[nabs-l] which graduate program

Sun Aug 4 02:07:53 UTC 2013

Joe,
I think she was asking about  many issues such as transportation, safety, 
what the program was like and yes disability support services.
I did not read her message as making blindness a big deal.

I just had to speak up. As a woman, I'm also concerned about safety; I just 
heard about rapes on the news.
So, I think safety can be an issue because you want to have an active life 
but not unnecessarily put yourself in harm's way. There are great schools in 
bad areas as you said, but if you can go to an excellent school in a 
relatively safe area, that
would be a good thing if all other factors were met.

To Kelsey, you might want to take some self defense workshops. If safety is 
a concern at night, I suggest carrying your cell phone, walking in lit 
areas, and perhaps carrying a whistle.
The lit areas thing may be harder to know if you are completely blind, but 
ask someone about that. Try not to walk many places alone at night; if you 
are out, get a ride from a friend or arrange for a cab if affordable and 
possible. I mentioned this because hanging around at bus stops can be spooky 
sometimes at night. You may feel more vulnerable.
I'm not saying this because I doubt your skills, btw. I believe wether we 
can see or not, we shouldn't be walking around in dark places at night 
alone.
If you do need to go out, its usually safer either if you have a ride from 
someone or if you can at least be with friends. There is safety in numbers.

You mentioned the shuttle service. I remember when I was at marymount 
university, I caught our shuttle often from the metro to go back to school.
This was very helpful and afforded me more independence since I could go 
shopping or dining when I wanted to. While I did wait for the shuttle 
sometimes alone at night, I sure felt more comfortable when other students 
waited with me.
I'd ask the schools what public transit is near the school and what
transit services, if any, they provide to students. Some schools offer 
discounts on public transit and even have shuttles around campus because 
their campus is big.

Good luck with the decission.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Joe
Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2013 7:24 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] which graduate program

Kelsey,

I think it fair to ask what communities offer better public transportation.
However, I'm not so sure the safety factor is going to give you any degree
of satisfaction. There are great schools located in the midst of dubious
neighborhoods. Take, for example, the University of Chicago, the Catholic
University of America, Temple University, and the list goes on and on. If
safety is a high priority, you may very well decide studying at home is your
best bet.

If you are going to start making blindness a factor in choosing a school,
you're going to allow it to be a factor in choosing your future job. Yes, it
would be great if some disability services offered excellent support.
Unfortunately, most do not, and that's okay because in the working world the
support is zero. You may as well grow some confidence about advocating for
yourself now where the support systems are more plentiful in the academic
arena.

It's a little tough love. Yet, I assure you in the long run you'll be better
for it. Pick the program based on its potential to give you the best
training, the best investment of your time and money. The rest has a funny
way of falling into place when you need it to.

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay
Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2013 10:13 AM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] which graduate program

Hello,
I would like some of your opinions on this.  I just posted that I am
interested in a graduate program in speech-language pathobogy.
I have found three programs so far that sound interested.  One is at
University of Akron which is the online program I posted about before.  The
advantage to this one is that I can live at home while taking classes and
compaete clinicals in my hometown of Medina, Ohio.  The second progham is
Ohio State University.  My concern with Ohio State is that I would need to
relocate to Columbus.  Therefore, someone from that area, can you please
tell me what the safety of that neighborhood would be like? How is the bus
transportation? Do they offer any discounts for osu students or students
with disabilities? The final phogram I have found so far is Edinboro
University of Pennsylvania.  They are a two-year program.  This means I
would need to relocate to Edinboro.  What is it like there, if anyone is
from that area? Is it a relatively safe community for someone who is totally
blind? They do offer free bus transfortation on campus and in the Erie area
so that is something else to consider.  Their office of students with
disabilities is also national ranked.  Therefore, if you were in my
situation, which program would you choose and why?
Thanks in advance,
Kelsey Nicolay

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