The Oregon Outlook










A Quarterly Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon

Winter 1994

Volume 2 Number 1The Oregon Outlook

Gregory A. Hanson - Editor


Published in Ink Print, in Braille and on cassette tape by:

The National Federation of the Blind of Oregon
3988 Main Street
Springfield, OR 97478-6454
(503) 726-6924
(800) 422-7093

Carla McQuillan, President

**********

Letters to the President, address changes,
subscription requests, articles for the Outlook,
and letters to the Editor should be sent to the state office.

Articles and Letters to the Editor may also be sent
to the following address:

G. A. Hanson, Editor
330 S. Cammann Street #5
Coos Bay OR  97420
(503) 888-5954

**********

Outlook subscriptions cost the Oregon affiliate ten dollars per year.  Members are
invited, and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription cost.  Donations should
be made payable to the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and sent to the state
office.

***********

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

Every Child Should Have a Blind Parent
     By Carla McQuillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Coming Attractions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1994 Washington Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Introspection at the Washington Seminar
     By Emily Ross  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Research and Development
     By Robert Jacquis  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Even On E-Mail
      By  Greg Hanson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

Prescription Braille Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

NFBriefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15




Every Child Should Have a Blind Parent
By Carla McQuillan

When our family moved from Illinois to Oregon, our daughter was 7 years old and prepared
to enter the second grade.  Alison had attended a Montessori preschool, and a very
progressive self paced kindergarten program that permitted her to advance rapidly through
the curriculum.  Her first grade teacher recognized her learning potential, and provided
opportunities for Alison to assist other children in their work, as well as encouraging
her to pursue projects on her own.  Alison flourished in this educational environment and
learning seemed easy and delightful.

When Alison entered the second grade here in Oregon, it was apparent that the other
children were 3 or even 4 semesters behind Alisons skill level.  She was sent to a third
grade class for reading, where she was in the top reading group.  She was given math
assignments from a third grade mathematics text, and worked on them as an independent
study within her classroom.  At that time, I was running a day care program out of my
home, and incorporated some challenging science and cultural activities for our after
school children, to provide some extra stimuli for Alison.  

When I met with Alisons second grade teacher for our first conference, she reviewed all
of Alisons academic and social skills, and then, she approached the real concerns that
she had about Alison.  Dont you think its difficult for Alison, having a mother who is
blind?  No one had ever asked me a question like that, and I had to reflect for a moment
before responding.

Well, I began, Alison learned to identify the route and direction of the buses in
Illinois when she was 3 years old, so that she could tell me the correct bus to wave down
when we were traveling together.  We practiced her reading or sang and talked on the bus
when she was 4, so as not to waste valuable time together.  At the time, I was a full time
student, and working 30 hours per week; time on the bus was some of our best time
together.   At 5 she was reading directions on boxes of cake mixes, and other food items,
and we taught her how to price compare at the grocery store about that time too, Id
guess.  Alison is well adjusted, both socially and academically, and she has a positive
attitude about blindness.  The possibility exists, that my children have inherited my
blindness, slim though the chance may be.  But I believe that I have served as a good role
model for her, if she does lose her vision.  Do I think that it has been difficult for
her?  Now that you mention it, I think  that perhaps, if all children had blind parents,
wed be raising a more independent and self sufficient generation of children.  

Alisons teacher didn't respond in any intelligent manner that I can recall, and we never
discussed the issue again.  Alison skipped the third grade, and was soon one of the top
students in her fourth grade class.  She is now in the sixth grade, taking eighth grade
level math and English classes.  This fall, she requested to take the Braille
transcribers course through NLS, figuring that it might present a bit of a challenge, not
to mention the potential for income in her high school and college years.  After some
discussion with the good people at NLS, it was agreed that they would make an exception in
her case, and allow a 10 year old to begin the course.  

