                                   T H E
                              O B S E R V E R

                                The Montana
                                Association
                                 for the 
                                   Blind



                                  Winter
                                   1996



                             an affiliate of 
                   The National Federation of the Blind

                     Montana Association For The Blind
Box 352,                     Butte  MT  59703
                              (406) 723-3383
The Montana Association For The Blind is a 501(c)3 consumer
organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed to
changing what it means to be blind.  Though blindness is still too
often a tragedy to those who face it, we know from personal
experience that with training and opportunity it can be reduced to
the level of a physical nuisance.  

The Montana Association For The Blind has eleven local chapters
around the state.  The organization sponsors an annual training
program, the Summer Orientation Program for the Blind and
Partially Sighted.

The Montana Association For The Blind is a chartered affiliate of
the National Federation of the Blind.  

This quarterly newsletter, The Observer is produced in large print,
Braille, and on cassette.  To receive more information about the
Montana Association For The Blind, to make address changes for
the newsletter, or to be added to the mailing list, call (406) 723-3383. 
Mail items for consideration to the Editor, Rik James at 716 North
Montana Ave., Bozeman,  MT  59715-2921 or telephone him at  406
/ 586-4123.                                 CONTENTS

From the President                  ....................................   
From the Office                     ....................................   
Montana Yankee ...
    in Louis Brialle's Court                 ...........................   
State Convention May 17-19, Billings                    ................   
Hey Kids!  Your Chance for Chuckie Cheeze!                        ......   
Focus on Literacy for Blind Children                   .................   
Uphill to Capitol Hill                       ...........................   
Reflections on Washington                     ...........................  
Memorial Inspiration                         ...........................   
S.O.P. - Positions Available                  ..........................   
How I Went Blind, and Then What                       ..................   
NPR Hears Us                                 ...........................   
Chapter Roundup                              ............................  
Inside the MAB / Personals                   ............................  
Announcements                                 ...........................  
Poems                                         ...........................                     * *     T H E   O B S E R V E R     * *
             Newsletter of The Montana Association For The Blind
            (an affiliate of The National Federation Of The Blind)
               P.O. Box 352, Butte, MT  59703    (406) 723-3383
                              Rik James,  Editor


Vol. 47                          Winter, 1996                            No. 1


     So, you have survived the deep freeze of 1996.  I knew you would,
you're such a hardy bunch.  Now all we have to do is survive the political
primary season, and we'll be well on our way to a great year! 
     You made it to your mailbox today, and look what you have found,
the latest edition of your favorite link with the blind of Montana, The
Observer newsletter.  Why not break a hole in the ice, get some water
heated for tea, and let's read together what there is to read.

 A Message from the President :  As the Montana Association for the
Blind works on their next 50 years I see many favorable projects and
programs which your board members are exploring.  The ones that come
to mind include a Braille mentoring program, a Braille literacy bill for the
1997 legislature, the Newsline (local and national newspapers available
over your phone line), and expanding job opportunities for the blind in the
state.   All of these exciting concepts need your help and input to come to
realization.
     Speaking of your Board of Directors, this is the year we elect our
District Representatives from the 5 districts.  Since this is a majority of the
board you should play an active role in electing these leaders,  or run
yourself for the district seat in your area.  Letters of nomination for
District Offices should be submitted by April 1, 1996 with a brief
biographical sketch of the candidate to the MAB office.  According to our
Constitution and By Laws only members from the particular district can
run for that position.  And remember that dues must be paid before April
1, 1996 to qualify to vote in the election.  Take note and determine your
interest and level of commitment and do your best to serve, by either
running for District Office or by voting for your candidate.
     Conventions are in the air.  You should be receiving a registration
form for the 51st annual MAB convention to be held in Billings, May 17 -
19.  And let's not forget the NFB annual convention being held in
Anaheim, California June 30 through July 7.  There is information on this
convention in The Braille Monitor.  Make plans now to attend one or both
of these fine conventions.  
     I plan on traveling through the state late winter or early spring this
year.  I look forward to seeing you at your chapter meetings and hearing
your ideas.  Pat Domme, President. 
From The MAB Office:    It is MAB dues collecting time.  Your $5.00
annual dues must be paid by April 1, 1996 in order to be eligible to vote in
the upcoming election.  The election this year will be for the District
Representatives.  Soon you will be getting ballots in the mail. Read the
following carefully.  The return envelope that you put your sealed
BALLOT envelope in must have your return address printed on it by the
Secretary as stated in our By-laws.  Do not cross this out.  All envelopes
are opened and the ballot envelope removed before the ballots are counted. 
No one will be able to tell how you voted.  The information on the
stamped return envelope is necessary in order to sort the envelopes by
District.  Your ballot will be invalid if this return address is crossed out.
     The District Representatives to be elected this year are as follows: 
District 1  (Western Montana), District 2  (South Central Montana),
District 3  (North Central Montana), District 4  (East Central Montana),
and District 5  (Eastern Montana).  If you wish to run for one of these
positions, you must live in that District and be a member in good standing
(dues paid).  If you are considering running and are not sure which is your
district, please call me at the office (406) 723-3383, and I will tell you
which district you live in.  A biographical sketch or statement must
accompany your letter of nomination.  Letters of nomination and/or bio
sketches may be sent to MAB, P.O. Box 352, Butte, MT  59703-0352.  Or
send them to Linda Hurlock, Nominations Committee Chairman, 3116 8th
Ave. North, Billings, MT 59101.
     And finally, you computer users, please send any correspondence to
me if possible on a computer disk, either in WordPerfect 5.1 or in ASCII. 
This would help me tremendously and save me a lot of time.  Thanks. 
Betty Lou Berg, Secretary.


