WEBVTT 00:00:00.396 --> 00:00:09.528 [ Music ] 00:00:09.528 --> 00:00:12.858 Veterans of the armed services - men and women - 00:00:12.858 --> 00:00:15.297 are returning to higher education campuses 00:00:15.297 --> 00:00:17.693 in ever-increasing numbers. 00:00:17.693 --> 00:00:20.693 Backed by veteran tuition benefits and a clear sense 00:00:20.693 --> 00:00:24.132 of purpose, these students bring to campus experiences 00:00:24.132 --> 00:00:25.429 that are a world removed 00:00:25.429 --> 00:00:28.297 from the average 18-year-old college freshman. 00:00:28.297 --> 00:00:30.297 Well, we're older, typically, 00:00:30.297 --> 00:00:33.000 we're more mature, more focused, we've been in the real world. 00:00:33.198 --> 00:00:34.660 I'm kind of grown up now, 00:00:34.660 --> 00:00:37.264 so I have my own car and I pay my own rent 00:00:37.264 --> 00:00:39.594 and I have my own finances. 00:00:39.894 --> 00:00:42.594 So they're very motivated to succeed, 00:00:42.594 --> 00:00:44.660 and to do whatever is required to learn, 00:00:44.660 --> 00:00:46.429 because that's why they're here. 00:00:46.429 --> 00:00:50.066 Behind military veterans is a life dedicated 00:00:50.066 --> 00:00:52.957 to watching their buddies' backs, following orders, 00:00:52.957 --> 00:00:55.066 and serving their country. 00:00:55.066 --> 00:00:57.693 Ahead of them are careers that often derive 00:00:57.693 --> 00:01:00.528 from their armed forces traing. 00:01:00.528 --> 00:01:04.627 Robert Etling worked as an Army medic; he's studying to return 00:01:04.627 --> 00:01:08.297 to the emergency room as a physician's assistant. 00:01:08.297 --> 00:01:09.528 Tameka Lampkin worked 00:01:09.528 --> 00:01:11.957 in administrative positions in the Navy. 00:01:11.957 --> 00:01:15.033 She's earning a degree in public relations. 00:01:15.033 --> 00:01:17.495 Former Army Corporal Michael Beatty is majoring 00:01:17.495 --> 00:01:19.693 in mechanical engineering. 00:01:19.693 --> 00:01:22.495 And veterans Jamesa Epting and James Ervin plan 00:01:22.495 --> 00:01:24.726 to use their service-related experiences 00:01:24.726 --> 00:01:27.132 in electronics and computers. 00:01:27.132 --> 00:01:30.429 My mission was to get everyone's office up 00:01:30.429 --> 00:01:33.825 and running, run the computer cables, telephone lines, 00:01:33.825 --> 00:01:37.429 make sure internet is set up for offices. 00:01:37.829 --> 00:01:38.924 My goal with joining the service was 00:01:38.924 --> 00:01:42.759 to have the Navy teach me absolutely as much 00:01:42.759 --> 00:01:44.660 as they could possibly teach me. 00:01:44.660 --> 00:01:48.198 My recruiter said, "Yeah you want to know about computers, 00:01:48.198 --> 00:01:49.264 we can teach you computers." 00:01:49.264 --> 00:01:51.957 So that kind of was the bait that hooked me in. 00:01:51.957 --> 00:01:56.128 Just about anybody coming back has computer skills, 00:01:56.528 --> 00:02:00.198 they have technology skills. 00:02:00.198 --> 00:02:04.198 whether you're running tanks or you're running a computer lab, 00:02:04.198 --> 00:02:06.231 you have IT skills. 00:02:06.231 --> 00:02:07.957 One study predicts that careers 00:02:07.957 --> 00:02:11.066 in information technology will grow three times faster 00:02:11.066 --> 00:02:13.198 than that of general employment. 00:02:13.198 --> 00:02:16.561 It's also a very exciting line of work. 00:02:16.561 --> 00:02:19.363 I'm working with the Microsoft Surface team, 00:02:19.363 --> 00:02:23.000 and they're developing a new table platform that's 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:26.957 multi-touch so that multiple people can use it simultaneously 00:02:26.957 --> 00:02:28.858 and interact with a computer. 00:02:28.858 --> 00:02:31.264 And it's breaking technology that's a lot 00:02:31.264 --> 00:02:33.462 of fun to play with. 00:02:33.462 --> 00:02:34.957 Some veterans are returning 00:02:34.957 --> 00:02:37.099 with injury-related disabilities. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:41.726 For them, information technology is a field with few limitations. 00:02:41.726 --> 00:02:44.693 If they return to campus with traumatic brain injuries, 00:02:44.693 --> 00:02:47.792 hearing or vision loss, or mobility impairments, 00:02:47.792 --> 00:02:51.198 assistive technologies can open paths to promising careers 00:02:51.198 --> 00:02:53.660 in computer programming, networking, 00:02:53.660 --> 00:02:55.594 and systems management. 00:02:55.594 --> 00:02:57.066 If they get the message out that, "Hey, 00:02:57.066 --> 00:03:01.462 you guys can do this stuff, we have the ability to train you 00:03:01.462 --> 00:03:05.660 in the field of computing and IT, and technology, 00:03:05.660 --> 00:03:08.891 it's something that you guys are more than capable of doing." 00:03:08.891 --> 00:03:12.000 I think that gives a lot of these veterans hope 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:18.594 for continuing education and a goal of achieving a job 00:03:18.594 --> 00:03:21.231 in that career field in the future. 00:03:21.231 --> 00:03:24.759 We talked about the methods, DHCP versus static 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:26.759 The first step to an IT career 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:29.330 may be a successful college experience. 00:03:29.330 --> 00:03:31.792 Supporting student vets, including veterans 00:03:31.792 --> 00:03:34.396 with disabilities, presents special challenges 00:03:34.396 --> 00:03:38.330 for college administrators and disability service providers. 00:03:38.330 --> 00:03:41.330 Understanding veterans' needs and experiences - 00:03:41.330 --> 00:03:43.594 and knowing how those differ from other students 00:03:43.594 --> 00:03:45.726 on campus - is critical. 00:03:45.726 --> 00:03:47.165 I think the most important thing is, 00:03:47.165 --> 00:03:49.198 first of all, to be welcoming. 00:03:49.198 --> 00:03:51.561 And, when we talk to veterans, 00:03:51.561 --> 00:03:56.396 particularly our wounded warriors, their general attitude 00:03:56.396 --> 00:03:58.297 about this transition is they're afraid. 00:03:58.297 --> 00:04:00.891 And the reason that they're afraid is that they've come 00:04:00.891 --> 00:04:03.627 from an environment that they're well trained, 00:04:03.627 --> 00:04:07.330 and they have their battle buddy, they have their weapon, 00:04:07.330 --> 00:04:11.561 they have somebody that is protecting their 6 o'clock, 00:04:11.561 --> 00:04:14.924 you know, watching their back, and this is a new environment. 00:04:14.924 --> 00:04:18.594 I think it takes a special effort 00:04:18.594 --> 00:04:20.858 to truly outreach to veterans, to let them know 00:04:20.858 --> 00:04:22.858 that we have programs that are designed 00:04:22.858 --> 00:04:25.957 for nontraditional students, and that we are here to listen 00:04:25.957 --> 00:04:31.330 to you, and truly welcome you into our communities. 00:04:31.330 --> 00:04:34.099 Some veterans may be struggling psychologically, 00:04:34.099 --> 00:04:36.363 or have other invisible injuries. 00:04:36.363 --> 00:04:38.726 One in five soldiers coming back has an 00:04:38.726 --> 00:04:40.627 invisible wound. 00:04:40.627 --> 00:04:43.792 And the invisible wounds would be PTSD - 00:04:43.792 --> 00:04:45.495 post traumatic stress disorder - 00:04:45.495 --> 00:04:49.198 mild traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety. 00:04:49.198 --> 00:04:51.759 It's changed me a lot because I didn't want 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:55.330 to be around people anymore, I used to be really outgoing. 00:04:55.330 --> 00:04:57.693 I can't have people sitting around me, behind me, 00:04:57.693 --> 00:05:00.858 I can't be in a large group, I get real nervous, 00:05:00.858 --> 00:05:02.594 I'll start sweating if I'm, like, in a large group, 00:05:02.594 --> 00:05:03.858 people surrounding me. 00:05:03.858 --> 00:05:06.000 In class, student veterans may need 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.891 to relieve anxiety by having space around them, 00:05:08.891 --> 00:05:12.363 standing up occasionally, or sitting in certain locations. 