[blindkid] Summer music programs

Anne Ward inland2wards at att.net
Wed Jan 27 01:56:07 UTC 2010


Hi.  Saw your post about Winona wanting a summer program.  I know that 
Overbrook used to do a summer music program.  Don't know if that will happen 
this year.  I saw on the web that the National Resource Center for Blind 
Musicians, A division of the Music and Arts Center for Humanity in 
Bridgeport, Connecticut offers programs, and they certainly seem to do 
Braille music.  The Texas School for the Blind has offered summer music 
programs. I'm sure that if you asked this question on the NFB musicians' 
elist, you would get many informed responses.
Anne Ward
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <blindkid-request at nfbnet.org>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:58 AM
Subject: blindkid Digest, Vol 69, Issue 23


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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Keep blind workers working?!!? (Sally Thomas)
>   2. Re: Braille notes for school age children, was Re:
>      Mountbatten Brailler (Heather)
>   3. Re: Keep blind workers working?!!? (Heather)
>   4. Re: music camps (Heather)
>   5. Re: music camps (Heather)
>   6. Re: Braille notes for school age children, was Re:
>      Mountbatten Brailler (Heather)
>   7. Re: Update on Musical (Heather)
>   8. FW: [nfbsc] FW: [Nfb-announce] Camp Eureka- a natural science
>      camp for blind kids (Eric Calhoun)
>   9. Re: blindkid Digest, Vol 69, Issue 22 (Leslie Ligon)
>  10. o&m issues (Jessica Brown)
>  11. Re: Testimony Against Putting the Washington State School for
>      the Blind Under Washington's Education Department (Carol Castellano)
>  12. Parent Leadership Program Conf Call--PLEASE RESPOND!
>      (Carol Castellano)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:47:58 -0600
> From: "Sally Thomas" <seacknit at gmail.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Keep blind workers working?!!?
> Message-ID: <38730F1F883F45FCA12B77F914218822 at OwnerPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
>
> Once when I was called about a similar organization I told them to send me
> their information so that I could run it by the NFB to judge if it was
> helpful to blind people.  They never got back with me.
>
> Sally Thomas
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Robert Jaquiss" <rjaquiss at earthlink.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 5:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Keep blind workers working?!!?
>
>
>> Hello:
>>
>>     In response to the original post, There were in the past scam
>> operations that were claiming to help the handicapped. One of these was
>> selling lightbulbs. Before you respond to such a plea for help, I suggest
>> checking it out and make sure it is a legit place.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Robert Jaquiss
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
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>> blindkid:
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>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:16:53 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children, was Re:
> Mountbatten Brailler
> Message-ID: <065162CED26543D28660F45816DA0447 at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
>
> Honestly, once you get past long devision either can be helpful, depending
> on the child in question.  It is my phylosophy in education to recognize 
> the
> differences in learning style between students.  I'd say, if your child
> already has a braille note or similar they should be encouraged to try 
> that
> for math, as well as the perkins, a cube slate, a tracing board, or 
> whatever
> else you have for them to try.  Far be it from us to decide that they must
> use A and B but not C.  For me, algebra was much easier on a braille note
> and much easier to keep up in a normall class environment.  rewriting
> problems over and over with changes each time is time consuming, and I
> couldn't keep up.  At home I would alternate between the perkins and the
> braille note, but the student should honestly try both and use what works
> for them best.  For instance, I can't possibly fathum doing foreign 
> language
> on a lap top with a screne reader, but if I had a student who tried it on 
> a
> braille note or braille display and on a laptop and had an easier time on
> the lap top, then that is what I would have them use, what works best for
> them.  My blind friends and I all do things differently and it would be
> tragic if a teacher had denyed me a braille note to study french, when 
> that
> works best for me, or denied one of my friends a complex graphing board 
> for
> her earth science class, and instead made her use wicki sticks and
> reco-fused diagrams.  I got A pluses in french and she got ninety-eights 
> in
> science, because we used what worked best for us.  So, I would recommend
> certain things, but I would never tell a teacher to keep a piece of
> technology from a student in a given subject if it helps them.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dave Wright" <gymnastdave at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 11:45 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children,was Re:
> Mountbatten Brailler
>
>
>> Mike,
>> I entirely agree with you. As it is, I'm not an extreme math genious ,
>> however I would be worse off than I am now if it were not for the Perkins
>> Brailler. The problem with performing mathematics equations on a single
>> line braille display is that one has a harder time learning spatial
>> concepts. Later on in life, this will be important if the student has a
>> desire to study in the STEM fields. Please, please, please, teachers, do
>> not teach your students math or science using a braille notetaker.
>>
>>
>> Best Regards:
>> Dave Wright
>> Work Phone: 347-422-7085
>> Email:
>> dwrigh6 at gmail.com
>> WebPage:
>> http://www.knfbreader.com
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 9:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children,was Re:
>> Mountbatten Brailler
>>
>>
>>> Heather:
>>>
>>> I think your $0.02 is worth $0.01, at least for music. Much better to 
>>> use
>>> paper braille music because one can read the words with one hand and the
>>> music notation with the other.
>>>
>>> And with regard to math, I don't think one should use the ability of a
>>> Braille Note to erase parts of an equation to substitute for analytical
>>> thinking. And it won't handle complex fractions. I still favor 
>>> everything
>>> up thru calculus on the Perkins Brailler.
