[nabs-l] SO MANY ACCOMMODATION ISSUES! Advice needed!

[Ashley Bramlett]

Chelsea,

Also keep copies of emails from your disability counselor.
If you file complaints, the more writing you have, the better.

Meanwhile, if you are taking over full time credits which at most schools is 
12 credits, you probably should withdraw from some classes.
If you are set on working within the class and trying to keep decent grades, 
then I suggest getting notes from classmates and getting tutors. Also, to 
access writing on the board, you could ask students to read to you or have 
your notetaker read it to you. In classes where there was a lot of notes on 
board, I'd ask someone to read them to me whispering it of course. Usually 
the professor spoke what they wrote for me though.
Are these white boards? White boards offer more contrast as you have white 
on black writing. If they keep all notes up all class, if you walk up to it 
after class, you can copy down what is there.

Good luck.



-----Original Message----- 
From: chelsea peahl via nabs-l
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 11:58 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Cc: chelsea peahl
Subject: [nabs-l] SO MANY ACCOMMODATION ISSUES! Advice needed!

I am in dier need of advice!This is my first semester returning to school 
after taking a year-long leave of absence to receive blindness training in 
Utah. I may have entered this semester too confidently, but I felt like I 
could better advocate for myself, but this semester may get the better of 
me.
I'm not just dealing with accessibility or accommodation issues in one or 
two classes, but all of them plus with my universities accessibility center. 
(ASD) Here is just a glimpse of whats happening
Math: Everything is done on the board. He uses no technology in his class, 
and is not open to trying anything. I cannot see anything happening, and so 
have had to teach myself math this semester off of YouTube videos. He does 
not have office hours, and does not respond to emails. My midterm was not 
emailed to the ATC to be made accessible until the day of the midterm, and 
that is what has happened with several tests as well. I have a notetaker, 
but having to rely on her notes isn't enough for a math class. We have since 
tried using a transcriber, but because I have to make the font so large to 
read it, most problems do not fit on the screen. I am unable to see a 
problem start to finish because the program kicks me to wherever the person 
is typing and I am unable to look back. We have since discontinued this 
service because it wasn't working for me. We are looking for a new option to 
fill this. (ATC is looking at trying a video magnifier, but we won't have 
access to one for weeks to try, then we will have to purchase one which will 
take a few additional weeks, and by the time it arrives, the semester will 
be over.
HIstory: I have a notetaker who is decent in there, but access to slides is 
a joke. I did not receive slides until the day before the midterm for the 
semester. How do you study for a midterm when you get the information the 
day before. I have yet to receive any slides since our midterm 2 weeks ago. 
I talk to him daily almost begging for the slides, but it has yet to happen.
Music: I have an intro to music class online. I learned that my 
accommodation letter was never sent (thats how my university does it for 
online classes) and therefore I have no accommodations for my tests within 
that class. I am working my hardest to get them, but its after midterms, so 
I may never receive accommodations for the course.
English: My english class is a joke. It has been since the beginning. At 
first, my professor tried sending me into the hallways for our daily quizzes 
(I haven't figured out why) Everything is done on the board through 
powerpoint and other sources daily, and the only thing I am ever given 
access to is the quiz (Printed). She has emailed me asking if I was going to 
drop her class, has refused to give me quizzes with the class, calls out my 
blindness almost daily, and doesn't give me access to any extra credit that 
the rest of my class gets. Because I am unable to see the board, and she is 
unwilling to help me, I am left to figure everything out on my own. (which 
sucks. If Im paying to take a class, maybe she should teach me that subject) 
Just today, she sent me another email saying the stuff shown overhead isn't 
that important...and if I thought it was unfair, I should go talk to her. (I 
talk to her DAILY to no avail!) I have since been advised by ASD to not 
return to her class until further notice. (which is stressful because we 
have daily quizzes that can't be made up.) I also have a notetaker, but I'm 
lucky to receive a few sentences of notes once a week.
ASD: My councilors was of accommodating me with the struggles in my classes 
was to offer to buy professors larger markers and to tell me to walk to the 
board if I can't see it. (I'm legally blind at 20/400 and 20/600 vision, and 
declining.) I have brought up these issues since first week, and he never 
tried to approach the situation in the slightest. After weeks of fighting, I 
finally got someone to listen to me. (our amazing Lab Tech, Jenna! She has 
gone above and beyond her job to help me, and I couldn't thank her enough.) 
When she heard there was this big of a problem, she has been working to try 
and help me solve this. I have since gone through a councilor change to try 
and get something done, and yet, nothing is happening. (other than a few 
emails sent.)
Its past midterms. My grades are suffering because of this all, and its not 
my fault! I'm frustrated! My grades aren't due to laziness or not doing the 
work, they are from test scores because how can you study when you are never 
given the information?!
It has been advised to file a formal grievance against the university, but I 
still hold on to hope that things will get better, but I have fought all 
semester. I have talked to professors almost daily. I've stated these issues 
since the beginning. I have fought with the ASD more than once a week. I 
have had to get a new councilor, and have sat through multiple meetings a 
week with the ASD and ATC. I have had to threaten a formal grievance, (and 
may have to file one.) I overall feel like I'm becoming the ASD "Problem 
client" and thats the last thing I want. I just want access to my classes! I 
know I should pick my battles, but if I back down now, I'm backing down for 
the next three years or longer, and I'm not willing to do that! This is my 
education, and I deserve access just like everyone else! This is definitely 
taking a tole on me!
I need your advice on where to go from here. I have more meetings tomorrow 
and throughout next week, and I need to get them to hear my voice, and what 
may have been helpful to you!
Thank you! Chelsea Peahl
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