Download Shifting the Paradigm

Slide 1
Shifting the Paradigm:
Agents of Change in the Campus Community
Presented by Barbara Hammer and Abbie O’Sullivan, University of Missouri,
AHEAD 2011 Seattle Washington
Slide 2 [picture of University of Missouri quadrangle with Jesse Hall in
background]
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Chancellor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities
3 faculty
4 staff
5 students – 4 undergraduate, 1 graduate
8 ex-officio
campus ADA Coordinator
Director of Disability Services
Manager in HR
representatives from Residential Life, Athletics, Construction
Management, Health Psychology, and the Wheelchair Basketball
program
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The committee’s charge
…to advise the Provost on MU programs, services, and policies which affect
students, faculty, staff and visitors with disabilities.
http://committees.missouri.edu/persons-disabilities/index.php
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Timeline
2007 – 2010
Chair, Kim Anderson, Ph.D.
2010 – 2011
Chair, Cheryl Shigaki, Ph.D.
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2007-2008 – Problems Identified
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The University was not fully compliant with ADA policy.
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The University lacked a universal design learning environment.
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The University lacked a centralized location on its Webpage for
information/resources regarding disabilities.
The University lacked a student disability organization.
Persons with disability remained “invisible” at the University and were often
not acknowledged in diversity initiatives.
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How to respond
Three pronged approach:
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[image of a man sitting at a desk – Chancellor of the University]
Increasing awareness from top down
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[image of three people in wheelchairs, two manual and one power]
Taking a hands-on, pragmatic, cost-effective approach at middle levels
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[image of a pen sitting inside a book]
Drafting policy
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2008 - 2010
The work began in earnest…
We needed data – we had information
about students with
disabilities, but very
little about employees
We needed a strategy – where to begin?
what cost?
And who pays?
Who does what?
How?
At
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The committee…
… developed faculty/staff survey for dissemination during 2009 academic
year
… focused on re-introducing the Access Mizzou concept as a way to build
commitment from campus partners
… focused on lack of campus policy or direction regarding purchase of
products and services that are accessible for all users – initially worked with
Procurement office to develop vision statement (in lieu of policy)
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Faculty / Staff Survey on Disability Prevalence, Awareness and Accessibility at
MU
Key findings:
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28% of all respondents* rated campus accessibility as “fair” or “poor.”
14% respondents* with a disability did not feel that employees with a
disability are generally accepted.
26% with a disability** reported experiencing job discrimination.
20% with a disability** reported experiencing harassment because of
their disability.
* Ntotal = 1,144; **Ndisability = 167
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Report was submitted to the Chancellor and Provost in February 2010
Dr. Shigaki and Dr. Anderson submitted a manuscript to disseminate findings
from survey which has since been accepted for publication in WORK: A
Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation
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Access Mizzou
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An initiative that had been developed years before
Resurrected with commitment from all members of the committee
Recognized need to start small, build credibility and success
Approached School of Health Professions to be the initial participant
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Spring-Summer 2010
The initiatives began…
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April 2010 - Met with Provost to present Survey report & discuss implications
May 2010 – commitment from Dean of School of Health Professions to initiate
Access SHP
Slide 18
[image of a man in a manual wheelchair squeezing through a doorway that is
obviously very narrow]
June 2010 - “Roll-through campus” with Provost, Vice-Provost for
Undergraduate Studies, Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Dean of
Graduate School
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“The Traveling Road Show” – August 2010 – April 2011
10 presentations to campus groups:
Provost’s Staff
Council of Deans
School of Medicine Department Chairs
Enrollment Management
Mizzou Diversity Summit
Office of Financial Aid
Advisor’s Forum
Staff Advisory Council
Faculty Council
Student Affairs Directors
Slide 20
Title of presentations…
“Rethinking Disability”
Featured:
summary of survey
explanation regarding difference between medical and social models of
disability
explanation of principles of universal design (including for “learning”)
outline of committee’s strategic goals
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Traveling Road Show Outcomes
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September 2010 - request by Provost for the committee to develop specific
strategic goals for the campus
December 2010 - commitment from Provost and Provost’s staff to explore
options for centralized funding (and possibly services) of accommodations
for employees with disabilities
Spring 2011 - engagement with Admissions / Registrar to improve
recruitment of and access for students with disabilities
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Development of Strategic Goals
Aligned with UM Strategic Plan
Committee worked together to develop and refine the goals
Submitted Strategic Goals to Provost in October – led to follow up meeting
with Provost’s staff to discuss
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The Strategic Goals
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Actively recruit, retain and graduate students with disabilities
Actively recruit and retain faculty and staff with disabilities
Commit to implementation of inclusive design principles in constructing
and modifying campus facilities, programs, activities, services and
technology
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Access SHP
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Launched May 2010
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Three working groups:
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IT issues
Education / Awareness issues
Architectural / Structural Issues
Activities occurred Summer/Fall 2010, Spring 2011
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Access SHP - IT
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Educated faculty / staff about adaptive computing products and services
Improved accessibility of SHP web sites
Addressed accessibility of online courses
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Access SHP –
Education / Awareness
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Disseminated information on using lecture capture for faculty
Worked with web developer to increase visibility of disability related
programs and services on website
Reviewed essential functions/technical standards with department
chairs; provided assistance with respect to wording
Worked with marketing manager to address concerns about captioning
for multi-media
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Access SHP – Architectural/Structural
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Funding obtained for outdoor ramp & automatic door in Lewis Hall
through Student Fee Capital Improvement Committee. Total amount
awarded: $27,157. Presentation made by student member of
committee (O. T. student)
Parking and Transportation added two marked accessible parking spaces
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Assessment completed for improved signage in the building with cost
estimates included
Slide 28
[image of patio area outside a building with steps on the right hand side and a
picnic table in the area]
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[image of the same patio area but with a rendering of a ramp leading from the
patio to the next level up – just to the left of where the stairs are located]
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[image of an entrance door to building]
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Policy Review
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Identified existing policy – completed a campus wide survey of all disability
and related policies
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Determined where the need exists
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Began drafting an accessibility policy – remains a work in progress
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What next?
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Promotion of the development and adoption of an MU policy to address
accessibility
Continue our efforts to institute routine practice of captioning multi-media
Participation with Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs in exploring options
for centralized accommodations funding and services for employees with
disabilities
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Continue presentations across campus and elsewhere
Slide 33
QUESTIONS?
Thank you for coming!