Families of blind and visually impaired students celebrated the value of education and communication with community leaders on Tuesday, June 23rd at Michigan's first Braille-A-Thon.
The start of classes brings challenges for Amanda Gretka and other students with print-related disabilities including blindness, learning disabilities and motoric challenges that many would not imagine.
On April 17th, scholarships exceeding $48,000 were awarded to deserving students, while community and faculty members were recognized for accommodating them.
When Dr. Thomas Maleck received his PhD in Transportation Engineering in 1980, he did not foresee the influence disabilities would have on his career at MSU. Until, that is, he met Michael Hudson, the Director of the RCPD.
For many students, making a difference in their community is a cornerstone of the college experience. Elaine Brantley, has taken this idea to the next level, dedicating her time to a cause that helps hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
Take a moment and imagine what it would be like if you could not read or write and there was no way for you to learn. 200 years ago this is what life was like for persons who had little or no vision.
Individuals with learning disabilities are the most common among students served by the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). Five years ago, the Sterns gifted an endowment to develop a comprehensive program to assist them.
MSU is a home away from home to almost 4,000 international students, totaling to nearly 10% of the student population. From all corners of the globe, these students diversify the campus and add a special perspective on higher education. Sophomore Sharmaake Sabrie is a unique one of these extraordinary additions to MSU- his story is themed with ambition, eagerness to change the world, and commitment to education.
“We’re just the kind of people who like to remain behind the scenes†claims Mr. Carlson. Yet given their recent generous funding of a new endowment for accessible media, the Carlsons play a visible and valued role in RCPD student success.
“We’re out there involved in giving back to the community, providing opportunities for students, and making the world more accessible,†said Design Day project sponsor representative Stephen Blosser.
Students are also encouraged to explore and use any of the MSU Microlab computers to scan reading material and/or access Read & Write, JAWS, and ZoomText for e-text reading and studying. Every MSU Microlab is equipped with a scanner as well as access to Kurzweil 3000, JAWS, and ZoomText.
Once registered with the RCPD, the student receives an Accommodation Letter. Students are responsible for presenting this Accommodation Letter to each professor at the start of the semester, during office hours. It is important to go over the Accommodation Letter to coordinate accommodations.