[Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or Not?
Mike Freeman
k7uij at panix.com
Sat Mar 23 00:35:07 UTC 2013
Kelby:
I would strongly urge you to take chris up on his offer. I think his
perspective as a young -- a lot younger than I, at any rate -- Doubting
Thomas would tell you a lot about us. I may add some further observations
later but suffice it here to say that the view that we are amonolith is not
borne out by lengthy observation. Were that the case, I would have been
thrown out long ago and would not be a member of the NFB National Board.
Dissent is encouraged, if not celebrated -- but *not* in public. Why?
Because we wish to present a united front to politicians and to those who
oppose us so that they cannot cite the dissenting views of individual
Federation members to try to discount or undercut positions we've taken by
national convention resolutions. In this we are far from unique. Such
sterling organizations as the NAACP have much the same practice as, of
course, do the political parties. And to those who say that blindness is not
political, there's a famous bridge across the east River I could sell you.
Even marriage has politics. (grin)
But some of the most spirited debates I've ever witnessed have been at NFB
meetings and at conventions. The only organization I've ever known where a
resolution went to a 26/26 tie vote *twice* in succession was NFB.
Next, I will say that it is definitely *not* necessary to go to a NFB-type
training center to get good blindness skills *if* one has a good positive
set of attitudes about blindness. There are plenty of good facilities to
train one in the techniques of blindness except possibly for the
structured-discovery method of O&M. but there are not many who avowedly try
to inculcate positive attitudes about blindness into their students and who
try to inoculate them against society's prejudices about blindness.
I never went to a NFB center and I do OK. But a NFB center jump-starts the
blindness-adjustment experience -- and all of us must adjust to our
blindness even if we've been blind all our lives because society is
structured for the sighted, they being in the majority.
And, protests to the contrary notwithstanding, *all* rehab has a bit of the
shaman about it -- "yes, you can do it!" Else we wouldn't need rehab
counselors.
One last thing and I'll go back to lurking: some of you criticize us for
supposedly not being welcoming or tolerating differences. But every group
has an "in-group" andn an "out-group" even if they try not to. Yes, we
mostly agree on a common philosophy. ACB avowedly does not. But by not
having a philosophy, they perforce have one -- that they do not believe in
any unifying principles. That's their choice.
We have our philosophy because for most of us, it's worked in our lives. So
we espouse and advocate it. That's the American way. Others are free to do
their thing also.
Cheers!
Mike Freeman, Board Member
National Federation of the Blind
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris
Nusbaum
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 4:46 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or
Not?
Justin,
I agree. There is nothing which requires all Federationists to act or think
the same. If there were, I would have been out of the NFB a very long time
ago, either by personal choice or by the membership excommunicating me.
<Smile.>
Kelby, if you would like to talk with me about this, I would be happy to
talk with you off-list either via phone or via email. I can definitely
relate to the reservations you have about joining, as they are very similar
to mine. If you would like, I can go into more detail off list.
Chris
Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chair
Public Relations Committee
Maryland Association of Blind Students
Phone: (443) 547-2409
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of justin
williams
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 7:35 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or
Not?
I have definitely met other blind people who were not in the NFB who I have
learned a lot from. You just have to take everyone's philosophy use the
parts that work foryou.
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Desiree
Oudinot
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 7:27 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or
Not?
I concur with your assessment, but don't expect to get any support from NFB
members. I give you props for willingly entering the lion's den, though.
On 3/22/13, kelby carlson <kelbycarlson at gmail.com> wrote:
> My reservations are primarily attached to what I see as a "my way or
> the highway" mentality. Despite protestations to the contrary, I get
> the distinct feeling the NFB really believes it has found *the way* of
> understanding and living with blindness. While the NFB's particular
> methodology may work for some people--and has a good deal to commend
> it--it's just not something I'm comfortable embracing. I also detect a
> kind of insularity--a constant "looking in" if you will--that is
> unhelpful. It's one thing to have a like-minded community, but I
> sometimes feel as if there is a kind of feeling of superiority over
> sighted people--or even non-Federationists! I have felt distinctly out
> of the loop and out of place at some NFB events because I wasn't
> "plugged in", didn't know the lingo, and didn't have the kind of
> personal history that most other federationists seem to have. I cannot
> use these experiences to discourage anyone from joining the NFB, nor
> do I wish to. As I said previously in this discussion, I am
> uncomfortable with arguments based on anecdotal experience. This,
> then, is not an argument for or against the NFB--it probably explains
> more about me than the Federation. I hope that helps clarify a little.
