[blindkid] Getting Ready for High School Tips

DrV icdx at earthlink.net
Wed Apr 6 05:49:24 UTC 2011


Hi Jill & All,

Jill, I enjoyed your article "Suggestions for Working with Hannah". As the 
parent of an 8th grader, I am wondering (hoping) for words of wisdom for 
middle schoolers (& their parents) as far as transitioning to high school & 
how to approach the first year & beyond.

Any & all thoughts appreciated.

Sincerely,

Eric V


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Brad and Jill Weatherd" <snowedin at union-tel.com>
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:33 AM
> Subject: [blindkid] Response to Erin re: pre-school tips
>
>
>> Hi Erin,
>> My daughter, Hannah, is now 15 years old...however, I remember what it 
>> was
>> like when she was entering pre-school and kindergarten.  With the help of
>> Marty Greiser, I wrote some suggestions to hand to her teachers when she 
>> was
>> small, so that they had some better ideas of how to include Hannah in all 
>> of
>> the activities.  A link to this article on the NFB website is:
>> http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr18/Issue2/f180208.htm
>> I hope there is something there you can use!  Sometimes the teachers take
>> awhile to "get it", but just keep trying and modeling the way you want 
>> your
>> child to be treated.  It's great that you have found the NFB -- they will 
>> be
>> an invaluable resource to you!  Jill
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindkid-bounces+snowedin=union-tel.com at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:blindkid-bounces+snowedin=union-tel.com at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> blindkid-request at nfbnet.org
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:00 AM
>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: blindkid Digest, Vol 53, Issue 22
>>
>> Send blindkid mailing list submissions to
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> blindkid-request at nfbnet.org
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> blindkid-owner at nfbnet.org
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of blindkid digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Re: special seat on bus (Carol Castellano)
>>   2. Kindergarten Transition (Stacy Lemmon)
>>   3. Re: Kindergarten Transition (Debby B)
>>   4. Special Seat on the bus (Carlton Anne Cook Walker)
>>   5. Re: Kindergarten Transition (Doreen Franklin)
>>   6. Re: Kindergarten Transition (Carrie Gilmer)
>>   7. Re: Kindergarten Transition (Andy & Sally Thomas)
>>   8. Re: placement intepretation (Mike Freeman)
>>   9. Re: placement intepretation (DrV)
>>  10. Hurricane Ike (Kim Cunningham)
>>  11. Re: Hurricane Ike (Debby B)
>>  12. Re: Question about school placement (Erin Teply)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:43:26 -0400
>> From: Carol Castellano <blindchildren at verizon.net>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] special seat on bus
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <200809231743.m8NHhcn02327 at www.nfbnet.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>
>> Hi Mark,
>>
>> The family does have a wheelchair, but it is apparently not the kind
>> that can be secured in the bus.  My understanding is that
>> someone--parent or bus driver--was lifting and carrying the girl onto
>> the bus and then someone--bus driver or school person--was lifting
>> her and carrying her off the bus and into the stroller at school.
>>
>> The school and/or bus people then told the family that this could no
>> longer be done and that the family had to purchase the kind of
>> wheelchair that could be secured in the bus.
>>
>> Carol
>>
>> At 01:08 AM 9/23/2008, you wrote:
>>>Hello Carol,
>>>
>>>are you saying that the bus driver and staff are carrying this student 
>>>into
>>>the school bus? If the student does not own a wheelchair it may be that 
>>>the
>>>district will provide such a chair and a bus with lift during school 
>>>hours.
>>>Worth looking in to?
>>>
>>>Mark Feliz
>>>
>>>
>>>Mark Feliz
>>>
>>>HAPPY DOTS BRAILLE SERVICES
>>>
>>>PRESIDENT, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ARIZONA
>>>EAST VALLEY CHAPTER
>>>
>>>1038 WEST HILLVIEW STREET
>>>MESA, ARIZONA  85201
>>>
>>>VOICE: 480-890-8943
>>>FAX: 480-835-3036
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Carol Castellano" <blindchildren at verizon.net>
>>>To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 1:39 PM
>>>Subject: [blindkid] special seat on bus
>>>
>>>
>>> > Hi All,
>>> >
>>> > I just got a call from a parent of a 5-year-old who is a wheelchair
>>> > user.  The school told the parent that the family has to purchase a
>>> > special wheelchair or stroller that can be hooked into place on the
>>> > school bus.
