Debbie Stein edited this issue of the newsletter, with the help of Patti Chang. Thanks to both of them for all of their hard work. Thanks to all who contributed articles.

Catalina Martinez and Debbie Stein are trying to make our mailing and membership lists as accurate as possible. It is essential that we have email addresses for everyone who has electronic access, as email is the most efficient means for spreading information on legislative and other key issues. If you have email but are not subscribed to the Il-Talk listserv, it is likely that we don't have an address for you. Please send your electronic address to Debbie Stein at dkent5817@worldnet.att.net or Catalina Martinez at cattris60@sbcglobal.net. Any address or phone number changes should also be sent to Debbie or Catalina.

We are thinking about providing our The Braille Examiner in CD format. If you are interested in this format, please contact either Debbie or Catalina to let them know.

As president of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois for the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work with all of you to re‑organize and, I hope, re‑energize our state affiliate. Together we have built a new committee structure, which enables members to contribute actively in a wide variety of ways. Through love, genuine out‑reach and hard work, we have forged a stronger Federation family in Illinois; building upon the traditions we began more than three decades ago in 1968. We must continue to work toward the growth of our movement. New members are our future and we need them as much as they need us.

You have worked well with me, as NFBI State President and I shall never forget your warmth and willingness to do whatever was necessary when I asked. To each and all of you I extend my heartfelt thanks. Now it is our privilege to do whatever we can to support our new President, Lois Montgomery.

The office of NFBI president brings with it many responsibilities and pleasures. Right now it is my pleasure to thank everyone who supported me during the election at our state convention in Springfield. I would like to extend my special thanks to Cathy Randall and the NFBI board for helping to make the transition a smooth one.

As president I plan to retain the committee structure that Cathy put into place. Thus far I have appointed a chairperson for each committee. I have been working with each chairperson to select committee members who will be enthusiastic and hardworking, and I am very heartened by our progress so far.

We have recently signed a contract with the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Rock Island, the site of our 2005 state convention. Mark your calendar for November 4, 5, & 6 in the coming year. Plans are now underway for negotiating the 2006 convention site.

We held an organizational board meeting on Saturday, December 4, at the Exchequer Pub, 226 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago. The meeting began at 11:30 a.m. and was open to all.

I very much look forward to working with each of you over the next two years. It is essential that we combine our efforts to build the affiliate and strengthen the movement throughout Illinois. I welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions. You can reach me by email, phone, or letter.

During Meet the Blind Month I visited six classrooms in the Kankakee area. The goal was to educate the next generation of children about the abilities of blind people and the techniques they use in daily living. In preparation for these visits, I had each teacher send me the names of the children in the class. I Brailled the children's names onto note cards to hand out during my presentation. During the visits, I explained the use of the guide dog and long white cane. I spoke about Braille, described adaptive devices that blind people use at home and at work, and finished up with a Q and A session. The students were ready with plenty of questions. For the most part the children asked the sort of questions I expected. But one really caught me off guard. One of the children asked, "What do you do with your guide dog while you're driving?"

After I spoke at a school, which is across the street from my house, the teacher asked if I would be willing to come in and help out with her class. It looks like I will be going over a couple of days each week. All in all, everything went very well, and if we are willing to go out and pound a little pavement, the word will get out to the public.

BRAILLE READING SPEED: A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT

During our 2004 state convention, thirty-one Federationists volunteered to be subjects in an experiment conducted by fourth-grader Julia Chang. Here is a portion of Julia's final paper.

To determine how well blind people read relative to the age they started reading

A timer, and a page of Braille a desk or table. A chair. A pen and paper to record results.

1) Attend the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind and ask people to participate in my experiment.

Subj. No:

Time Min/sec

Age Learned

.53

.55

1.04

1.07

1.08

1.15

1.20

1.28

1.30

1.35

1.37

2.11

2.13

2.19

2.32

2.33

2.36

2.46

2.52

3.21

3.37

3.48

3.50

3.53

4.05

4.37

5.24

Summary

I performed my experiment by gathering Braille readers and testing how fast they read a page of Braille. I asked them how old they were when they first learned Braille.

