[blindkid] Fwd: blindkid Digest, Vol 121, Issue 26

Pui via blindkid blindkid at nfbnet.org
Fri May 30 01:45:36 UTC 2014


Also, money is set aside for the educational needs of visually impaired/braille students. However, IDEA allows districts to spend that money on non VI/blind kids if that money has not been spent. So parents, keep advocating. Okay, I am getting off my soapbox.....

Sent from my iPad

On May 29, 2014, at 6:38 PM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: Pui <pburmahln at yahoo.com>
>> Date: May 29, 2014, 6:38:02 PM PDT
>> To: Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] blindkid Digest, Vol 121, Issue 26
>> 
>> Also, if more parents spoke up and really got what their children were entitled to, those higher up would see that there is a real demand for TVIs. Maybe the government could allocate more funding, forgive student loans after a period of teaching etc. etc. Maybe we could have more resource schools and get rid off this ridiculous itinerant model of one TVI serving over 50 students. That would never be acceptable for sighted students. Our district used to have 2 TVIs, and when my son's TVI retired they did not replace her. They are trying to save money, the budget is doing the talking. One of the reasons why I am not budging on my son's instruction time is because I want to force the district's hand. I want them to hire that second TVI so ALL the students in our district are better served. After my son's TVI retired, they managed to hire a contract TVI to teach my son. When I asked if the district had hired someone permanently she confided in me that the district was waiting to see what I agreed to for my son's kindergarten IEP before they made a decision. 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>> On May 29, 2014, at 6:12 PM, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Yes exactly. Someone should really do a study to see if kids who learn
>>> Braille earlier or who receive more TVI instruction time in the early
>>> grades require less TVI support in high school, regardless of vision.
>>> There's some research linking Braille literacy to employment, of
>>> course, but what if we could simply argue that more instruction
>>> earlier means less instruction later, and thus less total support from
>>> the district?
>>> 
>>> On 5/29/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Thank you Carolyn and Sarah for your points. I have not threatened legal
>>>> action against our district, just did some homework on my own to realize
>>>> what my son's rights are because obviously the school district won't tell
>>>> us. Sarah, I absolutely agree with you. We do have to advocate for our
>>>> children when we seem it necessary. It is not the school district's job to
>>>> be our child's advocate.
>>>> 
>>>> Carolyn, I would respectfully disagree with you when you say that print
>>>> readers who get adequate braille instruction is a luxury. This was the
>>>> attitude the IEP team were pushing at the meeting. Even though our kiddos
>>>> can read print, it is not without some difficulties due to eye fatigue, a
>>>> reduced field of vision etc. Often times, dual learners who did not receive
>>>> adequate braille instruction start to fall behind once they hit third grade
>>>> because the print gets smaller and there is a lot more print to read and
>>>> comprehend. There are also kiddos like mine who have a medically diagnosed
>>>> condition of degeneration to complete blindness. Most children with my son's
>>>> genetic mutation are already braille readers and cane users. That day will
>>>> come for my son and braille is the key to literacy for him. We definitely do
>>>> no want to play catch up.
>>>> 
>>>> Yes, there are a shortage of TVIs, but it is their job and they do get pay
>>>> and benefits. Anyhow, under IDEA an IEP should be individually tailored to
>>>> each child. Finding a TVI, and other related issues that districts are paid
>>>> to figure out, are not concerns of the parents.  Nor is it legal for the IEP
>>>> team to make them the concern of the parents. We pay an atrocious amount of
>>>> taxes, and our child is entitled to services that are protected by law. The
>>>> Braille provision act under IDEA makes it quite clear that braille be
>>>> adequately provided to visually impaired children, and those who have a
>>>> degenerative condition. Our goal is to educate our son so he "pays back"
>>>> into the system that he benefited from. Blindness will never be an excuse
>>>> for not finding gainful and meaningful employment.
>>>> 
>>>> Carolyn, I absolutely agree with you that parents need to be part of the
>>>> teaching of braille. I am proficient in braille in order to teach my son at
>>>> home. I spend much time researching the best ways to teach and encourage him
>>>> while the TVI seems to spend most of the time having him braille the
>>>> alphabet. We purchased him a Smart Brailler and  IPAD because I wasn't going
>>>> to wait for the district. We bought him the Mangold program. I have braille
>>>> labels all around the house. He has an extensive print/braille collection of
>>>> books. He has Bookshare, braille books from several libraries, audio books
>>>> on loan etc. The district or the TVI did not do all of this, I did. Should
>>>> the district be providing these things? Yes. Would I prefer to spend the
>>>> money on other things? Yes, but my son's education comes first.
>>>> 
>>>> I would never recommend that parents burn their bridges with districts.
>>>> Advocate, advocate and advocate some more, but in the nicest way possible.
>>>> Base it on the law, facts and research, and not on emotion or whether you're
>>>> having a bad day. Go through the chains of command but DOCUMENT it the whole
>>>> way!
