October 2017 - NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a K-12 environment in VA
by ebell＠pdrib.com 26 Oct '17

26 Oct '17

*** This is a forward, see below for contact information if interested. Hi! I am hoping you can help me with finding an O&M in Arlington. I am a part of a School-Based Therapy Staffing organization and have just received word that we are in need of an Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a K-12 environment and I thought of contacting you first. With experience in Career Services, I always try to go to a training facility or university first. Please see details below on this position and feel free to call me with any questions. I am hoping you have a new graduate who can help us out. :) Job Details: *This District will take someone with licensure in pending status as long as they seem like a qualified candidate since VA is so good with reciprocity.* * Start / End date: ASAP to End of School Year (High possibility of extending or placing as a perm employee) * Hours: 40 hrs per week (M-F) * Caseload: 10-25 Students, many with consult of 15-30 minutes per month, some with 30 mins/wk direct service. * Age/Grade levels: PreK thru 12th grade * Number of locations: Could range from 5 to 15 locations, all within Arlington County, which is geographically the smallest county in the U.S., very different from their neighbors, Fairfax and Montgomery County Public Schools. There is nowhere in Arlington that isn't a few minutes away from another location. * Your interview preference: phone or in person: They would prefer an in-person interview, although they would consider Skype. They have conducted phone interviews, but they are not preferred by the director. * Their interview availability: Looking to interview this week! Again, let me know if you have any questions! I would be more than happy to talk with any graduates or alumni who have questions as well. Thanks for your help! Kindest Regards, Chelsea A. Miller National Hiring Coordinator Mediscan Therapy Services o: 813-448-5842 Ext: 25842 f. 813.464.2758 e: chelseam at mediscan.net <mailto:chelseam at mediscan.net> w: <http://www.mediscan.net/> www.mediscan.net *ASHA Approved Continuing Educator Provider* <https://www.pinterest.com/mediscan/> <https://www.facebook.com/mediscan> <https://twitter.com/mediscan> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediscan> "A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot." - Joe Vitale This e-mail, including any and all attachments, is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may include confidential information. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended Recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete this e-mail immediately Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com <http://www.pdrib.com> ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: NBPCB Admin [mailto:admin at nbpcb.org] Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2017 4:32 PM To: 'Edward Bell' <ebell at pdrib.com> Subject: FW: Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a K-12 environment in VA From: Chelsea Miller [mailto:ChelseaM at mediscan.net] Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2017 1:54 PM To: admin at nbpcb.org Subject: Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a K-12 environment in VA Hi! I am hoping you can help me with finding an O&M in Arlington. I am a part of a School-Based Therapy Staffing organization and have just received word that we are in need of an Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a K-12 environment and I thought of contacting you first. With experience in Career Services, I always try to go to a training facility or university first. Please see details below on this position and feel free to call me with any questions. I am hoping you have a new graduate who can help us out. :) Job Details: *This District will take someone with licensure in pending status as long as they seem like a qualified candidate since VA is so good with reciprocity.* * Start / End date: ASAP to End of School Year (High possibility of extending or placing as a perm employee) * Hours: 40 hrs per week (M-F) * Caseload: 10-25 Students, many with consult of 15-30 minutes per month, some with 30 mins/wk direct service. * Age/Grade levels: PreK thru 12th grade * Number of locations: Could range from 5 to 15 locations, all within Arlington County, which is geographically the smallest county in the U.S., very different from their neighbors, Fairfax and Montgomery County Public Schools. There is nowhere in Arlington that isn't a few minutes away from another location. * Your interview preference: phone or in person: They would prefer an in-person interview, although they would consider Skype. They have conducted phone interviews, but they are not preferred by the director. * Their interview availability: Looking to interview this week! Again, let me know if you have any questions! I would be more than happy to talk with any graduates or alumni who have questions as well. Thanks for your help! Kindest Regards, Chelsea A. Miller National Hiring Coordinator Mediscan Therapy Services o: 813-448-5842 Ext: 25842 f. 813.464.2758 e: chelseam at mediscan.net <mailto:chelseam at mediscan.net> w: <http://www.mediscan.net/> www.mediscan.net *ASHA Approved Continuing Educator Provider* <https://www.pinterest.com/mediscan/> <https://www.facebook.com/mediscan> <https://twitter.com/mediscan> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediscan> "A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot." - Joe Vitale This e-mail, including any and all attachments, is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may include confidential information. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended Recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete this e-mail immediately.

