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Vol III-1
June 1971
Published by
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL 1
Paul Flynn
MARYLAND STATE LIBRARY FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. 4
James Partridge
SPECTATOR SPECKS 5 & 9
Doris Samuels
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS 6
John McCraw
MODEL WHITE CANE LAW 11
A LETTER FROM MICHAEL 15
Michael Ewart
NFB at MSB 16
James Doherty
1971 Convention Agenda 17
PAUL FLYNN, Editor
DORIS SAMUELS, Associate editor
JOHN McCRAW, Advisory Consultant
COVER ART, Philip Samuels
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
OF MARYLAND
P.O. BOX 1084
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
21203
EDITORIAL
John Nagle’s April Braille Monitor article concerning the education of the blind student, especially what he has to say there about the importance of braille--set me to rethinking an old idea I have about the importance of braille reading, an idea which is not mentioned in John’s brief article.
Fifteen years ago, five out of every six books I read were in braille. During the last five years almost everything I have read has been on record. I think that my shift from braille to records is neither unique nor unusual but on the contrary, typical of what blind persons have been doing all across the country during the last ten years or so.
Without attempting to give the full history of this rapid shift from braille to records in this place, it is easy to see why so many blind people, blind people who read braille, have chosen to read so much of what they read from the record or the tape. First, record players and tape machines are far better today than they were ten or fifteen years ago. And there have been, within this same period, comparable improvements in the sound quality and durability of the record and the tape. Fifteen years ago, Alexander Scourby himself often sounded like a desperate little man trying to squawk or magic-mumble his way out of a very active popcorn machine. Records and tapes, because they are smaller and much lighter than the set of braille books are of course much easier to store, ship and handle than the hefty braille books. Still another inherent advantage that the recorded book has over the braille is that most blind readers can read a talking book much more quickly than a braille book. This advantage, always there, has become more appealing since the latent physical or electronic possibilities of this sound medium have been realized.
And there are still other less tangible but equally important reasons for the remarkable shift from braille to records. Listening to someone else read is a more passive and less active occupation than reading the same matter for oneself in braille. To make this point in another way--an intelligent and talented tape or talking book reader helps the blind listener to determine how the written matter ls to be apprehended and understood. Yet I have heard other blind people argue and I have argued myself that reading from the tape or the record has uses and values beyond the obvious and essential purposes of reading; they and I have said that talking books teach the blind listener how to pronounce many good and useful words, words which he would probably not encounter and make his own but for this listener-reader experience. Another unsought benefit of reading by ear is exposure to countless examples of well delivered good lively, idiomatic informal and formal English speech. And finally, to bring an endless list to an end, many blind listeners must find a human voice far better company than a braille book.
It may appear that I have been trying in the sentences above to provoke lightning into moving a little faster. Such an attempt is both useless and unnecessary because the recorded book is booming along in a quickening current and doesn’t need pushing.
Now that the reality, the uses and the values as well as the future of the recorded book have been noted and granted, I want to say something about braille, which rhymes with snail but not with “Get ye to oblivion!”, at least not yet.
There is much that could and should be said for the reading of braille books by blind students and blind adults.
Many students, observers, and teachers of writing (including myself, I have been teaching high school English for nine years) think that they have discovered a notable positive relationship between the amount and quality of the student’s reading and the quality or his writing. The generalization just given could be rephrased to read: all other factors such as intelligence, education and desire to achieve being about equal, a person who reads much and writes often will write more accurately and more effectively than the person who writes as often but reads very little. I am not suggesting here that most people either do or ought to read primarily to improve their writing. What I am saying is that whatever a person reads, for information, for ideas, for entertainment, has an unsought, important, and favorable effect on his own writing.
The person who reads, according to his capacity very often learns insensibly how accomplished writers express themselves and the reader assimilates what most appeals to him in what he reads and adapts and uses what those writers have taught him to serve the needs and purposes of his own writing.
