Newsletter, Spring 2003

Chapter Happenings

Buffalo Chapter
Mike Robinson, President
149 Syracuse St., Tonawanda, 14150
Phone: (716) 695-6386
E-mail: buffnfb@buffalo.com

Much has been happening with the Buffalo Chapter since we last were together at the State convention. We have been working with a local school district to get a blind 7th grader the equipment and materials he needs. There is an article in this issue by Vince Tagliarino with many of the details. We had our annual Holiday Party on December 16th. A great time has had by all. We had a nice dinner, Christmas caroling, and a Chinese auction.

On the down side, one of our members, Doug Meyer, had bypass surgery just before Christmas but is recuperating well.

As 2003 begins we set our sights on the coming year. The big project will be the State Convention, to be held the weekend of November 7 - 9 at the Holiday Inn, Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, NY. We have plans to make this convention extra-special. Among the events planned are a tour of Niagara Falls on Friday before the convention begins and also taking a group to a Buffalo Bills game if they are playing at home on Sunday. More details about these events will be announced in future Chapter happenings.

On behalf or the Robinson Family and the Buffalo Chapter I would like to wish everyone the best for the New Year. See you in February in Albany

Capitol District
Charlie Richardson, President
E-mail: charlieofalbany@hotmail.com

Greater Long Island Chapter
David Stayer, President
E-mail: d.stayer@worldnet.att.net

After a sixteen year engagement, Robert Munz and Louise Carpentiere have set the date to marry this coming June. Some of you may remember Bob as the man who went from earning seven cents an hour in a sheltered shop to earning ten dollars plus per hour in competitive employment. Along the way, both he and Louise spent approximately nine months at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Bob credits NFB for giving him the confidence he needed to get the job he now holds. Now if only the Social Security earning limits for the blind were raised, Bob could work full time!
On a more serious note, Trish Hubschman, who is both deaf and blind, went for a Cochlear implant. The operation failed, and it was subsequently noted that the doctor had never done the operation before, had no idea what he was doing, and still billed the insurance company for $60,000. The insurance company quite properly questioned this bill. Let's hope Trish doesn't have to pay it.

The Greater Long Island chapter is losing its meeting place after December's holiday party as the Merrick Library plans to replace its building with a much needed larger library. In the meantime, they plan to shift their administration offices to the Library Wing, where we meet, which will eliminate the availability of our meeting room. We will be meeting in private homes for the duration--about sixteen months--unless we can find another meeting room.

The trial of Maxi Aids will resume December 17th on Long Island. Several of our members will be monitoring it. Brad Greenspan reports that Mr. Zaretsky of Maxi Aids seems totally oblivious to the fact his actions have been illegal.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Lori Stayer
Recording Secretary

Mid-Hudson Chapter
Randy Horowitz, President
E-mail: sufan@optonline.net

New York City Chapter
Carl Jacobsen, President
Phone: (718) 251-4602 E-mail: nfbnys@aol.com

Niagara Falls Chapter
Laura Herman, President
637 25th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: (716) 285-7128

Southern Tier Chapter
Elaine Rink, President
5 Alpine Rd. Binghamton, NY 13903
Phone: (617) 722-8541
E-mail: erink@mail.nysed.gov

Syracuse Chapter
Lucy Cox, President
753 James Street, Apt 210, Syracuse, NY 13203
E-mail: bryhn@mindspring.com

All I Want For Christmas is NO MORE NAC!
By Charlie Richardson

Nearly 300 Federationist showed up at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Tampa Florida on December 12, 2002 to picket NAC, the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired. Maryann Gilliard and myself represented New York State and walked the line and got the attention of the public and media where NAC was holding it’s annual meeting.

Why picket NAC? Some of the more recent answers can be found in the May 2002 Braille Monitor in articles named, “NAC at the Same Old Stand” and “Another Take on the September 10 Meeting with NAC”. More of NAC’s history can be found by visiting our national website at WWW.NFB.ORG. Right from its beginning NAC’s accreditation has never meant very much to the blind services and NAC at its best has only accredited about 20% of agencies serving the blind. Currently NAC accredits less than 10%. This is obviously not because only 10% of agencies that serve the blind are worthy, but those agencies just haven’t had the wake up call that NAC’s accreditation means nothing.

According to the observers in NAC’s meeting, NAC spent a good amount of time making comment on the protesters on the street. They had thought to have some of their representatives meet with a few of us, but it was said to NAC that there is no question of what the NFB wants and that is for NAC to be gone. Even when others in NAC’s meeting have questioned the existence of NAC, the answer is to ignore the fact and say that they have a consensus to continue.

The NFB doesn’t think that accreditation is bad, but the way that NAC handles it is. We would probably be better off with no accreditation than having accreditation that means nothing.

We met on the evening of the 12th and learned some NAC songs and had read the press release and flyers that would be handed out. Santa Claus visited our meeting and handed out buttons that read, “All I want for Christmas is No More NAC”. Most of us that arrived in the evening left the meeting and had dinner and got ready for the next day.

Tampa was having its second wettest December on record and the morning of the 13th was no exception. We were being handed ponchos and lined up against the walls at each entrance of the hotel to wait out the rain. We had to disassemble as the hotel didn’t mind us protesting outside, but couldn’t stand in the entrances.

An hour later the rain was lighter and most of us were willing to go out in it and the picket started. We must have chased the rain away with our enthusiasm, because it wasn’t too long before the rain completely stopped. The puddles on the sidewalk either dried up or were marched away. Plenty of passersby blew their horns in support. Newspaper reporters took names and pictures and overhead TV news filmed us from helicopters. It was all worth the 9 plus hours we were on the street.

Later Friday evening we gathered again to talk about the day and have a report from our observers from the NAC meeting, Harold Snyder and Dick Davis. Jim Gashel had reminded us of how we rehearse weddings and other occasions, but no one really wants to rehearse a funeral. Well, we did. The undertaker, Kevan Worley presided over the precession and Peggy Elliot gave the eulogy.

The media attention wasn’t as strong the second day, but the flyers were continuing to be handed out in numbers exceeding 3000. I had breakfast with a guest that was just staying in the hotel overnight and had asked me what was going on and once she had a bit of history of NAC she was appalled that such a thing could be going on in this day and age. She also asked about the NFB and applauded our efforts. She said that she could hear us when she was in her room on the 6th floor.

We wound down in the early afternoon and spent some time with our NFB family from around the country before heading out to go back home knowing that NAC might not be dead, but has one more nail in it’s coffin.

For more on this NAC Tracking event, see upcoming Braille Monitor issues.

New York’s Two Thousand Two State Convention
By Chris Minkler

This year’s New York State Convention was held in Albany, New York.

I arrived early Friday afternoon. My roommate was Vinny Tagliarino, vice-president of the Buffalo Chapter. Vinny is a long-time member of the National Federation of the Blind. There were four scholarship recipients present this year. Ashley Gallagher, one of those recipients, was among the ten member Buffalo delegation.

One important issue discussed this year was textbook accessibility for blind students. One blind student’s mother expressed her frustration with the current system. A father emotionally thanked NFB for its support.

Kevin Worley was this year’s representative from the national office. He is president of the Vendor’s division and vice-president of the Colorado affiliate. Kevin’s banquet speech, about his journey through life and what the Federation meant to him, was terrific. He also discussed the National Accreditation Council (NAC) and the upcoming campaign against it in Tampa, Florida. A member of the Buffalo chapter told of her experiences in past anti-NAC campaigns.

I enjoyed the discussion on high-partial blindness. Mike Robinson, Marie Kouthoofd, and Gary Grassman spoke of their experiences and their thoughts, living as high-partials. With them there is a wide range of vision problems. I believe these legally blind/partially-sighted individuals are all too often misunderstood by the public. The NFB should focus more on this topic.

Having attended several state and two national conventions, I realize what the three main objectives of any convention should be: 1) To Inspire, 2) To Inform, 3) to raise funds for further progress of the organization. New York’s convention successfully accomplished all three this year. Congratulations to Charlie Richardson, Carl Jacobsen, and the Capitol District chapter on a fine convention.

I’m looking forward to next year’s convention in Buffalo

A Waste of Thirty Thousand Dollars
By Charlie Richardson

Some of the best success stories occur without planning. Craig Hedgecock, the Albany Chapter’s vice president and I, at our April 2002 meeting, related that we knew there was a push to get audible pedestrian signals (ASP’s) installed in our city. We assumed it would never happen so we pretty much ignored that rumor.

