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VIDBE-Q Volume 62 Issue 3
discusses typical college entrance requirements and suggests a progression of activities VI
students should undertake in each semester of high school. For example, students should
gain proficiency with various assistive technologies and should apply for testing
accommodations when they take the SAT or ACT. Financial considerations and scholarship
opportunities are also discussed. Nicole, a visually impaired student going through the college
selection process, is introduced and serves as an exemplar throughout the book. Nicole
creates a table to chart out her needs and preferences; a blank template of all such resources
is provided in the appendices.
Students are repeatedly advised to register and develop a strong relationship with the
school's disability office. Students learn that having a disability entitles them both to register
for classes early, which allows time to obtain accessible versions of print materials, and to
move in on campus early, which provides a chance to orient without the typical throng of
students buzzing about. The author stresses the importance of advocating for oneself, and
suggests practicing this skill at home and developing alternative solutions to foreseeable
problems. The resource most discussed throughout the book is hired readers, who are
described as paramount to success. This is a surprising placement of emphasis given the
lofted importance of independence. Readers, as the name suggests, will read books and other
printed materials aloud as required. Students are advised to employ a handful for readers to
ensure availability at the time of need; reading appointments may be scheduled in advanced or
requested upon short notice. We learn how to hire and track the time of readers, how to ask
them to markup text, and how to utilize them in studying for exams.
Separate chapters are devoted to organization and time management, note-taking
skills, study-skills, and research skills. Although these skills are imperative for all students to
develop, having a visual impairment requires students to devise alternative methods to be
