TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

Technology to help students with learning disabilities is constantly being developed. Each year, and sometimes twice a year, the schools we've researched attend conferences during which new technology is presented. If you are not familiar with some of the technology offered by any of the schools, here are short descriptions of each one:

DRAGON NATURAL SPEAKING: Through voice recognition, students can talk essays out and let Dragon type it for them.

DRAGON LEGAL: Same as above but generally used by law students as it recognizes more legal terms.

SMARTPEN: A pen equipped with a camera, voice recorder, and computer that allows students to play back notes they just took.

KURZWEIL 3000: Students, specifically with dyslexia, can scan books into the device to have it read back to them.

JAWS: A device that reads back screens and books, generally used by blind/legally blind students.

RFB&D: Resources for the blind and dyslexic, including a reading of books. It is different from other programs in that the readings are recorded by a real person, with the stops at sentences and pauses at commas, instead of a monotone computer voice that goes word by word with no sentence structure.

ZOOMTEXT MAGNIFIER AND READER: Enlarges text for a clearer read and also reads back to you. It can be used for documents, web pages, and e-mail.

WINDOWS EYES: Considered the most effective screen reading device for windows vista. It allows blind/visually impaired people to access windows applications by providing screen reading, voice playback, and enhanced Braille support.

DUXBURY BRAILLE TRANSLATOR: Used by many leading Braille publishers to translate languages into Braille. It has the most translations of any Braille software. It has grade 1 and grade 2 translations in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Malaysian, Swedish, and others.

COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO

LOCATION: 1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard

San Mateo, CA 94402

PHONE: (650) 574-6161

Director of Student Support Services: Danita Scott-Taylor, scott@smccd.edu

How does CSM bring Awareness to their Program?

CSM collaborates with high schools and CSU's in the area to try to bring in students that fit their progam and place them in the right programs once they are ready to transfer. There are brochures in their DSPS office and pamphlets in orientation packets for new students. They also have a website with more information: http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/drc/

COLLABORATION WITH ADMISSION:

There are no special requirements for students with disabilities. Like most schools, CSM counsels students and offers resources once they are enrolled.

RESOURCES OFFERED:

• Disability resource center
• Registration assistance
• Specialized campus orientation
• Special parking permits
• Note taking
• Disability management counseling
• Test taking accomodations
• Interpreter Services
• Assistive Technology Center
• Assessment Center for Learning Disabilities Testing

TECHNOLOGY: (see technology page for descriptions)

• Screen reading software
• Keyboard adaptations
• Word prediction
• Voice recognition

ANALYSIS:

College of San Mateo provides the least amount of technological support of any of the schools we have visited so far. They do have a variety of specialized offices that are more specific to student needs as opposed to assigning all students in to one department. They do a good job of making up for their lack of technology with a large support teams in their Technology Center, Testing Center, and Disability Resource Center. If you are looking for technological and software support, CSM is probably not your best option. If you want staff support, CSM will meet your needs.

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

LOCATION:  1600 Holloway Avenue

                               San Francisco, CA 94132

PHONE:  (415) 338-1111

Managing Director of Disabilities Program and Resource Center:  Nicole Bohn, Nbohn@sfsu.edu

DEMOGRAPHICS:  

 Undergraduates:  29,000

Students with Learning Disabilities: 800

How does SF State bring Awareness to their Program?

On such a large campus, the main avenue for awareness is word of mouth.  The disabilities department makes sure that faculty/deans know the information about their department to pass along to students.  They have outreach seminars with local high schools and community colleges.  All CSU Disability Directors meet twice a year to discuss new learning devices and methods for students.  They provide brochures in their office, Student Services Building, Room 110.  In addition, there is a spring open house for all students and family members, and Q&A sessions with families of students with disabilities take place all year long.  For more information, visit:  http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing/DRC.html

COLLABORATION WITH ADMISSION:

All students are evaluated and accepted under the same admissions requirements and procedures.  Once admitted, each student receives a DPRC form in their admissions packet, educating them on where to go for help and how to report a learning disability.  

RESOURCES OFFERED:

• Tutoring lab
• Writing lab
• Psychiatric Counseling Center
• Extended testing time 
• Private testing environment
• Computer lab
• Note-takers
• Priority Registration
• Convenient seating arrangements

TECHNOLOGY: (see technology page for descriptions)

• Dragon Natural Speaking
• Jaws 
• Zoom Text
• Window Eyes
• Open Book
• Duxbury Braille Translator

ANALYSIS:

San Francisco State University is drastically different from the other schools we've looked at so far in that their undergraduate population is so much larger and older.  The average age of an undergraduate student at SF State is 23.  Because of this, the department assumes more responsibility on the part of the students, and aims to put programs in place that are easy for students to find and use.  They have the largest staff we've looked at so far (6 counselors, 1 test accommodation organizer, 1 transportation director, and 3 counselors specifically for deaf/hard of hearing students), and the largest budget ($1.2 million/year), but still cannot provide the one-on-one attention all students may need.  They depend largely on students to come to them for help or to report a disability.  