But I was rudely awakened after doing my banking some days later. Waiting to catch a bus home I heard “Coo, Coo, Coo, Coo.” The ten minutes that followed were confusing and surreal. There was more cooing and some tweet, tweet, tweeting. This couldn’t be happening -- canned bird calls amid the noise of city traffic? A woman questioned, “What is that noise?” and was shushed by a friend who told her it was a signal for blind people crossing the street. I felt like all eyes were on me and I didn’t want to be there. Despite what people might think, those sounds were not for me.

Angered, Craig and I called the mayor of Albany on his next weekly radio program. He thought we called to thank him for installing the APS. On the contrary, Craig explained that this is not the solution to our blind population’s bigger concern; that of gaining better mobility skills. Besides it humiliates us. Assuring the safely of even one blind person would make the APS worthwhile to him, the mayor said “at the cost of my dignity?”, I growled. The mayor promised to look into our concerns and asked us to call him at a later date. He really meant we should get off the radio and leave him alone. In the next few weeks none of my calls to his office were returned. When we called his next radio program he was prepared with statements from the State Department of Transportation which revealed that these ASP’s are used in other cities successfully. He suggested we work with the organization that requested these signals and cooperate with his traffic safety people.

The Albany Times Union wrote an article about our first confrontational call with the mayor without requesting our input. They did use comments from the Director of the local Blind agency and the president of the requesting organization.

Meanwhile, Dan Bazile of Fox News wanted to talk with me about our view that the ASP’s are a waste of money. With some reluctance, because we could be made to look foolish resisting a well-intentioned project for the blind, I finally agreed to appear on his “you paid for it” program.

That video presentation exaggerated the noise level of the ASP and the cameras recorded some blind folks negotiating the intersection with some difficulty. My comments were interjected as it went along. Another blind player, an obvious proponent of the device, commented “The signals give you information in a way, in a format that you can understand.” He could have been talking about a computer, a Braille reader, or any number of devices. There was no focus on enhancing the mobility skills of visually-handicapped individually in this presentation.

Finally, a meeting with the commander of Albany’s Police and Traffic Safety staff was held. The Commander was given Braille Monitor articles stating how important mobility is to the blind along with our background information on ASP’s. As an NFB representative I didn’t fail to distribute a few Kernel Books to show how blind people live normally. There has been no official reply as to whether Albany will maintain and expand the APS program. With all the controversy, it is doubtful.

BLINDNESS: A DISCOVERY FOR MY CHILDREN
By Linda Lazzaro-Smalley

Let me share some funny stories about my children and their acceptance of Blindness. It’s important to know that both kids are legally blind with only limited sight.

Waiting to bring my daughter into the world I needed eye surgery and artificial eyes made. My children are fully aware of my condition and my use of prosthetic eyes. This leads me to relate my tale of the bus stop.

Well, one day we were waiting for a bus with our then 3-year-old son, Sterling, and his 4 month old sister, Maura. As I wiped my left eye with a Kleenex the prosthetic fell out and hit the ground. Sterling very happily picked it up and, giggling, said to me, “Here is your eye, Mommy.” People at the bus stop were rather aghast, maybe horrified, but Sterling had no problem with it. Kids are so joyfully accepting.

When Maura was age 3 or 4 we attended a family Christmas party. Each family had to bring gifts for Santa to present to their children. Naturally, we wrapped and contributed gifts for our two. Well, Santa boomed out the name “Maura Smalley!” and Maura excitedly scampered up to receive her present. As she eagerly unwrapped her gift, she exclaimed, “Mommy, Mommy, Santa Claus wraps presents upside down just like you do.” (I have never considered that Christmas wrapping paper has a plain white side and the outer decorated side. Apparently I had wrapped her gift “inside out” or, as Maura says, “upside down.”) It was amusing to her but she wasn’t sad or disappointed. Then and there I felt her unconditional acceptance.

It’s funny that when Sterling was born, a nurse was quick to point out what a big help he would be to his blind parents. My husband jokingly said that Sterling was expected to cut the grass as soon as we brought him home from the hospital.

Our kids have been a great help in ways I cannot express. Essential to our well-being has been their loving concern and caring. We have come through the good and bad times — the happiness and the hurts with a sense of humor and knowing our children understand and can deal with blindness.

Albany Times Union Will Be On Newsline
By Charlie Richardson

March 1, 2002, NFB’s Newsline went to a toll-free, centralized system. It was a banner headline day for blind people everywhere. Now Newsline will be available to every visually impaired person in the country and they can access every newspaper in the system free.

Prior to March 1st, local Newsline servers were set up with only 3 newspapers, on average. If your area didn’t have a server it cost you a long distance toll call and you were reading an out of town or out of state newspaper. Now that Newsline is centralized over 90 newspapers are available nationwide.

Just about everyone in my Capitol District chapter was signed up in anticipation of this upgraded service. They have been richly rewarded for their patience but anxious for more local news on Newsline. We wanted the Albany Times Union in the system. I contacted the newspaper and discussed Newsline with them. The good news was the Times Union was willing. The bad news? Our chapter would have to secure the funds for it to happen. It would take more money than the chapter ever dreamed of raising.

I went to the mayor of Albany. He suggested I get a newspaper from the internet. He presumes that everyone, if they have equipment, is comfortable with a screen reader and websites that constantly change. Out short-sighted mayor failed to consider that in the large population of over age 55 blind people only 6 percent use computers. The telephone is much more familiar to most of those people.

The mayor inquired whether the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA) supports Newsline. I promised him I’d find out. In a phone conversation with Barry Berberich, Director of NABA, “Rise Radio” was discussed and compared to Newsline. “Rise” already has the Times Union on but, it is scheduled only at certain times and not all day long. Newsline is interactive and available 24 hours a day. With “Rise” you must listen to whatever is scheduled at the time you turn the closed circuit radio on. You can skip any current offering on Newsline, change the speech, pause, and get spellings.

Rather than debate further with Barry I suggested a demonstration. Going to three-way calling I dialed Newsline and brought Barry back on the line. I signed in and chose the New York Times current day’s edition. From the metropolitan desk we heard a few lines of the first article, then skipped to the next and next before I paused it. Barry was astonished.

Barry and I discussed the kind of funding we needed to get the Times Union on Newsline. Though NADA is nonprofit Barry felt they could pledge $1000. He would also do mailings to get people signed up and alert potential sponsors.

I contacted the mayor to inform him that NADA is impressed and is offering assistance with money-raising. It’s been several months now and I don’t think he ever plans to return my call. But we have made some progress without “His Honor.”

Some of our subscribers are in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) which embraces many different companies. After a quick demonstration of Newsline for the Sales Manager of our local Coca-Cola distributor he wanted to know if he could sign up and use his speakerphone while driving to work. I had to that as long as he could drive he didn’t qualify. Just the same, Coke pledged $.25 per case of their products sold to BEP facilities in the fourth quarter of 2002. The end result should net us about $1000. Pepsi Cola heard what Coke was doing and promised they would contribute also.

So far we have collected several hundred dollars in cash donations and several thousand more in pledges. And our effort continues. Without putting a date on it we’re confident the Times Union will be on Newsline in the very near future.

Getting The Word Out About Newsline
By Charlie Richardson

After writing the Mayor of Albany, NY about Newsline, Seeking funds to get the Albany Times Union on the Service, I called him on his weekly radio show. Though the funds might not be coming through the city, I did get to mention the National Federation of the Blind and Newsline on a radio show that is fairly popular in this area.

There have been some recently planned interviews but it almost seemed unlikely anyone would hear them. On the contrary, “Clearview,” the taped interview about Newsline and the work of the NFB of Albany that aired on November 3, 2002, in the wee hours of the morning, was heard by people I know who I didn’t tell about the broadcast. On that same day I was “live” on WGY’s morning show. Just prior to going on the air I heard the public service announcement (PSA) that Clear Channel Radio made for us about Newsline.

The FOX interview didn’t come easy as there is a fine line between being persistent and a pest. I felt they were truly interested and on November 4th Craig Hedgecock came by. He and I taped our discussions and Newsline demonstrations for later broadcasting. This segment was promoted for several days prior to it’s airing on November 11th.

Some of these events occur as one thing led to another. The PSA was created and read to me for my approval and then the person in charge of the PSA’s asked if I would be interested in a taped interview. I certainly wouldn’t turn that opportunity down. Our affiliate president, Carl Jacobsen, joined me doing two 13 minute segments which didn’t seem as intimidating as if I had done them myself. The Clearview program was recorded and I was later asked by the host of that show if I would be interested in a few minutes on WGY’s Joe Gallagher Show. Of course, I accepted.

