

                         THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN



                      Quarterly Magazine of the 

                    CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND



Fall, 2000, Volume 44, No. 4



      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 wmdowning@mindspring.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

TECHTALK: SOUNDS LIKE THE FUTURE, 
     by DaN Kysor  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

WHO? ME? by Kevin Collin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

THE WORK OF THE BLIND ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE 
     DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION, by Charles Nabarrete  . . . .7

THE GOLDEN YEARS OF VOC REHAB: ANOTHER
     PERSPECTIVE, by Teddie Remhild  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

PRESIDENT'S REPORT, ACB CONVENTION 
     2000, by Catherine Skivers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SUMMARY OF THE YEAR 2000 ACB CONVENTION
     RESOLUTIONS, by Jeff Thom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

LESSONS FROM GEESE, submitted by Jewel McGinnis. . . . . . . . 15

THE UNIFIED BRAILLE CODE IN THE YEAR 2000, 
     by Winifred Downing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

THE WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE, submitted by 
     sue ammeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS, by Larry Seiber . . . . . . . 23

BULLETIN BOARD, by Keith Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

A REMINDER FROM THE PRESIDENT, by Catherine Skivers  . . . . . 26

OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE: HELPING YOUR DOG SURVIVE
     A CONVENTION, by Melita Waters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

A SPAT? WHAT'S THAT? by Coletta Davis. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

CCB SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, 2000-01  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY ON THE FARM, submitted by 

     Connie Skeen  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

THE EARLE BAUM CENTER OF THE BLIND, by Allan Brenner . . . . . 34

SKI FOR LIGHT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

FALL 2000 LEGISLATIVE REPORT, by Dan Kysor . . . . . . . . . . 37


CCB OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

CCB 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

                                   The first thing to report to
you is that my e-mail address has been changed.  It will be:
wmdowning@mindspring.com
My former provider could not accommodate my need for DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line), so this new approach is necessary.  Please note
the m in my name, for wdowning was already listed in mindspring,
and so this  distinction is required.  I should be able to
receive e-mail much more promptly and deal with the Web more
efficiently.  I should also be able to get ACB radio and any
other material involved with streaming without the unavoidable
long delays. 
     "Bulletin Board" this time has many announcements and
several explanations, along with the usual compilation of
attractive items sold through various catalog houses and
assembled from magazines through the careful work of Keith Black. 
The announcements and explanations referred to would each have
required a separate article and contents listing, so I combined
them in a real bulletin board with all the diversity that term
implies.  From the last issue and this one, I have enough
articles left over to fill another half of a BC so you see why I
am economizing on space.
     When I began editing the BC in 1995, most people sent their
material in WordPerfect and with the DOS operating system.  Since
then, though, everything has changed, and even my 1995 purchases
to join the modern world have become outdated so that most of the
documents submitted in Microsoft Word for this issue of the
magazine I could not read.  Were it not for Roger Petersen with
his amazing knowledge and inexhaustible patience, we might not
have a Fall BC at all.  I am purchasing the Word upgrade that
will bring me to the year 2000 and buying the National Braille
Press reference cards to help me advance.  
     There are, however, a number of things that you who send me
articles and announcements can do that will markedly simplify my
task.  Please, first of all, never send anything without a name,
return address, and telephone number in a note separate from the
disk or e-mail attachment or expressed in an advance phone call. 
This time I received two items with no identifying information
whatsoever.  In one case, I couldn't read the disk but also had
no idea, then, whom I should call to ask how that person had sent
it.  After Roger's ministrations, I did read the disk and learn
who had mailed it; but should Roger have been ill or out of town,
I'd have had no way of addressing this problem.  
     Please, too, send documents by saving them in the Text Only
choice in "Files of Type."  That goes for material sent on a disk
or submitted as an attachment to an e-mail message.  In an
ordinary e-mail message which you intend that I should use in an
article, please find in your Tools/Options menu the choice that
permit you to uncheck Style, Font, and similar designations. 
Otherwise, when I download the message, the printer codes are
intermingled with the text, producing completely unreadable
material. 
     I have one practical hint that has nothing to do with
technology or the BC but which has saved me so much annoyance
that I want to share it.  It pertains to unpacking cartons with
hundreds of those little plastic pellets that one crunches
underfoot for days and finds under furniture or back in corners
for weeks or months.  Put the carton in your bathtub before you
open it.  (A shower stall will do,too, if you do not have a tub.) 
All the escaping pellets are confined and can be easily gathered
up and discarded later.  
     The deadline for the winter issue of The Blind Californian
is December 1.  Since that time of  year is extremely busy, the
earlier you can prepare and send your material, the better both
for you and for me.  


                       PRESIDENT'S CORNER

                      by Catherine Skivers

     Summer has come and gone, and it is hard to believe that we
are well into planning for our fall convention.  It will be held
Nov 2-5 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at the Los Angeles Airport,
5985 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-5463; 310-642-7500
or, for reservations only, 800-227-6963.  It is important that
you make your reservations as early as possible.  We reserve a
block of rooms; and if we do not use them all, it is better to
release some of them to the hotel, or we will be required to pay
for them.   We will try to have the announcements out early to
give details about the programming.  
     June was not a good month for CCB, for we lost several
members.  On June 2nd Sid Urena died after a long and difficult
illness.  He will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him. 
He was devoted to CCB and to the work he did for us.  Sid was a
fighter, and blind Californians have benefited from the many laws
he helped to put forward.  He was a close personal friend; and in
this household, we feel his loss a great deal.  
     Later in June, Lila Schafer died suddenly.  She had visited
with me on my birthday in May and was planning a trip to
Wisconsin for a family reunion in July.  Her loss was quite a
shock to my family and me.  Lila established a center for the
handicapped in Willets, CA about 20 years ago, and her leadership
made it possible for it to continue.  
     Then, just before I left for the ACB Convention, I learned
that Leonie Jenkins had died the evening of June 30th.  When I
first came to California, Allen and Lee Jenkins took me into
their home for a time; and Allen helped me find my first job. 
Needless to say, this was another sad time for me.  
     David Parker was appointed to be Treasurer by John Lopez in
1993; and since that time, he has worked hard for the Council. 
Recently he acquired a vending location at the Vacaville prison,
making it necessary for him and his wife Chris to put in long
hours seven days a week.  He notified me in June, therefore, that
he could no longer be treasurer.  The Board of Directors accepted
his resignation;  and, in accordance with our constitution, I
appointed a new treasurer, Peter Pardini of Mill Valley, CA.  An
accountant by profession, Peter has been helping us with the
treasury for some time and is already doing a great job.   He is
among those who have been nominated for election in the fall, so
there will be a slight change in our election this year.  Al
Biegler finished out Teddie Remhild's term on the Board of
Directors and should be up for election this year.  His name was
inadvertently omitted from the list handed to our nominating
chair person, an error for which I apologize.  Those to be
nominated as Directors in the fall, therefore,  will be Al
Biegler, Rhonda King, Barbara Rhodes, Ardis Bazyn and Ahmad
Rahman.  As always, nominations can also be made from the floor. 
Officers up for election this year are President, First Vice
President and Secretary.  Those nominated at the Nominations
Committee meeting in the spring were Catherine Skivers, Jeff Thom
and Kenneth Frasse, respectively. 
     In May, Jim Willows, President of NFBC; Jane Vogel, Chair of
Joint Action Committee and I had three teleconferences with Henry
Der, Deputy Director in the California Department of Education
(CDE).  The topic of discussion was the need for a Consultant for
the Blind and Visually Impaired,.  The blindness community had
been the second group to have enjoyed the appointment of a state
consultant in this capacity, and that appointment had continued
for 40 years; but now, suddenly, the position no longer exists.  
     A consultant position has been created with 50% of that
person's time to be spent working with the blind and visually
impaired and the other 50% with the orthopedically disabled. 
Believing that this arrangement is not satisfactory, we met with
a deputy of the State Secretary of Education who referred us to
the Department of Education.  I have written a letter to Delaine
Eastin asking her to put an item in her budget for 2001 for the
position of a full-time consultant to work with blind and
visually impaired students.  If this approach is not successful,
CCB will find a legislator to request budget funding for us or to
introduce a bill to establish the position.  The members of CCB
want every disability group to have its needs met.  It is
interesting, though,  that there is a separate department and two
consultants to serve the deaf while blind persons have none at
all.  
     A couple of bright spots in my life came about when I
visited the Antelope Valley Chapter on July 15th and the High
Desert Chapter on Aug 1st.  It is amazing to me that the members
are as energetic and resourceful as they are though living in the
desert where it is very hot.  Ben Renshaw is president of the
Antelope Valley Chapter, which meets in Lancaster.  59 people
were present when I visited, and the officers were considering a
larger place to accommodate the expected growth in membership. 
After each meeting, there is a potluck luncheon; and I certainly
enjoyed the one I attended.  
     The High Desert Chapter had invited Michael Decker, Director
of Aging and Adult Services in San Bernardino County to attend
its meeting.  He has asked me to speak to his staff and, as it
turns out, he has also invited the leaders of the Adult Services
in his county to attend.  I am told that some 300 people will be
on hand, and I am certainly looking forward to talking to them on
September 18.  They  will hear about CCB--what we do and how
their various services can be of help to us.  You will be hearing
more about that occasion in my fall convention report. 
     The HIV/AIDS Consortium has been given another 3-year grant. 
The state likes what we have been doing, and we are all proud of
the impact CCB members have made with this project.   Dorothy
Vallerga, who was the trainer for region 2 in the Bay Area, has
found it necessary to resign.  She made quite a name for herself
and for CCB in the Bay Area community and among those concerned
with AIDS.  Vickie Bishop has consented to take over the trainer
position in Alameda County where We are looking forward to
working with her.  We all wish her well. 
     Ahmad Rahman has been the coordinator in the project for
some time but has resigned from that position to take on some
other responsibilities.  Coletta Davis will be coordinator in
Ahmad's place; she has been doing an outstanding job in Orange
County as well as acting as chair of Region 4 in San Diego.    
     On Aug. 5, Ed Branch, Administrative Assistant for CCB,
accompanied Dr. Martin Jones and me to an Honor Day for
Toscanalli (Tony) Thomas.  This event was sponsored by the
Association for Multi-Cultural Concerns (AMC), which Tony
started.  Tony was honored for his dedicated service to the blind
in his community.  Many of his family members were on hand; had I
known that he had such a big family, I would have asked Rhonda
King, our Membership Committee chair, to go with us to sign
everyone up!  Many certificates and proclamations were presented
to Tony along with a beautiful plaque from AMC.  The Council
bought Tony a house.  It is ceramic and has some beautiful silk
flowers in it.  We were happy to share with Tony this wonderful
day.  An outstanding aspect of CCB is our willingness to
recognize our members and to show how much we care about each
other.
     My thanks to Pat and Perry Wolf and to Rhonda King for
traveling to Bakersfield to help the chapter that has been formed
there.  We hope that we will be able to present the chapter
charter at our November convention.  I am also anticipating
establishing a chapter in Fresno by next spring.  I intend to
spend time with several more chapters this year. 
     Eugene Lozano, Dan Kysor and Melita Waters attended a Public
Right of Way Access Advisory Committee meeting in San Francisco
August 16-18.  Julie Carroll, Melanie Brunson and Charles
Crawford were also in attendance at this meeting.  Dan felt that
things went well; and I am looking forward to hearing more about
it, as all of us will at the fall convention. 
     Of course there will be a lot more meetings, one of them I
am really looking forward to is my first time as being a member
of the Rehabilitation Blind Advisory Committee.  There are also
more meetings planned for the Consortium, and we are hard at work
putting together our convention program.  Let's get together in
Los Angeles in November.


