MCB REPORT

April 14, 2006

OUTREACH TO THE EYE CARE COMMUNITY

As part of its continuing efforts to reach out to optometrists, ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals, the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) made a presentation to an optometry class at Ferris State University to address a variety of service and blindness issues. Susan Turney and Pat Cannon traveled to Big Rapids, March 23, to meet with students of Dr. Walter Betts, the head of the university’s College of Optometry. The presentation included an overview of blindness awareness issues, services offered by the Commission as well as numerous other services available to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The 36 graduate students, who will become practicing optometrists in about 18 months, were highly engaged in the interaction and said the information would be of tremendous help to them in their profession.

Additional MCB outreach efforts to the eye care community include a mailing to all optometrists and ophthalmologists on Commission services and articles in association newsletters. Further, MCB is slated to make a presentation on Commission services and blindness awareness issues at this summer’s annual meeting of the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MSEPS). (Note, in March, the Michigan Ophthalmological Society adopted this new name which they feel better describes who they are to the general public.)

ACCESS BOARD UPGRADES TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS

The United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), more commonly referred to as the Access Board, plans to initiate steps this summer to review and update its access standards for electronic and information technology covered by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. These standards cover products and technologies procured by the federal government, including computer hardware and software, websites, phone systems, fax machines, and copiers, among others. The constantly changing nature of the technologies covered necessitates periodic reviews of these standards. This effort, which will be the first update of the standards since their publication in late 2000, will address new or convergent types of technologies and other areas where the standards need to be revisited. The Board considers it important that this work be coordinated on an international scale.

As part of this effort, the Board also plans to update its guidelines for telecommunications products and equipment covered by the Telecommunications Act. Section 255 of this act ensures access to telecommunications products and services. Issued in 1998, the Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines provide operating characteristics and product capabilities necessary for access. Provisions in the section 508 standards for telecommunication products are based on these guidelines. However, the Telecommunications Act guidelines are not limited to technologies procured by the federal government and apply to products designed, developed and manufactured in the U.S.

The Board plans to organize an advisory committee to review its standards and guidelines and to recommend changes. In conducting this update, the Board will coordinate its work with international organizations, such as the European Union (EU), and other nations in order to advance global harmonization and standardization. As a first step in this effort, the Board and other federal agencies met with EU representatives in February to exchange information on access standards for information technology. In addition, the Board will seek to further harmonize revisions with other standards and guidelines for the technologies covered, such as those issued by World Wide Web Consortium. The Board plans to review these guidelines to determine whether any updates or revisions are necessary. The Board also will explore developing supplementary guidelines on communication access for various types of elements, including point of sales machines, interactive transaction machines, communication devices for drive-through services, public address systems, and certain types of alarms, such as carbon monoxide detectors, that are not currently addressed by the Board’s guidelines.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

This summer, the Michigan Commission for the Blind has a number of opportunities for youth who are blind or visually impaired. There's a link on the front page of the MCB website (www.michigan.gov/mcb) in the Spotlight section with information on all of these, and the same information also appears on the appropriate MCB program web pages:

• Business Enterprise Program Summer Internships (June 15-August 15) are eight-week food service and vending employment experiences for youth ages 15-21, working 20-40 hours per week and earning $6.50 per hour. The June 15 through August 15 timeline is flexible. For more information, current MCB clients should contact their MCB counselor. Others should contact Gwen McNeal at 313-456-1655 (Eastern Region) or Sherry Gordon 269-337-3276 (Western Region).

• The Detroit Youth Summer Program (June 26-August 18) is for youth ages 14-21. The program provides youth with vocational skills, personal adjustment skills, work experience, and a one-week computer camp. For more information, current MCB clients should contact their MCB counselor. Others should contact Shawnese Laury-Johnson at 313-456-1957.

• The Summer in the City Youth Program in Grand Rapids (June 19-23) is for youth ages 14-18. The program focuses on personal adjustment and other pre-vocational skills for employment. Current MCB clients should contact their MCB counselor. Others should contact Michelle Visscher at 616-356-0186.

