[nagdu] Fw: RE: A question about O&M training

Sat Jun 19 23:38:45 UTC 2010

I'm just learning about all this, so, no, I wasnt aware of the instructors
teaching on their own. I gather that the state fired them all, when it took
apart the VR, as you can see in the letter I got, so that writer is going to
see if any are still doing it or interested in teaching. It will depend on
if medicaid will pay for freelance lessons, though. 

Dumb question, but what is VI? Hadnt run across that term before. 

Thats good to know that medicaid will pay for the trip to KC...that is a
long, tiring haul from here, and I'm *not* the 27 year old I used to be,
doing airport runs there 3-4 times a day for my college. Even then, it could
be hairy- one time doing the run 5 times in one day, and finding I was so
tired that I had the hammer down and doing almost 90 mph on the long smooth
part into MO.!

Yes, I applied earlier this week to GDB- filled out their online application
 that is. I havent called them since then, but I'm in touch with one of
their Alumni Association, and with one of their staff that does psych
evaluations. (was concerned about that, because of my history of PTSD and
depression). So I hadn't thought to call yet, till I had gotten their
paperwork, assuming they send it out when the application is made online? In
one way, I want to hurry it ASAP, but I also know I have to be in better
physical shape than I am presently. So I go on my little walks every day,
hoping that soon God will again allow me to have a new four footed friend
who will be there to keep me safe and share my life. 

Gail 

-------Original Message------- 

From: Steve Johnson 
Date: 6/19/2010 5:54:12 PM 
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fw: RE: A question about O&M training 

Gail, 

It is not uncommon for O&M instructors to do free lance work outside of 
Their regular work as mentioned in the email. We are facing the exact same 
Situation here in our area, but through our CESA, Cooperative Education 
Service Agency, we are able to do exactly that. Additionally, if you have a 
School district where an O&M or VI instructor do this, you may want to 
Contact them as well as they might also provide free-lance work. As far as 
Funding goes, have you connected with your VR agency for this service? 

Julie is exactly right in stating that M.A. Or Medicaid/Medical Assistance 
Does provide transportation for medical appointments. I believe this is a 
Regulation within the larger Federal M.A. Scope. Contact your County human 
Service agency to get this coordinated. I work closely with our M.A. 
Transportation coordinator as a professional, and they can indeed help you. 

BTW, have you submitted any applications to any dog guide schools yet to see

If they would accept you? This might be more efficient as then they can 
Tell you what you will need as far as medical documention on your visual 
Acuity. Julie's advice is definitely solid here. 

The best of luck to you, 

Steve 
-----Original Message----- 
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
Of Gail 
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 4:34 PM 
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org 
Subject: [nagdu] Fw: RE: A question about O&M training 

Thought you all might be interested in the state of things here in Kansas. 
This is a couple of letters, in my tracking down O&M training here. 

Gail 

-------Original Message------- 

From: Dennis Rogers 
Date: 6/18/2010 7:57:14 AM 
To: Gail 
Cc: Sandra Andrews; Dennis Rogers 
Subject: RE: A question about O&M training 

Thank you for thinking of us. I will ask our staff to assess referral 
Sources for your specific situation. We closed the Rehabilitation Center 
For the Blind and Visually Impaired in Topeka, moving out May 26, 2010. 
Kansas Rehabilitation Services administered that Program, and we are in the 
Process of developing a statewide provision of services, to include 
Addressing O & M need. 

Kansas Rehabilitation Services and Services for the Blind no longer have 
Certified O & M staff. Both of our most recent instructors have taken other 
Employment. Both of them live in Topeka, but I do not know if they are 
Providing training outside of their current employment. We can contact that 
Person to see is she is going to provide such service, and if so what that 
Cost would be. 

I will ask Sandra Andrews to make a preliminary contact with you to see if 
You are eligible for any of our programs, or to provide referral assistance 
That we are aware of. 

Please send us your phone number and address, and Sandra will contact you. 

Thank you and good luck. Let us see if we can help. 

Dennis D. Rogers 

Dennis D. Rogers, JD, SPHR 
Administrator, Kansas Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Kansas 
Rehabilitation Services Social and Rehabilitation Services Docking State 
Office Building 
915 SW Harrison 
9th Floor, North 
Topeka, KS 66612 

Dennis.Rogers at srs.ks.gov 
785-296-2717 
Fax: 785-3687467 

New Address Effective 5-26-10 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gail [mailto:deerskin at oct.net] 
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:46 PM 
To: Dennis Rogers 
Subject: A question about O&M training 

Hello! 

I was given your email by Sandy Tigges, of the Iowa Department of the Blind,

and it is my hope that you can answer a question or two. 

I was recently diagnosed as legally blind with glaucoma and cataract 
beginnings, along with some other issues causing me a great deal of trouble 
in getting around. For many years, I had trained my own service dogs with 
guide dog tasks, but my last dog retired herself some time ago, and frankly,

I've been very afraid when I have tried to go out without her help. I have 
functional vision, but cant tell if the things in my path are something I 
may fall over/into, something I could slip on.. No depth perception, since I

can only use only one eye at a time. I use forearm crutches for balance, 
since I also have Meniere's disease, and the slight vertigo gives me a 
feeling of unsteadiness. When I had service dogs, I used only the right one,

since the pull of the dog on the harness was the perfect counterbalance to 
the vertigo. But with the retirement of my service dog, I have to creep 
along, feeling things out with the left crutch, and balancing with the right

With my recent diagnosis,I knew I wanted to get, if at all possible, a guide

dog, and I knew that, to do that, I needed to have Orientation and Mobility 
training. I asked for one of the NFB's free canes, and began trying to track

down teachers in O&M. I was very shocked when I called the Kansas State 
Department of the Blind, and found that this training no longer seems to 
exist....the officials I spoke to sounded as if I were asking for something 
they had never heard of, certainly they were of no help in finding someone 
who trains folk in O&M. 

After over a week of emails and calls around the state and the country, to 
various individuals and organisations, on the advice of friends on the NAGDU

guide dog owners email list, I have done as much reading and study on my own

of the use of the long travel cane, and have started going for short walks 
in my neighbourhood, trying to learn on my own. Far from what I would wish, 
but I dont seem to have any options. That is why I write to you, in hopes 
that you may know of who I can go do for proper training. I would appreciate

it very much, since, even in the little time I have spent using a long cane,

I can tell it is SO much easier to go along at a pace closer to what once 
was normal for me, than creeping along with both crutches, feeling with the 
left one. 

I hope that you can help me locate an O&M trainer, or give me clues that 
will help me in my search. 

Thank you very much! 

Gail Nichols 
St.Marys, Kansas 

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