[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

Tue Jul 27 05:43:20 UTC 2010

Hi all,

Jewel, I'm glad everything is going to work out with your equipment.
Laptops are fine, but just for the benefit of other students who may
need to purchase their own computing equipment, all the same
functionalities  of  word processing, Internet connectivity,
spreadsheet management, file sharing, etc. are available on a netbook
as well as a laptop.  Netbooks have USB drive, serial port, and
ethernet port (or at least mine does) and you can buy an external
USB-connected CD/DVD drive for about $30. I haven't tried the netbook
with less common applications such as Duxbury, but the basic MS-Office
programs and Internet, email, etc. run fine on a netbook. Again, it's
great if rehab agrees to get you a laptop, but if you need to fund
your own equipment, a netbook should be fine.

On 7/26/10, Katie Wang <bunnykatie6 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi, jewel,
>   Thanks for the update and sharing your personal experiences. I have
> been following this thread and am really impressed with your
> self-advocacy efforts. I have always used a braille notetaker in the
> classroom, but I'm sure the laptop and braille display combination
> would work well for you as you said you are a fast typist! I'm happy
> to hear that things are moving in a positive direction for you to get
> the essential equipment in a timely manner. Keep up the good work; I'm
> sure you will be a successful college student with your determination
> and perseverance. best of luck and keep us posted!
>    Katie
>
>
> On 7/26/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I decided to go with the laptop because of its flexibility with
>> third-party programs, ease of connection with the embosser and
>> scanner, and ease of direct connection with other students (I have a
>> document, I put it on a flash drive, give it to another student, they
>> put it on their computer, no translating the file, vice versa). They
>> will be getting a refreshable Braille display to use with the laptop;
>> that was one of the recommendations that was emphasized, because I am
>> so not an audio learner.
>>
>> I did the tutorial for the Victor Stream at rehab and learned quite a
>> bit about it, and agree that it will be awesome and very helpful It
>> will allow me to keep up with my classes until the other equipment
>> comes in.
>>
>> The other equipment will also be coming. I just emphasized the laptop
>> and Braille display as the most important for school. The other
>> equipment include a scanner, Juliette embosser, and a talking
>> scientific calculator (for science and math classes...my little
>> calculator was of very little help with even high school level maths
>> beyond the very basic).
>>
>> I did contact the local chapter president (my adopted mama, actually)
>> and the state president, as well as the supervisor. They all know that
>> I am very independent, but am willing to ask for advise...they know
>> that they shouldn't do things *for* me since if they do that, I'll
>> never learn how to do it myself, but they know that if they tell me
>> how to do something, I'll do it. So that's what happened. They told me
>> how to do what I wanted to do, and I went and did it...most of it at
>> home on the phone so it didn't exhaust me from walking all over in the
>> heat. I'm quite proud of my work, but I've still got lots to do!
>> Tomorrow I gotta call Wake Tech to see if they got the financial aid
>> note from DoE so my tuition is covered (tuition is due Friday) and so
>> I can get my books and supplies. I still haven't heard from the person
>> who did the assessment about getting the recommendations over to my VR
>> counselor, but i'll be on his tail all day tomorrow. I can be merrily
>> annoying when I want to be.
>>
>> At the same time, I'm fighting the leasing office to return my deposit
>> from the move...it's almost a month late and they gave no notice of
>> withholding, so they owe me the full amount back, $495, which I plan
>> on saving toward my Orlando trip next June/July. That's a whole nother
>> mess, but I'm right on their tails, too.
>>
>> Self-advocacy is very important, but I'm still just learning it, as I
>> was a very withdrawn, timid child. I kept away from people because I
>> didn't want to be hurt by them as I had been hurt so many times by
>> bullies and back-stabbing "friends." I was abused emotionally and
>> mentally as a child (my therapist says from what I tell her, my mother
>> may be a true sadist). So, now I'm learning to stick up for myself and
>> not withdraw into myself when someone attacks my opinion, beliefs, or
>> assertions. *smiles*
>>
>> On 7/26/10, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I use JAWS and MS-Office all the time on my netbook (an Acer Aspire
>>> One) without problems.
>>>
>>> Arielle
>>>
>>> On 7/26/10, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>> Jewel,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the update.  Its good you're a great advocate!
>>>> So you decided to go the laptop way not the braille notetaker.  Since
>>>> you
>>>> don't have the braille display of a notetaker, I hope they'll provide
>>>> you
>>>> the display with your laptop. On your list of equipment, The VR stream
>>>> is
>>>> least expensive.  So I'm glad they can get that for you fast and you'll
>>>> have
>>>> it by the time school starts!  The Vr stream is a recorder, book player,
>>>> text reader and more so I think you'll be impressed with it.
>>>>
>>>> What did they say about the other equipment such as a scanner?  Keep on
>>>> them
>>>> and it will turn out alright.
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> Ashley
>>>>
>>>>
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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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>>
>>
>> --
>> ~Jewel
>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>
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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