Tom:
Before you go to the FCC on this one, let me try to explain exactly what I
can and cannot do as a certified VE who is legally totally blind. These
arrangements have been approved for me by the ARRL VEC, in consultation with
our local VE team leader for whom I work.
I obviously cannot grade written papers, either for the theory or the CW
exam elements. I also cannot officially certify that someone has passed an
element via a CSCE form, since that would require my independently reviewing
written material at the exam site. I have always been quite comfortable
with this arrangement, and have never had any problem with the ARRL VEC.
My duties simply have been administering the CW test, including reviewing
the instructions and testing procedures, and running the exam tapes. I also
answer any questions that examinees may ask. In addition, as I think I
noted in an earlier e-mail, I occasionally have helped prepare diagram-free
exams for blind candidates. The ARRL simply e-mails or sends me an
electronic file of the test, which we then print out in print, and which I
ultimately translate and print out in Braille.
Again, the VEC has been very co-operative with me in this latter regard as
well.
I always have been credited for any VE exam session I have participated in,
and have never been questioned in any way about the legitimacy of what I
have done.
I am not sure what the person in the ARRL VEC is talking about here.
Perhaps it might be worth calling them again, and relaying my experiences to
them. Please feel free to forward my e-mail to them, and if they have any
questions, please encourage them to contact me.
Since they have been so co-operative with me, I'd hate to see this turn into
an adversarial situation.
Please keep me posted, and feel free to e-mail me off list if you'd like.
My personal e-mail address is [log in to unmask]
Thanks, and best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ, Big Rapids, MI
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 3:19 PM
Subject: Re: ve
> Tom, my concerns have to do with my being told by the ARRL/VES office that
a
> blind person cannot perform the required duties of a VE specifically
because of
> blindness. We'll leave out all the blind teachers running around for now
<g>.
> I just wanted to get input from other blind VEs before I decided whether
or not
> to ask for a ruling from the FCC on this as the position of the ARRL/VEC
office
> seems to be that a blind person cannot comply with the requirements of VEs
in
> Part 97 of the FCC rules.
>
> Tom
>
>
> Tom Brennan KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP, R/D - AU
> web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
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