My results showed that the earlier subjects learned Braille, the faster they read. There were some exceptions. The exceptions might be because of diabetes or reading with one hand instead of two hands. That might affect the outcome. I did not test for variables such as how old a subject is now, comprehension, or number of actual characters read.

It would be interesting to do the same experiment but with print readers. The test would be to see whether sighted people who learned print later, read more slowly or not.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BRAILLE

By Lindsay Upschulte

My name is Lindsay Upschulte. I am eleven years old and in sixth grade. We live in a small town, so there is not much for me to do but read. This has never been a disappointment for me. I LOVE READING.

I have been in the Braille contest [Braille Readers Are Leaders] for the past five years. Last year I read every free moment I had, and got first place. I read almost twenty-two thousand pages. I hope to be in the contest again this year. The contest has helped me to push myself with reading.

When I was younger, I liked it when someone else read to me. Now I like reading on my own. When I was younger, I liked The Hardy Boys. I still like those books, but not as much as I used to. When I start reading, it is hard for me to stop to get my homework done. Mom has learned to have me get my homework and chores done first. I like to read so much that Mom usually has to tell me to go to bed at night.

I wish I could get a scholarship with reading. Even though I can't get a scholarship with it, reading still can help me do many things in life. To me, the most important thing to learn how to do is read. This is because if you know how to read, you can teach yourself almost anything else. I like reading, especially Braille, because I can read in the dark. Sometimes I don't like it that my books take up so much room. This is a small price to pay for the enjoyment of reading. The very worst thing about Braille is that not everything comes in Braille. At least people are inventing machines that can transfer print to Braille. My favorite time of year is the Braille contest. I look forward to this time of the year. I don't know what I will do when I am too old to be in the contest anymore. I would like to thank the people who taught me Braille. I will always treasure the enjoyment of reading.

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CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

By Deborah Kent Stein

The NFBI passed eight resolutions at our 2004 state convention in Springfield. Below is a summary of the resolutions we passed this year. You can find the full texts on our website, www.nfbillinois.org, or by contacting Resolutions Committee Chairman Patti Chang at 773-763-5302.

Resolution 2004-1 concerns the establishment of standards for teachers of blind children to assure their competence in Braille instruction. The resolution demands that the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board develop meaningful standards for those who teach visually‑impaired children, as required in the 1992 Illinois Braille Bill.

Resolution 2004-2 regards efforts by the state of Illinois to obtain funds through sponsorship agreements for products sold at state facilities. It commends House Speaker Michael Madigan for sponsoring HB7295, a bill that would exempt facilities operated under the Blind Vendors Operating Vending Facilities Act from such sponsorship agreements.

Resolution 2004-3 concerns the training of rehabilitation personnel. The NFB of Illinois will call upon the Division of Rehabilitation and Bureau of Blind Services to ensure that proper training of staff working with the blind is conducted.

Resolution 2004-4 has to do with the accountability of the Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). The NFBI will work with legislators and with state and federal agencies to ensure that adequate money is provided for services to blind people in Illinois.

Resolution 2004-5 concerns the confidentiality of reader services. It urges passage of a law to protect the confidentiality of materials reviewed by readers or reading service agencies employed by blind persons.

Resolution 2004-6 supports continuing and expanding public transportation service. It points out that proposed cuts to public transit in Chicago will harm the population as a whole and will disproportionately harm blind people. The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois resolved to call upon all Chicago, regional and state government officials to preserve, protect and defend the right of the blind and all Chicagoans to fair access to public transportation.

Resolution 2004-7 expresses appreciation to Governor Rod R. Blagojevich for signing the Accessible Electronic Information Act to fund the Newsline program.

Resolution 2004-8 Expressing Appreciation to Legislators for Sponsoring The Accessible Electronic Information Act thanked Senators John Cullerton and Mattie Hunter, as well as Representatives, John Fritchey, Sarah Feigenholtz, Constance Howard, Patrick Verschoore, Roger Eddy, Susana Mendoza, Ricca Slone, and Jim Watson,

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THE 2004 NFBI SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