>>>
>>> Yes, I'm a neo-Luddite. (grin)
>>>
>>> Mike Freeman
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 5:50 PM
>>> Subject: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children,was Re:
>>> Mountbatten Brailler
>>>
>>>
>>>> Other than a lap top with windows and JFW or a Mac, they already have
>>>> free, built in screne readers, the next most useful thing I have found
>>>> was a Braille note.  It is helpful because unlike a laptop, it makes
>>>> very visual things that are not as simple as literary typing such as 
>>>> for
>>>> social studies or language arts much easier.  Mathmatics, the sciences,
>>>> the arts, in particular music, and foreign language are greatly aided 
>>>> by
>>>> a braille note, vs a brailer, of any kind or a lap top.  .  For 
>>>> example,
>>>> algebra is a synch, because the child can type out an equasion, like 3X
>>>> plus 5 equals 2 x plus ten and then simply delete the two x on the 
>>>> right
>>>> and delete the 3 before the x on the left, then delete the five on the
>>>> left and change the ten on the right to a five.  That leaves them with 
>>>> x
>>>> equals 5,  and they could interact right with the problem, unlike on a
>>>> traditional brailler, and unlike a laptop it is much simpler than
>>>> combining a num pad with a bunch of number row symbols and letter
>>>> charictors.  A braille note is also very helpful for foreign language,
>>>> as a screne reader will not read the text properly, unles you change
>>>> your speech settings, but that will make english things like menus
>>>> almost oimpossible to read, that and producing accent marks on the
>>>> computer is much more difficult than simply typing them in braille into
>>>> the braille note.  Also, if you are using braille only, and not speech,
>>>> there is no need to use rediculous translation software.  For example
>>>> the E acute in french braille is the same thing as a for sign in print
>>>> grade two braille.  If they simply type in braille they could write t E
>>>> acute l e acute and read it properly. Having it read with speech would
>>>> try to make sense of tforlfor, but for quick note taking and short
>>>> writing assignments in a foreign language class, that help to generate
>>>> practice conversations, this is very valuable.  Finally, if your child
>>>> sings in a choir, they can wear the braille note in it's case, over
>>>> their shoulder, with it very securely in it's case, and have it hang at
>>>> their side and simply read their words and music with one hand and the
>>>> thumb keys.  This allows for a more normal descrete look, that is less
>>>> stigmatizing than shuffling through pages and pages of braille embossed
>>>> music.  Also, they can jot in performance notes, something they can't 
>>>> do
>>>> with pre brailled music on paper, and the memo function does not have
>>>> outstanding sound quality on the braille note, but it is good enough to
>>>> take note of the proper pitches in a particularly troublesome passage.
>>>> Just my two cents.
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:41 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Mountbatten Brailler
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> They are neat, but from what I understand, kids also tend to "outgrow"
>>>>> them rather quickly. When we first saw them, I was excited about them
>>>>> and thought we should find a way to get one for our daughter but I
>>>>> think we have been far better served by the combination of perkins
>>>>> braillers and braillenote / pacmate devices combined with embossers,
>>>>> computers with screen readers (Jaws in our case) and the like. We're
>>>>> starting to make use of the detachable braille display from our
>>>>> pacmate now to let jaws show Kendra what is on her computer screen.
>>>>> There are so many possibilities now-- I'd say explore all your options
>>>>> thoroughly before you get anything and if you go to the national
>>>>> convention, don't miss the exhibit hall and look at all you can when
>>>>> you're there.
>>>>>
>>>>> All of this other gear will (hopefully) last our daughter for many
>>>>> years-- Kendra is using in first grade most of the key devices and
>>>>> concepts that can take her clear through high school and college. No
>>>>> doubt some well wear out or need upgrading, but not because she'd gone
>>>>> beyond what her equipment can offer-- the sky is the limit there...
>>>>>
>>>>> If you find a great deal on a used piece in good condition or if
>>>>> budget is simply not a concern, I suspect you'd enjoy a Mt. Batten for
>>>>> a good while but long term it will probably end up collecting dust or
>>>>> being resold.
>>>>>
>>>>> Richard
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 21, 2010, at 8:44 AM, Susan Harper wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>     I came across this new piece of equipment and was wondering if
>>>>>> anyone
>>>>>> was using it.  It is called the Mountbatten Brailler sold by a 
>>>>>> company
>>>>>> called Humanware.  The Brailler is made in Australia.  Anyone using
>>>>>> it and
>>>>>> have any pros and cons to offer.  It is kind of expensive, so wanted
>>>>>> some
>>>>>> feed back from anyone who might have used one.  Thanks.
>>>>>> Blessings,
>>>>>> Sue H.
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/rholloway%40gopbc.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:17:52 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Keep blind workers working?!!?
> Message-ID: <E5DD4EA80AE845FCA2AEA65543B09A47 at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
>
> lol  I wonder why not?  Good for you.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sally Thomas" <seacknit at gmail.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 3:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Keep blind workers working?!!?
>
>
>> Once when I was called about a similar organization I told them to send 
>> me
>> their information so that I could run it by the NFB to judge if it was
>> helpful to blind people.  They never got back with me.
>>
>> Sally Thomas
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Robert Jaquiss" <rjaquiss at earthlink.net>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 5:01 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Keep blind workers working?!!?
