TABLE OF CONTENTS

From The President

Convention Coordinator's Report by Eldon Cox

Public Relations: Beverly Kaskadden

Scholarship Report by Jerry Annunzio

401 Blind Task Force Report by Patti Schonlau

Statewide Independent Living Council by Barbara Dewberry

Changes to MCB Bylaws

Company Web Site Offers Safety and Security Products

ACB Policy Statement and Action Plan to Ensure Quality Rehabilitation Services

From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri Cuts in Aid to the Disabled Don't Affect Assistance to the Blind

From USA Today: Programs to Create Jobs for the Disabled Help Only a Fraction

Methods for Writing Your Own Checks

Another Way of Seeing by Deborah Kent

Affiliate Affairs

From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer

Anyway by Mother Teresa

Back to the 2005 Chronicle List

Back to the Chronicle Archives

From the President

Back to Index

From The Convention Coordinator

Another October has come and gone, and with that so has another MCB convention. I would like to take this opportunity to again say thank you to all those who assisted in any of the many various ways to make a convention run smoothly. Also thanks to all the affiliates, individuals, businesses, and corporations that donated door prizes that we all look forward too. A good time was had by all, meeting and making new friends as well as listening to the excellent speakers that presented during general sessions and the banquet.

Now it is time to look towards the 2006 convention which will be hosted by the Blind of Central Missouri. The convention will be held in Jefferson City, Missouri, October 19-22, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. Room rates are $64 per night for singles or doubles. I will be working closely with the Sedalia affiliate and will report more details in the next Chronicle. Until then, take care and we will see you in Jefferson City.

Eldon Cox
Convention Coordinator

Back to Index

Public Relations Report

Back to Index

Missouri Council of the Blind New Scholarship Chairman

As I write this article on November first, 2005 at ten forty-six in the morning, my mind races over what President Wheeler has just asked me to do. I am thinking, "That is a big job, lots of prep time, hours of research and tons of writing, mailing and telephone calls."

The reason I accepted this position is that we need to do all we can to help young blind students to get the best education achievable with the best guidance possible. And since my background, training, experience and interests are in guidance and counseling, it seemed reasonable that I accept Kathey's offer.

Here is my initial plan:

1. Study what has been done in the past. (Anyone who can help with that process please call or write me. My contact information will be at the end of this article.)

2. Develop a plan of attack. (Yes attack is the right word because time is short. The scholarship process is a year around process.)

3. Take Action. were This step will depend on what I find in step one and develop in step two, but will most likely include the following:)


A. Library research

B. Telephone calls

C. E-mails

D. Letter writing

E. Decisions and wrap up


4. Evaluation. (After all the above work has been completed, it is time to see what has been done well, what has worked and what needs to be changed.)

Given my current state of excitement and need for specific knowledge, I would ask that you join with me to get the word out to as many deserving blind students as possible. By the time you read this, I should be well on the way to putting much of our scholarship information in the hands of several deserving blind students. We always do better when we work as a total MCB team. Remember, "Together we will win."

As I close and give you my contact information, I first want to thank you in advance for your help and ask for your continued support.

e-mail (new): jerande@sbcglobal.net

Reg. Mail:
Jerry Annunzio,
8605 NW 85th Terrace,
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: 816-741-2348

Back to Index

401 Blind Task Force

Back to Index

Missouri State Wide Independent Living Council

The Missouri SILC Is looking for council members who live in rural areas of the state and have various disabilities. We meet in Jefferson City, Missouri four times a year, in February, May, August, and November. You may find information about the SILC on our website at www.mosilc.org. The Transportation Committee of the SILC will be having a Transportation Expo on April 21st here in Kansas City.

If anyone has ideas or would like to work with us in planning the expo, you may contact me at (816) 255-3610. I will keep you updated on further details. Barbara Dewberry Chair of the Transportation Committee

Back to Index

Changes to the MCB BylawsBy John Weidlich

At the October Convention, members debated and voted on twelve amendments to the bylaws, five of which were adopted.

Before giving you the changes to the Bylaws, I would like to commend Anna Schell for the job she did as Resolutions Chairman this year. This was the first time she held this position and she did a great job presenting the resolutions at the convention.

This is by no means an easy job. Much work has to be done before the convention, receiving the amendments and resolutions, putting them in the correct form and then getting them to the office in time for them to be circulated to the members who want copies.

Then the Chairman presides over the resolutions committee meeting before finally reading them to the convention so that they can be debated and voted on. Ann did such a good job with all of this that I understand she gets to do it again next year. Following is a summary of the amendments that were adopted by the Convention.

A new section will be added to the end of the Bylaws as a standing rule. This standing rule spells out the guidelines for the Nathaniel Johnson Award, The Ellis M. Forshee Award, The Darrell Lauer Award and the President's Award.

The guidelines were not changed; they are just being included in the Bylaws so that everyone will have access to them. It will read as follows:

From time to time, the MCB may present outstanding individuals with the following awards:
The Nathaniel Johnson Award
The Ellis M. Forshee Award
The Darrell Lauer Award
The President's Award

The President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer are charged with the selection of the recipients of all of these awards, except the President's award.

Presentation of these awards shall be during the annual Convention banquet.

Criteria of Selection of Award Recipients:

The recipient of the Nathaniel Johnson Award may be either legally blind or sighted but shall be a member of MCB. The honoree shall be someone who has done outstanding work in his/her community for his/her affiliate, or for MCB.

The recipient of the Ellis M. Forshee Award may be either legally blind or sighted. The honoree shall be someone who has done something outstanding on the state or national level. He/she shall be someone who has worked with the legally blind or with legislation for the legally blind.

The Darrell Lauer "Outstanding Leadership Award" will be presented from time to time, when deemed appropriate, to an outstanding member of the Missouri Council of the Blind who has shown qualities of exemplary leadership in the organization and in the community.

The recipient of the President's Award is chosen by the President and is usually presented to a sighted MCB member who has given special help to the President or to MCB.

Article VI: Finances, Section 1 was amended to change the dates of the fiscal year. Section 1 will now read:

The fiscal year shall be from September first to August 31.

Another amendment to Article Vi, was also adopted. This adds a sentence to Section 2 and moves material into different sections. Section 2 will now read:

The funds of MCB shall be deposited in a bank or banks decided upon by the President and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Directors. They shall also designate the purpose of each account.

The Treasurer and all other persons handling money shall be bonded. Section 3 will now read:
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the payment of all bills by check, written on the general funds account, when authorized by a written voucher, and signed by the President or Executive Director.

The original Section 3, dealing with the payment of expenses of Board members and others will now become Section 4.

A new Section 5 was added to Article VII: Officers. It will read: Section 5. In order to qualify as a candidate for an elected office, any person must be a member of the Mcb for at least two years and have attended at least one convention.