>>>> 
>>>> My son has been fortunate in many ways. However, it would not be so if I was
>>>> being rude or overly pushy. Yes, work with the district but parents, do your
>>>> own homework. That happy medium is what works for our kids. When we found
>>>> out our son was considered legally blind when he was 3, the ophthalmologist
>>>> who has been following him since he was a newborn was surprised but kept
>>>> saying it would be okay. I did my own research and LCA kept coming up. The
>>>> ophthalmologist said no it wasn't because most LCA kids are completely
>>>> blind. They couldn't do an ERG because he was too young. I asked for genetic
>>>> testing, they said no. The geneticist called me and said we couldn't go
>>>> "fishing" for a genetic cause, that it would cost $30,000 blah, blah, blah.
>>>> As I had done my homework, I told him of an eye clinic that could do the
>>>> test for $1800. I told him about my son's symptoms, and how a retinal
>>>> specialist agreed with me. In that same conversation the geneticist agreed
>>>> to move forward, and 2 weeks after the blood test we got genetic
>>>> confirmation.
>>>> 
>>>> Sometimes, districts like doctors have "standard" answers they give. I
>>>> believe they would welcome a different approach if the parent has done the
>>>> work for them and present the facts rationally. Yes, my son is taking up a
>>>> lot of the TVI's time right now but in the long run he will take up less
>>>> time and cost the district less $$$ because there will be little remedial
>>>> work to do. Surely that is a more practical approach considering our
>>>> national shortage of TVIs?
>>>> 
>>>> Respectfully,
>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> 
>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:05 PM, Sarah Thomas via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> I think you make some very good points.  It is important though, for
>>>>> parents to not feel intimidated by school officials.  Schools are
>>>>> notorious for visually stacking an IEP meeting--having 10 or even 20
>>>>> personnel there to visually intimidate the parent or parents.  In my
>>>>> experience, they are happy to tell you things that aren't true.  Parents
>>>>> need to know the law and be realistic about their child's needs.  They
>>>>> need to go through channels, yes, but that doesn't mean they have to go
>>>>> along with what the school administrators are proposing if they think it
>>>>> is not in the best interest of the child or if it violates the law.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Too many parents think that school officials will retaliate if they speak
>>>>> up.  The only way we got the school to cooperate with us was to bring
>>>>> advocates, let them know that we had the will and the means to fight back
>>>>> and continue fighting.  We went through channels but we didn't back down.
>>>>> Our experience is not isolated. Schools spend a lot of time and energy NOT
>>>>> providing services.  I tried for 8 years to get the school to set up a
>>>>> Bookshare account to get textbooks that I could not get with a student
>>>>> Bookshare account.  It was FREE but instead they chose to hire an outside
>>>>> braillist.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Also, there are a lot of parents who are committed to the success of their
>>>>> child who do not become TVI's.  Not everyone is suited to teach children
>>>>> but every parent can be an advocate for their own child.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>> 
>>>>> On May 30, 2014, at 6:25 AM, Carolyn Cain via blindkid
>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Parents have to walk a fine line between advocating for their child and
>>>>>> burning their bridges. Anytime a parent demands and brings or threatens
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> bring legal action without going through the normal chains of commands
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> school districts should have set up for students receiving special
>>>>>> education services, the parents set themselves and their children up for
>>>>>> possible future problems.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Many districts and states are struggling to provide enough highly
>>>>>> qualified
>>>>>> staff to provide services to students who have visual impairments. Many
>>>>>> teacher of the visually impaired have master's degrees and the pay they
>>>>>> receive is not adequate plus mileage reimbursement doesn't pay for wear
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> tear on their personal vehicles. There is really no incentive to go into
>>>>>> this low incident teaching field.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Totally blind students with no vision are always a priority because
>>>>>> braille
>>>>>> is their only choice for accessing material. Print readers who have a
>>>>>> TVI
>>>>>> who can provide adequate braille instruction is a luxury.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The topic of how much time to serve students was mentioned. Many TVI's
>>>>>> use
>>>>>> the Michigan Severity Rating Scale to decide service levels (amount of
>>>>>> time
>>>>>> per week) but it can be somewhat subjective.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> The best thing a parent can do for their child is to begin to be part of
>>>>>> the teaching, especially when braille is involved. Braille instruction
>>>>>> at
>>>>>> school alone is not enough. The family must also be committed. Some of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> best TVI's are parents with children who are visually impaired who have
>>>>>> decided to go back to school and be a TVI. They are committed to their
>>>>>> child despite the low pay and student loans that seem to linger forever.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Thu, May 29, 2014 at 8:00 AM, via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Send blindkid mailing list submissions to
>>>>>>>    blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>>>>    http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>>>>    blindkid-request at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>>>>    blindkid-owner at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>>>>> than "Re: Contents of blindkid digest..."