• The Quest for Success Program (July 23-28) is a summer camp at Camp Tuhsmeheta near Greenville for youth ages 14-18. Activities will focus on independent living and socialization skills, career readiness, assistive technology, and traditional summer camp fun such as water sports, campfire stories, crafts, a dance, hikes, and more. For more information, current MCB clients should contact their counselor, and all others should contact Jim Baird at 269-337-3758.

In addition to being posted on the MCB website, this information has been distributed via email to all MCB staff, all members of the MCB 2020 listserv, and all members of the Michigan State University listserv of "Professionals for and of the Visually Impaired in Michigan." The information has also been sent to Newsline, and a press release will be sent to media statewide in April.

ACCESS FOR FLYING SERVICE ANIMALS

The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), a consumer advocacy organization representing persons with disabilities working with guide, hearing and service dogs, reports progress in ensuring access for service animals on commercial airlines. In November 2004, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published its Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), which specifically invited comments on whether there should be any modifications to Part 382, Appendix A, concerning the transport of service animals by air. IAADP submitted a letter of Public Comment which noted that the proposed language in Appendix A could have had a devastating impact on individuals whose disability requires the use of an assistance dog large enough to perform tasks like guiding blind people, wheelchair pulling and providing balance support. IAADP and other advocacy organizations raised serious concerns that the guidance accompanying the NPRM would make the skies unfriendly for disabled people traveling with service animals.

The proposal which led to the advocacy initiative would have given airlines three options if a service dog is too big to sit in the small amount of space directly in front of the owner's seat, including: charging the disabled passenger for an extra ticket, or putting the dog in the cargo hold, or making the passenger and dog wait for a later flight.

The Great Lakes ADA Technical Assistance Center in Chicago reports that the proposed guidance was part of the FAA’s NPRM under the Air Carriers Access Act, but was not adopted as part of the act’s regulations. According to the Great Lakes ADA Center, the language in the act remains unchanged related to service animals:

- Carriers must permit dog guides or other service animals with appropriate identification to accompany an individual with a disability on a flight. Identification may include cards or other documentation, presence of a harness or markings on a harness, tags, or the credible verbal assurance of the passenger using the animal.

- If carriers provide special information to passengers concerning the transportation of animals outside the continental United States, they must provide such information to all passengers with animals on such flights, not simply to passengers with disabilities who are traveling with service animals.

- Carriers must permit a service animal to accompany a traveler with a disability to any seat in which the person sits, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain clear in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation, in which case the passenger will be assigned another seat.

In addition to IAADP, several consumer organizations are continuing their advocacy efforts to ensure that individuals traveling with service animals will have their rights protected. Organizations participating in this advocacy initiative include the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind.

MANY WAYS OF SEEING

The Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled hosted a class, March 20, for University of Michigan students called Many Ways of Seeing – Teaching Art to the Blind and Visually Impaired. U-M Professor Sadashi Inuzuka (who is visually impaired himself), believes that it is beneficial for the students to be introduced to all disabilities including sight loss. This course is being taught in collaboration with the library.

While students gain a technical knowledge of ceramics, they also learn alternate modes of perception and the skills to work with people who have limited vision. The objective of this course is that in working together students and clients will gain confidence and find creative outlet through the sculptural potential of clay. Pat Cannon and Tish Kingaby met with the students to talk about the services of the Michigan Commission for the Blind and a variety of blindness awareness issues. As part of the awareness presentation, students participated in the Commission’s Blindness Awareness Survey (attached), an interactive quiz addressing myths and facts about blindness.

VISIONS 2006

The Michigan Commission for the Blind and the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled are collaborating to host "Visions 2006 – What’s New in Products and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired," May 10 in Ann Arbor. This is the fourth, bi-annual technology exhibit conducted by the two organizations since 2000. The 2004 event had over 1,100 participants.

