[nfb-db] affiliate president's survey of deaf-blind

Wed Jul 17 01:11:18 UTC 2013

I guess I've a few things to say in response to your message one you assert that anyone who is gone through and into the center, and/or is currently in one is functioning at a higher level than anyone else? I guess let me state a thought that I have always held I am certainly not a super blind person. I am a person who just so happens to be blind and although able to hear depending on the situation less, or more of what is going on around me. I view it is up to me, to explain to people around me and/or with me what I do and don't wish, or need in the way of assistance. I also remember when I lived in Colorado a fairly lengthy discussion about paratransit versus using the fixed route system. The reason why I am mentioning this instance here is to show that not everyone in the NFC believes that independence must trump everything even when there is the risk of harm to oneself. I was at a deaf blind seminar and Diane McGeorge stated that it's really up to us whether we feel comfortable with the fixed route bus system or paratransit depending on if we can hear the route or not and whether we feel safe in taking that particular route. I guess sitting through that conversation made me feel a whole lot more comfortable with taking their transit these days in many instances as opposed to the fixed route system since I can only hear very well on one side. For instance if the traffic is going with where I have the most hearing and it's probably going to be in a straight line and the bus goes where I am going to go anyway that I'll probably take the fixed route system but if I'm going to a place where the means of getting there has the traffic on the site that I'm quite nearly deaf on I will certainly take the paratransit option. I guess what I'm trying to get at here is independence is what you decide it is to you and for your circumstances. And as to speak to your comments regarding into the training centers and a graduate of the Colorado Center for the blind. And sure when I was there some things needed to be modified to accommodate the situation that my hearing can put me in and those on modifications were pretty much done on a case-by-case basis. I think if you attend any of these center it's up to you to explain what you do need and what you don't need in terms of modifying the activity that you're doing yes even if he does promote independence strongly but I don't think anyone looks down on anyone if they have to do something in a different way based on being deaf blind. So simply saying that there are lower-level functioning people in higher-level functioning people I would take some issue with that don't sell yourself short? At least find a way to safely try something and see if it will work for you before automatically assuming that it is not possible. Just my two cents worth. Let me finish my email post up this way if you have questions about what NSB centers can, and cannot accommodate wind out how to contact all three of them and talk to their directors at least from what I know in Colorado Julie Deaton is happy to talk with prospective students need. And I don't think based on what I've heard that the director of blinding and/or the Louisiana Center does things any differently. I hope this helps? All we can do is continue reaching out to each other and asking the questions and see what the answers are.Sincerely Maurice mines secretary national Federation of the blind of Washington Clark County chapter. Amateur radio call sign kd0iko. Phone 360-524-0791.
On Jul 15, 2013, at 6:59 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:

> Danielle, 
> I am very glad to hear that mentors were so accomendating. I also think its great that you had fellow scholarship winners help. I am sure its a huge honor for you to have won a scholarship. 
> 
> I guess I am sstill a little leary. Here is the dilemna, the NFB promotes independence. How does a deafblind person who has to use the services of an SSP? does the NFB consider this as independent? In their defination, a deafblind person like that would not be independent, because that person was relying on the assistance of a SSP. Now I don't think it should be this way. See for some reason I am easily to say that because a person who has a moderator hearing loss, can still just be a blind person. But a person who is profoundly hearing impaired, is deafblind. In this case deafblind has a negative meaning. Because we are lower, we are not as independent, because we are not just a blind person, because we might need help from an SSP. Just like in any disablity group there are different levels. Blind persons who go to the NFB centers, are considered to be the upper level of blind people. Blind people who do not, of course then do not have the same training, or Ie Independence, whether or not that person neds to go to a NFB center, but because of all that, that person is lower on the chain. Because a deafblind person has different abilities, needs to use different techniques, is not just a blind person, nor can go to a NFB center, that person is lower on the chain. Granted I am talking about those of us who are severely to profoundlly deaf, who need assistances more than just someone repeating speech. This same thing happens in the other disabled community. If you have one leg amputation, is considered to be more of a person, than a person who who must use a wheelchair because of a double amputation. Again, don't get me wrong, I do not think it should be this way. I am stating obversations, and my own opinion only. I think its these levels we should be breaking down. 
> 
> This is all way way beyound the fact that I won't ever win a scholarship, because again, in the eyes of the NFB I am not worthy. 
> 
> Marsha drenth  
> Sent with my IPhone 
> 
> On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Danielle Burton <danielleburton94 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hi, Marsha. My name's Danielle burton. I'm one of the deaf-blind scholarship winners. I'm not sure who the other one was unless they were mistakenough and seen me a couple times. I am totally blind with mild hearing loss in my left ear and moderate in my right. I wear hearing aids for both ears. I do not use sign or an SSP but during Convention sometimes my friend who was also a scholarship winner would have to repeat what was being said because the speaker was too far away from me. Also, when I was with my mentors I would explain that they needed to stay close to me because I wouldn't hear them in crowds. They were all very understanding and we would minstly stay in contact with each other while using canes. They also made a point to find places that were quieter to eat so that I could hear better. 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Jul 15, 2013, at 7:59 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Janice,
>>> I am so very very hapy to hear about this. I remember hearing on the stream of the general session that Alaska, was deafblind. I also noticed that Dr. Mauer was not very nice in giving the ALaska person to respond. This made me mad. How inconsiderate. I know of 4 federationists in my state who are DB, I know of other DB people, who are not NFB'ers too. I am glad that the search for more DB persons is being done. I am curious about the scholarship winners, who were the DB winners? How much or little hearing did they have? Did they need an SSp? I wonder if a person who was totally blind and deaf, who required an SSP would be given the chance to be a scholarship winner. I also wonder if there is some discimination in the scholarship process in this regard. 
>>> 
>>> Marsha drenth  
>>> Sent with my IPhone 
>>> 
>>> On Jul 15, 2013, at 12:07 PM, Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi Everyone,
>>>> I wanted to let you know that the Deaf-Blind Division gave letters to all 51 Affiliate president's or alternate delegates asking their cooperation in identifying deaf-blind in their state.  We learned that Alaska Affiliate president was Deaf-Blind and required an SSP to during session to respond.  Also the Alternate Delegate for Delaware was also Deaf-Blind.  There were several other states affiliate who had spouses that were Deaf-Blind. Finally, two of the Nationally Scholarship winners were Deaf-Blind.  While HKNC does compile a list of Deaf-Blind in the United States, the division is specifically looking for a Federationists, who are Deaf-Blind.
>>>> Janice
>>>> 
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