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A Publication of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND, INC.
July-June, 1977
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
Doris Samuels, Tapist
Denise Mackenstadt, Typist
NFB of Maryland
503 Cherry Hill Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21225
Address Changes Should be Sent To:
Shirley Morris
109 Enchanted Hills Road
Owings Mill, Maryland 21117
All Articles Should be Sent to The Editor
Before August 15, 1977.
THE EDITOR’S LOG
With the defeat of House Resolution 76 in the last session of the General Assembly, another precedent has been established for the right of the blind to determine their own priorities and goals.
This resolution would have called upon the Governor to appoint a commission dominated by agency representatives to study problems of the blind and multiply handicapped in Maryland. It is our contention that problems of blindness are nationwide and not unique to this state. Indeed, the best commission would find little that is not already familiar to those who have acquainted themselves with current conditions.
But granting momentarily the need for this commission, it is difficult to believe that those who have always been entrenched in work with the blind can be expected to objectively judge the quality of their own performance. There is no assurance that their selfinterests would not tend to minimize the seriousness of existing problems, thus offering watered-down and ineffective cures. Instead, as advocated by the NFB of Maryland, sound common sense reasoning suggests that fact-finding and analysis should be conducted by impartial researchers, taking testimony and conducting investigations.
This organization campaigned against passage of this resolution just as aggressively as it did for legislation which would have been of material benefit to the blind. At issue here is the premise that blind people cannot be responsible for their own well-being; that society must always provide a framework in which collective decisions are to be made not by representatives chosen from the blind, but by agents who claim to know what is best for the blind. In this context we view the defeat of House Resolution 76 as a significant victory. However, we would not be surprised if the same forces which have conspired against us were to introduce this resolution again. We will remain vigilant and ready to take necessary action.
Recent legislative activities have greatly enhanced this organization's reputation as the only viable consumer group whose sole purpose is to promote the true interests of blind people throughout this state and nation. We saw no other evidence of consumerism on our recent visits to the Capital. We challenge all who agree with our cause to join our movement, so that the blind may speak with a stronger voice and become more effective in achieving its goals.
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS
By John McCraw
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Inc. is moving in an organized fashion.
We, the blind, continue heavily engaged in the apparently never ending struggle to better our lives. The struggle is being carried to those agencies delivering services in a slip-shod manner, those institutions seeking to remedy the problems of blindness by basing solutions upon the deplorable “fact” that blindness is a tragedy and those bastions of myths and misconceptions firmly entrenched in the minds of “well meaning do-gooders” and too many self-effacing bling persons.
The Statewide Committee have been manning the barricades in a highly competent and steadfast manner. As is demonstrated throughout this issue of the Braille Spectator the chairpersons and members of all the Statewide Committees have been and are, conducting business in
an exemplary manner, disseminating the aggressive tenets of
Federationism abroad in the land.
The National Convention fever is running rampant and crescendoing to a pitch beautiful to witness and I strongly encourage all of my fellow Federationists who can join with us who are invading New
Orleans early in July to do so.
The following paraphrased article from the Pittsburgh Press describes a facet of the struggle and tells of how the organized blind movement is seeking to blunt the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
BLIND PICKET OAKLAND CENTER
(reprinted from an article in the Pittsburgh Press by Delores Frederick)
About 25 chanting blind pickets marched in front of the
Pittsburgh Blind Association in Oakland, calling for greater consumer board representation and better wages and fringe benefits for blind persons.
The marchers at yesterday's demonstration are members of an activist, non-union organization, called the National Federation of the Blind, which reports 50,000 blind members nationally.
They are seeking board representation at the Pittsburgh Blind Association, a nonprofit agency that provides jobs for the blind in workshops. They also want blind employees to be paid minimum wage so they can be taken off supplemental welfare rolls.
The Association is operated by a 33-member board headed by James P. Sinnott, president of Yellow Cab Company. There are three consumer board members, including former County Commission Chairman Leonard C. Staisey.
But Mrs. Catherine MacManus, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, said none of the Association's consumer board members represent “the organized voice” of the blind but only viewpoints of individuals.
Some marchers came from Ohio, Maryland, and Philadelphia, including John McCraw, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and board chairman of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland.
The marchers complained that the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped has ignored the views of the organized blind, isn't functioning by allowing substandard agencies to exist and has refused to appoint Federation members to its board.
In Maryland, McCraw said his agency is paying the minimum wage of $2.30 an hour and will, beginning July 1st, 1977, pay all blind workers, whether productive or striving to become productive, the minimum wage. He said this takes them “off welfare rolls and they aren't using tax money through supplemental Social Security payments.
Rather, they have become taxpayers.”
McCraw, 55 and blind, said his agency hasn't lost many contracts to other industries by paying minimum wages and remains competitive with them in providing goods and services. He said "agencies can make out well by becoming competitive and paying minimum wages.”
But Mrs. Marcella Goldberg, executive director of the Pittsburgh
Blind Association, said the blind would be out of jobs if the Association paid minimum wages to all blind employees. She said average earnings in the Association broom shop are around $2.90 an hour.
Nevertheless, the blind federation charged that many Association employees are making less than the minimum wage and in some states, blind workers are making as little as 25 cents hourly.
“We think many agencies need to be reorganized. They are top heavy with administrators who are receiving unbelievably high salaries and are leeching off the sweat and tears of the blind guys."
COMMITTEE REPORTS Judy on T.V. by Ray Lowder
Approximately one month ago the "Angelo Live Show” aired a series entitled "Journey From Darkness". It related a story of a man who regained his sight through surgery. It gave us a thorough knowledge of the entire medical procedure. While this served to be of great educational value to the public there was another aspect of the series that did great harm to the blind.
