                           BLIND WASHINGTONIAN
                                                                          
                                     
                                                                          
         The Voice of the National Federation of the Blind of WA


       The NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION 
SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES!
     
     Blind Washingtonian subscriptions cost the Federation about five 
dollars per year.  Members are invited, and non-members are requested, to 
cover the subscription cost.  Donations should be made payable to: 
National Federation of the Blind of Washington and sent to National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington, Post Office Box 2516, Seattle, 
Washington 98111






Gary Mackenstadt, President
Post Office Box 2516
Seattle,  Washington 98111
(206) 823-6380                         

Albert Sanchez, Editor
East 707 Garland
Spokane, Washington 99207
(509) 487-8959

                                     
                                     
                                                                          
                               Spring 1996
                                                                          
                                     

     The Blind Washingtonian is available in print, braille and cassette.  
Address changes, requests for additional copies of this newsletter, and 
articles for publication should be sent to the Editor.

                                     
                     A FEDERATION WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

     Federationists were joined in Olympia on Friday afternoon, March 22 
by other supporters of Braille literacy to witness the signing of the 
Braille Bill by Governor Mike Lowry. This ended a seven year struggle by 
the NFB of Washington on behalf of this legislation. We certainly 
appreciate the strong support that braille literacy has received from the 
governor, as well as our friends in the Washington State legislature.
     On Friday evening, the NFB of WA hosted a reception at the Tacoma Inn 
to celebrate this important legislative victory. Legislators as well as 
state officials were in attendance. Senator jeannine Long and 
Representative Val Ogden, who were the primary sponsors of the Braille 
Bill, were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their work on 
behalf of braille literacy. Unfortunately, Senator Long could not be with 
us. However, Representative Ogden was present to accept her certificate.
     In addition, Dr. Dean Stenehjem, Superintendent of the Washington 
State School for the Blind, and Pat Dunn of the Law Firm of Heller, Erman, 

White and McAuliffe were also presented with certificates of appreciation 
for their hard work on behalf of braille literacy. A special plaque was 
presented to Mike Freeman, First Vice-president of the NFB of WA and the 
longtime chair of our legislative committee, for his hard work on behalf 
of Blind Washingtonians.
     Jim Omvig of Arizona represented our National Office at both the 
signing ceremony and reception. On Saturday, Mr. Omvig conducted a day 
long membership seminar, attended by Federationists from throughout the 
state. During the seminar, we focused on the mission and goals of the 
Federation with everyone having an opportunity to participate.  In the 
exchange of ideas.
     Following the conclusion of the seminar, a read-a-thon, sponsored by 
the Washington State Parents of Blind Children was held to raise money to 
assist families with blind children to attend this years National 
Convention in California. Children from 18 months of age to thirteen years 
of age participated with blind adults as well as their families to read 
braille material of their choice for two hours.  The very small youngsters 
were part of a reading circle. In excess of $2,100 was raised.
     Mr. Omvig's keynote address during the banquet on Saturday evening 
was a grand finale to a wonderful day. On Sunday morning, the Board of 
Directors of the NFB of WA met. The meeting was well attended by the 
general membership. The morning was filled with discussion regarding the 
Newsline for the Blind, the Blind Washingtonian, braille literacy, 
fundraising, the scholarship program and plans to attend our National 
Convention in Anaheim.
     This year, the NFB of WA is proud to have a new scholarship in the 
amount of $1,000 entitled the Hazel tenBroek Merit Scholarship. As readers 
may know Mrs. tenBroek is the widow of the founder of the NFB, Dr. Jacobus 
tenBroek. She was also a resident of the State of Washington during most 
of the 1980's and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the NFB 
of WA. In addition, she served as editor of this newsletter.

                                     
                             EDITOR'S CORNER
                                                                          
                            By Albert Sanchez

Appointed

     As many of you know I served three three-year terms on the Advisory 
Council of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind 
representing this organization. Since I was not eligible for another term 
I have been replaced. In December Governor Mike Lowry appointed Mark  
Noble to that position.  Congratulations Mark!
     We are pleased to report that Susan Davidson has recently been 
appointed to a position on the Board of Trustees of the Washington State 
School for the Blind. She represents the 9th Congressional District.  She 
and her husband Mark are active in our Tacoma chapter and also in the 
Parents of Blind Children Division.  Congratulations to Susie!

