FCB OFFICERS, 2002 - 2004
President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail: easytalk@earthlink.net
First Vice President:
Jesus Garcia
5955 W. 16th Lane
Hialeah, FL. 33012
(305) 471-0441 EXT (444)
E-mail: JesusGar@bellsouth.net
Second Vice President:
Dan Spoone
3924 Lake Mirage Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32817
(407) 678-4163
E-mail: dan.spoone@siemens.com
Treasurer:
Patti Davis
6933 Alpert Drive
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
E-mail: pattianne1@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Linda Jacobson
2815 Circle Ridge Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
(904) 272-8405
E-mail: jacobsli@concentric.net
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Avenue
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Carl McCoy
2069 Dellwood Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 553-9490
E-mail: cmcoy@earthlink.net
Editors of White Cane Bulletin:
Bill and Bobbie Probst
11721 Dunes Way Dr. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1888
(904) 641-0709
FAX (904) 998-9012
E-Mail: wantom_1@juno.com
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of
1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized
formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further
distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Robert Miller
E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENT - Elizabeth Bowden
ARE YOU MOVING? - Linda Jacobson
Credentials for the Convention by Linda Jacobson
FCB Convention 2004 - By Debbie Grubb
Project Insight - By Sally Benjamin, Project Insight Coordinator
the Provider - Submitted by: Lynda Lynch
Reaching Out To Your Community - By Cindy Burgett, President Washington Council of The Blind
We All Need Dreams By Laurie Sagely
Friends of The Library - by Nancy Burgess Hall
National Library Service Survey on Talking Books - Submitted by Doug Hall
Handy Telephone Numbers
Chapter Liaisons
*** Quotes ***
FCB Convention: June 3 - 6, 2004 - Doubletree, Tampa
Read the 2004 convention call
Alumni Weekend: Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St Augustine June 25, 26 & 27
ACB Convention: Birmingham, Alabama - July 4 - July 10, 2004
Click here for ACB's 2004 convention pages
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Robert Miller
Since this is my last message as president, I will just jump right in and
relate to you some events that have recently cropped up that are of utmost
importance to you as a person who is visually impaired and living in
Florida.
On April 20th, I participated in a conference call consisting of
representatives from FCB, NFB, AADP, Paralyzed Veterans and the CTD
(Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged,) which was established in
1989 and who's task was to coordinate state wide transportation services for
the Disabled, elderly and underprivileged.
Lisa Bacot, the newly appointed director of the CTD advised us of the
following information; Due to a mandate passed by the legislature last
year, the state budget for Medicaid Transportation was cut from 78 million
to 67 million. Due to the cut, Medicaid issued a RFP (request for proposal)
to contract out the service. Three companies responded to the RFP. MV bid
55 Million, Ligustacare bid 58 million and the CTD bid 67 million. After
all the bids were in, Medicate canceled the RFP and began direct contract
negotiations with the Commission. Mrs. Bacot stated that the contract was
pretty much a "dun deal" and should be in effect by July first. Out of the
67 Million, 2 percent would be placed in a reserve fund to be used in
situations where a CTC (Community Transportation Coordinator) or provider
had used up their monthly allotment. There would be strings attached to the
reserve fund making it difficult to get and would require approval by the
CTD. By making those funds not so easy to get, it was the sentiment of the
group that CTCs and providers would use funds allicated for non-sponsored
trips. This is currently not an uncommon practice. Additionally,
$500,000.00 would be used to hire one additional employ and be used by the
CTD to administer the program.
As you can imagine, a red flag went up in my mind and I voiced several
concerns. First, the CTD doesn't have any experience in providing Medicaid
transportation service, or at least, not as much as the other two low
bidders. The Commission has not yet completed negotiations with all the
county coordinators so they don't even know how much actual services will
cost. Of course, my major concern is how will this affect the non-sponsored
service? I ask Mrs. Bacot if we could be assured that Non-sponsored funds
would not be used to make up the short falls caused by the reduction in the
Medicaid budget, if we would receive the same standard of service Medicaid
recipients get and if non-sponsored trips would cost the same as Medicaid?
She could not guarantee any of my concerns would not happen.
Basically, what this means is that when the Medicaid money is spent the
non-sponsored trip money would be used to "pick up the tab." Medicaid is an
entitlement program, which means service can not be denied. It is also my
opinion, that Medicaid wants the contract awarded to the CTD since it
already has money that could be used to make up the short falls due to the
reduction in medicate funding. Most Medicaid clients would also be eligible
for non-sponsored trips.