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Job Announcement -- Assistive Technology Specialist in New Mexico, Closes November 6
by ebell＠pdrib.com 25 Oct '17

25 Oct '17

Subject: [rehab] Job Announcement -- Assistive Technology Specialist in New Mexico, Closes November 6 Greetings, We are recruiting for an Assistive Technology Specialist position with the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. The position is in our Albuquerque office and serves Central and Northern New Mexico. The most relevant aspects of the job posting are provided below my signature block. The closing date is November 6. To reach the job posting, 1. Visit the following link to go directly to the posting: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/newmexico/jobs/1881946/assistive-tech nology-specialist-nmcfb-64313?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs Or 2. Go to the NM State Personnel Website at www.spo.state.nm.us, click the link for View Job Opportunities And Apply, and enter the job title in the search field. Applications are accepted through the New Mexico State Personnel Office online application system only! Note to Applicants: Pay particular attention to question 2 in the Specific Supplemental Questions section: "How many years of experience do you have RELATED to the PURPOSE of this position?" Minimum qualifications for this position are at least two years of experience related to the purpose of this position (that being assistive technology experience). Be sure that if you indicate that you have two years of experience that is related to the purpose of the position, that you clearly describe *at least* two years of full-time equivalent related experience in the Work History section of the online application. Similarly, if you indicate in this question that you have five years of experience related to the purpose of the position, you must describe *at least* five years of full-time equivalent experience in the Work History section. Regardless of the number of years of related experience that you claim to have in answer to this question, you will be disqualified if you do not substantiate that number of years in the Work Experience section of the application, even if you described at least the minimum number of years required. For example, if you claim five years of related experience, but only describe four years of related experience, you will be disqualified even though you have at least two years of related experience (two years being the minimum requirement for this particular position). Additionally, when describing your assistive technology work experience, be sure to use wording that will make it easy for the analyst at the State Personnel Office to credit you for the requisite 24 months of assistive technology experience required for the position. Note to screen reader users: Recent updates to this online application utility have made it very difficult to complete independently using screen reading technology. Screen reader users who experience difficulty with the application utility should notify Ms. Andrea Rivera-Smith of the State Personnel Office at (505) 695-5606 for assistance. She can also confirm that your application (including uploaded transcripts, licenses, etc.) has been successfully received for consideration. Please forward this announcement to any individuals that you believe might be interested in a great job with our agency. Interested individuals can contact either Mr. Curtis Chong, Manager, Assistive Technology Program, or me to discuss the position. Mr. Chong can be reached in Albuquerque at 505.383.2239 or at Curtis.Chong at state.nm.us. Thank you. Jim James L. Salas Deputy Director NM Commission for the Blind Phone 505.383.2251 www.cfb.state.nm.us James.Salas at state.nm.us --- New Mexico Commission for the Blind Vacancy Announcement - Job Title: Assistive Technology Specialist - Full/Part Time: Full-Time - Regular/Temporary: Regular - Permanent - Closing Date: November 6, 2017 - Pay Grade: 65 - Salary: The salary range for this position is $31,782 - $55,307 Annually, ($15.28 - $26.59 Hourly). Offered salary will be based on education and experience. - Benefits: Full State of New Mexico benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, retirement, sick leave, annual leave, and ten holidays. - Purpose of Position: This position will support blind/visually impaired clients by evaluating their technology and assistive technology needs, analyzing their education and workplace environments, researching solutions to technical/accessibility problems, configuring and delivering customized personal computer systems and assistive technology, and orienting and training clients in the use of technology and assistive technology in order to help them obtain or maintain employment. - Minimum Education and Experience requirements: Associates degree and two (2) years of professional experience in assistive technology related to blindness or low vision. Experience in this job classification or related classification may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis. -- If you have indicated in your application that you have an education higher than a high school diploma or GED, you must attach a copy of your unofficial transcript to the application. Your application WILL NOT be considered for further review if you have failed to provide this information. - Working Conditions: -- Work is generally performed in an office setting, though work requires frequent visits to client homes, secondary and post-secondary schools, and employer locations; regular exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT), personal computers, printers, scanners, video magnifiers, and Braille displays/embossers; and requires extensive telephone usage. Duties require lifting of typical computer hardware, as well as walking, standing, sitting, bending, and crawling. Regularly works with individuals with secondary disabilities, some of which resulting in challenging behaviors. Occasionally exposed to service animals. Regular travel is required throughout Central and Northern New Mexico, including occasional overnight travel. - Bargaining Unit: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to. - Agency Contact Information: Kelly Quintana, (505) 476.4456 - There are also approximately ten questions addressing education, experience, and specialized qualifications. -- end _______________________________________________ rehab mailing list rehab at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/rehab_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for rehab: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/rehab_nfbnet.org/ebell%40pdrib.com