Moved

     Moe and Bill Pierce have been active members of the NFB of Washington 
for a number of years.  Moe served a time as president of our Seattle 
chapter and also on the Board of Directors.  Bill was an active member of 
our Seattle chapter.  He also ran a computer bulletine-board that helped 
spread the Federation's message.  They have recently relocated to Colorado 
Springs.  Good luck and keep in touch!
     

                                     
                                     

BRAILLE AWARENESS DAY IN WASHINGTON STATE BRINGS BIG DIVIDENDS
                                                                          
                             By Bennett Prows

     The 1996 legislature saw the NFB at the forefront of the battle to 
bring Braille to blind students again.  We have now enlisted the 
assistance of virtually every organization, group and individual in the 
educational field, and brought the Braille bill to the Washington House of 
Representatives and Senate one more time.  On January 17, 1996, a large 
contingent of the blind of the State, their friends, and parents of blind 
children, along with teachers, agency administrators and the general 
public met at Olympia for our finest Braille Awareness day ever.
     Tables were set up in the capitol building between the House and 
Senate galleries, and legislators and staff could come and see any number 
of demonstrations of the benefits of learning Braille. While agencies and 
organizations of and for the blind showed the public that Braille is 
equally as effective for blind persons as print is for the sighted. A 
number of us spread out to meet with the key legislators who are going to 
pass the legislation to give legally blind students the opportunity to 
read Braille in the public school system in Washington State.  And, our 
efforts paid off.
     At about 10:45 A.M., HB1078 was read for the final time on the floor 
of the House.  While the blind of the State watched from the gallery, the 
Representatives passed the current version of the Braille bill unanimously 
after very little discussion.
     At noon, we lined the rotunda of the capitol, and held a ceremony to 
celebrate this victory. Bennett Prows was the master of ceremonies for the 
twenty minute program, during which Gary Mackenstadt, President of the 
National Federation of the Blind of Washington thanked the many officials 
who had a hand in passing the House version.  He pledged to have the bill 
out of the Senate very soon.  The ceremony was highlighted, when Governor 
Mike Lowry read his own proclamation declaring January 17th as Braille 
Awareness Day in Washington State, (see below.)  The crowd roared, and the 
echo could be heard throughout the capitol, when the governor whole 
heartedly endorsed the Braille legislation this session. "As soon as it is 
passed," he told the audience, "I will sign this common sense bill to 
ensure literacy for blind children."
     The ceremony was followed by singing from a trio of blind children 
from the Washington State School  for the Blind. 
     We have worked hard since that red letter day in January, and at this 
writing, a version of the Braille Bill has passed both houses of the 
Washington Legislature.  Now, we await final passage of either the House 
bill or the Senate bill in the other legislative body in the next two 
weeks.  Because of the steadfast determination of the National Federation 
of the Blind of Washington over the past eight years, we will soon have a 
Braille bill in Washington State.
     (Editor's Note: We are delighted to report that House Bill HB1078 was 
passed by the Senate on February 28th and will be sent to Governor Lowry's 
office, where, it is hoped, he will sign it into law.)
     

                                     
                       PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

     WHEREAS Braille, the system of reading and writing for the blind 
invented by Louis Braille, has been recognized for over a century as the 
principal means of written communication used by the blind; and
     WHEREAS Braille not only conveys literary information efficiently and 
accurately, but also the symbols of mathematics and the sciences, music, 
computer science and foreign languages; and
     WHEREAS Braille affords the blind reader the ability to directly 

experience the written word in the same manner as does print for the 
sighted; and
     WHEREAS this experience promotes literacy; and
     WHEREAS literacy promotes democracy by increasing the ability of 
citizens to gain knowledge of public affairs through vehicles such as the 
Washington State Voters Pamphlet (which Washington pioneered in producing 
in Braille) and government documents produced by the Washington State 
Braille Access Center, and;
     WHEREAS literacy increases productivity and the ability to compete in 
the labor market.
     NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Lowry, Governor of the State of Washington, do 
hereby proclaim January 17, 1996 as Braille Literacy Day and call upon the 
citizens of Washington State to recognize the value of Braille in 
promoting literacy, civic awareness, participation in public affairs and 
productivity among the blind citizens of Washington State.

                                     
                         SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 1995
                                                                          
                            By Rita Szantay, 
                                                                          
                            Scholarship Chair

     The 1995 Scholarship program was a huge success.  We had applicants 
from all over the state.  
     This year's Beverly Prows Memorial Scholarship went to Juanita 
Garcia.  Juanita is 19 years old and lives in Sequim.  She is currently 
attending Junior College in the Port Angeles area.  Her career goal is to 
become a special education teacher and minor in Spanish.  Juanita is an 
avid braille reader and she enjoys a variety of activities including 
hiking, camping, snowshoeing, motorcycle riding and water skiing.  She has 
been active in drama club, and throughout her education she has been on 
the honor role.  Juanita and her mom attended our state convention last 
September and they both really liked meeting everyone in the Federation.  
We are all very proud of her.
     Next year we hope to strengthen and expand our scholarship program.

