Division Of Services For The Blind

I am a blind 17-year old fast approaching college and adult life. I SHOULD start recieving SSI checks after my 18th birthday (in the end of September, 2008) as well as a monthly maintanence check from Florida's Division of Blind Services. I am not currently recieving juvenile SSI due to my family's income (though I did at one point when I was very young). I have been told by many blind friends already in college, as well as the division of blind services that I will need to start applying for SSI soon. I was wondering how long before my 18th birthday (and ultimately when I leave for college) I should start the application process? Any advice? Is it a complicated process? How long will it take? Any and all information is welcomed.

MY mom applied on my behalf when I was 16, so I woud get SSI when I was 18. (CA) My recommendation, call your local office and ask. explain you situation to them. But do it soon.

2007-12-17 23:51:19 by i_come_from_under_the_hill

The NC Division of Services for the Blind, through its Vocational Rehabilitation program, assists individuals who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and ...

I was wondering if anyone can outline the "rules" for formatting a formal/business type letter to a government funded organization? I've written formal letters in school before, but this time it's for real, and I want to make sure I've got my facts streight. I am writing to my state's division of blind services to justify my need for a better laptop than the three they offered me. I was told that I had to choose from their list because they are bound by a contract with Dell, but they've made exceptions for other students approaching college who could justify their need for something not listed. I know what I'm looking for, I know its price, and I know it is the more accessible option that will meet my needs for both home schooling and college and put me in the least restrictive environment. I just need some tips on writing the letter.
I'm asking in homeschooling because the Division of Blind Services is part of my state's department of education, and I figure a fellow HSer or HS parent could give me good advice on working with them.

If you use Microsoft Word, try the MS Office Templates site I reference below - might at least get you started...

2007-12-10 13:51:45 by i_come_from_under_the_hill

Price: $32.95

I'm not a fan of Cena, but I can at least see why people like him. I'm like that with most people.
However, with Jeff Hardy I don't understand. I hear everyone say he's a daredevil, a risk-taker, but those are just the words that JR uses. I've seen plenty of cruiserweights do the same thing he does, but better. That's just my opinion.

Size isn't my problem. I was cool with Mysterio winning the title and his appeal to people makes sense. I'm just curious WHY people like him? Seriously, I'm not looking for blind fan service, but a real reason. Does he inspire you? Do you want to be like him? Do you think he's hot? etc.

Second question: Why are there fans of Jeff Hardy that hate on TNA?
1. Jeff Hardy was in TNA for about a year in between his stints in WWE.
2. The type of stuff that Jeff Hardy does, the X-Division wrestlers (cruiserweights) in TNA do a lot of.
How are there Jeff Hardy fans that don't like TNA?
Have you seen an Ultimate X match?
Also, please answer the second question.
So do Jeff Hardy fans just ignore the time he spent in TNA? That doesn't really seem like a fan... I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but if my favorite wrestler was somewhere else I'd watch it. I sure as heck watched WCW when Bret Hart went over there.

It's a pretty shallow reason but I think fans (especially younger fans) like him because he's weird and flashy and colorful, not to mention he's got a pretty dangerous finisher. He's like Rey Mysterio in that respect.

I like Jeff Hardy but not as much as Matt. Jeff Hardy is by no means a good wrestler. He's a spot monkey and a very technically unsound one at that. Also his mic skills are horrible. And by the way, yes, I am a bit of a Jeff Hardy fan despite this and yes I do like TNA, very much.

2008-05-23 20:12:05 by KENTA

Price: $15.95

I will just paste over my livejournal post on the matter and ask, can I, legally force them to hire me a terp as a matter of public accommodation? More to the point, how can I push them to do it in enough time that I wont have lost the money I spent on non-refundable plane ticket for the convention?

--

I decided to go to the NFB convention this year. I registered and I gave fair notice that I would require an interpreter throughout the convention.

10 days before the convention (gotta love the advance notice) I got an email saying that, for the deaf-blind division, I could get an interpreter, but also "by the way, if we find additional interpreters to work with you, are you able to participate in paying for their services? That would be very helpful."

I emailed back stating that, in perhaps more polite terms, you had to be on some sort of special drug if you expected me to be able to cover a week's worth of interpreting out of pocket.

