The two weeks prior to and following our state convention, I had the privilege of representing ACB and WCB at the state conventions of California, Kansas and Kentucky. It is always such a pleasure to participate and observe how other state affiliate’s conventions play out. I’m usually asked to share with their memberships what WCB is doing here. Other leaders within ACB see WCB as a positive role model, and although I’m very proud of our affiliate and love sharing the excitement and enthusiasm of WCB with others, I know we can learn so much from one another.

One of the things that always seem to come up in my travels to other conventions is the notion that we, WCB, are able to do what we do because of the money we have. It is true that we have been very fortunate in the fund-raising arena and our organization has certainly benefited in numerous ways because of it. However, I know that it takes more than money to really make things happen.

After experiencing a top notch convention with over 200 registered and participating, I am pleased to say that 73 WCB members, this is over one third registered for the convention, played an active role in making the convention the event that it was. The list of jobs done includes: putting together our convention program, participating as a facilitator or panelist on that program, chairing or serving on Resolutions and Constitution committees, collecting and distributing door prizes, putting together goody bags, working registration and the information desk, being a convention buddy or working with the first timer breakfast, coordinating the youth conference activities, handling scholarships and awards, streaming, recording and other audio related efforts throughout the convention, overseeing exhibits, preparing documents whether in writing or recording, working on our website, running a microphone or collecting ballots during the meetings, working with hospitality, coordinating the Bop-It or talent show, training staff and volunteers ahead of the event, handling bus reservations and travel stipends, and the list goes on. Those who helped were any member who was willing, from the experienced member to the new.

Although money may help us fund some of what we do, the real product that we offer to members and others is not from a financial account, but rather from human beings who give of their time, talent and energy to support WCB. This level of commitment by our membership manifests itself throughout the year through the activity level of 20 committees, the working relationship between chapters, and the tireless work of the team of 12 officers and board of directors.

As this year comes to an end, it is time to prepare to do the work of WCB in 2006. If you are interested in serving on any of the WCB committees, please contact me by January 8, 2006 by either emailing cindybur@comcast.net or by calling (360) 698-0827 or (206) 333-0827.

And now, I lift my glass to all of you in celebration of the hard work, commitment and dedication of you, the membership of the Washington Council of the Blind. Yes, WCB is rich indeed!

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Editor’s Comment by Peggy Shoel
Read It, Share It, Save It

Read It: In this issue, in addition to our regular features, we have impressions of convention by a first-timer, resolutions passed by the membership, a bio of a WCB member, information about scholarship recipients, a reprint of a newspaper article recognizing and commending one of our chapters, a directory of WCB 2006 officers and board members, a calendar of deadlines and special events, and much more. If you want to be informed, if you want to enjoy, all you have to do is read it.

Share It: Pass on the information you find in the Newsline with anyone you feel would find it interesting and beneficial. And with your eye care professional, who might in turn pass on that information to other patients. So share it!

Save it! Hold on to the two reference lists contained in this issue (2006 Directory of Officers and Board Members and 2006 Calendar of Deadlines and Events). They can serve as a quick source of information when you need it. So save it.

I wish us all a healthy and happy New Year, giving joy, receiving joy, and learning and prospering in those areas that are important to us.

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First-Timers’ Impressions of State Convention
by Randy and Valerie Tedrow

We summarize: WOW! So many blind people assembled in one place, which we found extraordinary and magnificent. Topper, our guide dog, had a blast, his first time among so many guides.

The program was outstanding, and advanced the business of the WCB, with relevant speakers and break-out sessions, a tactile art exhibit, and businesses and vendors of goods and services specific to member interests.

But wait! There was much more! Neil Vosburgh, a recognized vocalist, pianist and guitarist, entertained (Google him for more). There were social events, and what’s this? Bop-It Tournament? Valerie had never heard of it before and Bop-It went straight to the top of her Christmas list! Gina Lewis unseated last year’s champ, Michelle Denzer, who placed second. Valerie noticed a strategy Gina’s competitors next year might consider: Gina performed the actions in near-flawless corresponding rhythm to the device’s rhythm.

Randy: I was honored to serve as a panelist about “sighted” activities I do in my community, and benefited from hearing the other panelists. Valerie: I wonder if people caught a fascinating factoid from Dan Tonge about his dragon boat racing – he lost 16 pounds. Say, Dan! Where do we sign up?

Randy: Personally, I think it’s unfair I didn’t win a door prize. All first-timers should receive one. However, because I’m a forward-thinking guy, I make a motion that all second-timers receive a door prize. Do I hear a second from the floor? (Prolonged silence.) Valerie: I gave him my door prize. What more does he want?

Randy: It’s difficult for people to be among strangers, yet I enjoyed a sense of inclusion at the convention. People liked me! They really liked me! Then I heard someone from Guide Dogs for the Blind say with excitement, “I think I saw Topper!” Aw, shucks. It’s Topper they like.

I appreciated the helpful hotel employees. None seemed put out by extra requests, stuff kinda like, “How do I get out of here?” when I accidentally invaded the business office, and another time the kitchen (a nice place to visit).

Lyle Burgett helped me with common-sense advice and by taking time to help me navigate with Topper. I met people I’ve wanted to know, among them Carl Jarvis, Debbie Phillips, Viola Cruz, and Vivian Conger. The volunteers deserve tons of praise.

A highlight for me came Friday evening. I found out that Valerie signed up for the talent show. I knew we were in for it when her turn came and she said she wanted to contribute something with “depth” and “meaning.” I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

The banquet was awesome! It was exhilarating to witness WCB publicly present scholarships to eight outstanding leaders. Alan Bentson’s antics, introducing winners by metaphorically describing them as essential to his fictitious company, were not to be missed. Award-presenter Marlaina Lieberg kept us so eager to hear the next winner we had to remember to breathe.

We were impressed by how efficiently our convention committee kept on schedule. Randy: I think they should receive several lattes of their choice! Valerie: I think a week at a luxury spa would be more appropriate.

What awesome mentors and leaders we have in the WCB, particularly our president, Cindy Burgett. Even when difficult issues arose, when elections became complex, she kept the business meeting on-task, made it safe to talk, vital to listen, and foremost that we work together.

We thank Rhonda Nelson and her committee for selecting us for the first-timers award. We’re proud to be WCB members. See everyone at the Spring Fling!

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WCB Board Meeting
by Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary

The 2005 PreConvention Board meeting was held at the Red Lion Inn in Pasco, Washington on October 27. The excitement for the upcoming convention and all that it would hold was palpable. The meeting was well attended. Among those present were Day Al-Mohamed, Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy for the American Council of the Blind, Donna Selliger, Secretary for the ACB Board of Directors, Gloria Leonard, Director of the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, and several friends and members who joined us from the California and Oregon Councils of the Blind.

After the previous board meeting minutes and treasurer's report were given and approved, Janice Squires, chair of this year's Convention Committee, gave general convention information, and one could feel the excitement levels rise even higher! By applause, everyone thanked Frank Cuta for his excellent description of the hotel layout.

Next, Berl Colley gave the vehicle donation report. He stated that donations are down this year, and felt this could be due to new legislation governing such donations, or a change in our advertising strategy. Berl then reported that WCB's investments are holding their own in a market that has been up and down. Our investment plan has changed, and it is hoped we'll continue to see good returns as we move forward this next year.

Shirley Taylor reported that our fund raising activity with the Sanderson Group is off to a good start. She is looking forward to another year of working with this program. Shirley next reported that our Crisis Committee has been active this year. Through this Committee, WCB has had the opportunity to assist 14 blind people from January 1 to present.

Rhonda Nelson reported that this year, we have nine first-timer convention attendees, and that some of them were actually at this Board meeting. Julie briefly explained the WCB Buddy Program, where veteran buddies contacted first timers before convention to offer assistance and friendship; she thought this went very very well. Congratulations and welcome to all first timers!

After Glenn McCully gave his report dealing with grant requests, the Board voted to provide funding for the Senior Companion Program of the Tri Cities to assist them in serving their senior blind, to the City of Walla Walla to match funds for accessible pedestrian signals, and to the Jefferson County Council of the Blind to assist them in purchasing assistive listening devices. Congratulations to all!

The final item on the agenda was discussion of the 2006 budget as proposed by the Budget Committee. Despite the fact that our income is somewhat down, WCB is making every effort to maintain all its programs and services. One way in which to do this is to enter into the grant-seeking arena. To that end, a new line item was created to enable WCB to hire a professional grant writer to work with us. We are all looking forward to exploring this avenue of fund raising.

The meeting adjourned with everyone feeling excited to be together in Pasco, and looking forward to meeting and making new friends. As an aside, I was very impressed with the number of youth who attended this convention, and with the fact that they were very involved with WCB in several activities.

I hope this article has given you a glimpse of what happened at this year's Pre-Convention Board meeting if you were not there, and an opportunity to remember the start of a fabulous convention if you were!

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WCB 2005 RESOLUTIONS

The major resolutions passed at the 2005 WCB convention were:
Resolution 2005-01 urging the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library to return to the practice of hiring blind or visually impaired people in the entry level receptionist position; and
Resolution 2005-02 concerning an amendment to a bill requiring production of a Louis Braille Dollar Coin.