Every day for 6 weeks, Alison checked the mail box for her materials.  Finally, she
received them.  Our brailler was acting up, so she had to write the first series of
exercises with a slate and stylus.  I told her it was good experience:  It'll build
character,  I told her.  In 3 days, she had completed her first set of exercises, and
mailed in her first assignment.  She wants to be the youngest person ever to pass the
transcribers exam, and I know that she will do it.  Its too bad that Alison has had to
overcome the agony of being raised by a blind parent.  Maybe someday, she'll be able to
make something of herself.        

Coming Attractions

Members Seminar
April 16 & 17, 1994
Grants Pass, Oregon

Make your reservations now for our Spring Members Seminar at the Best Western Grants Pass
Inn.  Room rates are $40 per night.  The meal package (includes lunch and dinner Saturday
and breakfast Sunday) is $25.  There will be a Student Seminar on Saturday afternoon, and
a chance to meet this years scholarship applicants.  We will meet in our committees, and
discuss accomplishments and future goals.  We will discuss the agenda for state
convention, and some of our legislative concerns for the next biennium.

Diane McGeorge, Director of the Colorado Center for the Blind, will be our National
Representative.   This is a seminar that you wont want to pass up.  For reservations,
please call the state office at (503)726-6924 or (800)422-7093.  Call your local chapter
to see if transportation arrangements are being made.Calendar of Events

March 31:National Scholarship applications are due
April 15:Requests for funding to National Convention are due into the state office
April 16-17:Members Seminar in Grants Pass
April 17:National Federation of the Blind of Oregon Board of Directors  Meeting
June 1:National Federation of the Blind of Oregon Scholarship Applications due
July 1-7:National Convention in Detroit Michigan

1994 Washington Seminar

As many of you know, the National Federation of the Blind holds an annual seminar in
Washington DC in early February, to meet with members of Congress, to discuss current
legislation, and propose new legislation that effects blind Americans.  This year, there
were representatives from 47 states marching on capitol hill, armed with facts sheets and
the spirit and resolve of the Federation.  We addressed 4 issues this year, and you will
be pleased to know that our Oregon Senators and Congress people were very supportive of
our efforts.  

The Braille Monitor will carry a detailed article, explaining the issues, so I will
provide only a brief description of each of the issues discussed.  If you do not currently
receive the Braille Monitor, you may subscribe by calling the state office.

Funding for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Though the budget for the Library of Congress has increased over the past few years to
meet the cost of living, the division that produces talking books has not.  We asked that
Congress approve an increase in the NLS budget that would bring this program up to date
with the current cost of living standards.  Senator Hatfield is on the Appropriations
Committee, and would like to hear from you on this issue.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Our efforts on this front were to propose a federal Braille Literacy Bill, similar to the
one that Oregon passed last spring.  We received overwhelming support from all of our
members of Congress, and the same was true of most members from other states.  This is
good news for the blind children of tomorrow.
The Americans with Disabilities Small Business Development Act
This bill would include the severely disabled in the definition of minorities eligible for
federal assistance under the Small Business Act.  Congressman DeFazio and Congresswoman
Furse have agreed to co-sponsor this bill.  Congressman Wyden is on the Small Business
Committee, and would love to hear from you on this issue.

The Elimination of Sub-Minimum Wage for Blind Workers
For years, Sheltered Workshops have been granted certificates from the federal government
allowing them to pay severely disabled workers at rates that are below the national
minimum wage.  These exemptions were granted in an effort to provide rehabilitation and
work activity to individuals who, due to their disability, were otherwise unable to secure
gainful employment.  The assumption was that these workers were incapable of producing at
levels commensurate with the general work force, thus earning wages that represented their
degree of productivity.  Currently, a workshop may be certified to pay sub-minimum wage to
blind workers, even though there is no empirical evidence that links blindness to a low
productivity level.  In fact, at Blind Enterprises of Oregon (an Industry for the Blind in
Portland), many of the workers salaries increased when the business paid at a piecework
rate that was based on a national standard.  BEO employees have traditionally been paid
above the Oregon minimum wage. We were requesting an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards
Act  that would remove the presumption that blindness was, in and of itself, a reason for
certification to pay below the minimum wage.    

