Office for Equal Opportunity
North Carolina
State University

Location & Hours
1 Holladay Hall
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

Mailing Address
Campus Box 7530
Raleigh, NC
27695-7530

Phone Numbers
Main: 919-515-3148
Fax: 919-513-1428
TTY: 919-515-9617

Equal_Op - February, 2005 - Volume 5, #3

Dr. Maria Oliver-Hoyo: Creating New Ways for Students with Visual Impairments to Learn Chemistry

Dr. Maria Oliver-Hoyo, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at NC State University, recently received a Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation. Part of this award will go towards funding research that focuses on designing chemistry experiments for physically challenged students. Dr. Rhonda Sutton, assistant vice provost in the Office for Equal Opportunity, recently met with Dr. Oliver-Hoyo to find out more about this research.

Laws have been enacted to remove physical barriers, make education accessible to all, and eliminate discrimination in education. However, if one looks at the number of people with disabilities and compares this to the number of people with disabilities who have science and engineering degrees, the ratio is very low. Oliver-Hoyo believes that the efforts to make education accessible for people with disabilities has not concentrated enough on educational materials, which need to be provided to promote interest and intrigue for people who quite often are “shifted” away from an area that usually requires certain senses and abilities in order to succeed. One such area is chemistry, where there is a great need for visual dependence due to the ways in which experiments are performed. Recent statistics show that 1.1 million people in the United States have severe visual impairment or blindness. In addition, 2.8 million people in the United States are affected by color deficiencies or color blindness. Many chemistry instructors do not have the materials or the time to develop materials to instruct students with visual impairments. Therefore, at an early age, these students are usually discouraged from taking courses in areas that are dependent on visual stimuli, so that by the time they get to high school, they have received the message that scientific courses, such as chemistry, may not be a good option for them.

Oliver-Hoyo is interested in creating ways to make chemistry experiments and their outcomes available through more than just the sense of sight. One example of such an experiment involves olfactory titrations. In a titration, one adds an indicator to the solution that changes colors at the endpoint of the titration. Oliver-Hoyo has developed protocols for chemistry experiments that use the sense of smell instead of a colorimetric change to determine the endpoint of the titration. The chemist uses compounds such as onions, garlic and vanillin olfactory indicators. The aroma bursts at the endpoint of the titration, and the smell of the aroma takes the place of seeing the color change of the indicator.

One idea behind Oliver-Hoyo’s olfactory experiments is to lower the need for specialized equipment, which can be costly and, instead, have instructional materials available to use in a creative way which provide the same types of outcomes as traditional chemistry experiments. Another idea that motivates Oliver-Hoyo in the development of these experiments is to find a way to promote independent learning in students, especially those with visual impairments. Oliver-Hoyo has found it challenging to address the attitudes some instructors seem to have regarding students with visual impairments; some instructors believe these students cannot work independently. Oliver-Hoyo is trying to promote both the interests and independence of students through these chemistry experiments so they can realize that chemistry is experienced through the senses. Oliver-Hoyo plans to expand the current ways in which chemistry experiments are conducted so that diverse groups of students can learn chemistry through smell and touch, not just sight.

More information about Oliver-Hoyo’s olfactory chemistry experiments is available in her article, “A Closer Look at Acid-Base Olfactory Titrations” in an upcoming edition of The Journal of Chemical Education.

Disability Services for Students Presents Dr. Abraham Nemeth

On October 18, 2004, DSS, in partnership with the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Mathematics, and Diversity and African American Affairs, sponsored a lecture featuring Dr. Abraham Nemeth in the Talley Student Center Ballroom. Dr. Nemeth presented “The Nemeth Code: Connecting the Dots to Math, Science, and Technology for Persons with Blindness. This lecture was followed by a reception in the Walnut Room.

Born totally blind in New York, New York in 1918, Dr. Nemeth is now a retired professor of mathematics and computer science from the University of Detroit. While at the University of Detroit, he was instrumental in launching the graduate program in computer science. Dr. Nemeth holds a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree and doctorate from Columbia University. In addition to his work at the University of Detroit, he also taught at Manhattan College and Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.

Dr. Nemeth is best known as the creator of the Nemeth Braille Code, which is the standard Braille code for mathematics and science notation in North America. A counselor once told a young Abraham that mathematics was “off-limits for a blind person,” so he studied psychology at the undergraduate and master’s levels.

Around 1945, Nemeth’s “entertainment” was to go to Brooklyn College and take math courses. After receiving a telegram from the chairman of the math department informing him that one of his staff members had become ill, he took over the staff member’s classes for the semester, thus beginning his career in mathematics. From this recreational beginning, Nemeth went on to develop the Nemeth code in 1946 so that he could complete his Ph.D. in mathematics. The Braille that was available to him at the time fell apart after ninth-grade algebra. According to Dr. Nemeth, “You know, the thing is, how a Braille system works is a reflection of what society in general thinks of the capability of blind people.” So, he created a “crazy notation” that only he could read to help him with the higher level math he was so interested in.

While working at the American Foundation for the Blind, Dr. Nemeth met a gentlemen who was blind, had a doctorate in physics from Columbia University, and who asked Nemeth if he had a table of integrals. The gentleman was a member of the Joint Braille Uniform Committee, which had a subcommittee on mathematics. Nemeth presented his code to The Braille Authority of North America (BANA), and they accepted it as the standard code in 1952. Since that time, the Nemeth Code has gone through four revisions.

Nemeth also devised a system for reading mathematical formulas out loud and created a talking scientific calculator that is used by persons with blindness.

