                                             NFBT NEWS


                                        A publication of the
                                 National Federation of the Blind 
                                              of Texas
                                          6909 Rufus Drive
                                       Austin, TX  78752-3123
                                            512-451-1717


                                         VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
                                            SUMMER 1994


                                        Norma Crosby, Editor

                                         PRINT DISTRIBUTION
                                          HOUSTON CHAPTER

                                    TAPE & BRAILLE DISTRIBUTION
                                                  AUSTIN CHAPTER


 "Changing what it means to be blind"
This issue is dedicated to the memory of
Louie Vinson.  Mr. Vinson was truly a
leader of the blind, and he will be missed
by all the members of the NFB of Texas.



                                          THE PRESIDENT'S
                                              CORNER 
                                           By Tommy Craig

     For seventeen years, Glenn
Crosby has held the office of
President of the National
Federation of the Blind of
Texas.  He has worked to build
and strengthen the
organization, and today it is
vibrant and healthy.  
     At our recent convention,
Mr. Crosby announced that he
would not seek re-election, and
I am, now, in the unenviable
position of having to succeed
him in the office.  I have only
served as president for a short
time, and I have already 
experienced a great deal of

support from our membership. 
I thank you all for that
support, and I will look
forward to working with
everyone to maintain a strong
and active organization. 

                                         FOCUS ON A LEADER
                                            GLENN CROSBY

     Glenn was born on June
23, 1945.  He lost much of his
vision when he was just three
years-old, as the result of an
accident with a knife.  Later,
while attending the Texas
School for the Blind, he lost the
remainder of his sight while
engaging in horseplay with
another student.
     Glenn's school years were
tough.  He says, "The rules
were too strict.  You could get
into trouble for infractions as
minor as using the stairs which
were designated for use by
members of the opposite sex."  
     "I was one of the kids who
was always in trouble" he
continues.  "I just couldn't
conform to what they wanted
us to be, and punishment did
nothing but make me more
stubborn." 
     When Glenn completed his
high school work he moved
back home in order to attend
the University of Houston.  He
believed that he wanted to be
an attorney, and he began his
undergraduate work as a
political science major.  He
needed to support himself, and
he took a variety of jobs.  He
worked in a health club and in
the government's  Poverty
Program.  Then, in 1969, he
had an opportunity to open a
coffee shop in the Harris
County Family Law Center. 
He decided that feeding himself
was more important than
completing the degree he was
working on, and he took the
opportunity and has operated a
successful business ever since. 
He has also owned a number of
other restaurants over the
years.  But, the recession forced
him to sell all but his original
location several years ago.
      In 1967, Glenn married
Carol Smith, and during their
seventeen year marriage, they
had two children.  Glenn II was
born in 1971, and Amanda was
born in 1976.  The marriage
ended in 1984, and Glenn
remained single for the next
five years.  Then, in 1989, he
married Norma Beathard.  
     In 1968, Glenn found the
Federation, and he has been a
member of the organization
since that time.  He says that
he was drawn to NFB because
people within the organization
seemed to really believe in
themselves and other blind
people.  He had the opportunity
to see how well blind people
could compete with their
sighted peers when they had
the opportunity to be trained
with Federation philosophy, as
the students at the Iowa
Commission for the Blind were,
when Dr. Kenneth Jernigan
was in charge of that program.
     "I wasn't jealous," Crosby
says.  "I was glad for those who
had the opportunity to train
under Dr. Jernigan.  But, I
wanted blind Texans to have
the same opportunities, and I
felt as though active
membership in the Federation
was the only way to achieve
that goal.  I still feel that way. 
The NFB has been, and
continues to be, an integral
part of my life.  I can't imagine
a time when I wouldn't be right
in there fighting alongside all
my Federation friends."
     After serving for seventeen
consecutive years as the NFB of
Texas President, Glenn has
decided to step down from that
position, in order to spend a
little more time at home.  He
still serves on the organization's
national board,  and he intends
to remain an active part of the
Federation at all levels.  
     "My commitment to the
Federation has never waivered. 
The first time I met Dr.
Jernigan, I knew that he, and
the other members of the NFB,
believed in a philosophy which
was right.  It has made me a
stronger person, and my loyalty
to the movement and its leaders
is unshakable," he says.  "I wish
our new State President the
best of luck, and I pledge my
support to him and to our
National President, Marc
Maurer.  Both of these
outstanding leaders can count
on me to serve them in any way
they see fit."
     Glenn Crosby is a man
who cares what happens to
other blind people.  That is
why blind people in Texas 
have chosen him as their
president for so many years,
and he will continue to be a
leader even though he no
longer holds statewide elective
office.  A person cannot be
taught to be a leader.  Leaders
are born, and Glenn Crosby is
a born leader.

