[Blindtlk] O&M please make sure you have subject line

Wed Dec 3 19:46:12 UTC 2014

Chris,

While I don't know the specifics of your case, it is possible that you need to think out of the box some on getting 
oriented to your college campus.  You are not going to always have a case open anywhere when you need to become 
oriented to a new place.  One thing you might consider is getting some reader time authorized and use a reader to 
learn about your campus.  There is nothing that says that a reader can only read books.  <smile>  If your travel 
technique is reasonably good, learning to develop your ability to learn a new place without requiring a mobility 
professional is a worthwhile effort, and you may be able to work out reader funding more easily than funding for an 
O&M professional.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Wed, 3 Dec 2014 10:50:48 +0000, Szostak, Christine via blindtlk wrote:

>HI,
>  I am actually still with another state's VR services right now and they are closing my case in the near future 
since I have been out of the state too long. I have been told by VR services and related individuals in GA that 
they are very hard to get into (e.g., they were really backlogged when I called and could not take on anyone new 
for at least a year or more) also someone in Vision services in GA told me that although I would qualify for VR 
services, VR would very likely not be too helpful as I would likely not be provided any funding support since I 
earn a pay check and thus I would have to pay for my own O/M... out of pocket (which is quite out of my means).
>Happy Wed!
>Chris
>________________________________________
>From: Cherylandmaxx [Cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 5:11 AM
>To: Szostak, Christine; blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>Subject: O&M please make sure you have subject line

>Why are they closing your case did you get O&M. You can insist that they keep your case opened.  Are you seeking 
employment job training or education. If you do not have a list of things you want to do they can close your case.

>Cheryl Echevarria
>Echevarria Travel
>www.echevarriatravel.com
>Echevarriatravelblog.com
>631-456-5394
>Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>Cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

>-------- Original message --------
>From: "Szostak, Christine via blindtlk"
>Date:12/03/2014 12:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
>To: Danielle Antoine ,Blind Talk Mailing List ,Judy Jones
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] (no subject)

>A VR case closing is my main issue for why I am not getting my own O/M. so I would love an answer to Judy's 
question as well. Excellent question Judy, thanks!
>________________________________________
>From: blindtlk [blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Danielle Antoine via blindtlk [blindtlk at nfbnet.org]
>Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 11:22 PM
>To: Judy Jones; Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] (no subject)

>It's my understanding that Leader employs certified mobility
>instructors. I would think it beneficial since they are qualified to
>assess your cane skills and talk with you and possibly work in the
>areas you are concerned about. My question is though who pays for
>this? WHen concidering schools I don't know that I could get
>orientation training around a new campus since my case is closed with
>LRS and I can't afford this myself much less know who to call. The
>contact I once had is now in another state. So how to pgo about paying
>that is my question?

