








         The NFBF OUTREACH 



         The Official News Magazine of the 
         National Federation of the Blind 
         of Florida


          ISSUE #4  --  AUTUMN, 1993    



         President                        Editor 
                                
         Wayne Davis                       Dan Hicks
         1949 Marseille Drive              4608 West Longfellow Avenue
         Apartment 2                       Tampa, FL  33629
         Miami Beach, FL  33141            (813)837-4831      
         (305) 861-8425                                                


         TABLE OF CONTENTS                                            


         FROM THE PRESIDENT                 Wayne Davis           Page 3

         NFB RETURNS TO DALLAS              Dan Hicks             Page 6
         
         J O B  NEWS                        Gloria Mills          Page 9 

         ASSOCIATES UPDATE                  Janet Caron           Page 10

         IN HARNESS                         Marion Gwizdala       Page 11
         
         PAC PLAN UPDATE                    Jeffrey Harmon        Page 13
        
         FLORIDA HOLDS FIRST ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED  
         CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO              Marilyn Baldwin       Page 14
         
         THIS IS 20/200!                    Dan Hicks             Page 16
         
         DUTIES OF A CHAPTER PRESIDENT      Wayne Davis           Page 20

         CHAPTER NEWS                                             Page 22

         ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES                                   Page 23

         RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA FOUNDATION LABELING MYTHS 
         AS FACTS                           Marion Gwizdala       Page 25
         
         OUTREACH MICROS                                          Page 29
         
         OUT OF CONTEXT                                           Page 31
         
         WHAT'S COOKIN'?                                          Page 33 
         
         SMILES                                                   Page 33
         
         EDITORIAL MATTERS                  Dan Hicks             Page 35
3
        ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         FROM THE PRESIDENT                                 Wayne Davis 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

              During our 1992 state convention in Orlando last October, a 
         resolution was passed by the convention that directed me as state 
         president to do everything within in my power to encourage 
         Commissioner of Education Betty Castor to appoint a qualified 
         blind person as Director of the Division of Blind Services.  As 
         you know, the past director, Mr. Carl McCoy, retired effective 
         December 31, 1992, and we were informed about his upcoming 
         resignation well before our 1992 state convention. 
              Acting as directed by our convention I wrote to, and called 
         Commissioner Castor several times on the appointment of a new DBS 
         director.  In the beginning I got no response from her office on 
         this issue.  January 1993 rolled around, and Ms. Castor appointed 
         Mr. Whitt Springfield as Acting Director of the Division of Blind 
         Services.  We kept the pressure on in various ways all through the 
         winter and spring to try to get the Department of Education to 
         appoint a qualified blind or visually impaired person to that job. 
              At long last Cecil Golden, who works directly under Ms. 
         Castor as the Deputy Commissioner of Education, called me on the 
         phone, and asked me to serve on a five person committee to screen 
         the applicants who had applied for the job of Director of the 
         Division of Blind Services.  The people selected to serve on this 
         committee by Mr. Golden were: Ms. Terrie Blessing, president of 
         the Florida Council of the Blind; Dr. George Stocking, president 
         of the Blind Veterans Association; Mr. William Thompson, the 
         director of the Palm Beach Lighthouse for the Blind, a sheltered 
         workshop; Mr. Bruce Miles, a member of the Division of Blind 
         Services Advisory Counsel, and myself, as President of the 
         National Federation of the Blind of Florida.  Although I did not 
         really approve up the makeup of this committee, I did agree to 
         take part because, I reasoned, it would be better to have some 
         influence on and knowledge of the proceedings than to remain on 
         the outside. 
              Mr. Golden said that the committee members would receive 
4
         copies of the applications of all the 19 people who had applied 
         for the position.  He also said that we, the committee members, 
         were to review them and pick our five top choices.  At that point 
         the votes were to be tabulated, and we, the committee members, 
         would travel to Tampa, to interview the top five vote-getters 
         among the applicants.  At that point we would vote again, and come 
         up with our recommendation for the job of Director of the Division 
         of Blind Services. 
              We did in fact receive the applications and resumes of each 
         of the 19 applicants.  Shortly there after I received a call from 
         Mr. Golden telling me that all the committee members except Ms. 
         Blessing and I felt that they knew the candidates well enough that 
         they did not feel a need to personally interview them. 
              We, the members of the committee, then had a conference call 
         with Mr. Golden.  I voted to interview the applicants, and so did 
         Ms. Blessing.  The other three voted not to interview, but rather 
         to just have Mr. Golden call each of us individually to get our 
         vote on who we wanted for the DBS Director.  At that time I called 
         Mr. Golden, and told him that the state was leaving itself wide 
         open for criticism.  He agreed with me, but said that since it was 
         the wishes of the committee, he would go ahead with the voting. 
         When he called me back to get my vote he told me that so far Whitt 
         Springfield had four votes.  I cast my vote for one of the blind 
         applicants. 
              All of this took place just a day or so before I left for our 
         National Convention.  Upon arriving in Texas, I discussed all of 
         this with our national leaders, and upon my request, James Gashel, 
         NFB'S Director of Governmental Affairs, faxed a strong letter to 
         Betty Castor.  I also sent Ms. Castor a letter, as did many of 
         you.  
              Several days passed after I returned home from the convention 
         before I got another call from Mr. Golden.  He told me that he and 
         Ms. Castor had decided to interview the three top nominees, Ted 
         Hull, Boe Barrett, and Whitt Springfield, before making a decision 
         on who would get the DBS director's job.  Hull and Barrett are 
         both blind. 
              This took place, and Mr. Springfield was selected to be the 
         new Director.  Although I am less then pleased with the 
5
         decision. it, after all, is a decision that was made by Betty 
         Castor, and since she is the Commissioner of Education, she has 
         the right to choose whomever she feels is the best person for the 
         job.  
              We did get something out of the process that I am very proud 
         of.  I asked Mr. Golden to appoint the same committee to oversee 
         the operation of the Division of Blind Services and to report 
         directly to him or Ms. Castor.  Ms. Castor has responded to that 
         request.  We got that committee.  This will give us a direct line 
         to the people who oversee the Division of Blind Services.  It will 
         also cause them to closely watch what is going on with DBS. 
              I have sent Mr.Springfield a letter of congratulation, and I 
         have invited him to speak at our upcoming 1993 state convention in 
         Boca Raton. 
              In closing I want to thank Mr. Golden and Ms. Castor for 
         letting us have a voice in choosing a new director for DBS, and 
         also for setting up the advisory committee.  I also want to wish 
         Mr. Whitt Springfield the very best success in his new job.  
         Although we feel that a qualified blind person would have been 
         better suited for that job, I will do everything within my power 
         to help Mr. Springfield, and the Division of Blind Services to 
         fulfill their duties of providing good and effective services to 
         the blind citizens of our state.  I wish you the very best, Whitt,  
         and I look forward to working with you. 

