[nfb-db] Immersion in ASL
Catherine Miller
guillcat at gmail.com
Sat Nov 9 03:34:40 UTC 2013
Hi Marsha, I'm sorry to take so long to answer your question about where I learned ASL. It was Louisiana Career Development Center for the Deaf and Deaf-Blind, more commonly referred to as LCDC, in Baton Rouge. It's my understanding, though, that LCDC is no longer in existence. Cathy
Sent from my iPad
> On Nov 8, 2013, at 6:00 AM, nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (Randy Pope)
> 2. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (Randy Pope)
> 3. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (Marsha Drenth)
> 4. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (DELCINA M BROWN)
> 5. While at HKNC (Marsha Drenth)
> 6. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (DELCINA M BROWN)
> 7. hearing aid (Patricia Hubschman)
> 8. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (Scott Davert)
> 9. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (Marsha Drenth)
> 10. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (DELCINA M BROWN)
> 11. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (Kerri Kosten)
> 12. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (Scott Davert)
> 13. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (DELCINA M BROWN)
> 14. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (Kerri Kosten)
> 15. Re: Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
> (Randy Pope)
> 16. Re: My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
> (The Pawpower Pack)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 09:06:31 -0500
> From: "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org>
> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <006001cedbc2$9b45e2f0$d1d1a8d0$@aadb.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I'm interesting in this group. Too often my request to participate in these
> HAVA group is rejected because my situation does not apply.
>
> Randy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:29 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>
> Hello all.
> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I don't, as
> of yet, have details on where we would go to participate, but I will have
> them tomorrow if people are interested.
>
> Dear Scott,
>
> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>
> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online chat, a
> focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face in
> casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of personal
> access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove these barriers.
> This information will be provided to voting technology researchers and
> developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in December 2013.
>
> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
> We need your input so that we can work with election technology researchers
> and developers to design voting systems that will enable deaf-blind citizens
> to vote privately and independently! Please feel free to contact me if you
> have any questions. I have attached the focus group agenda for your
> information.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Lou Ann
>
>
>
> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>
> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>
> Jernigan Institute
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>
> 200 East Wells Street
>
> at Jernigan Place
>
> Baltimore, MD 21230
>
> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>
> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>
> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>
> Web site: www.nfb.org
>
>
>
> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>
>
>
> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>
> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>
> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call
> 1-855-659-9314.
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 10:33:23 -0500
> From: "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org>
> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID: <00c101cedbce$b2a692d0$17f3b870$@aadb.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hey Scott,
>
> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the Rochester
> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have the
> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>
> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL somehow.
> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other method
> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
> students, successfully,
>
> Randy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
>
> Hi marsha.
> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very recently
> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones. People
> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester method,
> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>
> Scott
>
>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Gene,
>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get done.
>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>> Keep us updated.
>>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and my
> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>> blind.
>>>
>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>
>>>> Maurice,
>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is the
> best.
>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member, or
> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>
>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
> are better.
>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>
>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
> similar but different.
>>>>
>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>
>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
> yourself.
>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is apparently
> be only game in town.
>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness were
> just great blindness.
>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 11:06:13 -0500
> From: Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID: <11996367-89A3-42F3-B23C-B37A55A9FDEC at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Randy,
> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very curiously.
>
>
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone
>
>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hey Scott,
>>
>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the Rochester
>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have the
>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>
>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL somehow.
>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other method
>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>> students, successfully,
>>
>> Randy
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
>>
>> Hi marsha.
>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very recently
>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones. People
>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester method,
>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>
>> Scott
>>
>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Gene,
>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get done.
>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>> Keep us updated.
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and my
>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>> blind.
>>>>
>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>
>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>
>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is the
>> best.
>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member, or
>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>
>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
>> are better.
>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>> similar but different.
>>>>>
>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>
>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
>> yourself.
>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is apparently
>> be only game in town.
>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness were
>> just great blindness.
>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----
>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 12:32:21 -0500
> From: "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <1857E0F440EA46868ED53BFB1AF421F1 at johne38069127c>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Hello,
> I am very interested in this meeting. Also, I too will like to know more
> about the method of rochester.
> Thanks
> Delcenia
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Davert" <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:28 PM
> Subject: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>
>
>> Hello all.
>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>
>> Dear Scott,
>>
>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>
>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face
>> in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of
>> personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove
>> these barriers. This information will be provided to voting technology
>> researchers and developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in
>> December 2013.
>>
>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Lou Ann
>>
>>
>>
>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>
>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>
>> Jernigan Institute
>>
>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>
>> 200 East Wells Street
>>
>> at Jernigan Place
>>
>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>
>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>
>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>
>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>
>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>
>>
>>
>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>
>>
>>
>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>
>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>
>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 13:24:20 -0500
> From: Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nfb-db] While at HKNC
> Message-ID: <69FEB174-6156-4446-B369-F2BC85C36FEB at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi everyone,
> While I am HKNC for my training, I will be actively blogging. If you would like to read, please go to www.marshadrenth.com
> Even though I give an indepth look into my life, I try very very hard to keep others who are in my life, those who I meet, private in my entries. I write this blog to educate, to keep people up to date on my life and just to explain the difficult with deafblindness.
> Your welcome to read, and your welcome to subscribe to my feed. Please leave comments if you have them.
> Thanks,
>
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 14:09:01 -0500
> From: "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <88BA5C4D1B6F4EB8A9EB3FF5F13F61E9 at johne38069127c>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Hi,
> if you do not mind me asking. Why can't you?
> Delcenia
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>
>
>> Too bad I won't be available to take part in this focus group, oh well
>> maybe next time!
>>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 6, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello all.
>>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>>
>>> Dear Scott,
>>>
>>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>>
>>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face
>>> in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of
>>> personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove
>>> these barriers. This information will be provided to voting technology
>>> researchers and developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in
>>> December 2013.
>>>
>>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lou Ann
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>>
>>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>>
>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>
>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>
>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>>
>>> at Jernigan Place
>>>
>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>>
>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>>
>>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>>
>>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>>
>>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>>
>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>
>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>>> <11-12-13 Deaf-Blind Focus Group Agenda.docx>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:14:37 -0500
> From: Patricia Hubschman <palhub at optonline.net>
> To: DB-CNet at googlegroups.com
> Cc: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List' <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nfb-db] hearing aid
> Message-ID: <001e01cedbf5$fc079970$f416cc50$@net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I went up to HKNC totday to see the audiologist.
> Can'nt stsand the revolving door at the entrance of the centel.
> The good news is the hearing in my right, non-CI ear hasn't changed
> since 2008, when she last tested me.
> It hasn't gotten worse, I'm definitely hearing in that ear.
> I did great with the beeps, though speech isn't too good in that ear,
> Sounds scratchy. I am trying a HA though, almost state of the art. IIts
> very loud in here.
> But I'm going to give it my best shot. I go back on December 5th to try
> the next one up the line,
> Which only came out this past Sunday and the audi doesn't have yet.
>
> Trish
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20131107/9f63bb2c/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 17:03:53 -0500
> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID:
> <CAOHXxEaT5Cjp+M0STryO--gnxqVHakXf32eLw=JZV=n6e5Ptag at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hello all.
