[nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

Tue Nov 12 03:02:46 UTC 2013

I find that most of my candles come in some kind of glass jar that can be very helpful in giving me a point of reference.  Like Arielle said, I put my hand up to the match to make sure it is burning strongly and then find the jar with my other hand.  I then put the lit match down into the jar and "feel" around for the wick with the lit end of the match.  As far as I can tell, running the lit match over the surface of the wax does no harm and eventually I find the wick.  I hold the match there for about 3 seconds and then remove it.  I place my hand several inches above the candle to see if I lit it and then just blow out the match.  The bowl of water is probably a good idea but I generally just hold the match for 15 or 20 seconds, long enough for it to cool, before setting it down or throwing it away.  

Maybe that's not the best method but it has worked for me.

-Greg

On Nov 11, 2013, at 9:28 PM, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
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