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FW: Iowa Department for the Blind Job Posting
by ebell＠pdrib.com 20 Oct '17

20 Oct '17

Iowa Department for the Blind JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Location: Des Moines, Iowa Salary Minimum: $48,193.60 Salary Maximum: $73,403.20 Post Close Date: November 13, 2017. Job Description: This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the ?To Apply? section for directions on how to apply for this position. The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position that will promote IDB?s mission, vision and values through providing blindness-skills training to vocational rehabilitation clients throughout the state. A significant portion of this position will include work with transition-age youth. Duties and responsibilities to include the following: Teach blindness skills, including but not limited to braille, cane travel, home and personal management, and basic technology usage, to vocational rehabilitation clients, individually and in groups, including pre-employment transition services for clients and potentially eligible students. Provide regular written reports documenting training, and communicate regularly with vocational rehabilitation counselors regarding client progress and concerns. Evaluate the skill level and training needs of vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students. Provide reports documenting strengths, weaknesses and training recommendations to clients, counselors and IEP teams as appropriate. Assist in developing and implementing group trainings for vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students such as transition weekend retreats. Assist in developing assessments and training curricula for use with clients. Assist in developing and provide training to service providers including paraprofessionals, in working with blind persons in a manner that supports skill development and fosters independence. Spread awareness of department services and training opportunities through community presentations as directed. Essential functions of this position: Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in the English language. Teach contracted braille Teach independent travel using the long white cane Promote a positive philosophy of blindness including that blind persons can be as proficient as their sighted counterparts It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> To Apply: Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services ? Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to: -- Tiffany Bickell Executive Assistant to the Director, Commission Board Secretary Iowa Department for the Blind 515.281.1336 tiffany.bickell at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:tiffany.bickell at blind.state.ia.us> https://blind.iowa.gov ?A proud partner in the American Job Center network?

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FW: FW: 4 Public Comment; Peggy Martinez
by mperet＠BISM.org 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

Dear Colleagues, As a way of introducing the below thread, I have been sitting on this message for far too long after having committed myself to sharing it with you. Peggy Martinez has become a friend and is a member of our Seattle Washington area chapter. She is the author of the below comments offered to the Access Board sometime last summer. You might recognize Peggy by her family name, which she shares with her sister, Cathy Martinez who has spoken at NFB conventions in the past in her prior role at the U.S. Department of Labor and now working for Wells Fargo. In any case, Peggy is passionate about inserting the voice of the nation's blind into the fast evolving landscape of smart street development and shared spaces. She seeks collaboration from everyone in the blindness community interested and who shares her passion to get to work on this. You will find her contact information in her comments and please share your thoughts with members of this list. I tend to think we may have lagged over the years since the historically contentious debates over audible pedestrian signals in our responsibility to insert our expectations and to hold traffic engineers accountable. Thank you for giving Peggy's thoughts your attention. Maurice ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: peggy at creativeinclusion.us Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:36:33 -0700 Subject: FW: 4 Public Comment; Peggy Martinez To: mauriceperet at gmail.com Peggy Martinez Principal, Creative Inclusion, LLC 206.588.2012 peggy at creativeinclusion.us www.creativeinclusion.us First, thank you appointees and employees of the Access Board for your excellent work. My name is Peggy Martinez, I live in Seattle Washington, I am an advocate and business owner. My comments today pertain to the need for specific guidance for wayfinding and other treatments for people who are blind and sight-impaired regarding current trends in sidewalk and street design, new intersection design, protected bike lanes, large open spaces such as pavilions, transit facilities etc. As I understand, there is currently no official guidance for planners and designers to use when considering how best to make these spaces accessible specifically for wayfinding and orientation for people who are blind and sight-impaired. I believe the US Access Board along with organizations such as the American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, the Association of Educators and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the orientation and mobility community, notable cross-disability experts and research entities along with the planning and design community should organize to create solutions so that people who are blind and sight-impaired can independently navigate these spaces safely and with confidence. Please let me know if I can provide further information and/or how I can be of help with this significant and complex request. I understand it will take considerable coordination and have begun communicating with the leadership of the blindness organizations to make my concerns and recommendations known. Along with accessible technology and the myriad of programs and services vrucial to the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, clearly defined wayfinding in our public spaces for people who are blind and sight-impaired are equally as important for full participation in all life's many opportunities. Thank you for accepting my comments. I would appreciate hearing back on any next steps that will be taken. Sincerely, Peggy Martinez

