From: Kelly Pierce
Subject: computer and info. access at u. of illinois
contact our office immediately so the issue can be investigated
and hopefully resolved. While the Office of Disability Services
is the service provider for you as a student with a disability,
we are the office that handles complaints should you be
dissatisfied with the services or the system breaks down. We
will then make every effort to expeditiously resolve your
concerns so they do not interfere with your course of study.
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Gill
Associate Chancellor
cc: Roy Golden
Ahmed Kassem
Lawrence Officer
Kelly Pierce
John Wanat
**********
Patricia Gill=20
ADA compliance Officer=20
Office of the Chancellor=20
University of Illinois at Chicago=20
802 S. Marshfield=20
Room 717=20
Chicago, IL 60612=20
Dear Ms. Gill,
Thank you for the August 6, 1997 letter outlining steps the
university is taking to eliminate the problems I have had at UIC
as indicated in my accessibility complaint with the university.=20
It is obvious that we have come a long way since June and that my
needs and those of others will now likely be met when the
semester begins later this month. I appreciate the work and
effort that you, Jane Moore, Roy Golden, and others have done in
the past month to make UIC a place where I and others with
disabilities can learn and grow.
Your letter is a gigantic leap forward in resolving the problems
that I outlined in the complaint. While I recognize that
additional work is necessary on such areas as policy and computer
accommodation, I will share some feedback on the progress so far
in the hope that it will bring us even closer to closure in this
matter.
1. I am pleased that UIC has agreed to provide course materials
in alternative formats in a timely manner. I am pleased as well
that UIC recognizes the benefits of scanning technology for this
purpose. While it may not be appropriate for every request, it
adds flexibility and increased access for students.
I was never aware of any policy that UIC has or had regarding the
production of course materials and textbooks. Despite claims in
the letter, the policy was neither included in the printed
information mailed to me at my home nor provided=20
in the accessible electronic version that was sent by e-mail. I
request a copy of this document for my records. I believe
that one of the difficulties in obtaining accommodations from UIC
was the failure to communicate various services, policies, and
procedures applicable to students with disabilities. While
aspects of these documents may have been communicated to me
orally in a piecemeal fashion from time to time, such a practice
cannot substitute for providing students with a written copy that
is explanatory and can be reviewed independently. =20
2. I look forward to reviewing the revised policy and ask that
it be e-mail to me and Kelly Pierce for our review. =20
3. The arrangement described in this section and in the first
section seems to satisfy my needs for qualified readers and
proctors. =20
4. I am pleased that the university recognizes the need for
qualified readers and proctors in certain areas of study, and
that the university will provide them as outlined in your letter.
5. I am satisfied with this point and consider it resolved.
6. I am pleased that UIC has taken steps to provide computer
access for me and other students with disabilities for the fall
1997 semester. I am pleased that the university is now committed
to providing computer accommodations in an integrated setting
with the spontaneity and flexibility that nondisabled students
have. =20
Again, I am pleased at the effort so far in resolving this matter
and look forward to continued partnership on the unresolved
issues above.
Respectfully,
Robbie Miller=20
=20
************
3257 N. Clifton Ave.=20
Chicago, IL 60657-3318=20
(773) 472-7206=20
Internet: kelly@ripco.com=20
Monday, 11 August 1997=20
Patricia Gill=20
ADA compliance Officer=20
Office of the Chancellor=20
University of Illinois at Chicago=20
802 S. Marshfield=20
Room 717=20
Chicago, IL 60612=20
Dear Ms. Gill:
I am pleased that the University of Illinois has worked
extensively in bringing the issues raised in a June 21, 1997
discrimination complaint to a close. Most of the issues if not
fully resolved are close to being so. I appreciate the
university's willingness to cooperate with the complainant and
the disability community to develop solutions and remedy stated
problems.
