[humanser] Challenges with VR services

Tue Oct 6 18:56:37 UTC 2015

Hello Michael and all others, 

Thanks for the uplifting message. The reasons why I tried to be straight-forward about funding graduate school is personal to some extent. I approached V. R. about financially assisting me to go to graduate school or perhaps pursue a second B. S. degree in Human Services. I was denied on the basis of having an undergraduate B. S. degree. I pursued the matter. V. R. sent me for a number of required tests. Because one psychologist and a hesitant V. R. counselor deemed graduate school out of my ability range I was once again turned down. Their decision propelled me to give strong consideration to the things they perceive would cause me to wash out of graduate school. I made the detrimental mistake of agreeing. 

Besides contemplating their perspectives I reflected on a similar recommendation by a psychologist when I approached the NYS Commission for the Blind. The psychologist deemed that I might achieve low grades at the community college level. He felt I should not pursue a B. S. degree. My indignation resulted in a quest to prove the "professionals" wrong; I did by a long shot. This included, at one point very successfully carrying 18 units. It is the same indignation as well as the reality that I am not equipped to secure undergraduate work as a case worker. 

I vacillate about pursuing any additional education, in part because I really struggle  to master the use of adaptive technologies and speech oriented computer programs; I'm a visual learner. For the most part, I no longer have adequate vision to be a visual learner. 

Returning to my original point I realize that, for now, I'm on my own and will have to pursue alternative sources of funding for any higher education. I tried to put things into perspective. This included the fact that thousands of non-v. r. individuals, including sighted folks, don't have V. R. funding as an option. What do they do? Precisely what you pointed out. 

From,
Lisa Irving

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Abell via humanser
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 8:56 AM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Michael Abell
Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services

Hello Lisa,
	I was waiting for the punch line! You touch on the point that strikes at the heart of independence and integration. It is good to see professionals that are seeking to better themselves and strive to achieve more  . The transformation from, “what can I do?” to, “What more can I do?” is a truly uplifting experience. It is motivational in itself!
	Many of us have benefited from the work of VR and now find ourselves In the profession. Now what? How do we advance and remain competitive? What do we do if we need further education or training?
	If we are to seek full inclusion, we must be willing to accept the responsibility of being a part of the greater world. If we need further education, seek ways to fund it. Look for employment that has tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and other funding sources. VR is not one of these funding streams.
	We all get stuck and try to go back to the thing that worked. We need to realize that we are creative and talented individuals that have the resilience to overcome and achieve many things. We are counselors, social workers, authors, administrators, and executives. We are problem solvers and leaders in our communities. We are not the seekers of solutions; we are the solutions!
	I encourage you all to share your victories and pathways to success. You encourage me and I am proud to be a part of this powerful group!

Regards,

Michael “Big Dog” Abell

Helping individuals to find their eyes in the dark.
(480) 369-0805

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving via humanser
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 5:52 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Lisa Irving
Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services

What do sighted professionals do when they're in a stable career and they wnt to advance? 

Lisa Irving 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Schulz, Maureen, SSA via humanser
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 11:47 AM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Schulz, Maureen, SSA
Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services

Hmmm, what if you're in a stable career and want to advance?

Maureen, Berkeley, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Alexander Castillo via humanser
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 7:09 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Alexander Castillo
Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services

		Hi, because of new regulations from the new Workforce Inovation and Opportunity Act, the goal to be reached with clients is not just employment, but the highest level of employment which you can obtain. This is not to say that a rehabilitation agency will pay for class after class  or degree after degree from a highly priced private institution, but that they will assist in this case, obtaining a graduate degree, as it will eventually lead to a career that is stable. That's the goal, stability.

So again, the issue is not so much that you will have trouble justifying, rather that you have to articulate that justification in a way that allows the agency to sponsor your education.

Alex 
-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marisol Carmona via humanser
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 9:53 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: marisol.carmona at aol.com
Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services

No :) I remember from your introduction during the last call. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 2, 2015, at 7:37 PM, Quinto Sanchez via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> No, I was not working before I started my Masters but, they are goal oriented and if your goal is to be a psychotherapist for veterans then they should help you get there. Another argument you might be able to make is that as a psychotherapist you would make more than what you are making now. I don't know how much you make now but, if that argument applies to you then use it. Yes, I am from San Antonio. How did you know, did we meet on your visit here?
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Marisol Carmona  via humanser" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 1:16 PM
> To: "Human Services Division Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: <marisol.carmona at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services
> 
>> Were you working before you went for your master's? It seems that they only care that I'm employed. In their mind, I have no reason to end my job when I have a steady income?
>> Thanks for the info! You are from San Antonio, right? I visited there on a work trip a couple of years ago :)
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Oct 2, 2015, at 2:01 PM, Quinto Sanchez via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I had the same type of resistance when I was going to begin my graduate degree. However, because I wanted to conduct psychotherapy I needed to have a Masters degree in counseling. My undergrad degree in psychology would not allow me to perform therapy. Therefore, the VR agency agreed to assist me. It is the same with a Bachelors degree in Social work. you cannot administer psychotherapeutic services with that degree. FYI there is a great government program that canceled my student loans due to my disability. There are requirements but, that service is out there if you later find yourself in dept and are not able to pay when you have graduated. Here is the information: www.Disabilitydischarge.com
>>> 18883037818
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Marisol Carmona  via humanser" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 8:49 PM
>>> To: <alexandera.castillo at gmail.com>; <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: <marisol.carmona at aol.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services
>>> 
>>>> My goal is to focus on trauma so that I may work closely with veterans and/or soldiers, particularly those experiencing PTSD. My understanding is that this is in high demand. I, of course, plan to apply for student loans to help offset some of the expenses. However, I see that justifying my case will be a battle.
>>>> Thanks for your reply.
>>>> 
>>>> Marisol
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: alexandera.castillo <alexandera.castillo at gmail.com>
>>>> To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: marisol.carmona <marisol.carmona at aol.com>
>>>> Sent: Thu, Oct 1, 2015 9:27 pm
>>>> Subject: Re: [humanser] Challenges with VR services
>>>> 
>>>> Hi, just from looking at your post, I already know that one of the problems here is justification. They will pay for your degree,  being more specific about what type of social work you want to do might help. For example, if you live in a market that is saturated with masters degrees, not only that, but it's so in the specific field you want to work in, you are certainly not competitive. So although you might be able to land something entry-level, the likelihood is very
>>>> 
>>>> Sent minimal from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Oct 1, 2015, at 8:54 PM, Marisol Carmona via humanser
>>>>> <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I tried applying for VR services in order to have some tuition
>>>> assistance during my master’s program, which I will start fall of 2016. However, they denied me because by pursuing a social work degree, it is expected that I would not be advancing in my career, particularly in terms of salary. I am currently employed, but plan on quitting my job to focus entirely on school work. I shared with them this fact and they said that I would be eligible for VR services if I am unemployed, but I possibly could be asked to show proof that I cannot get a job with my undergraduate degree in psychology. I explained that there are no jobs that I’m aware of where I could work as a social worker without a master’s level degree, to which they responded that I could probably be hired as an entry level employee.
>>>>> Has anyone had a similar challenge? Your input is greatly appreciated!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Marisol
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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