
Vol. X  No. 3                                                   September 1995
Wisconsin Chronicl
The Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind


1995 NFBW State Convention 

   The Twentieth Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of
Wisconsin will be held Friday October 20 through Sunday October 22 at the
elegant surroundings of the Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave., Racine Wisconsin. 

Marriott
 s facilities include; indoor swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, workout
room, in-room coffee makers and complementary coffee.  Saturday and Sunday
feature Marriott's quality breakfast buffet for only $7.95. 
   Our room rates are envied by all.  $55.00 for all rooms, single (one person
per room), double (two persons per room), triple (three persons per room), or
quad (four persons per room).  Make reservations with the Racine Marriott,
7111 Washington Ave., Racine, WI, 53406, (414) 886-6100.  A guarantied
reservation requires a major credit card number or one night advance payment
on, or before, October 7, 1995.  To receive these low convention rates you
must inform the hotel that you are reserving rooms for the National Federation
of the Blind of Wisconsin Convention.  Marriott will also provide free shuttle
service from Milwaukee Mitchell Field Airport to the Racine Marriott and back. 
Reserve the shuttle when you make your hotel reservations.  
   The NFB of Wisconsin will provide child care for parents bringing young
children to the convention.  The convention will begin with registration at 6:30
pm on Friday October 20.  At 7:00  hospitality room for friends and food, and
a pool party for all.  The convention agenda is  packed with information about
education of blind children, job skills training and employment opportunities
for blind adults, and motivating idea for educators working with the blind. 
The highlight of the convention will be a banquet address given by Ramona
Walhof, NFB National Representative.   Mrs. Walhof is the President of the
National Federation of the Blind of Idaho, Secretary of the Board of Directors
of the National Federation of the Blind, author of such books as Beginning
Braille for Adults, Questions Kids Ask About Blindness, and A Handbook for
senior Citizens.  She is the former director of the Idaho Commission for the
Blind and now administers her own Public Relations Firm.  
   The annual NFBW  auction will take place after the Banquet.  Auction items
include foods, wines, cheeses, toys, CD's, gift certificates and much, much
more.  The Racine Marriott has also donated a Bed and Breakfast For Two
coupon, retailed at $125.00 for the auction.  
   This will be the most exciting and enjoyable convention in Federation
history.   Hundreds of dollars of great door prizes, a terrific auction, excellent
hotel and meeting accommodations and stimulating program items.  Get your
reservations and convention pre-registration form in today.  


It s Time for a Wisconsin Commission for the Blind

   Why are Wisconsin's programs for the blind a disgrace?  The Wisconsin
School for the Visually Handicapped (WSVH), the Department of Public
Instruction (DPI) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) make
money off people's blindness while providing services that are substandard and
beyond belief.   These agency budgets have grown as their services have
degenerated.  The Legislature has been unable to hold these agencies to the
same standards of fiscal restraint and responsible management expected of
agencies serving the general public.  The current system is confusing to
parents of blind children and blind adults.  Even with the proposed
Department of Education and DVR move to the Department of Industry
Labor and Job Development, services for the blind will still be sprawled from
Department to Department. 

The Problem:  WSVH has ignored recommendations from two consecutive
legislative audits, 1987 89-16 and 1994 94-11, regarding excessive spending and
declining enrolment.  Over the past four years enrollment decreased 14
percent as spending increased 28.8 percent.  Only 8 percent of Wisconsin's
blind children attend WSVH.  Ninety-two percent of blind children are
enrolled in public and private schools, or because of parental frustration with
DPI are being home-schooled.  