The complete text of the resolutions can be found on the WCB website at www.wcbinfo.org or by contacting Denise Colley at (360) 438-0072 or dmc0124@comcast.net

Congratulations to 2005 WCB Scholarship Winners!
by Alan Bentson, WCB Scholarship Committee Chair

On Saturday October 29, eight highly qualified and well-motivated students received a total of $19,000 in scholarships from the Washington Council of the Blind at our 2005 state convention. At the Scholarship Reception, the students were introduced to the organization by Denise Colley, first Vice President of WCB. She gave a lively presentation, giving the many attendees at this popular event a chance to really hear the voices and learn the stories of our 2005 scholarship winners. Scholarships were actually awarded at the Convention Banquet, which followed the reception. Donna Selliger, Secretary of the American Council of the Blind, who was a guest at our convention, assisted in presenting the awards. As usual, this was a talented and diverse group of students:

Robert Taylor, a junior majoring in Intercultural Studies at Corban College in Salem, Oregon, received his second WCB scholarship, for $2000. He hopes to travel abroad after graduation to do mission work, which will include braille transcribing and computer training for blind people.

Sati Wullabbs, a sophomore at Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington, received $2000. Sati, an émigré from Nigeria, has worked for the Education Services District in his area and trained members of his chapter in using assistive technology. He submitted the most organized and complete on-line presentation of any of this year's applicants and attended the entire convention.

Bruce Visser, studying for his Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling on-line at Western Washington University, while continuing to work at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle, received his second scholarship for $2000. Bruce, who is deaf-blind, hopes to become a rehabilitation specialist helping other deaf-blind citizens.

Stephanie Mellor, a junior majoring in Social Work at Eastern Washington University, received her fourth WCB scholarship, for $2000. Stephanie wants to get her Master's in Rehabilitation, and has already worked several summers for the State Department of Services for the Blind, mentoring younger students.

Gaylen Floy, who is completing a Liberal Arts degree by correspondence in preparation to attend the University of Washington to get her Master's in Journalism, received a $2500 scholarship. Gaylen, one of the founders of the newly chartered South King Council of the Blind, has worked for many years in Graphic Design for several newspapers around the country and is making the transition to becoming a reporter. Gaylen attended the entire convention.

Laurette Santos, studying for her Master's in Social Work at the University of Washington at Tacoma, received our recently established Sheldon Family Trust Scholarship awarded to a graduate student, for $2500. Laurette, who has studied and practiced many facets of social work, overcame a lifetime math phobia in order to qualify for her Master's Degree program.

Trevor Nix, a freshman at Central Washington University who hopes to major in special education, received $2500. Trevor was an outstanding high school athlete in football, wrestling and track. He also found a lot of time for volunteer work with disabled children, helping them in Physical Education and other classes.

Garrett Swanburg, a Freshman at Gonzaga University majoring in Business Administration, received $3500. He also was awarded a scholarship from the American Council of the Blind at last summer's convention in Las Vegas. Garrett had a perfect 4.0 grade average in high school, studying business and marketing with an additional emphasis on Math and Science.

This was the year of the on-line application. All but one of our applicants submitted all or part of the required documents via e-mail, thus allowing them to be instantly available to all the members of the Scholarship Committee. I would like to thank Viola Cruz for her essential and time-consuming efforts to make our Scholarship application available on our website at WCBinfo.org. I would also like to thank the members of the Scholarship Committee for patiently bearing up under this barrage of information and for their invaluable insights and opinions. Special thanks go to Cindy Burgett, Sue Ammeter, Sue Sather and all the other WCB members and volunteers who made this year's scholarship program possible. Also a big thank you to the entire organization for their continued support for the WCB scholarships. By assisting these students to achieve their goals, we make the future brighter for ourselves, the blindness community and society as a whole.

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A Celebration of Accomplishments
by Marlaina Lieberg, Chair, Awards Committee

For the past two years, it has been my great joy to officiate at the WCB annual banquet over the presentation of awards to people who are outstanding in WCB and the community-at-large, and to present official certificates of appreciation to WCB Board members who have completed their terms of office.

This year was no exception. After presenting certificates of appreciation to Cindy Burgett, Denise Colley, Sue Sather, Dorothy Carroll, Rhonda Nelson and Lynette Romero, it was time to present awards to some pretty wonderful folks who work very hard, and whose work results in a positive impact on all our lives.

This year, the Outstanding Advocacy Award was presented to Lukas Franck, COMS (Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist), for his ongoing work in creating opportunities for accessible pedestrian signals nationwide. Lukas is an instructor with the Seeing Eye. He was not able to be present at the banquet, due to a family illness, but I was able to hand him his award before he left the convention. I can tell you he was deeply moved and very surprised. He asked me to thank WCB profusely, and is looking forward to a continued relationship with WCB.

The One World Award was presented to Jesse Minkert for his outstanding and ongoing work in the provision of descriptive theater experiences for people who are blind in the State of Washington. Cindy Burgett accepted on his behalf, as he was unable to be present at the banquet. She assured us that his work would continue, and WCB looks forward to furthering our long relationship with Jesse.

The Newsline Editor's award was presented to Frank Cuta in recognition of his outstanding article, "WCB Policies, and Procedures to be Voted on At The Fall Convention" (September issue). It clarified proposed bylaws, and assisted WCB members in making clear decisions that will guide the organization in the future. Frank was seated immediately to my right at the head table, and I can tell you he was quite surprised and moved. Congratulations, Frank!

And speaking of the Newsline, the following chapters were recognized for providing articles to each quarterly edition of Newsline from last year's convention to this year's.

Capital City Council of the Blind, Terry Atwater and Berl Colley, Presidents; articles submitted by Berl Colley.

Guide Dog Users of Washington State, Joleen Ferguson, President; articles submitted by Joleen Ferguson.

King County Chapter, Tim Schneebeck president; articles submitted by Becky Bell and Marilyn Donnelly.

Peninsula Council of the Blind, Meka White and Eric Hunter, Presidents; articles submitted by Gary Beck and Eric Hunter.

The United Blind of the Tri Cities, Bill Hoage President; articles submitted by Janice Squires and Margie Kickert.

United Blind of Walla Walla, Vivian Conger, President; articles submitted by Vivian Conger, Joleen Ferguson and Ernest Jones.

Thanks to each of you for your consistency in helping make the WCB Newsline one of the most respected publications of its type.

But the recognitions didn't stop there. WCB has 18 wonderful and hard working chapters. In fact, I think that it's fair to say that on any given week in any given month, there are dedicated members meeting with their respective chapters to do the good work of our organization. Certificates of Recognition for Membership Growth were presented to acknowledge those chapters whose membership has grown by at least 10% since the last WCB Convention.

The Capital City Council of the Blind, Berl Colley President

Guide Dog Users of Washington State, Joleen Ferguson President

The Jefferson County Council of the Blind, Sue Ammeter President

The South Kitsap County Council of the Blind, Kevin Jones President

The United Blind of the Tri Cities, Bill Hoage President

Congratulations to each of you, and thank you for all you do for WCB.

As the excitement mounted, we moved to the presentation of the Chapter of the Year Award. Every chapter of WCB is vital to the over-all success of our organization, and each chapter works hard to be a viable entity within their community. This year, the Chapter of the Year Award was presented to the United Blind of the Tri Cities, Bill Hoage President, in recognition of its continued community visibility through outreach and interaction. The accomplishments of this chapter have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Washington Council of the Blind.

And then, it was time for the biggie, the creme de la creme, at least in this writer's opinion: The Outstanding Service Award, presented to one individual among the many who give selflessly and continually to WCB. I presented the Outstanding Service Award to WCB's outgoing Treasurer, Sue Sather. She was very moved and honored.

Chairing this Committee is a lot of hard work, but that job is made easier by committee members Peggy Shoel and Carl Jarvis.

The deadline for receipt of submissions for 2006 award consideration is August 31, 2006.

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Chapter Dues and Contact Information
by Janice Squires, Membership Data Chair

I am extending a friendly reminder to all WCB chapters and affiliates that membership dues are due for 2006 and this means contact information on your members is to be collected as well. The WCB is growing by leaps and bounds and as your membership data chair, I need to ask that you please follow the following rules. All membership contact information must be sent to me only in an electronic format. This means we will only accept membership information via email or on a computer disk or CD. Handwritten lists are extremely difficult to read and too much of the required information is not reported. Remember also, that dues money is to be sent to our new treasurer

Eric Hunter, PO Box 1085, Tracyton, WA 98393

All of the following contact information is required to make our database complete:

Name; address; city, state, and zip; phone (including area code); email address if any;

Also, the following questions must all be answered:

Are you a lifetime member of ACB? Yes or no

Are you fully sighted? Yes or no

How would you like to receive the following publications?:

WCB Newsline: Large print, cassette, computer disk, Email, web site or none

The Braille Forum: Braille, cassette, large print, computer disk, Email, web site or none

Convention Mailings: Large print or Braille only

The contact information must be sent to Janice Squires, janicesqu@verizon.net and dues must be received by Eric Hunter, PO Box 1085, Tracyton, WA 98393-1085 no later than February 10, 2006 in order for your chapter or affiliate to receive the $500 WCB stipend. In addition to the information about members, we would like to have a list of your chapter officers for 2006.

