[Faith-talk] Bookshare

Mon May 29 21:55:16 UTC 2017

Hi Ashley,

I didn't know that you were a minister. And what denomination? That's interesting.

I have found several work at home position that I am looking into myself. I am working with euro of blind services here because one job if I can get it, requires a PC. But, it is an issue of A: getting the job be: is it accessible, well the accessibility things should be the factor that is tested the most. But, sometimes, you can't do what would be done unless you get the actual job. How do you know that the position and the software is accessible when you can't actually do the job.

So, that's what I'm faced with, also, it's difficult when they say oh you have to get the job before will get you a PC. I understand that it's important to wait to see if you got the job. But, I have been in many positions where I got the job as requested by bureau of blind services and then the PC came too late and I was fired. So, that's been the other obstacle.

I understand though, there are some YouTube situations that give legitimate work at home position. So, you might want to check on that.

Jenny

> On May 29, 2017, at 3:23 PM, Ashley Bramlett via Faith-Talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Sarah,
> 
> I can relate to what you are saying.
> Congradulations on your persistance finding contract jobs.
> Maybe God will lead me to such a position soon, too.
> "It is very, very difficult in today's culture to locate an entry-level job that pays a wage one can live on, especially for people who are blind. I tried for several years. Every job I applied for required a driver's license in order to prove you could get to work. I filed an EEOC complaint against one employer, but after ten months the EEOC sent me a "right to sue" letter. Of course, I had no money to sue. "
> 
> I respond, yes and yes.
> I've also tried for several years to locate entry level work and still look off and on.
> I tried as an undergrad to get summer employment and sometimes was successful. I've also tried securing entry level work after college but barriers arise. BTW, my goals are to use my communication skills to do something like public relations or maybe even journalism covering soft news stories. But, so far, I see barriers to which you were refering to.
> 
> I've not encountered the drivers license issue as much as you, but certainly in too many places. For instance, I've tried to apply for a handful of seasonal jobs serving kids at recreation settings. You would not think a job add targeting college students for this work would need a drivers license; I thought it was just leading and supervising activities. Well, I was wrong.
> The job description indicated must have a drivers license. I called and asked why and was it really essential. I said my disability did not permit me to drive. They were nice and stated that driving their small vans was indeed essential to transport participants. I've also seen entry level county jobs requiring drivers licenses to get from place to place on short notice.
> And, before anyone thinks, use public transit, this is not a viable option in a big county where buses do not go everywhere.
> Obviously, I cannot apply for some jobs for which I'm over qualified with a BA degree.
> 
> Anyways, I know what you mean of the barriers finding entry level work because I feel most entry level jobs like receptionist are too visual; same with most administrative jobs requiring filing and data entry.
> 
> Anyways, back to accessible texts and faith.
> I thought a bookshare membership was only free for Hadley Institute students and  k-12 students.
> Your message implies it is free to college students. I thought they had dropped that because they lost the grant.
> I hope I'm wrong here.
> 
> Was bookshare helpful to you studying to be a minister? Christian sources in accessible form are hard to come by. I used learning ally a lot in college which does not have Christian material.
> I've wondered how blind students get their books if in a seminary.
> 
> Glad bookshare works for you.
> 
> Ashley
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Sarah Blake LaRose via Faith-Talk
> Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 1:10 PM
> To: 'Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and religion'
> Cc: sarah at sarahblakelarose.com
> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Bookshare
> 
> The student membership is helpful to many students for the reason Sandra mentions. Hadley, unlike most schools, is free. I am acquainted with many students who are either unemployed or working very limited hours while attempting to pay both living expenses and contribute to extremely high tuition costs that even scholarships do not cover. College costs have risen enormously since the days when I was an undergraduate in the 1990s--anyone on this list who attended school prior to that time can likely imagine that the gap is even greater. People who take out loans to pay their college expenses now struggle to imagine that they will ever be able to pay them off.
> 
> For a little perspective, I read an article this morning about a woman returning to school to obtain her Master's degree in order to meet requirements to teach kindergarten. This once required only a four-year degree. It is very, very difficult in today's culture to locate an entry-level job that pays a wage one can live on, especially for people who are blind. I tried for several years. Every job I applied for required a driver's license in order to prove you could get to work. I filed an EEOC complaint against one employer, but after ten months the EEOC sent me a "right to sue" letter. Of course, I had no money to sue.
> 
> I am 45 and after many years of persistence I have been able to locate two contract jobs. Neither provides a stable income. It is a frightening way to live and a tremendous exercise of faith. It also requires that I balance pride and good stewardship. When something is offered to me, it might be a matter of pride for me to refuse to accept it and insist on paying, especially if paying for it will place my family in a bad situation financially.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Faith-Talk [mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Linda Mentink via Faith-Talk
> Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 12:52 PM
> To: Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and religion <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Linda Mentink <mentink at frontiernet.net>
> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Bookshare
> 
> Hi Sandra,
> 
> I meant no disrespect, and I'm sorry you are not working at this time.  It's a great deal for those who need or want the free subscription.
> 
> Blessings,
> 
> Linda
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Sandra Streeter via Faith-Talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> To: <faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Mon, 29 May 2017 12:06:02 -0400
> Subject: [Faith-talk] Bookshare
> 
> Point taken, Linda?봟ut acknowledging here that I try not to take when I can help it?봧t?셲 just that, once again, I am without work at this time and am cash-strapped, so the student membership is good to know about.  I am a giver at heart, but sometimes in a position where taking is necessary,  too.
> 
> 
> 
> Sandra
> 
> Not ?쏳evelation????tis ??that waits
> But our unfurnished eyes ??
> (Emily Dickinson)
> 
> ---
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