[nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab andsomeother college questions

[Nicole B. Torcolini at Home]

I think the payment options are often too black and white (no pun intended). 
Often, parents could afford to pay for part of the equipment, but there 
aren't really options for doing that, at least none that I have heard of.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 7:17 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab andsomeother 
college questions


> Nicole,
> We have that issue in VA. They won't usually buy a notetaker and laptop 
> because they are both used for notetaking purposes.
> But like you I found the notetaker essential for the portable notetaking 
> ability.  I took it to class, the library and to professor's office hours. 
> Very handy!
> Its like picking up a paper to write because it powers up quickly and 
> you're ready to write!
> I agree with you about the computer. Whether laptop or desktop, you might 
> be better off getting another funding source rather than fighting rehab.
> Could your parents buy it?  I find it odd that parents cannot help out 
> when they buy other children equipment like computers; if not yes lions 
> clubs are excellent resources.  They have helped many students in my area.
>
> Yes I forgot about the VR stream. Love it for recording and books.  Very 
> small.
> Ashley
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Nicole B. Torcolini at Home
> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 9:46 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and 
> someother college questions
>
> Okay...technology. First, most rehab don't want to buy both a notetaker 
> and
> a laptop. So that's where it gets hard. You should definitely find out 
> what
> technology you can borrow from the college. My personal experience is that
> things seem to run the smoothest with both a notetaker and a laptop. I use
> the laptop for the internet, email, file storage, and writing major
> assignments. I use the notetaker (BrailleNote) for taking notes in class. 
> I
> find the notetaker essential because it is portable, powers on quickly, 
> and
> does not stall as often as a computer. So, it's really up to you. However,
> if possible, I would try to find another resource for getting the laptop
> (Lions' Club?) and ask rehab for the notetaker. Also, you may want to
> consider getting a Victor Stream. If you want to record your classes, 
> which
> most colleges allow as an accommodation, the VR Stream works very well. 
> Yes,
> most of the notetakers have recording features, but they usually are not 
> as
> good as the VR Stream.
>
> What technology do you use now?
>
> Nicole
>
> P.S. Ask all the questions that you want. That's what this list is for, 
> and
> there's no such thing as a stupid question.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jordyn Castor" <jordyn2493 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 5:09 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Reasonable technology requests from Rehab and some other
> college questions
>
>
>> Hi again guys!
>> I'm going to college in the fall, as I already said yesterday. This is 
>> why I have so many questions! I just want to be sure I'm doing everything 
>> right, and what better way to do this then asking other blind students? 
>> :) So, thanks for all your great advice on everything!
>> My other question is, what are reasonable things to ask Rehab for in the 
>> way of technology?
>> I'm thinking a laptop, 40 cell braille display, Window Eyes, and a 
>> printer scanner combo thinggy with software like OpenBook or Kurzweil. I 
>> don't know if I'd get a notetaker though as these are super expensive. 
>> lol Any suggestions or other things you'd ask for? What are you all using 
>> as far as technology in college?
>> My college also has a place where I can, I think, borrow technology like 
>> an embosser or Braille Display. Should I use that rather than asking 
>> rehab for some of the things like the display and the printer? I think it 
>> would be awesome to have a printer in my dorm though lol!
>> Oh, speaking of dorms, do most of you have a roommate or a single room? A 
>> lot of my blind friends seem to have single rooms because of the 
>> expensive technology, but, I want a roommate, I think. lol Thoughts?
>> Anyway, I'll stop rambling! :)
>> Thanks again,
>> Jordyn
>>
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