# Blindness Training in Different Countries

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by americanadian1 (Account disabled) on Friday, 26-Feb-2010 18:21:44

Hi there! Just wanted to get views on how blindness training works for people in different countries. I personally love the CNIB. I like how they focus on letting people learn in their own community rather in the states where they send people off to nine month schools. I do not agree with this because they are not learning what it is like in the real world, they are being told what to do for those nine months. What are your views?

## Post 2 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 4:23:06

I've never gone to one of these centers, but I would agree with your theory.

## Post 3 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 7:26:50

there are a few organisations in england that can help with training. from my experience though, a lot of them just arn't properly geared up. if you have more of a disabillity, chances are you'll get better training as there are more specialised centres.

## Post 4 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 11:40:00

yes dan, blindness services are very bad in the UK. it's six months beofre a newly blind person gets rehab training, and that's if you're lucky. as dan says, mix going blind with another disability, and you get better services in the UK. the provision is shit for those who only have sight problems.

## Post 5 by americanadian1 (Account disabled) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 11:45:24

Aww, that's a shame eh? I have always heard the UK has good services due to the RNIB and the Royal College of the Blind, but I do not really know much aboat it. I have wondered what the Royal College is like though.

## Post 6 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 14:17:35

The U.S has miserable survices for such things.
Voc rehab for instance. The commission for another.

## Post 7 by americanadian1 (Account disabled) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 14:19:29

Yes, its dreadful eh? That's why since I can I go to CNIB for that sort of thing.

## Post 8 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 23:08:57

I think it's better to do things yourself. you don't need these survices.

## Post 9 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 01-Mar-2010 3:35:11

While I've never used a specialized training center, I would say that my experience with my Vocational Rehabilitation office hasn't been horrible. Thing is, you just need to know what you want when you go in there. Voc rehab offfices want to know that the time and money they invest in you is going to help you in the long run. Why would they pay for a training course or schooling that they think won't benefit a person. I don't totally agree with this philosophy, and my first meeting with a counselor sucked. But, when I went back several years later, I had almost graduated college, worked both volunteer and paid, and knew what I wanted to do. As for independent living centers, we have a couple here in Colorado, and I hear mixed reviews about them. I am a firm believer that if it's not absolutely necessary, one should avoid these places. There really are ways to learn things on your own without having to sacrifice several months of your life. Others can disagree with this statement. I'd be willing to bet though that lots of people have learned some great tips here on the Zone.

## Post 10 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Monday, 01-Mar-2010 8:12:07

There are some things I don't agree with in regards to the CNIB, but one that I can rave about is their training program. My parents really didn't know how to teach me much about daily living, besides the basics, of course: showering, dressing, brushing my teeth. The trainer, who was also totally blind, came to my house, and worked with me for two days solid on everything I wanted to know. By the end of the second day, I could make a very delicious, home cooked meal, make my bed very neatly, do my laundry, wash the floor effectively, apply make-up properly, and clean the kitchen efficiently. I definitely think that learning in the comfort of your own home is a lot better than going to a center. Also, after those two days, I was left to work on these things on my own, and the trainer encouraged me to do things in whatever way was most comfortable for me. I don't think I've ever been so impressed before. I'm not saying that it is impossible to learn these things on your own, and if you have, congratulations to you, but as far as training options are concerned, I would agree with Americanadian1 that the CNIB really does a good job with this.

## Post 11 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Monday, 01-Mar-2010 23:28:13

I'm glad that you've found something that works for you. I had a trainer come to my house. He was totally blind like me...okay cool. But he smelled to high heaven, ate with his fingers, and clearly was unkempt. Well I thought I don't want to be like him so I forced myself to do stuff on my own.

## Post 12 by Thunderstorm (HotIndian!) on Tuesday, 02-Mar-2010 4:22:44

Whatever floats your boat.
As per India, there's no any particular centres for teaching us Blindness Training. I've heard that there is few centres teaching for sewing, cooking and also mobility.
I personally feel self-learning could be the best one. and approaching some friends for doubts. This is the way I've learned my mobility and etc etc.
I can't even imagine someone's teaching me for my showering and ... lol.
Raaj.