Finally Article IX, Section 4 was amended to change the length of terms of affiliate representatives. Section 4 will now read: This representative shall serve a two-year term and shall not be elected for more than two consecutive terms (not including unexpired terms).

Back to Index

Company Website Offers Safety and Security Products For the Blind

The following news release, that was posted on an Internet site, is about a company run by one of our members.

Safety and Security Source wants to be the foremost resource for the blind to find safety and security products, as well as wellness (including talking) products. Tracey Hawkins is the owner of a 10 year-old business that specializes in safety and security products ranging from pepper spray, door alarms and fire safety products. The company website, www.safetyandsecuritysource.com has added a page of accessible products.

In recent years Hawkins and her husband William (who is blind) have joined organizations for the blind and saw an underserved market. "Companies were offering all kinds of technologies for the blind to be able to work, to cook, everything but offering them products to stay safe and protect themselves. That's my business."

With the popularity of Universal Design, a theory that says manufacturers can produce products that work for people of all abilities, not just for the handicapped, but for the non-handicapped and the handicapped without any modifications, Hawkins stated that she looked at her products with U.D. in mind and was pleased to note that most of her products qualified at least on some level.

"The feedback from attendees at a recent national convention for the blind let us know that there was a real need for safety and security items in this community. Many blind people feel vulnerable when they are out and about and want a way to defend themselves in a non-lethal manner. They want to feel safe at home without having to buy elaborate and expensive security systems.

We heard some real horror stories. There is nothing better than being able to help someone, blind or not, arm themselves with products to keep them safe." Hawkins and her husband demonstrated and explained the products to consumers and rehabilitation counselors. "The counselors were excited to know about these products and the ability to share their knowledge with their clients to help make their lives easier," Hawkins states.

The website is designed for consumers to call toll-free and order the products that they need. The site has a "text-only" page for customers with screen readers, a software program that reads the text on a page to the user. It also has a page with photos and descriptions for rehab counselors, family members and those with some vision.

"Some of the most popular products have been the talking caller ID units, which actually say the phone numbers out loud, a popular product for those with vision as well, if you get nighttime calls, you don't have to get up to look at the unit, you can hear it. You can also hear the unit from almost anywhere in the house."

Hawkins continues, "Motion alarms that announce the presence of visitors are popular for clients who are vendors and have retail stores, as well as those who want to know when someone approaches their property before they get to the door. Door intercoms, key and remote control locators are also in big demand. We have just added talking wrist blood pressure monitors which have been popular. The existing security products like the door alarms, personal alarms and fire extinguishers have been well received. The magnetic contact alarm, which sounds when a cabinet, door or a window is opened is ideal for different applications; it lets you know when kids open cabinets or doors to the swimming pool, is a must have."

Hawkins concludes, "I am constantly seeking new products for my customers, anything that I can provide to make their lives safer and easier. I am available to speak to groups about product education because this is my passion and this information is too important to not be shared."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tracey Hawkins
Safety and Security Source
e-mail safetyandsecuritysource@kc.rr.com
Phone: 1-866-365-4542

Back to Index

ACB Policy Statement and Action Plan to Assure Quality Rehabilitation

Services By now most of you have heard of the Bush administration's efforts to restructure RSA and streamline rehabilitation services throughout all states and territories. ACB has expressed concern to the administration about the impact some of these measures could have on the quality of rehabilitation services for people who are blind and visually impaired.

For a blind person, rehabilitation is not only job placement; it is attaining the essential skills necessary to live and work independently in society. The needs of blind rehab clients are far different and frequently far greater than those of the average rehabilitation client.

In light of newly-proposed RSA downsizing and new partnerships with agencies providing generic services, The ACB Vocational Rehabilitation Committee has developed a summary of quality categorical services essential for consumers who are blind and visually impaired.

Following the summary is an action plan with steps for ACB members to use for advocacy initiatives in all states for preservation of essential blindness-specific services.

1. The Randolph-Sheppard Program: Creating Successful Employment for Blind Business Owners for 70 Years

The Randolph-Sheppard Vending program is the single most successful employment program for blind and visually impaired Americans that has ever been created, either in or out of mainstream employment. Currently, the Randolph-Sheppard Program provides employment to nearly 9,000 individuals, a third of whom are blind or visually impaired, and to 6,000 employees, many with disabilities. All blind vendors and their employees pay taxes, just as other business owners do. We know that quality training for blind men and women to become successful business owners includes:

Extensive training in business management practices, and the use of adaptive technologies for blind people, i.e. talking money identifiers, talking cash registers, braille or speech notetakers, and computer screen readers or magnifying software for accessing computer accounting programs Training in safe, hygienic preparation of food, taught by BEP personnel and/or on-the-job experience, and training in staff management

Thorough training in fundamentals for keeping business inventory records and accounts Opportunities to call on expert guidance from state BEP directors and RSA staff overseeing the program, who provide timely feedback

2. One-Stop Employment Centers: Not the Answer for Blind Job seekers

Officials in the administration and Congress want to merge the vocational rehabilitation system into the One-Stop Career Center system administered by the Department of Labor and have been pushing RSA to move larger numbers of blind people in that direction. Currently, One-stop centers are not accessible in most states for blind job seekers. Here is what must be available to make centers work for blind clients:

Center staff must be trained to work directly with a blind client using the center's access technologies, i.e. screen readers and/or screen-magnifying software. Weeks of training is required to learn keystrokes because mouse clicks are not usable by blind people. A series of three to four keystroke steps equal one mouse click by a sighted computer user

If the blind job seeker has not learned to use the specific access technology in the center, staff should be prepared to run online job searches and provide one-on-one assistance in preparing a resume for the blind client

If one-stop center staff have not been trained to provide technical assistance, the rehab agency should be prepared to provide or obtain comparable services that have not been provided by one-stop employment centers. It is our position that most one-stop centers do not yet measure up, or come close to meeting any of the above criteria. If they are to be a viable means of offering rehabilitation services to blind people, immediate and significant renovations must be made in the training of center staff, equipment availability, and the overall ability of these centers to fulfill the requirements of rehabilitation services to the blind population of this country.

3. Other Blindness-Specific Services: Essential for Blind People of all Ages

Research shows conclusively, that services provided to such individuals through blindness-specific programs yield more successful outcomes than have services provided through generic agencies. Whether the blind consumer is a young, healthy job seeker or an older person facing severe vision loss, the rehabilitation system must provide services to maintain independence and dignity. Essential services include:

Orientation and Mobility training to enable a blind person to travel independently and safely in the community, and to access all modes of public transportation

Instruction in reading and writing braille and other communications skills i.e. computer access using screen reader and magnifying software, braille and speech notetakers, as well as cooking, sewing, and everyday living skills necessary to retain or regain independence.

