A most happy and productive New Year to all!
Following, for you history buffs, is an issue of our Washington State
Newsline publication. We were still members of the National
Federation of the Blind, but the NFB Board had us on the ropes. I'm
including the entire publication, not to fan long dead fires, but only
to demonstrate that a People's Movement must be guarded carefully to
avoid that Movement from becoming corrupted by greed and power hungry
individuals.
Carl Jarvis
******
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Berl Colley <blc0901@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:17:58 -0800
Subject: april 1979
To: history@wcbinfo.org, Carl Jarvis <carjar82@gmail.com>, Sue Ammeter
<sue.ammeter@cablespeed.com>
NFB of WASHINGTON'S
NEWSLINE
APRIL 1979
Published by
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF WASHINGTON
Sue Ammeter, President
3233 N.E. 95'th
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 525-5445
EDITOR: Carl Jarvis
11267 - 57th South
Seattle, WA 98178
(206) 722-4111
Articles for publication and letters to the editor should be sent to Carl
Jarvis at the above address. Subscription requests and address changes
should be sent to:
NFBW NEWSLINE
P.O. Box 261
Mercer Island, WA 98040
As a public service the print edition of the NEWSLINE is available to anyone
on written request. The cassette tape edition is sent to all NFBW Chapter
presidents. Others wishing to receive the cassette tape edition should so
request in writing. ''
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANNOUNCING THE MINI-CONVENTION 1
ASSAULT ON WASHINGTON!
The "Disaffection" 2
NFBW Board Votes 4
NFBW Attorney Letter '. 5
Attempted "Reorganization" 8
NFBW Membership Responds 10
Irate Vendors Respond 11
Pete Zevenbergen Correspondence Continues 13
TRAVELING THE OREGON TRAIL 14
LEGISLATIVE REPORT 16
COMMISSION BOARD MEETINGS * 18
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND COMMENDED 19
JOB SEARCH THROUGH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 20
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Re: MINI CONVENTION
The Mini Convention will be held on May 5, 6, 1979 in Seattle. The
convention will begin on Saturday, May 5th at 10:00 A.M. and adjourn at
approximately Noon on Sunday.
The Tropics Motor Hotel in Seattle will be the site of our first mini
convention. The hotel is located at 225 Aurora North. Room rates are as
follows:
Singles $23.40
Doubles (1 bed) $25.20
Doubles (2 beds) $28.00
Triple $31.50
The hotel is conveniently located in downtown Seattle with a restaurant
located in the hotel as well as numerous other restaurants within close
walking distance. For those wishing reservations, you should call the hotel
directly at 624-6789 and state that you are part of the NFBW Convention.
I am also reminding each of you that the dues for each member and/or chapter
are due on or before January 1st of each year. It is important that each
chapter submit these dues prior to the convention since the constitution
specifically states that membership dues must be paid so that chapter
members will have the right to vote at the convention. At the present time
the constitution further states that the dues are $2.40 a year, $1.20 of
which goes to the state and $1.20 to the national. The portion of the dues
earmarked for contribution to the national is being held and a discussion of
a constitution amendment which will change this formula is scheduled and
will be a part of the agenda. Per capita checks or members at large dues
should be sent to Berl Colley, 2207 W. Riverside, Apt. 105, Spokane, WA
99201 as soon as possible.
Chapters should consider the possibility of donating funds to assist in
covering the costs incurred for the Mini Convention. The hotel agreed to
subtract 10% from the room rates, but there will be a charge for the use of
the meeting room. Also to assist those persons who travel from Eastern
Washington NFBW will rent a bus or other means of transportation as we have
done in previous years. Of course, there will be other associated costs
such as printing and duplication of agendas, etc. I hope that each chapter
will be willing to assist us in covering these convention expenses.
The mini convention will provide an excellent means for dis-,. cussing the
issues effecting our organization. Some agenda
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
items will include a discussion of possible constitutional amendments which
will strengthen the organization and the rights of each member, a report on
the legal status of NFBW and a discussion of future goals and directions for
the Federation. The mini convention is specifically aimed at providing an
opportunity for the membership to analyze and better understand
philosophical questions which confront the Federation.
I urge each of you to make plans to attend the mini convention, the process
of building and strengthening our organization is directly related to the
collective involvement and direction established by the membership.
ASSAULT ON WASHINGTON'.
The "Disaffection"
Decisions had obviously been made by the National Administration of the
N.F.B. many months before its February board meeting that something had to
be done to 'punish1 the Washington affiliate. In his nationally circulated
presidential release, Jernigan was announcing our affiliate's "disaffection"
from the national body and "if need be, reorganization of the affiliate."
