Spring 1998 Disability Services Newsletter

Assistive Technology Lab Opens
The Assistive Technology Lab, located in Willard 332, was approved for funding under the Total Learning Environment initiative last spring and opened in January 1998. The lab allows students with disabilities to access computer equipment and application software, information systems, and on-line resources such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, and other Internet services. Adaptations in the lab include speech-controlled computers for individuals with mobility impairments and writing difficulties, voice output systems (i.e. screen readers) for individuals with visual impairments or dyslexia, screen enlargement software and alternate keyboards for one-handed typists and individuals with mobility impairments. Ergonomic keyboards, furniture, accessories, and pointing devices are also available.

Upon request, staff will help students determine appropriate adaptive equipment and interventions. Open houses and workshops to learn about adaptive and ergonomic equipment are being offered. Faculty and staff are invited to stop by to learn how assistive technology might benefit their students. Call Howard Kramer, (303) 492-8672, for more information.

Senior Insights
Disability Services (DS) asked seniors about their CU-Boulder experience. They were asked what had been most helpful, what they would like to see improved, and what advice they would give to incoming students.

As to what has been most helpful, one student replied that professors have been accessible and supportive. Another said she found DS staff, including writing lab instructors, very accommodating and thorough.

As to what needs to be improved, one student mentioned that the scheduling of finals could be improved, and there is a need for better advising for graduating seniors. She was also concerned about the fee for updating LD diagnostic evaluations.

Students also had advice for incoming students. One emphasized the importance of organization and structure for academic success and stressed that sessions with specialists will be more productive if the student is prepared.

Career Information

Career Information for Scientists and Engineers
A recent addition to our library is the Resource Directory of Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities. Compiled by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, this valuable resource is a list of scientists and engineers with disabilities who have agreed to share their expertise and experiences with individuals who contact them. Information is cross listed according to scientific disciplines, the nature of the disability, geographic location, and women. It also includes an alphabetical listing of the scientists and engineers. If interested in using the directory, ask your specialist.

"Disability in the Workplace" Conference
A conference, "Disability in the Workplace," was held on November 13, 1997, on the Boulder campus. This conference was an extension of the award winning Career Program for Students with Disabilities, now entering its third year, that supports students in locating and participating in summer work experiences. The idea for the conference was conceived as a result of student experiences in that program. Committee members realized the need for employers to have additional information about disabilities. The intent of the conference was to have employers meet so that they could interact with one another and with experts who are knowledgeable about available resources.

At the conference, speakers discussed the legal aspects of employing and accommodating an employee with a disability and networking for mutual support. They also learned about resources for implementing accommodations, ranging from practical, commonsense solutions to advanced technology. The conference was well attended by several regional businesses and community and state organizations. Participants reported that the most useful information from the conference was "the network sources and contacts," "opportunity to network about disability issues/get ideas," "details on the ADA," and "where to locate accommodation resources."

As a result of this conference, employers are now more enlightened about issues regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities and are more willing to hire them. Plans have been made to sponsor the conference again next year.

Staff News and Accomplishments

DS Welcomes New Staff Members
Several new people joined the staff of Disability Services during the fall semester. DS is pleased to announce the additions of Jim Cohn, Ann Colcord, Howard Kramer, and Artem (Archie) Vladimiuovi Shamsutdinov. Jim is the newest member of the Academic Access and Resources (AAR) team. He comes from New York where he was director of a disability services unit. He is also a published author of poetry! Ann is our new office manager and previously worked here on campus in the Williams Village Residential Academic Program where she was program coordinator. Howard is our coordinator for the new assistive technology lab. He comes from New York City and has an impressive background in assistive technology. He has eight years in the field and established the assistive technology lab for Easter Seals in this region. Archie, a student from Tatarstan, is our computer support person. DS welcomes them all!

Student Affairs Diversity Chairs Council
Cliff Moers, DS diversity chair, is representing DS on the Student Affairs (SA) Diversity Chairs Council. Diversity is one of the objectives on the 1996-1997 SA Diversity Evaluations Summary Report. The council is a forum for discussion of diversity efforts and actions within student affairs as well as the rest of campus. The council provides strength, energy, and drive for involvement in diversity affairs and seeks opportunities for consciousness-raising, collaboration on multicultural issues, and improving retention for all students.

ADD Task Force
This year, DS staff members Jim Cohn and Jayne MacArthur have participated in an ADD Task Force with medical staff from the Wardenburg Health Center. The task force meets monthly to strategize ways to improve services for students on campus with concerns related to AD/HD. Task force members from Wardenburg include Ben Cohen, Ph.D, Carson Henderson, Ph.D, Tom Kunstman, M.D., Steve Moe, MD, and Paul Richards, Ph.D. As the task force evolves, information about diagnosis, treatment, and academic accommodations for students with AD/HD continues to be shared, which will serve students better.

Task Force on the Unmet Needs of DS
Disability Services is chairing a task force to determine the unmet needs of our students and the larger community with respect to disability issues. This task force was formed by Vice Chancellor Jean Kim at the request of Chancellor Byyny. It includes students, faculty, and staff.

Unmet needs identified include attitudinal, communication, and physical barriers in the university and the larger community as well as funding for interpreting. Another concern is that DS is seeing a significant increase in the number of students requesting services. A DS staff position, which is currently funded by gift monies, will be lost at the end of spring semester. Consequently, the task force identified staffing concerns as a need. Continuing funds are also needed to operate the Assistive Technology Lab.

Dr. Fink's "Retirement"
Since retiring as director of Disability Services, Dr. Ruth Fink continues to stay involved in disability issues. She is currently co-chairing the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) LD Special Interest Group with David Parker from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Keith Leafdale from Oklahoma City Community College. She is also working on a position paper, "Determining Extended Time," to be considered for adoption by AHEAD. Another writing project is her contribution of a chapter on "accommodations" to a college textbook. The chapter will discuss the provision of services to students with disabilities and will be used by counselors and rehabilitation counselors in training. She has also written an article about a challenging case study that will be published in the spring issue of the Journal of College Reading and Learning. Finally, Dr. Fink will continue for another year as a professor adjunct in the Graduate School of Education where she teaches theoretical and methods courses for teachers seeking graduate degrees in work with K-12 students with learning disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders.

Web Resources

Improved DS Web Site
The DS web site provides users with valuable information on an array of topics. Every attempt is being made to make our web site as inclusive and accessible as possible for individuals with disabilities. DS welcomes your suggestions for improvement.

New University Resources on the Web
Many professors use the web to provide course syllabi, lecture notes, and links to other sites. Now there are other ways the web can be a valuable resource. "JSTOR", which stands for "journal storage," is a full-text database of core scholarly journals. Students, faculty, and staff can access JSTOR from almost anywhere on campus. It is found under "Article Access and Delivery" on the library's home page by accessing Chinook or Webcat. The URL is: http:// libraries.colorado.edu/ In JSTOR, journal articles are reproduced, page by page. JSTOR archives articles electronically so this service is valuable only for older issues; current issues are not available. This system is constantly being updated so check "Currently Available JSTOR Content" to find out what new fields are available.

Several other resources for writing support are linked to the Colorado home page. One is Write Link another is CUwrite.

Technology is now making it easier than ever for people with disabilities to use the web. Screenreaders help people who are blind surf the web. Audio and video enhancements for sites are sometimes available. For more information about adaptations for the web, contact Howard Kramer at (303) 492-8672.