[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

Mon Jul 26 22:45:11 UTC 2010

Hi all,

You may already know this, but you can get a netbook for $200-$400
which in my opinion is almost as good as a laptop-and also
considerably easier to carry.

Arielle

On 7/25/10, Serena <serenacucco at verizon.net> wrote:
> Have you ever used a BrailleNote?  The Apex, the newest model, has wireless
> capability and multiple USB ports.  Therefore, a laptop with a Braille
> display isn't necessarily the best technology for your future.  The fact
> that a laptop is less expensive for your agency to buy really shouldn't
> matter to you as a consumer.  You're being too nice to the agency!  What you
> need/want matters most.
>
> Serena
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 2:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment
>
>
> This is my feelings also. I do not think the refreshable Braille
> display is a luxury, but an essential tool for my learning. I am a
> visual and tactile learner, and have a lot of trouble learning by
> audio teaching only. I often have to re-read what JAWS has read to me
> several times, and have to rewind audio books if I have the least
> distraction (such as someone making a comment to me or the radio or tv
> or pretty much any background noise can distract me).
>
> A quick update. They want to do an accessment (laptop or PDA). I'm
> going to ask about justifying just getting the laptop, as I think
> it'll be the easiest way to go (more compatibility with programs, more
> connection with other students, less expensive for DSB, more versatile
> in future programs that I purchase). The supervisor was not in today;
> I will speak to him on Monday and get this all straightened out.
>
> ~Jewel
>
> On 7/23/10, Briley Pollard <brileyp at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>>> %40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
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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