      



                         THE BLIND CALIFORNIAN



                      Quarterly Magazine of the 

                    CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND



Summer, 2004, Volume 48, No. 3



      Published in Braille, Cassette, Diskette, online, and Large
Print 




                     Jeff Thom, President 
                          7414 Mooncrest Way 
                           Sacramento, CA 95831
                           916-429-8201 res.
                           jsthom@attbi.com 

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



                 Los Angeles Area Office, Mitch Pomerantz 
             1115 Cordova Street 
             Pasadena, CA 91106
             626-844-4388                             
             mpomerantz@mailbox.lacity.org

                   Sacramento Area Office, 
                   Dan Kysor
                   225 15th St. 
                   West Sacramento, CA 95691
                   916-371-1514
                   Fax 916-371-7630
                   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
                     wmdowning@mindspring.com




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



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





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

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

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

                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

PRESIDENT'S PAGE: BITS AND PIECES, 
      by Jeff Thom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SUMMARY OF RESOLUTIONS, SPRING CONVENTION, 
      2004, by Winifred Downing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

CALLS TO BAN SEgWAY; SALES DO,TOO, submitted  
      by Dan Kysor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

SPRING, 2004, CONVENTION REPORT, by Bonnie Rennie  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

TEN DAY TOUR OF ALASKA, by Cecile Betts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

CCB NOMINATING COMMITTEE UPDATE, by Frank Welte  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF DISABLED MEN,
      from the Internet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13

VISITING WILLY, by Toni and Ed Eames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

FROM THE CAPITOL, by Dan Kysor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

IMPLODING WITH OUT-SOURCING, by Josephine Carpignano . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR THE PRE-CONVENTION
      BOARD MEETING, by Ardis Bazyn  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

AND THE AWARD GOES TO, by Roger Petersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

ONE OR TWO CONVENTIONS, by Roger Petersen  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

HONDURAS: AN EDUCATIONAL/CULTURAL EXCHANGE, Part 2, by Denise
      Vancil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

BULLETIN BOARD, compiled by Keith Black  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

AWARDS FOR WRITING EXCELLENCE, by Bernice Kandarian  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

CCB MEMBERSHIP REPORT, by Ardis Bazyn and Rhonda King  . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

CCB OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

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

      Like Jeff Thom, our President, I find I have no special
message to present since so much of this issue is devoted to
Spring Convention reports bringing many messages for
consideration.  I think, though, that I'll pass on a few hints
suggesting ways I have found useful in accomplishing some
ordinary tasks.
      Hint 1.  Are you  plagued with little plastic popcorn
pellets when you open a carton containing something you ordered? 
If you aren't careful, they fly all over the house and are just
about impossible to clean up since you can't hear them; and you
whisk them to new locations when you try to find them.  I put my
carton in the bathtub before I slit the sealing tape and remove
what I want from the carton, sweeping the pellets up afterward,
restoring them to the carton, and applying  some sticky tape to
close it securely.  Disposing of the pellets isn't easy, either. 
Maybe some sighted friend can corral them from the carton into a
bag, or perhaps you can pour them into your trash can.  
      Hint 2. Many of us use Dymo-Tape to braille labels for
disks, cans, and many other items.   Stripping the backing from
the tape is a difficult operation; but once you have begun a
roll, you can always save the end of the thin backing to start
your next label.  To avoid cutting the backing when you use a
scissors to cut the label, strip the amount of tape you have
brailled, clip the shear backing to the next part of the tape
with  a paper clip, and then cut off what you want.
      Hint 3. If you are a knitter, you often find it useful to
employ markers on the needle to designate certain numbers of
stitches or alert you to a pattern change.  Markers come in a
package that contains some intended for a variety of needle
sizes, they are mighty easy to lose, and they cost a lot more
than they should.  I have found notebook reinforcements
invaluable for this task.  They are the little round circles that
are intended to make torn holes in notebook paper secure.  They
come pasted on plastic sheets, 8 or 10 sheets to a package.  You
can take two off the backing and paste them together, thus making
a pretty sturdy ring to slip on your knitting needle.  They are
cheap enough that you won't mind replacing them when necessary or
losing them as you work.
      Hint 4: If you find measuring small amounts of liquid into
measuring spoons when you are cooking or baking, try putting the
liquid in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or so.  Then the liquid
is cold and makes a real impact on your warm finger for
measuring.  
      Now how about some hints from the rest of you for solving
ordinary daily dilemmas?  My e-mail and home addresses are on
every BC so send your ideas to me for future fun.
      The next deadline is September 1, 2004. 

Spring Convention 


                        PRESIDENT'S PAGE: BITS AND PIECES 

                                   by Jeff Thom

      There are times, at least for this writer, when one
overarching theme requiring considerable analysis just doesn't
pop into my head. On the other hand, many little things can begin
to nibble at my brain, and it is these that sometimes force
themselves into the limelight, demanding that I create an article
about them.  Hoping not to have lost my readers already through
groans of despair, I shall forge ahead.
      You will be treated, later in this issue, to an outstanding
report on our Spring Convention, and thus I will not dwell on the
exciting and productive time that so many CCB members and friends
enjoyed.  I do, however, want to urge all of you to begin
planning to attend the 70th anniversary CCB convention to be held
October 28-31, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel.  Our
goal is that every convention be better than the one before, but
I have high hopes that this upcoming convention will truly be one
to remember.  There is much to celebrate about the past, present,
and future of CCB.  There is so much for all of us to learn about
CCB and the amazing members who have made such incredible
contributions on behalf of persons who are blind or visually
impaired.  Because plans are far from final, I will merely say
that the convention should be a star-studded and enjoyable
affair.   
      From the beginning of my term, I have tried to make
membership a top priority.  Through Membership Committee
liaisons, the provision of membership handbooks to new members,
first-timers seminars at conventions and in other ways, we have
attempted to assist chapters in membership recruitment and
retention.  Let me express my appreciation to the entire
Membership Committee, including co-chairs Rhonda King and Ardis
Bazyn.  Moreover, I am always interested in member input as to
how we might provide additional assistance to chapters in this
area.  
      Membership, however, is first and foremost  a product of
local chapter and individual member efforts.  That's why CCB
members can all be extremely proud of the fact that,
notwithstanding the loss of a couple of affiliates last year, our
membership has increased by approximately 150 from a year ago. 
We are clearly on the right track, but there is always more work
to be done.  
      Membership, of course, is only a means to an end.  The end
is the betterment of the lives of persons who are blind or
visually impaired, and the more members we have committed to that
goal, the more we can achieve.  Perhaps there is nothing more 
frustrating than knowing that there is so much to be done while
our busy lives make it impossible to do as much as we might like
on the many issues of concern to us.  We must, though, still do
the best we can, involving both bringing issues to the attention
of others and responding to calls for action through the
California Connection or at the local chapter level.  If you have
an issue that you care about, make your voice heard; and if you
are unsure how to do this, talk with those in your chapter or
with me, with other members of the CCB Board of Directors, or
those who serve on CCB committees.  
      Turning to a different topic, some have asked me what kinds
of items come to my attention as CCB president.  Although still a
relative newcomer, the answer seems to be almost anything.  On
the light side, a Bay Area radio station thought about doing a
show on whether blind folks fall in love for different reasons
than do our sighted peers.  I won't even consider expanding on
that subject.  On a more serious, but interesting note, the
Stanford Business Journal conducted an extensive interview with
me on how we operate as a nonprofit, in order to obtain more
information on the general topic of nonprofits organizations. 
There are also the calls that really ravage the soul, like the
individuals facing homelessness or who are undergoing other
crisis situations.  It's often hard to know whether the
assistance we provide will turn things around and; even more
disturbing is the knowledge that for every blind and visually
impaired person we hear from, there are hundreds more whom we
don't know about in need of similar help.                
      Let me end this column with a preview of the next one.  The
CCB has placed itself right in the middle of a national issue
over which newspaper articles are being churned out on a daily
basis concerning voting with touch screen machines and the need
for a verifiable paper ballot as a condition to use such
machines.  As many of you know, we are involved in complex
litigation against the California Secretary of State about these
issues.  By the time of my next column, we may well have a
somewhat clearer picture of the landscape with respect to our
right to vote privately and independently.  
      In conclusion, by the time you read this, the summer will be
well advanced.  Have a fun and safe summer!


                  SUMMARY OF RESOLUTIONS, SPRING CONVENTION, 2004

                                by Winifred Downing

      As Chair of the Resolutions Committee, Mitch Pomerantz
directed the committee in its preparation of ten resolutions
which were accepted by the convention.  Here is the  summary of
these resolutions; anyone wishing to have the full  documentation
for any one of them can request it from the CCB office.
      Resolution 2004A-1 Strongly encourages the Blind Field
Services of the Department of Rehabilitation to reconsider its
policy of providing services only to high school seniors in their
last semester and to work closely with the State Department of
Education in providing blind/visually impaired high school
students, 16 years and older, with vocational guidance and
counseling. 
      Resolution 2004A-2 Calls upon Field Services for the Blind
in the Department of Rehabilitation to fill present counselor
vacanscies (now regarded as lost positions rather than vacancies)
occurring because of the hiring freeze in the past, to rectify
the untenable situation that exists for both consumers and
counselors.  
      Resolution 2004A-3 Urges that the California Council of the
Blind undertake a concerted effort, including discussions with
the Department of Motor Vehicles, law enforcement, traffic
schools and traffic safety officials, to increase public
awareness regarding the danger to all pedestrians, particularly
persons who are blind/visually impaired, when drivers fail to 
comply with Section 22450 of the Motor Vehicles Code.  The
resolution will be forwarded to the American Council of the Blind
for consideration at its national convention in Birmingham,
Alabama. 
      Resolution 2004A-4 Seeks to have the state legislature 
reinstate in the state budget for 2004-2005 funding for the Kevin
Starr Access to Information Act of 2001, which has provided a
telephonic reading service to major metropolitan areas throughout
California bringing access to voting/election information,
newspapers, shopping ads, and utility inserts to thousands of
blind and visually impaired persons.
      Resolution 2005A-5 Strongly encourages the Department of
Rehabilitation to make every effort to maintain, to the extent
possible, funding to the Center for the Partially Sighted (CPS)
which, from reimbursements under the Social Security Act, has
provided for much needed rehabilitation.  Substantial reductions
in the availability of these funds has led  to a proposal that
such services by CPS be eliminated.
      Resolution 2004A-6 Instructs the CCB President to write to
the Law School Admission Council concerning the Law School
Admission Test (LSAT), required for all persons entering law
school, explaining the difficulties faced by blind and visually
impaired test takers and to make these concerns known to the
monitoring authority, the Department of Justice, Civil Rights
Division.  This resolution will be forwarded to the American
Council of the Blind for consideration at its 2004 National
convention in Birmingham, Alabama.
      Resolution 2004A-7 Urges metropolitan planning organizations
to immediately develop and implement coordinated, seamless, and
barrier free paratransit connections when more than one provider
is involved.  Copies of this resolution will be forwarded to all
CCB chapters in a concerted effort to encourage them   to
advocate on behalf of blind and visually impaired persons to
improve specific situations in their own areas.   
      Resolution 2004A-8 Commends Outreach Inc., the ADA broker
for Santa Clara County, for responding to the request of the
Silicon Valley Chapter, by its willingness to go the "extra mile"
in providing quality service for blind and visually impaired
members and guests at the CCB Spring 2004 Convention.  It
temporarily extended service to the CCB Convention hotel which is
not located in its normal service area and committed staff
specifically to ensure convention attendees safe, convenient and
courteous transportation, including pick-up at the San Jose
airport for out-of-town paratransit users 
      Resolutions 200- A9 and 2004-A10  Thank the Newark/Fremont
Hilton Hotel and the many volunteers who assisted with the
convention for helping to make it such an enjoyable experience
for all concerned.  


