Codyoebel
San Antonio,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, April 05, 2009
Im a father of 4, I am 26 years old, and although I work in the IT field, and am kind of a self taught IT analyst, and do software programming and so forth. My brother was a plumber age 26, and I just got my GED at the age of 17. My brother felt like he was going no where his name is Rage Oebel, mine is Cody Oebel. He was always smart, always working on computers, and developed software applications in cobol, and fortran at a very early age. He lost his job, and was looking for a new job as a plumber short of needing just a few more hours for his Masters Plumber License. He went in to get the plumbing job, and because he has long hair like a rocker (he likes rock n roll) the individual interviewing him said he would need to cut his hair. He walked from the job, and that day went with me to ITT tech to speak with the recruiters. We both took the "Electronics Engineering Degree", I a young teenager, and him a father of 2 looking for anything to give a better future heard the same promises. We were a poor family, living in mobile homes, my brother Rage, whome has "Retinitus Pigmentosa" and can only see out one eye obviously cannot drive a vehicle and will never be allowed to by law. I had a beat up car, and we both went to class together, first few months of math, and the intergrated circuits my brother stood out with a perfect 4.0 GPA. No one could touch him.. a truely gifted individual! I struggled as I screwed off and never studied being a dumb teenager. My car had troubles, and we went for the car pool and transportation help. As promised they pulled up everyone that went to the facility, and located someone who has to drive right by where we lived. We met with three individuals, after a month of the first two people who did not take their education seriously and had a habbit of not going at all we took the third individual as our only other option.This person was very reliable, and helped us for over 8 months getting to school until he graduated which gave us enough time to acquire a new car pool individual who had great attendance as well CORY from San Antonio, Tx I'm not sure if it's the same Cory on this post but anyhow. The instructors helped my brother after hours when class was over.. I always left partying with my fellow irresponsible class mates instead of taking the extra teacher assistance. My brother would get on to me all the time telling me to take tihs stuff serious and so forth, but being young I did not! To finish this off, my brother is registered at ITT with a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated Valid Victorian (I think thats how its spelled I dunno). As they promised employers were showing up, giving tests and stuff to get the finest students.. I never went to those, and never tried, nor studied to better my chances at getting a high end paying job. My brother Rage almost took a job with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) for 40k a year, he tested and passed for Texas Instruments they would pay 45k a year to start! Then the most of interesting jobs and known for very good pay and family bennefits Schlumberger interviewed my brother. At around 30k to start, but with awsome bennefits and growth potential it has been 6 years working for them and you may not believe it, but Rage now makes $118,000 a year. He is soon to get an $80,000 bonus check for his tenure and level 10 status with the company. I watched him literally go from a mobile home with 2 kids, to handing my mom 1500$ not denting his pocket, now living in a $200,000 home in a very nice neighborhood all with just an Associates Degree from ITT tech. He has replaced people with Masters Degree's and Bachelors and climbed the totem poll to make what a doctor makes with only a 2 year degree from?? ITT TECH! Now reality is, I am getting my wages Garnished, I make 660$ a week, and after studen loans garnish my wages I take home barely 300$ instead of the full $660. They just took my $9,000 income tax refund to pay on the $28,000 student loan. I am struggling like you cannot believe, and am putting my wife through an LVN program because I will depend on her making good money to get the children we created together through this life for the next 4 years as they continue to garnish my wages. The truth is... if I would have taken the time to study, and took every thing they had to offer seriously, and actually tried! I might be where my brother is at! Most of the other graduates in San Antonio got jobs starting at 35k a year. To relate this cost of living, the equal amount of cost of living for say California, would be $55,000 a year! Any smart person will tell you when working in the job force\workplace whom has a degree. You encounter a person whose intelligence just surpasses yourself, and may have an education from a place not so accredited such as ITT tech. I can't stand people I work with and work around who have degree's from a university, and their morons, and I had way higher expectations but instead I'm teaching them things. Simply put ... You can go to Harvard, and still be an idiot, and meet someone who far exceeds your knowledge despite where they got educated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now onto the situation you are having with your son. Ok... I am not sure if you are trying to slightly sugar coat your sons real condition and its worse than you're stating, but going on what you said here's what you need to take into consideration. 