Lamar University has unveiled its new assistive technology lab, a dedicated space for students with disabilities that allows them access to an area where they can be trained on how to use technology to access information. The facility, located in 106 Cherry Annex Building across from Gray Library, opened Oct. 29.
The facility is the first of its kind in the Texas State University System. Kyle Mutz, director of the disability resource center, said it is good to have a space where students, especially freshmen or newer students, who may not be confident in their ability to use technology, can get help.
“It’s going to have a huge impact on the students,” he said. “For the student who maybe has dyslexia and who never knew that books can be read to them, it’s going to cut down on that extra time that they are having to spend having somebody else read to them, rather than having a piece of technology that they can use themselves and be independent, and have the technology cater to them.”
The goal for the technology in the lab is for students not to have to rely on other people, Mutz said.
“We want them to become independent so they can be able to do this stuff on their own,” he said. “I feel like some people who do have disabilities feel like they need to rely on other people and that can be really daunting. We’re all human — we want to be able to do things for ourselves. When it’s taken away from you, it’s not a good feeling.”
The lab has computers with built-in technology that can cater to specific disabilities. When the student knows the resources available, it can help in every part of the college experience, Mutz said.
“It also increases that person’s confidence, not only while they are here at Lamar, but lessons they will carry with them even when they leave,” he said. “When they are working, they’ll know how to use technology in a job. It can become a ripple effect.”
Mutz said Erin Tabor, disability resource center associate director and Kristin Romero, access coordinator, have been instrumental in establishing the lab, as well as the division of global diversity and inclusion and intercultural affairs.
“We spent a lot of time planning for that lab because we want to bring the best services for students at Lamar,” Mutz said. “It was the DRC’s plan to bring a lot of student-centered activities to students.”
Mutz said the disability resource center provides students a space to feel accepted.
“We’re here, ultimately, to be supportive and we want students with disabilities to be seen just as any other student,” he said. “We want students to be seen, no matter who they are, where they come from, disability or not, to have equal opportunity. I think no matter who the student is, whether they have a disability or not, that they bring value.”
For more information, contact drc@lamar.edu, or visit the office in 105 Communications Building.