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

davidw dwermuth1 at earthlink.net
Sun Nov 29 08:49:46 UTC 2009 

Where do I send my check to be an at large Florida NFB member?

David Wermuth
dwermuth1 at earthlink.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


>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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Nfbf-l mailing list
>>>>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>>
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