>>> >
>>> > The school will no longer transport her on the bus because they say
>>> > neither they nor the bus driver are allowed to carry her into or out
>>> > of the bus, hence the need for the special chair.
>>> >
>>> > Does anyone know if the family is really responsible for this
>>> > purchase?  Right now they have to drive the girl to school
>>> > themselves.  When the dad goes to work, the mom has no car.  She also
>>> > has 3 other kids.  Help is needed!
>>> >
>>> > Thanks,
>>> > Carol
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > blindkid mailing list
>>> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> > blindkid:
>>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/felizfamily5%40msn.com
>>> >
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>blindkid mailing list
>>>blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>for blindkid:
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/blindchildren%40verizon.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:28:58 -0400
>> From: "Stacy Lemmon" <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
>> Subject: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <001801c91da1$dd41ffc0$0401a8c0 at stacypc>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> We are already preparing for Adison's transition to kindergarten for the
>> 2009-2010 school year. It seems no one can provide me answer to a 
>> question
>> about services...if we keep her in a non public school (she currently
>> attends a Catholic preschool and we would like to keep her there) who 
>> will
>> provide her vision services?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Stacy
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:51:15 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Debby B <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <81235.9156.qm at web90505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>
>> Stacy, I think this varies by state and by district. In Miami, FL, we got 
>> NO
>> services in the private sector. I understand in the district we are now 
>> in
>> that you can, if you can get the providers to agree to do so.
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>> www.nfbflorida.org/parents
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: Stacy Lemmon <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:28:58 PM
>> Subject: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>
>> We are already preparing for Adison's transition to kindergarten for the
>> 2009-2010 school year. It seems no one can provide me answer to a 
>> question
>> about services...if we keep her in a non public school (she currently
>> attends a Catholic preschool and we would like to keep her there) who 
>> will
>> provide her vision services?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Stacy
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/bwbddl%40yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:41:23 -0400
>> From: "Carlton Anne Cook Walker" <PaPoBC at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [blindkid] Special Seat on the bus
>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> Message-ID:
>> <aa85e5850809231241i36a488f6k4be66951e0cc049 at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> Carol,
>>
>>
>> First, I apologize for the rambling nature of this note.  I have been
>> (still am) sick and am terribly behind, so my thought process is even
>> more "stream of consciousness" than usual.
>>
>>
>>
>> It seems to me that the root of the problem is a "one-size-fits-all"
>> mentality of the school -- when the IDEA requires INDIVIDUALIZATION..
>>
>>
>>
>> As an initial matter, please check whether the transportation services
>> are included in the child's IEP.  If they are, read no further.  The
>> school's failure to provide the transportation services is a violaton
>> of the IEP itself and can be addressed that way.  Additionally, the
>> parents' provision of transportation in the interim can be properly
>> billed and recompensed as "compensatory education," although the
>> amount involved may not be worth a due process claim.
>>
>>
>>
>> The parents need to get the school to put their ridiculous request IN
>> WRITING.  Then, take it to the NJ Department of Education (assuming
>> that they are at all worthwhile).
>>
>>
>> Here's the communication that SHOULD be happening with the school":
>>
>> School: OH, our school buses aren't able to accommodate THAT kind f
>> wheelchair.
>>
>> Family: Hmm, well, this IS the wheelchair that was prescribed for our
>> child.  You know, our vehicle IS able to transport her despite this
>> wheelchair.  We believe that MOST passenger vehicles can do so.
>> Please (1) advertise for bid for an individual -- properly bonded,
>> background checks, etc. -- to run the route to transport our child to
>> and from school or (2) provide whatever you need to transport her in
>> the school bus until such time as private transport is arranged.
>>
>>
>>
>> Also, if I were the parent, I would be logging my mileage and
>> presenting the school with a bill (using AT LEAST the IRS reimbursable
>> rate of $0.585/mile).
>>
>>
>> Additionally, I will reiterate that the parents NEED to demand the
>> transportation IN WRITING and have it refused INN WRITING.  I cannot
>> stress this point too much.   Remember, if it's not in writing, it
>> didn't happen.
