PEPNet Advancing educational opportunities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing Perspectives Fall 2007 www.pepnet.org A letter from Louise Tripoli, Project Officer, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Programs (OSERS) Dear Colleagues, It is my great pleasure to represent OSERS, and to introduce the new face of the PEPNet Regional Centers – currently in their third funding cycle (October 2006 – September 2011). One of the most important goals of the PEPNet centers in this new cycle is to help secondary, postsecondary, vocational, technical, continuing and adult education institutions to more effectively meet the needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with co-occurring disabilities, such as learning and emotional disabilities. To help accomplish this, the PEPNet Regional Centers are creating a shared identity and are developing best practices to ensure that educational opportunities for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing are provided equitably and more effectively virtually anywhere within the United States and its territories. The PEPNet Regional Centers have changed their names to emphasize this shared identity. The four Regional Centers are: PEPNet-Midwest• at Saint Paul College; PEPNet-Northeas• t at Rochester Institute of Technology; PEPNet-South• at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; PEPNet-West • at California State University, Northridge. Other new objectives for the Regional Centers include personnel development activities and an expansion of technology use activities. Technical assistance and dissemination activities remain as continued objectives. At the same time, OSERS also expanded the group of stakeholders to whom PEPNet provides resources to include secondary education staff, students and parents. Louise Tripoli In This Issue: PEPNet Goals• Using the Listserv• New Website• The PDC• 2008 Conference• Midwest Director• PEPNet Staff• Please turn to Tripoli, page 7. 2 • PEPNet Perspectives • Fall 2007 PEPNet LISTSERV Do you have questions related to education for students who are deaf/hard of hearing? Join the PEPNet listserv and post your question to more than 500 helpful people! Who’s on the list? Postsecondary Interpreters• Consultants• Administrators• Teachers• Speech-to-text Providers• Parents• Students• Transition Coordinators• Community and Rehabilitation Specialists• To subscribe to the list go to: http://listserv.uwm.edu/mailman/listinfo/pepnet If you need assistance contact: Cassie Franklin, Listserv Administrator csmanuel@uwm.edu PEPNet listserv subscribers also have access to the listserv FAQ Archives. The PEPNet Listserv “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) is a compilation of the most frequently discussed topics on the PEPNet Listserv. Original postings from members are selected for FAQ. More than 500 PEPNet Listserv members post an average of 15 topics and an average of 75 postings each month. FAQ topics are determined based on the frequency the topic appears on the list and the number of responses reported. Currently available in the archives: FAQ 1.05 - Service Provider Parking/Mileage Compensation FAQ 1.06 - Deaf Friendly Colleges FAQ 2.05 - The Impact of VRS on Postsecondary Institutions FAQ 3.05 - ESL Resources FAQ 4.05 - Interpreter Hours PEPNet Resources Perspectives Jane Nunes, Editor Editorial Board: Shannon Aylesworth Jennie Bourgeois Desiree Duda Mary Morrison Design, Layout, Copyediting by FotoBlender Graphics Special thanks to: Jorge Samper Kathleen Smith Published by PEPNet This publication was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and produced through a cooperative agreement between RIT and OSERS (H326D060004-02). The contents herein do not necessarily represent the Department of Education’s policy nor endorsement by the Federal Government. Missing something? If you missed a live PEPNet training, don’t fret--we have archived the Webcasts and TeleTrainings. They are available online through the PEPNet website. The archives are the next best thing to being there. Each archive has audio or video files from the training, a transcript, PowerPoint presentations and handouts. To view archives: 1. Go to www.pepnet.org 2. Click on Resources 3. Click on Training Materials 4. Click on the training you want to “attend.” 5. Click on the item you want to download--it will be saved or displayed on your computer. www.pepnet.org www.pepnet.org PEPNet website: New look, new info PEPNet’s new website has many familiar features but there is more—much more! Here are some valuable resources at your fingertips: • information about the PEPNet Conference • schedule of upcoming trainings - NEW! • testimonials from individuals - NEW! • subscription information for the PEPNet Listserv and past posts in the form of FAQs • free and low cost products and publications available from the PEPNet Dissemination Center (formerly called the PEPNet Resource Center) • free online trainings for education professionals: Orientation, Transition, and Notetaking - NEW! • links to regional sites for a listing of advisory committee members and information about each regional outreach site - NEW! • regional center directories with contact information for PEPNet family members in regional offices and outreach sites Check often. We update frequently. PEPNet Perspectives • Fall 2007 • 3 4 • PEPNet Perspectives • Fall 2007 National Scope — Local Focus PEPNet’s three-pronged approach improves educational access for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. 