DREAM Weekly Email, Disability and Higher Education in the News: February 24-March 2, 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) ------------------------------- Just a reminder: the DREAM Weekly Email just has highlights from the news – to access the full version:
Having trouble accessing an article? Check with your campus library or reach out to us ([email protected]). ------------------------------- ** SORRY THIS ISSUE IS A LITTLE LATE! BETTER LATE THAN NEVER :) ------------------------------ Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order): * Inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities are becoming more inclusive, with students spending over half their time in inclusive college classes, and 44% finding a job within 90 days of finishing programs: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/02/26/postsecondary-more-inclusive-report/26085/; this article is based on a Think College report at https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/files/resources/TCReports_Year3_TPSID17-18.pdf * A disabled student at Columbia University notes that accommodations for housing and other situations must consider students’ social needs: https://www.columbiaspectator.com/opinion/2019/02/25/stop-excluding-students-with-disabilities/ * The University of Southern California will soon require all undergraduates to take a one-credit course with no grades, on the topic of wellness and mental health: https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-Colleges-Use-the/245773?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=f17a4c36a52d4a37826cb1089fe954f9&elq=70e9d0a043f144d3bf377f3a59442653&elqaid=22374&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=11020 * Doctors with disabilities are forcing medical schools and the field of medicine to look at their technical standards and biases (this is part one of a two-part series): http://www.newmobility.com/2019/03/disabled-doctors/ * #BarrioEdProject is bringing together Latinx high school and college students to understand anxiety and depression in the Latinx community, and why youth are not getting help (podcast transcript is available): https://www.insidehighered.com/audio/2019/02/27/mental-health-latinx-youth * The University Testing Center at Colorado State University not only administers tests for students with disabilities, but also provides graduate placement exams, certification and licensing exams, and other services to outside groups: https://source.colostate.edu/university-testing-center-expands-to-meet-exam-demand/ * Getting accommodations as a grad student is difficult enough, but getting them for doctoral comps is even trickier, especially if you use communication devices and you’re the first doc student on campus to use them: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/disabled-graduate-school-oral-comprehensives * A “nonverbal autistic” student at UC Berkeley interviews professors on campus who have disabilities: http://www.dailycal.org/2019/03/02/celebrating-disabilities-in-the-workplace-disabled-faculty-and-staff-speak-on-challenges-future-steps-for-disability-accommodations-in-employment/ * The U.S. Department of Justice found that Rider University in New Jersey discriminated against a student with celiac disease by not making changes to the way campus food is prepared; the college is making procedural changes and hiring a full-time dietician specializing in food allergies: https://thetakeout.com/rider-college-ada-food-allergy-celiac-disability-1832820953 * In case you missed it, the character of “JJ” on the TV series Speechless has CP and uses a communication device, and now he’s getting ready for college; last week’s episode focused on the funny consequences of his last-minute decision to apply to NYU (warning – article has spoilers): https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/speechless-tv-show-wheelchair-planet-episode-jj-disability-801320/ * College Magazine announced its top 10 list of colleges with the best supports for students with physical disabilities, and Ball State University ranked first: https://www.collegemagazine.com/top-10-campuses-for-students-with-physical-disabilities/ * People with disabilities have a higher rate of employment if they have a college degree, and employment rates in the U.S. for all people with disabilities are improving (news clip is captioned but not audio described): https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40055030/employment-for-college-graduates-with-disabilities-improving * The American College Health Association has created a white paper urging campuses to not offer short-term health insurance plans – they are usually not appropriate for students and don’t comply with the Affordable Care Act: https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2019/02/27/warning-short-term-health-insurance?