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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>To all involved with the KSB incident.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>First of all, I must interject here with
respect</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>to security and safety of the
students.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>While I am in no way assenting to the mistreatment
of any individual,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I fail to see how the use of a simple rope
becomes such a political hotbed of frustration for those of us who now have
decent mobility skills.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I can assure you, however; that If it were
necessary, I might wholeheartedly use that rope.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Take a look at this issue from the perspective of
those in charge of these students.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>How many Staff/Faculty were present? Were
there enough? Were 6they well-trained? Were there OTHER mitigating
circumstances other than BLINDNESS involved? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As I understand the purpose of the Enrichment
Camps at KSB, The students are, for a majority, from outlying areas of our
state. I can certainly see how in many cases, there are poorly organized
O&M classes given to some mainstreamed students in poorly funded
districts.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>. Having been a middle-aged adult upon
loosing my sight, I can tell you that O&M is not something that comes
easilly. There are many individuals who come fromRURAL backgrounds who are
not socialized amung others with skills. Many people I have met
have but one road in front of their house without sidewalks. Some of
theese people are the ONLY blind individual they are aware of for many
miles.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I have witnessed first<FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>-hand, the difficulties individuals who are ONLY
sight-impaired have with O&M. Realize, that for those of
us ( and by US, I am referring to Blind, Functioning, Members of Society
) </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>who are able to function at great levels, there are, at minimum, eight
others who are not trained. Those of you who were fortunate to
have attended KSB at early ages and were raised with braille, JAWS, and a
white cane in your hands, are taking for granted all of the things you find
'common-sence'.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Perhaps, it
might serve the cause better if you present yourselves as calm, rational, mature
persons and ask questions rather than jump to the conclusion that some rampant
injustice has been lain upon all blind individuals.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Do I like the idea that all students were
"punished' by returning to KSB without being given the opportunity of the
outing? no!! I am infuriated. What a perfect opportunity WE
have, asNFB Members to display the proper, calm-demeanored, professionalism that
we would wish to receive from those who are unaware or uneducated with our
circumstances. We should show ourselves in much the same way as did Dr. M.
L. King would have exemplified had he been blind. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Allow KSB Staff, Mentors, Dorm-Parents, etc. the
opportunity to address the matter. Perhaps we should become more involved
as an organization withSUMMER ENRICHMENT.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Some simple food for thought.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Respectfully,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mr. Ian C. Bray</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=mpeskoe@twc.com href="mailto:mpeskoe@twc.com">Melanie Peskoe</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=nfbk@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:nfbk@nfbnet.org">'NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List'</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 27, 2013 10:49
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Nfbk] Situation at
KSB</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">I
want to second Nickie’s statement about writing to KSB to express concern over
how the high school children at the summer enrichment camp were humiliated and
degraded, as well as concern about the ideas and attitudes of the KSB staff
regarding blindness, independence, and appropriate methods of assuring that
all kids are accounted for on field trips. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Obviously,
the idea and practice of using a rope to keep blind kids together in a group
as a means to ensure no one gets lost or left behind is a blatant disregard
for human rights. No one, regardless of level of ability or sight, should be
treated this way. Not only does it humiliate the people who are being forced
to do this, but it gives the community who witness such treatment the idea
that this is how blind people should be “handled”. It reinforces ancient ideas
that we are unable to travel independently and need to be “taken care of.”
This is just wrong and sets us back decades in our fight for equal treatment
and fairness. Some of the staff who were present when this happened have been
employed by the Kentucky School for the Blind for many years and have been
advocates for blind children. Is this what they really think? Do they believe
this is acceptable treatment of blind children? Do they not think there are
more appropriate ways of handling the situation? These are the staff who are
teaching our children how to live in the world as a blind person. I don’t want
my child to be taught that it is ever okay to be led around by a rope!
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">There
are many ways this situation could have been handled differently. If there
were concerns about the kids’ ability to travel independently as a group they
could have been paired up with each other or in small groups with a staff
member. The staff could have taken time before even leaving the school to talk
with the kids about how to travel safely and independently as a group. If
there were still concerns the school could have taken fewer students or more
staff. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Any
way you look at it – regardless of any external factors – there is never, ever
cause to use a rope as a means of keeping blind people corralled in a group
like a herd of cattle. I am extremely displeased and have expressed my
concerns and anger over this situation to both John Roberts, the KSB Director
of Instruction, and the staff that I know of who were present when this
incident occurred - Connie Yocum, Mary Pawlowski, and Kyle Sochia. Like Nickie
did previously, I urge all Federationists in Kentucky to take a few minutes to
draft an email to these employees of the Kentucky School for the Blind and let
them know this is unacceptable. Here are their email addresses for your
convenience. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><A
href="mailto:John.Roberts@ksb.kyschools.us">John.Roberts@ksb.kyschools.us</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><A
href="mailto:Mary.Pawlowski@ksb.kyschools.us">Mary.Pawlowski@ksb.kyschools.us</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><A
href="mailto:Connie.Yocum@ksb.kyschools.us">Connie.Yocum@ksb.kyschools.us</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><A
href="mailto:Kyle.Sochia@ksb.kyschools.us">Kyle.Sochia@ksb.kyschools.us</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Melanie
Peskoe, President NFB of Greater Louisville<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> Nfbk
[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Nickie
Pearl<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:05 AM<BR><B>To:</B> NFB of
Kentucky Internet Mailing List<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Nfbk] Situation at
KSB<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Hello!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">
This Tuesday during Summer Enrichment at KSB there was a situation that
happened that I would like to share with everyone. The back story is that on
Monday the Middle school kids went out on a field trip & one of the kids
got lost/separated from the group. On Tuesday when the High School kids
were going to swim, when departing the bus they instructed the kids to hold on
to a rope so no one get lost/separated. Yes, you heard that correctly, they
were instructed to hold onto a rope. One young man refused to hold the
rope & ultimately the kids were put back on the bus and returned to KSB
without swimming. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">There was a veteran
staff member & a new staff member present & as I understand, it was
the new staff member who cam up with this rope
idea.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">
The actions of these staff members are inexcusable, disrespectful & down
right degrading! Parents send their kids to KSB to learn independence,
life skills, O&M & confidence, not to be lead around like animals or
criminals! This action was a slap in the face to all those kids, other
staff members, alumni & all blind persons of this
community.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">
We need to spread the word about this situation, call or write KSB &
express our disgust & disappointment in the actions of these staff
members. Let them know that using a rope is unacceptable &
that the members of the National Federation of the Blind will not tolerate
this sort of degrading behavior. Also, we need to make sure to
applaud the actions of the young man who refused the
rope!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Thank
you!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Nickie<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<P></P><FONT face=Calibri></FONT>
<HR>
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