April accessibility resources and services events

April 2021 Accessibility Resources and Services Events

Sponsored by: The Learning Accommodations Center, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Additional funding from the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) Grant

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Unless otherwise noted – Students, Faculty, Staff and Guests are welcome to attend events!

*PLEASE NOTE: Some events are for Faculty/Staff ONLY and are noted below.

Thursday, April 8, 11:00 to 12:00 How Can Accommodations Make Learning Accessible?

Wonder if you qualify for accommodations?  What are the rights of students with disabilities? How do you apply for accommodations? What are possible accommodations?

  • Presenters: Katie Garcia, Deborah Regan, and Susan Martin of the Learning Accommodations Center.

Week of April 12 – 16, 2021

Thursday, April 15, 2:00 to 3:00 Applying for a job with a Disability: Should you disclose?

When applying for a job with a disability, how to decide whether to disclose that you have a disability and when, and requesting accommodations on the job.

  • Presenters: Deborah Regan, Learning Accommodations Center and Noreen Fantasia, Career Services

Week of April 19 – 23, 2021

Tuesday, April 20, 11:00 to 12:00 Deaf Culture and Technology

Acquire a basic understanding of Deaf Culture and the technology used inside and outside of the classroom.

  • Presenter: Deb McKinney, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

*FACULTY/STAFF – Tuesday, April 20, 3:00 to 4:30 WEBINAR, by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD): Fostering Better Teaching and Learning for Students with Disabilities

Innovative ways that colleges can support faculty in their work with students who have disabilities.

  • Webinar presented by: Wendy Harbor, AHEAD; Live captioning and ASL interpreters provided by AHEAD

Wednesday, April 21, 11:00 to 12:00 ADHD: Misconception Correction

Join this information packed, myth-busting presentation and panel on living with ADHD!

  • Presenter: Cheryl Wilson, Learning Accommodations Center and a panel of NECC students

Wednesday, April 21, 1:00 to 2:00 Technology that Works for you:  Apps for Learning Success

This workshop will help students identify apps for mobile devices and computers for use in the classroom and beyond, and offer strategies on using technologies to success as a college student.

  • Presenter: Katie Garcia, Pam LaBella, Learning Accommodations Center

*FACULTY/STAFF – Thursday, April 22, 10:00 to 11:00 College Students with Autism: An Expanding Frontier

Presented by Guest Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Director of College Autism Spectrum

Students with Autism add richness and diversity to our college communities. Are college campuses informed of the needs of the Autistic community? Are we celebrating neurodiversity and differing perspectives? We will discuss this unique perspective and the impact that COVID has had in creating positive outcomes for students.

Presenter:  Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Director of College Autism Spectrum, former Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study, Yale Medical School and  former Director of Student  Services at the University of Connecticut School of Law

*FACULTY/STAFF – Thursday, April 22, 3:00 – 4:30 WEBINAR, by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD): Full and Flexible Participation of Students with Psychological Disabilities

In this webinar, we will discuss the characteristics often associated with psychological conditions that may warrant participation modification, accommodation decision-making, and the balance between reasonable accommodation and fundamental alteration.

  • Presenters: Jane M. Castillon, and Jennifer Lofthus, J.D., University of California at Santa Barbara; Live captioning and ASL interpreters provided by AHEAD.

 

April 2021 Accessibility Resources and Services Events

Sponsored by: The Learning Accommodations Center, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Additional funding from the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) Grant

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Unless otherwise noted – Students, Faculty, Staff and Guests are welcome to attend events!

*PLEASE NOTE: Some events are for Faculty/Staff ONLY and are noted below

 

Week of April 26 – 30, 2021

*FACULTY/STAFF – Tuesday, April 27, 11:00 to 12:00 Guest Lance Hidy and Professor Kristen Sparrow

Creative Fun with UDL – Harnessing the Power of Images in Your Communications!

Presenters will have some fun with participants and teach general Visual Communication guidelines that are usable across applications, including Blackboard, and Word etc.

  • This workshop is a preview of the ideas and concepts that will be offered during the hands-on Universal Design Faculty and Staff Stipends coming later this spring!

*FACULTY/STAFF – Wednesday, April 28, 12:30 to 1:30

How to Mitigate Common Student and Instructor Challenges Using Universal Design

In this workshop, we will focus on universal design strategies that support both faculty and student challenges. A short intro on universal design theory and practical strategies and tips to support learning.

