[Ohio-talk] Counselor Blindness Skills Training

[Everett Gavel]

Eric wrote:
"That is because Nebraska has a state run 
orientation and adjustment program modeled on the 
NFB centers. Ohio has no such center. How do we 
get it done?"


Hello Eric, and all,

Several years ago now, some of us in the Greater 
Summit County chapter - Bruce Peters, Marilyn 
Donahey, and myself - were looking into getting 
such an NFB_philosophy-based training center going 
in Ohio. I thought we might be able to become #4 
at the time, though as we researched it some, I 
realized there were something like 7 centers 
already going across the nation. I know Nebraska 
was one of them, but I forget what the others 
were. Along with Louisiana, Colorado, & Minnesota 
always being touted as the top 3, of course.

It can be done, has been done, and is continuing 
to be done. Ohio just needs some people to get 
serious enough to dedicate themselves to such a 
future,. Consider that Pam Allen and Julie Deden, 
and many others as well of course, have spent 
decades with what we generally consider to be two 
of the top centers in the nation. I know some of 
the people who started the CCB & the LCB both back 
around the mid 80's, are still with those centers 
today - 30 years later. It takes a good group of 
people, dedicated enough to stick with it for the 
long-term, to truly change what it means to be 
blind.

I'm sure our leaders still in Ohio can give great 
input and guidance. But Bruce has passed away, 
Marilyn, last I heard, was in Chicago, and I've 
been gone 3 years now, here in Colorado Springs. 
But my recommendation to begin planning and 
researching would be to talk with the national 
leaders about how best to proceed with your first 
few necessary steps. Also talk in-depth with the 
leaders of each of those 3 centers, maybe of more 
than just those 3 centers. Find out what's been 
done, what has and has not worked, and how each of 
them think you should proceed. Ask them how they'd 
go about it today if they had to start over, 
knowing what they know now.

Keep in mind though that even though we all want 
to truly change what it means to be blind, you'd 
still be, to some extent, talking with leaders at 
centers who you're asking for advice on how to 
specifically become their competition. So you will 
get great advice all around. But you might also 
not get told everything you'd hope for. Even with 
these existing centers taking in students from all 
around the world, there is still a limited market 
to find clients.

With me and Bruce and Marilyn, our thoughts were 
to start the next generation of training centers. 
Don't just be another of what's already existed 
for 30 years. Instead, figureout what the next 
generation of training center might look like. Be 
better, and start something even better, and 
newer, and world changing - like they did back in 
the 80's. And while you're at it, figure out how 
to grow your market, if possible, too. ;-)

Quite honestly, I'd personally focus heavily on 
technology preparation. Teach blind people to be 
coders, developers, and app designers. With 
everything, absolutely everything being 
tech-driven and Internet-connected these days, 
from our fridge to our microwave to our phones and 
watches, and it only getting worse (or better, 
depending on your outlook), it's a smart bet for a 
more viable future. But, too, the Baby Boomer & 
elderly market is definitely not shrinking, and 
more and more are expected to lose significant 
vision as that market continues to grow into their 
retirement & elderly years.

I'll say it again: It can be done, has been done, 
and is continuing to be done. Ohio just needs some 
people to get serious enough to dedicate 
themselves to such a future,.


strive On!
Everett
everett at everettgavel.com