The PCB ADVOCATE is a quarterly news publication of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. It is available in large print, braille, cassette, disk, and by email.
Please send change of address and other matters to the PCB office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102, or call 717-920-9999, or 1-877-617-7407. FAX 717-920-9988. email address: pcb1@paonline.com Web site: pcb1.org
June M Horst, Editor
John A Horst, Ass't Editor
Send articles to: ADVOCATE, PCB Office, 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA. 17102. email pcb1@paonline.com Articles can also be sent directly to the Editor at: jjkhor95@epix.net
To promote independence and opportunities for people with vision impairments.
To continue to be recognized as the leading advocacy organization for people with vision impairments in Pennsylvania. The aim of all of our efforts is to encourage and assist people in achieving? their potential as valued members of society. PCB assistance, advocacy, and encouragement will be carried out in such areas as, but not limited to, all aspects of accessibility, transportation, education, and employment.
Articles in this publication reflect the views of the individual writers. They do not necessarily represent the views and policy of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind.
Contributions are tax deductible, and are always much needed. They can be sent to Anthony Evancic, Treasurer, at the PCB office address, at 931 N Front St., Harrisburg, PA? 17102.
If you wish to remember a relative or friend by sharing in the Council's work, the PCB office will acknowledge contributions made by loved ones in memory? of deceased persons. Anyone wishing to remember the PA Council of the Blind in his/her Last Will and Testament, may do so by including a paragraph for this purpose. If your wishes are complex, you may contact the PCB office.
If you wish to submit articles for consideration in the ADVOCATE, please do so. Deadlines for submission are:
March 1. June 1.
September 1. December 1.
You may send them in any format, either to the PCB office, or email them to: jjkhor95@epix.net. Your input is always welcome.
From the Editors: This Spring issue of the ADVOCATE updates the activities, functions, and critical concerns of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. Major contributions to this issue have been made by committee chairs and chapter presidents, keeping in mind the due date for articles. We would like to hear from more chapter members as to what you are doing and what the issues are that you discuss at your meetings. Are you using the PCB Reports' tapes Do you hear them broadcast on your local radio reading service Do you know the day and time of these broadcasts?
The submission date for articles for the Summer edition of the ADVOCATE is June 1, 2008.
| President's Report | 7 |
| From the Director's Desk | 8 |
| Employment | 10 |
| Fundraising | 12 |
| Governmental Affairs | 15 |
| Long Range Planning | 16 |
| Membership | 17 |
| Publicity | 20 |
| Transportation | 21 |
George Holliday, President
The winter snows are melting and the signs of Spring are finally near! The chapters throughout PCB are showing signs of coming out of hibernation and exerting plenty of excitement about which everyone needs to hear.
As your know, the Publicity Committee has the "Project Outreach" program, which will eventually involve all chapters. Every chapter has ideas for advocacy, voting, fundraising, membership, etc. Let's brainstorm about those great ideas instead of wasting time "reinventing the wheel."? I am planning to have a conference call every two months, beginning in May, with chapter presidents and PCB officers. These conference calls will enable chapter presidents to discuss different issues.
Also, the Regionals are scheduled, and John Horst and I will be attending them to give reports. In addition, I am planning to have PCB Board members visit chapter meetings periodically. This will enable chapter members and board members to discuss issues on a local basis. My plans are to have the state membership interacting together more on topics.
If there are any questions or concerns, or you just want to talk, please feel free to contact me at: 215-748-3556 or by email at: george.holliday@verizon.net
Let's all continue to advocate for issues for the blind in Pennsylvania and across the United States.
John A Horst, Executive Director
The arrival of the late winter and spring months are a challenge to the PCB office. We are in the process of wrapping up the PCB membership records for 2008 with the chapters, members-at-large and ACB.
We have planned for and participated in the American Council of the Blind's annual Legislative Seminar. We are now coordinating the five regional meetings, to take place throughout the state in April and May.
There are a number of projects that committees have developed, which are vital and are increasing the effectiveness of PCB. There is also PCB Reports to be distributed monthly, work with the newer chapters, and current legislative issues that need attention. This is in addition to the everyday work of the office in dealing with correspondence, responding to telephone calls, and providing information.
The office is busy, but the work of PCB is greatly increased by what our committees accomplish. The newly-appointed committees this year have been challenged to move beyond the discussion of issues, and to take on selected projects and to carry them to fruition. There has been good response, but we need more of PCB's "rank and file" members to be active on these projects.
We hope you are listening to PCB Reports, which is aired on all Pennsylvania's Radio Reading Services. The tapes are also distributed to all chapter presidents. If you would like your own personal copy of PCB Reports each month, please let the office know and we will be happy to send one to you. Ed Facemyer and William Newland are doing a great job with these reports.
This issue of the ADVOCATE again reports on the work of PCB and what its committees and chapters are doing. We also report on issues and news, and what is happening in the blindness field. Enjoy reading. You may respond to any article or idea presented. Letters of comment or questions to the Editor are always welcomed. They will be published ONLY with your permission.
Carla Hayes, Chair
New Goals for a New Year
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind has entered a new era. Committee assignments have been made and it is time to get down to the hard work of goal setting and planning for the future of our organization. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who took the time to complete the survey that the Employment Committee disseminated last year. Findings from this survey will be published in a future column. Your survey responses will greatly help us to decide the direction in which our committee should go.
As we analyze the survey data and set goals for the Employment Committee, I would like to remind you that your input is always welcome. Is there something that you would like to see covered in the Employment column, or would you like to contribute an article to be published in this column If so, please contact me. Would you like to share information about what you do for a living and how you do it with a visual impairment Do you know of helpful employment-related resources or valuable job search techniques which have been useful to you Do you have an idea for a program that you would like to see the Employment Committee conduct for PCB, or an employment-related seminar that you would like us to present during the PCB State Convention Would you like to give us feedback about articles that we have published or programs and seminars that we have conducted in the past In short, if you have any employment-related concern, suggestion, or insight, please contact me or any member of the Employment Committee. Your input would be valuable to us. My contact information is: Carla Hayes, 230 Robinhood Lane, McMurray, PA 15317. Phone: 724-941-8184. email: lengual@concentric.net
Remember--PCB is your organization, and the Employment Committee is your committee. Therefore, you have the right and responsibility to help shape what we do so that we can continue to be a strong and effective organization for people who are blind and visually impaired.
