--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2F00002Date: 02/07/97 From: MIKE FREEMAN Time: 01:17pm \/To: BRIAN LINGARD (Read 0 times) Subj: organ theives In a message to Andy Baracco dated 03 Feb 97 21:42, Brian Lingard writes: BL> I have heard of actual hospitals BL> stealing organs from living BL> patients in third world countries but wow what a scam! One wonders whether this is another urban myth a la alligators in the sewers of New York City or whether organs are actually being "uninstalled", so-to-speak. If this *is* an urban myth, it's bound to cause mischief in some quarters as I know of instances wherein Korea was reluctant to let kids go for adoption in the U.S. because of persistent rumors that the kids were being adopted in order to get their organs. Mike ___ PCRR QWK 1.60 --- Maximus/2 2.02 * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2G00000Date: 02/11/97 From: PETE DONAHUE Time: 02:25pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: NFBT State Convention Announcement From: Pete Donahue Subject: NFBT State Convention Announcement Fellow Federationists and Friends, The 1997 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas will be held the weekend of March 7, 8, and 9 in San Antonio Texas. The convention will be held at the Best Western oak Hills Motor Inn. The address and phone number for making reservations are as follows: Best Western Oak Hills Motor Inn 7401 Wurzbach Road San Antonio, Texas (210) 614-9900 Thne room rates are as follows: Singles and doubles: $50 per night Tripples: $60 per night If you plan to attend you are strongly advised to make your reservation asap as rooms are scarce. Registration will take place on Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. A hospitality room will also be open later on that evening whare you can grab some delicious ordurves, and meet Nfbt leaders and other members as well as our National Representative. I don't know who is coming from National, but there is only one way to find out who it is; come to our state comvention. Various committee and division meetings will take place on Friday evening. These include the Blind industrial Workers of Texas, and the Taxas Association of Blind Students, (Tabs.) This latter group uusually holds a seminar on Friday afternoon so check your programme for specific time for this and other committee and division meetings. Other committees include the Texas Braille action committee. This committee is working towards forming a Texas Napub; our affiliate of the National Association to Promote the use of Braille, (Napub.) We also have a merchants committee, and efforts are nnow underway to form a computer science committee which we hope will eventually become the National Federation of the Blind of Texas in Computer Science. In fact, several blind computer users groups have sprung up in several Texas Cities and the idea of forming a state-wide organization will surely be discussed during this year's state convention. Several other committees include the Diabetics and Guide Dog committee. And Friay is just the beginning. SAturday morning and afternoon will be taken up with general sessions. The programme will include presentations from officials from various state agencies for the blind here in Texas, presentations from NFBT Members concerning various matters of concern to the blind, reports from Tommy Craig, our state president, and of our national representative. The Banquet will take place on saturday evening and will be preceeded by a happy hour, and a dance will follow this event. This event will include good food, singing, presentations, including the presenting of our annual schollarship awards to outstanding blind students in Texas, and of course, an address by our national representative. Our general business meeting will take place on Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon at which time the convention will adjourn. The Best western Oak Hills is located at the intersection of Wurzbach and Babcock Roads in San Antonio, and it is a 15-minute ride from San Antonio International Air Port. Oh yes, don't worryy, we will have door prizes and perhaps a surprise or two. The members of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas will do all all they can to make your time with us enjoyable and educational. So come one and all, and join us in San Antonio for this exiting event. If yoyu would like more information you can contacct Tommy Craig, NFBT President aat the addresses given below: Tommy Craig President, National Federation of the blind of Texas 6909 Rufus Drive Austin, Texas 78752 (512) 451-1717 E-mail: tecraig@bga.com San Antonio area residents cant contact James Sofka, President of the Greater San Antonio Chapter of the National Federation of Texas at the addresses given below: James Sofka President, Greater San Antonio Chapter National Federation of the Blind of Texas 130 Camino De Oro Road Apt. 408 San Antonio, Texas 78224 (210) 921-2530 E-mail: jsofka@texas.net See you at the State convention. Yours