[Athen] [External] O&M training

[Stephen Marositz]

Hello Heidi

I worked on this as a grant funded project at my previous institution (a community college) so I am interested in your thoughts. The idea was to provide some number of ours of O&M instruction within the first 2 weeks or so of the start of the semester with a focus on-campus and surrounding streets and public transportation stops.

2 points in favor:

  *   Equity, international/undocumented students, as well as those who do not qualify for rehabilitation services because of "an ability to benefit in terms of an employment outcome in an integrated setting."
  *   Risk management: Safe, confident travel means fewer injuries on campus, particularly in an urban setting.
I might also add that timing of the training is of the essence. Typically, securing O&M services for students who do qualify, is somewhat lengthy. Students do not know their course schedules with room assignments until just before the start of the term in many cases. This doesn't even account for last-minute room assignment changes, or the student's need to alter their schedule. Offering O&M increases access for all students with visual impairments.

Points against

  *   One thing that's difficult is finding qualified O&M specialists to work part-time and, as you said, within the student's schedule.
  *   If O&M is considered a personal service then it is outside the bounds of something the institution can provide.

I hope this helps.
 Alex Marositz J.D. ATAC
Information Security and Compliance Office
Information Technology
California State University, Dominguez Hills
E: smarositz at csudh.edu<mailto:smarositz at csudh.edu>
https://www.csudh.edu/it/security-compliance/

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Amy Robasse
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:25 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] [External] O&M training

I am from a small college, and while we do not have a formal policy, I have done some O & M with our blind students. Because of our size I have been able to develop relationships with our students and whenever a need arises discuss with them what they would like trained on, when to do it, how to do it, etc. The only thing that has been a bit of a struggle is scheduling training during times where spaces are not heavily occupied so the student can feel comfortable exploring as they wish.

I am also not trained in O & M, so I rely on the students to tell me how they want to go about it. Everything from where they want to start to what information they want about the space came directly from them.

Has anyone here used Beacons to convey information to their blind students? I pushed for these this past year as a way to give directional information and other Covid changes that were visual cues but wasn't able to get it approved. I am considering trying again for fall.This article<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lighthouseguild.org/vision-health/a-hybrid-indoor-positioning-system-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-using-bluetooth-and-google-tango/__;!!P7nkOOY!-pAIonAP6rfFgG4u6GSu3AyRuCQpQ0MYEM-4nXcnl2Y2_KcV2z4vzdS0wv3KQxsJPw$> gives a decent overview of how beacons can be used, although it's a bit outdated. Wayfindr <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.wayfindr.net/__;!!P7nkOOY!-pAIonAP6rfFgG4u6GSu3AyRuCQpQ0MYEM-4nXcnl2Y2_KcV2z4vzdS0wv21twWbkA$> is current and has lots of awesome information on the more technical aspects of beacons.

Warmly,
Amy

---
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Amy Robasse, MA
Coordinator of Disability Services
Working Remotely - Schedule your virtual appointment<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/arobasse.youcanbook.me__;!!P7nkOOY!-pAIonAP6rfFgG4u6GSu3AyRuCQpQ0MYEM-4nXcnl2Y2_KcV2z4vzdS0wv3mPJJcwQ$>


-----> Want to connect with other students with disabilities? Email me<mailto:arobasse at cornellcollege.edu> for our Zoom chat info!



On Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 9:32 AM Heidi Scher <hascherdss at gmail.com<mailto:hascherdss at gmail.com>> wrote:
Hello folks,

Do any of your institutions covering orientation and mobility training for students who are blind and don't have any rehab services?

Thanks for any input you might have!

Heidi


+++++++++++++++
Heidi Scher, M.S., CRC
Associate Director - AT
she, her, hers
Center for Educational Access at the University of Arkansas
1 University of Arkansas, ARKU 209
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479.575.3104 phone
479.575.7445 fax
+++++++++++++++
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