Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (12/06/90)
Index Number: 12353
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Yesterday (Friday, November 30) I received the letter of expulsion I
had been anticipating given the conduct of the national office against
me. I will get it scanned so that I can reprint it here for the many
who have shown an interest in this subject. For now, I am hurt that
certain officers of an organization I cared so much for have shown so
little concern for me. Many people would have resigned either
officially or effectively a long time ago given this kind of treatment
for expression of their views within what was supposedly the democratic
process of the organization. I tried my best to remain an active
member, submitting in the end the best written defense Icould write to
the national board in the short time I was given. I will share this
defense here also.
I have heard that once someone is declared persona non grata by the
national office that members who used to be friends suddenly react with
cold indifference. I hope that for David, Lloyd, Pat and other
Federationists out here this will not be true.
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support and interest in my case.
I will provide more details as soon as I can.
--Jamal--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgAnn.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (12/07/90)
Index Number: 12380
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Jamal,
Do you read braille? If you do, why did NFB send you a print letter? That to
me says more about the organization than all your previous posts.
Ann P. (a non-groupy)
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!207!Ann.Parsons
Internet: Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.orgTom.Gerhart@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Tom Gerhart) (12/07/90)
Index Number: 12381
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Jamal,
I think you will find that most of the nfb people who told you they were
your friends will be very silent about your situation. One thing that
happened after our expulsion was that we really found out who our
friends were and who they were not.. Please continue to inform us of
all the circumstances surrounding your expulsion since these people who
continue to belong to that organization need to know how members are
treated. When Dr. Jernigan said "we will do what we have to do"
I did not know that was directed to blind members. tom G.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!210!Tom.Gerhart
Internet: Tom.Gerhart@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (12/29/90)
Index Number: 12612
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Thanks for your message, Ann. The National Federation of the
Blind does show an insensitivity to making its own documents
available in an accessible form to blind persons. A great deal
of literature is available in braille, but there are glaring
omissions such as its financial statements and audit reports
which are only available in print. With all the braille
technology at the national headquarters, it certainly would have
seemed reasonable to send me a braille as well as a print copy
of the letter notifying me of the expulsion motion and the
letter notifying me of that decision. The cassette version of
the Braille Monitor also does not uphold such professional
standards and courtesies to readers as tone indexing between
articles so that one can conveniently read in a selective
manner.
--Jamal--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (12/29/90)
Index Number: 12614
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Tom, thanks for your messages. We had certainly been kept from
the truth about a lot of internal actions in the NFB by Dr.
Jernigan. Let us make it known to as many blind people as
possible what the whole storey is, a sad story of personal
vendettas he and other leaders have held against individuals
suspected of disloyalty and the ensuring unethical,
distatesteful, and destructive campaigns to expel them and
anyone associated with them. These vendettas have not only been
unjust to the individuals targeted, but disturbingly destructive
to the organization itself. I find it difficult to believe that
losing 3,500 members of the California affiliate, for example,
was in the interest of the organization because of Jernigan's
vendetta against Acosta. If Sandy Sanderson made some mistakes,
which perhaps he did (I don't really know either way), was it
really worth losing the biggest fund raising talent the NFB has
had in recent history? Sandy was a very dedicated Federationist
for years and years. I am confident that there was more to the
story then we were told. An occasional mistake or a personality
conflict should not provide the basis for major punitive action
against the individual and serious destruction of the
organization. Federationists have a right to know that this
type of thing has been going on around the country for many
years now. I am convinced that the NFB would be considerably
stronger today with more intelligent policies and priorities and
far less enemies if principles and processes of democrative
participation were observed. Dr. Jernigan is and has been a
great civil rights leader for blind Americans, but that has not
meant that he could do no wrong.
--Jamal--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgAnn.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (01/03/91)
Index Number: 12623
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Jamal,
Well, I don't want to get myself involved in a long discussion about NFB, but
you see, my friend, they are victims of the system they are trying so hard to
change. I get, or should I say got, reports on the finances of the local
Association for the blind in print. I guess they figured that I was not only
blind but stupid and didn't care where they spent their money. I keep getting
print catalogs from American Foundation for the Blind. I sent them a nasty
letter asking why they thought they had to do that since I was a valued
customer. Now, if a good friend of mine who only knows braille grade one can
take several hours out of her day to send me the braille newsletter of an
organization of sighted people to which I belong, then I think that NFB, AFB,
APH et al ought to wake up and start sending its members materials in the
media they can read best.