1 Technical Assistance & Dissemination Linking state, regional, and national educators, service providers, individuals, and technologists in a cooperative network. 2 Personnel Development: Creating and promoting training opportunities for education and rehabilitation professionals on transition, secondary, and postsecondary educational services for students who are deaf. 3 Technology Utilization: Demonstrating technology that provides access to and accommodations within programs for individuals who are deaf. Learn more. Visit our website: www.pepnet.org STSN Logo contest offers cash prize Your art and design skills could net a $250 award in the Speech-to- Text Services Network’s (STSN) logo competition. STSN is looking for a new logo that graphically expresses their broad range of stakeholders, and the group’s goals and mission: to provide information and support for speech to text technology and to foster speech to text service excellence. The logo design entry judged the best gets the cash. For entry and other information about the logo competition, or to learn more about STSN, go to www.stsn.org New name, same great resources New products, more technology usher in new funding cycle PDC resources The PDC (PEPNet Dissemination Center) previously known as the PEPNet Resource Center (PRC), has a name change but has not altered its mission. The PDC established its repository of training and informational materials in 1997 and continues to operate out of the PEPNet- West regional office at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN). The PDC’s materials, created or collected by PEPNet’s four regional centers, are updated and new products continue to be developed when training needs are identified. Hundreds of products are delivered monthly. Tony Ivankovic has been at the helm of the PDC since its inception and has seen a lot of change in the way the PDC produces and delivers products that assist in advancing educational opportunities of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. In the “old” days, common media were videocassettes, printed matter and occasionally, computer disks. These materials are now rare and CDs, DVDs and the Internet are the new media of choice. “And that’s a good thing,” Tony says, as the first year of the third funding cycle comes to an end. “It’s time for change, and we can better meet our goals with technology.” “Computers and the Internet,” Tony continues, “have proven to be essential for programs working with secondary and postsecondary deaf and hard of hearing students around the US and beyond.” In the last few years Tony and his PEPNet colleagues across the country have identified areas where technology can improve the production and delivery of PDC products, while lowering or eliminating their cost. For example, many training and educational materials can be downloaded from the PEPNet website for free—and more online materials are added to the site regularly. Most of the printed matter is already in .pdf format. PEPNet’s goal is to continually streamline the process of getting materials on line and to make production even more cost effective. PDC’s information and training materials come in a variety of formats—handbooks, curricula, articles, videotapes, CD-ROMs, conference proceedings, fact sheets, service guidelines and standards, models of effective practice, start-up strategy kits and more. DVD and CD products may be ordered online. A search engine is available on the PDC website to find PEPNet products that meet your training needs. Products may be searched by categories such as media type (Booklets, DVDs, CDs, etc.), audience (Interpreters, Teachers, etc.), or subject/topic. With the advancement of technology, many of the PDC products are also available for downloading. If you are interested in finding available products please visit the link below. Tony Ivankovic in his natural habitat http://www.pepnet.org/resproducts.asp PEPNet 2008 Conference Putting the Pieces Together April 15-18, 2008 The Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet) will hold its biennial conference, Putting the Pieces Together, on April 15-18, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio at the Hyatt Regency Columbus hotel. The conference is sponsored by the four Regional Centers on Postsecondary Education for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, which are funded by U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services. PEPNet 2008 will provide opportunities for professional development and networking with peers who provide similar services. Past conferences have attracted administrators, counselors, interpreters, tutors, faculty members from disability services, student development, developmental studies and college-level courses. We welcome interested secondary- level faculty and staff, adult service providers from rehabilitation agencies and centers for independent living, etc. to participate in this conference. Proposed topics include implementing best practices, enhancing student transition, establishing and using professional networks, preparing for