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I have a question regarding reasonable accommodations for my boyfriend's exam at school (self.Blind)
submitted 8y ago by homeschooled
We are located in Ohio. My boyfriend is enrolled in a massage therapy program at a local college. He is legally blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. He can only use that vision under very specific conditions. He needs his computer screen to have inverted colors and very large bold text (at least size 16+). Even then, he puts his face close to the screen and it's a struggle for him.
His school has been accommodating taking tests on computers, and sending him presentations so he can follow along on his computer/phone.... but for his human anatomy final they have a human cadaver with 100 parts noted on it and he has to say what those 100 parts are.
Disability services at his school said the only accomodation he can get for that is double time and something called a "pebble" which is a iPhone magnifying screen, essentially. It does not have inverted colors and is a small screen
He asked if they could take provide photos of the things he needs to identify so he could view on a high contract computer screen in and they said no.
My boyfriend will NOT be able see the cadaver to take an exam. In order to see even a table in front of him, a room needs to be extremely well lit. Forget him being able to see little arteries or veins...that will never happen.
Does anyoave experience with this? We are stuck. He needs this class to graduate and the exam is a huge part of his final grade. He was speaking directly with disability services.
His school has been accommodating taking tests on computers, and sending him presentations so he can follow along on his computer/phone.... but for his human anatomy final they have a human cadaver with 100 parts noted on it and he has to say what those 100 parts are.
Disability services at his school said the only accomodation he can get for that is double time and something called a "pebble" which is a iPhone magnifying screen, essentially. It does not have inverted colors and is a small screen
He asked if they could take provide photos of the things he needs to identify so he could view on a high contract computer screen in and they said no.
My boyfriend will NOT be able see the cadaver to take an exam. In order to see even a table in front of him, a room needs to be extremely well lit. Forget him being able to see little arteries or veins...that will never happen.
Does anyoave experience with this? We are stuck. He needs this class to graduate and the exam is a huge part of his final grade. He was speaking directly with disability services.
-oO0Oo- 2 points
sigh...
>He was speaking directly with disability services.
If disability services declined your BFs request, they probably talked to the college's legal department and have a good reason for saying no. These decisions are not arbitrary. There is probably legal case law on this matter that justifies the decision.
Your BF can probably request an appeal of the disability services decision.
If your BF can not request an appeal, or is not satisfied with the results of the appeal, he can hire a lawyer and sue the college.
There you go: a cogent answer without a single Google link.
But if you want to find a magic wand that will fix this problem quickly enough for him to take the anatomy test before the end of the semester, you're gonna be disappointed.
It's really very simple. But the trouble is, you don't want to recognize the truth.
>He was speaking directly with disability services.
If disability services declined your BFs request, they probably talked to the college's legal department and have a good reason for saying no. These decisions are not arbitrary. There is probably legal case law on this matter that justifies the decision.
Your BF can probably request an appeal of the disability services decision.
If your BF can not request an appeal, or is not satisfied with the results of the appeal, he can hire a lawyer and sue the college.
There you go: a cogent answer without a single Google link.
But if you want to find a magic wand that will fix this problem quickly enough for him to take the anatomy test before the end of the semester, you're gonna be disappointed.
It's really very simple. But the trouble is, you don't want to recognize the truth.
homeschooled [OP] 1 points
>sigh...
>He was speaking directly with disability services. If disability services declined your BFs request, they probably talked to the college's legal department and have a good reason for saying no. These decisions are not arbitrary. There is probably legal case law on this matter that justifies the decision.
They didn't take it to legal. He made the request during a meeting with disability services employee and they verbally said no, it wasn't submitted ahead of time, or reviewed or anything. So this at least gives me hope that maybe we should resubmit a formal request and have it reviewed by legal. Do you think that's a good idea?
>Your BF can probably request an appeal of the disability services decision.
This is also helpful information, the kind of information I was originally looking for in my last thread. Not just people telling me that the university is right, the end. If there's an appeal process then we would absolutely seek that avenue.
>If your BF can not request an appeal, or is not satisfied with the results of the appeal, he can hire a lawyer and sue the college.
This is what we'd like to avoid, obviously. Which is why I came here because I was looking for other avenues. But it may come to that. If he fails this class he can't continue on with the program.
>There you go: a cogent answer without a single Google link. But if you want to find a magic wand that will fix this problem quickly enough for him to take the anatomy test before the end of the semester, you're gonna be disappointed.
The exam is not until the end of the quarter. He was told about the exam today, classes start on Sunday for him. So I really am trying to do this in as far of advance as possible.
>It's really very simple. But the trouble is, you don't want to recognize the truth.
I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. Your response here is helpful, but many of the responses I received were not helpful.
