The
NAASLN Website - A Part of Our Vision and Principles
The 2006 redesign of the current NAASLN website
represents the vision and principles of our association and is a
major step in better serving our membership. As an
association committed to ensuring and expanding opportunities for
adults with special learning needs, our new website has been developed
and will be maintained by the students attending the Project New Hope
Learning Center for computer training, a program of the Los Angeles
Unified School District, Division of Adult & Career Education,
Disability Support Program. Following is the story of how this happened.
Website Redesigned by
Students of the Los Angeles Unified School District,
Division of Adult & Career Education, Disability Support Program
By
Julie Wetzel, M.Ed.
Teacher Advisor
Los
Angeles Unified School District
Disability Support Program, DSP Training Director
Los Angeles, CA
When NAASLN
board member Terry Wetzel heard discussions about the problems with
the current NAASLN website, he began thinking of a creative
multi-leveled solution. Why not have some students with
disabilities help with the redesign and implementation? Terry
approached Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Adaptive
Computer Technology teacher, Kevin Termunde with his idea. Kevin
took it on with enthusiasm, keeping his adult students with
disabilities involved with the redesign from the beginning.
Kevin’s class is a
unique blend of funding from the non-profit organization, Project
New Hope, the California state Department of Rehabilitation, and
LAUSD. Twenty-four windows-based computer stations are housed in
the mid-town location developed by Project New Hope to assist their
clients with re-entry into the workforce after diagnosis ranging
from HIV to AIDS. The class allows them modifications based on
medical needs, as well as adaptations for any physical disabilities
they may have. Mr. Termunde has been with the LAUSD Division of
Adult and Career Education since 1985, and has been at the Project
New Hope site for the past seven years. He has had great success
with his students as they train for new careers ranging from data
entry to web-page design.
The idea of
redesigning the NAASLN website was a hit from the beginning.
Five students took on the challenge and worked with Kevin on all
aspects of the website. They assisted with the new design of the
template, input all of the data and content, edited photos,
structured the files, and experimented with different looks and
fonts, all leading to the new design. While the entire project took
longer than the expected six months, the extra time seemed
worthwhile. The most exciting part of the project for the students
is that they will continue to be the webmasters for the NAASLN
website, making changes as necessary.
For Kevin and Terry
it has been a project worth the time and effort. NAASLN
Communications Committee Chair, Joan Hudson-Miller, has also been an
instrumental partner in this process, meeting monthly with the
students to be sure that all changes are implemented as requested.
They are all pleased with the outcome and are looking forward to
more input from our associates in the field. Thank you Kevin and
students for all your hard work and dedication!
Visit
www.lausd-dsp.net
and
meet the wonderful people behind our website.