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 1. Exposed to Hope Book (Robert Jaquiss via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 2. Re: Exposed to Hope Book (Carol Castellano via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 3. Braille instruction time in IEP (Pui via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 4. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP (Sarah Thomas via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 5. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP (Julie Yanez via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 6. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>>  (m-masek at hotmail.comviablindkid)
>>>>>>> 7. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>>  (Deborah Kent Stein via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 8. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP (Pui via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 9. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>>  (Marianne Denning via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 10. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP (oandemom . via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 11. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP (Pui via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 12. Re: Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>>  (Marianne Denning via blindkid)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 1
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 06:39:01 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Robert Jaquiss via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: <Blindhomeschooler at yahoogroups.com>, "'Blind Kid Mailing List,
>>>>>>>    \(for parents of blind children\)'" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>,
>>>>>>>    "'Professionals in Blindness Education Division List'"
>>>>>>>    <pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindkid] Exposed to Hope Book
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <000301cf7a7a$30426490$90c72db0$@earthlink.net>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I just read that Bethel China, a Christian based organization
>>>>>>> dedicated
>>>>>>> to caring for blind orphans in China has a book; Exposed to Hope. It
>>>>>>> tells
>>>>>>> the stories of thirteen families who have adopted blind children from
>>>>>>> China.
>>>>>>> The link to the book is:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> http://www.bethelchina.org/exposed-to-hope-stories-from-families-who-have-ad
>>>>>>> opted-a-child-with-a-visual-impairment/
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hope this is of use.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 2
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 12:59:30 -0400
>>>>>>> From: Carol Castellano via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Robert Jaquiss <rjaquiss at earthlink.net>, "Blind Kid Mailing List,
>>>>>>>    \(for parents of blind children\)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Exposed to Hope Book
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <153352.87970.bm at smtp116.sbc.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Looks interesting.  Thanks, Robert.
>>>>>>> Carol
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> At 09:39 AM 5/28/2014, you wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hello:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I just read that Bethel China, a Christian based organization
>>>>>>> dedicated
>>>>>>>> to caring for blind orphans in China has a book; Exposed to Hope. It
>>>>>>>> tells
>>>>>>>> the stories of thirteen families who have adopted blind children from
>>>>>>> China.
>>>>>>>> The link to the book is:
>>>>>>> http://www.bethelchina.org/exposed-to-hope-stories-from-families-who-have-ad
>>>>>>>> opted-a-child-with-a-visual-impairment/
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hope this is of use.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Robert
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/carol.joyce.castellano%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Carol Castellano
>>>>>>> Parents of Blind Children-NJ
>>>>>>> Director of Programs
>>>>>>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>>>>>>> 973-377-0976
>>>>>>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
>>>>>>> www.blindchildren.org
>>>>>>> www.nfb.org/parents-and-teachers
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 3
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 13:13:47 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "blindkid at nfbnet.org" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <F1282285-D7AD-41CC-8008-DB34CCCE228D at yahoo.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=us-ascii
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and a
>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted to
>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille
>>>>>>> provision
>>>>>>> act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual media, low
>>>>>>> vision
>>>>>>> kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have heard nothing
>>>>>>> from them.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and he
>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his
>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to them.
>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I am
>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling me
>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the same,
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously not
>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will
>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for his
>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no VI
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M and
>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the IEP
>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively wealthy,
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to
>>>>>>> ask.
>>>>>>> Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals" know
>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 4
>>>>>>> Date: Thu, 29 May 2014 05:49:17 +0800
>>>>>>> From: Sarah Thomas via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Pui <pburmahln at yahoo.com>, NFBnet Blind <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <FC0F31DF-A4BF-4032-B144-1AB72101F88D at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal experience,
>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very
>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they wanted to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to keep
>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and a
>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted to
>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say
>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille
>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual media,
>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have heard
>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and
>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his
>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to them.
>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I am
>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling me
>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the same,
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously not
>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will
>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for his
>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no VI
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M and
>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the IEP
>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively wealthy,
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to
>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals"
>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 5
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 15:00:26 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Julie Yanez via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Kid Mailing List,    (for parents of blind children)"
>>>>>>>    <blindkid at nfbnet.org>,  Sarah Thomas <seacknit at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID:
>>>>>>>    <CALOZGC1QPCxVY6dhJKK39YEGG1xCw3Z9WScXtc0B2mn20U=
>>>>>>> fHQ at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much funding
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid"
>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very
>>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they wanted
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to keep
>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say
>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille
>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have heard
>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and
>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his
>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I
>>>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling
>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will
>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for
>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no
>>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the
>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively wealthy,
>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to
>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals"
>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/jyanez112%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 6
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 17:02:46 -0500
>>>>>>> From: m-masek at hotmail.com via blindkid  <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "=?utf-8?B?U2FyYWggVGhvbWFzIHZpYSBibGluZGtpZA==?="
>>>>>>>    <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <BLU436-SMTP2239E414135DAC185BC1437FE250 at phx.gbl>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Does anyone know where to find the times for vi for children in IL
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ----- Reply message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Sarah Thomas via blindkid" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "Pui" <pburmahln at yahoo.com>, "NFBnet Blind" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, May 28, 2014 4:49 pm
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal experience,
>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very
>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they wanted to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to keep
>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and a
>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted to
>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say
>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille
>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual media,
>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have heard
>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and
>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his
>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to them.
