[nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs

Sat Jul 21 22:03:34 UTC 2012

I occurs to me that how the building is upkept says much about a 
center's view of its work and the consumers it serves. I don't 
recommend going to a center that's tucked away in a ritzy part of town 
as it's probably not realistic for most of us, but it's also not 
helpful to the psyche of center consumers to be in a neighborhood with 
violence in it. And the bugs? The food? All that violateshealth codes.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> No wonder they call it the "Braille Jail!"
> Blessings, Joshua

> On 7/16/12, Dave Webster <dwebster125 at comcast.net> wrote:
>>       hi Amber.  I'm Dave.  I'm from california and I went to wsb as well.
>> I can defenitely agree with yo on the food.  I can't even count how many
>> times I got sick from that food.  I mean full blown sick.  I have bipolar
>> and I don't know what it is about that building but for some reason it
>> causes symptoms of depression.  I guess because it is like a hospital in
>> some ways.  its an old building and going down some of the halls are just
>> scary for me.  Like I say I don't know what it is about that building but
>> that building being inside of it really depresses me.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Joshua Lester
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 9:55 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] LWSB Little Rock Employment Training Programs

>> Oh no!
>> Call the Arkansas State Police!
>> Blessings, Joshua

>> On 7/16/12, Herrin, Amber R. <herrinar at muohio.edu> wrote:
>>> 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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