage rate paid to
readers, the imposition of these requirements imposes a severe
disincentive for individuals to seek employment as readers; and, 
     WHEREAS, both at the beginning of the school year and, due
to the need to replace or add to a student supply of readers,
during the course of that year, a student must frequently acquire
readers without delay or face often insurmountable obstacles in
the ability to adequately perform in his or her area of study:
and,
     WHEREAS, the delays created by this burdensome directive are
certain to cause severe harm to the academic pursuits of blind
and visually impaired clients; and, 

      WHEREAS, rehabilitation staff already has sufficient tools
at to adequately monitor clients' readers in order to prevent
fraud and abuse; and,
      WHERAS, this directive will have similarly adverse effects
on persons with a variety of disabilities, due to its application
to various other independent service provider categories, such as
note takers and attendants; and,
      WHEREAS, the result of this directive is, therefore, to
severely impair the capacity of rehabilitation clients to reach
their vocational goals, without significantly enhancing the
department's ability to administer its programs in a cost
effective manner, now, THEREFORE, be it
      RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the California
Council of the Blind, that this organization strongly urge the
Director of Rehabilitation to immediately repeal the October,
1999, independent service provider directive and return to the
use of the system in place prior to that time.  


                 WELLS FARGO PRINT MATERIALS NOW
                AVAILABLE IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS 

                       by Lainey Feingold 

     As part of the "talking ATM" settlement agreement signed
last June by Wells Fargo and the California Council of the Blind
and other blind individuals, Wells Fargo is now supposed to have
a procedure for ensuring that all print materials are effectively
communicated to persons with vision impairments.
     The procedure applies to all Wells Fargo banking
information, such as account statements, product brochures,
disclosure forms, and loan applications.  If you need this kind
of banking information in an alternative format because you are
blind or have a vision impairment, you may ask for it either by
calling Wells Fargo's toll free number, 800-869-3557, or by
asking at your local branch.  Alternative formats include
braille, large print, audio cassette, oral information from bank
staff, and other effective methods of communication.  Please
remember that if more than one alternative format is effective
for you, the bank has the option of providing an effective format
of its choice.  In addition to alternative formats, raised line
checks are now available at the same price as basic standard
checks.
     The California Council of the Blind wants to make sure that
Wells Fargo's new procedure is working smoothly.  If you request
an alternative format, please let us know what happened by
contacting the CCB's Accessible Banking Services Legal Team by
phone at 888-316-8870 or by e-mail at Bank@sgdblaw.com  
     Thank you for your help in ensuring that the Wells Fargo
agreement works for the blind community.  
Lainey Feingold, Linda Dardarian, Linda Kilb (DREDF), Lawyers for
the California Council of the Blind.


                       FEDERAL LEGISLATION

                         by Ahmad Rahman

     Office of Disability Policy, Evaluation and Technical
Assistance:
     The U.S.  Labor Department's proposed 2001 budget includes
funding for a new Office on Disability Policy, Evaluation and
Technical Assistance.  Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said
the new office will be charged with increasing the employment
rate of people with disabilities.
    Secretary Herman discussed details of the department's
proposed budget for next year during a briefing in Washington. 
She requested $21 million to set up the disability office and
said it would be headed by an assistant secretary.  This new
office will provide leadership in helping people with
disabilities enter, reenter and remain in the workforce, 
Secretary Herman said, "With the recent passage of the Workforce
Incentives Improvement Act and the Workforce Investment Act, the
stage is set to achieve real change in the unemployment rate for
people with disabilities."
     The Labor Department's new disability office would ensure
that people with disabilities get full consideration in all
programs funded or managed by the department, that the laws
enforced by the department or evaluated to remove any barriers
that may exist for people with disabilities, and absorb the
President's Committee on the Employment of People With
Disabilities, which works with employers to develop strategies to
employ persons with disabilities.
     The Work Incentives Improvement Act makes it possible for
millions of people with disabilities to take jobs without losing
their health care.  The Workforce Investment Act establishes a
system of one-stop career centers throughout the country and
funds job training programs.  The disability office also would be
directed to make sure that all services of the one-stop centers
are accessible for people with disabilities.
     Currently only 29 percent of working age people with
disabilities are employed; of those not working, 72 percent want
to work.  The Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults
with Disabilities recommended that the Labor Department Office be
established to improve opportunities for people with
disabilities.
     Task Force Executive Director Becky Ogle said that creating
the office demonstrates the commitment to put people with
disabilities to work.  Secretary Herman chairs the task force.


