[Nfb-editors] Fall/Winter CT Federationist

[Chris Kuell]

The Federationist
In Connecticut

"The Blind Speaking for Themselves"
Chris Kuell, Editor
Fall/Winter 2012

The real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight. The real problem 
is the misunderstanding and lack of information which exist. If a blind 
person has proper training and opportunity, blindness is only a physical 
nuisance. The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut is a state 
affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and works to improve 
the lives of blind people in Connecticut. By providing information and 
education to its members and the public, the NFB of Connecticut is changing 
what it means to be blind.

Table of Contents

Change Our lives    page 3

Blind Contestant Wins Master Chef page 5

2012 State Convention Wrap-Up page 8

Landmark Decision in NAD versus Netflix page 10

New NAGDU Hotline   page 13

Why I attend National Convention  page 15

Digitizing Books Is Fair Use: Author's Guild v. HathiTrust
Page 17

Seasonal Haiku    page 19

Miscellany and Notes   page 20

Editor's Note: The following is an extended version of this years NFB of CT's 
writing contest winning essay. The topic was-Why I go to National 
Convention.



Change Our Lives

By Chris Kuell

In the summer of 1998, my wife and I entrusted the care of our kids to my 
brother and his wife, said a few prayers and headed to Dallas for our first 
NFB National convention. My gut was full of anxiety, both because it was our 
first time leaving the kids for more than a few hours, and because of the 
unknown that the convention was to me then. I really had no idea what to 
expect, except that a blind friend named Betty Woodward had encouraged us to 
go. She told us it would change our lives. Since my entire life had been 
overturned in the previous year after I lost my vision, I figured any 
further change could only be positive.

We caught a shuttle van from the airport to the hotel. A guy on the seat 
next to me asked if I was going to the NFB convention and I said yes, how 
about him? He told me he was going to his fifth convention. His name was Ed, 
and he was from Detroit. I asked who he was traveling with and got my first 
shock of the week. "Nobody" he said.

"Nobody?" I said, trying to wrap my head around this. I had received a white 
cane from our state agency for the blind, and even knew my way to my kids 
school and the local Rite-Aid, but the concept of traveling to another 
state, alone, was beyond my comprehension. How could you find the door? How 
could you find the front desk to check in? Or your room, for that matter? My 
brain nearly burst with questions.

I held my wife's elbow tightly as we checked in at the front desk, 
surrounded by blind people. Several asked my wife for directions, which she 
gave. We had to walk down a long hallway to another building to get to our 
room. As we walked, I heard little feet and kids laughing as they sprinted 
by. "You won't believe it," my wife said. "That was three blind kids, racing 
with their canes down the corridor."

Blind kids, running? Once again my mind filled with one question. How?

We spent the afternoon listening to talks. I popped into a meeting of blind 
diabetics, and another full of blind scientists and engineers. Before dinner 
we went to the pool for a swim. There I met Dan, a blind computer teacher 
who answered some of my many questions about JAWS. We spoke with two women 
who had driven down from upstate New York with a van full of kids. I talked 
with a blind single mom who was raising a daughter the same age as my son. 
She worked as an accountant at a company in Virginia.

My  wife wanted to clean-up before dinner, and she turned the TV on for me 
before showering. I listened as a man with a strong voice and a slight 
Tenesee drawl spoke about a blind man who was sitting at home waiting for 
someone to help him. He said the guy called and called his state agency for 
the blind, but they rarely called him back, and when they did, they rarely 
did anything for him. They reminded him of all the things he couldn't do. 
The man felt worthless, he felt afraid,  and he lost all hope for the 
future. As I listened, tears began to stream down my cheeks. The  man on the 
television said he was talking about a guy named Bill, but I didn't think 
that was the case. He was talking about me.

After dinner, we went to the bar where I learned another truth-blind people 
like to drink! I talked with a guy named Mike from Canada, and a man named 
Felix from Sand Diego who had lost his sight, had it restored through 
surgery, and then lost it again. I heard stories of frustration, stories of 
adventures, and stories that made me laugh so hard my belly hurt. I felt 
more relaxed than I had since the day the doctor had removed the bandages 
from my eyes and I couldn't see anything.