                TECHTALK: SOUNDS LIKE THE FUTURE

                          by Dan Kysor 

     Remember, when you were much younger, sitting in the old
Chevy spinning the dial on the super powerful Philco car radio
getting all those far-away stations?  I will admit to doing this
very thing many times.  Today the clear channel station is a
figment of yesteryear; and today's car radios don't have the same
powerful receivers; besides, who wants to listen to the same five
or six formats throughout the country, right?
     Personally, I grew tired of DXing the bands (searching for
stations) as they became more and more homogenized so back in the
early 80's, I became an amateur radio operator, N6IKC, and was
fortunate to obtain my General Class License.  It was wonderful
to be able to chat with people from all over the world.  I became
proficient in Morse Code as well as the Ham lingo for voice
communication.
     Then one day, Al Gore or someone invented this new medium
known as the Internet.  I rebelled against it in the beginning,
but the tide was growing; and pretty soon one had no choice but
to get involved with it.
     Then I discovered that you could actually get radio and Ham
stations on the Internet, totally peaking my curiosity; and I
began hunting for these radio sites.  I was, however, quite
disappointed in the audio quality.  I thought that, if I produced
my own show on the Internet, I might spur others to do the same. 
     In 1997, I produced a program for the blind and advocated
for a full-time radio station devoted to issues of interest to
the blind.  In 1999, ACB Radio was launched, and it has been a
huge success.  As this issue goes to press, ACB radio goes
interactive.  
     The audio quality on the Internet has dramatically improved. 
There are mainly three types of audio streams available: Real
Audio, Winamp MP3 and Windows media.  They all run in the
background on your computer; and yes, you can have all three on
your machine depending on what stream you have chosen to hear.  
     In my opinion, Windows media streaming sounds best, followed
by the Winamp MP3 and finally, Real Audio.  The basic
requirements for these programs are a 486 Pentium computer, a
sound card and two speakers.  
     One of the best ways to find stations and audio sources on
the net is to subscribe to the pc-audio e-mail listserv.  To
subscribe, send e-mail to: pc-audio-subscribe@egroups.com.

Happy surfing! 


                            WHO? ME?

                       by Kevin J. Collin

     It was a particularly warm day in June when three blind men
made their way down the pier extending into San Diego Bay.  When
they reached the end of the pier, they were greeted by the
skipper of a small launch.  Skipper McKinney warned the three men
to watch their step boarding the launch.  David stepped onto the
deck first, Chuck followed close behind, and I brought up the
rear, stumbling a little.  
     David shouted, "Kevin, don't drop Mike!"  I grasped the
small silver urn more tightly than ever, holding it with both
hands as the skipper grabbed my arm firmly and I landed safely on
the deck.  Pushing off from the pier, the skipper announced that
he was heading for the one-mile limit outside the bay which was
to be our dear friend's final place of rest.
     As the craft glided over the calm water, my mind drifted
back to a more carefree time when all four of us enjoyed life and
good health.  I had never thought my life or my friends' lives
would be touched by HIV/AIDS.  I considered myself to be an
average person who just happened to be blind with my mobility
achieved by using a guide dog and the reward from my study to be 
a counselor gained by helping others.  In my twenties I had been
convinced that living a party lifestyle wouldn't impact my future
in any drastic way; I was living alone, dabbling in sex, alcohol
and marijuana.  All the warnings about HIV/AIDS couldn't apply to
me or to my blind or sighted friends!  
     Most of us trusted our sighted friends.  We maintained our
social independence and benefitted from any assistance they gave
us.  To foster their role as protectors, they never told us about
at-risk behaviors or unscrupulous partners.  Friends certainly
wouldn't lie to a blind person!  Quickly, I discovered that it
was dead wrong to believe that anyone could be safe from HIV-
AIDS; that was a myth with no foundation.  Everyone should be
regularly tested for HIV.
     Once I decided to be tested, my nightmares began.  My first
encounter with the process was at the County Health Department. 
When I arrived, I realized that it was impossible to find the
right office anonymously, for I didn't want anyone there to know
that I indulged in substances or sex.  It has been proven that
substance abuse and unprotected sex dramatically increase the
risk of HIV infection.  I surmised that anyone I asked about
being  HIV tested would automatically assume that I was a
substance abuser and promiscuous.  Standing helpless and
frightened in the lobby, I observed many people walking past me
and looking furtively at the office index to find their chosen
destination.  My anonymity was lost when I had to ask aloud for
the assistance I needed in getting directions.  After the
humiliation of being HIV tested, I received from the health
worker an assigned number; but in the spirit of  confidentiality,
he did not disclose it to me.  I was told to come back in two
weeks for the results and was admonished not to lose the slip of
paper with my number since persons tested are listed by numbers
not names.
     Returning in two weeks, I had to face the horror of
discovering that I was HIV positive.  The counselor gave me a
printed list of services that could help medically and socially
with this frightening disease.  Once more I was met with a visual
barrier in dealing with my new problem--that list in print!  By
the whole world, people with HIV are viewed as either gay or drug
addicts; this judgment, whether true or false, identified me as
an immoral person.  Whom could I ask?  Could I expect my friends
or parents to read this service list to me? 
     Feeling alone and isolated, I made random phone calls before
I reached an agency that offered information about being HIV
positive.  When I arrived at that health center, my emotions and
anxiety were at a heightened level.  The receptionist was polite
as she welcomed me into the lobby.  After I hesitantly explained
why I was there, she said, "We are not equipped to help blind
people.  Can't you go to a blind service for help?"  If I didn't
feel rejected before, I certainly did then.  Most blind people
know that blind service agencies are involved only with
rehabilitation regarding blindness :mobility, daily living
skills, training in communication.  There are few personal
counseling services.  
     Over the years, I've experienced this dilemma: the disabled
person becomes the educator rather than the client.  Before I
received intervention services, I had to be oriented to the staff
and building layout.  This agency claimed to give assistance
within thirty days of intake; my processing took approximately
eight months!  
     My next ordeal with the medical community took a few more
months.  By the time I was totally supported socially and
medically, I had developed an opportunistic disorder.  Because of
delayed treatments, I now had progressed from HIV to AIDS. 
Usually early intervention postpones AIDS diagnosis for many
years.
     When my doctor scolded me for postponing medical assistance,
I recounted my experiences with the HIV service community and the
lack of knowledge regarding the disabled.  He protested, "they
are not to blame.  It is your reckless behavior that gave you
this disease!"
     It was soon after this devastating visit that I met Mike;
and fortunately, he introduced me to Chuck and David.  Having the
same illness and disability, we formed a unique bond. 
Immediately we knew and understood each other's fears and
loneliness.  Mike was our great motivator, even though he
couldn't totally abstain from dangerous substances and
unprotected sex.
     Now, as we scattered his ashes, we dedicated ourselves to
doing what Mike could not.  His death has become our motivation. 
my abiding message is that all should be HIV tested.  No group or
population is exempt from this dreadful disease.

 
            THE WORK OF THE BLIND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
               OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION

                      by Charles Nabarrete

     During the past six years, I have had the opportunity to
represent the California Council of the Blind (CCB) on the Blind
Advisory Committee of the Department of Rehabilitation (BAC). 
When I first became a member of BAC, I had a lot of catching up
to do about the workings of the Department of Rehabilitation (DR)
because I had not been a client since 1971.  In early 1998, I was
elected as the first chair of BAC, a position previously held by
Manuel Urena, the Program Manager.  
     During the latter half of the 1990's and continuing to the
present, one of the constant issues facing the BAC has been the
Order of Selection (OOS) procedure.  DR was required to enter
into OOS because the Department did not have the funds to serve
all the disabled persons who applied for services and had,
therefore, to adopt a system which would identify the applicants
with the most severe disability from a functional limitation
standpoint so that they would be served before persons with less
severe disabilities.  After studying the initial OOS proposals,
BAC observed that the suggested regulations favored those
disabled persons with cognitive problems, were too time consuming
to administer, and effectively removed from consideration persons
who were blind or visually impaired.  
     During the past several years, DR has struggled with the
problems that the different OOS plans have caused, such as
excessive expenditure of counselor time in rating applicants
under the OOS systems, the tendency of counselors to rate
applicants so that the potential client could earn a high enough
score to qualify for services (the "scoring creep" problem), and
spending large portions of training time ineffectually.  About a
year ago, the Rehabilitation Services Administration realized
that  DR's OOS plan took too much time to administer, was
weighted too heavily in favor of persons with cognitive
disabilities, and was the most complicated OOS system in the
nation.  DR has made proposed changes which include designation
of those applicants who are receiving Social Security benefits
(SSI or SSDI) as being most severely disabled and entitled to
rehabilitation services and simplifying the OOS evaluation
process.  
     BAC will continue to monitor these developments and make
recommendations to improve the OOS system.  The committee had,
for a long time,  been concerned about low placement of clients
in good paying jobs.  As many of you have become aware, DR has
one of the lowest placement rates in the country for clients in
competitive employment.  BAC has requested that DR staff explain
why this problem persists and has recommended that DR establish
in each ditrict a Job Developer who will work in the community to
identify and develop employment opportunities for blind and
visually impaired clients.  Another recommendation is that DR use
counselors who have good placement records to mentor other
counselors.
     BAC has also been concerned that DR aggressively protect the
Business Enterprise Program (BEP) so that a blind vendor will be
provided with a location affording an adequate income. 
     BAC has met regularly with BEP administrators and carefully
reviewed the Bureau of State Audits audit of the BEP program.  In
part because of BAC's insistence, DR has expanded its efforts to
collect revenues from vending machines located on state property,
funds to be used for vendor retirement programs as well as other
areas benefiting them.  In addition, BEP has made significant
efforts to establish new locations for vendors, including rest
stop and correctional institution locations.  
     In preparation for the appointment of a new DR director by
the Governor, BAC prepared three position papers to address the
significant issues facing the blind and visually impaired
community regarding the services provided by DR.  These position
papers emphasized the continued need for specialized services for
the blind, and the importance of placement of blind and visually
impaired clients in well-paying jobs, of strengthening and
expanding the BEP, and of protecting and advancing the
Orientation Center for the Blind programs.  Jim Willows, Al Gil
and I presented these position papers to the new director, Dr.
Campisi, on February 1, 2000.  We had an opportunity to discuss 
these issues with her in depth in a really constructive meeting. 
     The BAC looks forward to tackling the new issues and
problems in the delivery of DR services to the blind and visually
impaired which may occur in the future.



       THE GOLDEN YEARS OF VOC REHAB: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

                        by Teddie Remhild

     I have been a client of the Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation off and on over the last 25 years.  My initial
experience as a client took place during the so-called "golden"
years, described by retired counselor Keith Black in an earlier
issue of The Blind Californian. 
     My first experience as a client during those "golden years"
resulted in a successful closure for the counselor and a dead-end
job for me.  At that time, I was offered the choices of training
for the BEP or as a medical transcriber. I spent 9 years as a
medical transcriber with no opportunity for advancement or
growth.  I was told by many friends and professionals in the
blindness community that I was really lucky to have a job.
     I believed that myself and tried very hard to be a good
blind employee.  The reality was that, despite the fact that I
was female and legally blind, I was not cut out to be an assembly
line typist.  Not unlike the mainstream community, I had other
yearnings, other skills, and added vocational potential.
     I believe that I was stereotyped as a woman--as a blind
woman-- and that the rehabilitation counselors were more
interested in accumulating "26's'" than in their clients'
vocational satisfaction.
     After leaving that assembly-line job, I pursued my own
vocational destiny with minimal support and encouragement from
the department.  In those intervening years, I earned my degree
in gerontology and have found many good positions through my own
efforts and determination.
     I believe, therefore, that the "golden years of rehab" Are
yet to be realized.  The current regulations do not encourage
choice and individual control over one's plan for employment. 
Granted, it is always more difficult to blaze one's own trail,
but the thought of living someone else's perception of me would
have been far more debilitating.