MAB Summer Orientation Program (S.O.P.B) at  MSU -  Bozeman
June 25 through July 21, 1996    Telephone: 406-723-3383
                   A Montana Yankee in Louis Braille's Court
                                By Carolyn Brock
     Blind or sighted, most people have heard of Louis Braille.  They
generally know that he was French, lived over a hundred years ago, lost
his sight as a child, and grew up to develop the system of raised dots
which has become the written language of blind people all over the world. 
But there is much more to the story.
     I had read Kenneth Jernigan's article, published in the July, 1994, issue
of the Braille Monitor, discussing the NFB's financial contribution to the
restoration of the Braille home in Coupvray, France, just east of Paris. 
The article also included a detailed description of the homesite itself. 
While planning a two-month stay in France last summer, my husband and I
decided that a visit to the Braille home would be a worthwhile excursion.
     On a previous trip to France in 1991, I had visited several centers for
the blind, both in Paris and in Burgundy.  Everywhere I was impressed
with the pride that blind French people feel in the work of Louis Braille; 
at each center I was repeatedly reminded that Braille was originally a
French system.  This summer I learned that sighted French people share
that same pride.  Several days before the planned trip to Coupvray, we
visited the Panthon, the huge domed memorial to great French citizens in
all fields of endeavor.  Almost as soon as we walked in the door (I
carrying my white cane), we were approached by a museum administrator,
who explained again to me how proud the French are of Louis Braille, and
directed us to his memorial site.  I was given the English language version
of a small book about Louis Braille and the Coupvray village.  
     The visit to Coupvray lived up to our expectations.  The village is only
a mile or two from Euro-Disney, and has only recently been surrounded by
the sprawling metropolitan suburbs.  But Coupvray itself retains its country
village flavor.  The old part of the village is very much as it must have
been in 1769, when Louis Braille's grandfather built the original house. 
Like most village houses of the time, it was a single room, with a niche for
the parents' bed built into an outer wall.  In the next generation, Louis
Braille's father, a saddle-maker who also owned vineyards, was successful
enough to build an adjoining workshop, accessed by leaving the living
quarters and walking around the outside of the house to the workshop
entrance.  Over the years, the Brailles had the money to add an upstairs
bedroom each time a child was born, with two different stairways leading
up from the two sides of the house.    To this day, the house is on the edge
of the village, with a rutted road, navigable only to a 4x4 vehicle, leading
off into the woods just behind the house.
     Into this family, very affluent for villagers of the time, Louis Braille
was born in 1809, the last of four children.  He was blinded at age three,
in an accident with his father's work tools.  When he was fifteen, his
family sent him to the School for Young Blind in Paris, an expense which
no ordinary village family would have been able to afford.  
     At school in Paris, young Louis  was an outstanding student.  He was
taught the system of tactile writing being used at the time, which used
conventional letter shapes.  This embossing system had been developed by
Valentin Hay (who standardized the use of the white cane in Europe, and
after whom the largest center for the blind in France is named.)  The
disadvantage of the system was that there was no way for an ordinary blind
person to write it.  Young Louis also saw an experimental system, using
raised dots instead of letters, developed by a French army officer, to
communicate with his men at night.   Not only was the raised-dot system
easier for a blind person to read; it could also be written with very little
special equipment.  Louis Braille went to work refining the system.  The
result was the French version of Grade 1 Braille, with a symbol for each
letter of the alphabet, plus the basic punctuation marks.   
     After becoming the first blind teacher at the school, Braille set to work
teaching his pupils this new system of reading and writing.  The result
could have been predicted by anyone familiar with the story of Braille in
modern times!  The blind students loved the Braille system, and used it to
take notes and to write to each other.  The other teachers at the school, all
of them sighted,  were totally opposed, as they could not read it.  But
Louis Braille continued to teach the system, and by 1840, the French
Ministry of Education had little choice but to accept it as the standard
written language for the blind.  It has since been modified for use in
virtually all of the world's major languages, and contracted into Grade 2
versions to fit each language.
     The Braille house in Coupvray is a monument to this remarkable chain
of events.  The living room of the house is still sparsely furnished much as
it was in the early nineteenth century.  In the huge fireplace hang cooking
pots used at the time.  Next to the fireplace, in a child-sized chair, sits a
life-sized doll of a little boy, Louis Braille at age four or five, dressed in
the clothing of the period.
     Next door in Simon Braille's saddlemaking workshop is the crude
wooden workbench, table, and chairs, much as they must have been during
Louis Braille's childhood.  Display cases contain collections of the
saddlemaking craft.
     Climbing either set of stairs, one arrives at a landing where the wall
has been knocked out, uniting the two staircases and thus the two halves of
the house.  On the landing stands a life-size girl doll, one of the Braille
sisters, also dressed in authentic clothing.  She indicates the way to Louis
Braille's room, which now houses the rest of the museum.  An attic room,
still farther up, is yet to be completed.  
     It is in Louis Braille's room that a visitor gets a sense of the magnitude
of Braille's accomplishment.  Here are displays of the early, equipment
used to write Braille, primitive ancestors of our interpoint embossers and
refreshable computer screens.  But the most moving tribute to Louis Braille
comes from the testimonials to him which are displayed throughout the
room.  There are cards and letters from all over the world, many of them
bearing stamps commemorating the work of Louis Braille.  Over and over,
in many languages, they tell the stories of blind people whose lives were
enriched and transformed by  the work of this one person.  It is a fitting
monument to a man who, over a century ago, began "changing what it
means to be blind."
             State Convention Time Is Approaching--Make Your Plans!
     The Yellowstone chapter is getting it together in a big way for our
state convention this spring.  We received a copy of a mailing sent to each
chapter president from President Shelby Sullivan.  Enclosed as a part of
this Observer is the convention registration form.  It is YELLOW.  So
don't lose it, use it!  Fill it out and send it in to the Yellowston Chapter,
Box 80068, Billings, MT 59108-0068.
     Reserve your rooms by contacting the War Bonnet Inn directly, and
identify yourself as attending the MAB convention, so you will get the
special rate: $32.00 plus tax for singles and doubles, but you must reserve
them before May 1.  We have reserved a block of 40 rooms that will be
held until that time.  Call the War Bonnet Inn at (406) 248-7761.  The
hotel is located at the 27th St. exit on I-90.  The hotel provides a courtesy
van for  transportation from the airport or bus station.
     The convention registration and banquet combined cost is $20 per
person, with checks payable to "MAB Convention,"  Send them along with
your YELLOW registration form. 
     An exciting agenda is being lined up with lots of entertainment, not to
mention the opportunities for participating in the raffles and silent auction. 
So please register early.  By pre-registering early, we can plan on how
many will be here, to have the best time ever!
     Exhibitors are welcome again this year.  Commercial exhibitors will
be charged $25.00, and for those wishing to exhibit crafts, the charge will
be $10.00, or you could donate a craft worth $10 or more to the silent
auction.  Hurry, as these spaces and tables are filling up fast!
     We're going to have another great convention this year.  The theme is
"Let a Little Magic Into Your Heart."   For more information, contact: 
Shelby Sullivan, 652-4488; Jeff Haworth, 652-5638; or Millie, 656-7208. 

Hey Kids!  Your Chance for Chuckie Cheese!     By Karen Marks
     As a parent attending convention, I'm ready for a change, so I've
decided to do something about it, before this year's state convention.  I
want to hear from you other parents out there who are coming to
convention and would like to have child care.  Along with my two kids, I
am hoping your kids will enjoy a Saturday in Billings with some competent
sitters.  This includes a trip to Chuckie Cheese for dinner while we enjoy
the banquet.
     If this sounds good to you, please call or leave a message on my
answering machine: 406/549-7047.  Or you can E-mail me at this Internet
address: marks@selway.umt.edu .  I need to know how many kids to
expect and their ages.  If only a few of you brave it this year, we should
be able to share the duties.  If more people bring children, some tentative
plans include a church youth group who could sit the kids for a reasonable
donation.  Either way, please bring a few age-appropriate toys, marked for
easy identification, to help with entertaining the troops.
     Maybe if we can get good enough at this, we can someday provide
workshops for blind kids and for children of blind parents.  For now, I'll
settle for getting to attend the convention.  Contact me by May 1.

