BLIND WASHINGTONIAN VOICE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF WASHINGTON SUMMER 1998 Volume 3 Issue 3 THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES Blind Washingtonian subscriptions cost the Federation about five dollars per year. Members are invited, and non-members are requested to cover the subscription cost. Donations should be made payable to: National Federation of the Blind of Washington and sent to: National Federation of the Blind of Washington, 1701 Broadway, Suite 269, Vancouver, Washington 98663-3436 Mike Freeman, President 1701 Broadway, Suite 269 Vancouver, Washington 98663-3436 (360) 571-7987 e-mail: mikef@pacifier.com Albert Sanchez, Editor 707 East Garland Spokane, Washington 99207-3027 (509) 487-8959 e-mail: alberts@comtch.iea.com Web Site: www.designer-web.com/nfb The Blind Washingtonian is available in print, braille, computer disk and cassette. Address changes, requests for additional copies of this newsletter, and articles for publication should be sent to the Editor. FRONT COVER ILLUSTRATION In the middle of the page is the National Federation of the Blind logo. A triangle setting over two circles. In the center of the triangle is a picture of white capped mountains in the background with the Puget Sound and a ferry in the foreground. Underneath is the letters NFB in large bold letters. At the bottom of the page in a box is the title, Blind Washingtonian with inkprint representation of the title in Grade II Braille. The whole image is outlined in a black frame. TABLE OF CONTENTS Convention Announcement EditorS Corner by Albert Sanchez A Silver Anniversary Perspective On A Convention by Ben Prows 1997 Scholarship Program More Exciting Than Ever by Rita Szantay "Newsline Kick Off" Planting the Seed by Noel Nightingale........... Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) Seminar by Daniel Frye........ Volunteering, Temporary work or Interning--Three Ways to Gain Employment by Renee West A Trip to Remember! by Tim Day Stratagies for Success--"WE CAN BECAUSE WE THINK WE CAN" by Noel Nightingale YES--Youth Employment Solutions by Shirley Smith 1997 RESOLUTIONS Convention Announcement Come one come all to the Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington. This year's convention is taking place during the weekend of October 2, 3, and 4, 1998, at the Holiday Inn at Boeing Field., located at 11244 Pacific Hwy S. Sleeping rooms are $55 plus tax per night, singles, doubles and triples Ms. Joanne Wilson, Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind and member of our National Board of Directors, will represent our National Office throughout the weekend. On Friday, October 2, there will be an employment seminar. All are invited. Convention agenda items will include a national report, State Services for the Blind, Library Services, technology for the blind, and the School for the Blind. On Saturday, evening, October 3, there will be a banquet at which Ms. Wilson will be the keynote speaker. Following the banquet, there will be an auction which will be presided over by that great auctioneer Ben Prows. On Sunday, October 4, the Parents of Blind Children will be holding their yearly luncheon. All are welcome to attend. You may register at the door for $19.00, which includes a ticket for the banquet. You may save two dollars by preregistering. Preregistration should be sent to the NFB of Washington P.O. Box 2516, Seattle, Washington 98111. Preregistration deadline is September 28, 1998. For further information or room reservation, you may call 425-823-6380 and leave the necessary information. Editor's Corner by Albert Sanchez Here is some useful information submitted by Ben Prows: Accessible Format Available Group Health Cooperative now distributes its publication "Northwest Health" in recorded format. It has a procedure for recording other materials as needed or requested too. If you have Group Health as a health care provider, call and ask for the materials sent out by GHC in the alternative format. Other health care providers, and/or DSHS provided programs should also provide generally distributed written material in a format accessible to blind persons. If we do not ask, they will not know to provide them. If they give you the run-around about sending you material in other than print, tell the provider about the ADA and Section 504. Anybody Want to Watch A Movie? The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, Evergreen Radio Reading Service has a deal for you. If you want to go to a movie in Seattle, and to describe your reaction to the feature on "Across the Aisle," a program about movies from the perspective of both blind theater goers, and their sighted counterparts, you may be able to get free passes to local theaters. This is a great opportunity to get to the movies, and become a movie critic at the same time. Maybe you have a hidden career here. In the broadcast, you have about fifty seconds to just tell the audience how you liked the movie, how easy (or not) it was to follow the action, and any other comments you may have about either the technical aspects, or the substance of the flick. Another movie attendee will have about the same amount of time to discuss aspects of a movie from the sighted person's point of view--hence, from across the aisle. For information, and to sign up for "Across the Aisle" opportunities, call Bob's voice mail at the Evergreen Radio Reading Service at (206) 615-0400, then press 5 (five) on the touch-tone keypad. Or call toll-free (800) 542-0866, and follow the instructions to reach the Radio Reading Service. Bob will get back to you. If you like movies, and like to get out to the theater, call Bob. He can fix you right up. ELECTIONS During its December meeting the Spokane County chapter of the NFB held elections. The results are as follows: Maria Bradford president; Albert Sanchez vice-president; Russ Smith secretary; Monica Stugelmeyer treasurer. The board position was filled by Dolores Keyser. Also in December the Clark County chapter elected Kaye Kipp president; Mike Freeman vice-president; Don Mitchell secretary and Nancy Martin treasurer. Our Seattle chapter elected the following officers during the January 1998 meeting: