[nfbmi-talk] 9 weeks of training?

[Pauline Smith]

Good Morning,

Linda, if you don't mind, how long were you at the training center.
To give you the shorter version of my thoughts on skills training in
general and braille skills inparticular, 9 weeks for most of the
people I work with would not complete the alphabet.  Granted, most of
the people our program serves cannot keep a daily training schedule
due to major medical, family, and/or other issues.  Thelocal office
would like me to only teach the alphabet, unless the person is a fast
learner.  Then they can learn more.  The suggestion is that they take
Hadley courses if they want to learn more Braile.  The distance
courses do not work for most of our students.  They need the
reinforcement of someone readily available to help them when they get
stuck.  They do not have the confidence that they can handle a subject
that is so foreign to them and everybody around them such as braille
on their own.  And these high-ranking state officials seem to forget
the very important step of geting the student used to doing tactile
tasks, a very important step for learning braille or other tactile
tasks.  More in later posts so that I don't get too long.  I can get
on quite a soapbox, so I'll stop while I'm ahead.

Pauline


On 5/1/13, Linda Bloodsaw <lbloodsaw2018 at gmail.com> wrote:
> It took me 6 weeks to learn grade 1 braille and another 6 weeks to learn
> grade 2.  I had a wonderful teacher at the training center and I did hours
> of homework.  There is no way I could have done that in 9 weeks.  How can
> this man deny my right to learn when my tax dollars are paying for it?
>
> On May 1, 2013, at 10:05 PM, "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>> National Federation of the Blind Board Meeting, April 25, 8:30 P.M.
>> Quorum yes Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Joe Sontag, Terri Wilcox, Mark
>> Eagle, Dave Robinson, Nicholas Wilcox and Mary Wurtzel.
>> Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Mike Powell moved to adopt the April 4
>> Minutes. Nick Wilcox seconded the Motion. The Minutes were
>> approved.
>> Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle. The Newsline Account has $17,083. The
>> Affiliate Account has $121,944.08 including $20,000 for youth
>> activities from an anonymous donor. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the
>> Treasurer's Report. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The
>> Treasurer's Report was approved.
>> Introduction of Participating Members
>> President's Report, Larry Posont. The Leadership Seminar for Michigan at
>> the National Office cannot happen until after National
>> Convention. People who need financial assistance must ask for it by May 1.
>> Contact Larry Posont for assistance. Eight or nine people
>> have requested assistance. People can get up to $250 for assistance.
>> Lillian Quigley from Detroit will work the Michigan exhibit
>> table at National Convention. Larry Posont will meet with the person for
>> cinnamon almonds. We will also sell tote bags. Mary Wurtzel
>> will coordinate a senior fair at State Convention.
>> Vehicle Donation Program. Marcus Simmons will be our Vehicle Donation
>> Chair.
>> Mark Eagle has volunteered to be the Voting Liaison for Michigan.
>> The Quarterly Board Meeting will be the first week end after Memorial Day,
>> probably at the Doubletree in Dearborn. The possibility
>> of starting a Training Center in Michigan with National Federation of the
>> Blind philosophy at some point in the future was
>> discussed.
>> Old Business: The location of the advisory Board Meeting is moved. The
>> Kalamazoo Chapter needs reforming. The August Board Meeting
>> will be on August 10 or 24. Ed Rogers is dictating that rehabilitation at
>> the Training Center will have a "cookie cutter" approach
>> of 9 week semesters for every student. Ed Rogers is dictating four 9 week
>> semesters and other designated opportunities at the
>> Training Center for mini adjustment and youth. Blind people are getting
>> hurt. Lisa Kisiel is directing the Training Center. Is there
>> enough damage to blind people to warrant going to the Legislature?
>> New Business: Dave Robinson is Grandfather to Gabriella Grace.
>> Terri Wilcox moved to adjourn at 9:13. Mike Powell seconded the motion.
>> The meeting was adjourned.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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