                      OFFICERS
             PRESIDENT - Joseph Ruffalo
       VICE PRESIDENT - Everlee Dow
       SECRETARY - Edwin Lewinson
       TREASURER - Gloria Lewis


              BOARD MEMBERS
         Michelle Foster, Jerilyn Higgins
         Mary Beth Nugent, and Tracy Hall


           CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Garden State Chapter - Everlee Dow (609) 482-0865
Northern (Essex) - Edwin Lewinson (201) 675-3377
      

           CHAPTER COORDINATOR
Atlantic City - Michelle Foster (609) 653-0869
      

       STUDENT DIVISION PRESIDENT
            Cindy Simon - (201) 942-1764
      

     JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND
    David DeNotaris - (201) 672-5800


        PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN
         Carol Castellano - (201) 377-0976
      

                       EDITOR
        Rachael Degenshein - (201) 736-5785
  Any articles for the fall issue send by  
  August 1st to: 14 Elmwood Avenue
                 West Orange, NJ 07052

          President's Message

      I would like to welcome you to our Spring
edition of the Sounding Board.  After Dorothy 
Cofone's  resignation, I, as first vice president, 
assumed the presidential responsibilities.  I have 
received boundless cooperation from many members, 
making my job that much easier.  Our long journey to 
First Class Citizenship and Total Independence has 
begun with a single step.

      
      From December 28, 1993 to January 2, 1994, I 
was a member of the "UNFASHIONABLE SEMINARIANS".  
During this leadership seminar, I was able to 
converse with president Mark Mauer and Dr. Kennith 
Jernigan about issues of top priority.
      

      Approximately 25 fellow seminarians from ten
states attended this conference.  I am pleased to
announce that from January 29 to February 2, we sent 
our largest conclave to the Washington seminar.  
Twelve members experienced a valuable and rewarding 
time.  My thanks to Everlee Dow, Agnes Allen, 
Michelle Foster, Cheryl Osolinski, Gloria Lewis, 
Kathleen Benjamin, Cindy Simon, Jerilyn Higgins, 
Siham Atshan, Ed Lewinson, and David DeNotaris.  The 
four issues presented and discussed to our thirteen 
congressmen and two state senators will be found 
later in this issue.

Upcoming events include:

  1.  The 18th Annual NFB of NJ State Convention.
  2.  Raffle and Bus Ride
  3.  National Convention in Detroit, Michigan
      
(See Braille Monitor for further information)

      Our State Convention will be held this year at 
the Trump Regency in Atlantic City from Friday, 
April 29, to Sunday, May 1.  For reservations call 
on or before March 29 to insure your stay in our 
allotted rooms.  The phone number is 1-800-234-5678.
Remember to express your NFB membership to guarantee 
great room rates.
      
      Some of the tantalizing tidbits to be covered 
that weekend are "state of the art" technology with 
vendors, Sharon Gold, who is President of the NFB of 
California, member of the NFB Board of Directors, 
Director of the Lawrence Mercelino Center of the 
NFB, who will also represent the National office at 
our State convention, and social security issues, 
job opportunities for the blind, national 
representatives to discuss issues relating to the 
NFB, Jamie Hilton, director of the commission of the 
Blind and Visually Impaired, representatives from 
the Business Enterprise Program, a representative 
from the Seeing Eye in Morristown, orientation and 
mobility instructor, and many more.

Note: Child care will be provided and must be noted  
      on the registration form in this issue.

      At our recent board meeting, we discussed the 
upcoming raffle and approved plans for members
going to the National Convention and members not 
attending the National Convention.  All ticket money 
and unsold books should be returned by June 11 to: 

      Tracy Hall
      316 Glenwood Avenue
      East Orange, 07019.

For further information, call Tracy at 677-2123.
      
Regarding reimbursement, those members attending the
National Convention will receive 50% of their total
sales at the convention.  Those members not 
attending the convention will have the option of 
sending their 50% of sales to: 

      1) remain in state treasury
      2) sent to local chapter
      3) sent to Parents of Blind Children
4) sent to Students Division

Good luck in your sales and I look forward to 
meeting with new members.

