[nabs-l] About the future of NABS and the NFB

Sat May 21 14:52:48 UTC 2011

Thanks, Kirt! I appreciate the kind words.  To answer your 
question, I wasn't really introduced to the Federation 
originally, my parents were.  Therefore, I was a member of the 
Federation with my parents and liked
a lot of what I heard.  I went to one of the NFB sponsored 
training center programs and learned a lot.  Then recently I went 
to the NFB LAW Program at the national center, the first program 
I'd ever gone to at the Jernigan Institute.  That program just 
strengthened my belief in the Federation philosophy.  But I still 
felt that the views I was hearing were kind of extreme, so I 
wanted to learn more about the philosophy of the NFB before I 
totally threw my support behind them.  After listening to some 
stuff on nfb.org, I asked this list and the other list I'm on my 
"what is Federationism?" question so I knew people's personal 
feelings about Federationism.  Once I read a lot of posts on this 
subject and learned about the real NFB philosophy, I decided to 
join the Federation as a total Federationist!!!!! Yea!!!!! So 
really, my decision to join the Federation myself was mostly 
because of your insight! Thanks guys!!!

Chris

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

--- Sent from my BrailleNote

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Fri, 20 May 2011 14:21:25 -0600
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] About the future of NABS and the NFB

Chris,
  It's awesome you're on here.  You're a case study of why it's 
good
for students to get on board while they're young.  Just out of
curiosity, how were you introduced to the Federation?

On 5/20/11, Âris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
 I agree completely, Kirt! Great points!

  Chris

 "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities 
motto)

 --- Sent from my BrailleNote

  ----- Original Message -----
 From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
 To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
 <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
 Date sent: Thu, 19 May 2011 19:57:10 -0600
 Subject: Re: [nabs-l] About the future of NABS and the NFB

 Darian and all,
   I think sometimes we underestimate the role of vission
 teachers.
 (call them what you want-TVIs, teachers of blind students,
 itinerate
 teachers, whatever)  These are usually the people who give blind
 students, and their parents, first impressions about blindness
 and
 thus they have a huge influence on whatever expectations a
 student or
 parent develops about what is possible as a blind person.  I
 think we
 need to put a lot more energy in to sincerely dialoguing with
 these
 teachers, especially the reasonable ones who don't agree with us
 (I'm
 not saying all teachers who disagree with us are reasonable), to
 improve our image and the way we're presented to students.
 Because my
 state affiliate is pretty good at this, my TVI, although she
 disagreed
 with a lot of what the NFB does, didn't discourage me from 
coming
 to
 my own opinions and getting as much firsthand experience with 
the
 Federation as I could.  Even those blindness professionals who
 disagree with us can, if we present ourselves in a civil and
 courteous
 manner, direct students to our organization.  It happened with
 me.
   Warmest regards,
 Kirt

 On 5/19/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
  You know, one thing that I would like to add to this discussion
 is
  the following  "what ideas would you  suggest to improve what
 you may
  think needs improving?"
    I think it's  really easy for all of us to get into the  
habit
 of
  mentioning what isn't happening.  Sometimes, it's  not so much 
a
 matter
   that no one is aware of an issue (sometimes, on the other 
hand,
 this
  in fact may be the case), but suggestions on how to improve are
 also
  very valuable.   Remember, we never roll out of bed with the
 answers!
    Best,
    Darian

  On 5/19/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
  	I don't think we're doing enough with the
 middleschool/elementary
  population.
  We need to get the message out faster,
  to the younger kids.

  On May 19, 2011, at 9:00 PM, dsmithnfb at gmail.com wrote:

  Let's bring this conversation fourth.  What do people think
 about this
  question?

  Sent from my iPhone

  On May 19, 2011, at 5:39 PM, "Tina Hansen" <th404 at comcast.net
 wrote:

  I wanted to know what people felt about the future of the NFB,
 and
  whether or not we're doing anything to address how to
 communicate our
  message in a way that will reach people through new
 technologies.
  Thanks.

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

  "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.

  — Robert Byrne

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