                          BULLETIN BOARD

                          by Keith Black

     I am totally visually impaired and am attempting to sell a
braille display I used at a former place of employment.
 I developed a severe hand condition and am not able to use it
any longer.  I used it very successfully while employed and found
it more effective than speech synthesis.  The unit was made by
TSI (now put out by Blazie Engineering)--PowerBraille 80, an
80-cell braille display.  It works well with any screen-reader
software programs such as JAWS for Windows.  Included are all
training tapes and disks, as well as cables and the braille
users' guide that came with the unit.  I used it for only seven
months; it is in perfect working condition.  The PB80 was
originally sold to me for $11,000; I am asking only $6,000 which
is less expensive than the 65-cell braille display.  John Russo,
306 Avenida Granada, Apt. A, San Clemente, CA 92672;
949-498-0472.
     "Dot's Right!" is here to help you meet your brailling
needs.  Whether it's a personal document, cookbook, menu, or
other printed material, we do dot's right!  Our prices are
affordable, and we produce the highest quality work for your
money.  Call, write, or e-mail for more information and a free
estimate.  Dot's Right, 1864 North Avenue, #51,
Los Angeles, CA 90042; 323-254-9213; 
E-mail: lconejo@concentric.net  
     From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, December, 1999: Computer 
 help.  A.D.A. Consulting sells four computer tutorials for
print-disabled people.  The first, "Family Fun With Computing,"
is for those who have a family computer without a speech package. 
"Competitive Computing for the Print Disabled" presents six steps
the print-disabled person might consider as a way of using
Windows 95 to be competitive, even in a job.  "Map" can help
readers to master other application programs that are speech-
friendly, such as Notepad, using the computer as a calculator,
playing solitaire, and checking E-mail.  "Tools for Considerable
Independence with Computing" instructs on how to explore and use
the programs on the computer's hard drive, CD-rom, and floppy. 
Buy all four titles for $39.95 or $12.95 separately in print,
large print, Grade 2 braille, IBM-formatted diskette, or two-
track tape.  Contact A.D.A. Consulting, 3220 Woodside Drive #2,
Carson City, NV 89701.  
     From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, January, 2000: Gardening
discussion group.  Blind Gardeners is an E-mail discussion group
for blind and visually-impaired people who are interested in
gardening.  Topics include problems of blind and visually-
impaired gardeners, gardening CD-roms and books, and what to do
with garden produce.  To subscribe, send an E-mail message to
blind-gardeners-subscribe@egroups.com and be sure to leave the
subject line and body of the message blank.  To post messages to
the group after you join, send messages to blind-
gardeners@egroups.com.  
     Restaurant reviews.  Those who value the restaurant dining
suggestions of Elmer Dills should enjoy his restaurant guides for
barbecue, upscale dining or everyday dining hotspots in
California.  Available in braille or on tape, one sells for $3.95
or four for $10.  Contact Ramona Fergusson, P.O. Box 164,
Gardena, CA 90248-0164; 310-515-3434.  
     From The Matildla Ziegler Magazine, February, 2000: More
tutorials.  Criss-Cross Technologies specializes in audio
tutorials for people who use talking computers.  Tutorials
available include:   "Speaking of Windows, 2nd edition," $60;
"Speaking of the Internet, 2nd edition," $75; "Speaking of
Microsoft Word," $75; and "Speaking of Microsoft Excel," $75. 
Also, a yearly subscription to "Listening In" costs $60; a single
issue is $15.  For a free demo tape or a full-length brochure in
print or braille, contact Criss-Cross Technologies, 110-64 Queens
Blvd. #406, Forest Hills, NY 11375; 718-268-6988;
www.crisscrosstech.com or infocrisscrosstech.com.  
     From Dialog Magazine, Winter, 1999: The Travel Magazine is a
quarterly publication available in braille and 2-track cassette. 
This publication brings the world of travel to those unable to
access regular print.  Subscriptions are $32.95 annually.  For a
sample copy, send $1 for cassette or $5 for braille to:  The
Travel Magazine, P.O. Box 24236, Cincinnati, OH 45224.  
     The National Braille Press (www.nbp.org) is compiling a
directory called One-on-One:  A Directory of Adaptive Technology
Trainers.  The idea is to find people and organizations across
the country that can meet the needs of blind computer users for
individualized instruction, either over the phone or in person,
at home or at work.  The success of this project depends on
finding qualified adaptive technology trainers to be listed in
the directory.  If you are willing and able to assist blind
individuals in the use of adaptive technology or know someone who
is, please E-mail Dean Martineau at deamar@eskimo.com.  In your
message include the name, address, phone number, and E-mail
address of the trainer(s) interested in being listed in the
directory.  Each trainer is allotted up to 120 words to outline
his or her qualifications, expertise, years of experience, etc. 
Please describe the specific training offered, including adaptive
technologies in which there is expertise and any fees charged. 
Individuals who wish to volunteer their time are asked to
indicate the conditions under which they will do so.  Those who
are charging for training must also send a check for $20.00 to
National Braille Press.  Write "Computer Training" in the check
memo and send it to Diane Croft's attention at National Braille
Press, 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115 USA.  Please share
this information with others who may be qualified.  For more
information or if you have questions, contact Anna Dresner at
319-247-1411; E-mail: adresner@nbp.org.  

