National Federation of the Blind

Nebraska Affiliate

NEWS

FROM

BLIND

NEBRASKANS

1999 -- Issue 4

"NEWS FROM BLIND NEBRASKANS" is published on tape and in print by the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska. The NFB of Nebraska is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. Since 1940, the NFB has been leading the way toward security, equality, and opportunity for all blind people. We are the organized blind changing what it means to be blind in Nebraska.

Cheryl Livingston (402) 488-2509
e-mail to ckitty@inebraska.com

Hubert Paulson (402) 488-2317
e-mail to hubertp@iinebraska.com

To be added to our mailing list, contact Evelyn for the print version or Cheryl for the tape version. A donation of $5.00 annually is requested to defray the cost of the NFBN Newsletter. Make checks payable to NFBN, and send to Cheryl Livingston, NFBN Treasurer, 1026 South 35th, Lincoln, Neb 68510.

The board of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska consists of:

President - Mike Floyd
1st Vice President - Della Johnston
2nd Vice President - Shane Buresh
Secretary - Ryan Osentowski
Treasurer - Cheryl Livingston
Board Member - Bonnie Lund
Board Member - Nancy Oltman
Board Member - Carlos Servan
Board Member - Larry Lee
Board Member- Colleen Chandler
Board Member- Nichelle Ferreyra

Chapters and divisions within the Nebraska Affiliate are:

Buffalo Bill Chapter
Contact Colleen Chandler
(308) 532-5723

Grand Island Chapter-
Contact Ardyce Earl at
(308) 382-1673

Kearney Chapter-
Contact Jerry Schram at
(308) 236-8268

Lincoln Chapter-
Contact Nancy Coffman at
(402) 488-8610

Northeast Chapter-
Contact Clarence Widhelm at
(402) 379-0185

Omaha Chapter-
Contact Larry Lee at
(402) 556-6959

Panhandle Chapter-
Contact Howard Backous at
(308) 632-2506

Parents of Blind Children Division-
Contact Carol Strunk at
(402) 721-5914

Student Division-
Contact Mike Hansen at
(402) 475-1280

Politics and Rehabilitation; Serving the Customer, Serving the Agency Serving the Public by Fredric K. Schroeder, PH. D.
Separate Agency for the Blind: Best Practice for Success By James H. Omvig
Convention Highlights 1999 by Cheryl Livingston
1999 Convention Resolutions
Of Visions and Vultures Revisited; Why I Am a Federationist by Cheryl Livingston
Fueling the Fire by Barbara Walker
Lighting the Flame by Ryan Osentowski
Nebraska Orientation Center for the Blind Celebrates its 25th Anniversary By Fatos Floyd
Meet a New Chapter President
Chapter Reports
News Favoring Brief Notes

Return to: State Page | Blind Nebraskan

From the Editor: The National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska has for the past several years worked hard to get legislation passed to create a separate Commission for the Blind to provide rehabilitation services. The following two articles address the issue of separate agencies for the blind. The first is by Dr. Fred Schroeder, the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The second is by Jim Omvig, a man with several years of experience working in the rehabilitation field. Here are the articles.

POLITICS AND REHABILITATION: SERVING THE CUSTOMER, SERVING THE AGENCY, SERVING THE PUBLIC

By Fredric K. Schroeder, PhD
July 5, 1999

I am concerned that consolidation of employment programs, with its corresponding de-emphasis of specialization, is responsible for an increase in the number of proposals in various states to eliminate separate agencies for the blind. These proposals are not based on data, not based on experience, but, rather, they are based on the assumption that consolidation automatically breeds efficiency.

Yet, national data support what we have known intuitively--blind people have unique needs that are best addressed by specialized services provided through separate agencies for the blind. A study concerning the efficacy of separate programs for the blind is about to be published by Cavanaugh, Giesen and Pierce at Mississippi State University. Based on an analysis of Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) national data, for fiscal year (FY) 1989 they found that when compared to the more generic combined state rehabilitation agencies, separate agencies for the blind served people who are more socially and economically disadvantaged, have more severe visual impairments, and, have more secondary disabilities. Of all visually impaired individuals, separate agencies for the blind accept a larger percentage of legally blind people, 52 percent versus 42 percent in combined agencies. Separate agencies for the blind provide more comprehensive services, that is, more services to people with the most severe visual impairments and, separate agencies for the blind invest, on average, 61 percent more money in training and other services, $3,597 versus $2,241 in combined agencies. With such a strikingly greater investment, it is not surprising that separate agencies for the blind have a higher "rehabilitation rate," that is, they are successful with a higher percentage of people who are accepted for and receive rehabilitation services. And, contrary to the commonly help belief, separate agencies close a lower percentage of legally blind people as homemakers, and perhaps most significant, people served by separate agencies for the blind are nearly twice as likely to be self-supporting at closure.

The finding of better wages is supported by a more recent analysis by Cavanaugh on FY 1996 data, which concluded that the competitive employment rate of legally blind clients was significantly higher in separate agencies for the blind. These findings and other studies argue for a policy of continued support; in fact, a policy of increased support for separate agencies for the blind. Yet, proposals to consolidate programs for the blind with generic services continue.

What then to do? In recent times, the word politics has become pejorative, at best, virtually synonymous with partisan bickering, posturing, and gridlock. Yet, politics is nothing more than the process by which people express their collective views and seek to create change according to those views. Of course, there has been a long history of blind people supporting separate agencies for the blind, and, when I speak of support, I am speaking of political support, and, of course, blind people are no strangers to political action. Political support is absolutely essential for agencies for the blind to withstand all manner of challenges--threats to funding, threats to staffing levels, and threats to the separate identity of the agency. But, how is political support gained and maintained? How do agencies for the blind win the confidence and trust and most important, the loyalty of blind people in the state? In my view, the answer is quite straightforward; it is by believing in blind people and by recognizing that the blind of the state must have a real voice in shaping the programs and services of the agency--a partnership resulting in good jobs with good wages and with good upward mobility potential--good jobs, not simply the most readily available jobs.

But, everyone believes in good jobs, so what are good jobs and how do blind people prepare for and obtain high quality employment? Blind people must receive good orientation training. Good orientation training is the foundation of effective rehabilitation. It gives blind people the skills and the confidence to pursue a particular occupation or field. Once a blind person has good orientation training, he or she is ready to plan for the future--a challenging job, an interesting job, a job with upward mobility potential. As you know, I strongly believe in the power of education as a way for blind people to lift themselves out of poverty. Of course, not all good jobs require a college education and not all blind people want or need college degrees, but, for those who have the interest and aptitude, a college education is a powerful way of improving their economic status. Karier (1998) in a study entitled "Welfare Graduates: College and Financial Independence" compared what happens to people with four year degrees, two year degrees, high school degrees, and no degree. There are three pieces of information for each of the four categories: 1) average annual wages, 2) percent in poverty, and 3) unemployment rate. Beginning with earnings, the data show that people with four-year degrees have average annual wages of $37,224. People with two-year degrees have average wages of $26,363. Those with high school diplomas have average wages of $20,248. And, finally, people who lack high school diplomas have average wages of $13,697. Look at the range. Those with no degree earn $13,697, and those with four-year degrees earn $37,224, nearly three times as much. Now look at poverty. One and one half percent of people with four-year degrees are in poverty. For people with two-year degrees, 3.3 percent are in poverty. For those with high school diplomas, 6.1 percent are in poverty. Finally, for people who lack high school diplomas, 17.2 percent are in poverty. Again, look at the range. No high school diploma, 17.2 percent in poverty compared to 1.5 percent of people with four- year degrees.

Unemployment also tracks with education. The unemployment rate is 2.8 percent for people with four-year degrees, 3.8 percent for people with two-year degrees, and 6.1 percent for people with high school diplomas. And, for people with no degree, the unemployment rate is 11.6 percent. What a striking difference. Those with no degree have an 11.6 percent unemployment rate while those with four-year degrees only have an unemployment rate of 2.8 per cent. But, these data are for the general population, what about blind people? As is often the case, data do not exist specific to blind people, but there are data for people with disabilities which give, at least some idea about the relationship between education and employment for the blind. For people with disabilities, labor force participation is nearly three times greater for college graduates than for people without high school diplomas. The 1997 Current Population Survey (CPS) published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census indicates that 18 percent of people with work disabilities, with less than a high school education, are in the labor force compared with 53 percent of people with work disabilities who are college graduates. Yet, RSA data from FY 1997 indicate that for people who were successful in finding employment, just 15 percent received college or university training. With this meager investment in higher education, it is not surprising that only 17 percent were employed in professional occupations.

