[blindkid] Extra Time to Get to Class

Brad/Jill Weatherd snowedin at union-tel.com
Sat Jan 24 20:35:32 UTC 2009


Hi,
I agree with what most of the others have said about a blind child being
given extra time to get to class.  Getting places on time is something that
is expected of everyone and school is a great place to learn that.  I know
the embarrassment factor of walking in late to class was a great motivator
for Hannah.  She is so shy about things like that, so she did like every
other kid in school and figured out which classes take more time to get to
(so she carried that class's materials) and which classes were so close that
she had time for a locker stop.  As for special locker placement, Hannah has
been given lockers on the end for ease in locating them.  She has two
lockers side by side to accommodate her many extra materials.  The locks
were removed and she uses locks we bought at the NFB convention.  The
special locker placement wasn't a necessity but it has made things a little
easier for her.  We as parents just have to look at each accommodation that
is offered and determine if it will help our child in the long run.  We have
refused lots of accommodations in the past that were simply someone else's
perception of what is possible for a blind child and had nothing to do with
what our kid can do!  I'm so glad we have a listserve like this where we can
talk this over!  Jill

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of blindkid-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:00 AM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Subject: blindkid Digest, Vol 57, Issue 23

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Today's Topics:

   1. OT goals~help needed! (Stacy Lemmon)
   2. FW: Wrestling to Judo - An Easy Transition (Carrie Gilmer)
   3. Re: OT goals~help needed! (Barbara Hammel)
   4. Re: Listserv submission - Logic Problems/Testing (Barbara Hammel)
   5. Re: OT goals~help needed! (Meng, Debi)
   6. Re: Intelligence testing (Joy Orton)
   7. Re: OT goals~help needed! (Susan Harper)
   8. Leaving classes early (Andy & Sally Thomas)
   9. Re: Leaving classes early (Mindy Lipsey)
  10. Re: Leaving classes early (T. J.)
  11. Re: Leaving classes early (Jessica Trask)
  12. Re: Leaving classes early (Peter Donahue)
  13. Re: Leaving classes early (Colleen Davis)
  14. Re: Leaving classes early (Debby B)
  15. Re: Leaving classes early (Carrie Gilmer)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:14:11 -0500
From: "Stacy Lemmon" <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
Subject: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <000a01c97d7e$02946240$0401a8c0 at stacypc>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

Our daughter, 5,  had been seen privately in OT for over a year. That
therapist resigned. So, after a period of time on a waiting list we were
excited to be seen by a new OT. She has seen her twice and plans on
discharging her. Along with being visually impaired, Adison has
hypbermobility and poor endurance of her hands/wrists. She did not qualify
for OT through the IU (she did not have the 25% delay required for
services).  I have spoken with the new therapist and she has agreed to keep
her for several more sessions. My question is, can anyone help me with some
goals? She needs help with ADL skills...zippering, buttoning. The therapist
says she set the goal for 2/2 buttons in 2 sessions, she states she has met
this....I have never seen her successfully zipper her coat/boots or use
anything other than large buttons.  Another goal of the OT....that she
wheelbarrow walk for 20 ft. I'm sure that helps build upper body strength,
but come on!

Thanks!
Stacy

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:21:21 -0600
From: "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindkid] FW: Wrestling to Judo - An Easy Transition
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind
	children\)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <497a18b6.1aa87e0a.7db4.2b09 at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

FYI, y'all

 

 

 

Carrie Gilmer, President

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

A Division of the National Federation of the Blind

NFB National Center: 410-659-9314

Home Phone: 763-784-8590

carrie.gilmer at gmail.com

www.nfb.org/nopbc

  _____  

From: U.S. Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 12:30 PM
To: Carrie Gilmer
Subject: Wrestling to Judo - An Easy Transition 

 

 

 usaba banner
<http://content.delivra.com/etapcontent/UnitedStatesAssociationofB/USABA-Col
or-Logo-w_Name-ff2.jpg> 

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:  January 23, 2009
Contact: Amanda Fassett, media at usaba.org, 719-630-0422

 

        Wrestling to Judo - An Easy Transition 

 

On January 23, 2009, three members of the United States Association of Blind
Athletes (USABA) National judo program, Scott Moore, Dr. Marc Vink, and Ron
Hawthorne, will provide an instructional presentation, Transitioning from
Wrestling to Judo For Low Vision & Blind Athletes, to wrestlers and coaches
attending the 2009 North Central Association of Schools for the Blind
(NCASB) Conference Wrestling Championships.  Approximately 100 participants
from 11 NCASB conference schools are expected to attend this presentation
being held at the Kansas State School for the Blind.

