[nabs-l] Sad news, from my DSO

Sun Aug 28 18:09:13 UTC 2011

Chris, I am actually taking Intermediate Algebra, this semester.
I'm not ready for College Algebra, yet.
I take it, next semester.
I'm doing this class, endependent study, with Mrs Nelson, (my Algebra
instructor.)
I do this one on one, but would like to move into the normal
classroom, next semester, for my final class.
Blessings, Joshua

On 8/28/11, chris nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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>>
>>
>>
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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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