DREAM Weekly: April 14-20, 2019

DREAM Weekly on Disability and Higher Education in the News: April 14-20, 2019

From DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
 
Sponsored by the National Center for College Students with Disabilities and the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

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Just a reminder: the DREAM Weekly Email just has highlights from the news – to access the full version:

• Read the attached Word document (with active links)
• Visit our visual and graphic-based version of the news at http://www.nccsdonline.org/news.html
• Read the news online with searchable archives at https://www.dreamcollegedisability.org/this-weeks-news-in-disability-and-higher-education

 
Having trouble accessing an article?  Check with your campus library or reach out to us ([email protected]).
 
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Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
 
* Students, faculty, and multiple student organizations united for a disability rights protest and march at Stony Brook University, protesting inaccessibility of campus buildings, events, and services including counseling (the video is captioned but not audio described): https://sbindependent.org/faculty-and-students-unite-in-disability-rights-protest-on-stony-brook-campus/
 
* Faculty in the rhetoric department at the University of Iowa have written an open letter with concerns about faculty medical leave, sick leave, and sick leave donation policies, noting that a colleague with cancer has lost income because he didn’t accrue enough sick leave and had to wait 90 days to get long-term disability payments: https://dailyiowan.com/2019/04/14/guest-opinion-ui-faculty-deserve-a-sick-leave-bank/
 
* As a wheelchair user, student Adith Thummalapalli couldn’t access the University of Maryland residence hall where his friend was having a birthday party, so he started documenting access problems on campus – and now it’s a 43-page report endorsed by the Student Government Association: https://dbknews.com/2019/04/16/umd-accessibility-report-wheelchair-disability-ada-compliant-stairs-bathrooms-sga/
 
* Universities in the UK have spent £87 million on bullying, sexual misconduct, and discrimination settlements since 2017 (including disability discrimination cases), with at least 4,000 cases including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs); some are concerned that these settlements and NDAs are keeping grievances from becoming public, and isolating people with complaints (videos are captioned but not audio described): https://www.bbc.com/news/education-47936662
 
* The University of Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences wrote up some tips for inclusive faculty interview, and many of them would apply for hiring staff, as well: http://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/internal/diversity/inclusive-interviewing.html
 
* Parkland College undergrad Daniel Romanchuk just became the youngest person ever to win the Boston Marathon’s men’s wheelchair division: https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/maryland-native-youngest-person-ever-to-win-boston-marathon-mens-wheelchair-division/65-824b15cc-8404-478d-b13e-58762f2b127a
                                                                              
* Pacific Lutheran University professor Marnie Ritchie and her Gender and Communication class did a study on bathroom accessibility and found that 84% of buildings don’t have the minimum number of accessible restrooms, and 44% of restrooms don’t have stalls wide enough for wheelchairs; students say this is a sign of much larger problems with accessibility: https://mastmedia.plu.edu/2019/navigating-plu-through-disability/
 
* Imagining wondering if Thomas Jefferson would approve of two wheelchair ramps -- that was just one debate the University of Virginia had to address before they could make the famous campus “Lawn” accessible, with one administrator noting “a level of vehement opposition that I haven’t ever seen before”: https://www.chronicle.com/article/A-University-Makes-Its/246122?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&cid=at
 
* Service dog users and the Student Disability Center at Colorado State University have worked with student government to pass a resolution about fake service dogs and unruly pets, after administrators failed to implement a complaint process: https://collegian.com/2019/04/category-opinion-rego-csu-needed-the-resolution-to-allow-disciplinary-action-against-fake-service-dogs/
 
* After an investigation by the Binghamton University paper, the Editorial Board noted concerns about the campus having the second-highest number of federal civil rights violations in the SUNY system, asked if disability discrimination resolutions prevent long-term change, and called out student apathy about the issue: https://www.bupipedream.com/opinions/106129/editorial-no-1-in-academics-no-2-in-civil-rights-violations/
 