Noel Nightingale president; Rita Szantay 1st vice-president; Mark Noble 2nd vice-president; Renee West secretary; Gary Deeter treasurer; Ben Prows and Stephanie Yates, board positions. We are on the move in Tacoma as well. The following people were elected: Judy Jones president; Walt Cone vice president; Kari Butler secretary and Ann-Mary McCullough treasurer. A Silver Anniversary Perspective On A Convention by Bennett Prows This year's National Federation of the Blind of Washington Convention in Tacoma was particularly significant to me. I have been in the National Federation of the Blind for twenty-five years now, and it was time for me to take stock. Every year we talk about how revitalized we are coming out of the conventions, and indeed we are. But to me this year, I was looking for an extra jolt, and found it. It was a fitting silver anniversary celebration. For those blind persons who missed this convention, I would only say that the opportunities of a life time are passing you by if you are not with the National Federation of the Blind. It started on Friday afternoon when we had a Job Opportunities for the Blind seminar. I was a speaker, presenting a discussion on interviewing called, "a question of blindness". But I know I got more out of the rest of the afternoon's activities than I could ever put into such a seminar. Career development, planning and actually moving on up the employment path is always important, whether you are just beginning in the world of work or you have been at a job for twenty years as I have. The presenters at this seminar, all but one of who were blind, kick-started by interest in career-path development. I have long had lingering doubts about my ability to do anything other than what I am doing now, and therefore hesitated to apply for new and otherwise interesting positions I see crossing my desk. But as a result of the inspiring presentations by an impressive array of successful people, I am shedding my apathy, and working hard to improve my lot in life. The Friday night board and resolutions committee meetings were not only enlightening, but showed that there are new and important issues we have to face in the coming years. The NFB is still on the cutting edge in all facets of life for blind people. Of particular interest was a stimulating and lively discussion of the role the state rehabilitation agency should take in assisting blind entrepreneurs to develop and establish their businesses. The NFB will have to decide how much assistance is welcome and whether too much assistance is interference. As always, the Saturday agenda was filled with thought provoking items, many of which sparked lively dialog between conventioneers and presenters. After Charles Oppermann from Microsoft told the convention that the Internet software from Microsoft is becoming more accessible, we made it clear to him that we need all facets of software for our jobs and home life to be accessible also. I think he came away from that meeting with a new sense that we, the NFB, are to be consulted as new and improved software are being made accessible. I left the meeting less discouraged about the future of blind persons in the computerized work place. Then of course, there was the ever present national representative. This year, we were graced with a stalwart Federation board member--a lady familiar to many of us, but someone who had never been in Washington State as a national representative. Priscilla Ferris from Massachusetts was an outstanding spokesperson for President Maurer. Not only were her personal stories of life instructive, but the several speeches she presented were inspiring to all in attendance. I particularly enjoyed her banquet address, because she explained to new and old convention attendees alike that the NFB gently but firmly believes in putting blind persons back into the mainstream of life. Under Mike Freeman's leadership, the Sunday morning session brought things in Washington State into perspective. He reported on several NFB victories during the past year, and reminded us that we are still the most accomplished organization of the blind. After the elections, during which Dan Frye replaced Stephanie Yates on the board of directors when she stepped down from the position, the meeting was adjourned. But not before I at least was filled with the pride and sense of fulfillment I had been looking for. The fellowship throughout the week was befitting my twenty-fifth anniversary celebration, and the accommodations at the Tacoma Inn Best Western Hotel were superb. The NFB is not only alive and well in Washington State, but we are growing, and we are more than ever the vehicle for change in the lives of the blind of the nation and this State. I know the next twenty-five years in the National Federation of the Blind will only make it better. 1997 Scholarship Program More Exciting Than Ever by Rita Szantay Once again at our Fall convention in Tacoma we presented our two award winning scholarships. The first scholarship we awarded was our second Hazel tenBroek Merit Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500. We awarded this scholarship to Laurie Jean Gilfeather. Laurie is working on her masters degree at Washington State University, Spokane campus. Her degree will be in speech and hearing sciences. Laurie's ultimate goal is to become a speech and language pathologist. She wants to earn a doctorate and work with children who have communication disorders. Laurie plans to join our Spokane Chapter and remain part of the federation. The second scholarship we presented was our seventh annual Beverly Prows Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000. We awarded this scholarship to Kirk Adams. Kirk's ultimate goal is to become executive director for a not-for-profit agency benefiting blind children. Kirk has worked in fund raising for the Washington Braille and Talking Book Library, and he currently works for the Washington and Northern Idaho Lions Sight Conservation Foundation. Kirk is currently pursuing a Masters degree from Seattle University in not-for-profit leadership. Kirk's wife Rosalyn and his two children, Tyler and Rachel, attended the convention. We are very proud of this year's scholarship