[nfbmi-talk] {Disarmed} Onetouch Project

[Christine Boone]

> I saw this on another list and thought it sounded really cool.  
> 
President Posont, should we have someone from our affiliate take part in the Onetouch training? 

> First Time Ever Self Defense Coach's Certification at National Convention
> Dear NFB State President,
> I am writing to you today to ask for your assistance in finding the right
> people
> to
> participate in a very cool and very exciting opportunity happening at the
> national
> convention this summer, in Dallas, Texas. W ith your help in identifying key
> participants,
> you can help a blind person become a self-defense instructor, and in turn,
> give a
> blind
> person the opportunity to be employed in a field where blind and low vision
> people
> are
> seldom seen.
> The 1Touch Project is a hands-on program of self defense designed
> specifically for
> blind and low vision people. It is the brainchild of Professor Stephen
> Nicholls,
> current
> director of the 1Touch Project. Since 2010, Professor Nicholls has conducted
> 1Touch
> workshops at the NFB national conventions in an effort to introduce 1Touch
> to blind
> consumers. In response to inquiries from convention attendees who
> participated in
> previous workshops and who were interested in continuing training in the
> 1Touch
> method, Professor Nicholls began organizing regional coaching certification
> seminars.
> Professor Nicholls wholeheartedly recognizes the benefits of having blind
> coaches
> instruct blind consumers. Over the last two years he has been making this
> type of
> instruction available. The 2012 national convention will be the first time
> where
> select
> convention attendees will have the opportunity (with your input and
> financial assistance)
> to become certified 1Touch coaches.
> Unfortunately, in the world we all inhabit, it is vital that every
> individual--sighted
> or not--
> be aware of and apprised of basic self defense skills. 1Touch coaches are
> well-versed
> in a whole range of related areas from threat assessment and recognition, to
> aggression, bullying and environmental awareness. For the blind consumer,
> 1Touch
> can also serve as a means to greater self assurance and empowerment. On a
> lighter note, 1Touch can serve as a recreational activity, an exercise
> opportunity
> or
> sport providing necessary and beneficial physical activity for a sedentary
> population
> as
> well as instill camaraderie and feelings of inclusion for trainer and
> trainee.
> The 2012 NFB convention offers a rare and unique opportunity for individual
> convention
> goers to become 1Touch coaches. Boasting all the attributes mentioned above,
> it is
> apparent that 1Touch furnishes a variety of benefits to both trainer and
> trainee.
> The goal
> is to have one candidate from each state affiliate represented at the
> convention
> and
> trained as a coach. The infrastructure is in place; what is needed are blind
> coaches.
> What is required?
> The optimal candidate should have stamina, discipline, and the interest to
> devote
> to
> training 23 hours over the course of several days. The training is rigorous
> and intense,
> WWW.NFBSPORTSANDREC.ORG
> Sports and Recreation Division
> Loading...
> but an individual in good health would be a good fit. Any adult over the age
> of 18,
> of
> either gender, with or without prior athletic experience would qualify.
> What is in it for the coach?
> Sufficient availability of certified 1Touch coaches is vital to the
> viability of
> this project.
> Therefore, 1Touch has been designed to provide a coach with the fair
> exchange of
> economic benefit, that is, after certification they will be able to charge a
> fee
> to students
> locally.
> Where do I come in?
> There is a monetary cost for coach certification, which some candidates
> might find
> a
> barrier to participation. This is where, as state president, your state
> organization's
> financial support is needed. Consider the person you would designate to
> represent
> your
> state--who better to train the blind in this essential urban survival skill
> than
> a blind
> coach? Wouldn't that individual be deserving of financial assistance to
> train? The
> short
> and long term value from this endeavor will ripple beyond that individual
> with positive
> ramifications for your state affiliate.
> It is natural to be cautious and skeptical. Therefore, I invite you to
> contact me
> directly if
> you have any questions or concerns. You may also choose to contact the west
> and east
> coast coordinators. They are on hand to answer questions or register a
> future coach
> for
> the 2012 coach's certification. Please find their contact info below my
> signature.
> Most Sincerely,
> WWW.NFBSPORTSANDREC.ORG
> Sports and Recreation Division
> Lisamaria Martinez, President
> Sports and Recreation Division
> National federation of the Blind
> Phone: (510)-289-2577
> Email: LMartinez217 at gmail.com
> Liz Myska, East Coast Coordinator
> Email: emyska at charter.net
> Mark Melonson, West Coast Coordinator
> Email: variant at pcdesk.net
> 
> Becky Frankeberger 
> 
> __._,_.___
> Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic
> Messages in this topic (1)
> RECENT ACTIVITY:
> Visit Your Group
> How many children in America are not taught to read?
> The answer is 90 percent if the children are blind.  
> 
> Don't miss your opportunity to make change with a dollar! 
> Watch this video:
> http://www.marchforindependence.org/site/R?i=ZR5rM_4vdwhiO_bZ-VffRg..
> 
> NFB of Pennsylvania  wants to hear from you 
> phone 215.988.0888
> 
> 
> Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use
> .
>  
> __,_._,___