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National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, MD 21045
Fall, 1988
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. Postage Paid Baltimore, MD Permit No. 7532
Address correction Requested
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Inc.
Fall, 1988
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, is a non-profit organization of blind people whose purpose is to promote equal opportunities for the blind. We provide advocacy services for the blind, special training programs for parents of blind children, job referrals and placements for the blind, public education programs, scholarships to blind students, and help the newly blinded to acquire special techniques for maintaining productive lives.
Please address inquiries to:
NFB of Maryland
9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, MD 21045
phone (301)992-9608
Please send donations to:
NFB of Maryland 11909 Coronada Place
K nsington, MD 20895
The Braille Spectator is published quarterly for 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 Cpssette, 9an be obtained from the editor
upon request. Cassettes may be returned to the National Center
for the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
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.
Althea Carter, Editor The Braille Spectator 9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, MD 21045
Officers:
Sharon Maneki, President Columbia, Maryland
Althea Carter, First Vice President
Columbia, Maryland Barry Hand, Second Vice President Baltimore, Maryland
M ry Ellen Reihing, Secretary Baltimore, Maryland
Judy Rasmussen, Treasurer Kensington, Maryland
Members of the Board of Directors:
Leroy Bagwell, Salisbury, Maryland
Pat Mayweather Lanham, Maryland
Al Carter, Annapolis, Maryland
Carleen McKenzie, Frostburg, Maryland
Pat Winebrenner, Frostburg, Maryland
Brenda Williams, Baltimore, Maryland
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Inc.
Fall, 1988
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, is a non-profit organization of blind people whose purpose is to promote equal opportunities for the blind. We provide advocacy services for the blind, spec al trq.ining programs for parents of blind children., job referrals and placements for the blind, public education programs, scholarships to blind students, and help the newly blinded to acquire special techniques for maintaining productive lives.
Please address inquiries to:
NFB of Maryland
9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, MD 21045
phone (301)992-9608
Please send donations to:
NFB of Maryland 11909 Coronada Place
Kensington, MD 20895
The Braille Spectator is published quarterly for 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. Cassettes may be returned to the National Center for the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Changes of address and additions to the circulation list should be sent to the editor. Address all news iterns, articles and letters to the editor.
Althea Carter, Editor The Braille Spectator 9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, MD 21045
Officers: Members of the Board of Directors:
Sharon Maneki, President Columbia, Maryland
Althea Carter, First Vice President Columbia, Maryland
Barry Hand, Second Vice President, Baltimore, Maryland
Mary Ellen Reihing, Secretary Baltimore, Maryland
Judy Rasmussen, Treasurer Kensington, Maryland
Leroy Bagwell, Salisbury, Maryland
Pat Mayweather Lanham, Maryland
Al Carter, Annapolis, Maryland
Carleen McKenzie, Frostburg, Maryland
Pat Winebrenner, Frostburg, Maryland
Brenda Williams, Baltimore, Maryland
PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Are you uncertain or confused about which speech, Braille, large print device, or other adaptive hardware or software equipment will work best for you? Do you need professional advice from someone who knows the strengths and weaknesses of these products and can help you make appropriate choices? Would you like individualized training in the use of your equipment and programs? Call Joe Roeder or Randy Knapp for the kind of service, sales support and training you deserve. PC Partners, Inc., Adaptive Technology Specialists, 6407 Frederick Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, (301) 744-3724.
THE MARATHON BRAILLER HIGH-SPEED PORTABLE BRAILLE PRINTER
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY is setting the pace in Braille production with the MARATHON BRAILLER, the most advanced high speed portable braille printer at a speed of 200 characters per second, and featuring space-age electronics, a proven mechanical embosser, and intelligent numeric keypad, a 32-character visual display and portability. The MARATHON BRAILLER is the result of intensive design research to develop a braille printer that combines high speed, ease of operation, portability, and reliability. Enabling Technologies Company, Harold Boccia, 505 Country Walk Court, Bel Air, MD 21014, (301)879-7536.
BRAiLLE'N SPEAK, YOUR POCKET PAL
ONE OF A KIND: An exciting new talking device with a Braille keyboard that's affordable, compact but very powerful - it fits in your pocket and goes where you go - and easy to use, for blind and visually impaired people. Braille'n Speak is a quality computer priced under $1,000.00. As a talking computer, Braille'n Speak has a built-in speech synthesizer that clearly speaks the Braille text stored in its memory. No larger than one-third the size of a standard sheet of stationery and just one inch thick, Braille'n Speak is more powerful than many larger personal computers. In short, Braille'n Speak can increase the productivity and independence of visually impaired and blind people. Blazie Engineering, 2818 College View Drive, Churchville, Maryland 21028 (301)879-5504.
AIDS UNLIMITED, INC. ALTERNATIVE INDEPENDENCE DEVICES & SERVICES
A Maryland corporation owned, managed and staffed almost exclusively by persons with disabilities, the vast majority of whom are blind. Doing business throughout the United States and overseas, with field representatives in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Quality products for persons with special needs concerning vision, hearing, reaching, grasping, standing, walking, bending. International distribution of mail order catalogs listing approximately 300 products including: Radio/Cassette Recorders & Accessories, Batteries & Power Supply Accessories, Kitchen Gadgets & Cookware, Braille Writing Materials, Telephones & Accessories, Personal Care Products, Household Products, Security Products, Talking Products, Children's Toys, Radios, Games, And
More… Much More! National Headquarters: 1101 N. Calvert
Street, Ste. 405, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, Voice/TTY (301)659
0232.
