[nabs-l] Problems with ETS

Tue Dec 22 02:26:27 UTC 2009

I echo Arielle's message.  ETS and I had to have a heart to heart over what
documents they deemed important for me to receive accommodations, but once
we got past this hurdle it was smooth sailing.  I don't mean to imply that
anyone on this thread hasn't done this, but requesting accommodations for
any standardized exam very often boils down to strength of self-advocacy.
Their websites look very strict, and while I would never tell you to run
things your way, if you're taking the GRE chances are you've had experience
separating what is necessary versus what is nonsense.  Don't be afraid to
step up and call them out on their faults.  I would say, however, that if
you're trying to take a course, you should be more diligent about when you
apply for accommodations.  You should probably not be enrolling for a course
with ETS funds right around the same time you're trying to resolve
accommodations through the same organization.

Joe Orozco

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the
crowd."--Max Lucado 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle Silverman
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 9:05 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Problems with ETS

Hi Priscilla and all,

I'm a little confused. If the course is offered by Kaplan and 
not by ETS, then you should be allowed to take the Kaplan 
course no matter what ETS says. Is ETS providing accommodations 
for your Kaplan course as well?

Usually ETS says you need to request accommodations six to 
eight weeks before your test date in order to be guaranteed 
accommodations; however, I think this is just a formality. ETS 
may very well be able to approve your request less than eight 
weeks after you mail in the paperwork.

In my own case, I spoke with Nora Hallenbeck about my 
accommodations and was approved and allowed to pay and register 
for the test within a week or two of mailing in my paperwork. I 
was not scheduled for a test date right away, but I was able to 
schedule it during the month when I wanted to take the test.

Also, depending on what kind of test you use and the type of 
accommodations you ask for, you may be able to work out your 
own test date, and not necessarily take it on the day when 
everyone else is testing. This is especially true if you use a 
reader or scribe, which you will need to do if not taking the 
self-voicing computer test or writing in print.

So I'd advise you to mail your forms in, give Nora Hallenbeck 
or Ruth Loew a call by calling the main ETS number and asking 
for one of them, and ask to confirm that they've received your 
materials. Then go ahead and take the Kaplan prep course and 
call ETS again if you don't get approval within a couple of 
weeks. Unless I missed something, it doesn't sound like ETS has 
messed anything up yet, so I don't see a need to contact Peggy 
Elliott unless they keep you waiting for longer than the 6-8 
weeks they promise. Remember, that's just a maximum wait time.

Best of luck and let us know what happens.

Arielle

On 12/22/09, H. Field <missheather at comcast.net> wrote:
> Hello Priscilla,
> I'm so sorry you've been having all this trouble with ETS. It 
truly is 
> so frustrating and they don't care how much inconvenience they cause 
> do they. I've been through this kind of thing with them myself.
>
> Anyway, I've got some advice that should help. Contact Peggy Elliot.
> She has worked extensively with ETS, on behalf of the National 
> Federation. She has contacts, including one person assigned 
especially 
> to sort out this kind of problem with blind applicants. So, 
she should 
> be able to help you. I know how frustrating the whole ETS thing is.
> They really need to be made to sort out this kind of nonsense that 
> they keep going on with. Anyway, I've included Peggy Elliot's contact 
> info below. Give her a call tomorrow and/or e-mail her. I'm sure 
> she'll be able to help.
>
> Very warmest regards,
>
> Heather Field.
>
> Peggy Elliot.
> work. 641-236-3366
>
> E-mail.
> delliott at pcpartner.net
>
>
>
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--
Arielle Silverman
President, National Association of Blind Students
Phone:  602-502-2255
Email:
nabs.president at gmail.com
Website:
www.nabslink.org

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