ACB Braille Forum and E-Forum

THE
BRAILLE FORUM
Volume XLVIII June 2010 No. 12
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 Message: Preparing for a National Convention, by Mitch Pomerantz
Assistant Attorney General Speaks Out on Web Access, by Melanie Brunson
Good News for ACB Baseball Fans, by Lainey Feingold and Brian Charlson
ACB Convention 2010: Claim Your Treasure, by Carla Ruschival
Announcement
Convention Sneak Preview
Affiliate News
Hidden Treasures of the 2010 Auction: Discovering a Passion, by Marsha Farrow
A First-Timer's 'Remember When?', by Carol Ann Ewing
Hustlin' 'Round the Arizona Mills Mall, by Ken Stewart
Put Down That Soda, Save Your Money and Become an ACB Life Member!, by Charles S.P. Hodge
Need Some New Tunes? Check out the NELDS CD Swap!
We Want to Give You a Brand-New BookSense Compliments of GW Micro, by Ronald E. Milliman
Extra, Extra! Cactus Courier Now Seeking Volunteers
Membership Focus: Fundraising for ACB Activities, Including the National Convention, compiled by Ardis Bazyn
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.
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 XLVIII May 2010 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, 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: Jousting in the Legal Arena, by Mitch Pomerantz
Additional Information for Social Security Beneficiaries and Representative Payees Who Are Visually Impaired, by Melanie Brunson
Announcing Upcoming Sleep Studies in Totally Blind Individuals
Go the Extra Mile for ACB, by Berl Colley
Wild Times at the Auction in the Wild West
Seeking Volunteers for the Information Desk, by Janet Dickelman
In Memoriam: Laurinda Steele Lacey, by John McCann
Readers' Memories of Laurinda Steele Lacey
BOP Launches Stellar 2010 Candidates' Page
The Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss: Seeking New Members and Making Life Better for Older People with Vision Loss, by Marilyn Lutter and Penny Reeder
Join the FIA Chorus, by Peter Altschul
Rowing in Phoenix? Where's the Water?, by Aerial Gilbert
Book Mark-It! Library Users of America to Host Book Flea Market, by Peggy R. Garrett
One Book – One ACB, by Paul Edwards
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 XLVIII April 2010 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, 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 Message: Musings of a Weary Traveler, by Mitch Pomerantz

Announcing a Sleep Survey of Adults with No Light Perception, by Melanie Brunson

In Memoriam: Patricia Dawn Mason Beattie, May 14, 1936-February 2, 2010, by Charles S.P. Hodge
Readers' Remembrances of Pat Beattie

By the Time You Get to Phoenix …, by Carla Ruschival

Nominations Sought for 2010 ACB National Awards, by Cindy Van Winkle

Let's Make a Deal!, by Ronald E. Milliman

Bridging the Gap Between ACB and Your Community, by Dan Dillon

Oceanfront Property for Sale in Arizona?, by Marsha Farrow

ACB Radio, Beyond the Birthday Celebration!, by Debbie Hazelton

Summary of the ACB Board of Directors Meeting, by Marcia Dresser

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 http://acbradio.org/acb-braille-forum-podcasts.xml. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the ACB Radio website page.
To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to http://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 XLVIII March 2010 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, 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

Blindness Services in Haiti Need Your Help, by Kim Charlson

President's Message: A First Step Toward E-Book Reader Accessibility, by Mitch Pomerantz

Take Your Dream Vacation and Support ACB at the Same Time, by Melanie Brunson

Search for Treasure: 2010 Conference and Convention, by Carla Ruschival

Counting on All of You!, by the ACB Auction Committee
Steps You Can Take to Help Disseminate ACB Media Releases

Come & Walk the Arizona Mills Mall to Help ACB, by Dan Dillon

The International Relations Committee Is on the Move, by Sandra Sermons

ACB Members and Structured Negotiations Make the Web More Accessible: How ACB Members Can Help, by Lainey Feingold

Have You Ordered an Accessible Credit Report Recently?
At Work for the Feds, by Ken O'Sullivan

Affiliate News
Membership Focus: How Can We Complete Our Business During Meetings More Efficiently?, by Ardis Bazyn

Editorial: Town Meetings and the American Council of the Blind, by Carl Jarvis

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.acbradio.org/acb-braille-forum-podcasts. 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 XLVIII February 2010 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, 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 Message: Changing How Others See Us, by Mitch Pomerantz
A Reminder to Social Security Beneficiaries: You Have New Rights in the New Year, by Melanie Brunson
The Sunny Southwest: ACB Conference and Convention 2010, by Carla Ruschival
Second Annual ACB Walk, by Dan Dillon
Board of Publications Awards: This Year It Could Be You!
Spotlight Your Affiliate with a BOP Award!
The MMS Program Makes It Easier for You to Help ACB, by Dena Wilson
Affiliate News
Passings
My Very First Rehabilitation Lesson, by Carl Jarvis
Finding My Niche, by Barbara Mattson
Helping Hands, by Diane S. Ferrell
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 XLVIII January 2010 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, 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 2009
American Council of the Blind
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Message: Some Personal Reflections on Braille, by Mitch Pomerantz
The Earned Income Tax Credit, A Little-Known Benefit for People with Disabilities, by Melanie Brunson and Richard Keeling
ACB Seeks Testing Accommodations Horror Stories
2010-2011 Scholarship Applications Available Now
And the Scholarship Winners for 2009-2010 Are …, by Patty Slaby
Good Will to All Through ACB Radio!, by Debbie Hazelton
On with the Ironman Quest, or, Life as an Advocate, by Doug Powell
Affiliate News
ACB Membership Focus: Reactivating and Keeping Members, by Ardis Bazyn
BFLAG's Evolution Leads to Its New Name, by Don Brown
Banging the Drum Loudly, by Peter Altschul
Blind Grandmother Goes Backpacking with Llamas in the Colorado Rockies, by Judy Presley
Visit to the White House with Live Audio Description, by Jean Shiner
Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
High Tech Swap Shop