>He was speaking directly with disability services. If disability services declined your BFs request, they probably talked to the college's legal department and have a good reason for saying no. These decisions are not arbitrary. There is probably legal case law on this matter that justifies the decision.
They didn't take it to legal. He made the request during a meeting with disability services employee and they verbally said no, it wasn't submitted ahead of time, or reviewed or anything. So this at least gives me hope that maybe we should resubmit a formal request and have it reviewed by legal. Do you think that's a good idea?
>Your BF can probably request an appeal of the disability services decision.
This is also helpful information, the kind of information I was originally looking for in my last thread. Not just people telling me that the university is right, the end. If there's an appeal process then we would absolutely seek that avenue.
>If your BF can not request an appeal, or is not satisfied with the results of the appeal, he can hire a lawyer and sue the college.
This is what we'd like to avoid, obviously. Which is why I came here because I was looking for other avenues. But it may come to that. If he fails this class he can't continue on with the program.
>There you go: a cogent answer without a single Google link. But if you want to find a magic wand that will fix this problem quickly enough for him to take the anatomy test before the end of the semester, you're gonna be disappointed.
The exam is not until the end of the quarter. He was told about the exam today, classes start on Sunday for him. So I really am trying to do this in as far of advance as possible.
>It's really very simple. But the trouble is, you don't want to recognize the truth.
I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. Your response here is helpful, but many of the responses I received were not helpful.
DulcetFox 1 points
Your best bet is to ask for time alone with the cadaver outside of class to practice on it. I feel confident that I could pass this exam blindfolded, and I am confident that your boyfriend can also if he gets enough time on the cadaver to practice beforehand.
GringadelRio 1 points
Disability services can be very helpful, but sometimes a relationship with the professor can be even more helpful. Work with the professor first and try to come up with a solution that will work for everyone. If that doesn't work, certainly talk to disability services and make sure that all of his accommodations are in writing A letter from his eye doctor stating what the optimum lighting conditions for his eye condition are would greatly benefit him. I would think that reasonable accommodations should include double time, appropriate lighting conditions, appropriate assistive technology, and even enlarged photos if necessary. However, if the professor has a three-dimensional models of anything that he can feel, it would be also beneficial for him to recognize some body parts by touch. Do not be discouraged. I know plenty of blind massage therapists, and all of them have been able to complete their education. If he is told that this is not possible, certainly use the appeal process and possibly an attorney. One of the most important things that he can do is advocate for himself. Blindness is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by.g
geoffisblind 1 points
Ugh, I know the feeling. My school has done a really good job of making accommodations but I still struggle with testing. I am about to finish my last year of high school. You would not believe the battles we went through to get me an enlarged testing booklet for the ACT. It took WEEKS and required letters from my school and ophthalmologist explaining why the legally blind guy actually does need an enlarged booklet, they had no problem giving me extended time but for some reason they made enlarged text difficult to get.
I'm also an AP student and the best we could get out of them this year was an enlarged answer sheet, no enlarged testing booklet, because that makes sense right? My strategy has been to keep bugging them until I get what I need but even that doesn't work all the time. I feel your frustration.
I'm also an AP student and the best we could get out of them this year was an enlarged answer sheet, no enlarged testing booklet, because that makes sense right? My strategy has been to keep bugging them until I get what I need but even that doesn't work all the time. I feel your frustration.
homeschooled [OP] 1 points
>the best we could get out of them this year was an enlarged answer sheet, no enlarged testing booklet, because that makes sense right?
Wow, that makes zero sense. It kind of blows my mind that it's so difficult to get enlarged text for certain things. My boyfriend interviewed with Abercrombie corporate offices this year, and they had a personel test they have all applicants take. It's basically a personality test. But he let them know ahead of time he would need to take it on a computer or with large text. He ended up not having to take it, the recruiter said the publisher they buy the test from would not allow them to reprint with the font changed. Such a simple thing...highlight and enlarge! But nope. It's seemingly impossible?
Have you seen the "Pebble" device? My boyfriend got one from school. It's kind of like an iPhone, but it has a little bracket on the back with a light so you can lay it on documents and the text is magnified big time on the screen, and you move it along as you read. It has different magnifications. They have about 10 different color settings too, so inverted, high contract, black and white, yellow, green, etc. It's actually really helped my boyfriend to read documents when he can't take a test electronically.
Maybe look into that device and see if they will let you use it during the test? They are like $600 though :-\ but the school lends it out to my boyfriend.
