AccessCollege

Background

I'm Joe, an undergraduate majoring in psychology. I have learning disabilities in the areas of reading and writing.

Access Issue

I wanted to use computer software that highlights words while it reads them out loud for my exams, as well as for reading and writing assignments. My professor was concerned that this accommodation gave me an unfair advantage over the other students in the class and was reluctant to allow me to use the computer for exams.

Background

My name is Dr. Steven Nourse. I am a professor at Central Washington University where I teach research, education law, and special education. I use a wheelchair for mobility.

Access Issues

As a faculty member and postsecondary educator, I travel frequently throughout the United States to conferences and professional organization meetings. In order for me to travel comfortably and safely, a lot of pre-planning needs to take place. I consider the following questions each time I plan a trip:

Background

My name is Melissa. I am a pre-education major who is hard of hearing. I wear a hearing aid. One of my introductory education classes requires small group discussion and projects as essential parts of the course.

Access Issue

I do fine in one-on-one conversations, but in small groups I have trouble hearing the instructor and all members of the group at all times. With other conversations going on in the room, I am not able to clearly and consistently hear the members in my group.

Background

My name is James and I am deaf. I use American Sign Language (ASL) as my primary means of communication. With aided hearing and lip-reading, I can communicate fairly well one-on-one, as long as I can see the person's face and lips clearly. I am currently involved in a computer technician internship with a company that provides on-site computer repair, service and set-up.

Background

Background

My name is Sheryl Burgstahler and I work at the University of Washington in Seattle. I wanted to develop an Internet-based course offered through the Department of Education and the Department of Rehabilitative Medicine. I wanted to coteach the course with a colleague who is blind and who was a professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. I wanted to know how we could efficiently collaborate and share the workload. We had delivered similar content many times in on-site courses and presentations.

Background

My name is Sally and I'm a 22-year-old student with Major Depression and Anorexia Nervosa. I attend college full-time and need disability accommodations to help compensate for low mood, fatigue, bouts of anxiety ranging from mild to severe, and very low energy and motivation. I want to excel in my classes but my illnesses interfere.

Background

My name is Karen. I'm a third-year math education student with Rheumatoid Arthritis. On a good day I can attend my classes, take notes, and participate without difficulty. When my arthritis is problematic, I have a hard time gripping a pencil to write. I also fatigue very quickly and cannot work on homework for prolonged periods of time.

Background

My name is Lisa. I was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago. I am currently in my second year of law school.

Background

A student, Jordan, who uses a wheelchair and is majoring in a Special Education/Mentally-Physically Handicapped program, needed to take a required course. The class, "Health and Physical Education for Elementary Schools," was to be held in an old building which was inaccessible.