The Braille Spectator Spring and summer 1989

 

 

Officers:

Sharon Maneki, President Columbia, Maryland

Althea Carter, First Vice President Baltimore, Maryland

Barry Hond, Second Vice President Baltimore, Maryland

Mary 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

 

For Immediate Release: April 26, 1989 

CONTACT: Mrs. Sharon Maneki, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 9736 Basket Ring Road

Columbia, Maryland 21045

(301) 992-9608

 

Blind Outraged At Agency's Selection of Training Director

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, the state's largest organization of blind people, is outraged at the selection of Glenn Dichiera to direct the training program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM).

"The decision to hire Dichiera is an attempt to curry favor with state rehabilitation bureaucrats at the expense of quality training for blind people," said Sharon Maneki, the Federation's Maryland president. The state rehabilitation agency distributes funds appropriated by the legislature to BISM. "Dichiera, an employee of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, was chosen over candidates with far better qualifications. The BISM Board cares more about DVR approval than about the approval of the blind people who need service."

"The training program at Blind Industries was originally created at the urging of the blind community because the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation program where Dichiera teaches was so woefully inadequate. We were seeking an alternative to DVR. Now the blind of Maryland will have to choose between two identically bad programs. In reality, we will have no program at all."

Blind Industries abruptly closed its training program in September, 1987, without consulting blind community leaders. "It's a case of the sighted deciding what's best for the blind," Maneki said. Only two of the agency's eleven board members are blind people.

"Dichiera works for the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. During the nearly two years since BISM closed its training program, Dichiera could have used his position as a

teacher to help blind people get services. He didn't. If he shows no more initiative and creativity as head of the Blind Industries program, the blind of Maryland will still be without training. In fact, we'll be worse off, because the legislature and the public will be lulled into a false sense of security thinking the needs

of the blind are being met."

 

GOODBYE ALTHEA AND TREVLIN

As you noticed on the cover, the BRAILLE SPECTATOR has a new editor.

The former editor, Althea Pittman Carter, recently moved with her husband Trevlin to Hampton, Virginia. We thank Althea for her many years of work and leadership in the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. We are sure that Althea and Trevlin will be an asset to the movement in Virginia. We wish them much success in their new endeavors.

Al Maneki returns as editor, having served in this capacity from 1977 to 1980. Please send articles and ideas for articles to Al. He is most anxious to hear from you.

 

DIABETICS' MEETING SET FOR JUNE 13

by Donna A. Goodman

Last September, I attended a seminar sponsored by the Diabetic Division of the National Federation of the Blind. This was my first introduction to the NFB and to any organized group of diabetics that had encountered the many complications of diabetes mellitus. After that seminar, I spoke with Karen Mayry, National President of the Diabetic Division and Sharon Maneki, President of the Maryland affiliate of the NFB.

I learned that there is presently no Maryland chapter of the Diabetic Division of NFB. I decided at that time that I would initiate and be involved with the organization of a Diabetic Division in the state of Maryland.

I contacted many diabetic educators, persons at A.D.A., A.A.D.E. and other health personnel around the community. Everyone was in agreement that the development of an organization geared to provide support and information would be a fantastic idea.

We have been spreading the word about the NFB Diabetic Division. On March 21, 1989 I spoke to a group of diabetic educators at the monthly meeting of the A.A.D.E. Sharon Maneki also spoke to the group, informing them about NFB and the Diabetic Division. Copies of the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC will be distributed at the annual meeting of the A.D.A., and additional copies are being sent to area hospitals.

Sharon and I have been working hard in conjunction with A.A.D.E. and A.D.A. We are planning a seminar on June 13, 1989 at the Holiday Inn Ball Room on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, MD. Our goal is to initiate a Diabetic Division of NFB in the state of Maryland. Please come and meet with all of us and let us know how we can benefit all our diabetic members.

 

 

NFB HELPS TO RESTORE FUNDS FOR NEW LIBRARY BUILDING

Thanks to the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, the Maryland General Assembly approved $1.4 million for preliminary work on the new building for the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The final appropriation was settled in a House-Senate Conference Committee, after the House approved only $300,000 and the Senate Approved $1.4 million. After learning of the higher amount appropriated by the Senate, we actively wrote, called and visited our legislators to let them know how detrimental

cuts in Library construction funding would be to blind persons. Mary Ellen Gabias's letter to Senator Kelly is an excellent example of the many letters which were written.