* What is disability studies?  JSTOR published a reading list to show some of the key ideas in the field: https://daily.jstor.org/reading-list-disability-studies/
 
* Liberty University has hosted a high-profile nationally-televised series of town halls on opioids, mental health, and addiction, and how to reduce stigma around those issues, with speakers including Melania Trump, Jerry Falwell, and government officials from the state of Arkansas (videos are not captioned or audio described): http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=328091
 
* He won recognition for being accepted into a university through China’s national college entrance exam, but after  Zheng Rongquan graduated with a teaching degree, he wasn’t hired by a school for the blind because he couldn’t pass the vision exam for teachers: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3006371/blind-mans-fight-teaching-job-school-visually-impaired-sparks
 
* As measles outbreaks happen across the U.S. and New York City declares a public health emergency and mandatory vaccinations, here’s what vaccinated adults and college students need to know, from a professor of immunology at the University of Vermont: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/If-my-measles-shot-was-years-ago-am-I-still-13777099.php
 
* Where do you put 11,769 test-takers each year?  The University of Minnesota is trying to figure that out as they address increasing demand for testing services through the Disability Resource Center: https://www.mndaily.com/article/2019/04/n-solutions-sought-for-crowded-disability-resource-center
 
* New research suggests students with traumatic brain injuries may benefit from “individualized case management” and technology to support cognitive tasks, with the study noting that students were better academically, socially, and as self-advocates if they had these services: https://naric.com/?q=en/rif/Project%20Career%3A%20A%20New%20Program%20to%20Support%20College%20Students%20with%20Traumatic%20Brain%20Injuries
 
* UNC-Chapel Hill undergrad Rwenshaun Miller was suicidal and hearing voices, but refused to get help for bipolar disorder; taking a leave and finding a Black male psychologist made a big difference, and now he’s talking about stigma and Black male mental health on a national level (first of a two-part series): https://qcitymetro.com/2019/04/17/rwenshaun-miller-his-mental-health-struggles-now-fuel-his-advocacy/
 
* Maryland passed House Bill 1473, allowing all universities in the state to install EpiPens next to AED devices in dining halls (news clip is captioned but not audio described): https://www.wbaltv.com/article/epipens-at-umd/27166291
 
* UC Berkeley introduced a new student health insurance plan, but it may end up hurting students more than it helps: http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/16/uc-berkeley-ships-new-insurance-carrier-could-burden-students/
 
* Think College has released a readable Executive Summary of its Year Three Annual Report on TPSID Model Demonstration Projects for students with intellectual disabilities (https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/FF19_Executive_Summary_Year3_TPSID.pdf?utm_source=April+2019+NCC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=April+2019+NCC+newsletter&utm_medium=email), as well as a highly visual summary (https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/Year_3_highlights_032019.pdf?utm_source=April+2019+NCC+Newsletter&utm_campaign=April+2019+NCC+newsletter&utm_medium=email)
 
* Professors and researchers studying chronic fatigue syndrome have joined the list of scientists being threatened, harassed, and trolled online for their work, and many are leaving the field because of it: https://www.reuters.com/article/science-social-media/update-1-online-activists-are-silencing-us-scientists-say-idUSL5N2202P0
 
* After 22 years, medical students in India are getting an updated curriculum, but it is getting criticism for not including anything about disability or disability rights, and for using outdated terminology like “differently abled”: https://thewire.in/rights/mbbs-curriculum-mci-disability-rights
 
* Students at Rutgers University started “The Bandana Project,” where students tie green bandanas to their backpacks to support people with mental illness: http://www.dailytargum.com/article/2019/04/rusa-initiative-aims-to-use-green-bandanas-to-show-solidarity-for-mental-health
 
* A student a UC Berkeley explains why students with disabilities need a space on campus for disability culture: http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/16/uc-berkeley-should-create-a-disability-cultural-space/
 
* Washington University School of Medicine professor Anne Glowinski talked about her own mental illness, as well as struggles of physicians and medical students, during her presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia: https://www.gastroendonews.com/In-the-News/Article/04-19/Physician-Suicide-Stigma-Mental-Illness/54546
 
