12
THE OBSERVER
WINTER 2009
Vol. 60, No. 1
Bernice, John and Jocelyn DeHaas Editors
Montana Association For The Blind
PO Box 465
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-9411
affiliate of
The National Federation of the Blind
12
The mission of the Montana Association for the Blind is to promote the social and economic self-sufficiency of blind and low vision Montanans through the facilitation of quality education, learning, training and employment services and opportunities, and to foster a positive understanding of blindness.
Our vision is of a Montana in which blindness is perceived and understood to be an ordinary and respectable part of life, and in which the skills and tools of blindness are readily available to all who may benefit from them. We envision an environment in which blind and low vision Montanans have ample and equal opportunities to learn, to achieve, and to contribute in our homes, communities, state and nation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page Number
President’s Message 3
Montana Association for the Blind 4
National Federation of the Blind 5
Summer Orientation Program 5
Camp Eureka! 6
Scholarship 6
Convention 2009 6
Continued Learning Opportunities 8
Chapter Reports 8
“That’s all, Folks” 12
The Montana Association for the Blind is a member of Montana Shares and receives all of the money designated for MAB as well as a portion of the undesignated monies. The Montana Shares is now receiving items to be raffled off; ticket sales will begin soon. Not only does the MAB receive money because of its membership, but also has an advantage of networking with the organization. Montana Shares alerted its members to the grant opportunity that led to a sizeable amount of money that will enable SOP to operate in 2009.
OBSERVER
Winter 2009
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Spring is finally on the way, despite March cold and snow. Song birds have returned, and bulbs are sprouting in the garden. I have at least three crocuses blooming close to the south wall of the house.
That means work for the 2009 Summer Orientation Program is well under way and, since it's a legislative year, things are hopping in Helena at the Capitol.
At this stage, we are trying to get stimulus funding for Newsline and the Montana Radio Reading Service, other funding hopes having faded with the reduced state revenues resulting from the economic crisis. At this writing, nothing is certain, but our supporters in the House are very hopeful. That's encouraging as Newsline funding has run out while Radio Reading Service is seeing its revenues drying up in this tough climate. Generally, it's a good time to contact your Representatives and Senators in Helena to advocate for stimulus funding for these accessible newspaper services. Contact me at 406-546-8546 to see where we are by the time you read this Observer.
We've also had to respond in this session to a number of threats to our continued access to private, independent voting with the AutoMARK machines. The last of these remaining is SB 394, which in the form passed by the Senate would eliminate AutoMARKs and violate federal voting laws. The bill calls for mail-only balloting, but makes no provisions for changing other state laws, leaving accessible voting for the blind out in the cold. The bill is scheduled for hearing in the House on Friday, March 20th, and we will try to cut it off there.
On the national level, the Louis Braille Commemorative Coin is scheduled for release on March 26th. The commemorative coin is being struck in honor of Louis Braille’s 200th birth year, and was promoted by the NFB. All three members of Montana’s Congressional delegation voted for the coin in 2006. Funding from this coin will be used to launch a nation-wide Braille literacy and awareness campaign to combat the deplorably low literacy rate among blind children. Currently, only 10 percent of blind children learn Braille, a statistic that would not be tolerated among sighted children. Ten dollars from the sale of each coin will go to this effort, but only after the Mint recovers the entire cost of the coin. Four hundred thousand are being minted.
The coin will feature the first tactilely readable Braille on a US coin ever, and will sell for $31.95 for an uncirculated coin, and $37.95 for proofed versions. These are collector's items (not spending money), and will only increase in value, so they'll be an excellent investment in today's uncertain investment climate. They can be purchased online from the US Mint, whose web site can be reached by a link at: www.braille.org or at www.usmint.gov after the release date.
Finally, and in many ways most importantly, I want to offer my sincere thanks to John and Bernice DeHaas for their dedication and hard work over the past four years as editors of the MAB Observer. John and Bernice will retire from their joint editorship with this issue. The Observer is a crucial communication tool for the MAB and its members, and John and Bernice have done a tremendous job with it. Please join me in offering them our deep and humble gratitude for their immeasurable contribution to the MAB!
MONTANA ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
As many of you know, the MAB has felt the pinch of the economic downturn. Last fall the Board of Directors adopted a bare-bones budget and had to cut many worthwhile programs. Since then there have been several follow-up teleconferences of the Board. Even our flagship program, the Summer Orientation Program, was endangered. However, thanks to Montana Shares, the MAB was alerted to a one-time grant opportunity through the Montana Attorney General’s Office. It had to be health-related as the funds came from a settlement with companies that had overcharged for certain items. Jim Marks wrote a very successful grant proposal and the MAB received $50,000 which allowed it to finish paying Carroll College for the remainder of 2008 charges and enough for a good start on the 2009 expenses. Remember though, that more money is needed, both for SOP and for other activities we want to support. Please continue your plans for fund-raisers.
The MAB/SOP had a display at the convention of ophthalmologists in March, and from all reports it was very successful, thanks to the efforts of Kay Stevens, Vickie and Jerry Greaney (they “manned the table”), Donna and Ken McCulloch, and Beth Wicks who put together an SOP brochure. It was a great outreach effort that informed many of the professionals in the state. Hopefully they will be aware of MAB and will refer their patients who might benefit from it.