By Debbie Kent Stein

This year three students received NFB of Illinois scholarships, presented by Scholarship Chairman Debbie Stein at the convention banquet on Saturday night. David Harlow, a graduate student in theology at North Park University in Chicago, received a Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship of $1250. Another Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship, also for $1250, went to Ronza Othman, who is earning degrees in law and public health policy at DePaul University. Mary Brown was awarded the $1500 Peter Grunwald Memorial Scholarship. Mary is a freshman at Spoon River College and hopes to teach high school history.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students, and thank you to the members of the NFB of Illinois for supporting our scholarship program.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

By David Harlow

I was simply amazed by the hospitality that I discovered at my first National Federation of the Blind state convention in Springfield. The people I met were genuine and took a real interest in each other. This was most noticeable after the sessions had ended for the day, when we gathered to relax and reflect. Some of the conversations continued on all the way home on the train, which I am thankful for!

My first session at the state convention was a satirical contrast of the wrong and the right way to conduct a job interview. Another memorable event was the "Braille Is Beautiful" presentation; I have never heard Braille read so proficiently, with such cadences and joy.

This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Fred Schroeder, emphasized that as blind people we need to be both competent and confident in our abilities. Dr. Schroeder noted that comprehensive training in blindness‑related skills is essential for us to function in a sighted world. He gave me much to consider.

Let me reiterate, the people I met were the highlight of state convention for me. Though I was new to all this I felt that I belonged.

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CHAPTER REPORTS

NEWS FROM THE BLACKHAWK CHAPTER

By Lois Montgomery

The NFBI Blackhawk Chapter holds its monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the South Moline Township Center located at 637-17th Avenue, East Moline.

In May the Blackhawk Chapter applied for a grant and was approved for $1,000 to be used for purchase of white canes and orientation and mobility training. We have received this funding and recently purchased twenty canes of various sizes, five of which have already been put to use. The chapter is promoting independent travel for the blind throughout the community. Plans are underway for a travel‑training seminar next spring in the Quad Cities.

Once again Birdies for Charity proved to be a successful fundraiser. A portion of this money was put to use by assisting chapter members to attend state convention.

Efforts are being made to educate the public on blindness. We continue to make regular visits to retirement facilities, addressing issues related to vision loss among seniors. We also make presentations at local schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations through the aid of the Braille are Beautiful program. In September we gave presentations to the Mississippi Valley Providers (day care providers) at the Butterworth Center in Moline and to a senior group at the First United Methodist Church in Galesburg. Junior high students showed great interest and asked many questions during a presentation at Edison Junior High School in Rock Island.

Recognizing the importance of Braille literacy, the Blackhawk Chapter continues to offer classes to those interested in learning to read and write Braille. Promotion of Newsline has proven effective as several new subscribers now enjoy this service.

A group of chapter members gathered at Circa '21 (a local dinner/theater) on Saturday evening, September 4, for a a delicious meal and the audio described performance of Who's Under Where.

The Chapter will once again participate in the Younkers Community Day Event to be held Friday evening and Saturday, November 19‑20 at South Park Mall. Not only is this a worthy fundraiser, but it also provides chapter members with an opportunity to educate the public on blindness‑related issues and to share the NFB philosophy.

Saturday evening, December 11, was the date for the annual Chapter Christmas Party. All who attend always enjoys this event. This year proved to be another fun‑filled evening including dinner, a silent auction, the raffle of an afghan made by chapter member Kathy Kelley, Braille reading of the Christmas Story, door prizes, and much more.

At our recent election the following officers were elected: President: Robert Gardner, Vice President: Lois Montgomery, Secretary: Don Carey, Treasurer: Kathy Kelley, Board Members: Alfonso Ayew‑ew, Cheri Jirele, and Eldon Kaiser.

We, the NFBI Blackhawk Chapter, are the blind speaking for the blind and are changing what it means to be blind in the Quad Cities.

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NEWS FROM THE HEARTLAND CHAPTER

By Bryan Turner

The Kankakee Heartland Chapter held a fundraiser in cooperation with Wal-Mart and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on September 25 and 26. The fundraiser was a fairly successful one, distributing lots of NFB brochures and Braille alphabet cards to the public. The event brought more than $600 to the chapter. At the end of each day leftover doughnuts were taken to the Salvation Army, where plenty of happy individuals were willing to accept them.