THE EUREKA A 4
The Eureka A 4 is probably the most well-suited, user-friendly breakthrough for blind people in the past 3 decades. It is a portable compact personal electronic secretary encompassing many features: a highly sophisticated (yet simple to use) word processor, a telephone directory capable of dialing the phone for you, a diary or agenda calendar which automatically TURNS the MACHINE ON and tells you what it is time to do; a note-taker which is a all-purpose scratch pad, a basic interpreter for running programs such as games; a music composer which can actually print out musical notes; a talking clock, calendar, stopwatch, and timer; a talking thermometer and voltmeter; a fulI-featured scientific calculator. Contains internal disk drive, built-in modem, and total interfacing abilities. Uses a standard Perkins-type keypad. For further information call Peter Davis, 827 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, (301)547-1414.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cassette tapes of the Diabetic Seminar held at the Sheraton Towson Conference Hotel on Friday, September 9, 1988 can be obtained by calling Sharon Maneki, (301) 992-9608.Price: $5.00.
Day in Annapolis: Tuesday, January 17, 1989. Legislative reception will follow, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Annapolis Ramada Inn.
National Federation of the Blind Forty-Ninth Annual Convention: July 3-9, 1989, Denver, Colorado.
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Twenty-Third Annual Convention, November 3-5, 1989, Ocean City, Maryland.
THE STATE OF THE AFFILIATE: 1988
An Address by Sharon Maneki, President, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Delivered at the Twenty-Second Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, Towson, Maryland, Saturday, September 10, 1988.
INTRODUCTION
Fellow Federationists! Since my last report to you at our 1987 convention in Frostburg, we have gained important victories and we have made progress toward our long range goals. After reflecting on the events of the past year, I was struck by the breadth of our activity, our courage as a movement, and our perseverance in chipping away at the shackles of discrimination
and bureaucracy that keep us from achieving a position of equality in American society. Let us review our accomplishments of the past year in order to savor our victories, to renew our courage and strength, and to plan for the future.
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland was involved in so many state and national activities because of the willingness of increasing numbers of Federationists to take part in these activities. I thank you for your cooperation and support. I cannot name each individual or each contribution that you made, but I recognize and appreciate your efforts. I wish to thank publicly Connie Mccraw for her assistance with the Braille Spectator and for her work on the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, Board of Trustees. Connie is a great example of personal courage and perseverance for all of us.
SEMINARS
Did any other organization concerned with the blind hold information seminars for parents of blind children, for blind college students, and for blind computer users? Did any other organization hold workshops on the complications of diabetes, and on communicating with deaf blind persons? Did any other organization encourage blind children to read Braille by sponsoring a reading contest and awarding state and national prizes? The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland did all of these things. We even persuaded the Maryland School for the Blind to participate in our Braille Readers are Leaders contest for the first time.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The variety and scope of our activities extended into state government as well. Our stature with legislators continues to improve. We did not achieve everything we wanted, but we did make progress. We continued to publicize the importance of the programs at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Handicapped and stressed the need to give the Library greater priority. Governor Schaefer and the General Assembly responded by appropriating funds for site acquisition and for the design of a new library building. We convinced the legislature and the Governor to enact legislation requiring that the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Board of Trustees include at least four blind members. It was because of our efforts that the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review took the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to task for procrastinating for fourteen years over the regulations for the vending program.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Several departments in the executive branch of state government, including transportation, insurance, and, of course, education, heard from the National Federation of the Blind this year. As a result, they improved on some of their policies. At the Frostburg convention, we adopted a resolution opposing the
installation of audible traffic signals in Maryland. We argued our case before transportation officials. In his letter dated August 3, 1988, Thomas Hicks, Deputy Chief Traffic Engineer, promised that the State Highway Administration will no longer fund the installation of audible traffic signals.
In 1986, we urged the Maryl and General Assembly to strengthen the law prohibiting discrimination against the blind by the insurance industry. However, a law has no value unless it is enforced. Therefore, when the Monumental Life Insurance Company denied Bob Weber disability and accidental death benefits, we appealed to the Insurance Commissioner. Monumental Life responded with the excuse that it made a clerical error. Bob Weber now has these benefits, because of the prodding of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dealing with the Maryland State Department of Education requires perseverance. The Department spent the past year and a half burying itself in. an even 1arger and more cumbersome bureaucracy, designed to make it even easier for officials to avoid their responsibility of effective public service. Assistant superintendents used to be in charge of the various divisions within the department, and reported directly to the Superintendent. Now the Assistant Superintendents report to the Assistant Deputy Superintendents. For example, Martha Fields was promoted from Assistant Superintendent to Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Bureau of Educational Development; her assistant Richard Steinke became the Assistant Superintendent, Division of Special Education. James Jeffers was appointed as the Assistant Superintendent of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Richard Batterton was promoted from Assistant Superintendent to Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Correctional Education. What do services for the blind have in common with services for prisoners? I'm sure these officials don't know.
We can only guess as to why all of this bureaucracy building occurred. Was James Jeffers in need of employment? Did Martha Fields, Richard Steinke and Richard Batterton require larger salaries? Did Mrs. Jeffers use her connections to secure her husband's position? Despite its useless complexity, the educational bureaucracy cannot avoid noticing the flurry of activity by the organized blind.
We continue to fight for the protection of parents rights to participate in the special education decisions affecting their children. Since 1986, Barbara Cheadle and I have been participating in the department's clarification of rules process. Although these rules have not been finalized and some changes are still necessary, we have made substantial progress. The rules will clearly state that local education agencies must tell parents which officials will attend their ARD and IEP meetings, and that parents can bring an advocate of their choice to these meetings. At this time the State Board of Education is reviewing
these rules. We will continue the battle until they are finalized to our satisfaction by the Board of Education.