1. All colleges have Counselors, their job is to recruit, whether they get commission or not. 2. You were directed to ITT tech from the rehab facility correct? There's a reason or they wouldn't be sending people over there if there was that many complaints. 3. I don't know a single college that provides you with a car to take you home, or someone to drive you home, but every college with interest in students and making money ALL HAVE A CAR POOL SYSTEM. 4. If your son will never recover from this reading and learning disability and you walked into a college of any kind which learning is honestly based on the capability of reading information as interpreted information e.g reading a writing of any sort is your sons disability then you yourself was walking him into a pool of sharks. ITT tech does have disability assistance, but not assisting someone who can't learn what they are teaching. Whether you're disabled or perfectly enable, if you don't learn, or can't learn, or in my case didn't try to learn, YOUR NOT GOING TO LEARN. 5. I would first blame the party who directed you to ITT tech, and the moron who sent you there because that person should have considered the disability more in depth and how to better assist your son in pursuing education. 6. As a father, if I put myself in your shoes and one of my children were in the same exact situation as your son. I would have visited numerous colleges despite what someone told me, and with the internet I would have researched hours on end other parents in my situation to see if I could find a match. I would already assume that a normal teacher is not going to have the patience or skills to specifically educate someone who can't be educated with what and how they teach. These ITT instructors, usually come from universities and other colleges and have teaching experience, but experience with teaching students that don't have a legitimate learning disability. 7. I would have told myself, my son cannot read or write, with the patience I have as his own father (or mother in your case), and I understand my child more than anyone else does I would first try to teach them something myself to see if I myself could teach my disabled son anything at all. I would form my own understanding on how he learns, or if he cant learn, or does not retain what he seemed to learn by checking what he appeared to learn the following day to see if he remembered. 8. Once I understood my sons abilities not focusing on his inability I would then seek education for him, and would request to speak to the person that would be working with my son to see if that person understands the situation, and I would get my vibes if this is the right person for my son or not, and right environment. This all being said, I think you already know all of this even though I typed it up which now puts the next assumption I have into place. I feel you probably are not financially capable to support a decent education foundation for your son, and the ITT technical Institute you chose was probably more convenient, and they do have very tempting and awesome hands on environments in their work labs to teach students and as a new student myself before I was a student I got sucked in just from looking at the labs, and hearing students talk in a technical language that was foreign to me. ITT cost probably 5 times as much as a normal community college, and the only reason I won't go back to ITT tech is because of the cost, but if I could have done it all over again. I would have studied my rear end off, and put into it what I watched those that are now living the life because they took it seriously. Once my wife gets her LVN license I am going back to college to further my education in Industrial Electrical Engineering\PLC programmer, and from what I learned at ITT tech I know I will breeze through it! You can guarantee this time I'm going home and studying like a mad man looking back on my own mistakes in the past from ITT tech as a lesson learned. Your son if not disabled can seriously make $100,000 from an associates degree out of ITT Tech.. Call the ITT tech in San Antonio, Texas, and ask about Rage Oebel, who works for Schlumberger and graduated with a perfect 4.0 and was voted Valid Victorian, and if you ask about Cody Oebel (myself) lol.. I took a pitiful job with Radio Shack at 8$ an hour. YOU GET FROM ITT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT! Now I am done insulting myself by defending what honestly is a good educational institute.
