1. Evolving (Evolution of) Information Reciprocity with Special Needs
Individuals in an Educational Environment
Alpha Phi Pi – Honors in Action Project 2011
Provide a brief abstract or summary of your Honors in Action project including
the Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship components.
Many of our chapter members are not only the best and brightest, but have
demonstrated their academic prowess while overcoming significant adversity. People
often downplay their physical and cognitive disabilities; therefore, it can be difficult for
others to recognize the achievements of these courageous people.
We chose to put together a “Disabilities Awareness Day” where we could discuss the
challenges of the past and present to help encourage the promise of what tomorrow can
bring. This presentation will include various academic kiosks where guests can learn
about the legal advances, classroom changes, pharmacological breakthroughs, and
other challenges to the equality of all people. A panel comprised of professionals and
students with a disability will discuss how the ability to excel in an academic setting has
improved and how it must continue to do so.
What issue in the current Honors Program Guide did your chapter focus on?
Our project was based on: Issue 10: History and The Future. Our research focused on
the way those with disabilities have gone from being shunned by academia and society
to becoming mainstream and offering significant contribution. A popular example of this
would be Stephen Hawking who would not be able communicate without specialized
technology. Information democratization must be a two-way street, and education is an
important tool in helping us learn to express ourselves with confidence. We wanted to
go a step further and look at how things, especially with the recent funding issues, could
be affected in the future.
Why did you choose this issue?
Our officers came together to present and discuss options for each of the ten issues
that were listed. Many good ideas were presented, but we had a difficult time finding a
couple to take back to the whole chapter for discussion and voting. It was during the
tangent conversations that a real theme began to emerge: Many of us had unique
barriers we were forced to overcome while attempting to excel at everything we desired.
As we pulled in the rest of the chapter members we recognized that nearly everyone
had a story about themselves, their children, or other close family member that had
some form of physical or cognitive barrier to their academic success. It was easy to
recognize that those with disabilities have the right to scholarship, but were there still
limiting factors that prevented them from access to all forms of information?

2. Briefly summarize the resources used to research your chapter’s Honors
Program Guide issue.
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What conclusions did your chapter reach based on your research?
It was fascinating for us to learn how much has changed just since the 1970’s for those
with disabilities. Legislation was put in place during that time that really allowed for all
people, regardless of ability, to have the opportunity for academic pursuits. The
mainstreaming of special needs children drastically increased in the 1980’s, which
encouraged higher self-esteem and better social skills for children with disabilities.
In the early 1990s there was an explosion of the use of Ritalin in children. We started to
see people becoming more accepting of disability, and seeking resolution for their
child’s lack of academic success. The recognition of other cognitive disabilities also
became more mainstreamed as people were less concerned with being ostracized for
revealing them.
We also researched topics on the cutting-edge, those theorized about, and those that
might fit better in a science-fiction novel. Our goal was to present various opportunities
and roadblocks for the short- term future. We feel the biggest hurdle is cost; both the
cost of prescription drugs and that of academic resources. The bright side of the cost is
that it also allows for greater profit which could interest private industry offering greater
diversification.
After all the advancement, acceptance, and resources for those with disabilities, we still
find some people need additional encouragement. Of all the individuals that were
interviewed it was clear that the primary good that we could do was to encourage those
with disabilities to challenge themselves to see how high they could move their own bar.
Summarize your objectives for this Honors in Action project and the process by
which the chapter set these objectives.
Initially, we wanted to let our research start to guide us onto a path that provided us with
a purpose. We did not want to limit ourselves, but we were always cognizant of what
our limits were due to the time frame imposed. Many of the members felt this could be
the first step into something larger, as it carried such an emotional value for so many of
us.
After the initial research we came together as a group to break down what we had
learned individually. Clearly, several small groups had developed that were looking at
this from similar angles. Groups became official, as did their prospective focus areas.
These areas would form the basis of our kiosks at the “Disabilities Awareness Day”
event.