March 15, 1989

Dear Senator Kelly:

I am writing concerning the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Library is currently housed in a dilapidated building. The Governor, The State Department of Planning, the State Department of Administrative Services, the State Department of Education, and a number of members of the Maryland General Assembly, agree with the blind that a new building is desperately needed.

The Governor proposed $2.2 million in the operating budget for planning and beginning of construction for the new building. The House reduced this appropriation to $300,000. The Senate reduced it to $1,410,000. Though neither version will make it possible to move as quickly with construction as would be desirable, the Senate version is preferrable by far. Adoption of the House version would delay construction another year. The lease in the current run-down facility would have to be renewed. The landlord would be able to name his price. The blind would have another year of services run from a building which is too small for the program. Books would be lost to the blind citizens of Maryland forever because there is no room to store them in the current building. In other words, the lower House appropriation would ultimately cost the state of Maryland much more money than the higher Senate one.

 

Please adopt the Senate version of the budget for construction of a new Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Very Truly Yours,

(Mrs.) Mary Ellen Gabias, President Greater Baltimore Chapter

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

 

NFB TESTIFIES FOR ADMINISTRATION BILL ON PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

HB 366, granting pedestrians the right-of-way in areas immediately adjacent to cross-walks, was defeated by the House Judiciary Committee, despite the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on the White Cane Law. This issue is of concern to blind persons, since the central issue for blind pedestrians involved in traffic accidents is their location in the cross-walk at the point of the accident. We will continue this battle in the General Assembly next year, with or without Administration support. Ron Metenyi testified before the House Judiciary Committee hearing HB 366 on March 7 as follows:

 

TESTIMONY OF RON METENYI

This is a classic case where what blesses one blesses all. And there isn't even a fiscal note. Pedestrians are Maryland's most numerous and valuable endangered species, because we seldom get the benefit of any doubt. This modest redefinition of right-of-way will free blind people traveling independently from what amounts to an automatic assumption of culpability in any pedestrian accident while affording all pedestrians fairer consideration. Now, the motorist is not always right; also, the pedestrian is not always right, but cases should be decided in accordance with particular facts, not in accordance with assumptions.

 

I am a person who suffered a pedestrian accident.  In June of 1982, I was struck by a car while crossing Frederick Avenue. I sustained a broken arm and various assorted minor damages. Although everyone seems to believe that I had the right-of-way and was proceeding with due caution, and although I obtained the services of an attorney, I eventually received a settlement in the amount of 00 dollars, and 00 cents. Being right doesn't ease physical or fiscal pain.

This bill is logical, just, and right. Since it can sell itself, I will not talk it to death. Just once, however, I'm going to talk in public about one of my two pet peeves. My peeve is: people who hog the cross-walk with their cars--and they do! They pull into an intersection in such a way that if you walk in front of the car you're virtually in the stream of traffic in the cross street, while if you go behind the car, you will likely step out of the painted lines. You can wait out the light when faced with this situation, but there's always the chance the same thing will happen on the next cycle if it's a busy intersection. There is no way to stop this practice; I'm sure it isn't premeditated (just seems to be), but if blind pedestrians have right-of-way in areas immediately adjacent to the cross-walks, this situation will be addressed, and the right of We, the Blind, to travel safely will be clarified.

 

DON'T BE OUT WHEN OPPORTUNITY CALLS

by George Fear

Thanks to the efforts of the Maryland Committee of Blind Vendors, especially Joe Byard and George Fear, Maryland's blind vendors have the opportunity for upward mobility training, for the first time since the inception of the vending program. Essex Community College now offers special classes for vendors so that they can improve their business skills, which will lead to greater incomes. Classes are offered on Saturdays or in the evenings. Courses cover all aspects of running a small business. Vendors have already completed courses on sanitation, maintenance of equipment, nutrition for chefs, and retail merchandising and supervision.

The Merchants Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland also offers seminars on subjects of interest to people who operate their own businesses. Some of the seminars that have been offered include: Tips on Protecting your Business from Theft, Tax Advice, and What Does the Maryland Retail Merchants Association Offer to Small Businesses. These seminars are held on the first Saturday of each month.

 

If the vendors waited for DVR to provide training, they would still be waiting. Collective action makes the difference. Here is how George Fear described the vending program in the April edition of SNAK TYME, newsletter of the Maryland Committee of Blind Vendors.

