The Other Side of Disabilities
The Office for Students with Disabilities
Newsletter
Division of Student Affairs
VolumeVIII, Issue1, February-March 2007, Editor: James Walborn
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
There were 10 OSD students interviewed for the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with. Disabilities (WRP) this February for summer internship opportunities with the Federal Government and private sector employers. The WRP is an employmen project co-sponsored by the US. Dept. of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy and the US. Dept. of Defense. The program provides a referral system for the 1300 college students with disabilities across the United States who will be interviewed this spring for summer work opportunities. While the OSD recommended students for the program, the CDC assisted them in developing their resumes and interviewing skills. In the past some FAU students have secured full-time employment from employers due to their WRP internship with them.
WRP OPINIONS
FAU student Ashaki Blair states, "This is a great
opportunity for students with disabilities. It is harder for
people with disabilities to find a job and I really appreciate the
opportunity. It will be good experience."
FAU student Joshua Flapan notes, "I got a lot out
of my WRP internship in 2004 and hope to get more out of it this
summer. The CDC helped me with my resume, how to prepare for
interviews, and how to write formal business letters. More
students should participate in the WRP. Internships make your
college experience much better and they enhance your resume and
your opportunities to get a job."
WRP Recruiter, Maggie Roffee has been interviewing
students with disabilities for this program one week a year for the
last 15 years. "This is the first time I've been sent to
Florida," she beams. She is an employee of the Department of
Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy and has been working
in the disability community for 30 years. "There are some
wonderful internship opportunities out there. For students,
internships are absolutely critical to prepare for today's job
market. You not only get experience, you receive networking
opportunities that may last a lifetime."
OSD Coordinator, Barbara Bazinsky emphasizes,
"Many times students with disabilities don't have the work
experience that their peers have. I strongly encourage
them to take advantage of internships such as the WRP, as well as
the co-op programs offered through FAU. That experience will
be invaluable for them."
GENEROUS DONOR
The father of a graduate student from FAU has donated $4,500 to the OSD for assistive technology equipment to help improve the lives of others who have disabilities. "My father was very active most of his life and became physically handicapped in later years," the daughter explains. "Its been extremely frustrating for him. But, he is very happy to do something to improve the lives of other people with disabilities." The equipment will help students learn strategies which will aid them in acquiring academic success. Thank you for your generosity.
ADHD SUPPORT GROUP
The OSD and Counseling Center on the Boca Campus have started a support group for students with ADHD. The group, "Living with Adult ADHD," meets in the Counseling Center on the Boca Campus on Wednesdays from 10-11am. Any student who has been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD, has been referred by a healthcare provider, or would like additional support in developing skills to deal with the common problems associated with Adult ADHD is encouraged to contact Dawn DiCicco, LCSW, at (561) 297-3540 or e-mail at dmaynes@fau.edu to learn more and to register for the group.
FLORIDA ACCESSIBILITY
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
was amended in 2001 to include the provision that people with
disabilities have access to electronic information provided by the
federal government. Florida has taken steps to improve the
level of accessibility to state government information that is
equal to the standards applicable to the federal government.
These standards are known as Section 508, which establishes
requirements for electronic and information technology developed,
maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government.
Section 508 requires that Federal electronic and information
technology is to be accessible to people with disabilities.
On June 23, 2006, Governor Bush signed HB1503 creating
provisions requiring that all branches of state government are to
provide equal access to and use of electronic information and data
to individuals with disabilities. Regarding Section 508 standards,
the "Accessibility" statement on
www.myflorida.com
notes, "...it is the direct responsibility of Florida
state government agencies and their web designers and developers to
become familiar with these accessibility guidelines and to apply
these principles in designing and creating any official State of
Florida web site."
GOOD BYTES CAFE
Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, TX has opened up its first commercial internet cafe which includes assistive technology on the computers. Some of the computers have screen readers and magnifying systems for the visually impaired. Computers for the physically impaired have an on-screen mouse which follows their gaze and clicks when they blink. The Good Bytes Cafe does not charge for access to the technology. The cafe also doubles as a training site for food service workers.
"MY STORY" by JORDAN ARIZMENDI
About ten years ago, when I was
living in New Jersey, I was in a car accident. The accident
put me in a coma for about 2 months. The doctors told my
parents that if I did manage to pull out of the coma I would have
severe brain damage. When I awoke, my head injuries had
indeed left a bit of damage, and my memory, both long and short
term, would never work like it used to. My friends dismissed
me as "brain damaged", and all the dreams I once had suddenly
slipped from my grasp. I then moved down here to
Florida. Before I came to FAU as an undergraduate, a
specialist examined me and said that college would be a great
challenge for me, quite possibly unattainable. His advice was
to enter a trade that did not require a college education.
I'm sure people with disabilities can relate with my sob
story. Whereas, I once deeply resented this shortcoming of
mine, I have learned to value it dearly, because it magnifies any
of my seemingly trivial victories ten times. I have also
learned that the most compelling motivation is to show people they
were wrong when they dismissed you. When I won an internship
with Disney World I proudly boasted it to the world. A couple
of years later when my internship at the National Enquirer allowed
me to be writing my own weekly column, I was sure to email all of
my articles to those acquaintances of mine from New Jersey.
But, perhaps my greatest achievement came a few weeks ago, when I
passed my GRE on my first attempt and was accepted to FAU graduate
school.
A disability makes it a challenge for one to do something
that someone else can do with ease. A disability is like a
head start that the rest of the world has over us. However,
ask any runner and they will tell you, nothing makes their legs
move faster than the sight of another runner ahead of them.
[Editor's note: Thank you for sharing this with us, Jordan]
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
"Stand Among Friends" and the OSD are writing a grant to obtain funding to support a new employment program for individuals with disabilities. The Employment Coordinator/Job Coach would prepare individuals for employment by honing needed skills, networking with local employers and educating them about disability- related issues, and then working with both the individual and the employer to retain his/her employment. "Stand Among Friends" is located in NU-84, Suite 120. Call (561) 297-4400. They are online at www.standamongfriends.org.
_______________________________________________________
We want to encourage comments and contributions from our
readers. Please address any comments to jwalborn@fau.edu. Feel free
to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues. Current and
past issues are available at http://www.fau.edu/osd.
This newsletter is available in alternate format upon request from the Office for Students with Disabilities. Boca: SU 133; phone 561.297.3880, TTY 561.297.0358. Davie: MD I, Room 104; phone 954.236.1222, TTY 954.236.1146. Jupiter: SR 117; phone 561.799.8585, TTY 561.799.8565. Treasure Coast: JU 312; phone 772.873.3441.
