                           BLIND WASHINGTONIAN                                     
       VOICE OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF WASHINGTON                                     
                                                                          
                               WINTER 1997
Volume 3                                                                 
                 Issue 1

THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR 
THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES

Blind Washingtonian subscriptions cost the Federation about five dollars 
per year. Members are invited, and non-members are requested to cover the 
subscription cost. Donations should be made payable to: National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington and sent to:  National Federation of 
the Blind of Washington, 1701 Broadway, Suite 269, Vancouver, Washington 
98663-3436  

Produced in Grade Two Braille for the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington by AJS Braille Service, 707 East Garland, Spokane, WA 
99207-3027, (509) 487-8959. 
Mike Freeman, President
1701 Broadway, Suite 269
Vancouver, Washington 98663-3436
(360) 571-7987


Albert Sanchez, Editor
707 East Garland
Spokane, Washington 99207-3027
(509) 487-8959




     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.

                                     
                             EDITOR'S CORNER
                                                                          
                            by Albert Sanchez

     In October of 1991 (near the end of that years NFB of Washington 
State convention), I became the editor of the Blind Washingtonian, 
temporarily (I thought) filling the position left when Zach Shore moved 
back to Pennsylvania.  At that time I asked our readers for help because I 
had never considered myself to be much of an author, or, "word-smith".  
During the five years since, many of you have contacted me with useful and 
helpful suggestions for the improvement of this newsletter.  As a result 
of many of your ideas we have a publication to be proud of, THANKS!

CONGRATULATIONS

     Mark Noble, who is currently serving a term on the Washington State 
Department of Services for the Blind's Advisory Council representing the 
NFB of Washington writes that: During the Federation's mini-convention in 
March, Bonnie Jindra, representing the Department, presented a plaque to 
former Advisory Council member Albert Sanchez. The plaque reads: "The 
Department of Services for the Blind Acknowledges Albert Sanchez Advisory 
Council member from March 30, 1987 to September 13, 1995 for your 

leadership and commitment to blind persons in Washington State."

APPOINTED

     We have recently been informed that Maria Bradford has been appointed 
by Governor Mike Lowry to a three-year term on the Washington State 
Department of Services for the Blind Advisory Council.  Congratulations, 
Maria!

NEWLY ELECTED

     During the 1996 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of 
Washington the following officers were elected:  Mike Freeman President;  
Noel Nightingale First Vice-President; Kaye Kipp Second Vice-President;  
Rita Szantay Secretary;  Gary Mackenstadt Treasurer. Board positions were 
filled by Maria Bradford, Stephanie Yates and Bennett Prows.  Mark Noble's 
position expires next year.

We Have Been Asked To Include The Following Information

     The Washington-Northern Idaho Lions Sight Conservation Foundation 
actively seeks opportunities to participate in vision related projects.  
Foundation interest include blindness prevention, sight restoration 
through surgery, vision screening and eye care, as well as services to 
blind and visually impaired people.  Any information about existing 
projects requiring funding support or of needs that might be met with new 
programs will be greatly appreciated.  The Foundation will focus on 
collaboration with other agencies, organizations and individuals.
     Please contact Kirk Adams, philanthropy coordinator, at 
1-800-847-5786 with any questions, comments or suggestions.

