




                         THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN



                      Quarterly Magazine of the 

                    CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND



Summer, 2002, Volume 46, No. 3



      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.ccbnet.org



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


                   Sacramento Area Office, Dan Kysor
                       225 15th St. 
                         West Sacramento, CA 95691
                             
                            916-371-1514
                                                 Fax 916-371-7630
                       E-mail dan@ccbnet.org 


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


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




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



Nonmembers are requested and members are invited to pay a yearly
subscription fee of $10 toward the printing of THE BLIND
CALIFORNIAN. 





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

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

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

                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

CONVENTIOIN AND PRESIDENT'S REPORT, by 
     Catherine  Skivers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

ACCESSIBLE SLOT MACHINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

THE LETTERS OF LOUIS BRAILLE, by Norma 
     Schecter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

TOGETHER WE WALK ACROSS OUR BRIDGE TO THE
     FUTURE, by Bonnie Rennie  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2002 LEGISLATION FROM SACRAMENTO, by Dan Kysor . . . . . . . . 13

CAREER CONNECTIONS: THE POWER OF WRITING, 
     by Catherine Schmitt Whitaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

E-TICKET RIDE IN HARNESS, by Sheila Styron . . . . . . . . . . 16

REPORT OF THE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE, by Jane Kardas . . . . . . . 18

2002 CCB AWARDS PRESENTED, by Roger Petersen . . . . . . . . . 19

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT, by Joan  Black  . . . . . . . . 20

UNIVERSITY PREPARATION FOR THE TEACHING OF 
     BRAILLE, by Winifred Downing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SPRING 2002 CONVENTION EXHIBITORS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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

CALIFORNIA ACCESS PROGRAM  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CCB MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT, by Rhonda King  . . . . . . . 27

REPORT ON THE SPRING, 2002, CONVENTION 
     RESOLUTIONS, by Jeff Thom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

FOR ALL THOSE BORN BEFORE 1945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

CCB CONSTITUTION CHANGES, by Ardis Bazyn . . . . . . . . . . . 30

IN MEMORIAM: ALAN JENKINS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

FEDERAL LEGISLATION, by Ahmad Rahman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

HIGH-TECH TO SOCIAL PROGRAMS, by Pam 
     Sturner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

BIONIC RETINA GIVES SIX PATIENTS PARTIAL SIGHT . . . . . . . .35 


ANOTHER DEFEAT OF THE ADA IN THE SUPREME 
     COURT, submitted by Sue Ammeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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

CCB BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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


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

                       by Winifred Downing

     The banquet was progressing nicely at the CCB spring
convention under the capable direction of Frank Welte.  Roger
Petersen took over and distributed the award while we listened
appreciatively to accounts of hard work, commitment, and
accomplishment. 
     Then Roger came to the Distinguished Service Award, speaking
of someone who had served the Council for a long time, -- been
closely associated with braille -- nothing remarkable there.  It
was when he spoke of this person's having San Francisco
University Students come to the house to see how a blind person
arranged things to promote independent living that I began to
wonder; who else did that?  When my name was called, I could say
only "Thank you" and that I was "utterly astonished," and that
was certainly true.  
     The award hangs in my office; and my children tell me that
it is the most elegant plaque of its kind they have seen.  It has
gold lettering on a black background and there are four different
writing styles used in its composition--a really amazing detail
for those of us who see braille, which is always the same
everywhere.  Thank You, CCB! 
     This has been a month of unusual occurrences, for I went on
June 6 back to Illinois for the 55th reunion of my college class
and the 100th anniversary of the school.  There is a story,
though, that has to do with the changes that have occurred over
the last 50 years for people with disabilities. 
     When I attended the college (then a small school for women),
it was the first Catholic college in the Chicago area to accept a
blind person; and two years later, it was the first such
institution to receive a black student.  It represented, then,
advanced thinking for that day.  
     At the end of the junior year, there was a ceremony to which
students looked forward from their first day as freshmen.  The
juniors, dressed in pastel formals, gave the seniors roses; and
the seniors, dressed in their caps and gowns, presented candles
to the juniors.  Lines of girls moved forward from opposite
directions, and the candles and roses were solemnly exchanged
with appropriate songs and hymns.  These activities took place on
a lovely summer evening on the lighted campus which was replete
with lilacs and other lovely flowers of all kinds.  Everyone's
parents and friends came, and the mood was sentimentally
celebratory. 
     The week before that occasion was to occur in my junior
year, the nun who ordinarily directed it broke her leg and was
replaced by someone I had never had in class and really didn't
know.  She decided that I couldn't take part in the event because
"Dear, you might trip on the grass."  I'd been there three years
and hadn't tripped on anything; but we all know that when people
want to discourage disabled persons from doing something, they
refer to the possible dangers or the insurance risk they might
elicit.  
     Lots of students and I'm sure some teachers were distressed
about this decision; but it was the custom at the college that,
when a task was assigned to someone, that person was left to
carry it out without interference.  I went home after trying
everything I could to change the situation.  It sounds silly now
even to me, but I wept buckets of tears.  The college I loved had
deeply injured me.  I wasn't in the ceremony the next year
either, for it poured rain and we had a much diminished exchange
in one of the large rooms of the building.
     Well, now it's 55 years later; and a few weeks ago when I
returned to my home at the end of the day, my answering machine
had a message asking me if I would be the representative for my
class--the rose for my class--in the procession preceding the
outdoor Mass for the 100th anniversary of the school.  The irony
is complete when one realizes that no one is alive today who
would know of that original disappointment.  The decision to
invite me, therefore, was entirely accidental.  My friends who
were there remembered, of course, but they had nothing to do with
the matter.  I couldn't escape a childish "nya, nya, nya" to that
nun sitting up there in Heaven!
     The deadline for the fall issue of The Blind Californian is
September 1.