2009 is the year the Montana Legislature meets. As usual, the MAB has been involved. Testimony and messages from members helped defeat a bill that would require a Montana driver’s license as identification to be able to vote – the state issued picture ID would not be accepted. Currently the MAB is trying to obtain money for Newsline and Radio Reading Service from the Stimulus Fund to be received by the state. Another bill MAB is working to defeat is SB 394. This bill would allow counties to go to mail balloting – no more AutoMark that allows people to mark their ballots privately.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
The national convention of the NFB will take place in Detroit, Michigan July 3rd to July 8th. As a part of the activities the annual March for Independence will occur on July 6th.
March 26th is the date the Louis Braille commemorative will be released. Details for ordering are given above. It is described as follows “The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar features a portrait of Louis Braille on the obverse (heads) side. The reverse (tails) side design depicts a child reading a Braille book. The word INDEPENDENCE is displayed on a bookshelf behind the child and the word Braille, abbreviated BRL in the Braille code, is featured in the upper left.”
2009 marks the bicentennial birthdays of several other famous people: Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin and Felix Mendelssohn. The Mint strikes only two commemorative silver dollars each year; the other one for 2009 is Abraham Lincoln.
SUMMER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Well, Friends, here it is March and we are now taking applications for staff and students. The students will arrive on June 14th and will return home on July 10th. We have a few new ideas but until I run it by the committee, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. If any of you have any ideas that will spark the interest of the students, please let me or one of the committee know. We always welcome new ideas and suggestion to make our program better.
So let's get the word out to anyone you know that might need our program. Get them an application from MAB office (406-442-9411), Blind and Low Vision Service in your district, your MAB chapter president or one of the committee members. Any of them will be able to get you the papers you need. We would like to see the students’ applicationsin before the end of April. If you have any questions give me a call.
People with Albertson’s cards are found all over the state. If you link your Albertson’s card with our organization the MAB will receive 4% of your shopping dollars. You may call 1-877-932-3949 or go to their web site, www.albertsonscp.com and give your saving card number and the MAB ID # 49000107363. If you don’t have a card you can get one at any Albertson’s store. Thank you for your support.
Kay Stevens 1-406-453-0452
CAMP EUREKA!
I am sorry to tell you that the Camp Eureka! program will be suspended this year due to insufficient funds. I simply was not able to secure the core funding needed for the program. I will use this year to reassess the program in light of the possibilities for future funding. The kids, their families and camp volunteers are disappointed but also recognize the difficult times non-profit organizations are facing this year.
Beth Underwood, Camp Eureka! Director
SCHOLARSHIP
The Emil A. Honka Scholarship applications are now available through Montana colleges and universities, Blind and Low Vision Services, your Chapter presidents and representatives and from Roberta Lemieux, 407 Orr Street, Miles City, MT 59301 (406-234-2446).
All qualified students are urged to apply. To qualify you must be legally blind, have a GPA of 2.5 or greater, submit an updated transcript, submit three letters of reference (not from family members) and submit an eye doctor’s written report.
This year the scholarship offered is $500. The application is due to the committee members by May 15, 2009. Please submit your application or pass this information on to a student who is interested. Good luck to all students who apply.
Roberta Lemieux
2009 CONVENTION
The dates are October 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The place is Fairmont Hot Springs. We don’t have any details as yet, but host Chapters Anaconda and Butte are promising fun and education and well as the business of conducting MAB business. “Be there or be square.”
MONTANA’S GEORGE KERSCHER
Montana's Kerscher Gets First Bolotin Award
George Kerscher, who has worked on new digital formats for access to books and magazines by the blind for more than two decades, received one of the first-ever Jacob Bolotin Awards at the 2008 National Federation of the Blind convention last July in Dallas.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to be given this award,” said Kerscher. “Indeed, access to information is a fundamental human right. I said that at the United Nations in Bangkok in 2002.”
The awards were established by Bolotin’s family, and the NFB was asked to create and distribute annual awards to those who have made significant achievements as blind people, or contributions benefitting the blind. Bolotin’s family wanted more than just a plaque to be given though, endowing the award handsomely. Over $100,000 was given out in its first year. Kerscher received $30,000 - the largest award for 2008.
George, a longtime Missoula resident, has both benefitted the blind and accomplished great things as a blind person. After a career as teacher and coach at various Bitterroot Valley high schools, he began graduate work in Missoula, where he pioneered computerized textbooks at the University of Montana in the 1980s, and later went to work for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB D). He has been on loan to the international DAISY Consortium for a dozen years or more, currently serving as its Secretary General.
The DAISY file format is the basis for accessible digital books distributed to the blind and others with print disabilities by RFB D, Bookshare.org and the new digital formats being distributed by the NATIONAL Library Service for the Blind. This is the format that is replacing books on tape. RFB D ceased offering cassette books in 2007. NLS is moving toward digital formats as well, expecting that its 4-track cassettes and players will be worn out in the next couple of years.
Kerscher's role in developing this new format has been pivotal. He's been at the center of planning and coordinating a world-wide change and traveling well over a million miles around the globe. In 2007 U of M awarded him an honorary doctorate for his work on behalf of people who are blind or have other print disabilities.
Jacob Bolotin was a blind physician - the first known blind doctor in the United States - in the early part of the last century. If that isn't remarkable enough, he was a frequent lecturer at the University of Chicago Medical School in the area that became his particular specialty - the respiratory system. Despite his considerable renown prior to his untimely death, Bolotin was nearly forgotten by all but family members. In 2007, a surviving niece asked the NFB to publish a biography she and her husband authored and to give an annual award in his memory.