                                     
                  SIGNALS FOR USE WITH DEAF-BLIND PEOPLE

     (Editor's Note:  I found the following information last summer during 
our National convention in Chicago.  I am including it in the hope that it 
will be of use whenever you encounter a deaf-blind person.)

1.  When you approach a deaf-blind person, let the person know by a 
  simple touch that you are near.  A warm, friendly handshake will show 
  your friendly interest.
2.  Make positive but gentle use of any means of communication that you 
  adopt.  Abrupt or exaggerated gestures might be misunderstood.
3.  Work  out a simple but special signal for identifying yourself, or 
  tell your name if the deaf-blind person prefers.
4.  Learn and use whatever kind of communication the deaf-blind person 
  knows.  If you know another means of communication that might be 
  valuable to the person, offer to help him/her learn it.
5.  Be sure the deaf-blind person understands you, and be sure you 
  understand him/her.
6.  Encourage the deaf-blind person to use any speech that is possible, 
  even if it is limited to only a few words.
7.  If there are others present, let the deaf-blind person know when it 
  is appropriate to talk.
8.  Inform him/her of the whereabouts of others present.

9.  Tell the deaf-blind person when you leave, even if it is only for a 
  brief period.  See that he/she is comfortable and safely situated.  If 
  the deaf-blind person is not sitting, provide something substantial for 
  him/her to touch before you leave.  Never abandon a deaf-blind person in 
  unfamiliar surroundings.
10.  In walking, let him/her take your arm.  Never push a deaf-blind 
  person ahead of you.
11.  Make use of a simple set of signals to let him/her know when you 
  are about to (a) ascend a flight of stairs, (b) descend a flight of 
  stairs, (c) walk through a doorway, or (d) board a vehicle.  A 
  deaf-blind person holding your arm can usually sense any change in pace 
  or direction.
12.  Encourage deaf-blind persons to use their own initiative and 
  abilities.  Encourage them to express their own ideas.  Encourage their 
  interest in new experiences.
13.  Rely on your natural courtesy, consideration, and common sense.  
  Avoid getting flustered or irritated if misunderstandings arise. 
  Occasional difficulties in communication are only to be expected with 
  all people, not just the deaf-blind. 

                                     
                         WASHINGTON SEMINAR 1996
                                                                          
                            By Michael Freeman

     In late January or early February, shortly after Congress has 
reconvened following its holiday recess, members of the National 
Federation of the Blind from around the country gather in Washington, D.C. 
for what has come to be known as the "Washington Seminar".  During this 
event, participants inform their Congressional delegations about matters 
of concern to the nation's blind.  Forty-eight of the fifty-two NFB state 
affiliates were represented at this year's seminar including  four persons 
from Washington state:  Noel Nightingale and Renee West from Seattle and 
Heather Harmon and I from Vancouver.
     As in past years, several seminars took place prior to the initial 
Washington Seminar "gathering-in" briefing meeting which occurred on 
Sunday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m.  A student seminar was held on Saturday, 
January 27 and two seminars -- one for parents of blind children and one 
for those interested in raising Associates -- were held on the afternoon 
of Sunday, the 28th.
     At the "gathering-in" meeting, many announcements of interest to 
Federationists were made (including the fact that our Braille Literacy 
Bill had passed the House of Representatives in Washington state).  One of 
the most interesting announcements concerned a device NFB plans to market 
soon -- a transistor radio (a.m., f.m. and shortwave coverage) powered by 
a spring-driven generator (two minutes of winding provides for about 
forty-five minutes of listening).  This radio is intended for use in the 
Third World but also has applications for emergency use here in the U.S.  
Also being investigated are the possibility of increasing the radio's 
runtime on a wind to three or four hours and the possibility of 
manufacturing a light driven by this spring-motor-generator system.  It is 
expected that these devices will provide much-needed revenue for the 
Federation.
     At the initial briefing meeting on the 28th, the issues to be 
discussed with Congress were outlined.  During the next three days, 
seminar participants informed their Senators and Representatives about 
these issues.  The tapping of canes and jingling of guide dog harnesses 
demonstrated to all that the organized blind were at the Capitol in 
strength to make their views known.
     Two of the three issues presented to Congress had been discussed in 
previous Washington Seminars.  First, NFB is still pushing for the 