Then, throughout the year, please contact us with any additions, corrections, or deletions to your membership list. After the initial lists have been sent, please include the date when the new members joined in order for them to be considered for WCB and ACB stipends and guideline requirements.

We appreciate so much your cooperation in helping your membership data base committee become a more effective team. Thank you for your support and let’s try to exceed our grand total of 401 members from 2005.

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Emergency Preparedness and People
who are Blind and Visually Impaired:

A Handbook for the Consumer

The Three Rings Analogy

The following is the first in a three-part series compiled by Day Al-Mohamed, American Council of the Blind Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy.

One of the most difficult issues with regard to pre-event planning for any emergency is the overwhelming amount of information available. The Three Rings Analogy is a simplified means of identifying and explaining disaster preparedness in a manner that encourages step-by-step positive action. It is based on the idea of three concentric rings; each one inside the other.

The center-most ring represents you, a person as an individual. What will you need? During most emergencies, unless it is a burning building or an unsafe or damaged structure, most people are told to shelter in place and wait for further instructions from their local emergency management agency. This center ring is the first step – what basic supplies should you have prepared?

The next ring out is an expansion of this concept; and that is person-in-environment. Do you know what to do if you are at work or at a conference or convention? Where is the nearest exit? What will your family do if you are all separated? Who should you all contact?

The outer-most ring represents community and being active in the community. First responders, emergency planners, local transportation departments and many other officials involved in emergency management, are interested in knowing how best to serve the needs of people with disabilities. This third ring represents us, as blind individuals offering our experience and expertise to aid in their planning process to better serve our neighborhoods and communities.

THE CENTERMOST RING – PERSON

There are a number of simple things that you, as a visually impaired individual can do to prepare both yourself and your family in the event of a disaster. One of the easiest things you can do to prepare for the unexpected is assemble a supply kit. This would include basic necessities for 72 hours; many of the items are things that you probably have already in and around your home. Consider marking emergency supplies with large print, fluorescent tape or Braille.

1) Three days supply of water (one gallon per day per person). You don’t have to go out and buy water, simply refilling old soda bottles or even milk jugs and storing them in your home would suffice.

2) Three days supply of non-perishable food (don’t forget the can opener). Items such as canned ready-to-eat foods, boxed or canned juices, crackers, cereal, granola bars, or trail mix are all good examples. Be aware of the salt content, as it has the side effect of making you thirsty. Check and replace your foodstuffs every 6 months.

3) Battery Operated or Crank Operated Radio (don’t forget extra batteries). It is essential that information gets to you and in times or emergency the radio is often the first source.

4) Flashlight and Plastic Emergency Whistle. Even among the visually impaired a flashlight can offer assistance not only for your mobility but that of someone who might be with you. The flashlight and whistle are both imperative for visibility and signaling purposes. The human voice can only shout at the highest volume for about 4 minutes.

5) First Aid Kit. First Aid kits are available in many locations, but owning one isn’t enough. Make sure that you are familiar with the contents and their placement in the kit. You might consider adding a blanket and toilettes to the kit.

6) Toiletries and a Change of Clothing. These can include items as simple as toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, toilet paper and garbage bags with ties.

7) Prescriptions. Make sure you not only have the medication, but on a separate sheet accessible to you, the names and dosages of the medicines as well as your doctor’s contact information. Also include prescription eye-ware, non-prescription medication that you might take regularly, and portable assistive devices (e.g. magnifiers, hearing aids, canes and walkers).

8) Cane. Even if you have some useable vision or are a guide dog user, a cane can be essential for mobility to help maneuver around obstacles and identify and negotiate barriers.

9) Work Gloves and Sturdy Shoes. After auditory cues, touch is the most heavily relied upon sense for someone who is visually impaired. A pair of heavy work gloves and sturdy shoes can offer safety and security in exploring an unfamiliar environment in addition to the use of a cane.

10) Identification and Important Papers. It is a good idea to put photocopies of important documents and an accessible version of important numbers in a plastic bag. This could include: identification, social security card, health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare cards, home/auto insurance papers, deeds, bank account numbers, contact numbers for your emergency contact person and local emergency numbers.

Note: If you have a service animal or pet, make sure that you have included food and water for your animal as well as bedding and a favorite toy. Also be certain that your service animal has appropriate identification.

No doubt there are many other items that are of utility but the goal of this brochure is simplicity and a focus on items specifically useful for people with visual impairments.

HOT TIP: If putting together your kit seems overwhelming it is possible to purchase “ready-made” Disaster Kits. However, make sure you are familiar with all the items in the kit and keep in mind that these kits will not include equipment related to your disability and you will still need to collect important documents and contact information. (to be continued)

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Busy Intersections Get Audio Crossing Signals
by Christian Hill

Reprinted with permission from the August 18, 2005 Olympian

The pulsing tone can be heard 20 feet away next to the group of McDonald's employees taking a smoke break outside the fast-food restaurant on Marvin Road.

"It's weird," one employee noted in passing. "I've never seen anything like that before -- or heard it."

The intended benefactors of the new audible crosswalk signals are residents who might never see or hear them, however.

Crews are installing the next-generation devices at seven busy intersections around the community, a joint project of the city of Lacey and Capital City Council of the Blind to assist sight-impaired residents.

The new signals won't stop all collisions, said Terry Atwater, a 50-year-old state worker who's been blind since birth, but it will help reduce the risks -- especially at a time when traffic is increasing and intersections are becoming more complicated.

"It's not going to eliminate all the problems, of course," Atwater said, "but I think it will make things a lot safer."

Atwater was hit in 1990 while crossing a crosswalk on Sixth Avenue Southeast with a sighted friend.

The driver turned left and didn't see them, and Atwater's friend couldn't react fast enough to avoid being hit. Both suffered minor injuries.

Berl Colley, the council's president, noted that he and other sight-impaired friends have been hit while crossing intersections in Lacey.

The devices are the latest version of technology that has been installed in Olympia for several years.

The Olympia devices use an audible bird chirp or cuckoo to help sight-impaired pedestrians distinguish which direction to cross. But confusion can arise, Colley said, especially if the devices are installed on only one side of the intersection or can't be heard above the passing traffic.

"It didn't mean they didn't help, but there were some problems," he said. "We think with the new installations we're putting in Lacey that we've overcome those."

The constant pulsing tone in the new devices helps sight- impaired residents locate the crosswalk signal.

If they hold down the button for one second, an automated voice tells pedestrians when to walk and counts down how many seconds they have to cross the intersection. The countdown also can be seen on the signal.

If the button is held for more than three seconds, the voice tells the pedestrians which street they are crossing.

The signal vibrates, an indication for deaf and blind residents that it's time to cross.

The device also contains a microphone so the audible signal becomes louder in noisy surroundings.

"We got the demo, and we were pretty impressed with it," said Martin Hoppe, the city transportation manager.

Securing the money:

The council approached Hoppe with a list of intersections where it would like the devices to be installed.

The city didn't have the money, but Hoppe helped secure grant funding for nearly $50,000.

To secure the money, the council contributed $5,000, and the city provided $1,666 in matching dollars.

The city required the developer of Lacey Marketplace, the shopping mall under construction along Marvin Road that will feature a Costco and Home Depot, to install the devices at its entrances on Marvin and Martin Way.

Hoppe said the city might require that the devices be installed at future developments only if an individual requests it.

"They live around the area, and I think we need their kind of guidance on something like that," he said.

The council is organizing a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the transit center when the final signal is installed early next month.

Once that is complete, Colley said, his council plans to lobby Olympia to upgrade its audible crosswalk signals, and after that to approach Tumwater about installing them.

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Bridging the Gap
By Chris Coulter

How do blind and sighted people coexist in the world? What do we have in common? What are the differences between us? How do we educate and learn from each other? How do we bridge the gap between us? These are heavy and ponderous questions, but I believe it is possible to approach them with a light heart and an attitude of compassion.

There are both blind and sighted people living in the world today. I don’t have any statistics as to how many of each category there are, but I know that sighted people are the norm and that blind people are considered a minority in our society. Sighted and blind people need to cooperate with each other because we are both here at the same time.

In the past blind people were dependent on sighted people. Because so many chores in a world without accessibility required sight, blind people were taken care of, without much attention being paid to their intelligence and abilities. As time passed and technology was invented and came into use, tasks such as household chores and reading and writing became easier for people who were blind. The invention of Braille allowed us to travel forward in light years. Not only were we able to read and write, but our sighted colleagues were able to see examples of our skill as educated people. Everyone had to deal with the fact that we weren’t lower, dependent life forms that must be bathed, dressed, combed and led around by the nose.

When the first blind woman learned to comb her hair by herself and the first blind man learned to shave without help, awareness of equality took another forward step. We began integrating independence into our lives.

As we became better educated and informed we began to go to college, to earn our money, to marry and raise families and, yes, to pay taxes just like sighted people. In this country we knew we had to get information about political candidates and to exercise our right to vote. The democratic process provided a way for us to teach sighted people that we indeed have the wherewithal to choose our leaders.

