Monitor Miniatures
APH and Talking Book Narrators Clash during Contract Negotiations:
In recent weeks a long-standing dispute between the American Printing House for the Blind and its corps of professional readers has come into the open. The readers, who in 1998 affiliated with AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists of the AFL-CIO), have sought to negotiate for a new contract. According to the readers, the federal government issued three unfair labor practice complaints against APH during the collective bargaining process. Now APH has apparently refused altogether to deal with the union representative, arguing that Kentucky is a right-to-work state, so the Printing House is not required to recognize the union.
The readers say that APH actually jeopardized its contract with the National Library Service and its entire recording program by threatening a lockout during negotiations. The readers request that those supportive of their position write to Dr. Tuck Tinsley to express their support for the readers and their eagerness for APH to negotiate in good faith with the union to achieve fair wages, even for part-time readers, and reasonable benefits. The contact information is Dr. Tuck Tinsley, President, American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, Phone: (502) 895-2405, Fax: (502) 899-2334.
Elected:
The NFB of Tennessee conducted its annual convention March 10 through 12. The following officers were elected: Michael Seay, President; Sandy Booher, First Vice President; Joel Tinning, Second Vice President; Lev Williams, Treasurer; Lynda Crisp, Secretary; and Reggie Lindsey, June Mangum, Melba Harding, and Clarence Manning, Jr., Board Members.
New Chapter:
Mark Riccobono, President of the NFB of Wisconsin, reports that on April 8, 2000, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organizing of the Wisconsin affiliate, the Chippewa Valley Chapter of the NFB of Wisconsin was founded. The elected leaders of this new and energetic chapter are Lisa Hansen, President; Brad Hodges, Vice President; Brenda Cox, Secretary; and Joe Regnier, Treasurer. Congratulations to this new chapter.
Wedding Bells:
On May 27, 2000, Allison Scheuermann, Assistant to the President of the National Federation of the Blind, and Charles Joyce were married in Baltimore. A week later Lynn Mattioli, Past President of the Baltimore Chapter, and Michael Baillif, a tax attorney with Ernst and Young in Washington, D.C., were also married in Baltimore. Those who attended the ceremonies report that both were lovely services and great parties. We congratulate both couples and wish them all joy.
Position Available:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
A prominent non-profit social service agency based in the southwestern Ohio area seeks an experienced professional to direct and manage the agency. The mission of the agency is to promote independence and foster the highest quality of life for people with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities. The agency provides comprehensive rehabilitation services including training and support for independent living, orientation and mobility instruction, vocational training, job placement, counseling, recreation, and youth services. The position of President reports to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency and its staff.
Qualifications require significant senior-level (CEO) management experience in a complex, not-for-profit social service agency; significant board-of-trustee-interaction experiences; advanced degree; and knowledge of the post-acute-through-independent-living rehabilitation continuum. Fund-raising/corporate sponsorship experience is a plus.
Send resume and salary history to Nick Rogish, Rogish Associates, 615 Copeland Mill Road, Suite 1F, Westerville, Ohio 43081, phone (614) 899-2525, fax (614) 899-2524, e-mail <[email protected]>.
In Memoriam:
Long-time Executive Director of the Jewish Braille Institute and close friend of Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, Dr. Jacob Freid died on May 1, 2000. The obituary published in the New York Times edition of May 2, 2000, reads as follows:
The Jewish Braille Institute of America records with sorrow the passing of our Executive Director Emeritus, whose professional leadership guided the Institute for more than a quarter of a century until his retirement in 1979. In the ensuing years he remained as the deeply respected editor of the Jewish Braille Review and JBI Voice, the Institute's magazines for the blind and visually impaired world-wide. His love of Israel, dedication to blind people everywhere, and intellectual stature will long be remembered and cherished. May his memory serve as a blessing.
