[Nfb-science] The Definition of a Qualified Reader?

[rjaquiss]

Hello Elizageth:

     In my opinion, a qualified reader would be someone knowledgeable in the
subject area for which you need reading. Since you are needing help with
math, a qualified reader would be someone who knows math. In your case, I
would think you would want a upper class math major or someone who is
becoming a math teacher. At the very least, the reader needs to have very
good skills with the type of material you are studying. When it comes to
graphs and charts, I would suggest that these need to be rendered tactually
using either capsule paper or a a ViewPlus Technologies embosser. I can't
imagine trying to understand a graph or chart without a hard copy
representation. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Robert


-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-science [mailto:nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Elizabeth Mohnke via Nfb-science
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2017 10:33 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list; NFB Science and
Engineering Division List; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: Elizabeth Mohnke
Subject: [Nfb-science] The Definition of a Qualified Reader?

Hello All,

This past semester I was not able to receive the accommodations I needed for
a math class. Since I do not know Braille very well, or know how to make a
screen reader on a computer read the various math symbols, graphs, and
charts, I find that using a human reader is the best way for me to gain
equal access to the course materials required for my math classes.

However, it appears as though my college and I do not agree on what
constitutes as a qualified reader. I have tried searching online to see if I
can find a legal definition of a qualified reader, or any recent settlement
cases involving the use of a reader to see if this might help provide some
clarification as to what constitutes as a qualified reader. However, I have
not been able to find anything that I believe would help me. It seems as
though all the definitions I have found regarding the definition of a
qualified reader are rather vague and could be interpreted in different ways
by different people.

I am currently trying to write a complaint using the complaint process
within my college regarding the lack of accommodations I received for my
math class this semester. I am not completely sure how to write this
complaint, but I believe having a clear definition of what constitutes a
qualified reader would be helpful for this complaint as well as advocating
for myself as a blind student with an additional disability. If anyone has a
good clear definition of what constitutes as a qualified reader, I would
greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Elizabeth
_______________________________________________
Nfb-science mailing list
Nfb-science at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-science_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-science:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-science_nfbnet.org/rjaquiss%40earthlin
k.net