> We're going through the process of rethinking this method of
> communication. The long and short of it is that we did some playing
> with it today, and have all come to the conclusion that it may be a
> significant challenge to those less technically oriented. It does
> work, even though it's Java based, but there are some major issues
> with it. I've suggested we do this as a survey or that we have a
> discussion on a mailing list. The idea of a conference call was
> mentioned, but I think it's not a good one. Trying to conduct a
> conference call via IP-Relay is doable if you're in a group of people
> who understand it and if you are a fast braille/print reader, but not
> otherwise. Will update you all once I have more info.
>
> thanks,
> Scott
>
>> On 11/7/13, DELCINA M BROWN <delcenia at prodigy.net> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> if you do not mind me asking. Why can't you?
>> Delcenia
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
>> voting
>>
>>
>>> Too bad I won't be available to take part in this focus group, oh well
>>> maybe next time!
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 6, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello all.
>>>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>>>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>>>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>>>
>>>> Dear Scott,
>>>>
>>>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>>>
>>>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>>>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>>>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>>>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face
>>>> in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of
>>>> personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove
>>>> these barriers. This information will be provided to voting technology
>>>> researchers and developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in
>>>> December 2013.
>>>>
>>>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>>>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>>>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>>>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>>>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>>>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>>>
>>>> Best regards,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>>>
>>>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>>>
>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>
>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>
>>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>>>
>>>> at Jernigan Place
>>>>
>>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>>>
>>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>>>
>>>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>>>
>>>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>>>
>>>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>>>
>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>
>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>>>> <11-12-13 Deaf-Blind Focus Group Agenda.docx>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 18:27:09 -0500
> From: Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <54287845-5483-4A03-8936-5F032A0A9715 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> I don't mind saying why I can't participate. I will be on the road, traveling up to HK for training.
>
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone
>
>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 2:09 PM, "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>> if you do not mind me asking. Why can't you?
>> Delcenia
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>>
>>
>>> Too bad I won't be available to take part in this focus group, oh well maybe next time!
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 6, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello all.
>>>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>>>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>>>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>>>
>>>> Dear Scott,
>>>>
>>>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>>>
>>>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>>>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>>>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>>>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face
>>>> in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of
>>>> personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove
>>>> these barriers. This information will be provided to voting technology
>>>> researchers and developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in
>>>> December 2013.
>>>>
>>>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>>>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>>>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>>>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>>>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>>>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>>>
>>>> Best regards,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>>>
>>>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>>>
>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>
>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>
>>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>>>
>>>> at Jernigan Place
>>>>
>>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>>>
>>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>>>
>>>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>>>
>>>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>>>
>>>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>>>
>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>
>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>>>> <11-12-13 Deaf-Blind Focus Group Agenda.docx>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 19:43:28 -0500
> From: "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <1069B83010A449A1A71767471016D001 at johne38069127c>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Thanks for answering the question. As you know I am new to this list.
> However, I did read your info and I wish you all the best.
> Keep pressing on!
> Delcenia
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 6:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>
>
>> I don't mind saying why I can't participate. I will be on the road,
>> traveling up to HK for training.
>>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 2:09 PM, "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>> if you do not mind me asking. Why can't you?
>>> Delcenia
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marsha Drenth"
>>> <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:52 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
>>> voting
>>>
>>>
>>>> Too bad I won't be available to take part in this focus group, oh well
>>>> maybe next time!
>>>>
>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 6, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello all.
>>>>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>>>>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>>>>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Scott,
>>>>>
>>>>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>>>>
>>>>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>>>>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>>>>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>>>>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently face
>>>>> in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the types of
>>>>> personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that could remove
>>>>> these barriers. This information will be provided to voting technology
>>>>> researchers and developers during a seminar hosted by the NFB in
>>>>> December 2013.
>>>>>
>>>>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>>>>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>>>>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>>>>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>>>>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>>>>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>>>>
>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Lou Ann
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>>>>
>>>>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>>>>
>>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>>
>>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>>
>>>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>>>>
>>>>> at Jernigan Place
>>>>>
>>>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>>>>
>>>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>>>>
>>>>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>>>>
>>>>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>>>>
>>>>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>>>>
>>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>>
>>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>>>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>>>>> <11-12-13 Deaf-Blind Focus Group Agenda.docx>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 19:54:31 -0500
> From: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID:
> <CAM6GWxwcxjZ9Gu3Cy_5M35PkJq1eiY3vM5ZxTX3H5pfr4Quauw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi Everyone:
>
> I am one of those people who attended an NFB center and had a very
> positive experience. I attended LCB and graduated with a freedom bell
> on January 31.
> I was able to socially fit in fine. I made many friends.
> Of course, I was required to take all the classes but I mainly
> attended the center to work on my travel and cooking skills.
> I had probably the best travel instructor in the country. I loved how
> my instructor held me to such high expectations even with my hearing
> loss.
> In fact, when I first began attending LCB, I was very unaccepting of
> my hearing loss. I felt like I had a lot of hearing.
> It was through hours and hours of communication and patience by my
> travel instructor that I came to accept that I in fact do have severe
> hearing loss and it does affect my life, and I needed to accept it.
> I admired my travel instructor and wanted to be just like him/her. I
> worked as hard as I possibly could in that class.
> Since I am only able to cross streets with very little traffic with my
> hearing, and I can not reliably orient to traffic patterns, my
> instructor made me use a card/sign to get assistance from people to
> cross streets. I also used a braille compass and the compass on the
> Iphone for cardinal directions and I used cardinal directions to
> orient because I could not use traffic sounds.
> In the beginning, my instructor would make me go into businesses and I
> had to tell the person I was speaking with that I had hearing loss and
> to please give me verbal directions since I couldn't follow them by
> their voice alone. I hated hated hated having to tell people I had
> hearing loss but I gained confidence soon enough.
> Normally, when the instructors give students assignments, they are all
> walking and finding addresses. However, my instructor knew with my
> hearing loss I would need to use other forms of transportation to get
> to places so he/she would often give me assignments where I had to
> take a taxicab places. I also learned to hire a driver, and he/she
> even made me plan a trip to another city and I had to hire the driver
> and negotiate the times and pricing with the driver.
> I happened to be the only student with hearing loss when I attended,
> and once I began using the card/sign to cross streets, I was afraid
> the other students and staff wouldn't approve. But, one day I talked
> about it during seminar and everyone clapped and cheered for a route I
> was able to do independently by getting assistance across the streets.
> For my graduation route, I had to do an out of town route. I had to
> pick somewhere I wanted to go in another city, take the greyhound bus
> there, and then take a taxicab to my destination. I took the greyhound
> bus to a nearby city, and took a cab to the mall and navigated the
> mall all day.
> I went rock climbing, white water rafting, horse back riding, and to
> the NFB convention in Dallas with the center just to name a few
> things.
> I even got to participate in the LCB play at the 2012 NFB convention.
> I also performed in the Christmas play.
> I made a meal for 8 people and a meal for 40 people.