Welfare or Opportunity? What is your choice? As you know, there are pros and cons for both. According to my understanding of welfare, it is a value given but not earned. Those who receive welfare are justified if it is needed, but have no pride in accepting it if there are other options given them. People who take welfare have few expectations, and nothing is expected from them. It is a whirlpool that spins and sucks those caught up in it down into an endless abyss from which there is no escape. It is the last resort of the hopeless and helpless. In an abundant environment, desperate people make excuses as to why they fail. Many even wallow in self pity, crying that their failures are not their fault. Anyone who is willing to accept this as his lot needs to be pitied, for that is all he receives for his lack of effort (and he deserves all that he gets).

Opportunity, on the other hand, is a joyous thing indeed. There is no satisfaction like the rewards of one's accomplishments through his own efforts. Self esteem and character are built when a person arises to his true potential through his own efforts. Satisfaction and pride

from the person who tries.                His knowledge grows from his efforts and is contagious and benefits all who know him.

There is no group that needs opportunity as much as the "blind," and for all the reasons mentioned above. Opportunity does not come without responsibility, nor does it come without rules. All systems have rules and that is the very reason they work.

Blind people claim that they want an opportunity to be in the mainstream of American life. They claim that like all others they have talents and limitations, but often do not recognize opportunity when it knocks.

 

The Vending Program for the Blind, in my opinion, is an opportunity program, with all of the rules and responsibilities opportunity inflicts on its beneficiaries. Anyone who does not hear opportunity knock and open his door to welcome it with all of its hardships, is truly blind. It is the aim of many managers and committee people to upgrade the vending program. In order to do this the vending program's strongest part (its operators) must be upgraded, too. Upward mobility means to climb higher. Climbing is no easy business; it also requires teamwork. Some will resist and will be left at a lower plateau, while others will reach the summit. In vending, just as in mountain climbing, you will have to be mentally and physically prepared. You will need the proper tools for the job. If you are not ready for the assault you will cause your team to fail. Do your duty to the team and compete. Make this a real opportunity program for all who qualify to be blind vendors.

 

BLINDNESS AND THE USE OF PARTIAL VISION

by Al Maneki

We are not opposed to the idea of blind persons using what vision they might possess, given that that vision is used efficiently, and that they have acquired other alternative techniques, which they can use when it is more efficient to do so. Braille, cane-travel, typing, good listening habits, are not inferior. We want to be able to use them when sight is inadequate. Problems arise when the blind person who is not properly trained is forced to rely on partial vision even in instances when that vision is clearly inadequate and the alternative technique more appropriate. It is easy to list the instances and situations in which I use the vision I have, and I will do that. First, however, to place the use of one's residual vision in its proper context, I want to give some background on my own childhood and tell you how I think my life situation has developed.

The educational system, then and now, always does what is easiest for it to do, and will do more only when concerned and informed parents insist on the most appropriate training for their children.

I grew up before the development of modern computer technology, before Public Law 94-whatever and IEP's. At that time, most children, even the "partially sighted" were sent to the school for the deaf and blind. I know now that this was a typically repressive school in so many ways with extremely negative attitudes about blindness. We were neither instructed nor encouraged in cane travel. Shop classes, cooking classes, and recreational activities were minimal. We were never challenged intellectually. There was an emphasis on music, which did nothing for my musical inabilities. I am sure that our teachers felt sorry for us and did not think we would amount to much in our lives.

And yet, all children in the "blind department" were taught to read Braille and to write Braille with slate and stylus. We were admonished on so many occasions: "don't use your eyes! They'll go bad!" It was easier, back then, for the system to teach Braille to all of us. The school for the blind had to teach Braille anyway. Braille books were available in relatively greater numbers than they are today. All but a very few blind and visually impaired children were sent to the school for the blind anyway. Why bother with large print?

Today, the situation has been reversed. Braille is the bother. "Why teach Braille if you don't have to, and if the parents will let you get away with it?"  I am convinced that if I were a child growing up in Howard County, Maryland today, tests would show that I could read large print. Forget about reading efficiently and being able to write efficiently! These tests would be used to convince my parents that I really didn't need Braille after all. Here again, though it would not be admitted, the driving force would be the convenience for the teachers and administrators. Video technology makes enlargement of print much cheaper than Braille.

