[blindkid] Rehabilitation services

Wed Jan 7 14:36:38 UTC 2009

Hello Sandy:

     Thanks for the note. Actually, I am resurrecting my original career. 
When I was first employed at Tektronix in 1976, I worked as a computer 
programmer. Up until the mid #80's, I was involved in a number of 
programming tasks. Tektronix experienced a great deal of downsizing going 
from 23,600 employees in 1980 to 7,500 the day I was laid off in 1999. I 
took whatever work came my way. The advent of Windows, Openlook and Motiff 
forced me into other computer related fields since the adaptive technology 
wasn't keeping up. Windows 3.0 wasn't accessible until 1995 and Windows 95 
wasn't accessible until 1998. I am actually doing what for a federationist 
is somewhat an odd thing. Because I cannot get the skills I need locally, I 
have a choice of doing online courses or going to Lions World Services in 
Little Rock. LWSB has a program called the Enterprise Solutions Program 
(ESP). Those who graduate from it and who have a College degree will be 
hired by the IRS. The IRS makes a commitment to hire in advance of the 
training. Since I am 55, this looks like a great choice. I didn't pursue the 
online options since online courses are not very accessible and I want to 
spend my time learning the subject matter and not solving access technology 
problems. I actually have a braille display, so I have the technology I 
should need for the coursework and the government will buy one when I start 
with the IRS. If Michael is interested in programming, he might want to look 
into robotics. I think there is a future in this area. Have a great day.

Regards,
Robert
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dr. S. Merchant" <smerchant at vetmed.lsu.edu>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 7:21 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Rehabilitation services

Thanks for the information.  I will warn you (as I was warned - and perhaps
you already know) that whatever career/goals are set at these meetings will
determine what type of technology rehab will be willing to pay for.
Unfortunately, in some cases, families are talked into writing "lower"
expectations - teacher's aide instead of teacher and then technology would
more likely be denied if not needed to fulfill the goals of becoming a
teacher's aide

Thanks again

Sandy
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Kim Cunningham
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:58 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Rehabilitation services

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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