                      CALLS TO BAN SEGWAY FADE/ SALES DO, TOO

                              submitted by Dan Kysor 

      (from the Sacramento Bee, March 19, 2004, By Walt Wiley,
Staff Writer.
      A year ago, the Sacramento City Council and county Board of
Supervisors were studying whether to grant the requests of
organizations for disabled people to ban Segway vehicles from
area sidewalks.
      Both bodies declined to act and instead put the requests
under study.  Today the scene is much more quiet, but the
elements are in place for the whole controversy to erupt anew if
the little electric two-wheelers ever do catch on as their maker
claims they will.
      The Segway went on the market a year ago after months of
publicity and lobbying based on the proposition that the new
vehicle was going to change the way the world works.  Taking up
no more space on the ground than a single pedestrian, powered by
rechargeable batteries that carry it up to 12 miles on a charge,
capable of turning in place, capable of 12 1/2 mph, capable of
handling fairly rugged terrain, the Segway had no trouble gaining
publicity.
      It is essentially a 2-foot-wide platform with a wheel on
each side and a stalk supporting a pair of handlebars.  The rider
stands on the platform and holds the handlebars, leaning forward
to go, back to stop, twisting hand grips to turn.  A computer
linked to the motor and a series of gyros keep it all from
falling over.  The Segway sells for between $3,995 and $5,500,
depending on model size.  
      To make way for the machine on California's sidewalks, in
2002, the legislature passed, and Gov.  Gray Davis signed SB 1918
that makes the rider of a "self-balancing, nontandem, 2-wheeled
device" a pedestrian.
      Despite the promise, however, sales do not appear to be
spectacular.  The company does not reveal sales figures, but in
September a glitch in the computer software caused the company to
announce a recall, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission
said at the time that 6,000 units were involved.  The lack of
sales was unexpected and is what has kept city and county
officials from dealing further with the demand to ban the
vehicles from local sidewalks.
      "We just haven't had any reports of accidents or incidents,"
said Dan Shoeman, a county Department of Transportation engineer. 
Likewise with the city, although he will be preparing a report
for the council's Law and Legislation Committee, said city
Traffic Engineer Marty Hanneman.  "It's a non-issue.  I think
these things (Segways) are going extinct anyway."
      Not extinct by a long shot (though still not revealing sales
figures), said Carla Vallone, Segway spokeswoman, adding that the
little buggies are commonplace in many large airports.  Chicago
airport police have 28 vehicles.  "And Disney has them at their
parks.  The post office is evaluating them;  utility companies;
individuals," she said.  Segways are sold online, through
Brookstone stores, "and through dealerships which we're just now
establishing."
      Her bright view of a Segway-filled future is Dan Kysor's
nightmare.  The idea of the zippy transporters muscling aside
walkers on sidewalks makes the lobbyist for the California
Council of the Blind seethe.  "It's amazing to me how in every
state Segway has managed to grease through legislation changing
the definition of 'pedestrian.' A pedestrian is now a wheeled
device.  Ridiculous," Kysor said.
      The machine itself is wonderful, nevertheless, said John
DeUlloa, who uses his mostly for shopping errands within a mile
or two of his east Sacramento home, navigating the narrow, uneven
sidewalks with little difficulty.  "I don't have conflicts with
other people on the sidewalks," he said.  "Mostly, people are
curious."  He is constantly amazed by the cleverness of the
vehicle's computer and controls, he said.  He once was able to
recharge his low battery enough to get home by riding the
elevator to the top of a parking garage and gliding back down a
few times, using the braking circuit that works by generating
power for the battery.
      

                          SPRING, 2004, CONVENTION REPORT

                                 by Bonnie Rennie

      There was fun, fellowship, fabulous conversations, and a
fine exchange of ideas; and there were actions taken which will
certainly help improve the lives of those in the blind and
visually impaired community.  The Spring, 2004, CCB convention
was held at the Newark/Fremont Hilton Hotel, April 15-18, capably
hosted by the Bay View Chapter and well attended.  
      The experience of being at a CCB convention can mean so many
diverse things, meeting new folks and old friends and networking
with peers on everything from employment or computers to low
vision or guide dog issues.  This convention was no exception. 
We set our legislative agenda, plan advocacy and public education
strategies, promote braille literacy, and address needs across
the age spectrum.  To these advantages, add interesting exhibits,
door prizes, helpful seminars and parties.  As regular attendees
know, the long weekend was jam-packed, and well worth all the
time and effort involved. 
      Did you go to the spring convention?  If you did, then this
report is intended to prompt pleasant memories.  Were you not
able to be present?  In that case, here is a glimpse of what
happened.  More important, we hope your curiosity will be piqued
so that you will be motivated to attend the next convention in
Los Angeles in late October.  Space permits us to mention only a
few highlights; inevitably, some attractions will be missed.  It
is, therefore, a great idea to order tapes of this convention
from the CCB office.  They will give  you the full picture, and
many would make excellent presentations and springboards for
discussions at local chapter meetings.  
      There were several recurring themes.  One was the current
state budget crisis, possible budget cuts to important services,
and CCB's plan to actively address them.  One of our members,
Jessie Lorenz, is, at this writing, helping to organize a bus
trip to Sacramento on May 20th as part of a mass turnout of
people with disabilities in support of preserving essential
services.  Jessie is a former leader in our student affiliate and
is now employed at an Independent Living Center.  Hearing about
the organized, constructive demonstration was enough to make any
CCB or other activist proud.  
      Another theme was the torrent of change currently taking
place in the Department of Rehabilitation with the advent of the
new Blind Field Services Division.  The convention attracted all
the top rehab officials implementing this program.  Rehab
consumers and professionals alike had opportunities to ask
questions and give feedback.  One focus was effective transition
services for young people preparing to enter and adjust to the
adult world or work and independent living.  The summary of
resolutions passed by the convention details specific actions CCB
recommends.
      Friday afternoon general session highlights are as follows:
Sleep Disorders and the Blind with a fascinating presentation by
Dr. Rafael Pelayo of the Stanford Medical Center Sleep Disorders
Clinic.  These disorders have a much higher incidence among
people who are blind.  He suggested addressing such disorders by
rising fairly early each morning and retiring at night at about
the same time, treating each morning as a work day, and thus not
getting days and nights mixed up.  Many hearers wished he had had
more time to elaborate on this interesting subject.  
      Board member Barbara Rhodes then introduced Dr. Mike Nichols
of the Tempus Clinic in Los Gatos, California, who spoke on
strategies for controlling diabetes and who was followed by a
representative from the League of Women Voters emphasizing the
importance of voting.  In that connection, accessible voting
machines was another  subject of discussion.  
      Friday evening brought the usual President's Dinner.  This
is a good place to share and get useful ideas from other CCB
chapters on how to boost membership, creatively raise funds, and
provide interesting chapter meetings and activities.  It seemed
that the most common and popular ways both to increase membership
and build the treasury involved food or walking together in a
local walk-a-thon.  
      The Friday evening session included the President's Report
by Jeff Thom.  A CCB promotional video is currently in the
script-writing stage demonstrating the capabilities of some of
our members and providing an effective tool for bringing a
positive message about CCB to the public.  Most of all, it  will
remind us of why we invest our time and energies in CCB.  The
president of the American Council of the  Blind, Chris Gray,
spoke eloquently to us of the future of ACB.  He pointed out that
the Washington Connection is now being updated more frequently
and encouraged us to call often and benefit from this valuable
source of information.  He entertained and answered questions
from the audience.  
      Following was an impressive description by Joe Earnshaw and 
Don Gruppy of the founding of the El Dorado Center for the Blind
and Visually Impaired.  Joe and Don are two El Dorado Chapter
members who were a big part of a grassroots movement to build
this center; and it was exciting to see that, with persistence
and dedication, it could be done! 
      The last item was a wonderful glimpse onto "The Future of
Blindness" through an interview of Jim Fruchterman by Roger
Petersen.  Fruchterman is well known in the blind community as
the innovator who started Arkenstone and later, BookShare.  Thus,
we were very interested in what he had to say.  This would make
another worthwhile tape to order for local chapter meetings. 
      Much of Saturday afternoon was spent with the rehab program
dealt with earlier in this report and with a panel describing the
transition program at the California School for the Blind.  It
features n impressive plan for conveying independent living
skills in an apartment setting.  
      There followed a talk by Michael A. Winter, Director of the
Federal Transit Administration and by Carol Ewing, the President
of the Nevada Council of the Blind, the state chapter hosting the
ACB National Convention in 2005.
      Saturday night always features the much loved tradition of
the Banquet where Richard Rueda did a fine job as Banquet M.C. 
Those who came experienced the camaraderie around the dinner
table, the laughter, the recognition of the chapters for their
donations and outstanding work during the year, and the
presentation of awards.  Details concerning award winners appear
elsewhere in this issue.  
      The keynote speaker was Takashi Tonemori, founder of the
Silkworm Peace Institute.  As a child, he lost his family in the
atomic bombing of Japan.  He eventually  overcame his disabling
bitterness, learned to forgive, and move on to promote a peace
movement.   
      Sunday morning began with the devotional service.  Earlier
in this convention, a memorial reflecting on the life and
positive contributions of George Fogarty was held.  The service
not only allowed those who knew George to share fond memories but
gave all of us a renewed sense of our great history and purpose. 
      Routinely, Sunday mornings are taken up with the financial
and other reports as time permits, with legislative updates, and
with sometimes lively debate on resolutions.  A report devoted
just to the resolutions appears elsewhere in this issue.  The
reader may also find many of the CCB business items discussed at
the Thursday Board of Directors meeting in the Spring, 2004, BC
article by Ardis Bazyn.  
      The convention adjourned just before noon on Sunday.  
      Here are brief comments on just some affiliate and committee
meetings occurring at the convention.  The joint meeting of the
California Council of Citizens with Low Vision and the Committee
on Access and Transportation featured useful information
regarding accessible cell phone developments and paratransit
eligibility.  The joint meeting of CCCLV and the Senior Blind
Committee was treated to a moving presentation by a member of the
Compton Chapter touchingly describing the fear and sense of
isolation that seniors with later life vision loss may
experience.  There was, however, a happy ending to the drama,
because of the caring support of visually impaired friends, a
well-timed poem of encouragement, and modeling how to use
community resources.  This is a "must-have" tape for any chapters
or individuals doing outreach.  
      Another noteworthy program was held by the  Association on
Multicultural Concerns.  The luncheon speaker, Mr.  Derek Coates,
has done research at U.C.  Berkeley on communication barriers and
strengths between people with vision loss and their fully sighted
peers.  His talk was intriguing, and we hope to be hearing more
from him in the future.  
      To really experience the education, camaraderie, and energy
that are part of a CCB convention, one just has to be there!  A
participant leaves the convention with his or her head held high,
knowing that it okay to be blind or visually impaired and that we
will live the convention theme, "Today's barriers are tomorrow's
victories."  See you this Halloween weekend in Los Angeles! 