Mrs. Bacot was certainly made aware of our concerns and ask that we give
them a chance to complete their negotiations and try to except the new
program for a couple of months. Well, we all know when contracts are signed
and money is spent it is gone and the contracts are still binding.
So, the next question is where do we go from here? During the conference
call, I suggested that all the consumer groups have an additional conference
call to discuss possible legal action. We all agreed to schedule the call
for the following week. On Thursday April 29th, the conference call was
held. Doug Towns, a member of AADP advised us that he had talked to Lisa
Bacot and apparently she is willing to discuss placing a clause in the
contract that would address the concerns I have outlined. We also discussed
being prepared to file an injunction to stop the contract until we can iron
out the details of our concerns. I am also looking in to the possibility of
a conflict of interest issue, since the CTD is a state agency operating
under the Department of Transportation. I wasn't aware that state agencies
could except contracts arising from an RFP, not to mention the fact that the
CTD was mandated to deal with the transportation disadvantaged, not to
coordinate Medicaid transportation service.
I urge all of you to contact your State Representatives and Senators
regarding this matter and stress the importance of the non sponsored service
and how this new development will affect your lives if the service is
diminished.
I have also been made aware that the Secretary of State issued a RFP to
contract with a company that would coordinate and insure that all voting
precincts in the state of Florida are accessible to voters who are disabled.
Doug Towns, the owner of a company called The Disability Relations Group was
awarded the RFP and is currently involved in contract negotiations. Mr.
Towns advised me that once the contracts were signed he would be working
with FCB, NFB and other consumer groups to setup an advisory panel in each
county that would work with the Supervisor of Elections to achieve the goals
of the RFP. I don't know the specifics of the RFP, the contract or anything
about Doug's company, but wanted to let you all know what is going on. I
will certainly be monitoring this situation and will keep you all posted as
things develop.
For those of you who are not aware, FCB now has a list serve. You can sign
up on our web site at
www.fcb.org
I would like to thank Jay Bader for his
hard work and follow through. Many people have already signed up and this
is the best place to stay current and up to date on what is happening in
Florida that should be important to you. The list serve is where I will
post updates on the events mentioned in this article and anything else that
comes up that requires action from our members.
I hope to see many of you at our state convention. It is shaping up nicely
and looks like it will be well attended and full of activities. One of our
work shops will be on transportation which should be a lively discussion and
hopefully productive and beneficial to all.
As I said, this is my last message as your president. It has been a long
four years with many exciting challenges and accomplishments. I think we
have come a long way in the last four years and I look forward to working
with our new officers in the future towards helping to make FCB all that it
can be!
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
If you would like your subscription options changed to E-mail, please send an e-mail message to:
esbowden@nettally.com
This is a fast and convenient way to have the news you can use!
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
If you are moving please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also if you know of
anyone interested in joining FCB and would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum please contact me at
(904) 272-8405 or E-mail:
jacobsli@bellsouth.net
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
It is very important that all chapters establish their credentials for
voting purposes at the convention. This involves speaking with me, Linda
Jacobson the Membership Secretary, to agree on the number of votes your
chapter is entitled to on the floor of the convention. This
can be done either immediately before or after the pre-convention
Board meeting. I will be available so please make an effort to contact
me. If you are there to be heard, it would be too bad if you couldn't vote
because we had not made contact.
Another issue involving a chapter's credentials and their ability to vote at
the convention is that each chapter is in good standing. This means that the
chapter assessment has been paid as well as the membership dues. The
assessment is $50.00 or 20 percent of all chapter sponsored fund raisers
whichever is the greater. This is covered in the FCB by-Laws. So, please
don't delay in getting your chapter assessments into Patti Davis our FCB
Treasurer or myself, Linda Jacobson FCB Membership secretary.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the convention.
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
*** Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much - Helen Keller ***
The members of the Tampa Bay Chapters of the Florida Council of the Blind,
Inc., cordially invite you to attend the 51st annual FCB convention. This
convention will be held on June 3 - June 6, 2004 at the Double Tree Hotel,
Tampa Westshore located at 4500 West Cypress Street in Tampa. There will be
many exciting things for you to do at this convention. Make your plans to
join us! Enjoy a delightful cruise, numerous informative workshops and
exhibits, "The Song Weaver", herself, Amy Carol Webb, banquets and of course
you must participate in and vote in the election of officers. Please call
(800) 355-0524 no later than May 15th to make your hotel reservations.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
*** Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you - Ralph Waldo Emerson ***
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
For those of you who are volunteers with Project Insight, I want to thank you so much for being there to assist me when I call on you. The
phone calls you make can be the difference in someone learning how to cope
with being blind or just going into a shell and withering away.