These findings are consistent with the findings of a Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. As I discussed with you last year, the Third Interim Report found that people with less than a high school diploma who were successfully placed in employment earned $6.30 per hour, compared with $9.07 for those with any degree beyond a high school diploma.

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education has also conducted a longitudinal study (Wagoner, 1992). Findings indicate that a majority of youth with disabilities do not enter the labor market, nor do they enter four-year college programs. The OSEP study found that three to five years after high school, 57 percent of youth with disabilities were employed, but only 43 percent full time and only 40 percent earned more than $6 per hour. Of those employed, the largest single occupational group (26 percent) was employed as laborers while the second smallest occupational group (7 percent) was employed in professional/managerial/sales occupations. And, for youth with disabilities, only 6 percent attended four-year college programs.

The June 1999 Postsecondary Education Descriptive Analysis Reports (PEDAR) indicate that students with disabilities, despite being qualified, are less likely than students without disabilities to enroll in four year programs. But, here is the important finding, PEDAR data also show that students with disabilities who finish a four year program have similar employment outcomes and graduate school enrollments as students without disabilities.

The importance of a college education is particularly evident in light of trends in future employment opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that through 2006, most of the occupations with the highest expected number of new jobs will require higher education.

We know that undergraduate and graduate degrees lead to better jobs with better wages and the opportunity to become self-supporting. We also know that good jobs lead to political support by blind people in the state. The challenges facing separate agencies for the blind are significant, but the support of a dedicated and loyal constituency is also significant. Unfortunately, some rehabilitation agencies view their responsibility to be accountable solely in terms of dollars, rather than in terms of high quality employment. Rehabilitation agencies need to economize, but they must not compromise quality for the sake of saving money. It takes money, and a good bit of it, to prepare blind people for good jobs, but good jobs have always been, and will always be the cornerstone of successful, well-run, rehabilitation programs. Not all good jobs require a college degree, but college training is a powerful example of the cost-benefit relationship between training and high quality employment. Pursuing a four-year degree is expensive, but there are few, if any other types of training that can demonstrate such a dramatic and consistent impact on earnings. We want people to go to work, but we want people to have jobs that afford them opportunities for a good standard of living, an opportunity to pursue a career with the chance to advance.

I am very concerned about the move toward generic services. Loss of specialization inevitably leads to shortsighted policies with shortsighted measures of success. The measure of success in the rehabilitation program, is not simply the number of people who go to work, but rather, it is the quality of that work and the degree to which it affords the individual an opportunity to use fully his or her own talents and abilities. The true measure of success is the degree to which blind people and others are fully integrated into the social and economic mainstream--the degree to which blind people work in all types of jobs, from lawyers to factory workers, from teachers to carpenters, from laborers to stock brokers. Not all good jobs require a college education, and not all blind people want or need college degrees, but all blind people deserve the opportunity to live with dignity. All blind people deserve the opportunity to receive good orientation center training as the foundation to effective rehabilitation. All blind people deserve the opportunity to seek services from an agency that believes in the capacity of blind people and demonstrates that belief through its willingness to invest in the training and assistance blind people need to obtain good jobs. And, all blind people deserve the opportunity to have a good job and a good standard of living, according to their own interests and abilities.

Dr. Maurer recently spoke before the annual meeting of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. He told the group that strong programs for the blind cannot exist without strong organizations of the blind. There is both truth and wisdom in Dr. Maurer's words. For agencies for the blind to withstand threats to their funding, to withstand threats to their staffing levels, and to withstand threats to their separate status, they need the support, yes, the political support, of well organized, committed blind people in the state. Political support is born of trust and mutual respect. This fact has always been true, but its importance has never been greater or more immediate. Dr. Jernigan demonstrated the power of political support, the power of partnership when he built the finest and most successful program for the blind that has ever been. As Dr. Maurer told us earlier this week, programs for the blind need true partnership with blind people and blind people need true partnership with programs for the blind. The future for separate agencies for the blind lies in a strong and well organized constituency, and the opportunity for blind people to receive good training, and good jobs lies in strong programs for the blind. Our futures are inseparably intertwined. The future for us all, the future for blind people and the future for agencies for the blind lies in our ability to forge out a real and true partnership.

Table of Contents

SEPARATE AGENCY FOR THE BLIND: BEST PRACTICE FOR SUCCESS

By James H. Omvig

From the Editor: Ever since Dr. Jernigan went to Iowa in 1958 to transform the worst agency serving blind people in the country into the best program anywhere, we have known how important it is for effective rehabilitation of the blind to be conducted by a separate agency. "Because separate agencies do a better job" is not a sufficient reason to give legislators being lured by the siren song of consolidation. Jim Omvig is one of the people whom Dr. Jernigan first rehabilitated and then trained to assist him to do his work in Iowa. Jim is a blind attorney who has now been involved in rehabilitation for more than thirty years. He wrote the following paper for several Arizona legislators some years ago. It is as relevant and helpful today as it was then.

Background: Every state has some form of vocational rehabilitation and training program for its blind adults, for which the federal government pays approximately eighty percent of the cost. The blind receive these services in one of two ways: either from a large general rehabilitation agency, which tries to serve people with all types of disabilities, or from a separate agency for the blind, which presumably has the requisite expertise and serves only blind consumers. Then in turn, if a separate program for the blind is established, it may be either a section or division within a much larger umbrella agency, or it may be a completely separate and independent agency, directly accountable to the governor, the legislature, the blind, and the general citizenry. It is up to each state to determine which governmental structure is best suited to meet the particular needs of its blind citizens.

Congress has recognized that the problems of the blind are unique and therefore that meaningful services for the blind are distinctly different from rehabilitation and related services for people with other disabilities. Accordingly, federal law permits the states to establish a completely separate, independent agency for the blind if they wish in order to address these unique needs in a comprehensive, specialized program. The relevant federal law is Title 29 USC, Section 701 (a) (1) (A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Experience has shown that the blind always have the best possible chance of receiving quality services when such services are delivered through an independent, separate agency for the blind. There are numerous reasons for the tremendous success of these programs. They are outlined in the section below.

Why a Separate, Independent Agency for the Blind?

Rehabilitation of the blind has more in common with independent living services for the blind, services for the older blind, orientation and adjustment training for the blind, sight conservation, and sheltered employment for the blind than it does with rehabilitation of other disability groups or the socially or economically disadvantaged. Likewise small business enterprise programs for the blind have more in common with rehabilitation services for the blind than they do with other types of small business programs.

Even so, some argue that the blind should be lumped together with other disability groups or served through some giant umbrella agency to achieve integration and coordination of services. Until you think about it carefully and have certain facts presented to you, this might sound like pretty good, logical thinking.

There is, indeed, a need for coordination and integration of state services for the blind, but terminology should not be confused with reality. If, for instance, a state has a supervisor of highway construction, a supervisor of elementary education, a supervisor of pest control, and a supervisor of health and welfare, it does not follow that integration and coordination are achieved by creating a Department of Supervisors and lumping all of these people and functions together. Nor is any real integration or coordination achieved by establishing a Department of Health and Highways. Health is one function, highways another, and they cannot meaningfully be integrated.

If such a department is established, all that can be accomplished is to superimpose a costly administrative hierarchy upon the two departments. They will still remain separate functions whether they are called departments, divisions, sections, bureaus, or whatever. In fact the administrative hierarchy will be detrimental and will only cause inefficiency and waste in such a situation.

Relating all of this to the blind, fragmentation is increased rather than helped by putting all of the services for the blind into a division of a super-department. What is needed is common sense rather than textbook theory and neatness of somebody's organizational chart. Sound reasoning tells us that the various services for the blind complement and supplement one another and form one unique entity. They are only very slightly and incidentally related to services for people with other disabilities or other disadvantaged groups despite the similarity of terminology.

