[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

Tue Jul 27 04:44:59 UTC 2010

Hi, jewel,
  Thanks for the update and sharing your personal experiences. I have
been following this thread and am really impressed with your
self-advocacy efforts. I have always used a braille notetaker in the
classroom, but I'm sure the laptop and braille display combination
would work well for you as you said you are a fast typist! I'm happy
to hear that things are moving in a positive direction for you to get
the essential equipment in a timely manner. Keep up the good work; I'm
sure you will be a successful college student with your determination
and perseverance. best of luck and keep us posted!
   Katie

On 7/26/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I decided to go with the laptop because of its flexibility with
> third-party programs, ease of connection with the embosser and
> scanner, and ease of direct connection with other students (I have a
> document, I put it on a flash drive, give it to another student, they
> put it on their computer, no translating the file, vice versa). They
> will be getting a refreshable Braille display to use with the laptop;
> that was one of the recommendations that was emphasized, because I am
> so not an audio learner.
>
> I did the tutorial for the Victor Stream at rehab and learned quite a
> bit about it, and agree that it will be awesome and very helpful It
> will allow me to keep up with my classes until the other equipment
> comes in.
>
> The other equipment will also be coming. I just emphasized the laptop
> and Braille display as the most important for school. The other
> equipment include a scanner, Juliette embosser, and a talking
> scientific calculator (for science and math classes...my little
> calculator was of very little help with even high school level maths
> beyond the very basic).
>
> I did contact the local chapter president (my adopted mama, actually)
> and the state president, as well as the supervisor. They all know that
> I am very independent, but am willing to ask for advise...they know
> that they shouldn't do things *for* me since if they do that, I'll
> never learn how to do it myself, but they know that if they tell me
> how to do something, I'll do it. So that's what happened. They told me
> how to do what I wanted to do, and I went and did it...most of it at
> home on the phone so it didn't exhaust me from walking all over in the
> heat. I'm quite proud of my work, but I've still got lots to do!
> Tomorrow I gotta call Wake Tech to see if they got the financial aid
> note from DoE so my tuition is covered (tuition is due Friday) and so
> I can get my books and supplies. I still haven't heard from the person
> who did the assessment about getting the recommendations over to my VR
> counselor, but i'll be on his tail all day tomorrow. I can be merrily
> annoying when I want to be.
>
> At the same time, I'm fighting the leasing office to return my deposit
> from the move...it's almost a month late and they gave no notice of
> withholding, so they owe me the full amount back, $495, which I plan
> on saving toward my Orlando trip next June/July. That's a whole nother
> mess, but I'm right on their tails, too.
>
> Self-advocacy is very important, but I'm still just learning it, as I
> was a very withdrawn, timid child. I kept away from people because I
> didn't want to be hurt by them as I had been hurt so many times by
> bullies and back-stabbing "friends." I was abused emotionally and
> mentally as a child (my therapist says from what I tell her, my mother
> may be a true sadist). So, now I'm learning to stick up for myself and
> not withdraw into myself when someone attacks my opinion, beliefs, or
> assertions. *smiles*
>
> On 7/26/10, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I use JAWS and MS-Office all the time on my netbook (an Acer Aspire
>> One) without problems.
>>
>> Arielle
>>
>> On 7/26/10, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Jewel,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the update.  Its good you're a great advocate!
>>> So you decided to go the laptop way not the braille notetaker.  Since you
>>> don't have the braille display of a notetaker, I hope they'll provide you
>>> the display with your laptop. On your list of equipment, The VR stream is
>>> least expensive.  So I'm glad they can get that for you fast and you'll
>>> have
>>> it by the time school starts!  The Vr stream is a recorder, book player,
>>> text reader and more so I think you'll be impressed with it.
>>>
>>> What did they say about the other equipment such as a scanner?  Keep on
>>> them
>>> and it will turn out alright.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Arielle Silverman
>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>> Email:
>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>> Website:
>> www.nabslink.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>>
>
>
> --
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bunnykatie6%40gmail.com
>