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Informatics is interesting to me because in a very broad sense, informatics is how people
apply technology. I've always been interested computers and other forms of technology. With
my disability, computers are a good way to go as a form of professional work. My friend
told me about it. I looked into it and I never looked back.
Hi, I'm Var Brynildssen and I'm student at IU. I'm a sophomore. I'm from around Bloomington.
I grew up here all my life. I like to hang out with my friends, go out to eat, go to
Starbucks and so on. If I have free time and I happen to not be doing something with my
friends, I'll get out my laptop and do some work. Or, I will sit around and text or do
whatever.
High school was very different because I had a personal aid that was with me the vast majority
of the days I was in the school. Basically, it was a very different experience because
I had multiple levels of support in place. In college now, a lot of the time I am on
my own completely. My sister helped me get to and from class with driving and so on.
It's a big difference and it's really comforting to know that I am more independent now. I'm
not in need of constant aid.
They equipped me with a power desk with two buttons on it that are able to raise and lower
the height of the desk so that I don't have to do it manually. Obviously, for someone
like me that is a little more difficult to do that. What they did was set me up with
a specialized chair. It's called a "saddle chair". It was a great experience. I just
love the freedom. Honestly, I love my family to death, but it's really nice to feel more
independent. You can ask my family as well -- it's something that has always been a big
deal with me. I want to be as independent as I can. Living on my own in a whole other
feeling. I love it.
Well I think it is important because as people we want to be as successful as we can. At
least, I know that I do. I want to advance myself as much as possible. The best way to
do that is to do the best work possible. Assistive technology has made that possible.
If you have a disability like me, or any sort of setback, something holding you back, you
need it to help you succeed.
The INDATA Project is a great resource for high school students that helps them transition
to the next phase of their life -- whether that be going into a job, or living independently
or going on and furthering their education.
I would define assistive technology as assisting others that do not have the ability to perform
on a normal basis. In my case, I was not able to perform my duties doing any data entry
work without a system. I couldn't do it. Hello, my name is Tawone Gillespie and I am an employee
with the Mayor's Action Center. I am a customer service representative, where we take all
city service requests, complaints, concerns and comments for the citizens of Indianapolis.
In 2009 and 2010, I began to lose my vision in the good eye. My work performance began
to decline extremely. I wasn't able to perform the duties in which I was assigned to do.
Being in my case, you can feel as though life stops. You begin to feel that you can't go
on, on a regular day's life. You don't feel you're able to perform in certain areas. It
brings you down. Using assistive technology gives me the ability to perform as an able
person because you feel like you're not a normal person anymore. I believe assistive
technology is greatly needed to help others to perform duties as normal as possible.
It's been a rewarding experience. Crossroads has really introduced me to technology that
I did not know existed. It has really helped me to perform my duties accurately.
The INDATA Loan Library is a great resource for high school students transitioning into
work or furthering their education. They're able to take advantage of the 2700 hundred
items we have in our library, check out that equipment and help them increase their independence
in the classroom or in the work environment.