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=3afe8fb6e8-DNU_2019_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-3afe8fb6e8-198891893&mc_cid=3afe8fb6e8&mc_eid=a51c972f65 * Ruth Schmitz wrote about growing up with epilepsy for an English assignment at Ridgewater college in Minnesota, and that led to legislation creating “seizure smart schools” across the state: https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/government-and-politics/4576695-ridgewater-college-student-inspires-minn-legislation-epilepsy * Every year on March 1, campuses and other organizations across the country have the Day of Mourning to remember disabled people who have been murdered by their family members or caregivers: https://autisticadvocacy.org/projects/community/mourning/ * More than one-third of NCAA Division I female athletes have reported symptoms putting them at risk for anorexia, and 90% of college athletic trainers have worked with female athletes with eating disorders, but many campuses offer resources that can help: https://temple-news.com/a-temple-cross-country-runner-on-eating-disorder-recovery/ * What’s it like to be a 21-year old college student when you finally find out you have dyslexia? One woman in the UK shares her story: https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/23/what-its-like-to-be-diagnosed-with-a-learning-disability-as-an-adult-8636996/ * The University of Chicago’s student government created an ad-hoc committee to evaluate student disability resources on campus: https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2019/2/26/student-government-establishes-foia-disability-acc/ * Former NFL linebacker Chris Borland testified in a Congressional hearing about how the NCAA manipulates scientific research about brain injuries – you can read his statement here: https://deadspin.com/a-former-football-player-told-congress-how-the-ncaa-mis-1832902014 * A collaboration between Ball State University, the Eskenazi Health system, and a Ball State alum led to a comprehensive paid internship program for college students with disabilities: https://www.ibj.com/articles/72610-health-care-heroes-internships-for-the-disabled-put-desirable-jobs-within-reach * Before the Davidson student government elections, a student posted a question about platforms related to disability, and now student government as a whole is responding with a look at access issues, working with the disability student organization on campus: http://www.davidsonian.com/students-question-campus-accessibility-accommodations/ * There’s only one person providing disability services at Knox College in Illinois, and her caseload has jumped from 50 students to 250, making it hard to meet students’ needs: http://www.theknoxstudent.com/news/2019/02/28/disability-services-sees-scheduling-issues/#.XHw7eohKhPY * The student group Disability, Illness and Difference Alliance at the “5C” Claremont Colleges in California is working to confront ableism, make the campus better for students with disabilities, and promote awareness about disability: https://tsl.news/5c-group-tackles-disability-issues-and-works-to-build-allies/ * A conference at the University of Miami focused on mental health within the legal profession, including signs of problems within law schools, barriers on the bar exam, and practical ways to reduce stigma about using supports: https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2019/03/01/lawyers-judges-at-high-risk-for-mental-health-issues/ * Sara Hendren was the inaugural recipient of the Anne McNiff Tatlock Fellowship at Vassar College, where she will set up disability studies courses, hold a faculty seminar on critical disability studies, and engage in other multidisciplinary work: https://www.newswise.com/articles/sara-hendren-named-inaugural-anne-mcniff-tatlock-fellow-in-multidisciplinary-studies-at-vassar-college * OnTrackNY is a new team-based statewide program with peer counselors that is working with young people ages 16-30 who have schizophrenia, helping them find jobs or go to college: https://www.newsday.com/news/health/schizophrenia-mercy-ontrackny-1.27638120 * Computer science professor John Quarles at the University of Texas at San Antonio uses his disabilities to inform his work in health care, including the creation of holograms to train first responders: https://therivardreport.com/techtonics-transcending-disability-in-utsa-professor-john-quarles-virtual-world/ * An incoming student at Santiago Canyon College, Chloe Firmin built robots that help her communicate during episodes of selective mutism: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/27/garden-grove-teen-builds-robots-that-can-speak-for-her-during-bouts-of-selective-mutism/ * Vassar College is hiring its first English professor in a decade, but some students are asking why the department is hiring an expert on British Romanticism instead of Asian-American or disability