[nabs-l] Interesting topic for discussion: Is Technology Turning into Our Enemy?

Sat Apr 9 18:13:17 UTC 2011

Hi,
I said that if the parents are paying for college there is really no
need for SSI. I think if you're living on your own, going to college
and trying to find a job, that's different. Then it truly can be
considered a supplement, as its name implies, and is a good survival
mechanism.

On 4/9/11, Koby Cox <kobycox at gmail.com> wrote:
> Me parents like mine are not going to pay for me to go to college. Some
> parents don't pay for college because they know that DRS (Department of
> rehabilitation) will pay for college if you are on SSI. Please
> reconsider this decision.
> Thank you, Koby.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Desiree Oudinot
> Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2011 12:59 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Interesting topic for discussion: Is Technology
> Turning into Our Enemy?
>
> I agree that some limits should be imposed on those who can get SSI.
> My question to you guys is, how do you propose we prove we're actively
> seeking employment? Proving you're a student is easy, but by the same
> token you shouldn't necessarily qualify if you're living with your
> parents and having them pay college expenses, such as if you're
> attending a community college. But proving you're looking for a job?
> That sounds a little bit more difficult, and probably easy to abuse if
> you wanted to.
>
> On 4/9/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I think your idea only sounds extreme because society's tried to force
> us
>> into this entitlement mentality.
>>
>>
>> You're 100% right on every point, and I think that should be
> implemented.
>>
>> As far as you were saying about the couple you knew with kids,
>> as long as they could proove that they were actively seeking a job
> there'd
>> be nothing to worry about.
>>
>> Jorge
>>
>>
>> On Apr 9, 2011, at 1:36 PM, Kirt Manwaring wrote:
>>
>>> Marsha,
>>>  I'm on SSI and I'm a college student.  I use it to survive and enjoy
>>> life every once in a while (anyone ever said laser tag isn't a fun
>>> date activity for a blind person?  It was brilliant last night!)  So
>>> I'm not condemning the idea, or the ideal purpose of the system.  But
>>> you know that there are way too many people who abuse it- I won't
>>> insult your intelligence by thinking you don't see it.  So the
>>> question I posed is simply this: would it be better to only give SSI
>>> to students and people actively seeking employment?  To respond to
>>> Bridget's point, we could include general unemployment checks that go
>>> out every month and lump that in with SSI- only give unemployment to
>>> those actively looking for jobs.  I'm not saying I agree with the
>>> idea, although to be honest it's got a certain logic to it.  But I do
>>> think it's probably a bit extreme.  Thoughts, anyone?
>>>
>>> On 4/8/11, Maurice Mines <maurice.mines at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hello, I think the word balance is a very in port and word and
> education
>>>> as
>>>> well's life. I am a student, I am also an amateur radio operator I
> also
>>>> use
>>>> Facebook, and twitter. What I am not is one to use any of these two
>>>> excess.
>>>> I also have and have always had on my desk a Perkins braille writer.
> I
>>>> also
>>>> possess a notetaker or whatever I need it. I believe that having
> many
>>>> tools
>>>> in our toolbox to get the work done that we must get done is
> critically
>>>> important. I'm also looking for work. I've also done work. I guess
> to sum
>>>> up
>>>> some of things I've said here is balance is important in order to
> find a
>>>> job
>>>> I must want to work. All of the other things are just window
> dressing
>>>> around
>>>> the central issue. As others have said on this list just because one
> is
>>>> on
>>>> some form of assistance does not make him, or her lazy. And just
> because
>>>> one
>>>> has all the tools didn't necessary to live in today's world is full
> of
>>>> technology as it is. Does not make one instantly dependent on them.
> Just
>>>> my
>>>> own take on all of this. PS I am using dictation software, so some
> of
>>>> this
>>>> may not quite turn out like the way it's supposed to turn out.
> Because I
>>>> also have an additional disability on top of blind us. Hope all is
> well.
>>>> Thank you very much for reading this Maurice, amateur radio call
> sign
>>>> kd0iko.
>>>> On Apr 8, 2011, at 3:06 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello NABSTERS,
>>>>>
>>>>> This was posted on another list.  It is a topic I find interesting,
> and
>>>>> one we should consider and discuss.  I am curious to hear student
>>>>> opinions, and what your experience has been regarding technology.
> Is
>>>>> there a balance in how we use this technology?
>>>>>
>>>>> One of the things I like in your note was your observation that "We
> now
>>>>> have the opportunity to explore a future of our own making.  Jobs,