## Post 13 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Tuesday, 02-Mar-2010 7:05:39

No, I couldn't imagine being taught to shower by a trainer. Lol.

## Post 14 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Tuesday, 02-Mar-2010 11:47:28

Never heard of that. Do they have somebody join you in the shower and go "this is the soap..." Lol!

## Post 15 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Tuesday, 02-Mar-2010 13:27:10

That is one thing I think all parents should be able to teach their children, blind or otherwise.

## Post 16 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Tuesday, 02-Mar-2010 13:33:56

Indeed, anything else is just bad parenting.

## Post 17 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 04-Mar-2010 17:39:37

Just curious, how does a totally blind trainer teach someone to put on makeup. And if they do this, how do they know the student is applying it propperly? I have had sighted people teach me how to do practically everything. Okay, a trainer who ate with his fingers and smelled gross? Yuck!! No wonder you wanted to learn things on your own.

## Post 18 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Friday, 05-Mar-2010 11:29:08

Actually, I went to a workshop led by the same trainer who taught me daily living skills. Basically, she just explained it verbally while the students were following her instructions. Her descriptive instructions were more helpful than any sighted help I've ever received. I still haven't mastered eye liner quite yet, so nothing's perfect, but lip gloss, foundation, blush, and eye shadow are almost second nature to me now. The only problem the trainer had was teaching us how to apply nail polish.

## Post 19 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Friday, 05-Mar-2010 11:46:02

Glad I'm a guy :)

## Post 20 by OceanDream (An Ocean of Thoughts) on Friday, 05-Mar-2010 13:29:32

Lol. Yes, you are saved from that small glitch. Lol.

## Post 21 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Friday, 05-Mar-2010 13:35:58

And many others lol.

## Post 22 by Sword of Sapphire (Whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're still gonna read it!) on Saturday, 06-Mar-2010 1:20:00

Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you have to wear makeup and nail polish. I'm not against them because I'm afraid to mess such things up as a blind person, but because I have confidence and don't want to alter my natural beauty.
Anyway, self-learning is not good for everyone. I lost my vision at age three, and I sure could not have had the idea to use a cane or teach myself how to do so. O&M specialists and vision consultants are imperative for many blind students from toddler to adulthood, or whenever a personn loses their vision. Many parents, relatives, or friends of blind people haven't the slightest idea how to teach them how to do many things. It's especially difficult to learn things on your own when you are discouraged and people refuse to help you because they don't feel like it.
In my case, I don't think self-learning is the best route. I currently have a vision consultant that visits my house every Friday to teach me independent living skills, and I appreciate having this specialist around for teaching and practice. If I practice with a sighted person and mess up on something, they might not know how to successfully correct me.
Also, I think the Commission for the Blind is quite helpful, especially financially. Too, the Commission here in Michigan has helped me get some job-shadowing experience, will pay for a portion of college costs, and are currently helping me figure out what I need to have put inplace for college.
I really value and appreciate these services. I know everyone cannot say the same thing because many workers from Commissions or Voc Rehabs blow off students like they're the least important thing on their to-do list, and I can empathize with those people. But I've had more good experience than bad, so I'll count myself blessed.

## Post 23 by margorp (I've got the gold prolific poster award, now is there a gold cup for me?) on Saturday, 06-Mar-2010 15:45:51

Self-learning may not be best for everyone but it is an option.

## Post 24 by blw1978 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 08-Mar-2010 16:13:22

Wow, How did your trainer advise you to pick the propper makeup shades? Did you have anyone sighted compliment you on your makeup? I learned to put on nail polish, but was mainly self-taught in this area. I haven't worn it for years, I usually don't have time. I do wear makeup though.

## Post 25 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Monday, 08-Mar-2010 20:56:40

I'm with Raven on this. I don't wear makeup cause I'm beautiful without it.
back to the topic's intent, though, I went to a 9 month training center, and for me, it was one of the best things I could ever do for myself.