I have been through 3 different Voc Rehab counselors what is the point continuing to go somewhere where they don't care. My case with VR been overlooked and shuffled around and why don't they just tell hey Patti we cannot find you a job because of all your physcial problem and send it to Social Security Admin? But no they continue to do nothing for me..
That is why I feel that I must leave this group because I have tapped out all my resources from here and nobody gives a dang everywhere I have called you have certain requirements or income limits etc etc. So what is the point in staying here I have nothing to contribute anymore..
Patti
Subject: [Disabled Rights Activists Group] Re: New Freedom Initiative
From: EricB955@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 19:41:10 EDT
To: disabledrightsactivistsgroup@yahoogroups.com
I think of the New Freedom Initiative as nothing more than window dressing; it doesn't do anything to reduce the outrageously high unemployment rate among people with disabilities in the United States, which is still at an artificially high 70%. It is ironic when President Bush's own father, who served as our 41st President, predicted that "even those with minor disabilities will become part of the economic mainstream". It hasn't happened; I don't think it will happen in my lifetime (I'm 37, by the way).
The state of disability rights, for me, is AWFUL. In February of 2000, I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. I've had some problems with social interactions over the years; it got so severe that I was expelled from high school in my sophomore year. Although I have since gone on to get my Associate's degree in Communication Arts with emphasis on Broadcasting, I have faced endless discrimination in the commercial broadcast industry, especially on the corporate level. While most people my age are making upwards of $35,000-40,000 per year, I make less than one-tenth that much. I've had long spells of unemployment; my longest period of unemployment was from September 1991 to December 1994.
What has worked? The only thing that has worked for me has been perseverance. It took four years between my first attempt (1993) and finally getting hired (August 1997); unfortunately, it turned out to be my last commercial broadcast job. I tried Vocational Rehabilitation in both Missouri and Georgia; their idea of a "job" is either janitorial work or a job as a supermarket bagger at just pennies above minimum wage. I have tried networking; it hasn't worked for me. Most of the people I worked with in the radio business either won't help me or try to help me find a good-paying job, but are stifled by their bosses. I strongly believe that the idea of HARD WORK paying off in bigger and better things should be the norm; unfortunately, too many areas of our economy still practice the outdated and outmoded policy of "it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know". I had to give up on my dream of working at a larger radio station because of the corporate domination of this particular industry. One media giant that treated me with seething hostility is Clear Channel Communications. I wasn't even allowed to apply for a job at one of their St. Louis stations, despite my knowledge of a particular format (in this case, it was Oldies). I am now confined to public radio; working as a morning drive DJ for a jazz-formatted radio station in Edwardsville, IL, and programming their Internet-only sister station (which I had switched to an all-'80s format on July 1, 2004).
Nothing really exists to effectively address the needs of employees with disabilities, especially in the private sector. What's really needed is for experienced people with disabilities to be paid salaries equivalent to their able-bodied brethren, along with full health and dental insurance benefits. Also needed is to change the focus of Affirmative Action programs from focusing entirely on women and minorities to an almost exclusive focus on people with disabilities. I also see that businesses who violate the ADA, especially transnational corporations, should be more severely punished (such as larger fines or "three strikes, you're out" policies). The only way for business to meet the needs of people with disabilities is to force them to accept us for who and what we are, and work with our abilities. If they don't, then they shouldn't be in business within the borders of the United States.
One of the reasons why the New Freedom Initiative has been ineffective can be summed up in one date: September 11, 2001. He's just been too focused on the war on terrorism. We need to declare war on anti-ADA sectors of the economy, especially the broadcast media. We need more John Hockenberrys, not more Howard Sterns.