>>
>>
>>> Hello:
>>>
>>>     In response to the original post, There were in the past scam
>>> operations that were claiming to help the handicapped. One of these was
>>> selling lightbulbs. Before you respond to such a plea for help, I 
>>> suggest
>>> checking it out and make sure it is a legit place.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Robert Jaquiss
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:28:53 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] music camps
> Message-ID: <9671BF5C8BF8461FA5517AAEF3AD754C at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> What I would suggest would be the braille music program in Boston Mass.  I
> am sorry, but the info for it is in my very dead braille note.  I will try
> and find it on the net and let you know.  She could go there to learn
> Braille music, and then the year after and for all summers until she 
> applies
> to music schools for college, I would suggest that she find something
> similar to, or the exact same program, if you are in NYS, NYSSSA, the New
> York State Summer School of the Arts.  There are similar programs in many
> many states, and if you are not in New York, I bet google or asking her
> chorus or band director would yield results.  The way it is set up in NYS 
> is
> that there are different sections for dance, theatre, musical theatre,
> choir, band/orchestra, etc.  Each is hosted at a different SUNY campus. 
> Oh,
> I think there is also one for visual arts as well, or it might be only
> performing arts.  NYSSSA is not for blind kids, which is the good thing, 
> it
> is doable, but it is not at all limiting, and it would be a good thing to 
> do
> once she has mastered braille music.  I can't say enough how glad I am to
> hear that she spacifically wants to learn braille music.  I was a voice
> student and far too used to my amazing voice and pretty good ear for 
> pitches
> getting me out of learning braille music.  By the time I realized just how
> important it was, I was struggling in a theory class at the Crane School 
> of
> Music at SUNY Potsdam, that was easy interms of knowledge and musical 
> skill,
> but was kicking my butt because I had to have someone read me note by note
> the excersizes and pieces to analyze and write them down in my own made up
> and rather limited musical code.  If she is this realistic and motivated
> this early on, then she could go very very far.  I wish her so much luck 
> and
> joy in music, from one musician to another.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Debby B" <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 8:30 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] music camps
>
>
>> Should have added: We're also preparing for high school transition. 9th
>> grade next year! Yikes! Any suggestions as we prepare for the IEP?
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>
>> Anyone know of a good music camp? Winona especially wants to learn 
>> Braille
>> music this summer.
>> Last week she performed with the All-State Honor Band. This weekend it is
>> 4-County Honor band. In two weeks it is Solo and Ensemble competition. 
>> She
>> says, "It would be so much easier if I could read my own music and work
>> anytime I want without waiting for someone to read it to me!" She's
>> wanting to be a band director or music teacher, so Braille music is going
>> to be important.
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:32:20 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] music camps
> Message-ID: <A1FBD132B65247B198F8A53B4D11704E at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I once dated a guy who taught recording software and technologies at the
> light house for blind musicians interested in recording their own music 
> and
> or using translation and composition software to produce both print and
> braille musical scores.  The program, at least that part of it colapsed
> after he left, but word is that it is being built back up recently.  I 
> know
> that the program in boston that I mentioned in another email also teaches
> recording and musical translation software as well.  I really hope they
> still exist.  They did as of 2006, but I really must check for you.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 9:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] music camps
>
>
>> The light house international in nyc has a great musical program. They
>> have
>> a brailler which translate s scores and compositions  into braille.
>> Perhaps
>> reaching out to them might be a good idea. write me off line and I will
>> get
>> you the contact info for the people at the music department  there. They
>> might be able to advise you on braillers so your daughter could read her
>> own
>> music and get ready for her performances independently and at her own
>> tempo
>> as it were!
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York  10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who 
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Debby B
>> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 11:18 PM
>> To: Multiple recipients of NFBnet BlindKid Mailing List
>> Subject: [blindkid] music camps
>>
>> Anyone know of a good music camp? Winona especially wants to learn 
>> Braille
>> music this summer.
>> Last week she performed with the All-State Honor Band. This weekend it is
>> 4-County Honor band. In two weeks it is Solo and Ensemble competition. 
>> She
>> says, "It would be so much easier if I could read my own music and work
>> anytime I want without waiting for someone to read it to me!" She's
>> wanting
>> to be a band director or music teacher, so Braille music is going to be
>> important.
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindsp
>> ot.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:40:48 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children, was Re:
> Mountbatten Brailler
> Message-ID: <EA129AC1A2AB46119F6D3E01D12BC3DF at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> While I can respect your opinions and points, I really can't let that go,
> that you say my two cents are only worth one.  I am blind, for one thing,
> and I am a musician, who majored in music education with a concintration 
> in
> voice.  I know several blind musicians, and what they generally do is
> memorize the
> words, then tackle the musical notation.  You can't write notation and 
> notes
> from your director on to a braille piece of paper, and if you are an 
> actual
> music major who might have a repetoir of over fifty songs for voice class,
> and two or three different choirs, you do not carry around fifty songs, at
> three to ten pages each.  Now, for orchestral notation for music theory
> analysis, yes braille paper, especially the larger eleven by fourteen 
> pages
> are a must because of the complix interplay between lines of music, but 
> for
> your part in orchestra or your part in choir a braille note is a must.