  It costs $68,200 to educate one student at the Wisconsin School for the
           Visually Handicapped, ten times that of public schools

   WSVH receives $1,031,800 over budget.  It costs $68,200 to educate one
residential student at WSVH.  WSVH employs 110 people to educate 80
students.  The teacher/student ratio is so low it breaks DPI's own rules on
such matters:  primary grades one teacher - four students, secondary grades
one teacher - three students.  
   WSVH used one million dollars in Federal discretionary funds for an
Outreach Program to tape textbooks, give cane travel instruction and
assessments to blind children in the public schools, duplicating existing
services.  The Library of Congress National Library Services for the Blind
(NLS), Recordings for the Blind, American Printing House for the Blind and
Wisconsin's Volunteer Services and Volunteer Braillists already record and
Braille textbooks.  Assessments of blindness skills and cane travel instruction
are the jobs of teachers of the blind employed in school districts or at the
twelve Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA) throughout
Wisconsin.  Nowhere in America does a school for the blind receive so much
money for doing so little.  No school should receive more money for
educating fewer students.  

In Wisconsin teachers who are paid to teach blind children Braille don't know
                                  Braille

   Wisconsin Act 164 was passed in 1992.  The law required that before a
license can be issued or renewed the teacher for the blind must demonstrate
proficiency in reading, writing and teaching Braille, with the standards set by
the Library of Congress.  The Library of Congress National Library Service
for the Blind developed a free Braille Literacy Test with the assistance of
national organizations of and for the blind.  DPI and WEAC fought for
agency rules that watered down the law.  New teachers of blind children hired
in Wisconsin must take the Library of Congress Braille Literacy test.  Existing
teachers of blind children still don't know Braille.  Blind children have a
better chance of getting cocaine in our schools than they ever have of getting
instruction in Braille.  DPI encouraged illiteracy among teachers of blind
children and placed a great burden on the few teachers who do know Braille.  

     The blind are giving up their residency in Wisconsin to get better
                    rehabilitation services out-of-state

   Blind adults receive miserable services from DVR.  Demeaning treatment,
negative attitudes about blindness, unsigned third-party contracts, falsified
reports, waiting lists to go nowhere, forcing clients into programs that do not
meet the client's needs.  Despite community outrage, testimony in front of the
Joint Finance Committee in 1989 and 1990, LAB audit 90-31 of DVR
supported adjustment to blindness programs, LAB audits 85-20 and 91-13 of
DVR, the agency continues to mismanage and manipulate funds and its blind
clients.  
   The National Federation of the Blind cannot wait forever for Wisconsin's
services for the blind to improve.  In 1989 we built BLIND Inc. (Blindness
Learning in New Dimensions) in Minneapolis Minnesota and we didn't sap
money out of the government as is done in Wisconsin.  BLIND Inc. is an
adjustment to blindness center managed and staffed and owned by blind
people with positive attitudes about blindness and high standards.  Enrollment
rose so fast that BLIND Inc. outgrew its first building.  In 1994 the NFB
bought the Pillsberry Mansion to contain BLIND Inc.  Since 1991 thirteen
people have given up their residency in Wisconsin to attend BLIND Inc.
rather than forced into the DVR sponsored programs in Wisconsin.   

The Solution:  Separate agencies for the blind are more effective because they
eliminate wasteful duplication of services, are more accountable to the public,
and have a higher rate of success for people who are blind.  Because separate
agencies for the blind are so effective TITLE ONE Sec. 101. (1))(A)(I) of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended allows states to create a separate
agency for the blind.  "Where under the State's law the State Agency for
individuals who are blind or other agency which provides assistance or services
to adults who are blind, is authorized to provide vocational rehabilitation
services to such individuals, such agency may be designated as the sole State
agency to administer the part of the plan under which vocational rehabilitation
services are provided for individuals who are blind (or to supervise the
administration of such part by a local agency) and a separate State agency may
be designated as the sole State agency with respect to the rest of the State
plan"    The Wisconsin Legislature should:

1.  Reduce funding for the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped to
the level recommended by the Legislative Audit Bureau.  

