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

Sat Oct 31 12:24:50 UTC 2015

What school is this?
ADA, it's a sham. So sorry you are going through this.

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 30, 2015, at 2:34 AM, josh lester via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Wow!
> If they don't make those things accessible, that's going to be a major
> problem for the school.
> 
>> On 10/29/15, chelsea peahl via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 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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> 
> 
> -- 
> Joshua Lester
> Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ
> "Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized everyone of you in
> the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall
> receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," (Acts, 2:38.)
> 
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