winners and we intend to continue to build and strengthen our scholarship program. "Newsline Kick Off" Planting the Seed by Noel Nightingale October 29, 1997, was a day of celebration for the National Federation of the Blind of Washington, and the Greater Seattle Chapter in particular. We held a reception to celebrate the beginning of the "Newsline for the Blind" TM Service Center in Seattle. This celebration took the form of a hosted reception at a new premier hotel in Seattle, Cavanaugh's Inn on fifth avenue in downtown Seattle. We enlisted the help and support of our friends and spared no expense in getting the word out about this celebration. It gave us the opportunity to let the community know about the service, and to demonstrate the value of a continuing program for providing a newspaper read via telephone for legally blind persons in Seattle. The law firm of Heller, Ehrman, White and McAuliffe was of tremendous assistance and support during this kick off celebration. We sent out over 400 invitations to public officials, company CEOS and other community leaders. We also invited the users of the Newsline for the Blind TM service to come and provide in person testimony to the outstanding worth of this project. The buffet, catered by the hotel was fit for royalty. We dined on smoked salmon, mini squash, stuffed mushrooms, coconut prawns, and much more. The hotel also provided candle lit tables, and an atmosphere befitting such a dressed up occasion. The evening was capped by a program to demonstrate the features of the newsline service, and to recognize the hard work of those who have made this service possible in our community. The ceremonies, chaired by Bennett Prows featured Mike Freeman as President of the NFB of Washington, Noel Nightingale as President of the Seattle Chapter, Shirley Smith, director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, which provided the funding for the first year of operation, and John Curby, business Manager for the Seattle Post Intelligencer, which will be the first local newspaper to be featured on the Seattle newsline network. Jan Ames from the Talking Book and Braille Library was recognized for her help in this project, and Craig Buthod, acting librarian for the Seattle Public Library was thanked publicly for providing the physical location and maintenance of the computer and telephone lines for the entire Seattle Service Center. Stephanie Yates, Newsline project coordinator for the NFB of Washington, demonstrated the Newsline For the Blind TM service during the ceremonies and throughout the evening. The participants in the celebration all left the festivities committed to the project. Many community leaders vowed to assist the NFB to obtain necessary support and funding to continue the project long after the first year of operation. Everyone recognized that the service has just begun, and to go back now would be unthinkable. We have a lot of hard work ahead, but at least the community now knows of our fervent desire to keep the service up and running not only in Seattle, but to expand it throughout the State. We have planted the seed, and now look forward to the project taking root and growing successfully. Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) Seminar by Daniel Frye During the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington (NFB of WA) a Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) seminar was conducted for federation members and other blind and sighted members of the public who were interested in issues of blindness and employment. With a phenomenal record attendance of 55 people in the audience, a broad variety of issues ranging from strategies for securing employment to the availability of post-employment services from the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind were discussed. The agenda for this seminar, the first formal gathering of the 1997 convention on the afternoon of Friday, October 3, was originally created with the intent of addressing a large range of issues of interest to a diverse constituency including blind job seekers, professionals in the field of blindness and other members of the public intrigued by the issue of the daunting 70% unemployment rate currently existing among the blind community. Toward this end, the following topics were covered: 1. A Key Note Address delivered by Priscilla Ferris, National representative to the convention, entitled, "Employment and the Socio-economic status of the Blind: Our Place At Work, Our Position In The World" 2. A discussion facilitated by Noel Nightingale regarding strategies for success (later in this issue). 3. A discussion lead by Ben Prows and Mike Freeman regarding creative tips for interviewing for employment. 4. A talk by Mark Noble about how to conduct oneself professionally at work with the view to obtaining advancement. 5. A speech delivered by Renee West (later in this issue) regarding the value of volunteerism as a method for enhancing one's resume and prospect for securing a job. 6. A panel discussion with three successfully employed blind people was held to demonstrate the capacity of the blind and to engender confidence in those who might be lacking in it. 7. A presentation by Barbara Standel, Supervising trial Attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity commission (EEOC), was made regarding the ADA and other civil rights legislation pertaining to blindness and employment. 8. Linda Wilder of DSB discussed Post-Employment services available to eligible blind people. 