Visions 2006 will again be held at the Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and MCB staff will be on hand at the MCB booth and to provide peer counseling. For the first time at this event, the Business Enterprise Program will be providing food and beverage items for sale. Vendor product demonstrations will be ongoing all day and, at 10:30 a.m., speaker Dr. David Zacks of the Kellogg Eye Center will make a presentation on "New Frontiers in Vision Research, From the Lab to the Clinic."

REGION V REHABILITATION AGENCIES MEET IN CHICAGO

Public vocational rehabilitation agencies in the six-state region, federal Region V, met in Chicago, March 28-29, to address procedural changes by the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for technical assistance and monitoring. Pat Cannon, Leamon Jones and Bob Robertson represented the Michigan Commission for the Blind at the two-day conference, hosted jointly by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and Region V, Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP).

The primary focus of the conference was the impact of new procedures being put in place by RSA since the closure of all RSA regional offices last fall. Participants also heard reports from Carl Suter, CSAVR Director, on the lack of progress in Congress on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes the federal Rehabilitation Act governing public rehab programs. There was also discussion on standards for rehab counselors, funding for independent living programs and transition services for youth. According to comments by other state rehab agencies in the region, the Michigan Commission for the Blind is the only agency providing any services for youth under age 14, with some agencies only serving youth at age 16 or older.

MINI-ADJUSTMENT WORKSHOP IN DETROIT SERVES 41

The Michigan Commission for the Blind conducted its second Mini-adjustment Program of the year, March 12-17, in Detroit, with 41 consumers participating. MCB clients attending the Mini-Adjustment Program workshops are introduced to a variety of skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, managing time and money, adaptive kitchen skills and other skills to enhance independence. MCB will conduct five, week-long Mini-Adjustment Programs in 2006, with the next workshops scheduled for May 21-26 in Clare, and August 25 through September 1 in Lansing. Additionally, a special program is being planned for DeafBlind clients in the fall.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

The staff of the Consumer Services Division has been working collaboratively with their community partners to increase MCB’s visibility and to promote its outreach efforts.

The Service Delivery Design Team (SDDT) continues to review and evaluate MCB’s programs, practices and procedures to improve service delivery and timeliness of services. The team members conduct phone surveys to compare MCB’s practices and procedures with similar agencies to make sure that the best practices are being employed. As a result of these activities, the SDDT has developed an ad hoc committee to explore college guidelines and procedures with community partners from colleges, universities and school districts. The objective is to assess the need for technology for graduating students as well as improve overall college and vocational training requirements.

The Consumer Services staff continues to seek new and innovative ways to improve service delivery. Most recently, a doctoral student at Michigan State University conducted a Satisfaction Survey of MCB’s successfully closed cases. Song Jae Jo presented the findings to the SDDT at the March meeting. His dissertation provided information on the outcomes of individuals that were successfully employed. There were two areas that were of significance; (1) the positive attitude of the individual and; (2) the amount of vision or lack of vision as it relates to successful employment. The research indicated that the better an individual felt about him/herself, the more likely they were to be successfully employed and the amount of vision or lack of vision did not appear to be a major factor in one’s ability to be employed. This research emphasized the importance of individuals obtaining skills that would enhance their outlook on life. This information was valuable to the Consumer Services program in that it emphasized the importance of providing individuals with appropriate skills necessary for the job market and life goals.

A number of staff attended seminars that were beneficial to MCB’s programs. Ed Haines, a rehabilitation teacher, attended the Josephine L. Taylor Leadership conference in early March and shared with the staff a pilot program that will be piloted in five regions of the United States. This pilot program will focus on providing vision rehabilitation services to individuals by Occupational Therapists (OT). The OT will work under the direction of a physician. This approach to rehabilitation appears to support the medical model of rehabilitation. The OT will be able to provide up to nine hours of vision rehabilitation therapy to the older blind and will receive reimbursement from Medicare for their services. The physician will be responsible for writing the plan for services that will be carried out by the OT. The rehabilitation teachers are unable to receive reimbursement at the same rate as the OT; however, they may work under a physician in providing teacher services.