I and other teachers have often noticed that very few students really learn how to write accurately and well through the examination of sentence, paragraph, and compositional structures. Almost invariable when the student who reads little puts aside the study of verbal structures and actually writes a letter or essay, his composition is a poor mixture of awkward formal statements and irrepressible street idioms and slang. On the other hand, teachers have found that students who do a lot of reading generally write much better even when they show little interest or skill in the study of grammar and composition. It may not be extravagant to say that the least painful or the most pleasant way of learning how to write is also the most effective way of learning how to write.
If doing one’s own reading is, among other things an effective way of preparing oneself to write well for the sighted reader, I think it follows that doing one’s own reading is or would be just as useful and important to the writing of a blind student, or any blind person.
The blind reader who reads his book in braille realizes what is written without the intervention and the distortions of the middle man, the tape or talking book reader. The braille reader reads at his own pace, can pause, reread a passage or go back or forward fifteen pages whenever he chooses to. In other words, a person reads a braille book with the freedom and mastery with which the sighted reader silently reads his book. The person who reads only talking books learns pronunciation but not spelling; he may learn something about punctuation; he learns to appreciate the fluent delivery of coherent language, but he learns very little about the physical appearance of sentence and paragraph structures. The reader who reads much braille, like the sighted reader learns spelling, punctuation, the correct and effective formation of sentence, paragraph, and larger composition without seeking to learn these things.
I believe that if the braille or typed writings of a very large number of blind people were examined for correctness and style, that most of the better writing would turn out to be the work of people who either do or have read much braille matter.
I think many blind Americans, like many sighted Americans, are excessively fond of the gadget which means an easier and a faster job. I think that the braille book is too important to be declared the quant and outmoded reading device of our less fortunate blind ancestors. Reading a braille book has meant and may still mean a free and silent engagement of an independent mind; and it may also make some of us better writers.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND
STATE CONVENTION – 1971
INTERSTATE MOTOR INN
BERWYN, MARYLAND
OCTOBER 15, 16, 17TH
MARYLAND STATE LIBRARY FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
James Partridge
The Library for the Physically Handicapped gives direct service to the public, as well as to other agencies in the State of Maryland and provides talking books (record and cassette), large print books, and reel tape materials for users eligible under Title IV-B of the Library Services and Construction Act. Individual patrons and local agencies throughout the State depend on this library for their reading matter. Patrons include the blind or visually impaired as well as persons who are, for physical reasons, unable to use conventional printed material.
The library staff circulates materials to patrons through mail or walk-in service, and provides depository collections to public libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes upon request. They select materials for individual patrons, basing their choices on the reader’s past reading interest, reading level, and current tastes. Periodical and special request service is provided, and the Library answers many requests through recordings of specific material provided by a corps of over thirty volunteer readers.
Equipment for playing talking books is provided by the Library through the same free postage ail system. All of the talking book materials in the library are supplied by the Library of Congress.
The staff of the library participates in workshops and contributes to programs of hospital and other agencies where their services are needed. They work to promote their belief that library services should be as available to the blind and physically handicapped as it is to other residents of the State.
Although most patrons of this library use the mail service, the facility draws a number of city residents. A ramp provides easy access into the building for the handicapped who cannot navigate stairs, and a floor runner serves as a directional guide for the blind or visually handicapped patrons of the Library.
Reduced budget for library purposes included in the proposed federal budget as submitted by the Administration is 56% below that provided for library services last year. The Maryland Federal Allocation for Fiscal Year 1971 was $713,867. Under the 1972 proposed budget, Maryland would receive only $337,228. The decrease in funding would mean that many of the library programs now existing would have to be modified or discontinued. Services to the Physically Handicapped are among several other major library programs that reduced funding will seriously jeopardize, possibly curtailing or eliminating them completely.
The Library for the Physically Handicapped is located at 1715 North Charles Street, Baltimore,
Maryland and welcomes its readers to visit the library. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. If you have any questions, you may write to the Library or call area code (301) 383-3111.
