[nabs-l] which graduate program

Sun Aug 4 18:54:42 UTC 2013

Keep in mind that if your blindness skills, and resources for accessibility
aren't all in alignment, then no matter how good the university's education,
you can't avail yourself of its benefits.  Get the most bang for your buck
between safety, the disability office, public transportation, and the
education program.  Also, make sure you like the people.  I was in a
graduate program for two years more than ten years ago.  Despite having the
other factors in alignment, I ended up getting black listed from the get go,
and I didn't like most of my colleagues.  I never got to even get my career
started; it was nearly a waste of a grad major.  Joe, your advice is a
little harsh for a young blind woman leaving home and moving to a new
environment to obtain an advanced agree.  Maybe you could provide her with
some advocacy tips or systemic techniques which can assist her to overcome
certain of those challenges.   I'm not saying that you are wrong, but what
you said does have merit, but if you can, please give her some pointers.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 1:47 PM
To: 'NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS'
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] which graduate program

Suzanne,

I did not say blindness could not be a factor in researching future
employment. I said using the strength of a disability service at a
university was misguided, because it puts us in the frame of mind that
future employment can be chosen on the strength of a disability service that
isn't there. We may as well start to advocate for ourselves at the
university level where there are far more resources than in the real world
where the support systems are significantly less.

Yes, one should be smart about choosing jobs where transportation is
feasible. Yet, graduate school is approximately two years long. A little
sacrifice is in order if the academics and job prospects after graduation
are great. Besides, I specifically pointed out that considering public
transit when choosing a school was a fair point.

As to safety, no one advocated you be careless. My point is that whether or
not an area is safe is subjective. Yes, talk to people about the general
area, and try to find a location that seems reasonable. Yet, do not expect
to find a completely satisfactory response, because what seems safe to one
person will differ from what seems safe to someone else.

We do not disagree as much as you think. I just wish you'd carefully read
what I wrote before responding.

Joe

From: Suzanne Germano [mailto:sgermano at asu.edu]
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 12:12 PM
To: jsoro620 at gmail.com; National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] which graduate program

How can we not consider our blindness in a future job?

For example if a company is miles from any bus stop then it is not an option
unless you can afford a cab everyday. Para-transit only goes 3/4 mile off
the bus route. Over the years, since I graduated high school in 1982, I have
researched car pooling and it never panned out. So for transportation I do
consider my vision when job hunting. It sucks but if I cannot get there, I
cannot get there.

And I would consider transportation around a school when looking at it's
pros and cons even sighted people take into consideration things like how
close are store etc. I see nothing wrong with wanting to choose a school
that has good public transportation.

And safe neighborhood, that has nothing to do with sight. I would not live
in an unsafe neighborhood sighted or blind.

Suzanne

On Sat, Aug 3, 2013 at 4:24 PM, Joe <jsoro620 at gmail.com> wrote:

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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