     Are you diabetic?  Do you have trouble finding sugar-free
desserts?  Sue Slater, a native of St. Louis, has come up with a
way.  She created a guide to sugar-free desserts that can be
found at restaurants and bakeries throughout the United States. 
This guide is available on the Internet at
www.sugarfreesites.com.  


                        CAREER CONNECTIONS

                       by Catherine Schmitt

     What are career services professionals doing on college
campuses to accommodate students who are blind or low vision? 
This is a question that is important to college students who are
blind or visually impaired.  The answers may also assist those
who are seeking assistance in searching for a career from other
types of organizations. 
     This article is about some of the low- and high-tech ways 
individuals who are blind and visually impaired are accessing
career and employment-related services.  The examples below came
from career services professionals who shared their experiences
on a listserv titled JOBPLACE.  (Please note that this is a
listserv for professionals in career services, not for job
seekers.)
     The most important consideration is finding out the needs of
the individual who is blind or visually impaired; what type of
information is necessary to answer his/her needs?  The next 
question is where is the information located; hard copy book? the
Internet? verbal contact with individuals in the career field?  
The person seeking help also needs to explain to the career
services professional the way he/she usually accesses
information.  Working together, strategies for acquiring the
material can be implemented.
     Low-tech suggestions for this assistance include revising
handout materials and brochures to text format only (no graphics)
for better scanning capability, utilizing RFB&D's library of
career-related books, conducting informational interviews with
employers in the chosen career field, and using staff member 
assistance as described below.
     An assistant (staff, student or grad) can help by reading
Web sites, grad school information, etc. after the career
counselor and the student who is blind have identified the needed
resources, questions of interest and the limited degree of
accessibility to the printed material.  In one example, the
solution was to type information read by the student assistant on
the individual's own brailler.  Copies of the printed material
for possible future reference were placed in separate file
folders depending on the topic categories--folders which were
differentiated by texture, cut corners and staples.  Folder
labels can also be brailled.  
     Career interest inventories can be taped and answers typed
on a brailler or computer with the answers then printed out and
transcribed onto the inventory's answer sheet.  The Job Search
Handbook for People with Disabilities by Dan Ryan
(http://www.jist.com/j6652.htm) was also recommended.  
     On the high-tech end, many career service organizations are
making computers available for individuals to use as they search. 
One computer should be equipped with speech and a screen enlarger
program.  One school put Zoom Text on a computer, and a college
uses JAWS  screen reader software in conjunction with Internet
Explorer for Internet access.  
     Some of you reading this article may have other strategies
that have worked successfully for you.  The goal here has been to
broaden your awareness and help to create some ideas for you to
try. 
     I encourage you to save this article and share it with the
career services provider to generate ideas on how to provide
greater access to meet your career development needs.


                    SSA ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
                                                                 
     (The following information was received at the ACB national
office in late January and forwarded by Meloanie Brunson,
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American
Council of the Blind.   
     News Release: Social Security Administration Launches
Electronic Newsletter:  Beginning March 1, 2000, the Social
Security Administration will send Social Security news, as it
happens, to individuals and organizations across America who
request it.  SSA's new service, Social Security e-news, is an
electronic newsletter available free to subscribers through the
agency's internet site, Social Security Online.  Subscribers can
sign up for Social Security e-news by providing only their e-mail
address, beginning February 15.
     "Social Security e-news will provide the latest Social
Security information to subscribers the minute it is made
public," said William Halter, Deputy Commissioner of Social
Security.
     Subscribers will have several options.  Just by subscribing
they will receive a monthly newsletter containing general Social
Security news.  In addition, subscribers can also elect to
receive news updates on specific topics, such as disability,
retirement, survivors, SSI issues, Medicare, law and regulations,
wage reporting, data studies and statistics.
     Each story will be hyperlinked to the location on SSA's
website where more information on the subject is available.
     Interested groups, organizations or individuals will be able
to subscribe to Social Security e-news through the link on SSA's
website Social Security Online at www.ssa.gov or they can go
directly to the e-news subscription form at www.ssa.gov/enews.
     Personal note: I haven't tried to subscribe yet, so don't
know if the subscription form is accessible.
   