> Especially because of the built in recording function.  Erasing and
> substituting numbers in an electronic format does not mean that you aren't
> developing and using analytical skills.  You have to know the math to know
> what to change, and it is no different from sighted children crossing out
> and rewriting parts of a math problem.  I agree that when early elementary
> aged students are being taught long devision for the first time, the cube
> slate, braille writer or a magnetic math board is a great idea, but once 
> you
> get into geometry or pre-algebra, in say, grade five to seven, depending 
> on
> how advanced the student is, this is very helpful.  One nice thing about
> braille notes is that they are lighter weight, less stigmatizing and they
> can foster a love of technology, without fostering a love of screne 
> readers
> and a hatred of braille.  Some kids really struggle with braille and 
> abandon
> it as soon as they are allowed to do so, in favor of JFW or similar, but a
> braille note can help with this emensely.  Also, when you get to those
> stupid over head worksheets for notes that many middle school and high
> school teachers prefer, the braille note rocks.  The teacher hands out a
> sheet of pre-written notes, I as an educator think this is not best 
> teaching
> practice, but they do it.  There are blanks in the notes that the teacher
> fills in on her coppy as they discuss the notes, on the overhead 
> projecter,
> and to make sure the students are payingg attention they have to fill in 
> the
> blanks on their sheets.  It is totally unfair to expect the blind student 
> to
> take notes from scratch, when the other students get them provided to 
> them,
> and reading it off braille paper doesn't allow the child to write in the
> blanks.  Further, doing so on a lap top distracts other students with the
> screne, and the blind student must listen to the screne reader and the
> teacher.  Reading it off the braille note is the best possible way to 
> handel
> that convoluted note system.  I don't advocate letting three year olds go 
> to
> town with a braille note, but I think that with proper supervision a five
> year old could benifit from experementing with one.  Think of all of the
> leap frog and V smile products for sighted children where it reads with
> them, or identifies a letter or word in a voice, so they can enjoy
> independent play and exploration.  Using the speech and braille components
> of the braille note can duplicate some of this for a blind child.  I think
> this can not substitute for teachers and parents teaching literacy, but
> independent play is important as well, and a braille note allows for this.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 10:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children,was Re:
> Mountbatten Brailler
>
>
>> Heather:
>>
>> I think your $0.02 is worth $0.01, at least for music. Much better to use
>> paper braille music because one can read the words with one hand and the
>> music notation with the other.
>>
>> And with regard to math, I don't think one should use the ability of a
>> Braille Note to erase parts of an equation to substitute for analytical
>> thinking. And it won't handle complex fractions. I still favor everything
>> up thru calculus on the Perkins Brailler.
>>
>> Yes, I'm a neo-Luddite. (grin)
>>
>> Mike Freeman
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 5:50 PM
>> Subject: [blindkid] Braille notes for school age children,was Re:
>> Mountbatten Brailler
>>
>>
>>> Other than a lap top with windows and JFW or a Mac, they already have
>>> free, built in screne readers, the next most useful thing I have found
>>> was a Braille note.  It is helpful because unlike a laptop, it makes 
>>> very
>>> visual things that are not as simple as literary typing such as for
>>> social studies or language arts much easier.  Mathmatics, the sciences,
>>> the arts, in particular music, and foreign language are greatly aided by
>>> a braille note, vs a brailer, of any kind or a lap top.  .  For example,
>>> algebra is a synch, because the child can type out an equasion, like 3X
>>> plus 5 equals 2 x plus ten and then simply delete the two x on the right
>>> and delete the 3 before the x on the left, then delete the five on the
>>> left and change the ten on the right to a five.  That leaves them with x
>>> equals 5,  and they could interact right with the problem, unlike on a
>>> traditional brailler, and unlike a laptop it is much simpler than
>>> combining a num pad with a bunch of number row symbols and letter
>>> charictors.  A braille note is also very helpful for foreign language, 
>>> as
>>> a screne reader will not read the text properly, unles you change your
>>> speech settings, but that will make english things like menus almost
>>> oimpossible to read, that and producing accent marks on the computer is
>>> much more difficult than simply typing them in braille into the braille
>>> note.  Also, if you are using braille only, and not speech, there is no
>>> need to use rediculous translation software.  For example the E acute in
>>> french braille is the same thing as a for sign in print grade two
>>> braille.  If they simply type in braille they could write t E acute l e
>>> acute and read it properly. Having it read with speech would try to make
>>> sense of tforlfor, but for quick note taking and short writing
>>> assignments in a foreign language class, that help to generate practice
>>> conversations, this is very valuable.  Finally, if your child sings in a
>>> choir, they can wear the braille note in it's case, over their shoulder,
>>> with it very securely in it's case, and have it hang at their side and
>>> simply read their words and music with one hand and the thumb keys. 
>>> This
>>> allows for a more normal descrete look, that is less stigmatizing than
>>> shuffling through pages and pages of braille embossed music.  Also, they
>>> can jot in performance notes, something they can't do with pre brailled
>>> music on paper, and the memo function does not have outstanding sound
>>> quality on the braille note, but it is good enough to take note of the
>>> proper pitches in a particularly troublesome passage.  Just my two 
>>> cents.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 12:41 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Mountbatten Brailler
>>>
>>>
>>>> They are neat, but from what I understand, kids also tend to "outgrow"
>>>> them rather quickly. When we first saw them, I was excited about them
>>>> and thought we should find a way to get one for our daughter but I
>>>> think we have been far better served by the combination of perkins
>>>> braillers and braillenote / pacmate devices combined with embossers,
>>>> computers with screen readers (Jaws in our case) and the like. We're
>>>> starting to make use of the detachable braille display from our 
>>>> pacmate
>>>> now to let jaws show Kendra what is on her computer screen.   There are
>>>> so many possibilities now-- I'd say explore all your options 
>>>> thoroughly
>>>> before you get anything and if you go to the national  convention, 
>>>> don't
>>>> miss the exhibit hall and look at all you can when  you're there.