Some of our radio stations and TV news haven’t approached yet or haven’t taken an interest in Newsline. We do have one tentative date after New Years to do another public affairs type program.

Social Security Disability Insurance Blind Persons'
SGA Guideline for Calendar Year 2003

The Social Security Administration has recently announced the earnings guideline for blind persons to be used in determining Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) during 2003. The SGA earnings guideline applies to eligibility decisions in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. It does not apply in any respect whatsoever to determinations of eligibility or payment amounts in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Beginning in January, 2003, average monthly earnings for a blind person which are less than $1,330 will not count as SGA. The comparable amount for 2002 is $1,300. The change in the SGA exempt amount for blind people is the result of an automatic adjustment required by law and made annually.

The SGA guideline for blind people is comparable to the Social Security earnings limit, which until January, 2000, applied to persons who retired at age 65. Although the SGA guideline for the blind has the practical effect of an earnings limit, it was not changed with the removal of the limit placed on seniors.

It is important to provide correct and complete information to blind people who may be affected by the annual changes in SGA. Therefore, broad circulation of this information is essential.

From the National Federation of the Blind website: www.nfb.org

Resolutions of The Convention of the NFB of New York

RESOLUTION 02-01
WHEREAS, the Randolph/Sheppard Program has been the most successful and profitable employment program conceived by the Federal government for blind people; and
WHEREAS, in 1992 the New York State Legislature enacted a law extending the priority for blind people to operate businesses on almost all state property; and
WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New York State was one of the leading proponents of this legislation; and
WHEREAS, since the enactment of this law we have seen little evidence of the success which such a law promised, and, in fact, in the past several years the number of facilities administered by the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) have decreased from the time when this law was enacted; and
WHEREAS, at a recent meeting of the membership of BEP, the members were told that there was little prospect for growth in the foreseeable future; and
WHEREAS, blind people continue to undergo training and seek to enter the program with the hope that they will be able to earn a fair income, pay their bills, raise their families and contribute to the larger society as full participants; and
WHEREAS, given the current state of the Business Enterprise Program, there exists the need for new and creative approaches to expand the opportunities which exist in our state; and
WHEREAS, programs in other states are experiencing growth and creating opportunities through work with the larger blind community; and
WHEREAS, the driving force and the organization which has been in the lead of this effort has been the National Association of Blind Merchants, a division of the National Federation of the Blind; and
WHEREAS, the Federation stands ready, both nationally and through its' affiliate, the National Federation of the Blind of New York State, to work with the Commission for the Blind in reversing this appalling down-sizing which has prevailed for several years; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of
New York State, in convention assembled this second day of
November, 2002, in the city of Albany, New York, that this organization call upon the Commission for the blind and visually handicapped to work in cooperation with the elected committee of blind vendors and the National Federation of the Blind of New York State to create real opportunity where little exists at present; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization also call upon the Commission to act with both speed and good faith in working with these two groups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization request Associate Commissioner Thomas Robertson to seek out the leadership of the Federation to actively participate with as together we strive to achieve a goal which has been delayed for a decade.

RESOLUTION 02-02
WHEREAS, since at least 1994, Maxi-aids has engaged in shoddy and illegal business practices, such as buying one-jewel watches from Hong Kong and selling them as seventeen-jewel Swiss watches, and buying Braille-writers made in South Africa intended for sale in developing countries at reduced prices, and illegally selling them in the United States for full U.S. prices, for which Perkins is currently suing them; and
WHEREAS, Maxi-aids has been found to have committed copyright infringement of the name Independent Living Aids (ILA), and ILA was awarded $2.4 million in damages; but Maxi-aids continues to try and pass itself off as ILA through affiliate companies on the Internet and in Internet search engines; and
WHEREAS, in 1999 the Veteran's Administration (VA) barred Maxi-aids and its principals from doing business with the VA because Maxi-aids misrepresented itself as a female-owned business, which it is not; and Maxi-aids then set up Able-Vision, a phony company, so it could continue doing business with the VA; Now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of
New York State, in convention assembled this second day of
November, 2002, in the city of Albany, New York, that we urge the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped to cease doing business with Maxi-aids and its principals.

WHEN IS THE BIG HAND ON THE POTATO?
By Linda Lazzaro-Smalley

A dinner plate seems to remind people of a clock’s face. People will often say to a blind person, “Your meat is at 6 o’clock, your potatoes are at 3 o’clock, and your veggies are at 9 o’clock.” When I am listening to descriptions of where things are on my plate, I am apt to think of a couple of wise remarks. Are the potatoes at 3:00 a.m. or at 3:00 p.m.? Is that Eastern Time or Daylight Savings Time, according to the plate?

Sometimes, I turn the plate so that everything is in a different direction.

I certainly don’t remember how I learned to distinguish one food from another. Surely, though, sight is not the only factor that will reveal the evidence on the plate. Of course, it’s very helpful to know what the choices of foods will be or even what’s on my plate. I don’t need or expect people to be so achingly precise about where everything is to be found on that vast biosphere called the dinner plate. Nature provides all of us with many different ways of discerning which are potatoes and which is meat.

I think, sometimes, people are so anxious to be helpful that their anxiety gets in the way of a friendly conversation or a little bit of humor shining through the occasion, whatever it happens to be. My hope is always to help people feel at ease and relaxed when they are in my company. I don’t mind answering questions about blindness. I can also take a joke since laughter is one of our strongest allies in helping us to connect. Blindness isn’t a problem to be solved or dealt with. Sometimes, help is just what the doctor ordered, but mostly it’s being at ease and comfortable with anyone with a disability. Along with whatever is on the plate, a good, big helping of humor helps fears go down. So, beware! If you’re ever in my company, humor is a big part of the menu.

A Profile: Scholarship Winner

Introduction
By Bob Barbara

At the New York State Commission for the Blind we believe that providing quality services to our consumers is vital to their success. This is especially true for our teen population. Our view is that the provision of services such as work experiences, integrated social programs, and independent travel enhance a blind individual's ability to become gainfully employed and increase independences an adult.

As a blind person and former consumer and current vocational/rehabilitation counselor, I can attest to the positive impact this can have on future success. As a teenager, through my parents support and the support of CBVH, I was able to find summer employment and work independently. After graduating with a BA from Canisius College and a MSW from Syracuse University I attended a training center for blind people in Louisiana. There I increased my confidence by improving my cane travel skills and use of Braille. This gave me the confidence to live and work in Virginia and South Carolina. I returned to Buffalo New York to assist my family and after working for several years as a social worker for the Erie County Health Department, I made the decision to work for the Commission for the Blind and give to other blind teenagers what I was given.

Ashley Gallagher is just one of these stories. She is interning at the Buffalo CBVH office as an office assistant while attending college. On November 2, 2003 the National Federation of the Blind of New York awarded her a scholarship. Her statements say it all. They demonstrate by example what quality transitional services to blind young adults will help to achieve.

My Profile
By Ashley Gallagher

To me blindness is nothing more than a mere nuisance.

In the year 2000, I graduated high school. I found employment as a hotel gift shop clerk. This job was a valuable learning experience for me. There I learned how to improve my communication skills with people. However, 0through this experience I realized that I was selling myself short. I wanted to go to college, but I believed that I couldn't succeed due to my blindness. I then made the decision to attend the Colorado Center for the Blind. I wanted to gain greater independence. I was taught cane travel, home management, computer, and Braille.

Upon returning from Colorado, I enrolled in Erie Community College. My plan is to obtain an Associates degree in General Studies at Erie Community College. From there I want to go on to obtain a Bachelors degree in Social work and ultimately, obtain a Masters of social work.

My goal is to work with orphan children who need families by either finding placement in a foster home, or arranging adoptions. I also plan to work with troubled teens by helping to build community supports.

Since I have been able to get past my disability, I have allowed myself to focus on pursuing my goals. I can only hope that other blind students take on the same attitude. I now believe Blindness is just one part of who I am and does not define me as a whole. I plan to educate those people who feel their lives are insignificant because they are blind. I will tell them my story and how I succeeded.

