Enhancing Campus Access Through Strategic Collaborations

What is outreach? Conceptual models of disability. Shifting our perceptions of disability. Examples of Collaboration and Capacity Building Strategies. Agenda

1.To be more or greater than; exceed. 2.The act or process of reaching out. 3.A systematic attempt to provide services beyond conventional limits, as to particular segments of a community. 4.Any systematic effort to provide unsolicited and predefined help to groups or individuals deemed to need it…seeking out appropriate people and persuading them to accept what is judged good for them. What is Outreach?

Carol J. Gill, Chicago Institute of Disability Research Model Comparison of Disability Medical Model (Old)Interactional/Socio-Political Model (New) Disability is a deficiency or abnormalityDisability is a difference Being disabled is negativeBeing disabled, in itself, is neutral Disability resides in the individualDisability derives from the interaction between the individual and society The remedy for disability-related problems is cure or normalization of the individual The remedy for disability-related problems is a change in the interaction between the individual and society The agent of remedy is the professionalThe agent of remedy is the individual, an advocate, or anyone who affects the arrangements between the individual and society * Disability is a social construct

Disability should be included in all diversity endeavors. Disability should not be separate but equal. For real transformative change to occur people must be able to understand the value, what it means to them, and start where they are. Disability is a Social Construct

Approximately one in five Americans has a disability. One in ten has a severe disability. People with disabilities is an emerging market and an increasingly powerful demographic. Globally, this market represents $3 trillion of disposable income. Research shows that 87 percent of Americans surveyed prefer to patronize businesses that hire those with disabilities. Disability Data

As our baby boomers age, as our disabled veterans return home, and as medical advancements continue to extend life, the number of those with disabilities will continue to grow. The disability community is the largest HEG that anyone can become a member of at anytime….it is also the fastest growing community on college campuses around the United States. (Vogel, Summer 2011, Insight into Diversity) Disability Data

How might this data impact recruitment and retention of students?....faculty/staff? How does it intersect academic disciplines? All of our programs and services must be accessible and usable to everyone (students, parents, guests, etc.). However, how you provide equal access is not necessarily defined. Disability Data

Disability Studies refers generally to the examination of disability as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon…Disability is a construct that finds its meaning within a social and cultural context. Disability Studies

Disability is not an individual problem that needs to be fixed or cured…Disability is a natural part of life and should be a valued identity group. Disability is a social construct. We need to change how we think….I think we focus too much on the students. Paradigm Shift

Examples: Accommodation vs. Inclusion Architecture compliance vs. inclusion Help them wonder?...and who else would benefit? Transformative Change

University mission. University strategic plan. Valued projects. Faculty and student concerns. Know the campus culture. Look for Intersections

Help them wonder and give them the credit. Document good work and do it in front of dept. head, dean, V.P., etc. Report good work in important meetings. University “Academic Spotlights”. Publish. Reward

Identify well respected faculty (who may have made mistakes). Help them wonder. Provide resources. Invite to workshops. Invite to co-present their transformations. Developed videos use them as mentors. Faculty leading faculty. Example 1: Pedagogy

A Cultural Lens Faculty Development Example 2: Awareness

Do you know…. What is it like to live with a disability? How does our society perceive disability? How much do you know about disability culture and history? How does disability intersect your field of study? ……Do your students know about these issues? Faculty and Administrators:

“Disability: the social, political, and ethical debate” Edited by: Baird, Rosenbaum & Toombs Selected authors: Carol J. Gill, Paul Longmore, Harriet McBryde Johnson, etc. Book Club

“The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability”, by Nancy Eiesland Faculty Presentation

Dr. Susan Burch, Associate Professor of American Studies; Director, Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity – Middlebury College The Value of Disability Studies How to incorporate disability studies in your teaching “Unspeakable: The Story of Junius Wilson” The Value of Disability Studies

Committee of Interdisciplinary faculty. College of Humanities and Public Affairs. Introductory Course will be an option for general education requirements. Spring 2013? Disability Studies Minor

Student driven project. Student Government Association very powerful! DRC and student partnership. The field trip. Example 3: Architecture

Staeger-Wilson, K., & Sampson, D. (2012). Infusing JUST design in campus recreation. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 25(3), Staeger-Wilson, K., Barnett, C., & Sampson, D. (2012). Planning for an inclusive campus recreation facility and program. Recreational Sports Journal, 2012, 36(1), Award Winning Design! Reward

Moved from Student Affairs to the Division for Diversity and Inclusion Allies Support Disability Resource Center

Recording our history and examining our growth. Example 4: The Disability Experience

Researched the campus paper for stories about disability. Interviewed past DRC directors. Interviewed past students. Recorded oral histories and created an archive to be maintained in the library. Plan to publish. Oral History Project/DRC Archive

DRC as Consultant. No fear. Proactive and Inclusive work. Focus on what they value. Example 5: Marketing

“I highly recommend inviting the Disability Resource Center to assist with planning any project or event. They can contribute a wealth of information and ideas. They played a large part to ensure the Foster Recreation Center is inclusive/usable to all patrons.” — Cindi Barnett, director of Campus Recreation Marketing Disability Resources

“I didn’t know (universal design) existed, but I was interested in creating courses where students didn’t need special accommodations. … I wanted to make a course in such a way that no students needed accommodation, that all of them could learn… Universal design — this idea I have that all students have the same access to learning — actually improved everything about my classes.” Dr. Marc Cooper, history professor Marketing Disability Resources

Share resources and speakers Affordable/Inclusive Housing Outreach Off Campus

In order for real progress to occur people must perceive disability differently, see disability as a valued part of our diversity, and understand the issues of privilege. Understand that disability is a social construct. Progress

Learn from our mistakes and educate. Where is disability not included? Use a social justice approach. Identify key people who are well respected. Wonder with them…how could this be inclusive? Consult with them so they can lead. Reward and recognize. Collaboration and Capacity-Building Strategies

Questions