Soap box mode ended. I have never been a groupy, but the fact that your
cohorts at NFB sent you a print letter of expulsion says that they probablly
thought that because you were expelled you were no longer blind. Hey, maybe I
should join and get myself kicked out. Wyw! That'd be one for rippleys, eh?
See you on-line.
Ann P.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!207!Ann.Parsons
Internet: Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (01/11/91)
Index Number: 12856
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Ann! The NFB's insensitivity to sending corresponding in an
accessible format is in part due to the fact that the blind
staff who work at the national headquarters use sighted
secretaries who read for them extensively. Unfortunately, most
blind people do not have this luxury at the work place. We are
usually struggling to get a part time reader or waiting for
material to be recorded, brailled, or put on disk. There is
great talk by national NFB leaders about the use of nonvisual
"alternative techniques"--a concept that Icommend the NFB for
innovating. Yet the primary if not exclusive technique these
same persons use for reading is secretarial assistance and the
primary if not exclusive technique they use for traveling is
also secretarial assistance. I believe that generally speaking
we as blind people should adapt ourselves to the physical
environment rather than tray to have it adapted for us. Ihave
within the last year, however, changed that view from a "hard
line" to a strong guideline that does have valid exceptions.
Some traffic intersections, for example, are dangerous enough to
a blind person that Ithink it reasonable to have some sort of
audible buzzer to aid crossing, one that is not unpleasant to
the ear and designed carefully and reliably. My thinking
started to change on this when our beloved BlinkTalk friend,
Sara, dies at a traffic intersection last year. I recently
happened to talk with Sara's roommate at the time and learned,
sadly, that the Federation has kept its distance from this case
despite Lynn's call for a full investigation.
--Jamal--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgWilliam.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (01/11/91)
Index Number: 12871
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
JM> the ear and designed carefully and reliably. My thinking
JM> started to change on this when our beloved BlinkTalk friend,
JM> Sara, dies at a traffic intersection last year. I recently
JM> happened to talk with Sara's roommate at the time and learned,
JM> sadly, that the Federation has kept its distance from this case
Jamal,
Yes, wouldn't it be nice if everything was as black and white as
the NFB seems to like to portray it?
It is, in my humble opinion, (I am an outsider, after all!) only
when the NFB starts recognizing this fact that they will be able to
maintain the good quality of local leaders they have done in the past.
Obviously, with not only your story, but with the others we've seen here
and the several cases of local power struggles I am familiar with that
are occuring in the NFB, there is a strong apprehension at some higher
level in the Federation to permit such heracy as questioning the goals
that have been established.
Yeah, it sure makes things easy if you paint something as either
good or bad, and deny that there can indeed be two sides to something,
each with merit, but even within the two major political parties in this
country (I don't really like this analogy with the NFB and the ACB, but
it's been used here so many times I have to bring it up!) there are
varying degrees of support for a position on any issue, including
totally opposite approaches in some cases within one party! That's why
we see change in the political parties, they do on some level listen to
their membership, while it takes not one bit of wisdom to guess the NFB
position on an issue that affects us as blind people, as it is the same
old story we've heard from them all along!
Thanks Jamal, for remembering Sara, cause I've done likewise many
times over the past year!
I'd love to hear what she would have to say about this whole
matter!
Willie
... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!William.Wilson
Internet: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgRay.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Campbell) (01/23/91)
Index Number: 13196
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
It's too bad an organization you might want to join sometime
doesn't even have the class to allow you (or anyone else) to make
an informed decision about your organizational preference by making
their reading material available.
Any organization like that must not want you to know the truth
about them, truth which is obviously contained in its reading
material. Walter, I don't know about you, but I sure wouldn't join
any group that didn't allow me to find out a little something about
them first.
Good Luck!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Ray.Campbell
Internet: Ray.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgJeff.Hawkinson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Hawkinson) (01/23/91)
Index Number: 13198
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
.I don't think you would want the Braille Monotor. Since NFB charges
$25.00 annually for it's first rate, top notch, magazine that offers
nothing but gossip. I sure as hell would not fork over my hard earned
money to something that is not the truth. Now the Braille Forum is free
to those who are interested. Give the ACB National office a call at
1-800-424-8866 and order this publication. I will guarentee you will not
be charged or harressed by the American Council of the Blind.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Jeff.Hawkinson
Internet: Jeff.Hawkinson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgDaveed.Mandell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Daveed Mandell) (02/04/91)
Index Number: 13359
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
The Braille Monitor is a freepublication, thought readers are
asked to povide a donation.