>
>
>
> On 3/22/13, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> A good soldier is not measured by how many bullets they fire, but by
>> their dedication to the cause. And a warrior doesn't need to be on
>> the battlefield to prove his worth to society.
>>
>> On 3/21/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Be a warrior. Be on the frong lines.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> kelby carlson
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 5:52 PM
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB
>>> Centers or Not?
>>>
>>> My perspective is similar to Desiree's. I have every intention of
>>> getting more involved in blindness advocacy in some way. However, I
>>> have reservations about all of the organizations there are. (It's
>>> totally possible those reservations will go away some day.) For now,
>>> I want to figure out what's going to work best for me as a blind
>>> person and do what I can individually to help others as well. There
>>> is great value in collectivity--no mistake--I'm just at a place
>>> where that isn't how I believe i can best function. I do hope to
>>> attend the convention one of these years, though, and my mind could
>>> definitely change!
>>>
>>> I know I may come across sounding antagonistic toward the Federation
>>> at times. I need to work harder on moderating what I say and how I
>>> say it. But believe me when I say I see a ton of value in the
>>> Federation and a great deal that I like and agree with.
>>> Fundamentally, my philosophy is very similar (I think) to the NFB
>>> philosophy. How it is worked out practically is sometimes where the
rubber meets the road.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/22/13, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> While I won't speak for Peter, I'll give my own perspective on why
>>>> I choose not to join the NFB or ACB.
>>>> It's not about having a superiority complex. I don't consider
>>>> myself to be better than anyone who is part of an organization.
>>>> however, I like to draw my own conclusions, keeping politics and
>>>> hidden agendas at arm's length. That's why my involvement only
>>>> extends as far as listservs will take it. I feel that reading
>>>> messages written by individual members is a much more unbiased, not
>>>> to mention realistic view, of how the members of each organization
>>>> live, work and interact in day-to-day life. At a meeting or
>>>> convention, there's the expectation that one must carry themselves
>>>> a certain way, say the right things, be inspired by all the right
>>>> catch phrases. That's not limited to organizations for or of the
>>>> blind, either, that's a fact of human nature. When you draw a large
>>>> number of like-minded individuals together, and get them all to
>>>> focus on one specific problem, proposition, or what have you, the
>>>> people will either put their best or worst foot forward
>>>> collectively. There is little time for individual thought
>>>> processes, emotions, or personalities to take root and stand above the
rest.
>>>> I am, by nature, very reserved, maybe I could even be classified as
>>>> a loner in a lot of ways. As I said, I think and draw conclusions
>>>> best when there are no distractions, no bells and whistles so to
>>>> speak. I take what is important to me, what fits in with my values
>>>> and beliefs, and apply it to how I live my life. I don't honestly
>>>> feel that I need to belong to anything to find my purpose, nor
>>>> should I be told that I have no purpose unless I'm at the forefront
>>>> of every high and low point in the organization's history. I am
>>>> content with this, and I feel that I have a right to speak out
>>>> about it, since it's a viewpoint which most who hold it would
>>>> probably not be comfortable expressing for fear of being blamed and
shamed.
>>>>
>>>> On 3/22/13, Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> Hello, Peter. I have not followed this thread, but I have looked
>>>>> at one or two of your posts. I think it is a shame that you will
>>>>> not join the American Council of the Blind or the National
>>>>> Federation of the Blind.
>>>>> I
>>>>> suppose you believe there is some kind of superiority in being
>>>>> what you might call an independent. Perhaps you are right, but my
>>>>> own life experience indicates that having influence means joining
>>>>> with others of like mind, exploring how you can understand them
>>>>> and get them to understand you, and then acting together in a
>>>>> concerted way to bring about the better world we all say we want.
