ACCOMMODATIONS AND STUDENT
WORKPLACE EMPOWERMENT - GETTING THE RIGHT MIX
Presenter(s)
Steven
A. Timmer PhD
Premier Assistive Technology
13102 Elaisdell Dr.
DeWitt, MI 48820
Phone 517—668—8188
Fax 517—668—2417
Steve@readingmadeeasy.com OCT 03 20LE
Accommodations
are a fundamental requirement for graduation, and empowerment is fundamental
for success in life. It is critical to select the right types of accommodations
that empower the user for success after graduation.
This
sentiment was best summarized by William Snyder, a recent graduate in Business
Administration. He said, “When I left high school, I was shocked into reality
in the first semester of community college - they expected me to do the same
work as everyone else. There was no reduced work load, no resource room, and I
would not graduate unless I completed all my work. I almost gave up, and would
have if my mother had not stayed up to eleven o’clock every night. I was not
prepared for college. I eventually made it to a four year college that had a
good disability support office that helped me get books on tape, and they read
my tests to me, and in some classes they had note takers.”
“Now
that I have graduated, where are my books on tape, readers, note takers?” says
William. “Nobody is giving me extra time; they just are expecting me to do it -
by myself. I’m confident in what I know, but I was never taught how to do it by
myself.”
Part of the educational process is not only for individuals to be successful in
acquiring the knowledge in a field of study but also to learn how to apply that
knowledge - and to do it by themselves and for themselves.
Using
Universal Design and Universal Access to empower users for success after
graduation from secondary and postsecondary institutions.
Universal
Design and Universal Access, when applied and supported, have been shown to
have significant benefits to graduation rates and success after graduation in
secondary and postsecondary environments. This success has been noted in
individuals with identified disabilities as well as a substantial portion of
the at-risk population.
In
examining the landscape of literacy for disabled students (especially anyone
with print-related challenges) in higher education, the historical trend has
been to address literacy needs of this population through the use of selective
tools, techniques, policies and processes, broadly classified as
“accommodations,” that
• largely isolate those students from mainstream education. All too often, the
result of this “separate but equal” systemic isolation is that these students
are ill-prepared to deal with the rigors and requirements of the postsecondary
working world and mainstream day—to-day life. Said another way, our core values
must emphasize that accommodations are NOT empowerment the true capacity of an
individual to be able to perform and compete with their peers and colleagues.
To
achieve true empowerment of individuals with disabilities, we are seeking
through the full integration of Universal Design and Universal Access to
academic information, knowledge and processes that will positively impact the
total inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities into
educational communities and occupational settings.
Until
recently, historical constraints such as operational logistics, costs, and even
organizational dynamics have precluded any practical consideration for
implementation of Universal Design and Universal Access to information and
knowledge in academia. However, recent developments in technologies combined
with very progressive approaches to software licensing could realistically
place Universal Design and Universal Access to information and knowledge well
within the reach of virtually all institutions of higher education.
In
addition to the positive impact of Universal Design and Universal Access for
that population narrowly classified as “disabled,” we anticipate expanded
residual effects of Universal Design and Universal Access for much broader
demographic profiles of individuals who struggle with printed materials, but
who, heretofore, have had virtually no opportunity to access solutions they so
desperately need. They are denied access to assistance because the degrees of
their respective challenges are not sufficiently severe to qualify for
assistance. This expanded universe of potential beneficiaries is often labeled
as “at risk” because they are statistically much more likely to struggle or
fail without some degree of assistance. Growing bodies of research indicate
that this “at risk” universe actually comprises a much larger population than
the sum total of the more traditional categories encompassed under the
definition of “disabled.”
Looking
to the future1 we expect these technologies and paradigms to. Rapidly evolve
and mature, further leveling the literacy playing field for everyone,
regardless of their inherent challenges and abilities. Rather than the current
culture of isolationism, the primary goal of Universal Design and Universal
Access is to make solutions available that will foster a culture of inclusion
in education and employment. Success in this arena will be measured and
manifested through not only higher graduation rates but, ultimately, higher
employment rates across ALL categories of individuals who stand to benefit from
Universal Design and Universal Access.
Changing
student habits
in the late l990s, it was the exception for a student to have a powerful
personal computer available for studies. Now it is more the norm than the
exception for a student to have a personal computer. In addition to having a
personal computer, most individuals have access to high—speed Internet
connectivity. This access to technology has changed students’ habits. There are
fewer reasons for students to remain on campus to engage in every aspect of
their education. Students are spending less time in libraries and more time
online researching and accessing information. While there are substantial
benefits to be gained from the introduction of assistive technologies on
campus, those benefits can be further enhanced by installing technology where
the students are actually doing most of their reading and writing — on their
own personal computers, wherever they are located. Is having access to
assistive technology only on campus fair to students with disabilities?
Distance
Learning Accommodations: a unique approach by the
Individuals with disabilities find distance learning an attractive alternative
to
traditional education because transportation is frequently a significant
obstacle. Transportation can be both expensive and inconvenient. Distance
learning solves that problem but creates another. Colleges frequently only make
assistive technology available on campus. This creates a dilemma.
The
AMAC has developed a strategic alliance with assistive technology venders to
provide assistive technology to distant learners The AMAC has created a web
site that students can access through their WebCT/Vista account. AMAC not only
provides accessible materials through this portal, but they now provide the
technology to access that material as well. This approach helps students
acquire an education, and in the process students are learning how to access
the material by themselves; and they are doing it by themselves, giving
students the knowledge they need for an occupation and the skills they need to
actually compete effectively for employment. This particular project allows
students to take the tools with them once they graduate. This enables students
to retain the knowledge, skills, and tools required for success in the working
world.
Tools
for Life:
In addition to discussing the benefits from the UD/UA approach to education,
this presentation will talk about tools for life that work in the classroom and
beyond. Topics will include how to quickly identify different types of tools
and the features of the tools that will most likely be utilized. Attendees will
be able to distinguish between assistive learning technology and assistive
living technology as well as understand the fundamental differences between
compulsory assistive technology and elective assistive technology.
This
presentation will quickly demonstrate some of the tools provided by the
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