              And I want to take this opportunity to invite you to attend 
         our annual State Convention, to be held October 8, 9, and 10, 
         1993, at the Sheraton Inn, Boca Raton, 2000 NW 19th Street, Boca 
         Raton, FL  33431-3362    
              Since we are the largest organization of blind people, we get 
         great room rates.  Singles and doubles are just $35.00. Tripples 
         are $45.00 and quads are $55.00.  All of these room rates are per 
         night and tax is not included.   We have had to expand into an 
         overflow hotel, the Holiday Inn, right across the street from the 
         Sheraton. 
              The cost for convention registration this year is just $10.00 
         and the banquet is $20.00.   For more information, contact your 
         chapter president.  Or give me a call at (305)861-8425. 
6
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         NFB RETURNS TO DALLAS                                Dan Hicks 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

              The fifty-third annual National Convention of the National 
         Federation of the Blind was held at the Hyatt Regancy Dallas Fort 
         Worth, near Dallas Texas, July 3 through 10, 1993.  Many of you 
         will remember that this was the location of our fiftieth annual 
         convention three years ago, and a fine convention it was, but this 
         time the hotel facilities were improved, and it seemed there was 
         even more to do in the limited time available to those who 
         attended. 
              2,043 persons were registered for the convention.  This is 
         not a record for the NFB, but the Florida affiliate set its own 
         record, with 83 people from all over the state, making us number 
         six in attendance.  Last year, we totalled 65 Floridians, putting 
         us in twelfth place, so this was an increase in attendance we can 
         be proud of.  
              The convention got underway Saturday morning with a variety 
         of seminars and meetings addressing NFB-Net, the concerns of 
         parents of blind children, stress-reduction, and many other 
         topics.  There was a JOB seminar, an instructional meeting in how 
         to use the Braille 'N Speak, a meeting of guide dog users, and an 
         author's workshop.  Saturday evening featured a Fiddle Music and 
         Pizza Party and a meeting of the Public Relations Committee.  
              Registration began Sunday morning, and ran as smoothly as 
         ever. Also, the exhibit hall opened, giving convention goers a 
         chance to gather all the NFB literature they could ever want to 
         read as well as a chance to talk to vendors of all kinds of aids 
         and appliances for the blind, ranging from low-tech items such as 
         slates and styluses and canes, to the cutting edge of the high-
         tech world, including computers and speech synthisizers, closed 
         circuit television devices, and many other items between these 
         extremes.   Many NFB chapters and affiliates hawked such wares as 
         tee-shirts, brownies, hats, cheese, stuffed animals, and many 
         other things, including the ever-popular raffle tickets.  
         Floridians took turns manning our table, selling tickets giving 
7
         contributors a chance to win one of three vacation trips.  The 
         drawing will be held at our State Convention in Boca Raton, in 
         October.        
              The Resolutions Committee meeting was held Sunday afternoon 
         and about a dozen more division and committee meetings were held 
         Sunday evening, including the meeting of the Committee on Library 
         Services and the Deaf-Blind Committee.  
              Monday Morning, the NFB National Board of Directors meeting 
         was held, and the rest of the day was taken up with Committee and 
         Division meetings and a few parties.  There was simply much too 
         much to do for one person to be able to take in any more than a 
         small fraction of the activities.
              Tuesday morning, July 6, saw the beginning of the first of 
         many General Sessions.  One of Tuesday's highlights was the 
         introduction of Hank Dekker, a blind sailor, who planned  to sail 
         solo across the Atlantic Ocean, to commemorate the anniversary of 
         the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to raise 
         awareness of what blind people can doand money for the NFB. 
         While this journey was not to be completed, because of the 
         unusually bad weather and other unforseen difficulties, the 
         publicity surrounding the launch was very favorable to the NFB.  
         (See the August issue of the Braille Monitor for more information 
         on the attempt and on the press coverage.  "Presidential Release" 
         number 197 gives details of some of the difficulties involved in 
         this venture.) 
              The Texas Barbecue under the Stars took place Tuesday evening
         at Bear Creek.  Shuttle busses ran the whole time, so attendees 
         could go and come as they chose.  The food was better than at the 
         Texas barbecue three years ago, and there were lots of free beer 
         and soft drinks to help counteract the Texas heat.  And all 
         evening there were plenty of music and dancing and great 
         conversation.  Somebody forgot to turn off the automatic sprinkler 
         system for the grassy area near the lake, and a few Federationists 
         got an unexpected cooling-off. But I don't think anybody minded 
         all that much.
              As per the usual convention routine, there was no Wednesday 
         afternoon session, leaving everyone a chance to choose from a wide 
         variety of tours to Billy Bobs, Six Flags, and other places of 
8
         interest.  
              As happens every two years, all but two of the national board 
         positions came up for election.   For the first time, Sharon Gold, 
         President of the NFB of California, was elected to the board.  
         Here is the way our National Board now looks:  President, Marc 
         Maurer; First Vice President, Joyce Scanlan; Second Vice 
         President, Peggy Pinder; Secretary, Ramona Walhof; Treasurer, 
         Allen Harris; Board members, Charles Brown, Don Capps, Glen 
         Crosby, Priscilla Ferris, Sam Gleese, Sharon Gold, Frank Lee, 
         Diane McGeorge, Betty Nicely, Fred Schroeder, and Joanne Wilson. 
              Two new Kernel books were introduced at this year's 
         convention.  They are called  As the Twig is Bent and Making Hay.  
         They, along with the two earlier Kernel books What Color is the 
         Sun and The Freedom Bell , can be ordered from our National Center 
         in Baltimore.  (In this issue's "Out of Context", you will find 
         quotes from both of these new Kernel books.)
              The banquet speech delivered Thursday evening by President 
         Marc Maurer was felt by many to be Maurer's best.  It was 
         reminiscent of some of the best speeches given by Dr. tenBrook and 
         Dr. Jernigan during their presidencies, but in President Maurer's 
         inimitable style.  In short, it was a great speech, one to look 
         forward to reading if you weren't able to attend the banquet.
              If you have never attended a National Convention of the NFB, 
         there is no way I can hope to describe the feeling of being there.  
         Every convention is different.  And every conventioneer has 
         different experiences from every other.  Now is the time to make 
         plans to attend our next national Convention in Detroit, Michigan.  
         The 1991 National Convention in New Orleans broke all previous 
         records with over 2,700 participants registered.  It looks as if 
         1994 in Detroit will break the 3,000 mark, and we want you to be a 
         part of it! 
           
9
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         J O B NEWS                                        Gloria Mills
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Gloria Mills is JOB Chairperson for the Florida Affiliate.
         
         GET A JOB 

              Calling all persons who are looking for work!  Last time, we 
         talked about having a business in your home.  That may not appeal 
         to everyone.  So, a lot of you go to your local Division of Blind 
         Services and ask to see a rehabilitation counselor.  I hope that 
         you will be willing to continue to make all the decisions that 
         pertain to your looking for work.  The decision has to be yours.  
         You must be an active participant.  
              1.  Set some goals.  Decide what it is you would like to do 
         in the line of work.  
              2.  Investigate what training needs you will have and find 
         out what adaptive equipment you will need.  
              3.  Prepare a resume, which includes all of your work 
         experience, including nonpaying volunteer work experiences, such 
         as NFB Chapter Secretary.
              4.  Start networking with other people who are also looking 
         for employment.  If there are enough people interested in your area, 
         start a job club.  You can conduct mock interviews and share leads.  
              5.  Register with JOB, by calling 1-800-638-7518.  Over a 
         thousand blind people had found work through this program, which 
         is sponsored by the NFB.  
              What you don't want to do is sit at home and wait for someone 
         else to find you a job, because that is what you will be doing for 
         a long timesitting at home waiting. 
              One last thing:  Any of you who have found work in the last 
         six months, whether through JOB or not, please share your good 
         news with me.  JOB coordinators throughout the country are 
         compiling data so that others like yourselves may be helped.  My 
         number is (813)837-4831.  
              Nest time, we'll talk more about how to prepare a resume. 
10
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         ASSOCIATES UPDATE                                    Janet Caron 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Janet Caron is Associates Chairperson for the Florida Affiliate, 
         and is still ahead of everyone else in the state in terms of 
         Associates gathered!  As this issue's offering demonstrates, she 
         would welcome more competition. 
         
