

                         THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN



                      Quarterly Magazine of the 

                    CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND



Spring, 2001, Volume 45, No. 2



      Published in Braille, Cassette, Diskette, and Large Print 




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


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



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


                   Sacramento Area Office, Dan Kysor
                       2657 Truxel Road, No. 41
                         Sacramento, CA 95833
                             Fax/Office 916-648-3936
                       E-mail dan@kysor.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
n----n) 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 	1

ADVOCACY BEGINS WITH YOU, by Dan Kysor 	3

MESSAGE FROM CHARLES CRAWFORD 	8 

NEW HEALTH CARE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO HELP  
	ELDERLY AND DISABLED CALIFORNIANS	9

COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, by Jewel 
	McGinnis 	10

DINING WHILE BLIND: EATING IN THE 
	DARK, Submited from the Internet by Sue Ammeter	10

PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS 	11

SAMTRANS STARTS NEW BUS-STOP CALL-OUT 
	PROGRAM, by Frank Welte 	12

ARDIS BAZYN, by Jane Kardas 	12

"I PLAYED FROM MY HEART," by Debra Saylor 	14

JUSTICES LIMIT DISABILITY LAW 	18

STUDY SAYS DISABLED WOULD LOSE BENEFITS UNDER 
	NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN, by Robert Pear 	20

TRIBUTE TO NORMA SCHECTER, by Michael Mellor 	22

FEDERAL LEGISLATION, by Ahmad Rahman 	22

LAUNCHING YOUR CHILD'S DREAM OF THE 
	SPACE PROGRAM, by Rhonda King 	24

THE ENTERTAINERS: A PROUD TRADITION, 
	by Joan Black	25

FROM SACRAMENTO: A FULL YEAR OF LEGISLATION,
	by Dan Kysor 	28

PROVERBS YOU SHOULD KNOW 	30

SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 	31

OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE: PEDESTRIAN SAFETY 
	FOR EVERYONE, by Melita Waters 	32

REMEMBER BEAR: ROBERTO NIGRETE, 
	by Cynthia Hubert 	33

BULLETIN BOARD, by Keith Black 	35

SETTING SIGHTS FOR GOOD JOBS, by Melanie Payne	37 

CCB OFFICERS 	40

CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS	41

	CCB PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE 	41


_______________________________________________
	FROM THE EDITOR

	by Winifred Downing

	Though there are lots of subjects that I believe will be of interest to our readers, several of our regular features are absent this month.  I want the contributors of these columns to know they are missed.  Techtalk and Profiles are of value and enjoyment to us all.
	Catherine Schmitt submitted "Career Connections", but the magazine she quoted would not permit use of the article if it would appear online, and our Web site, of course, does contain the issues of The Blind Californian.  
	I was delighted to receive a submission from the Blind Students of California; but unfortunately it came in a week after the deadline, and I had already proofed and paged an article on the same subject.  We are eager, though, to hear from students and encourage them, individually or through their organization, to send articles whenever they can. 
	Our readers may think it strange that there is an article in this issue about the Fourth of July.  As you may know, however, our printing contract with the Braille Institute allows 30 days for preparation of the braille issue; and, since the deadline for the summer issue is June 1, it doesn't look likely that any article submitted for that issue will be in your hands by July 4.  Keep this article to read near our national feast, though, for it gives a poignant account of our country's founders at a time when we really need examples of unselfish public servants.
	The deadline for the summer issue is June 1, 2001.
  		PRESIDENT'S CORNER

	by Catherine Skivers 

	Selecting items to be included in my part of the Blind Californian and in my convention reports is always a challenge.  In both cases time and space are limited, and trying to prioritize information sometimes really presents a problem.
	In January Marilyn Koehler joined the staff at our Executive Office in Hayward.  Many of you have already spoken to her and are aware of her pleasant manner and her willingness to help.  She is a great addition to our office; Ed and Marilyn work well together and are cross-training to bring maximum efficiency to our operation.  
	On February 24th, Ed was married to the former Michiko Ishikawa.  I had the pleasure of meeting her on Sunday.  In their church it is customary for the couple being married to sing songs of their selection after the Marriage Blessing Ceremony.  Growing up in Japan, Michiko was a great admirer of Elvis Presley, so she selected the Hawaiian Wedding Song.  She and Ed came to our house on Sunday and sang to our family the lyrics they had written for their special day.  We thoroughly enjoyed having them, and Eric and Darryl were surprised to find that Ed played the guitar.  I know you all join me in wishing Ed and Michiko every happiness.  It's early but Michiko will soon learn what a large extended family she has in CCB. 
	On January 27th, CCB joined Blind Alliance for Rehabilitation Change (BARC) members in hosting a meeting in Oakland to discuss  Senate Bill 105, the Commission Bill by Senator John Burton.  There were approximately 100 attendees at the Oakland  Lions Blind Center among whom were members of CCB and NFBC, a few people from Independent Living Centers in the area, a member of the Disabled Democratic party and rehabilitation counselors and  supervisors.  We had a thorough explanation and discussion of the bill, and people had many questions answered.  By the time you read this, similar meetings will have been held in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco.  It is urgent that you all familiarize yourselves with this bill and our other legislature initiatives that Dan will be explaining elsewhere in these pages and at the spring convention.  CCB is not causing difficulty to any other disabled group; we are simply asking that money that is now in the California Department of Rehabilitation (CDR) earmarked for blind and visually impaired services be transferred to a commission from which, we believe, better delivery of services will result.  People seem to have a problem realizing that, for us, inclusion under an umbrella situation with all other disabilities has not, and does not, work.  CCB was the organization that wrote the first legislation for other disabled groups in California and testified in their behalf.  Somehow support for our initiatives by other segments of the disabled population has been lacking through the years. 
	Recently, under the direction of Dr. Catherine Campisi, we have seen much movement within CDR, and we appreciate her efforts and support her in every way we can.  However, every time a new governor is elected, there is a change in who will direct CDR, causing  the blind to be left out frequently, something that could certainly happen again.  New directors usually bring new ideas and emphases, and developments of this kind have caused grave problems for blind clients in the past.   
	Lynda Bardis is a wonderful new addition to CDR.  We have known her and appreciated her in CCB for a very long time. 
She has not been  given line authority and so we feel that this situation has not improved as much as it might have. 
	Charles Nabarette is chair of the Blind Advisory Committee (BAC), and I am also a member of that committee. 
	In the past, presidents of CCB have sent monthly taped letters to our chapters;  but I discontinued this practice when I heard from many of you that these tapes were not read at your meetings.  I am, however, giving serious thought to reinstituting this practice because, in talking to many of you as I do daily, I have been disturbed to learn that some members are not familiar with our fund raising projects, where they are located and who is conducting them for us.  I urge all delegates attending the spring convention to come prepared to stay for all of it and to take back information to your members.  This convention will be devoted to how CCB is "making a difference," and we are certainly doing that!
	Following the seminar in Oakland on January 27th, Darryl and I stopped by our office and were shocked to find that we were having a flood.  A seal on the commode in the bathroom had broken and water was running free in the office.  As a result the entire office is going to be re-carpeted.  Fortunately, the landlord's insurance will pay for this project.  This is not the greatest time for disruption, for we are in the process of finishing our membership list to forward to ACB with our dues and in getting the announcement of the convention, April 19-22, out to our members.  I hope you are planning to attend.  We also hope that many of you will come to Sacramento on the 18th to call on legislators about our many bills.
	The Budget Committee met at the office on February 17 and did a terrific job on the proposed budget that will be presented to the Board at the convention.  I want you all to know that Peter Pardini, CCB treasurer, is one of the most devoted people I have ever seen.  He is an accountant by profession and spends a great deal of time on our books and analyzing our financial situation.  Ed and Marilyn work hard at helping Peter and in getting me around the state for the various functions I must attend.  I appreciate all three of them more than I can say.
	I am recuperating from a virus that is reluctant to leave me, but  I will be able to resume my activities this week.  We will be having a meeting in Senator Burton's office, talking to the District Administrators of CDR and attending seminars on SB105.  I am pleased to announce that, on March 
16th, I will be in Washington, DC, where AFB will present an award to CCB for our work with the Talking ATMs.  As you can see, there is quite a lot going on along with planning for our upcoming convention.  The program looks good.  We will be hearing a lot about education, rehabilitation, legislation and 
other issues of interest to us all.  I am looking forward to meeting with many of you.  Take care of yourselves and keep in touch.  Remember, CCB is only as good as you help to make it.
  	ADVOCACY BEGINS WITH YOU 