                             A TEN DAY TOUR OF ALASKA

                                  bY Cecile Betts

      "What in the world will four blind ladies, three of whom are
in their mid-eighties see on a ten-day sightseeing tour of
Alaska?"  my son in-law asked incredulously. 
      "You said after you visited me that Alaska's beauty is so
vast that a camera or an eye can see only a small piece of it at
a time," I reminded him.  The three of us with macular
degeneration will be able to see the snow-capped mountains, the
glaciers, the rivers; and lakes and everyone will see things
through her memories.  After, all, I lived in Alaska for 46
years. 
      The planning for this trip began in January, 2003, after I
signed the contract for publication of my book, Reluctant
Pioneer.  While in the knitting class at the Braille Institute in
Anaheim, I said that I d like to go to Alaska to promote my book. 
Immediately, three of my classmates, Kay Parsons, Sophie Scott,
and Nelly Emerson said," If you go, we want to go with you."  
      "I think we should plan it for August while Braille is on
its summer break," I told them.  My nephew, Donald Graham, and
his wife, Carol, who live in Cape Coral, Florida, agreed to be
our drivers and baggage handlers.  My cousin, Mary Clarke, from
Georgia, who often visited me in Alaska, also joined our group. 
After I planned the itinerary, Carol made the arrangements for
lodging, van rental and reservations at the Fly By Night Club in
Spenard and for the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks.  The group
decided that instead of seven of us asking for separate checks in
restaurants, we would each deposit $1,000 with Carol and have her
pay for everything from that sum except personal purchases. 
      On August 14th, we met in Anchorage and spent the next three
nights in the Eagle River Motel where we enjoyed a spacious
apartment plus two additional rooms.  Because Calla became ill
while traveling and had to spend five days in a veterinary
hospital, Mary served as Nelly's guide.  Don, Carol and Mary read
the menus to us and helped us climb in and out of the van several
times a day.  Driving south from Anchorage, I pointed out
Turnagain Arm, which has the second highest tides in the world. 
To the left, the towering granite cliffs still show the marks of
the drills used to place the blasting charges when the highway to
Seward was built on the old railroad bed, and the tracks were
moved closer to the water.  
      Portage Glacier Visitor Center is built on the edge of a
lake formed by the melting glacier.  Usually there are
spectacular icebergs floating in it.  The glacier itself has been
retreating until it is out of sight behind a little hill, but
tour boats take visitors close to the face of the glacier. 
Inside the center, many audio stations with tapes full of
information about glaciers in general and this glacier in
particular were available.  A movie, narrated by a Forest Service
employee concluded our stop there.             
      Next, we backtracked to Girdwood, location of Alyeska Ski
resort with its many hotels, chalets, chair lift to the mountain
top, and numerous gift shops.  One, Kobuk Valley Jade, has huge
boulders of raw jade scattered in the flower garden in front of
the chalet housing the shop.   Inside, my friends, Mr.  And Mrs.
Heinrich, display many authentic Eskimo artifacts including
raingear made from animal intestines, samovars, spirit masks,
harpoons and utensils dating back to before the Russian
occupation.  They have a large baleen basket insured for a
quarter of a million dollars.  Mrs.  Heinrich informed us that
baleen, from the mouths of whales, must be woven under water to
keep it pliable.  Basket making is becoming a lost art, she said. 
We found beautiful ivory and jade jewelry available at reasonable
prices.
      That evening we drove down an unpaved, narrow, rutted road
to the Double Muskie Inn where we stood first in line waiting for
the door to open.   Here we enjoyed the most delicious (and most
expensive) meal of our trip.
      The next day, we made a stop at the Cook Inlet Book Store
where it was gratifying to see my book, Reluctant Pioneer
displayed on their Best Seller shelf.
      The Anchorage Museum of History and Art provides docents who
lead groups through the exhibits of life in Alaska.  I mentioned
that we actually bought Alaska twice, first from the Russians for
$7,200,000 then again from the descendants of the Eskimos and
Indians who lived under Russian rule,  for much more after the
United States Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims  Act.  The
docent pointed out that with regard to American Indians, the
United States Government did sign treaties with the various
Indian tribes to acquire their land.  This was never done in
Alaska.  We purchased the land (and all its inhabitants) from
Russia.  
      That was the way things were done then.  The museum also
displays many of Sidney Lawrence's paintings of Mount McKinley,
highest mountain in North America. The museum features a very
nice restaurant where we enjoyed some of Alaska's justly famous
seafood.  The Fly By Night Club serves only Spam and drinks.  It
also has a group of actors who put on spoofs of the current
political scene.  The entire staff of the Fly by Night Club
prepared and signed a get well card for Calla, inasmuch as she
was not with us.
      On our way to Fairbanks the next morning, we stopped at my
home on Nancy Lake, and the present owners allowed us to go out
on the deck with its expansive view of the lake and the nearby
mountain range.  Here, I explained to the group, I often saw
moose, black bear, raccoons, bald eagles, and salmon and rainbow
trout leaping out of the water.  We also made a brief stop at
June Newman's home on Kelly Lake.  
      The Parks Highway to Fairbanks parallels the Alaska Railroad
and crosses many tumbling glacial streams.  At places, it is
above timberline.  Snow capped mountains loomed on both sides of
the highway.  We stayed at the River View Hotel in downtown
Fairbanks and the next morning boarded the Discovery for a trip
on the Chen and Nenana Rivers.  We stopped to visit with Susan
Butcher, winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog race to Nome.  She
displayed some of her Huskie dogs and talked about training for
the race, which used to be entirely a male event; but, after
Susan and Ms. Riddle won the race, t-shirts proclaimed," Alaska,
where men are men, and women win the Iditarod."  This annual race
from Anchorage to Nome commemorates the delivery of diphtheria
serum to Nome by dogsled during an epidemic.
      We later toured the University of Alaska and the museum
where even Nelly could appreciate the size of the ton and a half
copper nugget on display.  My husband used to sit on that nugget
to eat his lunch at the Kennecott Copper Mine when he did some
work for the O'Neill family's mining claim.  We  all exclaimed in
wonder when we touched the huge mammoth tusks on display.
      Our visit to Fairbanks concluded at Pioneer Park with its
displays of placer and other gold mining equipment.  Here, I
mentioned the row of little log cabins, now gift shops, but
formerly cribs in the red light district of Fairbanks.  I pointed
to a hand made braided rag rug in the first cabin.  I made that
rug, "But I never worked in that cabin," I told my companions. 
That evening, we ate delicious barbecued salmon, fresh grilled
Alaska grown vegetables, and luscious desserts at the Salmon Bake
in Pioneer Park.
      We returned to the Matanuska Susitna Valley by a different
route.  Taking the Tok Cutoff and Glenn Highway which passed many
lakes, reflecting the surrounding mountains, we stopped for
Buffalo Burgers at King Mountain Lodge, which my husband, Jack,
and I owned and operated for many years.
      We stayed at the Gold Rush Bed & Breakfast at the foot of
Hatcher Pass and spent a morning going back to Eagle River to get
Calla who was happy to be reunited with Nellie.  Then, Calla took
all of us under her care, making sure we stayed together. 
      Ken and Mary Littlefair, our hosts, served sumptuous
breakfasts and entertained us with stories of their adventures in
Alaska.  We rode on a dog sled (on wheels) at the Idatord
Headquarters and also visited the Alaska State Fair where the
huge vegetables raised in Alaska are displayed.  
      After we returned to our homes, we agreed we all enjoyed the
trip.  Kay was impressed by the Alaskan homes we visited.  Sophie
enjoyed the views of the mountains, lakes and glaciers.   Nelly,
with more severe vision loss, reacted to the fresh air, the scent
of the many wild flowers, and Mary's description of the moose we
saw grazing by the side of the highway.  When visiting a creek
full of spawning salmon, she heard the salmon leaping out of the
water and dancing in the air before falling back with a
resounding splash.  I enjoyed visiting friends, being with Don,
Carol and Mary, an hour long interview with Herb Shainlin on
KFQD, book signings,  and revisiting my favorite places.          
  
      When Carol closed her account books, she reported, after
paying for lodging, meals, car rental, gas and oil, entry fees,
film and copies of pictures for each, the entire trip cost each
of us less than $1,000 excluding air fare.  


                          CCB NOMINATING COMMITTEE UPDATE

                          by Frank Welte, Committee Chair

      During the CCB Spring Convention, the Nominating Committee
met to select a slate of candidates for the 2004 election, which
will be held during the fall convention.  The nominees are as
follows: President, Jeff Thom; First Vice President, Mitch
Pomerantz; Treasurer, Peter Pardini; Board members, Rhonda King,
Ahmad Rahman, Barbara Rhodes, and Louis Preston.  In addition to
these individuals, other CCB members may be nominated for office
from the floor.  
      Thanks to all of you who take the time to serve on the
Nominating Committee.  Your prompt arrival for meetings and your
orderly behavior during meetings make my job as chair both easy
and fun.


                   SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF DISABLED MAN

      May 17, 2004, WASHINGTON (AP)  

      The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of a Tennessee
man who crawled up the Polk County Courthouse steps because there
was no elevator. 
      The ruling upholds the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act,
clearing the way for George Lane and others to sue if states fail
to live up to the law's requirements.  The ruling was by a 5 to 4
majority.  
      "The unequal treatment of disabled persons in the
administration of judicial services has a long history that has
persisted despite anti-discrimination laws," Justice John Paul
Stevens wrote for himself and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, David
H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer.
      Lane is a paraplegic.  He sued the state for up to $100,000
for what he contends was humiliating treatment in 1996 at the
courthouse in Benton.  The Supreme Court decided to consider the
case in June, 2003.  Lane crawled up the stairs of the Polk
County Courthouse once in order to face minor charges related to
the traffic accident that disabled him.  When he refused to do it
again, he was arrested for failure to appear in court. 
      Tennessee did not dispute that the courthouse lacked an
elevator or that the state has a duty to make its services
available to all.  The state argued, however, that Lane's
constitutional rights were not violated and that he had no right
to take the state to court.
      The state claimed that Congress went too far in writing the
ADA, because the Constitution says a state government cannot be
sued in Federal court without its consent.
      Stevens said Congress had ample evidence of discrimination
when it wrote the part of the law at issue in Lane's case. 
Called Title II, guarantees that the disabled will have access to
government services.
      "It is not difficult to perceive the harm that Title II is
designed to address," Stevens wrote.  Congress enacted Title II
against a backdrop of pervasive unequal treatment in the
administration of state services and programs, including
systematic deprivations of fundamental rights."



