Page 13 - Laker Connection Fall 2010

L to R: The Disability Resource Center staff: Director Louise Bedrossian, Ed.S., LPC; Assistant Director Tameeka Hunter, M.S., CRC; and Support Services Coordinator Karen Blackburn.
sive concussions from explosions.” One of the veterans utilizing DRC is also one of its biggest promoters among the student veteran community – retired Army Master Sergeant Dennis Brown. Brown also serves as president of Clay- ton State’s Student Veterans Associa-
tion.
“I come to the center to concentrate
more on tests,” says Brown who will graduate in 2011 with a Business Man- agement bachelor’s degree. “Before I take a test, I come in to the center and stretch. It helps release tension and low- ers anxiety. I can think without being around distractions.... If more veteran students – and even students who are not veterans – would come, they would see there are so many benefits.”
DRC offers services such as sign language interpreters, referral for low cost cognitive disability testing such as LD and ADHD, referral for services within the community, coaching services geared toward specific disabilities, and referral to other resources including technology, medical, social and employ- ment services, to name a few.
Bedrossian and the DRC staff are committed to helping students succeed in college and beyond.
“I have seen so many 180 degree turnarounds. People who have C’s and D’s, when supplied appropriate accom- modations, go on to make A’s and B’s,” says Bedrossian with a smile. “I have seen people battered emotionally fly and become self-sufficient. Self-esteem improves. Their talents shine. It’s really exciting to open the door for someone to become empowered.”
Students who are interested in re- ceiving assistance through DRC should visit www.clayton.edu/DRC. DRC is lo- cated in the upper level of the Student Center.
ness of this need. It is critical to create a welcoming environment for all, and our University has been very supportive of this theme.”
But Universal Design isn’t limited to construction and signage; it can also be programmatic. Bedrossian shares that University materials ranging from tests to the student newspaper and every- thing in between can be made available through DRC in the format that best fits
Below: A sign language interpreter translates the commencement ceremony into sign language for hearing impared attendees. Below Right: New Clayton State alum and Disability Resource Cen- ter student Marteace Lockhart poses for a photo with Bedrossian following the spring 2010 com- mencement ceremony.
the needs of students with disabilities. Students with physical disabilities can receive priority registration to ensure their classes are offered in the most ac- cessible locations, and students with hidden disabilities can receive the help they need to succeed.
“About 70 to 75 percent of the stu- dents served here have hidden disabili- ties – things like chronic illness, arthritis, cognitive disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and so forth,” ex- plains Bedrossian. “Veterans are also a growing population. We’ve had many with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as several with brain injuries sus- tained through events such as succes-
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