 

Inevitably, children grow up, and must confront their lives with whatever training or lack of training they have received. I was fortunate to have learned Braille in my childhood, and acquired other alternative techniques later. I was able to take notes with slate and stylus in my college classes. I had developed good listening habits and could use recorded materials and readers effectively. I was able to prepare for graduate level exams, write a Ph.D. dissertation in mathematics, teach college mathematics, and find rewarding employment in government service, none of which I could have quite pulled off if I only had large print at my command.

My advice to parents and students: be most demanding of your educational systems. Demand the alternative techniques when they are not offered. Demand large print when it is not offered. Make educational systems work to your advantage by requesting as many of their offerings as possible. Do not allow yourselves to be convinced by the so-called "experts on blindness" that it is simply beyond the capacity of the partially blind child to learn both Braille and print. That simply isn't true! Most importantly, cultivate positive attitudes about yourselves as blind persons, and develop a level of proficiency in the skills of blindness that would allow you to perfom1 competently.

How do you use your vision, and when is it useful? Individuals are best able to answer these questions for themselves, and should have the training (and good sense) to know that they need not rely entirely on vision when it is insufficient. Instances when I find my eyesight useful:

Writing on a blackboard; I learned on-the-job that I could write, but could not see well enough to read what I had written, on a blackboard to deliver my college lectures. Here, earlier training with large print would have been most helpful.

Getting about without using a cane; There are occasions when I do not need a cane to travel. There are other occasions when I do. Some years ago, I stopped worrying about when to use my cane.  I always use it now, and I have one less thing to worry about.

With experience, you grow out of your self-consciousness about your blindness.

Identifying paper currency denominations; although I could not do this rapidly, it is a convenience when I am given change for a purchase.  Reading labels; again not efficient on a large scale.  Reading large print on a computer terminal; somewhat useful when working with computer program code which tends to be concisely written. Identifying junk mail from bills and personal correspondence; helpful but not the most important. Looking at my Braille watch, rather than reading it with my index finger. The list could go on, but I think my point is clear.

My parents and my teachers never understood that Braille, the white cane, using readers efficiently, and typing would be good enough for me to be successful in life. Nevertheless, I was taught these skills, maybe starting at a later age than would be desirable. These have helped me more than the limited sight that I have and use for some functions some of the time.

I owe whatever understanding of myself that I might have, and whatever awareness of blindness that I might have, largely to my involvement in the National Federation of the Blind. Through its teachings and in its practices, the NFB has given me (and others) a sense of well­ being and completeness that I could not have achieved otherwise. The NFB is not a cult, as some ignorantly claim. Instead, the NFB represents a genuine and sincere effort by blind persons to correct the ills and injustices of a sometimes misguided society, and all are invited to join in our quest for reform.

 

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF BLIND PERSONS AND THEIR DOG GUIDES

Legislation was introduced in the General Assembly, amending the White Cane Law to include service dogs for the mobility impaired under its jurisdiction. Instead of simply extending the right of public access to the mobility impaired accompanied by service dogs, SB 818 would have weakened public access for blind persons accompanied by dog guides, by requiring that accommodations for dog guides and service dogs need only be "reasonable." While we succeeded in amending SB 818 to exclude the blind from this regressive language, this issue is not settled, since SB 818 was defeated in the House and is likely to be re-introduced again next year. Hopefully, the mobility impaired will know better next time to avoid "reasonable" accommodation. Sadly, we were alone in spotting the failings in SB 818. We must remain ever vigilant about the bills which are intended to protect us. Sharon Maneki's letter to Senator Garrott and Senator Wynn defines our position on access and accommodations.

February 25, 1989

Dear Senator Garrott,

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland appreciates your interest in, and willingness to fight for the rights of handicapped persons over the years.

We regret, however, that we must oppose SB 818, Rights of Handicapped Persons to be Accompanied by a Guide Dog, in its current form. We do not object to the inclusion of service dogs for the mobility impaired in the law. We do object to the weakening of the law for all handicapped persons who use dogs for assistance.

Please amend SB 818 by removing lines 12 through 19, and lines 22 through 30; these lines should be replaced with the language of the White Cane Law, Article 30, section 33, D and F.