             PRESIDENT'S REPORT, ACB CONVENTION 2000

                      by Catherine Skivers

     1,401 people registered for the ACB convention in Louisville, KY, held from July 2-9
at the Galt House Hotel, though the actual number of those who attended was much higher. 
We aren't sure even of the number of Californians present since some of them chose to sit
with special interest affiliate groups rather than with the state delegation, but we can all be
proud of the involvement of Californians in the ACB.   We really make a difference!  
      Regrettably, the vendor that brailled the ACB convention program sent 450 copies
instead of the 600 that had been ordered, and I was one of the many who could not obtain a
copy.  Nevertheless, I shall discuss the convention as well as I can.  Jeff Thom, our alternate
delegate, and I were on hand at every general session. 
     Those of you who have heard President Paul Edwards speak know that he does a
great job.  Because his presentation will appear in the Braille Forum,   I shall not go into
detail here; but I urge you to read it because, as always, his address was beautifully done,
proving what it means to be a member of ACB.  
     Following the president on Sunday evening was the keynote speaker, Dr.  Fred
Schroeder, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).  A resolution was 
passed at last year 's convention asking his boss to see to it that Dr.  Schroeder attend both
the NFB and ACB conventions.  In his address, "Today and Tomorrow--a Perspective", he
defended RSA's proposal that counselors would no longer be permitted to claim a successful
closure for any client placed in a workshop employing mainly disabled persons.  That action
would have the consequence of denying that client any rehabilitation services--O&M training
to get to and from work, braille instruction for diminishing sight, etc.  ACB disagrees with
this proposal believing that an individual should have a right to work where he chooses,
particularly since most sheltered shop jobs are now paying minimum wage or above.  This
topic was discussed frequently throughout the convention.  
     The presentation of awards is a much anticipated feature of the Sunday evening
convention session.  Kim Charlson, chair of the Board of Publications, presented the Ned E.
Freeman Award to Ken Stewart for his review of the book The Planet of the Blind. She also
gave a Special Achievement Award to Hollis Liggett for work he had done from 1959-61
with the Braille Free Press, an important publication in the development of the American
Council of the Blind.  Two additional awards were presented: the George Card Award to
Bud Keith and the Durward P. McDaniel Ambassador Award to Leonard de Boff.
     On a strictly personal note, on the day following the awards ceremony, I had lunch
with Hollis and his wife who had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  We were
joined by Jim McGivern, who is writing the history of ACB,and we had a good time talking
about the old days and the formation of ACB.  
     Monday's presentations were various.  We heard from a representative of the sixteen
Lions Clubs functioning in Louisville.  They are very active and help the blind and visually
impaired residents of the area in many ways.  
     Oral Miller, former Executive Director of ACB, has been working hard on making
recreation programs available to blind and visually impaired individuals.  At the convention
this year, through the Recreation Zone, he organized scheduled sessions for those who
sought mild aerobic exercise, a chance to throw darts, a game of goal ball, or the
opportunity to play chess or go swimming.  To prove the value of disabled individuals in
sports, he introduced Trischa Zorn who has won 41 gold medals, 5 silver, 4 bronze and 4
world competitions. She will compete in Australia.  Trischa is also a teacher.    
     Ann Northrup, a Congresswoman who has a fine working relationship with the
Kentucky Council of the Blind, talked about her work on behalf of consumers.  She stressed
the importance of knowing how to connect people who have needs to those who understand
those needs to enable disadvantaged persons to have a full life.  
     Ralph Bartley, Superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Blind, emphasized
"Partnerships Created for the Education of Blind Children.  His extensive background,
through having worked in four schools for the blind, equips him to be the consultant for 176
districts, for responding to the demand for braille and large print materials, and for assuming
the full range of responsibilities for the education of some 1500 students from birth to 21
years of age.  He believes that technology is vital to the education of students and that they
must be held to high academic expectation.  The Kentucky schools have an impressive
success rate of transition from school to work for its students.Lori Kay of the descriptive
video station WGBH in Boston spoke about the challenges of this new field of endeavor. 
The station has been successful in acquiring two grants to continue programming for children
and adults.  WGBH will soon be opening on the west coast to be known as DVS West.  At
the convention, Turner Classics sponsored the audio-described movie "Meet Me In St.
Louis," for the evening enjoyment of attendees.  
     Tuck Tinsley, President of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) since
1989, told us that APH has 325 employees.  Founded in 1858, the organization now operates
a major manufacturing center in the preparation of more than 300  products.  Another APH
employee, Carol Stuart, the director of the talking book studio, described her work and gave
a delightful reading.  Neither of these individuals, though, discussed the problem that has
developed between the talking book narrators and APH management concerning salaries and
other issues--a problem brought to the attention of ACB convention attendees in private
discussions, an evening reception, and finally an appearance of several of the narrators on
the Thursday's convention program.  Since they have been working without a contract for
two years, it is apparent that some solution to the problem must be found or the reading of
our talking books will be adversely affected.
     Tuesday's offerings began with Jim Gibbons, Executive Director, National Industries
for the Blind (NIB), who explained that the General Service Administration (GSA) had been
trying to shut down the system which has allowed sheltered shops to sell a number of
products to the government.  NIB had had a monopoly for fifty years, but now the market is
competitive.  His organization, however, is meeting marketing demands because of the high
quality products being sold and the fine employees who are producing them, causing NIB to
reach almost $1 million in sales.  
     Bob Johnson, President, Opportunities for the Blind, Leonardtown, MD, described
the service that organization offers to encourage independence for blind persons.  Grants are
awarded in February, May, and August of each year to individuals who show the potential
for being able direct and operate a small business.  The first grant was given to a 12-year-old
who is a mathematics specialist.  Not restricted or encumbered by many rules, as are
government agencies, the organization can respond to situations quickly.  When this year's
grants have been awarded, Opportunities  for the Blind will have given out $1 million in
assistance to persons starting out in small businesses. 
     John Buckley, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, presented scholarships to 19
students.  The winner of the Brad Burson Award was a Californian, Jeremy Johansen, who is
studying mechanical engineering.  Peter Ince, another Californian, also received an award;
he could not, however, be present because he is studying in Japan this year.   
     Frank Kurt Cylke, Director, National Library Services, spoke of the huge size of that
service.  It presently has 730,000 tape players, 23 million books, and adds 2,000 more books
each year.  13 developmental steps will be necessary before digital talking books can be a
reality; and the life cycle study done by the library reveals 98 points that must be taken into
consideration.  Cylke believes that manufacturers should be ready to  begin their work by
2003.  
     On Wednesday, Brian Charlson conducted a panel on accessibility and things that are
covered in section 508 of the  Rehabilitation Act. There must be specific data available
before a product can be said to be accessible.  
     Mike Duke of Mississippi spoke of the importance of membership in the International
Association of Audio Information Services which has provided dial-up news, radio reading,
audio information, and internet/telephone services.    
     The availability of ATMs was the topic that Kim Charlson addressed.  It is hoped that
by year's end, ATMs will be provided by the state of Massachusetts Fleet Bank, which is the
eighth largest bank in the U.S.  Protection and Advocacy has assisted in achieving a
satisfactory settlement of this issue.  Kim pointed out that individuals should file a complaint
when denied access in this and other areas.  
     We heard from Debbie Grubb substituting for Julie Carroll in discussing
environmental access.  Funding sources are still being sought for production of the
Pedestrian Safety Handbook.  
     Richard Long and David Guth from the Michigan Rehabilitation Department discussed
round-abouts and research on how they can be safely used by blind and visually impaired
persons.  A $4 million grant has been awarded to study this problem.  Round-abouts work
well for traffic  but pose dangers for blind and visually impaired travellers whose safety is
affected by rain, the geography of the area, sounds, and the like.  Signalizing must be done,
and federal traffic controls do not include any signals we can use.  There are no guidelines
dealing with pedestrian signals.  
     Jonathan Mosen from New Zealand spoke on Thursday morning about the Association
for the Blind founded there in 1945.  Accessible signals for crossing streets are the norm in
that country.Mosen also talked about ACB radio which is being heard in 43 countries; ACB
is the only organization in the world to have such a program.  He is always interested in
programming ideas and gave particular recognition to Dan Kysor for his work in this area.  
     The rest of that morning was taken up with three break-out sessions: Transportation,
Life-long Learning, and Arts and Leisure.  The one I attended concerned transportation and
dealt with calling stops, an issue that is still a problem in many places despite training for
drivers.   Developing technology to call stops automatically was discussed.  Funding for
transportation is critical.  Public transportation is funded by the gas tax, and we were urged
to ask the legislature not to repeal this tax.  We are an automobile-dependent society, and we
must have continuing efforts to address our problems.  The Ohio paratransit system, in
existence since 1979, was explained to us; and the speaker emphasized that the blind have a
right to this service.  Persons from one area must learn from those in another, and
participation in advisory groups and on committees is essential.  Those in attendance must
take information back to their organizations and acting upon it.  It is important to be familiar
with the paratransit contract and eligibility standards for your area. 
     Nick Nold,  ASCO Corporation, talked about labeling medications and providing the
information furnished with the prescription so that blind and visually impaired persons are
fully informed.  
     In Idaho, there have been problems with the postal system.  Separate agencies for the
blind are supported there, and food services and the post office are problems scheduled for
attention.
     On Friday elections occurred--something I always anticipate and find especially
exciting when some of those running for office are Californians.  Winifred Downing was
elected to the Board of Publications, as were Charlie Hodge from Virginia and Mike Duke of
Mississippi.  At ACB conventions, officers are elected in the odd numbered year and the
Board of Directors in even numbered years.  Mitch Pomerantz is now on the ACB Board
since  Chris Gray completed his allowed number of terms.  Other members elected to the
Board of Directors were Dawn Chrisitansen, Oral Miller, Jerry Annunzio and Ed Bradley.   
     There were many tours including one on the Belle of Louisville, a boat on the Ohio
River.  Some people enjoyed rides on the warm evenings in Hansom cabs.   
     Most of the special interest affiliates had social events along with their special
meetings.  I participated in the ones held by the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, chaired
by Teddie Remhild.  One afternoon, it was my pleasure to play the piano for a lot of people
who really enjoyed singing.  
     The Library Users had a fine program including some enjoyable readings by the
librarian from the Kentucky School for the Blind.  
     One of the things I try never to miss at the ACB convention is the Friends in Art
Showcase.  The talent this year was better than ever, and tapes of the programs are available
for purchase.  Tapes of the convention are also being produced.  Find out about them by
calling the ACB office at 800-424-8666.   
     Next year's ACB convention will be held in Des Moines, Iowa.  If you plan to
attend, I suggest that you make your reservations now.  A reservation can always be
cancelled later if you no longer need it.  Although attending conventions can be expensive,
everyone should try to go at least once.  It is an experience you will always remember.