* Learn more about the documentary Autism Goes to College, premiering at the Newport Beach Film Festival in April; the film follows five college students with autism and their experiences on and off campus: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/04/12/in-autism-goes-to-college-manhattan-beach-filmmaker-details-challenges-for-students/
 
* A bipartisan group of Senators has reintroduced legislation to support workforce training, substance abuse and mental health supports, and stable health insurance at community colleges; they hope to roll their plans into the Higher Education Act reauthorization: https://www.educationdive.com/news/senators-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-for-workforce-training/552888/
 
* Many African countries are impressed that 390 blind and visually impaired Nigerians took national JAMB university entrance examinations, but the man in charge of their accommodations says students’ access to computers and skills in using them will be more critical for higher ed success: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/utme-oloyedes-special-attention-for-blind-candidates-is-model-for-africa-okebukola/
 
* The U.S. Department of Education is planning to conduct several surveys of school administrators this fall to understand how the Individuals with Education Act (IDEA) is being implemented, to prepare for reauthorization; IDEA includes post-high school transition planning for students with disabilities: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/04/19/feds-eye-reauthorization-idea/26454/
 
* The city of Evansville has created an Accessibility program that will send students from local universities to evaluate accessibility of local businesses, giving businesses a window decal if they meet standards: http://www.14news.com/2019/04/13/advisory-board-disability-services-launches-program-recognizing-accessible-restaurants/
 
* Moorhead State University has become the first “Seizure Smart” campus in Minnesota, with campus police, faculty, staff, and students getting training in seizure recognition and first aid: https://www.moreheadstate.edu/News/2019/April/MSU-to-become-first-Seizure-Smart-University-in-KY
 
* Syracuse University hosted its sixth annual “Cripping the Comic Con” about disability in comics: https://www.syracuse.com/living/2019/04/justice-for-all-comic-con-at-syracuse-university-focuses-on-disability-and-comic-culture.html
 
* Victoria University doctoral student Jerusha Mather has cerebral palsy and she is working to make Australia’s medical education and medical admissions testing more accessible for people with disabilities: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/%E2%80%98we-are-missing-out-on-some-great-doctors%E2%80%99-medical
 
* More colleges and universities are struggling with the ethics of running a football program that can injure or permanently disable students, which leaves students, coaches and administrators grappling with the issue:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/sports/colorado-football.html
 
* The Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam will be expanding options for people who are blind or visually impaired, through a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.ada.gov/cpa_exam_sa.html
 
* Macmillan Learning is the first textbook publisher to have e-book accessibility certification: https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2019/04/16/macmillan-earns-ebook-accessibility-certification?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=507b94314c-DNU_2019_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-507b94314c-198891893&mc_cid=507b94314c&mc_eid=a51c972f65
 
* Texas Christian University students have asked for a minor in therapeutic arts (which is not art therapy) after working with professor Amanda Allison and her art programs for people in stressful, traumatic, or therapeutic settings: https://magazine.tcu.edu/winter-2018/art-treat-illness-trauma/?utm_source=ihe&utm_medium=native-banner&utm_campaign=lead-on&utm_content=amanda-allison
 
* What are some options if a parent with student loans has to leave school to care for a disabled child, and can’t afford the payment plans? https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2019/04/liz-weston-student-loans-are-drowning-me-after-i-quit-school-to-care-for-my-son.html
 
* Former Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard had sued for discrimination on the basis of disability (heart surgery) and religion (accusations of being a Calvinist); his case was dismissed this week in U.S. District Court: https://www.kalb.com/content/news/Western-District-dismisses-former-Louisiana-College-presidents-discrimination-lawsuit-508711691.html
 
* Harvard and UC Berkeley student Kevin Frazier experienced anorexia and and now he is calling for more research and ways to fight stigma about the “mental health epidemic” on US campuses: http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/12/schools-should-prioritize-students-mental-health/
 
