[Tall-Corn] Looking for Blind Carpenters

[Emily Wharton]

Hello, please do make sure he has gotten in touch with us at IDB. As most folks know, industrial arts is a major component of our training center to promote self-confidence and self-sufficiency for everyone we serve,but we are always quite excited when someone is interested in trades like carpentry. We have been working on expanding opportunities for blind Iowans to participate in apprenticeship programs and other skill training. Although I do earn my living as a bureaucrat. I am a blind person with a growing wood shop in my garage and did teach  myself to use a lathe and I’m happy to talk alternative techniques for woodworking with anyone any time. To make a referral to the Iowa Department for the Blind, you can call 800-362-2587 and choose option 1  •  or fill out our referral form at: https://iowadeptblind.wufoo.com/forms/zvrywj80kfnxfj/

Sincerely,

Emily Wharton, MFA CPM
Director, Iowa Department for the Blind
515.802.7313
https://blind.iowa.gov
http://www.atiowa.net
"A proud partner in the America’s Job Center Network"

On Sep 26, 2021, at 9:05 PM, Richard via Tall-Corn <tall-corn at nfbnet.org<mailto:tall-corn at nfbnet.org>> wrote:


Hello,

I've done this sort of work over the years.  My grandfather was a good carpenter and taught me a few things, by the way blind from birth.

Notice the recent discussion of the rotomatic rule, a blind man's measuring tool which occurred on this list.  That's one tool a blind carpenter might use.  There are many other adaptive tools.

If your friend hasn't contacted the dept for the lbind he should, and bug them about helping him get equipped to ply his trade as a blind person.

I'm more than glad to talk to him. My phone number is

319-850-7222 but he might hear something strange calling me from an unknown number.
Still tell him to be persistent if he doesn't make contact on the first call.  IF he has a way to send a text first with info on the phone number that will be calling that will helop ease the way, but either way I'll try to communicate with him and help him out.

He's the kind of guy we really need more of in the nfb these days.  WE need people who are craftspeople and who actually do things with their hands and minds.  Stem is nice, bureaucrats are good too, but we need people who actually make things.  Hard as spread out as we are to help folks, and the rehab agencies are more inclined toward the independent living thing.

If he has some time to spend at the orientation center in Des Moines the shop program would do him a good benefit, but  if not I'll do what I can to help.  Encourage him to give me a call.  If not, shoot me his phone number and name and tell him I"ll be giving him a call.

Regards,

Richard Webb




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