The Oregon Outlook A Quarterly Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon Winter 1994 Volume 2 Number 1 The Oregon Outlook Gregory A. Hanson - Editor Published in Ink Print, in Braille and on cassette tape by: The National Federation of the Blind of Oregon 3988 Main Street Springfield, OR 97478-6454 (503) 726-6924 (800) 422-7093 Carla McQuillan, President ********** Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, articles for the Outlook, and letters to the Editor should be sent to the state office. Articles and Letters to the Editor may also be sent to the following address: G. A. Hanson, Editor 330 S. Cammann Street #5 Coos Bay OR 97420 (503) 888-5954 ********** Outlook subscriptions cost the Oregon affiliate ten dollars per year. Members are invited, and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription cost. Donations should be made payable to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and sent to the state office. *********** THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND - IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES Table of Contents Every Child Should Have a Blind Parent By Carla McQuillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Coming Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1994 Washington Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Introspection at the Washington Seminar By Emily Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Research and Development By Robert Jacquis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Even On E-Mail By Greg Hanson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Prescription Braille Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 NFBriefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Every Child Should Have a Blind Parent By Carla McQuillan When our family moved from Illinois to Oregon, our daughter was 7 years old and prepared to enter the second grade. Alison had attended a Montessori preschool, and a very progressive self paced kindergarten program that permitted her to advance rapidly through the curriculum. Her first grade teacher recognized her learning potential, and provided opportunities for Alison to assist other children in their work, as well as encouraging her to pursue projects on her own. Alison flourished in this educational environment and learning seemed easy and delightful. When Alison entered the second grade here in Oregon, it was apparent that the other children were 3 or even 4 semesters behind Alisonžs skill level. She was sent to a third grade class for reading, where she was in the top reading group. She was given math assignments from a third grade mathematics text, and worked on them as an independent study within her classroom. At that time, I was running a day care program out of my home, and incorporated some challenging science and cultural activities for our after school children, to provide some extra stimuli for Alison. When I met with Alisonžs second grade teacher for our first conference, she reviewed all of Alisonžs academic and social skills, and then, she approached the real concerns that she had about Alison. žDonžt you think itžs difficult for Alison, having a mother who is blind?ž No one had ever asked me a question like that, and I had to reflect for a moment before responding. žWell,ž I began, žAlison learned to identify the route and direction of the buses in Illinois when she was 3 years old, so that she could tell me the correct bus to wave down when we were traveling together. We practiced her reading or sang and talked on the bus when she was 4, so as not to waste valuable time together. At the time, I was a full time student, and working 30 hours per week; time on the bus was some of our best time together. At 5 she was reading directions on boxes of cake mixes, and other food items, and we taught her how to price compare at the grocery store about that time too, Ižd guess. Alison is well adjusted, both socially and academically, and she has a positive attitude about blindness. The possibility exists, that my children have inherited my blindness, slim though the chance may be. But I believe that I have served as a good role model for her, if she does lose her vision. Do I think that it has been difficult for her? Now that you mention it, I think that perhaps, if all children had blind parents, wežd be raising a more independent and self sufficient generation of children.ž Alisonžs teacher didn't respond in any intelligent manner that I can recall, and we never discussed the issue again. Alison skipped the third grade, and was soon one of the top students in her fourth grade class. She is now in the sixth grade, taking eighth grade level math and English classes. This fall, she requested to take the Braille transcriberžs course through NLS, figuring that it might present a bit of a challenge, not to mention the potential for income in her high school and college years. After some discussion with the good people at NLS, it was agreed that they would make an exception in her case, and allow a 10 year old to begin the course. Every day for 6 weeks, Alison checked the mail box for her materials. Finally, she received them. Our brailler was acting up, so she had to write the first series of exercises with a slate and stylus. I told her it was good experience: žIt'll build character,ž I told her. In 3 days, she had completed her first set of exercises, and mailed in her first assignment. She wants to be the youngest person ever to pass the transcriberžs exam, and I know that she will do it. Itžs too bad that Alison has had to overcome the agony of being raised