              Webster's Dictionary defines "Associate" as:  "To unite as a 
         friend, partner or companion (verb); one having an interest in 
         common with another (noun)." 
              As Associates Program Chairperson for the state of Florida, I 
         would like to extend an invitation to each and every one of you to 
         urge your family and friends and other interested parties to join 
         the NFB as Associate Members.  Surely each of us has at least one 
         friend or family member who would be pleased to support us in this 
         worthy endeavor.  Instead of feeling awkward or embarrassed, we 
         should take the positive attitude of inviting them to participate 
         with us, in helping the blind to help ourselves.  Tell these 
         prospective Associates that among the many uses this money would 
         be put to each year at our national convention, over $100,000 in 
         scholarships is awarded to 26 worthy recipients.  Surely this 
         should impress them in a positive way!.
              Within the past few years, Florida has steadily risen to a 
         respectable level in the standing of states.  I realize that we 
         all have many time-consuming things to do in our lives, but 
         because I personally feel that this program is so vital and 
         important to our movement, I have placed it very high on my 
         priorities list. Please join with me, and let's get Florida in the 
         top ten.  We can do it, not "walking alone", but "marching 
         together"! 
11
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         IN HARNESS                                      Marion Gwizdala     
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Marion Gwizdala is Chairman of our Guide Dog Users Committee. 

               In past issues of the OUTREACH, "In Harness" has dealt with 
         the rights of guide dog users.  These rights centered around the 
         responsibility of businesses to provide "full and equal access".  
         With every right, however, there are concomitant responsibilities.  
         This month, I would like to present my thoughts about the respon-
         sibilities of guide dog users. 
               The primary responsibility of a guide dog user is to maintain 
         control of the dog at all times.  Control begins with dailytwice 
         daily is recommendedobedience.  All too often we tend to slack up 
         on daily obedience, citing such as excuses as "I'm too busy!" or 
         "It's really not as important as the school makes it out to be!" 
              In a recent conversation with Bob Roberto at Southeastern Guide 
         Dogs, Inc., I asked what the most common problem graduates seemed to 
         have.  
              Without hesitation he said, "Control!  And the first thing I ask 
         is if they are doing daily obedience.  Usually they're not." 
              Bob said that even the busiest person has time for daily 
         obedience by working it into the routine of daily life. "When you're 
         brushing your teeth, put the dog in a sit and stay.  When you feed 
         your dog, put him down and don't let him up until you release him.  
         Obedience doesn't necessitate need to be regimented.  However, lack 
         of control will cause a dog to overrun curbs, miss overhangs, and 
         lead to behavioral problems." 
               Recently, a guide dog user called me seeking assistance with 
         the problem of a local restaurant owner who was denying the team 
         access.  I called the business and was told that they had no problem 
         with guide dog users patronizing them. However, just as they would 
         expect a sighted guest to conform to certain rules of etiquette, they 
         felt a guide dog user should do the same.  It was explained that the 
         guide dog was poorly groomed since it had a noticeable odor and an 
         obvious flea infestation.  Furthermore, the dog had a gas problem 
12
         which was quite disconcerting to the other diners. 
              Special care needs to be taken to keep our guide dogs well 
         groomed.  Fleas are a health problem, not only for your guide dog, 
         but also to humans.  And odorswhether external or emittedmake 
         people and dogs unwelcome.  If your dog has a flea problem, consult 
         your veterinarian or pest control company.  If it has an external 
         odor, check for signs of skin problems.  Gas can usually be cured by 
         changing dog foods. 
              As far as I know, every county has a "pooper scooper" law, 
         mandating that pet owners clean up after their dogs relieve.  Most of 
         these laws exempt guide dog users from this requirement.  I feel this 
         exemption is not only unnecessary, but illogical.  Guide dogs go 
         places most people do not take their pets.  If a guide dog relieves 
         in such a place, it is the responsibility of the user to clean up 
         after the dog.  It also gives the user an opportunity to assess the 
         health of the dog.  Loose stools can be an early indicator of serious 
         health problems.  If your school did not teach you about picking up 
         after your dog, talk to a graduate from a school which does.  It is 
         our responsibility to the community to keep public areas clean.  
         Blindness does not exempt us. 
              The 1993 State Convention of the National Federation of the 
         Blind of Florida is approaching quickly.  As the largest organization 
         of the blind, a large number of guide dogs will be there.  You need 
         to start now to prepare your dog for the convention experience.  If 
         you have been lax on daily obedience, start today.  If your dog 
         doesn't work well in crowds, take a trip to the mall to simulate the 
         experience. Expose your dog to other dogs to avoid any aggressive 
         behaviour toward other teams.  There will be designated relief area 
         at the hotel and every dog user will be expected to do his or her 
         part in keeping this area clean. 
               As guide dog users we are a highly visible part of the 
         community.  Whether we realize it or not, we are watched very 
         carefully.  What we do reflects upon other blind people in general and 
         other guide dog users specifically.  We owe it to ourselves and to he 
         movement to maintain good control and cleanliness.  As we pick up our 
         harness handles and give the command to our dogs, remember that it is 
         not only a direction for the dog, but also of the blind through the 
         efforts of the National Federation of the Blind.  Forward! 
13
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         PAC PLAN UPDATE                                  Jeffrey Harmon 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Besides being Second Vice President, Jeff Harmon is PAC Chair-
         person for the Florida Affiliate. 
         
              What does the NFB mean to you?  To me it means protection, 
         strength, and the defense of our civil rights as blind people. As 
         many of you know, it costs money to run an organization like ours.  
         The time has come for each of us to start giving money to the NFB 
         through the PAC Plan.  Whatever the reason you are a member of the 
         NFB, you should stop and think about the fact that this 
         organization cannot exist without our financial support.  
              I realize that several chapters are already on the PAC Plan.  
         But if each individual member will sign up with PAC, this will add 
         up to more money than the chapters can ever give.  You can sign up 
         with PAC for as little as $5.00 a month.   As members of our 
         movement, I believe it is our duty to do so.  
              At the beginning of this message, I stated what being a 
         member means to me.  Let me explain more.  As many of you know, my 
         wife Erlinda gave birth to our daughter Michelle, on April 30 of 
         this year.  When it became time for us to check out of the 
         hospital, the nursury would not release our baby until late 
         afternoon.  They considered us high risk parents because of our 
         blindness.  We explained to them that we are members of the 
         National Federation of the Blind, and that we know our civil 
         rights as blind parents, and that our blindness has nothing to do 
         with taking care of our own child.  
              They finally released us, but stipulated that they would send 
         a nurse to our home for a few weeks, to make sure that we can 
         handle our child, and that we can properly take care of her needs.  
         As it turned out, they tried to send three different nursing 
         service agencies at the same time.  So Erlinda and I had a 
         conversation with NFBF President Wayne Davis.  He advised us that 
         it would probably be best if we refused these services as soon as 
         possible.  He knew that we didn't need their help any more than 
14
         sighted parents.  He said that he and his wife Carmen had a 
         similar problem when they had their child, David.  We followed 
         Wayne's advise and are proud to tell you that we have a very 
         healthy baby.  
              Now you can see why we give to the PAC Plan.  I hope you 
         realize how important the NFB is to all our lives.  Ask your 
         chapter president for a PAC form.  Or write or call me for more 
         information at:     
              806 Central Parkway Unit 1 
              Stuart, FL  34994 
              (407)221-7269 


         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         FLORIDA HOLDS FIRST ANNUAL
         TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED                   Marilyn Baldwin
         CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO          
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Marilyn Baldwin is President of our Greater Orlando Chapter  She 
         is known throughout the state as a hard worker for improvement 
         in transportation services.
         