Thomas Reid, Chair
"As a Village We Can"
Since 2008 is an election year, it seemed appropriate to borrow some slogans from the presidential candidates and apply them to PCB's fundraising efforts.
"It takes a village?"
This African proverb, popularized by Hillary Clinton, teaches the importance each individual has in educating and raising children in the community.
In our PCB village, all of us as members play a role in every aspect of the success of the organization. This includes fundraising. We participate in the twice annual raffles, convention auction and media sale, and through various other financial contributions. While we will continue to ask for your support in these areas, we are welcoming input from the community.
The PCB Fundraising Committee met in February to begin planning? various projects. This meeting included a brainstorming session among the committee members. We discussed some good ideas and will analyze each one further to determine the most appropriate for PCB.
Now, we want to hear from you. Give us your ideas for generating funds for PCB. Contact any of the committee members listed below.
"Yes, we can!"?
Finally, Barack Obama's inspirational call for all to believe and take an optimistic approach to the rebuilding of this country, I hope will inspire us all to work together for PCB.
It's not too early to begin donating items for our auction. Contributions of new or unused items or gift certificates are welcomed. As spring approaches, take a look at the various media items you have, including audio books, music CD's? and descriptive movies, that you can donate in order to make room for the new items on your wish list. All items can be sent to the PCB office. We ask, that if possible, you label each item in Braille as well as print.
There are other ways you can help. When discussing PCB during any community meetings, be sure to get the word out that PCB accepts car donations. For more information or to receive fliers, contact the PCB office.
PCB's ability to successfully promote the issues of the visually impaired and blind community is based on all members believing and taking action. Get involved. Will you?
Committee members:
Rodger Simmons, Chair
It's that time of year when everyone is urging us to vote. So, I won't say the usual things that you may hear or read elsewhere. But here is a couple of things to think about.
Think of all the money that was spent to get new voting machines for this state. It is now possible for a blind or visually impaired person to cast a private vote. Isn't this what we were fighting to get for all those years Now, our voice can be heard. But the problem is this: few blind and visually impaired persons vote! Some day a politician may say that after all the money that was spent, we still do not vote. They may put back the old machines that we cannot use. So, it is important for all of us to get out there and vote!
After the voting is over in April, it is our duty to get involved in the campaign. Chapters should be asking questions of the candidates in their area. The candidates should be asked about how they feel concerning funding for transportation, APS, and BBVS. The Governmental Affairs Committee cannot get involved in every election around Pennsylvania, BUT YOU CAN!
Joe Wassermann, Chair
First, let me thank the members of the Long Range Planning Committee who are: Tom Burgunder, Ernest Wright, Pam Shaw, John Horst, and Helen Koshensky. Of course, George Holliday, participates when possible.
Job descriptions have been compiled for Rhonda Hanafi, Office Assistant, and John Horst, Executive Director of PCB. A proposal is being written for the purchase of equipment, which will allow us to stream our convention proceedings at the PCB State Conventions. Pam and John have begun work to secure an intern to work in the PCB office for the fall semester. Plans are under way to contact the support services at colleges in and around the Johnstown area. The plan is to seek out and encourage as many blind and vision impaired students at these institutions, and give them information about PCB. Further, we will invite them to at least the activities on Friday afternoon at the state convention, to be held in Johnstown next fall. This will also give them the opportunity to see the displays. There will be more specifics in the next issue of the ADVOCATE. -- Contributed by Joe Wassermann, chair.
Jeanette Schmoyer, Chair
The Two "R's" of Membership
Is your chapter's membership growing Are some of your new members young, with new ideas, and providing new energy If not, you may need to consider doing something differently. Are you actively trying to recruit new members Are you doing all you can to involve all members in the work of the chapter?
There are two aspects of membership growth. One is RECRUITMENT and the other is RETENTION. These are the two "R's." Membership recruitment and retention are important issues for each chapter and affiliate of PCB. Every chapter should have a Membership Committee among its standing committees.
How can we do RECRUITMENT Use the PCB brochure or create a brochure for your own chapter. Distribute the brochures to eye doctors' offices, to blindness agencies, to blindness groups (such as Blind Bowlers), and to other disability agencies and groups. Give a brochure to your friends who are not members. They may know other visually impaired people. You will want to include local contact information. If you are using the PCB brochure, create a ship-in page with your local contact information. You might consider making the brochure available on cassette tape. Challenge your members to bring in new members. A contest or awards may add excitement to the challenge. Give time to visitors and guests at your meetings to give a short biographical background of themselves. Encourage members to speak to visitors to make them feel welcome.
Once we have visitors coming to meetings, how do we keep them coming Ask interested guests for contact information. Keep in touch with them between meetings. Encourage them to join your chapter in order to receive the ADVOCATE and BRAILLE FORUM magazines, and to support the work of your chapter, as well as PCB and ACB.
Keeping your members happy is just as important as getting new members. Be aware of special events in the lives of your members, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Acknowledge sad times in the lives of your members, such as times of illness and death in their families. Encourage all members to be involved in chapter activities, such as committee work, fundraisers, advocacy, peer support, technical assistance, etc. Every member of a chapter should have a copy of the chapter's membership list so that members can contact each other. This helps to foster friendships among members and provides all members with the ability to "care" for each other. If a member misses a meeting, other members can call to check if he or she is ill. Also, members can call each other to arrange transportation to meetings. Another important aspect of retention is to appreciate new ideas and give them consideration. Avoid the attitude "we never do it that way."? Allow some social time with meetings, either monthly or periodically, so members will have ample opportunity to get to know each other and become friends.
If your chapter has been successful in membership growth, write to the ADVOCATE Editor and let us tell your story in the ADVOCATE, to share your ideas with other chapters. email your ideas to? either the PCB office or to June Horst, Editor, at jjkhor95@epix.net
Ed Facemyer and Bill Newland, Co-chairs
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) has successfully unveiled phase 1 of Project Outreach. This phase includes contacting all chapters and reviewing their accomplishments and plans for the future. A number of chapters were contacted and everyone was pleasant, cooperative, talkative, and looking forward to some of our ideas. We will continue to complete phase 1 by contacting the remaining chapters.
By the time you read this article, you will have received either a large print letter, an audio cassette, or an email, in an effort to complete a similar project which was started last April when all chapters were asked to create a referral list which we can use in our chapters and the PCB office files. We need to finalize this project and go forward with others.