* A student at the University of Alabama becomes the latest to protest strict attendance policies and how they may affect sick students or those with chronic illnesses: https://cw.ua.edu/52380/opinion/attendance-policies-need-more-leniency/
 
* Temple University lacrosse player Maddie Gebert wondered if she’d have to give up her favorite sport after being diagnosed with epilepsy, but her neurologist encouraged her to stay on the team: https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/living-epilepsy-doesnt-slow-down-temple-university-lacrosse-star-maddie-gebert
 
* Campus social media buzzed with reports about Mississippi State University closing the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability due to budget cuts, but the MSU President released a public statement saying the university “has no plans to close the center”: https://www.starkvilledailynews.com/news/msu-operational-plan-underway-for-t-k-martin-amid-budget/article_24cba890-61ee-11e9-856c-3fb8d94d7185.html
 
* In Singapore, Dr. Cecilia Kwok is one of the graduating students at Duke-NUS medical school, and her research into mental health is rooted in her own struggles completing her studies: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/advertorial/on-a-mission-for-mental-health-11422336
 
 
 
A Few Other Items of Possible Interest:
 
* “What does it mean to be a good ally in 2019?” Vox hosts a panel of activists to discuss it, including disability activist Emily Landau (video is captioned but not audio described): https://www.facebook.com/Vox/posts/1150475921806675
 
* A new network called Deaflix has launched, featuring shows in sign language, with closed captions and voice over (video has audio voiceover but no captions for non-signers): https://deaflix.com/
 
* During WWII, Nazi soldiers were terrified of the contagious Syndrome K in an Italian hospital, so they did not transport any patient suffering from it – but the Jewish patients actually had a fake disease created by Dr. Giovanni Borromeo to save them: https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/frank-bures-the-deadly-disease-that-saved-lives-in-wwii/article_cfc44af2-218e-5074-8dfe-0c971512cdf9.html
 
* The Love Your Brain Foundation has created a national network of “Love Your Brain” yoga classes for people with traumatic brain injuries: https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-loveyourbrain-yoga-to-begin-in-towson-20190416-htmlstory.html
 
* Producers of CW’s new TV series In the Dark have apparently been unable to find any blind women who can play the lead role of a blind woman as well as a sighted one who has made a “commitment to accurately portraying a blind person”: https://www.thewrap.com/in-the-dark-producers-explain-why-they-didnt-cast-a-blind-actress-in-the-lead-role/
 
* Vets in the US and UK are dealing with anti-vaxxers’ questions about vaccines causing autism in their pets – the answer is pretty much the same as questions about vaccines causing autism in people (news clip is captioned but not audio described): https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/spokane-county/no-vaccines-do-not-cause-autism-in-pets/293-cab932ea-a05c-4143-9b3e-16abc0a98b42
 
* The Video Relay Service helps Deaf people around the country use the phone, but a new survey by The Deaf Report suggests that industry policies and Deaf consumers are “abusing interpreters”: https://thedeafreport.com/home/2019/4/17/the-vrs-industry-is-abusing-interpreters
 
* The conference center for the Royal College of Physicians in the UK will feature a sign created by Grace Warnock when she was ten years old, after people criticized her for using accessible bathrooms because they couldn’t see her disability of Crohn’s disease; the sign features male/female figures with red hearts: https://www.scotsman.com/news/grace-s-sign-takes-pride-of-place-at-newly-refurbished-centre-1-4907989
 
* People with disabilities in Armenia struggle to find work, with an unemployment rate over 75%: https://oc-media.org/armenia-s-blind-struggle-to-find-a-livelihood/
 
* Singer Bebe Rexha revealed that she has bipolar disorder and is “not ashamed anymore”: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/16/entertainment/bebe-rehxa-bipolar/index.html
 
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By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD), AHEAD, or the U.S. Department of Education agree with or support everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions.  Thanks.
 
DREAM and the NCCSD are funded by a grant to AHEAD from the U.S. Department of Education (P116D150005).