         During the week of August 10 through 12, 1993, more than 300 
         people came to Orlando, Florida to attend the first annual Florida 
         Transportation Disadvantaged Conference sponsored by LYNX, the 
         Transit Authority for Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties and 
         the Transportation Disadvantaged Commission.  Those who attended 
         stayed at the Omni Hotel in downtown Orlando and the workshops 
         were held at the Expo Center.  It was a wonderful opportunity to 
         network with professionals and consumers from across the state 
         while learning more about the many aspects of the program.
              The first plenary session was called "Visions for 
         Transportation Mobility in the 21st Century".  I had the privilege 
         to be one of five panelists participating in the session.  My 
         message was that we have seen a good deal of progress in the area 
         of transportation thanks to the state legislation that created the 
15
         Commission and its trust fund that is used to pay the portion of 
         an individual's transportation that is not sponsored by any other 
         agency.  In order to meet the increasing transportation needs of 
         Florida's elderly and disabled population, each community must 
         have a dedicated source of funding for mass transit that will also 
         include paratransit.  We must maximize the use of mass transit by 
         travel training and obtaining a fully accessible fleet of fixed 
         route busses.  The service must become more frequent and user 
         friendly.  Transportation coordinators, operators, and consumers 
         must all work together as a team with our local and state elected 
         officials to face mobility in the  21st century.  
              LYNX, our local transportation coordinator, was awarded the 
         Urban Community Transportation Coordinator Award.  Mr. Paul 
         Skoutelas, Executive Director of LYNX, received the William G. 
         Bell Award.  And last but not least, Mr. Dennis Dee, Paratransit 
         Supervisor for the A+ Link program, was given  the Pat Turner 
         Award.  As yo can see, LYNX has done an outstanding job here in 
         Orlando.  There were other awards given to areas across the state 
         in recognition of superior work in the field of Transportation 
         Disadvantaged services.  
              All in all, this was a wonderful and well-attended event.  
         Some of the state's elected officials who participated in the 
         program were: Ben Watts, P.E., Secretary, Florida Department of 
         Transportation; The Honorable Ed Healy, Florida House of 
         Representatives Chairperson, House Transportation Committee; and 
         The Honorable Irlo Bronson, Florida House of Representatives Vice 
         Chairman, House Transportation Committee.  Mr. Bruce Antone, 
         Legislative Assistant to Senator Buddy Dyer was also present.  
              Some of you may remember Mr. Don Wedewer, former Director of 
         DBS; he now volunteers his time as Transportation Disadvantaged 
         Commissioner representing the disabled.  If you are not familiar 
         with the Commission, it is very important that you learn about 
         it and support its endeavors to secure funding to provide for 
         transportation needs throughout the state.  You may call the 
         Commission at 1-800-342-5557.  Jo Ann Hutchinson is the Executive 
         Director and has worked hard to improve Florida's Transportation 
         Disadvantaged Program.
16
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         THIS IS 20/200!                                      Dan Hicks 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
              
