[blindkid] Summer training at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland

Wed May 16 00:21:57 UTC 2012

Hello Debby,
If you can make a case that this experience is "training" in blindness 
skills - which it certainly is - and that no similar, equivalent experience 
is available in your state, then by law they are required to send people out 
of state. It falls under something called "informed choice". Naturally, the 
state rehab. people never tell you about these rights under the law because 
they don't want to have to come up with extra money.

Begin by writing down all the differences between any program that your 
state is offering. Then, note the things that the out-of-state program is 
offering that the in-state one does not. I would think things like:
--all the instructors are blind and , therefore, provide competent, 
confident blind role models.
--students will be involved in maintaining the apartment they will be 
sharing so they will be learning house-cleaning and other daily living 
nonvisual methods from the people who actually use them - blind people.
--all orientation and mobility training will be based on the Structured 
Discovery Method; this means that a holistic approach to learning how to be 
independent, oriented and safe is used, not just training someone to learn 
the route from this place to another and nothing more.

I will attach a copy of the relevant portion of the law so that you can 
study it up and use it.
You simply go to your state rehab. folks and let them know the reasons for 
your "informed Choice" reminding them about the provisions of the law. Be 
sure you have lots of reasons why the in-state program will not teach what 
you require.
Please don't hesitate to contact me, or the BISM folks if you want some 
advice or assistance with this situation.

Warmest regards,
Heather Field

-----Original Message----- 
From: Debby B
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 6:03 PM
To: Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Summer training at Blind Industries and Services 
ofMaryland

What is the cost? Our state Division of Blind Services will not pay for 
anything out of state, so we would have to find alternate funding.

Debby
bwbddl at yahoo.com

~"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can 
read."~Mark Twain

________________________________
From: Dezman Jackson <djackson at BISM.org>
To: "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children) 
(blindkid at nfbnet.org)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Dan Wenzel <dwenzel at BISM.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 11:08 AM
Subject: [blindkid] Summer training at Blind Industries and Services of 
Maryland

Attention listers,

We are gearing up for a summer of fun and learning at Blind Industries and 
Services of Maryland's Independence 2012 summer Independence and employment 
training program.  There are still openings for your high school students 
and we stand ready to serve.  Please find more information and a link to our 
online application below.  For questions, please don't hesitate to contact 
myself or Dan Wenzel via the info that follows.

Best regards,

Dezman Jackson MA, NOMC, NCLB
BISM Youth Services
Follow us: Facebook - Bism YouthPrograms
Twitter @BISM_Youth

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
3345 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone: 410-737-2676
Mobile: 251-689-4623
Fax: 410-737-2689
Toll Free: 888-322-4567
E-mail: djackson at bism.org<mailto:djackson at bism.org>
BISM's purpose is to positively change people's attitudes about blindness

[cid:image001.png at 01CD328B.1EA93120]

BLIND INDUSTRIES & SERVICES OF MARYLAND
Independence 2012 with BISM Compass logo

June 17 - August 10
For Blind and Low Vision High School Students

What is Independence 2012?
Independence 2012 is a 8-week residential training program that provides 
blind and low vision teens with the nonvisual skills and confidence to help 
transition from high school to college and/or employment.

*    Learn to travel independently using a long white cane
*    Experience real-world career opportunities
*    Two-week paid work experience
*    Learn to read and write using Braille
*    Develop computer skills through access technology
*    Reside in campus apartments with blind instructors/mentors
*    Expand cooking, cleaning, and shopping skills
*    Develop a positive attitude about blindness
*    Attend the 2012 NFB national convention in Dallas, Texas
*    Tour Baltimore, Washington D.C., and New York, NY
*    Participate in recreational and athletic activities
*    New this year - Sailing!

Who Can Apply?
Legally blind high school students who are entering or are in high school in 
the fall of 2012.
Applicants should have an open case with their state's vocational 
rehabilitation agency or
have an alternative funding source.

For more information or to apply, please contact:
Dezman Jackson at 410-737-2676, djackson at bism.org
or Dan Wenzel at 410-737-2642, dwenzel at bism.org.

The text is black in color set on a orange burst fading into a yellow glow, 
with white cane & hand in the background.

Independence Student 
Application<https://www.formrouter.net/forms@BISM/StudentAppIndependence.html>

Best regards,

Dezman Jackson MA, NOMC, NCLB
BISM Youth Services
Follow us: Facebook - Bism YouthPrograms
Twitter @BISM_Youth

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
3345 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone: 410-737-2676
Mobile: 251-689-4623
Fax: 410-737-2689
Toll Free: 888-322-4567
E-mail: djackson at bism.org<mailto:djackson at bism.org>
BISM's purpose is to positively change people's attitudes about blindness

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