What ACB Members Can Do to Ensure Quality, Blindness-specific Rehabilitation Services in their communities:

Identify a strong leader who will volunteer to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council

Urge affiliate members to provide oral and/or written testimony for rehabilitation statewide planning hearings. Be on record and let officials hear what is going well in your state, and what is not going well for blind consumers. (use list provided above or adapt to your own situation)

Learn the legislators in your state who oversee state rehabilitation programs, and communicate directly with them as a recipient of rehab services. These elected officials are in office to provide public service

Find out who serves on congressional committees that oversee RSA and OSERS and let them know if vital services are not being provided in your state. Also, let ACB advocacy staff know so more attention can be focused on problems. If, for instance, you have been referred to a one-stop center in your state, and accessible services have not been provided, let ACB and your state rehabilitation agency know of your experience.

Remember that ACB national office staff have been assured by senior-level RSA/OSERS officials that blindness-specific rehabilitation services are mandated in the Rehab Act and if services are not provided for some unexplained reason, your state rehab agency and ACB should be informed.

Back to Index

Missouri cuts in aid to the disabled don't affect assistance for the blind

JEFFERSON CITY -- Unlike most disabled adults on Medicaid, the blind can get state-paid wheelchair batteries, pressure-relieving cushions and hearing aids.

The blind can get their teeth cleaned and dentures fitted. They can go to a podiatrist for foot problems and see a physical therapist for help with injuries. They can even get eyeglasses.

Though no one is saying the blind don't deserve help, some question whether it's fair to single out one disability when other low-income adults lost coverage for specialized services and equipment when Medicaid cuts took effect Sept. 1.

"I'm happy for the blind folks, that they got the exception, but I don't necessarily think it's right," said Rich Blakley, who runs a center that helps disabled people in Iron County. "To me, a disability's a disability."

Whether the blind should be treated differently is at the heart of a federal lawsuit contesting the Medicaid cuts. The suit, filed by seven disabled people, contends it's illegal to provide medical equipment for some needy people but not others.

David B. Gray, an expert in the case, said in a court document that he can't fathom why blind people require special cushions to prevent bedsores more than people with cerebral palsy. Gray, an associate professor of occupational therapy at Washington University, has been a quadriplegic since an accident 30 years ago.

State officials contend specialized services are optional under federal law, so the state can choose who gets them. The state has asked U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to dismiss the suit. The request is pending.

Gov. Matt Blunt's administration, which proposed the exemption for the blind, says tradition underlies the decision.

Since the 1920s, the state has provided monthly cash benefits - called pensions - to blind people. And since the 1950s, the state has picked up their medical bills.

"Historically, under Missouri state statute, the challenge of the blind has been acknowledged through the establishment of the blind pension fund," said Deborah Scott, spokeswoman for the Department of Social Services, which runs Medicaid.

State voters set up the pension fund through a constitutional amendment "to help people with really restricted vision get along in the workplace," said Janel Luck, interim director of the Family Support Division. The idea was to offset the cost of guides, readers and taxis.

Today, the pension fund pays out more than $20 million a year to about 3,650 people who are 18 and older. The money comes from a small statewide property tax. Most recipients receive $510 a month. Smaller checks go to those who qualify for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Elizabeth Moore, 48, of St. Louis, lost one eye to a hemorrhage as a teenager and developed glaucoma in the other eye. She doesn't work but plans to attend college in January. She said the state assistance keeps her afloat. She relies on Medicaid for a power wheelchair, a nebulizer and a caregiver's help.

"I would be in big trouble" without the benefits, she said.

To qualify for pensions, people must be totally blind, not just legally blind. They can have no more than 5/200 vision or a visual field of less than 5 degrees. Legal blindness is 20/200.

There are also several old-fashioned criteria that reflect the law's 1920s-era origin. Pension recipients must:

Be of good moral character, a trait that can be verified with a written statement from a fellow Missouri resident.

Not publicly solicit alms.

Be willing to have an operation if a cure is found.

The blind person and spouse can accumulate no more than $20,000 in savings or property, not counting their home. But there is no income test. That's another way the blind are treated differently.

Regular Medicaid has strict income caps. Because blind pensioners aren't held to income standards, the state can't draw federal matching funds to cover their health care. The state picks up the whole cost - nearly $24.4 million last year.

Separately, some blind people do meet federal income criteria. Their health care - costing $12.1 million - is paid from state and federal money. Sen. Chuck Purgason, who sponsored the bill cutting Medicaid services for most adults, couldn't recall any debate about exempting the blind.

"We never dealt with it," said Purgason, R-Caulfield. "It's not a huge cost-driver for the state."

Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-Richmond Heights, said Democrats didn't question the exemption because they didn't want to cut any disabled group.

"Can I give a rational reason for it? No," Donnelly said. "I do think we have legal problems with it because I don't think you can take individuals in one category and give them favorable treatment."

But being singled out is nothing new for the blind. On the federal level, blind vendors have received priority in government buildings since the 1930s. The blind have enjoyed a special federal tax deduction since 1943.

Beverly Armstrong, executive director of the Missouri Council of the Blind, said state officials may have preserved services for the blind to avoid a fight. The council has aggressively fought for bigger pension checks, suing the state last year over the way benefits were figured.

"I think they were hopeful that we would go away if they left us with our Medicaid," Armstrong said.

Instead, what could go away is specialized services.

If the state loses the legal battle, the Department of Social Services says, medical equipment won't be restored for adults with other disabilities; it will be eliminated for the blind.

The state of Missouri provides Medicaid to the blind under:

The Blind Pension Fund: Recipients must be at least 18, with less than $20,000 in property not counting their home. They must be totally blind. There are 2,826 people in the program. The state paid about $24.4 million last year for their health care.

Supplemental Aid to the Blind: Recipients must be at least 18, with less than $2,000 in property not counting their home. They must be totally blind and receiving federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. There are 816 people in the program. The state and federal governments paid about $12.1 million last year for their health care.

Back to Index

USA TODAY, Thursday, October 20, 2005

Here is an article some of you will find very disturbing. I have heard nothing more about this report since this article was published.

WASHINGTON - Two programs established nearly 70 years ago to create jobs for the disabled have made millions of dollars for a handful of companies but helped only a fraction of those who were supposed to benefit, a Senate investigation has concluded.

Investigators for the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee reported that under one of the programs, companies run by those who are legally blind control $1.2 billion in cafeteria contracts at military facilities. But companies run by blind people don't always hire the blind.

