[nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
Chris Nusbaum
dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
Mon Aug 1 15:19:33 UTC 2011
Hi Brianna,
How much does System Access cost? Depending on the cost, you
could get the SA ToGo version which you can use on any computer
by downloading the program to a thumb drive. I used System
Access ToGo for a little while, but I finally just went back to
JAWS at home and my notetaker everywhere else because I didn't
know the commands and I didn't like Dectalk speech that much.
You might like it, though!
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
----- Original Message -----
From: Lea williams <leanicole1988 at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:51:18 -0400
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
Have you tried to call your BR boss? I have issues with mine as
well
and found that speaking to her boss after she did not get my
things to
me until three months after classes had started even though I
gave her
13 months notice. Yes 13 months. She said that she could not
get my
things until my paper work was in order with school. the person
who
was to fill out my paperwork with me at the school had transford
in
the middle of helping me and the next person put me on hold just
long
enough for me not to be able to start that semester. But any
ways, Try
the above tips with other options and try talking with her boss.
If
you do not want jaws and can not get a Mac, try to use NVDA, I
believe
that is what it is called. I know you can switch the voice to
the one
that jaws uses. and it is free.
On 7/31/11, Brianna Scerenscko <bfs1206 at gmail.com> wrote:
I hope everything works out and that you'll get to feeling
better soon Beth.
On 7/31/11, Brianna Scerenscko <bfs1206 at gmail.com> wrote:
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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