by a blind parent. Maybe someday, she'll be able to make something of herself. Coming Attractions Memberžs Seminar April 16 & 17, 1994 Grants Pass, Oregon Make your reservations now for our Spring Memberžs Seminar at the Best Western Grants Pass Inn. Room rates are $40 per night. The meal package (includes lunch and dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday) is $25. There will be a Student Seminar on Saturday afternoon, and a chance to meet this yearžs scholarship applicants. We will meet in our committees, and discuss accomplishments and future goals. We will discuss the agenda for state convention, and some of our legislative concerns for the next biennium. Diane McGeorge, Director of the Colorado Center for the Blind, will be our National Representative. This is a seminar that you wonžt want to pass up. For reservations, please call the state office at (503)726-6924 or (800)422-7093. Call your local chapter to see if transportation arrangements are being made. Calendar of Events March 31:National Scholarship applications are due April 15:Requests for funding to National Convention are due into the state office April 16-17:Memberžs Seminar in Grants Pass April 17:National Federation of the Blind of Oregon Board of Directors Meeting June 1:National Federation of the Blind of Oregon Scholarship Applications due July 1-7:National Convention in Detroit Michigan 1994 Washington Seminar As many of you know, the National Federation of the Blind holds an annual seminar in Washington DC in early February, to meet with members of Congress, to discuss current legislation, and propose new legislation that effects blind Americans. This year, there were representatives from 47 states marching on capitol hill, armed with facts sheets and the spirit and resolve of the Federation. We addressed 4 issues this year, and you will be pleased to know that our Oregon Senators and Congress people were very supportive of our efforts. The Braille Monitor will carry a detailed article, explaining the issues, so I will provide only a brief description of each of the issues discussed. If you do not currently receive the Braille Monitor, you may subscribe by calling the state office. Funding for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Though the budget for the Library of Congress has increased over the past few years to meet the cost of living, the division that produces talking books has not. We asked that Congress approve an increase in the NLS budget that would bring this program up to date with the current cost of living standards. Senator Hatfield is on the Appropriations Committee, and would like to hear from you on this issue. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Our efforts on this front were to propose a federal Braille Literacy Bill, similar to the one that Oregon passed last spring. We received overwhelming support from all of our members of Congress, and the same was true of most members from other states. This is good news for the blind children of tomorrow. The Americans with Disabilities Small Business Development Act This bill would include the severely disabled in the definition of minorities eligible for federal assistance under the Small Business Act. Congressman DeFazio and Congresswoman Furse have agreed to co-sponsor this bill. Congressman Wyden is on the Small Business Committee, and would love to hear from you on this issue. The Elimination of Sub-Minimum Wage for Blind Workers For years, Sheltered Workshops have been granted certificates from the federal government allowing them to pay severely disabled workers at rates that are below the national minimum wage. These exemptions were granted in an effort to provide rehabilitation and work activity to individuals who, due to their disability, were otherwise unable to secure gainful employment. The assumption was that these workers were incapable of producing at levels commensurate with the general work force, thus earning wages that represented their degree of productivity. Currently, a workshop may be certified to pay sub-minimum wage to blind workers, even though there is no empirical evidence that links blindness to a low productivity level. In fact, at Blind Enterprises of Oregon (an Industry for the Blind in Portland), many of the workers salaries increased when the business paid at a piecework rate that was based on a national standard. BEO employees have traditionally been paid above the Oregon minimum wage. We were requesting an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act that would remove the presumption that blindness was, in and of itself, a reason for certification to pay below the minimum wage. Introspection at the Washington Seminar by Emily Ross This past January I had the opportunity to attend the National Student Seminar in Washington DC. I am a new member to the National Federation of the Blind, joining in October 1993. Being a first-year student at Reed College as well as a new member to the Portland area was frustrating in that I had to start my life all over again. After joining the NFB I began to feel as though I had a place in Oregon. The NFB has been a family. To a new member our radical philosophy can be not only really scary but really securing was overwhelmed by the intensity of NFB philosophy at the Seminar. At the seminar I was not only introduced to my first can, but also had my first experience with more than one totally blind person. As much as I was nervous, I was also very excited. I knew that I was invited because someone thought that the NFB would be beneficial to me, as well as me to the organization. The seminar