There have been letters written to Ophthalmologists throughout the state. Soon they will be mailed and brochures will be included with them to
educate people about our wonderful service. There are still calls from people who get the number from doctors so the word is getting
out. Remember to keep passing out that number.
1-800-26SIGHT or, 1-800-267-4448.
If you are attending the state convention in Tampa, the Project Insight lunch is going to be an exciting time. I hope that many of you will plan to be at the session, so you can learn first hand just how Project Insight works and how you can help. If you have questions please write them
down and we will try to answer all of them during this time.
The manual has been updated and volunteers will be getting a new copy soon.
I have some ideas to share with you about other ways I believe we can get
our contact information out.
We are about to be on a big growth spurt with Project Insight and I want
everyone to stay encouraged and know that we can make a difference in
peoples lives!
One day a lady called about the convention and during the course of the
conversation, it came out that she was calling for her 11 year old daughter. She had gotten a letter about the Lions camp and wanted to get more information about it. How wonderful that we still have parents who
want to do the best for their children to help them overcome being blind.
These children are our future and will become members of the Florida Council
of the Blind one day.
Remember 1-800-26SIGHT or 1-800-267-4448.
projectInsight@fcb.org
salbenjamin@comcast.net
Editors Note: Project Insight is such a wonderful outreach program and we
have seen it help change so many lives and bring important information to so
many individuals when they need it most. We encourage everyone to get behind
this project and support it to the maximum. Pass out brochures, tell people
about it, call radio talk programs, tell your doctors, and you will feel
good to have helped others.
*** Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open ***
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
She brought her fiancé home to meet her parents for the first time.
Wanting to find out more about the young man who was engaged to his only
daughter; the light of his life, the father invited the fiancé to his study
for a chat after dinner.
"So, what are your plans?" the father asked the fiancé.
"I am a Biblical scholar," replied the young man. "A Biblical scholar.
Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to
live in, as she's accustomed to?" "I will study,...and God will provide for
us." "And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she
deserves?" "I will concentrate on my studies, God will provide for us."
"And children? How will you support children?" "Don't worry, sir, God will
provide."
The conversation continued and with each question the young man simply
responded "God will provide."
After the young couple left, the mother approached the father and asked him
what he had learned about their daughter's young man.
"He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I'm God."
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
To Educate And Inform People About Blindness
By: Cindy Burgett, President, Washington Council of the Blind
When we look at the opportunities for educating and informing our community
about blindness, let's consider the six P's: participating, presenting,
publicizing, promoting, providing and projecting.
1. PARTICIPATING: Chapter participation in community events: fairs, parades and service projects.
Many community fairs and events will allow you to set up an informational
table for your chapter or affiliate for free or at a minimal cost. My local
chapter has a table each year at Kid's Day, an event sponsored by our local
Fire Department and held at the county fairgrounds. The cost is $20 and our
main targets are children and their parents. We bring children's Braille
books, have a couple of guide dog handlers with dogs at the booth, bring a
Braille writer and some stickers to Braille kids names, and we have a stamp to put on their passport proving they came by our booth. Your display should depend on your audience. If you go out in the community promoting
blindness issues, you need to be equipped with a list of resources: library
services, rehab agency information, Guide Dog schools, local eye
specialists, local transportation services, Lions Clubs, and of course your
local chapter and state affiliate information.
Parades require a little coordinating, but what an awesome sight it is for
people to see a group of blind people walking independently in a parade.
One year that I can remember my chapter doing this, we had a Volkswagen
convertible leading us with a couple of members riding in it holding up a
banner. We followed with our canes and dogs, and some of us were even
pulling along a stroller.
How about your chapter taking part in a community event such as making phone
calls for a particular Initiative, wrapping presents for Toys For Tots,
stuffing envelopes for the local Humane Society, standing with your local
Lions handing out there little canes? The options are endless.
2. PRESENTING: Members making presentations to: schools, clubs, churches
and business organizations.
Individual members who are comfortable with public speaking will often find
themselves sharing their personal experiences with blindness. Explaining
Braille to young children or accessibility issues to business people are
great ways to educate. Give the name of a contact person in your chapter to
your local school districts and Chamber of Commerce, letting them know of
the willingness of your members to do this, and you will be surprised!
