[nabs-l] Need some help college issues

Sat Nov 23 01:00:08 UTC 2013

Bridget,

Just to clear a little something up. The requirements given to me by
the MyMathLab site  to make the accessibility issue better with the
MyMathLab was not to go back on Jaws but to go back to I.E. 9 and to
download Math Player produced by Design Scientific. However, I was
using I.E. 10 and had not experienced any issues using that version of
I.E.

HTH,
Tamika Williams

On 11/22/13, Tamika Williams <twilliams.jaguars at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello Bridget,
>
> I also wish I would have followed this thread sooner. It seem that
> everyone has given you great advice so I will only add to one that
> sticks out to me the most. I had a similar situation with several
> MyLab programs and attended the Pearson Higher Education seminar at
> this past convention. There they were giving us information on how
> they were making progress on making their products accessible. I
> collected contact information from a couple of those people which I
> will provide below. Furthermore, I have contacted them since the
> convention and they have been very helpful. In reference to the actual
> book, the advice they gave me was to go to your course homepage, go to
> course tools, and there will be a link to the html format of the book
> which was very accessible to me. However, I dropped this class early
> on because I felt that I needed traditional course instead of a
> self-taught online course, so I did not get around to seeing if the
> actual assignments were accessible but the Pearson representative did
> say that it would be. In addition, I also had her to join this list
> serve because she needed a place where they could ask questions about
> their accessibility ideas and need some students to test the ideas out
> at times. I knew that we wouldn't mind this at all being that we are
> faced with textbook accessibility issues constantly.  So contact her
> on this list and call her and see if she could help you at all. The
> information is as follows:
>
> Rep name: Hei-jung Kim
> Phone: 617-848-6104
> E-mail: hei-jung.kim at pearson.com
>
> On 11/22/13, Jamie Principato <blackbyrdfly at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Bridget,
>>
>> I invite you to contact me off list, and is be happy to discuss this
>> situation with you and perhaps help you a numerate some options. I had a
>> very similar situation at my previous university in Florida, and
>> eventually
>> did have to take legal action against the university before issues in the
>> Math and disability services departments were addressed. Though I've
>> since
>> left that school, it improved tremendously as a result of our lawsuit and
>> will be better now for future blind students. Anyway, I hate to see
>> anyone
>> going through what you've described without support, and I would love to
>> share my experience and help you in any way I can.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Jamie
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 22, 2013, at 1:16 PM, Bridget Walker <bridgetawalker13 at aol.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm glad I'm not the only one who
>>> thinks
>>> this is crazy. I'm acting on everything trying to plan my next step.
>>> I'll
>>> keep you posted.
>>>
>>> Bridget
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>> On Nov 22, 2013, at 12:55 PM, Joshua Hendrickson <louvins at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Bridget.  This situation is not right at all.  I know how difficult
>>>> using my math lab can be.  I used tutors to read me the questions that
>>>> were on the my math lab site and did the questions with my tutor.  I
>>>> didn't do all the questions, but about half of them, my math
>>>> professors were very acomidating in this regard.  I took the tests for
>>>> my math classes, some with the instructors, and some at our colleges
>>>> testing center.  I'd say geometry was one of the hardest math classes
>>>> I took, but some of the algebra wasn't so bad.  Since you have CP, can
>>>> you use a brailler ok?  If so, you should use a brailler to write out
>>>> some of your math problems so you'll understand them.  This does take
>>>> sometime, but is really worth it in the long run.  If I had had one of
>>>> the new notetakers with Nemith braiolle input, I would have used it.
>>>> What your school is doing is completely wrong.  I'm very surprised
>>>> your Disability Support Office didn't help you if your school has a DS
>>>> office.  Please keep us posted on what happens.
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/22/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
>>>>> This is true. VR fought me on something and once I filed an official
>>>>> appeal, all of a sudden what I was asking for was approved. They did
>>>>> not
>>>>> want to do the legal channel.
>>>>>
>>>>> I agree if she has done all the channel at the school she needs to do
>>>>> the
>>>>> next step. In the meantime is there any blind org in your area that
>>>>> could
>>>>> help provide braille and the other things you need?
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a lot of usable vision but am totally color blind and when I
>>>>> asked
>>>>> DRC for ideas on handling diagrams with color coded lines in my
>>>>> computer
>>>>> organization, the first thing they offered was to make tactile
>>>>> versions
>>>>> of
>>>>> every diagram in the book.
>>>>>
>>>>> Her school is being completely unreasonable and I think legal action
>>>>> may
>>>>> be
>>>>> necessary.
>>>>>
>>>>> Suzanne
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Fri, Nov 22, 2013 at 8:02 AM, Joshua Lester
>>>>> <JLester8462 at pccua.edu>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Yeah!
>>>>>> She has gone to all of the higher-ups in the school, and nothing's
>>>>>> changing.
>>>>>> Once they know she means business, and they hear that a lawsuit is
>>>>>> probable, they'll give her what she needs!
>>>>>> Most people want to avoid lawsuits, so if we "Scare them straight,"
>>>>>> they'll do what's right by her!
>>>>>> Blessings, Joshua
>>>>>> ________________________________________
>>>>>> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of justin williams
>>>>>> [
>>>>>> justin.williams2 at gmail.com]
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 8:59 AM
>>>>>> To: tyler at tysdomain.com; 'National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>> mailing
>>>>>> list'
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need some help college issues
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Where should she take it?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>>>> Littlefield,
>>>>>> Tyler
