FOCUS on AFB

FOCUS on AFB

A Newsletter for Friends

AFB Presents Most Livable Community Awards to Five U.S. Cities

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) launched the Livable Communities Project to document environmental features that create or limit access for persons who are blind or visually impaired. AFB conducted a series of focus groups, informal interviews, and surveys over the past year to gather information from blind or visually impaired citizens around the country about the criteria they use to evaluate the livability of a community. AFB Livable Community Awards, a component of AFB's Livable Communities Project, recognize cities and towns that have developed solutions for facilitating the participation of blind or visually impaired people in community activities. Charlotte, North Carolina was selected "best place to live in the United States for people who are blind or visually impaired. Coming in second after Charlotte was Berkeley, California, followed by Kalamazoo, Michigan, and New York City. La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Louisville, Kentucky, tied for fifth place.

"By identifying communities that have found creative solutions for promoting community access," said AFB president and CEO Carl R. Augusto, "the Livable Communities Project bolsters those who are advocating for equal access to a community's resources for all of its citizens, including those who are blind or visually impaired."

Although there are important criteria that make any city or town "livable," such as sidewalks, or a reliable, accessible transportation system, each of the award-winning communities was singled out for its own unique features. Charlotte topped the list with the following: numerous audible traffic signals; standardization of crosswalks; neighborhoods with consistent, well-maintained sidewalks; affordable housing; an exemplary para-transit system; and close proximity to the airport. Erin Mandel, a visually impaired employee of Bank of America, nominated Charlotte for the freedom and independence it affords her: "Every other place that I lived, I was not able to do everything I needed to do without having to ask for a ride at some point. This made me feel less independent."

Berkeley, California, was praised for its big-city feel and small-town charm. Respondents noted that this city is sophisticated and cosmopolitan, but residents still know one another. Berkeley boasts an incredible public transportation system, a world-class university, and an overall attitude of cultural diversity. One proud respondent exclaimed: "Berkeley has it all! I need to be in a place that has a heart and a soul, a reason to exist. I want to be able to walk to cafes, greet people on the street, and feel a part of the community. Besides, the more diverse the population, the less a blind person is likely to feel they stick out."

Kalamazoo was hailed for its air of friendliness and level of acceptance. Citizens of this community are used to seeing residents who are blind or visually impaired throughout their city since its own Western Michigan University has an acclaimed Certification in Blindness Studies. Kalamazoo features affordable housing, retirement communities linked by accessible bus routes, and audible traffic signals. Commenting on Kalamazoo's openness, a resident stated: "If you ask for help, you get plenty of it. The whole place just seems really kind. I can't get over how much people go out of their way to help blind people."

Fourth-place winner, New York City, scored high marks for its phenomenal 24-hour public transportation system, as well as its user-friendly streetscape. La Crosse, Wisconsin, was noted for its affordable cost of living and for being a safe place to live and a place where people know their neighbors. Louisville, Kentucky, was recognized for its reliable bus system, as well as its attitude of cultural diversity.

AFB envisions the Livable Communities Project as an ongoing initiative that will evolve into a hands-on resource providing information about local advocacy groups and accessible businesses and services for communities throughout the country. "A great deal of work still needs to be done to make most towns fully accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired," said Corinne Kirchner, director of AFB's Livable Communities Project, "but cities like Charlotte demonstrate that it's possible. And the features that make Charlotte attractive to visually impaired citizens benefit sighted people as well who would not welcome a reliable public transportation system, or walkable, well-maintained sidewalks?"

For more information on the Livable Communities Project or to make a donation, please contact Corinne Kirchner at 212-502-7640 or e-mail corinne@afb.net.

