Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Any companies loaning out Braille displays for distance learning? (self.Blind)
submitted by lil-alfalfa-sprout
This may be a stretch, but I wanted to throw this out there to see if anyone is aware of any companies or services that are loaning out Braille displays for blind students who are learning from home during this pandemic. Apparently APH and my state's center are shut down.
stupidpoopoohead 3 points 3y ago
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that your school said you couldn’t take your devices home with you? If that’s the case they have a legal obligation to provide a Braille display for you if it’s needed to access learning material. That doesn’t go away because of covid. I volunteer as an IEP advocate and am willing to help you if needed.
annibear 3 points 3y ago
Seconding this--school has to provide it under free and appropriate public education, I believe. There's no suspension because of COVID-19. If anything, the school district shouldn't put up too much of a fight because this seems like it would not only be HORRIBLE pr if it got out, but a cut-and-dry lawsuit.
lil-alfalfa-sprout [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I'm a TVI. My student does not have a Braille display at school. In our state, technology is provided by the state agency and my student was deemed ineligible for a Braille display due to his age and level of proficiency in Braille.
stupidpoopoohead 1 points 3y ago
Of course they don’t have to send a Braille display home with a student who doesn’t know how to use one but I’m sure you’re district has made other accommodations for your student to ensure he has equal access to educational materials. That could be hard copy materials sent in the mail, a lap top with a screen reader or enlargement software, and sessions with a TVI via distance.
Unfortunately we in the advocacy world are hearing from parents that many district are refusing to allow students to keep devices that are identified as a need in their IEP’s. One mom with a blind multiply disabled child who is nonverbal was forced to return an iPad that was assigned to her child was assigned with all her communication apps. The child just loss access to her entire world. We’re also hearing that virtual platforms are completely inaccessible and districts are telling parents to act as their child’s full time reader while they also have full time jobs. Districts are refusing to provide distance instruction to kids to work on IEP goals. It’s really a nightmare for a lot of folks right now.
Here’s a really good webinar from the American Bar Association on special education during Covid-19. One of the panelist is an attorney, TVI, and mom of a blind child. It’s really eye opening.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/events_cle/program-archive/covid-students-with-disabilities/?fbclid=IwAR1Wbb0WBb1MsPhe46zEZPOrGTgd8KMOCb58Rz_DaXWW-2ph8fJB9h_jVsc
Unfortunately we in the advocacy world are hearing from parents that many district are refusing to allow students to keep devices that are identified as a need in their IEP’s. One mom with a blind multiply disabled child who is nonverbal was forced to return an iPad that was assigned to her child was assigned with all her communication apps. The child just loss access to her entire world. We’re also hearing that virtual platforms are completely inaccessible and districts are telling parents to act as their child’s full time reader while they also have full time jobs. Districts are refusing to provide distance instruction to kids to work on IEP goals. It’s really a nightmare for a lot of folks right now.
Here’s a really good webinar from the American Bar Association on special education during Covid-19. One of the panelist is an attorney, TVI, and mom of a blind child. It’s really eye opening.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/events_cle/program-archive/covid-students-with-disabilities/?fbclid=IwAR1Wbb0WBb1MsPhe46zEZPOrGTgd8KMOCb58Rz_DaXWW-2ph8fJB9h_jVsc
lil-alfalfa-sprout [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks for this resource––definitely going to take a look. I am isolated in my profession so I'm desperate for ANY resources regarding this situation.
Fortunately my visually impaired students are well-equipped with their tech from school. My blind student is not. It's clear that the state is going to be of no assistance at this time which is why I posted here inquiring whether any private companies or organizations are stepping up.
As I TVI, my heart is breaking over how limited I am in my ability to help my students right now.
Fortunately my visually impaired students are well-equipped with their tech from school. My blind student is not. It's clear that the state is going to be of no assistance at this time which is why I posted here inquiring whether any private companies or organizations are stepping up.
As I TVI, my heart is breaking over how limited I am in my ability to help my students right now.
changeneverhappens 2 points 3y ago
Id reach out to your state school for the blind. They usually act as a central hub for resources.
lil-alfalfa-sprout [OP] 2 points 3y ago
We have a state agency and it's closed
80percentaccurate 1 points 3y ago
I highly doubt their still operating right now, but have you tried TechOWL?
lil-alfalfa-sprout [OP] 1 points 3y ago
These seems like a great service but it's only available to PA residents and their loaning system is suspended.
80percentaccurate 1 points 3y ago
Darn. It seems like that’s the way it is for most of the services. Our state agency is closed as well as the library for the blind.
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