Volunteers help students with disabilities

Disability Accommodation Services at California State University Channel Islands is actively recruiting volunteers to read textbooks for students with print-related disabilities. Readers are needed for the spring 2004 semester, which will begin on Feb. 2 and continue until the end of May.

The program is an ideal form of community service for those who like to read and are interested in learning about new subjects, according to the school.

Tape recorders and tapes will be provided to volunteers who will record themselves reading textbooks and return, in supplied envelopes, the tapes to the Disability Accommodation Services office to be distributed to students.

Volunteers may work in their own homes, according to their own schedules. Reading assignments are about 30 to 50 pages per week for the 15-week semester. Assignments require a time commitment of three to five hours per week, but readers may opt to complete assignments quicker if they desire.

Volunteers will read textbooks from a wide variety of college courses. When possible, the Disability Accommodation Services coordinator will attempt to match readers with texts in their area of interest.

"This is a vital service that allows students with disabilities to fully participate in the education process," said Terri Goldstein, coordinator for disability accommodations. "Without the time and effort of these volunteers, several of our students would not be able to reach their full academic potential."

For more information or to volunteer, call Goldstein at (805) 437-8528.