[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

[Jewel S.]

Dear all,

I am having serious issues with DSB here in North Carolina. I begin
classes August 16, and have been working toward getting some needed
equipment. This equipment is a netbook with JAWS, a refreshable
Braille display, a VictorStream Reader, a Juliette embosser, a
scanner, OpenBook scanning program and Dusxbury (spelling?), and JAWS
for my home computer. I have been working very hard on my side to get
this done in time for classes. However, I was reassigned recently to a
new VR counselor (by new, I mean green...this is her first position).
She did not even know who the assessment person *was*, let alone how
to do an assessment referral, so after I saw one person for review of
my home computer and basic needs, she did nothing with that
information, despite him having stated that I needed an assessment
with a particular computer teacher. It was not until I asked him what
the next step was again that he said that my counselor should have set
up the assessment (when I had talked to him the first time, he had
said that my VR counselor would see the referral sent and I needed to
just wait for the referral to go through).

Now, because of my counselor's delay in getting the referral done, the
paperwork has not even been submitted for my equipment. At first, they
told me it would take two to three weeks to get the equipment. Then
they said one month. Now they are saying that it could take up to two
months!

Classes start August 16, and I do not have any of the equipment I
need. The only method of note-taking I have (other than getting a
notetaker to take notes for me, which I'd rather not) is my slate and
stylus. With my physical problems, I can only use a slate for a few
lines at a time before my wrist and arm begin to hurt very badly, so I
don't see that as a possibility at all. I do not even have a voice
recorder, though I am considering whether I have the funds to purchase
one myself (I am on a very tight budget these days).

I have suggested the solution of renting a laptop until my equipment
comes in. However, my counselor seems to have taken that to mean that
I am willing to buy a used laptop on my own. She has suggested places
to purchase used laptops and said she will look into it also. When I
asked her whether this would take the place of the laptop promised me
by DSB, she didn't answer directly but told me that the laptop I would
purchase would last me throughout my curriculum. But if it's used, how
can she be so sure? And how does she expect me to pay for such a
laptop?

Is this appropriate action on the behlaf of my counselor? SWhat should
I expect to happen? If she is not doing things properly, who should I
bring this up with?

As I said, classes start in a few weeks. I do not have a way to record
the classes, type notes, read my books in class, or complete
worksheets in class. I will basically be stuck relying on other
students to take notes for me, read exercises to me, and will not be
able to participate when the class reads the books. I might as well
not even attend class, for all I will be able to do! From what DSB is
telling me, it will be halfway through the semester before I get any
of my needed equipment. Is the renting of a laptop a reasonable
accommodation while I wait, or should I drop these classes and wait
until next semester? I will not be able to participate appropriately
in class without even a laptop, and my grades will be drastically
effected by this.

Any advice, please?

Yours,
Jewel Shuping
Wake Tech Community College
Raleigh, NC