Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired

Incorporated under laws of Wisconsin in November 1952, the Council is directed by 19 volunteer delegates: ten are appointed by four organizations representing people who are blind; nine delegates at large elected by blind people throughout the state.

The Council is a strong voice for blind citizens of Wisconsin. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. The Council is funded through proceeds of endowments established through bequest grants, private gifts from individuals and corporations, and the White Cane Fund campaign. No government funding is received.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Whenever I have a writing assignment such as this column, I have no trouble coming up with several clever and compelling reasons to procrastinate and write it at the last possible moment. The two reasons I use most often are that the information I write will be up-to-date if I wait till the last minute, or that a creative spurt of writing ability will make the article the best I've ever written--which hasn't happened yet. This month, however, I must write this article at the beginning of February, knowing that you won't be reading it until at least the middle of March.

In November, the WCB received a $165,000 grant from the Madison Foundation, which will allow us to hire a technology specialist. The job announcement has been sent to several web sites and magazines for the blind and is available from our office and on our web site. Some of the grant money must be used for training individuals over the age of 55 who live in the Madison area. If you are interested in this training, call Dick Pomo. We are holding classes with instructors from the area until our specialist is hired.

In late August or early September, Association delegates from the Council will meet to pick a slate of 16 candidates to run for 8 three-year terms on the Council. If you are interested in being considered as a candidate, contact me or any Council member. August will be here sooner than you think.

During February, you should have received a letter from me concerning the dire situation at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. I hope many of you wrote your legislators on its behalf. If, like me, you are procrastinating, it's not too late! I have been a library patron since the age of 12 and during the next three months, especially, the books I receive will mean a great deal to me. On February 5, I had serious back surgery to realign two vertebrae in my lower spine. Although the hospital stay is only five days, recovery will take three months. Though there are a few pluses such as not doing housework and laundry, the talking books I receive from the library will help to keep me sane. There's nothing like a good murder mystery by Elizabeth George or Mary Higgins Clarke to lift my spirits. An adult fairy tale by Susan Elizabeth Philips will probably keep me from having silly arguments with my husband. I know the talking book program means a great deal to many of you and we all need to let our legislators know how much we value this program.

At our January meeting, the Newsletter Committee was re-appointed and remains almost the same as last year. We are sorry to lose Kate Coerper's writing talent and hope she will still submit an occasional article. Replacing her, however, is Karen Heesen, from Janesville. Karen is a wife, mother and full-time teacher at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped and we look forward to her contributions to the Courier.

REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED - UPDATE

A sincere “thank you” to the hundreds of people around the state who responded to Virginia DeBlaey’s request to participate in a letter writing campaign on behalf of the Regional Library. Hundreds of letters have been delivered to the Governor’s office and many legislators. The 2002 state budget and the funding issues surrounding the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are very real and decisions will be made soon. The time and effort all of you have put into this project is making a very big difference.

The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee debated the Governor’s budget adjustment bill the last three days of February. The final vote will occur around the middle of March. On March 6th, the Committee voted to restore $50,000 to the library by a vote of 16 to 0. This amendment must be approved by the Assembly and the Senate before the budget reaches the Governor’s desk. If you or your family members have not written to support the library, you still have time to do so.

Funding Options Being Considered: At this point two legislative suggestions have been offered to change the current funding system for the library. The first proposal would switch library management from the City of Milwaukee Public Library system to the Milwaukee Public School System. We all have concerns with that.

The second suggestion is to add additional funding for the Regional Library from the Universal Service Fund. The Universal Service Fund contains money from a telecommunications tax collected and dispersed by the state. There are many purposes for the fund, one of which is to improve communication options for Wisconsin citizens with some sensory and/or physical disabilities. Currently the Universal Service Fund pays for the Newsline for the Blind program. This additional financial support for the library could fall under the permitted uses of the fund, and would help solve the library’s operations budget problem for 2002.

The City of Milwaukee’s budget battle with the state over shared revenue payments would not be affected by this option, and other votes on that program would still be needed.

Site location may still be at issue: Even if we solve the staff issue with the library’s contract through the Department of Public Instruction, we may still face a site location issue in the weeks ahead.

I should also point out that Governor McCallum’s office has been very responsive and helpful in assisting us in finding a solution we can all live with. I will report more to all of you in the days ahead. Please remember that we are only a phone call away, and we are all very happy to help answer any questions you may have.

COUNCIL MEETS

The Council meeting was held Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, 2002, at the Council office in Madison. The first order of business was the annual report from M & I Bank representatives who reviewed the Council’s investments for the year. The total value of the endowment on December 31, 2001 was $5,203,280.

During his Executive Director’s report, Dick Pomo provided updates on several issues raised in November and reviewed his annual goals.

