[nfb-db] HKNC

[Scott Davert]

If major city travel relates to your vocational goal somehow, you may be able to get an instructor to go into Manhattan with you. Sands point is a lame area with nothing worth anything for someone who is deaf-blind. Long Islanders may love talking on their cellphones, but can't do so in Sands Point because no towers will reliably get out there. But Port Waington will give you suburbean travel at least. Even a cellphone signal.

Sent from my iPhone

On May 23, 2013, at 2:17 PM, Patricia Hubschman <palhub at optonline.net> wrote:

> Marsha,
>  
> GDF in  Smithtown is on Middle Country Rd.  Its surrounded by car   dealerships.    I live 2 towns away from Smithtown where GDF is.
> My husband works 6 exits West of us on the Long Island Expressway.    During rush hour, it takes him 45  minutes to get to work.  Of course, you won’t be going near the LIE, unless you’re on a  Handicapped bus and . 
> HKNC is above a town called Port Washington.  The main roads are one and two lane and chock full of cars.   Long Islanders love cell  phones and  driving while talking on them attached to their ear, so pedestrians, and I’m sure hKNC staff, tell students to be super duper careful.   Most stret   corners have  street signs that say no right no red.    That’s good. 
> LI isn’t a big city like Philly, but my personal opinion is that it’s easier to cross streets in Manhattan. 
> Sands Point is a hilly area,  but I don’t think therea re any stores there, so there probably isn’t as much traffic.   I lived on  Central LI most of my life, moved out to Eastern lI a few years ago, but have been up to HKNC a few times.  I’m in fact trying to get my case reopened so I can see the audi up there.
>  
> Trish
>  
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 1:48 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] HKNC
>  
> trish, 
> I live in Philadelphia. I recieved my guide dog from GDF on LI. But can you explain what you mean about phenomenal traffic? Because I live in a big city, I want to travel in a big city with lots of traffic. In other words if I go to HKNC for training, I am assuming I will that type of training because of the traffic already there. 
>  
> thanks, 
> 
> Marsha drenth  
> Sent with my IPhone 
> 
> On May 23, 2013, at 11:26 AM, Patricia Hubschman <palhub at optonline.net> wrote:
> 
> One thing Scott didn’t add.  I’m mentioning it because  Montana, I would  guess is very different than Long Island.
> I  live on L.I.
> The traffic here is phenomenal.   I think HKNC is in Sands Point because it’s residential and probably safer.
> It is a beautiful campus.
>  
> Trish
>  
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sheila Leigland
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 10:45 AM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] HKNC
>  
> thanks for the information. 
> at least I'll know what to expect and the truth is here in 
> great falls Montana we have a number of areas with no sidewalks and we also have many parking lots that we cross. Thanks for your honesty, it is appreciated.
> On 5/23/2013 7:05 AM, Scott Davert wrote:
> Hi all.
> I’ve been debating whether to reply to this message, since it may be a
> conflict of interest, or I could be accused as such, since I now work
> at HKNC. However, the below comments are what I experienced as a
> student, and not as someone in my current position working in 2
> different departments.
> I would agree with the assessment that HKNC sometimes doesn’t
> challenge their students enough, and it’s really up to the individual
> to push themselves. I have no problems pushing myself, so I was able
> to thrive in this environment for the most part. As I was fairly
> adjusted to my blindness skills, most of the focus was placed on
> compensatory methods for dealing with my hearing loss. For example, a
> street crossing card to facilitate the crossing of streets, a
> vibrating timer to alert me to when something is done cooking, being
> introduced to the vibracall system for alerts to things like the smoke
> alarm going off, doorbell, etc. I also learned communication related
> things as far as getting new hearing aids, methods of using my FM
> system more effectively, etc. But it’s really what you make it. The
> worst thing you can do is go to HKNC, without specific goals in mind.
> Though I’d say it’s best to have specific goals in mind when using any
> training program if at all possible.
> Also with technology, I was able to try out a lot of the latest
> braille displays to see what notetaker and/or display I wanted. This
> was in 2006, so the tech landscape is much different than it was then,
> but I was able to try out several different things currently on the
> market, and figure out what I liked best. HKNC was then able to put in
> a recommendation to my state to get me what I needed to help me
> complete graduate school after I left here.
> The other good point about HKNC is that you will get 1 on 1 time with
> instructors more so than what you’d get at other training facilities.
> In general, group classes are not something HKNC does. For an
> individual who has both vision and hearing issues, this makes the
> learning process go much more smoothly for a variety of reasons. At
> least, in my observation and personal experience.
> Most training facilities have their good and bad points, HKNC is not
> without it’s bad points. The first is that you really need to not let
> some of the people treat you like you’re not an adult. Some people,
> myself included as a student, had to put certain people in their
> place. Part of the reason for this is that there are some students who
> have other disabilities or lack of social awareness and so they need
> assistance in this area. Sometimes, certain instructors seem to forget
> that there are those among us who get along in society and who can
> take responsibility for ourselves. This is something I’m working with
> other deaf-blind staff to try and address. Another disadvantage is
> that HKNC is located in a very isolated area. No sidewalks, no
> paratransit to take you from HKNC to the nearest town, etc. You can
> take a cab to get to a place where paratransit will pick you up, or to
> the train station a few miles away where you can go in to the city,
> which is a good travel experience for those needing it. Often times
> those who teach mobility need more time to do things because they have
> to travel further than a facility located in a city. By far, this is a
> terrible place for a rehab agency.
> As for the NFB’s stance on such a place, well, I wouldn’t take any
> organization’s stance on anything seriously, because they’re not you,
> and so they cannot know what is best for you. Only you know that. For
> example, I know lots of people who go to places like LCB, CCB, or even
> some sate rehab facilities who find one environment much more suitable
> than the other. The best you can do is what you are now--- ask
> questions of others who have been to these various places and decide
> what would be the best situation for you as a person.
> I hope this post is informative, and I hope it helps give you a
> balanced view of things.
>  
> Scott
>  
> On 5/23/13, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Everyone:
>  
> First, I want to say I am very disappointed by how many of you have
> been treated at conventions and such by the NFB.
> I have never had this experience of being treated rudely. I am
> saddened to learn of this, because I love the NFB, and it's positive
> philosophy, and I think everyone should be able to enjoy it and
> participate in the organization.
> I have a question. I have been selected to attend a leadership seminar
> at the National center next week. Apparently, htis seminar is for
> young, up and coming leaders. It is by invitation only, and I was
> recomended by my state president and so was invited.
> What can I do as a young leader to help combat this problem in the
> federation? It is wrong people are being treated this way and if
> someone wants to go to convention they should be able to and have full
> access to the information!! What can I do to help with this?
> The way people have been treated by federationists is wrong, and
> ridiculous!!
> Marsha and everyone, please don't give up. The more of us who become
> leaders and stand up and make our voices heard, the more the NFB will
> have to wake up and listen. We must not give up. We must make our
> voices heard.
> Marsha, as for your question, I just recently attended training. I
> decided to attend LCB because I felt they pushed their students and
> challenged them more than HKNC does. I am not against HKNC, I just
> didn't think it would push and challenge me the way LCB would. I had a
> very positive experience at LCB, and I learned many techniques for
> communicating to compensate for my hearing loss. I also learned how to
> get assistance/use a sign to get assistance in crossing streets. They
> also taught me how to mental map, use the sun, cardinal directions,
> and we worked a ton on communication.
> I also wonder what the NFB's position is on HKNC. I 
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