[nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO

Sun Aug 28 17:58:05 UTC 2011

Hi Angela,

Exactly what I was saying! Actually, Josh was planning to take the
class this semester, but decided later that it would be better to take
it next semester.

Chris

On 8/28/11, Angela Fowler <fowlers at syix.com> wrote:
> Hello folks,
> 	I feel compelled to chime in here, because in order to give Josh
> effective advice, we need to have a clear understanding of the situation
> he's facing. First, while the acronym DSO would seem to be referring to the
> place on a college campus where you would go to request test accommodations
> and the like, it would seem to me that in Josh's state it refers to what we
> in California would call the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. This
> entity is responsible for providing such equipment as is necessary for Josh
> to successfully complete school, provided he is a client of theirs, which it
> would seem he is.
> 	Secondly, in the matter of the textbook, I believe I read correctly
> that it will be needed next semester, not this semester. Josh is starting a
> search for it a full semester ahead of time, giving him plenty of time to
> find it and have it transcribed if necessary. The office of services to
> students with disabilities, or whatever it is called at Josh's school, is
> responsible for providing transcription services if a Braille copy of the
> textbook is not found elsewhere. As another lister pointed out, the Louis
> database found on the APH web site is an excellent resource. Math texts are
> more difficult to find in accessible format than those in other subjects
> however, so Josh if you know which book you'll be needing it might be a good
> idea to begin the process of having it transcribed as soon as possible.
> 	Folks, to criticize Josh for lack of preparedness is unhelpful at
> best and potentially down-right discouraging to a student who may or nay not
> be struggling to learn the complexities of college life. His level of
> blindness skills training is irrelevant in this case also. I myself am a
> Colorado Center for the Blind graduate. Even so, I am struggling to grasp
> the complex and frustrating workings of all the different departments within
> Sac State university with which I must deal and which, as best I can tell,
> have absolutely no communication with each other.
> 	Josh approached this list seeking practical advice. As students, we
> all have situations which we suddenly find ourselves up against which we are
> not sure how to best resolve. Resolution of these situations brings wisdom
> however, and I'm sure Josh will take note of anything he can do next time to
> be better prepared for whatever may lie ahead of him. We are all students,
> engaged in a constant learning process in class and out. Resources like this
> list are a great source of support and knowledge. Please people, let's not
> diminish them with unhelpful criticism.
> Sincerely,
> Angela Fowler
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Donahue [mailto:pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com]
> Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 9:50 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO
>
> Hello Chris and everyone,
>
>     And a 30% rate of employment among the blind. More to the point his guy
> bit off more than he could chew. He should have investigated  all of these
> concerns prior to enrolling in school for this semester. Now he must deal
> with the consequences of such a decision. He is not alone in this respect.
> I've seen it happen numerous times. Blind people enroll in school that have
> not received good blindness training and lacking the skills and equipment
> needed to study independently and succeed in college. This is well
> documented by our organization. Hence it's not just Peter Donahue blowing
> off hot air. 70% or not if you want it bad enough you'll find a way to raise
> the needed funds to persue your dreams. Peter Donahue
>
>   Peter Donahue
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "chris nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 10:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO
>
>
> Hi Peter and everyone,
>
> That's one thing I agree with you on. That's the NFB right there: "If
> the going gets tough, the tough get going, and win in the end!" I've
> heard Dr. Maurer say this a lot. Now, as to the rest of your comments,
> you can't jump to conclusions and criticize people without knowing all
> the facts. This was the same problem we had when we were discussing
> national convention and its online streaming. Remember that there is a
> 70 percent unemployment rate among blind people. So, "raising the
> funds yourself" is, more often than not, much easier said than done.
> This, unfortunately, will stay a proven fact until we get totally
> integrated into society, and we have a long way to go in that area. I
> am not trying to be a downer, in fact, I'm very optomistic about the
> work of the Federation. I'm trying to be a realist, and this, I
> believe, is the unfortunate reality. Therefore, I don't think you can
> fairly criticize other list members when they ask for advice to
> resolve their problems with getting the needed accomodations in
> school, when none of us; you, me, anyone, know every little fact about
> the person's situation and the person in general. So, I propose to all
> of you that we work to just give some constructive advice when a
> lister posts a question about a problem they're having. If one of us
> feels that they could do something differently, we could just suggest
> it encouragingly: "Have you tried doing this? Maybe you could try this
> instead of that." Hope this makes sense!
>
> Chris
>
> P.S. Joshua, while I understand your frustrations, I don't think Peter
> should be banned from the list altogether because of his recent
> comments. Of course, that's up to Mr. Andrews, but I think we should
> encourage freedom of speech on our lists. I think people should only
> be banned from the list if they are spamming it (Alexander Kaiser, for
> example,) or posting inappropriate content to it, i.e. sexual material
> or a lot of cursing.
>
> On 8/27/11, Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> wrote:
>> Good evening Josh and everyone,
>>
>> If you're faced with a "Last resort" situation you'll need to hire a
>> transcriber and have the book translated and embossed and raise the funds
>> for this service yourself. Furthermore why did you not research this
>> before
>> the semester began! It sounds to me like you have a rough road to hoe. The
>> good news is that when the going gets tough the tough get going and win in
>> the end. This is what Mary and I would do if we were in your situation.
>>
>> Peter Donahue
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 7:08 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO
>>
>>
>> I would try APH and the Hadley School for the Blind's Braille
>> transcribing services.  It may cost a bunch, but that's all I can
>> offer.
>> Beth
>>
>>  ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Date sent: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:17:56 -0500
>> Subject: [nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO
>>
>> Hi, it's Joshua Lester.
>> My DSO lady informed me, that they've contacted the National
>> Braille
>> Press, about my Math textbook.
>> They said, that they don't have any college textbooks, in
>> Braille.
>> Where else can we go?
>> Thanks, Joshua
>>
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>
> --
> Chris Nusbaum
>
> "The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real
> problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that exists. If
> a blind person has the proper training and opportunity, blindness can
> be reduced to a mere physical nuissence." -- Kenneth Jernigan
>
> Visit the I C.A.N. Foundation online at: www.icanfoundation.info for
> information on our foundation and how it helps blind and visually
> impaired children in MD say "I can!"
>
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-- 
Chris Nusbaum

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real
problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that exists. If
a blind person has the proper training and opportunity, blindness can
be reduced to a mere physical nuissence." -- Kenneth Jernigan

Visit the I C.A.N. Foundation online at: www.icanfoundation.info for
information on our foundation and how it helps blind and visually
impaired children in MD say "I can!"