[nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
Sarah Baughn
sarahb006 at comcast.net
Fri Mar 6 23:41:51 UTC 2009
Isw there a way that people ccan attend the conferencce online, for those of
us who can't get to Seattle?
Sarah
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 8:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
> Lisa and List:
>
> I want to start by clearing up one misconception The money that goes into
> the training center and the money that sends rehab customers out of state
> does not come out of the same pocket so to speak. Out-of-state training
> money comes from actual rehab dollars, and OTC money comes from a
> different part of the budget which is funded by state dollars. I found
> this out while lobbying to go to Louisiana.
>
> Informed choice is all about allowing customers to really look at their
> options and see what's best for them. What I understand to be true of NFB
> philosophy and policy is that we're in support of informed choice. Yes, we
> believe our training centers provide the best in blindness training. We
> also believe that those who wish for quality training in state should have
> it. Where the NFB gets frustrated with in-state services is that many
> counselors behave as though out-of-state training isn't an option when the
> law clearly states it is, or where a person feels that their needs would
> be best met by attending an out-of-state center yet they have to go
> through so many hoops that it becomes utterly rediculous. Lisa's
> absolutely right that some people, for whatever reason, may find it
> difficult, if not altogether impossible, to go out of state. the point to
> having a state center is not to keep people in state as a default, but to
> offer a local option. If the residential portion of the in-state training
> center closes, the program is pretty well ineffective.
>
> I invite as many people as are able and willing to attend the public
> comment at 9:00 a.m. at DSB's Seattle office on Saturday to show support
> for in-state training as a viable option and to keep it available to
> customers in the rehab system. I am currently working on arrangements for
> those in the Bellingham area who wish to attend. I am also willing to make
> arrangements for those in Whatcom, Island, and Skagit Counties as they'll
> literally be on our way down. Please contact me off list at
> loneblindjedi at samobile.net if you are are in my area and are interested in
> coming. I already know that Lisa is interested.
>
> For me, I think it's necessary for NFB members to go to the public comment
> to show our support for the OTC's program as a continuous and viable
> training option. Nothing budgetary is set in stone right now, but DSB
> needs to know that we as a blind community care about the services we're
> receiving and that these services matter to us and have impact on our
> lives.
>
>
>
> Original message:
>
>> Hello Dean:
>> We need to improve the services in our state. We have a direct
>> responsibility to the blind citizens in WA. I agree the programs in CO
>> and LA are better
>> but that does not justify allowing the OTC Residency program to be cut.
>> I have to admit that being apart from Ron for 8-10 weeks at a time is
>> hard
>> enough but I would not go to another state for services I can get in
>> Seattle
>> or locally. If DSB is forced to close the program; there will be much
>> fewer
>> options open for those who cannot travel long distances or out of the
>> state.
>> They should not forced to do so due to a lack of choices.
>> Realisticallyis using
>> leverage in order to send students to CO or LA being fair? What if the
>> student can’t leave his family? Or other personal reasons prevent him
>> from
>> traveling such a great distance? Being separated from your family or
>> Spouse may not
>> work for the student and may caurse further stress.
>> The blind community in WA needs this program to remain open. Sending
>> students to other state programs is both unrealistic and cuts into a
>> very stressful
>> state and federal budget. We all must be realistic and try and find a
>> solution that will benefit the blind community of WA on a local level.
>> As the President stated this country is in a depression in many states
>> including ours; we need to be practical and flexible. services need to
>> be better
>> in the state and for all of us to still have the choice of attending our
>> local
>> training center if the need ever arises. Let leaving the state remain a
>> choice if needed. The recession is worsening and we need to remember
>> this.
>> It is also my hope that we in the NFB will not take a passive role in
>> this
>> issue. I think keeping all programs at DSB open is a benefit to all
>> blind
>> people in WA. It is worth fighting for.
>> Lisa Owen
>> In a message dated 3/2/2009 3:53:29 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>> dean at topdotenterprises.com writes:
>> My guess here is that the NFB won't view this development as too much of
>> a
>> negative, because it means that they will be able to leverage more
>> people
>> being sent to the Colorado Center because, after all, comparable
>> services
>> aren't provided in Washington.
>
>> Dean
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>> Behalf Of Nfbnorthwest at aol.com
>> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 12:17 PM
>> To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nfbwatlk] Possible Closure of the DSB OTC Residency Program
>
>
>> Hello:
>> Due to the economy and State budget cuts DSB is considering closing the
>> OTC
>
>> Residency program. Please read the info posted below. I was part of the
>> program for a short time but I had to return for personal reasons
>> including
>> health
>> concerns. I was considering returnin gto the program at a later date,
>> but
>> being separated from my Spouse Ron was very hard to deal with and thus
>> caused a
>> great deal of stress. However, the program can help and should not be
>> cut.
