[blindkid] Leaving classes early

[Carol Castellano]

When Serena was in junior high and high school, there was discussion 
periodically about having her leave classes early--I think this an 
assumption many people make, whether in the blindness biz or not.  We 
said no thank you.  We were able to give Serena practice getting from 
room to room in the summer before school began.  I was interested to 
note that many parents were there with their with sighted children 
give them some orientation.  My son John--2 grades behind 
Serena--definitely benefited!

Serena, who is no O&M genius, was able to get to classes on 
time.  She did get to enjoy walking to class with friends--very important.

I think I put the idea of automatically giving the kid extra time in 
the same category of automatically modifying assignments.  As several 
have said, how will they ever learn to move along quickly, if no one 
expects them to.  By the way, Serena continues to be a poke in many 
things, but she did make it to class on time!

There is a little known, but very important clause in the ADA, a 
section that the NFB fought for.  And that is that the person with a 
disability has the right to turn down an accommodation offered.  I 
don't know of any cases involving students where this was tested in 
court, but I have used the words of the law effectively with school 
districts.  Here is the citation: The ADA ensures that "nothing in 
this Act shall be construed to require an individual with a 
disability to accept an accommodation, aid, service, opportunity, or 
benefit which such individual chooses not to accept" (Title V: Sec. 501 d).

Carol


At 08:38 AM 1/24/2009, you wrote:
>My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high 
>he will be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a 
>head start into the halls to make it to his next class. I'm 
>wondering if most of the blind kids out there get this 
>"accommodation."  I personally think it is an opportunity to miss 
>some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out and isolated 
>in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the few 
>times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your 
>experiences with this?
>
>Sally Thomas
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