Although not received until later this particular release was made and
mailed BEFORE our state convention in October at which he and other national
administration people were in attendance. Before that he had been talking
about "problems" in Washington. Yet at the largest Convention in our
affiliate's history he refused to discuss our so-called "problems" with us.
He refused to tell us how we had violated the Constitution or Convention
policies or that if we did not expel our president from membership that he
would disaffiliate us as a whole. He refused to tell us what we had done to
deserve punishment and subsequent, albeit illegal, disaffiliation.
What have we done? Just who was "disaffected" with whom? Evidence shows a
strong, knowledgeable, responsive and responsible state affiliate, carrying
out the goals of the N.F.B. We were the first state in 10 years to achieve
the passage of a Commission for the Blind. We are one of the few states to
have secured the enactment of a law insuring the right of the blind to serve
on a jury. We saw to the passage of antidiscrimination 'in insurance
bill-and one full year before the need for such legislation was even
discussed at National Conventions. We have effective influence in all major
public and private programs affecting the blind of this state through
participation on
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
policy-making boards and committees. Our public education efforts have been
most successful getting the Federation message into schools from elementary
to college; radio, T.V., and newspapers around the state; and with potential
employers in industry. Blind persons around the state, whether members of
the NFB or not, know that if they need a problem solved, the NFBW can help
them solve it. For the past several years NFBW has ranked in the top six
State Affiliates in both monthly and total financial support of the national
organization. Ironically, even while we were being reviled by the national
administration immediately before our October convention, NFBW was among the
top states in getting contributions through the Associates Plan! We have
worked hard in our State and Nationally and have become recognized and
respected as an organization in our local communities, state government, and
business. It is obvious that we take our beliefs in the NFB seriously. Not
just in the external world but also within the organization itself.
As with any responsible, knowledgeable affiliate, when1 we began to see
disturbing changes in the direction of the national administration, we
brought our concerns to the leadership-first at the state level and then to
the national leadership. Our concern for the internal activities of an
organization we worked hard for was obviously unwelcome-and the
"disaffection" of Washington was begun.
The President began "courting" individual NFBW officers and members,
under-cutting other officers and members, and making promises of national
power and prestige to overthrow the existing leadership of NFBW. This
didn't work because of our affiliate's long history of openess and
effectively working together.
Snide remarks and rumor-spreading (or creating) about us individually and as
an affiliate were filtered nation-wide. Even sighted people-not even
members of the NFB-heard things in other parts of the country from NFB
members-that Sue Ammeter was now an "un-person" and Washington was "bad."
Long-time members and financial contributors to the NFB began to be
arbitrarily cut off the BRAILLE MONITOR and presidential releases. We could
no longer receive public education materials from national office. Orders
for membership pins, white canes, etc., were refused even when accompanied
by payment in advance.
The stage was being set by the National Administration to make action
against us more palatable to the National Convention in Miami. By the time
of our NFBW Board meeting in January it was obvious that our affiliate was
on a collision course with the National Administration. Its inevitibility
was clear. What was also clear was that there was a decay eating away at
the very foundation of our movement-a movement we love and will fight to
maintain. #
NFBW NEWSLINE - APK1L
NFBW Votes To Enter The California Lawsuit Against NFB
By a vote of eight to one, the Board of Directors of the NFBW, authorized
the organization to enter the counter-suit against the NFB, Kenneth
Jernigan, being brought by our sister affiliate in California.
The Board met in Everett this past January 13, with many members of our
Evergreen Chapter attending along with others from around the state.
After two and one-half hours of debate and soul-searching, the Board and
others in attendance felt that there was no acceptable alternative for the
state except to join the suit to attempt to bring some sanity back into the
NFB. (Note: Cassettes of this meeting are available by writing the
NEWSLINE editor.)
The NFB had filed suit in Northern California Federal Court for injunctive
relief against the NFBC, for using the name, "National Federation of the
Blind", etc., after the NFB Board had, "lifted the charter of affiliation"
illegally, since only the national convention can take such action.
The pattern of NFB administration's tactics against California prior to its
charter being lifted was in the process of being repeated here in
Washington. Members of NFBW were being undermined and attacked by the
national office and threats of a "needed reorganization" of the affiliate
made by Jernigan on nationally circulated taped releases. The NFBW Board
considered it essential to take action, to try to stop this Administration
pattern of destroying state affiliates; and to take this action as members
of the NFB-before our own charter could be illegally lifted by the National
Board, as we anticipated it would in any event before the National
Convention.
The request of the NFBW to become an intervenor in this suit was filed
January 26, with our president, Sue Ammeter in the courtroom in San
Francisco.