You might consider helping your members interested in doing these types of
presentations by connecting them with resources to get: Braille/print
alphabet cards, posters creating illusions of different eye conditions,
brochures about different eye conditions, your affiliate brochures or
business cards, etc. Our state affiliate has purchased Braille/print
alphabet cards with our contact information on them for our members to use
in these types of situations. The American Printing House for the Blind,
American Foundation for the Blind and National Library Service are just a
few of the places you might check with for some of these items.
3. PUBLICIZING: Publicize your organization through: a web site, brochures, business cards, phone line/voice mail, newspaper coverage of an
event and word of mouth. Most of these cost very little, but what a way to
reach out to the community at hand.
There is free web hosting out there. Our local chapter uses:
http://www.free.webs.com
By utilizing your own members to keep your web site
updated, you will save some money. However, if you decide to seek
assistance elsewhere, you may be able to find a volunteer or hire a
webmaster at a nominal fee.
Brochures can be done professionally or from a member's computer. As long
as you get the information out that you want to share and make sure your
material is in large print.
Business cards are another easy way to spread the name of your chapter or
affiliate. WCB provides business cards with Braille on them for our members
to take and share at their leisure. My local chapter has cards as well, but
they do not have Braille; however, they do advertise our local information.
A phone line may be too costly for some affiliates, but having someone
answer a phone in person, ready to answer questions is a real asset. I know
many affiliates already have a toll-free number for this.
The next best thing to a phone line is having voice mail. Our chapter has a
designated phone number that just provides an outgoing message and the
ability to take messages. We pay about $13 a month for this service that is
under one of our member's names. The bill actually comes to our chapter in
care of that member.
Free advertising is a great thing to take advantage of. When you know an
event is coming up where one of your member's or your chapter or affiliate
is playing a specific role, let the media know. Prepare your members to
give contact info for your chapter or affiliate when being interviewed.
Then there's word of mouth. When you meet someone on the bus, at the
doctor's office, at the grocery store, in the workplace, you are given a
unique opportunity. Use it to your advantage. Engage them in small talk if
appropriate. Offer a business card or to give them your phone number.
Better yet, offer to take their phone number so that you can call them back
with the answer to a question they may have or to give them details about an
upcoming meeting or event with your local chapter.
4. PROMOTING: Promote blindness through a chapter/affiliate project or
program.
Working with your city on Accessible Pedestrian Signals and seeing through
such a project from beginning to end will give your chapter numerous
opportunities for education.
Sharing in an awareness day for a company such as your local transit system
is another opportunity. One of the chapter's in our state affiliate did
this last year. Their members provided canes for employees who rode the
buses while under blindfold, to simulate being blind. These members were
also present to answer questions and make sure the participant's experience
was as realistic as possible.
Participating in a job fair by allowing attendees and vendors to see what
assistive technology is available for potential employees to use and to
answer questions they may have. You may even partner with another vender in
such a project.
Paying a visit to your Legislators. Let them know how a given initiative or
bill will benefit blind people, or how it would harm us.
Putting on a program such as a convention or outreach day. These are not
only opportunities to reach out to other blind and visually impaired people
in your community, but they are great opportunities for awareness of
blindness issues and education to the general population as well.
5. PROVIDING: Provide support. This can be as easy as making a phone call
or directing an individual to services they didn't know about, or a lot more
of a commitment by your chapter to sponsor a support group for a Senior
Center or living facility.
We all have special gifts or talents. So, whether yours is: being a good listener, knowing how to fill out the different forms one needs to deal with
to receive services, a natural gift of encouraging people, the time and
know-how to teach computers or cooking, great organizational skills to help
coordinate a program or service, the ability to facilitate a group, or
something else all together, working with your fellow members to determine
each of your individual strengths will assist you as a cohesive group to
move forward in supporting one another and reaching out to your community to
support others.
6. PROJECTING! Project a positive image about blindness! Each blind or
visually impaired individual is a walking advertisement for what it means to
be blind. Whether we like it or not, the image someone else paints of a
blind person by their actions, appearance and attitude will make an
impression on every person with whom he/she comes into contact. This also
means that you are often that very person giving an education to someone who
is creating an image of what it means to be blind.
Maybe it isn't fair that we, as blind people, should all be lumped into the
experience of one person. But we all learn from experiences in every aspect
of our lives. So why should this be any different?