       SUMMARY OF THE YEAR 2000 ACB CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

                          by Jeff Thom

     This article is not intended as an exhaustive list of the resolutions adopted at the 2000
ACB convention, nor will this summary discuss various resolutions that were defeated or
referred to other entities, such as the ACB Board of Directors.  A future issue of The Braille
Forum will, I am sure, contain more comprehensive information on the resolutions. 
     The following is a summary of those resolutions that I feel are of greatest importance. 
If you wish additional information about any of them, you may contact me or the ACB office
directly.  First, I will discuss some resolutions passed as a result of several adopted by the
California Council of the Blind and forwarded to ACB.  
     The ACB passed a resolution urging adoption of requirements pertaining to television
for verbally announcing certain types of information that is currently provided only visually. 
It should be noted that at least some of the concerns expressed in both the CCB and ACB
resolutions may have been addressed by the Federal Communications Commission in rules
adopted in July, 2000.   
     In response to a CCB resolution seeking the adoption of legislation that would allow an
income tax work expense deduction for guide dog expenses, ACB passed a resolution asking
staff to investigate the issue in light of the fact that some individuals have been successful in
tax-audit situations in claiming such a deduction with respect to federal income taxation. 
There is, however, uncertainty in this area.
     Stimulated by another California resolution, ACB adopted a resolution asking the Access
Board to require curb ramps to be placed in a straight line and in the path of travel.
     Following yet another CCB resolution, the convention also adopted one urging that ACB
participate in a campaign to save the ADA.
     Finally, a resolution was adopted that derived from a CCB
resolution that calls for state rehabilitation agencies to purchase the assistive technology
needed to allow blind and visually impaired clients to secure employment.
     A further resolution, though not based upon CCB
recommendations, concerned an issue in which the CCB has been active.  It  urged state
affiliates and their local chapters to advocate for the use of voting methods accessible to the
blind and visually impaired.  
     Two resolutions were passed pertaining to audio description.  One addressed the claims
of the president of the National Association of Theater Owners that blind people cannot
benefit from audio description.  The other reaffirmed our strong support for rules, which
were then under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission, regarding
limited requirements for audio described television programming and emphasizing  the fact
that the opposition to these rules by the National Federation of the Blind does not represent
the viewpoint of the majority of the blind and visually impaired.  As many of you already
know, the ACB and its allies won a great victory when the FCC agreed to these rules in
mid-July.
     A number of resolutions adopted by the convention concerned
federal programs.  These included one seeking an increase in grant funds to states for
services to the elderly blind and for  training of teachers of the blind and visually impaired. 
Another dealt with the need for changes in the system whereby excess employment income
over prescribed amounts can cause cancellation of Social Security Disability Insurance
benefits.  A resolution was also adopted urging expansion of dental care benefits under the
Medicare and state Medicaid programs with another reslution expressing the need for
Medicare prescription drug provisions to include the blind and visually impaired.
     Proposed regulations of the Rehabilitation Services Administration that would
preclude a sheltered workshop placement from being viewed as a successful closure were
condemned in a resolution.
     Resolutions were adopted containing standards which the ACB agreed must be met for
the successful operation of private agencies serving the blind and visually impaired,
addressing the inaccessibility of current versions of Quicken software, and emphasizing the
need for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect and compile reports from
employers on the employment of persons with disabilities--a task currently performed with
respect to other minority groups.  
     Adding to its previous declarations on this subject, the convention passed a resolution
opposing the institution of the Unified Braille Code now under consideration  to replace the
braille system presently employed.    


                       LESSONS FROM GEESE

                   submitted by Jewel McGinnis

     1. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for others behind it.  There is 71%
more flying range in "V" formation than flying alone.  Lesson: Those who share a common
direction and sense of common purpose can get there more quickly.2. Whenever a goose
flies out of formation, it quickly feels a drag and tries to get back into position.  Lesson: It's
harder to do something alone than together.
     3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose
flies ahead.  Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as
well as opportunities to rest.
     4. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up
their speed.  Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging, not discouraging.
     5. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it
until it revives or dies.  Then they catch up or join another flock.  Lesson: Stand by your
colleagues in difficult times as well as in good.


            THE UNIFIED BRAILLE CODE IN THE YEAR 2000

                       by Winifred Downing
     
     (This article is reprinted with the permission of the CTEVH Journal, the quarterly
magazine of the California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped.)  
     Early in the 1990s (and probably long before that in many quarters), there began a
discussion about developing a single braille code to embrace literary braille, mathematics,
computer science, linguistics, and other technical codes.  
     A number of factors generated this discussion.  Primary among them was that the
pool of generous persons, mostly women, willing to give their time to the arduous task of
learning braille and then of dedicating many hours each week to transcribing books was
diminishing markedly.  By their unselfish labor over more than 40 years, they had made
possible the mainstreaming of blind children in public schools by furnishing them with the
books they needed.  Some transcribers, who are still working today,  had even prepared
hundreds of pages with a board slate and stylus before Perkins braillers were readily
available.  By the 1990s, however, well-educated women were no longer seeking challenging
volunteer work.  The job market was beckoning, and many responded.
     The emergence of computers, of programs for keying braille on  a
computer, and of braille printers made it possible for individual
transcribers to prepare greater amounts of material; but even so,
it was evident that  they could not carry the whole load.  Some
help came from braille translation programs which were used
increasingly, and the authors of these programs were eager for a
code that would meet all braille needs and involve less
intervention in preparing materials for varying uses.  
     It was also argued that the task of learning a separate code for literary braille,
computer notation, mathematics, and the sciences presented grave difficulties for braille
readers, especially for students.  It was troublesome to find the same symbol having one
meaning in literary braille, another in the computer code, and a third in mathematical
material.
     As familiarity with computers required a more intimate knowledge of print by the
braille user than had been necessary in earlier years, additional problems emerged.  In
braille, for example, the opening and closing parentheses signs are the same, whereas in
print they are different.  In braille the opening and closing quotation marks are different,
whereas in print they are the same.  These and other anomalies caused confusion for braille
users attempting to understand material on computers and working to prepare print material
for use on computers.  All in all, the braille world needed help. 
     Responding to this situation, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) and
later the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) initiated a research project whose
goal was "the development of a single braille code providing notation for mathematics,
computer science, and other scientific and engineering disciplines as well as general English
literature."  A group of experts from various English-speaking countries was assembled to
carry forward the UBC Research Project, with Committee II having the primary
responsibility for developing the actual code.  The guidelines adopted by ICEB for the
overall project stipulated that the unified code would: 
     (a) use a 6-dot braille cell;
     (b) encompass Grade I and Grade II braille without making any major changes to the
contractions of Grade II braille; 
     (c) be usable by both beginning and advanced braille readers;
     (d) be computable to the greatest degree possible, without detriment to readability,
from print to braille to print and employing an unambiguous braille representation of each
print symbol;
     (e) imbed textbook, mathematics, computer and other technical codes (excluding the
music code); 
     (f) consider all submitted English braille codes in its formulation.
     Based on these guidelines, Committee II:
     (g) developed a general method for extending the basic literary code so that it could
encompass the symbologies employed in various scientific and technical disciplines;  
     (h) defined the terms used;
     (i) determined the extent of symbols--print and indicators;
     (j) ensured that new symbols allowed by an extension would be unambiguous and
would permit the same general form of expression in braille as in print; 
     (k) ensured that symbols in the Basic Code would not be altered except to bring about
parallel forms in braille and print.
     Guideline (b) promised that the UBC would embrace both "Grade I and Grade II
without making major changes to the contractions of Grade II braille;" and principle (k)
pledged that "symbols in the Basic Code would not be altered except to bring about parallel
forms in braille and print."  Based on these tenets, Committee II, as its members decided to
interpret those rules, determined to continue having braille numbers expressed in the upper
four dots of the cell, thus automatically completely canceling the Nemeth Code since it
employs numbers written in the lower part of the cell.  Committee II, therefore, has had to
define an entirely new approach to mathematics.   
     In the expression of ordinary English literature in braille, Committee II has
abandoned some contractions and altered the spacing practices with regard to others; but it is
undeniable that anyone reading material in the UBC would have no difficulty, even without
retraining or extensive explanations, in doing so.  It is highly unlikely, also, that anyone
educated in the UBC would have any real problem deciphering the thousands of books now
available in Standard English Braille.  
     The situation with regard to UBC mathematical braille, though, is very different.  The
new code is so unlike the Nemeth Code that no one educated in its use would be able to read
Nemeth; and, conversely, no one experienced in the Nemeth Code could make any sense at
all of the UBC mathematical expressions.  Without too much difficulty or delay, computer
translation programs embracing the UBC mathematical features could be developed, but how
will students now using the Nemeth Code be trained in this new approach?  How will the
university personnel preparation programs gear up to prepare braille teachers, both new
teachers and those who have been conveying Nemeth Code to students for years?  How will
remaining braille transcribers (those who are experienced in the Nemeth Code are in great
demand) take to this new situation, and who will originate the materials to train them?   
     Another grave concern is the complicated nature of the UBC as applied to
mathematics.  An experienced braille transcriber has prepared a basic algebra problem in
both Nemeth Code and UBC.  When comparisons of this sort were made previously, some
UBC proponents felt that the problems presented were chosen to favor the Nemeth Code over
the UBC.  This algebra problem, however, is so basic that no such accusation could be
advanced.  The problem, with its answer 
choices, requires 65 characters as written in Nemeth Code and 95 in UBC.  
     Few studies have been conducted to determine just how the fingers and brain work 
together to recognize braille characters; but at least one of them strongly suggests that the
identification is sequential as opposed to recognizing characters in groups as is the case with
print reading.  Would the ordinary student, then, be able to wade through the extensive task
of identifying characters to achieve an understanding of the problem being presented?  How
much additional testing time would need to be allowed to give the student using braille a
competitive opportunity?    
     At its meeting in November of 1999, the ICEB voted to accept the principles of the
UBC even though many elements were incomplete and several of the countries had produced
few if any samples for braille readers.  The Braille Authority of North America (BANA)
had, however,  voted the previous spring not to take a position on this matter until extensive
samples could be made available to braille users, teachers of braille, and transcribers.  Only
one sample has been produced thus far, "A Simple Math Web Page in UBC," by Joseph
Sullivan in the Spring, 2000, issue of DOTS FOR BRAILLE LITERACY circulated by the
American Foundation for the Blind.  A list of 16 symbols, many of them consisting of two
characters, precedes the problem.   
     Helpful as is the DOTS FOR BRAILLE LITERACY publication, it reaches but a
small fraction of the teachers of braille in this country and almost no blind braille users.  At
the quarterly meeting in January, 2000, of the VI Subcommittee of the Low Incidence
Disability Advisory Committee in California, only one teacher present had heard anything
about the plan to change the math code; and when the 12 San Francisco "vision teachers"
met in May of this year, no one of them was aware of this matter either.  Efforts to secure
from AFB additional copies of the DOTS publication either in braille or simulated braille
have not been successful, so there is almost no information to be circulated.   
     The danger is that, because a number of well recognized and important organizations
in the blindness field have contributed substantial amounts of money, time, and energy to
developing the UBC, sufficient momentum is being generated to ensure the adoption of this
code without adequate consideration of the problems involved or of alternatives that are
available.  We can have a code totally lacking ambiguity with a braille representation for
every character that print contains but haveone so difficult to learn and time-consuming to
read that it will seriously limit the use of braille.  How many members of Committee II have
been experienced teachers of braille--how many members of the BANA board have been
experienced teachers of braille?  How many persons in either group are avid users of braille,
not just having knowledge of braille but employing it every day in all sorts of ways to meet
their life needs?  These are the types of individuals who must make judgments on the
practical aspects of any code before it is adopted.   
     An unbiased discussion of alternatives has not been conducted-- and, in the view of
many observers, has even been strongly resisted by those involved in the Research Project. 
One such alternative is the development of two codes, one literary and the other technical,
recognizing that it just may be impossible to design a single code to deal with all disciplines
and still be within the learning capability of most students, teachers, and transcribers.   
     Another alternative is the Unified Braille System being developed by Abraham
Nemeth with review and support by the Brlzylx (Braille as You Like It) Committee.  One of
this system's features is a dual numbering arrangement which allows mathematical
expressions to continue to be constructed with numbers in the lower 4 dots of the cell.  In
view of the serious problems the UBC brings with it, examination of the merits of these and
other approaches to solving the difficulties of braille should certainly be undertaken.  All
those who use and love braille must be assured that an open process is employed in selecting
the code or codes that will replace those in use today.  