              The list of jobs and other activities that can be performed 
         by blind people is growing daily.  The length of this list is 
         limited primarily by our own desires and imaginations.  Still, how 
         often would it occur to many of us that producing a television 
         program should be on this list?  The members of the Tampa Bay 
         Chapter have done it.  And we are not the first NFB group to do 
         so, and certainly not the last.  
              Public Access Television was an idea originated by the 
         Federal Government to give citizens a voice, by allowing them to 
         produce or appear on locally produced television programs, 
         telecast over their community cable systems.  These federal 
         requirements have since been reduced or eliminated.  However many 
         communities still have public access studios and channels.  Public 
         access programming is just thattelevision shows produced by non-
         professionals, carried over certain frequencies, into the homes of 
         the subscribers of a cable system, or perhaps several cable 
         systems.  This could amount to a potential audience of millions of 
         people, depending on where the cable system is located.  Even if a 
         small percentage of all TV-viewing households tunes in to a 
         particular program, they could add up to a sizeable audience.  
              As in many areas, public access programming ranges from very 
         interesting to stuff you wouldn't want your parrot to watch.  
         There are religious programs for a variety of faiths, programs 
         produced by and for children, Democratic political programs, 
         Republican political programs, and one hosted by a Nazi.  There 
         are programs where people wear business clothes, programs where 
         the hosts wear strange costumes, and programs showing people 
         wearing nothing at allshown only late at night.  The First 
         Ammendment reigns supreme, and there is very little that is taboo.  
         Some of the programs are of commercial television quality or close 
         to it, and some are worse than those videos your uncle Fred made 
         when he first got his camcorder.  
              But, if the almost unlimited freedom of public access 
17
         programming gives some persons and groups a chance to be bad, it 
         also gives a much larger number of persons and groups a wonderful 
         opportunity to do their best, to produce informative, interesting, 
         andyes, even entertainingTV shows that are not dependent on 
         the ability to command high ratings or the ability to sell soap or 
         razor blades.  As a matter of fact, there are no commercials, 
         though a lot of public service announcements are aired between 
         programsincluding some produced by the NFB national office, and 
         by the Tampa Bay chapter.  
              Tampa Bay Chapter Vice President Marion Gwizdala was the 
         first to suggest the idea that we should actually produce a TV 
         show.  He knew that a few chapters and affiliates had done it 
         beforeincluding the Miami Chapterand he guessed we could do 
         the same.  We knew we couldn't do any worse than some of the shows 
         that we'd seen on our local public access channels.  Marion came 
         up with a name for the program:  20/200borrowing the name and 
         loosely borrowing the formatfrom ABC's successful news magazine 
         20/20.  We later added the subtitle: Changing What It Means To Be 
         Blind!.  
              Public access TV is different in Tampa from the way it is in 
         Miami and in a lot of other cities, where production crews are 
         supplied by the public access center.  We would be totally in 
         charge of producing each episode.  Jones Intercable would allow us 
         to use several hundred thousand dollars' worth of studios and 
         equipment and train us to operate everything, but we would be in 
         charge of setting up the studio, lighting, operating cameras, 
         videotape editing, and everything else that goes along with making 
         a television series.  
               Six of us signed up to take the thirteen week training 
         course:  Marion Gwizdala, Chapter Treasurer Frank Pisacane, 
         Frank's wife Frances Pisacane, their daughter Genie Pisacane, 
         Chapter Board Member Lloyd Matthews, and myself.  Each of us 
         learned to work in each stage of the operation, but it soon became 
         apparent that there were some things each of us were more 
         interested in and able to do than others.  Lloyd, for instance, 
         had worked for years as an electrical engineer prior to losing 
         much of his sight; he took to handling the electrical work and as 
         if he'd been doing it for years, which is because he had.  Frances 
18
         and Genie, the only fully sighted members of our group, were 
         natural lighting and set directors.  They were very hard to 
         please, and made us do our best work.  Marion furnished ideas and 
         did a lot with the audio.  Frank is the best of us at operating 
         the electronic character generator that provides our on-screen 
         titles and special effects, and has produced some of our best 
         public service announcements.  I suppose my strongest point is in 
         technical directing and editing.  But I want to stress that all of 
         us have done all of these things, and done them well.  
              Tampa Bay Chapter President Gloria Mills has not been able to 
         be with us as much as she or we would have liked, but she had been 
         invaluable in helping to keep us on track and on schedule and in 
         providing ideas.  She has appeared on camera several times, done 
         interviews, and written one of our JOB public service nnouncements.       
              We work very well together as a teama team composed of 
         opinionated people with sometimes differing ideas about how some 
         things ought to be done, but a team always willing to listen to 
         what each member has to say, and the experience has been a good 
         one for all of us.
              We were sorry to lose Genie from our group after just a few 
         episodes.  After becoming certified as a producer, she got a job 
         with the local Radio Reading Service.   
              We have worked hard to include every member of our chapter, 
         who has been interested in appearing on our show, or in otherwise 
         helping out.  Secretary Sherrill O'Brien devoted many hours 
         helping us with our braille and guide dog shows.  By the way, the 
         show on guide dogs was hosted by Erin and Diamond, Sherrill's and 
         Marion's guide dogs.  Believe me, it worked out very well. 
              My daughters Katie and Robin were with us for a few sessions 
         during the spring and summer.  Katie, who was then ten, was 
         enthusiastic and tall enough to be an excellent camera operator, 
         and we wasted little time in getting her trained and certified.  
         Robin, seven, watched audio levels for us.  Marion's then six-year
         -old daughter Aislinn served as an energetic runner.  And all three 
         girls have also appeared on camera.  
              In addition to the shows on braille and guide dogs, we have 
         produced programs on JOB, talking books, DBS, the radio reading 
         service, the 1993 National Convention, technology, and other 
19
         topics.  I would like to thank every member of the Tampa Bay 
         Chapter, who helped in ways too numerous to mention here.  And I 
         would like to thank President Wayne Davis, who gave us support, 
         loaned us copies of the shows the Miami Chapter made to give us 
         ideas, and also loaned us his chapter's big NFB logo.   We 
         also thank Gena Bollig and Julio Llompart of Jones Intercable 
         who gave us training, technical support, good ideas, and 
         encouragement.
              At this time, we have about finished our thirteen episode 
         series.  We have already made arrangements to re-run the series, 
         and hope to gather more publicity for the program.  The people 
         at Jones Intercable and Paragon Cable, which also runs our 
         show, seem to like the idea of our program.  I think it is because 
         20/200 is a good example of the more than 95 per cent of Tampa 
         public access programming that is oriented toward improving the 
         community.  They have asked us, and we have agreed, to place all 
         episodes of 20/200 in their permanent archives, to be re-run at 
         various times in the future.  
              As far as I have been able to determine, I am the first blind 
         Public Access Producer to be certified in the state of Florida.  
         And Frank and Marion are the second and third.  We have one of the 
         highest producer ratios of any group to be trained by the Jones 
         Intercable Public Access Center.  This certification is portable to 
         other cooperating public access facilities throughout the nation. 
              It has been our goal to further the cause of the National 
         Federation of the Blind and to present a positive attitude toward 
         blindness.  I think we have succeeded, though it has taken a lot 
         of hard work.  It has also been a lot of fun, and I don't want to 
         shortchange that part of it.  We will probably continue to produce 
         specials from time to time, as the need or inspiration arises. 
              If your chapter is interested in doing something like this in 
         your area, please contact us.  Public access is there to be used 
         by everybody.  And blind people can make television programs.                                                         
              As we say at the beginning of each episode: 
              "And now, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Federation of 
         the Blind presents: the only television program produced by blind 
         people.  From across the nation, throughout the state, and into 
         your home, this is 20/200: Changing What It Means To Be Blind!" 
20
        ___________________________________________________________________ 

         DUTIES OF A CHAPTER PRESIDENT                      Wayne Davis 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         In addition to being NFBF State President, Wayne Davis is 
         President of the Greater Miami Chapter. 

              I am often asked what the duties of a Chapter President 
         really are.  That question has a very complex answer, because a 
         chapter president is many different things at different times, and  
         therefore, he or she has many different duties.  
              If you are a chapter president, you are the elected leader of 
         your local chapter. As such, it is your duty as president to 
         preside over meetings, schedule meetings on a regular monthly 
         bases, call and chair board meetings, establish committees, and 
         appoint people to chair them, and dissolve committees when they 
         are no longer needed.        
              As chapter president, you are bound to follow the chapter's  
         Constitution, the constitution of the State Affiliate, and the 
         Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind.   Therefore, 
         it is the duty of every Chapter Officer to study and really learn 
         what those three constitutions say.  They are our bylaws, and must 
         be followed.
              As president of your chapter, you are a vital link between 
         national and state leaders and your members.  It is very important 
         that you carefully read each issue of the Braille Monitor and the 
         OUTREACH as soon as you get them.  They contain vital information 
         you will want and need to know.  The same is true of the 
         Presidential Release.  These often advise and direct us to take 
         immediate action, so it is a good idea to play your Presidential 
         Releases as soon as you get them.  And you are remembering to play 
         them in your meetings, aren't you?  Playing the Presidential 
         Release at your chapter meetings is a very important way of 
         linking all of our chapters together into one vital movement.  
              If the above listed items were all that a Chapter President 
         had to do, it would still be a lot of work, but it does not stop 
         there.  As president, you are usually the spokesperson for the 
21
         local chapter, and as such will be asked, from time to time, to 
         stand up and make a report before meetings of the NFBF, or to 
         speak to local meetings of one kind or another in your community.  
         You will find yourself involved in political fights within his 
         community in order to uphold the rights of the blind people. 
              You will be very likely to find your living room full of 
         boxes of candy for candy sales to raise money for the local 
         chapter.  So, if you ever want to reclaim that living room for 
         family use, you will find that one of your duties includes working 
         with the rest of the membership to sell that candy.         
              A Chapter President will need to do some travelling.  There 
         are meetings, State and National Conventions, and seminars to 
         attend and take part in.  There are legislators to be influenced 
         in Tallahassee and in Washington.  
              You will find that you spend a great deal of time on the 
         phone, because people in your Chapter, as well as other blind 
         people in your community will be calling you to find out about 
         meetings, to ask questions about state and local laws, and to get 
         help with an endless variety of problems.  It is the duty of a 
         chapter president to listen to those people, and to do everything 
         you can to help them.  
              An effective president knows how to delegateyou cannot and 
         should not try to do everything yourself.  But, ultimately, how 
         well the chapter operates is the president's responsibility. 
              Being a Chapter President is not an easy job, but it is a 
         great one.  You have to be willing to give a lot of time to other 
         people, but the good feeling you get from helping to make things 
         happen and improving the lives of other blind people makes the 
         job well worthwhile.  
              So, if you are a Chapter President, stop reading this, and 
         get back to work.  If you are not a Chapter President, but are 
         thinking about running for the office, I hope this little article 
         will give you some insight into what to expect.  If you are not a 
         Chapter President, and have no interest in becoming one, you might 
         want to give your Chapter President a phone call, and thank him or 
         her for all the things he or she does that you didn't know about.  
         Until Now. 

