An Accessible Campus Jacob Runge

Defining Disability The ADA says that a person with a disability is “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment” (ADA.gov). George Bush signs the ADA

Defining Disability Cognitive Disabilities Physical Disabilities Deaf or Hearing Impaired Blind or Vision Impaired

Defining Disability (cont’d)

Defining Disability (CONT’d) Focusing is difficult! 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Group Work! Let’s think this through. In your group, discuss your assigned scenario. Jot a few notes about what you might do in each situation. You’re welcome to fill in the informational gaps creatively where necessary! Group 1: What obstacles might someone in a wheelchair come across in your area? How could you remove/correct those obstacles? Group 2: A deaf student walks into your area; how do you communicate with her? What obstacles may come up? How can you plan for students with similar challenges? Group 3: A blind student comes into your area with a service animal. What problems might he face? How will you prepare for this situation? Group 4: A student is led into your area by another staff member and seems very confused about what he is supposed to be doing. He asks a lot of questions and does not seem to understand your responses. He is getting very frustrated. How can you help him?

Accessibility vs Accommodation No accommodation: The environment does not allow for people with certain differences to participate. Accommodation: Strives for equity—Individualized adjustments to the environment to allow a single person’s participation. Calls attention to difference Often extra effort on the part of the person in need and the provider Accessibility: An environment is made to be equally easy to participate in by as many people as possible, regardless of ability

Accessibility vs. Accommodation Accommodated Inaccessible Reasonably Accessible

Accommodating in the classroom The college classroom is inherently biased toward the non-disabled We provide tools and support to students to help keep them on the same ‘playing feild’ as their peers

The Social Model of Disability Disability forms a part of a person’s identity – yet most definitions of disability are clinical Two models for understanding disability: clinical and social Clinical: Disability is a lack of ability; it is an abnormality that we have to mitigate as best we can Social: Disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person’s difference

With all this in Mind… How can you make things in your own area more accessible for students, guests, and peers of all ability levels? What can be accessible, and what do we need to be prepared to accommodate? Any other closing thoughts? Recommendations? Hopes? Dreams?