At the beginning of the series the man was blind. He was quoted as saying, “Sometimes my vision was so foggy, I didn't know where I was." Even the advertisements for the show had a gloomy atmosphere. The public was left with the notion that his world would come to an end if he did not regain his sight. Federationists know all too well that the biggest problem of being blind is just such an attitude.
With this in mind, our Public Relations Committee wrote a detailed letter to the producers of this series praising them for its merits and bringing to their attention its damaging points. We also included much Federation literature so that they may further examine their own attitudes.
We asked for time to bring this matter before the public. Their response was quite positive. They were pleased to accommodate us.
On May 3rd, Judy Sanders appeared as a guest with Larry Angelo to interview her. He was excited enough about the results that he has invited us back.
Candy! Candy! Candy!
Going! Going! Gone!
By Don Morris
Congratulations go to a small but energetic group of candy sales people. Nearly 100 cases of candy have been sold which, for our first effort is not too bad. The income produced was well in excess of $1,000.00. Candy sales through the summer will be terminated but through the fall, we will again be selling White Cane Candy and will be looking for more “volunteers” to enjoy themselves and spread the word.
Plans for the annual Cabaret are well underway. The scheduled date is Friday, November 18, 1977 at Martin's Champagne Room, 2701 W. Patapsco avenue with entertainment by the Infinite Experience and the John McCraw trio. Cost is $15.00 per person. As in years past, there will be a delicious dinner catered by Martin’s as well as an open bar. Not only should you plan to attend, but to sell tickets also. Tickets may be obtained by Azalee Thompson.
Arrangements are being negotiated for an art auction to be held in Baltimore. It is expected that a successful sale should produce several thousand dollars of income. Further details will be forthcoming.
Please advise Don Morris of local fundraising efforts that you may be involved in which we can tell other Chapters about that they may be able to utilize also.
In the legislature - Some Victories and Some Defeats by Ron Mentenyi
- House Resolution 76 passed and went to Sen. Stalten's Budget and Taxation Committee and died in that Committee. The NFB opposed the resolution since the proposed commission to study services to the blind and multiply-handicapped would be largely composed of agency officials and agency oriented individuals. We took the position that consumers of services, not providers of services were in the best position to make meaningful recommendations regarding the needs and wants of consumers of services.
- The expanded vending facilities bills; SB 1016 and HB 1846 were amended to death. Weinberg and Green, our legal counsels advised that we withdraw the bills since in their final form they give us nothing we do not already have and their passage could create confusion. These were good bills. The blind of Maryland need them. They have gone to the Legislative Counsel for further study.
- SB 1029 was our bill providing for a $20.00 a month state supplement for blind persons receiving SSI. I represented the NFB in public hearings before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Subsequently, the committee acted favorably and the entire Senate passed it. The bill then went to the House Ways and Means Committee. As the Committee did not receive the bill until a week and a half before adjournment, no public hearings were scheduled.
Information on other legislative items is on file with the
Legislative Committee.
CHAPTER NEWS
Baltimore
by Cookie Samuels
Our meeting was held on April 16, 1997, at which time we welcomed fifty-eight people including two new members. A report was given on the Annual Cabaret which will be held in November. Our chapter belongs to the PAC Plan; $150.00 was collected at this month’s meeting.
Eastern Shore
by Knowles Hovington
We have sold 95% of the candy we had and our membership has been increased by two members. At our next meeting we are going to discuss plans for a picnic to be held in June. We are still planning to start our bingo games soon.
Knowles Hovington and Florence Squire have submitted their travel deposit and plan to represent the Eastern Shore Chapter at the
National Convention in New Orleans.
Sligo Creek
by Bobby Bobo
At our last meeting on May 15 we had John McCraw as our guest, Only a small number of members were present but we had a frank discussion about our chapter and how it might be improved.
Bobby Bobo and Lloyd Rasmussen are two members of our chapter who will be attending the convention in New Orleans. We are still selling candy and chapter elections are coming up next month.
OUR PRESIDENT TELLS IT LIKE IT IS
We in the Maryland Affiliate are proud of our leader. We know firsthand of his unflagging dedication to our cause – elevating the lives of all the blind – of his continuing battle against agencies that would undermine our cause, and most of all, of his staunch commitment to Federationism.
We have always known these things and now, since May 17th, all of Maryland shares our knowledge and our pride. An article published in the Evening Sun of May 17th allows us to share the privilege of knowing John McCraw. A copy of this article is on file with the Editor.
SPEKTATER SPEX
The Scholarship Committee has awarded $100 grants to five individuals attending the upcoming National Convention The recipients are: Ruth Twigg, Goldie Thomas, Kathleen Chapman, Marie Larson, Althea
Pittman.
The Radio Talking Gazette may be heard every Thursday on WEAA (88.9 FM) at 11:00 a.m. This one hour program features interviews with blind individuals,Pioneer Spots, and readings of periodical literature relevant to the blind. The WEAA broadcast area includes
Central Maryland.
The Membership Committee will give a seminar on NFB issues primarily designed for new members at the Variety Club Recreation Center at 10:00a.m. on June 18th. All members are invited to attend.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is interested in purchasing Perkins Braillewriters. Interested persons should contact
Gary Mackenstadt at 233-4567 Ext.40 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The editor and his assistants will be interviewing Marylanders attending the New Orleans Con. We will try to reach as many of you as we can, but ask that you seek us out for your impressions and opinions wherever possible.
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland was recently presented with a $1,000 contribution by the promotion department of the Baltimore Civic Center. This contribution, together with others to various local civic groups, derived from proceeds of a concert given by country and western singer Charlie Pride at the Civic Center last
March.
NFB of Maryland officially incorporated
This organization was officially incorporated on March 20, 1977. Articles of incorporation were drawn by the law firm of Weinberg and Greene.