Elected:
April 10, 2000, was the date of the Chicago chapter's annual election. Those serving as officers for the coming year are Steve Hastalis, President; Debbie Stein, First Vice President; Brian Johnson, Second Vice President; Kelly Doty, Secretary; and Kate Mayer, Treasurer. The Board Members are Tom Elkins, Pam Gillmore, Pam Provost, and Anthony Thomas.
Audio Guide on Student Aid Available:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
The 2000-2001 Student Aid Guide, available from the United States Department of Education, is available on cassette and on compact disc.
Intended for visually impaired students and their parents, the audio guide uses a simulated telephone conversation between a counselor and a student to provide information on post-secondary student financial aid. Students and organizations may request free copies of the audio guide (either cassette or compact disc) by calling (800) 433-3243.
Appointed:
We recently learned that Chris Boone, a long-time Federationist who has been living and working in Pennsylvania for several years, has been named Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, the state's agency for the blind. She began the job Monday, June 19. We wish Chris good luck in her new assignment.
Correction:
Chris Weaver points out that we misspelled the name of a very helpful member of his team in the article, "New Computer Programs to Assist Blind Mathematicians." It was Kelly Burma who made significant contributions to development of the mathematics programs developed at the University of New Mexico. The Braille Monitor regrets the error.
Future Reflections Now Available by E-Mail:
Barbara Cheadle, Editor of the quarterly magazine of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, reports this important information. Here is how to subscribe: send an e-mail message to <[email protected]>. The message should contain one line of text. Here is an example using Cheadle's first and last names--you of course use your own name to subscribe. "subscribe future reflections barbara cheadle." You will receive a confirmation message and the most current issue, which right now is volume 19, number 1, but may be number 2 by the time this issue of the Braille Monitor goes to press.
E-mail Without a Computer:
The National Federation of the Blind has entered into a relationship with a company called CrossMedia Networks Corporation. It has a service through which you can send and receive e-mail using a standard touch-tone telephone. You control the system with your voice and without a computer. You can also control the speed and pitch of the voice used to read your e-mail and sort and manage it in many ways.
This service, called MyInBox, can be your primary e-mail account; or a copy of the e-mail you send and receive through another Internet Service Provider can be sent to MyInBox so that you can read and respond to your e-mail when a computer is not available. The cost of the service is $7.95 per month. Use is unlimited if you call the service using an access number in the 703 area code. You can access the service through a toll-free number for thirty minutes at no additional charge. There is a one-time set-up fee of $5. CrossMedia will donate a portion of your monthly subscription fee to the Federation.
To sign up for this service, you will need to provide the following information:
*Your current e-mail address if you have one.
*Name, address, and phone number.
*A seven-digit account code and a four-digit pass code that you will use to access your e-mail. We recommend your current phone number or other easy-to-remember phone number for your account code.
*Promotion code (NFB) and a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).���� If you have a current e-mail address, you will also need to provide it and the password you use when accessing your e-mail so that a copy of messages can be received into MyInBox voice e-mail service. This information will remain confidential.
For more information or to sign up for this service, please call CrossMedia Customer Service at (877) 726-7877. Customer Service will assist you to sign up for MyInBox. If you mention the promotion code "NFB" to the Customer Service representative, the first thirty days of service will be free.
CrossMedia gives you an address book to hold the e-mail addresses of people with whom you wish to communicate. Ordinarily a person would make changes to this address book through the Internet. If, however, you don't have access to the Internet, you can have CrossMedia's Customer Service representatives make the changes for you--at $2 per call.
To hear a demonstration of CrossMedia's MyInBox service, you can call (877) 246-3366.
Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind Reunion:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
The Alumni Association of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children will be holding its biennial convention the weekend of August 4, 5, and 6 on the school campus.
The cost for the entire weekend, including dues, will be $56; for those who wish to attend only the banquet, the cost is $26. Come and have a terrific time getting re-acquainted with old friends.
