[nabs-l] nfb training centers

Mon Feb 3 19:26:38 UTC 2014

Kelsey and Misty,

Although it is good to get the funding you can from voc rehab, I would
advise you not to get discouraged if they won't pay your tuition in full.
You could try getting additional funding from your state affiliate, your
local Lions Club, other service groups in your community, your family and
friends, your church, etc. Rehab funding is nice if you can get it, but it's
not the only game in town. If you're comfortable with asking people for
money (which I will admit is hard to do,) there are myriad sources of
funding for a training program.

Hope this helps,

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Misty Dawn
Bradley
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 11:58 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] nfb training centers

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,

_______________________________________________
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/kaybaycar%40g
mail.com

--
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

_______________________________________________
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/denverqueen11
07%40comcast.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/mistydbradley%40gmail.co
m 

_______________________________________________
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/dotkid.nusbaum%40gmail.c
om