[nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools

Mikayla Gephart mikgephart at icloud.com
Sun Feb 7 19:41:24 UTC 2016 

I have to disagree here. Some parents may just put their child in a school for the blind because it is for the blind. Maybe this discussion might help a parent who just happens to google something and this discussion comes up. Especially, I think that some parents may not understand that we can go to school with sighted friends go to college, and even become Scientists and Mathematicians.

Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 7, 2016, at 2:34 PM, Christina Moore via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Agreed.
> We all have our own opinions but ultimate the parent's know what is
> best for thier children.
> 
> 
>> On 2/7/16, Kayla James via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> You're right, Loren. It is a choice. Let's put this debate to bed,
>> guys. How about it?
>> 
>>> On 2/7/16, Loren Wakefield via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> So is that why a blind student must be accompanied by an aide in the
>>> public
>>> schools?  I received a damn good education at Iowa Braille and Sight
>>> Saving
>>> School.  At the time, it was far superior to what I would have received
>>> in
>>> my own town.
>>> 
>>> So in my humble opinion, it comes down to what works best for the
>>> individual
>>> student.  Since leaving IBSSS, I have acquired a college education, a
>>> Wife,
>>> kids, and grandkids, along with many other things that has made life
>>> extremely interesting.
>>> 
>>> I have yet to see kids coming out of public schools that are any closer
>>> to
>>> being prepared for life than I was.
>>> 
>>> Having said this, I do believe it should be a choice.  One should not be
>>> forced to attend one or the other.  If the public school setting works
>>> better for you, than get in there and kick butt and get all you can.  If
>>> the
>>> state school works better for you, then do the same.  Just remember, no
>>> school system is perfect.
>>> 
>>> Loren
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Angela via
>>> nabs-l
>>> Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2016 8:32 AM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Cc: angelaroberts10886 at gmail.com
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>> 
>>> I honestly think that Blind Schools shelter students, and don't prepare
>>> them
>>> for the real world.  I went to public school until my 11th grade year of
>>> school, and I'm regretting even going to a blind school.
>>> The academics is way behind for high school.  Like some have said, I feel
>>> like blind schools baby and give students everything without questions
>>> asked, therefore they expect tmhe sighted world to do the same.  How can
>>> one
>>> develop self advocacy skills when they are handed everything without
>>> having
>>> to fight for it?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>>> On Feb 6, 2016, at 11:11 PM, Kayla James via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Lol. I'm not the only one who gets irritated? Boss awesome!
>>>> 
>>>>> On 2/6/16, Doug Oliver via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> Danielle I agree with you I have had people do the "your so amazing"
>>>>> comments too and it irritated me too I know what that's like.
>>>>> 
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Danielle Sykora via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Cc: "Danielle Sykora" <dsykora29 at gmail.com>
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2016 9:59 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> As someone who has only been to public school, I am extremely
>>>>>> greatful that my education was in this setting. Although it was
>>>>>> challenging at times, I'm glad I was in "the real world" from the
>>>>>> beginning. Though most of my work was available, accessibility
>>>>>> challenges were always an unfortunate but unavoidable part of life I
>>>>>> learned to deal with long ago. Most people viewed me as "that blind
>>>>>> girl", but honestly, this is how it usually is as a minority. A
>>>>>> similar hierarchy exists among blind people as it does in your
>>>>>> average school environment. I'm not an overly social person, so it
>>>>>> doesn't make a huge difference to me--I don't deal with people who
>>>>>> have a superiority complex and I'm perfectly happy with just a few
>>>>>> close
>>> friends. The "your so amazing"
>>>>>> comments irritate me to no end and I actually tend to discredit
>>>>>> compliments as products of low expectations, so I'm not sure the
>>>>>> sense of entitlement happens all that often. Most importantly
>>>>>> though, I needed to be in an academically challenging environment
>>>>>> that I'm not sure is always available in a residential school for
>>>>>> the blind. For example, how many AP science classes would be
>>>>>> available in one of these schools?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Danielle
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, Vejas Vasiliauskas via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> I feel like as a public school student and you are blind, lots of