The deadline for registration is July 15. To learn more or to make your reservations for the 2000 convention, contact Louise Flannigan, President, WPSBC Alumni Association, 1348 Beverly Road, Port Vue, Pennsylvania 15133, or call 412-672-7405
Elected:
The Central Delaware Chapter of the NFB of Delaware elected new officers at its March 18 meeting. They are Debbie Briddell, President; Addie C. Pack, Vice President; and Doris Blake, Secretary/Treasurer.
Hoping to Buy:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
If you have an Optacon that you are willing to sell, please contact Konnie Ellis at 605-393-9512, or e-mail <[email protected]>.
Organizational Products for Sale:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
HandiWorks, a company specializing in organizational products, announces the availability of its catalog, which includes cane holders of different styles, dog guide sleeves, signs for dog guide users who do not want their dogs petted while in harness, and organizational fanny packs and wallets.
To request a catalog, call (800) 331-6123 or (818) 704-7511, or write to Tee Johnson, Representative, HandiWorks, 17216 Saticoy Street, No. 418, Van Nuys, California 91406.
In Memoriam:
We are deeply sorry to report the death of Donovan Cooper on Saturday, June 3, 2000. Donovan was at his Los Angeles area home with his wife Trudy when he suffered a heart attack. Donovan served as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the NFB of California and was also a leader in the Diabetes Action Network, where he served terms as President at both the state and national levels. Donovan delivered a moving speech at the 1990 National Convention in which he described his job and credited Dr. Jernigan, the NFB, and the blindness training he received in Iowa for turning his life around. Donovan Cooper was a wise and generous leader of the NFB, and he will be deeply missed. We all join in expressing our sympathy to Trudy and the other members of Donovan's family.
Read Your Bank Statements and Bills Yourself:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
Do you want to manage your financial affairs privately? Tell your bank and utility, credit card, and investment companies about Accessible Braille Services (ABS), a division of Metrolina Association for the Blind (MAB).
Using advanced technology, ABS accepts transmitted data and printed bills and statements from companies so blind and visually impaired customers can read their monthly financial mail in Braille or large print. Most companies do not charge customers for this service.
MAB is a private, non-profit United Way agency in Charlotte, North Carolina, that has delivered local rehabilitation services to people who are blind and visually impaired since 1934. The agency's ABS division also produces Braille and large-print textbooks for schools throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.
Companies can learn more about ABS at MAB's Web site, <www.mab-jlbm.com> or by calling (704) 887-5101.
Attention Braille Proofreaders:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
Braille International, located in Stuart, Florida, requires a Braille proofreader; full-time, full benefits, relocation costs negotiable. Braille reading fluency essential, NLS certification desirable, but training on the job available. Salary dependent upon experience and qualifications, minimum starting salary (uncertified) $7.50 an hour. Replies to Braille International, Inc., 3290 SE Slater Street, Stuart, Florida 34997, phone: (800) 336-3142, fax: (561) 286-8909.
Bible Available:
We have been asked to carry the following announcement:
Shrinkwrap Computer Products announces the availability of the Road Runner Talking Bible Edition. The Talking Bible is a completely self-contained device about the size of an audio cassette. It contains the complete indexed text of the Bible. Using synthetic speech, you can navigate through the Bible by Testament, book, chapter, verse, and line. Buttons are provided for each of these functions. The Talking Bible will run for many weeks on two AA batteries. You listen to it through any Walkman-style headphones or with an external speaker. The Talking Bible does not require the use of a computer.
The Talking Bible comes in four versions: King James, American Standard, New American Standard, and New International Version. The package includes the Bible handheld unit, an initial set of batteries, and taped instructions. You can hear a demonstration of the Talking Bible in Real Audio at <http://www.readingmachines.com>. The Road Runner Talking Bible costs $199 plus shipping and is available prepaid from ShrinkWrap Computer Products, 11706 Saddle Crescent Circle, Oakton, Virginia 22124-2342, phone: (800) 377-0774. Send e-mail to <[email protected]>.
NFB PLEDGE
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.