  • Presenters: Isabelle Gagne – Psychology Professor and Coordinator and Susan Martin, Director LA Center

 

Thursday, April 29, 11:00 to 12:00 State Agency Resources for Students with Disabilities

Learn about services you may be eligible for as a person with a disability.

Join a panel of representatives from state agencies such as the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Department of Mental Health (DMH), and the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

  • Moderator: Jillian Knox, Learning Accommodations Center

 

Thursday, April 29, 1:00 to 2:00 pm Building Happiness

Join the NECC Counseling Services staff to learn more about positive psychology and how we can build up our personal happiness by using our strengths to overcome daily challenges. Together we can support each other!

  • Presenters: Gabriel Garcia and Carlena Reagan, NECC Counseling Services.

 

 

We welcome requests for ASL sign language interpreting and other access requests (i.e.  Computer Aided Real Time (CART).  Please Note:  Events with ASL Interpreters or live captioned already scheduled and provided, are indicated above.  Please contact the host of the event The Learning Accommodations Center, 978-556-3654 or lacenter@necc.mass.edu  for requests, questions or event information.

Survey shows students coping with a year of isolation, loneliness

The pandemic has caused a mass amount of change in a small amount of time. Some people may refer to the pandemic as unprecedented. The group that the pandemic has had the largest effect on is students. Kids went from seeing their teacher and friends everyday face to face to seeing people from their computer screen. That radical change isn’t good for kids and has affected them in many ways.  I put out a survey to my fellow peers at NECC, asking about how the pandemic has affected them personally.

The major effect of the pandemic on kids were the end of friendships, it’s not the same communicating with people virtually.

When asked on how they keep in touch with their friends virtually student Shaun Hood had this to say “I text my friends and we play video games together often. I also have Zoom meetings with teachers from my high school who I keep in touch with occasionally.”

During this pandemic the video game market has been booming. It’s a positive thing because it allows people to connect in a safe virtual way. When the other sources where asked they gave a similar answer saying either social media, text or call.

Not only has the pandemic influenced some people’s social life’s it also has changed people. It’s made people grow up and address the harsh reality of the world.  When asked on how the pandemic has changed them student Jocelyn Avila-Frias said this “I feel like the pandemic made me stronger in a way since I had to deal with a lot of loss, but it also made me find hope in other places to keep pushing forward.”

People aren’t going to be the same after this. The amount of stress and loss will defiantly make people stronger, but it will also have a huge negative effect on their mental health.

Besides the threat of imminent death due to the COVID- 19 virus, there is an unspoken threat, our own mental health. Isolation is scary and can feel hopeless. Not to mention how hard it is when going out, knowing that any of these people around you could have the virus.

When asked about the pandemic’s effect on their mental health student Faith Barret said “Yes, it has affected my mental health because the isolation really took a toll on me.”

As a follow up she was asked if she was taking any steps to fix her mental health she said “yes I am journaling and trying to limit my time on social media and sitting around”

Social media is a double edged sword during this time, because on one hand it allows people to stay in touch but on the other it furthers the sense of loneliness

Things aren’t too dim though. With the roll out of vaccines and more and more people becoming eligible for it.  because of that we will slowly be able to return to a new normal.

One of the things students are looking forward to is the potential reopening of NECC. When asked on what they thought about the potential reopening of school, student Katherine Townsend had this to say. “I prefer classes in person, but I’ve gotten so used to online that I’m kind of indifferent about it!”

A lot of people have been able to make the adjustment to working from home. Some people though prefer the classroom due to the sense of structure. Such as student Rachel who said “I work better in a classroom setting I would prefer classes.”

Things may seem bad right now, but the future looks bright. More and more people will be able to get the vaccine as the year goes on. If people wear the masks and follow the proper procedures, we will be out of this in no time. Currently if you are struggling with anything be it mental health or school work there are resources at NECC.

Feel free to look at their student services page at the following link. https://www.necc.mass.edu/succeed/student-support-services/

 

 

 

 

 

The problems of Critical Race Theory

In the lead up to the 2020 election more specially during the first presidential debate., Fox News correspondent Chris Wallace asked former President Trump about why he banned  Critical Race Theory in government programs.

His response was that it created hatred and division among one another with the caveat of it being “anti American.”

