[nabs-l] Training centers
Jennifer Aberdeen
freespirit328 at gmail.com
Fri Feb 11 00:51:14 UTC 2011
Hi Ashley,
The covational program was included as part of my Independent Living
program, so if things had worked out the way it was suppose to, I would have
had about four weeks of the work experience program.
Jen
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shop my store for the latest and greatest in beauty and wellness products!
www.youravon.com/jaberdeen
Jennifer Aberdeen, AVON Independent Sales Representative
freespirit328 at gmail.com
401-644-5607
----- Original Message -----
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
> Jen,
> Are you saying you went to the independent living program then switched to
> vocational transition?
> But in the vocational program, they couldn't find a place for you to get
> experience. That's too bad. Just clarifying because there's two different
> programs. The independent living one takes four months, 16 weeks usually;
> the vocational transition is a few months longer.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jennifer Aberdeen
> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:23 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>
> Oh yeah, I did a little of the job training program, but I had a hard time
> finding a place to volunteer because of my wheelchair. Why that makes a
> difference, I don't know, but I ended up volunteering at Perkin's for one
> day.
>
> Later I took an Excel class through their online program.
>
> I wanted to go back for the six week Office Skills program , but State
> Services wouldn't pay for me to go, so that's why I took the online course
> instead.
>
> Jen
> ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
> Shop my store for the latest and greatest in beauty and wellness products!
> www.youravon.com/jaberdeen
>
> Jennifer Aberdeen, AVON Independent Sales Representative
> freespirit328 at gmail.com
> 401-644-5607
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Justin Young" <jty727 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>
>
>> Darian,
>>
>> Explaining further about the Carroll Center in Newton, MA there are
>> many different programs. I went 3 consecutive Summers. I started in
>> the Youth In Transition(YIT) program which focuses on daily living
>> skills with different classes from 8am-3pm approximately(at least that
>> was the time frame when I attended). The second Summer I attended the
>> Real World of Work Experience(RWWE) Program. This program lasts 5 to
>> 6 weeks where you spend 1 week of stuff you do in YIT and then you are
>> on your own. You have an assigned Job Coach who goes out to the site
>> with you and helps you out. You are treated as a volunteer at your
>> work site, but you are paid by Carroll Center twice a week. Come to
>> think of it it was 5 weeks the YIT was 6. The final Summer I was one
>> of 5 individuals who tested out the pilot program known as Transition
>> To College(TTC). This lasts 4 weeks where you live 2 on the Carroll
>> Center property and the other 2 weeks at a College living in a
>> resident hall. It was a suite style setting. I'm not sure if they
>> still do it with the same college, but when I did it we stayed at
>> Boston College. For this program they give you $15 per day(might have
>> changed because like I said it was the pilot) for food. During the
>> day you attend seminars which were held in the Education building. We
>> walked like a mile between the classroom and our dorm. The other
>> program which I didn't attend was the Computting to College(CTC). Its
>> 2 weeks of classroom sessions in the Technology center on the Carroll
>> Center property. You learn much about microsoft office and all that
>> fun stuff. There is also the Adult programs which are held during the
>> year and not during the Summer.
>> Hope this helps answer some of your questions,
>> Justin
>>
>> On 2/10/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Jen,
>>> There are two programs: vocational transition where it gives you some
>>> work
>>> experience and the independent living program.
>>> I'm not sure which one you went to. Anyway, I'd be interested in your
>>> experience with the program; perhaps you can write off list and
>>> explain what you learned. Many nfb people criticize the O&M instructors
>>> for
>>> not having high expectations.
>>> I believe there are some good so called traditional O&M instructors out
>>> there.
>>> Unfortunately, the one I had growing up was not so progressive in her
>>> attitude, but some are.
>>> At Carroll, what did you do on mobility and was it helpful in teaching
>>> you
>>> transferable skills, as opposed to just route travel?
>>>
>>> My email is bookwormahb at earthlink.net.
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Jennifer Aberdeen
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 6:03 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>
>>> Yes, the independent living Transition program.
>>>
>>> Jen
>>> ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
>>> Shop my store for the latest and greatest in beauty and wellness
>>> products!