9. Finally, Kevin LaRose of the Social Security Administration discussed Work incentives existing in Social Security law for the blind. Through out the entire event ample opportunity was made for audience interaction. In addition to the excellent speakers, literature and other resources were made available for conference participants to take home with them for further learning and use. It seemed as though everyone in attendance enjoyed and benefited from the program. As a result of the hard work of all of the speakers and because of the support of DSB, an excellent JOB Seminar was made possible. Volunteering, Temporary work or Interning--Three Ways to Gain Employment by Renee West As the old maxim goes: you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. Well, there is a loophole or two in this seemingly airtight catch-22, and they are: volunteering or internships, and temporary employment. In today's competitive job market, a college degree is not always enough to land you a good job--you need work experience. Volunteering, interning, or working through a temporary employment agency will not only give you that valuable work experience in your field of choice; it will also enable you to decide if this really is the career that you want. My personal career of choice is that of librarian; specifically, I want to work in the library of a private law firm. When I first decided that I wanted to work in libraries, I was uncertain about the type of library that I wanted to work in--academic, public, or private? Through my time volunteering for different libraries, I concluded that I would much prefer to work in a private law library. In addition to learning general library skills, I was able to assess the duties and responsibilities of the person holding the position that I might like to have, and determine whether or not the work that he or she did was of any interest to me. This experience has really been valuable, as I have learned what skills I will need to assume that position, and can, from that, tailor my education so that I can master those skills. If I hadn't volunteered my time in those libraries, I wouldn't have a clear understanding of what I want to do, and I might waste valuable time taking unnecessary courses, such as the care and cataloguing of pop-up books, that aren't really applicable to my chosen position. College students may find volunteering, etc. helpful because they will be able to apply the ideas and skills that they learned in their classes directly to the workplace. Sometimes, in college, you are only taught theory, and it can be hard to determine how that will be applicable to your job. Furthermore, by volunteering, you will get hands-on experience in your field of interest, something that the college cannot always supply, and that experience will enrich your learning experience as well as your resume. In addition to gaining experience and learning what specific position you want, volunteering will present you with an opportunity to network with people who can assist you in your job search and information about the job that you want to have. Through my volunteering at the law firm of Heller, Ehrman, White and McAuliffe, I have been introduced to individuals who are professionals in the field of law and specialized libraries. I have also been invited to attend meetings of organizations for law librarians, and have gained insight into the issues and problems facing those in that profession. Furthermore, my association with the library's director has assisted me in gaining employment with the director of another law library. Besides gaining specific skills, volunteering, interning, and working as a temporary employee can give you insight into the machinations of the business world. Business protocol demands a different kind of behavior from what you may be accustomed with, and it does take some getting used to. You will also learn what sort of coworker and employer/employee relationships you like best; some people like close relationships, while others prefer to remain more distant. It's well worth your time to learn these business and interpersonal skills in an atmosphere where your paycheck is not at risk. For those of you already in the workforce who have become tired and dissatisfied with their current job, as well as for those who are uncertain about what they want to do for a living, volunteering and temping can be excellent ways of discovering what type of work best suits and most satisfies you. One of the best things about volunteering, and sometimes temping and interning, is that you get to determine how much of your time you want to spend working. If you volunteer or intern, you can often set your own hours and length of commitment, and the assignments are usually brief in temporary work. The flexibility of volunteering, and the short-term nature of temp work allows you to get an idea of the work that you would be doing if you chose that particular field. If you decide that, in fact, you find that work particularly distasteful, you don't have to stay with it, and you don't have to feel guilty if you leave. Those for whom you are volunteering aren't going to be mad if you decide that you don't like that kind of work after all--usually, they are pleased that someone came in and did their work for them for no charge. That's another benefit of volunteering--people are just so grateful to you! Your presence allows them to break their record of five coffee breaks a day. Yet another benefit of volunteering is that it looks good on your resume and impresses prospective employers. Volunteering and interning show initiative and drive, something that most bosses look for in an employee. Showing that you did good work for free makes your average boss wonder what quality work you will do for money. Interning, Volunteering, and Temping will also expose you to new, and possibly better, ways of accomplishing tasks. You may have been performing a certain job for years and might not have realized that there is an easier and more efficient way of getting the job done. You may also find that each office has its own unique way of doing business and managing its time and resources. For example, I have been exposed to a completely new cataloguing system in my work at the Lesbian Resource Center's library. Now, I realize that this organizational system is unique to this particular library, and that I will probably never see it anywhere else, but it has taught me that there are very different ways of getting things done, and that each office or organization will develop a system that is a natural outgrowth of those who work within it and the specific type of materials it contains. From my exposure to these different types of organizational systems, a prospective employer can safely assume that I will be able to adjust to the type of system peculiar to that office. There are benefits to be gained from internships