The NFB is helping John and Barbara Cheadle appeal the Baltimore County School District's refusal to provide their son Charles with instruction in Braille. It is a sad commentary on our times that parents must beg and fight for Braille literacy for their blind children, especially in this democratic society where literacy is a birthright afforded by public education.
We are also helping Tina Cummings with an appeal against DVR. DVR'S own evaluation stated that Tina needed a personal computer and print magnifier to use for her studies at the University of Maryland. Yet her DVR counselor refused to approve the purchase of this equipment. Within a week of filing the appeal, Tina received word from her counselor that the purchase order for her computer was under way. At this time, Tina is waiting for delivery of this computer.
We salute the courage of the nineteen vendors who refused to pay set-aside until DVR adopted rules for the operation of the Randolph-Sheppard vending program. Because of our collective action, the vendors also sued DVR to stop it from suspending their operators' licenses and to recover the set-aside charges that DVR illegally collected. For fourteen years, vendors were forced to put up with DVR's whims in operating the program. DVR wouldn't or couldn't decide how to run the program. Only after the vendors announced their actions did DVR finally see fit to get its act together and come to terms with the vendors. We doubt that DVR would have agreed to the necessary regulations, were it not for these actions.
BISM AND THE LIBRARY
Federationists demonstrated courage and perseverance in our efforts to reverse the deterioration and elimination of programs at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland. Those of us who were there will never forget that sad Thursday, January 21, when the blind, and Delegate Cummings, were locked out of the Board of Trustees meeting. We courageously stood our ground when Mr. Dewberry called the police because he foolishly thought that we could be intimidated. While we were turned away that day, we persevered and returned with a ruling by the Attorney General. We are now grudgingly admitted to Board meetings as observers. Our attendance record is better than many of the members of the Board of Trustees.
What a contrast there is between our relationship with Blind Industries and Services of Maryland and our relationship with the Maryland Library for the Blind and Handicapped! The Library staff recognizes the importance of listening to the consumers they are supposed to serve. The Director of the Library meets quarterly with our library committee to share ideas to improve the program. Because of our mutual respect, we are able to work together even though we may disagree on approaches or policies from time to time. Not only does the National Federation of the
Blind of Maryland benefit, but also every blind person in Maryland gains from this working relationship. As an immediate result of this cooperation, we were able to help the Library acquire an additional employee to serve as a data processing supervisor. This position had been unfilled ever since the Library obtained its computer.
JOHN MCCRAW
In this year, and at this time, we remember and reflect upon the tenth anniversary of the death of our cherished leader, John T. Mccraw. Had he lived, he would still be our president today. We still suffer the loss from his untimely and premature passing. We remain, however, inspired by his compassion and his patience, his capacity for hard work, his zest for life, and his dynamic personality. We have kept his unswerving faith in the ability of blind people to attain our own freedom. He would be proud of·nur accomplishments during the last ten years. He would not have us despair at our setbacks. He would cheer us on to even greater victories.
We can take pride in our accomplishments here in Maryland over the past ten years. We have established a reputation of being the only organization that can be counted on to help blind people, whether that help is needed for a problem with discrimination, getting services from DVR, finding a job, or learning the alternative techniques of blindness. With our national and state scholarships, we now put substantial dollars into the hands of deserving students so that they can have opportunities we did not have. We have earned the respect of the General Assembly by selecting legislative issues judiciously, using common sense and logic in arguing our cases, and demonstrating a willingness to compromise on issues but not on principles.
THE FUTURE
What are our goals for the coming year? We must insure that officials move quickly on the new building for the Library so that it is ready when the lease is up at 1715 North Charles Street. We will ask for increases in staff and resources, and we will insist that services be upgraded. The White Cane Law will be strengthened to permit civil action and awarding of damages in discrimination cases. We will work on this goal even if the Governor's Office on the Handicapped continues to drag its' feet by pleading that the Governor has still not figured out what he wants to do. We must seek opportunities to improve the quality of_education available to blind children, both at the Maryland School for the Blind and in the public school systems. While we will continue to help blind clients get the most out of DVR services, a critical challenge for the organized blind movement is to find ways to reform the vocational rehabilitation system so that rationality rather than bureaucracy prevails -in services to the blind.
Many of these goals will not be accomplished next month or even next year. The changes and improvements we need will take more of our time, require more of our energies, and will come in many guises. Some of these, but not all, will be accomplished by legislative action. Some of these will occur by changes within the bureaucracy itself. The rest will be accomplished by increasing public awareness that blindness is not a handicap, but merely a characteristic.
Let us never lose sight of who we are, what we have done, and where we are going. We are an oppressed minority. We are all victims of a system that has, intentionally or otherwise, kept us down and out. From our accomplishments, we understand the value of self-organization, the need for unified actions, and the need for harmonious relations in working to reach our goals. Let us use the opportunity afforded by this convention to renew our commitment to this movement and to reaffirm our faith in each other. Let us again pledge to devote our spirit and our energy to this just cause. Our destiny ls in our hands! Let us continue in our march to freedom and equality.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION
The twenty-second annual Convention was held during the weekend of September 9-11 at the Sheraton Towson Conference Hotel in Towson, Maryland. The convention was a tremendous success because of the excellent participation of Federationists from across the state. We were pleased to have Allen Harris, Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind, as our national representative. Allen's lively national report and inspiring banquet address added to the success of the convention. Friday evening hospitality starring DJ Fred Flowers with music of the 50's and 60's and the many door prizes handed out during the convention added to the fun and excitement shared by everyone.
The convention began on Friday afternoon with an interesting and informative seminar conducted by Karen Mayry, President of the Diabetics Division of the National Federation of the Blind, and her husband Marsh. We learned how diabetics who become blind can do their own blood tests and take insulin independently while leading active productive lives. The seminar was also exciting because many health professionals and blind persons learned about us for the first time.
