[nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools

Sun Feb 7 21:56:40 UTC 2016

Hi all,
I think a little history lesson may help clarify some things. In 1973,
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed that
basically requires public schools to include students with
disabilities. Before 1973, most blind kids were automatically sent to
schools for the blind regardless of their individual situation. So,
schools for the blind had an expectation to give all blind kids a good
education. People who grew up pre-IDEA (who are 50 years old or older
today) attended schools for the blind that served the whole gamut of
blind students, and I have been told that in those days many schools
for the blind were relatively strong in terms of the education they
offered.
After 1973, most blind kids began going to their local public schools.
Although schools for the blind stayed open in many states, they tended
to enroll only those kids who were seen as difficult to place for some
reason. Often these were kids who were blind on top of intellectual
disabilities, meaning they required a larger support team and more
modifications to the curriculum. Or, a student might attend the school
for the blind if the local school district was under-resourced,
uncooperative or if the student had a family situation that got in the
way of his/her education (like divorce, poverty etc.) As a
consequence, the majority of kids who attend schools for the blind
full-time today are those kids who have additional disabilities or
disadvantages (real or perceived) making it difficult for them to get
a good public education. Schools for the blind have changed in their
educational approach in order to focus on the special needs of these
kids, such as giving more custodial care and modifying academic
standards to accommodate kids with intellectual disabilities. This is
a generalization, and there are exceptions (as well as some kids who
attend both kinds of schools). But the school is going to direct its
resources toward supporting its average student, and at least in the
states I've lived in, the average student at a school for the blind
has multiple disabilities or disadvantages, with blindness often being
a small concern compared to the others. I have wondered if school for
the blind is really the best setting for these kids or if funding
should be directed toward setting up schools for people with
intellectual disability as the primary issue. However, not being in
the ID community, I'm not one to make that kind of recommendation.

For kids who don't have multiple disabilities, or social disadvantages
like an impoverished school district or an unstable family situation,
school for the blind might make sense only in the short term to learn
specific blindness skills. I agree with others that the best quality
of education will usually come from a public school. I also think that
having blind friends and mentors is incredibly important, but
fortunately there are many programs set up to provide those
opportunities outside of school, like camps, retreats and the NFB
summer programs like BELL and the training center youth programs.
Best, Arielle