The people who administer rehabilitation and other services for the blind should be able to administer the entire package, and they should not be distracted by other duties. Furthermore, they should not be responsible to people who have other program interests and who may, therefore, subordinate the needs of programs for the blind to other interests or pet projects. At the same time the professional agency for the blind administrator must be responsible to some authority as a check and balance and a testing ground for his or her judgment. This authority should be a lay board, preferably one containing a number of blind people themselves--people who know firsthand what the services are and what they should be to achieve best results.

In those states where separate, independent agencies exist, the governor (often with the advice and consent of the Senate) appoints the members of the lay board. The board hires the director, and the director then hires other staff and provides the leadership and day-to-day management of the program.

On the other hand, if the administrator of programs for the blind is responsible to the head of some super-agency or even directly to the governor, he or she is really not responsible to anyone, for these people are not knowledgeable about what is needed and are likely to be extremely busy with other matters. Thus an independent department or commission for the blind administering all state services for the blind is clearly best suited to meet the requirements for a good program.

It is, of course, possible to have an inefficient independent agency just as it is possible to have an inefficient program under any other type of structure, but the odds are much better for good programs if you have the independent agency system. This all depends, of course, upon the caliber and expertise of the people who do the administering. However, if all other things are equal, an independent commission affords the best organizational structure. Let me be more specific about what I have been saying. Even though the same words are sometimes used when we talk of various service programs, the mere use of such words is where the similarity ends. For example, rehabilitation of people using wheelchairs or of the deaf is in no sense the same process as rehabilitation of the blind. And this is equally true when discussing a hundred other types of rehabilitation. In other words, the problems facing blind people are unique. From this it naturally follows that those who are hired to provide rehabilitation services for blind people must possess a unique reservoir of knowledge specifically related to the problems of blindness, if effective programs are to be carried on. If we are to be truly effective, we need experts whose training and experience relate specifically to the problems of blindness. It is sheer nonsense to expect any human being to be knowledgeable about and to possess the necessary expertise to deal effectively with all of the problems of everyone needing various types of rehabilitation services.

"But," it is sometimes argued, "it is desirable to have the uniformity of administration found in a large super-agency." This argument might be made with considerable validity for producing license plates or for regulatory agencies -licensing, permits, etc. Its validity is much more doubtful, however, with respect to human-service programs, which for maximum efficiency must operate on a person-to-person basis. As I have said, neatness of somebody's organizational chart and uniformity of administrative pattern must not be permitted to obscure the human element. In fact, there is considerable evidence that bigness itself is a negative, not a positive factor.

"But," it is further argued, "programs for the blind and others which sound similar should be merged into large departments so that they will not function in a vacuum and be too independent." An interesting point can be made here. The best way to hide a tree is in a forest. A separate, independent agency for the blind with a lay board would always operate in the spotlight of inescapable scrutiny, accountability and responsibility. If its programs are not functioning well, the blind can and will rise in protest, and there can be no possibility of evasion, no shifting of responsibility, no passing the buck. There is no hierarchy of administrators, divisions, or bureaucrats to stand between unhappy blind consumers and the people employed to give them service.

On the other hand, if you want real independence and lack of accountability, turn that agency loose in the mazes of bureaucracy as a tiny segment of a super-agency. In the hide-and- seek of the intricacies and technicalities and divided responsibilities within a giant agency, no governor and no legislator can track it down. In the corridors of bureaucracy the full-time professional administrator is king, and the layman, whether governor, legislator, or average citizen just seeking service, is subject.

Establish a separate, independent agency for the blind with a lay board appointed by the governor and you have checks and balances and the maximum incentive for that agency to do a good job. Submerge services for the blind in a large department, and you give that program a blank check of independence and authority--independence and authority which it should neither want nor have.

Further, when you place services for the blind in a larger department of government, this will necessarily divert the energies and talents of administrators whose training, experience, and main professional concerns should be strictly with the blind. Can anyone really doubt what the main professional concerns of the high-level administrators of a giant, umbrella agency are? I can assure you that those concerns have nothing to do with blindness.

We who are blind do not wish to divert the energies or talents of anybody, nor do we wish the agency for the blind's energies and talents to be diverted, watered down, or shifted from the course of giving the best possible service to the blind of the state. This is probably one of the principal reasons why many states have separated their services for the blind from large departments. "But," as a last-ditch effort, it is argued by the uninformed, "can't we save a lot of state and federal money if we just lump together these seemingly related programs? We can avoid duplication and save a bundle." While this sounds logical and responsible, the fact is that, where this re-organizing takes place, the same program administrators and managers are generally retained, but in addition a new and costly level of administrators is imposed to supervise the original program managers. This practice costs more, not less.

Finally, several years ago an independent study (The Mallas Report) was made of service delivery systems to determine which type was best suited to provide quality rehabilitation and related services for the blind. The study concluded that the separate, independent agency with a lay board appointed by the governor is best. In an interview the researcher said, "Where reorganization of services for the blind has taken place on the basis of the economy-of-scale principle, its proponents have sold the legislature and the Governor on statements such as, `This will be more efficient and economical. It will let us get more mileage out of every tax dollar.' As a matter of fact, in every state where such a reorganization has taken place, the prestige and level of operation of the agencies serving the blind have been downgraded." This study also makes another revealing finding. "In general programs for the blind which fall under rehabilitation departments and umbrella agencies have the least effectiveness in developing and utilizing necessary financial resources."

In conclusion, we who are blind want the opportunity to receive services aimed at returning us to the mainstream of life. We want to be taxpayers, not tax users. The separate, independent agency for the blind offers us the best chance for meaningful programs. We are willing to work, and work hard, but we will also dare to dream in order to develop and protect our separate programs.

Table of Contents

Convention Highlights 1999

By Cheryl Livingston

Late in the afternoon of Friday October 8, Federationists from across Nebraska began streaming into the Scottsbluff Inn, the site of the 1999 convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska. By 7 p.m., activity was in full swing as a line formed at the registration table and folks were finding their way to the hospitality room. The meeting of the NFBN Board of Directors began at 8 p.m. and was well attended. Agenda items included the introduction of our two scholarship finalists, Mike Hansen and Brent Heyen, President Floyd announced that next year's convention will be held in Omaha at the Ramada Inn Central at a rate of $55 a night. He also began a tradition by asking everyone to stand and recite the Federation pledge. The Resolutions Committee met following the board meeting. Five resolutions were brought before the Committee for discussion. Three of the five were voted "do pass" by the committee, one was voted "do not pass" and one was withdrawn by the author. The resolutions are printed in their entirety elsewhere in this issue.

The registration table was busy again at 8 am Saturday morning as well over 100 people registered and bought banquet and student luncheon tickets. The convention session was called to order by President Floyd at 8:30. Barbara Walker led the invocation, which was followed by a welcome from Mark Harris, Mayor of Scottsbluff. The first program item was a presentation by Howard Backous on the historical and geographical background of the Panhandle region. Howard is the immediate past president of the Panhandle Chapter. A motion was then made to charter the Buffalo Bill chapter of the NFBN. The chapter includes members in the North Platte area. Its energetic and dynamic president is Colleen Chandler. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Chandler spoke to the convention and promised to focus on the abilities of the blind and to take an active part in educating the community. The next agenda item was the National Report, presented by Diane McGeorge, our National Representative and Board member of the National Federation of the Blind. Ms. McGeorge described the activities of the NFB in the World Blind Union and her own experiences teaching cane travel to blind people in Poland. She announced that scholarship forms are now available for the Year 2000 National Scholarships. The highest scholarship awarded next year will be $20,000. The Washington Seminar will start on January 29, 2000 with a student seminar. The capital campaign is underway to build the National Research and Training Institute. The NFB wants to raise $18 million in the next two years. Prospect forms are available to get the names of donors who may be able to give large sums of money. Here are the Nebraska rankings in the following programs: Associates, number two as of early September; SUN, number 18th; PAC, number 17th. The program was interrupted by a little humor as President Floyd entertained a "useless motion" to ban radios from the banquet. Of course, Nebraska was playing that night. This brought howls of mock protest from several convention attendees. The next program item was a report on Newsline by Bob Deaton, Chairperson of the Newsline Committee, and Amy Rut, Newsline Coordinator. Ms. Rut demonstrated Newsline, gave information on how to sign up for the service, and answered questions. Mr. Deaton discussed plans to establish an 800 number for Newsline and to move the service center from Lincoln to Omaha. Newsline would then be available statewide.

