The
Center for Students with Disabilities provides accommodations and
support services to help students achieve their college dreams.
The CSD recently purchased a new piece of equipment called the “Flipper
Panel” to assist students with visual impairment when reading
notes from the board or textbooks. 
The Flipper Panel is a new electronic device which comes with a 360-
degree adjustable, rolling camera and a personal screen.
The camera focuses on the area that needs to be read, while the screen
outputs an enlarged version of the text or object. Contrast, saturation
and color enhancement can be adjusted on the screen.
EPCC
sophomore MIchelle Adjemian, is using the
FlipperPanel at the Center for students with disbilities,
which enables her to to read a textbook on the screen.
Photo by Pan Chudabala
“I
think this is a great piece of equipment because students actually
take control of their education,” says Roman Hernandez, assistant
technology specialist. The CSD also got another new device that is
designed to assist in providing computer access to students who have
limited use of their hands, called the “Tracker Pro”.
The Tracker Pro is a combination of a camera, a Teflon transmitter
and “point and click” software. The camera captures the
transmitter dot which is placed on the user’s chin using the
reflection of light. The user controls the computer screen with the
dot and can click or double-click as needed.
“This common piece of equipment is a big plus for our students,”
said Joey Acosta, CSD computer lab aid. “We hope eventually
they‘ll have one for their own personal use.”
This new equipment and others are available for use by students at
no cost.
Disabled students will be trained to use the support equipment and
will be provided further assistance if they request it.
“We can’t provide ongoing support, but we’ll train
them so that when they do get their own equipment, they‘re ready
to rock and roll,” said Acosta.
The CSD offers services to students with any sort of disabilities,
including mental, physical, permanent, or temporary challenges. The
CSD offices are at every EPCC campus provide services such as note
takers, tutors, interpreters for the hearing impaired, and counselors,
as well as updated equipment.
“I believe that we have one of the finest programs in Texas,
and the college is very supportive of this department,” said
Jan Lockhart, CSD director.