Jeanski
Hamburg,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 11, 2009
The ADA includes education as well as employment. Essentially, it prohibis ANY educational institution that receives federal funds (such as ITT) from discriminating against a student with disabilities. That being said, it is up to the student (or his legal guardian) to provide the school with information that describes the nature of the disability and the accomodations to the learning environment that are needed to help him succeed. There are all kinds of things that can easily be done to help your son succeed in college. I checked the catalog for the Getzville campus and they don't seem to have a designated person in charge of ensuring that students with disabilities are served as required by law. So call the Dean. Don't give up if you're in the right :-)
Rongr100
Medina,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, February 11, 2009
Im sorry i didnt work out for your son but i also have a learning disability and i have no trouble passing the classes in fact just showing up gives you a passing grade in most cases and they do work hard to keep you from failing so i think your son is either too disabled or didn't put the work in because it is almost impossible to fail. As far as needing extra help goes should of scheduled 2 classes on the same day then tons of extra help and the librarian is more than willing to help. i know it sounds bad but failing classes as many times means he wont or cant do the work
Margaret
Houston,#5Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 21, 2007
Anyone who attends ITT should heed to my advice: I was raised in Louisiana and have resided in Texas for the last 16 years. I attended college and Vo Tech Education in both states. although I am unfamiliar with the other 48 states educational systems, let me explain something about the difference in public Vo -Tech Education and a private career technical school. Louisiana is a notoriously poor state, and most work there consists of the blue collar type of employment. Louisiana has public Vocational and Technical schools there because community college was pretty much non exisitant there until the mid 90's Some examples of this are the following schools I am familiar with. TH HArris Vo Tech, Opelousas, Louisiana and Lafayette Regional Technical, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Lets say a person is interested in taking something like Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy Assistant, Aircraft Mechanic, NDT, Business Office/Secretarial they pay a small tuition, say 200.00 for a quarter and pay for all their own books, and supplies. Student aid is offered. All the instructors are definately cerfified. The schools are run by the state public education system so they know that they cannot charge a person 25,000 to become a Nurse Assistant whose average wages are 9.00 an hour. My ex husband attened the public vo tech school in LAfayette, Louisiana and took Electronics Technology. When all was said and done he had paid approx. total 3,000 in tuition and another 1000 in books and supplies, and places like ITT Tech are charging people 50,000. Its a BIG SCAM!!! MY ex got an excellent post secondary education and even the opportunity to work for NASA. I do not know if other states have public vo tech education, however if a person wants to major in Criminal Justice go to either a 2 or 4 year college because if one wants to become a police officer, they will need at least 60 credit hours from either a 2 0r 4 year state college, not a private career school. Now if a person wants to take something like Sound & Recording Engineer they can attend a specialty private career school because most 2 year colleges or public vo tech schools will not offer this. But even with that said, still investigate the school and do your homework and stay on top of things and then you won't get a big SCAM!! If people would just investigate their state's employment web pages, average wages are stated for various careers and those wages are not some uninformed sales recruiter making a bogus sales pitch saying someone can earn 15.00 an hour as a nurse assistant. I have attended community college (Texas) 4 year college (Louisiana) and a for profit career school on line, however those studies were more about personal enrichment and additional knowledgement more than transferring credit courses. When I transferred my college credit from Louisiana I had 25 credit hours, Texas only accepted 15 and I had to take a CLEP test to test out of the rest of my English courses. If every future student in the US would accept this advice, they would all be much better off and for profit careeer schools with heavy handed sales tactics would be curbed down to very specialty schools and education for more comman careers would shift exclusively to community colleges and public vo tech schools if offered in their state.