>>>>> One popular buzzword you can't help but hear if you listen to five
>>>>> minutes of the news is the word infrastructure, but there is a lot
>>>>> to be said for having a way to effect the change we want. For me
>>>>> this is the National Federation of the Blind. For others it is
>>>>> the American Council of the Blind. Though the organizations may
>>>>> disagree from time to time, one thing most all of us share is that
>>>>> we have made a commitment to blind people that extends beyond
>>>>> words. We are willing to put our time, our energy, and our money
>>>>> into helping you, whether or not you appreciate that we do so or
>>>>> ever raise a finger to help us. Much distance remains for us to
>>>>> travel, and we certainly can use a willing hand at the oars.
>>>>> Thanks for reading.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>>> Peter Wolfe
>>>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 1:52 PM
>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB
>>>>> Centers or Not?
>>>>>
>>>>> In fact, the best method that anybody can teach you is
>>>>> improvization not technique persay. It doesn't matter where you
>>>>> get any information from on these things whether NFB, ACB, AFB,
>>>>> Lion's Club's or wherever as long as you get whatever information.
>>>>> Make-up yoru own techniques and sell a book for all I care as long
>>>>> as it works for you that is all that counts. I could careless as
>>>>> logn as you share the information with fellow blind individuals
>>>>> that is my thhing that it shouldn't matter what special interest
>>>>> group that your apart of cause we should all work together in
>>>>> dealing with a rotten situation to make it better. By the way, I'm
>>>>> never going to be part of NFB, ACB, AFB or any of them.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> sincerely,
>>>>> Peter
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/22/13, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Kelby,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Your question is a fair one and I don't have a definitive answer.
>>>>>> I can only tell you that I received training before there were
>>>>>> NFB centers and I have been a reasonably successful traveler and
>>>>>> have generally managed my life successfully. However, in the
>>>>>> work I have done with BLIND Incorporated, I see that there are
>>>>>> things I missed when I was trained. I think I have picked up
>>>>>> much of what I missed primarily because of my association with others
in the Federation.
>>>>>> It
>>>>>> has more to do with being confident enough to try new situations
>>>>>> and knowing that I'll figure them out even if I don't know
>>>>>> exactly how at the start, and less to do with how many inches I
>>>>>> swing my cane left and right. In my opinion, and you may see
>>>>>> this as a cop-out, it has less to do with comparing the quality
>>>>>> of one's travel skills and more to do with whether one actually
>>>>>> gets out and travels. These are not easy things to measure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know you some via e-mail and I think we may have met in the
>>>>>> past, but I don't know how well you travel, for example. What I
>>>>>> do know is that most of us are affected by the general attitudes
>>>>>> that surround us in a way that is hard to measure. Even though
>>>>>> we have some idea of what our capabilities are, unless we are
>>>>>> exceptionally confident, we are going to tend to believe it if we
>>>>>> are uncertain how we would accomplish a given thing and someone
>>>>>> tells us we can't do it. I believe there was a time when there
>>>>>> was a clear dividing line between NFB training centers and many
>>>>>> other centers. We believed that we have to affect one's attitude
>>>>>> toward blindness and oneself while most other centers believed
>>>>>> that they need to concentrate on teaching techniques.
>>>>>> The common belief among some other centers was that changing
>>>>>> attitudes toward blindness was dictating a philosophy and was
>>>>>> outside of their mandate.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Frankly, I think this has changed some over the years and that
>>>>>> there is a more general acceptance of the notion that one's
>>>>>> belief in oneself is probably as important as the techniques used
>>>>>> so some of the lines are not as clear as they once were. Still,
>>>>>> I am skeptical of how well attitudes can be changed in a couple
>>>>>> of months, but of course, it depends some upon the starting point
>>>>>> of the individual.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It was observed at one of our state conventions that we are not
>>>>>> all good travelers. The person making the observation, who shall
>>>>>> remain nameless, said that they felt a need to jump in and help
>>>>>> but there were too many people to try to help all at once.
