Disability program grows
By Yoko Ito-Peterson
Special to the
Summer Forty-Niner
When Disabled Student
Services at Cal State Long Beach started its services in 1973, only 20
students with disabilities were enrolled at the campus. Since then, it
has provided services to 1,300 disabled students, according to the Disabled
Student Services officials.
Disabled Student
Services is also open to the students who are in need of help because of
temporary disabilities, such as broken legs or arms, said support services
coordinator, Peter Perbix. Three hundred out of 1,300 disabled students
are considered to be temporary disabled, he said.
"Our goal is simple
- To get disabled students graduated with degrees," Perbix said, noting
that 70 percent of disable students finish CSULB.
For example, about
300 disabled students graduated last year. "Disabled students are very
motivated hard workers. They do not go out and party," Perbix said.
Perbix, who is also
disabled, said he has obtained his bachelor's degree in information science
from CSULB thanks to DSS' help. Perbix is now working at DSS full time
and pursuing his masterís degree in counseling. "As I write very slow,
note-takers provided [by DSS] were so helpful," Perbix said.
For students with
disabilities to qualify for the available services, students are requested
to show a legal proof of disability. Once registered, eligible students
are able to receive free-of-charge services. Those who help the activities
are paid by DSS although a minimal amount.
DSS web-site introduces
their services provided, ranging from classroom support, counseling for
learning disability students to computer-related services.
Although cutting-edge
technologies have enabled disabled students to study more efficiently,
Disabled Student Services still provides basic services, Perbix said. For
example, note-taking still plays an important role.
Perbix said Disabled
Student Services assigns a note-taking job to the student in a class where
a disabled student is enrolled.
The note taker is
given a carbon paper and provides the copy to the disabled student at the
end of the class. Therefore, those who assigned the job do not have to
take additional classes for note-taking. In addition to that, note takers
are paid $25 per semester, Perbix said.
DSS hopes such a
job helps to establish a rapport between the students. "Hopefully, [note-taking]
is a good experience for them to make good feel about themselves," Perbix
said.
According to the
Disabled Student Services web-site, it offers support for students with
learning disabilities.
Trained counselors
provide support services to the students in need. Counselors use one-on-one
counseling, which takes place during a one-hour session each week, Perbix
said.
The High Tech Center
is a computer lab designed for students in need, explained its web-site.
Their modifications include raised computer work stations, screen access
with speech synthesizers and screen readers, enlarged on-screen character
applications and optical character readers.
One of the computers
is able to translate textbooks to Braille, Perbix said.
For visually-challenged
students who cannot read Braille, Disabled Student Services staff read
and record the textbooks upon request, Perbix said.
For disabled studentsí
healthy academic life, Adapted Fitness and Wellness Program helps them
enjoy custom-made training programs, Perbix said.
Disabled Student
Services does not forget about students after graduation.
In conjunction with
Career Development Center and the California State Department of Rehabilitation,
they provide career counseling, resume writing and interview techniques,
according to the Web site.
They also give information
about internship and job placement.
Due to its through
services, more than 3,000 students with disabilities have graduated from
CSULB, Perbix said. Those graduated and their parents are, in fact, the
biggest supporters of Disabled Student Services, he said.
Ten staff members
and thousands of students are involved in the program.
Disabled Student
Services does not disclose the number of disabled students working. "If
you are disabled, you are protected by confidentiality," Perbix said.
Those who are in
need of help, the Disabled Student Services is located in the Administration
Building in Room 270. No appointment is necessary, and disabled parking
is available. Its office hour is from 8 a.m. to until 5 p.m. One may also
call (562) 985-5401. |
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