                       by Dan Kysor

	Legislative advocacy doesn't just happen because someone wants it.  Rather, membership action determines which legislation this organization supports or opposes through our resolution, motion and recommendation process.
	This discussion relates to personal and chapter empowerment, the process by which a bill becomes law, how to write to your legislator, the way to subscribe to a bill and how to listen to a hearing on your computer.  We will suggest ways your chapter can become more involved with the legislative advocacy process.  Finally, we will also provide you with a helpful reference section containing phone numbers of news and information hotlines as well as listservs you can contact to keep up on the latest advocacy information.
	Personal and Chapter Empowerment: During the phenomenal history of the great organized blind movement, CCB's efforts have concentrated on legislative advocacy, both at the State and Federal level.  In order to effect change in education and social and civil rights, it has been necessary for the Council to use legislative advocacy programs at all levels of government, beginning with the reader services advanced by Dr. Newel Perry back in the 1930's and extending to the most recent passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the early 1990's.  To ensure an adequate program, the Council maintains an advocate in Sacramento and has representation in Washington, D.C., vis-'a-vis the Governmental Affairs representative of the American Council of the Blind.  City and county governments across the state are monitored by local chapters and their representatives.
     To be a successful chapter of this great organization, it must have a membership that is interested in pursuing change to improve the lot of blind and visually impaired individuals.  That effort means educating the public and, most of all, the politicians concerning the needs of blind, visually impaired and  the disabled community.  It is essential to:
	* keep abreast of local issues concerning blind and visually impaired persons in newspapers, follow releases from our advocate in Sacramento, and read publications from the state and national organization;
	* Promote educational and rehabilitation opportunities;
	* Increase public awareness about the accomplishments of people who are blind or visually impaired; 
	* Support legislative and other advocacy programs that will enhance first class citizenship for the blind and visually impaired.
     Reports from our Governmental Affairs Director are made on cassettes, in braille and large print, on  computer diskette and via e-mail during the period that the legislature is in session. Regular updates are given in the CCB newsletter, The Blind Californian; at the spring and fall state conventions; at legislative seminars from time to time; and through the California Connection each week.  For the Connection, phone 800-221-6359 evenings or weekends or consult the CCB Listserv: ccb-l.  To subscribe, send e-mail to: ccb-l-subscribe@egroups.com  leave everything else blank and simply send that message.  You will receive a response to this message and your reply will confirm your subscription.    	
	To keep up with federal legislation, call the Washington Connection evenings and weekends: 800-424-8666.  You can also join ACB-l.  To subscribe, send a message to:  majordomo@telepath.com  In the body of the message, type the words subscribe acb-l 
	If your chapter desires a special report from your Governmental Affairs Director, you may contact him or the Executive Office to set up a presentation to one of your regular chapter meetings. 
	Your chapter's legislative representative should give a monthly report and work to educate the members to support the programs of the CCB.  The most appropriate and effective way to become involved in legislation is: 
	* register to vote.
	* call local registrar's office to inquire where you can register.
	* call this number at the office of the Secretary of State for registration information: 800-345-vote or 800-345-8683.  At this number you can also request a sample ballot.
	Know Your Legislators,  Federal: know your congressional members of the Senate and House of Representatives by name and district number.  You can secure this information from your local public library, not the special library that serves the blind. 
	State: Know your local district assembly and senate representatives by name and district number.  Again, your local library can be of help, or you can telephone the governor's information line: 916-322-9900. 
	Know your legislator's party affiliation to make it easier to understand his/her philosophy and the best way to approach that individual.
	Communications: Before supporting or opposing any legislation on behalf of the California Council of the Blind, be sure to communicate with the Executive Office and/or your Governmental Affairs Director, and do not take any action affecting a specific piece of legislation without discussing it with CCB persons trusted with information on these matters.  
	Know Your Subject: If you are promoting California Council of the Blind legislation, study your resolution concerning the matter.  Be sure that you understand exactly what you are trying to do and why.
	If you are working with a legislator and/or a member of his/her staff, you must be able to explain all factors relating to your concern.  With legislation that you are opposing, be sure that you know precisely why you are opposing it and be able to explain in detail if required.
	Chapter Governmental Affairs Committee: The chapter should have a governmental affairs chairman and committee consisting of a telephone subcommittee and a subcommittee to visit local legislators, identifying themselves clearly on such occasions as representing the CCB. All members of the committees should understand the legislation well.
	A report on all legislative contacts should be forwarded to the Executive Office and the Governmental Affairs Director as soon as possible.
	How a Bill Becomes Law: Advocacy really does begin with you.  One of the most powerful things you can do is to just pick up your telephone and call your legislator's office to state your opinion on a particular situation whether it be an existing piece of legislation or a problem you are having with a service or government agency.  Every call is logged and is almost as meaningful as a letter.  Often bills get started because of that one phone call from you, the concerned citizen.
	Bills may also originate from groups or organizations that  find a legislator to "author" the measure.  Finally, a bill can originate from the legislator him or herself.  The legislator then sends the concept of the bill to the Legislative Counsel who drafts the bill and returns it to the legislator.  If this is a Senate bill, it then goes to the Senate Desk where it is introduced and numbered.  Next, the bill moves to the Rules Committee where it is printed and assigned to a committee. 
	The bill then goes to the Policy Committee where it is debated on the pros and cons of the issue.  It may pass, be amended and pass or be amended and returned to the committee.  If it passes or is passed and amended, it goes to the fiscal committee known as the Appropriations Committee.  That committee differs from the Policy Committee in that only the fiscal impact is discussed.    
	If the bill passes this committee, it goes to the Senate floor where all the Senators vote on it.  Succeeding there, it moves to the Assembly.  If the bill had originated in the Assembly, it would go to the Senate after it had progressed through the identical process.  Should one house not concur with the other concerning the bill, it goes to a combined Senate/Assembly Conference Committee to work out a solution satisfactory to both chambers.  It then returns to the Senate and Assembly for final vote.  When passage is achieved, the bill is enrolled to the Governor where he/she generally has 30 days to sign the bill or it becomes law.  Once signed, it is chaptered and sent to the Secretary of State. 
	The Governor can veto the bill.  In that case a positive vote of two thirds of the legislature is required to override the veto.  If the veto is overridden, the bill is then chaptered. 
	Because many bills are complex and difficult to understand, we recommend that you read the Legislative Counsel's Digest portion of the bill, since it gives an overview of the entire bill. 
	Communicating with Your Legislator: The most effective method for making your case is to write a letter.  With the advent of e-mail, it is becoming acceptable to communicate in this manner, but you should contact that person's office to learn if it is appropriate.  The conventions for sending e-mail are as follows:
	Sending E-mail to a member of the Assembly: first name,  last name, at sign, smca.gov
	Sending e-mail to a Senator: First name, period, last name, at sign, sen.ca.gov
	Here is a sample letter: 
Your address and Date
The Honorable . . .  (legislator's name) 
Re- Support (or Opposition) to bill Number . . .

Dear Assemblyman or Assemblywoman or Senator (last name)

	I am writing in support of (or opposition to) Senate (or Assembly) bill . . .  I am a resident of (county or district) and support (or oppose) this bill for the following reasons. 
	Note: Make statements brief and to the point.  If you can write a paragraph describing how this bill will effect you, that strategy will be important.  
	Close with Sincerely, and your name 
	Tracking Legislation: This section is devoted to a tutorial on accessing the California Assembly and Senate's myriad databases as well as their several real-audio broadcasts.  We will deal with 4 topics: key word search, finding and retrieving a particular piece of legislation, subscribing and listening to a bill.
	Key Word Search: In order to know what bills fall into your interest area, you must either pay for a subscription service or, if you have access to the internet, search the databases of the legislature for the bill numbers.  We have over 45 key words we use in searching the large "leginfo" database.  Some of these words are: disabled, handicapped, blind, ssi/ssp, visually impaired--well, you get the idea.
     Step 1: Point your browser to www.leginfo.ca.gov.  In ordinary English this means that, in whatever program you are using to access the Web, type the address of the Web site you wish to view.  Usually, after each step, you must press the Enter key.  
	Step 2: Tab or arrow down to Key Word Search.  
	Step 3: Type your key words--Example: blind, disabled, ssi/ssp, guide dog.  
	Step 4: Tab or arrow down to Search.  You will then get a list of legislation pertaining to the above key words. 
	Finding and Retrieving a Piece of Legislation: 
	Step 1: Point your browser to www.leginfo.ca.gov.  
	Step 2: Tab or arrow down to bill Information.  
	Step 3: Tab or arrow down to Bill Number and type the bill number.  You will most likely get a list of two bills, an Assembly bill and a Senate bill with the same number, one with an AB before the number and the other with an SB. 
	Subscribing Via E-mail to a Piece of Legislation: Subscribing to a bill has many advantages because you will find out everything that happens to it along its journey from house to house.  You will also automatically get any amendments (changes to the bill). 
	Step 1: Send e-mail to: Senate-news@sen.ca.gov.  Ignore the subject field.  In the body of the message type: subscribe sb_858  (or whatever bill you want in either house of the legislature.)  Notice that the character after SB is the underline.
	Listening to a Hearing on Your Computer:  Not all hearing rooms are wired live to the internet but many are--like Senate room 4203 and Assembly room 4202, for instance.  You can also listen to the floor sessions which are usually restricted to the public.  You must have the Real Audio Player already installed on your computer for this process to work. 
	Step 1: Point your browser to www.sen.ca.gov.  Tab or arrow down to TV-Audio and simply pick the room you want to hear.  
	Web Sites: We offer our own Web site complete with copies of the Blind Californian, legislative information and CCB updates.  The site is located on the affiliate page of acb.org or you can go directly to our page at www.acb.org/ccb.  The American Council of the Blind's Web site is: www.acb.org.
	Legislative Home Pages: The home page for the California Senate is www.sen.ca.gov while the Assembly page is www.leginfo.ca.gov.
	Important Phone Numbers:
California Government Information Line 916-322-9900
California Legislative Bill Room (bills at no cost) 916-445-2323
	For any additional information, contact Dan Kysor, the CCB Governmental Affairs Director; Telephone/Fax 916-648-3936
e-mail dan@kysor.net 
 

	MESSAGE FROM CHARLES CRAWFORD

Hi Everyone!
	There is no question that the American Council of the Blind has achieved many social justice goals for blind people, even with the meager resources we have.  Now we have found a way to raise money with no real burden to those wanting to help out!
      We are partnering with Easy Access USA, which is a national
local dial-up internet service provider and the company will give ACB $4 per month per subscriber to the service.  You get two e-mail accounts, local dial-up for 56kb modems, internet newsgroups and you can run your MSN or AOL messengers as well!
      10,000 subscribers would reinforce and help expand our livable communities and pedestrian safety campaigns that we believe are truly saving lives, and further help us work with accessibility to the World Wide Web and other computing applications.  20,000 subscribers would enable us to finally have stable funding to properly conduct expansion of our ACB-Radio streams, our Braille Forum monthly magazine and to have available human resources to cope with the many issues facing our community
from rehabilitation to transportation and employment issues.
30,000 subscribers would eliminate our reliance on soft funding mechanisms and allow us to truly flourish as a national organization of blind people working for the well-being of our
entire community.
      Please take the time to go to the Easy Access web site at
http://www.easyaccessusa.net and check out if there is a local
access number you could dial.  Then you can sign up for the
service and support ACB as well!  It's only $19.95 per month and
you'll be helping out the American Council of the Blind and our
programs every month of every year!
      When you first go to the site, you will see a question as to whether you want to run the flash software and the default is no and so press Enter there.  Then you will see a thing that says if you can't read this then click on the link and you should press Enter on that link to access the page.  Next we suggest that you check to see if there is an access number in your area which you can search for on the Web site.  If there is, then you can use the signup link to fill out a form to sign up.  You will be given a choice of whether to use the form with the java script or to go to a text form that we suggest you use by pressing Enter.  Then use your screen reader MSAA or other access mechanisms to go through the screen and fill out the edit boxes.  Of course with MSAA you have to hit Enter on the edit box you want to fill out and then fill it out and go back to MSAA to read what is wanted in the next box.  The technicians have spent a couple of weeks working on that form to see if there was a way to do it without the going in and out of MSAA in Window Eyes, but no luck.  Once you have filled out the form and read through the terms of agreement, you can sign up online!  If you want to skip going to the Web site altogether, call the toll-free tech  assistance line at 877-898-6639 where you will be able to talk with a tech person to sign up or you will receive a call back.  

      There is only 56 KB dial-up capacity at this point.  Once
the company gets the resources to do DSL, then they are looking at going in that direction as well.  Like ACB, they are growing, and this partnership will be beneficial to us as an advocacy organization and to Easy Access USA as a company that wants to give back to the community through helping charitable groups.
      Please sign up and especially pass this message along to all your friends and family so we can really start to grow the support we know is out there.  It truly is easy and will do a great deal of good!
      For more information on the American Council of the Blind go to www.acb.org or check out our ACB Radio streams at www.acbradio.org.
      We are not rich, but we have done much with the little we have.  We are blind people together in our membership of the American Council of the Blind.  please sign up today and designate ACB as your charity!


	NEW HEALTH-CARE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO HELP 
	ELDERLY AND DISABLED CALIFORNIANS 

	Press Release from Governor Davis on January 12, 2001.
	Governor Davis today announced a new initiative to pay premiums of approximately 40,000 elderly and disabled Californians who faced disruption of their health care when nine Medicare/Choice HMOs in California implemented price increases on January 1, 2001.
	"Many of these individuals live on small, fixed incomes and faced the difficult choice of leaving their Medicare/Choice HMOs or suffering substantial financial hardship to pay the premiums," Governor Davis said.  "Assisting these Californians by ensuring continuation of their critical health care benefits will save money on services currently covered by the HMO plans."
 	Last fall, nine Medicare/Choice HMOs in California and others nationwide announced plans to increase premiums to cover rising costs of health services.  These increases affected beneficiaries who are eligible for both the state's Medi-Cal program and the federal Medicare program.  By ending enrollment in their plans, these individuals would have returned to a fee-for-service health care plan. These plans are more costly to the beneficiaries and the state.
 	The beneficiaries have been notified of the new program by mail.
	Under the new program, California will pay the premiums for these individuals, effective January 1. The state is paying the HMOs directly, eliminating the need for individuals to make a payment each month.  The payments are comprised of 50 percent General Funds and 50 percent federal matching funds.  Initial annual cost projections for the program are $8 million in the current fiscal year and $17 million in subsequent years.
 	California is one of the first states in the nation to recognize and respond effectively to this crisis for its low-income, elderly and disabled population.  Medicare/Choice  HMOs often provide additional services not available through basic Medicare, including valuable prescription drug coverage.
	The benefits of this program include the elderly and  disabled; low-income Californians affected by this program will continue to receive critical health care benefits through their Medicare/Choice HMO without having to endure additional financial hardship or a break in the continuity of care.
	Elderly and disabled Californians already enrolled in the Medicare/Choice HMOs will not need to change health plans, a process that often presents numerous difficulties for this vulnerable population.


	COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

	by Jewel McGinnis, Chair
	Committee on Employment Assistance 

	Many blind persons have found it impossible to  borrow money from banks for necessary equipment.  Since 1983, The Committee on Employment Assistance (CEA) of the California Council of the Blind has had a revolving loan fund available to blind and low vision Californians for the purchase of employment-related equipment.  
	The following are the pertinent features:  
	* No interest charges.
	* Available to purchase both low and high tech adaptive equipment.
	* Available to blind and low vision persons living in California.
	* Borrower must have a job, an offer of a job or a plan for self-employment.
	* Borrower must pass a credit check and be able to repay the loan.
	Membership in the CCB is not required.  Pertinent materials are available in all formats.  We will make every effort to process the loan within 30 days.
	For an application, call the CCB office between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at 800-221-6359 or 
510-537-7877. 


	DINING WHILE BLIND:
	EATING IN THE DARK

	Submitted from the Internet by Sue Ammeter 

	(Published December 7 from The Wall Street Journal in the Fresno Bee.
	A restaurant in Zurich, Switzerland, offers a dining experience that's unique for most of its patrons but is routine for those who work there:  eating in the dark.  Nearly all the staff are blind as is the proprietor, a pastor who told The Wall Street Journal he wanted sighted people to learn what it's like to live in darkness. 
	Die Blinde Kuh, which means the Blind Cow and is the German name for Blind Man's Bluff, is located in a vacant Lutheran church, where diners are greeted in a lighted foyer.  Then they are taken to tables in a pitch-black dining room by waitresses who wear bells on their shoes to help avoid collisions (no flashlights allowed). 
	The operator says he had expected the novelty to quickly wear off, but the 60-seat restaurant has been open for 14 months and is fully booked until March. 


	PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

	Submitted from the Internet by Sue Ammeter
	
	Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001 on February 6, 2001.  Supported by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, the bill is a strong patients' bill of rights, allowing individuals to sue their HMOs.  
	The McCain-Kennedy bill is very similar to the Norwood-Dingell bill that passed the House in 1999, and it is supported by Families USA.  It would cover all 160 million privately insured Americans and would guarantee access to emergency and specialty care. The bill also requires health plans to tell consumers how to pay for out-of-network emergency room visits, how to access specialists, and how to handle appeals.
	The bill is different from the Norwood-Dingell bill in three ways.  First, it creates a two-pronged path for lawsuits.  All cases involving issues of medical necessity will be dealt with in state courts, while cases involving contract terms will proceed through federal courts.  Second, employers will be liable only for decisions made by managed care plans if they are directly involved in a decision.  This language is stronger than that contained in the Norwood-Dingell bill.  Third, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will determine if a state's consumer protection laws are comparable to the federal rules.  If they are determined to be comparable, state law and enforcement will apply.  For provisions that are present in the federal bill, but are not currently state law, the federal law will apply.
	Despite these differences, McCain-Kennedy is a strong, consumer protection bill.  We hope introduction of this new, bipartisan effort will bring the issue back to the forefront of debate and let the Republican leadership know that we're serious about getting a real patients' bill of rights passed this year.
	Families USA, The Voice for Health Care Consumers
1334 G St., NW
Washington, DC  20005
Phone: 202-628-3030    Fax: 202-347-2417
jkirsch@familiesusa.org
www.familiesusa.org


	SAMTRANS STARTS NEW BUS-STOP CALL-OUT 
	PROGRAM 

	Submitted by Frank Welte 

	SamTrans (San Mateo, California) has instituted a system-wide program to improve its performance in the area of bus stop call-outs.
	The Americans with Disabilities Act requires bus operators to announce stops at transfer points, major intersections and destinations, and at sufficient intervals along the route to orient customers with visual impairments or other disabilities to their location.  The ADA also says that where buses for more than one route serve the same stop, transit agencies must make a way for customers to get on the correct bus.  Operators must also announce any stop on the request of a customer with a disability.
	SamTrans has given a list of all required call-outs to each operator for each route that they serve.  In addition, SamTrans has put bright decals on each bus stop sign at stops that must be called out.  Operators are required to call out each of these stops and, at stops served by more than one route, to announce the route and destination via the exterior public address system.
	You can help make this new system even more effective.  SamTrans has commendation cards for customers with visual impairments to distribute to bus operators who do a good job of calling out stops.  If you use SamTrans regularly and would like a supply of cards, please call Accessible Transit Services at 650-508-6202.
	Operators who receive cards have their name entered in a monthly drawing and are eligible to win a prize.


                         ARDIS BAZYN

                        by Jane Kardas

	Ardis Bazyn was born and raised in a small town, Alvord,
Iowa.  She was encouraged while a teenager to get jobs in babysitting, housecleaning for elderly neighbors, and mowing lawns.  She also helped with Bible School and teaching Sunday School.  When she graduated from high school, she started working as a bookkeeper/receptionist in Sioux Falls, South  Dakota, which was close across the border from her hometown.  
	She was involved in a serious car accident when she was 20 years old and lost her vision as a consequence.  She tells kids today that if she had been wearing a seat belt at the time, she probably would be able to see now.  Since the car was an old vehicle, she didn't have that option at that time.
	After losing her sight, Ardis was encouraged to go to college but decided to take food service management training instead, thus becoming involved in the Business Enterprise Program in South Dakota.  A few years later, she moved back to Iowa and was accepted into Iowa's Business Enterprise Program.  She expanded her range of activities by joining the organized blind movement, the ACB in South Dakota and NFB briefly in Iowa until she joined the ACB again In 1984.
	She has always enjoyed talking to kids in schools about how she handles her job, manages household chores, and travels in the local community.
	Her two daughters, Gwen and April, were born in 1980 and 1981.  They attended all the ACB conventions with their parents from 1987 to 1993 and with Ardis from 1994 to 1996.  After that, they chose to pursue interests of their own.  
	Ardis started attending Christian women's clubs in the mid-80's and became a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries.  She has spoken at many clubs throughout the Midwest; and in 1990, she became more involved nationally, both in ACB and the Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America.  She was elected to the board of directors of RSVA in 1991 and to the ACB board in 1992.  She has served on various committees for both ACB and RSVA including resolutions, access, membership, budget, publications, legislation, and planning. She chairs three committees currently in RSVA and has participated in all the ACB legislative seminars from 1989-2000 except for 1998 when she was finishing up her Master's Degree.
	While her husband David was experiencing severe health problems, she decided to go to college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1992 to make sure she would always be able to earn a good income to raise her daughters.  She received her B.A. in Public Relations and Speech Communications in 1996 and her M.A. in Teaching in 1998.  In 1999, she resigned from the Business Enterprise Program and moved to Burbank, California.  Her daughters had graduated from high school, and she had decided to start a new business using skills she had learned while in college and in working with advocacy and church organizations.  Her new business is called Bazyn Communications and is principally engaged in image building.  Using inspirational speaking and writing as a foundation, she guides individuals, organizations, churches, and businesses in goal setting, coping strategies, and positive public relations tools.
	Ardis is currently working on two books which she hopes to have published soon and has ideas accumulated for two more in the near future.  She finds her biggest problem to be finding enough time since she enjoys volunteering in RSVA, ACB, Christian women's club, her local church, and her CCB chapters.  She is chair of the CCB Constitution and Bylaws Committee. She also enjoys her work on the ACB Membership Committee. 
	She has written articles published in the Braille Forum, the Student Advocate, the Iowa Bulletin, the Vendorscope, the Blind Californian, and manuals and other publications for ACB and RSVA.  	Ardis has become a member of the Blind Students of California since she feels that students are tomorrow's leaders.  "When I see a need, I like to help, and that attitude gets me into a habit of volunteering too much at times," she admits.
	Last May, while visiting her daughters in Iowa, she suffered a mild heart attack. "I am trying to make sure I take the time I need to relax and enjoy life so I don't feel too stressed.  I do enjoy life and love working and socializing with a variety of people." 


	"I PLAYED FROM MY HEART!"

