504/ADA Access Committee: Past Meeting Minutes

Susan Krause opened meeting and committee members introduced themselves. SK stated the committee served as a way to communicate access issues on campus since some issues seem to be hidden (cited east and west doors of link as an example).

Susan Quinby provided statistics of students registered with ODS. Barnard needs to provide access re: all disability categories - even if there are no registered students in particular disability categories (e.g. wheelchair users). In anticipation of new guide dog to be used by returning blind student, SQ proposed training with all residential life staff re: guide dog issues. With concerns expressed by graduating seniors with chronic illnesses, ODS expects to publish a health insurance/disability brochure this Spring. Additional projects planned: new Barnard Access Guide; survey of COFHE schools re: foreign language and LD; and a guide to accessible event planning.

Jennifer Herzog Wilder stated room selection is underway, distributed and reviewed a summary of accessible rooms in BC and changes to the new Room Selection Guide. The Specialized Housing Concerns Committee is comprised of representatives from ODS, Counseling Services, Health Services, and Residential Life. Specialized housing requests are granted on a case by case basis and a student can still register for regular room selection if initial request is denied. It was noted that the Guide contains no access information for rooms shared with CU.

Mary Ellen Tucker stated computers should be seen as tools and should be accessible to both students and guests. She summarized recent site visits with ODS to TC Adaptive Computer Lab and CU Electronic Text Service. JAWS (screen-reader software) is now installed on a terminal in the West Wing of the Lehman Computer Center and is open until about 3:30am (same hours as the reading room). MET plans to have JAWS installed on one of the Upper McIntosh public computers.

Julio Vasquez has become aware of many access issues at BC in the 2 months he has been in Facilities Services. He expressed access concerns re: new construction projects and poor/missing signage and access ramps. Committee agreed these were important issues.

Cara Smith reviewed disability-related internship grants available through Career Development; the deadline for applications this semester is 2/13/04. CS summarized a panel discussion re: disability and career internships.

Pam Cobrin informed committee that Project OWL did not run in FA '03 due to scheduling conflicts but will be taught in SP '04. The Writing Center is currently working on obtaining a new computer, copier and JAWS software.

SQ recommended ADA training for the Committee, perhaps later this spring with Salome Heyward, disability rights attorney.

SK suggested splitting the committee into subcommittees to further target specific access issues more effectively and would like to meet again in April ’04.

Vivian Taylor stated the committee feels it is important to have a say in the Nexus construction.

Committee adjourned at 2:00pm.

Recorder: Frank Ammirata

April 18, 2001, 12-2pm, 207 Milbank
Susan Krause, Chair

Present:

Suzanne Balsam
Sandy Bernabei
Jane Celwyn
Giselle Harrington
Susan Krause
Roberta Lupert
Teresa McConie
Jean McCurry
Bill Plackenmeyer
Cathy Pohl
Susan Quinby
Ann Senghas

Not Present:

Eileen Feikins
Cristen Scully Kromm

SK opened meeting at 12:15 pm, and began with an introduction of members. Each member was given a packet of information about 504/ADA and disability awareness. SQ then gave a brief summary of the committee’s history: begun in 1977, its two primary goals/accomplishments were a self-study on physical access (1977-78) and a report entitled, LD at Barnard: Guidelines and Services (1988-89). Four main access projects completed as a result of the self-study were: the Milbank/McIntosh link, the Lehman ramp, "mid-campus" path, and Barnard Hall ramp. The last documented committee meeting was fall 1989.

It was discussed, as this applies to issues of access, that approx. 90% of Barnard’s disabled students have hidden disabilities.

SK headed discussion of second agenda item: disability-related employment issues at Barnard. Consideration of these issues falls into two categories relating to 1) the interviewing/hiring process, and 2) accommodation of current employees who develop disabilities while already working. Under the ADA, HR and managers must determine what defines "reasonable accommodation." SK said main area of improvement should be information dissemination—letting managers and employees know that HR department has information/resources.

This led members to discuss issue of discomfort disclosing disabilities and related needs to employers.

SK and SQ together introduced "consciousness-raising project": committee members should take a new view of campus, considering maps, signage, and access problems. Members mentioned many items including: maps, ramps, labeling of access features, "attitudinal" accessibility, and electric doors. It was noted Barnard is already approx. 90% accessible. Members should email suggestions and observations to SK and SQ.

A discussion ensued about adding a committee member from Development, given financial considerations in making access changes.

AS suggested a picture-taking project (used at MIT) to photograph poorly designed features on campus: SK said disposable cameras could be purchased for task. SBalsam suggested adding "wheelchair perspective" to project.

SQ agreed to lead an access tour for interested committee members this summer (after graduation). SK adjourned the meeting at 2pm, noting the next full committee meeting will be in Fall 2001.

jls: 4/01