Name: Angie Christensen
Age: 22
Major: Political Science
Year: Junior
Is it difficult being a visually impaired student at USM?
Yes and no. Getting access to the texts (on CD) can be a problem, but the disability office does a nice job.
How do you take notes and write papers?
I use a portable computer that has a voice-output program called Jaws, like a shark. It’s a problem when the professor says, “look at this here,” so I use a note-taker as well.
Why political science?
I always thought political science was boring, but I took, a People and Politics class and got sucked in. Professor Maiman’s to thank for that.
Is it hard getting back and forth to school?
Well, I live in Wintrop, get a ride to Lewiston and then catch a bus to Portland on Tuesdays. I go to class and stay with a friend until Thursday, then head home.
That sounds like a pain in the ass!
Kind of, but it’s not that bad.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the masses?
Blind people rock! No. I guess I’d tell people that visually impaired people aren’t any different than anyone else. I think people get kind of turned off by the concept. They shouldn’t. I mean I’m just a regular student. Don’t be afraid to come up and say “hi.” I think a lot of people think all blind people are like what they see on TV, you know, like Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder. But not all visually impaired people sway back and forth.