We continue to aim for inter-chapter cooperation. The plan is for all of us to be working similarly on a project of importance to your own chapters and to PCB.
Time is on our side, and I know as we progress, all things will fall into place, and we will see results within your? individual chapters and on the PCB at-large level. -- Submitted by Helen Koshensky, Project Outreach Coordinator
Joe Perry, Chair
It's time for an update as to what your Transportation Committee is dealing with. We have had two meetings this year. Our general coverage has been the same: mass transit, shared ride for persons under age 65 with disabilities, pedestrian safety, and general accessibility of transportation facilities for persons with visual impairment and blindness.
There is still much concern about? sources of funding, designated by Act 44, the legislation signed by the Governor last July concerning transportation. At this time, privatization of the turnpike and exacting tolls on route 80 are far from being implemented. There is much opposition to both ideas. Many consider privatizing the turnpike will present a risk, and some of our own congressional representatives are opposed to tolling route 80. As far as I know, the Governor favors putting the turnpike in private hands. As I sit here writing this article, my thought is to contact the Governor's office to get an idea of what our next step should be. In the meantime, keep hoping that a solution can be reached.
The shared ride situation seems to be optimistic. As you may recall, the shared ride program for persons under age 65 with disabilities was extended to all eligible counties. Allegheny and Philadelphia are not included. It is now up to the counties where shared ride does not exist to apply to PENNDOT for inclusion in the program. It is my pleasure to inform you that Luzerne? and Lackawana counties have applied and soon will be included in the program. Other counties have also applied, and it will not be long until all 65 counties will have shared ride for persons under age 65 with disabilities.
In regard to pedestrian safety, we have learned of a way that local chapters might implement the installation of accessible pedestrian signals: that is to contact the Federal Department of Transportation, informing them that your rights have been violated under ADA. The exact address is: US Department of Transportation, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20590. We would like to compliment the local chapters of PCB on their success in having accessible pedestrian signals in their localities.
The "quiet car" issue is now very prominent among organizations of the blind. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has developed a resolution which urges Congress to pass legislation for the US Department of Transportation and other entities to study the issue, with the object of coming up with a solution to the problem. We will try to keep you informed as to the outcome. Another related issue is "quiet buses."? Cynthia Lister, of SEPTA, spoke to the Philadelphia Regional Chapter about these vehicles. She seems to believe that, although they are quieter than regular buses they can still be heard. However, she went on to say that there is a willingness on the part of SEPTA to demonstrate these quiet buses for anyone who wishes.
Finally, Amtrak needs money to repair their tracks and other equipment. They are asking for $23 million for this purpose. At this time, there does not seem much hope that Congress will act on this matter. You may want to contact your representative in this regard.
If you have any questions, or wish to contact me for any other reason, you may do so at 4753 Brian Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. My telephone number is 717-761-1920, and my email address has been changed to: joleperry@verizon.net
Ray Bogardus, a member of our chapter and our Legislative Representative, had hip replacement surgery in January. He developed an infection, which put him back in the hospital. Upon his release from the hospital, he spent several weeks in Manor care. He is now at home recuperating and will be doing therapy 3 times weekly. To reach him with cards or phone calls, his address is: 214 Bailey Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070. Phone: 717-774-6896. His email address is: raybosr@paonline.com
June Horst, ADVOCATE Editor, is recuperating from rotator cuff and torn muscle surgery, which was performed in January. For 6 weeks she was not permitted to drive, which was a real hardship! Because of the severity of the tears, she was original told that therapy would take at least a year, but she is doing so well that she is now told that she will finish therapy by May! She still has limited use of her right arm, but she learned to eat left handed pretty quickly!
The traffic control project is due to begin construction on June 1, 2008. Members of the task force committee, along with Donna Zierer (Altoona PAB) and Jim Joyce (BBVS Erie) met with city planners.
The Wal-Mart sensitivity training program in February, had a good response to the video and sight loss kit. The Braille display generated much interest and many questions about eye diseases. A follow-up call to Wal-Mart will be made to continue the training possibilities.
Sheetz coupons are ready for distribution. Fund raising options were presented for review.
We now have 30 paid members, and are actively seeking new ones. Our group picnic committee is planning for our annual summer picnic.
Ruth Ann Gilbert, former president of our chapter, passed away on March 9. She had been in a nursing home for several months. Her sister, Eldereen Paules, who lives in Connecticut, is also a member of our chapter, and was here for her sister's funeral. Their sister, Beverly Garman, is also an active member of our chapter.
Since we reported in November that we had 15 members, the Red Rose Council of the Blind (RRCB) now has a total of 22 members. We have been meeting the 2ndSaturday morning of the month at 10:30 in the County Library in downtown Lancaster.
We have been active with many advocacy efforts, including successfully convincing Millersville University of the need for an Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) on campus. We are working with Millersville Borough officials to obtain APS at several other intersections in the town of Millersville. Positive progress has been occurring.
In the city of Lancaster, we have had a more difficult time advocating for APS. Eight of our members attended a city council meeting and several of us have subsequently met with city officials, but funding seems to be a critical obstacle. We are now searching potential funding sources for APS in downtown Lancaster.
Two of our members attended the ACB Legislative Seminar in Washington, DC in February. We visited the offices of several US Congressmen from our area. We assisted with advocacy efforts for 3 specific pieces of legislation related to quiet vehicles, web site accessibility and audible telecommunication devices access. -- Submitted by Ed Hersh, President
Yvonne Garris is a student at Harrisburg Community College in Lancaster and a two-time PCB scholarship winner at our annual ACB convention. Because of her efforts, working with John Horst and several others, the Lancaster Red Rose Chapter of PCB was organized. She has sent in the following statement: "I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the honor of receiving the William Cory scholarship for the second year in a row. This scholarship helps me in my academic goals.
I have been so inspired by what I have learned and through the people I have met, I have the desire to become more involved in the blind community, and advocating for our rights.
Again, thank you for choosing me for a second year and for all the inspiration you have given me."
The officers of the Lehigh Valley Council of the Blind are: President--Sherry Hancik; Vice President--Rita Lang; Recording Secretary--Josh Young; Corresponding Secretary--Jameel Memon; and Treasurer--Adam Shive.