>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I am
>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling me
>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the same,
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously not
>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will
>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for his
>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no VI
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M and
>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the IEP
>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively wealthy,
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to
>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals"
>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/m-masek%40hotmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 7
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 15:17:13 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Deborah Kent Stein via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: <m-masek at hotmail.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing List,     \(for parents
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>    blind children\)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <5B9A12BAAD964F25A487A4C8C36BBD88 at debkentHP>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>>>>>>    reply-type=original
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> As far as I know, there is no rule in Illinois stating how much time a
>>>>>>> visually impaired student should have in service from a TVI.  It is
>>>>>>> worked
>>>>>>> out on a case by case basis, depending on the student's needs.  The IEP
>>>>>>> team
>>>>>>> (including parents and advocates, if they have been brought in)
>>>>>>> establishes
>>>>>>> what the student's needs are and then determines how much TVI time will
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> required to meet those needs.  Usually a beginning Braille reader needs
>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>> TVI minutes per week than a student who has mastered Braille and other
>>>>>>> skills.  It sometimes helps to remind the school that if the student
>>>>>>> gets
>>>>>>> good instruction at the beginning, he/she will need less time with the
>>>>>>> TVI
>>>>>>> in the years ahead.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Debbie
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: m-masek at hotmail.comvia blindkid
>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 3:02 PM
>>>>>>> To: Sarah Thomas via blindkid
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Does anyone know where to find the times for vi for children in IL
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ----- Reply message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Sarah Thomas via blindkid" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "Pui" <pburmahln at yahoo.com>, "NFBnet Blind" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, May 28, 2014 4:49 pm
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal experience,
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively thought
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very rare
>>>>>>> cases
>>>>>>> this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they wanted to do
>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>> I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to keep
>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and a
>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to say
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the braille
>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>>> low vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and
>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require his
>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I am
>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling
>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>>> but we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is
>>>>>>>> obviously
>>>>>>>> not true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son will
>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for
>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no
>>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>>> or blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>> outdated model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as
>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>> O&M and OT are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive
>>>>>>>> technology
>>>>>>>> provided for school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were
>>>>>>>> added
>>>>>>>> to the IEP 4) summer school with service as above 5) consult time with
>>>>>>>> parents and general education teachers. Our school district is
>>>>>>>> relatively
>>>>>>>> wealthy, so there are funds.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid to
>>>>>>> ask.
>>>>>>>> Research on your own, and don't always assume the "professionals" know
>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/m-masek%40hotmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
>>>>>>> protection is active.
>>>>>>> http://www.avast.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 8
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 16:34:44 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Julie Yanez <jyanez112 at gmail.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for
>>>>>>>    parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <5519F01C-4FA3-4A13-A277-5345108FC0E0 at yahoo.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=us-ascii
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> What are you trying to get funding for? My son has all his needs met
>>>>>>> (so
>>>>>>> far). They should have access to quota funds and the low incidence
>>>>>>> fund.
>>>>>>> Also, I know the Braille Institute will loan on a case by case basis.
>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>> did purchase the Smart Brailler ourselves though. We asked for a
>>>>>>> Mountbatten but got the run around, so we pick and choose our battles.
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> was successful in having the district get the CA school for the Blind to
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> a technology assessment. They concluded that technology would be a big
>>>>>>> part
>>>>>>> of his future reading and writing. That report I will bring up again
>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>> it is time to ask for a BrailleNote etc.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 3:00 PM, Julie Yanez via blindkid
>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much funding
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid" <
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very
>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they wanted
>>>>>>> to do
>>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to keep
>>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and
>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes (30
>>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to
>>>>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the
>>>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case and
>>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require
>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very difficult
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components of
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I
>>>>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said that
>>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling
>>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son
>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his initial
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for
>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time (no
>>>>>>> VI or
>>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M
>>>>>>> and OT
>>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology provided
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the
>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively
>>>>>>>>> wealthy,
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the
>>>>>>>>> "professionals"
>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/jyanez112%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pburmahln%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 9
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 20:45:41 -0400
>>>>>>> From: Marianne Denning via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Pui <pburmahln at yahoo.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents
>>>>>>>    of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID:
>>>>>>>    <
>>>>>>> CANZu-JiOZuF3QuTF-4JjEddbB72BjFY3c5MSZ2Prr+OUAFJvPA at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I would say that a braillenote, or other braille display, is needed
>>>>>>> from the beginning.  I teach through virtual instruction and I connect
>>>>>>> with students via Skype and JAWS Tandem.  The student has a braille
>>>>>>> display and so do I.  When I work with a duel reader I have the
>>>>>>> student learn braille contractions and look at the computer screen so
>>>>>>> she learns the connection between braille and print.  If the student
>>>>>>> is a braille reader only, I teach JAWS and Windows commands so she can
>>>>>>> also understand the connection between braille and print.  The student
>>>>>>> will interact with the computer key board and the keys on the braille
>>>>>>> display during the lesson.  And yes, I also teach the student to use
>>>>>>> the Perkins Brailler.  All students need many different tools to
>>>>>>> complete assignments.  I also teach the student to decide when to use
>>>>>>> each tool.  Since I am blind I use all of the tools I teach so I can
>>>>>>> be successful in my career. The TVI who is teaching at the school can
>>>>>>> use the same techniques I use.  Many of them may not have the
>>>>>>> knowledge of JAWS and braille displays to do this but they should
>>>>>>> learn these skills.  Employment in the future will be based on
>>>>>>> technology and our students who have the skills will be more
>>>>>>> successful.  These skills should be taught beginning in Kindergarten
>>>>>>> and continue throughout the student's education.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Please encourage your child's TVI to learn these skills so your child
>>>>>>> learns the braille and technology skills to succeed.  Technology does
>>>>>>> not replace braille.  It makes braille more important than it has ever
>>>>>>> been.  Braille Readers are Leaders!!!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 5/28/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> What are you trying to get funding for? My son has all his needs met
>>>>>>>> (so
>>>>>>>> far). They should have access to quota funds and the low incidence
>>>>>>>> fund.
