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A Publication of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND, INC.
December 1977
Volume I, Number 6
Alfred P. Maneki, Editor
The Braille Spectator
9736 Basket Ring Rd., Box 17
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Address Correction Requested
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR
John T. McCraw, President
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND, INC.
Alfred P. Maneki, Editor
9736 Basket Ring Road, Box 17
Columbia, Maryland 21045
(301) 992-9608
Associate Editors:
Shirley Morris
Beth Schuster
Publication Staff: NFB of Maryland
503 Cherry Hill Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21225
(301) 355-5122
Address Changes Should be Sent
To:
Shirley Morris
109 Enchanted Hills Road
Owings Mill, Maryland 21117
Doris Samuels
Denise Mackenstadt, Typist
This newsletter appears every other month beginning in February. Material to be considered for a particular issue should be received by the editor on or before the first of the publication month.
THE EDITOR’S LOG
For this organization, the year 1977 was an exciting one, filled with activity and events which bode well for the future of our movement and promise of greater accomplishments in 1978 and succeeding years.
Most spectacular and encouraging of all, is our growth in membership. All chapters show increases on their rosters, drawing upon blind and sighted members from all walks of. life. As evidence, this year's convention was the largest gathering of blind people ever to assemble in Maryland. We feel, too, that the mood of the membership has changed. One notice increased participation in all activities and livelier discussions at chapter meetings. There is a new spirit of confidence in the air.
On the legislative scene, 1977 was a year of training for many Federationists. We gained valuable experience in our work with the State General Assembly, and increased effectiveness in coming years is now assured. The resolutions adopted at our convention in Ocean City attest to the vigorous legislative program we intend to pursue.
The high point of our fund- raising efforts was our annual dinner dance, attended by more than 350 people, raising an excess of $1,000. Other projects were equally successful, but none had the festivity, glamour and color that this one had.
The election of Ralph Sanders to the presidency of the National Federation of the Blind brings our affiliate into national prominence involving new challenges and added responsibilities. We must be as supportive of President Sanders as the NFB of Iowa was of President Jernigan. We will necessarily have to engage more in activities of a national scope rather than only in those of a local one. Appropriately enough, our first task in this regard is to prepare for the 1978 National Convention to be held in Baltimore next July. The East Coast, being the most populated region of the nation, we can have the largest and best National Convention ever held if we work as efficiently and diligently as we know how.
There is much for which the organized blind can be grateful during this holiday season. But there are challenges, there are obstacles, there are problems, there is much that needs to be done. In this season of joy, let us not only savor the sweetness of accomplishment, but let us also temper our outlooks by the grim reality which forces us to band together as the National Federation of the Blind. Let us resolve to achieve greater progress in the next year.
We end this column on a personal note. It has been a real pleasure for us to serve in the editorship of this newsletter throughout the year. We have developed close friendships with those who have worked with us in this venture. We sincerely thank all of our assistants and contributors for a job well done under some very trying circumstances. This work has given us a chance to review many of the issues which confront the NFB and to clarify in our own minds the positions that have been taken. We continue to urge your suggestions, comments, and increased participation. We look forward to continued service in this capacity in 1978.
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS by John T. McCraw
Our most super-fantastic convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland has come and gone (see convention report). Pursuant to that auspiciously successful occasion we, Federationists of
Maryland, joined approximately one hundred Federationists from the
Eastern section of the country in tracking the National Accreditation
Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC), an agency accrediting agencies serving the blind, to their den of iniquity on Madison Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets, in downtown Manhattan,
The following letter and minimally paraphrased article graphically describes our never ending harassment of NAC:
Dear John,
I am enclosing for your information a copy of the story that appeared this morning in the New York Daily News. The News has a circulation of over 2,000,000 readers---by far the largest in the United States. So far this is the only thing I have seen and I am happy about it because this is about our eighth time around on NAC in the New York area and it’s just too old hat for the media to be interested in it. You did a fine job and I congratulate you. In warmest friendship,
Cordially,
Jacob Fried Executive Director
The Jewish Braille
Institute of America
(New York Daily News, Tuesday, November 15, 1977)
AID AGENCY FOR BLIND HIT IN A PROTEST by Martin King
More than 100 members of the National Federation of the Blind demonstrated yesterday against what they called the "shabby" and "meaningless performance" of a New York based organization purporting to help them.