                                  VISITING WILLY

                               by Toni and Ed Eames

      (Taken from Hour Glass, the news letter of the Alliance on 
Aging and Vision Loss, Spring, 2004.)
      Introduction:  On July 1, 1990, Willy Lee Johnson, in
frustration and anger, shot to death a guest in his home.  The
victim, a friend of Willy's stepson, was dealing drugs and
threatening the stability of Willy's family.  During Willy's
trial, the court-appointed public defender never raised the issue
of Willy's legal blindness.  After 12 years of multiple appeals,
the court reduced the conviction from second degree murder to
voluntary manslaughter; and Willy was released without parole or
probation.  
     In the November-December, 1994, issue of the Disability Rag,
Ed and Toni Eames wrote about Willy's conviction in an article
entitled, "Justice and Blindness."  
      Our Visitations: If you think it's tough getting out of
prison, try getting into one to visit a friend.  Our friend Willy
Johnson, who was incarcerated during the last 12 years,
demonstrated how difficult it is to breech unfriendly prison
walls.  Legally blind, Willy Lee Johnson was convicted of second
degree homicide and had been housed in six different prisons
since his conviction.
     The Visiting Process:  California's Department of
Corrections requires all prison visitors to obtain prior
approval, and several of our sighted friends, who volunteered to
drive us to visit Willy, joined us in obtaining the needed
credentials.  However, each prison has its own schedule, so it is
essential to check dates and times in advance.  Simply dropping
in is not condoned. 
     Being approved for visiting is only the first step in a
complex procedure.  On arriving at the visitor intake area, one
has to have his/her credentials verified.  All extraneous
objects, such as wallets, purses, knitting needles and crochet
hooks, books, etc. must be left in the car.  The security check
is more rigorous than any we have ever experienced at an airport,
even after September 11!  Shoes and jewelry must be taken off and
carefully examined by a guard.  One goes through a very sensitive
electronic censoring device.  Any metal will set it off.  On
being approved, the visitor's wrist is stamped with indelible
ink, and that symbol of approval is checked at the next guard
station.
     A driver's license or identification card, one key, and an
unopened package of tissues can be taken inside but must be kept
in a plastic bag and carefully examined by a guard.  Each visitor
is also permitted to bring in $10 in quarters to be used in the
commissary/dining room to purchase food.  On one visit, Ed had a
sneezing fit as we were approaching the security checkpoint and
opened the package of tissues he was carrying to blow his nose. 
The guard then disallowed the open package of tissues.
     Having passed through the security system, visitors walk
from the receiving area into the inner sanctum where they are
checked again.  It is at this point that a call is made to escort
the inmate to meet his guests.  One enters the actual prison
through two sets of steel gates.  Hearing them clank shut, you
know that your ability to leave is now in someone else's hands.   
      Usually, the inmate is brought in within 15 minutes.  Visits
take place in a large room that reminded us of a church or
community center social hall.  Tables and chairs are neatly
arranged throughout the room where inmates and visitors interact. 
Since there isn't much to do but chat and eat, the quarters are
spent on popcorn, potato chips, hot dogs, French fries, and other
nourishing delicacies.  Prisoners are not allowed to handle
money, so Willy told us what he wanted, and we would purchase it
for him.
     Toni, who knitted and crocheted her way through college and
still does these crafts during lectures and reading sessions,
would start fidgeting without her hands being occupied.  With
three of us visiting, we usually had $30 in quarters, and quite a
few were left over after our commissary purchases.  In order to
occupy her restless hands, Toni invented a game in which she
wrote braille messages to Willy using the quarters as braille
dots.  Since Willy is a braille user, he and Toni would spend
considerable time sending quarter braille messages back and
forth!
     Dressing Up:  Visitors must adhere to a dress code which
surprisingly is never fully specified in the visitor's
instruction packet.  We rarely got it right.  Each time we
visited, we or our driver wore something that violated a rule not
specified in the written code.  Knowing that blue is a forbidden
color because prisoners are identified by their blue outfits, on
our first visit Ed wore black slacks.  The checkpoint guard
disallowed Ed's pants anyway, insisting they had faded to navy
blue.  During a winter visit, knowing that layering was not
permitted, Toni wore a hooded shirt.  Hoods, we discovered, are
disallowed.  We had a previous experience with the quirky dress
code when our driver wore a bright red blouse and white pants. 
Believe it or not, the pants were considered too tight and
disallowed!  The clothing issue would have been disastrous had it
not been for the availability of a visitors' swap shop at a
neighboring prison facility.  Apparently, we were not the only
ones to run afoul of the ill-defined dress code.
     Dogs in Prison:  Initially, we were concerned that our guide
dogs might present an access problem; but only once was our right
to be accompanied by Escort and Echo challenged by a guard, and
he was quickly educated by the other security officers.  One of
the unanticipated benefits of our visits with Willy was the
therapeutic impact of our dogs on Willy's fellow prisoners. 
During each of our visits, several men approached us asking
permission to pet our dogs.  Many had not seen or interacted with
a dog for more than 20 years.  The dogs are also an attraction
for the large group of children visiting their fathers in prison. 
One father was delighted when we allowed his three-year-old
daughter to have her picture taken, standing with her arms around
our two golden retriever guides.
     The Case of the Expired Identification Card:  During one of
our early visits, we were startled to discover that Toni's
California identification card had expired several days earlier. 
What to do?  Apparently this was not an unknown problem, and the
staff directed us to the local Department of Motor Vehicles
office where Toni was able to apply for a renewal.  The prison
folks said all they needed was proof that her card was in the
process of being re-issued, and they would let her in. 
Fortunately, it was a weekday, and the DMV office was open. 
Otherwise, the five hour drive would have been
for nothing.  Two hours later, we re-entered the prison with the
required documentation.
     On Being Wimp:  Rarely have we been accused of not standing
up for our rights, but we did get our come-uppance on one prison
visit.  We had arrived about 11 A.M. accompanied by our friend
and driver, Michelle.  When Willy didn't appear within the usual
15-minute time frame, we found a table and began feeding our
faces with the local goodies.  After the three of us sat around
for more than an hour, an inmate at a nearby table came over to
chat.  He said he had been observing us for some time and asked
whom we came to visit, and why he wasn't with us.  When we
mentioned Willy's name, our chatty interrogator kept asking
questions.  "Did we come all the way from Fresno to enjoy lunch
at a prison commissary?  How long did we intend waiting before
raising a fuss?  Were we just a couple of wimps letting the
system push us around?  After all," said our new acquaintance,
"You're not inmates; you have rights.  If you came to see Willy,
make them bring him to you!" 
     Spurred on by his less-than-gentle goading, we all went
outside the lunchroom to the nearby security station and told
them we wanted to visit with Willy.  These guards were startled
to learn that we had been there for more than an hour; and the
inmate we had come to visit had not yet been brought in.  Willy
did arrive within half an hour; but the time we had to spend with
him was much less than anticipated.  Willy expected us that day;
but when he had not been called to the visitors' area, he assumed
we had a change of plans and went back to his cell.  It seems the
guard in charge of his section never told him we were there.
     No More Visits:  Willy has now been released, and our prison
visits have come to an end.  No more 3- to 5-hour drives ending
in a truncated visit because we had the wrong clothes on, an
expired identification card, or a guard who simply forgot to tell
Willy we were there.  When Willy visits us at home, Ed can wear
his faded black cords; Toni can wear her hooded sweat shirt; and
Debbie can wear tight white pants!  Those left-over quarters have
been deposited in our piggy bank, and Toni can knit and crochet
to her heart's content. 
      Update:  When Willie was in prison, he began corresponding
with Neala Davi, a woman he read about in The amatilda Ziegler
Magazine "Pen Pal" section.  After three years of correspondence,
they met in person when she flew from her home in Singapore to
Fresno.  Knowing that this special woman would be there for him
when he got out of prison kept his outlook positive.  
      Several months after his release, Neala traveled to Fresno
where they were married.  However, she had to return to her job
and family after a short visit.  
      Willie tried several approaches to earning his living in
Fresno and with his brother in Missouri;  but Neala, accustomed
to a warm climate, was unwilling to move to that area.  At the
time of this writing, Willie has joined Neala in Singapore and is
not sure if he will stay there permanently, return to Fresno or
relocate to some warm area in the United States.