How to Contact Your State Officers

New York State Affiliate Office
800-356-7713

Carl Jacobsen, President
Linda Johnson, Newsline Coordinator
PO Box 09-0363
Brooklyn, NY 11209

Voice (718) 567-7821
fax (718) 765-1843
E-Mail: nysnfb@aol.com

Marie Kouthoofd, First Vice-President
191 Utica Street
Brockport, NY 14430

Phone: (585) 637-5367.
E-Mail: psalm93@aol.com

Craig Hedgecock, Second Vice-Pres.
Work 518-474-7669
E-Mail: vargo@capital.net

Julie Phillipson, Secretary
1426 Sheridan Drive
Kenmore, NY 14217

Phone: (716) 873-9582
E-Mail: jbrew@zcloud.net

Ray Wayne, Treasurer
7101 4th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11209-1662

Phone: (718) 491-0053
E-Mail: guybadd@concentric.net

A New York Dog Tale
By Linda Johnson

Since September 11, many benefits have taken place to raise money for the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks. Last summer, The American Kennel Club undertook a project to both recognize the efforts of and raise funds for the canine Search and Rescue organizations that worked tirelessly in the 9/11 aftermath.

Dozens of New York artists were chosen to paint and decorate statues of Search and Rescue Dogs to go on display outside firehouses, police stations, parks and plazas throughout New York City beginning in August 2002. The dogs remained on display through November at which time they were sold at auction, with proceeds going to volunteer and professional Search and Rescue Organizations throughout the United States.

One of the many artists involved in the project, Kristin Doney, wanted to make her dog sculpture extraordinary so she enlisted the National Federation of the Blind of New York State to help her with it. She painted tiny pictures of cartoon-like pups in party hats and blowing horns proclaiming “We love New York”, “God Bless America”, “Search and Rescue Dogs Rule!” and other uplifting phrases. But Kristin wanted to say it in every written language in the world – including Braille. So she consulted with our New York City Chapter about how the Braille should look, be spelled, etc.

By hammering brad nails into the body of the polyurethane dog model, Kristin was able to include 6 or 7 messages in Braille along with the many other languages. She even had a guide dog, who was at the Trade Center the day of the incident and survived, affix his paw print in paint on the base of the statue. The result was truly a work of art.

While it was on display at Engine Co. 76 in Manhattan, the New York Institute for Special Education brought a class of blind six and seven year olds to check out the “Braille Dog” and tour the firehouse. A real live Search and Rescue dog came too, meeting the children and showing off his authentic Police badge. It was a wonderful field trip for the children.

We thank Kristin for including us in this project -- helping to reinforce our message that “Braille is beautiful” and that blind folks are full participants in the mainstream of life in the Big Apple.

WHY YOU WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
By Vincent Tagliarino

The father of a young, blind, seventh grade student in one of the suburb’s public schools near Buffalo, NY has had trouble making the school’s authorities understand that his son is a normal child. This father, also blind, is very knowledgeable about the laws concerning blind students in the public schools of New York State. He knows his son’s equipment needs and the necessary utilization of qualified itinerant teachers for is son.

In this boy’s school it took months to provide an itinerant teacher. When the parents found out the teacher was, himself, still learning Braille, the teacher was dismissed. A second teacher was found and dismissed for the same reason. In the meantime the parents released a Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired counselor for lack of cooperation in this matter. Because the parents were so overtly dissatisfied with everyone who was supposed to help their son, they developed a bad reputation with school officials.

The public school system told the parents their son has a mental disability and was causing disturbances in his classrooms. Likely, the boy is disruptive when he is bored for lack of materials to read and equipment to use.

To address the behavior problem, the school system wanted him placed in a BOCES program with other mentally challenged students. The parents resisted, declaring their son was not mentally disabled.

Finally, the parents decided to pull their son out of the public school and place him in a private catholic school. During the 2001-2002 school year, in classes with normally sighted children, the boy achieved an academic average of over 92 percent. This would not have happened without the help of his mother, who was determined to learn Braille herself. She printed books which she scanned and translated into Braille or took off computer disks.

For quite some time I have been in touch with these parents, advising them in any way I could. This past May, 2002, we decided the National Federation of the Blind should be contacted for help. My Buffalo chapter president agreed that the Federation could be of assistance, so I got busy. Through our New York State President, the wheels began to roll. Speaking with Barbara Cheadle in our Baltimore headquarters, I was referred to a sharp, young, blind, Federationist-Lawyer from New York City.

With the lawyer’s help a meeting was arranged in November with the interested parties. They boy, his parents, administrators from the public school system, the private Catholic school’s principal, myself, and the National Federation of the Blind lawyer were in attendance. There was much discussion of a school’s legal obligations to visually handicapped students.

The lawyer suggested, at meeting’s end, that the boy be evaluated at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore. It was agreed and arrangements were made for that to happen the following week.

When the family stayed overnight at the National Center they were most impressed with our beautiful facility and the cordial and helpful staff. They were duly thankful to NFB and me for the assistance given them.

As you can tell, this is an incomplete story. I will be providing updates on the boy’s progress in future issues.

Newsline for the Blind

Enclosed in this issue is an application for Newsline for the Blind, the touch-tone telephone based newspaper service for the visually impaired. If you are already a Newsline subscriber, Thank you and we hope your experiences with Newsline are pleasurable. If you are not a subscriber, what are you waiting for? On Newsline you will have access to dozens of newspapers such as the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and (our latest addition) The Buffalo News. With a simple call to our toll-free 800 number on your touch-tone phone you can access all of these, plus many more papers. The best part, It’s FREE! That’s right, FREE, Gratis, No Charge. If you are a visually impaired individual then you qualify. Just fill out the application and send it to the address at the bottom and you will be reading today’s newspaper soon! If you have any questions, ask your local chapter president or give us a call.

How to Contact Your Newsletter Staff
Mike Robinson, Editor
Gene Robinson, Asst. Editor
Margo Downey, Article Solicitations
Julie Phillipson, Coordinator
Charlie Richardson, Webmaster

To submit articles
By E-mail: buffnfb@buffalo.com
By snail mail: 149 Syracuse Street
Tonawanda, New York 14150
By Phone: (716) 695-6386

The next deadline for articles will be April 15, 2003.
We will accept articles in print, on tape, in Braille, via email, as a computer file, or by phone. Please be sure to include contact information in case we have any questions.

Scholarship Applications Available

National Federation of the Blind 2003 Scholarship applications are available now. Contact your local chapter or state affiliate and we will send one to you. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2003

March on Albany
February 23 - 25
Albany Quality Inn
Watervalet Ave,
Albany, New York

National Convention
July 4 - 8
Louisville, Kentucky

NYS Convention
November 7 - 9
Holiday Inn
Delaware Ave
Buffalo, New York

MY APPETITE IS MY SHEPHERD

My appetite is my shepherd, I always want.
It maketh me sit down and stuffeth myself.
It leadeth me to my bowl repeatedly.
Sometimes to the table and trash can too.
It leadeth me in the path of Petsmart for a treat.
It destroyeth my shape.
Yea, though I knoweth I gaineth, I will not stop eating,
For the food tasteth so good.
The ice cream and the pizza, they comfort me.
When the table is spread before me, it exciteth me.
For I knoweth that when backs are turned, I soon shall dig in.
As I filleth my belly continuously,
My harness runneth smaller.
Surely bulges and pudgies shall follow me
All the days of my life.
And I shall be pleasingly plump forever.
LET'S EAT!

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.

NFB-NEWSLINE®
APPLICATION/REGISTRATION

P.O. Box 09-0363 Brooklyn, New York 11209

NAME: Last: ______________________ First: ____________________ MI:_______
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________
CITY: _______________________ STATE: ______________ ZIP: _______________
HOME PHONE: ( ) _____________ WORK PHONE: ( ) _______________
EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________

I am registered with a state or private vocational rehabilitation agency
for the blind. [ ] Yes [ ] No

If yes, please give name:_____________________________________________

I am enrolled in a public school special education program for the blind
or state residential school for the blind. [ ] Yes [ ]No

  If yes, please specify:_______________________________________________

I am registered with a cooperating regional library under the program of
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,
Library of Congress.   [ ] Yes     [ ] No

  If yes, please specify: _______________________________________________

If you answered no to all the above questions, you must include with this application a letter from one of the following certifying that you are blind.
              [ ] Your doctor
              [ ] Social Security Award letter
              [ ] President of a local chapter or state affiliate of the
                  National Federation of the Blind

I certify that I am blind or visually impaired and unable to read a printed newspaper.