Some of the demonstrators traveled from as far as Maryland, Michigan and Kentucky, to march in front of the offices of the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped at 79 Madison Avenue.
Carrying canes and led by guide dogs they accused the council of attempting to control the lives of blind people, "keeping us dependent on sheltered workshops and welfare".
John McCraw, president of the Maryland affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, declared that the NAC “say they know what's good for us and so don t bother to ask us".
Many of the agencies recommended by the NAC pay blind people well below the minimum wage, McCraw said, "and some places pay as little as
$.58 an hour."
These agencies "pay for NAC accreditation which gives them the appearance of public respectability", McCraw added.
The pity of the situation, he said, is that it's legal. That is another battle his group is fighting in Congress.
The demonstrators wore signs and chanted slogans such as "NAC -- Reform or Resign".
AFFILIATE HOLDS
11th ANNUAL CONVENTION
It was the largest gathering of blind people ever to assemble in the state of Maryland. The NFB of Maryland's 11th Annual Convention was held the weekend of November 4-6, 1977, at the Sheraton-Fontain- bleu Inn, on the sandy shores of Ocean City, Maryland. A total of 148 participants registered, and 165 attended the splendid banquet. It was an exciting and productive convention, with some heated exchanges between Federationists and Agency representatives, and the adoption of 13 important resolutions.
Members arrived in Ocean City all day on Friday. The evenings activities included an open Executive Board meeting presided by President John McCraw, and meetings of the Resolutions and Nominations
Committees. The typical, jovial Maryland hospitality was in evidence all evening.
President McCraw called the convention to order promptly at 9:15 on Saturday morning. After welcoming remarks from the host chapter (Eastern Shore Chapter), a representative of Ocean City's Mayor, Harry Kelly, and the traditional invocation by Mr. Wesley Williams, the convention received reports on national activities from treasurer Richard Edlund, the convention's national representative Jim Gashel. The film, WE KNOW WHO WE ARE, was then shown, and received enthusiastically, as this was the first opportunity for many to view it. Most of the" morning session was allotted to a series of reports: ''Services to the blind in Maryland". Mr. James Murray, director, State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Mr. S. James Campbell, chairman of the board, Maryland School for the Blind; Mr. Kirk Walter, acting
superintendent, Maryland School for the Blind; and Mr. Richard G. Dunne, director, Governor's Committee to Study the Needs of the Handicapped, appeared in this segment. Most provocative was an attempt by Mr. Campbell to defend the School for the Blind's accreditation by the NAC. The best answer he could give to Federationist's probing questions was, "We have our differences of opinion", and was unwilling to
have NFB representatives attend meetings of the School's Board of Directors. Dr. John Cobun, assistant superintendent, State Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, was invited to appear in this segment, but for reasons of his own, chose neither.to attend nor to send a representative. A resolution condemning Dr. Cobun's failure to appear was adopted unanimously. Mr. Dunne assured us that he would investigate Dr. Cobun’s absence, and work closely with us on all pertinent matters.
The afternoon session was devoted to a discussion by Mr. David
Dawson, Equal Opportunity Officer, Office of Civil Rights, on
"Affirmative Action in Federal Programs (504 implementation), followed by a panel discussion, "Updating Information from the Social Security Administration", moderated by Joe Bardari, with representatives from SSA. The final panel discussion of the afternoon, "Blind Industries and Services of Maryland" moderated by Ralph Sanders, president of BISM, with five members of his staff, presented a picture of a progressive agency offering a wide variety of services to blind residents of Maryland-a welcome change for this agency when compared to its situation a few years ago.
The convention banquet, held Saturday evening, was a most lively event, with toastmaster Don Morris' humorous anecdotes and a thoughtprovoking address by Dick Edlund. Six members of the state legislature and their guests were in attendance. The usual merriment as well as a second meeting of the Resolutions Committee followed the banquet.
Sunday morning was devoted to a general business session at which the remaining resolutions were read, and legislative activities were discussed. The most significant resolutions adopted called for the establishment of a Commission for the Blind in Maryland and strongly urged the School for the Blind to disassociate itself from the NAC. Wesley Williams announced his resignation as first vice- president of the NFB of Maryland, citing the heavy schedule of divinity studies in which he is now engaged, but promising to remain loyal to the movement. President McCraw thanked Wesley Williams for his years of devoted service and appointed A. P. Maneki as first vice-president. Lloyd Rasmussen was elected second vice-president, while Joe Bardari and Clearman Sutton were elected to the board.