00:05:12.363 --> 00:05:14.825 I try to always be - my back to the wall. 00:05:14.825 --> 00:05:16.462 I don't like people behind me at all. 00:05:16.462 --> 00:05:18.363 Most of these vets that have been in combat, 00:05:18.363 --> 00:05:20.165 they'll probably be sitting by a doorway, 00:05:20.165 --> 00:05:22.825 they'll probably be sitting by the exit. 00:05:22.825 --> 00:05:24.957 Other service-related injuries involve 00:05:24.957 --> 00:05:27.495 mobility or sensory impairments. 00:05:27.495 --> 00:05:31.561 These can include loss of hearing, vision, or limbs. 00:05:31.561 --> 00:05:35.495 Injuries might also result in chronic pain, nerve damage, 00:05:35.495 --> 00:05:37.660 and injured bones and joints. 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:40.231 I have a bone spur in my back, 00:05:40.231 --> 00:05:45.594 degenerative disc disorder, arthritis already, I'm 33. 00:05:45.594 --> 00:05:47.825 It can be challenging to connect veterans 00:05:47.825 --> 00:05:49.726 with disabilities to campus services 00:05:49.726 --> 00:05:51.858 that provide accommodations. 00:05:51.858 --> 00:05:54.792 Veterans are not always willing to request assistance, 00:05:54.792 --> 00:05:56.858 or even admit that they need it. 00:05:56.858 --> 00:05:59.066 Many of these returning vets 00:05:59.066 --> 00:06:02.198 with disabilities actually don't see themselves 00:06:02.198 --> 00:06:03.792 as having disabilities. 00:06:03.792 --> 00:06:07.132 Going to the disability resource center 00:06:07.132 --> 00:06:10.297 is a big step for a lot of these young men and women. 00:06:10.297 --> 00:06:11.858 What I like to do on campus is 00:06:11.858 --> 00:06:14.693 to ask the veterans, "How can we be of assistance 00:06:14.693 --> 00:06:16.297 to you, how can we help you?" 00:06:16.297 --> 00:06:18.429 Because a lot of times they're not going to come out 00:06:18.429 --> 00:06:20.000 and say, "Oh, I need help." 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:23.363 One way to protect privacy and still reach out is 00:06:23.363 --> 00:06:25.726 to foster a "vet-friendly" campus. 00:06:25.726 --> 00:06:27.594 I would say a vet-friendly campus is one 00:06:27.594 --> 00:06:31.825 where the people on campus are aware that the vets are coming 00:06:31.825 --> 00:06:33.792 with a different background. 00:06:33.792 --> 00:06:36.792 Vets are a separate, diverse group, 00:06:36.792 --> 00:06:38.792 and they have special needs. 00:06:38.792 --> 00:06:41.594 It's just a great, like a great thing 00:06:41.594 --> 00:06:44.957 to have, that know that there's staff and there's professors 00:06:44.957 --> 00:06:49.231 and there's administration that supports you all around. 00:06:49.231 --> 00:06:51.297 Some colleges make this effort visible 00:06:51.297 --> 00:06:54.132 by posting signs; some present vets 00:06:54.132 --> 00:06:56.726 with their own campus Challenge Coins. 00:06:56.726 --> 00:06:59.528 In the military, these coins are given to individuals 00:06:59.528 --> 00:07:02.099 to recognize achievement and accomplishment. 00:07:02.099 --> 00:07:04.462 What we've done here is we've taken this symbol, 00:07:04.462 --> 00:07:08.132 military symbol, we've tried to incorporate it then to say 00:07:08.132 --> 00:07:12.660 to the veteran coming to our campus, "Welcome, 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:16.066 thank you for service, and we're glad to have you here." 00:07:16.666 --> 00:07:18.396 Disability service providers can distribute 00:07:18.396 --> 00:07:21.165 information through student veteran groups. 00:07:21.165 --> 00:07:23.858 They may also seek advice from veterans themselves, 00:07:23.858 --> 00:07:26.264 including students, faculty, or staff. 