 

Scott Moore, the first American judo athlete in history to win a Paralympic
gold medal (2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia), enjoys introducing
blind athletes to the sport of judo and has a wealth of experience working
with judo athletes of all ages and experience levels.  Moore also served as
the assistant coach of the 2008 Paralympic Judo Team that recently competed
in Beijing, China.  

 

Dr. Marc Vink, USABA National Judo Team Leader, has over 40 years of
experience cultivating judo athletes.  He was instrumental in establishing a
successful judo program at the Overbrook School for the Blind in
Philadelphia, Pa.  Vink served as Team Leader for the 2008 Paralympic Games.

 

Accompanying Moore and Vink, is Ron Hawthorne, a Kansas State School for the
Blind alumni, and a standout wrestler while at there.  Hawthorne competed
with the USABA National Judo Team during the 2007 IBSA World Championships
in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Hawthorne, a rising talent, is a hopeful for the 2012
Paralympic Team.  He is also currently ranked #11 by U.S. Judo in the 55kg
Senior Elite Roster. 

 

USABA is continuously searching for wrestlers who are blind or visually
impaired to transition into judo.  While judo is a Paralympic sport, there
is no Paralympic competition for wrestling.  As an Asian wrestling form,
judo has much in common with freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.  Many
throwing techniques such as hip tosses, headlocks, underhook doubles,
fireman's carry, ankle-picks and arm throw are directly transferable as
winning judo throws.  The training and match preparedness are so similar
that over half of the United States Paralympic Judo Team members entered the
sport with a wrestling background.  

 

During the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity learn more
about the similarities between wrestling and judo while seeing many
wrestling throwing techniques demonstrated as they apply to judo.  Following
the demonstration, the presenters will entertain questions from the
audience.  They will also meet with those interested on an individual basis
on Saturday during the tournament.

 

This judo demonstration is sponsored by the USABA with support from the
Blind Judo Foundation (www.blindjudofoundation.org
<http://www.blindjudofoundation.org/> ).  For more information on the event,
contact Marc Vink at 609-605-3495.  

 

Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization of the
United States Olympic Committee, has reached more than 100,000 blind and
visually impaired individuals. The organization has emerged as more than
just a world-class trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of
the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. USABA's Mission: to
enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the
opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity.  For more
information, visit our Web site: www.usaba.org <http://www.usaba.org/> 



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:27:21 -0600
From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <BAY113-DS79389CF0F711D95A11ECAEBCF0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Can she dress herself?  Can she do things like put puzzles together or do 
pop beads?  Can she take off and put on screwed-on lids?  Can she snap 
snaps?  Can she buckle a belt?  I can't think of any more right now.
Barbara


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Stacy Lemmon" <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:14 AM
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!

> Our daughter, 5,  had been seen privately in OT for over a year. That 
> therapist resigned. So, after a period of time on a waiting list we were 
> excited to be seen by a new OT. She has seen her twice and plans on 
> discharging her. Along with being visually impaired, Adison has 
> hypbermobility and poor endurance of her hands/wrists. She did not qualify

> for OT through the IU (she did not have the 25% delay required for 
> services).  I have spoken with the new therapist and she has agreed to 
> keep her for several more sessions. My question is, can anyone help me 
> with some goals? She needs help with ADL skills...zippering, buttoning. 
> The therapist says she set the goal for 2/2 buttons in 2 sessions, she 
> states she has met this....I have never seen her successfully zipper her 
> coat/boots or use anything other than large buttons.  Another goal of the 
> OT....that she wheelbarrow walk for 20 ft. I'm sure that helps build upper

> body strength, but come on!
>
> Thanks!
> Stacy
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/poetlori8%40msn.co
m
> 



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:30:13 -0600
From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Listserv submission - Logic Problems/Testing
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <BAY113-DS6096CFDBC36ADF05851D5EBCF0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Our state lending library is where I signed up for Conundrum.