>>>>>>>> Also, I know the Braille Institute will loan on a case by case basis.
>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>> did
>>>>>>>> purchase the Smart Brailler ourselves though. We asked for a
>>>>>>>> Mountbatten
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>> got the run around, so we pick and choose our battles. I was
>>>>>>>> successful
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> having the district get the CA school for the Blind to do a technology
>>>>>>>> assessment. They concluded that technology would be a big part of his
>>>>>>> future
>>>>>>>> reading and writing. That report I will bring up again when it is time
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> ask for a BrailleNote etc.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 3:00 PM, Julie Yanez via blindkid <
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much
>>>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid"
>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In very
>>>>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they
>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to
>>>>>>>>>> keep
>>>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind and
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district wanted
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes
>>>>>>>>>> (30
>>>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to
>>>>>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the
>>>>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require
>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very
>>>>>>>>>> difficult
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to take
>>>>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components
>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that I
>>>>>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was telling
>>>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously
>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his
>>>>>>>>>> initial
>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for
>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time
>>>>>>>>>> (no
>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his O&M
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology
>>>>>>>>>> provided
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the
>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents and
>>>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively
>>>>>>>>>> wealthy,
>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the
>>>>>>>>>> "professionals"
>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/jyanez112%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pburmahln%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 10
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 21:33:02 -0400
>>>>>>> From: "oandemom . via blindkid" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing
>>>>>>>    List,   (for parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID:
>>>>>>>    <
>>>>>>> CACWKtUea4YUFFAxwADLEOiWp8P_qLfyez6ftuGSXk6n63VAoyQ at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Congrats!  Sounds good.  I also second making sure that he actually
>>>>>>> gets
>>>>>>> his time.  We had a TVI who would give my kids about 10 min and then
>>>>>>> send
>>>>>>> them back to class.  Was so frustrating!!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> good luck!
>>>>>>> Traci
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 8:45 PM, Marianne Denning via blindkid <
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I would say that a braillenote, or other braille display, is needed
>>>>>>>> from the beginning.  I teach through virtual instruction and I connect
>>>>>>>> with students via Skype and JAWS Tandem.  The student has a braille
>>>>>>>> display and so do I.  When I work with a duel reader I have the
>>>>>>>> student learn braille contractions and look at the computer screen so
>>>>>>>> she learns the connection between braille and print.  If the student
>>>>>>>> is a braille reader only, I teach JAWS and Windows commands so she can
>>>>>>>> also understand the connection between braille and print.  The student
>>>>>>>> will interact with the computer key board and the keys on the braille
>>>>>>>> display during the lesson.  And yes, I also teach the student to use
>>>>>>>> the Perkins Brailler.  All students need many different tools to
>>>>>>>> complete assignments.  I also teach the student to decide when to use
>>>>>>>> each tool.  Since I am blind I use all of the tools I teach so I can
>>>>>>>> be successful in my career. The TVI who is teaching at the school can
>>>>>>>> use the same techniques I use.  Many of them may not have the
>>>>>>>> knowledge of JAWS and braille displays to do this but they should
>>>>>>>> learn these skills.  Employment in the future will be based on
>>>>>>>> technology and our students who have the skills will be more
>>>>>>>> successful.  These skills should be taught beginning in Kindergarten
>>>>>>>> and continue throughout the student's education.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Please encourage your child's TVI to learn these skills so your child
>>>>>>>> learns the braille and technology skills to succeed.  Technology does
>>>>>>>> not replace braille.  It makes braille more important than it has ever
>>>>>>>> been.  Braille Readers are Leaders!!!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On 5/28/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> What are you trying to get funding for? My son has all his needs met
>>>>>>> (so
>>>>>>>>> far). They should have access to quota funds and the low incidence
>>>>>>> fund.