This fundraiser was a learning experience for our chapter. Wal-Mart in the state of Illinois does not do any fundraising activities after the end of September. The last weekend in September was as close as we could get to October's Meet the Blind Month. Unfortunately, however, Wal-Mart has no more matching funds or bonus grant funds left by the end of its fundraising season. Because Wal-Mart only allows two days per year for an organization, we used both days at the same time. It would probably be better for us to choose two separate days during the summer months, depending on the flow of consumers at that location.

I would like to give special thanks to the following for their help with this event: Kelly Doty, Bill and Ruth Isaacs, Marjory Stouffer, Marcia Beck, Frank and Ann Einfeldt, Kandi Power, Carol Denault, Joan Simon Rogers, Seth Turner, and Lance Weiske. Lance drove from Kankakee to Midlothian twice for the doughnuts. Again, thank you to everyone involved.

The Kankakee Heartland Chapter did not hold a meeting in December. Instead we had our Christmas dinner that day at 11 a.m. All were welcome. The cost was $7.32 per person. The dinner was held at Old Country Buffet, 1690 State Route 50 N., Bradley.

Since the first Saturday in January falls on New Year's Day, we will be holding our January meeting on the second Saturday, January 8th. We will meet from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M, as usual.

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CHICAGO, THE CHAPTER THAT WORKS

By Brian Johnson

As most Illinois Federationis know, we have been very busy since September 22, 2004. Our transit system has been taking us for a ride.

The ride under scrutiny comes in the form of two recent budgets sent to the public by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). One of these proposed budgets leaves the transit system intact, and even promises some improvements if CTA gets more money. The other proposed budget, to go into effect if the state fails to provide additional funding, cuts one-fifth of our bus service and eliminates late-night service on the subway.

The cuts they are proposing are labyrinthine in nature and filled over seventy Braille pages. After reading and discussing the proposed cuts at our October meeting the Chicago Chapter went into action. Federationists attended every CTA hearing and most of the hearings sponsored by the State of Illinois. I had the privilege of addressing the CTA on the very day the proposed budgets were released. Kate Mayer attended every one of the CTA hearings. Our new NFBI president, Lois Montgomery, drove back and forth all the way from Moline to be present at the CTA hearing downtown at the Palmer House Hotel. She made this trip during the busy transition period of her first month in office. As Lois says, this isn't just a Chicago issue. It affects all of us here in Illinois.

At this writing we still don't know the outcome of the CTA crisis, but the blind were certainly seen and heard. We passed a resolution at the chapter and state levels, and it is posted on the transit website, www.keepchicagolandmoving.com. As far as I know, ours is the only resolution from the disabled community on that site.

Several of us traveled to Springfield along with a busload of bus drivers from the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union to talk to legislators about the proposed cuts. As of this writing, the general assembly has not made additional funding available. The CTA board doesn't meet until the middle of the month. We’ll keep you posted. Blind people depend on public transportation. It is one of the most important keys to equality.

The Chicago Chapter has been involved in a number of other activities in addition to fighting to save CTA. Just before Thanksgiving we went to Carson's in the near western suburbs for a fundraiser called Carson's Days. We sold coupon books for $5 and will get a pretty good financial return. My thanks to Joe Monti, the newest member of our state board, for coordinating this effort. Next year will be even better.

As the title of this article says, we are the Chapter that works, but then, we are a part of the city that works. We are also a part of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, the NFB family, so we should probably say; we are the affiliate that works.

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The Braille Examiner

A Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

Winter 2004

TABLE OF CONTENT

President: Lois Montgomery, (309)762-NFBI (6324), LMM3527@aol.com, Chicago telephone: (773) 583-4838

Editor: Connie Davis, condav850@sbcglobal.net

Co-Editor: Deborah Kent Stein, (773) 631-1093, dkent5817@worldnet.att.net

Print Subscriptions: Carmen Dennis, (773) 583-4838, carmen88@comcast.net.

E-mail subscriptions: Connie Davis, condav850@sbcglobal.net

BRAILLE READING SPEED: A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT

Summary

THE IMPORTANCE OF BRAILLE

CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

THE 2004 NFBI SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

CHAPTER REPORTS

NEWS FROM THE BLACKHAWK CHAPTER

NEWS FROM THE HEARTLAND CHAPTER

CHICAGO, THE CHAPTER THAT WORKS