Category: Let's talk
Hello.
It was recommended to me that I attend one of the nfb training centers. In looking at their web sites, all their philosophies and classes appear to be identical.
So I was hoping that maybe people who have attended a center in Louisiana, Colorado, or Minnasota would be willing to post their thoughts on the center they attended here or in a PM. What makes one center better than the other? Are the teachers better in one over the other? Things like that. It's not an easy decision to make when three places offer the exact same classes, so any feedback would help.
Take care.....
Hm. I'm currently attending the one in Colorado. I've gotten the feeling from talking to different people though that while the underlying philosofy is the same, along with the classes, that each center has a bit of their own way of going about things.
I've heard that Colorado is a bit more relaxed than the others, but I can't really back that up either way.
Not sure if that helps at all, but if you have any questions about the Colorado center at least, feel free to ask me.
I've attended the one here in Texas, and I think the training was great, there were some things I didn't agree with, but they don't force you to do anything you don't want.
But yes, i think they all have different ways of doing certain things.
ok, I have attended the one in Colorado. The trainning in Colorado was awesome! I am unsure about the other centers. I liked the teaching in Colorado.
Hi, I've never agreed with NFB's philosophy and have never been a member. Quite honestly, why do these training centers exist? What do they teach you that you can't learn at home. I suppose I was lucky because I was taught things like independent living and computer skills at a young age. If you really want to attend an NFB center, great, but I've never understood why blind people couldn't learn essential skills in their hometowns. I do realize though that not all towns have instructors to teach blind people. If you really feel like one of these places would help you, then best of luck. I have met people who say the Colorado NFB center is good. I'm from Colorado though, so I'm biased.
I'm about to graduate the Louisiana Center in a couple weeks, and it was without question the best thing I could ever do for myself. while it's true that each NFB-based center has different ways of going about things, it's equally as important to realize every program is what the individual makes out of it. I looked into all the centers thoroughly before deciding to come here, and from what I can tell, the center here in Louisiana has the most success stories...it was the first one, after all. I'm not saying the others aren't successful, just that I know more people who've came here and been most successful. personally, I'd never attend a training center that wasn't NFB-based, but that's just me. I'm not a hardcore Federationest by any means, but I do feel that being properly trained, and being given equal opportunity is absolutely necessary in order for you to officially say you can live a fulfilling and productive life just as your sighted counterparts. I hope that helps. if you ever wanna talk, feel free to drop me a line anytime. note: my philosophy is just that, mine. if it happens to coincide with beliefs of certain organizations, that's a whole nother ball game in itself.
Hi, good luck on your graduation. I have to say though, that it was hard work and great parents that got me where I am. In my oppinion, and it is just that, an oppinion, I lead a very independent life, and I wasn't taught any one philosophy. I live on my own, just graduated college, and can clean house and present myself just as well as any other sighted person. I have a very active social life, and I credit this to being raised in a sighted community including public school. Maybe I should do a bit more NFB research, but from what I know, I'm not to keen on. Making individuals, even those with some sight go around in dark glasses is just weird. I'm glad NFB has helped those individuals who really felt they needed some assistance, but I hope others know that there are lots of blind individuals out there who don't live by a particular philosophy and do just fine. I should mention that the above-mentioned glasses-wearing practice is just one example of where I clash with NFB. I don't even know if this is still done. If it is, what's the purpose of this practice?
Learning independent living skills at home is great as long as you ahve parents who are equipped to do so. Some parents are just unsure as to what to do, so they over-protect, and that's where you get a lot of the blind people I've heard about who are supposed to be so helpless. Never been to an NFB center, as I went to a place called the Living Skills Center in California and I think they did a fine job.
Congrats on your finishing your program. The trouble I have with centers like NFB, is it seems like there is a lot of us-versus them mentality. This is just my observation though. I think once blind children reach a certain age, like say mijd-teens, they may want to talk to overprotective parents. There's absolutely no reason why a blind person shouldn't be able to live on their own at the same age as their peers, provided they are financially and emotionally prepared. I really feel for people whose parents were overprotective, cause mine were not. I was expected to clean the house, do dishes and take care of myself right along with my two older sisters. I thank God I was allowed to flourish in a sighted world instead of my parents always holding me back.