Advisory Consultant Note:
In all instances, we the recipients of services from the Library should keep the library staff fully aware of deficiencies that may occur in services rendered; on the other hand when there is any threat of diminution of services posed by the actions of Government Agencies and/or other interests working for the blind, we, the same recipients of services from the Library should join in the defense of this very vital service by writing letters and visiting when possible, legislators and agency heads and strategically using all public media.
* * * * * * *
SPECTATOR SPECK 1-------
Martha Seabrooks, member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter, and Second Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Executive Board, works at the Social Security complex in Woodlawn, MD, across the road from a health spa, a popular establishment dedicated to feminine physical fitness and form.
Early this Spring, Martha applied for membership at the spa and was advised by the management that she could join if she accepted the following provisions --- provisions not included in the generally used contract --- (1) that certain equipment and facilities “unsafe” for blind people might not be enjoyed; and (2) that an attendant would be assigned to accompany Martha whenever she visited the health emporium.
She declined to accept membership under the stated conditions.
An Executive Board Committee called upon the management to protest obvious discrimination against the blind. This meeting and a subsequent alleged meeting between the manager and his governing board proved fruitless; consequently, the State Executive Board President and Secretary and Miss Seabrooks met with a Mr. Gallon, chairman of the Baltimore County Community Relations commission.
Inasmuch as discrimination was being practiced and a criminal offense committed, Mr. Gallon proposed to visit the hierarchy of the health spa. He also advised that if cooperation was not forthcoming, the County States Attorney would institute criminal proceedings against them.
Mr. Gallon’s visit was somewhat successful, and membership has been extended to Miss Seabrooks --- she may also bring a sighted friend as her guest.
* * * *
SPECTATOR SPECK 2 ---------
Participants of the Bureau of Recreation’s program at the Maryland Workshop for the Blind are attending a barbecue in Randallstown, on June 20th, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Anshell --- franks and friendship and lots of good singing are the order of the day.
* * * * *
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS
(by John McCraw)
The State of the N.F.B. of Maryland is, at this writing, good. We have arrived at this State of Federation well-being in part by paths of disturbing diversities – for instance. The instability of the Associated Blind of Greater Cumberland had doggedly persevered till Wesley Williams, Ned Graham and the Myers, Georgia and Floyd, arrested the instability by their applying common sense reasoning and at times, heart impairing efforts – for instance: behavior of a few officers and members of the Eastern Shore Federation of the Blind flirted with malfeasance and/or potential corruption until their Dutch Uncles, Graham and McCraw, told them as it must be, within the context of tenets laid down by the N.F.B. – for instance: virtually insignificant problems surfaced in the chapters, Twin County Federation of the Blind and Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Blind, and were dealt with constructively and amicably – for instance: the Board of Directors has accepted as fact that the Anne Arundel County Federation of the Blind exists in a titular state only. Wesley Williams, Membership Chairman, has been given the assignment to reconstruct and to make viable the chapter contiguous to the Severn shortly after the National Convention.
From my vantage point the legislative program of the N.F.B. of Maryland fared moderately to very well in the last State Assembly.
Senate Bills 167 – (Relative Responsibility,) 191 – (Increase of Minimum Grant) 193 – (Escalator Clause) 194 – (Repeal of Lien Law) were all referred to the Legislative Council. Short of passage of these bills, this is the next best possible of all things that could happen to our legislative proposals, for it has been our experience that bills passed along to the legislative Council from the Assembly are highly thought of – thus enhancing their ultimate passage in the next Legislature.
House Bill 1, (The Model White Cane Law) will become a part of the Annotated Code of
Maryland, July 1, 1971. We are indeed appreciative of the on the spot support given this
Legislation by M. Eugene Spurrier representing services for the blind – Vocational Rehabilitation, and Herbert Wolfe, Superintendent, Maryland School for the Blind – not to mention the eight members of the Greater Baltimore Chapter, who were able to attend the pivotal hearing of this ******bill. Many members of the N.F.B, of Maryland are to be commended for their overall support, but I believe it most fitting that the untiring efforts of Ned L. Graham, Jr.
in effecting the fruition of a dream of us all should be signally singled out for special commendation.