      The State Affiliate is sponsoring a bus to the
National Convention.  We will depart from Penn 
Station, Newark, on Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m.  We 
will be returning on July 8.  Total round trip cost 
is $125 (only 250 raffle tickets).  A $25 deposit is 
needed on or before May 21.  The balance is due on 
June 11.  Please send checks and your name, address, 
and phone number to:    Joe Ruffalo
                        69 Prospect Place
                  Belleville, NJ 07109

      The National Convention will be held July 1 to 
July 7 this year in Detroit, Michigan at the Westin 
Hotel. Make room reservations as soon as possible by 
calling: (313) 546-6910.  Information on this 
convention was in the Monitor's December issue.
      
      I'm happy to announce that the Distinguished 
Blind Educators Award will be presented on Saturday, 
April 30, during our convention.  For more 
information on nomination procedures, write to:
      Jerilyn Higgins
      31 Walnut St.
      Bloomfield, NJ  07003
      
     Every organization needs financial assistance.  
One of the ways is to solicit associates.  In this 
issue is an ASSOCIATE'S FORM.  Copy and distribute 
to neighbors, friends, businesses, and the like.

     In closing, I would like to say thanks to all 
who have made my first six months as your President 
a very beneficial and rewarding experience.
      

                 Yours in Federation Fellowship,
      
                  Joe Ruffalo, President


      
       World Class Comfort and Service
     
    You will be overwhelmed by luxury from the 
moment you enter our magnificent lobby.  You'll 
delight in our 500 newly appointed guest rooms and 
suites (all with breathtaking views, most 
overlooking the ocean) and our rooftop health club 
(complete with swimming pool).
     
      You'll revel in our sauna, steam room, and 
fabulous jacuzzi overlooking the ocean, gym with 
state of the art fitness equipment, racquetball 
courts -- and massage by appointment.  We provide 
you with all of the comforts and services that you 
expect from a Trump hotel.  And when you want more, 
you'll find Atlantic City night life just a few 
steps away at our sister property, Trump Plaza, with 
its world renowned casino and dazzling lounges.  
Complimentary limousine service to Trump Plaza
is always available for our guests.
     
      Child care will be provided by the NFBNJ.  
Please notate your child's name and age on the back 
of the registration form (included in this issue).

      To reserve a room throughout this offer period
(March 31st, 1994), call 1(800) 234-5678 and 
identify yourself as a member of the NFBNJ.


  
               Pilot Program at Drew
     
      At long last.....coming this fall to Drew 
University a pilot program through which college 
level art history will be offered!  This class will 
meet once weekly in New Jersey and include one field 
trip to a museum in New York.  Conducted as an 
outreach program, the exact location and time is as 
yet undetermined, but more information will be 
available later this year.

      Congenial, late blind and early blind adults 
who have completed high school will be eligible.
     


                Back from Washington
                   by Cindy Simon
      
      As I shift my weight trying to find a 
comfortable position in my seat on an Amtrack train 
on which no one is announcing stops, I think about 
from whence I came.  There was a time in my life 
when riding a train alone would have frightened me
tremendously, and the fact that stops were not
being announced would have sent me into a panic.
To be honest, that time was not so long ago, and
in that time not only couldn't I ride a train, but
I could not travel alone in any unfamiliar place.

At first my lack of skill did not bother me.  I
learned how to get around school and relied on
others to get me around elsewhere.  However, I
soon learned that others did not want to go or did
not always have the time to take me where I wanted
to go.  I responded as any blind person well trained 
by society's misinformation would.  I just did not 
go where I wanted to and missed a lot of 
opportunities.  I got my first true taste of 
traveling alone when it was the only way I could 
attend the 1989 NFB national convention.  I
held my breath and told myself if I make it to 
Denver, I would get at least $1,800, the minimum 
scholarship at the time.  I made it, and was awarded 
just that.