               CONVENTION AND PRESIDENT'S REPORT,
                           SPRING,2002

                      by Catherine Skivers 

     It isn't everyone who can have a convention open on her
birthday; but Ed Branch, my administrative assistant, and I
happen to have May 2nd as our birthday.  The board meeting
opened, therefore,  with everyone singing Happy Birthday to us. 
     We had anticipated having a good turn-out for this
convention held from May 2-5 at the Marriott Hotel in San Mateo;
but it wound up being a very large convention, and we were
indeed pleased to see so many members there.  
     The hotel was one of the nicest where we have ever met.
The staff was exceptionally helpful, and their assistance
throughout the convention helped to make it an outstanding event.
Since we returned to the office, we have received many messages
congratulating us on the great programs that were featured in 
committee meetings and in the general sessions. As always, our
committees had fine presentations during the mornings and late
afternoons, and general sessions were held Friday afternoon and
evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday for our
closing business meeting.  
     On Thursday the Technology and Rehabilitation Services
Committees held their meetings and presented excellent programs
which were well attended.  Because it is not possible for one
person to attend all our meetings, committee chairpersons are
reporting in the pages of this magazine.  
     Thursday evening, the Board of Directors held its meeting
which, as usual, was open to the public.  CCB
granted $500 to Dialogue magazine in memory of Juliet Esterly,
who died on December 20, 2001; $500 to Parents and Friends, the
organization that does so much for the children at the California
School for the Blind and $500 to the Durward K. McDaniel First
Timers Fund to cover the cost of the fund raiser donation tickets
with the remainder going to the American Council of the Blind.
Peter Pardini presented an excellent Treasurer's report,
establishing that CCB is in a very sound financial position. 
This report is available from our office to members upon request.
     It was decided to set money aside to start an endowment
savings fund.  We will also transfer $20,000 to the California
Employment Assistance program and raise the Crisis Fund to $6,000
dollars.  Board members were happy to hear that our fund raisers
are doing quite well.  The council will have its
annual fund raiser which benefits both local chapters and our
state organization.  This year chapters will retain $5.00 for
every donation book sold, thus, we hope, increasing chapter
treasuries.  
     The Board approved the budget report presented by Mitch
Pomerantz and adopted its many recommendations.  These included.
along with the grants mentioned earlier, the purchase of new tape
duplicating equipment for the office, a new message center to
handle the  California Connection and producing a video tape
concerning the  California Council. Our budget for this year is
balanced at $468,600. 
     Dan Kysor presented a legislative report which will be given
elsewhere in these pages.  
     Just before the convention, a virus attacked our computer
affecting all our files.  Ed Branch had backed up everything; but
coming just a week before our meeting,  that virus caused havoc
with our work.  Somehow the list of exhibitors was not included
in the program, but a letter of apology has been sent to them,
and the full list is presented in this issue of the BC.  The
interesting exhibit area was open all day on Friday and Saturday. 
     At the first convention session on Friday afternoon, Stuart
Wittenstein, Superintendent of the California School for the
Blind, introduced the Jazz Ensemble from the school
directed by Wayne Siligo, the music director.  Ordinarily there
are 7 students in this band, but one of them is graduating this
year and had to be absent for a test.  
     "He decided to do his schoolwork instead of coming to be
with us," Stuart said.  He was glad that this graduate's
priorities were in the right place! Each of the kids plays at
least two instruments, and they were really good and had some of
the audience dancing in the aisles.  Their last tune was a Cajun
piece to which the audience added rhythmic hand clapping. 
Regrettably their performance wasn't picked up on the tape of the
afternoon's proceedings.  I hear that there is a CD of the
group's music, and I'll check to see if it is available.  Listen
to the California Connection for that information.  
     We are pleased to know that CSB has such a talented music
director; he writes a lot of original music performed by
his students. He is really a great role model for them. 
     Ann Gelles is a braille teacher at CSB.  She has taught
braille for more than 25 years.  Ann is blind and she is a nun
with the Sisters of the Holy Family in Fremont.  Five  years ago
she introduced the Braille Bee to the students at CSB.  Not only
must children know how to spell words but they must give the
correct braille contraction to spell the word.  The interest in
braille has increased substantially since the Bee was introduced. 
Ms. Gelles called on some people from the audience to join her
for a demonstration of how the Braille Bee works.  It was a lot
of fun,  and some of us found that our braille knowledge was far
from perfect!   
     Mary Ann McBee is President of Parents and Friends at the
CSB. She assists Ann Gelles with braille and told us about some
of the many fine events this organization has provided for the
students at the school, which her daughter also attends.  In
February 8000 pounds of ice was ground up and dumped at CSB to
provide a Snow Day for the kids, many of whom had never been in
snow.  They had a ball walking in the snow, sledding and making
snowballs.  Their Superintendent, Stuart Wittenstein, was the
target for many of the snowballs; he said it was okay because he
threw snowballs right back.  One youngster was so happy with the
snow that she took some back to her room. She reported to her
teacher that she was surprised that it had turned into water!  
     Unfortunately neither Ann Gelles nor Mary Ann McBee were
able to attend the banquet where Awards Chair Roger Petersen,
honored each of them with a plaque from CCB in recognition of the
fine work these dedicated people do.  I presented our check for
$500 to Mary Ann McBee to help her organization continue
providing great opportunities for the students. 
     Peter Benevidez, Executive Director of Blindness Support
Services, Riverside, introduced Tina Meyer, whose topic was "The
Savvy Consumer."  She talked about the busy schedule of doctors
and other practitioners who really have to ration the time they
spend with patients.  We all know ourselves better than anyone
else does; and when we seek medical help, we need to be
responsible, accountable and vocal.  We need to tell the doctor
the exact nature of our problem and ask appropriate questions. 
We must understand the treatment we receive and be clear about
the medications prescribed and the directions for taking them.
Ms. Meyers presentation and that of Ann Gelles and Mary Ann
McBee, turned out well and are worth hearing again. You may order
the tapes from the CCB office.  
     The final item at the Friday afternoon session was a
presentation by Kevin Stockton from Roseburg, Oregon.  He owns
Blind Signs Tactile Directional Systems, Inc.  Kevin was in the
construction business prior to losing his sight.  Two years ago,
he was shot by a 20 year old man who has still not been
apprehended.  The injury he received caused him to lose his
sight.  After some difficult experiences trying to travel in ice
and snowstorms, he decided he needed to find a better way for
blind people to get around more easily.  He used his experience
in construction to develop a lightweight, low cost material which
can stand heat up to 220 degrees and as low as 40 degrees below
zero.  This material can also hold heavy weight placed on it. 
Strips can be laid to indicate exactly where to cross a street or
how to find objects in stations or other locations.  Kevin has a
great sense of humor and has not let blindness slow him down. 
Rob Cook, who is known to many Californians, now resides in
Oregon and is assisting Kevin to become familiar with groups like
CCB.   Stockton exhibited his product at our convention and many
persons examined the directional bars.  He hopes to gain support
for his product from the blindness community. 
    After the usual introductory ceremonies,  the general session
on Friday evening began with welcoming remarks by Frank Welte,
President of the San Mateo County Council of the Blind.  That
chapter hosted our convention and did an outstanding job
throughout, not only conductcing the welcome to San Mateo Party
on Thursday afternoon but helping in countless ways,  including
attracting fine volunteers who contributed greatly to the success
of the convention.
     Frank presented the report of the Credentials Committee
followed by my report.  Our theme for the convention was "Bridges
to the Future", and I talked about the outreach we have done in
CCB to other organizations.  Our convention was dedicated to
the Rose Resnick Lighthouse in honor of their 100th year of
providing services to the blind and visually impaired in San
Francisco and recently extended to San Rafael.  Anita Aaron, the
Executive Director, attended the convention.  
     I thanked my staff for their hard work and assistance in
making possible all the trips that come up.  Also I recognized 
the help we get from so many wonderful volunteers, some of whom
join us at our conventions year after year and work very hard to
enable us to have smoothly operating meetings.  
     One of the legislative items I reviewed concerns AB 550
passed in 1992.  This bill, introduced by Sam Farr, called for
blind and visually impaired consumers to serve on boards of
directors of organizations receiving state funds.  The Department
of Rehabilitation set the number at 20%, which has continued to
be the case for some years.  The department was also to monitor
organizations that have contracts with Rehab to ensure
compliance.  In the absence of compliance it was suggested that
further legislation might be introduced.  I learned that in 2001
a  paragraph was added stating that input of another kind might
be substituted for the 20%.  No one seems to know what this
change means.  Those of us on the Blind Advisory Committee with
Rehab were not aware of this alteration to the compliance
requirement.  Members of BAC have asked to have this topic put on
the agenda for our next Advisory
Committee meeting in June.  
     CCB is closely following a situation in the Los Angeles
School District.  A federal judge has made a ruling which
requires that no more than 15% of the children in special schools
will have disabilities.  This decision jeopardizes the Frances
Blend School, one of only two schools for the blind in
California.  In spite of major efforts to emphasize the urgent
need for specialized services for blind children and adults to be
able to reach their maximum potential for leading productive
lives, some people have no understanding of the matter.  We were
surprised that the employees of the Department of Education were
advised to take no position on this subject.  Luckily, CCB does
not follow this advice.  We are committed to doing everything
possible to keep Frances Blend open.  We will redouble our
efforts to educate the public and all the agencies dealing with
blind and visually impaired people to the need of specialized
services.  
     I brought greetings to everyone from George Fogarty.  He has
not been too well but keeps in touch with me, and he reads the BC
and The Braille Forum regularly.  He looks forward to listening
to the tapes of our convention.  We wish him a Happy Birthday on
June 12th.  
     On December 31st of this year I will have completed 6 years
of service as the president of CCB.   I have decided that it is
time to become past president and not to take the 2 additional
years which our CCB Constitution allows.  Our financial position
is solid, our fundraisers are doing well, our committees are
functioning consistently and we have settled our legal battles
successfully.  Our office is running smoothly, and we are
enjoying good relationships with BARC and the many programs with
which we are involved.  I believe it is time for someone new to
bring ideas and energy to the office of President.  I attended my
first meeting of CCB in 1949 so it isn't likely that I am going
to move very far from the organization.  I will still be
available to provide whatever assistance the new president may
want.  For almost 6 years, I have spent a good part of every day,
7 days a week, working with all of you which is really the best
job that anybody could have, but I think this last birthday kind
of brought to my mind that it may be time to step back and make
room for someone else.  
     For the last five minutes of my report I took questions from
the audience.  We always have public comment at the end of our
board meeting, but it occurred to me that members might like to
ask some questions of the president.  Members will have the
chance to do that again at our fall convention.  
     After my report we heard from Steve Speicher, First Vice
President of ACB.  He lives in Nebraska, is an attorney who
happens to be blind, and is well versed in civil rights issues. 
His topic was "The People of ACB".  Steve complimented CCB on its
long and productive history and for having had so many fine state
Presidents and leaders in ACB.  He thanked us for our strong
financial support through the years and explained that Nebraska,
by contrast, is a very small affiliate.  After hearing our
Treasurer's report, he thought they might apply to us for
adoption.  He referred to ACB as an amazing gathering of friends
and commended Chris Gray and the fund raising committee of ACB
who are working so hard to support the many fine programs in
which the organization is
involved.  While fund raising and advocacy are important, the
success of ACB depends upon its people.  The vote for him in Des
Moines was astonishing, and he took it to mean that a lot of
people want him to do something though he hasn't quite figured
out what that is yet.  He talked about all the different kinds of
people ACB has and how many jobs there are to be done.  We take
care of each other.  Steve is an 
excellent speaker, and a recording of his presentation came out
well.  Throughout the convention, he sat in on committee meetings
and talked with individual members.  We were very happy to have
him with us.  
     During the convention we learned that some of our chapters
are doing great things. The Antelope Chapter, for example, has
purchased 6 closed circuit televisions and one reading
machine which are used by their members.  The Butte County
Chapter gave four electronic dictionaries to four school children
in their community.  The Capitol Chapter in Sacramento has  had
an essay contest for students from grades 7 though 12 and awarded
a scholarship to Space Camp to the winner.  The Redwood Empire
Chapter has recently taken in 16 members and has won the award
for the greatest percentage increase in membership since our fall
convention.
    I gave a party in memory of Juliet Esterly after the general
session on Friday evening to celebrate her life.  She didn't want
a memorial service of any kind but liked the idea of a party.  It
was her kind of affair with liquid refreshments, good food and
plenty of people in attendance.  She
would have liked seeing so many old friends and would have
welcomed newcomers to the organization.  Many stories about Julie
and her varied activities were exchanged. Several people
commented that, wherever Julie is now, she is no doubt organizing
things. 
     Saturday afternoon the third general session began with a
panel called "University Preparation for Teaching Braille". 
Since Winifred Downing brought this idea to us and arranged to
have such a distinguished panel, I have asked her to report on
this topic in a separate article to appear in these pages.  
     Catherine Campisi, Director of the Department of
Rehabilitation, and Jim Armstrong, Rehab's new Program Manager
for Specialized Services, gave us an update on what is going on
in their department.  Catherine told us about a very bright and
accomplished student from San Diego who graduated with a high
grade point average and spoke three languages.  When she applied
for jobs, however, though potential employers would tell her how
impressed they were with her and how amazed at what she had been
able to accomplish,  they would later say, "We have found someone
more qualified".  The young lady said what they should have been
saying was "We have found someone who can see."  The attitude of
many employers is one of the toughest problems for clients and
Rehab to overcome.  This young lady persevered and now works at
Sea World as an interpreter.  We must continue to break down
these attitudinal barriers.  We need to look carefully at the
majors we take in school; it is important that we know what kinds
of jobs there are and how to educate ourselves to be ready for
them.  Catherine has met the new director of RSA, Joann Wilson. 
While Wilson is interested in increased numbers of employment
placements, she wants the jobs to be quality, which means good
salaries.  The budget in California and what goes on in the
federal government with relation to reauthorization of the
Rehabilitation Act are things that we must all watch carefully. 
The super waiver, which will allow Governors to waive almost
anything they think is not necessary in Rehab, is likely to come
up again, and we need to be vigilant.  Rehab has already received
some cuts in funding, and it looks like there will be many more. 
The department is trying to find ways to save money and is
working to keep the doors open for its clients.  Dr. Campisi
wants Rehab to do more for the deaf-blind and to become more
involved in transition services at the California School for the
Blind.  She said that the Orientation Center for the Blind will
celebrate its 50th anniversary in October.  She brought to our
attention AB 3035 by Corbett which would ensure that materials at
all state meetings are accessible in appropriate formats.     
      Jim Armstrong began as a Rehab counselor in 1970,  serving
as a supervisor for years since then.  Always an advocate for
civil rights, he believes that the people in Sacramento are
attempting to use many creative ways to cut costs in order to
continue to provide services.  He has two staff support analysts
who will work with CSB and with the many contracts Rehab has
throughout the state.  He reported that employment in 2001 was
up, and it looks like it will be a little better this year.  He
realizes the importance of getting  assistive technology into the
hands of consumers.  He will work to ensure that employment
opportunities are the same in every district.  
     Gil Johnson, Executive Director of the American Foundation
for the Blind, West, and Tony Candella, National Program
Associate, were next on our program.  Gil said that everyone in
the country is watching for the outcome of SB 105.  Catherine
Campisi is working hard to make Rehab better, but we need to pass
this bill to ensure that changes made will continue when
Catherine is no longer director.  Tony Candella is from New York
and worked for 17 years with the Commission for the Blind there. 
He says he knows first hand that when everyone in an agency is
devoted to concentrating and focusing on blindness services, the
process works better.  Gil pointed out that knowing braille is
essential.  90% of blind persons who are employed use braille. 
The AFB has been providing four 8-hour sessions of employment
training for DOR.  Their program is based on one that was held in
Illinois where in former years many of our counselors were sent. 
Tony talked about how important technology is but how necessary
it is that it be properly taught.  The foundation
is compiling a list of competencies and of specialists who have
these competencies to teach those using adaptive technology.  He
showed a video which included a number of blind and visually
impaired employees and their supervisors demonstrating positive
employment outcomes.  Appearing in the video are Gil Johnson with
his power saw, Chris Gray, Peter Pardini and Laura Oftedahl.    
     Just short of 150 people attended the banquet, and several
more were disappointed because they waited too late to get
tickets.  San Mateo County Council President Frank Welte was
Master of Ceremonies; and Roger Petersen, Awards Chair, presented
the awards, a report of which appears later in this magazine.  It
was fun to surprise Mitch and Donna Pomerantz with a wedding cake
that was served for dessert.  
     Alex Valdez, a blind comedian who has appeared on many
television shows and in Las Vegas, was highly entertaining
sharing with us some of his experiences as a blind child and in
becoming a comedian.  Laughter rippled through the audience, but
underneath all the fun was the message that each of us should be
the best that we can be.  We should know what our goals are and
not let anything keep us from attaining them.     
     We appreciated the contributions which we received from
chapters and individuals. Door prizes were given throughout the
convention, and a 50-50 raffle was conducted by the students with 
Rob Cook as the winner.  He generously donated a portion of his
prize to the students.  Jessie Lorenz, our student president, was
going to Sweden 4 days after our convention to
participate on a goal ball team.  The team won third prize and is
looking forward to going to Brazil for the world championship
games.
     Brad Hogarty, president of the High Desert Chapter ended the
banquet with musical selections.  He had also played his guitar
and sung for us before one of the general convention sessions.  
     The devotional service Sunday morning under the guidance of
Rev. Gussie Morgan and Dr. Martin Jones brought together people
who wanted to remember those who are ill and members who have 
died since our last meeting.  We did not know then what I learned
upon returning home from the convention, that Lee Rossi,
treasurer of the Glendale-Burbank Chapter and long-time member of
CCB, had died.  She had been in the hospital for over a month. 
We will all miss her very much.  
     The business meeting included several items which have
separate reports in the BC.  Ardis Bazyn, Chair of the
Constitution and By-Laws Committee, will report on an amendment
which was presented to the membership.  
     Available from the office is a detailed report by the 
treasurer, Peter Pardini, who keeps excellent records and works
tirelessly to make sure that he covers all our financial
activities.  
     Jeff Thom acted as chair of the Resolutions Committee,
presenting 16 of them that you can read about in his report.     
     I am sorry that all of you could not have been at this
convention.  Our next convention will be held at the Atrium Hotel
in Irvine, CA, beginning October 31st.  The rate will be $70 at
that convention.  We are already receiving ideas for the program. 
That will most likely be the last convention I
will be conducting for CCB so I would like to make it the biggest
and the best one so far, and with your help we can do it.  Do
come and bring your friends.