truly, Peter donahue SEcretary, Greater San Antonio Chapter national federation of the Blind of Texas --- * Origin: NFBnet <--> Internet Email Gateway (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2G00001Date: 02/11/97 From: BRIAN LINGARD Time: 06:33am \/To: MIKE FREEMAN (Read 0 times) Subj: Urban Myths 11 February 1997 Ottawa Canada I suspect the story of organ thieves is just a myth along with the story about the lady who liked to dry her toy poodle off by putting it in the oven on low and used her new microwave oven one day. --- Blue Wave v2.12 [NR] * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00000Date: 02/12/97 From: DAVID ANDREWS Time: 07:39pm \/To: LYNN SCHNEIDER (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: January monitor very depressing! -=> Quoting Lynn Schneider to All. <=- LS> I just finished reading the January Monitor all the way through, and LS> came away feeling extremely depressed about the future of technology LS> for blind people. I wanted to throw out a few questions and get LS> opinions. I didn't feel that way at all, and I was at the entire conference. Yes, here are problems, big ones, but there is also a lot of power in technology, and n collective action. We can do this one. We will have to work, but it is dooable. LS> First of all, if we are such a terribly small market, why LS> do we have so many thriving companies producing technology for the LS> blind? Are these people all just doing charity work? Is anyone LS> making a living off the technology or is everyone near bankruptcy? LS> Why would very bright people want to even get involved in technology LS> for the blind if there was no money in it? I am sure there are different reasons for each person and company. there are a number of companies making money, pretty good money in some instances. I now Blazie has made a lot, TSI has generally made money, I think most of the screen review people have had their successful years, etc. It isn't easy, but gain, it can be done. It is also a challenge for bright people, and a great source of satisfaction to many. I don't think many are doing charity, but I bet many have a blind relative or friend that influenced them, which led into the market. then, some people just ended up there. LS> Secondly, talking about LS> access to software, hardware and consumer products, what other LS> motivation do companies have than the threat of government action to LS> make products accessible. In other words, aside from the threat of LS> losing federal contracts, why would companies care whether we had LS> access to their software or not? I'm not saying this to be facetious LS> or anything, but I'm thinking in terms of the realities of the LS> marketplace where the bottom dollar rules and companies market to the LS> largest consumer base. The thing point I wanted to throw out is that LS> with the baby-boomers getting older, the population of elderly people LS> in this country will grow significantly, a certain percentage of which LS> will lose their sight. Do you folks see this as leading to more LS> attention to blindness, and disability issues in general? Many older LS> Americans will have to stay in the work force by necessity, disability LS> or not. Yes, I think there will be more of a demand for disability products as baby boomers age. It may take legal action to get movement in some areas. However, there are some proffitable niches out there. Ujniversal design can pay dividends and as we age, even more so. Products get increasingly omplicated, and hard to use, so some simplification may benefit everyone. As technology gets more powerful, we will be able to finnesse and/or solve things that are problems today, such as reading LCD screens. LS> Last but not least, when talking about paying for tech LS> support, how much would companies charge? Just wondering. Sorry LS> about the long post, and I hope someone out there can help me feel LS> better about things after reading the January issue. LS> Lynn K. Schneider There is no absolute answer to that question. It depends on the product, the company, and the level of support needed. it will cost anywhere from $25 to $100 per hour for individual training, so true training would cost more then most products. David Andrews ... Taglines, taglines, taglines. So many taglines, and so little time! --- Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00001Date: 02/12/97 From: DAVID ANDREWS Time: 08:34pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: personal talk * Originally By: edmund.meskys@gsel.org * Originally To: All * Originally Re: personal talk * Original Date: 12 Feb 97 07:49:05 * Original Area: NFB Research & Development Committee Discussion * Forwarded by : Blue Wave/386 v2.30 From: edmund.meskys@gsel.org Subject: personal talk Hi--I do an approximately monthly newsletter for an amateur press society (APA-Q) which a friend has put on the net for me. I sometimes talk about technology or blindness issues, but might also discuss rapid transit, religion, or most of all science fiction and fantasy which are my major hobby interest. Should anyone want to look at it, it is at: http:/www.conknet.com/~b_thurston/entropy. Best, Ed Meskys, NFB of NH -!