The convention adjourned at noon. It was with a sense of real accomplishment that Federationists left this largest gathering of blind people ever to assemble in the state of Maryland.
DINNER DANCE COMMITTEE REPORT by Azalee Thompson and Wilnetta Sutton
Our generous thanks to the over three hundred N.F.B.'ers and their friends who attended the annual dinner dance on November 18.
food food, music, beverages, etc. made for both a fun filled and a fund filled evening. Final figures are not in but the net profit is in excess of one thousand dollars.
One brief reminder - this is an annual activity - see you next year. Thanks again.
CHRISTMAS COMES TO MARYLAND by Nell Carney
Turning my coat collar up against the cold night air, I walked briskly down the sidewalk toward my apartment building, my heels and cane tip keeping a uniform and accelerating rhythm. The train from Washington to Baltimore had been behind schedule, and I was anxious to get home and unwind from the day's activities.
Reaching my destination, I heard the front door of the building swing open and the familiar voice of the evening doorman with his usual cheerful greeting. Brushing swiftly past him, I hurried into the lobby where the receptionist handed me the mail and messages and wished me a pleasant evening, a daily routine for her as each tenant entered. Waiting for the elevator, I became aware that there was something unusual in the lobby, but my attention was still focused on the events of the day, and I was unwilling to give much thought to whatever it was that hinted of the unfamiliar. As the doors of the elevator opened, it dawned on me. Music, they were playing Christmas music. It was almost Christmas in Baltimore.
Letting myself into my apartment, I pushed aside the complex thoughts of the day and allowed my mind to wander through all
of the Christmas seasons which had gone before in my life, those Christmas days on the farm in Tennessee, those joyous seasons with family and friends in my native state. A wave of nostalgia and semi-sweet sadness swept through my mind as I sat down to a steaming cup of coffee and contemplated the past and the events which had brought us to Maryland.
I was born in Tennessee, grew up there, witnessed both the joys and the sorrows of the blind citizens of that state. I knew the hope we all felt with the organization of the first NFB affiliate in Tennessee. I felt the sorrow of seeing the movement defeated by its enemies, the agency staff. I was a part of the joy and the determination that one hundred
and sixty blind persons felt as we organized a second affiliate. I knew
the sadness of having some of our membership bend under the pressure of the agency. Through it all, the joy and the sorrow, the laughter and the sadness, the great sphere of hope to all of us was the national
movement.
The National Federation of the Blind had emerged as the strongest movement of blind persons known to our civilization. It had become the voice of blind America speaking for all of us with a loud and powerful voice that was being heard in every corner of the country. But with all the power of the movement, in some states the enemies of the movement continued to manipulate and maneuver to control the lives of blind people. And so it was in Tennessee.
The American Foundation for the Blind and the American Council of the Blind had managed to gain control of the agency for the blind in our state.
Something of a small miracle happened in our lives when we were given the opportunity to move to Maryland, the heartland of the movement. After the long struggle in Tennessee, it seemed like a dream that we would live in a state where we could work freely and grow with the Federation.
To be sure, the move was not without trauma. We left our home, our friends, our family. We moved to a large cosmopolitan area, and we began a new way of life. And so, on this cold winter night a few days before Christmas, I was reminiscing with a touch of sadness, a feeling of hope, and a strange wonder.
In a society which is more concerned with the conservation of energy than with the restoration and preservation of human dignity, it struck me that it was no small miracle that we had been given the opportunity to begin again new careers with the freedom to be Federationists in practice as well as in theory. I knew that it was not by chance that we were here but through the efforts of our fellow Federationists, and I wondered at the joys of friendships and the brotherhood of man.
As I left the apartment to join Terry and a small group of our friends at a nearby restaurant, I thought about the new friends we had met in Maryland. I thought about the opportunities we had experienced. "Christmas comes to Maryland just like it does to Tennessee”, I thought, "because it comes in the hearts of free men and women everywhere."
CHAPTER NEWS
Greater Baltimore Chapter
October 15, 1977, was a beautiful, sunny day in Baltimore, and it was the day for the annual election of officers for the Greater Baltimore Chapter, NFB of Maryland. The following officers were elected: Ralph Thompson, president; Joe Bardari, first vice- president; Althea Pittman, second vice-president; Nell Carney, secretary; Don Morris; treasurer; Clareta Golinder, board member; Frank Gast, board member; and Raymond Louder, board member.
