Spring 2006 Issue 13

In this issue...

• Notes From the Director
• What's New
• From the Front Desk
• Spotlight On
• Opportunities

Notes From the Director

Why get involved?!

Community involvement is important. We’re all involved in many different types of communities. Some of our communities include families, neighborhoods, friends, churches, organizations, etc. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to become involved in your university community through student organizations and other types of activities.

Top Ten Reasons to Get Involved:

1. You CAN make a difference!
2. Student organizations are listened to!
3. Affiliated individuals have more clout than non-affiliated individuals.
4. There is great strength in numbers.
5. A group can sometimes achieve goals that an individual cannot.
6. Meetings can be fun, and many serve food.
7. Group work is required by most employers.
8. Employers like to hire student leaders.
9. Squeaky wheels get the grease.
10. If you don’t get involved, who will?

We all have many reasons for not getting involved—too busy, school/job demands, family obligations, etc. However, many student organizations, including DSA, a student organization that meets at CSD, usually meet just one hour per month. Anyone can spare one hour a month. Just cut out one hour of TV or surfing the Internet, and you have found the time!

Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Center for Students with DisABILITIES building is named after Justin Dart, Jr., a leader in the disability and human rights movement for more than 30 years. Justin was known as the “Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” He was seated next to President George Bush when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law.

The Dart family approved UH naming the CSD building in Justin’s name because of his strong affiliation with the University and his commitment to people with disabilities. Mr. Dart earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UH in the early 1950s.

While a student here Justin organized the Integration Club, the first student organization committed to increasing diversity at the University. Justin was committed to equal rights for all – not just people with disabilities. He fought for the rights and inclusion of all “oppressed” groups, including women and ethnic minorities.

I could write for days about Justin’s accomplishments. But instead I will close with one of Justin Dart, Jr.’s quotes: “You have the power. Live the Dream.”

Please contact CSD if you would like more information about DSA or other activities.

Cheryl Amoruso, Director, CSD

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What’s New...

Sidewalk Betterment Campaign

The University of Houston has funded a Sidewalk Betterment Campaign to make the campus more accessible. The Sidewalk Team replaces damaged sidewalks and/or provides new sidewalks where they are needed. The work is being performed with the help of our own Plant Operations staff and is being coordinated through Facilities Planning and Construction, Capital Renovations and Renewal.

The work began approximately two years ago, in July of 2004. The areas identified for renovation were derived, in part, from the annual DAW Campus Tour (wheelchair tour) sponsored by the Center for Students with DisABILITIES. Many projects were identified and prioritized. The ones chosen were based on the highest need and location.

The Sidewalk Team has successfully completed 65,448 square feet of new sidewalk. This equals a total of 1.5 acres, and can be imagined as approximately 2 miles of sidewalks around campus. This team has also installed 12 accessible ramps. Further renovations and new construction are expected to continue until all major sidewalks are renovated.

Plant Operations is proud to serve the needs of faculty, students, and staff by maintaining and improving the physical environment and facilities of the University of Houston. Projects such as the Sidewalk Betterment Campaign support the University System’s vision of becoming the preeminent metropolitan campus of the 21st century.

Darrell Bunch, Project Manager
Caren Burns, Director
Capital Renovations and Renewal

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Opportunities...

New Chronic Health Issues Monthly Support Group

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is starting a Chronic Health Issues Monthly Support Group. This monthly drop-in group will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month (April 25, June 27, and July 25).

Time: Noon to 1:00 p.m. (bring your lunch)

Location: Student Service Center 1, Room 226 (CAPS office)

For additional information contact: Dr. Lynne Shepherd (713) 743-5436.

Work-Based Experience and Internship Websites

There are many work-based experiences and internship opportunities available for students who have disabilities. A listing of websites that provide information about opportunities for college students who have disabilities follows. You can find more information about these programs at http://www.ncset.org/youthtowork/.

Disability-Specific Internship and Mentoring Program Websites

• Disability Mentoring Day
  http://www.dmd-aapd.org
• DO-IT AccessSTEM
  http://www.washington.edu/doit/
• Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program
  http://www.aapd-dc.org
• Mitsubishi Electric American Foundation AAPD Congressional Internship Program
  http://www.aapd-dc.org
• The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, Scholarship Program For College Students with Disabilities
  http://www.twc.edu/students/financial_federal.shtml
• Workforce Recruitment Program
  http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/brochures/wrp1.html

Disability-Specific Job Websites

• JobAccess
  http://www.jobaccess.org
• AbilityLinks
  http://www.abilitylinks.org
• National Business and Disability Council
  http://www.business-disability.com/Job_Seekers/job_seekers.asp
• RecruitABILITY
  http://www.disabledperson.com/recruitability.asp

Second Annual Health & Wellness Town Hall Meeting for people who have disabilities

You are invited to let city officials know how the Houston Parks & Recreation Department can better meet the fitness and recreational needs of people who have disabilities.

