[nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

[RJ Sandefur]

My parents fought the school s ystem, and so did my vision teacher. I went
to our blind school, and did not thrive there, but when I went to public
school, I thrived both socially and accademically RJ.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Littlefield, Tyler" <tyler at tysdomain.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 10:05 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers not the real world


> RJ:
> I see some pros and cons to this.
> First, a blind school would theoretically allow someone to be given all
> the accomadations they need. Without parents who are willing to really
> fight, many times children in the public school system do not get
> everything they need. My parents went to bat for me so many times in
> public schools--first they wanted to transport me on the special ed bus
> to a school where they had special ed kids and a room just for them.
> When I finally entered school, it was after a lot of argument; something
> which a lot of parents may not be aware they can do, or want to do. Even
> after I was in to the public school system, there were many times in
> middle school and even high school where I did not have the materials I
> needed.
>
> My issues against the school are along the same lines as what you've
> noted. I feel like a lot of people come out with many blindisms that may
> not work so well in the public. This isn't to say that the public school
> is the end-all be-all for this, because it took my parents and teachers
> working with me to keep me from walking with my head down, but I feel
> like more exposure to the public is always a plus. Along the same line,
> I believe that having everything brailled for you every day no matter
> what is going to prepare you for nothing. I am able to work with my
> professors and advocate mainly because I had to advocate for myself in
> high school when I was not getting the materials I needed to get my work
> done. I think also, schools for the blind serve a duel purpose of
> allowing the parent to not have to "take care" of the kid, as well as
> allowing them to brush off the responsibility on someone else. Sometimes
> this is intentional, others it may just be because there is a huge lack
> of resources for parents of blind children.
>
> I tried going to a school for the blind for about 6 months before I gave
> it up. While accomidations were great, I really missed the interaction I
> received with friends I made in public schools.
> On 11/10/2013 9:48 PM, RJ Sandefur wrote:
> > Why do we send blind people to training centers? Why do we send blind
people to "schools for the blind" We as blind people live in the real
world,Why do we do it? You don't see mom sending Johnny who has autism to
aschool for autistic kids!
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> --
> Take care,
> Ty
> http://tds-solutions.net
> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he
that dares not reason is a slave.
>
>
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