      I received something else far more important 
at that convention.  I understood what society had 
expected of me and also knew what my dreams were; 
but had no clue how to get society to recognize my 
hopes.  I learned what the successful blind expected 
of me and I met Homer Page, who not only understood 
how a blind person could dream of holding elected 
office, but actually held elected office.  In 1989 I 
was not quite ready to live up to these new 
expectations or to face the fears I had, which were 
depriving me of political and other opportunities.  
Through my college years I found more reasons to 
travel to new places alone and better excuses
not to actually try it.  As I approached my senior 
year and counted my opportunities missed and 
examined my creative but baseless excuses, I knew I 
had to just do it.  At first my journeys were 
simple.  A train ride to Trenton to lobby a bus ride 
to a campaign event.  As I became more comfortable 
and found ways to deal with what was initially 
inaccessible, I tried more complicated and
further trips.  My first long trip was to New 
Hampshire over my senior year winter break to work 

for then Governor Clinton. I had a wonderful 
experience which resulted in a series of political 
opportunities.  As for the bus ride, it was 
uneventful; actually, it was down right boring.  I 
was so worried something would go wrong, I had 
forgotten to bring something to read.  It is now two 
years later and I have ridden alone on subways in 
New York and Washington as well as buses, taxis, 
trains, and planes in a good number of cities.

      Public transportation was not my only problem 
in 1989.  Recognizing discrimination and standing up 
to it was also sometimes problematic for me.  After 
all, how could I make someone believe a blind person 
could do something when I was not all that confident 
in my ability to do whatever it was?  Through 
college, I would try to ask myself what a 
Federationist would do and then try to convince 
myself to do it.  The latter was not always so easy.  
I took things in steps, first a small trip, then a 
long one, first a response to blatant discrimination 
and than an explanation to someone why he/she was 
unwittingly discriminate.  As I stood up for myself 
more and as I explained my perspective as a blind
person better, I felt a new confidence about my
abilities, a confidence that I was able to 
communicate to others.  There were times of doubt.  
On occasion there are even some now, but at least I 
know I can look back for guidance to other blind 
people and the Federation.  At least I know that if 
I set my mind to something, my blindness will not 
cause me to fail.

      I am back from Washington, back from a summer 
that was the culmination not only of my political 
success but of my overcoming the barriers society 
has set up for the unwary blind. I spent part of my 
summer as an intern in the White House-Office of 
Legislative Affairs.  It was the most rewarding 

experience earned by my efforts for the Clinton 
campaign in New Hampshire and New Jersey where I ran 
for delegate.  I never would have been able to 
contribute as much as I did to the campaign had I 
not overcome my fear of and learned how to use 
public transportation and if I had not learned how 
to recognize and respond to prejudice.  Aside from 
the chance to work in the White House, working on 
the Clinton campaign and running for delegate had 
given me local political opportunities.

    Being blind presents many challenges. However,
remember when you feel like giving up: there was a 
time not so long ago when I would not have been able 
to work in the White House or go to Trenton alone to 
lobby, not because I was not qualified, but because 
I was afraid to board the train alone.



                 Blind and Alone in Asia
                    by Ed Lewinson

    From the middle of May to the middle of August,
1993, I visited China, Philippines, Thailand and 
South Korea.  I had been in all these countries with 
the exception of China at least once, and I had 
lived in South Korea for two years as the recipient 
of a Fulbright Scholarship.  Except for one incident 
which will be briefly mentioned, people, both 
natives and foreigners, were especially helpful and 
as a result of that I did not have any special 
problems because of my blindness.

      Seton Hall University in South Orange, New 
Jersey, where I have taught until I retired at the 
beginning of the last semester, has an exchange 
program with Wuhan University in northern China.  
Each year several Seton Hall faculty members give 

lectures there.  Last year, I decided to apply.  I 
was accepted, and, after spending two days in Hong 
Kong, I flew to Wuhan.  A professor, originally from 
Japan who has been teaching at Seton Hall for a 
number of years and whom I slightly knew also
went.  Another Seton Hall professor who was 
originally from Hong Kong was spending a portion of 
his sabbatical at Wuhan.  The guest house where 
foreigners usually stayed was full, and therefore we 
were put in another residence where no one spoke 
English.  A member of the Wuhan University public 
relations department who spoke English was assigned 
to help us.  The day after we arrived, the Seton 
Hall professor said, "You embarrass me by your 
blindness.  Don't ask me for any help.  I want to 
stay as far away from you as possible."  I was
frightened and virtually in tears.  Fortunately, he 
was the only person with this attitude who I met on 
the trip.