                      WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE

                    submitted by Sue Ammeter

     Below please find information about the new White House web site,
 site.  the fact sheet below talks about its accessibility features and compliance with the W3C
Web Accessibility guidelines.  Congratulations and thanks to everyone who is working to
make information technology more accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
     President Clinton and Vice President Gore: Improving Citizen Access to Government
with Launch of New White House Web Site, July 7, 2000.
     Today, the White House announced the launching of its newly updated web site,
"Welcome to the White House," at www.whitehouse.gov.  The new site, which features a
more current design and more user-friendly features than the previous site, will give users
quicker and easier access to the wide range of on-line information and services provided by
the White House.
Today's announcement builds on the Clinton-Gore Administration's efforts to expand public
access to on-line government information and services, and give the American people the
"Information Age" government they deserve.
     Bringing government closer to people: Since its debut in October, 1994, "Welcome to
the White House" has become one of the most popular sites on the Internet, providing
millions of users worldwide with an array of useful information about the White House and
the federal government.  The site, which receives 1.2 million hits per week, has developed
into a valuable tool for Americans to learn about their government and the issues that affect
their lives.  Some of the most popular features of the site include:
     * Information on the offices of the President, Vice President, First Lady, and Mrs.
Gore, including how to contact them by phone, mail, or e-mail;
     * The Briefing Room, containing the latest White House press releases and briefings;
     * The Virtual Library, a collection of all documents released by the White House
since the start of the Clinton-Gore Administration;
     * Record of Progress, tracking our nation's prosperity and progress since President
Clinton and Vice President Gore took office in 1993;
     * Gateway to Government, providing citizens with useful government information in
areas such as housing, employment, education and training, and health, as well as links to
White House offices, Cabinet, and other federal agencies; 
     * The White House for Kids, a first-of-its-kind site for children who want to learn
about their federal government; 

     * The history of the White House, with interesting facts about U.S. presidents, first
ladies, and their families; and
     * The latest White House tour schedule, event descriptions, and an on-line historical
tour of the White House.
     Improving on-line access and services: To keep pace with changing technology and
improve public access to government, the White House has updated its web site and
production system with state-of-the-art technology and a contemporary design.  The new site
is:
     * Easier to use.  The new site offers users a clearer, shorter path to content with the
addition of a standard navigation bar and navigation footer on each page, making it easier to
move from place to place within the site.  Also, users now have the ability to do a keyword
search from any page on the site;
     * More accessible.  New technology can recognize the type of browser being used
and deliver the web pages to the user in the most appropriate format for the browser.  Also,
a text-only option was added to every page, giving users the choice of whether to view
graphics or just text;
     * Equipped with state-of-the-art technology.  An automated updating process will
streamline maintenance of the site and give users quicker access to the most current
information;
     * Compliant with accessibility and privacy guidelines.  The new site is compliant with
the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) Accessibility Initiative guidelines, which ensure
accessibility for users with disabilities, and includes compliance with P3P (Platform for
Privacy Preferences) privacy guidelines.  As has been the case since its inception, the White
House web site does not use cookies or capture personal information from its users. 
     The White House Office of Communications will manage the content of the site, and
the Office of Administration's Information Systems and Technology division will handle
technical support and maintenance.  Security is a high priority, and new security measures
are constantly being put in place to anticipate and address the threat of cyber attacks.
     Using Technology to Make Government More Effective: President Clinton and Vice
President Gore are committed to using the power of the Internet to make government work
better for the American people.  With the Vice President's leadership, the Clinton-Gore
Administration has expanded the availability of government information and services to the
public, including the following:
     * Making government more accessible.  Announced the creation of FirstGov
(www.firstgov.gov), a web site that will give citizens the ability to search all on-line
resources offered across the federal government from a single web site;
     * Helping Americans stay healthy.  Launched healthfinder (www.healthfinder.gov), a
gateway site on the Internet that provides Americans with reliable health information;
     * Keeping seniors informed.  Unveiled Access America for Seniors
(www.seniors.gov), an Internet site providing a wide range of information and services for
older Americans;
     * Making adoption easier.  Announced the launch of a national web site in 2001 to
help break down geographical barriers to adoption by linking children in foster care with
possible adoptive families;
     * Supporting teens.  Announced a new gateway site for teenagers
(www.americasteens.gov) offering a wide range of information to help teens do their
homework, pursue a hobby, or choose a career;
     * Helping workers prepare for retirement.  Unveiled a new Internet online retirement
planner that allows workers to compute estimates of their future Social Security retirement
benefits so they can better prepare for their financial future;
     * Encouraging citizen participation.  Announced a new service called Ask the White
House, a unique opportunity for the public to ask questions through an Internet news
organization about the important policies and issues that make up the President's agenda.
     Building on a record of creating digital opportunities:  The Clinton-Gore
Administration has improved access to technology and helped create digital opportunity for
more Americans by:
     * Working to bridge the digital divide by increasing access to computers, the Internet,
and high-speed networks in America's underserved urban and rural communities;
     * Creating the E-rate program, which secures low-cost Internet connections for
schools, libraries, rural health clinics and hospitals;
     * Creating community technology centers to provide computer access and educational
services to low-income urban and rural communities across the country;
     * Creating Neighborhood Network learning centers to help people in publicly assisted
housing learn critical computer skills; and
     * Signing electronic signatures legislation which eliminates legal barriers to electronic
commerce while protecting consumers.


                 RANDOM THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

                         by Larry Seiber

     No man/woman is worth your tears, and the only one who is will never make you
cry.  
     If you love someone, put his/her name in a circle instead of a heart because hearts
can break; but circles go on forever. 
     Everyone hears what you say.  Friends listen to what you say.  Best friends listen to
what you don't say.
     If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them; I'd be at the
bottom to catch them.
     Don't frown because you never know who's falling in love with your smile!
     "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa.
     "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." Plato.
     It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to
love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
     Enthusiasm is contagious.  You could start an epidemic!
     Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future.  Today is a gift, and that is why we
call it the present.


                         BULLETIN BOARD

                         by Keith Black
     The well known and much admired talking book reader Mitzi Friedlander will be the
guest of the CCB at the fall convention and will speak at the Friday morning joint meeting of
the California chapter of the Library Users of America and the Braille Revival League. 
Mitzi will also be with us at the LUA lunch to greet readers personally and answer
questions.  Don't forget to bring the names of one of your favorite books to share; the book
list derived from LUA luncheons have become reading lists for many CCB members.  

     Calling All OCB Alumnae: The Orientation Center for the Blind luncheon will be
held at the CCB fall convention in Los Angeles on November f.  We are eager for wide
participation to ensure lively interest in this excellent facility.  For more information, call
Jane Kardas, 707-468-5510.

     Press release from Diane Croft, National Braille Press, Aug 20, 2000:  Braille history
has been made by releasing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 20 days after the book
appeared in print. Print pages are 734, Braille pages are 1184. Contact NBP 888-965-8965,
ext. 21.

     Press Release by the Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB):  Orientation Center's
Michael J. Higgins Announces His Retirement!After 33 years, Mike Higgins retired at the
end of August, 2000.  Mike, one of OCB's amazing crew of mobility teachers, has taught
thousands of Californians the fine points of good independent travel.  Always emphasizing
the quality of life that comes from independent travel, Mike and his many students have
explored all there is that is good to eat in Albany and Berkeley.
     Mike would love to hear from his students and former colleagues.  Please send your
thoughts and stories in the format of your choice to: Orientation Center for the Blind, 400
Adams Street, Albany, CA 94706; FAX 510-525-4922; e-mail cole@rehab.cahwnet.gov 

     To: CCB Members wanting to request the Braille Forum via e-mail. From Ed
Branch, CCB Administrative Assistant
     I am including  here an excerpt from Anne Fesh, ACB Washington, DC, on how you
may go about subscribing to The Braille Forum magazine for e-mail delivery. 
     "First, just a reminder, when someone wants to get the Forum via e-mail, remember,
we cannot make that change here.  Once and individual has signed on to receive the Forum
via e-mail, we need to know that this change has been made in order to remove that person's
name from the format already being received.  
     To subscribe to the Forum send a message to majordomo@telepath.com leaving the
subject line blank.  In the body of the message, type exactly as written here:

 subscribe brailleforum-l 

and then send the message.  Anyone who does that (and has not subsequently unsubscribed),
will receive the Forum via e-mail. In addition, the subscriber must cc: afesh@acb.org when
subscribing to alert me (Anne Fesh) to remove the previous format information from my
list."

     Walter Chavira is looking for a Talking Bible, an item shaped like a cassette but a
little larger with operating buttons along the side.  The text it contains is the King James
version.  To contact him, write or call: 2601 Freemont St., #185; Bakersfield, CA 93304;
661-833-3663. 
     Joan Underdown wishes to sell a closed circuit TV (CCTV).  Call 559-251-2735 for
details.

     JOB OPENING: Certified Braille Proofreader.  The Braille Institute will soon have an
opening for a certified braille proofreader.  If you are interested, please contact  Carol
Jimenez, Transcribing Coordinator, Braille Institute Press, 741 N. Vermont Ave., Los
Angeles, CA 90029; 323-663-1111, Extension 1231; fax: 323-663-2332; E-mail:
carol_j_bia@juno.com.   

     From Dialog Magzazine, summer, 2000: El Club Latino Internacional is a new
bimonthly interactive cassette magazine in Spanish.  Its purpose is to establish a network of
friends within the blind Hispanic community, as well as to offer an outlet for those who have
an interest in and knowledge of Spanish.  If you have musical talent, want to discuss
technology for, or problems of, blindness, or if you are searching for love or friendship,
send your recorded message to Elena Taylor, 111 Belle Vista Ct., Winston-Salem, NC
27106.  Please try to keep your message under 10 minutes.  Braille letters in Spanish or
English are acceptable; however, recorded messages are preferred. 
     Bill Brown, the teacher for "Intro To The Guitar for the Visually Impaired" and "Intro to
the Piano for the Visually Impaired" has been teaching people to play for over twenty-five
years.  The courses are on audiocassette and cost $37 each.  For more information, contact
Valdosta Music and Publishing, Music V.I., 704 Haberman Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602; 912-
249-0628.  
     Dragon Naturally Speaking Standard 4.0, the award-winning continuous speech
recognition solution supports virtually all Windows applications.  Users can speak at a
normal pace, and speech is transcribed immediately, appearing as text on the screen and in
reports, letters, E-mail messages, chat rooms, and formats and edits documents by voice. 
Navigate the Internet by speaking URL's.  Control the desktop by speaking drop-down menu
commands.  Dragon Naturally Speaking costs $109.  For more information or to order, call
800-825-5897; E-mail: innfo@dragonsys.com; or visit www.dragonsys.com.  
     Ruff Wear, a manufacturer of gear for dogs, recently upgraded its Web site
(www.ruffwear.com) and improved its accessibility for visually impaired users.  Through a
series of changes, the Web site now complies with the W3C guidelines and is Bobby
compliant.  For more information or a catalog, visit the Web site or call toll-free at 888-
783-3932.  
     Narrative Television Network's TV and movie programming is now available worldwide
on the Internet.  The programming is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.  Users can enjoy programs on demand.  For more information, visit the Web site:
www.narrativetv.com or contact Jim Stovall at 
918-627-1000.  
     The Library of Congress recently moved closer to its goal of being able to produce
digital Talking Books for users of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS) with the installation of a new digital recording facility that features
Digidesign Pro Tools 24, digital audio mastering equipment.  NLS hopes to complete the
mastering of its first digital Talking Book this spring.  These recent efforts of NLS follow
the availability of 2,700 braille books on the Internet, a program that began in October,
1999.  For more information, contact  Robert E. Fistick, Head, Publications and Media
Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of
Congress, 1291 Taylor Street NW, Washington, DC 20542; 202-707-9279; E-mail: 
rfis@loc.gov.  
     Project Assist now offers its step-by-step tutorials for purchase on-line.  Tutorials and
keyboard guides are available for major Windows screen readers and applications.  Visit
www.blind.state.ia.us or call 515-281-1357.  


