Office
for
Equal Opportunity
North Carolina
State University
Location & Hours
1 Holladay Hall
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Mailing Address
Campus Box 7530
Raleigh, NC
27695-7530
Phone Numbers
Main: 919-515-3148
Fax: 919-513-1428
TTY: 919-515-9617
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Equal_Op
- August, 2006 - Volume 7, #1
Sight,
Sound & Motion: Why We All Need Universal Design
By Gillian Norton, Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Assistant
Sponsored
by the Office for Equal Opportunity and the Center for Universal
Design, the Sight, Sound, & Motion workshop allowed participants
to experience how having a disability influences the way one navigates
our campus. Participants relied on a wheelchair for mobility or
adjusted to visual impairments, such as tunnel vision, or low
vision in one eye while the other eye was blind.
Gillian
Norton, a staff member of the Office for Equal Opportunity as
well as a doctoral student in social psychology at NC State, participated
in this year’s workshop. The following is a first-person
account of Norton’s thoughts and impressions as she experienced
the impact of this event.
“The
ground upon which I walk has become more prominent. Every step
I take is more deliberate. Every assumption is more readily observed.
The Sight, Sound, & Motion workshop recently held at NC State
profoundly influenced my relationship with the physical aspects
of the environment, particularly as I travel the paths of our
campus.
“The
day of the workshop began with the arrival of tropical rains.
I awoke with butterflies, anticipating the thrill of experiencing
the world in a new way, and at the same time fear of this unknown
experience. Once there, I consciously sat in one of the wheelchairs
while Richard Duncan of the Center for Universal Design introduced
us to the purpose of the workshop. Years ago, my mentor took me
to the classroom where I would teach 200 students. This too, was
a new experience. My mentor explained the importance of becoming
comfortable with one’s physical environment. In this way,
one is able to learn something of that which was completely unknown.
And so, I sat in the wheelchair. I touched the wheels, adjusted
the footrests, and practiced moving just a bit. Becoming familiar
with the wheelchair alleviated much of the fear associated with
this unknown experience of the reality of life with a physical
disability.
“In
the misting rain, we broke into three large groups, each group
including participants in wheelchairs, those with visual disabilities,
guides, and observers. Destinations varied for each group, ours
being the bookstore. In my group, our goal was to find our way
out of the building and meet at the entrance of the Free Expression
tunnel. My guide on this part of the journey was Michael, one
of the amazing workshop facilitators. Michael worked with me to
find the elevator, navigate the hallways, get into an elevator,
know how NOT to flip the chair over, and other important aspects
of my new relationship with my own body. Michael eloquently explained,
as only one who has lived much of his life in a wheelchair can,
that I must constantly be mindful of my posture, hands, legs,
and foot placement while in the chair. This mindfulness of my
own body was completely new to me.
“Michael
and I made our way out of the building. I was determined to maintain
as much of my mobility independence as possible. Focus on
each and every movement. Focus on each and every actual and potential
environmental obstacle. The mist made the rails on the wheels
wet. That wetness was a scary thing, as the effectiveness of my
brakes was completely dependent upon my new relationship between
my hands and those wet rails. Each and every action had the potential
to be the wrong action.
“The
wheels of my chair rolled up, and then back down the ramp to the
sidewalk. Why could I not get up that “little” curb
cut? Why was this one “little” thing a struggle? I
have no doubt that I could be in better physical shape, but I
knew I had enough upper body strength to do this “little”
thing. My frustration and embarrassment grew. My uncertainty about
the situation grew. I started searching for information –
for an explanation. I thought I must have been doing something
wrong. And, why did the term “little” come to mind?
My awareness of my language culture exploded; it is the language
culture of the able-bodied. Finding one’s path on our campus
is not a “little” thing. Michael, the patient teacher,
realized my tires were almost flat. He led the way to his car,
where he keeps a tire pump for this exact situation.
