[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

Fri Jul 23 10:02:57 UTC 2010

You can also try to see if there are any Macintosh computers around your school. In my experience, most schools own several of these machines, and they are fully accessible. This would be helpful to you, at least until you get the equipment you actually want.
On Jul 22, 2010, at 7:53 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:

> Hi Jewel,
> That is very unfortunate  about your counselor's actions.  I'd narrow down what you are asking for.  I'd say the more essential things are the netbook, jaws, and and VR stream.  The embosser and I think you mean Duxbury, the braille translation software are not essential.
> I'd say bring it up with the counselors
> supervisor.  I would not go purchase a used laptop.  You don't know what you're getting then and if it crashes on you you are in a bind again.
> 
> Write a letter to the supervisor, probably the manager of the regional office,  outlining why you need this equipment and your counselor's actions. Maybe if he/she is on your side they can speed up the order of equipment.
> 
> Meanwhile stay in school!  For notetaking, I'd say buy a voice recorder.
> Will you need a computer in class for online assignments?  You mentioned completing worksheets in class.  Generally classes are lecture/discussion based.  What sort of class would need the completion of worksheets?  For in class assignments your school should step in and help.  If other students are using computers in class, then you should be provided one with jaws to complete your work.
> 
> 
> For doing assignments as others said, use a public computer.  At my school the library has a computer with  jaws and its reasonable for yours to have this as well.  You must have a computer already with a screen reader since you wrote this message, why can't you use that one at home to complete school work?
> 
> For reading books you can use RFB downloaded books and read it on a computer or use a reader.  Ask classmates or a religious/service club at school
> to read for you.
> 
> I think its optimal to read books on the go in a portable manner.  With a VR stream
> you can record notes, download RFB books, and read text documents all in one unit!  Plus you can place CD music on the sd card if you want as well.
> I think its so multi functional!  So I'd say try and find other sources for the VR stream and fight rehab for the more expensive equipment like the netbook/jaws.
> The NFB has a technology loan program you could try.  Maybe a lions or Rotery club would purchase the VR stream for you.  Is there a lighthouse for the blind nearby?  Maybe they could lend you one.  A VR stream is under $400
> which is pretty reasonable for all it can do.
> 
> Hope things work out!
> 
> Ashley
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:06 AM
> Subject: [nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment
> 
> 
>> 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
>> 
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