[nabs-l] Access to Lab Experiments

Tue Aug 6 14:39:19 UTC 2013

You should pursue both the school and VR.

Your school has an obligation to make your labs accessible, and this is an excellent way to do so, especially since you will likely take a number of different  science labs.  Also, the product is built on a widely used commercial product, the lab quest, and your school may already be using them.  Thus, they would already have the appropriate probes available for labs.

On the other hand, VR could definitely buy this because it is a necessary piece of equipment for your training program.  Besides, you would conceivably be able to use it in employment, depending on the kind of work you go into.

Now you face the classic student conundrum - the school should do it as part of their obligations under the ADA and Section 504, and the VR rules say that such reasonable accommodations should be counted as comparable benefits.  Regs for the school under Section 504 say that the school can definitely go to Vr to assist with or share costs on some reasonable accommodations.  If the school doesn't do it they may be violating your rights, but then VR  should definitely still be held responsible.

You should explore both avenues openly.  Find out if your school's labs use the non-talking lab quest and probes for starters.  But think about whether it is something that you personally will want and need to use in the long term. That will make it easier to justify with VR if you go that direction.

Ultimately, you will have some research and negotiations ahead of you.

Good luck!
Dan Burke, Coordinator
Success in College

Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance
Colorado Center for the Blind
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Littleton, CO 80120
303.778.1130 ext. 213
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www.cocenter.org

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-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie P.
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 3:20 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Access to Lab Experiments

The issue is that it is. I'm paying my tuition out of pocket, and not even
getting in-state rates yet. My savings will run dry long before I finish my
degree, and even while on sale, it's a lot of money that I will likely need
to borrow and repay over time... so there are a lot of cost-benefit
calculations involved.

On Tue, Aug 6, 2013 at 12:53 AM, Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu>wrote:

> If it's not going to break your bank, buy it!
> Blessings, Joshua
> ________________________________________
> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Jamie P. [
> blackbyrdfly at gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 1:49 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Access to Lab Experiments
>
> I'm an Engineering major with a long list of Chemistry and Physics courses
> ahead of me. When I saw thte sale flyer for this device on Facebook today,
> I was ready to jump on it, especially since I discovered the product about
> a year ago and had a feeling it would be just what I need in the coming
> semesters. However, someone in my household told me that instead of buying
> it myself, I should be encouraging my school or voc. rehab agency to do so,
> so it would be available for other students, and so I can be sure it is the
> best solution for me before spending the money. I'm still on the fence
> about what to do and would love to hear other students' input. The sale
> right now cuts the price down to 1/3 of retail price, which is pretty
> incredible, and I'd hate to miss the opportunity...
>
> Best,
>
> Jamie
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 4:25 PM, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
>
> > I would push my school to buy it even for one class. It would then be
> > available to all blind/VI students. I do not trust classmates as not
> > everyone cares about getting A's. When I use a lab aid I will only use
> > someone who is majoring in the subject and has completed that course. I
> > want to be sure the info I am receiving is 100% accurate.
> >
> > Suzanne
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 3:09 PM, Ashley Bramlett
> > <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>wrote:
> >
> > > I'd only buy a device if I were very interested in science or a science
> > > major or in a related field.
> > > With just a course or two needed in science, you can use a lab
> assistant
> > > to describe the information to you.
> > > Just saying that if you buy it make sure the expense is justifiable.
> > > Ashley
> > >
> > > -----Original Message----- From: A Roth
> > > Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 5:27 PM
> > > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > > Subject: [nabs-l] Access to Lab Experiments
> > >
> > > Hello students,
> > >
> > > Has anyone heard of a product called the Talking Lab Quest by
> > Independence
> > > Science? I was given a flier by a colleague who attended the ISTE
> > > Conference. It says that the device improves access to science lab
> > > experiments. I'm interested in buying one (and it is on sale) if
> someone
> > > out there has one and can give me more info. Here is the link I found:
> > > http://specialoffer.**independencescience.com/<
> > http://specialoffer.independencescience.com/>
> > >
> > > Has anyone used this in class or otherwise?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Alan
> > > ______________________________**_________________
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> >
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