February, 2015 DREAM Newsletters
This page contains DREAM weekly newsletters from:
- January 25- February 6
- February 8-14
- February 15-21
- February 22-28
January 25-February 6, 2015
From DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of January 25-February 6, 2015
** Two week’s worth of DREAM this week! **
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has voted to make adaptive sports into varsity sports, meaning existing sports will offer accommodations, adaptive events will be added to championshhips, and there will be new championship games for sports like wheelchair basketball: http://www.parasport-news.com/eastern-college-athletic-conference-makes-adaptive-sports-varsity-sports/5335/
* A new report raises serious concerns about mental health systems and policies at Canadian colleges and universities: http://casa-acae.com/new-report-mental-health-reveals-troubling-indicators-canadas-college-university-students/
* The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has opened the first ever National Training Center for Wheelchair Track – more information is available on their Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/illinoiswheelchairathletics
* How does disability affect college life? Michelle Hackman, a blind student, writes about students with disabilities at Yale University and their experiences in and out of the classroom:http://yaledailynews.com/weekend/2015/01/23/invisible-disability-at-yale/
* Britney Wilson talks about being at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with cerebral palsy, and the ways her Black and disability identities affected her experiences on a campus that was supposed to be a different world for her: http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2012/01/black-female-and-disabled-the-disintegration-and-continuation-of-struggle/
* A new series of 7-8 minute micro-documentaries highlight students with intellectual disabilities attending higher education programs, produced by the Institute for Innovative Transition at the University of Rochester (videos have captions but no audio description): http://www.warner.rochester.edu/newsevents/story/1495
* A federal consent decree required that the Law School Admission Council, Inc. follow an expert panel’s recommendations for providing LSAT test accommodations to people with disabilities, and that report is finally available at http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/res/docs/LSAC/Final%20Panel%20Report%20redacted.pdf
* Garrett Goodwin, a Grand Valley State University student, is using his engineering degree to re-design equipment for his disability, leading to gold in recent X Games events:http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/holland-zeeland/2015/01/27/student-with-disability-designs-gear-wins-x-games-gold/22426231/
* A profile of how Active Minds started, and how it has influenced college students across the country: http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/27/one-students-fight-for-mental-health-awareness-inspires-a-movement/
* San Francisco State University has replaced its campus shuttles with vehicles that better accommodate wheelchair users AND riders without physical disabilities, too: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/new-sf-state-shuttles-better-accommodate-wheelchair-users/Content?oid=2918214
* Santa Clara University student Chiara de Blasio’s struggles with depression and drug addiction have moved her mother, wife of the New York City mayor, to focus on improving mental health systems:http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/chirlane-mccray-nyc-first-lady-to-lead-mental-health-effort-1.9876930
* BreakThru is a new type of mentoring program for students with disabilities interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, using virtual reality software for mentoring, in a partnership between the University of Georgia the Georgia Institute of Technology: http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/virtual-reality-program-provides-support-for-students-with-disabilities/article_95071fe4-ac13-11e4-98ce-6f6762582d9b.html
* College freshman Dayna Dobias created a video with her CP-inspired take on “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift (video from TV station has captions but no audio description):http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26560648/girl-with-cerebral-palsy-embraces-what-makes-her-unique
* A new non-profit organization “Ramp Less Traveled” supports college students with spinal cord injuries through scholarships and mentoring – it was set up by Duke student Jay Ruckelshaus, who knows what it’s like:http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/28/paralyzed-duke-student-mentors-others-with-disabilities/
* Tobin Siebers, a reknown disability studies professor and writer, died last week. His University of Michigan obituary contains links to his writing, including academic work and writing about his personal experience of disability: https://record.umich.edu/articles/tobin-siebers-english-professor-and-disability-studies-advocate-dies
* An article covering Fabian Romo, who won a college scholarship to play wheelchair basketball at the University of Texas-Arlington: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/fortbend/sports/article/What-handicap-Romo-s-ability-lands-him-6043957.php
* A called tells Fox News Radio host Tom Sullivan about her struggles with bipolar disorder, including suicidal feelings in college, and he tells her the diagnosis is “made up” (trigger warning – Sullivan’s comments are inaccurate and offensive): http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/01/30/fox-host-tells-caller-her-bipolar-disorder-is-m/202349
*State Center Community College in Fresno, CA, reprimands trustee Eric Payne for various issues including plagiarism and using a disability placard to get better parking for meetings; the president of the board says these are “character” issues even though DREAM wonders how students would be treated for plagiarism and violations of state and federal law: http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/02/03/4362788_state-center-community-college.html?rh=1
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Learn a little more about the President’s proposed budget and items for higher education (note that this article mentions nothing about disability provisions):https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/03/obama-seeks-boost-higher-education-spending-and-proposes-some-loan-reforms-have. If you want to read specifically about the budget for all things related to education, you can find the information at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/tables.html
* Hello??? Hello??? Where are all the mentors with disabilities in various careers? A call for them to show themselves: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-blahovec/an-open-call-for-career-mentors-with-disabilities_b_6613704.html
* If you use a wheelchair, why does everyone assume your girlfriend is your nurse? Shane Murcaw discusses how his attitude about relationships changed in college, and how others are dealing with it (or not dealing):http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-shane-burcaw-laughing-girlfriend-nightmare-20150201-story.html
* New figures show that half of all people killed by police officers have disabilities: http://www.workers.org/articles/2015/01/24/people-with-disabilities-half-of-people-killed-by-cops-disability-rights-groups-protest/
* Communities of color struggle with mental and emotional health concerns, but they are invisible in many of the awareness and anti-stigma campaigns launched since Robin Williams’ death:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dior-vargas/people-of-color-deal-with_b_6471096.html
* There’s a new Congressional Caucus on Dyslexia – learn more at http://dyslexiacaucus-brownley.house.gov/
* Deaf artist Christine Sun Kim was told she was loud and inappropriate when she was a child, but she reclaimed that and now creates interactive sound art exhibitions (videos have captions but no audio description):http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/artist-chistine-sun-kim-cannot-hear-creates-with-sound/
* The UK is celebrating LGBT History Month, and Reddit users are telling stories about the AIDS crises of the 1980s (a link to the Reddit thread is in the article): http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/survivors-1980s-aids-crisis-reveal-what-happened-them020215
* A new report notes that deaf children are more tired than their peers from the effort involved in communication – we suspect many deaf and hard-of-hearing adults or adults with communication-related disabilities will empathize: http://www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/education_for_deaf_children/education_during_school_years/tiredness.html
* A dyslexic author offers tips for writers with dyslexia: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/22/a-dyslexic-authors-writing-tips-for-dyslexic-kids
* Treshelle Edmond, a Deaf actress, signed the national anthem in ASL for the 2015 Super Bowl (video has captions, but no audio description): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6iyLwOdi7w
* Historians think of disability as the “dark side” of Civil War history – but what does that even mean? http://nursingclio.org/2015/01/27/come-to-the-dark-side-disability-as-dark-civil-war-history/
* In response to a Newsbeat vlogger, YouTube admits automatic subtitles are not working: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/31004497
* The US Congress officially acknowledged that Alexander Graham did not invent the telephone; an Italian immigrant, Antonio Meucci, invented it to assist his paralyzed wife:http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/17/humanities.internationaleducationnews
* The Here & Now radio show did an interview with Bob Kafka, about how disability activists are fighting disability policies of the new Texas governor Greg Abbott – who has a disability:http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/01/28/disability-advocates-texas-abbott
* The weather outside may be frightful, but the Deaf interpreter for NYC Mayor de Blasio is getting a lot of media attention for his delightful interpretation of weather warnings:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/nyregion/weather-briefings-put-focus-on-mayor-de-blasios-sign-language-interpreter.html?_r=0
* For students in the DC area, the UASK app guides you to nearby resources about sexual assault – for students with disabilities, it can guide you to the nearest hospital and campus center (which may be more accessible than other resources): http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/24/379410663/what-do-i-do-for-sexual-assault-survivors-an-app-has-all-the-answers?sc=17&f=1001&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app
* Five ways to address stigma around mental and emotional illness: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/03/stigma-mental-health_n_6559464.html
* An ASL version of “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen has gone viral – you can see it (with captions but no audio description) at http://www.wthr.com/story/27938637/watch-american-sign-language-version-of-frozen-hit-let-it-go
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of January 25-February 6, 2015
** Two week’s worth of DREAM this week! **
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has voted to make adaptive sports into varsity sports, meaning existing sports will offer accommodations, adaptive events will be added to championshhips, and there will be new championship games for sports like wheelchair basketball: http://www.parasport-news.com/eastern-college-athletic-conference-makes-adaptive-sports-varsity-sports/5335/
* A new report raises serious concerns about mental health systems and policies at Canadian colleges and universities: http://casa-acae.com/new-report-mental-health-reveals-troubling-indicators-canadas-college-university-students/
