The President's Corner
By Jim Jirak, President
Imagine yourself in your favorite
convenience store purchasing an item. Next,
imagine yourself in the express checkout lane paying for the item. You hand the cashier what you believe to be
a $20 only to discover that it is a $10.
Not only are you embarrassed, but also shocked that this situation could
have happened. And while this scenario is unlikely to occur to anyone in this
organization, the possibility, though small in nature, does exist.
As a result, tactile currency is the only
independent solution to the visually impaired being able to identify their
money. Yes, folding bills is an option,
but it is neither full proof nor accurate.
So, what do you think? If
twenty-three countries around the Globe can make this concept a reality with
minimal difficulties to accommodate the visually impaired, then why can't
we? In the words of one-time
presidential candidate Ross Perot, "The process is quite simple. You take what works that other countries
have done, copy it; then implement it here.
What's so hard about that?"
As I write this article, there is a
pending resolution before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
to consider the idea of tactile currency.
And to enable you, the membership, to make an informed decision as to
this concept, the resolution reads as follows:
"WHEREAS CURRENCY IS USED BY
VIRTUALLY EVERYONE IN EVERYDAY LIFE,
INCLUDING BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS;
WHEREAS THE FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES OF THE UNITED
STATES ARE INACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH VISUAL
DISABILITIES; WHEREAS THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
ACT ENHANCES THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; WHEREAS MOST BLIND
AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS ARE THEREFORE REQUIRED
TO RELY UPON OTHERS TO DETERMINE THE DENOMINATIONS
OF SUCH CURRENCY; WHEREAS THIS CONSTITUTES
A SERIOUS IMPEDIMENT ON THE INDEPENDENCE
OF EVERYDAY LIVING; WHEREAS ELECTRONIC
MEANS OF BILL IDENTIFICATION WILL ALWAYS BE
MORE FALLIBLE THAN PURELY TACTILE MEANS; WHEREAS TACTILE CURRENCY ALREADY EXISTS IN TWENTY-THREE COUNTRIES WORLD-WIDE; AND WHEREAS THE
CURRENCY OF THE UNITED STATES IS
PRESENTLY UNDER-GOING SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES FOR SECURITY PURPOSES; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SENATE:
1.) ENDORSES THE EFFORTS RECENTLY BEGUN
BY THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING
TO UPGRADE THE CURRENCY FOR SECURITY REASONS.
AND
2.) STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE SECRETARY
TREASURY OF THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING TO INCORPORATE COST-EFFECTIVE TACTILE FEATURES
INTO THE DESIGN CHANGES THEREBY
INCLUDING THE BLIND AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED COMMUNITY IN INDEPENDENT CURRENCY
USAGE."
Turning my thoughts to the
recently concluded convention, a lot can be said. Some good; some bad; and some not worth saying at all.
For the 37 attendees, 9 of which were SVI
staff, they would agree, I am sure; that the program planned by the convention
committee was by far the best yet. Many
thanks to Jon Baird, Sharon & Terry Brennfoerder and Jim Radcliffe for
their excellent taste in program selection as well as their time and effort put
into planning the 1999 ACBN state convention.
Also, many thanks to Bob Doulas for the tremendous job he did in
supporting me in his role as vice-president.
While he is no longer serving the organization in that capacity, he can
rest assured his services will still be called upon from time to time.
Replacing him as vice-president is
Stephen Speicher. Steve currently
serves as first vice-president nationally.
He brings to your executive committee common sense, charisma, as well as
the ability to communicate and keep your president on the strait and
narrow. Congratulations Steve! Welcome aboard. And due to the sudden, and unexplainable, resignation of Bill
Orester as treasurer shortly after the convention, I have taken the liberty of
appointing Lleana Messer as interim treasurer until the April 2000 convention.
Speaking of the 2000 convention, make
plans now to spend Arbor Day weekend in the city where it was founded. That's right, Nebraska City. The dates are April 28-30 at the Apple Inn. Toll-free reservations can now be made by
calling the Apple Inn directly at 800-659-4446. Be sure to mention you are with ACBN to receive the discounted
room rates. The rates are as
follows: single (1 bed, 1 person)
$37.25; single (1 bed, 2 people) $42.65; double (2 beds, 2 people) $46.25;
double (2 beds, 3 people) $48.95; double (2 beds, 4 people) $51.65; king suite
with whirlpool $53.35; king suite without whirlpool $50.65. All room rates are subject to a 9% tax. Start saving your pennies. Come join the first convention of the new
millennium of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska in Nebraska City
Arbor Day weekend.
Before I conclude, while it is not within
my presidential jurisdiction to lecture, I feel it necessary, due to recent
events, to address the issue of commitment and responsibility. While these comments will most likely
generate controversy, I believe these remarks should be taken for what they are
worth.
Each member has an unwritten obligation
to do their part in promoting the organization to the best of his ability. And yes, that even goes for your executive
committee. Sure, we can agree to
disagree. That is what democracy is all
about. And believe it or not,
controversy is good. When two people
disagree on an organizational philosophy, it simply shows both individuals care
deeply about the cause being debated.
But when the discussion is finished, both individuals need to put it
behind them then move on. Walking away
if your way is not gotten and leaving the organization shows that the
commitment wasn't there initially.
Think of the organization; think of those that depend on you’re
abilities. In some way, we all
contribute to the cause. Discuss any
grievance with the person involved; then learn to deal with it! But most importantly, think of the
organization. And finally, with thanks to Dr Pearl Van Zandt, those that live
outside of the Lincoln area that find it necessary to call the Lincoln SVI
office can now do so without incurring a long distance charge. Effective January 1 of this year, they can
be reached toll-free by calling (877) 809-2419. What a concept! It comes
better late than never. Don't you
agree?
Until next time, may all of the best
times of your past be the worst of your future.