Eric
It sounds like you didn't bother leaving a stone unturned. I apologize for the presumptious question. You're bright and proactive; it doesn't seem like it should be so difficult to have an employed future. I guess I got persistant niavete going. The world constantly surprises me it's wrong-doing. Rene Ungerecht
Yvonne, I, too, do not understand why teaching off-line should be a requirement for teaching on-line. Those who teach should be trained. I fully believe that that is as it should be. So assuming your teacher who would teach on-line has been trained as a teacher, who cares if they have previously taught off-line? Absurd! Indeed, I would go so far as to say that experience teaching off-line might well be a handicap when it comes to teaching on-line, because the skill set for the teacher is quite different. ... I tell my students how computers have been such a boon to people with disabilities of all kinds. How truly trapped you'd be without them. Yet there's a cruel side to computers for folks like yourself, since they open up all kinds of possibilities (such as online teaching and so forth) which must still be hard to do unless people have faith in you and give you a chance. Bernie :)
Subject: Re: On-line Teaching - f2f experience was Re: Introduction
From: EDTECH Editor-Eiffert edadmin5@mail.h-net.msu.edu
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 00:09:51 -0400
To: EDTECH@H-NET.MSU.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.edtech
From: Yvonne Singer ysinger@worldnet.att.net
While attending Walden University (on-line school), I never met any professors face-to-face and talked to them on the telephone! I successfully communicated with them through e-mail! After eleven years of hard work as a student, I cannot understand why nobody will let me teach on-line classes!
From: Bernie Poole poole+@pitt.edu
At the college level we have many professors who have had no formal teacher training. This is not considered to be any sort of a handicap. Indeed, Education Division professors at many universities are looked down upon because they are considered to be poorly prepared for academe, notwithstanding their terminal (ie doctoral) degrees.
Why this is so I shall never understand.
However, pursuing a line of logic in support of Yvonne's plea to be allowed to teach online, it seems to me that a person such as Yvonne, who has had many years of first-hand experience as an online student, should be considered well qualified to teach online in the same way as my informally prepared colleagues are considered more than adequately prepared to teach off-line.
We tend to teach (for better or worse) as we have been taught. What better preparation to teach online could there therefore be than to have experienced it for many years first hand?
Can anyone point out the error in my logic?
Bernie :)
Bernard John Poole, MSIS
Associate Professor of Education and Instructional Technology
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Johnstown, PA 15904, USA
tel: 814-269-2923
fax: 814-269-7084
email: poole@pitt.edu
home page: http://www.pitt.edu/~poole
EdIndex: http://www.pitt.edu/~edindex (Web resources for teachers and students)
Subject: RE: Attention Brewster Thackeray: Yvonne Singer needs your help!
From: Brewster Thackeray Thackeray@nod.org
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 16:07:27 -0400
To: "'ysinger@worldnet.att.net'" ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Hi Yvonne--thanks for sharing your recent work.
I agree with you it's not reasonable to require someone to have a kind of experience unless the need for it is demonstrable. They may have a reason, but I doubt it! If you want a letter urging them to waive that rule I can write you one; just let me know to whom to send it. Coming on N.O.D. letterhead it might make them question whether they're risking an ADA violation by not giving you a reasonable accommodation.
All the best,
Brewster
Brewster Thackeray
Vice President
National Organization on Disability
910 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
202/955-6327
Thackeray@nod.org
http://www.nod.org/
Yvonne:
I contacted my friend at Protection and Advocacy in California. Here is her reply:
ben, there is a protection and advocacy system in new jersey--she could at least speak to staff there. i do not know if they do employment cases but will have some referrals.
The New Jersey P&A can be reached by calling 609/292-9742 or via email at advoca@njpanda.org
the web site is http://www.drnj.org/
I hope this helps,
Ben Adams
Ms. Singer: I suggest that you contact the Kessler Institute, a world-renowned clinical and research facility.
Ms. Singer
I do recall you from your member ship in a prior class. I am not sure how I could be of help to you as you seek employment. South Carolina, where I live, is a state that seems to favor employers to a considerable degree, so I suspect any efforts here might not be very productive.
R. Lovinger
Dear Yvonne:
How good to hear from you. When I need web work, I will contact you. May I refer other interested people and/or organizations to you for special web serves?
Sincerely,
Sandra Rasmussen
HI Yvonne,
It's nice to hear from you, and congratulations on your MA!
I wasn't sure if you were cc'ing me with a message you are sending elsewhere, or if you were asking if I knew of any suitable positions. I'm afraid I don't know of any such positions, but you might try via LCAC (which might know of positions external to MU) or Instructional Technology Services (which might know of internal ones, though these would be listed on the MU webpage at http://www.monmouth.edu/resources/HR/default.asp.)
Best wishes,
S. S. Blair
Hi Yvonne,
Good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear you're progressing well with your Masters!!! Most of my job contacts are in the alcohol and drug abuse field. I would think that the best fit for a job for you, would be in counseling other people who are physically challenged. Have you explored those areas? Do you have the names and addresses of those agencies and directors? Let me know, I'll see what I can do to get you the names of directors you can send your resume to.