* The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has opened the first ever National Training Center for Wheelchair Track – more information is available on their Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/illinoiswheelchairathletics
* How does disability affect college life? Michelle Hackman, a blind student, writes about students with disabilities at Yale University and their experiences in and out of the classroom:http://yaledailynews.com/weekend/2015/01/23/invisible-disability-at-yale/
* Britney Wilson talks about being at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with cerebral palsy, and the ways her Black and disability identities affected her experiences on a campus that was supposed to be a different world for her: http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2012/01/black-female-and-disabled-the-disintegration-and-continuation-of-struggle/
* A new series of 7-8 minute micro-documentaries highlight students with intellectual disabilities attending higher education programs, produced by the Institute for Innovative Transition at the University of Rochester (videos have captions but no audio description): http://www.warner.rochester.edu/newsevents/story/1495
* A federal consent decree required that the Law School Admission Council, Inc. follow an expert panel’s recommendations for providing LSAT test accommodations to people with disabilities, and that report is finally available at http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/res/docs/LSAC/Final%20Panel%20Report%20redacted.pdf
* Garrett Goodwin, a Grand Valley State University student, is using his engineering degree to re-design equipment for his disability, leading to gold in recent X Games events:http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/holland-zeeland/2015/01/27/student-with-disability-designs-gear-wins-x-games-gold/22426231/
* A profile of how Active Minds started, and how it has influenced college students across the country: http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/27/one-students-fight-for-mental-health-awareness-inspires-a-movement/
* San Francisco State University has replaced its campus shuttles with vehicles that better accommodate wheelchair users AND riders without physical disabilities, too: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/new-sf-state-shuttles-better-accommodate-wheelchair-users/Content?oid=2918214
* Santa Clara University student Chiara de Blasio’s struggles with depression and drug addiction have moved her mother, wife of the New York City mayor, to focus on improving mental health systems:http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/chirlane-mccray-nyc-first-lady-to-lead-mental-health-effort-1.9876930
* BreakThru is a new type of mentoring program for students with disabilities interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, using virtual reality software for mentoring, in a partnership between the University of Georgia the Georgia Institute of Technology: http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/virtual-reality-program-provides-support-for-students-with-disabilities/article_95071fe4-ac13-11e4-98ce-6f6762582d9b.html
* College freshman Dayna Dobias created a video with her CP-inspired take on “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift (video from TV station has captions but no audio description):http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26560648/girl-with-cerebral-palsy-embraces-what-makes-her-unique
* A new non-profit organization “Ramp Less Traveled” supports college students with spinal cord injuries through scholarships and mentoring – it was set up by Duke student Jay Ruckelshaus, who knows what it’s like:http://college.usatoday.com/2015/01/28/paralyzed-duke-student-mentors-others-with-disabilities/
* Tobin Siebers, a reknown disability studies professor and writer, died last week. His University of Michigan obituary contains links to his writing, including academic work and writing about his personal experience of disability: https://record.umich.edu/articles/tobin-siebers-english-professor-and-disability-studies-advocate-dies
* An article covering Fabian Romo, who won a college scholarship to play wheelchair basketball at the University of Texas-Arlington: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/fortbend/sports/article/What-handicap-Romo-s-ability-lands-him-6043957.php
* A called tells Fox News Radio host Tom Sullivan about her struggles with bipolar disorder, including suicidal feelings in college, and he tells her the diagnosis is “made up” (trigger warning – Sullivan’s comments are inaccurate and offensive): http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/01/30/fox-host-tells-caller-her-bipolar-disorder-is-m/202349
*State Center Community College in Fresno, CA, reprimands trustee Eric Payne for various issues including plagiarism and using a disability placard to get better parking for meetings; the president of the board says these are “character” issues even though DREAM wonders how students would be treated for plagiarism and violations of state and federal law: http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/02/03/4362788_state-center-community-college.html?rh=1
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Learn a little more about the President’s proposed budget and items for higher education (note that this article mentions nothing about disability provisions):https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/03/obama-seeks-boost-higher-education-spending-and-proposes-some-loan-reforms-have. If you want to read specifically about the budget for all things related to education, you can find the information at: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/tables.html
* Hello??? Hello??? Where are all the mentors with disabilities in various careers? A call for them to show themselves: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-blahovec/an-open-call-for-career-mentors-with-disabilities_b_6613704.html
* If you use a wheelchair, why does everyone assume your girlfriend is your nurse? Shane Murcaw discusses how his attitude about relationships changed in college, and how others are dealing with it (or not dealing):http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/mc-shane-burcaw-laughing-girlfriend-nightmare-20150201-story.html
* New figures show that half of all people killed by police officers have disabilities: http://www.workers.org/articles/2015/01/24/people-with-disabilities-half-of-people-killed-by-cops-disability-rights-groups-protest/
* Communities of color struggle with mental and emotional health concerns, but they are invisible in many of the awareness and anti-stigma campaigns launched since Robin Williams’ death:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dior-vargas/people-of-color-deal-with_b_6471096.html
* There’s a new Congressional Caucus on Dyslexia – learn more at http://dyslexiacaucus-brownley.house.gov/
* Deaf artist Christine Sun Kim was told she was loud and inappropriate when she was a child, but she reclaimed that and now creates interactive sound art exhibitions (videos have captions but no audio description):http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/artist-chistine-sun-kim-cannot-hear-creates-with-sound/
* The UK is celebrating LGBT History Month, and Reddit users are telling stories about the AIDS crises of the 1980s (a link to the Reddit thread is in the article): http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/survivors-1980s-aids-crisis-reveal-what-happened-them020215
* A new report notes that deaf children are more tired than their peers from the effort involved in communication – we suspect many deaf and hard-of-hearing adults or adults with communication-related disabilities will empathize: http://www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/education_for_deaf_children/education_during_school_years/tiredness.html
* A dyslexic author offers tips for writers with dyslexia: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/22/a-dyslexic-authors-writing-tips-for-dyslexic-kids
* Treshelle Edmond, a Deaf actress, signed the national anthem in ASL for the 2015 Super Bowl (video has captions, but no audio description): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6iyLwOdi7w
* Historians think of disability as the “dark side” of Civil War history – but what does that even mean? http://nursingclio.org/2015/01/27/come-to-the-dark-side-disability-as-dark-civil-war-history/
* In response to a Newsbeat vlogger, YouTube admits automatic subtitles are not working: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/31004497
* The US Congress officially acknowledged that Alexander Graham did not invent the telephone; an Italian immigrant, Antonio Meucci, invented it to assist his paralyzed wife:http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/17/humanities.internationaleducationnews
* The Here & Now radio show did an interview with Bob Kafka, about how disability activists are fighting disability policies of the new Texas governor Greg Abbott – who has a disability:http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/01/28/disability-advocates-texas-abbott
* The weather outside may be frightful, but the Deaf interpreter for NYC Mayor de Blasio is getting a lot of media attention for his delightful interpretation of weather warnings:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/nyregion/weather-briefings-put-focus-on-mayor-de-blasios-sign-language-interpreter.html?_r=0
* For students in the DC area, the UASK app guides you to nearby resources about sexual assault – for students with disabilities, it can guide you to the nearest hospital and campus center (which may be more accessible than other resources): http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/24/379410663/what-do-i-do-for-sexual-assault-survivors-an-app-has-all-the-answers?sc=17&f=1001&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app
* Five ways to address stigma around mental and emotional illness: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/03/stigma-mental-health_n_6559464.html
* An ASL version of “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen has gone viral – you can see it (with captions but no audio description) at http://www.wthr.com/story/27938637/watch-american-sign-language-version-of-frozen-hit-let-it-go
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
February 8-14, 2015
From DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 8-14, 2015
** HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE! **
* The UK is celebrating with some terrific (and funny) disability Valentine’s Day cards created by disability group Scope (video is captioned, but no audio description): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=842LIsj0bfA
* Learn how to sign critical Valentine’s Day phrases in American Sign Language, including “beautiful,” “hug,” and more importantly…”chocolate”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj_ZlNwex5s
* Also from the UK, watch a few couples with intellectual and developmental disabilities (called “learning disabilities” in England) discuss how they met and fell in love (captioned, but no audio description):http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sarah-drayton-thompson/mencap-valentines-day_b_6679050.html
* Can’t think of a great date idea for the “mad, disabled, or chronically ill” person in your life? Here are a few ideas: http://thecoloredfountain.net/2015/01/03/10-crip-date-ideas/
* Want some advice about sex and disability? Here’s a website for women, but men and people with less binary genders may find information of interest or links to what they need:http://www.sexualityanddisability.org/
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and four individuals have filed suit against Harvard and MIT for not captioning online public information and educational materials, including online courses (video has captions but no audio description): http://nad.org/news/2015/2/nad-sues-harvard-and-mit-discrimination-public-online-content
* A major study of American college freshmen has shown the highest rates of depression in 30 years, with especially high rates among freshmen with disabilities:http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/05/college-freshmen-emotional-wellbeing-depression
