PSU Magazine Spring 1990

Computer center opens for the disabled B everly Ruiz , a senior in psycho logy, is legally blind , which requires extra perseverance and motivation to complete the goals in her life. Fortunatel y, she has what it takes plus the assistance of the new Information Access Center for the Disabled on campus. The Information Access Center for the Disabled (IACD) is a free computer fac ility for individuals with disabilities. With training from the IACD staff, those with reduced sight , blindness or hearing loss can use the computer equipment to access printed or recorded infomiation. The center is open to anyone in the greater Portland area . Because of the center Rui z, 40, plans to stay at Portl and State and work toward a master's degree. The casual observer may not notice Ruiz' visual impairment. She does not use a cane and her eyes look bright and clear. But her instructors know. Class notes are often supplied by the instructor and tests have to be given in softer light than a typical classroom . Ruiz' impairment is a genetic, macular degeneration. At the center, Ruiz takes advantage of the speci alized equipment that would be too expensive to purchase on her own. She uses the Kurzweil Personal Reader which scans text books and typed class notes, reading them out loud in understandable , computer– generated speech. It can also send text to other computers for word processi ng, storage or braille conversion. The IBM and Apple word processors in the lab afford Rui z enlarged print screens in a background color acceptable to her eyes , and the center's copier enlarges text for her. PSU 20 Those with reduced sight, like Beverly Ruiz, are helped by computers with enlarged-print screens and synthesized speech at the new Information Access Center for the Disabled. IACD was established in 1988 . Federal grants and gifts from local foundations , businesses and agencies have funded the first year of operation and the purchase of equipment. Currently housed in Cramer Hall , the center has been offered space in PSU 's Millar Library once renovation is complete. An important function of the center is the access it provides for the visual and hearing impaired to the library 's computerized catalog. Once a moruh two retired women come to the center to read their bank statemenls. As with many community service programs, money is a problem for IACD . Dwindling grant money pays for the special ized staff, and more equipment is always needed . "We've learned to be creative," said center director Gail Daggett , who , with elbow grease and a screwdriver, resurrected a group of used steno chairs . The supporti ve family feeling around the center is unmi stakable. Most of the users are on a first name basis with each other, eager to share the ir knowledge and exc ited by their new-found independence. "I can't stress the timeliness and convenience the center is providing fo r the blind ," sa id Daggett. "Before they might have done projects that took three to four times longer - waiting fo r readers, taped books , or braille copy." Once a month two retired women come to the center, according to Daggett , to read their bank statements. A video camera scans thei r statement pages automatically, line by line, sending a greatly enlarged view to the connecting television monitor. This piece of equipment also comes in handy for Kri stin Reinboth , a founder of the center and a user support spec ialist currently employed half time. While a graduate student at Portland State, Rei nboth fou nd her own already limited hearing and sight declining further. "Of course the fea r arises ' how am I going to do this myself,'" said Reinboth . Access to graduate journals was particularly hard for her. In 1986 she began organizing a small but dedicated group of community (Continued on page 22)