[nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

Tue Nov 12 02:17:31 UTC 2013

Don't remember who said this, but what are your suggestions as far as lighting candles non-visually? My Center basically told me not to do it.

Lora

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 11, 2013, at 6:52 PM, "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> Bridgit,
> I know options are not as readily available. That is why I asked rj if this lady had looked at other options.
> I am fully aware that options are scarce. In VA, you either go to the center or receive field training which is so infrequent that it will not help much.
> 
> I believe we need other options. If you have children or care for parents or something family related, its very hard to leave and go to training.
> 
> I wish there were more day centers for people to go to and then they can take care of business after training at night.
> I think its terrible about the funding. Yes, I know that vr does not fund training for seniors and those with no employment goal.
> 
> In my state, we have terrible services for home based service.
> You can go to the state residential center in richmond va.
> But, if you cannot, or such center does not meet your needs,
> little options exist. Every office has field staff, but their caseloads are way, way too high.
> We have home based O&M and rehab teachers.
> However, they  come so in frequently that little learning can occur.
> I think a volunteer system is an excellent idea.
> We actually have that for technology training. Those in the DC area meaning DC, northern VA, and MD
> have the opportunity to partake in assistive technology training at the Martin Luther
> King library in DC on G street. But this means they have to have transportation there and be willing to get out of the house which some newly blind people are not able or willing to do and if you're sick, well that is an issue too.
> So, those who can go to the MLK library can participate in volunteer assistive tech training.
> They can learn jaws, Zoomtext, braille notetakers, scanners, and talking book players.
> Additionally, the MLK library offers a IOS training on certain tuesdays.
> You can have training on the apple devices or even android now. Android is very new and they have few volunteers for that.
> 
> If that wasn't enough, the MLK library also offers technology camps for youth, or at least they used to.
> They offer a braille book club on one Saturday a month. Also, they offer seminars on technology and recreation for those who are hearing impaired or vision impaired; separate seminars since our needs are different and these are free.
> I am quite upset that funding is not available for services from the dc lighthouse in my county, yet in the next county it is.
> I want to partake in some advanced computer training from the columbia lighthouse for the blind.
> But no funding is covered in my area and it would leave me paying out of pocket.
> 
> I wish more volunteer programs existed like at MLK library for other areas of life like teaching braille.
> Totally good points. I'm glad you
> healed and were able to attend the iowa center.
> 
> Ashley
> -----Original Message----- From: Bridgit Pollpeter
> Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 5:20 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nabs-l] Training centers not the real world
> 
> Ashley,
> 
> The options aren't as readily available as you present here. This is a
> major obstacle for pretty much all training centers, and this includes
> the NFB centers.
> 
> Bottom line, if you can't attend in-house training, or at least attend
> as a day student every day for the duration of the 6 to 9 months, most
> are out of luck. And finding a two-day or weekend program isn't enough
> to teach the skills. These are just introductory programs to allow
> people the opportunity to see what training would be like. And other
> institutions aren't equipped to provide the kind of home training you
> suggest or even offer day programs.
> 
> The biggest issue is funding, and a little secret, the government
> doesn't want to pay for training for seniors or stay-at-home parents or
> the sick because they are determined unemployable, and therefore will
> not put money back into the system. This is the reality for any agency
> working with people with disabilities.
> 
> Bridgit
> Message: 15
> Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:18:55 -0500
> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> To: <tyler at tysdomain.com>, "National Association of Blind Students
> mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers not the real world
> Message-ID: <A6CA2458FE0047ABAFE10E060C7CA7BC at OwnerPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
> 
> Tyler,
> No its not an issue with training centers. If people cannot go to one
> due to
> circumstances, that does not invalidate the work the center does.
> It just shows more options need to be available. I'd like to see more
> home
> based teaching where a teacher comes to your home to teach you privately
> 
> using your own equipment and marking them if needed.
> 
> Rj, your friend should look at other options. Has she asked about
> receiving
> services from her vr agency?
> They may contract with itenerant O&M and rehab teaching specialists who
> can
> help her at home.
> Has she investigated community options such as a lighthouse? If she
> lives in
> NC, there is the Metrolina Association for the blind; if in GA, there
> are
> two day centers such as the Center for the visually impaired in Atlanta.
> Those are just a few examples. TThere may be options. You just have to
> find
> them.
> 
> Ashley
> 
> 
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