2.  Request an analysis to determine total dollars used by Wisconsin state
agencies to provide services for blind children and adults.  
3.  Work for legislation to create a three-member commission, appointed by the
Governor.  The Wisconsin Commissions for the Blind would be responsible for
administering the fiscal and human resources for all services for the blind in
Wisconsin per Title One sec. 101 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Services to
include:  Rehabilitation counselors for the blind, Rehabilitation teachers for the
blind, Business Enterprise Program (BEP), Wisconsin School for the Visually
Handicapped (WSVH), teachers who hold 825 or 826 licenses with the
Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to t each Braille and cane travel to
blind and visually handicapped school-aged children, Special contracts related
to services for the blind in Wisconsin.  


Wisconsin Promotes Faulty Accreditation for the Blind

                              by Bonnie Peterson
   If you've ever wondered why services for the blind are so pitiful in
Wisconsin the following article will give you the answer.   (National
Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped). 
As Federationists know, NAC has falsely represented itself as an agency
interested in promoting high standards in the blindness field.  In reality NAC
has protected and supported the most unsavory agencies. and lowered
standards of education and training for the blind to depths almost
unimaginable, leaving behind sexually abused children and adults, high service
costs, ineptitude and death.  After thirty years, NAC's reputation is well known. 
Beaten and broken NAC limps to its death.  
   Enter Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), a strong NAC
supporter, because NAC is the only agency that would say DVR was doing a
good job.  DVR surreptitiously promoted NAC in its Guide to Services for the
Blind in Wisconsin, not as an accrediting body, but to play it safe, "Self-study
and evaluation guides are available".  Confusing definition?  Yes, but it served
its purpose.  
   In the past three years, the Rehabilitation Service Administration refused
further federal funding to NAC.  The Department of Education removed NAC
from its list of accrediting bodies because what NAC was accrediting did not
fall under the category of "institutions of higher education".  The American
Foundation for the Blind and National Industries for the Blind refused further
funding as well.  In Wisconsin, Milwaukee Area Technical College and
Industries for the Blind dumped their NAC accreditations.  NAC could no longer
afford its New York Madison Avenue suite and moved to cheaper quarters.  Out
of roughly 500 possible accrediting sources, having once accredited hundreds, 
NAC was now down to sixty-eight.  Sixty-seven.  (The ink was hardly dry on
the letter, from the Governor's office to the NFB of Wisconsin, before the
Tennessee School for the Blind dropped its NAC accreditation).    
   DVR knew its little friend, NAC, was in big trouble.  DVR rushed to the
rescue with a new June 1995 publication of its Guide to Services for the Blind,
this time with a more lucrative pitch for NAC.  "NAC administers program of
standards development and accreditation for programs, agencies and schools
serving children and adults who are blind and visually impaired."  With DVR
moving to the Department of Labor and new, inexperienced, management and
service providers who knew nothing about blindness and could be easily fooled
by ignoring the organized blind consumers, maybe Wisconsin could breath new
life into NAC.  DVR's little friend and cohort in crime wouldn't have to die
after all.  
   DVR's plan would have worked except for the National Federation of the
Blind.  On August 3, 1995 a letter was sent to Governor Tommy Thompson. 
After 44 days, one phone call, one fax and calls to three legislators the
governor responded... with a letter promoting NAC.  Here are the letters.  
August 3, 1995