Dr. Cavaiola
Dear Ms. Singer,
I too have a disability. I am deaf in one ear and have an appreciation for those with greater disabilities than mine who continue to strive to demonstrate their capabilities and value to a diverse work place. The Dallas TeleCollege sounds like a place that could use some of the talents that you display in your attached message. I want to continue to correspond with you to try to determine a best fit for a win-win relationship. At present we do not have a web opening. We do however have a number of adjunct teaching position that might work for you. We provide a variety of online courses that you seem to have Masters level course experience that might allow a teach opportunity. I am copying Dr. Michael Dennehy on this message. He is Dean of our TeleCollege and works with me to acquire faculty that support our online instructional programs. I know that he and I would both be interested to know if you have taught Psyc or other courses at the collegiate level using the BlackBoard platform for online delivery. Please give me a response of interest you might have in this or other aread you may have 18 hours or more credit in college graduate level courses. Thank you for your interest,
Jim Picquet, Ph.D.
Vice President, Instruction
Dallas TeleCollege
Yvonne, I can do that. If you have a few nibbles (for jobs) and send me the phone numbers, I can call and speak to the potential employers about your qualifications. You might also contact the LCAC (at Monmouth U.). I can speak to the counselors there and they might be able to help. Paris
Good afternoon, Yvonne. Sorry it has taken me some time to respond to you. I work for Aging and Disability Services Administration in Olympia Washington. Our state agency provides long-term care services and personal assistance services for adults with disabilities, elderly, and adults and children with developmental disabilities. Are you interested in moving to the state of Washington?
I am unable to be your advocate to assist you in obtaining employment, but I can refer you to some independent living centers in our state that may be able to help. I do not think there are job openings at this time within my agency but I will ask our Web Manager if there is something to make sure.
I can forward to some people I know in vocational rehabilitation, state department of personnel and our state's Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment your email and see if they have any contacts for you, if you would like me to.
Please let me know if I should forward your email on. Thanks
Yvonne,
thank you for forwarding this information. I will certainly keep my eyes out for any opportunities that might come up. To be honest, however, web design is pretty far out of my field, but I will certainly start to look for possibilities.
I wish you the best of luck in your search. If any possibilities make themselves known to me, I will definitely let you know.
Bob
Yvonne,
Thank you for your letter to Dr. Blanck. He passed it to me as the person in our organization who manages personnel needs among other responsibilities. While I do not currently have any positions open, either for technology-related work or for research, however, I will keep your resume on file. As to advocacy on your behalf, I am sorry, but our organization does not advocate for individuals, but is a policy research center.
Your thesis represents the kind of research that our organization conducts. For that reason I encourage you to consider positions as a researcher rather than as a web designer. Your MS in psychology with its focus on organizational behavior is perhaps the type of educational background which would serve you well in conducting research in a National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research-funded project. http://www.ncddr.org/ and http://www.naric.com/ both list many of the NIDRR projects. Each of these in turn may list current job openings.
I wish you the best in your job search, and apologize that we are not an individual advocacy organization.
James
James L. Schmeling, J.D.
Associate Director
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone - 319-335-8458, Fax - 319-335-9764
Email - James-Schmeling@uiowa.edu
Web - http://www.its.uiowa.edu/law
Hi Yvonne -- I got your email and your experience is impressive. Unfortunately, I cannot assist with job searches. I work primarily in the area of assisting children with disabilities, who live in Chicago, obtain medical, therapeutic and financial services. Good luck to you. JJ
Julie Justicz
Health & Disability Advocates
205 W. Monroe, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
312/223-9600 ext 17 (phone)
312/223-9518 (fax)
jjusticz@hdadvocates.org
Yvonne, I am glad you finished up you masters degree program and am looking for gainful employment. I am sure you have worked hard to find work and given your personal challenges it has not been easy. Have you tried to teach on-line yet?- jks
Hi Yvonne -
I am sorry to hear about your current dilemma. I think it depends where you are looking to teach on-line courses. I do not believe that it is a prerequisite to teach in a traditional classroom environment for all On-line Universities.
Unfortunately, your request is beyond the scope of my position. You might want to visit this website: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm and contact someone about your situation.
