The BRAILLE SPECTATOR is published quarterly as a newsletter to members of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND and

others who share an interest in the work of this organization. The recorded edition, available on cassette, can be obtained from the editor upon request.

Changes of address and additions to the circulation list should be sent to the editor. Address all-news items, articles and letters to the editor.

 

MARYLAND AFFILIATE UPDATE

by Marc Maurer

I am writing this article for the Spectator because our President, Mr. James Omvig, is on vacation. He has asked me to act in his stead for the time being.

At this writing, we are at the conclusion of the legislative session, and we are preparing for the National Convention. Our Atlantic City Raffle is well under way, and plans for the 1984 Maryland State Convention are going forward. For more information about the National Convention, the raffle, and activities with the legislature, see articles printed elsewhere in this issue.

Our 1984 Maryland Convention is now tentatively scheduled for the weekend of October 12, 13, and 14, at the Ramada Inn, Hagerstown. Plans are now being made for this year's program, and again this year, we should have a first rate Convention.  Our room rates in Hagerstown are good at $29 for singles and $32 for doubles and twins.

At the Convention in Hagerstown, all of us from throughout the state will have the opportunity to visit with our fast growing Hagerstown Chapter. Recently, Ted McKeen became President in Hagerstown, and with his leadership the Chapter is on the move. At the April meeting, over twenty people were in attendance, and the growth has just begun.

Our next big event is the National Convention.  I will see all of you there.

CONVENTION CHALLENGE

The 1984 Convention for the National Federation of the Blind will soon be upon us. Convention activities will begin on Sunday July 1 and go through July 8. Already, many Marylanders have made plans to attend this Convention. Our attendance at the Convention this year will certainly put us in the top ten. But this is not enough!

Fred Schroeder, President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico, offers the following challenge: "New Mexico will register more people at the 1984 Convention than Maryland."

Phoenix, the great South-West, is the site of our 1984 Convention. The Hyatt Regency Hotel, brand-new, with excellent restaurant facilities and all the pleasantries is our headquarters hotel. Room rates are phenomenal at $23 for singles and $24 for doubles and twins. And the Convention is the largest, most dynamic, most exciting gathering of blind people to occur this year. So, get those reservations in! Let's let New Mexico hear from Maryland!

 

THE BALTIMORE RADIO READING SERVICE: TWO WAY COMMUNICATION BEGINS

by Mary Ellen Ringlein

Radio reading services began as a means of giving blind people quick access to printed material--especially newspapers and current magazines. They were never intended as a replacement for Braille or talking books, or as a source of entertainment for the blind.

Unfortunately, the potential benefits of radio information services have been diluted or destroyed by the philosophical approach to blindness many have adopted. Far too often, these services have been little more than audio babysitting services to while away the hours for blind people who were denied the opportunity of real achievement. That is why the blind of Baltimore greeted the establishment of the Baltimore Radio Reading Service with mixed (BRRS) emotions.  We wondered whether it would give us a boost towards real equality or be one more frustrating disservice. There are several factors that determine whether radio reading services will be a help or a hindrance. First, the staff must be competent and truly responsive to the needs of blind consumers. Second, the blind must be involved and must take responsibility by insisting that the programs be truly helpful.

In other words, the blind and the reading service must develop a partnership based on mutual respect. We took what we hope will be the first steps toward partnership at the February meeting of the Greater Baltimore Chapter. Ms. Sandra Caplan, the Director of the Baltimore Radio Reading Service, came to speak with us about B.R.R.S. as it now operates, and her hopes for its future. We had the kind of straight forward talk which is the only genuine basis for a productive relationship. Ms. Caplan asked us for very specific feedback on programming. We introduced her to our Pioneer Radio Series and explained why it is a matter of great importance to blind people that it be played on Baltimore Radio Reading Service.

All in all, the afternoon was a promising beginning. In the months ahead we will learn whether the Baltimore Radio Reading Service will.be a promise fulfilled or one more hope deferred.

 

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland expressed its concerns about the needs of blind people to the legislature with vigor throughout the 1984 legislature. The programs this year involved employment for the blind. The organized blind movement supported three bills.  A bill to provide a tax break for those who pay for readers in employment was sponsored by Delegate Virginia Thomas. This bill received favorable consideration by the House and Senate. It will be signed by Governor Hughes at a public ceremony on Tuesday, May 15, 1984. The bill provides that those who pay readers for blind workers may deduct the cost from their taxable income.