As of 2002, the most recent year for which figures are available, the 2,681 licensed vendors in the program employed 337 legally blind workers, 278 with other disabilities and 6,507 persons with no disabilities, investigators reported. The findings were provided to USA TODAY by committee staff.

Enacted in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act gives legally blind persons priority on government contracts to operate food services on federal property. Someone who is legally blind has vision no better than 20/200.

The Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938 required the federal government to purchase brooms, mops and other products from organizations that employ blind laborers. It was amended in 1971 by Sen. Jacob Javits, R-N.Y. ., to include other disabled workers.

Committee investigators discovered that the two programs provide jobs to roughly 48,000 disabled persons. There are 15 million persons with disabilities nationwide who are unemployed.

MAJOR MILITARY MONEY

Companies run by people declared legally blind control military cafeteria contracts worth $1.2 billion. The largest contracts (in millions):
Base Contract
Fort Benning, Ga. $305.9
Fort Jackson, S.C. $112.5
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. $88.0
Lackland Air Force, Tex. $86.1
Fort Knox, Ky. $72.0
Source: Department of Defense

The committee investigators also reported that some companies with contracts pay executives "excessive" compensation.

"It is unconscionable that private companies and employers exploit federal laws to make millions off people with disabilities," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, said "nobody can be expected to hire only blind people." She defended the program created by the Randolph-Sheppard law as one "that provides blind persons with an opportunity to run a business."

The two programs have created bitter legal fights between groups representing the blind and those representing people with other disabilities. Brunson acknowledged that lawsuits have been filed when lucrative military cafeteria contracts that had been held by companies controlled by people with any disability were transferred to ones run by those who are blind.

"We've tried to negotiate a compromise," she said, adding that the law gives priority to blind vendors.

The Senate committee is considering the possibility of combining the two programs. "We can and must improve on these laws by creating more and better opportunities for more persons with disabilities," said committee Chairman Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

Enzi plans to air the findings at a hearing today.

Back to Index

The Fred's Head Companion

The Fred's Head Database is a source of tips and techniques for and by blind or visually impaired individuals. It is Named after the legendary Fred Gissoni of APH'S Customer Relations Department. Having control over your own money is a symbol of independence for all people, blind, sighted or visually impaired. There are several readily-available resources and easy-to-learn methods that allow the blind and visually impaired to write their own personal or business checks free of assistance from others. There is also a simple solution for the problem that check writing presents for individuals who don't know how to write print.

If you are visually impaired, one of the easiest solutions is to ask your bank for large print or raised line checks. Large print checks are just a couple inches larger than regular checks and come in high contrast colors that make them easy to read. Raised line checks are also larger and have lines that can be felt and followed with a trailing hand as the owner fills out the check using the other. All blocks on the check requiring customer attention are tactually indicated.

Another solution for people who are blind and know how to write print is a check writing template. A template is a piece of plastic or cardboard cut to the size of the check. The template has rectangular "holes" or spaces that serve as a guide indicating where the signer needs to write in the Date, Amount, Pay to Order Of, Amount Written and Signature fields.

Blind individuals can also use raised line checks. The raised lines mark the beginning and end of each section of the check that requires signer input. The trick when using a template or raised line checks is to memorize the order of the sections so that you provide the proper input in its proper place.

Individuals who are blind and do not know how to write print can fill out their own checks using a standard typewriter. Start by memorizing or producing a written record of the number of spaces you need to move away from the check margin with each line. For example, to fill out the date, you would need to start three carriage returns down, and backspace 10 spaces from the right margin. To complete the amount section, return twice and backspace 10 spaces from the right margin, and so on until all entry fields are completed. There are several options for signing your check, including using a signature guide (which are available at many adaptive technology stores) or by creating your own template.

Another method for easily locating the signature line of a check is to create your own signature guide. This task can be done by punching dots along the signature line. You may use your slate and stylus or a sewing needle to punch the holes and form a guideline for where to place your "John Hancock." Finally, an option that simplifies both check writing and recording is a software product called "Checkbook Manager." Developed by Blazie Engineering, Checkbook Manager is used along with Blazie note-takers, such as the Braille 'n Speak. This piece of software keeps record of checks, deposits, ATM withdrawals, bank fees, and other transactions, and even allows you to use your printer to fill out your checks.

Back to Index

ANOTHER WAY OF SEEING

This essay is from a book called Reflections From a Different Journey, What Adults With Disabilities Wish All Parents Knew Edited by Stanley Klein and John Kemp. The book consists of fifty brief articles written by people with various disabilities about their experiences growing up, with advice to parents of disabled children. This piece, written by a blind writer of children's books, has a lot of good practical advice and I thought you would like it.

Recently, I read that our first memories contain themes that remain crucial throughout our lives. When I think back, I find that most of my earliest memories have to do with touch. For me as a blind child, touch meant seeing--seeing in the widest sense, seeing as perceiving and understanding. When I was allowed to touch things, I was in my glory. When I heard the dreaded words, "Don't touch!" I felt excluded, shut away from knowledge and experience.

The first scene that comes to mind occurred when I was about twenty months old. My father is lifting me in his arms so I can reach over the edge of a large cardboard box. Inside the box, my hands discover a pile of warm, wriggling bodies--soft fur, bony heads, wet noses, and curious, lapping tongues. "See?" Dad says. "Fluffy's puppies! Look!"

In another memory, I am perched on a stool at the kitchen counter while my mother prepares a chicken dinner. Patiently, she shows me the cold, plucked bird before us. She points out the legs, the wings, the breast, and the place where the head used to be. My hands explore every nuance of poultry anatomy.

In a somewhat later memory, my cousin holds a crayfish captive in a jar. I beg to touch it, but the grown-ups say no. They insist that its claws will pinch my fingers. Someone gives me a stick and says I can touch the crayfish with that. But I can't learn anything about this mysterious creature by probing it with the tip of a stick. I need to study it with my hands, and when I am not allowed, I burst into tears of frustration.

Sighted children look at everything around them, gathering volumes of information through their eyes. The figurines on a shelf, the umbrella leaning in the corner, the heavy drapes that might provide a place for hide-and-seek--each new object is a source of fascination. To my immense good fortune, my parents instinctively recognized that, though I could not see with my eyes, I had the same need as any other child to learn about and enjoy my surroundings. My parents understood that my blindness need not hold me back. My experience of the world could be rich and meaningful through the sense of touch.

Somehow my parents realized that I needed plenty of hands-on experience with the everyday objects sighted children take in almost automatically by eye. When I was a toddler, my mother made time in her hectic schedule to take me on a walk nearly every afternoon. She showed me split-rail fences, mailboxes, fire hydrants, lawn statues, birdbaths, and telephone poles. We sat on the ground so I could examine dead leaves, dandelions, and acorns. Mom even showed me sidewalks, manhole covers, and curbstones. Nothing was too ordinary for our attention. Everything was worth inspecting.

