[BlindMath] calculus and statistics accommodations and access

Fri Aug 11 19:36:49 UTC 2017

and for the record, I didn't actually fail statistics.

Sabra Ewing

> On Aug 11, 2017, at 12:57 PM, Godfrey, Jonathan via BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Preston,
> 
> Sabra doesn't know it and I've not ever shared it explicitly in public before now, but her negative experiences and their ongoing airing via this list were a major source of inspiration for the article Theodor and I wrote. We believe that there is no reason for a student to fail in statistics courses due to their blindness, because there are ways  to address the seemingly numerous access barriers. We felt that we needed to be the ones to write the article because we've been through more statistics courses than most blind people, we've made it work for us, and now we're both teaching statistics in those same settings. Demonstrating our own personal successes offers evidence of the value for the sighted world getting off their chuffs and helping other blind students. We wrote an article as that is the way to reach most academics, speaking to them as equals; we present some challenges, but we were not explicit in challenging them by demanding they do more. We preferred to show them how they could be helping and let their moral compass guide them from that point onwards. 
> 
> The success of a blind person in any discipline will almost certainly rely on the successful interaction between student and teacher at a level not necessary for the majority of students in the classroom who just so happen to be sighted. I accept that in some disciplines this interaction is fairly minimal, but in STEM disciplines, we need to put in the extra (often hard) yards. Those efforts will be made all the easier if people do share their positive experiences, but we ought not lose sight of the more sobering reality that comes when things don't go so well.
> 
> I'm pleased you reached out to the list, as I have been pleased so many times over the last ten years, by students, their teachers (less often I admit) and disability support staff. In general, I think you will find list participants are willing to help and constructive; yes, you might hear some things that you don't want to hear or look a little daunting but the bad news will usually come with positive suggestions, advice or strategies based on real experience of success.
> 
> Jonathan
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Preston Davis III via BlindMath
> Sent: Saturday, 12 August 2017 3:22 a.m.
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Cc: Preston Davis III
> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] calculus and statistics accommodations and access
> 
> Well if nothing else, the information is helpful in me presenting ideas to those involved in the process; Ignoring the fact that my professor was delighted to receive information from such a unique perspective. I'd also like to point out I was looking for constructive feedback on my issue, and that was really unhelpful in the grand skeme of things. It's comments like this that make people hesitate to reach out to others when they are unsure or need help.
> 
> Best
> PDIII
> 
>> On 8/10/17, Sabra Ewing via BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Jonathan, this person will be lucky if they can get an accessible textbook.
>> I doubt the professors will read any case studies. Hate to be harsh, 
>> but just saying.
>> 
>> Sabra Ewing
>> 
>>> On Aug 10, 2017, at 9:26 PM, Godfrey, Jonathan via BlindMath 
>>> <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> As well as the blatant self-promotion of my own work in
>>> 
>>>  A. Jonathan R. Godfrey and M. Theodor Loots. Advice from blind 
>>> teachers on how to teach statistics to blind students. Journal of 
>>> Statistics Education, 23(3):1–28, November 2015.
>>> 
>>> There is a case study in the preceding issue of the same journal 
>>> which may be of interest to your professors.
>>> 
>>> HTH
>>> Jonathan
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
>>> Preston Davis III via BlindMath
>>> Sent: Friday, 11 August 2017 1:02 p.m.
>>> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Preston Davis III
>>> Subject: [BlindMath] calculus and statistics accomidations and access
>>> 
>>> Hello all,
>>> 
>>> I’m sure what I’m about to ask has been asked somewhere before in 
>>> some fashion, but I couldn’t figure out the search feature. Anyway, I 
>>> have to take calculus and statistics as a requirement for getting 
>>> accepted into business school. I really have no idea what I’m getting 
>>> myself into, and what I’m looking for is, best case, people who have 
>>> taken or teach either of these subject areas to offer some practical 
>>> advice, or accommodation techniques for situations I’ll face in 
>>> either of these areas that I should try out to ensure I have a solid 
>>> grasp of the material. My community college is not the best when it 
>>> comes to providing accommodations, (not for lack of caring though), 
>>> and I don’t think we have the time or money to spend on some 
>>> solutions I’ve heard of. Here’s some helpful information: I am a 
>>> braille reader with access to a windows pc, Jaws, and a braille 
>>> display. My DSS office has a picture in a flash machine but they are 
>>> a little less-than competent in its operation. One potential problem 
>>> I might run in too is that my college uses my math lab by Pearson, for homework, and quizzes online.
>>> While I’m not sure if this is the case for these particular courses, 
>>> in the others I’ve taken it is. I have a meeting with the professor 
>>> of both courses on the seventeenth of august, so I’m trying to get as 
>>> much information as I can before then.
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance
>>> PDIII
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
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