[nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get a working computerfor college

Mon Jul 23 21:54:23 UTC 2012

Hi all,
Writing isn't some people's strong point. I know for example that my
math skills are extremely weak. When I was in elementary school, the
teachers didn't really know how to show certain concepts to me. I did
long division, but whenever I would use my Brailler, students would
tell me I was distracting them and making it so they couldn't learn.
Then they would throw erasers and rubber bands and a bunch of other
stuff at me. The teachers never did anything because they were just as
uncomfortable with my blindness as the students were. Anyway, back in
those days it was considered cheating to use a calculator, but I used
to do it anyway, just so I could pass. In my family, even getting a c
was considered a failure. Now, I've heard that things have changed
nowadays, and it's pretty much acceptable to use a calculator, but I
would neverfeel comfortable doing it. I would feel like I was doing
something wrong, and I think you can get kicked out of college for
cheating.
I say all this because now I'm at a serious disadvantage when it comes
to math. I need a calculator to do a lot of basic things. I can't even
calculate a tip for a cab or restaurant or whatever in my head. That's
just one of the reasons I'm not currently a student. I don't want to
fail or be kicked out of college for cheating.
The other reason I bring all this up is because, as I said, some
people are just weak in certain areas. tutoring may help in the short
term, but I think that these core curriculum skills, like reading or
math, are something that you're either good at or you're not. You
might be able to get some training wheels, and wobble your way through
the classes, but will it really increase your understanding to
noticeable proportions? I think not. It will get you through, and
maybe that's all that matters in the end, but due to my experiences
I'm really not sure.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from receiving tutoring, though. If that
makes the difference between a pass and a fail, then that's all you
need. But for me personally, I know there would be a lot of shame
surrounding it. I wouldn't feel right about paying someone an
astronomical (or minimal, if that's the case) fee just for them to go
running off and whisper about that stupid blind girl they had to help.
We've all heard about the dreaded stereotypes associated with
blindness. So wouldn't a person, a young person, and we all know how
ignorant certain people in this generation are, automatically put two
and two together, no matter how wrongly, and say hmmm, are all blind
people this stupid?

On 7/23/12, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Tyler,
> good post. I couldn't have said it better. You have to justify and Beth
> hasn't articulated a good justification. Macs get viruses too. In my state,
>
> they tend to buy windows computers. I don't know why the preference, but
> I've never heard of them going the apple route.
> So I think it will be hard to get one.
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Littlefield, Tyler
> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 1:32 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] meeting results and what to do to get a working
> computerfor college
>
> Can I ask why you're pushing for a mac? pointing them to apple
> propiganda so you can get it doesn't work. If you know you want it
> because it does something better than the pc, go for it. Otherwise, just
> get a pc.
> On 7/19/2012 11:21 PM, Brandon Keith Biggs wrote:
>> 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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>
>
> --
> Take care,
> Ty
> http://tds-solutions.net
> The aspen project: a barebones light-weight mud engine:
> http://code.google.com/p/aspenmud
> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that
>
> dares not reason is a slave.
>
>
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