changes in professional roles, using technology effectively, accommodating changing demographics, tracking legislative trends and impacts, devising creative funding approaches, deivering support services, planning career goals, handling job placement issues, and other topics of professional interest. Pre-conference workshops begin Tuesday, April 15, and the conference itself opens that evening at 7 p.m. with a plenary presentation. Have some fun at the opening reception on Tuesday night by wearing a t-shirt or cap from your campus and show your school colors. The conference closes at about 2 p.m. on Friday. Plan to stay through the closing plenary session and luncheon – you won’t be disappointed! PEPNet 2008 Registration Deadline March 17, 2008 More Information at www.pepnet.org Photos, Top: PEPNet Directors (l to r) Marcia Kolvitz, Cathy McLeod, Dianne Brooks and Dave Buchkoski celebrate a successful PEPNet 2006 conference. Above: Tech Bill Anilosky readies video for conference access. Left: PEN-International Director Jim DeCaro facilitates a presentation. PEPNet Perspectives • Fall 2007 • 7 These new stakeholders join the postsecondary institutions, vocational rehabilitation and community agency personnel currently being served. Understanding the challenges and opportunities facing deaf and hard of hearing students as they transition from secondary to postsecondary education and employment is a very personal issue to me. I have a Master’s in Deaf Education and I received my Ph.D. from Gallaudet University in Administration and Supervision of Special Education. In addition to overseeing the PEPNet grant, I oversee grants in personnel preparation, technology and media, research and the state deaf/blind programs. It is with this background that I feel uniquely qualified to provide guidance, support and resources. I look forward to working with the PEPNet Directors and their staff to support them in achieving their goals. It is an honor to be working with the PEPNet family, who care about the success of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. I look forward to seeing you at the PEPNet national conference in April 2008! Midwest region has new director Elise Knopf joins PEPNet as the new Director of PEPNet-Midwest. With more than 15 years of experience in the disability and human services field, she takes over the director’s reins from Dave Buchkoski, who is retiring after 11 years with PEPNet. Elise began building her career in Iowa, earning a BA in History from Cornell College, then moved to Washington, DC to serve as a Legislative Correspondent for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin from 1989 to 1992 during the development and historic enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1994, with the ink barely dry on her new MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from Gallaudet University, Elise moved to Boston and worked for four years with the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as a case manager. In 1998 Elise returned to the Midwest to work for Communication Services for the Deaf of Minnesota as Refugee Case Manager, and later as the Interim Division Director. Since January 2000, she has been the Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Employment Center for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Elise also currently chairs the Minnesota Commission Serving People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Elise Knopf PEPNet News Directors and staff representatives from PEPNet’s four regions are all smiles at the conclusion of a successful Strategic Planning Meeting in Jan. 2007. The meeting, held at the National Center on Deafness at California State University, Northridge, set an agenda of collaboration among the four centers. Joining them are Louise Tripoli, PEPNet Project Officer; Roz Rosen, NCOD Director; and Nancy Bloch, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of the Deaf and facilitator for planning sessions. Tripoli Continued from page 1. PEPNet-Midwest provides training and resources to: Illinois • Indiana • Iowa Kansas • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri Nebraska • North Dakota • Ohio Oklahoma • South Dakota • Wisconsin Staff Regional Staff Elise Knopf • Director elise.knopf@pepnet.org 651-846-1437 v/vp 651-846-1527 tty Jorge Maldonado • Information Technology Manager jorge.maldonado@pepnet.org 651-846-1601 v/vp 651-846-1602 tty Toufong Vang • Data Administrator toufong.vang@pepnet.org 651-846-1338 v 651-846-1538 tty Sue Wickstrom • Project Assistant susan.wickstrom@pepnet.org 651-846-1337 v 651-846-1537 tty Robert Wood • Information Technology robert.wood@pepnet.org 651-846-1681 v Outreach Staff Ginny Chiaverina • Outreach Specialist ginny.chiaverina@pepnet.org 414-229-1123 v Kaye Ellis • Outreach Specialist kaye.ellis@pepnet.org 918-595-7429 v 918-595-7434 tty Cassie Franklin • Outreach Specialist cassie.franklin@pepnet.org 414-229-3871 vp/tty Beth Keller • Outreach Specialist beth.keller@pepnet.org 651-846-1532 vp/tty Rondalyn Reynolds • Outreach Specialist rreynold@tulsacc.edu 918-595-7541 v 918-595-7434 tty Bambi Riehl • Outreach Specialist bambi.riehl@pepnet.org 414-229-2343 v/tty Consultants Heidi Adams • Outreach Specialist heidi.adams@pepnet.org 815-332-6834 v 815-332-6820 tty Shannon Aylesworth • Speech-to-Text Services shannon.aylesworth@pepnet.org 414-229-3340 v Ann Gronlund • Community Rehabilitation ann.gronlund@pepnet.org 815-332-6636 v 815-332-6820 tty Diane Jones • Community Rehabilitation diane.jones@pepnet.org 815-332-6801 v 815-332-6820 tty Anthony Mirabile • Technology Specialist anthony.mirabile pepnet.org 815-332-6824 v 815-332-6820 tty Greta Palmberg • Transition Specialist greta.palmberg@pepnet.org 651-846-1781 v PEPNet-Midwest Regional Office PEPNet-Midwest Saint Paul College 235 Marshall Avenue St. Paul, MN 55102 651-846-1337 v 651-846-1537 tty 651-221-1339 fax pepnetmidwest@pepnet.org PEPNet-Northeast PEPNet-Northeast provides training and resources to: Connecticut • Delaware • District of Columbia • Maine Maryland • Massachusetts • New Hampshire New Jersey • New York • Pennsylvania • Puerto Rico Rhode Island • U.S. Virgin Islands • Vermont Staff Regional Staff Dianne Brooks • Director dkbnca@rit.edu 585-475-6433 v/tty Pat Billies • Associate Director pabnca@rit.edu 585-475-5980 v/tty Barbara Milliman • Staff Assistant bamnod@rit.edu 585-475-6433 v/tty Sheila Reasoner • Staff Accountant Smr8574@rit.edu 585-475-6753 v/tty Patrick Smith • Webpage/Database/System Administrator patricksmith@mail.rit.edu 585-475-2359 v/tty Gerard Walter • Project Consultant ggwncp@rit.edu 585-475-7567 v/tty Pamela Francis • C-Print Training Coordinator pggncp@rit.edu 585-475-6019 v/tty Anne Alepoudakis • C-Print Project Staff Assistant apanod@rit.edu 585-475-2809 v/tty Outreach Staff Desiree Duda • Outreach Specialist desiree.duda@pepnet.org 203-854-5371 v/tty Josie Durkow • Outreach Specialist josie.durkow@pepnet.org 856-468-1660 v/tty Lori Hutchison • Outreach Specialist lori.hutchison@pepnet.org 814-467-8030 v/tty Barbara Keefe • Outreach Specialist barbara.keefe@pepnet.org 207-781-6209 v/tty Jane Nunes • Outreach Specialist jane.nunes@pepnet.org 603-557-9092 v/text Regional Office PEPNet-Northeast Rochester Institute of Technology 52 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5607 585-475-6433 v/tty pepnetnortheast@rit.edu PEPNet-South provides training and resources to: Alabama • Arkansas • Florida Georgia • Kentucky • Louisiana Mississippi • North Carolina South Carolina • Tennessee Texas • Virginia West Virginia PEPNet-South Staff Regional Staff Marcia Kolvitz • Director marcia.kolvitz@pepnet.org 317-997-4273 v Michelle Swaney • Technology Specialist michelle.swaney@pepnet.org 865-974-0607 v/tty Missey Wright • Technology Specialist missey.wright@pepnet.org 865-974-0607 v/tty Jennifer Brown • Accounting Specialist jennifer.brown@pepnet.org 865-974-0607 v/tty Outreach Staff Jennie Bourgeois • Outreach Specialist jennie.bourgeois@pepnet.org 225-578-4913 v Katherine Bruni • Outreach Specialist katherine.bruni@pepnet.org 404-406-8194 v Tricia Davis • Outreach Specialist tricia.davis@pepnet.org 859-622-8156 v/tty Amy Hebert • Outreach Specialist amy.hebert@pepnet.org 501-683-7629 v/tty Patricia Varner-Bland • Outreach Specialist patricia.varner-bland@pepnet.org 864-250-8878 v Consultants Cindy Camp • Consultant cindy.camp@pepnet.org 256-782-8387 v Sharon Downs • Product Development sharon.downs@pepnet.org 501-569-3143 v Regional Office PEPNet-South University of Tennessee A239 Bailey Education Complex 1126 Volunteer Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37996-3442 865-974-0607 v/tty 865-974-3522 fax pepnet-south@utk.edu PEPNet-West Alaska • American Samoa • ArizonaCalifornia • Colorado • Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands • Federated States of Micronesia • Guam • Hawaii • Idaho • Montana Nevada • New Mexico • Oregon • The Republic of the Marshall Islands • The Republic of PalauUtah • Washington • WyomingPEPNet-West provides training and resources to: Staff Regional Staff • Cathy McLeod Director cathy.mcleod@pepnet.org • Dr. Roz RosenProject Principal InvestigatorNCOD Director roz.rosen@csun.edu • Anthony Ivankovic Resource Dissemination anthony.ivankovic@pepnet.org • Van Nguyen Information Technology van.nguyen@pepnet.org • Adria Rhyne Project Assistant adria.rhyne@pepnet.org • Mary Morrison Associate Director mary.morrison@pepnet.org 406-243-4145 v/tty Outreach Staff • Timothy ChevalierOutreach Specialist tim.chevalier@pepnet.org 866-885-6087 • Cheryl DavisOutreach Specialist davisc@wou.edu503-838-8053 Regional OfficePEPNet-West California State University, Northridge18111 Nordhoff StreetNorthridge, CA 91330-8267818-677-2099 v818-677-6270 fax Consultants • Dr. Leilani JohnsonDirector -Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training • Anne LevyExecutive Director- Community Outreach Programs for the Deaf • Dr. Ruth Loew Assistant Director- Educational Testing Service • Rosemary DiazConsultant rosemary.diaz@pepnet.org PEPNet Perspectives • Fall 2007 • 11 PEPNet-Northeast Rochester Institute of Technology 52 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5604 WestMidwestSouthNortheast PEPNet’s national network of regional centers provides resources, information and expertise to enhance educational opportunities for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. We work with: Two- and Four-Year Colleges• Universities• Secondary Education Programs• Continuing Education Programs• Adult Basic Education Programs• Vocational Training Programs• Community Rehabilitation Programs• www.pepnet.org