--Daveed--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Daveed.Mandell
Internet: Daveed.Mandell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgRay.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Campbell) (02/04/91)
Index Number: 13371
Not only is the Monitor filled with gossip and stories about people who
appear to be helpless, the worst part is it makes the rest of us appear
just like them. I get sick and tired of having to say "I don't associate
with them or believe in their philosiphies" whenever anyone asks if I am
a member of NFB. I am, of course, VERY VERY Proud to say I am an ACB
member.
I have a very good friend who went to an NFB school in Minneapolis. He
went there with the idea of getting some good training in Mobility,
computers, ETC. He told me, "this place is like being in a prison."
Yes, that is an exact quote, like it or not NFb'ers. I almost got sick
hearing some of the things he told me. It was a shock.
Anyway, I don't care what organizational preference you have, but just to
let you and anyone else reading this know, the NFB doesn't represent all
Blind people, and they better stop pretending they do. ARe you as fed up
with them as I am, well, come on and join the ACB. We welcome you with
open arms!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Ray.Campbell
Internet: Ray.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgDaveed.Mandell@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Daveed Mandell) (02/04/91)
Index Number: 13374
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Frankly, the Braille Forum is downright boring, bland
nd superficial. I hope Nolan expands the publications, and encourages
much longer and stronger articles.
(Snore!)
The Monitor is challenging, provocative, takes stands, and
certainly sparks controversy!
--Daveed--
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Daveed.Mandell
Internet: Daveed.Mandell@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgRay.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Campbell) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13370
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Not only is the Monitor filled with gossip and stories about people who
appear to be helpless, the worst part is it makes the rest of us appear
just like them. I get sick and tired of having to say "I don't associate
with them or believe in their philosiphies" whenever anyone asks if I am
a member of NFB. I am, of course, VERY VERY Proud to say I am an ACB
member.
I have a very good friend who went to an NFB school in Minneapolis. He
went there with the idea of getting some good training in Mobility,
computers, ETC. He told me, "this place is like being in a prison."
Yes, that is an exact quote, like it or not NFb'ers. I almost got sick
hearing some of the things he told me. It was a shock.
Anyway, I don't care what organizational preference you have, but just to
let you and anyone else reading this know, the NFB doesn't represent all
Blind people, and they better stop pretending they do. ARe you as fed up
with them as I am, well, come on and join the ACB. We welcome you with
open arms!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Ray.Campbell
Internet: Ray.Campbell@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgWilliam.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13402
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
DA> donation, but it is not mandatory. Of late, NFB bashing and
DA> the perpetuation of misinformation about us seem to be in vogue
DA> on this Echo. I have also seen many cheap shots at us from
DA> people who usually don't participate in such things. All of us
DA> of course have the right to disagree with other, but I hope
DA> that we will get over automatically thinking the worst about
DA> the NFB, speaking without proper information and perpetuating
DA> that information.
David,
I agree with you that some NFB bashing has occured here, as has some
Arkenstone bashing, some Newsbits bashing, and some Artic bashing, and
some TSI bashing, and some Omnichron bashing, etc. etc. etc. Why do you
think the NFB should be any different?
Also, if indeed the anti-NFB messages showed any more of a degree
of misinformation than the messages bashing the others, I'd actually
empathise with your claims, but as inflamatory as these messages may
seem to you, not really that much misinformation was propogated, and
that which was, you corrected. (Hey, I'm listening!)
David, BlinkTalk is not really that unique of a bunch of blinks,
and I can honestly say that I hear the same type of things said about
the NFB in most every group of blind people I've been around! True,
I've nver been to an NFB convention, but I have been to lots of affairs
where there are large numbers of blind people, and when NFB comes up as
a topic, there are always people there ready to take a position
against the Federation, and in most cases an NFB loyalist ready to
defend to the death their organization.
I honestly expected more from you than to just answer the anti-NFB
messages here with bashing or misinformation claims, and I also expected
to hear from more NFB supporters!
Willie
... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!William.Wilson
Internet: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgChristopher.Hill@p233.f4115.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Christopher Hill) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13415
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
RC> Not only is the Monitor filled with gossip and stories
RC> about people who appear to be helpless, the worst part is
RC> it makes the rest of us appear just like them. I get sick
RC> and tired of having to say "I don't associate with them or
RC> believe in their philosiphies" whenever anyone asks if I
RC> am a member of NFB. I am, of course, VERY VERY Proud to
RC> say I am an ACB member.
RC>
One problem which I have with the monitor is the articles like the
one in the last July's issue.
it was talking about a student who convinced the state agency to
pay for his private college. It left me asking: did this student
attempt to earn any merrit scholarships? Or did this person just
think"simce I'm blind, the state should pay for my private
education".