* While campuses are starting to take a hard look at ways to prevent sexual assault and rape, students with disabilities (especially disabled students of color) are more likely to have campuses downplay or ignore their reports: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/12/the-hidden-victims-of-campus-sexual-assault-students-with-disabilities.html
* A profile of University of Pennsylvania sophomore Luke Hoban, who discusses his muscular dystrophy and life with a power chair, which made him “drunk with power” and “cool” when he got it:http://www.thedp.com/article/2015/02/luke-hoban-profile-accessibility
* The Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University released its annual report, showing that the demand for mental health services has increased, colleges lack resources, and many students do not utilize services well: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/02/07/Study-Increased-demand-inadequate-resources-for-college-mental-health-services/stories/201502070034
* NYU publishes an anonymous confession of a student with ADHD who became an Adderall dealer (just a friendly reminder that this is illegal, folks): http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2015/02/03/confessions-campus-adderall-dealer/
* Bills to better support college students with mental health concerns have advanced in the Virginia House and Senate, but some University of Virginia students are concerned about the implications of the legislation:http://www.nbc29.com/story/28085398/uva-students-concerned-over-advancing-mental-health-bills
* Cambridge University in England has boasted about its high retention rate, but new figures suggest the rates are lower because they don’t include students who drop out or take medical leaves:http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/news/0033808-lowest-drop-out-rate-figure-challenged-by-new-stats.html
* Tips for students with ADHD and LD who will be taking the SAT or ACT exams: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/11151.html
* The art gallery at Edmonds Community College in Washington State has a new show called “Please Touch,” featuring embossed paper art designed for blind and visually impaired people to enjoy:http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150206/ENT/150209504
* An article about Dr. YanYan Li, the first blind Chinese national to earn an advanced degree, who graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in San Jose and now has a chiropractic clinic in China:http://blogs.palmer.edu/news/2015/02/06/sj-alumnus-yanyan-li-d-c-continues-to-amaze-inspire-in-china-by-authoring-books-about-his-life-chiropractic-profession/
* The Coalition for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Yale University brought together undergraduate groups focused on mental health, but sometimes their work is at odds with administrators’:http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/12/new-mental-health-dialogue-revives-old-questions/
* Elizabeth Fowler, a former Syracuse University professor, has sued the university for harassment and wrongful dismissal due to her disability and pregnancy leaves: http://www.dailyorange.com/2015/02/former-professor-files-disability-lawsuit-against-university/
* California State, Fullerton has set up a special course for students with disabilities, to prepare for disability-related aspects of job hunting and employment: http://www.dailytitan.com/2015/02/collaborative-course-aids-post-college-life/
* A professor’s op-ed in the LA Times talks about her experiences with the lack of campus resources and support for students with mental and emotional health concerns (trigger warning – discussion of suicide):http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-lieblich-freshman-depression-20150212-story.html
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Washington, DC resident Kelly Mack used a hidden camera to show what a daily commute on the DC Metro is like, and wonders about whether she would be left behind in an emergency like the recent smoke incidents (video not captioned or audio described): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/02/06/signs-of-segregation-the-singular-challenges-facing-black-deaf-families/
* The US Department of Justice is investigating the state of Florida for pushing children and young adults with disabilities into nursing homes, where they are receiving substandard care and being separated from families: http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/america-tonight-blog/2014/3/19/florida-childrenagravytrainfornursinghomes.html
* Seven reasons you should be watching disabled comedians, with footage to get you started (none of the videos are not captioned or audio described): http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/disabled-comedians-youtube/
* The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favor of assisted suicide, and two Canadian disability organizations respond with concern about the implications for people with disabilities: http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/assistedsuicidedecision; on a related note, Newsweek published an in-depth article about euthanasia in the Netherlands, and its impact on Europe and the US:http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/20/choosing-die-netherlands-euthanasia-debate-306223.html
* The Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision meant people with disabilities should be able to live in the communities they choose, getting services there as well. Meet Lois Curtis, one of the two women behind the Olmstead decision: https://assignmentatlanta.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/unlocked-the-lois-curtis-story/
* Jamie Brewer of American Horror Story is the first model with Down syndrome at New York Fashion Week: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/12/jamie-brewer-new-york-fashion-week_n_6670766.html
* As a freshman at Oklahoma State University, Lex Frieden became a quadriplegic who went on to help write the first drafts of the ADA: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/health/article/Houston-quadraplegic-helped-write-a-piece-of-6071001.php#/0
* The Washington Post follows up on a previous article about Black ASL research and how Black Deaf families may have more in common with Black families than Deaf families:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/02/06/signs-of-segregation-the-singular-challenges-facing-black-deaf-families/
* Although this isn’t news to anyone with a disability of any kind, in Chicago it’s apparently made-for-TV news that people with physical disabilities can’t magically levitate over large snowbanks and sheets of ice (video captioned, but no audio description): http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/lingering-snow-ice-present-obstacles-to-people-with-disabilities/
* Jerry McGill discusses what employment meant to him as a Black man with a disability, and how it affected his views on affirmative action: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/business/losing-mobility-and-gaining-a-work-life.html?_r=1
* John Lee Clark discusses his development as a DeafBlind poet and publisher: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/290697371.html
* New Mexican disability activist Linda Pedro passed away after a lifetime fighting for herself, her children, and her community. Learn more about the impact of her work at:http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/linda-pedro---disability-was-impetus-for-chimay-civil/article_f91b9926-f726-5018-83db-373f11fd7721.html
* Entertainment? Accurate portrayal? Are TV characters changing how people in the US perceive mental and emotional health issues? http://healthland.time.com/2013/10/08/homeland-and-bipolar-disorder-how-tv-characters-are-changing-the-way-we-view-mental-illness/
* A profile of Michele Friedner, a medical anthropologist and disability studies professor from Stony Brook University who studies disability and deafness in India: http://sbstatesman.com/2015/02/05/medical-anthropologist-studies-perception-of-disabilities-in-india/
* February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month – here are five ways nondisabled people can be an ally to people with disabilities: http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-life/health-wellness/special-needs/five-ways-be-ally-people-disabilities
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 8-14, 2015
** HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, EVERYONE! **
* The UK is celebrating with some terrific (and funny) disability Valentine’s Day cards created by disability group Scope (video is captioned, but no audio description): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=842LIsj0bfA
* Learn how to sign critical Valentine’s Day phrases in American Sign Language, including “beautiful,” “hug,” and more importantly…”chocolate”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj_ZlNwex5s
* Also from the UK, watch a few couples with intellectual and developmental disabilities (called “learning disabilities” in England) discuss how they met and fell in love (captioned, but no audio description):http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sarah-drayton-thompson/mencap-valentines-day_b_6679050.html
* Can’t think of a great date idea for the “mad, disabled, or chronically ill” person in your life? Here are a few ideas: http://thecoloredfountain.net/2015/01/03/10-crip-date-ideas/
* Want some advice about sex and disability? Here’s a website for women, but men and people with less binary genders may find information of interest or links to what they need:http://www.sexualityanddisability.org/
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and four individuals have filed suit against Harvard and MIT for not captioning online public information and educational materials, including online courses (video has captions but no audio description): http://nad.org/news/2015/2/nad-sues-harvard-and-mit-discrimination-public-online-content
* A major study of American college freshmen has shown the highest rates of depression in 30 years, with especially high rates among freshmen with disabilities:http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/05/college-freshmen-emotional-wellbeing-depression
* While campuses are starting to take a hard look at ways to prevent sexual assault and rape, students with disabilities (especially disabled students of color) are more likely to have campuses downplay or ignore their reports: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/12/the-hidden-victims-of-campus-sexual-assault-students-with-disabilities.html
* A profile of University of Pennsylvania sophomore Luke Hoban, who discusses his muscular dystrophy and life with a power chair, which made him “drunk with power” and “cool” when he got it:http://www.thedp.com/article/2015/02/luke-hoban-profile-accessibility
* The Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University released its annual report, showing that the demand for mental health services has increased, colleges lack resources, and many students do not utilize services well: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/02/07/Study-Increased-demand-inadequate-resources-for-college-mental-health-services/stories/201502070034
* NYU publishes an anonymous confession of a student with ADHD who became an Adderall dealer (just a friendly reminder that this is illegal, folks): http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2015/02/03/confessions-campus-adderall-dealer/
* Bills to better support college students with mental health concerns have advanced in the Virginia House and Senate, but some University of Virginia students are concerned about the implications of the legislation:http://www.nbc29.com/story/28085398/uva-students-concerned-over-advancing-mental-health-bills
