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

Sherri flmom2006 at gmail.com
Sat Nov 28 21:19:39 UTC 2009 

I appreciate your thoughtful observations David and I still say that as an 
organization, one of the things we can do is get NAC out of Florida. I do 
not understand the need of Florida agencies to be accredited by NAC. I then 
think that if we know of individual cases of people whose cases are not 
being handled well, we work on them on a chapter-by-chapter basis and 
involve others in the state affiliate if need be. I hate to see Florids'd 
rehab system slip back into the dark ages. Again, just my thoughts!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "davidw" <dwermuth1 at earthlink.net>
To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


> Hello Sherri,
>
> I have the personality and knowledge to sometimes kick back and observe 
> before putting myself in unknowledgeable situations. The reason I ask 
> these questions is to learn and figure out ways to positively asisst in 
> the areas that might be takeing a wrong way. We all know that sometimes 
> people blind or not have issues with advocateing for themselves and Yes it 
> is frustrateing at times but that is the way it is, and sometimes we end 
> up with egg on our face but...   I have sat and listened to consumer's of 
> DBS and heard some story's of how VRC's don't have time to fill out the 
> ppw for O and M and they just say OK and fade away sitting in their homes 
> because...
>
> It disturbs me and yes I am done observeing, so I ask all of you what is 
> next?  We all know the rehabilitation system here in Florida isn't 
> working, so????
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
> To: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>; "Florida Association of 
> Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 8:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.
>
>
>> David and list, I agree with most of what Marion says and was actually 
>> going to answer in a similar way, but let me add that years ago, when 
>> serving as president of the National Federation of the Blind Greater 
>> Orlando Chapter and vice-president of the NFBF, I did advocate with local 
>> scholarship winners in Orlando when DBS insisted that because DBS helps 
>> them procure equipment and pay for school, the scholarship winner should 
>> return the scholarship from NFB-GOC to DBS. I was furious and went all 
>> the way to the top on that one. One person did give her winnings to DBS, 
>> but it was after much advice from me not to do so. This was in the pre 
>> Craig Kiser era.
>>
>> I do believe that DBS was making many progressive strides when Craig 
>> Kiser was director. I am acquainted with their present director and am 
>> frankly surprised at the turn the O&A center in Daytona has taken. I 
>> believe that advocacy from NFBF for those seeking help from DBS is done 
>> more on an individual case-by-case basis rather than having some sort of 
>> state-wide policy.
>>
>> We have, however, participated in phone conferences with FAASB so our 
>> input is noted, though not necessarily acted upon.
>>
>> I also think we need to take into careful consideration our advocacy 
>> efforts. How much can we really advocate for the blind when several 
>> people are employed by DBS. This also spills over into transportation as 
>> there are those who also work for transportation companies who serve the 
>> disabled in Florida.
>>
>> I would actually like to see NFB work to drive NAC out of Florida, as 
>> accreditation by this organization holds no validity.
>>
>> Why should you joiner NFB? Primarily because if you want to change 
>> something about an organization--if you want to move it forward-- you can 
>> only do so from the inside out. Putting forth negativity from the 
>> outside-in only hurts that organization and minimizes your own view. 
>> Having been both more and less involved with NFB over the years, I have 
>> found that my views are noted far more if I am working in the 
>> organization to change what it means to be blind, rather than just being 
>> an outside observer. Whether I agree or disagree with policies, I find my 
>> choice is to do what I can to help the blind throughout Florida and this 
>> country and I can do that more effectively being part of NFB than by 
>> being out there on my own.
>>
>> Just my thoughts and I thank you for asking these questions.
>> Sherri
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; "FLAGDU List" 
>> <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 10:04 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.
>>
>>
>>> 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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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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