Tests, projects and research papers—a telltale sign that school is back in session.
College poses many challenges that most students are familiar with, but for those who face physical or psychological challenges, Dr. Gwyneth Tracy, coordinator of the Disabled Services and Programs for Students department, has developed many solutions.
“It’s to level the playing field,” Tracy says. “It [the program at City College] provides accommodations so that students have equal opportunity to succeed academically.”
Tracy grew up during a cross-cultural journey that included Berkeley, England and Thailand, and credits her experiences abroad in helping her understand what it is like to be “different”.
Tracy’s career helping the disabled began in Spokane, WA as a part-time speech pathologist. After pursuing several educational paths, combined her interest in community colleges, adult learners and program development for special populations into her doctorate in education from Washington State University.
Drawing on her experience evaluating DSPS programs statewide and later working in the California Community College Chancellor’s office, Tracy came to City College in 2005 and was presented an “opportunity to implement many of those best practices I had seen…all in one college.”
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The department also offers a high tech center featuring assistive technology computers and software that can read aloud text from a screen, take dictation or even scan an entire book to be enlarged or played back verbally. Even something as simple as the furniture in a classroom can be important.
“Tables and chairs are actually a huge accommodation item for people who have back pain or are in wheelchairs.” Tracy says about the small desks that most students use. “If we can justify it for them ,we will order a table and chair to be put in the classroom and reserved for them.
One of the students Tracy has seen excel with help from DSPS is Ruth Welland, who is a visually impaired vocal music major and leader of the campus disability support organization Voices of Hope. Tracy calls Welland a “stellar student” whose “growth has been awe- inspiring.”
“[I want to] bridge the gap of communication between students who are challenged and mainstream campus life to help eliminate obstacles that can sometimes be frustrating or discouraging,” Welland says. Welland says that the services provided by the staff at the DSPS have been instrumental in her growth as a student.
“Any time I’ve had an issue I’ve gone to Gwen (Tracy) and she has followed through on it and gotten results,” Welland says. “I wouldn’t be as far along as I am without them. They have been very supportive of the Voices of Hope club.”