                                          THE QUESTION BOX

Q:  I have vision.  So, I have
always been told that I don't 
need to carry a cane.  Is this
true?

A:   It is probably not true. 
Consider the following      
questions.  If you answer yes to
any of them, you should give
serious consideration to
carrying a cane.

     1.  Do you walk more
slowly than you really want to 
because you are concerned that
you won't see a hole, a step, or
maybe even a large truck?
     2.   Do you fall or trip a
lot?         
     3.   Do you always walk
behind people with whom you
are traveling in order to
observe whether or not they
step up or down, etc.?
     4.   Do you avoid going
out at certain times of the day
or night because you are
worried that you can't see well
enough to travel safely at those
times?
     5.   Have you been called
"clumsy" or "accident prone"?
     6.   Do you run into glass
doors or mirrored walls
because you don't see them?
     7.   Have you ever
pretended not to be interested
in attending a social gathering
or other activity because you
didn't feel confident in your
ability to travel independently
to the location where the event
was to take place?
     8.   Do you feel as though
you must always travel with a
sighted guide?  

          Most legally blind people
should carry a cane, and they
should use it.  It doesn't do any
good to have a cane if it is
always tucked away in a purse
or a briefcase.  With proper
training in the use of a cane,
blind people can travel where
they want to go with skill and
confidence.  

     The members of the
National Federation of the
Blind believe that it is
respectable to be blind,  and we
believe that the decision to
carry a cane amounts to a
declaration of independence for
any person who has a
significant loss of vision. 
Carrying a cane is not a sign of
weakness.  It is a sign that you
have taken charge of your
blindness and have chosen to
be independent rather than
dependent.


     If you have a question that
you would like answered in this
portion of our newsletter, you
should write to:  NFBT News
Question Box, 1403 Cheshire
Lane, Houston, TX  77018-4134.
     The Question Box will be a
regular feature of this 
publication, and your
contributions will help to keep it
interesting.  We won't be able to
answer all the questions we
receive, in this column.  But, we
will do our best to send you a
personal reply if it is not
possible to publish your
question.


NFBT CONVENTION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     The 1994 convention of the
National Federation of the
Blind of Texas was held in
Odessa.  We were able to
accomplish a lot, and we
managed to have a good deal of
fun at the same time.
     On March 18, a number of
important committees met.  Of
particular interest to many
attending the convention was
the meeting of the Resolutions
Committee.  This year, the 
Committee recommended
passage of two proposed
resolutions.
     Resolution 94-01 demands
that the Texas Commission for
the Blind continue remedial
training for its rehabilitation
teachers who are not proficient
in reading and writing literary
Braille.  It also recommends
that the Commission use the
National Literary Braille
Competency Test, produced by
the National Library Service
for the Blind & Physically
Handicapped.
     Resolution 94-02 insists
that the Texas Commission for
the Blind drop its student
probation, which deprives a
student who is having difficulty
in college of needed services.  It
was the feeling of the
Committee that TCB should
offer more assistance, not less,
to students who are
encountering problems in
maintaining an adequate grade
point average.  The convention
agreed, and both resolutions
were adopted.    
     On Saturday, March 19,
our agenda included a
presentation by Rue Ramirez
and Stephanie Bazirjian, of the
Texas State Library Talking
Book Program and a talk by
Terry Murphy, of the Texas
Commission for the Blind. 
There was also a discussion of
how blind Texans might obtain
adaptive technology.  This
presentation was made by
Kathy Duvall, who heads TCB's
Employment Assistance Unit.
     On Saturday evening, we
held our annual banquet.  The
highlight of the event was a
keynote address by Joyce
Scanlan, First Vice-President of
the National Federation of the
Blind.  A dance, with lots of
good music, followed the
banquet, and a good time was
had by all.
     On Sunday morning,
elections were held.  President
Glenn Crosby had announced,
on Saturday afternoon, that he
would not seek re-election, and
Tommy Craig, of Austin, was
chosen to succeed him.
     Doris Henderson, of Dallas,
remains as our First Vice-
President.  Lawrence Doiron, of
Houston was returned to the
office of Second Vice-President. 
Elizabeth Campbell, of Fort
Worth, is Secretary.  Manuel
Gonzalez, of San Antonio, will
continue to serve as Treasurer.
Sam Jackson, also of San
Antonio, was re-elected as a
member of the board, and
William Harmon, Jr., of our
Galveston County Chapter, was
selected to fill the second board
position which was available.
     Every year our convention
gets bigger and better, and this
one was our best, ever.             
                            

