[blindkid] books and school

Thu Dec 4 14:42:01 UTC 2008

Go Winona! This is great news, and I bet that was empowering for her (wish
she didn't have to this way but...). They really need to get a book cart in
each room, you can call a new IEP meeting over that--this is fundamentally
important and ridiculous and a broad spectrum failure of the staff--LAZY!!!

Listen Debby I think you are getting close to the real possiblility of
getting this woman fired (which she clearly should be!) or her to quit in
frustration. You are already getting the principal on your side. All these
things should be documented and sent to the HUMAN RESOURCES department with
a formal request that the complaints be in her personnel file.

In our case two people over the years mysteriously left the district after
we filed complaints. Also I know of another parent who complained to human
resources after the TVI made derogatory remarks about blindness and
albinism-she was not fired but after a year of hell and trying the normal
chain of command failed was finally--immediately--removed from teaching that
child. I know of professionals (supervisors) who have used giving poor
reviews in the personnel file and the TVI quits...

Give human resources a try...you have nothing to lose at this point.

Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Debby B
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:35 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: [blindkid] books and school

This happened a lot at the beginning of the year. Winona in tears, "I need
my book", the paras adamant "I am NOT going down there", the teacher "it's
okay, not important today." Me insisting they keep the current volume, the
next one, and any the teacher anticipates skipping to. After 3 meetings with
everyone that problem has mostly resolved. Each class is only 50 minutes,
with 3 minutes between. Most classes are on the same upstairs hall, resource
room is down stairs in another wing. Old school, small rooms. By the time
Winona went down, found the needed book (maybe in a box?), and got back to
class she would have missed the class.

Here's another goodie that will be brought up at Monday's meeting. Winona
provided her own protractor, wikki stiks, screen board, crayons, etc. for
math yesterday as she knew what was coming up and figured the TVI wouldn't
have it. Sure enough, she told Winona there was no protractor she could use.
Volia! Winona pulled it out. "Sorry Winona, there's no way for you to color
in this pie graph. Volia! Winona pulled out her screen board and crayons. I
was so proud of Winona for thinking ahead and being prepared. Otherwise, she
would have been simply sitting and listening to this math lesson.

Science teacher no longer discusses things with the TVI, she goes straight
to Winona to work things out.

Another item on the agenda for Monday: Winona's "Braille time" was finally
spent doing something other than this ridiculous mPower "testing" and
chatting. Yesterday she was able to Braille her own worksheet, since the TVI
"had no time" to do it.

Our middle schools send a text home with each student, then they all share
the school text. Works out great because there is no more "I left my book at
school" excuse! They also don't allow backpacks, although our blind kids are
allowed since they're lugging around more stuff.

Oh, and I must share an almost funny, which will also be  brought up at the
meeting! The TVI keeps telling all 3 blind kids that there is no way to hook
the mPower to a computer for the teacher to see their work. We all know
there is. Tuesday I substituted in an elementary class which includes our
elementary blind student. It was really interesting to be on the teacher end
of the spectrum. Plus, I got to see the other TVI in action, which included
plugging the student's mPower into the computer so that I could see her
work! Ah ha! Proof that it can be done and is being done in our own county!

 Debby 
bwbddl at yahoo.com
www.nfbflorida.org/parents

----- Original Message ----
From: Carrie Gilmer <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)"
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 7:58:20 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] storage solutions

Dear Debby-

Many times, many times, she is without a book for this reason? I know things
have been ridiculous, and this tops the cake...this is unacceptable.

Winona is in middle school. Jordan had a resource room that was some
distance, if he needed a volume change he had a permanent hall pass (or
needed to print something from his BrailleNote) to go to the resource room.
He was always very responsible and used his time wisely. I think Winona has
the same kind of character.

Another thing that has been done (the resource room is only so big)is to
have a rolling book cart in a room with the whole book in there, one in
math, one in science, one in social, etc. This has worked really well. (All
these things were/are in his IEP (his IEP accommodations are ridiculous like
six pages-but IF IT IS NOT WRITTEN down-it always failed somewhere-smile)

It helps develop responsibility too, like anyone else if he forgot a volume
or his book then he was stuck or needed to call a classmate. It was also his
responsibility to keep aware of what was coming next, which volume he might
need. This has really helped his ability to self organize and plan ahead.

"Plan Ahead" and "Flexibility" are two essentials blind people can't be
caught without...they are good for everyone, but really important for the
blind student or employee to succeed. 

I am sad to say I think we had a high of 30 and that may be the warmest air
we see this week. I'll be there shortly.smile. 45? Don't make me laugh. Even
my garage door has been frozen for two days. Why do things always break just
when you are about to spend Christmas money? Smile.. 

Carrie Gilmer, President

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

A Division of the National Federation of the Blind

NFB National Center: 410-659-9314

Home Phone: 763-784-8590

carrie.gilmer at gmail.com

www.nfb.org/nopbc

_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/carrie.gilmer%40gm
ail.com