The dues for the LVCB chapter are $20.00. Of this amount, $5.00 goes for ACB, $5.00 for PCB, and $10.00 for LVCB dues. Our dues provide to us both the quarterly PCB ADVOCATE magazine and the monthly ACB BRAILLE FORUM magazine. It also helps to pay the salaries of a skeleton staff in both the ACB and PCB offices. The Executive Directors of ACB and PCB are responsible for the advocacy for legislation that will benefit people who are blind or visually impaired. Advocacy and blindness/low vision education are the two most vital task of our state and national offices.
In 2007, the LVCB had several interesting speakers and programs, but perhaps among the most interesting was a tour of the Rehability Store, which sells adaptive devices for people with disabilities. Among the most interesting items for sale there for people who are blind or visually impaired was the Hamilton Beach talking microwave and a talking alarm clock that also speaks the indoor temperature. Staff at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center, in which the store is located, provided us with a continental breakfast from their snack cafe, and also provided tables in the lobby outside the Rehability store for our meeting and bag lunches after the tour.
Rosalie Mayer and Joanne Rath are co-chairs of the LVCB Program Committee, and are looking for ideas for programs. If you have suggestions, please contact Joanne Rath at jrath1@rcn.com
We welcome ideas from other chapters as well. What has worked for you in terms of interesting speakers?
We hope you all enjoy the coming spring! --Submitted by Jeanette Schmoyer
See article under STATE NEWS, entitled "Reading Made Easier for Persons with Reading Impairments," by Mary Ann Alexander, Chapter President.
Rudolph Thompson, a long-time member of our chapter is receiving care at home for terminal cancer. He had been a patient at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, but is now at home. To contact Rudy and Anne, it would be best to call on Friday. Their telephone number is: 215-877-9729. Address is: The Duffield House, 3701 Conshohocken Avenue, Apartment 203, Philadelphia, PA 19131. They would love to hear from you. We are not sure how long we will have Rudy with us, but as you all know, Overbrook, PCB, and ASB has always been dear to his heart. -- Submitted by Bernadette Giddens
Our chapter has lost another member and beloved friend. On February 21, Pat Dorgan of Houston, PA., passed away at the age of 75, after losing a battle with cancer.
Pat was a high school graduate and had an interesting and varied work history. After she worked for 14 years in retail at the Fashion Bug, she was employed as a babysitter, helping to raise more than 30 children. In her later years, she worked as a tour guide for several bus companies, and later organized her own tours under the name of Pat Dorgan Tours. She had a special knack of making her tours fun, exciting, and memorable. Several of our chapter members had the privilege of touring with her.
She was also a generous volunteer and a strong advocate for people who are blind and visually impaired. She was active in the Washington Green County Blind Association and a dedicated, hardworking member of the Washington County Chapter of PCB. She volunteered her time to speak to children at various schools regarding blindness diseases and counseled individuals with visual impairments. Among her many surviving relatives and friends are her son, Dan, who is on our chapter's Board of Directors, Dan's wife, Karen, who is our treasurer, and all the members of the Washington County Chapter.
In saying "goodbye" to Pat, we will always have many special memories of her. We remember how she and the other residents of the Heritage House, where she resided, often welcomed our chapter into their Community Room, and all the memorable parties, meals and chapter meetings we had together in that place. We have fond memories of the many hours we spent together on bus tours, her endless enthusiasm and energy, the stories she told, and the compassionate way she treated all the travelers. We would all be better people if we could adopt her high standards for whatever work is to be done, her wisdom, and her positive outlook on life. Our members will greatly miss her! -- Submitted by Carla Hayes
Editor's Note: We have heard from Buss? Cravner that there is interest in organizing a PCB chapter in the Clarion-Forrest County area. He has already submitted proposed by-laws and is solicitating members. Stay tuned.
Additional Note: Most chapters are working on community projects, and your fellow PCBer's across the state would like to know what you are doing, what difficulties and successes you are experiencing. If your chapter is not represented in the Chapter Reports column, it is probably because we have not heard from you. Chapter reports come from YOU, and are always appreciated.--The Editor
April 19 at Hoss' Restaurant in Enola, PA? Hosted by Capital Cities chapter. For information, call Joseph Perry at 717-761-1920.
Southeast Region: May 10 at 919 Walnut St., 10thfloor. Hosted by Philadelphia Regional chapter. For information, call James Saylor at 620-872-8175.
May 17 at Lighthouse for the Blind, New Brighton, PA. Hosted by Beaver County chapter. For information, call Ken Sheets at 724-843-6485.
Date, place to be determined.
May 3 --? 10 AM at Greater Wilkes Barre Assoc/Blind, 1825 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, PA. Hosted by Luzerne County chapter. For information, call Thomas Walsh at 570-829-0787.
Stephen M. Schmerin resigned in January as Secretary of Labor and Industry. He was appointed in January 2003.
Schmerin's accomplishments include: increasing the enforcement of labor law, resulting in more money for Pennsylvania's workers; reducing the number of labor disputes to 28 in 2006, the lowest amount on record; significantly reducing the time it takes to process workers' compensation and unemployment compensation claims; placing more people with disabilities into employment; increasing the enrollment and graduation rates at the Hiram G Andrews Center in Johnstown; increasing the number of workers covered by state-certified workplace safety committees to more than one million; changing the unemployment and workers' compensation systems to allow claimants to receive benefits faster through a debit card program.
His plans include spending more time with his wife and children, and returning to the practice of law. Prior to his appointment, he was a private practicing attorney for more than 20 years, representing working families and businesses.
By Tony Swartz, Chair
Convention Planning Committee
Please mark your calendar -- the 2008 Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Convention and Conference will be held in Johnstown from Friday, October 31stthrough November 2nd. The Holiday Inn Downtown Johnstown will be the convention hotel, and the room rate is $79.00 plus tax per night. You will find the hotel intimately small, but the accommodations more than comfortable.
The Convention Program Committee is hard at work planning an exciting and interesting convention. This year's theme "Independence Through Empowerment" will be reflected in a number of presentations and workshops.
A tour is being planned that will include lunch at the Incline Restaurant and Pub. As some might remember, in 2000 when the convention was last held in Johnstown, the incline was being refurbished. I promised then that if the convention were ever held again in Johnstown, we would ride the incline, and so we will.
Look for many more details of our upcoming convention in the next issue of the ADVOCATE.
NOW ON THE WEB
PCB Reports for March 2008 are on PCB's web site and are available for listening or downloading from the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind web site www.pcb1.org.