>>>>>>> people are amazed by you and you may get a false sense of
>>>>>>> entitlement.  Particularly in elementary school 'I'm sure a lot of
>>>>>>> people can relate to th', you get paired with friends who are there
>>>>>>> to help you at lunch and recess--as you get older this of course
>>>>>>> doesn't happen, and it can be a shock to some people.
>>>>>>> I can say now that as a student at LCB I am not "The Blind Kid",
>>>>>>> and there are groups here, but friends choose each other based on
>>>>>>> much more meaningful reasons.
>>>>>>> Vejas
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: Kayla James via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sat, 6 Feb 2016 21:12:47 -0600
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> From someone who has done both, there isn't a whole lot of
>>>>>>> difference.
>>>>>>> In public school, you will be the "blind" kid, new, and people will
>>>>>>> be scared of you, but it helps you deal more with the real world
>>>>>>> where you are a minority in a sense.  Residential blind schools are
>>>>>>> like public schools, you'll be the "blind" kid there, too, and
>>>>>>> depending on the hierarchy, because let's face it there is one,
>>>>>>> that can be good or bad.
>>>>>>> The popular kids are usually visually impaired, athletic, pretty,
>>>>>>> you name it.  Totals are in on it, too.  The pros: you are around
>>>>>>> your own set, if you will.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, Christina Moore via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> I believe both settings have thier benefits and disadvantages.
>>>>>>> I attended a school for the blind from 2-4 grade and was a
>>>>>>> residental student.  I did not mind in any not being at home and
>>>>>>> being at the school for the blind allowed me to be around other
>>>>>>> kids, advance my braille skills, learn some other necessary skills
>>>>>>> and gain self-confidence I would not otherwise have had.
>>>>>>> Once I entered public school in fifth grade it waws a hurtle for me
>>>>>>> to do math and to accept being in a public school because my whole
>>>>>>> world was different.  My school was learning how to help me as they
>>>>>>> were going and that was challenging at time.  It was not thier
>>>>>>> fault, but it was still challenging.  I did well though and am in
>>>>>>> college now.
>>>>>>> I believe both experiences have their advantages and disadvantages.
>>>>>>> For instance, there is more self-advocacy, need to prove yourself
>>>>>>> to classmates Etc.  in a school that is public versus a school that
>>>>>>> catters to blindness.  Everyone in my opinion should have an
>>>>>>> experience of starting out in a school for the blind in some way
>>>>>>> and then they should be transitioned into a public school where
>>>>>>> they finish thier education.
>>>>>>> Just my thoughts.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 2/6/16, jessica hodges via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> I believe schools for the blind can have some benefits.  If you go
>>>>>>> there as a residential student, depending on the school, and the
>>>>>>> quality of education, you can get a lot of skills that can serve
>>>>>>> you very well in life after graduation, if you keep practicing
>>>>>>> them.  However, I believe that a student should also have some
>>>>>>> public school exposure, to teach self advicasy, as well as how to
>>>>>>> cope when things when all materials and experiences are not
>>>>>>> accessible, and optimized for blindness.
>>>>>>> The issue
>>>>>>> that I find with blind schools is that they basically hand the
>>>>>>> students the world on a silver platter.  They don't have to fight
>>>>>>> for anything, make due with anything that isn't perfectly
>>>>>>> accessible, and so have no exposure in how to deal with things in
>>>>>>> the "real world," outside the sphere of the blind school.  I went
>>>>>>> to a blind school from my third to sixth grade year, and was home
>>>>>>> schooled through seventh grade, so I struggled integrating back
>>>>>>> into the school system, particularly in math, trying to adapt to a
>>>>>>> visually taught class and things.  I also didn't stay at the
>>>>>>> school, so I did not learn half of the skills that I could have.
>>>>>>>      In conclusion, I believe it is good to give students
>>>>>>> experience in both public, and blind school settings.
>>>>>>> Hope this helps.
>>>>>>> Jessica
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 2/6/2016 4:42 PM, Roanna Bacchus via nabs-l wrote:
>>>>>>> Good evening Students,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I have a question for all of you.  What are the advantages and
>>>>>>> disadvantages of attending a residential school for the blind vs a
>>>>>>> public school? I could not handle being away from my family during
>>>>>>> the week.  As a toddler I attended the Early Intervention program
>>>>>>> at the Perkins School For The Blind.  I'd like to hear your
>>>>>>> thoughts on this topic.
>>>>>>> 
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