CfDC Minutes — January 9, 2008

Attending: Jack Bernard, Chair; Doug White, Vice Chair, Robert Fraser, Gerald Hoff, Carolyn Grawi Carole Dubritsky, Els Nieuwenhuijsen, Diane Achatz, Martha Reck, Margaret Hough, Joe Lentini, Susan Smart, Shawn Donaldson, Same Goodin, Pek Jo, Yvonne Goddard, Anna Ercoli Schnitzer (minutes)

Jack pondered protocol about asking people to acknowledge the fact that they<br> happen to be persons with disabilities.

Introductions were made around the table.

COUNCIL STATEMENT:

The Council statement written by an ad hoc Subcommittee and intended to serve as a beacon to the community in light of the recent MSA incident, was read by the members present, and discussion ensued. Additions and a few tiny corrections were proferred. We plan to send the text to "The University Record," "The Michigan Daily," and the online UMHS "Hospital Bulletin". Difficulty of having submission to the "Daily" printed was discussed; it was suggested that we purchase an advertisement, although this would not be included in the online version.

Sue suggested that we try to interest a marketing student in helping us publicize the Council's events and news.

FACEBOOK:

Anna discussed Facebook.com for the Council, a site set up by Thatiana for us, and discussion ensued about Facebook being inaccessible and whether by joining it we were condoning it. It was decided that Facebook would be just another way to reach people (even though not everyone can interact with it).

NORTH CAMPUS INITIATIVE:

Els provided the background on the North Campus Competition (ideas to work with the area between Arthur Miller Theater and the Commons) and on the National Organization on Disability (NOD) indicators for a disability‑friendly city. Discussion ensued, and it was decided that we should try to have a Council member or two as part of the jury to be sure that accessibility is emphasized and for purposes of inclusiveness. Possibly Sadie Wilcox, 2007 Neubacher Award winner, could help us here? We should keep up the momentum. If Els sends the information about her and Dar¹s ideas to Jack, he will send it to Deans, Provost, and Gary Krentz. Carole mentioned that there seems to be a funding gap with the proposed project.

Els continued with a discussion of a theme of implementing a disability‑friendly university with an action plan that involves all the UM schools taking on a year‑long role. The School of Dentistry is already doing this in several areas.

THEMES FOR INVESTING IN ABILITY WEEK:

Anna stated that her theme idea (from last month's agenda but not discussed at the time because of concentration on the MSA incident and consequent time constraints) was an outreach spin‑off from the very successful panel at October's Investing in Ability Week, the one focusing on learning differences and Asperger's syndrome. The local school community would be invited to take part, to profit from UM expertise; this might be very successful and appreciated by the audience in view of the UM Pipeline Initiative and transitioning lower school students into university life. Jack mentioned the course he teaches called "You Have No Idea." It was also thought that we might weave together the two themes of learning differences and the action component of implementing a disability‑friendly university by using some strategies already incorporated by the lower school systems.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

There will be a meeting of the Investing in Ability Week Subcommittee on January 16th at 11:30 in North Ingalls Building, Room 4B06. All are invited to come to the meeting and get involved in planning for next year.

Sam announced that EMU's Don Anderson, head of their SSD, has died.

Carole, Sam, Jack will meet with the VP for Communications re: accessible web sites. Sue asked for clarification about the web design group. There is an action oriented group of about 45 people with various skills and a commitment to develop a university‑wide policy.

Carole announced that the video phones had been placed at UMHS and are available at patients' bedsides. Same and she are working to install them at the League, Union, North Campus Commons, as well.