[nabs-l] need help

[Marc Workman]

Joe said,
I don't understand why people insist on identifying universities that are
friendly to people with disabilities.  Forgive what may come across as a
blunt tone, but if students are going to make a large time and money
investment in higher education, they should select schools for their
programs, not for the capacity of the disability service.

Marc says,
The question was aimed at identifying ways in which services could be 
improved.  This does not imply that anyone would select a university based 
on disability services.  I do think, however, that it may factor in to ones 
decision in the same way city attractions, transportation, housing, and so 
on do.

Joe said,
the bottom line is that if by college a student has not
figured out how to find readers, use scanners or negotiate testing
environments with their professors, they ought to consider training at a
center or dismiss the idea of going to college.

Marc says,
I suppose that sighted students that don't demonstrate these skills should 
also forego a college education.

Joe said,
After high school, education is an option, not a right.

Marc says,
True, but receiving the same quality of education that others receive when 
paying the same costs is a right.  If colleges design there programs in such 
a way that some are disadvantaged or excluded all together, that is an 
injustice and should be viewed and treated as such.

I take your point, Joe: the world is not perfect, and receiving assistance 
in college can make one less able to cope in the job market where such 
assistance is not available.  This may be true, but it doesnt make it any 
less of an injustice that should be fought against.  If the above statement 
is true, then the solution, to me, is that more should be done to ensure 
that the job market is accessible.  I think the incredibly large percentage 
of unemployed and underemployed blind people supports this claim.

The bottom line is that, if a product, service, or institution, is 
unnecessarily designed in such a way that a segment of the population is 
disadvanteged or excluded, this is a problem, and steps should be taken to 
eliminate the disadvantage or exclusion.  It's not about babying people, or 
giving them special treatment, it is about recognizing that it is wrong for 
people in power to set things up in ways that perpetuate their dominance at 
the cost of disadvantageing and excluding others.

Regards,

Marc
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] need help


>I don't understand why people insist on identifying universities that are
> friendly to people with disabilities.  Forgive what may come across as a
> blunt tone, but if students are going to make a large time and money
> investment in higher education, they should select schools for their
> programs, not for the capacity of the disability service.  At the Catholic
> University of America here in DC the disability office didn't even know I
> exist until the coordinator caught sight of me shortly before my 
> graduation
> procession, and you know, I think I did alright.
>
> The natural argument that people raise at this point is that not all
> students are built the same.  Some students need more help than others.
>>From this corner, the bottom line is that if by college a student has not
> figured out how to find readers, use scanners or negotiate testing
> environments with their professors, they ought to consider training at a
> center or dismiss the idea of going to college.  After high school,
> education is an option, not a right.  College is only a fraction of the 
> rest
> of people's lives, and outside of the blindness field and government 
> sector,
> there are no special accommodation offices in the workplace.
>
> Now, please do not misunderstand.  If a college offers a wide range of
> accommodations, there is no reason why the student should not take 
> advantage
> where he or she feels it necessary.  Yet, stay in control of what you
> actually need versus what is prescribed, and remember not to become so
> dependent on these services that you are virtually helpless when you begin
> competing against your sighted peers in the job market.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Joe
>
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hina
> Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:55 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] need help
>
> hi friends,
> I am working on a project to help a university to make their
> campus accessible and would need some feedback from you all.
> please send  me some of the recommendations that you think a
> university should implement for people with disabilities?
>
>
> which universities are good for people with disabilities?
> thanks.
> hina.
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