[Ohio-Talk] looking for help.

Mon Jul 11 23:54:14 UTC 2022

Annette,
She provided no further information of what she referred to, but I do 
agree with you that if it's simply the same program offered to 
mainstream but with all the stuff in accessible format, but can still be 
taken in class or virtually with my sighted peers, it'll require no 
further fighting on my part.  I'm waiting for response to the message I 
sent.
I'll keep the list informed.
Shane
------ Original Message ------
>From "President Capital chapter" <president.capital.nfboh at gmail.com>
To "NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List" <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc "Shane Popplestone" <shane.davidson at icloud.com>
Date 7/11/2022 7:34:46 PM
Subject Re: [Ohio-Talk] looking for help.

>Hello Shane,
>
>I’m going to start out by saying I know absolutely nothing about the 
>aspire program that you are referring to. However, I just had a 
>thought. I was wondering if the “special“ program for the blind that 
>the person was referring to is not necessarily a special program, but 
>one that is accessible. It may be the exact same course, but have all 
>of the materials, computer programs, etc. in an accessible format. That 
>may be what she was referring to. Then again, like I said, I know 
>nothing about this. They actually could have a lesser, as you put it 
>more sheltered, track for blind people. I would hope that would not be 
>the case. I would hope that it merely means that the materials are 
>accessible to the blind, which would really be a great thing if it was 
>the same program.
>
>  May be a little bit of investigation into what she was referring to 
>would be helpful.
>
>However, if she is trying to push you into some kind of lesser, 
>sheltered program, then I would fight that vigorously. You deserve the 
>same education as everybody else.
>
>Annette
>
>Annette Lutz
>President
>Capital Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
>614-288-4323
>President.capital.nfboh at gmail.com
>
>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
>characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the 
>expectations of blind people because we know that low expectations 
>create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the 
>life you want, blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>On Jul 11, 2022, at 7:17 PM, Shane Popplestone via Ohio-Talk 
><ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>Colleen,
>Thank you for your response.
>I'm originally from Canada, and I've been living on my own since 2007.
>I've got 10 years of living on my own in Canada and the past 5 years 
>here in the US with no support outside the O&M training I specifically 
>requested as it was required and using the training in all fields 
>provided to me at the school for the blind in Canada. A training center 
>would not at this time, and I stress, at this time, be of any use to me 
>in my current goals and aspirations.
>I appreciate and am thankful for the services, supports, and training 
>the NFB training center's  provides to it's graduates, and current 
>students, and understand some folks require those services in their 
>lives, but I respectfully will remind you that not every blind person 
>that supports the values, ideas and philosophies of the federation will 
>need the support of a training center.
>This isn't the first GED program I've attended in the mainstream, and 
>the only reason I wrote today was to find a contact in the event my own 
>well used advocacy skills weren't up to the task of preventing 
>discriminatory behavior of staff and facalty who may continue to insist 
>that I couldn't succeed in the mainstream program.
>I doubt this will be an issue as in previous problems in canada, our 
>disability laws didn't have as much teeth ut hey, it's been known to 
>turn ugly, so frankly, if this does continue to be a problem and they 
>insist, incorrectly mind you, that i take a program taylored to the 
>blind, would NFB's legal team be the place to start if necessary?
>Thanks.
>Shane
>------ Original Message ------
>From "Colleen Roth via Ohio-Talk" <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
>To "NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List" 
><ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Cc "Colleen Roth" <n8tnv52 at outlook.com>
>Date 7/11/2022 6:19:11 PM
>Subject Re: [Ohio-Talk] looking for help.
>
>>Hello Shane,
>>I am sure that the person you talked to thought the Special Program 
>>would be better for you. I personally think that attending a regular 
>>program would be better because it would prepare you for living in the 
>>real world. I understand that you might need some Assistance to catch 
>>up with your classmates. I imagine the Aspire would help you with 
>>these issues.
>>I do not know how your Blindness Skills are and whether or not you 
>>need some training to help you compete on terms with others in the 
>>Aspire Program.
>>I would want to know what Skills I would need and then set things up 
>>for myself so that I could compete on terms of equality with those in 
>>my Class.
>>I would definitely take a Spelling Class.
>>You might consider taking a Class from one of the Adult Training 
>>Centers run by the NFB.
>>You would probably have to fight for this but in the end I am sure it 
>>would help you.
>>You should also think about what you are interested in doing.
>>Colleen Roth, President;
>>At Large Chapter;
>>NFB of Ohio;
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Shane Popplestone via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>Date: Monday, July 11, 2022 04:06 PM
>>To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List 
>><ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>CC: Shane Popplestone <shane.davidson at icloud.com>
>>Subject: [Ohio-Talk] looking for help.
>>
>>Hello fellow Ohio Federationists,
>>I write you today with a bit of a horrifying issue, that I hope my 
>>response may result in it going away, but if it doesn't help will be 
>>needed.
>>A bit of background.
>>I'm 35, and due to stupidity on my part in 2007, (we're allowed to be 
>>stupid in our younger days, right? lol), I dropped out of and never 
>>finished highschool.
>>I never really considered going back until about 7 years ago, and that 
>>was good, I started the process then moved to the US in late 
>>2017/early 2018.
>>I began the process of mygrating permanently at that time, but then 
>>covid kicked everything to a grinding stand still. This put an almost 
>>three year hault on the world, but everyone knows that, right? lol.
>>Earlier this year I finally got things back and rolling and last week, 
>>I contacted my chosen college to begin the process of aquiring my GED 
>>and transitioning to a college program, major, etc. to be determined 
>>later.
>>The aspire program (offered by most community colleges, some with 
>>better results than others) is the pathway that will permit me to 
>>complete this process.
>>Due to the fact I really don't like the accessibility services 
>>department at the college closer to me and the fact that don't have 
>>space now (originally they weren't offering it), anyhow they don't 
>>have space until the *end* of next year, I contacted a farther away 
>>college.
>>I won't throw my chosen college under the bus yet, as I'm stilll 
>>trying to resolve this on my own, but in speaking with the head of the 
>>aspire program at that college, I was informed, with due horror too me 
>>mind you, that she was contacting other colleagues as she thinks 
>>their's a specific program for visually impaired students that would 
>>be a better fit then taking the mainstream aspire program.
>>I so informed her that I wasn't interested in taking, what I called 
>>and maybe it wasn't the right term, a sheltered program for the 
>>visually impaired, I wanted to take the aspire program offered by 
>>yours and other colleges around the nation.
>>If she continues down this path does someone know who I might reach 
>>out to help me turn this around?
>>I'm hoping my message to the head of the program results in her 
>>realizing she's made the wrong assumption, but you never know and I'd 
>>rather have all the necessary tools in my back pocket.
>>Thanks.
>>Shane
>>
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>
>
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