program can benefit both employees
and employers."

For the students themselves the
rewards of finding a work position
through the college are a long
needed service, but the program
requirements put special emphasis on
the students' own abilities.

A high achievement level is expected
from every one registered in
Co-operative Education, and if a
person's grade point average drops
below an excellent standard, they
will be asked to leave the program.

 

"There's no point in going halfway,"
says Gilgan. "This program is de-
signed to put the best students we
have out into the workforce and we’!
going to ensure that that is what
happens."
Upon graduation, the students receive
a Douglas College diploma or certi-
ficate, with a special designation
pointing out their studies in
Co-operative Education.
By the time the program reaches its
second year, Gilgan is hopeful over
200 students will find jobs through
their studies at Douglas college.
|
|

"This is an entirely new direction
for Douglas College, and a very much

needed one," he says.
x

 

 

' technology is opening new doors for
' special needs people.

Computers and Disabled People

Don Allen speaks with obvious relish
when the subject of computers canes |
up. Over the past year he has done
special research with the Ministry
of Education compiling a textbook on
micro-computers and their use by
people with special needs.

}
|
\

 

"For someone with a physical or
mental disability, a computer can
really change their life around,"
Allen says.

 

Starting in February, Allen will

‘to help special needs people use

‘have students leave with the know-
ledge to start bringing disabled

' can use a computer.

'can speed communications for a persm

| and other input devices controlled

Mad Hatter Page 2

 

begin teaching a course for parents, ,;
friends and educators of the disabled

computers.

The Use of Micro-C omputers With
Mentally and Physically Disabled
People, a four part course sponsored |
by Douglas College, will introduce
students to the growing world of
computer-assisted instruction.

"This is a hands-on course, not just
theory," Allen says. "We give every7
one a chance to learn how to use new)
devices, software and hardware."

The end goal of this program is to

people and computers together.

And the possiblities are enormous,
Allen says. A new computer language,
BLISS, invented in Canada, is one way
a person with slow motor movement

Using a series of symbols, picto-
graphs and ideographs, the language

who would normally find their inter-
action with other people heavily
impaired.

There are also computers that can
speak for non-verbal people, Allen
says. Speech synthesis is a fairly
new concept and is another way

The workshop will also introduce
students to the use of mouse contro}
lers (a device that can be used by
someone unable to use a keyboard),

by the head or otherwise.

The first session of The Use of
Micro-computers With Mentally and
Physically Disabled People will be
held at Douglas College and the final
three sessions are at Select Micro
World in Vancouver.

Instruction in the types of computer