[humanser] Questions

Tue Jun 24 18:56:57 UTC 2014

Hi Amy, It's great that you are reaching out to people before making
such a commitment. I graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind
in 2011 after finishing a BA in Political Science and Psychology.
Sleep shades can be overwhelmming for some, and you should deffintely
speak to as many people as possible to get a good understanding of
what to expect while in training.
The three training centers hold expos throughout convention and it
would be a good idea to check them all out, they are even more
effective if you attend with someone who has graduated from one of
those centers, as many of us keep those connections with staff and
fellow students, we have made during our training.
You may contact me off list at AlexanderA.Castillo at gmail.com if you
would like to meet up anytime during convention. I am usually with
allot of friendly folk    who have attended the training centers as
well, and I'm sure they would like to meet you too.
See you in Orlando and take care,
Alexander Castillo

On 6/24/14, Merry Schoch via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Amy,
>
> There will  be a plethora of information regarding the training centers at
> convention.  What is great is you'll see students from the centers walking
> around in sleep shades.  Sleep shades can be overwhelming; however, besides
> many of the great points Ericka pointed out they also build confidence.  As
> a person who is currently losing my usable vision, I find myself challenged
> on a daily basis and this is not a complaint.  Each day I walk away knowing
> I am capable and can move forward as my vision decreases.  I know that soon
> the usable vision will be no more.  The experience of working under sleep
> shades is one that you can always look back at to help you remember that
> travelling with no sight is more than doable.  I have never been to a
> center, but I would love to have because all the freedom from the skills
> you
> learn there are invaluable!
>
> I hope this convention helps you make the best decision for your present
> and
> future.
>
> Warm regards,
> Merry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amy Hatten
> via humanser
> Sent: Monday, June 23, 2014 5:30 PM
> To: Serena Cucco; Human Services Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [humanser] Questions
>
> 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
>>>
>>>
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>>
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