Spring 2002 Disability Services Newsletter

Flying Words Project to Perform
Disability Services is bringing the internationally acclaimed Flying Words Project to the CU-Boulder campus March 8, 2002, 7:30 p.m. at Irey Theatre. Flying Words Project (FWP) is a 17-year old literary performance troupe founded in Rochester, NY. Deaf poet/performance artist Peter Cook uses American Sign Language and mime while poet/voicing artist Kenny Lerner speaks thoughts out loud. FWP is the premiere expression of Deaf humanity in the context of contemporary American poetics.

In performance, Cook and Lerner create highly evocative, concise, visual works of poesy, exceptional not only in the tradition of American Sign Language (ASL), but also in the American literary canon. The remarkable achievement of FWP is skillful manifestation of a cinematic, theatrical, and prosodic international style first recognized by poet Allen Ginsberg in 1984 as reflective of humanistic values necessary for global citizens living in planetary community. The performance, which will be free and open to the general public, is funded by the The President's Fund for the Humanities.

Another Amazingly Successful Conference!
In November, Disability Services presented the Fourth Annual Accessing Higher Ground, Assistive Technology in Higher Education Conference. The three day event began with a preconference on the CU-Boulder campus that offered three tracks of hands-on or lecture-only workshops. Presentations by the EASI Mini Institute addressed Accessible Web Design, Tiger Tactile Graphics, and Braille Embosser issues. Presenters also demonstrated evaluation and repair tools for web accessibility, accessible web design using DreamWeaver and Jaws for Windows to Access the Internet. Lecturers discussed the implications of Section 508 in the university environment and the implications on the design of web pages and other information systems at CU and other campuses.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Lawrence Scadden, formally the senior program director in science education at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Scadden has spent most of the past two decades fighting for equal access to science education and technology for people with disabilities. In 1991, he was invited to head the NSF disability initiative. In that role, he helped identify and fund projects to improve access to science and math for students with disabilities. Larry’s keynote address focused on the significance technology has made in his life and how developments in technology have changed and improved the lives of everyone, but particularly persons with disabilities. (For a copy of Dr. Scadden’s keynote speech, visit our conference web site at the url below).

Workshops included presenters from across the nation. A prestigious group of representatives from the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Indiana University, North Carolina State University, Georgia Tech University, University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Wisconsin, and leaders from national organizations provided informative sessions for attendees. The nearly 50 sessions included topics about Course Accessibility, Access to online Learning, Starting an Assistive Technology Lab in Higher Education, Implications of Section 508, and many other pertinent topics. The conference was well attended and visitors stated that they were impressed by CU-Boulder hospitality. Disability Services sincerely thanks everyone who participated and we look forward to next year’s conference. For more information on the conference and for speaker handouts, visit the conference Web site.

Valuable Career Resources
The Career Program for Students with Disabilities (CPSD) provides work experiences and career planning for CU-Boulder students with disabilities. After completing some individualized information sessions, students locate internships and are paid a stipend provided by CPSD.

On February 20, 2002, Career Services is offering an Internship Fair at the Coors Events Center. CPSD is participating in the fair and hosting a question and answer session. Later this spring CPSD is presenting a panel of local employers who have had experience employing people with a wide variety of disabilities. They will offer information about interviewing, requesting accommodations, and other tips to help students in today’s volatile job market.

Watch for more information about this event in the newspaper and on your e-mail. If you plan to attend, and need a sign language interpreter or other accommodation, call the main office at 303-492-8671 at least five business days in advance.

Staff Conference Presentations
Two DS staff members have been chosen to present at a national conference the 2001 Division on Career Development and Transition National Conference in October 2001 and an international conference the Learning Disabilities Association of America International Conference on February 16, 2002. The presentation by Kathy Bowman and Cindy Donahue is titled A University Perspective: Successful College Selection and Transition.

