[nabs-l] braille tests and accomodations

[bookwormahb at earthlink.net]

Hi All,

AS you may know from reading my last question, I have a test for the technical editing class and the test requires us to edit it for errors like spelling and punctuation.
When I asked my professor about what we’re tested on she said this:
“Exam 1 will also involve applying proof reading symbols to edit a document provided at the Testing Center. (A copy of the usual synbols will be provided.)”

So I need to read it; a reader is Not a reasonable accomodation for this because they cannot convey the errors.
Next I have grammar tests, probably three of them,  for applied grammar.
I said probably because it’s the first time the professor is teaching the class and she is not sure how far we will get.

These writing classes are part of a writing certificate; I already finished my degree.

Anyway, for language study, where you have to really analyze sentences and think through every word, braille would be so much better.
Do your colleges provide braille for technical subjects like math, science or foreign languages?
Maybe even english if you have to really study it?


I feel at a disadvantage without braille. I feel it tests my ability to listen rather than the matterial. The directions for quizzes are complex and probably the same with grammar tests.
I’d still need a reader with the braille but I could read it and then dictate my answers; so the “reader” would really be more of a scribe then.

Students have to mark certain things to note the grammar in each centence.
For instance bracketing prepositional phrases, underlining adverbial phrases, and marking with an arrow the complete subject.


Having only a reader may hinder my ability to perform well.
I want the test to test my knowledge of the subject, not other abilities like communicating to a reader. I have to listen to the sentence several times. Then repeat the clause I want underlined or bracketed off or whatever the directions say.
Its real tetious and I can’t imagine what a test will feel like.

Sean said in another message
“It seems to me that, given your completely reasonable request to have a
Braille version of the articles you are to edit, the onus is on the school
to find a way to provide them to you.”

I totally agree. I just wrote the dss counselor asking if they could get braille through GMU.
I explained that a reader was not an adequate accomodation, given the fact I need to read to observe errors!

We’ll see what happens.  
I also wonder if the ADA requires them to provide our prefered accomodation for tests, so our abilities are tested, not another factor.\

Okay, just venting a little.
I just am a conscientious student and do not feel that readers are a decent  accomodation in this case, particularly when they are new and have not read often out loud.

Ashley