Many other articles seem to constantly discuss blind individuals
getting money out of agencies. That's fine if they can't find any
other way, but, for me anyway, I'd look everywhere else before I
ask the state for help. Maybe even consider attempting to find
some sort of job before continuing my education etc.
I'm still debating joining any organizations. I'm the treasurer in
the local Association for Computing Machinery, and that keeps me
hopping. Chris
It ain't broke, it's just having a bad day.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!4115.233!Christopher.Hill
Internet: Christopher.Hill@p233.f4115.n124.z1.fidonet.orgSteve.Bauer@f6.n291.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Bauer) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13430
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
DM> Frankly, the Braille Forum is downright boring, bland
DM> nd superficial. I hope Nolan expands the publications, and
DM> encourages much longer and stronger articles.
I'm gonna jump in here and defend my friend Nolan. He has made some
good changes in The Braille Forum and it's an informative mag. I
knowfrom experience that people do not tend to read and retain from
long articles. The reader on the most part does prefer a short
article that gets to the point and doesn't drag on. I've been doing
newsletters since 1978 and it was true when I started and still is
today. The Braille Monitor spends way too much time and goes in to
too much detail on things. They don't tone index the tape either
because they want to force you to listen to all of every article.
Waiting and ready for arrows......
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!291!6!Steve.Bauer
Internet: Steve.Bauer@f6.n291.z1.fidonet.orgGary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13444
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
David,
The reason you "don't often see the same courtesy" has to do with the
NFB's insistance on invalidating the complaint of any and all who speak
against it. There has not been One instance when someone called the NFB to
task that a member said, "yep, we really screwed up that one". You're not
being discredited in spite of your actions, but, because of them. Look,
believe it or not, I started out on the fence. I heard negative stuff--
sure, you hear negative stuff about everything, whether it's the US
Government or Covenant House--about the NFB. Took it with several football
sized grains of salt. Then the constant stream of invalidation and
defensiveness from NFB members began. Other ex-members here have given
testimony about their dealings with this organization, and not one word
admitting the truth of their ascertions. That's the kind of thing one
expects from defenders of Alger Hiss. Don't you get this, yet? You did
the alienating. Most of us came in here as tabulae rasae--blank slates.
Now, when we react to what we see, you blame us. Your shooting the
messenger. Sure, we'll get stuff wrong, but, we'll thank you for the
correction and be glad to have the truth of the matter. On behalf of the
other members of this echo, I'm intensely damned tired of having you call
us liars in one form or another. As honest Abe said, "You can't fool all
of the people all of the time." Stop trying.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!90!Gary.Petraccaro
Internet: Gary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.orgWilliam.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13445
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
TG> Maybe they have all been expelled.
Tom,
I should think it would be very comforting to NFB members that this
is one place where expressing opinions contrary to the moderator's won't
get them the boot!
Let's face it, if agreeing with the moderator was a requirement for
participation here, I may find myself talking to myself even more than I
do now!
Willie
... Like a bat out of Bellevue!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!William.Wilson
Internet: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgTandy.Way@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Tandy Way) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13449
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
neither magazine is worth a damned I have got the monitor for free for
10 years or so but if they stop it no big deal. the only thing both
mags are good for are placing classified adds in. just another outlet
...
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!377!6!Tandy.Way
Internet: Tandy.Way@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13458
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
WW> David,
WW> I agree with you that some NFB bashing has occured here, as
WW> has some Arkenstone bashing, some Newsbits bashing, and
WW> some Artic bashing, and some TSI bashing, and some Omnichron
WW> bashing, etc. etc. etc. Why do you think the NFB should be
WW> any different? Also, if indeed the anti-NFB messages showed
WW> any more of a degree of misinformation than the messages
WW> bashing the others, I'd actually empathise with your claims,
WW> but as inflamatory as these messages may seem to you, not
WW> really that much misinformation was propogated, and that which
WW> was, you corrected. (Hey, I'm listening!)
Yes Willie, NFB is certainly not the only thing to be bashed on BlinkTalk, but
that doesn't make it any more appropriate.
David, BlinkTalk is
WW> not really that unique of a bunch of blinks, and I can
WW> honestly say that I hear the same type of things said about
WW> the NFB in most every group of blind people I've been around!
WW> True, I've nver been to an NFB convention, but I have been to
WW> lots of affairs where there are large numbers of blind people,
WW> and when NFB comes up as a topic, there are always people
WW> there ready to take a position against the Federation, and in
WW> most cases an NFB loyalist ready to defend to the death their
WW> organization.