This month's lineup begins with an interview with Dick Bledsoe, immediate past President of the Illinois Council of the Blind. He will tell us what the ICB is doing to involve deaf blind persons in the activities of the chapters and state organization.
Next, John Horst, PCB Executive Director, will report on this year's ACB Legislative Seminar held in Washington, DC from February 10 through 12. The program concludes with an excerpt of a talk given by Cynthia Lister from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, about hybrid buses.
The program is broadcast on all radio reading services in Pennsylvania, and each chapter president receives a cassette copy of the program which can be shared with chapter members. Additional cassette copies can be requested from the PCB office. Phone toll free 1-877-617-7407. Your comments and suggestions are welcome, or if you would like to contribute audio material for the program, contact Ed Facemyer at 610-647-3365. email: efacem@comcast.net or Bill Newland at 412-487-4995. email: bnewland1@verizon.net
Please mark your calendars for Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania, coming April 22. The last day to register is March 23. There are 42 states that have an earlier primary election date than Pennsylvania, however, your vote still counts!
What was your experience when voting last fall Please let the PCB office know. We have a voting coalition in Harrisburg who is working with the PA Department of State, dealing with election and voting machine problems. -- Contributed by John Horst
By Mary Ann Alexander
Last year, the Monroe County Council of the Blind opened a dialogue with Sara May-Silfee, the Director of Voter Registration, in an effort to solidify use of the audible component of the voting machines, and to find ways to make the voting process generally better for persons who are visually challenged or otherwise reading impaired.
As a result of the Help Americans Vote Act (HAVA), mandating both accessible poll location and voting machines, Monroe County selected the Danaher machine. The Danaher incorporates accessibility features, including speech output, a large print display, and a stand which allows for lowering and repositioning of the unit to accommodate persons using wheelchairs. One more step forward for persons with disabilities!
Now, however, because of the efforts between the Monroe County Council of the Blind and the Director of Voting, all poll workers and election judges have been through a sensitivity training session, describing some of the ways they can be more helpful to persons with a visual challenge, and generally make the process of voting for this population simpler and more dignified. We believe that by making our presence known in the training effort, we put faces, personalities and real situations before the election judges, poll workers, and commissioners of voting. We believe that it was this personalization that motivated them all to work hard for this cause.
More recent and very exciting is the fact that folks can now go to the Monroe County Voter's Web site and listen to both an audible file to describe in detail the functions of the talking component of the voting machine, and the specific ballot for their own municipality. In this way, a person with a visual challenge or reading disability can be better prepared at the polling place. Our plan is to make this an ongoing effort where we intend to remain a part of the entire process.
For more information regarding this topic, contact the Monroe County Council of the Blind at 570-421-4118.
By Tony Swartz
A substantial portion of our mission as a blindness advocacy organization is to inform the general public of the realities of vision loss and our ability to function as independent and fulfilled individuals. We want to tell our story, explain away the myths, reveal ourselves and our lives for what they are, rather than what others would preconceive. Putting aside what independence and fulfillment might mean to each of us individually, arriving at some semblance of a homogenized interpretation, we collectively seek out opportunities for exposure, that is, public relations. So often, that opportunity for exposure turns out to be at the hands of the local news media, newspapers, and television.
In matters relating to disability, dealing with the local news media lies somewhere between a crapshoot and Russian roulette. For a majority of local town producers, editors, and reporters, there is a knee-jerk reaction, disability story equals feature, and feature is always less about fact than a good story. And, just as history is fact plus interpretation, news reporting is fact plus context, and ever, ever so much more the case with feature reporting.
Couching the facts within an atmosphere of pathos, "how tragic the circumstance," adding in a degree of appreciation for one's own plight, "there for the grace of God go I," and capping with a "but everything turns out in the end for our disabled hero" close, and there you have the shell for a disability feature. For any of us who have ever been the subject of a newspaper or local television news story, more often than not, we are left with feelings ranging from disquiet to humiliation. Many of us question whether the exposure has resulted in more damage than good. What after all was the resulting message to the public? For an advocacy organization this must always be the question.
Even less predictable is the press' coverage of a disability-related issue-based story: a case in point, press coverage of our 2007 state convention. While NLS, PCB, and the convention received substantial local newspaper and television coverage, when the opportunity arose for the press to cover an issue of depth with considerable significance to us (quiet cars), their presentation of the issue proved simplistic, conclusions drawn banal, the story line framed as "The Blind are Against Hybrids." Despite our careful explanation of the issue to the press and our vehement denials to the contrary, what made the six o'clock news? Absolutely "The Blind are Against Hybrids." Nuances ignored, proposed solutions be damned, controversy created, the blind against the hybrids of the sighted. As David Brinkley speculated in a posthumously published memoir, "much television news, in response to economic pressures, competition, and perhaps a basic lack of commitment to the integrity and value of the enterprise, has become so trivial and devoid of content, as to be little different from entertainment programming."
While we could debate the merits of local news outlets, the overriding mandate to produce commercially marketable pap, that is not the issue here. Rather, the issue is whether it is possible to control the dissemination of our own story. So, I was especially intrigued to learn of an effort by the Monroe County Council of the Blind chapter to do just that; control the telling of its own story. MCCB, since its inception, as all responsible advocacy organizations should do, I suppose, has actively sought media coverage for its advocacy efforts.
But more often than not, courting press coverage has yielded less than favorable results. As Thomas Reid, former MCCB President, states, "several attempts by MCCB to promote issues like accessible voting, resulted in either the issue being out-shadowed by the negative imagery of blindness or the publishing of incorrect information." Mary Ann Alexander, MCCB's current President further elaborates, "we strive to improve the image of blind and visually impaired people in the minds of the average person, the potential employer, the sales clerk at the store, the waitress in a restaurant, the potential landlord, etc. and have definitely had our share of the kind of press that sends the wrong image, and nearly every time we had either an article in the newspaper or a spot on one of the news casts, we found ourselves wondering if it was worth it."
After more than a half dozen published articles, rather than excepting what might be thought of as the inevitable, the chapter invited a reporter from the area newspaper, the Pocono Record, to address the chapter on the topic "Improving Our Press." While it was a good first attempt, subsequent articles and television news stories continued in the same formulaic vein. Nevertheless, the chapter sought further dialogue with the press, and following up on a suggestion to Reid from a local television reporter, the chapter organized a "media meet-up." Its purpose, as Alexander explains, is "for the media and MCCB to learn how to maximize our press opportunities."
