Director's Digressions
DO-IT has been busy hosting collaborative meetings to launch the DO-IT Admin and AccessSTEM projects announced in the December, 2002 DO-IT News.
DO-IT Admin Collaboration in Seattle
Team members from 23 different states as part of the new DO-IT Admin project met on February 25-28th for an intense, productive and enjoyable collaboration. The three days were filled with networking, information sharing, presentations, a student panel, and great eating. We brainstormed on access issues for students with disabilities in student services offices on college campuses across the nation. These include administration and registration offices, libraries, career services, advising offices, counseling offices, distance learning centers, and computing centers.
Upon their return to home campuses, Team members began to conduct focus groups and training sessions and help develop products that will be distributed nationwide. The DO-IT Admin project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education (grant #P333A020044).
DO-IT Affiliates form Alliance
On March 12, 2003, more than 30 affiliates of DO-IT's new Northwest Alliance for Access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (AccessSTEM) met at the University of Washington to explore strategies for increasing the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. Working groups focussed on specific areas for interaction—precollege, college, and employment. Plans were made to continue the collaborative relationships begun at the meeting.
DO-IT Hosts Technology Institute
People representing various stakeholder groups participated in a "think tank" to explore issues that create challenges to access, effective use, and transition of technology for people with disabilities throughout life stages. They also made recommendations for policies, practice and research to address these issues. Two days of lively discussions at this Technology Capacity Building Institute April 7-8 will result in published proceedings within a few months. The event was co-sponsored by AccessSTEM and the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition at the University of Hawaii and the University of Minnesota.