                                 FROM THE CAPITOL

                  by Dan Kysor, Director of Governmental Affairs

      As of this writing, the summer budget negotiations have
begun to heat up.  The Governor's budget proposal has been sent
to the legislature, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. 
If his budget is passed, we do know that several programs upon
which we rely will be impacted.
      A substantial percentage of our population receive support
pursuant to the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary
Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP.)  The
Governor is proposing to reduce SSI/SSP payment amounts beginning
next year.  So far, the legislature appears to be
opposing  those cuts and, in fact, working for an increase that
would be provided by federal funds.  However, it is impossible to
tell which way this budget battle will go.
      Another program which appears to be in the cutting room is
the In Home Supportive  Services (IHSS) program which provides an
array of personal care and other services to aged, blind, and
disabled Californians.   The good news is that not only has the
Governor backed away from his more severe proposed reductions,
but both budget committees have so far rejected the cuts still
being proposed.
      CCB members from around the state led a successful fight
against attempts to eliminate funding for the Telephonic Reading
Service Fund which allows blind, visually impaired, and print
disabled individuals the ability to listen to periodicals,
newspapers and magazines over the telephone.  The elimination of
the funding for the fund would have almost certainly caused the
end of several such programs.  Your efforts, along with those of
other agencies and individuals, persuaded the Governor to include
approximately $460,000 in his budget proposal for this fund for
the upcoming fiscal year.
      Finally, we are tracking many bills that have already been
affected by the state budget.  Two bills sponsored by CCB failed
primarily because of budgetary concerns, but two others are still
alive and have a good chance to become law.
      AB 1981 by Wolk would have added accessible cellular
telephones to those items, under the California
Telecommunications Access Program, that the
state currently purchases for persons with disabilities.  The
purchase of this equipment would have utilized an existing fund,
for which fees would not have needed to be raised.  The bill had
widespread, bipartisan support, but a policy disagreement between
the Public Utilities Commission and an Assembly Committee over
money issues not specifically related to the key elements of the
bill led to its defeat.  We will reintroduce the bill next year
and have high hopes for its passage.
      The other CCB bill that stalled in the Assembly was AB 2325
by Bates.  This bill would have provided for a tax credit to
employers for a portion of the cost of employing a person with a
disability.  Our bill was defeated when the Assembly decided not
to pass any tax credit legislation.  We will try again on this
issue as well.
      AB 662 by John Dutra, The Blind and Visually Impaired Pupil
Education Act of 2004, creates a continuing task force of
teachers, parents, stakeholders, pupils and others to advise the
Governor, the legislature, and the Superintendent of Public
Instruction on issues of concern with respect to elementary and
secondary students with visual impairments.   The bill, among
other things, includes intent language that the legislature
recognizes the importance of special settings for pupils who are
blind and visually impaired and adds descriptive video as an
accessibility feature.  It mandates that publishers who produce
testing materials must provide them in accessible formats.   The
bill has passed all committees unanimously but is hung up in its
last committee, Senate Appropriations, pending fiscal review on
the basis of not allowing any new task forces.  It is expected to
be heard just before publication of this column.
      AB 1801 by Fran Pavley, the  Safe Travel Act of 2004,
strengthens penal codes relative to guide, signal, and service
dog access in several areas.  It increases the fine on an
infraction for dog owners who allow their dogs to attack a guide,
signal, or service dog; imposes a stringent misdemeanor violation
to individuals who cause reckless disregard in the control of a
dog which brings injury or death to the guide, signal, or service
dog, Increasing the fine from $5,000 to $10,000; creates the
term, "mobility aid" as defined as white cane, wheelchair or
walker, imposing penalties and fines of not more than one year in
the county jail and a maximum fine of $2500 for intentionally or
negligently interfering with a mobility aid or guide, signal, or
service dog.  This bill is on the fast track through the
legislative process.  With your continued efforts, there is every
expectation that it will pass the Senate in August and be signed
by the Governor.
      AB 2312, by John Dutra requires that, when a point of sale
of a  device is added or replaced and has video instructions, a
tactile keypad be added.  This bill, which  is sponsored by the
National Federation of the Blind of California and supported by
CCB,  is doing very well, having passed the Assembly.   
      SB 1723 by Ross Johnson seeks to ban all electronic voting
machines for the 2004 November election.  We are strongly opposed
to this bill, scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Elections
Committee with no assigned date yet.
      SB 1438 by Perata/Johnson mandates paper trails for all
electronic voting machines beginning with the November, 2004,
elections.  CCB is opposed to this bill for several reasons;  the
most important is that voting machines that enable persons who
are blind or visually impaired to vote privately and
independently and that also produce a verifiable audit paper
trail will not be readily available in the near future.  We are
also opposing any bills that have similar language or goals.
      SB 74 by Torlakson requires that 50 percent of all products
dispensed in vending machines on state property be nutritious. 
This bill, which is now in the Assembly, is strongly opposed by
CCB, as its outcome would be to reduce the income of many blind
or visually impaired vendors.
      SB 1760 by Perata prohibits any agency or local government
from being  immune from suits under the ADA.  The bill, strongly
supported by CCB and the entire disability community,  is now in
the Assembly.


                            IMPLODING WITH OUT-SOURCING

                             by Josephine Carpignano 

      I have had few problems with my much-loved MAC computer; but
now and then there is a streak of rebellion that strikes it,
often at most inconvenient times.  For example, just the other
day I was completing a rather lengthy document and thought I
should probably number the pages.  I went to the Format menu to
scroll down to Footex: (a required initial command before
inserting page numbers from the Edit menu).  However, coming to
Footnote first, I accidentally clicked on the wrong command.  
Easy to fix, I thought, I'll just delete the Footnote in the text
and then enter the correct command; but, try as I might, the line
at the bottom of each page would not go away.  What to do now?  I
tried my two computer literate friends who were not at home,
consulted without success my i-Mac guide for related items, and
contacted Service Net, an insurance I had purchased with my new
computer only to learn that it had lapsed.  Finally, I called the
Apple Service number.
      Tuesday must have been a very busy day at he Apple Tech
Support line.  "Please stay on the line; the wait for service
will be eight minutes or less," the automated system stated.  I
decided to wait, determined to fix my mistake and get on with my
life no matter how long it might take.  I began to wonder if the
stubborn trait exhibited in my attitude was contagious.  Had my
precious i-Mac been infected by my own personal stubborn virus,
or was it the other way around?  Periodically during the long
wait I received canned reassurance that my call was important and
to please stay on the line for the next available server.
      Just as the eight minutes were about to expire, a sweet
female voice with a thick Indian accent came on the line "Welcome
to Apple Services.  What is your first name, please?"  
      "My first name is Josephine."  I waited for further
instructions. . . . "Don't you want my last name too?" I asked." 
      "All right,"  she said, so I gave and spelled my last name
speculating that her hesitation indicated that she was
preoccupied with getting things set up to assist me.  I had heard
about computer out-sourcing so was curious.
      "Where are you speaking from?" I asked.  
      "India," was the brief response.  I said no more.  She
sounded so young, was possibly new at the job, and was probably
eager to please a new customer.
      "What number are you calling from,  please?"  my assistant
asked.   I gave her my home phone number with the area code. 
      "Do you have another number, please?" she asked.  
      "Excuse me?" I was not sure I understood her question.  
      "The number that you told to me is not what we have as the
nmber you are calling from," she explained. . . .  
      "Oh, I do have a different number for the computer, but I
don't use that one and I never give it out," I said.  I paused
and then realized that it was the computer phone that I was
using.  "Oh, sorry," I apologized.  "The number I'm calling from
is different." Then I provided her with the number she requested. 
I hoped she did not consider me senile at this point, but maybe
we were finally on track.
      "What is the megahertz of the system you inquire about?" was
the next question.  
      "I don't have the slightest idea," I responded indignantly. 
"I can give you the serial number, and the model number, the
number of the system, and the date and place of purchase; but
that's all I can give you at this time."  Now she must think I'm
a senile idiot,  I speculated.  Isn't everyone supposed to know
about hertz's and megahertz's these days? 
      "The serial number, please," she requested.  When we had
settled that we were both referring to the same computer and that
my problem was with an Apple Works command that had gone awry, I
stated the problem as clearly and as simply as I could.  "I was
working on a document and wanted to number the pages, so I went
to the Format menu."  I waited until I was sure she knew what I
was talking about.  
      "Yes. Yes," she said.  
      "Now as I scrolled down to get to Footex, I
accidentally hit Footnote by mistake," I explained, and waited. 
Assuming that she was still following, I continued.  "I want to
delete the Footnote but can't seem to find out how to do it." 
There was a lengthy pause during which I believed she was trying
this operation on her own Apple computer to see how it worked. 
Finally she spoke.  
      "Well, just go down to the command Delete Footer and click,
then it will delete," she explained confidently.  I took a deep
breath, determined not to lose my temper.  
      "I don't want to delete the Footex I want to delete the
Footnote," I said slowly and with emphasis.  Silence at the other
end of the line.  I waited patiently, knowing that I would add to
the confusion if I tried to give additional information.  After a
few moments, she spoke with a thick accent and in an
incomprehensible rush.
      "Oh, will you wait on hold for a few minutes and I will find
out?" she asked.  
      As kindly as I could, I said "I'm sorry; I didn't understand
you.  I seem to have hearing problems as well as vision problems,
so sometimes I have understanding problems.  Could you please
repeat what you said more slowly." This must be her first day on
the job, poor thing, I thought.  She's understanding me as little
as I am understanding her.  She carefully repeated what she had
asked me to do and I agreed to wait.  
      Back on the line, the Indian girl was again full of
confidence.  "All you have to do is go to the bottom of your
document and find the little number at the beginning of the line
where the footnote is.  Backspace to delete the number and it
will simply disappear," she assured me.
      Wonderful, I thought, see, it was worth all that time and
trouble.  My problem is about to be solved!  I had not seen the
little number under the Footnote line (due to my poor vision) but
was able to find it exactly where she said it would be, and
happily I deleted it.  Unfortunately, however, the line above it
remained.  I explained this problem to her, and she said that on
her computer, deleting the number had also deletedd the line.  
      "But on my document, the line is still there," I complained. 
Evidently, my dear, lovely computer had decided not to respond. 
The stubborn streak had not played itself out quite yet.  I did
not know what to do next, and neither did my trusty advisor.  She
suggested that I go to the Help menu on my computer and write in
my problem.        I went to the Help menu and could not find a place
to write anything, so I was ready to give up.  She clarified what
she meant by "write" and said I needed to select from the Help
menu under several different phrases.  She supplied the phrases I
needed and I tried to write them down.  However, my vision was
swimming by this time, and the paper I tried to write on was
slipping around.  I found that I could not write and hold the
phone at the same time.
      "I can e-mail you the information from the Apple Help menu
if you like," she offered.  
      Exhausted, I said "Fine, that would be very helpful."  
      "What is your e-mail address, please?" she requested.  
      "It's jocarpignanio@aol.com," I read from the top of my
computer case where I had taped the address so I would not
forget.  
      "Could you spell that, please?" she asked.  Of course; how 
could I expect her to know how to spell my difficult Italian name
all by herself.  I wanted to ask if she forgot that I had given
and spelled my last name at the beginning of our conversation,
but I decided not to complicate matters.                 "j-o-c-a-r-
p-i-g-n-a-n-o," I spelled. 
      "Let me spell that back to you, j-o-e-t-a-r-" she started. 
      "No, no," I interrupted,
"no e; just j-o followed by c." 
      "Is that a T as in torn or a "c" as in cat?" she asked.  So
we started all over again; and after several tries, she spelled
my e-mail address correctly back to me and said that she would
send the message right away.  I thanked her and apologized for
being so difficult.  She thanked me for the pleasure of serving
me.  I was sure it had not been a pleasure, but it was a nice
thing for her to say.  While I waited, I scrolled through the
Help menu to find related phrases and to familiarize myself with
this additional source of information.  I had not yet become
acquainted with all possible uses of i-Mac menus.  After all, it
was an "almost new" computer and I had a lot to learn about it.
      After about ten minutes, I went to the internet expecting to
find the promised e-mail from India.  There was no e-mail.  The
Footnote line at the bottom of my document remained.  It was 6:30
and turning dark.  I signed off and headed to the kitchen for a
drink. 


