[nfb-talk] TABS Conference - Frequently Asked Questions

[Joe Orozco]

Dear students, parents and interested guests:

    Please read if you have previously contacted me with any of these 
questions or if you have ever found yourself wondering any of the following:

1. What is the conference about?

    The upcoming student conference, September 22-24, is a good opportunity 
to meet other blind students and professionals around the state.  Often 
times success is not so much based on what you know as much as who you know, 
and even if you believe our students have nothing to teach you about 
blindness skills, you never know when you might need a valuable contact to 
put in a good word for you.  In essence, the conference is about what works 
in the educational process, what resources are available to help you along 
the way and introducing you to people who could be your friend in the 
future.

2. Why would I want to spend a weekend hearing lectures when I could do 
something more exciting?

    You have about fifty-one other weekends to amuse yourself.  Success 
requires sacrifice, and when you consider our message is not always 
delivered by way of lecture, you have nothing to lose.  We are your fellow 
peers after all, and want to have a little fun just like anyone else.  Trust 
me, nothing could be more dreadfully entertaining than hearing yours truly 
make an idiot out of himself when competing for TABS Idol.

3. What will I learn that I don't know already?

    You're going to learn that you did not know enough.  Anyone who believes 
there is no room for improvement should end it all and spare themselves 
eternal bordem.  Our agenda does not promise to change your life in a sudden 
burst of eye-opening inspiration, but you will walk away having been 
challenged to think outside the box, having been shown that you have even 
more resolve within yourself than you may have first given yourself credit. 
You will find people who are doing things better than you, others whom you 
will find could benefit from your instruction and even more with whom you 
will be proud to count among your team, because remember that the textbook 
approach can only go so far.

4. I am not blind.  What could you possibly have to offer me?

    Label it what you will on your own time.  Our goal is not to convince 
you otherwise.  My personal objective is to see you succeed and give you 
ample evidence for how it has already been done.  What you do with our 
information and what you call yourself is your own perrogative.  After all, 
the genuine proof lies not in what you believe from us, but rather, how far 
you choose to advance yourself.

5. I'm not a joiner.  If I go to the conference, does that mean I'm a member 
of your organization?

    Don't join.  In fact, I don't care if you ever become part of our 
membership, because it does not matter how much time and dedication you've 
put into our movement if you cannot prove yourself outside of it, where it 
really counts.  If you join us, you'll be among family who will cheer your 
successes and kick you in the rear when it needs kicking.  If you don't join 
us, you'll be among family who will cheer your successes and kick you in the 
rear when it needs kicking.  In other words, we're your friends first and 
your fellow members second.

6. Maybe I'm interested in attending but have no idea how to pay for it. 
Where can I find funding?

    The Texas Association of Blind Students has a good working relationship 
with the Texas School for the Blind, the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center 
and the Division for Blind Services.  We support their programs and 
objectives because we are all on an equal understanding that the ultimate 
goal is to see blind people succeed.  All three institutions are aware of 
our event.  Students at TSB or Criss Cole should alert their respective 
administrations about wanting to attend our function.  Everyone is in the 
position to contact their DBS caseworker about receiving funds to be a part 
of our conference.  The justification to receive funds is simple: You want 
to be able to attend the conference because the educational nature of the 
agenda will help you learn how to be a productive citizen so that some day 
you will have no need to be an agency consumer.  If a counselor begs to tell 
you otherwise, the solution is just as simple.  The counselor is failing to 
meet their responsibility as your caseworker to help you reach your 
vocational goal, and we will be glad to work on your behalf to give them a 
gentle reminder.  Now, if you have the funds, allow the available resources 
to be used on those less fortunate.  We promise a good investment.

7. What is the dress code for the conference?

    We will be in the company of professionals from a variety of fields. 
Your appearance says a lot of your character, and while we would never turn 
you away for not making a decent impression, we want you to be taken as 
seriously as you deserve.  We suggest business casual.  Houston is hot even 
in September, so please be mindful of comfort.

8. What kind of transportation options do I havve available to me upon 
arriving in Houston?

    the Hilton Hobby provides 24-hour shuttle service to and from the Hobby 
Airport.  If you are arriving by bus, please contact our transportation 
coordinator, Jose Marquez, to ask about transportation to and from the 
Greyhound Station.  Further, if you are in Houston and require 
transportation, please do not overlook Metro Lift, but likewise contact Jose 
Marquez if Metro Lift is not a possibility.  Jose can be reached at:

713-202-8542
jose.marquez at neo.tamu.edu

9. When do you suggest I arrive and depart?

    Thursday evening would put you in position to be on time for the 
beginning of our program.  However, this also means an extra night with your 
hotel room, so we suggest you make arrangements to arrive Friday morning 
before noon and plan on leaving Sunday morning after 11:00.

10. As a parent, where do I fit into the general scheme of things?

    A separate program has been prepared specifically to tend to your unique 
questions and concerns, sponsored by the Texas Parents of Blind Children. 
>From our student prospective, we submit your highest responsibility is the 
well-being of your child long after your capacity to personally see after 
your child's needs.  Parental assistance and nurture is key to anyone's 
development, but breaking a child's fall and doing everything to protect 
them from the hassles of the real world is detrimental and not at all fair 
to your child's future success.  Remember, your child cannot believe in 
himself unless you believe in them.

11. Is there anything I can do to help?

    There is always something that needs scores of volunteers.  We need web 
site designers, public speakers, money managers, fundraisers, writers, event 
planners, sound technicians, envelope stuffers, phone callers, but if I had 
to pick the task for which we could really use your help, I would say we 
really need mentors.  Sometimes it's not about what we can do for you, but 
how you can help us help others.

    If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or 
one of my board members.  We're here for you.  I hope to see you all in two 
weeks.  To register and to read more information about the conference, 
please see the hyperlink below, and note that our agenda will be released to 
the public in a few days.

          Sincerely yours,

          Joe Orozco, President
          Texas Association of Blind Students

Conference information can be found by visiting:
www.nfb-texas.org/conference2006.htm