[NFBWV-Talk] NFBWV and WVDRS Topics for Discussion

Tue Oct 22 23:11:08 UTC 2024

Got it… Thank you

𝒮𝒽ℯ𝓇𝒾 𝓀ℴ𝒸𝒽
Sheri Koch, President
NFBWV
304-209-8779
SLK8332015 at gmail.com

On Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 6:57 PM A C MCGHEE via NFBWV-Talk <
nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> I'll take Number 11 but I need a little clarification.
>
> Carol
> On Oct 19, 2024 10:01 PM, Sheri Koch via NFBWV-Talk <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > See if this is Accessible
> >
> > WVDRS Topics for Discussion
> >
> > 1)  Do you agree there are aspects of blindness rehabilitation services
> in West
> > Virginia that could be improved and if so,are you willing to collaborate
> > constructively with the NFBWV and the blind community toexplore
> strategies
> > and solutions?
> >
> > 2) For those who don’t know, define Order of Selection 1 & Order of
> > Selection
> > 2.
> >
> > 3)  Why is DRS implementing closed OS so early in the fiscal year? Is the
> > bulk of the money being spent on new referrals?
> >
> > 4)  With the closing of WVRC and using community vendors to teach Braille
> > and access technology, and the criteria for teaching no longer applies,
> why
> > not change the criteria for filling these positions so more instructors
> can
> > be hired statewide, and more blind people can receive comprehensive
> > and continuous
> > services? NFBWV could go to the legislature if neededto assist with this
> > job reclassification.
> >
> > 5)  For College-bound students…appropriate access technology is crucial
> for
> > their success. It appears that additional Access Technology Specialists
> and
> > Brailleinstructors are needed statewide.  Why not hire additional staff
> who
> > can do comprehensive assessments and individualized training?
> >
> > 6)  What effective strategies can be put in place to ensure blind
> > college-bound students receive blindness skills BEFORE college?
> >
> > 7)  Accommodations at the college and university seem to experience great
> > difficulty with accommodating blind and low vision students.  While
> > students wait on needed accommodations from their learning institution,
> they
> > need to know what already exists for them.  Counselors for the blind
> need to
> > be better informed so they canbetter prepare students on available
> services
> > such as Braille. Bookshare, Learning Ally, DRS provided reader service,
> etc.
> >
> > 8)  No counselor for the blind should EVER tell a client that Braille is
> > obsolete. Case in point, elevators.
> >
> > 9)  Delores (Nikki) Jackson with NFB heads a program called “Where the
> > Blind work”.  Her contact info is:
> > njackson at nfb.org, 410-659-9314 - Ext. 2404. Link:
> > https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-blind-work
> >
> > 10)  Counselors for the blind would do well to work with her to ensure no
> > occupation desired by a blind person is ruled out before it has been
> > thoroughly explored. Example, can a blind person be a doctor? Yes!
> >
> > 11)  We understand that RSA has provided guidance to no longer provide
> any I
> > ndependent Living products such as a talking microwave to blind
> individuals
> > seeking employment. With such services as cooking no longer being
> provided,
> > what is a blind person with no cooking skills to do?  Please Clarify.
> >
> > 12)  To do a thorough job in assessing, training and placing blind
> > individuals, small caseloads are essential to meet each blind or low
> vision
> > person’s needs. Carrying large caseloads to include others who are not
> > blind feels like a “numbers game” of quantity, rather than providing
> > quality services to blind individuals needing specialized services. Could
> > this be reconsidered? Can this be resolved?
> >
> > 13)  VISIONS provides no canes, O&Mtraining, or Braille.  If money is the
> > issue, NFBWV is willing to go to the governor or legislature.  Other
> > states acquire
> > stated funding for their ILOB programs
> >
> > 14)  NFBWV continues to feel that a blind individual with good
> > administrative skills should head Blind Services.  Yet, when we look at
> > individuals in charge, yet only one blind is employed with minimal
> > authority or leadership opportunities. Why?
> >
> > 15)  While we are aware that color blindness and having only one good eye
> > are listed under ADA as disabilities, questions continue to arise
> regarding
> > real functional limitations and DRS eligibility.
> >
> > 2
> >
> > 𝒮𝒽ℯ𝓇𝒾 𝓀ℴ𝒸𝒽
> > Sheri Koch, President
> > NFBWV
> > 304-209-8779
> > SLK8332015 at gmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 9:20 PM A C MCGHEE via NFBWV-Talk <
> > nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > > Sheri,
> > > The attachment didn't come through on my Braille device. Sometimes
> they do
> > > but most times they don't come through.
> > >
> > > Carol
> > >
> > > On Oct 19, 2024 5:18 PM, Sheri Koch via NFBWV-Talk <
> nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello All,
> > > >
> > > > This email is targeted for those individuals who will be attending
> our
> > > > upcoming 2024 state convention and who plan to participate in the
> > > 11/1/24
> > > > session with WVDRS.  Attached is a list of 15 topics for discussion.
> > > I'd
> > > > like each of you to pick one of particular interest to you. If you
> like,
> > > > feel free to join up with another individual to address a specific
> topic
> > > of
> > > > choice.   Because I will open up this session, and because I have
> talked
> > > > with Ms.Jackson about the program Where the Blind Work, I have
> selected
> > > > topic #9.
> > > >
> > > > To avoid potential chaos, please review the topic list, make your
> > > > selection, and email or text me your choice by next Saturday,
> 10/26/24.
> > > I
> > > > will provide some assistance if there are topics not selected to
> ensure
> > > we
> > > > cover the most salient issues.
> > > >
> > > > In the interest of productivity and transparency, the list of issues
> has
> > > > been sent to all invited WVDRS staff participants, along with a copy
> of
> > > the
> > > > agenda.
> > > >
> > > > I'm hopeful this will be a lively and productive discussion.  Thanks
> to
> > > all
> > > > of you who are volunteering to get involved.
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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