It is clear that we have much work to do in Maryland to ensure that blind persons receive equal opportunities. We were encouraged by the positive responses of some key officials who addressed the convention on Saturday afternoon. For example, Mrs. June Kleeman, Chairperson of the Friends of the Library Committee for the Maryland Library for the Blind and Handicapped, took copious notes during Mary Ellen Reihing's presentation on consumer needs, and she promised to try to implement our ideas.
Dr. Claude Kitchens, Deputy Superintendent, Maryland State Department of Education, was a refreshing change from the uncaring bureaucrats that we usually have to deal with from DVR and Special Education. He pledged to find out why DVR is not following the new vending regulations, and agreed to investigate the department's lack of a fair hearings procedure. Dr. Kitchens was as displeased with DVR statistics on case closures as we are. In fiscal year 1986, DVR served 633 blind persons, of which 445 cases were closed. Of these 445 cases, only 124 cases were closed successfully and 321 cases were closed unsuccessfully. The breakdown of the 124 successful closures is
64 homemakers, 53 competitively employed, and 7 in sheltered employment. In fiscal year 1987, DVR served 606 blind persons, of which 460 cases were closed. Of these 460 cases, only 145 were closed successfully and 315 were closed unsuccessfully. The breakdown of the 145 successful closures is 64 homemakers, 68 competitively employed·, and 13 in sheltered employment. Dr. Kitchens said that the Department is seeking ways to place more blind persons in competitive employment. There is certainly much need for improvement in DVR services and placement activities for blind persons.
What a contrast between Mr. Dewberry's performance at our convention last year and the dialogue between the organized blind and some of the members of the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Board of Trustees at this year's convention! On Sunday morning, four Board members--Chairman Thomas Saquella, Vice Chairman Stanley Penn, Treasurer Carl Feldman, and Constance McCraw--participated in a panel discussion with Mr. Gashel on "Blind Industries and Services of Maryland: Its Relationship with the Blind Community." Mr. Saquella also attended our banquet. Mrs. Mccraw attended the entire convention. We are cautiously optimistic about the BISM Board's willingness to work with the
organized blind.
(Several Board members are scheduled to visit the National Center for the Blind on October 17. At the September Board meeting, the Board said they would listen to input from the NFB for part of their meeting once a quarter. The first opportunity for' input will be at the November meeting.) Perhaps this convention will be a turning point in our relationship with BISM.
As is customary, many awards and prizes were handed out at the banquet. Dr. KennSth Jernigan won $100 for recruiting the greatest number (161) of associates in Maryland. Congratulations to Dr. Jernigan! Jean Faulkner won the drawing ($100) from all the names of associate recruiters. We also congratulate Jean Faulkner for receiving the 1988 Barbara Johnson award ($50), as the NFB member and industrial employee at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland demonstrating outstanding leadership in fighting for the rights of blind persons. Certificates of appreciation were given to the legislators who served on the White Cane Task Force and to friends who rendered valued assistance to our cause.
Our cash raffle fundraiser was very successful. The winners, drawn at the banquet, were as follows: Buddy Wheatley (Cambridge), $50; Kenneth Maybin (Baltimore), $50; George Gouzoulis (Germantown), $100; Joe Byard (Baltimore), $300.
The following officers and board members were elected for two year terms: President, Sharon Maneki; First Vice President, Althea Carter; Second Vice President, Barry Hand; Secretary, Mary Ellen Reihing; Treasurer, Judy Rasmussen; Board Members- Al Carter, Carleen McKenzie and Brenda Williams. The three remaining members of the Board are Benny Bagwell, Patricia Mayweather, and Patricia Winebrenner.
As we left the convention on Sunday, our spirits were high and we were ready for the challenges that await us.
HELPING THEM GO ALL THE WAY
by Susan Connell
(Reprinted from the COLUMBIA FLIER, September 15, 1988)
(This article features two of the 1988 Mccraw Scholarship recipients who happen to live in Howard County. The third recipient, Tim Sudol from Baltimore County, who was awarded $500, is equally accomplished. Tim, a freshman at the University of Miami, Florida, plans to major in business administration.)
Every weekday morning Linda Davis begins the first leg of her journey by taxi, which takes her from her Columbia home to the Jessup train station. There she boards a commuter line to College Park, where she rides a shuttle bus to the University of Maryland. After that, there's the walk to classes, which may be almost anywhere on the sprawling campus where she is a junior studying special education.
The transportation time, plus what amounts to 18 credits of study this semester, are a grueling schedule for any student, but it may even be a little tou·gher for her than for most of us. The 41-year-old mother of three has been legally blind since birth.
Davis is one of two area students to receive a scholarship from the Maryland chapter of the National Federation of the Blind at its annual convention in Towson last weekend. On Saturday night, the group awarded her a $700 scholarship to help her further her education.
Davis, who moved to Columbia with her two teenaged daughters from Illinois a year-and-a-half ago after her husband died, wants to finish the five-year program at Maryland within the next two years, and then go on to earn a master's degree in special education or school psychology. After that, she says, "I may end up going all the way--for a Ph.D."
Eventually, she wants to be involved "on the diagnostic end" of special education. Because her 21-year-old son is learning disabled, she served for many years as a special ed advocate in Illinois.
"I have deep convictions about the (education) system, Davis explains. "From what I have seen in different states, usually it is pretty good at the elementary and junior high levels."
She is concerned, though, about high school students who are making the transition to college and jobs. A specialty in career-vocational transition will allow her to work with these students.
"Many of these handicapped kids are much more capable than we give them credit for," Davi_s says. "I want to help them to find a career, to become more independent people."
Sharon Maneki would applaud her goal. Maneki, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, was on hand at the Towson Sheraton when the awards were presented this weekend.
