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Disability Services Newsletter
Fall Edition 2006
Fall 2006 newsletter in Adobe PDF format
New Assistive Technology
Disability Services recently acquired new assistive technology software and
devices: a Thermo Pen, Franklin Talking portable dictionary in different
languages, SOLO learning tool software, and a new Scientific Talking
Calculator.
The
Thermo Pen is a writing instrument designed to create a raised tactile image
directly on a special type of paper called Flexi-Paper. The Thermo Pen is
used to recreate campus maps and graphics in tactile for students who are
blind.
Disability Services expanded the collection of portable dictionaries that
are available for students to check out. Several models of Franklin Talking
bilingual dictionaries that are available are Spanish to English Dictionary,
French, German, Italian, and Portuguese dictionary.
The
Scientific Talking Calculator speaks all the buttons and calculations from
basic math to college level calculus. The calculator is useful for students
with visual disabilities.
SOLO is a software tool set that builds learning skills in reading, writing,
planning, organizing, revising and editing for students. SOLO helps to
improve skills in content area reading, research projects and essay writing.
SOLO includes a Draft:Builder and Word Prediction among many other features.
Draft:Builder helps planning, organizing, and guides struggling writers
through each step of the writing process. The word prediction helps writers
come up with the right words during the writing process.
DS Students Studying Abroad
Many students with disabilities travel abroad successfully and so does ASU
students with disabilities. This past summer, two ASU students, Harry Hogue
and Caleb Adcock went to Costa Rica for the ASU Summer Study Abroad program.
During their Study Abroad Program, they studied Spanish language and their
culture, and each student lived with a host family.
Harry Hogue had a great time in Costa Rica. He learned a lot during the
summer program. Harry is a sophomore majoring in Spanish. He would like to
work as an interpreter for Spanish and German after he graduates. He is the
first recipient of the Youth Challenge Awards for the State of Arkansas.
His accomplishments are overcoming his blindness, by coming to college,
adjusting to college life and having a strong 3.8 GPA. Harry enjoys reading
books, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Caleb Adcock also had a blast traveling to Costa Rica. He has overcome the
challenges of blindness and is a senior pursuing a major in Spanish. He
would like to be a translator after graduation. He likes to listen to music
and hang out with friends.
His
overall impression of his trip to Costa Rica was good. Living with a host
family was great and he definitely learned more that way. He would like to
recommend studying abroad to all students with disabilities. He expressed it
as a great experience and definitely suggests that students take the
opportunity.
Caleb
says, “There is nothing like it!”
Anyone interested in the study abroad program should contact David Wick at
Office of International Programs at 972-2329.
Delta Sigma Omicron
Hello everyone,
I am so pleased
to give you a great report for Delta Sigma Omicron for the 2005-2006
academic year. We as a “Team” accomplished all of our goals. At our
Homecoming tailgate party, we had 69 to attend; we gave 25 students
thanksgiving baskets. We logged over 70 hours of volunteer work for the
Katrina victims. We purchased furniture for two of the Katrina families. We
provided a SUPER Christmas for thirteen children. We had about thirteen
members and Disability Staff volunteered at the Indian Mall Salvation Army
Christmas Tree program. We raised over 900 cans of food for The Salvation
Army food pantry. Finally, we raised over $900 in raffle sales for a child
with cancer. We had fun at our Spring Luau with family and friends.
We could not
have accomplished these goals without the excellent DSO Board, and all of
its active members. I congratulate and praise you all for your hard work.
I also would
like to recognize some of our members accomplishments. Amber Phillips
received a stipend award and was promoted as an Army National Guard
Sergeant. Cecilia Alexander received two scholarships. I received a stipend
and an Arkansas Rehabilitation Association scholarship. Renee Oliver
received five scholarships. Carol Bryson received a stipend award. Carol
Bryson, Cecilia Alexander and Sherry Parks was inducted to Phi Alpha, an
Honorary Social Work Society.
I just want
everyone to know that I am so grateful to serve as DSO’s president. This is
an outstanding chapter. Since 2003, this chapter has grown to 98 members.
We have all worked together as a team and we have all became good friends
for life. We still have many more adventures to come, and I look forward to
working with each and every one of you!
Sherry Parks
President, DSO
Alternative Transportation Program
The Disability
Services Office at ASU has implemented a new program starting Fall ’06 to
assist students with disabilities in getting around campus. The program
will primarily be used to transport students with ambulatory disabilities
and/or medical conditions (that prevent them from walking long distances) to
and from classes. There will be two modes of transportation available: 1)
motorized wheelchair or scooters (at this time there are only two available
for check out this semester) and 2) being picked up by golf cart. Students
wishing to be a part of this program need to come to Disability Services
within the first weeks of school to ensure they will be accepted into the
program. Final determination of admittance into the program will be based
on student need, amount of travel/transportation required, and
recommendations made by the director, Dr. Jenifer Rice-Mason and Committee
Members.
Workshops & Announcement
Web
Accessibility Individual Workshop
Disability Services
provides guidance and individual workshop for faculty and staff who are
interested in making their website more accessible for users with
disabilities. Web accessibility benefits all users in terms of ease of site
navigation and the compatibility with various operating systems and
browsers. Contact Christina Laurentia at 972-3964 or email claurentia@astate.edu
to schedule a session.
Project A.I.M (Advocacy in Motion)
is a workshop developed by the Office of Disability Services at ASU to help
develop students with disabilities advocacy skills. Topics to be discussed
include: Knowing Your Diagnosis, Knowing Your Rights – Overview of Laws
Pertaining to Persons with Disabilities, Actions for School – Changes in
Accommodations, Conflicts with Faculty/Administration, and Appeal Processes,
ASU Policies and Procedures. This presentation lasts approximately 45
minutes. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to
Leonardo Glover, LD Specialist at
lglover@astate.edu
Accommodation Cards
Disability Services
has implemented the Accommodation Card Program for all students starting
Fall 2006 to replace the accommodation letter. Students will receive a card
stating accommodations to show their instructors. If you are attending Fall
2006, you will need to schedule an appointment to discuss your
accommodations with your Counselor or Program Specialist in Disability
Services.
Testing Schedule Reminder
In order to provide
ample time for Disability Services to make arrangement for proctors, always
schedule exams at least 2 days before the actual exam date. Students should
schedule their mid-terms and finals 2 weeks in advance.
Priority Registration
Students qualified for
this accommodation can enroll for classes a week before seniors and graduate
students. Students qualifying for this accommodation will need to keep up
with the registration date since priority registration lasts only one
week.
Newsletter Editor: Christina Laurentia.
Newsletter is also available on paper format.
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