Disability Services

Newsletter

Fall 2008 edition

 

Inside this issue:

- Delta Sigma Omicron
- Student presented in Greece
- Technology Updates
- Announcements
- New Website
- Welcome New Staff
- Important Dates

 

Delta Sigma Omicron

DSO Fall activities are under way. DSO Homecoming tailgate party which was held on September 20 went really well. Everyone enjoyed the great food and the game. DSO participated in the ASU Community and Organizational Fair on August 27, 2008. DSO will give Thanksgiving baskets to 20 families in November and will organize 25 Christmas Angels for children in need. If you would like to participate in the Thanksgiving Baskets or Christmas Angels project, email DSO at deltasigmaomicronasu@yahoo.com.
The Christmas Party will be held in early December. DSO is also conducting fundraiser with Pampered Chef. If you are interested in helping with the fundraising, please pick up the Pampered Chef booklet and order forms from the DSO office. The first group of orders are due on October 31. All orders shall be turned in by mid November.

The DSO Delta chapter is sponsored by Disability Services and was established in January 2001. Other chapters are the DSO Alpha chapter in the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, DSO Zeta Chapter University of North Carolina at Pembroke, DSO of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, DSO of Miami Dade College, and DSO of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

DSO 2008-2009 Officers:
Kristy Cole, President
Rebecca Newcomb, Vice President
Tabitha Mayberry, Secretary
Janet Bowman, Treasurer
Sandra Weatherford, Executive at Large.
Advisor: Christina Laurentia

We're on the web! Go to DSO website.

 

Student presented in a Conference in Greece

Emily Renee Carroll presented her research at the Second Annual Athens Institute for Education and Research Conference in Athens, Greece in May 2008. The joint research with Dr. Troy Adams was titled:"Quality of Life: A Geospatial Examination of Accessibility to Affordably-Priced and Nutritious Foods." The research covered food stores and availability of nutritious foods to people based on socioeconomic status.

When asked about her experience in Greece, Renee said, "It was a wonderful experience. It was exciting because I learned many different things from sociologists from around the world. I got to present with people from Romania, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Spain, and the United States. It was amazing to meet so many different people from so many different parts of the world. I also got to have fun, too. We ate a formal dinner on the rooftop garden at Athens University with a beautiful view of the Acropolis, we toured some archaeological sites, we climbed the Acropolis, and we took a small cruise of the Aegean Islands. I will never forget the experience, and I want to thank DSO for helping to fund my trip." Renee is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology. She plans to pursue a PhD and eventually become a college professor.

 

Technology Updates

Disability Services recently acquired WYNN and Kurzweil Network Licenses. This software is a study tool that helps students with learning challenges to succeed academically. Students may also use the software to read their test to help them in understanding the test questions better. Disability Services also has a recent version of Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Dictation software and JAWS screen reader. To inquire about the software or to use the software for your exams, contact Christina Laurentia at 972-3964.

Announcements & Reminders

Priority Registration
Priority Registration for Spring 2009 begins October 27 and continues on through general registration.
Students qualified for this accommodation can enroll for classes online before the general registration is open. All registration holds including advisor holds must be removed before students can register for classes. Questions regarding
Priority Registration should be directed to Jane Coburn at (870) 972-3964. If you don't have Priority Registration and would like to utilize it for Fall 2009, contact your DS Coordinator.

Testing Schedule.
In order to provide ample time for Disability Services to make arrangements for proctors, always schedule exams at least 2 days before the actual exam date. Students should schedule their finals in advance. Drop off your exam schedule asap. Students are encouraged to remind their instructors and DS Coordinator of exam schedule. Exam schedule maybe submitted online or emailed to dstesting@astate.edu. Most algebra exams will be delivered in the Library 301 (CLT lab). If you are taking any algebra class, please find out the location of the test, it may be given in the CLT lab or Disability Services location in the Student Union.

Email Address.
Disability Services (DS) periodically sends you emails of reminders and announcements. If you have not receive any emails from DS, provide us with your email address.

 

New Disability Services Website

Disability Services website (disability.astate.edu) as well as many ASU websites will have a completely fresh new look beginning January 1, 2009. The purpose is to have a more cohesive look and to improve the functionality of the whole websites. You will find a slightly different navigation menu, but all the contents will be the same. You will still be able to schedule your exams online, request physical accommodation online, read newsletters, find some resources and view DSO activities and pictures online. Most of the contents will be accessible and in compliance with Section 508 standards. DS also provides workshops on web accessibility for faculty & staff.

As far as student's portal, you can access your student account information and register for classes online by going to http://in.astate.edu and login using your student email account and password.

 

Welcome New Staff

We would like to welcome our new staff member: Aretha Fulcher. Aretha has served as our notetaking coordinator since August 2008. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling.
We also would like to congratulate Vaneta Harvey with her appointment as the Physical Accommodation and golf cart Program Specialist. Vaneta has a Specialist degree in Community College Teaching and a Master's of Arts in History. When asked about her new assignment with the golf cart transportation program, she commented: "We have several new drivers, who are doing a
very good job. A student told me that the drivers are very good this semester and that they have not been late for a class".

        

 

Important Dates

- Priority Registration: October 27 - November 2
- Last day to drop a course: November 19
- Fall break: November 25 - 28
- Equipment due: December 9
- Final Exams: December 8-12

 

Newsletter Editor: Christina Laurentia.

Director/ADA Coordinator: Dr. Jenifer Rice-Mason

 

This newsletter is also available on a printable Adobe PDF version.