>>>>>> However, they soon realized that good techniques or bad, people
>>>>>> were getting where they needed to go without assistance, and that
>>>>>> what appeared to be potentially frustrating to an observer was
>>>>>> not the case for the traveler. This isn't meant to diminish the
>>>>>> role of good travel techniques, only to make the point that there
>>>>>> is more to travel than techniques. Having said all this, though,
>>>>>> I also believe that what we have come to call structured
>>>>>> discovery is a valid difference in how one learns to travel. In
>>>>>> some ways, it takes longer to learn but provides a better base
>>>>>> from which to work. Some of us who did not attend NFB training
>>>>>> centers have adopted this approach on our own to some degree, but
>>>>>> we would probably have adopted it more easily having had training
>>>>>> in an NFB center.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have seen somewhat of a pattern in a number of your messages.
>>>>>> Often, you start rejecting a position that some of us have taken.
>>>>>> Then, when you hear the stories that some have told, you seem to
>>>>>> be more open to the possibility that there are sometimes reasons
>>>>>> for positions we might have taken. I won't bore you with the
>>>>>> details of the time I almost missed a flight because I allowed
>>>>>> myself to be talked into waiting for a cart, only to have one not
>>>>>> be available for close to an hour, and how the airline employee
>>>>>> refused to tell me which gate I needed to get to. Anyway, some
>>>>>> of what you are hearing here would have been a part of your
>>>>>> training at an NFB Center. You would likely have been given the
>>>>>> chance to interact personally with people who had similar
>>>>>> experiences so that you could ask them questions. You can get
>>>>>> some of this information here, of course, but what about the many
experiences that are not discussed?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Still, I think it makes sense to be careful not to judge one another.
>>>>>> My goal is not to convince you how bad your training was, because
>>>>>> it might be all right. I feel pretty certain that there are
>>>>>> things you didn't get that you would have gotten had you spent
>>>>>> time in one of our centers as indicated above, but I don't really
>>>>>> think that is the point. The point is how can we help you now
>>>>>> and how can you help us and other blind people? Are there things
>>>>>> you are not comfortable doing that perhaps someone else here is
>>>>>> comfortable doing? We could even explore here some of the things
>>>>>> that many of us have overcome as a result of the encouragement
>>>>>> from others.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sure, I'd like to have the words to make you see things exactly
>>>>>> as I see them, isn't that always true? In the end, though, I
>>>>>> don't care that much whether you believe there is a difference in
>>>>>> training centers or not. I care more that you have what you need
>>>>>> to get a job when you get out of college and that you are able to
>>>>>> live as full a life as you can live, and I believe there are ways
>>>>>> we can help you do that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Steve Jacobson
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:09:07 -0500, Kelby Carlson wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I keep hearing this in NFB literature and from
>>>>>>>federationists-that my local training simply must have been far,
>>>>>>>far inferior to anything the NFB has. I have as of yet seen no
>>>>>>>actual compelling evidence for this claim, and no one I know
>>>>>>>well in the NFB has offered me convincing reasons as to why the
>>>>>>>training I have is bad. (Those who don't know me can't offer any
>>>>>>>reasons, as they don't know my context.) If NFB mobility is so
>>>>>>>wonderful, I wish they would allow people interested to pay for
>>>>>>>a little instruction to get a sense of their methodology in real
>>>>>>>space time rather than forcing people to commit to six to nine
>>>>>>>months.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Kelby
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>From: cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>>>>>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu,
>>>>>>>21 Mar 2013 23:56:35 -0400
>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Well we all need good mobility skills. A dog is not a
>>>>>>>replacement for mobility skills. Whether you use a cane,
>>>>>>>sighted guide, or a guide dog.
>>>>>>>If you haven't been to an NFB School over the training you get
>>>>>>>locally then you don't know what you are missing.
>>>>>>>Never going to them myself. I have seen what someone with no
>>>>>>>knowledge of any of the services or very little in there own
>>>>>>>areas, and come back from our schools with the confidence and the
>>>>>>>mobility and the other services that are given there.