                                     
                        MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
                                                                          
                            by Michael Freeman

     It's been nearly five months since I was elected President of the 
National Federation of the Blind of Washington (this is being written in 
early March).  How time flies!  I think I'm beginning to adjust to the 
job.  The adjustment hasn't been as difficult as one might imagine, 
however,  because of the sterling efforts of my fellow officers and 
members of the  Board of Directors.  We are indeed fortunate to have such 
an outstanding group of individuals to assist me in running the affiliate; 
without their help, the job of President would be daunting!
     The NFB of Washington has achieved a number of successes during the 
past few months.  The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) has 
graciously decided to contract with the NFB of Washington to operate a 
Newsline Network site in the state for one year.  (The Newsline Network is 
a system enabling blind persons or persons prevented from reading by 
physical disability to have newspapers read to them over the telephone via 
synthesized speech.)  This first site will be located in Seattle.  It will 
have 24 access lines so, one hopes, users will not encounter a busy 
signal.  Once operative, users will be able to read USA Today, the Chicago 
Tribune and the New York Times.  We also hope to provide the Seattle 
Post-Intelligencer.  The contract has been signed and we hope to have the 
site up and running by early summer.  Once we have some experience 
operating this site, we will endeavor to set up other Newsline Network 
sites in the state presuming we can find the money.  Priority will be 
given to other metropolitan areas such as Spokane, Clark County, Olympia, 
Tacoma, Yakima, the Tri Cities, etc.  We are extremely greatful to the 
Department of Services for the Blind and its Director, Shirley Smith, for 

the help in bringing a new source of information to the blind of 
Washington state. Kudos are also in order for Stephanie Yates, a member of 
the Board of Directors of the NFB of Washington.  Without her unstinting 
effort, a Newsline Network outlet in this state might well be little more 
than a dream.  More details concerning this project will appear in the 
Blind Washingtonian when available.
     Each year, the National Federation of the Blind conducts the 
"Washington Seminar" wherein Federationists from around the country gather 
in Washington D.C. to bring matters of concern to the blind to the 
attention of Congress.  This year, the NFB of Washington sent seven 
delegates to the Washington Seminar -- a record!  For the first time, the 
delegation included the parent of a blind child, Carol Linhart. The 
delegation did an outstanding job and earned the respect of both 
congresspersons and their staff.
     Last summer, the State Board of Education adopted excellent 
regulations mandating competency in Braille for those teaching Braille 
(including not only certified teachers but also teachers' aides) to blind 
elementary and secondary school students.  Last fall, an amendment to 
these regulations was proposed which would have allowed local school 
districts to petition the state Board of Education for a waiver of up to 
three years from the requirement that a certified teacher be competent in 
Braille as long as a certificated employee (i.e., a teacher's aide) was 
competent in Braille.  The NFB of Washington, of course, wasn't going to 
let such an amendment go unchallenged.  On November 22, 1996, I testified 
against the amendment at a hearing held by the state Board of Education in 
Spokane.  Dr. James Bickford, the Principal of the Washington State School 
for the Blind, sent a letter opposing the amendment, maintaining that if 
waivers were to be granted, they should be for a much shorter period and 
should be a one-time option.  No one testified in favor of the amendment.  
After discussion, the Board of Education decided not to adopt the 
amendment; the Braille competency regulations remain unchanged.  They will 
go into effect this fall.  Were it not for the effort of the National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington, I am certain that the braille 
competency regulations would have been weakened.  Need anyone ask "why the 
National Federation of the Blind"?
     I urge everyone to attend our upcoming mini-convention to be held 
April 12-13 at the Holiday Inn Boeing Field in Seattle (see announcement). 
Joyce Scanlan will be our National Representative.  An interesting time 
should be had by all.
     I conclude this ptome by thanking the members and friends of the NFB 
of Washington for the support rendered during my first months in office. 
Truly, the NFB of Washington is on the move and it is the membership, 
individually and collectively, that is making this possible.  We are 
definitely changing what it means to be blind.

                                     
                           The Miles To Anaheim
                                                                          
                            by Stephanie Yates

     From The Editor:  Stephanie Yates is a relatively new member of our 
Seattle chapter.  She recently sent me the following article describing 
her thoughts surrounding this years National Federation of the Blind 
convention in Anaheim, CA.  As my reader Terrie read me her article, I was 
taken back to  my first convention in 1982. Many of her feelings were 
similar to those which I felt then; its good to be reminded of where we 
have been, why we are active in the National Federation of the Blind, and 
where we are going.
     
