[nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs

Wed Jul 18 02:23:36 UTC 2012

I have some Blackboard questions, that you might be able to answer off list.
Thanks, Joshua

On 7/17/12, Herrin, Amber R. <herrinar at muohio.edu> wrote:
> Joshua,
>
> I'm not sure as I have not engaged in any classwork as of yet, but I would
> assume that they knew that it all needed to be accessible, considering the
> field and the fact that they are aware that they might teach blind students
> using screen readers.
>
> I'm sorry I don't have more information at this time.  I would be happy to
> keep any who are interested abreast of developments as I begin and then
> progress through the training.
>
> Best,
>
> Amber R. Herrin
> ATI Student in Training 2012
> World Services for the Blind
> Mobile: (513) 593-5855
> E-mail: herrinar at muohio.edu
> 2811 Fair Park Boulevard
> Little Rock, AR 72204
> "It doesn't matter what you've heard
> Impossible is not a word
> It's just a reason
> For someone not to try
>
> Everybody's scared to death
> When they decide to take that step
> Out on the water
> It'll be alright
>
> Life is so much more
> Than what your eyes are seeing
> You will find your way
> If you keep believing"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf
> Of Joshua Lester
> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 8:44 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs
>
> Wow!
> Amber, how accessible is the online school?
> Blackboard gives me fits, so if they use Blackboard, that school is out of
> the question!
> Thanks, Joshua
>
> On 7/17/12, Herrin, Amber R. <herrinar at muohio.edu> wrote:
>> Ashley,
>>
>> I attended BLIND Inc., in 2010.  I was coming here for the assistive
>> technology instructor program offered.  I have found, since I have
>> decided to leave, a much better option that I would recommend to
>> anyone looking for any kind of certification for assistive technology.
>>
>> Access Technology Institute is an online school that offers an 11
>> month course in assistive technology.
>>
>> As to them staying open: I think it is because a lot of the people who
>> come here do come for the IRS program, which does, if you are accepted
>> into the program after interviews, guarantee you a job once finished.
>> Others feel they have no actual proof, or not in a way that they can
>> gather and present to anyone who would do anything.
>>
>> I spoke to the C O O Tony Wodell, and though he did physically sit
>> through my reports of conditions, he was not really listening, as
>> evidenced by the lie that my state counselor caught him in.
>>
>> Basically, he told her on a particular day that something had been
>> taken care of, though it was not taken care of for another two days.
>> This was not discovered, of course, until after the fact whenever I
>> mentioned it in passing while on the phone with her, but the point is
>> that he didn't say that he would check to be sure it had been taken
>> care of, or that he had sent out requests for it to be taken care of,
>> but he assured her that it absolutely had already, past tense, been taken
> care of.
>>
>> Obviously, it was a lie, since it wasn't taken care of until two days
>> later, but anyway, all of that to say that I don't believe things
>> change here because not enough people at one time makes a big enough
>> deal about the problems.  One or two people complain, they leave, they
>> choose not to come back, it all gets swept under the rug.
>>
>> Wash, rinse, repeat.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Amber R. Herrin
>> ATI Student in Training 2012
>> World Services for the Blind
>> Mobile: (513) 593-5855
>> E-mail: herrinar at muohio.edu
>> 2811 Fair Park Boulevard
>> Little Rock, AR 72204
>> "It doesn't matter what you've heard
>> Impossible is not a word
>> It's just a reason
>> For someone not to try
>>
>> Everybody's scared to death
>> When they decide to take that step
>> Out on the water
>> It'll be alright
>>
>> Life is so much more
>> Than what your eyes are seeing
>> You will find your way
>> If you keep believing"
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 11:34 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs
>>
>> Amber,
>> Well, my goodness. I'd have to say first that I commend your efforts
>> in sticking to the facts or trying to. I think you did a good job for
>> someone who did not have a good experience.  I've also heard bad rumors
> about it.
>> Second, with all this publicity, I'm real surprised that LWSB
>> continues to stay open and attracting the clients it does.
>> Which program were you in? Independent living? or a job program?
>>
>> About rules, personally signing in and out doesn't bother me. You are
>> in a training setting and with this litigious society, they need to
>> account for everyone. What if there was an emergency? They need to
>> know where everyone is. People go missing everyday and are never
>> found. Youwouldn't want your parents or friends or family calling and
>> them saying, oh, we do not know where your son is;  he may be on campus
>> or
> not.
>> The other thing about the no microwave or fridge would bother me. As a
>> college student, I enjoyed having my own fridge in my room.
>> It gave me some freedom to have a cold drink or cold snack when I wanted
> to.
>> Since the cafeteria closed early at 7:30, this was definitely nice.
>> That seems early to me given the fact that I eat late at home; between
>> 7 and 8pm.
>>
>> Anyway, Amber you are making a good personal decision to leave. So I
>> wish you luck in your next decision to find decent training or whatever
> you need.
>> I don't remember your intro to us, so I'm not sure if you are a
>> current college student or recent grad.
>> If you haven't finished school, I hope you can as it opens up more
>> doors to you.
>>
>> Ashley
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Herrin, Amber R.
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 10:36 PM
>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs
>>
>> Ian,
>>
>> I am currently at WSB, but am planning to leave on Friday.  Here is
>> what I have experienced.  I will do my best to give only facts and not
>> color those facts with my opinion, though before I begin, I will
>> clearly state that if you are asking for an opinion as to whether or
>> not one should attend this program in order to obtain a job, I would
>> have to say no.  But I am not you or anyone else for that matter, and
>> what I have experienced here has colored my opinion, and may not be very
> reliable.
>>
>> The facts:
>>
>> *Several students (including myself) have had valuables go missing.
>> *The food does not seem to meet health and safety codes. (just one
>> example-there are many-one evening we had chicken wings, and though
>> the outside was hot, the inside was not.  I would not mention this,
>> except this is not an isolated incident.) *The showers have light
>> bulbs  (not protected by any kind of panels) inside the actual stall
>> where water could be accidentally splashed.  I brought this up as a
>> concern, so they put a cover over mine, but mine is not the only one
>> that this is the case with (as confirmed by other clients.) *Despite
>> several complaints from many clients, the building is full of bugs.
>> They say that someone comes regularly to spray, but bugs were found
>> even in my room, and I am a very clean person. (read as, do not leave
>> food in uncealed containers or dishes with food still on them etc.)
>> *Clients are unable to have microwaves or refrigerators in their
>> rooms, and so are reduced to coolers full of ice or nothing at all except
> cafeteria food.
>> There are microwaves that physically exist, but they do not work very
> well.
>>
>> Now I can say that there are other things I could talk about, but they
>> probably come down to personal preference and really are just normal
>> inconveniences that one would encounter on any college dorm, except
>> they are exaggerated because of the fact that everything is scaled
>> down hugely.  So while, for example, on most college campuses, you
>> could go to a dining hall at almost any time of day, if you do not
>> come to meals at the times specified, you don't eat meals.  I am sure
>> that anyone can argue that when in school, you have to work with a
>> particular schedule, and while this is true to some extent, I do take
>> issue with the fact that we can't even have microwaves or
>> refrigerators in our rooms so that we may maintain the schedules that are
> most comfortable for us.
>>
>> The last thing I mention is a large thing and may not affect anyone,
>> but I feel I must mention it, because if I did not, I would be doing a
>> great disservice to anyone considering attending this center.
>>
>> Two weeks ago this Friday, I was groped by an authority figure.  He
>> was picking me up from the airport, and I was approaching the baggage
>> claim with a female passenger from my flight.  This authority figure
>> approached me without announcing himself, put his arm around my waist,
>> hugged me to himself in a tight, possessive manner, and told the
>> female passenger who had offered to walk with me that he "had it under
>> control from there, but thanks."  After which, he looked down at me
>> and said, "How was your trip, Punkin?  We've missed you!  We're so glad
> you're home!"
>>
>> This man did not announce himself to me in the beginning, should have
>> been treating me professionally, is old enough to be my father, and
>> possibly even my grandfather, has only interacted with me minimally
>> since my arrival at the center, I'm 24, etc etc etc.  Basically, it
>> was wayyy wayyyy beyond what one would call professional or even
> acceptable regardless of setting.
>>
>> I cannot tell you whether to attend this center; only you can decide
>> that for yourself.  What I can tell you is that the man who did this
>> to me was reported by me, and, I have discovered, has been reported
>> multiple times by other females that he has violated in one way or
>> another, and still holds a job here.  I believe there is something big
>> going on here that I am unaware of, and am only glad to be leaving.
>>
>> I have met some truly wonderful people here, but regardless of that, I
>> could never suggest that someone attend here.
>>
>> I hope this helps you make your decision.  If it does not, please know
>> that I wish you all the best.
>>
>> Amber R. Herrin
>> Mobile: (513) 593-5855
>> E-mail: herrinar at muohio.edu
>> "It doesn't matter what you've heard
>> Impossible is not a word
>> It's just a reason
>> For someone not to try
>>
>> Everybody's scared to death
>> When they decide to take that step
>> Out on the water
>> It'll be alright
>>
>> Life is so much more
>> Than what your eyes are seeing
>> You will find your way
>> If you keep believing"
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Anmol Bhatia
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 4:49 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs
>>
>> Ian,
>> I have never attended LWSB as a trainny, but I used to go there on to
>> stay during weekends in the 1990s. The only thing I can say is that
>> LWSB has made alot of changes last couple of years and I would think
>> about visiting there before deciding one way or the other. They do
>> have an option to live off campus and as far as I am aware that there
>> is not a sign in and sign out policy  after class time. Now they may
>> have sign in and sign out policy during class time to keep count of
>> attendance, however, this is know different signing in and signing out
>> of work which everyone blind and sighted has to do.
>> The IRS program is one of the best programs there and frankly since
>> you have to be excepted for a job at one of the IRS offices, it is a
>> guarantied employment after completing the program and they start at
> 45,000 or more.
>> The food was not the greatest, however, as I said above LWSB now known
>> as World Services for the Blind has made alot of changes under the new
>> director and frankly I can not tell you how the food is now. As I said
>> earlier, I would make a visit there before making any kind of decision.
>>
>> 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 Mon, 7/16/12, Ian Perrault <iperrault at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> From: Ian Perrault <iperrault at hotmail.com>
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Date: Monday, July 16, 2012, 4:14 PM
>>> Hi
>>> I'm wondering if any of you have attended LWSB for one of their
>>> employment training programs, or LWSB in general?
>>> I'm looking into one of the IRS programs, and was reading the manual,
>>> and it seems like a very strict and structured environment, even
>>> though most of the participants are adults. For instance, you have to
>>> sign out if you want to go somewhere and things like that. Have any
>>> of you attended LWSB? I'd love to hear what your experiences were.
>>> Since I've been to college, it sounds like it's not as independent of
>>> an environment.
>>> Ian
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>>
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