[nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
Brianna Scerenscko
bfs1206 at gmail.com
Mon Aug 1 01:29:21 UTC 2011
Thank you everyone.
My counselor doesn't return any of my e mails or phone calls.
My college is providing O&M instruction around the school but not
around the town; but I guess if I ever needed to go to the store or
something I could try and figure out the root myself, get directions,
or have a friend go with me.
Since I don't know when my technology is coming in, I'm doing research
on different laptops; I can't afourd a note taker but I can live
without it for a little while. I just would need a computer (I already
have a version of Jaws that I can use), if I could get my hands on
Curswhile and a scanner I'd be good for a little while.
Thankfully I already have my first year of college paid for.
I'm thinking about just finding someone who would want to be a reader
and higher and pay them myself.
Thanks again.
On 7/31/11, Beth <thebluesisloose at gmail.com> wrote:
> WHich reminds me, Ashley,
> I reigned a job I had via the CCB because they were making
> ll the decisions abo9ut where I'd work and the commute. I'd
> had to commute from Englewood all the way to Boulder!
> Uh-uh. I'm not going anywhere near there. Anyway, that's
> speaking of VR counselors who try to mke you do a certain
> job. Sorry, but I need to get my degree and get my job.
> The regular way, that is.
> Beth
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:01:02 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> Arielle,
> Amen, amen! VR is broken. My VR counselor is one who fails to
> communicate
> promptly, will not return phone calls, and did not get my
> equipment on time
> either.
> Fortunately, as a middle class person my parents chipped in with
> lots of
> technology funding and school funding but they cannot do it all.
> A 6 k
> notetaker, for instance, is too much.
> I have tried not to rely on VR much. If I want a certain job, I
> pursue it
> regardless of what my vr counselor thinks.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Arielle Silverman
> Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:36 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> Hi Brianna and all,
> Warning-This will be a rather cynical post, and I apologize in
> advance
> for the cynicism. However, I feel it beneficial to discuss what I
> have
> observed of the VR system, as well as offer some practical advice
> for
> getting around the issues you are having and others you may come
> across as you continue through college.
> I have been out of high school for eight years now, and was a VR
> client myself for three of those years. I have also heard
> countless
> stories similar to yours, and often worse, from my time as
> president
> of Arizona's student division and an officer of NABS.
> Unfortunately, I
> have concluded that the voc rehab system is highly flawed, and
> cannot
> be depended upon for much, especially your college education. I
> have
> heard about students waiting for months or years to get
> technology
> ordered or to get the necessary paperwork to go to training
> centers-even procedures that are relatively routine take way too
> long.
> I have also heard about counselors who fail to communicate with
> clients or return their calls or emails, or who try to give
> inappropriate directives about what careers clients should or
> shouldn't pursue. Now granted, there are definitely some good,
> competent, dedicated counselors and VR staff out there who
> completely
> respect blind people and actively support their pursuits, but I'm
> afraid that's not the norm. The VR system has many problems, not
> the
> least of which being its perpetual lack of funding. As a result,
> VR
> offices tend to be short-staffed and counselors are overwhelmed
> with
> too many clients, unable to give each client the time and
> attention
> their case deserves. Furthermore, I believe the standards for
> hiring
> VR counselors are pretty low, and I've definitely encountered
> more
> than one counselor who just isn't competent enough to get things
> done
> efficiently and well. It's an important system with lofty
> objectives
> of helping blind people get college degrees and jobs, but it's a
> broken one.
> So yes, you should definitely keep nagging your counselor, and
> their
> supervisor, and the director of the VR agency, until you get your
> equipment and your case transferred. But in the meantime, it's
> vitally
> important to have backups in place that don't rely on VR at all,
> so
> that you can start college on the right foot, and your life
> doesn't
> have to depend upon waiting for the flawed VR system to figure
> out how
> to handle your case. I'll give some suggestions for backups you
> might
> want to start using while you're waiting, for the three things
> you
> mentioned: technology, money for school, and O&M instruction.
