[Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.

[davidw]

Yes, pretty thought out response and well written.  Dave
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carlos J montas" <carlos.montas at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] May I ask a question.


>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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