[blindkid] Rehabilitation services

[Carol Castellano]

Here's my understanding (and our experience) on some of these issues:

Different states have different rules and policies.  They're complicated!

If the student is signed up for SSI, it might make a difference what 
he/she is entitled to--technology, funding for tuition, books, room & board.
I think reader money (and maybe book money) is automatic, whether or 
not the student receives SSI.

Ask about SSI.  Our kids become eligible at age 18.  SSI is not 
dependent on parent/family income.  The student cannot have more than 
$2000 of assets in his/her name.

As far as what technology the student will get, this is how it goes in NJ:
The student sets a career goal.
Going to college is part of the services that will get the student to the goal.
The technology provided will be for college and possibly later for a 
job (tho ADA gets in there, too).

Carol


At 08:21 AM 1/7/2009, you wrote:
>Thanks for the information.  I will warn you (as I was warned - and perhaps
>you already know) that whatever career/goals are set at these meetings will
>determine what type of technology rehab will be willing to pay for.
>Unfortunately, in some cases, families are talked into writing "lower"
>expectations - teacher's aide instead of teacher and then technology would
>more likely be denied if not needed to fulfill the goals of becoming a
>teacher's aide
>
>Thanks again
>
>Sandy
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Kim Cunningham
>Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:58 AM
>To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
>Subject: Re: [blindkid] Rehabilitation services
>
>Good morning Sandy,
>My daughter is a junior in high school and we are going through the same as
>you and your son. I was told by our DARS (Texas) caseworker that Kayleigh
>will have access to any piece of technology (free) as soon as she graduates
>from high school. From what I understand, Kayleigh can pick whatever pieces
>of technology she will need (for free) to attend college. They will not
>supply anything until she graduates as the school district will still be
>responsible until then. WOW - This is a blessing! Of course, Kayleigh will
>be responsible for purchasing her own technology after she graduates from
>college and throughout her life.
>Kayleigh has also applied to go to independence training this summer for 8
>weeks. Maybe our kids will meet. After talking to many college aged blind
>adults, Kayleigh has decided to also apply to attend further independence
>training after she graduates from high school. This will delay her from
>entering college in the fall, but should give her a strong foundation to be
>successful in her college days and on into her adult life.
>I would love to hear more about preparing for college.
>Regards,
>Kim Cunningham
>
>
>--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Dr. S. Merchant <smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu> wrote:
>
>From: Dr. S. Merchant <smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu>
>Subject: [blindkid] Rehabilitation services
>To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)'"
><blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 1:13 PM
>
>So, I have attended many of the seminars that the NOPBC/NFB has sponsored
>concerning rehab programs/rehab system/rehab services
>(philosophy/expectations etc), but now that a case file will be opened for
>my 15 year old and the first meeting is next week, I am wondering about
>specifics.  We are opening it now, because our state rehab will pay for
>summer programs at La Center in Ruston.  We needed to get this started
>anyway - better early than late.
>
>So.....from a nuts and bolts standpoint, Michael will be going to college
>and most likely majoring in computer/computer science or some closely
>related engineering field.
>
>So having stated that to the counselor, do we assume that this statement in
>his file will give us the ability when he needs it, to ask for needed
>devices such as personal note taking device, computer, scanner etc.. or do
>we at this meeting or future meeting, need to start listing these as future
>needs and the anticipated time frame when they will be needed? (As an aside,
>from a financial standpoint, we will not qualify for any type of
>assistance.)
>
>If a list is best ( and a time frame)... for you that are in college or have
>done this or are doing this with your child, what is/was your list (and a
>time frame)?
>
>I was trying to go back in the list serv files and see if I could pull up a
>discussion of this but have not been successful at finding a discussion.
>
>
>I would greatly appreciate your knowledge/insight.
>Knowledge is power, and I would like to have that on my side at all times.
>
>Thanks
>
>Sandy Merchant Taboada
>
>
>
>
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