However, I remain concerned about computer access for people with
disabilities at the university. I am unclear if the university
will develop a policy of how it will provide computer
accommodation and how it will define the term "access" as it
applies to computers. While I realize that work is ongoing on
this issue as UIC awaits recommendations from a consultant, it is
important to recognize that computer access for the blind
requires more than plugging in speech synthesizers and installing
screen readers. It often means the coordination of various
service units of a university who have defined roles and
responsibilities in providing computer accommodations. In the
case of Robbie Miller, after making a request for computer
accommodation in the business computer laboratory/classroom to
the disability services office, he was referred to the
university's computer services office. He was then bounced back
to the disability office, with no one eventually taking
responsibility for either providing or coordinating the
accommodation. =20
The generalized approach outlined in your letter recognizes the
affirmative duty that a public entity has to establish a
comprehensive policy in compliance with Title II in advance of
any request for auxiliary aids or services [see Tyler v. City of
Manhattan, 857 F. Supp. 800 (D. Kan. 1994)]. While this approach
overall is positive as it dramatically departs from the prior
practice of simply responding to individual requests for
accommodation in an ad hoc fashion, an ADA violation, it may not
eliminate the need to make specialized or specific requests or
inquiries for computer accommodation altogether. How will people
with disabilities be able to make specific requests for
accommodation or learn about the computer accommodations
available? =20
The June 21 complaint demonstrated that the university has an
obligation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
to make its communication for people with disabilities as
effective as those for nondisabled persons. The complaint
documented that the term "communication" in this context meant
the transfer of information, including computer software and
computer networks such as the Internet. It should be noted that
in determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is
necessary, a public college shall give primary consideration to
requests of the individual with a disability [28 C.F.R. ss
35.106(b)(2)]. Sometimes open, responsive, and direct
communications about complex accommodations can be as important
as the specific accessibility tools themselves.
Again, I appreciate the work and effort that you, Jane Moore, Roy
Golden and others have invested in the past month and a half to
increase opportunity and make UIC a welcome place for students
who are blind or print impaired.
Sincerely,
Kelly Pierce=20
cc: David Broski=20
Roy Golden=20
Ahmed Kassem=20
Robbie Miller=20
Jane Moore=20
John Wanat=20
************
From=20jmoore@uic.eduFri Aug 22 23:18:02 1997
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 12:26:56 -0500
To: ROBB@NETCOM.COM
Cc: KELLY@ripco.com
Robbie Miller
7651 South Hoyne Ave.
Chicago, IL 60620
ROBB@NETCOM.COM
Dear Mr. Miller:
I am writing to confirm the accommodations that UIC will make for
you this Fall semester of 1997.
1. Graduate Assistant Felice Chang will serve as a reader and
note taker for you in your IDS 371 Business Statistics course
and your Math 205 Advanced Business Math course meeting on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. She will also proctor your exams for
these courses.
2. A fellow student, Michelle Garcia will serve as a reader and
note taker in your Accounting 111 course. She will also proctor
your exam after she has taken it herself.
3. During the first week of classes a student from the Office
of Disability Services, Juana Gonzalez, will serve as note taker
and reader for the Math 205 classes that meet Monday, Wednesday
and Friday at 3:00 pm. We will continue to solicit advanced math
students in graduate programs , the Honor's College or a student
who is in your course to serve in this capacity on a permanent
basis.
4. Faculty members and teaching assistants will still be asked
to read what they are writing on blackboards or overheads so you
can follow along with them as well.
5. The Business Computer Lab at ECSW has purchased Window Eyes
software and a voice synthesizer for use in both the lab and in
the classroom. The software is on stand alone computers for
which you will have priority. You can obtain the synthesizer
from the graduate assistant who is on duty. There is always a
graduate assistant available suring the hours the computer lab is
open. If you have questions about the lab, the equipment or the
software please feel free to contact the lab manager Jan Sunjaya
at (312) 996-3775 and he will be able to assist you.
6. All of your course text books were available from RFBD and
we have not had any indication from you that you have not
received them. Please let Roy Golden know immediately if there
is a problem in any of the textbooks you are using.
