[humanser] Questions

Mon Jun 23 21:30:30 UTC 2014

I am going to the convention and I have been partially blind for 6 years  I've considered an NFB center and was suppose to start but the idea of the sleep shades is terrifying me  and then I get overwhelmed before I go. 
I would like to meet anyone at the convention to get as much info I can get.
I became partially sighted my junior year of college. Did 6 weeks of some training to get back in college the following semester. Then did another 6 weeks of training during summer. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 23, 2014, at 4:14 PM, "Serena Cucco via humanser" <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Amy and all,
> 
> I received cane travel/orientation and mobility training from the
> Commission for the Blind and technology training from a company that
> contracted with the Commission when I was younger.  I also attended
> the Buddy and STEP probrams (Buddy for elementary and middle school
> age and STEP for high school age) programs at the Louisiana Center for
> the Blind, a training center the NFB runs.  There are two other NFB
> centers in Colorado and Minnesota.  All three of these centers have
> adult programs, as well.  I use Jaws screen reading software and
> Kurzweil (sp?) scanning software.
> 
> Amy, just wondering, are you totally blind?  Partially sighted?  Are
> you going to the convention?
> 
> Serena
> 
>> On 6/23/14, Ericka Short via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Amy, welcome first of all.
>> 
>> Justin is right that having a masters opens the job choices considerably.
>> He's also right that  you can't get off SSDI without the masters.  Marrying
>> 
>> rich  is about the only other way and that doesn't always work out.  Not
>> that I married rich and would know.It depends on what your dreams are and
>> many other life situations. My degree is in social work.  I'm in about the
>> same boat as you but have some experience behind me and am finally certified
>> 
>> in my state for social work.  First I suggest you see if you can be licensed
>> 
>> in your state for social work even though you have the psych degree.  I took
>> 
>> the NASW exam and the state statutes exam for WI and am just awaiting my
>> license. It isn't impossible to work without licensing or a masters, but you
>> 
>> are limited that is for sure.  I don't know what age you want to work with.
>> 
>> I worked as an activity aide at a nearby nursing home for six years part
>> time to get experience.  I could walk so it took the  transit issue out of
>> the equation and we didn't have to drive residents anywhere most of the time
>> 
>> so it wasn't in the essential requirements of the job.  The only thing I
>> drove was  wheelchairs!  Look into  what your state has for licensing and
>> that will help direct you.  Don't hesitate to talk to the campus  career
>> center.  They have given me lots of help even though I graduated 15 years
>> ago.  They know more about your own state and  what the needs are for
>> certain jobs.  If you have a focus they can help you more on some answers
>> than we can.  we  are allover, but they can  help for state specific things.
>> 
>> Transit is a toughie and it also depends on where you live.  There are some
>> 
>> low cost county services here in my WI county that  I have used which are
>> reliable and I have help at times from  church members I am close to.  Not
>> everyone has that kind of connection.  You might be able to carpool with a
>> coworker later, but you have to find a way to get there in the beginning.
>> IF you are  SSDI  some states have rules that you can keep your assistance
>> while  working because work expenses are subtracted from the real amount
>> leaving you with  lower earnings in the end.  I don't know much about how
>> the state rules and federal rules differ so that is something someone else
>> can post here.  IF you can swing it, take the part time job that  suits you
>> 
>> and keep the benefits for a while until you have the masters and other
>> things researched and planned.  Any experience out of school right away
>> will help you down the  road.
>> 
>> My job I am awaiting either a rejection or offer for is in another
>> city/county and it is part time.  Make sure you know their definition of
>> part time.  For this job it is 25 /week. I had to  talk to the benefits
>> specialist to  see what it would do if I took it.  I think I will work for
>> me and I have transit figured out.  Again this is a job that doesn't require
>> 
>> a license to do the  job and if there are situations where it would be nice
>> 
>> I have some ideas around it.  Not having the job I can't really comment
>> because the plans I think will work night not.  The job is a social service
>> 
>> coordinator position at a HUD apartment building for the disabled and
>> elderly.  Some of my activity plans like  getting to  attend a  church
>> festival might be a little work because of liability, insurance and other
>> important things.  The building doesn't have a van so we'd have to work with
>> 
>> the churches to find a way for them to attend.  Fireworks is nether
>> community opportunity for them to enjoy and it would be great if we could
>> work with the city to get them there and back.  As you can see, whether I'm
>> 
>> blind or sighted this transit issue would be a problem if I were planning an
>> 
>> off-site activity.
>> 
>> For other issues, write me offline.  Hope I've been of some help and if not,
>> 
>> at least interesting.  Good luck with your efforts and don't give up the
>> hunt.  There is something for you whether you are a partial like me or
>> total.
>> 
>> Ericka J. Short
>> 
>> "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13
>> 
>> "No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> humanser mailing list
>> humanser at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> humanser:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/serena.c.cucco%40gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/amykhatten%40hotmail.com