[nabs-l] convention questions

Sat Apr 24 02:58:47 UTC 2010

Kerri,

I would like to echo Dominique's comments on Convention attendance.  I
was fortunate enough to have gone to the Louisiana Training Center and
attend last years Convention while I was a student there.

By all means, go.  Do not wait for training.  As I have read in this
email thread, there are lots of people willing to assist in any way
they can.  This is a manifestation of the power we have in the
community of the NFB.

Most Respectfully,

Brian Wooten
Nashville Tennessee

On 4/23/10, Amy Sabo <amylsabo at comcast.net> wrote:
> hello all,
>
> i too want to put in my two cents worth on this topic since i travel a lot
> for nfb conventions, going back and forth to michigan and colorado, and also
> other events in my life while traveling in airports.
>
> i too use assistance if it's necessary like if i have to go from one side of
> the airport to the other side. but, most of the time i just ask people where
> things are and, i just follow them they are going in that direction.
>
> i'm very comfortable traveling independtally and, i hope the same is for
> others too. take care all and, i will talk to you all soon!
>
>
> hugs,
> from amy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Arielle Silverman
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Sent: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:28:33 +0000 (UTC)
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] convention questions
>
> Hi Kerri,
>
> When I went to my first NFB convention by myself as a scholarship
> winner when I was 18, I was similarly terrified about the process of
> flying alone and getting to my destination. I had only flown
> independently one other time, to visit my aunt and uncle who met up
> with me right at the gate (before 9/11) and I also had little training
> or confidence traveling in unfamiliar places. Though I was scared
> initially, I will say the experience ended up being not only not
> scary, but also one of the best things I did for my future confidence
> and development, as it's clear you're hoping for as well.
>
> There are tons of helpful people in airports, both staff and
> passengers, and really it's impossible to get too lost without running
> into someone who is more than happy to offer assistance. When you get
> on your first flight, you can simply mention to the flight attendant
> that you would like someone to meet you at your connection and escort
> you to your connecting gate. When the plane lands, simply follow the
> other passengers up the jetway and someone should be waiting at the
> top, or if not, simply wait at the information desk just outside the
> jetway. You can make the same request for a "meet-and-assist" when you
> get on your second flight. This is a service airlines provide all the
> time and not an inconvenience (in fact, often airlines want to provide
> assistance even when we don't ask for it). The person who meets you at
> the Dallas gate can walk with you to baggage, help you find your bag
> and help you find a taxi or shuttle to get to the hotel. I would
> recommend putting a brightly colored ribbon or other easy visual
> identification on your bag, and also know what it feels like. You can
> simply tell the person assisting you what your bag looks like, and
> also stand next to the carousel and touch the bags as they go by to
> find yours.
>
> I don't remember if the Dallas hotel has a shuttle, but taxi service
> will definitely be available. In either case, the vehicle you want
> will be just outside the baggage area. Again, the airline employee who
> is assisting you can help you find an open taxi or a particular
> shuttle. Then simply tell the driver that you want to go to the Hilton
> Anatole. At this point, even if you flew alone, you may bump into
> other blind people attending the convention, with whom you can share a
> cab.
>
> I usually try to offer a dollar or two to airline employees who are
> helping me, although they don't always accept it. They are being paid
> for their work, similar to clerks who help us in the grocery store,
> but an additional tip is still nice.
>
> Seven years after my frightening trip to Louisville for the NFB
> convention, I now fly by myself every 1-3 months to visit family or to
> attend various NFB activities, and I don't give it a second thought.
> Airports can feel intimidating with their size, but really I think the
> airport is one of the safest places to navigate and there are so many
> people around to offer information or assistance that it's really very
> difficult to get seriously lost. All it takes is a few practice runs,
> whether with or without assistance, to get the hang of it.
>
> I sincerely hope that you will go ahead and make plans to attend our
> national NFB convention. I am confident that you will be fine if you
> make the trip by yourself. However, if you still want to try to
> connect with other Federationists in your area, you might try
> contacting Fred Schroeder in Virginia to see if anyone from the VA
> affiliate is flying out of Pittsburgh. If Baltimore isn't terribly
> far, you might consider trying to go with them. Since the National
> Center is based there, there will be a large, lively contingent going
> from Baltimore, many of whom are experts at airport travel and who
> also enjoy mentoring and interacting with new students. You might also
> see if you can hook up with some of us during your layover. Finally,
> you may be able to get a direct flight.
>
> In my experience, while training from an NFB center is great, you can
> learn and grow so much by, as you say, just going out and doing things
