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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
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Date:         Sat, 15 Aug 1992 02:01:10 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2879
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2879

                          Thursday, August 13, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******

                           Blink Talk Digest # 690

                             Accent PC for sale
                               Re: Jaws macros
                            Bns640 Spell checker
                             Re: "blind loyalty"
                      Logoff comment from Janet Lombard
                              Art and the Blind
                          Re: Braille and spelling
                             Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
                             Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
                             Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
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Subject: Accent PC for sale
From: Jim.Danley@f20.n233.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Danley)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:233/20 - Lucid Dream, Urbana IL


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

ACCENT PC SPEECH SYNTHESIZER FOR SALE.

The unit is one and a half years old and has performed flawlessly.  Includes
ROM version 4.0 and a nice speaker.  I no longer need the Accent since I've
become accustomed to the MultiVoice.  I'm asking $550.  If prepaid, I will
pay for shipping.  Please contact me here in BlinkTalk or call voice at (217)
344-7772 afternoons and evenings.  If anyone has any questions I would be
happy to answer them here.  This was my first speech synthesizer and I am
hoping to find it a good home.  Thanks.

        Jim

 * JABBER v1.1 *

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Subject: Re: Jaws macros
From: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org (Kelly Ford)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:121/8 - JW-PC DataFlex.HST, Sun Prairie WI


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

One question about JAWS macros though.
When will H-J develop some kind of macro editor for JAWS.  I'm a fan of
JAWS but find it surprising that a program that relies so heavily on
macros really lacks provisions for handling them.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!121!8!Kelly.Ford
Internet: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Bns640 Spell checker
From: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org (Kelly Ford)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:121/8 - JW-PC DataFlex.HST, Sun Prairie WI


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Has anyone had much experience with the spell checker on the BNS 640.
While it seems to work quite well, I'm quite disappointed with one
feature, if it can be called that.
Even when spell checking a grade 2 file, corrections are made in grade
1.  If one is using speech or sending the file to a PC, this is probably
fine.If, however, one is going to send the file to a braille printer,
then you end up with all kinds of grade 1 in the file.
I hope Blazie will make the unit put corrections in grade 2 before long.
 I'm not hopeful though, because when I called them they didn't seem to
think this was all that big a deal.
Also, someone should tell Blazie that a good manual should have a table
of contents, unlike the documentation that comes with the 640.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!121!8!Kelly.Ford
Internet: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: "blind loyalty"
From: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460.0 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Chuck!  I agree that the article balanced positive as well as
negative observations and that some significant questionable practices
were not covered.  One that comes to my mind is the link between the
American Brotherhood for the Blind and the National Federation of the
Blind.  Jernigan routinely uses money raised through charibable
solicitations for the "services to the blind" of the Brotherhood toward
financing political activities of his in the Federation.  For example,
if someone doesn't win a scholarship through the regular NFB
scholarship process, but the person is being politically cultivated by
Jernigan for some reason, then he will give them a scholarship through
the Brotherhood.  Brotherhood money is also used sometimes to finance
the "re-organizing" of state affiliates so the the hotel and air
expenses don't appear on the NFB's books.  In literature of the
Brotherhood, this is referred to as "helping blind persons
self-organize" or some similar phrase.  In this way, Jernigan can help
to ensure that only people loyal to him without question get elected
state presidents in the organization.

Ypu're right that an investigative exposee usually involves more than
what was revealed in "Blind Loyalty."  In comparison to what mainstream
press is usually willing to report about a disability organization,
however, I think it was an exposee.

Best regards,

Jamal

P.S.  The American Brotherhood for the Blind has recently been renamed
to the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults.  If that
were its sole focus, it is a positive name change--gender- neutral,

etc.  Unfortunately, with what I know about its additional hidden
purposes, I cannot help but wonder if it an attempt to strenghthen the
perception of its charitable role over a different reality.

PPS:  For the information of anyone listening who does not know,
Kenneth Jernigan is Executive Director of both the Brotherhood and the
Federation;  Marc Maurer is President of the Federation and General
Counsel to the Brotherhood.  Marc Maurer's salary is paid by the
Brotherhood for "legal services."  Jernigan's salary has been paid by
the Brotherhood, though he says he has been unpaid in recent years.

