[nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology

Tue Mar 27 04:09:26 UTC 2012

Joshua and all,

I said I would not jump on this thread but I do have to defend them a
bit. First, I fully agree that, if you're entering the professional
workplace, you should be required to demonstrate independence with
daily living tasks. When I attended, I heard about the four-week eval
and thought it was a great idea. I also said that I had been living on
my own and doing tasks for a while, and therefore four weeks was a bit
too long. So I was asked to demonstrate that I could read/write
braille, do basic business math, prepare some sort of a meal, pack a
suitcase and make a bed, and wash some dishes or some other cleaning
thing. Also ironing and sewing on a button. I did this in under a
week. The next week I was allowed to have the period as a "study"
period and I used it to explore Little Rock, to do some extra cooking,
or to just catch some sleep. There are many people that think they are
good at independent living and yet the only standards they are good at
is the "blind standards". What I mean by that is your parents telling
you good job and another blind person telling you good job because
they can't see that you're rocking and nearly sticking your head in
the oven while you're cooking or that you're about to slice your
fingers off isn't the same as true independence and looking
presentable for an employer. So, I support the whole idea of the
evaluation and think that because of client complaints the eval
process is being taken less seriously and more and more people slip
through without the necessary skills. The TDL instructor you had
Joshua is no longer working there. They have a high turnover.

The other mischaracterization is that you are "forced to work". When
applying to enter into an IRS program you are made fully aware that
you may not be working in your home state. This all depends on
positions available around the country. You are given a list of cities
and then are asked to pick the top three. So, presumably after doing
your research on transportation, accommodations and such you will pick
three cities that you wouldn't mind moving to. At that point they look
at all the cities the clients pick and divide them amongst the
clients. There is also an interview process with the IRS that helps
match someone for a particular location as well. If you are not there
to find work anywhere it can be found at or if you do not wish to
work, you do not have to attend that or any other center. Nobody
forces you to relocate. And not all states have openings at any
particular point in time. Take Austin, TX for instance. It is s
popular city, and because it is so popular amongst IRS clients the
past couple of times they have had classes Austin wasn't on the list
of cities.

OK, I've rambled on enough for one night.

Later.