After a week, we left Dallas, and both my wife and I had changed. She didn't 
want me clutching her elbow anymore, and she wanted me to try doing more 
things by myself. Rather than me questioning how other blind people did 
things, I thought to myself-if they can do it, I can do it as well.

In 1999, we brought the kids with us to the convention in Atlanta, and in 
2000 I attended the national convention by myself. I've been to conventions 
in Philadelphia, Kentucky, and back to Atlanta again. With each convention I 
meet new people, make more friends, and come back rejuvenated to make a 
difference in the world.



Reprinted from the Los Angeles Times, September 12, 2012

Master Chef Finale: Contestant Overcomes Blindness  and Odds to Win

By Rene Lynch

Christine Ha said she wanted to be taken seriously on "MasterChef." As the 
show's only sight-impaired competitor -- and, indeed, the one and only blind 
competitor in the history of reality TV cooking shows -- she didn't want to 
be a fluke, or an oddity, or a competitor who would be pitied for her 
"handicap."
But she did want to win. And win she did. But did she deserve it?

Christine scored the Season 3 title of best home cook in America, as well as 
a $250,000 grand prize and a cookbook over Josh Marks in a hard-fought 
battle.

The pair were polar opposites, not counting the fact that one is legally 
blind and one can see just fine. Mr. Tall and Ms. Small had two 
fundamentally different approaches to food. Josh was about taking risks, 
cooking around the globe, and bucking convention (and, sometimes, common 
sense). Moreover, he often employed technically complex maneuvers and 
dazzling plating techniques. His butter-poached lobster-and-grits appetizer 
was, to borrow a phrase, "visually stunning."

Christine, by contrast, took the simple and elevated it to the divine. She 
ended up in the finale by largely sticking to what she knows best -- Asian 
cuisine -- and conceptualizing menus based on what she knew she could 
execute to perfection. Some might say that's playing it safe. Others might 
say that's playing to win, as she was able to step past many competitors who 
just tried too hard to do too much when less would be more.
(Like Becky Reams, who would probably have been in the finale had she not 
dreamed up an idea to douse what should have been a crispy potato side dish 
with red wine in one of the final challenges. The result was a soggy, greasy 
mess that offended the judges and helped send her packing.)

The final challenge was a simple one. Cook the meal of your life.

Josh went all out with meticulously plated courses -- that lobster dish, a 
four-season spanning rack of lamb that made judge Joe Bastianich swoon and a 
bacon pecan pie. Unfortunately for Josh, his lobster was undercooked and his 
pecan pie crust was a bit greasy. The judges did, however, rave over his 
homemade ice cream.

Christine went cooler and simpler with a cohesive menu. A Thai papaya salad 
that was refreshing, and balanced between spicy, sweet and salty, followed 
by a melt-in-your mouth good braised pork belly and rice dish, and a 
palate-cleansing coconut-lime sorbet.
Her approach led the judges to question the rustic simplicity of her dishes. 
The homey plating, for example, of her entree led judge and chef Gordon 
Ramsay to note, "We're not in Vietnam, and we're not at home. You're in the 
final of 'MasterChef.'" And while chef Graham Elliot said that her pork 
belly was so good he envisioned a double portion so he could "mow it all 
down," Bastianich pointedly asked: "Are we here to mow down dishes or have 
cooks to show us finesse?"

Which raises a good question. What is the point of "MasterChef"?
Is it to inspire home cooks to cook like the stars with fancy-pants plating 
and techniques that are a challenge to pull off at home? Or is it to remind 
all of America's home chefs that they are something special, and that their 
family recipes are a treasure-trove to celebrate? That simple and humble 
fare can indeed be elevated into something special -- something special 
enough to serve to judges with names like Ramsay and Elliot and Bastianich?

There will no doubt be naysayers who say Christine's win was for ratings. 
There will be those who will question how blind she "really" is. (She says 
she has limited sight, and likens it to seeing the world through a thick, 
puffy cloud of white steam, and at Monday night's finale had trouble 
recognizing family members who were brought in to surprise her.)
I would not have been unhappy had Josh won. I look forward to the new 
"MasterChef" Season 3 cookbook and tracking down all his recipes in it. I'm 
hoping it includes every single dish he made this season,  especially that 
chicken curry dish from a few weeks back. And that chocolate souffle. And 
that...
But I suspect that the true home cooks across America -- those who consider 
plating more of an afterthought to taste, and cost, and being able to get 
dinner on the table each night, and those who would trade just one more 
home-cooked meal from mom than any meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant --  
were standing and cheering for Christine.



