Accessibility Matters in Schools

Imagine an elementary classroom. The teacher passes out a worksheet. When it gets to the blind student the child can't read the worksheet because its not in Braille. The teacher didn't get the assignment to the TVI (Teacher of Blind & Visually Impaired) in time.  The rest of the classroom starts working on the assignment perhaps together.  The blind student goes to a quiet part of the classroom with a paraprofessional and the para reads the worksheet to the student. The answers are given orally. The students misses out on much the assignment.  The student didn't get reading or writing practice.  They missed out on part of the classroom discussion because they were on the sidelines. The student doesn't feel part of the lesson.  The student didn't get the same education as his/her peers.  

Thankfully I can say this doesn't happen very often for Abby.  She has a great team. and almost all items for her are Braille. (there always seems to be some stray item).  Abby's classroom teacher, TVI, paraprofessional and case manager all know its very important for Abby to have assignment in accessible format. For Abby that is Braille. She simply can't see text at all.  Abby goes to a great school.

Abby reading a book in Braille (alt text: a girl is outside reading a book in braille)

Let me tell you another story.  

Let me take you back to the beginning of this school year.  Abby's class starts to prepare for state-wide testing for the first time.  The class breaks into groups and go over over a practice test. Abby has a practice test and hers in Braille.  She is able to be  an equal part of the group assignment because she could read and access to the the same materials as her classmates.  She comes home EXCITED for the big test to start. This is what happens when accessibly for all in a classroom WORKS.   

There is so many things that can make a blind child feel isolated in a classroom but it should never be because of inaccessible content. 

The National Federation of the Blind protested yesterday at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle WA.Why?  Amazon's Kindle content and hardware is inaccessible to the blind. Maybe you are asking yourself why should it matter? Amazon is private company. Maybe you are even thinking... while accessibly is a great thing and other companies like Apple have made its content and hardware accessible to the blind  Amazon does HAVE to. I completely understand that side of the argument  till you get to one very big point. As soon as you bring its inaccessible content and hardware to schools its just down right wrong.  Amazon has decide to make a big push to get inaccessible Kindle content and hardware into classrooms. These actions are encourage schools to break the law. 

Now imagine the classroom with inaccessible Kindle content and hardware.  Now look back at my first story.  Its the same tale only replacing the inaccessible worksheet with the inaccessible Kindle. No its worse. The blind student will also lose out on the  experience of using the cool gadget.  This isolating the blind student even more than before. Please find out more about the NFB protest and its important issues at https://nfb.org/kindle-books

A blog from the teachers point of view -Without a Classroom : Kindle Books For All : http://withoutaclassroom.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/kindle-books-for-all/

A video on the issue.  

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We All Have a Voice.

My speech from the 2012 NOPBC Conference at the NFB National Convention was published in the newest Future Reflections

Check it out at "We all Have a Voice" https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr31/4/fr310409.htm

It reminded me about all the work I still have to do.   

The full issue can be viewed here:

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr31/4/fr3104tc.htm

To subscribe to Future Reflections  -----> https://nfb.org/future-reflections

Here is the links to my two other stories in Future Reflections 

Braille ... I like it.. https://nfb.org//images/nfb/publications/fr/fr31/3/fr310307.htm

Our Convention Journey  https://nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr30/4/fr300416.htm 

A Black & White picture of Abby on the beach with her cane. Not really related to this post but cute. 

Braille Letters from Santa

Your child can get a letter in Braille from Santa with the help of the National Federation of the Blind.

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Between November 19 and December 17, parents can go online at www.nfb.org and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to (410) 685-2340. Beginning November 27, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to blind boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read). Requests for letters must include the writer’s name, the child’s name, birthday, gender, mailing address, a telephone number, and e-mail address in case Santa’s helpers at the National Federation of the Blind have questions.

For more details visit: https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-partners-santa-promote-braille-literacy-0

Braille is not scary.. `

I can still remember the day that I found out Abby was going to need to learn Braille. I was petrified. I didn't understand braille.  How was I going to help her learn? Is there anything more strange and odd than braille a bunch of bump that some how equal letters??  It seemed like I was going to be denied the chance to help my daughter become a reader.  I was so sad.   I love reading. Our son learned to read spontaneously but I was so excited about helping Abby to read.

