Service Options for Fall 2005
Deliverables
In addition to the afternoon of service work, you will need to turn in
a short (2 page) write up about the experience. The first page should
focus on what you learned about the interaction of disability and
technology from the experience. The second page should answer the
following questions:
- What volunteer work did you do?
- Would you recommend that we keep that volunteer opportunity on the list in future years?
- Would you recommend that we keep the volunteer work requirement in future years?
- Did your experience meet your expectations? What was the same or
different than you expected?
Referred by Mary Hart
-
Assist 48 year old man- future TRCIL client who is waiting for hear if he qualifies for services. Due to brain injury 30 years ago, D. has limited use of left side, along with some vision, hearing, and balance problems. D. has some auditory processing problems and has difficulty keeping pace with normal conversation, but was able to graduate from college. He is socially isolated. D. lives in Ingram (west suburbs, about 20 minutes
by car or bus from Oakland).
- Tuesday, 1/11, 5PM- supervise exercise routine prescribed by
PT. (time can be changed)
- Wednesday, 1/12, 7:30 PM- Accompany D. to local gym, assist him in
navigating stairs safely. Make sure he is safe while he uses the
treadmill and other equipment. (time can be changed)
- Lunch or dinner w. D.- can be scheduled at a varity of times. Dual
purpose: observe someone who is beginning to have difficulties with
feeding himself as problems with left side worsen; chat with D. to
provide cognitive stimulation.
- Observe and interact with students who attend The City Connections, an educational program for individuals ages 18-21 with cognitive differences (autism and mental retardation) that is part of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I'm scheduled to be at their West End location on Wednesday
morning; visits can be arranged at this site at various times 9-2 M-F,
either to observe/interact with students, or assist students with email or
computer projects (one of the program goals is to increase students' computer skills so as to expand job opportunities).
TRAS can use volunteers for either January 15th or the 22nd, although
the 15th may be canceled due to the poor snow cover at Hidden
Valley. Students may be skiers or non-skiers, but have to be dressed
to be assisting outside. To volunteer, first let me (Jen) know you are
doing this opportunity and then call their phone line ahead of time to
register at 412-848-8896, and identify yourself as a CMU student.
TRCIL's mission is to empower people with disabilities to enjoy
self-directed, personally meaningful lives by providing
outstanding consumer controlled services and by advocating for
effective community change. The services they provide are wide
ranging, and include assistive technology training and borrowing,
transitioning out of nursing homes into the community, skills
training, advocacy, and many many more.
TRCIL is located in Wilkinsburgh. Ideally, we'd like to give them 2
days notice.
- Meal & Move, Jan 12th, 3:30-7pm. TRCIL consumer movie
night. Help with food prep & serving, chat with
consumers who are in attendance, and enjoy "Elf". 1 to
3 people
- Transitioning, Jan 19th, 12-4pm. Help move someone from a
nursing home to his or her new residence in the
community. 2 to 3 people
Working Order provides services for individuals with disabilities, including
physical, cognitive, or mental health disabilities. It functions as an
incubator for people who are trying to start their own companies and
also helps someone to just create something for personal reasons. Some
of the things their customers need help with range from entering data
to finding software that streamline their task.
For this list, 1 person per opportunity would be ideal. Working Order
will need at least one day's notice if you plan to do one of
these. They can be reached by bus, but are located in Sharpsburgh (you
need to take the 500 to the waterworks and then the 91a, the total
ride is about 20 minutes)
- TAKENW/F 12-2:30 Help a woman with low vision & 1 handed typing creating custom designed notecards.
- T afternoon. Help a young man with limited communication and
autism entering data & doing design work for his buseniss.
- W the 19th. Help an OB GYN with motor impairments setting up a FAQ
called "ask the gynecologist"
- T 11-3. Help a man trying to learn dragon dictate. Specifically
looking for someone who is familiar with that tool. He is working on
an album to cd transfer, photo archiving, and some database stuff.
- TAKENTh 9:30-11:30. Help a woman who is photo archiving who is
struggling with optimal settings to deal with large photos quickly
- W 8:30-11:30. Help a young man who is creating CD albums and
labels.
Other opportunities
These are some additional opportunities that you could use to
supplement your understanding, depending on your area of interest.
- Clinic, Jan 14th, 1-4pm. Observe in the wheelchair clinic
with lifting & transfers. Consumers will get service
done, refittings, etc, or learn more about available
wheelchair options. 2 people
- Computer Access Clinic, Jan 18th, 1-3pm. Rich Simpson (a
professor of rehab engineering at Pitt) talks with staff and
consumers about computer accessibility, gives demos, and suggests
accomodations. 1 or more students could attend and observe.