> A friend and I even independently planned a trip on our own and took a
> five-day trip from Louisiana to Oklahoma to attend a football game. I
> love sports so my friend and I attended three football games all in
> different states.
> It was a rough road, but in the end my training showed me that I can
> do anything and by using the techniques I learned and enough planning
> I feel I can travel anywhere.
> I loved my training at LCB and felt it was very positive.
> Were there rough times? Definitely.
> There were even times where I questioned whether LCB was for me. But
> in the end, when the nine months was up and I graduated with my
> freedom bell, it was all worth it and I knew I had made the right
> decision.
> I feel each person should make the best decision on training for them.
> They should not rule a center out based on their hearing loss.
> HKNC is not the only game in town, and it angers me that so many seem
> to think it is and NFB centers seem to unfairly get a bad rap. The
> training is very individualized for each person. LCB definitely had to
> change some techniques to modify me. They normally don't teach blind
> students to use a card/sign but for me it was necessary so they did it
> and they said from now on they will continue to do it for any future
> deaf-blind student that attends there. Most students don't need to use
> a compass, but I had to use one. They definitely modified a lot of
> techniques for me.
> The director, Pam Allen is very very supportive. She along with other
> staff members at the center are good friends and mentors of mine. Even
> now that I have graduated, I often receive emails from Pam just saying
> she was thinking of me and asking me how I am.
> Even though I am not a student, my travel instructor said I could call
> him/her anytime to ask a question or if I need help.
> I have talked to other staff members from the center even though I
> have graduated. They truly care even after training.
> A person should be able to attend the center that is best for them,
> not for their hearing. I briefly considered attending HKNC, but I felt
> LCB was better.
> I just want people to realize that LCB and the other NFB centers do
> definitely definitely work with people who have severe hearing loss
> and they (NFB centers) should not be ruled out. I had a very positive,
> successful experience.
> Thanks,
> Kerri
>
>> On 11/7/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Randy,
>> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very
>> curiously.
>>
>>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey Scott,
>>>
>>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the Rochester
>>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have
>>> the
>>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>>
>>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL
>>> somehow.
>>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other
>>> method
>>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>>> students, successfully,
>>>
>>> Randy
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>> blind.
>>>
>>> Hi marsha.
>>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very recently
>>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones. People
>>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester
>>> method,
>>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>>
>>> Scott
>>>
>>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi Gene,
>>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get
>>>> done.
>>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>>> Keep us updated.
>>>>
>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and my
>>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>> blind.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>>
>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is
>>>>>> the
>>> best.
>>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member, or
>>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
>>> are better.
>>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>>> similar but different.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
>>> yourself.
>>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is
>>>>>>> apparently
>>> be only game in town.
>>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness
>>> were
>>> just great blindness.
>>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>
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>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 20:27:36 -0500
> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID:
> <CAOHXxEadg8VKqB8HnZSCmpBcSO7LfdmrF=8uyRJKwY==q6W_MA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi Kerri.
> Wow, that's awesome. I have read a lot of bad things in the past, but
> it sounds like your O and M instructor knew what they were doing. As
> I'm glad that it worked out well for you and that they were able to
> modify your training program to best fit what you needed. That's
> awesome!
>
> Scott
>
>> On 11/7/13, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> I am one of those people who attended an NFB center and had a very
>> positive experience. I attended LCB and graduated with a freedom bell
>> on January 31.
>> I was able to socially fit in fine. I made many friends.
>> Of course, I was required to take all the classes but I mainly
>> attended the center to work on my travel and cooking skills.
>> I had probably the best travel instructor in the country. I loved how
>> my instructor held me to such high expectations even with my hearing
>> loss.
>> In fact, when I first began attending LCB, I was very unaccepting of
>> my hearing loss. I felt like I had a lot of hearing.
>> It was through hours and hours of communication and patience by my
>> travel instructor that I came to accept that I in fact do have severe
>> hearing loss and it does affect my life, and I needed to accept it.
>> I admired my travel instructor and wanted to be just like him/her. I
>> worked as hard as I possibly could in that class.
>> Since I am only able to cross streets with very little traffic with my
>> hearing, and I can not reliably orient to traffic patterns, my
>> instructor made me use a card/sign to get assistance from people to
>> cross streets. I also used a braille compass and the compass on the
>> Iphone for cardinal directions and I used cardinal directions to
>> orient because I could not use traffic sounds.
>> In the beginning, my instructor would make me go into businesses and I
>> had to tell the person I was speaking with that I had hearing loss and
>> to please give me verbal directions since I couldn't follow them by
>> their voice alone. I hated hated hated having to tell people I had
>> hearing loss but I gained confidence soon enough.
>> Normally, when the instructors give students assignments, they are all
>> walking and finding addresses. However, my instructor knew with my
>> hearing loss I would need to use other forms of transportation to get
>> to places so he/she would often give me assignments where I had to
>> take a taxicab places. I also learned to hire a driver, and he/she
>> even made me plan a trip to another city and I had to hire the driver
>> and negotiate the times and pricing with the driver.
>> I happened to be the only student with hearing loss when I attended,
>> and once I began using the card/sign to cross streets, I was afraid
>> the other students and staff wouldn't approve. But, one day I talked
>> about it during seminar and everyone clapped and cheered for a route I
>> was able to do independently by getting assistance across the streets.
>> For my graduation route, I had to do an out of town route. I had to
>> pick somewhere I wanted to go in another city, take the greyhound bus
>> there, and then take a taxicab to my destination. I took the greyhound
>> bus to a nearby city, and took a cab to the mall and navigated the
>> mall all day.
>> I went rock climbing, white water rafting, horse back riding, and to
>> the NFB convention in Dallas with the center just to name a few
>> things.
>> I even got to participate in the LCB play at the 2012 NFB convention.
>> I also performed in the Christmas play.
>> I made a meal for 8 people and a meal for 40 people.
>> A friend and I even independently planned a trip on our own and took a
>> five-day trip from Louisiana to Oklahoma to attend a football game. I
>> love sports so my friend and I attended three football games all in
>> different states.
>> It was a rough road, but in the end my training showed me that I can
>> do anything and by using the techniques I learned and enough planning
>> I feel I can travel anywhere.
>> I loved my training at LCB and felt it was very positive.
>> Were there rough times? Definitely.
>> There were even times where I questioned whether LCB was for me. But
>> in the end, when the nine months was up and I graduated with my
>> freedom bell, it was all worth it and I knew I had made the right
>> decision.
>> I feel each person should make the best decision on training for them.
>> They should not rule a center out based on their hearing loss.
>> HKNC is not the only game in town, and it angers me that so many seem
>> to think it is and NFB centers seem to unfairly get a bad rap. The
>> training is very individualized for each person. LCB definitely had to
>> change some techniques to modify me. They normally don't teach blind
>> students to use a card/sign but for me it was necessary so they did it
>> and they said from now on they will continue to do it for any future
>> deaf-blind student that attends there. Most students don't need to use
>> a compass, but I had to use one. They definitely modified a lot of
>> techniques for me.
>> The director, Pam Allen is very very supportive. She along with other
>> staff members at the center are good friends and mentors of mine. Even
>> now that I have graduated, I often receive emails from Pam just saying
>> she was thinking of me and asking me how I am.
