CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE : Support for the Disabled Is Cited

Cal State Northridge has received national recognition from the American Assn. of State Colleges and Universities for its efforts in providing technological support for people with physical disabilities, college officials said.

CSUN was singled out for an award because of its computer access lab, which provides these students with adapted computers to address their needs.

“We feel honored to receive this recognition from this organization, especially since CSUN has pioneered in the development of technological support services that have ensured the success of disabled students,” said Harry Murphy, director of disabled student services at CSUN.

CSUN researchers Neil Scott and Marshall Raskind developed a new computer speech synthesis system, “Sound Proof,” for the lab. The system provides speech input and output for the physically disabled. Scott developed another device called the Universal Access System, which also was recognized by the national organization.

In addition, Scott and Raskind have developed systems to aid people with physical disabilities in improving their writing, organizational and study skills.

“We want to allow persons with disabilities to be judged on their abilities, rather than on their disabilities,” Scott said.

CSUN has a disabled student population of about 1,000 out of an overall enrollment of 30,000, making the university’s ratio of disabled students one of the highest in the nation.

The American Assn. of State Colleges and Universities is a Washington-based higher education organization that represents more than 375 state colleges and universities nationwide.