>>
>>
>> Regarding the billing for transportation, it should begin no more than
>> three school days AFTER the parents' letter is delivered (preferably
>> by hand, with a copy thereof signed as received by a school official)
>> -- the parents' letter warning that they will provide free
>> transportation to the school for only three more days.  After that,
>> it's the school's responsibility and the school will be billed if they
>> do not provide said transportation.
>>
>>
>>
>> This all seems so very odd.  Did anything occur that precipitated this
>> issue?  Are there new personnel involved?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Carlton Anne Cook Walker
>> President, Pennsylvania Parents of Blind Children
>> 213 North First Street
>> McConnellsburg, PA 17233
>> Voice: 717-485-4529
>> Cell: 717-658-9894
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:42:24 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Doreen Franklin <theconelady at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <856713.71181.qm at web54303.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>
>> Stacy
>> We are also in FL with Debby B -- we are a county north of her. As was
>> explained to me by the ESE department is that if in a private school,
>> services may be provided at a public school. School bd will transport 
>> BACK
>> from public to private but not from private to public. We are in the 
>> pre-K 3
>> program but I am trying to get answers for many things and cannot seem to
>> get too far.
>> ?
>> Good luck!
>> Doreen
>>
>>
>> --- On Tue, 9/23/08, Stacy Lemmon <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com> wrote:
>>
>> From: Stacy Lemmon <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
>> Subject: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 1:28 PM
>>
>> We are already preparing for Adison's transition to kindergarten for the
>> 2009-2010 school year. It seems no one can provide me answer to a 
>> question
>> about
>> services...if we keep her in a non public school (she currently attends a
>> Catholic preschool and we would like to keep her there) who will provide 
>> her
>> vision services?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Stacy
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/theconelady%40yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:46:13 -0500
>> From: "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind
>> children\)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <48d9559d.2009360a.4cd2.045d at mx.google.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> The portions of IDEA that deal with children in private schools are
>> extensive and detailed and on the one hand complex in that they deal with
>> every detail and simple in it is all spelled out. I think you could have 
>> a
>> weekend course just on this position of the IDEA. I have only read it
>> briefly, not studied it. The Local Education Authority does have
>> responsibilities including FINDING children in its geographic area of
>> authority and ensuring the private entity is providing some service but 
>> if
>> the child is placed by choice of the parent the responsibilities do not 
>> go
>> far (as far as I understand it now). To really get all services you 
>> should
>> get at a public school you would have to have a determination by the LEA
>> that they could not provide and it would be in the IEP for the student to
>> attend (thus no longer parentally placed) in order to gain FAPE.
>>
>>
>>
>> Notice this portion for parentally placed children: 300.137 Equitable
>> Services determined.
>>
>> (a) No individual right to special education and related services. No
>> parentally placed private school child with a disability has an 
>> individual
>> right to receive some or all of the special education and related 
>> services
>> that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school.
>>
>>
>>
>> For everyone, but especially if you are going to consider private or home
>> schooling I recommend you go to www.wrightslaw.com
>> <http://www.wrightslaw.com/>  and buy their book Special Education Law. 
>> Or
>> go to the US department of Education website and call or write if you can
>> not find the IDEA online from them. It is a law and should be available 
>> to
>> the public at no cost, I have meant but have not taken or had time to go 
>> to
>> the Department online and try and find it. The book is nice because you 
>> have
>> it all there, but you should also be able to get a copy of IDEA for free.
>> (Carlton will be able to correct me if I am wrong-smile)
>>
>>
>>
>> If anyone is interested in finding out for us or knows speak up.
>>
>>
>>
>> Then I would say, as Mindy mentioned the other day-it is up to us to know
>> the details of the law because they either really don't know themselves 
>> or
>> they don't want us to know. It is empowering to know the law too. If 
>> reading
>> the law seems confusing to you, it is a lot easier to work at an issue
>> directly and with you having a copy of the law and another having a copy 
>> and
>> helping each other through the points of confusion. So I do recommend
>> everyone have a handy copy of the law of their own. The nice thing about 
>> the
>> book is that you can look in the index for problems-like private school 
>> and
>> it tells you which pages of the book cover those portions of the law. The
>> Free copy you would get from the government likely won't do that.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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+carrie.gilmer=gmail.com at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:blindkid-bounces+carrie.gilmer=gmail.com at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Debby B
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:51 PM
>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>
>>
>>
>> Stacy, I think this varies by state and by district. In Miami, FL, we got 
>> NO
>> services in the private sector. I understand in the district we are now 
>> in
>> that you can, if you can get the providers to agree to do so.
