[nabs-l] the test accomodations

Julie McGinnity kaybaycar at gmail.com
Sun Apr 28 22:22:53 UTC 2013


I have a quick point about readers.  Sometimes a reader can't
pronounce anything better than jaws can.  The only difference is that
we are used to jaws' pronunciations.

Also, with foreign language, it's easy enough to handle.  If you ask
your professor to write up the foreign language test in a word doc and
change the language in Microsoft word, that problem is solved.  Jaws
thinks it needs to speak the different language when it sees it in
Microsoft word.  Don't ask me why it works...  But it does.

On 4/28/13, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> Could you switch your screen reader's language to German (or whichever
> language you are learning) and have it read the test?
>
> Chris Nusbaum, Co-Chair
> Public Relations Committee
> Maryland Association of Blind Students
> Phone: (443) 547-2409
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hope Paulos
> Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2013 2:50 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] the test accomodations
>
> When I was in school, the prof actually read me the exams because none of
> th
> readers spoke German. You might consider getting an electronic copy so you
> can review the words letter by letter with screen reader. Then you can
> email
> the test to prof after you're done.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne
> Germano
> Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2013 2:40 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] the test accomodations
>
> None except to fill in scantron. I was just making a suggestion since she
> is
> so worried about the pronunciation.
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 28, 2013 at 11:22 AM, christopher nusbaum <
> dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Just curious: if you were to have a braille copy of the test, what is
>> the point of having a reader?
>>
>> Chris Nusbaum
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 28, 2013, at 11:52 AM, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
>>
>> > Can they provide you a Braille copy of the test so you can follow
>> > along with the reader?
>> >
>> >
>> > On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 9:34 PM, Arielle Silverman <
>> > Arielle.Silverman at asu.edu> wrote:
>> >
>> >> I really think you will be less stressed and happier if you cut out
>> >> the DSS middleman, and just work with your professor. As a backup,
>> >> if the prof is totally unwilling, you can go back to DSS and follow
>> >> their rules. But you said the prof is helpful, so it's likely he'll
>> >> be willing to work something out with you that's fair.
>> >> Arielle
>> >>
>> >> On 4/27/13, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>> What they mean is "if you take the test in our building you have
>> >>> to use our readers". The DSS policies don't apply to you once you
>> >>> step out of their office.
>> >>> I  don't know where other blind students have taken tests with
>> >>> their private readers, but I'd think you could do it in a
>> >>> designated testing room in the building where the class is, or you
>> >>> could go to the professor's office hours and do it there while the
>> >>> professor is around to ensure you don't cheat.
>> >>> If you ask the professor, they might be able to offer a reader who
>> >>> works for the department, like a student worker or an assistant. I
>> >>> don't know how it works in community colleges, but I know at my
>> >>> university, the psych department has a huge support staff. This
>> >>> will help you avoid having to pay out of pocket, though even then
>> >>> you might end up sacrificing a little bit on reader quality.
>> >>>
>> >>> Remember: the DSS policies are binding on the DSS staff, but
>> >>> they're not binding on you as the student. The only one who really
>> >>> has control over how you take tests is the professor. Some
>> >>> professors give their entire classes online exams. That's their
>> >>> right
> as professors to do.
>> >>> If the professor trusts you enough to let you use your own reader,
>> >>> or to use your laptop in class, or any of a number of other
>> >>> accommodations, that's their decision to make.
>> >>>
>> >>> Arielle
>> >>>
>> >>> On 4/27/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> >>>> Arielle,
>> >>>> So you're suggesting that the professor and student which is me
>> arrange
>> >>>> for
>> >>>>
>> >>>> a private reader I hire to take the exam.
>> >>>> Where would I take the exam then? I'll have to check if this
>> >>>> violates school
>> >>>>
>> >>>> policy.
>> >>>> Are you saying that you know blind students using their own
>> >>>> readers
>> for
>> >>>> exams with no objection from the professor? Where would they take
>> >>>> the exam and how does the professor ensure that you did not cheat
>> >>>> then?
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Ashley
>> >>>>
>> >>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>> From: Arielle Silverman
>> >>>> Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 11:03 PM
>> >>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] the test accomodations
>> >>>>
>> >>>> No, a DSS office cannot legislate what you do outside of their
> office.
>> >>>> If you and the professor agree that you will use a reader you
>> >>>> hired yourself, the DSS office cannot step in and veto that
>> >>>> arrangement you worked out with your professor. The DSS office
>> >>>> only has authority if you give it to them by asking to take the
>> >>>> test
> in their office.
>> >>>> Hiring your own readers for testing is only a problem if the
>> >>>> professor has an objection to it. Many professors are quite
>> >>>> laid-back about things like that, even if they are technically
>> >>>> not quite in line with school policy.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Arielle
>> >>>>
