Althea Pittm3.n, Editor
327 Yale Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21229
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID BALTIMORE, MD. PERMIT NO.7532
THE BRAILLE SPECTATOR
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MARYLAND, INC.
Althea Pittman, Editor The Braille Spectator
327 Yale Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21229
Organizational Officers
Marc Maurer, President
327 Yale Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21229
Telephone 301 644-4445
Althea Pittman, Vice President 911 Leadenhall Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Judy Rasmussen, Secretary 11909 Coronada Pl.
Kensington, Maryland 20895
Al Maneki, Treasurer 9736 Basket Ring Road Columbia, Maryland 21045
WE ARE THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES
The BRAILLE SPECTATOR ispublished quarterly as anewsletter to members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland and others who share an interest in the work of this organization. The recorded edition, available on cassette, can be obtained from the editor upon request.
Changes of address and additions to the circulation list should be sent to the editor. Address all news items, articles and letters to the editor.
CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT
The 1985 convention ofthe National Federation ofthe Blind of Maryland will take place November 1 through 3 at the Carousel Hotel in Ocean City. One of Maryland's truly luxury hotels, the Carousel features fine restaurants, whirlpool, sauna, swimming pool, and an indoor ice-skating rink. The Carousel is on the famous Ocean City beachfront. Again, this year, our hotel rates are phenomenally low at $29.00 for singles and $32.00 for doubles and twins. Enclosed in this issue of the Spectator is a convention Registration Form. This year, there will be a deposit required when the reservation is made. This deposit is the cost of one night's lodging.
Convention activities begin on Friday, November 1. Convention sessions will take place on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Our annual banquet will be held on Saturday night.
The vendors chapter will hold aseminar forblind vendors on Friday afternoon. Should there be amodification inthe rules for the vending program? If so, what changes should be made? Or, should there be any change in the operator's agreement? If so, what should they be?
Also on Friday afternoon, there will be a seminar for new members in the movement. We will cover the scope and nature of activities in which we are engaged. Throughout the convention, we will determine the policies to be followed in the future. We will plan the course of action and the direction we will be taking. Is it of concern to the blind? Then, you will find it at our 1985 convention. Corne! Make it happen! Help shape the future for our movement!
SUCCESS, PROGRESS, AND THE BLIND CHILD: A SEMINAR FOR PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN
ByBarbara Cheadle
It has been said that "the child is father of the man." How often have blind Federationists said, "oh, I wish my parents had known more about blindness when I was young. Maybe things could have been different for me!" We cannot change the past, of course, but we can help create better opportunities for blind children and their parents today. One of the ways the NFB of Maryland is helping is by providing accurate information about blindness and the education of blind children through our literature, films and through seminars for blind children for parents. Last year, the NFBM conducted its first seminar for parents of blind children. Everyone was pleased with its success and excited about the potential for bigger and better seminars in the years to come.
On Saturday, October 12, 1985, the NFB of Maryland will
conduct our second seminar for parents and educators of blind children. The seminar will be held at our national headquarters at the National Center for the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street in south Baltimore. A full and exciting agenda from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. has been planned. The opening presentation will be titled, "Is my child blind?" A panel of successful blind adults will talk about their experiences in growing up as blind children. Other agenda items will focus on the education of blind children in Maryland--What are the laws? What programs are available? What should a parent expect from their school? How can a parent be sure their child is getting what they need? What is an IEP? What are a parent’s rights? Knowledgeable speakers will also talk about the skills of blindness; laying the foundation of independence; communication techniques; and independent travel. The video film, "Kids With Canes", will highlight the section on independent travel. The film demonstrates how blind children as young as five years of age are successfully learning to travel independently with a white cane.
Tours of the National Center for the Blind, as well as exhibits of literature and aids and appliances are all part of this busy and productive day.
A registration fee of $5.00 includes the cost of the lunch which will be served at the Center.