* Cambridge University in England has boasted about its high retention rate, but new figures suggest the rates are lower because they don’t include students who drop out or take medical leaves:http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/news/0033808-lowest-drop-out-rate-figure-challenged-by-new-stats.html
* Tips for students with ADHD and LD who will be taking the SAT or ACT exams: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/11151.html
* The art gallery at Edmonds Community College in Washington State has a new show called “Please Touch,” featuring embossed paper art designed for blind and visually impaired people to enjoy:http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150206/ENT/150209504
* An article about Dr. YanYan Li, the first blind Chinese national to earn an advanced degree, who graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in San Jose and now has a chiropractic clinic in China:http://blogs.palmer.edu/news/2015/02/06/sj-alumnus-yanyan-li-d-c-continues-to-amaze-inspire-in-china-by-authoring-books-about-his-life-chiropractic-profession/
* The Coalition for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Yale University brought together undergraduate groups focused on mental health, but sometimes their work is at odds with administrators’:http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/12/new-mental-health-dialogue-revives-old-questions/
* Elizabeth Fowler, a former Syracuse University professor, has sued the university for harassment and wrongful dismissal due to her disability and pregnancy leaves: http://www.dailyorange.com/2015/02/former-professor-files-disability-lawsuit-against-university/
* California State, Fullerton has set up a special course for students with disabilities, to prepare for disability-related aspects of job hunting and employment: http://www.dailytitan.com/2015/02/collaborative-course-aids-post-college-life/
* A professor’s op-ed in the LA Times talks about her experiences with the lack of campus resources and support for students with mental and emotional health concerns (trigger warning – discussion of suicide):http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-lieblich-freshman-depression-20150212-story.html
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Washington, DC resident Kelly Mack used a hidden camera to show what a daily commute on the DC Metro is like, and wonders about whether she would be left behind in an emergency like the recent smoke incidents (video not captioned or audio described): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/02/06/signs-of-segregation-the-singular-challenges-facing-black-deaf-families/
* The US Department of Justice is investigating the state of Florida for pushing children and young adults with disabilities into nursing homes, where they are receiving substandard care and being separated from families: http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/america-tonight-blog/2014/3/19/florida-childrenagravytrainfornursinghomes.html
* Seven reasons you should be watching disabled comedians, with footage to get you started (none of the videos are not captioned or audio described): http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/disabled-comedians-youtube/
* The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favor of assisted suicide, and two Canadian disability organizations respond with concern about the implications for people with disabilities: http://www.cacl.ca/news-stories/blog/assistedsuicidedecision; on a related note, Newsweek published an in-depth article about euthanasia in the Netherlands, and its impact on Europe and the US:http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/20/choosing-die-netherlands-euthanasia-debate-306223.html
* The Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision meant people with disabilities should be able to live in the communities they choose, getting services there as well. Meet Lois Curtis, one of the two women behind the Olmstead decision: https://assignmentatlanta.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/unlocked-the-lois-curtis-story/
* Jamie Brewer of American Horror Story is the first model with Down syndrome at New York Fashion Week: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/12/jamie-brewer-new-york-fashion-week_n_6670766.html
* As a freshman at Oklahoma State University, Lex Frieden became a quadriplegic who went on to help write the first drafts of the ADA: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/health/article/Houston-quadraplegic-helped-write-a-piece-of-6071001.php#/0
* The Washington Post follows up on a previous article about Black ASL research and how Black Deaf families may have more in common with Black families than Deaf families:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/02/06/signs-of-segregation-the-singular-challenges-facing-black-deaf-families/
* Although this isn’t news to anyone with a disability of any kind, in Chicago it’s apparently made-for-TV news that people with physical disabilities can’t magically levitate over large snowbanks and sheets of ice (video captioned, but no audio description): http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/02/05/lingering-snow-ice-present-obstacles-to-people-with-disabilities/
* Jerry McGill discusses what employment meant to him as a Black man with a disability, and how it affected his views on affirmative action: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/business/losing-mobility-and-gaining-a-work-life.html?_r=1
* John Lee Clark discusses his development as a DeafBlind poet and publisher: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/290697371.html
* New Mexican disability activist Linda Pedro passed away after a lifetime fighting for herself, her children, and her community. Learn more about the impact of her work at:http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/linda-pedro---disability-was-impetus-for-chimay-civil/article_f91b9926-f726-5018-83db-373f11fd7721.html
* Entertainment? Accurate portrayal? Are TV characters changing how people in the US perceive mental and emotional health issues? http://healthland.time.com/2013/10/08/homeland-and-bipolar-disorder-how-tv-characters-are-changing-the-way-we-view-mental-illness/
* A profile of Michele Friedner, a medical anthropologist and disability studies professor from Stony Brook University who studies disability and deafness in India: http://sbstatesman.com/2015/02/05/medical-anthropologist-studies-perception-of-disabilities-in-india/
* February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month – here are five ways nondisabled people can be an ally to people with disabilities: http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-life/health-wellness/special-needs/five-ways-be-ally-people-disabilities
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
February 15-21, 2015
From DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 15-21, 2015
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* Student complaints have prompted an Office of Civil Rights investigation at Boston College into whether the campus has systematically discriminated against people with disabilities, including poor accessibility in new construction and inadequate responses to complaints: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/boston-college-disability-access_n_6708034.html (more information about the Disability Awareness Committee of Boston College is at https://www.facebook.com/BC.disabilityawareness)
* For many college students with disabilities, apps are becoming a necessity for academics and campus life: http://college.usatoday.com/2015/02/13/mobile-apps-giving-disabled-students-more-academic-independence/
* Advice for prospective college students with mental or emotional health-related disabilities and their parents: http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-hlth-0218-mental-illness-college-20150212-story.html#page=1
* Kevin Butler’s muscular dystrophy led him to pursue a career as an engineer designing robotics and adaptive technology for disabled people, but the transfer from accessible Palomar College to inaccessible California State Polytechnic University Pomona has been a challenge academically and personally: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/feb/20/engineering-student-uses-disability-to-help-others/
* The National Disability Institute has partnered with other national organizations to create an ABLE Resource Center, to provide information about the ABLE Act: http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=476
* The most expensive private college in the U.S.? It’s Landmark College, which is exclusively for students with diagnoses of learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD: http://www.takepart.com/photos/10-most-expensive-private-colleges-america/1-landmark-college
* A new study in the UK finds 50% of college student leaves (called “intermissions”) are health-related, but many campuses are treating medical and emotional issues like disciplinary concerns:http://www.cherwell.org/news/oxford/2015/02/13/investigation-student-intermission
* Chanel Washington writes about all the inaccessible social events she’s invited to attend as a senior at Harvard University – only 12 of the dorms (“houses”) are even accessible, and she can’t get in most restaurants, either: http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/2/20/senior-bars-perpetuate-exclusive/
* Critics of Virginia’s bill to prevent campus suicides continue to gain attention, with the legislation requiring schools to report suicidal tendencies to parents; see The Chronicle of Higher Education (article only available by subscription at http://chronicle.com/article/Should-Colleges-Report/190017/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en), The Tennessee chapter of the Association on Higher Education And Disability (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=179600572066328&story_fbid=1060710203955356), and the newspaper of the University of South Florida (http://www.usforacle.com/news/view.php/861000/EDITORIAL-Reporting-students-suicidal-te)
* Astrophysicist Matthew Schneps is researching how dyslexics’ innate abilities may be attributes in the sciences, and how they should be entering higher education and STEM fields:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-things-you-wont-know-dyslexia-liz-dunoon
* New federal legislation proposes requirements informing parents about all the implications of alternative diplomas, which usually lower academic expectations and make higher education almost impossible:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/18/lawmakers-alternative-diplomas/20072/
* How does a Deaf scientist navigate the hearing scientific community? Chemistry professor and researcher Dr. Dan Lundberg shares his experiences:http://www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday/201502/Features/SignLanguage/
* Student Lydia Brown has created a 10-question survey for Georgetown University Student Association candidates to share their views on disability (and, in at least one case, to “out” themselves as having a hidden disability): one sample of responses is at http://www.autistichoya.com/2015/02/sara-ryan.html
* Despite being accepted into Terra State Community College’s nursing program, using disability services, and having a 3.7 GPA, just weeks after arriving, the program dismissed Shirley Parrott-Copus for being hard-of-hearing: http://www.toledonewsnow.com/Clip/11109045/hearing-impaired-woman-denied-in-nursing-program
* The University of California, Davis has created a safe space for undocumented college students to get legal assistance, mental health counseling, and other services: http://diverseeducation.com/article/69848/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=552d9d2102c140e9b21cafb50cd3dd96&elqCampaignId=415
* College student Emma Pretzel decided to respond to a Twitter campaign of Autism Speaks, celebrating its 10th anniversary – joining neurodiverse people in taking the campaign in a VERY different direction that the marketing campaign intended. Emma’s posts are at https://emmapretzel.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/once-upon-a-time-on-twitter/ and you can follow #AutismSpeaks10 to see everyone’s tweets.
