[misc.handicap] public schools

Liz.Campbell@p0.f33.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Liz Campbell) (08/23/90)

Index Number: 9952

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Phil! I was at NSVH from 1968 to 1970. During that time, I
think the school was following the trend of working with kids
who had multiple handicaps while most blind folks went to public
schools.
I can't say that I enjoyed my years there much because the
lifestyle was so different from what I was used to, but on the
other hand, I wouldn't have gotten adequate Braille instruction
otherwise.
Take care
Liz

 

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Stew.Bowden@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Stew Bowden) (09/04/90)

Index Number: 10065

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Liz: I often wonder about the psychological effects of younger
children who are blind finding out so early that they are different?
True, sooner or later all of us must face that, but as adults, and
after some successes it seems to me a bit easier to handle. The thing
I liked most about the school for the blind was I was equal to
everyone else there and that made the competition at least equal. By
the time I began to compete in the sighted world, I had the tools to
do the job, and was anxious to meet the challenge. I find it
interesting that most people who viehemtly oppose residential schools
are those who for some reason had negative experiences there. One of
the things that makes it hard for people to decide which is better is
the fact that blind people can't even agree on the subject. However,
that's what makes life interesting. Thanks for the thoughts Liz. Keep
them coming.

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Darrell.Shandrow@p0.f10.n300.z1.fidonet.org (Darrell Shandrow) (09/05/90)

Index Number: 10122

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello.  I can't agree more with your statement about those commingout
of bind schools.  I used to attend the blind school here in Arizona
through my eighth grade year.  Then I decided to go to a public school
setting because the academics at the blind school were generally much
slower.  Plus we had multihandicapped students.  I have no problem with
those students until they slow down us who can handle well.  I had to
fight in court to gain the right to attend public highschool and won. 
I started nineth grade in public school.  I am now a senior in public
highschool and will be graduating hopefully in the top  3  or 4 percent
of my class.  I wouldn't have had this motivation at the blind school. 
Also it should be noted that while in the blind school I had eye
surgeries and had to be tought at home for one school and part of
another.  My mother had to take courses in abacus, braille, and
structure and functioning of the eye to help me get a better education.
 With the home teaching by my mother and a teacher hired through the
blind school, i learned more than i could have ever hoped to learn in a
school year at the blind school.  Also, my mother didn't let the
teacher use the same tactics that were used at school.  She knew what
was going on and kept that teacher properly in line at all times when I
was tought.  So I'll hopefully make it in good shape and not be noticed
as one who was at one time in a blind school.  73 from NU7I

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Gary.Petraccaro@f90.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro) (09/05/90)

Index Number: 10126

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

-> In a message to Liz Campbell <08-22-90 21:16> Stew Bowden wrote:
->
-> SB> equal. By
-> SB> the time I began to compete in the sighted world, I had the
-> SB> tools to
-> SB> do the job, and was anxious to meet the challenge. I find

     What about socialization and what I've always heard called
"Blindisms"--rocking, head shaking, etc.  Did/do the special schools try to
deal with this problem?

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Glen.Nielson@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Glen Nielson) (09/05/90)

Index Number: 10127

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Howdy
     I attended both public school and the school for the
blind in Utah.  For the most part the school for the blind
was a very isolated, restricted environment. I was there
from 1958 until 1968.  The last couple of years I was at
the school for the blind, we had a "progressive" principal.
I remember things being quite pleasant during this time.
Public school was academically superior to the school for
the blind. It seems to me that schools for the blind could
be great places if they were run like Prep schools
... Like a blink out of Winkdom

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Stew.Bowden@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Stew Bowden) (09/17/90)

Index Number: 10388

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Gary: schools for the blind throughout this country have undergone
tremendous change in the last ten years. I honestly do not believe
that pl94-142 was intended to dessimate schools for the blind, but
for the most part, that is exactly what has happened. With a little
moderation on all sides, these schools, whihc I happen to believe are
vital to meeting the needs of the blind, but not the only schools to
do that, would have been saved. Well, as often has been said, that's
the price of change and progress.

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