[Blind-international-students] New member

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Hi you all, I am new to your list. I do know a couple of people who are on
this list; Rachna and Jim Canada. I am interested in international blindness
issues- I am a member of Blind Corps; a group of professionals working in
the area of blindness rehabilitation and/or education. See our website
http://www.blindcorps.org

Personally, I am blind, due to a automobile accident at age 15. 

Professionally, I have been working in the field of blindness for the past
37 years, mainly as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, for the Nebraska
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Then, consumer wise, I am a
member of the NFB, and presently am the President of the NFB Writers'
Division. 

I did read the minutes of your recent meeting and think you have made some
good decisions- sticking within the NFB umbrella, learning about resources
and being able to point other blind from around the world to those resources
appropriate to them, and getting your name and group's goals out there. 

There is much that those of us in "the know" can do to help the newly blind
and/or the blind from geographical areas which do not have much to offer a
blind person wanting to learn to be as independent as they have the desire
and ability to be. You know as well as I do, that in all cultures, some
blind people do find a way to rise to the top. Too many times, and in too
many cultures, that number is few and mostly because too many of the blind
in any and all cultures are unaware of the positives in how a severely
visually impaired or totally blind person can do for themselves. And, then
of course, even beyond simple awareness, there can be a lack of opportunity
for blindness skill training and/or the same cultural opportunities afforded
to others within a given culture. 

So, here I am and am willing to talk.


Robert Leslie Newman
President- NFB Writers' Division
Division Website
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
Personal Website-
http://www.thoughtprovoker.info