>> Even though I am not a student, my travel instructor said I could call
>> him/her anytime to ask a question or if I need help.
>> I have talked to other staff members from the center even though I
>> have graduated. They truly care even after training.
>> A person should be able to attend the center that is best for them,
>> not for their hearing. I briefly considered attending HKNC, but I felt
>> LCB was better.
>> I just want people to realize that LCB and the other NFB centers do
>> definitely definitely work with people who have severe hearing loss
>> and they (NFB centers) should not be ruled out. I had a very positive,
>> successful experience.
>> Thanks,
>> Kerri
>>
>>> On 11/7/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Randy,
>>> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very
>>> curiously.
>>>
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey Scott,
>>>>
>>>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the
>>>> Rochester
>>>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have
>>>> the
>>>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>>>
>>>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL
>>>> somehow.
>>>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>>>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other
>>>> method
>>>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>>>> students, successfully,
>>>>
>>>> Randy
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott
>>>> Davert
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>> blind.
>>>>
>>>> Hi marsha.
>>>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very
>>>> recently
>>>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>>>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones.
>>>> People
>>>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester
>>>> method,
>>>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>>>
>>>> Scott
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Gene,
>>>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get
>>>>> done.
>>>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>>>> Keep us updated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and
>>>>>> my
>>>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>>> blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is
>>>>>>> the
>>>> best.
>>>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member,
>>>>>>> or
>>>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
>>>> are better.
>>>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>>>> similar but different.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
>>>> yourself.
>>>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is
>>>>>>>> apparently
>>>> be only game in town.
>>>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>>>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness
>>>> were
>>>> just great blindness.
>>>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>>>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----
>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----
>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2013 20:53:28 -0500
> From: "DELCINA M BROWN" <delcenia at prodigy.net>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID: <683332584B9F44E99B34E4FBDDC37864 at johne38069127c>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Kerri,
> Thanks for sharing. Where is LCB?
> Delcenia
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 7:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf blind.
>
>
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> I am one of those people who attended an NFB center and had a very
>> positive experience. I attended LCB and graduated with a freedom bell
>> on January 31.
>> I was able to socially fit in fine. I made many friends.
>> Of course, I was required to take all the classes but I mainly
>> attended the center to work on my travel and cooking skills.
>> I had probably the best travel instructor in the country. I loved how
>> my instructor held me to such high expectations even with my hearing
>> loss.
>> In fact, when I first began attending LCB, I was very unaccepting of
>> my hearing loss. I felt like I had a lot of hearing.
>> It was through hours and hours of communication and patience by my
>> travel instructor that I came to accept that I in fact do have severe
>> hearing loss and it does affect my life, and I needed to accept it.
>> I admired my travel instructor and wanted to be just like him/her. I
>> worked as hard as I possibly could in that class.
>> Since I am only able to cross streets with very little traffic with my
>> hearing, and I can not reliably orient to traffic patterns, my
>> instructor made me use a card/sign to get assistance from people to
>> cross streets. I also used a braille compass and the compass on the
>> Iphone for cardinal directions and I used cardinal directions to
>> orient because I could not use traffic sounds.
>> In the beginning, my instructor would make me go into businesses and I
>> had to tell the person I was speaking with that I had hearing loss and
>> to please give me verbal directions since I couldn't follow them by
>> their voice alone. I hated hated hated having to tell people I had
>> hearing loss but I gained confidence soon enough.
>> Normally, when the instructors give students assignments, they are all
>> walking and finding addresses. However, my instructor knew with my
>> hearing loss I would need to use other forms of transportation to get
>> to places so he/she would often give me assignments where I had to
>> take a taxicab places. I also learned to hire a driver, and he/she
>> even made me plan a trip to another city and I had to hire the driver
>> and negotiate the times and pricing with the driver.
>> I happened to be the only student with hearing loss when I attended,
>> and once I began using the card/sign to cross streets, I was afraid
>> the other students and staff wouldn't approve. But, one day I talked
>> about it during seminar and everyone clapped and cheered for a route I
>> was able to do independently by getting assistance across the streets.
>> For my graduation route, I had to do an out of town route. I had to
>> pick somewhere I wanted to go in another city, take the greyhound bus
>> there, and then take a taxicab to my destination. I took the greyhound
>> bus to a nearby city, and took a cab to the mall and navigated the
>> mall all day.
>> I went rock climbing, white water rafting, horse back riding, and to
>> the NFB convention in Dallas with the center just to name a few
>> things.
>> I even got to participate in the LCB play at the 2012 NFB convention.
>> I also performed in the Christmas play.
>> I made a meal for 8 people and a meal for 40 people.
>> A friend and I even independently planned a trip on our own and took a
>> five-day trip from Louisiana to Oklahoma to attend a football game. I
>> love sports so my friend and I attended three football games all in
>> different states.
>> It was a rough road, but in the end my training showed me that I can
>> do anything and by using the techniques I learned and enough planning
>> I feel I can travel anywhere.
>> I loved my training at LCB and felt it was very positive.
>> Were there rough times? Definitely.
>> There were even times where I questioned whether LCB was for me. But
>> in the end, when the nine months was up and I graduated with my
>> freedom bell, it was all worth it and I knew I had made the right
>> decision.
>> I feel each person should make the best decision on training for them.
>> They should not rule a center out based on their hearing loss.
>> HKNC is not the only game in town, and it angers me that so many seem
>> to think it is and NFB centers seem to unfairly get a bad rap. The
>> training is very individualized for each person. LCB definitely had to
>> change some techniques to modify me. They normally don't teach blind
>> students to use a card/sign but for me it was necessary so they did it
>> and they said from now on they will continue to do it for any future
>> deaf-blind student that attends there. Most students don't need to use
>> a compass, but I had to use one. They definitely modified a lot of
>> techniques for me.
>> The director, Pam Allen is very very supportive. She along with other
>> staff members at the center are good friends and mentors of mine. Even
>> now that I have graduated, I often receive emails from Pam just saying
>> she was thinking of me and asking me how I am.
>> Even though I am not a student, my travel instructor said I could call
>> him/her anytime to ask a question or if I need help.
>> I have talked to other staff members from the center even though I
>> have graduated. They truly care even after training.
>> A person should be able to attend the center that is best for them,
>> not for their hearing. I briefly considered attending HKNC, but I felt
>> LCB was better.
>> I just want people to realize that LCB and the other NFB centers do
>> definitely definitely work with people who have severe hearing loss
>> and they (NFB centers) should not be ruled out. I had a very positive,
>> successful experience.
>> Thanks,
>> Kerri
>>
>>> On 11/7/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Randy,
>>> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very
>>> curiously.
>>>
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey Scott,
>>>>
>>>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the
>>>> Rochester
>>>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have
>>>> the
>>>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>>>
>>>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL
>>>> somehow.
>>>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>>>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other
>>>> method
>>>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>>>> students, successfully,
>>>>
>>>> Randy
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott
>>>> Davert
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>> blind.
>>>>
>>>> Hi marsha.