>>>>
>>>> All of this other gear will (hopefully) last our daughter for many
>>>> years-- Kendra is using in first grade most of the key devices and
>>>> concepts that can take her clear through high school and college. No
>>>> doubt some well wear out or need upgrading, but not because she'd gone
>>>> beyond what her equipment can offer-- the sky is the limit there...
>>>>
>>>> If you find a great deal on a used piece in good condition or if 
>>>> budget
>>>> is simply not a concern, I suspect you'd enjoy a Mt. Batten for  a good
>>>> while but long term it will probably end up collecting dust or  being
>>>> resold.
>>>>
>>>> Richard
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 21, 2010, at 8:44 AM, Susan Harper wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>     I came across this new piece of equipment and was wondering if
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> was using it.  It is called the Mountbatten Brailler sold by a company
>>>>> called Humanware.  The Brailler is made in Australia.  Anyone using 
>>>>> it
>>>>> and
>>>>> have any pros and cons to offer.  It is kind of expensive, so wanted
>>>>> some
>>>>> feed back from anyone who might have used one.  Thanks.
>>>>> Blessings,
>>>>> Sue H.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info  for
>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/rholloway%40gopbc.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> blindkid:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:43:17 -0500
> From: "Heather" <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Update on Musical
> Message-ID: <AA0596A66C62466BBEB6F377E725709A at 7PYZPJ1>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I wish more parents thought like you.  Replacing the traditional 
> "Tharapies"
> with tharaputic activities that are more social, more artistic, more
> normative and frankly more fun is a great open-minded thing to do.  Way to
> go.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Kim Cunningham" <kim at gulfimagesphoto.com>
> To: " (for parents of blind children)NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 4:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Update on Musical
>
>
> Kayleigh is a very determined young lady. As for her vision - she sees
> nothing in one eye and has a 20 degree field of vision in the other. Her
> acuity in that eye is around 20/100 - it's kind of like looking through a
> straw in one eye. Her vision allows her to "see" some, but a very limited
> amount. The director ended up marking her spots on the stage with tape 
> along
> with tagging certain props with various markers. The dancer who helped her
> with the dance steps actually moved her body into the positions she 
> needed.
> She does not possess natural grace and I'm sure she's not the best dancer,
> but she is making it work. My husband and I have tickets to see her 
> perform
> next week. I wanted to give her time so we didn't make her nervous!
> I agree about parents teaching their children dance. I only wish that we
> would have gone that route. It might have made things a little easier for
> her.
> We opted to put our daughter into gymnastics when she was young. My theory
> was that this was a type of physical therapy. I didn't want her to appear
> "sick" and constantly being pulled for therapies. Kayleigh was a preemie 
> and
> needed a lot of different types of therapies to get caught up. We also 
> opted
> for piano lessons instead of occupational therapy. This helped her with 
> her
> fine motor skills. I am not recommending that families stop therapies, but
> some typical activities offer just as many developmental skills. Plus they
> get to socialize with other children.
> Kim
>
> --- On Fri, 1/22/10, Heather <craney07 at rochester.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Heather <craney07 at rochester.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Update on Musical
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Friday, January 22, 2010, 9:46 AM
>
>
> That is awsum. I was a music major, and I encountered countless problems 
> in
> high school with trying to participate in the musicals, and finally, I 
> just
> gave up. It wasn't worth it to me, to expend all of that stress and
> embarrassment to be on stage, with an unwilling dirrector and an unhelpful
> coriographer, when I could continue with my musical training at the 
> Eastman
> School of Music, after school. Your daughter is lucky to possess some
> natural grace that surpasses the navigational limitations of blindness and
> to have a supportive and driven parent like you. I think it is very
> uimportant to get young blind children into ballet, gymnastics, etc, to 
> help
> them to feel confident and graceful early on, so that when the worry of
> being akward and clumsy does reer it's ugly head, the child will have the
> pre-developed confidence and self esteme to squash it like a bug. May I 
> ask
> how much site your daughter does have? What part she played? I love the
> Pajama Game, especially "You with the stars in your eyes..." Ok, going to
> stop singing in my kitchen. rofl
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim Cunningham"
> <kim at gulfimagesphoto.com>
> To: "Blindkid" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 9:01 AM
> Subject: [blindkid] Update on Musical
>
>
> Good morning all,
> I wanted to give you all an update on our ordeal with my daughter's
> participation in her high school musical. I had previously asked for
> suggestions in dealing with a director who wanted to remove her. Last 
> night
> was their opening night performance of "The Pajama Game". My daughter was
> thrilled with the reaction of the audience and everything went well. While
> she has had a couple falls (minor scrapes) while trying to navigate scene
> changes and many extra hours of practice, she danced, and entered and 
> exited
> the stage on opening night with perfection!
> Two days ago she received the following note from the main choreographer:
> "Kayleigh - I am so proud of you and all the work you have done on this
> show. You are an inspiration to me and all of us! Thank you, I appreciate
> you."
> I felt so happy and proud for her. I just wanted to share the "happy side"
> to this story. With persistance and given a chance, our children can be
> successful in all they strive to do.
