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Rachel Kruzel discusses how technology helps students with disabilities at Augsburg

Rachel Kruzel, head of the Augsburg College CLASS Office’s Groves Technology Lab, recently wrote an article for HigherEd Tech Decisions that discusses how Augsburg is embracing technologies that help students with learning disabilities. In the article, “How Augsburg College Helps Students Disabilities Take Better Notes with Technology,” Kruzel states that Augsburg has begun offering a software package that helps students record and organize audio of their lectures in lieu of traditional written notes, which can be difficult for students with dyslexia or ADHD.

Kruzel shares that about 5 percent of students at Augsburg have some type of learning disability. She hopes that this technology will help students perform at a level that more accurately reflects their capacity.

“These students’ level of intelligence may be above average, but because they struggle with the traditional college notetaking format, they may fail to reach their potential,” she writes.

Augsburg Welcomes Kids for a "Sports Extravaganza"

sports_daySince 1999, Augsburg Students from the Health and Physical Education Department (HPE) hold an annual one-day event for children with disabilities called “Sports Extravaganza.”  Children with both mental and physical disabilities get the unique chance to use Augsburg’s dome to participate in activities and games, including: parachute, cage ball, soccer, beach ball volleyball, relay races jump rope, and dance.

Augsburg students in the HPE 254 (Introduction to Development and Adapted Physical Education) class both organize and participate with elementary children in Grades 3-6 from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other nearby suburban schools.  In this way, Augsburg students give back to their community, gain valuable experience working with children with disabilities, and everyone has fun in the process. Not only do the HPE students teach and interact with these young children, they also share encouraging messages and cheer the children to do their best. Continue reading “Augsburg Welcomes Kids for a "Sports Extravaganza"”

Augsburg Sets the Trend in Disability Services for Students

dis_awareOctober is the month devoted to educating the public about learning and physical disabilities.  Augsburg’s Center for Learning and Adaptive Student Services (CLASS) serves as the primary service provider on campus for individuals with disabilities, with programs and accommodations for students with learning, attentional, psychiatric or other cognitive disabilities.

The CLASS office is one of a select few college services that offers disability services at no additional cost beyond regular tuition. CLASS’s goal is to assist academically qualified students with disabilities reach their individual potential and access the Augsburg College experience on campus. Continue reading “Augsburg Sets the Trend in Disability Services for Students”