[Blindmath] help

Wed Mar 12 00:15:44 UTC 2014

The question remains, to me, how did the student prepare for this test?! The graphics were being presented to the sighted students...how was the blind student participating?

Why did he not contact the disability office regarding the need? not trying to be obnoxious here, but as a TVI of high schoolers, I begin to wonder if I need to teach them to be more proactive about  making their need for access to  materials known, AND be sure they can articulate how they need the materials prepared.

Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Bethlehem Central Schools
700 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/

On Mar 11, 2014, at 8:01 PM, "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com<mailto:arielle71 at gmail.com>> wrote:

It depends on what he already knows about graphs before taking this
exam. If he already understands the concept of lines, X and Y axes,
slope and intercept, then you may just be able to read him the
question and describe any graphs that are included on the test. If he
doesn't have the basic conceptual understanding because he hasn't been
properly accommodated for this class, then he may need to take a step
back and go over some tactile graphs before he can be tested fairly on
the material. But I think the test questions are fair as long as he's
received appropriate accommodations while he was originally learning
the material, either tactile graphs, audio descriptions or both.
When I was taking math tests and the test asked me to draw a graph, I
would just write a detailed description with JAWS. This was never a
problem for me even into calculus and advanced statistics. He should
be able to take tests with JAWS unless the test question itself
actually contains a graph. Also, some equations will not read properly
with JAWS. He will need to trial a document and see if the equations
make sense with JAWS before using this as a preferred testing method.
You can retype the equations in a way that makes sense to JAWS by
using plain numbers, letters and operators. JAWS reads +, -, * and /
correctly along with %. It does not read Greek letters correctly.

Best,
Arielle

Arielle

On 3/11/14, sabra1023 <sabra1023 at gmail.com<mailto:sabra1023 at gmail.com>> wrote:
I actually don't agree that it's fair to only provide tactile graphs. I like
tactile graphs forgetting basic information, but I hate them if I need
really specific information.

On Mar 11, 2014, at 10:24 AM, "John Gardner" <gardnerj at onid.orst.edu<mailto:gardnerj at onid.orst.edu>>
wrote:

Access to graphs will be poor unless the student has some kind of tactile
representation.  I believe that everybody on this list will agree with
that
statement.  However not every blind person can understand tactile
graphics,
so before doing anything else, this is a topic that you need to discuss
with
him.  If he is among the very small number of blind people who are
comfortable with tactile graphics, then you need to purchase some
equipment
to make them, and there are many possibilities.  If he is not comfortable
with reading tactile, then my recommendation is to make audio tactile
graphics copeies for him, because most people can read tactile copy if
there
is good audio to accompany it.  Full disclosure: my company, ViewPlus, is
the pioneer in this technology, so if you do this, you'll be buying from
ViewPlus.

So please, before this discussion goes on into myriad detail, you need to
have the conversation with your student.  And for my own benefit, I'd
like
to know why this topic has not already come up.  Learning about graphs
only
when they appear on a test is kind of late.

John Gardner

-----Original Message-----
From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandra
Dietle
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:01 AM
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Blindmath] help

Hello,
This is my first time to post to this list-serv as I only recently knew
it
existed.  I am new to the field of disabilities having been in this
position
a little over a year.  Here is my problem:

I have a blind student taking Math 099.  He comes to my office and I read
the test to him.  Today the instructor brought me a test and it's on
graphs,
and axes, and slopes of lines, x & y intercepts, etc...  I have no idea
how
to read this test to this student!!   Is this even a reasonable test for
this student?  Any ideas on how I can help him?

I announced in class for a student worker to help him but nobody
volunteered.

We have in our library tutors who help him with assignments but they
don't
have the time to read a test to him as they are helping other students.

We have JAWS, Openbooks, and a Pearl reading solution on a computer in
our
library.  I was wondering if this is capable of reading tests to him?

Thanks for any assistance.

Sandy

Attention Students-
For up-to-date enrollment and financial aid information, please monitor
your
LoLA account<https://my.lctcs.edu/cp/home/displaylogin> regularly.

Sandy Dietle, LPC
Director of Counseling and Disability Services
7500 Millhaven Road
Monroe, Louisiana  71203
318-345-9152
Fax 318-345-9087
Staying Connected . . . . in 2013

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