Several staff attended the Transition Conference March 15-17 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Sherry Gordon and Lisa Kisiel presented the College Prep program at the conference which was very well accepted. Geri Taeckens, school social worker for the Sault Ste. Marie Area Schools, was also invited by this conference to participate and made a presentation on her lifestyle transition experiences. Another MCB staff co-presented with MRS staff on the MI Connection program and the audience was receptive to the ideas presented by these individuals as it impacts transition initiatives. This conference identified new trends in working with transition students. The staff shared these new ideas with their colleagues, thereby enabling all of the staff to be aware of the new approaches in transition efforts.

The Consumer Services Director and the East Region Manager attended the Fifteenth Annual Program Managers Meeting for Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind program in Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting emphasized the need for programs to be accountable for the services that they provide. The managers meeting discussed the need for the older blind program to develop strategic plans and to set goals and objectives for the program. The objectives need to focus on outcomes, not just outputs. Further, information was shared regarding the revision of the 7OB report form which is anticipated to be utilized by Fiscal Year 08. The Older Blind program is working to develop assessment evaluations to monitor the program’s success.

The Consumer Services Director attended the Region V RCEP meeting for directors, field services supervisors and human resource managers, and in particular, received field services information regarding the monitoring process. This practice will focus on the standards and indicators and state plan amendments. The standards and indicators will evaluate the rehabilitation program looking at the types of services and the timeliness of services provided. Also, information was shared regarding the National Employment Network. This is an employment service that focuses on assisting states with employment activities by companies that are in multiple states. A meeting is being planned for late summer for Region V to further develop the National Employment Program in Region V. MCB will participate in this national employment effort.

The West Region Manager and the Consumer Services Director met with Kent Intermediate School District and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired to develop a cash-match agreement to provide additional vocational services to blind and visually impaired youth throughout the year. The West Region continues to provide timely services as they make adjustments in territory assignments. The West Region will have two intern students from Western Michigan University working this summer with

Michelle Visscher and Roberta McCall. They will gain valuable experience in working with seasoned rehabilitation staff and will also share with staff their ideas and approaches to rehabilitating persons who are blind and visually impaired.

The East Region is working collaboratively with Macomb and Oakland Intermediate School Districts in the development of their Career Day programs. They are negotiating with Detroit Public Schools to expand their summer work experience program. The East Region staff participated in the Mini-Adjustment program in March, presenting the Employment Readiness Seminar in a collaborative effort with Michigan Works! and community employers. This seminar received an excellent review. Each participant received three mock interviews and information on conducting an effective job search from the Michigan Works! staff. The employers shared tips regarding job expectations with the candidates. At the Clare Mini- Adjustment program scheduled for the week of May 20, 2006, the Doherty Hotel has agreed to participate in the mock interview process, along with a number of local employers, and it is anticipated that some employment opportunities may be forthcoming from this event.

The East Region Manager attended a Civil Rights Summit held on March 27, 2006 at Wayne State University. The summit was hosted by the Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley. She centered on three aspects of Civil Rights concerns; segregation, hate crimes and affirmative action as a diversity tool. The four speakers on segregation discussed current segregation in Michigan as well as the costs incurred to perpetuate it. They gave suggestions for creating meaningful and lasting integration. An overview of hate crimes in the United States was given followed by a panel discussion on the causes for hate crimes and the increase in frequency and severity of hate group activities. The panel concluded by discussing what Michigan could do to counteract their activities. The final session of the day centered on the use of affirmative action as a diversity tool for women and minorities. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm spoke about her strong support for diversity and maintaining affirmative action policy. All of these issues bare watching as to how they will impact MCB’s consumers. In particular, the assault on affirmative action will strongly impact education and work opportunities for the women and minorities that MCB serves.

The Cultural Diversity Committee met in Detroit on March 16, 2006. One of the objectives of the meeting was to develop a proposal for the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC) conference in July. The group was in agreement regarding the idea of sharing their approaches to outreach to eliminate barriers for minorities, in particular, for those that are blind and visually impaired. Efforts are on the way to have the proposal accepted for the conference. If they are unable to participate in the NAMRC conference in July, they will attempt to present this proposal at the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference in the fall. Debbie Wilson has been selected as the new chairperson for the Cultural Diversity Committee.