                    Focusing On Literacy for Blind Children
                               By Martin Greiser

     As one of the four members of the Montana delegation to the NFB's
Washington Seminar, I totally supported all three legislative issues on the
1996 agenda.  Although my blind son, Cody, is only nine years old, some
day all too soon he will be an adult.  Realizing this, I feel that anything I
can do on adult issues to help pave the way for him I would do willingly. 
But, as the saying goes, when you're up to your pockets in alligators it is
hard to remember that you came to drain the swamp.  
     For me, as Cody's father, I'd have to say in all honesty that the issue
which advocates for strong Braille provisions put in the re-authorization of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the one I tend to
focus on the most.  This proposed legislation, which may soon be
considered by Congress, would ensure that all legally blind children in the
United States would receive Braille instruction if requested by the parents
or the teachers of the student.  The only time that Braille instruction would
not be provided is if all the members of the Individual Education Program
(IEP) team agree that Braille is not necessary to meet the literacy needs of
the child.
     Since Montana does not currently have a Braille literacy bill for blind
children, and since there have been efforts in past Montana state
legislatures to restrict the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) from exceeding
any federal requirements, I feel it is vital that Montana contribute to the
national effort of securing literacy rights for our blind children.
     In visiting with the staff of our Senators and Representative, we were
told that our complete agenda would likely be supported by Senator Baucus
and Rep. Williams.  Senator Burns' office staff indicated strong support for
the social security earnings limit issue, and considered the copyright
amendments non-controversial.  With regard to Braille literacy provision in
the re-authorization of IDEA, Burns' office was conspicuously non-
encouraging.  Regardless of the verbal assurances we did or did not
receive, we need to track the voting record of our Congressmen in the
upcoming legislative sessions on these important issues.  It is their voting
record that should guide our voting at the ballot box.
     Since there is no evidence to suggest that the consequences of
illiteracy correspondingly diminishes along with one's visual acuity, we
must secure for our blind children the right to receive Braille instruction
and define a minimum level of proficiency for the teachers of Braille as
quickly as possible.  We must do this because they are children, not
because they are blind.  If as parents and other responsible adults we can
accomplish this, then they will have the skills to become competitive.  And
they will have the knowledge necessary to fight their own battles as adults. 
In other words, they will have true independence.
     According to the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), 46
percent of school-aged blind children read Braille in 1966.  By 1994, only
9 percent were Braille readers.  It is clear that the institutions, agencies,
and professionals have failed our blind children.  This situation must
change.
     In Montana, I hear no voices for change from OPI or from the
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB), and only a distant passing
whisper from the Board of Public Instruction.  (Do some of you MAB
members remember the symposium held in Billings in 1991?  I am
wondering, now in 1996, what the blind children of Montana gained from
the Montana Association For The Blind's sizable financial contribution to
this effort?)
     I thank the MAB for helping me to travel to Washington to participate
in this important Washington seminar, and I ask that all of you do what
you can to help.  The National Federation of the Blind is our national voice
for change, the MAB is our state voice, and the parents in our school
districts across Montana are the local voices.  Together we can change
what it means to be blind.


Quote:  "In this age of computers, there is a term called multi-taking,
which means that many things are being done at the same time (by the
computer).  We of the National Federation of the Blind are also a multi-
tasking unit.  No one person can do it all, but we, together can get things
done."  Marc Mauer, President, National Federation of the Blind.

                          It's Uphill to Capitol Hill
                                  By Rik James

     The last few days of January were cold here in Montana, as all of
you know.  The weather has been bitter everywhere this winter.  But when
Martin Greiser, Ted Robbins, Jim Marks and myself walked up the steps to
Capitol Hill to talk with our members of Congress about issues of great
concern to the blind in Montana, our hope was to put a little heat on our
representatives.  We wanted to let them know that there are people out
here in the heartland of America who are watching them, whose opinions
count just as much as any opinion poll.
     This was the Montana Association For The Blind's second year in
participating in the Washington Seminar with other members from the other
state affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind.  And it was another
rewarding experience and an education well worth repeating next year. 
Twice as many Montanans participated this year at the Washington
Seminar, and I would like to believe it did twice as much good.
     Our group made a good cross section of our diverse membership. 
Marty is a parent of a blind child in public school, Ted works closely with
the senior blind, Jim works with the Disability Services at the University of
Montana, and I might be said to represent blind Montanans who are 
employed in the private sector. 
     The weekend in Washington, D.C. was a busy one.  There were a
number of meetings and briefings concerning our legislative agenda for
1996.  Also, the Student Division, Parents of Blind Children, and Job
Opportunities for the Blind all held panel discussions and meetings.
     There was a Sunday morning bus trip to Baltimore, where around 100
of the attendees toured the National Center for the Blind.  The center is
still growing and getting better every year.  The National Braille and
Technology Center is incredible.  The new director, Mr. Ring, is
extremely knowledgeable and helpful in answering questions on all levels
concerning the technologies.       Newsline for the Blind is growing, with
new local service centers coming online.  They are now carrying three
national newspapers, The USA Today, The York Times, and The Chicago
Tribune, and the local papers in their areas by dialing up the service on the
phone and choosing what they want to read from the voice menu.  It is a
revolutionary technology, and it will grow.  It is a means for the blind to
quickly and  independently read the news at the same time as the sighted.
     The Montana delegation had appointments with Representative Pat
Williams, and with Senators Baucus and Burns.  We had appointments to
see each, but for one reason or another, each had to be out of the office. 
But we did have a very attentive audience with each representative's
legislative staff.  We met with persons who are specifically assigned to
keep up to date with issues such as the ones  we discussed.  
     We learned from them that they had been hearing a lot from the blind
persons in Montana.  They were very impressed that MAB had sent us all
the way to Washington, as it showed we were serious with our concerns.  
     About a week following our return, I got a personal call from Senator
Baucus.  He apologized for missing our appointment, and then he spoke to
me about the social security earnings limit and the amendment we need to
restore the link.  He promised to support it.
     And just before this issue went to press, I learned that Marty Greiser
spent time with Mr. Baucus in Dillon talking about our concerns with the
need for strong Braille provisions in the re-authorization of the Individuals
with Disabilities Act (IDEA).  He even got his picture in the newspaper,
talking with Max.  Way to go, Marty!
     It was really gratifying to hear that our calls, yours and mine,  had
such an effect.  So please keep it up.  Finally, then our job, all of our jobs,
is to continue to follow the legislation as it comes up, and contact our
congressmen when needed.  For any information or just to talk, feel free to
contact me. 406 / 586-4123.
Legislative Fact Sheet:  Briefly, here are the legislative issues which we
discussed with our Congressmen at the Washington Seminar, and that we
must watch closely this year and be ready to communicate with members
of the House and Senate, when needed.  The complete text of the
legislative fact sheet will be in a soon to be published issue of The Braille
Monitor.  If you would like more information sooner, or would be willing
to have your name on a list of people to call when we need to call our
representatives, contact Rik James at 406 / 586-4123.

(1) Congress should enact exempt earnings provisions in the Social Security
     Act to promote greater work incentives and opportunities for persons
     who are blind or of retirement age.  This proposal seeks to improve
     the work incentives provided to Social Security beneficiaries.  The
     House bill, H.R. 2684, passed in December, 1995, and as it was
     passed, the linkage with the blind was broken.  The current bill which
     may be about to be considered in the Senate is S. 1470, and the
     amendment which would restore the blind linkage is to be offered by
     Sen. Bingaman of New Mexico.   The linkage with the blind must be
     restored.
(2) Congress should amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
     (IDEA) to include provisions for strengthening programs of Braille
     literacy instruction.  This can be done by enacting Braille literacy for
     blind persons provisions as part of the Individuals with Disabilities
     Education Act (IDEA).  Braille is the reasonable course for achieving
     literacy for students who are blind.

