[Ohio-talk] Counselor Blindness Skills Training

Fri May 15 15:29:11 UTC 2015

OK, I’ve stayed out of this discussion because I don’t feel that I have a lot to contribute after what has already been said, but I must strongly disagree with the statement that centers do not prepare one for the future. For the blind person that attends the center, it is a life changing experience. They are prepared for their future as a blind person, who can independently and confidently pursue a career or whatever they choose to do. 

Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Dog Dallas 
Vice President, Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users 
Vice President, Ohio Association of Blind Students 
Both proud divisions of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio 
Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com <mailto:blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com> 
Phone: 937-733-0525
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. 
“The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” - Arabian proverb 

> On May 14, 2015, at 5:08 PM, Megan Shief via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Evert. You are so right.I haven't any idea what you are toking about
> when you get in to
> codes and so on. It is ok  to teach some one how to fold clothes, and the
> rest of the stuff
> that many of these centers do. They are not preparing people for the future.
> blind people have so much to offer in the tech scene.
> Just to think all that has happened in the last ten years.
> Start children at an early age with computers and whatnot.
> I read an interesting folder about rehabilitation at our national
> convention back in the
> nineties. it was amazing.
> rehab is a word that does not fit the blind. We are as as able as anyone.
> Good luck
> I hope we hear more about this in the future. it seems as though you have
> a great group
> of leaders. Megan and MS. P. blindness is a nuisance.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
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