>>> www.youravon.com/jaberdeen
>>>
>>> Jennifer Aberdeen, AVON Independent Sales Representative
>>> freespirit328 at gmail.com
>>> 401-644-5607
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:36 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>
>>>
>>>> Jennifer,
>>>> When I was in the youth in transition program a girl name Jen and Heath
>>>> had a mock wedding. I
>>>> don't think it was you though. Which adult program were you at? The
>>>> independence one? I only attended the YIT program in the summer in 2001
>>>> I
>>>> think.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Jennifer Aberdeen
>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:14 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>
>>>> I had a mock wedding while I was there also. It wasn't my idea, but
>>>> looking
>>>> back now, I think it was rather funny.
>>>>
>>>> Jen
>>>> ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
>>>> Shop my store for the latest and greatest in beauty and wellness
>>>> products!
>>>> www.youravon.com/jaberdeen
>>>>
>>>> Jennifer Aberdeen, AVON Independent Sales Representative
>>>> freespirit328 at gmail.com
>>>> 401-644-5607
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:36 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> George,
>>>>> There may be more to the story. When I was in Carroll's youth
>>>>> program,
>>>>> opposite gender students could not visit your room, but they were free
>>>>> to
>>>>>
>>>>> hang out together. A guy got pretty close to me. I can't remember
>>>>> whether he kissed me or not. Anyway, no one got in trouble for liking
>>>>> each other.
>>>>> In fact there was a mock wedding and divorce between a couple.
>>>>> I didn't find the attitudes or treatment there indicative of low
>>>>> expectations.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Jorge Paez
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 2:56 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>>
>>>>> Brian:
>>>>> You can't let centers do that to you.
>>>>>
>>>>> Its like you're not human.
>>>>>
>>>>> I mean--I've heard of centers with low expectations, but this low!!!!?
>>>>>
>>>>> And you still call it good?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Feb 10, 2011, at 12:02 AM, Brian Hatgelakas wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> The only complaint I have about the center I went to that was non NFB
>>>>>> was that I was yelled at and given a 15 minute lecture about my
>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>> girl friend who I met in college. She came to visit me one weekend
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> right when I ran into her in the lobby I gave her a great big hug and
>>>>>> kiss. The weekend we had was lots of fun but that Monday morning I
>>>>>> was
>>>>>> pulled into my home management's instructor's office and I was yelled
>>>>>> at
>>>>>>
>>>>>> and grilled for 15 minutes for kissing and hugging her. Meanwhile I
>>>>>> hadn't scene her in a month! I'm sure if this would've been an NFB
>>>>>> center people wouldn't have raised hell about that tiny issue!
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Arielle Silverman"
>>>>>> <nabs.president at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 11:41 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi again,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Humberto, yes, people who are born blind are just as welcome at NFB
>>>>>> centers as people who just went blind. I think when I was at LCB, it
>>>>>> was about half and half, or maybe even more people who grew up blind
>>>>>> than people who are newly blind. Some students also attend who have
>>>>>> been "legally blind" for most or all of their lives, but who are
>>>>>> recently losing more vision.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Brian: It's sad, but also funny to hear about other centers
>>>>>> discouraging students from dating, because to my knowledge dating
>>>>>> between students at NFB centers is actually quite common, and not
>>>>>> discouraged (sometimes teasingly encouraged by staff who like to play
>>>>>> "matchmaker"). I believe that several blind married couples who are
>>>>>> active in the NFB first met at training centers (Dr. Maurer and Mrs.
>>>>>> Maurer met at the Iowa training center, the one that the three NFB
>>>>>> centers are modeled after). That said, there is certainly no
>>>>>> expectation to get romantically involved with a fellow center student
>>>>>> and many students intentionally avoid it because the time at the
>>>>>> center is relatively short, or because they don't want to be
>>>>>> distracted during their training by such things. Either way is
>>>>>> perfectly acceptable, in my opinion.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Arielle
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2/9/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As you know, there is no magical number of days you must stay at a
>>>>>>> training center in order to emerge as an "enlightened" blind person.