Margaret
Houston,#6Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 21, 2007
Anyone who attends ITT should heed to my advice: I was raised in Louisiana and have resided in Texas for the last 16 years. I attended college and Vo Tech Education in both states. although I am unfamiliar with the other 48 states educational systems, let me explain something about the difference in public Vo -Tech Education and a private career technical school. Louisiana is a notoriously poor state, and most work there consists of the blue collar type of employment. Louisiana has public Vocational and Technical schools there because community college was pretty much non exisitant there until the mid 90's Some examples of this are the following schools I am familiar with. TH HArris Vo Tech, Opelousas, Louisiana and Lafayette Regional Technical, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Lets say a person is interested in taking something like Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy Assistant, Aircraft Mechanic, NDT, Business Office/Secretarial they pay a small tuition, say 200.00 for a quarter and pay for all their own books, and supplies. Student aid is offered. All the instructors are definately cerfified. The schools are run by the state public education system so they know that they cannot charge a person 25,000 to become a Nurse Assistant whose average wages are 9.00 an hour. My ex husband attened the public vo tech school in LAfayette, Louisiana and took Electronics Technology. When all was said and done he had paid approx. total 3,000 in tuition and another 1000 in books and supplies, and places like ITT Tech are charging people 50,000. Its a BIG SCAM!!! MY ex got an excellent post secondary education and even the opportunity to work for NASA. I do not know if other states have public vo tech education, however if a person wants to major in Criminal Justice go to either a 2 or 4 year college because if one wants to become a police officer, they will need at least 60 credit hours from either a 2 0r 4 year state college, not a private career school. Now if a person wants to take something like Sound & Recording Engineer they can attend a specialty private career school because most 2 year colleges or public vo tech schools will not offer this. But even with that said, still investigate the school and do your homework and stay on top of things and then you won't get a big SCAM!! If people would just investigate their state's employment web pages, average wages are stated for various careers and those wages are not some uninformed sales recruiter making a bogus sales pitch saying someone can earn 15.00 an hour as a nurse assistant. I have attended community college (Texas) 4 year college (Louisiana) and a for profit career school on line, however those studies were more about personal enrichment and additional knowledgement more than transferring credit courses. When I transferred my college credit from Louisiana I had 25 credit hours, Texas only accepted 15 and I had to take a CLEP test to test out of the rest of my English courses. If every future student in the US would accept this advice, they would all be much better off and for profit careeer schools with heavy handed sales tactics would be curbed down to very specialty schools and education for more comman careers would shift exclusively to community colleges and public vo tech schools if offered in their state.
Margaret
Houston,#7Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 21, 2007
Anyone who attends ITT should heed to my advice: I was raised in Louisiana and have resided in Texas for the last 16 years. I attended college and Vo Tech Education in both states. although I am unfamiliar with the other 48 states educational systems, let me explain something about the difference in public Vo -Tech Education and a private career technical school. Louisiana is a notoriously poor state, and most work there consists of the blue collar type of employment. Louisiana has public Vocational and Technical schools there because community college was pretty much non exisitant there until the mid 90's Some examples of this are the following schools I am familiar with. TH HArris Vo Tech, Opelousas, Louisiana and Lafayette Regional Technical, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Lets say a person is interested in taking something like Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy Assistant, Aircraft Mechanic, NDT, Business Office/Secretarial they pay a small tuition, say 200.00 for a quarter and pay for all their own books, and supplies. Student aid is offered. All the instructors are definately cerfified. The schools are run by the state public education system so they know that they cannot charge a person 25,000 to become a Nurse Assistant whose average wages are 9.00 an hour. My ex husband attened the public vo tech school in LAfayette, Louisiana and took Electronics Technology. When all was said and done he had paid approx. total 3,000 in tuition and another 1000 in books and supplies, and places like ITT Tech are charging people 50,000. Its a BIG SCAM!!! MY ex got an excellent post secondary education and even the opportunity to work for NASA. I do not know if other states have public vo tech education, however if a person wants to major in Criminal Justice go to either a 2 or 4 year college because if one wants to become a police officer, they will need at least 60 credit hours from either a 2 0r 4 year state college, not a private career school. Now if a person wants to take something like Sound & Recording Engineer they can attend a specialty private career school because most 2 year colleges or public vo tech schools will not offer this. But even with that said, still investigate the school and do your homework and stay on top of things and then you won't get a big SCAM!! If people would just investigate their state's employment web pages, average wages are stated for various careers and those wages are not some uninformed sales recruiter making a bogus sales pitch saying someone can earn 15.00 an hour as a nurse assistant. I have attended community college (Texas) 4 year college (Louisiana) and a for profit career school on line, however those studies were more about personal enrichment and additional knowledgement more than transferring credit courses. When I transferred my college credit from Louisiana I had 25 credit hours, Texas only accepted 15 and I had to take a CLEP test to test out of the rest of my English courses. If every future student in the US would accept this advice, they would all be much better off and for profit careeer schools with heavy handed sales tactics would be curbed down to very specialty schools and education for more comman careers would shift exclusively to community colleges and public vo tech schools if offered in their state.