>>>>>>>If NFB is interested in forming a guide dog school on the NFB's
>>>>>>>philosophy then it comes with the first steps in mobility and
>>>>>>>then a dog. I have not been blind all my life. I lost my vision
>>>>>>>as an adult, and I learned the mobility and cane skills, my dog
>>>>>>>doesn't know when to cross the street, I have to give him the
>>>>>>>direction to do so.
>>>>>>>Know if I am mistaken in what is being said, I am the first to
>>>>>>>mention when I am wrong, but there will be a day that we will
>>>>>>>either not want to take our dogs places, by our own choice, or in
>>>>>>>between a dog, or whatever the issues are. That I know the
>>>>>>>skills to get me where I want to go whether it is with my Maxx or
>>>>>>>not.
>>>>>>>Have a great night all.
>>>>>>>Take care and god bless.
>>>>>>>Whatever decision is met and decided should be done with kindness
>>>>>>>to one another; and with the philosophy of the great organization.
>>>>>>>Cheryl Echevarria, PresidentNFB Travel & Tourism
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State Leading the
>>>>>>>Way in Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible Travel
>>>>>>>Advocate!Cheryl Echevarria,
>>>>>>>Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@eche
>>>>>>>varriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012
>>>>>>>Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
>>>>>>>Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
>>>>>>>#1018299-10Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National
>>>>>>>Federation of the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser
>>>>>>>for the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other
resources.
>>>>>>>Any vacation package booked between November 6 2012-November 6,
>>>>>>>2013 and vacation must be traveled no later than
>>>>>>>12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.
>>>>>>>Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for families
>>>>>>>and friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the
>>>>>>>affiliate as well. You do not need to be a member of the
>>>>>>>NFB.org, just book through us.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:18:49 -0500
>>>>>>> From: kelbycarlson at gmail.com
>>>>>>> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible
>>>>>>> Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'll echo what Cindysaid. There isno way I would give up that
>>>>>>>much time for mobility training I already had purely for the
>>>>>>>purpose of getting a dog. ZPeter said, I would go somewhere else
straightaway.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Kelby
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent:
>>>>>>>Thu,
>>>>>>>21 Mar 2013 21:56:01 -0400
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible
>>>>>>>Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When the NFB centers were started, many years ago, there was a
>>>>>>> real lack of quality training for blind people. I don't really
>>>>>>> think that's the case with guide schools. There are some
>>>>>>> schools which do things differently from others. But, there are
>>>>>>> people who prefer one approach over another. I don't really
>>>>>>> think that NFB needs to get involved with guide dog training.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As for Peter's suggestion that students would go through the
>>>>>>>nine month NFB center training, first, this will severely limit
>>>>>>>the number of people choosing to have training from an NFB
>>>>>>>guide dog school, should one be started. I don't know to many
>>>>>>>people who can give up a year of their life to get a guide dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cindy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Peter Donahue
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 2:25 PM
>>>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good afternoon Julie and everyone,
>>>>>>> Julie and I have had many conversations on this issue in the
>>>>>>>past so she knows where I'm coming from. In line with her
>>>>>>>comments below I'd like to suggest a possible scenario for an
>>>>>>>NFB-run guide dog program:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Since we all ready have three orientation and adjustment
>>>>>>>centers for blind adults and youth there would be no need for a
>>>>>>>facility for housing students in training to be constructed.
>>>>>>>Hold on folks.
>>>>>>>Students
>>>>>>> wishing to
>>>>>>> obtain a guide dog from the NFB's program would be required to
>>>>>>>complete the
>>>>>>> 6-9 month program at one of the centers. During the student's
>>>>>>>"Bootcamp training" the center has an opportunity to come to
>>>>>>>know the student inside-out and will be able to furnish lots of
>>>>>>>background information on the applicant to the guide dog unit.
>>>>>>>Unlike current guide dog programs that must rely on references
>>>>>>>and other information that may be true or false the NFB guide
>>>>>>>dog program will have all ready had accurate information
>>>>>>>gathered for them by the training center and can be assured that
>>>>>>>the applicant is a suitable candidate for a dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This approach will also assure the guide dog program that
>>>>>>>the student is up-to-par with their cane skills and is capable
>>>>>>>of transferring them to the use of a dog. Students that
>>>>>>>successfully complete the cane travel component of their
>>>>>>>immersion training would be eligible to receive a dog.