Governor Tommy Thompson
State Capitol
Madison, WI  53707

Dear Governor Thompson:
   I am writing regarding the most recent issue of your Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation's Guide to Selected Services for Blind and Visually Impaired
Persons in Wisconsin.  This "Guide" tells families and professionals about
services (as the title says, "selected" for them).  The National Accreditation
Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC)
appears on page nineteen of your Guide to Selected Services for Blind and
Visually Impaired Persons in Wisconsin.  You are soliciting business for, and
giving your seal of approval to, the shoddiest accrediting body in the nation.  
   Only four of the fifty-two state rehabilitation agencies, eighteen of the
eighty-two sheltered workshops, eighteen of the seventy-one residential schools
are NAC accredited.  Not one organization of the blind, library service for the
blind, or employment related service for the blind is NAC accredited.  In July
of 1994, Richard W. Riley, secretary of the U. S. Department of Education,
removed NAC from the Department's list of recognized accrediting bodies in
accordance with Section 602.14(e)(2).  
   NAC had no problem when a student was scalded to death in the shower at
the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.  (Braille Monitor March 1989).  NAC
had no problem with the principal of the Arkansas School for the Blind
spanking employees for his sexual gratification.  (Braille Monitor, November
1994; Democrat Gazette, January 19, 1995).  NAC had no problem with a
superintendent who covered up frequent sexual abuse of young boys by older
students at the Illinois School for the Blind.  (Braille Monitor, May 1995;
Jacksonville Journal-Courier, August 24, 1994).  The Federal government does
not recognize NAC accreditation.  The Thompson administration recognizes and
promotes it. 
   Only one agency in Wisconsin accepts NAC accreditation, the Wisconsin
School for the Visually Handicapped (WSVH).  WSVH, where for over ten years
a principal sexually assaulted young girls until arrested.  WSVH, where only 8
percent of Wisconsin's blind children go.  WSVH, where a Legislative Audit
Bureau report, 94-11, questions spending increases of 28.8 percent while
enrollment decreased 14 percent.  WSVH, where it costs a whopping $68,200 to
educate one residential student.  WSVH, whose employees fought legislation to
require teachers who teach Braille, know Braille themselves.  WSVH, with a
teacher/student ratio that increases instead of decreases as students mature. 
WSVH, where most graduates will end as fodder for government supported,
below minimum-wage, sheltered workshops.  Sheltered from upward mobility,
the free marketplace and hope.  These are the results of NAC accreditation.  
   Your administration knew of the controversy surrounding NAC.  I point out
the enclosed April 1989 letter from you to NFB and our subsequent response. 
I request your office take immediate steps to remove NAC from all copies of
your Guide to Selected Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons in
Wisconsin.  To insure the job is actually done, I also request you personally
follow-up and monitor this situation.  If it is your wish to promote NAC, I
would be very interested in receiving correspondence to help me understand
your reasoning.  I will thank you in advance for your attention to this very
serious matter.  I am sure the inclusion of NAC was a mere oversight by your
administration.  

Sincerely, 
Bonnie Peterson, President
NFB of Wisconsin

------
September 11, 1995

Bonnie Peterson, President
National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI  53221

Dear Ms. Peterson:
   Thank you for bringing to my attention your concerns about the listing of
the National Accreditation Council (NAC) in the Guide to Selected Services for
Blind and Visually Impaired Persons in Wisconsin.  
   The Guide is a directory of services and available programs which, as stated
in the introduction, "may benefit" individuals with visual impairment.  The
inclusion of organizations, such as NAC in the Guide does not constitute an
endorsement by the State of Wisconsin.  
   NAC is an international organization of the Blind.  It was founded in 1966
and has 68 members in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.  Several
NAC sponsors are national organization affiliated with education and services
for persons who are blind and visually impaired and for professional workers
with the blind and visually impaired.  
   NAC's removal from the department of Education listing of accrediting
agencies was due to DOE's changes in eligibility criteria, not the quality or
reliability of its services or accredited programs.  See the attached letter from
DOE to NAC and a reprint from the Federal Register on the changes in DOE's
eligibility criteria and the names of all the organizations removed from the
listing of accrediting agencies.  
   Thank you for your letter.  

Sincerely, 
John W. Matthews, Chief of Staff
Office of the Governor

------
September 18, 1995

Governor Tommy Thompson
State Capitol
Madison, WI  53707

Dear Governor Thompson:
   I have the September 11, 1995 (postmarked September 15, 1995) response
from your Chief of Staff, John Matthews, to the NFB's August 3, 1995 request to
remove the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and
Visually Handicapped (NAC) from copies of your Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation's Guide to Selected Services for Blind and Visually Impaired
Persons in Wisconsin, and I thank you for it.  The letter states;

The Guide is a directory of services and available programs which, as stated in
the introduction, "may benefit" individuals with visual impairment.  The
inclusion of organizations such as NAC in the Guide does not constitute an
endorsement by the State of Wisconsin.  