                    ACCESSIBLE SLOT MACHINES

     (taken from the CTEVH Journal, Winter, 2002)
     Valley Braille Services, Inc., located in Las Vegas, Nevada,
has partnered with  Ray Charles Enterprises, Game Makers, Inc.
and  Bally Gaming Corporation to produce the first slot machines
that blind or visually impaired persons can play without the help
of a sighted person.
     These machines are called "Ray Charles Tours America."  They
were recently unveiled at the World Gaming Exposition in Las
Vegas.  Mr. Charles is thrilled with the finished product.  Both
sighted and blind people can play these machines.   A player
actually interacts with Ray Charles during the play.  There is
nothing on the market that can compare with these machines.  
     Mrs. Jean Peyton, President of Blind Connect in Las Vegas,
played the slot machines after Mr. Charles explained everything
to her.  They read the braille together and Jean had a blast.  
     Mr. Tony Gushina, President of Game Makers, Inc., stated,
"These machines are awesome and they afford the blind and
visually impaired a new recreational outlet."  Several blind and
visually impaired persons have played the prototypes and found
them fun and exciting to play.  There is an auto assist button
that can be pressed to activate the interaction between the
player and Mr. Charles.  
     Mr. Richard Dortch, President/CEO and Mr. Donald Peterson,
Executive Vice President of Bally Valley Braille Service, Inc.,
were hired as braille consultants for this project.  They were
both elated by the results and comments from all persons playing
these slot machines.  Mr. Dortch said, "It was an honor to work
so closely with Mr. Charles, and Mr. Gushina on a project that
provides a new outlet for the blind and visually impaired to
relax and have fund in a casino atmosphere." 


                  THE LETTERS OF LOUIS BRAILLE

                      by Norma L. Schecter

     (Taken from the CTEVH Journal, Fall, 2001.) 
      It is not widely known that several letters by Louis
Braille have survived.  These letters are in three formats.  Some
are in the actual cursive handwriting of Louis Braille.  They
bear the mark of a painstaking, disciplined person, for the
letters of the alphabet are perfectly formed, there are few (if
any) spelling errors and the handwriting is very easy to read.  
     Louis Braille also dictated letters to what was called a
public writer.  These letters are full of spelling and
grammatical errors because the writer was not very well educated
and wrote what he (and it was probably a "he") thought he had
heard.
     The third format was produced by a device called a
"Raphigraphe."  This device makes pin prick holes in the paper in
the shape of print letters.  The letters are easy to read by   
eye but are unlikely to have been easy for blind people to read
by touch.  The Raphigraphe works by pricking selected holes from
a 7-by-7 pattern of dots.  It can make both lower case and upper
case letters.  The Raphigraphe follows exactly the same principle
as that used by the modem dot-matrix printer.
     There are 24 letters at the Institut National des Jeunes
Aveugles (National Institute for the Young Blind, INJA) in Paris. 
Four more are preserved in the Louis Braille Museum in Coupvray,
which is located in the house where Louis Braille was born.
     Michael Mellor, editor of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for
the Blind, has received permission to translate into English the
24 letters at INJA, which is the school for the blind in Paris
where Braille received his education, where he became a teacher,
where he invented a reading and writing system for blind people,
and where he died at the age of 42.
     Mr. Mellor will also be translating four letters that
Braille wrote to family members, using a Raphigraphe.  These are
the letters in the Paris braille museum.  Other letters are
believed to exist, and Mr. Mellor is hoping to track them down.
     The translated letters, which provide insights into the
otherwise elusive character of Louis Braille himself, will be
published in a booklet along with an introduction outlining the
life and achievements of Louis Braille.  There will be a braille
edition and illustrated large-print edition.  
     Any profits from the sale of this publication will be given
to the Louis Braille Museum in Coupvray--a wonderful institution
that should be a world shrine, since Louis Braille was a
benefactor of blind people everywhere--that is shamefully
underfinanced. Publication is planned for 2002, which marks the
150th anniversary of Louis Braille's death. 
     The sighted transcribers of CTEVH, and of NBA as well--
braille enthusiasts all--are hoping that he will also produce a
third version, in standard print, so we can all buy his booklet
and join in the cause of supporting the Louis Braille Museum in
the village of Coupvray. 


        TOGETHER WE WALK ACROSS OUR BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

                    by Bonnie Rennie Chair, 
                    Committee on Senior Blind

     In keeping with the theme of our spring convention, we on
the Senior Blind Committee are moving forward.  Thanks go to the
committee members for their increasing involvement, as we
approach our tasks with eagerness and skill.  A brief review of
our recent convention activities will highlight our current
advocacy and service efforts.  These efforts may be fleeting and
our resources small, but that does not deter us from persisting
and from using our resources of the heart and creativity in the
service of our fellow seniors who are visually impaired. 
     One of our ongoing committee activities is learning about,
compiling and being ready to share information on the use and
location of community resources.  Gerry Konsler, our past chair,
presented us with a rough draft first edition of a community
resource list he has been working on which will be a valuable aid
to the committee.  
     Another member, Charlotte Criddell, arranged for a very
informative speaker who told us about an important program that
can fund needed and innovative services for visually impaired
seniors.  Known as Title VII, Chapter II, funds, this program can
be of much potential value to us.  As with other such resources,
however, we as consumers must be vigilant to make sure that
agencies employ these programs when they are available for their
intended purpose.  We of the  Senior Blind Committee are flexible
enough not to miss such an exciting opportunity to learn about
this resource that Charlotte explained to us. 
     Adjustments necessary to the program somewhat limited our
planned feedback session on helping families of seniors with
visual impairment to understand and cope with their situation. 
As we wrote in the last issue of this magazine, we have felt that
one way we could help our fellow seniors was by offering some
assistance to their family members and friends by producing and
distributing short pieces of literature to educate and encourage
the people in their lives.  How to negotiate the difficult waters
between overprotection and not providing key support, between
accepting the loved one's vision loss and yet dealing with one's
own experience of loss and grief as a family member are aspects
of life that require subtlety and sensitivity.  Insights in these
areas from a consumer's point of view can be uniquely restorative
to those in a crisis.  We gratefully acknowledge those who shared
their wisdom and experiences.  If you have a story or experience
or know of how others have worked through these difficult family
issues and if you want to share them on cassette tape, please
send your contribution to my address, which is at the end of this
article.  Remember that input will be kept confidential and that
you need not include your name. 
     We and our CCB president have contacted AARP, asking this
large organization for seniors to produce its magazine, Modern
Maturity in accessible format.  Our preliminary letter-writing
not having elicited a response from AARP, a resolution on that
matter was presented at the May, 2002, CCB convention.  It passed
and will also be brought for consideration to the ACB national
convention in July.  If you are an AARP member and receive a
magazine that you pay for but can't read, you may also write to
express your concerns as an individual member of the
organization.  Stay tuned for further developments.  Advocacy
sure does feel good! 
     Finally, here's a friendly word to those of you who, though
visually impaired, find that getting involved in these kinds of
causes is not your cup of tea, Please do not underestimate your
contributions as you go about your everyday business, your
integration into the larger community life, and even your failure
to support the stereotype that blind people can help only other
blind people enhance our image with the public.  So go for it!
Remember: we can always use more good help! 
     My mailing address is: 1719 West Olive Ave, Fullerton, CA
92833.   


                2002 LEGISLATION FROM SACRAMENTO

                       by Dan Kysor, Director, 
                         Governmental Affairs 

      Greetings from Sacramento!  Some time has passed since I
posted legislative updates to this magazine.  It seems whenever I
want to furnish information here, it is not the right time. 
Things are either pending or being changed, but a report is
needed.  
      As I explained to the CCB board of Directors at the spring,
2002, convention, these are very difficult times to get
legislation involving monetary considerations through any
committees because of the $22.5 billion budget deficit.  Although
a plan to freeze the state supplemental program (SSP) at 2002
levels was rejected by the Governor's office, we do not know for
sure what will happen.  We do know, however, that a proposed plan
to eliminate the family support program within the In-Home
Support Services program was rejected by the Governor.  This was 
a limitation against which I testified on behalf of the CCB at a
joint hearing of both the assembly and the senate.
      As of this writing, the Division bill, SB 105, authored by
Senator John Burton, has cleared the Senate but has yet to be
heard in the Assembly.  It is important to note that the bill
passed the Senate unanimously.
      The bill would establish for the first time in California a
separate division of services to the blind and visually impaired
within the Department of Rehabilitation with a deputy director
appointed by the Governor who would oversee all programs,
services and existing personnel relating to the blind and
visually impaired including supervisory staff.  It is interesting
to note that the bill also would require California to comply
with federal 508 regulations and would mandate electronic
accessibility by government agencies for blind and visually
impaired consumers.  The bill will be heard about the time this
magazine is in your hands.  
     We are, too, tracking AB 3035 by Ellen Corbette which would
require accessible formats by all public meetings of state and
local governments, thus modifying the Brown-Bagley-Keen Acts.
      Currently, I am tracking 22 bills and monitoring and
participating in several important issues for the CCB.  We have
several pieces of legislation which we have either amended by
replacing destructive language or adding necessary modifications. 
A recent bill AB 2507 by Riverside Assemblyman Rod Pacheco, for
example, would have unintentionally eliminated the Community
Advisory Committee at the California School for the Blind,
establishing a completely new advisory board without blind
members and increasing the parent's meeting attendance to 20 per
year.  Parents of deaf students had been unhappy about their
advisory process and got the author to introduce this bill; but I
am pleased that I was successful in getting the School for the 
Blind language removed from the bill.
      While I am on the subject, AB 2444 by Fremont Assemblyman
John Dutra, a bill to equalize wages of teachers at the school
for the blind and the two schools for the deaf, is being held in
the Assembly Appropriations Committee in suspense, but the author
believes it will finally succeed.    
      Another bill in which we have been involved is AB 2369 by
Simon Salinas, the Accessibility Transportation Bond Act which
would go before the voters in 2003 or 2004.  The act would
provide $500 million to transportation entities to meet the
financial burden of the ADA and Title 24.  We would like to see
funds go to accessibility features such as curb ramps, detectable
warnings etc.  As the measure stands, the funds would be used for
local communities and their departments of transportation. 
      We are proud to report that Assembly House Resolution 31 by
Sally Havice, recognizing pedestrian safety isssues of concern to
all pedestrians, including the blind and visually impaired,
became an official assembly resolution.  Although we withdrew AB
841 which would have mandated a pedestrian safety commission,
this resolution gives us a tool to introduce similar legislation
in the future.
      Two bills that CCB and the NFBC are working on are AB 55 by
San Francisco Assemblyman Kevin Shelley and AB 2525 by Hannah
Beth Jackson.  Although AB 55 is inactive, it will become active
assuming federal legislation is signed by the President providing
$500 million in federal funds to California for voting machine
modernization.  I met with Kevin Shelley at the Democratic
Convention in 2001 and convinced him to amend the bill to mandate
audio output in at least one machine at each precinct, and  AB
2525 meets that requirement.  The bill is on suspense until the
President signs the federal voting legislation.
       Another bill we are amending is SB 1555 by Walnut Creek
Senator Tom Torlakson, Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety.  This
bill would add a penalty fee to traffic violations relating to
automobiles vs. pedestrians to be used in a driver education
campaign.  We have requested that the White Cane and guide dog
laws be acknowledged in this bill, a proposal that is favored by
the author. 
      AB 2784 by Edward Chavez is currently in the Senate
Utilities and Commerce Committee.  The bill would allow
optometrists to approve specialized telephone equipment issued
from the Deaf and Disabled Telephone Program, DDTP.  The bill is
harmless and actually will provide more options for persons with
disabilities to receive this needed adaptive equipment. 
      SB 1227 by Senator John Burton, the  Low Income Housing
Funding Bond Act, was signed into law.  It brings this measure to
California voters in November, 2002, allocating $500 million in
bonds for more low income housing.
      AB 2416 by Patricia Bates concerns emergency registration
of workers In-Home Support Services (IHSS).  Recipient of such
services could ask for free background checks of workers, and an
emergency bank of workers who had background checks would be
available. 
      AB 1950 by Roderick W0right would provide that the
porbationary extension of the reasonable accommodation period be
lengthened for state workers upon the consent of the worker.  
      AB 2032, Crimes against Seniors and People with
Disabilities, was introduced by Joseph Canciamilla.  This bill
would increase the prison sentence from 1 to 3 years, and the
crime would be regarded as a felony with special circumstances.   
     SB 1918, Vehicles: Electric Personal Assistive Mobility
Devices/Segway Scooter, by Tom Torlakson, would change the
definition of "pedestrian" to include the "Segway" scooter.  In a
recent resolution opposing this bill (Resolution 2002A-10), CCB
cited the lack of noise and the speed of the device traveling up
to 20 miles per hour as reasons for our grave concern. 
      AB 1844 by Dennis Mountjoy deals with taxation. This bill
would raise the yearly tax credits on property from $7000 to
$12,000 or $14,000 for low-income home owners who are senior
citizens, blind or disabled persons.
    Be sure to check with the Capitol office of the CCB or listen
to the California Connection for complete up-to-date information
on these and other issues.  Although the desperate state of
affairs with California's budget is a great concern, I am proud
to keep CCB's image before the legislature at the State Capitol. 
As I reported to the CCB membership at the spring convention, I
manage to keep busy through involvement with several coalitions
and committees.  I was recently appointed an advisor to
California Secretary of Health and Human Services, Grantland
Johnson, on his Crimes against People with Disabilities Task
Force; and I also serve on the Secretary of State's Voting Access
Committee.  I continue to work on the Blind Alliance for
Rehabilitation Change, (BARC) steering committee and am still
webmaster of the CCB Web page.
      As I begin my fourth year with the CCB, I maintain my
enthusiasm and interest in the work I do.  It is truly you, the
members, that keep me going.  Without you, we have no agenda.