Introspection at the Washington Seminar
                               by Emily Ross

This past January I had the opportunity to attend the National Student Seminar  in
Washington DC.  I am a new member to the National Federation of the Blind, joining in
October 1993.  Being a first-year student at Reed College as well as a new member to the
Portland area was frustrating in that I had to start my life all over again.  After
joining the NFB I began to feel as though I had a place in Oregon.  The NFB has been a
family.  To a new member our radical philosophy can be not only really scary but really
securing was overwhelmed by the intensity of NFB philosophy at the Seminar.

At the seminar I was not only introduced to my first can, but also had my first experience
with more than one totally blind person.  As much as I was nervous, I was also very
excited.  I knew that I was invited because someone thought that the NFB would be
beneficial to me, as well as me to the organization.
The seminar was really interesting!  The theme this year was The Journey Toward our
Broadening Horizons.  We discussed issues concerning discrimination, skills, fair
treatment, disabled student services, organization, and individual and collective power. 
I listened and thought about the problems concerning blind individuals.  Every issue was
new to me because I have never experienced any problems personally and have never had the
opportunity to come together with other blind individuals and discuss issues.

Everyone that I met was very supportive, not only with my philosophical questions
concerning the NFB, but also with questions about what joining the NFB could do to change
my life.  Admittedly I did not want to consider myself blind, because I have never been
faced with thinking of myself in the way.  I was in denial.  I didn't want to have to feel
rejected from society because I couldn't see the way that others do.  My cane scared me,
but my consciousness was telling me to get over it and deal with it.  I could no longer
hide my blindness even if I wanted to.  I had convinced myself that being blind was a bad
thing, but the Washington Seminar made me take a deeper look at myself and helped me
change my opinions.  I was submerged into an intense four days of understanding myself
through the experiences of others.  I came to understand the NFB as a family, one who
cares for each and every member.  There are no favorites but someone is always there to
help and listen to you.

Even though I was going through emotional turmoil, I knew that I was there for a reason
and the seminar helped me realize that it is my job to help an any way that I can in
defending blind rights collectively.  Not only because it is a personal fight or because I
feel so comfortable with the people, the ideas, and the goal, but because it is a conquest
for deserved rights of people who are normal in every aspect of the word.

The Oregon delegation, comprised of Carla McQuillan, David Hyde, Brigid Doherty, Robert
Jacquis, Lewis and Sally Edmonds, Marion Helen Wind and I gave our congress people and
senators something to think about.  We did the daring, not only did we discuss the issues,
but we also left them with some Federation spirit, as we sang "I've Been Working in the
Workshop".  While I thought everyone was crazy, I went along because it would be something
that the congress people and senators would remember.  We were all nicely dressed and
everyone seemed so calm, but my hands were sweating profusely.  I was really nervous, but
was calmed when I was given positive reinforcement from everyone on our team.

At the seminar I felt empowered and ready to literally fight people who were closed-mended
and unwilling to listen and now that I look back I realize that I was wrong.  I am now
ready to battle for the protection of rights through a civilized mean.  With so much
evidence of discrimination and poor services for the blind, the NFB has evidence for a
fair battle with anyone.

During the seminar, as I felt the energy rise, I began to feel suffocated.  At times all I
wanted to do was run away alone and never look back, but we need to come together and run
forward as a unified group, because this is not only a battle for me and for all blind
individuals, but it is a battle for the protection of rights.  It can be won with our
efforts and our energy.

All my first impressions of the NFB have been positive.  If it hadn't been for the
Washington Seminar, those grueling four days of intense NFB philosophy, I doubt that I
would have come to understand, respect and love the NFB the way that I do. The NFB is our
friend and we are her supporters.  I am ready and I know you can be too.  