>>>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very
>>>> recently
>>>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>>>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones.
>>>> People
>>>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester
>>>> method,
>>>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>>>
>>>> Scott
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Gene,
>>>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get
>>>>> done.
>>>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>>>> Keep us updated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and
>>>>>> my
>>>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>>> blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is
>>>>>>> the
>>>> best.
>>>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member,
>>>>>>> or
>>>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
>>>> are better.
>>>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>>>> similar but different.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
>>>> yourself.
>>>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is
>>>>>>>> apparently
>>>> be only game in town.
>>>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>>>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness
>>>> were
>>>> just great blindness.
>>>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>>>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----
>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----
>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 14
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 01:26:56 -0500
> From: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID:
> <CAM6GWxyYv-ex8isLP4f6EHhh84-91h3DFULSnSYy7eyXp1hnsg at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hi:
>
> LCB is located in Ruston, Louisiana.
> It is near Monroe, Louisiana. It is also near Shreveport.
> It's a college town.
> Scott, thanks for your message. I hope with you working at HKNC I did
> not offend you or anyone with my message. I guess I am just very
> passionate about this. I feel deaf-blind people should be able to go
> wherever they want for training and get as good training as everyone
> else gets and to be pushed to their fullest potential.
> Secretly, I knew I wasn't the typical student coming into LCB. I knew
> they hadn't worked with tons of deaf-blind people before. However, I
> wanted to change things.
> Remember, the more deaf-blind people go to training at an NFB center
> the more the staff is exposed to deaf-blindness and have to deal with
> it.
> I knew I wasn't the typical student they were used to, but I knew they
> had to train me. They have to train you for nine months. They can't
> just give you lackluster training.
> I am very involved with the NFB in my state. It just so happens that
> my state president also has quite a bit of hearing loss. She really
> recomended me going to LCB. In fact, she introduced me to Pam Allen,
> the director of LCB at my first NFB convention in 2010.
> When I finally decided I needed to go to training, I called Pam and
> the first question I asked her was whether the center had trained
> anyone with hearing loss. She said they had.
> As I worked with Pam to get the funding and get a start date, I
> noticed how professional she was. She always called me right back when
> I called her. She always responded promptly to my messages. She really
> seemed to care about me. That made me feel good.
> I had a big adjustment at the center. I was absolutely terrified of
> everything. When I first began attending, I wasn't even sure if I
> could do it.
> If any of you have any other questions about training at LCB feel free
> to ask. Also, if you want to attend LCB and the staff gives you any
> hassle or seems to not understand please let me know and I will do
> whatever I can to help you. I am close to Pam Allen the director. But,
> based on my experience a deaf-blind person shouldn't have any
> problems.
> As I said earlier, I don't want to offend anyone or make any other
> center look bad. I guess I am just passionate that the NFB centers
> work with deaf-blind people and push them to their fullest potential
> and do their absolute best to give a deaf-blind person the same type
> of training a person who is just blind gets.
> Because I had such a positive experience at LCB, I feel I need to
> speak up and let people know that in fact LCB does work with people
> who are deaf-blind and the more of us go to training there the more
> the staff will be exposed to it and will be better educated and
> equipped to deal with it.
> As I have already said, a person should be able to go to the best
> training for them, not their hearing loss.
> Thanks,
> Kerri
>
>> On 11/7/13, DELCINA M BROWN <delcenia at prodigy.net> wrote:
>> Kerri,
>> Thanks for sharing. Where is LCB?
>> Delcenia
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 7:54 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>> blind.
>>
>>
>>> Hi Everyone:
>>>
>>> I am one of those people who attended an NFB center and had a very
>>> positive experience. I attended LCB and graduated with a freedom bell
>>> on January 31.
>>> I was able to socially fit in fine. I made many friends.
>>> Of course, I was required to take all the classes but I mainly
>>> attended the center to work on my travel and cooking skills.
>>> I had probably the best travel instructor in the country. I loved how
>>> my instructor held me to such high expectations even with my hearing
>>> loss.
>>> In fact, when I first began attending LCB, I was very unaccepting of
>>> my hearing loss. I felt like I had a lot of hearing.
>>> It was through hours and hours of communication and patience by my
>>> travel instructor that I came to accept that I in fact do have severe
>>> hearing loss and it does affect my life, and I needed to accept it.
>>> I admired my travel instructor and wanted to be just like him/her. I
>>> worked as hard as I possibly could in that class.
>>> Since I am only able to cross streets with very little traffic with my
>>> hearing, and I can not reliably orient to traffic patterns, my
>>> instructor made me use a card/sign to get assistance from people to
>>> cross streets. I also used a braille compass and the compass on the
>>> Iphone for cardinal directions and I used cardinal directions to
>>> orient because I could not use traffic sounds.
>>> In the beginning, my instructor would make me go into businesses and I
>>> had to tell the person I was speaking with that I had hearing loss and
>>> to please give me verbal directions since I couldn't follow them by
>>> their voice alone. I hated hated hated having to tell people I had
>>> hearing loss but I gained confidence soon enough.
>>> Normally, when the instructors give students assignments, they are all
>>> walking and finding addresses. However, my instructor knew with my
>>> hearing loss I would need to use other forms of transportation to get
>>> to places so he/she would often give me assignments where I had to
>>> take a taxicab places. I also learned to hire a driver, and he/she
>>> even made me plan a trip to another city and I had to hire the driver
>>> and negotiate the times and pricing with the driver.
>>> I happened to be the only student with hearing loss when I attended,
>>> and once I began using the card/sign to cross streets, I was afraid
>>> the other students and staff wouldn't approve. But, one day I talked
>>> about it during seminar and everyone clapped and cheered for a route I
>>> was able to do independently by getting assistance across the streets.
>>> For my graduation route, I had to do an out of town route. I had to
>>> pick somewhere I wanted to go in another city, take the greyhound bus
>>> there, and then take a taxicab to my destination. I took the greyhound
>>> bus to a nearby city, and took a cab to the mall and navigated the
>>> mall all day.
>>> I went rock climbing, white water rafting, horse back riding, and to
>>> the NFB convention in Dallas with the center just to name a few
>>> things.
>>> I even got to participate in the LCB play at the 2012 NFB convention.
>>> I also performed in the Christmas play.
>>> I made a meal for 8 people and a meal for 40 people.
>>> A friend and I even independently planned a trip on our own and took a
>>> five-day trip from Louisiana to Oklahoma to attend a football game. I
>>> love sports so my friend and I attended three football games all in
>>> different states.
>>> It was a rough road, but in the end my training showed me that I can
>>> do anything and by using the techniques I learned and enough planning
>>> I feel I can travel anywhere.
>>> I loved my training at LCB and felt it was very positive.
>>> Were there rough times? Definitely.
>>> There were even times where I questioned whether LCB was for me. But
>>> in the end, when the nine months was up and I graduated with my
>>> freedom bell, it was all worth it and I knew I had made the right
>>> decision.
>>> I feel each person should make the best decision on training for them.
>>> They should not rule a center out based on their hearing loss.