Special Guest, Mayor Bill White

Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Thursday, April 27, 2006
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information call Peggy Turner, Parks & Recreation Department, (713) 284-1983 or Yamira Bemudez, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, (713) 837-9061.

Eric P. Alexander Memorial Scholarships

Every spring CSD is proud to offer the Eric P. Alexander Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is given in loving memory of a young man who had a learning disability. The purpose of this scholarship program is to encourage UH students who have learning disabilities to pursue their educational and career objectives. The successful applicant will be awarded up to $1,000 for the 2006-2007 academic year.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a UH student who has a learning disability as defined by CSD guidelines.
• Applicant must have requested Financial Aid through the University of Houston for the academic year he/she applies for the scholarship.
• Applicant must be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior full-time equivalent degree-seeking student.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

The deadline for submitting a complete original application packet plus six (6) copies to CSD is on or before May 22, 2006. The application may be accessed on the CSD website, www.uh.edu/csd/.

Please call Scott Crain, CSD Counselor (713) 743-5400 for more information.

Spotlight On...

Veterans Services Office

President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address highlighted the importance of caring for the nation's veterans with the following:

“...to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”

These words, spoken by President Lincoln, reflect the philosophy and principles that guide the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E) as we endeavor to serve our nation's veterans and their families.

At the VR&E's office on the University of Houston main campus we primarily offer a benefit program. This program offers vocational rehabilitation services for veterans who have a service-connected disability. This program enables injured soldiers, sailors, airmen, and other veterans who have disabilities to make a seamless transition from military service to successful rehabilitation and then to suitable employment.

The VR&E office has a long history of serving disabled soldiers and of contributing to the education of thousands of servicemen. These services are provided through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service. Veterans may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits if they have a 10 percent or greater VA-rated service-connected disability or disabilities. VR&E not only provides for tuition, fees, books, and required supplies, but also provides a monthly subsistence allowance.

Interview with a Disabled Veteran Student at UH

The following is an interview with Tiffany Tuncle, a disabled veteran presently enrolled at UH, and Allen Grundy, Program Coordinator of VR&E:

Tiffany: My name is Tiffany Tuncle. I am a senior in communication disorders.

Allen: When did you enter the military service?

Tiffany: I entered the military service in Tyler, Texas, on June 2, 1998, and stayed for 5 years. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This condition affects not only my concentration, attention, and memory but also causes anxiety.

Allen: How did you hear about the Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD)?

Tiffany: I was informed by my vocational counselor at the Veterans Regional Office about the Center. I applied at CSD. They suggested reasonable and necessary accommodations that help me to compete academically with other non-disabled students at UH. I was impressed with CSD.

Allen: How do your disabilities affect your life?

Tiffany: My disabilities challenge me emotionally, physically, and mentally every day. Physically it is harder to perform normal everyday activities like driving, writing, and getting dressed (anything using my hands and fingers). Mentally my disabilities affect my cognitive thinking and short-term memory.

Allen: How have you overcome these challenges?

Tiffany: I take my medications as prescribed, and I use assistive technology to help me. There are always ways to compensate. But most of all I keep up my prayer life to help strengthen me when I get depressed. I am an overcomer, and I will not let my disabilities overcome me.

For more information about Chapter 31 Vocational, Rehabilitation and Educational Services, contact Allen Grundy, Program Coordinator, at (713) 743-5493.

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From the Front Desk...

REMEMBER for finals:

• Remind your instructors that you are taking your exam(s) at CSD and to please send the exam on time.
• Always turn in your Request for Individualized Testing Accommodations (RITA) form at least 24 hours in advance to assure that you are on the schedule and your exam is here.
• Arrive at CSD at least 5 to 10 minutes early to secure your belongings in a locker.
• If you have any questions regarding your exams or testing accommodations, please call our main number at (713) 743-5400 or email kmbutler@uh.edu.

Karen Butler, Secretary II

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Have a safe and happy summer!