Lines 12-19 and lines 22-30 of SB 818 read in part: "The admittance of a blind, visually handicapped, deaf, hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person accompanied by a

guide dog to a place of public accommodation or a public conveyance shall be reasonable." The term, "reasonable," allows for too much interpretation by the business or activity providing access, against handicapped persons using dogs. People with guide dogs will lose rather than gain access with this language. Many more law suits will be necessary to re-establish rights that the blind and deaf have under the current law.

Blind persons have used guide dogs longer then any other group of handicapped persons. We find that many hospitals, taxis, restaurants, and other businesses still try to deny access to blind persons with dog guides, and allow access only because of the unambiguous language in the White Cane Law. The proposed language in SB 818 about "reasonable" access will give businesses exactly the loophole they need to keep out handicapped persons who use dogs for assistance.

Again citing lines 12-19 and lines 22-30: "... 'reasonable access' means to make a place of public accommodation suitable for access by a guide dog without undue hardship or expense to the business or activity providing the accommodation." There is no expense or hardship to a business or owner of a public accommodation if handicapped persons and their guide dogs have access to these premises. The dog is its owner's responsibility. The White Cane Law clearly states that the owner is liable for any damage that his dog may do to the premises. Therefore owners of public accommodations do not need further protection.

The extension of the right to use dogs in public accommodations to all mobility impaired persons can best be accomplished by adopting the language of the White Cane Law, Article 30, Section 33, D and F. In this manner, precedents already established for blind persons with dog guides will be automatically carried over to the mobility impaired. The White Cane Law clearly states that a blind person who uses a guide dog should have "all the rights and privileges conferred by law upon any other person."

Please amend SB 818 as we are recommending to you. You may call upon us if you need to discuss this matter further. Thank you for considering our views.

Sincerely,

Sharon Maneki

cc: Senator Albert Wynn

 

FINDING HELP FOR RAISING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

by Tom Bickford

Many organizations raise money only to give it away again. The NFB of MD does that when we raise money and then award it as scholarships. The question we all ask ourselves is, "Where can we find the money?"

Last year I noticed that fund raising appeals in my church were being made for organizations in the community that served a wide variety of charitable purposes. It seemed to me that the NFB of MD scholarship fund was that kind of charitable function: a worthy cause, tangible effects within the area, modest goals that could be met by small increments, and I could be the local representative.

 

This year I went to both my local and state NFB presidents for approval and for supportive material. I made two presentations; one, the easy one, conversational in nature, to a committee, and about ten minutes long; the other, the hard one, oratorical in nature, to the entire congregation, and less than two minutes long. It was an advantage to be known as a participant in other church activities.

The result was a sum of over two hundred dollars and a possibility of doing it all again next year.  Now comes the hardest part of all, but I have most of a year to think up a new speech.

 

SPECKS

We are sorry to report the death of Margaret Thompson on March 7, 1989. Margaret was an active member who contributed much of her time and energy to our movement. She served on the social committee of the Baltimore Chapter. Margaret was awarded the Baltimore Chapter's Barbara Johnson Award for fighting for the rights of the workers at BISM. Her courage and spirit is an example to all of us. May she rest in peace.

This spring, wedding bells are ringing for three happy federation couples. Congratulations to Jim Gashel and Dr. Betsy Zaborowski who were married on April 1. Congratulations to Arthur Segal and Shirley Trexler who were married on April 30. Congratulations to Patrick Gormley and Tina Cummings who will be married on June 10. Best wishes for many years of happiness to all of the newlyweds.

To complete our coverage of legislative activities, we report that HB 379, exempting Maryland blind vendors from property taxes on state-owned property was adopted by the General Assembly, and is awaiting the Governor's signature. The Jury Bill, SB 234, passed the Senate and was once again defeated in the House Judiciary Committee. The General Assembly also restored the $800 state income tax exemption for the blind and elderly. We thank our many members and friends who worked so hard to make this year's legislative effort an immense success.

On Sunday, September 10, 1989, Mark Plantz will swim a one-mile course along the Fort McHenry foreshore.  Mark's swim will help us publicize our activities and raise funds for our movement. We are scheduling this event in conjunction with the 175th Fort McHenry birthday celebration sponsored by the Patriots of Fort McHenry. Good Luck, Mark! We know you will make it!

If you have not already done so, you should be making your plans now to attend this year's NFB convention in Denver. Call Sharon Maneki for convention reservation information.

The 1989 convention of the NFB of Maryland will be held in Ocean City, November 3-5. Reservation forms for the Ocean City convention will be mailed to you late in the summer.