According to Encyclopedia Britannica the definition of Critical Race Theory is “the view that the law and legal institutions are inherently racist and that race itself, instead of being biologically grounded and natural, is a socially constructed concept that is used by white people to further their economic and political interests at the expense of people of color.”

Their argument that they are pushing is that for hundreds of years laws  only benefited for white people both poor and rich.

However overtime the US has made improvements against these racist laws like giving Black people their rights and expanding protections among other marginalized communities like the LGBTQ and Hispanic community.

Critical Race Theory gained prominence during the summer of 2020 following the death of George Floyd in police custody.

The theory unfortunately pushes thinly veiled White Supremacy under the guise of “Anti-Racism” training. The theory also pushes that Jewish and Asian people are “White” and “privileged” because they cheated due to them being more successful and havingmore advantages in their life. That belief is a form of left wing Anti Semitism and Anti Asian racism since it portrays the Jews as people who control the banks and they use the stereotype of portraying Asians as good at everything. Some these beliefs that they push or believe in are identical to what Neo-Nazis, White Nationalists and other members of the far right believe in which are racist conspiracy theories.

There are many critics who call out the racism of this theory but there are two prominent people who speak out against it like author Christopher Rufo and journalist James Lindsey who both documented the stories that come out of these Critical Race theory trainings. On Rufo’s own website he has documented the programs which goes in great detail on how CRT breeched the most secured places in America some of which helped designed nuclear weapons like Sandia national laboratories which is a government agency. According to whistleblowers they held a three day camp for males who are white to “deconstruct their male culture” which ended with them being forced to write apology letters to women and people of color. The Sandia investigation and its details were shocking to most people. This event alone could be considered a violated Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 according to the federal law which forbids people to be discriminated based on their race.

One of these pushers is author and professor Robin DiAngelo who published a racist book titled “White Fragility” in which she admits she is racist he book itself pushes racist ideas.

The idea of “White Fragility” in which she coined herself. the term itself is a kafaka trap in which someone doesn’t admit they are racist it proves they are racist and if they do it proves the person’s point. A couple examples of DiAngelo’s racism shows in her manifesto like on page 51 of White Fragility she stated the following “The forces of racism were shaping me before I took my first breath.”

On page 53 she described an event that she went to an outdoor dinner party where she felt uncomfortable around Black people who attended the party. The last example happened on page 69 of the manifesto she openly admits she was raised as a White Supremacist. DiAngelo was subjected to major controversies one of them being back in November 2020 she got paid more than a Black person at a speaking event and the pay out for her was over $70,000.

This theory is being countered by people speaking up who have witnessed such trainings like with Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts and its former staffer turned whistleblower Jodi Shaw.

Shaw went on Tucker Carlson’s late night show and later on former Vice journalist Tim Pool’s IRL podcast. In both interviews she gave she the exact same story on how she was discriminated based on the color of her skin and not on her character.

As the story progress she felt humiliated and demoralized about these trainings and when she left the school wanted to settle the whole thing in which she said no too. She filed complaint in which she was verbally attacked by people who she considered her colleagues and friends. The attacks never ended for her until she left the college and this incident was reported by former New York Times reporter Bari Weiss who broke the story on her Substack page and it went viral from there.

There are other examples of people speaking out against CRT like several parents in Virginia who spoke out against it which lead to a teachers group on Facebook to dox and threat them the head of the school board coming out and defending the actions of the teachers.

The incident broke over Virginia news station WSET. Some however have gone so far as to outlaw the theory from public schools like with Florida governor Ron DeSantis who issued a statement about saying that the theory has no place in the classroom following this other states followed this by banning it like Iowa and currently having hearings on it like in New Hampshire over HB 544 and similar legislation in Rhode Island that is being debated over. T

he House bills in both states were being reported on by local news reports from with in their states. In New Hampshire’s case it was broke over the internet from the people who attended the hearing like Karlyn Borensenko who is another critic of Critical Race Theory. There are other states through out the union who are enacting similar legislation to ban the theory in schools and local.

The rise of Critical Race Theory could be seen as some as clear and present danger to the national and domestic security of the United States like the previously mentioned Sandia case.

This is a battle of ideologies one that is racist who want to up end the civil rights and one not racist who want to preserve the dream and it has no end in sight. Critical Race Theory is dangerous and a toxic ideology that should be stop in its tracks and the people who either push this theory need to be called out.

