Introduction

Since 1992 DO-IT has been a program to help high schoolers with various disabilities in their transition into college through introducing ways to use technology as a tool to make things more accessible. Participants in Phase 1 of the program spend 2 weeks at UW campus in Seattle, taking part in classes and lectures on different subjects every day, while staying in dorms on campus. If you want to learn more about the program explore the rest of site.

Mission Statement

The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility-in both the classroom and the workplace-to maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities and make our communities more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

Intern Spotlight

In this intern spotlight we talk with Ryan Rappaport, 19 years old, who's been involved with DO-IT since 2017. It's the first year for the intern from Newcastle, Washington, who recently graduated from Yellowwood Academy and is now going into his sophomore year at Western Washington University.

• AIDAN: Thanks for talking with us, Ryan!
• RYAN:Of course! Thank you!
• A: So, we're very happy to hear from you! I'm going to go ahead and ask-what are your plans during and after college? What do you plan to major in?
• R: Hmm, I'd have to say computer science and maybe physics. I enjoy logic and logical puzzling and both of those have that element.
• A: Neat! Computer science is quite an in-demand field. What would your ideal job be?
• R: Probably programming artificial intelligence. I think the idea of making some super smart thing that can solve all the problems that we have is what attracts me to the field.
• A: That's super interesting. Definitely a field that's emerging right now. Now, let's switch to some more fun things. What are some of your hobbies?
• R: I like playing videogames, board games, and scuba diving.
• A: What would one of your favorite videogames be? And why scuba diving?
• R: I'll choose Halo 2. To answer your second question, I like exploring the ocean and it's very relaxing.
• A: Don't you have to worry about sharks?
• R: No! I love sharks, they're fantastic.
• A: Alright then. Could you choose a favorite movie or is that too cruel a question?
• R: Oh, definitely the Martian! It's very science-y and I like that. Also, it's realistic and feasible.
• A: Awesome! The Martian is certainly one of the most accurate movies in that respect. Well, on to the next one. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
• R: The ability to go anywhere in the multiverse that I want, assuming the multiverse existed.
• A: Cool!
• R: Yeah, it's kinda one of those cheat powers because you could get to a universe where you could have any power you wanted.
• A: Ha. For sure. So, I've heard you studied Greek mythology. Could you choose a favorite Greek god/goddess?
• R: Hades, because he's just a cool guy.
• A: Right, now let's talk about DO-IT. What's your disability?
• R: I'm legally blind. I'm also legally blonde (laughs).
• A: Why did you want to become an intern?
• R: I became an intern because I wanted to help other people who also had disabilities through the program and also give them some information that would get them to where I am now and even beyond.
• A: What's your favorite part of being an intern?
• R: Just kinda chatting with everyone. Talking. Seeing what's going on. Eating snack
• A: What's one piece of advice you would give to future scholars.
• R: I'm gonna give one piece of advice-that's a good question. Sleep at night-you definitely need to sleep.
• A: For sure. Well, thanks for talking to us! It was great to hear about you!
• R: Yep, happy to.

Favorite Moments

We talked to scholars and interns about what their favorite moments at DO-IT were. Here are some of their responses. Phase I scholar Merritt DeShon said that his favorite moment was a tie between the Woodland Park Zoo and the planetarium. He liked the planetarium because he thought it was cool to learn about the universe and he liked the zoo because he said he hadn't been there in four years so he was excited to visit there again. Alexis Sabin said that her favorite moment was singing at Karaoke and facing her fears. She said she grew to trust the people around her at DO-IT and she had fun singing. Her favorite song was "The Ballad of Mona Lisa" by Panic! at the Disco. David Worthington said his favorite moment was going to Microsoft. He is interested in pursuing a career in computers and he enjoyed seeing the people who worked there with disabilities. They related to him and that inspired him.