[nabs-l] PRS Transmitters, HELP!!!

[Kerri Kosten]

Hi:

I did have to use these for my Biology class.
Many may not like my answer, but since they were inaccessible, either
a student sitting near me or the professor herself would help me log
in.
I memorized the four buttons to answer the questions. Since I sit up
front right near the professor, she would sort of look on making sure
my answer was received. Sometimes she would come over and ask me "Did
you want to answer say number 3?" and make sure it was submitted
properly.
She would read me the question or she would either have another
student or her graduate assistant/teaching assistants read it.

I knew these devices were in accessible but at the time I didn't
really know about the NFB and since the teacher didn't seem to have a
problem with accomodating me I never really saw an issue with it.
Now though, I realize these are definitely inaccessible.
I would do what has been suggested. Try writing a letter to Disability
services, if that doesn't work try showing how they are inaccessible
to both your professor and the DSS office, if that doesn't work go up
the chain...to the dean of the professors department...to maybe the
DSSes boss...like the head of Social Justice...if all this doesn't
work than I would definitely file a complaint.

Hope that helps.
Kerri

On 1/30/10, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Jamie,
>
> Hope has some good advice.  Keep fighting; demonstrate the inaccessibility
> of the device.
> You might have to drop the class since you cannot take the quizzes and
> you'll get a bad grade.  But either way keep at it.  If the DSs doesn't get
> it and offer a solution, go up the chain of command.  Write a letter to the
> head of that department.  Also go to the Dean of the school your professor
> teaches in and bring this to their attention.  The professor should
> accomodate you.  Finally file a complaint if nothing is resolved in the
> university.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Hope Paulos <hope.paulos at maine.edu>
>>Sent: Jan 29, 2010 10:18 PM
>>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] PRS Transmitters, HELP!!!
>>
>>Honestly, I'd continue fighting the issue. I've never used a prs devices;
>>however, perhaps you need to demonstrate the inaccessibility of the
>> devices.
>>That way they see your issues  first hand.
>>HTH
>>Hope and Beignet ----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Jamie Principato" <blackbyrdfly at gmail.com>
>>To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>><nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:44 PM
>>Subject: [nabs-l] PRS Transmitters, HELP!!!
>>
>>
>>> Hi there,
>>>
>>> I'm a student at Florida State University. One of my professors this
>>> semester is employing the use of PRS (personal response
>>> something-or-other)
>>> transmitters for answering pop-quiz questions in class. These are little
>>> handheld devices that students use to electronically and instantly submit
>>> their answer to the professor in class. They're handy little devices, and
>>>
>>> I
>>> think it's great that technology is being brought into the classrooms in
>>> college, but it is my understanding that they are inaccessible. You need
>>> to
>>> be able to see the screen to log in and use them, even if you managed to
>>> memorize what every single button is for, and as a blind student, I can't
>>>
>>> do
>>> that.
>>>
>>> I've had professors use these in the past, and every time, an alternative
>>> was offered to me since the professor understood that the device was
>>> inaccessible. I would usually either approach my professor and simply
>>> tell
>>> him my answer and he'd write it down, or I would type it and e-mail it to
>>> him (the latter only when there was internet in the classroom or lecture
>>> hall). This time, however, my professor does not want to cooperate. He
>>> insists that I find a way to use the PRS transmitter, and when I
>>> contacted
>>> my university's Disability Resource Center, they told me I should be able
>>>
>>> to
>>> do it as well, but I can't figure out what they expect me to do. I don't
>>> think it's right or fair for me to rely on another student to log me in
>>> and
>>> select answers for me.
>>>
>>> I was wondering if anyone else has had to use PRS transmitters in their
>>> classes, and if so, how did you do it?
>>>
>>> Thanks for the help, and please write back soon. I've already missed
>>> pop-quizzes, so this is becoming a pressing matter.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> -Jamie
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>>
>>
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