* * * * *
NATIONAL CONVENTION
JULY 4 through 9
Shamrock Hilton Hotel
Houston, Texas
* * * * *
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS (cont.)
The following Resolution and letter are sufficiently explicit as to the ramification growing out of the passage of Senate Resolution 22, The alleged agencies and/or interests mentioned below are said to be American Foundation for the Blind, Vocational Rehabilitation, both on State and Federal level, M.A.V.H., Maryland Workshop for the Blind, Maryland School for the Blind, etc. I may add that in conversing with Stanley Fine, the Governor’s First Legislative Officer, I was assured by Mr. Fine that we “will find the Governor to be as reasonable as we appear to be.”
SENATE RESOLUTION
NO. 22
Senate Resolution requesting the Governor to request the National Federation of the Blind to conduct a study of Maryland programs for the blind.
WHEREAS, It is well known that the welfare of the blind requires that adequate service programs be provided; and
WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind, a non-profit private organization comprised of blind members, is organized to promote programs for the best interest of all the blind; and WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind stands ready and able to conduct a study of the Maryland programs for the blind; and
WHEREAS This study can be undertaken at no cost to the state government and can provide an excellent opportunity to study the needs of the blind; now, therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate of Maryland, That the Governor request the National Federation of the
Blind to conduct a study of the Maryland programs for the blind, and, be it further
Resolved, That the National Federation of the Blind report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the 1972 session of the General Assembly, and be it further
Resolved, That duly certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted by the Governor to Mr. Kenneth Jernigan, President of the National Federation of the Blind, and to Mr. John McCraw, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
* * * * * *
Honorable Governor Mandel c/o Mr. Stanley Fine
Assistant Legislative Officer Executive Department
Annapolis, Maryland 21404
Dear Governor Mandel:
In conferring with Mr. Fine via telephone re: Senate Resolution 22, it was brought to my attention that there are agencies for the blind and/or other groups involved in working for the blind who have expressed opposition to the National Federation of the Blind unilaterally mounting a survey of services for the blind in the State of Maryland, I submit the following rationale which, in our opinion, supports the original intent of the Resolution.
- The officers and members of the N.F.B. of Maryland are indeed honored by the “benign” foes arrayed against us. Since they are virtually all agencies or other interests working for the blind, we, the blind ourselves, seeking in an orderly, reasonable and fully open manner to enhance the general welfare of all the blind, respectfully ask you to attend closely to the fact that these agencies and/or other interests are the avenues of services to the blind which, as many blind citizens can attest, quite often end in a cul-de-sac.
- The N.F.B has unilaterally undertaken the task in other states of comprehensively surveying services of the blind – the most recent being Hawaii. This onerous but necessary chore was vigorously assumed simply because of the obvious aforementioned necessity for a survey of services which had gone begging.
- Previous surveys have unearthed much that was of inestimable value to the blind, but, previous surveys also unearthed many areas of ineptness of programming and budgeting services for the blind, apparently unqualified people in positions of disproportionate power condescendingly controlling the destiny of the blind and perhaps more relevant to the matter at hand, agencies and other interests quite often stifle, if not crush the attempt of the blind themselves to alleviate the inadequacies of the services rendered them.
- An illuminating observation is that when surveys of services to the blind have been made in the past, surveying teams made up excluding the blind not connected with any agency, again, quite often fail to consult with and/or interview the non-professional blind who are usually the recipients of the services involved, therefore the best of judges of the quality and adequacy of the services.
Having succinctly and without a myriad of adornments which could be brought to bear upon the matter expressed the reasons why we feel that the N.F.B. should mount a survey of services to the blind in the State of Maryland, we, in order to display a sincere reasonableness, are willing to consent to a fact-finding commission, ideally chaired by a non-professional blind person of our organization and if not this, at the least more than token participation by a person or persons designated by the N. F. B.
We, the N.F.B. of Maryland are exceedingly appreciative of the constructive interest you have shown and implemented on behalf of the blind citizenry of Maryland; and, this current interest further enhances our gratitude; for we ask for and we receive the right to be heard.
