Tapestry, Spring 2008 TEXT ONLY

TAPESTRY Weaving together a vibrant and inclusive community

SPRING 2008 Issue 7

UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services

Fretwell 230
tel:704‑687‑0040 fax: 704‑687‑1395
email: disability@uncc.edu

THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES

Jo Ann Fernald, Director: 704‑687‑2351 Jill Gosnell, Student Services Coordinator: 704‑687‑6026 Kristin Kolin, Associate Director : 704‑687‑3136 Katie Montie, Assistant Director: 704‑687‑3102 Vonetta Blakely, Assistant Director: 704‑687‑2132

DID YOU KNOW?

Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and to effectively communicate one’s needs to other individuals.

The Core Components of Self Advocacy:

  1. Know Yourself
  2. Know What You Need
  3. Know How to Get It

All About Advocacy

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver While you can not choose whether or not you live with a disability, you can choose how you live your life with it! It’s that empowerment of choice that can allow you to decide how you want to live “your one wild and precious life.” While some things might have to be done differently, it does not mean that they can not or should not be achieved. It’s all about taking a proactive stance and one that incorporates self advocacy. It’s sometimes so easy for us to take a stand for others, but we need to take that same action and responsibility and apply it to ourselves. That’s what self advocacy is all about. Self advocacy is the ability to assess a situation and your own abilities and then explore what it is that you need in order to succeed. It is being assertive without being aggressive. It is all about personal responsibility. Self advocacy requires insight, assessment of strengths, and effective communication. In this issue of Tapestry, you will find the many ways that self advocacy can take shape.

Maintaining Your Disability by Hugh Goforth

When I was still in High School (more years ago than I want to think) I got my first car. It was a 1966 Plymouth Valiant. It was not a particularly stylish ride but, it had low mileage, was in good condition, and had one of the most durable engines and transmissions ever put in a car. The last fact was very fortunate since it took me a while to get the hang of the idea that cars need maintenance. Yes, cars need regular oil changes, tire replacement, rotation, and so on. It was up to me to see that it all got done and if I didn’t do it I could end up sitting still on the side of the road.

Eventually, I figured it out and I got several years of good service out of that car. Like it or not, it was my car and it was my responsibility. About ten years ago, I began to lose vision in both of my eyes. Eventually, it got bad enough that I could no longer do my job. Unthinkable as it was, I was disabled. After sitting at home for a couple of years watching reruns on the History Channel, boredom and depression forced me to a realization: like it or not, it was my disability and it was my responsibility. It’s true. I am a slow learner but, I finally figured out that having a disability is a little like owning a car. It’s not true that there is no one willing to help. There are numerous agencies and individuals that are anxious to help a person deal with their disability, but these people are not unlike the mechanics who could not repair the brakes on my car if I didn’t bring it to the shop. No doubt, there are limitations to what these agencies can do to help but, it is the responsibility of those of us who are reluctant owners of a disability to find out what help is available and determine how best to use this help to our advantage, figure out what can be done to get back on the road. So, I’ve traded my car for really bad eye sight but, the rules are roughly the same. It is my responsibility to maintain my disability. My road to rehabilitation has led me to UNC Charlotte where I depend on the experts in the Office of Disability Services to help me “maintain” (manage) my disability. The road isn’t always smooth.

There are occasional potholes and detours, but I have found that their sincerity and dedication to helping me matches my own commitment and sincerity. And while I can’t always get what I want, I can almost always get what I need. One final note: just like the mechanics at the shop where I used to get my car fixed, the people at the various agencies that now help me maintain my disability deserve and appreciate a sincere smile and thanks for a job well done. In a nutshell, this is what I call self advocacy. Hugh Goforth, a junior majoring in Religious Studies, is a member of the Disability Services Student Advisory Board.

Meet the Board

Advocates in Action:The Office of Disability Services is very proud of the newly formed Student Advisory Board. They are all perfect examples of how to be your own best advocate. This is truly reflected in their mission statement: “It is the mission of the Disability Services Student Advisory Board to serve as liaisons between the Office of Disability Services and registered students, as advocates for the students it represents, as positive examples of disabled students proactively overcoming obstacles, and to promote a healthy awareness and understanding of disability among the students, faculty and staff of UNC Charlotte.” The board is seeking members who are excited about educating others and promoting a healthy awareness of those living with disabilities for the 2008/2009 academic year. If you would like to join these members in fulfilling this mission statement, please submit a letter of interest to vblakely@uncc.edu to learn more. If you have a class or a group who would like to learn more about what it is like to live with a disability, the student advisory board is available. A representative will present to groups in an effort to help others see disability as another form of diversity in our community. Please be on the lookout for the student advisory board’s new comprehensive website, workshop offerings, and increased involvement in the campus community! PICTURE: From left to right pictured: Jessica Link, Phyllis Schneider, Francisco Chavez, Hugh Goforth, Leo Caplanides Not Pictured: Shakira Lopez and Christina Saake