Margaret
Houston,#8Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 21, 2007
Anyone who attends ITT should heed to my advice: I was raised in Louisiana and have resided in Texas for the last 16 years. I attended college and Vo Tech Education in both states. although I am unfamiliar with the other 48 states educational systems, let me explain something about the difference in public Vo -Tech Education and a private career technical school. Louisiana is a notoriously poor state, and most work there consists of the blue collar type of employment. Louisiana has public Vocational and Technical schools there because community college was pretty much non exisitant there until the mid 90's Some examples of this are the following schools I am familiar with. TH HArris Vo Tech, Opelousas, Louisiana and Lafayette Regional Technical, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Lets say a person is interested in taking something like Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy Assistant, Aircraft Mechanic, NDT, Business Office/Secretarial they pay a small tuition, say 200.00 for a quarter and pay for all their own books, and supplies. Student aid is offered. All the instructors are definately cerfified. The schools are run by the state public education system so they know that they cannot charge a person 25,000 to become a Nurse Assistant whose average wages are 9.00 an hour. My ex husband attened the public vo tech school in LAfayette, Louisiana and took Electronics Technology. When all was said and done he had paid approx. total 3,000 in tuition and another 1000 in books and supplies, and places like ITT Tech are charging people 50,000. Its a BIG SCAM!!! MY ex got an excellent post secondary education and even the opportunity to work for NASA. I do not know if other states have public vo tech education, however if a person wants to major in Criminal Justice go to either a 2 or 4 year college because if one wants to become a police officer, they will need at least 60 credit hours from either a 2 0r 4 year state college, not a private career school. Now if a person wants to take something like Sound & Recording Engineer they can attend a specialty private career school because most 2 year colleges or public vo tech schools will not offer this. But even with that said, still investigate the school and do your homework and stay on top of things and then you won't get a big SCAM!! If people would just investigate their state's employment web pages, average wages are stated for various careers and those wages are not some uninformed sales recruiter making a bogus sales pitch saying someone can earn 15.00 an hour as a nurse assistant. I have attended community college (Texas) 4 year college (Louisiana) and a for profit career school on line, however those studies were more about personal enrichment and additional knowledgement more than transferring credit courses. When I transferred my college credit from Louisiana I had 25 credit hours, Texas only accepted 15 and I had to take a CLEP test to test out of the rest of my English courses. If every future student in the US would accept this advice, they would all be much better off and for profit careeer schools with heavy handed sales tactics would be curbed down to very specialty schools and education for more comman careers would shift exclusively to community colleges and public vo tech schools if offered in their state.
Steve
Phila,#9Consumer Comment
Mon, December 12, 2005
Its ashamed that people fell for this bullshit which is what they are as well as the other schools. Anything on tv is bull s**t. Itt tech has a way of manipulating peoples minds. I am an entrepenuer and was close to getting in and changed my nind the last minute. These a*s clowns will be out of business trust me on that. If you all have a lawsuit I want to know. My name is Forman in Philadelphia and I run a vending business. I hope thats a clue to you. Look me up under Wanderful. I want to talk to you all.