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FW: Position Announcement - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Kansas City, MO
by Michael.A.StJulien＠dss.mo.gov 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

From: St. Julien, Michael A Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2017 3:02 PM To: 'Missouri-L'; 'nfbmo at nfbnet.org'; 'ncsab_members at ncsab.org'; 'orientationandmobility at lists.blindcanadians.ca'; 'Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List' Cc: 'Kevin Monk' Subject: Position Announcement - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Kansas City, MO Good Afternoon, Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind is currently recruiting for two Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor positions in our Kansas City District Office. Please note that interested applicants may qualify for the positions based upon their education and experience as either: * Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Trainee or; * Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or * Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. For more information regarding the position, please contact the District Supervisor, Rekha Nanchal at 816-889-2850. Michael St.Julien Assistant Deputy Director Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind 573-751-4989 (Office) 573-680-4074 (Cell) 573-751-4984 (Fax) michael.a.stjulien at dss.mo.gov<mailto:michael.a.stjulien at dss.mo.gov> "This communication is being transmitted by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and is confidential, privileged, and intended only for the use of the recipient named above. If you are not the intended recipient, unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender and destroy the material received."

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Position Announcement - Rehabilitation Teacher - Kansas City, MO
by Michael.A.StJulien＠dss.mo.gov 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

Good Afternoon, Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind is currently recruiting for a Rehabilitation Teacher in our Kansas City District Office. For more information regarding the position, please contact the District Supervisor, Rekha Nanchal at 816-889-2850. Michael St.Julien Assistant Deputy Director Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind 573-751-4989 (Office) 573-680-4074 (Cell) 573-751-4984 (Fax) michael.a.stjulien at dss.mo.gov "This communication is being transmitted by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and is confidential, privileged, and intended only for the use of the recipient named above. If you are not the intended recipient, unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender and destroy the material received."

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Youth Transition Job, San Francisco
by ebell＠pdrib.com 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

The LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco is looking for a Youth Transition Program Specialist. If you think this job is for you, please check out the link below and apply. http://lighthouse-sf.org/about/careers/youth-transition-program-specialist/ Lisamaria Martinez Director of Community Services (415) 694-7350 LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired 1155 Market Street, 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 Join us on November 4th and 5th for <http://www.superfestfilm.com>Superfest International Disability Film Festival! It's the longest running disability film festival in the world, and celebrates cutting-edge cinema that portrays disability through a complex, unabashed and engaging lens. <http://www.superfestfilm.com>Learn more and reserve your tickets or <https://www.facebook.com/events/224663721383626/?acontext=%7B%22action_hist ory%22:%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22:%5C%22page%5C%22,%5C%22mechanism%5C%22:% 5C%22page_upcoming_events_card%5C%22,%5C%22extra_data%5C%22:%5B%5D%7D%5D%22, %22has_source%22:true%7D>RSVP the the event on Facebook. --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com _______________________________________________ rehab mailing list rehab at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/rehab_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for rehab: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/rehab_nfbnet.org/ebell%40pdrib.com

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Structured Discovery
by tjpaulding＠gmail.com 17 Oct '17