With that Federal court declining, at that time, to rule on its jurisdiction
in the NFB's case, our attorney in California, Larry Eisenberg, then entered
our suit in the Los Angeles Superior Court, January 29, joining NFBC in a
lengthy general suit against all parties and persons, including Kenneth
Jernigan, by name, and seeking financial and other relief. Further, we,
NFBW, have asked the courts to rule that Jernigan be prohibited from
expelling individual members of the NFBW, from the NFB, and from lifting of
our charter, and that a "master" be appointed by the Court to supervise the
actions of the NFB convention in Miami this coming July, This is to assure
that any action taken against either the NFBW or the NFBC and their
individual members, be in accordance with due process of
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
law and procedure, not the hysterical and capricious whims of a Jernigan
controlled vote using, as we have all seen in previous conventions, partial
truths, misinformation, emotion, and condescension against Affiliates which
are "out of favor."
Due process means that evidence will be presented to the Convention
justifying Jernigan's desire to disaffiliate us and California and requiring
that he prove that we violated some part of the constitution or policy
adopted by convention. Since we have violated none, this will be difficult
indeed.
Larry Eisenberg is the attorney hired by NFBW after our 1/13/79 Board
meeting, to represent us in the counter-suit we joined with the NFBC to stop
the illegal harrassments, expulsions, and "disaffiliations" by the NFB
administration, both in the present and future.
Because questions were raised about the handling of our petition to enter
the suit-raised by the Resolution to disaffiliate us published in the last
special edition of the NEWSLINE, we reprint Mr. Eisenberg's letter to
President Ammeter. His letter may also serve as an introduction to our
membership of this very fine and highly knowledgeable attorney representing
NFBW's interests.
6 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
LAWRENCE H. E1SENBERC
LAW CORPORATION
17141 NANCE STREET
ENC1NO, CALIFORNIA 91316
(213) 7B8- O354 - 872- O35-4
March 9, 1979
Mrs. Sue Ammeter
3233 N.E. 95th
Seattle, Washington 98115
/Dear Sue:
Thank you for forwarding the Newsline and other materials, which were
received today.
To say the least, I am somewhat put out over the outright lies which are
being published with respect to the litigation, especially with respect to
why certain causes of action were dismissed.
I'll leave it up to you, but you might want to set the record straight! The
judge did NOT order me to dismiss anything. I offered to withdraw the
Washington claims and to dismiss California's anti-trust claims in the
Federal action because the judge had already said that he would not grant
the NFB a preliminary injunction and that he was seriously considering
"abstaining" (i.e., not exercising jurisdiction) from the case, finding that
the California Court (Judge Crickard) appeared to be doing a fine job.
However, in order for him to abstain - and in order for us to economize on
not being in several courts at the same time -- it was necessary to remove
from his consideration the exclusively federal-jurisdictional issues (such
as those which were being raised in the Washington action, and those raised
by the anti-trust action of California).
I thereupon withdrew Washington's motion to intervene prior to the Court
considering the matter, and filed a dismissal of the anti-trust claims
(without prejudice) of California, so that the Court would be in a position
to transfer the entire case back to Judge Crickard, which he did.
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
Mrs. Sue Ammeter March 9, 1979 Page 2.
Vvhat the Judge had actually ordered was that he would abstain from the case
upon the condition that I filed the dismissals in a timely manner (I believe
it was within the week). In other words, he would not have had the
jurisdiction to "abstain" if I had not agreed to dismiss.
I find it most interesting that the NFB, and its servants, has carefully
avoided telling its membership that the NFB was thrown out of the Federal
Court in both of its attempts to sue the NFBC and to try to get preliminary
injunctions against the NFBC and its officers. I wonder if they may find
those facts t,o be somewhat too embarrassing for the general membership to
be accept.
By the way, as you may recall, Mr. Hess had insisted that my dismissal of
the anti-trust claims be WITH prejudice (i.e., not re-newable). Judge Poole
denied that application, in effect stating that we could again urge those
claims at any time we had to come back to the federal court.
As a result, we are now all in one court, and we do know the results of what
has taken place so far. The effect is, of course, to continue with a
receptive audience, and at a much lower cost.
I recognize that when one has to hide in the sand, that he may feel relieved
to tell the "big lie", but I don't have to stand back without pointing it
out.
In any event, I do look forward to hearing from you soon, and even seeing
you shortly. In the meantime please do not hesitate to ask me to seek any
relief which you feel should be secured. You must remember that I cannot
seek any specific relief unless you tell me that something is going on and
that you feel we should ask the court to stop it.
Best of everything to you and John.
>
X
t£uly yours,
LHE:1 ,
/' / ~ " " p.s. ( /Letter written at no expense to NFBW.
