[nabs-l] LWSB and Other Training Centers

Thu Dec 29 02:33:00 UTC 2011

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN also has an excellent program.  Florida State, Missouri State, and Ohio State also have programs.  I think I saw a list of these programs on one of the NFB sites but can't recall where that might have been.  

-Greg
On Dec 27, 2011, at 11:15 PM, Amy Sabo wrote:

> Hello hope and all,
> 
> I also want to also add 3 schools when I lived in Michigan that
> have excellent programs in tvi and rehab teaching for the blind.
> I will list them here for you all...
> 
> Western Michigan university-west Michigan area. This is the best
> one to offer these programs and it's also the best one in the usa
> too. As a matter of fact my father went to college there for his
> b.a.
> 
> Michigan state university 
> University of Michigan
> 
> 
> As for Colorado which is where I now live there's the university
> of Colorado too. I hope this answers some of your questions. Take
> care all and, I will talk to you all soon.
> 
> 
> 
> Hugs,
> amy
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hope Paulos
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 1:16 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB and Other Training Centers
> 
> UMass Boston has a program for TVI's. I'm going there for VRT but
> was 
> originally in the TVI program.
> Hope and Beignet
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joshua Lester" <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 3:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB and Other Training Centers
> 
> 
> Hi, Gloria.
> My instructors took classes at the Arkansas School for the Blind,
> for
> their TVI training.
> I'm not sure about other states, but mmy state's school for the
> Blind,
> had a program to train TVI's.
> I'm not sure if they still do.
> Blessings, Joshua
> 
> On 12/27/11, Gloria G <gloria.graves at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> DOes anyone know where a person might receive trainning to
> become a TVI?
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 11:29 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB and Other Training Centers
>> 
>> 
>>> Hi Arielle,
>>> 
>>> Nice post. I liked how you did not put down the center, but
> did mention
>>> its weaknesses. I will add a few things from talking to a few
> attendees
>>> from
>>> LWSb.
>>> You are correct that LWSB offers independence training, but
> probably not
>>> to
>>> the degree NFB centers do.
>>> Each applicant goes for a 30 day evaluation in all the rehab
> skills; I
>>> think
>>> that is a bit long, but that is it.
>>> They recommend what skills to work on from there. If a
> applicant is ready
>>> to
>>> go into the vocational programs, they do so
>>> if they meet those requirements. Things like having a certain
> score on 
>>> the
>>> Wonderlik test, a certain typing speed, computer proficiency,
> and strong
>>> writtin communication skills are some requirements.
>>> The requirements vary from program to program.
>>> 
>>> You have to have a four year college degree for any of the
> four IRS
>>> training programs. I know the IRS really does hire applicants.
> When I was
>>> at a job fair, I ran into an IRS rep that mentioned they just
> hired a
>>> bunch of IRS trainees from lions World.
>>> 
>>> Other training options are:
>>> .    Desktop support technician- prepares students for entry
> level IT
>>> technician jobs
>>> .    Assistive technology instructor
>>> .    Microsoft office Specialist -  prepares one for office
> jobs, to pass
>>> the Microsoft certification exams, and covers office suite
> applications
>>> .    Microsoft certified professional developer - training to
> be a
>>> computer programmer
>>> .    Microsoft computer systems engineer - entry level help
> desk training
>>> 
>>> So if you wanted to go into a technical field, LWSB might be
> an option. 
>>> If
>>> 
>>> its not helpful, you can always leave. If you wanted
>>> to work for the IRS such as a tax collection rep, then this
> might be an
>>> option. They find you a job after training.
>>> 
>>> For the living and going off campus, here is what I know.
>>> Students generally go to the cafeteria and live in  the dorm.
> However, if
>>> you already demonstrated independent living skills, they do
> have off
>>> campus apartments. I think they have a shuttle taking students
> to and 
>>> from
>>> 
>>> the apartments, if I recall correctly.
>>> Students can go off campus. They just need to sign out and in.
>>> They can go in groups or alone. Some centers have a clearance
> rule,
>>> meaning you have to be cleared by O&M staff, but lwsb does not
> say this.
>>> 
>>> I heard LWSb got a new director. So I imagine rules and
> policies are
>>> changing, hopefully for the better. So if you wanted to go
> into those
>>> vocations they train in, might be worth considering.
>>> Then when you have a job interview, you would have more
> training than
>>> sighted people might have.
>>> 
>>> Ashley
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Arielle Silverman
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 10:51 AM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] LWSB and Other Training Centers
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> I have not attended LWSB in Arkansas, but havve heard some
> things
>>> about it from a few graduates. So, someone please correct me
> if
>>> anything I say about the center is incorrect, as I would like
> to learn
>>> more and b able to give people accurate information.
>>> Based on what I have heard from graduates, my impression is
> that
>>> LWSB/World Services for the Blind is a center that specializes
> in
>>> technical training for some specific types of jobs, like being
> an IRS
>>> collector or a small engine repair person. This kind of
> training is
>>> important, but it is not the same thing as the kind of
> comprehensive
>>> blindness skill training provided at NFB centers. While
> LWSB/World
>>> Services does provide training in blindness skills as well, my
>>> impression is that this general training is much less
> beneficial than
>>> the general skills training provided at NFB centers, and other
> centers
>>> that house students in apartments. While I can't comment on
> LWSB's
>>> philosophy, I do know that LWSB houses students in dormitories
> and
>>> that they dine in a cafeteria. In my opinion this kind of
> living
>>> environment is not very helpful for teaching blindness skills.
> Skills
>>> need to be practiced in order to be mastered, and apartment
> living
>>> affords opportunities to practice cooking, cleaning and other
> skills
>>> in a variety of real-world situations. Apartment living also
> affords
>>> opportunities to build confidence. Furthermore, I am not sure
> how much
>>> LWSB students are allowed or encouraged to travel off center
> premises
>>> on their own or in groups. This kind of real-world travel is
> an
>>> essential part of the training experience at NFB centers.
>>> So, I believe that if you are looking for technical training
> in a
>>> specific job field, LWSB/World Services might be an option
> worth
>>> considering. However, if you are looking for basic training in
> travel,
>>> home management, computers and Braille, or just want to build
> your
>>> overall confidence and independent functioning, I would highly
>>> recommend looking for a center that houses students in
> apartments and
>>> that allows students to get out and travel on their own during
> free
>>> time. If you have some vision but suspect you may eventually
> need to
>>> function with less or no sight, then picking a center that
> uses
>>> sleepshades may also be a priority. The NFB centers all meet
> these
>>> criteria, but there are also some state-run and private
> centers that
>>> do. So do your homework and ask about these things before
> making your
>>> choice.
>>> I make these suggestions based on my own experience at an NFB
> center,
>>> LCB, and based on conversations I have had with dozens of
> graduates
>>> from various kinds of training centers. I would be happy to
> talk
>>> further by email or phone (see contact info below) if you have
> more
>>> specific questions.
>>> Best,
>>> Arielle Silverman, Past NABS President and Board Member
>>> 602-502-2255
>>> arielle71 at gmail.com
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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