- ! Origin: NFBnet <--> Internet Email Gateway (1:282/1045) ... Go straight to the docs. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200! --- Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00002Date: 02/12/97 From: JIM100 Time: 11:04pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Re: January monitor very depressing! From: JIM100 Subject: Re: January monitor very depressing! Hello. I just had to comment about this topic and technology. I, too, read the Monitor cover to cover. Some of my good friends made speeches on it. Yes, there were some things that I still wondered about and whether or not they'd actually happen in the future. I do, however, feel pretty optomistic because people like the ones who went to the conference are the ones working to make technology accessible for blind people. I admit that we have a long way to go to have full access to technology, but I think that we've taken huge steps in that direction and if people like the ones who spoke at the conference continue to work hard and care about technology's future, I think we'll be OK. On 13 Feb 1997, David Andrews wrote: > > > -=> Quoting Lynn Schneider to All. <=- > > LS> I just finished reading the January Monitor all the way through, and > LS> came away feeling extremely depressed about the future of technology > LS> for blind people. I wanted to throw out a few questions and get > LS> opinions. > > I didn't feel that way at all, and I was at the entire conference. Yes, there > are problems, big ones, but there is also a lot of power in technology, and in > collective action. We can do this one. We will have to work, but it is > dooable. > > LS> First of all, if we are such a terribly small market, why > LS> do we have so many thriving companies producing technology for the > LS> blind? Are these people all just doing charity work? Is anyone > LS> making a living off the technology or is everyone near bankruptcy? > LS> Why would very bright people want to even get involved in technology > LS> for the blind if there was no money in it? > > I am sure there are different reasons for each person and company. there are a > number of companies making money, pretty good money in some instances. I know > Blazie has made a lot, TSI has generally made money, I think most of the screen > review people have had their successful years, etc. It isn't easy, but again, > it can be done. It is also a challenge for bright people, and a great source of > satisfaction to many. I don't think many are doing charity, but I bet many have > a blind relative or friend that influenced them, which led into the market. > then, some people just ended up there. > > LS> Secondly, talking about > LS> access to software, hardware and consumer products, what other > LS> motivation do companies have than the threat of government action to > LS> make products accessible. In other words, aside from the threat of > LS> losing federal contracts, why would companies care whether we had > LS> access to their software or not? I'm not saying this to be facetious > LS> or anything, but I'm thinking in terms of the realities of the > LS> marketplace where the bottom dollar rules and companies market to the > LS> largest consumer base. The thing point I wanted to throw out is that > LS> with the baby-boomers getting older, the population of elderly people > LS> in this country will grow significantly, a certain percentage of which > LS> will lose their sight. Do you folks see this as leading to more > LS> attention to blindness, and disability issues in general? Many older > LS> Americans will have to stay in the work force by necessity, disability > LS> or not. > > Yes, I think there will be more of a demand for disability products as baby > boomers age. It may take legal action to get movement in some areas. However, > there are some proffitable niches out there. Ujniversal design can pay > dividends and as we age, even more so. Products get increasingly complicated, > and hard to use, so some simplification may benefit everyone. As echnology > gets more powerful, we will be able to finnesse and/or solve things that re > problems today, such as reading LCD screens. > > LS> Last but not least, when talking about paying for tech > LS> support, how much would companies charge? Just wondering. Sorry > LS> about the long post, and I hope someone out there can help me feel > LS> better about things after reading the January issue. > LS> Lynn K. Schneider > > There is no absolute answer to that question. It depends on the product, the > company, and the level of support needed. it will cost anywhere from $25 o > $100 per hour for individual training, so true training would cost more hen > most products. > > David Andrews > > ... Taglines, taglines, taglines. So many taglines, and so little time! > --- * Origin: NFBnet <--> Internet Email Gateway (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00003Date: 02/14/97 From: DAVID ANDREWS Time: 11:45pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Social Security Action Needed LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN CALL FOR ACTION! The 105th Congress is off and running on several fronts. This notice deals with legislation to restore the linkage of earnings limits which apply to blind persons and age-65 retirees under the Social Security Act. At this point, a great deal of momentum appears to be building for members to get on board in support of the restoration bill. You can help by contacting all members of the House and Senate. A bill to restore the earnings exemption linkage was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly. The bill is H.R. 612. There are 57 cosponsors at present. That number should more than double quite soon if all of us work at making it happen. All members of the House should be contacted and urged to cosponsor H.R. 612, the Earnings Exemption for the Blind, Linkage Restoration bill. A list of the current House cosponsors as of February 12 follows this notice. The members who are most likely to become cosponsors quite soon are those who placed their names on Mrs. Kennelly's concurrent resolution--H.Con.Res. 23--in the 104th Congress. That resolution declared that the linkage of earnings limits for the blind and seniors should be maintained. Something over 170 members of the House were cosponsors ofH.Con.Res. 23. Several of them are among the cosponsors of H.R. 612 in the present session. Some are no longer in the House. There are 105 members still serving, however, who were announced cosponsors last year. A list of these members follows the list of current cosponsors. In the Senate, the principal sponsor of the linkage restoration bill will be Senator John McCain of Arizona. He is expected to introduce his bill as a companion to Mrs. Kennelly's bill on February 24. There are 5 Senators who have already decided to become original cosponsors. A list of those Senators appears after the two House lists already mentioned. The Congress will be in a recess period from February 14 through February 24. Most members will be in their districts during that time. They will hold town meetings and have other appointment times available. Their offices in Washington and back home will also still be open. This is a perfect time, therefore, to make contacts on the earnings limit matter. All Senators who have not already signed on with Senator McCain should be urged to do so before February 24 if possible or soon thereafter if not. All members of the House should be urged to sign on to Mrs. Kennelly's bill in the House if they are not among the 57 who have already done so. Those who have, whether in the House or Senate, should be thanked. The time to do our work is now! H.R. 612 COSPONSOR LIST 105th CONGRESS (With telephone and fax numbers where available. Use prefix of 202-22 for all telephone numbers.) ALASKA Rep. Don Young; 5-5765 Fax: 202-225-0425 CALIFORNIA Rep. Sam Farr; 5-2861 Rep. Vic Fazio; 5-5716 Fax: 202-225-5141 Rep. Tom Lantos; 5-3531 Rep. Zoe Lofgren; 5-3072 Fax: 202-225-3336 Rep. Robert T. Matsui; 5-7163 Fax: 202-225-0566 CONNECTICUT Rep. Rosa DeLauro; 5-3661 Rep. Sam. Gejdenson; 5-2076 Fax: 202-225-4977 Rep. James H. Maloney; 5-3822 Rep. Christopher Shays; 5-5541 Fax: 202-225-9629 FLORIDA Rep. Carrie P. Meek; 5-4506 Fax: 202-226-0777 Rep. Cliff Stearns; 5-5744 Fax: 202-225-3973 GEORGIA Rep. John Lewis; 5-3801 Fax: 202-225-0351 HAWAII Rep. Neil Abercrombie; 5-2726 IOWA Rep. Tom Latham; 5-5476 Fax: 202-225-3301 ILLINOIS Rep. Rod R. Blagojevich; 5-4061 Rep. Danny K. Davis; 5-5006 Rep. Lane Evans; 5-5905 Fax: 202-225-5396 Rep. William O. Lipinski; 5-5701 Fax: 202-225-1012 MASSACHUSETTS Rep. Barney Frank; 5-5931 Rep. James P. McGovern; 5-6101 Rep. Richard E. Neal; 5-5601 Fax: 202-225-8112 MARYLAND Rep. Robert Ehrlich; 5-3061 Fax: 202-225-3094 MINNESOTA Rep. James L. Oberstar; 5-6211 Fax: 202-225-0699 Rep. Bruce F. Vento; 5-6631 Fax: 202-225-1968 MISSOURI Rep. Karen McCarthy; 5-4535 NORTH CAROLINA Rep. Eva Clayton; 5-3101 Rep. W. G. (Bill) Hefner; 5-3715 NEBRASKA Rep. Doug Bereuter; 5-4806 NEW JERSEY Rep. Robert Menendez; 5-7919 Fax: 202-226-0792 Rep. Donald M. Payne; 5-3436 Fax: 202-225-4160 NEW YORK Rep. Gary L. Ackerman; 5-2601 Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey; 5-6335 Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney; 5-7944 Fax: 202-225-4709 Rep. Jose E. Serrano; 5-4361 Fax: 202-225-6001 Rep. Edolphus Towns; 5-5936 Fax: 202-225-1018 Rep. James T. Walsh; 5-3701 Fax: 202-225-4042 OHIO Rep. Tony P. Hall; 5-6465 Rep. Marcy Kaptur; 5-4146 Fax: 202-225-7711 Rep. Bob Ney; 5-6265 Fax: 202-225-3394 Rep. Deborah Pryce; 5-2015 Rep. Tom Sawyer; 5-5231 Fax: 202-225-5278 Rep. James A. Traficant, Jr.; 5-5261 Fax: 202-225-3719 PENNSYLVANIA Rep. William J. Coyne; 5-2301 Rep. Tim Holden; 5-5546 Fax: 202-226-0996 SOUTH CAROLINA Rep. John M. Spratt, Jr.; 5-5501 Fax: 202-225-0464 TENNESSEE