Barbara

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Lorelei Clark" <loreleisonya at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:41 PM
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blindkid] Listserv submission - Logic Problems/Testing

> Hello.
>
> Does anyone know how to go about subscribing to the braille version of 
> "Conundrum" or any other word/logic problem magazines?
>
> In addition, I am seeking information about adapted testing for 
> intelligence testing for a 9 year old. I know that some can be adapted 
> however while the question may be in Braille, the question is still 
> heavily reliant on one's visual perception.
>
> Thank you,
> Lorelei Clark
> loreleisonya at yahoo.com
> 714-220-8157
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/poetlori8%40msn.co
m
> 



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:19:50 -0600
From: "Meng, Debi" <Meng at sccompanies.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	(for parents of blind children)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID:
	<0EA82EE4F8C9694F8CE943EA7A49886002F56A75 at JACO.sccompanies.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

 
A lot of schools use the Oregon Project for Visually Impaired and Blind
Preschool Children.    See attached.    Look for the section "Fine Motor
Skills"    http://www.campabilities.org/oregon.htm

This should help with your goals!


-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Barbara Hammel
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:27 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!

Can she dress herself?  Can she do things like put puzzles together or
do 
pop beads?  Can she take off and put on screwed-on lids?  Can she snap 
snaps?  Can she buckle a belt?  I can't think of any more right now.
Barbara


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Stacy Lemmon" <slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com>
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:14 AM
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!

> Our daughter, 5,  had been seen privately in OT for over a year. That 
> therapist resigned. So, after a period of time on a waiting list we
were 
> excited to be seen by a new OT. She has seen her twice and plans on 
> discharging her. Along with being visually impaired, Adison has 
> hypbermobility and poor endurance of her hands/wrists. She did not
qualify 
> for OT through the IU (she did not have the 25% delay required for 
> services).  I have spoken with the new therapist and she has agreed to

> keep her for several more sessions. My question is, can anyone help me

> with some goals? She needs help with ADL skills...zippering,
buttoning. 
> The therapist says she set the goal for 2/2 buttons in 2 sessions, she

> states she has met this....I have never seen her successfully zipper
her 
> coat/boots or use anything other than large buttons.  Another goal of
the 
> OT....that she wheelbarrow walk for 20 ft. I'm sure that helps build
upper 
> body strength, but come on!
>
> Thanks!
> Stacy
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/poetlori8%40ms
n.com
> 

_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/meng%40sccompa
nies.com



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:22:14 -0600
From: Joy Orton <ortonsmom at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Intelligence testing
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Message-ID:
	<265f5e390901232222t7a8de8e8x2a4c9458110f61fd at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Dear Lorelei,
We looked into intelligence testing for our daughter a couple of years ago.
The short answer is, there is no "good" test. It is important to look at the
student as a whole. We used some parts of tests, plus teacher and parent
observations and questionnaires. The Frances A Karnes center at the
University of Southern Mississippi has a good document you may want to look
at. Here are two links.

http://www.usm.edu/gifted/gifted_research.html
http://www.usm.edu/gifted/gifted_research/Characteristics%20of%20Gifted%20vi
sually%20impaired.pdf

Hope this helps.
Joy

>
> ?
> In addition, I am seeking information about adapted testing for
> intelligence testing for a 9 year old. I know that some can be adapted
> however while the question may be in Braille, the question is still
heavily
> reliant on one's visual perception.
> ?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>


------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:38:12 -0500
From: Susan Harper <sueharper at firstchurchgriswold.org>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] OT goals~help needed!
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Message-ID:
	<f6a56b5c0901240538h280c3b69n40e948a3d3873559 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi Stacy,
     Does the OT have a supervisor or someone above her you can appeal to.
Another option might be to request a second opinion and  a new assessment.
Ask if you can be present and ask for a copy of the assessment tool.
Obviously something is not right here.  Also if this is a hospital setting,
you can request to speak to a patient advocate.  Most facilities have a
patient advocate.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
Sue H.

