World Wide Access: Meet the Speakers in the Videotape

Cleo
I am Program Coordinator for the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) at Seattle Public Library (SPL). I coordinate programs and services provided by LEAP for blind, deaf-blind, and visually-impaired library patrons. I'm constantly seeking funding support for the on-going expansion of LEAP equipment resources and program services. I also assist disabled patrons throughout the SPL system to ensure equitable access to the library's many programs and services. I will soon graduate from the Deaf Studies Interpreter Training Program at Seattle Central Community College.

Michael
I am a 16 year old from Maine. I love computers, music, sports, and anything else fun! I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which is a pretty big problem in school. Most of my teachers are understanding enough for me to still do well. I think that if it weren't for computers, I would not be half as far along as I am now.

Matt
My disability is deafness. On my right ear I hear 50% with my hearing aid on. I am enrolled at Pierce College for one year to learn electronic engineering. Then I will transfer to Gallaudett University in Washington, DC for four years of general education, and then transfer to Georgetown University for a Ph.D. in electronic engineering. I've been playing baseball for all my life and swimming for the last three years in high school.

Dean
I own my own company and also work as an adaptive technology consultant for Tacoma Community College. My company, Top Dot Enterprises, creates computer training materials on tape for the blind. As a blind person, I access the World Wide Web thanks to a screen reader program which directs screen output to a speech synthesizer. My favorite browser is Lynx because of its ease of use and speed, but I can also use Internet Explorer.

Kris
I'm in my second year at Oregon State University in the Honors College as a micro-biology/premed major. I also have worked as the Adaptive Technology Coordinator for OSU. I enjoy playing my trumpet and French horn, scuba diving, and skiing, among other things. I am visually impaired and use a large monitor to use my computer. I enjoy working with computers, and, in fact, I own a company, Nexus Computer Systems, that builds and sells custom computer systems, does consulting work, and writes custom software. I was an intern at the DO-IT program at Camp Courage, exhibited accessible lab equipment in a DO-IT booth at the National Science Foundation, and was an intern at the 1996 DO-IT Summer Study Camp.

Creation of the video and handout were made possible by generous support from the Telecommunications Funding Partnership. DO-IT receives primary funding from the National Science Foundation and ongoing support from the University of Washington.

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education. DO-IT is a collaboration of UW Information Technology and the Colleges of Engineering and Education at the University of Washington.

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