                  SUMMARY OF MINUTES FOR THE CCB PRE-CONVENTION 
                                 BOARD MEETING   

                                  by Ardis Bazyn 

      Jeff Thom brought the April 15, 2004, preconvention Board
meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.  Ardis Bazyn gave the roll call,
and Ahmad Rahman  was the only Board member absent.
      Jeff read the October, 2003, pre-convention board meeting
minutes which were approved.  It was mentioned that the business
meeting minutes should be approved by the membership, not the
Board.  Jeff read the December, 9,2003, teleconference minutes
which were also approved.  The teleconference minutes of February
9, 2004, were read and passed after adding that the office lease
term was for three years.
      David Kronk from Damar travel then addressed the Board to
explain that his company is offering special cruises to include
the visually impaired.  He will donate $25 to ACB and CCB for
each person booked.  One cruise to Alaska is set for September
12-19 and one in March to the French Riviera.  He will have
guides available for tours.
      Phil Wertz spoke about a new product called "Tagline".  It
is a voice service which includes long distance phone service, e-
mail, fax, and using the Internet for $50 per month for your own
virtual assistant and 1500 minutes.  A residual income would be
donated to CCB for ten years.  He will give us a list of those
subscribed to the service.
      Peter Pardini gave the treasurer's report.  He read the
balance sheet ending December 31, 2003,  the statement of revenue
and expenses for 2003, and the current balance sheet to that
date.  A statement on the 2002 audit will be received by the
office on Monday.  A motion to accept the treasurer's report
passed.  
      Mitch Pomerantz presented the Budget Committee report.  He
indicated that the fact that it is not a balanced budget should
not be a concern since we have adequate reserves.  A motion to
accept the budget report was made, seconded, and passed.
      The threat to the vehicle donation program was discussed.  A
current bill in Congress could severely limit donations to
charities from vehicles donated by the public.  Alternate
language has been prepared for this bill so that  Jeff suggested
that the subject be tabled until the next conference call.  A
motion that this topic be postponed until the next conference
call meeting was passed.  Another  motion to send two students
from CCB to the national convention in Birmingham, with each
one's expenses being limited to $1000, was made.  A friendly
amendment changing the wording to "reasonable expenses" was
proposed.  There was some debate about "reasonable expenses" and
the amendment was changed to say "room, per diem, and
transportation;" and the amendment passed.  The main motion was
also approved. 
      Cathie Skivers gave a report on the Newell Perry Endowment
fund.  She reminded members that Richard Rueda, Pat
LaFrance-Wolf, and she were the trustees of this fund and said
the current amount in the fund was $142,054.  The fund started
with $122,706 at Smith-Barney.  $24,300 has been spent for
employment-related expenses including a computer and a new
business start-up.  Another request has been received for $8000
which is being reviewed at this time.  A motion to accept this
report was approved.  It was recommended that Cathie write an
article for the BC concerning the two funds for which she is a
trustee.
      Cathie then gave a report on the Ellen Murphy Trust fund. 
The total amount in this fund is $320,338, approximately $14,000
of which was granted for the purpose of assisting women over 50.
Some grants were for hospice, an individual being evicted, and a
person needing equipment.  The trustees for this fund are Cathie
Skivers, Pat LaFrance-Wolf, and Abbie Vincent.  A motion to
accept this report was passed. 
      Jeff reported that the Board, which had been contacted by e-
mail and phone, had voted to replace rather than repair Dan's
Kysor's 10-year-old braille printer.  
      Peter and Ed have been getting prices on systems that could
possibly replace the old Bogen phone system.  Unified Teledata is
a modified voice-mail system which has unlimited voice-mail
messaging, a dial-into number, and the ability to record from
outside the office.  The Object World system cost is $8800.  With
installation and training and one year warranty the cost totals
$9740 and with sales tax is $10,543.55.  The Web Co.  system was
around $6000 but is much less useful.  A motion for the Board to
authorize the purchase of this new telephone system was made,
seconded, and passed.  The yearly maintenance agreement will cost
$900.
      Jeff reported on the progress of the video project.  The
committee chosen to work on the script had decided to use a
variety of subjects in the video: a senior, one young person, one
employed individual, and one parent. The photographers would be
taking pictures at the convention on Saturday.  
      A request was made to apply for a grant to hire a visually
impaired person to make Web site changes.  Ardis suggested
contacting a company in Burbank which has offered free services
to develop Web sites for nonprofits.  
      Bernice Kandarian gave an update on the new brochure. 
Pictures have been taken of the persons to be on the brochure. 
She asked the number of brochures CCB should order, and what the
different prices were.  It was suggested that prices should be
checked before deciding on an amount to order.
      Jeff next brought up the bids for the Spring 2005,
Convention.  Bids were received from the Hilton Arden West in
Sacramento, the Wyndham in San Jose, and the Holiday Inn in
downtown Sacramento.  Since we had not been in downtown
Sacramento for a long time, a motion to hold the convention at
the downtown Holiday Inn was approved. The dates for the Spring
Convention will be April 21-24.  The Fall, 2004, Convention is
the 70th anniversary so there will be special speakers and events
planned.  Grants are being sought to help finance that
convention.  A tribute for employers hiring blind persons is
contemplated.  
      A motion to subsidize the Fall Convention rooms so that
members would pay only $75 per night was made.  A friendly
amendment adjusting the amount to $80 was accepted.  The motion
passed.  A motion to subsidize meal events by covering $10 of the
cost for members for each meal purchased was then put forward. 
This motion was deferred until an upcoming conference call when
exact prices will be available.  
      Peter Pardini gave a report concerning a foundation grant
search engine.  It allows you to search by using key words for
projects like conventions.  The cost is $1995 for a year's
subscription.  This matter was deferred to the 2005 Budget
Committee.  Searches can be done for a few hours for a lower fee. 
All raffles must distribute 90 percent of the receipts to
winners.  No action was taken.
      Cathie said she wants to record the first 50 years of the
history of CCB.  She also wishes to then record what has
transpired since the original history was written.  She hopes it
can be available on cassette.  No action was taken since a motion
had previously passed for Cathie to expend up to $1500 for the
history project.
      A motion was approved by the Board to increase the chapter
membership incentive amount to $100 instead of $50 per convention
starting with this convention.  Another motion passed for CCB to
develop a press kit.  The decision would be forwarded to the
Public Relations Committee including consultation with the
Publications Committee.  Ardis and Mitch both have Monthly
Monetary Support forms for members to donate to ACB.  Rhonda King
reminded participants of the membership meeting, and Cathie
reminded all present about the raffle tickets for the Durward
McDaniel fund.  After public comment, a motion to adjourn was
approved.  


                             AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

               by Roger Petersen, Chairperson, CCB Awards Committee

      The folks who attended the Spring 2004 CCB Convention
banquet witnessed the presentation of a number of awards. 
Elsewhere in this issue of The Blind Californian,  are described
the awards presented by the Publications Committee for excellence
in writing and those given to chapters by the Membership
Committee.  Here, as chair of the CCB Awards Committee, I explain
the ways in which this committee chose to recognize people who
have rendered important service to blind people and to the
California Council of the Blind.
      There is a virtual piece of real estate for which we are
responsible, the CCB Hall of Fame.  We are gradually inducting
people into this Hall, and their names are being added to a large
plaque which resides in the CCB office.  At this convention, the
single inductee was Al Gil, a long-time counselor at the
Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany and role model for
people who are adjusting to vision loss.  
      We presented the CCB Distinguished Service Award to Elmer
Chapson, a retired vocational rehabilitation counselor who
specialized in service to those who had hearing impairment in
addition to their vision impairment. He also used his knowledge
of the Spanish language during his long career to provide
services to speakers of that language who are often under-served.
      The CCB Community Service Award went to Allan Brenner for
guiding the Earle Baum Center of the Blind in Santa Rosa from its
very beginning stages to its current status as an important
service agency for people who are blind or vision impaired in the
Redwood Empire region and a good corporate citizen of its
community.
      The CCB Humanitarian Awards were all technologically
oriented this time.  The Sensory Access Foundation and its
Executive Director, Diana Drews, received awards for the
excellence of vocationally directed technology services which
that agency has provided, as recognized by the United States
Secretary of Labor.  A Humanitarian Award was also given to Dr.
James C. Bliss, who has for more than thirty years, been a leader
in the technology for the blind and visually impaired industry. 
He was co-developer of the Optacon, leader of TeleSensory Corp.,
and more recently CEO of JBliss Imaging Systems, which is
celebrating its tenth anniversary.
      Our Merit Award is designed to recognize volunteers for 
outstanding service to CCB and its members.  This year, one of
the Merit Awardees, Rex Ransom, is a perennial fixture around
conventions, making sandwiches, tending bar, guiding people
around and anything else he can find to do.  The other awardee,
David Blomgren, has never been to a convention, but he has been
indispensible in the preparation of the award plaques and in many
other organizational tasks as a volunteer for Bernice Kandarian
and me. 
      In addition, we presented a special certificate of
recognition to Gabe Griffith.  In addition to all his many
leadership activities in CCB and ACB, he recently donated a
kidney to another CCB member.
      In closing, I wish to thank again the members of my
committee: Cathie Skivers, Bernice Kandarian, John Lopez, Gussie
Morgan and Joe Smith.  I also wish to thank Ed and Marilyn in the
CCB office for their support.


                              ONE OR TWO CONVENTIONS?

                 by Roger Petersen, Chairperson, CCB Constitution 
                               and Bylaws Committee

      Although no amendment was proposed at the last convention,
there was some talk about whether the California Council of the
Blind should continue to have two state conventions each year or
revert to a single annual convvention.  I indicated that, in the
absence of a proposed amendment, I would ask the readers of The
Blind Californian what they think about this issue.  Let's talk
about whether we should have one or two conventions, whether a
single annual convention should be in the spring or the fall,
etc.
      Please let your voice be heard by writing or e-mailing me;
Jeff Thom, CCB President; or the office.  We would also like to
have a proposed amendment if someone wants to try his/her hand at
one.  Remember, it has to address everywhere the Constitution and
Bylaws talk about semiannual conventions.