My return email?
"As I mentioned in the earlier email, the convention itself can be heard through FM earphones and that has been a valuable process for those whose heaaring is quite difficult. You indicated that you did have a major hearing loss and you were thinking of not bringing your hearing aids. Even if the hearing is variable it probably would give you a better chance to be a part of the convention activities."

No, I said I'm not bringing my hearing aids, period, because the last thing I need is a weeklong headache while listening to crowds, especially when I don't have speech comprehension worth mentioning on anything but a 1 on 1 slow 'n quiet level, and even then, 40% would be the highest possible. Glad to know you're giving me a chance of maybe being able to take part.
However, I think you would enjoy and benefit from the entire convention if you chose to come. While there is a lot of action going on, there are times when it is quiet and relaxing to talk with persons around you.

... Er, yes, lets have slow and relaxing talk with people I can't hear. I'll talk back to them with my extreme difficulty speaking, while we're at it. Sounds pleasant, eh?

I did, at least, receive the offer that they would TRY to have my 20$ convention registration refunded.
I don't have enough vision to speechread from more than 8-9 inches from someone's face. I'm pretty sure there aren't any chairs THAT close to the speakers, lmao.

The NFB is an organization I sometimes wonder who they are really advocating for. I know many people who I think make things more difficult not less for people who are blind.

IF:
1. They offered an accommodation
2. You requested it by the time they requested
3. They are to make a best effort to find you an interpreter
4. They cannot ask you to pay for your interpreter.

SO
What this means is you have no legal recourse unless you actually use an interpreter and pay for it. They you can make a Department of Justice complaint. I suggest to Ollie Cantos since he is blind himself. But you can make a big stink about it publicly between now and then.
You have your tickets - probably nonrefundable - so go. Post on the NFB listserv what is happening - and any other blind listservs. This is unconscionable.

I am at a disability conference now where accommodations are being made for people in chairs, who are deaf, blind, deaf/blind and have cognitive disabilities. It is also a fragrance free conference. Certainly a Blind conference can provide accommodations for those who are blind and deaf/blind.

2008-06-18 21:51:32 by Nah Z

I will just paste over my livejournal post on the matter and ask, can I, legally force them to hire me a terp as a matter of public accommodation? More to the point, how can I push them to do it in enough time that I wont have lost the money I spent on non-refundable plane ticket for the convention?

--

I decided to go to the NFB convention this year. I registered and I gave fair notice that I would require an interpreter throughout the convention.

10 days before the convention (gotta love the advance notice) I got an email saying that, for the deaf-blind division, I could get an interpreter, but also "by the way, if we find additional interpreters to work with you, are you able to participate in paying for their services? That would be very helpful."

I emailed back stating that, in perhaps more polite terms, you had to be on some sort of special drug if you expected me to be able to cover a week's worth of interpreting out of pocket.

My return email?
"As I mentioned in the earlier email, the convention itself can be heard through FM earphones and that has been a valuable process for those whose heaaring is quite difficult. You indicated that you did have a major hearing loss and you were thinking of not bringing your hearing aids. Even if the hearing is variable it probably would give you a better chance to be a part of the convention activities."

No, I said I'm not bringing my hearing aids, period, because the last thing I need is a weeklong headache while listening to crowds, especially when I don't have speech comprehension worth mentioning on anything but a 1 on 1 slow 'n quiet level, and even then, 40% would be the highest possible. Glad to know you're giving me a chance of maybe being able to take part.
"However, I think you would enjoy and benefit from the entire convention if you chose to come. While there is a lot of action going on, there are times when it is quiet and relaxing to talk with persons around you."

... Er, yes, lets have slow and relaxing talk with people I can't hear. I'll talk back to them with my extreme difficulty speaking, while we're at it. Sounds pleasant, eh?

I did, at least, receive the offer that they would TRY to have my 20$ convention registration refunded.
brother_lu: I'm severely/profoundly Deaf AND blind. If they're out to help the blind, why on earth is nobody helping ensure ME access?

I can only hear, in the quietest possible situation, with a slow speaking familiar speaker, and great amounts of guessing, maybe 40% of what is said.

I use sign language fluently.

Giving me 20-40% access is not access at all.

I guess I don't understand your question. I also don't understand why you would go anywhere without your hearing aids since you don't have to wear them when you don't want to. I would think you would want to have them with you all all times just in case you decide to use them. I'll try to answer if you clarify your question.

2008-06-18 21:54:23 by Nah Z