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

Marion & Martin swampfox1833 at verizon.net
Sun Nov 29 10:40:18 UTC 2009 

David,
    It is preferred that members join Chapters if there is one in your area, 
which there is! I know your input and energy would be greatly appreciated by 
those in the Hernando East Pasco Chapter!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "davidw" <dwermuth1 at earthlink.net>
To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 3:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Flagdu] [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


> 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
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> Nfbf-l:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/swampfox1833%40verizon.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Flagdu mailing list
>>>>> Flagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/flagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>>> Flagdu:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/flagdu_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Flagdu mailing list
>>>> Flagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/flagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>> Flagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/flagdu_nfbnet.org/dwermuth1%40earthlink.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Flagdu mailing list
>>> Flagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/flagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>> Flagdu:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/flagdu_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Flagdu mailing list
>> Flagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/flagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> Flagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/flagdu_nfbnet.org/dwermuth1%40earthlink.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flagdu mailing list
> Flagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/flagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Flagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/flagdu_nfbnet.org/swampfox1833%40verizon.net

More information about the FLAGDU mailing list