>>> HKNC is not the only game in town, and it angers me that so many seem
>>> to think it is and NFB centers seem to unfairly get a bad rap. The
>>> training is very individualized for each person. LCB definitely had to
>>> change some techniques to modify me. They normally don't teach blind
>>> students to use a card/sign but for me it was necessary so they did it
>>> and they said from now on they will continue to do it for any future
>>> deaf-blind student that attends there. Most students don't need to use
>>> a compass, but I had to use one. They definitely modified a lot of
>>> techniques for me.
>>> The director, Pam Allen is very very supportive. She along with other
>>> staff members at the center are good friends and mentors of mine. Even
>>> now that I have graduated, I often receive emails from Pam just saying
>>> she was thinking of me and asking me how I am.
>>> Even though I am not a student, my travel instructor said I could call
>>> him/her anytime to ask a question or if I need help.
>>> I have talked to other staff members from the center even though I
>>> have graduated. They truly care even after training.
>>> A person should be able to attend the center that is best for them,
>>> not for their hearing. I briefly considered attending HKNC, but I felt
>>> LCB was better.
>>> I just want people to realize that LCB and the other NFB centers do
>>> definitely definitely work with people who have severe hearing loss
>>> and they (NFB centers) should not be ruled out. I had a very positive,
>>> successful experience.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Kerri
>>>
>>>> On 11/7/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Randy,
>>>> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very
>>>> curiously.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hey Scott,
>>>>>
>>>>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the
>>>>> Rochester
>>>>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have
>>>>> the
>>>>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>>>>
>>>>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL
>>>>> somehow.
>>>>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>>>>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other
>>>>> method
>>>>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>>>>> students, successfully,
>>>>>
>>>>> Randy
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott
>>>>> Davert
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>> blind.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi marsha.
>>>>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very
>>>>> recently
>>>>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>>>>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones.
>>>>> People
>>>>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester
>>>>> method,
>>>>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>>>>
>>>>> Scott
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Gene,
>>>>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get
>>>>>> done.
>>>>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>>>>> Keep us updated.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and
>>>>>>> my
>>>>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>>>> blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member,
>>>>>>>> or
>>>>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB
>>>>>>>> center,
>>>>> are better.
>>>>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>>>>> similar but different.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been
>>>>>>>> there
>>>>> yourself.
>>>>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is
>>>>>>>>> apparently
>>>>> be only game in town.
>>>>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>>>>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness
>>>>> were
>>>>> just great blindness.
>>>>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>>>>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>>> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3629/6810 - Release Date:
>>>>>>> 11/05/13
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 15
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 06:42:19 -0500
> From: "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org>
> To: "'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
> voting
> Message-ID: <010101cedc77$94ada530$be08ef90$@aadb.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Trust me, Conference calls via IP Relay is definitely not a good idea. Not
> only that a person need to be a fast braille reader, the CA would not be
> able to keep up with the fast paced conversation. Often, the people using
> voice tends to forget to slow down for the relay operators. Some would not
> have the patience to slow either.
>
> Randy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
> Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 5:04 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and voting
>
> Hello all.
> We're going through the process of rethinking this method of communication.
> The long and short of it is that we did some playing with it today, and have
> all come to the conclusion that it may be a significant challenge to those
> less technically oriented. It does work, even though it's Java based, but
> there are some major issues with it. I've suggested we do this as a survey
> or that we have a discussion on a mailing list. The idea of a conference
> call was mentioned, but I think it's not a good one. Trying to conduct a
> conference call via IP-Relay is doable if you're in a group of people who
> understand it and if you are a fast braille/print reader, but not otherwise.
> Will update you all once I have more info.
>
> thanks,
> Scott
>
> On 11/7/13, DELCINA M BROWN <delcenia at prodigy.net> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> if you do not mind me asking. Why can't you?
>> Delcenia
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Deaf-blind focus group on access technology and
>> voting
>>
>>
>>> Too bad I won't be available to take part in this focus group, oh
>>> well maybe next time!
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 6, 2013, at 8:28 PM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello all.
>>>> I'm passing the below info on at the request of Lou Ann blake. I
>>>> don't, as of yet, have details on where we would go to participate,
>>>> but I will have them tomorrow if people are interested.
>>>>
>>>> Dear Scott,
>>>>
>>>> I hope this e-mail finds you well.
>>>>
>>>> The National Federation of the Blind will be conducting, via online
>>>> chat, a focus group for deaf-blind voters on Tuesday, November 12,
>>>> 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST. The purpose of this focus group is to learn from
>>>> deaf-blind individuals about the types of barriers they currently
>>>> face in casting a private and independent ballot, and about the
>>>> types of personal access technology used by the deaf-blind that
>>>> could remove these barriers. This information will be provided to
>>>> voting technology researchers and developers during a seminar hosted
>>>> by the NFB in December 2013.
>>>>
>>>> We would be very happy if you could participate in this focus group.
>>>> We need your input so that we can work with election technology
>>>> researchers and developers to design voting systems that will enable
>>>> deaf-blind citizens to vote privately and independently! Please feel
>>>> free to contact me if you have any questions. I have attached the
>>>> focus group agenda for your information.
>>>>
>>>> Best regards,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lou Ann Blake, J.D.
>>>>
>>>> HAVA Project Manager and Law Symposium Coordinator
>>>>
>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>
>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>
>>>> 200 East Wells Street
>>>>
>>>> at Jernigan Place
>>>>
>>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>>>
>>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314, ext. 2221
>>>>
>>>> Fax: (410) 659-5129
>>>>
>>>> E-mail: lblake at nfb.org
>>>>
>>>> Web site: www.nfb.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Vehicle Donations Take The Blind Further
>>>>
>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>
>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>>> call 1-855-659-9314.
>>>> <11-12-13 Deaf-Blind Focus Group Agenda.docx>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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> ------------------------------
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> Message: 16
> Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2013 05:43:39 -0600
> From: The Pawpower Pack <pawpower4me at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
> blind.
> Message-ID: <21578066-9AFD-4B78-8DEF-919351EC285F at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Hi Kerri,
> That is a really great story about your experience. What is Freedom Bell?
> You are right in that people need to do what is best for them. You had a great experience. However, you are also someone who communicates through speech. I work in Louisiana and respect the work that LCB does, because my students have gone there and returned with truly wonderful skills. However, I am an ASL user. I can hear a little speech if we are one to one in a quiet place with zero backgroud noise, if I'm wearing my hearing aid. I can only hear a little bit out of one ear? the other is for decoration, lol.
> So I use ASL, and interpreters if I'm communicating with a hearing person or people. If I went to a center like LCB, it would be very socially isolating, because once my interpreters left for the day, I would either have to communicate through writing, or go into a quiet place with my hearing aid on. But I don't choose to where it, for several reasons. Therefore, if I was in the market for rehab training I would not attend a center such as LCB. There are other centers besides HK which have strong deafblind programs, with Deaf or Deafblind people on staff. Affiliated Blind of Louisiana is one that I know of as well as the Career development center in Baton Rouge. There is a strong Deafblind community here in LA, with many people have Usher Syndrome. So that is why many programs in my area have good Deafblind programs.