Dave Oertli, Director of the Talking Book and Braille Service, gave a report on library services. Mr. Oertli discussed changes in magazines offered by NLS, the conversion of books from records onto cassettes, the availability of books in Braille on the Web, and the NLS and Nebraska Library websites. Mike Hansen, the webmaster for the NFBN website, gave a brief report. The NFBN has an email address; it is nfbn@inebraska.com. Our website is at http://nfbn.inebraska.com. We have received email from all over the world. Carlos Servan, NFBN Board member and an Assistant Director for RSVI, reported on Jobline. Jobline is a program where America's Job Bank, a database of thousands of job listings across the country, can be accessed by telephone. Mr. Servan is working with the Department of Labor on this project and is confident that it will soon be made available in Nebraska.

NFBN Treasurer Cheryl Livingston gave the next presentation, titled "Why I Am a Federationist; My Views on Blindness and the Blind People's Movement,". Ms. Livingston, a long-time member of the NFB, spoke of the influence of Dr. Jernigan's 1976 speech "Of Visions and Vultures" on her life and related several personal experiences that exemplify her growth in and understanding of the NFB movement. Her remarks are printed in this newsletter. The final item on the morning agenda was from Don Anderson of the Nebraska Department of Education on education of blind children in Nebraska. Mr. Anderson spoke of the changes that had taken place at the Nebraska School for the Visually Handicapped. The name of the school was changed to the Nebraska Center for the Education of Blind and Visually Impaired Children. The jobs for people working at the school were changed to allow teachers the opportunity to work directly with the public schools. Resolution 99-04 was read before the convention. This resolution encourages the Legislature to pass a law which would require textbooks to be made available in electronic format or a format that could be converted to Braille. The resolution passed unanimously. The annual Student Division luncheon was held during the noon break. A record 65 people attended this event. President Amy Clark gave a report of the activities the Student Division. Election of officers was held. Mike Hansen is the new Student Division president. Barbara Walker gave an inspiring speech titled "Fueling the Fire." The text of her remarks is printed elsewhere in this newsletter.

The afternoon session began with a presentation by Lexington mayor John Fagot about the blind in politics. His message was for people to get involved in their communities and for people to believe themselves capable of making a difference. He invited the NFBN to hold a convention in Lexington. President Floyd invited Mr. Fagot to join the NFB. The next presenter was Jolene Boshart, an immediate past area governor of Toastmasters International, Inc. Ms Boshart described her experiences in public speaking. She described the work that Toastmasters does to help people be better speakers. Ms Boshart received the Distinguished Toastmaster award, the highest award to be achieved in Toastmasters. Mike Floyd, NFBN President, introduced the amendment to increase the number of board positions on the state board from four to six. The amendment was passed unanimously. Mr. Floyd then reported on legislative issues. He spoke about our efforts to get the Commission bill and the Technology bill passed. We will also continue to work on passage of a Braille bill. Carlos Servan reported on the Associates program. He explained what the Associates program is and listed some strategies for recruiting Associates. Mr. Servan reminded members of the state affiliate contest in which cash prizes are awarded to those recruiting the highest number of Associates. Dr. Pearl Van Zandt, the new Director of Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired, was the next speaker on the agenda. She highlighted some of the agency activities and invited questions from the audience during an open forum session. Some of the major areas the agency is focusing on are improved efforts in job development and placement, making technology available throughout the state, and continuing support for such programs as Newsline and Jobline. Transportation was the topic of the next agenda item. Jeff Altman, a can travel instructor and resident of Lincoln, and Howard Backous, a former orientation center student and resident of Scottsbluff, gave their views on transportation issues in urban and rural settings. Mr. Altman discussed public transportation options available in a larger city and some of the problems encountered by pedestrian travelers. Mr. Backous stated that there was no public transportation as such in his area. A study is underway to determine the need for transportation and what type of service would best meet the needs of public transit users. The final item on the afternoon program was a panel presentation by former students of the Nebraska Orientation Center. Jolene Boshart read an article that will be printed in the October Braille Monitor about the 25th anniversary celebration of the center. There were four panelists who each gave views of their center experience from a different perspective. Howard Backous talked about what it was like as an older, nontraditional student. Roy Hobley spoke about the center experience as a part of the transition from one career to another. Carla Laesch discussed her experience in terms of how it helped her find employment and Brent Heyen related his experience from the perspective of a college student.

The meeting adjourned promptly at 5 Convention goers returned to their rooms to prepare for the highlight of the convention, the annual banquet. Banquet festivities began at 7 p.m. with Carlos Servan as Master of Ceremonies. The Sugar Valley Singers, a barbershop choir from the area, entertained the convention with song and some "audience participation" to spice up the program. National Representative Diane McGeorge gave a stirring banquet address in which she talked about her role in the NFB and her friendship with Dr. Jernigan. After the speech, a cash drawing was held by our Panhandle Chapter, PAC plan pledges were increased in our annual PAC plan drive, and Walkathon awards were handed out for the highest dollar amount of walkathon pledges for the past two years. The winner of the 1999 NFBN scholarship was Mike Hansen, the newly elected president of the Student Division. A charter of affiliation was presented to Colleen Chandler, the president of our new Buffalo Bill chapter. The finale of the evening's festivities, the long-anticipated auction, began after awards were presented. Auctioneers Ryan Osentowski and Robert Newman exuberantly auctioned off items ranging from wine to football blankets. Their wit and enthusiasm carried the crowd almost to the midnight hour when the last item was auctioned off. This year's auction was the most profitable and possibly the longest-running we have ever had!

The business meeting of the NFBN occurred on Sunday morning. The Presidential report, Treasurer's report, and Secretary's report were given. Chapters and divisions reported on activities during the past year. Three additional resolutions were passed by the convention. Resolution 99-01 encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to make its computer systems accessible to blind people and to work with consumer groups such as the NFB to ensure that needed changes are made. Resolution 99-02 encourages the Department of Human Services to work with the blind to create fair employment opportunities within this agency. Resolution 99-03 was withdrawn by the author. Resolution 99-04 was passed the previous day and 99-05 was voted do not pass by the Resolutions Committee. A motion was made to reverse a previous motion passed at the 1994 NFBN to require the NFBN board to meet at the convention. The motion passed. The NFBN board may meet at state convention at its own discretion. Election of 6 Board positions occurred in accordance with the Constitutional amendment passed by the convention. The new board members are Nancy Oltman, Hastings; Bonnie Lund, Omaha; Larry Lee, Omaha; Nichelle Ferreyra, Scottsbluff; Colleen Chandler, North Platte; and Carlos Servan, Lincoln. Congratulations to all the new board members! Noon marked the adjournment of another outstanding convention. Federationists will soon begin to make plans for our first convention of the next century in Omaha. Meanwhile, our work is cut out for us, and we will gladly meet the challenges ahead.

Table of Contents

1999 Convention Resolutions

RESOLUTION 99-01
Re: DHHSN-Focus Computer System
WHEREAS, it is the mission of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska to promote equality, opportunity and security for the blind; and
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law enacted in 1990 to protect the civil rights for the disabled; and
WHEREAS, under the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to blind persons; and
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is a major employer in the state of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, DHHS began a process which ultimately led to the procurement of a new comprehensive computer system, known as N-Focus, at the cost of $80 million (eighty million dollars); and
WHEREAS, between that time and now, an additional $57.9 million (fifty-seven million nine hundred thousand dollars) has been spent on this system; and
WHEREAS, from the outset, DHHS was told that this system would not be accessible to blind persons; and
WHEREAS, in spite of that, DHHS, when designing and acquiring the N-Focus system, failed either to consult with any organization of blind persons or even with its own blindness-related sub-unit, Nebraska Rehabilitation Services for the Visually Impaired (NRSVI); and
WHEREAS, most jobs with DHHS require the use of this system; and
WHEREAS, THE Department's offer of a full-time reader as accommodation is a Band-Aid rather than a solution to the problem of access to the computer system; and
WHEREAS, this practice neither encourages DHHS to hire blind persons nor meets the requirements of the ADA; Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, in Convention assembled this tenth day of October, 1999, in the city of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, that this organization call upon the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to do whatever is necessary to make the N-Focus system equally accessible to blind and sighted employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge DHHS to work with us to complete this project on or before June 30, 2000.