alone. If you are a student, you can often get college credit for your hours of work. Most colleges have internship programs, Seattle Central Community College and the University of Washington in particular have an excellent array of options. Some internships are extremely appealing because you earn money for your work. Sometimes, the company or organization for whom you interned will offer you a position after your graduation. Speaking of job offers, you may find that you are presented with a paid position with the company for whom you are currently volunteering or temping. The boss at your temp or volunteer job may find that the work you do is so invaluable, and that your presence is so beneficial, that they just cannot think of not having you around. Temporary work, in particular has a good track record of potential long-term paid employment. Forty percent of temporary employees are offered full-time, permanent positions. As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing." Besides the possibility of permanent employment, temporary agencies may offer some additional benefits. Many agencies offer health insurance and paid vacations after a certain number of hours worked. Some agencies, such as Kelly and Manpower, also have temp-to-hire programs. Most agencies offer software training, so you can gain the skills that will be necessary in nearly any field you enter. As a blind individual, you may also find that you derive even greater benefit from volunteering. With as dismal a public perception of our capacity as we have, it is even more difficult for us to secure a position than it is for your average, non-blind job seeker. Volunteering may help you in that regard, as most employers are far more willing to give you a test run at a job if the gamble isn't affecting their pocketbook. I think the best reason for blind individuals to volunteer is that we can demonstrate our competency diligence, and normalcy to the business world. The hardest thing for us to do is to get our respective foot in the door. Volunteering can do that. Once you have proven yourself a good worker with one employer, you will find it much easier to secure employment with another. In addition to the personal benefits you will gain from your volunteering, you will also be helping other blind individuals attain employment. Employers will be more likely to hire blind people if they have had a good blind employee before. Gradually, as more blind individuals enter the workforce, our public image will improve and make it that much easier for others to gain successful employment. Besides volunteering your time for companies you may wish to become involved in a charitable organization. Giving your time and energy to a cause you believe in can not only be personally rewarding, it can (for those non-altruists among you) also give you good personal skills as well as potential job leads. In my experience in the NFB, I have learned invaluable interpersonal skills such as diplomacy and schmoozing, as well as other knowledge, such as how meetings should be run, and how to take minutes--skills and knowledge which can be applicable in most any job setting. I have also gained an understanding of how organizations work, and how I function in those organizations as a follower, and as a leader. I believe that, through this understanding, I am a better employee and will someday be a better manager. Through my experience in the NFB, I have also done things that I probably never would have done otherwise, such as meeting and speaking with my Congressional representatives. I also know that many employers as well as colleges like to see that you are involved in charitable organizations; in fact, many job applications ask if you are a member of an organization. Not only do they believe (and rightly so)! that members are friendlier and happier, but they are cognizant of the benefits to be derived from involvement. Finally, I'd like to say that volunteering, whether for a company or an organization, will not only give you an opportunity to learn new skills, help you determine your career path, and enhance your marketability in a professional environment, it can and will enrich your life. Through my volunteering, I have met some incredible people, have gained marketable skills and invaluable knowledge, and have gained confidence in and knowledge of myself. I think that what I have learned and gained through my volunteering has been more than worth my time and effort, and I hope is worth about $30,000 a year plus health and vacations and maybe a profit-sharing plan and a company sponsored trip to Maui. Oh, and a corner office, too. A Trip To Remember! by Tim Day From the editor: Tim Day is the teen-aged sun of Debbie Day, active member of our Parents of Blind Children division. Here is what he had to say during the Parents Lunch meeting, held in conjunction with our State convention: The past few years I have enjoyed going to a regular old summer camp where you have lots of fun goofing off with other kids and no responsibilities. I loved it! But then I graduated from the camp, due to my age and my mom started talking about something different. She started talking about sending me to the Buddy Program that is held each summer at either the NFB Center for the Blind in Colorado or Louisiana. I did not want to go. First of all, it meant possibly flying alone to one of these states, staying a month and then, instead of just doing nothing but having fun, at this place I was expected to learn skills to be independent!! No way! Independence sounds great but the fact is, it's hard. Maybe for people who are just blind it's easier but for me it's hard, and I certainly did not want to go to a summer program where the "fun" was going to be replaced by "work!" I could not believe that my mom was even suggesting it--but then again, I knew she was big on this idea of independence. Even though she kept mentioning it from time to time, I did not really think she would send me, but then the official word came--I was going!! I imagined all sorts of things, like maybe they would let me starve to death if I didn't prepare my own meals or maybe I'd get lost because I wouldn't know my way around. I could not believe