The followers who believe in the theory need to be talked out of what they believe in. This theory will only more division and create more racists in the country which will lead to more hate crimes. I think  this theory is discriminatory since it is going to have the opposite effect on people in which they try not to be racist but instead it will create more racists.

Registration for summer, fall begins at NECC

Registration for the summer and fall semesters is now open at Northern Essex Community College.

The school is offering many different options for classes.

There will be in person classes, only for health and stem classes unless the pandemic improves as stated on NECC’s website. There will be online classes, online classes with required zoom meetings and hybrid classes. This time students have more range to pick what suits them.

Caroline Hamilton who is studying psychology at NECC says that she is registering for the fall semester. She was aware of all the different options.

Hamilton says, “I think the options of classes are good because they allow for face to face interaction for students and their peers.” She also said that the new options will add structure and new ways of learning during the pandemic.

Jocelyn Avila-Frias, another student at NECC says she is registering for the summer semester.

She praised NECC and said, “I do think they did a great job in giving us so many different options.”

Avila-Frias said she though that it will better complement the many different students at the school.

It is still not entirely clear if by Fall, we will return to normal.

Recently there have been spikes across the USA due to recent events like Spring Break.

What will occur if more classes are in person comes into question, however Hamilton and Avila-Frias express confidence.

Hamilton said, “I don’t have many concerns.”

In the end she believes the classes will benefit people who are tired of online classes.

 

 

Students weigh in on best options for getting credible information and news

Technology has come a long way along with the news industry.

There are numerous amounts of ways to receive your news and where you can get your information from. Since the dawn of the internet, you can receive your news from social media outlets as well. There is the old newspaper way as well which is now in digital format through the publishers application if they have one.

The mix between news and technology however can get quite tricky with all the loopholes people can go through. There are also many loopholes that certain news outlets can go through as well.

One loophole that they can go through is using clickbait for readers. They use absurd titles to lure in their audience and that title could have little to do with the content in the story. So it is very difficult to find the right news source to gather truthful information.

Jocelyn Avila-Frias from North Andover states, “I started to get my information from (The) New York Times.”

Avila-Frias also said she used to get her information on Twitter which is not a very valuable and credible source. Technology and social media have a loophole by using your information and preferences to gather any news or topics to your liking. This can cause many problems since your news feed is fixated to your preferences along with every other persons.

“Social media can give very misleading news information…” she said.

Avila-Frias also states because everyone with a profile on that social media platform can say anything. A good quote to learn from this is that everything on the Internet is not true.

Andrew Venditti from Haverhill says, “Social media is not a news source. I do follow legitimate news sources like the New York Times…” which is a good idea to have a following on your preferred news outlets so you can keep up to date on the latest news.

 

Review of ‘The World’s a Little Blurry’

Photo of scene from The World's a Little Blurry

Apple tv’s newest film; The Worlds A Little Blurry gives us an insight on pop sensation Billie Eilish’s life, whose life magically changed at the age of 13.

The story starts right at the beginning of her career when she and her brother decided to jokingly record a song for one of Billie’s dance routines. Little did they know that one song recorded in her brother’s bedroom would gain the hearts of millions years later.

This film broadcasts the stages of her life from ages 16-18.

You see as she goes through changes, heartbreaks,and turmoils. Moments where she just wants to take a minute to herself; she reminds herself who she does it for.

This film just goes to show the messiness of stardom even at a young age.

Billie started her social media following with low numbers has gained over 70 million in the past four years. However she still remains in total shock as the celebrities she once looked up to start shining the light on her.

Although the movie is quite eye catching there are some moments that the film would’ve done better without.

I feel as if they should’ve made a shorter film and then released all the extra footage as an extended version. I also wish she had more moments.  Overall I would rate this movie a 6.0 out of 10 and I would definitely recommend one to watch it.

 

My top two places in Lawrence that offer birria tacos

Birria tacos from El Patron
Birria tacos Courtesy of El Patron website

If this picture made your mouth water then you are one out of the millions who have been affected by the birria taco craze.This new birria taco trend has recently taken the world by storm but Ironically it has been around since the early 2000s. Originating from Tijuana Mexico these crunchy and savory tacos will surely make your stomach sing with joy.

Since the craze I have tried a variety of different restaurants in Lawrence and have compiled them into my top twos.