>>
>>
>>
>> Debby
>>
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>
>> www.nfbflorida.org/parents
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>>
>> From: Stacy Lemmon <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
>>
>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:28:58 PM
>>
>> Subject: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>
>>
>>
>> We are already preparing for Adison's transition to kindergarten for the
>> 2009-2010 school year. It seems no one can provide me answer to a 
>> question
>> about services...if we keep her in a non public school (she currently
>> attends a Catholic preschool and we would like to keep her there) who 
>> will
>> provide her vision services?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Stacy
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> blindkid mailing list
>>
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/bwbddl%40yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> blindkid mailing list
>>
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/carrie.gilmer%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 7
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:11:55 -0500
>> From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <04C492072FD94A1A83DB04E3AF62061A at andysallyhome>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> A good place to start on the Department of Education website is
>> http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home .  The full text of the law is on the
>> website but navigating through the menus provided by the Dept of Ed. is a
>> little friendlier.
>>
>> Here's the link to the law on the Wrightslaw website:
>> http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law.htm .  The entire code and regulations
>> are there and the format is a little cleaner than the Dept of Ed. 
>> website.
>>
>> In the Wrightslaw seminar, Pete Wright told us that the law was purposely
>> written in a vague manner in order to be able to get the legislation 
>> passed.
>>
>> There is room for interpretation.  That is where your negotiation skills
>> and/or the attorneys come in.  What seems cut and dried to you may not 
>> seem
>> that way to your school district.  Imagine my surprise when my school
>> district informed me that while they agree Braille is the primary 
>> learning
>> medium for my child, having Braille that is legible is not a requirement!
>> There is nothing specific in IDEA that states that educational materials
>> must be legible.
>>
>> Sally Thomas
>> ----- 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: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 3:46 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>
>>
>>> The portions of IDEA that deal with children in private schools are
>>> extensive and detailed and on the one hand complex in that they deal 
>>> with
>>> every detail and simple in it is all spelled out. I think you could have 
>>> a
>>> weekend course just on this position of the IDEA. I have only read it
>>> briefly, not studied it. The Local Education Authority does have
>>> responsibilities including FINDING children in its geographic area of
>>> authority and ensuring the private entity is providing some service but 
>>> if
>>> the child is placed by choice of the parent the responsibilities do not 
>>> go
>>> far (as far as I understand it now). To really get all services you 
>>> should
>>> get at a public school you would have to have a determination by the LEA
>>> that they could not provide and it would be in the IEP for the student 
>>> to
>>> attend (thus no longer parentally placed) in order to gain FAPE.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Notice this portion for parentally placed children: 300.137 Equitable
>>> Services determined.
>>>
>>> (a) No individual right to special education and related services. No
>>> parentally placed private school child with a disability has an 
>>> individual
>>> right to receive some or all of the special education and related 
>>> services
>>> that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For everyone, but especially if you are going to consider private or 
>>> home
>>> schooling I recommend you go to www.wrightslaw.com
>>> <http://www.wrightslaw.com/>  and buy their book Special Education Law. 
>>> Or
>>> go to the US department of Education website and call or write if you 
>>> can
>>> not find the IDEA online from them. It is a law and should be available 
>>> to
>>> the public at no cost, I have meant but have not taken or had time to go
>>> to
>>> the Department online and try and find it. The book is nice because you
>>> have
>>> it all there, but you should also be able to get a copy of IDEA for 
>>> free.
>>> (Carlton will be able to correct me if I am wrong-smile)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If anyone is interested in finding out for us or knows speak up.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Then I would say, as Mindy mentioned the other day-it is up to us to 
>>> know
>>> the details of the law because they either really don't know themselves 
>>> or
>>> they don't want us to know. It is empowering to know the law too. If
>>> reading
>>> the law seems confusing to you, it is a lot easier to work at an issue
>>> directly and with you having a copy of the law and another having a copy
>>> and
>>> helping each other through the points of confusion. So I do recommend
>>> everyone have a handy copy of the law of their own. The nice thing about
>>> the
>>> book is that you can look in the index for problems-like private school
>>> and
>>> it tells you which pages of the book cover those portions of the law. 
