[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

Fri Jul 23 17:41:05 UTC 2010

Hi all,

I just wanted to offer that I don't agree that a Braille display is a "luxury", and that you shouldn't push for Voc Rehab to provide it. Is having print a "luxury", for sighted students? No. If Braille is your preferred reading medium, you shouldn't be forced to just get by with only audio if that is not how you best learn. They would never send a sighted student off to college and say, "Good luck getting by with no print books." Voc Rehab can provide this for you, and moving up the chain of command will achieve the quickest results. Every regional office has specific complaint procedures which you can request in writing from your councilor's manager.

Just my thoughts,
Briley
On Jul 22, 2010, at 4:44 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

> Hi Jewel and all,
> 
> This is an old story that I've heard way too many times from students.
> Your counselor's actions (or non-actions) are ridiculous and
> definitely need to be addressed with her supervisor(s). In the
> meantime, though, I think it's important to come up with a plan B that
> doesn't involve DSB at all, at least while you're waiting. A few
> ideas:
> 
> 1. With rehab, I'd focus on getting the computer and scanner. The
> refreshable Braille display and embosser are nice, but they're
> luxuries, not necessities, in my opinion. Asking for just a couple
> pieces of equipment rather than the whole gamut may be less
> complicated/bureaucratic.
> 2. Does your school have an office for blind/disabled students? If so
> they very well might have equipment for loan, like computers, and they
> should have public-access scanners that you can walk in and use. If
> not, find out if there's anywhere else on campus (like the bookstore
> or library) where you can borrow or rent a computer for low or no
> cost. Perhaps family members or friends might have extra computers you
> can borrow? Once you have the computer, you should be able to download
> a free open-source screen reader to use with it.
> 2. The NFB has a technology loan program and your NFB affiliate might
> have one too. Call the NFB Braille and Technology Center at
> 410-659-9314 for details. Of course borrowing equipment for free is
> better than racking up interest, but it could be a last-resort,
> temporary option.
> 3. If you can't get a portable computer, see if any of the public
> computers on your campus are accessible (all Mac's are out of the
> box). What you may need to do in a pinch is use a voice recorder in
> class and then use the public computer for assignments.
> 4. Remember that
> www.rfbd.org
> provides books in audio format, and
> www.bookshare.org
> provides books for free in a text format that you can read on a
> regular computer (either the public computer or a rented one).
> 5. Don't forget that readers are low-tech and relatively cheap
> (usually $7 per hour) and if your school has a community service club,
> you might be able to find volunteer readers. If rehab is
> uncooperative, your school (either the disability resource center or
> the department of your major) may be willing to help pay for readers,
> at least initially while you wait for equipment.
> 
> In short, while you should definitely nag rehab to get you what you
> need (especially the laptop, scanner, and perhaps an audio book player
> like a Stream), rehab isn't, and shouldn't be, your only option. I
> think the only piece of equipment that's really mission-critical is a
> computer, and that can be either a personal computer or a public
> computer. Even your local public library might have a public computer
> you can use. I'd recommend staying in your classes if at all possible.
> Textbooks can be read with readers (readers can even be students in
> your classes, who have to read the books anyway), or with a public
> scanner (which might be available in the library or DRC).
> 
> Best of luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
> Arielle
> 
> On 7/22/10, William ODonnell <william.odonnell1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I would have to say that I agree with Joe on many of the points he has made.
>> Also, keep some things “off record” with your councilor.  I am referring to
>> the suggestions of you purchasing a net book that you provided in your
>> email.  Remember the following approach: don’t ask, don’t tell or do not
>> give any additional information than requested.
>> In addition, always copy a supervisor when you’re documenting so the context
>> of what you discuss is not altered or misrepresented at a later date.
>> Finally, investigate whether or not your local independent living center has
>> advocates that will speak on your behalf.
>> Note: some colleges and universities have laptops or net books that disabled
>> students can reserve from there DSS office for use during class.  In regard
>> to readers or reading services, some organizations for the blind as well as
>> community centers have people from the community who volunteer who may
>> assist you.  In addition, check with your college or university to see if
>> you can post an add requesting for volunteers to assist you when time is of
>> the essence and your accommodations/equipment is not available.  I say the
>> following since it is a reality.  Note: I do not want to discourage or scare
>> you; however, throughout your college career, you will learn and see that
>> you will need to liquidate all avenues since many times you will experience
>> faulty services and accommodations while meeting important deadlines as any
>> other student.  You will need to be strong and always be your own advocate
>> while never losing focus with your agenda.
>> 
>> 
>> --- On Thu, 7/22/10, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> From: Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment
>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010, 11:30 AM
>>> Hi Jewel,
>>> 
>>> I see online that North Carolina just started a new fiscal
>>> year.  This is
>>> bad, because this is when agencies can afford to lapse a
>>> little.  If I were
>>> you, and taking your budget into consideration, this is my
>>> personal
>>> recommendation:
>>> 
>>> 1. Take Justin's suggestion and go straight to the director
>>> of that field
>>> office.  It's not your job to ease this counselor into
>>> her new position.
>>> Your first priority is getting what you need to be ready
>>> for school.  Put
>>> your communications to the director in writing.  Say
>>> in your first e-mail
>>> that you will follow up via telephone in a few days to talk
>>> about what can
>>> be done.  Later, after your phone call, send another
>>> e-mail summarizing what
>>> was talked about.  Always keep a written record of
>>> your communications.  In
>>> the letter you should give a brief summary of the events to
>>> this point, but
>>> I would spend more time listing the equipment you need and
>>> a good
>>> justification for why you need them.  This may
>>> somewhat minimize the need
>>> for an assessment if you can give concrete reasons for why
>>> the products are
>>> required.  Also, rank your products in order of most
>>> important.  The Victor
>>> Stream, for example, may be a necessity, but it could
>>> probably go near or at
>>> the bottom since your top priority is the ability to take
>>> notes in class.
>>> 
>>> 2. Locate the individual or office that handles technology
>>> assessments.  The
>>> more people you have inquiring into your case, the better,
>>> and even if they
>>> say they need to hear from your counselor, when your
>>> counselor calls the
>>> people will be familiar with you and have more of an
>>> incentive to act.
>>> 
>>> 3. Talk to your NFB affiliate president.  He or she
>>> may know of someone
>>> working in the agency who can look into your case.
>>> The affiliate should
>>> also prove to be a good advocate on your behalf.
>>> 
>>> 4. Locate your nearest Lions Club.  They may be able
>>> to step in and help
>>> with the cost of a netbook.  If you can get that, you
>>> can use one of the
>>> free or reasonably priced screen readers while you wait for
>>> your other
>>> technology to arrive.  The main thing is to get you
>>> something for the first
>>> day of class, and I think your Lions Club or Rotary Club
>>> should be able to
>>> generate $300 on your behalf.
>>> 
>>> This is, at least, a start.  I'm in a bit of a rush
>>> but can offer more later
>>> if you're still in a bind.  Hopefully others will
>>> chime in as well.
>>> 
>>> Best of luck,
>>> 
>>> 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 Jewel S.
>>> Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:06 AM
>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> 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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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
> Phone:  602-502-2255
> Email:
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> Website:
> www.nabslink.org
> 
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