[nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations

Mon Mar 7 04:31:12 UTC 2011

Ashley,
  First, what do they mean by "sectarian?"  Is that a theological
school that prepares one to be a minister for a certain sect?  Or a
private school owned by a certain religion.
  Secondly...that's just Virginia.  I guess since my BUYU tuition is
no more (actually a little less) than I would've had to get payed for
a state school, that doesn't apply as much anyhow.  But I know plenty
of blind people who rehab, at least here in Utah, has helped go
through private schools.
  Best,
Kirt

On 3/6/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Kirt,
>
> I'm no expert but I believe state policies vary.
> They place limits on out of state school funding and private/sectarian
> schools.
> In my state they do  not approve sectarian schools; additionally if you go
> out of state they will pay up to the highest in state tuition of the most
> expensive state supported school.  Also, if you attend a private school,
> they only pay for so much.  Also, they consider your family's financial
> status if you live with them as most students do; its considered as long as
> your family claims you as a dependent and that can be done til age 21 I
> think.
>
> Yes you have the right to attend any school you want; I attended a private
> school too.  But should VR have to sponsor you anywhere?
> You have the right to do many things in this country, but the government
> doesn't always pay for those "rights".
> Well VR puts limits on your choice in my state and I'm sure they do in yours
> too.
> I agree BYU is a great school; I've heard good things about it.
> I won't argue for or against VR paying for religious schools.  I have mixed
> feelings.
> Policies are what they are.
>
> To really find out your policy you have to ask your counselor for the policy
> or search for it.  Here is an exerpt
> from chapter 9 A of the rehab mannual on College training.
>
> Private and out-of-state colleges and universities
> Private and out-of-state colleges and universities can be utilized when the
> same course is available in a Virginia state-supported college; however, the
> college/university must appear on the "approved college list" located in the
> DRS Training and Facilities Manual. Vocational rehabilitation services will
> only sponsor the financially eligible student for up to the amount of
> tuition, fees, and maintenance charged by the most expensive Virginia
> state-supported college or university. The student will be responsible for
> all remaining charges. The highest "state cost" allowable is published
> annually, and is located in the DRS Training and Facilities Manual, Volume
> III.
> When college training is provided by an out-of-state college or university,
> the reasons for this must be documented by the counselor on the IPE. When
> specific degree is not available at a Virginia state-supported college or
> university, the out-of-state tuition and fees can be paid in full. Examples
> of degrees that are not offered in Virginia are--orientation and mobility
> and rehabilitation teaching.
> Sectarian colleges and universities
> A college or university that is determined to be "sectarian" by the
> Commonwealth of Virginia shall not be routinely used by DBVI students. If a
> student chooses to attend a "sectarian" college or university, the VR
> program cannot pay tuition or other fees to that academic institution.
> However, the VR program may purchase equipment, provide reader service, and
> provide any other services for the student that do not result in direct
> payment to the "sectarian" college or university by the agency.
> Any college or university that is determined "sectarian" will not appear on
> the "approved college list" located in the DRS Training and Facilities
> Manual, Vol. III.
>
> So there you have it. They do not pay tuition and fees to sectarian schools
> and students are responsible for all other charges for out of state schools,
> charges vr doesn't cover.
>
> Ashley
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kirt Manwaring
> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 9:34 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations
>
> Ashley,
>   I go to
> BYU.  A private religious school.  The academics are great, and it
> competes well with state-run universities.  So I don't think that goes
> against church and state at all, rehab counselors should pay, within
> reason, for the best in-state school for the programs you're planning
> on, provided job goals are realistic.  I'm in political science and
> BYU fits the bill, never mind that a person should have the right to
> attend a religious school should they choose to.
>   Best,
> Kirt
> P.S.  I've had trouble with my counselor in the past, but everything's
> good now.  I'd rather not talk about it here, message me off-list if
> you'd like.
>
> On 3/6/11, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
>> Ashley, I'm attending the Phillips Community College, getting my
>> basics out of the way. I'd like to go to IBC, (Indiana Bible College,)
>> to pursue my ministry goals. Laura said that Rehab paid for her
>> friend's education at a Bible college, so why wouldn't they do that in
>> Arkansas? Could it be  because ORU is in Oklahoma? Still, there are no
>> Bible colleges worth anything in arkansas. I've switched
>> denominations, so ORU wouldn't be for me now. I was AOG, (Assembly of
>> God,) then. I'm UPCI, (United Pentecostal Church International,) now.
>> Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 3/6/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Joshua,
>>> So since you didn't go to ORU where did you go and what was your major?
>>> Rj is right; we shouldn't let the state dictate our goals or where we can
>>> or
>>> can't go to school.
>>> I can understand why they didn't pay for your schooling; but they
>>> shouldn't
>>> discourage that goal; many blind people are pastors and other ministerial
>>> things.
>>>
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 12:12 AM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations
>>>
>>> Ashley, If you attended the Karaoke show, last year, you would have
>>> heard it. Sarah Alawami could probably help you with the lyrics,
>>> because she was there. I really had a great time in Dallas, and I hope
>>> to go to Orlando this year. Blessings, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 3/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> Oh what is the blind inc song?  I've heard other rehab songs.
>>>> I think they didn't pay for the university of your choice was because it
>>>> was
>>>> a private religious school; sponsoring religious institutions crosses
>>>> the
>>>> lines of church and state.
>>>> Still there are other ways of paying for school like loans and
>>>> scholarships
>>>> if you really want to go to such a school.
>>>>
>>>> Glad you have a better counselor now.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>>> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 10:28 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations
>>>>
>>>> The NFB has been rather anti-rehab counselors, from the beginning.
>>>> After all, The Blind Inc song tells about how the rehab counselors'
>>>> expectations are much too low. Mine wasn't supportive at all. She
>>>> wouldn't let me go to ORU, (Oral Roberts University,) because the
>>>> state wouldn't pay for it. I wanted to be in the ministry, but my
>>>> major would have been music. Now, why wouldn't the state pay for it,
>>>> being that I was planning on going for a music major? I don't know.
>>>> All I can say is that I'm glad she's out of there, and I have someone
>>>> that cares about me, and my wishes. Blessings, Joshua
>>>>
>>>> On 3/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> Has your vocational rehab, vr, counselor been supportive of your goals?
>>>>> I don’t feel mine is.  First I wanted to go into education, but for
>>>>> several
>>>>> reasons got discouraged and decided against it for now; maybe in the
>>>>> future
>>>>> I can go to grad school for a masters in education with emphasis on
>>>>> teaching
>>>>> blind/visually impaired students.  But for now, I want a job in
>>>>> communications, development, something human services, or clerical
>>>>> support.
>>>>> I’m pretty open.  I got several federal internships through the intern
>>>>> program WRP, but don’t want to work in the government.  I just feel I
>>>>> won’t
>>>>> get much work in my job and will not be able to do outreach to the
>>>>> community
>>>>> there.
>>>>>
>>>>> My vr counselor discouraged education or childcare.  Now I feel she is
>>>>> encouraging me and all clients for that matter, to go into the public
>>>>> sector!
>>>>> Another comment that bothered me was to look for jobs near my home,
>>>>> rather
>>>>> than in the more urban city area where I was looking.  Gee, why limit
>>>>> yourself!  Why not get a job near transportation as long as your
>>>>> commute
>>>>> is
>>>>> reasonable!  Why limit myself to one location?
>>>>>
>>>>> I feel as if counselors don’t have the highest expectations for
>>>>> clients.
>>>>> Fortunately, I know successful blind people working in many areas; I
>>>>> know
>>>>> we
>>>>> should be defined by our other strength and abilities and interests,
>>>>> not
>>>>> blindness.
>>>>>
>>>>> Okay just had to vent some.
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
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