[nabs-l] Carol Center for the Blind?

Sat Aug 13 23:00:54 UTC 2011

David,
What program is your friend attending? Is it the main rehabilitation adult 
program? They also have one for work experience called the vocational 
transition program.  I can only comment briefly upon the center. I have a 
short summer experience to comment on.
I would be interested to hear any feedback from people in the adult program 
because I am thinking of going back for training.

Like Justin Young, I attended the Youth in Transition, Yit, Program.
I was there in summer 2001. Back then it was a six week program; now it’s a 
shorter program since they have  a new program called
Transition to College that they run for four weeks plus two weeks the 
students attend the computer program for a total of six weeks.  Had I known 
about the Real World of Work experience, RWWE
program, I might have attended that during my high school years. The teens 
in the program all seemed to enjoy their jobs.
That would have been a good way to get work experience and socialize.  I was 
friends with the RWWE students though.
In 2001 RWWE students went to work three days  a week with one day of field 
trips and the other day of classes at the center. Students in YIT and RWWE 
had afternoon/evening activities as well as field trips together.
We also had meals together. I guess that is why we  got to know each other 
since there was some overlap in experience.

In the Youth in transition program, it was focussed on daily living skills. 
Its like  the youth version of the rehab program.
Classes were from 9:00 - 3:00.
Before that there were announcements at 8:45. In the afternoon, students had 
club activities and in the evening
there were more activities and some of them were off campus.
In the adult program at 3:00 is a makeup class
period.  I am glad I went to YIT for the experience of the extra curriculars 
and socializing. But they went over a lot of stuff I already knew.  I wonder 
if the  adult program is more individualized with a good evaluation of 
skills before you learn skills in class.

Some of the classes were communication, personal management, mobility, and
information technology.  In communication some students learned braille but 
I already knew it. They showed us some labeling products and how to erase a 
tape if you recorded on it. I don't think I got much out of that class.  In 
personal management, Ellie was the instructor. That class focuses on 
cooking, personal care  and housekeeping skills. I practiced cutting and 
spreading there. I had been taught by a rehab teacher at home, but found 
Ellie's guidance helpful. She taught hand over  hand and explained things. 
There was another student in my class.  We made
cookies. She also went over folding money but I already knew that. We had a 
lesson on putting on lipstick too.
Some students addressed personal care, but I was fine with shaving and 
bathing as a teen. We did more, but I cannot remember it all.

IIn Orientation and mobility, I learned and practiced street crossing and 
went on the city bus. That was one on one; not all students went on the bus. 
I went to the Boston area to walk around; I think we took the bus to Newton 
center which is a  stip shopping center a few miles from the center. I had 
practice buying things in the store with customer service assistance.

The activities at night were fun. I cannot remember the day ones. It was ten 
years ago!
I only remember an afternoon club called clay works where we made clay 
objects and painted them.
I think one afternoon club was recreation where we played beep ball or goal 
ball.
On most fridays nights, everyone had the option to go to the lake to swim, 
but I don't think I went; I was too tired.  On Mondays was our shopping 
night where we went to a local mall. On Wednesdays we went canoeing.

We had field trips once a week instead of classes; those were usually fun. 
I had not had some of those experiences. We went to a dance studio where 
they showed us some dance moves and let us explore dancer's shoes and 
outfits; since we could not see what they wore, I guess they wanted us to 
know what dancers wore. We also went to Cape Cod, a horse farm, and museums.

I still keep in touch with a friend from the center and I saw one student 
who was down here in the next county working as a teacher of the vision 
impaired.

I hope your friend learns something valuable from the center.
-----Original Message----- 
From: David Dodge
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 11:39 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Carol Center for the Blind?

Hello Everyone,
A friend of mine is going to be going to the Carol Center for the Blind in
Newton Massachusetts. Does anyone have experience with this specific center?
I'd just like some general feedback. Thanks so much.

David
----------------------------------
David Dodge
Doctoral Degree Granting Institutions Rep.
State University of New York Student Assembly
English Major
University at Buffalo
306 Clemens Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
daviddod at buffalo.edu
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