[nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
Dean Martineau
dean at topdotenterprises.com
Tue Mar 3 00:52:22 UTC 2009
Well, it is interesting to observe that this topic has already generated
lots of discussion and some action proposals on the Council list, while this
list, at least one of whose members was informed about the plan at the same
time, and others doubtlessly also knew of it, has had no such discussion.
It's interesting to ponder why the discrepancy, and I still think I've hit
on part of the reason. No, since there has been a Center in Washington,
people have not been encouraged to go elsewhere, but when there is none ...?
Dean
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Nightingale, Noel
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 4:35 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
I disagree with that statement, Dean. The only individuals who ever go out
of state for their blindness skills training only did so because they were
informed of that option or choice by individuals not employment by the state
vocational rehabilitation agency. Despite the requirement to provide
informed choice, I have never known any client of the Washington Dept. of
Services for the Blind to have been informed about options for intensive
blindness skills training other than the OTC.
I believe that the National Federation of the Blind of Washington should
advocate for the importance of a residential training center for the blind
here in the state of Washington for two reasons: the first reason is that
many people have reasons why they will not leave the state for their
training, and I remain optimistic that the training center will someday meet
our expectations, and second that the actual provision of specialized
services is the primary justification for maintaining a separate agency for
the blind.
Finally, I don't think that the debate around the closure of the OTC issue
should be used as an excuse for people who are not part of the organized
blind to take potshots at one organization or the other.
Noel
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Dean Martineau
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 1:28 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
My guess here is that the NFB won't view this development as too much of a
negative, because it means that they will be able to leverage more people
being sent to the Colorado Center because, after all, comparable services
aren't provided in Washington.
Dean
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Nfbnorthwest at aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 12:17 PM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
Hello:
Due to the economy and State budget cuts DSB is considering closing the OTC
Residency program. Please read the info posted below. I was part of the
program for a short time but I had to return for personal reasons including
health concerns. I was considering returnin gto the program at a later
date, but being separated from my Spouse Ron was very hard to deal with and
thus caused a great deal of stress. However, the program can help and
should not be cut.
I
don't know what our position in this matter is, but I am interested in
finding out. I got the info from the WCBL list. I am very concerned about
how this is going to impact services in the State and also how far the
budget cutting will go. What other programs will be effected.
I have to admit during my short time in the program I never heard anyone
mention stopping the program for the residents; the hours at the center
were changed but nothing beyond that. However, I did sense a great deal of
tension and stress; I had a feeling that something was going to happen.
The program is a good one to have. We should not allow it to be lost. Even
in favor of other programs in other states. I hope that everyone will
support the program staying open. Also, I hope that everyone will encourage
DSB to cut carefully when it comes to services.
Lisa A. Owen
Secretary Officer
NFB of WA Student Division
360-920-0405
_nfbnorthwest at aol.com_ (mailto:nfbnorthwest at aol.com)
PS: Mike I would like to hear your views on this issue please and thanks.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Denise Colley" <dmc0124 at comcast.net>
To: "wcb list" <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
Cc: "WCB Presidents List" <presidents at wcbinfo.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:15 PM
Subject: [Wcb-l] proposed closure of the DSB OTC apartments
As your president I am posting the following information, as we understand
it, so that all of you will know where WCB stands and the actions we have
taken.
Last Wednesday representatives from both WCB and NFBW had a conference call
with Department of Services for the Blind Director, Lou Oma duirand, to
talk
about the Department, and how they were being impacted budgetarily and
programmatically with the current economic climate in Washington State.
These were conversations we had been having with DSB since October. Up
until this most recent call, we had been led to believe that, while budget
cuts were inevitable, DSB was going to be able to withstand them with some
creative budgeting.
The call began with Lou Oma sharing that there were three goals driving all
of their budget decisions, to include:
1) making cuts that would have the least impact possible on services to
their customers;
2) protecting as much of their federal funding as they could and not
jeopardizing it;
3) preserving their ability to be a specialized agency offering
specialized
services and specialized expertise, regardless of the customer's age or
circumstances.
What she then shared is of great concern to the board of WCB, and I'm sure
to all of you, the membership. One of the proposed budget cuts is to close
the residential program (apartments) of the orientation and training
center.
The training program would remain in tact, but, essentially would become a
day training program. This would mean that they would really only be able
to provide their in-depth skills of blindness training to individuals
living
in King County and the surrounding area. They would no longer have the
supervised training component that took place in the apartments in the
evening and on weekends. When asked how those customers living outside the
immediate area would receive this same level of training, we were told that
this would free up resources to expand rehab teaching and orientation and
mobility instruction in these residential areas. Depending on the
circumstances, they could send customers out of state for more intensive
training. They are also considering bringing itinerant intensive trainign
workshops into different parts of the state.
The WCB Board met that same evening to discuss the situation and began
formulating our position. We were all in agreement that full and complete
vocational rehabilitation cannot be done in the home on a once a week or
once a month basis, and that it is a twenty-four hour a day process. After
much discussion I was asked to submit to Lou Oma our position, and I'm
pasting it here for your review.
"The Washington Council of the Blind is categorically opposed to cutting
the
residential function of the orientation and training program, and we charge
DSB with examining other programmatic/administrative functions that could be
cut."
Please be assured that we will continue following this situation diligently
and developing an action plan/strategy, and as it unfolds, I pledge to keep
you all informed.
Some of you may be asking what you can do. Here is my first appeal to you.
Next Saturday, March 7, the State Rehabilitation Council will be holding
their quarterly meeting in Seattle at the DSB office, beginning at 9am.
Not
only is there a time on each agenda for public comment, but the meeting is
a
public meeting and all topics discussed are open for comments and questions
from the audience. We need to pack that room and make our concerns and
position clear. We especially need members there who have attended the OTC
and can talk about what the residential part of that training meant to you.
The State Rehabilitation Council and DSB staff need to hear from all of us.
I would be happy to try to answer any questions any of you might have. You
can contact me by phone at (360) 438-0072 or e-mail me at
dmc0124 at comcast.net.
Denise
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