3. The chapter president strongly encouraged primary sources, and especially interviews.
Impact and the emotional link were our project strengths, and he wanted to be sure that
we exhausted our community resources. The chapter came together to work on various
interview questions for the various prospective interviewees: professional, student,
school counselor, and instructor. We had an interview session during one of our chapter
meetings so that everyone was familiar with how to conduct the interview.
These interviews proved most important as were able to recognize the importance we
could play in our local community. Our primary objective became the encouragement of
those with disabilities to overcome them. We would use the research of the past
coupled with the successes of our peers to demonstrate that we all can achieve our
dreams.
With whom did you collaborate for this Honors in Action project?
We initially worked closely with our English department for instruction on how to
facilitate a group research project. We were given an instructional session on how to
conduct, record, and share the sources and information we had located. This primary
step created the foundation for our successful project.
Our own chapter advisors were invaluable in directing and refining our path as we
progressed. Various leaders emerged from membership during the project that really
helped sustain the excitement and focus of the project.
The Disability Services department of our school was extremely helpful in directing us
toward research and persons of interest. We were able to meet with the head of the
department, Cheryl Locke, on multiple occasions and she agreed to be part of our event
discussion panel.
One of our chapter members, Amanda Bagwell, whom is visually impaired, was
instrumental in acquiring the participation of GW Micro. GW Micro is a local company
that has authored a leading screen-reading application for Windows, Window-Eyes.
Amanda was able to secure a representative and a demonstration of the software for
our event.
We were also fortunate to bring in David Gray, a communication instructor who recently
worked in a marketing department, to better help us prepare for the event. He shared
ideas on how to promote, set-up, and conduct the event.
Our members spoke to guidance counselors from local elementary schools and The
University of Kokomo. We also spoke with various community service organizations and
asked them to participate in our event.
Lastly, this project could not have been done without the help and support of our
families. This statement is even more true because of the fact that not only were many

4. of them part of the inspiration for the project, but because many volunteered to be
interviewed and later share during the upcoming event.
Describe the leadership roles undertaken by the chapter that contributed to the
development and implementation of this Honors in Action project. Leadership
roles are not necessarily those that come with “titles”.
Due to the emotional significance this topic had for most of the chapter members it was
exciting to see the amount of involvement and ownership. We began with a steering
committee to plan the breakdown of the project. The leadership committee met several
times to make sure we were on the correct path with the project and that we could meet
the goals that were defined.
Because the research was divided into many topics each research committee required
one person to really guide the development. That person really owned the topic to make
sure that the kiosk was ready and the sufficient development of the topic had occurred.
In addition to the committee leaders, one member compiled all of the information into a
useable format. This member helped each committee head realize the progress of the
other committees, and if cross information or interviews could be shared.
The amount of interviews conducted was a very pleasant surprise, and each attests to
the personal development to reach outside of the school and its resources. Each of
these interviews was recorded with video equipment so it could be compiled into a video
for our event. Our video specialist, an officer, has helped guide and direct the
interviews for maximum impact. The interviews themselves helped the members that
conducted them develop leadership and confidence.
Amanda Bagwell, a chapter member, demonstrated the heart and purpose of our project
by going above and beyond all in contribution. She has secured an important player in
the world of technological tools for the impaired person. She also conducted many
interviews with her peers that witness the personal views of those that have faced
barriers all their lives because of something they had no control over. She inspired us
all to work harder, and she did it all without the need to see.
The event committee leader has a very daunting, yet rewarding task. Each kiosk will
need to be displayed, people scheduled, the master of ceremonies prepared,
advertising completed, etc. Expectations are for a rewarding experience for all
participants and guests.
Describe specific leadership development actions taken that helped chapter
members be more effective leaders for this Honors in Action project.
In the middle of the calendar year we were burnt out on the project that we had all
agreed to just months before. It lacked connection with everyone there. In our most