Expeditions with my father tended to be more adventurous. Sometimes he took me on walks in the woods, where we crashed through the underbrush and got our shoes caked with mud. On other days, we explored the construction sites in our suburban development. In half-finished houses, I learned that doors and windows fit into frames and discovered that bathroom pipes descend through holes in the flooring.

My parents had the wisdom to know that for me, as for all children, examining an object once was not enough. Sighted children have unending opportunities to look at trees and fences and bicycles. I, too, needed to reinforce my perception of everyday things by touching them again and again. The inventiveness and unflagging patience of my parents enabled me to create a vast library of tactile images, a mental storehouse of information that has expanded throughout my lifetime. Furthermore, my parents' encouragement nourished my natural curiosity. I grew up hungering for firsthand knowledge of the world. I wanted a hands-on view of my cousin's crayfish and wouldn't settle for less.

Sight and touch are both spatial senses, conveying information about the shape, size, and placement of objects. While sight can be effective at long distances, touch is "up close and personal." For this reason, in our society at least, touch is often suspect. After all, if someone touches an object, it may get broken or even stolen. "Hands off!" children are warned from an early age. They absorb the message that touch is forbidden and may carry a penalty.

As the sighted parent of a blind child, you may find it hard to accept that touch is a valid and necessary mode of seeing. You may have to recognize and set aside your own discomfort with touch before you can give your child the freedom she needs. People will stare at her exploring hands. Some may frown with disapproval, and you will have to explain that your child is looking with her hands because she is blind. But blindness is not shameful. It is simply a different way of being in the world. By helping your child explore and learn in her own way, you will give her a lifelong gift. She will share in the pool of knowledge that is basic to her peers. She will be better equipped to take part in their games, to understand their humor, to join in their mischief, and to dream up pranks of her own. She will be part of the world around her, and she will know that she belongs.

As your child grows up, he will become your teacher as much as you will be his. He will show you that he can accomplish most tasks without sight, by relying on touch, hearing, and common sense. He will read Braille instead of print and will explore the neighborhood using a long white cane. Rarely will blindness stop him from doing the things he wants to do--though the anxieties of other people will sometimes stand in his way. When he wants to try something new, even if you think it will be hard, help him think of ways and means.

Have faith in his abilities, and he will learn to have faith in himself. Living in a world where most people are sighted, your child will need contact with other people who are blind. Blind adults who are working and raising families can be invaluable role models for your child, and they can answer many key questions you have as a parent. From the beginning, it will be important for you to seek out blind teens and adults. Get to know them, and learn about their lives. Make them a part of your child's life and your own.

By helping your child reach out to the world, you will unlock her fullest potential. She will have a chance to make unique contributions to her family, school, and community. Her blindness will always be a difference, but it need never be a tragedy.

Deborah Kent was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Little Falls. She studied at special Braille classes and then became the first totally blind student to attend the local public high school. She graduated from Oberlin College and received a master's degree from Smith College School for Social Work. For four years, she was a social worker at University Settlement House on New York's Lower East Side. In 1975, Deborah moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she wrote her first young adult novel, Belonging (People with Disabilities Press, 2002). The book draws upon her experiences attending public school for the first time. Also in San Miguel, she helped to found the Centro de Crecimiento, a school for children with disabilities.

Deborah is the author of numerous young adult novels and nonfiction titles for children. She now lives in Chicago with her husband, children's author R. Conrad Stein, and their daughter, Janna.

Back to Index

Affiliate Affairs

Where we find out what's happening in your affiliate

Allied Workers

Fall brings the resumption of our meetings after a two-month summer hiatus. With the convention's being held in our city, about 35 of our members attended. The convention was an enjoyable and busy time. I enjoyed the exhibits, especially the Web Text Reader. Speakers from Social Security and Medicare enlightened us on the new prescription drug coverage starting in January, and some of our members availed themselves of the help provided by workers who filled out applications after the presentation.

Yours Truly was elected as Second Vice-President of BRAILLE. After the banquet, some of us participated in the karaoke party. Debbie and I performed some songs to the accompaniment of my "band"--a one-man band in which I do all the playing using computers, electronic keyboards, and other instruments. Of course, there was plenty of food for all.

The Parties for the Blind have also resumed after the summer break. A lady named Maureen has now taken Symie's place. Debbie, my wife, will again be knitting hats for the National Jewish Council for Women; she has donated several knitted hats to this organization over the past few years.

We hope to have some kind of Christmas party, and our Activity Committee is working on that now. We also plan to provide some help to a family or a well-established charity during the holiday season. Since we as blind persons receive help from people in our community from time to time, we believe it is important for us to help someone in our community, especially during the holiday season.

That's about all for now. Have a joyous holiday season.

David Plumlee, President
Allied Workers for the Blind




Report from the Adaptive Technology Inc. Special Interest Affiliate:

During the October convention, the Adaptive Technology affiliate met where members had an opportunity to renew membership, share questions and answers, and receive attendance prizes.

A presentation was given by Beau Barnhart demonstrating the Web Text Reader. Mr. Barnhart displayed the Web Text Reader during the week-end in the exhibit room.
Next year there will be an election of new officers, so be thinking about which office would be suited for you.

A membership list will be sent into the office in January, so if you did not get a chance to pay your dues, please send $5.00 to our treasurer, Franklin Johnson. His address is: 2222 Country Club Drive, Joplin, MO 64804. A newsletter is being compiled and will be published soon, so if you have any questions that you would like to have addressed, or interesting items that you would like to share with our membership, send them to Franklin.

The Adaptive Technology special interest group is growing, so let's all work together and make this affiliate a vibrant sector of MCB.

Sincerely,
Beverly Kaskadden



Blind of Central Mo.

Saturday October 22, 2005

I am here with my loving spouse, Writing this report in the office of our new house. We have two new members in our club. They are Eleanor Duggar, and Alecia Starner. Alecia has a guide dog named Vera. Congratulations Eleanor and Alecia, and welcome to our club. The Blind of Central Mo. would like to say congratulations to Linda and Gary Gerken for this great Jim Henderson award. We had election of officers. They are as follows: President Terry Thommson, Vice-President Brenda Gardner, Recording Secretary Trudy Blood, Treasurer Le-Ann Weakley, Public Relations Joyce Lehman. The previous officers received a vase with three roses in it from Gerry Arnold who was our President. Trudy and Galen Blood are buying a house. The closing was Tuesday, October 18. They are looking forward to moving into their house very soon.

Terry Thompson had knee surgery on October 19, and we hope she has a speedy recovery. Roy Whaley has his own roofing business going. It is called R. and B. roofing. He bought all of the materials, as well as hiring the crews to work for his company. We wish him the best with his company.