> Regards,
> Kim Cunningham
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/kim%40gulfimagesphoto.com
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/craney07%40rochester.rr.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:47:19 -0600
> From: "Eric Calhoun" <eric at pmpmail.com>
> To: blparent at nfbnet.org, blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindkid] FW: [nfbsc] FW: [Nfb-announce] Camp Eureka- a
> natural science camp for blind kids
> Message-ID: <20100123224736.D12E82AF775 at node77.smtp.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
>
> Original Message:
> From: "Steve & Shannon Cook" <cookcafe at sc.rr.com>
> To: <SCABS at yahoogroups.com>, <palmettovision at yahoogroups.com>,
> <nfbsc at yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [nfbsc] FW: [Nfb-announce] Camp Eureka- a natural science camp
> for blind kids
> Date:
> Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:09:59 -0500
>
>
>
>
> Steve & Shannon
> Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening
> presents and listen.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-announce-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nfb-announce-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim Reed (by way of
> David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)
> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:17 PM
> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfb-announce] Camp Eureka- a natural science camp for blind
> kids
>
>
> The Montana Association for the Blind and NFB are sponsoring Camp
> Eureka, a natural science camp for blind kids (Please see the
> attachment for details). This year, the kids will be studying the
> migration of the Snow Goose as the birds take off and land by the
> tens of thousands at Freeze Out Lake, near Great Falls,Montana from
> March 19th-21st.
>
> We have made some changes that are not reflected in the attached
> flier. We are allowing out-of-state kids to participate, we have
> expanded the age range to ages 8-16, and we have also set an
> application deadline of February 20th.
>
> Transportation cost to and from Montana are the responsibility of the
> parent or the state affiliate. Arrival destinations in Montana will
> be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Once the kids are in Montana, we
> will cover all their cost (food, lodging, transportation).
>
> Please write with any questions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim Reed
> President, Montana Association of Blind Students
> 406.371.5047
>
>
>
> "The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work."
> -Vince Lombardi
>
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10
> 02:34:00
>
>  ----------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-announce mailing list
> Nfb-announce at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-announce_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfb-announce:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-announce_nfbnet.org/cookcafe%40sc.
> rr.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:10:42 -0600 (CST)
> From: "Leslie Ligon" <atfirstsight at ligondesign.com>
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] blindkid Digest, Vol 69, Issue 22
> Message-ID:
> <4009.173.74.46.84.1264291842.squirrel at webmail.dogbark.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Hi, Sue,
>
> Regarding braille using a Mountbatten: Our son, Ethan (now almost 13)used
> one in Spring of 1st grade through the end of 3rd grade. The BrailleNote
> was introduced in Spring of 3rd grade for a transition period. This all
> seemed to work well for him.
>
> I asked him what he remembered about using it and he said it had a few
> quirks. Biggest pain; when you hit erase for a cell, it actually moves
> forward a space after erasing, so you have to then back space to have your
> cursor in the right place. It helped him realize the page layout concepts
> needed before moving on to the BN, where there is no tactile confirmation
> of layout.
>
> Hope that helps!
>
> Leslie
> At First Sight
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:04:37 -0500
> From: "Jessica Brown" <black22 at localnet.com>
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blindkid] o&m issues
> Message-ID: <3FB433C9007945B689B6CC75F7BC7E31 at HOME>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am responding to Doreen's post from October 20th. unfortunatly, I have 
> not had the time to read them every day so they pile up. Anyhow, Doreen 
> stated that her 5 year old who is partially sighted is not getting the 
> services she needs (most important O&M right now because of safety). My 
> daughter is 3 and totally blind. Her O&M told she would not be getting a 
> cane until she was in school. I immediatly went to the NFB and purchased a 
> cane. She takes it everywhere we go. She only receives O&M once a month 
> for 60 minutes due to the lame excuse of not having enough O&Ms in the 
> area. In fact we were lucky to get him at all. I have since come in 
> contact with a women that has been totally blind since birth and said she 
> is not certified but would like to help. However, we are not going to quit 
> fighting for the appropriate services for her.
>
> Meanwhile, at school there is a child in 5th grade that is legally blind 
> that has never received any braille instruction and is not receiving O&M 
> because he "doesn't need it". He was just recently diagnosed with epilapsy 
> and now the medicine is reducing his vision more! I find this infuriating! 
> Just because the school or a "professional" thinks our children do not 
> need a service does not mean that they won't someday. If their vision is 
> already low there should be no question whether they should have 
> instruction.
>
> Good luck Doreen, keep fighting for daughter and thank you Heather for the 
> advice of putting the cane the in the IEP. I will keep that in mind if I 
> run into problems with that.
>
> Jessica
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:29:24 -0500
> From: Carol Castellano <blindchildren at verizon.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Testimony Against Putting the Washington State
> School for the Blind Under Washington's Education Department
> Message-ID: <75476.3542.qm at smtp102.vzn.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
> Thanks for sharing this, Mike.  We might well be facing a similar
> situation very soon here in New Jersey, where our new governor will
> almost certainly attempt to consolidate agencies and subsume our
> Commission for the Blind into some conglomerate.
> Carol
>
> Carol Castellano, President
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> 973-377-0976
> carol_castellano at verizon.net
> www.nfb.org/nopbc
>
> At 12:39 AM 1/22/2010, you wrote:
>>Hello, all.