> For technology: I'd suggest finding out if your parents or
> another
> family member could help you pay for a basic portable computer,
> like a
> Netbook ($500 or less) or a Macbook (perhaps; I don't know how
> much
> Macbooks cost, but if you get one, you won't need to worry about
> screenreading software). You really don't need a fancy laptop or
> desktop for schoolwork, and while many people find Braille
> displays
> and notetakers helpful, I think you can get by without it until
> VR
> comes through. And here's a little secret: You can get a demo
> version
> of JAWS for free, and unless they've changed something in the
> past few
> years, demo JAWS is exactly the same as the full version except
> that
> you have to restart your computer frequently. It's certainly a
> nuisance to keep restarting, but it's a decent workaround if you
> don't
> have the funds to shell out for a full-version screenreader. So
> then,
> all you have to buy is a basic computer, which is comparable to
> what
> virtually all sighted college freshmen get. If your DSS office or
> library provides public scanners, you may not need to buy one,
> but if
> you do, you can get a mainstream multifunction printer that comes
> with
> basic OCR software.
> Second, paying for school: The best solution would be a Pell
> grant.
> Are you a resident in the state where you'll be going to school?
> If
> so, you should be eligible. If not, there are other forms of
> federal
> student aid that you can apply for, if you haven't already.
> Finally, O&M is something you can work around at least
> temporarily. If
> you contact the DSS office at your school, they might be able to
> provide at least a general orientation to the buildings you will
> be
> going to for classes and an overview of the campus layout. You
> don't
> need to learn the whole campus. If DSS doesn't provide that
> service,
> you could ask the resident assistant (RA) in your dorm if they
> can
> hook you up with a student ambassador or someone else who can
> show you
> where those buildings are. Most O&M instructors will do just
> that, and
> not much more than what you can get from any old student who
> knows
> their way around. If what you want is more skill training (like
> learning how to use public transit, cross streets etc.) that's
> important too, but it can wait a few weeks until your case gets
> set.
> I hope this is helpful. The bottom line is that you are in charge
> of
> your education, and there are many resources you can use to
> accomplish
> your goals in school and beyond. Some of those resources are
> blindness-specific; others are the same resources available to
> all
> college students. VR is just one of many resources at your
> disposal.
> They can offer lots of good stuff, but on the downside, they
> aren't
> always dependable. The more alternative resources you can line
> up, the
> better. I personally didn't open a VR case at all until I was a
> senior
> in college and wanted to go to LCB after graduation. After LCB, I
> let
> my case close and didn't reopen when I moved to Colorado for grad
> school. I actually liked not being a VR client, and found it
> rather
> freeing. I could take whatever classes I felt like taking or
> switch my
> major or vocational goal every month if I wanted to, without ever
> having to justify anything to anyone. Granted, I had a merit
> scholarship and my parents were able to assist me with
> technology, and
> I recognize those circumstances don't happen to everyone. Many of
> us
> can benefit greatly from VR, when they have their act together.
> When
> they don't, you might have to be a little creative to find
> alternative
> resources, but they're out there.
>
> Best of luck,
> Arielle
>
> On 7/31/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> wrote:
> Hi Beth,
> I just reread your message and you said CO DVR; I missed that
> when hearing
> with jaws somehow; probably since its one syllable.
>
> Yes you should have a case in CO where you reside.
> I'd say if they move too slow, talk to a supervisor of the
> office. Also
> document your communication.
> I think there should be a VR manual of rights and
> responsibilities for
> each
> state. Read it and find out their procedures for opening cases;
> it should
> outline the appropriate time line.
> Good luck.