J.NJPJBW
Attempted "Reorganization"
Apparently sometime before Sue Ammeter even received notification, via the
National Board resolution, that the National Federation of the Blind of
Washington had been "expelled," the National Administration was hard at work
starting the process of trying to reorganize our state. Since the reasons
established in the resolution for "expelling" us were not the issues upon
which an organization could be built, the National Administration attempted
to create issues. The reorganizing team included four members of the
National Board of Directors: Dick Edlund, Ralph Sanders, Diane McGeorge and
Joyce Scanlan; at least one State President, Norm Gardner; and Judy Sanders
- Maryland, Ray McGeorge - Colorado, Suisie Stancil - Kansas, Homer Page -
Colorado and three other persons from Idaho.
The three from Idaho spent only part of one weekend in Spokane, and the
other members worked for the better part of two weeks attempting to
establish some kind of organization. Uniformly their approach over the
telephone was to try to persuade blind persons, through statement and
innuendo, of the lack of character and effectiveness of our current
leadership. Some persons found the approach disgusting and wanted nothing
to do with the reorganizing team. Others found the pitch repulsive,
especially when informed that if they did not join the "new" affiliate they
would be cut off from the "Monitor" and other services provided by the
National Federation of the Blind, and wanted to attend the meeting to tell
the organizers just exactly what they thought of their activities.
Believing our copies of the "Spokesman" (which most received) announcing the
meeting, was an invitation, we arrived Saturday, March 3, at the Mayflower
Park Hotel to participate in the alleged "organizing meeting."
Early Saturday morning, nine Federationists, among them President Sue
Ammeter, stepped off the elevator and entered the empty meeting hall.
Remembering how only a few months ago this same room was overflowing with
Federationists attending our state convention, they seated themselves and
waited for the meeting to begin
At the same time, large numbers of Federationists began gathering in front
of a registration table set in front of the main door to the hall. Our
numbers grew and we lined the stairs, spilling out into the main hotel
lobby.
Suddenly Ralph Sanders appeared. His words cut through the excited chatter
of those waiting to register.
"Call the police," he said.
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
"They're already in the lobby," Scott Lewis answered from the top of the
stairs.
Voices hushed to whispers and someone asked what was going on. Certainly we
had done nothing to provoke police action.
"There are twelve people in there blocking us from entering the room," Ralph
replied.
The work spread up the line with a growing sound of questions.
"Who's in there?"
"How did they get in?"
"What are they doing?"
John and Sue Ammeter and many others were inside, we were told. We had a
picture of the Ammeters and others bravely pressing against the door,
straining to hold all of us back from entering the room.
A police officer entered the room, discussed the situation with Sue Ammeter
and left declaring that he saw nothing illegal about blind people peacefully
assembled in a public meeting. Despite this opinion, and for no apparent
reason, the police were summoned on at least two other occasions during the
day.
As people approached the registration table, it became clear that not
everyone was welcome. All state officers and board members, all known
chapter presidents and officers, all Commission employees, and others
without any apparent reason were turned away. All others were admitted only
on the say-so of Ralph Sanders or Scott Lewis, or required to take a loyalty
oath supporting the National and denouncing the "Sue Ammeter faction."
As registration got underway, Ralph and others raced up and down the stairs.
As he hurried back and forth, Ralph called out to those waiting in line,
"How nice. I see the Commission staff is out in full force to harass and
intimidate the blind."
Although a device to explain the lack of persons attending the meeting to
join the Jernigan faction, it does seem an unnecessary exaggeration that
Pete and Frieda Zevenbergen, Homer and Hazel Knight, Denise Garrity,
Gretchen Mescovitch and others were "accused" of being Commission employees.
Just as with the tactics for the prior two weeks, the truth was not so
important as was the effect that might be claimed by making a charge. Most
people simply shook their heads and laughed at Ralph.
At some point a room was secured on the mezzanine, and those who passed the
scrutiny of the registration people were "escorted"
10 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
back upstairs. This was not to be a public meeting after all. There were
some who argued at great length in an attempt to gain admittance; a few were
allowed in but most were turned away. No one forced their way in and no one
blocked the doors of either room.
Finally the meeting got underway. About fifty people crowded in the small
room. Included in that number were eight of the nine organizers sent into
our state by the National office. During the day well over twenty people
left the room, unable to tolerate the tactics and activities which were
occurring inside. In fact, some who left were very nearly physically ill
from the distortions, innuendo and unsubstantiated accusations heaped upon
persons they had known and trusted for many years.
Ralph Sanders called the meeting to order and said that they were there to
"do something positive for the blind instead of something negative." But it
was clear from the onset that organizing a "new" affiliate was a secondary
goal. From reviewing the day's proceedings, the primary purpose was .to
destroy the credibility of Sue Ammeter and the leadership of the National
Federation of the Blind of Washington and to use the Commission and its
employees as a tool to accomplish this end.
Many people recognizing the attacks for what they were, attempted to rebut
the statements of Ralph Sanders and others. They were uniformly asked to
leave. As a result, less than twenty persons remained to form the "new"
group.
