May 11, 1999
Contact: Mary Jane Dunlap, University Relations, (785) 864-8853 or [email protected]
EDITORS NOTE: Denise Lance is not planning to attend the all-university commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 23.
TOE-TYPING STUDENT EARNS PH.D. TO HELP OTHERS
LAWRENCE -- G. Denise Lance has spent her 30 years showing everyone around her what is possible -- including typing term papers with her toes, managing Web sites and earning a Ph.D. in special education at the University of Kansas.
From grade school through graduate school, Lance has fought to be accepted into classrooms and programs.
On first meeting the young woman from Independence, Mo., her teachers have struggled to see beyond the severe cerebral palsy that makes walking difficult for Denise and using her arms to take notes almost impossible. They strain to understand her speech.
At the same time, Lance and her parents, Dorothy and Calvin Lance, strained to get teachers and others to see Denise's strengths -- intelligence, courage, determination and a sense of humor.
On Saturday, May 22, Lance will receive a Ph.D. in special education during the 4 p.m. hooding ceremony for doctoral candidates by KU's Graduate School in the Lied Center.
Her mom, dad and older sister will be in the audience along with friends, former teachers and other relatives. Many feel as do Steve Colson, her dissertation co-adviser in KU's special education department, "Denise has taught me so much." Colson said he remains awed by the physical hardships Denise pushed beyond to earn a doctoral degree.
Dorothy Lance has helped her daughter commute to classes in Lawrence and at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., as well as served as her advocate, translator and personal assistant for daily tasks most of us take for granted.
Her mother recalled public-school teachers who balked at trying to teach her daughter. Some, after observing Denise achieve top grades and join school activities, apologized to Mrs. Lance for their inability to see potential.
"We knew she had a good mind and could contribute," Mrs. Lance said, remembering the discouragement. "It wasn't funny at the time but I have to laugh now. All along people said she didn't belong and couldn't do anything."
Denise said of the challenge to earn a Ph.D.: "My story is not a 'poor little crippled kid' story. It is a demonstration of the power of family support, belief in one's abilities, trust in God and technology."
She plans a career teaching and advising about the use of assistive technology to enable others with disabilities to reach their potential, to be accepted into classrooms, offices and board rooms. In addition to her research, she has managed assistive technology web sites at KU. A visit to her Web page offers a hint of her potential in the field: http://at-center.com/Denise.html.
"Distance education is a growing trend in this country, and this is a boon for me," Denise said. "Although I would be able to teach in a classroom using speech synthesis and presentation software like PowerPoint, teaching through the Web would be much easier."
Before using computers, Denise held a stick in her mouth to punch typewriter keys. Later she transferred the stick to her right hand. Tasks that would have taken a slow typist a few hours required a day or more for her to complete. She dropped out in her freshman year at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., exhausted physically and emotionally.
A computer and some assistive technology computer programs made a bachelor's in English and psychology degree possible at William Jewell. When her dad bought her computer, Denise asked him to put the computer keyboard on the floor. "I had always used my feet to dial the telephone and press the buttons on my stereo, so I decided to try typing with my feet," Denise typed to respond to a question.
"After being freed by assistive technology myself, I decided that I must help others with disabilities achieve their goals with assistive technology."
Denise said 26 million Americans have severe disabilities and many could benefit from assistive technology. "Sadly, few receive assistive technology services, so their talents are trapped within them, hidden. The next brilliant writer, artist, musician, scientist or peacemaker just might be waiting for a device which will free his or her talent for the world to enjoy. This is my motivation."
One of Denise's research advisers, Floyd Hudson, died April 3. "I hope to honor his memory by dedicating my work to improving the lives of students with disabilities and of their families," she said. "I did not do this alone."
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