Education is Advocacy, too…

One of the best ways to be an advocate is to not only raise your own personal awareness of disability related issues, but to educate others as well! Our office was able to do just that during our first ever Disability Awareness Week on campus, October 22-26th! Thank you to everyone that participated! The headlining event, Josh Sundquist, “The One Legged Stand Up Comedian,” left everyone in attendance enlightened and laughing. In addition, there were several awareness activities offered to the campus. Approximately 300 individuals tested their Disability IQ and were rewarded for their participation. It appears that while the majority of participants had a good understanding of general disability information, there is always room to grow and to obtain more knowledge. Thank you to everyone that made the first ever Disability Awareness Week such a success!
PICTURE: Josh Sundquist performing and the Test Your Disability Stand Most frequently missed question on the “Test Your Disability IQ” : In North Carolina, van accessible parking spaces should be__ inches wide and have a minimum__ inches access aisle. a) 96, 60 b) 96, 96 c) 96, 112 B is the correct answer

Time to Recognize ~ Yourself and Others

Advocacy is also recognizing those that have supported your academic path. It’s that time of year when our office gives students the opportunity to recognize others who have been positive and powerful influences. Nominate Your Note Taker – Registered students will have the opportunity to nominate a note taker they have had who has consistently and clearly provided outstanding notes. Nomination forms are available in Fretwell 230 or online at www.ds.charlottewp.psapp.dev. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 1. Outstanding Faculty/Staff – Students have the opportunity to recognize a faculty or staff member for their outstanding support and commitment.

Nomination forms are available in our office or on line. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 1. Advocacy is also finding out what resources you can take advantage of in order to reach your own goals. Scholarships – The Office of Disability Services is excited to offer scholarships to eligible students from The Carol A. Douglas Endowment for Disabled Students and from The Lion’s Foundation of the Piedmont Fund. The deadline for submitting applications is March 10 with the winners being notified in April. The scholarship money will be awarded to the selected recipients in the Fall. Applications are available in Fretwell 230 or online at www.ds.charlottewp.psapp.dev. An Awards Reception will be held on April 16th to recognize the scholarship recipients along with the outstanding faculty/staff and note takers! For more information, please contact our office.

Faculty Corner

Promoting Self Advocacy

The ability to be a good self-advocate is important for all students to develop, but it is especially important for students with disabilities. Often students with disabilities enter the university with limited experience advocating for their needs or rights. Previously their parents and the school system had this responsibility. However, in a university setting, students are expected to know how their disability impacts them and to request appropriate accommodations related to their own specific needs. The Office of Disability Services’ staff encourage students to develop self-advocacy skills from their first meeting with the student. This discussion covers how the student understands his/her disability along with exploring past accommodations that have been effective .This process continues each semester, resulting in a letter of accommodation that is to be provided to each faculty member. Although accommodations are determined by the Disability Services’ staff, the application of these accommodations can vary in the classroom depending upon the faculty’s teaching pedagogy. Faculty members have their own unique way of teaching, reflecting their style and the type of information that must be conveyed. Faculty can help students become good self-advocates by promoting discussions regarding specific classroom activities that may impact the student differently because of his/her disability, while providing only those accommodations indicated in the student’s letter of accommodation. Your belief in a student’s strengths has a direct effect upon their future success. Encourage self advocacy within the classroom so the lessons learned can have a lasting impact.

Important Dates:

  • Spring Break : March 3-8.Enjoy and BE SAFE!
  • Deadline for Scholarship Applications: March 10. Visit www.ds.charlottewp.psapp.dev for more information.
  • Registration for Summer 2008 and Fall 2008 begins: March 31. Make sure you meet with your academic advisor.
  • Deadline for Outstanding Faculty/Staff member nominations: April 1.
  • Deadline for Outstanding Note Taker nominations: April 1.
  • Disability Services Awards Reception :April 16.
  • Final Examinations: May 1-8.
  • Validate your exam dates and times with our office!
  • Commencement: May 10.
  • Contact our office prior to MAY 10th if you have any concerns regarding accessibility and the ceremony.
  • 1st Summer Term: May 27– July 2.
  • 2nd Summer Term: July 7—August 12.
  • Fall term begins: August 25. Make sure your meet with a DS counselor to discuss accommodations for the semester

Question, comments, or suggestions about Tapestry ? Contact Kristin Kolin: kjkolin@uncc.edu

EDITOR: Kristin Kolin