My definition of leadership is the ability to inspire others to believe in, and help to move your vision forward, for the purpose of affecting positive change.  It may be a change you wish to see in your own life or a farther reaching change that will affect the lives of others.  Therefore, a leader must have a vision, narrow or broad, and must be able to inspire others to work toward that vision. Leadership is not possible without the willingness to do the work and take calculated risks.

Inspiration

As a teacher for Visually Impaired in Brunswick and Stafford County public schools, I often worked one-on-one with students to help them grasp material covered in the regular classroom.  One of my goals when working with students was to help them to understand that they were capable and could accomplish anything if they worked hard enough.  I would often share some of the frustrations I felt as a student in special education to demonstrate that it is possible to move beyond whatever label given to you.

Working at the University level, I have found that my willingness to share my experience, particularly on how I have used assistive technology to overcome obstacles, can inspire other students to take a risk and ask for the help they need.

I learned the power that can come through inspiration in Leadership Seminar (EDUC 802). The class, taught by Dr. Bauer, was heavily focused on organizational leadership.  I honestly found the readings to be a snore, but I loved the class!  I saw first hand how a leader can make any idea or subject interesting.  His enthusiasm for teaching and rapport with the class was infectious. It made me care about the topic. I try to gain support for assistive technology on campus by demonstrating my enthusiasm in the workshops or classes I teach. I teach a required workshop on web accessibility to students who want to receive a webmaster's certificate from the Information Technology Unit. Some of these students do not see the value of accessibility. I hope that through my enthusiasm, I can win them over one at a time, or at least keep them from falling asleep!

Vision & Effecting Change

Once I entered college, I left the supports of special education.  I resolved to make it on my own or not make it at all.  I was an average student in high school and that was with the aid of special education. I was not sure college would be for me.  As it turns out I was very successful in college. 

I was introduced to assistive technology as a possible career path as a computer science major.  When I saw it, I knew it was the perfect profession for me. At that point I formed a vision of helping other students with disabilities realize their dreams. Below are some of the projects I have developed or implemented to help accomplish that vision. (curriculum vitae)

Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI)

I had the opportunity to help secure funding and build this program from the ground up. It is a joint project that provides assistive technology services to students and employees with disabilities at Mason.

Higher Education Assistive Technology Consortium (VA HEAT)

This project was a grassroots project with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and James Madison University to help provide accessible textbooks to college students in Virginia.

Web Accessibility

Through a partnership on a FIPSE Grant with Utah State University title WebAIM. I have been able to help move George Mason University forward in creating accessible web sites and online resources. I contributed to an article recently published in the Access Technologist Higher Education Network (ATHENS) online journal that includes a case study of George Mason University.

Assistive Technology Lab

While working at the Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities, I was fortunate to help re-build the Assistive Technology Lab currently located in Thompson Hall.

I have also worked to expand my opportunities through service and affiliations with local and National committees and organizations.

• Member: University Disability Advisory Group George Mason University
• Member: Parking Services Committee - George Mason University
• Member: Virginia Information Technology Association Accessibility Task Force George Mason University
• Technical Advisor: IRIS Center for Training Enhancements - Vanderbilt University
• Affiliate, National Center on Disability and Access to Education, Utah State University.

Calculated Risk

Most things worth while involve some amount of risk.  I learned this from my mother, and the realization of this has helped me get through the times when I am anxious about stepping out of my comfort zone.  I make a point of using the word calculated because it is essential to understand what you are getting into before jumping.  "Knowledge is Power." People with disabilities need to believe in themselves and their abilities; they also need to maintain a truthful, but not limiting understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and capitalize on the strengths. Living life with a disability is much more productive if you remember to accept the things you cannot change, change the things they can, and have the wisdom to know the difference." (adaptation of the Serenity Prayer)

Most people are fearful of making mistakes or looking foolish. This is certainly something I try to avoid, but to be a leader you must be willing to take risks. I have taken the leap several times.

I set off on a trip to Botswana, without knowing anyone on the trip and never having been outside of the country. It provided me with renewed confidence in myself and reaffirmed my commitment to the Ph.D. program. It also inspired me to learn about the development of disability policy in other countries. I wrote a paper about the education system in Botswana for EDUC 873.

To further my vision of providing a more accessible environment for people with disabilities, I agreed to participate as a Panelist on a PBS satellite broadcast of Untangling the Web Making Online Teaching and Learning Accessible. It was simultaneously broadcast live via satellite and radio to over 150 universities in the US and Canada.

Probably the most frightening experience I have had was delivering my testimony before the Education and Workforce Committee, at a hearing titled: "No Child Left Behind: Ensuring High Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students and Students with Disabilities"

In my view all of these experiences were risky. I could have made a fool of myself or worse. However, I prepared for them as best as I could. All of them have brought recognition to the projects I am involved in, and the goals I hope to achieve. Many have opened up new opportunities.  Some, of course, have brought some level of embarrassment, but I can live through those moments with family and friends who are more than happy to help me laugh at myself. That is a gift.