Tag: society

Student Disability Services and their Expanding Possibilities

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

It’s back to school time once again.  For most students, this means shopping lists of new clothes, shoes and books, just to name a few things.  If you’re a college student with a disability, it’s also time to get the required paperwork in to the Students with Disabilities Office at your college or University so that you can get the accommodations you might need to complete your coursework in each class.   The Office of Students with Disabilities Services that’s available at Colleges and Universities does a good job helping those students navigate the academic part of being a student.  There are however gaps in the services provided that can and should be filled.  This article will outline some ideas that might make the experience students gain from utilizing the services provided a fuller one in what it is to be a college student.

Although historically this office was started by students with disabilities, the human touch of this idea is almost nonexistent.  Colleges and Universities should allow this to also be a place where students can gather and talk with other disabled students about experiences like dating and socializing in a college atmosphere that’s specific to them. Even if the specific office isn’t used as an area for this type of dialogue to occur, something like having a mentor, in the form of an older student to share advice from a disability standpoint would be beneficial to all students involved.  This idea would also help the student develop socially if, for example, it is their first time away from home.  Most of the time college is a young adult’s first experience in the “real world”.  It could even be a comforting thought to have a “buddy” waiting for them on their new adventure.  This idea doesn’t have to be mandatory but, at least be offered to new or transfer students so they get the opportunity to participate in such a program.

Workshops packed with valuable real-life information could also be offered.  As a result students could increase their base of information and be more informed about the world around them outside of academics. Guest speakers or webinars should be offered to students so they get the full experience of what it means to be a young adult.  A survey could be conducted to find out what topics students might be interested in getting more information about.  A range of topics could be offered in a relaxed environment, and would also be another opportunity for students to socialize with each other.  Additionally, it could be an opportunity to make connections out in the community that might benefit students in the future.

Finally, transitional information for things like housing and employment options for people with disabilities could be available.  This would be particularly helpful so those students who are going to live alone for the first time after college won’t be so apprehensive about the experience.  The services various offices of students with disability services make available on all campuses are invaluable to each student they help.  They provide services and supports to those students that utilize the office and help engage students on different levels as well as in different areas.  These are simply some suggestions which could only enhance the experience of being a college student with a disability.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: A few Thoughts

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

This past Monday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  This day was started by the United Nations in an effort to help others understand disability issues and bring about disability awareness to the general public.  It has been promoted by the U.N. since 1992.

Every year, this day has had a different theme.  This year’s theme was “Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All”.  This is a great thing to focus on for many different reasons. 

First, there is the importance of accessible buildings for people who are disabled.  Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is not such a huge issue but, there are still places that a person who uses a wheelchair cannot go into because of its lack of accessibility.  I remember when I went to elementary school and because I used a wheelchair, I had to go to a school that was nowhere near where I lived.  That was because it was the only school that was accessible for me to attend.  This may not sound like too much of a big deal, but, when you have to travel for hours on a bus, in a seated position, it is not the most comfortable thing in the world.  If there were an accessible school near my house at that time, I wouldn’t have had to make such a long trek to and from home just to go to school everyday. 

Secondly, having an accessible society also allows people who are disabled to participate in everyday things such as shopping or going to see a movie in a movie theater.  It is my belief that if people can go out and do things like shop for their groceries in the store, they will feel like they have done something important for themselves.  This can lead to improved self-esteem.  I know there are some places that deliver groceries to your home these days, and if you like to use that service, that is just fine too.  I just think people should have the option  of either method of shopping instead of feeling like they are stuck in their homes.

Now, a few words on inclusion.  I know that this is still a work in progress, like all the other issues that disabled people face on a daily basis.  To me, inclusion means in the arena of Employment as well as in Schools, just to name a couple.  These environments have certainly become more disability-friendly but, I feel like they still have a few bumps in the road that need to be smoothed out.  In our schools today, there are a lot more students receiving the services they need in the least restrictive environment and, more importantly,  reaching their educational goals.  Even though unemployment of people with disabilities is higher than other parts of the population, those who are in the workforce are successful in getting and maintaining their jobs.

All in all, I am really happy that the United Nations has brought more awareness to disability issues by observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  I believe that the more information that is available to the public on different disability issues, the more likely myths and fears that people have about living with a disability will melt away.

