Networking Forum

I will definitely go check out Ms. Cluney's eportfolio. I am going to give two instances of where networking has led me to a job or otherwise. The first is Natural Ties. Back in junior high I met a young man without special needs named Dan. I am using his real name, but only his first name. Dan and I became good friends, and he helped me out a lot. I had no idea whatsoever that our paths would cross several years later, but they did. A family friend had told me about a nonprofit organization called Natural Ties, and she approached me and my mom one day to ask if we might want to attend one of their gatherings. We did, so when it came time to go to the gathering I went with my mother. I should at this point mention that I honestly cannot remember the exact sequence of events that led me to join Natural Ties, but I think what I'm saying is correct. So my mother and I went to a gathering and had a wonderful time. We met lots of people, and saw old friends including the one who first told us about Natural Ties. We also saw Dan. My mom had previously met him. He told us all about Natural Ties, and he introduced us to the founder, Pat, also his real name. Sometime later Pat asked me if I had ever thought about working for Natural Ties. I at first told him no, because I knew at this point that Pat liked to joke around a lot. This was of course done in a nice way. One day when Dan and I were having lunch at a nearby restaurant, he asked me if I wanted to swing by the Natural Ties office with him to pick up a few items. Dan was on the staff of Natural Ties. Pat happened to be at the office too, and he saw this as an opportunity not only for me to get a tour of their office, but he also asked me again about working there. This time I said why not. So after some details were ironed out I started working there on a volunteer basis. I met and became friends with the other staff and volunteers, and they all liked the work I did. So they put me on their payroll. I was only on their payroll for a short time though, because of some structural and personnel changes within the organization itself. So Natural Ties was most definitely a way for me to network with other people. The other networking opportunity which I'd like to talk about is Center for Independent Futures, from here on referred to as CIF. The same friend who had told us about Natural Ties, also told us that there was this nonprofit that had only been started about a year or so previously, which was geared towards helping people with special needs find options for living in a community setting. So my parents and I jumped at this opportunity, and we were subsequently introduced to other families in a similar situation to mine. That is, I was still living with my parents and wanted to try living away from home. This is of course not to say that I dislike my family in any way. I just needed to get out of my parents' house and develop more skills. So we went to a few meetings of this organization, both as a whole with the other families and individually with the staff of CIF to get the ball rolling. I am now living in an apartment building that is part of CIF. I haven't had much success on the job front, with the exception of a few volunteer opportunities here and there where I work from home. Yes I can now call this apartment home, and my parents' house home away from home. I have met many new and wonderful people, and I have seen old friends including my roommate who used to be a neighbor of mine and my family. Several of these people were in Natural Ties with me. I have also gotten to take part in various CIF fundraisers and other fun activities. Yesterday afternoon I went over to the CIF office to help interview two people for a position with CIF. I can't at this point disclose any information, but I was very impressed with these people and I think the others in attendance at the interview were equally impressed. I really would like a job in the field of access technology, because I think it is something I am good at. I also love all the adaptive software and hardware that is on the market today. I have dealt with adaptive technology in some form or another for a pretty long time now, and I can honestly admit to being relatively comfortable with what I know. There's still a lot that I need to learn, and I want to learn it because I feel knowledge is power. I think that the voc/rehab system in this country, at least where those of us with a visual impairment are concerned, is in serious jeopardy. Much of this growing problem is due to inadequate funding, but a lot of it is also due to the fact that there is a philosophical deviation regarding those of us who, in addition to our visual impairments, happen to have other special needs. A lot of visually-impaired people themselves unfortunately possess this mindset. I really am not sure why this is, but it is most definitely a hindrance which doesn't have to exist. Those of you unaware of this, there is going to be a radio talk show taking place next week with Marc Maurer, the president of the National Federation of the Blind. The show is going to be aired at 9 PM eastern on Wednesday, May 17. Unfortunately I don't have Skype capabilities or any other VOIP software, and those of you who don't but would like to call in may call (800) 791-6563. Let's tell Marc Maurer and his guests to stop discriminating against those of us with more than one challenge facing us! I think I will finally close for now, but to summarize I think there absolutely must be an immediate change regarding the treatment of VR clients past, present, and future.

"happen to have other special needs" which my disability has requires in order for me to actively engage in the community. Is it a special need to require a service dog when one is blind? Is it a special need to require a wheel chair when one has mobility issues with their legs? Are the needs special? Or have we become accustomed to thinking of them as special.
For those who use a walking stick, a wheel chair, a walker or other assistive device these are not special needs items but rather an extension of our being in this physical sphere with the disability that we have.
If we agree that disability is a natural part of our lives--it happens whether we want it to or not. At that point special needs are not the issue but rather what will it take to enable me or you or anyone who has this disability to live the highest quality of life available to them?
What will enable me to engage my community in a positive meaningful way so that I can make a difference for myself and for others whether they are able bodied or disabled.
I believe that the tendency to segregate on the basis of ability or perceived ability is part of the problem.
If we are to create networks we have to actively engage our world in ways that blur the lines between disability and ability so that there is as small a difference as possible.

I agree with everyone’s postings. But the bottom line is still that people need to respect each other to achieve a sense of trust in working toward a common goal which is the common basis of networking.