In addition to his contributions in mathematics and computer science, Dr. Nemeth is currently transcribing Hebrew prayer books, which are distributed upon request by the Jewish Braille Institute of America. Nemeth’s grandfather, a kosher butcher, would take him to shul [synagogue] of a shabbes afternoon [on Saturday afternoons] with nobody else there. Nemeth says, “And for hours, he would read to me and explain to me, and I was receptive. When it came time for my bar mitzvah, I memorized what I had to recite in shul. And when I did the recitation, my father came over to me, put his arm lovingly across my shoulder, and said, “You may be proud of yourself. You made three grown men cry.”

When asked, “How would a friend, colleague or professor describe you?, Nemeth responded, “People often describe me as being brilliant. I've been told I have a warm heart, a sense of humor, and that I love to talk with people about my life’s passions… my work.”

During Dr. Nemeth’s stay on campus, he more than demonstrated that this description is accurate. We are delighted that he was willing to come and share his wisdom and sense of humor with the NC State campus community.

What Would You Do?
Ensuring Equal Access on Campus

Scenario: A department is planning a workshop on campus and plans to invite members of the campus community to participate. The planning committee wants to ensure that all registered participants who attend are provided equal access to the event. What steps should the committee take to accomplish this?

Correct Procedure: Consider each of the following:

• establish funds in the budget for accommodations;
• include a tagline in advertising materials inviting participants to request accommodations;
• publish the contact person and information to submit for accommodation requests;
• set a time period prior to the event that provides adequate opportunity to secure accommodations.

Programming Notes

OEO Programs: “Extremely Helpful!”

“Extremely Helpful!” “This presentation should be required for all faculty.” “Very Inspiring.” “Examples were effective and easily related to my life.” “I really enjoyed this program, I will now make a change in my attitude.” “This was an excellent use of my limited time.” These are just a few comments from participants of OEO-sponsored fall programs. There are many more opportunities to receive helpful information this spring:

• Diversity in the Workplace: A Business Perspective
  Thursday, 02/17/2005, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
  
  
• Legacies + Layers = Lenses
  Wednesday, 03/02/2005, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  
  
• Protected Class of Veteran Status
  Wednesday, 03/16/2005, 9:00am - 12:00pm
  
  
• Study Circle - Spring 2005
  Wednesdays, 03/16/2005, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
  
  
• Protected Class of National Origin
  Wednesday, 03/30/2005, 9:00am - 12:00pm
  
  
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  Thursday, 03/31/2005, 9:00am - 12:00pm
  
  
• EO Jeopardy
  Thursday, 04/14/2005, 9:00am - 12:00pm

To learn more and register, please visit:
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education/oeo_programs.html.

Staff Spotlight: Gillian Norton, EEO/AA Assistant

The Office for Equal Opportunity welcomes Gillian Norton as the new part-time EEO/AA Assistant. Gillian joined the OEO staff in January 2005 and shares the following:

Wandering along my journey last fall, I discovered a program at NC State, the Equal Opportunity Institute (EOI). This program opened new doors into my search for knowledge about the social psychology of human relationships. As a result of meeting other individuals on campus who are interested in issues of equal opportunity, my travels have taken me to a new path at OEO.

Currently, I am a doctoral student in social psychology at NC State. Several research interests that I have developed during my graduate education intersect with the interests of OEO. For instance, a main research concentration during my graduate studies involves how the policies and implementation of procedures, such as affirmative action, influence the pattern of human interactions. Furthermore, I would like to understand the ways in which policy implementation and dissemination can improve our social interactions, which OEO accomplishes through training and educational endeavors.

My journey has provided a diverse array of opportunities, from teaching individuals preparing to take their General Educational Equivalency exams to guiding youth who have mental disorders. My experiences were enhanced during my graduate years, with the opportunity to teach introductory psychology, social psychology, and statistical & research methods. Most recently, I explored the educational testing industry by developing and assessing tests under the No Child Left Behind legislation. Each of these opportunities has provided a new angle to understand the social psychology of human relationships. I am excited about new areas of exploration with OEO.

OEO Resource Directory

Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO)
1 Holladay Hall
Campus Box 7530
919-515-3148
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op

Disability Services for Students (DSS)
1900 Student Health Center
Campus Box 7509
919-515-7653
www.ncsu.edu/dss

Disability Hotline
To report a disability or accommodation issue or concern, send email to ADAHotline@ncsu.edu.

Harassment Complaints
For help with a harassment concern, contact Dr. Rhonda Sutton at 919-513-1234 or rhonda_sutton@ncsu.edu. [Update as of 11/2006: For help with a harassment concern, contact Amy Circosta at 919-513-1234 or amy_circosta@ncsu.edu.] You can also submit a harassment complaint online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/harassment/
harassment_complaint_form.html, or send email to report_harassment@ncsu.edu.

Hiring Procedures & Search Committee Orientations
If you are beginning a new search for a position, OEO encourages you to call 919-515-3148 to schedule a search committee orientation.

Training & Workshops
For information about our workshops and course offerings, please see www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education.html or contact Beverly Jones Williams at 919-513-3836.

Faculty Exit Interviews
If you are a departing faculty member, please contact Dr. Rhonda Sutton at 919-513-1234 to schedule your exit interview. [Update as of 2/2007: For your exit interview, please contact Carson C. Cook at 919-513-2099 or carson_cook@ncsu.edu.]

About Equal_Op
This newsletter is published by the Office for Equal Opportunity at NC State University. It is available online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/pubs.html and in alternate formats upon request.

If you have questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity at 919-515-3148 or by email.