[Athen] Refreshable Braille Display Question

[Natalie Davison via athen-list]

Dear ATHEN members,

I am writing to request advice as I am working to procure alternative
formats for a student in very high level math courses and make sure she has
the appropriate Assistive Technology to access these materials. Examples of
the types of courses include advanced topology, cryptography, linear logic,
logic and set theory, and a thesis credit studying the topic of knot
theory. The student has been receiving alternative formats, primarily brf
and txt files (some html) that we produce or procure derived from very old
math pdfs. The student has been receiving these alternative formats with
her Refreshable Braille Display, specifically an APH Mantis Q40. The
student uses Mac VoiceOver set to 8 dot computer braille. The student is
experiencing barriers fully reading math content, such as fractions, using
a single line Refreshable Braille Display. The student inquired if the
Educational Access Center at Boise State University would purchase and
provide a multi line Refreshable Braille Display, such as the Orbit Slate
520, that is better suited to access math content.

Has anyone received a similar Assistive Technology request in the past? If
so, can you please share how you determined the request to be reasonable,
or not?
Does anyone have Refreshable Braille Displays as equipment they rent out
from their Disability Resource Center? If so, do you have any written
procedures to ensure equity of the rental of the device that you would
share?

It sounds like the technology is necessary for the student to fully access
the alternative formats we are creating and procuring for her. We are
considering purchasing one and renting it to this student, and any other
who could benefit, and retaining the device. I am hoping to hear from
anyone who has managed a similar request or equipment rental to inform our
planning. We do currently have Assistive Technology equipment that students
may rent from our office, but not at the advanced level of a Refreshable
Braille Display - just things like smartpens and bluetooth computer
accessories.

Thank you,
Natalie

Natalie Davison, MS, CRC ( she / her / hers )
*Assistant Director*

Educational Access Center Boise State University


*Appointment Scheduling: *click to schedule here
<https://calendly.com/nataliedavison>

Phone: (208) 426-1083

EAC Office: (208) 426-1583

*Fax:* (208)-426-1008
Email: *nataliedavison at boisestate.edu <nataliedavison at boisestate.edu> *
<heathercarlson2 at boisestate.edu>Mail: 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID
83725-1372
Location: 1607 University Dr (first floor Lincoln Office Suites)
<https://maps.boisestate.edu/?id=715#!ce/8943?s/veteran%20services>
Web: boisestate.edu/eac
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