July 2007 Issue

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From Chris Kuell, Danbury, CT:

In the May Readers Forum, Clayton Jacobs wrote about the difficulties he found in getting a job and becoming a missionary.

I agree that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) spend far too much time on their differences and too little on their common causes, but the greatest strength of both organizations is a positive philosophy regarding the abilities of blind people. These organizations believe that, with good training and a positive attitude, anything is possible. Rather than look to these organizations to help enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act, we should use them as role models to become capable, competent, independent blind people.

It is a fallacy that nobody will hire blind people in Phoenix, AZ. There are hundreds of blind people working there today. I'll be the first to admit that it is difficult for a blind person to obtain employment, especially if you are waiting for a state agency to find it for you. Rather than looking for a group to help him, Mr. Jacobs needs to master the skills of braille, independent travel and computers, then help himself. It is not society's duty to help us. We have to take charge and help ourselves. If Mr. Jacobs already has these skills, could he improve them?

As for discrimination by his church, perhaps he requires too much assistance to make mission service practical. The key phrase in the ADA is "reasonable accommodations." If that is not the case, then maybe he needs to find another church. After all, the Mormons only began accepting African Americans in 1978, so it might be a while before they fully accept individuals with disabilities into their ranks.

Finally, I recommend Mr. Jacobs to network with successful blind people in his area. An NFB or ACB chapter meeting is a great place to start. Only through example can we change the misconceptions held by the public, and by ourselves.

From Wayne Hinckley, Woods Cross, UT:

I congratulate Clayton Jacobs on taking the steps to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and am sorry he feels disappointed about not being allowed to go on a full-time mission.

I served a two-year mission, starting at age 19, with the early symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa. Because of night blindness, I experienced a few accidents resulting in minor bruises. Now, more than 30 years later and totally blind, I would hesitate to enter into such rigorous activity as full-time missionary work. Among other things, I would feel guilty for slowing down each of the companions I would have. Many missionaries are expected to ride bicycles, and most are moved to new locations every few months and have to get acquainted with each new area. It is challenging work with high expectations.

As an alternative, the Church is always looking for people to fill service missions near their homes. A service mission is a part-time commitment where an individual can still pursue employment or schooling, or simply enjoy retirement, while rendering needed service to the Church.

In the greater Phoenix area is the Mesa Temple and Visitors Center, where qualified members can volunteer some of their time. They may even have a few paid positions there, such as in the cafeteria. Since Deseret Industries was mentioned, there is likely a Church employment center there, ready to help people of any faith find jobs.

From Tim Hendel, Huntsville, AL:

In May's issue, John Dragona objects to the term "the blind" or any other expression that puts the word blind first. He asks us to use the term "people who are blind." I have the opposite opinion regarding this matter. I am not at all surprised that Mr. Dragona acquired a preference for the "people who..." terminology while studying for a degree in rehab counseling.

During my almost 20 years of rehab teaching in Miami, I discovered that many sighted people who call themselves rehab professionals seem to be quite uncomfortable with the whole notion of blindness. Since they cannot very well bury the notion, they attempt to bury the word blind by hiding it in some supposedly politically correct circumlocution, or avoiding it altogether.

I very much feel myself to be a member of the blind community, and can't think of a better term to describe this group of people. I have no objection if someone, in attempting to identify me, says, "Tim is the blind man who lives upstairs," and I will usually say, "This is a special tape player for blind people." I have always known that I am a person, and don't need a special phrase to remind me. Mr. Dragona wrote that, if I call myself a "person who is blind," rather than a "blind person," people will better evaluate my abilities and not see me as quite so helpless. But I think this idea is undocumented and very unlikely.

In the same issue, Fred Gissoni talks of his experience with Moon Type. I, too, once decided to learn Moon. The Royal National Institute for the Blind in London has, or used to have, a pamphlet in braille that would teach a braille reader how to read Moon. I learned the system, and read through a couple of magazines they sent me. At that point, I gave it up, since becoming a fast Moon reader did not interest me; I only wanted to see what the system was like.