22
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         CHAPTER NEWS
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
                                         
         From Joe Naulty, President, Pompano Beach Chapter... 

              The Pompano Beach Chapter is fairly new, now fifteen months 
         in existance with 120 paid members recorded.  Our officers are all 
         very dedicated people with backgrounds that deserve the confidence 
         of all members.  
              Vice President Ms. Janet Caron is a State Board Member and is 
         Chairperson of the state Associates program.  Ron Burns, original-
         ly from Maryland, has been doing an excellent job as secretary.  
         Our treasurer, Ms. Gayle Boyd, is Branch Manager of a bank.  
              Our board members are: Ms. Helen C. Weil, who is from New 
         York and has thirty years' experience in writing grants and 
         developing rehabilitation programs; Mr. Carl Weiss, a forty year 
         member of the NFB who has worked as a professional rehabilitation 
         counselor; and Mr. Arthur L. Skidmore, an active member of the 
         Lions Club, who has helped our chapter by selling 200 tickets for 
         the state and chapter raffle, now in progress.  
              Ms. Weil and Mr. Skidmore attended the National Convention in 
         July, with Janet Caron and myself, thus encouraging others to 
         participate on future occasions and realize the wonders that take 
         place and the knowledge that can be derived from attending our 
         National Conventions.  
              We are constantly working for the improvement of our chapter 
         and for our blind and disabled friends.  We are now trying to 
         encourage our members to attend the State Convention in October at 
         Boca Raton, especially because the location is so close to home.  
         This will give us the opportunity to network with other NFB 
         members around the state.  
              Our next fund-raiser will take place with a Granny's Attic 
         sale.  A good fundraiser is a fitting way to complete a great 
         year! 
23
         From Gloria Mills, President, Tampa Bay Chapter... 

              We've had a very good year, this year.  Last issue, I told 
         you that we had started a TV program on public access cable.  
         Well, we're still doing it, folks.  We now have put together ten 
         different programs on blindness.  For more information read Dan's 
         article in this issue.  
              We had twelve members attend our Leadership Seminar in Lake 
         Wales, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Frank Pisacane 
         and Dan Hicks were our roving reporters with mikes and video 
         cameras in tow.  
              In May, we solicited local businesses to purchase ads in a 
         flyer, which we put together and distributed at our free car wash 
         fundraiser on June 19.  We had a great time and made $500.00, 
         after expenses.  After the car wash, we had twenty-four people over 
         that afternoon for hamburgers and lots of fun.  
              In July, four of us, Sherrill O'Brien, Lloyd Matthews, 
         Dan, and I, went to the National Convention in Dallas.  We all 
         learned a lot and had a good time as well.  We are now planning 
         for the state convention and on doing something on the local level 
         for White Cane Safety Day, on October 15.
          

         ___________________________________________________________________ 

          ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         We all have some kind of special knowledge, a little collection of 
         neat little tricks that help us do what has to be done or that 
         make like more enjoyable. Send in your techniques for dealing with 
         blindness or with any other situation.  Send us your consumer tips 
         and helpful hints and give us a chance to share them! 

              It is easy to make a copy of a 4-track National Library Service 
         cassette book.  All you need is a dubbing stereo cassette deck or 
         two stereo cassette recorders connected to each other through a 
         stereo system or with patch cords.  The four tracks of the NLS tapes 
24
         are the same four tracks used by stereo cassette machines.  They are 
         used differently, but the cassette deck doesn't know that.  If your 
         deck has double speed dubbing, you can copy a six-hour tape in 
         forty-five minutes.  (Remember that NLS uses C-90 length cassettes.) 
              Ah, you ask, but is this legal?  Judy Dixon of the Library of 
         Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically 
         Handicapped guarantees that it is within the law for you to make a 
         copy of an NLS book for your own use.  This could be a way to build 
         a useful personal Talking Book library. 

              You can tell which side of a milk or juice carton to open by 
         looking for the seam on one of the corners of the main part of the 
         carton.  The side you are supposed to open will be opposite that 
         seam.

              Do you use recorded recipes when you cook?   Put your cassette 
         player in a plastic bag.  You will still be able to operate the 
         controls, but the machine will be less likely to become messy.   

              Eating a large spoonful of peanut butter will often cure a case 
         of hiccups when nothing else will do the trick. 

              Do you get into several cassette books at a time and forget 
         which track you are on in each book?  Put the tape you are 
         currently reading in the container, on top of the front stack 
         (the stack closest to the latches) with the side you are reading up.
         If you are on sides one or two, leave the left latch undone.  And if 
         you want to remember to return to tracks three or four, leave the 
         right latch undone.  Or vice versa, as long as you're consistent.  


         From Gloria Mills, Tampa... 
         
              Put print and braille labels in your linen closet to show where 
         sheets and towls of various sizes are supposed to go.  That's what 
         they do in the National Center in Baltimore.
         
               
25
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA FOUNDATION 
         LABELING MYTHS AS FACTS                          Marion Gwizdala 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         
         Marion Gwizdala is vice president of the Tamps Bay Chapter.  Here 
         is a Letter he wrote to the RP Foundation in response to an 
         article publishes in its newsletter.          
                                         
                                            Marion Gwizdala 
                                            820 Valley Hill Dr. 
                                            Brandon, FL  33510 

                                            15 August, 1992 

         Fighting Blindness News 
         RP Foundation 
         1401 Mount Royal Ave. 
         Baltimore, MD  21217 

         To Whom It May Concern: 

         In 1973, I was diagnosed as having Retinitis Pigmentosa. Shortly 
         thereafter my mother started receiving the newsletter of the RP 
         Foundation Fighting Blindness.  I read several articles in the 
         newsletter and noticed that it spent a lot of time talking about, 
         in one way or another, how horrible it is to be blind, how 
         preferable it was to be sighted, and how those with residual 
         vision can lead an almost normal life. 

         Not long ago a woman called me about a meeting of the National 
         Federation of the Blind, an organization of blind people with 
         which I volunteer in Tampa.  She was very frightened of the 
         prospect of losing her eyesight to RP.  She had been referred by 
         the RP Foundation to a peer counselor in Orlando.  She told me, 
         "He referred to blind people as bats and blinks, told blind jokes, 
26
         and cautioned me not to marry a blind  person.  When I asked why 
         not, he asked me who would do my laundry for me?" 

         I recently read the Spring 1992 Fighting Blindness News  In true 
         form, you continue to promulgate the myths of blindness with a 
         seemingly authoritative article reprinted with the permission of 
         the American Association of Ophthalmology.  The writer is a 
         scientist who obviously knows a lot about vision and macular 
         degeneration but has no concept, in fact has misconceptions, about 
         blindness. 

         Let me borrow the closing format of the article and statements in 
         the article to illustrate my point: 

         MYTH:  "You won't need a white cane, though you may wish you had 
         one, when your standing in front of a clock and have to ask what 
         time it is, or which of the two doors is the right bathroom, 
         embarrassing situation encountered by millions of older Americans 
         who have lost central vision ... " 

         FACT:  The white cane is a respectable tool of blindness.  It is 
         neither embarrassing to carry a white cane or to ask someone which 
         of the bathrooms is the correct one or to ask someone the time. 