    I had lectured on American relations with China,
Japan, and Korea since World War II.  All my  
lectures except for one required the use of an 
interpreter.  When I heard the students' responses, 
I knew that the lectures had been successful.  The 
impression of China which stays with me most vividly 
is its crowdedness.  Not only does China contain one 
fifth of the world's population, most of the people 
are crowded into several comparatively small areas 
of the country.  In addition to Wuhan, I visited 
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangjo (formerly Canton), and 
Shenzhen, a growing industrial city a half hour by 
train from Hong Kong.  The wife of one of my friends 
at Seton Hall took an eleven-hour train ride to
visit me from Shenzhen to Wuhan because she wanted 
me to talk to the American Consul in Guangjo about 
the possibility of her getting a visa to come to the
United States to visit her husband.  Later, when I 
came to Guangjo, she met me at the airport and we 

went to her home in Shenzhen, a three hour train 
ride.  She did not speak English.  At the airport 
she found someone who did, and who told me what we 
would do next.  The railroad station was so jammed 
with people that it made the New York subway at rush 
hour seem empty.  I held her hand tightly, praying 
that I would not get lost.

      Unfortunately, I did not get to know any blind
people or visit any facilities for the blind in 
China.  On the next trip, that will be one of the 
major items on my agenda.

      After two more days in Hong Kong I flew to the
Philippines.  I was on the board of an organization
called the Filipino Children's Fund which raises 
money in the United States for the projects 
involving children in various parts of the 
Philippines.  I spent a month there visiting five 
projects on four different islands. Someone 
accompanied me to the projects on the main
island, Luzon.  I traveled by air to the other 
islands and planned the visits so that someone would 
meet me at the airport when I was ready to leave.  I 
brought a camera and a tape recorder so pictures 
could be taken and personal interviews could be 
conducted.

      The Philippines declined under the presidency
of Ferdinand Marcos.  Most people in the Philippines 
are still very poor, except for a few who are just 
the opposite.  On two previous trips to the 
Philippines I had visited a restaurant and center 
for social activities operated by the blind 
community in Manila.  It no longer exists.  I had 
visited the school for the blind, which lacks funds 
and facilities.  But so do most activities concerned 
with blindness in the Philippines.  For five or six 
hours each day, Manila is without electric power.  
In every Asian country where I met blind people they 

knew about the NFB and about Dr. Jernigan.  Several 
read the Braille Monitor.  I flew from Manila to 
Bangkok.  At the authority airport in Bangkok as 
well as at the airport in Seoul, I had to persuade 
the authorities that I did not need a wheelchair.  
On my way to Hong Kong, when I had first left the 
United States, I had to change planes in Seoul.
Without asking me, a wheelchair appeared.   
Naturally, I refused to sit in it.  A Korean 
Airlines steward had to guide me with one hand and 
wheel the empty wheelchair with the other.

      I spent six days in Thailand because one of 
the teachers at the School for the Blind had been 
helpful when I had visited in 1980.  He had also 
stayed with me for a week-end in the spring of 1993.

      In Bangkok I visited with blind people and 
with sighted people working with the blind.  I had 
lunch with a blind man whom I had met in 1980 who 
had studied in Australia.  He worked for the 
Australian embassy during the day and played piano 
at a hotel at night.  I met the head of the 
Lighthouse and had lunch with the head of the 
Bangkok School for the Blind and his wife.  I had
dinner with Mr. Pecharat, who had recently returned 
to Thailand after attending the NFB national 
convention in Dallas.  At the convention he made a 
speech and sat at the head table during the banquet.  
He is a great admirer of Dr. Jernigan, particularly 
of his independent travel and rapid Braille reading.  
I also met one of his friends who teaches at a law 
school and is the only person in Thailand to own a 
guide dog.