Initially, what the chapter has learned is that there is no quick fix here. A relationship with the press is a process, primarily one of accommodation. Reid points out, for example, "On multiple occasions, members of the media stressed the importance of attaching a human story to an issue, insisting that readers are not interested in issues."
Let me emphasize that what we strive for is not manipulation of the press, but the ability to learn to control the facts and timbre of our story.
Is it possible to achieve such a goal? Personally, I am not convinced, but I do believe that we as an advocacy organization must challenge ourselves to do so. To that end, the Convention Planning Committee has invited members of the MCCB to assist in hosting a media workshop during this year's convention. Details to follow.
Let me close with a further challenge. Just as we court the press, so too do the organizations for the blind. What story do they struggle to tell What image do they seek to portray as a service provider What image do they seek to promote of their clientele As troubling as it might seem to us, and as much as we might not want to admit it, in many communities, the press views them as our voice. I, for one, would welcome their perspective.
By Janice Knuth, MSW, LSW
Assistive Technology Funding Coordinator and Low Vision Specialist, Institute on Disabilities At Temple University
The services of Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) have undergone some changes as a result of changes in the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. The purpose of this article is to inform you of the current services provided by PIAT, and invite you to take advantage of them.
For those who do not know, or are uncertain about what assistive technology is, let me clarify. An assistive technology (AT) device is any item that enables a person with a disability to communicate, work, play, learn, do chores at home, or get around in the community. AT devices can increase the ability of individuals with disabilities and older adults to be independent, contributing, and included members in the community.
Assistive technology (AT) includes simple, inexpensive devices, as well as complex and expensive electronic aids. For people with low vision, assistive technology for reading ranges from a small magnifying glass to a desktop or hand held video magnifier that enlarges print, or screen magnification programs that enlarges print on a computer. For people with no vision, assistive technology for writing includes a slate and stylus for writing Braille by hand, an electronic brailler, a computer-based note taker with voice output, and software that enables the use of a computer by voice output. AT includes devices for activities other than reading and writing. Examples are: white canes for getting around in the community, talking watches and clocks for organizing time, talking thermometers and glucose meters for health care, and talking tape measures for repairing or improving things around the house.
Assistive technology includes services that help people with disabilities identify, obtain, and use assistive technology devices. AT services for people with vision impairment are provided by low vision specialists, rehabilitation teachers, orientation and mobility instructors, computer instructors, and certified assistive technology professionals (ATPs).
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) is a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. PIAT's mission is to improve access to, and acquisition of, AT for all Pennsylvanians who can benefit from it. The program is statewide and serves people of all ages and with all disabilities. PIAT services include information and referral, device demonstrations, device loans, equipment recycling, and training and technical assistance. In order to be responsive to local needs, PIAT has a network of Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) across the state. The Institute on Disabilities serves as both the PIAT "central office" and the ATRC for the five-county greater Philadelphia area. (See contact information at the end of this article).
Information and referral provides assistance via phone, email, or US mail, about the availability of AT devices and services. Individualized assistance is available to help consumers navigate the maze of funding options available to obtain AT. PIAT disseminates important information about funding options via written materials that are available at: disabilities.temple.edu
If you do not have access to the Internet, the information can be provided by telephone or sent to you.
Referral may be made to a variety of AT service providers and vendors. PIAT also refers consumers to the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (patf.us) for low-interest cash loans so they can purchase the AT they need, and to the Disability Rights Network of PA (drnpa.org) for assistance in obtaining AT through public systems.
The most exciting change in PIAT services is that AT device demonstrations are now available. These demonstrations are hands-on opportunities to learn more about different AT devices. Demonstrations help individuals make an informed choice about whether or not a particular type of device might work and which devices might work best. Demonstrations are scheduled upon request, and usually held in the office of PIAT or the ATRC that serves the county in which the individual lives.
You may already be familiar with Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library. Pennsylvanians of any age and disability can borrow AT devices at no cost, to try out at work, school, home, or in their communities. This short-term loan program allows individuals with disabilities to "try before they buy," which allows them to make the right choice before a device is purchased. The loan period is usually from two to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the device, with a possible two week extension. The only changes are that we keep adding new devices to our inventory.
A new program of the AT Lending Library is the Higher Education Assistive Technology Program (HEAT). This program is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It enables students in Pennsylvania colleges, universities, and vocational training schools to borrow the AT device they need for up to one semester (15 to 16 weeks).
Previously-owned devices are an affordable alternative to buying new. Several options are available for Pennsylvanians. These include a "classifieds" listing of used devices (piat.reep.ioddev.org), a national online auction site (ATmatch.com) and programs in Pennsylvania that clean and repair devices for reuse. We can also tell you about other reutilization programs.
Examples of devices you might find listed in the REEP Classified are video magnifiers, note takers, and wheelchairs. In addition to finding items for purchase or for free, you can list devices you want to sell or give away.
AT training opportunities educate employers, healthcare providers, agency staff, as well as people with disabilities and their families. The purpose of the AT training is to increase their knowledge and skills related to AT. Technical assistance provides collaborative problem-solving with public and private agencies and organizations to develop and improve policies related to AT.
PIAT administers Pennsylvania's TDDP through which eligible Pennsylvanians with disabilities can obtain free telephone equipment to help improve their ability to communicate by telephone. More information is available at disabilities.temple.edu
Mrs. Anthony saw a hand-held digital magnifier at an AT Expo at her senior center. She called her ATRC and made an appointment for a demonstration of hand-held magnifiers. As soon as she saw the Compact +, she decided that this $800 device would meet her needs even better than the more expensive one she saw earlier. She received help in completing an application for a no interest loan from the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. Since she is considered to be a low-income individual, the Foundation also gave her a grant of one-half the cost of the device.
Mr. Berks was referred to PIAT because he needed a portable video magnifier. He is attempting to get a GED. He already had a desk model video magnifier at home, but needed one that he could take to class. He received demonstrations of several portable and pocket-fixed video magnifiers and borrowed them, one at a time, to try out in class. It quickly became obvious that he did better with a portable device with a larger screen. PIAT staff found that a local vendor had one at a reduced price, slightly less than $1,000, because it had been used and refurbished. He was then referred to PATF, from which he received a grant for one-half the price and a no-interest loan to pay for the other half.