SIGNATURE: ____________________________________DATE: _______________

ID# ___________SEC# _________________ DATE NUMBERS GIVEN__________

PLEASE SEND THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE ADDRESS ABOVE

Jump to content	Registration for the NFB of New York Convention is available. CLICK HERE to register. To apply for the NFB of New York State's scholarship, CLICK HERE to apply..
Help us continue our work to change what it means to be blind and to provide a better future for our blind children and all blind people.	Newsletter, Spring 2003 Chapter Happenings Buffalo Chapter Mike Robinson, President 149 Syracuse St., Tonawanda, 14150 Phone: (716) 695-6386 E-mail: buffnfb@buffalo.com Much has been happening with the Buffalo Chapter since we last were together at the State convention. We have been working with a local school district to get a blind 7th grader the equipment and materials he needs. There is an article in this issue by Vince Tagliarino with many of the details. We had our annual Holiday Party on December 16th. A great time has had by all. We had a nice dinner, Christmas caroling, and a Chinese auction. On the down side, one of our members, Doug Meyer, had bypass surgery just before Christmas but is recuperating well. As 2003 begins we set our sights on the coming year. The big project will be the State Convention, to be held the weekend of November 7 - 9 at the Holiday Inn, Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, NY. We have plans to make this convention extra-special. Among the events planned are a tour of Niagara Falls on Friday before the convention begins and also taking a group to a Buffalo Bills game if they are playing at home on Sunday. More details about these events will be announced in future Chapter happenings. On behalf or the Robinson Family and the Buffalo Chapter I would like to wish everyone the best for the New Year. See you in February in Albany Capitol District Charlie Richardson, President E-mail: charlieofalbany@hotmail.com Greater Long Island Chapter David Stayer, President E-mail: d.stayer@worldnet.att.net After a sixteen year engagement, Robert Munz and Louise Carpentiere have set the date to marry this coming June. Some of you may remember Bob as the man who went from earning seven cents an hour in a sheltered shop to earning ten dollars plus per hour in competitive employment. Along the way, both he and Louise spent approximately nine months at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Bob credits NFB for giving him the confidence he needed to get the job he now holds. Now if only the Social Security earning limits for the blind were raised, Bob could work full time! On a more serious note, Trish Hubschman, who is both deaf and blind, went for a Cochlear implant. The operation failed, and it was subsequently noted that the doctor had never done the operation before, had no idea what he was doing, and still billed the insurance company for $60,000. The insurance company quite properly questioned this bill. Let's hope Trish doesn't have to pay it. The Greater Long Island chapter is losing its meeting place after December's holiday party as the Merrick Library plans to replace its building with a much needed larger library. In the meantime, they plan to shift their administration offices to the Library Wing, where we meet, which will eliminate the availability of our meeting room. We will be meeting in private homes for the duration--about sixteen months--unless we can find another meeting room. The trial of Maxi Aids will resume December 17th on Long Island. Several of our members will be monitoring it. Brad Greenspan reports that Mr. Zaretsky of Maxi Aids seems totally oblivious to the fact his actions have been illegal. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Lori Stayer Recording Secretary Mid-Hudson Chapter Randy Horowitz, President E-mail: sufan@optonline.net New York City Chapter Carl Jacobsen, President Phone: (718) 251-4602 E-mail: nfbnys@aol.com Niagara Falls Chapter Laura Herman, President 637 25th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301 Phone: (716) 285-7128 Southern Tier Chapter Elaine Rink, President 5 Alpine Rd. Binghamton, NY 13903 Phone: (617) 722-8541 E-mail: erink@mail.nysed.gov Syracuse Chapter Lucy Cox, President 753 James Street, Apt 210, Syracuse, NY 13203 E-mail: bryhn@mindspring.com All I Want For Christmas is NO MORE NAC! By Charlie Richardson Nearly 300 Federationist showed up at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Tampa Florida on December 12, 2002 to picket NAC, the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired. Maryann Gilliard and myself represented New York State and walked the line and got the attention of the public and media where NAC was holding it’s annual meeting. Why picket NAC? Some of the more recent answers can be found in the May 2002 Braille Monitor in articles named, “NAC at the Same Old Stand” and “Another Take on the September 10 Meeting with NAC”. More of NAC’s history can be found by visiting our national website at WWW.NFB.ORG. Right from its beginning NAC’s accreditation has never meant very much to the blind services and NAC at its best has only accredited about 20% of agencies serving the blind. Currently NAC accredits less than 10%. This is obviously not because only 10% of agencies that serve the blind are worthy, but those agencies just haven’t had the wake up call that NAC’s accreditation means nothing. According to the observers in NAC’s meeting, NAC spent a good amount of time making comment on the protesters on the street. They had thought to have some of their representatives meet with a few of us, but it was said to NAC that there is no question of what the NFB wants and that is for NAC to be gone. Even when others in NAC’s meeting have questioned the existence of NAC, the answer is to ignore the fact and say that they have a consensus to continue. The NFB doesn’t think that accreditation is bad, but the way that NAC handles it is. We would probably be better off with no accreditation than having accreditation that means nothing. We met on the evening of the 12th and learned some NAC songs and had read the press release and flyers that would be handed out. Santa Claus visited our meeting and handed out buttons that read, “All I want for Christmas is No More NAC”. Most of us that arrived in the evening left the meeting and had dinner and got ready for the next day. Tampa was having its second wettest December on record and the morning of the 13th was no exception. We were being handed ponchos and lined up against the walls at each entrance of the hotel to wait out the rain. We had to disassemble as the hotel didn’t mind us protesting outside, but couldn’t stand in the entrances. An hour later the rain was lighter and most of us were willing to go out in it and the picket started. We must have chased the rain away with our enthusiasm, because it wasn’t too long before the rain completely stopped. The puddles on the sidewalk either dried up or were marched away. Plenty of passersby blew their horns in support. Newspaper reporters took names and pictures and overhead TV news filmed us from helicopters. It was all worth the 9 plus hours we were on the street. Later Friday evening we gathered again to talk about the day and have a report from our observers from the NAC meeting, Harold Snyder and Dick Davis. Jim Gashel had reminded us of how we rehearse weddings and other occasions, but no one really wants to rehearse a funeral. Well, we did. The undertaker, Kevan Worley presided over the precession and Peggy Elliot gave the eulogy. The media attention wasn’t as strong the second day, but the flyers were continuing to be handed out in numbers exceeding 3000. I had breakfast with a guest that was just staying in the hotel overnight and had asked me what was going on and once she had a bit of history of NAC she was appalled that such a thing could be going on in this day and age. She also asked about the NFB and applauded our efforts. She said that she could hear us when she was in her room on the 6th floor. We wound down in the early afternoon and spent some time with our NFB family from around the country before heading out to go back home knowing that NAC might not be dead, but has one more nail in it’s coffin. For more on this NAC Tracking event, see upcoming Braille Monitor issues. New York’s Two Thousand Two State Convention By Chris Minkler This year’s New York State Convention was held in Albany, New York. I arrived early Friday afternoon. My roommate was Vinny Tagliarino, vice-president of the Buffalo Chapter. Vinny is a long-time member of the National Federation of the Blind. There were four scholarship recipients present this year. Ashley Gallagher, one of those recipients, was among the ten member Buffalo delegation. One important issue discussed this year was textbook accessibility for blind students. One blind student’s mother expressed her frustration with the current system. A father emotionally thanked NFB for its support. Kevin Worley was this year’s representative from the national office. He is president of the Vendor’s division and vice-president of the Colorado affiliate. Kevin’s banquet speech, about his journey through life and what the Federation meant to him, was terrific. He also discussed the National Accreditation Council (NAC) and the upcoming campaign against it in Tampa, Florida. A member of the Buffalo chapter told of her experiences in past anti-NAC campaigns. I enjoyed the discussion on high-partial blindness. Mike Robinson, Marie Kouthoofd, and Gary Grassman spoke of their experiences and their thoughts, living as high-partials. With them there is a wide range of vision problems. I believe these legally blind/partially-sighted individuals are all too often misunderstood by the public. The NFB should focus more on this topic. Having attended several state and two national conventions, I realize what the three main objectives of any convention should be: 1) To Inspire, 2) To Inform, 3) to raise funds for further progress of the organization. New York’s convention successfully accomplished all three this year. Congratulations to Charlie Richardson, Carl Jacobsen, and the Capitol District chapter on a fine convention. I’m looking forward to next year’s convention in Buffalo A Waste of Thirty Thousand Dollars By Charlie Richardson Some of the best success stories occur without planning. Craig Hedgecock, the Albany Chapter’s vice president and I, at our April 2002 meeting, related that we knew there was a push to get audible pedestrian signals (ASP’s) installed in our city. We assumed it would never happen so we pretty much ignored that rumor. But I was rudely awakened after doing my banking some days later. Waiting