[nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues with other blind folks

[David Andrews]

Two things -- some list software doesn't allow spaces in the name, 
although some may.  Secondly, while nfb does not have a monopoly or 
copyright on the "talk" word, a number of our lists use it, blind 
talk, nfb talk, etc., and have for many years.  It might be clearer 
if you didn't use it so there was no confusion as to the 
source/sponsor of list.

I do think the list is a good idea -- and I am glad to see you guys 
do this, but it is probably better if the list is separate from our 
official lists.

David Andrews, List Owner



At 12:47 AM 2/19/2013, you wrote:
>Ok, I think I'll go with Blind Social Talk. It's general enough
>without being too broad, but also states its purpose clearly. The only
>thing I have to do now is create a file for the rules that will be
>sent out on a monthly basis, then I'll create the group itself, since
>that only takes a minute to do.
>there's one more thing I would like some opinions on, however. When a
>person joins the list, I will approve them, as I don't trust the
>system of just having Yahoo automatically approve everyone. I've seen
>what happens when groups get overrun by spammers. So, since this group
>is aimed at a target audience, and sensitive information is going to
>be shared, do you think it would be sensible for me to ask that each
>person write a brief statement about themselves before they're
>approved to join, just so I can get a feel for their motivations for
>joining, and their age? I don't want to seem overly paranoid, but the
>last thing we need is a bunch of trolls or people who are up to no
>good. No offense to anyone on this list, as I highly doubt such people
>are here to join, but I'm hoping that the word is spread beyond this
>list, and that others will hear of it. I'm also wondering where else I
>might spread the word, so that I can reach more people who might
>benefit. I thought about maybe creating a board topic on the zone BBS,
>but I'm a little weary about that, simply because, well, not everyone
>on that site is exactly trustworthy. Any thoughts would be
>appreciated.
>
>On 2/19/13, Mauricio Almeida <mauriciopmalmeida at gmail.com> wrote:
> > i'd simply go for blind social because it allows more things to be thrown
> > into discussion and people won't go like hmmm i can't talk about this
> > because it isn't in the name of the list.
> >
> > feel free to cc me on emails if you guys do take this off list.
> >
> > Mauricio
> > On Feb 18, 2013, at 11:51 PM, "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Arielle,
> >>
> >> I'm not Desiree, but I personally like Blind-Social or Blind-Social-Talk.
> >> Thoughts? Maybe at this point we should take this discussion off-list...
> >>
> >> Chris
> >>
> >> Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chair
> >> Public Relations Committee
> >> Maryland Association of Blind Students
> >> Phone: (443) 547-2409
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
> >> Silverman
> >> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 11:47 PM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues with
> >> other blind folks
> >>
> >> Thanks Desiree for taking charge! Blind-social, blind-social-talk or
> >> blind-relationships all sound fine to  me.
> >> Arielle
> >>
> >> On 2/18/13, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> Ashley and Mauricio,
> >>>
> >>> I agree. We have to be careful here, as the list is publically
> >>> archived and it could be considered an "official" list of the
> >>> Federation; after all, it is the official list of NABS. Conversely,a
> >>> list like the one Desiree and others are talking about would be a
> >>> place where these topics can be discussed more freely.
> >>>
> >>> Chris
> >>>
> >>> Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chair
> >>> Public Relations Committee
> >>> Maryland Association of Blind Students
> >>> Phone: (443) 547-2409
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mauricio
> >>> Almeida
> >>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 11:17 PM
> >>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues
> >>> with other blind folks
> >>>
> >>> well said.
> >>> noone is putting anyone down here.
> >>> go for the list:)
> >>> On Feb 18, 2013, at 11:13 PM, Ashley Bramlett
> >>> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Carley,
> >>>> We were not putting him down. We were  just saying that another list
> >>> devoted to only social issues is better.
> >>>> David already spoke his mind and said we can sometimes discuss dating
> >>>> on
> >>> here, but it cannot get too far off track.
> >>>> I say go for creating the list and we can have more private
> >>>> conversations
> >>> there.
> >>>> Ashley
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message----- From: Carly Mihalakis
> >>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 10:55 PM
