[nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

Tue Nov 12 13:54:17 UTC 2013

I baught  a little hot plate designed for melting candles.  You plug it into the wall and it melts the wax very effectively, no lighting required.  Using lighters was challenging for me, however, I never tried matches.   The hot plate device is very convenient. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle Silverman
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 9:29 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Training centers not the real world

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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