Wow, that makes zero sense. It kind of blows my mind that it's so difficult to get enlarged text for certain things. My boyfriend interviewed with Abercrombie corporate offices this year, and they had a personel test they have all applicants take. It's basically a personality test. But he let them know ahead of time he would need to take it on a computer or with large text. He ended up not having to take it, the recruiter said the publisher they buy the test from would not allow them to reprint with the font changed. Such a simple thing...highlight and enlarge! But nope. It's seemingly impossible?
Have you seen the "Pebble" device? My boyfriend got one from school. It's kind of like an iPhone, but it has a little bracket on the back with a light so you can lay it on documents and the text is magnified big time on the screen, and you move it along as you read. It has different magnifications. They have about 10 different color settings too, so inverted, high contract, black and white, yellow, green, etc. It's actually really helped my boyfriend to read documents when he can't take a test electronically.
Maybe look into that device and see if they will let you use it during the test? They are like $600 though :-\ but the school lends it out to my boyfriend.
geoffisblind 1 points
My younger brother who also has LCA has used a Pebble. I use something very simillar called an $1 which I prefer, but to each his own. It's about finding what works for you. I also have a $1 which does the same things but with a much larger screen and it also has OCR which is a godsend. Having magnification is good, but the ability to sit back and let it read has saved me from straining so many times. This also does the contrast and magnification changes. They won't let me use either on stuff like the ACT or AP tests because they have cameras.
I was laughing with my AP proctor this morning as I was finishing my last test... Testing companies are absurd, they provided me with all enlarged media last year but for some reason I don't have a need anymore. God forbid I question the College Board and their infinite wisdom. Whatever, what is done is done. I hope things work out for your boyfriend, I feel the pain.
Edit: Grammar
I was laughing with my AP proctor this morning as I was finishing my last test... Testing companies are absurd, they provided me with all enlarged media last year but for some reason I don't have a need anymore. God forbid I question the College Board and their infinite wisdom. Whatever, what is done is done. I hope things work out for your boyfriend, I feel the pain.
Edit: Grammar
Slatters-AU 1 points
I'm not from the US, but I can relate to the feeling of being a bit lost about how to explain your needs. Every vision impaired / legally blind person is different and what a lot of people do not understand, is that your vision can change daily. What is adequate lighting one day, may be slightly off or to dim the next.
Getting an official letter from his eye surgeon/optometrist outlining what he can see, and what his needs are is a document that is always useful.
A Pebble is a very small handheld CCTV from what I understand. I imagine it looks like $1. You can get different handheld CCTV's that do inverted colours. I have a SmartView Versa from HumanWare. It does inverted colours, has a bit of a bigger screen and will also take photos of things, so for example your boyfriend could hold it over the body part of the dummy take a picture then bring it close to his face to look at it.
Does your boyfriend have access to the dummy for study purposes as well? Sometimes I've found you just have to work 40% harder than everyone else to be at their level - spending a significant amount of time memorizing the various parts using the CCTV, by touch and repetition may get him through.
Don't give up, and get creative. Expect the school/disability services to do what they can, but bring some ideas to the table also. At the end of the day the school wants him to pass and so does he.
Good luck and stay strong and be willing to fight for what you want, but be as adaptable as possible and you should see results.
Getting an official letter from his eye surgeon/optometrist outlining what he can see, and what his needs are is a document that is always useful.
A Pebble is a very small handheld CCTV from what I understand. I imagine it looks like $1. You can get different handheld CCTV's that do inverted colours. I have a SmartView Versa from HumanWare. It does inverted colours, has a bit of a bigger screen and will also take photos of things, so for example your boyfriend could hold it over the body part of the dummy take a picture then bring it close to his face to look at it.
Does your boyfriend have access to the dummy for study purposes as well? Sometimes I've found you just have to work 40% harder than everyone else to be at their level - spending a significant amount of time memorizing the various parts using the CCTV, by touch and repetition may get him through.
Don't give up, and get creative. Expect the school/disability services to do what they can, but bring some ideas to the table also. At the end of the day the school wants him to pass and so does he.
Good luck and stay strong and be willing to fight for what you want, but be as adaptable as possible and you should see results.
thatsnotgneiss 1 points
I have a request in for a Versa. How is it?
homeschooled [OP] 1 points
> Every vision impaired / legally blind person is different and what a lot of people do not understand, is that your vision can change daily. What is adequate lighting one day, may be slightly off or to dim the next.
This is so true and has been one of the most frustrating parts. There's not much education in the public about low vision people who can not have their vision corrected with glasses. Before I met my boyfriend I'd heard people say they are legally blind, but they had glasses and could do all normal things like drive, etc....so when he told me he was legally blind, at first I thought that's what he meant. But his problems are not helped at all by glasses, so I think a lot of people assume since he can see a little bit, he can see everything. But he can't. And it's super, super frustrating to try to help people grasp that.