At no time were specific problems addressed. Nor was there a crowd of
people waiting to testify regarding how they were denied help from the NFBW
or services from the agency. There was no list of grievances. No one was
permitted into the room who might have spoken in defense of the NFBW or of
Commission policy or program.
We came as Federationists, that March day at the Mayflower Park Hotel, ready
to address issues and explain our position. We were met by personal attack,
innuendo, hostility, ridicule, and closed doors. Our National leadership
was not here to lead. They were hiding. Hiding behind stratagem, vague
generalities, mistruths and hatred.
NFBW Membership Responds
As NFBW members were contacted by this "reorganizing team" we in turn
contacted our President. In fact Sue has been literally
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979 11
innundated with calls, letters, and resolutions of support of her leadership
and our affiliate as it stands. The strength and unity of this organization
has never been more evident. It was the members of NFBW, individually, who
educated the members of this out-of-state reorganizing team about the
internal issues of the NFB. Some knew already but chose to ignore and
follow the orders of distruction they had received-not a little impressed
and taken aback by the knowledge and awareness of the rank and file of NFBW.
Some team members who came believing the lies spread about us, came away
shaken at the implication of the truth of the Washington situation.
When we look at our organizational effort over the past years, we see our
own accomplishments and know that we have played a major role in building a
better way of life for blind people in our state. By contrast, the National
Administration spent well over $10,000 of public money contributed to "help
the blind"- an amount greater than our own state treasury-in their efforts
to undermine our long and hard won accomplishments in this state over the
past forty-three years. Air fares, taxis, hotel, meals and "hundreds" of
long-distance calls go into this kind of "reorganizing." Many people were
talked at for well over an hour long distance.
The libel, the character assassination, the lies, the almost unbelievably
"mean" innuendo, only made NFBW people angry at the National Administration.
People in Washington knew the issues before the "hundreds" of phone calls
were made. The National Administration continues to fail in the basic
recognition of what a great organization the NFBW is-intelligent people,
capable of studying the issues and making up our own minds AND demanding
recognition as the only NFB affiliate in this state. Never before in the
history of this movement have people stood up and fought the administration
to stay with the NFB-others have quietly gone their ways. NFBW recognizes
the value of the National organization, the tenents of Federationism and
will fight to preserve, protect and defend-even against the National
administration-our right to be part of the National Federation of the Blind.
Irate Vendors Respond To False Charges
By Tim Timmer
(Editor's Note:
A publication, strongly reminiscent of the days of "yellow
ournalism," and calling itself the "Spokesman" in Washington; State, has
been mailed to many members of NFBW and others in
12 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 19?y
February and March. The sole purpose of this paper appears to be to attack
the NFBW leadership and the Commission for the Blind, in an effort to rally
people to the side of a Jernigancontrolled blind organization.
This is another piece of evidence of the National Administration's woeful
mis-assessment of the knowledge and concern of the NFBW membership and those
they had hoped to attract to their side. Such efforts brought only anger
against them and an increased unity and determination on the part of the
rank and file NFBW membership.
When confronted by so many angry people which he had hoped the paper would
convert to his side, the author simply stated that "The articles are only as
good as the information we are given. Since we stand behind the vendors who
are with us, we stand behind the articles. The lawyers will determine the
real facts; they are paid to do the research."
This is not the responsible journalism to which the NEW.SLINE subscribes.)
Upon reading the March issue of the "Spokesman" Vending Facility Operators
were quick to reply to the ridiculous article which appeared on its front
page attacking the Business Enterprise Program of the Commission for the
Blind. Telephones across the state buzzed as Operators vented their anger
and their concerns.
On Thursday evening, preceding the alleged reorganization meeting, the
vendors decided to draft a reply. Of the 40 licensed operators in the
state, the 26 who could be reached signed the reply and it was rushed to the
printers and distributed at the public meeting the "Spokesman" asked us to
attend at the Mayflower-Park Hotel in Seattle on March 3rd.
The following is a copy of this document.
"March 1, 1979
We, the following Business Enterprises Operators and Licensees have read the
recent issue of the National Federation of the Blind SPOKESMAN in Washington
State and are shocked and embarrassed over the inaccuracies and
misinformation which it contains,
We also resent the use of comments by a few misinformed operators which are
misconstrued as the feeling of all of us. We found the contents of this
issue to be inaccurate, misleading and filled with mis-truths and
half-truths bordering on libel and not a true reflection of our beliefs and
concerns.
