ACB Braille Forum and E-Forum

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX May 2011 No. 11
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence,
security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed
four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests,
address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon
Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering at acb.org .
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up
of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the
national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to
Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center,
MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office
has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to
ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the
national office.
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this
number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington
Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or
read it online.
Copyright 2011
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Message: A New Day at NLS?, by Mitch Pomerantz
ACB Honors Legislators for Distinguished Service and Launches New
Legislative Initiatives, by Melanie Brunson
In Memoriam: Mary Ballard
Travel to Spain with ACB and Road Scholar
ACB's Golden Year, by Carla Ruschival
Will You Meet the DKM Challenge?
Your Golden Opportunity to Volunteer at the Information Desk, by Janet
Dickelman
Gold Diggin' Auction in the Silver State
Take Your Mark, Get Set, Go!, by Donna Brown
Join the Honor Roll of ACB Life Members, by Charles S.P. Hodge
Don't Miss the 2011 FIA Showcase and Cabaret
Library Users of America to Host Book Flea Market, by Peggy R. Garrett
One Book, One ACB
Affiliate News
And Two Shall Become One, by Kathy Brockman
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe,
go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a
podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to
www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office,
1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering at acb.org . Give her the information,
and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX April 2011 No. 10
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence,
security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed
four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests,
address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon
Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering at acb.org .
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up
of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the
national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to
Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center,
MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office
has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to
ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the
national office.
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this
number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington
Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or
read it online.
Copyright 2011
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Message: Advocacy Through Employment, by Mitch Pomerantz
ACB and American Cancer Society Collaborate to Create Greater Access to
Health Information, by Melanie Brunson
ACB Conference 2011: Golden Past, Diamond Future, by Carla Ruschival
Nominations Sought for 2011 ACB National Awards, by Cindy Van Winkle
Striding for Gold in the Silver State: ACB's 3rd Annual Walk/Run, by Dan
Dillon
Involving Youth in ACB, compiled by Ardis Bazyn
April Showers at the ACB Store
Affiliate News
Passings
Remembering Bill Benson, November 12, 1936-January 22, 2011, by Bev
Armstrong
Letter to the Editor
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe,
go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a
podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to
www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office,
1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering at acb.org . Give her the information,
and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX March 2011 No. 9
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence,
security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed
four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests,
address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon
Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering at acb.org .
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up
of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the
national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to
Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center,
MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office
has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to
ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the
national office.
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this
number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington
Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or
read it online.
Copyright 2011
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Message: ACB Speaks to the Justice Department, by Mitch
Pomerantz
Making the Income Tax Filing Process More Accessible, by Melanie Brunson
ADA Regs Go to the Dogs: Long-Awaited Clarification of Service Animal
Definition from Department of Justice, by Jenine Stanley
ACB in the Silver State: 2011 Conference and Convention, by Carla Ruschival
DKM Deadline Is Near
ACB Gears Up for Officer Elections in July
Exhibiting the Gold, Exploring the Treasure, Embracing the Cultures, by Eric
Frey and Michael Garrett
Impact of a Short Conversation, by James Edwards
French Delegation, by George Holliday
In My Own Voice: The Carmella's Quest Collaboration, by Carmella Broome
Affiliate News
Passings
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe,
go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a
podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to
www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office,
1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering at acb.org . Give her the information,
and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE

BRAILLE FORUM

Volume XLIX February 2011 No. 8



Published by

the American Council of the Blind



The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence,
security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.



Mitch Pomerantz, President

Melanie Brunson, Executive Director

Sharon Lovering, Editor



National Office:

2200 Wilson Blvd.

Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201

(202) 467-5081

fax: (703) 465-5085

Web site: http://www.acb.org



THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed
four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests,
address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon
Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering at acb.org.



The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up
of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the
national office at the number listed above.



Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to
Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a
relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this
purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament.
If you wishes are complex, call the national office.



To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this
number: 11155.



For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington
Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or
read it online.