                       OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE:
                  There Are Problems in Paradise

                         by Melita Waters

     Using a guide dog, to those who use them, is as near to
paradise in traveling as you can get, but a large portion of the
sighted public seems to think we and our dogs are fair game for
abuses of various kinds.  Checking with guide dog users and with
the schools, almost one in three guide dog teams will be
attacked, seriously harassed or experience major interference
while working.  These attacks and harassments are committed by
both human beings and dogs.  The dogs are sometimes strays;
sometimes escaped from a yard and on the lam, and sometimes are
supposedly under the control of their owners.
     The attacks often result in injuries  ranging from a good
scare to the death of the guide and severe injury to the handler. 
Frequently they cause the retirement of the guide.
     California law gives us some, albeit minimal, protection. 
California Penal Code (PC 365.6) makes intentionally interfering
with a guide dog while it is working a misdemeanor, bringing a
fine of at least $1,500 and not less than $2,500, or six months
in jail, or both.  California Penal Code 600.2 states that a
person permitting his/her dog to injure or kill a guide dog while
it is working has committed an infraction and will be required to
make restitution to the handler and pay any veterinary bills and
replacement costs.  California Penal Code 600.5 states that a
person intentionally causing injury or death of a guide dog while
it is working is guilty of a misdemeanor.  The punishment is up
to one year in the county jail or a fine up to $5,000 or both and
restitution for veterinary bills and replacement costs.
     The California Vehicle Code Section 21963 mentions guide
dogs, but only as a method of identifying a blind person.  That
section establishes the right of way of a blind person carrying a
cane or using a guide dog but does not impose penalties for
injury of the guide dog.  This particular code protects the
person, not the animal.
     In all cases, violation of these code sections is a police
and district attorney matter--in other words, a criminal matter. 
Any fines go to the state or county.  However, violation of these
code sections is very good evidence of a wrong having been done
that should be the subject of a civil suit.  Proceeds from the
civil suit go to the person bringing the suit.
     These penalties are inadequate.  With the widespread
incidence of attacks and injury to guide dogs and their handlers,
we feel that intentional attacks, whether they result in injury
or death, should be a felony and should count as one of the three
strikes covered by the "Three Strikes" law.
     Negligent, unintentional attacks by a person or dog or
accidents involving a vehicle should be a serious misdemeanor
with a one year maximum jail sentence and a three month minimum
sentence and a fine of not less than $3,000 plus restitution for
all expenses.
     This is a matter we are going to take to the legislature.  