"We are an organization of blind consumers;" says Maneki, herself blind since birth. The scholarships, which have been awarded for the last five years, are a way to encourage blind people to continue their education.
"We want to promote equal rights and equal opportunities,11 Maneki explains. "And one of the best ways to promote equal opportunity is to encourage a college education."
The federation has undoubtedly encouraged college freshman Stephanie Adams, who also received a scholarship from the group last weekend.
So far, Adams, who is living on the campus of Bowie State University, shows no signs of homesickness. But after all, says the 18-year-old Hammond High School graduate, Mom is just a phone call away.
"I know my parents are still here for me," says Adams, but living away from home is teaching her to make her own decisions, and manage her time.
On Saturday night, Adams was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to help her further her education at Bowie. Like Linda Davis, she has been legally blind since birth.
Both women can read some large print, but use special equipment to magnify other material. Both will tape some lectures and, occasionally, when her sight worsens for a week or two, Adams hires a reader. An organization called Recordings for the Blind will provide almost all of her textbooks on tape.
Stephanie Adams talks with calm, cheerful confidence, like a morning talk show host encouraging sleepy listeners into facing the day ahead. And someday, that is precisely what Adams hopes to be--a talk show host. A communications major, she hopes for a career in broadcast journalism. She's already racked up three years of experience in print journalism, having served as a reporter, public relations editor and executive editor of Hammond High' s newspaper, Bear Press.
Writing is one of her strong points. Someday she hopes to write a few books, although she's not sure whether she will write fiction or nonfiction.
This week, at Bowie, she faces her first freshman composition. And, although the instructor won't divulge the topic ahead of time, Adams isn't overly concerned.
"With my determination, I feel I can overcome anything, Adams says, adding that her inspiration comes from her mother. She's back in school making straight A's," explains the daughter. "If she can hold a job, raise two kids, and study ... then I can do this."
FAMILY WANTS BRAILLE LESSONS FOR BLIND SON
by Jean Byars
(Reprinted from the CATONSVILLE TIMES, October 5, 1988)
When Barbara and John Cheadle moved from Baltimore to the county, they expected their new school system to be at least as good as the one they had left.
Pleased that their three children would be attending Hillcrest Elementary School, the parents assumed that the personalized teaching program designed for their middle child would continue.
Charles Cheadle, who was a fourth grader last year, qualified for special education because he is blind in one eye and has cataracts and uncontrolled movement in the other. But during a routine evaluation, the family was told that their son would not continue to be taught Braille.
The Cheadles were disappointed, but knew that Braille lessons in public school, especially for a student who has some sight, were unusual. However, they thought it important enough for their adopted Korean son to continue with his Braille that they arranged for private lessons after school. They also decided to protest the decision of the special education department by filing a complaint with the county school board.
The complaint was denied at the county level and now, a year after Charles entered Baltimore County school, is pending before the Maryland State Board of Education.
Barbara Cheadle explained that her son must hold even large print very close to his face to read it. He cannot read the small print in dictionaries or newspapers and finds it extremely difficult to read his own handwriting, his mother said.
"The way he reads print--many legally blind people can read print--is like and worse than many people who are legally blind," she said.
The Catonsville resident has worked for the National Federation of the Blind for six years and is accustomed to hearing concerns of parents and educators of blind children. The lack of Braille programs in public schools is more than a local problem, she said, "It's a national concern. It's educationally an outrage."
Charles' parents don't expect him to have to rely completely on Braille, but they want him to have it as a backup for when he tires and, especially for next year, when he goes to middle school and needs to take more notes.
Barbara Cheadle said the Baltimore County school system has told her that her son can learn Braille if he needs it later. She says he needs it now.
"Our purpose is what is in the best interest of the child," said Gloria Engnath, coordinator of special education for the county school system. She said she could not discuss particulars in the case during the legal proceeding.
She did explain, however, that each child receiving special education services is given "comprehensive testing" by a team of professionals who make recommendations for the individualized teaching program.
The school system uses a variety of methods to teach the blind and visually impaired, including tape recorders, computers with oversized lettering, large print books. Currently, three children are receiving Braille in county public schools instructions. "Our perspective is that Braille is one more technique, 11 said Barbara Cheadle, explaining that she expects her son to continue to read print, to use tape recorders and computers as well as to read and write Braille.
11 Any blind person to be competitive uses a variety of methods," she said.
The Cheadles are giving their son private lessons after school, but they say such tutoring is not as effective as lessons taught during the school day and related to class work.
"He's just a typical boy," his mother said. "He doesn't like to do homework, take a shower or take after-school time to do Braille."
"The kid is being deprived of his right to read and write," said James Gashel, who is presenting the Cheadle's case before the state board of education. He is director of governmental affairs for the National Federation of the Blind.
One of the important issues in the case at the county level was disagreement about whether Charles Cheadle had indeed had an independent evaluation as guaranteed by the special education rights law (Public Law 94-142). Although the school system said it had abided by the law, the Cheadles said that the evaluation was not independent since school officials chose the evaluators.
Recently, the state school board ordered another evaluation. The result, which will determine the outcome of the case, is expected within the month, Gashel said.
Gashel believes that Charles Cheadle's intelligence sometimes takes over for his lack of vision.
"He's a very bright kid. He's in the 98th percentile of kids for his age group," he said.
Gashel is somewhat mystified at the county's reluctance to give the fifth grader lessons in Braille. "I think they're not equipped to teach the children Braille," he said. "Some (students) are being taught, but not competently. I think (the teachers) are not qualified. Teachers (in the public schools) who are certified to teach blind people do not receive very much Braille instruction. Most of them took one course in Braille. They cannot read it."
