Networking Forum

Great job T.V. Raman! Something that I've recently become rather curious about is advocacy--specifically advocacy on behalf of people who are visually-impaired. What I'm going to say may come off as rather uninformed, but I really think it has to be said. That is, I really don't see the American Council of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind advocating like they should. Sure, they have gotten a few positives accomplished here and there, but they really should be doing more. For example, I live in a state which is ranked extremely low on the totem pole in terms of services for people with disabilities. We just impeached a governor and his successor I think is doing a pretty good job only after 2 or 3 months in office, but it would seem to me that a little more needs to be accomplished. I've often wondered two things. First, why did the ACB and the NFB split up? I read "People of Vision: A History of the American Council of the Blind" and have a pretty general understanding of why they did what they did. However, what was the internal motive behind their decision and ultimate action, and could they not have foreseen this coming and prevented the breakup and "Civil War" somehow? Next, why haven't they been working on ways of coming back together? I've told a lot of friends about this whole ordeal with the ACB and the NFB, and everyone I think pretty much agrees with me that it was preventable had these two groups used a bit of common-sense approaches and foresight. I won't go into the multitude of issues involved here, because I think the territory has already been well covered. But why the stark difference in philosophy of blindness? I guess that's what I want to know perhaps before anything else.

I truly believe that my calling is to be an interpreter in the medical field. Thusly, I would find it extremely useful to read about interpreting for the medical sector from a blind person's point of view. And of course, other useful resources, like the superb ones that I’ve come to look forward to from eSight, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jake for your comments, I may have to talk to Jim , James and Nancy and those at the Lighthouse to understand what's going on between the ACB and NFB. Give me time and I'll write something about it once I've done research.

Nef , I'm not exactly sure what you mean by interpreting for the blind in the medical field. Are you talking about learning American Sign Language to help the deaf/blind? Or do you mean advocating for blind and visually impaired people at hospitals and at appointments with their doctors.

If you would prefer to email me offline, Nancy can give you my private email address. Perhaps then I'll have a better idea of what you mean. It probably is just a difference in the terminology we're both using. Thanks and I hope to hear from you. Oh please put interpreting for the blind in your subject line in case my spam filter wants to put your email in my spam box. Liz S

I am regular reader of your esteemed E-cite e-mail letter. It is more encouraging and give effective inspiration on me. I would like to introduce my self as visually challenged graduate in law and working as Law Manager in Allahabad Bank at Chennai India. My duties are: Rendering legal opinions, vetting suits & counter to be filed by and against Bank, coordinating the Advocates in getting earlier disposal of litigations. I am using JAWS and KURZWEIL for assistances. I am able to make 70% of recovery of the Zone from suits and out of court procedures namely enforcing the security interest. I am now wish to make comparative studies of Law applicable to banks in US and Europe countries.I would be kind enough if am advised in this regard. Moreover I am interested in working in States in similar situations. If I am advised in this aspect, I would be more grateful and thankful. I expect valuable advice & guidance.

Sir, I am deaf since birth and Studied up to X class deaf school after that I have been forced to study with normal peers up to B.Tech.,(CSE) under JNTU and pass out in the year 2007. I have written Bank exams but I could not get any interview under reserved category (HI-GEN)call so far.

With the grace of God I got job at Hyderabad in software company as a JAVA DEVELOPER.

I got I-20 for Computer Science MS (from USA University) but unfortunately visa was rejected twice.

Kindly advise me any good opportunity people like me.

With regards, MV Rajesh Profoundly Deaf B.Tech.,(Computer Science & Engineering)