my parents were really going to do this to me! But on July 12, I boarded a plane for Denver, Colorado alone. While there, I lived in an apartment off campus with my counselor, Alan, and Robert Riddle a kid from Vancouver, Washington. All of us were blind. Well, I am going to tell you that it was hard but it was also fun--more fun then hard, too! Most weekdays we had to be up early, shower, eat, make a sack lunch and catch the bus to campus for classes. We took classes in Daily Living Skills, Braille, Computer, and Orientation and Mobility. All my teachers except one were blind and they talked about what it meant to be blind. We did some job shadowing out in the community, learned to rock climb, went to movies and out to dinner. We shopped for our own food, cooked our own meals, and cleaned up after ourselves. Instead of using a car, like we do at home, in Denver we used public transportation for everything. They have two programs. One is for the younger kids 9-14 and it's a month long. That's the one I attended. The program for the high school students is 8 weeks long and includes attending the NFB national convention for 1 week. The younger kids do job shadowing while the older kids actually hold paying jobs in the community. One of the things I enjoy most is foreign languages so I was very fortunate that Robert, my roommate, knew Spanish. We often would spend the entire bus ride each morning talking with each other in Spanish much to the delight of the others on the bus. Dan Wenzel, the director of the Buddy Program, told my mom a funny story. One day he and I were out walking on a mobility lesson when we passed a couple of teen-aged boys talking in Spanish. Well, I came to a complete halt, turned and then started talking to them. After a few moments of complete silence, they responded and soon we had a conversation going. Well, Dan knows very little Spanish so he had no idea what we were saying which made him a bit nervous. He kept gently mentioning that we should continue on but these kids and I kept right on talking. We were just chatting, so I thought it was pretty funny when Dan told my mom that he was secretly praying that we weren't setting up some kind of drug deal, as he silently stood there smiling! The staff at the Center recognize my skill with other languages and know that I want to become a translator. So as I continue to attend the program, they will work to provide opportunities to help me reach that goal. But probably Dan is going to have to learn a bit more Spanish if he wants to relax when we're out together! Learning skills to be independent is hard and it was not that I learned so many new skills while I was in Colorado that's made such a difference. It was getting the feel of being an independent blind person by living it every day with other blind people that has changed me. Before I left, I resisted every attempt my mom made to do things for myself. When I returned, I shocked her (and maybe me too)! with my new attitude. I have been cooking my own breakfast and lunch, using the microwave, every day since I returned and soon I will be working on using the stove and adding more complicated stuff. I no longer fight my mom when she introduces a new skill or increases my chores. I cannot wait To surprise the staff at the Center next summer with all the new things I am able to do independently. It's funny, I did not want to go to Colorado but once I was there, I did not want to go home! I really liked all the counselors, teachers and other students. It was great fun living in the apartment and making our own decisions. Everyone is just really nice there. They are patient and helpful as they work to teach you new skills and always make you feel good about yourself. I am really, really glad I went and I definitely plan on returning next summer. If you or a friend would like to remember the Federation in your will, you may do so by using the following language: "I give, devise, and bequeath unto the National Federation of the Blind of Washington, P.O. Box 2516, Seattle, Washington 98111, the sum of $--------, (or) --------percent of my net estate, (or) the following stocks and bonds: --------to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons." Strategies for Success--"We Can Because We Think We Can." by Noel Nightingale Successful people usually have been encouraged in their success by their family, friends, and society. Contrariwise, blind people are generally not similarly encouraged to succeed. Even worse, we, as blind people, are usually discouraged from success by being told in one way or another, subtle or not, that we cannot succeed in even the most routine tasks. Blind people are generally not given positive encouragement and support from either our family, friends or society. Instead, we are encouraged, in one way or another, subtle or not, to lower our expectations. We are encouraged to be safe and to be dependent and to fulfill societal stereotypes about blindness. The problem is that we listen to these people and meet their lower expectations of us. Let me illustrate. I know a blind man, Ken, whose employee told him that she believed blind people have poor balance. Ken disagreed with her and to prove her wrong, he lifted one leg up to balance himself on one foot. But the mere suggestion that he had poor balance was enough to reduce his confidence and he found himself unable to stand on one foot. Negative suggestions are powerful. Later, Ken realized what had happened--that the problem was not in his ability to balance but in his self-confidence--and he showed her that he indeed is able to balance when he stands on one foot. I recently met an elderly woman, Betty, who has macular degeneration. A rehabilitation professional came to Betty's condo supposedly to show her how to use a white cane and to travel independently. The instructor assessed the area surrounding the condo and told Betty that it is unsafe for her to leave her house because she would have to pass by the parking garage and might get hit by a car. The elderly woman has now met the low expectations of the instructor and will not leave her house unless accompanied by a sighted person. Negative suggestions have great power over us. Even when