[nabs] Guide Dogs in High School?

[Bernadetta Pracon]

Hi Dornetta and Caitlin, and everyone else

An article? Sure. Why not. (*grin).

I agree, it's outrageous that the school makes the aid follow this girl 
around. Caitlin, is this a private or public school? I've seen private 
schools make problems for blind students to this degree, but I, being 
the product of a public school system myself, wasn't aware that such 
backwards actions are still being taken. Obviously, there is still a 
great deal of discrimination and ignorance about us, because if all was 
fine and dandy, there would be no need for the ACB or NFB. lol. But to 
this degree, it's shamefully rediculous.
I also had an aid for my first two years of high school, the same one I 
had since kindergarten as a matter of fact. But she was there mainly to 
describe pictures to me and braille worksheets, etc. They even gave her 
an office from which she worked. There was no way she ever followed me 
around or brought me anywhere by the time I was in high school.
 That one was an exceptional woman. If she had involved herself in my 
daily activities more, it probably might not have been too bad, because 
all the students loved her. It's interesting-- She was the "cool" 
mother figure none of us had, but sometimes dreamed of.:)  She was 
hired as my aid and braillist, but she had kids from all walks of life 
filing in and out of her tiny office, telling her of their problems and 
triumphs. She found an old plastic-covered couch in some storage locker 
at the high school, and coaxed one of the janiters to drag it into that 
closet-sized, windowless room. Before long, the jocks, the "good 
girls", the nerds and the "bad boys" alike made it a habit of seating 
themselves on that old couch to pour their hearts out to her. She never 
judged them and never told their secrets, just doled out some advice 
where needed.
   She was actually my biggest advocate of independence; She refused to 
do things for me or help me with tasks I could handle alone, even when 
it was suggested by others that she should. I guess I was just lucky.

Anyway, by the time I began working with Kipp, I no longer had an aid 
at all, since I transfered to a magnet school in a different district. 
By that time, I only had a TVI.
My point is, Caitlin, your friend there will have to be very strong and 
advocate for herself as much as she can, and enlist the help of others 
such as those of us who have already been in similar situations. 
Contacting either organization is a great idea, whichever she may 
prefer. I strongly suspect that her school district is going to be 
giving her a lot of trouble and will refuse cooperation regarding the 
dog, if she chooses to get one.

All Best,

Bernadetta

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