On 26.03.2012, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
> They make you take this 4 week evaluation, before you're introduced to
> a program.
> This TDL class, was part of the evaluation.
> I didn't like the instructor, because I showed her, after 1 week, that
> I could do stuff on my own.
> She just wanted me to stay there, and help her teach the class.
> Evidently, she was running it, like Nimer described the AT classes!
> Also, people don't find work, they're forced to work!
> For example, let's say you're in Georgia.
> There's no AT job, (for example,) in Georgia, so they'll ship you to
> Florida, or wherever there's a job opening.
> You go, against your will, and determined upon the existence of public
> transportation available, some people will never get to return home,
> unless a family member, from their home state is able to come, and get
> them.
> This is what's so bad about the place.
> They should train you for programs, that they know, are available in
> your home state!
> I don't know, if the lady from Georgia, (this actually happened,) and
> her program was IRS, was actually able to make it back home!
> Is there anyone on this list, that attended LWSB, during October, 2007?
> Thanks, Joshua
>
> On 3/26/12, Brian Hatgelakas <brian.hatgelakas at verizon.net> wrote:
>> Why would they make you take a TDL class if you are already doing the
>> stuff
>> on your own?  If I went to a center for a job placement program I'd show
>> them right away and try to opt out of the class.  Couldn't you have done
>> this.  Seams like those centers bring us independent people down to the
>> lowest level of people that don't know anything about living independently
>> at first before you can get to the programs you are actually paying for.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Joshua Lester" <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 7:20 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology
>>
>>
>> They train people in Daily living skills, because I was forced to take
>> that TDL, (Techniques of Daily Living,) class!
>> I hated it, because it was stuff, I already knew, and was doing on my own!
>> Theresa Bailey taught it, and it was horible!
>> Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 3/26/12, Brian Hatgelakas <brian.hatgelakas at verizon.net> wrote:
>>> I thought that LWSB didn't train people on daily living skills.  That's
>>> what
>>> I said!
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Nathan Clark" <troubleclark at gmail.com>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 12:28 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear Brian,
>>> What are you refering to when you talk about the CCB job training
>>> program?
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Nathan
>>>
>>> On 3/26/12, Brian Hatgelakas <brian.hatgelakas at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>> I wasn't aware that LWSB offered programs similar to the Carol Center's
>>>> and
>>>> Colorado Center's!  I was always under the impression that it was solely
>>>> a
>>>> job training center AKA an ITT tech or a Western School Of Health And
>>>> business!
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 11:49 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Brian,
>>>>> it’s a training center that provides independent living and job
>>>>> training.
>>>>> They provide training in help desk support and other I T stuff.
>>>>> It’s a training facility,  not a job placement agency. so, it will not
>>>>> gaurantee employment.
>>>>> I say let the programs run. If you don't like it, don't go there, but
>>>>> they
>>>>>
>>>>> must  be helping some people improve their lives.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Brian Hatgelakas
>>>>> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:25 AM
>>>>> To: nimerjaber1 at gmail.com ; National Association of Blind Students
>>>>> mailing
>>>>>
>>>>> list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology
>>>>>
>>>>> If no employment is provided why not terminate all programs accept the
>>>>> IRS
>>>>> program?  My question is how much money is being wasted by state
>>>>> agencies
>>>>> on
>>>>> useless programs at this center?  I believe someone needs to do an
>>>>> investigative article on this topic.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Nimer M. Jaber, IC³" <nimerjaber1 at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 10:54 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Careers in assistive technology
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Joshua,
>>>>>
>>>>> The only programs that will hire directly from WSB are the IRS
>>>>> programs and they are not directly affiliated with WSB. You can go to
>>>>> any other IRS class and get the same offered position. WSB just
>>>>> happens to be the location of an IRS training sight. The employees
>>>>> that teach those classes work directly for the IRS, and the computer
>>>>> network used is solely for the IRS which makes the IRS classes and WSB
>>>>> two separate entities in my mind. Even if you wish to count the IRS
>>>>> classes as belonging to WSB, they have a bunch of other programs that
>>>>> will not provide employment once a program has been terminated and a
>>>>> client has graduated successfully.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 25.03.2012, Nimer M. Jaber, IC³ <nimerjaber1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Joshua, she went to Tyler Texas to teach with Jan at the Tyler Light
>>>>>> House.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Desiree, as part of the ATI program, clients will receive a set amount
>>>>>> of hours (that's not really counted) of practical experience which is
>>>>>> the teaching of students for them that I mentioned, you receive an ic³
>>>>>> certification which is outdated, hardly ever used or heard of, and
>>>>>> mostly is unrelated to assistive technology, and because of my request
>>>>>> that I put forward you now will attempt to pass the Freedom Scientific
>>>>>> JAWS cert which again, isn't worth a whole lot seeing how it places
>>>>>> much of its emphasis on how to access help and where to get training
>>>>>> more than knowing how to most efficiently utilize the functions of the
>>>>>> screen reader. For all of this, the training supposedly takes nine
>>>>>> months although I finished up in under four. This was the old program.