On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Stacy Lemmon <
slemmonrn at spotlight-music.com> wrote:

> Our daughter, 5,  had been seen privately in OT for over a year. That
> therapist resigned. So, after a period of time on a waiting list we were
> excited to be seen by a new OT. She has seen her twice and plans on
> discharging her. Along with being visually impaired, Adison has
> hypbermobility and poor endurance of her hands/wrists. She did not qualify
> for OT through the IU (she did not have the 25% delay required for
> services).  I have spoken with the new therapist and she has agreed to
keep
> her for several more sessions. My question is, can anyone help me with
some
> goals? She needs help with ADL skills...zippering, buttoning. The
therapist
> says she set the goal for 2/2 buttons in 2 sessions, she states she has
met
> this....I have never seen her successfully zipper her coat/boots or use
> anything other than large buttons.  Another goal of the OT....that she
> wheelbarrow walk for 20 ft. I'm sure that helps build upper body strength,
> but come on!
>
> Thanks!
> Stacy
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/sueharper%40firstc
hurchgriswold.org
>
>


------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:38:23 -0600
From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <ADD0AC3696224DCAB166B61A50F197E1 at andysallyhome>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he will
be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start into
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind
kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think it is an
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out
and isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the
few times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your
experiences with this?

Sally Thomas

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:03:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Mindy Lipsey <mindy_lipsey at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <50536.99336.qm at web31607.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

My son started middle school this year.? Most of the 6th grade classes are
in one specific area of the building and his classes are within a few doors
from each other.
The only exception is the last period of the day, which is on the lower
lever.? He leaves for that class 5 minutes early.? At the end of the last
class of the day, he also leaves 5 minutes early to re-charge his ccTV in a
private office and to pack up to catch the bus, since his bus is one of the
first to leave the school.
So he has the flexibility to leave early, but only when he really needs to.
I had the same concerns about missing a homework assignment, or something
important that the teacher says at the end of class.
We asked in the summer for a "buddy" to be assigned to Matthew, someone that
already knows about his low vision, and someone that would be in most of his
classes anyway.? Luckily, he has a friend that is also in all GT classes,
along with his science magnet (Matthew goes to a magnet school), so it
worked out.? Rebecca lets him know if he misses anything if he ever does
leave early from class.
She also sits next to him in all classes in the front row.
We asked for the buddy system before schedules were made.
Don't forget to ask for a locker on the end of a row, near his homebase
classroom.
We took the combination lock off and set it up for him to use a lock and
key.? He wears the key around his neck.? The same key fits his gym locker so
he only carries one key, and he leaves an extra key at school, along with a
back-up key at home.
The O&M instructor walked him through his schedule the week before school
started.
Everyone went very smoothly and I worried for no reason!
Hope this helps.
Mindy


?
Mindy Lipsey

?

--- On Sat, 1/24/09, Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net>
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 8:38 AM

My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he
will be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start
into
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind
kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think it is an
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out
and
isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the few
times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your experiences
with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/mindy_lipsey%40yah
oo.com



      

------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:46:07 -0800 (PST)
From: "T. J." <tjmaries at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <703016.99881.qm at web50506.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I got a note written in my IEP to leave class early (vision issues and such)
in high school (the time I needed it).? I had 15 minutes passing time.? Was
nice not to have to worry about being nocked over or anything!?

T. J.




________________________________
From: Mindy Lipsey <mindy_lipsey at yahoo.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)"
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 6:03:31 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early

My son started middle school this year.? Most of the 6th grade classes are
in one specific area of the building and his classes are within a few doors
from each other.
The only exception is the last period of the day, which is on the lower
lever.? He leaves for that class 5 minutes early.? At the end of the last
class of the day, he also leaves 5 minutes early to re-charge his ccTV in a
private office and to pack up to catch the bus, since his bus is one of the
first to leave the school.
So he has the flexibility to leave early, but only when he really needs to.
I had the same concerns about missing a homework assignment, or something
important that the teacher says at the end of class.
We asked in the summer for a "buddy" to be assigned to Matthew, someone that
already knows about his low vision, and someone that would be in most of his
classes anyway.? Luckily, he has a friend that is also in all GT classes,
along with his science magnet (Matthew goes to a magnet school), so it
worked out.? Rebecca lets him know if he misses anything if he ever does
leave early from class.
She also sits next to him in all classes in the front row.
We asked for the buddy system before schedules were made.
Don't forget to ask for a locker on the end of a row, near his homebase
classroom.
We took the combination lock off and set it up for him to use a lock and
key.? He wears the key around his neck.? The same key fits his gym locker so
he only carries one key, and he leaves an extra key at school, along with a
back-up key at home.
The O&M instructor walked him through his schedule the week before school
started.
Everyone went very smoothly and I worried for no reason!
Hope this helps.
Mindy


?
Mindy Lipsey

?

