ED 7724 Week 12 Prompt #1

For our first prompt this week, we were to act as a student with a disability that uses an AT device and write a letter to a post-secondary university explaining the device and why it is necessary.  My letter is below:


To Whom it May Concern,

My name is Amy Paskov and I suffer from a visual impairment called Optic Nerve Hypoplasia or ONH. ONH refers to the underdevelopment of the optic nerve during pregnancy. ONH is one of the three most common causes of visual impairment in children and unfortunately it can not be cured.  Throughout my educational career, I have dealt with this disability.  Optic Nerve Hypoplaysia is stable and it will not deteriorate my vision, in fact as I grow older, my vision may improve as my brain matures, however, my lack of depth perception and photophobia (not being able to look directly at the light) is what I worry about the most.  Which is why I am writing this letter to you.

Being accepted to a post secondary school was a dream come true.  I always had the best accommodations growing up and I am hoping that I can continue receiving these services.  If they do not continue, I fear that my vision could worsen if I do not receive services for my vision and depth perception.  I am asking that you allow me to use my screen magnification reader as I can read large text, but not small text. I also use a text to speech reader on the computer that allows me to write on the computer and reads back to me. 

Also I have included some strategies that may help professors that I come into contact with in class.

• Allow student to sit near the board (within 3 to 5 feet) and in a central location.
• If possible, provide a copy of what you have written on the board to the student. (or enlarge print)
• Lighting can cause sensitivity to the student's eyes, so please allow student to wear tinted lenses in class if needed.
• Avoid glares on working surfaces (a piece of dark colored paper taped to the entire desk surface diminishes glare off the desk)
• Avoid using red/orange/yellow on Smartboards or Whiteboards
• Give the student extra time especially on tests.

I would like this institution to let me continue my use of my magnification reader and speech reader.  I do not want to make more work for anyone and I will answer any questions anyone has about my disability.  I just want all of the professors to be made aware of my disability and the accommodations that will be necessary for my success at this institution.  I thank you in advance for you assistance and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Amy Paskov

References:

Emilio, Born with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. (n.d.). - VisionAware. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.visionaware.org/info/eye-conditions-personal-stories/emilio-born-with-optic-nerve-hypoplasia/35

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Pediatric Visual Diagnosis Fact Sheet™. (n.d.). Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Pediatric Visual Diagnosis Fact Sheet. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.tsbvi.edu/seehear/spring99/opticnerve.htm

Visual Impairment, Including Blindness. (n.d.). National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/visualimpairment#types