we are given encouragement that is painted in positive terms, it can have a negative power over us. When we manage to perform the routine tasks of life, we are frequently praised as having done something extraordinary. The effect of such praise is to tell us in effect that we should not expect more from ourselves than to manage the simplest of tasks. For example, when Booth Gardner was Governor of Washington, my mother and I met him at a reception at the Governor's Mansion. At that time, I was employed with the Department of Labor and Industries and rented part of a house a few blocks from work. During the course of my conversation with Governor Gardner, I was forced to correct his misimpression that I lived with my mother. I told him that I did not live with her and that I was a state employee. His response was a shocked utterance, "How do you live?!" He was impressed (and dumbfounded) that I managed to live by myself. Agencies for the blind can tell us the nuts and bolts of obtaining employment, but there is a critical aspect of success that they do not usually help us with: we must truly believe in ourselves. People who believe in themselves have positioned themselves for success. The question is how to become confident in our abilities as blind people. Two ingredients are necessary to position ourselves for success in life and employment. The first ingredient is obvious; the second is not. First, we must learn the skills of blindness so that we have a foundation on which to base our self-confidence. We must honestly assess whether we are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. If we do not travel independently or very well, we must learn the travel skills that blind people employ, such as using a long white cane. If we do not read or write efficiently or effectively, we must learn to use braille, large print, computers, and readers. Many of us who have some sight remaining do not learn the skills of blindness and attempt to do things the way sighted people do them. We do not fool anyone, including ourselves, though, and the end result is that we lack self-confidence because we cannot operate efficiently and effectively as sighted people because we are not sighted and we are not operating efficiently and effectively as blind people because we have not learned the skills of blindness. I have retinitis pigmentosa. Before I learned to use a long white cane, I was afraid to travel at night and avoided doing so. Then, I attended a training center operated by members of the National Federation of the Blind where I learned to effectively use the long white cane. My travel instructor was totally blind. She believed in me and the travel skills she had helped me learn. The proof of her confidence in me was the final travel route she sent me on before I was allowed to graduate from the program. I was driven around the town this way and that--while wearing sleep shades--until I had no idea about which direction we were headed. Then I was dropped off and told that I could not ask anyone where I was and was to get back to the training center using all the skills I had learned. And, I eventually walked my way the couple miles to the training center without asking a soul for directions or where I was. It was only at that point that I internalized my travel instructor's belief in me and began to believe in my travel skills. The second ingredient is the most critical. We must adopt a positive philosophy about our blindness. We must sincerely believe that it is respectable to be blind and that we can achieve our dreams if we have the appropriate training and opportunity. This is the critical ingredient because if we do not believe in ourselves, all the skills and talents in the world will not allow us to succeed. We must have the confidence to step out in the world and let people know that we are worthy of their respect (and their jobs). This second ingredient in believing in ourselves is elusive. Everyday, people tell us in one way or another, subtle or not, that our blindness prevents us from success, in even the most routine tasks. I know of only one way to maintain a high level of confidence: to get to know other blind people who are achieving success in their lives. When we meet other successful blind people and learn how they have achieved their success, we can model our lives after theirs. Furthermore, other blind people will encourage us and believe in us even more than we believe in ourselves. I attended a retreat with the other attorneys I work with at the law firim of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe a couple years ago. The retreat was an outward bound-type experience. We were required, among other things, to climb up a ladder nailed to a tree until we got about 70 feet up. There, a 3-inch round wooden pole ran between that tree and the next tree over. Wearing a safety rope, we were required to get ourselves onto the pole and walk across it about 15 feet. I was scared and for a while refused to let go of the tree, which I was standing against. I did not feel confidence in my ability to walk on the pole without taking a wrong step. I was hesitating, wondering how I was going to get back down the tree when I began hearing (in my mind) my friends and colleagues who are members of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) cheering me on and I took the first, second, and next steps. My friends in the NFB believe in me and I believe in them and it makes all the difference in any success I have in my life. YES--Youth Employment Solutions by Shirley Smith, Director Washington State Services for the Blind I want to share a wonderful new project the Department accomplished last year. It was so successful for participants that staff were energized and excited and cannot wait to do it again. I am talking about YES--Youth Employment Solutions. YES was made possible by collaboration of DSB and the School for the Blind. In total, 33 students participated; there were 19 boys and 14 girls, 21 came from western Washington and 12 from Eastern Washington; 12 had little or no useful vision; the remaining students ability ranged from high partial to those requiring significant degrees of aid; and the ethnic representation