Miss-Delectable
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http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/NEWS0501/603020325
Professors' work on animated bunny program honored
Nicoletta Adamo-Villani has worked in computer animation all her life.
On Wednesday, the Purdue University professor was honored with a Focus Award for an animation program she helped create that could change the way deaf children learn mathematics.
"In animation, we try to communicate primarily by body language rather than words," said Adamo-Villani. "So I thought, 'Why not use animation to help deaf people?' "
Adamo-Villani teamed with Ronnie Wilbur, a professor of speech, language and hearing sciences, to create an animated bunny rabbit that uses American sign language and counting to make learning math fun and easier for deaf kids.
Wilbur and Adamo-Villani were among five people or organizations to receive the awards, which are given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of disability, accessibility and diversity.
"We thought a bunny would be entertaining for very young kids," said Wilbur. "Nicoletta has also created an alien character that signs and does everything. With my expertise, I can help her."
Wilbur said she enjoys being an advocate for what she calls "invisible disabilities."
"I had polio as a child and was paralyzed for a year," Wilbur said. "I had my own miracle and am now standing before you."
Fred Whittmeyer, a representative from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, was the featured speaker.
Whittmeyer, who was paralyzed in a car crash in 1970, later recovered and was able to walk with a cane. But he started using a wheelchair again after a bad fall in 2000.
He discussed the differences in accessibility between the first time he was paralyzed and the second.
"I was going through a real deep depression because all I could think about was what it was like back in the '70s," Whittmeyer said. "You didn't have ramps or handicapped parking. You didn't even have bathrooms that were accessible. Today it's totally different."
Whittmeyer praised the Focus winners for their efforts, saying, "It's people like you who made this possible."
Professors' work on animated bunny program honored
Nicoletta Adamo-Villani has worked in computer animation all her life.
On Wednesday, the Purdue University professor was honored with a Focus Award for an animation program she helped create that could change the way deaf children learn mathematics.
"In animation, we try to communicate primarily by body language rather than words," said Adamo-Villani. "So I thought, 'Why not use animation to help deaf people?' "
Adamo-Villani teamed with Ronnie Wilbur, a professor of speech, language and hearing sciences, to create an animated bunny rabbit that uses American sign language and counting to make learning math fun and easier for deaf kids.
Wilbur and Adamo-Villani were among five people or organizations to receive the awards, which are given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of disability, accessibility and diversity.
"We thought a bunny would be entertaining for very young kids," said Wilbur. "Nicoletta has also created an alien character that signs and does everything. With my expertise, I can help her."
Wilbur said she enjoys being an advocate for what she calls "invisible disabilities."
"I had polio as a child and was paralyzed for a year," Wilbur said. "I had my own miracle and am now standing before you."
Fred Whittmeyer, a representative from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, was the featured speaker.
Whittmeyer, who was paralyzed in a car crash in 1970, later recovered and was able to walk with a cane. But he started using a wheelchair again after a bad fall in 2000.
He discussed the differences in accessibility between the first time he was paralyzed and the second.
"I was going through a real deep depression because all I could think about was what it was like back in the '70s," Whittmeyer said. "You didn't have ramps or handicapped parking. You didn't even have bathrooms that were accessible. Today it's totally different."
Whittmeyer praised the Focus winners for their efforts, saying, "It's people like you who made this possible."