[Blindmath] help

Wed Mar 12 00:48:55 UTC 2014

I had a database course where I used playdoe & plasticine to ask a sighted colleague to explain the notation. I then used zytech paper to print tactile graphics. I just recreated the diagrams using playdoe in exams or described them with jaws if more appropriate. 
I've done a Physics BSc & Computer Science postgrad using this combo. I definitely think that an awareness to tactile graphics helps substantially. 3D printing now makes this a lot simpler process.
ATB
Muzz

Sent from my iPhone

> On 12 Mar 2014, at 00:23, Susan Mooney <susanannemooney at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Correction:  I meant to write, "How did this student get his far without
> the knowledge ..."
> 
> SM
> 
> 
> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 8:22 PM, Susan Mooney <susanannemooney at gmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> Thank you, Maureen.  You took the words right out of my mouth. I was about
>> to ask the same question.  How did this student get this without the
>> knowledge of graphs and even the basic/rudimentary skills to read and
>> interpret a tactile graphic?  I supposed he could be recently blind and
>> thus at a severe disadvantage being in class without tactile skills but
>> wow, what a struggle!
>> 
>> SM
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 8:15 PM, Lewicki, Maureen <mlewicki at bcsd.neric.org
>>> wrote:
>> 
>>> 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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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Be Here now.  Be someplace else later.  Is that so complicated? (Zen
>> Judaism)
>> <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi>
> 
> 
> -- 
> Be Here now.  Be someplace else later.  Is that so complicated? (Zen
> Judaism)
> <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi>
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