[nfbwatlk] tell me your thoughts, please.

[Alco Canfield]

Well, if you don't have the right attitude, you won't acquire the
alternative skills.  How short sighted of him!

Alco 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 1:33 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] tell me your thoughts, please.

Dan, very well said.
It's heart-warming to know that you are always there, willing to give the
time to examine an idea, and to express your thoughts in a direct and
positive manner.
You are absolutely on target in your caution regarding the need to maintain
high standards.
The skilled rehabilitation teacher will know when a student has achieved all
that they can in an alternative skill, and when it is time to explore
alternatives to the alternative skill.
However, it is critical to continually remind ourselves that we are not in
the rehab business merely to drill students until they have flawless
alternative skills.  We are always focused on developing the individuals
self-esteem.  Building a high level of belief in their abilities as a whole
person who is also blind.
Certainly a highly developed skill helps underscore a students self-image.
I recall years ago, Dick Corbridge, then working with Region Ten, told me
that attitude adjustment to blindness came through the acquisition of
alternative skills.  Period.
He felt our attitude classes and other confidence building sessions were a
waste of time.
In my fast approaching Golden-Age, I have thought about the programs named
Orientation and Training Centers.  If I had it to do over again I think I
would name the OTC, the Empowerment and Life-Skills Center.
I would stress Empowerment.  In that way, we would be less likely to keep
hammering on the need for our student to acquire a particular skill.  We
would tailor our instruction to develop techniques and skills that allowed
the student to feel empowered and to gain their independence.

Carl Jarvis



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