As we became less dependent on sighted people in small ways it became necessary for us to learn to travel independently. That way, conflicts in scheduling could be avoided as much as possible. Many blind people today use white canes or work with guide dogs. We can travel by bus, cab, Paratransit or on foot, depending on our mobility skills and the distance between where we are and where we want to go. We are teaching sighted people that we can get from one place to another in a timely manner without killing ourselves or anyone else in the process. This doesn’t mean that sighted people must stand helplessly on the sidelines. Sometimes we will ask for help. It is also perfectly fine for a sighted person to ask us calmly if we need help and treat us like the adults we are when we say yes. If we say no the same treatment applies. Usually we know if we need help or not.

Sighted and blind people have a great deal in common. I have touched on some of our similarities in my discussion of both groups being educated, employed family men and women who pay taxes. The differences between us lie in the way each group perceives things and the methods, techniques and tools used to get the job done. Still, we both speak the same language. Although I have never seen color, if you tell me that one flower is pink and another is yellow, or that someone’s shirt clashes with his pants I understand what you are saying. My understanding may not be exactly like that of a sighted person, but the words you use in my presence are the same words you use when speaking to someone who can see.

In closing, let me stress the importance of humor in the relationship of blind and sighted people. Of course, many of the subjects that pop up as we work together are serious, but the light touch can be very helpful. If we can treat each other with graciousness and understand that not all of our interactions are about major issues we will not only learn to coexist but we will be free to work together, live together, be friends and love each other.

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AROUND THE STATE

Capital City Council of the Blind

Greater Everett Area Council of the Blind

Guide Dog Users of Washington State

Jefferson County Council of the Blind

King County Chapter

Lower Columbia Council of the Blind

Peninsula Council of the Blind

Pierce County Association of the Blind

South Kitsap Council of the Blind

United Blind of Spokane

United Blind of Tri-Cities

United Blind of Walla Walla

United Blind of Whatcom County

Capital City Council of the Blind
by Berl Colley, President

"It is great", "It makes things so much clearer", "I can focus on what is going on at the meeting now"!

These are some of the comments that CCCB members have made about the new assistive listening system that the chapter purchased thanks to a supplemental grant from the Washington Council of the Blind. We have used it at three meetings, and taken advantage of its portability at two outside events.

It was used at our summer picnic, our audible signal ceremony, our September meeting, our October anniversary banquet and our November election meeting. We will also be using it at this year's Christmas party.

At the September meeting, Dennis Bloomb from Intercity Transit presented the proposed route changes that will occur in February 2006.

On the 21st of September about 25 people gathered on the Southeast corner of 6th Avenue and Golf Club Place to celebrate the city of Lacey's installation of Audible Pedestrian signals at six intersections. A 7th intersection will be audiblized after some road re-aligning is completed in 2006 or 2007.

Maier Virgil Clarkston, Mike Harber, General Manager of Intercity Transit, a lady from the Thurston Regional Planning Council and I spoke to the group.

The next night, September 22, CCCB presented to the Lacey City Council a check for $5,000 from CCCB and WCB to fulfill our financial commitment as a partner in the APS project. In turn, the club was presented with a certificate of appreciation and partnership from the City of Lacey. The certificate was done in print and Braille.

Our 15 year anniversary celebration dinner was held on October 22nd. CCCB became an affiliate of WCB at the Issaquah convention in 1990. WCB president Cindy Burgett spoke to the 24 members in attendance about the importance of chapters to WCB. Cindy's visits are always appreciated.

Our chapter sold our alphabet tea and sweat-shirts and chapter logo shirts at the WCB convention in Pasco. We had 10 members attending this fall's WCB convention.

In November elections were held. Gloria Werstein and Nick Moranda were elected as CCCB officers. Capital City officers for 2006 will be:

President - Berl Colley; Vice President - Gloria Werstein; Secretary - Nick Moranda; Treasurer - Howard Ferguson.

A big CCCB welcome to new members Nick Moranda and Gene Iwanski.

Greater Everett Area Council of the Blind
by Chris Coulter, President

We are all very excited about what’s going on here in Everett. We have new people about to join us in December; we’ve had interesting speakers; we had good attendance at the convention in Pasco and we just had our election of officers.

At our October meeting Heidi Cunningham from Ski-for-all came to talk to us. Instead of giving us a formal presentation she spoke to us individually about our ideas of what fun outdoor activities would look like to us. We were all very impressed with Ski-for-all and the variety of experiences they provide for disabled people.

Miki Hopper-Estrada, Jon Coulter, Dave Mason and I attended the WCB convention the weekend of October twenty-seventh through twenty-ninth. Thanks to the Tri Cities for such a warm welcome. We had a great time and learned a lot. I acted in the Aging and Blindness skit and sang in the talent show. All of us received so much new information and did so many fun things that we had to rest up after we got home but it was worth it.

Our November meeting was very special. We were treated to a very interesting presentation about the Louis Braille School, which is now under construction and will be opening some time after the first of the year. Carolyn Meyer and her colleague Cristina Ivanna explained that the school will serve blind and visually impaired children from kindergarten through eighth grade. We look forward to hearing more about the progress of the school.

We held our election of officers at the November meeting. Miki Hopper-Estrada was elected president; Dave Mason is vice-president; I am secretary and Jon Coulter is treasurer pro tem.

Speaking of our new members: they are Patti Barton of Everett and John Common of Lake Stevens. We are looking forward to their presence in our chapter, as they are both vital and enthusiastic people and they seem excited to be joining us.

We would love to see you at one of our meetings. Becky Bell took us up on that invitation in November and added a lot to the fun and information. We meet at IHOP, 10301 Evergreen Way, Everett. We’ll make sure there’s an extra place at the table for you.

Guide Dog Users of Washington State
BY Joleen Ferguson, President

We had another successful business meeting, luncheon, and breakout session during the recent WCB convention. This year, thanks to the generosity of Craig and Debby Phillips, we and our dogs had access to a suite to get away from the many feet and cane tips

During our business meeting we elected the following officers:

Joleen Ferguson President, 2nd term

Shirley Taylor, Vice President, 1^st full term

Janice Squires, Treasurer, 2^nd term

Bill Hoage, Board Member, 1st term

We would like to extend our thanks to Viola Cruz for her work on our board. She and Vivian Conger are both newly elected to the WCB board and join our other members, Marlaina Lieberg and Cindy Burgett. We are indeed well represented.

We voted on a logo and on some housekeeping changes to our bylaws. Find both on our web site at http://www.gduws.org.

Lukas Franck, Seeing Eye, was our speaker at the GDUWS-sponsored breakout session on Friday afternoon, and he also had a segment on the convention program as well. His topics were pedestrian safety and accessible signals. During our Saturday Luncheon he and Melinda Carlson from GDB shared the podium to discuss interacting with O&M instructors.

We received honorable mention at the WCB banquet for having submitted an article for each Newsline during the past year, and we received a certificate for having a >10% membership increase since the 2004 convention. I was pleased to accept the advocacy award for Lukas Franck at the banquet, as he was unable to stay to receive it himself.

Our attention now turns to our Spring Fling that we voted to have in conjunction with the WCB Leadership Training Weekend on April 29.

Only 19 of us, about 50% of our 2005 members, had paid 2006 dues by the end of convention. Now, our only means to collect dues is to have them mailed to our Treasurer, Janice Squires. Your check for $15.00 allows you membership in GDUWS, GDUI, WCB, and ACB. Where else can you get a deal like that? Send payment to Janice Squires, 502 West 20^th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99337. It is not necessary to be a guide dog handler to join. You just need to have an interest in the matters of guide dogs. We provide two meetings a year, a weekly e-mail update, and subscriptions to Newsline, The Braille Forum, and Pawtracks.

Jefferson County Council of the Blind
by Sue Ammeter, President

Greetings from Jefferson County. Our September meeting was held at the Shanghai Restaurant in Port Townsend. John and Penny Allen from Reconnections came and demonstrated an assistive listening device for those in attendance. Subsequently, JCCB made application and was given a grant from WCB to assist us in purchasing a system to be used at chapter meetings. This will be terrific since we have a number of members with significant hearing loss.

In October we met at the Hadlock House in Port Hadlock. Lynn Gressley announced that the Port Townsend Disability Awareness Day will be held on April 19, 2006. Our chapter has participated in this event for the past several years and it is an excellent way of educating city and county officials about the environmental obstacles that exist in our community.

Our November meeting was held at the Fiesta Jalisco Restaurant in Port Hadlock. Carl Jarvis and I gave an update about the WCB convention in Pasco. Four of us had attended the convention: Carl and Cathy and John and I.

We decided that we will have our Christmas luncheon at the Fort Warden Conference Center on Tuesday, December 13^th. We will be inviting Sherry Perry to be our guest for lunch. She is the Congressional District Six representative to the board of trustees at the Washington State School for the blind. We look forward to getting to know her and hearing about events at the school from her perspective.

We were saddened to learn of the death of one of our members, Dee Forsberg. She died on November 6^th as a result of critical injuries that she received in an automobile accident. Carl and Cathy attended her Memorial service on November 25^th.

Our next meeting will be January 25^th at Fiesta Jalisco. If you are over this way please stop by and pay us a visit. Happy holidays to everyone!

King County Chapter
By Marilyn Donnelly, Treasurer

Fir and pine, holly and mistletoe, and all those gayly wrapped gifts are filling our days with the sounds and fragrance of Christmas. We’ve been doing some other things too. Twenty of our members attended the WCB state convention in Pasco. We want to thank all the people who made the 2005 convention so special. More and more people are enjoying the breakout sessions on Friday afternoon. A real treat was a skit titled ”Out of Sight” written and performed by Carl Jarvis, Newt Jones and Mardel Kendall. Hollywood here they come. The “Captain of Clutter” was looking forward to a monetary door prize; money takes up so little space.