>>> The
>>> Free copy you would get from the government likely won't do that.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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+carrie.gilmer=gmail.com at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:blindkid-bounces+carrie.gilmer=gmail.com at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
>>> Of
>>> Debby B
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:51 PM
>>> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Stacy, I think this varies by state and by district. In Miami, FL, we 
>>> got
>>> NO
>>> services in the private sector. I understand in the district we are now 
>>> in
>>> that you can, if you can get the providers to agree to do so.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Debby
>>>
>>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>>
>>> www.nfbflorida.org/parents
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>>
>>> From: Stacy Lemmon <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
>>>
>>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:28:58 PM
>>>
>>> Subject: [blindkid] Kindergarten Transition
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> We are already preparing for Adison's transition to kindergarten for the
>>> 2009-2010 school year. It seems no one can provide me answer to a 
>>> question
>>> about services...if we keep her in a non public school (she currently
>>> attends a Catholic preschool and we would like to keep her there) who 
>>> will
>>> provide her vision services?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Stacy
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----
>>
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.1/1686 - Release Date: 9/23/2008
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>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 8
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:56:15 -0700
>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] placement intepretation
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <87B7D1B76ACD43E1BED81A21C83233F7 at owner96190708e>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Basically, I think you are correct. Except that the IEP governs all,
>> i.e., if it is decided by the team (including the parents) that a child
>> should attend a school other than his/her local school, as , for
>> example, a school for the blind and this is written into the IEP, that
>> governs things. Also, sometimes the LRE may not be the local school. All
>> depends upon that IEP.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> ----- 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: Monday, September 22, 2008 7:59 AM
>> Subject: [blindkid] placement intepretation
>>
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> Maybe Carlton or another with legal background can give feedback-but my
>> interpretation from the law that seems reasonable is that there is a
>> presumption in the law that the child WILL BE placed wherever he/she
>> would
>> be placed if there was no blindness
>>
>> SO: if the child is placed elsewhere it must come from an eval with data
>> that shows an INDIVIDUAL NEED OF THE CHILD to be placed somewhere else
>> and
>> that is then incorporated by the team in to the IEP.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/k7uij%40panix.com
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 9
>> Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:08:02 -0700
>> From: "DrV" <icdx at earthlink.net>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] placement intepretation
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <006201c91e03$85e74070$6605a8c0 at CSMC.EDU>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> It is my understanding that in California, it all depends on the LEA's
>> interpretation & goodwill.
>> They can elect to serve a child in the private school setting, but are 
>> not
>> obligated to do so.
>> LEA administration can have quite a turnover. Our LEA director has been 
>> the
>> same since the beginning, but there have been 6 or 8 (I lost count) "VI
>> principals" during that same time frame), so what is agreed upon now may
>> change with the change in guard so to speak.
>> This is thus a huge decision.
>> The church may be willing to contract TVI & O&M services.
>> The Braille part is critical too -> making sure all materials are 
>> Brailled &
>>
>> modified appropriately & in a timely fashion is a boat-load of work.
>> We thought about this too, but opted to go the public shcool route.
>> Good luck,
>> Eric V
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 5:56 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] placement intepretation
>>
>>
>>> Basically, I think you are correct. Except that the IEP governs all,
>>> i.e., if it is decided by the team (including the parents) that a child
>>> should attend a school other than his/her local school, as , for
>>> example, a school for the blind and this is written into the IEP, that
>>> governs things. Also, sometimes the LRE may not be the local school. All
>>> depends upon that IEP.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> ----- 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: Monday, September 22, 2008 7:59 AM
>>> Subject: [blindkid] placement intepretation
>>>
>>>
>>> Hello All,
>>>
>>> Maybe Carlton or another with legal background can give feedback-but my
>>> interpretation from the law that seems reasonable is that there is a
>>> presumption in the law that the child WILL BE placed wherever he/she
>>> would
>>> be placed if there was no blindness
>>>
>>> SO: if the child is placed elsewhere it must come from an eval with data
>>> that shows an INDIVIDUAL NEED OF THE CHILD to be placed somewhere else
>>> and
>>> that is then incorporated by the team in to the IEP.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/k7uij%40panix.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/icdx%40earthlink.net
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 10
>> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:55:04 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Kim Cunningham <kim at gulfimagesphoto.com>
>> Subject: [blindkid] Hurricane Ike
>> To: Blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>, Professionals in Blindness
>> Education <Pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <255415.39294.qm at web602.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>
>> I would like to ask everyone who knows any of our NFB family or friends 
>> who
>> live in the Houston area to please try to contact them or visit them. We
>> still have 541,000 people without power (also cable and internet). Our 
>> power
>> was just restored last night after 11 days! Hurricane Ike has caused a 
>> great
>> deal of destruction. The last I heard our city bus services were 
>> operating
>> only in limited areas. The city of Galveston has more than 40% of homes 
>> that
>> are uninhabitable. My daughter hasn't been to school since Sept. 11 and 
>> will
>> not be returning until the power is restored to her school (who knows 
>> when).