Why aren't services included in the Guide that "will benefit" blind people?  If
services are included in the Guide that "may not benefit" blind people, what
are they doing there?  Wisconsin uses CARF accreditation as its model for
disability services, why isn't that in the Guide?  Wisconsin chose to publish a
Guide, chose which items, out of thousands of possibilities, will be in the
Guide, uses tax dollars to print and distribute the Guide nationwide.  What else
can you call it, but endorsement?   The six organizations mentioned as
sponsors, by your Chief of Staff, of NAC have never been NAC accredited.  The
American Foundation for the Blind (at one time a major contributor) and
National Industries for the Blind are on written record refusing NAC
accreditation.  The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) no longer funds
NAC.  
   The National Federation of the Blind finds NAC standards, substandard.  It
is as offensive to us to put NAC in a Guide to Services for the Blind  as it
would be to put the Ku Klux Klan in a Guide to Services for African-
Americans.  If Wisconsin published a Guide to Services for African-Americans
and listed the Ku Klux Klan, would you say that wasn't an endorsement.  If
you did, who would believe it?  Some people support the Ku Klux Klan, or it
wouldn't exist.  Does that mean minorities are supposed to put up with it? 
Some people support NAC, or NAC wouldn't exist.  Does that mean the NFB is
supposed to put up with it?  I respectfully beseech you to remove NAC, label
over, White out, from the more than 2,400 Guides remaining in twenty-one DVR
Field Offices.  I await your response.

Sincerely, 
Bonnie Peterson, President
NFB of Wisconsin

   The NFB will never give up until NAC is dead and buried.  We will bring
NAC's shameful record up everywhere, every time, and with everyone we can,
for as long as it takes.  Soon, very soon, DVR's little friend, NAC, will be gone
for good.  Who will cover up for the shoddy administrators who s chief talent
is to make excuses for their own inefficience and service providers who know
nothing of Braille, positive attitudes about blindness or the NFB?  Convention Registration Form

This years Convention of the NFB of Wisconsin will be held October 20 - 22,
1995 at the Marriott in Racine, Wisconsin.  The registration fee for the
convention is $5 for each person preregistering and $10 for those registering
after October 15.  Registration will be available at the Convention but
preregistering will help us provide you with better service.  This form may
NOT be used to reserve rooms with the hotel.  Hotel reservations must be
made on or before October 7, by calling (414) 886-6100 or writing, Racine
Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave., Racine, WI, 53406.  Be sure to say you are
registering for the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin Convention. 
Costs for the Convention are as follows:

Room Rates:  $55.00 for one, two, three or four in a room.  A deposit of one
night lodging is required Convention Registration: $5.00 in advance or $10.00
after October 12.
Banquet Ticket  $15.00.

(names of persons
registering)______________________________________________________________
________

(address)___________________________________(city)_________________________
________

(state)________(zip)______Telephone Number (including area
code_______________________

Number of Persons Registering on this Form: ________________.

Amount enclosed for Registration:  ________________________.

I require ______ banquet tickets and am enclosing $__________ to cover this
cost.

Total Amount Enclosed:  __$________________________________

Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the Blind of
Wisconsin and send them with this form to:  Miss Linda Mentink, 1737
Tamarack Lane, Janesville, WI  53545.

I am bringing _____ child/children to child care at the convention.  

The age of my child/children ________________.

I will use child care Friday _______ Saturday _______  Sunday _______.

Comments_______________________________________________________________
________

________________________________________________________________________
_______
 
If you would like more information about child care please contact Ms.
Bernadette Krajewski, 
304 N. Adams St., Green Bay, WI  54301,  (414) 435-6344..