[Mdpobc] SMART Brailler

Sun Nov 24 20:07:39 UTC 2013

Amber:
You do not need to apologize for sending your email to all.  This email chain -- or whatever it is called--  is just a group of parents of blind children, teachers of the visually impaired and other blind adults and everyone understands.  Your questions and concerns are valid.
Here are some questions/thoughts I present to you to ask yourself to figure things out the best.
1.  Does your son have a regular IEP yet?  If not, why not?
2.  OR is your son still in the "infant and toddler program?"  If so, does he have an IFSP?
2.  You are right to "pick your battles!"
3.   However, if you find that Max learns best on a Perkins Smart Brailler and/or it is easier for him, easier for his fingers at this time, or whatever, you may wish to consider asking the school to provide one during Max's next IEP meeting.  It might end up being for next school year but, even so, if you can get it provided by the school, that would be great.
4.  If you have not already, you should try to attend one of the IEP learning sessions for parents offered each November at the NFB state convention.  Definitely well worth the time, etc.
5.  Although my son is now in college, I know/remember what it was like at the pre-school age!!  Contact me anytime to discuss/questions, etc.:   Kyle.richmond2009 at comcast.net
Jill

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Amber Elia 
  To: Maryland Parents of Blind Children List 
  Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2013 8:13 AM
  Subject: Re: [Mdpobc] Fundraiser Campaign for SMART Brailler

  Hello, everyone. I sincerely apologize for mistakenly sending my initial email to the mailing list. That was not my intention and I am embarrassed by that mistake. 

  Thank you to all the emails that I have received and those people who have informed me of I CAN. I was not aware of that foundation and what it can offer families dealing with blindness or low vision. My son is enrolled in Pre-K through Frederick County. I haven't broached the idea of the school system purchasing a SMART Brailler for him because I have been pushing for longer hours that he is at school. Currently, he attends the mandated Pre-K hours, about 2.5 hrs a day. His day is being extended until 1 pm, very soon. And, there is the potential that he will end up attending a regular full day of instruction. The school has been very willing to listen to me and what I think provides Max with an adequate learning environment. He does well with the Perkin's Brailler, that I am not sure they will say he will benefit more from a SMART Brailler. At the NAPVI conference, Max was able to explore it and just knowing how he learns I see that a machine like that will be a great tool for him. I am just trying to "pick my battles". I am still learning about the IEP, but the stories and experiences that have been shared with me have always been tough. I don't want to stretch the luck I have been experiencing by bringing up too much at once.

  Again, I sincerely apologize! 

  Amber

  On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 12:25 AM, christopher nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:

    Jill,

    While I understand your reasoning for asking these questions, I must point out that the child in question is currently in preschool. So it is likely that the preschool in which he is enrolled is not affiliated with a County school system and therefore is not under the same legal obligation. In addition, the IEP process has probably not yet begun. I would advise that this family wait until their blind son is fully enrolled in the public school system and an IEP has been drafted outlining the basic services he needs before they start pursuing school system funds for technology. For a child of this age, there are many more fundamental aspects of blindness services which must first be taken care of: Braille, TVI services, O and M, etc. Without these fundamentals in a child's initial IEP, any assistive technology the school system might purchase for him/her would, in my opinion, be useless.

     Please understand that I am not saying that school system funding for technology should not be pursued or that the school's legal obligation should be ignored; quite the contrary. I am only trying to make sure we don't put the cart before the horse. Please also understand that I am only basing my opinions on my experiences as a blind student in the public schools, and that Amber is free to correct me if any of my assumptions are wrong. In our experience, however, my family and I have found it better to go after the schools for technology funding only after my basic services were provided for under my IEP. 

    Chris Nusbaum

    On Nov 23, 2013, at 6:19 PM, Kyle Richmond <Kyle.Richmond2009 at comcast.net> wrote:

      Has the school said this child would benefit from a Perkins Smart Brailler and/or needs a Smart Brailler to participate at school?  If so, why is this parent having to pay for this device herself?  Shouldn't the school be paying for this?  I don't know enough about this situation to make suggestions but just want to ask these questions!  Finally, parents of very young blind children, try not to set a precedent that you will pay for everything, let the school provide for what it legally needs to provide under the IDEA laws.
      Jill Richmond
      PS - the Perkins Smart Brailler does look super-cool, love the new technology and the T-shirt is adorable!

        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: Gmail 
        To: Maryland Parents of Blind Children List 
        Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 10:49 AM
        Subject: [Mdpobc] Fundraiser Campaign for SMART Brailler

        Hi Trudy! My name is Amber and my son, Max, is a totally blind 3 year old. We are up in the Frederick area and he is enrolled in Pre-K already. I am trying to get the word out about a fundraiser I am doing in the hopes of being able to purchase him a SMART Brailler. It's a tee shirt campaign and I have attached the link below. Do you think you can send it out to the listserv? I appreciate your help getting the word out. 

        http://teespring.com/brailleliteracy

        Sincerely,
        Amber Elia

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