         MYTH:  "People with macular degeneration retain enough peripheral 
         vision to care for themselves and remain active." (This implies 
         that people who are totally blind cannot care for themselves and 
         are not active.) 

         FACT:  Blind people are able to care for themselves independently.  
         Blind people are lawyers, business executives, teachers, and 
         parents.  Blind people can care for themselves and others.  Blind 
         people are active in their community, participating in all areas 
         of community life. 

         MYTH:  "With counseling, people can learn to use some of their 
         peripheral vision to help them see more clearly and to cope with 
         the practical tasks of everyday life." 
27
         FACT:  Blind people perform the "practical tasks of everyday life" 
         without the use of vision.  Again, this is a case of what is not 
         said rather than what is. With the proper training, the newly 
         blinded person can learn to use the techniques of blindness to 
         perform tasks formerly done with eyesight rather than use 
         inefficient eyesight. Such techniques as cane travel and braille 
         are valuable tools for people with central vision loss.  What 
         blind people really need is not more counseling and therapy to 
         cope with blindness.  The blind, especially the newly blinded, 
         need training and opportunity. 

         MYTH:  "Visual aids and devices can assist many patients...in 
         leading a comfortable and relatively normal life." 

         FACT:  This statement, explicitly stated as fact, is the most 
         damaging myth about blindness:  People with eyesight lead a normal 
         life.  A normal life is relative to how much a person can see.  If 
         a person has no eyesight their life is relatively uncomfortable 
         and abnormal.  Simply put, this is a lie.  My life is not 
         uncomfortable because I am blind.  My blindness does not cause me 
         to live an abnormal life.  I work, go to school, am married, and 
         have a child.  There is nothing about my life that would be 
         considered abnormal. 

         I do not contend that it is not useful to have eyesight.  I am not 
         minimizing the research the Foundation supports.  What troubles me 
         is that your publication speaks of blindness as if it were 
         horrible because of the helplessness and dependency it creates.  
         When articles are written about a blind persons's accomplishments, 
         readers must think they are exceptional, since, in your words, 
         eyesight is necessary to lead a normal life. 

         A friend of mine has RP.  At age 28, he has only poor central
         vision.  He has told me how embarrassing it is to ask others
         what bus is coming, to talk to the teacher about his
         classroom needs, and how his social life is severely
         restricted because of his lack of night vision.  I've
         encouraged him to use a cane.  His resistance to using a cane
28
         is it's symbolism of blindness.  He doesn't consider himself
         blind because he can see.  He is trying to use what little
         eyesight he has to be "normal".  In the meantime he places himself 
         at risk and limits himself socially and professionally because he 
         believes that it is not respectable to be blind. 

         Blindness is ranked third as the most feared condition, according 
         to a recent Gallup poll.  Only AIDs and cancer are feared more.  
         Consider that you may be contributing to that fear by your 
         publication.  After all, someone may wrongly assume that, since 
         you deal with research about a cause of blindness, what you say 
         about blindness is fact.  Tens of thousands of blind people prove 
         you wrong.  I encourage you to print a more realistic view of 
         blindness.  After all, your newsletter may be the only information 
         some people read about blindness. 

         If you need more information, please contact:

                       Marc Maurer, President
                       National Federation of the Blind
                       1800 Johnson St.
                       Baltimore, MD  21230
                       (410) 659-9314

                                            Sincerely yours,


                                            Marion Gwizdala

         cc:  Marc Maurer, National Federation of the Blind
              American Academy of Ophthalmology  

29
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         OUTREACH MICROS 
         __________________________________________________________________ 
          
         WELCOME MICHELLE
         
              Congratulations to Jeff and Erlinda Harmon on the birth of 
         their daughter Michelle on April 30, 1993.  Many of us got to see 
         and hold her at the latest National Convention in Dallas.  We wish 
         the Harmons all the best. 
            
         
         BRAILLE LOW-FAT COOKBOOK OFFERED 

              In a unique partnership, the National Federation of the Blind 
         and a small Chicago communications company are distributing 
         inexpensive low-fat recipe books to blind, gourmet, health-
         conscious chefs.  The cookbook, entitled 32 Delicious 
         International Low-Fat Dishes, provides recipes from France, Italy, 
         China, Greece, and the Mid East.  Easily prepared recipes for main 
         dishes, sauces, dips, and salads are presented in grade two 
         Braille.  The NFB receives $1.00 from the sale of each book, which 
         is priced at $4.95.  To order, send check or money order for $4.95 
         per copy to: No Limits, Inc., 2936 West Fitch, Chicago, IL  60645. 
         For more information, Contact Marc Zalkin at (312)465-8569 or NFB.                                    


         RESOLUTIONS SOUGHT FOR 1993 STATE CONVENTON 

         From Dan Hicks, Chairperson of the 1993 State Resolutions 
         Committee: 
              The Resolutions Committee meeting is scheduled for October 8, 
         after the Hospitality at the 1993 Florida State Convention in Boca 
         Raton.  Additional meetings of the committee may be necessary, 
         though we will do our best to take care of all business in this 
         one meeting.  I am requesting that all proposed resolutions be 
         sent to me at the address on page 1 as soon as possible.  If you 
30
         have an idea for a resolution but are not sure how to develop it, 
         now is the time to get help in turning that idea into a resolution.  
         There have been numerous examples of Resolutions in past issues of 
         the Braille Monitor, and there are several Florida State 
         Resolutions reprinted in the last issue of the OUTREACH (Issue #3, 
         Spring, 1993).  If you don't have a copy of the last OUTREACH  
         contact me and I will send you one in print or cassette so that 
         you will have an example of the resolutions format.  I am 
         stressing this because we want people to turn in written reso-
         lutions, not just ideas for resolutions. 
              Although I prefer that they be mailed to me in advance, 
         resolutions may be turned in to me at the State Convention, any 
         time up until the beginning of the Resolutions Committee meeting, 
         Friday night, but they must be in writing (print or braille) and 
         they must be in resolutions form.  This does not mean that the 
         committee cannot or will not propose changes to the resolution, 
         however these changes are subject to the approval of the person or 
         group presenting the resolution to the committee.   The committee 
         will vote either to recommend or not to recommend that the 
         resolution be approved and adopted by the Convention, but you, the 
         presenter of the resolution, always have the option of bringing 
         your resolution to the floor of the Convention.  Every resolution 
         must have a person at the Resolutions Committee meeting and at the 
         Convention to present, speak for, and take responsibility for that 
         resolution.  If you plan to submit a resolution, but are unable to 
         attend the Convention, then you must find someone who will speak 
         for your resolution before the Convention. 
              Resolutions are very important to our movement.  They are the 
         means by which we, the members of the NFBF, set the policies that 
         will govern our organization for the coming year and beyond.  I 
         encourage you to start thinking about Resolutions you would like 
         to see adopted and contact me as soon as possible.  I look forward 
         to seeing all of you in Boca Raton. Please remember to contact 
         President Wayne Davis or me if you would like further information.  
         Our addresses are on the front cover of the OUTREACH. 
31
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         OUT OF CONTEXT
         __________________________________________________________________