      During my two weeks in South Korea, I saw a 
number of old friends both blind and sighted.  
Sangjin Lee is a retired teacher at the School for 
the Blind in Seoul.  He had helped me when I had the 

Fulbright form 1979 to 1981, and I helped him attend 
the NFB national convention in Dallas in 1990.  He 
taught himself English, which he speaks well.  His 
knowledge of English helps him interpret for Mr. W. 
M. Park, the Korean who manufactures the NFB canes.

      While I was traveling in Asia, my guide dog, 
Nelson, spent his vacation with his friends.  Almost 
no blind people use guide dogs in Asia except in 
Japan, where there is a school which was set up with 
the help of the Seeing Eye.  Although some schools 
for the blind preach mobility, most blind people in 
Asia that I have known do not travel independently.  
Being in Asia makes me feel that with all its 
problems and prejudices which still exist for blind 
people in the United States, they are very mild 
compared to those in less developed countries.  When 
a country is poor, its resources must be channeled
into satisfying the common needs which everyone has,
such as food, clothing, and shelter.  Only as a 
country develops and becomes more prosperous can it 
concentrate on people with special needs such as the 
physically handicapped.  Yet, I am always impressed 
and admiring to those blind people from developing 
countries who come to the United States and who must 
overcome not only the general cultural differences, 
but the differences in attitudes regarding 
blindness.

      Thanks for your interest.  It's good to be 
back home.

            B L I N D   A T H L E T E S

      Parents of blind or visually impaired children 
are often unaware of the athletic opportunities 
available to them.  The Association of Blind 
Athletes of N.J. can open many doors for your 
children; enabling them to become involved in a wide 
range of individual and team sports.  Modifications 
are designed to enable all to participate safely.  
There are three visual classifications that provide 
equal competition for all athletes.

      On Saturday, April 30, the N.J. Association of 
Blind Athletes coaches, Charles and Sharon 
Gundemann, will introduce you to 12 sports with 
their modifications.  Also in attendance will be 
N.J. Athletes who have competed in state, regional, 
national and  international competitions.  They will 
be able to provide you with their individual 
thoughts and views on athletics.  Being able to 
participate in athletics provides for improved
self-esteem, an opportunity to network with peers in
quality competition, develop socialization skills 
and experience a variety of different cultures.


                            Charles F. Gunderman
                            Penn State University



                 What Makes A Champion

    It's not just a skilled athlete.
You have to have a dream.
You have to be strong mentally.
You have to make sacrifices.  If you don't,
you won't have a chance.
Not everyone with a dream can be a winner.
Being able to dream is the first step,
on the road to success.
    You have to be driven not only to be the
    best, but to DO YOUR BEST!
    Set, establish, meet and exceed your goals.
    Aim high.  If you set your sights low,
    you will only live up to those expectations.
    You have to want to achieve your goals.
    Create a desire to win.
    Real winners are those whose failures 
    inspire them to try again.
    Remember, those you compete against are
    the same as you, doing their best.
    No matter how hard you practice, things
    don't always work.
    A true competitor prepares for setbacks
    and never quits.
    You must know when to switch game plans
    when things aren't working.
    Try other options.  
    Hanging in there teaches us perseverance.
    When mistakes are made, remember what lies
    ahead and use your skills.
    You gain satisfaction by completing a 
    difficult task, striving to do your best.
    Luck strikes those prepared to capitalize.
    Seize the moment!
    The difference between a successful athlete 
    and others is not a lack of strength or skill 
    or knowledge.... But a lack of determination
    to do the best that you can.

    Being part of a team effort and competing
    against your peers has many rewards.
    The lessons learned in quality competition
    will reward you along life's path.
    You must have the ability to work towards a
    common goal as a member of life's team.
    Simply stated, it is less me and more we.
    Working together, we will become true
    champions in sport and life.


                Quotable Quote
     
      Sam Adams once said:
        "Take a stand at the start!"
   Which proves that which was true then
   is still true now!!