                         MEMBERSHIP IDEAS

                         by Ardiss Bazyn

     (I wrote this article after talking to many ACB members as a
member of the American Council of the Blind Membership
Committee.)
     Chapters use different ways of inviting new members and
other interested persons to attend meetings.  If your chapter has
not tried some of these methods, perhaps these ideas will work
for your group.
     Publicity helps to promote your group to a wider audience. 
Even if blind persons may not read the newspaper, friends and
family may see items in the local paper.  Most newspapers have
lists of weekly or monthly events, and radio stations will often
allow spot service announcements that give meeting times, places,
dates, and other information.  Some stations have a weekly or
monthly calendar of events, and cable networks often have a
scrolling screen covering coming events.  your chapter could also
use this opportunity to tell the networks that visually impaired
persons must rely on others to get this information and that it
would be really helpful to have these calendars spoken aloud. 
Radio and television  reading services should be contacted to see
if announcements of events are allowed.     
     Chapter or state newsletters should give dates, times, and
places of regular chapter meetings.  Phone trees are useful in
notifying members and other interested persons.  Electronic phone
tree programs are available that allow lists of phone numbers to
be called with specific messages.  These programs also make it
possible for members to respond to specific questions--a helpful
tool when leaders have busy schedules and people are hard to
reach when called.  Most members, however, are attracted to
meetings because of personal contact.  Inviting a friend or new
acquaintance still works best in getting new members.
     Special events sponsored by chapters are a good way to
encourage new persons to come.  The sponsoring group will want to
get publicity, and that needs to be planned well ahead of time. 
Most media outlets need two weeks to a month advance notice of an
event.  Radio news releases or interviews help to get the word
out, and TV interviews or news items generated by calling about a
special event can be effective in smaller communities.  Newspaper
releases are also possible if you plan for them.  Articles
anticipating coming events should, of course, be included in
affiliate and chapter newsletters.  
     Special activities and events that groups have used are: a
potluck with each person bringing food to share along with the
recipe used to prepare it; progressive dinners with each course
at a different home, soup suppers, box socials, Christmas parties
with caroling or games, game nights, sports events with adequate
sighted help, picnics, banquets, and luncheons.
     Sharing hobbies or collections with members is another means
of keeping interest high--crafts, pottery, basket weaving,
artificial flower arranging, knitting, crocheting, painting,
sculpture, wood working, poetry, writing, and collections--of old
radio shows, porcelain dolls, salt and pepper shakers, shot
glasses, etc.
     Showing audio described videos is another favorite
attraction.  A group can rent a described video or have members
who own videos bring them to share.  This has also been an 
activity at some conventions.
     Sharing technology-related information may be a selling
point in encouraging attendance from younger members.  However,
many electronic and computer-related devices are becoming easier
for older blind persons to use also.  Time could be used at some
meetings for sharing items members have used or seen at
conferences they've attended.  Members should share information
about activities connected with their careers, hobbies, and
recreation.  A 10-minute share time at some meetings could help
members know each other better.  When people feel comfortable in
a group, they will remain involved much longer. 
     Notifying schools or other interested persons about special
contests, awards, or scholarships promotes these special
activities, and inviting college students to participate in your
chapter meetings after they apply for a scholarship is a good way
to show interest in younger persons.  Of course, enlisting their
interest before they apply is even better; but sometimes chapters
do not know of the existence of blind students until they seek
scholarships.  
      Contests for younger children can create awareness of your
group in the community.  These can range from coloring and
writing competitions in public school classes to contests
specifically for blind students.  
     Chapter members need to know what resources are available
from your affiliate and national offices to assist them.  Items
could include: ABC's of ACB, national and affiliate brochures,
documents giving policies and procedures and the Constitution and
bylaws, chapter or state newsletters, web sites, and list servs. 
If your group does not currently have a brochure, consider
writing one.  Using just simple flyers will help a lot so you
have information to hand out when you have bake sales and other
fundraising projects.  
     Your local chapters should learn what advocacy services are
available for members.  These could include national and state
organizations or agencies that advocate in different areas.  They
might be different depending on your group.  Some, however, are
beneficial to all blind persons in areas such as housing,
transportation, and health services.
     Transportation is a problem at times in most chapters. 
Contacting area Lions Clubs, AARP chapters, and church groups for
help  works in many areas.  Offering to pay spouses of members
and paying partial cab fares for those not able to afford them
may work.  Planning so that meetings and activities take place on
bus routes is a good practical approach.  Some cities and towns
have van services available for disabled and elderly persons for
a modest fee.
     Support mechanisms in chapters are a way to encourage newly
blinded individuals to attend.  Having periodic social functions
is a more appealing feature for some members than are other
chapter activities.  Another support area is giving local
information to members concerning what AARP, Green Thumb, and
other local service organizations or agencies provide in the way
of readers, drivers, shoppers, and the like.  Meetings could
include a time for sharing known services that members find
helpful.  
     Making a booklet of local services might be helpful to
members, i.e. local restaurants, groceries with delivery service,
handy-man services, house-cleaning referrals, etc.  A booklet
could also be made to include services members provide (volunteer
or own business).  Members could discuss little techniques for
making life easier--labeling materials, strategies for cleaning
up various kinds of spills, gadgets that work well, etc.  
     Contacting doctors, opthalmologists, and hospitals and
leaving cards or brochures for them to pass on to patients get
others interested in your organization.  Some may be reluctant
unless your group makes it clear that persons with all levels of
visual impairment need assistance and support at times.
     Having local list servs or chat rooms available help members
and friends communicate more effectively.  Affiliates that have
web sites can allow chapters to post information for interested
persons to find.  They can also be used to promote any coming
events.
     Awards should be given to those who promote the
organization--like a certificate to the member bringing the most
first-timers or an award or life membership to members who do
extraordinary services for the organization.  Special promotions
of these awards might encourage those not as much involved to
participate more fully.
     Fund-raisers such as Stanley or Tupperware parties may
encourage new persons to come to your group or to bring friends. 
Other companies may give a percentage of the sales to a chapter.  
     There are many ways in which chapter members can build close
associations with the community.  Volunteering to talk to
drivers' education classes in local high schools and community
colleges and talking to special classes for reckless or
frequently ticketed individuals can educate persons as well as
making your community aware of your organization.  Celebrating
Braille Literacy Day and White Cane Safety Day are outreach
mechanisms.  Members can get the mayor, city council, county
commissioners, or governor to sign proclamations and post them in
prominent places.  Sometimes newspapers are willing to publish
news releases or copies of proclamations (especially in smaller
communities).  These occurrences present excellent opportunities
to let more people know about your group.
     Your chapter could write to high schools and colleges about
your organization and inform them that speakers are available as
a resource.  You can offer to be of assistance to blind or
visually impaired students as well as being available to speak to
classes about the capabilities of blind or visually impaired
persons.
     Let's exchange additional ideas on how to increase and
maintain membership in chapters and special interest affiliates!


            INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN

                      by Bonnie L. Sherrell

     (Editor's note: This article was taken from the November-
December issue of Washington Newsline, the quarterly publication
of the Washington Council of the Blind.  The suggestions given
pertain equally to Californians and the CCB.)
     They are, for the most part, very capable individuals--very
thoughtful and articulate.  They come from all walks of
life--professionals and blue-collar workers; rich and poor and
middle class.  They come from all over the world, although most
live in the United States.  Their one interest in common is
children--their own blind children.  They meet regularly on the
Internet, via computer and modem, on the BVI-Parents e-mail list.
     The first reaction to learning their child is blind is shock
and denial; but by the time they get to the list, it has
generally changed to grief and fear for the future.  Will their
children be accepted by others?  Will they be able to attend
school, make friends, look forward to an independent adulthood?  
     Some hear of the list from professionals who work with their
children; most, however, find it only after scouring the World
Wide Web for information on what to expect--because of a link on
a Web site or in a recommendation from someone they have managed
to network with.  On this list they find support from others in
the same situation--from professionals who want to keep in touch
with the needs of the parents of blind children, and from a group
of blind individuals willing to share their own experiences as
children and developing individuals so that the parents can have
an idea of what their children may look forward to as they grow.
     Most of the parents of infants and toddlers are asking about
how to get their children to try food with different tastes and
textures; how to encourage their children to play or to explore
their environment; how to get them to lift their heads
unassisted, or to sit or kneel or crawl or stand or walk.   
Parents of school-age children have concerns about programming
and dealing with teachers, about expectations for their children
and whether or not they should be able to substitute O&M for P.E. 
All of them ask how to deal with us, the professionals who work
with their kids on a daily basis.  
     Does a teacher of the visually impaired (T.V.I.) have the
right to dictate classroom placement of a first-grader on the
basis of how well he did on the Oregon Assessment--a skills
assessment tool designed for use with infants and toddlers?  When
a professional insists that a blind toddler MUST be taught to
crawl or he/she will miss out on an important developmental step,
is the professional accurate or only spouting educational
philosophy?  Should this child with an eye condition likely to
deteriorate start learning braille now, or wait as advised by the
T.V.I. until his or her vision is so negligible that there is no
question about the appropriate medium?  How do we deal with a
professional whose behavior is objectionable and rude?
     All these questions are dealt with each and every day; And
in discussing them, parents make connections and friends.  They
start cheering when some child they have never met gets his first
cane or learns her first braille contraction.  They comfort one
another when it is learned that the surgery done to help control
nystagmus turns out to be less than helpful.  They learn about
music classes offered to blind children in California and
Cincinnati, and family camps to attend during the summer.  They
let one another know which doctors across the nation work best
with various visual problems and which to avoid like the plague. 
And for those from other lands, they offer their understanding,
prayers and emotional support.
     I'm there as one of the professionals, sharing what I have
learned both as a professional and as a parent of special-needs
children; but mostly I am there to learn.  I have had to accept
that no one has all the answers and that I am no exception.  I
have learned that I need to listen to the parents of my
students--that I am there to support them, not they to support
me!  I have also learned to trust my instincts when I deal with
my kids and to work on promoting any and all skills likely to
enhance their eventual independence.  In the end, that is the
desire of all the parents for their children.
     I hope that the Washington Council of the Blind will begin
working more actively to support parents, so that more families
will see us as a viable resource in the life of their children. 
     For those interested in finding out more about this
resource, the Web site for the list is 
http://www.growingstrong.org/bvi/bvimain.html
and it is possible to join the list by sending a blank message
to:
Bvi-Parents-subscribe@onelist.com


                        LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

                           by Dan Kysor
                Director, CCB Governmental Affairs

     This update will consist of a progress report on bills
carried over from last year, including our own tactile sign bill
SB1242.   First, however, I have to tell you that our incredible
push for a separate agency serving the blind has been stalled
this year since we could not get an author willing to sponsor it. 
Though to many this is a depressing and upsetting outcome, I am
personally heartened by the sustained effort of cooperation by
all segments of the blindness community here in California and by
the enthusiastic support shown by blind people around the country
who are watching our efforts.  I am also proud of the Blind
Alliance for Rehabilitation Change, (BARC) and the fact that all
the blind of California have united for the first time in years. 
These are truly exciting times and I am grateful to the CCB for
having me so involved; we will work twice as hard next year to
get a sponsor for our rehab reform legislation.
     As this article is being written, we are following several
bills carried over from last year.  These bills are known as two-
year bills and include SB1242, our legislation calling for
mandatory inspections of tactile signage in all public buildings
and requiring that, before these buildings are opened for
occupancy, they must be certified by the inspectors.  We have
achieved much progress with the building industry and the
inspectors on language that all sides approve.  
     AB609 by Assemblyman Scott Wildman is, as I write, being
amended in the Senate.  This bill requires blind and low vision
children to be assessed concerning instruction in braille and
mandates that publishers provide textbooks in a manner that will
allow them to be produced in accessible formats for students from
kindergarten through 12th grade.  There has been some back and
forth on language which we hope the amendments will resolve.
     AB1795 by John Dutra picks up where last year's AB395 left
off and places in legislation publisher language that is
identical to that in AB609.  
     AB368 by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl is back though hearings
have not resumed as of this writing.  This legislation would
approve optical aids for Medi-cal recipients and persons covered
by HMO's.  Last year the bill stalled because the governor
threatened to veto it; but, responding to outside pressure,
Assemblywoman Kuehl has revived the statute. 
     SB929 by Senator Richard Polanco would have expanded the
scope of practice for optometrists to include many functions
presently restricted to Ophthalmologists.  That language,
however, has been removed from the bill.  We will watch the
measure closely.
     Finally, our resolution 99b-2 regarding telephone reading
systems and establishing a state-wide 800 number may become a
reality, thanks to Tim Ford's efforts.  Mr. Ford is a blind
attorney--the founder of Sacramento Access News and a very active
advocate for the blind.
the California Access News proposal is contained in AB2757--
legislation carried and supported by the California Public
Utilities Commission.  Review CCB's resolution on this subject in
the article "Summary of Fall, 1999, Convention Resolutions."   
     For all updates on CCB legislation, listen to the California
Connection 
1-800-221-6359.     


