IGE Raa VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 28 #8 INNOVATION ABSTRACTS PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (NISOD), COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN « WITH SUPPORT FROM THE W. K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION AND THE SID W. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION Handicapped Awareness Day: A Special Teaching and Learning Experience Have you considered how your college could promote a better understanding of the disabled—something more than brochures on bulletin boards, or lectures on selected topics or teleconferences—something low-cost, entertain- ing and uplifting, yet meaningful and informative? Is there a need to know more about state and federal agencies, support groups and current electronic equip- ment available to aid the disabled? What about Section 504 and the ADA—the Americans with Disabilities Act? What is your college doing to make the disabled in your area feel welcome? These are but a few of the questions a Handicapped Awareness Day could answer. At Lake City Community College (LCCC), this day is dedicated to promoting a positive, yet realistic image of the abilities and needs of persons with disabilities. In addition, the event provides a way for the public to make direct contact with agencies, such as Vocational Rehabili- tation, support groups, and companies that have pro- duced the most current equipment. Picture a disabled student sitting at a display table, talking with a rehabilitation counselor or with others who have a similar disability. Picture a student trying out equipment on-site. ro” 0? Our program is comprised of three sections. Our pees houses 30 exhibitors: Vocational Rehabilitation from the Florida State Department of Health and Human Resources 2. Public schools—disability awareness art posters and research papers 2 tion for Retarded Citizens North Florida Mental Health Parent Information Office for the Deaf and Blind Florida School for the Deaf and Blind Three Rivers Association for the Deaf Audio Hearing Service Southern Bell—TDD equipment for the deaf 10. Special Olympics and Boy Scouts 11. Special Girl Scouts BO 1008) Oy hte Progressive Employment from the Columbia Associa- 12. Disabled American Veterans 13. Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Systems (Learning Disability Exhibit) 14. Columbia County Public Library (enlarged print, Recordings for the Blind, and ADA information) 15. Florida Vision Systems 16. LCCC’s optical computer scanner/ voice input and output equipment 17. Xerox Imaging Systems 18. Kurzweil Personal Reader 19. Adult Basic Education for the Visually Impaired 20. Columbia County Visually Impaired Support Group 21. North Florida Sales, and Rentals (canes, wheelchairs, and equipment for physically challenged persons) 22. Columbia County Extension Office (nutrition/safety and home-related services and 4-H projects, eb as raising guide dogs) 23. VA/Americans with Disabilities Act 24. Briarwood Center for Independent Living 25. Southern Media System (classroom materials for special education) 26. UpReach Pavilion (spinal cord and brain injury center) 27. Dental Hygiene for the Disabled 28. Epilepsy Service Program for Shands Teaching Hospital of the University of Florida 29. EZ Reader 30. Lake City Lions Club and related services, such as the Eye Bank and glasses 31. Suwanne Valley Community Coordinated Childcare (childcare services for handicapped parents) aie tocte On the campus grounds outside the gymnasium, there are additional activities. Campus tours on golf carts are provided to introduce disabled high school students to our educational programs and facilities. A wheelchair- bound student demonstrates a customized van. Since he makes directional signals with movements of his head rather than with his fingers, those watching his demon- strations clearly see how the disabled are able to cope with THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (NISOD) Community College Leadership Program, Department of Educational Administration College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin, EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712