was really interesting! The theme this year was The Journey Toward our Broadening Horizons. We discussed issues concerning discrimination, skills, fair treatment, disabled student services, organization, and individual and collective power. I listened and thought about the problems concerning blind individuals. Every issue was new to me because I have never experienced any problems personally and have never had the opportunity to come together with other blind individuals and discuss issues. Everyone that I met was very supportive, not only with my philosophical questions concerning the NFB, but also with questions about what joining the NFB could do to change my life. Admittedly I did not want to consider myself blind, because I have never been faced with thinking of myself in the way. I was in denial. I didn't want to have to feel rejected from society because I couldn't see the way that others do. My cane scared me, but my consciousness was telling me to get over it and deal with it. I could no longer hide my blindness even if I wanted to. I had convinced myself that being blind was a bad thing, but the Washington Seminar made me take a deeper look at myself and helped me change my opinions. I was submerged into an intense four days of understanding myself through the experiences of others. I came to understand the NFB as a family, one who cares for each and every member. There are no favorites but someone is always there to help and listen to you. Even though I was going through emotional turmoil, I knew that I was there for a reason and the seminar helped me realize that it is my job to help an any way that I can in defending blind rights collectively. Not only because it is a personal fight or because I feel so comfortable with the people, the ideas, and the goal, but because it is a conquest for deserved rights of people who are normal in every aspect of the word. The Oregon delegation, comprised of Carla McQuillan, David Hyde, Brigid Doherty, Robert Jacquis, Lewis and Sally Edmonds, Marion Helen Wind and I gave our congress people and senators something to think about. We did the daring, not only did we discuss the issues, but we also left them with some Federation spirit, as we sang "I've Been Working in the Workshop". While I thought everyone was crazy, I went along because it would be something that the congress people and senators would remember. We were all nicely dressed and everyone seemed so calm, but my hands were sweating profusely. I was really nervous, but was calmed when I was given positive reinforcement from everyone on our team. At the seminar I felt empowered and ready to literally fight people who were closed-mended and unwilling to listen and now that I look back I realize that I was wrong. I am now ready to battle for the protection of rights through a civilized mean. With so much evidence of discrimination and poor services for the blind, the NFB has evidence for a fair battle with anyone. During the seminar, as I felt the energy rise, I began to feel suffocated. At times all I wanted to do was run away alone and never look back, but we need to come together and run forward as a unified group, because this is not only a battle for me and for all blind individuals, but it is a battle for the protection of rights. It can be won with our efforts and our energy. All my first impressions of the NFB have been positive. If it hadn't been for the Washington Seminar, those grueling four days of intense NFB philosophy, I doubt that I would have come to understand, respect and love the NFB the way that I do. The NFB is our friend and we are her supporters. I am ready and I know you can be too. Research and Development By Robert Jacquis I am a member of two committees. These are the Research and Development Committee and the Product Evaluation Committee. As a member of the R&D Committee I have the fun, challenge, privilege and honor of working on improving technology for the blind. My background is in computer programming and currently I am a telecommunications analyst for Tektronix Inc. On January 28 of this year I flew to Baltimore Maryland and attended the semiannual R&D Committee meeting. While there, I reported on my work with the following projects: Internet resources; The Internet is a system whereby computer users around the world can communicate with each other. The Internet also serves as an access tool that allows people to share information on many subjects. The Internet is like a library with lots of people enjoying themselves. I try and keep on top of where to find various kinds of information and easy ways to obtain it. Photopolymers; There are light sensitive plastic materials that when exposed to light act like very thick camera film. Using this type of plastic, it is possible to take a picture and make a tactual image that can be felt. There are also ways to use these plastics to make small parts and models. Wood Carving Robot; A project is underway to build a "wood carving robot". This machine is a poor man's milling machine. We hope to have an easy way to take a map or other diagram and carve a copy in wood or plastic. This is an odd looking machine with eleven motors that will move a router left and right, forward and back and up and down. All this activity will be controlled by a computer. CD-ROM Project; CD-ROMs look like the CDs that make music. In fact they are made the same way. When a CD-ROM is put in a computer, it can provide access to a wealth of information. I have one set of CD- ROMs that have most of the names, address and phone numbers for the United States. Other CD-ROMs contain encyclopedias, bibles, collections