                 CAREER CONNECTIONS: THE POWER 
                           OF WRITING 

                  by Catherine Schmitt Whitaker

     What is one thing that you can do to add an accomplishment
to your resume, create a name for yourself in a given arena and
demonstrate some expertise in a field?  The answer is no further
than between the covers of The Blind Californian. 
     That's right.  Writing an article (or column) for The Blind
Californian can be rewarding on several levels.  First, it looks
good on the resume.  An employer will see that you are able to
write and willing to take the time to share your knowledge with
others.  Providing a copy of the article with your resume, if the
topic is relevant, can also be an asset.  Secondly, if you are
trying to become known as an expert in a certain field,
demonstrating published articles will strengthen your statement. 

     For example, if the author of this column were to apply for
a career counseling related position, she would definitely
mention this column on her resume and maybe even provide a copy
of an article or two.  If you would like to become known within
the blindness community as an expert on a topic, then writing
articles related to that area would create name recognition for
you.  If you want to enter the field of working with the senior
blind, for example, researching and writing an article about a
topic related to the needs of the senior blind would be a good
starting point.  
     As a journalism major in college, you may want to write a
book critique that will show your strengths as a writer.  The
article topic is your choice.  You could critique a book that you
feel may be of value to the community, write a story about how
you have successfully overcome an obstacle or provide suggestions
for exercises that increase agility.  The topics are limitless. 
You do not need to be a professional writer, just the willingness
to share your ideas and experiences.  
     Maybe you are a budding poet.  What better way to begin to
share your writings and learn how others respond!
     Everyone is encouraged to contribute an article to The Blind
Californian.  Articles are accepted by the BC editor, Winifred
Downing: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.  Send them
to Win's address at the beginning of the BC or e-mail her at: 
wmdowning@mindspring.com also given as part of the cover
information.  Clearly written, proofread articles preferably
between 500 and 1000 words will be published as space permits. 
     Now that you know the benefits of writing an article, make a
contribution to your magazine today!


                    E-TICKET RIDE IN HARNESS

                        by Sheila Styron

     If you have ever visited Topanga Canyon in southern
California on a Tuesday afternoon approaching sundown in late May
surrounded by all the sounds and smells of the area's natural
beauty, you have experienced a little piece of Heaven.  Add to
this, observing seven blind teenagers taking their first walk
with a guide dog, and now there's magic.  
     This was the scene when I visited GDB's facilities where
staff and volunteers were familiarizing blind teens with various
aspects of relating to, caring for, playing with, and generally
learning about guide dogs.  I have participated as a volunteer in
this pilot project before; however, the dog/teen workout was a
first for all of us, and the experience was a positive one.  
     My guide dog, Dorian, was a furry little trooper who
completed a short route seven times with seven enthusiastic young
people who all appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely. The
teens were encouraged to hold the harness in a relaxed manner in
their left hand and to just experience the feeling of the dog
guiding them.  When Dorian paused to alert to changes in the
underfoot terrain, the novice handlers were encouraged to probe
with a foot to figure out why she was stopping.  Then they were
coached to praise her effusively which they happily did before 
issuing the next "forward" command.  Off they would go again,
with Liz Morosco walking alongside holding the leash as a safety
precaution for inexperienced handlers and me out front
maintaining Dorian's confidence leading the way with the use of a
cane loaned to me by one of the teens.  
     During the course of their route, the young people
experienced Dorian guiding them down a grassy hill, up and down a
flight of steps, along some slightly uneven cement much like a
normal sidewalk, a left and a right turn as well as the proper
technique for turning around when working a guide dog.  When
turning around, handlers drop the harness while holding the
leash, make a 180 degree turn, then call the dog to their left
side before retrieving the harness handle and issuing the
"forward," command.  
     One of the teens amused us when, after successfully turning
around, praising Dorian and issuing the "forward command, she
walked off without the harness in her hand, leaving Dorian
trailing behind looking bewildered.  Some of the teens were more
confident when executing these unfamiliar tasks than others, but
all did a great job considering that they had never worked a
guide dog in harness before.
     As blind adults, we have two options for independent
mobility, cane travel and partnering with guide dogs.   Most
blind students receive some o&m instruction in cane use while
growing up which is extremely beneficial to their developing the
skills so necessary to blind adults for safe, independent travel. 
I know of no programs, however, that introduce children to the
experience of working with a guide dog.  Perhaps this is an idea
whose time has come, and thought should be given to the creation
of opportunities for young people to experience formal
interaction with trained guide dogs.      
     I know that when I was a teenager, I already knew in my
heart of hearts that I wanted to train with a guide dog the
summer between high school and college.  At that time, when I
pictured myself whizzing independently around a large university
campus in the company of a beautiful, devoted guide dog, I was
doing so without the benefit of ever having met one.  It would
have meant so much to me personally in my teenage years to have
had the opportunity of meeting and walking with a real guide dog,
as participants in the Los Angeles Braille Institute's after
school program got the chance to try.  Maybe I would have become
a more proficient handler in a shorter time, much the way younger
children learn foreign languages more easily than adults.  Who
knows?  
     As it turned out, I did have the pleasure of attending all
my classes at UCLA with Inca, my only guide dog to go for that
coveted college education; and I often wonder how much more
emotionally satisfying my high school years would have been with
a guide dog by my side.  Whether or not I could have handled the
responsibility of working with and caring for a guide dog at age
16 or even younger will never be certain.  However, after my
experience with the young people for whom Dorian provided an
e-ticket ride that afternoon in Topanga Canyon, I am sure that
some sort of visually impaired teenager/guide dog interaction is
a good idea.  


              REPORT OF THE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

                   by Jane Kardas, Chair 

     Committee members: Jeff Thom, Charles Nabarrete, Barbara
Rhodes
     Our committee is designed to help those who have a specific
need and desire assistance in pursuing a solution to that need. 
An Advocate is a spokesperson who works on behalf of an
individual or group.  He or she thoroughly studies the problem
presented and identifies  specific solutions to meet the needs.
     This year one of the situations our committee worked on for
an individual was a case of alleged discrimination against a
visually impaired person in the San Francisco Unified school
district.  
     Also, this year on the state level, as chair of our
committee, I travelled with fellow board member Barbara Rhodes
and CCB member Betty Green to Sacramento to speak to the
Department of Transportation in support of locator tones for
audible signals.  Locator tones assure us that there is a push
button ahead to assist in crossing the street safely.  In March,
Jeff Thom, Barbara Rhodes and I travelled to Washington, D.C., as
part of the legislative seminar to advocate for issues pertaining
to blind persons.  
     One need not go far from one's own door to advocate.  In
Mendocino County I was selected by the Board of Supervisors to
serve on a committee to investigate and make recommendations to
that Board regarding In-Home Supportive Services. Needless to
say, once again my concerns as an advocate and spokesperson are
to educate the committee and help them understand issues unique
to the low vision and blind community.  Those of you who attend
our CCB state board meetings will recall my advocating to the
board, and again to the Governmental Affairs Committee, in favor
of fingerprinting of In-Home supportive Service workers.  This in
turn promotes protective measures for those of us who hire these
workers.  
     If you have any further questions regarding our committee or
its services, you may reach me at 707-468-5510 or through the CCB
office at 1-800-221-6359. Confidentiality is assured. 


                   2002 CCB AWARDS PRESENTED 
                           by
                    by Roger Petersen, Chair 
                        Awards Committee 

     At the CCB convention banquet on May 4, the Awards Committee
unveiled its 2002 CCB awards.
     A Humanitarian Award was presented to the Rose Resnick
Lighthouse in honor of its centennial celebration.  Executive
Director Anita Aaron was present to receive it.   Humanitarian
Awards were also presented to Dr. Joy Efron, embattled principal
of the Frances Blend School in Los Angeles; Ann Gelles, a most
creative and beloved braille teacher at the California School for
the Blind; and Maryann McBee, president of the Parents and
Friends of the California School for the Blind and outstanding
supporter of its programs.
     CCB Merit Awards were presented to Eric Skivers and to Keith
and Joan Black for their outstanding volunteer service to CCB.
     A CCB Community Service Award was given to Rhonda King,
whose community involvement has shown by example that the blind
community can give to the community at large as well as receive
from it.
     We presented our CCB Distinguished Service Award to Winifred
Downing, who, in addition to being Editor of The Bllind
Californian, has for decades been a role model, teacher and
advocate for quality education of blind children, including the
preservation and promotion of braille.
     The CCB Publications Committee presented some awards too,
which are described elsewhere in this issue of The Blind
Callifornian.  The awards to chapters bestowed by the Membership
Committee are explained in the committee report.  
     I want to thank Gussie Morgan of Compton, Joe Smith of
Sacramento and John Lopez of Los Angeles for their service on the
Awards Committee these past four years.  I am especially grateful
to Bernice Kandarian, who, in addition to serving on the
committee, saw to the preparation of the award plaques.


