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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SEE HOW GEORGE LI VIEWS CAMPUS
GEORGE GOES TO MRS. E'S DINING HALL
GEORGE GOES TO JAYHAWK BOULEVARD
WATCH THE VIDEOS ONLINE AT KANSAN.COM
PURPOSE OF THE KU ADA TASK FORCE:
Evaluate whether additional actions, policies and practices are necessary to improve access to campus facilities and programs and to make recommendations for such improvements, as necessary to build upon the University's ongoing commitment for an inclusive community.
Identify opportunities for improved coordination, communication and resource sharing.
Minimize duplicative efforts across University departments,including recommending appropriate changes in University organizational structure.
BY TYPE AND NUMBER OF STUDENTS
DISABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
ACCESS FROM PAGE 1A
Total: 687 students
auren said part of her success as a student is due to the technologies and services provided by the University.
The University
The University of Kansas began a campus-wide review of accessibility issues in 2010. The review was led by Fred Rodriguez, the Vice Provost for Diversity and Equity, and Ola Faucher, the Director of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Department.
Rodriguez said all members of the campus community were invited, including the AbleHawks and Allies, the campus advocacy group for students with disabilities.
SOURCE: KU OFFICE OF DISABILITY RESOURCES
Elizabeth Boresow, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., is an Ablehawk. She was diagnosed with autism in elementary school.
"It is the opinion of AbleHawks and Allies that it would have been more beneficial for them to take the
When the accessibility review was released, Boresow was not happy because she felt AbleHawk's names were included in the review and they did not participate. In an email she sent to the Kansan in November, Boresow said,
"It is a disability that affects communication, social skills, a lot of sensory stuff." Boresow said.
time to do the report correctly and involve the right people instead of just speeding through everything to get it done. The report is complete and published, there is nothing we can do to 'fix' the fact that we had no chance to be involved in the evaluative process. This is unfortunate because students provide a unique perspective on accessibility issues that staff alone cannot necessarily see or infer."
AbleHawks members Preston Brown, George Li, Carmen Thomas and Cynthia Marta sat down for a group interview with the Kansan in February to express concerns over the misuse of their names last semester. The members said Rodriguez thought they had been
contacted.
According to the group, Rodriguez said he would look into the matter, but their names had not yet been removed from the review. Because the University was searching for a full time ADA coordinator to oversee all compliance issues with the American's with Disabilities Act at the University. [They said they believed the Provost office had been too busy to address the issue.
Rodriguez said students were involved but probably did not attend all of the task force meetings. He said he felt the relationship between the University and AbleHawks had been repaired and acknowledged Boresow's concerns.
Rodriguez said he and the new director of Accessibility & ADA Education, Jamie Simpson, would discuss their concerns in upcoming meetings.
"I think they are making a lot of progress," Boresow said about the hiring.
Simpson began work in March. Over the summer she plans to create a Twitter account to represent the Disability Services office. She said it will be the best way to notify students about up-to-the-minute accessibly issues on campus.
Simpson wants to be able to communicate with the students and faculty directly about issues such as elevators being out or fire alarms, so that they may plan
ADA TASKFORCE SUB-GROUPS
Academic Accommodations Employment Information Technology Facilities Parkings and Transit Student Services
accordingly. Simpson said both the Twitter account and the website will be active by the fall semester.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
George Li, a sophomore from Kansas City, Kan., was diagnosed as a child with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Li has learned to be an advocate for himself and others with mobility related disabilities at the University.
PRIMARY EXTERIOR DIRECTIONAL / INFORMATIONAL SIGN
SECONDARY INTERIOR DIRECTIONAL/
INFORMATIONAL SIGN
CONTRIBUTED BY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Proposed design for the HawkRoute signage project. The are designed to direct visitors in wheelchairs to various accessible routes on campus. They will be installed during the summer and cost $40,000.
impson said such notifications are key for students like George Li, a sophomore from Kansas City, Kan., who travels campus in an S
electric wheelchair because of the progression of his muscular dystrophy.
People with muscular dystrophy are missing the protein necessary to hold muscles together, and its absence is what causes the muscles to slowly break down, Li
Li's case is rare. He said he is more mobile than most people with muscular dystrophy at his age.
explained.
"I can still move my arms, I can easily do my wheelchair transfers on my own," Li said. "I aim to keep as independent as possible until it is necessary for me to get help."
Currently, Li lives in Lewis hall by himself and gets around campus using a power wheelchair. The decision to use a wheelchair was his own. Li said when he decided
to attend KU the number of hills and the strain they would put on his body made the decision easy.
The University offers several accommodations for students and faculty in wheelchairs. The JayLift Paratransit service is complimentary to students with mobility-related conditions. Students must give the University documentation of their disability to become eligible for the service.
According to the KU on Wheel's website, LayLift rides must be
scheduled. The service will provide rides to students from their home to anywhere inside the city limits between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on days classes are in session. On days when classes aren't in session, students may schedule rides that originate within 3/4 mile of campus. That is approximately the distance between campus and Meadowbrook Apartments.
Li said he prefers to not rely on the service to get around because he is able to drive his wheelchair
"I've been advocating for fixing some sidewalks," Li said.
safely around campus. He is also able to drive onto the handicap equipped KU buses when he needs to travel longer distances.
For students who also use wheelchairs like L1, an open line of communication between themselves and the Disability Services office is key. Cracks in the sidewalks and damaged curb ramps can damage the chair and keep Li from getting to class.
The University makes its best efforts to repair damaged sidewalks as quickly as possible, especially when students like Li notify Disability Services about not being able to reach classes. But some repairs are just too large of a project to complete during the school year.
One such project is a signage project known as the Hawk Route, and their purpose is to direct students in wheel chairs to the best routes to get up hills and around