[nfbwatlk] It's Humberto again: Questions about legal status and services (continuation)

[Nightingale, Noel]

Humberto,

If you believe you are being discriminated against by the Department of Services for the Blind on the basis of your national origin, you could file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's office for Civil Rights.  The on-line form is at :

http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/complaintform.cfm 


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of hmp
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 3:54 PM
To: NfbWaTlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] It's Humberto again: Questions about legal status and services (continuation)

Hello:

I talked to the DSB on Monday afternoon and I asked if because I am not a citizen or I am living as an illegal resident, I can get their rehab services or their programs. Here is what they told
me:

Humberto asks: "Is there any way I can get your services at the DSB?"
Yakima DSB lady said: "Well, I don't think so, but I'm not positive... I am going to talk to Carla, who is in charge of this, and I will let you know when I call later."
Humberto asks: "Do you know if I'm eligible for other programs or rehabilitation services then?"
Lady said: "Let me talk to your teachers at the ESD 105 people, and I will let you know... who is the main person at your school to talk to?"
Humberto said: "Dr. Denise Robinson, teacher of the blind."
DSB Lady said: "I'll call you later, see what Carla has to say."

Afterwards, I received a call and this is what they said:

"Humberto, you can't be eligible for our rehab services. We don't currently provide with services to non-citizens or people like you. We are unable to give you any support... Let me see what other services you are able to apply for, OK? Don't give up. I'll see what we can do to help you in seeing which services you are able to have. We'll talk to your ESD person, and see what she has to say. Don't give up."

 With this in mind, I feel like I am stuck in a bottomless, unending and enormous pit. Why aren't they able to provide with this? I came to this country because they are very nice, to follow my dreams, and to get my future. So, why is this? Why can't I have access to applications and services just like the rest of you, the rest of the blind in America, can have? Why are they chewing me off? As to my personal feelings, I feel totally discriminated! I feel like I'm not given the rights to do anything! to be honest, I feel just like a black woman living in the U.S. in the middle of the 19th century. I don't know if you would feel this way too... perhaps I'm exaggerating too much. 
But, anyhow, my idea is, why is this happening to me? Am I perhaps the ** ONLY ** blind student living in this country with this kind of status?

To that end, I don't want to give up!!! not at all!!! If this doesn't work, then how can I become an AMERICAN citizen? I need the answer to this question please. Does anyone have any comments about becoming a citizen of the U.S. please email me back with suggestions.

For your information: my long-term dream is to go into a transition program where I can learn my Daily Living Skills as well as mobility, to pursue a career on Information Technology (IT), have a successful life and make a good family.

sincerely,
humberto

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