[Athen] some things adaptive technology experts need to know

[Nick Ogrizovich III]

To add to Tim's remarks, I would also suggest familiarity with many
of the various disabilities, and how different adaptive technology
enables people with these various disabilities. Although some of this
work seems to be one size fits all (document conversion efforts) the
majority of it requires some customization and guidance based on
disability. 

http://www.rit.edu/~easi/  offers fast online courses that will get
you up to speed on a lot of what we do, too. 

Document everything you do, since the majority of us seem to always
need more resources and assistance- data is the only thing the bean
counters understand. And speaking of bean counters, you are also
going to have to beef up your debate and rationalization skills,
especially when it comes time to justify budgets and purchases. ;)

Nick Ogrizovich
Adaptive Technology Manager
University of Vermont

--- Tim Sears <Tim.Sears at mcckc.edu> wrote:


> I think that it is also important that you have experience working

> with

> people with disabilities especially computers and individuals with

> disabilities.  In this field, it is not just important to know

> about the

> technology but also the ability to have patience and clearly

> understand

> the difficulties individuals are going through as it relates to

> using

> the computer. 

> 

> Tim

> 

> Tim Sears

> Adaptive Technology Specialist

> 3200 Broadway Blvd.

> Kansas City MO 64111

> email: tim.sears at mcckc.edu

> telephone: 816-759-1092

> "Encourage the Discouraged" 

> >>> <athen-request at athenpro.org> 06/27/06 2:00 PM >>>

> Send Athen mailing list submissions to

> 	athen at athenpro.org



> Message: 1

> Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:18:45 -0400

> From: Shannon McCue <shannon.mccue at umb.edu>

> Subject: [Athen] Education?

> To: athen at athenpro.org

> Message-ID: <d04694a48010ac5c5f1c865f2d02cb75 at umb.edu>

> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> 

> Hello,

> I'm new to this list but I'm very interested in access technology

> and I 

> was wondering how I would get into this industry? What kind of 

> educational background do I need to have? I currently have an 

> associates degree in "Media Technology' and I'm working towards my 

> bachelor's degree in "Community Media and Technology". Also, I'm 

> currently an Americorps VISTA for the Community Technology Center

> VISTA 

> Project, which works with underprivileged communities to help

> bridge 

> the digital divide. So, I have a background in technology but not

> so 

> much in access technology, what can I do? Thank you!

> 

> _________________________________

> Shannon McCue	

> VISTA Technical Coordinator

> 

> CTC VISTA Project

> College of Public and Community Service

> University of Massachusetts/Boston

> 100 Morrissey BLVD.

> Boston, MA. 02125

> 

> Phone: 617-287-7385

> Fax: 617-287-7274

> 

> 

> 

> 

> ------------------------------

> 

> Message: 2

> Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:35:03 -0500

> From: "Weier, James" <JWeier at stlcc.edu>

> Subject: Re: [Athen] Education?

> To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'

> 	<athen at athenpro.org>

> Message-ID:

> 	<E6DC2F9C5BEB49429EA0033DEEE135C719E1E1A2 at phoenix.stlcc.edu>

> Content-Type: text/plain

> 

> Hello Shannon,

> 

> I have an A.S. Degree in Network Technology and a B.S. in Biology.

> The

> Biology degree does no good in this field except for just having a

> B.S.

> Degree. I would recommend though that you have a clear

> understanding of

> software in general. That you are a quick learner of software and

> hardware.

> In this field, I don't think there is a degree specific for this

> field,

> but

> it helps a lot to have some sort of computer/networking degree.

> When

> installing software on computers, you may need to know how to

> troubleshoot

> issues with software, depending on your job description. I've

> encountered

> several and resolved them mostly due to my computer networking

> experience. I

> manage the department's computers, which is part of my job

> description

> but

> this duty is not standard for all places. Sometimes, some schools

> (companies) only allow their IT dept. to manage the computers.

> 

> I guess that's about it in a nutshell. Since the field deals with

> software

> and hardware, it doesn't hurt to have a computer/networking degree.

> 

> James A. Weier

> Adaptive Tech. Specialist/Access Office

> St. Louis Community College

> 3400 Pershall Road

> Ferguson, MO. 63135

> 314-513-4162 (phone)

> 314-513-4876 (fax)

> jweier at stlcc.edu

> 

> 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org

> [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On

> Behalf Of Shannon McCue

> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:19 AM

> To: athen at athenpro.org

> Subject: [Athen] Education?

> 

> Hello,

> I'm new to this list but I'm very interested in access technology

> and I 

> was wondering how I would get into this industry? What kind of 

> educational background do I need to have? I currently have an 

> associates degree in "Media Technology' and I'm working towards my 

> bachelor's degree in "Community Media and Technology". Also, I'm 

> currently an Americorps VISTA for the Community Technology Center

> VISTA 

> Project, which works with underprivileged communities to help

> bridge 

> the digital divide. So, I have a background in technology but not

> so 

> much in access technology, what can I do? Thank you!

> 

> _________________________________

> Shannon McCue	

> VISTA Technical Coordinator

> 

> CTC VISTA Project

> College of Public and Community Service

> University of Massachusetts/Boston

> 100 Morrissey BLVD.

> Boston, MA. 02125

> 

> Phone: 617-287-7385

> Fax: 617-287-7274



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