173 Edgewood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618-4037
VOICE: (585) 244-0477
INTERNET: akp@portaltutoring.info
HOMEPAGE: http://www.portaltutoring.info
To train students to use computers with adaptive technology, adaptive equipment, Braille and academics, both face to face and online.
Access Technology Institute, Training The Trainer, a course in teaching teachers how to teach
blind and visually handicapped individuals computers with adaptive
technology.
SUNY Geneseo: 30 hours Post graduate work, Teaching Blind and
Visually Impaired
St. Bonaventure University: M.S. Guidance And Personnel
Elmira College: B.A., English Education
Had an account with Rochester Institute of Technology The RIT account was acquired in relation to my work as the volunteer assistant to the Chair of EASI Equal Access to Software and Information, an international organization sponsored by The American Association for Higher Education. Monitored several discussion lists on the Internet, and culled information of interest to be used by EASI's chairman, Dr. Norman Coombs. When Dr. Coombs retired in May of 1997, the account was lost.
Possess a personal computer, IBM compatible. I use it for word processing, telecommunications and data base. This computer is adapted for my use with speech synthesis.
Since I have had this computer, I have become familiar with the following operating systems and software:
Am in contact with a wide range of people who both use and
manufacture adaptive equipment. I am constantly increasing my
knowledge of this subject through these contacts and through hours
of personal use and experimentation.
Conducted workshops in learning to use computers specially adapted for the blind in Bangalore, Chennai and Cochin, Sounth India under the auspices of Ann Foundation Ann Foundation
To see an account of my experiences and their results, access the link below. My Indian experiences
Have started my own small home business, Portal Tutoring. Portal Tutoring I am its sole proprietor and its sole tutor.
Private Vendor for The New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. Tutor students in Windows with adaptive technology, Braille and academics.
Tutor blind adults for the GED, and other pre- college and high school competency tests. All of these students passed the tests for which they were studying.
Tutor one to five private students, high school and community college per year, ranging in age from twelve on so that they write more effectively and gain a better understanding of English Grammar and World History. Students prove their competency by performing well when tested and by writing better papers.
I own my own business, Portal Tutoring. Portal Tutoring Web Site Duties include:
Am currently the owner of several Internet discussion lists:
Duties include, adding subscribers, deleting subscribers, handling error messages, monitoring list traffic, acting as a mediator at times in the discussion and more.
Was the head administrator on a TBVR, (Text Based Virtual Reality site, MOO for short) which is under the auspices of the Enabling Support Foundation, from January 1996 to June 2006. Duties include: monitoring operation of the MOO, supervising cultivators/helpers, making new personae, helping personae to build and to interact with others on the MOO, offering guided tours, promoting GrassRoots to the Internet Community, and more.
Vice-President, Human Services ESF, duties include working on accessibility issues for this organization; helping with education projects including classes on the MOO and designing text for web pages
Created my own program; COSM, Coordination Of Special Materials. Supervised ten to fifteen volunteers who produced materials in alternative formats for the Print Handicapped. Acted as liaison between agencies and individuals needing adapted materials and their providers. Arranged for the dissemination of this information and helped to avoid duplicating services to Print Handicapped individuals.
Was the keynote speaker at the ACE conference held online in Australia, October, 2000.
Was a presenter at the IAESL Conference held in Dublin Ireland for European teachers of English as a second language. the topic was the use of Text Based Virtual Reality as a means to improve language acquisition. This presentation was given on-line.
Published a book review in "Information Technology and Disabilities", EASI's quarterly on-line journal.
Contributed parts of an article in the Seattle Times 2020 World, a series of articles published by that newspaper concerning projected life styles and changes in the year 2020.
Published article in an English newsletter on persons with disabilities.
Speak to groups of students and adults on subjects ranging from disability awareness to grammar and the history of language.
References may be furnished upon request.