AS EYE SEE IT

Dear Lions of South Dakota

In 1925 Helen Keller challenged members of Lions International to become “Knights of the Blind”. The Lions have graciously accepted this challenge and the blind of South Dakota have benefited greatly from the fact that South Dakota Lions have been a part of the “crusade against darkness” to which Ms. Keller referred in her noteworthy speech. Perhaps the most notable way South Dakota Lions have been involved in this “crusade” has been their support of the South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (SDRC). SDRC has been housed in a wonderful facility owned by the Lions Foundation of South Dakota since 1970. During the time that SDRC has rented the building, many blind and visually impaired individuals have learned the valuable lesson that life without sight does not have to be a handicap. Through the work of the qualified staff at SDRC, many individuals who would have given up on life due to the loss of their sight have been trained, and challenged, to resume a normal life through the use of alternative techniques for daily living known as “skills of blindness”. SDRC has enabled numerous individuals to gain, or return to, competitive employment and thus become productive members of society. It has come to our attention that the Lions Foundation recently voted to sell the building that houses one of South Dakota’s most beneficial rehabilitation facilities in the area. Fortunately, the members of the Lions Foundation narrowly voted to keep the building for now but it has also come to our attention that the recent vote has not ended the desire for some Foundation members to sell the facility, this issue is not yet dead. A question must be asked – not just of the Lions Foundation but also of the entire constituency of the Lions of South Dakota. Would the sale of this building in which hundreds of blind people have gained a new lease on life weaken the commitment of the South Dakota Lions to Helen Keller’s “crusade against darkness”? We, the members of the South Dakota Association of the Blind, believe that it would greatly weaken this commitment. No greater opportunity can be found for the Lions to play an active role in assisting the blind than their continued support of SDRC. We, the blind, do not seek handouts; we seek helping hands that will enable us to be productive members of our society. SDRC is one such helping hand that the Lions and their Foundation would do well to continue to support. SDRC will continue to serve the blind of this state – with or without the support of South Dakota Lions and the Lions Foundation. But we see this as an opportunity for the Lions to stand up and say, “Yes, we will continue to be Knights of the Blind!” We ask you, the Lions of South Dakota, to contact members of the Lions Foundation of South Dakota and let them know that you wish to maintain the status of “Knights of the Blind.” We ask that you strongly urge the members of the Lions Foundation not to sell this building, but to do all in their power to continue to support SDRC in its occupancy of the facility located at 800 West Avenue North in Sioux Falls. We thank you for your consideration of this important matter. We would be open for dialog with the Lions and/or the Lions Foundation regarding this matter. Sincerely, Keith Bundy & Chelle Hart Co-Presidents

CraftAbilities Fair

The South Dakota Association of the Blind will be hosting a craft fair on Saturday, April 16, 2005 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. at the Center for Active Generations, in Sioux Falls, SD. Tables are still available for anyone wanting to sell their wares. The cost for a table is only $20 and one item being donated to SDAB raffle. For more information or to reserve a table, call Brenda at 1-888-584-7440 or Virginia at 605-428-3651. Anyone interested in helping out, selling raffle tickets, working at a booth, or with the general operation of the craft fair, contact Virginia. Raffle Tickets are being sold by SDAB members for items donated by the crafters. Anyone wanting tickets contact a SDAB Board member. You need not be present to win.

Greetings By Keith and Chelle

Spring is coming, and this always fills us with excitement. We are also excited about what is going on in SDAB. We had a wonderful workday for the Board on February 26, and, yes, the weather cooperated. We plan to make this an annual event as more things seem to get done when members meet in person to work on specific goals. We want to encourage everyone who is crafty (that is, those of you who do crafts) to get involved in the Craft Abilities event on April 16. This is a great chance to show off your talents and help SDAB as well. Finally, we want to encourage everyone to get out and recruit new SDAB members. This is a fantastic organization filled with wonderful people, so let's share the good news of SDAB with others.

New Office Building

The Division of Rehabilitation Services, Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Communication Service for the Deaf in Aberdeen showed off their new offices during a recent Open House at the new location, 1707 4th Avenue SE (just up the way from the old office building). The new space offers much larger offices, bigger conference rooms, and additional storage space. Stop in for a tour when you are in the area.

Blind Blunders

They say that the most well adjusted people are those who can laugh at their own mistakes. Here is my (Chelle Hart) most recent blunder: A few weeks ago, while visiting a friend in Wisconsin, I was playing with her dog Reba. I knew she wanted something from me but wasn't sure what it was. My friend, Patty, who is also blind, was doing something in the next room. I asked her why Reba kept nudging me. She called back that Reba was probably thirsty and asked if I would please give her a drink of water. Patty said the water was in a pitcher in the fridge. Not being real familiar with her house, I managed to find the refrigerator and the dog's dish. I was quite pleased with myself. I found the plastic pitcher and filled Reba's dish. She came prancing quickly over to her dish, sniffed it and made a most pathetic sound and hurried away. I realized then that it was not water I had poured into the dog's dish. "Patty," I called out, "what else did you have in a pitcher in the fridge?" "Oh, no!" she said. You just gave the dog tomato juice." We laughed so hard. Reba was very happy to get the real thing. She did not bother me again that weekend for a drink of water. If you are not afraid to laugh at yourself or those funny things that happen because you do not see with your eyes, share them with the rest of us. We can all use a good laugh now and then. By Chelle Hart