retension of the currently-existing linkage between the amount of income a 
blind person receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payments 
may earn before such payments are cut off and the amount of earnings 
retirees aged 65 to 70 may earn before their Social Security payments are 
reduced (a bill has passed the House which increases this latter amount 
but severs the aforementioned linkage).
     Second, NFB advocates language being added to the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which would promote Braille literacy for 
blind children.  The proposed language would insure that if anyone on the 
team constructing the individualized education program (IEP) for a blind 
student wanted that student to receive instruction in Braille, it would be 
provided and the only way that Braille could be explicitly omitted from 
the blind student's educational program would be if all members of the IEP 
team concurred that Braille is not needed.
     Third, NFB is seeking amendments to the copyright laws which would 
allow governmental or nonprofit organizations to produce material in 
alternative formats (including electronic form) solely for the use of the 
blind or others prevented from reading by reason of physical disability 
without prior permission of the publishers.  Language to this effect is 
already in a draft bill but is unsatisfactory in that a waiting period of 
a year would be required before such copyrighted material could be 
published in alternative formats.  NFB has reached agreement with the 
American Publishers Association on language which would not require this 
waiting period.
     We were warmly received by our Congressional delegation.  We saw in 
person Congresswoman Smith, Congressmen White, Metcalf, Hastings, 
Nethercut, Dicks and Tate as well as Senator Murray.  In marked contrast 
to last year, our Congressional delegation appeared familiar with the 
issues we discussed and although no commitments to sponsor legislative 
amendments implementing our proposals were made, nearly everyone appeared 
favorable to our point of view.  No one expressed opposition to our 
proposals and several Congressmen offered to help us.  Indeed, the 
legislative aide to Congressman Dicks was already familiar with our 
copyright issue.  He also asked if we still thought that the blind should 
be allowed to sit in exit rows on airplanes.  Senator Murray asked if 
audible traffic signals were worth their cost.
     Only time will tell if our labors were successful.  However, we can 
be proud of the job our seminar delegation did.  Yet this is not the end 
but the beginning.  We must be ready to continue our advocacy work from 
Washington State.  If we do our work well, we will prevail.

                                     
                            CHAPTER ELECTIONS

     (Editor's Note:  A number of elections have taken place throughout 
the NFB of Washington recently.  Here they are, congratulations to all.)

SEATTLE CHAPTER

Noel Nightingale-President; Rita Szantay-1st Vice President; Mark 
  Noble-2nd Vice President; Renee West-secretary; Gary Deeter-treasurer. 
  Board Members--Ben Prows and Denise Mackenstadt.

SPOKANE CHAPTER

Maria Bradford-President; Larry Gasser-Vice President; Russell 
  Smith-secretary; Paul Whipple-treasurer. Board members--Judy Croy and 
  Monica Stugelmeyer.

TACOMA CHAPTER


Scott Carlisle-President; Chris Jones-Vice President; Carol 
  Southworth-secretary; Jose Parez-treasurer. 

VANCOUVER CHAPTER

Mike Freeman-President; Kaye Kipp-Vice President; Barbara 
  Freeman-secretary; Nancy Martin-treasurer.

                                     
                    GREAT EATING BECOMES A FUND RAISER
                                                                          
                             By Rita Szantay
                                                                          
                                   and 
                                                                          
                               Gary Deeter

     The members of the Seattle Chapter are enjoying themselves, eating at 
restaurants in our area, and raising money at the same time.  How you may 
ask?  We are putting menus in braille for dining establishments throughout 
the greater Seattle area.  We are charging for this service, and raising 
money for our chapter.
     This project has three objectives: one to heighten the awareness of 
restaurant personnel on the importance of having a braille menu in their 
establishment; two to provide braille menus for as many restaurants as 
possible; three to raise money for our chapter.
     The project has been going for a year.  Lately, we have so much 
business it has been hard to keep up.  Looking at this project from a 
business standpoint, the timing is good.  Restaurants want to be in 
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and at the same time 
our price is reasonable.  We charge $25 per restaurant.  This price 
includes brailling, binding, covering, and sending each book back to the 
restaurant.  This price remains the same even if the restaurant requests 
breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in the same book.  The way we see it 
everyone wins. The restaurants gain a copy of their menu in braille and 
additional patronage.  Blind people benefit by having more and more 
restaurants with a braille menu and our chapter benefits by raising some 
money.
     One of our major Northwest Italian establishments, Cucina Cucina, 
ordered 11 books and paid the chapter $275.   This large order took this 
project beyond the Seattle area.  We now have our menus in Tacoma, 
Spokane, and yes Portland, Oregon.
     This project is a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of work.  It 
involves taking print menus, putting them into WordPerfect, translating 
these menus into braille, printing, binding, covering, and sending each 
book back to the restaurant all in a timely manner.  The project needs 
continuous marketing, and solid customer service skills.  We are gaining 
practice in running a small business.  A project like this can be 
successful if you pay close attention to each customers service needs, 
deliver a quality product, and most important of all believe in what you 
are doing.