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
13
1. Les Logan
**2. Mark Torrey
**3. Bill Mancinelli
4. Shirley Kinnison
5. Charlie Dunkle
6. Mary Bruneau
7. Jim Dotson
8. Rocky Quealey
9. Les Lessard
10. Dick Sage
11. Penney Sellers **12. Tim Timmer
13. Harold Lewin
14. Roy Gappert
15. Shirley Smith
16. Dennis Linseth
17. Jack Hanes
18. Mary Hanes
19. Paul Ambrose
20. Bob Scott
21. Don Voyles **22. Keith McMullin
23. Leonard Dawson
24. Jim Albertson
25. Judy Lockman
**Area Representatives"(of the B.E.P. Advisory Committee)
In the last regular issue of NEWSLINE we reprinted a letter Pete Zevenbergen
wrote to President Jernigan regarding his actions against the two finest
affiliates in the NFB. You would be interested in the reply Pete received.
"February 5, 1979
Dear Mr. Zevenbergen:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say
all manner of evil against you falsely.
Cordially,
Kenneth Jernigan, President NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND"
Pete replied to Jernigan 2/21/79: "I received your quote that you sent me
in answer to my letter and I really didn't think it deserved an answer, but
there were a few other things that came up in the past few weeks that really
disturbed me and I figure they certainly warranted some comment." Pete then
expressed his feelings on the resolution of the National Board, illegally
disaffiliating Washington, and his concern that other state affiliates
around the country are not being told the truth. He closed the letter with
"I'm sure there will be enough rational people who
14 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
will listen and will see how they have been brainwashed and will act
accordingly. Sleep well, Mr. Jernigan."
To which the following reply was made:
"March 5, 1979
Dear Mr. Zevenbergen:
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you, But when the leaves
hang trembling, the wind is passing through.
Ancient Chinese proverb:
"An ignorant man is never defeated in an argument."
Second Chinese proverb, equally ancient:
"Rotten wood cannot be carved."
Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God has made them so; Let bears and lions to growl and fight,
For 'tis their nature, too. But, children, never let your passions rise.
Your little hands were never made to claw each
other's eyes.
/s/
Kenneth Jernigan, President NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND"
Traveling the Oregon Trail
By Rick Dawson, Debbie Freeman and Paul Bose
Editor's Note: Rick, Debbie and Paul, members of NFB South King County
Chapter, attended their first Oregon convention. They were among the ten
Washington Federationists to make the trip.
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979 15
On Friday, March 2nd, we headed south from Seattle, to attend the NFB of
Oregon convention in Eugene.
Soon after checking into the hotel we found ourselves in one of the students
rooms where we met several of the students from the Idaho Orientation Center
as well as two or three people from Oregon. Later that evening everyone
gathered in the Oregon hospitality room and we had the opportunity to become
better acquainted with Federationists from both Oregon and Idaho. But since
the trip down had been a long one, we all turned in early in preparation for
the convention the next day.
Saturday's session saw several resolutions brought to the floor. One, in
particular, called for the NFB of Oregon to support National's policies,
without question, concerning actions taken in Washington and California.
Only after being recognized by Oregon's president, our first vice president,
Ed Foscue, made some appropriate remarks concerning this resolution. After
Ed's remarks, the resolution was tabled.
During lunch we dined with several students from the Idaho cornmission.
During our conversation, we discovered that we held many similar views and
those of us attending the Washington Orientation Center shared many of the
same experiences as our Idaho counterparts.
Following the afternoon meeting, we met in Ed Foscue's room and discussed
the convention. Also, we listened to a taped conversation from Sue Ammeter,
discussing what had occurred that day at the Mayflower-Park Hotel in
Seattle.
We had a great time at the banquet that evening. The Washington delegation
sat together along with several students and instructors from Idaho, whom we
had invited over to our table. The keynote speech was delivered by National
treasurer, Dick Edlund.
Afterward, several of the Idaho students invited the Washington people to
their room for a party. After such an eventful day, it was pleasant to just
relax. Since there has been such a long standing tradition of visiting one
another's conventions in the Northwest, many long-time friendships were
renewed as well as new ones begun.
Sunday morning found us up early and continuing our discussions of the
previous evening over breakfast.
The resolution from the previous day had been rewritten and was again
brought before the convention. This time, while the resolution still
supported National, it called upon Oregon members to become better educated
regarding National policy and National's position with Washington and
California.
16 . NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
Also, a motion was made that a seminar be held in Oregon attended by
representatives from Washington, California and National, to enable people
from Oregon to hear each point of view and better understand the situation.
That afternoon we bid our friends from Oregon and Idaho goodbye and headed
home. It had been a very good convention. And what stood out most of all
was the fact that so many Federationists had come from neighboring Northwest
states for a common purpose. We all agreed that we would continue this fine
tradition.
Legislative Report by Bob Wilkes, Legislative Chairman
NFBW TESTIFIES IN BEHALF OF COMMISSION'S LEGISLATIVE REQUEST
On January 29, 1979 several NFBW members as well as others gathered in a
packed hearing room in Olympia to tell the story of the impact the
Commission for the Blind has already had on our lives - and the need for
growth and expansion of programs to serve all the blind of this state.
