[Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.

[Marion & Martin]

David,
    The questions you ask are very valid ones! There was a time when the NFB
had a greater influence with the Division of Blind Services. During Craig
Kiser's administration, DBS was moving in a more positive direction. Craig
is a very progressive thinker, understanding, living, and implementing the
NFB's philosophy, in spite of a great deal of opposition from those who are
content with the status quo. The Orientation & Adjustment center for the
blind in Daytona Beach began implementing NFB-style training, including the
use of sleep shades, in an effort to close the revolving door of
rehabilitation that once and now, again, exists. His goal was to provide
excellent training once, not bits and pieces as consumers lose more and more
eyesight, returning to the O&A Center to improve their lacking skills that
should have been taught from the beginning. Unfortunately, Craig's health
necessitated his retirement as the Director.
    We now have a Director who cannot even use the word "blind", as
evidenced by her presentation at our last NFBF convention. Though her words
seemed to indicate that she is turning to the NFB for direction and support,
I believe these words are only political rhetoric. The status quo has been
returned to the O&A Center, taking two giant steps backward,  and the 
Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB) has more influence 
and control over our lives as it
pertains to DBS than do we, the blind consumer! Florida has the unfortunate 
distinction of having more NAC accreditted institutions than any other state
and FAASB proports itself - and is accepted - to be the authoritative voice
on issues of blindness. This is no surprise, as the Director of the Division 
of Blind Services is a former Director of a NAC accreditted institution - 
Lighthouse of Central Florida!
    As for the NFBF's involvement in consumer advocacy, I am of the opinion 
that this is one of our major roles! I also feel that too many are too close
to agency people to be effective consumer advocates. When crossing the lines 
from colleagues to friends, we diminish our capacity to be effective 
consumer advocates and succumb to the pressures of those doing the
pressuring! Our purpose is not to
be popular with the agencies, but to advance consumer rights of the 
individual with the goal of helping consumers reach for and achieve their 
highest potential!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "davidw" <dwermuth1 at earthlink.net>
To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 5:00 AM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


> First a little background on me.  I've worked for the state of Texas and
> Washington in the Rehabilitation for the blind and moved to Florida last
> May.  I am not asking these question's to cause waves or insult in anyway
> as I don't know the answers or how much the NFB has influence with the DBS
> here and I am just trying to understand.  I have noticed that hopefully
> many people on this list just read the post's and for some reason don't
> participate in the conversation's and I totally understand but here are a
> couple question's and comments:
>
> 1.  Does the NFB of Florida meet with the DBS for (Division of Blind
> Services) in making decisions for the low vision-blind for employment or
> for their future goals?
>
> In other words do you as leaders  of the blind community stand up for the
> rights for equal opportunity.  I've sat at many meeting's negotiateing for
> (throwing my fist down a few times on occasion" for the right's of the
> rehab act and the right of "choice"
>
> 2.  Does the NFB of Florida demand that all VRC's (Vocational
> Rehabilitation Counselers have the professionalism to asisst their
> consumers in obtaining their goals?
>
> I sat there at the leadership convention and heard at least three times to
> paraphase" when we getting a commission for the blind" and heard no
> comment.
>
> And I only ask not to be insultive or arogant in any way I promise you but
> for those whom are wondering where to turn when DBS trys and as you know
> most of the time intimidates them can they turn to the NFB of Florida and
> Why?
>
> I've been to a lot of NFB and ACB meetings through out the USA and I am
> concerned that the majority of them have just been a lot of bull and quite
> frankly butt-kissing their members to have numbers in their chapters.
> What makes you different and why should I join the NFB of Florida?  and
> remember many people are reading this for leadership.
> Dave Wermuth
> A to Z Adaptive Aids
>
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