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Hollywood calls on MCBTC! On March 8 Jeff Daniels visited the Center to seek input and advice for his upcoming role as a blind character in a movie entitled "The Lookout," which is due for release in 2007. He spent half the day with staff and students learning the rudiments of blindness skills. Jeff was particularly interested in Braille and in learning to use the cane effectively. Some of the MCBTC students compiled a CD for Jeff in which they described how they did everyday tasks as blind people; they also wanted him to know the true implications of blindness rather than the stereotypes of blindness. The text of the thank-you letter Jeff sent to the Center follows:

March 8, 2006

Dear Melody,

Thank you for helping me prepare for my role in the film, The Lookout. Your generosity and hospitality made me feel very at home. Your colleagues at the Commission could not have been more helpful, positive and informative. All of you helped make my job much easier. As I drove home, I felt as if I’d found the character.

Please tell Larry I loved his MCBTC CD, tell Chris he knows his way around the Commission better than I know my way around my own house, tell Connie I hope George wears my signature well, tell Todd I’ll bet money I cut off one of my fingers before he cuts off one of his, tell Betty from now on every time someone says "ice" I’ll think 24-14-15, and most importantly, please tell Will I’ll never eat M&Ms again.

I had a wonderful day with all of you. Thanks to you and to everyone for making me not only a better actor, but a better person.

Sincerely,

Jeff Daniels

In other news, as a result of discussions with the Braille instructors at MCBTC, a Braille proficiency measurement tool has been developed. The Center will begin using the process for measuring Braille proficiency with students entering the program beginning in April 2006. Through this tool, the Center will have the capacity to track statistical information regarding Braille reading and writing achievements. A preliminary report will be compiled for the MCB Director by the October Board meeting. The teachers will also meet periodically to determine if any changes need to be made that will strengthen the Braille proficiency methodology being used.

In collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind, MCBTC will give consumers and staff the opportunity to test the NFB Kurzweil hand-held reader and to give feedback on how the device could be improved. In addition to the Center, there will be six individuals throughout the state who will have the opportunity to use the reader and to make suggestions for improvements before the reader becomes available on the market. The hand-held reader is a portable device that allows the user to have access to printed materials.

The Training Center has a retirement announcement. Dick Linihan, the maintenance supervisor at MCBTC, has announced that he will retire at the end of April. During the past six years that Dick has been the maintenance supervisor, the Director has never waivered in her confidence that the building was in good hands. When bringing problems to the attention of Administration, he has also brought solutions. In his actions and the work he has done, Dick has always demonstrated that he has the Center's best interest at heart. His abilities and competence will be greatly missed.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

MCB’s budget is right on target through the first half of 2006. Costs and projections through March 2006 show that MCB has expended fifty-two percent of the budget half way through the year. The only individual budget that is of concern is the Business Enterprise Program that is at sixty-six percent spent. This is due in part to expenditures carried forward from last year to complete the installation of the snack café at Constitution Hall, although there have been several other expensive construction projects that have also added to the BEP budget deficit. BEP staff and operators are well aware that BEP is operating on an extremely tight budget for the rest of this fiscal year and that with the exception of critical items all other purchasing will need to be considered for purchasing in fiscal year 2007.

The Consumer Services supervisers have been busy working on Cash Match Agreements to supplement MCB’s funding as well as provide additional services to clients. So far this year, it appears that these agreements have the potential to nearly double the 2005 local matching funds of $53,559. Kudos to the supervisers that have been out pounding the pavement for those agreements.

