[Ct-nfb] New program offers literacy training for blind residents

Sat Jan 12 23:07:43 UTC 2013

Trevor:
Bringing a rep from WV to be a guest speaker on one of our at-large calls might be a good way to get a bunch of us to explore that information.
It would indeed be excellent if we could arrange assistance from BESB to run the program.  It might even be an ititiative to run chapter-by-chapter.

All:
I think that, even if the program started small, it would still be worthwhile.  We are a small state, anyway.  The program will only get as big as its demand, and that's true with any of our programs.

Justin

Justin M. Salisbury
B.A. in Mathematics
Class of 2012
East Carolina University
president at alumni.ecu.edu

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”    —MARGARET MEAD

________________________________________
From: Ct-nfb [ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Trevor Attenberg [tattenberg at gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 5:53 PM
To: 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] New program offers  literacy        training for blind residents

It'd be a good idea--great even, if there are indeed those of us willing and
able enough.  One of our main functions after all is serving the blind of
CT, yes? Could another institution, like Voc Rehab help us out with
something like this--or the Lyons perhaps. We'd be doing VR work, right?
Maybe we should find out more about how they figured out a plan in WV.
Trevor A.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nathanael T.
Wales
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 2:29 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] New program
offers literacy training for blind residents

Justin,

I think the most important matter would be getting enough members willing to
participate insuch a project.  Being able to do the project, including
training on a weekend since many of our leaders work during the week, would
be important.  The funding through grants would be straightforward
applying--or even making an investment from our general fund.

What do others think?

Nathanael

-----Original Message-----
From: Justin Salisbury
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 5:06 PM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] New program
offers literacy training for blind residents

How feasible could it be for us to set up a program like this in CT?

Justin M. Salisbury
B.A. in Mathematics
Class of 2012
East Carolina University
president at alumni.ecu.edu

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change

the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    -MARGARET MEAD

________________________________________
From: Ct-nfb [ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Elizabeth Rival
[erival at comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 1:29 PM
To: 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'
Subject: [Ct-nfb] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] New program offers
literacy        training for blind residents

From: State-affiliate-leadership-list
[mailto:state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Pare, John
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 5:17 PM
To: state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] New program offers literacy
training for blind residents

Way to go NFB of West Virginia.
New program offers literacy training for blind residents January 5, 2013
journal-news.net

MARTINSBURG - The National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia is
marking the anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille with the announcement
of a statewide initiative aimed at helping blind adults gain literacy
skills. The project matches blind adults who read and write Braille with
other blind adults who wish to learn it.

Louis Braille is the Frenchman who invented the system of reading and
writing by touch, using raised dots. He was born 203 years ago, Jan. 4,
1809, and the code which bears his name is now used by blind persons around
the world.

"We know that literacy is vital to success in virtually every aspect of
life, whether it be education, employment or simply being good citizens of
our communities," NFBWV President Charlene Smyth said. "For those of us who
are blind, literacy means the ability to read and write Braille. This
project allows us to share our knowledge of Braille with others who can
benefit from learning it."

Last spring a dozen blind persons from throughout the state volunteered as
tutors for the project and received some basic training in the best ways to
teach others to read and write Braille. About half of them are currently
working with students, and persons interested in learning Braille are
encouraged to take advantage of the program.

The project has received a grant from the West Virginia Division of
Rehabilitation Services for the purchase of books and other learning
materials. The funds will also assist with transportation costs when tutors
and students must travel some distance to meet with each other.

NFBWV Second Vice President Sheri Koch, who recently retired as a supervisor
with the Division of Rehabilitation Services, was instrumental in planning
and launching the project. She recognizes that losing one's vision is often
a traumatic experience.

"It can complicate even the simplest of tasks like following a recipe,
writing down a phone number or finding the right elevator button," Koch
said. "Learning Braille can help a person with vision loss to regain
independence, confidence and self-respect. It can also be the key to finding
and retaining a job."

The training is offered to any adult who has experienced vision loss
affecting his/her ability to read and write. Persons with some basic
knowledge of Braille who want to improve their reading and writing skills
can benefit from the project as well.

To learn more or to register as a student, contact NFBWV First Vice
President Ed McDonald at 304-788-0129 or
ed at eiopro<mailto:ed at eiopro>ductions.com.

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