[Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal

Sun Oct 30 01:27:21 UTC 2011

R.J.

I ran into a problem like this back in the 1980's.  I went to college and 
received a Master's degree in visual disabilities, but wasn't having any 
luck finding a job, so I trained to be a medical transcriptionist.  When I 
told DBS I would be looking for jobs in either field, they told me I had to 
choose, and they would only support me in one.  I argued that the more 
skills I had, the better chance of finding a job, but was told if I 
concentrated on both areas at the same time, I would never find anything.  I 
told them I respected their opinions, but whatever goal they chose to 
support me in was fine, but I would continue to pursue the other skills I 
had for myself.

As it turned out, I have ended up doing part-time work in both fields at the 
same time, and DBS did support me in my needs for both jobs.

You need to stand your ground, and let them know that whatever they choose 
for you, you will independently pursue your own convictions.

Follow your dreams.  Everyone has the right to try to make their goals for 
themselves come true, whether you succeed or not.  You'll never know if you 
don't try.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 7:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal

> Well DBS is only going by what the federal government requires when it 
> says they only will support only one goal. I am of the opinion the 
> rehabilitation act of 1973 regarding blind services should totally be 
> rewritten, and we the blind should make this happen! My mobility 
> instructor Steve Matson, works for the light house of the palm beaches, 
> but he supports structured discovery and so does my rehabilitation teacher 
> Diane! The issue is settled I'm going for the ministry, and if DBS try's 
> to fight me on it, can I count on the NFB to stand with me on the 
> barricades? RJ
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tara Prakash" <taraprakash at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal
>
>
>> So, what exactly they are spending money on before RJ has a job offer? If 
>> he has a job offer, he is certainly qualified to do it irrespective his 
>> degrees.
>> Once he has a job offer he should be supported whatever that job 
>> requires. Today there is so much need for us to be versatile. What if RJ 
>> has 3 masters degrees and due to the bad job market he is willing to take 
>> any job possible. Is it in the spirit of making the blind employed that 
>> DBS supports only the job outlined in his plan? If NFBF leadership has 
>> nothing against that policy, well, we will have to think again. This is 
>> how it happens is not a good enough response from an organization like 
>> ours, that is otherwise known to be aggressive.
>> I do agree that DBS should be concerned about the plan when it is 
>> investing in preparing the individual for the job stated in the plan. 
>> But, for the cases like RJ's, it doesn't make sense to be fixated on a 
>> single job.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 4:48 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal
>>
>>
>>> They are spending money to implement your job plan so I guess they need 
>>> to know what kind of job you are looking for. I do agree though Tara 
>>> with most of what you said. You know, I got help for transcription years 
>>> and years ago without going through any rehab in Florida. That is 
>>> because I proved I completed it in another state. I have spent time at 
>>> Lighthouse to learn Windows, but learned much more for myself than I did 
>>> with them.
>>>
>>> Sherri
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Tara Prakash" <taraprakash at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 3:58 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am not sure why should your DBS guy be concerned what your vocational 
>>>>goals are. After all you have degrees, so they don't have to pay for 
>>>>your studies. Besides, they don't pay for anything unless you have a job 
>>>>offer. Not that they won't behave like a bureaucrat. You will have to 
>>>>take the fight, and I have realized being in Orlando for a while, you 
>>>>have to face that fight alone in Florida. You may have to pay several 
>>>>visits to Light House, the fountainhead of all kind of light and 
>>>>knowledge, before being accepted and then you will have to show the 
>>>>"experts" in the lighthouse whether you were slogging your ... off to 
>>>>get that job.
>>>> Welcome to the world where you are suspected of not being serious of 
>>>> finding a job for yourself, where what is good for you is decided by 
>>>> the experts.
>>>> And, but seriously, good luck. Ministery should be a great fit for you, 
>>>> you are surely going to get a job despite DBS and LightHouse.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 11:47 AM
>>>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] VR Plan and goal
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Guys, I'm meeting with VR councilor on Tuesday. I'm kind of ify about 
>>>>> putting ministry as a vocational goal even though I have a masters 
>>>>> degree in the area. I have a bacholars degree in crinimal justice, but 
>>>>> that's turned me off. I don't want to put ministry down as a 
>>>>> vocational goal, because they'll say, that ministry is not a realistic 
>>>>> goal. I was reading the DBS vocational manuel, and they said something 
>>>>> about a comprehencive accessment IPE. "4.5 Comprehensive Assessment 
>>>>> IPE
>>>>> For those individuals for whom some vocational rehabilitation service 
>>>>> needs can be identified, but a long-term employment outcome is 
>>>>> uncertain, a comprehensive assessment IPE may be developed for 
>>>>> purposes of determining an employment outcome and other required VR 
>>>>> services needed to reach an employment outcome." Any advice on what I 
>>>>> should do? RJ
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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