* A new report in Ireland says 60% of disability services providers there believe academics do not do enough to include students with disabilities in courses, and rates of students with disabilities are falling:https://uk.news.yahoo.com/college-lecturers-accused-not-doing-enough-students-disabilities-191652624.html#sXZGkgO
* A bill in the Florida Senate would set up state-wide higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities, with a state center to coordinate them:http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-college-plan-for-disabled-students-advances-in-legislature-20150216-post.html
* Deaf professor Dr. Barbara Kannapell explains how her work created an understanding of Deaf people using American Sign Language as “bilingual” people (video not captioned or audio described for non-Deaf viewers, but there is a link below the video that leads to a full transcript): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzwKg8LczSM
* Angela Braden, who also blogs and does motivational speaking about being African-American and blind, received an Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award from Lone Star College:http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/kingwood/news/blind-college-professor-at-lsc-kingwood-honored-with-faculty-excellence/article_61ef55a9-e36e-5c12-a18e-4b4b72551771.html
* After struggling to frame mental health issues positively, students at the University of Virginia create a Harry Potter themed Patronus Project and discuss mental illness through an “everyone has dementors” framework to try to reduce stigma for the university’s first mental health week: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/uva/harry-potter-themed-program-at-uva-takes-aim-at-mental/article_abb9073a-b7d9-11e4-a211-cf7951658506.html
* One student spends her gap year before college raising a guide dog for Maine’s Guiding Eyes for the Blind: http://www.qconline.com/life/south_of_20/chicago-teen-sees-gap-year-success/article_2e523b5a-677c-5e40-ad5d-75f4b150a593.html
* Did you know Helen Keller was the first deafblind person to graduate from college? Seven other fascinating facts about this woman who is more complicated than most people realize:http://www.perkins.org/stories/blog/seven-fascinating-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-helen-keller
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Obama’s minimum wage order will include workers with disabilities: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/02/12/obama-disabled-workers-subminimum-wage/5409927/
* A cool new ad from Comcast illustrates the Wizard of Oz as imagined by a young girl who is blind (video has captions and is audio described by the girl herself):http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/20/academy-awards-ad-pitch/20079/. And here’s an article about how more Oscar-nominated movies are being audio described, even though we have a long way to go:http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2015/02/19/oscarsblind/UPGHe0Os7xAUgqPctQLIzM/story.html
* 21 problems only people with asthma will understand, from “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Wheezy”: http://www.buzzfeed.com/candacelowry/problems-only-people-with-asthma-will-understand#.op7NMK5aZ
* Frustrated trying to get the Windows 8 software’s voices and language packages just right? Here’s an online tutorial for you (for Windows 8 and 8.1): https://sellfy.com/p/3SpB/
* Despite a nationwide crackdown on witch doctors who believe their body parts are necessary for potions, Albino Tanzanians continue to be kidnapped and killed (trigger warning: descriptions of violent killings; video not captioned or audio described): http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31518397
* A 13-year old blind boy convinces Australia to print tactile banknotes: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-18/13yo-blind-boy-successfully-campaigns-for-tactile-banknotes/6144262
* The story of Lucy Glennon’s death in the UK, and how her battles with the effects of welfare reforms show the real effects of budget cuts for people with disabilities:http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/17/lucy-glennon-disability-activist-real-effects-of-cuts
* Painter Jeremy Sicile-Kira is autistic and has synesthesia, where emotions, numbers, words, or sounds can be experienced as colors, smells, or other senses: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chantal-sicile-kira/its-not-easy-being-green_b_3652680.html
* A Dwarf Fashion Show debuted last year in Paris, and this year it arrived in NYC: http://www.glammonitor.com/2015/02/13/dwarf-fashion-show-debut/
* Following up on Valentine’s Day, a few disabled people in the UK discuss awkward disability-related moments in dating: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-ouch-31421248
* Many college students, staff, and faculty with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have to fight to get accommodations for their controversial illness, but a new panel says it’s definitely a disease and it should be called “Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease” to reflect its seriousness: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/02/11/385465667/panel-says-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-is-a-disease-and-renames-it?sc=17?f=1128&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app
* Melbourne writer and TV presenter Carly Findlay has a serious chronic skin condition called Ichthyosis, and every day for the past six months she’s been taking pictures of what she wears as part of an Australian “Syling You” campaign to show “the real you” in women’s everyday clothing: http://carlyfindlay.blogspot.com/2015/02/why-i-post-photos-of-my-every-day-style.html
* The volunteer-based Museum Access Consortium in New York City is working to improve disability access and inclusion for all of the city’s museums, and you can help: http://www.cityaccessny.org/mac.php
* One blogger and journalist suggests that FCC decisions about net neutrality could have radical implications for people with disabilities (http://serotalk.com/2015/02/18/why-killing-net-nutrality-will-hurt-the-disabled/), which is interesting timing since the FCC just set up an advisory panel to help them better serve people with disabilities (http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/17/fcc-focus-disabilities/20065/)
* A mom in a household of Deaf people explains Deaf culture: http://readaninterview.com/2013/12/09/the-deaf-culture-michele-westfall-on-being-deaf-since-birth/
* The BBC receives numerous complaints after changes to its Internet radio programs left many listeners unable to access stations, including people who are blind and visually impaired:http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31487515
* A new reading software targeting students with dyslexia, ADHD, and visual impairments is starting trials in higher education, offering disability services offices free software for students:http://www.beelinereader.com/
* You know about LGBTQ marriage equality, but what about marriage equality for people with disabilities? Here’s a video of one couple sharing their story of wanting to be married without losing Medicaid services (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGk3yRTSF2k
* Wheelchair skateboarding? Yeah, that’s a thing…and it’s pretty cool (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705553159558019&set=vb.690005867779415&type=2&theater
* A new book proudly shows Japanese women amputees, who are traditionally perceived as objects of shame instead of beauty: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2015/02/06/lifestyle/amputee-women-japan-proudly-step-forward/#.VOis-S73SXc
* One activist’s disturbing story about trying to get help for his bipolar affective disorder in Uganda (video not captioned or audio described; trigger warning for violent responses to mental and emotional differences:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31557295
* A new pen can create 3-D images, so imagine the possibilities for blind and visually impaired people (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emUlHFWcHck
* Neurologist Dr. Sandra Block discusses how ADHD is becoming more “normal” in children, but why we need to talk about ADHD in adults – which prompted her to write a mystery novel where the protagonist is a psychiatrist with ADHD: http://www.livescience.com/49832-adhd-is-the-new-normal.html
* Life with a traumatic brain injury – one woman writes about life a year after her injury, and tells her story so people realize it was not “just a concussion”: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-zellmer/life-with-a-traumatic-brain-injury_b_6580812.html
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 15-21, 2015
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* Student complaints have prompted an Office of Civil Rights investigation at Boston College into whether the campus has systematically discriminated against people with disabilities, including poor accessibility in new construction and inadequate responses to complaints: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/boston-college-disability-access_n_6708034.html (more information about the Disability Awareness Committee of Boston College is at https://www.facebook.com/BC.disabilityawareness)
* For many college students with disabilities, apps are becoming a necessity for academics and campus life: http://college.usatoday.com/2015/02/13/mobile-apps-giving-disabled-students-more-academic-independence/
* Advice for prospective college students with mental or emotional health-related disabilities and their parents: http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-hlth-0218-mental-illness-college-20150212-story.html#page=1
* Kevin Butler’s muscular dystrophy led him to pursue a career as an engineer designing robotics and adaptive technology for disabled people, but the transfer from accessible Palomar College to inaccessible California State Polytechnic University Pomona has been a challenge academically and personally: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/feb/20/engineering-student-uses-disability-to-help-others/
* The National Disability Institute has partnered with other national organizations to create an ABLE Resource Center, to provide information about the ABLE Act: http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=476
* The most expensive private college in the U.S.? It’s Landmark College, which is exclusively for students with diagnoses of learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD: http://www.takepart.com/photos/10-most-expensive-private-colleges-america/1-landmark-college