 
                                             MOTOR CITY
    MAGIC                                         

     Editor's Note:  The previous
article gave you a look back at
our 1994 state convention.  This
one will attempt to give you a
look ahead to our upcoming
national convention.  


          In 1994, the convention of
the National Federation of the
Blind will be held at the Westin
Hotel Renaissance Center, in
Detroit, Michigan.  Room rates
are $38.00 singles, $43.00
doubles and twins, $45.00
triples, and $48.00 quads. 
There is also a twelve percent
tax charged for each room. 
There is no extra charge for
children who share a room with
their parents, if no extra bed is
required.  
     The dates for this year's
convention are July 1-8, and we
have lots of activities planned
for the entire week.  On July 1,
we will hold seminars for
parents of blind children, blind
merchants, blind job seekers,
and others.  On July 2,
registration will open for the
first time, and the Resolutions
Committee will meet.  On July
3, there will be a meeting of the
Board of Directors (open to
all), and many special interest
divisions and committees will
also meet.  On July 4, we will
hold our first general session,
and that evening, there will be
a wonderful, outdoor picnic.  
     July 5 is a short day.  We
have a general session in the
morning, and in the afternoon
you'll have the opportunity to
tour Detroit.  Then, on July 6,
there will be a full agenda and
the banquet.  July 7 is our final
day, and we'll pack a lot of
activity into the last few hours. 
But, we will adjourn, promptly,
at 5:00p.m.
     Exhibits of new technology
will be available throughout the
week, and there are lots of
other activities which are not
listed here.  So, don't miss it. 
Get your reservations in, today. 
     You may make
reservations with the hotel by
writing:  Westin Hotel,
Renaissance Center, Detroit
Michigan 48243, Attention: 
Reservations.  Or, you may call
313-568-8000.  Westin has a
nationwide toll free number. 
But, you should NOT use that
number for making your
convention reservation.  All
reservation requests must be
accompanied by a deposit of
$45.00, which is refundable if
you cancel your reservation
prior to June 20.  No requests
for refunds will be honored
after that time.
     NFB conventions are open
to all who wish to attend.  So,
make your plans to be with us
in July.                                 
     
BULLETIN BOARD                                    

Scholarships Awarded
     At ou recent state
convention, we awarded four
scholarships to deserving, blind
students.  The winners are as
follows:

     Kelly Hill, Wichita Falls
     Patsy Lawson, Houston
     Stephanie Pruitt, Dickinson
     Rickie Voilles, Plainview.

Congratulations to all the
winners.

Houston Chapter Loses 3
Members
     Members of the NFB
Houston Chapter are saddened
by the deaths of three longtime
members.  They are:  Marie
Vinson, Louie Vinson and
Oversia Mathis.  
     All of these people were
important to our movement,
and they will be missed.


Great Job!
     The members of the NFB
of Texas would like to send
special thanks to our Permian
Basin Chapter for the great job
its members did, in hosting our
1994 state convention.  

Braille Competency Test Ready
     On January 7, 1994, the
National Literary Braille
Competency Test became
available for use by all
interested parties.  The test was
produced by the National
Library Service for the Blind &
Physically Handicapped.  
     The test is intended
primarily for teachers of blind
children and adults.  It is
intended to allow the candidate
to demonstrate a basic
competence in literary Braille.  
     For further information
contact Frank Kurt Cylke,
Director, National Library
Service for the Blind &
Physically Handicapped,
Library of Congress, 1291
Taylor Street, NW,
Washington, DC  20542.  Or
call 202-707-5104.