	by Debra Saylor

	(Editor's note: The Newsreel is a monthly magazine on cassette to which patrons contribute articles ranging in subject matter from demonstrations of computer equipment, musical renditions, and reports on travel to jokes, puzzle, and requests for assistance.  The February, 2001, issue included an account by a young pianist of an extraordinary experience she had.  She has given me permission to copy it as nearly as possible so that others can share in this unique story.  Her tone is conversational, not formal, and I've tried to preserve that approach.)
	Hello, everyone!  This is Debra Saylor, and I would like to tell you about one of the greatest experiences of my life.  The time is May 31st to June 11th when I went to Fort Worth, Texas, to participate in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.  
	The story really begins last September when Tim Hendel, who is a good friend of mine, told me about this competition.  He had heard about it on the public radio station in Huntsville, Alabama.  He had heard me play on a tape when I had sent him a copy of a recital that I gave last fall at my church.  He said, "You should enter this competition."  I thought, "Yes, that would be pretty wonderful."  I could enter it and see what happened.  
	I got the application in the mail, had it filled out, and sent it in along with an audition tape, which had to be at least 15 minutes of music. I also had to send in a resume and my repertory list of not only what I would be playing in the Competition but also what I had studied in the past as a pianist throughout my whole life. 
	The deadline for entry in the Competition was March 31st.  Well, March 31st kind of came and went without my hearing anything about the Competition.  I thought, "Well, I didn't make it," although that Friday I remembered there was a big envelope in my mailbox.  I thought, "I wonder what this is."  Not being able to read it, I had to wait until someone could read it to me.
	The next day was April 1st, and I had a student coming to practice.  I asked her what that big envelope was, and she said, "It's from the Van Cliburn Competition."  I thought, "Could it possibly be that I've been chosen?"  
	Sure enough! I had been invited to participate.  In the Competition there were 75 participants from 21 states and five foreign countries.  I got to talk to so many new people.  I even got to speak French and Spanish to a couple of the foreign competitors, and they really liked that and so did I because I got to use my language skills.
	The way the Competition worked was as follows.  For the preliminary round, each competitor was to play a 12-minute program.  The repertoire could be of our own choosing, just so the program didn't exceed 12 minutes.  If you were lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 18 semifinalists, you were to play a 20-minute program.  Once again, the repertoire   was of your own choosing. The same way with the 30-minute program which the six finalists would perform.  Because I didn't tell the Van Cliburn Foundation people that I was blind, they had no way of knowing.  When I arrived on May 31st to check in, I wondered what to expect from these people.  Would they say, "Oh, my goodness; you're blind.  You can't participate."  Or would they say, "Oh, you're blind!" as if totally shocked.  How would they react to me?  
	However when I arrived at the check-in desk, the gentleman simply said to me, "Well, here's the key to your room; and would you please sign here."  It was just wonderful to know that I was accepted and not even thought of as being blind.  They surely noticed, but they didn't stress that fact at all.
	The Competition took place at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.  The preliminary round of the Competition took place Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 5th, 6th, and 7th.  My performance was on Wednesday at 4:15 in the afternoon. I played three pieces: Schubert's "Moment Musicale in F minor," "Clair de Lune" by Debussy, and Chopin's "Fantasy-Impromptu." When I went out on the stage to play, I walked out by myself. They didn't even announce the fact that I was blind; I had asked them not to.  I sat down at the piano after finding the bench and started to play.  I sat down and I played right from the heart.  I did it just to give a gift to the audience to show them what I had prepared for them.  
	I was given a standing ovation for my performance, and I was really overwhelmed by the whole thing.  There was lots of newspaper  coverage, radio and TV interviews.  They were interviewing all the contestants, but I'm sure that they were quite taken with the fact that I was blind.  
	The preliminary round was wonderful, and I thought, "Well, I got to play for the audience."  The jury consisted of concert pianists, whom I hear on public radio stations all the time, as well as music critics from major newspapers around the country.  It would be wonderful, I thought, if I made the semifinals, but I wasn't expecting anything because I had listened to a lot of the preliminaries on Monday and Tuesday; and those contestants were wonderful.  They all played like concert pianists, and I thought, "If I make it, it will be great," but it was even great just to play.  If I made the semifinals, it would be wonderful.  
	That Wednesday night when the semifinalists were announced, it was very late, probably 12:30 at night by the time they got around to announcing the names of the 18 semifinalists; and I was one of them!  I couldn't believe it; it was just so wonderful.  It felt so good to walk up on that stage as one of the semifinalists.  Well, this meant that I had to play a program on Friday night.  Thursday was a day that was supposed to be a  break in the Competition; but I was tied up pretty much the whole day with interviews with newspapers, radio--even television.  So I didn't get much of a break because I also had to practice for my Friday night program.   	
	On Friday night, my program consisted of Schubert's "Impromptu in A flat," Dvorak's "Humoresque," Brahms's "Intermezzo in E flat," and the Chopin "Military Polonaise."  Once again, I walked out on the stage by myself and played my 20-minute program.  I felt wonderful after that performance; I did it once again as my gift to the audience.  It was  once more about 12:30 in the morning when the finalists were announced.  There would be six finalists, and I thought, "Oh my!"  I was very happy to have made the semifinals; if I really made the finals, it would be quite the thing! 
	Well, I made the finals; I was one of the six finalists.  But I couldn't believe it.  I thought, "This is a dream; this isn't really happening."  I was walking up on the stage and this time with the finalists!  I was so excited; it was so incredible.  The thing that seemed to me most incredible was that I had never done anything like this before in my life.  I had lived a very sheltered life.  Until just recently, I hadn't ever traveled on my own; but I had decided I wanted to travel, I wanted to see the world, and I wanted to see what it had to offer.  This Van Cliburn Competition was one of the very beginning phases of it all.
	The finals took place on Saturday, June 10th.  Once again I walked out on the stage alone and performed my 30-minute program which consisted of Chopin's "Nocturne in F minor," Ravel's "Pavane for a Dead Princess," and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."  When I finished the performance, I thought, "Wow! I did it!  I was in all three rounds of the Competition; and even if I don't place first, second, or third, I still was in the finals."  I never even expected to make the semifinals, let alone the finals.  
	It was about 8 o'clock that Saturday evening when the winners were finally announced.  There were several special awards given as well as the first, second, and third prizes.  There were four awards of $250 each for most outstanding performance of a piece in the Baroque Period, the Classical Period, the Romantic Period and the Contemporary Period.  I received the award for the best performance of a piece from the Romantic Period for my performance of Clair de Lune in the preliminary round.  I don't know what I did with the piece that was so outstanding.  I just played it from my heart, and they all just loved it.  It was quite the thing to receive that award, and I thought, "This's wonderful.  Now I have that to remember this Competition by.
	Then the third place winner was announced, and it was me, Debra Saylor; I won $500.  What a feeling of elation!  What excitement!  To think that, for the first time ever in my life, I did something like this.  I walked away with third place when I really didn't expect to make the semifinals.
	The second place winner received $1,000, and the first place winner received $2,000; and they were fantastic!  Both of the gentlemen who played did beautifully.  Incidentally, I was the only woman to make the finals.  
	After the completion of the award ceremony, we went to the City Club in Fort Worth, which is a really fancy restaurant used for fancy parties, and it was here that I got to meet Van Cliburn himself.  He put on this wonderful party for everyone who participated in the Competition.  They had all kinds of different foods there on the buffet.  It was food that I had never had before, but it was all very delicious.  While I was at the party, Van Cliburn came up to me and introduced himself and told me what a wonderful performance I had given and what an inspiration I had been to everyone.  
	One of the other competitors knew that I was a vocal instructor back in Reinbeck, Iowa, and he asked me if I would like to sing something for everyone.  It just so happened that there was a grand piano in the room, and there were other musicians who were entertaining the guests at the party so my friend walked up to the musicians to ask them if I could sing, and they said sure.  So I sang the song "Climb Every Mountain."  I really enjoyed doing that, and everyone loved it. Once again, Van Cliburn came up to me and said how wonderful it was.  He didn't say, "This is Mr. Cliburn, and I want to tell you how wonderful you did."  He said, "This is Van and I want to tell you how wonderful your performance was, and he gave me a big hug and he kissed me on the cheek and asked if he could have his picture taken with me.  What an honor!  I mean, Van Cliburn!  I have his CD's; I have his records.  I mean he is so wonderful, and I got to meet him!  What an experience! 
	After the party, I went back to my room, and I thought, "I did it; what a way to come out after having led such a sheltered life! What a way to walk out into the world and say, I can do this!.  I had made the trip to Fort Worth all by myself.  I was able to get around most of the time by myself, though there was a lot of construction going on at the university so that I did have to have some help in getting to some places; but especially in the dorm, I was able to get around myself.  When I needed help outside, there were people who were more than willing to help me; but they didn't come up and grab me by the arm and drag me where they thought I wanted to go.  No, they would ask me if I needed help and if I didn't, I just said, "No, thank you.  If I did, I just told them where I needed to go, and they were very willing to walk with me.  I wasn't treated as if I were blind and didn't know what I was doing.  They treated me with respect, and what a feeling that is!  When you've grown up not used to being treated with respect and all of a sudden people are treating you as an adult and respecting you, it really makes you feel like you've accomplished something.  
	The camaraderie at this Competition was something else.  Everyone was so friendly.  They weren't out to beat the other person.  What a way to compete--encouraging everyone else.
	The Competition will take place again in 2002.  They had it last year for the first time and then did it again this year.  From now on, they're going to have it every two years.  The newspaper, TV, and radio coverage were quite overwhelming; but the highlight of all that was the day after I returned home when I got a call from National Public Radio's Performance Today.  They did a live telephone interview with me after which they played the performance I had played in the Competition of Clair de Lune.  There are also CD's available or all the performances.
	In 2002 I'm going to be back in Fort Worth, Texas, again competing in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs.  It's true it won't be exactly like the first time, but it will be just as incredible an experience as this time.  No matter what experiences I decide to have in my life, whether it be a piano competition, a national convention, whatever it may be, I know that I'm ready for any adventure that comes up in my life, and I'm going to enjoy it for all it's worth.
	Whenever I was interviewed by the media, I was able to stress the fact that I read braille music and how important it is for all blind people that have any kind of an interest, especially in classical music, to learn to read braille music.  I hope that my saying that can somehow have a great deal of influence in the education of blind people throughout the year. 
	(The Newsreel cassette on which this interview was recorded had as background through much of it Debra's beautiful piano playing.  Anyone wishing to know more about the Newsreel should write to the organization at 8 East Long Street, Columbus, OH 43215; 614-469-0700.) 


	JUSTICES LIMIT DISABILITY LAW 

	From the Internet

	February 21, 2001, Washington, D.C.  The Supreme Court limited the reach of the Americans With Disabilities Act, ruling Wednesday that state workers cannot file employment-discrimination lawsuits against their employers under the federal disability-rights law.
	The 5-4 ruling, a further cutback of the federal government's power over the states, said Congress exceeded its authority when it let state workers file such claims under the 1990 law.
	The federal law does not trump states' 11th Amendment immunity against being sued in federal courts, the justices said.
	"We decide here whether employees of the state of Alabama may recover money damages by reason of the state's failure to comply with the (employment discrimination) provisions of Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  We hold that such suits are barred by the 11th Amendment,'' Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the court.
	The ruling in an Alabama case added to the court's series of decisions that have increasingly tipped the federal-state balance of power toward the states.
	Those decisions have all featured the same 5-4 split among the justices, and that lineup was repeated in Wednesday's decision.
	Joining Rehnquist were Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy and Clarence Thomas.  Dissenting were
Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer.
	Writing for the four, Breyer said, "The court ... improperly invades a power that the Constitution assigns to Congress."
	In January, 2000, the justices barred state workers from suing their employers in federal court under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.  That ruling said the law could not override states' immunity against being sued in federal court.
	The ADA is perhaps best known for requiring wheelchair ramps in buildings across the country.
	The law bans job discrimination against the disabled, requiring employers to offer reasonable accommodations to disabled people who are otherwise qualified to perform a job.  It also bans discrimination in the provision of government programs and services.
	The law was signed by former President Bush, who filed a court brief supporting two Alabama state employees who sued the state.  Bush said the ADA let disabled people "pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence and freedom."
	Wednesday's ruling reversed a federal appeals court decision that let Patricia Garrett and Milton Ash sue over alleged bias in their state jobs.  Garrett had been a University of Alabama nurse for 17 years when she took a four-month leave to undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for breast cancer. When she returned, she said she was ordered to take a lower-paying job or quit.  Her lawsuit said her supervisor made negative comments about her illness.  She took the lower-paying job and later retired.
	Ash, a security guard for the Alabama Department of Youth Services, said his severe asthma was aggravated by the agency's refusal to enforce its no-smoking policy or repair exhaust problems on a vehicle he had to drive.
	The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the two could sue under the ADA, saying the law canceled the states' constitutional immunity from being sued in federal court against their will. 

*****          *****          *****          *****
	"Where's Bush on Garrett and ADA?" asks Jonathan Young.  
	Today, by a narrow 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court 
ruled against the disability community in the Garrett case, opting for  a states' rights argument over the evidence of discrimination against people with disabilities.  Basically, this decision means that individuals cannot sue states for monetary damages for employment discrimination based on disability.  The Majority opinion in this case, as well as the vigorous Dissenting opinion, can be found at the following website.
//www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/00pdf/99-1240.pdf
	Although this decision was limited to Title I of the ADA, regarding employment by states, it delivers a sobering message about the trends of the Court to enforce states' rights at the expense of civil rights.  We can surely expect to see more lower court and, eventually, Supreme Court decisions about the ADA.
	George Bush, Sr., signed the ADA as President in 1990 and supported the ADA in the Garrett case in a brief to the Supreme Court.  Now we need to hear from his son, President George W. Bush, with a strong statement supporting the constitutionality of the ADA.  Please contact the White House TODAY demanding that the President come forward publicly in support of the ADA and against further encroachments.
	Information about contacting the White House follows:
The White House 
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 
Washington, DC 20500
The White House Phone Numbers: VOICE: 202-456-1414; Comment Line: 202-395-1160 
White House E-Mail Addresses: 
president@whitehouse.gov
vice.president@whitehouse.gov
first.lady@whitehouse.gov
mrs.cheney@whitehouse.gov

*****          *****           *****          *****          
	This is the text of the 11th amendment to the U.S.
 Constitution: The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend  to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
	Chief Justice Rehnquist, writing for the majority, admits what the amendment says but writes: "Although by its terms the amendment applies only to suits against the state by citizens of another state, our cases have extended the amendment's applicability to suits by citizens of their own state."  