>>>>>>>>> Also, I know the Braille Institute will loan on a case by case basis.
>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>> did
>>>>>>>>> purchase the Smart Brailler ourselves though. We asked for a
>>>>>>> Mountbatten
>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>> got the run around, so we pick and choose our battles. I was
>>>>>>>>> successful
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>> having the district get the CA school for the Blind to do a
>>>>>>>>> technology
>>>>>>>>> assessment. They concluded that technology would be a big part of his
>>>>>>>> future
>>>>>>>>> reading and writing. That report I will bring up again when it is
>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> ask for a BrailleNote etc.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 3:00 PM, Julie Yanez via blindkid <
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much
>>>>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid"
>>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In
>>>>>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they
>>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to
>>>>>>>>>>> keep
>>>>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind
>>>>>>> and a
>>>>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district
>>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes
>>>>>>>>>>> (30
>>>>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this fall.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to
>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the
>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very
>>>>>>>>>>> difficult
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to
>>>>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that
>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was
>>>>>>>>>>> telling
>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is obviously
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son
>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his
>>>>>>>>>>> initial
>>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room for
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time
>>>>>>>>>>> (no
>>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his
>>>>>>>>>>> O&M
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology
>>>>>>>>>>> provided
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to the
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively
>>>>>>> wealthy,
>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be afraid
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the
>>>>>>> "professionals"
>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/jyanez112%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pburmahln%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>>>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>>>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/traci.mwd%40gmail.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 11
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 18:50:12 -0700
>>>>>>> From: Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: "oandemom ." <traci.mwd at gmail.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing List,
>>>>>>> (for
>>>>>>>    parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID: <D0A7A2D9-9CF9-4358-A10F-67D53A7757A1 at yahoo.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=us-ascii
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I must be the most annoying parent ever because in my son's IEP notes
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>> says 30 minutes pull out before school starts, then 30 minutes push in
>>>>>>> once
>>>>>>> class begins. Honestly, I am hands off and  let the service providers
>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>> their job once all the details are agreed upon and signed!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 6:33 PM, "oandemom . via blindkid" <
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Congrats!  Sounds good.  I also second making sure that he actually
>>>>>>>> gets
>>>>>>>> his time.  We had a TVI who would give my kids about 10 min and then
>>>>>>>> send
>>>>>>>> them back to class.  Was so frustrating!!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> good luck!
>>>>>>>> Traci
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 8:45 PM, Marianne Denning via blindkid <
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> I would say that a braillenote, or other braille display, is needed
>>>>>>>>> from the beginning.  I teach through virtual instruction and I
>>>>>>>>> connect
>>>>>>>>> with students via Skype and JAWS Tandem.  The student has a braille
>>>>>>>>> display and so do I.  When I work with a duel reader I have the
>>>>>>>>> student learn braille contractions and look at the computer screen so
>>>>>>>>> she learns the connection between braille and print.  If the student
>>>>>>>>> is a braille reader only, I teach JAWS and Windows commands so she
>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>> also understand the connection between braille and print.  The
>>>>>>>>> student
>>>>>>>>> will interact with the computer key board and the keys on the braille
>>>>>>>>> display during the lesson.  And yes, I also teach the student to use
>>>>>>>>> the Perkins Brailler.  All students need many different tools to
>>>>>>>>> complete assignments.  I also teach the student to decide when to use
>>>>>>>>> each tool.  Since I am blind I use all of the tools I teach so I can
>>>>>>>>> be successful in my career. The TVI who is teaching at the school can
>>>>>>>>> use the same techniques I use.  Many of them may not have the
>>>>>>>>> knowledge of JAWS and braille displays to do this but they should
>>>>>>>>> learn these skills.  Employment in the future will be based on
>>>>>>>>> technology and our students who have the skills will be more
>>>>>>>>> successful.  These skills should be taught beginning in Kindergarten
>>>>>>>>> and continue throughout the student's education.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Please encourage your child's TVI to learn these skills so your child
>>>>>>>>> learns the braille and technology skills to succeed.  Technology does
>>>>>>>>> not replace braille.  It makes braille more important than it has
>>>>>>>>> ever
>>>>>>>>> been.  Braille Readers are Leaders!!!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On 5/28/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> What are you trying to get funding for? My son has all his needs met
>>>>>>> (so
>>>>>>>>>> far). They should have access to quota funds and the low incidence
>>>>>>> fund.
>>>>>>>>>> Also, I know the Braille Institute will loan on a case by case
>>>>>>>>>> basis.
