National Center on Disability & Journalism » education

Tallahassee.com

cassandranicholson — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:45:33 +0000

Young adult with disability an inspiration to students

Several high school students listen attentively to the young man standing before them. Not long ago, Jesse Riddle, who has a learning disability, had been sitting where they are.

But with drive and determination, he is living his dream of helping people with disabilities find employment. In the process, he has become an inspiration for the students of Osceola County.

Downtown Devil

cassandranicholson — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:35:15 +0000

Student doesn’t let blindness hold her back from pursuing her dreams

A girl sits on a couch, laughing and smiling frequently. Her colorful, bright dress matches her vibrant personality. A black Labrador, Olivia, is sprawled on the carpet contentedly. She’s never too far away from her owner, criminal justice sophomore Katherine Chavez.

In conversation, Katherine has a peculiar tendency to look above the head of whomever she’s speaking with, like she expects the person to be taller than he or she really is. It’s a rough subject to bring up, as if calling attention to the elephant in the room. But why does she do that?

The answer: Katherine can’t see.

The New York Times

Jake Geller — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:12:33 +0000

I Had Polio. I Also Have Sex.

I SPOKE at an AIDS conference not long ago, and after the talk, someone asked me how I had contracted H.I.V. “Well,” I replied, “sexually.” Staring at my crutches, which I have used since I got polio as a child, she exclaimed, “But how?”

The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.)

Jake Geller — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Proposal to allow fees at ISD, ISVI causing a stir

Legislation that could require parents of blind or deaf children to pay additional school fees is causing a stir amongst advocates for those with special needs.

WLTX-TV (Columbia, S.C.)

Jake Geller — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:48:25 +0000

Student Recognized for Academic Excellence Despite Disability

When someone hears that a child has a disability they may think of down syndrome or being physically disabled. But imagine having a disability that no one can see and others thinking you’re just plain difficult.

KULR-TV (Billings, Mont.)

Jake Geller — Mon, 30 May 2011 05:00:34 +0000

West grad does not let disability slow him down

West High School graduate Christian Johnson was born with Cerebral Palsy. It’s a condition caused by brain injuries usually within the womb. While the severity varies, Johnson has had limited use of his legs for most of his life.

The Pueblo (Co.) Chieftain

Jake Geller — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:16:52 +0000

City schools didn’t violate girl’s rights, judge rules

Pueblo City Schools didn’t violate the rights of a special needs student, who at times was unable to control herself, by repeatedly confining her in a restraint device, a judge has ruled.

The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post

Jake Geller — Sun, 15 May 2011 04:51:37 +0000

Journalism major spotlights disability challenges at FAU

Joanne Marszal was born four months premature and suffers from cerebral palsy. She’s been confined to a wheelchair for all of her 23 years.

The Washington Post

Jake Geller — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:48:22 +0000

Deaf college football fan sues University of Kentucky, wants captions on scoreboard

A deaf University of Kentucky football season ticket holder is suing the school, seeking to force the Wildcats to put closed-captioning on the scoreboards at Commonwealth Stadium.

University of Buffalo (N.Y.) Spectrum

Jake Geller — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:10:22 +0000

A Shameful Low in Higher Education

Eight years ago, the University at Buffalo agreed to make this campus accessible to the roughly 500 disabled students who attend every year. Today, almost a decade later, UB has failed to follow through on that promise.