Very truly yours,
JOHN McCRAW
President, N.F.B. of Md.
* * * * *
SPECTATOR SPECKS ----------
Eastern Shore hospitality is famous in Maryland---we’ve enjoyed their incomparable sea food, fried chicken and sparkling libations, and, on May 29th, a new palate pacifier—curried goat. Despite weather that was more conducive to fire-side sitting than travel, a large turn-out converged on the Hawk’s Nest—the site selected by the Eastern Shore Federation for their Goat Roast, and the food was good, drinks delicious, and the atmosphere warm and conducive to the conviviality that prevailed throughout the afternoon. Dorothy Hall and her daughter, Helen and niece, Elsie Taylor, Clarence Hunt and their hardworking committee are to be congratulated for the great success, born of their hard work.
* * * * *
The N.F.B. of Maryland delegation attending the National Convention in Houston in July plans to make its’ bid to bring the 1973 National Convention to Baltimore.
* * * * *
AFFILIATE AFFAIRS (cont.)
Simmering grievances of the blind workers of the Maryland Workshop for the Blind, Salisbury branch, recently reached a boiling point and spilled over, and an anxiety prone management precipitously requested a meeting to be held in Salisbury at the shop on Wednesday, June 2nd with representatives of the Federation and the aggrieved workers present. Ned Graham and John McGraw from the State Board, Ralph Thompson, Federationist, laid off workers at the Maryland workshop for the blind, Baltimore; George Burton, President of the Eastern Shore Federation for the Blind; Dorothy Hall, the shore’s representative to the Board of Directors; Mr.
Causey, Federationist Frances Leonard, and a worker from the Maryland Workshop for the Blind, Salisbury; George Parke, Milton Freeburger, and Jerome Brooks, administrative officers of the Maryland Workshop for the Blind constituted the membership of the enclave.
The usual grievances: blind workers laid off while sighted workers were retained; excessive supervision of blind workers; transportation problems; lack of access to administrative personnel, re: grievances; ethnic discrimination; excessive manipulatory demands placed upon blind workers and a woefully woeful lack of esprit de corps were fully and openly, with no holds barred, discussed. Remedial steps were proposed and adopted by all parties present. The foremost of these was periodic meetings between management and labor (which in itself is not new but significantly unlike it has been) without the presence of the supervisors who appear like speech stifling ogres to a large number of the blind workers.
I believe it to be the better part of prudence that instead of denoting other solutions of grievances here, we should await the fruition of their pre-eminence by successful implementation and/or the indisputable fact of their dismal failure.
Georgia Meyers has replaced Alan Schlank, who has moved to Virginia as acting treasurer of the Board of Directors; Floyd Meyers has replaced Georgia Meyers as representative to the Board from the Associated Blind of Greater Cumberland; Ned Graham and John McGraw have taken over the duties of Alan Schlank acting as Legislative Chairman; Dorothy Hall has replaced Sam Stone on the Board representing the Eastern Shore Federation of the Blind and a segment of the Constitution has, until the State Convention, been suspended allowing Roger Peterson, who has moved to Washington, to continue as first Vice-President of the Board.
The “ramparts” from which we assault the barriers barring the acquisition of equality, opportunity, and security for all the blind need not only the steadfastly entrenched Federationists but equally eager and dedicated recruits. I brow-beat you!! I, without condescension, cajole you and I appeal to an aroused sense of urgency on your part to join with me in “pushing!” forward.
********
A BILL ENTITLED MODEL WHITE CANE LAW
An ACT to repeal Section 33 of Article 30 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969
Supplement), title “Deaf, Mute or Blind, “ subtitle “Miscellaneous,” to repeal and subtitle, and to enact new Section 33 in lieu thereof, to stand in the place of the section repealed, to be under the new subtitle “White Cane Law,” providing for equal rights and treatment for blind and visually handicapped persons in employment, public accommodations, and housing; providing for the admittance of accompanied guide dogs, without charge, to facilities open to the public; providing that the Governor proclaim annually October 15th to be “White Cane Day,” and matters generally relating to blind and visually handicapped persons.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That Section 33 of Article 30 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Supplement), title “Deaf, Mute or Blind,” subtitle “Miscellaneous,” be and it is hereby repealed; and that said subtitle be and it is hereby repealed; and that new Section 33 be and it is hereby enacted in lieu thereof, to stand in place of the section repealed, to be under the new subtitle “White Cane Law,” and to read as follows: (Miscellaneous)
(33. Right of blind person to public facilities; guide dog.