                 HONDURAS: AN EDUCATION/CULTURAL EXCHANGE, Part 2

                                 by Denise Vancil

      (Editor's note: Part 1 of this article, telling of Denise's
decision to go to Honduras, her careful plan to make the
experience fruitful for all concerned, and her first reactions to
her advanture, appeared in the spring issue of THE BLIND
CALIFORNIAN.) 
      Program at Centro de Artesanias Industriales para Ciegos
(CAIPAC): The day begins with breakfast at 7:30 A.M. with classes
starting at 8:00 and continuing until lunch.  After lunch, there
are classes until 5:30 P.M.  Five out of the ten instructors are
totally blind.
      Since there is no university program for instructors to
obtain teacher training, many learn their skills through
workshops.  The instructors work either mornings or afternoons or
on alternate days.  Students are divided into groups of three or
four and attend different classes during the scheduled class
times.  As part of the Activities of Daily Living program,
students are taught to do their own laundry, work in the kitchen
and keep up their living quarters. Although there is a normal
kitchen with a gas stove, refrigerator, and sink with running
water, there is also an outdoor wood-burning cooking stove.  Thus
the students have the opportunity of learning  how to use a
standard kitchen but also the facility that may exist in their
home community since most students return to their homes. It is
important to maintain a positive relationship with the family so
that the blind student has a place to live after the program is
over.  For example, there was a totally blind 42-year-old man who
learned for the first time to feed and dress himself.  He was
learning that he was capable of doing things on his own, building
confidence, and gaining independence; but his family came and
took him back home from the center because, being poor
themselves, they relied on money that he collected in the streets
as a beggar.  Although this was far from an ideal situation, it
was better that this man still had a place to live.  
      To teach students to care for their own laundry, the center
has a washing machine but also has a pila, a large cement tub
with a cold water faucet and an old fashioned scrubbing board
that is more typically found in Honduran homes.  Once the
clothing has been soaped down with a large brick-sized bar of
soap, it is plunged in a large bowl of cold water to begin the
rinsing process.  Then the laundry is hung out to dry.  
      At one point, I had the opportunity to do some instruction
in techniques for working in the kitchen.  I showed the students
how to press the flat edge of the knife on garlic to make the
thin paper skin come off easier and how to use a homemade version
of a liquid level indicator to know when a cup is full to the
top.  I also demonstrated kitchen safety techniques with
centering a pan on a burner, putting the pan handle to one side
to avoid bumping it, feeling the heat source and listening to the
heat sounds to monitor the cooking process.  I encouraged them to
use some type of oven mitt for protecting their hands when
dealing with very hot containers and to be aware of the time for
cooking.  The regular instructor was thrilled to receive the long
oven mitts, talking timers, and good knives I had brought and to
learn techniques to share with her students.  
      She asked for help teaching students how to sweep. 
Fortunately, there was a push broom, and I showed her how to
establish a grid pattern technique and to collect the dirt with a
damp cloth or paper towel.  Not having things that we are
accustomed to using, people in Honduras have learned to be
creative to get the same job done.
      Orientation and Mobility: Most blind Hondurans do not have
canes.  If they do, the canes are primarily wooden sticks in
natural wood color.  Individuals who attend CAIPAC are given
wooden canes that have been painted in the traditional American
cane colors of black for the handle, white for the cane shaft,
and red for the tip.  In Santa Lucia and in the rural areas,
walking up and down the narrow steep, uneven cobblestone roads
requires a sturdy wooden cane.  "City canes," as typical American
folding canes are referred to, are more appropriate but hard to
come by, for there is no place in Honduras that produces or sells
these folding canes.
      Using a wooden cane is much like using a regular cane with
the exception of the forward arc.  Since one walks significantly
slower on cobblestone streets, the cane is held more like a
walking or hiking cane just slightly in front of the body.  There
are no wheelchair ramps, and it is important to feel the width of
the staircase before ascending or descending the stairs.  It is
equally important to pay attention to the depth of the stairs,
since not all stairs are the same depth.  There are no dog-guide
facilities so "sighted or human guide" techniques tend to be more
specific, for most people do not have or use canes, relying
entirely on the sighted guide.  I was given one of the painted
wooden canes, but unfortunately there was no more metal for a tip
or material for a cord to attach to the top.  I have since shown
the wooden cane to my blind students here so that they can see
what is being used in Honduras.   
      Braille: Most of the blind people do not own their own slate
and stylus, let alone a Perkins brailler or electronic braille
notetaker.  At CAIPAC, braille materials are scarce so the
instructor and students were thrilled to receive the braille
equipment I brought.  One day when the instructor was out helping
my Peace Corps friend Barbara to deliver a wheelchair to a woman,
I had the opportunity to teach the braille class.  I showed the
students the parts and functions of the Perkins brailler and had
them take turns writing short messages for each other.  The
Perkins brailler was far different from the slate and stylus they
had known, but they learned quickly.
      Massage: There is a small room in the center with two
massage tables where students receive instruction from a teacher
who had some training from a visiting physical therapist/massage
therapist from Chile.  The students learn the parts of the body,
hygiene, and specific exercises.  After carrying large suitcases
and backpacks of materials to donate, I was hoping to benefit
from the practice sessions of the massage students; but I was
able, because of time constraints, to receive only a 15-minute
massage from the teacher while learning about his methods of
instruction.  Massage supplies and tactile models showing
muscles, bones, etc. would be invaluable to improve the program. 
      Agriculture and Animal Care:  Normally students learn to
care for chickens and rabbits as part of the program; but these
small animals had just been sold to pay for some operational
expenses.  An instructor, however, shows students how they can
plant, weed, and care for crops.  At the time I was there,
varieties of lettuce were being grown.  The crops supplement the
food consumed at the center.
      Handicrafts: Students are taught how to knit and weave a
variety of items, including hats and scarves.  Wooden or plastic
circular or oblong molds are used.  These molds have short (one
and a half-inch) sticks around which yarn is woven.  Not only are
these projects worthwhile for either sale or personal use, but
they give students something to do to occupy their free time. 
The center does not have a TV, books on tape, exercise equipment,
telephones, or other pleasures that we take for granted.  Some
students bragged about how many scarves they had made and often
carried their supplies back to their room to work on their
projects during free time.  These items are generally sold to
help supplement funds at the center.  
      Carpentry: A totally blind 65-year-old man and a sighted
assistant are the carpentry instructors.   The teacher has
devised some ingenious devices to be used as protective guides. 
Wood shavings and sawdust cover the floor of the carpentry shop
that houses various saws, sanders, hammers, etc.  The instructor
showed me some of the wooden chairs and end tables a group of
students were learning to make, and I was not only impressed with
his quick moving hands while hammering in nails and drilling
holes in the wood, but also with the manner in which he shared
with his students.
      Ceramics: Students are taught how to massage and shape clay
for building bricks, roof tiles, and terra cotta flowerpots and
other ornamental pieces.  Generally, molds are used to help
create the tunnel-shaped roof tiles.  The instructor with the
more advanced students demonstrates how to make plates on a kick
pottery wheel and do finishing work using stones and water.  
      Music: Although I did not personally get to see a music 
class in session, on my first night in Honduras there was a
fiesta held at CAIPAC, a graduation party for instructors and
directors of programs for the blind from throughout Central
America.  After ceremonial speeches, the music began.  The
instructor and his wife, both of whom are blind, and a few CAIPAC
students played piano, guitar, drums and other instruments and
sang.  The music included some traditional ballads as well as
popular merengue, salsa, and cumbia dance music.  The band
sounded great, and most people kept dancing, not wanting the
night to end.  The music instructor for CAIPAC is also the music
instructor for the residential school for blind children.   
      Although CAIPAC has quite an extensive program encompassing
many areas, further additions and improvements are needed.  Hopes
for the future include a computer program to teach clients about
basic writing skills and eventually how to access the Internet. 
Since a laptop computer with a screen reading program that could
speak Spanish was one of the donations I brought, I wanted to be
able to show a few of the blind instructors and a university-
bound client how to use it.  On one particularly tiring day, I
started one of the most challenging tasks I've ever had as a
teacher, conveying basic computer skills to the blind in Spanish.
How hard it was to find just the right words to express my
meaning to people who were enthusiastic and eager to learn but
with no background experience at all! Knowing the importance of a
cheat sheet or reference guide for some basic computer commands,
I encouraged my students to take notes; but the only way they had
of doing so was a tape recorder.  At the beginning of class,
therefore, we had to learn how to operate the 4-track tape
recorder I had brought as one of the donations.  We made some
progress, but a long road lies ahead requiring teachers,
additional equipment, and determination to continue improvements
for blind persons in Honduras.  
      (In Part 3 of this series, which will appear in the fall
issue of the Blind Californian, Denise describes her visit to the
school for blind children.)   


                                  BULLETIN BOARD

                              compiled by Keith Black

      Each section of "Bulletin Board" will be terminated by a
line of asterisks.  After the first item from a magazine is
listed, subsequent items will be marked with a single asterisk at
the beginning of the paragraph.
      Invitation: to Californians with disabilities who belong to
an HMO and/or PPO to participate in a health care survey.    
      We are asking people to fill out our survey so we can learn
more about quality of health care Californians with disabilities
are receiving from their HMO/PPO.  Your answers will help inform
written materials we are developing.  You may complete the
survey: 
      1. On the computer at 
http://dralegal.org/hap/survey.html 
      2. On paper or over the phone: contact staff by e-mail at
hapsurvey@dralegal.org;  by phone at 510-451-8644 or TTY at
510-451-8716;
by mail at Disability Rights Advocates, 449 15th Street 303,
Oakland, CA 94612

*****          *****          *****          *****
      Cecile Betts, whose article on her trip to Alaska appears in
this issue of The Blind Californian, has written a book.  If you
would like an autographed copy of Reluctant Pioneer or want it
sent to you as an e-book, contact Cecile Betts, 952 A Avenida
Carmel, Laguna Woods, CA 92653, or e-mail at cecebetts@fea.net.

*****          *****          *****          *****          *****
      From The Matilda Ziegler Magazine, April, 2004: Hadley
School.  Parents and teachers of blind or visually impaired
children are invited to enroll in "Finding Your Way," a
tuition-free course introduced by Hadley School for the Blind. 
The course suggests games and activities that help 
elementary-school-aged children explore their surroundings
independently.  The course is open to those enrolled in Hadley's
Family Education and Professional Education programs.  It is
available in large print and on cassette.  
     Those interested in planning healthy and satisfying meals
may like Hadley School's Foods series.  Four mini-courses cover
"Meat,Fish and Poultry," "Eggs and Dairy Products," "Fruits and
Vegetables," and "Grains and Sweets."  A fifth course, "A Social
Perspective," describes how food enhances entertainment.  The
series comes with a handbook that describes adaptive techniques
and offers tips for handling food-related tasks with confidence. 
This tuition-free series is available in large print, braille and
cassette.  It is open to students in the Adult Continuing
Education and High School programs.  
     Founded in 1920, the Hadley School currently offers almost
100 tuition-free courses and serves 8,500 students annually
around the world.  Visit www.hadley-school.org.  Call
800-526-9909 or 847-446-8111; fax 847-446-0855; or send e-mail to
StudentServices@hadley-schoo.org.  
   * Wood Crafts.  Work-at-home Opportunity.  William Miller
makes a wide range of wooden clocks, birdhouses and other items. 
They include hanging birdhouses, $20; birdhouses that sit on a
pedestal, $25; a 3-inch high birdhouse ornament, $8; wooden
mantel clocks, $30; birdhouse clock, $30; CD, DVD and cassette
racks, $30; and wind chimes, $30.  All are made of red oak or
cherry wood.   
     For blind people wishing to work at home, he will sell kits
that can be easily assembled and sold.  Call 740-537-9866; write
in print or on tape to 805 Trenton Street, Toronto, OH 43964.  
  * More Wood Crafts.  Lonnie Dayton does woodworking.  He
refinishes furniture, makes outdoor furniture and lawn ornaments,
and also takes custom orders.  Call 740-944-1053.  
   *Learning Braille.  The Braille Box is an all-wood board with
12 pegs that can be inserted into holes to create two complete
braille cells.  The board tucks neatly into a storage drawer made
of smooth, intricately carved teak, and the set can be carried
wherever the owner goes.  The Braille Box costs $9.95.  Other
learning materials available from BrailleBooks.com include decks
of print/braille flash cards, Grade 1/Grade 2 flash cards, and a
handy Grade 2 braille Quick-Reference Dictionary.  Beginning
braille readers can order books in Grade 1 braille, although they
cost more.  Visit www.braillebooks.com or call 800-987-1231.  

