[Nfbf-l] Towards training

[Matt Roberts]

Why are you assuming the DBS center won’t work for you.  I think you should exhaust all resources locally first before going out of state.
Rehabilitation centers can’t teach you everything.  You need to get out there and teach yourself as much as possible.  Have you tried to do the things you want to do on your own?
IF you go to an out of state training center, you’ll need skills to successfully get there.  You have to have some travel knowledge.  IF you are flying, you need to know the flight numbers, gates, and seat assignments.  How will you get this information? What will you do if you are sitting at the gate, your flight is called, and they forget to walk you to the plane? You can’t rely on the gate agents to remember, they won’t.  
IF you go to the Daytona Center, whatever they don’t teach you I’m sure you can figure out on your own.  IF not, there are many people with whom you can communicate and ask questions.
IF you come to Daytona, and try getting what you want, whatever they don’t teach you I will.  I’ve done this before.  I knew someone who wanted computer training.  At that time, the center didn’t provide training on internet usage.  HE spent a weekend at my house, and learned the skills he wanted.  Later he told me he learned more from me than he had at the center.
I’ll tell you from personal experience if I relied on a rehabilitation center, I would not be the person I am today.
When I was growing up, there was limited mobility training in my local school.  They didn’t start that till the year after I graduated high school.  I was not familiar with taking public buses, crossing streets, or navigating unfamiliar places.  The only mobility training I had was basic cane travel and how to get around the school building.  When I realized I wasn’t going to get more training, I stopped the classes.  I had to use what limited training I’d received at Maryland School for the Blind.
After getting a few lessons at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center, I took what I learned and built from there.  I do not consider that formal mobility training.  I use public buses, and travel anywhere I want to go.  I just came back from Deming New Mexico, where I attended The International Cessna 170 Association Annual Convention.


Matt Roberts
n9gmr at me.com

Sent from my iPhone and MacBook Air using Continuity

> On Jul 19, 2017, at 6:54 PM, Derek Roberts via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> My name is Derek Roberts. I currently reside in Titusville. I'm wondering
> if anyone would have any advice as to how to proceed with this.
> I am seeking training in independent living and mobility. I have researched
> the local training center in Daytona that DBS wants me to go to, and based
> on both their website and speaking to them, I can see that this center will
> not work for me. Other people, I'm sure, but not me. While attending
> national convention, I had the opportunity to meet several graduates from
> other centers, as well as speak with some of the staff at the Colorado
> Center for the Blind. I was blown away, to put it lightly! I have
> researched CCB, along with other centers in the past, but hadn't had the
> boldness or confidence to approach DBS properly.
> Yesterday, I met with my counselor to discuss this. We ended up on the
> phone with the district administrator for Daytona (didn't think that was
> the local office, but what do I know?)
> It is apparently DBS policy to send the client to the local center (which I
> already know will not work for me), then if there are still discrepancies
> to consider other methods or places. But as I understand it, there is a
> federal law that gives me the right to not take this route?
> I have so far spoken with DRF who is reviewing my case to see if they can
> be of any help, as well as Brent Batron at the Colorado center. I will also
> be in communication with the locals to build a list of pros and cons of the
> center here vs the one in Colorado. Right now I am awaiting some kind of
> decision by the DA of Daytona's office. What/what else can I do from here?
> This is my first time dealing with something like this, and I have no idea
> how to proceed. And for me, it is both a potentially legal battle as well
> as an emotional and stressful one.
> If anyone has any tips, I would be very much appreciative!
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Derek Roberts
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