[nabs-l] my blog about my experiences at LCB

Fri Sep 11 17:26:03 UTC 2015

Hello all, mostly Kate, Tyler, and Hope.

First,  I agree that Kate should not try to shut down negative opinions. However, I think Kate did a poor job of articulating what she meant when she expressed disapproval of Tyler's message. Her problem with it, I assume, is the tone. You can disagree without being disagreeable and unfortunately Tyler has shown a propensity to be disagreeable, specifically to Kate during her campaign announcement which he later apologized for. 

Second, the NFB training centers have a certain philosophy when it comes to guide dogs. I think of it as being a similar philosophy as to why my cousin taught me how to drive a car even though I can't legally drive one. 1. There may come a time when I'd need to and there may come a time in a guide dog user's life when they need to use a cane over a dog and being versed in both is important if you are a dog user. Second, there are lessons that came travel teach you about mobility with regard to structured discovery that are important when using a cane or a dog. 

As to the computer training, I know for a fact that LCB gives advanced instruction to those who need it. Specifically, my friends Kate Webster and Syed Rizvi have gotten/will be getting training on coding as a blind person. Talking to a trainer informally who may or may not know what they are talking about is quite different than working out a formal plan through voc rehab and the center. 

Finally, Tyler, you really ought to disclose to folks when you are talking about your philosophical views about the NFB that you are on the ACB student board and that ACB routinely publicly criticizes NFB and our philosophy. Your opinions are not those of someone who normally agrees with NFB philosophy who is pointing out a minor difference, you are someone who, in certain instances, works against our legislative efforts, our philosophical message, and actively tries to influence state agencies that we are wrong and your organization is right. 

You can obviously post anything you like and I think it's healthy to debate philosophical differences. But you should do it in an agreeable tone and you should fully disclose your elected position.  

Best regards
Derek Manners

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2015, at 12:48 PM, Carlos Montas via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I would say that is why you have consumer choice as to what kind of rehabilitation center you would like to attend.  That is the wonderful thing about America the freedom of choice. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 11, 2015, at 8:40 AM, Hope Paulos via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I have to chime in here.  I also have a dog and won't attend a training center because I can't use him. I understand not being able to use them for travel classes, that makes sense, but not being able to use him for cooking, shop, and braille classes? I am also put off by the arrogance of some of the NFB center instructors. I was working the booth as a trainer at the convention for an assistive technology company.  A center instructor came up wanting to look at some of the products we had on display. I showed them the products, and then proceeded to ask them a question. Because I have a graduate certificate in assistive technology, as well as a graduate certificate in technical support, I wanted to know if my technology classes would be tailored to my advanced needs. The instructor proceeded to laugh at me, and told me "graduate certificate or not, you will go through the same class as everyone else, starting with keyboarding." My colleague, who was sitting beside me, and I were shocked at this person's attitude… keep in mind, I am a trainer for an assistive technology company, and I have to start with keyboarding? I also have a bachelors degree in education… The first thing that you learned about teaching is that everybody learns differently, and everybody is on different levels… Education cannot be "One-size-fits-all." Unfortunately, this seems to be the philosophy of the NFB centers. 
>> Sorry for the rant! On a more positive note, I look forward to reading your blog, and hope that you have A wonderful time and learn a lot. 
>> 
>> Hope Paulos
>> 
>>> On Sep 11, 2015, at 8:29 AM, Littlefield, Tyler via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>>> Hash: SHA1
>>> 
>>> I was going to ask about your experience with a dog, given the name of
>>> your blog. I find it rather amusing that NFB-associated centers
>>> discrimenate so hard against dogs, yet they're the first to scream
>>> discrimenation. I was not hired to a program last summer and it was
>>> mostly because I didn't answer the rather pointed questions about what
>>> I would do with my dog (like if he could stay in a room) for classes,
>>> quite the way they wanted. There I think my hope in the NFB, at least
>>> what remained of it shattered to pieces. We're the first to ask for
>>> equal access, yet equal access is not provided unless you have a
>>> straight white cane and drink the Cool-Aid.
>>>> On 9/11/2015 8:17 AM, Aleeha Dudley via nabs-l wrote:
>>>> Hey all, If you’d like to read about my experiences at LCB, here is
>>>> a link to my blog. http://4pawsatmyside.wordpress.com
>>>> <http://4pawsatmyside.wordpress.com/> I will be detailing my
>>>> experiences in class, as well as those with my guide dog, Dallas,
>>>> especially given the center’s policies about guide dogs. I
>>>> apologize if this is off topic for the list. Feel free to write me
>>>> off list with questions. Aleeha Dudley 
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>>> - -- 
>>> Take care,
>>> Ty
>>> twitter: @sorressean
>>> web:http://tysdomain.com
>>> pubkey: http://tysdomain.com/files/pubkey.asc
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