We wish everyone a great holiday season. Until next time, keep your smile, and a song in your heart, and if you can't be good, be good at it.

Trudy Blood
Recording Secretary
Blind of Central Mo.



Delta Area Report

Hello once again from the Delta Area Blind. We had our picnic on September 10th. We were honored to have our MCB President Kathey Wheeler and her husband Danny at our picnic and also members from Cape Girdardeau. Some of the people from Poplar Bluff tried to find us but they didn't make it. We were happy to have everyone join us. Two of our members run a restaurant in Matthews, Missouri. We let them prepare our food. They did a super job. Thanks, girls.

Two couples in our affiliate celebrated their 50th anniversaries, Marvin and Barb Shelton on September 10 and Marie and Lawrence Thompson on October 29. Our dauter, Rosemarie Thompson Taylor did a wonderful job planning our anniversary party. She didn't miss a beat, as Carl Mack used to say.

Three DAB members attended the MCB Convention in October. Let me say Progressive Council members did a great job. This was one of the smoothest conventions I have attended in quite a while. Good job, gang.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

Yours Truly
Marie Thompson,
Delta Area Blind and Sighted Members President



JOPLIN SERVICE CLUB OF The BLIND

I start my article with a sad announcement, Vivian Interval who celebrated her 101st birthday December 25, 2004 left us October 7th to go to her heavenly home. She had her special place to sit at our Tuesday luncheon and we will all miss her.

Shirley Ritter has been elected as President to fill that vacancy on our board. She also started up the raffle again.

We did not have a 4th Thursday night dinner in August. In September St. Paul's United Methodist Church was the host for it. As I write this the St. Peter's Catholic Church will be the hosts for the October dinner. October 1st a group of 14 made the trip to Grove OK and saw the Kountry Kuzin's Gospel Show. That was the last show for this group in Grove. We then stopped at Drakes for a delicious meal before returning to Joplin.

We have several of our members ill and in the hospital and nursing homes. They are Tom Walkenshaw, Ellen Strater, Mildred Long, and Helen and Irvin Flowers. We must remember them in our prayers.

We have 58 members in our club for the year ending September 30th. During that year we had three deaths and eight new members for which we received the 3rd place at the Convention for new members. Attending the convention were Roger and Janice Casperson, Robert and Nancy Harwell, John and Sophie Straine, Ted Jeffers, Virgil McCoy, Shirley Ritter, Penny Elam, Helen Green and Valva York.

By the time you receive the Chronicle, Autumn will be gone and the Holidays will be here.

We wish you and all Happy and Blessed Holidays!
May we all remember the True Meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Sincerely,
Valva York, PR




Holiday Greetings and Warmest Wishes for the New Year from Lake Stockton

A lot of hugs and kisses, handshakes and "It's good to see you" were exchanged as members from area affiliates got together to celebrate Lake Stockton Area Council of the Blind's 19th Birthday on Saturday, August 6.

Members of LSACB, Joplin's Service Club of the Blind, Joplin's Southwest Missouri Friendship Council of the Blind, Springfield's Service Club of the Blind, Springfield's Queen City Council of the Blind, and some special guests enjoyed a lunch of fried chicken, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, and assorted cobblers. Oak 4-H Club members assisted with the serving of the food and cold beverages to 95 guests.

Eujean Dody, Auction Chairperson, introduced Missouri Council of The Blind's officers and chairpersons and the affiliate presidents that were present for the day's activities. Kathey Wheeler, MCB'S president, gave some updates about the state office and with a slight chuckle and a smile, she concluded, "Remember that when I am bidding, no one should bid against me because my bid is final!"

Susan Wickern passed away on August 3. She was our vice president. Susan joined the Army in 1943 and was a member of the first and only all-female military marching band. She was a friend and will be missed by those who knew her.

October proved to be a busy month for affiliate members. On October 1, the El Dorado Springs Eagles hosted a benefit dinner and cake walk with proceeds going to Lake Stockton. Members walked and walked for cakes. Helen Gillham won five cakes. She said that her feet and legs sure did ache, but it was worth all the pain because she had so much fun.

The October 6 meeting took on a different appearance as "eerie, spooky, and unusual characters" paraded around the room during a costume contest. Winners included a farmer with Holstein cow for Funniest, a fairy for Prettiest, a geisha girl for Original and an ugly, ugly mask for Ugliest.

Twelve members attended the Convention in Kansas City. During Saturday evening's dinner, Leroy and Loretta Welch recognized a surprised Wayne and Linda Dawes for the work they do in their affiliate. They were presented with a Wal-Mart gift certificate and corsage.

Thirty-five members and guests traveled to Branson on Saturday, October 29. After lunch at the Grand Buffet and some shopping, the group attended the Grand Jubilee Music Show.

Lake Stockton has welcomed three new members: Dallas Goodman, Susan Nelson, and Willa Hood.

May your season be touched with the simple grace of His love.

Linda Dawes, Secretary



Mo Guide Dog Users Report

Hello, Missouri Guide Dog Users. This is our tenth anniversary so some of us had a little surprise party for Chip and Linda Hailey. We gave them a plaque congratulating them on starting the Guide Dog Users Special Interest Affiliate, and a fall arrangement of flowers.

A big thank you to those of you who cleaned up after your dogs had relieved themselves during the convention.

Our Guide Dog Users breakfast was very good. Thanks to all of you who attended.

Dues are still $5.00 per person. Please send dues to MRS. . Linda Hailey, 2940 West 17th Street, Joplin, MO 64801. Thanks.

Yours Truly,
Marie Thompson,




Mo. Guide Dog Users President

Hello MCB Friends from Ozark Association of the Blind.

Six members came home from a great MCB Convention well informed by the speakers and elated because Yvonne Schnitzler was the proud recipient of the President's Award. The surprise rendered her speechless.

Ida Scotti and Yvonne Schnitzler attended the ACB Convention in Las Vegas and were privileged to have witnessed the wedding of Brandi Emmons to Tom Jones in a small wedding chapel. The bride was beautiful standing next to her handsome groom. Congratulations to Brandi and Tom.

We had lots of fun. We won and lost at the slot machines. At least we didn't have to walk home.

On a more serious note, we sadly report the loss of members Irene Fallert and Helen Sherrill. We thank their families and friends who contributed memorials to OAB.

All members are busily working to increase membership by follow-up calls and visits whenever possible to prospective members.

Happy Holidays to all.