     No sooner had I agreed to write this article than I wished I had 
declined the request. I immediately worried that I would not be able to 

find the words to unravel the bundle of feelings and sensations that 
represented my experience at the 1996 convention of the National 
Federation of the Blind, my first NFB convention.
     When I returned from Anaheim, family and friends asked how I liked 
the convention. "Great," I replied each time, and each time I described an 
event or a speaker. But each time I wanted to say something more. I felt 
it, but I could not articulate it. I began to search for clues in the days 
and events of the convention. I thought about the many interesting, 
inspiring and often entertaining speakers. I thought about the purposeful 
and important words of Dr. Jernigan and President Maurer. Then my thoughts 
turned to the audience in that huge hall, the nearly 3,000 blind people 
attending the convention. The audience represented something to me.
     I knew that each individual at the convention had his or her own 
reasons for travelling the miles to Anaheim. I did not know then, however, 
that each individual was in attendance, in part, for the purpose of 
participating in the collective voice of the blind. The voice that 
supports, that provides camaraderie, that educates the blind and the 
sighted about blindness. The voice that works hard to make the world more 
receptive to blind people. The voice that gives each of us the strength 
and confidence to be in a world that often views us as other than we are.
     Although I am not a newly blind person, I had never participated in 
the collective voice of the blind. I know that to not participate is to 
risk living within the walls of fear and inferiority. Now I also know that 
to participate is to feel those walls slip away. The choice is obvious.
     I realize that the feeling I was unable to articulate was my purpose 
for travelling the miles to Anaheim. My purpose was to begin participating 
in the collective voice of the blind and to begin contributing to and 
sharing in the rewards of that voice.

                                     
                      BRAILLE BILL GOES INTO EFFECT

     From the Editor:  The year 1996 will go on record as the "year of the 
Braille Bill."  As regular readers of this publication know, the long 
fight for passage of braille legislation in Washington State was 
successfully concluded earlier this year when Governor Mike Lowry signed 
Substitute House Bill 1078 into law  (see Spring 1996 issue of the Blind 
Washingtonian.)
     This landmark legislation, which went into effect June 6, 1996, will 
ensure that blind children in Washington State will have a better 
opportunity to receive a quality education than in the past.  For your 
information we are reprinting the text of SHB1078 here.  If you have any 
questions, contact Mike Freeman, President, National Federation of the 
Blind of Washington.

                                     
        State of Washington 54th Legislature  1995 Regular Session
                                     
By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by 
  Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Casada, Cole, Quall, Benton, Pennington, 
  Thibaudeau, Cooke, Boldt and Huff)


Read first time 03/06/95.

     AN ACT Relating to the instruction in Braille reading and writing to 
blind students; adding new sections to chapter 28A.155 RCW; adding a new 
section to chapter 28A.405 RCW; and creating a new section.
     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. It is the goal of the legislature to encourage 
persons who are blind or visually impaired to participate fully in the 

social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative 
employment.  The legislature finds that literacy is essential to the 
achievement of this goal. Furthermore, the legislature finds that literacy 
for most persons who are blind or visually impaired means the ability to 
read and write Braille with proficiency.  The legislature sets as a 
further goal that students who are legally blind or visually impaired 
shall be given the opportunity to learn Braille in order to communicate 
effectively and efficiently.
     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW 
to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in 
this section apply in section 3 of this act.

(1) "Student" means a student who:
(a) Has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with 
  conventional correction or having a limited field of vision such that 
  the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angular distance not 
  greater than twenty degrees;
(b) Is unable to read printed material at a competitive rate with 
  facility due to functional visual impairment or lack of visual acuity; 
  or
(c) Has a physical condition with a medical prognosis of a significant 
  visual deterioration to the extent that (a) or (b) of this subsection 
  could apply.

(2) "Braille" means the system of reading and writing through touch 
  commonly known as standard English Braille.

