Meet the Coordinators

The key to using Disability Services effectively lies in the relationship between students with disabilities and their designated coordinator. Disability Services assigns a coordinator to each student based on their major field of study. From this relationship come all Disability Services accommodations and services. Among the duties of the coordinator are verification of disability and functional limitations, authorization of accommodations and services, education about students' rights and responsibilities, and advocacy for an accessible and hospitable University. Disability Services encourages students to meet with their coordinators throughout study at the University. To introduce the Disability Services coordinators, following are their brief biographies.

Amy Capolupo
Masters of Social Work, The University of Montana
B.S., Psychology, The University of Montana

Amy received both of her degrees from The University of Montana and between obtaining her Bachelor's and Master's, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gambia, West Africa. She takes an integrated approach in working with students, making use of  both her professional and personal experience in advocating for and working with students with disabilities. She strongly believes in supporting a student's right to self-determination and works toward creating an accessible learning environment.

In addition to meeting with students, Amy also serves as Disability Services liaison to the Alliance of Disability and Students at the University of Montana (ADSUM), and as a representative on UM's Day of Dialogue committee.

Bernadine Gantert
B.A., Psychology, The University of Montana

Bernadine brings to our staff experience as a professional and as a person with a disability. Among her accomplishments include leadership in ADSUM, the Alliance for Disability and Students of the University of Montana, and coordination of the University's Americans with Disabilities Act Phase II Self-evaluation, completed in 1996. Bernadine's professional experience is rounded out by a wide variety of disability-related programs, including independent living, housing, and employment.

Mika Watanabe-Taylor
M.A., Counselor Education, Mental Health (Agency) Track, The University of Montana
B.A., English as a Second Language, Matsuyama University, Ehime-Prefecture, Japan

Mika joined the Disability Services Coordination staff in 2001. Among her other coordination duties, she plans and oversees UM’s annual Transition Seminar for high school students with disabilities.

As a person with a disability, Mika believes that exercising of one’s civil rights coincides with taking personal responsibility. Furthermore, she believes that a goal is achievable only so long as a person starts with action, sets priorities, and persists. As an example of this commitment, she is currently completing her dissertation toward a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Mika is former president of the Montana Counseling Association and has served as a member of several national committees within the American Counseling Association.