17 Oct '17

NOMC Listers, After reading Dr. Bell's "quick poll" on misconceptions about structured discovery cane technique. I asked a question of the AER O&M list serv which I belong to. I thought some of you might find their responses interesting. I have copied and pasted all of the responses I recieved on this item in order. My post is first, followed by the responses. Just a little background on me: For me, Structured discovery is the way I teach. I may not do it exactly the way it is taught at LA tech, and sometimes I only get 10 or 20 hours with a client . . . but I approximate it as best I can. I'm totally blind, so it's pretty much the only way I can and know how to teach. I learned from one of the best, Arlene Hill, when I was a student at LCB. Years later, I chose to attend Western Michigan University because I lived and worked in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I had kids, a family and a life, and didn't see moving to Louisiana, again, to be an option. Plus, I wanted to break down some barriers and see if I could actually obtain a degree from WMU. I think one of the reasons I did is because I have excellent travel skills and a belief in myself as a blind person. . That's the key, really. I'm teaching full time now and find myself in the midst of two worlds. There are no other blind people that I know of who are AER certified. They are polite and respectful to me at AER conferences. I have found Most other AER professionals to be curious and interested in how I teach. I have never had anyone scoff and tell me that I can't do it or should not be able to do it. It's clear from these responses that there is a lot of confusion about what structured discovery actually is. I wonder if there is a way to change that. Tim Paulding On Oct 6, 2017, at 3:50 PM, Timothy J. Paulding <tjpaulding at gmail.com> wrote: All, One of my NFB contacts recently asked a question of an email list I am on: what are some of the top assumptions that people make when you say that you teach structured discovery? When you guys hear "structured discovery learning," What does it mean to you? To me, structured discovery learning is what I feel any O&M instructor should be doing to get students to experience the world around them. Structuring the individuals discovery of the environment, asking questions to help students problem solve, and, when a student is ready, allowing them to make mistakes to promote learning. I would be really interested to hear what some of you think! Thanks, Timothy J. Paulding, M.A., CVRT, COMS Janet Carlson wrote: I agree- in Structured Discovery Learning you use Socratic questioning ex: "I wonder how we find the way to the gym", or "wow, you did a great job finding the bathroom- what strategies did you use?", or when a student asks what a sound is rather than telling them you say "let's go find out!". With the huge "Growth Mindset" movement in education this is common language and all kids are learning that making mistakes "makes their brain grow". That when they problem solve they are building neural pathways. This is literally language elementary school children are learning and using every day. So "Structured Discovery" aligns easily in integrated settings which helps kids generalize skills. -Janet And another response: "Structured Discovery" or sometimes know as "self-familiarization" means an independent learning of a layout of an environment for travel purposes. It relies on strategies that are structured and systematic.. For instance establishing an initial home base in which to begin the exploration. Then, developing a reference system, perhaps compass directions, which you employ to remember the locations of significant landmarks within the environment. The strategy works best when one section of the environment is completely explored before another section is added. The perimeter of each section is explored first as you make your way returning to the established home base. As you travel beyond the completely explored initial area, a secondary home base can be set up that helps to tie sections together in the mind. The whole purpose being that you slowly develop imagery and locations of landmarks in your mind to assist you with orientation to the area. When I teach these strategies I usually have the student make a tactile map following their exploration to check their understanding of the layout of the area. I also complete the lesson by taking the time to disorient them then asking them to regain their orientation using their landmarks to find the home base. Hope this helps, -Lucy And Dona Sauerburger said: Hi Tim! Yes, that's exactly the way I think of it, you described it very well. It's the way any good orientation and mobility specialist teaches. -- Dona And here's an unfortunate one: I witnessed an individual make a mid-block crossing while under "structured discovery" training. There was no instructor in sight. Perhaps, no one had allowed him to "discover" the safer way to cross a street. -Greg And this one started an entirely new conversation on the AER list about whether university training programs cover using traffic to align. While I completely agree with Tim and Dona's understanding, I have come to understand that the criticism of "AER style" mobility instruction by some consumers is based on experience. The contrast between 'structured discovery' and 'AER style' learning (I recognize the 'AER style' is irritating, but it is shorthand for what we all understand and is not meant as a perjoritive in any sense) does not exist in theory, in my opinion, but it often does exist in fact. Because of funding and sometimes skills shorfalls in the toolkits of O&M specialists, some blind students are not taught to use their hearing appropriately to expand and utilize what Chris Tabb brilliantly refers to as 'auditory horizons' . In particular, students are often not taught to use the sound of traffic moving into the distance ahead of them for auditory alignment. Lack of funding sometimes result in a lack of time for quality education.. We are all aware of that. The result is that some clients/students are taught 'routes' and not 'skills'. Also, and more seriously, some O&M students graduate from university programs without an understanding of this important use of traffic sound. Unfortunately they may then,in turn, undereducate their students with an overemphasis on cane skills and an underemphasis on the appropriate and skilled use of sound. Sometimes when these students meet 'structured discovery' their world opens up....but it should have been opened long before!! I have witnessed the absence of this skill in several students who have come to The Seeing Eye after substantial 'traditional' education. It is dificult to travel well with a dog guide if this one doesn't know how to figure out where 'straight" is! I know that this skill has long been a part of the O&M tool kit. I have on tape an inteview with Doug Roberts (former Director of Programs at the Seeing Eye) in which he discusses being taught how to use traffic for alignment by Stan Suterko in 1968. I also know that it is still being taught...but not universally. Traffic sound is -nearly- universally available to give orientation information and help to know where 'straight' is. Of course In the absence of this being taught, there is nothing universal for travelers to rely upon. Sorry for the long post, but I do urge a return to the roots of skill,rather than the skill of routes. -Lucas