(3) Congress should amend the Copyright Act in order to permit
     non-commercial reproduction and distribution of published works in
     specialized media exclusively for use by blind or disabled persons. 
     This proposal would establish an extremely narrow and targeted
     limitation on the exclusive rights of copyright holders.  The provision
     would specify that it is not an infringement of copyright for a
     nonprofit or governmental entity to convert published works into
     formats appropriate for distribution exclusively for use by blind or
     other persons with disabilities who cannot physically use standard
     print. Access to printed materials in a format we can use is vital, and
     reasonable.


                         Contact Your Representatives:           
Senator Max Baucus - (staff: Joanne Cunningham / Scott Olson)    
     Phone: (800) 332-6106  or  (202) 224-2651                   
Senator Conrad Burns  - (staff: Patty Deutche)                   
     Phone: (800) 344-1513  or  (202) 224-2644              
Representative Pat Williams  -  (staff:  Alison Hogue)           
     Phone: (800) 332-6177  or  (202) 225-3211  

                     Reflections of the Washington Seminar
                                 By Ted Robbins
     Three other members of our organization and myself represented the
blind of Montana very recently at the National Federation of the Blind's
Washington Seminar, and I was proud to have been a participant.  In
addition to excellent briefings from Mr. James Gashel, Director of
Governmental Affairs,  a variety of meetings also took place.  One of the
more interesting was a presentation sponsored by the Associates committee,
organized by Tom Stevens, chairman.  The featured speaker was retired
Navy Captain Eugene "Red" McDaniel, a former Vietnam P.O.W., who
told us of his experiences, and the non-profit organization he helped to
create called "Pride in America," whose mission is to "inspire students to
have pride in themselves, their schools, their communities and their
country while empowering them to make a difference."
     As a result of having gone to Washington, and I am committed to
continue to stay in touch on the legislative issues, and I would like hear
from any of you as well. 
     Being in our nation's capital has kindled a desire to return as a tourist
with more time to take advantage of all that Washington D.C. has to offer. 
Besides, I want to pursue the friendship that began on a park bench in the
Washington Mall, about halfway between the Washington Monument and
the Lincoln Memorial.  It was with a little gray squirrel which jumped up
on my lap while we took a rest on our long walk.
                              Memorial Inspiration
                                  By Jim Marks

     Standing on the walkway of the nearly brand new Korean War
Memorial on the Washington, DC Capital Mall, a question came to mind. 
So I turned to my companions, the other three Montana delegates to the
National Federation of the Blind Washington Seminar, and asked this
question:
     "Why is it that the Korean Memorial was built so many years after
the Vietnam Memorial when the Korean War came first?"  Rik James,
Marty Greiser, Ted Robbins, and I didn't take a  microsecond to arrive at
an answer.
     Advocacy.  The Vietnam Memorial was built first because there was
more critical mass in the advocacy for the project.  The Korean Memorial
was helped along by the success of the Vietnam Memorial.  Both are
important, but one had a more effective special interest group behind it.
     This effectiveness must have been enhanced by a focus on a single
war.  The Vietnam Memorial advocates didn't try to be all things to all
people; they just did what they had to do to get their particular dream
realized.  And on the coat tails of that dream rode another.
     It occurs to me that advocacy for blind people is much like the
memorial situation.  We blind focus on our particular needs.  For example,
this year's Seminar agenda included three distinct issues:  preserving the
link between blind and senior citizen Social Security earnings limits,
ensuring Braille literacy for
children, and enacting blanket copyright permission to transfer books to
tape cassette, Braille, e-text, and other formats readable by the blind.
     I believe it is best for we blind to stay focused on our needs.  There
are some who attack this focus as though it were harmful to others.  We
can't afford to buy into this guilt trip. If we don't advocate for ourselves,
we deserve the raw deal we will surely get.  It isn't a matter of selfishness
or hostility; it is a matter of personal responsibility and survival. 
     Blind people advocate well.  We have been so good at it for so long
that attention is drawn to our collective success.  Like the Vietnam
Memorial, this success could be used as a springboard for other disability
groups.  We want others to reach first class citizenship.  What we don't
want is to sacrifice our gains just because some think our success should be
seized and redistributed in the name of a supposed "equality."  We have
got to resist the pressure and remain strong as a focused special interest
group dedicated to changing what it means to be blind.  That's why the
National Federation of the Blind, the Montana Association for the Blind,
and our local chapters are so vital.  Here is where blind Montanans owe
our first allegiance.  Maybe, just maybe, we can build upon the successes
of our predecessors.  And maybe, just maybe, those who come after us,
even those with other kinds of disabilities, can use us as the foundation for
even better and bigger successes.
                       Summer Orientation Program - 1996
     The 1996 SOP Committee has begun their work for the 1996
program, and plans are being formulated for the program on the MSU-
Bozeman campus from June 25 through July 21, 1996.  
     Positions are open and the committee is accepting applications for
shop, cooking, Braille, low vision, typing/handwriting, computers,
exercise, crafts, sewing, activities of daily living, discussion leader, and
orientation & mobility.  These are all instructional positions.  Openings for
support positions include nurse, host and administrative assistant.  Salaries
are based on the position, amount of experience, and duties to be
performed.  Live-in staff are provided with a single room, meals, and
travel assistance.  Staff will report for work at the program on Friday, June
23 at 9:00 am and would be expected to work through July 22 when the
program is packed up, and the dorm vacated. 
     Interested persons or applicants should send inquiries or applications
by March 15, 1996 to: SOP Staff Committee, c/o the Montana Association
for the Blind, P. O. Box 352, Butte MT  59703-0352 or call the MAB
office at 406/723-3383.  All applications must be received by the SOP Staff
committee by no later than March 11, 1996.  The MAB Board of Directors
selected Pat Domme as Program Director again this year.
     Applications for students will be available from the MAB office or
through all Visual Service offices by March 1, 1996.  Selections for
students are expected to be announced the first part of May.  If you know
of anyone that can benefit from this one month long residential program,
you should encourage them to apply and take some strong fundamental
steps towards their independence.

                       How I Went Blind ... and Then What
                                  By Ed Bryant
     (The following piece is reprinted from The Voice of the
     Diabetic, Fall, 1995.  Ed is the editor of this fine publication,
     and I think that from this telling of his own story many of us may
     learn and understand much, whether or not we have diabetes.)

