DREAM Weekly E-Mail: March 31-April 13, 2019

​DREAM Weekly Email, Disability and Higher Education in the News: March 31-April 13, 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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** We have a double issue this week! **
 
 
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):
 
* It started as a course assignment, but a student at the Miami Ad School of New York is getting national attention for her “Wear Your Meds” campaign, which features buttons that have images of 14 common psychiatric medications, to break down the stigma of taking them: https://www.today.com/health/wear-your-meds-lauren-weiss-hopes-erase-stigma-against-psychiatric-t151702
 
* A new study reports that Asian American, Pacific Islander, and multiracial college students are more likely to have considered or attempted suicide when compared to white students, even though those groups have lower rates of actual psychiatric diagnoses; the report calls for “culturally informed mental health programs” on campuses: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/minority-college-students-might-not-get-mental-health-help-despite-n992626
 
* A research brief by the NCCSD reported the first stage of a national needs assessment, including barriers, supports, and recommendations by undergrad and grad students with disabilities, who noted that even when they are competent self-advocates, basic accommodations on campuses are usually still lacking: http://www.nccsdonline.org/research-briefs.html
 
* Artificial intelligence is making college courses more accessible, identifying any online access issues, and personalizing learning for all students: https://www.educationdive.com/news/will-artificial-intelligence-make-the-college-classroom-more-accessible/551988/
 
* University of Mary Washington students and staff gathered for a celebration to surprise cafeteria worker Grace Anne Braxton after she won a silver medal in the Special Olympics World Games (news clip is captioned but not audio described): https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Mary-Washington-Students-Surprise-Longtime-Cafeteria-Worker-After-Her-Special-Olympics-Win-508467631.html
 
* Georgetown sophomore Anna Landre wants to change people’s ideas about disability and share her experiences, including her calculations for what she calls “pee math”: https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/This-college-sophomore-wants-to-change-how-we-13747286.php
 
* Canadian students are protesting the way universities are covering up student suicides or keeping them secret, allowing universities to also cover up the need for more mental health resources on campus: https://dailyhive.com/toronto/u-of-t-mental-health-crisis-april-2019
 
Nw films of possible interest related to disability and higher ed:
* Chris Violette’s “Woman of Steel” documentary about a woman with a prosthetic arm, was made for a film class at Florida State University, but won the prestigious Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship at the annual College Television Awards in Los Angeles:  https://www.unionleader.com/nh/lifestyles/focusing-his-camera-on-people-with-disabilities-bedford-man-shines/article_25e8029a-5ace-5f1d-8d89-6791862de443.html
* “Autism Goes to College” is a new documentary following five California college students with autism; it premieres this month in Santa Monica: https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2019/04/08/college-spectrum
* A trailer is out for The Professor, a new movie starring Johnny Depp as a professor diagnosed with a terminal illness who “indulges in numerous vices” to live life to the fullest (trailer is captioned but not audio described): https://www.firstshowing.net/2019/first-trailer-for-dark-comedy-the-professor-starring-depp-dewitt/
 
* How do FM Systems work at conferences?  A hard-of-hearing professor gives some advice: https://themindhears.org/posting/
 
* Benjamin Huntzinger was paralyzed in a car accident and decided he could build a better wheelchair than the one he had, so now he’s at South Regional Technical College, building and selling wheelchairs out of his truck that are based on mountain bikes (news clip is not captioned or audio described): https://wfxl.com/news/local/man-builds-wheelchairs-out-of-truck-wins-25000-from-georgia-inventure-prize
 
* The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has won international recognition for its Global Sports Mentoring Program that trains leaders in disability and athletics from countries around the world: https://news.utk.edu/2019/04/12/csps-leads-international-disability-inclusion-program/
 
* Amarillo College has created a national model with its “No Excuses Poverty Initiative” program for low-income students (including those with disabilities), helping with food, housing, bus passes, and other basic needs so students can graduate and find jobs: https://www.chronicle.com/interactives/20190403-amarillo?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&cid=at
 