Some members recently attended a Beethoven and Brahms concert at Benaroya Hall. It was audio described by the good people from AVIA. Those wonderful seasonal productions will have audio description too.

Chapter officers for 2006 are as follows: president Tim Schneebeck, vice-president Gina Lewis, secretary Darlene Hilling, and treasurer Marilyn Donnelly.

From our chapter to yours, we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I will conclude with a very small portion of a poem titled “The First Snowfall” by James Russell Lowell:

The snow had begun in the gloaming

And busily all the night

Had been heaping field and highway

With a silence deep and white

Every fir and pine and hemlock

Wore ermine too dear for an earl

And the poorest twig on the elm tree

Was ridged inch deep in pearl

Lower Columbia Council of the Blind
By Erla Coleman, President and Dale Coleman, Treasurer

Realizing we have been a little quiet down here in this huge metropolis, we thought we would update you on what is going on in our chapter. At the beginning of this year we had all new officers elected. Earlier this year, Bob Bisconer resigned as Vice President. His health was the reason and the fact that he moved to Vancouver, Washington. We have had about six people relocate this year; however seven new members have joined.

We were able to take several members to "Vision Matters" in Vancouver; a couple of the area "Lions" offered to drive us. We all enjoyed the trip and demos. We were invited to the "White Cane" safety and awareness day in Vancouver by the Riverside Council of the Blind.

In July, we had our annual picnic. We were very pleased about how everything went. There was lots of good food and entertainment. Games and prizes for the kids and lots of drawing prizes. Singing entertainment was supplied by a member of a local church. We were also happy to have Berl and Denise Colley join us at the picnic.

Six members of our chapter attended the State Convention in Pasco. They all reported having a wonderful and informative time.

We are now busying ourselves getting ready for a candy fund raiser, also our Christmas Party. Last but not least, we wish everyone a great big HAPPY HOLIDAY.

Peninsula Council of the Blind
by Eric Hunter, President

As usual, a wild and crazy bus ride back east of the mountains for our convention. A whole mess of PCBers attended, and I’m not even going to remember them all, but there were lots of us, and we had great participation in the convention. Congratulations to Bill Hoage and the members of the Tri-City Chapter for putting on a great convention.

When last seen, Cindy Burgett, PCB member, was in Las Veg… no, I mean Long Bea… wait a minute, she was in Kansas… whoops, I mean Kentucky. Anyways, she’s been a busy little beaver, and hopefully building up lots of air miles.

A strange and wonderful thing happened to us lately. The restaurant where we hold our meetings was sold, and the new owners were not serving breakfast, so we changed out meeting time to an hour later. Then, they decided they would have breakfast on weekends, but we had already changed our time, so we had to wait until the next meeting to change back. Meanwhile, I was introduced to the new owner, a Korean gentleman by the name of Mr. Lee, a very common name in Korea. He informed me that the blind and visually impaired members of PCB would only have to pay half-price for their meal. You know, every time I start to think that the world is getting cynical, I meet someone like Mr. Lee and am reminded that there are some wonderful people in this world.

On the health front, the Piggotts are doing well. Frances is over her chemotherapy, and Jack seems to be on the mend. Connie Hollis is still suffering from her bad back. How she managed to get around at convention and sell so many raffle tickets is beyond me, but she did.

We had two socials which were well attended, and one men’s luncheon, and a get-together of our under-30 bunch. One of our socials was at a soul food restaurant. Catfish, cornbread, fried okra, the whole bit, and everyone loved it. Meka kept checking to see if her mom was in the kitchen, the food was so familiar to her.

We are all looking forward to our annual Christmas party. We are going to have a merry Christmas. And that’s our wish for you. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and the most prosperous of New Years.

Pierce County Association of the Blind
by Mildred L. Johnson, Secretary

Believe it or not, we have been around for 75 years! PCAB goes back a long way! Actually, it started to come alive in the early days of 1934. Then in August of 1934 they began to organize. A small group started by organizing the White Cane Law, followed by the Pension Law. At this time they were called “Washington Protective Association of the Blind.” In 1935, they became “Pierce County Association of the Blind.” Their purpose was to safeguard the welfare and rehabilitation of the blind, and at the same time, they adopted a board, set up meetings, schedules, bylaws, and other office functions.

At this time, there were 95 sightless in Pierce County. In 1936, the Talking Book was introduced, followed by a radio program called “Voice of the Blind.”

As the years passed and the chapter grew, they held card parties, bazaars, rummage sales, dinners, dances at 25 cents per ticket, and old-time fiddle contests. They stuffed envelopes for the state, and at Christmas time stuffed stockings for various organizations. They wrapped and bagged candy for Brown & Haley.

In 1980 there were 46 members. In 1990 there were 35 members. Now we have 23 members. PCAB has had various committees, such as welfare, legislative, radio and publicity, entertainment, refreshment, and ways & means. Meetings were held in various homes, cafes, etc. until the 1960s, when a member living at 1202 So. M said she would see if they could meet in their community room and so they settled in there for 20-some years. On that corner was a big old-fashioned house and at one time the Blind Association owned it. Then, like everything else, development of the neighborhood took over; it was torn down, and the apartment house as we know it today stands on that spot. After it was built, PCAB moved back and met there until about two and a half years ago when we moved to our present location at 2302 6^th Avenue. All in all, the organization met for 40-some years at the corner of M Street.

Mr. Levee gave Braille lessons and different ladies would go out to the schools and teach Braille and also basket weaving. Bylaws were worked on that said, “Any person with defective eyesight will have a right to vote and hold office.”

PCAB is now an affiliate of the Washington Council of the Blind, with over 400 members statewide. We at PCAB have been very active with our scholarship fund through WCB’s program and also through Pierce College and the University of Washington-Tacoma. Our scholarship money helps with tuition, computers, transcribers, etc. The money is obtained from monthly fundraisers (April to November), with merchandise donated by the wonderful people of Tacoma and surrounding areas. Some of it is used, but a lot is new and still has tags on. Sometimes people come to shop and if they don’t find anything they need, they donate money. If any of you are interested, it is always advertised in the paper under the heading “Blind Association Fund Raiser,” usually in the Garage Sales column, and also on the Internet.

It doesn’t end with the monies received at the sales. Some of the left-over clothing, dishes, etc. go to various other organizations, such as men’s clothing to VFW Rescue Mission. Just recently, we received a request from the Seamen’s Center for men’s clothing. Women’s and children’s clothing goes to the Abused Women and Children Center, as well as the Mission, and sweaters and lap robes to the nursing homes. We also help World Relief with blankets and clothing. Right now, we are in the process of getting clothing, blankets, etc. to the Katrina victims.

Our purpose is really three-fold:

· To promote educational, scientific, economic and legislative objectives for the blind

· To promote social activities for the blind

· To promote self-help for the blind

We also try to be a source of information as to how to get needed help, be it with Braille instruction, talking books, electronic aids or other equipment, housing, or even with a guide dog program.

We meet the 4^th Sunday of every month at 2302 6^th Ave at 2:00p.m. We invite you to attend one of our meetings and perhaps join the PCAB chapter.

South Kitsap Council of the Blind
By Carol Brame, Treasurer

As our first year as a chapter comes to an end, we have so much to be thankful for and proud of. We’ve doubled in size in membership, from 13 to 26. Although we do want to remember Curtis Abbott who passed away last Spring from complications of diabetes at the young age of 39. Although he’d never made it to one of our meetings, it was his dream to become an active participant in educating about diabetes, working with kids and involving himself in our chapter.

We’ve participated in community activities. In June we partnered with the PCB chapter at Kid’s Day, an outreach event at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds where we displayed Braille books and games, guide dogs, and other resources. On the Fourth of July, we had a booth at an outdoor festival at the Retsil Veterans home where we sold canned pop and bags of chips. It was not only a good fund-raiser, but we also met lots of nice people and became more visible in our community. Speaking of fund-raising, we are now in the process of selling Kitsap Cards and are hopeful that this will be successful for us.

In July, we co-sponsored a picnic with the PCB. It was held at a park in Port Orchard and we had around 45 people in attendance. Many of our members will be joining the PCB at their Christmas party this year, but we will also have a celebratory dinner at a local Mexican restaurant during our regular meeting time in December.

Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month at the China Sun. We’ve had speakers at some of our meetings talking about Social Security and Transportation, as well as members sharing about themselves.

Seven of our members attended this year’s WCB convention in Pasco, and we will be working on getting some of our members to apply for Leadership in 2006.

In closing, we want to send loving thoughts to the three members from our chapter who have lost loved ones this year as they enter the holiday season. The SKCB extends warmest greetings to all of you.

United Blind of Spokane
by Dorothy Carroll, President

Mariann Federspiel has moved with her family to Rathdum, Idaho, and has taken a job as a kindergarten teacher. We will miss her and her family, but hope they will visit us.

We had six members attend the WCB Convention in Pasco. Everyone agreed it was a very good convention. Our club donated $75.00 for door prizes.