                    WALKING CUTS DIABETES RISK

                   submitted by Dawn Wilcox RN

     (Editor's note: This article is taken from the September
issue of the news letter of the Silicon Valley Council of the
Blind and is excerpted from Yahoo! News, Reuters Health.) 
     One hour of brisk walking every day can cut a woman's risk
of developing Type 2 diabetes in half, according to a report in
the October 20th issue of The Journal of the American Medical
Associaion.  One hour a day of walking or other moderately
intense physical activity, such as doing housework, can
substantially reduce diabetes risk,, (similar to the reduction in
diabetes risk linked to more vigorous exercise such as running or
jogging) report researchers.  Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-
insulin-dependent diabetes, is strongly associated with obesity. 
Losing weight is usually a first step in treating the disease.  
     "Our findings lend additional support to current guidelines
from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the
National Institute of Health that recommend that Americans should
accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity on most, preferably all, days of the week," writes the
team led by Dr. Frank B. Hu of the Harvard School of Public
Health.  "What is particularly interesting," he said, "is that
risk reduction for moderate intensity activity, such as walking,
is the same as that for more vigorous forms of activity, such as
running or jogging if the energy expenditure is the same." 
     "Walking is a physical activity that is highly accessible,
readily adopted and rarely associated with activity-related
injury," Hu told Reuters Health.  Physical activity can reduce
the risk of Type 2 diabetes through weight reduction and helping
the body use hormone insulin more efficiently. 


                          PETER'S LETTER

     (Editor's note: A great deal of advertising has been done
about a procedure that permits people with contact lenses to have
surgery that makes it no longer necessary for them to wear the
lenses.  Some ophthalmologists are suspicious because they see
young doctors earning a great deal of money by repeatedly
performing the same procedure all day every day.  They also
maintain that the treatment is so new that there is no way of
telling how the eye will behave when the aging process begins. 
This letter was sent by a friend and, though certainly
representing no endorsement from me or CCB, is a fascinating
description of one man's experience.)

     Well, now that it's over; and I avoided getting talked out
of it, I am happy to report that I am seeing solely with my own
eyes for the first time since I was 8 years old!  Yes, I had
LASIK surgery performed on Thursday, the 17th of February, a day
that will live in the annals of Peter history.  After thinking it
through and worrying it through, I had my first consultation in
December and was told that I was a "good candidate," if I could
come up with the money, of course.  . . .  
     In late January, I went back in, popped out the contacts for
the last time, and went to glasses exclusively.  For those of us
who have consistently worn rigid contacts over the years, there
is a minimum waiting period of 2 weeks in order for the eyes to
"settle down."  In that time, one's eyes can change by one or
more diopters, depending on lots of arcane conditions.  
     Well, two excruciating weeks of glasses later, I went back
on Valentine's Day and was told that my eyes had changed only .25
diopters, a miniscule amount.  Basically, I was given the green
light for Thursday, if I was ready.  Lest you worry, they do
about 85 different eye tests to make sure that everything is
ready; and all lights were green.
     So, Thursday afternoon, my wife took me down to the SD Eye
Bank for my date with Mr. Laser.  LASIK is a procedure that
involves two steps.  After taking a Valium (I could have used 2,
quite frankly), I was laid out in a reclining chair flat on my
back.  The head rest folded up to gently hold my head in place
and the eye surgeon taped my eyelids down on my right eye. 
Someone kept dropping fluids in my eye, which made me feel like I
was under water (one of these was an anesthetic.)  Then, the
doctor placed a rigid "ring" device into my eye socket around the
eye and fit a suction thing over this. Then a vacuum was created
that pulled my eyeball up and this little buzz saw swings through
and neatly cuts a flap of corneal tissue from the front of my
eye.  Now, I don't really feel any of this; but the sound is a
bit  unnerving.  Next he takes away the vacuum thing, takes this
little tool and flips open the flap (a little bit remains
attached to the cornea).  All this time, the eye drops continue
to flow so I'm seeing mostly blurry lights.  
     Then the laser is swung over my eye, carefully positioned,
and tacka-tacka-tacka sounds indicate that the laser is burning
tiny holes in my cornea in a computerized pattern to fit my
correction need.  There is a smell like burning hair.  In my
case, since I'm rated at over -8.5 diopters in each eye, plus
astigmatism, I was a good 30 seconds under the gun.  Then, they
shut down the blinking lights, reposition the flap back where it
came from, added some more fluids, remove the ring and the tape,
and that's it.  No stitches--no nothing.   The Doc takes a look,
pronounces satisfaction, and moves to the left eye.  Tape, ring,
suck, buzz, zap, drip, untape, done.  10 minutes to erase 37
years of glasses and contacts!
     Now, you have to realize that the effect is not immediate. 
I could already see better than before, but it feels like I was
wearing poor fitting, under-corrected contact lenses on a windy
day.  I couldn't read, I couldn't see much in the distance, and
                                                            my brain kept trying to figure out how to deal with this.   
     Friday morning was an epiphany.  I could see the clock
across the bedroom; I could see the birds in the trees; I could
read the newspaper; I could see myself in the mirror and shave
without wearing my glasses.  I went in to the doctor's office for
a post-op check and he pronounced himself delighted with my
progress.  I was already 20-25 in my right eye and able to read
small print with my left.  I am still taking drops pretty
routinely and my vision will not be "just right" for 2-3 months
yet.
     One other thing I forgot to mention.  Given that I am in my
mid-40's, I was advised to go with "mono-vision," in which one
eye is corrected for distance viewing (my right) and one eye is
slightly under-corrected for reading purposes.  This also takes
some getting used to, but no worse than anyone dealing with
bi-focals.  The benefit is that I don't need any reading glasses
at all and never should--at least until I am in my mid-60's (then
all bets are off.)  If it turns out that I just can't stand it,
they'll go back in and zap my left eye to be 20/20, too. 
     Would I recommend it?  Absolutely, especially if you are a
100% wearer of glasses or contacts.  There is nothing like the
feeling of seeing unaided and, believe me, my brain still wants
to check that contact lense in my left eye or reach for the
glasses on the night stand the first thing in the morning or
express shock that I can see my toenails in the shower.  Quite a
thrill!  