>>>>>>> Nor is the center itself magical, or absolutely necessary for
>>>>>>> everyone
>>>>>>> to achieve their optimal amount of self-sufficiency and integration
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the world. If you attend a center (NFB or not), you will hopefully
>>>>>>> gain skills you can combine with your prior skills so you have as
>>>>>>> many
>>>>>>> "tools in your toolbox" as possible. Having attended the Louisiana
>>>>>>> Center for the Blind, and knowing many people who have gone to the
>>>>>>> other two NFB centers, I believe that our centers are unique, and
>>>>>>> anybody can gain something from attending one of them at least for a
>>>>>>> short time, whether you "need" it or not. However, I also don't
>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>> attending a center is essential for success. Unfortunately, center
>>>>>>> training often must serve to fill in the gaps in one's childhood
>>>>>>> blindness skills training, so if you already have a solid foundation
>>>>>>> in Braille, Computers, cane travel, and home management and feel
>>>>>>> appropriately confident in your skills in all four of these areas,
>>>>>>> then going to a center may not be as important to you as other
>>>>>>> goals,
>>>>>>> like college attendance. However, if you feel deficient in one or
>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>> of these skills or feel your independence is limited because of
>>>>>>> these
>>>>>>> issues, then a center is an excellent way to fill in that knowledge
>>>>>>> gap.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In answer to a couple questions that were raised, at least in
>>>>>>> Louisiana, the evenings and weekends are, for the most part, your
>>>>>>> time. There are occasional trips like rafting and rock climbing, and
>>>>>>> sometimes optional weekend activities, but the rest of the free time
>>>>>>> is yours. I know at LCB many students attended local churches and
>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>> exercised at the local fitness center. You are more than welcome to
>>>>>>> sign up for community activities, as long as they don't take up time
>>>>>>> during the week (Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00, or 8:00-4:30 for CCB;
>>>>>>> I'm not sure about BLIND, Inc.'s exact schedule).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As someone mentioned, contrary to some people's stereotypes about
>>>>>>> NFB
>>>>>>> centers, they really do make an effort to treat every student as an
>>>>>>> individual. There are graduation requirements, but if you are
>>>>>>> struggling to meet them, the teachers will work with you to develop
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> plan so that you can graduate and be challenged without being
>>>>>>> overwhelmed. When I was at LCB I saw lots of students with a great
>>>>>>> range of prior skills and some who had additional disabilities and I
>>>>>>> thought that for the most part, the staff did an exceptionally good
>>>>>>> job of adjusting to each person's specific needs and abilities. And,
>>>>>>> you can negotiate the length of your stay. If you stay for less than
>>>>>>> six months you might not officially graduate or get a "freedom bell"
>>>>>>> but if you say you only can attend for a few months because of
>>>>>>> school,
>>>>>>> work or other reasons, they're not going to turn you away. I think
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> more time, the better, but even a one-month stay is better than none
>>>>>>> at all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> There are a lot of things that make NFB centers stand out but I
>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>> the high expectations and belief the instructors have in their
>>>>>>> students is the most important. A few of the instructors are
>>>>>>> sighted,
>>>>>>> but I was struck by the difference in basic approach between the
>>>>>>> sighted teachers at LCB and the other sighted instructors I had
>>>>>>> growing up. It was clear that the teachers all believed in and
>>>>>>> respected the students' capacity to learn and become independent in
>>>>>>> completing the assignments. They were both patient and firm,
>>>>>>> challenging us to go beyond what we thought we could do while also
>>>>>>> being willing to invest the time and attention we needed to learn
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> skills correctly. Even with little things, like having us
>>>>>>> independently find the pots we needed for cooking or the tools we
>>>>>>> needed for woodshop, they conveyed that they expected us to employ
>>>>>>> alternative techniques in every step of the process. It was also
>>>>>>> clear
>>>>>>> to me that it wasn't just a "day job" for the staff. They really
>>>>>>> care
>>>>>>> about the students and their progress even after graduation.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The main reason I decided to attend the center was because of
>>>>>>> travel.