* Southern Utah University has started using Bluetooth-enabled devices so students can open doors with voice commands through their phone: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/04/11/prc-suu-brings-high-tech-ada-accessibility-to-campus-buildings/#.XLDK_-hKhPY
 
* She “came out” as autistic in high school, and went to college as an openly autistic student, and it “changed my life,” says Haley Moss, who is now a practicing lawyer: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/telling-my-high-school-class-that-im-autistic-is-the-best-thing-ive-ever-done
 
*  For many students with chronic illness, accommodations and disability parking spaces are simply not enough: http://dailytexanonline.com/2019/04/08/its-hard-getting-to-class-when-you-have-a-chronic-illness-ut%E2%80%99s-limited-accommodations-don
 
* Jason Farr and Travis Chi Wing Lau protested a Chronicle of Higher Education “tirade” against social media, noting that for academics with disabilities, social media can build community, access, and ultimately better scholarship: https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/letters/twitter-helps-us-build-a-more-inclusive-academy/?cid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm_medium=en&cid=cr
 
* Federal prosecutors accepted plea deals from 13 parents in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scam, but added additional charges for the 16 parents who didn’t take the deal: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/10/us/college-admissions-loughlin-carrot-stick/index.html
 
* A Kansas school district has a coffee cart for students with disabilities to learn independent living and job skills, but now they’re planning to open another cart next to the bookstore at a local community college (video captioned but not audio described): https://www.gctelegram.com/news/20190405/gccc-coffee-shop-could-connect-usd-457-students-to-jobs
 
* A USC notetaker complains that there’s a lack of communication between the disability services office and notetakers, and the system for getting notes to students seems to have major problems: http://dailytrojan.com/2019/04/11/opinion-dsp-note-taking-leaves-a-hole-in-accommodations-services/
 
* Georgia Tech’s program for students with intellectual disabilities is celebrating a major milestone, as its first class graduates this year: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/georgia-colleges-make-room-for-students-with-intellectual-disabilities/rYWMxzNdtmXnPBqHvcwxBN/
 
* Terence Steward was diagnosed with HIV while in college at Beloit, and he developed depression and became more isolated, but after finding a community, he’s graduated and talking about his experiences to help others: http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Chicagoan-recalls-challenges-of-overcoming-HIV-stigma/65809.html
 
* A  University of Cincinnati graduate student with POTS talks about people assuming she’s faking because she uses a wheelchair but can walk, and how she’s working to make her campus more accessible: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6911907/Student-reveals-accused-faking-disability.html
 
Two universities are reviewing policies related to emergencies and students with disabilities:
* The University of Akron is taking a look at policies and procedures after a student with a disability was left in her dorm during a fire alarm (part two of a two-part series on the incident): https://buchtelite.com/38582/news/multiple-ua-departments-respond-to-disabled-student-evacuation-incident/
* The University of Michigan is implementing a “Run, Hide, Fight” program for students in active shooter situations, despite students with disabilities complaining that the program didn’t apply to wheelchair users: https://www.michigandaily.com/section/administration/capable-guardian-program-offers-active-attacker-training-university-community
 
* A disabled veteran at the University of North Florida wrote a letter to the editor of the student newspaper, saying the DRC has been an ally, but administrators and faculty have consistently refused to provide accommodations: https://unfspinnaker.com/76150/features/letter-to-the-editor-veterans-deserve-better/
 
* Once again, federal judges have refused attempts to dismiss lawsuits against MIT and Harvard University for allegedly not captioning its public online materials: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/04/08/mit-and-harvard-fail-get-out-video-captioning-court-case?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=f707f53a59-DNU_2019_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-f707f53a59-225808461&mc_cid=f707f53a59&mc_eid=d5645fe552
 
* Two campuses have students working to create disability cultural centers:
* Despite Brown University administration refusing a proposal for a Disability Justice Cultural Center, students have started a petition for it, and the Undergraduate Council of Students signed on as supporters: http://www.browndailyherald.com/2019/04/11/ucs-amends-bylaws-supports-djab/
* The Disabled Student Leaders Coalition at UC-Berkeley has convinced administrators to form a subcommittee that will identify space for a disability cultural center: http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/10/subcommittee-formed-to-negotiate-space-for-disability-cultural-center/
 