Ms. Cane heard about hand-held video magnifiers from her low vision optometrist and a friend. She was so happy that they might enable her to read restaurant menus, prices in stores, and other things in the community. A demonstration at PIAT convinced her that she could benefit from the demonstration and searched the web for a device that would best meet her needs, found one, talked with vendors by phone, and bought it from the one that gave her the best deal.
If you have any questions about PIAT's services, please visit our website at disabilities.temple.edu
You may also feel free to call me at 215-204-5397 or send an email to me at jknuth@temple.edu or to: fundAT@temple.edu
FEBRUARY 10-12, 2008
By John A Horst, PCB Director
One hundred twenty five active ACB advocates, including seven from Pennsylvania came to Washington, DC on February 10-12, 2008 to receive the latest information on current legislative issues and then to visit congress to secure their support.
This year, PCB decided to have several of our newer chapter presidents have this opportunity. As a result, Edward Hersh from Lancaster, James Marchino from York, and Scott Roberts from Oil Valley, along with Stephanie Hersh, Rodger Simmons, Teresa Oddo, and John Horst made up the team.
The three issues this year were:
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) has released a draft of the 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility. ACB actively participated in the development of this draft legislation. In our visits on the hill, we urged our representatives to formerly introduce and become co-sponsors of this draft. It contains provisions for video description, the equipment required, and assures that TV receivers will continue to be available to receive descriptive video as we enter the digital age.
Conclusion: The Pennsylvania delegation visited 13 US Representatives and our two US Senators on the last day of this seminar. We appreciate the commitment of the members of this team who were willing to make the trip, participate in this seminar, and struggle through some terrible weather conditions on the return home.
John Horst, PCB Director
Full Funding for Digital Talking Books: The initial funding request by the Library of Congress for this conversion to digital talking books and equipment to read them was for $19.1 million. However, Congress provided only $12.5 million.
The Library of Congress accepted this amount without protest, even though the difference in funding would lengthen the conversion process. According to Judy Dixon, an advocate for this program, the library will only be able to make 3.5 million copies of audio books in four years, instead of 4.8 million. Advocates, including ACB, are working with Congress to have the original funding request of $19.1 million restored for each of the four years in order to keep this vital program on schedule.
Accessible Currency: This issue remains in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals. Presentations were made last November to a three-judge panel by lawyers for both the Treasury Department and the American Council of the Blind on their respective positions. We are still wanting for the Circuit Court's decision.
From Melanie Brunson
Executive Director, ACB
The BRAILLE FORUM is an important publication of the American Council of the Blind. It is once again being issued each month, instead of the ten or eleven issues per year, as was the case for the last several years. To maintain this practice, support is needed.
Again this year, ACB is sponsoring a raffle with the drawing to take place at the Friday evening banquet of the National Convention. The first prize is $5,000, second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $500. The cost of the ticket is $50. You can purchase a ticket yourself or join with someone else or have your chapter purchase one. The BRAILLE FORUM is worthy of your support. Tickets are available from the PCB office. Your support of this fundraiser will be appreciated. -- Submitted by John A Horst, Executive Director, PCB
NEW COMMEMORATIVE SECTION OF THE ACB CONVENTION PROGRAM
From Carla Ruschival
There are many special people who have played significant roles in the lives of blind and visually impaired people. The volunteer who works tirelessly at local chapter events, that member who runs the telephone trees, the deceased member who played a significant role in the history of your chapter -- often these outstanding individuals go unheralded on the national scene.
Now you can share the accomplishments of these special people by participating in the new Commemorative section of the ACB Convention Program. Commemorative pages in the large print edition will be printed on high-quality paper; pages may include a color photograph of your special person and a short caption about his or her accomplishments. The text of the page will appear in Braille, tape, and electronic editions of the program. What a wonderful way to honor or memorialize that special person!
To reserve commemorative pages in the 2008 ACB convention program, send photographs (digital preferred) and text, along with a check in the amount of $500 per page, made payable to the 2008 ACB Convention and mail to:
American Council of the Blind
2008 ACB Convention
120 S 6thStreet, Suite 1005
Minneapolis, MN. 55402
For more information, contact Brenda Dillon at 615-874-1223 or by email at: atbrendan0@bellsouth.net
HumanWare was pleased to announce its appearance on the popular TV show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," which was broadcast on February 17 on ABC in the United States.
In this new episode, the Extreme Makeover Home Edition team came to the rescue of the Hughes family and their son, Patrick, who is blind, whose determination and courage is truly a source of inspiration. Patrick has overcome many challenges to become a musician. Therefore, the team designed the Hughes family home layout, based on Patrick's specific needs, so that he can enjoy more autonomy and freedom in his daily life.
To add to Patrick's new accessible environment, the EMHE team called on HumanWare for its renowned assistive technology products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Patrick was provided with products, courtesy of HumanWare. These high-quality innovative products included: the Trekker system, the popular talking GPS, a BrailleNote personal assistant, the Victor Reader Stream, and a pocket-size digital talking book player.
"The HumanWare team is happy to help make Patrick and his family's dream come true," says Gilles Pepin, President of HumanWare. "Our mission is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired, and this mission is shared by the EMHE team in this episode."
HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind and have low vision and students with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business, and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audio book players, and SmartView Xtend, the first fully modular and upgradeable CCTV-based video magnifier. For more information, contact HumanWare at 1-800-722-3393 or email at us.info@humanware.com -- Submitted by George Holliday
The US Senate passed a resolution in January, honoring the 150 years of service to the blind and visually impaired by Louisville's American Printing House for the Blind. The resolution was co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, R-KY, and Senator Jim Bunning, R-KY.
Senator McConnell said: "I rise to mark the 150 anniversary of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), located in my home town of Louisville, Kentucky. The American Printing House for the Blind is the national source of reading materials and learning aids for over 10 million blind and visually impaired Americans. Thanks to this Kentucky institution, they can now fully participate in the American dream."
"Until the founding of APH, different schools for the blind across the country each prepared their own materials, but soon educators realized the need for a national printing house to fill this role. Louisville was chosen for its central location in the country, and because it is situated on the Ohio River. On January 23, 1858, the Kentucky General Assembly passed an Act to charter APH."
"In 1879, the federal government designated APH the official source of learning materials for blind students across the nation, and the facility has continued to receive federal support since then. Thanks to that support, sales and donations, APH is able to create some remarkable products that have changed the lives of many blind and visually impaired Americans."
