American Council of the Blind of Maine

A Century of Effective Advocacy

The American Council of the Blind in Maine is the leading advocate for Mainers who are blind or visually impaired and is dedicated to improving their quality of life through work and education.

The council's history of advocacy began more than 100 years ago. Throughout the 1900s and into the 21st Century, the council has pressed Maine lawmakers to support programs and policies aimed at allowing blind persons to develop their potential and independence.

In December of 2003, the director of the state's Division of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Harold "Bud" Lewis, looked back at the past 100 years and said: "Throughout the century no advances would have been made without consumer advocates leading the way."

The early years

The roots of this advocacy were planted in 1903 by a Portland man named William Ryan who, as a boy, lost his sight overnight. At a time when there were no services for blind adults whatsoever, Ryan sold almanacs door to door. He was dedicated to the value of work and the principle of independence for blind persons. Through Ryan's persistence and determination, a new organization was formed to advocate for Maine's blind citizens. On June 16, 1903, William Ryan -- with William Trask of Gardiner and William Lynch of Portland -- organized the Maine Association for the Blind.

In 1905, the association's advocacy led to the establishment of the Maine Institution for the Blind (MIB). Two years later, in 1907, the Maine Legislature appropriated $40,000 for the MIB to purchase property and construct buildings in Portland.

In 1909, the MIB opened new buildings and began an industrial training program, making brooms and chairs. (The Maine Institution for the Blind would later become the Maine Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and then the Iris Network.)

In 1910, the Maine Association for the Blind changed its name to the Maine Fraternal Association of the Blind and continued as such for 77 years.

One of the association's first objectives was to provide life insurance to blind persons, who were routinely denied it at that time. For decades, the association provided a death benefit to the survivors of its members.

In 1921, with support of the association, the Maine Institution for the Blind opened a women's boarding house at 210 Park Avenue in Portland. Men would be admitted to the residence in 1947.

Decades of legislative advocacy

By the 1940s, the Maine Fraternal Association of the Blind had set its sights on changing state government and lobbied successfully for a state agency for the blind. In 1943, a state agency was created to provide rehabilitation services for the visually impaired.

In the 1950s, the association moved a new issue to the forefront -- the education of blind children in public school. The association urged state officials to "mainstream" blind children in public school classrooms, arguing against isolation or discrimination. When school opened in September 1957, the first resource room for blind students in Maine was established at Cathedral Grammar School in Portland. Maine was among the first states to take such action -- 15 years before federal law required this opportunity for visually impaired students.

In the 1960s, the association fought to create business opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. The association lobbied for -- and the Maine Legislature passed -- a law that gave priority to visually impaired citizens to operate snack bars, cafeteria and vending machines in state buildings. This was modeled after a federal law (the Randolph Sheppard Act) that created such opportunity in federal buildings. In succeeding years, the association has vigorously fought to preserve this Business Enterprise Program.

The association also successfully advocated a law to prevent discrimination against blind persons by insurance companies.

The association urged governors to proclaim White Cane Awareness Day in Maine to enhance public awareness of issues facing blind citizens.

To further promote state programs and policies, the association was instrumental in creating an active Citizen Advisory Board with the Division of Eye Care and Special Services. The board assisted in starting blindness-prevention programs.

In 1964, the association promoted legislation that provided Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to blind children and adults who were not covered by Social Security.

In 1973, the association succeeded in re-establishing the Division of Eye Care as a separate and identifiable agency serving the blind and visually impaired, the culmination of years of lobbying. Prior to this, services for the blind had been merged with another state agency.

In 1975, the association sponsored legislation that extended services for the blind throughout the entire state.

In 1977, the association worked jointly with the Maine Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to establish a program of community-based rehabilitation teachers.

In 1979, the association became an affiliate of a national organization, the American Council for the Blind.

In the 1980s, the association began work on legislation to designate the Division of Eye Care as the agency responsible for providing supportive services to blind children in public school. In 1986, the legislature enacted the association's proposal.

At this time, the association began actively creating recreational opportunities for members -- such as cross-country skiing, canoeing and playing goalball.

In 1987, the Maine Fraternal Association of the Blind changed its name to the American Council of the Blind of Maine.

Throughout the 1980s, the council expressed concern about architectural and environmental barriers that denied disabled people full access to the workplace, public transportation and public buildings; and the council supported national legislation to provide access.

In 1990, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act. In recognition of their support for the Act, members of the council were invited to the White House when the President signed the bill into law.

In 1992, the council's legislative success established a separate vocational rehabilitation plan in the Division for the Blind. This insured that federal funds for services for the blind were not placed in a pool with other vocational rehabilitation funds. New service-provider positions resulted from this initiative.

The American Council of the Blind of Maine was granted federal status as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, an advantage for the council's fundraising efforts.

As computers proliferated throughout Maine, the council took notice. Knowing that computer skills are essential to business in the 21st century, the council became a strong advocate for the Computer Access Program, which provides itinerant instructors to teach blind and visually impaired persons to use computers. ("Screen Reader" software enables blind and visually impaired persons to hear or see in large print what's on their computer.)

When funding for the Computer Access Program was reduced, the council was responsible for legislation to increase funding and restore the cuts.

The future

Throughout a century, the challenges and priorities of the council have changed with the times. In 2004 the council set a priority of establishing business development opportunities for business-minded members in order To help reduce the 75% unemployment rate for blind people in Maine, .

Other priorities for the council include access to computer technology, the availability of materials in Braille and large print, and the struggle to prevent weakening or erosion of the Americans with Disabilities act.

The American Council of the Blind in Maine does not provide direct services, but continues to be a vigorous voice for legislative action that will improve the quality of life for Mainers who are blind or visually impaired.