[blindkid] Rehabilitation services

[Kim Cunningham]

Good morning Sandy,
My daughter is a junior in high school and we are going through the same as you and your son. I was told by our DARS (Texas) caseworker that Kayleigh will have access to any piece of technology (free) as soon as she graduates from high school. From what I understand, Kayleigh can pick whatever pieces of technology she will need (for free) to attend college. They will not supply anything until she graduates as the school district will still be responsible until then. WOW - This is a blessing! Of course, Kayleigh will be responsible for purchasing her own technology after she graduates from college and throughout her life. 
Kayleigh has also applied to go to independence training this summer for 8 weeks. Maybe our kids will meet. After talking to many college aged blind adults, Kayleigh has decided to also apply to attend further independence training after she graduates from high school. This will delay her from entering college in the fall, but should give her a strong foundation to be successful in her college days and on into her adult life. 
I would love to hear more about preparing for college. 
Regards,
Kim Cunningham


--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Dr. S. Merchant <smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu> wrote:

From: Dr. S. Merchant <smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu>
Subject: [blindkid] Rehabilitation services
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 1:13 PM

So, I have attended many of the seminars that the NOPBC/NFB has sponsored
concerning rehab programs/rehab system/rehab services
(philosophy/expectations etc), but now that a case file will be opened for
my 15 year old and the first meeting is next week, I am wondering about
specifics.  We are opening it now, because our state rehab will pay for
summer programs at La Center in Ruston.  We needed to get this started
anyway - better early than late.

So.....from a nuts and bolts standpoint, Michael will be going to college
and most likely majoring in computer/computer science or some closely
related engineering field.

So having stated that to the counselor, do we assume that this statement in
his file will give us the ability when he needs it, to ask for needed
devices such as personal note taking device, computer, scanner etc.. or do
we at this meeting or future meeting, need to start listing these as future
needs and the anticipated time frame when they will be needed? (As an aside,
from a financial standpoint, we will not qualify for any type of
assistance.)  

If a list is best ( and a time frame)... for you that are in college or have
done this or are doing this with your child, what is/was your list (and a
time frame)?

I was trying to go back in the list serv files and see if I could pull up a
discussion of this but have not been successful at finding a discussion.


I would greatly appreciate your knowledge/insight.
Knowledge is power, and I would like to have that on my side at all times.

Thanks

Sandy Merchant Taboada




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