Abby loves to read. alt text: a girl is reading braille from a book

I think its a common misunderstanding that a parent who doesn't read braille can't help their blind child to learn to read. That they can't help their child with homework.  You would be surprised how much I have picked up though the last two years with out even trying. I do know most of the alphabet.   I also have developed a pretty good understand when a word will have a contraction in it.  I may not know the contraction but I understand there is a contraction(s) in the word. I can write my daughter a small note using letter and contractions guides but Abby calls that cheating.  

In the early days I would work with Abby every night to help her learn the alphabet and work on her tactile sensitivity. (flashback: http://visionfora.blogspot.com/2011/01/adventures-in-braille-good-day.html )

Braille is NOT a different language.  Its just the tactile version of print.

Its wonderful when a parent learns braille but its also very important that the parent doesn't hold a child's reading back because they are behind.  Most kids are going to learn a lot faster then their parents because kids are sponges that soak things up. Just wind the kid up and let them go.

I was so happy when I realize the school was going to send home print versions of homework with the Braille ones.  I have never felt like I was unable to help my daughter with her homework at all.

When we read together and she comes upon a word she struggles with I can tell if its a contraction holding her back or an issue reading the word.
There is lot of print/braille books out there that helps A LOT with beginning readers.  I used to be so scared of the stage when the braille books don't have print at all.  I thought it was an end than I realized I just had to find a print version of the book. It also showed me there would be a time SOON that Abby wasn't going to need my help with reading at all.

Its not scary. Braille is fun.  I love learning more about. Its truly beautiful. I love running my fingers over a page of Braille and I love trying to read it.  I am determined get my Braille skills up but I also know that even as a novice I can still help Abby become a strong reader.

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Braille I Like It https://nfb.org//images/nfb/publications/fr/fr31/3/fr310307.htm
    

I want some Questions..

Does anyone have any questions?  I have answers.. Ask any questions. About me? Abby? My son Sam? Parenting a blind child? About the condition that runs in our family that caused Abby's blindness?   Ask away.. Do you have ideas for a future blog post? Here is your chance.  I promise I will be posting some more blogs soon I have at least three three half written in my head already.  Ask your questions in the comments if for some reason you have issues leaving a comment please feel to ask them in twitter @penny_nh or email them to me penny @nhpobc.org  . Some of the comment asked I may use in future blog posts.

Abby at the NFB Independence Market,,, because the Independence Market is cool... alt text: cute school age girl with a yellow shirt and blue skirt holding long white cane with shelf of merchandise behind her. 

A letter to myself two years ago.

Two years ago today Abby had an 'emergency' MRI after her third visit with an ophthalmologist trying to figure out what was going on with Abby's vision.  I wish I could have told myself then what i know now....

These two kids smiling tell the story. alt text; a boy and a girl  smiling in a apple orchard

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Dear Penny

You had a rough day today.  I know it was hard to see your 6 year old go through all that. It took them a long time to get Abby to stop moving in the MRI.  The more drugs they gave her to relax the more she fought. You will see this is just who she is ... a fighter.  I know today you were concerned they would find a brain tumor.  Remember saying over and over again that you hope they don't find anything. In a few days the official results will be they didn't find anything.  Abby didn't have a brain tumor.  It was a good day.

It will be a few weeks till you  get paperwork from Abby's ophthalmologist  appointment yesterday for Abby's school but when you do it will say Abby's vision is worse than 20/500.   She isn't faking it like some doctors thought ether. She is legally blind.  BLIND. You can't even say blind right now. The day you start to say blind without gagging is the day you start to help Abby become proud of who she is.

Abby is  strong girl who went months with out telling anyone she was having a hard time seeing things. You really don't know how poor her eye sight yet is but the good thing is it isn't going to get any worse than it is today. She isn't going to like answering questions about what she can see and what she can't see just understand she sees differently now.