	STUDY SAYS DISABLED WOULD LOSE BENEFITS 
	UNDER NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN 

	by Robert Pear 
	Submitted from the Internet by Sue Ammeter

	Washington, D.C., February 6, 2001:  People with disabilities would lose income and benefits under the major proposals to revamp Social Security by creating individual investment accounts, a new government study said today.
	The disabled account for 17 percent of Social Security beneficiaries about 7.5 million of the 45 million recipients but have received little attention in the national debate over the future of the program.
	President Bush has said he wants to let workers put some of their Social Security payroll taxes into personal investment accounts, but at the same time he has championed the rights of people with disabilities.
	The new study, by the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, concludes that "even under the best of circumstances, Social Security reform proposals would reduce benefits" for people with disabilities.
	For a worker with average earnings who first receives disability benefits at the age of 45, the report said, the reduction in lifetime benefits would be in the range of 4 percent to 18 percent.  The average benefit for disabled workers is now $786 a month.
	"Most disability insurance beneficiaries would be adversely affected by the reform proposals," the office said in a report to Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat, of Iowa.  
	Proposals for individual investment accounts are often paired with proposals that would reduce Social Security benefits, compared with the amounts payable under existing laws.  Advocates of such private accounts say the income from investing in stocks and bonds would largely offset the reductions in benefits.
	That might be true for some or even many retirees, but, the General Accounting Office said, "Income from the individual accounts was not sufficient to compensate for the decline in the insurance benefits that disabled beneficiaries would receive" under the major proposals.
	Under many of the proposals, the study said, disabled workers would receive less income from individual accounts than retirees because the disabled typically have shorter work histories and would have less time to accumulate money in their accounts.
	In an interview, Mr. Harkin, the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, said: "This report is a wake-up call to policy makers, to all of us in Congress.  Social Security is not just about retirement.  It's also about protecting people who are wiped out by accident or illness that leaves them disabled.  You can plan your retirement, but you can't plan for disability.  It can happen to anyone at any time."
	"Before we reform Social Security," Mr. Harkin said, "we better stop and think about people with disabilities because they are among the most vulnerable in society."  Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute, a major advocate of individual investment accounts, said he had not closely analyzed the effects on people with disabilities.
	One of the proposals for individual accounts was offered in 1999 by Representatives Jim Kolbe, Republican, of Arizona, and Charles W. Stenholm, Democrat, of Texas.  An aide to Mr. Kolbe said today that the congressman was revising his bill to address concerns about the reduction in benefits for people with disabilities.
	"We realize that a person who is permanently disabled at the age of 25 may have only five or six years to accumulate money in a personal account," the aide said.
	The General Accounting Office said the major proposals for Social Security, by reducing benefits, would probably increase the costs of a separate program that provides cash assistance to low-income people with disabilities,  Supplemental Security Income. 
	More than 30 percent of the people receiving disability benefits have mental impairments.  Such impairments could, in some cases, limit their ability to make wise investment decisions.
	Quincy S. Abbot of West Hartford, Conn., said, "Take the case of my daughter Rebecca," who is 38 years old and has an I.Q. of 40 to 50.  "I can't imagine someone like her making the investment choices she'd have to make if she had a separate investment account," Mr. Abbot said.
	Most disabled people on Social Security, including disabled workers, receive cash benefits from the disability insurance program; but some in their 20's and 30's, who have been disabled since childhood, receive assistance through the old-age and survivors insurance program, as dependents of retired workers.


	TRIBUTE TO NORMA SCHECTER

	In the January, 2001, issue of The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, the editor, Michael Mellor, wrote:
	"James H. Veale, whose generosity led to the establishment of the humanitarian award that bears his name, died in October.  His name lives on, though, in his legacy of the James H. (Jim) Veale Humanitarian Award, which recognizes the contributions of sighted persons to the well-being of blind people. It therefore allays the sadness of his recent death to announce the winner of the 2000 Veale Award--Norma Schecter of Huntington Beach, California.  Ms Schecter has been a braille transcriber since 1958 when she began to transcribe books for blind children in California.  She has taught braille classes at Long Beach City College, Orange Coast College and Saddleback College.  During the 1950's, she founded three braille guilds, two of which are still functioning.  Ms Schecter has the unique distinction of being an 'Honorary Convict,' an honor bestowed upon her in recognition of her teaching men at the Vacaville, California, penitentiary to transcribe braille books.  For many years, she was editor of the California Transcriber, which later became the newsletter of the California Transcribers and Educators of the Visually Handicapped.  Her column, "Pain in the Perkins" appears in this publication.  I'm sure you all join me in congratulating Norma Schecter on receiving the Veale Award and in thanking her for many years of dedicated service." 


	FEDERAL LEGISLATION

	by Ahmad Rahman

	At the Legislative Seminar conducted by the American Council of the Blind in Washington, D.C., four subjects were brought to their legislators by those who attended.  
	Ensuring Equal Access to Ballots:  Following the 2000 election, states and municipalities across the country are examinating the processes and equipment they use to conduct elections and seeking to replace antiquated voting systems.  Most of the voting technology in use today is not usable by as many as eight million Americans who are blind or cannot see a print ballot.  Such individuals are forced to rely on the assistance of others in exercising their right to vote.  Thus, although blind people have a right to vote, they are denied access to a secret ballot and have no means by which to confirm that their vote was cast as they intended.  Technology currently exists which can be used by both blind and sighted voters that would ensure the free and accurate vote of both, but election officials must be encouraged to acquire it.
	Proposed Legislation: Congress is considering several bills which would make federal funds available to local elections officials for the modernization of the election processes and equipment.  Any such legislation should include, as a condition for the receipt of these federal funds, assurance that any system upgrade will provide greater access for non-print readers to an independent, private and verifiable vote.   	
	Increased Funding for Older Blind Programs: It is common knowledge that the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population is the group over age 65.  One of the most typical experiences of this population involves vision loss.  As people live longer lives because of medical advances, an increasing number of them will be doing so while having to adjust to the impact of reduced or lost vision.  Traditional rehabilitation programs have not adequately addressed the needs of this population because the focus of these programs has been on assistance leading to employment.  Individuals over age 55 may not be seeking to reenter the workforce, but they do need assistance in developing skills necessary to adjust to vision loss, avoid isolation, and maintain a quality, productive life.  Current programs to serve this population are underfunded by at least $6 million.
	Proposed Legislation: ACB supports legislation that would increase funding for programs serving the older blind, as authorized by Title VII, Chapter 11 of the 'Rhabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to at least $26 million beginning with the fiscal year 2002.
	Expanding Medicare Coverage for Equipment and Services Needed by the Blind:  Under current law, the specialized training essential to the rehabilitation of people whose functional ability is impaired by vision loss is not covered by Medicare, while similar training for people whose functional ability is affected by another physical disability, such as stroke, is covered.  Further, Medicare provides reimbursement for the cost of durable medical equipment and prosthetic devices used by persons with a variety of physical disabilities, but does not allow reimbursement for similar items of use to beneficiaries who are blind.  For the newly blind person, access to equipment such as white canes and magnifiers, and to basic rehabilitation services such as training in spatial orientation and independent travel, daily living skills and the use of optical devices, can enhance that person's safety, independence and quality of life.
	Proposed Legislation: ACB supports legislation amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare reimbursement for rehabilitation services and durable medical equipment needed by the blind.  Services should include:  instruction by orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation teachers, and assistance from low vision therapists.  Equipment should be defined in a manner which would ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, individuals would have access to the devices necessary for their rehabilitation.
	Statutory Definition of Legal Blindness: Under current law, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is required to evaluate claims for disability benefits using a definition of legal blindness found in statute.  This definition requires specific diminution in one's visual field, which is determined primarily, if not exclusively, by using a procedure called manual perimetry, or the Goldmann perimeter.  For a number of years now, optometrists have been moving toward another standard for visual field testing which is automated perimetry, and especially the Humphrey automated perimeter.  These two technologies, however,  do not always give comparable results.  The Social Security Administration has engaged researchers and held meetings with advocacy groups and medical professionals to address the impact of this changing technology on their ability to accurately evaluate the disabilities of claimants seeking benefits under the statutory blindness definition.  Many have suggested that the key to resolving this issue is a change in the definition of statutory blindness which reflects changes in technology, while others have suggested more sweeping alterations.  It is noteworthy that many government programs rely on the definition of blindness used by the Social Security Administration in establishing their own eligibility criteria.  Therefore, substantial changes in this definition could impact programs and services for the blind nationwide.  A much narrower definition, for example, may result in denial of disability benefits to individuals who should qualify because of severe vision loss, while a broader definition could extend the criteria established in the Listings to many individuals who might not be considered statutorily blind under the current definition, thereby diluting already scarce resources to persons currently defined as blind.
	Proposed Legislation: ACB urges Congress to give careful scrutiny to any proposed changes in the statutory definition of legal blindness in order to ensure that the Social Security Administration has the ability to update its Listings to reflect current advances in measurement technology, without altering the intent of the statute, to extend benefits and services to Americans facing severe vision loss.  ACB supports a standard of no more than 10 percent of normal vision as measured either in central or peripheral vision with best correction in the better eye.
	For further information on these issues, contact:
Melanie Brunson, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, E-mail: mbrunson@acb.org  
Telephone: 202-467-5081 
www.acb.org
 

	LAUNCHING YOUR CHILD'S DREAM OF the Space PROGRAM  

	by Rhonda King

	What a great opportunity!  A chance for a one-week visit to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama!  What a wonderful experience this could be for one of our young blind Californians!  It could be one of the most memorable events in a young person's life.  
	If you are the parent of a young blind or visually impaired student or if you know of someone who is eligible to enter the Space Camp Essay Contest being offered by the CCB Capitol Chapter, please encourage that individual to submit an entry.  All the necessary details for the contest are in the letter that follows:    

Dear Student:
	The ACB Capitol Chapter of the California Council of the Blind is a consumer organization which advocates on issues of concern to the blind and visually impaired.  If you are a blind or visually impaired student between seventh and twelfth grade and if you attend school in California, you may be eligible to join an essay contest our chapter is conducting.  The winner will be chosen to attend Space CAMP in Huntsville, Alabama, the week of September 22-27.  
	The essay should be 300 words or longer explaining why you would like to attend Space CAMP, what knowledge you may gain from the experience and how that knowledge may help you in your future plans.  Entries must be received no later than July 14, 2001, for the committee to read and make their decision.  	The winner will be notified by mail.  Arrangements for transportation will then be made.  Tuition for the week will also be included in the package.  Parents, however, will be responsible for any spending money the student may wish to have for souvenirs, etc.  All meals will be provided by Space Camp.
	Entries must be mailed to: Space Camp Essay Contest, 6426 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. 
	Good luck!  We wish you much success!  