                 PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

                         by Joan Black 

     There have been quite a few changes in the publications area
during the time that I have been chairperson of the committee. 
Probably the most significant of these is a great increase in the
amount of information that is available.  Radio, television, and
the internet make it possible to learn almost instantaneously
about nearly anything that happens anywhere in the world. 
     Each year at "Best Article Picking Time",  I look very
carefully at everything that was printed in the past year's
issues of The Blind Callifornian.  This year I was
surprised by the number of items that originated on the internet
or were reprinted from other sources.  Our editor does a great
job of selecting material of interest and value from these
sources and balancing it with other input.  However, I hope that
the major contributors of material for the BC will continue to be
our own members; otherwise the BC may lose the character of being
a California publication.  Presidents' messages, legislative and
other committee reports, descriptions of new assistive devices,
etc.  All help to keep us informed and united, and I hope that
this will always be the case.  Along this line we all need to try
to get chapter and affiliate news to the editor.   
     Best Article Awards: When the committee began the practice
of selecting material for the "Best Article Awards,"  it quickly
became apparent that there were two general categories of
articles, one dealing with issues and developments in the
blindness community and a second on the lighter side often
relating to the everyday experiences and activities of
visually impaired people. So we now have awards in two
categories, Issue Oriented and Lifestyle.  This arrangement has
worked very well and provided the committee with the opportunity
of recognizing two outstanding writers.  
     This year, although there were several nominees in each
group, both winners were unanimous choices of committee members. 
Those chosen were:
     2001  Best Lifestyle Article: Bonnie Rennie for "My European
Vacation: from Reluctance to Relish".
     2001  Best Issue-Oriented Article: Catherine Schmitt
Whitaker for "Career Connections: A Career/Job Fair"."            
     Congratulations to Bonnie and Catherine for their winning
articles and also our thanks to everyone who submitted material
during the past year.  
     And finally, a word of thanks and appreciation to Winifred
Downing for another year of dedication  and effort that makes The 
Blind Californian the outstanding publication that it is.  

   
       UNIVERSITY PREPARATION AND THE TEACHING OF BRAILLE

                       by Winifred Downing

     At the spring convention of the California Council of the
Blind, the Saturday afternoon general session began with a panel
of experienced teachers in the education of blind children. 
Stuart Wittenstein, Superintendent of the California School for
the Blind, began by recounting two surveys of teachers done since
1990.  As a teacher at Columbia University and Hunter College, he
sent out a nation-wide questionnaire in the hope of helping him
to design courses that would more nearly meet the needs of
braille teachers and their students.  The 1600 responses he
received revealed an overwhelming enthusiasm for braille, some of
the surveys even displaying smily faces in the margins
demonstrating the teacher's pleasure in what he or she did.  
     The disturbing aspect of the survey  was that many teachers
reported that they had not been adequately prepared for the 
actual task of teaching, though they had been well trained in the
braille code and things like writing devices.  Following upon
that disclosure, therefore, Sheila Amato, Wittenstein's successor
at  Columbia and Hunter, did a survey in the late  1990s, the
responses to which showed a much broader knowledge of teaching
and of the many aspects of braille:  slate and stylus, the Nemeth
code, use of the abacus, and all the basic braille skills and 
devices.  
     Dr. Amanda Lueck, Coordinator of the Program for Visual
Impairments at  San Francisco State University, began her
teaching there at about the time that the requirements for the
teaching credential were being altered and so designed her
program to meet the needs indicated there.  The preparation
program for VH teachers consists of 56 units, all but 12 of which
are concerned specifically with the disability.  A full year of
braille is required; and the basic and advanced courses cover
literary braille, the  Perkins brailler, slate and stylus, the
Nemeth code, the abacus, translation programs and how to use a
computer to produce braille, tactile graphics, and even a
smattering of braille music.  The use of braille in technology is
handled, but there is also a 2-unit course in technology for
visually impaired students.  In each 3-hour session, the first
half is spent on codes and other materials and the second on how
to convey to students knowledge of the item under discussion. 
Students learning braille vary in age, language, educational
background, attitudinal approaches, and disabilities in addition
to vision loss; and consideration is given to all these areas
necessary to assist this multi-faceted population.  
     To address the severe teacher shortage, many S.F. State
students are already teaching with emergency credentials and
therefore come to their classes with practical experience as a
background.  The shortage is also being approached by the
university with distance education, employing an interactive
video studio at the university and various reception sites around
the state.  Students enrolling in the program must spend some
time on the State campus for hands-on experience.
     The ultimate test of teacher training is, of course, its use
in the schools.  Jane Lim, Assistant Principal at the Frances
Blend School in Los Angeles said there are 900 visually impaired
students in Los Angeles, 79 credentialed teachers, and 13 O&M
instructors.  Students are educated in 23 resource rooms,
settings requiring itinerant teachers, and the all-day class
situation at Frances Blend.  Across this entire continuum of
options, braille is taught consistently with 130 students
learning it now.  Approximately 600 of the 900 students have
disabilities in addition to visual impairment, and all the other
variations in student populations are represented also.  Literacy
is the real stress in the education of the students.
     Difficulties mentioned by members of the panel need to be
addressed.  Along with the classroom teacher shortage, there is
an extreme limitation of persons preparing the university
programs.  Dr. Lueck, for instance, is presently closing the
current school year, planning the summer program, and looking
forward to the resumption of the regular school year and the
distance education program for next fall.  
     The term "itinerant teacher" has become a misnomer since the
case load to be dealt with is far beyond the ability of the
person assigned.  Dr. Lueck remembered that she had 8 students to
visit in her early teaching days and that adding a student to the
list required her agreement.  Now teachers handle 30 to 50
students, meaning that they are, in most instances, consultants. 
A child who rarely sees a braille teacher at all  and perhaps
then for only an hour every week or two cannot be expected to
acquire adequate mastery of this reading medium.  
     Dr. Wittenstein believes that parent education is needed;
for the federal law reauthorized in 1997 states that the IEP
(Individualized Education Plan) for a visually impaired student
presumes that the student should be taught braille, and that
presumption is altered only if information to the contrary is
advanced by members of the IEP team.  Parents must demand their 
children's rights in this area.  


              SPRING, 2002, CONVENTION EXHIBITORS 

D.C. Peterson Company, PO Box 10365, Oakland, CA 94610;
     510-835-5601
     !Vicky Bishop: Women's Clothing, 390 Thornton Street, San Leandro,
     CA 94577; 510-352-7454
Blind Signs, Inc., Kevin Stockton, 868 Little Valley Rd,
     Roseburg, OR 97470; 541-379-9279
Guide Dogs of the Desert International, Kathryn Webster, P.O. Box
     1692, Palm Springs, CA 92263; 760-413-2466
Beryl Brown, Literature Table 4149 Chanata Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
     95404; 707-545-7642
Alva Access Group, Inc., Larry Lake 436 14th Street, Ste 700,
     Oakland, CA 94612; 510-451-2582
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Missy Wynes, P.O. Box 151200, San
     Rafael, CA 94015 
Polara Engineering, Inc., Lynn Mack, 4115 Artesia Avenue,
     Fullerton, CA 92833; 
R.L. and Associates, Inc., Suzanne Timmons, 340 Bryant Street,
     Suite 205, San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-512-1180
Jbliss Imaging Systems, James Bliss, 100 W. El Camino Real, Suite
     68, Mountain View, CA 94040; 650-940-4115
Enabling Technologies Company, Kate Schenk, 1601 N.E. Braille
     Place, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, 561-225-3687, #204
Guiding Eyes For The Blind, Inc., Barbara Gunther, 611 Granite
     Springs Rd, Yorktown, NY 10598; 914-243-2252
OVAC, Inc., John Delaney, 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, C103,
     Cathedral City, CA 92234; 800-325-4488
Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
     Anita Aaron, 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102;
     415-431-1481
Lions Center for the Blind, Liz Heidhues, 3834 Opal Street,
     Oakland, CA 94609; 510-450-1580, Extension 583
Christian Record Service Blind Children's Camp, Ron Rigby, P.O.
     Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097; 530-242-0533
Innovative Rehab Technology Inc. (IRTI), Peter Proscia/Sue
     Simonetti, 13453 Colfax Hwy, Grass Valley, CA 95945;
     530-274-2090
San Mateo Council of the Blind, CCB Chapter, Frank Welte, 1432
     San Carlos Ave., #6, San Mateo, CA 94070; 650-508-8329
Guide Dog Users of CA (GDUC), Sheila Styron, 1215 N. Olive Drive,
     #306, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 323-822-9872
Bay View Chapter, CCB Chapter, Charlotte Criddell 7901 Sterling
     Drive, Oakland, CA 94605; 510-450-1580
Viewplus Technologies, Inc., Jeff Gardner/Patience Winningham,
     220 N 5th St., Ste D, Springfield, OR 97477; 541-736-1659
Freedom Vision, James McCarthy, 615 Tami Way, Mountain View, CA
     94041; 800-961-1334
Guide Dogs of America, Andi Kruscoe, 13445 Glenoaks Blvd.,
     Sylmar, CA 91342; 800-459-4843
Terence Stoker, Financial Representativ, New England Securities
     400 Oyster Point Blvd., Ste 200, South San Francisco, CA
     94080; 650-742-5800

Phil Bombace, Investment Specialist, New England Securities, 400
     Oyster Point Blvd., Ste 200, South San Francisco, CA 94080;
     650-742-5800
Pulse Data AccessAbility, Inc., Jerry Kuns/Carol Abrahamson, 175
     Mason Circle, Concord, CA 94520; 888-322-7200
Margie Donovan, Weekenders Ware, 1944 Garden Dr., #110,
     Burlingame, CA 94010; 415-750-6604
TeleSensory Corporation, Anell Bauer, 520 Almanor Avenue,
     Sunnyvale, CA 94085; 48-616-8700, Extension 3280
Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2470 El
     Camino Real, Suite 107, Palo Alto, CA 94306; 650-858-0202
Keyboard Alternatives and Vision Solutions, Inc., Jon Simkovitz,
     537 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404; 800-953-9262
Foundation for the Junior Blind, Davidson Program for
     Independence, Ken Metz/Shirley Bruck, 5300 Angeles Vista
     Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034; 323-295-4555