Barbara Cheadle agrees. She believes the school system is reluctant to teach Braille to her -son because the special education teachers who work with the visually impaired are not proficient Braille instructors.
"I think Baltimore County is being ridiculous about it. Baltimore City is a little more enlightened and cooperative," Gashel said.
"Baltimore County is proud of its high standards, understandably so," Barbara Cheadle said. "I believe the county must investigate the special education program for blind and visually impaired because it simply does not stand up to the standards of the rest of the educational program."
ENCOURAGING BLIND CHILDREN TO READ BRAILLE
(The following remarks by Sandy Kelly and Barbara Cheadle were delivered at the Maryland School for the Blind awards ceremony on June 8, 1988. They attended this ceremony to recognize the winners of the NFB Braille Readers Are leaders Contest with plaques and gift certificates. This is the first time, and hopefully not the last, that students at the Maryland School for the Blind entered this contest.)
REMARKS DELIVERED BY SANDY KELLY
In 1968 I was a graduating senior from the Maryland School for the Blind. Awards were presented in the gym, and at that time one's proficiency in Braille did not merit special recognition.
Over the years the advent of the computer caused special education program administrators and others in the field of work with the blind to re-examine the need for Braille and its real relevance to blind persons. Their conclusions were neither accurate nor positive. They said rapid reading speeds could not be attained; Braille was tedious and slow. Give a blind guy a cassette player/recorder and eventually a computer, and all his problems would be solved.
Fortunately the National Federation of the Blind, the largest consumer organization of blind persons in the country, established the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille, (NAPUB). It is this special interest group, along with the Parents of Blind Children Division of the National Federation of the Blind, which sponsors an annual BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS contest to encourage and challenge blind students at all grade levels to develop Braille skills of which they can be proud. Had such a contest been in existence while I was a student here, I am sure I would have entered as often as I could, and I'd have done well. I appreciate more now than I ever thought I would the level of independence I've had as an adult because of those skills.
To the parents who are here today, you can help your Braille readers become leaders in their communities and work places not only by helping them enjoy reading and developing appropriate applications for Braille at school and at home but by giving them opportunities to meet successful blind role models. I realize that several on the staff here are blind. Blind children need to know about blindness outside the school grounds, for the time will come when they'll leave this campus as I did twenty years ago. There were blind teachers here, too, when I was a student. But it wasn't enough. Sighted children have an opportunity to observe their peers in a variety of work and play situations; blind children deserve equal treatment and acceptance.
The National Federation of the Blind and NAPUB are proud to recognize the 1988 recipients of BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS plaques, certificates, and in two instances $25 gift certificates
for aids and appliances purchases from the National Center for the Blind.
We're glad for the opportunity to make these presentations, hope that some of you will become interested in other activities of the Parents of Blind Children Division, NAPUB, our student division, and the NFB. In addition to meeting positive blind role models, you'11 learn about scholarships, employment, and that it is respectable to be blind. Thank you.
REMARKS BY BARBARA CHEADLE
What do elevators, McDonald's, a bank machine, and a new microwave have in common?
Answer: Braille
If you go into any McDonald's restaurant today you can get a Braille menu on request. It is common, downright ordinary in fact, to find Braille markings on elevators. A bank machine I use at a local supermarket has--you guessed it--Braille instructions taped on the side. And even six years ago, I was given-the option of getting a Braille manual when I ordered my microwave-oven.
More than ever befcire in our history, Braille is available to the blind on a common everyday basis. And just importantly, the public accepts Braille. To the public, Braille is just the normal method of reading and writing for the blind.
Tragically, just as we are experiencing a breakthrough in the availability and commori acceptance of Braille among the public, we are also experiencing a dramatic decline in the percentage of blind students who are being taught Braille.
We are now in a position of having more Braille, but fewer and fewer students who have the skill to take advantage of the new and greater opportunities for independence and employability that this increase in Braille offers to the blind.
What could we do about it? The National Association to Promote the Use of Braille and the National Federation of the Blind Parents Division got together four years ago to see what we could do to reverse this trend. We just couldn't let the coming generation of blind and partially-sighted children suffer the consequences of illiteracy. For the truth is, if you don't have a complete, flexible, and portable system for personal reading and writing that you can rely on throughout your lifetime, then you are illiterate.
One of the projects we embarked upon in our fight for literacy for the next generation of the blind was the National Federation of the Blind "Braille Readers are Leaders" national Braille reading contest for children in grades kindergarten through twelve.
And that is why we are here today: to honor the students at the Maryland School for the Blind who have participated in the 1987-88 fourth annual NFB "Braille Readers are Leaders'' contest.
All of you--those of you who entered the contest, I mean- whether you read 5 pages or 10,000--and yes, we have contestants who have read 10,000 and more pages--are leaders, are winners. You are because you have chosen to throw your lot in with the some 99% of the rest of this country who are literate; you have chosen to be "normal."
Yes, the technique is a little different. You read with your fingers and I read with my eyes. But it is only a minor difference. After all, the Japanese use a different technique, too. They must learn literally thousands of characters, and they read in a column from the top to the bottom of the page and from right to left.
Yes, I am here today to honor you for your participation in this contest, but I am also here to make a pledge to you.
The National Federation of the Blind, the National Association to Promote the Use of Braille, and the NFB Parents of Blind Children Division will do everything in our power to see that you have more Braille available to you now and in your future than has ever been available to the blind before.
We pledge to work to create a positive atmosphere and acceptance of Braille as a normal, legitimate method of reading and writing.
We pledge to create more opportunities for independence and employability of the blind so that you can fully utilize the Braille skills you are learning.
We pledge this to you.
