[rehab] FW: RE: Blind student in Automotive Class

[Dick Davis]

Hi Everyone,



I am asking for your help on this.  Amanda Gough, of Blennz School,
Whanganui, New Zealand, has a blind student who wants to attend the
school’s auto mechanics course.  A lot of blind people used to be in that
profession in our country, but it seems the number has gone down.  I
suspect accessibility of automotive diagnostic technology is the reason,
but don’t know for sure.  In any event, can any of you offer this lady
information and connections so her student can achieve his or her dreams?



Since she is not on these lists, you will need to respond directly to
Amanda.Gough at blennz.school.nz, not to the entire list. Please copy your
response to me at ddavis at blindinc.org.  In that way, I can learn more about
what is happening to blind Americans who want to pursue this career.



Thanks for your help,

Dick Davis, Chair
NFB Employment Committee




From: "Amanda Gough" <Amanda.Gough at blennz.school.nz>
Date: Sep 30, 2017 12:40 AM
Subject: RE: Blind student in Automotive Class

Dear Mr Davis

 Many thanks for your prompt response.

 I am wondering if it would be possible for Darcy, my student, to use
Seeing AI or KNFB reader… or failing that Be-My-Eyes, to find out the
pertinent information on the diagnostic computer screen?

 Beyond the computerised side of the job, do you by chance have any
information about alternative techniques being used in automotive class by
other blind high school students?  I am pretty creative, and can usually
work out alternative non-visual methods, but at the same time, I am not
into re-inventing the wheel!

 I am also interested in safety aspects – some things need to be observed
in a working engine, but sticking your fingers in would not be a viable
option!  I know that sounds can indicate a lot of faults, and You tube
videos produced by sighted mechanics can be useful, even if it’s just to
listen to the different engine noises as they correct faults. Any tips or
tricks for keeping safe would also be great!

Kind regards

Amanda

 [image: Email Signature 2]

Amanda Gough

*From:* Richard Davis [mailto:dickblind at gmail.com]
*Sent:* Saturday, 30 September 2017 11:33 AM
*To:* Amanda Gough <Amanda.Gough at Blennz.school.nz>; ddavis at blindinc.org
*Subject:* Re: Blind student in Automotive Class

Dear Ms. Gough,

I wish I could tell you that lots of blind students are learning to be
automotive technicians in the U.S., but that does not seem to be the case.
The problem isn't the lack of physical skills, but rather the accessibility
of the diagnostic computer systems.  Let me see what I can find out for you.

Dick Davis, Chair

NFB Employment Committee



On Sep 29, 2017 5:16 PM, "Amanda Gough" <Amanda.Gough at blennz.school.nz>
wrote:

Dear Mr Davis

Patricia Maurer has suggested you might be able to assist me.

I am an RTV (TVI equivalent) in Whanganui New Zealand.  After significant
lobbying, I have had a 17 year old blind student provisionally accepted
into the Automotive Engineering  course (I think it is called “Shop” in the
USA) for 2018 (our school year is the same as the calendar year). As far as
I can ascertain, this will be a New Zealand first.

One of the provisions of entry is that I provide comprehensive information
on the alternative strategies he would need to complete the practical and
written aspects of the course.

Whilst I have no difficulty with the written side, I have insufficient
technical knowledge to be able to give the school the information
surrounding practical skills and adaptations.

I know there are blind automotive mechanics in the USA, and I am sure that
plenty of blind American students will have done such a course at High
School level.

Do you know where I might be able to get hold of the information I am
looking for?  Also, do you know of anyone working in this trade who might
be willing to act as a long-distance mentor?

Kind regards

[image: Email Signature 2]

Amanda Gough

Resource Teacher Vision

BLENNZ Whanganui

Ph 021 567 486
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