[blparent] parents rights

Thu Nov 3 01:34:21 UTC 2011

Thankfully, our school system is heading in the direction of having 
everything sent out electronically unless otherwise requested.  However, it 
wasn't always this way, so I had to ask for newsletters, personal notes, 
special homework assignments and projects, and classroom calendars to be 
sent via email.  Since both my husband and I are blind, the fact of the 
matter is that if we don't get it electronically, we won't know about it. 
Now that my son is older he can do some things like filling out his own hot 
lunch menu, but I still get a copy so I know what they're offering.  As a 
parent I have a right to know what food is being fed to my child.  I have a 
right to study the curriculum too, in order to know if I approve of what my 
children are being taught.  I don't think we should back down just because 
certain teachers are not as comfortable on computers.  As someone else said, 
the secretary is usually able to accommodate if the teacher cannot.  I met 
with the principal before my son started school and explained what I would 
be needing up front, so he was well aware and made sure my kids are placed 
with teachers who can easily email me.  My kids are in a private school, so 
I don't know how things work in a public school system, I am just sharing my 
experience.  Quite frankly, it is my opinion that parents and teachers both 
have a responsibility to see to the education of children, so if a teacher 
isn't willing to make it so I can assist my child with his or her work, then 
they aren't good enough to be my child's teacher.  I absolutely hate having 
to ask for special accommodations, but for the sake of my child's education 
and my right to be as involved in that education as any other parent, I'm 
there.

Leanne
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lisamaria Martinez" <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] parents rights

> My son is not in school yet, but he does go to daycare. I ask the
> daycare provider to send me her newsletter via email and she does. It
> is short and she's happy to do it.
>
> I think that, yes, as blind parents we're not going to have everything
> accomodated for us. However, I think asking the
> schools/teachers/whomever else has some sort of authority or influence
> on our children to make an accomodation role models to our children
> the importance of diversity and making the world accessible to all
> kinds of people.
>
> When Erik goes to school, I absolutely intend to be vigilant about
> getting notes, etc, etc emailed to me. When I was in college (a whole
> 8 to 12 years ago) many professors were totally obliging and sent
> handouts to me via email or via a memory card. While I was studying
> abroad via Semester at sea, I had a professor give me tests on my CF
> card and I would sit in the back of the class with my lap top and just
> take the test along side my peers. I think that is one of the only
> times I took a test in college with my peers and not in a room with a
> hovering proctor.
>
> So, yes, I think there will be times when accomodations are burdensome
> and the blind parent should find another way to access info, but times
> are changing.
>
> LM
>
> On 11/1/11, Veronica Smith <madison_tewe at spinn.net> wrote:
>> I have a sighted spouse and still I asked the teachers to send me all
>> newsletters via email.  A lot of times the school will have a website and
>> most, if not all info is placed there. V
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of sharon howerton
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 6:30 AM
>> To: blparent
>> Subject: [blparent] parents rights
>>
>> As many of you know, I teach a parenting series for Hadley and have two
>> adult sons. I had a call yesterday from a blind mom who is just beginning
>> this school thing as one of her children is in kindergarten. She 
>> complained
>> that the school is not accommodating her by giving her newsletters and 
>> other
>>
>> information in an email or otherwise accessible format. I wanted to say
>> "welcome to the club" but kindergarten for my youngest was 20 years ago. 
>> I
>> know schools and parents vary. Some people can deal with not having
>> everything available to them; they have a sighted spouse or friend to 
>> read,
>> keep up with little ones' homework, etc. I'd apreciate any thoughts as
>> though I can't keep up with everything, I don't want to sit back and 
>> think
>> things are the same though they may be.
>> Thanks.
>> Sharon
>>
>>
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>
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