     Diabetes is a sneaky disease.  It usually takes 15 to 20 years before
chronic complications will be noticed.  And, there are many complications
that can stem from the disease.  Today I will share with you my eye
experiences and some observations about blindness.
     Thirty-six years ago, I was diagnosed with early onset diabetes. 
After the initial shock of discovering I had sugar diabetes, and after
learning how to give myself insulin injections, my lifestyle returned to one
of a very busy and active teenager.  The only differences were that I had to
give myself one shot a day and watch my diet.  Eating a lot of sweets
could cause problems.
     At first I did not adhere to good diabetes practices.  I was not good
watching what I ate and drank.  I did what my peers did, and I felt just
fine.  I was not worried about my diabetes.  Then, after I'd had the disease
almost 16 years, I  began to notice some blurred vision.  It was like
looking through a smoky haze.
     At first I didn't pay much attention.  In St. Louis, where I was
administrative manager for a corporation specializing in child photography,
my job required a lot of paperwork.  I assumed I needed to see an eye
doctor and get glasses.  But, I didn't get glasses, and my vision
deteriorated with time.  Finally, admitting I'd been foolish, I saw an
ophthalmologist, who diagnosed proliferative diabetic retinopathy.  I had no
functional vision in one eye, and the prognosis for the other was not good. 
The doctor recommended I see a diabetes specialist and get my disease
under good control.  Then, if possible, he could give me laser treatments.
     I immediately saw a physician who specialized in diabetes.  I worked
to regulate my disease far more closely.  In time, with my diabetes under
good control, the vision in my one functional eye became substantially
better.  I was elated.  I could see well enough to do almost anything. 
Working as a photographer, I had driven in every state in America, and of
course I thought driving a car was essential to everyone's lifestyle.  Now I
could even drive my little blue sports car again!
     When I revisited my ophthalmologist, we decided to try vitrectomy
surgery in my bad eye.  With luck, it would restore some of my vision. 
The surgery failed, as did second vitrectomy on the same eye several
months later.  I knew that by law I was legally blind, but I didn't consider
myself blind, since I had so little trouble getting around and doing what I
wanted to do.
     During the daytime, my only troubles came while facing direct
sunlight.  My difficulties were at night.  Unless an area was well lit, I had
trouble seeing where I was going.  Late one evening I started walking
home.  The area was well lit, but as I progressed, there were fewer and
fewer street lights.  Soon I could barely see my path.  At a wide point in
the sidewalk, landscapers had planted a preposterously huge tree, right in
my way!  I was walking at a pretty good clip--and I ran into the tree. 
After my very "close encounter," and a few frank words with that tree I
walked the rest of the way home.  As I look back, I can only laugh.  If I'd
had more wisdom, I'd have been using a long white cane.  Then I could
have avoided both possible injury and the tree.
     Several years later, my employment was phased out.  I found myself
out of work.  I moved to Columbia, Missouri, home of the University of
Missouri.  I would work out my future from there.  I had been offered
upper middle management positions with several different companies, with
very lucrative salaries.
     As soon as I told prospective employers I was legally blind, or that I
had "a severe eye problem," their offers no longer stood.  The jobs were
either "no longer available," or offered to me at wages less than half their
original offer.  It didn't matter that I could do the work proficiently.  My
experience in business administration and public relations didn't count. 
When employers heard the words "blind" or "legally blind," they
immediately assumed I was incapable of doing the job.
     Out one night in Columbia, a friend accidentally poked me in my
good eye.  I felt excruciating pain.  My ophthalmologist recommended a
retina surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee.  The specialist told me the eye was
in bad shape; however vitrectomy surgery might help.  Once again, I
underwent surgery.  However, it only allowed me to see in a very limited
way.
     In the following few months, I lost my vision completely.  I was
totally blind.  I lived in an apartment, and I really had no way to get
around.  After managing my personal business matters, after being
independent for years, I found it difficult to let another person become
involved.  My parents offered to build an extra room onto their home, so I
could live there.  Although the offer was loving and gracious, I would
never consider such a thing.  I'd always been an independent person, and if
I'd moved into my parents' home, on a rural route, I would have been
more or less trapped, as there was no bus service in the area, and the cost
of a taxi to and from the country was very expensive.  I couldn't expect
my parents to provide my transportation everywhere.  They had their own
life!
     I was a very active person, used to travelling.  I decided to keep my
apartment.  I had no wish or reason to become dependent on others.  I
knew I was perfectly capable of doing the things I'd always done!  My
biggest problem was not being able to draw up my own insulin.  My
mother drew up a seven-day supply, every week for three or four years,
until I learned of devices that allowed blind persons to accurately draw up
their own insulin.  Such a device allowed me to self-manage my own
disease. 
     My blindness made me angry and frustrated.  Like so many newly
blind folks, I felt trapped and limited in what I could do.  The fact was -- I
was blind.  But it seemed unreasonable to give up and abandon
independence, simply because I couldn't see.  I began to realize that in
actuality, I wasn't limited.  I could function very well in my apartment.  I
knew where everything was.  And with a little ingenuity, I discovered I
could cook and do anything in the kitchen.  Every day I discovered
alternative techniques that allowed me to do things just as well as I did
when I was sighted.  I was learning how to help myself.
     I telephoned Missouri's Bureau for the Blind, and asked for a white
cane, and someone to show me how to use it.  After waiting two or three
weeks, I got angry.  How could I be independent if I had to stay in my
apartment?  So one day, I took a hatchet and a kitchen broom, and went
outside, using my broom as a cane.  I headed for a spot where I knew a
little tree was located, and I chopped and whittled until the branch
developed into what I called a cane.  I didn't know anything about cane
dimensions, but I figured it should be about as tall as I was.  I ended up
with a makeshift cane about six feet long.
     I went for short walks.  I chuckle about it now, but I was probably a
danger to society with my tree branch cane.  I was certainly a danger to
myself.  The end of the cane kept getting stuck in the ground, and I came
close to rupturing my midsection on many occasions.  Even though my
cane was homemade, out of a tree branch, it helped me to get around the
apartment complex and many nearby roads.  I had all the confidence in the
world.
     At last the man from Bureau for the Blind arrived, bringing me a
better cane.  After he left, I went for a walk.  The top of my new cane
reached somewhere between my navel and breastbone.  I had to bend over
as I walked with it, and it was obviously too short, but I could do a lot
better with it than with my tree branch.  I knew where the city bus
stopped, so I took a bus downtown, and spent the afternoon exploring.
     I never had any formal mobility lessons, but I trained myself without
great difficulty.  I finally moved to the downtown area, primarily because
there were sidewalks.  I lived in a high-rise apartment close to the
University.  There were so many social activities, and something was
always happening.  There was plenty out there for a guy like me.
     At some point I found out about the National Federation of the Blind. 
After attending a few meetings, I was more impressed with it than any
other organization I had ever been involved in.  It was a united body of
blind people, doing everything possible to serve all blind people, without
regard to the cause of their blindness.  Federation philosophy ran parallel
to my own observations, made since I had gone blind, that much of the
general public simply does not understand blindness.  Many friends,
neighbors, and family simply pity a blind person, thinking he or she is not
capable of doing very much.  Along with the pity and sympathy comes a
great deal of discrimination, due to society's many myths and
misconceptions about the blind.  The situation is improving, but we in the
National Federation of the Blind need to spread the word.
     The key word is education.  We Federationists are aware that with
proper training and use of alternative techniques, we can do  just about
anything we desire.  The NFB knows that society's perception of
"inabilities" can mislead blind people.  If all they hear is how they're
"helpless," how "they can't," they may  become convinced, and think
themselves into helplessness.  Such holds true for the blind diabetic, told
incorrectly by so many that he or she cannot draw insulin, test blood
glucose, or perform the other tasks of diabetes self-management.
     "Limitations," for most blind persons, are self-imposed.  The NFB
strives to enlighten society about the capabilities of blind people, while it
strives to improve the way many blind people think about themselves.  We
encourage them to think "I can" rather than "I can't."  We are a self-help
and advocacy organization.  We show blind folks they are not alone, and
that, whatever their situation, they have options.  Our members are living
proof that blindness is not synonymous with inability. 
(Note:  To subscribe to the Voice of the Diabetic, write to 811 Cherry St.,
Suite 309, Columbia, MO  65201-4892.)
                         NPR Hears From Montana's Blind
     (MAB Missoula chapter member Dan Burke heard something on
     National Public Radio's Morning Edition recently which
     prompted him to write them a letter.  A few short weeks later a
     portion of his letter was read on the air.)