Copyright 2011

American Council of the Blind





*



TABLE OF CONTENTS



Major Changes and The Braille Forum, by Jenine Stanley

ACB Celebrates Another Legislative Victory, by Melanie Brunson

President's Message: Taking Personal Responsibility, ACB Style, by Mitch
Pomerantz

Go for the Gold: ACB Conference and Convention 2011, by Carla Ruschival

Lobby Day, by Rich Laine

ACB Scholarship Announcement

Clinical Research Study Recruitment

Environmental Access Committee Needs Your Input

Strike Gold with ACB in Reno – Be a First-Timer!, by Allen J. Casey

Board of Publications Awards Your Excellence in 2011

Fun for Funds: A Golden Opportunity for ACB, by Marsha Farrow

Membership Focus: How to Find Blindness-Related Resources and Share Them,
compiled by Ardis Bazyn

You Can Shop Anytime at the ACB Store, by Carla Ruschival

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels

High Tech Swap Shop



CORRECTION

The number listed for the Sierra Regional Ski for Light Event
("Here and There," December 2010) was incorrect. It should have been (510)
483-2948. We apologize for the error.



FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES

You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe,
go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a
podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.

To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to
www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.



ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office,
1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering at acb.org. Give her the information,
and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE

BRAILLE FORUM

Volume XLIX January 2011 No. 7



Published by

the American Council of the Blind



The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence,
security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.



Mitch Pomerantz, President

Melanie Brunson, Executive Director

Sharon Lovering, Editor



National Office:

2200 Wilson Blvd.

Suite 650

Arlington, VA 22201

(202) 467-5081

fax: (703) 465-5085

Web site: http://www.acb.org



THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed
four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests,
address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon
Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to slovering at acb.org.



The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up
of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the
national office at the number listed above.



Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to
Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a
relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this
purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament.
If you wishes are complex, call the national office.



To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this
number: 11155.



For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington
Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or
read it online.



Copyright 2010

American Council of the Blind



*



TABLE OF CONTENTS



President's Message: Change Versus Tradition in ACB, by Mitch Pomerantz

Calling All Members of State Rehabilitation Councils and Similar Advisory
Groups, by Melanie Brunson

2011 Conference and Convention: ACB Goes Gold in the Silver State, by Carla
Ruschival

ACB Scholarship Announcement

A New Year's Resolution You Can Easily Keep, by Ray Campbell

The Challenge of Aging and Blindness: How ACB Can Make a Difference,
compiled by Ardis Bazyn

ACB Members in Action: Blind People Helping Each Other, by Maureen Comiskey

Getting Off the Bench, by Sheila Styron

Using PENFriend to Meet Health Needs

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels

High Tech Swap Shop

Summary of 2010 Resolutions



FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES

You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe,
go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a
podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.

To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to
www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.



ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office,
1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering at acb.org. Give her the information,
and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX December 2010 No. 6

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor

National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org

THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at the number listed above.

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If you wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or read it online.

Copyright 2010
American Council of the Blind


*

TABLE OF CONTENTS

President's Message: ACB and Rehabilitation: What We Stand For, by Mitch Pomerantz
SSA Says Sorry, No Increases in 2011, by Melanie Brunson
Convention Comfort Zone, by Teddie-Joy Remhild
Riding the Rails in 2010, by Donna Rose
'Doug Powell, You Are an Ironman!', by Doug Powell
All That Glitters, by Billie Jean Keith
Follow ACB on Twitter
In Memoriam: Milly Stokes, by Charles S.P. Hodge
Passings
Affiliate News
Letters to the Editor
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop



FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.

ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX November 2010 No. 5
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office.
Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today!
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org .
Copyright 2010
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Landmark Telecommunications Bill Passes the House and Heads to the White House, by Melanie Brunson and Eric Bridges
President's Report to the National Convention, Part III, by Mitch Pomerantz
Audio Description Project Presents 2010 Awards, by Joel Snyder
Notes from the Post-Convention Board Meeting, by Paul Edwards
A Personal Discovery of Treasures in ACB, by Kenneth Semien Sr.
ACB Members Discover Treasures in Phoenix, Part 2, by Paul Edwards, Marcia Dresser, and Judy Jackson
2010 ACB Membership Seminar: Encouraging Affiliates with Techniques to Reach More Members, compiled by Ardis Bazyn
Who Won the GW Micro BookSense?, by Ronald E. Milliman
ACB Goes Gold in the Silver State, by Carla Ruschival
Notes from the September ACB Board Teleconference, by Jenine Stanley
Victorian Christmas Includes Visually Impaired, by Marsha Farrow
Happy Holidays from the ACB Store, by Carla Ruschival
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
CORRECTION
Due to an editing error, the title listed for the convention wrap-up article in October was incorrect. The title should have been listed as "ACB Members Discover Treasures in Phoenix, Part 1." Also, in a couple of instances, the word "said" was left out of the article itself. We regret the errors.
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX October 2010 No. 4
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office.
Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today!
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org .
Copyright 2010
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Report to the National Convention, Part II, by Mitch Pomerantz
Join Us in February for the 2011 Midyear Meetings and Legislative Seminar, by Melanie Brunson
Clinical Trial Recruitment
Summary of Pre-Convention Board Meeting, by Marcia Dresser
ACB Members Discover Treasures in Phoenix, Part 1, by Sharon Lovering and Jenine Stanley
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
CORRECTION
Due to an editing error, the web site listed for Guide Dogs for the Blind in the September "Here and There" column ("Prescription Discounts for GDB Graduates") was incorrect. The correct web site is www.guidedogs.com .
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX September 2010 No. 3
Published by
the American Council of the Blind
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE.
Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org
THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].
The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above.
Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office.
Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today!
To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.
For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org .
Copyright 2010
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Report to the National Convention, Part I, by Mitch Pomerantz
ACB Celebrates House Approval of H.R. 3101, by Melanie Brunson
Summary of the ACB Board of Directors Teleconference June 9, 2010, by Marcia Dresser
ACB Conference and Convention: Great Times in the West, by Carla Ruschival
Phoenix -- Up from the Ashes of a Prehistoric Civilization, by Penny Crane
ACB Members Find Treasures at Auction, by Brenda Dillon
Second Annual ACB Walk Is a Wrap!, by Dan Dillon
Dog Hair in the Air, by Netagene Kirkpatrick
What I Learned in Sight-Saving Class, by Cheryl A. Price
A Sailing Story: The Spiritual and Transformational Aspects of Sailing, by Vic Leanza
Lagging Behind My Father as He Revisited the North Carolina School for the Deaf at Morganton, 1996, by John Lee Clark
Reflections of a First-Time Baby-Sitter, by Mike Hally
Affiliate News
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org . If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L .
ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLIX August 2010 No. 2

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND STRIVES TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE.

Mitch Pomerantz, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor

National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org

THE BRAILLE FORUM (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, visit the ACB web site and complete an application form, or contact the national office at the number listed above.

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Mike Godino at the above mailing address. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office can make printed cards available for this purpose. To remember the American Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose. If your wishes are complex, contact the ACB national office.

Join the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program and help improve tomorrow today in ACB. Contact Ron Milliman by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone at (270) 782-9325 and get started making tomorrow look brighter today!

To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or visit the Washington Connection online at http://www.acb.org.

Copyright 2010
American Council of the Blind


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

President's Message: School Days: Dark Days for Blind Children?, by Mitch Pomerantz
National Office News Flash!: ACB's Legislative Agenda Makes Significant Advances, by Melanie Brunson
When the Bank Moves Across the Street, Pedestrian Issues Follow, by Kathy Lyons
Crosswalk Cross Talk, by Ken Stewart
Angels Abide, by Vic Leanza
The Dog Ate My Ears, by Rebecca L. Hein
A Place in the Stars, by Ken O'Sullivan
A DVD Player for the Blind?!, by Michael Bayus
Affiliate News
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop
After the Tears, by Teddie-Joy Remhild


FORUM SUBSCRIPTION NOTES
You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.

ARE YOU MOVING? DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.