We invite all parents of blind children in Maryland to
attend this most informative and productive seminar. This will be a unique chance to meet and talk with the real experts in blindness--the blind themselves. You will also have the chance to meet other parents who have experienced the same problems, frustrations and joys you are experiencing. We urge Federationists to attend and help support the seminar by getting the word out to parents in your area. This is just one more way we can help "change what it means to be blind." For more information about the seminar call Pat Maurer at 233-4567 or 644-0179; or Barbara Cheadle at 659-9314 or 644-4149.
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS
By Mary Ellen Reihing
Scripture tells us that it is easy to know someone's priorities by observing how that person uses resources--where your treasurer is, there wi11 your heart be also. Do we spend our time helping one another, or are we primarily concerned with ourselves? Does any of our money go toward making life better for all of us?
The Associates program is amethod ofraising money for the
Federation by asking interested friends, relatives, business acquaintances, and strangers to join the movement and contribute
$10.00 or more to it. It does not cost the Federationist any money at all to sign up an associate. It requires a commitment of a few minutes of time and the willingness to give others the opportunity to be generous. How many of our relatives and friends have we been quietly willing to take the time to ask? Many of us would be glad to contribute to a cause that a friend believed was important. We would regard it as an honor to do so and would be a little offended if we were not asked. Yet, laziness and a twisted sense of pride often keep us from drawing upon the support which is here all around us.
Each year we have a contest to encourage people todo theirpart inrecruiting associates. Twenty-five Marylanders recruited one ormore associates between June 1, 1984, and May 31,1985. It is safe to saythat those twenty-five letnumerous opportunities pass them by.If that is true of thetwenty-five recruits, it is even more true of the rest of us. We are now beyond the third month of this year's contest. Each of us knows where we stand.
The Associates program calls upon us to commit time to the movement. The PAC program asks us all to put our money where our mouths are. Anyone with a checking account may become part of the PAC Plan. It is a simple matter of filling out a card and signing it. We need a voided check, the amount to be contributed each month, and the date on which the contribution is to be made. Each month a check for a specified amount will be drawn up on the specified day. The PAC Plan is predictable, efficient, and painless. If a change needs to be made for any reason a note to the National office is all that is required.
Maryland has been the leader in PAC, but other states are moving up rapidly. We have fewer than a hundred on the PAC Plan. The total given each month has dipped below $2,000.00. Each of us must examine our budgets and priorities. As has been written, where our treasure is our hearts will be also.
THE SHOE SHINE, BLINDNESS, AND THE NFB
By Marc Maurer
The other morning, I stopped at a shoeshine stand for a polish. While I sat, the shoeshine man and I discussed old music. We both agreed that is was much better than the more modern product. Then, we talked about politics--always a good topic in Maryland. During our conversation, the shoeshine man was shining and polishing away. A normal shoeshine was about to come to a close. Except, it wasn't.
When I stepped from the chair, the man told me that there would be no charge. He said that he was blind in one eye himself and that he had wondered if he would become totally blind. He said it was the policy of the house not to charge the blind.
My choices were simple. I could try to pay the man thus, preventing him from giving me charity. Icould argue the matter. I could explain that blindness is notthe tragedy he believes it to be. Probably, the result would be to make him angry. Or, I could accept the charity. I could understand that he felt sorry for me. I could recognize that we make progress each day, but the real problem of blindness is the misunderstanding in the public mind--the misunderstanding of the shoeshine man.
I must find a way to change his mind. I cannot go each week and get a shine from him. I cannot demand that he give me charity. Therefore, I am prevented from getting my shine at his stand. I have less opportunity than the sighted. My options are limited. This is all because of charity and kindness.
I hope and believe that we,through ourefforts inthe NFB, will win the battle of understanding. I am sure that we will find a way for people to realize that blindness does not require free shoeshines, and that equality requires the individual to pay for service given. I am sure that one day charity will not be used to limit the opportunities of the blind. That is why we have the National Federation of the Blind. We must be sensitive to the need of others to help us. We need and want the help of our sighted neighbors. However, we must also be sensitive to the need we have to help others. Full equality requires the blind to help their sighted neighbors. Furthermore, we must be sensitive to the need not be limited by the wish of our sighted neighbors to custodialize or dominate us--even in the name of charity.