Although a little nervous standing before all those legislative committee
members (the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Human Resources),
everyone did a beautiful job ... perhaps more poignant because the words we
spoke came from the heart. (A tape cassette of that hearing/testimony may be
had by writing the NEWSLINE editor.)
Members of that legislative committee were heard to say later and many times
over that that was the most "enjoyable" hearing they had conducted - and the
only state agency not pleading for more money, but only for people to serve
the population the law demands it serve. There aren't too many agencies of
state government which actually request the Legislature for less money than
previously appropriated - while at the same time demonstrating it is more
efficient and giving better service. But after all, we said it could be
done, and we were right!
Dorothy Fromm, President of our Evergreen Chapter and member of NFBW Board
came from Everett and testified as to the progress and needs in the northern
part of the state; Cynthia Towers, President of North King County Chapter,
Rocky Quealey, President of South King County Chapter, testified about the
impact they
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979 17
had seen because of the Commission for the Blind and their members' feelings
about the continuing needs. Dawn Bell of the Spokane Chapter made a
poignant plea for growth in service, citing her own experiences and the
difference the agency had made in her life. Others spoke from all parts of
the state and, members of NFBW or not, stated strong support of the work of
the new agency. Not one negative comment was heard nor received by the
Committee.
Now that good services are beginning to become available in Washington,
blind people (as we predicted) are literally "coming out of the woodwork".
There is hope in Washington today through the agency we work with and
monitor, to help bring security, equality and opportunity to all blind
Washingtonians -- and a substantial savings to all of us taxpayers!
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE
January 16, 1979 the Washington State Senate unanimously confirmed Governor
Dixy Lee Ray's wise appointment of the members of the Commission:
Frank Cuta, Richland (term expires 1980) Luddy Martinson, Chehalis (term
expires 1980) Edward Foscue, Seattle (term expires 1979) Lori Swauger,
Spokane (term expires 1979) Irving Smith, Colville (term expires 1981)
JURISDICTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION EXPANDED
At our 1978 convention, Resolution 78-09 was adopted expressing strong
support by NFBW for legislative efforts to expand the jurisdiction of the
Washington State Human Rights Commission so as to allow the Commission to
receive and investigate complaints in the areas of credit, insurance, real
estate transactions including rentals, and in places of public accommodation
when such discriminiation is based upon a physical, mental or sensory
handicap, and further that such legislation should include provisions to
eliminate discrimination against dog guide users. The resolution also urged
the Legislature to appropriate adequate funding so that the Human Rights
Commission may properly enforce such statutory amendments in a timely
manner.
Following the convention President Ammeter and others began working with the
Human Rights Commission, legislative representatives,
18 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
and others interested to draft a bill in keeping with the intent of the
resolution. S.H.B. 480 was introduced in the Legislature and was passed by
the House and Senate early in March and subsequently signed by Governor Ray.
S.H.B. 480 also contained an additional appropriation of $200,000 for the
upcoming biennium which will allow the Commission to enforce these
amendments in a timely fashion. The amendments will become effective on
June 8,
1979.
This legislative victory signifies another step forward in the ongoing
efforts of the Federation to gain equality and first class citizenship for
the blind. It is through such achievements that NFBW illustrates that we
are a strong and vital force in improving the lives of blind Washingtonians.
Ed Foscue Re-elected Chairman of the Commission
The first order of business at its January 27, 1979 meeting, the Commission
Board elected our NFBW's 1st Vice President, Ed Foscue, to another year's
term as Chairman of the Commission. Our congratulations to Ed!
The Commission reiterated that its meetings are open to all who wish to
attend (except for personnel sessions). Budget and expenditures are
thoroughly and openly discussed at each meeting, as well as policy
formulation. Public comment is regularly scheduled toward the end of each
meeting. During its first year, the Commission made a concerted effort to
have its meetings in various parts of the state so that the blind community
in each area would have an opportunity to attend these meetings, meet and
talk with the Commissioners and provide public input. Although these
meetings were not as well attended as hoped for, it has been obvious over
the year that many blind persons have personally contacted the members of
the Commission with their concerns and hopes for improvement in agency
services.
The next meeting of the Commission Board was held April 6, 1979 and was well
attended. Should the request for additional staff pass the Legislature, a
plan for utilization was discussed and approved. These plans call for
opening an office in Everett and the Tri-Cities, substantially expanding the
Olympia staff,-
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979 19
with additions in Spokane, and Yakima, adding personnel in Wenatchee.