"The facility published its first book, 'Fables and Tales for Children' in 1866, using the raised letters that were then the standard. In 1893, they published their first books in Braille. Today, they have helped the blind engage the 21stcentury with talking books, magazines, and even a recorded talking encyclopedia."
"They have developed computers to help the blind access the Internet, or read recorded books. They have even created a sonar aid for the blind to use that can detect how far away objects are by emitting tones that sound like chirping birds."
"Before the American Printing House for the Blind existed to create all these wonderful products, it was widely assumed that the blind and visually impaired just weren't capable of learning as much as everyone else. Today, we of course, know that to be untrue, and I want to share with all my colleagues a letter APH received that illustrates the point very well. A young, fourth-grade girl in Nebraska, named Ruthie, was so grateful for a computer software program, called Math Flash, developed at APH, that she wrote the facility to thank them. This is what she had to say: 'I used to hate math because everyone else was smarter than me. Math Flash makes it easy and fun, because it has adding and subtracting games that help me remember whatever I want with no help from my teacher or my mom. I could even be a math teacher, maybe.'"
"When you realize that most teachers or parents would be ecstatic to see such a passion for learning in any student, whether sighted or visually impaired, you begin to see the miracle that the American Printing House for the Blind has made to millions of Americans."
"The city of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are proud to be the home of the American Printing House for the Blind, which adds much to our community. The APH Museum attracts many visitors from around the globe every year to see important historical artifacts, such as Helen Keller's Bible in Braille."
"I want to thank the Senate for it's unanimous approval of a resolution I sponsored, expressing this nation's gratitude to the American Printing House for the Blind for its 150 years of service to this nation. Their efforts have been essential to allowing the blind and visually impaired to be fully included in education."--Source: courier-journal.com
Editor's Note: Last summer our ACB National Convention was held in Minneapolis. The local ACB (ACBM) members there have been trying for over two years to get APS signals at several of the city's intersections. They had hoped they would be installed before the beginning of the American Council of the Blind's 46thannual convention last summer;, but NFB carefully unraveled all the work that ACB had done. The following news item shows that persistence really pays off!
The following are excerpts from Clarence Schadegg, who wrote about the success of ACB of Minnesota.
At the meeting of the Transportation and Public Works of the Minneapolis City Council, the room was packed with white canes, dog guides, members of the APS Task Force, and a few sighted members. The audience spilled into the hallway since there was standing room only in the hearing chambers.
The crowd was filled with both NFB and ACB members, waiting for the city council committee's vote to move forward with the installation of APS. The vote was in response to a recommendation that the city apply and accept New Freedom funding for installing APS at 11 intersections in the city. NFB tried to stop the process altogether, but when that failed, any decisions by the task force was met by NFB with stalling tactics. It was argued that "APS locator tones were completely drowning out the traffic they were trying to listen to, and therefore they believe APS are dangerous to blind people."
ACB of Minnesota's viewpoint has been that APS are beneficial for more than just blind people (deaf-blind individuals, people in wheelchairs, parents pushing strollers, people in a hurry and possibly distracted themselves, and anyone else wanting an extra measure of help in crossing streets). ACBM also stressed that street crossings have become more difficult as cars have become quieter, traffic signals have become more complex, and drivers continue to become more distracted. Aged persons also would benefit from APS in determining when it was safe to cross a street.
The city council, after listening to both sides voted overwhelmingly to accept the New Freedom funding to go ahead with the installations, and to install the APS at eleven city intersections (one of them being the Olsen Memorial Highway!).
ACBM is proud to be a strong force, leading the way to a safer community for everyone! Does advocacy work You bet, it does! -- Compiled by June Horst, ADVOCATE Editor
Received in PCB Office
March 10, 2008
(FYI) -- New York State Division of Human Rights ruled against East Meadow School District, finding that students with disabilities have an absolute right to attend school with their guide, hearing, and service dogs.
In the first decision, the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, Kumiki Gibson, issued a final order, concluding that the state's Human Rights Law grants students with disabilities, an absolute right to have their guide, hearing, and service dogs in school with them. Specifically, the Commissioner found that the school district had violated and is violating two separate provisions of the Human Rights Law -- one that prohibits educational institutions from denying access to their facilities to people with disabilities, and another that prohibits all entities covered by the Law from discriminating against people with disabilities because of their use of guide, hearing, and/or service dogs.
The Long Island school in question (East Meadow, which educates about 8,000 students), had refused to recognize this civil right, adopting instead a policy of a case-by-case analysis, based principally on the federal ADA. This led to at least one student being denied access to his school with his service dog. The final order by the Commissioner was brought on behalf of all students and vindicates the rights of those students.
The Commissioner ordered East Meadow to immediately abolish its discriminatory policy and practice permitting all students access to school grounds, facilities, classrooms, programs, and activities with their guide, hearing, and service dogs.
Robert (Bob) Roebuck, who lost his sight to secondary glaucoma at age 15, was elected president of the Ches-Mont Jubilaires of the Pottstown, PA chapter last year.
Bob sings lead and has been a member of the Pottstown chapter since 1988. His life accomplishments are numerous. He was born and raised in Lafayette Hill in suburban Philadelphia and educated at the Overbrook School for the Blind, where he sang in the junior and senior choruses. He learned to play the piano and was narrator for special events.
Bob received his bachelor's degree at Wilkes College and his master's in rehabilitation education for the adult blind from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He moved to Pottstown, PA when he began teaching at the Pennhurst Center in Spring City, and retired on 2003 from Norristown State Hospital as a social services worker. He was awarded Pennsylvania Handicapped Worker of the Year in 1979.
In addition to barbershopping, Bob collects old phonograph record players that date from 1898 to 1930, and all are in working condition! Many of our treasured-favorite barbershop songs are on some of his old phonograph records.
Bob enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, and offers his time to civic organizations and sings with the Pottstown Senior Center chorus. Bob sang tenor with the chapter quartet, has been named Barbershopper of the Month many times, and voted Barbershopper of the Year in 1990. He also holds a "Man of Note" pin for recruiting. Bob also served as membership vice president, chapter board member, and has written articles for the chapter newsletter, the "Jubilaires' Sounds." He has had speaking parts in our shows and has attended division, district, and international barbershop events.
Bob handles the task of president using a tape recorder, his Braille notes, and the telephone. We are proud to have Bob as our president and congratulate him for his dedication to our chapter. -- Submitted by Tony Russo, Music Director, Pottstown, PA Chapter
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