                         AROUND THE STATE

     Southern California beep baseball teams are now forming. 
Practices are being held in Costa Mesa but may be moved to
accommodate players.  Male and female players over the age of 18
from all over Southern California are welcome.  People with all
levels of visual acuity may participate.  One or more teams may
be formed depending upon the number of participants.  No previous
experience is necessary, and no equipment is needed.  One team
has already been formed and has chosen the name Orange Crush. 
Practices are already being held in the hope that the team will
be ready to participate in a national Tournament this summer. 
Enthusiastic individuals interested in participating in this
challenging and fun sport may obtain more information by
contacting Mike Villegas at 949-487-6935 or 949-496-0615.  

*****          *****           *****          *****
     The California chapter of the Library Users of America and
of the Braille Revival League will hold their joint meeting at
the spring convention of the California Council of the Blind at
the Arden West Hilton Hotel in Sacramento.  The programs will
begin at 9:00 a.m. on May 19 with BRL's business meeting and a
speaker from Compubraille, a braille transcribing service, at 10. 
LUA takes over at 11 with a book reviewer from The Sacramento
Bee.  Donine Hedrick from the state library in Sacramento will be 
present at the LUA luncheon to bring us up to date about the
library and to answer your questions.  Remember to bring the name
of a favorite book you have read recently.  We'll do our best to
record the recommendations of as many luncheon guests as time
permits. 


                             CCB OFFICERS

President:  Catherine Skivers, 836 Resota Street, Hayward, CA 94545

First Vice President: Charles Nabarrete, 10202 W. Washington, Culver
City, CA 90232 

Second Vice President: Jeff Thom, 7414 Mooncrest Drive, Sacramento, CA
95831 

Secretary:  Kenneth Frasse, 141 Del Medio Ave., Apt. 223, Mountain
View, CA 94040

Treasurer:  David Parker, 1600 Florida Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 

                        CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Dr. Martin Jones, San Francisco
Jane Kardas, Ukiah 
Rhonda King, Citrus Heights  
Patricia LaFrance, Temple City
Peter Pardini, Mill Valley
Roger Petersen, Mountain View
Mitch Pomerantz, Los Angeles 
Ahmad Rahman, Carson
Eugene Lozano, Sacramento  

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

                      CCB PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Joan Black, Chair: 4925 Coke Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712; 
   562-630-2304

Bernice Kandarian, Vice Chair:     2211 Latham St. #120
   , Mountain                   View, CA 94040; 650-969-1688

Etta Burge: 4600 Village Road, Longbeach, CA 90808; 562-425-6195

Winifred Downing: 1587 38th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122; 
                         
415-564-5798

Brian Hall: 5722 Abraham Ave., Westminster, CA 92683; 714-894-3497 

Maria Lopez: 3925 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90023; 213-268-4526

Daveed Mandell: 1921 Francisco, #7A, Berkeley, CA 94709-2105; 
510-665-9260

Catherine Schmitt: 1356 B South, Diamond Bar Boulevard, Diamond Bar, CA
91765 909-861-2931

Connie Skeen: 3250 Maple Ave., Oakland, CA 94602; 510-532-7687