2012 NFBCT State Convention Wrap Up

The 2012 National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut state convention 
was held at the Hartford Downtown Ramada on November third and fourth. 
Despite another devastating storm, faithful Federationists showed up to see 
old friends, experience new technology, and rededicate themselves to helping 
to change what it means to be blind.

Saturday morning opened with President Beth Rival detailing some of the 
affiliate activities this year. Brian Sigman told us what's new at BESB, 
namely a slight increase in funding and three new hires. Carol Taylor, who 
retired at the end of October, gave her final update about the Library for 
the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Rocky Hill. The new library director 
is Gordon Reddick. Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the State, 
stopped in to discuss the accessible vote-by-phone systems, and Trevor 
Attenburg talked about NFB protest efforts and the boycott of GoodWill. 
Justin Salisbury, who is currently attending the Louisiana Center for 
training, detailed what his experience has been like, and encouraged others 
to do likewise. Noreen Greisespoke about the history of observational 
missions to the planet Mars, and passed around tactile maps and models of 
rovers which have explored the red planet. In the summer of 2012, one tract 
of the NFB Youth Slam designed a biosphere which could be operated on a 
foreign planet such as Mars. Saturday afternoon also had breakout sessions 
for division meetings, including CTAGDU (Connecticut Association of Guide 
dog Users), the Diabetes Division, and a newly established student division. 
A division constitution was drafted, dues were collected, and elections were 
held. Justin Salisbury is the new president, Trevor Attenburg is the Vice 
President, Gary Allen is the treasurer, Ayesha Ali is the Secretary and 
Hamet Campos is a board member at large.

The Saturday evening keynote address was given by Apidio Rolan, President of 
the NFB of Puerta Rico and National Board member. Alpidio lost his sight 
while fighting in Vietnam in 1970, and once he found the NFB he knew it was 
the organization for him. He referred to the NFB as a "militant" 
organization, because rather than sitting around waiting for someone to help 
us, we take control and decide to help ourselves.

The $5000 Brian Cummins Memorial TVI scholarship was awarded to Cody 
LePlante of New Britain. For academic scholarships totaling $15,000 were 
also awarded.

Following a full breakfast on Sunday morning was our annual all-member Board 
meeting. This year about 30 people attended. Elections were held, and the 
NFB Officers are now:Beth Rival - president; Justin Salisbury - first vice 
president; Bo Diaz - second vice president; Nathanael Wales - treasurer; 
Maryanne Melley - trasurer; Betty Woodward, Esther Levignale, Rob Polaski 
and Barbara Blejewski board members.

Next year's state convention will be held at the Sheraton in Meridan, and 
let's all hope there's no huge storm or natural disaster to keep our fellow 
Federationists away.





Landmark Decision in NAD versus Netflix

A Federal District Court in Massachusetts is First in Country to Hold that 
the Americans with Disabilities Act Applies to Website-Only Businesses. 
Judge Denies Netflix's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Allows 
Disability Civil Rights Case, National Association of the Deaf, et al. v. 
Netflix, Case No. 3:11-cv-30168, to Move Forward.

The National Association of the Deaf ("NAD"), a national civil rights 
organization of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, won a major victory 
today when Judge Ponsor denied defendant Netflix's Motion for Judgment on 
the Pleadings seeking dismissal of the case.  The District Court of 
Massachusetts is the first court in the country to hold that the Americans 
with Disabilities Act ("ADA") applies to website-only businesses. The 
underlying lawsuit alleges that Netflix violates the ADA by failing to 
provide closed captioning on most of its "Watch Instantly" programming 
streamed on the Internet, thereby denying equal access to the deaf and hard 
of hearing community.

Netflix argued that the ADA applies only to physical places and therefore 
could not apply to website-only businesses like Netflix's "Watch Instantly" 
streaming service. Judge Ponsor denied the motion, stating that it would be 
"irrational to conclude" that: "places of public accommodation are limited 
to actual physical structures.In a society in which business is increasingly 
conducted online, excluding businesses that sell services through the 
Internet from the ADA would run afoul of the purposes of the ADA and would 
severely frustrate Congress's intent that individuals with disabilities 
fully enjoy the goods, services, privileges and advantages, available 
indiscriminately to other members of the general public." Moreover, Judge 
Ponsor stated that the fact that the ADA "does not include web-based 
services as a specific example of a public accommodation is irrelevant" 
since such web-based services did not exist when the ADA was passed in 1990 
and because "the legislative history of the ADA makes clear that Congress 
intended the ADA to adapt to changes in technology."

