[NABS-L] Camera Accommodations In Virtual College Classes?

[Sandra Gayer]

Hello Nick,

I'm a soprano singer, actor, voiceover, voice coach and Braille Music 
teacher.


Camera work can be an issue for us but as long as there aren't any 
stipulations about the kind of camera you have, you could get away with 
the built-in camera on your computer. If you have a laptop, you can 
orientate yourself to it, so that you could be reasonably confident 
you're straight, in relation to it. I always ask if whoever it is can 
hear me an see me. Sometimes I could ask, do I need to adjust the frame? 
Once you get used to doing these things, it's quicker and easier. If you 
want to be a professional in any field, it's something you'll have to 
get used to and confident in, even if the confidence is under the 'fake 
it till you make it' heading. School might allow you to sit there with 
your camera off but if you're doing client work with sighted people, 
know that they set a lot of store by being able to see who they are 
talking to. They're very uncomfortable without that, even if they say 
it's fine to have your camera off. They always prefer if you are 
visible. The main things to be aware of is how you look, how clean and 
tidy you are. Be in the frame all the time, if they want to see you. You 
can't wander off to another part of the room and have the lecture on in 
the background, or eat your food, or anything else. I get away with 
typing at the same time, because my hands are out of shot. You'll learn 
what is and what isn't in shot, if you practise with 
friends/family/trusted colleagues. The fun starts when you have 
external, high definition cameras and microphones, keeping eqipment out 
of shot whilst looking like a million dollars. Until then, enjoy this.


Very best wishes,

Sandra.

On 24/08/2025 23:45, Nick Stover via NABS-L wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> My college career has been made entirely of virtual classes, with most
> professors being very laissez-faire as to whether one's camera was on or
> off. A professor this semester, however, is very avid for video this
> semester, complete with cameras. I'm totally blind, so setting up a camera
> is not the easiest thing in the world. Trying to feel out if there's a
> blind consensus for these situations: do you insist on accommodation of the
> camera being off which my DRC adviser has made clear I can do, or take it
> as learning opportunity because you will be expected to utiliz  similar
> set-ups in professional contexts? And for those of you who operate
> professionally, how valuable are these sorts of skills? Is this the sort of
> visual expectation you can subvert without much fuss, or have you had
> negative feedback/consequence from having your camera off at meetings?
> Warmly,
> Nick
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