“Returning
to the group, my awareness of each brick, each twig, and each
puddle of water was heightened. My entire focus was on the ground
before me, the feel of the wheelchair and rails, and Michael’s
instructions and guidance. The remaining social world was beyond
my consciousness. Each movement I made was critically important.
At the bottom of an incline, en route to the tunnel, I realized
not only was Michael aware of the obstacles in our path, but also
the entire area. He could enjoy the scenery. While I struggled
to focus on all aspects of the environment and our conversation,
Michael flowed, as life in a wheelchair is an integral aspect
of his social world. He and I rejoined the larger group and my
time in a wheelchair ended.
“Since
my participation in the Sight, Sound, & Motion workshop, I
have sought information on the Americans with Disabilities Act
and what it means to live in a social environment that is based
on the principles of universal design. A universally designed
campus is one where every person on our campus is equally
valued, respected, and welcomed. The physical barriers in our
environment, such as the lack or ambiguity of signage or an accessible
path, result in ambiguity about whether or not every single campus
member is truly welcomed in our community. The creation of a campus
environment that reflects equitable use, flexibility in use, simple
and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error,
low physical effort, and the needed size and space will ensure
the current and future viability of NC State as a leader in recognizing
the diversity of each and every campus community member.”
Resources:
- NC
State Office for Equal Opportunity Outreach and Education website:
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education.html.
- NC
State Disability Services Office website: www.ncsu.edu/dso/;
U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act
website: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/.
- NC
State College of Design’s Center for Universal Design:
www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/.
Photos:
Photo
caption: Sight, Sound & Motion participant Felicia Baity
receives wheelchair instruction from Michael Atkins.
Photo
caption: Sight, Sound & Motion participants begin their
journey toward a better understanding of physical disabilities.
Photo
caption: Author Gillian Norton accompanies Sight, Sound &
Motion participant Yolanda Outlaw, who is experiencing a vision disability.
Consuelo Rodriguez is in the foreground.
Programming
Notes
By Beverly Jones Williams, Director of
Outreach & Education
Celebration
for EOI Graduates
Twenty-eight
participants were honored in the graduation celebration of the
Equal Opportunity Institute on May 4, 2006. Yolanda Rabun, IBM
Software Group Legal Department, was the featured speaker and
Thomas Easley, College of Natural Resources, provided reflections
from a past EOI graduate. Graduates received certificates, gifts,
and three continuing education units. Included in the graduates
were NC State faculty, staff, and students, as well as participants
from the Triangle community. The class of 2006 brings the total
of EOI graduates to 178. Congratulations! We commend you for taking
the time learn new information and make a difference on campus
and in the community. See a photo of the graduates on our website
at www.ncsu.edu/eoi.
The Raleigh-Wake Human Resources Management Association and the
Triangle Industry Liaison Group recognized the EOI with a 2005
Diversity Award, given to Triangle area organizations that have
conducted outstanding diversity initiatives. We are now accepting
online applications for 2006-07 at www.ncsu.edu/eoi.
NCBI:
Building Bridges Workshops
NCBI,
the National Coalition Building Institute, is an international
organization that has developed a model for creating dialogue
and understanding among different people. A campus team of facilitators
uses this model to present the workshop Building Bridges: Strengthening
Leadership for Diverse Communities. The goal of Building Bridges
is to mobilize participants to carry the message of acceptance
and inclusion to others.
This
unique workshop - interactive, experiential, and high energy -
allows you to gain self-awareness, stretch beyond your comfort
zone, and gain new understanding. During this six-hour workshop
(which can be taken in one all-day or two 3-hour sessions), participants
engage in small- and large-group discussions and activities led
by trained facilitators. Participants of the Building Bridges
workshops are both contributing teachers and willing learners.
We invite and encourage you to participate in this professional
development experience. To learn more and register, visit www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/ncbi/.