00:07:26.264 --> 00:07:29.000 Another way may be, is for those of us 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:31.528 who are either in the disability offices or people 00:07:31.528 --> 00:07:34.792 who are interested in helping this group of students, 00:07:34.792 --> 00:07:38.594 to seek out our colleagues who are vets. 00:07:38.594 --> 00:07:40.660 Capitalize on their experiences. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.924 Work with those individuals. 00:07:41.924 --> 00:07:43.330 They've been there before. 00:07:43.330 --> 00:07:45.000 They've been there, they've done that. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.132 They understand exactly what it is, 00:07:47.132 --> 00:07:49.033 what the transition is all about. 00:07:49.033 --> 00:07:51.759 How difficult those types of things were for them. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:54.825 So when we engage those individuals, 00:07:54.825 --> 00:07:58.099 they can help engage other people who are either faculty 00:07:58.099 --> 00:08:00.891 or staff, so we can all work together. 00:08:00.891 --> 00:08:02.858 On some campuses, the vision is 00:08:02.858 --> 00:08:07.000 to centralize key veteran services in one location. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.297 By visiting a vet center, students can access information 00:08:10.297 --> 00:08:13.792 about disability services, financial aid, admissions 00:08:13.792 --> 00:08:16.132 and career counseling, and they can socialize 00:08:16.132 --> 00:08:18.363 with other veterans on campus. 00:08:18.363 --> 00:08:21.528 Our vision is to develop one comprehensive center 00:08:21.528 --> 00:08:24.033 that veteran students can come to; 00:08:24.033 --> 00:08:28.726 they'll get the key services they typically get, 00:08:28.726 --> 00:08:31.297 which is involving their veteran's benefits 00:08:31.297 --> 00:08:33.363 and determining what they're eligible for 00:08:33.363 --> 00:08:37.066 and how much will be paid by their VA benefits 00:08:37.066 --> 00:08:41.099 or regular financial aid; assistance with admissions 00:08:41.099 --> 00:08:45.297 and registration; as well as new components such as, 00:08:45.297 --> 00:08:48.792 just kind of, very tailored academic advising, 00:08:48.792 --> 00:08:54.132 career counseling, disability resources that are available. 00:08:54.132 --> 00:08:56.132 Off campus, state employment offices 00:08:56.132 --> 00:08:59.561 such as WorkSource offer support for student veterans. 00:08:59.561 --> 00:09:02.693 Greg Lindvig is one of those who helps vets get benefits, 00:09:02.693 --> 00:09:05.231 find jobs, or return to school. 00:09:05.231 --> 00:09:07.594 He understands their experiences. 00:09:07.594 --> 00:09:11.033 When I left the service, I had a disability. 00:09:11.033 --> 00:09:14.198 The VA retrained me through vocation rehabilitation 00:09:14.198 --> 00:09:17.627 with a degree in accounting from Western Washington University. 00:09:17.627 --> 00:09:20.495 As both students and eventually employees, 00:09:20.495 --> 00:09:24.033 veterans with disabilities may need assistive technologies. 00:09:24.033 --> 00:09:27.231 These tools make IT a particularly good career 00:09:27.231 --> 00:09:30.396 for people with disabilities, and may include keyboards 00:09:30.396 --> 00:09:34.066 for use with one hand, computers accessible without the use 00:09:34.066 --> 00:09:38.198 of a mouse or keyboard, and text-to-speech software. 00:09:38.198 --> 00:09:41.066 For veterans, there are resources to cover the expense 00:09:41.066 --> 00:09:43.099 of those assistive technologies. 00:09:43.099 --> 00:09:47.264 The VA can help pay for all those accommodations 00:09:47.264 --> 00:09:49.297 if it's a disabled veteran. 