--- On Sat, 1/24/09, Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net>
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 8:38 AM

My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he
will be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start
into
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind
kids out there get this "accommodation."? I personally think it is an
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out
and
isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the few
times kids have for private conversations.? Would you share your experiences
with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/mindy_lipsey%40yah
oo.com



? ? ? 
_______________________________________________
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------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:08:56 -0500
From: Jessica Trask <jess28 at samobile.net>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Message-ID: <20090124150856.31003.12905 at biff.serotek.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"

Sally,
I'm not totally blind. But, I never remember being allowed to be 
released from classes five minutes earlier then the my other 
classmates. The only time I did get out of class early was I was living 
in Salt Lake and there were buses for the special education students 
that had to be a the high school early so they could do their runs and 
get to the next school where they needed to be on time. This is not 
teaching your son to be responsible for his own actions by allowing him 
to get out of class before the other students. Do you happen to know 
how much time the students have between classes to go to their lockers 
and chat with each other. I would push having him treated like a normal 
student in the the respect that he has to use the same frame time that 
the other students have to  use to get to their classes be they on time 
or not. I hope this helps.

-- 
Jessica Trask

Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit 
www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.



------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:32:51 -0600
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <000501c97e39$05a62520$210110ac at yourfsyly0jtwn>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello Sally and listers,

    A big no-no! I thought the O&M instructor's job was to help him become a

confident traveler to enable him to be where he needs to be and to mingle 
with his friends. And what does dismissing him five minutes before the other

students are let out of class say to his peers? Because he's blind he needs 
extra time to get from place-to-place and can't be expected to travel as 
well as they. Definitely kill that from his IEP.

Peter Donahue



 --- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 7:38 AM
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early


My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he will 
be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start into 
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind 
kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think it is an 
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out 
and isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the

few times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your 
experiences with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
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bal.net 




------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:49:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Colleen Davis <bldhnds52 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <309458.15000.qm at web65406.mail.ac4.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

My suggestion is that you have an opportunity to observe the class changes
to see what they look like. I teach at all levels and the halls can get
pretty wild. It depends on the school's discipline "climate".

As an earlier post noted, passing time in the class is very social and a way
the kids catch up with each other. It should also be noted that your son's
schoolmates won't learn how to behave around him if they never have the
opportunity.

Colleen 

Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net> wrote: My son's O&M instructor
has told him that next year in junior high he will be dismissed from classes
5 minutes early in order to get a head start into the halls to make it to
his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind kids out there get this
"accommodation."  I personally think it is an opportunity to miss some
afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out and isolated in the
classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the few times kids have
for private conversations.  Would you share your experiences with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
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http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
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com



------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:54:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Debby B <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind children\)"
	<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <890523.57101.qm at web90505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Sally, we battle this every year. Our middle school is huge, and classes are
basically in one hallway, other than lunch and "specials" such as band. The
week before school we practice the routes. They insist, even though it's not
in IEP, that Winona leave early so as not to be late, "since she's such a
slow mover." My theory is that if they'd EXPECT her to get there on time,
she'd speed up! She always misses some assignment.  When tthe teachers
complain to me, I've put it back on them. "You need to tell the O&M that
Winona is missing work." and I've put it on Winona. "You need to tell him
that you received a zero because you missed another assignment leaving
early." This year has been better, and we got them to back off within the
first weeks of school. It took teacher complaints, me in the office weekly,
and Winona's complaints to get to this point.

It definitely hurts that peer interaction having an adult hanging around.
We've seen a huge difference in middle from elementary. Winona hardly knows
a soul now, because no time is ever spent learning who is in each class, in
the lunchroom, etc. (They have 3 different lunch periods). Socially, middle
has been very tough on Winona.

 Debby 
bwbddl at yahoo.com
www.nfbflorida.org/parents


Please support Braille literacy and programs for our youth by sponsoring me
in
the Motor City March for Independence! Better yet, join the team of the FL
Parents of Blind Children!
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/fpobc 
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/debbyb



----- Original Message ----
From: Andy & Sally Thomas <andysally at comcast.net>
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:38:23 AM
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early

My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he will
be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start into
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind
kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think it is an
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out
and isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the
few times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your
experiences with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
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------------------------------

Message: 15
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:44:28 -0600
From: "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,	\(for parents of blind
	children\)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <497b5381.062a400a.095b.32da at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Dear Sally,
Within the typical middle school among sighted students there is a spectrum
of organizational abilities among the students.  There is also somewhat of a
spectrum of challenge for them that they do not get to choose. Some kids get
stuck with a locker far away, some may get lucky with a locker placement.
Some have a schedule with the last or first class far from the locker and
some get lucky and most are in the middle. Some are in band, or forgot they
need to grab their gym clothes, or have something they need to carry or
manage. They all have to work with what they get, and learn to make changes
if they are late, miss the bus, or miss an assignment. This is preparing
them for life.