* A new study in the UK finds 50% of college student leaves (called “intermissions”) are health-related, but many campuses are treating medical and emotional issues like disciplinary concerns:http://www.cherwell.org/news/oxford/2015/02/13/investigation-student-intermission
* Chanel Washington writes about all the inaccessible social events she’s invited to attend as a senior at Harvard University – only 12 of the dorms (“houses”) are even accessible, and she can’t get in most restaurants, either: http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/2/20/senior-bars-perpetuate-exclusive/
* Critics of Virginia’s bill to prevent campus suicides continue to gain attention, with the legislation requiring schools to report suicidal tendencies to parents; see The Chronicle of Higher Education (article only available by subscription at http://chronicle.com/article/Should-Colleges-Report/190017/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en), The Tennessee chapter of the Association on Higher Education And Disability (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=179600572066328&story_fbid=1060710203955356), and the newspaper of the University of South Florida (http://www.usforacle.com/news/view.php/861000/EDITORIAL-Reporting-students-suicidal-te)
* Astrophysicist Matthew Schneps is researching how dyslexics’ innate abilities may be attributes in the sciences, and how they should be entering higher education and STEM fields:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-things-you-wont-know-dyslexia-liz-dunoon
* New federal legislation proposes requirements informing parents about all the implications of alternative diplomas, which usually lower academic expectations and make higher education almost impossible:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/18/lawmakers-alternative-diplomas/20072/
* How does a Deaf scientist navigate the hearing scientific community? Chemistry professor and researcher Dr. Dan Lundberg shares his experiences:http://www.asbmb.org/asbmbtoday/201502/Features/SignLanguage/
* Student Lydia Brown has created a 10-question survey for Georgetown University Student Association candidates to share their views on disability (and, in at least one case, to “out” themselves as having a hidden disability): one sample of responses is at http://www.autistichoya.com/2015/02/sara-ryan.html
* Despite being accepted into Terra State Community College’s nursing program, using disability services, and having a 3.7 GPA, just weeks after arriving, the program dismissed Shirley Parrott-Copus for being hard-of-hearing: http://www.toledonewsnow.com/Clip/11109045/hearing-impaired-woman-denied-in-nursing-program
* The University of California, Davis has created a safe space for undocumented college students to get legal assistance, mental health counseling, and other services: http://diverseeducation.com/article/69848/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=552d9d2102c140e9b21cafb50cd3dd96&elqCampaignId=415
* College student Emma Pretzel decided to respond to a Twitter campaign of Autism Speaks, celebrating its 10th anniversary – joining neurodiverse people in taking the campaign in a VERY different direction that the marketing campaign intended. Emma’s posts are at https://emmapretzel.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/once-upon-a-time-on-twitter/ and you can follow #AutismSpeaks10 to see everyone’s tweets.
* A new report in Ireland says 60% of disability services providers there believe academics do not do enough to include students with disabilities in courses, and rates of students with disabilities are falling:https://uk.news.yahoo.com/college-lecturers-accused-not-doing-enough-students-disabilities-191652624.html#sXZGkgO
* A bill in the Florida Senate would set up state-wide higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities, with a state center to coordinate them:http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-college-plan-for-disabled-students-advances-in-legislature-20150216-post.html
* Deaf professor Dr. Barbara Kannapell explains how her work created an understanding of Deaf people using American Sign Language as “bilingual” people (video not captioned or audio described for non-Deaf viewers, but there is a link below the video that leads to a full transcript): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzwKg8LczSM
* Angela Braden, who also blogs and does motivational speaking about being African-American and blind, received an Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award from Lone Star College:http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/kingwood/news/blind-college-professor-at-lsc-kingwood-honored-with-faculty-excellence/article_61ef55a9-e36e-5c12-a18e-4b4b72551771.html
* After struggling to frame mental health issues positively, students at the University of Virginia create a Harry Potter themed Patronus Project and discuss mental illness through an “everyone has dementors” framework to try to reduce stigma for the university’s first mental health week: http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/uva/harry-potter-themed-program-at-uva-takes-aim-at-mental/article_abb9073a-b7d9-11e4-a211-cf7951658506.html
* One student spends her gap year before college raising a guide dog for Maine’s Guiding Eyes for the Blind: http://www.qconline.com/life/south_of_20/chicago-teen-sees-gap-year-success/article_2e523b5a-677c-5e40-ad5d-75f4b150a593.html
* Did you know Helen Keller was the first deafblind person to graduate from college? Seven other fascinating facts about this woman who is more complicated than most people realize:http://www.perkins.org/stories/blog/seven-fascinating-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-helen-keller
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* Obama’s minimum wage order will include workers with disabilities: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/02/12/obama-disabled-workers-subminimum-wage/5409927/
* A cool new ad from Comcast illustrates the Wizard of Oz as imagined by a young girl who is blind (video has captions and is audio described by the girl herself):http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/20/academy-awards-ad-pitch/20079/. And here’s an article about how more Oscar-nominated movies are being audio described, even though we have a long way to go:http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2015/02/19/oscarsblind/UPGHe0Os7xAUgqPctQLIzM/story.html
* 21 problems only people with asthma will understand, from “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Wheezy”: http://www.buzzfeed.com/candacelowry/problems-only-people-with-asthma-will-understand#.op7NMK5aZ
* Frustrated trying to get the Windows 8 software’s voices and language packages just right? Here’s an online tutorial for you (for Windows 8 and 8.1): https://sellfy.com/p/3SpB/
* Despite a nationwide crackdown on witch doctors who believe their body parts are necessary for potions, Albino Tanzanians continue to be kidnapped and killed (trigger warning: descriptions of violent killings; video not captioned or audio described): http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31518397
* A 13-year old blind boy convinces Australia to print tactile banknotes: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-18/13yo-blind-boy-successfully-campaigns-for-tactile-banknotes/6144262
* The story of Lucy Glennon’s death in the UK, and how her battles with the effects of welfare reforms show the real effects of budget cuts for people with disabilities:http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/17/lucy-glennon-disability-activist-real-effects-of-cuts
* Painter Jeremy Sicile-Kira is autistic and has synesthesia, where emotions, numbers, words, or sounds can be experienced as colors, smells, or other senses: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chantal-sicile-kira/its-not-easy-being-green_b_3652680.html
* A Dwarf Fashion Show debuted last year in Paris, and this year it arrived in NYC: http://www.glammonitor.com/2015/02/13/dwarf-fashion-show-debut/
* Following up on Valentine’s Day, a few disabled people in the UK discuss awkward disability-related moments in dating: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-ouch-31421248
* Many college students, staff, and faculty with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have to fight to get accommodations for their controversial illness, but a new panel says it’s definitely a disease and it should be called “Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease” to reflect its seriousness: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/02/11/385465667/panel-says-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-is-a-disease-and-renames-it?sc=17?f=1128&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app
* Melbourne writer and TV presenter Carly Findlay has a serious chronic skin condition called Ichthyosis, and every day for the past six months she’s been taking pictures of what she wears as part of an Australian “Syling You” campaign to show “the real you” in women’s everyday clothing: http://carlyfindlay.blogspot.com/2015/02/why-i-post-photos-of-my-every-day-style.html
* The volunteer-based Museum Access Consortium in New York City is working to improve disability access and inclusion for all of the city’s museums, and you can help: http://www.cityaccessny.org/mac.php
* One blogger and journalist suggests that FCC decisions about net neutrality could have radical implications for people with disabilities (http://serotalk.com/2015/02/18/why-killing-net-nutrality-will-hurt-the-disabled/), which is interesting timing since the FCC just set up an advisory panel to help them better serve people with disabilities (http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/02/17/fcc-focus-disabilities/20065/)
* A mom in a household of Deaf people explains Deaf culture: http://readaninterview.com/2013/12/09/the-deaf-culture-michele-westfall-on-being-deaf-since-birth/
* The BBC receives numerous complaints after changes to its Internet radio programs left many listeners unable to access stations, including people who are blind and visually impaired:http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31487515
* A new reading software targeting students with dyslexia, ADHD, and visual impairments is starting trials in higher education, offering disability services offices free software for students:http://www.beelinereader.com/
* You know about LGBTQ marriage equality, but what about marriage equality for people with disabilities? Here’s a video of one couple sharing their story of wanting to be married without losing Medicaid services (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGk3yRTSF2k