We had two new officers elected at the November meeting: Clara Donder, Vice-President and Bob Carroll, Treasurer. Our two remaining officers have one more year to serve: Dorothy Carroll, President and Pamela Rotoli, Secretary.

We have done a fundraiser with the Festival of Giving held at the three malls: Northtown, Valley, and Silver Lake, Idaho. The malls all close at 5:00p.m. and then re-open from 7:00 to 11:00p.m. by ticket only. The purchase of a $5.00 ticket entitles shoppers to admission at any of the malls, large discounts at all the stores, door prizes, free gift wrapping, entertainment and refreshments, and the chance to win $500. The money collected goes directly to our chapter.

Seven of our members attended a concert sponsored by the School for the Blind Benefit. Grammy winners were featured on electric guitars. It was an outstanding performance.

We have planned a party at the VFW Building, with a sit-down dinner, on December 22^nd.

Marlee Naddy has had shoulder surgery and is home now and recovering. John Naddy is taking excellent care of her.

United Blind of Tri-Cities
By Janice Squires, Treasurer

Well, the 2005 WCB State convention was here and now it is gone. It was our pleasure to be the host chapter this year and it took total team work on behalf of our membership to put it all together in the way we did. We were a very well prepared host chapter and the fruits of our labor showed in a well organized and truly successful convention. We were honored to accept the WCB award as the chapter of the year and it was well earned and happily accepted by each and every one of us. We too were proud of the fact of our recognition that our membership had grown by ten per cent and that we had Newsline article submissions in each quarter.

Congratulations to our three first timer award winners to the WCB State convention: Irene Nielsen and Steve and Marlene Vandecar. We are very proud of them for representing our chapter in this very special way. We also want to recognize one of our hard working members, Evelyn Crouse, who took a very bad fall prior to the convention and fractured her pelvis in two areas. Bless Evelyn's heart, she actually came from her nursing home bed to attend the WCB scholarship reception and the banquet. Get well soon Evelyn; we all love you and wish you well.

We all want to express our extreme gratitude to Chris Roemeling for all of her hard and dedicated work as head volunteer for this year's convention. She did an absolutely fantastic job and we are so proud to have her as our newest member of WCB and the United Blind of the Tri-Cities.

Besides the convention, we still are a very busy chapter with our newly formed bowling league and our once a month luncheons. Thanks to our bowling captain, Teri Reinkens, for setting up the bowling sessions and to Margie Kickert for organizing the lunches. Also a sincere thank you goes to Rosemary Estes, who has been our telephone contact person for the last two and one half years. Marlene Vandecar has graciously offered to take on this job and truly this is one of the most important elements of making a chapter work.

Diana Softich and Frank Cuta once again are organizing the 2005–2006 narrated play season. As a chapter, we purchase 10 season tickets to help and encourage our members to participate. This is one of our most successful programs and it is enjoyed by so many of our members. The first play of the season was "I Can't Hear You When the Water is Running" and the November play was "The Unexpected Guest".

Election of officers was held at our November meeting and congratulations to the following newly elected executive board: Bill Hoage, President; Margie Kickert, First Vice-President; Evelyn Crouse, Second Vice-President; Frank Cuta, Secretary; Janice Squires, Treasurer; Irene Nielsen, First Board Member; and Rose Shenk, Second Board Member.

United Blind of Walla Walla
By Vivian Conger, President

On December 5, UBWW will have its annual Holiday dinner. This year we will be going out to our local Elmer’s Restaurant instead of having a potluck. We also will have a speaker from the Patron Advisory Council for WTBBL. She is fully sighted and was in a car accident back in the 70s. She credits the Library with saving her life at that time. On December 21, we will present the grant check from WCB to the City of Walla Walla at the last City Council meeting of the year.

In November, we had Dixie Ferguson, Red Cross volunteer, speak to us about her experiences helping the relief victims of Katrina. We also held elections for president and treasurer. Our current vice-president was elected as our new president, which created an opening in our vice-presidency. As of January 1, our new president will be Shirley Musick, our vice-president will be Phyllis Pulfer, and our new treasurer will be Elwood Mably.

Three members attended this year’s WCB convention in Pasco. What a terrific convention it was, too. At the pre-convention Board meeting, the City of Walla Walla’s grant request for $7,000 was approved. This money is to be put with other monies for accessible pedestrian signals. Our own Vivian Conger was elected to the WCB board at the convention. We also had two gentlemen speak to us at our monthly meeting regarding Verizon accessible cell phones. During this month, we established a listserv for our members for ease of communication. Many thanks go out to Jeff, Mark, and Cindy for their help on this endeavor.

United Blind of Whatcom County
by Yvonne Miller, President

As autumn changes occur, UBWC experiences losses, reflects upon old and looks forward to new projects. We continue to work together as a small chapter to maintain our sense of purpose within the community.

Jenny Wilke addressed our membership at our September meeting concerning the audio descriptive service, AVIA. Jesse Minkert has offered to come back this summer to describe another play.

Beth and Roger Marsau celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They revisited Mount Rainier, where they had been married on September 2^nd. Congratulations, Beth and Roger!

We voted and approved our 2006 UBWC budget

Bruce Radtke, Secretary, volunteered to get Yvonne Miller, President, and Betty Sikkema, First Vice President, to the Everson Grange to give a presentation. We gave out WCB and UBWC brochures to its members. The Grange was very interested in learning about us and would like to work with us in the future. We enjoyed a potluck dinner and just had a good time getting to know one another.

In October, UBWC held its elections, with Barb Crowley and JoEllen Barton serving on the Nominations Committee. The following officers were elected: President, Betty Sikkema; First Vice President, Sharon Stevens; and Secretary, Yvonne Miller. Congratulations to our new officers!

Thanks to Mickey Johnson and Rose Radonski for their assistance in arranging for Marilyn Stremler, volunteer driver, and van to take us to meet the WCB charter bus to Pasco and the state convention. We had a total of six members. We all had a great time! We are grateful that Bruce Radtke, Secretary, volunteered at the ACB and WCB conventions, assisting people in their new surroundings. Thanks, Bruce!

In November, our members reflected upon the state convention. Yvonne, Betty and Sharon discussed their experiences. Each had different perspectives, but we all had a wonderful time. Mickey and Rose will give reports at another meeting.

The new Associates Members project was ready to kick off! A packet would include a letter and a brand-new large-print UBWC brochure. Thanks to Beth for designing and printing the new materials. Our group has experienced a drop in membership, so we plan to get more publicity throughout the community.

Beth shared her experience participating at the Braille Transcription Conference held in Seattle. Yvonne shared her experience participating in the Coast Salish Diabetes Conference.

The Winter Wonderland Walk, scheduled for December 1^st and 2^nd is an annual fundraiser that generates funds for the Health Support Center. UBWC is a member, and Betty and Sharon volunteered to be greeters.

Wishing you all the best for the holidays from the far Northwest of the state!

One last note: longtime member Joanne Mancinelli died November 27 in Lacey, Washington. Our group has missed her these past six to seven years. She was a co-founder of this chapter. Joanne was highly respected for her quiet determination. She would not accept anyone with a visual impairment saying, “I can’t do this.” She would respond, “Why?” She made an impact in many people’s lives through example and instruction. Despite her blindness, she remained optimistic, even while losing her hearing and eventually becoming deaf. An accredited teacher, she was not allowed to teach in the public school system. She worked as an Independent Living Counselor for the state, and provided Braille services locally. As a UBWC member, she took on many responsibilities with patience and hard work. Our warm sympathies for the family; and we rejoice, for the Lord has called her home.

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So You Thought You Knew Carl Jarvis
by Berl Colley, Board Member, WCB

Carl Jarvis was born in Spokane, Washington in 1935 to Clyde and Elsie Jarvis. When Carl was two, the Jarvises moved to Seattle, where Carl lived until adulthood. After high school, he attended Shoreline Community College, where he obtained a 3.85 grade point average. Carl then went to the University of Washington for the first of three times. He worked at several jobs during the late 1950s and early 1960s, selling magazines, working as a freelance photographer, and working in a drapery factory.

In 1965, due to detached retinas, Carl lost his vision and decided to enter the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) under the Office of Services for the Blind. He took a facility in Spokane, Washington. He was introduced to the organized blind movement at the age of 34 and became an active member of the Washington State Association of the Blind (WSAB), including serving as its president from 1971 to 1975. The WSAB would later evolve into the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB). While living in Spokane, Carl and a man named Lou Hendricks saw the need for direct services and aids in Eastern Washington and founded the Lilac Blind Foundation, an agency that still exists today.

Carl gave up his vending stand in the early 1970s and moved back to Seattle to work as an instructor, later a counselor, supervisor, and director in the BEP. It was during this time that he helped start and edit the organization’s current publication, the Newsline. In 1988, the Department of Services for the Blind asked Carl to serve as Assistant Director of Field Services. He held this position until his retirement in 1993.

Carl and his wife of 23 years, Cathy, moved to Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula, where they built the home that they live in today. Retirement didn’t last long, as shortly after moving to the peninsula, Carl and Cathy started Peninsula Rehabilitation Services, which provides independent living skills for senior citizens in multiple counties.