To: National Public Radio, Bob Edwards, Morning Edition
Re: Imprisoning the blind

Dear Bob Edwards,
     Imprisoned by his blindness?  Ah, the prisons of our minds; the
shackles and chains we place on the souls of our fellows!   As I sat this
morning at my keyboard, working on an article about the ways language
and attitudes still discriminate and limit people with disabilities, "Morning
Edition" sent an almost textbook illustration into the sanctuary of my living
room.  It came in the form of your interview with the author (insert name,
I thankfully forget) of a new James Thurber biography.  In the interview
you, Bob Edwards, referred to Thurber's "infirmities" and which we later
learned meant his blindness and Thurber's anxiety about not being seen as
blind.  "Yes," said the biographer,  "he was imprisoned by his blindness." 
     Bob, blindness is not a prison.  Yes, loss of sight is a loss.  But what
in life cannot be lost -- innocence, possessions, love, or breath itself?  
Neither is blindness black or white, as the author would suggest.  The vast
majority of blind people also have some vision.  I am one of those. 
Having vision and being blind, therefore, are not mutually exclusive. 
Certainly, one might be tempted to wonder what Thurber might have
accomplished with his cartoons had he not lost his sight, but the suggestion
that he might have been diminished as a writer is laughable -- and
lamentable.
     Imagine us saying "Gosh, Paradise Lost is a pretty swell book.  It
makes you wonder what old John Milton could have come up with if he
hadn't been blind."  One can easily understand, then, why Thurber would
struggle with acknowledgement of blindness, and insist (as he apparently
did) that he wasn't bothered by what "other writers" might be able to do.  
     Thurber's only mistake, it would seem, was to reject the blindness he
experienced as the cause of his shame.  As Thurber's biographer amply
demonstrates via his own language, prejudice and limiting attitudes toward
blindness are the greatest barriers that Thurber confronted.  The true
prisons are the confines of our minds.  
     I spent much of my life asking the jailor for the key -- as Thurber
seems to have done -- and trying to trick my captors into letting me out on
the premise of mistaken identity.  It was not their mistake, but my own
prison of attitudes about my blindness...  The answer, I finally realized,
was to get out yourself, to pick the lock or, even better, batter down the
door.    Sincerely, Dan Burke, Access Coordinator, University of
Montana. 
                                Chapter Roundup
               (Here are some reports from your local chapters.)

Bozeman:     Newly elected President Lillian Todd presided at the
November 10th meeting.  The time was spent in informal discussions of
what the members expected of the Bozeman Chapter and what they could
contribute.  It was a good get-acquainted session.
     On December 20 the Bozeman Lions Club hosted the Bozeman Chapter
at a Christmas luncheon at the Elks Club.  About 30 Chapter Members and
25 Lions were in attendance.  Table favors were made by Della Koeber
and Peggy Schultz.  Two girls from Heritage Christian School sang during
the program, then Jim Williams described some of his experiences at the
convention of the Blind Veterans Association last fall in Washington, D.C. 
Following the luncheon the Lions presented fruit baskets to the blind and
visually impaired who were present; other baskets were sent to those
unable to attend.
     The Chapter met at the Darlinton Manor January 12 for its regular
meeting with 32 members and guests present.  Guests included Lucetta
Skank of Bozeman plus Lois Haymond, Edna Maier, Marguerite
Cummings and Mildred McMillion of Livingston.  A special guest was
Sharon Larson from Shawmut.  The report on calendar sales was given by
chairman Ken Harmon; all outstanding monies should be turned in to him
as soon as possible.  It was voted to give donations of $50 each to Galavan
and Eastern Montana Radio Reading Service.  Joyce Watters voiced a
concern about raising the consciousness of motorists and pedestrians about
courtesy toward people with white canes, wheel chairs and the elderly,
some of whom may need a little more time to react.  Several suggestions
were made for possible action.  Helen Cowles urged people to try to speak
to school classes about blindness and visual aids.  Sharon Larson, the
District Four representative was the speaker for the meeting.  She
described her experiences at the summer program,  first as student, then as
a teacher (cooking for two years, then ADL last year).  She also shared
what it is like to be a board member.  Bernice DeHaas, reporting.

Butte:  The Silver Bow chapter held its annual Christmas brunch on Dec.
10.  A group of fifty attended. President Jim Harris was master of
ceremonies.  A good country western singer did some Christmas tunes. 
The tables were decorated with lovely poinsettias.  Folks really seemed to
enjoy themselves, the food, the door prizes, and each others company. 
Lana Nelson, reporting.

Great Falls :  The Great Falls chapter met on February 12. Entertainment,
provided by Electric City Harmony, preceded the meeting.  For the past
month or so members have been collecting IGA receipts, which when
turned back to the store, earn us a percentage for our chapter.  It was
reported that various stores in town have sold over 200 calendars for us,
and 25 were sold during the Christmas Stroll.  Our chapter sold 278
calendars this year, thanks to all who have helped.  Since Brian Tocher has
been recently named President of Ski for Light, our chapter is now
shopping for a new calendar chairman for next year.
     Ted Robbins reported to the chapter about his recent trip to
Washington, DC.  We are all anxious to hear what the final vote will be on
the earnings limit bill (S.1470).  
     Dick Howse reported that there is still scholarships available, and the
deadline for application is May 1.
     Regretfully, the 4-H chapter of MSDB has been disbanded for the
time being.  We are helping out again at the Health Fair on February 24th
at the College of Great Falls campus.  Volunteers include Dick Howse,
Brian Tocher, Ted Robbins, and Ardeth Clinger.
     Our chapter resolved to help the Yellowstone chapter with the
convention in May; we voted to send a general contribution, and in
addition to send a good number of money door prizes.   Ellen Lindstrom,
reporting. 

Helena:  The November meeting was replaced by the annual Thanksgiving
dinner hosted by the Zonta Club. The members enjoyed a delicious turkey
dinner and had a real treat when Mike Logan, cowboy poet, entertained the
guests with some of his poems.  Calendar sales Chair Cindy Baril told the
members she will contact members for any remaining   calendars and
money and report the final totals at the February meeting. 
     In January, Al and Myrle Tompkins participated in Ski for Light, a
program where sighted skiers teach people with visual problems to cross
country ski. The program was held at Grouse Mountain Lodge in
Whitefish. A total of 25 people took part in the program, ranging in ages
from 8 to 80 with various levels of vision and skiing skills.  Myrle
reminded people you don't have to be able to see to ski!  Al and Myrle feel
the people they meet and friendships they formed were as enjoyable as
learning to ski.  They encouraged people to participate in this fun and
worthwhile program.
     Myrle Tompkins is interested in beginning a support group in the
Helena area to share problems and lend support to people with vision loss
and their families. This support group will serve a different function from
the local MAB chapter.  Those interested need to call Myrle at (406) 443-
4352.
     The Helena Chapter is glad to welcome back long-time member John
Bird.  John suffered a stroke, and was in a nursing home for 4 1/2 months. 
The members recognized Margaret Huelett who turned 83 in January. 
Happy Birthday, Margaret!  Sandra Jarvie, reporting.   