I wish you all the best.
Regards,
Tamara Carlson
Disabilities Coordinator
Advising Team Lead
School of Technology Advising Faculty
Toll Free: 1-888-CAPELLA, ext. 5392
Direct Dial: 612-659-5392
FAX: 612-337-5396
tcarlson@capella.edu
http://www.capella.edu/default.aspx
Good Afternoon Yvonne,
Thank you for your email.
Regrettably, I am unable to provide you with the assistance you've requested. Our work at Health and Disability Advocates is to provide education and training around the Social Security Administration and Illinois State Specific work incentives.
I wish you luck as you continue to build your business.
Marsie Frawley
Well Yvonne, I certainly relate to your frustration. And I wish I could assist--certainly I don't want to "pass the buck." If I had or knew of a job that met your skills, I'd tell you about it and advocate for you to be hired. But alas I do not at this time.
But, I encourage you to let me know if there are specific things that I can do to assist your efforts; there may be things that I'm not thinking of. Also, it would be good to know a couple of things so I keep my eye out for the right thing! For instance, at this point, are you more interested in web design, research, or peer counseling opportunities? Do you have a salary range in mind? Would you rather work from home or do you have cities/areas you would consider living in for the right job?
Totally different topic, yet related:
It happens that I was just talking with Judy Martin, the host of NPR's Marketplace. I'm working with her on a piece about the challenges people with disability face in this economy, which she will run the day before the ADA anniversary this year. Judy asked me to put her in touch with people who are educated, qualified, but are not able to find jobs. Would you be willing to be interviewed? I think you'd be a great spokesperson on this issue; and the national exposure could be helpful for making a job connection. One never knows!
Let me know what you think; if you wish I can pass Judy your e-mail or if you wish your phone number (I don't have that).
All the best,
Brewster Thackeray
Vice President
National Organization on Disability
910 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
202/955-6327
Thackeray@nod.org
http://www.nod.org/
Hello Yvonne,
I did contact our Director of Human Resources for additional information. I recommend working with you local vocational office to locate possible job opportunities. Please let me know if you need contact information for your local vocational center.
The following is a list of employment recruiters who may be able to assist in helping you find a job in Web Design etc.
http://seeker.dice.com/jobsearch/
http://www.shaygroup.com/frame_main.html
More job links that I have located:
State Links
Other Links
http://depts.washington.edu/cac/
http://wtw.doleta.gov/resources.asp
Thanks,
Becky Copper
ADA Coordinator
I think you are your own best advocate. Since I don't know what community college position you might be talking about, I don't know how to comment. I know of other institutions that seek good on-line tutors who really know how to function in an online environment.
I'd ask that the current position find some other ways to test your teaching qualifications other than basing it solely on previous classroom teaching.
Good luck.
Steve Crow
There is a state advocacy agency, Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, at (800) 922-7233; they are located in Trenton.
Thank you for contacting the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
The Rehabilitation Services, whom you can contact directly at 1-888-200-7117, handles employment matters. You can also visit their web site at http://www.jan.wvu.edu/training/index.htm where you will find detailed information and contact numbers. You may also contact the One-Stop Centers directly at 1-877-872-5627, or to find out more information about One-Stop Centers please visit http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/ To find a One-Stop Center in your area go to http://www.servicelocator.org/ and type in the information they request. Another resource would be the Office of Personnel Management, whom you can call at 202-606-1800 or via email at disability@opm.gov or visit their website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ for job listings OPM has an informational website that provides disability employment information. You may visit this website at http://www.opm.gov/disability
ODEP acts as a catalyst for job formation for people with disabilities through policy analysis and grants, outreach and education, technical assistance, and the promotion and development of best practices. The office works with other government agencies, the disability community, and employers, to coordinate policies and programs designed to increase employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
ODEP provides many services through its website at http://www.dol.gov/odep. Among the resources to which you may link are the following:
The President's New Freedom Initiative (NFI) at:
http://www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/main.htm
DisabilityInfo.gov, a government-wide portal to information on disability-related programs and materials at http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN), an electronic and toll-free resource on making workplace accommodations for people with disabilities at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
The Workforce Recruitment Program, a rich source of pre-interviewed, pre-screened college students with disabilities available for summer internships or full time positions at http://www.wrpjobs.com/.
The Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN), an electronic and toll-free service designed to assist employers in locating qualified workers with disabilities at: http://www.earnworks.com/
Job Links, a nationwide listing of links to job openings at companies and organizations interested in recruiting and hiring people with disabilities at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/joblinks/joblinks.htm
This response is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official communication of the U.S. Department of Labor. For an official response, please write: Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U. S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210.
Ms. Singer,
I received your e-mail yesterday and downloaded it for our office. Unfortunately I, nor the OEO, can provide you with an Advocate for the pursuit your employment goals. However, I would like to encourage you to contact and work with the Department of Rehabilitation. It is my understanding, that based on your correspondence, they are the state agency most likely to provide you with the service you may need. Additionally, they may be able to provide you resources statewide as well as for all California state departments.
I wish the best in accomplishing your goals. An educated and skilled person, such as yourself, will hopefully only have a small journey ahead of you in achieving your employment achievement.
Hi Yvonne,
I have passed your e-mail on to our Psychology faculty and it will be added to our pool of potential applicants. At present there are not any openings available.
Thank you for your interest in Shorline Community College.
Terry
***********************************************************
Terry L. Taylor
Dean, Intra-American Studies & Social Science Division
Professor of History and Political Science
Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98155
Phone: 206-546-4589 Fax: 206-546-5869
E-mail: ttaylor@shore.ctc.edu Web: http://www2.ctc.edu/~ttaylor
***********************************************************
Ms. Singer,
The California Department of Education does not handle employment-related issues. I forwarded your message to my supervisor, who suggested that you try one of the California Regional Centers or explore options with the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ for those types of questions.
George R. Avery
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Calif. Dept. of Education
Education Technology Office
Phone: (916) 323-5295
FAX: (916) 323-5110
Email: gavery@cde.ca.gov
It's amazing what you have accomplished and you should be very proud. I sympathize with your feelings regarding DVR and trust me, you are not alone! However, the only way to access an agency that can help you locate employment is through a funding source such as DVR. What are your thoughts on that?
Dear Yvonne,
I received your message regarding your work and its value, and appreciate what you have done. I understand your need to be recognized for this work by a job offer or payment of some kind.
I have had extensive conversations with the county departments and have had no luck in providing work for you. I am in the process of talking to the director of cerebral palsy on your need for employment, etc. I will make the assumption that until this is done, your work will not continue for the county website.
If I am mistaken, please advise me. I know the frustration after volunteering here for 9 years. Please give me your feedback to allow me to make some other arrangements if necessary.
Sincerely,
Alex
Dear Ms. Singer,
Governor Davis has asked me to respond to your e-mail requesting employment assistance. I will try to provide useful information to assist you in your search for employment.
If you have not already done so, I recommend that you register and post your résumé in New Jersey's Job Bank on-line at http://www.ajb.org/nj.
At the State of New Jersey Employment Information Network Web site, http://www.wnjpin.state.nj.us/, you will find information on various employment programs and services, including a link to locations of the Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network One-Stop Career Centers. Each One-Stop Career Center has a variety of employment and training agencies on-site with trained staff who can advise you on specific training and employment opportunities available. Many One-Stop Centers also offer workshops on such topics as job search techniques, résumé writing, and interviewing skills.
If you wish to apply for a position with the State of California, the EDD and most other State agencies post open positions and establish hiring lists through the State Personnel Board (SPB). You can contact the SPB via e-mail at: AskUs@spb.ca.gov or visit their Web site at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/ to view the latest openings.
Federal jobs are posted at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/.
In addition to the Web sites mentioned above, here is a listing of other job search related Web sites you may also want to visit:
BrassRing http://www.vjf.com/
California Jobs Resource http://www.california.localopenings.com/
Caregiver Jobs Clearinghouse http://www.carecareers.net/
ELECTRICjob.com http://www.electricjobs.com/
EmploymentGuide.com http://employmentguide.com/
helpwanted.com http://helpwanted.com/
JobBankUSA.com http://jobbankusa.com/
JobLatino http://www.joblatino.com/
http://dmoz.org/Business/Employment/Job_Search/ http://dmoz.org/Business/Employment/Job_Search/
jobs.com http://www.jobs.com/
NationJobNetwork http://www.nationjob.com/
WetFeet.com http://www.wetfeet.com/
Yahoo! Classifieds http://www.classifieds.yahoo.com/
I hope you find this information helpful, and I wish you success in finding suitable employment. If you need further information, please call Tyoka Mehs, Job Service Division at (916) 654-5924, or you may write to her directly at 800 Capitol Mall MIC 37, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Sincerely,
/S/ PHIL FRIEDERS
Assistant Deputy Director
Job Service Branch
cc: Governor's Office
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Director's Office, MIC 83
Diego Haro, MIC 86
hello yvonne...