On 2/7/16, Mikayla Gephart via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I have to disagree here. Some parents may just put their child in a school
> for the blind because it is for the blind. Maybe this discussion might help
> a parent who just happens to google something and this discussion comes up.
> Especially, I think that some parents may not understand that we can go to
> school with sighted friends go to college, and even become Scientists and
> Mathematicians.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Feb 7, 2016, at 2:34 PM, Christina Moore via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Agreed.
>> We all have our own opinions but ultimate the parent's know what is
>> best for thier children.
>>
>>
>>> On 2/7/16, Kayla James via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> You're right, Loren. It is a choice. Let's put this debate to bed,
>>> guys. How about it?
>>>
>>>> On 2/7/16, Loren Wakefield via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> So is that why a blind student must be accompanied by an aide in the
>>>> public
>>>> schools?  I received a damn good education at Iowa Braille and Sight
>>>> Saving
>>>> School.  At the time, it was far superior to what I would have received
>>>> in
>>>> my own town.
>>>>
>>>> So in my humble opinion, it comes down to what works best for the
>>>> individual
>>>> student.  Since leaving IBSSS, I have acquired a college education, a
>>>> Wife,
>>>> kids, and grandkids, along with many other things that has made life
>>>> extremely interesting.
>>>>
>>>> I have yet to see kids coming out of public schools that are any closer
>>>> to
>>>> being prepared for life than I was.
>>>>
>>>> Having said this, I do believe it should be a choice.  One should not
>>>> be
>>>> forced to attend one or the other.  If the public school setting works
>>>> better for you, than get in there and kick butt and get all you can.
>>>> If
>>>> the
>>>> state school works better for you, then do the same.  Just remember, no
>>>> school system is perfect.
>>>>
>>>> Loren
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Angela via
>>>> nabs-l
>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2016 8:32 AM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Cc: angelaroberts10886 at gmail.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>>>
>>>> I honestly think that Blind Schools shelter students, and don't prepare
>>>> them
>>>> for the real world.  I went to public school until my 11th grade year
>>>> of
>>>> school, and I'm regretting even going to a blind school.
>>>> The academics is way behind for high school.  Like some have said, I
>>>> feel
>>>> like blind schools baby and give students everything without questions
>>>> asked, therefore they expect tmhe sighted world to do the same.  How
>>>> can
>>>> one
>>>> develop self advocacy skills when they are handed everything without
>>>> having
>>>> to fight for it?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>>> On Feb 6, 2016, at 11:11 PM, Kayla James via nabs-l
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Lol. I'm not the only one who gets irritated? Boss awesome!
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2/6/16, Doug Oliver via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> Danielle I agree with you I have had people do the "your so amazing"
>>>>>> comments too and it irritated me too I know what that's like.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Danielle Sykora via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Cc: "Danielle Sykora" <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2016 9:59 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As someone who has only been to public school, I am extremely
>>>>>>> greatful that my education was in this setting. Although it was
>>>>>>> challenging at times, I'm glad I was in "the real world" from the
>>>>>>> beginning. Though most of my work was available, accessibility
>>>>>>> challenges were always an unfortunate but unavoidable part of life I
>>>>>>> learned to deal with long ago. Most people viewed me as "that blind
>>>>>>> girl", but honestly, this is how it usually is as a minority. A
>>>>>>> similar hierarchy exists among blind people as it does in your
>>>>>>> average school environment. I'm not an overly social person, so it
>>>>>>> doesn't make a huge difference to me--I don't deal with people who
>>>>>>> have a superiority complex and I'm perfectly happy with just a few
>>>>>>> close
>>>> friends. The "your so amazing"
>>>>>>> comments irritate me to no end and I actually tend to discredit
>>>>>>> compliments as products of low expectations, so I'm not sure the
>>>>>>> sense of entitlement happens all that often. Most importantly
>>>>>>> though, I needed to be in an academically challenging environment
>>>>>>> that I'm not sure is always available in a residential school for
>>>>>>> the blind. For example, how many AP science classes would be
>>>>>>> available in one of these schools?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Danielle
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, Vejas Vasiliauskas via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I feel like as a public school student and you are blind, lots of
>>>>>>>> people are amazed by you and you may get a false sense of
>>>>>>>> entitlement.  Particularly in elementary school 'I'm sure a lot of
>>>>>>>> people can relate to th', you get paired with friends who are there
>>>>>>>> to help you at lunch and recess--as you get older this of course
>>>>>>>> doesn't happen, and it can be a shock to some people.
>>>>>>>> I can say now that as a student at LCB I am not "The Blind Kid",
>>>>>>>> and there are groups here, but friends choose each other based on
>>>>>>>> much more meaningful reasons.
>>>>>>>> Vejas
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>> From: Kayla James via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sat, 6 Feb 2016 21:12:47 -0600
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From someone who has done both, there isn't a whole lot of
>>>>>>>> difference.
>>>>>>>> In public school, you will be the "blind" kid, new, and people will
>>>>>>>> be scared of you, but it helps you deal more with the real world
>>>>>>>> where you are a minority in a sense.  Residential blind schools are
>>>>>>>> like public schools, you'll be the "blind" kid there, too, and
>>>>>>>> depending on the hierarchy, because let's face it there is one,
>>>>>>>> that can be good or bad.
>>>>>>>> The popular kids are usually visually impaired, athletic, pretty,
>>>>>>>> you name it.  Totals are in on it, too.  The pros: you are around
>>>>>>>> your own set, if you will.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, Christina Moore via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I believe both settings have thier benefits and disadvantages.
>>>>>>>> I attended a school for the blind from 2-4 grade and was a
>>>>>>>> residental student.  I did not mind in any not being at home and
>>>>>>>> being at the school for the blind allowed me to be around other
>>>>>>>> kids, advance my braille skills, learn some other necessary skills
>>>>>>>> and gain self-confidence I would not otherwise have had.
>>>>>>>> Once I entered public school in fifth grade it waws a hurtle for me
>>>>>>>> to do math and to accept being in a public school because my whole
>>>>>>>> world was different.  My school was learning how to help me as they
>>>>>>>> were going and that was challenging at time.  It was not thier
>>>>>>>> fault, but it was still challenging.  I did well though and am in
>>>>>>>> college now.
>>>>>>>> I believe both experiences have their advantages and disadvantages.
>>>>>>>> For instance, there is more self-advocacy, need to prove yourself
>>>>>>>> to classmates Etc.  in a school that is public versus a school that
>>>>>>>> catters to blindness.  Everyone in my opinion should have an
>>>>>>>> experience of starting out in a school for the blind in some way
>>>>>>>> and then they should be transitioned into a public school where
>>>>>>>> they finish thier education.
>>>>>>>> Just my thoughts.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, jessica hodges via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I believe schools for the blind can have some benefits.  If you go
>>>>>>>> there as a residential student, depending on the school, and the
>>>>>>>> quality of education, you can get a lot of skills that can serve
>>>>>>>> you very well in life after graduation, if you keep practicing
>>>>>>>> them.  However, I believe that a student should also have some
>>>>>>>> public school exposure, to teach self advicasy, as well as how to
>>>>>>>> cope when things when all materials and experiences are not
>>>>>>>> accessible, and optimized for blindness.
>>>>>>>> The issue
>>>>>>>> that I find with blind schools is that they basically hand the
>>>>>>>> students the world on a silver platter.  They don't have to fight
>>>>>>>> for anything, make due with anything that isn't perfectly
>>>>>>>> accessible, and so have no exposure in how to deal with things in
>>>>>>>> the "real world," outside the sphere of the blind school.  I went
>>>>>>>> to a blind school from my third to sixth grade year, and was home
>>>>>>>> schooled through seventh grade, so I struggled integrating back
>>>>>>>> into the school system, particularly in math, trying to adapt to a
>>>>>>>> visually taught class and things.  I also didn't stay at the
>>>>>>>> school, so I did not learn half of the skills that I could have.
>>>>>>>>      In conclusion, I believe it is good to give students
>>>>>>>> experience in both public, and blind school settings.
>>>>>>>> Hope this helps.
>>>>>>>> Jessica
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2/6/2016 4:42 PM, Roanna Bacchus via nabs-l wrote:
>>>>>>>> Good evening Students,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have a question for all of you.  What are the advantages and
>>>>>>>> disadvantages of attending a residential school for the blind vs a
>>>>>>>> public school? I could not handle being away from my family during
>>>>>>>> the week.  As a toddler I attended the Early Intervention program
>>>>>>>> at the Perkins School For The Blind.  I'd like to hear your
>>>>>>>> thoughts on this topic.
>>>>>>>>
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