>>
>>  Thank you,
>>  Kim Cunningham
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 11
>> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:07:13 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Debby B <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Hurricane Ike
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <932889.77443.qm at web90505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>
>> Kim! So glad to hear you are back with power. I so remember those days 
>> (and
>> months) we went through after Hurricane Andrew. Ick! I, too, have been
>> wondering how our Houston/Galveston and surrounding areas are faring. Has
>> anyone heard from Laura Webber? And? And? So many folks affected.
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>> www.nfbflorida.org/parents
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: Kim Cunningham <kim at gulfimagesphoto.com>
>> To: Blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>; Professionals in Blindness Education
>> <Pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 7:55:04 AM
>> Subject: [blindkid] Hurricane Ike
>>
>> I would like to ask everyone who knows any of our NFB family or friends 
>> who
>> live in the Houston area to please try to contact them or visit them. We
>> still have 541,000 people without power (also cable and internet). Our 
>> power
>> was just restored last night after 11 days! Hurricane Ike has caused a 
>> great
>> deal of destruction. The last I heard our city bus services were 
>> operating
>> only in limited areas. The city of Galveston has more than 40% of homes 
>> that
>> are uninhabitable. My daughter hasn't been to school since Sept. 11 and 
>> will
>> not be returning until the power is restored to her school (who knows 
>> when).
>>
>>  Thank you,
>>  Kim Cunningham
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/bwbddl%40yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 12
>> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:18:04 -0400
>> From: "Erin Teply" <eteply at cfl.rr.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Question about school placement
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <021301c91e3f$98d37e60$6401a8c0 at DC24Q631>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> I also have a 2 1/2 year old and live in Melbourne, FL (Brevard county). 
>> I
>> just met with someone from the school district that handles the 
>> transition
>> from early intervention to the school district.  We will have our first
>> meeting in a few months (my son turns 3 in Feb).  I am so new to this
>> process, but I believe this is where we start discussions of the IEP. 
>> After
>>
>> reading all these emails, I am overwhelmed and nervous that we won't get 
>> it
>> right!  I also am very concerned about what school he will go to.  My 5 
>> year
>>
>> old goes to a private school and I would love Max to go there, but yet he
>> needs to go to the school best for him, which very likely would not be 
>> this
>> school (they have very few special needs student, if any, Max would
>> definitely be the only blind student).  If anyone has good starting
>> information about IEPs, I would welcome it.
>>
>> On a slightly different note, my son has started in a preschool this 
>> year.
>> It is at a school where they maintain a 50/50 ratio of special needs
>> children to 'role model' (as they call it...) children.  While the 
>> teachers
>> are trying really hard, in my opinion simply don't 'get' how to work with 
>> a
>> blind child yet, as Max is their first.  Myself, Max's vision therapist 
>> and
>> an early interventionist are all working with them so that Max can have a
>> better experience.  What I see a lot of is holding his hand and walking 
>> him
>> around the room (he isn't good enough with his cane yet, but can 
>> definitely
>> get around a classroom totally ok on his own!).  I also see Max just
>> standing there a lot (I'm sure listening intently and taking it all in, 
>> or
>> does he just not know what to do?).  I guess I'm just not sure what to 
>> do.
>> The EI (who is fantastic) and I may do an inservice for his teachers on
>> blind students, or I'm wondering if I simply need to spend more time in 
>> the
>> classroom until he gets acclimated better?  Any advice on how your
>> pre-schoolers did (those that did not attend a school for the blind) or 
>> what
>>
>> you did to help his/her teachers understand would be great.