>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>>> did
>>>>>>>>>> purchase the Smart Brailler ourselves though. We asked for a
>>>>>>> Mountbatten
>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>> got the run around, so we pick and choose our battles. I was
>>>>>>>>>> successful
>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>> having the district get the CA school for the Blind to do a
>>>>>>>>>> technology
>>>>>>>>>> assessment. They concluded that technology would be a big part of
>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>> future
>>>>>>>>>> reading and writing. That report I will bring up again when it is
>>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> ask for a BrailleNote etc.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 3:00 PM, Julie Yanez via blindkid <
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much
>>>>>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid"
>>>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I naively
>>>>>>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In
>>>>>>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they
>>>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to
>>>>>>>>>>>> keep
>>>>>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid
>>>>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind
>>>>>>> and a
>>>>>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district
>>>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes
>>>>>>>>>>>> (30
>>>>>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this
>>>>>>>>>>>> fall.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district to
>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the
>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not require
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very
>>>>>>>>>>>> difficult
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to
>>>>>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick components
>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said
>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was
>>>>>>>>>>>> telling
>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is
>>>>>>>>>>>> obviously
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son
>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his
>>>>>>>>>>>> initial
>>>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time
>>>>>>>>>>>> (no
>>>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his
>>>>>>>>>>>> O&M
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology
>>>>>>>>>>>> provided
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively
>>>>>>> wealthy,
>>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be
>>>>>>>>>>>>> afraid
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the
>>>>>>> "professionals"
>>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/jyanez112%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pburmahln%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>>>>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>>>>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Message: 12
>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 21:57:03 -0400
>>>>>>> From: Marianne Denning via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> To: Pui <pburmahln at yahoo.com>, "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents
>>>>>>>    of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Braille instruction time in IEP
>>>>>>> Message-ID:
>>>>>>>    <
>>>>>>> CANZu-Jgjj_YczhfqELNn0+zLp417yaM4G-LnaSD2BExfMFcZQw at mail.gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I think that works well if there is trust between you, the school
>>>>>>> district and the TVI.  The problems come in when that trust is broken.
>>>>>>> Itinerant TVIs can, sometimes, have travel issues and this can really
>>>>>>> mess up a schedule.  Some cities and states have more problems than
>>>>>>> others.  I am very happy it is going well for you and thank you for
>>>>>>> sharing your good experience.  We don't say enough good things about
>>>>>>> people sometimes.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 5/28/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>> I must be the most annoying parent ever because in my son's IEP notes
>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>> says 30 minutes pull out before school starts, then 30 minutes push in
>>>>>>> once
>>>>>>>> class begins. Honestly, I am hands off and  let the service providers
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>> their job once all the details are agreed upon and signed!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 6:33 PM, "oandemom . via blindkid" <
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Congrats!  Sounds good.  I also second making sure that he actually
>>>>>>>>> gets
>>>>>>>>> his time.  We had a TVI who would give my kids about 10 min and then
>>>>>>> send
>>>>>>>>> them back to class.  Was so frustrating!!
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> good luck!
>>>>>>>>> Traci
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 8:45 PM, Marianne Denning via blindkid <
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> I would say that a braillenote, or other braille display, is needed
>>>>>>>>>> from the beginning.  I teach through virtual instruction and I
>>>>>>>>>> connect
>>>>>>>>>> with students via Skype and JAWS Tandem.  The student has a braille
>>>>>>>>>> display and so do I.  When I work with a duel reader I have the
>>>>>>>>>> student learn braille contractions and look at the computer screen
>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>> she learns the connection between braille and print.  If the student
>>>>>>>>>> is a braille reader only, I teach JAWS and Windows commands so she
>>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>>> also understand the connection between braille and print.  The
>>>>>>>>>> student
>>>>>>>>>> will interact with the computer key board and the keys on the
>>>>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>>> display during the lesson.  And yes, I also teach the student to use
>>>>>>>>>> the Perkins Brailler.  All students need many different tools to
>>>>>>>>>> complete assignments.  I also teach the student to decide when to
>>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>>> each tool.  Since I am blind I use all of the tools I teach so I can
>>>>>>>>>> be successful in my career. The TVI who is teaching at the school
>>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>>> use the same techniques I use.  Many of them may not have the
>>>>>>>>>> knowledge of JAWS and braille displays to do this but they should
>>>>>>>>>> learn these skills.  Employment in the future will be based on
>>>>>>>>>> technology and our students who have the skills will be more
>>>>>>>>>> successful.  These skills should be taught beginning in Kindergarten
>>>>>>>>>> and continue throughout the student's education.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Please encourage your child's TVI to learn these skills so your
>>>>>>>>>> child
>>>>>>>>>> learns the braille and technology skills to succeed.  Technology
>>>>>>>>>> does
>>>>>>>>>> not replace braille.  It makes braille more important than it has
>>>>>>>>>> ever
>>>>>>>>>> been.  Braille Readers are Leaders!!!
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On 5/28/14, Pui via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> What are you trying to get funding for? My son has all his needs
>>>>>>>>>>> met
>>>>>>>>>>> (so
>>>>>>>>>>> far). They should have access to quota funds and the low incidence
>>>>>>>>>>> fund.
>>>>>>>>>>> Also, I know the Braille Institute will loan on a case by case
>>>>>>>>>>> basis.
