[nabs-l] Self-Advocacy Question

[johnnie Jean duran]

Arielle:
Thank you, I definitely appreciate your willing to help with this
situation. The Cooking class will begin tomorrow, and i am not
required to have a para, but my tvi is implying that it'd be best for
me. However, I definitely disagree, and am totally capable of
participating within the class on my own. I have honestly never even
met the teacher before today, and the confidence that she had in me
was very low. I have talked to my mother, and she has left voicemails
in both of their mailboxes, so hopefully something gets done! However,
I will let you know, because in my opinion, if they were to see
another blind individual, who independently cooks explain things to
them, it might change their mind.
Thank you so much Arielle!
JJ

On 11/11/13, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi JJ,
>
> I don't think you need a para, especially if you already have a lot of
> experience cooking. Are your parents willing to stand up for you?
> Ultimately it's their decision, so if your parents say that you should
> participate equally in the class without somebody standing by your
> side, then that is what should happen. You could also try contacting
> Scott LaBarre, Brent Batron or someone else in CO who could advocate
> for you. I live in Colorado and would  be happy to talk with your TVI
> as a blind person who cooks independently. If your parents are
> supporting you and on your side, they can write a letter to the TVI
> and teacher requesting you participate fully in the class without a
> para, and can perhaps set up a special meeting to discuss this
> arrangement. Even if your teachers require a para to be there, you can
> still request the para stand back and let you participate fully in the
> class. You will get much more out of the class that way. When does the
> class start?
>
> Arielle
>
> On 11/11/13, johnnie Jean duran <johnniejduran at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dear National Association of Blind Students,
>> As some of you may know, I am currently an 8th grade student attending
>> O'Connell Middle School, and every trimester, every student is allowed
>> to switch electives and pick a new one. I decided to choose cooking
>> (family and consumer science) as my selection, however my TVI and the
>> cooking teacher are both implying that I will need a para with me in
>> there at all times. I chose cooking because it is something I am good
>> at, and I do it all the time. But, both teachers are persisting that I
>> need a para. What should I tell them, because they aren't listening?
>> Do I need an advocate?
>> Thanks,
>> JJ
>>
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-- 
Ms. Johnnie Jean Duran
8th Grade Student
O'Connell Middle School - An IB World School
Member Of The National Federation Of The Blind Of Colorado, The
Colorado Association Of Blind Students, and the North Metro Chapter of
the NFB.
Facebook: facebook.com/johnniejean.duran
Instagram: jj_duran13
Skype: jj.duran13
Kik: jjd_13