>>>>>>> Like many of us I grew up with very traditional travel/O&M
>>>>>>> instruction
>>>>>>> where I learned that I could only go to places if I had memorized
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> route first. My parents were also very protective and I lived in a
>>>>>>> suburban neighborhood so I had few opportunities to walk around on
>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>> own or deal with busy streets, shopping centers, etc. without a
>>>>>>> sighted guide. In college when I did get to travel on my own, I
>>>>>>> frequently got lost, and I had learned from my traditional travel
>>>>>>> instruction that getting lost was a "messup" or a failure. So, I
>>>>>>> hated
>>>>>>> getting lost. I also wasn't very good at identifying when I was
>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>> the wrong way because I had never really been taught to pay much
>>>>>>> attention to environmental cues. And, I was afraid of most
>>>>>>> intersections. It would literally take me fifteen minutes to cross a
>>>>>>> lighted intersection that didn't have an audible signal because I
>>>>>>> couldn't reliably tell the difference between parallel and
>>>>>>> perpendicular traffic. I knew when not to cross, but couldn't tell
>>>>>>> when it was safe to cross until it was too late. At LCB we spent
>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>> working on these issues. I also spent many days going out finding
>>>>>>> addresses, often to places I had never been before. My instructor
>>>>>>> would tell me the address of the business, so I knew what block it
>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>> on, but of course I didn't know the set route to get to the place. I
>>>>>>> really had to pay attention to where I was going using cardinal
>>>>>>> directions and carefully tuning in to traffic sounds. We also worked
>>>>>>> on parking lots. When I was growing up I was taught to never ever
>>>>>>> walk
>>>>>>> in a parking lot. I was taught routes to get to places where I had
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> go around the block or cross over gravel to get to the entrance of a
>>>>>>> business without using the parking lot. At LCB I regularly had to
>>>>>>> traverse parking lots, sometimes big ones, and I learned that there
>>>>>>> was nothing to be so worried about.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I attended the center for just under seven months, graduating in
>>>>>>> August 2008. I will not say that today I am a great traveler, or
>>>>>>> even
>>>>>>> an above-average cane traveler. I still get turned around a fair
>>>>>>> amount (actually did today). But, since leaving the center, I don't
>>>>>>> get nearly as frustrated when I do get lost or turned around. More
>>>>>>> importantly, I can recognize when I am turned around much more
>>>>>>> quickly, and correct it much more accurately, than I did before
>>>>>>> training. I can reliably detect parallel and turning traffic at
>>>>>>> intersections and I can cross uncontrolled intersections (no light
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> stop sign) like the one by my house without problems (something else
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> was told to avoid as a child). And, I cut across the driveway for my
>>>>>>> condominium complex or the big parking lot by my grocery store
>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>> a second thought. Had I stuck with my traditional training, I think
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> would have had artificial limits on where I could live, and my
>>>>>>> mobility on the bus would have been limited by my inability to cross
>>>>>>> streets or negotiate parking lots. I find it unlikely that I would
>>>>>>> have gained this confidence and safety in cane travel at a non-NFB
>>>>>>> training center, because I think the reason these benefits stay with
>>>>>>> me today is because the NFB center assignments are so rigorous and I
>>>>>>> spent so much time practicing these basic skills, both with
>>>>>>> instructors and by myself.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Of course this is just one person's story, and everyone has a
>>>>>>> different story to bring to the table. I do think all of us can
>>>>>>> experience heightened confidence and skills by attending an NFB
>>>>>>> center
>>>>>>> for any length of time, but of course, there are trade-offs in life
>>>>>>> between center training and other priorities. I do think, as Joe
>>>>>>> alluded, that it would be great if we can figure out how to bring
>>>>>>> NFB-style training to the one-on-one/home setting so blind people
>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>> receive this quality of instruction without having to leave their
>>>>>>> homes or their communities for several months. Until that happens,
>>>>>>> though, the NFB centers all have an excellent track record for
>>>>>>> turning
>>>>>>> out competent, self-reliant graduates.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Arielle
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 2/9/11, Anmol Bhatia <anmolpbhatia at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Kirt,
>>>>>>>> Would you really need to attend a training center? I do not know
>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>> well,
>>>>>>>> but having met you a time or two I am not really sure if you need
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> attend
>>>>>>>> a training center. However, if you do attend I would encourage you
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>>> involved in the community and find sighted friends and do not fall
>>>>>>>> into
>>>>>>>> common blind bubbel of only socializing with other blind people.
>>>>>>>> Like
>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>> said there is nothing wrong with that, but like you most of my
>>>>>>>> friends
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> also sighted and I believe that we live in a sight world and will
>>>>>>>> live
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> sighted world it is important that blind people get out of their
>>>>>>>> comfert
>>>>>>>> zone and participate in activities that sighted people do. Just my
>>>>>>>> two
>>>>>>>> sense.
>>>>>>>> Anmol
>>>>>>>> I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad.
>>>>>>>> Perhaps
>>>>>>>> there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a
>>>>>>>> breeze
>>>>>>>> among flowers.
>>>>>>>> Hellen Keller
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --- On Wed, 2/9/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 2:37 PM
>>>>>>>>> Dear Beth, Tara and all,
>>>>>>>>> Is it hard to get involved with the community
>>>>>>>>> outside the center?
>>>>>>>>> Let me clarify the question, as it maybe doesn't make
>>>>>>>>> sense.
>>>>>>>>> I know a lot of blind people (and please keep in
>>>>>>>>> mind I'm not
>>>>>>>>> calling anyone out or judging), who graduated from the
>>>>>>>>> training
>>>>>>>>> centers and now spend their lives mostly with other blind
>>>>>>>>> people.
>>>>>>>>> There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not for
>>>>>>>>> me. I'm probably
>>>>>>>>> not going to marry a blind person or seriously date a
>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>> person...simply because most of my friends aren't
>>>>>>>>> blind. So, with
>>>>>>>>> that in mind, I'm going to want to find ways to get
>>>>>>>>> involved in the
>>>>>>>>> community at large, at whichever center I decide is right
>>>>>>>>> for me.
>>>>>>>>> So...do you think I'll be discouraged or austricized if I
>>>>>>>>> choose to
>>>>>>>>> spend lots of my free time with church groups, volunteer
>>>>>>>>> programs,
>>>>>>>>> other friends I might find outside the center, etc?
>>>>>>>>> Because I think
>>>>>>>>> the worst thing that could happen to me is to get caught in
>>>>>>>>> a "blind
>>>>>>>>> bubble" where I learn all the skills I need, hang out with
>>>>>>>>> center
>>>>>>>>> people all the time, and miss out on whatever other
>>>>>>>>> opportunities I
>>>>>>>>> might find living away from home for such a long
>>>>>>>>> time. Don't get me
>>>>>>>>> wrong, I hope to make friends at the center and have a
>>>>>>>>> great time.
>>>>>>>>> But I don't want that to be my whole life while I'm out on
>>>>>>>>> my own like
>>>>>>>>> this. Thoughts, anyone?
>>>>>>>>> Kirt
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 2/9/11, Beth <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> > Training centers are a good way for blind people to
>>>>>>>>> learn the
>>>>>>>>> > skills, but the CCB staff being blind makes it
>>>>>>>>> easier. Tara, I
>>>>>>>>> > agree with you on all points. At a center in
>>>>>>>>> Daytona Beach,
>>>>>>>>> > Florida, there were nurses, old creeps,, and lots of
>>>>>>>>> rules such
>>>>>>>>> > as the lights out rule. Sexes were separated by
>>>>>>>>> wing, and there
>>>>>>>>> > was no question about dating. At CCB, blind
>>>>>>>>> people are treated
>>>>>>>>> > like people.
>>>>>>>>> > Beth
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> > From: Tara Annis <TAnnis at afb.net
>>>>>>>>> > To: "nabs-l at nfbnet.org"
>>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> > Date sent: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 14:38:09 -0500
>>>>>>>>> > Subject: [nabs-l] Training centers
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > I attended the Colorado Center program between
>>>>>>>>> semesters at
>>>>>>>>> > college. I attended the school for the
>>>>>>>>> blind and also took
>>>>>>>>> > some classes at a local association of the blind, so
>>>>>>>>> would like
>>>>>>>>> > to provide some insight.
>>>>>>>>> > I do agree that blind people can be successful and
>>>>>>>>> have above
>>>>>>>>> > average skills, even though they do not go to
>>>>>>>>> the NFB center,
>>>>>>>>> > but this is really rare from my observations.