Test Anxiety Workshop
Test anxiety is a major concern for many university students. At Disability Services, we work individually with students and also offer workshops on controlling the anxiety that can prevent students from doing their best on tests and exams. Learning to control the symptoms of anxiety such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a blank mind as well as controlling the thoughts that perpetuate these physiological changes is key to mastering test anxiety. We offer a two session workshop on February 27 and March 16, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., as well as on April 18 and 25. Contact Disability Services 303-492-8571 for the room number and to confirm your attendance. If you are connected with Disability Services and would like to work individually with a specialist, just call the front office 303-492-8671 and ask for an appointment with Elaine Downing. Remember that it takes time to put the skills you learn about test anxiety to use, so plan to begin early in the semester.

Seventh Annual Diversity Summit to Include Disability Discussion
On February 22, from 1:45 to 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., a panel discussion entitled "Confronting Disability: Myths, Obstacles, and Realities" will be held in the East Ballroom of the UMC. Sessions will present interactive discussion on three questions related to disability consciousness.

To RSVP for the Summit, call 303-492-8772/TTY 303-735-5176. If you require a reasonable accommodation to attend, please contact Sharon Vieyra at 303-735-1332 by February 14.

DS Offers Counseling Support Following 9/11
After hearing about the tragic occurrences of September 11, Disability Services staff joined staff from counseling and other university departments to provide as much assistance as possible. Staff members were available to speak with distressed individuals for three days following September 11.

Buddy Program Offers Support
The Buddy Program is designed to help new CU-Boulder students with disabilities get through the sometimes difficult transition from high school to college. The program was created by Erin Arnold and Heather Pauze, current CU students who have been through that transition and understand the difficulties of having a disability.

New students with disabilities are paired with a current CU-Boulder student (buddy) who is able to assist in a variety of different ways. The buddies are required to attend training to learn of the services Disability Services provides, and to receive contact information for a wide range of programs all over campus. Some of the things that our buddies have done for their students this semester are:

• Customized tours in specific buildings and classrooms Familiarize students with the library system Assisted in book selection at the bookstore Advised students on how to best communicate with faculty and staff Helped students use the bus pass program by researching bus schedules
• Continued support throughout the school year.

News from Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
The university hosted several successful Deaf awareness events on campus this fall! A team of 16 Deaf and hard of hearing students from Monarch K-8 signed the national anthem at the Buffs' volleyball and football games. The students rehearsed with the marching band and also watched both games.

Approximately 20 books of Deaf culture and sign language as well as books written by Deaf authors were displayed in the front of the bookstore.

A small but meaningful seminar including Deaf panelists discussed "What Its Like to be Deaf and Gay." The seminar was cosponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center.

The university looks forward to hosting more Deaf awareness events on campus in September of 2002.

A group of Deaf seniors from the Colorado School for the Deaf and Jefferson High School visited the campus. They met with a specialist to learn about the application process, enrollment requirements, what the university offers, and documentation requirements for accommodations and services offered to Deaf and hard of hearing students. The seniors watched a videotape called "Pah! I’m in College, Now What?" about how to request services and student responsibilities. They also visited the campus bookstore.

In October, a workshop on What You Need to Know About Four-Year Post-Secondary was presented at Red Rocks Community College for all Deaf and hard of hearing students from metro high schools.

In addition, a workshop, the ABCs of C-Print, was presented at the AT Conference in November on several topics related to C-Print: hiring, policy, equipment, textbooks, and ergonomics.

New Editor for DS Newsletter
Jayne MacArthur has stepped down from this newsletter’s editorial position. Karen Boyd has agreed to resume Jayne’s position. Disability Services thanks Jayne for her many years of wonderful work and welcomes Karen.

Writing Lab
Dolores Delgiorgio became the DS Writing Lab instructor in the fall of 2001. Dolores has an extensive writing and tutorial background. She has worked for the Colorado Literacy Corps, and as a special education tutor and teaching assistant in Palo Alto, CA. Currently she is a graduate student in the CU-Boulder Creative Writing Program. Dolores is available by appointment to work with all DS students referred by their disability specialists on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.