[nabs-l] school is not accommodating

Sun Jan 22 21:05:40 UTC 2012

Amy,
I am pretty sure I will get a laptop; I'll share it with my dad though. They 
can get expensive, so its best if more than one person use it.
As for mobility, I did receive an orientation by a mobility instructor. 
Also, my parents helped me out. But its just that the new student union 
building with the bookstore, student café and more in it is laid out weird; 
its not a  particular shape; just a lot of open space. I'll do the best I 
can with it though. The counseling center is in a corner so it shouldn't be 
too hard to find.

I'm looking for readers as well. So looks like I'll have to make my own 
accomodations. However, I still will plan to speak to whomever purchased 
jaws; someone in the office of the vice president. I find it rediculous they 
don't have enough licenses; I'm not going to be the last legally blind 
student there.

Another drawback to just using my own equipment is that there is learning 
software and databases in the tutoring center and career center. If I use my 
own equipment, those programs are not on it.
I'm sure if I request jaws in the career center, I will get the same story 
about licenses. groan.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Amy Sabo
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:21 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] school is not accommodating

Dear Ashley,
I'm sorry that you are having difficulties with your situations and problems 
at a community college. I too had some of these same problems myself when I 
began my college experience way back in 2000 where I began at a community 
college in Michigan. And, here's what I had to do in dealing with all of 
these problems relating to yours.

As to the mobility situation on your campus I didn't have any o and m 
training even though I had asked the mi commission for some I didn't receive 
any at all. So, what I did was try to learn as much on my own by asking many 
questions and, also asking other students for sighted assistance and, then I 
knew where to go. I also had my parents or a sighted friend who was in one 
of my classes show me around the campus. So, those are 2 ideas on getting 
around your community college independtally. As for your it class I would 
get a laptop. I had a voicenote when I was at my community college which was 
helpful but, it didn't do everything that I needed for my classes so, a 
laptop is sooo much beneficial in working on the job and, also for college. 
And, you can have your own copy of jfw on it and, you don't have to rely on 
the dss office or the school's version or wait for their licenses of it for 
the keys. You said that you don't want to lug a large laptop around campus 
well, I used a roller bag for it and, it worked out fine or put it in a 
laptop bag for a backpack or messenger bag which is available for purchase 
all major stores. Or, you can purchase a netbook which is smaller than a 
laptop and, it works great with jfw. My sister has one as a matter of fact 
it's her second one to be certain of that!

As for the school's web site not being accessible with jfw have you advised 
the dss office of this? If yes or no then send a friendly email of your 
concerns and frustrations to the webmaster of the school's web site.

As for the cd for the textbook or other materials that you are using what 
format is it in? as for all of the it books try to get them in a accessible 
format on your own or get the dss office to assist you? When I began at my 
community college this happened to me and, I had to scan my books on my own 
or have a reader or a family member be my reader for me.

Besides rfbd there's other resources like bookshare or nls to name a few.

So, there are many resources and ideas that I have given to you. I hope that 
you can use them to your advantage. Take care and good luck!

Hugs,
amy

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
Of Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 12:14 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] school is not accomodating

Hi all,

Just want to vent. My school doesn’t seem very accomodating and they’re the 
largest community college in the commonwealth. Yo They got over five 
campuses and you can read about at www.nvcc.edu.

I’m just taking further classes to get a writing certificate and figured 
extra knowledge will enhance my resume as I look for work. No one’s hiring 
so it will be a whwile; might as well learn more.

First, my disability service office, DSO, does not scan any texts. I am 
still waiting for electronic text; fortunately, a family member can read 
meanwhile til I find a reader at school. If the publisher won’t give us the 
e-book, they likely never will; I mean its been two weeks!

Second, I am taking that It class as I mentioned before. The instructor 
wanted jaws installed in her office because she needs to show me the steps. 
Hmm. Maybe I need a laptop. But I hate the idea of lugging the thing around!
They tell us they don’t have enough licenses; um how absurd. They need lots 
of them. what if another blind student needs jaws in a classroom lab?

Third, they cannot braille tests; at least they will outsource to get it 
brailled though; just seems like a large school would be able to braille 
tests!

Fourth, this new building which holds the student service stuff and 
counseling center is very open few halls, few landmarks. I bet its not ADA 
compliant. I don’t know though. Its certainly confusing for a blind 
traveler. Sighted people get lost until they’ve been there a lot since its 
not laid out well.

Not to mention the inaccessible website and CD for the IT class too. 
Publishers need to get with the program!

Ashley
_______________________________________________
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/amylsabo%40comcast.net

_______________________________________________
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/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net 