2008 Woodie Awards
Here to help
Accessibility Services makes it easier for disabled to go to school
Georgia Romig Ranger Reporter
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Features
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At the start of the year many students need help, but many need more than directions to class.
They also need to know where the elevators and ramps are or if the teacher can work around a mental handicap.
Those are the students who need Accessibility Services.
"Since we're familiar with the disabilities, we're able to advise the students according to their accommodations, academically or physically,"said Accessibility Services Adviser Kerri Pullen.
Accessibility Services assists students personally by making sure the campus remains accessible, giving emotional support and helping students establish their independence.
Student organizations, such as CLIC (short for Careers, Leadership, Included in the Community) also help fulfill that need.
Academically, Accessibility Services acts as a middleman between students and their studies.
"We provide a liaison for students to work with faculty and staff," said Accessibility Services Coordinator Brenda Rossnagle.
The efforts include providing equipment such as Kurtzweil and Dragon software, which allow hearing-impaired and vision-impaired students to do work via computer, as well as handling problems that require a more personal approach, such as finding the right tutor or a quiet place to take a test. That's where the department's Assessment Center comes in. The Assessment Center formerly was known as Testing Services.
"They really appreciate you, you can tell," said Accessibility Services Testing Aide Tammy Connor, who handles the specific testing accommodations of many students.
In the classroom and during tests, students' needs vary. One may need a book on tape, another a padded chair to help cope with back problems, while yet another needs certain lighting in the testing area and another needs food handy to prevent diabetic problems.
"The most common accommodations would be tape recorders, note-takers and extended test times," Rossnagle said.
They also need to know where the elevators and ramps are or if the teacher can work around a mental handicap.
Those are the students who need Accessibility Services.
"Since we're familiar with the disabilities, we're able to advise the students according to their accommodations, academically or physically,"said Accessibility Services Adviser Kerri Pullen.
Accessibility Services assists students personally by making sure the campus remains accessible, giving emotional support and helping students establish their independence.
Student organizations, such as CLIC (short for Careers, Leadership, Included in the Community) also help fulfill that need.
Academically, Accessibility Services acts as a middleman between students and their studies.
"We provide a liaison for students to work with faculty and staff," said Accessibility Services Coordinator Brenda Rossnagle.
The efforts include providing equipment such as Kurtzweil and Dragon software, which allow hearing-impaired and vision-impaired students to do work via computer, as well as handling problems that require a more personal approach, such as finding the right tutor or a quiet place to take a test. That's where the department's Assessment Center comes in. The Assessment Center formerly was known as Testing Services.
"They really appreciate you, you can tell," said Accessibility Services Testing Aide Tammy Connor, who handles the specific testing accommodations of many students.
In the classroom and during tests, students' needs vary. One may need a book on tape, another a padded chair to help cope with back problems, while yet another needs certain lighting in the testing area and another needs food handy to prevent diabetic problems.
"The most common accommodations would be tape recorders, note-takers and extended test times," Rossnagle said.