>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>> approach would also permit students receiving a dog to complete
>>>>>>>other aspects of their immersion training minimizing the wasted
>>>>>>>time students often experience when at guide dog training
facilities.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Students undergoing guide dog instruction would be required
>>>>>>> to wear sleep shades as they do when taking other center classes
>>>>>>> and participating in designated center activities. Like
>>>>>>> students who undergo cane travel instruction at our centers
>>>>>>> those training with dogs would be encouraged to travel on their
>>>>>>> own prior to completion of the training. In the beginning they
>>>>>>> could be accompanied by an experienced guide dog user/trainer
>>>>>>> but would be expected to travel and complete "Monster Routes"
>>>>>>> entirely on their own using their dogs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As for the dog component of the operation I imagine it would
>>>>>>> operate similar to those of current guide dog programs. The
>>>>>>> program would operate its own breeding component or obtain
>>>>>>> suitable dogs from donations. The usual period of socialization
>>>>>>> and puppy raising wouldn't be that much different than is done
>>>>>>> by current guide dog programs. The dogs would return for a
>>>>>>> period of training when they're taught how to guide a blind
>>>>>>> person. Once the dogs are ready to be pared with their future
>>>>>>> blind owner they along with an instructor would be sent to the
>>>>>>> center where the student receiving the dog will be trained.
>>>>>>> Alternatively the NFB guide dog program could operate from one
>>>>>>> of our centers. Those wishing to obtain dogs once their
>>>>>>> "Bootcamp"
>>>>>>> training is complete would transfer to that center for training
>>>>>>> with the dog. Using all ready existing facilities to house
>>>>>>> students in training is one way to reduce the cost of training guide
dogs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The above is just one possible scenario of how an NFB-run
>>>>>>> guide dog program could work but I'm sure others would have
>>>>>>> additional ideas. If it's to happen at all the discussion must
>>>>>>> continue at a cost of 0 to participants. All the best.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 8:08 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think the answer to protecting the dogs is two fold. First I
>>>>>>>would like to see a more in depth background investigation of
>>>>>>>the blind applicant. Do a criminal background check, require
>>>>>>>more references, ask the neighbors...whatever it takes.
>>>>>>>Adoption agencies place children into homes surely we can
>>>>>>>figure out a way to more accurately know what sort of situation
>>>>>>>the dog will be placed into.
>>>>>>>Secondly, I think there are already agencies in place for
>>>>>>>dealing with animal abuse, the police and animal control. I
>>>>>>>don't see any reason why these agencies can't be used in cases
>>>>>>>of neglect or abuse.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In regard to cost and the blind applicant absorbing the cost of
>>>>>>>the dog in order to own the dog outright is an extremely valid
point.
>>>>>>>We
>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>> to stop expecting everything for nothing. I like the Seeing
>>>>>>>Eye's concept of charging the student. I do wish that the cost
>>>>>>>had increased over the years with the cost of living. It has
>>>>>>>been $150 since the beginning of the school in 1928. I think
>>>>>>>that's the right year.
>>>>>>> $150
>>>>>>> was a very different sum of money then and now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I also think that guide dogs can be raised and trained for
>>>>>>> substantially lower sums of money than $60,000. If you look at
>>>>>>> the various guide dog programs and how much each claims it costs
>>>>>>> to train a dog, the numbers vary widely. All those buildings,
>>>>>>> fancy food, excessive equipment and other niceties cost money.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Julie
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Cordially,
>>>>> Peter Q Wolfe, BA
>>>>> cum laude Auburn University
>>>>> e-mail: yogabare13 at gmail.com
>>>>> "If you don't stand up for something your willing to fall for
>>>>> anything"
>>>>> Peter Q Wolfe
>>>>> "Stand up for your rights"
>>>>> Bob Marley
>>>>>
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om
>>
>
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