Student activists at Gallaudet University used wireless tech to mobilize

Al Jiminez, a senior at Gallaudet University, uses a wireless handheld computer to communicate with other student activists. Jiminez was participating in a hunger strike as students fought with school officials over their choice for the president of the university. the AP reports.

''Student activists at the nation's only university for the deaf and hearing impaired, Gallaudet University, surprised school administrators with their tenacity and organization. Their demonstrations led to the ouster of incoming President Jane K. Fernandes who students and faculty said was autocratic and unable to tackle the school's long-term problems during her years as provost.

The successful mobilization can be partly credited to a technology that did not exist a decade ago: the wireless handheld computer. For a month, protesters used the mobile devices to wage a wireless war via messages to each other, the media and the international deaf community.

Almost every Gallaudet student has a BlackBerry, Sidekick or other handheld. The students say the technology has brought them more equality and has opened up the world.''
11/9/2006 4:42:46 PM
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