WHAT MAKES A Successful LEGISLATIVE SEASON FOR THE ORGANIZED BLIND MOVEMENT
BySharon Maneki
Do wemeasure success by ourability toconvince legislators to pass the bills we suggest? Do we measure success by our ability to convince legislators to kill harmful bills? Do we measure it by our ability to educate legislators so that they believe in the capabilities of blind people and look to us as a source of information and advice? Success should be measured by all of these factors. Let us look at the 1985 legislative session and the NFB of Maryland to see our success.
Legislators followed our suggestion by passing the Reading Assistance for the Blind bill. This bill allows blind Marylanders to deduct up to $5,000.00 from state income tax to pay a reader or purchase a reading device. Thanks to the efforts of lead sponsors, Delegate Virginia Thomas and Senator Dennis Rasmussen, blind people will be able to take advantage of the opportunities created by new technologies.
Legislators followed our suggestion by killing the proposal to set up a medical advisory board to tell the Maryland Department of Personnel which jobs handicapped people can perform. This bill was supposed to create more job opportunities. We showed legislators that you cannot solve a problem by adding more bureaucracy.
Educating legislators as well as thepublic isa continuous necessity. Our Annapolis information reception was a very successful educational effort. Many legislators, and other state officials such as Comptroller Louis Goldstein, attended our reception. Legislators not only saw blind people operate power
tools and make doughnut holes but also discuss issues, renew old acquaintances and make new friends.
The legislative season is over in Annapolis, but it is not over for the organized blind in Maryland. We must visit the legislators in our districts. We must invite them to local chapter meetings. We must develop stronger bonds of cooperation to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for the blind.
If wedo thework, our1986legislative season will beeven more productive than the onein 1985.
WALK-A-THON ACROSS THE STATE
By Patricia Maurer
The Walk-a-thon is not only lots of fun for lots of people but also, it’s a great way to raise money. Perhaps chapters would like to walk to raise money or would like to come to Baltimore to participate in this year's event.
September 29th is Walk-a-thon day in Baltimore. We will begin to walk at the Inner Harbor stopping at several check points including Fort McHenry and our own National Center. The walk is approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles). Workers will be needed that day at the Harbor and at other check points. Walkers, of course, are also needed. The more walkers and workers, the more successful the event will be.
A lot goes into making such an event as this runs smoothly. Permits must be gathered. In Baltimore, a parade permit is required for this event. We must meet with the police, work out the route, file the form and wait for approval from the city. For this event, we also need permission from the Baltimore City Parks and Recreation Department to use space at the Inner Harbor and permission from Fort McHenry to walk in the Fort. The earlier this work is done, the easier it will be to achieve success on the day of the walk.
Media coverage before the event is essential. Brooks Robinson, with the Baltimore Orioles, has taped television public service announcements for us. Also, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, our national President, has taped public service announcements. We will work to get these public service announcements aired on all stations, and to make sure that radio stations have copies of them. Plans are being made to write short stories and news releases for the newspapers.
Speaking engagements to discuss the event at civic clubs, churches, and schools are another way to bring the event to the attention of the public. We all belong to such clubs and attend churches. Let’s work to bring the event to everyone's attention. Brochures should be distributed to restaurants, stores, and other businesses. Stop by to ask the local barber, cleaner, druggist or grocer if brochures or posters can be displayed prominently. Some might say no, but most will say yes.
One thing that has worked well for us is a mailing which we have done to publicize the event. This mailing has gone to the Greater Baltimore Committee. The committee is made up of 800 businesses in the Baltimore area. We write to ask them to contribute money, to form walking teams, to give prizes, and to display brochures and posters. After the mailing goes out, each business is called and reminded of our letter. This mailing has helped us raise money and bring in walkers. Most importantly, it has brought attention to the National Federation of the Blind.
We are planning some activities for the day of the event. Soda, cookies, and crackers wi11 be among the goodies given to walkers. We will draw for prizes. No doubt, Brooks Robinson will be on hand to send walkers on their way in the proper style. Other city officials will also be there. It goes without saying that we will work to get the press there. Coverage for this event means coverage for the National Federation of the Blind.