Vicki
North Tonawanda,#10Consumer Comment
Thu, May 19, 2005
Hello again, Douglas and Chris. First, I would like to thank Chris for being kind and patient, and for sharing some fairly unbiased, intelligent observations. Thanks,Chris. Douglas, you seem to be spoiling for a fight. I will not keep trying to defend myself. You do not know what you are talking about, my friend, and from the tone of your dialogue, are not interested in "knowing". This is my Last Attempt to explain my Views. (Hmmm, I guess the Road to "Hades" IS paved with Good Intentions) The whole point of my original post was to show how damaging incorrect/incomplete information and assumptions can be to the uninformed/naive. Thank you for helping to prove my point, sir. By the way, one bit of ITT "information" was a heart-warming story about the recruiter's son. He also has learning disabilities, so she understood my son's needs...wink,wink...yada,yada,yada. (I guess you could say it's all our fault. We should never have been taken in by a snake-oil salesman). You are making assumptions about me and my son. I am doing the writing because he doesn't want to. As he now has a type of dyslexia (caused by a stroke), and can't spell very well, he doesn't care to place himself in a position to be ridiculed. He has nothing to apologize for. (Under these circumstances, I now understand his reticence, and wish I hadn't taken his place). The "empathetic" ITT recriuter told my son he was "qualified" to go there as long as he got the tutoring he needed. (Which, by the way, is supposed to be included in the tuition costs). She claimed he had passed the ITT entrance exam with flying colors, although he is horrible at Math and English (required classes at ITT). Hmmm. As for paying the tuition, ITT signed him up for student loans, as well as financial aid. He now owes six thousand dollars in loan money. Also, because he failed the Math and English courses, (that were ostensibly "no big deal", but he was supposed to recieve tutoring for, anyway...huh?) he no longer qualifies for financial aid. Now, here's the kicker. Everyone listening this time? The reason my son is in this mess is because he wanted to improve his quality of life. He did not get himself into debt just so he could sit around and whine about the Big Bad World. ITT knew his limitations going in, and they Promised to Help Him Reach His Goals. (Sound familiar?) ITT Tech of Getzville, NY Did Not Keep Their Word. In fact, they now deny Ever Knowing that my son had said limitations, claiming that the information was not included in his student file. What? An ITT recriuter/mother of a L/D child failed to put information in a file? Impossible! As for the drop out rate of ITT, there are other people from the same class who have begun dropping out. Why? Because they are all failing the same Math classes my son failed, thank you very much. You see, he decided to get out before he owed even more money. The others tried to stay and are in even more debt than my son. They now admit that staying in ITT Tech wasn't worth it. Oh, and as for this pity thing you keep talking about. Yes, I am disabled, but, are you ready for this? I have a college education and am currently attempting to write a book. In Spite of the fact that I am in Constant, Excruciating Pain (there's the "pity-potty" line you were waiting for). Now, if you really want to know how hard life can be, you might want to read my "inspirational" book. (If it is ever published I will let you know). And, if you believe that writing a novel isn't Work, then I suggest you try it sometime! Also, I am not saying that I'm Totally Clueless. I asked for advise because I do not have the personal resources needed to fight the system. In NY state, I am responsible for any legal and monetary issues concerning my son until he reaches the "Age of Maturity", at age twenty-one. So, to wrap this up, I just want to say that my simple little attempt to warn others about ITT, as well as try to help my son recoup his losses, appears to have turned into a free-for-all. I appreciate that you have voiced your opinion, but guess what, I also have the right to voice mine. Oh, and by the way, the Cleveland Clinic won't give my son any free services, as he has insurance that covers him (in NY state only). Unfortunately, there are no CNSV (look it up) specialists in this state, but thanks for asking. I must now get back to Work on my Fun Project. Thank you for your time, and I sincerely appologize if I have offended either of you. Vicki from NT
Chris
Philadelphia,#11Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 13, 2005
I've read your report and your best bet, as previously suggested, is to get in touch with an attorney. You say you can't afford one, but you came up with 6000 grand for tuition. A reputable attorney won't charge you a thing to at least talk to him or her, and should give you a fair estimate of what services would cost. The other thing you may want to try is the local news stations. They typically have investigative journalists or consumer fraud reporters who might be interested and could cause ITT to consider refunding your money. Not to be cruel, but upon reading your post I really don't understand how you believe that this is the best route to get care for your son. You say he has a rare disorder and it was suggested that he may be suited to a job in multi-media? With a 6 figure income? What?? No offense, but if he can't type on the computer, speak for himself etc, how the hell is he supposed to get and hold a job in IT? You state that this is all so he can see a specialist in another state for his condition. Is this really the best way?? Are there no charitable organizations that could help? Local politicians? Care giving organizations? Fund raisers? If his condition is so unique, maybe the doctor would see him free of charge for research purposes or as an altruistic gesture. You may want to rethink this and research other ways. Good luck with ITT, I had a similar experience with a IT training "school" that went belly up and I lost all of my tuition and only got half the classes I signed up for. You're right, most of those organizations are only interested in getting your money and then everything else is secondary.