During public comment people expressed serious concern for the lacks in
educational services available to blind children in the public school system
- a concern shared by the Commission Board and NFBW. The Commission's
inability to have any direct impact because of the limitations of law was
stated. Through the efforts of the organized blind movement and its
legislative and administrative efforts (as in the survey of the needs of
blind children - September 1978) this problem can perhaps be remedied.
The Commission Board read a "notice" from a person claiming to be the
president of the National Federation of the Blind, Washington State
Affiliate, accusing the Commission of interferring with the blind of the
state. That person was not in attendance at the meeting. When asked if
anyone in the room represented the organization, a George West identified
himself as First Vice President, denying any knowledge of the "notice" or
organizational responsibility for its content, and refusing tp comment on
any of the accusations.
The next meeting of the Commission Board is scheduled for June 9,
1979 at agency headquarters, 3411 S. Alaska, in Seattle, at 1 PM.
Commission for the Blind Commended
The following letter was sent to our Governor on the letterhead of the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; Office of the Secretary;
Washington, D.C. 20201:
Office of Human Development Services Rehabilitation Services Administration
February 27, 1979
The Honorable Dixie Lee Ray Governor of Washington Olympia, Washington
98504
Dear Governor Ray:
I have noted that the Washington Commission for the Blind has compiled an
outstanding record in its vocational rehabilitation
20 NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979
program for fiscal year 1978. The 35.1 percent increase in the number of
blind rehabilitants in your State agency serving the blind is indeed
remarkable when compared to the overall national increase of 1.1 percent.
In fact the Commission for the Blind, Mr. Kenneth N. Hopkins, Director, and
his staff lead the nation in the percentage increase of rehabilitants.
Please accept the wholehearted commendation from all of us in the
Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Sincerely,
Robert R. Humphreys Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services
Job Search Assistance Now Available Through Seattle Central Community
College
During the recession in Seattle of the early 1970's, when the Boeing plants
were laying off thousands of workers, the then administrator of State
Services for the Blind in Washington also cut back on job placement
activities, saying, "If sighted people are having trouble getting jobs,
blind people haven't got a chance." As Al Fisher put it, "This is the very
time he should be doubling placement efforts."
We have come a long way since that time, both in the general economy of the
state and especially in the outlook of the state's agency for the blind.
Sure, job discrimination against the blind still exists and a lot of jobs
are hard for anyone to get because there is strong competition. However,
that doesn't mean that blind people have to take a back seat to other people
in competing for available jobs.
For anyone, the job search is a lonely, frustrating business; with the
addition of blindness, it becomes even more so. The myths and
misconceptions about blindness tend to say that blind people should sit home
in a rocking chair and collect welfare. Unfortunately, many employers feel
that way and are reluctant to give a blind person the chance to prove his or
her ability to do a job. But SSI and other disability pensions just don't
keep up with inflation.
NFBW NEWSLINE - APRIL 1979 21
The Commission has contracted with Seattle Central Community College to
provide what just may be the needed assistance and impetus to help blind
people get the job they both want and need. The college has been offering
sighted people courses in "creative" job hunting for several years, and has
now instituted a program in creative job hunting with emphasis on the
special difficulties faced by blind job hunters.
The program is designed to show blind job hunters how to get the job they
want. The program provides a Job Club which is simply a group of job
hunters who meet regularly, share information and job leads, tell of their
successes and challenges, get ideas from others, and generally support one
another during the process of job hunting. The program acquires and
maintains contacts in a wide variety of job fields, job leads, information
on companies, agencies, firms, industries - not only for Puget Sound area
but the rest of the state and Pacific Northwest, and encourages
participating job hunters to continually develop their own contacts.
Is the technique used at Job Search successful? This program is very young,
but the innovative process of Job Search has been around for ten years. The
"creative" job hunting method stresses, "get the job you want and are
qualified for, not just any old job." Get to the person with the power to
hire for the job you want, and you will have the job.
In addition to helping people learn the techniques of creative job hunting,
they are encouraged to improve their job hunting skills. This includes
helping them better know their skills and be able to talk about them
enthusiastically, develop their knowledge of interviewing: what to say and
what not to say.
In addition to these many skills learned and developed in Job Search, the
Program for the Blind at Seattle Central Community College, it assists the
blind person in other issues so often faced while job hunting: How to
handle employers who still believe blindness and incompetence are
synonomous. Alternative techniques are explored including special
equipment, when appropriate, for identified job tasks - so hiring is done on
an equal basis with sighted people.
As one successful job hunter put it, "The greatest thing I got
out of the program is knowing that I have a choice; I am not
afraid of job hunting the next time; I know how and that I can do it."
Newsline
National FMeration of the Blind of Washington
Post Office Box 261 Mercer Island, WA 98040
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 670 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Frank and Judy Cuta
600 S. 45th
W. Richland, WA 993t>2
No comments:
Post a Comment