* A new report found that the $36 million University of Arkansas’ PROMISE program successfully increased services, postsecondary education, employment, and incomes of low-income teenagers with disabilities, succeeding in its goal of increasing youth employment and reducing dependence on Social Security: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/uoa-uoa041019.php
 
* In the UK, a local LGBTQ+ nightclub is working to improve its disability access by collaborating with Oxford and Oxford University LGBTQ+ groups, making it the only accessible club near campus: https://cherwell.org/2019/04/05/plush-and-oxford-lgbtq-society-announce-joint-funding-campaign-to-improve-wheelchair-access/
 
* After being at Columbine High School during the shooting, Heather Martin struggled in college and developed an eating disorder, while dealing with profs who forced her to talk about violence; now she’s helping other communities and other survivors of mass shootings: https://www.cpr.org/news/story/she-didn-t-go-back-to-columbine-for-10-years-then-she-started-helping-other-survivors
 
* Students at Kutztown University studying education of visually impaired students got a little first-hand experience while helping plan a community Easter egg hunt with talking eggs that say things like “Here I am!”: https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/talking-easter-eggs-level-playing-field-for-blind-visually-impaired-children-during-vision-resource-center-of-berks
 
* The University of Memphis is making an effort to talk about experiences of students with disabilities during sexual assault awareness month: http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/news/sexual-assault-awareness-month-sheds-light-on-disabled-victims/article_19c4d2a8-5bc4-11e9-8aeb-77c4dc2602ee.html
 
* A student at the University of Oregon shares her experiences and tips for other students dealing with mental health issues in college, including ways students can advocate for themselves: https://www.dailyemerald.com/opinion/davies-resources-to-help-climb-the-mental-health-mountain/article_2f641f24-5b56-11e9-b0ad-0f9eac92e116.html
 
* The Binghamton University newspaper took an in-depth look at civil rights violations on campus and in the SUNY system, including complaints related to disability: https://www.bupipedream.com/feature/news/105895/binghamton-university-sees-four-civil-rights-cases-with-violations-corrective-changes/
 
* A Boston College town hall about disability issues had students asking questions about services and access, but also featured the Assistant Dean of Students with Disabilities admitting he is frustrated his office hasn’t been able to do more: https://bcheights.com/2019/04/11/council-for-students-with-disabilities-town-hall-exposes-frustrations-on-campus/
 
* The Disability Resource Center at Purdue University hosted a “Sex, Love, and Disability” presentation to talk about sexuality, disability, dating, and related topics: https://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/article_e54325f3-5cfd-5421-ada9-544eea9195dd.html
 
* Wheaton College launched “The Faith and Disability Initiative” to provide “inclusive ministry and schooling” in churches, Christian schools, and Wheaton itself: http://www.wheatonrecord.com/news/new-faith-and-disability-initiative-partners-with-local-schools-churches/
 
* Blackboard, which produces course management software for many higher ed institutions, held its annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day: https://go.blackboard.com/Global-Accessibility-Awareness-Day-2019
 
* The University of Minnesota Senate approved a resolution to give disability accommodation training to all faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants; it’s headed to a full Senate vote in May: https://www.mndaily.com/article/2019/04/n-umn-senate-resolution-asks-for-mandatory-training-on-disability-accommodations
 
* The third annual disability summit at the University of Maryland included students with disabilities asking for more resources and better access on campus: https://dbknews.com/2019/04/10/umd-disability-accessibility-summit-ada-compliance-sidewalks/
 
* Columbia University has been doing major access projects across its Morningside campus, including upgrades to 50 restrooms in 40 buildings: https://news.columbia.edu/news/disability-access-improving-across-morningside-campus
 
* Cornell University received a $350,000 grant from the Kessler Foundation to provide apprenticeships to 100 veteran students with disabilities: https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/19/04/p13490933/kessler-foundation-grants-350-000-to-cornell-universitys-yang-tan-institute
 