How we talk to others, how we present our selves (our personal hygiene and
what we wear), how we handle body language (looking at others when we speak
to them, eye contact, and our awareness of personal space), how we solicit
assistance and how we respond to offers of help, and how we travel from
Point A to Point B, are just some of what others are using to establish
their image of what it means to be blind.
It is true that most of us do not hold a degree in Blindness Education. But
our own personal experiences as blind individuals place us in the position
of educating the public about blindness whether we want to or not.
Each of us are personal ambassadors of blindness. Let's join together in
recognition of our power as a collective body and individually, embracing
the opportunities we have, educating the many sighted people we encounter on
our daily journey.
*** When I was 20, I worried about what others might think of me; when I was
40, I didn't care what others thought of me; when I was 60, I realized that
others weren't thinking about me at all. Bobbie Probst ***
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us
to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around
when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled,
little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.
She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I
give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you
may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She
jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a
couple of children, and then retire and travel." "No seriously," I asked. I
was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at
her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting
one!" she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate
milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we
would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized
listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose
became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She
loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from
the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was
introduced and stepped up to the podium.
As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five
cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the
microphone and simply said "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for
Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order
so let me just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat
and began: "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because
we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy,
and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find humor every day. "You've got
to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people
walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"
"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are
nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one
productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years
old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn
eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or
ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change.
"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did,
but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are
those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged
each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the
years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years
ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two
thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful
woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can
possibly be.
Remember, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY, GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. Live well,
Laugh often, and Love much.
*** It's never too late to be who you might have been. - George Eliot ***
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
The purposes and objectives of this corporation are:
A. To maintain an association of persons concerned with and interested in the provision of materials in Braille, talking books, and other accessible formats;
B. To call public attention to the needs and achievements of agencies providing library and information services to people who are print impaired;
C. To encourage and receive gifts, endowments and bequests for these library and information services;
D. To develop more library and information services for people who are blind and disabled with the object of increasing their independence, usefulness and pleasure;
E. To encourage blind and print impaired residents of Florida to avail themselves of the valuable services provided by the [Talking Book] library;
F. To advocate for the development and coordination of audio reading and descriptive video services in Florida;
G. To encourage participation of volunteers in providing library and information services.
Anyone who joins or renews membership in the FRIENDS during the FCB
convention will be entered into a drawing for a descriptive video. Five
videos will be awarded at the convention.
Please see Nancy Burgess-Hall or Irene Hewett, President, for a membership
application, only $10. per year.
*** The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and
words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy Florence Shinn
***
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
The majority of the Talking Books produced by the National Library Service
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) are analog cassettes that are
played on NLS-distributed playback devices. This format has been a reliable
and cost-effective method for distributing recorded books and magazines;
however today's vast multi-media technology options have far surpassed
analog cassette technology. Consequently, NLS plans to introduce digital
playback devices for its audio books and magazines within the next 5 years.
In making its transition to a digital Talking Book format, NLS faces
decisions about hardware design, medium, and distribution systems.
Inevitably, NLS must consider practical matters such as cost, durability,
and availability of appropriate technology. The equipment and delivery
systems, however, also must be well-suited to the people who will use them.
To make good design decisions, NLS needs more information about its patrons'
abilities and preferences. To that end, NLS commissioned the NLS Patron
Survey to help staff anticipate (and proactively address) problems using the
new equipment that users might have, identify possible barriers to user
acceptance, and design the new equipment so it will address users' reading
needs.
Using disproportionate stratified random sampling, we identified subscribers
who belong to the following age groups:
ˇ Group 1. Ages 18 - 39 (born between 1964 and 1985)
ˇ Group 2. Ages 40 - 64 (born between 1939 and 1963)
ˇ Group 3. Ages 65 - 84 (born between 1919 and 1938)
ˇ Group 4. Ages 85 and over (born in 1918 or before)
ˇ Group 5. People whose year of birth is missing in the CMLS
The first four strata corresponded to young adulthood, middle-age,
early-to-mid old age, and late old age. The fifth stratum consists of the
subscribers for whom Comprehensive Mailing List System (CMLS) information on
year of birth is missing (2% - 3%). These subscribers were used in the
sampling frame to avoid bias.
The analysis is based on telephone interviews with 447 subscribers. Below we
summarize the major findings about (1) subscribers' background
characteristics and technology use and (2) their experiences with the
Talking Book service and playback machine.
Background characteristics and technology use.
