[nfbwatlk] my opinion only

Sat Apr 18 19:07:01 UTC 2009

Hi all.

I had a similar response. There was a lot of jargain that meant little 
in terms of practical application to those of us who are consumers. 
Reading what I could, it sounds to me like we're having better luck 
with the OTC and that, for the most part, rehabilitation won't be 
compromised. It sounds to me like Child and family and Older Blind 
staff will be a little pinched seems how the programs are being 
effectively combined. On one hand, the older blind will probably get 
better service, especially if the OTC becomes available to them. On the 
other, will child and family programs suffer? Will the staff be spread 
out too thin? What does it mean to increase Rehab teaching services in 
the field? does that mean that we'll have quality providers? Perhaps 
what we need is a document that's written for consumers, not staff. 
What we need is a document that will clearly lay out what DSB is doing 
in a clear fashion that makes sense to consumers. Is such a document a 
possibility? I'd also like to see some responses from the Rehab 
Council, particularly from the representative of consumer groups. I 
assume members of the Council have received some of these e-mails? What 
are their opinions and concerns?

I do have to agree with Mike Mello. This list is for the sharing and 
discussion of important issues affecting the blind of Washington. Rehab 
matters are important, and this list is a fantastic way for us to hear 
what our fellow members have to say on the issues at hand, especially 
since regularly frequent  meetins of state officers and the like are 
unrealistic. I include myself when I say that we should respond to 
messages written by rehab staff even if messages include questions like 
"I need clarification" or "What was that about?" surely, that's a lot 
better than silence because it communicates that we need more 
information whereas silence conveys either apathy or absolutely 
nothing. Naturally, this is just my opinion. Come to think on it, we on 
this list idn't actually hear of possible OTC closures alerting us to 
the budget issues of DSB until Lisa Owen posted a forwarded message 
from the WCB list and expressed deep anger and concern. Again, just my 
opinions and observations.

Original message:
> Hi,
> I found the report somewhat jargony too and I am not sure what some of it
> meant because I don't work at DSB.  I am a client, though, and I am
> concerned.
> Thanks
> Lauren
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mary Ellen" <gabias at telus.net>
> To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 11:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] my opinion only

>> Mike,
>> There have been a few questions and comments, but certainly not a flood of
>> them. I think the near silence is *not*
>> caused by lack of interest or lack of thought. I don't live in Washington,
>> so my reaction may be due to lack of familiarity with the details of the
>> way
>> the agency operates, but I find myself pondering the options and not
>> knowing
>> how to react.
>> It was difficult for me to understand exactly what was meant by some of
>> the
>> language in her report, since it included some terms which sounded like
>> in-house vocabulary (in other words, jargon) to me. I suggest there will
>> be
>> more reaction on the list when members understand what the various
>> proposed
>> options will mean on a practical level.
>> It was encouraging to read that the residential component of the OTC will
>> be
>> retained. The discussion of new ways to structure Independent Living and
>> services to older blind people will have a great impact on staff, but it's
>> hard to understand what it will mean from the point of view of a blind
>> person in Oroville.
>> It may be that the list isn't the best place for people to get their
>> questions answered. It may also be that the whole thing is so
>> overwhelmingly
>> confusing that most people did what I did when I read it. I thought "It
>> sounds as if they're listening about the residential training, that's
>> great.
>> I don't know enough about the other things mentioned in her report to have
>> an informed opinion." I admit that isn't the best response, but people
>> frequently respond to feeling overwhelmed with information they don't
>> thoroughly understand by shutting down and hoping the more knowledgeable
>> among us will summarize and analyze it.
>> You provided a useful service to those on the list by sending the report.
>> Don't be discouraged by the lack of instantaneous response. I'm sure
>> people
>> are asking questions and figuring out where they stand. Sometimes
>> democracy
>> works slowly, and sometimes imperfectly, but never doubt that members of
>> the
>> NFBW are working toward developing the organization's position. My guess
>> is
>> that chapter meetings make for a better give and take discussion than
>> listservs.

>> Mary Ellen
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Mello
>> Sent: April 17, 2009 5:27 PM
>> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] my opinion only

>> Joanie, nothing is wrong what so ever with talking about cooking. However
>> when I post information about changes to programs and services offered by
>> the Department of Services for the Blind,
>> and no-one says anything about that topic I start to wonder why that is.
>> That is why I posted my question in hopes that when Lou Oma askes me in
>> the
>> hallway at work (I am an employee of the
>> department) what the NFBW feels about the changes that are going on I can
>> have something to say other than well... "after asking you if you would
>> have
>> any problem with me posting your
>> director's updates on the listserv Not a single person said a damn
>> thing...
>> so I guess We have no thought as a group." Thank you. Mike Mello

>> On Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:23:48 -0700, Joanie wrote:

>>> Hi Mike Mello and all,
>>> I probably should have ignored your message about people commenting on
>>> thetopic of cooking. However, the Mariners have been discussed on this
>> list,
>>> so what's wrong occasionally with us talking about how we prepare food?
>>> Besides, it's Friday.
>>> Take care.

>>> _______________________________________________
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>> Michael J. Mello

>> mike at mello.com

>> (208) 301-0565

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-- 
REspectfully,
Jedi

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