by Ardis Bazyn
If you are a high school student or an adult contemplating the idea of attending college, you may be interested in reading a handbook which has recently been made available by the Blind Students of California (BSC). The BSC, with the help of many supportive volunteers, recently published “A Guide to A Successful College Experience.” This guidebook references many helpful resources and offers insight into achieving success in college life. It outlines some basics of the process. The areas covered are: college choices, admissions process, financial aid solutions, individual needs, disabled student services, readers and drivers, applicable laws, and guide dogs on campus.
The guidebook can be downloaded from the recently established BSC Internet web page. Please visit: http://www.geocities.com/bscteam/BSC.html.
The guidebook is also available free of charge to members in alternate formats. Please e-mail bscteam@hotmail.com for more information.
California’s blind students offer a number of services to other blind students across the country.
Their web page, which can also be accessed through the ACB and California Council of the Blind web sites, provides information about a range of resources from scholarships and financial aid to rehabilitation services. A list of on-line forums and discussion lists can also be accessed from the web site. The Blind Students of California (BSC) currently hosts an e-mail listserv that links visually impaired students statewide to one another. The list also contains BSC event announcements, facilitates discussions on how to obtain equipment, and provides updates on current disability related legislation. To join our online community group, please subscribe by sending a blank e-mail message to ca_blindstudents-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.