* Harvard University’s provost has set up a task force to address the “psychological well-being” of students: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/04/harvard-addresses-student-mental-health-with-new-task-force/
 
* Students with disabilities at Luther College are working with disability services providers and facilities management to create better accessibility in its main center for events – the Center for Faith and Life: https://www.lutherchips.com/6967/news/center-for-faith-and-life-reevaluates-accessibility/
 
* The Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) works through “policy teams,” including one focused on disability and accessibility, but the newspaper’s editorial board is asking for administrators to take teams seriously, and for GUSA to appoint team leaders with vested interests in the work: https://georgetownvoice.com/2019/04/12/support-gusa-policy-teams-for-change-on-campus/
 
 
A Few Other Items of Possible Interest:
 
* Meet ten disabled leaders and activists you should be following on Twitter: https://thetempest.co/2019/03/25/life-love/health-and-fitness/isabled-people-follow-twitter/
 
* During “Autistic Awareness Month,” learn about autistic community from the director of ASAN (https://geekclubbooks.com/2019/03/interview-julia-bascom/), and find out why some people think the puzzle piece symbol is ableist (https://intheloopaboutneurodiversity.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/the-ableist-history-of-the-puzzle-piece-symbol-for-autism/)
 
* Ramadan is approaching, and medical professionals in Qatar are urging people with disabilities or chronic health conditions to consult with doctors before starting a fast, which is good advice for Muslims in North America, as well: https://menafn.com/1098379460/Qatar-Patients-with-chronic-conditions-urged-to-consult-doctors-ahead-of-Ramadan
 
* Lupita Nyong’o received criticism after saying her voice in Us was based on a type of speech disability (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lupita-nyongo-voice-spasmodic-dysphonia_n_5c9bdd48e4b08c450cd06764), but Da’Shaun Harrison offers another perspective, asking about anti-blackness in some of the critiques (https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2019/04/02/the-anti-blackness-in-critiques-of-lupita-nyongo-in-us/)
 
* Meet HuffPost journalist Wendy Lu, who talks about life and work with vocal cord paralysis and a tracheostomy tube, including the fact that doctors are always presuming she wants the trach gone (video is captioned but not audio described): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2MCGqhDepY
 
* After acquiring a chronic illness, Lauren Rothman noticed many of her friends disappeared, and many strangers ended up becoming her friends: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chronic-illness-friendships_n_5c9bc47de4b07c88662fa379
 
* Starting in 2020, the Boston Marathon will be adding several new para athlete divisions: https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Boston-Marathon-to-add-para-athlete-divisions-in-13749176.php
 
* PozMatch is an online dating community for HIV-positive singles to date or to just talk with someone else about their HIV/AIDS status: https://www.datingnews.com/apps-and-sites/pozmatch-bringing-hiv-positive-singles-together-since-1998/
 
* Photographer Tom Olin has captured many iconic images of the disability rights movement, and now his photos are in a traveling exhibit making its way across the U.S.: https://www.wesa.fm/post/photo-exhibit-recalls-history-disability-rights-movement
 
* “The Employables” is a new TV series on A&E that will follow people with autism and other disabilities as they look for work: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/04/10/tv-show-job-seekers-disabilities/26393/
 
* Michael Avenatti has been indicted on 36 counts of embezzlement and fraud, including stealing settlement money from a paraplegic client: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/712269305/michael-avenatti-indicted-for-allegedly-stealing-paraplegic-clients-settlement-m
 
* A new posthumous release by Swedish DJ Avicii is called “SOS,” deals with the need to ask for help and stress of love, drugs, and relationships: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/11/entertainment/dj-avicii-new-song-sos/
 
*  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has started a new campaign called “Women Veterans with Disabilities are Valued”: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/58690/women-veterans-with-disabilities-are-valued/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For more information about DREAM or AHEAD contact Wendy Harbour ([email protected]).
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please go to http://ahead-listserve.org/mailman/listinfo/dream_ahead-listserve.org.  Wendy Harbour can also handle requests to subscribe or unsubscribe. 
 
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).