[Nfbc-info] My job/ my vision

[C Buckley]

Hello Tim

Thanks for your reply.  Your suggestions are very helpful. I told my
administrator a  week ago and they have not said anything since.  I asked
for an aid twice a week (two hours a week) in the lab - you know where the
students are working with chemicals.  I don't really have any problems as a
result of my vision in either the classroom or the lab but I don't want a
student to blame my vision on any accidents that might occur.  Accidents do
sometimes occur in the lab whether the teacher has vision or not.  Knowing
this I am a real stickler on safety procedures.

Would an aid be considered a "reasonable accommodation" for a teacher?

I am very nervous about what might happen.  I doubt that I could convince
an eye doctor that I am capable of teaching chemistry.  Even educated
people make assumption about what blind people are capable of doing.  The
funny thing is that I really do not have any problems teaching high
school.  I am competent and well respected by my students and staff
members.  I am currently a tenured teacher in my school district.

I know that students who are in the special education system have
"mediators" that attend meeting with them and their parents to ensure that
negotiations go well.  I wish I had a mediator!  Do you think that it would
be a good idea to contact my teachers' union?

Respectfully,
Caroline