                   REMINDER FROM THE PRESIDENT

                      by Catherine Skivers

     This is a reminder that there are now forty-one talking ATMs in the State of
California--20 Wells Fargo machines, 15 Bank of America machines, 5 Citibank machines
and 1 San Francisco Federal Credit Union machine.  Right now these are the only talking
ATMs in the entire country though we hope that will be changing soon!  The banking
industry will be watching to see if these machines are used. 
     A list of all talking ATM locations is at the bottom of this note.  Please use the
machines and let us know, by replying to us via e-mail or telephone,  what you think. 
Please spread the word so that other people use the machines as well.  Remember that you
must take with you an earphone if you use a machine when the bank is closed.
     Thanks for your help.
     CCB Talking ATM team: Lainey Feingold, Linda Dardarian, Scott Grimes.  e-mail
address: bank@sgdblaw.com Toll free number: 888-316-8870

                      List of Talking ATMs
Bank of America Sites 
Cash Dispensers 
San Diego Airport East, 3665 N Harbor Dr-East Ter., San Diego
San Diego Airport West, 3707 N Harbor Dr-West Ter., San Diego
Westminster Mall, 9104 Westminster Mall, Westminster W. Covina Fashion Plaza 2, 1200
West Covina Pkwy, West Covina
Woodland Hills Promenade, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., WoodlandHills 

Full-Service ATMs 
Berkeley Main, 2129 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley 
Los Angeles Civic Center, 100 S Broadway, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Main 525 S Flower St., Los Angeles
Oakland City Center, 500 12th St Ste 117, Oakland
Downtown Plaza, 547 L St., Sacramento
Mission Valley Center, 1640 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego
Market--Van Ness, 1525 Market St, San Francisco
Market--New Montgomery, 33 New Montgomery St., San Francisco
Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco
One Market Plaza, 1 Market St., San Francisco

Citibank Sites 
Downtown Berkeley, 2323 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Downtown San Francisco, 260 California St., San Francisco,
San Carlos, 780 Laurel St., San Carlos 
Los Angeles/Westchester, 8800 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
West Los Angeles/Rancho Park, 2566 Overland Ave., Los Angeles 

Wells Fargo Sites 
Bay Area Metro 
Berkeley Main, 2144 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Castro Valley, 3452 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley
Danville, 585 San Ramon Valley, Danville
Elmwood, 2959 College Ave., Berkeley
Hopyard-Hacienda, 4767 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton
Market California, 1 California St., San Francisco
North First Street, 1705 North First Street, San Jose
Orinda, 80 Moraga Way, Orinda
Paseo Padre, 39265 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
San Francisco Main, 464 California St., San Francisco

L.A. Metro 
Hollywood Main, 6320 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood
LosAngeles Main, 333 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Miracle Mile, 6245 Wilshire Blvd., LA
North Alhambra, 1910 W Main St., Alhambra
Whittier Main, 7202 S Greenleaf Ave., Whittier

San Diego Metro 
Encinitas, 276-A  N  El Camino Real, Encinitas
La Jolla, 7714 Girard Ave., La Jolla
Rancho Bernardo, 16901 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego
Solano Beach, 245 Santa Helena, Solana Beach
Wells Fargo Plaza, 401 B St., San Diego
San Francisco Federal Credit Union Site 
SF City Hall, Treasurer's Office, Rm. 140, 1 Dr. Carlton GoodlettPlace, San
     Francisco 


               OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE: HELPING YOUR 
                    DOG SURVIVE A CONVENTION

                        by Melita Waters 

     Conventions can be stressful for both you and your guide dog.  You are in unfamiliar
territory and may not always know how to direct your dog; and there are lots of other dogs
in close proximity--a big distraction for many of our dogs.  Another  problem is that the dog
has to relieve on your schedule and on a leash, and there are other dogs using the area,
presenting an uncomfortable situation for some dogs.  Elevators are crowded, and often
people won't wait for you to get off.  Cane users may whack your dog; and getting around
in crowds is an extra challenge.  
     Think about how you can relieve some of these stresses.  You may be able to spend
some time in a hotel room by yourself where you and your dog can relax away from the
crowds.  Extra play and cuddle time help.  When all of this gets to you, don't forget you can
talk it over with other guide dog users or other friends.
     Here are some tips that can make attending a convention easier and more enjoyable for
both you and your dog.
     1. Expose your dog to different types of relieving areas before going to a convention. 
You never know what kind of area will be available for your dog's use.  
     2. Upon arrival at the convention hotel and before settling in, introduce your dog to
the designated relieving area.
     3. Give your dog additional relieving time.  Even though there are many things to do
at the conventions, take care of your dog's needs first.  Under crowded conditions, your dog
requires greater consideration.  Be as consistent as you can in attending to your dog: feeding,
relieving, grooming and play time.   
     4. Relieving accidents happen.  Make sure they are cleaned up before you leave the
area.  No one wants 200 blind people to track the accident all over the hotel.
     5. If you feel that you and your dog are under too much stress, take time out to rest
or play or whatever you need to do to bring relaxation to you and the dog.  Remember that,
if you are stressed, it will be communicated to your dog directly through the leash. 
     6. Avoid bringing your dog into an overly crowded elevator.  Wait for the next one or
locate stairs.  
     7. If you should find yourself in such a crowded elevator, move as close as possible
to the back wall.
     8. Give your dog some time to be a dog.  If he has another dog friend at the
convention, let them play and be dogs.  If your dog just wants to rest for a while, let him. 
Too often we don't respect our dogs' need to get away from the crowd and just rest for a bit.
     9. If you plan to attend an activity or event, such as a hospitality suite or a mixer
where crowds are expected in a small area, take that into consideration when deciding to
attend with your dog.
     10. When in restaurants, hospitality rooms and/or bar areas, to avoid your dog's
being accidentally stepped on or kicked, make sure he/she stays under the table or your chair
and is not in the path of travel.
     11. When not working, keep your dog close by your side and under control.  Many
dogs and people don't appreciate other dogs visiting or just wandering around at the end of a
long leash.
     12. Be especially encouraging to your dog.  He'll work much better and be more
calm.  Don't forget to pile on the praise for a job well done.
     13. Bring a few of your dog's familiar items i.e. rope, toy, bone.  This gives your
dog and you something to play with in those limited downtime hours.  Some of the pleasures
of home make you and your dog more content.
     14. At night, keep your dog on tiedown at the conventions.  It will cut down on the
stress as well as prevent any in-room accidents. 
     15.  When you walk through the hotel lobby or halls, be aware that others may be
standing or walking more slowly than you are.  Be considerate of them.  If everyone is
moving slowly, wait your turn.
     16.  If you leave your dog in your room, make sure he or she doesn't bark or growl. 
This is an annoyance to the other guests and can get you thrown out if it's persistent.
     17.  When you are attending the national conventions, try to stay at the secondary
hotel.  It is less crowded, and you may have more opportunity to work your dog in a more
relaxed environment either by walking to the primary hotel or using the shuttle that is
provided.
     18. Make good use of the school representatives.  They can help with learning your
way around and give you tips on everything from dog distractions to relieving problems,and,
of course, more serious problems you may be having with your dog.
     19. If something embarrassing happens with your dog, find someone to talk with. 
We all need a little encouragement and support at times.  Feel free to call your school if you
are having a particular problem.  The trainers are there to encourage, support and help you
with any problems you may have.
     20.  Don't be too quick to judge others who are having problems with their dogs. 
You might not have all the information about the situation, and critical comments or
accusations only add to the stress.  Avoid spreading unfounded stories about other teams. 
Gossip serves no good purpose!
     If you keep these convention suggestions in mind, you and your dog will be happier and
more content, you will be more efficient and productive, and you and your dog will work
better together!     



                      A SPAT? WHAT'S THAT? 

                        by Coletta Davis 

     Many questions are being asked by CCB members about the SPAT (Special
Population Action Team) HIV/AIDS Prevention Project and the California Statewide HIV
Training Consortium.   What is it?  Who belongs?  Why?  What do they do?  How is CCB
involved and why? These are good questions, so here are some answers.
     Generally speaking, this is a statewide public health project designed to help prevent
HIV/AIDS.   The California Department of Health Services (DHS) has a State Office of
AIDS (SOA) that is responsible for coordinating HIV prevention efforts and assuring that all
persons have access to services.  During their 1994 statewide prevention planning process,
the SOA Working Group members noted that some population groups with unique needs
might be more effectively and efficiently served through a statewide training project.  The
purpose was to develop linkages for these populations to existing services.  
     The special populations initially targeted included persons who are blind or have low
vision, the deaf or hard of hearing community, persons who are developmentally disabled,
and  persons with hemophilia and/or other bleeding disorders.   
     The Hemophilia Council of California was selected to be the fiscal agent for the
project and also serves as an active member agency of the Consortium.  Consortium
membership also includes the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), the
California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the California
Council of the Blind.   
     This year a new population, the mentally ill, has been added and NAMI (National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill) of California, is being added to a pilot project in Region IV,
San Diego.
     California is divided into four training regions for the Consortium: Region I,
Sacramento (Sacramento, San Joaquin, Placer, and Yolo Counties); Region II, San Francisco
(Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco Counties);
Region III, Los Angeles (Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties);
Region IV, San Diego (Orange, San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties).
     How did CCB get involved in such an important project?  
First, George Lobdell, Project Director for Hemophilia Council of California, contacted CCB
President, Catherine Skivers.  She had Mr. Lobdell speak to CCB's Board of Directors about
the importance of this project.   The Board approved CCB's support of the project in 1997. 
President Skivers had the foresight to see the advantages of belonging to a state-funded
project that would involve a coalition of agencies to address the unique HIV prevention needs
of several disabilities.  The Consortium's purpose is to educate people within the four special
populations to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and to  train staff of HIV
Agencies to become better able to serve members of the special populations.  The project
employs blind and visually impaired persons and persons from the other special populations
as sensitivity trainers.  The first regional conference was held in San Diego in November of
1997.  At that time, the project had a three-year grant through 2000.  The California DHS
State Office of AIDS has just renewed that grant to the Consortium for three more years
through 2003.
     The Consortium's four regional groups are developing local Special Population Action
Teams in the 20 participating counties. The mission of each SPAT is to provide training and
technical assistance which will strengthen links between state funded HIV prevention
programs and people who are 1) deaf or hard of hearing; 2) blind, or visually impaired; 3)
developmentally disabled; 4) have hemophilia or other bleeding disorders; or 5) are
chronically mentally ill.  The SPATs provide customized trainings, and design and distribute
specially adapted materials (For CCB's population, Braille, large print and audio cassettes
are available).  SPAT members enssure that the staff from HIV/AIDS agencies become
competent to serve the unique needs of persons from the special populations.  SPAT
activities include monthly SPAT meetings; presenting "HIV/AIDS Facts" trainings and
updates; and conducting special population sensitivity workshops,  advocacy actions, and
grant writing.  Adaptation and distribution of educational materials, networking and coalition
building, strengthening linkages, and providing input into the community HIV planning
process are also important objectives of Special Population Action Teams statewide.
     SPAT members can include medical and public health professionals, staff of
organizations serving clients from special populations, staff of HIV/AIDS agencies, client
representatives, and consumers.  Parents, teachers, school nurses,  and other interested
community members also join.  
      The late Tom O'Sullivan was our first CCB member to serve as consortium alternate
project coordinator and trainer for the Oakland area.  Tom's wonderful sense of humor and
caring attitude made him a popular team member and continues to be missed.  Audrey
Hepner temporarily took over Tom's role, and Ahmad Rahman followed Audrey, serving as
trainer in the Los Angeles region.  Ahmad has stepped down but continues to give assistance
whenever needed.  Persons from CCB who are currently serving the consortium or local
SPAT's include President Skivers and consortium member Coletta Davis.   
     Currently, Coletta has integrated all of the above titles and is the trainer for Orange
County.  Kevin Collin is the trainer for San Diego County and often travels throughout the
state sharing his important messages.  Robert Pellerin is the trainer for Sacramento and Yolo
Counties and has done very well in that region.  Vickie Bishop, the Oakland trainer, has
assumed that tremendously challenging task from Dorothy Vallerga, who left the project to
spend more time with her family,  receiving many kudos from the agencies with which she
worked.  
     The information that follows this article is basic HIV prevention information.  There
will be more articles on HIV/AIDS, and articles from CCB SPAT in our region.  You can
all be proud of your CCB representatives on these teams.  They are doing much to support
the CDC public health efforts and assure that persons with unique needs are getting the HIV
prevention message!  Everyone has done a great job! 
     HIV/AIDS Prevention Information, Orange County Special Population Action Team
distributes the following information at its trainings adapted from the American Red Cross: 
     Anyone can become infected with HIV.  HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.  AIDS is
a result of HIV infection.  HIV infection can be prevented.  HIV is not spread through
everyday contact.  People cannot get HIV when they give blood.  Early testing to detect HIV
is important.  Early treatment helps manage and slow HIV disease progression.  Free testing
and treatment for HIV is available at county health departments.  Persons with HIV/AIDS
have protection from discrimination by the ADA.  Research proves correct, consistent use of
condoms lowers risk of HIV 
transmission.  Persons who inject should not share needles and equipment.  
     Transmission: HIV is blood-borne and can be spread 1) through having sex (vaginal,
anal, or oral) with an infected person, 2) by sharing needles or syringes with an infected
person, and 3) from infected mother to infant during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding. 
Body fluids known to transmit HIV include semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. 
     Blood supply: All donated blood in the U.S. is now tested to prevent transmission
from transfusion.  The blood supply is very safe.  Universal precautions and barrier
protection to prevent contact with ALL blood of ALL persons is recommended in all medical
and first-aid situations.  Safer sex and abstinence from sex and drugs are the most effective
prevention.  Postponing sexual activity is to be encouraged for all young people.  CDC
advises sexually active persons to use approved condoms consistently and correctly to greatly
lower the risk of HIV transmission.   
     Remember: Condoms are not 100% effective, but not using them is 100% risky. 
Today, safer sex should be practiced by everyone except those in mutually faithful,
long-term, monogamous relationships.  For more information on risky behaviors, prevention,
testing or treatment, contact the CDC National AIDS Hotline:  800-342-AIDS or visit CDC
at HYPERLINK http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm 
     While new treatments have slowed the progression of disease in most HIV infected
persons in the U.S., worldwide spread of HIV is devastating third-world countries.  This is
especially true among young women in impoverished countries.  Thousands of children have
been, or will continue to be, orphaned by this epidemic.  In Africa, entire generations are
being lost to the AIDS epidemic, and the medical infrastructure does not exist to cope with
the challenges of provision of new treatments even if funding were somehow made available. 
Unfortunately, we will be hearing about this pandemic for years to come unless a vaccine is
developed soon.