> >>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list ; National
> >>>> Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues
> >>>> with other blind folks
> >>>>
> >>>> Hi, List,
> >>>>
> >>>> Are we not ALL blind students? Isn't a potential YAHOO or other
> >>>> social forum, positioned  for each and every one of our  enrichment?
> >>>> Where is a sense of unity? Why are people being made to feel like
> >>>> some pariah, with some kind of disease,  simply for being emotionally
> >>>> unstable?  Indeed, People are well aware of how advice delivered via
> >>>> an On-line support forum, may be subject to thinking twice. I'm
> >>>> convinced of people's  being well aware of this.  We are talking
> >>>> about emotional crises, people!
> >>>> Is not investing too much in any of the Internet's resources not a
> >>>> given, anyway?
> >>>> Car, but
> >>>>> I think the list should be for support, not primarily for therapy.
> >>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Desiree Oudinot
> >>>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 6:11 PM
> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues
> >>>>> with other blind folks
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hi all,
> >>>>> Since I was the person who  initially raised this suggestion, I
> >>>>> guess I'd better speak up.
> >>>>> While I do think this is a great idea, and would like to see it
> >>>>> happen, I'm not sure I'm the right person to even suggest it. Pardon
> >>>>> the pun, but I'm not so sure having the blind lead the blind is such
> >>>>> a good idea. To cut to the point, I'm not sure if it would be right
> >>>>> of me to moderate such a list when I know I would use it to air out
> >>>>> some of my own problems. I'm also not a psychologist, social worker
> >>>>> or any other mental health worker. I only bring this up because I'm
> >>>>> not sure how formal this group would have to be, and I don't want
> >>>>> any
> >>> trouble.
> >>>>> My only other hang-up is that I'm not very good at thinking up
> >>>>> clever names, and I'm drawing a blank as to what this hypothetical
> >>>>> list should be called. I'm sure others may have some suggestions,
> >>>>> though, so that's just a minor inconvenience.
> >>>>> So, what do you all think? Would you want the list to be moderated
> >>>>> and ran by a trained mental health worker? Would you feel
> >>>>> uncomfortable with a moderator who used the list for its intended
> >>>>> purpose, rather than just sitting in the background and dealing with
> >>>>> problems, both tech-related and within the list's members? Let me
> >>>>> know, and I'll think about it some more.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On 2/18/13, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>>> I can moderate, but would prefer someone who is more tech-savvy
> >>>>>> than I to actually set up the list initially.
> >>>>>> Arielle
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On 2/18/13, Loren Wakefield <theweird1 at centurylink.net> wrote:
> >>>>>>> It would be a great idea.  I don't know how those groups work.
> >>>>>>> But I suppose one could find out.  However, I am not sure that I
> >>>>>>> would have the time to be its moderator.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly
> >>>>>>> Mihalakis
> >>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 3:40 PM
> >>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list;
> >>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Forum for discussing social/emotional issues
> >>>>>>> with other blind folks
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Great idea! Unfortunately, i am not qualified to set up, or
> >>>>>>> moderate the thing, although it is a great idea.At 01:31 PM
> >>>>>>> 2/18/2013, Arielle Silverman
> >>>>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>>>> Hi all,
> >>>>>>>> A while back some of us talked about creating a list on
> >>>>>>>> YahooGroups or GoogleGroups where blind students and mentors
> >>>>>>>> could talk about sexuality and social issues. I am wondering if
> >>>>>>>> we should go ahead and create this list to be a separate place
> >>>>>>>> from NABS-L and one where the topic is a bit more relaxed so that
> >>>>>>>> people could post about relationship issues, family difficulties
> >>>>>>>> etc. If the list is hosted on YahooGroups, the archives will be
> >>>>>>>> private so no one who is not subscribed will be able to read the
> >>>>>>>> content of the list (and GoogleGroups might be that way too; I'd
> >>>>>>>> have
> >>> to check).
> >>>>>>>> The NFB lists tend to be a little strict about topic since they
> >>>>>>>> are publicly archived and since they are intended to be about a
> >>>>>>>> very specific topic. However that doesn't mean we can't create a
> >>>>>>>> separate list that is more of a support group rather than a place
> >>>>>>>> to obtain information.
> >>>>>>>> Does someone want to go ahead and do this?
> >>>>>>>> Arielle