What a great way to tell our story to the public! What a fine way to raise money! Try it, you'll like it!
OBSERVATIONS OF A FIRST TIME DELEGATE:THE 1985 CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
ByVirginia Glynn
(Editor's note: Virginia Glynn attended her first convention of the National Federation of the Blind this year in Louisville, Kentucky. Virginia is the immediate past president of our Eastern Shore Chapter. She is, as Federationists know, one of the leaders of our Maryland Affiliate.)
The first full official session of our 1985 national convention occurred on Tuesday, July 2. However, the opening sessions of the convention were preceded by a wide variety of seminars, discussions, and workshops. Among the offerings were a workshop providing instruction in cane mobility, a meeting of dog guide users to discuss medical and common dog handling problems, a meeting of parents to discuss child rearing techniques (children met in the child care area to discuss parent handling strategies), a meeting of Human Service Workers to discuss employment problems, and there was a meeting of the Resolution Committee to prepare resolutions for the 1985 NFB Convention.
Our first official meeting began with a roll call of the states and welcoming of the delegates by Dr Jernigan. Then, the Randolph-Sheppard Act was discussed with a representative of the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense, the Postal Service, and our Director of Governmental Affairs, Mr. Gashel. The government officials said that they are supporting blind vendors in the Randolph-Sheppard Act, while allowing McDonalds and Burger King to operate food services that blind vendors should have. Mr. Gashel countered with the argument that blind vendors had first priority to food service sites and that it was not proper for McDonalds and Burger King to be given these facilities.
On Wednesday, July 3rd, Mr. Gashel, a national insurance commissioner, and a representative of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, discussed the issue of discrimination in the insurance industry, All of them supported the Model Insurance Law. The insurance commissioner and the insurance company representative felt that state legislation was sufficient to insure against discrimination. The NFB felt very strongly that national law is needed to ensure standardization of state laws, and to provide wider enforcement measures for the Model Insurance Law. Discussion on the Convention floor became highly spirited when a member of the Federal Aviation Administration, a representative of American Airlines, and Mr. Gashel, and our State President, Marc Maurer met to debate airline discrimination against the blind. The airline industry representatives felt that there was no discrimination against blind passengers, i.e., passenger safety required that blind passengers not be seated in emergency exit rows and safety required that blind persons receive special handling whether desired or not. The convention delegates and Mr. Gashel held the alternate view that the airlines regarded blind passengers as much more dependent and helpless than was actually the case. It was observed that many of the airlines were trying to show a more enlightened attitude toward blind passengers. However, there was still long way togo ineliminating thecustodial attitude prevail.
In theafternoon, delegates disbursed formany tours of Louisville area. Included were tours of Mammoth Caves, a tour on a river steamboat with steam calliope, and a tour of DC American Printing House forthe Blind.
On Thursday, July 4th, a committee of Braille publishers users met with Library ofCongress representatives to discuss the need for increased use of Braille in educational and leisure reading. All groups felt that more Braille production of books by theLibrary ofCongress should be advocated, teachers should beencouraged toteach Braille as analternative tolow-vision aids, and students should beencouraged touse Braille as ameans of communication. The morning ended with a talk by Mr. Mann, President of the National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom. Mr. Mann extended greetings to the NFB on our independence day and wished us well. He told us about many of the problems faced bythe British blind, including reduction in services to newly blinded persons, overt and covert discrimination ofpeople with poor conceptions about blindness, and the need for the organized blind in Great Britian as well as the United States to change the perceptions and attitudes commonly held about blindness. He presented Dr. Jernigan with a gift from the NFB of the United Kingdom to themembers ofthe NFB of the United States.
In the afternoon, speakers from the Social Security Administration talked about disability payments and the Work Incentive Program. The automatic referral of clients to Vocational Rehabilitation Services wasdiscussed. Also discussed were the potential for abuse and theprovision that the Vocational Rehabilitation Department could recommend the termination of SSDI payments if they felt that a client was not cooperating. A closer relationship between the Social Security Department and the NFBwas suggested in order that efforts such asthe February 1985 article, discussing work incentives (Braille Monitor), the JOB Program, and other constructive activities sponsored bythe NFB should be encouraged.
