Volunteer at RCPD

The Digital Book Program

The use of Electronic Text (E-Text) is an emerging and all-encompassing tool for students with disabilities who require audio and visual modifications to increase access to print material. In volunteering for this area, you will be trained to scan and edit academic print material, assisting students with disabilities by maximizing their ability to read independently. You will also be exposed to the reading technologies and software students are use to access the materials you create in a digital format. Your contributions will help build a collection of accessible textbooks that serves students with disabilities throughout the country. If you are interested in working with computers, and gaining experience in scanning technology; E-Text is the area for you.

Reader/Scribe Program

Students with print-related disabilities often require assistance accessing class exams, quizzes, and scribing answers. The process involves reading questions, describing graphics, images, or charts, which may be vital to the question, and scribing student answers in a private/semi-private setting. Exam Volunteers receive training and guidelines regarding reading, describing, and scribing student answers. Your contribution will assist students with disabilities in maximizing their ability and opportunity to fully participate in the testing environment.

Beyond testing, students with print related disabilities often need a personal reader to review documents and/or text materials not available in an audio or electronic format. Volunteers also assist students in locating and reviewing materials in the library. Students with disabilities are matched with volunteers according to need, interest, and compatibility of schedules. Training for personal reading is generally minimal, as students guide the reading process according to their needs, the class materials, or specialization of the assignment. In volunteering for this area, you will be reading a variety of academic materials from a wide range of courses, in a variety of settings, and your contribution will assist students with disabilities in maximizing their ability and opportunity to succeed at MSU.

If you enjoy exposure to a variety of academic materials, have a specialization or knowledge in mathematics, the sciences, languages, music, or locating resources in the library, and enjoy working with students one-on-one; exam reading/scribing or personal reading is the area for you.

Campus Orientation

Michigan State University is a very large campus with various academic, residential, recreational, and business/office facilities. Blind and visually impaired students often require assistance to help familiarize themselves with unfamiliar areas of campus. Volunteering in this area requires a basic knowledge of campus, the location of buildings, and an ability to utilize a campus map when necessary. The process involves walking with students, or riding a campus CATA bus route with a student as they become familiar with an area of campus or a campus bus route. In volunteering for this area, you will be provided with guidelines regarding orientation and traveling with students, a campus map, and information about the CATA bus routes on campus. Your contribution enables students to develop their knowledge and experience with the campus, thus maximizing their ability to travel the MSU campus independently. If you enjoy walking, working with students one-on-one, and learning new areas of campus; campus orientation is the area for you.

 

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Contact Information

Virginia Martz Blindness/Visual Impairment Mobility Disabilities (517) 884-1902

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