 

 

 

El Patron logo
Courtesy of El Patron Instagram

#1 El Patron Grill and Cantina

Located in 169 East St Methuen MA 01844; El Patron Grill and Cantina stands as number one in my list. Their birria tacos price ranges around $13 for a set of three and their customer service skills are top tier. I would recommend everyone to give these a try first.

Coco Ray's logo
Coco Ray’s

#2 CocoRay’s

CocoRay’s is a NECC known restaurant that holds two separate locations, one in 197 Parker St, and the other in the Lawrence campus.  Their Puerto Rican take on the Mexican dish is something I didn’t know I needed. Their price also ranges to be around $13, and it’s a must to pair it with their signature Parcha juice.

The Birria Tacos business seems to be fast growing so I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to update my list a couple times.

 

Soccer coach aims to build connections with student athletes

Sports at NECC has typically always been a foundation in many college kids search for freedom and stress-relieving situations.

When students are overloaded with work, which is what comes with the struggles of college,there’s always another direction students look towards to cool some minds down.

Despite sports being one of these many activities, ultimately it still plays an important role in thelives of many students and staff at NECC, particularly the coaches.

Coaches work everyday to create the most positive environment for their students and their colleagues and play an important role in how their minds function. One example of a coach who makes this their aim in their work space is David Arivella, the Head Soccer Coach at NECC.

“Coming from division 3 program as a player I wanted to stay within the college level and NECC was a perfect opportunity to start my career and I’ve been happy so far going into my third year, and it’s been an amazing journey,” states Arivella

“Since I’m a younger coach compared to some coaches, I believe that’s an a advantage because I believe I can relate to the players, such as juggling with sports and athletics, and if they need help I give them advice on financial aid and where to contact, and most of our staff have helped t make the players succeed on and off the field.”

Having a type of connection with other students is one of the key measures towards their development, both physically and mentality, according to Arivella, and he says he’s been able to do so by being a helping hand in students’ lives both on and off the field.

I always tell my players that school always comes first since you need a certain GPA to play athletics. As long as you’re eligible and meet the GPA needs then you should be good.

“A lot of kids can’t focus on both since they feel like you need to focus more on one another. In college you have a lot of free time so you can use that time to play sports, and then focus onhomework and classes.”

College students love doing extracurriculars as sports, and although it’s enjoyable, coaches like Arivella are there to remind students that education comes first and to not get too complacent.

Local experts share thoughts on release of ‘Zach Snyder’s Justice League’

In fall of 2017, Justice League was released. During production of the DC Extended Universe movie, the daughter of director Zack Snyder passed away. Snyder understandably stepped down as director of Justice League, and Joss Whedon took over as director. When the movie was released it was not well received. Thus, DC fans started a movement on social media called #ReleasetheSnyderCut, demanding that Warner Brothers allow Zack Snyder to direct his version of the movie once and for all when he is ready.

Less than a month ago, on March 18th, the highly anticipated Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released. One aspect of this movie is very unique in that it was of course released because of a fan movement that wanted to see Zack Snyder’s version of the movie.

The NECC Observer spoke to three local experts (two of which are current NECC students) ahead of March 18th, regarding their thoughts on the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

Glenn O’Leary, owner of The Comic Book Palace in Haverhill, was not planning on watching the Snyder Cut, and also had a strong opinion on the movie’s excessive runtime, “If you can’t do a movie in two hours, then you’re really not a good story teller.” O’Leary also noted that since Joss Whedon’s cut of the movie was “not good to begin with,” that’s another reason why he will not watch it.

Ian Shea, current NECC student, and owner of his own website, Your Favorite Nerd (yourfavoritenerd.com), says that Zack Snyder’s take on the DC Universe is too dark, “Even though the movies have been financially successful, people haven’t liked them. If you look at box office numbers for DCEU movies that Snyder’s directed, there’s been a huge decline in sales in the second week.”

Shea also mentioned that Snyder’s movies not doing well is part of the reason why certain actors don’t want to reprise their roles in the franchise, “There’s a reason Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck have said they won’t reprise their roles. DC needs to cut ties with Snyder and start from scratch.”

NECC student Zach Cutter appreciates the fact that the Snyder Cut was made because of the fan movement, “It’s a case of quality over quantity. It also shows the power of the fanbase wanting change and pressure the studio to do better or to listen to them and hear them out.”

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is now available to stream on HBO Max.