Kalispell-Buffalo Hills:  The Buffalo Hills Chapter met at the Terrace on
Dec. 1 and after a short business meeting, we turned the rest of our time
over to Merlin Anderson, for his talent show.  It was a standing room only
performance, with 79 in attendance.  Merlin was dressed in top hat, striped
coat and cane.  He told funny stories and kept the crowd amused as emcee
of the event.  Margie Cook played several old favorites on the organ, and
Grace Myers and her daughter danced a Hawaiian hula.  Other performers
included Ernest Boehme, Gladys Manning, Harry Gertsmyer, and Henry
Byrne.  Vi Middlesap tickled the ivories on a piano, as did Cleo Neifert. 
Jody Weidner, in costume, sang "All I Want For Christmas," and all
joined in.  Faye Couie played the clarinet, and then more laughs with jokes
provided by Charles Freeon.  Helen Hogan and Nina Anderson rounded off
the day with a medley of Christmas songs.  Harriet Fall had done a
marvelous job decorating the room, which added much to our enjoyment. 
The food and friends reminded us of what a great time can be had, and
was, at Christmas at Buffalo Hills.  (Edit. Note:  I'm ready to move in,
aren't you? The above was sent to us from Beatrice Woessner, President of
the chapter.)

Kalispell-Northwest:  The Northwest chapter's Christmas party was held
at the Outlaw Inn on Dec 8. and everyone enjoyed themselves.  The
January 8 meeting had 8 members present, and Elaine Miller gave a report
on the Ski for Light program at Grouse Mountain.  Martha Rethmeier,
reporting. 

Lewistown:  The White Cane chapter met in December.  The secretary
read an article to the group that was written about Tim Hayward's recent
trip to New Jersey where Tim got a new Seeing Eye dog, Nautic.  Irish
has retired now.  Tim is also working in his woodshop on a cabinet with
some occasional help by  Ed Durbin.  Also at the meeting, Bob Brassey
told of a recent hunting trip in Texas on the 150-million acre King Ranch. 
The hunt was for Nell-gue, a type of antelope, which dressed out at over
300 pounds.  Congratulations to Bob on his successful hunt, but also to
Dorris and Bob on the December celebration of their 54th wedding
anniversary.  At the meeting, Ed told of his successful year at raising
calves, some of which he has sold off this year.  Katherine Kurns,
reporting.

Livingston:  The Park County held its December meeting and Christmas
dinner at Timothy's.  Our president, Lois Haymond, led us in table prayer,
then we all proceeded to enjoy a fine dinner.  Although some of members
were gone elsewhere for the holidays, and our group was small, our
feeling of fellowship was large.
     On January 8, at our chapter meeting at the Wellness Center, Robin
Neel from Visual Services spoke to our group.  She demonstrated and
discussed low vision aids that are currently available.  At this meeting,
Marguerite Commings resigned her position as chapter treasurer.  Thanks,
Marguerite, for your years of service.
     At the February meeting, Jane Williams volunteered to take over the
duties of treasurer for us.  Our program for the day was presented by
Sharon Larson, District 4 Representative on the MAB board.  She told the
group that she is planning to run for re-election.  Sharon also got to have a
little catch-up time with Heidi McGuire, with whom she attended the
summer orientation program.
     Also in February, chapter secretary Mildred McMillion drove
President Lois Haymond, Marguerite Commings, and Edna Maier to
Bozeman for their chapter meeting.  Helen Cowles announced them as her
guests.  Eunice Nelson, reporting.

Missoula:  Attendance has been strong for chapter meeting, though
January's meeting was relatively low turnout because the sorority which
usually provides transportation was on holiday break.  
     Carolyn Brock is heading up a "Community Awareness" committee,
which is working through several sub-groups.  Dan Burke is in charge of a
survey, which will poll members about various special interest groups (or
self-improvement groups, as Dan calls them).  Suggested groups are: 
Braille mentoring, a support group, interests in cooking and crafts,
technology, mobility, recreation (such as hiking, skiing,  biking,
bird-watching, self-defense), and social activities.  
     The survey will also ask people to participate in community
committees:  transportation, access to businesses, membership and
recruiting, outreach to the newly blind, advocacy in the schools,
presentations to civic  groups, political liaisons, and fund-raising.      We
are asking members to state anonymously what they feel are the greatest
strengths and weaknesses of the local chapter, and what they would most
like to see the chapter accomplish.  
Two of these committees are already functioning.  Fran Beever is  heading
our outreach group to the newly blind.  We have prepared an information
sheet about this outreach program, which is being circulated to the local
ophthalmologists.  
     George Kerscher is heading up the fund-raising effort.  After the
initial contact with ophthalmologists  about the outreach program, George's
committee plans to put together a  proposal of projected expenses, and
solicit these doctors for an annual  contribution.   Ruby Huckaba,
reporting, with additional notes supplied by Carolyn Brock.

                           Inside the MAB / Personals
     In late December it was learned that Mike Maloney of Great Falls has
an advanced cancer, and the prognosis is that we will soon lose yet another
of our founding members of this organization.  Card and letters are
welcomed, and we wish for Mike to know how very much his years of
dedication, his balanced wisdom, and unsinkable witticisms will be missed. 
Mike is known and loved all over the world, too, with his ham radio
career.  Mike told Kay the other day that he didn't realize how many good
friends he had.  Send a card, tape, or letter to Mike Maloney and his dear
wife, Kay, at: 1404 4th Ave. North, Great Falls, MT  59401.
     Bozeman chapter member, Peggy Schultz, is recovering at home from
a broken hip, the result of a fall about a week before Christmas.  Margaret
Bouma has been in the Gallatin County Rest Home, at 1221 W.Durston,
Bozeman, MT 59715  following a knee replacement before Christmas. 
Her husband, John, died the last week in December.
     Thelma Hartley Cain, of Ennis, passed away on Jan. 13, 1996 in
Apple Valley, California.  She attended the MAB summer program in
1988, and continued to be a member and supporter of our programs.  Born
in Missouri in 1912, Thelma married Clyde Hartley in 1930 and moved to
Rawlins, Wyoming.  After his death in 1974 she continued to live there
until 1985, when she moved to Ennis to be near her daughters and
grandchildren.  Thelma's warm words and spirit will be missed by her
friends among the MAB.  We were sorry to hear that another member had
passed away recently-- Mr. Dwight Roberts, from the Park County
chapter.
     On Jan. 2, 1996, George Kerscher, of the Missoula chapter of MAB,
was featured in a radio news essay on National Public Radio's "All Things
Considered."  The story highlighted George's relationship with a retired
sports broadcaster who, for the past several years, has attended Hellgate
High School's girls basketball games with George.  He describes the games
to George, and in particular, the play of George's daughter, Zoey.
     We have recently heard from David Bell, formerly of Missoula. 
David and his wife, Julia, who are expecting a child in August, have
recently moved, and their new address is:  2926 Loxley Ave., Fayetteville,
AR  72703.
     And finally, congratulations go to Jim Aldrich of the Yellowstone
chapter; whose article, "Wherefore Art Thou, User-Friendly Microwave,"
from the last Observer was reprinted in the current issue of the
Associate's Raiser, edited by Tom Stevens of Columbia, Missouri.