         "We must remember that we did not inherit the world from our 
          parents, but that we are borrowing it from our children."
                                        Jim Hensen 
         
              "Blind children don't see.  They must use a cane.  Canes help 
         a lot.  Blind children must know what things are.....Go see things 
         with your children.
              "Blind children read braille.  They must have braille books.  
         Braille is fun!  I like to read and write braille."
                                        Tim Day
                                          "Advice from a Seven-Year-Old"
                                          As the Twig is Bent

        "The hobo has two watches you can't buy in Tiffany's.  On one 
          wrist, the sun.  On the other wrist, the moon.  Both bands are 
          made of sky."                 Jack Kerouac
                                          Lonesome Traveler
         
         "Diplomacy is the art of saying `nice doggie' till you can find a 
          rock."                         Wynn Catlin

         "The purpose of research is to drive us out of the hypotheses in 
          which we hitherto have taken refuge, into that state of thoroughly 
          conscious ignorance which is the prelude to every real advance in 
          science."                     James Clerk Maxwell
         
         "You can observe a lot just by watching."
                                        Yogi Berra

         "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
                                        Helen Keller
32
         "Some people hope to achieve immortality through their works or 
          their children.  I would prefer to achieve it by not dying."
                                        Woody Allen

         "A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers."
                                        H. L. Menchen

              "How do my alternative techniques compare with those of my 
         sighted colleagues?  Let's compare a few of them.  I use a reader 
         to help me with my paperwork; my boss uses a secretary.  My co-
         workers take notes with pens and pencils; I use a slate and stylus 
         to write Braille.  My colleagues use a computer with the help of a 
         monitor and a printer; I use a computer with the help of a speech 
         synthesizer and a Braille embosser.  My fellow employees travel 
         about safely with the help of sight; I travel about safely with 
         the help of my white cane.  The sighted have techniques that work 
         for them and the blind have techniques that work equally well."
                                        Kenneth Silberman
                                          "Blindness and the Brooklyn Bridge
                                          Making Hay
         
         "One plus one is two, two plus two are four, and five will get you 
          ten, if you know how to work it."
                                        Mae West

         "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainly is absurd."
                                        Voltaire


         From Gloria Mills, Tampa... 
         
         "We do not want compassion, we want understanding; we do not want 
          tolerance, we want acceptance; we do not want charity, we want 
          opportunity; we do not want dependency, we want independence."
                                        Dr. Jacobus tenBrooek
                                          "Within the Grace of God"
                                          Walking Alone and Marching Together
33
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         WHAT'S COOKIN'? 
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         This issue's recipe comes from Gloria Mills, President of the 
         Tampa Bay Chapter and NFBF Board Member.

         NOODLE BAKE

         1-1/2 pounds ground beef           1 8-ounce container sour cream    
         1 cup scallions (green onions),    1 8-ounce can tomato sauce        
              chopped                       1 12 ounce package egg noodles    
         1 cup grated cheddar cheese        salt, pepper, garlic powder   
                                           
         Start by boiling 6 cups water to cook noodles.  Once water boils 
         and noodles are cooking, brown ground beef in skillet.  Add salt, 
         pepper, and garlic powder to taste.  When meat is brown, add 
         tomato sauce.  Let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.  Once noodles are 
         cooked (about 10 to 12 minutes), drain warm noodles.  Mix noodles, 
         sour cream, chopped scallions, and cheese together in a bowl.   
         Combine portions of all ingredients slowly, to thoroughly mix.  
         Alternate layers of noodle mixture and ground beef mixture until 
         all used up in 9 by 13 inch baking dish.  Microwave at medium 
         power for 12 to 15 minutes.  Let stand for three to five minutes 
         and serve.


         __________________________________________________________________ 

         SMILES  
         __________________________________________________________________ 


          Diner:  Waiter, where is my order of escargots!  I've been 
                  waiting for more than an hour. 
         Waiter:  I'm sorry, sir, but you know how snails are. 

34
          Benny:  How can I be so lucky at poker and yet so unlucky at the 
                  racetrack?
          Lenny:  Probably because they won't let you shuffle the horses. 
   
              A young man was applying for a job as a railroad switchman. 
         The interviewer asked, "What would you do if you saw two trains 
         heading for each other on the same track?"                              
              "I'd throw the lever to switch one of the trains on another        
         track," replied the applicant.                                                                
              "What would you do if the lever was broken?"                       
              "I'd manually set the warning lights."                             
              "And what if the warning lights did not work?"                     
              "I'd use hand signals to try to warn the trains."                  
              "And if that didn't work either?"                                  
              "Well, I'd call my brother."                           
              "Your brother?  What could he do?"                      
              "Oh, nothing.  He just loves to watch train wrecks."   

        Teacher:  Michael, are you ready to give your report about 
                  nitrates?
        Michael:  Yes, Teacher.  They're cheaper than dayrates.  

           Hugh:  Wanda is such a pessimist!
            Sue:  How can you say that?  She's always saying she looks forward 
                  to the future.
           Hugh:  Yes, but only so she can complain about how much better 
                  things used to be! 

         Q. How many computer programmers does it take to change a light 
            bulb? A. Can't be donethat's a hardware problem.  


         And computer users will like this one from Gloria Mills of 
         Tampa... 

         Q. What do you get if you cross Lee Iacocca and Count Dracula?
         A. An AUTOEXEC.BAT
35
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         EDITORIAL MATTERS                                     Dan Hicks
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
    
              Please remember to write with your comments, suggestions, and 
         submissions for SMILES, WHAT'S COOKIN'?, OUT OF CONTEXT, etc..  We 
         want to hear from you.  There are still chapters that have never 
         sent us an item for CHAPTER REPORTS.  Let's hear from all of you!  
              Don't be shylet's let the Official OUTREACH Author's Motto 
         be: "If in doubt, send it out!"  What do I mean by that?  Well, 
         there is a story told among science fiction enthusiasts about a fan 
         who once said to editor John W. Campbell, "I've done a lot of 
         writing, but nothing good enough to send to your magazine."  
              Campbell replied, "How dare you reject stories for my 
         magazine!"  
              We are pleased and proud to announce the "Miami Lost" by Wayne 
         Davis, which appeared in the last issue of the OUTREACH, was 
         reprinted in the August, 1993 issue of The Braille Monitor.  
         Congratulations Wayne!   
              We wish to thank those of you who donated boxes or bags of 
         cassettes to recycle into copies of OUTREACH.  Some of you didn't 
         identify yourselves, and we do thank you, but those we can thank 
         by name are:  Cathy Barja of Tampa, Carl Miller of Fort Pierce, 
         Janet Caron of Pompano Beach, Sherrill O'Brien of Tampa, Pearl 
         Taffel of Pembroke Pines, and Leona Grahn of Tampa.  Please keep 
         the tapes coming init helps us to keep our costs down.  
              Thanks to all of you who submitted articles.  
              Special Thanks to Patti Johnson of Panama City for 
         proofreading the print edition.  If you spot any typographical 
         errors in this issue, they are hre fualt.  Of course I'm just 
         kidding!  Really, Patti, thank you very much for helping us to 
         keep our print edition looking good.  
              Thanks always to Wayne and Carmen Davis, Jeffrey and Erlinda 
         Harmon, Ken Rollman, and Gloria Mills.  And thank you for 
         supporting OUTREACH and the National Federation of the Blind! 

