August 2020 - NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

FW: Thanks!
by debandjeff＠allophone.com 08 Aug '20

08 Aug '20

From: Carol Castellano [mailto:carol.joyce.castellano at gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2020 9:19 AM To: Deb and Jeff Altman Subject: Thanks! Hi Jeff, On behalf of all of us in the NOPBC, I am writing to say thank you to you and all the instructors for the wonderful job you did on the Cane Walk this year. You all certainly stepped up to the challenges this crazy year presented us with. All reports from parents have been very positive--they love having contact with their instructors. Please convey our gratitude to all the instructors involved. Warm wishes, Carol Carol Castellano Founder, Parents of Blind Children-NJ Secretary, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children 973-377-0976 carol_castellano at verizon.net www.blindchildren.org <http://www.blindchildren.org/> www.nopbc.org <http://www.nopbc.org/>

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NOMC call for August 18
by ebell＠pdrib.com 07 Aug '20

07 Aug '20

FYI, this has only gone out to those on the NOMC list. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7820970664 Meeting ID: 782 097 0664 One tap mobile +16468769923,,7820970664# US (New York) +13017158592,,7820970664# US (Germantown) Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 782 097 0664 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdhdzjI7uE Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu 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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“Travel Hands”
by owinm＠yahoo.com 07 Aug '20

07 Aug '20

Hello,? I?m concerned about a post I saw on Face-book which may give the impression that people who are blind or visually impaired?are?incapable of independent travel. ?I learned about ?Travel Hands? which is an ?app that pairs a visually impaired person with registered and verified volunteers to walk together towards their similar destinations.? They state ?visually impaired people get to travel safely, inexpensively and independently.? And ?volunteers can assist flexibly, walk more and get goodies.? ?They wanted to know if this idea would ?appeal to you and what are you concerns? Please let us know so we can make the app suit you best. :)?? Below is more information. Dr. Merry-Noel Chamberlain One person commented: ??Why??If people don?t feel safe walking on their own they should find an orientation and mobility instructor. The only time I have ever considered a sighted guide is in an extremely large crowd when trying to stay with a group. This can too easily make us, as a VI/Blind community, appear as invalids or people incapable of just walking on our own.? I find this very concerning with the progress we?ve made proving to able-bodied people that we are not ?less? by being blind. I?m all for services that can aid my life easier, but I?m worried this will enable folks to not ensure they can travel short distances by themselves and they should be.? Travel Hands responded by saying: Thanks for the feedback it is much appreciated, and will be taken into consideration. The app will not be needed by some people but for many visually impaired people we believe this will a cheaper and more social alternative to ordering a taxi/Uber to get to their destination.? It is not to make visually impaired people feel incapable of walking on their own, but just to offer the option for some people who would feel more safe and more social, walking with a volunteer. We also have a new Facebook group if you would like to stay up to date with the progress of the app and help give us more feedback :)???ng nh?p Facebook | Facebook? Here is their link: Travel Hands | VIP World Services | | | | | | | | | | | Travel Hands | VIP World Services | | | | Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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O&M Conference call
by jeff.altman＠nebraska.gov 05 Aug '20

05 Aug '20

Hello Everyone, Since I have had several folks respond right away to my suggestion for an O&M conference call this month, I will plan to have one for Tuesday, August 18th, at 7:00 pm, Central time. Dr. Bell, would you please set up a Zoom call for this time? Now, if this isn't going to work for the you, please let all of us know as soon as possible. I can't promise that we can change the date to accommodate you, but if there are enough folks in this situation, we may be able to shift the time or date. Of course, if this needs to happen we need to know right away, so that Dr. Bell can set the meeting for a different time. Thanks, Jeff

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O&M conference calls
by jeff.altman＠nebraska.gov 05 Aug '20

05 Aug '20

Hello Everyone, I was just wondering if you folks wanted to have another conference call to touch base, and to discuss your current experiences with teaching with the Coronavirus situation continuing to come between us and our students. Jeff Altman MA NOMCT CVRCB

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