Story by Linda McDowell
Ilene Withers, customer service specialist in the Registrar’s Office, continues to do her job with excellence despite the life challenges that she experienced just a few short months ago.
Waking up on Easter morning, she experienced a stroke that limited her physical mobility and use of her right hand. Withers soon learned how to do normal things a little bit differently.
And doing things differently was her goal. As Withers said, “A puzzle ready to be solved.” 
While doing occupational, physical and speech therapy sessions during the weeks following her stroke, she learned of CSU’s Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) from her occupational therapist. Consistent with ATRC’s mission to ensure equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities, ATRC Service Coordinators Anna Walker and Shannon Lavey began working with Withers. As part of the ATRC service delivery process, Walker and Lavey conducted an intake with Withers to identify her challenges and strategies; did an assessment of assistive technology (AT) options, equipment and software recommendations; and offered individualized training on the AT and AT loans for a trial period.
“Working with ATRC has made my job possible,” said Withers. As a part of her job in the Register’s Office, she answers over 70 e-mails per day, which usually increases to 200-300 e-mails per day at the beginning of each semester. She continues to answers those e-mails using Dragon, a speech recognition software, which soon became one of Wither’s best friends.
Dragon wasn’t the only thing that made returning to her job possible. She now has a label maker that enables her to type notes to herself and that she can pass on to her co-workers. In addition, she has adapted her work area by getting a keyboard with the number pad on the lefthand side, next to her mouse.
According to Withers, her co-workers have been fabulous. Her supervisor made a green-and-gold CSU apron complete with pockets, so that she could hold various items as she moved throughout the office. Another co-worker gave her special paper clips that are easier for her to handle. And with help from her husband she has adapted all kinds of things to make her day and work tasks flow easier: a bucket attached to a cane to carry items, modifications to her chair to prevent it from swiveling and even a cane holder made of PVC pipe attached to her wheelchair.
When asked to describe her experiences with the ATRC, she replied, “You are enthusiastic about what you do and you are speedy. It has been a pleasure working with you. It is fun to know what choices are available. A lot of my job is referring people. If a student is struggling, I can refer them to you.”
Wither’s advice to others in a similar situation is, “Don’t be afraid of coming back to work. Think outside the box. Who can help you? Don’t be shy or embarrassed.” She added, “I would advise anyone to use ATRC resources.”
Withers has been an employee in the Registrar’s Office for 15 years and has worked at the front desk helping faculty, staff and students for the past five years. She will do the same as she continues to provide friendly and courteous customer service that many have known over the years.
Further information regarding ATRC and its services is available on Assistive Technology Resource Center.