how are you? i remember you! sorry it's taken so long to reply, but summer, two boys, another book, etc... really slow me down.
sounds like you've done a lot since you took features with me several years ago. good for you!
i don't have any opportunity sitting on my desk right now that would be something for you, but i will keep you in mind. i'll save your e-mail address and if something crosses my desk, which does happen occasionally, i'll send it to you. in the meantime, feel free to list me as a reference. if anyone calls, i'll `make up' something nice about you.
hope all is well. your achievements are VERY impressive. i'll probably be e-mailing you soon to see if you have any opportunity for an old professor.
hang in there...
Prof. Morano
Hi Yvonne,
Dr. Burnham forwarded your recent email to me on the chance that I might know of a position for you. Unfortunately, I am not aware of anything specific but I do have a suggested resource that may help you. Crispin and Mehler update a book annually called CareerXroads that is a directory to the 500 best job, resume and career management sites on the internet. There is a section in the back of the book that lists websites, including job boards, by industry. Perhaps the section entitled Information Technology/High Tech has ads for online jobs. Even if that doesn't pan out, the book might be worth a look because it gives many sites where you can submit a resume free of charge. The website is: http://www.careerxroads.com/
Good luck. I will continue to keep you in mind for opportunities I hear about.
Patricia L. Sensi
Dean, Human Resources
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738
732-224-2234
Fax: 732-224-2970
Hi, Yvonne. Nice to hear from you. I can see that you certainly have the ability to do amazing things with your computer. In my department the problem would be that the full-time staff want to teach on-line courses and they have the first rights to do it. As far as teaching in a "regular" class first I didn't even know about that. I guess the issue is about knowing how to grade papers, create a syllabus, create exams and the like. I can't imagine that anyone would question your computer skills, rather the concern would be with your teaching ability. With all you can do computer-wise wouldn't it make more sense to persue employment in that field? I'm confused about your focus on on-line teaching. Seems to me that it would make sense to try to find a job with a software company or at a website. I can imagine how frustrated you must be. I wish I can help but I don't know how. I can't go beyond the psychology department and right now our on-line courses are developed and staffed by the tenured and full-time faculty.
Hi Yvonne,
I am glad to hear from you and to learn of your many achievements. You have created a very impressive resume. I will forward your email with my recommendation to Norah Mc Curry who coordinates online courses here at Brookdale. She may have some suggestions.
Please let me know if I can do anything else to help.
Terry Healy
Hello Yvonne
My name is Susan Berger and I am the Acting Manager of the Distance Education office at Brookdale Community College. Norah Kerr McCurry is on sabbatical till January, so I am her replacement until she returns. Terry Healy contacted me regarding your interest in teaching an online course through Distance Ed. I just have a couple of questions:
1- What type of degree(s) do you hold?
2- What are you interested in teaching?
3- When you would be willing to start? Spring 2004? Fall 2004?
Please get back to me with your answers and any other information you feel we should know. I'll do my best to ask around and work with others to see what we can do for you.
Thank You
Susan
Susan Berger
Acting Manager, Distance Education Applications
Brookdale Community College
(732) 224-2159
sberger@brookdalecc.edu
We were contacted by Yvonne Singer, who is looking for volunteer opportunities involving web development. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, you can contact her directly.
Thanks!
Christine Jagerburger
cjagerburger@uwmonmouth.org
Director of Community Impact
United Way of Monmouth County
732-938-5988
Dear Yvonne,
I too, recently had the priviledge of helping place a volunteer (w/ M.S.) at a clinic...they were so very impressed with him and his radiant smile that they created a position and hired him full time!!! (My loss!; but he was looking to find a full time position.) Handicapped? what's that??? with his (and her) determination and joy all things are possible! Great Job on your part!! you had to look beyond the physical...may we all be that "sighted". :)Barbara Walsh
-----Original Message-----
From: PLNJ99@aol.com [mailto:PLNJ99@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 1:50 PM
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Cc: mriegelman-dassler@uwmonmouth.org
Subject: breaking down barriers, my morning lesson
Dear Dovia,
This morning I had a breakfast appointment with a potential Aslan volunteer. Acting on a tip from the United Way of Monmouth County, I came prepared with my usual application form, trusty blue pen and my best 8:30 (pre coffee) smile.