Sincerely,
Ann Kysor, President
CCB Capitol Chapter, ACB


	THE ENTERTAINERS: A PROUD TRADITION

	by Joan Black

	In the long struggle of visually impaired people for economic success and social acceptance, it is easy to overlook, or perhaps take for granted, an area in which our representation is very significant and widely acknowledged.  This is in the arts, especially music and literature.  Here are the stories of a few of these artists and their works.  
	The Writers: Two of the world's greatest poets were blind.  Homer, a storyteller in ancient Greece,  has long been credited as being the composer of the ILIAD and the ODYSSEY two epic poems about the Trojan War which rank among the world's most famous stories.  Nothing is known of Homer himself except that he was said to have been blind.  
	For centuries it was thought that Troy was only a fictional city, but archeological discoveries have shown that a real city did exist in the general area described in Homer's stories.  The Haserlik mound in Turkey contains the ruins of nine different cities each of which perished from fire, earthquake or both.  The city at the seventh level might possibly be the one which Homer  used as the site of his story because the ruins show evidence of fire as well as a battle and preparations consistent with a siege. The destruction of this city is estimated to have occurred at around 1150 B.C. 
    The ILLIAD is the story of a 20-year war between Greece and Troy.  Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy, fell in love with Helen, who was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Unfortunately, Helen was already the wife of Menelaus, the King of Sparta.  When Paris took Helen back with him to Troy, Menelaus and his Greek allies embarked on a long and bloody war to  rescue her.  The Greeks finally won with the ruse of hiding their soldiers inside a great wooden horse.  The Trojans were so curious about the horse that they opened the city gates, allowing the Greeks to rush in and destroy the Troy. 
	The ODYSSEY relates the adventures of Odysseus, one of the Greek heroes, as he traveled home after the war.  It took twenty years for him to complete the journey; and he had some amazing adventures along the way and his faithful wife Penelope was there   to welcome him when he returned. 
	The Englishman, John Milton, wrote PARADISE LOST, acclaimed to be the greatest epic poem written in the English language.  Milton  was born in 1608 into a wealthy and influential London family.  He received his degree from Cambridge University and then embarked on an extended tour of Italy.  His vision began to fail when he was still a young man, and he felt that his long hours of study was a contributing factor.  He became deeply involved in the Puritan movement and wrote religious pamphlets for many years.  By 1651 he had lost all of his vision, becoming very depressed because of his blindness.  Still he continued with the arduous task of completing his two epic poems. PARADISE LOST was published in 1667 and tells of man's fall from God's grace; PARADISE REGAINED deals with mankind's redemption. 
	The Musicians: Since I grew up in the prairie country of Eastern Colorado, hillbilly and western music is familiar to me.  There was a radio station in Texas which came in loud and clear at night and played the songs of all the famous country musicians and singers.  So, when my son gave me a collection of folk music for Christmas, there were some names,  like the Carter Family that I recognized; but among the list of artists there were three other names that caught my attention.  These were Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Johnson, and Blind Uncle Gaspard.  This seemed like a rather heavy representation of blind people among a fairly small group of famous musicians.  The original recordings were made in the  late 1920's and early 1930's, quite early in the era of recorded music.  Most of the performers came from the Appalachian region, the South and the Southwest.  
	There are short biographies of the artists which portray a way of life that is mostly forgotten today.  This was the time of the Great Depression when unemployment, hunger, and misery were common, especially in rural areas.  The New Deal had not yet made an impact so there was not much of an organized effort to help the hungry, homeless and handicapped.  The stories of Lemon Jefferson and Willie Johnson show that poor black people who were also blind had an especially hard time.  For them music became a means of survival.  The music was that of the rural South and Southwest and the predecessor of modern country-western music and jazz.  
	Lemon Jefferson was blind from birth.  He sang and played the guitar and was an influential artist and blues singer.  He made best-selling blues records for Paramount Records in Chicago in the late 1920's when the recording industry was in its infancy; but he did not benefit much financially.  Jefferson traveled about with other musicians and sometimes worked as a professional wrestler to make a little money; but Blind Lemon Jefferson was destitute when he froze to death in Chicago in 1929.  Among his best known recordings were "Rabbit Foot Blues" and "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean." 
	Blind Willie Johnson was born in 1900 at Marlin, Texas, and lost his sight when he was seven years old.  He was known as a "guitar evangelist" and was one of the most popular black recording artists of that time.  He sang and played on the streets as well as in Baptist churches.  His most famous recording was "John the Relevator".  His songs have been recorded by many artists, including  Eric Clampton, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary.  In 1949, Willie Johnson's house caught fire and, although he survived the fire, he got wet, contracted pneumonia and died after being refused admission to a hospital.  
	 Blind Uncle Gaspard was of French Canadian ancestry and lived in Louisiana.  He came from a musical family and played in a string band with his brothers.  His recordings were made with Delma Lachney in Chicago in 1929.  Unlike Lemon Jefferson and Willie Johnson, Uncle Gaspard seems to have had a pretty good life.  
	Art Tatum was born in 1910 in Toledo, Ohio.  He was a blind, self-taught jazz pianist and began performing on local radio programs while still in his teens.  Tatum was considered one of the greatest piano virtuosos in jazz.  He moved to New York and made recordings during the 1920's and 1930's.  He formed a trio in the 40's and continued to work in similar groups throughout his career. 	Ray Charles is credited with being the originator of soul music.  Charles began losing his vision as a child and attended the school for the blind in St. Augustine, Florida.  Perhaps his biggest hit was "Georgia on My Mind" which was recorded in 1960.  Charles's music is a combination of blues and gospel.  He also had a big band, and his recording of "I Can't Stop Loving You" sold over a million copies.  Charles also worked in the movies and on television. 
	Last year Stevie Wonder won a very prestigious award presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  This honor was given not only because of Wonder's contributions to music but also for his concern for people in need.  Blind since birth, he plays many instruments including piano, drums, and harmonica.  Wonder was only eight years old when he was signed to his first recording contract.  He graduated from the Michigan School for the Blind in 1968 and studied composition and music theory at the University of Southern California.  He has won several Grammy awards and an Oscar for "I Just Called to Say I Love You."
	In addition to being a celebrated artist, Stevie Wonder has been involved in many civic and humanitarian causes.  He worked for the creation of the Martin Luther King holiday and has been active in the effort to aid destitute and starving people in Africa.   
	But wait a minute, there's something WRONG here; all the aforementioned writers and musicians are men.  Surely there must have been at least one famous visually impaired woman performer somewhere?  Yes, there was--Fanny Crosby who was born March 24, 1820, in New York and died in 1915.  In her long life Fanny composed many hymns, the most famous of which was  "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."  In 1835, she entered the Institute for the Blind in New york City.  She was a student and later a teacher of English, and she published several volumes of poetry.  In 1857, she married one of her pupils, Alexander Van Alstyne who was also a musician.  Many of her hymns were popular in England and were translated into foreign languages.         
	The writers and musicians mentioned here are among the most famous blind people who have achieved renown in literature and music down through the years; but there have been many, many others who have found success in these fields where acceptance has always been relatively easy.  Just think of the number of musicians and writers among the members of CCB, ACB, and other organizations throughout the country.  
	References: Anthology of American Folk Music, Harry Smith, Editor,   Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Washington D.C. 1997          

	FROM SACRAMENTO: A FULL YEAR OF LEGISLATION

	by Dan Kysor, Director of Governmental Affairs 

	Greetings! and do we ever have a busy year ahead of us or what?
	Before I begin my discussion of up-coming legislation, I hope that you will read our advocacy article in this issue of the BC.  You are the most important link in our legislative push and we are depending on you to speak out about your beliefs.  From rehabilitation reform with SB105 to the California School for the Blind teachers getting pay commensurate with teachers in the surrounding school district, there is something for everyone this year.  Thanks to the great CCB resolution process, which brought much of the legislation about, we will have lots to discuss.   	 Bills Sponsored by CCB:
	1.  The CCB and the Blind Alliance for Rehabilitation Change, (BARC): CCB is sponsoring SB105 by John Burton of San Francisco.  The bill would transfer all services now provided by the Department of Rehabilitation for blind services to a Commission for the blind.  There would be 9 appointed "commissioners", most of whom would be blind or visually impaired.  The commission would have far fewer bureaucratic layers of government and would have personnel from top to bottom who have an awareness and appreciation of what the needs and capabilities are of persons who are blind and visually impaired 
	California's organized blind have been seeking separate services since the 1960's with the introduction of two commission bills by Phil Burton and Gene Chaffy.  In the early 70's, legislation was passed to create the Program Services for the 
Blind Department within DVR as a compromise for our efforts at establishing separate services in California.
	In the early 90's, legislation was defeated that would have established a separate division for the blind.
	2. SB87 as introduced by Senator Nell Soto would re-establish the Blind Vendor Revolving Loan Fund which was eliminated two years ago by the Bureau of State Audits as contrary to provisions in the Randolph Sheppard Act.  This fund is for assisting vendors regarding inventory, providing equipment to aid the BEP in operating other locations or helping vendors in moving on to better locations within the program.  C
	3. AB841 by Sally Havice and co-authored by Kevin Shelley would establish a Pedestrian Safety Access Commission within the Department of Transportation.  The bill addresses access concerns for all disabled and senior pedestrians as well as the general public.  The bill addresses sidewalk barriers, unsafe streets, and unsafe intersections; it would identify unsafe areas and aid cities and counties in correcting identified problems.  CCB is garnering a large coalition of pedestrian safety organizations promoting passage of this bill.  
	4. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has agreed to take our assistive dog SSDI legislation as a committee bill.  The bill would bring SSDI benefits for the assistive dog allowance to the same level that SSI beneficiaries receive, $50.  No bill number has been assigned as of this writing. 
	Other Bills of Interest to the Council: 
	5. AB306 by Dario Frommer is sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of California; it would require that functionally blind or visually impaired students be assessed in the use of braille.  The bill provides that instructional aids, supervised by credentialed educators of the blind, may be used to teach braille to these pupils.  It also requires publishers to provide material in electronic media to the schools within 30 days of the date on which texts or other educational materials are adopted.  This language is included, too,  in another bill, AB804, an Assembly Education Committee bill. 
	6. AB925 by Assemblywoman Dion Aroner of Berkeley would mandate that the Secretary of HHS create a sustainable, comprehensive strategy to achieve various goals at bringing disaled persons into employment.  It would require also that the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), include persons with disabilities on local and state WIA boards.  Also, "one-stops" would need to be fully accessible and offer an array of services to all persons with  disabilities.  CCB supports. 
	7. AB121 by Tim Leslie would raise the household earnings from $34,000 to $39,000 for the "tax postponement AD Valorem" property tax for blind, aged and disabled individuals and allow for inflation beginning in 2003.  CCB supports.
	8. SB145 by Kevin Murray--"Hate Crimes and Racial Profiling"--would require the Attorney General to establish a toll-free 800 number and a Web site to allow victims and witnesses of hate crimes and racial profiling to report these acts.  CCB supports.
	9.  SB136, as introduced, by Figueroa would concern professional boards.  It would continue the operation and funding of the State Guide Dog Board until July, 2001.    
	10. SB622, Ortiz's Denti-Cal Services measure, would expand Medi-Cal "Denti-Cal" services to include:
medically necessary dentures and medically necessary orthodonic services. CCB supports.
	11. AB855 by Dutra would bring parity for the salaries for special education teachers to the salaries paid to other teachers in their districts.  Both the school for the blind and
the school for the deaf have experienced loss of personnel and difficulty in hiring teachers because of the difference in the pay they receive compared with other teachers in the same area.  In some districts, this discrepancy can be as much as $20,000 per year.  CCB Supports.