The election was not the only thing that took place that day. Members of the fundraising committee announced final arrangements for BINGO. It was apparent that this committee had not been asleep.
They also announced final arrangements for the candy sale at Fort
Meade on November 11.
A most pleasant task was performed by all members present and voting when a large list of prospective members was presented to the chapter for consideration of membership. We all had the joy of voting yes to each new name. Excellent committee reports, good fellowship, and obvious enthusiasm make it apparent why the chapter has grown so rapidly that our old home, The Variety Club, can no longer
accommodate us. We were invited by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland to hold our October meeting in the dining room of the facility at 2901 Strickland Street. This most adequate meeting room will be made available to the chapter each month hereafter for the monthly meetings.
Greater Cumberland Chapter
The Greater Cumberland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month.
Starting with the December 13, 1977 meeting, all meetings will be held at the Cumberland Branch of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland in the conference room.
The new plant manager of the Cumberland Blind Industries plant,
Ronald Hidden, joined the Cumberland Chapter of the NFB of Maryland in November. Mr. Hidden was recently transferred from the Baltimore plant where he was the assistant to the vice president. We welcome Mr. Hidden to the Cumberland area and wish him the best of luck.
Members of the Cumberland Chapter have been busy participating in community activities. Mr. Jearl Conrad, the president of the Cumberland Chapter, joined a bowling team last year.
Lara Lynne Myers gave a talk to fifteen students in Brother Eric's religion class at Bishop Walsh High School. Brother Eric brought the students to Lara's home where she gave a talk on the West Virginia School for the Blind and the harp. After she demonstrated playing the harp, each student received a lesson on the harp.
Greater Hagerstown Chapter
We have three new members making seventeen in all.
We that attended the convention thought that it was the best one that the state has ever had.
Sligo Creek Chapter
At our last meeting the following chapter officers were elected: Bobby Bobo, president; Al Sales, vice-president; Lloyd Rasmussen, secretary; Cherry King, treasurer.
Our membership is growing slowly but surely. Since last year, we have had a twenty-five per cent increase.
In 1978 we hope to come up with new fundraising ideas, along with our successful bake sale.
We are working toward a one hundred per cent attendance rate at the NFB National Convention in Baltimore next July.
The Vendor’s Chapter
The Vendor’s Chapter held a luncheon meeting on Saturday November 5 at the state convention in Ocean City. The following officers were elected: Willie Thompson, president; Don Glover, first vice-president; Bobby Bobo, second vice-president; Harry Cook, treasurer; Betty Main, secretary.
President Thompson announced that chapter meetings will be held on the third Saturday of each month, 11:00 a.m., at BISM. He promised that the Vendor’s Chapter plan a greater role in all NFB activities during his administration.
SPECTATOR “SPECS”
The following state legislators were in attendance at our banquet: Del. Andrew J. Burns, Dist. 43; Del. Joseph A. Chester, Dist.
45; Ms. Ree Doudy, legislative aide to Sen. Homer White, Dist. 36; Del. Russell D. Hickman, Dist. 36; Del. Joseph J. Long, Dist. 36; Del. Robert C. Biggy Long, Dist. 36; and their presence at our banquet is most appreciated.
The state legislative committee announced that the Legislative Day has been re-scheduled from February 1 to January 25. (See the article in the October issue of this newsletter for details on the Legislative Day).
On behalf of President McCraw and state officers of the NFB of Maryland, the editor extends thanks to chairperson Azalee Thompson and members of her committee for all the hard work they did in putting on our annual dinner dance on November 8. Keep up the good work. The same thank-you goes to Florence Squier who raised $560 at her annual BINGO contest.
BISM still needs Perkins Braillewriters. If you have one to donate, please call Gary Mackenstadt at BISM (301) 233-4567.
A REMINDER:
RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS FOR THE 1978 NFB CONVENTION IN BALTIMORE SHOULD BE SENT TO:
BALTIMORE CONVENTION P.O. BOX 4422
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21223
Georgia Myers requests that all people who made pledges at the Ocean City Convention make their checks out to the NFB of Maryland and send them to her at 518 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502.