                                 Announcements
     At the February 17 board meeting, MAB President Pat Domme
announced the following committee appointments: Scholarship Committee
-  Roberta Lemieux, Jim Marks, Nancy Holt, Jeff Haworth, Betty Lou
Berg;  Memorial Loan Committee - Bennie Longie, Kay Kjellstrom,
Sharon Larson, Sarah Bradley, Teresa Lease; Awards Committee - Judy
Longie, Evelyn Pool, Marguerite Boehler, Cindy Baril; Nominating
Committee - Linda Hurlock, Rhonda Hook, Evelyn Poole, Dean Phillips 
By-Laws Committee - Ted Robbins, other positions open.
     The MAB Elder Blind Equipment Lease/Purchase Program still
has funds available to seniors for the purchasing of adaptive equipment.
Some equipment has come back into the program and is available for
purchase outright or through our program to qualifying individuals:   A 19
inch Voyager CCTV, and a 14-inch Vantage CC TV.  For details, call
Edward C. "Ted" Robbins, Program Manager, Phone:  406/453-6678.


Read & Tell : A Reading / Talking Computer System
     Kirk Hill Computers is planning to distribute a reading-talking
computer in the near future. It was developed for the low vision
community so that it can stay up to date with the latest printed materials. A
working model of READ & TELL has been used by 100 year old Herbert
Kirk, a past president of the Bozeman Chapter of the MAB.
     From magazines to books, this system scans a page at a time and then
verbally tells you what is on the entire page or a sentence at a time as fast
as you can press a button. It can repeat a sentence or spell each word if
you wish for better understanding.
     One of the unique features is that it uses an IBM compatible PC
computer which can be used for many other purposes. Another special
feature that distinguishes it from its main competitors (Arkenstone and
Xerox) is its ability to display each sentence on the computer monitor in
letters up to 1 1/4 inches high while it is speaking that sentence. The size
of the letters, the speed of speaking and the volume can be changed at any
time.
     When the system first goes into action it explains all available options
under your control or you can skip the explanation. It then asks you to put
your printed material in the flat bed scanner. The Optical Character
Reader(OCR) software converts the text into computer language which is
spoken by the Voice Synthesizer all under the control of an Executive
Program. When it finishes, it asks you for the next page and you are off to
a new world full of information.
     Future plans include the ability to transfer newspaper articles into
your computer over the telephone lines. Then you can listen to the
headlines to select the only those articles of interest. Another possible
extension is the ability to send and receive e-mail over the Internet.
     If you have any questions or comments, please contact Charles Kirk
at Kirk Hill Computers, 7960 S. 19th Road, Bozeman MT 59715 or call
406-586-3929 or toll free 800-240-3929.   (Editor's Note:  Mr. Kirk is
hoping to find interested persons to participate in a marketing survey for his
product.  If you are at all interested, please contact him by phone (one was
toll free), and you can answer the fifteen or so questions that are in the
survey.)

Video Description / Closed Captioning - Future Law?
The FCC has issued an historic Notice of Inquiry regarding two services
that benefit millions of Americans with disabilities: closed captioning and
video description of television programming.  The Commission seeks
comment on the current availability, cost, and uses of these two services. 
It also requests the public's views on the appropriate means of promoting
the wider use of closed captioning and video description in programming
delivered by television broadcasters, cable operators, and other video
program providers.  Legislation currently pending in Congress would, for
the first time, generally mandate the closed captioning of television video
programming, and also would require the FCC to study the uses of video
description.  The record developed in this proceeding will enable the
Commission to expedite the implementation of this legislation if enacted
into law.  The Notice of Inquiry was initiated by and coordinated with the
Commission's Disabilities Issues Task Force and Mass Media Bureau. 
There are presently no Commission rules regarding video description,
although they have adopted a number of rules to promote closed caption
technology, dating back as far as 1976.

Until Next Time:   The deadline for the next issue of The Observer is
April 30, 1996.  Thanks to all of our contributors, proofreaders, label
makers, and all the local chapter reporters.  Send all submissions for
consideration for possible publication to Rik James, Editor, 716 N.
Montana Ave., Bozeman, MT  59715.  Telephone: 406 / 586-4123.
To finish up this issue here are two poems:  Bozeman member, Helen
Cowles, sent us this first poem, written by her good friend, Bobbie Russell
Broumley, who is an accomplished and published poet.  Bobbie has had
work published by the Library of Congress, and worked for a number of
years for the Governor of Arizona.

Amidst Familiar Settings
Suddenly I'm a stranger, in this world I call my home
Amidst familiar settings I sometimes feel alone
My eyesight's growing dimmer and the sounds of life grow faint
I'm almost like the artist who's misplaced his tube of paint
My friends all tend to holler, to grab my arm and shove
To see I walk a straight line and I know it's done with love
The family doesn't understand because I seem a little strange
When I insist familiar's better that it's hard to deal with change
Folks always seem to question when your eyesight's not so keen
Sometimes they think you've snubbed them 
     when in fact they were not seen
To tell the truth it's easier to sit at home and mope
But all the world is waiting for me to learn to cope
I still retain my talents and with God's boundless grace
I'll overcome life's challenges and meet them face to face
I'm oft' in need of guidance and my foolish pride must start
To realize, with clouded eyes I still see, with my heart
When I tend to get discouraged and feel I'm not quite whole
I place myself in Heaven's hands and listen, with my soul.
         - Bobbie Russell Broumley

Forgetful
Just a line to say I'm living, that I'm not among the dead
I'm getting so forgetful, and so mixed up in my head
Sometimes I can't remember, at the foot of my own stair
If I must go up for something, or if I just came down from there
And, before the fridge so often, my poor mind is filled with doubt
I don't know if I've put food away, or have come to take it out
There are times when it's so very dark, with my nightcap on my head
I don't know if I'm retiring, or just getting out of bed
So if it's my turn to write to you, there's no need in getting sore
I may think that I have written, and don't want to be a bore
Just remember that I do love you, and I wish that you were here
But now it's nearly mail time, so I'll say goodbye, my dear
Here I stand beside the mail box, with my face a blushing red
Instead of mailing you my letter, I have opened it instead!
     Author Unknown (forgot to sign it)      (Editor's Note:  My mother sent
                                                                                          in the second one--do you think she was trying to tell me something?!?)                       Montana Association For The Blind
                               Board of Directors


President :
Pat Domme
2724 Amherst Ave.
Butte MT, 59404  
     (406) 494-4571


1st Vice President :
Rik James
716 North Montana Ave.
Bozeman MT, 59715-2921  
     (406) 586-4123
  E-mail:  rikjames@dns.mcn.net

2nd Vice President :
Virginia Sutich
Box 27, Tracy Route
Sand Coulee MT, 59472  
     (406) 736-5277


3rd Vice President :
Nancy Holt
905 32nd St. South
Great Falls MT, 59405  
     (406) 761-4348







District One :
Jim Marks
540 E. Kent
Missoula MT, 59801  
     (406) 549-7047
 E-mail: marks@selway.umt.edu

District Two  :
Bennie Longie
1160 E. Sebree
Dillon MT, 59725  
     (406) 683-2826

District Three :
Kay Kjellstrom
3222 Second Ave. North
Great Falls MT, 59401  
     (406) 453-0452

District Four :
Sharon Larson
Box 81
Shawmut MT, 59078  
     (406) 632-4706

District Five :
Sarah Bradley
1633 Lynne Ave.
Billings MT, 59102  
     (406) 656-7162