> and taking advantage of opportunities. So I definitely think you have
> a lot to gain and nothing to lose by coming to convention this year.
>
> Please keep us posted, and I look forward to meeting you at convention!
>
> Arielle
>
> On 4/22/10, Doug Oliver wrote:
>> catch up with me on skype and I can talk to ya through all that, as I am
>> gonna go to convention, so we can meet up and hang out a bit.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kerri Kosten"
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 7:02 PM
>> Subject: [nabs-l] convention questions
>>
>>
>>> Hi All:
>>>
>>> I am facing a little dilemma and wanted to get your input.
>>>
>>> I would really really like to attend convention this summer in Dallas.
>>> I have a roomate lined up and she checked with the hotel and they told
>>> her they have rooms available and my mother said she'd give me
>>> financial assistance since I missed the Jernigan scholarship deadline.
>>>
>>> However, I did not receive proper blindness skills in high school. I
>>> am trying to attend CCB but I don't think I'll be in by the time
>>> convention happens and I have to decide whether I am going to
>>> convention or not really soon.
>>>
>>> My biggest weakness area and where I have not been taught hardly at
>>> all is came travel. Until just a few months ago my family guided me
>>> constantly. I had one of those short folding canes and would bring it
>>> along but not use it at all. I also was not taught proper technique.
>>>
>>> I now have a straight NFB cane and can use it okay but still do not
>>> really know how to use it. I have flown before but was always with my
>>> family and so didn't really have to go through much of the process or
>>> get a skycab/assistance or anything like that, they kind of just
>>> handled it for me.
>>>
>>> I really really want to go to convention but am terrified about flying
>>> by myself and all that goes into taking a shuttle and getting to the
>>> hotel by myself, then what do you do once in you room at the hotel?
>>> I've been told to ask for NFB registration?
>>> I really have no idea what I'm doing with all this.
>>>
>>> I am not so much scared about going through the airport in Pittsburgh
>>> as I figure whoever brings me can help me to the gate and seating area
>>> and such.
>>>
>>> The part that scares me the most is connecting to another flight, and
>>> then what to do once I arrive in terms of getting to baggage claim,
>>> then taking the Super shuttle to the hotel and all that.
>>>
>>> I think i'll be okay in the hotel.
>>>
>>> I have tried to talk to a few people about the process. They tell me
>>> that to transfer to another flight all I have to do is get out of the
>>> plane and go up to an info thing that I've been told is usually right
>>> there and ask for assistance to the next gate. Is this correct?
>>>
>>> How about when arriving in Dallas? Do I also just go up and say I need
>>> assistance to baggage claim then outside?
>>>
>>> How does the shuttle service work? Will they be out there already or
>>> should I also ask the person assisting me to help me with the shuttle?
>>>
>>> Do I need to prearrange for assistance or can I just go up and ask for
>>> it?
>>>
>>> I've been told it's a good idea to tip whoever gives me assistance.
>>>
>>> I would feel a bazillion times better about this if I had another
>>> blind person with me to kind of be there and guide me through all of
>>> this. I'm not saying give me sighted guide all the time, but someone
>>> else who is also going through it at the same time, same airport as me
>>> so I'm not completely on my own.
>>>
>>> However, as of yet I haven't found anyone who is also flying out of
>>> Pittsburgh.
>>> I am from West Virginia, so the closest airport is Pittsburgh.
>>>
>>> There is no NFB chapter in my area.
>>>
>>> I talked to our First vice president yesterday but since he lives in a
>>> different part of the state as I do he is flying out of Baltimore.
>>>
>>> I had my friend, the person who I would be rooming with write to the
>>> Pennsylvania list-serve and ask if anyone is flying out of Pittsburgh
>>> but there was no responses.
>>>
>>> I would give anything to go with my friend, but she is from Harrisburg
>>> PA and so for her the closest airport would either be Baltimore or
>>> Philly and Pittsburgh is the closest one to where I live in West
>>> Virginia.
>>>
>>> As soon as I send this, I am going to email my state president but I
>>> figured I'd put these general questions on this list first and see
>>> what I get.
>>>
>>> Is anyone else flying out of Pittsburgh or if not does anyone know of
>>> anybody who is or how I could find this out?
>>>
>>>
>>> I have not officially decided anything yet so have not done anything
>>> like book a flight, book my shuttle, or book my hotel room but I know
>>> I have to decide soon.
>>>
>>> Should I skip convention this year and wait until I get more training?
>>>
>>> The problem with this is I really really want to go and I already miss
>>> out on going and doing so many things I want because of not having the
>>> confidence and travel skills.
>>> I don't want to have to miss out yet again.
>>>
>>> But, I am very very very terrified and would feel much much better if
>>> I could have someone to sort of help/guide me through this.
>>>
>>> Thoughts? What would all of you do?
>>>
>>> Kerri
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
> Phone:  602-502-2255
> Email:
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> Website:
> www.nabslink.org
>
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-- 
M. Brian Wooten
Nashville, Tennessee
Phone:  615-680-9656