A discussion of Social Security issues was followed by a talk on litigation for the blind. The speaker stated that the NFB and its blind vendors need to formulate a national strategy. He said there is a strong need for the NFB to monitor litigation in order that action may be taken to avoid the possibility of bad precedents being set or establish and reinforce good precedents for the record. Mr. Omvig spoke about his work with the Alaska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. He spoke about the improvement in services and facilities that had been obtained since his appointment. He also showed that the NFB and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation could have good rapport and partnership in meeting the needs of blind persons.
The final talk ofthe afternoon was presented by Mary Main, who wrote WOMAN WITH THE WHIP--the story of Eva Perrone. She spoke about coming to terms with blindness and the support and friends she had found through the NFB. Her witty remarks offered encouragement and support to all people who face the possibility of diminishing vision. She urged the blind to seek the support of Federationists in viewing visual impairment as an ordinary facet of living,not as a disabling tragedy.
Friday, July 5th, began with each state submitting its donations to the White Cane and tenBroek funds. This was followed by reporting and voting on resolutions. All resolutions are fully covered in the Braille Monitor.
The highlight of the convention was the banquet held on Thursday, July 4, 1985, It was the largest banquet in the history of the National Federation of the Blind. Marc Maurer, President of the Maryland Affiliate, was the Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Jernigan spoke about the public's attitude about blindness, the air1ines' tendency toward custodial behavior and the NFB's need to educate the public while striving for the full potential of each member in an enlightened society. Peggy Pinder, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, made introductory remarks and presented awards to the scholarship winners. Arthur Segal of Maryland won a one-thousand-dollar door prize at the banquet.
Overall, the convention was a huge success. It was exciting and busy. Much was accomplished, and much was learned by each participant. The Kentucky affiliate deserves commendation for the hard work that went into preparing for this smoothly running convention. This was a convent1 on that was pleasurable and enlightening. All of us who participated look forward to the 1986 Convention being held in Kansas City, Missouri.
ORGANIZING IN OUR STATE
By Judy Rasmussen
For those of you who have never participated in organizing, it is a great experience!To see blind people getting together and realizing that they all have the same problems with society's attitude to blindness makes all the work worthwhile. When we contacted Carol Sheppardson, President of our new Frederick Chapter, she said, "I didn't know that there were other blind people in Frederick." As an aside, organizing is also a great way to get to know fellow Federationists.
In late March, we organized a chapter in Frederick. Most of
the people we talked to had never heard of the Federation. We visited the radio stations, typed press releases and saw as many blind people in their homes as we could.
Mary Ellen Reihing and Althea Pittman talked about the National Federation of the Blind on WFMD Radio after the noon news. As a result of their talk, we were able to find a blind person that we had not heard of.
The President of the Frederick County Chapter is Carol Sheppardson. The Vice President is Trudy Smith, and the Secretary Treasurer is Louise Guyton.
The Chapter has already held a bake sale. Several members
are planning to attend the State Convention in Ocean City.
The Chapter meets the 4th Saturday of each month at the Frederick Avenue Presbyterian Church, 115 West Second Street in Frederick.I am as excited about this new chapter as each of its 66 members. We also went to organize a chapter in Annapolis. We visited a 14-year-old blind child in his first year of public school. Annapolis.
We talked with many older blind people, with blind vendors, and with blind persons who were members ofour chapter years ago.
The Annapolis Chapter meets on the3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are held in the Annapolis Library. Rosie Walker was elected President. Neil Kramer is the Vice President, and Charles Wenn is the Secretary/Treasurer. The Chapter is planning a "Know Your Rights" program for the September chapter meeting.
Rosie Walker attended her first National Convention in Louisville. I am sure that many of the chapter members will attend our state convention in Ocean City. We can expect great things to come from the work of this chapter.