* Wheelchair skateboarding? Yeah, that’s a thing…and it’s pretty cool (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705553159558019&set=vb.690005867779415&type=2&theater
* A new book proudly shows Japanese women amputees, who are traditionally perceived as objects of shame instead of beauty: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2015/02/06/lifestyle/amputee-women-japan-proudly-step-forward/#.VOis-S73SXc
* One activist’s disturbing story about trying to get help for his bipolar affective disorder in Uganda (video not captioned or audio described; trigger warning for violent responses to mental and emotional differences:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31557295
* A new pen can create 3-D images, so imagine the possibilities for blind and visually impaired people (video not captioned or audio described): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emUlHFWcHck
* Neurologist Dr. Sandra Block discusses how ADHD is becoming more “normal” in children, but why we need to talk about ADHD in adults – which prompted her to write a mystery novel where the protagonist is a psychiatrist with ADHD: http://www.livescience.com/49832-adhd-is-the-new-normal.html
* Life with a traumatic brain injury – one woman writes about life a year after her injury, and tells her story so people realize it was not “just a concussion”: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-zellmer/life-with-a-traumatic-brain-injury_b_6580812.html
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
February 22-28, 2015
From DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 22-28, 2015
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* Peter Railton, distinguished philosophy professor from the University of Michigan, is trying to spur discussion and understanding about mental health issues by disclosing his own depression:https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/25/professors-reflections-his-battle-depression-touch-many-recent-disciplinary-meeting
* The case against Rutgers-Newark University professor Anna Stubblefield is going to trial, alleging that she sexually abused a disabled research partner who has cerebral palsy. The judge will not allow experts on to testify about the man’s ability to give consent to sex via facilitated communication, saying it is an “unrecognized field of science:”http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/02/judge_bars_defense_testimony_on_victim_analysis_at.html
* The University of Texas at Austin is adding accessible buses to its safe ride program: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/02/25/sg-plans-to-add-ada-accessible-vehicles-to-safe-ride-program
* An article explores the inaccessibility of Columbia University, and how easy it is for nondisabled people to ignore the problems: http://features.columbiaspectator.com/eye/2015/02/25/access-denied/
* Georgetown University will have a new disability cultural center, thanks to efforts by student Lydia Brown: http://blog.georgetownvoice.com/2015/02/26/gusa-announces-creation-of-disability-cultural-center/
* Bethel University is creating a new two-year program for students with intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome: https://www.bethel.edu/news/articles/2014/september/build
* Physical “accessibility” at Yale University is open to interpretation, and not all the students are happy with the status quo: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/24/wheelchair-accessibility-leaves-much-to-be-desired/
* Several buildings at the University of Minnesota-Morris are on the National Register of Historic Places, making it difficult and expensive to do campus renovations aimed at improving disability access:http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2015/02/23/morris-buildings-cause-accessibility-debate
* Spurred on by visually impaired students on campus, Santa Fe College’s student senate voted to improve campus navigation for visually impaired students after renovations eliminated textured maps and poles:http://www.alligator.org/news/sfc/article_cfe7883c-bbe1-11e4-b8dc-1be3082b87c2.html
* Engineering students from high schools and colleges across the U.S. met in Washington, DC, for SourceAmerica’s Design Challenge, to show off their designs to improve disability access in workplaces:http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2015/02/26/engineering-design-competition-connects-stem-skills-with-social-change
* Visually impaired college students in India area protesting the lack of accessible housing: http://www.punemirror.in/pune/civic/Hostels-blind-to-our-issues-say-students/articleshow/46347886.cms
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* What we really need for Black History Month is a little Black disability history: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/blog/?p=928
* The New York Times published an article calling for a return to asylums, despite the fact that many notable people over the centuries (like Dorthea Dix, Burton Blatt, and the Kennedy family) also called for nicer cleaned-up safe institutions and then realized there is no such thing: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/18/opinion/the-modern-asylum.html?_r=0 (see one activist’s response athttp://www.autistichoya.com/2015/02/no-modern-asylum-call-to-action-in-new-jersey.html)
* The Oscars have brought a lot of attention to how Hollywood rewards certain views of disability – and only when nondisabled people are doing the acting:
* A new lawsuit against PF Chang’s notes that food allergies and celiac disease are explicitly covered under the ADA, and says restaurants shouldn’t charge patrons more for gluten-free food:http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/14/should-celiac-be-called-a-disability.html
* Deaf Latino Leah Katz-Hernandez is the new receptionist at in the West Wing of the White House: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/02/23/white-house-staffer-leah-katz-hernandez-is-pioneer-on-reception-desk/
* April 15 is approaching, so learn about IRS services for people with disabilities: https://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2015/02/25/services-at-the-irs-for-people-with-disabilities/
* African Americans may talk about depression and suicide differently than Caucasians, and they may find resiliency in religious beliefs: http://diverseeducation.com/article/70168/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=e34dce593aca4929a5e8d6b478552073&elqCampaignId=415&elqaid=88&elqat=1&elqTrackId=54bbe56bb3534981ae677dd5692e8bb0
* Deaf rappers fight for legitimacy in a field dominated by the idea that rappers can only be hearing (some videos captioned – none audio described): http://www.wonderingsound.com/feature/deaf-rappers-prinz-d-polar-bear-wawa/
* Stephen Hawking’s software reads subtle facial expressions to help him communicate, and now it’s open source and available to everyone: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/23/how-to-speak-with-facial-expressions.html
* “You were just photobombed during a selfie? SMH while I fall into a food coma.” Now how do you sign that? An article with videos discusses how American Sign Language evolves right alongside the Internet (no audio description): http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/now/internet/168477-internet-american-sign-language
* Technology is forcing people with disabilities to upgrade their bodies, instead of finding ways to change the environment for diverse users:http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/02/technology_and_disability_design_lacks_the_imagination_to_make_the_world.html
* “I am not your teachable moment” (transcript available at the bottom of the cartoon): http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/02/i-am-not-your-teachable-moment/
* The First Lady of NYC talks about changing the mental health system to better serve people like her daughter, who struggled to find help when she needed it: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/guest-column-shatter-mental-illness-stigma-article-1.2129792
* Washington, DC has 30 schools that only have students with disabilities, and over 80 private schools that don’t have any students with disabilities – why are Obama’s children attending a segregated school without any disabled kids? http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/education/208066-why-do-president-obamas-children-go-to-a-segregated-school
* African American Deaf actress Michelle Banks is winning accolades for her performances in Atlanta – we just wish Fox had thought to caption their news story so Deaf people could learn about her work (it isn’t audio described, either): http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/Clip/11149491/meet-michelle-banks
* Facebook is getting involved in suicide prevention: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-moves-into-suicide-prevention-2015-02-27
* An article in the Boston Globe suggests cities should crack down on abusers of disability parking, although we noticed it assumed users all have visible disabilities that never change in any way:http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2015/02/11/more-cheaters-use-handicapped-parking-than-you-think/ENuOcYjfbmPKGRc0Sn6kZO/story.html
* A Finnish punk band is set to win Eurovision this year – all the band members happen to be people with intellectual disabilities (called “learning disabilities” in Europe): http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/27/finnish-punk-band-take-punt-eurovision-title
* David Peter blogs about being the only Deaf man he has ever met in tech fields, and the way hearing nondisabled culture shuts out people with disabilities by making them invisible, tokens, or an inspirational fairy tale: https://modelviewculture.com/pieces/the-hearing-monoculture-rejects-those-who-cant-hear
* Fake service dogs are creating problems for real service dog users: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/More-and-more-people-claiming-their-dog-is-a-service-animal-293791091.html
* A Sign 3D project has created a computerized Avatar that can sign ASL, International Sign, British Sign Language, and other signed languages from around the world (captioned but no audio description):https://vimeo.com/89629973
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
Or check out the DREAM website at http://dream.syr.edu
To subscribe or unsubscribe to the DREAM email list, fill out the form at http://dream.syr.edu/contact-us.html and ask to join or leave the listserv.
