Computer Idea for the Mind Lost in 'Space' From Associated Press WASHINGTON-A blind physi - cist who wants to advance a Braille system for computers had his grant request rejected by the Education Department because his typewrit- ten application wasn't double- spaced. "I'm blind. I couldn't tell it was single-spaced," said John Gardner, an Oregon State University profes- sor and expert in new information technologies for the disabled. Gardner said his assistant mis- takenly typed the application single-spaced and in a font smaller than the department prefers. "It is absurd I would be punished because of this minor technicality," he said by phone from Corvallis, Ore. Gardner complained to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who has asked Education Secretary Richard W. Riley to reverse the decision. Edu- cation Department spokeswoman Julie Green said Riley would have," no immediate comment. Gardner invented DotsPlus, a software program for printing tac- tile graphics for the visually im- paired. He asked the Education Department for $300,000 for a two- year study he says could revolu- tionize access to math, science, graphs and maps. Ann Queen, an Education De- partment team leader handling grants and contracts, notified Gardner on Sept. 29 that the secre- tary was required to reject "with- out consideration or evaluation any application that does not meet the criteria."