	PROVERBS YOU SHOULD KNOW

	from the Internet

	Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes.  That way, if he gets angry, he'll be a mile away -- and barefoot.
	A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
	If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
	My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
	Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
	It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
	For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
	Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
	A closed mouth gathers no feet.
	If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
	Always yield to temptation because it may not pass your way again.
	Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
	A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
	Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
	No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
	A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
	Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
	Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
	Junk is something you throw away three weeks before you need it.
	Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
	Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic.
	Experience is a wonderful thing.  It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
	By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
	Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
	I believe the only time the world beats a path to my door is when I'm in the bathroom.
	Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.


	SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

	from the Internet

	Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?  Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
	Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.  Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
	Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.  They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
	What kind of men were they?  Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.  Eleven were merchants; nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.  But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
	Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.  He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
	Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.  He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding.  His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
	Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton.
	At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.  He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.  The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.  Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.  The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
	John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.  Their 13 children fled for their lives.  His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.  For more than a year he lived in forests and caves returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.  A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.  Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.  
	Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.  These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians.  They were soft-spoken men of means and education.  They had security, but they valued liberty more.
	Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged:
"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
	They gave you and me a free and independent America.  The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War.  We didn't fight just the British.  We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!  Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.
	So, take a few minutes this year while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.  It's not much to ask for the price they paid.  Remember: freedom is never free!


	OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE:
	Pedestrian Safety for Everyone 

	by Melita Waters

	Last November at our L.A. Convention, we, (the Guide Dog Users of California, GDUC) submitted a pedestrian safety resolution for approval and passage by the CCB membership.  The focus of this resolution was to encourage law enforcement personnel to be more aware of the code sections in state law that serve to protect individuals with visual impairments while traveling and to enforce those provisions.
	The immediate impetus for the resolution was the death of Cheri Moku, a guide dog user, as she was crossing a street in a marked crosswalk with her guide dog.
	The resolution called for a copy of the resolution to be sent to every District Attorney and Police Department in California.  I hand-carried a copy to the District Attorney's Office in Merced, Cheri Moku's home town.  When I delivered the document, I had the opportunity to talk to the D.A.  who was in charge of the investigation of the accident.  I was told that blood tests were being conducted to determine if the driver was under the influence of a foreign substance.  If she was found to be, this would be sufficient to boost the charges to felony status.  Ultimately it was determined that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol, street drugs, or prescription drugs, thus keeping any charges filed at a misdemeanor level.
	On February 14, 2001, the driver was arraigned on, and pleaded innocent to, two counts, one of misdemeanor vehicular man slaughter and one of violating the White Cane Law.  The arraignment took place in the Judge's chambers.  The matter was set for a pre-trial conference on March 9, 2001.  This conference is an opportunity for the District Attorney and the Defense Attorney to get together and negotiate a settlement without having to put on a trial.
	Since the highway over the grapevine was closed because of snow, I was not able to attend the arraignment.  I am going to do  my best to be there for the pre-trial conference.  What happens in this situation is this.  Between the arraignment and the scheduled pre-trial conference, the D.A. and the Defense Attorney meet and try to work out some sort of a plea bargain.  This means that the sentence that the defendant will plead guilty to is based on a guilty plea for a lesser charge.
	Since pedestrian safety is such an important issue to all of us, both guide dog and cane users and the general pedestrian public, GDUC and the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, on behalf of all pedestrians, are cooperating in an effort to strongly urge the members of the legislature to contact all the law enforcement personnel, police and district attorneys, demanding that they be more aware of all pedestrian safety laws and be more diligent in vigorously enforcing all the pedestrian safety laws on the state's books.  Just having the laws on the books accomplishes little if they're not enforced.
	The theme for Guide Dog Day this year is pedestrian safety.  Guide Dog Day was initially scheduled for April 4 but has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 2001.  We hope all of you can be there to help get our message to the state's legislators.
	This is an opportunity that we should not allow to get away from us.  We have plenty of time to plan and to make appointments with our legislators; we must utilize the event in a positive way. 


	REMEMBERING BEAR: ROBERTO NIGRETE

	by Cynthia Hubert

	Roberto Negrete Faced  His Challenges with Verve that Inspired Family, Friends,  March 9, 2001.  Cynthia Hubert is a staff writer for the Sacramento Bee. 
	Roberto Raul Negrete entered the world 40 years ago with fierce determination.  He arrived feet first, in defiance of a doctor's predictions, weighing four fragile pounds.  His family and friends called him Bear, not for his size but for his stoutness of heart.  As an adult, he stood 5-foot-7 and never weighed more than 100 pounds.  He had a goofy smile and a stiff gait because of a syndrome that swelled and irritated his connective tissues.  He struggled with the smallest tasks, such as writing down telephone numbers.  He was limited in his ability to read and understand complicated things.  But, inspired by a loving family and an army of friends, Bear was a giant in his own way.
	Just ask the power brokers at the state Legislature, who are among those in mourning this week over a man they remembered Thursday as a quiet hero.  Mr. Negrete, who worked in the Capitol nearly 20 years, died last week from a mysterious infection that spread rapidly and overwhelmed his body.
	In a ceremony befitting a head of state, hundreds of those whose lives he touched celebrated his life Thursday.  Capitol staffers and elected officials talked about his sterling work ethic and sunny attitude.  Activists talked about his groundbreaking work on behalf of people with disabilities. 	Friends and family members talked about his gentle caretaking and his love of music and animals, particularly his cats Sugar and Honey.  All of them talked about his ability to inspire.
	"Bear was one of the greatest souls ever to walk the Capitol corridors," said Senate Secretary Greg Schmidt.
	"Each of us gets a separate skills package when we are born," said Schmidt, addressing a crowd of more than 300 people in the Capitol's California Room. "Bear took the package he was given and used it to shine a beacon of light for all of us. "
	Bear was born in San Francisco to Carolyn and Henry Negrete in 1960.  "The doctors had sent Carolyn home," his father recalled. "They said she was not ready to have him.  They were wrong."  He was a tiny baby, and it soon became clear his life would present challenges.  He developed more slowly than other children, and at about age 8, he was diagnosed with a disorder known as Reiter's Syndrome, which attacked connective tissues all over his body, including the knees, gut and mouth.
	The family moved to Sacramento when Mr. Negrete was a child.  His parents enrolled their son in mainstream schools, where he took special education classes but interacted with children of all abilities.  They exposed him and his brother Reynaldo to concerts, art museums and the beach.  Bear participated in the Special Olympics, and the family went on fishing and houseboating trips.
	Bear grew confident, if not cocky. He went to the senior prom with a pretty girl on his arm.  He graduated from McClatchy High School and took community college classes.  He got a job, first at a department store and later with his mother at the Capitol Cafe on the sixth floor of the statehouse.
	"Roberto was very friendly to people, and he knew everyone's names," Carolyn Negrete said.  He also remembered the names of their children and their children's children and all of their extracurricular activities.
	"He was extremely motivated," said his father.  "He wanted to be very involved with life."
	About 18 months ago, Mr. Negrete wanted a new challenge and accepted a job for the Senate Rules Committee, installing resolutions into frames.  He always arrived for work 30 minutes early, a newspaper in one hand and a lunchbox in the other.  His boss, Luis Salinas, called him "a gift to us."  
	Walking with a purposeful stride, Bear always had a smile on his face, Salinas said.  When asked how he was doing, he always had the same reply,  "Goooood!"  Bear would sing.  Bear made friends of some of the most influential people in the state.  Among those who spoke at his service were former President Pro Tempore David Roberti, who came to Sacramento from Los Angeles to pay Mr. Negrete tribute and who shed tears while doing so; current President Pro Tempore John Burton; and Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, who presented Mr. Negrete's parents with a memorial resolution.
	"Bear gave his heart and soul to the Capitol, and he loved it very much," Schmidt said.  But Mr. Negrete wanted more than just a good job.  He wanted to leave a mark on the world, and he did so in his work as an activist.  He was one of the founders of Capitol People First, an advocacy group for people with disabilities.  He also did volunteer work for nonprofit organizations that helped animals and the environment.
	"He found little places where he could fit in," said his mother.  "If he wanted to do something, he tried and tried to find a way to do it."  
	Perhaps his proudest accomplishment, she said, was earning his driver's license. "He always wanted to drive a car," Carolyn Negrete said, but she was unsure he could do it. "I didn't want to tell him not to drive a car.  I figured the process would determine whether or not he could."  He took a course, then an oral test, and passed.  Then he sought out driving schools and got behind the wheel.  "It took him 14 hours to finish.  Most people finish in about two," she said.  The license was a badge of honor.
	Navigating mostly by landmarks, Bear used his newfound freedom to haul his family, friends and colleagues to jazz festivals, movies, dinner, the airport and anywhere else they desired.  He drove his father, who is blind, to dinners and appointments.
	"Being in Roberto's company was sheer joy," said Roberti, who in recent years was Bear's passenger on journeys to and from the airport.  They shared conversations about family, work and play, he said.  "He showed me love, patience, forbearance.  "It's hard to believe I will never again arrive at the airport to see that little white car and the beautiful person inside of it.  I will miss him."


	BULLETIN BOARD 

	by Keith Black

	As part of the CCB spring convention in Sacramento, the California chapters of the Library Users of America (LUA) and the Braille Revival League (BRL)  will hold their meeting on Friday, April 20.  BRL begins at 9:00 A.M. with a business meeting and then presents Robert Schmitz, Program Director of the Folsom Project for the Visually Impaired to explain his work.  
	After a break at 10:45, the Library Users of America welcomes Greg Procter, a book reviewer from the Sacramento Public Library, who will talk about Volume I of Gary Giddens's new book, A Pocket of Dreams,, which is a biography of Bing Crosby to 1940.  The book will appeal to lovers of jazz, since it comments on its significance in American music.  
	At 12:00 P.M. LUA holds its annual luncheon where Donine Hedrick of the regional library serving the blind in Sacramento will bring us up to date on the activities of the library.  Mr. Procter is invited to join us for lunch.  We request that guests bring the name of a book they have enjoyed to share with others and to present in a LUA-recommended book list for future publication in The Blind Californian.  

*****          *****          *****           *****
	At the convention, also, the Orientation Center Alumnae luncheon will be held from 12-1 P.M. on Saturday, April 21.  Mike Cole, Director of OCB, will speak on the effects on that agency that would possibly result from establishing a Commission for the Blind.  OCB dues will be collected at the lunchon.  For further information, contact Jane Kardas, 810 Maple Street, Ukiah, CA 95482; 707-468-5510. 

*****          *****          *****          *****
	Howard Boteilho has the King James Version of the Bible in braille to give away plus a large collection of braille cookbooks.  Anyone wishing these materials, however, will need to pick them up at his home in San Francisco.  Call him at 415-661-3751.