               CCB SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, 2000-01

     Anthony Mannino Memorial Scholarships: Grignon, William H., Kopel, Marina A., 
     Lillie Perry Scholarships: Benson, Jennifer L., Bruns, Michelle R., Yoshino, Naoko,
Flowers, Deborah  
     Henry Solis Memorial Scholarship: Sandoval, Maria I. 
     CCB Scholarships: Sandoval, Maria I.; Burke, Michelle; Ince, Peter J.; Huffman,
Leonard; Watson, Sharon L.; Cheistian-Schell, Teresa; Rueda, Richard A.; Washington,
Peggy; Gay, Alfredo R.; King, Rhonda J.; Smith, Lula; Dinsfriend, Corinne A.; Abdilahi,
Ubah A.; 
     Scholarship Committee members: Al Biegler, Chair; Jerry Arakawa, Vincent
Calderon, Coletta Davis, Phil Hallford, Dr. Martin Jones, Brad King, Patricia
LaFrance-Wolf, Josie McKinney, Abigail Vincent


              ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY ON THE FARM

              by Ned T. Jackson and George Corting

                   submitted by Connie Skeen 

     (This amusing article is reprinted from the June, 1973, issue of "The Long Cane
News.")
     The teaching of orientation and mobility skills has long been centered in the urban
areas and in general was intended for use in the cities or small towns.  Such concepts as
street patterning, intersecting sidewalks, use of traffic signs, etc., have aided the city-bound
traveler greatly.  But what of travel in rural areas where streets and sidewalks are
nonexistent and traffic sounds are limited to tractor and truck noises mostly in a barnyard or
in a field?  New guidelines need to be drawn to facilitate travel in the wide-open spaces--the
barnyards of Illinois.  
     The means of mobility must be similar to the country traveler as it is for his urban
cousin.  The long cane skills are adaptable to the country settings and are quite useful on the
farm.  Old stand-bys, such as hand centerment, arc coverage and proper cane length, retain
their importance as key guidelines for efficient cane travel; but several new situations arise
on the farm that are unique to that setting.  
     The basic skills, quite effective in the city, need some adaptation to be effective in the
barnyard.  Gloves need to be worn on the trailing hand to prevent picking up splinters from
wooden fences or cuts from barbed or woven wire fences.  It is still recommended that
trailing be done with the arm at a 45-degree angle, but adjustment may be made depending
on the height of the  surface to be trailed.  Also while trailing along barns or sheds, four-
buckle boots or hip boots are advisable since this is where a lot of animals, especially pigs,
deposit their manure.  Canniest may  be used while trailing through these areas, but always
remember to clean your cane before entering the house or car.  This can best be done by
placing the cane between your legs and pulling  upwards, scraping the dung on your bib
overalls.  The --- smell will still be with you; but your friends will forgive you, and no
unnecessary negative attitudes toward the long white cane will be developed.  
     Sighted guide techniques, again with minor changes, work quite well on the farm. 
The major difference is a prevalence of non human guides.  Dog guides do an excellent job,
but the farm dog has other duties to perform and cannot be expected to act as a guide.
     Other farm animals do equally well, however.  Much consideration has been given to
both horses and mules as guides, both of which would probably be efficient for farmers with
a great  amount of livestock but the poorer farmer must rely on lesser animals.  Seeing eye
chickens and ducks appear efficient in some cases with ducks more valuable because of the
buoyancy in water.  In the event a blind farmer falls into a well or farm pond, the duck will
serve as a life preserver.  As a direct result of this fact, farmers should try to conduct a
match-making session to physically and emotionally match their duck.  Large farmers who
like to swim would probably prefer a physically large duck for more  buoyancy.  A small
farmer who cannot swim might prefer a small duck who dislikes water, perhaps a medium-
size chicken.  Ducks are preferred, though, as they will not let you down.  
     In direction, indicators and maintaining proper direction both are extremely important
in barnyard familiarization.  The farmer, temporarily disoriented in the hog lot, can and
should use logic to orient himself to the cardinal directions.  As all farmers know, the
manure in a hog lot is more prevalent at the east end of the lot in the northern hemisphere. 
This is based on the fact that in general winds in the northern hemisphere are westerly and in
the summer the hog wants to avoid its own odor by doing his job down-wind.  This fact
applies, too, in the winter as the hog will also face to the wind, west, while doing his dirty
work, thus keeping his tail warm.  If a disoriented farmer finds a hog in the middle of a job,
he can orient himself easily by locating the snout which is pointing west.  Unfortunately, trial
and error must be used to locate the snout.  
     Cows are meaningful for indicating direction.  Anyone familiar with farm life knows
cows walk the same route to and from the grazing pasture each day.  A blind farmer wanting
to go to the pasture can walk with the cows to the pasture and return with them in the
evening.  When using a cow as a guide, grab onto a horn, either horn.  A good traveler can
use either hand, not the tail as originally taught.  This new method will bring about the best
result in the end.  
     A blind farmer may venture out of his barnyard occasionally to inspect the crops. 
Orientation in a corn, bean or tobacco field can and should be maintained.  Field rows
always run north and south.  This is done to enable the farmer to plough, disc and cultivate
all without driving into the sun.  The wind is difficult to use as a means of orientation unless
the field lies downwind from the hog lot.  
     Birds are a great source of help when orienting yourself outdoors.  Geese flying north
for the summer or south for the winter are good direction indicators if you have time to wait. 
If a stream or creek runs near the field, it too can be used as a means of orientation.  The
tendency of water to seek the lowest level means that the creek will flow into a stream; the
stream will flow into a river; the river will flow into the sea.  This method is excellent if the
farmer is in his field and wants to locate the sea.  It is not nearly as helpful in locating other
objectives.  
     These are but a few helpful hints for the blind agricultural engineer to better enable
him to become a leader in his profession and to be outstanding in his field.  


               THE EARLE BAUM CENTER OF THE BLIND 

                       by Allan Brenner 

     Although it took nearly 15 years, a blind farmer's dream, to convert his family farm
to a center for the blind upon his death, became a reality in October, 1999.  The Earle Baum
Center of the Blind (EBC) is open for business, bustling with activity and growing every
day. 
     Growing up in rural Sonoma County, Earle Baum aspired to become a journalist but
encountered impossible barriers in accomplishing this goal after his sight loss at age 17. 
Instead, he accepted the role of farmer on a property that had been in his family since the
middle 1800s.  Baum was ingenious and clever in learning to perform his farming tasks,
ultimately providing  a livelihood for himself and his two sisters.  
     Eventually the outspoken Baum became a leader in the local blind community and
encouraged others with blindness to live active and independent lives.  Before his death in
1986 at age 90, he put his property in trust to a newly formed non-profit group, the
Redwood Lions Memorial Foundation (RLMF) to oversee the development of the center.  
     In 1997, after several years of negotiations, the RLMF signed a long-term lease with
the newly formed nonprofit corporation, Earle Baum Center of the Blind, Inc.  A Board of
Directors was established including Cathy Skivers; Jim Willows; Aerial Gilbert,
Vice-President; Larry Swenson, Secretary/Treasurer; and Allan Brenner, President.  The
EBC is fully autonomous, unaffiliated, and operated largely by its members, the blind
community.
     In October, 1999, the Center was given an occupancy permit and operations began. 
Today, not even a year later, the facilities are impressive.  Included are three large,
all-purpose meeting rooms, a house for living skills training, Earle Baum's small residence
functioning as offices, and an expansive courtyard planted with trees.  In addition, the Center
has a seating area with benches and a bubbling fountain, a dense lawn, a built-in barbecue
shaded by a large oak tree, apple orchards, and inviting trails.  Currently underway is the
construction of a regulation beep baseball field. 
     The Earle Baum Center of the Blind is a community center.  In addition to traditional
blind skills training, extensive opportunities exist for various social and service groups to
have meetings and activities there.  
     The EBC is currently offering the following training courses: Orientation and
Mobility, Rehabilitation Teaching, Communications Training, Financial Evaluations, as well
as classes in Adjusting to Blindness; Living with Sight Loss; and Health, Nutrition and
Fitness.  We will soon open a technology-training center.  Some of the groups that meet at
the center include the Thursday Thinkers Support Group, Redwood Empire   Chapter of the
CCB, Blinded Veterans Association, the Visual Impaired Services Team (VIST) Support
Group of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VIST family and spouse support group, and
the Santa Rosa/Sebastopol Macular Degeneration Support Group.  There are activity
programs for students including an after-school fitness class, tandem bicycling and water
skiing.  Plans include additional sporting activities, hikes, picnics and various social events.
     Although the Earle Baum Center of the Blind is in its infancy, we feel we are taking
an active role in the Northern California blind community to make a difference for those who
are blind or visually impaired.  In the short time since it opened, we have served hundreds of
people.  We are proud to have the support of the CCB and many of its members and feel
strongly that working together, in community will ultimately benefit us all. 


