[nabs-l] need help

[Joe Orozco]

Hina,

So what happens to these international students when they return home?  Are
there accessible technologies readily available?  It would seem almost cruel
to expose the students to a fully-equipped lab here in the States when they
might be returning to a less than adequate environment.  But, more to the
point, I am not opposed to the availability of screen readers, scanners and
other technology on campus, but I associate this availability more with
maintaining a complete resource repository befitting a standard library or
computer lab more than I would adequate disability services in general.  If
there are any international students who are studying in the United States
who find they do not have adequate technology services to get through class,
send me a note off-list.  I can't promise anything but would be willing to
harass some people.

Jewel,

I won't pretend to fully appreciate your situation.  I simply can't relate.
It must be tough, and yet, your having walked me through your
decision-making process almost proves my point, because I have to wonder how
things will unravel when you're ready to get a job.  We have a choice about
where we study.  That is not a privilege so readily available when looking
for a salary.  I know you've got it together, and maybe you've got a plan.
If so, I should take lessons in patience from you.  It took me a month and a
half to find a job in thriving Washington DC after my AmeriCorps assignment,
and this period of time is so insignificant compared to some of my friends,
blind or sighted.  My point here is that in the foreseeable future we may
not have as much flexibility in the job market as we might in our scholastic
pursuits.

At any rate, I realize I am an army of one here.  People's minds are not
likely to change, but speaking as someone who has now been working full-time
for the past four years, I just want students to understand that the job
market is not as cut and dry as the university environment.  In college
there are appeals and superiors you can pursue to rectify a wrong.  There
are laws and guidelines you can use to support your case for accessibility,
but the ADA does not penetrate the private sector as easily as we would
hope.  "Reasonable accommodations" is something of a slippery concept to the
struggling nonprofit, small business or uninformed corporation that could
just as easily hire the sighted applicant with no special needs.  I would
never advance the notion that the job market is a big scary place where
blind people will never succeed.  There are too many examples of people who
have proven otherwise.  I am saying that accessibility, structural or
academic, on the college campus is temporary.  I am saying that your passion
is greater than your fleeting comfort, that you should completely base your
decision on universities according to your dreams and not a superficial
bubble that will burst the moment you're truly out in the real world.
College is a great time in your life.  If the campus happens to boast an
incredible  system of accessibilities, even better, and if doesn't, never
fear.  You'll be a little more ahead of your peers come time for job
searching.  If anyone on campus, or if any feature of the school, is a real
nuisance to your learning, let us know.  I'll personally sign up to kick
some ass on your behalf.  You think I'm an annoying bastard on this list?
Please.  You ain't seen nothin'.

Cordially,

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