The other two bills supported by the· organized blind movement were a minimum wage for the blind bill and a bill to provide a fifty dollar supplement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) grants.  These bills were not adopted.  However, the legislature recommended that the minimum wage for the blind bill be given further study. The problems that the blind have faced have been that legislators are unfamiliar with the abilities of blind people. Without knowing it, they underrate the capacities of the blind and they share the misunderstandings that are widely held in American culture. In order to encourage legislators to recognize the capacities of the blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland held an educational legislative reception. This reception was an information fair showing blind persons at work. We showed blind persons baking cookies, reading and writing Braille, operating power tools, and competently performing the skills and tasks of daily life. Each legislator who came to the reception received a candle holder made by blind workers.

The message that blind persons are competent to handle their own lives in the ordinary way if they receive training and opportunity was well received. The legislature has more information about blindness and the blind than ever before. Our work is not yet done, but it is well begun.

 

ATLANTIC CITY RAFFLE

Note: The following letter was sent to all chapters:

John and Carol Smith 5920 Franklin Avenue Apartment 2-B

Baltimore, Maryland 21207

(301) 747-4123

 

Dear Chapter Presidents and fellow Federationists:

Again this year, we are holding that fabulous Atlantic City raffle. Our raffle tickets read:

THIRD ANNUAL Weekend for Two June 22, 23, 24, 1984 AT THE SANDS HOTEL & CASINO  ATLANTIC CITY

INCLUDING TWO NIGHTS LODGING--DINNER FOR TWO AT THE BRIGHTON STEAK HOUSE--TWO

TICKETS TO AN EXCITING SHOW AT THE SANDS. PLUS    $250 CASH

Proceeds to the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

 

DRAWING DATE June 2, 1984

 

DONATION

$1.00

 

Chapters can make money selling these tickets--consider this! Each chapter gets 5% of the proceeds from tickets sold. If

 

 a chapter sells 100 or more tickets, the amount goes up to 10%. If a chapter sells 250 tickets or more, the amount increases to 15%. Therefore, it behooves each of us to help sell tickets to raise money for our chapters!

There is even greater incentive, though. There are 2 cash prizes for the individuals who sell the most tickets. The top seller will receive $100, and the second prize for sales is $50. You must sell at least 100 tickets to be eligible.

Each chapter must keep good records of what tickets are distributed to individuals. Those shooting for the prizes will want their chapter record keepers to be precise.

One more thing. Since the drawing is June 2, 1984, each chapter must return money and stubs, or remaining tickets, to us at the above address before June 1. Call us if you have any questions. We hope we'll see more dollars and stubs than returned tickets.  So, let us know when you need more, and how many you need.

We need money to do our work and some lucky winner out there wants to take a vacation--in Atlantic City--maybe you'll sell the winning ticket--so don't be shy. Make some lucky person happy! Good luck!

Yours together for the Cause, John and Carol Smith

 

ON THE MOVE IN HAGERSTOWN

We have a fine group of new officers in our Hagerstown Chapter.  President Ted McKeen is already leading the chapter in new activities.  Vice President, Dick McBee, is showing us all how raffle tickets ought to be sold.  Secretary/Treasurer Katie Sox just joined us in March and is already spreading the word about the Federation through posters and contacts with friends.

Congratulations to Pat Wade who will be beginning a new job as a teacher at the community college in May. Though teaching is a new field for Pat, she is skilled in medical technical work and is extremely knowledgeable about community services.

The chapter held a display of aids and appliances at our April meeting. A number of new people came and learned about

tips and techniques. What is even more important is the knowledge they gained about our movement.

Lloyd and Judy Rasmussen continue to add their enthusiasm and expertise to the Hagerstown chapter. Their untiring efforts have been instrumental in our revitalization and growth.

