Section A · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 1, 1999
Handicapped students find current services lacking
Continued from page 1A
Rachel Alverez-Magario, Sao Paulo, Brazil sophomore, leaves class in Wescoe Hall guided by her dog, Hamlet. Magaro said disabled students should be provided with more services on campus. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
takers for handicap students, but they don't."Mariago said. "I don't have note takers that go to class with me because they want us to be more independent."
Lorna Zimmer, director of Services for Students with Disabilities, said that she was surprised to hear comments like Magario's because the program welcomes student complaints.
Magariar said she wanted to create an organization on campus that would extend services and raise money to provide a network of note takers.
Cassio Furtado, international student senator, said he had spoken with Magario and would be glad to help her present her proposal to Student Senate. Anyone interested in Magaro's organization may contact her at awakeku@hotmail.com.
Zimmer said that the University would be glad to work with Magaria.
would be胶 to work with Magaro.
"I think that it's a great idea to organ
ize as a student organization." she said.
Magario said that the lift van services offered to students with disabilities, subcontracted to the Lawrence Bus Company, also could be improved.
"The they say that blind students shouldn't take the lift vans unless they have some other physical problems or if it is raining," she said. "The problem is, how can you schedule the lift van because of rain when you don't know when it's going to rain?"
Previously, Magario could not employ the lift van services because being blind was her only disability. Two years ago, she was struck by a car while in a campus crosswalk. Her head shattered the car's windshield, and she broke several ribs and two vertebrae. Her dog suffered internal injuries but has recovered.
The accident left her with arthritis, which allows her to use the lift van.
Holly Krebs, transportation coordinator, said that the number of vans varied from year to year and that blind students could use regular KU on Wheels services because they are allowed to bring their dogs onto the bus.
Ryan Vleck, Wilson junior who has been confined to a wheelchair since he broke his neck in a car accident four years ago, said he had no complaints with the lift van service.
"The lift van is excellent." Vlcek said. "They have done everything to accommodate me."
Jennifer Echols, Olathe junior, said she thought the University did not provide many services because they wanted to instill a sense of independence among disabled students.
"But by doing so, they often make you feel like a burden instead of an asset to the University," said Echols, who was born blind.
Echols said she no longer worked with Services for Students with Disabilities because of how it is run.
"I don't like their general attitude. Echols said.
— Edited by Mike Loader
Ryan Vlecek, Wilson junior, uses the lift van to get around on campus. He said that he had no complaints with the system and that everything was done to accommodate him. Photo by Chad Cummings/KANSAN
Nigerian Association to gather to celebrate independence day
By Lesley Simmons
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Members of the Nigerian Association of Lawrence will celebrate Nigeria's independence day tonight by gathering to eat traditional foods such as fufu, meat pie, puffu, pounded vamb and ogbono soup.
Larry Ojelley, a 1923 graduate from florin, Nigeria, said fufu was a dish similar to mashed potatoes served with stew and spinach. Puffupf is made out of flour and yeast, like bread, but instead of baking it an oven, it is cooked in boiling grease. A combination of herbs make up obboan soup. Ojelley's family will be hosts of the celebration.
Oileye said independence day activities in Nigeria were similar to independence day activities here, except that fireworks had been banned for safety reasons.
Uzo Obineche, Lagos, Nigeria graduate student, said he remembered the joyous atmosphere in Nigeria on
independence day, but he said he wouldn't be homesick.
"It's like you're out of town and missed a friend's party," he said.
Some Nigerian students said dancing, visiting and eating with relatives and friends and displaying traditional artifacts were common activities on independence day.
England relinquished control of Nigeria on Oct. 1, 1960.
This year's independence day is special because it is the first time in more than 10 years that Nigeria has celebrated independence day under a civilian government.
President Olusegun Obasanjo was elected in February and has been in office since May. He was president once before when Nigeria was controlled by the military. Obasanjo orchestrated a transition from military control to democracy that lasted from 1979 to 1983.
Rex Dikeogu, Aba, Nigeria graduate student, said he saw the new civilian government as a new start for
Nigeria.
"We're just happy that the country is changing from its old repressive ways," he said. "I think people can actually express their opinions."
Leonardo Villalon, associate professor of political science, said Nigeria was a large and important power in sub-Saharan Africa and a potential economic power. Nigeria is a member of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and has a population of 110 million people, the largest population in sub-Saharan Africa.
He said Nigeria's transition to civilian rule was encouraging but that holding elections didn't make a country a democracy.
"Nigeria has made a transition to civilian rule, but it's too soon to tell whether a democratic system has been put in place," he said.
Dikengu said that he would have to wait and see the progress but that he looked forward to moving back to Nigeria some day.
- Edited by Julia Nicholson
Sand Rats to hold annual river race
By Mike Zielke Special to the Kansan
May the best rat win.
Rine Sand Rat Running Club, a running club with a different kind of cause, will be holding its ninth annual Sand Rat Trail Run at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on the River Trail. The River Trail lies northeast of Lawrence and parallels part of the north bank of the Kansas River.
Race day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at John Taylor Park, at Walnut and Seventh streets in North Lawrence.
The club doesn't charge the high entry fees of other races, often $30 to $50. This race, which is about 15 kilometers depending on the weather, finds sponsors so the runners don't have to pay an entry fee.
"Our race is a formal protest of other, more expensive races." Riley said.
'Sand rat' was a derogatory name given to the children of
Lawrence residents who refused to move after the big flood in the 1950s.
"We got nicknamed the sand rats, and the name stuck," said Steve Riley, club president. "We started out over nine years ago as a group of runners who just got together for fun, but the fun runs got faster and faster, so we decided to have a race."
Riley said that the race was free but that runners could purchase a $6 commemorative t-shirt.
The club meets at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Lawrence High School track for fun runs.
"Anyone interested is invited,
and there are groups of all
ability levels so no one will
feel left out." Riley said.
"I enjoy running on the River Trail in the winter
Jim Dicker, a nine-year veteran of the club, said he enjoyed introducing Lawrence residents to the River Trail.
because the trees offer protection from the elements," Dicker said. "You can run on the River Trails on a hot summer day, be in the shade and feel the breeze off the river. It's a great place for a race."
The trail's surface is sandy, which makes it a forgiving surface for running. The undulating trail has countless corners, making it feel like a roller coaster ride.
The race attracts between 150 to 200 participants each year. The Rug Rats one-mile fun run, a race for kids, will follow the start of the adult race. The awards for the winners are plastic rats.
Pre-race registration forms may be found at local sports stores. Runners may also register online at www.sandrats.com. For more information about the Sand Rat Trail Run, call Steve Riley at 842-4351.
- Edited by Darrin Peschka