[Blindtlk] Coordinator of Assistive Technology

Thu Jun 18 17:48:23 UTC 2009

Dear All,
    I have been asked to circulate the following announcement from Deborah McCarthy, Director of Students with disabilities Services at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Fraternally,
Marion

    I am currently conducting a search for a Coordinator of Assistive Technology for the USF Students with Disabilities Services Office.  The position description is posted on the USF site.  I've attached a link below.  If you could forward it to anyone who might be interested, that would be helpful.

http://usfweb2.usf.edu/HR/Employment/A&P/5988.html

Best 

Deb McCarthy 

Deborah McCarthy

Director, Students with Disabilities Services

4202 East Fowler Ave. SVC1133

Tampa, FL 33620

Main office line: 813-974-4309

Direct:  813-974-8135

Fax:  813-974-7337

dmccarthy at admin.usf.edu

From: Marion Gwizdala [mailto:blind411 at verizon.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 11:16 AM
To: McCarthy, Deborah; Peverini, Raquel
Cc: Merry Schoch
Subject: Re: Certification statement on USF Form

Dear Ms. mcCarthy,

    Thank you so much for your very prompt reply to my suggestions. Merry and I would be more than happy to assist you in your efforts on behalf of blind and other disabled students at USF.

    I would also like to ask your permission to add you to the group list of the East Hillsborough Chapter of the NFB in order to keep you abreast of our work in the local area and across the nation. Furthermore, I would like to offer our talents and expertise to present programs of interest to your students on issues of blindness and other disabilities. If you would like to chat with me about these topics, please feel free to get in touch with me. My contact information is below my signature.

Sincerely yours,

Marion Gwizdala-Schoch (1994), President
East Hillsborough Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
813-626-2789
800-558-8261
president at blind411.org
www.blind411.org

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: McCarthy, Deborah 

  To: Marion Gwizdala ; Peverini, Raquel 

  Cc: Merry Schoch 

  Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:48 AM

  Subject: RE: Certification statement on USF Form

  Mr. Gwizdala:

  Thank you for your considerate feedback.  If you and your wife will bear with SDS for another month or so, you'll notice that our entire website - and all of the forms that go with it - will be updated.  I am new to USF and the Director position as of February, 2009 and am slowly but surely updating everything in the department.

  I apologize for any discomfort or frustration caused to you or your wife.  We will be able to address the problem by the start of the 2009 Fall semester.

  Regards -

  Deb McCarthy  

  Deborah McCarthy

  Director, Students with Disabilities Services

  4202 East Fowler Ave. SVC1133

  Tampa, FL 33620

  Main office line: 813-974-4309

  Direct:  813-974-8135

  Fax:  813-974-7337

  dmccarthy at admin.usf.edu

  From: Marion Gwizdala [mailto:blind411 at verizon.net] 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 10:18 AM
  To: Peverini, Raquel
  Cc: McCarthy, Deborah; Merry Schoch
  Subject: Certification statement on USF Form

  Raquel,

      I am copying this message to Ms. McCarthy and Merry Schoch. As I mentioned in a previous message, My wife, Merry Schoch, will be attending USF's  School of Social Work beginning in the Fall 2009 semester. As a student with a disability, she contacted the Department of Students with disabilities Services on-line to register should she find the need for services provided by this office. She was provided a form to be completed by her Ophthalmologist in order to register. She asked me to bring to your attention on her behalf the following statement contained on this form entitled "Documentation Cover Sheet".

  "I certify that in my professional opinion the disability which is documented in the attached report causes significant impairment of this student's ability
  to function in a university environment."

      In Merry's own words, she "was embarrassed to even ask the physician to complete this form":! I agree the statement is poorly worded and reflects stereotypical misconceptions of the abilities of the disabled to compete on terms of equality with their non-disabled peers. I would like to suggest the following verbiage:

  "I certify that this  individual has an impairment  that limits one or more major life functions and would benefit from accommodations to aide in his/her success as a university student."

      I appreciate your interest and work in ensuring that the civil rights of the disabled are protected while on the University campus, whether they are students, faculty, staff, or visitors. I hope you agree that this includes not only the legal rights of individuals, but their human rights, as well, including the right to be free of unfair or undignified depictions of the disabled. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate a reply to my concerns, realizing that I am also interested in working with you to enhance USF's full inclusion of all people, regardless of their characteristics.

  Sincerely yours,

  Marion Gwizdala-Schoch, President (1994)
  East Hillsborough Chapter
  National Federation of the Blind of Florida
  813-626-2789
  800-558-8261
  president at blind411.org
  www.blind411.org