[nfbwatlk] Family Connect Web Site

[Denise Mackenstadt]

The history of the NAPVI is that they began as a very small organization.
The organized some time after our own Parent Group had already been in
existence for some time.  They were opposed to the notion that it was
imperative for parents to work in concert with adult blind organizations.
In the mid 80s the Perkins School for the Blind through their Hilton
Foundation decided to fund and encourage the growth of the NAPVI.  The
philosophy of the organization is that blindness or the euphemism of visual
impairment is a tragedy for the family.  They have not been present in any
of our legislative initiatives concerning braille, the provision of books in
alternate media in a timely manner or the emphasis on good mobility training
for kids.  They tend to whine a great bit.  However, they are the fair
haired child of the AER and other such entities.  The problem is that as for
instance they were invited to make a two day presentation to the Northwest
AER in April when as only an afterthought Barbara Cheadle, President of the
POBC, was asked to send literature.  I know this because when Dean told me
of the agenda he was so excited that NAPVI president was coming.  I asked
him why just NAPVI and not the NOPBC when he knew how active we have been in
this state.  He hummed and hawed.  The bottom line is that we have been
critical of the education, or lack thereof, of blind children.  Now that
they are aligned with AFB, again, they are putting out a new program for
building.  By being part of Family Connections of AFB I wonder about their
membership autonomy or have they just become another agency arm of the AFB.
It is of interest to me that there has been a great deal of traffic on the
blind/VI educators elists when the largest organization of parents of blind
children is being held in Dallas, Texas in July has received no attention.
We are celebrating out 25th year as a parent organization and we will be
exhibiting the many accomplishments we have achieved, canes for all
children, the largest magazine concerning parenting of blind children in the
country, the largest and oldest braille reading competition in the country,
and the largest repository of literature on parenting blind children using a
positive mindset.  The basic difference is that we celebrate their children
for all of the unique characteristics and bring to parents a positive
attitude about their ability to raise their children to reach their highest
potential.
Denise Mackenstadt

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces+dmackenstadt=comcast.net at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces+dmackenstadt=comcast.net at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Carl Jarvis
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 1:47 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Family Connect Web Site

Thanks Alco.  I've not had time to check out the web site.  I just reacted 
to Mike's comment, and wondered if there was some history here.  I have no 
dealings with them, and so I have formed no opinions.

Carl Jarvis

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alco Canfield" <amcanfield at comcast.net>
To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:36 AM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Family Connect Web Site


> Hello, Everyone,
>
> I checked out the web site and for grins put in NFB as a key word to 
> search.  All kinds of things came up including various chapters and 
> centers.  There is a lot of good resource information there.  I am sorry 
> to see the b word missing, but perhaps those who would be afraid to look 
> at the web site because of the word will be enticed to look further.  The 
> resource list is fantastic!
>
> Alco
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> 11:35 AM
>
> 

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