*****          *****           *****          *****
	From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine:February, 2001: Eye Trader is a new Internet site that allows people to post any unwanted  visual aid they wish to sell or trade.  For $1, the item will remain posted until it sells.  Send $1 and give a brief description of the item, tell how you can be contacted, and indicate whether you want to sell or trade it.  Address it to: Eye Trader, 931 Brookmont Drive, Marietta, GA 30064.  Visit 
www.geocities.com/eye-trader.  
	Braille through the Web.  Those who want to braille a letter but do not know how can visit www.hotbraille.com.  This free site allows users to enter address information, type in a message, and have that message brailled and then mailed as Free Matter.  The site also has resources for learning to read braille, demonstrations, links and instant messaging.  
	Electronic Bible.  The Spoken Word is a six-by-eight-inch electronic King James Bible narrated by Alexander Scorby in English.  This stand-alone unit operates without a computer.  Voice data--not computer speech--is stored on a hard disk inside the unit, and it can be heard through the built-in speaker or a headphone.  There are optional braille keys, and power is supplied by built-in rechargable batteries or a power adapter.  Call 716-693-1444 or send e-mail to thespokenword@yahoo.com.  
	From Dialogue Magazine,  Winter 2000: The 2000-2001 STUDENT AID AUDIO GUIDE for use by students with visual impairments and their parents is available.  For a cassette or compact-disc (CD) copy, call 800-433-3243 or write to the Federal Student Aid Information Center, P.O. box 84, Washington, DC 20044-0084.  Visit the Web site at www.ed.gov/offices/osfap/students".  
	Reference books in large print (14 point or larger), including the "Merriam-Webster Dictionary for Large Print Users", "Merriam-Webster Thesaurus for Large Print Users", and "Hammond Large Type World Atlas" are available for sale from the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, Visionaries Store, 1421 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005; 202-462-2900 ext. 3050; E-mail store@clb.org.  
	Tellme is a new telephone service that connects people to information, businesses, and people.  Tellme is free and can be used from any phone by dialing 1-800-555-TELL (8355).  Once connected, you start at the Tellme menu.  From there, you say one of the keywords like "restaurants," "driving directions," "taxi," "movies," or "weather", and the system searches the Web to provide you with the information you requested.  The service provides information nationwide.  All you have to do is listen to the prompts and talk clearly, and there is a 24-hour-a-day source of information just a phone call away.  
	AI Squared has released new magnifying software called Bigshot Screen Magnifier, which is designed to help the wave of aging baby boomers, seniors, and those who suffer from computer eyestrain.  Bigshot provides magnification levels of one and two, with 20 sizes in that range.  It also provides all-color smoothing and uses less space in the system than other methods.  It costs $99, and a free 30-minute trial is available.  For more information visit www.bigshotmagnifier.com.  


   
	SETTING SIGHTS ON GOOD JOBS	

	by Melanie Payne 

	Setting sights on good jobs: Fighting stereotypes, rejection, all in a day's work for the blind.
	(Melanie Payne is a staff writer for the Sacramento Bee, where this article appeared on January  28, 2001.  Because of its length, only Part 1 will appear here' Part 2 will be included in the summer issue of the BC.) 
	Linda O'Neal, Brenda Sanden and Paul Carver can swap horror stories about finding a job.  All three are college educated, experienced and qualified, in some cases overqualified, for the work they were seeking.  Their complaints vary.  Some employers held them to higher standards than their other employees; other employers looked at them for jobs that required only remedial skills; and some outright refused to interview them.  But O'Neal, Sanden and Carver do have one other thing in common.  All three are blind.
	Linda O'Neal was laid off from her last job as a relay operator at Sprint about four years ago. The relay operators act as intermediaries between deaf and hearing callers.  Some 300 of those operators lost their jobs when Sprint lost the California relay contract to a lower bidder.  Within months, most of the relay operators O'Neal knew had been re-employed, including some to other positions in Sprint.  It was easy for many of the relay operators to find new jobs.  The economy was booming; and relay operators were smart, quick typists with good communication skills.  But unlike O'Neal, they weren't blind.
	O'Neal said she expected it would take awhile for her to find a job.  "But I didn't expect it to take two years."  She credits her Department of Rehabilitation counselor with helping her finally land a job as a customer service representative at the California State Automobile Association.  Although relieved to find a job, O'Neal missed her previous work.  As a relay operator, she used a braille display to read the information typed in by a deaf person and then typed in the hearing person's response.  It was fun and different every day.  She was familiar with the technology.  She was confident and comfortable in the job.
	The new job was much different.  O'Neal was frustrated by the technology, the difficulty of learning a new job, and a horrific commute.
	"There were a couple of times during the first year that it seemed like it was way too much," O'Neal said.  "There were a couple of times I almost gave up.  Had there been another job, I would have given up."
	O'Neal learned to use the Windows-based software (which is hard for blind people because it is based more on graphics than text) and now enjoys the job.  But her transportation problems persist.  She and her guide dog, Miranda, commute from their Natomas apartment to Rancho Cordova by bus, light rail and foot.  If she makes great time, she gets there in an hour and 20 minutes.  On a bad day, the trip can be two and a half hours long.
	O'Neal said that when she got her first job, she felt as if she had to prove herself. Work harder than anyone else because she was blind.  Prove to her employer that he should have hired her.  Even now she feels some guilt about her situation.  She is grateful in a way most employees are not over the adaptive equipment her company had to purchase so that she could do her customer service job.
	"The employer is expected to purchase any adaptive software or adaptive equipment," O'Neal said.  "That to me is wrong.  That employer shouldn't be expected to provide the blind employee anything special."
	When she was looking for a job, several companies told her that it was going to cost too much money to hire her, O'Neal said.  "We can't afford that in our budget," she was told.
That's why now, O'Neal explained, "I feel beholden in a sense, that they gave me a chance."
	Davis resident Brenda Sanden has worked as a contract specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service for the past eight years.  For years before that, however, Sanden was underemployed despite an undergraduate degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts and a law degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  Sanden had wanted to be an employment law attorney "because I had been so frustrated myself."  But Sanden's problems were not just discrimination. Despite a good education, Sanden lacked two skills blind people need to get employed--she didn't know braille, and she couldn't travel independently.
	Because Sanden's blindness was caused by juvenile macular degeneration, which can be a gradual deterioration of the eyesight, she was encouraged as a child to use her residual sight.  "As a result," she said, "I learned to hide my blindness."  She used magnifiers and large print to read and didn't learn braille.
	She stayed in the same community growing up and going to college, so she learned to get around without using a cane because the environment was familiar to her.  Both things changed as she got older.  Her vision deteriorated, and she left Amherst.  	"I didn't realize how poor my vision was until I left my community," Sanden lamented, where she "had learned the layout ... so well."
	"I was afraid," Sanden said. She realized she had never been on her own; there had always been a family member or friend who guided her around.  "I realized it wasn't cool to go to a job interview with someone leading you up to the employer's door," she said.
	When she couldn't find a job, she went on disability and found the experience "demeaning, degrading and boring," she said. "It affects your self-esteem." So she went to work doing the only job she could find, booking reservations for the Marriott Hotel chain, where she worked for two years.  "But the work wasn't challenging, and the job was a dead end," she said.  
	Sanden went to school to learn cane travel so she could become independently mobile.  She also learned braille, and, although she's not great at it, she can use it for filing, making notes for herself and keeping things organized.  
	Sanden also decided to take the civil service test and see if she could get a job with the federal government.  She reasoned that, with a high enough score, they would have to hire her.  She scored in the 80th percentile.  It qualified her for a job, but that was only part of the battle.  She had to get into a department that would get her an assistant who could read for her.  People also questioned her ability to do the job.  "When I first was hired, there was a lot of resistance.  People couldn't understand how a visually impaired or blind person could do contracting," she said.  As a result, she's tried to work harder and smarter; and, over the years, she's had to defend her work to skeptical co-workers and supervisors.  "I've had to prove myself harder than anyone else," she said.  
	Paul Carver just wanted the chance to prove himself.  The 40-year-old Rancho Cordova resident has been working with computers since the early 1980s; and now he assembles them, distinguishing the various components through touch.  The pins allow him to tell the difference between a network card and a video card.  The other components are just as easy to differentiate except for the keyboard port and the mouse port.  They're the only ones that give him trouble, except on a Compaq where there is a small, raised picture of each over the port.  Carver can feel it.  He laughs a bit sarcastically when asked if he thought they did that to make it easier for people who couldn't see.  It's the only time the affable Carver gives any indication of being jaded.  There's prejudice and misconceptions about blindness, Carver said.  "When a blind person walks into an interview ... blindness colors the perception of what that person can do."
	When Carver, a computer engineer, was looking for a job, he registered with employment agencies.  One called him back with an interview for a job.  He'd never been to the agency.  "Blind" doesn't appear on his resume.  The guy from the agency offered to drive him to the interview so they could meet and talk.  Carver agreed.
	When the day for the interview came, Carver stood in front of his house waiting for his ride.  He heard a car go by slowly, pass him and turn around.  It came back again and stopped in front of the house.  Carver walked to the door, got into the car and introduced himself.  The man wouldn't start the car and drive away.
	"Isn't the interview in 15 minutes," Carver asked him.  The man answered him by stating the obvious: "You're blind."  Carver said they spent the next 45 minutes sitting at the curb in front of his house.  The man told Carver he should have told him he was blind.  "If I had told you, would you be sitting here now?" Carver asked.  He answered, "No."
	Carver, angry, went back into his house.  The next day he called the agency and told the man that he could come to his house so that he could demonstrate the technology he used and how he could do a job; and if he didn't agree to at least come and see, Carver would sue him.
	The man showed up and Carver spent an hour with him.  The next day he called with a job interview.  But Carver didn't need it; he'd already found another job.  
	Carver has been working as an information systems analyst for the Office of Emergency Services Disaster Assistance Division for five years now.  When he went to his job interview, he was escorted through a labyrinth-like office building.  Months later when he was talking to the man that hired him, he thanked him for "giving ]him{ the opportunity to do the job."  According to Carver, his boss said, "Well, the thing that clinched it for me was that you were the only one who interviewed for the job who could find the way out of the building without assistance."  "I found that amusing," Carver said.
	(This is the end of the first part of this article; be sure to watch for Part 2 in the summer issue.) 

	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.  We shall publish the list this way at least in issues just preceding and following elections and routinely if members wish.)  

President, Catherine Skivers (00-02, 3rd term)
	836 Resota Street 
	Hayward, CA 94545
	510 357-1986
	e-mail ccotb@earthlink.net
1st Vice President, Jeff Thom (00-01, 1st term)
	7414 Mooncrest Drive
	Sacramento, CA 95831
		         916 429-8201
	e-mail jeff.thom@lc.ca.gov
2nd Vice President, Teddie Remhild (00-01 partial term) 
	1100 W. Olive Ave., #220
	Burbank, CA 91506
	e-mail teddieremhild@earthlink.net 
Secretary, Kenneth Frasse (99-01, 4th term)
                141 Del Medio Avenue, #223
                Mountain View, CA 94040
                650 941-2421
     e-mail kfrasse@concentric.net
Treasurer, Peter Pardini (00-02, 1st term) 
	267 Cardinal Road
	Mill Valley, CA 94941
	415-381-9211
	peterpar@pacbell.net
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 V                730 Victoria 
	San 	San F                San Francisco, CA 94127
		                415 469-8048
Jane Kardas (99-01, 1st term) 
	rm) 	                810 Maple Street
		                Ukiah, CA 95482
		                707 468-5510
Rhonda Marshall King (00-02, 2nd term) 
		                6426 Greenback Lane
		                Citrus Heights, CA 95621
		                916 722-7337
Barbara Kron (00-02, 1st term), 
	May-November: 8304 Blue Spruce Way, 
	Windsor, CA 95492 
	707-838-9207 
	November-'Apri\, Box 13010, No. 323 
	Yuma, AZ 85366; 
	520-539-1323 
	e-mail badkron@aol.com 

		                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-mai	e-maill pegmar1@earthlink.net
Ahmad Rahman (00-02, 2nd term)
	t term) 19616 Leapwood Avenue
		                Carson, CA 90746
		                310 327-0463	
Barbara Rhodes, (00-02, 1st term) 
	6396 Tamalpais Ave., 
	San Jose, CA 95120 
	408-268-2110; 
	e-mail brhodes@pacbell.net

                   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
??



 

 