                      SKI FOR LIGHT, 2001         

     Cross-country skiing event to be held in Greenbay, Wisconsin, January 21-28, 2001. 
Of one of its participants, the press release says: 
     "she's diagonal striding across a snow-covered meadow or conducting a research
cruise in the Indian Ocean, Dr. Amy Bower, an oceanographer at the Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution, is an outdoors enthusiast.  While she  doesn't study fish or marine
mammals, doesn't scuba dive and didn't know Jacques Cousteau, Amy is a recognized
authority on worldwide ocean currents.  She is also legally blind. 
     "Amy is only one of about 250 active adults from across the U.S. and around the world
who will be celebrating the 26th annual Ski for Light (SFL).  An international, week-long,
cross-country skiing event, SFL pairs visually- and mobility-impaired skiers,  like Amy with
nondisabled guides.  Ski for Light is held at a different U.S. location early each year.
      While primarily a recreational event, SFL attracts skiers at all proficiency levels from
beginners to competitors and has even launched Olympic careers.  Skiers and guides alike
come from every age group and occupation.
      "Ski for Light got me back on skis.  I had stopped skiing for six years after I first lost
vision," says Amy, who attended her first SFL in 1995.  The opportunity that SFL provides
to personally network with truly inspirational, professional people who are active in all facets
of life is one reason why she returns each year.
     "At SFL, people focus on everyone's abilities," says SFL 2001 Event Chair Judy
Dixon, Consumer Relations Officer at the Library of Congress.  "Through SFL I've made
enduring friendships with people of different backgrounds and abilities from all over the
world.  For me, one of the great things about SFL is that people, whether nondisabled or
visually- or mobility-impaired, are involved at every level of the organization--from
participation to decision-making."
     "At SFL, the skiers set the pace, asking their guides to assist with skills, technique,
endurance or simply-enjoying the outdoors.  The week ends in a Race/Rally.  For many
skiers, the goal is completing the 5K or 10K course, while others compete against the clock
for overall and age-group ranking.
     "SFL's multicultural flavor grew out of its close ties with the Ridderrenn, an
international event held in Beitostolen, Norway.  Founded in 1963, the Ridderrenn served as
the model for Ski for Light.  Every year a delegation of Norwegian skiers and guides attends
SFL, and SFL sends two skiers and two guides to the Ridderrenn.
     In addition to Norway and every corner of the U.S., SFL participants hail from
countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the
United Kingdom.  While priority is given to new registrants, it is also common to find both
skiers and guides who have participated for five, ten or twenty years.
     SFL is always seeking new skiers and guides, and those interested in attending SFL
may contact the appropriate coordinator.  Visually impaired individuals may contact Judy
Wilkinson at 212-662-9593 or judyw@sfl.org.  Mobility-impaired individuals may contact
Jeff Pagels at 920-494-5572 or jeff@sfl.org. The application deadline for skiers is November
1, 2000.
     To be a guide, no experience with visually or mobility-impaired people is necessary. 
For those who are confident on skis, SFL holds an intensive one-day training session with
seasoned skiers and guides.  Contact Brenda Seeger at 507-274-5502 or brenda@sfl.org. 
The application deadline for guides is December 15, 2000.
     SFL, a registered non-profit organization, also maintains an extensive Web site, with
application forms, at www.sfl.org
     Ski for Light, 1456 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408-2648; 612-827-3232; 
     Judy Dixon, SFL Event Chair 2001: 703-276-9191 (before 10 PM); Email:
judy@sfl.org
     Karl Helstad: Ski for Light Publicity Chair 617-686-1427, any time of day; E-mail
kad@sfl.org


                 FALL, 2000, LEGISLATIVE REPORT

         by Dan Kysor, CCB Governmental Affairs Director

     Greetings from Sacramento!  As we close the 1999-2000 session of the California
Legislature, we can look back with pride on our hard-fought victories with both consumer
organizations succeeding with legislation that had stalled in committee.  
     First, our Public Building and Tactile Signage bill has, at this writing, been sent to
the Governor for his signature or veto.  He has already seen the bill and has reacted
favorably so we will see.  This legislation, for the first time, starts the process of putting
teeth in the state government code for enforcing tactile signage regulations and requires
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with respect to building
occupancy and leased buildings.  
     The NFBC's Braille Bill was stalled in Appropriations and didn't look as if it would
pass, but it has also moved to the Governor.  This bill includes instruction in braille in public
schools from K through 12 for "functionally blind" individuals unless specified to the
contrary in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  The bill would also authorize the school
districts to allow the use of a "braille instructional aide" who must meet certain criteria and
who is under the supervision of a credentialed teacher of the visually impaired.  It would also
require a publisher or manufacturer to provide computer files and electronic versions of print
materials--literary titles to be made available in a timely manner and non-literary titles, such
as math and science materials, when the technology becomes available.
     The Kevin Starr Information Act of 2000 has also been sent to the Governor.  The
CCB and the Rose Resnick Lighthouse in San Francisco are co-sponsors.  The bill would set
up an 800 toll-free service so that every blind or visually impaired person in the entire state
could access both "Telephone Reader" and "Newsline" via a touch-tone telephone.  Thus
newspapers, periodicals, shopping ads, TV listings and much more would become available
to California's print impaired population.  This legislation  had its humble beginnings about
two years ago as California's State Librarian, Dr. Kevin Starr, helped Sacramento launch the
first such integrated system.  Dr. Starr took a personal interest, since  his father is blind,
making it necessary for his son to read the newspaper to him.   "I understand the frustration
of not having access to these types of publications," Starr said.  

     Violation of parking privileges for the disabled is a growing problem in California. 
AB1792, by Antonio Villaraigosa, strengthens penalties for the violators.  This bill also
moves to the Governor.
     AB2189, by Assemblyman Baldwin, is identical to HR3590 which would have
imposed a 90-day prohibition on persons seeking to sue for planned access violations as well
as prohibiting the recovery of attorneys' fees.  The bill was killed in its first policy hearing.
     Another threat to the ADA was the Governor's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court
relating to California vs. Dare.  Dare stated that charging $6 for a disabled parking placard
is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act under Reasonable Accommodation. 
Fortunately, Governor Davis reversed his petition.  He recognized that the California appeal
to the U.S. Supreme Court threatened the Americans With Disabilities Act, and stated, "I
simply will not be party to any lawsuit that could put the act in jeopardy."  At a hastily
called press conference, Davis said he will direct the state's lawyers to settle the case rather
than pursue the appeal.  It is unclear what this settlement entails, but we will let you know
when we get more information.
     A bill similar to the NFBC Braille Bill, AB1795. was turned into SB1633 by Dede
Alpert and is expected to head to the Governor.  It includes identical language regarding
publishers and textbook access as AB609.  As of this writing, however, the IEP language in
AB1633 is different and does not include the words "functionally blind."
     SB929, by Richard Polanco, was killed in Assembly Appropriations.  It would have
expanded the scope of practice for optometrists to many practices now restricted to
ophthalmologists.
     The infant eye screening bill, AB2185 by Martin Gallegos, has passed the Senate and
moves on to the Governor.
     Finally, AB368, by Sheila Kuehl, has died.  This Bill would have considered low
vision devices as prosthetic equipment and ensured that Medi-Cal and HMO's would cover
their cost.  It is important to note here, though, that, with respect to Medi-Cal,
ophthalmologists claim that there is no rule against filing a claim on these types of devices so
it would appear that a few test cases are needed.
     The Capitol Office of CCB has also been involved in many interesting issues.  I was
fortunate to attend the confirmation hearings of Dr. Catherine Campisi as California's
Department of Rehabilitation Director.   Her first official task as the director was to host a
celebration at a Mexican restaurant where, at one point, she was waiting tables.  
     Another exciting development is that recently, I was appointed to represent
California's blind and visually impaired community on the Attorney General's Task force on
Disabled Victims of Crime.  
     As a member of the CCB committee on Hate Crimes and Domestic Violence, I will
be seeking input from committee members concerning the direction of the task force.  
     I have been assisting in the updating of the CCB Organizational Handbook and, of
course--for you net heads out there--maintaining our web site.
     I urge all CCB chapters to appoint a legislative representative to coordinate local
efforts and to keep abreast of state and national legislation.
     If you would like to have me visit your chapter, please contact President Skivers or
me.  This next year should be most exciting as CCB leads the way with several important
new bills.  Please listen to the California Connection, 800-221-6359, or use our listserv, ccb-
l.
     Thank you and please keep in touch, 916-648-3936 or e-mail dankysor@jps.net 


                  CCB OFFICERS, January 1, 2000

     (Editor's note: We are indebted to Bernice Kandarian who updated and corrected the
list of CCB officers and board members,  cluding the number of the term each is presently
serving and the years covered by that term.  The presence of an asterisk (star) indicates that
the individual began by filling out an unexpired term.  We shall publish the list this way at
least in issues just preceding elections and routinely if members wish.)  

President, Catherine Skivers (98-00, 2nd term)
     836 Resota Street
     Hayward, CA 94545
     510 357-1986
     e-mail ccotb@earthlink.net
1st Vice President,Charles Nabarrete (98-00, 1st term)
     5559 El Monte Avenue
     Temple City, CA 91780
     626 579-1150
2nd Vice President, Jeff Thom (99-01, 2nd term)
     7414 Mooncrest Way
Sacramento, CA 95831
916 429-8201
     e-mail jeff.thom@lc.ca.gov
Secretary, Kenneth Frasse (99-01, 4th term)
141 Del Medio Avenue, #223
Mountain View, CA 94040
650 941-2421
     c-mail kfrasse@concentric.net
Treasurer, David Parker (*98-00, 3rd term)
1600 Florida Street
Vallejo, CA 94590
707 557-3157
Past President, Mitch Pomerantz
1344 North Martel Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323 851-5148



             CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS, January 1, 2000

Al Biegler, (99-01, 1st term)               
     819 Colusa Street
Chico, CA 95928-4116
530 893-8840
     e-mail albiegler1@juno.com
Martin Jones (99-01, 3rd term)
     730 V730 Victoria 
     San  San FSan Francisco, CA 94127
415 469-8048
Jane Kardas, z(*99-01, 1st term)
810 Maple Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
707 468-5510

Rhonda Marshall King (98-00, 1st term)
6426 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916 722-7337
Pat LaFrance-Wolf (98-00, 4th term)
5640 McCulloch Avenue
Temple City, CA 91780
626 445-4142
     e-mail servicetogo@earthlink.net
Eugene Lozano, Jr. (99-01, 2nd term)
3701 Whitney Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821
916 485-8307
     e-mail lozanoe@csus.edu
Peggy Martinez (99-01, 1st term)
2510 Cropley Way
Arcata, CA 95521
707 822-3122
e-mail pegmar1@earthlink.net
Peter Pardini (98-00, 1st term)
267 Cardinal Road
Mill Valley, CA 94941-3618
415 381-9211
Ahmad Rahman (98-00, 1st term; served a partial term before firstfull term)
19616 Leapwood Avenue
Carson, CA 90746
310 327-0463


                   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
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
Teddie Remhild: 1100 W. Olive, #220, Burbank, CA; 818-848-2475
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
Dorothy Vallerga: 15361 Norton, San Leandro, CA; 94579; 
     510-352-0522
