Accommodating Technologies Committee

Minutes of 1/28/98 Meeting

Present: G. Allen, M. Belsky, S. Blosser, J. Eulenberg, D. Fisher, D.Forro, T. Hwang, M. Hudson, N. Lucas, J. Renuk, K. Rivard, R. Thomas, R. Wittick; Interpreters: J. Doerr, G. Martz.

1. The meeting was called to order by Eulenberg at 2:04 p.m.

2. Minutes of ATC's 1/21/98 meeting were revised and accepted (Hudson; Fisher).

3. Chairman Eulenberg noted that there remain but two weeks until our committee's recommendations are due in Vice Provost Hunt's office. Updates of his materials will be ready for our next meeting, 2/4/98.

4. Fisher reported on the issue of talking signs. After viewing a 90 minute video about this technology, furnished him by Hudson, he would like to see a demonstration here at MSU. He also recommends other ATC members view the video. Hudson has used the Smith-Kettlewell system, and he noted that it would be useful on CATA buses, as well as on campus. He further said that Mr. Ward Bond, the company's president, will likely be visiting the MSU campus later this spring. Eulenberg reminded the committee that earlier requests related to signage were said by Dr. Hunt to fall outside the ATC's mission. However, Renuk suggested we look at other possible uses for IR technology on campus; Fisher concurred and suggested that having a demo on campus would open up the question and encourage wider discussion. A subcommittee consisting of Blosser, Hudson, Renuk (chair), and Thomas was unanimously established to look at possible uses of wireless technologies at MSU (moved Renuk, seconded Forro). Considerable discussion ensued concerning the timing, overall purposes, and scope of the proposed demonstration. Lucas inquired as to whether it might not be a good idea to have an item on this topic in this year's APP&R, even if we do not ask for any funding, simply to advise Dr. Hunt that we are considering the issue. Wittick commented that this strategy has been followed by one or more of the CCSAC committees in the past, and Eulenberg agreed that it seems like a good idea.

Lucas further inquired whether Dr. Hunt had not asked the ATC to address policy issues; Eulenberg agreed that he had, for example ergonomics as a universal policy at MSU.

It was moved (Forro) and seconded (Lucas) that Fisher, Hudson, and Hwang be charged with the task of preparing appropriate text on talking signs for our current APP&R.

5. Hudson announced that he will present a paper entitled "The MSU Talking Tactile Map Project: Advancement Through Collaboration" at CSUN, March 17-21, 1998.

6. Eulenberg announced that the School of Music is continuing work on a proposed request for the Disklavier.

7. Eulenberg reported that he has spoken with Lew Greenberg concerning training for students who will need adaptive technology in advance of the time they actually begin to use it. Greenberg has no problem with training for groups of such students, e.g., five or more, but one-to-one training falls outside the scope of his responsibilities. It may be possible for OPHS to take on this training, and Chmielewski, Eulenberg, and Hudson will meet with Dean Lee June to discuss it further.

8. The meeting was adjourned (moved: Blosser ; seconded: Lucas) at 3:09 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

George D. Allen, Recording Secretary