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beth
> Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 5:31 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> I'm waiting on Medicaid, but have to use my dad's insurance, and
> a very high copay. That's whuat I'm worried about. I'll
> probably spend a lot on a prescription drug this week so that I
> can flush the infection out. I need to be all cured by next
> week
> or the first week of classes. I also need to figure out how to
> get my Pell Grant. I'm just opening the case here in CO because
> Florida is no longer my state of residence. Doesn't make sense
> to have a case in Florida. Thanks for the well wishes, Ashley.
> Thanks a bunch.
> Beth
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:31:10 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> Beth,
> Hope you get well! Do you have medicade?
> I'm confused. Do you live in Denver and want to go to school
> there? It
> sounds like your VR case is in florida though. So are you saying
> Florida VR
> is paying for your out of state tuition in Co? Good luck with
> your plans.
> Oh and going out of state to any center is tough. If your state
> has an in
> state center, they want that one, even if you select another
> better run
> traditional center.
>
> Ashley
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beth
> Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 2:57 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> Hey, Brianna. I had problems with DBS not sending me to CCB
> till
> I screamed at them and made them do it. I was the squeaky wheel
> that got the grease, pretty much. I'm having a problem with CO
> DVR acting slow, and I just came down with something serious and
> have to go to the doctor. My boyffriend says he'll meet me at
> the bus stop and we'll go together. It'll be nice because then
> I
> can goo to a doctor. But I need a checkup because I think I
> have
> a serious infection. Worst off, I might not go to school till
> January becausee I have no money to pay for books and school.
> DVR just thought of assigning me a counselor, but I don't know
> where they are, and I moved from one place to another. It's
> kind
> of weird because I sort of know the Denver area, but I don't
> travel too often. So I'm in your shoes, but worse. My transfer
> to the office in Tallahassee from the office in Brevard County
> was quick, but there's a problem. I don't know if Florida will
> allow me to go to school here in CO. So anyone give us both
> tips
> and advice? Anybody got any tips? Thanks.
> Beth
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brianna Scerenscko <bfs1206 at gmail.com
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:39:21 -0400
> Subject: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
>
> Hello NABS Members,
>
> My name is Brianna.
> I will be starting my first semester at Flagler in 3 weeks.
> I submitted justifications for technology to my Division Of
> Blind
> Services office back in April. Just the other day I get an e
> mail
> from my counciler saying that I have been apruved for technology
> and
> funding of my Learning Ally membership.
> I thought I had already been apruved and the technology had
> already
> been ordered.
> My counciler can't transfer my case to the office in
> Jacksonville
> until all my technology has been received and she can't tell me
> when
> that will be. I need to meet with the office in Jacksonville
> soon to
> meet my counciler and O&M instructore, and also find out if DBS
> will
> still cover some of the cost of going to college and also for
> them to
> find me a reader.
> DBS can't tell me when my case will be transfered either.
> What should I do? School starts in 3 weeks.
>
> Thank You
>
> Brianna
>
> On 7/31/11, Aubrie Lucas <aubielynn at gmail.com> wrote:
> Exactly what I was going to suggest.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Kirt Manwaring
> Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:20 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] warning I'm getting on Facebook
>
> Haha, nothing to worry about. Hit the refresh button (f5) and
> you'll be
> fine.
>
> On 7/31/11, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm getting this warning message when I hit the go back command
> on Facebook Mobile. I've pasted it below. What does this mean?
> Thanks! Here's the message:
>
> Warning: Page has Expired
> The page you requested was created using information you
> submitted in a form. This page is no longer available. As a
> security precaution, Internet Explorer does not automatically
> resubmit your information for you.
> To resubmit your information and view this Web page, click
> the
> Refresh button.
>
> Chris
>
> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities
> motto)
>
> The I C.A.N. Foundation helps visually impaired youth in
> Maryland have the ability to confidently say "I can!" How? Click
> on this link to learn more and to contribute:
> www.icanfoundation.info or like us on Facebook at I C.A.N.
> Foundation.
>
> Sent from my BrailleNote
>
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> --
> Brianna Scerenscko
>
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--
Brianna Scerenscko
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