A Broadening Participation in Computing Alliance - Brain Injury

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI)

FeedsImporter — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:25:01 +0000

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

Offers online training on accessible information technology for persons with disabilities.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:03:57 +0000

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) include open and closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, including cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.

For more information, consult Glossary of Disability-Related Terms.

Where can I find resources related to brain injuries?

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:03:57 +0000

The Internet hosts a large quantity of websites and electronic discussion lists that contain information concerning issues of interest to individuals with brain injuries and their family members, friends, mentors, advocates, educators, employers, and coworkers. A collection of websites and discussion lists related to brain injuries can be found at Disability-Related Resources: Brain Injury.

Assistive Technology with Cognitive Disabilities Emphasis

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:32:44 +0000

Assistive Technology with Cognitive Disabilities Emphasis

Links to websites that focus on assistive technology for people with cognitive disabilities.

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:32:44 +0000

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

Offers online training on accessible information technology for persons with disabilities.

Work-Based Learning

kcl — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:02:57 +0000

Work-based learning experiences can help students make career decisions, select courses of study, develop job skills, and network with potential employers. For students with disabilities, work-based learning experiences provide a unique opportunity to explore different, job-related accommodations, and to practice disclosing their disabilities and requesting accommodations from employers.

Educational institutions must make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in any work-based learning opportunities they offer, including internships, cooperative education, job shadowing, service learning, and independent studies. Specific accommodations will vary according to a student's needs, the job site, and the job requirements.

Some students with disabilities use the same accommodations at work that they use in school (e.g., a student in a wheelchair will need an accessible workstation). For other students, new responsibilities and environments will create new challenges that require new accommodations. For example, students with learning disabilities may need to replace the note takers and outlines they use in school with requests for written memos or recorded instructions at work.

Steps to Facilitate Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities interested in work-based learning experiences need to

register with work-based learning programs;
participate in available orientations, seminars, workshops, and individual counseling sessions to enhance job search skills;
work with staff and disabled student services counselors to determine necessary accommodations.

Employers need to

update position announcements and notify work-based learning coordinators of new positions;
work in partnership with work-based learning centers to proactively develop strategies to encourage students with disabilities to participate;
educate their staff about disability-related issues.

Instructors need to

encourage students with disabilities to gain work experiences;
encourage employers to recruit students with disabilities for work opportunities.

Disabled student services or special education staff need to

encourage students to register and participate in work-based learning programs;
let students know how accommodations are provided in the workplace;
help work-based learning programs recruit and accommodate students with disabilities.