>>
>>In the current session of the Washington state legislature, a bill,
>>SB-6491, has been introduced which would place the Washington State
>>School for the Blind (WSSB) and the Washington State School for the
>>Deaf (WSSD) under the Office of the Superintendent of Public
>>Instruction, Washington's education department. (In Washington,
>>there is local control of schools but the Office of the
>>Superintendent of Public Instruction passes through some Federal
>>education funds to local districts and has some overall function
>>coordinating educational efforts for K-12 education in the state).
>>
>>Currently, WSSB and WSSD are separate, independent state agencies
>>whose superintendents and boards of trustees are appointed by the
>>Governor with the advice and consent of the state Senate. Hence, the
>>schools can run their programs with maximum efficiency and program
>>innovation and accountability to organizations such as the NFB of
>>Washington and minimum bureaucracy. Hence, we oppose the bills to
>>put the schools under the education department.
>>
>>My testimony follows.
>>
>>Mike Freeman, president
>>NFB of Washington
>>
>>*************************
>>
>>Testimony Opposing SB-6491
>>
>>Before the Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education
>>
>>By Michael Freeman, President
>>
>>National Federation of the Blind of Washington
>>
>>January 20, 2010
>>
>>
>>
>>Senator McAuliffe, Senator Kauffman, Senator Oemig, Senator King and
>>Members of the Committee:
>>
>>
>>
>>I am Michael Freeman, a member of the Board of Directors of the
>>National Federation of the Blind and President of the National
>>Federation of the Blind of Washington, one of the two major
>>organizations of the blind in the state. The National Federation of
>>the Blind of Washington is an affiliate of the National Federation
>>of the Blind. My home address is 3101 NE 87th Avenue, Vancouver, WA
>>98662. I thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
>>
>>
>>
>>The National Federation of the Blind of Washington strongly opposes
>>SB-6491 which would place the Washington State School for the Blind
>>(WSSB) under the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
>>(OSPI), thus ending the status of the school as an independent state
>>agency. This legislation will not increase efficiency or reduce
>>costs within state government, will detrimentally affect education
>>of blind children in Washington and will disenfranchise parents of
>>blind children, blind consumers and the state legislature.
>>
>>
>>
>>The October, 1996 issue of the Braille Monitor, the monthly magazine
>>of the National Federation of the Blind, carried profiles of four
>>schools for the blind whose programs were considered outstanding by
>>educators of the blind around the United States. They were the Texas
>>School for the Blind, the Indiana School for the Blind, the
>>Washington School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the
>>Blind. These outstanding schools had one thing in common: they were
>>independent state agencies. This gave them the freedom to design
>>innovative educational and blindness skills programs and to hire and
>>allocate staff as needed to provide outstanding yet efficient
>>service. The Texas, Indiana and Washington schools for the blind are
>>still viewed by the blind as the best schools for the blind in the
>>country. They are still independent state agencies. While the
>>Kentucky School for the Blind is still good, its programs are not as
>>good as they once were. It is significant that this school is no longer
>>  an independent state agency.
>>
>>
>>
>>It is true that if one merely looks at an organization chart, it
>>would seem that placing the School for the Blind under OSPI (which
>>could be considered a "good fit" for its functions) makes sense.
>>However, actual experience should trump theory. The School for the
>>Blind has actual experience using consolidated business and other
>>services for at one time these were consolidated with those of the
>>School for the Deaf. When the School for the Blind "deconsolidated"
>>these services, acquiring its own business staff, costs went down!
>>There was less bureaucracy and the business staff could concentrate
>>on using budget dollars to best advantage. Yet when asked how
>>SB-6491 would increase state government efficiency and reduce costs,
>>members of Governor Gregoire's staff could only say vaguely that
>>this streamlining might possibly facilitate finding more blind
>>students in local districts and that there might be efficiencies
>>using common business and accounting staff. When pressed, however, they
>>  admitted that no immediate cost savings would result from the
>> legislation. Furthermore, it should be noted that the School for
>> the Blind already has the best database of blind and visually
>> impaired students in the state. It is hard for the National
>> Federation of the Blind of Washington to see how placing the School
>> for the Blind under OSPI would improve the situation.
>>
>>
>>
>>A recent study (commissioned as a result of a previous incarnation
>>of legislative scrutiny of this issue) found that, next to schools
>>operated by private nonprofit entities, the most efficient
>>arrangement for schools for the blind was as independent state
>>agencies. We can supply copies of this study upon request.
>>
>>
>>
>>It is obvious to us that SB-6491 was drafted in haste. It strives
>>valiantly to retain the administrative structure and budget
>>procedures of the School for the Blind while placing it under OSPI.
>>However, as Abraham Lincoln said after delivering the Gettysburg
>>Address: "It won't scour!"
>>
>>
>>
>>Consider the process of determining the School for the Blind's
>>budget. At present, the school drafts both an operational and
>>capital budget for consideration by the legislature just as other
>>state agencies do. But if the school is placed under OSPI, the
>>mechanics of this process are, at best, unclear, if not muddled.
>>OSPI is not set up to handle administration or financing of agencies
>>such as the School for the Blind. Under this legislation, what would
>>be the process for approving the operations budget? And how would
>>ongoing capital expenditures to maintain and improve campus
>>facilities be handled? Presumably, the "Assistant Superintendent" in
>>charge of the School for the Blind would draft these budgets but
>>would they then become part of OSPI's budget, presumably subject to
>>approval by the Superintendent of Public Instruction? And what would
>>be the appeals process were parents of blind children or blind
>>consumers dissatisfied with the budgetary allocation to the School
>>for the Blind
>>  by OSPI? It is difficult for us to see how the amended process
>> fosters increased accountability of the School for the Blind to its
>> constituents.