Research and Development
                             By Robert Jacquis

I am a member of two committees.  These are the Research and Development Committee and the
Product Evaluation Committee.  As a member of the R&D Committee I have the fun, challenge,
privilege and honor of working on improving technology for the blind.  My background is in
computer programming and currently I am a telecommunications analyst for Tektronix Inc.  

On January 28 of this year I flew to Baltimore Maryland and attended the semiannual R&D
Committee meeting.  While there, I reported on my work with the following projects:

Internet resources;
The Internet is a system whereby computer users around the world can communicate with each
other.  The Internet also serves as an access tool that allows people to share information
on many subjects.  The Internet is like a library with lots of people enjoying themselves. 
I try and keep on top of where to find various kinds of information and easy ways to
obtain it.

Photopolymers;
There are light sensitive plastic materials that when exposed to light act like very thick
camera film.  Using this type of plastic, it is possible to take a picture and make a
tactual image that can be felt.  There are also ways to use these plastics to make small
parts and models.

Wood Carving Robot;
A project is underway to build a "wood carving robot".  This machine is a poor man's
milling machine.  We hope to have an easy way to take a map or other diagram and carve a
copy in wood or plastic.  This is an odd looking machine with eleven motors that will move
a router left and right, forward and back and up and down.  All this activity will be
controlled by a computer.

CD-ROM Project;
CD-ROMs look like the CDs that make music.  In fact they are made the same way.  When a
CD-ROM is put in a computer, it can provide access to a wealth of information.  I have one
set of CD- ROMs that have most of the names, address and phone numbers for the United
States.  Other CD-ROMs contain encyclopedias, bibles, collections of books and magazines. 
Other CD-ROMs contain very complex games that feature sound and animation.  I will be
writing and collecting instructions on how blind people can use CD-ROMs with speech
synthesizers.

The R&D meeting lasted all day Saturday the 29th and part of Sunday the 30th.  I plan on
having some things to show at our membership seminar in Grants Pass and at our state
convention this September. While in Baltimore, I had a brief opportunity to look at our
International Braille and Technology Center (IBTC).  I say brief because the center has
over 6,000 square feet of floor space.  When you consider that a house has about 2,000
square feet you can get an idea of how big this place is.  There is one of each kind of
Braille printer, speech synthesizer, Braille display, reading machine and special purpose
software for the blind.  As an organization, we have spent over one million dollars on
equipment.

The center is available to you.  You can go to Baltimore to look at a piece of equipment
or call (410) 655-9314 and talk to David Andrews. No product endorsements are available,
but Mr. Andrews will tell you honestly what he has found out about a piece of equipment. 
The IBTC is working on compiling evaluations of various equipment collections.  People
come from around the globe to look at the IBTC.  It is available to you so feel free to
use it.  If you have questions, you can call me at 627-4444.

Even On E-Mail
By:  Greg Hanson

In these days of Electronic Computer Mail (E-Mail) and the proliferation of bulletin
boards (BBS) we as blind consumers are sometimes called upon to educate and enlighten
under the strangest circumstances.  I admit it.  I am an E-Mail addict and read several
different conferences each day.  It is a wondrous thing, this ability to converse and
kibitz with folks, blind and sighted alike, on an equal basis all across the country. 
Occasionally, I get a chance to turn a head or two, or to light the proverbial
lightbulb...

Recently, such an opportunity presented itself.  I was reading messages on the BLINDTALK
echo, a nationally carried conference dealing with blindness, that originates on NFB-NET. 
I have included the original post from Tracy Carcione and my reply to her...

By: Tracy Carcione
To: All
Re: martial arts

**Note:  Text preceded by initials and the greater than sign (>) are quoted sections of
the message...

TC> have a problem with it, too.  A  blind friend of mine who 
TC> studied kung-fu says there are many blind kung-fu 
TC> instructors in Japan, and I know there are blind people in
TC> the U.S. who have earned brown or black belts in various 
TC> martial arts, so actually it *was* a fair test.  Or could 
TC> have been.
SM>
SM> How many of them grew up sighted, earned their way to brown,
SM> lost their sight in an accident, and took their black belt test 10 seconds
SM> after the accident?
SM>
SM> What?  Not fair, you say?