Yvonne Schnitzler



Progressive Council News

This has been a very busy year in Kansas City. We were pleased that the Convention was a success. There may have been some minor problems but the positive results outweighed everything. We commend our Convention Coordinator Eldon Cox for doing such a fine job. We also thank Barbara Dewberry for being a fantastic emcee. Patricia Reyes got us some very nice door prizes from Hallmark and Terry Arnold, Mary Pendleton, and Barbara Dewberry got some from other sources. Betty Dewberry made lovely fall centerpieces for the banquet tables. We thank Bev and Tom Armstrong for their help at the registration table. Mary Walter was also a great help. There were many others who helped and we are so grateful.

I am honored to have been elected the new Education and Welfare Chairman for Missouri Council of the Blind. My duties will keep me busy enough that someone else will be writing our news but I will be posting articles from time to time in other places in the Chronicle.

Our chapter has also been busy this summer with our 50-50 raffle and now we are selling nuts and honey baked ham tickets.

We have a new member, Carol Dodd to welcome to our group. A past member that many of you know was in town this summer on business. Paul Mimms was doing computer training with his job. We got a group together and joined him at Chili's for lunch and had a great time. One of our members, Valerie Stanard has recently got a promotion and new office at her job at the Clay-Platte YMCA.

Our summer picnic was catered by Hy-Vee. We had a delicious lunch and a very surprising visitor who walked in off the streets. It was a six foot cross dresser in a platinum blonde wig who said he was blind. He promised he would go home and get the money for the lunch if one of our members would pay up front. He also promised a $2,000 donation. Needless to say, we did not see him or her again.

We are glad that Hank Pearce is feeling better.

We appreciate all of our blind and sighted members. We come together as small streams, bringing the pebbles that have cleansed us and helped us to grow until at last we make a large stream that brings refreshment and nurture to those we meet. Let us make others who walk away from us leave feeling refreshed.

Mary Lee Pendleton



Queen City Council

Greetings from the Queen City Council of the Blind,

We are very proud to announce that we have three new members, Louise Lathrop, Delores Graham, and Linda Coccovizzo. Six of our members attended the September weekend camp and came away with both trophies for the pass the trash tournament. We had a very enjoyable time, which we always do.

Nine of our members attended the MCB Convention in Kansas City. Last month our meeting was held at Incredible Pizza where everyone had a good time and plenty to eat.

We want to wish each and every one of you a very happy healthy, prosperous Holiday season.

Marilyn Tuso, Secretary



the Rite Report

Before I get carried away with my usual chatter in this report, let me wish each and everyone of you a happy and safe holiday season. May you bask in the love of God and your friends and family and may you enjoy every minute of it.

We celebrated our 50th anniversary on October 29th at Favazza's restaurant. Randy Jackson from News Channel five was our guest speaker. Maryan Harrison spoke on the history of Rite. She mentioned many interesting facts that most of us were unaware of. June Lenk won the Dvd-vcr Recorder-player combo. Jack entertained us with songs from that era.

Eight of our members attended the MCB Convention in Kansas City.

We will have our Christmas party at Chris's Pancake House this year. It is scheduled for December 10th. There will be food, fellowship and fun, including a gift exchange.

Some of our members are having some health problems. We hope they are feeling better soon.

Now the holidays will be coming along,
And those cold winter winds will be blowing so strong,
And when you read this article in the midst of December,
Think of how we plead for new members.
We don't care if they're big or little bitty,
As long as they're willing to serve on a committee.
So tell your friends and folks you know,
Especially the blind ones just where they can go,
We'll treat them Rite and that lady or gent
May even get to be President.


Have a wonderful holiday season: Keep warm, keep happy and keep healthy. May God always walk with as and keep you safe. Warm Blessings

Bunny Mcginnis



river City Workers Report

Greetings to all our friends who are receiving the Missouri Chronicle around Missouri. We at River City Workers of the Blind have been enjoying this wonderful weather with all the beautiful bright colored leaves covering the ground.

RCWB entertained the Ratliffe Care Center residents with a Halloween Party. Pat Flurdely played the piano, joined by Charles Werner on the harmonica. Residents and affiliate members joined in a Sing-A-Long. Our member, Alyesia Smith, sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", a special song by a special lady.

We celebrated our annual Thanksgiving Dinner this past weekend. Our attendance, due to illness, was down but all who attended had a great time--good food, entertainment, door prizes, and lots of fellowship. We were honored to have in our attendance, the State MCB President, Kathey Wheeler and her husband, Dan. Thanks for coming. We hope everyone will have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

In December, we will have our Christmas Party at our regular meeting. We will be shopping for visually impaired children in our area. Members will bring gifts for the elderly and less fortunate to be taken to our local newspaper. We also made contributions to the Salvation Army. We are looking forward to a celebration of the Christ Childs Birthday and sharing our love with the world and all who are in it.

Our prayer is that God will bless the Leaders of this great nation of ours, AMERICA, and restore peace.

Wishing everyone the happiest of Holidays and God's Blessings for everyone.

River City Workers of the Blind
Communications Committee




From St. Charles County Council of the Blind

Affiliate Report:

The St. Charles County Council of the Blind has been preparing for the busy upcoming year. There will be new ideas mixed with the old, and always social events. Plans are underway for the holiday season with merriment, and charitable contributions. In the next issue, I will report on what all was accomplished by our members.

The St. Charles Council is sending "Best Wishes" for the holidays to our MCB membership.

Happy Holidays,

Beverly Kaskadden
St. Charles County
Council




Southwest Missouri Friendship Council

We have had a great three months.

We have had three nice socials, one at a Pizza place, a delicious barbecue on Tom and Elvina Smith's patio, and beans, cornbread, and fried potatoes at our meeting place in Web City.

Tom Smith is in charge of our socials, and he works very hard.

Harold Griffith resigned as our secretary, so he could be our full time Chaplain. Margaret Forcum is now our secretary.

We have been selling car air-fresheners for a fund-raiser.

We have a new blind member; her name is Mary Alice Redifer. She is pretty much homebound, but I have gotten to know her quite well on the phone. She loves animals, and has a beautiful cat..

Those of us who went to convention had a great time, but for five of us, the trip home was quite an adventure.

Just as Harold and Alice Poiry, Harold and Lois Griffith and me were leaving Kansas City, the van overheated.

There was a huge leak in the water line, and Harold Poiry could not keep water in the radiator. We stopped at several places that were recommended, but on Sunday, we could not find any place to fix the van.

We spent several hours at a Firestone, and suddenly Harold Griffith pulled out a card that had free one-hundred mile towing from Tripple A. The van was towed to a Ford garage in Belton with Harold and Lois Griffith in the truck cab.

After several calls made on my cell phone, and some helpful Convention stragglers still at the Hotel, we got our problem solved within thirty minutes of Firestone closing.

Chip and Linda Hailey rescued Harold and Alice Poiry and me, and took us to Belton where Harold and Lois were.