*****          *****          *****          
      From Dialogue Magazine, Spring 2004. The Music Educators
Network for the Visually Impaired (MENVI), has launched a new Web
site, www.superior-software.com/menvi.  MENVI provides
information on teaching braille music to blind children and
adults.  The Web site includes a membership form, and members
receive a newsletter and roster that includes contact information
for others teaching braille music.  For more information about
the organization, contact Richard Taesch, 818-790-5903.  
   *Heidi DePuy is offering free braille playing cards.  Brailled
by a senior club called Carson City Natives and Newcomers and by
the Nevada State prisoners, a set of playing cards can be
obtained by sending an e-mail message with the words Playing
Cards in the subject line to wenarced2@aol.com.  
   *The Pokadot Braille Translator version 7.42 is now available
for free.  The newest version includes updated installation
procedures to work with Windows XP and Windows 2000.  For more
information, contact the National Braille Association, 3 Townline
Circle, Rochester, NY 14623-2513.  If you order the disk, it
costs $5.  The program may be downloaded free from the Internet
at www.braille-pokadot.com.  E-mail, lend@braille-pokadot.com or
call 360-573-6167 after 9:00 A.M. pacific time.  
   *At the recent California State University at Northridge
Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, Apple
Computer announced that it is building a screen reader into its
Macintosh operating system known as OS X.  Called Spoken
Interface, the built-in screen reader is currently in the testing
phase.  
                            

                          AWARDS FOR WRITING EXCELLENCE 

                        by Bernice Kandarian, Chairperson, 
                            CCB Publications Committee

      Each year the CCB Publications Committee, as part of its
effort to promote high standards in CCB publications, presents
awards for outstanding articles which have appeared in the
previous year's Blind Californian.  Currently we give an award
for an  "issue-oriented" article and one for a "lifestyle"
article.
      During the Spring Convention banquet this year, we presented
the award for best issue-oriented article of 2003 to Jill
O'Connell for her article "The National Braille Challenge: What a
Wonderful Way to Promote Braille Literacy", which appeared in The
Bllind Californian, Summer, 2003.  It described Jill's
experiences at a preliminary stage leading up to the Braille
Challenge, sponsored by the Braille Institute of America.
      In the Lifestyle category, we chose an item from the popular
"Out of the Doghouse" feature, "Please Pet Me" by Toni and Ed
Eames, which appeared in The Blind Californian, Fall, 2003.  I
encourage you to read or reread these articles and consider
whether you might have the makings of an article to win one of
these awards in the future.
      Let me recognize and thank the members of my committee for
their service during the past year.  They are Joan Black,
Winifred Downing, Brian Hall, Dan Kysor, Charles Nabarrete, Patty
Nash, Louis Preston, Bonnie Rennie, Richard Rueda and Catherine
Schmitt Whitaker.


                               CCB MEMBERSHIP REPORT

                          by Ardis Bazyn and Rhonda King 

                                 Membership Awards
      Two membership awards were presented at the Spring
Convention.  The El Dorado County Chapter was given the award for
having the best project with full chapter involvement.  The
membership incentive award was presented to the Inland Empire
Chapter for gaining the most members in 2003.  We commend both 
these chapters for their valuable achievements for the California
Council of the Blind.
      At the spring convention membership meeting, all
participants were requested to give ideas for recruiting and
retaining members.  Participants were also encouraged to ask
questions regarding membership.  What follows is a compilation of
all the great suggestions.
      One of the questions that came forward was whether it was a
disincentive to ask that visitors attend at least two meetings
before they could join a chapter.  Many felt it was.  The group
was in agreement that chapters should try to delete this
requirement from their constitution.  Otherwise, visitors might
get the impression that they were not welcome.
      Another question came up about the benefit of having a
program at each meeting.  Most participants felt that programs
gave them an extra incentive to come.  Some felt more visitors
would be present if there was a real purpose to the meetings. 
Both outsiders and members could provide programs.  Some ideas
for possible programs were listed: services available in the
community, technology or different products for the visually
impaired, and sharing what members do for a living or as hobbies. 
It was suggested that a mix of meetings and social events would
draw the most members.  Also, having an activity connected with a
meeting might encourage better attendance.  Lunch, games, or
other activities could be planned for the same day.
      Chapters have a constant problem getting dues in on time
each year.  One recommendation was for each chapter to have an
incentive for paying dues before January 1.  Perhaps a prize
drawing for those paying early could be planned. 
      Younger members are often hard to find.  It was suggested
that each chapter contact the Disabled Student Services in any
local college in order to send invitations for local meetings. 
Also, chapters could give a speaker list to local schools to use
at appropriate times.  
      Greeters at meetings, as well as mentors for new members,
were good suggestions for local chapters to consider.  All
members in a chapter should be encouraged to invite visitors.  It
should not be the responsibility of only one person or committee. 
Incentives might be given to members who invite the most visitors
who actually join, and you might ask members what they want as a
chapter.  Would they like to make some suggestions for speakers,
activities, or advocacy efforts they would support?
      Chapters that are the most successful are the ones with
monthly phone trees and newsletters.  Contacting members who have
not attended your last meeting or two is helpful to retention. 
Obviously, this is the only way they will feel missed.  Of
course, newsletters are the most successful if they are
accessible to members.  E-mail and large print are pretty easy to
write and send; ask your members for their opinions.  Having a
newsletter or brochure outlining your major events would be an
easy way to invite visitors to your meetings.
      If you wish copies of membership materials written by Ardis
Bazyn, please contact her by phone: 818-238-9321 or e-mail:
abazyn@bazyncommunications.com.


                                CCB OFFICERS

       Editor's note: We are indebted to Bernice Kandarian who
updates and corrects the list of CCB officers and board members,
including the number of the term each is presently serving, the
year elected to that term and the year next up for election. 
Terms begin on January 1 following election.  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, Jeff Thom (02-04, 1st term)
     7414 Mooncrest Way
     Sacramento, CA 95831
     916 995-3967 c
     <jsthom@comcast.net>
1st Vice President, Mitch Pomerantz (02-04, 1st term)
     1115 Cordova Street, #402
     Pasadena, CA 91106
     626 844-4388 H
     213 847-9124 W
     <MPomerantz@mailbox.lacity.org>
2nd Vice President, Ken Metz (03-05, 2nd term)
    1965 South Sherbourne Drive, #1
     Los Angeles, CA 90034
     310 559-0170 H
     323 295-4555 ext 255 W
     <kenmetz@comcast.net>
Secretary, Ardis Bazyn (03-05, 2nd term)
     500 South 3rd Street, # H
     Burbank, CA 91502
     818 238-9321
     <abazyn@earthlink.net>
Treasurer, Peter Pardini (*02-04, 2nd term)
     267 Cardinal Road
     Mill Valley, CA 94941-3618
     415 381-9211 H
     <peterpar@pacbell.net>
Immediate Past President, Catherine Skivers (2002-??)
     836 Resota Street
     Hayward, CA 94545
     510 357-1986 H
     <ccotb@earthlink.net>

                             BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jerry Arakawa (03-05, 1st term)
      11180 Orville St.
      Culver City, CA  90230
      310 398-7004 h
      <jarakawa@comcast.net>
Al Biegler (03-05, 3rd term)
     819 Colusa Street
     Chico, CA 95928-4116
     530 893-8840 H
    <aljobiegler@juno.com>
Jane Kardas (*03-05, 3rd term)
     810 Maple Avenue
     Ukiah, CA 95482
     707 468-5510 H/Fax
     <janecalvert35@yahoo.com>
Rhonda King (02-04, 3rd term)
     4541 Cyclamen Way
     Sacramento, CA 95841
     916 349-9960 H
     <imjoking@earthlink.net>
Eugene Lozano, Jr. (03-05, 4th term)
     4537 Sycamore Avenue
     Sacramento, CA 95841
     916 485-8307 H
     916 278-6988 W
     <lozanoe@csus.edu>
Ahmad Rahman (02-04, 3rd term)
     19616 Leapwood Avenue
     Carson, CA 90746
     310 327-0463 H
Barbara Rhodes (02-04, 2nd term)
     6396 Tamalpais Avenue
     San Jose, CA 95120
     408 268-2110 H
     <brhodes@pacbell.net>
Richard Rueda (03-05, 2nd term)
     1501 Decoto Road, #169
     Union  City, CA 94587
     510 324-0418 H
     <richr@surfside.net>
Frank Welte (02-04, 1st term)
     1432 San Carlos Avenue, #6
     San Carlos, CA 94070
       650 508-8329 H
     <fwelte@sbcglobal.net>

                           PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Bernice Kandarian, Chair
       2211 Latham Street #120
       Mountain View, CA 94040
       650 969-3155
       bernice@tsoft.nett
Winifred Downing, Editor
       1587 38th Avenue
       San Francisco, CA 94122
       415 564-5798
       wmdowning@mindspring.com
Joan Black
       4925 Coke Ave.
       Lakewood, CA 90712
       562 630-2304
       kvblack@ix.netcom.com
Brian Hall
       5722 Abraham Avenue
       Westminster, CA 92683
       714 894-3497
       brianlhall@earthlink.net
Charles Nabarrete
       239 North Walnuthaven Drive
       West Covina, CA 91790
       626 338-8106
       charlesn@cuiab.ca.gov
Patty Nash
       901 Central Avenue, #C
       Alameda, CA 94501
       510 521-2042
       p.a.nsah@att.net
Louis Preston
     17129 Antonio Avenue
     Cerritos, CA 90703
     562 404-7935
     lpreston@csulb.edu
Bonnie Rennie
     1719 West Olive Avenue
     Fullerton, CA 92833
     714 870-9135
     eal727200@aol.com
Richard Rueda, CCB-L and BC Email Edition
       1501 Decoto Road, #169
       Union City, CA  94587-3548
       510 324-0418
       richr@surfside.net
Catherine Schmitt Whitaker
       604 Camaritas Drive
       Diamond Bar, CA 91765
       909 861-2931
       clschmitt@csupomona.edu
Dan Kysor, Webmaster
       225 15th Street
       West Sacramento, CA 95691
       916 372-9869
       dan@kysor.net