What other themes could be covered in the coming years?

For more information you can go to: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597

Thanks for reading..

cr

A Little Presidential History…

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Since we recently had a Presidential election, I was thinking about people in history that have impacted the disability world.  I started to think about Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  FDR was the 32nd President of the United States.  He used a wheelchair, but tried to hide the fact that he had Polio from the public.  My guess is that he did so because he was afraid of the reception he would get from people about his disability.

Then, I started to think about how this is not something that would probably be hidden today for a few reasons.  First, I would hope that the climate toward people having a disability has changed.   If there was a candidate who had a disability, he (or she) would not feel like their disability was something that needed to be hidden in order to even be seriously considered for the highest position in the country.  Second, a lot of people feel like their disability limits them from achieving their goals.  In my opinion, being the President of the United States is like achieving the American dream to some.  If it is possible for someone with a disability to attain this goal, maybe someone else would see this as the motivation they need to achieve their own goals.  Also, I feel like if we had a President with a disability now, he or she would be out in public.  As a result, maybe more people would realize that having a disability is not as uncommon as they might think it is anymore.  It would also be a good example, demonstrating that people who are disabled participate in everyday things just like anyone else.

FDR did many things for this country that ended up in the history books I studied when I was in school.  While I do remember his disability also being mentioned, I believe that he started bringing down a tremendous barrier with out really intending to or realizing what he was doing.

What is your favorite piece of history that shows others overcoming stereotypes?

Thanks for reading..

cr

A Movie Review: Miracle Worker

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

This week’s movie review is about the early life of Helen Keller and how her teacher helped her overcome her disability.  I had read some things about Helen Keller when I was younger but, didn’t realize what an activist and advocate she had been in her lifetime.

There were a handful of messages I took from the movie that are important to me about being a person with a disability.  In today’s post, I am going to share some of them with you.

1.Pity – It was ironic to me how in the movie, Helen’s parents let her eat off of their plates by walking around the table and picking at their food with her hands.  This was because Helen’s parents did not think she could be taught to eat with everyone else at the dinner table.  On the other hand, part of what probably helped Helen succeed in her life was the fact that Ann Sullivan, her teacher, did not feel sorry for her.  In my opinion, the fact that her teacher did not take pity on her helped her become the activist she was later on in life.  I don’t ever believe in pitying anyone because of their disability, it serves no purpose and there is no real benefit to the person who is disabled.

2. Dignity– Because of her inability to communicate, I got the sense that Helen’s parents felt like she was more feeble than a baby.  On the other hand, her teacher knew that she could have the ability to communicate if she in fact worked at it.  She treated Helen in a dignified manner.  This is how everyone deserves to be treated.

3. Perseverance– Anne Sullivan, who was Helen Keller’s teacher and companion for most of her life,  believed in Helen even more than her own parents.  I know that Helen Keller lived before things like the Americans with Disabilities Act, so really, very little was expected of her but thankfully, she had Ms. Sullivan  who continually worked with Helen to help her unlock her actual potential despite the physical barriers she faced.

4. Independent Living Skills– To me, this movie demonstrates the first attempts at teaching a person with a disability independent living skills.  Helen’s teacher was able to teach Helen skills such as feeding herself and communication through the use of sign language.  In today’s world, this is not so uncommon.  There is more information and resources available that demonstrate how to teach independent living skills to people with different disabilities.

5. Faith– Sometimes, the person who has faith in us and ends up making a difference in our lives is not a parent or even a family member.  Maybe it is a friend or a teacher we have in school.  We may not even realize who or what makes us have faith in ourselves.  The important thing is to strive to do the best we can with what we are given and believe we can accomplish whatever goal we want to achieve.

These are just a few high points I got from the movie.  So far, both movies I have seen in doing this series for the blog have been really good.  I am hoping that the last two movies I picked illustrate people who are disabled in such a refreshing light as well.

Finally, I don’t believe in being ashamed of a disability as it seemed Helen’s parents were below the surface.  All we can do is face our obstacles head-on with our heads held high and find a way to overcome those obstacles in the best and most effective way possible.

Thanks for reading..

cr