By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
Sponsored by the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
-------------------------------
Weekly Email Update on Issues Related to Disability and Higher Education
Week of February 22-28, 2015
-------------------------------
Disability and higher education in the news (in no particular order):
* Peter Railton, distinguished philosophy professor from the University of Michigan, is trying to spur discussion and understanding about mental health issues by disclosing his own depression:https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/25/professors-reflections-his-battle-depression-touch-many-recent-disciplinary-meeting
* The case against Rutgers-Newark University professor Anna Stubblefield is going to trial, alleging that she sexually abused a disabled research partner who has cerebral palsy. The judge will not allow experts on to testify about the man’s ability to give consent to sex via facilitated communication, saying it is an “unrecognized field of science:”http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/02/judge_bars_defense_testimony_on_victim_analysis_at.html
* The University of Texas at Austin is adding accessible buses to its safe ride program: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/02/25/sg-plans-to-add-ada-accessible-vehicles-to-safe-ride-program
* An article explores the inaccessibility of Columbia University, and how easy it is for nondisabled people to ignore the problems: http://features.columbiaspectator.com/eye/2015/02/25/access-denied/
* Georgetown University will have a new disability cultural center, thanks to efforts by student Lydia Brown: http://blog.georgetownvoice.com/2015/02/26/gusa-announces-creation-of-disability-cultural-center/
* Bethel University is creating a new two-year program for students with intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome: https://www.bethel.edu/news/articles/2014/september/build
* Physical “accessibility” at Yale University is open to interpretation, and not all the students are happy with the status quo: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/24/wheelchair-accessibility-leaves-much-to-be-desired/
* Several buildings at the University of Minnesota-Morris are on the National Register of Historic Places, making it difficult and expensive to do campus renovations aimed at improving disability access:http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2015/02/23/morris-buildings-cause-accessibility-debate
* Spurred on by visually impaired students on campus, Santa Fe College’s student senate voted to improve campus navigation for visually impaired students after renovations eliminated textured maps and poles:http://www.alligator.org/news/sfc/article_cfe7883c-bbe1-11e4-b8dc-1be3082b87c2.html
* Engineering students from high schools and colleges across the U.S. met in Washington, DC, for SourceAmerica’s Design Challenge, to show off their designs to improve disability access in workplaces:http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2015/02/26/engineering-design-competition-connects-stem-skills-with-social-change
* Visually impaired college students in India area protesting the lack of accessible housing: http://www.punemirror.in/pune/civic/Hostels-blind-to-our-issues-say-students/articleshow/46347886.cms
And a few related items of possible interest to college students:
* What we really need for Black History Month is a little Black disability history: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/blog/?p=928
* The New York Times published an article calling for a return to asylums, despite the fact that many notable people over the centuries (like Dorthea Dix, Burton Blatt, and the Kennedy family) also called for nicer cleaned-up safe institutions and then realized there is no such thing: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/18/opinion/the-modern-asylum.html?_r=0 (see one activist’s response athttp://www.autistichoya.com/2015/02/no-modern-asylum-call-to-action-in-new-jersey.html)
* The Oscars have brought a lot of attention to how Hollywood rewards certain views of disability – and only when nondisabled people are doing the acting:
- A Washington Post article asks why the majority of best actor winners were portraying sick or disabled people: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/23/since-rain-man-majority-of-best-actor-winners-played-sick-or-disabled/
- Why nondisabled actors should stop portraying people with disabilities, even if it wins them Oscars: http://www.mamamia.com.au/entertainment/disability-oscar/
- Check out clips from the upcoming “Code of the Freaks” looking at images of disability in film (captioned but no audio description): https://vimeo.com/20531038
* A new lawsuit against PF Chang’s notes that food allergies and celiac disease are explicitly covered under the ADA, and says restaurants shouldn’t charge patrons more for gluten-free food:http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/14/should-celiac-be-called-a-disability.html
* Deaf Latino Leah Katz-Hernandez is the new receptionist at in the West Wing of the White House: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/02/23/white-house-staffer-leah-katz-hernandez-is-pioneer-on-reception-desk/
* April 15 is approaching, so learn about IRS services for people with disabilities: https://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2015/02/25/services-at-the-irs-for-people-with-disabilities/
* African Americans may talk about depression and suicide differently than Caucasians, and they may find resiliency in religious beliefs: http://diverseeducation.com/article/70168/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=e34dce593aca4929a5e8d6b478552073&elqCampaignId=415&elqaid=88&elqat=1&elqTrackId=54bbe56bb3534981ae677dd5692e8bb0
* Deaf rappers fight for legitimacy in a field dominated by the idea that rappers can only be hearing (some videos captioned – none audio described): http://www.wonderingsound.com/feature/deaf-rappers-prinz-d-polar-bear-wawa/
* Stephen Hawking’s software reads subtle facial expressions to help him communicate, and now it’s open source and available to everyone: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/23/how-to-speak-with-facial-expressions.html
* “You were just photobombed during a selfie? SMH while I fall into a food coma.” Now how do you sign that? An article with videos discusses how American Sign Language evolves right alongside the Internet (no audio description): http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/now/internet/168477-internet-american-sign-language
* Technology is forcing people with disabilities to upgrade their bodies, instead of finding ways to change the environment for diverse users:http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/02/technology_and_disability_design_lacks_the_imagination_to_make_the_world.html
* “I am not your teachable moment” (transcript available at the bottom of the cartoon): http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/02/i-am-not-your-teachable-moment/
* The First Lady of NYC talks about changing the mental health system to better serve people like her daughter, who struggled to find help when she needed it: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/guest-column-shatter-mental-illness-stigma-article-1.2129792
* Washington, DC has 30 schools that only have students with disabilities, and over 80 private schools that don’t have any students with disabilities – why are Obama’s children attending a segregated school without any disabled kids? http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/education/208066-why-do-president-obamas-children-go-to-a-segregated-school
* African American Deaf actress Michelle Banks is winning accolades for her performances in Atlanta – we just wish Fox had thought to caption their news story so Deaf people could learn about her work (it isn’t audio described, either): http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/Clip/11149491/meet-michelle-banks
* Facebook is getting involved in suicide prevention: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-moves-into-suicide-prevention-2015-02-27
* An article in the Boston Globe suggests cities should crack down on abusers of disability parking, although we noticed it assumed users all have visible disabilities that never change in any way:http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2015/02/11/more-cheaters-use-handicapped-parking-than-you-think/ENuOcYjfbmPKGRc0Sn6kZO/story.html
* A Finnish punk band is set to win Eurovision this year – all the band members happen to be people with intellectual disabilities (called “learning disabilities” in Europe): http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/27/finnish-punk-band-take-punt-eurovision-title
* David Peter blogs about being the only Deaf man he has ever met in tech fields, and the way hearing nondisabled culture shuts out people with disabilities by making them invisible, tokens, or an inspirational fairy tale: https://modelviewculture.com/pieces/the-hearing-monoculture-rejects-those-who-cant-hear
* Fake service dogs are creating problems for real service dog users: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/More-and-more-people-claiming-their-dog-is-a-service-animal-293791091.html
* A Sign 3D project has created a computerized Avatar that can sign ASL, International Sign, British Sign Language, and other signed languages from around the world (captioned but no audio description):https://vimeo.com/89629973
For more information about DREAM or the Taishoff Center, contact:
Wendy Harbour ([email protected])
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By the way, please don't presume DREAM, the Taishoff Center, or Syracuse University agree with everything in these links we send out - we're just passing along the information so you can form your own opinions. Thanks.