I was greeted (at eye level) by a cheerful mom ready to introduce me to her talented daughter, Yvonne. 34 years of age, impressive college credentials and a working knowledge of HTML language and web maintenance. A volunteer worth their weight in gold.
When I turned the corner to enter a comfortable bedroom, I was introduced to a young lady sitting at a computer desk in a wheelchair. Yvonne has cerebral palsy and my home visit was due in part to the lack of handicap access at my office.
Wearing a light weight head harness outfitted with a metal tip that modified her ability to use a computer keyboard at lightning speed, Yvonne took me through her amazing catalog and demonstrated her website expertise. When I had a hard time understanding her speech, she repeated her words or typed them on a notepad doc.
My whole face hurt from smiling--such pure grace and determination.
Aslan will be welcoming Yvonne's volunteer spirit and I encourage each of you to reach out to her. She's a charmer, no milktoast contender here.
When I returned to my car ready to head off to the office, I thought I've got to share this young woman with all of you!
Yvonne M. Singer
ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Yvonne
Well, Lynne would be the one I would forward your inquiry to. I'm assuming she would tell me the same that she told you. I guess you would have to become a full-time faculty member before teaching an on-line course.
Good luck in whatever else you decide to pursue. If you would like, you can check back at Brookdale within a year. We are working on developing a fully On-line degree. Once complete (we hope next Fall), we'll be be adding plenty more courses through Distance Ed. I suppose the academic divisions may be looking for additional teachers at that time.
Sorry I couldn't be of further help.
Good luck
Susan
Susan Berger
Acting Manager, Distance Education Applications
Brookdale Community College
(732) 224-2159
sberger@brookdalecc.edu
Thanks for sending these names and addresses, Yvonne. I will drop them a line. Having applied to teach college courses myself, I know it's not something easy to break into. They may not hire you. BUT, I want to do my part to make them 'think outside the box.' I want to encourage them not to decline hiring you BECAUSE of your disability. Good luck!
Brewster Thackeray
Vice President
National Organization on Disability
910 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
202/955-6327
Thackeray@nod.org
http://www.nod.org/
Professor Paris
I did receive your email. Thank You. I have spoken (via email) with Ms. Singer several times. I am not a Professor at this institution. I just manage the daily activities of the Distance Education office. Every semester, we ask each department to submit a course or two that they would like to offer via TV or On-line. If agreed upon, the department and their teachers work on creating the course material and delivery mode. Our office is here to assure the courses are available to students and they are easily accessible. We do not hire faculty. That is strictly reserved for the Department Chair and Division Administrator. We are not Academic Administrators, and therefore, have no say on faculty needs.
Please also note that this institution has been in a hiring freeze for the past year and will continue to be for another couple of years. The only new positions being created are those that are imminent (due to increased enrollment and department needs). All other positions are to replace someone leaving. Being that, each Academic Department is reserving faculty hiring to current Brookdale adjuncts or people who have taught before. I've already spoken to the Psychology Chair and they are not in need of Faculty at this time. I will be sending Ms. Singer's inquiry over to the Sociology department; she has expressed interest in that field as well. It will then be up to the Sociology chair to make final decisions.
You must also keep in mind that we do not have a wide variety of courses offered On-line. We are still growing in that field and are only now offering close to 30 courses. We have 3 Psychology courses and 1 Sociology course. There has not been any talk on expanding since the demand (for those fields) is not great. Generally, as I believe Ms. Singer has already been told by the Psych department, Distance Education courses are reserved for full-time faculty. They teach them as extra load and they have the teaching experience necessary to generate adequate learning at a distance.
Let me suggest another alternative. Thomas Edison State College focuses greatly on learning at a distance. They offer 100 On-line courses and they run on a 12 semester schedule (starting the first of every month). They hire faculty from all across the county. I do not know what their teacher requirements are, but it is worth a shot to contact them. They will only be expanding and I'm sure their need for faculty is much greater than ours. Also, the University of Phoenix offers a leading distance education program. Perhaps employment with them could be an option.