>> >>>> On 4/26/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>>> Sounds like a possible ADA case if it gets to far.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> >>>>> Ashley Bramlett
>> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 10:21 PM
>> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] the test accomodations
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Arielle,
>> >>>>> oOh, um, this is a community college. I'm finished my BA degree
>> >>>>> but taking classes to further my studies and get a writing
>> >>>>> certificate. The
>> class
>> >> I
>> >>>>> need a competent reader for is religion.
>> >>>>> No a TA won't work. Also, Its community college.
>> >>>>> you make it sound easy. Gee, I do wish I could get my own readers.
>> >> Gosh.
>> >>>>> I
>> >>>>> can think of like 20 people who would be competent readers and
>> >>>>> have a clue how to read such a test. But no, they don't allow me
>> >>>>> to do this.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> I do indeed have my own readers for studying and reading texts
>> >>>>> and looking up material and research, but no I cannot bring a
>> >>>>> reader to the exam. Personally, I think this is a legal
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> matter and they need to change the policy so you can have the
>> >>>>> option
>> to
>> >>>>> bring your own competent reader as an accomodation under the
>> >>>>> ADA. Its not fair, not equal access, and can cause one to get a
>> >>>>> lower grade using bad readers.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Ashley
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: Arielle Silverman
>> >>>>> Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 7:45 PM
>> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] the test accomodations
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> You can also ask the professor if the teaching assistant can
>> >>>>> read/scribe your exam, if there is one for the class. Most
>> >>>>> teaching assistants are graduate students or advanced
>> >>>>> undergraduates in the department and should know the material
>> >>>>> well, and since they're trusted employees of the professor, they
>> >>>>> are trusted not to help you cheat. Plus, many TA's have nothing
>> >>>>> else to do during an exam and would otherwise just be sitting
>> >>>>> around. If the class has no teaching assistant, as in a
>> >>>>> community college, maybe the professor could read it for you and
>> >>>>> scribe your answers during office hours the day before the test
>> >>>>> or
> some such?
>> >>>>> I know that blind students have hired their own readers for
>> >>>>> testing, which allows them to pick people who are competent.
>> >>>>> Some disability services offices frown on this practice because
>> >>>>> they prefer to hire and manage readers themselves, but it's an
>> >>>>> option that's at least worth discussing with your professor, who
> might not care much.
>> >>>>> Arielle
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> On 4/27/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
>> >>>>>> I haven't used readers since I am a partial and use cctv but
>> >>>>>> when I
>> >> had
>> >>>>>> disabled students pay for a chemistry lab aid I insisted the
>> >>>>>> person
>> >> was
>> >>>>>> a
>> >>>>>> chem major and an A student.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> So maybe you could find your readers through the department.
>> >>>>>> And
>> then
>> >>>>>> you
>> >>>>>> interview them by having them read to you.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 3:30 PM, Kirt
>> >>>>>> <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I'm in the middle of the nightmare that is transferring
>> >>>>>>> between colleges, but the college I am leaving almost always
>> >>>>>>> provided me with
>> competent
>> >>>>>>> and
>> >>>>>>> capable readers. Sure, they might pronounce a few words
>> >>>>>>> incorrectly But they knew how to read out loud.  I hope I
>> >>>>>>> don't run into the same problem you are dealing with right now
>> >>>>>>> and my next college.
>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> On Apr 27, 2013, at 11:21 AM, "Ashley Bramlett"
>> >>>>>>> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> >>>>>>> wrote:
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> Hi all,
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> As finals approach, I wanted to know what test accomodations
>> >>>>>>>> you get.
>> >>>>>>>> Do
>> >>>>>>> you feel they are adaquate and meet your needs?
>> >>>>>>>> If you need a reader and person to scribe your answers on a
>> >>>>>>>> scantron,
>> >>>>>>> how are they? Are they competent readers?
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> I'm going through a discriminatory situation now. Most my
>> >>>>>>>> readers were
>> >>>>>>> incompetent but I got around that by asking them to speak
>> >>>>>>> slower
>> and
>> >>>>>>> repeat
>> >>>>>>> things; I mean they could not speak all that clearly and read
>> >>>>>>> fast
>> >> and
>> >>>>>>> spoke to the paper not articulately to me. Many exams I took
>> >>>>>>> with
>> >> jaws
>> >>>>>>> to
>> >>>>>>> avoid this; I feel this way is slower for me and a reader can
>> >> directly
>> >>>>>>> mark
>> >>>>>>> my answers on a scantron as well as go back to questions I
>> >>>>>>> missed.
>> If
>> >>>>>>> I
>> >>>>>>> need a reader scribe I should be given a competent reader.
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> I'll tell more about this specific test issue in another
>> >>>>>>>> message.
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> Look forward to seeing your responses.
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> Ashley
>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>> >>>>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40g
>> mail.c
>> >>>>> om
>> >>>>>>>
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>> >> edu
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-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16




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