of books and magazines. Other CD-ROMs contain very complex games that feature sound and animation. I will be writing and collecting instructions on how blind people can use CD-ROMs with speech synthesizers. The R&D meeting lasted all day Saturday the 29th and part of Sunday the 30th. I plan on having some things to show at our membership seminar in Grants Pass and at our state convention this September. While in Baltimore, I had a brief opportunity to look at our International Braille and Technology Center (IBTC). I say brief because the center has over 6,000 square feet of floor space. When you consider that a house has about 2,000 square feet you can get an idea of how big this place is. There is one of each kind of Braille printer, speech synthesizer, Braille display, reading machine and special purpose software for the blind. As an organization, we have spent over one million dollars on equipment. The center is available to you. You can go to Baltimore to look at a piece of equipment or call (410) 655-9314 and talk to David Andrews. No product endorsements are available, but Mr. Andrews will tell you honestly what he has found out about a piece of equipment. The IBTC is working on compiling evaluations of various equipment collections. People come from around the globe to look at the IBTC. It is available to you so feel free to use it. If you have questions, you can call me at 627-4444. Even On E-Mail By: Greg Hanson In these days of Electronic Computer Mail (E-Mail) and the proliferation of bulletin boards (BBS) we as blind consumers are sometimes called upon to educate and enlighten under the strangest circumstances. I admit it. I am an E-Mail addict and read several different conferences each day. It is a wondrous thing, this ability to converse and kibitz with folks, blind and sighted alike, on an equal basis all across the country. Occasionally, I get a chance to turn a head or two, or to light the proverbial lightbulb... Recently, such an opportunity presented itself. I was reading messages on the BLINDTALK echo, a nationally carried conference dealing with blindness, that originates on NFB-NET. I have included the original post from Tracy Carcione and my reply to her... By: Tracy Carcione To: All Re: martial arts **Note: Text preceded by initials and the greater than sign (>) are quoted sections of the message... TC> have a problem with it, too. A blind friend of mine who TC> studied kung-fu says there are many blind kung-fu TC> instructors in Japan, and I know there are blind people in TC> the U.S. who have earned brown or black belts in various TC> martial arts, so actually it *was* a fair test. Or could TC> have been. SM> SM> How many of them grew up sighted, earned their way to brown, SM> lost their sight in an accident, and took their black belt test 10 seconds SM> after the accident? SM> SM> What? Not fair, you say? This message comes from the Trek echo. I thought the guys who do martial arts might have something to say about it. I'm curious; how long have you guys been studying martial arts as blind guys? Which martial arts do you practice? I *know* blind guys can do that, but (completely contrary to most BBS messages) I thought I'd get some *facts* before I answer this guy. Btw, in case you don't follow Star Trek, in an episode a few weeks ago, the martial arts expert told one of his students that the test for advancement to the next class was a blindfold test. She did miserably, and finally yelled at him, saying it wasn't fair to expect someone to defend themselves blind-folded, which was the real object of the test (to speak up and say it wasn't fair). I couldn't keep quiet. I know blind guys can do martial arts, and so I maintain that the test *was*, or at least could have been, fair. Tracy ___ * Origin: NFB NET Baltimore, MD (410) 752-5011 (1:261/1125) @PATH: 261/1125 3030 1023 396/1 209/209 105/30 356/18 4(21) That was Ms. Carcione's original post and request for information. Below is my response to her: Mon 14 Mar 94 6:32p By: Greg Hanson To: Tracy Carcione Re: martial arts St: Local <9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------@MSGID: 1:356/4.33 2491ca5b @REPLY: 1:261/1125.0 2d817554 @PID: FM 2.02 Hiya Tracey, > TC> have a problem with it, too. A blind friend of mine who > TC> studied kung-fu says there are many blind kung-fu > TC> instructors in Japan, and I know there are blind people in > TC> the U.S. who have earned brown or black belts in various > TC> martial arts, so actually it *was* a fair test. Or could (stuff deleted) > SM> > SM> How many of them grew up sighted, earned their way to brown, lost their > SM> sight > SM> in an accident, and took their black belt test 10 seconds > SM> after the accident? > SM> What? Not fair, you say? (more stuff deleted for brevity)... > SM > I thought I'd get some *facts* before I answer this guy. Always a good idea to get the information directly from the horse's mouth, when ever possible...Well, this horse has a mouthful to spew. I am a totally blind guy, for ten years now, and have achieved the rank of First Dan (first degree black) in traditional Tae Kwon Do. This is the Korean form of Martial Art that requires extensive kicking, punching and blocking to counter, defend and attack. Currently, I am studying the Japanese martial art of Aikido, as well, and have reached the rank of green belt and am currently instructing martial arts and self-defense classes for a women's crisis center locally. I have been practicing and studying martial arts now for almost 9 years . I was blind for more than a year when I began taking classes in the Tae Kwon Do. In response