The most unusual thing about Moon, and the hardest thing to adapt to for me, a braille reader, was that the lines are read in opposite directions. The first line of a page is read left to right, like braille. The next line is read right to left, and so on down the page. There is a little arc at the end of each line to guide your finger down and around to the following line. I found reading from right to left very hard to get used to.

I, too, used to get the Ziegler when it was printed at the braille plant in Monsey, NY. We always got the Ziegler at the school for the blind in Batavia, and I remember being so thrilled when I found out that I could have my own subscription.

As has been mentioned, the magazines came rolled up. I used to put mine between my mattress and boxspring for a couple of days to flatten it. Can the editor tell us when the Monsey plant opened? I think it closed in the 1960's, and then the Ziegler was printed at Clovernook.

[Editor's Note: The magazine moved from New York City to Monsey in 1927. We ceased embossing operations in 1965, and two years later re-established our office in New York City.]

From Jo Luland, Nutley, NJ:

In response to Mary Emerson's comments about the Optacon in February's Readers Forum, I've been an Optacon user for many years. I've managed to collect several Optacons over the years but, of course, they're all dying. I live alone and find this piece of equipment extremely valuable. I have found many uses for it, and I don't know what I'll do when the last Optacon dies. I can't find anyone who repairs them. I'm really very dependent on my Optacon and would greatly appreciate some information about anyone who still does repairs. If you know of someone who wants to sell one, I would definitely be interested.

From Phyllis Lackershire, Richland Center, WI:

Ayn Apelman and Tim Hendel complained in April's Readers Forum that many times Special Notices do not provide a mailing address. I agree that this contact option should be given.
I'd like to add a suggestion--to readers who respond to Special Notices: If there is no phone number among the contact options, maybe it indicates that phone calls are unwelcome. Some of us still prefer "snail mail." Despite the almost universal assumption that everyone has a computer and e-mail, some of us don't have them. Others don't hear well enough to get names and contact information correctly over the phone.

I myself have specifically requested no phone calls--but sometimes that request is not printed.

[Editor's Note: To save space, we do not publish requests for "no phone calls" or "no collect calls." If a Special Notice does not contain a phone number, then please do not call--collect or otherwise.]

From Tammy Maynard, Nashville, TN:

I agree with what Charles Biebl wrote in April's Readers Forum about blind people gossiping about other blind people. I also agree with him about people who spend their time on the phone seeking a mate, though there are exceptions. We need to be supporting one another instead of tearing each other down. Nothing gets accomplished by saying bad things about other people all the time.

From Blaine Deutscher, 3832 Rae St. #2, Regina S4S 3A1, SK, Canada;

I put my name in January's Pen Pals and really dislike it when I am looking for someone to correspond with and get a letter asking for donations. I don't want to sound rude, but if I wanted to make a donation, I would give to a cause.

If you like sending jokes, one a week is fine, but not all the time. Also, I hate getting chain letters that you are asked to pass on to others. I delete them. I can only take so many forwarded messages a day.

If someone would like to send me a letter telling me how things are going, then go ahead. I'd like to hear from people who enjoy golfing with the U.S. Blind Golf Association, since I'm hoping to golf with the Western Canadian Blind Golf Association. If you like hockey, golf, football (NFL or CFL--Canadian Football League), contact me in Grade 1 braille or by e-mail.

From Assad Daoud, Windsor, Canada:

In response to recent letters in the Ziegler debating the advantages of technology versus braille, I believe that every blind individual should have access to a computer, a braillewriter, a reading device and other equipment that broadens their horizons. If the day comes when every blind person in the world has a computer, we will have increased literacy and opened new horizons for those who previously depended on others to read for them or explain what is on the television set. Since I began using a computer, I have become better informed, better educated and have wider access to the world's affairs.

From Sylvie Kashdan, Seattle, WA:

The Kaizen Program for New English Learners has assisted a number of visually impaired and blind immigrants in becoming U.S. citizens. The citizenship test is not available in braille, although it legally should be under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, section 504. We are conducting a campaign to ask senators and representatives to require the government to make the redesigned naturalization/ citizenship test and all preparation materials--including the N-400 form--available in all accessible formats, including braille, large print, electronic text and audio recording.

