[Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.

Sat Nov 28 19:05:54 UTC 2009

I could not have said it any better.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; "FLAGDU List" 
<flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


> David,
>    The questions you ask are very valid ones! There was a time when the 
> NFB
> had a greater influence with the Division of Blind Services. During Craig
> Kiser's administration, DBS was moving in a more positive direction. Craig
> is a very progressive thinker, understanding, living, and implementing the
> NFB's philosophy, in spite of a great deal of opposition from those who 
> are
> content with the status quo. The Orientation & Adjustment center for the
> blind in Daytona Beach began implementing NFB-style training, including 
> the
> use of sleep shades, in an effort to close the revolving door of
> rehabilitation that once and now, again, exists. His goal was to provide
> excellent training once, not bits and pieces as consumers lose more and 
> more
> eyesight, returning to the O&A Center to improve their lacking skills that
> should have been taught from the beginning. Unfortunately, Craig's health
> necessitated his retirement as the Director.
>    We now have a Director who cannot even use the word "blind", as
> evidenced by her presentation at our last NFBF convention. Though her 
> words
> seemed to indicate that she is turning to the NFB for direction and 
> support,
> I believe these words are only political rhetoric. The status quo has been
> returned to the O&A Center, taking two giant steps backward,  and the 
> Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB) has more 
> influence and control over our lives as it
> pertains to DBS than do we, the blind consumer! Florida has the 
> unfortunate distinction of having more NAC accreditted institutions than 
> any other state
> and FAASB proports itself - and is accepted - to be the authoritative 
> voice
> on issues of blindness. This is no surprise, as the Director of the 
> Division of Blind Services is a former Director of a NAC accreditted 
> institution - Lighthouse of Central Florida!
>    As for the NFBF's involvement in consumer advocacy, I am of the opinion 
> that this is one of our major roles! I also feel that too many are too 
> close
> to agency people to be effective consumer advocates. When crossing the 
> lines from colleagues to friends, we diminish our capacity to be effective 
> consumer advocates and succumb to the pressures of those doing the
> pressuring! Our purpose is not to
> be popular with the agencies, but to advance consumer rights of the 
> individual with the goal of helping consumers reach for and achieve their 
> highest potential!
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "davidw" <dwermuth1 at earthlink.net>
> To: "Florida Association of Guide Dog Users" <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 5:00 AM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.
>
>
>> First a little background on me.  I've worked for the state of Texas and
>> Washington in the Rehabilitation for the blind and moved to Florida last
>> May.  I am not asking these question's to cause waves or insult in anyway
>> as I don't know the answers or how much the NFB has influence with the 
>> DBS
>> here and I am just trying to understand.  I have noticed that hopefully
>> many people on this list just read the post's and for some reason don't
>> participate in the conversation's and I totally understand but here are a
>> couple question's and comments:
>>
>> 1.  Does the NFB of Florida meet with the DBS for (Division of Blind
>> Services) in making decisions for the low vision-blind for employment or
>> for their future goals?
>>
>> In other words do you as leaders  of the blind community stand up for the
>> rights for equal opportunity.  I've sat at many meeting's negotiateing 
>> for
>> (throwing my fist down a few times on occasion" for the right's of the
>> rehab act and the right of "choice"
>>
>> 2.  Does the NFB of Florida demand that all VRC's (Vocational
>> Rehabilitation Counselers have the professionalism to asisst their
>> consumers in obtaining their goals?
>>
>> I sat there at the leadership convention and heard at least three times 
>> to
>> paraphase" when we getting a commission for the blind" and heard no
>> comment.
>>
>> And I only ask not to be insultive or arogant in any way I promise you 
>> but
>> for those whom are wondering where to turn when DBS trys and as you know
>> most of the time intimidates them can they turn to the NFB of Florida and
>> Why?
>>
>> I've been to a lot of NFB and ACB meetings through out the USA and I am
>> concerned that the majority of them have just been a lot of bull and 
>> quite
>> frankly butt-kissing their members to have numbers in their chapters.
>> What makes you different and why should I join the NFB of Florida?  and
>> remember many people are reading this for leadership.
>> Dave Wermuth
>> A to Z Adaptive Aids
>>
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>
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