[NABS-L] Urgent - Studying College Level STEM Without Tactile Material

[Emily Schlenker]

Hi. I cannot tell you whether or not Visual aids rendered as tactile materials are essential for your particular learning style, but they are deemed essential for all other students, therefore they are obviously valuable ways to learn things.  most algebra classes, chemistry, trig, and physics classes have data rendered graphically or rely on shapes and other types of diagrams. is it possible for the school to pay someone who is in close proximity to you to create such diagrams using rubber bands and other materials? it is possible for you to take classes that may not have so many visual aids, but eventually you will have to take courses that do, and the school will have to be prepared. The pandemic does not give any university in the US permission to disregard the ADA and rehab act.


Good luck.
Emily Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 15, 2020, at 10:48 PM, Bhavya shah via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> As an international incoming freshman at a US university, I am now
> faced with the real possibility of studying for the entirety of my
> frosh year online. There are so many other factors to consider, but
> this mail is about one specific one.
> 
> I plan on studying subjects and taking classes that have visual
> content like graphs, diagrams and other figures, i.e. STEM and related
> areas. Since I will be enrolled remotely, my university's Office of
> Accessible Education has assured me (a) alt text for images in my
> study material, and (b) a visual descriptionist who will be a graduate
> student in the subject of the class. However, what is very uncertain
> right now is access to tactile graphics because of all the timelines
> and challenges of international shipping. We are still exploring this,
> but there is a good chance I won't be able to receive tactile graphics
> for the period in which I am enrolled remotely.
> 
> Which subjects do you think have a substantial visual component to it?
> I am not interested in physics or biology, but definitely want to take
> up Mathematics, try a Chemistry class or two, study new disciplines
> like Linguistics, and be able to have as many options open for
> coursework.
> For these fields, how important do you think is tactile material to
> properly understand and absorb the subject matter? Could I do without
> it and be successful while relying only on textual and verbal means
> instead?
> Do you think it is generally possible for me to design my first year
> course load a little differently so as to take only those classes
> which are less graphical in nature? I am thinking I could focus more
> on probability than conics in mathematics for instance. It is worth
> keeping in mind here that not all topics are are covered in frosh
> friendly courses so my ability to do this may be limited.
> 
> The reason why I indicate urgency in the subject line is because I
> need to take my call about going ahead with remote enrollment or
> considering a gap year very soon. Any inputs or perspectives are
> hugely appreciated.
> 
> Best Regards,
> Bhavya Shah
> Stanford University | Class of (hopefully) 2024
> ;
> 
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