The Advocate - Volume 5, Issue 1 Spring 2012

Welcome to the spring edition of the Advocate.

Don't Forget to -- Check your APSU email for IMPORTANT ODS updates, notices, reminders and important information. 

Simply “Like” us on Facebook for latest updates about news and events taking place at Austin Peay State University and the Office of Disability Services.

Two APSU scholarships are available to students with disabilities and the deadline for these scholarships is March 1st, 2012. Read about the scholarships in Information Central and go to the Scholarship page on the ODS website for further information and an application.

Information Central:

The Cameron Ford Watts Scholarship

The Cameron Ford Watts Scholarship was established in 1993 in memory of Cameron Ford Watts. His parents are from Clarksville Tennessee and wanted to establish this endowed scholarship as a way to positively impact other individuals with disabilities. http://www.apsu.edu/disability/scholarships

LeRoy Parks Civitan Scholarship

The LeRoy C. Parks Scholarship was established by the Civitan Club to honor Mr. Parks’s service as International president from 1999-2000. Civitan's main focus is to assist individuals with disabilities. http://www.apsu.edu/disability/scholarships

February is Black History and Jewish Disability Awareness Month

Though it started as Negro History Week in 1926, Black History Month was created by Carter G. Woodson to honor the historical and noteworthy achievements of African Americans.

Famous African American with a disability:

Harriet Tubman - Rescuer of Slaves (1820-1913) 

Harriet Tubman was a slave born on a plantation in Maryland. When she was thirteen years old she threw herself between a fellow slave and the plantation overseer who was about to whip him. The overseer struck Harriet on the head. For the rest of her life she had a form of epilepsy. When she was 29 Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery and dedicated the rest of her life to rescuing other slaves and to civil rights, including women's suffrage.

Go to the African American Cultural Center's website for APSU events celebrating African American History Month: http://www.apsu.edu/aacc.

Jewish Disability Awareness Month

Since its inception in February of 2009, National Jewish Disability Awareness month was created to help disabled members of the Jewish communities nationwide connect with their peers and ease the feelings of alienation that come along with being a disabled minority.

Local Events Nashville: Disability Day on the Hill

When: February 29, 2012

Where: Tennessee State Capital

March is Women's History Month 

Theme: Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment

"Although women now outnumber men in American colleges nationwide, the reversal of the gender gap is a very recent phenomenon. The fight to learn was a valiant struggle waged by many tenacious women—across years and across cultures—in our country. After the American Revolution, the notion of education as a safeguard for democracy created opportunities for girls to gain a basic education—based largely on the premise that, as mothers, they would nurture not only the bodies but also the minds of (male) citizens and leaders. The concept that educating women meant educating mothers endured in America for many years, at all levels of education." Read further at http://nwhp.org/whm/index.php the National Women's History Project.

Famous woman with a disability

Liza Minelli -- Asthma -- Born March 12, 1946

American actress and singer. She is the daughter of legendary actress and singer Judy Garland and her second husband, film director Vincente Minnelli. Her well-publicized struggles with substance abuse have made inevitable parallels and comparisons to her mother's personal and career challenges. Minnelli has been in rehab for her substance abuse numerous times. She entered rehab shortly before her marriage to David Gest. Disabled World - Disability News for all the Family: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/asthma-famous.shtml#ixzz1lLnd4Twc.

Local Events Nashville: Disability Day on the Hill

Date: March 7, 2012

Where: Tennessee State Capital

April is Disability Awareness Month at APSU

APSU Disability Awareness Month Event Schedule:

Disability Awareness Kickoff Event

Come join the Office of Disability Services and APSU in it's  annual Disability Awareness Month Kickoff celebration to be held in MUC 303-305 at 10:00am on April 2nd, 2012.

Wheelchair Basketball

Watch some of the most exciting B-Ball you'll ever see in the Foy Fitness Center at 6:30pm on April 10th, 2012.  

Chance to Dance

Come dance at the Memorial Health Studio
from 10:00am to 12:00pm on April 14th, 21st and 28th.

ODS Open House

Come tour our office, meet our staff and play with the assistive technology in our AT Lab
from 2:30pm to 4:30pm Tuesday April 17th, 2012.

STAR Access Center Bus

Commonly referred to as "the STAR Center on wheels" by many staffers and consumers alike, the Access Express provides computer access evaluation, workplace accommodations, employer orientations and assistive technology evaluations to those in need of the services but who are unable to access them. Located at the MUC Plaza from 10:00am-2:00pm on April 25th, 2012. 

Famous person with a disability

Jay Leno -- Dyslexia

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an American stand-up comedian and television host. From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts. During an August 1, 2007, interview with CNN journalist Anderson Cooper on The Tonight Show, Leno confirmed that he is dyslexic. Although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he drop out of high school because of his grades, Jay not only graduated but also went on to receive a bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Emerson College, in 1973. He also attended Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. Disabled World - Disability News for all the Family: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2130.shtml#ixzz1lLzOV32I

Local Events Nashville: Country Music Nashville Marathon and ½ Marathon: April 28, 2012

Do not let your disability prevent you from achieving your goal of crossing the finish line

Racing Wheelchair Division Rules

- Racing wheelchairs shall be defined as a customized performance chair.

- Due to safety issues on the course, and in accordance with International Paralympic Committee rules, NO hand cycles (hand bikes, hand crank devices or other mechanically gear driven devices) will be permitted in the race.

IPC Athletics Rules will be enforced. For additional rules view: www.ipc-athletics.org.

Furthermore the race will abide by the rules and policies of the recognized governing bodies of the sports of wheelchair racing, which do not allow the use of mechanical gears found on hand bikes. For additional information contact: Wheelchair Sports USA www.wsusa.org and the International Paralympic Committee www.ipc-athletics.org.

For Additional Information: Contact Tracy Sundlun at wheelchair@eliteracing.com or 678-283-4424.

Read more at: http://www.runrocknroll.competitor.com/nashville

Tech Corner:

ODS provides individual, group and open Assistive Technology orientations for AT available on campus. For open orientation dates and times go to the Announcements and Events link on the ODS web site. For individual and group orientations please contact the Adaptive Technology Coordinator at ods@apsu.edu to schedule a date and time.