7. Roy Golden, Kelly Pierce and myself will review the Policy
on Alternate Print Format in a conference call on Wednesday,
September 3, 1997 at 2:00 pm.
I would suggest you contact Roy Golden on Tuesday, August 26,
1997 to obtain your letters of accommodation for your faculty
members and make sure arrangements are set for the first week of
classes. Also, if you have any questions about the above
accommodations or if problems arise concerning them please feel
free to give Roy Golden (3120996-8332 or myself (312)413-8145 a
call so we can quickly resolve the issue. I do hope this
semester at UIC proves to be a more positive one for you.
Sincerely,
Jane A. Moore
Deputy Associate Chancellor
Office for Access and Equity
***********
University of Illinois at Chicago Office of
Disability Services 1200 W. Harrison, 1190 SSB, m/c 321 =20
Chicago, IL 60607-7163 Phone: (312) 413-2183 =20
Fax: (312) 413-7781
OBTAINING TEXT MATERIALS IN ALTERNATE FORMATS
The information in this document is available in alternate
formats upon request. Students who, due to their disability, may
need text materials in an alternate format, will be provided with
this document upon registering as a client with the Office of
Disability Services. A copy may also be obtained by request.
There are several sources from which UIC students may request
alternate format text materials. This policy statement outlines
what those sources are, how to qualify for and use them, and
under what circumstances to use which.
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Alternate format text materials are made available to print-
impaired UIC students. The Office of Disability Services (ODS)
will determine, based on a student's disability and accommodation
needs, if s/he qualifies for alternate format text services.=20
Students who qualify will need to apply for membership or verify
current membership in Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
(RFBD), Educational Tape Recordings for the Blind (ETRB), and
National Library for the Blind (NLB.)
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Documentation of print impairment is frequently available from
your Department of Human Services counselor and can be mailed or
faxed (312-413-7781) to ODS. =FE For persons with visual
impairment or total blindness: An ocular report from a
licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist or documentation
from a physician must be provided along with membership =20
application or current membership in RFBD, ETRB, and NLB (as
noted on page 5, ODS will pay for membership fees as
needed.)
=FE For persons with other types of print impairments:=20
Written verification and related testing reports from a
physician, neurologist, licensed learning disability
specialist, or licensed psychologist must be provided along
with membership application or current membership in RFBD,
ETRB, and NLB.
SOURCES (see attached directory for more detailed information) =20
=FE American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
=FE Repository which lists alternate format text holdings of
over 200 agencies and organizations (including
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic and Johanna Bureau
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped listed below)
=FE Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD)
=FE Primary source for taped text materials (books only) =20
=FE Books recorded in four-track format
=FE Educational Tape Recordings for the Blind (ETRB)
=FE Secondary source for taped text materials (books only) =20
=FE Books recorded in standard cassette format
=FE Books not already in the libraries of RFBD or ETRB can
typically be recorded more quickly at ETRB than at RFBD =20
=FE No math or statistics books available
=FE National Library for the Blind (NLB)
=FE Good source for literature, fiction, periodicals, and
general library materials
=FE UIC Office of Disability Services (ODS)
=FE Alternative source if materials are not available from
any of the above sources in a timely fashion
=FE No library; materials are recorded as needed by a
student
PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING ALTERNATE
FORMAT TEXT MATERIALS
1. Register with UIC's Office of Disability Services (ODS) upon
being accepted for admission to UIC. Registering with ODS
allows its staff to assist students with any of their
accommodation needs. Students who need to apply for membership
in RFBD, ETRB, or NLB can receive assistance from the ODS
staff. Bringing medical/clinical documentation of
disabilities to ODS upon registering will expedite the provision
of any services.
2. After registering with ODS, begin the process of obtaining
alternate format text materials as soon as possible. Register
for classes as early as possible to determine what books will
be needed for the coming semester. By registering with ODS,
students will be eligible for priority (i.e., early)
registration. 3. Once registered for classes, students should
request titles of books they will need from the appropriate
academic departments; in some cases, this may require some =20
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