[nabs-l] nfb training centers

[David Andrews]

You have been done a great dis-service by the education and rehab 
systems.  There are many many things that you can do independently 
and successfully, that you are not doing.  Don't get hung up on 
little things like what will I study in technology.  At a good 
training center you will learn to travel independently and 
confidently, to go to new places and find your way, to cook, clean, 
use stoves, knives, and everything else!

If you are still a rehab client you can ask for training as a part of 
your individualized plan for employment.  Without good training you 
will find it difficult to get a good job.  Additional skills and 
confidence will help convince an employer to hire you.

Contact your nfb state president and get help in getting what you 
need from your rehab counselor.

Dave

At 08:32 PM 2/2/2014, you wrote:
>Hello,
>It seems that in so much of the Nfb's literature, people talk about 
>nfb training centers.  I recently graduated college and still live 
>at home to save money (my sister does too.) I did attend a training 
>program in high school, but it was a six week program only and they 
>would not let us leave the building alone because the hall directors 
>felt that the area was not safe for us.  The only trips we took were 
>as a group and with the staff.
>At times, those of us who were totally blind were allowed to go 
>sighted guide on field trips.  Therefore, I am teasing with the idea 
>of experiencing an nfb training center, but the problem is that I 
>cannot dish out $7,000 right now due to my student loans.
>Is there financial aid available to nfb members who want to attend a 
>training center? I am a member at large, so does that make a 
>difference? I am pretty good in some areas but others not so 
>much.  For example, mobility is definitely not a strength.  I still 
>end up going sighted guide with family and friends except for 
>interviews.  Even then, I am still hesitant to go to unfamiliar 
>places independently.  Can a training center help with that? I have 
>a pretty solid foundation in the use of JAWS with using the 
>Internet, microsvt office, etc.  I also use a Braille note as a 
>notetaker.  Given this foundation, would I still receive technology 
>training? If I would, could it be more recreational in nature, such 
>as learning to navigate facebook using JAWS or learning to use 
>itunes ineependently so I can manage my ipod independently or 
>learning voiceover so I could use an ipad or iphone? My family all 
>have smartphones and ipads except my grandma and I who still have 
>basic phones.  Sometimes when I'm out with my mom and her phone 
>rings and she is not availth', I can't answer her phone for her 
>because I can't see the screen? I tried voiceover once, but I could 
>not get the conang of the gestures, so I gave up.  My Braille skills 
>are very good.  I read contracted Braille as my primary Braille 
>grade and was salf-taught music Braille.  I'm not as confident in my 
>music Braille abilities though.  I can use the microwave pretty well 
>since that's what I used in my dorm at college, but all the buttons 
>were labeled in Braille.  However, I am not comfortable with using 
>the stove or oven nor do I trust myself using any kind of knife, 
>even to cut food at a meal.  I still have to ask for help with this 
>task.  Therefore, based on the information I have provided, what 
>would a training center be able to offer me? Will they reteach me 
>something I already know or are new students tested on what they arl 
>know? How is this done? Do they sit you down and ask you questions 
>or is it hands-on where you are asked to perform a given task? When 
>I attended the training program, they just sat down and asked a 
>bunch of questions that had yes or no answers, they did not test our 
>profficiency at all, it was just Do you know how to d....  Sorry for 
>so many questions, but I wadt to know as much as possible at the 
>programs offered at these training centers and how they could be of 
>benefit to me now.
>Thanks,