Hi Anita, Here are the steps I tookin requesting a BrailleNote from VR...
1. I wrote a letter which outlined the various features of the BrailleNote and how each of them would help me attain my educational and employment goals. For example, I explained how the BN would allow me to do such things as access campus computers, use e-mail in order to communicate with my professors in a timely manner, create, edit and print out class assignments, resaearch projects and exams, keep track of appointments and other important information using the BN's planner and addressbook. 2. I asked the staff in the disability office at my university to write a letter explaining how the BrailleNote would help me in my classes -- as well as my future job search upon graduation. The primary use for the BN was for Braille captioning, but other examples such as the ones I listed above were also cited in order to make a stronger case. 3. I had the opportunity to use a demo of the BrailleNote for about two weeks. During this time, I wrote down my observations (both pros and cons) about the BrailleNote and how its functionality would serve my needs better than that of the competition. I also visited my VR counselor and demonstrated how it worked. In doing this, my counselor was able to get a hands on look at the equipment and to see how easy it was to use. 4. Finally, I had my local dealer call my VR counselor to compare and contrast the BN to the competition and explan why the BrailleNote was the best choice for my needs. I hope these suggestions help get you started. Don't let your counselor get away with brushing you off just because you already have a notetaker. Although it's a fine piece of equipment, the BNS 640 is *severely* outdated and thus will not give you the powerful features found in the BrailleNote. Lisa "Assumptions allow the best in life to pass you by." -- John Sales