to catch a bus home I heard “Coo, Coo, Coo, Coo.” The ten minutes that followed were confusing and surreal. There was more cooing and some tweet, tweet, tweeting. This couldn’t be happening -- canned bird calls amid the noise of city traffic? A woman questioned, “What is that noise?” and was shushed by a friend who told her it was a signal for blind people crossing the street. I felt like all eyes were on me and I didn’t want to be there. Despite what people might think, those sounds were not for me. Angered, Craig and I called the mayor of Albany on his next weekly radio program. He thought we called to thank him for installing the APS. On the contrary, Craig explained that this is not the solution to our blind population’s bigger concern; that of gaining better mobility skills. Besides it humiliates us. Assuring the safely of even one blind person would make the APS worthwhile to him, the mayor said “at the cost of my dignity?”, I growled. The mayor promised to look into our concerns and asked us to call him at a later date. He really meant we should get off the radio and leave him alone. In the next few weeks none of my calls to his office were returned. When we called his next radio program he was prepared with statements from the State Department of Transportation which revealed that these ASP’s are used in other cities successfully. He suggested we work with the organization that requested these signals and cooperate with his traffic safety people. The Albany Times Union wrote an article about our first confrontational call with the mayor without requesting our input. They did use comments from the Director of the local Blind agency and the president of the requesting organization. Meanwhile, Dan Bazile of Fox News wanted to talk with me about our view that the ASP’s are a waste of money. With some reluctance, because we could be made to look foolish resisting a well-intentioned project for the blind, I finally agreed to appear on his “you paid for it” program. That video presentation exaggerated the noise level of the ASP and the cameras recorded some blind folks negotiating the intersection with some difficulty. My comments were interjected as it went along. Another blind player, an obvious proponent of the device, commented “The signals give you information in a way, in a format that you can understand.” He could have been talking about a computer, a Braille reader, or any number of devices. There was no focus on enhancing the mobility skills of visually-handicapped individually in this presentation. Finally, a meeting with the commander of Albany’s Police and Traffic Safety staff was held. The Commander was given Braille Monitor articles stating how important mobility is to the blind along with our background information on ASP’s. As an NFB representative I didn’t fail to distribute a few Kernel Books to show how blind people live normally. There has been no official reply as to whether Albany will maintain and expand the APS program. With all the controversy, it is doubtful. BLINDNESS: A DISCOVERY FOR MY CHILDREN By Linda Lazzaro-Smalley Let me share some funny stories about my children and their acceptance of Blindness. It’s important to know that both kids are legally blind with only limited sight. Waiting to bring my daughter into the world I needed eye surgery and artificial eyes made. My children are fully aware of my condition and my use of prosthetic eyes. This leads me to relate my tale of the bus stop. Well, one day we were waiting for a bus with our then 3-year-old son, Sterling, and his 4 month old sister, Maura. As I wiped my left eye with a Kleenex the prosthetic fell out and hit the ground. Sterling very happily picked it up and, giggling, said to me, “Here is your eye, Mommy.” People at the bus stop were rather aghast, maybe horrified, but Sterling had no problem with it. Kids are so joyfully accepting. When Maura was age 3 or 4 we attended a family Christmas party. Each family had to bring gifts for Santa to present to their children. Naturally, we wrapped and contributed gifts for our two. Well, Santa boomed out the name “Maura Smalley!” and Maura excitedly scampered up to receive her present. As she eagerly unwrapped her gift, she exclaimed, “Mommy, Mommy, Santa Claus wraps presents upside down just like you do.” (I have never considered that Christmas wrapping paper has a plain white side and the outer decorated side. Apparently I had wrapped her gift “inside out” or, as Maura says, “upside down.”) It was amusing to her but she wasn’t sad or disappointed. Then and there I felt her unconditional acceptance. It’s funny that when Sterling was born, a nurse was quick to point out what a big help he would be to his blind parents. My husband jokingly said that Sterling was expected to cut the grass as soon as we brought him home from the hospital. Our kids have been a great help in ways I cannot express. Essential to our well-being has been their loving concern and caring. We have come through the good and bad times — the happiness and the hurts with a sense of humor and knowing our children understand and can deal with blindness. Albany Times Union Will Be On Newsline By Charlie Richardson March 1, 2002, NFB’s Newsline went to a toll-free, centralized system. It was a banner headline day for blind people everywhere. Now Newsline will be available to every visually impaired person in the country and they can access every newspaper in the system free. Prior to March 1st, local Newsline servers were set up with only 3 newspapers, on average. If your area didn’t have a server it cost you a long distance toll call and you were reading an out of town or out of state newspaper. Now that Newsline is centralized over 90 newspapers are available nationwide. Just about everyone in my Capitol District chapter was signed up in anticipation of this upgraded service. They have been richly rewarded for their patience but anxious for more local news on Newsline. We wanted the Albany Times Union in the system. I contacted the newspaper and discussed Newsline with them. The good news was the Times Union was willing. The bad news? Our chapter would have to secure the funds for it to happen. It would take more money than the chapter ever dreamed of raising. I went to the mayor of Albany. He suggested I get a newspaper from the internet. He presumes that everyone, if they have equipment, is comfortable with a screen reader and websites that constantly change. Out short-sighted mayor failed to consider that in the large population of over age 55 blind people only 6 percent use computers. The telephone is much more familiar to most of those people. The mayor inquired whether the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA) supports Newsline. I promised him I’d find out. In a phone conversation with Barry Berberich, Director of NABA, “Rise Radio” was discussed and compared to Newsline. “Rise” already has the Times Union on but, it is scheduled only at certain times and not all day long. Newsline is interactive and available 24 hours a day. With “Rise” you must listen to whatever is scheduled at the time you turn the closed circuit radio on. You can skip any current offering on Newsline, change the speech, pause, and get spellings. Rather than debate further with Barry I suggested a demonstration. Going to three-way calling I dialed Newsline and brought Barry back on the line. I signed in and chose the New York Times current day’s edition. From the metropolitan desk we heard a few lines of the first article, then skipped to the next and next before I paused it. Barry was astonished. Barry and I discussed the kind of funding we needed to get the Times Union on Newsline. Though NADA is nonprofit Barry felt they could pledge $1000. He would also do mailings to get people signed up and alert potential sponsors. I contacted the mayor to inform him that NADA is impressed and is offering assistance with money-raising. It’s been several months now and I don’t think he ever plans to return my call. But we have made some progress without “His Honor.” Some of our subscribers are in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) which embraces many different companies. After a quick demonstration of Newsline for the Sales Manager of our local Coca-Cola distributor he wanted to know if he could sign up and use his speakerphone while driving to work. I had to that as long as he could drive he didn’t qualify. Just the same, Coke pledged $.25 per case of their products sold to BEP facilities in the fourth quarter of 2002. The end result should net us about $1000. Pepsi Cola heard what Coke was doing and promised they would contribute also. So far we have collected several hundred dollars in cash donations and several thousand more in pledges. And our effort continues. Without putting a date on it we’re confident the Times Union will be on Newsline in the very near future. Getting The Word Out About Newsline By Charlie Richardson After writing the Mayor of Albany, NY about Newsline, Seeking funds to get the Albany Times Union on the Service, I called him on his weekly radio show. Though the funds might not be coming through the city, I did get to mention the National Federation of the Blind and Newsline on a radio show that is fairly popular in this area. There have been some recently planned interviews but it almost seemed unlikely anyone would hear them. On the contrary, “Clearview,” the taped interview about Newsline and the work of the NFB of Albany that aired on November 3, 2002, in the wee hours of the morning, was heard by people I know who I didn’t tell about the broadcast. On that same day I was “live” on WGY’s morning show. Just prior to going on the air I heard the public service announcement (PSA) that Clear Channel Radio made for us about Newsline. The FOX interview didn’t come easy as there is a fine line between being persistent and a pest. I felt they were truly interested and on November 4th Craig Hedgecock came by. He and I taped our discussions and Newsline demonstrations for later broadcasting. This segment was promoted for several days prior to it’s airing on November 11th. Some of these events occur as one thing led to another. The PSA was created and read to me for my approval and then the person in charge of the PSA’s asked if I would be interested in a taped interview. I certainly wouldn’t turn that opportunity down. Our affiliate president, Carl Jacobsen, joined me doing two 13 minute segments which didn’t seem as intimidating as if I had done them myself. The Clearview program was recorded and I was later asked by the host of that show if I would be interested in a few minutes on WGY’s Joe Gallagher Show. Of course, I accepted. Some of our radio stations and TV news haven’t approached yet or