[nabs] inadequate accommodations
Littlefield, Tyler
tyler at tysdomain.com
Mon Feb 13 14:52:29 EST 2012
Hello:
Just my two cents here. I've already thrown this out.
Getting your complaints heard and documented because you feel you're
entitled to having jaws on every computer you look at is probably not
the best idea. If you keep getting your complaints "known and
documented," things are going to get much more dificult for you. If I
have someone constantly complaining, I'm just going to suffer through it
and throw it out the window when they finally leave me alone. If, in
fact you go to the dean and say "Hello, my name is Joe and I've been
here two years, but I just now have this problem that you can help me
with," he's not heard from you, and hopefully not heard anything bad
about you, so he'll be willing to work with you. If you're constantly
outside his office door he's going to get tired of you and ADA laws be
damned, they're going to make it hard. They may put Jaws on every
computer eventually I guess if you complain enough, but there are plenty
of ways they can make your life really really hard.
On 2/13/2012 12:16 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:
> Neta,
> Good for you! I plan to meet with the dean of academic affairs with my
> dad. Yes, I believe researching is a good idea too.
> Glad you stood up to them and went to the top.
> Even if we don’t get what we feel we need, equal access, at least they
> have our concerns known and documented.
> *From:* Dornetta <mailto:dornetta at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 13, 2012 2:08 PM
> *To:* Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.
> <mailto:nabs at acb.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [nabs] inadequate accommodations
> Ann,
> I also agree with you.
> Ashley,
> Could you do some research on the ADA law that Ann suggested and then
> go back to the disability counselor or maybe the Dean of Academic
> Affairs. I have went over the "head" of many to the Dean of Academic
> Affairs when something was not done or when the college gave my
> disability counselor static.
> Netta
> "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is
> that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness
> that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
> gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are
> a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
> nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
> insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We
> were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's
> not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light
> shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
> As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically
> liberates others."-Mariann Williamson
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Ann <mailto:apomerai at verizon.net>
> *To:* 'Discussion list for NABS, National Alliance of Blind
> Students.' <mailto:nabs at acb.org>
> *Sent:* Friday, February 10, 2012 1:37 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [nabs] inadequate accommodations
>
> I have to put my 2 cents worth in. It is not equal access if all
> sighted students get to work on the instructors office computer
> during office hours, but any student who is visually challenged
> does not because the college does not have JAWS for the
> instructor to use. The college should have an extra edition to put
> on any computer where it is needed for equal access. This
> community college is state funded, so under Title 1 of the ADA and
> the Rehab Act of 1973, the college is required to provide equal
> access to learning. Since instructors are required to have office
> hours to help students, I feel this is a responsibility of the
> college to provide JAWS for the instructor to use for the
> semester. There is no way the college can say in court that this
> is too expensive (undue burden) to do this, because the courts
> look at the total budget of the college, and an additional copy of
> JAWS is nothing in their millions of dollars for their budget!
> Also, unless the instructor requires all students to bring their
> own computer, Ashley shouldn’t have to bring hers just because she
> is visually challenged.
>
> I know sometimes you have to pick your fights, but since I am
> paying an equal amount for my tuition as the other students, I
> expect the college to give me equal service. Before I started my
> first class I disagreed with my counselor for the Office of
> Disability Services about a number of items that were not put on
> my Memo of Accommodation or Faculty Contact letter. I was nice,
> but I disagreed, and I told them that I felt strong enough on some
> issues that I would be going up the ladder until I got
> satisfaction. I believe I am legally right and last fall I got the
> opinion of a DOJ lawyer, and she agreed with me.
>
> I know it is hard, and there are only so many hours in the day,
> but I can’t stand not getting equal service, and will advocate for
> it as much as possible. Some things I do put on the “burner”, but
> usually I will get to them. I do have an advantage that many
> people do not in that I am only taking one class at this point.
> Also for the last 9 years, I have been volunteering with a county
> board that advocates for all people with physical and sensory
> disabilities, so I have learned a lot from others.
>
> Everybody can just do their best at advocating for equal access.
> For each individual there is no right or wrong, just doing what
> you have time to accomplish to try and make things fair and equal.
> If we don’t challenge the status quo that at times is not equal,
> who will? I refuse to be thought of as someone who instructors
> don’t have to worry about giving me everything they give to the
> other students .
>
> So, if Ashley has good points on things that need improving, then
> I think she is right to fight for her rights, and not give up and
> accept less than what other students receive.
>
> Ann
>
> *From:*nabs-bounces at acb.org [mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org] *On
> Behalf Of *frandi.galindo at gmail.com
> *Sent:* Thursday, February 09, 2012 10:46 PM
> *To:* Discussion list for NABS, National Alliance of Blind Students.
> *Subject:* Re: [nabs] inadequate accomodations
>
> I have to agree that jaws shouldn’t be allowed to be on the
> professor’s computer, but I belive the College should have a
> computer with jaws available for your use.
>
> *From:*Yvonne <mailto:yvonne625 at verizon.net>
>
> *Sent:*Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:55 PM
>
> *To:*'Discussion list for NABS, National Alliance of Blind
> Students.' <mailto:nabs at acb.org>
>
> *Subject:*Re: [nabs] inadequate accomodations
>
> I would have the professor download the trial version of Jaws I
> think that lasts for 40 min. and it’s free, or you could use your
> laptop.
>
> *From:*nabs-bounces at acb.org <mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org>
> [mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org] *On Behalf Of *Ashley Bramlett
> *Sent:* Wednesday, February 08, 2012 7:27 PM
> *To:* National Alliance of Blind Students. Discussion list for NABS
> *Subject:* [nabs] inadequate accomodations
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just wondering what technology your campus has? Jaws? Up to date
> technology?
>
> My disability counselor, Ms Ko, told this legal affairs guy I
> contacted that my request for a jaws copy was denied.
>
> He apparently talked to her and saw my memo of accomodations.
>
> He thinks nova is adequate for technology and supports denying me
> the jaws in the professor’s office because its meerly for tutoring.
>
> He says this even though no jaws in other public areas; the
> assistive tech lab is not open yet.
>
> They were supposed to open in february, but they are not ready.
>
> I mean they do not have jaws in the writing, tutoring or career
> center or other public places such as the godwin building; yet
> they have like 30 netbooks
>
> for student use there. Gee.
>
> BTW, I did reluctantly buy a laptop and the administrative
> assistant is watching over it while I’m in class til I see my
> professor and take it home. I already carry a backpack with a
> braille note inside it so feel its best to put the laptop
> someplace safe while I’m in class, going to the library,
> restrooms, etc.
>
> Rather than giving me a form for my dad to intervene, as I asked
> for, they get defensive.
>
> Gee.
>
> He said
>
> Ms. Ko indicates that you requested NOVA provide JAWS on the
> computer of a professor who has volunteered to tutor you and that
> your request was denied. I support that denial because the college
> is not required to provide JAWS on computers of the professors
> whose classes you are taking or other volunteer tutors simply for
> the purpose of tutoring you.
>
> In sum then, contrary to your statement I am of the opinion that
> NOVA has provided to you all of the accommodations to which you
> are entitled under law, notwithstanding that those accommodations
> do not always meet your personal preference. “
>
> What a bunch of crap and jargain.
>
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--
Take care,
Ty
Web: http://tds-solutions.net
The Aspen project: a light-weight barebones mud engine
http://code.google.com/p/aspenmud
Sent from my toaster.
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