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW 
to read as follows:

(1) Each student shall be assessed individually to determine the 
  appropriate learning media for the student including but not limited to 
  Braille.
(2) No student may be denied the opportunity for instruction in Braille 
  reading and writing solely because the student has some remaining 
  vision.
(3) This section does not require the exclusive use of Braille if there 
  are other special education services to meet the student's educational 
  needs.  The provision of special education or other services does not 
  preclude Braille use or instruction.
(4) If a student's individualized learning media assessment indicates 
  that Braille is an appropriate learning medium, instruction in Braille 
  shall be provided as a part of such student's educational curriculum and 
  if such student has an individualized education program, such 
  instruction shall be provided as part of that program.
(5) If Braille will not be provided to a student, the reason for not 
  incorporating it in the student's individualized education program shall 
  be documented in such plan.  If no individualized education program  
  exists, such documentation, signed by the parent or guardian, shall be 
  placed in the student's file.

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW 
to read as follows:
     Teachers of visually impaired students shall be qualified according 
to rules adopted by the state board of education.

Passed the House January 17, 1996.
Passed the Senate February 28, 1996.
Approved by the Governor March 22, 1996.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 22, 1996.


                                     
                      EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION:
                                                                          
                          A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
                                                                          
                            by Albert Sanchez
                                                                          
                                   and
                                                                          
                              Erica Hoerner

     From The Editor:  As regular readers of the Blind Washingtonian know, 
I have served as its editor for a little more than five years. During that 
time it has been my  tendency to write only introductory notes to the 
articles written by others, preferring to work quietly in the background.  
I have also shied away from including pieces about myself, believing that 
such material is not appropriate and somewhat self-serving in nature. Once 
in a while, however, even these self-imposed rules should be broken, as in 
this instance.  The following article is such an occasion.
     
     I was lazying around my place one Sunday morning last June when my 
phone rang.  The call was from my good friend Jim Kienbaum. He called to 
tell me that he and his sister Terrie were going to Costco, did I want to 
go? Are you kidding? I couldn't get my shoes on fast enough! Not long 
after the phone call they drove up and away we went.  I have known Jim 
since middle 1988. I had met his sister once several years before when she 
came with him to a luncheon gathering of computer users who are also 
amateur radio enthusiasts in which he and I occasionally participate.  As 
a result of the Costco trip and the conversation during and afterwards, it 
was decided that Terrie would try, (in addition to her full-time day job), 
doing some reading and other assorted tasks like light cleaning around my 
house a couple of evenings a week, to make a few extra dollars.  If you 
had told me that the simple hiring of a reader would have such 
wide-ranging results I probably might have told you that you were nuts, 
but that's exactly what happened.
     On several occasions recently it has been necessary to combine my 
reading needs with Terrie's requirement to spend time with her children, 
thus giving me an opportunity to meet and spend time with Erica 13 and Jim 
15.
     Since I am neither a parent nor an educator I was not prepared for 
the avalanche of questions (mostly from Erica) about my blindness. In an 
effort to give myself some time to recover I gave her a Kernel book to 
look at. Since then we have explored braille, mobility, grocery shopping, 
and much more.
     In mid October of last year I made a trip to Colorado on family 
business for about ten days. Upon my return I had a message from Erica. 
She wanted to know if I would let her interview me for a school 
assignment, (she is a 7th grader at Garry Middle School in Spokane, 
Washington.) I told her that if she really wanted to do so, I would be 
pleased to help her. Here is what she wrote:
     
     
     While climbing a tree in his open country backyard, a young boy feels 
around and above him to find another branch sturdy enough to hold him. Sap 
and pitch coats his hands, and they stick to the branches as he pulls 
himself up.  Soon, the boy leaves his perch in the tree, and descends to 
the ground.  He has just heard his mother call his name.  He tries to hide 
the sap and pitch that covers him as he goes into the house, but his 
mother notices, and scolds him as he scampers to wash up for dinner.
     Washing for dinner might have been hard for some blind children 