The best macaroni and cheese ever made by Keith Bundy: One evening I had the honor of babysitting for some friends of ours. I told them that I would gladly prepare supper for their two boys if the boys didn't get a chance to eat. As the evening progressed, I asked the boys - ages 7 and 3, if they were hungry. Receiving an affirmative response, I proceeded to prepare my specialty, macaroni and cheese from a box. I was pouring a fourth of a cup

of milk into the cheese sauce when my youngest son came into the room. "Dad," he laughed, "why are you putting chocolate milk in the macaroni and cheese?" I tried to cover up the mistake, but there was definitely a hint of chocolate taste in the concoction. A few days later, I asked the father of the boys if they had any comments about supper. He said, "Oh, yes. They said the macaroni and cheese was the best they had ever had!" Keith Bundy

Talking Lunch Line

This idea came from a Robotics Club (with a member who was blind) at a public school. The club bought a number of little memo recorders like the kind you can get as key chains. They put Velcro on the back and attached them to the glass in front of each item in the lunch line. Each day the cafeteria staff recorded what was being served at each station. Then when the blind students wanted to know what was for lunch, they just pushed the button and the recorder told them the choice. The idea has become quite a hit. The blind students do not have to bother the cafeteria workers to ask what is for lunch and they feel as independent as their sighted peers in making their choices. The fun thing is that the sighted kids are taking advantage of the recordings too. Many times it is hard for the kids to figure out what exactly an item is so they enjoy the info from the recordings too. Note: From this idea, a recorder has been put on the wall near the SDSBVI lunchroom so that the menu that is being served is told each time a person goes in and out of the room. It has become a big hit with both students and staff.

Braille for your Feet

New ADA design standards featuring “Universal Design” allowed user groups with conflicting needs to come to a “compromise” solution on detectable warnings. These new standards eliminate earlier lack of continuity in installed systems. Since 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have created new compliance problems for designers nationwide. Thanks to the vague way some of the guidelines were written, the confusion has been unending. Every architect, public works director, or commercial real estate owner has tried to understand these regulations, yet all of us have no choice but to work within them. One of the more troublesome issues has been that of “detectable warnings” or truncated domes. These of course are the small rounded textures that go on ramps and pedestrian access points to benefit blind and visually impaired persons or basically “braille for your feet." Jon Julnes of Vanguard ADA Systems of America, a nationwide manufacturer of detectable warnings and provider of approved details and specs say, “these are for all practical purposes, STOP signs for those with low vision or blindness. Continuity in design, shape and texture is vital for these folks”. The early ADAAG required that detectable warnings be placed the “full width and depth of the ramp”. Due to retail building owners (shopping carts) and user complaints (wheelchairs, walkers), the requirement for detectable warnings was suspended in the mid 90’s for study. A great number of people were under the mistaken impression that the mandate had been deleted. When in fact, it had only been suspended so persons most affected could help determine a solution that met everyone needs.

People who are blind realize this new surface texture has already saved many lives all over the world, including here in the United States at transit platform edges and the like. But some issues that followed “full width and depth” were troublesome for those in wheelchairs. Being in such mobility devices for extended periods of time can cause atrophy of musculature, and by virtue, even minor vibration could cause spasms and loss of control for some. Clearly a new design standard had to be determined that met the needs of all parties. By July 26, 2001, the committed parties compromised, and agreed to new standards and the suspension was lifted making the requirement for detectable warnings renewed on all public ramps and vehicular and pedestrian access points. So, the question was no longer “are detectable warnings required?” but rather, “what are the approved shape, size and dimensions to properly install detectable warnings in all cases?” The majority of states adopted the PROWAAC design criterion (2 foot deep by width of ramp); a very small faction retained the original mandate of full width and depth, while still others have adopted a 3-foot depth by width of ramp. If it’s true that detectable warnings are tactile STOP signs, then it’s clear they need to look and act like every other Braille sign in existence, that is, they need to have the same message, and mean the same thing whether the person accessing them is in Detroit, Miami or Tokyo. Continuity is the key. Universal design is the solution. Again Julnes states, “If a red octagonal sign in Spain says ‘ALTO’, while still another in France says ‘ARRET’, thanks to ‘Universal Design’ no one needs to speak the language, we all easily know it means to stop." Considering the March 2003 document from the Federal Access Board which states; “The Board believes that the specifications for detectable warnings in the draft rights-of-way guidelines provide a level of access substantially equal to or greater than that currently specified by ADAAG”. It becomes clear, the 2-foot standard allows form to follow function, and while insuring Universal Design. Whether on public right of ways or for the current mandate for detectable warnings on ramps and pedestrian and vehicular access points on private commercial properties, finally there is clarity as to design standards for these important additions to our communities. For more information contact: Jon Julnes, Vanguard ADA Systems of America, 360-668-5700, http://www.VanguardOnline.com

Mark Your Calendars

As fast as time flies, it's not too early to start thinking about our upcoming SDAB State Convention, which will be held on October 28-29, 2005 at the Ramkota Inn and Convention Center in Watertown, SD. Plans are being put together with the possibility of speakers from the Lions Eye Bank, a personal perspective from members of an organ donor family and an organ recipient, as well as an Optometrist to present on eye conditions. The possibility of touring the Redland Art Center is also being looked into. Marlin and Sara Olson, from Dell Rapids will provide great entertainment during the banquet and as usual a fun filled auction will be held (on Friday night this year). Room rates are set at $71 plus tax (state rates availa