It seems that new technology is always emerging. Special e-mail boxes will be set up for Council members who wish to be included. E-mail messages from staff or blind and visually impaired people around the state will be forwarded automatically to the e-mail address given. It will not be necessary to know the Council member’s individual e-mail address at home or work.

At this meeting in January each Council staff member gives a short report which usually includes the number of people served during the preceding year. They also review their individual job duties and new projects being undertaken. Sometimes new products are brought to the meeting to give everyone an idea of what items are now available. Several new computer systems are being used at the Council office to process increasing workloads more effectively. This meeting is a good way for Council members and staff to get to know each other.

Calvin Potter, a division administrator from DPI, came to the meeting. He reported that State budget cuts could affect library services. This is one of those situations when it is important for all of us to contact legislators, preferably by letter, to voice our concerns. A mailing giving further details and action needed was sent to everyone on the Council’s mailing list.

President Virginia DeBlaey thanked the staff for their hard work during the year, especially for the effort involved moving into the new building. The meeting recessed and was followed by a social hour that provided an opportunity for Council members and staff to mingle.

The meeting reconvened Saturday morning with the proposed 2002 budget as the first order of business. After all line items were reviewed, a balanced budget of $1,297,854.00 was approved by motion.

The election of the Board of Directors yielded the following results: Alumni Association: Chris Zenchenko; Badger Association: Virginia DeBlaey; Midwest Association: Bruce Parkinson; At-Large Positions: Becky Williams and Richard Perzentka. The officers elected include: President: Virginia DeBlaey, Vice-President: Richard Perzentka, Secretary: Kathy Brockman and Treasurer: Bruce Parkinson.

Part of the meeting was devoted to committee reports. Rhonda Staats, chair of the Legislative Committee, discussed some of the projects the committee has worked on recently. This will be covered in more detail in another article. Three subcommittees also work on specific areas relating to Rehabilitation, Education and Transportation.

Bob Hueller, chair of the Fund Development/Public Relations Committee, advised the White Cane Drive donations exceeded $100,000 this year.

Virginia led Council members through the annual process of appointing committees, and she thanked everyone for their work. A complete list is available in the office.

Under old business there was considerable discussion on whether a gate should be installed at the top of the stairs near the conference room. A consultant went through the building and found no safety violations. The railing at the bottom of the stairs near the reception desk will be extended as a precaution. Since carpeting will be installed downstairs near the entry, it was agreed the same carpeting will be used going up the stairs. This will provide a more tactile method of detecting the stairs and reduce noise levels.

The Executive Director stated the grant for the Computer Trainer and Technology Support Specialist program was received, and a position description has been prepared. A job announcement was issued, so the search is underway to find a full-time employee for this new position. An estimated 300 people over age 55 will be served in Dane County; they will be taught a wide variety of computer skills.

The next Council meeting will be held on Saturday, April 13, in Madison. Some of you may be in Madison for the banquet that will take place the evening of April 12th. That event will be covered elsewhere in The Courier.

We encourage interested guests to attend Council meetings and you are welcome to participate in any discussion.

ENSURING QUALITY EDUCATION

On January 17, 2002, some members of the Council's Education Committee had the privilege of meeting with Deputy State Superintendent Tony Evers. Of chief concern to us was the Governor's proposed budget and the implications its fiscal restraints may have for visually impaired students statewide. Mr. Evers told us that monies previously allocated on a per capita basis are now to be granted on a Title I basis. This means that poor states would get a larger share of the allocations. Because Wisconsin is fairly affluent, when compared with states like Texas and Illinois, we will receive less money and programs will be affected.

Of course our next question to Mr. Evers was, "What will this mean for the schools at Janesville and Delevan?" He replied that all state agencies will endure some cuts. However we were assured that WSVH and WSD will not be impacted in the same ways as other public schools. Any cuts in positions would be covered by discretionary dollars. There has been talk, Mr. Evers reported, of a freeze on state spending for two years. This would have to be cleared by the Legislature.

Another issue of great concern to the Council is the 5% cut which has been proposed for the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The library, as many of you may already know, has run under a bare-bones budget for the past couple of years. A cut of one and a half staff positions would greatly impact services to library patrons statewide. We asked Mr. Evers if perhaps the State Superintendent could devote one of the listening sessions she has planned to the library's critical situation.

Those of us who have been actively involved with the transition plan for the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, of which the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped is the residential educational option, asked Mr. Evers what progress is being made in filling the vacant math/science position. These two areas of study, as many of you may know, are the ones in which visually impaired students often receive inferior education. Mr. Evers assured us that a search is going on to fill this position. However he also reiterated what we know all too well to be true--finding a qualified teacher in mathematics and/or science for any school is difficult. The DPI, he stated, would continue the search for such an instructor for WSVH.

Those of us in attendance at the meeting feel optimistic that Mr. Evers listened to our concerns. We look forward to a continuing dialogue with him in order to help to guarantee quality education for all of Wisconsin's VI boys and girls.

It was suggested that perhaps the Wisconsin Council of the Blind could host a meeting at which parents, educators, and any other interested parties could help to create a position of unity on issues relating to education of VI students. Position papers to equip individuals with talking points could be made available in the preferred reading medium of all interested individuals.

LEGISLATIVELY SPEAKING

I am pleased to tell you that I will be continuing to serve as the WCB Legislative Committee Chair for 2002. The Legislative Committee will continue to remain active, promoting legislation to benefit Wisconsin’s citizens who are blind and/or visually impaired.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION BILL: WCB has been working closely with Representative Scott Walker, Republican of Waukesha, to craft a bill to exempt assistive devices costing $150 or more from Wisconsin sales tax. This bill is known as Assembly Bill 549. As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Representative Gregg Underheim, Republican of Oshkosh, held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 549 on Tuesday, January 15. The hearing was well attended. Dick, Gary, and Jeff represented the Council and gave testimony in support of the bill, as well as a demonstration of assistive devices. In addition, the Legislative Committee also submitted written testimony.

The Sales Tax Exemption Bill was voted out of committee 15 to 0. Action is still pending on the Senate version of this bill. This bill may face an uncertain future because of the current budget deficit. However, we can report that the recent vote by the Assembly Health Committee has provided considerable momentum toward its ultimate passage into law.

TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES: Affordable, accessible transportation options and pedestrian safety are two important concerns for blind people in Wisconsin. The Council is supporting initiatives in these two areas, which may benefit a large number of people throughout the state.

An inter-city transportation bill was introduced into the last few legislative sessions. Most recently, Governor McCallum vetoed an inter-city transportation bill, which had passed both the State Assembly and Senate. This bill would have increased funding to develop bus transportation between Wisconsin cities. WCB is not giving up in its efforts to see this legislation come to fruition. We are currently working with Senator Roger Breske’s office to craft a bill that can be supported by legislators of both parties, consumers, and additional stakeholders in the area of public transportation. Senator Breske is the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and he has assigned a staff person to work specifically with the Council to draft a workable bill. Gary Goyke continues to work with Senator Breske’s staff to monitor progress in the development of this legislation. In general, WCB supports any inter-city transportation initiative.

WCB is monitoring the progress of a Pedestrian Safety initiative as it makes its way through the Department of Transportation. Former Council member, Karen Perzentka, served on the committee that formulated the pedestrian safety recommendations that make up this initiative. Everyone agrees that increased emphasis on pedestrian safety is long overdue. The Council has submitted written testimony and will participate in the Department of Transportation’s press conference when these recommendations are announced. This series of pedestrian safety recommendations is designed to be implemented by units of local government.

NONVALID LICENSE PARITY: You may have noticed that people renewing their driver’s licenses find that they are good for eight years, while the non-valid licenses that many of us use for identification purposes are only good for four. WCB believes that these two forms of licenses should be standardized to run for an equivalent period of time. Consequently, Dick Pomo and Gary Goyke arranged a meeting with Roger Cross, Administrator of the Department of Motor Vehicles, to explore the idea that non-valid licenses used for identification should run for the same period of time as standard operator’s licenses. Mr. Cross expressed support for this change, as it would save state government and consumers money and effort. However, this equivalency would require a change in legislation to go into effect. There is currently some discussion about re-visiting the length of time for which driver’s licenses are valid. It is anticipated that non-valid licenses would be made equivalent as part of this process. WCB will continue to work with Julie Clark, Bureau Chief in charge of licenses, to monitor progress in this area.

2002 WCB LEGISLATIVE DAY: The 2002 WCB Legislative Day is planned for Thursday, May 16, 2002. We will again be visiting individual legislative offices to present issues important to people who are blind and/or visually impaired. 2002 is the 50th anniversary year of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind. Consequently, we will also be providing the legislators with materials describing the Council and its programs and services. Our goal is to keep our name before the legislature so that we are recognized as a statewide resource with expertise in blindness issues. We feel that this is an increasingly important role as the numbers of older people with vision loss continue to rise.

Our 2002 Legislative Day will begin at 9:30 on the morning of May 16 with rolls and coffee. We anticipate that 35 to 40 people will be in attendance. Information and discussion sessions will proceed from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon. Topics to be presented and/or discussed may include transportation issues, DVR update, campaign finance reform, saving the Wisconsin Regional Library Service, and an overall legislative update from the WCB Legislative Committee. Lunch will be at 12:00 noon. We are contacting Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrell to invite her to be our luncheon speaker. Dick Pomo will make a presentation on the legislative process.

Legislative visits are scheduled from 1:15 to 3:00 PM. Participants will be visiting legislators from their own part of the state. We will present our issues, and leave a packet of information at each office. A final wrap-up session will run from 3:00 until 3:30.

Heightened security at the State Capitol will undoubtedly affect this Legislative Day. Many of the doors may not be open, and each person who enters the Capitol may be checked to make sure that he/she is not carrying illicit items. Our promotional mailing for this event will contain a list of do’s and don’ts to allow everyone to comply with the increased security measures.

NEW PRODUCTS IN VISION REHABILITATION

Over the past few months, the Vision Rehabilitation Service has acquired some new “hi-tech” low vision aids for demonstration. While the aids are new, the principles they are based on are as old as the universe. Ad campaigns for new low vision products are usually a case of “good news and bad news”. On the plus side, the campaign can stimulate interest and create awareness in the whole idea of services for persons with low vision. On the down side, the word that there is a new product on the market will raise the level of hope among those who are looking for a miracle to give them back their eyesight. This is usually not the case. Even though these aids can make a particular task easier, they are not substantially different, optically speaking, than what has been around for years.

Ocutech – VES AF: Ocutech, of Chapel Hill, NC, (www.ocutech.com) has been making excellent spectacle mounted telescopes for many years. The standard VES (Vision Enhancement System) is available 4x and 6x. and mounts “sideways” on the top of the glasses frame. A few years ago, they were able to automate the focusing mechanism so that you didn’t have to use your fingers to twist a dial in order to refocus the telescope for viewing objects at different distances. This is the same technology found in “point-and-shoot” cameras. The VES AF (Auto Focus) is only available in 4x. For a person who cannot focus a telescope, or requires a lot of time to focus, this is an excellent solution. However, as with all telescopic aids, the field of view (amount of area you can see through the little hole) is small, one must hold the head VERY still, and it cannot be used when walking (or driving under Wisconsin law). The Ocutech is a custom made product that is ordered directly from the manufacturer as a result of a low vision evaluation and a prescription from one’s eye doctor.

Magni-Cam Triad: Innoventions, Inc. of Littleton, CO (www.magnicam.com) has made an excellent handheld video magnifier for many years. These small cameras, the size of a computer mouse, plug into one’s own TV set, thereby reducing size and cost. These are great for people who travel and want to bring their video magnifier with them, but can’t haul their big console unit on the trip. The Triad, which is a color camera, would fit in a case the size of a shaving or make-up bag. We also have the 6” flat screen TV that will display the Triad’s picture so that the consumer can have a video display in an area that is too small for a conventional TV set.

Innoventions recently introduced the Primer, a handheld video magnifier that also plugs into one’s own TV. It is black and white only and magnifies between 7x and 15x when connected to a 20” TV. It is designed to help those who benefit from magnifiers in the 6x-8x range but aren’t ready or able to buy a more expensive video magnifier. All of Innoventions products are only available directly from the manufacturer and are not sold by the Council.

VisAble Video Telescope VVT300: One of the newest products in the vision rehabilitation field is a video telescope introduced by Betacom of Canada (www.betacom.com). This aid is similar to a digital home video camera; it can be held in one hand, has an electronic zoom (up to 40x), and allows the user to lighten, darken, or reverse the image. It can also be mounted in its own stand and used as a video magnifier for reading. One of the features that makes this aid useful for those who require high levels of magnification is that the image in the eyepiece can be “frozen”. This allows the time to study the details of an image without having to be concerned with problems caused by hand or head shake. Like most low vision aids, the specific abilities of this aid won’t solve everybody’s problems, but it will be just the thing for a few.

The Vision Rehabilitation Service will be happy to answer your questions about these or other low vision aids. You can contact Marshall Flax, Certified Low Vision Therapist, at the Council office.

MANDATE MAKES TELEVISION MORE ACCESSIBLE

It's been seven years in the making, but on April 1, 2002, the top five television broadcast and cable networks will begin providing audio description service for four hours a week. Broadcasters affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC networks in the top 25 television markets will be required to provide a minimum of 50 hours per calendar quarter of described prime time and/or children's programming. Cable networks with over 50,000 subscribers, such as Turner Broadcasting Service and HBO, must also adhere to the new standards.

Audio description is narration inserted between the pauses in the dialogue to describe the key visual elements on the screen. The added narrative gives details of the non-verbal action scenes that are imperative to the story, such as a dream sequence, or the shadow of a person behind a door with a knife. Audio description is typically provided through the SAP or Secondary Audio Programming channel on a stereo TV or VCR. Most televisions and VCR's made within the last seven years have the SAP feature.

The mandate is not without protest. The National Association of Broadcasters, National Cable Television Association, and the Motion Picture Association of America filed a petition to halt the FCC's audio description rules. Their briefs must be filed by February 25 and the FCC's response by March 27. The US Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on September 6, 2002.

Meanwhile, 8 million to 12 million people with visual impairments can enjoy 16 hours a month of described television starting April 1 and thereafter, until and if the court rules differently. According to the FCC, currently less than 1% of all prime time television or cable programming contain audio description.

WGBH public television in Boston incorporates its own Descriptive Video Service in its productions of Nature, Nova, Mystery, and Masterpiece Theatre. Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) broadcasts these programs as "pass through" programming. WPT along with all commercial television broadcasters, regardless of market size, will be required to "pass through" any described programs it receives through a program provider. Described programs will be denoted in the local television schedule with a "DVS" icon.

WCB REACHES AROUND THE WORLD

We had visitors. They weren’t from down the street or from some place in Wisconsin. Indeed, they weren’t even from the good old U.S.A. They came to visit all the way from Ukraine.

On February 6, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind was proud to host a seminar for ten Ukrainians who were here for three weeks to study such things as advocacy, support groups, coalitions, rehabilitation, etc., so they could go back to Ukraine and begin to develop their own programs. Right now they have very little assistance for the blind and visually impaired or others with disabilities.

Speakers for the day included Dick Pomo and Gary Goyke of the Council Staff; Joe Mielczarek, Director of the Visually Impaired Program at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau; Tom Hlavacek from the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy; Jerry Meysembourg from the Department of Workforce Development/DVR; and Dr. Robert Ernst, President of Northcentral Technical College. All the speakers provided a wealth of information for the Ukrainian guests to take home and implement as they begin to develop programs to assist people with disabilities in their country.

One of the most interesting elements to the day was that all information, questions and answers had to be interpreted. The Ukrainians had limited English in some cases, and we Americans certainly couldn’t speak or understand Russian. As I listened I wondered if English sounded as fast to them as Russian sounded to me. I was also amused when things I said were translated as I thought to myself, “Is that what I said?” However, the language of concern for providing assistance for people who have none is universal. Smiles of understanding are loud!

Joe Mielczarek was the moving force behind this seminar. Under this federal grant program three delegations from Ukraine visits in Wausau and one delegation from Wisconsin visits Ukraine each year. The delegates all study different aspects of government, society, business, medicine, culture, etc. Delegation members are hosted by families in the host cities.

The present delegation had quite a schedule visiting in Wausau, Madison, Chicago, Green Bay, Marshfield and other localities to study government, hospitals, advocacy groups, rehabilitation, independent living communities and even a resort specifically designed to accommodate handicapped people.

A reception for the delegation was given in the Council building beginning at 3:00 p.m. Richard Pomo, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind, said in his opening remarks that the Council wanted people who are blind or visually impaired to be able to laugh, but before laughter there are tears of frustration. Joe Mielczarek told me the Ukrainians are well educated and smart, but they have no resources. When asked if they would develop a program for the blind and visually impaired Joe said, “They’ll do it or die trying.” I suspect that after decades under Russian rule, they have shed their tears of frustration. Now they are ready to act with smiles, laughter and lots of good energy. Having spent the day with them, I know they can do it.

STAY TUNED

Even if it's spring, there still might be a few quiet evenings by the fire, and some time to scare the heck out of yourself or someone in your family. Let's tune the dial in search of a thriller program from the past.

Today, with thousands of programs to choose from at any time and shows from many different series, we don't have to wonder about how scary it's going to be. At one time when you heard the opening sounds of the Whistler, or the creak of the door leading to the Inner Sanctum you had no idea of what was to come. Now we can just look at some titles in a database and choose what we want to hear. If you buy a show, you may already have a good idea about the program content. Just in case you don't, let me tell you about a few that scared me when I was a kid. They are still scary and it is even easier to find and hear them now than it was 30 to 40 years ago.

The inspiration for the last of the modern thriller shows was Inner Sanctum. Many of the same people who created CBS Radio Mystery Theater in the 1970s were connected with Inner Sanctum 30 years before the Radio Theater. Inner Sanctum featured the classic creaking door and a host that loved to make bad jokes about bodies and dead people. Most of the actual shows don't seem to be that scary, but now and then they offered a dandy. The one I remember was about a large and very heavy grandfather clock that fell on and killed people at the stroke of midnight. On the final stroke of the chimes there was a grinding crash and a scream that gurgled into silence as the victim died a horrible death. The broadcast was “Judas Clock” from April 17, 1945.

Even more classic and likely more remembered is a show called “Three Skeleton Key”. Sometimes it is referred to as "that show about the rats". Rats indeed. Hungry rats that surround a lonely lighthouse after a ship wrecks itself on the rocks just below. The ship was unmanned and the rats aboard take over the outside of the lighthouse as the three keepers go crazy hearing, watching and fearing the rats. The sounds and audio picture can still bring a shiver. “Three Skeleton Key” was broadcast several times during the Escape series and also on the Suspense series.

Creatures or nature as a deadly enemy were also featured in another favorite, “Leinengen Versus The Ants”. This show featured army ants taking over and eating everything in sight and a lone man with brains and the will to fight them. With this show it wasn't as much the sound as the voices of the characters and the music blending with plot that set the mood. Again Escape and Suspense offered this story several times. Sounds played a part in an Escape broadcast version of “The Birds”. I heard it when I was in the first grade and was scared for months when I heard lots of sparrows chirping loudly outside my window.

Leaving the relentless creatures behind, and moving to the psychotic killer, it's hard to forget “Back Seat Driver”. Featuring Fibber McGee and Molly as its stars, the change from their comedic roles on their own show to the helpless and terrified companions of a madman was scary enough. Add to this the pace and atmosphere of a late night by your radio and you just might turn off the radio to avoid what you thought had to happen. Of course, it didn't, but even knowing the end, that show can still leave you breathless.

The supernatural played a role in two more shows I remember clearly. First, “The Steps That Follow” as heard on Hall of Fantasy in about 1955. Old creaking floorboards in a large and silent house late at night might just get the blood flowing. Having them follow you no matter where you move just might make you think you're crazy. “Casting The Runes” from Escape had the main character cursed and haunted by a thing that was guaranteed to kill him on a specific date. The only way to escape was to return the curse to the person who cast it. The return had to be undetected. By the final moments on a train, as the victim tries to secretly return the paper containing the curse, you may need to be reminded about breathing.

Fifty or sixty years ago, programs came on once a week and chances were that if you missed a good one it would not be played again. A few memorable shows might come along in a month or even a year. No time to hear all of the programs and no tape delays to help deal with the time conflicts. But things are different now as hundreds of shows are played on public radio and offered for sale in catalogs and on the Net. If you want to scare yourself, just take time and listen to these and many more and I won't leave any lights on for you either.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET READY?

Excitement builds at the office of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind as April 12 draws closer. Why? April 12, 2002 is the date of the Council’s Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner Celebration and Gala. We hope each person reading the Courier will be spending this very special evening with us. But how does one prepare for such a momentous occasion? I spoke with Gary Goyke, the Council’s Fund Development/Public Relations Director, to learn just what goes into planning such an important event.

When I asked Gary why Madison’s Edgewater Hotel was chosen for the celebration, he replied, “The Edgewater is a very elegant hotel, and we wanted the best. It has covered parking and an accessible ballroom, quite unique because the ballroom is on the same level with the hotel’s lobby. We needed a touch of elegance to complement our program which will include the Wisconsin Blinded Veterans presenting the colors, contemporary songs performed by an opera company, and a wealth of historical knowledge regarding the Wisconsin Council of the Blind. The Edgewater is perfect for our needs. Besides all that, the ballroom affords an incredible view of Lake Mendota.”

When I asked Gary what was most challenging about planning this celebration, he said it has been very difficult to notify everyone who has had a hand in the Council’s history. “We wanted to contact children of former Council members, for example,” he said. “It’s been difficult reaching everyone, so that’s why we use every chance we get to spread the word.”

Gary has recently acquired an assistant to help with the Capacity Campaign. She is Kathy Lange-Novak, and I asked Gary how she has been helping with the celebration. “She’s a great strategizer,” he replied. Gary explained that it was Kathy who came up with the fifties theme idea, helping us travel back in time to that exciting period of history for the Council and the world. She has also been a terrific solicitor, obtaining assistance from businesses throughout Wisconsin.

When I asked Mr. Goyke which part of the program he was looking forward to most, he said, “Sharing memories of the history of the Council will be very meaningful to me.” He added that listening to the voices of George Card’s daughter, the DeBlaeys, the Neerlands, and so many more individuals who can help to tell the Council’s story will put the crowning touches on an unforgettable evening.

What still needs to happen in order to make this event truly successful? The Council office is sending 9,978 invitations. Certain lucky staff members will be attending a tasting at the Edgewater to see that the food is just right, and final arrangements are being made regarding the program and seating of guests. A commemorative program booklet will be available at the celebration. It will contain the names of all contributors, so if you’d like to be listed in this special booklet, please be sure your contribution reaches the Council office no later than April 1, 2002.

Finally, I asked Gary what the main purpose of the celebration is. Well, this time, Gary had a number, but it was only two. “It has two purposes,” he said. “First, we want to celebrate our past and renew our mission to the future. Second, we wish to announce the public phase of our Capacity Campaign.”

If you have been a loyal Courier reader, you might have seen a reference to a Capital Campaign, and you may be wondering what the difference between a Capital Campaign and a Capacity Campaign really is. Since I wondered too, I asked Gary. “If we were only raising money to pay for our new building, it would be a Capital Campaign,” Gary explained. “Because we want to increase programs and services of the Council, expand the ways it can assist Wisconsin’s blind and visually impaired citizens, we’re holding a Capacity Campaign, with much greater importance than a Capital Campaign and with far-reaching, positive consequences.”

Will you join us on April 12? You’ll find all the details you need on the last pages of this issue of the Courier. We are including an invitation, invitation letter and reply form. Please fill out and return the reservation and payment form to the Council office. I hope to see you at the Edgewater at our fantastic celebration. If you have any questions or if you know someone who should have received an invitation but did not get one, please contact Gary Goyke or Kathy Lange-Novak at the Council office. Don’t miss this incredible event!

TECHNOLOGY - THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON

When people start talking computers, one of the first things you hear about is the operating system. Most of the time the discussion centers around what version of Microsoft Windows you have or will not have. This is not to say that other operating systems don't exist or work. The plain fact is that most screen reading and adaptive software is built to run inside the Windows family of operating systems. There are exceptions, but most new computer users won't likely run into them. Because of this, I will limit the following discussion to Microsoft Windows and its many forms.

First, people might want to know what an operating system is and why they should even care. Let's see if some sense can be made of these two questions.

The operating system is the heart and soul of your computer. It tells the computer how to find and manage the information you want it to keep track of. In many ways, learning to do a new task is simply adding to your own internal operating system. Let's say you just installed a new alarm system for your house. You have to do several actions each time you leave and each time you return. Each of these steps has to be done every time and in the correct order. An operating system does the same thing. It does hundreds of small steps that allow you to use your computer. It finds, moves, deletes, and handles your instructions and allows the results to be seen on the screen or heard through your speech synthesizer.

Computer programs are no different from you in that they also ask the operating system to accept input and generate output. These programs or applications format and organize your interaction with the computer. They all rely on the operating system to make this happen. In earlier articles I talked about the GUI or Graphical User Interface. This is just a fancy way of describing how you input instructions to the operating system. A good system will accept input in many ways and allow for many methods of output as well. Think of keyboard, mouse, network connection, or phone modem as ways to get commands in. Some of these can also be used to get results back out. Think network connection and modem as examples.

So now for this Windows thing: Microsoft Windows comes in several versions. The version does not change the operating system functions. It just changes the way the basic processes are handled inside the computer and how things look to the user. Data is still stored in a file structure. The system still runs programs but the differences in the internal processes may allow some programs to run in one version and not in another. This is because the programs are written to count on the operating system’s way of doing things. If that way is changed the program won't work. Let's go back to our simple alarm example. You just got a new alarm system that replaced your old one. It works the same and you have to do the same steps when leaving and returning home. One thing that did change is the code you have to key in when returning. The process remains the same, but if you enter the old code the police show up and drag you off as a burglar. In the case of the computer it's not quite that bad, but some things just quit working when the operating system has changed.

One of the most complex programs or applications your computer will ever run is your screen reader. Large print products also behave much like a screen reader. These programs depend on the operating system to allow them to see what is on the screen and then to allow you to customize how the screen information is spoken or shown. Needless to say that because of this close relationship between the operating system and your screen reader, changing the operating system is likely to break the reader.

Microsoft has released several versions of Windows over the last 8 or so years. In about 1995, two branches of the Windows family tree were released. The first was Windows-95. This was followed by Windows-NT. The two systems were designed for different audiences and were built in quite different ways. The "NT" stood for network and it was targeted at business use. It was a new way of doing most operating system functions. Since Windows-95 was primarily for home and light business use, screen readers were developed for Windows-95 first. Also Win-95 used platforms that had been around for several years and the concepts might be new, but the system was not too strange. Later some readers were written for Windows-NT, but only a few.

Now things are changing. Microsoft came out with Windows-98 and then Windows-ME. These were upgrades and enhancements for Windows-95. Finally after almost 5 years they also upgraded Windows-NT. This was Windows-2000. It quickly was replaced with Windows-XP and now it stands like this. First, the "NT" family with XP at the top. Then the 9X family with Windows-ME at the top. Microsoft hopes to move the 9X users to Windows-XP and retire the 9X family of products in the next few years. The problem is that many people know and want to use 9X and don't want to spend the time to change to a new system. So XP can be made to look and act almost exactly like Windows-98 or ME.

Yep, you guessed it. Existing screen readers won't work in the XP family of windows. New versions are being written and the leaders in the industry are working hard to get products that will run. It's that difference in the way the operating system behaves. One difference today is that Microsoft is working with the screen reader folks to make XP accessible. XP was released at the end of October 2001. There are already two readers working in XP. So which operating system should you choose? The bottom line is that XP is coming, but it has not taken over the market yet. If you learn Windows-9X and your screen reader doesn’t, don't fear, XP and your reader can be made to behave almost in the same way you have already learned.

The cost to go XP is a bit higher and if you share your computer with your family they may have programs, mostly games, that won't run in XP. To keep the peace, you may want to hold on. Again you won't be losing much ground because to the user Windows is Windows. The screen reader companies will sell you an upgrade, but that usually includes both the 9X and XP versions so you probably won't lose anything there either.

Now for our little tech tip: Unless you are running a laptop you probably don't want your hard disk to power down while your computer is booted. If you go to the Control Panel and choose Power Management you will find several schemes listed. Even if you choose "always on" when you check the settings in this scheme you will find the drive powering down after an hour. Change this to "never" and then save the scheme with the same name "always on". You don't have to type in the name when you choose "save", just hit enter after setting the drive to never power down. Now the scheme is really "always on".

THE MOST FANTASTIC EVENING EVER!!

We are very proud of our past accomplishments, but we are truly excited about building a secure and better future for blind and visually impaired people of our state during the next 50 years.

We are personally inviting you to participate in our very special 50th anniversary dinner on Friday, April 12, 2002. Besides an evening of good food, entertainment and camaraderie, we will be announcing plans for the Council’s future. During the evening, we will be announcing the Council’s three year Capacity Campaign, a fund-raising campaign designed to expand the Council’s ability to serve.

For the celebration’s opening we will have a presentation of the colors by the Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin. For our finale, members of the Madison Opera will entertain us with contemporary musical selections!

Braised Breast of Duckling - boneless breast slowly braised until tender, napped with a raspberry sauce
Roast Beef Chasseur - eye of round, seasoned and slow roasted, thinly sliced and napped with a hearty sauce of tomato, onion and mushrooms in a rich brown stock
Scallops Americana - tender scallops in a rich lobster sauce, served over cappelini and dusted with parmesan cheese

A special dessert and celebrational champagne will also be served. A gourmet vegetarian selection is available upon request. Please indicate your dinner selection on the return page.

Your name tags and seating assignments will be given to you upon registration at the Edgewater Hotel. No printed tickets will be issued. If you have been invited to sit at a table, please indicate this on the registration page. Complimentary covered parking is available at the hotel. Tickets and tables will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

The Edgewater is in downtown Madison on Lake Mendota. It is a short walk to the State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Guests wishing to stay overnight will need to make reservations directly with the hotel. Some rooms have been reserved at the hotel for this event, if you choose to stay there. Identify yourself as being with the Wisconsin Council of the Blind when you call: 608/256-9071 or 1-800-922-5512.

Now to the future: The second reason we are celebrating is the Council’s new three-year Capacity Campaign. Starting on Friday, April 12th and for the next three years, we will be holding special events and raising contributions for the purpose of expanding our capacity to serve. We are announcing nine program enhancements with specific financial goals. Here is our list:

Assistive Devices
Adjustment Skills
Technology Center & Related Programs
Wisconsin Braille Education & Preservation Center
WCB Resource Center & Museum
Information & Referral Services
Volunteers in Action
Education, Advocacy & Outreach Programs
Public Affairs Initiatives & Philanthropy

Our total campaign goal is to raise $3,000,000. Gifts to the Council will insure our strong future. All proceeds from the 50th anniversary event will be used for the Capacity Campaign. Please call our office for additional information on this campaign and how you can assist. We hope to see you on April 12, 2002. Let’s celebrate our future!

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

You are cordially invited to join us as we celebrate 50 years of service.
5:30 p.m. Capacity Campaign Kickoff and Reception
Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages

7:00 p.m. Dinner and Program at:
The Edgewater Hotel
666 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin
Friday, April 12, 2002

All proceeds will support the Wisconsin Council of the Blind Capacity Campaign. Special congratulatory messages or advertising is available for the commemorative book. Sponsorships for the dinner are also available. Please call Gary R. Goyke or Kathy Lange-Novak with any questions you have regarding the event at
(608) 255-1166 or 1-800-783-5213.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

Donations of $25 or more include a listing in our commemorative program as well as a copy of the program.

$35 of the price of each ticket is tax deductible, as are all direct gifts to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE PRESIDENT

REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED - UPDATE

COUNCIL MEETS

ENSURING QUALITY EDUCATION

LEGISLATIVELY SPEAKING

NEW PRODUCTS IN VISION REHABILITATION

MANDATE MAKES TELEVISION MORE ACCESSIBLE

WCB REACHES AROUND THE WORLD

STAY TUNED

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET READY?

TECHNOLOGY - THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON

THE MOST FANTASTIC EVENING EVER!!

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

EMAIL EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE PRESIDENT

REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED - UPDATE

COUNCIL MEETS

ENSURING QUALITY EDUCATION

LEGISLATIVELY SPEAKING

NEW PRODUCTS IN VISION REHABILITATION

MANDATE MAKES TELEVISION MORE ACCESSIBLE

WCB REACHES AROUND THE WORLD

STAY TUNED

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET READY?

TECHNOLOGY - THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON

THE MOST FANTASTIC EVENING EVER!!

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER

EMAIL EDITION

REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED - UPDATE