[nabs-l] nfb training centers

Mon Feb 3 17:01:18 UTC 2014

I graduated the Colorado Centre in march 2013, and it was a great experience. Now, being from Canada, we don't have rehab here, and so I had to pay for half of the centre. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. You'll learn a lot, get frustrated, and ask yourself why the heck you're even there, but let me tell you, it was so worth it. I learned so much and have more confidence in myself as a blind person.

Matthew Dierckens
Macintosh Trainer
Blind Access Training
www.blindaccesstraining.com
1-877-774-7670 ext. 4

On Feb 3, 2014, at 11:58 AM, Misty Dawn Bradley <mistydbradley at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Kelsey,
> I have never attended an NFB center, but I am in the process of trying to get into one, although vocational rehab is still being difficult about it in my state, so it is taking longer to do things. Do you have a case open with vocational rehabilitation in your state? If so, then they could pay for your training. You may have to justify it, since some states tend to favor in-state centers rather than out-of-state NFB centers, but they are supposed to allow you to choose where you want to get training. I am not sure how NFB centers do it, but I have been to a state-run center in Raleigh, North Carolina, for their 4 week summer program when I was 16, and it was similar to your experience where they were extremely sheltering and we couldn't go out or do things on our own, and whenever they planned an outing in the evenings, everyone had to go whether they liked it or not. They told me it is because we were considered minors, so I guess it was a liability issue, but, in my opinion, it took away from the whole point of training to become more independent. In this center, they did evaluations for a week that were extensive, but they were mostly psychological and intelligence related. Another center that I lived near in Texas did hands-on evaluations where they asked you to do things to show them how well you could do things such as cleaning and what areas you needed improvements in, and this typically took about a month, and after that month, you began training on those areas. I believe that the NFB centers do the same thing and evaluate you to find out what you need to work on and what your goals are, etc. although I am not sure what their process is for doing evaluations.
> Hope this helps,
> Misty
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Beth Taurasi
> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 3:46 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] nfb training centers
> 
> I graduated from CCB, and it was a good classic traiing center,
> except the blind people were all allowed to do things on their
> own.  I think it was fun though, and I met my lover at the
> center.  I actually blossomed when I was there, so Kelsey, I can
> tell you a lot.  Just email off list and we can talk.  I'd love
> to talk to you.
> beth
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 20:44:15 -0600
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] nfb training centers
> 
> Hi Kelsey,
> 
> I have never been to a training center myself, but I have a very
> close
> friend who is at one of them right now.
> 
> I think a training center might be a great idea.  They work with
> you
> on cane travel, cooking, and home management along with other
> skills.
> You will still get Braille and computer instruction, but it will
> be
> more focused if they figure out that you are already proficient.
> Like
> you suggested, you can learn skills, such as learning an IPad or
> IPhone once you show them what you can do.  I believe that the
> centers
> individualize training as much as possible.
> 
> If you would like me to put you in contact with a current center
> student, I think my friend would be willing to talk to you about
> what
> a day at the center is like.  She currently attends CCB.  So feel
> free
> to email me off list.
> 
> 
> 
> On 2/2/14, Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> It seems that in so much of the Nfb's literature, people talk
> about nfb training centers.  I recently graduated college and
> still live at home to save money (my sister does too.) I did
> attend a training program in high school, but it was a six week
> program only and they would not let us leave the building alone
> because the hall directors felt that the area was not safe for
> us.  The only trips we took were as a group and with the staff.
> At times, those of us who were totally blind were allowed to go
> sighted guide on field trips.  Therefore, I am teasing with the
> idea of experiencing an nfb training center, but the problem is
> that I cannot dish out $7,000 right now due to my student loans.
> Is there financial aid available to nfb members who want to
> attend a training center? I am a member at large, so does that
> make a difference? I am pretty good in some areas but others not
> so much.  For example, mobility is definitely not a strength.  I
> still end up going sighted guide with family and friends except
> for interviews.  Even then, I am still hesitant to go to
> unfamiliar places independently.  Can a training center help
> with
> that? I have a pretty solid foundation in the use of JAWS with
> using the Internet, microsvt office, etc.  I also use a Braille
> note as a notetaker.  Given this foundation, would I still
> receive technology training? If I would, could it be more
> recreational in nature, such as learning to navigate facebook
> using JAWS or learning to use itunes ineependently so I can
> manage my ipod independently or learning voiceover so I could
> use
> an ipad or iphone? My family all have smartphones and ipads
> except my grandma and I who still have basic phones.  Sometimes
> when I'm out with my mom and her phone rings and she is not
> availth', I can't answer her phone for her because I can't see
> the screen? I tried voiceover once, but I could not get the
> conang of the gestures, so I gave up.  My Braille skills are
> very
> good.  I read contracted Braille as my primary Braille grade and
> was salf-taught music Braille.  I'm not as confident in my music
> Braille abilities though.  I can use the microwave pretty well
> since that's what I used in my dorm at college, but all the
> buttons were labeled in Braille.  However, I am not comfortable
> with using the stove or oven nor do I trust myself using any
> kind
> of knife, even to cut food at a meal.  I still have to ask for
> help with this task.  Therefore, based on the information I have
> provided, what would a training center be able to offer me? Will
> they reteach me something I already know or are new students
> tested on what they arl know? How is this done? Do they sit you
> down and ask you questions or is it hands-on where you are asked
> to perform a given task? When I attended the training program,
> they just sat down and asked a bunch of questions that had yes
> or
> no answers, they did not test our profficiency at all, it was
> just Do you know how to d....  Sorry for so many questions, but
> I
> wadt to know as much as possible at the programs offered at
> these
> training centers and how they could be of benefit to me now.
> Thanks,
> 
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> 
> 
> --
> Julie McG
> National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
> Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
> 
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