Hi, I was going to go to a program this summer at the NFB center in Baltimore, but I didn't get accepted. However, when I found out some of the stuff they do, I really wasn't all that disappointed. They make you go to all your classes wearing blindfolds during the first half of the program! I think that's ridiculous. That's a very negative, not to mention dangeous, practice. It's negative because they're basically telling a person with some vision that they're guaranteed to lose their remaining vision sometime in the future. It's dangerous because if the instructors are blind, and a person who is used to using their vision to some degree to travel safely, is suddenly thrown into an environment where they don't feel comfortable, with another blind instructor, especially on a mobility lesson, doesn't that blind individual have a greater chance of getting hurt? I personally don't think it'sright to put a blindfold on a person and tell them to cross a street if they have already learned safe skills to o so. Also, it's not like you're gonna walk around wearing a blindfold in the real world, so the whole thing is very negative in my opinion. But, to each their own I guess, and the NFB does have the right idea in promoting independence so strongly, but I think they take it to the extreme sometimes, but that's just me.
Hm. I haven't seen all that much "us versus them" myself, though there's some of that with some people.
The thought behind the sleep shades is that a lot of people's vision gets worse, or that with a lot of eye conditions there are times of the day that one can't see well at all. If you learn how to do what you need to with sleep shades, you'll be able to deal with everything no matter if you lose your vision or if you are someone that can't see during parts of the day.
I'm not a Federationist myself, but I have to admit that the group environment of any kind of training center related to blindness skills has great benefits. Some people may not be able to practice the skills at home, or may be surrounded by people who don't have positive opinions about blindness and the capabilities of blind people. In a group environment, it is easier to address some of these beliefs straight on, and give the individual a chance to develop not only the skills, but self-confidence to try and develop more skills. I'm not a supporter of some of the methods promoted by the NFB Centers, but I can't dismiss the good they have done to advance the wellfare of people who are blind or visually impaired, either.
Lou
Hi, to Niblet and Modifated, great posts! I was taught to navigate with a cane, or sighted guide and I was taught to not rely on my vision too much especially in traffic-related situations. But, Yes, I do have some vision, and I'll be damned if I'm not gonna take full advantage of what the Good Lord has given me. People ask me sometimes what it's like to be totally blind, and honestly, i don't know. I do know, that if I were to lose the rest of my sight, i'd be able to take care of myself. I do agree, some of NFB's techniques do seem a bit on the dangerous side. But that's just my opinion.
I think the philosophy behind some of NFB's techniques is well-intentioned, in that, their belief is that one will develop self-confidence, and self-esteme along the way. I used to teach mobility, and I would occasionally use a blindfold on people. I always asked the individual. I believe the experience of not having the vision available can be very anxiety-provoking. This is a distraction. What I'm tryijng to say is the "one size fits all teaching techniques" aren't necessarilly the best. That's where, as a teacher, I differ with NFB.
Lou
if you've had a great upbringing, good for you, but for those of us that haven't, it's great that the NFB training centers exist. It's not a one size fits all type program, though...you only wear sleep shades if you have some residual vision. most of the things you all have brought up and said you don't like about the NFB, are just misconceptions the majority of society has. they don't do anything that's dangerous, but they do do things to get you out of your comfort zone in order to build confidence. also, let me say that if you have usable vision that works for you, great...but if not, that's why it's important to learn how to use alternative techniques nonvisually.
Well, it's great to promote independence, but there are other ways of going about it that don't cause people to panic. I think it's good to get people out of their comfort zone, but at least be supportive about it. It's not about having a "good upbringing," it's about helping people feel good about themselves, and there are other training centers that do just that.
yeah, but not the way the NFB does, that's my point.
That's your opinion, as I'm allowed to have mine.
I went to the NFB Center here in Colorado. I'm not from here, though I chose to move out to Denver, because I fell in love with the city while at the Center. and I agree with others who have said that while all three centers have the same philosophy, they all approach things a little differently. CCB and Blind Inc offer a more urban experience, while LCB is set in a rural area. Yes, they do take you into bigger towns to practice that kind of travel, but I prefer the bigger city setting. Maybe talk to all three Center directors, and see what kinds of impressions you get.
And to everyone else: while arguing about philosophy and bashing various programs often leads to interesting discussions/debate, I fail to see how it answers Crazy Train's initial question, the reason he started this particular thread.
amen to the last thing you said, Dawn!