haven’t taken an interest in Newsline. We do have one tentative date after New Years to do another public affairs type program. Social Security Disability Insurance Blind Persons' SGA Guideline for Calendar Year 2003 The Social Security Administration has recently announced the earnings guideline for blind persons to be used in determining Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) during 2003. The SGA earnings guideline applies to eligibility decisions in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. It does not apply in any respect whatsoever to determinations of eligibility or payment amounts in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Beginning in January, 2003, average monthly earnings for a blind person which are less than $1,330 will not count as SGA. The comparable amount for 2002 is $1,300. The change in the SGA exempt amount for blind people is the result of an automatic adjustment required by law and made annually. The SGA guideline for blind people is comparable to the Social Security earnings limit, which until January, 2000, applied to persons who retired at age 65. Although the SGA guideline for the blind has the practical effect of an earnings limit, it was not changed with the removal of the limit placed on seniors. It is important to provide correct and complete information to blind people who may be affected by the annual changes in SGA. Therefore, broad circulation of this information is essential. From the National Federation of the Blind website: www.nfb.org Resolutions of The Convention of the NFB of New York RESOLUTION 02-01 WHEREAS, the Randolph/Sheppard Program has been the most successful and profitable employment program conceived by the Federal government for blind people; and WHEREAS, in 1992 the New York State Legislature enacted a law extending the priority for blind people to operate businesses on almost all state property; and WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New York State was one of the leading proponents of this legislation; and WHEREAS, since the enactment of this law we have seen little evidence of the success which such a law promised, and, in fact, in the past several years the number of facilities administered by the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) have decreased from the time when this law was enacted; and WHEREAS, at a recent meeting of the membership of BEP, the members were told that there was little prospect for growth in the foreseeable future; and WHEREAS, blind people continue to undergo training and seek to enter the program with the hope that they will be able to earn a fair income, pay their bills, raise their families and contribute to the larger society as full participants; and WHEREAS, given the current state of the Business Enterprise Program, there exists the need for new and creative approaches to expand the opportunities which exist in our state; and WHEREAS, programs in other states are experiencing growth and creating opportunities through work with the larger blind community; and WHEREAS, the driving force and the organization which has been in the lead of this effort has been the National Association of Blind Merchants, a division of the National Federation of the Blind; and WHEREAS, the Federation stands ready, both nationally and through its' affiliate, the National Federation of the Blind of New York State, to work with the Commission for the Blind in reversing this appalling down-sizing which has prevailed for several years; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New York State, in convention assembled this second day of November, 2002, in the city of Albany, New York, that this organization call upon the Commission for the blind and visually handicapped to work in cooperation with the elected committee of blind vendors and the National Federation of the Blind of New York State to create real opportunity where little exists at present; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization also call upon the Commission to act with both speed and good faith in working with these two groups; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization request Associate Commissioner Thomas Robertson to seek out the leadership of the Federation to actively participate with as together we strive to achieve a goal which has been delayed for a decade. RESOLUTION 02-02 WHEREAS, since at least 1994, Maxi-aids has engaged in shoddy and illegal business practices, such as buying one-jewel watches from Hong Kong and selling them as seventeen-jewel Swiss watches, and buying Braille-writers made in South Africa intended for sale in developing countries at reduced prices, and illegally selling them in the United States for full U.S. prices, for which Perkins is currently suing them; and WHEREAS, Maxi-aids has been found to have committed copyright infringement of the name Independent Living Aids (ILA), and ILA was awarded $2.4 million in damages; but Maxi-aids continues to try and pass itself off as ILA through affiliate companies on the Internet and in Internet search engines; and WHEREAS, in 1999 the Veteran's Administration (VA) barred Maxi-aids and its principals from doing business with the VA because Maxi-aids misrepresented itself as a female-owned business, which it is not; and Maxi-aids then set up Able-Vision, a phony company, so it could continue doing business with the VA; Now therefore BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New York State, in convention assembled this second day of November, 2002, in the city of Albany, New York, that we urge the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped to cease doing business with Maxi-aids and its principals. WHEN IS THE BIG HAND ON THE POTATO? By Linda Lazzaro-Smalley A dinner plate seems to remind people of a clock’s face. People will often say to a blind person, “Your meat is at 6 o’clock, your potatoes are at 3 o’clock, and your veggies are at 9 o’clock.” When I am listening to descriptions of where things are on my plate, I am apt to think of a couple of wise remarks. Are the potatoes at 3:00 a.m. or at 3:00 p.m.? Is that Eastern Time or Daylight Savings Time, according to the plate? Sometimes, I turn the plate so that everything is in a different direction. I certainly don’t remember how I learned to distinguish one food from another. Surely, though, sight is not the only factor that will reveal the evidence on the plate. Of course, it’s very helpful to know what the choices of foods will be or even what’s on my plate. I don’t need or expect people to be so achingly precise about where everything is to be found on that vast biosphere called the dinner plate. Nature provides all of us with many different ways of discerning which are potatoes and which is meat. I think, sometimes, people are so anxious to be helpful that their anxiety gets in the way of a friendly conversation or a little bit of humor shining through the occasion, whatever it happens to be. My hope is always to help people feel at ease and relaxed when they are in my company. I don’t mind answering questions about blindness. I can also take a joke since laughter is one of our strongest allies in helping us to connect. Blindness isn’t a problem to be solved or dealt with. Sometimes, help is just what the doctor ordered, but mostly it’s being at ease and comfortable with anyone with a disability. Along with whatever is on the plate, a good, big helping of humor helps fears go down. So, beware! If you’re ever in my company, humor is a big part of the menu. A Profile: Scholarship Winner Introduction By Bob Barbara At the New York State Commission for the Blind we believe that providing quality services to our consumers is vital to their success. This is especially true for our teen population. Our view is that the provision of services such as work experiences, integrated social programs, and independent travel enhance a blind individual's ability to become gainfully employed and increase independences an adult. As a blind person and former consumer and current vocational/rehabilitation counselor, I can attest to the positive impact this can have on future success. As a teenager, through my parents support and the support of CBVH, I was able to find summer employment and work independently. After graduating with a BA from Canisius College and a MSW from Syracuse University I attended a training center for blind people in Louisiana. There I increased my confidence by improving my cane travel skills and use of Braille. This gave me the confidence to live and work in Virginia and South Carolina. I returned to Buffalo New York to assist my family and after working for several years as a social worker for the Erie County Health Department, I made the decision to work for the Commission for the Blind and give to other blind teenagers what I was given. Ashley Gallagher is just one of these stories. She is interning at the Buffalo CBVH office as an office assistant while attending college. On November 2, 2003 the National Federation of the Blind of New York awarded her a scholarship. Her statements say it all. They demonstrate by example what quality transitional services to blind young adults will help to achieve. My Profile By Ashley Gallagher To me blindness is nothing more than a mere nuisance. In the year 2000, I graduated high school. I found employment as a hotel gift shop clerk. This job was a valuable learning experience for me. There I learned how to improve my communication skills with people. However, 0through this experience I realized that I was selling myself short. I wanted to go to college, but I believed that I couldn't succeed due to my blindness. I then made the decision to attend the Colorado Center for the Blind. I wanted to gain greater independence. I was taught cane travel, home management, computer, and Braille. Upon returning from Colorado, I enrolled in Erie Community College. My plan is to obtain an Associates degree in General Studies at Erie Community College. From there I want to go on to obtain a Bachelors degree in Social work and ultimately, obtain a Masters of social work. My goal is to work with orphan children who need families by either finding placement in a foster home, or arranging adoptions. I also plan to work with troubled teens by helping to build community supports. Since I have been able to get past my disability, I have allowed myself to focus on pursuing my goals. I can only hope that other blind students take on the same attitude. I now believe Blindness is just one part of who I am and does not define me as a whole. I plan to educate those people who feel their lives are insignificant because they are blind. I will tell them my story and how I succeeded. How to Contact Your State Officers New York