- Blind persons entitled to public facilities. The blind are entitled to full accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, streetcars, boats or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, and other places to which the general public is invited, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable to all persons.
- Right of blind person to be accompanied by guide dog. – Every blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed in subsection (a) without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog, provided that he shall be liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such dog.
- Denial or interference with blind person’s rights under section. – Any person or persons, firm or corporation, to the agent or any person or persons, firm or corporation who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in this section or otherwise interferes with the rights of a totally or partially blind person under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense.)
WHITE CANE LAW
33.
- It is the policy of this State to encourage and enable the blind and the visually handicapped to participate fully in the social and economic life of the State and to engage in remunerative employment.
-
It is the policy of this State that the blind and visually handicapped shall be employed in the State service, the service of the political subdivisions of the state, in the public schools, and in all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds on the same terms and conditions as the able-bodied, unless it is shown that the particular disability prevents the performances of the work involved.
-
The blind and the visually handicapped have the same right as the able-bodied to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places.
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(1). The blind and the visually handicapped are entitled to full and equal accommodation, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, streetcars, boats or other places for public conveyance or other modes of transportation, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodations, amusement, or resort, or other places to which the general public is invited, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable to all persons.
(2) A totally or partially blind pedestrian not carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color (with or without a red tip) or using a guide dog in any of the laces, accommodations or conveyances list in paragraph (1) of this subsection (d), has all rights and privileges conferred by law upon any other person.
(3). The failure of a totally or partially blind pedestrian to carry a cane predominantly white or metallic in color (with or without a red tip) or to use a guide dog in any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection (d) shall not be held to constitute or be evidence of contributory negligence per se.
- The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian accompanied by a guide dog or using a cane predominantly white or metallic in color (with or without a red tip) shall take all reasonable care to avoid injury to the blind pedestrian. Any driver who fails to take all reasonable care to avoid injury to the blind pedestrian is presumed to be negligent.
-
Every totally or partially blind person has the right to be accompanied by a guide dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of this section, without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog, if he is liable for any damages done to the premises or facilities by such dog.
-
Any person or persons, firm, corporation, who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in this section, or otherwise interferes with the rights of a totally or partially blind person under this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject upon conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense.
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Each year the Governor shall take suitable public notice of October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. He shall issue a proclamation in which he comments upon the significance of the White Cane; calls upon the citizens of the State to observe the provisions of the White Cane Law and to take precautions necessary to the safety of the disabled; reminds citizens of the State of the policies with respect to the blind and urges the citizens to cooperate in giving effect to them; emphasizes the need for the citizens to be aware of the presence of disabled persons in the community and to keep safe and functional for the blind and visually handicapped the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public accommodations, public buildings, public facilities, other public places, amusement and resort, and other places to which the public is invited; and offers assistance to the blind and handicapped person under appropriate occasions.
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(1) Blind and visually handicapped persons shall be entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public, to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or compensation in the State of Maryland, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law, or State or federal regulations, and applicable to all persons alike.
- “Housing Accommodations” means any real property, or portion thereof, which is used or occupied or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied, as the home, residence, or sleeping place of one or more human beings, but does not include any accommodations, included within paragraph (1) of this subsection, or any single family residence, the occupants of which rent, lease, or furnish for compensation not more than one room therein.
- Nothing in this section requires any person renting, leasing, or providing for compensation, real property to modify his property in any way or provide for a higher degree of care for a blind person or visually handicapped person, than for a person who is not blind or visually handicapped.
