[stylist] Turkey Update

Sat Jun 5 13:36:04 UTC 2010

Robert!
thanks for the update!
you are making a real difference for the future of blind people in 
Turkey Robert!
good job.
we've got american districts which maybe should get a visit from 
Blind Corps, too ... lol.

jc

At 05:06 PM 6/3/2010, you wrote:
>Hi you all!
>
>It has been very busy around Istanbul! We arrived on Wednesday the 
>26th at 5:30 PM local time (left my home at  2:30 PM Tuesday, 
>leaving from Chicago at 10:20 PM. (There is an eight hour difference 
>between Omaha and Istanbul (the flight was eleven hours).
>
>Our first days here were doing touristy things- Thursday was 
>shopping and lunch at the Covered Bazaar and dinner out. Friday was 
>more touring, the city square, an old famous fire tower, and more 
>shopping Saturday, after getting things set up for the next day 
>arrival of students, we had the opportunity to go to a cocktail 
>party on board a Tall Ship; a replica of an old sailing Brig, just 
>like the one used in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
>
>We have 30 students; most from the government schools for the blind. 
>And picture this- many of the staff here who are blind have never 
>used a cane! (People in their twenties and thirties and have been 
>lead around all their life's; even to and through a college career). 
>Today was their third day with a cane and most are loving it; even 
>had them out   running, climbing ropes and rocs and lots of basic 
>practice. (Tomorrow we make a kite from scratch and on Monday we go 
>and fly them.
>
>Other classes are- Braille (most of the blind staff know Braille, 
>though there isn't much Braille around for them to read). Home 
>making like cooking and cleaning and like that. Shop- making a 
>Braille cell for teaching purposes, out of wood. Computer- with most 
>staff sighted or blind being fairly good computer users. Seminar is 
>big- using several of my THOUGHT PROVOKERS and some NFB speeches. 
>Our main purpose is to show  Structured Discovery  Method. (Our 
>philosophy and method of teaching blindness skills)
>
>Here is the intro to our program that I wrote and was sent out to 
>the fourteen schools-
>
>WELCOME TO Workshop 2010
>  Teachers Are It
>A new decade, a new era, a new philosophy and life for the blind of Turkey
>
>For Teachers- a reality, a truth, a challenge
>
>A Reality: Teachers have the opportunity to be the most influential 
>person in the lives of the blind. The nature of this impact is 
>dependant upon two major factors- First is The teachers knowledge of 
>the human potential to successfully live with blindness; your belief 
>in blind people will be your passion, your guide. Second, it is the 
>teacher's knowledge and ability to teach the best blindness skills; 
>teaching a skill will take a student through one task, teaching how 
>to problem solve and to believe in one's self will take a student through life.
>
>A Truth: Within Turkey, some blind achieve a high measure of 
>independence, at home, at work and within the community. Let us 
>increase the number of blind individuals who achieve this goal.
>
>A Challenge: What new heights in life can I as a teacher assist the 
>blind of Turkey to achieve?
>
>The Program Promise
>
>Over the next 2 weeks you will have the opportunity to learn, what 
>we the teachers of Blind Corps have found: The most effective 
>teaching philosophy when instructing blind and visually impaired 
>youth and adults. Second, the best strategies for teaching blindness 
>skills. Third, many of the best blindness skills a totally blind 
>and/or visually impaired person can have. Toward this goal, we will 
>provide you with written handouts and training equipment, meaningful 
>discussion on all topics and many opportunities for hands-on 
>experience. This workshop will be mentally, philosophically 
>challenging and physically demanding. We believe you will be the 
>better teacher for it.
>
>What you get out of this training will depend upon your willingness 
>to apply yourself. Come with an open mind and a willingness to work. 
>Do not be shy to ask questions, to share your thoughts and if 
>needed, challenge the Blind Corps team to go the extra step to make 
>a concept or skill more understandable or workable for you. Our hope 
>is that you will give a serious effort and try what we ask of you 
>during the workshop and later to apply it to your profession.
>
>
>
>
>
>I'll write again as soon as I can
>
>
>Robert Leslie Newman
>Writers' Division President
>
>(Here to June 15th)
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Writers Division web site:
>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
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