Hello Teacher, how are you? Me? I'm fine. What? An assignment? A map? Is everyone else getting it today? And there's going to be a test? Next Friday?
I work with a ninth grader who is blind. My main job is (not to be corny but) to be her eyes. In addition to this, I am in charge of making the curriculum accessible for her. The curriculum runs the proverbial gamete but definitely includes maps, charts, Brailling music and other things of that nature. I cannot stress this enough:
THESE THINGS TAKE TIME!!
I cannot, for example, pull a blind-friendly map, marked with all the historically poignant places, topographical information and the like out of my ass; no, it is more like a craft. How is this translatable? I have to ask myself. On a side note: this creativity is one of the things I love most about my job! But, again, these things take time.
When I am not given adequate time to prepare documents for Missy then it is SHE who is being short-changed by not being given the (in this case) map at the same time as everyone else; who, may I remind you, have the luxury (yes luxury) of sight. I think it's reasonable to assume that the average person of average intelligence could understand that it would probably take a visually impaired person a little longer to master a map; even if you were brilliant (which Missy absolutely is.)
But Missy will deal, just like she always does. And you know what? She'll probably get the high score in the class too. :)
THESE THINGS TAKE TIME!!
I cannot, for example, pull a blind-friendly map, marked with all the historically poignant places, topographical information and the like out of my ass; no, it is more like a craft. How is this translatable? I have to ask myself. On a side note: this creativity is one of the things I love most about my job! But, again, these things take time.
When I am not given adequate time to prepare documents for Missy then it is SHE who is being short-changed by not being given the (in this case) map at the same time as everyone else; who, may I remind you, have the luxury (yes luxury) of sight. I think it's reasonable to assume that the average person of average intelligence could understand that it would probably take a visually impaired person a little longer to master a map; even if you were brilliant (which Missy absolutely is.)
And I know teacher's are busy. And I know teacher's have families to attend to... I know, I get it, believe me; my Mom has been a teacher since I was in grade school myself. But, I also know that each one of Missy's teacher's agreed to have Missy in their class. And, unless they are extremely far left on the bell curve of intelligence, I would venture to say that they too would agree that more time ought be given for Missy to learn a map (setting aside the extra time it takes for me to produce the necessary documents.)
I'm miffed. It seems so unfair.
But Missy will deal, just like she always does. And you know what? She'll probably get the high score in the class too. :)
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