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund's Directing Attorney, 
Arlene Mayerson, stated: "By recognizing that web-sites are covered by the 
ADA, the court has ensured that the ADA stays relevant as much of our 
society moves from Main Street to the Internet. Netflix's argument that the 
neighborhood video store is covered by the ADA, but it, with its over 20 
million subscribers, is not, was soundly rejected by the Court."

"This victory ensures that the ADA will continue to be a powerful force in 
our rapidly changing lives, protecting our right to equal access on the 
Internet," said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. "Netflix's flat-out 
refusal to fully serve our community simply because it is an Internet-based 
business is unacceptable. Leaving millions of deaf and hard of hearing 
consumers without equal access is not an option."

"This legal ruling is a major decision that ensures the ADA remains current 
with this technological age and makes it possible for people with 
disabilities to have full access to the same programs and services available 
to everyone else," said NAD CEO Howard Rosenblum.

In addition, Netflix argued that the case should be dismissed because it 
does not own copyrights to its programming and therefore cannot be forced to 
provide closed captions and that the 21st Century Communications and Video 
Accessibility Act ("CVAA") "carves out" all video programming streamed on 
the Internet as separate from the ADA. Judge Ponsor found that at this 
stage, the Plaintiffs had sufficiently alleged that Netflix "owns, 
leases..., or operates" a place of public accommodation for purposes of the 
ADA and that the CVAA does not "carve out" streaming programming from the 
ADA because there is "no conflict between the statutes" and there is no 
indication from Congress to the contrary.

This ruling may have broad implications to the thousands of blind and 
visually impaired consumers who rely on the internet for business 
transactions. Let's all hope higher level courts uphold this decision, and 
web businesses learn to embrace accessibility.



GUIDE DOG ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE HOTLINE

 The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) - the leader in service 
animal policy & advocacy - sponsors an innovative public service. The NAGDU 
Information & Advocacy Hotline not only offers information about the 
training and use of guide dogs and the legal rights of individuals who use 
service animals, it offers the option to speak with an advocate who is 
trained to mediate issues of discrimination.

 "We find that most access problems are the result of a lack of 
 information," says Michael Hingson, the Association's Vice President, who 
serves as Project Manager for the hotline. "This hotline is an invaluable 
resource for accurate information."

 The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers general information 
about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),   as 
well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and health care 
facilities. Future plans for the hotline include summaries of each of the 
state laws concerning service animals, more industry specific information, 
and guidance in a variety of languages, such as Mandarin and Arabic. The 
Hotline is available anytime by calling, toll-free, 888-NAGDU411 
(888-624-3841). Members of the media wishing to experience the hotline in 
advance of stories are encouraged to do so.

 The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline was created by a grant from the 
National Federation of the Blind's (NFB) Imagination Fund, as well as with 
contributions from the California and Florida Associations of Guide Dog 
Users. The National Association of Guide Dog Users is a strong and proud 
division of the NFB. NAGDU conducts public awareness campaigns on issues of 
guide dog use, provides advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face 
discrimination, supports sound policy and effective legislation to protect 
the rights of service animal users, offers educational programs to school 
and civic organizations, and functions as an integral part of the National 
Federation of the Blind. For more information about the National Association 
of Guide Dog Users and to support their work, you can visit their website at

HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG

Or send an email message to
Info at NAGDU.ORG




Why I attend National Convention

By Justin Salisbury

 I'll never forget the sound of hundreds of canes tapping the marble floor 
when I stepped into the hotel lobby, like rain drops on a still pond.  I 
love that sound at every national event.  I attended my first national 
convention in Dallas in 2010 in the College Leadership Program.  After 
landing at the airport, I put on my big boy pants and independently found my 
way from the plane to the hotel.  I had never done that before, but I knew 
that this was the standard that I should expect of myself.  Before that 
convention, I had spent days reading through the agenda.  Of the ten things 
going on at every moment, I had to pick one place to be.  I enjoyed a Latin 
dance party, stimulating sessions on organizational development, meetings 
for blind science and engineering professionals, and more than I'd ever 
imagined.  Everywhere I went, I found new role models and mentors instantly.
 Nathanael Wales knew my career interests, and he told me that he'd 
introduce me to successful blind role models in my areas of interest.  He 
wasn't lying.  He had a new name and phone number every few hours.  Blind 
people before me had already done what I wanted to do, and they encourage me 
still to achieve beyond what they did.
 For my second national convention, Orlando 2011, I was a national 
scholarship winner.  I had a backstage pass to hang out with the coolest 
leaders of the organized blind movement.  I learned much about life and 
about leadership from the committee and my peers in that week, including the 
fact that I really didn't need that backstage pass to talk to anyone in our 
Federation family.  I did receive some money, but I am more successful today 
because of the lessons I learned and connections I made.  Because of a 
luncheon sponsored by the Louisiana Center for the Blind, I am attending the 
adult rehabilitation program this year.  I will learn the independence 
skills that I need to excel, rather than merely succeed.  In fact, I will 
learn the skills that I need to read essays like this one at state 
conventions.  That's real food.
 This year, I was a real leader at convention.  I sponsored a resolution, 
presented at the student and science division meetings, and was elected to 
the Board of Directors of the National Association of Blind Students. 
Unsurprisingly, I loved every minute of it, especially the moment when the 
entire room exploded with ayes to vote for me.
 A leader is powerful to the degree he empowers others, and that empowerment 
is amplified tenfold at the national convention.  We are the voice of the 
nation's blind. We don't wait for someone else to speak up for us.  When I'm 
not partying with my friends from across the country, I'm improving my 
ability to catalyze the change I want in the world.
 Each national convention is a new best week of my life.  I can't wait for 
the next one!



Reprinted from the Electronic Frontier Foundation website

Digitizing Books Is Fair Use: Author's Guild v. HathiTrust

By Corynne McSherry and Michael Barclay

Good news! In a decision that is likely to help shape the future of online 
fair use, a federal court in New York has concluded that digitizing books in 
order to enhance research and to provide access to print-disabled 
individuals is lawful.
The case is The Authors Guild, Inc. v. Hathitrust, the lesser-known but 
faster-moving stepsister to the Authors Guild's long-running lawsuit against 
Google for its Google Book Search service. For the past seven years, major 
university libraries have been collaborating with Google to digitize their 
collections, with one result being the creation of the HathiTrust Digital 
Library (HDL).  Via the HDL, more than 60 university and research libraries 
can store, secure, and search their digital collections.  Most library 
patrons aren't allowed to access the digitized books in their entirety - HDL 
merely does a keyword search and delivers titles and page numbers as 
results.  This enables users either to find the book at a library or to 
purchase a copy, but HDL itself doesn't take the place of book sales for the 
general public.  HDL does allow access of the entire books to blind or other 
print-disabled individuals.
So, is that process a fair use?  HathiTrust, with support from EFF, numerous 
library associations, and prominent law professors, said yes.  And the court 
agreed. Nicely summing up his ruling, Judge Harold Baer declared:
I cannot imagine a definition of fair use that would not encompass the 
transformative uses made by Defendants' MDP and would require that I 
terminate this invaluable contribution to the progress of science and 
cultivation of the arts that at the same time effectuates the ideals 
espoused by the [Americans with Disabilities Act].
The judge noted that making copies to facilitate searching (and finding) 
information was a highly transformative use because "the copies serve an 
entirely different purpose than the original works . . . the purpose is 
superior search capabilities rather than actual access to copyrighted 
material."
But what is perhaps most refreshing is that the court paid close attention 
to the public interest in the project, recognizing that it actually served 
the purposes of copyright: to promote the progress of science and the useful 
arts. Citing a brief filed by EFF and several library associations, the 
court recognized that the HathiTrust projects efforts helped, rather than 
hindered, access to creative works.  That public benefit, the court said, 
meant that the HDL supported "the underlying rationale of copyright law".
Quite so. Judge Baer got it, and he got it right. Hopefully, his reasoning 
will be adopted and expanded in the related Google Books case.
Files


Seasonal Haiku

By Barbara Blejewski

Cornucopia,
Abundant fruitful harvest,
Blessings forever.