- Every totally or partially blind person who obtains a guide dog, or who has a guide dog, or who may wish to obtain a guide dog, is entitled to full and equal housing accommodations provided for in this section. Totally or partially blind persons shall not be required to pay extra compensation for guide dogs but are liable for any damage done to housing accommodations by guide dogs.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that this Act shall take effect on July 1, 1971.
**********
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
ASSOCIATED BLIND OF GREATER CUMBERLAND
White Cane Campaign under way.
Further fund raising: a stand at the local Fairgrounds.
New Member: Welcome Mrs. Marie Messman.
TWIN COUNTIES FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Newly Elected Slate: President: Wesley Wulliams; 1st Vice-President: Tom Bickford.
2nd Vice-President: Roger Peterson; Secretary: Janiece Conard; Treasurer: Dick Nelson; Board Members: Anna Freysz; Clara Sisselman and Marylyn Nelson.
EASTERN SHORE FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Very successful Goat Roast -- (See SPECTATOR SPECKS)
GREATER BALTIMORE CHAPTER OF THE BLIND
Ned Graham continues to run his profitable rummage sales. Bus trips to Pennsylvania in the offing.
**********
THE NEXT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND WILL BE HELD AT THE JESSUP BLAIR COMMUNITY HOUSE IN PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY. HOSTS: TWIN COUNTY FEDERATION OF THE BLIND.
**********
A LETTER FROM MICHAEL
By Michael Ewart
Advisory Consultant Note:
The methods of operating as a blind student on college campuses and the modestly Utopian attitudes (intellectual blind mannerisms) that Mike Ewart expresses in the following letter are considerably mitigated, for I know Mike to be a sincere and all around nice fellow, who deserves and undoubtedly will gain the goals he is seeking.
Prince George’s Hall
St. Mary’s College
St. Mary’s City
20686 May 12/71
Hi John!
What’s it like to be the first and only blind student on a college campus? Let me explain why I picked this college and how I find myself relating to my fellow students.
Before I came to St. Mary’s College, I attended Essex Community College which is a two-year Junior College.
I was the first blind student to attend and graduate from Essex Community College with an Assoc. Arts degree, in June of 1969. I had problems at Essex which had no connection with my blindness; these were academic and could have been faced by anyone. My only other difficulty at times was finding rides to school and to home; Many of my friends who did not have cars had this problem too.
Knowing that I would have to go elsewhere to complete my college education, I started looking for another school during my last year at Essex.
People had suggested Towson State, but it was too large and had blind students. Since things had worked out for me as the only blind person on a college campus, I felt that it could be done again. I was thinking about Washington College in Chestertown, but it was too expensive. I considered other state schools. Salisbury sounded interesting, but there was another blind student that I had gone to school with and we were not on good terms. Frostburg presented problems in transferring credits, so St. Mary’s was the only one left. I sent them my grade transcripts along with an application. In about a month, I received a letter that I had been accepted. That summer I went for an interview and there was hardly any hesitancy. After the interview my Mom and I had lunch with some of the students. After that we met the person in the bookstore and discussed arrangements for getting Books recorded. After working out a schedule we sent the books to a volunteer group in Maryland, supposedly having a good reputation. Some of these books never arrived and other sources were used. I had problems getting readers, but a faculty member worked with the Dean of Students and more people were working for me.
Getting around the campus was no problem since all walks connected with each other. I have to cross from one part of th4e campus to the other and the students are very helpful about letting me know when no cars are coming. Sometimes cars will beep their horns and let me know when it’s O.K. to go across. Even in the cafeteria, where one would think I’d have problems in getting around – not so. The students are very good about giving me any help needed.
Now that I have mentioned several times about no discrimination because of blindness, let me briefly explain my approach. I’m just myself and try not to make people feel sorry for me; another thing, I don’t talk about my blindness very much. I do not act belligerently and try to demand my rights. In essence, I don’t look for discrimination and don’t find any.
Yours truly,
MIKE EWART
**********
NFB At MSB
(by James Doherty)
Wednesday, May 12, was a busy day for six Washington, D.C. Federationists. The project: a visit to the Maryland School for the Blind.