State Affiliate Office 800-356-7713 Carl Jacobsen, President Linda Johnson, Newsline Coordinator PO Box 09-0363 Brooklyn, NY 11209 Voice (718) 567-7821 fax (718) 765-1843 E-Mail: nysnfb@aol.com Marie Kouthoofd, First Vice-President 191 Utica Street Brockport, NY 14430 Phone: (585) 637-5367. E-Mail: psalm93@aol.com Craig Hedgecock, Second Vice-Pres. Work 518-474-7669 E-Mail: vargo@capital.net Julie Phillipson, Secretary 1426 Sheridan Drive Kenmore, NY 14217 Phone: (716) 873-9582 E-Mail: jbrew@zcloud.net Ray Wayne, Treasurer 7101 4th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11209-1662 Phone: (718) 491-0053 E-Mail: guybadd@concentric.net A New York Dog Tale By Linda Johnson Since September 11, many benefits have taken place to raise money for the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks. Last summer, The American Kennel Club undertook a project to both recognize the efforts of and raise funds for the canine Search and Rescue organizations that worked tirelessly in the 9/11 aftermath. Dozens of New York artists were chosen to paint and decorate statues of Search and Rescue Dogs to go on display outside firehouses, police stations, parks and plazas throughout New York City beginning in August 2002. The dogs remained on display through November at which time they were sold at auction, with proceeds going to volunteer and professional Search and Rescue Organizations throughout the United States. One of the many artists involved in the project, Kristin Doney, wanted to make her dog sculpture extraordinary so she enlisted the National Federation of the Blind of New York State to help her with it. She painted tiny pictures of cartoon-like pups in party hats and blowing horns proclaiming “We love New York”, “God Bless America”, “Search and Rescue Dogs Rule!” and other uplifting phrases. But Kristin wanted to say it in every written language in the world – including Braille. So she consulted with our New York City Chapter about how the Braille should look, be spelled, etc. By hammering brad nails into the body of the polyurethane dog model, Kristin was able to include 6 or 7 messages in Braille along with the many other languages. She even had a guide dog, who was at the Trade Center the day of the incident and survived, affix his paw print in paint on the base of the statue. The result was truly a work of art. While it was on display at Engine Co. 76 in Manhattan, the New York Institute for Special Education brought a class of blind six and seven year olds to check out the “Braille Dog” and tour the firehouse. A real live Search and Rescue dog came too, meeting the children and showing off his authentic Police badge. It was a wonderful field trip for the children. We thank Kristin for including us in this project -- helping to reinforce our message that “Braille is beautiful” and that blind folks are full participants in the mainstream of life in the Big Apple. WHY YOU WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND By Vincent Tagliarino The father of a young, blind, seventh grade student in one of the suburb’s public schools near Buffalo, NY has had trouble making the school’s authorities understand that his son is a normal child. This father, also blind, is very knowledgeable about the laws concerning blind students in the public schools of New York State. He knows his son’s equipment needs and the necessary utilization of qualified itinerant teachers for is son. In this boy’s school it took months to provide an itinerant teacher. When the parents found out the teacher was, himself, still learning Braille, the teacher was dismissed. A second teacher was found and dismissed for the same reason. In the meantime the parents released a Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired counselor for lack of cooperation in this matter. Because the parents were so overtly dissatisfied with everyone who was supposed to help their son, they developed a bad reputation with school officials. The public school system told the parents their son has a mental disability and was causing disturbances in his classrooms. Likely, the boy is disruptive when he is bored for lack of materials to read and equipment to use. To address the behavior problem, the school system wanted him placed in a BOCES program with other mentally challenged students. The parents resisted, declaring their son was not mentally disabled. Finally, the parents decided to pull their son out of the public school and place him in a private catholic school. During the 2001-2002 school year, in classes with normally sighted children, the boy achieved an academic average of over 92 percent. This would not have happened without the help of his mother, who was determined to learn Braille herself. She printed books which she scanned and translated into Braille or took off computer disks. For quite some time I have been in touch with these parents, advising them in any way I could. This past May, 2002, we decided the National Federation of the Blind should be contacted for help. My Buffalo chapter president agreed that the Federation could be of assistance, so I got busy. Through our New York State President, the wheels began to roll. Speaking with Barbara Cheadle in our Baltimore headquarters, I was referred to a sharp, young, blind, Federationist-Lawyer from New York City. With the lawyer’s help a meeting was arranged in November with the interested parties. They boy, his parents, administrators from the public school system, the private Catholic school’s principal, myself, and the National Federation of the Blind lawyer were in attendance. There was much discussion of a school’s legal obligations to visually handicapped students. The lawyer suggested, at meeting’s end, that the boy be evaluated at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore. It was agreed and arrangements were made for that to happen the following week. When the family stayed overnight at the National Center they were most impressed with our beautiful facility and the cordial and helpful staff. They were duly thankful to NFB and me for the assistance given them. As you can tell, this is an incomplete story. I will be providing updates on the boy’s progress in future issues. Newsline for the Blind Enclosed in this issue is an application for Newsline for the Blind, the touch-tone telephone based newspaper service for the visually impaired. If you are already a Newsline subscriber, Thank you and we hope your experiences with Newsline are pleasurable. If you are not a subscriber, what are you waiting for? On Newsline you will have access to dozens of newspapers such as the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and (our latest addition) The Buffalo News. With a simple call to our toll-free 800 number on your touch-tone phone you can access all of these, plus many more papers. The best part, It’s FREE! That’s right, FREE, Gratis, No Charge. If you are a visually impaired individual then you qualify. Just fill out the application and send it to the address at the bottom and you will be reading today’s newspaper soon! If you have any questions, ask your local chapter president or give us a call. Sign up now! How to Contact Your Newsletter Staff Mike Robinson, Editor Gene Robinson, Asst. Editor Margo Downey, Article Solicitations Julie Phillipson, Coordinator Charlie Richardson, Webmaster To submit articles By E-mail: buffnfb@buffalo.com By snail mail: 149 Syracuse Street Tonawanda, New York 14150 By Phone: (716) 695-6386 The next deadline for articles will be April 15, 2003. We will accept articles in print, on tape, in Braille, via email, as a computer file, or by phone. Please be sure to include contact information in case we have any questions. Scholarship Applications Available National Federation of the Blind 2003 Scholarship applications are available now. Contact your local chapter or state affiliate and we will send one to you. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2003 Coming Events March on Albany February 23 - 25 Albany Quality Inn Watervalet Ave, Albany, New York National Convention July 4 - 8 Louisville, Kentucky NYS Convention November 7 - 9 Holiday Inn Delaware Ave Buffalo, New York MY APPETITE IS MY SHEPHERD My appetite is my shepherd, I always want. It maketh me sit down and stuffeth myself. It leadeth me to my bowl repeatedly. Sometimes to the table and trash can too. It leadeth me in the path of Petsmart for a treat. It destroyeth my shape. Yea, though I knoweth I gaineth, I will not stop eating, For the food tasteth so good. The ice cream and the pizza, they comfort me. When the table is spread before me, it exciteth me. For I knoweth that when backs are turned, I soon shall dig in. As I filleth my belly continuously, My harness runneth smaller. Surely bulges and pudgies shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall be pleasingly plump forever. LET'S EAT! The NFB PLEDGE I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution. NFB-NEWSLINE® APPLICATION/REGISTRATION P.O. Box 09-0363 Brooklyn, New York 11209 NAME: Last: ______________________ First: ____________________ MI:_______ ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________ CITY: _______________________ STATE: ______________ ZIP: _______________ HOME PHONE: ( ) _____________ WORK PHONE: ( ) _______________ EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________ I am registered with a state or private vocational rehabilitation agency for the blind. [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please give name:_____________________________________________ I am enrolled in a public school special education program for the blind or state residential school for the blind. [ ] Yes [ ]No If yes, please specify:_______________________________________________ I am registered with a cooperating regional library under the program of The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please specify: _______________________________________________ If you answered no to all the above questions, you must include with this application a letter from one of the following certifying that you are blind. [ ] Your doctor [ ] Social Security Award letter [ ] President of a local chapter or state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind I certify that I am blind or visually impaired and unable to read a printed newspaper. SIGNATURE: ____________________________________DATE: _______________ OFFICE USE ONLY: ID# ___________SEC# _________________ DATE NUMBERS GIVEN__________ PLEASE SEND THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE ADDRESS ABOVE

Enter your name and email address to receive notification when the website is updated (full name and email address are both required) Name: Email: Web Page designed by Mike Robinson