>You can get different handheld CCTV's that do inverted colours.
His pebble does inverted colors, which works wonderfully for paper documents viewed up close like in that image. But when you move more than an inch or two away, the camera quality is really poor and details are all lost. I've looked at it and it's bad for ME, so I can't imagine how bad it is for HIM using it.
>Does your boyfriend have access to the dummy for study purposes as well?
It's acutally a human cadaver (dead body) so he does not have acccess to it other than during the exam. He emailed his professor today, bipassing disability services, to see if there's anything he'd be willing to do. At this point we're kind of grasping at straws, but are hoping that he will be kind and understanding and maybe offer a written exam of some kind.
>Good luck and stay strong and be willing to fight for what you want, but be as adaptable as possible and you should see results.
Thank you! Today we sent out 3 different emails. One to his professor, one to disability services asking what accomodations they give to 100% blind people and if my boyfriend can have that accommodation, and one asking if we can submit a formal request for accommodation since our previous one was a verbal request during a meeting that was immediately shot down. I'm hoping it was just a new employee saying no, or someone not checking before they answered and being wrong.
This is so true and has been one of the most frustrating parts. There's not much education in the public about low vision people who can not have their vision corrected with glasses. Before I met my boyfriend I'd heard people say they are legally blind, but they had glasses and could do all normal things like drive, etc....so when he told me he was legally blind, at first I thought that's what he meant. But his problems are not helped at all by glasses, so I think a lot of people assume since he can see a little bit, he can see everything. But he can't. And it's super, super frustrating to try to help people grasp that.
>You can get different handheld CCTV's that do inverted colours.
His pebble does inverted colors, which works wonderfully for paper documents viewed up close like in that image. But when you move more than an inch or two away, the camera quality is really poor and details are all lost. I've looked at it and it's bad for ME, so I can't imagine how bad it is for HIM using it.
>Does your boyfriend have access to the dummy for study purposes as well?
It's acutally a human cadaver (dead body) so he does not have acccess to it other than during the exam. He emailed his professor today, bipassing disability services, to see if there's anything he'd be willing to do. At this point we're kind of grasping at straws, but are hoping that he will be kind and understanding and maybe offer a written exam of some kind.
>Good luck and stay strong and be willing to fight for what you want, but be as adaptable as possible and you should see results.
Thank you! Today we sent out 3 different emails. One to his professor, one to disability services asking what accomodations they give to 100% blind people and if my boyfriend can have that accommodation, and one asking if we can submit a formal request for accommodation since our previous one was a verbal request during a meeting that was immediately shot down. I'm hoping it was just a new employee saying no, or someone not checking before they answered and being wrong.
DulcetFox 1 points
> maybe offer a written exam of some kind.
Trust me, no anatomy professor will ever allow a written exam.
Trust me, no anatomy professor will ever allow a written exam.
thatsnotgneiss 1 points
He is going to have to become REALLY annoying to disability services. That's really the only way to get it done. He might also want to contact your state's services for the blind office as well. They might have something he can borrow or be able to advocate.
homeschooled [OP] 1 points
OK, thank you! I had him send out 3 emails today that I helped with.
RP (his disease) is progressive, so he didn't have to do anything like this during high school or college, so this is all new to him. He has never liked to "bother" people with his disability and it's hard for him to be assertive. So he asked for my help with this because it's all really uncomfortable for him and he knows it's essential for him to be able to pass. So I guess that means that I'm the lucky person who gets to be annoying to disability services!! haha
RP (his disease) is progressive, so he didn't have to do anything like this during high school or college, so this is all new to him. He has never liked to "bother" people with his disability and it's hard for him to be assertive. So he asked for my help with this because it's all really uncomfortable for him and he knows it's essential for him to be able to pass. So I guess that means that I'm the lucky person who gets to be annoying to disability services!! haha
thatsnotgneiss 3 points
To be 100% fair - he needs to be the one doing this. Legally, schools can't give out information or communicate with anyone but the student if they are over 18.
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homeschooled [OP] 2 points
Will you please leave me alone?
He asked for my help and I don't think he is helpless because he is blind. Hs is incredibly self sufficient. But he does need help in this situation and was not able to make and progress with disability services on his own.
STOP REPLYING TO EVERY POST I MAKE AND LEAVE ME ALONE.
He asked for my help and I don't think he is helpless because he is blind. Hs is incredibly self sufficient. But he does need help in this situation and was not able to make and progress with disability services on his own.
STOP REPLYING TO EVERY POST I MAKE AND LEAVE ME ALONE.
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homeschooled [OP] 0 points
Your last 7 comments are to me. Please stop responding and let me seek help from a different venue. Thank you.
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