The People involved with the Purdue Universal Access Initiative

Dean Brusnighan Dean Brusnighan joined the Adaptive Programs staff in March 1994 as a Program Specialist. In this position, Dean is a resource for students with a wide variety of permanent physical disabilities and chronic medical conditions. He also assists students with temporary disabilities such as broken arms or legs. Dean's awareness of adaptive computer technology for students with disabilities allows him to work closely with the adaptive technology computer lab on campus to maintain a high standard of accessibility to computers for students who need it. Contact information: 765-49-41256 dabrus@purdue.edu

David Schwarte David Schwarte graduated from Purdue University in 1995 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was subsequently hired as the Adaptive Programs Specialist for the Adaptive Learning Programs (ALPS) lab. At one point David was an Instructional Computing Coordinator with the Computing Center and assisted several academic departments with their varied computing needs. Currently, he is an Adaptive Technology Specialist with Instructional Computing Services a division of the Office of the Vice President of Information Technology. David works to personally assist students who have disabilities so that they may reach their academic goals through the use of technology. Contact information: 765-49-44387 schwarte@purdue.edu

Mary Ann Ferkis Mary Ann Ferkis graduated from Purdue University with a Ph.D. and M.S. in Special Education. While pursuing her studies, Mary Ann was hired as the Instructional Accommodations Specialist at Adaptive Programs, which is division within the Office of the Dean of Students that serves students with disabilities. In her position, Mary Ann serves as a liaison between instructors, students with disabilities, and staff; coordinates the implementation of technology-based classroom accommodations; and, develops and presents educational programs to the campus community. Contact information: 765-49-62609 maferkis@purdue.edu

Timothy J. Nordland Tim Nordland has been actively involved in Internet and Web development the past nine years. He has published over thirty Web sites for small businesses locally and nationally. He is a graduate with distinction of Purdue University's School of Technology. He has been employed the last fourteen years by Purdue, previously involved with audio/visual services, photographic services, and as Webmaster for the former Center for Instructional Services. He also has been involved in Internet applications and development of several traditional courses, distance learning courses, departments, and student organizations. He is currently Webmaster for the School of Veterinary Medicine and is the Faculty Advisor to the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation. Contact information: 765-49-66145 webdog@purdue.edu>

William Hanks Bill Hanks has been Assistant Director for Computer Operations at Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities since 1988. When a student reported that one of the department's webpages was inaccessible, Bill didn't even know what that meant. However, he worked with other members of PUAI and quickly learned the ropes. After a complete redesign of the department website, Bill began teaching his interns to keep accessibility as one of the top considerations in any webpage. Now he consults with faculty and staff to assist them in making their websites fully accessible and helps present periodic workshops on the topic. "My goal," he says, "is not to impress users with the latest bells and whistles. My goal is to convey the same, complete message to every user who visits our website. A good website should help equalize the playing field for a person with disabilities. Instead, too many of them just lay down additional roadblocks. That is a horrible waste of one of the world's greatest resources." Contact information: 765-49-45584 billhanks@purdue.edu

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