[Ohio-talk] NFB and ACB

[Jordy Stringer]

Salutations, it would seem you have the perfect opportunity for an open exchange of ideas. Perhaps the focus should be student related disability issues rather than organizational affiliations.  If you ever need someone to brainstorm with, feel free to email me off list at: jordystringer83 at gmail.com
I think the first steps are identifying the most common student issues. At that point the two of you can focus on effective strategies for change rather than on an organizational perspective. This perhaps may be a bit taboo, but at the end of The day, both of you, and your peers are just students trying to be successful blind people. 
As I become more versed on some of the issues facing Ohioans I may be of more assistance in the future.
Warmest regards,

Jordy D. Stringer Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 18, 2015, at 9:52 PM, Kaiti Shelton via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> One of the things I've been working on this semester, and talked a
> little bit about on the list recently, is an organization for students
> with disabilities and allies on UD's campus.  My partner in crime in
> this is another blind student, and it is interesting how things have
> worked out.  We seem to have very similar attitudes about independence
> and are in agreement on how to work to make disability less of a taboo
> topic of conversation on campus, but I'm a Federationist and she's an
> ACB member.  It's interesting because sometimes in conversations we'll
> dance around mentioning the different organizations.  For example, the
> other day she said, "I went to a conference in October and-something
> about BSVI."  I know it was the ACB convention, so I'm wondering why
> there needs to be the secrecy about it.  I doubt she's intentionally
> doing it-it's probably passed down through the generations.
> 
> I'm guilty of this, too.  Though I have not been shy about my
> allegiance and have specifically said things like, "I heard this at an
> NFB thing," I have not done it as much as I normally would.  I am also
> guilty of not wanting to do anything with the ACB.  Until Dr. Maurer
> made a comment telling me I should apply for ACB scholarships at the
> last conventions I never applied simply because I didn't agree with
> the organization's approach.  I also heard horror stories of NFB
> people being announced as "The other camp" as they entered ACB
> functions, and didn't want to be treated like that so I never thought
> of attending anything they sponsored.
> 
> It really got me thinking about how the organizations are still at
> odds with each other today.  It's funny, too, because when I've
> mentioned things like, "We could do something for Meet the Blind
> Month," the reaction is just like, "Oh, an NFB thing."  I wouldn't
> quite describe it as disappointment, but definitely something along
> those lines.  While I personally don't agree with the approach the ACB
> takes as an organization, I won't judge someone who does.  I know a
> few people who have had membership in both organizations
> simultaneously and like them.  I don't think I've ever met a full ACB
> person, though, so this is something new.  I really like her and her
> attitude about things is very similar to mine, so this is puzzling me.
> I would love to use opportunities in the club to promote things like
> Meet the Blind Month, or use a fundraiser to possibly get some funds
> for BELL as a service event, but in this instance I feel obligated to
> keep it neutral.  Thoughts?
> 
>   --
> Kaiti Shelton
> University of Dayton 2016.
> Music Therapy, Psychology, Philosophy
> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
> Sigma Alpha Iota-Delta Sigma
> 
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