00:09:49.297 --> 00:09:52.660 They need a desktop that will go up and down, 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:54.561 the VA can pay for that. 00:09:54.561 --> 00:09:58.627 They need a special chair, or they need a special computer 00:09:58.627 --> 00:10:00.033 that has a left-handed mouse 00:10:00.033 --> 00:10:04.693 and needs large screen, the VA can do that. 00:10:04.693 --> 00:10:06.627 In the classroom, course materials 00:10:06.627 --> 00:10:07.660 that apply principles 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:10.660 of universal design make information accessible 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:14.363 to all students, including veterans with disabilities. 00:10:14.363 --> 00:10:17.165 Examples include clear, consistent hand-outs 00:10:17.165 --> 00:10:21.330 and websites that are designed to be accessible to all users. 00:10:21.330 --> 00:10:23.528 In the class syllabus, it should be noted 00:10:23.528 --> 00:10:24.891 that there are services available 00:10:24.891 --> 00:10:26.924 for anyone with a disability. 00:10:26.924 --> 00:10:29.726 Disability services staff can work with faculty 00:10:29.726 --> 00:10:32.660 to understand the needs of student veterans. 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:33.396 We need to work with that 00:10:33.396 --> 00:10:35.231 from multiple perspectives. 00:10:35.231 --> 00:10:37.726 One perspective is working with faculty; 00:10:37.726 --> 00:10:40.726 the other perspective is actually working with students. 00:10:40.726 --> 00:10:43.000 We need to help students be able 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:46.033 to communicate what their needs are, to make sure 00:10:46.033 --> 00:10:48.132 that instructors understand exactly what it is that they need. 00:10:48.132 --> 00:10:52.495 Last week we had an opportunity to actually bring students 00:10:52.495 --> 00:10:55.363 Last week we had an opportunity to actually bring students to serve on a panel, and the students were able 00:10:55.363 --> 00:10:58.066 to help us understand what some of the challenges were. 00:10:58.066 --> 00:11:00.066 Ask them what their needs are. 00:11:00.066 --> 00:11:02.891 Have focus groups on campuses, inviting your veterans, 00:11:02.891 --> 00:11:06.462 inviting faculty members and staff members, to ask them, 00:11:06.462 --> 00:11:08.462 "How can we best serve you?" 00:11:08.462 --> 00:11:13.165 Keep the positivity and continue to learn 00:11:13.165 --> 00:11:15.858 about veterans and continue to learn about the things 00:11:15.858 --> 00:11:18.627 that are going on overseas, because those people are going 00:11:18.627 --> 00:11:20.495 to soon get out and then they're going to come here. 00:11:20.495 --> 00:11:40.627 To connect student veterans with campus services: 00:11:40.627 --> 00:11:43.066 Create an open, friendly environment. 00:11:43.066 --> 00:11:45.165 Every organization needs data 00:11:45.165 --> 00:11:49.495 administrators, they need web developers, they need the people 00:11:49.495 --> 00:11:51.660 who can come out and fix the computers. 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:53.627 Getting into a new field and being motivated 00:11:53.627 --> 00:11:56.858 and having the right people to motivate them 00:11:56.858 --> 00:11:59.627 in an IT field is a great thing. 00:11:59.627 --> 00:12:00.759 Go for it. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:03.000 If you think you can do it, if you're interested in it, 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.264 give it a try. 00:12:04.864 --> 00:12:06.363 [ Applause ] 00:12:06.363 --> 00:12:09.066 I'm going to do what it takes to help them succeed. 00:12:09.066 --> 00:12:11.363 That's my mission. That's my goal. 00:12:11.363 --> 00:12:12.458 I'm going to do whatever it takes 00:12:12.458 --> 00:12:14.528 to get that student their diploma 00:12:14.528 --> 00:12:16.528 and continue on with the rest of their life. 00:12:16.528 --> 00:12:19.231 Because I owe them that, because I appreciate their service, 00:12:19.231 --> 00:12:21.529 and I think their country owes them that.