Resolution 99-02
Re: DHHS Fair Employment of the Blind
WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska is the oldest and largest organization of the active blind in this state-the voice of the blind speaking for themselves; and
WHEREAS, one of our goals is to promote equality, opportunity and security for the blind in employment; and
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) employs approximately five thousand eight hundred (5800) persons in a multitude of capacities including, but not limited to, rehabilitation of the blind, making it the largest employer in State Government; and
WHEREAS, outside of the agency specifically established to provide services for the blind, which has a few blind people among its total staff of forty-five (45), DHHS employs an estimated total of three (3) blind persons; and
WHEREAS, this disparity suggests either a pattern of discrimination or a lack of understanding about the capabilities of the blind on the part of DHHS;
Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, in Convention assembled this tenth day of October, 1999, in the city of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, that this organization urge the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to work cooperatively and affirmatively with us to achieve a full, fair and appropriate level of employment for the blind within the Department.

Resolution 99-04
Re: Braille Textbook Production
WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska has long fought for the right of blind children to have an equal education; and
WHEREAS, an integral part of equal education for blind children is learning and using Braille; and
WHEREAS, the State of Nebraska Department of Education has endorsed this position in its most recent revision of Rule 51; and
WHEREAS, for such a stance to be as meaningful as possible, texts in Braille must be available; and
WHEREAS, production of texts in Braille is currently both slow and iffy, causing uncertainties, interruptions, frustration and reduced achievement for blind students; and
WHEREAS, the states of Texas and California have passed laws requiring all producers of textbooks sold in those states to make their materials available in a format suitable for conversion into Braille;
Now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, in Convention assembled this ninth day of October, 1999, in the city of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, that this organization call upon the Nebraska Unicameral to enact appropriate legislation parallel to those laws, so that blind Nebraskans may receive textbooks in Braille in a timely manner.

Table of Contents

Of Visions and Vultures Revisited: Why I Am a Federationist:

By Cheryl Livingston

Behold a king took forth his three sons to judge their fitness to govern the kingdom, and they stopped by a field, where a vulture sat in the branches of a dead tree. And the king said to the oldest son, "Shoot, but first tell me what you see." And the son replied: I see the earth and the grass and the sky..." And the king said, " Stop! Enough!" And he said to the next son, "Shoot, but first tell me what you see." And the son replied, "I see the ground and a dead tree with a vulture sitting in the branches..." And the king said, " Stop! Enough!" and he said to his youngest son, " Shoot, but first tell me what you see." And the son replied, his gaze never wavering, "I see the place where the wings join the body. " And the shaft went straight-and the vulture fell. Yes, a fable. But also a moral-a reminder-a commitment.

These are the words of introduction to Dr. Jernigan's 1976 banquet speech titled Of Visions and Vultures. I attended my first national convention in 1976 in Los Angeles. As Dr. Jernigan spoke those words, I wasn't sure what they really meant, but I had a sense that what he was about to say was of great importance and would have a profound impact on my thinking. I was right.

The NFB has always been, and will always be, an organization that fights for the rights of blind people to equal treatment and first class citizenship. I would like to share with you a bit of my own history in the blind movement. I believe the spark of NFB philosophy was kindled in me even before I traveled to that first convention so many years ago. I graduated from high school in the early 1970's and went to work for a factory in Omaha. Western Electric, as the company was then called, produced parts for telephone systems. Many workers in my department worked on an assembly line. Each worker was responsible for performing work on a part and then placing that part on the moving conveyor belt for the next worker to continue the assembly process. However, I was not allowed to work on the line. The company placed a restriction on me that prohibited me from working on machines that had moving parts because of my blindness. I was relegated to the bench where I glued metal pieces together all night long. I wanted to work on that assembly line. I knew in my heart that I could do the work safely and efficiently. My supervisor and I talked about it; he believed that I was able to do work on the line, too. One day I was told that I was to go to the line and begin working. I was overjoyed but my joy quickly turned to disappointment as I was told that they weren't ready for me yet, to go back to the bench. Finally, I got a chance to assemble parts and place them on the moving belt. All went well; however, there was still something missing. The company apparently felt that they were making a concession by allowing me to put things on a moving piece of machinery. But I wanted more. The person sitting next to me ran a machine, which used an extremely hot, about 500 degrees, metal tip to shape a hole in a wire coil. Two buttons were pressed simultaneously after placing the coil on the machine. One night, we were working overtime and the line was only half staffed. I decided to defy company rules and operate that machine. I knew that their policy was wrong and was determined to prove it. I slid over to the machine and began inserting a coil. I pressed the buttons and the hot tip went down into the coil, creating a perfect hole. I was working away at the machine when suddenly I sensed movement behind me. I was afraid to turn around for fear someone was coming to yank me off that machine and throw me out the door for violating company rules. Two supervisors were standing there, observing me work. They didn't throw me off the line; in fact, they didn't say a word. However, the restriction stayed, but I continued working on the line assembling parts. As Dr. Jernigan once said, I had to eat the elephant one bite at a time. I didn't know then about civil rights or how to convince an employer that the blind are just as capable as the sighted in working with moving machinery. But I saw where the wings joined the body and I was determined work as an equal in my place of employment.

I was laid off my job from Western Electric after two years and moved into an apartment building, which housed elderly and blind people. The apartment building had a reputation; it was called the "home for the blind' and the "house that Jack built". There was a small local organization of blind people whose money helped build the facility. Jack had been its president before his death and the apartment had been the fulfillment of his dream to build a place for blind people to live. He himself was blind. At the time I joined the Federation in about 1975 I belonged to this organization and served as treasurer. The group was basically a social club with the organization picking up the tab for many of the social activities. I needed something to do besides attending classes at UNO and wanted to meet some blind people close to my age. Upon returning from the 1976 NFB convention, I called the president and told him that I could no longer continue to be a member of this club. He asked my why and I told him that the NFB did so many things for blind people that I could not commit my time and energies to anything else. He said he was sorry but if that was what I wanted, that would be OK with him. I have not belonged to any other blindness organization since, for I saw where the wings joined the body and was determine to commit to our cause in the NFB.

I have met many Federationists over the years who have become my dear friends and have influenced me in many ways. They taught me that I could do things I never thought possible. I didn't see myself as a leader; in fact, I preferred not to be in the limelight. It was embarrassing. The first time Barbara Cheadle (our editor of Future Reflections, the magazine for parents of blind children) asked me to help with a parents seminar, I balked. I didn't have any idea what to do. I thought I would have to give a speech or something. She said to me, "Oh, it'll be easy. I'll show you what to do. And, you'll have fun." The idea of fun sounded good, so I went along. I was unaware at the time that I was being taught the ins and outs of organizing a major event. After Barbara and her husband John moved to another state, I was asked to chair what was then called the Parental Concerns Committee by President Jim Walker. I was not only asked to chair the committee, I was also asked to organize a multi-state parents seminar consisting of Nebraska and surrounding states. I was filled with dread and self-doubt. I said to Jim, "This is an awful lot to put in my lap. I don't think I can do it." Jim said to me, "Cheryl, I would hate to think what would happen if this doesn't get done." I suddenly realized what he meant. Parents of blind children were counting on us to give them the right information about blindness, as only we could. I organized that seminar, with help from other Federation members, and it turned out better than I expected. The Cheadles, the Walkers, and so many others helped me learn to believe in myself and acquire leadership skills. They saw where the wings joined the body, and they were determined that blind people, adults and children, would have opportunities to learn positive attitudes about blindness.

