[nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed

Fri Aug 24 22:14:11 UTC 2012

Hello,
The question for the original topic was how to do top level language classes 
in Braille with all the switches between notes and worksheets and whatnot. A 
note taker is a good idea for such a high level class if you are feeling 
like it is overwhelming. After all, you have already passed the multitude of 
other classes to get to this point without a note taker. Just having an note 
taker for these extremely advanced classes is probably OK. When the class is 
speeding ahead in another language, and you have two languages flowing 
through your ears as well as the computer language that you need to change 
from one paper to another, having that backup would be nice. Of course a 
note taker is just a tool, it isn't an end. If anyone keeps that in mind I 
believe they will be fine.
I have never taken such a high level class, but a note taker could also be a 
study partner.
Thank you,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: Lavonya Gardner
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 2:54 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed

I just use my laptop iPad or my one on one

Sent from my iPad

On Aug 24, 2012, at 17:27, Danielle Sykora <dsykora29 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> Yes, I agree that we should be able to take our own notes. The ability
> to take notes is a very important skill. It doesn't seem practical to
> always expect to have someone else take notes for you.
> Just my opinion,
> Danielle
>
> On 8/24/12, Lavonya Gardner <hotdancer1416 at gmail.com> 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
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hotdancer1416%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dsykora29%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hotdancer1416%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
nabs-l mailing list
nabs-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
nabs-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/brandonkeithbiggs%40gmail.com 