Please trust that I wish I could do more. This inquiry originally came to me from a Brookdale faculty member who has also taught Yvonne. She mentioned the same qualifications you have. Unfortunately, recommendations can only go so far and I can only do as much as pass them along. However, not all hope is lost. Ms. Singer should keep checking Brookdale's website to see if Job Openings are being posted. I mentioned to her in a previous email that once we get the OK to offer a fully on-line degree, our course offerings will greatly increase. Hopefully, this will take place Fall 2004 or Spring 2005.
In ending, I wish Ms. Singer luck in wherever this job search leads her. Distance Learning is a growing phenomenon at almost every institution across this country. If she is persistent, and I trust she is, she should have no trouble finding employment. As the demands increase, the supply will eventually follow.
Thank you
Susan
Susan Berger
Acting Manager, Distance Education Applications
Brookdale Community College
(732) 224-2159
sberger@brookdalecc.edu
At 11:30 AM 10/23/2003 -0400, you wrote:
Dear Prof. Berger
Yvonne Singer asked me to contact you about her application to work in Brookdale's distant education program. She is excellent.
Ms. Singer was my student in a literature course and a creative writing course. In these she consistently demonstrated outstanding analytical and creative abilities. She was also conscientious, never missing an assignment, and determined, always pushing herself to do better work.
Ms. Singer has wonderful computer skills, but since hers vastly exceed mine, I hesitate to describe them all. I do know that she has successfully undertaken many projects since graduating.
Please feel free to contact me, if you would like any additional information at rparis@monmouth.edu.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Paris
Associate Professor of English
Hello Yvonne,
I received your message requesting assistance in seeking employment. I am no longer in the Job Placement dept. and therefore do not have access to any job opportunities. You are a very thorough person and probably have canvassed numerous teaching institutions regarding teaching on-line courses. The only advice I can give you is to contact Thomas Edison State College in Trenton. They are a non-traditional college and their requirements may be different for on-line instruction.
If I hear of opportunities you might be interested in, I'll contact you.
Elaine Foley
Hi Lynne and Jackie,
I am forwarding the attached email from Yvonne Singer who is seeking employment at Brookdale.
Linda
P.S. Yvonne, Lynne Schmelter-Davis is the Department Chair for Psychology and Jackie Kugit is in Human Resources.
Dear Yvonne, It's nice to learn how much former students have achieved since attending one of my courses. However I have nothing to do with hiring policies at Brookdale or anywhere else, so I cannot be your advocate. Congratulations on your many achievements. T. Hicks
Dear Yvonne,
My name is Sandra Vensland. I am the Director of Disability Services at Walden University. Dr. Denise DeZolt gave to me an email regarding your request for an advocate to help you find a position in your field of study. Walden University does not provide this service, but you can receive advocate help through your state's Vocational Rehabilitation Office which is usually found under the Department of Economic Security in the state listings in your telephone book. If I can be of any further help, please let me know. I can be reached via email or phone: 612.338.7224, Extension 1205. Best of luck to you!
Sandy
Dear Ms. Singer,
I have received your e-mail asking for assistance in finding employment. Unfortunately, our office does not offer this kind of service. We are a legal services office and we represent in matters of Social Security, Landlord-tenant problems, etc.
I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goals.
Sincerely, anne wineland
Dear Ms. Singer,
Your email was forwarded to me in regards to your request for assistance for an advocate to help you in finding employment. I apologize for the confusion and subsequent letter advising that there were no positions available at NJP&A.
NJP&A is not the oraganization that would provide such services, the primary designated agency in the state is the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. You may contact the DVRS office in your county at:
60 Taylor Avenue
Neptune, NJ 07753-4888
(732)755-1799
They did not have an email address listed, but there is a website for the central office in Trenton, which may have an email address. The website is http://www.wnjpin.state.nj.us/
I hope this information proves useful. Should you run into problems with DVRS and are not able to resolve them directly, please feel free to contact our office for assistance with that issue.
Sincerely,
Maritza Williams
Intake Coordinator
New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
210 S. Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
(609) 292-9742
(800) 922-7233 (In NJ Only)
(609) 777-0187 Fax
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