Changing public attitudes about blindness is essential if we are to achieve first class status in society. This is done in several different ways. One way is to help co-workers, friends, family and anyone else realize the importance of our involvement in NFB activities. I had heard of NFB leadership seminars where a few people were gathered together and spent a whole weekend with Dr. Jernigan and later Dr. Maurer learning about NFB philosophy and the workings of the organization. I thought it would be exciting, and, yes, even a little scary, to attend such a seminar. I wanted to go. A person had to be recommended by the state president in order to be invited to the seminar. Finally, in 1986, my chance came. Our state president told me that I was being invited to attend the leadership seminar to be held over the Labor Day weekend. I was honored by the invitation, but felt a little overwhelmed when the box of material came for me to read before the seminar. I thought, "How am I ever going to read all this? I don't have much time." I was hoping to get time off before the holiday to fly to Baltimore for the seminar. My plane reservation had been made. To my great disappointment, I found out that someone with more seniority than me in my office had asked for the same day off and I would not be able to take the time to go. I did not want to interfere with their time, so I sadly called Dr. Maurer and told him that I would not be able to attend. Mr. Maurer said that he understood. I truly thought that I had missed my chance forever. A few days later, one of my co-workers said to me, "Cheryl, I've been thinking. I know how much that seminar means to you, especially after what I've heard you say about the Federation. I decided not to take that day off, so you can have it and go to your seminar." I was overjoyed!

quickly called the National Center and told Mr. Maurer that I would be coming after all. He was pleased. I went to that seminar and discovered great many things about our NFB. My co-workers and friends, after learning what the NFB is all about, were willing to give up their time for they were beginning to see where the wings joined the body and were willing to support me in my efforts to grow in the organization.

I have related just a few stories of my involvement with the NFB. There are many more experiences I could talk about. Our attitudes about blindness are shaped by interactions with those around us-family, friends, and co-workers. Other blind people also influence our attitudes. The Federation's ultimate goal is to change attitudes about blindness. In doing so, more opportunities will be created for blind people to work, play and live as equals with our sighted peers. We, t he blind, will have jobs with the same responsibilities as the sighted. We will continue to work to change stereotypical attitudes. We will grow in our movement and we will have the support of our sighted colleagues and friends. We will all, sighted and blind alike, see where

the wings join the body for we know who we are and we will never go back!

Table of Contents

FUELING THE FIRE

By Barbara Walker

When President Clark called me a couple weeks ago to ask if I would speak at the Student Division Luncheon today, I hesitated, as I nearly always do when asked to do something conspicuous. But when I suddenly realized she was handing me a chance to fulfill a pledge I had made to myself at our National Convention this past summer, the only viable answer I could give was, "Yes. And thank you for the opportunity."

I hope each of you--for we are all sometimes students, whether or not we're currently attending a school of formal education; and we are all sometimes teachers, whether or not we hold an academic degree--will be willing to help me keep my promise.

As I made sure my ticket was in my purse in preparation for the banquet of the National Federation of the Blind in Atlanta, I wondered if it would be the high point of the Convention for me this year. Since the time I began attending National Conventions in 1975, I had thrilled many times to the magical spirit of the banquet. But this one, my twenty-fourth (I missed the Convention in 1981, due to the birth of my daughter, Marsha), wouldn't be the same. Dr. Jernigan, who had been the catalyst of the vibrant Federation spirit for more years than I have attended Conventions, wouldn't be making sure his ticket was on his person tonight. And he never would again. He was dead.

I sat down on my bed and let myself cry. Then I remembered how, ten years ago at banquet time in Denver, less than three weeks after my beloved husband Jim had died, I couldn't imagine walking in there without him. But I did. And I was glad I had. I would go this time too, beginning by summoning the advice our First Lady, Mrs. Hazel ten Broek, widow of our Founder Dr. Jacobus ten Broek, had passed along to me nine years ago when I was struggling to keep my composure.

I had been on my way back to my room after the 1990 Fiftieth Anniversary Banquet in Dallas. A close friend of mine had just said to me, "I thought this banquet was just perfect. Didn't you?"

"It was great," I sincerely replied, fighting back tears. "But perfect?" my inner self said, "Certainly not."

One of the living ingredients of anything approaching perfection for me was tangibly missing. True, it had been a year since Jim had died. And my friend, who had also known Jim well, had learned to experience life without the constant void of his physical absence. I, at that time, still hadn't.

As my friend and I parted, and I reached the hall outside the ballroom, Mrs. ten Broek, who had undoubtedly heard our conversation and empathized with me, said that her husband, who had been dead for over twenty years by then, had shared with her something she continued to find useful when dealing with hard times, "Sometimes, the only thing to do is to keep putting one foot in front of the other."

It got me to my room that night and to many places since then. It would also get me to the 1999 banquet hall.

Soon I was there--one of the over two thousand present at our largest banquet ever. As I sat down, those on either side of me urged me to look inside my mug. (Since 1974, everyone attending our banquets has received a complimentary mug with the Federation logo and something specific to the Convention site on it.) Usually, there is nothing inside. This year was different.

Della Johnston handed me one item--a replica of the bust of Dr. Jernigan which had been unveiled at the Memorial Service the previous day. Another of my tablemates interrupted me from my exploration of this treasure. "Keep looking. There's more."

I knew there was. I had already found something that disturbed me--a book of matches.

"I noticed," I said, trying not to sound upset. But I was remembering the time, at the school for the blind, when we were all asked to light a match and, from that, a candle, in order to pass some class. To my relief, we had used wooden matches. When my turn came, I braced myself, stuffed my fear, and performed the task flawlessly. I hadn't willingly done it since.

And book matches? Those were too dangerous for blind people. That's what I had been told until I met the National Federation of the Blind. And then, although I learned that it wasn't really unsafe for blind people to use them, I, well, I just preferred not to. I mean, why do that when there are obviously superior ways of getting the job done?

"Did you find the candle?" someone asked.

"Yes," I said, too quickly, and with an edge in my voice which I hoped hadn't revealed the emotion I was trying to conceal.

"Are you concerned about lighting a match?" Jeff Altman asked. "If so, I can show you this nifty way I learned where you can't burn yourself."

"Concerned," he had said. Afraid was more like it. He probably knew that, but concerned did sound kinder and less confrontational. Of course, he knew. He hadn't even paused between the initial question and the offered assistance.

Figuring that whatever we were going to do with the candles would be a tribute to Dr. Jernigan, and knowing that I wouldn't want to look back on the event not having tried to participate, I accepted his offer.

Inviting me to put my hands on his if I wanted to, he explained that you fold the cover of the matchbook back so that the front cover touches the striking bar. After taking a match out, you put the head between the covers, in far enough that it will rub across the bar, but not in so far that you can't hold onto its other end. Holding the covers firmly together with your thumb and forefinger anchoring the head, you grasp the protruding end of the match between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand and pull the match out. He mentioned in passing that it's important to keep track of where things are so that you don't bring the lit match into contact with the exposed heads of those remaining in the open book.

On my first attempt, I was gripping the match head so hard that my other hand slipped off of the stick. My second try released the smell of sulfur, but no spark. I had loosened my hold too much. With Jeff's calm encouragement, I tried again. The match sizzled victoriously. Before my fear could cry "exception," I lit another and another.

And there it was--the magical Federation spirit--mentor and student sparking a flame, putting out fear.

Although Dr. Jernigan hadn't directly taught me this technique, nor did he teach it to Jeff, he had nurtured our Federation family in such a way that we knew that, when it's done with love and respect, as one who knows teaches one who doesn't, both become stronger.

As I was thanking Jeff for helping me, President Floyd informed me that I was supposed to be at a different table. Flushed and apologetic, but also excited about the prospect of sharing my newest joy in learning, I went as directed. Sitting now between Aloma Bouma and Ardyce Earl, I proudly demonstrated the new skill Jeff had taught me.

Shortly thereafter, we honored Dr. Jernigan with the lighting of our candles. When mine almost immediately went out, I triumphantly lit it again, reveling in the spirit of all who had made this fearlessly exuberant moment possible for me. And later, as President Maurer was reaching the crescendo of another stellar banquet address, he put into words the glow I continued to feel from the candle lighting tribute we had paid to Dr. Jernigan and, in my mind, to all of those, especially Jim, who had physically gone from our midst, but whose spirit and love were among us still:

"The spirit they kindled," Dr. Maurer said, "can never be extinguished, because we will fan the flame. We will add fuel to the fire. And we, the members of the movement, will cause a great conflagration."

Those weren't just fancy words to me. They were the expression of a very intimate moment we in that room had shared. I made a personal vow to take both the spirit and the experience with me and to pass them on to others.

I intend, very soon, to make good on that promise. But first, I want to give you, again in Dr. Maurer's words, the reason I hope you'll accept not only the spirit of my offer, but also the physical act of carrying it out, whatever your current level of confidence may be.