during the time Albert J. Sanchez was young. But blind since birth, Albert 
thinks it's as easy as 1-2-3.  Albert was a three month premature baby. 
For years after World War II, it was always thought that to keep a 
premature baby alive, they had to be put in an incubator.  Along with 
that, the oxygen inside the incubator had to be increased.  They did so 
with Albert, and the procedure damaged his eyes leaving him totally blind.
     Albert remembers that he was 4-1/2 years old when he became 
acquainted with a school for blind children in Vancouver, Washington. 
Albert wanted, and needed, an education, and this was the only place near 
enough his home that he would be able to get it.  But when Albert's family 
took him there, he felt they had abandoned him.  But Albert's family sent 
him birthday cards, long distance phone calls, and packages of homemade 
goodies to let him know they still cared.
     Albert likes to read, go for walks, or talk on his "Ham" radio (which 
is a radio that enables you to talk to people around the world.) He also 
enjoys collecting old radio programs.  He remembers when TV wasn't as 
popular as it is now.  Everyone listened to the radio instead.  There were 
programs like "Gunsmoke", or "Johnny Dollar".  Albert enjoyed listening to 
these programs just like everyone else.  Sighted people had to use their 
imaginations just like Albert.  It gave him a sense of equality.
     Albert is a member of the National Federation of the Blind. He has 
been a representative for the Washington State, and has been to 
conventions at the following places: Denver, CO, Dallas, TX, (twice), 
Chicago, IL, (twice), New Orleans, LA, Kansas City, MO, (twice), Detroit, 
MI, Anaheim, CA, Phoenix, AZ, (twice), Minneapolis, MN, Louisville, KY, 
and Charlotte, NC.  He has also been to Baltimore, MD., Washington D.C., 
and Valley Forge, PA on separate occasions to visit family members.
     Albert's being a member of the Federation, provides him an advantage 
to get to know other blind people in the city. If a blind person just 
moved into Spokane, the Federation might let Albert know.  Then, if he 
wanted to, he could show that person around the city.  Albert's fine 
ability to read and write Braille also provides him an advantage.  If a 
newly blinded person wished to learn to read and write Braille, the 
Federation might let Albert know, and he could teach them.
     Besides teaching people to read and write, Albert likes to do both 
these things himself.  He remembers a time when he called an information 
line and asked them if they had a certain set of program booklets 
available in Braille.  The lady on the other end snickered and asked 
rudely, "Whatever would you want them in Braille for?" Albert was shocked, 
so he said as calmly as he could, "Because blind people like to read too!"
     Just recently, Albert asked me if I liked the "Little House" books by 
Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I told him I did, and the next thing I knew, he had 
bought me the entire set.  He told me that he was fascinated by how much I 
like to read, and that I was lucky to have so many sources with which to 
get books. He said he liked the "Little House" books when he was young, 
too, and that ever since he met up with the famous reading teachers "Dick 
and Jane" he had always loved to read.
     Albert is a good friend of mine and a good friend of my family. I 
expect he'll be my friend for years to come, and that I will be his friend  
too.  Keep smiling, Al!
     
     
     As you can imagine I was delighted when Erica read me her paper, not 
because it was about me, but because this young, delightful little girl 
that I had known less than six months had absorbed so much important 
information about blindness and our organization, the National Federation 
of the Blind. She is learning firsthand that it is respectable to be blind 
and that blindness need not keep someone from doing things. I am honored 
to be able to call Erica and her entire family close and wonderful 
friends. I am also extremely pleased to have been given this opportunity 
to have made a difference in her life. Who knows, when she is a young 

adult, is it not possible to imagine Erica working right alongside someone 
like Hailee Linhart? With wonderful imaginings like that it's real easy 
for me to walk across the bridge to the future and to know that I have had 
a small part in educating the next generation. Yes, it's real easy  to 
"keep smiling!!"

                                     
   KIDDY CANE BANK MAKES WHITE CANES AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO BLIND 
                                 CHILDREN

     From The Editor:  For the last eight or so years the National 
Federation of the Blind of Washington's Parent's of Blind Children 
division has been operating a "Kiddy Cane Bank". We are pleased to include 
the following information.
     