Plans are now being made to do some work on the Eastern Shore before our State Convention. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work on this organizing effort.
ON THE ROAD TO EMPLOYMENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND
More than forty enthusiastic blind persons gathered at the Montgomery County Library in Bethesda, Maryland on June 3, 4, and
5 for a new and exciting kind of seminar. Job Opportunities for the Blind, the Montgomery county Library System, and Blind
Industries andServices ofMaryland jointly sponsored athree-day workshop forblind people seeking employment.
After opening remarks from officials at the Montgomery County Library, Bill Pritchard, Job Development Specialist at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, introduced a panel of employed blind people. Bob Santo, a member of our new Ann Arundel County chapter, talked about his career as an automatic transmission repair mechanic. Sandy Seifritz told about her experience as an employee of Maryland Job Service. Peg Halverson, a member of the Job Opportunities for the Blind Volunteer Field Service Network from the District of Columbia, talked about her work history as a secretary and as a personnel interviewer. All three panelists discussed the importance of attitudes, and Peg talked about how the Federation had been instrumental in helping her turn a dead-end job into a promising career.
Mary Ellen Reihing, Assistant Director ofJob Opportunities
for the Blind Program, shared a wealth of resources with applicants. She talked about how to do the research which is necessary for successful job hunting and the pitfalls of standard job descriptions and aptitude tests. Since most of the people who develop the tests and write the job descriptions have the common misconceptions about blindness, it is important for the blind job seeker to have correct and current information.
Bill Pritchard spent the second day of the seminar talking with applicants about resume writing. Participants who had not already done so wrote resumes. The group critiqued complete resumes and made suggestions for revisions. On the third day of the seminar, applicants heard from a number of employers. The federal employers who were present talked about equal opportunity procedures. One example of the positive comments was a statement from a representative of Suburban Bank. She said that she did not have any back ground concerning blindness, but she came to learn.
Everyone learned a great deal from the frank exchange of ideas and information during the seminar. The Job Opportunities for the Blind Program is valuable because it gives blind people accurate information about job hunting. But it does much more than that. It gives blind people the opportunity to meet and talk with others who have dealt with the same problems and have found solutions. Because it is operated by the National Federation of the Blind, Job Opportunities for the Blind is a ready-made network for blind people seeking work. The people who attended the seminar in Bethesda said that they gain the most from talking with other blind people. Once again, the National Federation of the Blind and Job Opportunities for the Blind have demonstrated the value of the organized blind movement.
CENTRAL MARYLAND CHAPTER REPORT
By Sharon Maneki
In Central Maryland we to spread the word about Federationists. One of our members, Mia Burta Cherry, contacted Giant Foods, Inc. to see if we could put pamphlets such as What is the NFB in the store's pharmacies. Then we thought, why not cover all of the Giant stores? Mr. Barry Scher, Director of Public Affairs for Giant, will distribute our literature in stores throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Let us know when you see them in your store.
In April, Howard Cable Television aired a half-hour show on our chapter activities.
Several members met with optometry assistant students from Howard Community College to discuss what blindness is and more importantly, what blindness is not.
In May, we visited our national center. This was the first visit for many members. It was a privilege to meet with our national President, Dr. Jernigan. Members from the Sligo Creek Chapter joined us. We enjoyed making many new friends and look forward to participating in more Federation activities.
NOTES FROM THE SLIGO CREEK CHAPTER
ByLloyd Rasmussen
Federationism Montgomery counties. projects.
is alive and well in Prince Georges and We continue to find new members and try new Elections for the coming year will be held in June. The following officers were elected: Lloyd Rasmussen, President, Leslie Johnson, Vice President; Pat Weinbrenner, Secretary; and Pat Sheehan, Treasurer. The Board Members are Al Saile, Clara Sisselman, and Tom Bickford.
On May 4, we raised $189.00 at our bake sale. This sale ��5
held at the Giant Food Store in Rockville.
Members of the Sligo Creek Chapter joined our Central Maryland Chapter in an enjoyable and instructive tour of the National Center for the Blind on May 11.
