Third-Year DO-IT Scholars Offer Advice to New Participants

Sheryl Burgstahler, DO-IT Director

Each summer, the DO-IT Scholars program hosts 45 high school and college students with disabilities on the UW campus, where they learn about technology, self-advocacy, college-preparation, and disability culture. During the 2018 Summer Study, third-year students offered advice to incoming Scholars. Some highlights include the following:

  • “We are all in the same boat. My visual impairment is different from a mobility impairment, but there’s a reason that we are in this program together. We all have a disability, and we should stick together to build a better community.”
  • “Always ask questions. There’s no such thing as a dumb question. And if you’re not sure about something, give it a try.”
  • “I struggled a lot and I wouldn’t ask for help, because I was determined to do it myself. I thought asking for help would be embarrassing, but it wasn’t. Feel comfortable asking for help.”
  • Phase I Scholar Torin wears a headset to use a voice-to-text program.
    “Try the different types of technology that you received from DO-IT and those you will see during Summer Study. Before Summer Study two years ago, I had no idea about Audio Notetaker or the PDF-to-Word converter service, both of which make things more accessible for me.”
  • “It’s normal to miss home. At first, I missed home a lot, and there were moments where I would be sad. But there were also points where I was thinking ‘I can’t wait to show them this! This is so cool.’ So, I learned to look at the positive and look at your glass as half full.”
  • “Be kind. Nobody is just like you, so be open to getting to know new people and try new perspectives, because you might learn something new or find a more efficient method.”

Visit our site for more information about the Scholars program.