> What I'm trying to say is that you are right, that people she not dismiss the NFB centers, but that there are many different centers for a reason, because there are many different people all with unique needs.
> Best,
> Rox, who needs to drink at least one cup of coffee before writing long emails!
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Nov 7, 2013, at 6:54 PM, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> I am one of those people who attended an NFB center and had a very
>> positive experience. I attended LCB and graduated with a freedom bell
>> on January 31.
>> I was able to socially fit in fine. I made many friends.
>> Of course, I was required to take all the classes but I mainly
>> attended the center to work on my travel and cooking skills.
>> I had probably the best travel instructor in the country. I loved how
>> my instructor held me to such high expectations even with my hearing
>> loss.
>> In fact, when I first began attending LCB, I was very unaccepting of
>> my hearing loss. I felt like I had a lot of hearing.
>> It was through hours and hours of communication and patience by my
>> travel instructor that I came to accept that I in fact do have severe
>> hearing loss and it does affect my life, and I needed to accept it.
>> I admired my travel instructor and wanted to be just like him/her. I
>> worked as hard as I possibly could in that class.
>> Since I am only able to cross streets with very little traffic with my
>> hearing, and I can not reliably orient to traffic patterns, my
>> instructor made me use a card/sign to get assistance from people to
>> cross streets. I also used a braille compass and the compass on the
>> Iphone for cardinal directions and I used cardinal directions to
>> orient because I could not use traffic sounds.
>> In the beginning, my instructor would make me go into businesses and I
>> had to tell the person I was speaking with that I had hearing loss and
>> to please give me verbal directions since I couldn't follow them by
>> their voice alone. I hated hated hated having to tell people I had
>> hearing loss but I gained confidence soon enough.
>> Normally, when the instructors give students assignments, they are all
>> walking and finding addresses. However, my instructor knew with my
>> hearing loss I would need to use other forms of transportation to get
>> to places so he/she would often give me assignments where I had to
>> take a taxicab places. I also learned to hire a driver, and he/she
>> even made me plan a trip to another city and I had to hire the driver
>> and negotiate the times and pricing with the driver.
>> I happened to be the only student with hearing loss when I attended,
>> and once I began using the card/sign to cross streets, I was afraid
>> the other students and staff wouldn't approve. But, one day I talked
>> about it during seminar and everyone clapped and cheered for a route I
>> was able to do independently by getting assistance across the streets.
>> For my graduation route, I had to do an out of town route. I had to
>> pick somewhere I wanted to go in another city, take the greyhound bus
>> there, and then take a taxicab to my destination. I took the greyhound
>> bus to a nearby city, and took a cab to the mall and navigated the
>> mall all day.
>> I went rock climbing, white water rafting, horse back riding, and to
>> the NFB convention in Dallas with the center just to name a few
>> things.
>> I even got to participate in the LCB play at the 2012 NFB convention.
>> I also performed in the Christmas play.
>> I made a meal for 8 people and a meal for 40 people.
>> A friend and I even independently planned a trip on our own and took a
>> five-day trip from Louisiana to Oklahoma to attend a football game. I
>> love sports so my friend and I attended three football games all in
>> different states.
>> It was a rough road, but in the end my training showed me that I can
>> do anything and by using the techniques I learned and enough planning
>> I feel I can travel anywhere.
>> I loved my training at LCB and felt it was very positive.
>> Were there rough times? Definitely.
>> There were even times where I questioned whether LCB was for me. But
>> in the end, when the nine months was up and I graduated with my
>> freedom bell, it was all worth it and I knew I had made the right
>> decision.
>> I feel each person should make the best decision on training for them.
>> They should not rule a center out based on their hearing loss.
>> HKNC is not the only game in town, and it angers me that so many seem
>> to think it is and NFB centers seem to unfairly get a bad rap. The
>> training is very individualized for each person. LCB definitely had to
>> change some techniques to modify me. They normally don't teach blind
>> students to use a card/sign but for me it was necessary so they did it
>> and they said from now on they will continue to do it for any future
>> deaf-blind student that attends there. Most students don't need to use
>> a compass, but I had to use one. They definitely modified a lot of
>> techniques for me.
>> The director, Pam Allen is very very supportive. She along with other
>> staff members at the center are good friends and mentors of mine. Even
>> now that I have graduated, I often receive emails from Pam just saying
>> she was thinking of me and asking me how I am.
>> Even though I am not a student, my travel instructor said I could call
>> him/her anytime to ask a question or if I need help.
>> I have talked to other staff members from the center even though I
>> have graduated. They truly care even after training.
>> A person should be able to attend the center that is best for them,
>> not for their hearing. I briefly considered attending HKNC, but I felt
>> LCB was better.
>> I just want people to realize that LCB and the other NFB centers do
>> definitely definitely work with people who have severe hearing loss
>> and they (NFB centers) should not be ruled out. I had a very positive,
>> successful experience.
>> Thanks,
>> Kerri
>>
>> On 11/7/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Randy,
>>> I'd like to know more about these methods in how to learn ASL? Very very
>>> curiously.
>>>
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>
>>>> On Nov 7, 2013, at 10:33 AM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey Scott,
>>>>
>>>> Whatever you do, don't let these people advise you to stick the Rochester
>>>> method. That is a very bad idea. Many of the DB people would not have
>>>> the
>>>> patience to communicate with those using this method.
>>>>
>>>> With the right people, you will...not maybe....you will master ASL
>>>> somehow.
>>>> There are deaf ASL teachers out there who would be willing to work with
>>>> people like you. For those DB people who cannot see, there are other
>>>> method
>>>> to teach ASL. I know of several who are teaching ASL to totally blind
>>>> students, successfully,
>>>>
>>>> Randy
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Davert
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:33 PM
>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>> blind.
>>>>
>>>> Hi marsha.
>>>> Sadly, my vvocabulary is maybe 100 signs. The classes until very recently
>>>> have been so infrequent that I haven't benifited much from them. My
>>>> receptive skills are certainly better than my actual signing ones. People
>>>> have started to tell me that I should just stick with the Rochester
>>>> method,
>>>> but I want to keep trying to learn, you know?
>>>>
>>>> Scott
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/6/13, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Gene,
>>>>> sounds like you have some things to do. In all due time it will get
>>>>> done.
>>>>> Good luck, perhaps you will get to come up while I am there.
>>>>> Keep us updated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:00 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Marsha, well I have either some time in Jan or Feb, but that
>>>>>> hasn't been determined yet. I still have to develop my iep plan with
>>>>>> dars, the department of asistive rehabilitation services, HKNC can't
>>>>>> give me a date with out that I e p plan, but I have to have a prep
>>>>>> meeting that will include my mom and everyone else. We were gonna
>>>>>> have it on the 24th of october, but Molly Rimer had a death in the
>>>>>> family, her niece passed away that morning at age 22, or 23, I for
>>>>>> get which, so hopefully things will work out on the 8th of this
>>>>>> month, then after the prep meeting then we will be able to develop
>>>>>> the actual I e p. The reason I need a prep meeting, is so my mom can
>>>>>> help me figure out what I will be able to expect from Dars, and what
>>>>>> they will expect of me. It's really frustrating, I was supposed to
>>>>>> get in back in either august but couldn't because every one that was
>>>>>> helping me with the application totally dropped the ball, and me and my
>>>> mom finally had to step in and straighten everything out,.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 4:19 PM
>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and deaf
>>>>>> blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jean, yes I did receive the student handbook. I got it from the
>>>>>> admissions person at HK and see. I think I also read that they do
>>>>>> provide the vibrant call alert system. I'm interested in seeing that.
