[nabs-l] SO MANY ACCOMMODATION ISSUES! Advice needed!

Fri Oct 30 05:08:20 UTC 2015

I've gotten to the point where I record everything said in meetings. Even within front row, I can't see. (I'm lucky to tell that there is writing at times!) 
Everything is documented. All of the issues I have stated is directly from my accommodations letter. My math professor is part time, and like I said--anti-technology. My history professor--well, there is no way to follow in his class. He rambles on about many different things at a time. I'm taking 15 credits this semester. I have notetakers that ASD (my schools equivalent to DRC) pays for, but like I said, I'm lucky to get the little notes I do. There is no way to explain this semester, I hate that somehow I got all bad professors! (All recommended by my former ASD councilor!) 

Chelsea Peahl

> On Oct 29, 2015, at 10:59 PM, Ashley Bramlett via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Chelsea,
> 
> Also keep copies of emails from your disability counselor.
> If you file complaints, the more writing you have, the better.
> 
> Meanwhile, if you are taking over full time credits which at most schools is 12 credits, you probably should withdraw from some classes.
> If you are set on working within the class and trying to keep decent grades, then I suggest getting notes from classmates and getting tutors. Also, to access writing on the board, you could ask students to read to you or have your notetaker read it to you. In classes where there was a lot of notes on board, I'd ask someone to read them to me whispering it of course. Usually the professor spoke what they wrote for me though.
> Are these white boards? White boards offer more contrast as you have white on black writing. If they keep all notes up all class, if you walk up to it after class, you can copy down what is there.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: chelsea peahl via nabs-l
> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 11:58 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: chelsea peahl
> Subject: [nabs-l] SO MANY ACCOMMODATION ISSUES! Advice needed!
> 
> I am in dier need of advice!This is my first semester returning to school after taking a year-long leave of absence to receive blindness training in Utah. I may have entered this semester too confidently, but I felt like I could better advocate for myself, but this semester may get the better of me.
> I'm not just dealing with accessibility or accommodation issues in one or two classes, but all of them plus with my universities accessibility center. (ASD) Here is just a glimpse of whats happening
> Math: Everything is done on the board. He uses no technology in his class, and is not open to trying anything. I cannot see anything happening, and so have had to teach myself math this semester off of YouTube videos. He does not have office hours, and does not respond to emails. My midterm was not emailed to the ATC to be made accessible until the day of the midterm, and that is what has happened with several tests as well. I have a notetaker, but having to rely on her notes isn't enough for a math class. We have since tried using a transcriber, but because I have to make the font so large to read it, most problems do not fit on the screen. I am unable to see a problem start to finish because the program kicks me to wherever the person is typing and I am unable to look back. We have since discontinued this service because it wasn't working for me. We are looking for a new option to fill this. (ATC is looking at trying a video magnifier, but we won't have access to one for weeks to try, then we will have to purchase one which will take a few additional weeks, and by the time it arrives, the semester will be over.
> HIstory: I have a notetaker who is decent in there, but access to slides is a joke. I did not receive slides until the day before the midterm for the semester. How do you study for a midterm when you get the information the day before. I have yet to receive any slides since our midterm 2 weeks ago. I talk to him daily almost begging for the slides, but it has yet to happen.
> Music: I have an intro to music class online. I learned that my accommodation letter was never sent (thats how my university does it for online classes) and therefore I have no accommodations for my tests within that class. I am working my hardest to get them, but its after midterms, so I may never receive accommodations for the course.
> English: My english class is a joke. It has been since the beginning. At first, my professor tried sending me into the hallways for our daily quizzes (I haven't figured out why) Everything is done on the board through powerpoint and other sources daily, and the only thing I am ever given access to is the quiz (Printed). She has emailed me asking if I was going to drop her class, has refused to give me quizzes with the class, calls out my blindness almost daily, and doesn't give me access to any extra credit that the rest of my class gets. Because I am unable to see the board, and she is unwilling to help me, I am left to figure everything out on my own. (which sucks. If Im paying to take a class, maybe she should teach me that subject) Just today, she sent me another email saying the stuff shown overhead isn't that important...and if I thought it was unfair, I should go talk to her. (I talk to her DAILY to no avail!) I have since been advised by ASD to not return to her class until further notice. (which is stressful because we have daily quizzes that can't be made up.) I also have a notetaker, but I'm lucky to receive a few sentences of notes once a week.
> ASD: My councilors was of accommodating me with the struggles in my classes was to offer to buy professors larger markers and to tell me to walk to the board if I can't see it. (I'm legally blind at 20/400 and 20/600 vision, and declining.) I have brought up these issues since first week, and he never tried to approach the situation in the slightest. After weeks of fighting, I finally got someone to listen to me. (our amazing Lab Tech, Jenna! She has gone above and beyond her job to help me, and I couldn't thank her enough.) When she heard there was this big of a problem, she has been working to try and help me solve this. I have since gone through a councilor change to try and get something done, and yet, nothing is happening. (other than a few emails sent.)
> Its past midterms. My grades are suffering because of this all, and its not my fault! I'm frustrated! My grades aren't due to laziness or not doing the work, they are from test scores because how can you study when you are never given the information?!
> It has been advised to file a formal grievance against the university, but I still hold on to hope that things will get better, but I have fought all semester. I have talked to professors almost daily. I've stated these issues since the beginning. I have fought with the ASD more than once a week. I have had to get a new councilor, and have sat through multiple meetings a week with the ASD and ATC. I have had to threaten a formal grievance, (and may have to file one.) I overall feel like I'm becoming the ASD "Problem client" and thats the last thing I want. I just want access to my classes! I know I should pick my battles, but if I back down now, I'm backing down for the next three years or longer, and I'm not willing to do that! This is my education, and I deserve access just like everyone else! This is definitely taking a tole on me!
> I need your advice on where to go from here. I have more meetings tomorrow and throughout next week, and I need to get them to hear my voice, and what may have been helpful to you!
> Thank you! Chelsea Peahl
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