Rep. Bob Clement; 5-4311 TEXAS Rep. Martin Frost; 5-3605 Fax: 202-225-4951 Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee; 5-3816 VIRGINIA Rep. Rick Boucher; 5-3861 Fax: 202-225-0442 Rep. Thomas M. Davis; 5-1492 Fax: 202-225-3071 VERMONT Rep. Bernard Sanders; 5-4115 Fax: 202-225-6790 WASHINGTON Rep. Jim McDermott; 5-3106 Rep. Adam Smith; 5-8901 WISCONSIN Rep. Gerald D. Kleczka; 5-4572 Fax: 202-225-8135 WEST VIRGINIA Rep. Nick J. Rahall; 5-3452 Fax: 202-225-9061 COSPONSORS OF H.CON.RES.23 104th CONGRESS (With telephone and fax numbers when available. Use prefix of 202-22 for all telephone numbers.) ARIZONA Rep. Jay Dickey; 5-3772 Fax: 202-225-1314 Rep. J. D. Hayworth; 5-2190 Fax: 202-225-3263 Rep. Ed Pastor; 5-4065 Rep. Bob Stump; 5-4576 Fax: 202-225-6328 CALIFORNIA Rep. George E. Brown; 5-6161 Rep. Ronald V. Dellums; 5-2661 Rep. Julian C. Dixon; 5-7084 Fax: 202-225-4091 Rep. Anna G. Eshoo; 5-8104 Rep. Bob Filner; 5-8045 Fax: 202-225-9073 Rep. Matthew G. Martinez; 5-5464 Fax: 202-225-5467 Rep. George Miller; 5-2095 Rep. Ron Packard; 5-3906 Fax: 202-225-0134 Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard; 5-1766 Rep. Esteban E. Torres; 5-5256 Fax: 202-225-9711 Rep. Henry A. Waxman; 5-3976 Fax: 202-225-4099 Rep. Lynn Woolsey; 5-5161 CONNECTICUT Rep. Nancy L. Johnson; 5-4476 Fax: 202-225-4488 FLORIDA Rep. Corrine Brown; 5-0123 Fax: 202-225-2256 Rep. Peter Deutsch; 5-7931 Fax: 202-225-8456 Rep. Alcee L. Hastings; 5-1313 Fax: 202-226-0690 GEORGIA Rep. Sanford D. Bishop; 5-3631 Fax: 202-226-3601 Rep. Nathan Deal; 5-5211 Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney; 5-1605 IOWA Rep. Jim Leach; 5-6576 Fax: 202-226-1278 IDAHO Rep. Helen Chenoweth; 5-6611 Fax: 202-225-3029 ILLINOIS Rep. Jerry F. Costello; 5-5661 Fax: 202-225-0285 Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez; 5-8203 Fax: 202-225-7810 Rep. Ray LaHood; 5-6201 Fax: 202-225-9249 Rep. Sidney R. Yates; 5-2111 Fax: 202-225-3493 KENTUCKY Rep. Scotty Baesler; 5-4706 LOUISIANA Rep. Richard H. Baker; 5-3901 Rep. Robert L. Livingston; 5-3015 Fax: 202-225-0739 Rep. William J. Jefferson; 5-6636 MASSACHUSETTS Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy, II; 5-5111 Fax: 202-225-9322 Rep. Edward J. Markey; 5-2836 Rep. John W. Olver; 5-5335 Fax: 202-226-1224 MARYLAND Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest; 5-5311 Fax: 202-225-0254 Rep. Constance A. Morella; 5-5341 Fax: 202-225-1389 Rep. Albert R. Wynn; 5-8699 Fax: 202-225-8714 MAINE Rep. John Baldacci; 5-6306 Fax: 202-225-2943 MICHIGAN Rep. David E. Bonior; 5-2106 Fax: 202-226-1169 Sen Carl Levin 4-6221 Fax: 202-224-1388 Rep. Dale E. Kildee; 5-3611 Rep. Lynn Nancy Rivers; 5-6261 Fax: 202-225-3404 Rep. Bart Stupak; 5-4735 Fax: 202-225-4744 MINNESOTA Rep. Gil Gutknecht; 5-2472 Rep. William P. (Bill) Luther; 5-2271 Fax: 202-225-3368 Rep. David Minge; 5-2331 Rep. Collin C. Peterson; 5-2165 MISSOURI Rep. Ike Skelton; 5-2876 MISSISSIPPI Rep. Mike Parker; 5-5865 Fax: 202-225-5886 Rep. Gene Taylor; 5-5772 Rep. Bennie Thompson; 5-5876 Fax: 202-225-5878 NORTH CAROLINA Rep. Melvin Watt; 5-1510 Fax: 202-225-1512 NEBRASKA Rep. Bill Barrett; 5-6435 NEW JERSEY Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.; 5-4671 Fax: 202-225-9665 Rep. Christopher H. Smith; 5-3765 NEW MEXICO Rep. Joe Skeen; 5-2365 Fax: 202-225-9599 NEW YORK Rep. Sherwood Boehlert; 5-3665 Fax: 202-225-1891 Rep. Eliot L. Engel; 5-2464 Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman; 5-3776 Rep. Sue Kelly; 5-5441 Fax: 202-225-3289 Rep. Peter T. King; 5-7896 Fax: 202-226-2279 Rep. Thomas J. Manton; 5-3965 Fax: 202-225-1909 Rep. Susan Molinari; 5-3371 Fax: 202-226-1272 Rep. Jerrold Nadler; 5-5635 Fax: 202-225-6923 Rep. Charles B. Rangel; 5-4365 Fax: 202-225-0816 Rep. Charles E. Schumer; 5-6616 Fax: 202-225-4183 Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez; 5-2361 Fax: 202-226-0327 OHIO Rep. Sherrod Brown; 5-3401 Fax: 202-225-2266 Rep. Paul E. Gillmor; 5-6405 Rep. Steven C. LaTourette; 5-5731 Fax: 202-225-3307 Rep. Ralph Regula; 5-3876 Fax: 202-225-3059 Rep. Louis Stokes; 5-7032 Fax: 202-225-1339 OREGON Rep. Elizabeth Furse; 5-0855 Fax: 202-225-9497 Rep. Peter A. DeFazio; 5-6416 PENNSYLVANIA Rep. Robert A. Borski; 5-8251 Fax: 202-225-4628 Rep. Chaka Fattah; 5-4001 Rep. Thomas M. Foglietta; 5-4731 Fax: 202-225-0088 Rep. Jon D. Fox; 5-6111 Fax: 202-225-3155 Rep. Frank R. Mascara; 5-4665 Fax: 202-225-3377 Rep. John P. Murtha; 5-2065 RHODE ISLAND Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy; 5-4911 Fax: 202-225-3290 SOUTH CAROLINA Rep. James E. Clyburn; 5-3315 Fax: 202-225-2313 Rep. Lindsey Graham; 5-5301 Rep. Bob Inglis; 5-6030 Fax: 202-226-1177 Rep. Floyd D. Spence; 5-2452 Fax: 202-225-2455 TENNESSEE Rep. John Tanner; 5-4714 Fax: 202-225-1765 TEXAS Rep. Ken Bentsen; 5-7508 Fax: 202-225-2947 Rep. Chet Edwards; 5-6105 Fax: 202-225-0350 Rep. Gene Green; 5-1688 Fax: 202-225-9903 Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson; 5-8885 Fax: 202-226-1477 UTAH Rep. James V. Hansen; 5-0453 Fax: 202-225-5857 VIRGINIA Rep. James