Carl has three children, Jennifer, James and Renee, and many grandchildren. He is one of the charter members of the Jefferson County Council of the Blind, which formed in the mid-1990s, and remains an active member of the Washington Council of the Blind.

Carl has a very strong pro-blind and visually impaired philosophy and his thoughtful postings to the WCB list and creative articles published in the WCB Newsline and ACB Braille Forum have entertained and provoked thought throughout the ACB and WCB.

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Louis Braille Center News
By Carolyn Meyer, Director

National Braille Literacy Month

January, the birth month of Louis Braille, is National Braille Literacy month. We could not discover when, where, or by whom January was first designated as National Braille Literacy month. We do know Louis Braille’s accomplishments have been nationally recognized in January since the early 1990’s.

Louis Braille was born January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. An injury to his eye at age three resulted in total loss of vision. When he was ten, he entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, believed to be the world's first school for blind children. There he would live, study, and later teach.

When Louis was fifteen, he developed an ingenious system of reading and writing by means of raised dots. Two years later he adapted his method to musical notation.

Mr. Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Institute for Blind Youth when he was nineteen. He was a kind, compassionate teacher and an accomplished musician. He gave his life in selfless service to his pupils, to his friends, and to the perfection of his raised dot method, which is known today as Braille.

Louis Braille died at age forty-three, confident that his mission on earth was completed.

The Louis Braille Center is celebrating National Braille Literacy month in Edmonds by putting articles in local newspapers and preparing a display for the Edmonds Bookshop window.

The Edmonds Bookshop display will feature information about Louis Braille, braille and print/braille books, tactile maps, raised illustrations, tactile anatomy diagrams, tools for writing braille, and a big stack of the thirteen braille volumes of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Visitors to the bookshop can try writing with a Perkins brailler or a slate and stylus and take home a braille alphabet card.

The highlight of National Braille Literacy month in Edmonds will be the mid-January opening of the Louis Braille School. Citizens will be invited to an open house where they will learn a little more about how people who happen to be blind can participate fully in the world around them. For information please call Carolyn, Hy, or Christina at 425-778-2384.

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Where is Dr. Stenehjem?

By Dr. Dean O. Stenehjem, Superintendent,
Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB)

A number of years ago there were all those books, Where’s Waldo? Over the past couple of months, I have felt like Waldo. As you may be aware, I had the tremendous opportunity to provide leadership as President of the Hadley School for the Blind. After many months of trying to decide whether I should leave Washington and accept this position, I decided to accept this wonderful opportunity, only to later decide that due to personal and family issues, I needed to stay in Washington. This was a very trying time when I had to reflect on not only what I thought I wanted to do, but also what was ultimately going to be the best for my family. The important lesson that I learned through this experience is that you have to trust your heart and your gut. For anyone who struggled as much as I did in trying to decide whether I should move forward in this new position or remain at the Washington State School for the Blind, I should have known that staying in Washington was the right decision. However, I guess I needed to be away from the Pacific Northwest, family and friends for just a few days for reality to sink in. I greatly appreciate the Board of Trustees at the Hadley School for the Blind in being as understanding as they were when I shared this information with them.

The Hadley School for the Blind is a wonderful organization that provides Distance Learning classes at no cost to approximately 10,000 students throughout the world. The positive impact that this school has had on blind and visually impaired people is just one measure of the dedication that Mr. William Hadley, founder and original teacher, along with numerous dedicated staff and board members have had on the lives of blind and visually impaired persons. Please check out their website and consider helping the Hadley School continue to make a difference in the lives of the blind and visually impaired, www.hadley-school.org

Where is Dr. Stenehjen? Well, I guess he is in Washington at the Washington State School for the Blind, where he is going to continue to push for improved services for blind and visually impaired children, continue to develop partnerships and examine new ways of reaching out to those non-served and under-served students. He and his family are happy with their decision to stay, but wish they could have figured this out a little sooner in the process. Washington is a great place to raise a family, a great state, and the Washington State School for the Blind is a great place to work and has wonderful students, staff and families.

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Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
by Gloria Leonard, Director

On a regular basis, your Washington Talking Book & Braille Library receives correspondence from patrons, including family members, who express their appreciation for the things we are doing to make a difference in their lives. There are many “thank you” cards, email messages, letters and phone calls received during this holiday season. Here is an excerpt of a “thank you” card from Alise (Snohomish County) which was particularly heartwarming. She writes, “…Thank you so much for this service – it has changed my life immensely! I can enjoy books again, as I am losing my sight to MS. I feel like I am ‘a part of the world’ again, because I can talk about current things, among them books, which I so dearly love.” Thank you, Alise, WCB and all of our patrons for sharing your personal stories with us and for giving WTBBL an opportunity to be of assistance to you.

Here are some of the activities that have occurred since the 2005 WCB State Convention that you should know about:

Contract Renewal: The Washington State Library (WSL) and the Seattle Public Library (SPL) have signed a two-year Interagency Contract. While most of the contract describes what WTBBL will do to meet the National Library Service core guidelines and requirements, it also includes an additional requirement for WTBBL, SPL, and WSL to develop a plan to transition the administration and operation of WTBBL from the City of Seattle. Areas to be studied include staffing (including volunteers), the facility that houses WTBBL, and gift funds. The plan should be available for public review and comment in May 2006.

Book Award Titles for Students: As part of an ongoing effort to provide books in alternative formats so that more students can participate in class discussions and school library activities, WTBBL has transcribed all titles nominated for the 2006 Sasquatch Book Awards. All of the book award titles are available in audio and Braille formats, and some are available in large print. All students with a visual impairment or physical disability, including dyslexia, are eligible to receive WTBBL services.

Statistics Are Up: By the end of the fiscal year, WTBBL marked a three-year increase in readership and circulation. WTBBL readership totaled 14,267, an increase of 2,595; circulation totaled 530,739 items, an increase of 9,814. One reason for our success may be attributed to the good health and longevity of our patrons. But we think another contributing factor is the WTBBL’s calendar that encouraged patrons to help us reach the 2.68% of Washington’s six million population that are eligible to receive WTBBL services. In addition, our Patron Advisory Council has launched an outreach effort to recruit eligible family and friends to sign up for library services.

WTBBL Launches Dual In-Library and Online Programs. Recently, WTBBL launched its first OPAL Program series,“Sharing Your Story.” OPAL stands for Online Programming for All Libraries. The first program, “The Joys and Challenges of Writing a Memoir,” featured 94-year-old WTBBL patron and former Washington State School for the Blind Principal Don Donaldson. At the age of 92, Don self-published a 400-page autobiography, What’s in a Name? that captures a wide variety of experiences, ranging from losing his vision due to a childhood accident at 7 and getting it restored surgically at the age of 21, his first business venture selling brooms for the Lighthouse for the Blind, to international trips via cargo freighters during WSSB’s summer recess.

The second program, “10 Squared: Reading Good Books and Other Longevity Secrets” featured 23 WTBBL patrons who are over the age of 100. Two of our distinguished honorees, Daisy Murphy (106) and Maud Lepley (101) were able to travel with their families and friends to the Library for the induction ceremony. Highlights included live music, a full tea service, and guest speaker Tony Ventrella. Special guests included Senator Pat Thibadeau and State Librarian Jan Walsh. Although unable to attend, Governor Christine Gregoire wrote a personal letter to our honorees.

The next 10 Squared Program will be held on May 13, 2006 at the Library. Both programs are archived and may be heard on the OPAL website at www.opal-online.org. WTBBL has recorded Don Donaldson’s book and it is available.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

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Department of Services for the Blind
by Lou Oma Durand, Director

I want to share the Department of Services for the Blind mission statement with you and give you an update on our Independent Living Program.

At DSB, “we open doors of opportunity for individuals who are blind and visually impaired to: pursue their dreams, determine their goals, develop their skills and abilities, and participate socially and economically in their community.”

You can see from this Mission Statement that our Independent Living Program, and in fact, all programs at DSB, focus on our customers’ goals and dreams. The role of DSB staff is to “open doors of opportunity” so DSB customers can gain the confidence, skills and abilities to become independent and active members of their communities.

DSB’s Independent Living (IL) Program provides blind and low vision services throughout the state for persons over the age of 55 and/or for persons who are unable to work. Our Independent Living Specialists provide information about blindness, low vision, and many ways to do daily tasks in spite of vision loss. They provide in-home training on skills for independence and share a variety of tools and aids that can help. They help folks connect with community resources like transportation, library and other services, including opportunities to meet others who are having a similar experience. Most IL customers benefit from realizing they are not alone in their vision loss. Through these services, as well as by sharing experiences with other blind individuals, our IL customers learn they can continue to carry on normal daily lives, stay connected to others, and be of value to their families and communities.

Many of you may recall feelings of helplessness or dependence as you were experiencing vision loss. You may also remember the feeling of freedom you gained when you discovered some of the alternative skills of blindness: like the ability to cook what you want when you want it, to do your own laundry, to go out of your home and spend time with friends and family. All these feelings of independence bring people back to that center of confidence that allows them to live fully. This is at the center of our Independent Living Program at DSB.

