[blindlaw] possible discrimination...What should i do?

[Mark BurningHawk]

I can see the bit about having a talking book machine or tapes in the cell, 
or even a Braille writer in the cell, because of moving parts which could be 
sharpened; any number of weapons exist there.  However, if typewriters are 
accessed by other inmates under supervision, as I imagine is the case, then 
a Braille writer would, it seems, be permissible, or even just a regular 
typewriter, for writing to you at least.  A possible suggestion for the 
talking book machine might be to rig up some sort of Bluetooth headset 
system whereby your husband listens to the books over a wireless headset, 
and taps on a window or something to have the guard flip the tape over, 
rewind, fast forward, etc.; in other words, either not letting him have 
access to the machine and/or its parts and an accommodation being that a 
prison official must do that part for him, or rig up a way in which he can 
only remotely control the unit; physical tape turnover and switching would 
still have to be done by a guard.  Is your husband just now getting all 
these services, like talking books and so on, or has he been tied in the 
usual run of services that blind people usually get?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth Cooks" <ec_singer4 at sbcglobal.net>
To: <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 5:16 AM
Subject: [blindlaw] possible discrimination...What should i do?


> To all receiving this email:
>
> My husband, who is totally blind, is currently incarcerated in a prison in
> Southern Illinois.  I justrecentlygot him set up with talkingbooks and a
> machine, which was promptly sent to him after receipt of the application.
> After the books and machine arrived, there was a run around going on about
> who had responsibility for the material and machine.  Now, I just got a 
> call
> from my husband this evening telling me that he is not allowed to have the
> tapes or machine, since they have screws and he could take them apart and
> hide things in them.  For the same reason, they will not allow him to have 
> a
> braille writer so that he can write to me when others are allowed
> typewriters an access to reading material from the library.  It seems to 
> me
> he isn't given the same rights as everyone there. Is there anything i can 
> do
> about this?
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> Elizabeth Cooks
>
>
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