[nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

Tue Nov 12 02:28:41 UTC 2013

Hi Lora,

>From what I remember, I first lit the match and listened for the crack
sound and also put my other hand a few feet away to check for warmth
coming from the match. I then used my other hand to feel for the base
of the candle, put the match up to the candle wick and would wait a
few seconds, move the match away and feel with my other hand above the
candle to see if there was heat coming up from it. It was a bit of
trial and error to see when the candle was lit, and perhaps others
with more experience have better suggestions for that. The main
nonvisual trick I was taught was for putting out the matches. I was
taught to drop them into a bowl of water so I didn't accidentally put
a lit match down onto something else that could burn. I admit I have
not practiced it much since getting out of the center but I think it
is safe and effective as long as you keep the space clear of clutter,
take your time and use the bowl of water. I also tried unsuccessfully
once to light a lighter. I thought that was really difficult but that
was more because I have fine motor issues than because of blindness. I
am curious if others have found good techniques for lighters. However,
I don't think the lighter gives off as much heat as a match so it is
probably harder to tell when it is lit if you have no vision. I would
recommend sticking with matches, and using long ones in case it takes
a while to get the candle to light. Best of luck!

Arielle

On 11/11/13, ichoosechrist2 at gmail.com <ichoosechrist2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ichoosechrist2%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>