Between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005 (the most recent State fiscal year), the Independent Living Program served approximately 2,075 customers throughout the state. This total includes both Part B, General Independent Living (including services for persons who could not work), and Chapter 2, Independent Living for the Older Blind (those over 55). Kevin Nathan, Independent Living Program Manager, says that first quarter statistics for the current fiscal year indicate the number of people served through statewide Independent Living Specialists will most likely surpass last year’s numbers. Kevin describes some of the recent events and highlights for the Independent Living Program, as follows:

In August, DSB conducted an annual in-service training event for our Independent Living service providers. The event was held at the Seattle Department for the Blind office. This year, attendees were treated to several presentations from DSB staff as well as direct service providers. We want to offer the best trained providers and expertise possible to our customers.

In October, the Lilac Blind Foundation held their second annual “Independent Living Days” which grew out of our Seniors Week concept. This event is designed to give participants of the IL Program intensive training in the skills of blindness. To date, DSB has conducted three Senior Week events in Aberdeen, Sequim and Spokane. Roughly 40 IL customers took part in these trainings and all reported it to be one of the best training experiences they have had.

This year’s event marked the second year in a row that Lilac has raised local funds to conduct this event. DSB contributed by providing two IL staff to assist with the three-day session. This is a good example of a state and local partnership. Cheryl Martin, Director of Lilac Blind, would like to increase the frequency of these events as funding permits.

The Department of Services for the Blind is committed to supporting the dreams and goals of our blind and low vision citizens. This last year, at least 2075 older blind individuals took charge of their dreams and goals. They chose to partner with the DSB Independent Living program, to stay engaged in their daily lives, to be part of their communities and to live life to the fullest. We at DSB are proud to share in the success of these 2075 IL customers.

Please give our contact information to anyone who you feel might benefit from the services provided by the DSB Independent Living Program. They can call us at 1 (800) 552-7103.

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Hats Off to You
by Peggy Shoel

We are pleased to extend our congratulations to the following WCB members:

· Cindy Burgett, Peninsula Council of the Blind; Denise Colley, Capital City Council of the Blind; Eric Hunter, Peninsula Council of the Blind; Alan Bentson, United Blind of Seattle; Vivian Conger, United Blind of Walla Walla; and Viola Cruz, Capital City Council of the Blind, all of whom were newly elected or re-elected to positions on the WCB Board (see 2006 complete Directory in this issue).

· Denise Colley, 1^st Vice President, WCB, on being voted our alternate delegate to the 2006 American Council of the Blind annual convention in Jacksonville, Florida. Denise’s primary responsibility will be to stand in for President Cindy Burgett when necessary.

· Sue Ammeter, Board Member, WCB, on being selected to represent WCB on the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Patron Advisory Council (PAC). Sue will serve a renewable two-year term. Sue’s responsibilities will include acting as an information conduit between the Library and WCB.

· Karen Johnson, Treasurer, United Blind of Seattle and Doug Hildie, President, United Blind of Seattle, who were married October 1^st at the University Presbyterian Church in Seattle with a celebratory luncheon following the ceremony. The happy couple took a honeymoon trip to Victoria, B.C. followed by a one-week honeymoon cruise to the East Caribbean.

· Ken Nelson, Member, King County Chapter, on the event of his 85^th birthday. Ken and his family celebrated this occasion with a get-together at his son’s home.

· Bob Carroll, Treasurer. United Blind of Spokane, on his 75^th birthday. Born in Tekoa, a small town in Eastern Washington, Bob and over 50 relatives and friends celebrated with a party at a local restaurant.

· Russ Richardson, member, United Blind of Spokane, on his 75^th birthday. Russ, who was born in Holton, Indiana, celebrated the occasion with relatives and friends with a dinner at a favorite restaurant.

· Denise and Berl Colley, First Vice-President WCB and Immediate Past President and Board Member, respectively, on the event of their 25^th wedding anniversary. The Colleys were married in Spokane. They celebrated the occasion with a restaurant dinner and are considering a celebratory cruise.

· Beth Marsau, Treasurer. United Blind of Whatcom County, on her 30^th wedding anniversary. Beth and her husband Roger were married in a meadow near Paradise Lodge on Mount Rainier, and celebrated by revisiting the site.

· Eric and Joanne Hunter, Treasurer, WCB, and member, Peninsula Council of the Blind, respectively, on the occasion of their 20^th wedding anniversary. The couple were married in Bellevue, Washington, and celebrated the event with a dinner at the Outback and a surprise from Eric to Joanne of a day in a spa, which he says she doesn’t even need

· Mariann Federspiel, Treasurer, United Blind of Spokane, on her new position as a kindergarten teacher at Discovery Christian Day School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Mariann started in October, loves her working environment, and says had she been able to design the perfect position for herself, she could not have done better.

· Bob and Janice Squires on the marriage of their youngest daughter, Christy, to Alan Masterman on October 1 in Victoria, Canada. The marriage was in the beautiful St. Andrew's Cathedral and the reception was held in the elegant rooftop penthouse of the Swan Suites Hotel.

· All those individuals and chapters who received awards and recognition at State Convention in Pasco (see Awards article in this issue).

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Bits & Pieces
by Peggy Shoel

· Good news for members with 360 area codes or for those who have flat-rate long-distance phone service: REC Dial a Stream 1-360-526-6238 menu selections 3 and 4 will connect you to ACB Interactive and ACB Radio. (REC is currently testing another access number, 480-422-0088, which offers a better connection.

· What's new in technology? run by the World Wide Alliance is a free telephone access for blind and visually impaired individuals. It provides information, discussion, and interviews regarding relevant technology for blind or visually impaired children and adults. It is updated regularly and welcomes listener input. 1-877-429-0708

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Article Deadline: To be considered for inclusion in the next issue, article submissions and other information for publication must be received by February 26, 2006. Articles may be edited for clarity and space considerations.

Publication Policy: To ensure accuracy, we require typed, double-spaced submissions or preferably e-mailed articles to wcbnewsline@hotmail.com with a cc:pshoel@aol.com. Articles should be no longer than two pages (approximately 750 words).

Officers and Board Members - 2006

Officers

Cindy Burgett, President ........................... cindybur@comcast.net
6686 Capricorn Lane NE, Bremerton, WA 98311.... (360) 698-0827

Denise Colley, First Vice-President ........... dmc0124@comcast.net
2305 Maxine St SE, Lacey, WA 98503 ................ (360) 438-0072

Julie Brannon, 2nd Vice-President ..... juliebrannon@integrity.com
7064 35^th Ave NE, Apt 34, Seattle, WA 98115 ... (206) 547-7444

Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary .......................... marlaina@traico.com
632 S. 189^th St., Burien, WA 98148 .................... ((206) 243-1716

Eric Hunter, Treasurer ......................... rosesgardener@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 1085, Tracyton, WA 98393-1085 .......... (360) 377-9917

Board Members

Berl Colley, Immediate Past President ....... blc0901@comcast.net
2305 Maxine St SE, Lacey, WA 98503 ................ (360) 438-0072

Sue Ammeter ............................... sue.ammeter@cablespeed.com
P.O. Box 118, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 .............. (360) 437-7916

Alan Bentson ........................................... arbentson@comcast.net
7356 34^th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 ................. (206) 527-4527

Vivian Conger ....................................................... topaz@valint.net
1519 Whitman St, Walla Walla, WA 99362 .......... (509) 526-4967

Viola Cruz ............................................................ firekat@qwest.net
2800 Limited Lane NW #P-2, Olympia, WA 98502 (360) 754-8193

Frank Cuta .................................................... cuta@bentonrea.com
58903 Sweetwater PR NE, Benton City 99320 ....... (509) 967-2658

Glenn McCully ...................................... glennmccully@comcast.net
635 7th St NE, #218, Auburn, WA 98002 ........... (253) 804-4246

2006 Calendar of Deadlines and Events

Note: WCB Board meetings, the Leadership Training Workshop and the WCB 2006 State Convention will all be held at the Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport.

Dec 16 2005 - Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) community meeting, Tacoma

Dec 17 2005 - Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) Rehab Council meeting, Tacoma

January is National Braille Literacy Month

Jan 8 - Deadline for requesting assignment to WCB committees

Jan 28 - WCB Winter Board Meeting

Jan 31 - Deadline for applications to attend American Council of the Blind (ACB) Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C.

Feb 10 - Deadline for receipt of chapter dues and data

Feb 11 - Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Patron Advisory Council (PAC) meeting, Seattle

March – Production and distribution of Spring Newsline

Mar 31 - Deadline for applications to WCB Leadership Training

April 28-29 - WCB Leadership Training Workshop

April 29 - GDUWS Spring Fling

April 30 - WCB Spring Board Meeting

June - Production and distribution of Summer Newsline

July 8-15 - ACB National Convention, Jacksonville, FL

Aug 11-12 - WCB Retreat/Summer Board Meeting

Aug 31 - Deadline for Award Committee submissions

September - Production and distribution of Fall Newsline

Nov 9-11 - WCB 2006 State Convention

December - Production and distribution of Winter Newsline

THANKS

· To Brady Layman and Sherrill Lee of the Tri-Cities, for reading this issue onto tape

· To Tim Schneebeck for providing the NEWSLINE via
e-mail and disk

· To Bill Hoage for duplicating and mailing the cassette version of the NEWSLINE

· To Viola Cruz for transforming the print issue into a Web version on the www.wcbinfo.org website

· To the individuals who contributed articles and materials to this issue

· To the NEWSLINE Editorial Committee for their many hours of work