[nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get aworkingcomputerfor college

Fri Jul 20 19:58:46 UTC 2012

Hello,
Mac computers take a little learning curve, but I believe they are pretty 
easy  once you get the idea of what the screen reader does.
I'm not sure how you can get a Mac computer to use in order to learn it, but 
I believe that's what you should try to do.
BTW, on a PC the balloons that some people say pop up can be found in the 
notification area in the system tray. Mostly they aren't important as it's 
saying stuff about how you need to update your computer or turn on system 
control...
Just as long as it didn't cut out Jaws, things are pretty good. And even if 
it does cut out Jaws, NVDA is always there to save you.
I don't know how well you live on your own, but if you feel comfortable 
moving out and going to college, I'd say apply. I wouldn't try going to the 
big private colleges because rehab won't pay for it and their application 
fees are rather steep.
If I were you, I'd Google websites of about 10-15 colleges that you may like 
going to, and get your top 2 or 3 and apply to all of them, but there is a 
good possibility you won't get in many of them. Once you do get in though, 
tell rehab you're going and they need to pay.
BTW, it's too late to sign up for Fall quarter for one of the big colleges, 
maybe you should consider going to a community college? It's often much 
easier to transfer into your school of choice from a community college than 
just out of high school.
For college you need to know:
How to brows and navigate the internet, how to format and type in a text 
editor and how to email. It's also a good thing to know how to navigate 
through document and folder lists.
That's basically all that one needs to know to get through the first few 
years of college, so if you can somehow learn how to do that on a Mac, I am 
pretty sure they will proclaim you proficient.
Does anyone know of any virtual Mac programs that will allow people to use 
voice over on a mac setup on a PC?
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: Beth
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 8:33 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get 
aworkingcomputerfor college

Thanks for the link even.  They don't want me to have a Mac
because I'm "not proficient."  They are interpreting even a few
keystrokes as "no proficiency."  I don't know what to say or do
at this point because I want to succeed in college and thi stupid
work assessment training, but whaut they did to me, I don't know
whether it should be pointed out or avenged.
Beth

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brandon Keith Biggs" <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:21:14 -0700
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get a
workingcomputerfor college

Hello,
If you graduated high school and got excepted into college, you
should just
go and tell them that you're going and you need this, this and
this in order
to be independent. You need to have a technology assessment by a
professional blind technology person and it's your right to get
that
assessment. If your counselor doesn't get you the meeting with
the adaptive
technology professionals, talk to their supervisor. Let the
supervisor know
that your rehab counselor is keeping you from succeeding in
college and if
they want you to pass your classes, you have got to have a
computer. Because
you aren't someone with time to worry about a technology failure,
you really
need an apple computer that will be dependable and has the best
support in
the world.
http://www.apple.com/why-mac/
This is why you need a mac, and you have not had the experience
you want in
college with your PC, so because you want the best, you need to
have a Mac.
First rule of rehab, they want you to do and show what's best for
you. They
will only guide you if you let them. you must be sure, un moving
and firm
that this is what you want and there is nothing better you can
have, even
though there may be things you're uncertain about. Confidence is
the key and
independence is the way.
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message-----
From: Beth
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 10:01 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get a working
computerfor college

Hi.  The meeting with rehab was unsuuccessful in doing anything
but made me aware of stuff.  They don't want me to have a Mac
because they don't feel I should have one.  I understand they
don't buy macs in Colorado, but my concern about third party apps
fell on deaf ears.  They want me to do a "situational assessment
and work adjustment training."  They found an agency for me to
work at, and they're forcing me to go to mental health group and
counseling therapies.  Honestly, I'm getting tired of this.  I
didn't think a mental issue would cause the employment to be the
top priority.  But I can't exactly go along with Rehab and their
plans.  They pretty much coerced me into doing the work
adjustment training, saying that I was "putting the cart before
the horse" with college and all.  But most sighted normal people
go to college and get a major.  What am I supposed to do?
Thanks,
Beth

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