>>>>>>>>> > Before I went to CCB, I did not know that blind people
>>>>>>>>> could walk
>>>>>>>>> > long distances using a cane, as in m five or ten
>>>>>>>>> miles. I
>>>>>>>>> > thought people could only walk routes that the O&M
>>>>>>>>> instructor had
>>>>>>>>> > taught them, and the route would be a mile or
>>>>>>>>> less. I thought
>>>>>>>>> > blind people needed sighted guide for any
>>>>>>>>> new place they
>>>>>>>>> > visited, and couldn't use the cane to follow someone.
>>>>>>>>> > I didn't know that blind people could use a charcoal
>>>>>>>>> grill.
>>>>>>>>> > Some observations:
>>>>>>>>> > 1. There were no nurses at CCB that had control of the
>>>>>>>>> medication
>>>>>>>>> > you took. If you are supposed to be living in
>>>>>>>>> the real world,
>>>>>>>>> > why have someone keep track of your meds?
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > 2. There were no lights out at CCB. As long as
>>>>>>>>> you showed up to
>>>>>>>>> > class on time, who cares what you do at night, as long
>>>>>>>>> as you
>>>>>>>>> > aren't breaking the law. You're adults, so you
>>>>>>>>> should be treated
>>>>>>>>> > like them.
>>>>>>>>> > Go to bed when you feel like it.
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > 3. There was no hassle at CCB when you wanted to go
>>>>>>>>> for lunch.
>>>>>>>>> > You just walked out the door. You didn't
>>>>>>>>> need to make sure
>>>>>>>>> > people had a sighted guide before beginning. You
>>>>>>>>> didn't need to
>>>>>>>>> > have a sighted person to come along to help out.
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > 4. Instructors were blind at CCB, and not ashamed of
>>>>>>>>> it. At other
>>>>>>>>> > training centers, the instructors would never be
>>>>>>>>> caught using a
>>>>>>>>> > cane or reading braille. Sighted people wore
>>>>>>>>> dark glasses when
>>>>>>>>> > traveling with blind people, so the public couldn't
>>>>>>>>> look into
>>>>>>>>> > their eyes. They did not like being stared
>>>>>>>>> at by the public.
>>>>>>>>> > Yet, they never told blind people this fact.
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > 5. Colorado staff did not hide the fact that the
>>>>>>>>> public can
>>>>>>>>> > sometimes be cruel, and many do not understand
>>>>>>>>> blindness. I have
>>>>>>>>> > witnessed at other centers staff outright lying
>>>>>>>>> to blind people
>>>>>>>>> > telling them that no one can tell they are blind and
>>>>>>>>> that they
>>>>>>>>> > don't need a cane, since they get around so
>>>>>>>>> well. Yet, the
>>>>>>>>> > people they tell this to have disfigured eyes, and run
>>>>>>>>> into
>>>>>>>>> > obstacles. The instructors do not want the blind
>>>>>>>>> person to feel
>>>>>>>>> > bad so that is why they make up these lies.
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > 6. I hate how at other centers they always assume a
>>>>>>>>> blind person
>>>>>>>>> > has low self esteem, and needs counseling.
>>>>>>>>> > CCB knew that some of their students are at an
>>>>>>>>> intermediate
>>>>>>>>> > level, already past the adjustment phase of blidnness,
>>>>>>>>> and just
>>>>>>>>> > came to CCB for advanced skills training.
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> > nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>>>>>>>>> account info
>>>>>>>>> > for nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/thebluesi
>>>>>>>>> > sloose%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>> > _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> > nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>>>>>>>>> account info for
>>>>>>>>> > nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>>>>>>>>> account info for nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/anmolpbhatia%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>> Phone: 602-502-2255
>>>>>>> Email:
>>>>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>>>>> Website:
>>>>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>> Phone: 602-502-2255
>>>>>> Email:
>>>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>>>> Website:
>>>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/brian.hatgelakas%40verizon.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jorgeapaez%40mac.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freespirit328%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freespirit328%40gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freespirit328%40gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> _______________________________________________
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