BEP has also been working on assisting with the agency’s economic situation. At the operator workshop April 7-9, Fred Wurtzel requested assistance from BEP operators to help find additional ways to supplement funds. They discussed increasing set-aside fees which received mixed reactions and they definitely wanted to explore other means to increase funding. Another area that was discussed was unassigned vending income. This income is from vending machines that are not assigned to an operator but are located in state owned or operated buildings. These funds are 100 percent matching funds. It is the agency’s intent to investigate income coming into the state from vending sources to agencies other than MCB. In addition, the BEP Promotional Agents will be looking for additional vending machines in state owned or operated buildings that aren’t currently tied to BEP. Operators were assured that if any additional vending is identified that those machines would first be assigned to an operator if it is profitable for them to maintain the vending at that site. Finally, many of the operators were pleased to let the agency know that the catering that they have been doing has not only increased their profits but should provide an increase to set-aside fees. One operator relayed that he alone had $2,000 worth of catering in one week time period. It was gratifying to learn how successful many of the operators have been with catering.

Finally, the DLEG auditing division is going to begin the BEP audit shortly. They will start in the next week or so and will begin by auditing the operations in central office. They will be in the Lansing office for about three weeks before they start auditing operator locations. This audit will span three or four years and they will be doing about twenty-five to thirty randomly chosen locations each year. This is primarily a financial audit but it may move into some program issues if they determine it is needed after they audit central office.

In personnel issues, MCB is currently working with DLEG’s Office of Human Resources and Civil Service to fill some vacancies. It is hoped to have a new tech specialist position at the Training Center posted soon, a secretary position at the Training Center, and a rehab teacher position in the Kalamazoo Regional Office. Interviewing for a departmental analyst trainee in Central Office was conducted April 13.

The National Bring a Child to Work Day is Thursday, April 27th. One activity related to this event is an agency-wide art contest open to all children of DLEG employees, whether or not they attend Bring a Child To Work Day. The artwork should show what makes Michigan a great place to live and work in the 21st century. Entries are due by May 5. More information about this day and the art contest is available on the DLEG intranet site.

In training activities, the Michigan Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) Conference is scheduled for April 27-28 in Livonia. MCB has 8 staff signed up to attend this program. Also a diversity conference is scheduled for July 19-23 in Detroit sponsored by the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. More information will be shared with staff as it becomes available.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

BEP held its annual workshop April 7, 8, and 9 and was very successful. BEP operators were pleased with the attendance of Commissioners. The topic of this year’s workshop was catering. There were several reports of increased business since the change in rules that opened up the catering market in state buildings. Many BEP private sector partners were there to demonstrate techniques and show off new products and equipment.

Elections were held for the Elected Operators Committee (EOC) and Thomas Kent was elected the chair person of the Committee. Rob Essenberg was elected Vice-Chair. BEP staff are pleased that there are many newer operators stepping up to serve. Special thanks and recognition goes to those who have served and are leaving the EOC: Bill Myers, Cathy Cook, Sam Palazzolo, Richard Kent, Joe Sontag and Tom Carpenter. It is hoped they choose to return someday and serve, again. Congratulations to Bill Lozier upon his re-election. A hearty welcome to the newly elected members: Carla Chambers, James Young, Valeria Young, Matilda Steele, Kevin Tomczak, and Rob Essenberg.

In another effort, BEP is working with the Consumer Services Division to improve recruiting for BEP. BEP presently has a number of unfilled facilities with no blind persons who are trained and ready to work. BEP can be a good career. Each year at the workshop 20, 25 and 30 year service recognitions are awarded which are a testament to the opportunities offered as a foodservice professional in the BEP.

BLINDNESS AWARENESS SURVEY

TRUE or FALSE?

1. Asking a person who is blind if and how she/he would like assistance is appropriate. If the offer of assistance is declined, however, the individual's decision should be respected.

2. When giving directions to a person who is blind, it is helpful to point. It is also helpful if the person offering the assistance speaks slowly and somewhat more loudly than usual.

3. People who are totally blind use guide dogs to aid in mobility, while persons who are only partially blind use white canes. The length of a person's cane designates the amount of residual vision the person may have.

4. People who are blind have exceptional skills in recognizing an individual’s voice, so it is not necessary to identify yourself to a blind person once you’ve interacted with her/him three times or more.