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 9:53 AM
>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need some help college issues
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why is it that instead of working on alternative options, everyone
>>>>>> jumps
>>>>>> straight for a lawsuit? Maybe she has went through a ton of options,
>>>>>> but
>>>>>> why
>>>>>> not take it higher rather than say "o gawd nfb time lets sue lets sue
>>>>>> lets
>>>>>> sue o yeah lawsuit!"
>>>>>>> On 11/22/2013 4:49 AM, Joshua Lester wrote:
>>>>>>> Bridget!
>>>>>>> Good grief!
>>>>>>> You've already gone the nice route, so now it's time to contact
>>>>>>> Chris
>>>>>> Danielson, and get the NFB involved!
>>>>>>> Can anyone say lawsuit?
>>>>>>> I wouldn't reckomend suing unless you've exhausted all of your
>>>>>>> options,
>>>>>> but it looks like you have!
>>>>>>> Good grief!
>>>>>>> Blessings, Joshua
>>>>>>> ________________________________________
>>>>>>> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Bobbi Pompey
>>>>>>> [pompey2010 at yahoo.com]
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 1:54 AM
>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need some help college issues
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is ridiculous. Based on the info provided, you have spoken with
>>>>>>> DS
>>>>>> and professors. And both haven given you I ignorant, insensitive,
>>>>>> rude,
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> most importantly illegal feedback. In my opinion this is the proper
>>>>>> time
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> work your way up the chain of command. Talk to the head of
>>>>>> departments/colleges that the class falls under. Talk to the
>>>>>> department
>>>>>> chair over DS. And need be, talk to the Chanselor. Document
>>>>>> everything
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> had occurred and remind them of their legal obligations. I'm not
>>>>>> saying
>>>>>> sue
>>>>>> or threaten to sue them. But in my experiences, Judy saying the word
>>>>>> "illegal" scares them because they don't want a lawsuit. Plus it lets
>>>>>> them
>>>>>> know that you know your rights.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've had similar situations and this is what I did. I hope this
>>>>>>> helps!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bobbi A. L. Pompey
>>>>>>> (336) 988-6375
>>>>>>> pompey2010 at yahoo.com
>>>>>>> http://pompey2050.wix.com/bobbi-pompey
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Nov 22, 2013, at 12:26 AM, Bridget Walker
>>>>>>>> <bridgetawalker13 at aol.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi everyone,
>>>>>>>> I have reached a point where I need all the help I can get. First
>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>> helps to have some background. My primary disability is blindness due
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> TBI. I have another component to my condition which is spastic CP.
>>>>>>>> So I am now a junior, an education major, and think I have it all.
>>>>>>>> At
>>>>>> least that's how the semester starts.
>>>>>>>> I need to know what do I do if due to my secondary disabilities
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>> not blindness professors either refuse to accommodate me all together
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> focus on one disability and not the other?
>>>>>>>> My next question is in the area of equal access. I am all for
>>>>>>>> advocating
>>>>>> for yourself in this area and using whatever you have to get the job
>>>>>> done.
>>>>>>>> One of my professors uses google sites and although I made her
>>>>>>>> along
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> DS aware of the accessibility problem I am still required to use the
>>>>>> site.
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> sent everyone the letter Sean sent the list with my explanation but
>>>>>> they
>>>>>> don't care.
>>>>>>>> Now we move on to art. I'm taking a sculpture class nice and
>>>>>>>> tactile.
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> professor refuses to grade me because I'm blind and have CP. I can't
>>>>>> see
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> can't move my hands the way other people do. She said I receive a
>>>>>> pass
>>>>>> fail
>>>>>> for the class and am required to do everything but not for an actual
>>>>>> letter
>>>>>> grade. She told me at the start I can see powerpoints. Ok no if I
>>>>>> read
>>>>>> Braille, have a guide dog, and get migraines when I use my eyes I
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> think I can see. DS didn't even back me up I had to bring my eye
>>>>>> report
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> the head of the art department to prove my disability. Let's add in
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> part
>>>>>> there is already documentation about my disability at DS.
>>>>>>>> Finally we get to math. Let me say I knew math was going to be a
>>>>>> challenge. My book is I not accessible on my math lab with jaws 15.
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> college wanted me to downgrade my screen reader and my IE version so
>>>>>> my
>>>>>> math
>>>>>> lab might work. I tested it with an older version of jaws and windows
>>>>>> seven
>>>>>> it is not compatible as far spas I know. Bigger point I should not be
>>>>>> downgrading my technology for a book.
>>>>>>>> Then to have them say what is the big deal?
>>>>>>>> We have an embosser on campus. We are lucky. I have Braille as an
>>>>>> accommodation but, we need someone to Braille my tests because I
>>>>>> can't
>>>>>> that's not ok and DS is not trained. DS has brailled before and did
>>>>>> well
>>>>>> they just won't do it I guess a confidence thing. So I have to take
>>>>>> my
>>>>>> tests
>>>>>> with jaws. Jaws and math are not a good combo.
>>>>>>>> I just want to know what do people think of all of this?
>>>>>>>> I have met with as many resources on campus to reach a common
>>>>>>>> ground
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>> I get nowhere.
>>>>>>>> I have a year and a half left. I don't want it to be like this.
>>>>>>>> I feel like I take five steps forward and ten steps back.
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>> Bridget
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>> o.com
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Take care,
>>>>>> Ty
>>>>>> http://tds-solutions.net
>>>>>> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool;
>>>>>> he
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> dares not reason is a slave.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>