They took Harold and Alice Poiry to a Super 8 Motel so they could stay there till the van was fixed, and they took Harold and Lois and me home. Harold and Alice ended up having to stay there for two days, until the van could be fixed.

We are very grateful to them, and to Barbara Dewberry from Progressive in Kansas City, and Gregg Holllins from Allied Workers in Kansas City, to Harold Griffith for his Tripple A card, and to Chip and Linda for their rescue.

Of course, I am grateful for my cell phone which was busy all afternoon. The van had to have a whole new water line.

That's all the news I have for this time.

I will look forward to writing again in three months.

May you all have aBlessed Thanksgiving, and a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Cindy Smart, PR

Back to Index

From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer

Our drawer looks more like Mother Hubbard's Cupboard this time rather than our usual overflowing drawer, but I do have a few things to share with you and hope to have more next time.

The Volunteer Braillists and Tapists of Madison, Wisconsin have produced around 1,700 books in Braille, including cook books, knitting books, publications on diabetes and cancer, and books for leisure reading. They will also transcribe books upon request. The address is Volunteer Braillists and Tapists, 517 North Segoe Road, Number 200, Madison, WI 53705, Phone: (608) 233-0222. (I don't believe I have ever heard the word tapists before, have you?)

The US Blind Horseshoe Pitchers Association promotes the sport of horseshoe pitching for the blind. They say it is inexpensive and easy to learn because you pitch the same distance and same location each time you throw. They also plan local tournaments and national competitions. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis Wyatt, 395 Baytree Drive, Melbourne, FL 32940 or visit their web site www.midniteringers.org.

Sanford Rosenthal operates the party Line Talking Support Group, a cassette magazine for exchanging information. The address is 3360 NE 33rd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.

You can buy Braille Alphabet buttons, two-inch buttons with the Braille alphabet in raised dots, from the Braille Super Store. They are $9.95 for a package of five. Call (800) 987-1231 or visit their web site, www.braillesuperstore.com.

The Key Connection has released the Keys-U-See large print computer keyboard. All keys are marked with large print and the navigation keys have tactile markings. The cost is $34.95. The company's phone number is (928) 304-3404 and the web site is www.keys-u-see.com.

The Novel Sensations Catalog lists gifts, collectibles and novelties. To get a copy on tape, call (651) 463-9346 or write to Po Box 7, Farmington, MN 55024. For an e-mail catalogue send an e-mail to novelsensations@charter.net.

Cory Jackson does computing consulting and troubleshooting via phone. He charges $20 an hour, $10 for first time users until January first. Call (866) 222-9046.

If you are one of those persons who constantly forget where you put your keys, your wallet and the Tv remote, then this may be just what you are looking for. The EZ Finder is a product that helps you find those often misplaced or lost items. Attach an EZ Finder to one of these items and press the button on the locator to hear an alarm. It works up to thirty feet and the system can accommodate up to six finders for those of you who lose lots of things. The system costs $29.95. The company's phone number is (877) 439-3563. Just don't misplace your Chronicle before you call that number.

Quick Braille is a device for learning braille. It is shaped like a Braille cell with six pegs that can be used to form Braille characters. It sells for $15.00 and can be ordered from Robin King, 35 Carter Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28405.

HumanWare has released the latest version of the Braille Note, called the Braille Note mPower. Features include: expanded storage, stereo sound, internet radio, audio recorder, and the ability to connect with cell phones, keyboards and other computers through wireless connections. For more information, contact HumanWare at (800) 433-8317 or go to their web site www.humanware.com.

As part of its new recycling program, The Missouri Assistive Technology Project will clean and repair Braille writers and Braille note takers. The cost starts at $40, excluding parts. Send them, along with an explanation of what needs to be done, to Tim Lehmann, Braille Writer Repair, Mo State Adaptive Technology, 901 South National, Hill Hall 401, Springfield, Mo 65897. Phone: (417) 836-4248, e-mail timlehmann@missouristate.edu.

The Missouri Assistive Technology Project also has a free swap shop service where you can post items you wish to buy, sell or trade. Send e-mail to matpmo@swbell.net or call (816) 373-5193.

Free 411 is a new free national directory assistance service that gives phone listings for any city and state. It is voice activated. When you call, you will be asked to give the city and state and whether you want a residential, business or government listing. You are also prompted to confirm any information you speak. The system is automated, but if it has a problem finding a listing, as it did when I tried to get my phone number, you will be transferred to an operator. You can also be connected to the number free just by staying on the phone. The phone number is (800) 373-3411.

Here is a word to the wise from Bev Armstrong. Don't give your Social Security number to anyone who calls you, claiming they are with Medicare. This is happening to Medicare recipients in some states and it is apparently a scam of some kind. Medicare already has your Social Security number on file and would not be asking for it. Medicare representatives will be calling recipients to give information about the new prescription drug plan, but will not be asking you to give your Social Security number or other personal information. Open enrollment for the drug program began on November 15.

A new e-mail list for blind ham radio operators has been set up to discuss such topics as ham radio, blindness and Christianity. To join, send an e-mail to marktorgreson@my180.net.

A Message of Faith, Hope, Praise and Joy is a free monthly tape magazine produced by Rev. Adelaide Wink. To get it, write her at:
59 South Lee Street,
Beverly Hills, FL 34465-3640.


Premiere Assistive Technology has announced release of the Key to Access, accessibility software on a portable Mp-3 player. The Key to Access, which is about the size of a car key or a pack of gum, can be plugged into the USB port of any computer. It contains a collection of tools designed to make any computer accessible. It does not need to be installed and your personal settings are saved on the device so they will be the same no matter what computer you use.

The Key to Access contains a 250,000-word Talking Dictionary, a voice recorder, a universal reader for reading e-mail and web pages, a talking word processor, a text reader, and a scanner. It can also read PDF files. In addition, with the text to audio application, you can take documents from a computer and convert them to MP-3 files that you can listen to away from a computer. The Key to Access costs $349.95. For more information, call (517) 668-8188 or (815) 722-5961. You can find the company on the web at www.readingmadeeasy.com.

I have heard of people rescuing dogs and cats, but until now I have never heard of tree and plant rescue--at least not until Denny Huff posted this message. Free Trees and Plants rescues unsold plants and offers them to people free. All you pay is shipping and handling. The company uses disabled workers to prepare them for shipping. A wide selection is available. Plants are dormant when shipped and must be planted to become active. The web site is www.freetreesandplants.com.

That's all we have for this time. See you in March.

Back to Index

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, Illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse You of selfish motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, You will win some false friends And some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, Someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, People will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, And it may never be enough; Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;

It never was between you and them anyway. Mother Teresa

Back to Index