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Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Logoff comment from Janet Lombard
From: Janet.Lombard@p0.f35.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Janet Lombard)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/35.0 - HDS Univ Of Washing, Seattle WA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

To people in visual disabilities section: I have a friend in the
former Soviet Union (Estonia) who has retinitis pigmentosa, a
condition that causes blindness eventually.  Does anyone have any
ideas on places where she can get information on this and possibly,
support groups? Any help I can give her would be appreciated, I'm
sure.  Thanks for your help.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!35.0!Janet.Lombard
Internet: Janet.Lombard@p0.f35.n343.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Art and the Blind
From: Cindy.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Hallenbeck)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

For the past two or three weeks I have been working on a very
interesting project.  Exhibits, USA, a part of Mid-America Arts
Alliance, is touring a show that is designed for the blind and visually
impaired.  The show is called "Please Touch!" and consists of 74 models
of faces, poses, positions in dance, etc., and these include some
ordinary folks as well as several United States Presidents, including
George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, etc., and musicians such as
Dizzie Gillespie.  The sculptures are made made by a process called
"lifecasting."  I know there is a considerable amount of controversy
around whether or not such displays are needed, and I, for one, have
been opposed in the past.  Perhaps they are not, but I think that I
personally can experience some things that I have not experienced before
which I can live nicely without but which might make me a more
knowledgable person in conversation, etc.  People can describe these
things to me, but I think I can gain even more if I have the opportunity
to see them.

Why do I tell you this?  I am interested to learn what others think of
"Touch art."

My part of the project was to make braille brochures, exhibit labels,
and panels to hang on the wall concerning the project; and I intend to
try to see this project in K.C.

Cindy Hallenbeck

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Subject: Re: Braille and spelling
From: Cindy.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Hallenbeck)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 PG> The other day I was doing some editing and I found out that I
 PG> was writing an amount in dollars and not leaving a space
 PG> between the dollar sign and the amount which when you write
 PG> braille you write them together.
Hi, Pat,
I am not certain that is true except when you are trying to line up
columns, but I will have to check it out.  I have never written them
together and I was a transcriber in an insurance company for eight
years.

PG Also a number of years ago, I
 PG> was trying unsuccessfuly to get my proofreader certificate from
 PG> NLS and believe it or not I subconsciously develloped my own
 PG> short form method for writing some words that weren't correct
 PG> according to the NLS standards.
That is true of anyone who has ever taken the course.  I think for that
reason it is probably more difficult for a blind person, one who has
always used braille, to study that transcriber's course because he/she
must unlearn bad habits.  Everyone develops his/her own shorthand
whether writing print or braille, though, so I guess this should not be
surprising.  I never finished the course, though I started it three
times.  I have gone far enough, though, that I have helped people study
transcribing and have helped Chuck with rules in Turbo Braille.

73--Cindy Hallenbeck N0MQO

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Subject: Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
From: Cindy.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Hallenbeck)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi,

I think your story would deserve some militancy.  I was refused service
in a Chinese restaurant (not all that uncommon), and I called to explain
that they must let me in.  They seem to understand now, but I haven't
been back to make sure.  I don't much want to go alone.

Then on my way to Charlotte, we stayed in a hotel in Illinois.  Though
they did not refuse me occupancy, when they discovered the dog, they
required me to move to a room which had old carpet and spread in case
the dog did any damage.  They should probably concern themselves with
such matters more when certain patrons come in after they've been out
doing some serious partying.

Cindy Hallenbeck

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Cindy.Hallenbeck
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Subject: Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
From: Cindy.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Hallenbeck)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Christopher,

I can very much appreciate your anger, both at the motels and at the
NFB.  I have experienced the same kinds of feelings when I was not
refused occupancy but I was required to move to a lesser room because of
my dog.  This was certainly not the same, but it made me angry.

However, I have to say that I don't think you are being fair to judge
what everyone in the NFB feels or what the NFB policies are regarding
dogs by a chapter president's insensitivity.  I have felt before that
the NFB is a bit on the insensitive side toward dogs.  I know that is
true because I felt that way before I decided to get a dog.  However, I
believe this is changing, and I think we need to get out there and let
people know that dog users have the same rights as cane users.

The NFB has a dog guide division.  Its president is Paul Gabias, but I
don't have his address or phone number handy.  If you contact that
national office you should be able to get it.  Someone on this echo is
apt to have it and tell you what it is.

While I think it may be fairly unlikely that you would end up spending
the night in a car because of being refused at motel after motel, I
think that your experience, as well as that of others, indicates that
there is still a lot of work to be done.  I am sorry about your
experience, and if I should come into more information, I will forward
it to you.  I do hope, though, that you will not judge all of the
leaders in the NFB by your experience.

Cindy Hallenbeck

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Internet: Cindy.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: GUIDE DOG BLUES
From: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 KR> been ruined, and the motel operators are being allowed to get
 KR> away with breaking the law!  Yes, I am pissed!

Kristopher,
     I am surprised that Vixen, when she mentioned her disgruntlement
with the blind consumer groups in this country, didn't mention GOBBLE!
True, we havn't talked much about the Galactic Order of Blinks Babbling
Loudly Everywhere lately, but by the sounds of things, this may be a
good time to start a recruitment drive for our own, tongue in cheek
alternative to the better known big two!

     Keep the faith Vixen, cause even though we might not have the bucks
to do much about the discrimination you're feeling right now, GOBBLE
hears you, we empathise totally, and yes, we're pissed too!
                                        Willie

... Defend your right to bear armed blinks!

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Internet: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2879 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU