Disability and DiversityDisability and Diversity

Edinboro University of PAEdinboro University of PA

AAC&U DiversityAAC&U Diversity

October 20, 2006October 20, 2006

ADA and Section 504ADA and Section 504

““No No otherwise qualifiedotherwise qualified individual individual with a with a disabilitydisability in the United States, in the United States, …. shall, solely by reason of her or …. shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from his disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or discrimination under any program or activity receiving activity receiving Federal financial Federal financial assistance…..”assistance…..”

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Otherwise qualifiedOtherwise qualified -Were they -Were they admitted or should they be admitted admitted or should they be admitted based upon the same criteria used for based upon the same criteria used for all students?all students?

Person with a disabilityPerson with a disability -Physical or -Physical or mental impairment that substantially mental impairment that substantially limits a major life function (walking, limits a major life function (walking, talking seeing, hearing, learning, etc.)talking seeing, hearing, learning, etc.)

Federal financial assistanceFederal financial assistance -all areas -all areas

What is Access?What is Access?

First, the individual is qualified to First, the individual is qualified to participate in a programparticipate in a program

Second, barriers have been removed Second, barriers have been removed to level the playing field (physical to level the playing field (physical and administrative)and administrative)

Third, support in place to ameliorate Third, support in place to ameliorate student’s chances of successstudent’s chances of success

Access Access ≠ Success≠ Success

Our mission is to provide opportunity Our mission is to provide opportunity for all students to engage in for all students to engage in everything the University has to offer.everything the University has to offer.

Every engagement will not be Every engagement will not be successfulsuccessful

Sometimes students don’t meet the Sometimes students don’t meet the standard and…standard and…

Sometimes we miss the standard!Sometimes we miss the standard!

Not everything is Perfect!Not everything is Perfect!

I thought this might I thought this might not not

be the best place for be the best place for thatthat

flag pole!flag pole!

Another view of DiversityAnother view of Diversity

Edinboro University does not Edinboro University does not consider disability services a priority!consider disability services a priority!

Unlike some views on Diversity, Unlike some views on Diversity, Edinboro University looks to a more Edinboro University looks to a more inclusive modelinclusive model

We include our community off-We include our community off-campus too.campus too.

Why Edinboro University?Why Edinboro University?

Faculty, Staff & Administration SupportFaculty, Staff & Administration Support Long term planningLong term planning Physical plant updates (Universal Physical plant updates (Universal

Design)Design) Flat CampusFlat Campus Unfulfilled need by VR servicesUnfulfilled need by VR services Fulfill mission of UniversityFulfill mission of University SnowSnow

Support ServicesSupport Services

24/7 Personal Care Services24/7 Personal Care Services Lift Transportation ServicesLift Transportation Services Wheelchair MaintenanceWheelchair Maintenance Academic AidesAcademic Aides Meal AidesMeal Aides Alternate Testing ServicesAlternate Testing Services Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapy

Support Services Cont.Support Services Cont.

Adapted AthleticsAdapted Athletics Adapted Intramurals & Recreational Adapted Intramurals & Recreational

SportsSports Learning Disability MentoringLearning Disability Mentoring Tactile ServicesTactile Services Interpreter Services (also captioning)Interpreter Services (also captioning) OVR/BVS CounselingOVR/BVS Counseling Books in alternate formatBooks in alternate format

Services Outside OSDServices Outside OSD

Financial Aid (VR, scholarships)Financial Aid (VR, scholarships) Police/SafetyPolice/Safety Maintenance/ConstructionMaintenance/Construction Academic DepartmentsAcademic Departments HousingHousing Financial ServicesFinancial Services VR services (especially out of state)VR services (especially out of state)

Services Outside OSD Cont.Services Outside OSD Cont.

Medicaid for the State of VermontMedicaid for the State of Vermont Student Government AssociationStudent Government Association Admissions (open house and Admissions (open house and

prospective student meetings)prospective student meetings) Financial Operations (billing/fee Financial Operations (billing/fee

schedule)schedule) Human Resources (OSD and others)Human Resources (OSD and others) Public performances (ALD, SLI, Braille, Public performances (ALD, SLI, Braille,

etc.)etc.)

Things to Highlight Things to Highlight AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Delta Alpha PiDelta Alpha Pi Adapted AthleticsAdapted Athletics Books written by StudentsBooks written by Students Artworks by StudentsArtworks by Students

This is to be read “accomplishments This is to be read “accomplishments by students not for them”by students not for them”

How to be InclusiveHow to be Inclusive

TransportationTransportation Renovations to facilitiesRenovations to facilities Policies and Administrative Practices Policies and Administrative Practices

(emergency procedures, (emergency procedures, accommodations appeal, how to accommodations appeal, how to request accommodations, privacy request accommodations, privacy issues, etc.)issues, etc.)

Communications (TDD, computers, Communications (TDD, computers, internet, print, etc.)internet, print, etc.)

What does it mean for Diversity?What does it mean for Diversity?

Disability accommodations are not Disability accommodations are not extraextra, they are , they are part ofpart of what we do what we do

Accessibility is a consideration in Accessibility is a consideration in everyevery decision on campus decision on campus

Decide if you emphasize disability as Decide if you emphasize disability as an aspect of diversity or just an an aspect of diversity or just an aspect of every day life.aspect of every day life.

Impact of DiversityImpact of Diversity

What Edinboro University does for What Edinboro University does for students with disabilities has an students with disabilities has an immediate and long term impact on immediate and long term impact on those individual studentsthose individual students

What Edinboro University does for What Edinboro University does for students who do not have a disability students who do not have a disability has perhaps a greater long term has perhaps a greater long term impact on the worldimpact on the world

How can you afford not to be How can you afford not to be diverse?diverse?

Questions now and laterQuestions now and later

I always have an opinion! If you I always have an opinion! If you don’t believe me, ask!!don’t believe me, ask!!

Bob McConnell, DirectorBob McConnell, Director Office for Students with DisabilitiesOffice for Students with Disabilities Edinboro University of PAEdinboro University of PA Edinboro, PA 16444Edinboro, PA 16444 (814)732-2462 v/tdd(814)732-2462 v/tdd mcconnell@edinboro.edumcconnell@edinboro.edu

My Colleagues have Opinions too!My Colleagues have Opinions too!

Dr. Pearl Bartelt, ProvostDr. Pearl Bartelt, Provost PBartelt@edinboro.eduPBartelt@edinboro.edu (814)732-2729(814)732-2729 Dr. Gerald Kiel, Vice PresidentDr. Gerald Kiel, Vice President Student Affairs and Student SuccessStudent Affairs and Student Success Gkiel@edinboro.eduGkiel@edinboro.edu (814)732-2313(814)732-2313

Pictures from around campusPictures from around campus