>>>>>> Do you have a start date?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 5, 2013, at 4:52 PM, "gene richburg" <gene5402 at austin.rr.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Marsha, did you receive the HKNC student handbook? I don't know
>>>>>>> if they provide consumers, or what ever they call people who come
>>>>>>> there, but I think they provide some kind of vibra call system, but
>>>>>>> I didn't get that part very clearily, I'll have to go back and read
>>>>>>> that, perhaps Scott can clear that up for sure. But if you need the
>>>>>>> handbook, I can email you off list and atatch it to the message.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Marsha Drenth
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:26 PM
>>>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] My thoughts on training centers blind, and
>>>>>>> deaf blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maurice,
>>>>>>> I think hands down that no one will argue with you that if someone
>>>>>>> is in need of blindness skills training, and if they are just blind
>>>>>>> with no additional disablity, then going to a NFB training center is
>>>>>>> the
>>>> best.
>>>>>>> With that said, I am not just blind, but severely hard of hearing. I
>>>>>>> have chosen to go to HKNC because of two main reasons, I do not need
>>>>>>> blindness skills. I was blind before I lost my hearing. But I do
>>>>>>> need the skills in order to live as a deafblind person. I have
>>>>>>> traveled with a cane, with a guide dog, read braille, and am able to
>>>>>>> use technology. The problem lays in that I also can't hear. There is
>>>>>>> only one center in this country that can train a person who is both
>>>>>>> blind and hard of hearing. With that said, most persons who go to
>>>>>>> HKNC, are in need of a audiologist who has worked with the dual
>>>>>>> sensory loss. An in house audiologist who understand the needs of
>>>>>>> blind persons, visually impaired persons, and those who also who are
>>>>>>> deaf, hard of hearing and or hearing impaired; is something that an
>>>>>>> NFB center does not have. Just because I have made this desicion,
>>>>>>> doesn't not mean that I am less of a person, less of an NFB member, or
>>>> think less of the philosophy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its awesome that you had a successful experience at the CCB. And I
>>>>>>> am also not sure, of your hearing issues. But if I am reading your
>>>>>>> message correctly, your saying those persons who go to an NFB center,
>>>> are better.
>>>>>>> This is the sort of attitude that divides a group. The NFB centers
>>>>>>> are no less better than HK, nor is HK better than an NFB center. Its
>>>>>>> just different, serves different disabilities, different needs.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have heard of both good and bad experiences at the HK center, jsut
>>>>>>> as I have heard of persons going through an NFB center. I just know
>>>>>>> that for me, with my hearing loss, it would not be successful to go
>>>>>>> to a NFB center. For them to ask me to listen to traffic in order to
>>>>>>> indicate when its safe to cross. I can't hear traffic. It would not
>>>>>>> be viable for me to have an NFB center to tell me, listen for the
>>>>>>> water boiling, I can't hear it boil. The techniques are different,
>>>> similar but different.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Granted I haven't been there yet to begin my training. My desicion
>>>>>>> was one I made for me. But with that said, I can understand why
>>>>>>> other deafblind persons make the same desicion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Its unfair to say that HK is not what blind, or deafblind people
>>>>>>> should be going to for training, especially if you haven't been there
>>>> yourself.
>>>>>>> I would say that all blind persons should be tolerant of those of us
>>>>>>> who have different needs, are in need of different skills than just
>>>>>>> those you learn as a blind person.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2013, at 6:19 PM, maurice mines <kd0iko at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good afternoon, I have been thinking for quite some time as I've
>>>>>>>> read emails on this list recently, that it might be of some benefit
>>>>>>>> to talk about the benefits of attending an NFB training center. Of
>>>>>>>> course the question that many on this list will ask why are you
>>>>>>>> even discussing this? Because I've heard a lot recently a.k.a. read
>>>>>>>> a lot recently that the feeling seems to be that HK in C is
>>>>>>>> apparently
>>>> be only game in town.
>>>>>>>> But I believe that if my past experience at the Colorado Center for
>>>>>>>> the blind is any indication of how and if the training centers
>>>>>>>> handle death blindness, one need not have very much worry about.
>>>>>>>> Remember that the training is very individualized. So what may work
>>>>>>>> for you and what level of deaf blindness you have, it may not
>>>>>>>> reflect how they deal with your neighbor at all. Also as far as I
>>>>>>>> understand the training centers do reach out to resources to help
>>>>>>>> that training happen appropriately. So you're not going into the
>>>>>>>> great void of the unknown. Also it is good to know that based on my
>>>>>>>> experience we found alternative techniques not only to blindness
>>>>>>>> but the issues surrounding the lack of hearing. And of course we
>>>>>>>> discuss the options should one's hearing get worse. I guess one
>>>>>>>> getting at here is that if you are considering going to a training
>>>>>>>> center I think that's the first part, the second part is actually
>>>>>>>> figuring out which one you should go to and the reasons why you
>>>>>>>> want to go to it? I think that based on everything I've read and
>>>>>>>> people I've talked to that all three of our centers can handle this
>>>>>>>> well. I think a comment by a current staff member made when I was a
>>>>>>>> student at the Colorado Center for the blind came out of it
>>>> conversation regarding the disabilities that is neither deaf blindness
>>>> were
>>>> just great blindness.
>>>>>>>> It surrounds my at that time anyway great fear of writing anything.
>>>>>>>> The staff member said quote you can't just not right. The
>>>>>>>> translation that I took away from that and have come to realize in
>>>>>>>> the years since I graduated from the Colorado Center for the blind,
>>>>>>>> you can't just not live life because you can't hear ordered their
>>>>>>>> blindness involved. And depending on what you have to do, in many
>>>>>>>> respects you have to get out there and just plain live one's life.
>>>>>>>> Another thought of course comes to mind in many of the writings and
>>>>>>>> things that are second national president Dr. Jernigan when he
>>>>>>>> spoke about not throwing the nickel. I guess it kind of blows down
>>>>>>>> to accept help when you need it and of course find ways of not
>>>>>>>> accepting it if you don't. And last but not least he believed in
>>>>>>>> blind people and I extend this adept line people blending into
>>>>>>>> society when in wherever it is possible. Just some food for thought
>>>>>>>> on a rainy Monday afternoon. I'd certainly would like to read some
>>>>>>>> of the thoughts that you all may add to this. But I'll just leave
>>>>>>>> it at this I have an abiding belief in all of the training centers
>>>>>>>> and what they can do in the fact that the NFB difference is that
>>>>>>>> they care not just there for a paycheck. But because they care and
>>>> believe in turning out capable and competent people.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely Maurice mines. Phone 360-524-0791, work/school email
>>>>>>>> address, Maurice.mines at PCC.edu.
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
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>>>>>>>
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