24 An interesting aspect of the program for the deaf-blind as envisioned by the Zentrum is the communication system worked out between each deaf-blind person and the Center, as well as between the deaf-blind themselves. By means of a vibrator carried by the person, the Center can get in touch with him no matter where he may be. Being alerted by the vibrator, the deaf-blind person will go to his room and push a button on the telephone and receive the information by braille. He can also use a keyboard affixed to the telephone to answer back, thus completing the intercommunication. Moreover, if he wishes to contact another deaf-blind person, he can "dial" that person's number on frequency and communicate with him using braille. If he is ready to leave the Center, he will be provided with this equipment (which costs about 7000 marks) by the government. With this equipment he 25 can contact the Center for information, exchange of ideas, or for help with personal problems. The Zentrum was built at a cost of 13 million marks. One million marks was contributed by the blind themselves from organizational funds; five million marks was raised by a special TV Lottery; and a considerable amount was provided by the government. OHIO TO EVALUATE DEAF-BLIND CHILDREN A two-year project which will assess the potentials and needs of deaf-blind children in Ohio is being jointly undertaken by the Nisonger Center of Ohio State University and the Division of Special Education of Ohio State Department of Education. The project, directed by Dr. Joseph Parnicky, will concentrate on children with evaluation and proscription 26 problems which exceed available resources in the child's local community. A number of the children to be seen were affected by the rubella epidemic of the mid 1960's. The evaluation will also be used for extending the training of professionals from 14 colleges and schools on the campus. Each child selected for study will be brought to the Center for a period of three or four days. Project funds will cover the expenses of the deaf-blind child and his parents, as well as the teacher or other community resource involved with the child's development. The project is supported by a grant from the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, U.S. Office of Education, with additional funds from the Federal Maternal Child Health Service office. 27 NEW FACILITIES FOR DEAF-BLIND Officials, faculty, students, parents, and friends of the Overbrook School for the Blind, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gathered on the campus September 17, 1971, to witness the official ground-breaking for the Deaf-Blind Department's new dormitory and classroom buildings. David C. Olson, school principal, opened the formal ceremonies. He introduced Richard C. Torbert, vice-president of Girard Bonk, trustee of the George W. Nevil Trust which funded the buildings, estimated to cost one and three-quarter million dollars. The new facilities were carefully planned to blend with the Spanish Renaissance architecture of the school's other buildings. The brick walls will complement the color of the tile roofs, 79-885 O 72 pt. 2 39 28 and a plastic covered arcade will relate to the stone cloisters, also serving as a protective walkway for the children. Attention has been given to special lighting and acoustics. Each classroom is "sound conditioned" to a level of 35 decibels, eliminating as much excessive noise as possible. A lighting level of 150 foot-candles has been provided, with special lenses to filter and reduce glare. Installation of special glass will help to lessen light and sounds from outside the buildings. The dormitory is designed to accommodate 32 children and 4 housemothers, with provisions for a second floor if needed, which would double the capacity. This year the department has a total of 20 pupils, an increase of 4 over 1970. Completion of the buildings is set for February of 1973. |