Dear Fellow Consumer,
      
      As you may be aware, the State of New Jersey 
is looking to further cut the State budget.  Our 
50th Governor, Christie Todd Whitman needs to be 
educated on the need for services to visually 
impaired or blind individuals of New Jersey.  You 
can help in this educational process by contacting 
the Governor with your own personal service needs 
and why such services are a real need.  Just tell 
your own personal story of your needs in housing, 
education, transportation, employment, and other 
rehabilitation skills.  Here are a few other
suggestions:

      1.  Each organization should write a letter to
    Governor Whitman which outlines the loss
    of services that have affected you.  Your
    letter should include solutions to
    whatever  problems in service needs you   
    outline.  Any suggestions which you may  
    feel would provide a high quality of 
    service in a cost effective manner.

2.  Each individual should call the Governor's
    office at 1-609-292-600 to give their own
    personal service needs.

3.  It is always very important to write or 
    call local legislators with our above 
    message for the whole legislative body
    votes for the approval of the budget.

4.  When seeking budget materials, you should 
    ask that such materials are provided in  
    accessible formats as required by the ADA.

We need you to help and work with us to educate 
Governor Whitman by calling 1-609-292-6000 within a 
day or two of reading this.  Protect our services 
and have a better quality of life with vision loss.  
Many organizations of and for the blind are trying 
to outline our service needs but the strongest 
points of need can and should come from all of us 
individually.
      
                  Sincerely,

                     Michael T. Marrazzo
                     Advocate for people who
                     are Blind or Disabled


                 CONTACT LIST

Governor Christie Todd Whitman
NJ State House
CN - 001
Trenton, NJ o8625
Phone 1-609-292-6000
FAX 1-609-292-3454
Press Office Phone 1-609-292-9079

Budget Committee Chairman
Senator Robert E. Littell
Rts. 23 & 517 * P.O. Box 328
Franklin, NJ 07416-0328
Phone 1-201-827-2900

Assemblyman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen
10 Park Place
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone 1-201-993-1300

William Waldman Commissioner
NJ Department of Human Services
CN - 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Phone 1-609-292-3717


      
         Special Announcements



      The more the circulation of THE SOUNDING BOARD
increases, the higher the cost of production is 
growing. To off-set this cost, we are asking all 
people to send an annual donation cost of $5.00, a 
minimal cost, considering the wealth of information 

that will be available in this and coming issues.  
Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, and, 
hopefully, it will not be necessary to cut off 
subscriptions to non-members.  Checks should be made 
out to the National Federation of the Blind of New 
Jersey and sent to the president.

      Have you ever considered making a provision 
for the National Federation of the Blind of New 
Jersey in your will?  In order to continue the work 
we've been doing, we must have the necessary funds.  
This is one way of helping us.  You can rest assured 
that your generosity will allow the affiliate to 
continue advocating for the of  rights of blind and 
visually impaired people in our state.  For the 
information contact Joe Ruffalo at (201) 450-3030.
      
      THE SOUNDING BOARD welcomes your articles and
comments.  Submissions can be on cassette tape or 
typed. You may choose to remain anonymous; however, 
your name, address, and telephone number must appear 
on the manuscript, should clarification be 
necessary.  We will be publishing issues in March 
and September.  Material should be in our hands one 
month prior to the publication date.
      

PRESIDENTIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO:
      
Tracy Hall on successfully completing the Business
Enterprise Program at the Joseph Cohen 
Rehabilitation Center.  She is currently employed as 
a vendor in Paterson.

Kathleen Benjamin and Robert Ott who are enrolled as 
students in the Business Enterprise Program.
      
Mary Beth Nugent who is a student at the Joseph
Cohen Rehabilitation Center.
      
Siham Atshan who is First Vice President of the
Students Div. and passed her citizenship exam.
     
Edna Baker who chaired a Stay - At - Home Tea Party
for our Scholarship Fund.

Jerilyn Higgins for chairing our Distinguished Blind
Educators Award.
      
Everlee Dow for heading the Scholarship Committee.

Anzel Torres on his computer assignment at the
Overlook School for the Blind.
      
Cindy Simon for organizing the Students Division in
New Jersey and for placing her hat in the political 
ring as she ran for freeholder in Wayne.

John E. Brown for his work on reproducing the
Sounding Board on tape.
      