Your job is to prepare yourselves to take advantage of these opportunities. Keep reading and improving your Braille skills. But even more importantly, believe in yourselves. It is "normal" to read Braille. It is respectable to be blind.
Let me leave you with a quote from a book I recently -read. The main-character is a blind boy. At the very end of the book this is what he says:
"I'm not embarrassed about being blind. It’s just different. Everyone is different in some way, and that means we're all the same, too. Get it?"
DIVISION ELECTIONS
During the State Convention, the Parents of Blind Children Division, the Students Division and the Vendors Division met and held elections. The officers are as follows:
Parents of Blind Children Division: President, Barbara Cheadle; Vice President, Blanch Payne; Secretary, Linda Davis; Treasurer, John Cheadle; Board Members, Gwen Colbert and Michael Harris.
Students Division: President, Patricia Mayweather; Vice President, Stephanie Brown; Secretary, Robin Houck; Treasurer, Tina Cummings; Board Members, Patrick Gormley and Linda Davis.
Vendors Division: President, Joe Byard; Vice President, Raymond Lowder; Secretary, Pete Reppert; Treasurer, Al Carter; Board Members--George Fear, Nelson Garber, and Clara Leatherbury.
SPECKS
Congratulations to Kathy and Michael Harris who adopted a baby girl Martha Christine, 5 1/2 months old, arrived June 17, from Paraguay. All of the Harris's are doing well.
We are sorry to report the death of Paul Cromwell, Friday, September 16. Paul was a diligent worker in the Federation who always did whatever was needed without hesitation. We will miss Paul's good humor and wonderful enthusiasm. May he rest in peace.
On Wednesday, September 28, Frederick Dewberry, President, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, tendered his resignation to the Board of Trustees, effective December 31.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 1988 CONVENTION
RESOLUTION 88-01
WHEREAS, Delegate Virginia Thomas, Delegate Casper Taylor, Delegate Elijah Cummings, Senator George Della, and Senator Vernon Boozer have given invaluable service to the blind of Maryland in the 1988 legislative session, and also in several preceding sessions by sponsoring and pushing legislation designed to afford us increased access to opportunity; and
WHEREAS, we, the blind, can help ourselves greatly with a little assistance from the General Assembly: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assemble,d this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization commend Delegates Thomas, Cummings, and Taylor, and Senators Della and Boozer for their consistent, tireless, and effective efforts, working with the Federation as we strive to attain security, equality, and opportunity for all blind citizens of Maryland.
RESOLUTION 88-02
WHEREAS, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is charged with providing quality employment to blind citizens of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, upward mobility is a vital component of quality employment; and
WHEREAS, the management of BISM acknowledges this, yet it
has been slow to act in accordance with that acknowledgment:
Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization call upon the management of BISM to take the following steps to promote upward mobility among blind employees:
(1) List all vacancies in Braille and in print on all bulletin boards as soon as they occur.
(2) Encourage blind persons working in the direct labor population to apply for vacancies in the clerical, maintenance, and supervisory staffs, giving careful consideration to all who do so.
(3) Provide training to able and ambitious bl-ind persons working in direct labor that will enable them to develop skills and knowledge essential to the performance of supervisory functions.
(4) Provide encouragement and financial assistance to employees wishing to take courses designed to enhance on-the-job performance.
(5) Include the direct labor population in discussions of long term goals and objectives and product development; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will act as a resource for the management of BISM by providing information concerning the techniques used by successful blind persons while performing various functions associated with clerical, maintenance, supervisory, and xecutive positions.
RESOLUTION 88-03
WHEREAS, a positive image of blindness in newspapers, on radio, in magazines, on television, and in all other media is critical in our efforts to educate the public and improve the status of the blind; and
WHEREAS, inaccurate and demeaning portrayals of the blind,
whether done from malice or from ignorance, slow our progress toward equal treatment; and
WHEREAS, the Business Section of the Tuesday, September 6, 1988 issue of THE BALTIMORE SUN prominently featured an article entitled "Maryland Construction Firms Learning to Build in Safety-Education Plans," which began by quoting a safety director from a large construction company waving a Braille PLAYBOY magazine, saying, "This is what you have to look forward to if you don't wear your safety goggles," and goes on to sum up his false beliefs about blindness by saying, "There's no fun in reading PLAYBOY in Braille," thereby implying that the blind are denied the fullness of life's experiences; and
WHEREAS, such shoddy behavior reinforces fear of blindness at a time when the blind are striving for full participation in the life of the community on an equal basis; and
WHEREAS, the offhanded and unconscious manner in which THE BALTIMORE SUN printed these insulting remarks, increases the harm they do to the blind since the attitude they contain is accepted at face value without being recognized, let alone questioned; Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization calls upon THE BALTIMORE SUN to work with us to eliminate false stereotypes about blindness and to educate the public affirmatively and help bring about the end of discrimination against the blind based on fear and ignorance.
RESOLUTION 88-04
WHEREAS, During the annual sessions of the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Public Television ( MPT) produces a weekly program, "State Circle," reporting and commenting on the week's activities of the Maryland General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, Although "State Circle" presents a broad spectrum of issues confronting the General Assembly, "State Circle" has presented none of the many issues raised by the organized blind of Maryland, despite repeated invitations by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, At the end of each annual session, "State Circle" always devotes a segment to the Easter Egg Hunt at the Governor's Mansion for the children at the Maryland School for the Blind- this segment has no relationship to the General Assembly, this segment is totally out of character for the content of "State Circle" programming, and this segment is furthermore a waste of valuable public television broadcasting time; and
WHEREAS, this type of news coverage plays on the public's sympathy and pity for the blind, and reinforces the stereotype of
the poor helpless blind, instead of promoting the capabilities of blind persons: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization requests "State Circle" to stop devoting its valuable broadcasting time to the Easter Egg Hunt for the Maryland School for the Blind, and use that time to report on legislative issues concerning the blind.