                                     
                1996 NFB Of WASHINGTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
                                                                          
                             By Rita Szantay
                                                                          
                           Scholarship Chairman
                                                                          
                            NFB of Washington


     The 1996 Scholarship program of the National Federation of the Blind 
of Washington will be more exciting than ever.  In October at our Annual 
State Convention, we will be giving two scholarships.  The scholarships 
will be "The Hazel tenBroek Merit Scholarship" and "The Beverly Prows 
Memorial Scholarship." The Hazel tenBroek Merit Scholarship will be in the 
amount of $1,000 and the Beverly Prows Memorial Scholarship will be for 
$2,000.
     We are very excited about strengthening our scholarship program. 
Application forms will go out early in April.  They will be due back in 
our state office no later than August 31st.  If you need further 
information you may call the NFB of Washington state office at 
206-823-6380, or Rita Szantay at 206-224-7242.

                                     
                               RESOLUTIONS

     The following five resolutions were passed during the National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington 1995 Annual Convention held in 
Seattle, September 15-17, 1995.
     (Editor's Note:  House Bill HB2178 (see Resolution 95-01) was passed 
recently by both House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor's 
office for his signature.)

                                     
                             Resolution 95-01

     WHEREAS, the Office of Fiscal Management (O.F.M) in the Office of the 
Governor of Washington State there is a new policy allowing the state 
agency to allocate certain designated funds to be disbursed up to the 
amount of $5,000; and
     WHEREAS, at this time in order for the Department of Services for the 
Blind (DSB) to allocate funds for equipment to participants in excess of 
$1,000 must be approved by O.F.M; and
     WHEREAS, this policy is due to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 
concerning the operation of DSB; and
     WHEREAS, as Director of DSB Shirley Smith is submitting to the 
upcoming legislature a revised section of the RCW which will allow DSB to 
allocate funds for equipment for Rehabilitation Participants up to $5,000 
without having to get permission from O.F.M.
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the 
Blind of Washington on this Sixteenth day of September, 1995, in the City 
of Seattle, go on record supporting this revision of the RCW in accord 
with the proposal being presented by DSB to the upcoming legislature; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington send this resolution to DSB to be used as an indication of the 
support that the organized blind gives to this proposal.

                                     
                             Resolution 95-02

     WHEREAS, blind persons fought for the right to travel freely and 
successfully sought the enactment of "White Cane Laws" throughout the 
United States which guaranteed the free movement of blind persons; and
     WHEREAS, the case of Wright v. Engum was heard in King County 
Superior Court in which a jury found that the defendant was not liable for 
the death of a blind pedestrian because he asserted that he was unable to 
determine if she were really blind; and
     WHEREAS, the verdict in this case was appealed to the Washington 
State Supreme Court and on August 18, 1994 the verdict was affirmed; and
     WHEREAS, this judgement places in jeopardy all that blind persons 
have fought for in passing the "White Cane Law".

     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED this Sixteenth day of September, 1995 in 
the City of Seattle, that the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington petition the Washington State Legislature to revise the statute 
generally known as the "White Cane Law" in order to provide clearer 
language concerning strict liability; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization send this resolution 
and any other supporting documentation to our national office in order to 
consult President Maurer and to inform our national officers of this 
decision.