Joel Blake for having the perfect narrative voice on
our Sounding Board tape.

David DeNotaris who is the coordinator of Job 
Opportunities of the Blind of New Jersey.
      
Rachael Degenshein, our editor, for doing all this 
on such short notice, thanks for taking the time to 
do the Sounding Board, we couldn't have done it 
without you!
      
If you know anyone who should be congratulated than
call Joseph Ruffalo at (201) 450-3030 so they will
appear in the next issue.
      
     The Washington Seminar 1994
     
      Each year in February, members of the National
Federation of the Blind gather in Washington D.C. 
for the Washington seminar.  Everyone welcomes these
stimulating, legislative activities, since they take
place during the gray mid-winter when a little
excitement is needed.
      
      Headed by President Joseph Ruffalo, the 
twelve-member delegation from New Jersey visited 
their Congressional offices and the Senate to 
discuss this year's legislative agenda.  The dates 
of the actual seminar were January 31st through 
February 2nd.

      Our legislative priorities for the session of 
the 103rd Congress are as follows:
      
1) Funding needed for books for the Blind.  Congress
   should restore funding for the books for the  
   Blind and Physically Handicapped program of the   
   Library of Congress, to meet current, critical   
   service needs.

   Access to information is crucial to the Blind, if 
   we are to compete on terms of equality.  Of the  
   large number of books that are published 
   annually, only a very small percentage of these  
   is made accessible to the Blind.  Apart from 
   volunteer groups and some specialty Producer, the 
   Library of Congress is the only book and magazine 
   reproduction source at work for blind persons.   
   Appropriations for fiscal year 1995 should be 
   approved at a level which is at least consistent 
   with the amount expected to be included in the
   President's budget request.
      
2) Blind Persons Literacy Rights and Education Act.
   Congress should amend the Individuals with
   Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to include
   provisions for strengthening programs of braille
   literacy instruction and the cost effective
   transcription of instructional materials into
   Braille.  This can be done by enacting the Blind
   Persons Literacy Rights & Education Act.  Without
   legislative change, today's blind children will
   not be able to meet the national education goal.
   Current federal and state laws require that an
   appropriate educational opportunity must be 
   provided to disabled students, but growing 
   illiteracy for blind children has been the 
   result.  Remedial federal legislation similar to 
   laws that have been enacted in 21 states, can 
   reverse this trend.
      
3) Americans with Disabilities Business Development 
   Act Congress should amend this act.  This 
   proposal seeks amendment to the Small Business 
   Act, so that programs authorized to assist 
   minority owned small business concerns under
   Section 8A of the Small Business Act, will be 
   opened to persons with disabilities.  This 
   proposal is simply the recognition of disability
   as a condition of minority status.
      
4) Wage Equity for Blind Employees
   Congress should amend the Fair Labor Standards 
   Act to prohibit paying sub minimum wage to 
   persons who are  blind.  This proposal is 
   designed to achieve wage equity for blind 
   employees.  The proposal would amend Section 14C 
   of the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that 
   impaired vision of blindness could not be used by 
   an employer as a basis for obtaining an
   exemption from paying the federal minimum wage.

These are the issues that were presented on Capital
Hill.  The federation is known by lawmakers and the
public at large as the "Voice of the Nation's 
Blind".  Our work is not yet ended and we shall 
remain in close contact with our representatives on 
Capital Hill to ensure that we are not forgotten.
      
                          Gloria Lewis



      
          A point to ponder

"I have always felt that the moment when
first you awaken in the morning is the most
wonderful of the 14 hours.  Regardless of how
weary you feel, you possess the certainty that
anything may happen.  The fact that it 
practically always does not happen, matters 
not one bit, the possibility is there."

From "I leap over the wall"
      Holt, Rinehaet, & Winston


      
New Items from the Garden State Chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
    
The Garden State chapter is no longer a fledgling 
organization.  We have grown from four members in 
August, 1991 to our present membership of seventeen.  
Our members are as follows: Everlee Dow, president; 
Rose Bethea, vice president; Marilyn Swartz, 
treasurer; Agnes Allen, recording secretary. The 
remaining members are Linda De Bardinis, Gordon 
Parks, Paul Jones, Marion Dempster, Tom McKenzie, 
Jack Stokes, Merry McLaughlin, and Miner McGeorge.
    
