Tapestry, FALL 2005 TEXT ONLY
TAPESTRY: Weaving together a vibrant and inclusive community
Fall 2005 Volume 1 Issue 2
UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services
230 Fretwell tel:704-687-4355 fax: 704-687-3226 email: dissrvcs@email.uncc.edu
website: http://www.ds.uncc.edu
DID YOU KNOW? The Office of Disability Services has a new website:
www.ds.uncc.edu
Check it out and let us know what you think!
Have you seen ERICA?
The ERICA system (Eye-gaze Response Interface Computer Aid) is the newest
addition to the office’s assistive technology. With a blink of an eye, literally
and figuratively, a student can access the computer hands free. ERICA uses eye
movements as one would use a mouse or keyboard. For more information stop by our
office.
Inside This Issue:
In this issue we are happy to highlight the story and achievements of Tim
Caldwell, a graduate of UNC Charlotte and a Rolling Bobcat, who has been
instrumental in raising awareness of adaptive sports. DS will be sponsoring the
first Rolling Bobcats tournament and clinic, November 5th-6th at the Belk Gym.
Admission is free and we invite everyone to witness adaptive sports at its best.
There will also be a clinic where wheelchair basketball and other adaptive
sports will be featured. Also, in this issue we are proud to present the
recipients of the first Outstanding Faculty Staff/Award, Dr. Boyd and Mr. Krapl.
They provide valuable insights into accessibility and academic success. This
Fall edition of Tapestry also offers information in the Faculty Corner about
increasing accessibility by using Universal Design teaching methods. Lastly,
we‘d like to welcome our new student services assistant, Jodi Vandervort. A
native of Virginia, she joined our staff in August. The Office of Disability
Services wishes everyone a great Fall and we invite you to stop by our office or
check out our website to find out more information about us.
Featured Student: Tim Caldwell
The Office of Disability Services is proud to sponsor the first wheelchair
basketball tournament at UNC Charlotte, featuring Tim Caldwell, a 2004 graduate
and team member of the 4th ranked National Wheelchair Basketball Association
team, The Rolling Bobcats. This event would not have been realized without Tim’s
dedication to adaptive sports. Tim’s induction into adaptive sports was shortly
after an accident in 2002, “it was just a couple of days into my hospital stay
when a couple of guys came rolling in. They had played wheelchair basketball
their whole lives and they told me about it.” Tim started by working with the
adaptive sports program shortly after his accident while at the Charlotte
Institute of Rehabilitation. This program not only introduced Tim to adaptive
sports, but acted as a support network as well, “It got me around other
individuals with disabilities. It showed me that ‘if they can do this, I can do
it.’ It made me feel better about my injury.” He began by hand cycling. He
trained for a year and then joined other hand cyclists for the annual trek from
Charlotte to Myrtle Beach called, Cycle to the Sea. His involvement with hand
cycling only ignited his desire to pursue other adaptive sports. Within a year,
he was organizing the Adaptive Sports Golf Classic that had begun as a benefit
for him the previous year. He also became involved with other activities offered
by ASAP (the Adaptive Sports and Adventure Program through the Charlotte
Rehabilitation Institute) such as water sports and basketball. His passion to
play basketball was realized when he was asked to join the Rolling Bobcats in
2004. In his first year, Tim made it to the final four with his team mates. He
credits adaptive sports along with his family and friends for the confidence and
support needed to return to school after his accident, “My confidence level went
through the roof. I felt like if I can do all this (school, training, and fund
raising) then I can do anything.” Tim completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in
International Studies in December 2004. He is currently working for Wachovia. We
asked Tim the following questions in hopes that his own experiences and
achievements might also resound with others: What advice would you give to
students who have just begun their college career? “I think you have to maintain
a certain attitude. I had to get serious about it and I realized that this was a
goal I really wanted to accomplish. So I realized that I needed to go to class
and make this thing happen. That’s a choice. It’s a choice I had to eventually
make. My injury changed my perspective. Life is short, so take advantage while
you can.” What contributed to your success in completing your degree? “I really
think having the right kind of attitude. I became really interested in my
studies. It helps to find out what you are really interested in and do it.” For
students looking towards finding a career after graduation what advice would you
give? “I would say that if you can, have a specific idea of what you want to do
before you graduate. Know where you want to go. You have to really work for it
and put effort into it.” For more information on adaptive sports in Charlotte,
visit ASAP’s website: http:www.carolinashealthcare.org/services/rehab/CIR/asap.cfm.To
find out more about wheelchair basketball and the NWBA go to:
www.nwba.org.
Dr. Suzanne Boyd and Alain Krapl Recognized as Outstanding Faculty/Staff of
2005: Dr. Suzanne Boyd and Alain Krapl were recognized for their outstanding
commitment to accessibility. In this first year of Outstanding Faculty/Staff
Awards presented by the Office of Disability Services, both faculty were
selected from nominations submitted by students. We are happy to highlight their
experiences and insights on accessibility: Suzanne Boyd is a full time professor
in the Department of Social Work and is the program coordinator for the North
Carolina Welfare Education Collaborative. She has been with UNC Charlotte for
three years. Her areas of expertise and research interests lie within the field
of mental health. Dr. Boyd was nominated for her outstanding dedication to
accessibility by Kathy Wright, a student in the Masters of Social Work program.