Currently, however, people who are blind or have low vision can have the oral interview and be exempted from the reading and writing part. They must do two things:

1. They must indicate on the N-400 form--in the space that asks if they can read and write in English--that they are legally blind and can only read and write using braille or large print, or that they can only answer orally.

2. Along with their completed N-400 form, they should also provide a copy of a letter from an eye doctor, rehabilitation professional or other qualified professional indicating that they are indeed legally blind.

The blind or low-vision applicant can also request to be accompanied during the interview by a sighted guide, who will not provide any prompting for answers to questions, but will guide and assist the applicant in presenting various print material upon request and in signing the photograph with the very small signature that is required. If the applicant does not feel she or he needs a guide, it is optional.

A blind or visually-impaired person who is ready to apply for naturalization should seek assistance from an immigrants' rights organization or from an individual who is knowledgeable about the N-400 form. After the N-400 form is completed but before it is submitted, the applicant should make a copy of it to keep for review and for his or her records.

Before the interview/exam, the applicant needs to learn the more than 100 questions by heart and practice answering them orally. The applicant also needs to practice making that very small signature, which many find difficult.

If the interviewer is hesitant to exempt the applicant from the reading and writing part of the interview/exam, the applicant needs to ask the interviewer to read the entry about his or her blindness that has been made on the N-400 form and to read the letter certifying blindness from a qualified professional. If the interviewer is still hesitant, the applicant should politely ask to speak to the supervisor, because it is her or his legal right to be exempted if the material is not available in the reading medium she or he uses, and if there is no one available to read braille for those who can only write with braille.

Applicants who can write large print should indicate that. Some interviewers will write sentences in large print for such people to read. They should be asked to print clearly so that the applicant is not challenged by the formation of the letters. Those applicants who are braille users should offer to spell words in sentences instead of writing. That is usually satisfactory.

Three books on the naturalization process are available from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), as of January 2007. All three require a relatively high level of English proficiency, and two contain some outdated information -especially as the application process and immigration laws have been changing and continue to be somewhat in flux since 2001.

1. Practice for U.S. Citizenship and Legalization of Status Tests by Carlos Paz (RC030264). This audio book presents the 1980's requirements for U.S. citizenship. It offers summaries of the history and government of the United States, including samples of questions that were asked in citizenship examinations. It also includes the texts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

2. Citizenship Made Simple by Louise Quayle. This book is available on cassette (RC034410) and in contracted braille (BR008609). Published in 1991, this relatively detailed guide discusses the immigration laws as they were then and what forms were necessary to file for specific situations. It includes a list of immigration classifications and describes the procedures for entering the United States and obtaining legal residence (a green card). It also offers hints for preparing for the citizenship exam.

3. Citizenship Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Guide to the U.S. Citizenship Process by Barbara Kimmel (RC062526) is also available on cassette. Published in 2006, this book is more up- to-date than the others. But when the naturalization exam redesign is completed this year or in 2008, this book too will probably become somewhat outdated.

From George Griller, Faribault, MN:

I am at a loss for words to express the magnitude of my gratitude for the March 2007 centennial edition of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind. It is nonpareil in its quality of craftsmanship.

Thank you also for the timely mention in the April 2007 issue of the Ziegler about the telephone tax credit available only when filing the 2006 federal income tax return.

From Geraldine Lawhorn, Chicago, IL:

Thank you for the historic March 2007 issue of the Ziegler. One hundred years of service and entertainment is indeed an accomplishment to be proud of.

When the magazine started, blind and, especially, deaf-blind people had few choices of reading and recreation. Now, with many more choices, we still love the Matilda Ziegler Magazine. I am pleased to say I have been reading the Ziegler since the 1930's.

From Mary Kozy, Huntley, IL:

I delighted in reading the March issue of the Ziegler Magazine. It is amazing how individuals can make such a significant difference in the world. Mr. Holmes's writing a letter to the newspaper, and Mrs. Ziegler's reading it and acting on his suggestion, have had an impact on many blind people for generations. The publication of this magazine probably encouraged more blind people to learn to braille. Access to information for people who were blind was a cherished gift in those days. We should not forget that today.