                         BULLETIN BOARD 

                    compiled by Keith Black 

     Bazyn Communications is excited to announce that two books
are now available.  BUILDING BLOCKS TO SUCCESS: Does the Image of
Your Church Attract Members? By Ardis Bazyn, And BUILDING BLOCKS
TO SUCCESS: Does the Image of Your Organization Attract Members?
also by Ardis Bazyn.  Copies are available in print, CD, and
cassette versions.  Prices are: $18.95 plus 8.25% sales tax and
$3 shipping and handling.  Multiple copies of 5 or more include
free shipping and handling . Send checks or money orders to Bazyn
Communications, 500 South 3rd Street, Apt. H, Burbank, CA
91502-1476. For more information, call toll free: (866) 476-8538
or email: abazyn@earthlink.net.
     The Louis Braille Center has brailled a collection of Helen
Keller's books and writings.  The eight braille books include THE
STORY OF MY LIFE, Miss Keller's first book; TEACHER: ANNE
SULLIVAN MACY, her last book; and TO LOVE THIS LIFE, a new
collection of quotations recently published in print and
now available in braille.  The books may be purchased from the
Louis Braille Center.  A complete book list can be found online
at:
lbc@louisbraillecenter.org  A free catalog is available in
braille or print from the Louis Braille Center, 320 Dayton Street
Suite 125, Edmonds WA
98020-3590. Phone: 425-776-4042.
     A Finder Kit is available prepared by the Los Angeles County
Metro Railway.  Inside the kit, there is a copy of the Metro
Subway lines in braille, large print, and two cassettes
describing how to enter the rail stations.  It is in different
colors, so a partially sighted person can tell one line from
another.  Also, in the back of the kit is a large map of the Red,
Green, and Blue lines, showing all the stops.  This kit will be
available in our library, so please tell your readers to call or
write to the address below and feel welcome to borrow it.  This
kit is a great help for all the handicapped, especially to those
from out of town.  Please contact us or the M.T.A. in Southern
California for a copy. 
     Also, we have a library of braille books and tapes available
for borrowing.  Write to us to request a free catalog on tape, in
braille, or in print.  We do have a large list of blind and
deaf-blind persons who subscribe to our books.  We are trying to
keep the braille edition available for readers who would like to
receive our materials in braille format.
     Frank Tucker, Christian Services for the Blind, .P.O. Box
26, South Pasadena, CA 91030-0026; Phone: 626-799-3935; Fax:
626-403-9460; E-mail: frank@csbonline.org
     From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the  Blind, March
2002: Health Care Aid for Dogs.  Animal health care corporations
and the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
(IAADP) have established the Veterinary Care Partnership (VCP)
program, which helps IAADP members unable to meet the high costs
of health care for their dogs.  Corporate sponsors of the VCP
program include:  Bayer, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Friskies, Iams
Co., and Nutramax Labs.  To qualify for corporate support,
individuals must be IAADP members in need of financial
assistance.  IAADP is a consumer advocacy organization of
disabled people partnered with guide, hearing, and service dogs
and their supporters.  Information and applications are posted at
www.iaadp.org or call 586-826-3938.  
     Burning CD's.  Many people enjoy creating their own CD's,
but most of the software is awkward to use.  GW Micro Co. has
been working with the developers of Nero, the CD-burning software
available at www.ahead.del.  Nero's latest product, released at
the end of January, includes many GW Micro recommendations. 
Those who enjoy this latest version could let the company know by
E-mailing webmaster@nero.com.  
     Reference CD.  California Council of the Blind sells the
Blind Computer User's Tutorial Pack CD that contains more than
100 speech-accessible utilities, games, home-management and
accounting tools, and more.  All of these shareware/freeware
programs have been collected for this CD by the operators of the
former Global Blind Exchange.  Order by sending a check or money
order for $12.95 to CCB, 2884 Wiese Way, Sacramento, CA 95833, or
contact Dan Kysor at 916-372-9869; or dan@kysor.net.  
     Recipe Club.  For a $25 yearly fee, a new service called
Recipe of the Month Club will provide members with five recipes a
month in the format they prefer:  braille, cassette, large print,
diskette or E-mail.  Members also get unlimited recipe search and
transcription services.  The club will find recipes in braille or
any other formats for members.  Send checks or money orders, or
use Pay Pal online.  Contact Maureen Pranghofer, Recipe of the
Month Club, 4910 Dawnview Terrace, Golden Valley, MN 55422; 763-
522-2501, or maureen72@mediaone.net.  
     From Dialogue Magazine, Spring, 2002: Accessible Computing
101 is a new listserv where members obtain thorough, step-by-step
instructions on how to perform many necessary computer-related
tasks, all from the blindness perspective.  Experienced computer
users are very welcome and are invited to teach others in a
thorough, comprehensive manner.  To subscribe, send an E-mail 
message to accesscomp101-subscribe@topica.com.  
     Internet Access Plus is a program available from Biolink R&D
Ltd.  This Web browser offers Internet access without complicated
configurations to people who are blind or have low vision.  No
sighted assistance is needed to install the program.  Internet
Access Plus is compatible with Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT
4.0 and Windows 2000 Professional.  Download a demo copy at
www.biolink.bc.ca or contact Biolink Computer Research and
Development Ltd., 4770 Glenwood Avenue, North Vancouver, B. C.
Canada V7R 4G4; 604-984-4099; Fax:  604-985-7114; E-mail
sales@biolink.bc.ca.  
     ESP Softworks specializes in computer games that are totally
accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired. 
Detailed information about the games available, prices (including
educational discounts), and downloadable demos can be found at
the Web site, www.espsoftworks.com.  For more information,
contact James North at sales@espsoftworks.com or phone 916-359-
2224.  
     Are you interested in becoming a Microsoft Computer System
Engineer?  There is a program at Lions World Services for the
Blind that prepares people who are blind to become MCSE's.  The
curriculum throughout the nine-month course prepares trainees for
MCSE 2000 certification, through seven certification exams, with
optional A plus certification exams.  This new course is
available through a collaborative training agreement with
Information Technology Education Center located in Little Rock,
Arkansas.  For more information, contact Lions World Services for
the Blind, attention:  Sherrill Wilson, Director of Training,
2811 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72204; 501-664-7100 or 800-
248-0734; E-mail:  training@lwsb.org; Web site:  www.lwsb.org.  
 

                    CALIFORNIA ACCESS PROGRAM

             by Amy Naokes, Information and Referral
                        Specialist, CFILC

     (Edited from "Ask Amy," Journal, Vol. 35; taken from the
newsletter of the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind, January,
2002.)
     In California as well as many other states, there exists a
program that provides specialized telephone equipment to those
with disabilities at no cost.  It is called the California Access
Program and is operated under the California Public Utilities
Commission.  In California a small surcharge is added to each
household's phone bill to assist in providing people with
disabilities and their family members the type of telephone
equipment they need to engage in communication with others.  
     An individual must have a documented functional limitation
such as hearing or vision loss, mobility or speech problems, or
difficulty with interpretation of information to receive a
specialized telephone.  Additionally family members are also
eligible for telephones if needed for specialized communication. 
To be eligible, you must live in California and have telephone
service.  
     What type of equipment does the California Access Program
have?  If you have difficulty hearing conversation or even
hearing the phone ring, some telephone adaptations include: an
amplified telephone that increases the volume, a louder ringer or
even a flashing light on the phone that indicates when the phone
is ringing.  If your hearing loss is significant, meaning
amplification probably won't help you much, items such as a
telephone (TTY or TDD) will be provided.
     If one has a speech impairment such as a low or weak voice,
laryngectomy, or difficulty being understood, specialized phone
equipment also exists.  Items such as a speech amplifier to
increase your voice's volume or an electronic larynx are
available with this program.  If you have problems being
understood, a text telephone could also be used.
     Equipment such as large button phones, cordless or speaker
phones and speed dialing assist people with visual impairments. 
A telephone headset or speaker phone for hands-free talk helps
those who have difficulty holding the phone or it can help if you
cannot get to the phone quickly when it is ringing.
     For those who have difficulty dialing a series of numbers or
interpreting the information, free services are available that
can help.  These services include memory dialing, speed dialing,
a speaker phone with pictures or visual displays of most
frequently called numbers.
     If you or someone you know is in need of a telephone to
communicate with their friends and family, the California Access
Program is available to help you out.  Please contact them
directly at 800-390-3611 or at 
http://www.ddtp.org to obtain a free appliance.  


                CCB MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT 

                     by Rhonda King, Chair 

     Before I give a precise report on what was discussed during
our meeting held on May 4 at the spring convention, we extend our
congratulations to two chapters.  As a part of our newly devised
incentive plan, the chapter which increases its membership by the
largest percentage from the previous year is awarded $50, and the
chapter increasing its membership by the largest percentage
between the spring and fall conventions is also awarded $50.  The
chapter with the largest membership increase over last year is
the Redwood Empire Chapter,which added 16 members.  
     We also created a Chapter of the Year award to be given to a
chapter for doing something as a group resulting in
effecting a significant change in the life of an individual or in
the local community.  We now congratulate the CCB Capitol Chapter
as the first recipient of this award for its group effort in the
Space Camp essay contest and scholarship program helping to send
a blind or visually impaired student to Space Camp for the Blind
for one week.  The award was presented to Ann Kysor, President of
the ACB Capitol Chapter, who was extremely surprised but very
pleased by this announcement.  
   Another committee achievement is the CCB key chains which are
now being distributed to all chapters and affiliates.  These key
chains serve as an introductory gift to new members and a thank
you gift for current members who renew their membership.  The key
chains are white with a raised royal blue outline and lettering. 
They were designed and produced by JII Enterprises, Sales and
Promotions.  
     In addition, the meeting agenda included discussion of the
chapter directory that will contain for each chapter the date,
time, and  location of its meetings.  This information will be of
great value in helping us direct any individual desiring
membership to a nearby chapter.  If your chapter has not yet
supplied this information to the CCB office to be forwarded to
me, it is important to do this as soon as possible.  
     A number of committee members have been assigned various
chapters which they will soon contact to introduce themselves. 
We hope to learn about the things your chapter is involved in
which may be of assistance to other chapters.  These chapter
liaisons will also be available to help with any problems that
may arise in the chapters they visit.  They will provide a
sounding board for new ideas chapters may be considering. 
Building and retaining membership is our goal.  
     The committee is working hard on the membership handbook to
make sure it has the kind of information necessary for such a
handbook.  It will contain information pertaining to CCB, such as
a brief history of the organization and explanation of its
philosophy, what it means to be a member of CCB, and what CCB and
individual members can provide one another.  There will be lists
of chapters, affiliates, committees, and the various listservs
and Web sites available to all.  We hope to have a completed
draft for the fall convention. 
     Between now and then, remember that we are only as strong as
our members help us to be.  We remind you, too, that this fall we
will again award $50, this time to the chapter increasing its
membership by the greatest percentage between the spring and
fall conventions. 


       REPORT ON THE SPRING, 2002, CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

                       by Jeff Thom, Chair

     First, I want to thank my fellow Resolutions Comittee
members, Winifred Downing, Philip Obregon, Gene Lozano, Abby
Vincent, and Jessica Lorenz, along with other noncommittee
members that rendered invaluable assistance to us.
     All resolutions were adopted with the exception of 2002a-13,
relating to access to Department of Rehabilitation offices, which
was withdrawn by the author, but which will be acted upon at the
next convention.  Several of the resolutions dealt with issues of
national importance, and these all contained clauses referring
them to the American Council of the Blind for action at its 2002
convention.
     Resolution 2002a-1 urged the Department of Rehabilitation to
immediately repeal the 2001 changes made to policies implementing
statutory recommendations governing boards of directors receiving
funding from the department.
     2002a-2 urged the Department of Rehabilitation to limit
counselor-teacher caseloads to 60 clients and to locate their
offices on transportation corridors and where there are
substantial numbers of referrals.
     2002a-3 urged the Department of Rehabilitation and other
appropriate state officials to take the necessary steps to remove
barriers created pursuant to the state employee hiring freeze
that are preventing vacant rehabilitation counselor for the blind
and counselor teacher positions from being filled.
     2002a-4 opposed a change recommended to the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 by the National Council on Independent Living that
seeks to require state independent living councils to certify
state plans for the use of grants for the elderly blind.
     2002a-5 urged the American Association of Retired Persons
(AARP) to produce its membership materials, including Modern
Maturity Magazine, in accessible formats.
     2002a-6 and 2002a-7, respectively, expressed our
appreciation to the 2002 spring convention volunteers and the San
Mateo Marriott Hotel staff. 
     2002a-8 required manufacturers of innovative blood glucose
level testing devices to make them accessible to those with
visual impairments.
     2002a-9 urged the Department of Rehabilitation to have an
independent, anonymous survey of vendors in the Business
Enterprise Program and, based on that survey and consultation
with stakeholders, to develop a long-term plan for improvement of
the program. 
     2002a-10 provided that the CCB oppose SB1918, which would
permit the operation of a scooter device known as the Segway on
sidewalks unless and until it can be clearly demonstrated that
the operation of the device does not present a safety hazard to
any pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments.
     2002a-11 urged the American Council of the Blind to seek
federal legislation requiring money identifiers to be loaned free
of charge to all persons who are blind or visually impaired.
     2002a-12 both acknowledged the positive contributions that
Californians for Disability Rights and their members have made to
the lives of persons with visual impairments and expressed
profound disappointment for the failure of that organization to
enter into a partnership with blind and visually impaired
Californians to ensure improved rehabilitation services by by
helping to enact Senate Bill 105.
     2002a-14 insisted that corrective action be taken
immediately with repsect to a recently produced Instruction
Manual for Braille Transcribing that contains numerous errors.
     2002a-15 demanded that the Library of Congress address the
problems caused by the nondelivery of U.S. Poastal Service mail
to the NLS since September 11 2001.
     2002a-16 urged the Director of Blind Services, in
coordination with the Director of Rehabilitation, to issue
immediately a memorandum to all field staff stating that there
are to be no limits encouraged, placed, and/or asserted in
providing services to department consumers attempting to achieve
a successful employment or independent living goal.


