Cool Idea, I think...

Posted by Joe S on 6/7/2010 at 6:18 PM

Hey guys,

I had an idea this morning when thinking about an earlier post. What about starting to work on a teen newsletter? This could be something that you guys could work together to created. You could create a name, logo, the format, topics covered or sections, and such. You could write with a teen perspective. I know some of you are looking for things to work on. If you were successful in putting this together, it would be something to add to your resume. You can write articles or editorials on different topics and such. Share your views on topics or current events. Talk about situations specific to having a visual impairment and such. This would allow you guys to use your creativity and knowledge of technology, school, and such to help others. If done right, this could be something that I could see persons around the United States reading (teens with visual impairment, parents, and professionals). I could even see some of the articles being shared on FamilyConnect or CareerConnect. The articles would have to be done appropriately, use appropriate language and have fun with it. I think this could be a cool outlet for you all. I could try and help if you would like.

I know parents of children with visual impairments and teens with visual impairments would dig reading something like this. You could discuss issues that you deal with everyday, schools, technology, accessibility, accommodations, music, movies, games, hobbies, interests, experiences, and more.

What are your thoughts on this?

This is just an idea for you all.

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

There are currently 18 replies

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

That's a wonderful idea! I have another idea as well. How about a phone system? That way, we could talk on the phone without having to give out personal information!

Cool idea

Hmmm...

Problem is that a phone system would cost money and 24 hour monitoring. I think it would be great to have this type of line, but I am don't think that would be as low cost and small of time to make it happen.

I think this could be a great experience for you all. You would learn about editting, writing for an audience, and getting to send out a final product.

See what you think.

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

I don't know if it would be accebile on my BrailleNote though.

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

If you do whatever you contribute and post it, email it or whatever, we can take care of formatting and such. You have word processing capabilities on a BrailleNote, so there shouldn't be any issues. You can write an article about something of interest to you.

We will see what the rest of the users think. Just an idea.

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

I think the rest of the users will love the idea.

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

hey there Joe i think this idea is interesting and unique and i think that I can try and help if you need it i wrote about articles that i have read but i don't really consider myself a good writer but i think i can suggest topics to write about

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

Everybody in my high school says I'm a great writer. I don't feel that great of a writer though.

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

i like this idea! it could be fun! but how do we do it? how does it get started? would we just like write something or on a group agreedupon topic kinda thing and then email it to you? how would this work?
i think this would be really cool! we could help out so many other people by just writing about our own experiences, maybe we could have a section on each "writers" (us) just a little story of what our own personal vision problem is and how we go about day to day with it.. just an idea but yeah i think this would be fun and very helpful to others :))

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

That is a great idea! There are a few ways to go with that, but I think you have something there. Each writer will start out by writing about themselves and experiences. I like the idea of "you" telling your stories. I really think this could valuable to parents, other teens, and ever professionals. We would limit your identity to your first name or your username or something else you create. I think this could be a cool project.

I think you have the right idea, starting out with profiles on the writers. We could have articles and each writer could have their own "opinion column" or "blog" like part. I can help with edits and formatting as needed. If this works out, I can promise that I can get it out to thousands of people.

How to Submit:
You could email it to me at AFB, I can be the middle person. If we want to share with each other, I can forward it out to you guys. I think after a bit, if comfortable, we could share your email addresses with each other. I would send them to you guys, so that you would not post them online.

Things to think about for now:
* What you will call yourself (by-line)
* Start brain storming on a name of the newsletter
* Possible topics to cover: Something called "My Story".
- "What comes next?" maybe stories on what you see for your future or your concerns. Just a thought
- "Lessons learned": a section on little lessons that you have learned or tips for others.
- Something on technology.
These are just some ideas to get us thinking.

Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,
Joe
AFB Staff

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

this is really cool! i think we should give it a try! :) and yes i would love to hear others stories as well, i like the idea of forwarding the stuff to us. also when a copy of the newsletter is ready, could you forward a copy to all of us, so we can have our own copy? i like this idea, and its also something to keep our minds busy during the summer when we have nothing to do :)

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

We totally can get it out all of you, so you will have copies of it as well. We will do it as an electronic newsletter. You will have the opportunity to forward it out whom ever you would like.

Hmm... May be we could post something on CareerConnect and FamilyConnect about this, we could recruit more teens to get involved. I will work on this over the next week. For now, start thinking about what you would like it to be called. What other issues you would like to address. Or start writing your story. It is up to you!

Enjoy your day!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

hello, all i think this idea is very interesting and i think that some of the issues that should be addressed are: mis conseptions about blindness, and daily living skills just throwing some out there for the time being have a great night all

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

Great topic ideas and have a great night!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

well, I have a phone system that I created. We can go on there. I can see why thrill monster brings up the phone system.

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

joe i luv ur idea!!!!!! im really good with technoligy!!!!!

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

Hello Joe:
I know I am not a teen but what if I could do an advice column. I am 24, experienced public school, college/university and such. I've done some publications in my local high school paper and such and would love to help you on this project. It's just an idea...
Mimi

Re:Cool Idea, I think...

Hi
I think its a pretty good idea. I can talk about technology, muisc and things like that. Some people say I can be a good writer, but I'm not too sure, but I'll give it a try, I suppose.

Re: Cool Idea, I think...

Yeah.