DO-IT Scholar Profile: K

[music]

>> K: My name is K
and I’m a congenital amputee

meaning that I was born
with just one arm.

>> K: So how was your weekend?

>> Anita: My weekend was good.

>> K: I first got involved
with DO-IT when I was

a junior in high school.

DO-IT stands for Disabilities,
Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology.

DO-IT introduced me to mentors and
other students with disabilities.

>> Scott: Welcome.

So we are talking about...

>> K: I attended the
summer study program

run by DO-IT at the
University of Washington.

It was a great
introduction to U-Dub

and part of the reason
I decided to attend.

>> K using speech-to-text: I have met many
new friends...

>> K: DO-IT helped
guide me through college

and learn about technology
to help me succeed in classes.

It also helped me develop
my leadership skills

and prepare me
for job hunting.

I attended a job fair
with one of my DO-IT mentors

and was able to talk with recruiters
and prospective employers.

In June of 2018, I received
my degree from U-Dub

in Law, Societies & Justice
and Disability Studies.

I want to go to law school and
become a disability rights attorney.

DO-IT has helped me
realize my full potential.

>> Sheryl: My name is
Sheryl Burgstahler

and I direct
the DO-IT Center.

DO-IT stands for Disabilities,
Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology.

And in 1992 we started
the DO-IT program

with funding from the
National Science Foundation.

And now it’s grown to a
collection of activities

that are sponsored by many groups
including the National Science Foundation,

the U.S. Department of Education,
the Department of Labor,

the State of Washington,
Microsoft, Boeing, many other funders.

All of our projects
are centered around increasing the success

of people with disabilities
in college and careers

using technology
as an empowering tool.