Abby vision loss is caused by LHON (Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy) Abby will get officially diagnosed in about a month from now and you will find she will be one of the lucky ones it only took that long.You are going to have a lot of mommy guilt soon.  LHON is a mitochondrial condition.  She got 'it' from you. It will take you a little while to realize it not your fault she is blind. Its not your fault your son could become blind some day. Sam and Abby are two of the best things that ever happened to you so why should you feel guilty about bringing them into this world.  The world is better with them in it.   Blindness doesn't have to be a big deal you will find Abby being blind isn't the biggest problem is what everyone else thinks or doesn't think of blindness that's the problem.


You are going to walk around like a zombie for the next two months but it will get better. There will be a day in November when you realize your daughter needs and feeling sorry for yourself doesn't help her at all. Abby spends very little time feeling sorry for herself so why should you. You will go through you head with all the ideas on what you THINK Abby has lost but you will realize that most of what you think of blindness and vision loss isn't even true.

The idea of Braille sounds really scary today doesn't it? In a few weeks Braille will be recommend for Abby and you are going to freak out. Abby can't see text. She needs to learn braille and guess what YOU can help her. Braille is really isn't as scary as it seems. Its not the big deal you will think it is.  You are going to feel overwhelmed but you will learn braille is NOT hard.  Abby is going to learn to read. She is going to like reading and is going to enjoy books.

You are going to find a great 'family' for Abby in the National Federation of the Blind.  You will get involved for Abby at first but your involvement is going to help you heal and you will find amazing friends.    You are going to feel at first you don't belong.  Relax they are going to embrace you and Abby.

One big thing not to forget is about Sam.  He is going to love it when you do things just with him.  He is a good kid and one of the few people who never treated Abby any differently when she becames blind.

People are going to treat your daughter differently. You know in your heart your daughter isn't broken but people are going to keep seeing the sad little blind girl. Your job is to help your daughter grow into the confident person you know she is. If these dumb people  are really paying attention they are going to see a vibrant kid who refuses to let her blindness hold her back.  You may want to also try to educate Chris on the Americans with Disability act more than I did.  There will be this incident that happens at a museum that will show you world is not all rainbows and unicorns for blind people.

I have so much I could say and so much I could teach you but you will get where I am in time.  The good thing in the next two years you are going to make more good choices than bad ones and really its going to get better.... a LOT better.

Abby loves to read now. alt text: girl reading a Braille book looking up. 

Homework Help: Homework tool kit for our blind child

I have been wanting to do this blog for while.  I think its a great time to do it now because the school year has started in most areas of the country.

The past two years we have collected items to make doing homework just a little bit easier. Some of the items are necessary while others items are tools that just make things easier.

What things do YOU have in your homework tool kit?

Wonder what Abby has at home to help  her homework assignments?  

a lot of Abby's homework items (alt text: foam shapes in a plastic bin, a piles of books, Perkins brailler, Sensational blackboard, abacus, braille rules, and other items)

1. Perkins Brailler.  This is used to do all kinds of her assignments 

alt text: perkins brailler with foam stickers. Foam stickers are cool.

2. Sensational Blackboard which a a great tool for tactile graphics

alt text: a sensational blackboard 

3. Cranmer Abacus an essential tool for solving math problems.

alt text: cranmer abacus

4. Braille contractions reference books.  These are great and Abby and I have found them very useful.  We have two.  A Braille Spelling Dictionary & A Handbook of Braille Contractions

alt text: two white braille reference books

5. Age appropriate recreational braille reading material. Abby is assigned to read every night as part of her homework. Having things that is at her reading level is very important.

alt text: a collection of children braille books

6. Foam shape stickers. this can be very useful in doing math assignments. We have collected different shapes because sometimes the tactile graphics in her math book are lacking sometimes. That and foam stickers are just cool.

alt text: a collection of different shapes of foam stickers. 

7. a tactile dice.  Abby had an assingment that she needed a dice and this is what we bought for the next time we need one.

8. Braille rulers.  They are both in inches and centimeters NEEDED for many math assignments.

alt text: a collections of braille rulers. Some are white and others are black 

9. Wikki Stix & Bendaroos i have found that using a quality brand really matters.

alt text: a collections bendaroos in different colors.

10.  other items

• slate & stylus  a easy way to write braille
• 20/20 pen -its a dark black marker
• puff paint - a simply way to make tactile graphics

What are some tools that you use?  Share we would love to hear what works for you.