Disability Services
Newsletter

Spring 2008 edition

 

Inside this issue:

*Disability Awareness Week
*Delta Sigma Omicron Award
*Important Dates
*Scholarship Information
*NEA Chapter of NFB

Disability Awareness Week 2008

Activities held throughout the week provide educational and professional development opportunities for students, faculty and staff while promoting disability awareness. As we celebrate our ability to "Tap the Potential" of all individuals, various speakers will provide unique approaches to challenges that could benefit all individuals. 

 

Opportunities to Earn a Substantial Salary  

Presenter: Bernie Quell, Employ Ability Project.

This interactive presentation will highlight the Working Disabled Medicaid program which allows eligible working individuals with a disability the benefit of Medicaid, and the opportunity to earn a substantial salary. Tuesday, March 11 @ 11:00-12:15, Pine Tree Room.

 

Iraqi Veteran's Compelling Story of Struggles and Triumph

Presenter: Anthony Smith, Retired U.S. Army Major. Sponsored by ASU Disability Services and Delta Sigma Omicron (DSO) . Wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade and flat-lined by the time the medics reached him, this ex-Army Major beat all of the odds and has a compelling story of courage and trials to share. Tuesday, March 11 @12:30-1:45,Pine Tree room.

 

Craighead County Transition Fair

Several representatives from post-secondary schools and agencies will give short presentations to explain what they have to offer high school students with disabilities.

Contact Person: Carol Perdue, Craighead County Transition Team Leader, 933-5881.March 11 @ 8:30 and @6:30, JHS.

 

The Miracles Performance and Symposium

The Miracles, a group of musically-gifted adults, live at The Baddour Center in Senatobia, MS. The center is a residential community that is designed for adults with intellectual disabilities. They have performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C and at the White House. Contact: Vaneta Harvey. Sponsored by: ASU Disability Services, JHDC, BCM and DSO. Wednesday, March 12, Performance at 12:00 noon, Student Union Center Court. Symposium at 1:00-4:00 pm, Mockingbird Room.

 

Strategic Planning, Organization, and Techniques to Enhance Academic Success at ASU

Presenter: Kelly McCoy. This workshop will focus on different study strategies such as preparing to study, notebook organization, reading skills, taking class notes, class preparation and strategies for test taking. Thursday, March 13 @ 9:30-10:45, Mockingbird Room.

 

Supporting our ASU Student Soldiers

Presenter: Dr. Dennis White. Want to help someone who was injured while he/she fought to protect your personal freedoms? Iraq/Afghanistan veterans now receive educational, physical and speech/hearing rehabilitation; social services and mental health services to support them in achieving their post military service goals. March 13 @ 11:00-12:15, Pine Tree Room.

 

Alternative Testing:  What You Should Know....

Presenter: Sondra Sims. This is an interactive workshop focusing on alternative testing and accommodations for students with disabilities, encouraging new faculty, and students from various majors. March 13 @ 12:30-1:45, Pine Tree Room.

 

Creating an Accessible Website

Presenter: Christina Laurentia. This hands-on workshop provides the techniques to create a better website and to make websites accessible to all. This workshop is open to all faculty and staff. To register, contact Christina Laurentia at (870) 972-3964 or email claurentia@astate.edu. March 26 & 27 @ 9:00-10:15,10:30-11:45, 2:00-3:15, 3:30-4:45.Place: Student Union 2168.

 

Delta Sigma Omicron awarded Chief Big Track Award

DSO was presented with a Chief Big Track Award on February 28 at 3 p.m. during the Pride Day Awards Ceremony.

This is an outstanding award presented to a family or organization that has faithfully exhibited their superb support for ASU through the donation of time, gifts, or talent.  It is through such notable acts of generosity that the University continues to grow as an institution of higher education, impacting ASU students and the larger community. Keep up the good work! We are also proud to announce that Sondra Ajasin, Cecilia Alexander, Heather Johnson, and Unika Washington were awarded Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for 2007-2008 and Renee Oliver graduated with a Cum Laude in December 2007.

DSO received the DSO initiation pins and gave them out during the member meeting on February 14. There will be a bake sale in March for a fund raiser at Walmart on Highland. Date and time to be announced.

As part of Disability Awareness Week, DSO is cosponsoring the Miracles Performance on March 12 and the Iraqi Veteran's Compelling Story of Struggles and Triumph. For more information on these events, check out the Disability Awareness Week schedule. If you are graduating in May, contact Cecilia Alexander or Christina Laurentia, so we will know how many graduating ropes to order.  The deadline for this is March 12, 2008 during the next DSO meeting in the Student Union Osage Room at 3:30 p.m.

Nominations are open for the 2008-2009 Officers. Individuals can be nominated by another member or self nominated. Nomination should be received by April 12. The Officers Election will be held on Thursday, April 17 at 3:30 pm in the Pine Tree Room. The Spring Banquet for Delta Sigma Omicron is April 25, 2008 at the Pavilion from 6-9.

 

Scholarship Info for Students with Disabilities

Disability Services provides various scholarship information for students with disabilities.  The purpose of the Disability Scholarship program is to provide scholarship information to students based on their academic, eligibility and academic needs. Students with disabilities with a minimum of 2.5 overall GPA are encouraged to apply. 

List of Scholarships and Websites:

www.fastweb.com, www.collegescholarships.com
www.salliemae.com, www.finaid.org
www.nextstudent.com, www.scholarships.com

List of upcoming Scholarships:

- Craighead County Single Parent Scholarship Fund.
- Nordstrom Scholarship
- Mays Mission For Handicapped,Inc Scholarship Program.  www. maysmission.org
- Nelnet Scholarship Giveaway- visit www.nelnet.com/win
- Transfer Scholarship-ASU Financial Aid
- Arkansas Governor's Commission on People with Disabilities----501-296-1623
- Arkansas Rehabilitation Association.Ph:501-890-5751
- ASU Faculty Women's Club scholarship.

If you have any questions or need any help with applying for a scholarship, contact Kelly McCoy at 972-3964.

Please note the above lists are provided for references only. Disability Services does not endorse scholarships other than ASU scholarships.

 

NEA Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

The NFB local chapter was established in October of 2007. Their goal is to provide education to the general public about issues faced by individuals with blindness and their capabilities. They serve as the voice of the nation's blind. The NFB has both an annual state and national conventions. This year's national convention will be held June 29 - July 5 in Dallas, Texas. Annual dues are $5.00.  The chapter meets every third Tuesday at the Frontpage Cafe at 6:00 pm. For more information about NFB, visit www.nfb.org. Contact: Jerree Harris, President at (870) 335-6333 or Harry Hogue at (870) 926-5075.

 

Important Dates

*March 10-13:     Disability Awareness
*March 17-22:     Spring Break
*April 7-11:         Priority Registration
*April 16:            Last day to drop a course
*April 30-May 6:   Final Exam
*May 5:               DS Equipments and CDs due

Newsletter Editor: Christina Laurentia.
Director/ADA Coordinator: Dr. Jenifer Rice-Mason

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