     The Northwest affiliate of Parents of Blind Children a division of 
the National Federation of the Blind, has established the Kiddy Cane Bank.  
The Kiddy Cane Bank will provide a white cane free of charge to any blind 
child living in Washington. To obtain a white cane from the Kiddy Cane 
Bank; a parent/guardian must contact the Kiddy Cane Bank and provide the 
following information: Name and age of child, length of white cane desired 
and the child's address. To contact the Kiddy Cane Bank call or write: 
Barbara Freeman 301 N.E. 107th Street, Vancouver, WA 98685 Phone: (360) 
574-8221

                                     
                               RESOLUTIONS

     This year the NFB of Washington passed two resolutions during its 
state-wide convention, here they are.

                                     
                             RESOLUTION 96-01

     WHEREAS, the Washington Instructional Resource Center, the Washington 
State School for the Blind and the Washington Department of Services for 
the Blind, which are agencies of the state, and the Association for 
Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired ("AER"), 
which is a professional organization, jointly sponsored a seminar for 
parents and teachers of the blind in the spring of 1996 ("seminar"); and
     WHEREAS, the keynote speech, many of the workshops and all of the 
Saturday workshops for parents of blind children were controlled by the 
President of the National Association of Parents of the Visually Impaired; 
and
     WHEREAS, monies for this seminar for parents and teachers of blind 
children came from both public funds and AER, and therefore involved the 
financial support by state agencies of a seminar controlled by a private 
parent of blind children's organization; and
     WHEREAS, the state agencies and the AER should be committed to 
strengthening organizations of parents of blind children within the state,  
and financial sponsorship of a seminar controlled by an organization of 
parents of blind children was appropriate; and
     WHEREAS, the other nationwide consumer group of parents of blind 
children is the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children; and
     WHEREAS, the state agencies and AER have been very careful for years 
to treat all private consumer groups alike; and
     WHEREAS, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children has 
organized seminars for parents of blind children in Washington State for 
over ten years without a penny of support from state agencies or the AER.
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED this 19th day of October 1996 that the 
National Federation of the Blind of Washington calls upon the state 

agencies involved in sponsoring this seminar as well as AER to invite a 
representative of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children 
to take the lead in organizing the 1997 seminar for parents and teachers 
of blind children with the same commitment in monies for mailings, parent 
participation and other expenses and commitments as were provided in 1996.

                                     
                             RESOLUTION 96-03

     WHEREAS, the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library ("WTBBL") 
has provided exemplary service to its patrons for many years; and
     WHEREAS, one of these services is a computerized book collection 
catalog which is accessible not only at WTBBL headquarters via adapted 
computer but also via local and 800-number dial-up line; and
     WHEREAS, recently, WTBBL has further expanded access to this catalog 
by making it available over the Internet; and
     WHEREAS, Internet access greatly facilitates use of the catalog by 
those who can connect to the Internet as they will no longer need to make 
a long-distance telephone call or use an 800-number which may often be 
busy in order to use the catalog; and
     WHEREAS, WTBBL's computerized catalog is now one of the most 
accessible Regional Library catalogs in the country.
     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind 
of Washington in Convention assembled this 19th day of October, 1996, in 
the city of Tacoma, Washington, that this organization heartily commends 
the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library and its Librarian, Jan 
Ames, for its efforts to make its computerized catalog accessible to its 
patrons.
     
     
Blind Washingtonian
707 East Garland
Spokane, Washington 99207-3027

PRESIDENT: MICHAEL FREEMAN 301 N.E. 107th STREET VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 
  98685 360-574-8221
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: NOEL NIGHTINGALE 2226 ELLIOTT AVE., #106 SEATTLE, 
  Washington 98121 206-441-0984
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: KAYE KIPP 5101 N.E. 121 AVENUE, SPACE 7 
  VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON 98682 360-256-8572
SECRETARY: RITA SZANTAY 1000 8th AVENUE, A-610 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104 
  206-622-8843
TREASURER: GARY MACKENSTADT 12303 N.E. 165th STREET BOTHELL, Washington 
  98011 206-488-0628


ADDRESS CORRECTION  REQUESTED 
