Man helps others with disabilities earn their degrees
Published Friday July 10th, 2009
Andrew Daley knows what it's like to go through life with a disability.
That's why the University of New Brunswick employee has made it his mission to help students with special needs earn post-secondary education degrees.
Daley is an assistive technologist at the Commons Accessibility Centre in the Harriet Irving Library. He trains students in the latest technologies and software to overcome their disabilities.
He also helps students get everything from special pencil grips to accessories for wheelchairs.
"I have a vested interest in accessible technology and software because I use it every day, but I also know what challenges students face when they come to a post-secondary institution with a disability," Daley said.
"I'm visually impaired, and when it came time for me to attend university, I received some help that allowed me to get my degree. This job gives me a chance to give back."
Daley started working with specialized technology when he was a student at UNB and volunteered in the student accessibility centre.
Eventually, after the demand for access to the equipment and software grew, Daley was hired full time at the Commons Accessibility Centre.
He works with 360 to 400 students a year.
"We employ software that scans and reads textbooks to students with a wide variety of learning disabilities from dyslexia to ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)," he said.
"We have software to enlarge computer screens for students who are visually impaired, and we also have dictation programs for converting the spoken language to text or verbalizing everything that occurs on the desktop."
Jim Noseworthy, an assistive technologist at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, said having access to people trained in the technology is critical for students with disabilities.
He said higher education wouldn't be as accessible if it weren't for people such as Daley and the programs he uses.
"Try walking around campus with your eyes closed, or navigating a website without a monitor or mouse," Noseworthy said. "Assistive technology is an essential service and it's just great that there's someone right on campus for the students to work with."
Daley spends a lot of time researching new technologies and trying new software since it changes constantly.
That's why he said it's important he has team of dedicated people to work with.
"The system we have set up at the library is great because I don't always have the answers for students," Daley said.
"We have an excellent ITS (integrated technology services) team, and we also have people available to help students with their essays. A student can see me to use dictation software, print out a copy and walk right into the writing centre for formatting help. There's real collaboration required to make this system work."
Daley's focus has shifted to include other forms of accessibility. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and now has to use a walker.
He said it has shown him other ways he might be able to assist students around campus.
But his biggest concern is that not enough students seem to know about the services available to them.
"From personal experience, I can tell people that it's much easier to be independent if you have the technologies available to you," Daley said. "I encourage students to come see me, even if they only have mild dyslexia or something. No one's trying to single them out. We're just trying to get them through the experience of being a student and help them become a functional employee after they graduate."
For more information on the Commons Accessibility Centre, contact Daley at adaley@unb.ca.
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