Message From the President

Dear Friends:

The American Foundation for the Blind has always been a leader in working toward eliminating the barriers faced every day by persons who are blind or visually impaired. As important as it is to identify and deal with these barriers, it is equally important to applaud those communities that have overcome obstacles to create "livable" environments. Think about it: What makes your town livable for you? For me, it's the availability of reliable public transportation, well-maintained sidewalks, and friendly neighbors. For someone with young children, the most important feature of a neighborhood may be the schools. It all depends on your perspective. AFB recently presented awards to the five most livable cities and towns in the United States from the perspective of persons who are blind or visually impaired. (See related article this page.) We congratulate these communities and hope that they become models for other areas across the country as we strive to become more "livable."

As is the case with so much of what we do, the Livable Communities Project would not be possible without your financial contributions and the guidance of our friends across the country who act as our "eyes" and ears in the community. I am grateful to you for your loyal support and hope that we can continue to rely on your generosity.

Sincerely,

Carl R. Augusto

AFB Salutes Bernard A. Newcomb

Twenty years ago, a physician in Michigan purchased stock from a brokerage house in California through his computer. This was the first transaction of Trade*Plus, which went on to become E*Trade, a company that revolutionized stock trading world wide! The man who envisioned how computers and the Internet could transform financial transactions and wrote the code that made it possible is Bernard A. Newcomb. You may well imagine that such a creative and entrepreneurial individual would have had no trouble finding employment—but this is not the case, because Bernie Newcomb is legally blind.

Bernie grew up in a working class family in Scio, Oregon. He was born with congenital cataracts, which left him legally blind. He attended the Oregon School for the Blind from kindergarten through second grade, having to board during the week and return home on weekends. He then attended public schools in Scio through high school where he graduated as class valedictorian. Bernie was the first in his family to attend college as a business major at Oregon State University and consistently made dean's list and graduated third in his class in the College of Business. Upon graduation, he was disappointed to find that accounting firms and banks did not consider him employable because of his blindness. His college counselor persuaded General Electric to hire Bernie in their data processing department at the Hanford Project in Richland, Washington, where he stayed for three years.

In 1980, Bernie met Bill Porter at a party. Bill told Bernie how he had recently purchased an Apple II computer and wanted to use it to buy and sell stock, but had no means of accessing the necessary information with his modem. During the conversation, Bill convinced Bernie to become his partner and create a company that would enable any individual with a computer to buy and sell stock from the comfort of their own home. In 1992, PC Magazine featured Trade*Plus on its cover. In 1992, The San Jose Business Journal named Trade*Plus the year's fastest growing private company in Silicon Valley. In 1996, Trade*Plus was renamed E-Trade Group and went public. Bernie retired soon after and established a philanthropic foundation, the Bernard A. Newcomb Foundation at the Peninsula Community Foundation.

When AFB decided to establish the National Employment Center to overcome employment barriers for blind and visually impaired adults, they discussed their plans for the center with Bernie. He found the idea so appealing that he provided the lead gift, a challenge grant of $600,000 over three years, because he liked AFB's approach to solving a problem that he had faced—bringing together the employers, job seekers and rehabilitation professionals to jointly address employment issues and create workable solutions that will benefit the workers and the workplace.

If you would like to support the National Employment Center and eliminate employment barriers for blind and visually impaired adults, please contact Judi Stotland at 415-392-4845 or e-mail jstotland@afb.net.

"When I was in my 20's, I could have walked across the street every day and gotten a new job at higher pay. Lots of people I knew did just that. Blind or visually impaired workers don't think to do that. They know how hard it was to get that first job and feel responsible to the people who gave them a chance. "

AFB Roundup

ALEXANDER SCOURBY NARRATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS - held on June 9, 2003, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, to honor excellence in the narration of Talking Books. Awards were presented this year to David Hartley-Margolin, Talking Book Publishers, Inc., in Fiction for Lost Nation, by Jeffrey Lent; Barry Bernson, American Printing House for the Blind, in Nonfiction for The Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons, by Robert M. Sapolsky; and Erik Sandvold, Talking Book Publishers, Inc., in Fantasy for City of Golden Shadow: Otherland, Volume I, by Tad Williams. (Pictured, from left to right): David Hartley-Margolin; Jane Hanson, co-anchor, "Today in New York," News Channel 4, and master of ceremonies; Barry Bernson; Carl R. Augusto, president & CEO, AFB; and Erik Sandvold.

