[Perform-talk] NFB Takes Stand re Education of Blind Children in Utah

[Beth]

Wow.  I have been in that situation where my textbooks were
transcribed months ahead of time.
Beth

On 6/10/09, Donna Hill <penatwork at epix.net> wrote:
> Hi Friends,
> Other than sticking a "for" in the NFB's name several times, which I
> wrote to her about, this writer does get high marks for getting the word
> out about the education of blind children in Utah. Full article follows
> the URL as usual.
> Donna Hill
>
> Complaint filed against Utah Schools for Deaf and Blind
> http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12556007Education » Parents, advocacy
> group ask state to fix alleged injustices.
>
> By Kirsten Stewart
>
> The Salt Lake Tribune
>
> Updated: 06/09/2009 06:53:41 PM MDT
>
> Imagine braving that first day of chemistry without a textbook. All the
> other kids have one, but yours is on back order.
>
> Or imagine being excluded from practice tests. And when test day
> arrives, the questions are illegible. Just do your best and guess, the
> teacher says.
>
> These are other injustices are alleged in a 14-page complaint filed
> Tuesday by the National Federation for the Blind, urging the
> Utah
>  State Office of Education to fix long-standing, deeply rooted problems
> at Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind.
>
> The problems constitute a violation of state and federal laws
> guaranteeing blind and visually impaired children a "free, appropriate
> education," the complaint
> alleges.
>
> The state has 60 days to investigate and respond. No one is threatening
> legal action, although that would be the next step.
>
> "Our hope is we can sit at the table and mediate a solution to all
> this," says Denise Colton, vice president of Utah Parents of Blind
> Children, an affiliate
> of the National Federation for the Blind.
>
> Officials at the schools for the deaf and blind did not immediately
> respond for comment Tuesday.
>
> The deaf and blind schools serve more than 1,400 students throughout the
> state, most of them enrolled in neighborhood schools and public charter
> schools.
> They supply Braille textbooks and other instructional tools,
> technologies and tutoring. And they collaborate with teachers to
> evaluate students and map
> their education plans
> and progress.
>
> But no formal agreement exists between the deaf and blind schools and
> local districts, leading to educational
> disparities
>  and confusion over who pays for services and who is responsible for
> providing them, say parents behind the complaint.
>
> Arbitrary "first-come, first-serve" rules dictate when students get
> Braille books, embossers and electronic note taking equipment, parents say.
>
> Colton says her 16-year-old daughter, Katie, went more than four months
> this year without a geometry book. And though textbook shortages are
> common in Utah's
> underfunded schools, the Park City mom says visually impaired children
> don't have the luxury of sharing texts.
>
> Blind students also are often excluded from practice tests. Even when
> instructional aids are available, teachers aren't always trained to use
> them, say
> parents. And there's little quality control to ensure Braille
> translations are accurate.
>
> Pat Renfranz says her 13-year-old daughter, Caroline, has complained
> over the years about Braille
> exams
>  with illegible or missing information. This year, Renfranz was able to
> convince Granite School District officials to preserve the tests and
> have them proofread.
>
>
> "So at least we're making some headway," said Renfranz. "But I feel it's
> only because Caroline was confident enough in her test-taking skills
> that anybody
> knows there's a problem with these tests."
>
> Teachers aren't to blame. The problem is inadequate training, says Mike
> Palmer, the father of two blind children attending a public charter
> school. "It's
> not like our word against theirs. Teachers are nervous about evaluating
> students. They say 'I've never done this before.' "
>
> The complaint alleges some students are never evaluated, the first step
> toward securing special academic support. Others are screened by
> untrained, unlicensed
> people.
>
> As a result, students with progressive blindness or residual vision are
> denied early training in Braille, said Ron Gardner, president of the
> national federation's
> Utah chapter.
>
> It's a "wait to fail" model that Gardner has fought for years. Parents
> have been afraid to come forward for fear of being perceived as turning
> on the school
> system.
>
> But frustrations have reached "critical mass," they say.
>
> "We are not asking for special treatment. ...We are only asking that the
> state do what is required by law and create a level playing field where
> our children
> can succeed on their own merits," said Marla Palmer, president of Utah
> Parents of Blind Children.
>
> kstewart at sltrib.com
>
> Fixing problems at schools for deaf and blind
>
> The National Federation of the Blind filed a complaint against the Utah
> Schools for the Deaf and Blind, alleging violations of the Individuals
> with Disabilities
> Education Act.
>
> Among the group's suggested remedies:
>
> Work with a national consultant to audit student evaluations annually
> for five years.
>
> Train and certify public school teachers to evaluate students for
> eligibility for academic support.
>
> Hire more certified Braille transcribers, proofreaders and teachers.
>
> Require USDB to collect and report "reliable" outcomes data.
>
> Creation of a binding interagency agreement between school districts and
> the program that serves deaf and blind s
>
> Read my articles on American Chronicle:
> http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3885
>
> Join Me on LinkedIn:
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/dwh99
>
> Or,  FaceBook:
> http://www.facebook.com/people/Donna-W-Hill/1506852042
>
>
> For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw:
> http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill
>
> Apple I-Tunes
>
> phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374
>
> Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
> www.padnfb.org
>
>
>
> --
> Read my articles on American Chronicle:
> http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3885
>
> For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw:
> http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill
>
> Apple I-Tunes
>
> phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374
>
> Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
> www.padnfb.org
>
>
>
>
>
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