 

SLIGO CREEK CHAPTER REPORT

by Judy Rasmussen

The members of the Sligo Creek Chapter have been enjoying the planning of our first Bingo Party.  It will be held on May

11 from 7-10 p.m. at the Baurer Drive Recreation Center, 1425 Baurer Drive, Rockville, Maryland. Cash prizes and lots of fun are in store. Admission is $1.50 which entitles you to 2 bingo cards. Additional cards are $.50 each. Any blind person wishing to attend the bingo should, if possible, bring their own

bingo cards as we will only have a limited number of Braille boards available.

Our chapter telephone has been installed. The number is 301 946-0653.

Several of our members participated in the March on Washington, in picketing the Department of Education, and in the day in Annapolis.  We testified before the state legislature on the three bills supported by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland this year. Two of our members attended the day in Annapolis for the first time.

We have also been visiting our brother chapters in Hagerstown and Central Maryland.

We plan to purchase literature from the National office and see that it is put into libraries in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.

 

CENTRAL MARYLAND CHAPTER REPORT

by Sharon Maneki

As a thriving new chapter, we have been concentrating on publicity. We distributed 2,000 WHAT IS THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND brochures and 2,000 Dog Guide brochures to libraries, ophthalmologists, senior citizen centers, etcetera. To publicize the resources of the NFB, the chapter donated our professional publications such as the Handbook for Senior Citizens, to the Howard County Library. Jean Terzanski, a Howard County vision teacher, was a guest at one of our meetings to encourage the school system to use our resources.

The chapter's fundraising plans include a bake sale and participation in a community international food festival.

All are invited to attend our meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m.  During April and May, we will meet at Hammond High School in Columbia. For more information, call Sharon or Al Maneki at 992-9608.

 

MOUNTAIN CITY CHAPTER REPORT

by Doris Kunkleman

The Mountain City Chapter of the NFB of Maryland, was formed December 9, 1983. Officers elected are: Pat Winebrenner, President; Carlene McKenzie, Vice President; and Doris Kunkleman, Secretary-Treasurer. As of March 5, 1984 we have 21 members.

Our chapter is on the move to raise money to support the NFB.  We are having regular bake sales and are selling chances on various items. Our chapter's ongoing fund raising project is the sale of extra long oven mitts with silicone coated palms. Each pack contains a matched pair for easier handling of heavy roasting pans and casseroles. Attractive patterns fit just about any kitchen decor. They are $3.00 a pair.

The chapter is busy making plans for the Heritage Day Celebration that's held for two days in June.

Our chapter meets in Frostburg, Maryland above the police station on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Those interested may call after 5:00 p.m., 689-9114 or 689-5307.

P.S.  The mitts will be available at Convention.

 

SPECTATOR SPECS NATIONAL CONVENTION DOOR PRIZES

Attention Fellow Federationists! It is time to start thinking about door prizes for our National Convention which will be held July 1-8, 1984. Please start soliciting for as many prizes as you can. If you need letters to give to merchants please contact:

Brenda Williams

1824 Druid Hill Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21217

Telephone (301) 523-8069 after 6:00 p.m.

Each chapter is responsible for getting their prizes to the National Convention.

 

JOB SEMINAR

Blind job seekers from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia gathered at the Silver Spring Library on Saturday, March 31, for an intensive JOB Seminar. Those in attendance participated in mock interviews and round table discussions about blindness and employment. JOB volunteers Judy Rasmussen, and Sharon Maneki, planned the diverse agenda. All those who attended came away with a better understanding of and deeper commitment to solving the employment problems of blind people.

 

NEW BABY

The Editor takes note that Mr. & Mrs. Maurer have been joined by David Patrick, who was born on March 10. The vital statistics are: weight, 3 lbs. 13 ozs.; length, 17 inches. David Patrick came home from the hospital just one month after birth on April 10.

 

MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Almost 50 Marylanders participated in our most successful March on Washington, January 29-February 1, 1984. We marched on the picket line in front of the Education Building.  We traveled to Capitol Hill, and brought the message of the Federation to Congress. This year we had the broadest participation in our March on Washington since its beginning. Already our efforts are beginning to show results. See the Braille Monitor for further details.                     

 

THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR ALTHEA PITTMAN, EDITOR MAURER LAW FIRM, P.A.

SUITE 100 COURT SQUARE BUILDING

200 EAST LEXINGTON STREET BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202

 

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BALTIMORE, MD. PERMIT NO.7532