Now that the new telephone books are being published, we are making many requests for information and advice on our telephone chapter. The number 946-0653,
A large number of copies of the directory assistance exemption forms from C & P Telephone Company were handed out at the recent chapter meeting.
Our members did the best job ever in lining up appointments to see legislators in Annapolis in January.
Two of our members attended the National Convention in Louisville for the first time.
The JOB seminar and other activities of Bill Pritchard from BISM are a welcome addition to the services offered to the blind in the Washington suburban area.
We plan to have even more membership activities in the coming months. We all continue to learn what it means to be a Federationist.
EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER REPORT
By Leroy B. Bagwell
1985 has been a year of growth for members of the Eastern Shore Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. After the election of new officers, the membership quickly got down to the business of raising funds for a depleted treasury. We had a bake sale, a raffle, and Mount Zion A.M.E. Church held its second annual Gospel presentation to benefit the Eastern Shore Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.
The telephone company has made changes in its billing and information services. The chapter members, and BISM employees were informed of this, and steps were taken to safeguard our phone services.
BALTIMORE CHAPTER REPORT
As time for the national convention drew near, excitement rose to a fever pitch within the Baltimore Chapter. New conventioneers were asking more experienced Federationists what to expect from a national convention. They were often told "You'll have to be there to understand and believe it."
In addition to the excitement about the convention, the
chapter finished an extremely successful membership contest. Althea Pittman won her hotel room free at the convention because she recruited eight members. Virginia Ornduff received free bus fare to Louisville by recruiting seven people. All the new members were invited to an extremely successful new member seminar in March. Another such seminar is scheduled for later this fall.
We've had a number of informative guests at recent meetings. A representative from C & P Telephone explained about the policies the company has established to exempt blind people from paying directory assistance charges. It was through the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind that those policies were established. Exemption forms can be had by contacting the National Center at 301 659-9314 or by contacting your local telephone business office.
The insurance discrimination battle is truly going our way. Early this winter we were contacted by an agent of the Prudential Life Insurance Company. She had heard about the problems blind people face in obtaining insurance and she wanted us to know that her company did not discriminate on the basis of blindness. We have certainly come a long way. Blind people are all too familiar with the experience of being told that we cannot be insured at standard rates. It was truly refreshing to hear from an insurance agent who was anxious to have our business.
Fall is approaching fast, and the chapter's thoughts are turning with increasing excitement to our annual Walk-a-than. We have a new route this year which will take us past the National Center for the Blind. To showcase our work in the community, and to raise the awareness of the upcoming walk, we scheduled an open house at the National Center for the Blind, Sunday, August
25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Over sixty people attended and had a chance to see the work we are doing at the National Center for
the Blind. Chapter members were on hand to conduct tours, demonstrate appliances, and make and serve donut holes and other refreshments. We are proud of what we are doing here, and we think the community will be proud of it too.
SPECTATOR SPECS
Telephone Service Options
Blind people may receive directory assistance without charge, provided they have completed a form and returned it to the C & P Telephone Company. No doctor's statement is required. The form must be signed by the person who is listed as the telephone company's customer. In other words, a blind person who is living in the home of a relative must have the relative complete the form, unless, of course, the blind person has his or her own separate telephone listing. Forms can be obtained from the C & P Telephone Company's business offices or from the National Center for the Blind (1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, 301-659-9314.)
In addition, C & P Telephone Company offers all of its customers five options for telephone service. These options range from economy services for people who rarely use the phone to deluxe services for frequent callers. The C & P Telephone Company has prepared a large print brochure describing these options. Call your business office or write Booklet Offer, c/o J & J Mailing, 41 Commerce Avenue, Hollywood, Maryland 20636.
Nut Special!
The Baltimore Chapter sells nuts. As a one-time only special, anyone buying ten pounds of nuts at the Maryland Convention will receive a discount. If you purchase nuts cost over fifty dollars, your discount will be ten percent. If you purchase fifty dollars’ worth of nuts or less (but at least ten pounds worth) you will receive a five percent discount. The message is clear, buy more and save. Happy munching!