>On 12/2/14, Judy Jones via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> It seems it would be better to choose a school with a more comprehensive
>> program for a guide dog.  But if Leader Dogs is more into O&M, I don't know
>>
>> that they are, you might benefit from the O&M.  I would also say, however,
>> that if your cane use has been limited, you would have a leg up on
>> everything if you reinforced the cane skills you already have with some more
>>
>> mobility.  As much as I have used a cane and am comfortable with it, I have
>>
>> always benefited from an occasional touch-up from a mobility trainer.
>> Techniques change over the years, mostly for the better.  Many professional
>>
>> sports players get brush-up training, so no reason you can't with the cane
>> travel, too.  Have you checked with your state services?
>>
>> Judy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Szostak, Christine via blindtlk
>> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 12:16 PM
>> To: Cheryl Echevarria ; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] (no subject)
>>
>> HI,
>>   Sorry for the confusion, the question is actually whether people here
>> think it is a truly unwise/unsafe decision to self-train in white cane
>> skills based on my background experience. I have been in many airports and
>> so am not at all concerned about being there (the issue was simply that it
>> is not at all local to get to the airport...).
>>
>>   One of the reasons I am also not 100% sure that something like what Leader
>>
>> offers is that the program is only 7 days. Thus, I am just wondering how
>> much I can really get out of that short of a program (e.g., it almost seems
>>
>> like it is just too short to be a stand-alone training).
>> Have a wonderful afternoon and again sorry for the confusion!
>> Chris
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Cheryl Echevarria [cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
>> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 2:09 PM
>> To: Szostak, Christine; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>> Subject: RE: [Blindtlk] (no subject)
>>
>> Hello Christine:
>>
>> So what is your question, is about traveling like getting to the airports,
>> or traveling like in walking down the street.
>>
>> All things are the same. If you are looking for cane skills, the best ones
>> are those that are NFB members. Especially those that travel for a long
>> time.
>>
>> Going to the airport and getting around the airport is a different animal
>> all together, please also we have these discussion on the monthly
>> teleconference calls with the NFB Travel & Tourism Division.
>>
>> Each Airport is different. We have 3 here on Long Island near me and
>> depending on where we are traveling to will depend on which one we use.
>>
>> I also say to those that are either traveling alone or if with others, is
>> to
>> invest in a good car service or limo service. A good travel professional
>> either by using one of us in the NFB or by locally.
>>
>> The other thing is, the TSA Cares program helps at the airports
>> domestically
>> from Alaska to Puerto Rico and everywhere in between including the US
>> Virgin
>> Islands
>>
>> I am in the process of updating our website www.nfbtravel.org<http://www.nfbtravel.org> and we have
>> the TSA Care Program listed.
>>
>> You basically contact the TSA 72 hours prior to traveling. Let them know
>> that you need assistance traveling through the airport, they will either
>> meet you are the check in on curb side or the check in at the inside of the
>> airport.
>>
>> They will give you the number of the person who will meet you are the
>> airport date of departure and arrival. They will assist in any way you want
>> to travel. If it is a big airport like JFK or O'Hare take advantage of the
>> Golf Carts they use for everyone and not just those that are disabled.
>>
>> They will also assist you going through security and anything else, you
>> will
>> need.
>>
>> We have also had these discussion on the NFB Live site. www.nfblive.org<http://www.nfblive.org>,
>> where I have been doing twice a month, Q&A on traveling.
>>
>> Which is on hold until after the holidays.
>>
>> For those interested in more, NFB Travel & Tourism has a talk list on the
>> nfbnet.org and announcements on meetings are posted by David Andrews to all
>> that are registered to the talk lists.
>>
>> Have a Happy Holiday.
>>
>> Cheryl Echevarria, President
>> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
>> A proud division of the
>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
>> www.nfbtravel.org<http://www.nfbtravel.org>
>> 631-236-5138
>> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>>
>>
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
>> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
>> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
>> blindness is not what holds you back.
>>
>>
>> Cheryl Echevarria is also the owner of Echevarria Travel
>> www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com>; 631-456-5394 or reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>> and  has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com<http://www.braillesmith.com> for all her
>> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Szostak,
>> Christine via blindtlk
>> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 1:59 PM
>> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Blindtlk] (no subject)
>>
>> HI All,
>>   I am new to this list and also have a question.
>>
>>   First, for those who do not know me, my name is Chris and I am totally
>> blind. I lost my vision completely as a young  adult (I was born visually
>> impaired with usable vision in one eye). I lost my vision about 14 years
>> ago.
>>
>>   My question relates to traveling.
>>
>>   I am a long-time guide dog user. I received my first guide when I started
>> to lose my remaining vision in 1999 and have had continuous dogs since then
>> with no breaks longer than approximately 1 week between dogs.
>>
>>   For various reasons, I am seriously considering switching to a white cane
>> and this is where my question comes in.
>>
>>   Although trained on the basics (e.g., I know the basic techniques such as
>> how to move the cane while in general motion, roughly how far to swing it,
>> how to deal with things like steps...) I have had only very limited use
>> with
>> it.
>>
>>   I was considering something like Leader Dogs O/M program since our O/M
>> services here where I am living are aweful. However, there are some really
>> frustrating obsticals (e.g., the closest airport for me is around an hour
>> away and I live alone and do not want to ask someone (family do not live
>> near me) to drive me that far simply to board a plane).
>>
>>   I should say that I have had a lot of O/M training throughout my life so
>> know how to safely cross major streets independently... so can safely
>> travel.
>>
>>   Thus, given the above, I have been considering just getting myself
>> up-to-speed with some help from sighted folks I know without being in a
>> formal training program. DO others here think this is doable based on what
>> I
>> have said? I feel like  I could do it, but  would really appreciate advice
>> from those who are experienced in cane travel as I really would value your
>> thoughts and opinions. Any advice, suggestions... would be sincerely
>> appreciated.
>> Have a wonderful afternoon!
>> Chris
>>
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