By the Atlantic City State Convention in the spring
we hope to bring our membership to at least twenty.
The weekend after Easter, April 8 to 10, some of the
women from our chapter are planning to attend a 
weekend retreat at the Dominican Retreat House in 
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.  This retreat is held 
annually for all interested blind and visually 
impaired women, regardless of age or denomination.  
If there are any other Federationists who would like 
to attend this beautiful weekend retreat, please 
contact Agnes Allen at 609-273-8807.  Free 
transportation and guide services are provided, if 
needed.  There is no charge for the retreat, but for 
those who can afford it, donations in any amount are 
very much appreciated.
    
      In January of 1994, our chapter began 
contributing to the PAC plan - an activity we take 
pride to report.  Our present contribution is 
$60.00, but as our treasury amount increases, so 
also should our PAC plan contribution.

      On May 21, 1994, we are planning a trip to the
National Center in Baltimore.  Our members are 
looking forward to a most productive and enjoyable 
experience.

      Our second talent show is on the agenda for 
the fall of 1994.  Our first one, which was held 
last November 6, 1993, was quite successful with 
about forty to fifty people in the audience and a 
financial return of over two hundred dollars.
                         
      Our talented members provide material for the 
show. We look forward to an even better show in '94 
and we'll see you in Atlantic City in the spring.
    
                            Agnes Allen
                            Secretary
    
For Your Information:

Blind Women Security of Essex Inc. Tracy Hall
      (201) 677-2123
      
Job Opportunities for the Blind - National 
Center  In Baltimore  1-800-638-7518

Job State Coordinator - David DeNotaris
(201) 672-5800

New Jersey's Students Division President
Cindy Simon (201) 942-1764

Parents of Blind Children President
Carol Castellano (201) 377-0976

Business Enterprise Program
Tracy Hall (201) 675-2123

First Call For Help - Valerie Davia 
1-800-435-7555
P.O. Box 1948 Morristown, NJ 07962

Hadley School for the Blind 1-800-323-4238

Recordings for the Blind-Princeton 
1-800-221-4792

National Library for the Blind in Trenton
1-800-424-9100


Essex County Special Transportation
(201) 678-1300

Art Education for the Blind - Karen Spitzberg
(201) 408-3716

Visual Impairment Center, Bloomfield Library
(201) 429-9292

Vision Volunteers - Foster Milton 
(201) 673-0640

(E.I.E.S.)  Electronic Information Educational
Service, South Orange  (201) 762-0552

John Mulvihill Jr.
Commission of the Blind - Newark 
1-800-962-1233

St. Clare's (201) 625-9565

Adjust to Vision Loss Housing and United 
Services, Inc. 47 Center Ave.
Leonardo, NJ 07737  Michael T. Marrazzo
Phone 1-908-872-1990  Fax 1-908-291-7215

Seeing Eye of New Jersey - Morristown  
David Loux (201) 539-4425

If you are aware of other services that should
appear, contact Joe Ruffalo (201) 450-3030



               EDITOR'S CORNER

The Sun and the Darkness

Why is the darkness so cruel to the sun, the  
  light that gives us life?
Why does the darkness swallow the sun at day's  
  end and take over?
Why doesn't the darkness see its cruelty when  
  it deprives the world of eternal light?
But look at it the other way around.

Why is the sun so cruel to the darkness that  
  gives us shadows and mysteries?
Why does the sun swallow the darkness everyday  
  at sunrise and take over?
Why doesn't the sun see its cruelty when it
  deprives the world of eternal darkness?
Why can't the sun and the darkness share the   
  job equally?
Why can't the sun and the darkness be friends?
  Or are they friends?


Quotable Quote:

If you learn to appreciate what you have, you 
will never grieve for what you are missing.

Nobody is born smart and nobody is born 
stupid.  Everyone is born with the ability to 
learn and it is those people who use that 
ability to its fullest potential who are truly 
wise.


                    - Rachael Degenshein
