JesseWhat are everyone's thoughts on training centres for blind people like this one?
https://www.blindinc.org/
Worth attending? A terrible idea?
https://www.blindinc.org/
Worth attending? A terrible idea?
@JesseF8693 In my opinion, it highly depends on who runs the center, what other people's experience s have been like etc. There are some really great facilities I've heard of aorund the US that are pretty awesome, but there are several that just plain suck on all levels. I've heard Colorado has a good one and Texas has Criss Cole I've heard good things about. Never heard of the one you mentioned.
@blindbat84 I am open to recommendations. The family isn't too keen on sending me across the border but at this point, I don't care what they think. I do have agency over my own life, and Canada isn't the centre of the world, for better or worse
@JesseF8693 My partner went to Criss Cole and could likely give you some info about it for sure, its been a while since he went there so things could have changed some, but he's always talked well of it. What are your guals more specifically I guess is a good place to start, what areas do you want help in?
@blindbat84 Whatever skills I need to get out of the house. Some things I know, some things I'm learning and could brush up on.
@JesseF8693 You are in canada right? Is there no equivelant of a state vocational rehabilitation government agency to reach out to for skills training? I know squat about Canadian government stuff except some of the accessibility laws, nothing on actual govenmental disability oriented bodies.
@blindbat84 There's vision loss rehab, but I don't feel like I get the most out of them. There are no training centres in Canada like there are across the border, so specialists will just come to your house for a few hours then leave. I want to immerse myself more fully into the experience, if that makes any sense. But without family behind me.
@JesseF8693 That makes absolute sense. Hopefully you can get some good suggestions. Please, no NFB centers, especially with the crap they've had to deal with lately. Being that you are from Canada, I don't know the procedure for getting into a center, but I guess the first step is if you find one you may be interested in, reach out to them and explain your situation and see what the process is. I know normally state vocational rehab usually has a hand in that but may not always.
@blindbat84 @JesseF8693 when I went to carroll center in 2011 after college and me bombed. state paid for it. and there was someone from canada there. hell there was also someone from canada at guide dog foundation when I went there too.
@blindbat84 NFB run or just partners in general? I do remember hearing something about sexual harassment a couple years ago.
@JesseF8693 NFB run. Can't do Criss Cole sadly because you need to be a Texas resident, looking up the Colorado one now to see what it has for requirements, just in case.
@blindbat84 The one I linked to is not run by them, but I think is associated with them in someway? I would have to look at their website again.
@JesseF8693 Looks like the Colorado one is NFB based, sad as it looks pretty neat, I don't think that's the one I've heard good things aobut, I don't know the name of it sadly. Also, something that was just pointed out to me... do you have a passport?
@blindbat84 I do. But it's locked away in a family safe.
@JesseF8693 That is... a definite problem.
@blindbat84 That's one way to put it.
Brian Moore@JesseF8693 @blindbat84 that's a minor detail. funding will be the big issue I think. Like Sarah said, contact them and see what they say.
@JesseF8693 @blindbat84 don't touch NFB centers. I've heard horror stories.
@JesseF8693 @blindbat84 colorado centre is nfb run.
@bmoore123 @JesseF8693 Yeah, I figured that out after more reading.
@blindbat84 @JesseF8693 there sort of is. they contract it out to a charity. However, nothing as intensive as those residential things like you have in the states.
Amy@JesseF8693 @blindbat84 when you finish whatever training you have, will you go back to your family? This happens a lot and undoes whatever training lots might get from whatever center. It’s rough if your family doesn’t believe in your ability to live and work independently. And the thing training centers often do not focus on is employability. I’m only saying this because wherever you choose, if the end goal is breaking free and being on your own it might be worth thinking about
@JesseF8693 @blindbat84 at a trading center you’ll learn things like using technology, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and orientation and mobility and sometimes braille. But you won’t really get employment assistance or job skills. Some may but that’s not guaranteed.
@amy0223 @blindbat84 If I have anything to say about it, honestly? No, I won't. I've felt stuck here for the longest time and don't want to have to rely on them to get around, like I could hopefully do on my own in a city.