                                     
                             Resolution 95-03

     WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind, through its various 
programs and activities, historically has advocated for security, 
equality, and opportunity for all blind persons; and
     WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind strongly believes that 
with the proper training and opportunity, blind persons can achieve 
first-class citizenship; and
     WHEREAS, disincentives to work (in which a blind person's earnings 
are counted to determine eligibility for a program) frequently result in 
an economic obstacle to employment; and
     WHEREAS, these disincentives to work are frequently included in the 
eligibility criteria for services from various Federal programs, including 
Section Eight Housing administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and 
Urban Development; and
     WHEREAS, under Section Eight Housing, 30 percent of the gross 
earnings of the blind beneficiary are counted towards rent, which 
certainly serves as a disincentive to the beneficiary seeking part-time 
employment or even full-time employment that pays a low hourly rate.      
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind 
of Washington in Convention Assembled this Seventeenth day of September, 
1995, in the City of Seattle, Washington, that this organization go on 
record supporting the concept that the first $150 per month of earned 
income be excluded in determining the rent to be paid by blind persons 
living in Section Eight Housing; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization provide each member of 
the Washington State Congressional Delegation with a copy of this 
resolution; and      
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington will bring this problem to the attention of our National 
Organization to determine what steps should be taken.

                                     
                             Resolution 95-04

     WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind 
(DSB) is the vocational rehabilitation agency that serves blind 
Washingtonians; and
     WHEREAS, the Advisory Council for the Blind of DSB was created by 
state statute in 1983, and until recently the Advisory Council's 
membership has consisted of representatives of organized consumer groups 
of the blind, individual blind people, and parents of blind children; and
     WHEREAS, the 1992 and 1993 amendments to the federal Rehabilitation 
Act created a new federal mandate for state rehabilitation advisory 
councils whose membership consists of: at least one representative (1) of 
the pan disability statewide independent living council, (2) of the parent 
training and information center, (3) of the client assistance program, (4) 
who is a vocational rehabilitation counselor, (5) of community 
rehabilitation program service providers, (6) who is a parent of an 
individual who is blind and multiply disabled and who cannot represent him 

or herself, (7) from business, industry, and labor, and (8) who is a 
current or former client of the agency; and only one representative of a 
disability advocacy group representing the blind is required; and
     WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act amendments resulted in a change in 
the membership of DSB's Advisory Council that has profoundly diluted the 
voices of blind people and that has allowed others to speak for the blind; 
and
     WHEREAS, while the voices of representatives of the blind have 
effectively been squelched by the change in the Advisory Council's 
membership, state agency bureaucrats, private service providers, and the 
business community--all representing organizations that have many other 
means and opportunities to make their concerns heard--now dominate the 
advice and recommendations of the Advisory Council; and
     WHEREAS, although under state law the majority of the Advisory 
Council's members must still be blind people, those blind members can 
serve the interests of groups other than the blind, and the blind are no 
longer speaking for themselves but are being spoken for by the 
federally-mandated members who do not represent the blind.
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Federation of the 
Blind of Washington condemns and deplores the undermining of the voice of 
the blind in an agency for the blind; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this Sixteenth day of September, 1995, in the 
City of Seattle, that the NFB of Washington request and encourage the 
federal Rehabilitation Services Administration to advocate that Congress 
amend the provision of the Rehabilitation Act related to state 
rehabilitation advisory councils to ensure that representatives of 
organizations of the blind and blind individuals are the dominant voice on 
advisory councils of state rehabilitation agencies serving the blind.

                                     
                             Resolution 95-05

     WHEREAS, participants in the programs of the Department of Services 
for the Blind (DSB) are assigned a rehabilitation counselor in order to 
receive services; and
     WHEREAS, many times when a participant is attempting to contact their 
counselor a prompt and timely response is needed; and
     WHEREAS, it has occurred that when the participant's counselor is 
unavailable due to a leave of absence or vacation the participant is not 
routinely referred to a staff person to determine if the participant's 
needs can be met while the counselor is unavailable.
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind 
of Washington on this Sixteenth day of September, 1995, in the City of 
Seattle, that this organization bring to the attention of the Department 
of Services for the Blind this situation; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington ask that the DSB develop a policy concerning referring 
participants to other personnel to meet any immediate needs they may have 
during the unavailability of their rehabilitation counselor.
Blind Washingtonian
East 707 Garland
Spokane, WA 99207-3027


PRESIDENT: GARY MACKENSTADT 16224 122nd AVENUE N.E. BOTHELL, WASHINGTON 
  98011 206-488-0628
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: MICHAEL FREEMAN 301 N.E. 107th STREET VANCOUVER, 
  WASHINGTON 98685 360-574-8221
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: KAYE KIPP 5101 N.E. 121 AVENUE, SPACE 7 
  VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 98682 360-256-8572
SECRETARY: RITA SZANTAY 1000 8th AVENUE, A-610 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104 
  

  206-622-8843
TREASURER: BENNETT PROWS 14272 120th PLACE N.E. KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON 
  98034 206-821-7619


ADDRESS CORRECTION  REQUESTED