This message comes from the Trek echo.  I thought the guys who do martial arts might have
something to say about it.  I'm curious; how long have you guys been studying martial arts
as blind guys?  Which martial arts do you practice? I *know* blind guys can do that, but
(completely contrary to most BBS messages) I thought I'd get some *facts* before I answer
this guy.
Btw, in case you don't follow Star Trek, in an episode a few weeks ago, the martial arts
expert told one of his students that the test for advancement to the next class was a
blindfold test.  She did miserably, and finally yelled at him, saying it wasn't fair to
expect someone to defend themselves blind-folded, which was the real object of the test
(to speak up and say it wasn't fair).  I couldn't keep quiet.  I know blind guys can do
martial arts, and so I maintain that the test *was*, or at least could have been, fair.
Tracy
___
 * Origin: NFB NET Baltimore, MD (410) 752-5011 (1:261/1125) 
@PATH: 261/1125 3030 1023 396/1 209/209 105/30 356/18 4(21)    

That was Ms. Carcione's original post and request for information.  Below is my response
to her:

Mon 14 Mar 94  6:32p
By: Greg Hanson
To: Tracy Carcione
Re: martial arts
St: Local                                                          
<9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------@MSGID:
1:356/4.33 2491ca5b
@REPLY: 1:261/1125.0 2d817554
@PID: FM 2.02
Hiya Tracey,

> TC> have a problem with it, too.  A  blind friend of mine who 
> TC> studied kung-fu says there are many blind kung-fu
> TC> instructors in Japan, and I know there are blind people in  
> TC> the U.S. who have earned brown or black belts in various  
> TC> martial arts, so actually it *was* a fair test.  Or could (stuff deleted) 
> SM>
> SM> How many of them grew up sighted, earned their way to brown, lost their  
> SM> sight
> SM> in an accident, and took their black belt test 10 seconds  
> SM> after the accident?

 > SM> What?  Not fair, you say?

(more stuff deleted for brevity)...
> SM > I thought I'd get some *facts* before I answer this guy.

Always a good idea to get the information directly from the horse's mouth, when ever
possible...Well, this horse has a mouthful to spew.

I am a totally blind guy, for ten years now, and have achieved the rank of First Dan
(first degree black) in traditional Tae Kwon Do. This is the Korean form of Martial Art
that requires extensive kicking, punching and blocking to counter, defend and attack.
Currently, I am studying the Japanese martial art of Aikido, as well, and have reached the
rank of green belt <testing in a month or so for Brown> and am currently instructing
martial arts and self-defense classes for a women's crisis center locally.  I have been
practicing and studying martial arts now for almost 9 years <notice the time difference>. 
I was blind for more than a year when I began taking classes in the Tae Kwon Do.

In response to the test being a fair one...since it was make-believe on a television show
(I saw the episode), the reaction of the student is quite normal.  Most sighted folks are
of the impression that we (blind guys) are incapable of even the most common and simple
tasks, let alone defending ourselves.  To strike my point home, let me take a few lines to
describe the testing required of all Black Belts in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, sighted or
not...

The candidate is expected to break three separate pine boards with three different
techniques, each done with quick repetition, one after the other without pausing.  for the
rank of black belt, the candidate is also expected to know and perform any five (at the
instructors discretion) of the 13 forms (Katas) and demonstrate 21 different self-defense
one on one techniques.  The final requirement is to spar (fight) with 4 different black
belts (one minute each with the first 3 and 2 minutes with the 4th) without any break or
pause. There are no allowances made to lessen the requirements for a blind candidate (at
least in the places I have studied)

I hope this helps in your response to the poster in question...

