[nabs-l] Training centers and their structure

[Darian Smith]

one more thing about training centers...
   I hear that  the traditional training centers often see   students
returnto the center for more training even after they've completed a
full term .  It's important to point out that  the federation
believes, not that you will remember everything you  were ever taught
while at an NFB training center, or one based upon structured
discovery  methodology.  What  is believed is that if you  really
apply yourself you will truly understand and believe  that  blindness
need not be the  end of the road.   could it be the beginning, could
it be a continuation? (I'll let  you listers argue that  point for me
* smile*). at  these NFB training centers, you  have blind people
teaching you everything you are expected to know, you learn the
philisophical and the practical.   and you learn this, within the  six
to nine months that you are there.  yes,  these centers believe that
once is enough as training goes, yet some do go back for additional
training, but  those numbers are very small as compared otherwise.
Besides, who want's to spent 12 to 18 months somewhere when you know
you have a life to  lead and plenty of oppertunities to use those
skills you've learned, anyway?
  Darian

On 2/9/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
>  Joe: I don't think   your first reason for not attending a training
> center   was invalid at all.  how one values their education is a very
> important thing, and I much appreciate   and respect your dicision not
> to take on something  that takes a chunk of time out of your life
> unless you really wanted it.
> Re: hatlin-- I'll simply put it like this...
>  I know plenty of people who have gone to hatlin and gained some
> self-confidence and have gone on to live on their own.  However, I'm
> not very impressed with  the  training set-up from what I have  heard
> from many alumni of the program.  Training is  pipically a year, and
> while you have blind role models  as staff, you don't have the
> sleepshade training, the  equil and intensive focus on the core skills
> of blindness, and most important bi-product to me I don't get the
> sense that they are  on the road to  acheving what they truly desire
> in life.
>  Now granted,  that last partis  subjective to some degree, but I
> think  you can see it in someone's eyes, hear it in their voice that
> they have a goal and that  if they are going to be stopped in
> completing it, it's because they themselves have made that dicision on
> their own terms and not anyone else's.
>  So, I wouldn't suggest hatlin, though it is right down the road from
> san francisco and berkely, and we   can always use a few students out
> here :), nor would I really suggest the orientation center for the
> blind out here (seems like  OCB has really become a shell of it's self
> over the years).  This all of course is depending on what you want.
> If you want the NFB training center  expirience, I would go for
> something like  B.L.I.N.D. Inc, LCB or CCB. I would also find out a
> little more about  training centers in  other states that take on the
> same philosiphy.  I have a dear friend who  went to a center in
> nabraska, I know of a center In  Verginia, BISM is in Maryland, the
> new mexico comission is out there, there is a center in Hawaii, and of
> course  Iowa can't be left out. I would get a hold of people I know of
> who went to these places, or contact these centers if I was on the
> search for some serious high-quality training.
>    thanks,
>   Darian
>
>
> On 2/8/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> I still encourage training, but let me amend my argument.  I view most
>> training centers as facilities for newly blind people or blind people
>> who did not receive proper training as a child.  If you possess the
>> proper skills and have confidence, I say go for your goals.
>>
>> Taking six to nine months off to learn skills you already know and gain
>> confidence you already possess, does not seem like the best option.
>>
>> Again, I speak from my personal experience, but many blind people do not
>> have a positive and strong sense of confidence instilled in them.  The
>> skills mean little without nerves backing them up.
>>
>> A training center allows one to experience independent living in a
>> controled environment.  Some may be able to pack up and take their
>> skills to an independent living situation, but many lack this ability.
>> Training centers, like the NFB centers, provide this vital part of the
>> equation.
>>
>> Centers that offer extra curricular activities are simply trying to
>> demonstrate all the things blind people can do.  It is a sneaky way to
>> educate us on our own abilities.
>>
>> Choose what is best for you, but remember, what we want, and what is
>> best for us, do not always coincide.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Darian Smith
> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>
> "You could be shown the road, given the vehicle, even handed the key.
> But only you can have the drive."
>


-- 
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace

"You could be shown the road, given the vehicle, even handed the key.
But only you can have the drive."