Students attending the meeting with Dr. Plesko were:
Craig Wilderman, who said, “I use a laptop computer for my art practices at SIU and I use on-screen keyboard.”
Courtney Stocking, who said, “I use Dragon Naturally Speaking to work on my papers and paperwork, which is a program that lets me speak into the computer what I want to say on my papers, which is very helpful.”
Roy Mazuchowski, who said, “I also use Dragon Naturally Speaking. Dragon helps me write papers and also helps me do things like adjust the computer to help me work better and faster.”
Thomas Hancock, who said, “I use Archen Stone Open Book and also the electronic books that help me be able to understand what is being read on the books, most of my classes, and some of the papers given in class.”
Marsie Davis, who said, “I use the electronic text, the Read Please program, and it helps me to get through my reading faster and gives me the ability to adjust the text so I can get both the audio and the video.”
Keith Warden, who said, “I use Jaws 4.0 which is a screen reading software program. It allows me to be able to see everything and anything on the screen through the use of voice -- it will actually talk to you. That, along with Large Print and other services from DSS help me.”
Teri Stangle, who said, “I also use Dragon Speak. Before I used Dragon Speak, a two page paper would probably take me two days, now I can get it done within a matter of hours.”
Brian Pingsterhaus, who said, “I also use the Open Book. It helps me with keeping up with the reading in class because a lot of professors want 60 pages a week done. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the readings.”
Curtis Rentfro, who said, “I use Zoom Text Extra, Level l. It basically enlarges everything on the computer screen so that I can see it better because I have a visual impairment. It helps me to navigate my way around the computer itself and also on the Internet because a lot of things are small to see. It helps me out a lot and I can actually get things done a lot faster.”
Dr. Plesko said, “These are some of the young people that helped us get the text and materials ready, and I wanted you to get to meet them too. They have had to learn extraordinary things and they make it happen for these students.”
Marlon Connley said, “I help generate the text conversion accommodations for students.”
Bryan Dallas said, “I do text conversion services and training on campuses to students.”
Ken Crowell said, “I am a graduate assistant and I do accessible web design and research on adaptive technology.”
Dr. Plesko said, “That is what you gave us money to do. We appreciate it so much and we feel deeply honored to do the work. I would like to thank Terry Nunn who took a chance and funded our work last year and I also want to thank Lucy Sloan. She has come to our campus, met
21