Kathy described Dr. Boyd as “extremely supportive of all of her students,” and a
professor who worked closely with her to ensure that her approved accommodations
were applied specifically to the courses. How do you address accessibility?
“Generally at the beginning of the semester, after I have received the written
documentation from DS office, I will communicate with students about the type of
accommodations they will need given the type of assignments and then come up
with a plan. On every syllabus I include the University’s policy on
accessibility and I also talk with students individually so that the necessary
accommodations can be made given the types of challenges that they might
experience. I think that the individual component is important.” What can
faculty do to increase disability awareness? “It is important for faculty to
have an understanding of what a disability is. A disability does not mean an
inability. It just means that people learn in different ways for a variety of
reasons. I think it is important for faculty to learn about disabilities, and to
be knowledgeable of the resources on campus. At times, when there is not that
awareness on the faculty’s part or the student’s part, students can be at
academic risk for reasons they don’t understand.” What factors contribute to a
student’s success? “Talking to faculty members at the beginning of the semester
and then formulating a plan around the nature of the assignment. Students need
to stay in touch with the faculty member regarding how things are going. Come
see them during office hours and when someone says that they are there to help
you, take advantage of that.”
Alain Krapl received his undergraduate and graduate degree in economics from UNC
Charlotte. He has been a lecturer in Economics since 2003 and is a senior
research associate for the North Carolina Economic Forecast. His areas of
expertise and research interests lie within macroeconomics, managerial
economics, and forecasting. Mr. Krapl was nominated for his creative and
proactive approach to accommodations by sophomore, Kasheena Townsend, a former
ECON 2101 student and business major.
How do you address accessibility within your classes? “I think having an open
door policy is the most important thing in being accessible. I make it very
clear during the first lecture and throughout class. I also go over the syllabus
and my contact information. Also responding to students and staying on top of
things helps a lot.” What can faculty do to increase disability awareness? “One
major thing faculty can do is to be very practical. Every student has a
different personality and different ways to perceive material. The key is to
identify the individual solution. There is no one protocol to follow.
Practicality and just the sense of finding a solution are very important. Being
open minded and being solution oriented is very important.” What factors
contribute to a student’s success? “Motivation. Encouragement definitely plays a
role. I have found through personal observation that for students to realize
that they can succeed makes a huge difference. Students can get discouraged
especially when there is not an equal playing field. So encouragement and
motivation are very important.”
The Office of Disability Services will be looking to students once again in the
Spring to help identify faculty and staff that go “above and beyond” in making
our campus accessible. We hope Kathy and Kasheena inspire you to acknowledge
that faculty or staff member who has contributed to your own success!
Faculty Corner:
“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” John Cotton Dana As is evident
in the title of our newsletter, our office celebrates the diversity of our
campus community. We are proud to be part of a university that values the
different perspectives that make our campus culturally rich. Individuals with
disabilities are an integral part of our diversity. At the minimum, the Office
of Disability Services work to ensure that these individuals have equal access
to our campus and curriculum in the form of appropriate accommodations. However
on a campus that takes pride in diversity we are called to a greater response.
This response, called Universal Design, involves challenging our perceptions of
true access. Access in its fullest sense begins with an attitude of respect
towards individuals with disabilities and a celebration of the similarities and
differences of all students. This attitude is evident in the expectation that
each student offers a unique perspective and has individual learning needs.
Diversity, in all respects, is anticipated as the norm. Universal design
reflects diversity by offering the student multiple representations of
information and multiple means of engagement and expression. The result is full
access to learning for all students. The Universal Design message to students is
one of inclusion and of valuing diversity. Our office is working to move forward
from the days of retrofitting support to incorporating accessibility into the
campus culture. The result will be a campus community where individuals with
diverse abilities are fully accepted, supported, and celebrated. Only then can
we fully demonstrate our commitment to valuing diversity. If you would like more
information on how to make your lectures inclusive please contact our office
and/or visit: http://telr.osu.edu/fame/ You can also access a PowerPoint
presentation at the University Diversity website:
http://www.provost.uncc.edu/diversity/models.htm
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Rolling Bobcats Basket Ball Tournament and Clinic at Belk Gym November
5-6th, 10:00-3:30 Watch the nationally ranked team and learn about adaptive
sports. Admission is free!
Multicultural Leadership Conference November 5th For more information contact
the Multicultural Resource Center.
Work Force Recruitment January 2006 Contact the DS office for more information
about this federal program which assists students with disabilities find
employment.
Building Bridges TBA This workshop focuses on improving interpersonal skills.
Contact our office for more details.
Deadline to Test in DS Office November 25th Last day to notify DS of your plans
to take finals within our office. Finals in the DS office are given from 8-12:30
and 12:30-5, December 9th-16th
EDITOR: Kristin Kolin
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