Our children need the same opportunity and responsibilities.

We were also offered special locker placement and also extra passing time
for Jordan. We never took a special locker placement. That said, he did have
(and has every year to this year-his senior year-a permanent hall pass).
>From the beginning we placed on him and the staff the expectation that he
would have to manage as everyone else. He could be marked tardy, and if he
missed the bus due to poor time management he had a consequence from home.
(I will state also that Jordan is one of those kids who if you give him an
inch-he never tries to take a mile-unlike my other son. This tendency, or
lack of it, in a student's personality is a factor that must be
considered.)The staff, especially administrative or general special ed.
staff, always gave surprise at our "no thanks" to accommodations such as
extra passing time, or resistance, and wanted very much to give Jordan every
"break".

Early on because of the technology he had did need to go to a resource room
to print assignments. He also had quite a bit of equipment, and a band
instrument. But he had the onus on him (and we helped in the beginning of
course-but we made it HIS problem, not ours or the school's) to figure out
how to get things done in an efficient manner, that did not disrupt class,
cause him to be late or leave early or lose too much class work time. He did
have a something more than the sighted kids-BUT HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THAT-and
we knew for the future and employment he would just have to deal with that
something.  He began to organize and find best times, and consolidate his
printing and to print at home and mark the print with Braille notation and
organize it to turn in. Today because of jump drives and e-assignment
capability he prints much less, but he still must print some. It is a
constant learning of problem solving to get things to the teacher in a
format the teacher can read and on-time.

Sometimes equipment broke, or something was lost, or he was overwhelmed in
the learning process. He had the pass to go to the resource room as needed
during class time. I will say from sixth grade to now his senior year he has
rarely used it, I mean maybe less than a dozen times. We did have ONE
teacher very early on who did tell us Jordan was coming to class a few
minutes late-he was printing--she did not like the disruption and was
worried he was missing stuff-we did not realize the plan he had come up with
for that class, we sat down and figured something different and he was never
late again. So in the end he really did not even need the permanent pass.
And I guess that is the test-what did he truly truly NEED? And then if that
need showed he needed "extra time" was it temporary while building
organization-how did we move him to not need it. In other words that should
be the goal--needing LESS time everyday--not piling on supports in needing
so many extra accommodations. I recall at an IEP meeting one director of
Special ed. being totally baffled and repeated to us several times--"You
mean you want LESS? You want this accommodation TAKEN OUT? Is that fair? Can
blind people really get there as fast? I've never had someone request LESS."
This is actually what this woman said.

In his sophomore year we began to hear these statements from teachers at
regular teacher conferences. "Jordan is the first one to class" "Jordan just
flies through the halls, I don't know how he does it" Jordan has never had
one tardy. He has missed the bus less than I can count on my one hand. In
real life if he misses a city bus to work or class, it will not be mom he
can call to come and get him right away for free.

Also we never ever had a designated buddy for Jordan. Getting peer help was
Jordan's responsibility--to find a good student himself to ask for anything
to be read or what ever might be needed. This takes a good deal of
confidence, analyzing who is a good peer, and some social skill--they need
opportunity to develop that. It will not come if we do it for them. It was
also always his responsibility to get notes either from the teacher or peers
on anything he ever might have missed. This is the same for sighted peers.
They too sometimes have need and have missed something. They have to figure
out who of their classmates is responsible or smart. My sighted kids
sometimes forgot to bring a book home or lost the assignment sheet, or did
not listen or missed some direction. They knew they had to call a classmate,
find out who was reliable, etc. This is real life too. When they get to
college, or anywhere they have to be able to find their own sighted
assistance--and to be in charge of it. There will not be designated buddies
out in life.


Sincerely, 
 
Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Andy & Sally Thomas
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 7:38 AM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early

My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he will
be dismissed from classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start into
the halls to make it to his next class. I'm wondering if most of the blind
kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think it is an
opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out
and isolated in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the
few times kids have for private conversations.  Would you share your
experiences with this?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/carrie.gilmer%40gm
ail.com




------------------------------

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