>>
>>
>>
>>Before continuing, let me hasten to say that this testimony should
>>not be viewed as criticizing the Office of the Superintendent of
>>Public Instruction. It is only that the number of blind students is
>>so small compared to the total number of students (the School for
>>the Blind has records of some fourteen hundred blind and visually
>>impaired students in Washington) that it is all-too-easy for their
>>needs to get lost in the continuing struggle to educate all of
>>Washington's students. It is the experience of affiliates of the
>>national Federation of the Blind around the country that when
>>schools for the blind are part of departments of education or, for
>>that matter, other agencies such as state departments of human
>>services, the needs of those receiving services from the schools are
>>all-too-often forgotten and even upkeep of the physical plant and
>>buildings is given a low priority until the neglect catches up with
>>state governments and schools for the blind are either abolished or 
>>absorbed
>>  by entities not primarily dealing with blindness. The case of the
>> Oregon School for the Blind is emblematic of this process. While I
>> am sure that the Superintendent of Public Instruction would do his
>> best to guard against such neglect, it is hard to fight the
>> tendency to marginalize education of the blind when blindness
>> services are provided as part of conglomerate agencies.
>>
>>
>>
>>Consider the process of vetting members of the Board of Trustees and
>>the Superintendent of the School for the Blind. Current law provides
>>that each voting member of the Board of Trustees is appointed by the
>>Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The
>>Superintendent of the School for the Blind is also subject to this
>>process. Under SB-6491, the Superintendent of Public Instruction
>>would appoint members of the School for the Blind's Board of
>>Trustees and the "Assistant Superintendent" in charge of the School
>>for the blind without legislative oversight or public hearings. In
>>other words, these would be administrative appointments with little
>>or no opportunity for legislators, parents of blind children, blind
>>consumers or the general citizenry of Washington to have meaningful
>>input. Surely this is not the sort of accountability Governor
>>Gregoire and state government say they wish to encourage!
>>
>>
>>
>>Moreover, when contemplating introduction of this legislation,
>>neither parents of blind children (either of those attending the
>>School for the Blind or of those benefiting from its services) nor
>>blind consumers (either members of the National Federation of the
>>Blind of Washington or the Washington Council of the Blind) were
>>consulted. We only heard of this legislation a few weeks ago when it
>>was presented to us as a fait accomplis: the train was a-comin' and
>>we'd best jump on board or get crushed! Whatever else might be said,
>>this is not accountability of government to its citizenry! We, the
>>blind of Washington, are angered and offended at this cavalier
>>treatment. We care very deeply about the education of blind
>>students. We know what works and what does not work for we've been
>>there! We want to help to make the School for the Blind as good as
>>it can be while increasing its efficiency. We cannot help if we are
>>not consulted.
>>
>>
>>
>>The Washington State School for the Blind is outstanding! Parents of
>>blind children from other states move to Washington so their
>>children can attend the school. The school serves blind children
>>throughout the state, both in on-campus intensive learning programs
>>and in their local school districts through the Outreach Program and
>>the Washington Instructional Resource Center. In conjunction with
>>the Braille Access Center (operated in partnership with the State
>>Printing Office and the Department of Corrections), textbooks are
>>provided in Braille and large-print to blind students throughout the
>>state and Braille is generated for blind citizens on a
>>fee-for-service basis, resulting in a cost savings for the state.
>>The School for the Blind provides adaptive technology to blind
>>students throughout the state, also resulting in cost savings. Some
>>eighty percent of school graduates over the last few years are
>>employed, tax-paying Washingtonians or are in college or vocational 
>>training to
>>  become so. I could go on but this is enough to indicate that the
>> School for the Blind is a vibrant, efficient institution. It does
>> not need reorganization; it isn't broken; there is no need to fix
>> it. Please do not approve SB-6491.
>>
>>
>>
>>I again thank you for the opportunity to speak before you.
>>_______________________________________________
>>blindkid mailing list
>>blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>for blindkid:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/blindchildren%40verizon.net
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:57:55 -0500
> From: Carol Castellano <carol_castellano at verizon.net>
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindkid] Parent Leadership Program Conf Call--PLEASE
> RESPOND!
> Message-ID: <367613.79984.qm at smtp101.vzn.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; Format="flowed"
>
> Dear PLP Participant,
>
> We've got you down as coming to our PLP program in Washington DC next
> weekend.  We're hoping you can participate in our conference call
> tomorrow (Monday) evening.  Here is the info:
>
> Monday, Jan. 25, 2010
> 8 pm eastern time
> Call-in number--1-888-899-7789
> You will be asked to enter a code--900184#.
>
> Please let me know if you will be able to make the call.
>
> Also, I am attaching an almost-final agenda for the PLP
> training.  Please let me know if you have any questions.
>
> I look forward to talking with you on Monday and seeing you very soon in 
> DC!
>
> Carol
>
> Carol Castellano, President
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> 973-377-0976
> carol_castellano at verizon.net
> www.nfb.org/nopbc
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> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
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> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>
>
> End of blindkid Digest, Vol 69, Issue 23
> **************************************** 





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