[Jobs] FW: Communications Instructor position in LincolnNebraska

Mon Jul 23 17:58:04 CDT 2007

Dick,

I am only responding to the other postings. I hope this will have a short
lifespan on this list serve. 

Although the current COMS instructors disagree on blind O&M instructors, I
have seen both worlds. I just completed an Introduction to Orientation and
Mobility class for my Master's program. There were skills that I definitely
did not acquire from the O&M instructor while attending a NFB center. The
reason for this was related to the belief in these skills by NFB. However,
not all individuals will be independent cane travelers, nor can an
professional belittle someone who will require human guide or the use of
protective  or trailing techniques. 

Currently, I am enrolled in a Master's program at Florida State University
(distance learning) for rehabilitation teaching for the visually impaired.
The experience I have gained has only been positive and the theoretical
framework has been invaluable when applying the knowledge to the individuals
I serve. I believe that is what is lacking when a new employee is agency
trained. I am not saying that there are not excellently trained blind
individuals from agency based facilities, but there is no framework to base
one's teaching strategies or techniques. Agency based training is based on
one's own experiences, without justification on why the skill is taught. The
shortage of professionals in the visual rehabilitation field has contributed
to necessity to train individuals in agency based facilities. However, in
order for individuals with visual impairments employed in this profession to
gain respect there will need to be standards set especially if they want to
tap into the senior population, which is on the rise for services. Also, the
lack of more programs such as Louisiana Tech. and minimal interest of
individuals seeking professional degrees will affect the visual
rehabilitation profession. I believe you need to rethink your position
regarding university programs before making a blanketed statement on this
position.

Eileen

-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Dick Davis
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 3:20 PM
To: 'Jobs for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Jobs] FW: Communications Instructor position in
LincolnNebraska

Sorry, Fred,

I've got to disagree.  What you say sounds good in theory, but it has not
proven itself in reality.  Most of the university training programs in the
country today produce professionals who do not have any belief in blind
people.  The O&M programs still do not believe in blind instructors.  That
is why we started the NFB centers and the training programs at Louisinana
Tech, and set up our own certification system.

I am not saying that all people who graduate from traditional university
training programs have bad attitudes about blindness, but enough do, and
that has been the case for so many years, that we  have found it necessary
in the Federation to set up our own alternative systems.  I wish it had not
been necessary for us to do so.

Dick Davis

-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Fred Olver
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 4:37 PM
To: Jobs for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Jobs] FW: Communications Instructor position in
LincolnNebraska

Would you want a lawyer trained by a firm rather than one that was
university trained? Would you want a doctor trained by a hospital rather
than a medical school? Would you want a social worker trained by an agency
rather than one who is university trained? So why should newly blind
individuals not expect the quality training a university program offers? Why

do you assume that university training is somehow less than adequate for
people who work with blind folks and not in other areas? I've seen some of
those individuals trained within agencies, one example of bad training is
that the individuals who were trained had no concept of what two-handed
reading of Braille was and also had no desire to learn the reasons why it
was necessary.
----- Original Message -----
From: "J. Michael Jones" <blindmike at charter.net>
To: "Jobs for the Blind" <jobs at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 2:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Jobs] FW: Communications Instructor position in
LincolnNebraska

> You are making an assumption that university training is some how 
> better than agency training. I don't want to have that debate, 
> however, choosing the right person and training them yourself is of 
> great value.  I do know that having the freedom to do so is great 
> instead of being locked in to having to chose someone with a 
> particular degree. Just some thought.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Smith, Pauline L" <PSmith4 at dmc.org>
> To: "Jobs for the Blind" <jobs at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 1:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [Jobs] FW: Communications Instructor position in 
> LincolnNebraska
>
>
> Maybe I missed something.  The job description lists the teaching of 
> all the communication areas except Braille.  That's interesting.  If 
> they don't specifically have to have a rehab teaching/counseling or 
> education degree that concentrates on the area of vision impairment, 
> the person won't have all the necessary skills.  Doesn't sound good,.
>
> Pauline
>
>
>
>
>
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