[nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed

[David Andrews]

There is a place for note takers -- people who can't physically do it 
-- but for most of us, that level of hand holding isn't available in 
the real world.  and ... if you are capable of taking notes then it 
shouldn't be available.  Reasonable accommodations are that "reasonable."

There is a price for everything we ask for, so you only want to ask 
for those things where there is no good alternative.

Dave

At 04:10 PM 8/24/2012, you wrote:
>They have note takers for school and assistances for work. I have 1
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>On Aug 24, 2012, at 17:00, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
>
> > My view may not be popular -- but, it seems to me that as blind 
> persons we need to be able to take notes as does everybody 
> else.  Use of a human note taker, while it may seem expedient, 
> isn't going to prepare you for the real world.  Unless you have a 
> problem, in addition to blindness, most employers aren't, and 
> shouldn't provide you with a note taker.  We need to have the tools 
> to study as everybody else does.
> >
> > I would use the Braille note to take notes in class, and worry 
> about powerpoints etc. later.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > At 09:10 PM 8/21/2012, you wrote:
> >> Hello,
> >> If this is a state college, if you ask for a note taker, they 
> can't deny you a note taker. If they say that is against their 
> policy, say that is BS and you can sue them.
> >> If they are a private college that put you on a 504 plan the 
> case is the same. They can provide you accommodation if it isn't unreasonable.
> >> Thank you,
> >>
> >> Brandon Keith Biggs
> >> -----Original Message----- From: Ashley Bramlett
> >> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 6:37 PM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
> >>
> >> Aleeha,
> >> Well, that is too bad because I think a foregin language class 
> is one where
> >> a notetaker would be very  beneficial.
> >> If you feel you miss material in class, you can always go to the 
> professor's
> >> office hours. In my experience, they are generally real willing 
> to help and
> >> repeat or clarify any lecture material.
> >>
> >> Ashley
> >>
> >> -----Original Message----- From: aleeha dudley
> >> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 8:28 PM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
> >>
> >> I use a note taker in science classes and am not ashamed to say it. The
> >> university does not provide these services for foreign language classes.
> >> Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
> >>
> >> Aleeha Dudley
> >> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
> >> Changing what it means to be blind
> >>
> >> On Aug 21, 2012, at 6:40 PM, "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Aleeha,
> >>> Sounds like a handful. I would not be able to read notes on a 
> laptop, take notes and listen at the same time even if it was in english!
> >>> What teaching style does she use? I only took foreign language 
> in high school; I would not want to try in college due to no 
> braille availability. In high school I was accomodated with hard 
> copy braille and braille texts which was vital to my success; 
> college you have to do auditorily.
> >>>
> >>> What I'd suggest is not reading the class notes in class. Do 
> you need to read them for a worksheet or group activity? If so, 
> could someone else read them with you? Sometimes my professors have 
> a study guide but I follow auditorily since I ask the professor to 
> speak out the questions before going over them. If in a group of 
> students, I try and get them to read the handout to me so I can participate.
> >>> Instead of in class, get any handouts ahead of time and read 
> them. If you feel you need them in class, is it possible to put the 
> handout file on your braille note and switch files from your notes 
> and class notes?
> >>>
> >>> Another idea which might be quicker for accessing notes is to 
> emboss the class notes. Do you have an embosser of yours or the schools?
> >>> I find that i can  skim a hard copy document faster than a 
> braille display file.
> >>> Also recording class might help. Another idea, which many would 
> disagree with, is have a notetaker. Your school should provide a 
> notetaker upon request for you. Languages classes go fast and I 
> think it would be hard to take notes as fast as they go especially 
> when other students can copy notes from the board or slide at their 
> pace and you have to do it
> >>> right as the teacher talks.
> >>>
> >>> HTH,
> >>> Ashley
> >>> -----Original Message----- From: aleeha dudley
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 10:08 AM
> >>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >>> Subject: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
> >>>
> >>> I was wondering if any of you have taken 300 level foreign 
> language classes and if so, how did you keep track of all that is 
> happening in the class? I am finding it difficult to read the class 
> notes on my laptop, take my own notes on my Braillenote apex, and 
> also try to comprehend what the instructor is saying since it is 
> all in Spanish. Let me know what you think. Any ideas would be 
> greatly appreciated.
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Aleeha Dudley
> >>> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
> >>> Changing what it means to be blind
> >