>>
>> Thank you!
>> Erin
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Kathy B" <burgawicki at yahoo.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 6:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Question about school placement
>>
>>
>>> Doreen-
>>>
>>> Where abouts are you in FL.  I have a 2 1/2 yr  old in  Olando.
>>>
>>> Kathy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>> From: Doreen Franklin <theconelady at yahoo.com>
>>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 4:48:15 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Question about school placement
>>>
>>>
>>> Stephanie
>>> I am very interested in this question. I have asked this question of my
>>> ESE administrator and cannot get much of an answer. My daughter just
>>> turned 4 but because she misses the cut-off by 2 days, she is in a 3 yr
>>> old program (she was adopted from Guatemala and has been home for 2 yrs
>>> now).
>>>
>>> I have tried to pin them down to see if she can go to the "local"
>>> neighborhood school or to one of the 2 charter schools that will be open
>>> in 2 yrs or if she "has" to go to the school where vision has a TVI 
>>> there.
>>
>>> I have been told she will be evaluated at that time and the TVI's will
>>> "confer" with professionals (I believe that is how it was stated in an
>>> email) about her needs and where she will be placed; unsure who the 
>>> other
>>> "professionals" would be!
>>>
>>> To date, they are not even listening to me on her IEP goals for writing
>>> (her goals sound like they are for a 4 yr old going to kindergarten), 
>>> her
>>> O&M that I am trying for them to do as well as ESE teaching her Braille.
>>>
>>> The other source -- which is a GREAT one -- is www.wrightslaw.com --  
>>> Peter
>>
>>> Wright and his wife are EXCELLENT sources for the law. A friend and I 
>>> went
>>
>>> to a seminar with him and he knows his law inside and out. I believe 
>>> there
>>
>>> is a place to email or call to check on what the law exactly is for
>>> placement.  I know I will be tapping into it in 2 yrs.
>>>
>>> The other suggestion is to call a local "advocate" -- there are advocate
>>> groups that should be able to answer your questions. One advocate is
>>> "CILO" -- Council for Independent Living Options; I had one of their
>>> advocates at my other daughter's IEP meeting and she looks at things 
>>> from
>>> the law side and is more objective too.
>>>
>>> I agree with DrV on his outlook on not only the word "policy" but there
>>> may be wide discrepancies between counties and their outlook on "the 
>>> law"
>>> and how it is interpreted. We have been finding that out in a few of the
>>> disability seminars we have gone to. (We live in FL). A local advocate
>>> would be the best resource for this.
>>>
>>> Hope that helps and will give you some options.
>>> Doreen
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --- On Fri, 9/19/08, Kieszak, Stephanie (CDC/CCEHIP/NCEH) <sek7 at CDC.GOV>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> From: Kieszak, Stephanie (CDC/CCEHIP/NCEH) <sek7 at CDC.GOV>
>>> Subject: [blindkid] Question about school placement
>>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: Friday, September 19, 2008, 2:59 PM
>>>
>>> My daughter is currently mainstreamed in kindergarten in a public
>>> school. Her school only goes up to kindergarten so we have been looking
>>> at schools for her for next year.  I met with her TVI today about
>>> something else and she mentioned that our county has a policy of
>>> requiring kids who need more than 3 hours a week of TVI time to attend
>>> the elementary school that has a vision resource room. My husband and I
>>> had visited this school in the past and were not thrilled with it.  We
>>> are leaning towards the elementary school that her current school feeds
>>> into.  Ideally, we would like our daughter to be able to continue to
>>> work with her current TVI who has been with her since she started school
>>> at 3 years of age. My daughter is academically gifted and we want her to
>>> work with a TVI who we know will push her and challenge her.  She is a
>>> Braille reader and it's a given that she would need more than 3 hours a
>>> week of TVI time; she gets at least 5 hours a week now.  Can the county
>>> require that she attend a certain school based on the hours of TVI time
>>> required? My gut feeling is they cannot but I would appreciate specific
>>> links to language that I can present to the school/county.
>>> Thank you.
>>> Stephanie
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/theconelady%40yahoo.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/burgawicki%40yahoo.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindkid:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid/eteply%40cfl.rr.com
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid
>>
>>
>> End of blindkid Digest, Vol 53, Issue 22
>> ****************************************
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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