Douglas
Worcester,#12Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 13, 2005
I was just trying to give an outside opinion. Some people post here to release some anger and frustration while others need an outside view to find a not-so-obvious solution to a problem. I don't know you, I don't know your son and all I have is the original post. As for your comment: "I know we could ever see the Light without your Opinion, and I'm pretty sure you aren't done with us just yet." I wasn't trying to show you the "light" so go to hell. And you're right, I'm not done... You think you are so high & mighty for facing challenges in your life and expect everyone to stop what they are doing, instantly understand your unusual situation, and give you all the answers you WANT to hear. Well, it isn't going to happen. You asked in your original post how to get your money back. I gave you my OPINION how to do so. As for this crap about the mistreatment of disabled people etc, if you aren't looking for pity then his disability isn't even a factor in your situation. I learned a long time ago to not give pity to anyone, especally someone with a disability trying to better themselves. I think the most detrimental thing to anyone, not just those with disabilities, is letting them off the hook because they met resistance when they are trying to move forward. I respect someone for aspiring toward a goal, for fighting to accomplish there dreams, whether they fail or triumph...not simply for a disability. You want the truth? Your son went to a school and failed. Is it the school's fault he couldn't cut it there? Probably not, and as such why the hell should you see a dime back? They ONLY way you should get your money back is if EVERY student in that class failed. If just one person passes the course, you can't prove that the instuction was below expectations. That means you are out all your money and still owe for the rest of the semester. It's amazing huh? The world kinda sucks. You should try working in it. I notice that you are also "disabled" and unemployed. Looking for more sympathy? Pity? How can someone so disabled they can't take a desk job care for a disabled person? Amazing what obstacles can be overcome when necessary...I wonder when the household finances will truely be dire enought for you to get a job? But what do I know? This is a forum of opinions until you give one, then it's a war against character and beliefs... I retract my previous wish for luck to you. Luck is a gift to those people trying to achieve things, not those sitting around the house waiting for the world to give them what they feel they are owed just for breathing...
Vicki
North Tonawanda,#13Author of original report
Fri, May 13, 2005
Hello, Cory from San Antonio and Douglas from Worchester. Thank you for your criticism / advice / wisdom. I can see that I did not post my "story" clearly , so I'll revise it as follows: My son tried to attend school under the recommendations of a NY State Vocational Rehab which, I might add, has paid homage to ITT for some time. (At first, VR did indeed try to sit my son at a bench like a trained monkey, which he definitely is not). I never said my son was so severely learning disabled that he can only work at Goodwill (that comment, by the way, is a rather derogatory view of the disabled people who do work there). In fact, Voc-Rehab suggested that my son, being good with computer games and not-so-good at other things such as reading, math, etc., might consider multi-media as a career (ergo; ITT). Due to the fact that he has an extremely rare neurological disorder (and is unable to recieve a proper diagnosis or treatment in NY state) my son may become obligated to try and earn enough income in order to see a specialist in a different state. He has a potentially fatal disorder and has no choice but to try and find the means to address his medical needs. As I am also disabled and currently on a fixed income, I cannot afford an attorney who can help resolve our ITT conflict. We apologize if our attempts to warn others about ITT came across as self-pity. (I suppose that assumption is in the mind of the beholder). The last thing we want is pity (but a little heart-felt empathy would be as refreshing as it is rare; hint,hint). From what I just read, it seems that disabled people don't deserve credit for trying to improve their lives, nor do they deserve respect if they are unable to achieve their goals. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I suppose. (I can only hope that said opinionated individuals never find themselves in a precarious state of health and/or with limited resources). In MY opinion, the lesson here today is: (a)watch what you share with others; (b)never take a "professional" opinion at face value;(c)always read the small print. (Especially beware the small "print" that comes out of some people's small minds and big mouths, as it can cause hoof-in-mouth disease). Again, Thanks for the Wisdom, and Please, feel free to bestow lots more of it. I know we could ever see the Light without your Opinion, and I'm pretty sure you aren't done with us just yet. With all due respect and humility, Vicki of NT.