THE LION KING - AFB Midwest Women's Board event, "The Lion King," held on Sunday, June 29, 2003. The benefit included a champagne brunch at the Chicago Athletic Association followed by an exciting live auction, and a matinee performance of the hit musical The Lion King.

HELEN KELLER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - held June 19, 2003, at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. This gala event acknowledges Helen Keller's extraordinary efforts and recognizes the notable accomplishments of individuals and organizations that are role models or improve the quality of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired. (Pictured, from left to right): Carl R. Augusto, president and CEO, American Foundation for the Blind; Erik Weihenmayer, adventurer and author; Mary Beth Bardin, executive vice president, public affairs and communications, Verizon Communications; Karen L. Katen, president, Pfizer Inc; Jermane Mayberry, offensive lineman, Philadelphia Eagles; and Jay Glazer, national sportscaster and master of ceremonies.

Dear Friend:

Many of you know how important it is to have a will, but you may also find the process of creating a will daunting. The language can seem complex and confusing. Each state assesses state estate taxes differently and has its own requirements for a properly drafted will. The federal estate tax guidelines raise issues for even the most seasoned attorneys!

One of the best examples of a will that I have ever seen was that of my great aunt Irena. Although she never had a lot of money, she was rich in the love of her family because of her generosity of spirit, her humor, and her very good advice. When she died, her simple will provided her executor (an individual appointed to carry out the instructions of the will) with a detailed road map of how to distribute her estate (the accumulation of her assets). She left each member of her family a bequest (a gift of property); I received a fountain pen that had been given to Irena in the 1930's. I use it every day and remember her as I write.

Irena, like most of us, did not have a large enough estate to qualify for federal estate taxes, and she avoided Arizona (her resident state) estate taxes by leaving her legacy (a gift of money) to the many charities she supported during her life. Her will (directions on how to distribute an estate) was carried out quickly and with a minimum of fuss because she had taken a few very simple and sensible steps, and they are as follows:

1. Take an inventory of your assets. Include pensions, bonds, real estate, and personal property. A lot of people are surprised at the total value of their possessions!
2. Consider who or what has been most important to you during your life.
3. Appoint an executor. You should speak to this person before you appoint them to make sure they are willing to undertake the responsibility.
4. If you need further guidance, contact an attorney. This person should be a specialist in trust and estates law, although many elder law attorneys have adequate experience. Your attorney general or local bar association can provide you with information on selecting the best attorney to fit your needs.

If you have any general questions on the process of writing a will, please do not hesitate to contact me at 212-502-7627.

Sincerely,
Maureen Fox
Associate Director

AFB Mailbox

Q. Dear AFB Mailbox,
My mother's birthday is coming up and she doesn't want us to buy her anything. My sister and I would like to make a gift to AFB in her name. Do you accept these kinds of donations and how will she know that we made this gift?

A. Donations made to AFB to celebrate a loved one's birthday, anniversary, or special occasion often make the perfect gift. We welcome these special gifts in honor of or in memory of, friends and family.

When sending your donation, please clearly indicate the name of the person you wish to honor or memorialize, the occasion, and to whom you would like the gift notification sent. A letter from AFB President Carl Augusto will be sent to the honoree (or a third party designated by you) informing them of the gift.

To make a commemorative or memorial gift, please contact Maureen Fox, Associate Director, Annual Giving at 212-502-7627; mail your donation to American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001; or visit our web site at www.afb.org, and click on the Donate Now button.

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Focus on AFB is published semiannually by the Resource Development Group of AFB, and is printed on recycled paper.

Lorraine Zamora, CFRE
Vice President, Resource Development
Maureen Fox, Editor
Linda Majansky, Production Coordinator