>>>>> school and families are not dreams we long for, but are realities
> within
>>>>> our reach."
>>>>>
>>>>> One of the questions I've been struggling with is how to start a
>>>>> dialogue, probably in the Braille Monitor, about whether these are
> still
>>>>> the widely-shared dreams of blind people. I read the statistics
> about
>>>>> our unemployment, and in my job searches have certainly encountered
>>>>> discrimination, but I can't tell you of very many Missourians who
> are
>>>>> actively out looking for work. Neither can I tell you about many
> who are
>>>>> employed.
>>>>>
>>>>> In my younger days there were blind people who were smart and
> articulate
>>>>> who simply would not tackle the challenge of going to get a job.
> Some of
>>>>> them were amateur radio operators and spent their days doing good
> by
>>>>> taking Western Union style messages and sending them free of charge
>>>>> across the country and the world. The message might be as simple as
>>>>> happy birthday or as complicated as "I'm going in for surgery
> tomorrow.
>>>>> I will let you know how it goes. I will appreciate your prayers."
> Still
>>>>> other amateur radio operators would connect their telephone and
> radio
>>>>> and help people talk to loved ones. This, of course, was before the
> days
>>>>> of free long distance.
>>>>>
>>>>> The thing I want to focus on here was that the folks who spent most
> of
>>>>> their time doing this substituted these volunteer tasks for
> employment.
>>>>> They were not seeking jobs. They were getting fulfillment but from
> a
>>>>> very different source because our society, whether through SSI,
> SSDI I,
>>>>> the Missouri blind pension, or some other program, was perfectly
> willing
>>>>> to give them at least a minimal level of support and didn't
> challenge
>>>>> them with the tough question "Why aren't you employed?"
>>>>>
>>>>> Today I think I see our young blind folks substituting the Internet
> for
>>>>> ham radio. Maybe they are all about building websites to
> communicate
>>>>> something special they believe they know about blindness. Some do
> their
>>>>> own radio shows. Some make podcasts. The shows and topics seem to
> be all
>>>>> over the place. On one podcast I follow, which is usually technical
> in
>>>>> nature, one person put up a recording demonstrating how to change a
>>>>> diaper, while another produced a podcast of his dog guide popping
> the
>>>>> bubbles that are found in shrink wrap. Both were similar--lots of
>>>>> rustling plastic but not a lot of information. I do not object to
> what
>>>>> anyone wants to do for entertainment, but my concern is that these
>>>>> playtime activities are being substituted for what I see as a major
> life
>>>>> activity and responsibility, that being to earn a living and do
> these
>>>>> other things as time allows.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the question I would like to explore is whether the work
> ethic
>>>>> which burned in so many folks of my generation still is prevalently
>>>>> found today. If not, who put out the fire and how do we rekindle
> it? Is
>>>>> our safety net frequently being used as a means of permanent
> support,
>>>>> and, if it is, is there something we can and should do about it?
>>>>>
>>>>> Some folks I know claim they had to do upwards of a hundred
> interviews
>>>>> to get their first job. Is this still true today? If so, I'm not
> hearing
>>>>> about it. My fear is that, with all of the civil rights protections
> and
>>>>> advances in technology, we still have a significant number of
>>>>> intelligent blind people who aren't taking advantage of a world
> which is
>>>>> more receptive today than ever it has been in the past to getting
> us
>>>>> employed and accepting us as capable human beings in society.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the dream we share is worth dreaming and that what we dream
> of
>>>>> is attainable. Are there more effective ways for us to sell this
> dream?
>>>>> If so, how can our newsletters and our Braille Monitor help?  As I
> look
>>>>> at the most recent issue of the students late, it is perfectly
> obvious
>>>>> to me that some still buy the dream. The question really is how
> many,
>>>>> and are there better ways for us to sell the dream of equality so
> that
>>>>> more young folks act on it?
>>>>>
>>>>> I see technology being the downfall for society in general, but
> this
>>>>> post presents a very serious issue.  We know far too many blind
> people
>>>>> still refuse to believe in complete independence, but how is this
>>>>> reliance on technology affecting the situation?
>>>>>
>>>>> What are student thoughts?  Do you see this trend, and if so, what
> can
>>>>> be done to tackle it?  What areas do you think need work, and can
> you
>>>>> propose any ideas to change a larger population of blind peoples
>>>>> mindsets?
>>>>>
>>>>> Bridgit
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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