What
do you most want incoming students to know or understand
about the services you offer?
We offer our students a caring and supportive
environment in which services and accommodations can
be provided. We are also committed to nurturing relationships
of trust and respect that support the issues of disclosure
and confidentiality. We provide reasonable and appropriate
accommodations, and work collaboratively with faculty
and the administrative offices at the Graduate School
of Education (HGSE) to support students with disabilities
in their respective areas of study and community involvement.
What are some of the best-kept secrets about the services
you provide?
We also collaborate with students, faculty and Harvard University
resources to develop policies and procedures at HGSE
that support the psychological and social needs of
students who receive services. The active participation
of students in the wide array of campus groups and
activities are encouraged. Students are also provided
with opportunities to engage in research around disability-related
issues in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs.
Another notable event is the Workforce Recruitment
Program conducted by the Federal government in our
offices each year, which provides excellent job opportunities
for students with disabilities at HGSE.
What are your most commonly used services?
Besides the wide range of services that
we offer our students, we have acquired assistive
technology that supports students in their academic
work. A computer workroom with the assistive technology
has been arranged in the technology center for our
students who need a separate environment in which
to use the assistive software. We also have available
an assistive technology demonstration and training
lab in the Access and Disability Services Office,
where students are encouraged to learn new technologies
that will enhance their academic progress. Also, we
can convert class reading materials and class lectures
into electronic files (e-text and e-notes) that can
be read aloud on a computer or Mp3 player for students
with documented need.
What are some of your newest assistive technologies available?
The
following technology is available to support our students:
- PC Reader – The Kurzweil 3000 is a pc based
reading system that enables you to view a scanned
page on the computer screen while listening to the
text being read aloud. It speaks and highlights
the text simultaneously and enables you to insert
typed or spoken notes anywhere in the document.
Paired with our new Cannon scanner, this application
is astounding.
- Voice Activated Computer – We use the Dragon
Naturally Speaking 6 software program that allows
you to talk or “dictate” to the computer.
This system recognizes what you say and sends information
to the computer as if you had typed it in manually.
- Screen Reader – The JAWS for Windows software
offers screen reading capability that enables blind
or visually impaired students to access information
and browse the Web. It can also be used for reading
and writing.
- Voice Recorder – The Olympus 2000 digital
voice recorder allows you to dictate while away
from your computer. It stores audio files on SmartMedia
memory cards. These can be converted to text on
the pc. The memory card has folders for quick identification
that makes it easier for use at a later stage.
- CCTV – A 9 inch mini-viewer can be used
by students with visual impairments as a text reader.
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