[nabs-l] Reliable readers

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Ashley,

I think it's reasonable to say, during the interview, that in order to
take the job a prospective reader needs to agree to follow a few
simple rules. Perhaps one rule could be that if they need to cancel a
scheduled appointment, they need to tell you a certain number of days
in advance so you can make other arrangements. Also it makes sense to
ask them to tell you their availability right away, with the
understanding that you can ask them to work during any of their
available times, and if their available times change they are
responsible for telling you as soon as they find that out. Clear
communication is the most important aspect of reliability, in my
opinion. I think it's fair to say up front that after a certain number
of violations of these rules (i.e. not giving advance notice about
schedule changes, being late or no-showing, etc.) they will be fired.
It's normal for something last-minute to come up every once in a
while, but if it's a repeat occurrence, this causes serious problems
for you. It's much easier to say this early on than to have to tell
them later that they're fired when they don't have any advance
warning.

I don't have much experience supervising readers but I do supervise
research assistants and we go over these kinds of rules with them as
soon as they sign up, and I haven't had any problems with RA
reliability.

Arielle

On 3/4/11, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
> Ashley, Rightsville Prison, (Rightsville, Arkansas,) has a Braille
> program. The innmates are taught how to transcribe Braille, and most
> Braille books that are given to students were produced by them. I
> wonder if Rightsville does college-levil textbooks. You might find
> out. Blessings, Joshua
>
> On 3/4/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> I did have a standard list of questions and felt I was prepared.  I did
>> not
>> have training in hiring / managing readers so I've learned throughout my
>> college years.
>>
>> I did have a sample; yet I should have had a few samples.  What I found
>> was
>> reader A might be good at reading one book and not another, but Reader B
>> might be able to read that book.
>> Some matterial is more technical than others.
>> Yes schedules change among readers; yet this person knew about his wife's
>> classes and therefore his need to watch kids.
>> What I am saying is I am up front about my schedule and I'd like readers
>> or
>> prospective readers to do the same.
>>
>> Maybe next semester will work better.
>> /ashley
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter
>> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 3:47 PM
>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nabs-l] Reliable readers
>>
>> Ashley,
>>
>> Hiring a reader should be approached like any professional job.  You,
>> the interviewer, should be just as prepared as those you interview.  Be
>> specific about what you need, and yes, I would have samples for them to
>> read-- afterall, they are applying for a job that requires them to read.
>>
>> Also, keep in mind that peoples schedules can change-- especially if
>> they have a family.  Your reader may not have anticipated any
>> complications with his family.  Children always throw a curveball into
>> the game!  *smile*
>>
>> If indeed your current reader ends up not working out, you may need to
>> let them go to find a reader who fits your schedule-- they are under
>> your employ.  However, don't take things out on them since you never
>> know what is happening in a person's life.
>>
>> Some universities do offer readers through their DSO, and most schools
>> have tutors-- you may want to look into this-- but most schools do not
>> necessarily hire readers who are great.  They use those who apply and
>> are available.  Just because a DSO has readers does not mean they will
>> be any better than ones you hire on your own terms, though their
>> schedule will probably work for you.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>>
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-- 
Arielle Silverman
President, National Association of Blind Students
Phone:  602-502-2255
Email:
nabs.president at gmail.com
Website:
www.nabslink.org