P. Moran; 5-4376 Fax: 202-225-0017 WASHINGTON Rep. Jennifer Dunn; 5-7761 Rep. Richard (Doc) Hastings; 5-5816 Fax: 202-225-3251 Rep. Jack Metcalf; 5-2605 Fax: 202-225-4420 Rep. George Nethercutt; 5-2006 Rep. Linda Smith; 5-3536 Fax: 202-225-3478 WISCONSIN Rep. Thomas M. Barrett; 5-3571 Rep. Tom Petri; 5-2476 Fax: 202-225-2356 Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner; 5-5101 Fax: 202-225-3190 WEST VIRGINIA Rep. Alan B. Mollohan; 5-4172 Fax: 202-225-7564 Rep. Bob Wise; 5-2711 Fax: 202-225-7856 SENATE COSPONSORS OF EARNINGS LIMIT RESTORATION BILL 105th CONGRESS (With telephone and fax numbers) CONNECTICUT Sen. Christopher Dodd; 202-224-2823 Fax: 202-224-7475 ILLINOIS Sen. Richard J. Durbin; 202-224-2152 Fax: 202-224-0868 KANSAS Sen. Pat Roberts; 202-224-4774 Fax: 202-224-3514 KENTUCKY Sen. Wendell Ford; 202-224-4343 Fax: 202-224-0046 NEW HAMPSHIRE Sen. Judd Gregg; 202-224-3324 Fax: 202-224-4952 ... Programming assumes all calls are free. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00004Date: 02/14/97 From: DAVID ANDREWS Time: 11:55pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Model Information Access Bill The following is a model Technology Act. Any final version would of course include definitions. Please desseminate this bill widely. The NFB of Maryland is working to have it introduced there, and introduction in other states is likely. David Andrews BILL NUMBER An act to secure the benefits of access to information technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and thereby unable to access visual displays; to provide an equivalent, non-visual access means for the use of information technology when such technology is obtained by the state, or by a state-assisted program; and to ensure that procurement specifications and decisions made in purchasing technology for the creation, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information require the suppliers of such technology to include both visual and non-visual access alternatives. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF : SECTION 1. FINDINGS; POLICY. (a) FINDINGS The Legislature finds that-- (1) the advent of the information age throughout the United States and around the world has resulted in lasting changes in information technology; (2) use of interactive visual display terminals by state and state-assisted programs is becoming a widespread means of access for employees and the public to obtain information available electronically, but non-visual access, whether by speech, Braille or other appropriate means has been overlooked in purchasing and deploying the latest information technology; (3) presentation of electronic data solely in a visual format is a barrier to access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, preventing them from participating on equal terms in crucial areas of life, such as education and employment; (4) alternatives, including both software and hardware adaptations, have been created so that interactive control of computers and use of the information presented is possible by both visual and non-visual means; and (5) the goals of the state in obtaining and deploying the most advanced forms of information technology properly include universal access so that segments of society with particular needs (including individuals unable to use visual displays) will not be left out of the information age. (b) POLICY. It is the policy of the State of that all programs and activities of the state which are supported in whole or in part by public funds shall be conducted in accordance with the following principles: (1) individuals who are blind or visually impaired have the right to full participation in the life of the state, including the use of advanced technology which is provided by the state or state-assisted programs for use by employees, program participants (including students), and the public; and (2) technology purchased in whole or in part with funds provided by the state to be used for the creation, storage, retrieval, or dissemination of information and intended for use by employees, program participants (including students), and members of the general public shall be accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. SECTION 2. ACCESS BY EMPLOYEES AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. (a) In general, the head of each department, agency, or state- assisted program shall ensure that information technology equipment and software used by employees or program participants (including students) who are blind or visually impaired-- (1) can present information for effective, interactive control and use by both visual and non-visual means; (2) is compatible with equipment and software used by other individuals with whom the blind or visually impaired individual must interact; and (3) can be integrated into the network or networks used to share communications among employees or program participants. (b) Nothing in this section requires the installation of specific non-visual access software or peripheral devices at a workstation during any period of time in which the individual using the equipment does not require non-visual access. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section, the applications programs and underlying operating systems (including the format of the data) used for the manipulation and presentation of information at all workstations shall permit the installation and effective use of non-visual access software and peripheral devices. SECTION 3. PUBLIC ACCESS. (a) In general, the head of each department, agency, or state- assisted program shall ensure that information technology used in the dissemination of services to the public-- (1) provides blind or visually impaired individuals with access (including interactive use of the equipment and services) which is equivalent to that provided to individuals who are not blind or visually impaired; and (2) is designed to present information (including prompts used for interactive communications) in formats intended for both visual and non-visual use. SECTION 4. PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS. (a) Compliance with Sections 2 and 3 of this Act shall be effected by means of a "technology access clause" which shall be included in all contracts or agreements entered into by the state (or any of its agencies or state-assisted programs) on or after the effective date of this Act. (b) Technology Access Clause. The "technology access clause" shall be developed by the administrator of General Services in consultation with the heads of other departments and agencies of the state (including the Technology Access Board established pursuant to Section 5 of this Act) and after public comment. The clause shall clearly state, as a condition for the expenditure of state funds in the purchase of information technology, that the technology-- (1) will provide equivalent access for effective use by both visual and non-visual means; (2) will present information (including prompts used for interactive communications) in formats intended for both visual and non-visual use; and (3) can be integrated into networks for obtaining, retrieving, and disseminating information used by individuals who are not blind or visually impaired. (c) Existing Systems. Compliance with Sections 2 and 3 of this Act in regard to information technology purchased prior to the effective date of this Act shall be achieved at the time of procurement of an upgrade or replacement of the existing equipment or software. SECTION 5. BLIND INDIVIDUALS' TECHNOLOGY ACCESS BOARD (a) There is established within the Office of the Governor, the Blind Individuals' Technology Access Board (hereinafter referred to as "The Board") which shall be composed as follows: (1) Five members shall be appointed by the Governor from among members of the general public of whom at least a majority shall be individuals who are blind or visually impaired. (2) The remaining members shall be heads of each of the following departments or agencies (or their designees): (i) Department of Education (ii) Department of Labor (iii) Department of General Services (iv) State agency for vocational rehabilitation services (3) The chairperson of the Board shall be blind or visually impaired and shall be elected by a majority vote of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, and the vice chairperson shall be elected by a majority vote of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (2). (4) (i) The term of office of each member appointed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall be three years, except as provided in clause (ii). (ii) (I) Two members first appointed upon enactment of this Act shall be appointed to serve for a term of three years. (II) Two members first appointed upon enactment of this Act shall be appointed to serve for a period of two years. (III) One member first appointed upon enactment of this Act shall be appointed to serve for a term of one year. (5) A member whose term has expired may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed. (6) Each member of the Board appointed under paragraph (a) shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in connection with the performance of official duties. (7) It shall be the functions of the Board to-- (i) establish general performance standards for technology designed to provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired with equivalent non-visual access to visual display devices; (ii) recommend procurement specifications for information access technology based on the standards developed pursuant to clause (i); (iii) provide advice and technical assistance pertaining to accessible information technology for blind and visually impaired individuals; and (iv) evaluate specific equipment or software and provide the results thereof before procurement decisions are made. SECTION 6. ACTION FOR INJUNCTION (a) A person injured by a violation of this Act may maintain an action for injunctive relief to enforce the terms of the Act. (b) Limitation period for civil action.