mirrored the makeup of minorities in the state. YES Level 1 was a two week residential experience for students who are blind or visually impaired going into their freshman or sophomore year. Twelve students were housed at the School for the Blind. There were four primary activities: interest/aptitude assessment, community service projects (working at a food bank and maintenance at Mt. St. Helen's recreational area), resume development and job application/interviewing exercise. Of course there were also recreational activities--one of which was participating with Level 2 students in Seattle. You can tell that this group of kids got the message--There Is A Job In Your Future!! YES Level 2 was a six week residential experience at the Delta Delta Delta Sorority at the University of Washington. Each participant received at least minimum wages for 30 hours of work per week. Some of the employers included Banana Republic, Barnes and Noble, Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, Ross Dress for Less, the Pacific Science Center and several governmental and vision related employers. Each student had to manage their own money (all opened accounts at Seafirst Bank), buy and fix all of their own food, do their own laundry, clean their rooms, and everything else we all have to do each day before we go to work. Each student was provided O&M instruction, and were required to get to work and back on their own. Almost all of them were successfully traveling alone or with another student by the end of the six weeks. Students also had classes in career interest exploration and about the Occupations Finder and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. An experienced resume consultant worked with the students to develop professional resumes. They learned how to express their personal qualities, skills, abilities and work experiences in a positive fashion. Vocational staff from DSB talked about adult services and what VR could do to help them, and other staff visited in the evenings. Of course there were recreational activities. They attended a Mariners baseball game with peanuts, crackerjacks, and popcorn (thanks to the Seattle Lions Club). One weekend they participated in a sea kayaking trip, camping on Orcas Island and paddling on Puget Sound. They slept in tents, hiked to bathrooms, and some even slept out under the stars. They also participated in a 4th of July celebration, concerts at Seattle Center, Seattle underground tour, and Snoqualmie falls outing. Something for everyone! There was lots of learning taking place--all the daily living skills as well as some appreciation about what it takes to work. And what kind of work they want to do when they "grow up". Staff worked around the clock and enjoyed every day of the six weeks! It was so successful, we "found" money to continue it. If you get a chance to help next summer, I encourage it. It was all around a great experience! RESOLUTIONS Here are the Resolutions passed during the 1997 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington. RESOLUTION 97.01 Whereas, Senator Slade Gorton from Washington State introduced an amendment to the appropriations bill for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education that furthers a particular philosophy of government control over education programs; and, Whereas, in their zeal to "do the right thing", the Senators passed this amendment which has the apparently unintended effect of cutting appropriations to vocational rehabilitation programs by fifty percent; and, Whereas, hastily drafted legislation and bills passed without deliberate and thorough examination of all aspects may result in the devastation of positive and meaningful programs designed to help the blind to obtain and hold jobs; and, Whereas, the House version of the appropriations bill (HR2264) does not contain the deep cuts to vocational rehabilitation contained in the Senate version. Now therefore: Be It Resolved by The National Federation of The Blind of Washington in convention assembled this fifth day of October, 1997, in the city of Tacoma: That we strongly urge Senator Gorton and the House and Senate conferees to correct the appropriations bill to include full funding for vocational rehabilitation programs; and, Be It Further Resolved: That we admonish the Senator and others in both parties to consider carefully the consequences of their political actions concerning programs for the blind in future legislative activities; and, Be It Further Resolved: That this resolution be presented to all the congressional delegation from this State, and sent to each of the House and Senate conferees considering the appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. RESOLUTION 97.02 WHEREAS, full involvement in the vocational rehabilitation process is critical for participants to secure employment consistent with their "strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities and capabilities"; and WHEREAS, access to documents relating to agency services and training is essential for participants to make informed choices: now therefore BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Washington in Convention Assembled this fourth day of October, 1997, in the city of Tacoma, Washington, that we call upon the Department of Services for the Blind to provide to participants in a timely manner all material relevant to their rehabilitation process (including their Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plans) in braille, large-print, on cassette or on computer disk. PRESIDENT: MICHAEL FREEMAN 301 N.E. 107th STREET VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 98685 360-574-8221 FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: NOEL NIGHTINGALE 98 UNION STREET, #514, SEATTLE, Washington 98101 206-624-8007 SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: KAYE KIPP 5101 N.E. 121 AVENUE, SPACE 7 VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 98682 360-256-8572 SECRETARY: RITA SZANTAY 1000 8th AVENUE, A-610 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104 206-622-8843 TREASURER: GARY MACKENSTADT 12303 N.E. 165th STREET BOTHELL, Washington 98011 425-488-0628 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED