MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402
(304)263-2996
http://www.mscbwv.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

Welcome to the summer edition of our newsletter. And I know there are many new members reading this so I welcome you to Mountain State Council of the Blind. I have not had an opportunity to talk with each of you in person yet but I will be making contact with you. It is my goal to maintain contact with each member of this organization as all of you are important to MSCB and its continued growth and development.

We have had a fairly quiet summer as a state affiliate although on the national level, American Council of the Blind has been making some tremendous strides forward on behalf of blind and visually impaired people. You will read about some of these accomplishments in this newsletter and those to follow.

Our membership has increased over the past several months due to a mailing sent out by the West Virginia Library Commission. Special thanks and much appreciation goes out to Donna Calvert, and staff for their hard work in making this possible. Thank you!

Be sure to mark your calendars and watch your mailbox for the MSCB State convention information. The convention will be the weekend of September 12 and 13 in Morgantown, West Virginia. We look forward to an awesome convention packed with information, fun, socializati
on and activities this year. It will be hosted by our newest Vandalia chapter in Morgantown and I know all of us will have an outstanding time.

Enjoy the newsletter and your summer. As always, if you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me or any of the officers. Onward and upward!

Jessie L. Rayl
MSCB President

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Every month, MSCB has a conference call which provides an opportunity for our members to interact with each other. Over the next several months, we will be inviting various people from the national office to participate in our calls. This will give you an opportunity to talk with them directly, to ask questions about ACB’s history, present or the future. We will also have our officers at these calls which will give our new members an opportunity to ask questions, get to know us and learn more about the organization.
Please, please join these calls.
To do so, call 1-218-936-1200. You will be asked to enter a code number.
It is MSCBTALK or 67228255.
Please listen to and follow any verbal prompts from the automated system.
The calls are every 2nd Monday of the month at 9:00 PM. Dates through December: August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, and December 8.

Another way of learning about MSCB is to subscribe to our email listserv.
You can do this in one of two ways:
Send a blank email to:
mountainstat
e-subscribe@acb.org
You will receive a confirmation message to which you must reply.
Or, you can go to:
www.acb.org, go to “join our email lists” and to the Mountainstate link and subscribe that way.
Again, you will receive an email confirmation to which you must reply.

Still another way is to join our Forum on the website at:
www.mscbwv.org

As always, you may contact me or any of our officers with further questions or for further information.

THOUGHTS ON THE 4TH OF JULY
By Carl Jarvis, Washington State

This morning I once again listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence on NPR.
What strong, brave words, listing our grievances and declaring that we would no longer be oppressed.
As the reading concluded my mind traveled back to this small band of brave and determined men who dared to speak out against the mighty British Empire.
And I realized that these words, as powerful as they were, did not set us free.
This was but the very beginning. Once independence had been declared it took many long months of hardship, suffering and sacrifice. We had declared our independence, but it was not ours until we actually took possession of it.
Like our founding fathers, we in the ACB understand fully well that brave words must be backed up with determined action. By comparison, our struggle has not been a fierce and bloody battle, but we have certainly endured many long years of depri
vation, of exclusion, of taxation without fair representation. But we have stayed the course.
I am very proud on this most meaningful day to be counted as a member of the American Council of the Blind.

WHY WE FILE COMPLAINTS AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN
By Jessie Rayl

Many people cringe when they hear the word “complaint.” That word has been associated with “whining” which we are taught as young children is wrong, somehow demeaning, we are not to do. Yet, the word “complaint” is a legal term we often use to express dissatisfaction with the way something is happening. We do not have access to things: Braille signage in a city or state owned building, when a traffic signal turns because we cannot see it and there is nothing more than a light that someone who has sight can see but we cannot, the printed forms in the doctor’s office which we are somehow expected to fill out.
And now, we are expected to just be cheerful people about this omission and not say a word. Or, are we? So we complain.

I think we, as blind people, need to reframe this word “complaint” and “complain” into a positive term. To accept these things above is not positive. It is demeaning, it is unjustified, and it can be outright dangerous or life-threatening. We are no less deserving of the same information that sighted people have and take for granted20every day than are they. And so to say nothing about it, to do nothing about it is, in essence, agreeing that yes, it is perfectly okay that we cannot see the traffic lights change, or that we are given print forms to complete which we cannot read, or we have no clue which bathroom is which because of no Braille sign. What if we change the word “complain” to “empower”. I will file an “empowerment” with Department of Human Rights Commission? I will make an “empowering statement” to management. And this is not to be negative, it is in an effort to let them know it is past time we are heard, viewed and treated as the equal citizens that we are.

Recently, I filed an empowerment against Verizon because of several issues I was having. In mediation settlement, I was able to work with them and their website is now more screen reader accessible than it had been.
In West Virginia, if you are having problems with Verizon, you may contact:
Cathy Hensley, 1-351-4370

I had an issue with Direct TV because their remote control, their equipment and their menus are all inaccessible to me. This, too, required that an empowerment be filed with Public Service Commission. That resulted in yet another mediation hearing wherein I now have a “flag” on my account that alerts them I am blind and they will send a service person to my home to assist. My other option was for them to rectify their inaccessible menus. While they did not agree to do that, they did agree it needs to happen.

Now, members of Tri-county are filing empowerments against City of Martinsburg for various reasons including no Audible Pedestrian signals, improperly installed wheelchair ramps causing problems for blind and visually impaired people, lack of Braille notification and signage, etc. I am hoping we can have a happy resolution of this as well. We will work until we do, rest assured.

At no time during the previously viewed complaints did things become nasty. These people know the law and they know that I have rights to equal access. It became tense at times but in the end, we were willing to work together, learn and arrive at solutions. And that is the reason to file complaints, to be empowered and to feel empowered.

ACB IN THE SPOTLIGHT

American Council of the Blind has been working very hard over the past several months on several issues including a bill on the 21Telecommunications Act, quiet car legislation, accessible currency and more. For additional information on these issues, see MSCB’s website or the ACB website. There will be articles about these in our upcoming newsletters as well.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street NW, Sui
te 1004
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-467-5081 or toll free: 800-424-8666.

The U.S. Treasury Department discriminates because it has failed to
design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable by
people who are blind, a ruling by the federal appeals court, Tuesday,
May 20.

Washington — May 20, 2008 — The U.S. Treasury Department discriminates
because it has failed to design and issue paper currency that is
readily distinguishable by people who are blind , a federal appeals
court ruled on Tuesday.

By a 2-1 vote, the court upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge James
Robertson in a lawsuit filed by The American Council of the Blind (ACB) against the U.S. Treasury Department.

ACB accused the department and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson of violating the Rehabilitation Act, which was meant to ensure that people with disabilities can live independently and fully participate in
society.

The appeals court rejected the Treasury Department’s arguments that making currency accessible would impose an undue burden on the government, and sent the case back to Robertson to address the group’s request for relief.

Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind,
stated: “This is a tremendous victory for the ACB and for every blind
and visually impaired person living in the United States today and in
the future. We hope that the treasure department will now sit down
with us to come up with a mutually satisfactory way of making our currency accessible.”

“Virtually all of the other industrialized countries around the globe
have accessible currency, and this is long overdue for the United
States,” commented Dr. Ron E. Milliman, who chairs ACB’s Public
Relations Committee.

“There are over 180 nations that have some sort of accessibility built
in to their paper currency. Currencies used by countries such as
Canada, Australia, Japan, England, and even the Euro have
accessibility features. The U.S. is rather unique in that it is one of
very few industrialized nations that has resisted including shape,
size, texture, or meaningful color contrast in it’s bank notes,” said
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of ACB.

The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based
organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for
the rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates
across the entire United States, the organization is dedicated to
making it possible for blind and visually impaired Americans to
participate fully in every aspect of American society.

For more information about the American Council of the Blind, and the issues it supports, visit www.acb.org or contact Melanie Brunson,
Executive Director, The American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005 or phone: 202-467-5081 or toll fr
ee: 800-424-8666.

###

TRI-COUNTY CHAPTER (Martinsburg – Charles Town)

Tri-County Chapter has been raising money over the past several months. We had several new members from Charles Town join us and thanks to Cesarina Wysong and her friends, they held a bake sale in May raising over $1,000.00. For new members, I think this is outstanding and we congratulate and commend their efforts.
Then, in Martinsburg, Richard and Terry Budaj assisted local members with a hotdog and bake sale raising over $600.00. Again, a huge thank you to two special people who just gave their time willingly. We returned the next weekend to raise another $400 plus with sales of items from West Virginia souvenirs and country ham sandwiches. We will be planning an activity as well as other projects, and as always continued fund raisers at our next meetings.

Tri-county chapter is holding our annual picnic on July 31 at War Memorial Park at the main Pavilion. Our local chapter will provide drinks and chicken. The picnic will be cover-dish. For further information, please call John Birckhead (304-264-2016) or Jessie Rayl (304-263-2996).

POTOMAC VALLEY UPDATE
by Donna Brown

As I sit here at a general session of the national convention of the American Council of the Blind writing this update, I am reminded once again of how good it feels to be surrounded by over 1,000 ACB members and friends
who share many of the same inaccessibility issues and are striving for the same benefits for blind and visually impaired persons as we do in West Virginia. In addition, as I hear the number of votes of each state Affiliate, I am encouraged to be a part of an Affiliate having the same number or more votes than states having a large overall population.

MSCB membership continues to increase. The Potomac Valley Council of the Blind is excited to be a part of this membership growth, and we will help in any way possible to mentor these new members. The membership of PVCB has increased as well. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our two newest members, Bill and Mary Susan Orester from Lincoln Nebraska. While they will have difficulty attending meetings in person, we will find some way of getting them involved in chapter activities.

The members of PVCB continue working on accessibility improvements to the Hampshire Review website, the website of our local newspaper. Our main goal in this project is to make available online subscriptions to this newspaper.

In September, we will have a booth at our annual Heritage Days event to be held in Romney. We will distribute information about ACB, MSCB, and PVCB, as well as sell various West Virginia souvenirs and our combination hammers. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to share information about programs for blind and20visually impaired individuals, and to raise public awareness of the abilities of the blind and visually impaired population.

UPDATE FROM VANDALIA CHAPTER
By Debbie Brooks

Vandalia Chapter is hard at work getting ready for the convention in September. We anticipate a great weekend and look forward to welcoming you to Morgantown.

We were privileged to exhibit and share information about MSCB and ACB at a large resource fair in April with more than 150 participants and have been invited back next year. A collaborative effort between The Center for Excellence in Disabilities Fine Arts Program and Mountain Line, (our local bus service), to display artwork created by people with disabilities in the bus depot is in the planning stages. Vandalia Chapter will work with them to be sure the displays are as accessible to blind people as possible and that any descriptions or sale information is readily available in alternate formats.

NOTE: We realize many of you live in areas where there are no local chapters. We hope to work toward forming local chapters as quickly as possible but need your help. If you believe you have five or more people present, people who are interested in taking on leadership roles in this, please contact me so we can begin to discuss how to form these chapters. I believe it is important to the continued growth and development of MSCB to get as many chapters developed as=2
0possible. – Jessie Rayl, President, (304) 263-2996

POSSIBLE RESOURCES OF INTEREST

www.blindcitizens.org: May help with purchasing adaptive technology
www.onlynaturalpetstore.com: Find all natural pet needs including food, treats, toys, herbal and dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies and more
www.futureaids.com: Find Braille novelties, Braille supplies and more
www.maxiaids.com: Find independent living aids, canes and more

(We will list various helpful resources from time to time that we have found to be helpful. This is not a promotion of, or endorsement for one company over any other; just possible helpful information.)

SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE

* A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on
past experiences.
* An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
* A loss of interest in judging other people.
* A loss of interest in judging self.
* A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
* A loss of interest in conflict.
* A loss of ability to worry (this is a very serious symptom).
* Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
* Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
* Frequent attacks of smiling.
* An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
* An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the
uncontrollable urge to extend it.
– Author Unknown

PRESIDENT’S CONTACT INFORMATION=0
D

Jessie Rayl: Mountain State Council of the Blind
Phone: (304) 263-2996
Email: thedogmom@wvdsl.net

John Birckhead: Tricounty Chapter (Martinsburg)
Phone: (304) 264-2016
Email: JBJ23961@aol.com

Debra Brooks, Vandalia (Morgantown)
Phone: (304) 599-4782
Email: dbrooks@hsc.wvu.edu

Donna Brown: Potomac Valley Council (Romney)
Phone: (304) 822-4679
Email: dandmbrown@atlanticbb.net

MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
Membership Form

Complete and return this form to:
Attention: Kathy Gerhardt, Treasurer

Mountain State Council of the Blind
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402

YOUR NAME: ____________________________
ADDRESS (street): _________________________
CITY ________________; STATE ___; ZIP ______
PHONE: ____________

EMAIL: _______________________

PREFERRED FORMAT: (check two)
___Braille, ___email, ___large print, ___cassette
I am: ___blind, ___visually impaired, ___sighted

___MSCB dues: $10.00; ___Local Chapter Dues: $5.00 ___Junior Member: $5.00 (State); ___Local Chapter $2.50; ___Organization / Support: $25.00; ___Donations: $__.00 (specify)

My check is enclosed for $ _____

Would you like to be included in our members-only (information not released) directory? ____Yes ____No

Thank you for joining MSCB!

No Comments »

Mountain State Council of the Blind
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402

Email: eaglewings@wvdsl.net
http://www.mscbwv.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

Hello: I hope you have all had a pleasant winter and gotten through the ice, snow and flu season safely. I am sure looking forward to spring. Spring and summer are my favorite time of the year.

MSCB continues to have many exciting changes. First, you will notice that we have a new website listed above. If you haven’t visited it yet, please take a moment to do so and keep returning because it is a work in progress. Thanks to our website committee: Carolyn Winslow, Donna Brown, Kathy Gerhardt and Glen Pinkard, it has become quite a great-looking, informational site which I’m sure will continue to grow as time goes on. Feel free to send your suggestions to us and visit often.

Each President will now be using his or her own contact phone number. This will make communication more direct and expedient. Those numbers are listed in the newsletters and on our web site.

Our local chapters continue to be busy with various events, fundraisers and activities.

Ninetta Garner and Jessie Rayl attended the President’s midyear meeting and Legislative Seminar on Capitol Hill the week of February 8 through 12. It was an information-filled, fun four days topped off by a visit to Capitol Hill and our representatives. The imperatives discussed at this year’s event were Telecommunications, Website Accessibility and Quiet Car Safety. Our representatives were quite receptive to our concerns and I believe will work with us to their ability.

We look forward to a productive spring. Plans are beginning on the annual state convention which will be held in Morgantown, West Virginia September 12 and 13. .

As always, stay well and enjoy the remainder of the newsletter.

Jessie L. Rayl

MSCB President

New Ideas Come From Ordinary People

by Donna Brown

MSCB Vice-President

Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try! comDr. Seuss.

The Mountain State Council of the Blind is comprised of ordinary people. Many of us have various degrees of visual impairments, but we all have something to offer to make MSCB an extraordinary organization. We have all been blessed with many gifts and talents, and most importantly, we’ve all been given the ability to think.

The officers and board members of MSCB are in need of some new ideas or “fresh thoughts” from you as to how we can better serve blind and visually impaired residents of West Virginia, and how we can increase public awareness of the needs and abilities of blind and visually impaired individuals. As stated above, “Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” We challenge each of you to try to think about what you have to offer to MSCB. For some food for thought, read the following questions.

* Do you like to write?

* Are you computer savvy?

* Are you introduced in legislation?

* Do you have new ideas for fund-raisers?

* Are you interested in offering support to people who are losing their vision?

* Are you interested in serving on any MSCB committees?

I’d like to share with you some examples of the power of one “Fresh Thought.”

* For years, Dunkin Donuts’ sales would slow down in the summer, until someone thought, “let’s add ice cream”. A simple idea that increased sales dramatically.

* McDonald’s only served lunch and dinner in all their stores until some maverick franchise had the courage to ask customers if they’d like to have breakfast at his store. Their answer was yes, and you know the rest of the story.

Your “Fresh Thought” may not change MSCB in the same way that one person’s “Fresh Thought” changed Dunkin Donuts’ and McDonald’s, but it may. You just never know. We’re all familiar with the old camp song that says, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” Please share your new ideas with any MSCB officer or board member, and let us know how you can help MSCB become a stronger Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. (Contact information for the officers and board members can be found at the end of this newsletter.)

In closing, I’d like to share this poem about taking an active role in any organization.

You are the one who has to decide whether you’ll do it or toss it aside,

You are the one who makes up your mind whether you’ll lead or linger behind-

Whether you’ll try for goals afar, or be contented to stay where you are.

Take it or leave it, there’s something to do.

Just think it over; it’s all up to you.”

Author Unknown

“”This is the first time I have ever won anything. I want to be published in the big paper.”

MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND West Virginia UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM MAKE A LITTLE BOY’S DAY

When Presley Cole, age ten and a fourth grade student at Tuscarora Elementary School, learned that he was the winner of the 2008 team-signed WVU football, he could scarcely contain his excitement. “I have never won anything in my whole life!” When I asked his mother, Regina Cole, for permission to write about her son in our MSCB newsletter, Presley had two requests: He wanted to be published in “the big paper” referring to Martinsburg Journal-News and wanted to ensure that his teachers would receive a copy of the article.

For several years, the WVU athletic department as generously donated to MSCB a team-signed football. MSCB, in turn, uses this as a fund-raiser to help with our organization and this year, we are delighted that the recipient is young Presley. He is the son of Regina, also visually impaired who is employed in the community and a successful young mom. Regina spoke proudly of Presley’s academic performance and various activities as he corrected her that he does, in fact, like WVU and football. Congratulations, Presley and may you treasure your football!

Mountain State Council of the Blind is a non-profit state affiliate of The American Council of the Blind. We provide advocacy, support and education for individuals who are visually impaired, and to their families and friends. We are a statewide organization and have three local chapters throughout the state to provide increased socialization and connectivity.

EASTER 2008

As you may know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after

the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Found out a couple of things you might be interested in! Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare.

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And

only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old

or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are

the facts:

The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220

years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you’re 95 or older,

you are the only ones that were around for that!).

The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277

years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

SUBCITIZEN OR INVISIBLE

By Carl Jarvis

“You stay in your place, Blind Boy, and we’ll git along just fine.”

Sound a little familiar? Back in my youth, which was somewhere just prior to the last Ice Age, this was a commonly heard phrase. Only it was not directed toward the blind. It was applied to a group of folks we called, Negroes.

In those days I took my lunch at a small cafe on the Seattle waterfront, filled with

long shoremen, truckers and produce workers. All white. This was in the latter

part of the 1950’s, and the daily papers were full of stories of unrest among the

Negroes. And the kindest, most tolerant words I ever heard in that restaurant were, “Well, they’re all right, if they stay in their place”. No, I never piped up and asked just where that place might be. I was the long, lanky one, and they were the broad, burly ones. But when you get right down to it, isn’t that what we blind folk are being told today?

Oh sure, it sounds a little different, but it means the same thing. From the person

who stops us on the street and says, “You people are so wonderful and deserving.” Or the local politicians who ooze, “You people deserve everything”. Of course they deliver nothing.

But so long as we stay in our place, we’re all right. And just where is our place?

Well, they don’t know. Because when we are there, we’re invisible. Out of sight…literally.

And as long as we sit quietly in “our place”, like good little sub-citizens, they

will feel compassion, pity, sadness and even a sort of love. And best of all, they

will take care of us. Maybe not real good care, but beggars can’t be choosers, can we?

But if you want to be called an ingrate, or a malcontent, just rise up from your

street corner and demand to be treated with respect, as an equal citizen.

If you do, be prepared to duck. For the, you-know-what will hit the fan.

I think most folks on this list recognize the techniques used to keep us in our place.

If we can be properly “managed”, then we won’t cause any problems.

But what is always troubling in these class struggles, are our fellow brothers and

sisters who sell out. In a sense they are the House Servants of the old South.

If they please their Master, they will be allowed to live in, or near the Big House.

And so they become self-serving and even turn on their People.

And while the House Servants stood in the shade and drank cool water from a tin cup, the field hands drank brackish, tepid water from a rain barrel, by cupping their unwashed hands.

And so it is among the blind. This is why I belong to the American Council of the

Blind. ACB works on behalf of all the blind. No one in this organization is getting

rich off the backs of fellow members. Nor are we beholden to Big Business or the

Federal Government. We own our own souls and we represent ourselves, and no one else.

Please, let’s keep it this way.

LOCAL CHAPTER NEWS

Tricounty–Tricounty chapter continues to have monthly meetings at Shoney’s restaurant every 2 nd Wednesday. Our meetings are from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. We have dinner and the meeting. We are continuing our complaint against the City of Martinsburg with the allegations of improperly installed wheelchair ramps, lack of accessible pedestrian signals, and inconsistent Braille signage in city-managed buildings. We continue to hold various fundraisers as well. Our February meeting had to be canceled due to an ice storm which actually disappeared by the time of the meeting, however the busses were called off so inasmuch as PanTran is the primary source of transportation for many of us, it scheltched our plans for that meeting. Now that spring is almost with us, we plan to resume our activities and our meetings.

Vandalia–We are please to report that the newest chapter of MSCB continues to enroll new members and that our group now has a permanent place to meet. Meetings are held at noon on the second Saturday of each month at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Morgantown. We are excited and pleased to host this year’s annual convention September 12-13.

The West Virginia Assistive Technology Sysstem (WVATS) Program at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) at West Virginia University (WVU) was looking for a new home for display boards they no longer needed. Vandalia Chapter was able to secure one of these Boards for MSCB. We thank WVATS for their donation.

We received word recently that our public bus system will soon expand its routes and that existing routes may change. We intend to work closely with Mountain Line on this project. Members continue to present at local schools and community events to raise awareness of blindness and related issues. Morgantown has been designated as one of the country’s most “walkable” cities; however, blind and visually impaired pedestrians find many areas difficult if not impossible to travel safely and independently. We have identified two areas of particular concern and will begin meeting with City Council and other government officials to share our concerns and offer possible solutions.

Potomac Valley Council–Greetings from the Potomac Valley region of West Virginia. The Potomac Valley Council of the Blind (Pvcb continues to meet once a month, and we’ve had nearly 100% of our membership present at each meeting.

We currently have several projects on the table. One project we are focusing our attention to at this time is working with the staff at the Hampshire Review, our local newspaper, to develop online subscriptions to the newspaper, so that we could have access to the entire paper. Another project we have just begun working on is to label some of the exercise machines at new Hampshire County Wellness and Fitness Center.

We are all eagerly awaiting the coming of spring. Not only will we enjoy and warm weather, but we will also be having our first meeting in Keyser. We are excited to have this opportunity to reach out to blind and visually impaired residents in this part of the Potomac Valley area.

CELEBRATE YOU!

CELEBRATE YOU! It is no exaggeration to say you are a GIFT to the

world.

Many years ago, US Congressman Tribble of Georgia told a story about

teaching his daughter that she was her own person. Wherever she went,

the little girl was constantly associated with her father. “Oh, you

must be Congressman Tribble’s daughter,” well-intentioned adults

would coo.

She explained to her parents that she wanted to be herself, not simply

known as Congressman Tribble’s little girl. Her father told her not to

worry about it. Her mother, who perhaps understood the problem better,

suggested, “The next time that happens, just stand right up and say,’I

am Constance Tribble!’”

The opportunity arose just a few days later. A group of people met her

and when they heard her name, they said, “Why, Congressman Tribble

must be your father!” Constance looked right back at them and said,

“Oh, no! That’s not what my mother says!”

We can be sure than Congressman Tribble was her father, but that

fact was only a part of who Constance Tribble was. She rightly

believed herself to be unique, and she wanted to be known as her own

person.

You are unique. Do you value that which makes you different? For

nobody in the world has quite the mix of your perspective, your sense

of humor, your skills and abilities and your potential. No one can be

YOU as well as you can be you. You are an original, the likes of which

the world has never before seen.

Writer Robert Zend quips, “People have one thing in common — they are

all different.” And it’s the difference that makes a difference!

– Steve Goodier

PRESIDENT’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Jessie Rayl: Mountain State Council of the Blind

Phone: (304) 263-2996

Email: thedogmom@wvdsl.net

John Birckhead: Tricounty Chapter (Martinsburg)

Phone: (304) 264-2016

Email: JBJ23961@aol.com

Debra Brooks, Vandalia (Morgantown)

Phone: (304) 599-4782

Email: dbrooks@hsc.wvu.edu

Donna Brown: Potomac Valley Council (Romney)

Phone: (304) 822-4679

Email: dandmbrown@atlanticbb.net

MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

Membership Form

Complete and return this form to:

Attention: Kathy Gerhardt, Treasurer

Mountain State Council of the Blind

PO Box 2756

Martinsburg, WV 25402

YOUR NAME: ____________________________

ADDRESS (street): _________________________

CITY ________________; STATE ___; ZIP ______

PHONE: ____________

EMAIL: _______________________

PREFERRED FORMAT: (check two)

___Braille, ___email, ___large print, ___cassette

I am: ___blind, ___visually impaired, ___sighted

___MSCB dues: $10.00; ___Local Chapter Dues: $5.00 ___Junior Member: $5.00 (State); ___Local Chapter $2.50; ___Organization / Support: $25.00; ___Donations: $__.00 (specify)

My check is enclosed for $ _____

Would you like to be included in our members-only (information not released) directory? ____Yes ____No

Thank you for joining MSCB!

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Mountain State Council of the Blind
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402
(304) 263-5688

Email: eagle.wings@verizon.net

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Jessie L. Rayl

Hello:

Welcome to our summer, 2007, newsletter. I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying a wonderful summer. Here in the Eastern Panhandle, it has been rather hot and dry for the most part. Summer is my favorite time of the year so no matter what, I am enjoying it.

In July, several of us attended the national ACB convention which was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As always, the convention was packed with many activities, meetings, fabulous exhibits and all of the new gadgets and many friends to see. The newly elected ACB officers are: President, Mitch Pomerantz (CA), 1st Vice President, Kim Charlson (MA), 2nd Vice President, Brenda Dillon (TN), Secretary, Marlaina Leiburg (WA), Treasurer, Mike Godino (NY), and Board member to fill Brenda’s position, Cammie Vloedman. It was a great convention and we look forward to the 2008 convention which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky.

On the state affiliate front, all is going well. We have added a third chapter to our affiliate and want to welcome the Vandalia Chapter from Morgantown. There will be more about this chapter to follow but we are proud and growing. We continue to remain involved with the Consumer Advisory Committee for Rehabilitation both locally and statewide, promoting and supporting legislation that affects blind and visually impaired people in the state and nationally, advocacy for individual with vision loss and our support of each other. Let us all keep up the good work!

We are gearing up for the annual convention which will be hosted by the Potomac Valley Council in Romney, West Virginia. Highlights will be line dancing at the social, a relaxing, scenic ride on the Potomac Eagle and our banquet featuring Melanie Brunson from the ACB office. Other presenters will be from Division of Rehabilitation Services, on nutrition, legislation and more. I hope each of you will plan to attend and look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the newsletter, and summer!

PVCB WELCOMES YOU TO ROMNEY

By Donna Brown

On behalf of the members of the Potomac Valley Council of the Blind, I would like to encourage everyone to join us in Romney for the 2007 state convention of the Mountain State Council of the Blind. Because of the hard work of the convention committee and the PVCB members, a great convention is planned.

The activities planned span a wide variety of personal interest. For those train buffs and history lovers, we have a train ride scheduled on the ever-popular Potomac Eagle. For the energetic and crazy people, we have line dancing scheduled while dressed in a Halloween costume. For those interested in supporting MSCB financially while having a good time, an auction is planned with a live auctioneer.

On a more serious note, an informative and varied program of speakers is planned. These include: legislative updates, how issues pertaining to rehabilitation, careers, and tips to living a healthier lifestyle with little or no cost involved.

Please come and join us in Romney the weekend of October 19-21. However, a convention could not be complete without food and time for just socializing. Fabulous food and social opportunities are scheduled, as well as a banquet at which time we will be rewarded with words of wisdom from someone from either the ACB National Office or from the National Board of Directors.

If you need more information about the convention, please contact Donna Brown at (304) 822-4679.

KNIGHTED FOR GOLDEN HORSESHOE

By Sharon Fridley

The odyssey began in the spring of 2006, at which time I received a call from Mrs. Martha McKee of the Office of Education and the Arts, who requested assistance with preparing Braille labels for the West Virginia Governors’ portraits, which are prominently displayed in the State Capitol Rotunda. It sounded like a job that I could handle.

When we delivered the braille materials to Mrs. McKee, I told her that I had always loved West Virginia history and read Golden Seal and Wonderful West Virginia faithfully. As most of you probably know, both of these magazines have been recorded on cassette tape for many years by volunteers for the West Virginia Library Commission.

Mrs. McKee asked if I had won the Golden Horseshoe. I explained that I did not have an opportunity to take the exam, since the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind did not participate in the program when I was an eighth grader. However, I said that I had always believed that I could have done very well on the test, as was the case with several of my contemporaries.

In October, I heard from Mrs. McKee again. She explained that honorary Golden Horseshoe recipients are chosen each year, and she asked for permission to place my name in nomination for this award. I didn’t hear anything until early April, at which time I received a packet of information informing me that I had, indeed, been selected to receive an honorary Golden Horseshoe.

On Friday, May 11, 222 eighth grade winners and 10 honorary recipients assembled on the State Capitol steps for a group picture. Then it was off to the auditorium at the Cultural Center. The student winners, including Precious Falls from the School for the Blind, sat onstage, and proceeded to the kneeling platform as their names were called.

The honorary recipients sat off stage in the front row. In order to qualify for an honorary award, one must have been a West Virginia studies teacher with at least ten students who won a Golden Horseshoe; a teacher who has taught West Virginia studies for at least 20 years; or a person who has helped promote the study of West Virginia history in some exceptional way. To my immediate right sat a man from Pocahontas County who has written two books, both of which were set in West Virginia. To my left was a retired teacher from Mineral County who taught 70 Golden Horseshoe winners. I silently contemplated whether or not preparing Braille labels for the governors’ portraits was equal to those accomplishments.

Prior to the ceremony, I had quickly resolved the mobility issue by speaking with Mrs. Regina Scotchie from the Department of Education, who coordinates the event. When my name was called, I walked to the edge of the stage and she guided me to the kneeling platform. The Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stephen Payne, “knighted” me by touching me on the left shoulder with a ceremonial sword. I was then escorted across the stage where I received my Golden Horseshoe pin.

It was really wonderful. Two family members were there to witness the moment. If I could have waved the proverbial magic wand, I would have arranged for Mrs. Genevieve Heatwole, my fifth grade teacher at WVSB, to have been there. She sparked my interest in West Virginia history, and that fire still burns brightly 45 years later.

Perhaps you have heard that the governors’ portraits are being cleaned and reframed by professional curators. When they once again hang in the State Capitol Rotunda, each will have a braille label underneath, containing the Governor’s name, dates of birth and death, duration of term in office, political party and home County. For further information, there is a booklet in large print or braille at the information desk which can be borrowed.

LOCAL CHAPTER NEWS

New Chapter in North Central West Virginia

By Deirdre Maxwell

In May several blind and visually impaired residents of Monongalia and surrounding counties along with some sighted supporters joined forces to create the Vandalia Chapter of the MSCB. Officers are Debbie Brooks, President; Deirdre Maxwell, Vice President; Josh Metz; Treasurer; and Laura Metz, Secretary.

We have been meeting once a month at various locations (until we find a permanent home for our meetings) in Morgantown. Our usual meeting date is the second Saturday of the month. Our next meeting is Saturday, August 25, 2007, 12 noon at Golden Corral Steak House and we plan to have a picnic/social gathering in September. All are welcome.

If you have questions or need further information call Debbie at 599-4782.

PVCB Keeps Rolling

By Donna Brown

Transportation, or lack thereof, can be a hot topic among blind and visually impaired people–especially in West Virginia. As was mentioned in the spring issue of this newsletter, the Potomac Valley Council of the Blind was working with the Potomac Valley Transit Authority to provide bus service to Cumberland, MD or Winchester, VA one Saturday a month. Thanks to Frank McGhee, PVCB member, and Jay Carter, manager of the PVTA, colorful brochures and a sign-up form are now ready to be circulated throughout the Romney area. Our first trip to Cumberland, MD is scheduled for Saturday, November 3rd.

Taking the transportation topic one step further, PVCB members have expressed some safely concerns for those blind and visually impaired individuals who have to depend on Shoe Leather Express to travel the streets of Romney. After much discussion and research, we determined that our greatest safety concern was the traffic light at McDonalds. At our August meeting, which was a picnic hosted by one of our members, we were honored to have as guests Barry Warhoftig who is the Director of Traffic Engineering from Charleston and Randy Sigley from the Department of Highways office in Burlington. These gentleman not only presented a very informative program, but they were also understanding of our safety concerns for the traffic light at McDonald’s and open to our suggestions. They shared with us the Department of Highways procedures for updating and maintaining traffic signals, and they gave us a hands-on demonstration of an Audible Pedestrian Signal. We suggested to Barry and Randy the possibility of putting a little delay on when the audible signal begins after the light at McDonalds turns red.

On Saturday, August 11th, PVCB has the opportunity to sell refreshments and lunch at a public auction in Romney. We see this not only as a fundraiser and a chance to have fun together, but most importantly an opportunity to let the public know who we are.

Our chapter is not quite one year old, but as you can see, we have been very busy. Thanks to our enthusiastic, creative, and dedicated members, my job as President has been both fun and fulfilling.

Tricounty Chapter News

By Jessie Rayl

Members in Martinsburg continue to be active with our efforts of the Audible Pedestrian issues. We also continue our general advocacy and support efforts in our community. We have held a fund raiser at a community event which was successful and made some excellent contacts in the community as well. On August 2, we held our annual picnic at the park and enjoyed music from an Army band with great food and socialization. Our meetings have become a mix of business and socialization every 2nd Thursday of the month at Shoney’s restaurant.

For further information, please contact John Birkhead, President, at (304) 264-2016 or Jessie Rayl, Secretary, (304) 263-2996.

Social Security Administration - Legal Blindness Updated

Standards/Qualifications

The Social Security Administration published new rules for visual disorders in the Federal Register (71 FR 67037) on November 20, 2006. These rules became effective on February 20, 2007. As in the past, statutory/legal blindness continues to be defined as best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye; or a visual field limitation such that the widest diameter of the visual

field, in the better eye, subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees, as measured with a Goldmann III4e or equivalent size stimulus. Under the new rules, how visual acuity and visual field can be tested to meet this definition has changed.

For visual field testing, the following measurements can be used:

1. Automated static threshold perimetry (Humphrey 30-2 and 24-2) a. For Humphrey Field Analyzers, a 10dB stimulus is equivalent to a 4e stimulus. A dB level that is higher than 10 represents a dimmer stimulus, while a dB level that is lower than 10 represents a brighter stimulus. Therefore, for automated static threshold tests performed on Humphrey Field Analyzers, any point seen at 10dB or higher are a point that would be seen with a 4e stimulus.

2. Kinetic perimetry, such as the Humphrey “SSA Test Kinetic” a. The kinetic test must use a white III4e stimulus projected on a white 31.5 apostilb (10 cd/m2) background.

3. Goldmann perimetry a. With a III4e target. SSA will not use the results of visual field screening tests, such as confrontation tests, tangent screen tests, or automated static screening tests, to determine legal blindness. For visual acuity testing, the criteria changed because most test charts that use Snellen ethodology do not have lines that measure visual acuity between 20/100 and 20/200. Newer test charts, such as the Bailey-Lovie or the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), do have lines that measure visual acuity between 20/100 and 20/200.

Under the new criteria, if a person’s visual acuity is measured with one of the newer charts, and they cannot read any of the letters on the 20/100 line, they will qualify as legally blind, based on a visual acuity of 20/200 or less. For example, if the person’s best-corrected visual acuity for distance in the better eye was determined to be 20/160 using an ETDRS chart, they would now be classified as legally blind.

Regardless of the type of test chart used, the person will not be classified as legally blind if they can read at least one letter on the 20/100 line. For example, if a person’s best-corrected visual acuity for distance in the better eye was determined to be 20/125+1 using an ETDRS chart, they would not be classified as legally blind because they were able to read one letter on the 20/100 line.

To view the new rules please use the following link:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/2.00-SpecialSensesandSpeech-Adult.htm

GO NATURAL

Have you ever thought of making your own perfume? Insect repellant? Other products? Well, now you can. There are many websites and books about this subject. You can order your natural products from them or obtain them from local Health Food stores. Some of our favorite websites are:

www.theherbsplace.com, www.mountainroseherbs.com, (and many more.

Since ancient times, scented body products have been used to seduce, entice, influence and heal. The queen of Sheba reportedly used aromatics to seduce King Solomon. Cleopatra used scents to influence the Greeks and Romans. People of many different cultures wore plant essences in an effort to prevent illness and plague. Even Napoleon enjoyed herbal scents; he reportedly used up to 60 bottles of rosemary cologne a month!

Making your own fragrances can be fun, exercise your creativity talents and they make wonderful gifts as well.

You can use just one fragrance note at a time, such as lavender, rose or peppermint, or you can combine essential oils to create your personal signature fragrance.

Safe Use of Essential Oils

Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (usually a vegetable oil such as olive,

almond or jojoba) before applying them to your skin. Store essential oils in a dark, cool place, securely out of reach of children.

Do not take them internally; some can cause serious health problems with ingestion of tiny amounts. Many citrus oils - especially lemon and bergamot (Citrus bergamia) can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun, causing burns and/or dark spots. Avoid sun exposure when wearing them.

The recipes here are basic and to get you started. You can experiment and substitute different oils to suit your smell. That’s part of the fun. Making your own fragrant products gives you great freedom of choice. Using the principles of aromatherapy, you can decide how you want your fragrances to affect you and those around you. For example, you may want to wear lavender for its calming, refreshing effects, sweet orange because it is uplifting, or rosemary for mental stimulation. However, you must use pure essential oils (distilled using water and steam) or absolutes (essences extracted with the use of a solvent such as alcohol) to reap these benefits. Synthetic fragrance oils do not offer the same results. Jojoba oil is an excellent carrier oil because it is actually a liquid wax. It does not go rancid as quickly as other oils. Jojoba oil has little or no fragrance of its own and is readily absorbed into the skin. Sweet almond oil and apricot kernel

oil are good choices for the same reasons, but they have a shelf life of only three to five months.

Here are a few recipes:

18 drops grapefruit essential oil

12 drops lavender essential oil

4 drops vanilla absolute

60 drops jojoba or sweet almond oil

In a 1/8-ounce glass container, combine grapefruit and lavender essential oils and vanilla absolute. Shake well and let mixture sit for at least 1 week before adding jojoba or sweet almond oil. Dab the oil on your pulse points to release scent. Store in a glass container (plastic will absorb some of the fragrance).

Orange Delight variation:

Use 8 drops sweet orange essential oil and 16 drops bergamot essential oil instead of the grapefruits, lavender and vanilla.

Spring Rain Solid Perfume

Makes about 1 1/2 ounces

15 drops lavender essential oil

8 drops oak moss essential oil

5 drops neroli essential oil

4 drops rosemary essential oil

2 tablespoons jojoba or sweet almond oil

2 tablespoons grated beeswax or beeswax beads

In a small double boiler, heat all oils together until just warm. Stir well until completely blended. Stir in beeswax. Continue to stir until completely melted. Pour into small glass, metal or plastic containers. Let perfume cool completely. To use, rub finger over surface of perfume and then onto your pulse points or wherever you like to wear fragrance.

Lavender variation:

Use 25 drops lavender essential oil instead of the others. The resulting perfume is very relaxing and especially soothing if you have a headache.

Rose Geranium Dusting Powder

Makes 1 1/4 cups

This recipe calls for fresh leaves of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.). If you do not have any scented pelargonium leaves, you may substitute the fresh petals of two very fragrant roses. For a minty refreshing powder, try substituting leaves of a peppermint-scented pelargonium (such as P. tomentosum or ‘Peppermint Lace’) and peppermint essential oil for the rose scents. Mints are cooling to wear on hot summer days.

4 fresh rose-scented pelargonium leaves

1/2 cup white rice flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup arrowroot powder (optional)

15 drops rose geranium oil

1 shaker jar or powder puff container

Use a paper towel to pat pelargonium leaves completely dry. Tear leaves into 1-inch pieces. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Cover and shake well. Set aside for one week. Sift out the geranium leaves and spoon powder into a glass shaker jar or other container. Keep container closed between uses to preserve fragrance. Keep for up to 6 months.

Body Spritz

Makes about 8 ounces

1 cup distilled water

10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Pour ingredients into an 8-ounce glass or plastic spray bottle. Shake well; then spray on skin after a shower or any time you need to feel refreshed. Keeps for up to 6 months.

HERBAL INSECT REPELLANT

1/2 teaspoon citronella essential oil

1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil

1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil

4 ounces distilled witch hazel

Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray bottle. Shake well. Spray onto exposed skin, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes. Reapply every 2 hours, or as needed.

BACK TO SCHOOL QUESTIONS

Why does a flamingo lift up one leg?

Because if he lifted up both legs, he would fall over!

Who invented fractions?

Henry the 1/8!

What does “minimum” mean?

A very small mother!

What does “maximum” mean?

A very big mother!

What’s the difference between an American student and an

English student?

About 3,000 miles!

Why did Robin Hood steal only from the rich?

Because the poor have nothing worth taking!

What is a skeleton?

Bones, with the person off!

REMINDERS:

To subscribe to the Mountain State email list, send a blank message to:

If you are not a member and would like to be, or know someone whom you think would be interested, please complete the membership form and return it to us. For further information, please feel free to contact one of our officers.

Thank you. We hope you enjoyed this issue of the newsletter.

HOW TO JOIN

At-large members: $10.00 per year

Local chapter members: $15.00 per year

Make checks or money orders payable to Mountain State Council of the Blind

Send to Mountain State Council of the Blind

c/o Kathy Gerhardt

PO Box 2756

Martinsburg, WV 25402

NAME:

ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER:

PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: (First); (Second)

I am: Blind, Partially sighted, Sighted

Donations are welcome

Thank you.

Officers:

President:

Jessie L. Rayl
Phone: (304) 263-2996
Email:

Vice President

Chris M. Cook
Phone: (304) 263-8657

Email:

Secretary
Debbie Brooks
Phone: (304) 599-4782
Email: dbrooks@hsc.wvu.edu

Treasurer
Kathy Gerhardt
Phone: (304) 754-6885
Email:

Board of Directors
David Ahern
John Birkhead
Donna Brown
Chuck Dennis

MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402
PHONE: (304) 263-5688
EMAIL: eagle.wings@verizon.net

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello All: I hope you all have had great winter, wonderful Holidays and are now ready for spring. I know I certainly am. As I prepare this newsletter, it is officially the first day of spring and although our weather is not quite there, we are close. I was notified over the weekend by my friend that he saw his first robin in our area so that made me happy; may there be many more to follow and soon.

Both of the local chapters had Christmas parties which I understand turned out well with good attendances and were fun. Potomac Valley Council has continued to develop as a new chapter with several fund raisers, first their raffle and now the sell of the combination hammer-screw driver under Donna Brown’s care and precision. Tri-county chapter held elections in December, 2006, and would like to welcome John Birckhead as the President of our chapter. Work continues on some unfinished projects and there is a time of transition into new projects as well.

I am delighted to report that membership has grown over the past year. It is my hope this will continue to be the trend as I believe MSCB has much to offer to our wonderful state and to American Council of the Blind as well. Given the calls and questions I receive, it is clear that we have a long way to go to reach equality and self-sufficiency for blind and visually impaired people as is our fervent desire.

Please do not forget the monthly conference calls. They are scheduled every second Sunday of the month at 9:00 PM EST. The number to call is: (1-218) 936 1200. Use the code mscbtalk or 67228255 to get in, and join in the fun and discussion. Also, if you have internet access, please subscribe to our Mountainstate email exchange by going to:

www.acb.org and then “join email discussion groups” where you will find MSCB listed.

Have a joyful spring. Thank you.

Jessie L. Rayl, MSCB President

COMMITTEE REPORTS

These committees are the committees that are standing in accordance with our state Bylaws. I want to welcome each member and thank all for the job you are doing, also recognize you in this writing. Keep up the great work.

BYLAWS COMMITTEE: Ninetta Garner, Chairman; John Birckhead, David Ahern and Debbie Brooks. Jessie Rayl, exofficio.

The Bylaws were revised at the 2006 MSCB annual convention. Large print, braille and cassette copies are now available to all members. You should have, or will soon be, receiving your copy. If you do not but wish to receive a copy, please contact Ninetta Garner at (304) 822 5907.

LEGISLATIVE-ADVOCACY COMMITTEE: Ninetta Garner, Chairperson (representing PVC); Laverne Lester (representing Tri-county chapter), and Sharon Fridley (representing at large state). Jessie Rayl, exofficio.

As local chapters develop, a representative from each chapter will be added to this committee. This committee will provide legislative support, advocacy and education. We will, however, request help and support from members as issues present and membership help and support is vital. For individual advocacy concerns, please contact either Jessie Rayl (304) 263-5688 or (304) 263-2996.

For legislative concerns, please contact Ninetta Garner (304) 822-5907.

NEWSLETTER – PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: Debbie Brooks, Melanie Alt and Jessie Rayl.

The newsletter will continue to be produced quarterly. We plan to add graphics to the newsletter, and hope to add a name as well. We hope to find ways of making the public more aware of MSCB and what we do as well. If you have an interest in serving on this committee, please contact Jessie Rayl as there is room for another person to serve here.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

CONVENTION COMMITTEE: Donna Brown, Chairperson; Debbie Brooks, John Birckhead and Kathy Gerhardt.

This committee is hard at work to plan the 2007 annual MSCB convention. If you have suggestions or ideas for them that you would like to see happen at your convention this fall, please contact Donna Brown (304)

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Donna Brown, Chairperson; Kathy Gerhardt and Robbie Johnson.

The finance committee is working on some guidelines which will determine how MSCB handles requests for services. They have many tasks ahead of them and the new developments will be covered in the issues of our newsletters as this committee progresses.

STATE NEWS

Over the past several months, the Low Vision Driving Bill has been introduced to Charleston’s legislative session. In brief, West Virginia has had, for quite a few years, the Low Vision Driving Program. This program evaluates people who have low vision for the ability to use Bioptics to enable them to drive, and then if they are determined to be eligible trains them to use the Bioptic and drive safely with them. People in other states have been coming to our state for this evaluation, training and have been able to return to their state with a license and Bioptics which enables them to drive. In WV, however, our visually impaired residents have not fared as well as Department of Motor Vehicles elected to withdraw that right in the early 1990’s. Parents in Berkeley County who now have teenagers who do benefit from the use of Bioptics have taken it on themselves to find a way to try to make it possible for their sons, and others, to once again gain their rights to drive with the use of the Bioptics. Therefore, the Low Vision Driving Bill was introduced.

There are 2 bioptic driving bills that have been sent to the WV House Of Delegates Roads and Transportation Committee so far this session (HB

2531 and HB2849). HB 2849 is more comprehensive and has multiple sponsors. It is the one that Mountain State Council of the Blind has encouraged legislators to consider, review, critique and pass. Please add your support to this by contacting all state representatives.

Another area of concern is within the prison system. With the recent trend to reclassification of inmates, it has affected and impacted the braille transcription program at Huttonsville dramatically. This program has long been of great service and value to blind people, not only in the state of West Virginia but throughout the United States. Many braille books used in education i.e., the West Virginia history book, and other braille resources come from the braille transcription program at Huttonsville, West Virginia. With reclassification of inmates, it means that they are not in the Huttonsville facility long enough to learn braille, or remain in the program and this means the possible loss of this program. Blind and visually people rely heavily on braille and cannot afford to lose braille transcription programs. This is also of value to the prisoners. You can help by writing a letter of support to:

Teresa Waid, Warden

Huttonsville Correctional Center

P. O. Box 1

Huttonsville, WV 26273

PRESIDENT’S MEETING /

LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR

The midyear President’s meeting and Legislative seminar were held in Washington, DC this year from February 24 through February 27, 2007. The President’s meeting was attended by Jessie Rayl, Ninetta Garner and Melanie Alt. Ninetta and Jessie stayed for the Legislative seminar and visit to Capitol Hill as well.

This weekend was packed with opportunities: a time to meet with friends and make new ones, network, enjoy some good food, and learn more about ACB and the current issues with which we must contend. One of the highlights was a fabulous performance by Danny Doyle of Irish music sponsored by the National Alliance of Students.

There were various presentations focusing on a variety of topics including leadership and personality styles, communication / marketing ideas, the monthly monitory support program, membership and ideas for increasing it within the affiliates, and the importance of accessible currency. Chris Gray, national President, kept us up-to-date with the growth and developments in the national office as well.

Legislative seminar followed with a moving presentation about the Holocaust movement which led to discussion of some of the latest ideas of sterilization of persons with disabilities, or the belief that persons with disabilities cannot / should not have children. We in MSCB know that this is absolutely untrue as there are several parents within our own organization who have been exemplary models and there are many others throughout ACB and the blind community as a whole. Other focuses were on the importance of lobbying and how to do it, Bio-ethics and Disabilities, ADA Restoration and Accessible Currency. The issues that were chosen to discuss with our legislators were the Randolph-Shepherd Program, Telecommunications / Electronic Information, and Voting and the Paper Trail.

I have handouts from the Legislative sessions on the above-mentioned issues in large print, email and cassette for those who are interested. I would also encourage those of you who have internet access to sign the accessible currency petition. Go to:

www.acb.org, then to the money for all petition.

The President’s meeting and Legislative seminar is an excellent opportunity for exchange of ideas and gathering of a wide variety of information. It was a fun-filled weekend as well.

Jessie L. Rayl,

MSCB President

***MSCB_Spring_2007

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (ACB)

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

1055 E. Flamingo Rd., Suite 404

Las Vegas, NV 89119

(702) 735-2484

Fax (702) 733-7570

rsanders@acb.org

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2007

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Refers Treasury’s Appeal to Its Merits Panel

This week, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Issued an order referring the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s appeal of a district Court decision to a merits panel of judges. This panel will set a schedule requiring briefs to be submitted by both the Treasury and the American Council of the Blind on whether the appeals court should take up the appeal.

“We regard this action as neither a victory nor a setback in our efforts to secure Accessible paper currency,” said Melanie Brunson, executive director of the AmericanCouncil of the Blind. “We expected the appeal to take time and more legal work on our part.”

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) brought the original suit in federal district court, alleging that the Department of the Treasury violates Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, by its repeated and continuing failures to design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired people. The district court issued an order on November 28 in which it agreed that the Treasury Department was in violation of the accessibility requirements of the act. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, represented by the Department of Justice, filed an appeal of that decision to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in early December.

“Our membership is very dedicated to this issue and we are committed to working for a successful conclusion to the court action,” Brunson said. Christopher Gray, President of the American Council of the Blind, said that the accessible currency suit is merely one aspect of ACB’s overall effort to guarantee to blind and visually impaired Americans the same privacy rights as sighted Americans in handling currency, as well as in dealing with credit cards at ATMs and in store purchases.

“We have made great strides in the ATM arena,” he said. “We have a good start on the process of getting retailers to use credit card reading devices that are accessible, but it will take a long time to complete this work.”

The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer based organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind Americans. Comprised

of more than 70 affiliates in every community in the United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually impaired Americans to participate fully in every aspect of American society. For more information on the American Council of the Blind, and the issues it supports, visit www.acb.org.

MONTHLY MONITARY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Excerpt By Dr. Ron Milliman

The MMS or Monthly Monetary Support Program is a way for each of us to financially support our organization to whatever amount we can afford on a regular, monthly basis. An amount we designate and completely control is automatically deducted from our bank, credit card or debit card account each month by the ACB and is used to fund the many critical needs of our organization. We completely control the amount that we give and from which account it is taken. It begins when we indicate we want it to start and ends when we let ACB headquarters know we want it to end.

When you take part in the MMS Program, the funds are deducted from the bank or credit card account you designate, on a regular, monthly basis, as before, but with the change implemented by the ACB Board, you can designate to have all of the funds go to the national organization or you can, alternatively, designate an amount up to 50% of the net amount of your deduction to be given to an affiliate of your choice. The affiliate organization with one monthly deduction, thus, two-for-one! The affiliate you choose can be any of the state affiliates or any other ACB affiliate you wish.

At the national level, we need funds to support our many programs that help all of us. For an example, each issue of the Braille Forum requires several thousands of dollars to create, publish in the many alternative formats and distribute to our members and other persons who share common interests in blindness issues. Funds are needed to pay the salaries of our national staff that are so totally dedicated to our efforts and do such a yeoman’s job with everything they do. Funds are needed to pay rents on the space for our offices and the related utility bills. Our staff is busy every minute of their working days fighting for our rights, fighting for new programs that will be in our best interest, fighting to maintain existing laws and programs that benefit blind people, to expand the use of audible traffic signals, to increase the use of descriptive audio for TV and movies, to at least maintain or increase our SSI and SSDI benefits, fighting to increase our employment opportunities, and fighting for many, many other issues and programs, far too many to list here. Without the diligence and never-ending efforts of the ACB staff, we would all be much worse off. The ACB staff is our voice on capital hill, and we need to support them by helping to fund their efforts.

There are no limits as to how small or large of a contribution you can make. As an added incentive, every active participant in the MMS program will receive a quarterly update with particular focus on ACB, what MMS is allowing us to do, and on ACB goals and directions for the upcoming quarter. Second, all participants who contribute $25/month or more will receive a monthly audio compact disk. On the disk will be interview programs done on ACB Radio featuring the ACB President, Executive Director, and the President of the World Blind Union. These interviews are being scheduled on a rotating basis. In addition, the CD will carry other ACB Radio material as time and space permit. All names will be placed in a drawing at the 2007 National Convention for the chance to win a talking Hamilton-Beach microwave as well.

You can call the ACB financial office at 1-800- 866-3242 and have a form sent to you, or alternatively, by going to

www.acb.org and click on the ‘Make a Donation’ link, you will find an MMS application that can be completed electronically for your convenience.

If this is not convenient enough, you can write to me, and I will send you the forms by return e-mail. Send a post requesting the forms to rmilliman@sckcb.org

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR

On a plane flying from Seattle to San Francisco, the plane unexpectedly stopped in Sacramento. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one genetleman who was blind. My Buddy had noticed him as he walked by and could tell the man was blind because his guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight. He could also tell he had flown on this very flight before because the pilot approached him and calling him by name said, “Keith, we’re in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?

The blind man replied, “No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs.” Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete stand still when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a guide dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

HOW TO JOIN

MEMBERSHIP FORM

At-large members: $10.00 per year

Local chapter members: $15.00 per year

Make checks or money orders payable to Mountain State Council of the Blind

Send to Mountain State Council of the Blind

c/o Kathy Gerhardt

PO Box 2756

Martinsburg, WV 25402

NAME:

ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER:

PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: (First); (Second)

I am: Blind, Partially sighted, Sighted

Donations are welcome

Thank you.

OFFICERS:
president:
Jessie L. Rayl
Phone: (304) 263-2996
Email: HREF=”mailto:eagle.wings@verizon.net” MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor eagle.wings@verizon.net

Vice President

Chris M. Cook
Phone: (304) 263-8657
Email: HREF=”mailto:ecmcook@msn.com” MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor ecmcook@msn.com

Secretary
Debbie Brooks
Phone: (304) 599-4782

Email:

Treasurer
Kathy Gerhardt
Phone: (304) 754-6885
Email: HREF=”mailto:Kathy39lg@aol.com” MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Kathy39lg@aol.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
David Ahern
John Birkhead
Donna Brown
Chuck Dennis

Thank you. We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the newsletter.

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I have placed paypal buttons on the site. You will find them at

http://www.mscbwv.org/html/about_us.html I put the donate button on the bottom of this page

The convention button on
http://www.mscbwv.org/html/convention.html This page also has the dues button.

Let people know this is but another convenient way to help support the group and the activities that the MSCB of WV is doing.

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The Assistive Technology Center is a new concept in bridging adaptive and mainstream technologies. The ATC offers computers, PDA’s, Scanners, CCTV’s, Software, DAISY content, and Training
for everyone.  Whether you are an individual or you represent a company (large or small), we can create an effective, affordable technology plan for you.

For the convenience of our clients, ATC also offers several products from the Independent Living Aids line.  From kitchen timers and hand magnifiers to games and medical products, we can provide our clients with devices to improve your quality of life.  Please visit our ATC Store for more information.bob@atechcenter.net, or phone us at 916-381-5011.  We hope you enjoy browsing our site.  ATC is a proud
member of the Aging Solutions Group.

In the past, individuals and businesses have purchased computers, and software from one company, and have had to go to another company to purchase any Assistive Technology for employees with disabilities.
This has caused a host of problems.  People familiar with “mainstream” applications are unaware of how to use specialized technology to its fullest potential, and adaptive technology specialists generally only know enough about mainstream technologies to demonstrate how their particular pplications work.
On May 5th, 2006, the Sacramento Bee printed a feature story about the Assistive Technology Center.Click here to read the May 5th Sacramento Bee Article.

The ATC is dedicated to help you achieve your unique goals.  On these pages, you will find the latest cutting edge technology.  This is not the end of understanding, but the beginning.  For more information about how we can specifically assist you, please e-mail us at 

 

Government agencies seeking bids may click here for bid request. [Blind & VI Web Ring] This site in The Blind and Visually Impaired Ring  is owned by Assistive Technology Center, LLC.

ATC
5330 Power Inn Rd Suite F
Sacramento, CA 95820
Toll Free Phone or Fax:  888-723-5011
Phone:  916-381-5011     Fax:  916-914-2429

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MOUNTAIN STATE COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
PO Box 2756
Martinsburg, WV 25402
www.mscbwv.org

July 30, 2007

State Convention Update

The 2008 MSCB state convention is fast approaching.  You should have received your convention registration packets by now.  The convention will be held the weekend of September 12-13, in Morgantown, WV.  The convention committee is hard at work making arrangements and necessary accommodations to ensure a fun and fulfilling weekend for all who attend.  Below is a list of reminders and updates to help you better prepare for the weekend.

Reminders:
The deadline of August 20 for preregistration is fast approaching.
If you are planning to stay at the hotel, reservations need to be made by September 7 to receive the discount.  Room rates are $54 plus tax per night.  To reserve a room at the Best Western Mountaineer Inn, call (304) 599-5399, and tell them you are with MSCB.
And the bid is…  Remember to collect and bring items that are new or in good condition to donate to our auction, and most importantly, bring your money.  A list of your auction items and suggested minimum bids would be appreciated.  In order to be included in the list handed out at the convention, send your information about items being donated to Donna Brown by September 1 if possible.  If you have items to donate but will be unable to attend, you can mail them to Donna.  Her address is 55 East Sioux Lane, Romney, WV 26757.  Phone: (304) 822-4679.  Email dandmbrown@atlanticbb.net

Updates:
As a small fund-raiser, MSCB will be selling raffle tickets for some good prizes.  Tickets will be $1 each or six for $5.  The first-prize winner will receive one night’s lodging at the state convention, and second prize will be a banquet ticket.  If you are a winner of either one of these prizes and you’ve already paid for these items, you will be reimbursed.  You can obtain tickets from people in the Tri-County chapter, the Potomac Valley Council of the Blind, or the Vandalia chapter.  Tickets will also be available for purchase at the convention.  The winners will be drawn during the Friday night social at the convention.
A convention would not be complete without door prizes.  If you have any items to donate for door prizes, please turn them in when you pick up your program at the convention.  Cash prizes are always nice to win as well as gift certificates to your favorite stores.

Stipend Request Information

The Mountain State Council of the Blind will once again be awarding stipends for our state convention.  We are proud to be able to award stipends to five deserving people in the amount of $100 each.  First time attendees are strongly encouraged to apply for a stipend.  Special consideration will be given to these individuals.  Please read the information below to find out who is eligible to receive a stipend and the instructions for applying.  Requests need to be submitted by August 16.

Who is Eligible:
Any paid member of MSCB who is blind or visually impaired.

Procedures for Applying
1.  Requests for stipends must be submitted in writing to any one of the following people:
a.  MSCB President
Jessie Rayl
305 S.  Maple Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Phone: 304-263-2996
b.  MSCB Vice-President and chair of the finance committee
Donna Brown
55 East Sioux Lane
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: 304-822-4679
c.  MSCB Treasurer
Kathy Gerhardt
97 Stoney Lick Road
Martinsburg, WV 25403
Phone: 304-754-6885
2.  Your request will be sent to the finance committee for consideration.
3.  If you have been selected to receive a stipend, either the chairperson of the finance committee or the Treasurer of MSCB will contact you by telephone and in writing by August 23.
4.  All stipend recipients will receive a check written by the Treasurer of MSCB in the amount of $100 in the mail prior to the state convention.

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A portion of every Sendero GPS sale will go into an annual scholarship fund to be awarded to a student with the most impressive travel adventure for the year. We will begin accepting applications September 1, 2008 with a $2500 scholarship for one student. The scholarship will be announced in mid March.

Interested parties should think about adventure travel already taken in 2008 or about future possibilities. Here is what we will be looking for. The focus is on independent travel. In other words, a cruise would
not be rated highly in terms of independence. Travel with sighted friends, colleagues or family is fine as long as the blind student is demonstrating independent travel, a leader rather than a follower.

We want to hear how the student’s orientation and mobility tools and techniques are used. It doesn’t matter if one is using a cane or a dog but more about what one is doing, sailing, hiking, exploring a big city and the like. Use of GPS is not required but will weigh in the applicants favor if used.

Independence, innovation and uniqueness are the qualities we will be looking for when we evaluate applications. Documenting the travel through photos and/or audio recordings will be very helpful. This
documentation along with the written travel story will be the bulk of the scholarship submission. More details about the application will be published by early September. Recommendation letters will be
requested. The funds can be used for, school, technology, travel or whatever the winner chooses.

Please spread the word to other students and teachers so photos, audio and a journal can be captured on any upcoming trips. If a trip isn’t planned before the February 2009 deadline, start planning for next summer.
Michael G. May

CEO Sendero Group

“The GPS company:” Sendero Featuring GPS on the mPower, PK and Voice Sense and coming soon, Mobile Geo. . Also distributing Trekker, Victor Stream, KNFB Mobile Reader, Talks,, Mobile Speak, Tiger
embossers, Miniguide and ID Mate Crashing Through by Robert Kurson available at http://www.CrashingThrough.com, MikeMay@SenderoGroup.com, http://www.SenderoGroup.com.           1-888-757-6810, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007, Sendero Group, LLC, 429 F Street, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

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The August meeting of the Tri-County chapter of MSCB will be held on August 13, 2008 at 6 PM at Shoney’s in Martinsburg.  The Tri-County chapter encompasses Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties but everyone is invited!

Don’t forget - if you have a birthday in August and you are a TC member in good standing, your dinner will be  compliments of the chapter.  See you there!

 

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