Douglas
Worcester,#14Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 12, 2005
Isn't "ADA" also a commonly used acronym for the Assistant District Attorney? Maybe I just watch too much Law & Order. In my opinion, if you see a "technical" school advertised on TV, be wary. As for the original post, you need to pick a story and stick with it if you ever want to see your money. I know this is going to sound horrible but... You can't have it both ways. Either your son is disabled/mentally challenged and the school frauded YOU by taking your money knowing there is no way he could ever preform the work (insulting but effective) ...or... the school frauded HIM by not providing your son all the services promised (all of which you must have in writing) This is VERY hard to prove without a contract explaining the perks you were promised by the sales-rep. You see, you can't say your son is capable of doing the work and use his condition for pity at the same time...you need to decide if he never should have been there OR the teaching was so poor, anyone with average intelligance would have failed... Obviously the first one is hard to hear, probably even degrading and I'm sorry. The bottom line though is if you want to see your money back without a drawn out battle, you need to go with option #1. It is near impossible to prove the school at fault for someone failing their classes. I would approach the "school" and explain that you want your money back, it obviously isn't working out and if they resist, kindly remind them that a disabled kid getting ripped off is never good publicity and it would be better for all concerned to clear up the matter privately. If they call your bluff, get an attorney and have him/her draft them a letter. They will not want this to go to court, no matter what the facts are and it will most likely be settled without much trouble. I'm sorry to have to say this as well but since one the purposes of this site is to help avoid future ripoffs... The dream of most Americans is to go out there and earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. Since so many of us are striving at that goal, one truth has been learned by the collective public and evidenced by this web site: there is no set way to do this, and if there is, it is not currently advertised on TV, the internet or in papers. Taking into account the situation your son is in, I would tend to lean more towards public school system or a proven legitimate public or prive adult educational development program. You guys sound like you need some professional, impartial skill assessment and training... I hope some of this rambling helps and if not, hopefully another rebuttal will. Good luck.
Cory
San Antonio,#15Consumer Comment
Thu, May 12, 2005
WTF are you talking about? There is no ADA to contact. ADA stands for the Americans With Disabilities Act. Enacted July 26, 1990. Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment. There are some other sections. Where were you when all this took place? I know ITT is a ripoff. I try and help a mentally handicapped man. He comes in telling me he has signed up with ITT to get a degree in computer programming. Christ, he can barely add. Dropped out the first semester and is on the hook or should I say the American taxpayer is on the hook for thousands of dollars. You say your son didn't have time to read what he signed and is a slow reader. If this is the case, how is he going to be able to complete any graduate work and find a "career that would support his medical needs that run into the hundreds of thousands"? You had to type this post, he isn't even capable of doing even a simple task. Enroll him at Goodwill.
Vicki
North Tonawanda,#16Author of original report
Wed, May 11, 2005
Dear Jeff of El Cajon, CA. I want to thank you for your suggestion in response to my post. It never occured to me to contact the ADA. I will definitely act on your advice asap. God Bless you, Jeff.
Jeff
El Cajon,#17Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 05, 2005
HI I CANT BLEVED PEOPLE WOULD DUE THIS TO A DISABLE PERSONE. WILL I WOULD REPORT THEM TO ADA IN YOUR CITY, THEY SHOULD HELP YOU AND GET YOUR SON MONEY BACK GOOD LUCK GOD BLESS