>>>>>> Now, the new instructor has been incorporating lessons on teaching
>>>>>> modalities, eye conditions, making equipment recommendations and
>>>>>> communicating with state Rehab counselors, etc etc. You don't receive
>>>>>> a certification in any of this, unless you call a little piece of
>>>>>> paper and a pin from WSB telling you good job and that you graduated
>>>>>> to be a certification. This is why I don't consider WSB to be a
>>>>>> school. Technically I'm sure they have to have some accreditation or
>>>>>> other to provide the services that they do, but I'm sure that if they
>>>>>> are meeting the standards for it, they're barely doing so. And
>>>>>> sanitation issues in their buildings are pretty bad. They have an
>>>>>> antiquated heating and cooling system that can not be switched from
>>>>>> heat to AC quickly meaning that they will only make the switch twice a
>>>>>> year, there are many bugs and some of the food provided is
>>>>>> unrecognizable, although when boar members are present they do a half
>>>>>> decent job.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 25.03.2012, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>> So, if it's not a school, does that mean the accreditation is
>>>>>>> worthless? I'm just trying to understand that part of it. I wouldn't
>>>>>>> attend there, because I've heard some disturbing stories, to put it
>>>>>>> lightly, about sanitation issues in the dorms.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 3/25/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I attended there, under the influence of my VR counselor.
>>>>>>>> What a mistake!
>>>>>>>> I wanted to get in their AT program, but it was too full.
>>>>>>>> They have an awesome ATI, (Assistive Technology Instructor,)
>>>>>>>> program,
>>>>>>>> that I would have highly recommended, if they had the instructor,
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> I had.
>>>>>>>> We called her Ms Z.
>>>>>>>> Anyone remember her?
>>>>>>>> Blessings,Joshua
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 3/25/12, Nimer M. Jaber, IC³ <nimerjaber1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Joshua,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> LWSB is not a school, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it for
>>>>>>>>> several reasons. First, the program is being modified heavily under
>>>>>>>>> the influence of a new tech instructor they've just hired, so I
>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>> say wait till everything's worked out. Second, there are quite a
>>>>>>>>> few
>>>>>>>>> places where mentioning "LWSB" will not land you work because of
>>>>>>>>> its
>>>>>>>>> reputation in the past. And, as mentioned, it is not a school which
>>>>>>>>> means that you really can't depend on it for finding any kind of
>>>>>>>>> employment.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 25.03.2012, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.lwsb.org
>>>>>>>>>> Blessings, Joshua
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 3/25/12, Kayla Paige <kayla.mattox at cox.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi, I have a question. What kind of school would you go to for a
>>>>>>>>>>> career
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> assistive technology? Even though I'm going to school for massage
>>>>>>>>>>> therapy,
>>>>>>>>>>> my other interest is assistive technology. Thanks.
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
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>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Nimer Jaber, IC³ and Freedom Scientific JAWS Certifications
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The message above is intended for the recipient to whom it was
>>>>>> addressed. If you believe that you are not the intended recipient,
>>>>>> please notify me via reply email and destroy all copies of this
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> Registered Linux User 529141.
>>>>>> http://counter.li.org/
>>>>>> Vinux testing and documentation coordinator
>>>>>> To get more information about a free and accessible operating system,
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Nimer Jaber, IC³ and Freedom Scientific JAWS Certifications
>>>>>
>>>>> The message above is intended for the recipient to whom it was
>>>>> addressed. If you believe that you are not the intended recipient,
>>>>> please notify me via reply email and destroy all copies of this
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>>>>>
>>>>> Registered Linux User 529141.
>>>>> http://counter.li.org/
>>>>> Vinux testing and documentation coordinator
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>>>>> please click here:
>>>>> http://www.vinuxproject.org
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>>>>> To find out about a free and versatile screen reader for windows XP
>>>>> and above, please click here:
>>>>> http://www.nvda-project.org
>>>>>
>>>>> You can follow @nimerjaber on Twitter for the latest technology news.
>>>>>
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>>>>> http://nimertech.blogspot.com
>>>>>
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-- 
Nimer Jaber, IC³ and Freedom Scientific JAWS Certifications

The message above is intended for the recipient to whom it was
addressed. If you believe that you are not the intended recipient,
please notify me via reply email and destroy all copies of this
correspondence. Action taken as a result of this email or its contents
by anyone other than the intended recipient may result in civil or
criminal action. I have checked this email and all corresponding
attachments for security threats. However, security of your machine is
up to you. Thanks.

Registered Linux User 529141.
http://counter.li.org/
Vinux testing and documentation coordinator
To get more information about a free and accessible operating system,
please click here:
http://www.vinuxproject.org

To find out about a free and versatile screen reader for windows XP
and above, please click here:
http://www.nvda-project.org

You can follow @nimerjaber on Twitter for the latest technology news.

Check out my blog related to technology by clicking here:
http://nimertech.blogspot.com

To contact me, you can reply to this email or you may call me at (720)
(251-4530) and I will do my best to respond to you promptly.