>>>>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>>>> did
>>>>>>>>>>> purchase the Smart Brailler ourselves though. We asked for a
>>>>>>>>>>> Mountbatten
>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> got the run around, so we pick and choose our battles. I was
>>>>>>> successful
>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> having the district get the CA school for the Blind to do a
>>>>>>>>>>> technology
>>>>>>>>>>> assessment. They concluded that technology would be a big part of
>>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>> future
>>>>>>>>>>> reading and writing. That report I will bring up again when it is
>>>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> ask for a BrailleNote etc.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014, at 3:00 PM, Julie Yanez via blindkid <
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>> Great job! A parent is always the best advocate! CA seems to have
>>>>>>>>>> amazing
>>>>>>>>>>>> educational laws, but as we are starting to find out, not much
>>>>>>> funding
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> the supplies.
>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2014 2:49 PM, "Sarah Thomas via blindkid"
>>>>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> This sounds like very good news.  I will say, from personal
>>>>>>>>>>>>> experience,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that you will need to monitor the delivery of services.  I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> naively
>>>>>>>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that the school would actually follow the IEP we agreed to.  In
>>>>>>>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>>>>>>>> rare
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cases this proved not to be the case.  They just did what they
>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>>>> while I wasn't watching.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Even when the law and common sense are on your side, you need to
>>>>>>> keep
>>>>>>>>>>>>> watching.  Also, your continued involvement helps keep the school
>>>>>>>>>>>>> diligent.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sally Thomas
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 29, 2014, at 4:13 AM, Pui via blindkid
>>>>>>>>>>>>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello everybody,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I wrote a few weeks ago about my son's case. He is legally blind
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dual learner. We had his IEP a few weeks ago and the district
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> reduce his monthly TVI time from 300 minutes weekly to 90 minutes
>>>>>>> (30
>>>>>>>>>>>>> minutes a day, 3 times weekly) as he starts kindergarten this
>>>>>>>>>>>>> fall.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For the past week and a half I have been emailing the district
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that I did not agree with this reduction. I also sent them the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> braille
>>>>>>>>>>>>> provision act under IDEA, as well as studies about learning dual
>>>>>>>>>>>>> media,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> low
>>>>>>>>>>>>> vision kids who couldn't keep up with print later on etc. I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>> heard
>>>>>>>>>>>>> nothing from them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Today I spoke to a special education lawyer. I explained my case
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>>>>> said that my son is in a good legal situation that did not
>>>>>>>>>>>>> require
>>>>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>>>> legal services. The laws in CA are in our favor. It is very
>>>>>>> difficult
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the district to reduce those 300 minutes once they have agreed to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> They would have to file legal action and go into due process to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>>>>>>> minutes away from him. CA laws allow us parents to pick
>>>>>>>>>>>>> components
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> IEP we want, and don't want.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> All I have to do is go to the district and register a letter that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>>>>>> sending them in reply to their kindergarten IEP. The lawyer said
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>>> basically I just tell them "thanks" for the offer but 1) we don't
>>>>>>>>>>>>> consent
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to the reduction of VI services and 2) we consent to the new
>>>>>>>>>>>>> kindergarten
>>>>>>>>>>>>> goals (and other details we agree on). The district lady was
>>>>>>>>>>>>> telling
>>>>>>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that if I did not sign the IEP his service minutes would stay the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> same,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> we wouldn't be able to move forward on the goals. This is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> obviously
>>>>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>>>>> true according to the lawyer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, there you have it. I am obviously pleased to know my son
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>>>> continue to get daily braille instruction. I am glad that his
>>>>>>> initial
>>>>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>>>> was written well enough that the district have less wiggle room
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>>>> second IEP. I am glad that we asked for and got 1) daily TVI time
>>>>>>> (no
>>>>>>>>>> VI
>>>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blind student gets daily TVI time in our district, it is such an
>>>>>>>>>>>>> outdated
>>>>>>>>>>>>> model of itinerant teaching) 2) half of that time as well as his
>>>>>>>>>>>>> O&M
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> OT
>>>>>>>>>>>>> are done outside of his school hours 3) assistive technology
>>>>>>> provided
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> school and home 4) braille books, tack tiles etc. were added to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> IEP
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 4)
>>>>>>>>>>>>> summer school with service as above 5) consult time with parents
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> general education teachers. Our school district is relatively
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wealthy,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>>>> there are funds.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Parents - make sure that first IEP is ironclad and don't be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> afraid
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ask. Research on your own, and don't always assume the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> "professionals"
>>>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>>>> best.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone for your input, they were all very helpful and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> encouraging!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pui Burmahln
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>>>>>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>>>>>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/traci.mwd%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/marianne%40denningweb.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
>>>>>>> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
>>>>>>> (513) 607-6053
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Subject: Digest Footer
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> End of blindkid Digest, Vol 121, Issue 26
>>>>>>> *****************************************
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindkid mailing list
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>>>>>> blindkid:
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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindkid mailing list
>>>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
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>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> blindkid:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/pburmahln%40yahoo.com
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> blindkid:
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