                 FOR ALL THOSE BORN BEFORE 1945

     (taken from Our Special, May-June, 2002)
     Consider the changes they must have witnessed.  They were
born before television, penicillin, before polio shots, frozen
foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, Frisbies, and the pill. 
They were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser
beams, and ballpoint pens; before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes
dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes--
and before man walked on the moon.
     They got married first and then lived together.  In their
time, closets were for clothes, not for "coming out of." Bunnies
were small rabbits, and rabbits were not Volkswagens.  Designer
jeans were scheming girls named Jean or Jeanne and having a
meaningful relationship meant getting along well with their
cousins.  They thought fast food was what you ate during Lent,
and Outer Space was the back of the Riviera Theater.
     They were born before house-husbands, gay rights, computer
dating, dual careers and computer marriages.  They were born
before day-care centers, group therapy, and nursing homes.  They
never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric typewriters,
artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt, and guys wearing
earrings.  For them time-sharing meant togetherness--not
computers or condominiums.  A chip meant a piece of wood,
hardware, meant hardware and software wasn't even a word.  In
1940 "Made in Japan" meant junk and the term "making out,"
referred to how well you did on your exams.  
     Pizza, McDonalds, and instant coffee were unheard of.  They
hit the scene when there were 5 and 10 cent stores, where you
could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.  For one nickel you
could ride a streetcar (trolley), make a phone call, buy a Pepsi
or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards.  You could
buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600 but who could afford one; a pity,
too, because gas was 11 cents a gallon! 
     In their days cigarette smoking was fashionable, grass was
mowed, coke was a soft drink, and pot was something you cooked
in.  Rock music was a grandma's lullaby and aides were helpers in
the principal's office.  They were certainly not born before the
difference between sexes was discovered, but they were surely
born before the age of sex changes.  They made do with what they
had, and they were the last generation that was so dumb as to
think you needed a husband to have a baby!  No wonder they are so
confused and there is such a generation gap today!  


                    CCB CONSTITUTION CHANGES

                         by Ardis Bazyn

     The Constitution and Bylaws Committee recommended the
following clarifications in the Constitution; they were passed
unanimously by the membership at the spring convention in San
Mateo.  

     Section 8.9 of the Constitution stated that a person can
serve as a delegate for only one chapter or affiliate, but it
didn't specify that the person serving as delegate had to be a
voting member of that chapter.  The committee added clarifying
language.  Originally, the original first two sentences read as
follows: 
     "Section 8.9. Each chapter shall elect a delegate to attend
Council conventions and cast the chapter's vote.  The chapter may
also elect an alternate delegate."
     We added "who is a current voting member of the chapter" to
both sentences so they  will read as follows: "
     Section 8.9. Each chapter shall elect a delegate who is
currently a voting member of the chapter to attend Council
conventions and cast the chapter's vote. The chapter may also
elect an alternate delegate who is a current voting member of the
chapter. 


                    IN MEMORIAM: ALAN JENKINS

                        by Roger Petersen

     (Taken from the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind
newsletter, june, 2002.  A moore detailed account of Alan's life
will appear in The Braille Forum, and a memorial service will be
held at 2:00 p.m. on July 13, at the Orientation Center for the
Blind, 600 Amams Street, Albany, California.) 
     Besides being a counselor, advocate and mentor for blind
people in California for more than 50 years, he was the founding
administrator of the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany. 
He directed the center for 42 years and created the philosophy of
rehabilitation of blind people that has been handed down to
centers in Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, Idaho and other states, as
well as all the NFB centers.  Someone commented on the ACB list
on the Internet that Alan taught Kenneth Jernigan everything he
ever knew about rehabilitation. 
     Alan had been in very ill health recently and so his death
might be considered merciful, but he will be missed. 


                     FEDERAL LEGISLATION

                       by Ahmad Rahman

     Election Reform Update: A conference committee has been
appointed to work out differences between the House and Senate
election reform bills.  One of the key areas where those bills
differ relates to provisions for accessible voting.  For example,
the bill passed by the House requires states to provide a
"practical and effective" means for people with disabilities to
cast their ballot but leaves it up to the states to determine
which methods are considered "practical and effective."  Another
section of the House bill also indicates that it is the intent of
the Congress to ensure that accessible polling places will be
available to all voters with disabilities, but no time frame is
given for progressing from that intent to reality.
     On the other hand, the Senate bill sets forth a process
whereby accessibility standards would be established which would
apply to all 50 states.  Furthermore, states would have to comply
with those standards by 2006.
     It is important that we let the members of the conference
committee know that we support the stronger, more definitive
accessibility provisions in the Senate's version of the bill.  A
list of the House and Senate conferees can be found at the end of
this report.  If your representative or senator is on this list,
please contact that person and urge that strong accessibility
provisions be retained in the Election Reform Bill, (HR3295)
to make sure that voters who are blind and visually impaired will
be able to cast a private, independent and verifiable ballot in
every state or locality.  Legislators need to be reminded that
state and local election officials are updating their election
procedures and modernizing their equipment now.  Federal election
reform legislation, therefore, should provide those officials
with incentives to ensure that their systems and procedures
increase access to the ballot for blind and visually impaired
voters.  There is no need to relegate access to the status of a
goal to be achieved some day in the future.  The time to
implement that goal is now!  There are no Senate Conferees from
California.
     Contact House Conferees through the House switchboard by
calling 202-225-3121.  The California House Conferees are: John
Doolittle (R-CA); William Thomas (R-CA).  
     Instructional Materials Accessibility Act: Bills have been
introduced in both the House and Senate.  The Senate bill is
S2246 introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) on April 24. 
This bill currently has six co-sponsors.  The House version is
HR4582 advanced by Congressman Thomas Petri (R-WI) on April 24. 
This bill currently has 54 co-sponsors.
     ACB has been heavily lobbying members of Congress to
co-sponsor these bills.  ACB, along with other blindness
organizations, has successfully secured a hearing of this bill on
June 28 in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee.  We ask all ACB affiliates and members to contact
their senators and representatives to secure widespread
co-sponsorship of these bills.


                  HIGH-TECH TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS 

                         By Pam Sturner 

     Submitted by Penny Reader.  This article is taken from The
Palo Alto Weekly, March 22, 2002 with permission from the
Embercadero Publishing Company.    
     Visiting the new quarters of Benetech, a technology
nonprofit on California Avenue in Palo Alto, is a little like
touring a technology incubator circa 1997. 
     Spacious cubicles, an open floor plan and sunny conference
rooms invite employees to circulate and share ideas.  A tail fin
from CEO Jim Fruchterman's first project,  a rocket decorates a
wall near his office.  A foosball table sits discreetly off to
one side. 
     One element is missing from the usual dot-com formula,
however: a profit motive.  Instead, Benetech's 15 employees are
working for a different kind of return, one at least as ambitious
as any dreamed up in the for-profit world.  They hope to use
technology to solve intractable social problems and to make the
world a quantifiably better place. 
     The idea of marrying technology and philanthropy was
virtually unheard of 20 years ago when Fruchterman first sought a
technical solution to a social problem. As a partner in a startup
devoted to optical character recognition, he wanted to build an
inexpensive reading machine for the blind.  While venture
capitalists eagerly embraced the technology for lucrative
applications, they had no interest in Fruchterman's project,
which had a potential market of less than $1 million a year. 
     Troubled that commercial investment had no room for an
application with important social benefit, Fruchterman realized
that he needed a different mechanism to fund his product.  "I
said, 'Let's start as a nonprofit; we can probably run at break
even,,' " he said. 
     That thought became the seed for the nonprofit Arkenstone,
which soon exceeded Fruchterman's expectations, generating $4-5
million in annual sales within a few years.  Taking the reading
machines to market had another benefit: it created competition,
which helped to halve the cost to consumers, from more than
$10,000 to less than $5,000. 
     The experience whetted Fruchterman's appetite for
tech-focused philanthropic projects.  In June, 2000, he sold
Arkenstone to a for-profit company and used the proceeds to start
Benetech at Moffett Field in Mountain View. 
     Seeking to maximize the effectiveness of Benetech, he
adopted the development model used by high-tech incubators: get
projects up and running, make them self-sustaining, spin them off
to other nonprofits, and plow the company's resources into more
research and development. 
     Early this year Benetech launched its first venture, an
online book-sharing community for the disabled called
Bookshare.org.  Modeled on Napster, the system depends on members
and volunteers to scan in books, which can then be converted to
Braille or sound files. 
     Users must provide proof of disability and pay a $25 startup
fee plus a $50 membership.  Those who can't afford to pay can
work off the cost by scanning in books or helping with
quality-control checks. 
     In the opinion of Paul Edwards, a past president of the
consumer group American Council of the Blind, Bookshare.org
stands to abolish the slow pace at which books become available
to the disabled, a longstanding obstacle to reading. 
     The National Library Service, the division of the Library of
Congress that has been the main source of books for the blind,
adds only about 5,000 books a year to its collection, including
500 in Braille and 4,500 on tape.  By contrast, Bookshare has put
about 7,300 on the Web in only a few months. 
     "For a lot of us, Bookshare will make available a huge chunk
of literature," said Edwards, an avid reader who has advocated
building an online library for the blind for 10 years.  "It fills
a huge void in the world of blindness.  It suddenly makes reading
affordable and direct." 
     Fruchterman is quick to point out that unlike Napster,
Bookshare violates no copyright laws, thanks to exemptions
covering accessibility for the disabled.  Even so, he worked
closely with publishers to incorporate safeguards that prevent
distribution of files outside Bookshare.  "We made the decision
to go to (publishers) early and have them involved so that they
would be behind us," he explained. 
     With Bookshare up and running, Benetech is preparing to beta
test a second project, a software system for human-rights groups.
The application allows human-rights workers to document abuses
confidentially and disseminate nonconfidential portions of the
records.  Known as MARTUS, meaning "witness" in Greek, the
program was developed with input from Amnesty International,
Human Rights Watch, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights and the
United Nations, and recently won a $250,000 grant from George
Soros' Open Society Institute. 
     Jonathan Peizer of the Open Society Institute thinks Martus
can become "the bread and butter" of human-rights work, which
involves massive data collection efforts. Such applications are
"not necessarily taken care of by for-profit companies, because
they don't see any profit in it," he added. 
     For Fruchterman, the current projects represent not only
useful items in themselves but also platforms to adapt to other
uses as the cost of technology falls. Once PCs and cell phones
become more affordable, he hopes to introduce a range of products
to improve the lives of people who have been excluded from
technology.  Among his ideas are a GPS navigation system for the
blind and online libraries for remote villages. 
     "The barriers to using technology are dropping fast," he
said, noting that software has replaced the components that once
made reading machines expensive. "The lower the price point gets,
the more overlap there is between the needy population and the
general-market population."  To keep up the pace it has set for
developing projects, Benetech will have to raise $1-2 million
this year, Fruchterman estimates. Although the company has
received between $400,000 and $500,000 in the past six months,
the remaining effort will demand about half of Fruchterman's
time, compared to 10 percent last year. 
     Because Benetech resembles both a technology company and a
nonprofit, explaining the firm's mission takes time, as donors
usually have experience in either technology or philanthropy, but
not both, said Kathy Meyer, Benetech's vice president for
business development. 
     "Benetech is a pretty complex model. We're neither fish nor
fowl," Meyer said. "It's been a challenge to know who to approach
for what when." 
     Overall the firm has had a warm reception from technology
companies, which have seen an opportunity to help a like-minded
outfit that is not competition and win good publicity in the
process.  Companies including IBM, Sun, Hewlett-Packard and
Fujitsu have donated equipment.  For Benetech, the move to Palo
Alto appears to be solving another problem: providing a ready
population of volunteers.  At Moffett, a former naval base,
restricted access kept volunteers away, Meyer said.  Since the
move to California Avenue, the office has had about one volunteer
come in per day.  Meyer hopes that proximity to public transit
will also make the office more accessible to the disabled. 
     If fundraising is more difficult these days, Fruchterman
also sees a fortunate consequence in the downturn, which allowed
Benetech to move to California Avenue. 
     "I've always wanted to be located in Palo Alto, but I
couldn't justify it before," said Fruchterman, a Palo Alto
resident.  "Because of the dot-com (implosion), it cost us no
more to locate here than in Mountain View.  It's nice to know
that for a few years, anyway, we don't have to worry about going
anywhere." 
     Although he can't offer his employees stock options, he
thinks he's found a model for attracting top-notch employees. 
Benetech, he argues, taps into techies' fundamental motivation:
to solve problems. 
     "This is about solving really important problems for people
no one else is doing something for," he said.  "I think the
average tech person would love to work on them." 


         BIONIC RETINA GIVES SIX PATIENTS PARTIAL SIGHT

                      by Julie Steenhuysen

      CHICAGO (Reuters) - They're not as fast as Lee Majors'
Bionic Man, but six patients implanted with bionic retinas are
seeing things they haven't seen in years.
      Thanks to an artificial silicon retina, the six patients,
many of whom were virtually blind, are rediscovering simple gifts
of the sighted: the flight of a flock of geese, the pattern on a
well-worn tablecloth, the face of a loved one.
      The patients are part of a pilot study of a solar-powered
microchip created by Optobionics, a private company based in
Wheaton, Illinois.
      The microchips, surgically implanted behind the retina, are
smaller than the head of a pin and about half the thickness of a
sheet of paper.  They work by converting light into electrical
impulses.
      "What we are doing is trying to replace the function of
photoreceptors," said Dr. Alan Chow, a pediatric ophthalmologist
and chief operating officer of Optobionics.  He developed the
chip with his brother Vincent Chow, an electrical engineer.
      Loss of light-sensing photoreceptor cells occurs in
retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, the two most
common causes of untreatable blindness in developed countries,
affecting at least 20 million people worldwide.
      What Dr. Chow found is that the chips also seem to be
stimulating remaining healthy cells.
      "We're pretty excited.  We initially expected only some
light perception where the implant was . What seems to be
improvement outside the areas was unexpected," he said.
      'RESCUE EFFECT'
      He said the device is having a "rescue effect" on the
retina, restoring cells located near the implant site.
      "What we think is happening is the implant is stimulating
other cells around the retina.  We're finding vision is improving
not just where the implant is but also in areas near the
implant," he said.
      Chow is presenting his results later on Wednesday at the
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual
meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
      The trial includes three patients implanted with the chips
for 9 months and three implanted for 21 months.  Patients range
in age from 45 to 76.  All had lost their vision to retinitis
pigmentosa, a hereditary condition in which the retina gradually
degenerates.
      Chow said the study was conducted to determine whether the
device is safe.  "In all six patients there are no signs of
infection, inflammation, rejection or detachment," Chow said.  He
also said the chip has not eroded or moved, and none of the
patients have experienced any pain or discomfort.  "None can tell
there is an implant in their eye," he said.
      What they can tell is that they can see better.
      Chow said one patient, who has had the implant for 9
months, saw his wife's face for the first time in years.  The
man, who previously could only see hand motions from four to five
feet away, can now see cars from half a block away.
      Another patient, who could not detect light even if a
bright light was pointed at his eye, now knows when he needs to
turn off his porch light.
      For another patient, though, the implant has been a bit
sobering, Chow said.  The patient, who has begun to recognize
faces, was disappointed to see how his own face had aged.  But he
was quick to note signs of age in his brother, who also received
an implant.
      Chow said his company will continue following the patients,
with implants planned for the near future.
      Optobionics' corporate investors include medical device
giant Medtronic Inc. and CIBA Vision Corp., the eye care unit of
Novartis AG.


         ANOTHER DEFEAT FOR THE ADA IN THE SUPREME COURT

                    submitted by Sue Ammeter

     The Supreme Court again limited the reach of the ADA in the
Chevron v. Echazabal case.  In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court
ruled that a business can deny a job to a person with a
disability if that job would pose health risks for the individual
in question.  In this case, Echazabal argued that he had the
right to choose for himself whether the job placed him at undue
risk.  But the Supreme Court opted for the business's argument
that it might subject itself to a lawsuit if the employee's
condition got worse while on the job.  The Bush administration
supported the employer's position.
     A statement by AAPD about the case follows, along with an AP
story describing the ruling.
     "AAPD Statement on Echazabal ADA Supreme Court case," by
Jonathan Young
     "The United States Supreme Court today once again
demonstrated its fundamental hostility to disability rights in
the workplace," said Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of the
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the
largest membership organization for all people with disabilities
in the U.S.  "Today's decision invites paternalism and represents
a major step backward for the more than 35 million working age
Americans with disabilities." 
     "Justice O'Connor recently said in a speech that this term
would be remembered as the "ADA term" for the Supreme Court. 
Today's decision, like the Toyota v. Williams decision earlier
this year, represents a unanimous opinion that undercuts worker
rights and facilitates discrimination by employers.  Disability
advocates have learned from these two unanimous decisions that we
have no champions among the nine Justices on the U.S. Supreme
Court," concluded Imparato. 
     "With 70 percent of people with severe disabilities outside
the workforce, the last thing disabled Americans need is for
employers to be given carte blanche to discriminate against us
'for our own good.'  Yet, today's decision sends a message to
employers that they have nothing to fear as long as they can
concoct a 'safety' rationale for not hiring a disabled worker,"
Imparato added. 

     "Court Rules Against Debilitated Employee in Disabilities
Case," By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
     The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Americans with
Disabilities Act does not entitle people to jobs that might
jeopardize their health. 
     The Court rejected arguments from a man who argued he should
be able to decide for himself whether to take the risk of working
in an oil refinery, where chemicals might aggravate his liver
ailment. 
     The Court, in the 9-0 ruling, again limited the 1990 ADA and
said Mario Echazabal could not win back his job at a Chevron
plant in El Segundo, Calif.  The justices reversed a lower court
ruling in favor of Echazabal and sent the case back for further
review. 
     Writing for the Court, Justice David H. Souter said the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission struck the right balance
between protections for workers and employers when it wrote
regulations that applied in Echazabal's case. 
     The EEOC was certainly acting within the reasonable zone
when it saw a difference between rejecting workplace paternalism
and ignoring specific and documented risks to the employee
himself, even if the employee would take his chances for the sake
of getting a job,'' the Court said. 
     The case is a major victory for employers, who argued they
could be forced to hire people with grave illnesses or
debilitations and then face possible lawsuits if those workers
were further harmed or died on the job. 
     The Court has not been friendly to lawsuits asserting worker
rights under the ADA.  In six cases involving the workplace, the
Court has ruled against the worker each time. Earlier this term,
the Court made it more difficult for employees to demand special
treatment if they suffer partial disabilities such as carpal
tunnel syndrome. 
     The Court ruled in favor of the disabled person in the
other four cases, which concerned accommodations that everyone
from dentists to the PGA Tour must make to include people with
disabilities. 
     At oral argument in Echazabal's case, the justices seemed
troubled by the idea that a company's hands would be tied if a
worker insisted on doing a job that might lead to serious illness
or death. 
     "We want employers to care about their employees," an
exasperated Justice Anthony M. Kennedy told Echazabal's lawyer.  
"You want employers to take a position that's completely
barbarous." 
     Echazabal's condition did not prevent him from doing just
about every maintenance job at the refinery for more than 20
years.  He worked for contractors at the plant, not for Chevron
itself. 
     He twice applied for a regular job with Chevron, which would 
offer better benefits and job securit y. He twice was
hired with the condition that he take a company physical. 
     He was rejected the second time when a test showed he
suffered from chronic, active hepatitis C, a progressive
condition that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and death. 
     Chevron asked the maintenance contractor to fire or reassign
Echazabal in 1996.  He was fired and now drives a school bus
part-time. 
     Echazabal risked further liver damage the longer he worked
around the chemicals and toxins at the plant, and his medical
condition puts him outside the protection of the ADA, Chevron
argued. 
     The Bush administration backed the company.  Echazabal's
lawyers say he has no symptoms and would be able to work at the
refinery. 
     The case is Chevron v. Echazabal, 00-1406.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Scotus-
Rejected-Worker.html?ex=1024745829&ei=1&en=b5af859e5fa10720



                          CCB OFFICERS 

     (Editor's note: We are indebted to Bernice Kandarian who
updates and corrects 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.  The presence of an asterisk means
that the individual served a partial term before the first full
term.)  

President, Catherine Skivers (00-02, 3rd term)
     836 Resota Street
     Hayward, CA 94545
     510-357-1986 H
     <ccotb@earthlink.net>
1st Vice President, Jeff Thom (00-02, 1st term)
     7414 Mooncrest Way
     Sacramento, CA 95831
     916-429-8201 H
     916-341-820a W
     <jeff.thom@lc.ca.gov>
2nd Vice President, Ken Metz (01-03, 1st term)
     2024-B Andreo Avenue
     Torrance, CA 90501
     310-787-0021 H
     kmetz@socal.rr.com
Secretary, Ardis Bazyn (01-03 1st term)
     500 South 3rd Street, #H
     Burbank, CA 91502
     818-238-9321
     <abazyn@earthlink.net>
Treasurer, Peter Pardini (01-03 1st term)
     267 Cardinal Road
     Mill Valley, CA 94941-3618
     415-381-9211 H
     <peterpar@pacbell.net>
Immediate Past President, Mitch Pomerantz
     1115 Cordova St., #402
     Pasadena, CA 91106
     626-844-4388 H
     213-847-9124 W
     <MPomerantz@mailbox.lacity.org>

                BOARD OF DIRECTORS, jAN. 1, 2002

aL bIEGLER (01-03, 2ND TERM) 
     819 Colusa Street
     Chico, CA 95928-4116
     530-893-8840 H
     <albiegler1@juno.com>
Martin Jones (01-03, 4th term)
     730 Victoria
     San Francisco, CA 94127
     415-469-8048 H
     415-266-3940 W
Jane Kardas (*01-03, 2nd term)
     810 Maple Avenue
     Ukiah, CA 95482
     707-468-5510 H
Rhonda Marshall King (00-02, 2nd term)
     4541 Cyclamen Way
     Sacramento, CA 95841
     916-349-9960
     <jodeanking@earthlink.net>
Barbara Kron (00-02 1st term) 
     May-Nov. 8304 Blue Spruce Way
     Windsor, CA 95492
     707-838-9207 h/fax
      Nov.-Apr. Box 13010, #323
     Yuma, AZ 85366
     520-539-1323 h/fax
     badkron@aol.com
          
Eugene Lozano, Jr. (01-03, 3rd term)
     4537 Sycamore Avenue
     Sacramento, CA 95841
     916-485-8307 H
     916-278-6988 W
     <lozanoe@csus.edu>
Ahmad Rahman (00-02, 2nd term)
     19616 Leapwood Avenue
     Carson, CA 90746
     310-327-0463 H
Barbara Rhodes (00-02 1st term)
     6396 Tamalpais Avenue
     San Jose, CA 95120
     408-268-2110 H
     <brhodes@pacbell.net>
Richard Rueda (01-03 1st term)
     1501 Decoto Road, # 169
     Union City, CA 94587
     510-324-0418 H
     <richr@surfside.net>

                  CCB PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Joan Black, Chair: 4925 Coke Ave., Lakewood, CA 90712; 
     562-630-2304
Keith Black, 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 
Patty Nash, 901 Central Ave. Apt. C, Alameda, CA 94501; 
     510-521-2042
Charles Nabarrete, 239 N. Walnut Dr., West Covina, CA 91790; 
     562-338-8106
Catherine Schmitt whitaker: 604 Camaritas Drive, Diamond Bar, CA
91765;    909-861-2931
