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April 4, 2008
Academic Access Program and Students Awarded Assistive Technology and Instructive Workshop by Learning Disability Resources Foundation
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Contacts: Jacquelyn Bonomo, acting director for Academic Access at Marymount Manhattan College, (212) 774-0724, JBonomo@mmm.edu
(New York, NY) On March 28th, five Academic Access students were given the Premier Key to Access Award through a cooperative project of Learning Disabilities Resources Foundation (LDRF) and Premier Assistive Technology. The Program for Academic Access was also awarded the license to use Premier software on all its program computers and to install it on at least one library computer.
Dr. Jacquelyn Bonomo, acting director of Academic Access, became interested in bringing updated technological assistance to learning disabled students in the program and the college when she was invited by the LD Resources Foundation to attend an assistive technology workshop for college students. The Access Program has had a Kurzweil software station since 2004 near the program office and another in the Shanahan library since December of 2008. However, computers used by learning specialists for tutoring did not have text to audio capability. Additionally, students need software on their own computers off campus, but sometimes the cost can be prohibitive. Conversations with the founder of LDRF, Zahavit Paz, about the pros and cons of various software led to an invitation for Access students to apply for free software by writing about how assistive technology could improve their lives academically.
Kenneth Grisham, president of Premier Assistive Technology
After the award ceremony, Kenneth L. Grisham, President of Premier, led a workshop for the awarded students on how to use the software. The Key to Access contains: Scan and Read Pro; Universal Reader Plus; E-Text Reader; Premier Predictor Pro; Ultimate Talking Dictionary; Talking Word Processor; PDF Magic; PDF Equalizer ML; Text to Audio; and Talking Calculator.
Zahavit Paz, founder of the Learning Disability Resources Foundation
The Key to Access is a portable device not much larger than a key, and contains a collection of tools designed to make any PC computer accessible. Each student recipient will receive free technical support and will be closely monitored by Grisham.
For more information about the Program for Academic Access at MMC, click here.
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