Miscellany and Notes:

In May, 2012, President Barack Obama made several key administrative post 
appointments. Among these was Anil Lewis - Member, Committee for Purchase 
from People Who Are Blind or Severely disabled.
Anil Lewis is currently the Director of Strategic Communications for the 
National Federation of the Blind.  Previously, Mr. Lewis was the President 
of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, where for eight years he 
developed and administered programs that provide education, training, and 
opportunity for blind youth and adults.  Blind since 1989, Mr. Lewis has 
worked throughout his career to assist people with disabilities to obtain 
employment; he has served as a job placement specialist for a community 
rehabilitation program, as the manager of the Disability Employment 
Initiative for Randstad Staffing, and as a counselor and advocate for the 
Georgia Client Assistance Program.  Mr. Lewis received a B.B.A. in Computer 
Information Systems and an M.P.A. in Program Evaluation and Policy Studies 
from Georgia State University.
President Obama said, "These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and 
dedication throughout their careers.  I am grateful they have chosen to take 
on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the 
months and years to come."

#   #   #

Newsline, a free audible newspaper service for blind and print-disabled 
people, recently announced the launch of an exciting new access method. 
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile, a free iOS application now available in the Apple App 
Store, features the text of over three hundred newspapers, forty magazines, 
and wire feeds, plus personalized television listings. This breakthrough 
access method will allow NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers to easily view online and 
download their favorite publications with their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

"We are proud to offer our subscribers this new exciting mobile iOS 
application that allows them access to their favorite publications at home, 
while traveling to work, in the classroom, or in the office. If you're 
looking for news from around the corner or from around the globe, 
NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile can help you quickly find it," said Scott White, 
director of the NFB-NEWSLINE program.

NFB-NEWSLINE® allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a 
visual or physical disability to access publications as well as television 
and job listings over the telephone, on the Web, or by download to digital 
talking book players or MP3-playing devices.

To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE®, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org. Those 
interested in subscribing to the service may fill out the online application 
form, write to nfbnewsline at nfb.org or call (866) 504-7300.

# # #

The Freedom Ride Accessible Taxi Program is a partnership between Yellow Cab 
Company and Greater Hartford Transit District, designed to accommodate 
individuals in the greater Hartford area who need flexibility and 
accessibility in transportation options beyond the existing ADA paratransit 
service area and hours. The program is funded through the FTA New Freedom 
grant program and is administered by the Connecticut Department of 
Transportation.

The voucher program extends beyond the ADA paratransit service area and 
hours by providing a pr
e-paid taxi voucher card at a 50% reduced price to people defined as having 
a disability under the ADA regulations.  The voucher may be used for taxi 
trips that go beyond the ADA service area, during times that ADA paratransit 
is not available and for same day service 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Individuals are encouraged to call Yellow Cab Company at 860-666-6666 at 
least one hour in advance; however, reservations may be made up to 24 hours 
in advance.  For persons who use TTY, it is recommended that the 711 relay 
service be used to call Yellow Cab for a reservation or with any questions. 
The individual must state they need a wheelchair accessible vehicle when 
they call.  Personal Care Attendants may ride for free with an individual 
who requires assistance as long as the attendant starts and ends their ride 
with the voucher holder.  Service animals are allowed.

 # # #

On July 1, 2012, with the passage of Public Act 12-1, the Connecticut Bureau 
of Rehabilitative Services became the Department of Rehabilitation Services 
(DORS). Within the Department are three interim organizational units; the 
administrative unit; the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (that includes 
the programs formerly administered by the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing 
Impaired; and BESB (which includes the Workers' Rehabilitation program). In 
keeping with the organizational structure, BESB will no longer be referred 
to as the "BESB Program" but will instead be a Bureau on the same level as 
the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Vocational and Independent Living 
unit formerly at DSS that serves all disabilities other than blindness. The 
new name for BESB is the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind. 
This name will enable us to keep the acronym of BESB. Other than the change 
in name, BESB will continue to function as it has in the past year. The 
board will remain an active advisory body, and will not be affected by the 
change in name.

 # # #

A compilation of user friendly (screen reader accesable) job search websites 
are available in the VR (vocational rehabilitation) section of the DORS/BESB 
web page. Check them out at:
www.ct.gov/besb.