Do You Need a Cane?
     If you need a long, white
cane, we offer them free of
charge to blind Texans.  All
you have to do to get one is call
1-800-662-2866 and provide us
with your name, address,
telephone number, and the type
and length of cane you need.
      Our Texas Cane Bank
Program offers three types of
canes.  They are a rigid
fiberglass cane available in
lengths from 45-65", a folding
cane available in lengths from
52-66", and a telescopic cane
available in lengths from 39-
67".

Houston Chapter offers Bus to
National Convention
        The Houston Chapter has
chartered a bus for the national
convention, in Detroit, and we
have seats available for anyone
who wishes to ride with us to the
convention.  The round trip will
cost you $200.00, and the bus
will leave the Lighthouse of
Houston, 3530 West Dallas, in
Houston, at 9:00a.m. on July 2. 
For more information, or to
purchase a ticket, contact John
Smith at 713-748-4557.

Do you have information which
you would like to have us
announce?  If you do, you
should send it to:  NFBT News, 
1403 Cheshire Lane, Houston,
TX  77018-4134, Attn: 
Announcements.

We will run announcements on
a space available basis.  We will
accept announcements about
special meetings and events
which might be important to
blind Texans.  
     We will also try to run
personal announcements which
might be of interest to our
readers (i,e, weddings, births,
deaths, graduations, new jobs,
etc.).  We want this section of
our newsletter to help our
readers keep up with what's
going on in our statewide
community.


                                         THE NFB BOOKSHELF

BRAILLE MONITOR
     A monthly publication of
the National Federation of the
Blind.  This magazine contains
articles of interest to every
blind American.  It is available
in inkprint, Braille, cassette,
and flexible disc formats.  You
may subscribe by writing to:
National Federation of the
Blind, 1800 Johnson Street,
Baltimore  MD  21230. 
Attention:  Braille Monitor

FUTURE REFLECTIONS
     A publication, which
addresses issues of interest to
parents of blind children and
professionals who work with
them.  To subscribe write to
the above address, and make
your note to the attention of
Future Reflections.

VOICE OF THE DIABETIC
     A quarterly publication
which discusses issues of
concern to blind diabetics.  To
subscribe write to:  Voice of the
Diabetic, 811 Cherry Street,
Suite 309, Columbus, MO
65201.



                                           LOCAL CHAPTERS


You may reach your nearest
National Federation of the
Blind Chapter by contacting:

Eura Harmon-Amarillo Chap.
806-376-8454

Ruth Fabel-Arlington Chap.
817-861-8304

Tommy Craig-Austin Chapter
512-451-1717 

Ernestina Notargiacomo
Brownsville Chapter        
210-541-0970

Doris Henderson-Dallas Chap.
214-942-2612

Liz Campbell-Ft. Worth Chap.
817-738-0350

William Harmon-Galveston
County Chapter
409-948-6825

Norma Crosby-Houston Chap.
713-956-4909

Raul Reyes-McAllen Chap.
210-783-5070

Connie Eckard-Permian Basin 
Chap.
915-368-5646

Martha Laque-San Antonio
Chap.
210-921-2530

Lola Pace-Wichita Falls Chap.
817-592-5757


HAVE YOU MOVED?                        

     If you have moved and
would like to continue receiving
the NFBT News, we need to
hear from you.  To change
your address, we need your
name, your old address and
your new address.  Send that
information to:  NFBT News,
1403 Cheshire Lane, Houston,
TX  77018-4134.
     The NFBT News is
available in large print, on tape
and in Braille.  If you would
like to receive a format
different than the one you are
currently receiving, send us
your name and address, and
tell us which format you would
prefer.  We will accept address
or format changes in print,
Braille or on tape.
       If you prefer, you can
call our toll free number, and
someone will be glad to make
the address or format change
for you.  The number is:

     1-800-662-2866.

Our office staff will be
available to take your call, at
this number, during regular
business hours.  Simply tell
them that you need to make a
change to your NFBT News
subscription, and they will be
glad to assist you.  If you live
in the Houston area and want
to make a change in your
subscription, you can call our
local NFBT News office.  That
number is 713-956-4909.