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Research Request on behalf the WBU
by ebell＠pdrib.com 16 Oct '17

16 Oct '17

Hello, I am forwarding on a research request on behalf of the World Blind Union. Szilvia Csuti is interested in comparing the lived experiences of blind people in the United States as they compare to individuals in Hungry. She is looking for 8-12 blind adults, so most people on this list will qualify. It will be a personal interview by Skype or related service. Silvia's purpose statement and contact information is pasted below and attached is the questions she plans to cover with you. *** Message from Silvia *** In my study, I'm comparing the quality of life of the blind people living in Hungary and the United States of America. I wish to do this in the following dimensions: social relationship (mainly informal company; friends, fellow blind people, etc.), usage of special tools, everyday activities. I'm looking for differences and similarities between the two countries. Feel free to forward the interview-plan to the interviewees, but please tell them that this is but a frame and if they venture into some other area which I find relevant, I might also ask different questions as well. the criteria for the interviewees: has to be an adult (21 and over) and blind. I planned to record the interviews online, since I use Apple devices, we can make the interview on Facetime with those for whom it's convenient, but I'm also available on Skype and GTalk, and a Facebook-call has no problems either. Regarding the time zone differene, next week (October 23rd to 29th) we'll have the autumn break in the school, so I'll be available any time, any day, whichever is the most suitable for the interviewees. From the first week of November, I'll resume my internship, so I'd prefer Friday-Saturday-Sunday. But if any of your clients prefers another time, I can adapt. I would like the interviews "live", because if the interviewees are reminded of a story by a question or if they have any other comments on the subject, it's hard to write it down. Should you find more than 7-8 persons to help, I'd be very happy, since more is always better. Also, if you can't find enough blind people, I'd be happy to listen to people with low vision. Sincerely, Szilvia Csuti Special education student My contact info: Phone: +36 (70) 616-2597 <tel:+36%2070%20616%202597> E-mail: csuti.szilvia at gmail.com <mailto:csuti.szilvia at gmail.com> Skype: greengirl_199 Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu <http://www.pdrib.com> www.pdrib.com ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould

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Dare to be Remarkable Early Registration Ends tomorrow
by ebell＠pdrib.com 12 Oct '17

12 Oct '17

**** Note, the cost for registration goes up after tomorrow *** DARE TO BE REMARKABLE: Ten Years of Progress! A three-day national training conference for education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind students and adults. Location National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place Baltimore, Maryland 21230 Date Monday, November 6 through Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Online Registration is now open! Visit this URL: <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=119> Register Here Registration includes all conference materials in alternative formats, lunches, periodic snack breaks, transportation to and from the hotel, and special hospitality/training events. * Pre-registration prior to October 13, 2017 is $400 per person. * Registration after October 13, 2017 will be $500 per person. Lodging A block of rooms has been reserved for conference participants at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, located at 550 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202, at a room rate of $169, plus tax, per night. This rate will be available to those that make their reservation before Monday, September 25, 2017. Participants should make reservations directly with the hotel by calling 410-347-9702 and referencing conference code 1105NFBDBR. A shuttle to and from the NFB Jernigan Institute will be provided for conference participants staying at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court. Call for Presenters now open! For information on how to submit your idea for one of the conference breakout sessions visit the call for presenters section on the registration page or contact Edward Bell for more information at <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu. ***Continuing Education Credits will be available for conference Participants *** Questions about the conference can be directed to: Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University Phone: (318) 257-4554 Email: ebell at latech.edu The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. 2017 Dare To Be Remarkable Conference Sponsors: National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals National Association of Professionals in Blindness Education National Blindness Professional Certification Board Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype: edwardbell2010 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu <http://www.pdrib.com> www.pdrib.com ************************************************************** "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould

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