It would appear to me that the majority of Blink Talk users are either ACB
persons, or unaffiliated persons. Federationists are in the minority here, and
consequently will probably always receive a hard time. So be it. The NFB has
for a long time taken public and controversial positions. For this reason, and
others, we engender strong emotions in people, both positive and negative.
Some months ago, I has a long conversation with my landlady in Albuquerque. She
is Hispanic. Her Father, who is a college professor, has been active and
prominent in Hispanic rights activities for many years. He was one of the
founders of a major, controvertial activist Hispanics rights organization. He
has also written a number of books. He and his books were considered radical
for many years, according to Carmen. She said many people, including her
relatives were always telling her and her family that they were fighting against
things that weren't important, that they were imagining descrimination and that
they should just go along. I have been told the same things here, and other
places. Now, Dr. Samora's books are used as minstream college textbooks and he
just won the highest civilian award from the President of Mexico, for his
lifelong work. Many blind people would like to believe that there isn't
descrimination, or whould hope that all of this will go away. It won't unless
we point it out and fight it. In fifty years many of our ideas will be a part
of the mainstream and many blind people won't remember how it is.
As an example of this, AFB, in the past year or two, has adopted the "braille
literacy issue" as its own. We have been talking about this, and pushing it for
a number of years. I am not saying that this wouldn't have happened without us,
but I do believe that we made it happen much quicker. I see messages here,
letters to the editor in the Ziegler etc., where many blind people are acting
and living more independently. These are ideas that the NFB has promoted for
years and that I see increasingly being expressed by others.
... Your Sound Alternative
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews
Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13459
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
CH> One problem which I have with the monitor is the articles like
CH> the one in the last July's issue.
CH> it was talking about a student who convinced
CH> the state agency to pay for his private college. It left me
CH> asking: did this student attempt to earn any merrit
CH> scholarships? Or did this person just think"simce I'm blind,
CH> the state should pay for my private education".
CH> Many other articles seem to constantly discuss blind
CH> individuals getting money out of agencies. That's fine if they
CH> can't find any other way, but, for me anyway, I'd look
CH> everywhere else before I ask the state for help. Maybe even
CH> consider attempting to find some sort of job before continuing
CH> my education etc.
Chris, you seem to be making a lot of assumptions about what people are doing
and why. The Federal government spends over one billion dollars a year on the
rehab system. That doesn't cound what the states have to put in, which is 20
percent of that. If a person is a rehab client, he has the right to receive the
training to which he/she is entitled. People do sometimes have to fight for
their rights.
On the scholarship front, the NFB will award over $70,000 worth of scholarships
to blind persons this year. I don't know of any other organization of or for
the blind doing as much to help blind persons.
... Your Sound Alternative
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews
Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgEric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13466
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
WW> TG> Maybe they have all been expelled.
WW> Tom,
WW> I should think it would be very comforting to NFB members that this
WW> is one place where expressing opinions contrary to the moderator's won't
WW> get them the boot!
Actually, there's a personality type that would find it very UNcomforting;
they prefer the security of never having to encounter anything that would
raise questions in their minds. Note that I am NOT saying that this applies
to most NFB members, or even that NFB members are more likely to have this
sort of personality than any other group of people.
Points vs. readers: one factor that comes into deciding which is more
appropriate for a given system is the speed of the machine. If the board is
running on a fairly slow machine, you have to take into account the fact that
with a reader, the compression is done while the caller is online, whereas
with a point system the compression is done between calls. In our case, we
have a rather slow machine and the compression takes a while, so using points
saves online time. On a faster machine, the saving would probably be much
less significant.
Back to the NFB issue: did Jamal specifically ask that the NFB's response to
him be made public? If not, I don't think it belongs here.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgJeff.Hawkinson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Hawkinson) (02/05/91)
Index Number: 13481
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
ACB gives out scholarships also, but the difference between ACB and NFB
is that NFB tells the reciptient where they must go to college if they
want the award.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Jeff.Hawkinson
Internet: Jeff.Hawkinson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgGary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro) (02/06/91)
Index Number: 13573
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
-> In a message to David Andrews <01-21-91 21:22> Jeff Hawkinson wrote:
->
-> JH> ACB gives out scholarships also, but the difference
-> JH> between ACB and NFB is that NFB tells the reciptient where
-> JH> they must go to college if they want the award.
-> JH>
Jeff,
Back that up, please, with regard to both claims. You just
potentially raised a very important issue. How much in ACB scholarships,
and how tdo you know that what you said about the NFB telling people where
to go to school is accurate? Also, where do they tell people to attend?
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!90!Gary.Petraccaro
Internet: Gary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.org