literature: http://miscellanynews.org/2019/02/27/opinions/english-dept-lacks-faculty-teaching-marginalized-writers/ * Vice President Mike Pence’s incoming chief-of-staff, Marc Short, used his college newspaper as a platform for anti-gay vitriol about HIV and AIDS, and he apologized for the column after it re-surfaced: https://thegavoice.com/news/mike-pences-new-chief-of-staff-under-fire-for-writing-homophobic-column-about-hiv-aids/ * In addition to a review of disability services that is underway, Syracuse University is also reviewing its Greek system after expelling the Theta Tau fraternity for creating videos that were “racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities”: http://dailyorange.com/2019/02/su-works-hold-meeting-students-syracuse-police-department/ * Librarians at Reed College in Oregon are taking on major accessibility initiatives with an upcoming library renovation, hoping the library will become a model: https://reedquest.org/articles/2019/3/1/librarians-redouble-efforts-for-accessibility * For the first time, Iona College in New York will have an office dedicated to supporting students with disabilities and providing accommodations: http://www.ioniannews.com/gallery/article_47318602-3c41-11e9-8975-877d0e2eb310.html * A welding student at Pickens Technical College became paralyzed, so students at the school built him a ramp and are raising money to make his home more accessible (news clip is captioned but not audio described): https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/02/28/pickens-technical-college-paralyzed-welding-contest/ * Iowa universities are responding to increased demand for mental health services: https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/iowa-universities-face-rising-mental-health-needs/article_b473c440-6a39-5e45-b985-bb95634d1d72.html * A new student club at the University of Oklahoma hopes to raise awareness of eating disorders and support students who have them: http://www.oudaily.com/news/student-creates-club-to-raise-awareness-of-support-students-with/article_aaac5328-385a-11e9-a5ab-f7875425012c.html * The University of Nebraska at Omaha created an Inclusive Learning Series offering information about disabilities as part of diversity: http://unothegateway.com/unos-inclusive-learning-series-raising-disability-awareness/ A Few Other Items of Possible Interest: * A third of people with eating disorders are men, and athletes are especially at risk – a new report on Real Sports with Bryan Gumbel takes a look at the issue (video clip is captioned with no audio description): https://www.menshealth.com/health/a26531641/real-sports-bryant-gumbel-male-athletes-eating-disorders/ * Actress Selma Blair drew media attention walking the Oscars red carpet with a cane, and she disclosed she has multiple sclerosis – a “relief” after years of doctors doubting there was a problem (video is captioned but not audio described): https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/26/entertainment/selma-blair-multiple-sclerosis-gma-interview/index.html * Carrie Ann Lucas was a “champion” disability activist for disabled parents, a lawyer, a partner, and a mom, who passed away at age 47 after insurance denied her an inhaled antibiotic she needed, causing a cascade of health problems. Several obituaries noted her death:
* Shani Dhanda from the UK talks about growing up with brittle bone disease, in a South Asian Sikh community where there are many stigmas about disability and being female: https://inews.co.uk/opinion/disability-in-the-south-asian-community-is-still-a-taboo-i-was-told-i-would-never-marry-or-have-kids/ * Alice Sheppard talks about being a dancer and choreographer with a disability, and the power of dancing to challenge how people think about bodies and movement: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/opinion/disability-dance-alice-sheppard.html * “Anorexia coaches” are preying on young people through the Kik app, offering “coaching” that is actually exploitive or pro-anorexia (“pro-ana”): https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/01/anorexia-coaches-kik-app-prey-eating-disorders * Backlash against Walmart continues, as the “greeters” (often people with disabilities) are replaced by “customer hosts” with lifting and security duties, with the CEO urging stores to try to find other jobs for greeters left in limbo: https://www.npr.org/2019/03/01/699303419/walmart-chief-responds-to-furor-over-treatment-of-greeters-with-disabilities 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). Comments are closed.
|
DREAM Weekly NewsThe DREAM newsletter is published every Friday during the academic year.
Let your friends, colleagues and especially your schools know about us! To subscribe or unsubscribe to the email version of this newsletter, go to http://ahead-listserve.org/mailman/listinfo/dream_ahead-listserve.org
Archives
March 2021
|