to the test being a fair one...since it was make-believe on a television show (I saw the episode), the reaction of the student is quite normal. Most sighted folks are of the impression that we (blind guys) are incapable of even the most common and simple tasks, let alone defending ourselves. To strike my point home, let me take a few lines to describe the testing required of all Black Belts in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, sighted or not... The candidate is expected to break three separate pine boards with three different techniques, each done with quick repetition, one after the other without pausing. for the rank of black belt, the candidate is also expected to know and perform any five (at the instructors discretion) of the 13 forms (Katas) and demonstrate 21 different self-defense one on one techniques. The final requirement is to spar (fight) with 4 different black belts (one minute each with the first 3 and 2 minutes with the 4th) without any break or pause. There are no allowances made to lessen the requirements for a blind candidate (at least in the places I have studied) I hope this helps in your response to the poster in question... Direct from the horse's mouth to your ears Greg ... In an atomic war, all men are cremated equally. ___ TagDude 0.70 [Unregistered] --- * Origin: Echos In The Dark - Coos Bay, OR (1:356/4.33) ===End of Posts== Isn't it funny that even in today's technologically advanced world, television and simple conversation can influence the attitudes and opinions of so many? It is ultimately up to us to change this by our individual actions and by serving as examples to every one we meet and talk to. Happy educating!! Prescription Braille Labels **Editor's Note: From time to time I come across a story or article in different publications that I think are relevant to us and our lives as blind people. This following article comes from the Tucson Citizen, the daily newspaper of Tucson, Arizona. It was sent to the NFB-Net bulletin board and I have passed it on to you: From the Tucson Citizen Thursday, March 3, 1994 BRAILLE MEDICINE LABELS MARKETED A nonprofit agency in Tucson Arizona has joined with a national drugstore chain to launch a product that may give more freedom to the blind. Sun Sounds has developed Braille prescription labels that are being tested at 27 Walgreens pharmacies in southern Arizona. The Braille labels are the first in the country, according to Sun Sounds project administrator Bonnie Bastow. "It's a great project to be in Tucson," she said. The labels are clear and are placed over the normal prescription labels. They come in a book that provides instructions for pharmacists to locate the appropriate label. There are labels for the 200 most commonly prescribed drugs. They feature the drug name only. Bastow said the staff at Sun Sounds came up with the idea two years ago and contacted Walgreens, which then showed an interest. Many blind people have lost their sight through illness and therefore tend to take a large amount of medications, Bastow said. Handling many different medications increases the possibility of taking the wrong one, she said. Karen Ortega, an employee at Sun Sounds, is thrilled about the labels. "Now we feel like we're a part of the community," she said. Ortega said that before the labels were developed she used a coding system for medicines for her two children, her husband and herself. She said she used to put different rubber bands around the pill and would keep a coding sheet with a portable Braille machine in the pharmacy in order to avoid confusion. "It's a lengthy process," she said. Although her daughters and husband can read print, she said she likes to pamper them when they are sick, "Now I can give them the doctoring they need," she said. Perry Don, district pharmacy supervisor for the drugstore chain, said he would like to see the labels become available to more and to cover a wider range of prescriptions. He said it was too early to receive responses from the testing pharmacists. Sun Sounds plans to target pharmacies in states with Braille initiative laws. Sun Sounds is a non profit agency that brings information and entertainment to the blind and other print impaired people. It broadcasts written material over the radio and it also converts documents, books, magazines and other written materials into Braille. NFBriefs Mike and Annette Bullis were married on March 13. The happy newlyweds will not be at the members seminar as they are honeymooning in Hawaii. Joyce Green recently returned from a visit to our national office. She received training in a new mentoring program designed to encourage, assist and offer advise to adults who are developing and/or improving their Braille skills. Kem Marks has recently hung out his shingle and starting his own law practice in the Portland area. He also is working with the Client Assistance Program. Stan Keetle, a member of the Lane County Chapter and a long time McKenzie Lion, died in January. Our condolences to his family. A boat trip with the Rogue River Hellžs Gate Jet Boat River Excursions is being planned on August 13, 1994. The trip will start in Grants Pass at 4:00 PM and will end at the OK Corral Restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet at 9:00 PM. Cost: Adults $35.00 per person, children 4-11 years: $20.00, children under 4 years: free. Price includes the boat excursion and the meal. Reservations must be made by 7/10/94. For more details or to make reservations contact Kathy Day at: (503) 726-6924. If you have a Perkins Brailler you no longer need/want, please contact the state office.