Dr. Maurer said: "We are the blind of more than a single generation and of every segment of society and of every part of the nation. We have the capacity to think and the mental discipline to reach conclusions that will alter the future for us all. We possess the confidence to bring those conclusions to reality. Nobody else can do it for us. We must do this for ourselves, and we will. Our future is bright with promise, because it belongs to us. And there is no force on earth that can stop us."

I said earlier that I had not willingly lit matches, even wooden ones, since that time in Nebraska City when I did what it took to get out of that class. How had I managed that, especially having directed an Orientation Center for the Blind for a number of years and having also been a parent?

A few times, when duty called, I made myself do it. But mostly I gave others the privilege. Between the time when Jim was alive to light candles for such things as birthdays and Advent and the time when I thought the children were old enough to do it themselves, we pretended the little lights in the chandelier above the dining room table were candles. (Both Marsha and John had said they looked like candles when they were dimmed.) I also discovered the existence of the torch lighter, something I continue to find useful.

In all of these instances, I don't think my choices were necessarily bad or even detrimental to others. But inside I always knew I was hedging. And it was, as so often it is for me, the National Federation of the Blind that not only called my bluff, but also gave me the chance to grow beyond my fear. Please don't get me wrong. I haven't become a book match lover. I still would choose, when given options, another method of lighting a candle. But I no longer feel like fleeing the premises if something needs to be lit and book matches are the ready source of a spark.

I encourage you to participate in lighting a match and a candle today whether or not it frightens you. If it doesn't, you may be the one, like Jeff was for me, who releases someone else from fear. If it does, I hope you'll have the courage to let someone help you.

Please join me now in doing the kind of thing I believe Dr. Maurer meant when he talked in Atlanta about fueling the fire and fanning the flame. Let's add some sparks to that great conflagration!

Table of Contents

Lighting the Flame

By Ryan Osentowski

Barbara Walker is one of those of people who speak volumes with just a few words. I wouldn't characterize her as a dynamic or energetic speaker, but she has a quiet persuasiveness in her voice that compels you to listen. Barbara recently spoke at our student division luncheon at our annual state NFB convention. I noticed as I was scoping out the table space in front of me, that there was a small candle and a book of matches in front of my place setting. I was confused until Barbara began speaking about lighting candles during her keynote address. She shared the fact that, up until recently, she had been apprehensive about lighting candles and using book matches. I found that I too had always gone out of my way to avoid book matches and lighting candles. But, through Barbara's calm instructions to the group and after several failed attempts and one singed fingernail, I got the candle lit. The confidence I felt inside me leaped up like the flame from the candle.

Yesterday, I bought a scented candle and took it to work. The candle was vanilla-scented and I carried it, along with my matches, in a small plastic bag. I sat at my cubicle, unwrapped the candle and took out the matches. Dave, my helpful and sometimes overprotective friend and coworker, saw what I was doing and immediately rushed over. He took the matches out of my hand and said, "here dude, I'll light it for ya. We'll just put it up on your shelf so ya won't burn yourself." I put my hand over the top of the candle and said, quietly, "I can do it, Dave." "I know," he said with placation in his voice. "I just don't want ya to burn your hand." He punctuated his remark with his usual nervous chuckle. I didn't bother to argue with him...Dave's one of those guys you really can't argue with. I just asked calmly for him to give me my matches back with my hand still on top of the unlit candle. "Fine," he said and slapped the matches down on my desk. Then he just stood there and waited. If I could've seen his face, I'm sure I would've seen an "oh yeah" expression on it. I slowly picked up the matches, opened them and removed one. I folded the match cover over so that the edge touched the rough strip on the back of the book where the match head would strike. I then placed the match head on the strip and pressed down with the cover. I gave a quick jerk as Barbara had instructed and the match flared. "Dude, it's lit! It's lit," Dave said. "I know, dork," I said and quickly placed the burning match over the exposed wick. I waited two seconds and then blew out the match before it could singe my fingernail. "Dude, it's lit," Dave said. "I know, Dork," I said as the pleasant sent of vanilla wafted up to my nostrils. "Pretty cool," Dave said. "Actually Dave, it was pretty hot," I responded as I moved the candle toward the back of my desk, away from my papers. I wasn't worried about the flame since it was closed in a glass jar. Dave muttered something about me being a geek and gave me a slap on the shoulder. Later that evening, my boss walked by and told me to make sure and have someone put the candle out before I left so I wouldn't leave it burning. I just chuckled and told her that since I'm a big windbag anyway, I'd probably just blow it out myself. I'll give her a demonstration some other time.

It may seem like a very small thing to most of you here...a guy lighting a candle. But to me, it was a small triumph. It was a small step, yes...but a step in the right direction.

Table of Contents

Nebraska Orientation Center for the Blind Celebrates Its Twenty-fifth Anniversary

by Fatos Floyd

The following is reprinted from the October 1999 issue of the Braille Monitor.

From the Editor: Rehabilitation of blind Americans is profoundly different today from that practiced at mid-century. The development of Richard Hoover's long-cane technique for travel has certainly had a significant impact, and the evolution of computer technology has certainly altered the content of the skills training offered today. With the exception of high quality Braille instruction, which is all too often missing today, almost all modern rehabilitation is far superior to that our blind parents and grandparents received. But the single most profound change in rehabilitation has come about as a direct result of the emergence of the organized blind movement.

The impact the NFB and its philosophy have had is much greater in some programs than in others, but even in the poorest ones the influence can be seen. Virtually every agency doing blindness rehabilitation today gives lip service, at least, to the notions that blindness alone need not stop a person from living a full life, that self-confidence is a key to success, that poor public attitudes about blindness cause massive complications in our lives, and that nothing about blindness is shameful. Even in their most watered-down formulations, these are concepts that have flowed directly from NFB philosophy into every cranny of the blindness field.

Some centers and programs, of course, embraced these ideas and the programs that inevitably arise from them sooner than others. The Nebraska Orientation Center is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this month. Fatos Floyd, wife of NFB of Nebraska President Mike Floyd, now directs the center, and she recently sent us this brief history of the program and what it celebrates. This is what she says.

For more than thirty years October 15 has been proclaimed White Cane Safety Day in the United States. It is an occasion for Governors to call attention to the capabilities and contributions of blind persons. In 1999 the blind of Nebraska will have special reason to celebrate the day. Twenty-five years ago Federationism came to the State service system for the blind with the establishment of a genuine orientation center for the blind.

In 1973 Dr. Jack Anderson, director of the Nebraska state agency that included Services for the Visually Impaired, was persuaded by Richard Parker, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, to visit the Iowa Commission for the Blind in Des Moines and its director, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. Dr. Anderson was so impressed with the philosophy that guided the Orientation Center in Iowa and the dynamic leadership of Dr. Jernigan that he agreed to take steps to change the direction and the philosophy of services for the blind in Nebraska. He challenged Mr. Parker to find a qualified candidate to direct the state agency for the blind who shared the same philosophy.

With the assistance of Dr. Jernigan, Dr. James Nyman was contacted and accepted the challenge, starting in May 1974. Dr. Nyman, who served for nearly twenty-five years as director of Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired, established and maintained the highest standards for quality in rehabilitation of the blind. Under his leadership the Orientation Center, as it is now known, was developed and became recognized nationally as an example of excellence in the field. Today the tradition begun by Dr. Nyman is being vigorously continued by his successor, Dr. Pearl Van Zandt.

In 1974 a part-time center existed in Lincoln, but one that operated on the basis of skill training without any coherent philosophy to guide it. Several months after assuming the directorship of Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired, Dr. Nyman persuaded Sylvia Johnson (now Sylvia Speed) to come from Washington, D. C., to bring coherence and philosophy to the Orientation Center. Ms. Speed had been a travel instructor in the Orientation Center in Iowa and understood what excellence in a Center meant. It was not long before staff members of the period Like Barbara Beach (now Barbara Walker), John Cheadle, and Rosemary Lerdahl pulled together as the first cohesive Orientation Center team under Ms. Speed's philosophical leadership. Despite her short stay the foundations of a sound orientation program were laid. Michael Adams was chosen to succeed Ms. Speed. The Orientation Center continued to develop under his leadership and that of his successors, Barbara Walker, Sheila Byrd (now Sheila Wright), Deb Robinson, Rosemary Lerdahl, Susan Miles, Linda Chilcott, and its current director Fatos Floyd.

Perhaps nothing illustrated the new confidence in blind people more than the insistence that the critical skill of travel could be effectively and safely taught by a blind instructor. The orientation-and-mobility profession had institutionalized the belief that only the sighted could perform this vital service. Jim Walker from Michigan, possessing the philosophy and skill that commended him to the consideration of Services for the Visually Impaired, was recruited in 1975. He became the model of a blind person effectively teaching travel and embodying the Federation philosophy in his personal and professional life. Fred Schroeder, now Commissioner of the U.S. Rehabilitation Administration and blind himself, succeeded Mr. Walker as cane-travel instructor in the Orientation Center. Mr. Schroeder wanted to become certified as an orientation and mobility instructor by AER; however, even with his academic qualifications, the orientation-and-mobility establishment prevented him from obtaining certification, claiming his blindness as the reason. Another person well known to Federationists, Christine Roberts (now Christine Boone) followed Mr. Schroeder. Others who have served in this capacity are Michael Floyd, Larry Mackey, and Jeff Altman, the current cane-travel instructor.

The Federation and Federationism continue to play a vital role in the formulation and conduct of training at the Orientation Center in Nebraska. Without the support of the organization and the guidance of its philosophy, an orientation center becomes a hollow exercise in skill training. Those Centers that cultivate both skills and beliefs in the capabilities of blind persons can instill the motivation to pursue life goals in the mainstream of society. This is the truth and the proud history that will be celebrated on White Cane Safety Day, 1999, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Orientation Center in Nebraska.

Table of Contents

MEET A NEW CHAPTER PRESIDENT

From the Editor: Colleen Chandler is the president of the new Buffalo Bill chapter of the NFBN. Here is her brief autobiography:

I was born in Oklahoma, and spent the first few years of my life there. Then to California, then to Washington State, and now to Nebraska. I've been here since 1994.

I have two grown daughters, who live here, and two grandchildren. My daughters are both health care professionals working at Great Plains Regional Medical Center here in North Platte.

I have pursued several occupations during my life. I'm a professional pianist and singer, having worked in nightclubs a great deal. I've also been a dark room technician, a Dictaphone operator, a personnel clerk/receptionist in a large hospital, and Educational Programs Evaluator in the same hospital. My last job was product consultant with Curtis and Associates in Kearney. I left there for health reasons, but I'm looking for some part time work.

I first became involved with the NFB when I lived in Kearney. I was a member of that chapter. I was delighted when Candy Laursen called to tell me she wanted to form a chapter here. My immediate goals are to increase our membership and to augment our treasury. I know this will take a lot of work and time. I very much look forward to the work. I know I must be patient; that's the hard part.

Well, I hope I haven't rambled on for too long. On the other hand, if there is anything else you would like to know, please contact me any time. Thanks so much for your interest.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER REPORTS

Grand Island Chapter
We had our potluck dinner at our June meeting. Five members and one guest attended. Our regular business meeting followed the dinner. The chapter did not meet in July. Nancy Oltman and Ardyce Earl attended the NFB National convention in Atlanta, GA. On July 26, our vice-president, Wanda Steckmeyer, passed away unexpectedly. Her funeral was on July 30. Our members offer our sympathy to her family. She is survived by her husband John, two sons, one daughter, and one stepdaughter. Wanda will be greatly missed. Doris Butler is having problems with her ankle and had a mini-stroke. Ardyce Earl had foot surgery on July 19 and is doing better. We heard reports from the national convention at our August meeting. There will be no meeting in September due to the holiday and illness. Three members from our chapter-Ardyce Earl, Nancy Oltman, and Izola Sargent-attended the NFBN state convention. Tow new members have joined our chapter. We would like to welcome Chris and Helen Cjerloff. Some of our chapter members and other members of the affiliate will be making sculpture balloons and Braille name tags at the Celebrate Children festival on November 14 in Fonner Park. From the Chinese good luck tantra totem: 1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 2. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye. 3. Don't judge people by their relatives.

Lincoln Chapter
The Lincoln chapter has been active in recent months in recruitment efforts. In November, the chapter meeting was devoted to the subject of NFB philosophy. Several members spoke about their involvement in the NFB and what the NFB means to them. Attendance was good for this special meeting. The chapter Christmas party was held at Valentino's Restaurant on Dec. 10. Several members of our Omaha chapter came to join in the festivities. The Lincoln chapter will once again host the Legislative Breakfast to be held in January. We encourage everyone to attend. Our annual Bowl of Fun will happen on March 4, 2000. A good time will be had by all, so don't miss the fun!

Table of Contents

NEWS FAVORING BRIEF NOTES

The following items are from Lincoln chapter member Hubert Paulson.

Computer Shows

For those in and around Omaha there are two monthly computer shows that might prove of interest if you are shopping for bargains.

One of the shows has, until recently, been called the Radial Computer Show. It is now billing itself as the "Omaha Computer Fair". It is to be held for the foreseeable future at the Firefighter's Hall at 60th & Grover on what would appear to be the second Sunday of the month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Future show dates have been given as Jan. 23, Feb. 13, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, and May 14. Admission is usually $2.00 for adults. The sponsor of this show has a web site on which dates of future shows are listed. It is: The other show is the Millard Computer Fair. It has usually been held in the Millard Social Hall, which is just off of I-80 at the exit by Sapp Bros. It also runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Its show schedule has been pretty fixed as the third Sunday of the month. Admission is also $2.00 for adults, although if you have access to the Omaha World-Herald, the ads in section 50A for this show can be used as a discount on admission. The sponsors of this show also have a web site with information on future show dates. It is: www.millardcomuterfair.com.

In the past, these shows were on different days, if not different weekends. Now that they seem to be aiming for the same weekend, my perception is that more of the vendors choose the Omaha fair over the Millard fair.

Of interest to those of you in the Lincoln area is that I try, albeit on a sporadic basis, to get up to Omaha when I can, to check on what is being shown and sold at these fairs. From prior experience, I've picked up some good items at quite reasonable prices. If any of you think you might be interested in going up with me at some time or another, contact me to see if I am planning on going to the "next"

fair. Be forewarned, however, that as some items I have been looking for have proven to be in short supply, I generally try to get up there "early", that is about 11:00 AM, although my aim has been to get there as soon after opening as possible. After checking out the fair, if there is sufficient time left in my day, I have at times also checked on what are in the bargain bins at a couple of the computer stores in Omaha, especially CompUSA. If you are interested in such an excursion, call me at 488-2317 or e-mail me at hubertp@inebraska.com

Web Group

Anybody interested in setting up a web-group?

There are several service providers on the Internet that are providing a Site where a group can set up an e-mail exchange.

Once the exchange site is set up, all that a person who wants to participate needs to do is send a message to the site indicating a desire to "subscribe". After the person is accepted, only the one address is needed then to contact all other subscribers. Any message he/she sends to the site is relayed to all other subscribers. The "From" address shown on the header of any message received will show only the address of the relay service. Individuals will, by and large, be anonymous to other subscribers unless they pass their e-mail address on to the group in the body of any message they send to the group.

The nice thing about such a group is that there is no need to "constantly" add new addresses to your address book, unless you specifically desire to do so.

That having been said, is there any interest in the Nebraska area NFB'ers to set up and participate in such a group? If you are, please let me know.

Surgeries

Several members of our Federation family have been hospitalized recently. NFBN Treasurer Cheryl Livingston had ear surgery in early November in Omaha. She is feeling much better and expects an improvement in her hearing. New board member Bonnie Lund of Omaha underwent heart surgery in December and is doing well. Former Nebraskan Aloma Bouma underwent surgery in November. She is recuperating in Baltimore, where she now lives. We wish Cheryl, Bonnie, and Aloma speedy recoveries.

Moved

NFBN newsletter editor Evelyn Haines has moved to a new address. Her new address is 1929 S. Cotner, Lincoln, NE 68506. Her phone number will remain the same.

New Job

NFBN president Mike Floyd recently acquired a new job. He is working as a counselor with the Department of Corrections. Everything is going well for Mike in his new position. Congratulations, Mike!

New Vending Site

Marlin Roesler, a vendor in the Lincoln chapter, obtained 2 new vending sites, one at the Atrium in downtown Lincoln and one at the VA facility in south Lincoln. Congratulations to Marlin!

Table of Contents