Future Reflections Fall 1992, Vol. 11 No. 4
FROM THE EDITOR: This year's back-to-school issue begins with a self-examination and ends with a history lesson. The lead article by Barbara Pierce challenges parents to do some soul-searching. She gently, humorously calls on parents to consider the consequences of simple actions and expectations. For example, who washes your blind pre-teen's hair? Simple actions, small expectationsbut day by day, week by week, year by year they will either add to, or subtract from, your blind son's or daughter's emerging independence.
Another element contributing to independence is, of course, skills. If you read the table of contents you may have noticed that a large number of the articles (about a third of the total) have the word Braille in the title. The National Federation of the Blind tackled the problem of Braille illiteracy when others would not even admit that a problem existed. Today, the Federation continues to lead the fight, but we are no longer alone. Most major agencies and organizations of and for the blind have acknowledged the importance of Braille and have joined the struggle to combat Braille illiteracy. About a dozen states have passed Braille bills (legislation guaranteeing blind students the opportunity to learn Braille); legislation is under consideration in about a dozen more states; and the National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is on the brink of introducing a Braille certification program for teachers. Many of these changes have not yet trickled down to the teachers and students in the classroom, but they are coming.
Finally, the issue endsmost appropriatelywith a history lesson. In the Federation we often emphasize the importance of blind adult role models for blind children and their families. But pride and inspiration can also be built upon role models from the past. And much inspiration and perspective can be derived from Dr. Kenneth Jernigan's 1973 NFB Convention Banquet address, "Blindness: Is History Against Us?" (page 42). This speech has long been a favorite of mine, and I believe you and your blind youngster or student will enjoy it, too.