[nabs-l] Slow Acting VR Counciler
Kirt Manwaring
kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
Mon Aug 1 16:55:23 UTC 2011
Brianna,
Another thing that's possible is trying to get your state or local
NFB to help you advocate. I had problems with my VR early on, and I
was lucky that my state president has a lot of influence in our agency
and he was totally willing to go to bat for me. His help, coupled
with me talking to my counselor's supervisor straightened out most of
my issues pretty quick. (my technology still came in 3 months late,
but my college has computers with Jaws so I was fine) Now me and my
counselor work together no problem,,, he knows I'm serious and I'll
fight for what I need, so he's a lot better about doing things on
time. That's not to say he'll aprove every request I make (I know
I'll have to fight like hell if I want to get training anywhere other
than my state center), but he knows I mean business and most things I
need come a lot quicker now.
HTH,
Kirt
On 8/1/11, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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> --
> Brianna Scerenscko
>
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> --
> Brianna Scerenscko
>
>
>
> --
> Brianna Scerenscko
>
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>
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