RESOLUTION 88-05
WHEREAS, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) is responsible under the law to provide training services to blind adults in Maryland; and
WHEREAS, upon becoming president of BISM in 1986, Frederick Dewberry made it his first order of business to close BISM's Training Division by pursuing a plan
(1) To eliminate a staff position that had been devoted to job development and placement for the blind, saying that this action would save $30,000; and
(2) To block student referrals for training in order eventually to dismiss or reassign the Training Division staff
WHEREAS, for several months after his arrival at BISM, Mr. Dewberry refused to become involved with the Training Division until he closed the Division and dismissed its director and last student, both of whom were active members of the National Federation of the Blind; and
WHEREAS, to cover up his ill-advised action in closing the Training Division, Mr. Dewberry charged that the program was mismanaged; and
WHEREAS, evidence now shows that Mr. Dewberry's real reasons for closing the Training Division were hostility toward the National Federation of the Blind and its involvement in BISM's programs and Mr. Dewberry's false notions of economy in thinking that money can be saved by denying training services to the blind and firing or reassigning staff; and
WHEREAS, MR. Dewberry has failed to provide a public accounting of BISM's use of training funds that were available when he closed the program; Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization condemns and deplores the closing of BISM's Training Division and the subsequent use of a training review panel to mask the real reasons for eliminating the training program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we formally invite the Board of Trustees of BISM to work with representatives of this Federation in a joint effort to re-establish a constructive and genuinely meaningful training program for the blind of Maryland.
RESOLUTION 88-06
WHEREAS, both an acceptable building and an adequate budget are necessary if the blind of Maryland are to have the quality library services sighted Marylanders take for granted; and
WHEREAS, though heartening progress is being made toward the acquisition of a new building to house the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Handicapped, no plans for increasing staff positions to even a minimally acceptable number have been announced; and
WHEREAS, without sufficient staff and an adequate budget for collection development, the promise of improved and expanded services which the new building represents will be a broken promise; Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization call upon the Governor, the General Assembly, and responsible officials within the Maryland State Department of Education to increase funding for the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Handicapped, and to add staff positions to include (at a minimum) four additional professional librarians, a children's librarian, a full-time volunteer coordinator with a budget to train and equip a sufficient number of volunteers to produce Braille and taped books for borrowers as needed (with a particular emphasis on textbooks, job-related materials, and books on Maryland topics); and sufficient clerical and backup support to ensure that services are provided in a timely fashion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon the Department of Education to upgrade the position of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Handicapped within state bureaucracy in accordance with its important role of providing services to blind Marylanders.
RESOLUTION 88-07
WHEREAS, The Maryland State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) receives tax dollars to assist blind persons by providing educational and training opportunities that should enhance our employment and tax-paying capabilities; and
WHEREAS, clients who receive transportation, maintenance, tuition, and other allotments from DVR have no other income to fall back on when these payments are late; and
WHEREAS, these payments are frequently late, due to such bureaucratic excuses as: "the Maryland State Department of Education must send all of its monthly bills to the state treasury at the same time--if one vendor.is late with its bills, all of the bills are submitted and paid late,"; and
WHEREAS, when a blind college student discussed the problem of late checks in an interview on November 16, 1987, with Mr. George Raiden, Director of Accounting, Maryland State Department of Education, she was treated in a condescending and disrespectful manner with such answers as: "Sweetie, we really can't be expected to hold some little student's hand at the University of Maryla_nd up there taking little classes in accounting": Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization demands_ a written apology from Mr. Haiden for his prejudicial remarks against blind persons and women; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urges the Maryland State Department of Education institute accounting changes to insure that checks are delivered to DVR clients in a timely manner.
RESOLUTION 88-08
WHEREAS, the State of Maryland has several academic institutions which offer special education courses; and
WHEREAS, students enrolled in these programs receive instruction in specific aspects of a varied range of disabilities; and
WHEREAS, materials are distributed concerning the blind and visually handicapped; and
WHEREAS, HUMAN EXCEPTIONAL ITY by Michael L. Hardman, C,lifford J. Drew, and M. Winston Egan, published by Allyn and Eacon, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1987, devotes an entire chapter
to visual disorders; and
WHEREAS, these authors allege that Braille readers are two to three times slower than print readers, averaging 90 words per minute in the upper elementary grades; Writing with a slate and stylus is tedious and slow; Braille material is extremely bulky with each character one-quarter inch causing a Braille book to be four times larger and costing ten times more than a print book; and the tactile nature of Braille makes it impossible for diabetics and older persons to learn it; and
WHEREAS, the optacon is promoted as the most popular tactile device not using the Braille system; and
WHEREAS, the facts are that competent blind persons have achieved rapid Braille reading speeds equal to their sighted peers; and
WHEREAS, technology has increased the availability of Braille and lowered the cost of Braille materials; and
WHEREAS, equipment now exists for blind persons which is far more versatile than the optacon; and
WHEREAS, competent and positive blind role models continue to prove that blindness is not the inferior, gloom-and-doom complex portrayed in HUMAN EXCEPTIONALITY; Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Convention assembled this 11th day of September, 1988, in the City of Towson, Maryland, that this organization condemns and deplores the archaic and negative attitudes about blindness expressed in HUMAN EXCEPTIONALITY; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization brings to the attention of special education department chairpersons the inaccuracies in such literature, urging that the facts about blindness be provided; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization work with major publishers to stop the distribution of these destructive materials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization place educational and informational materials in the campus libraries used by special education students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge special education departments to work with the National Federation of the Blind when dealing with matters of blindness and visual handicaps.