CMU’s disability awareness and campus accessibility are getting a check-up.

Officials are taking a close look at the physical accessibility of campus as well as the way disabled individuals are treated at Central Michigan University.

The Accessibility and Disability Advisory Council, a university committee, is conducting evaluations, building audits and a survey to get a sense of the campus climate.

This year’s building audit will be the first one at CMU since 1993.

The university is not required by law to do regularly scheduled audits, and receives no federal funding for building renovations that may stem from the audit results.

“It’s very much up to the institution to do the evaluation and assessment and then to find the money to repair things,” said Susie Pletcher-Rood, director of Student Disability Services.

The audit is likely to address many areas that already meet minimum accessibility requirements but could be improved.

Renovations after the audit could focus on secondary access, since primary access is taken care of, Pletcher-Rood said.

For example, Brooks Hall has an elevator, but it does not go to the fourth floor where the planetarium is located. Some buildings, such as Rowe Hall, only have one elevator.

“If that elevator goes down and you need it, you’re out of luck,” Pletcher-Rood said.

Giving their input

“The survey is designed to evaluate what kind of understanding and awareness do people have in terms of disability,” Pletcher-Rood said.

It is available to all CMU faculty, staff and students online. Those interested should contact Student Disability Services for more information at 774-3018 or e-mail sds@cmich.edu.

Some questions include “Have you ever had a disabled student in one of your classes?” and “What do you think is the most common type of disability?”

Sharon Horgan, council member and educational and professional development executive secretary, said she thinks the campus climate mostly is satisfactory.

“For the most part, people are fairly sensitive to the issues,” she said.

The results of the evaluation will not be complete until this summer.

Making campus

available

Pletcher-Rood said she also would like see more universal design facilities on campus.

Universally-designed facilities give anyone the opportunity to maneuver freely. One example is the sliding glass doors in Charles V. Park Library – they open to anyone who walks, wheels or stands in front of them.

The concept also can be compared to classroom practices, such as making lecture notes available to all students on Blackboard.

“All students learn better in that environment,” Pletcher-Rood said.

Sometimes, even small changes, such as making business cards in Braille, can make a difference.

“There’s a number of folks on my staff I’d like to have it,” said Maxine Kent, associate vice president of human resources. “I think it sends such a powerful message.”

Going beyond physical accessibility

Scott Lisner, coordinator of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Ohio State University, conducted interviews with key department and program representatives on CMU’s campus. He asked each person questions designed specifically for their area or program.

For instance, Lisner asked Kent what type of efforts are taken to recruit faculty and staff with disabilities.

“It was a good opportunity to talk to him because he has a staff of three or four to do what we do as an addition to our jobs,” she said.

This year, CMU’s Accessibility and Disability Advisory Council was restructured and given an updated charge.

Horgan said she is pleased with CMU’s interest in the project.

“There is a willingness on the part of the university to fund the committee and appoint members,” she said.

Another aspect of the assessment is educating the campus community.

Kent said the council would like to plan events and campus workshops to inform people about disabilities.

“If I’m doing my job right, we are invisible,” Pletcher-Rood said. “Students with disabilities should blend in.”

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