[nabs] school is not accomodating

Sat Jan 21 07:57:32 EST 2012

Ashley, 

The one I have is an HP.  It has the standard keyboard on it; including the insert key.  In place of the insert, you would use the Capslock key.

From: nabs-bounces at acb.org [mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:19 AM
To: Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.
Subject: Re: [nabs] school is not accomodating

Caitlin,

Okay. Is your netbook really that light? I’m a small person; I’m five feet tall and am not that strong. I’m not one to haul around a large laptop, not when there is lots of steps around.

My dad says a laptop is 500 or 600 dollars so if I feel I need one, we will do that.

Do they have cd drives on them? Also, what do you use in place of the insert key on it?

From: Caitlin Lynch - ACBS Second VP <mailto:secondvicepresident.acbstudents at gmail.com>  

Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 8:17 PM

To: Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students. <mailto:nabs at acb.org>  

Cc: Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students. <mailto:nabs at acb.org>  

Subject: Re: [nabs] school is not accomodating

Hi Ashley,

   It certainly sounds as though your college isn't doing a great job accomodating you. In terms of laptops, I'd definitely recommend getting one. They have net books now with 8 oor 9 hour batteries, weighin in at less than 3lbs at times. Also, I have seen these computers for $400 or so; not sure this is the case in VA or not, but it's always nice to look. One other comment that I'll make is that "bigger" doesn't mean "better". As you are taking courses at a two year school with what I'm assuming is a large population, your needs may be forgotten in the shuffle. If there are a lot of students, the DSO may be quite understaffed. Just keep your chin up. By all means vent; God knows the vast majority of us have walked the road you're on.

Caitlin

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 20, 2012, at 7:04 PM, Zack Olson <zack.olson.85 at gmail.com> wrote:

Any texts I've gotten from a publisher in PDF have been the way you described yours to be. I definitely suggest getting a laptop. There are good ones that aren't that big, and backpacks designed for carrying laptops. 

Unfortunately, I feel like  such issues as you are having with your DSO are the norm rather than exceptions. Workers are undertrained and the staffs of such offices are often to small. Also, professors rarely know anything about disability or universal access barriers. 

Just remember, the squeaky wheel and all that. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 20, 2012, at 4:35 PM, "Starner, Alicia" <astarner at charter.net> wrote:

Ashley,

It sure sounds like your college is unaccommodating to you. I am sorry you are having these issues. I do hope it gets better for you. Have you tried working with your vocational rehabilitation office to get an educational seminar or something for the access people at your college. It sounds like they have a lot to learn and could benefit from the folks at the rehabilitation office.

Just a thought.

Alicia 

From: nabs-bounces at acb.org [mailto:nabs-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2012 1:51 PM
To: National Alliance of Blind Students. Discussion list for NABS
Subject: [nabs] school is not accomodating

Hi all,

Just want to vent. My school doesn’t seem very accomodating and they’re the largest community college in the commonwealth. Yo They got over five campuses and you can read about at www.nvcc.edu.

I’m just taking further classes to get a writing certificate and figured extra knowledge will enhance my resume as I look for work. No one’s hiring so it will be a whwile; might as well learn more.

First, my disability service office, DSO, does not scan any texts. I am still waiting for electronic text; fortunately, a family member can read meanwhile til I find a reader at school. If the publisher won’t give us the e-book, they likely never will; I mean its been two weeks!

Second, I am taking that It class as I mentioned before. The instructor wanted jaws installed in her office because she needs to show me the steps. Hmm. Maybe I need a laptop. But I hate the idea of lugging the thing around!

They tell us they don’t have enough licenses; um how absurd. They need lots of them. what if another blind student needs jaws in a classroom lab?

Third, they cannot braille tests; at least they will outsource to get it brailled though; just seems like a large school would be able to braille tests!

Fourth, this new building which holds the student service stuff and counseling center is very open few halls, few landmarks. I bet its not ADA compliant. I don’t know though. Its certainly confusing for a blind traveler. Sighted people get lost until they’ve been there a lot since its not laid out well.

Not to mention the inaccessible website and CD for the IT class too. Publishers need to get with the program!

Ashley

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