Talking computer helps blind student John Rudy Capital Times Staff Those using the computer lab in Room W-305 of the Olmstead Building may have noticed a computer sitting just inside the door that is reserved for "handicapped" users. That machine is fitted with special equipment which allows it to speak to visually impaired operators. It was installed to meet the needs of one Penn State Harrisburg student Harry Long, 45, a humanities/ communications major, suffers from impaired vision and access to the talking computer has made his on-campus life much easier. Long was born with cataracts, which were successfully removed, and his vision remained fairly good until he was almost 40. He suffered a severe loss of sight five years ago through detached retinas. Laser surgery restored some vision to his left eye, but his right eye no longer functions. He can see the computer, but "it's just a blue patch. I can't tell if there's anything on it," he said. Long is currently the only Penn State Harrisburg student requiring this specialized equipment "It was originally put in just for me," Long said, "but with the hopes that other people who might need it would have access to it, too. It is available to anyone with a vision problem." Long helped college administrators acquire the appropriate equipment by doing most of the research into what was available to users with vision problems. "Funding for the special equipment was acquired through University Park's Center for Disabled Students," said Donald Holtzman, associate director of student affairs for student assistance. "The proposal went through the whole university bureaucracy before it finally got signed. Funds for these programs are limited, but we were able to make a case and get it funded." "Penn State was very helpful in working with me to get the equipment,” Long said. "All I did was tell them who to go through - PC Partners in Maryland - and the college set it up. The package included a speech board and special software." SGA elects new officers Victoria Phillips and Angelique C. West Capital Times Staff The new president of the Student Government Association says he wants to "make SGA a household name." Mike Hermick, who ran unopposed, said he wants to make sure the students know that SGA exists for them. "One of my major objectives is to open communications lines between the senators and their respective divisions, and the students in those divisions." Hermick said he also wants to increase contact between SGA and other student organizations, such as the Black Student Union. PSH NEWS Harry Long, a huraanities/communications major, works at a talking computer installed to help visually impaired students ''A demonstration of the equipment was set up with PC Partners," Holtzman said, "and we decided to go ahead with the proposal and the purchase. The package cost just over $l,lOO. "Once we got the OK to purchase the package, Terry Majzlik, manager and operations coordinator of the computer center, got involved with getting it. Mark Lukens installed the package," Holtzman said. Holtzman said that since the package was purchased with university wide funds, die package is university wide equipment. Once Long has gradu ated, there may be another student at another Penn State campus that will need it and it will be shipped to them. Long has a similar setup at his Camp Hill home with equipment that is Other officers chosen in the elections April 9 and 10 were: - Annie Buyofiski, vice president - James Mullane, treasurer - Brenda Wishnefsky, board secretary - Krista Fuller, committee secretary - Joseph Silver, business administra tion senior senator - Terry Wolf, humanities senior senator - Roselea Russo, public affairs senior senator - David Frist, science, engineering & technology senator - Dan Smels, senior senator at large - Angelique West, junior senator at large. PP'", <