[blindlaw] Voc. Rehab

[James]

Josh:

Have you checked with Louisiana's Dept of Rehab to inquire about their
services?  That's how I did law school.  Moved six months early to establish
residency and got fully funded by my new state and this included my first
year's tuition which was by necessity the out of state rate; i.e., big
bucks.  

Good Luck

James

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Josh Crunkleton
Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 4:43 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] Voc. Rehab

Hello all,

I have a question about Voc. Rehab.

My name is Josh. I am an Arkansas resident and recently graduated from the
Louisiana Center for the Blind.I have decided I would like to get my
master's degree in O/M at Louisiana Tech (to obtain my NOMC). There is a
master's program O/M in Arkansas, but it is an AER program and it is a
completely different master's degree. 

Needless to say, my agency is refusing to cover any out of state expenses
for me to attend Louisiana because, they say, my decision is merely a matter
of preference.  They cite their in-state preference policy as the basis for
their decision. 

They have been very uncooperative with me as I have sought to further
understand this policy. I have tried to explain that the two O/M programs
are not at all comparable and that if I could obtain my NOMC in Arkansas I
certainly would. I have also pointed out that not one blind person has
successfully completed the program in Arkansas because it is not geared
toward blind individuals. I have tried to explain that the program in
Louisiana is designed to teach the non-visual techniques of cane
instruction. 

I have read through the RSA and it appears to me that their refusal to fund
me fully for Louisiana is not in concert with the tone and language of the
RSA regulations. I have been told that I am ungrateful and I have been told
that I am causing tension. Further, I am being told that I cannot specify
certifications (NOMC) in my IPE. All and all, the agency has been very
obtuse with regard to this issue and have refused to listen to me.  

Any advice? At this point, I am so indignant that I want to dig my feet in
until it changes. There are lots of people who are learning about Louisiana
Tech and who are interested in becoming cane travel instructors. Many of
them would be discouraged by the agency refusing to pay out of state costs.
I would like to see this change, not only for me, but for anyone else who
follows in years to come. 



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