Disability awareness being promoted this month
Coping with the challenges of college is something that can make a student’s determination for success commendable. That can be even more so the case for students who have a documented disability.
This month, special commemoration is being given for those who cope with the complexity of college life along with the long-term challenges of disabled living. As part of National Disability Awareness Month, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity is all for “Experiencing Disability,” which involves week-long events of basketball games, receptions and wheelchair runs. The programs are expected to connect students interpersonally with a simulated, but realistic, encounter with having a disability. The week is intended to promote awareness as a way of breaking stereotypes and enabling students to gain an appreciation for diversity in all forms.
According to recent statistics, nearly 250 students attending GCSU have a documented disability, which include physical, mental and learning disabilities. Among them, the highest disorders represented are under learning disorders and typically include ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and autism. In general, students with learning disorders typically have their performance in the classroom hindered by difficulty concentrating, taking good notes and solving math problems.
The Office of Equity and Diversity services offers assisted technology that serves these students’ needs in different ways. For those with note-taking problems, the office often requests notes from classmates, and for others who have difficulty concentrating, they are provided extended study sessions outside of class. In addition, many students receive assistance with time management and handling stressful situations.
The theme that the office bears in mind is that every student – whether disabled or not – has unique needs. The office has received $20,000 in grant money awarded to improve its facilities for the disabled around campus. The newest renovations include new handicap parking and handicap doors in Atkinson Hall and the Arts & Sciences building to make the school more accessible. Mike Chambers, assistant director for the office of equity and diversity disability services, points out that whether a student is in a wheelchair or on a walker, they are just like other students, who also have learning needs.
“Some students need 24-hour assistance and some don’t need as much,” Chambers said, “their personalities are just like that of any other student, with some more willing to learn and some not so willing.”
As the facilitator for all student disability needs, Chambers is the primary mentor for the students. His priority is putting students in the program on the same playing field with other students, regardless of their disability.
Peer Wellness Initiative Director Charles Willis, for the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, spoke in front of an audience of GCSU students and staff on roadblocks that currently exist for the disabled. Being diagnosed with a mental illness himself, he shared his experiences to educate and empower.
“I’ve actually been living for four years (with the diagnosis), and up to that point I was only surviving.” Willis said. “Living today means doing all that I can do for my personal wellness and participating in the wellness of others.”
Using passion, it was Willis’ desire to set new standards for embracing diversity at GCSU.
Next week’s festivities are all aimed toward embracing uniqueness by giving students the chance to experience life through another’s condition. Students like sophomore Spanish major Tenay Carty is planning to participate in the events while bringing an open mind.
“It’s a unique experience that everyone should participate in,” Carty said, “it should be a real eye-opener.”
The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity continues its mission for equality through campus unity. The office encourages GCSU students to keep a mind as open as their liberal arts university.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 23 2009. Filed under News.
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