New
Study Circles Opportunity
The Office
for Equal Opportunity sponsors “Study Circles on Race and
Race Relations” for the NC State campus. The Study Circles
Program is part of a nationwide effort to address racism by providing
a simple way to involve community members in dialogue and action.
Participants engage in small, democratic, peer-led discussions
about racial attitudes. The intent is to get people listening
to others, which can lead to greater understanding and joint efforts
of action. We invite all faculty, staff, and students to participate.
In addition
to “Study Circles on Race and Race Relations,” a second
level of dialogue has been added to the Study Circles offerings!
This program, titled “Dismantling Racism” was piloted
in Winter, 2006 and received wonderful reviews. One participant
said, “I am more aware of the deep systematic racism in
America, and I will definitely recommend this experience to others.”
Anyone who completed the first Study Circles dialogue may participate
in “Dismantling Racism.”
For
more information or to sign up for an NC State Study Circle, visit
our website: www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education/study_circles.html.
Spotlight
on Access: Janet Howard, June 2006 RecipientBy
Dr. Cheryl Branker, Director of Disability Compliance Programs
In Spring,
2005, the Disability Services Office had outgrown its ability
to administer all of the final exams scheduled by its student
population. Dr. Cheryl Branker, Director of Disability Compliance
Programs, contacted Janet Howard, interim director of the African
American Cultural Center (AACC) about using their facilities to
administer final exams. The request was not simple; DSO needed
a large amount of space for at least six hours each day during
which the AACC would not be able to schedule any programs. Howard
only needed to know one detail: which days and times were needed.
One of the
missions of the AACC is to provide valuable programming to the
NC State community, but Howard understood the need for appropriate
facilities to administer modified testing for students with disabilities.
Thanks to her, DSO has proctored more final exams each subsequent
semester at the AACC. With space on campus at a premium and appropriate
reduced-distraction environments in short supply, Howard provided
a convenient, appropriate, and accessible facility which enabled
DSO to not just continue its mission but to further it. Her efforts
are appreciated and well worthy of our SPOTLIGHT ON ACCESS!
OEO
Resource Directory
Office
for Equal Opportunity (OEO)
1 Holladay Hall
Campus Box 7530
919-515-3148
www.ncsu.edu/equal_op
Disability
Services Office (DSO)
1900 Student Health Center
Campus Box 7509
919-515-7653
www.ncsu.edu/dso
Disability
Hotline
To report a disability or accommodation issue or concern, send
email to ADAHotline@ncsu.edu.
Discrimination
or Harassment Complaints or Concerns
For help with a discrimination or harassment concern, contact
Dr. Rhonda Sutton at 919-513-1234 or rhonda_sutton@ncsu.edu.
[Update as of 11/2006: For help with a discrimination or harassment
concern, contact Amy Circosta at 919-513-1234 or amy_circosta@ncsu.edu.]
You can also submit a harassment complaint online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/harassment/
harassment_complaint_form.html, or send email to report_harassment@ncsu.edu.
Hiring
Procedures & Search Committee Orientations
If you are beginning a new search for a position, OEO encourages
you to call 919-515-3148 to schedule a search committee orientation.
Workshops
& Course Offerings
For information about our workshops and course offerings, please
see www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/education.html
or contact Beverly Jones Williams at 919-513-3836.
Online
Training
We offer online training versions of some of our workshops. See
www.ncsu.edu/project/oeo-training.
Faculty
Exit Interviews
If you are a departing faculty member, please contact Joanne
G. Woodard at 919-515-4559 or joanne_woodard@ncsu.edu
to schedule your exit interview. [Update
as of 2/2007: For your exit interview, please contact Carson
C. Cook at 919-513-2099 or carson_cook@ncsu.edu.]
About
Equal_Op
This newsletter is published by the Office for Equal Opportunity
at NC State University. It is available online at www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/pubs.html
and in alternate formats upon request.
If you have questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please
contact the Office for Equal Opportunity at 919-515-3148 or by
email.
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