In two respects-educational attainment and type of community-NLS patrons are
diverse. Their highest grade or degree runs the gamut from 11 or fewer years.
of formal education to graduate school. Patrons are only slightly less
likely to be living in a rural community or small town than in a suburb or
city.
This diversity notwithstanding, the demographic profile of the NLS
subscriber population is clear. Subscribers are primarily white, middle-aged
and elderly people with late-onset serious vision loss and modest means.
Nearly all subscribers use at least one high-tech device, such as a remote
control, that is commonplace in the broader American population. The use of
high-tech adaptive devices, computers, and the internet is less widespread
but still significant.
Use of high-tech devices is more common among younger than older
subscribers. This fact, in turn, suggests that the use of all types of
high-tech devices-and, by extension, interest in NLS' forthcoming digital
playback machine-is likely to increase over time.
Current barriers to the use of computers and other high-tech devices include
low income, inaccessibility to people with disabilities, and (perhaps most
important), generational issues that suggest a lack of exposure, or only a
brief and unsatisfactory exposure, to computers and what computers can do.
Experiences with the Talking Book service and playback machine:
Across age groups, NLS is the primary source of playback equipment, and the
NLS machine is the one subscribers use most often. Similarly, their Talking
Book library is the primary source of reading material.
In two respects, older subscribers make up NLS' principal constituency.
First, the majority of subscribers are 65 or older. Second, they-especially
subscribers who are 85 or older-are the heaviest readers. Handling the
tapes and manipulating the machine's controls are less likely to pose a
problem than understanding certain aspects of machine operation. Although
the vast majority of subscribers operate the machine to play tapes
themselves, half received help in learning how to use the machine.
Implications for designing the new playback device and preparing subscribers
for it
Subscribers need and use the accessibility features their current NLS
machine offers. These features include large print and Braille labeling on
cassettes, raised symbols on some keys, and easy-to-manipulate controls.
Based on subscribers' top-of-mind concerns and the importance they attach to
eleven possible improvements, the following are their top priorities for the
new playback device:
ˇ Having a smaller or lighter playback machine
ˇ The ability to find one's place after having fallen asleep
ˇ Better sound quality than now at normal speed.
There are likely to be pockets of resistance to the new digital playback
equipment. Half of subscribers either have no top-of-mind concerns about the
current machine or say they would change nothing about it. Another harbinger
of resistance is generational differences in subscribers' exposure to and
use of personal computers. For retirement-age subscribers, most of whom
neither own nor use a computer; the digital device might be very
intimidating.
Good communication about what the new equipment is and how to use it will be
critical to fostering acceptance, especially among subscribers who were born
before or during World War II. A multi-pronged preparation effort that
appeals to different constituencies is likely to be needed:
ˇ Technologically savvy subscribers who are already interested in
features like word spelling and navigational aids
ˇ Subscribers who like their machine just the way it is, and
ˇ Subscribers who are likely to actively resist the new equipment,
including those who are inclined to be suspicious or fearful of technology.
Finally - Smile Awhile - Anyway - And Pass It On
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
Project Insight: 1-800-267-4448
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library 1-800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services (Tallahassee) 1-800-342-1828
American Council of The Blind 1-800-424-8666(available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday )
ACB Legislative Hotline: 1-800-424-8666 (Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)
AT&T Disability Services: 1-800-872-3883
Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier
BellSouth Disability Services: 780-2273 from anywhere
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
24-hour voice and touch tone accessible
Outta Sight Travel: 1-866-338-7647 Phone - 772-336-TRIP (8747) E-mail:
gmtravel@bellsouth.net
Cheap Computers for The Blind: (But Good) - $100.00
Includes Shipping. Mr. Langford: Phone (214) 340-6328
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page
Bobbie Probst: Clay, Alachua, Halifax, PSLCB (904) 641-0709
Robert Miller: Tallahassee, Pinellas County (850) 906-9821
Lee Stallworth: Pensacola, Port Charlotte, FABS (850) 433-5663
Patti Davis: Mid Florida, Tampa, RSVF - (407) 767-8616
Carl McCoy: Brevard, Palm Beach County, Polk - (850) 553-9490
Nancy Folsom: Ocala, Greater Tampa, FCCLV (850) 893-8650
Sharon Youngs: Plant City, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood - (727) 937-8631
Jesus Garcia: Miami Metro, Broward - (305) 654-8329
Jim Warth: Greater Miami, Jacksonville - (813) 251-8469
-THE END-
Table of Contents
Back to WCB main page
FCB Home Page