The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA are pleased to announce the inauguration of the Accessibility Corner for students with visual disabilities. The dedication ceremony took place on December 2nd at the FEAC/EducationUSA Center, which was the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Embassy designed to facilitate public access to a wide range of educational resources and advising services. Ms. Patricia Pittarelli, Division Chief of the Disability/Reasonable Accommodation Division in the Department of State, Ms. Laurie Rubin, mezzo-soprano, jewelry designer and author, and Ms. Marjorie Stern, U.S. Cultural Attaché and main supporter of the Accessibility Corner project, participated in a short inauguration event which highlighted the need for further collaboration to ensure the availability and accessibility of educational resources.
The opening speeches were followed by a demonstration of the proper use of assistive software and hardware, offered by students, teachers and volunteers from the Romanian Association of the Blind and “Regina Elisabeta” High School in Bucharest. The FEAC/EducationUSA Center now provides access to computers equipped with screen readers and magnifiers, two large monitors and a desktop magnifier, which will enable students with visual disabilities to have access to test preparation materials and special information about U.S. study options. The FEAC/EducationUSA Center intends to pursue further opportunities to reach out and work with students with disabilities.