A 1968 edition of the National Cripple's Journal published in Coventry celebrated the visit of a group of disabled people from Britain to Indianapolis in the U.S.A.
In August 1968, the party of 26 disabled people from Britain made the 3,400 mile journey to Indianapolis via New York and Chicago at the invitation of the Mayor Richard Lugar of Indianapolis and a kindred disability organisation called Handy-Cap Horizons Inc.
The Journal reported:
"From 8th August to 25th August they toured almost the entire state of Indiana, enjoying the thrill of meeting hundreds of friendly Americans and comparing the facilities that are available to the disabled in their respective countries".
In his Editorial for this edition, Coventry based NCJ editor Len Tasker announced the name change of their newsletter for 1969:
"The title of this Journal is to change as from the next edition, no.150. From this issue the name of this Journal will be known as "The Voice of the Disabled" (the publication of The National Cripples Journal Organisation.)
"This important step has been taken following the interesting vote of our readers in No. 148 when the majority of you voted for a change of title. The title selected was suggested by a reader in Doncaster.
"For 38 years this Journal has voiced the needs of the disabled and we feel that it has played an important part in bringing about many social reforms. We have voiced the housing, medical, economical, social and educational needs that have always faced the disabled, so perhaps a more fitting title could not have been chosen. Our readers have voiced their opinions through our pages, in fact we feel that it has been their influence and combined voices that have urged many improvements. People suffering from all types of disability have written their true life stories in our pages and have brought to the surface the problems they have had to face in every day life and we feel that these facts have been the means of bringing to the notice of the people that matter, government and local officials, the needs of the disabled.
There are still many social, educational and economic problems facing the disabled today and, whilst we will continue to give practical help to our readers in every way we can, we shall now become known as "The Voice of the Disabled" (the publication of the National Cripples Journal Organisation) and through our pages, our readers and ourselves will continue to voice our opinions and views of all topical subjects that are of interest to the disabled.
"The Voice of the Disabled" will continue the excellent work of "The National Cripples Journal" and we hope will encourage those who did not like the word "cripple" to read our Journal with renewed interest. Good Luck to you all, Your Editor, Len Tasker".
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