Show V gears up for ADA third anniversary Ii tV BI BB 4 K fl Richard Starley Contributor July 23 marks the he FRIDAY third anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by President George Bush President Bushs Bush's emphatic directive on that day Let day Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come down neatly down neatly encapsulate the simple yet long overdue message of the theADA theADA theADA ADA that 43 million Americans with disabilities are full-fledged full citizens and as such are entitled to legal protection that ensure them equal opp opportunity opportunity r- r and access to the 4 K mainstream of American life In the past three years has worked hard to incorporate the vision and mandates this new law into its its' facilities and programs During this time many changes changes changes chan chan- have taken place at new programs accessibility and accommodations are now part of the colleges college's life In keeping with the spirit of the ADA two new p programs have been instituted on campus campus campus cam cam- pus the Disability Resource Center and the students with disabilities placement program These programs have joined the on-going on efforts of interpreter interpreter interpreter inter inter- preter services for the deaf and the projects with industry program program program pro pro- gram at In concrete terms campuses are architecturally changing to meet the needs of the schools school's more than 1500 students with disabilities New ramps curb cuts accessible parking spaces for both cars and vans snow removal automatic automatic automatic auto auto- matic door openers ramps ramp and other physical alterations are being made throughout the campuses facilities Even a new sling has been added to the pool at to ensure th that t students students stu students stu- stu dents with disabilities ies have equal access to this facility Accommodations in the classroom are becoming more commonplace These accommodations accommodations accommodations can include interpreters interpreters interpreters inter inter- takers note scribes hearing devices special test arrangements arrangements arrangements ar ar- ar- ar furniture and electronic equipment Signs throughout the campuses also are b being ing revised to comply with ADA regulations A physical inventory of every office parking lot classroom classroom classroom class class- room and building already has been completed and modifications modifications modifications have been prioritized for future changes All new buildings buildings build build- ings will comply with ADA specifications To monitor and encourage these improvements the College has instituted and ADA commit commit- tee appointed by President Frank Budd which works in conjunction with other committees committees committees com com- arid and offices on campus to ensure compliance with the V law Also the special needs committee committee committee com com- comprised of students faculty and staff play a roll in fostering awareness and solving lem-solving in ADA efforts This fall all faculty staff and administration will be involved in ADA and disability awareness awareness awareness aware aware- ness training sponsored by the theADA theADA theADA ADA committee and the training training training train train- ing office These efforts are intended intended intended in in- tended to increase awareness and non discrimination in the Coll Colleges College's ge's functional areas |