>> I
>> don't know what our position in this matter is, but I am interested in
>> finding out. I got the info from the WCBL list. I am very concerned
>> about
>> how this
>> is going to impact services in the State and also how far the budget
>> cutting
>> will go. What other programs will be effected.
>> I have to admit during my short time in the program I never heard
>> anyone
>> mention stopping the program for the residents; the hours at the center
>> were
>> changed but nothing beyond that. However, I did sense a great deal of
>> tension
>> and stress; I had a feeling that something was going to happen.
>> The program is a good one to have. We should not allow it to be lost.
>> Even
>> in favor of other programs in other states. I hope that everyone will
>> support
>> the program staying open. Also, I hope that everyone will encourage DSB
>> to
>> cut carefully when it comes to services.
>> Lisa A. Owen
>> Secretary Officer
>> NFB of WA Student Division
>> 360-920-0405
>> _nfbnorthwest at aol.com_ (mailto:nfbnorthwest at aol.com)
>> PS: Mike I would like to hear your views on this issue please and
>> thanks.
>
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Denise Colley" <dmc0124 at comcast.net>
>> To: "wcb list" <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
>> Cc: "WCB Presidents List" <presidents at wcbinfo.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 6:15 PM
>> Subject: [Wcb-l] proposed closure of the DSB OTC apartments
>
>
>> As your president I am posting the following information, as we
>> understand
>> it, so that all of you will know where WCB stands and the actions we
>> have
>> taken.
>
>> Last Wednesday representatives from both WCB and NFBW had a conference
>> call
>
>> with Department of Services for the Blind Director, Lou Oma duirand, to
>> talk
>> about the Department, and how they were being impacted budgetarily and
>> programmatically with the current economic climate in Washington State.
>> These were conversations we had been having with DSB since October. Up
>> until this most recent call, we had been led to believe that, while
>> budget
>> cuts were inevitable, DSB was going to be able to withstand them with
>> some
>> creative budgeting.
>
>> The call began with Lou Oma sharing that there were three goals driving
>> all
>
>> of their budget decisions, to include:
>> 1) making cuts that would have the least impact possible on services
>> to
>> their customers;
>> 2) protecting as much of their federal funding as they could and not
>> jeopardizing it;
>> 3) preserving their ability to be a specialized agency offering
>> specialized
>
>> services and specialized expertise, regardless of the customer's age or
>> circumstances.
>
>> What she then shared is of great concern to the board of WCB, and I'm
>> sure
>> to all of you, the membership. One of the proposed budget cuts is to
>> close
>
>> the residential program (apartments) of the orientation and training
>> center.
>> The training program would remain in tact, but, essentially would
>> become a
>> day training program. This would mean that they would really only be
>> able
>> to provide their in-depth skills of blindness training to individuals
>> living
>> in King County and the surrounding area. They would no longer have the
>> supervised training component that took place in the apartments in the
>> evening and on weekends. When asked how those customers living outside
>> the
>
>> immediate area would receive this same level of training, we were told
>> that
>
>> this would free up resources to expand rehab teaching and orientation
>> and
>> mobility instruction in these residential areas. Depending on the
>> circumstances, they could send customers out of state for more
>> intensive
>> training. They are also considering bringing itinerant intensive
>> trainign
>> workshops into different parts of the state.
>
>> The WCB Board met that same evening to discuss the situation and began
>> formulating our position. We were all in agreement that full and
>> complete
>> vocational rehabilitation cannot be done in the home on a once a week
>> or
>> once a month basis, and that it is a twenty-four hour a day process.
>> After
>
>> much discussion I was asked to submit to Lou Oma our position, and I'm
>> pasting it here for your review.
>
>> "The Washington Council of the Blind is categorically opposed to
>> cutting
>> the
>
>> residential function of the orientation and training program, and we
>> charge
>
>> DSB with examining other programmatic/administrative functions that
>> could be
>
>> cut."
>
>> Please be assured that we will continue following this situation
>> diligently
>
>> and developing an action plan/strategy, and as it unfolds, I pledge to
>> keep
>
>> you all informed.
>> Some of you may be asking what you can do. Here is my first appeal to
>> you.
>
>> Next Saturday, March 7, the State Rehabilitation Council will be
>> holding
>> their quarterly meeting in Seattle at the DSB office, beginning at 9am.
>> Not
>> only is there a time on each agenda for public comment, but the meeting
>> is
>> a
>> public meeting and all topics discussed are open for comments and
>> questions
>
>> from the audience. We need to pack that room and make our concerns and
>> position clear. We especially need members there who have attended the
>> OTC
>
>> and can talk about what the residential part of that training meant to
>> you.
>
>> The State Rehabilitation Council and DSB staff need to hear from all of
>> us.
>
>> I would be happy to try to answer any questions any of you might have.
>> You
>
>> can contact me by phone at (360) 438-0072 or e-mail me at
>> dmc0124 at comcast.net.
>
>> Denise
>
>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --
>> --
>
>
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>
>
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>
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>
> --
> REspectfully,
> Jedi
>
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