Last fall, Peg Wallace, public relations officer at the school, attended a meeting of the Capital Chapter in D.C. During discussion, it was suggested that the students might benefit from contact with some successful blind persons. So, in April, Mrs. Wallace got in touch with Tom Bickford, Capital Chapter Vice President. Tom collected four other working blind people and Dahl Maryland, a sighted member of the Chapter, drove them to the school.
Besides Tom, who is Assistant Chief of the Tape Volunteers Section at the Library of Congress’s
Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the group included Mrs. Beatrice Murphy Campbell, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Negro Bibliographic and Research Center, Mrs. Billie Ruth Schlank, a computer programmer, housewife and mother, Mr. Gale Conard, and
Employment Counselor with the U.S. Training and Employment Service, and Jim Doherty, an Information Specialist with the Office of Economic Opportunity. Each Federationist explained his or her current job, some of the problems met along the way and how they were solved. Then the floor was opened to questions. Billie Schlank’s computer experience seemed to draw the most interest among the careers represented.
But the subject that really fascinated the students was the National Federation of the Blind. They asked about its history, its reason for being, where the chapters are, how one joins, what the members do, what the National Organization does. Some came to the stage afterward to ask questions they couldn’t get answered during the discussion. Many asked about local contacts.
Some school staff members were obviously unhappy with the “militant” anti-institution tone of some of the statements made during the afternoon, But it was easy to see that the students saw hope for themselves in the achievements of the visitors and that the idea of the organized blind movement has struck a vital, responsive chord in them. If anyone has contacts within the school, it certainly appears that its student body is a fertile field for potential members.
**********
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND CONVENTION AGENDA – 1971
INTERSTATE MOTOR INN
BERWYN, MARYLAND
TWIN county FEDERATION OF THE BLIND – HOSTS
OCTOBER 15TH, 16TH, AND 17TH
STATE CONVENTION CHAIRMAN
NED L. GRAHAM, JR.
3511 Berwyn Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21207
PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
JANIECE CONARD
**********
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1971
| Time | description |
|---|---|
|
5:00 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. |
REGISTRATION (Fee $1.00) Continuing throughout convention. |
|
8:10 P.M. |
CALL TO ORDER BUSINESS MEETING. |
|
9:30 P.M. |
HOSPITALITY (Cash Bar) |
Resolutions Considered throughout Convention.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1971, MORNING SESSION
| Time | description |
|---|---|
|
8:30 A.M. |
REGISTRATION |
|
9:30 A.M. |
CALL TO ORDER and INVOCATION |
|
9:35 A.M |
WELCOME: |
|
10:00 A.M. |
REPORT: MANUEL URANA, Director: Orientation Center Iowa Commission for the Blind |
|
10:30 A.M. |
SERVICES FOR THE BLIND IN MARYLAND |
|
12:00 NOON |
LUNCH |
OCTOBER 16TH, 1971 AFTERNOON SESSION
| Time | description |
|---|---|
|
2:00 P.M. |
REPORT: Social Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Grant Programs |
|
2:30 P.M. |
PANEL DISCUSSION: Public Transportation in Maryland. |
|
3:30 P.M. |
LEGISLATIVE REPORTS. |
|
4:00 P.M. |
REPORT: Communicating with your Legislator (Speaker to be Announced) |
|
4:30 P.M. |
REPORT: NOMINATING COMMITTEE – NOMINATIONS FROM FLOOR – ACTION ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (if any) AND RESOLUTIONS. |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1971 EVENING SESSION
| Time | description |
|---|---|
|
6:00 P.M. |
COCKTAIL HOUR (Cash Bar) |
|
7:00 P.M. |
Banquet: |
Sunday, October 17th, 1971, MORNING SESSION
| Time | description |
|---|---|
|
10:00 A.M. |
PUBLIC RELATIONS WORKSHOP |
|
10:50 A.M. |
BUSINESS MEETING |
|
12:00 NOON |
ADJOURN |