From the Editor

From the Editor

Future Reflections Fall 1992, Vol. 11 No. 4
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FROM

THE EDITOR: This year's back-to-school issue begins with a self-examination

and ends with a history lesson. The lead article by Barbara Pierce challenges

parents to do some soul-searching. She gently, humorously calls on parents to

consider the consequences of simple actions and expectations. For example, who

washes your blind pre-teen's hair? Simple actions, small expectations—but

day by day, week by week, year by year they will either add to, or subtract

from, your blind son's or daughter's emerging independence.
Another

element contributing to independence is, of course, skills. If you read the

table of contents you may have noticed that a large number of the articles (about

a third of the total) have the word Braille in the title. The National

Federation of the Blind tackled the problem of Braille illiteracy when others

would not even admit that a problem existed. Today, the Federation continues

to lead the fight, but we are no longer alone. Most major agencies and organizations

of and for the blind have acknowledged the importance of Braille and have joined

the struggle to combat Braille illiteracy. About a dozen states have passed

Braille bills (legislation guaranteeing blind students the opportunity to learn

Braille); legislation is under consideration in about a dozen more states; and

the National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is on the brink

of introducing a Braille certification program for teachers. Many of these changes

have not yet trickled down to the teachers and students in the classroom, but

they are coming.
Finally,

the issue ends—most appropriately—with a history lesson. In the Federation

we often emphasize the importance of blind adult role models for blind children

and their families. But pride and inspiration can also be built upon role models

from the past. And much inspiration and perspective can be derived from Dr.

Kenneth Jernigan's 1973 NFB Convention Banquet address, "Blindness: Is

History Against Us?" (page 42). This speech has long been a favorite of

mine, and I believe you and your blind youngster or student will enjoy it, too.

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