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GETTING AROUND
While many of us whine and moan about having to walk up the hill from
the parking lot to our offices, there are others who are simply unable
to physically navigate the campus. This campus, while beautiful, is very
hilly and difficult for anyone with a physical disability. Title 5 of
the of the California Code of Regulations that CR must adhere to outlines
guidelines to be followed when providing services and accommodations to
students with a physical disability.
As per Title 5, a physical disability means a visual,
mobility or orthopedic impairment.
Visual Impairment
A visual impairment includes but is not limited to:
a) Blindness-Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after
correction; or visual loss so severe that it no longer serves as a
major channel for information processing.
b) Partial sightedness-Visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye
after correction, with vision which is still capable of serving as a
major channel for information processing.
Mobility Impairment
A mobility impairment includes but is not limited to:
a) Impairments caused by congenital abnormalities such as club foot,
lack of functional limb, etc.,
b) Impairments caused by disease such as polio,
c) Impairments from other causes such as cerebral palsy, amputation, fractures,
burns etc.
It is fairly obvious that the aforementioned conditions
would result in some significant difficulties related to getting around
the campus. However, there are other situations outside the visual and
mobility conditions that also result in students being eligible for accommodations.
For example, a person who has had a stroke or head injury may well be
impaired physically. While such a condition is not technically termed
a "physical disability", it is a condition that often results
in functional mobility limitations. There are additional conditions that
affect physical strength and stamina that also result in the need for
special services and accommodations. For example, some heart conditions,
arthritis, tuberculosis, hemophilia, leukemia, asthma epilepsy, HIV and
diabetes can all create pain, fatigue and/or muscle weakness, making traversing
the campus very difficult for those who are affected by them. Obesity
is not considered a disability, however it too can cause secondary conditions
that impede mobility, resulting in the need for services.
When a student comes to Disabled Students Programs and
Services, they must have medical verification of their condition before
any accommodations will be granted. Such verification typically comes
from their medical provider, and indicates the degree and length of the
condition being reported.
Comments? mailto:trish-blair@redwoods.edu
Quotation of the Week
"Teaching is leading students into a situation in which they can only
escape by thinking."
--Anonymous |
TAKING A HIKE
So, I hear you asking, what are these accommodations and services available
to students who have difficulty with the physical aspects of college?
Parking
There are three types of permits that allow the student to park more conveniently.
The first is a temporary medical permit available on campus. This is for
parking in designated spots. This would be used for someone who for example,
has a broken leg and will be ambulatory in the near future. There is also
a temporary state placard that can be issued by physicians that allows
for parking in a blue designated area. Again, these are for a specific
time allotment. Finally, there is the permanent state placard that allows
parking in blue areas or elsewhere on an on-going basis.
Transportation
For students with physical problems that interfere with their ability
to get around campus from class to class, CR has the DSPS bus. There are
also scooters available to students to travel to and from classes.
Furniture
There are cases in which the furniture in a classroom is not adequate
for a student with a physical disability. In such a case a desk may be
replaced with a table and chair, or one type of chair replaced with another
type.
Note-taker
In the case of a student being unable to take notes due to some hand or
arm condition or injury, a note taker may be provided for classroom notes.
Adaptive Hardware/Software
Both software and hardware allow the student with a physical disability
to access computer stations on campus.
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