5. When encountering a blind person using a guide dog, you should not pet or distract the dog without the owner's permission. If asked, however, some blind persons may grant permission for you to pet the dog.

6. You should speak directly to a person who is blind, rather than through a sighted companion. You should identify yourself and others who may be with you when interacting with a person who is blind or low-vision and, when speaking in a group setting, you should identify the person to whom you are speaking.

7. You should treat adults as adults. You should address people who have disabilities by their first names only if extending the same familiarity to others.

8. When talking to a blind person, you should be careful not to use common expressions such as "see you later," "look at this," or "we watched TV last night," as such terms may create discomfort or anxiety for the person who is blind.

9. Asking a person who is blind how they lost their eyesight is not advisable. While many individuals with disabilities may be quite comfortable in discussing how they acquired their disability, others may view it as a personal, private matter.

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

10. When a visually impaired person avoids eye contact with you in a conversation, it is usually a good sign that the individual is:

a. Someone with low self-esteem

b. Evasive or hiding something

c. Nervous or unsure

d. Not highly motivated

e. None of the above

f. Any of the above

11. If you see a person who is blind speaking to an empty chair next to her/him, you may assume that:

a. The person is speaking to an invisible or imaginary friend

b. The person is privately rehearsing a speech

c. A friend or colleague has left, neglecting to say "I’ll be back"

d. Any of the above

e. None of the above

12. When people lose their eyesight, they develop a much greater sense of:

a. Smell

b. Touch

c. Hearing

d. Taste

e. All of the above

f. None of the above

13. If a blind person asks you to provide "sighted guide" assistance, the expectation is that you will:

a. Step behind the individual, firmly grasp her/his shoulders and steer the person in the desired direction

b. Grasp the end of the person’s cane (while the person holds on to the handle) and pull in the desired direction

c. Offer the person your arm and he/she will grasp your arm just above the elbow and walk with you

d. Grasp the person’s arm and try to direct him or her by pushing or pulling

e. any of the above

14. When serving as a "sighted guide" for a person who is blind, you should inform the person you are guiding about changes in terrain, stairs, narrow spaces, elevators and escalators because:

a. It’s really helpful to do so

b. Blind persons are not as agile as sighted persons

c. The surprise of an escalator under foot can be dangerous

d. Good verbal clues may be helpful

e. None of the above

f. All of the above

15. As an accommodation to a person who is blind, it may be necessary at times to provide:

a. Assistance in reading print materials

b. Sighted guide assistance

c. Materials in large print, Braille, computer disk or audio tape

d. Transportation

e. Adaptive computer software

f. All of the above

g. None of the above

16. Accessible signage must be provided in buildings wherever permanent names or numbers are assigned to rooms. These accessible signs must include:

a. High contrast

b. Raised, tactile letters or numbers

c. Braille letters or numbers

d. Any one of the above

e. Any two of the above

f. All of the above

17. If an employer identifies a job that would be perfect for someone who is blind, the best thing to do would be:

a. Contact organizations that refer people who are blind and inform them of this position

b. Freeze this position for someone who is blind

c. Put an ad in the newspaper stating a preference for blind applicants for this position

d. None of the above

e. All of the above

18. Statistics show that in order to get a job offer, a person who is blind needs to go on more interviews than an equally qualified, non-disabled counterpart. People who are blind need:

a. Twice as many interviews

b. Five times as many interviews

c. Ten times as many interviews

d. Twenty times as many interviews

19. When visually impaired persons may be part of a group to which you are speaking, it will be helpful to:

a. Verbally describe any visual elements contained in your presentation

b. Speak more loudly

c. Use only video products which contain audio description

d. Distribute any print materials only if alternative formats are also available

e. All of the above

f. Any of the above

20. Because there are some inherent limitations associated with blindness, there are some things that blind people simply can’t do, such as:

a. Pitching in the major leagues

b. Driving a race car

c. Going whitewater rafting

d. Being a physician

e. Serving on a jury

f. Being a commercial airline pilot

g. None of the above (Blind people are able to do all these things.)

h. All of the above (Blind people can’t do any of these things.)