SF State is in the process of building a new library, which will be done in three years, and will have more individualized testing rooms and computers for LD students inside.  But with no new money coming in by way of the state budget, the library may take longer than expected, and staffing it could be an issue.  Overall, SF State does a great job of putting programs in place for students to take advantage of themselves while still being available for individual counseling if needed.  

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

LOCATION: 2130 Fulton Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

PHONE: (415) 422-5555

Director of Student Disability Services: Tom Merrell, merrellt@usfca.edu

DEMOGRAPHICS:

Undergraduates: 3,700, See the 2008 breakdown below of students who have reported disabilities:

How does USF bring Awareness to their Program?

The USF disability coordinators attend national conferences concerning students with learning disabilities and meet once a year with other private colleges in the area. They have brochures in their disability office, located alongside the Gleeson Library at Gleeson 020, Lower Level. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is more information online at:

http://www.usfca.edu/acadserv/academic/services/sds/

COLLABORATION WITH ADMISSION:

All undergraduate applicants are evaluated by the same admission standards, though when it pertains to admitting students with disabilities, Mr. Merrell says they do collaborate often with admission colleagues. Once students are accepted, there are disability information forms in orientation packets and outreach talks during orientation.

RESOURCES OFFERED:

• Writing Center
• Tutoring Lab (and individual writing tutoring for students with problems in written expression)
  
• Note-Takers
• Extended exam time
• Private testing accommodations
• Two Assistive Technology labs (Gleeson Library and Law Library) with computers equipped with assistive software.
• Counseling Services
  
• Computer Labs
• Priority Registration
• Shuttle Services
  

TECHNOLOGY: (see technology page for descriptions)

• Dragon Natural Speaking
• Kurzweil 300
• Dragon Legal
• Smart Pen
• Zoom Text
• Jaws
• Closed Circuit Television
• Books on CD

ANALYSIS:

USF has a struck a pretty good balance between technology and staff. They have a limited number of Smart Pens and other individual devices to loan students, but their two assistive labs have almost everything students need to work.

They have 3.5 disability specialists (one holds another position), 1 Office Assistant, and numerous student assistants. That's not exactly enough to provide all of the one-on-one attention needed, but it's more than students will find at a lot of schools in the area.

SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA

LOCATION:  1928 Saint Mary's Road

                               Moraga, CA 94556

PHONE:  (925) 631-4000

Coordinator of Student Disability Services:  Jennifer Billeci, jbilleci@stmarys-ca.edu

DEMOGRAPHICS:  

 Undergraduates:  2,400

Saint Mary's College of California has 270 currently enrolled students with disabilities in four different categories:

• Learning Disabilities:  40%
• Psychiatric Disabilities:  40%
• Medical Disabilities:  18%
• Physical Disabilities:  2%

* 12% of undergraduate students report multiple disabilities

How does Saint Mary's bring Awareness to their Program?

Ms. Billeci speaks annually to students and parents at numerous high schools in neighboring school districts about Saint Mary's disabilities program.  She also speaks to incoming students at orientation, letting them know how to go about requesting accommodations, and offers a syllabus statement with information about the disabilities department to be given to all students upon professors' discretion.  Ms. Billeci attends national conferences with other local universities, such as the University of San Francisco, during which new methods and technologies to assist students with disabilities are taught.  The department also provides brochures with information about the program in the disabilities office, located at Filippi Academic Hall, Room 190, and has information online at: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-advising-and-achievement/student-disability-services/index.html 

COLLABORATION WITH ADMISSION:

All undergraduate applicants are evaluated under the same standards and admissions process.  Students who report a learning disability upon applying have their transcripts evaluated by Ms. Billeci, who determines whether a specific student's learning disability explains uncharacteristic test scores or grades compared to the rest of their transcript, and her evaluation is weighed into the admissions process.  

RESOURCES OFFERED:

• Alternative classes for students with learning disabilities to complete in place of a required course
• Extended testing (requests must be made as far in advance as possible)
• Isolated testing rooms (also must be reserved in advance)
• Tutoring Center
• Note-takers
• Technology Assistants
• Mobile chairs/tables
• Lockers in disability office
• disability office with private rooms open on weekends

TECHNOLOGY: (see technology page for descriptions)

• Dragon Natural Speaking
• Smart Pen
• Kurzweil 300

ANALYSIS:

Of the four schools we visited and researched, Saint Mary's has the most modern facilities.  The computers in their testing rooms are new and plenty.  They have individual testing rooms and group study rooms, some with computers, some without, depending upon your needs.  It is clear that the disabilities department has spent all of its budget on facilities and technology. Besides a few front desk workers and other administrative positions, it is a one person staff.  Ms. Billeci does it all and looks to be doing a great job, but if you are looking for one-on-one attention, Saint Mary's cannot offer a large amount of individualized time.