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From: DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET (Bob Zenhausern)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Big Computer Person
Message-ID: <16635@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 8 Jan 91 13:27:25 GMT
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Reply-To: DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET (Bob Zenhausern)
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Index Number: 12709

[This is from the BLIND-L mailing list]

I am in the process of developing a program similiar to Big
Brothers/Sisters based on telecomputing.  It represents an
extension of this type of program to a long distance version based
on the computer networks.  It grew out of several projects that I
will briefly describe to give an idea of the nature of the project.
A blind mentally retarded HS student in rural Virginia (Anne
Pemberton, who is frequently on Altlearn@sjuvm.bitnet is the
teacher) has been communicating (albeit reluctantly and
sporadically at this point) with a blind handicap advocate in NY
City (Tzipporah BenAvraham, who is another frequent contributor to
Altlearn).  I want to expand this so that blind college students
can act as a Computer Big Person to visually impaired elementary
school children.  Similar projects can be developed for the hearing
and physically impaired.  In terms of educationally disabled I am
developing my Direct Access reading program in NY City and one
elementary school has a population of learning disabled attendance
problem children who are part of a computer after school program.
I am setting them up with learning disabled HS students in rural
Virginia who will act as their Big Computer Persons.  I have
already posted some preliminary messages on Bitnet and a professor
of education in Buffalo has expressed interest in getting her
elementary ed students involved.  She especially wants to show them
that a computer can be more than a number cruncher.  Perhaps her
students would be interested in acting as Big Computer Person to
both groups.  I am not sure of what would happen, but it should be
interesting.

The project is still in its formative stages and I am looking for
those who are interested on any level.  Just subscribe to
Altlearn@sjuvm.bitnet and say hello.

Bob Zenhausern, Ph.D.      Compusererve: 72440.32@compuserve.com
Professor of Psychology          Bitnet: drz@sjuvm
St. John's University
SB 15 Marillac
Jamaica, NY 11439
718-990-6447

A Jack of All Trades Looking for Masters