5. significant leadership stance we decided to drop everything we had done and start over.
In July we met for a summer planning session and started again.
Most people said we could not get it done; we did not have the time. Those of us that
believed pushed back. It was finding an issue that really resonated with the people
involved that made this possible. Learning that message was and will be invaluable.
Our officers all stepped up to mentor those that needed it. We benefitted from instructor
led seminars on research basics, marketing, and presentation. Also, each of us was
able to bring in aspects of our degree programs to aid in our own way.
Most importantly, we all gained valuable leadership skills by setting out for a goal, and
then delivering everything that we promised.
Describe the service or “action” components of this Honors in Action project.
(Action can also include advocacy.)
We have scheduled a “Disability Awareness Day” for February 28, 2012. On this day
everything that we have learned we will share via multiple channels. A presentation hall
within our school has been reserved for the event to be presented from 11a.m. through
2 p.m. During this time the public will be able to peruse multiple kiosks that will either
provide information or have an interactive aspect. An example of the interactivity will be
a demo that includes Windows-Eyes, a screen-reader, that users can try while
blindfolded. All kiosks will be manned so that questions can be presented and
answered.
At noon we will hold a discussion panel that will be led by our own Amanda Bagwell.
She will ask questions and encourage discussion amongst the panelists. Questions will
also be opened to the public. The panel will be comprised of educators, counselors,
students, and other professionals.
We will also have a few speakers and videos of inspirational stories that need to be told.
Our own video will play before and after the discussion period.
Our goal is to advocate that resources are available for all people to be able to get an
education. No one needs to go at this alone. Our hope is to reach out to let people
know how many of their peers are facing these challenges, and that they too can
become advocates. Everyone has a story to tell, and we want to hear it.
What were the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of your project, including
the lessons learned by your chapter members and others?
Leadership is about leading change and leading people. Meeting with various people
that have a disability and talking about their experiences has had a significant impact on
all of us. An unintended consequence of this project has been that we have all become
advocates of the cause. Many of us have personally been in a situation that has

6. allowed us to be a proponent to changing the perception of others. We now have the
experience and the knowledge to really provide compelling inspiration to those that may
not have believed in their self. Our project was about leading people to accept
themselves and others, and that they can achieve anything they set their mind to.
We also learned the value of researching something to which you have an emotional
connection. Being invested in a cause is less important than understanding the personal
value your impact has on other people. Although we hold a personal pride in our
accomplishments we are humbled by the successes of those that inspired us.
What is left undone or what opportunities remain for the future?
Each week one of the members added something exciting and new to the project that
took us to a new level. With more time we could really push this into something larger.
I think that if we continue along this vein with either the new College Project or Honors
in Action Project we will look to include the local University or even the community at
large.
Early on we had talks about using the event to raise money for a scholarship. The costs
of some of the tools can be very high and are often the sole responsibility of the student.
These discussions were terminated as we were concerned about establishing
responsibility for something outside the scope of this project. The idea is a good one,
and we have pursued talks with other parties to take on the responsibility of long term
fund raising.

7. allowed us to be a proponent to changing the perception of others. We now have the
experience and the knowledge to really provide compelling inspiration to those that may
not have believed in their self. Our project was about leading people to accept
themselves and others, and that they can achieve anything they set their mind to.
We also learned the value of researching something to which you have an emotional
connection. Being invested in a cause is less important than understanding the personal
value your impact has on other people. Although we hold a personal pride in our
accomplishments we are humbled by the successes of those that inspired us.
What is left undone or what opportunities remain for the future?
Each week one of the members added something exciting and new to the project that
took us to a new level. With more time we could really push this into something larger.
I think that if we continue along this vein with either the new College Project or Honors
in Action Project we will look to include the local University or even the community at
large.
Early on we had talks about using the event to raise money for a scholarship. The costs
of some of the tools can be very high and are often the sole responsibility of the student.
These discussions were terminated as we were concerned about establishing
responsibility for something outside the scope of this project. The idea is a good one,
and we have pursued talks with other parties to take on the responsibility of long term
fund raising.