Direct from the horse's mouth to your ears

Greg

... In an atomic war, all men are cremated equally.
___ TagDude 0.70 [Unregistered]

---
 * Origin: Echos In The Dark - Coos Bay, OR (1:356/4.33)

===End of Posts==

Isn't it funny that even in today's technologically advanced world, television and simple
conversation can influence the attitudes and opinions of so many?  It is ultimately up to
us to change this by our individual actions and by serving as examples to every one we
meet and talk to.

Happy educating!!                      Prescription Braille Labels

**Editor's Note:  From time to time I come across a story or article in different
publications that I think are relevant to us and our lives as blind people.  This
following article comes from the Tucson Citizen, the daily newspaper of Tucson, Arizona. 
It was sent to the NFB-Net bulletin board and I have passed it on to you:

From the Tucson Citizen
Thursday, March 3, 1994

BRAILLE MEDICINE LABELS MARKETED

A nonprofit agency in Tucson Arizona has joined with a national drugstore chain to launch
a product that may give more freedom to the blind.

Sun Sounds has developed Braille prescription labels that are being tested at 27 Walgreens
pharmacies in southern Arizona.

The Braille labels are the first in the country, according to Sun Sounds project
administrator Bonnie Bastow.

"It's a great project to be in Tucson," she said.

The labels are clear and are placed over the normal prescription labels. They come in a
book that provides instructions for pharmacists to locate the appropriate label. There are
labels for the 200 most commonly prescribed drugs. They feature the drug name only.

Bastow said the staff at Sun Sounds came up with the idea two years ago and contacted
Walgreens, which then showed an interest. Many blind people have lost their sight through
illness and therefore tend to take a large amount of medications, Bastow said. Handling
many different medications increases the possibility of taking the wrong one, she said.

Karen Ortega, an employee at Sun Sounds, is thrilled about the labels. "Now we feel like
we're a part of the community," she said.

Ortega said that before the labels were developed she used a coding system for medicines
for her two children, her husband and herself. She said she used to put different rubber
bands around the pill and would keep a coding sheet with a portable Braille machine in the
pharmacy in order to avoid confusion.
"It's a lengthy process," she said. Although her daughters and husband can read print, she
said she likes to pamper them when they are sick, "Now I can give them the doctoring they
need," she said.

Perry Don, district pharmacy supervisor for the drugstore chain, said he would like to see
the labels become available to more and to cover a wider range of prescriptions. He said
it was too early to receive responses from the testing pharmacists.

Sun Sounds plans to target pharmacies in states with Braille initiative laws. Sun Sounds
is a non profit agency that brings information and entertainment to the blind and other
print impaired people. It broadcasts written material over the radio and it also converts
documents, books, magazines and other written materials into Braille. 

NFBriefs

Mike and Annette Bullis were married on March 13.  The happy newlyweds will not be at the
members seminar as they are honeymooning in Hawaii.

Joyce Green recently returned from a visit to our national office.  She received training
in a new mentoring program designed to encourage, assist and offer advise to adults who
are developing and/or improving their Braille skills.

Kem Marks has recently hung out his shingle and starting his own law practice in the
Portland area.  He also is working with the Client Assistance Program.

Stan Keetle, a member of the Lane County Chapter and a long time McKenzie Lion, died in
January.  Our condolences to his family.

A boat trip with the Rogue River Hells Gate Jet Boat River Excursions is being planned on
August 13, 1994.  The trip will start in Grants Pass at 4:00 PM and will end at the OK
Corral Restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet at 9:00 PM.  Cost:  Adults $35.00 per
person, children 4-11 years:  $20.00, children under 4 years:  free.  Price includes the
boat excursion and the meal.  Reservations must be made by 7/10/94.  For more details or
to make reservations contact Kathy Day at: (503) 726-6924. 

If you have a Perkins Brailler you no longer need/want, please contact the state office.