-- (1) Any such action shall be commenced within four years after the cause of action accrues. (2) For the purposes of this subsection, a cause of action for a continuing violation accrues at the time of the latest violation. SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from ........... --- Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR] * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00005Date: 02/15/97 From: DAVID ANDREWS Time: 01:10am \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: AOP Bulletin * Original Area: BLINDTLK * Original From: John Souvestre (1:282/1045) * Original To : All (1:282/1045) Originally appearing in a local New Orleans conference. ============================================================= AOP Alert Thursday, February 13, 1997 ============================================================= The following is a legislative alert from the Association of Online Professionals, the world's largest association of Internet Service Providers and other professionals who manage online services. Please give it the widest possible distribution. ============================================================= Comments to FCC on ISP Access Fees ============================================================= Over the past week, message traffic across the Internet has incorrectly characterized the procedures, deadlines and general tone of an FCC request for comments on access fee reform as it might apply to Internet Service Providers. This is an important issue for the online community, and AOP encourages ISPs and other interested parties to file comments. The following information is intended to assist you in doing so. On December 23, the FCC initiated a proceeding to reform the present system of interstate access charges levied on long- distance carriers to make that system more competitive and to address questions of whether these fees reflect the actual cost to the local telephone companies. This proceeding, in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is identified as CC Docket No. 96-262. Formal comments were invited, with a deadline of January 27 and a deadline for reply comments of February 13. This is **not** where ISPs should focus their responses, unless they have valid input to these specific telephone company issues. However, many of the comments filed on this issue do touch on ISP access fees, and you are encouraged to read the comments that have been posted online at http://www. fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Comments/access_reform/. Also on December 23, the FCC released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) identified ad CC Docket No. 96-263. In the NPRM (see above), the FCC tentatively concluded that information service providers should not be subject to the interstate access charges as currently charged. However, the Commission also noted that the development of the Internet may raise issues beyond the scope of the access fee reform proposed in the NPRM. The NOI is designed to help the FCC decide whether access fees may be needed to create incentives for the deployment of more efficient data services. AOP encourages all of its members to file appropriate comments with the FCC on this issue. In doing so, please be aware of the following: 1) You may file formal comments in writing, as AOP will do. 2) You may file informal comments by electronic mail by sending them to isp@fcc.gov. However, please note that "informal comments" does not mean "casual." It means "less formal than written comments," but there are still requirements for the format (e.g., putting the docket number in the subject line, providing a mailing address, etc.). Before filing comments, please review the information at http://www.fcc.gov/isp.html. 3) Deadline for these comments is March 24, 1997. Reply comments to these comments must be filed by April 23, 1997. Note that these are **new** filing deadlines, amended by FCC to provide more time for responses. Before filing comments, you are strongly urged to review: ** The general information on filing comments with the FCC, found at http://www.fcc.gov/isp.html. ** The text of the NOI itself, which may be found at the same web address. ** Comments previously filed by other parties as part of their response to the NPRM. This is an important topic before the FCC, and we encourage you to make thoughtful, informed comments. AOP will post its comments shortly for the review of our members. --- Maximus/2 2.02 * Origin: NFB NET St. Paul, MN (612) 696-1975 (1:282/1045) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 233 NFB BLIND NEWS Ref: E2K00006Date: 02/12/97 From: BRIAN LINGARD Time: 09:30pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Happy Valentine"s Day 12 February 1997 Ottawa Canada Happy Valentine's Day to all. Hopefully you won't get a Valentine like Al sent Bugsie! ... "42? 7 and a half million years and all you can come up with is 42?!" --- Blue Wave v2.12 [NR] * Origin: Vision Information Systems (1:163/266)