BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
University Disability Advisory Committee
Newsletter September 2014
Our Mission: Highlight, Educate, and Improve
By Richard Kovalesky and Gabriel Brown
The University Disability Advisory Committee is a new initiative launched in Fall of
2013. The committee is dedicated to changing the attitude and culture surrounding
disabilities throughout the University and the greater Bloomsburg area. Through
data analysis of the Campus Climate Survey and speaking with community members, we have noted opportunities for improvement regarding students with disabilities and/or facilities. The primary objective of the committee is to shine a light
on those issues, educate about possible solutions, and remedy when possible.
The university members represent diverse roles and perspectives including students, teachers, Veteran’s Affairs and various Administrative offices.
The committee found last year to be an exciting and productive time. Various action plans were implemented to remove obstacles individuals with disabilities encounter at BU. Several sub-committees were established and worked to promote
an inclusive culture which supports the academic, cultural, and personal growth of
all members of the university community. The tasks and events centered around
respecting pluralistic perceptions, fostering open communication and sustaining a
supportive and respectful climate. This can be accomplished through awareness
activities, utilizing guest speaker series, addressing veteran’s needs, improving
accessibility and updating the University ADA Policies.
“Equality is the public
recognition, effectively
expressed in institutions
and manners, of the
principle that an equal
degree of attention is
due to the needs of all
human beings.”
-Simone Weil
In This Issue

Finding Accessible
Routes

Quick Tips

Veterans Affairs

Offering an Alternative View

Updating BU’s ADA
Policy
Example: A campus accommodation, making routes more accessible
Finding Accessible Routes
By Michael Herman
ac·ces·si·ble
adjective
1. easy to approach, reach, enter, or use
2. that can be used, entered, reached, etc.
map
noun
1. a diagrammatic representation of natural or artificial features
Along some of the walkways around campus, at certain entrances into buildings, and at various spaces within
buildings are attributes and elements which make them accessible to those who have disabilities (such as
someone in a wheelchair or someone who is blind). However, these conditions are not everywhere. The Accessible Campus Map subcommittee is currently documenting which of the various routes around campus and into
buildings are accessible in accordance with ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act) and with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania building codes. This information will then be mapped for use by whomever may need it
to get around campus.
The initial step of information gathering is underway. This entails verifying where all of the following primary accessible elements are located throughout campus:
PARKING
Designated level parking spaces for those with approved Person with Disability Parking Placard. Spaces also
include international accessibility signage and an adjoining aisle space for loading/unloading.
DEPRESSED CURBS & DETECTABLE WARNINGS
Locations where sidewalks are level with roadways and do not involve stepping up/down at a curb. They also
include truncated domes (the little bumpy things) to alert a blind person that they heading into a vehicular roadway.
SIDEWALKS & RAMPS
Accessible walks and ramps need to meet certain criteria, such as minimum widths, maximum slopes and periodic locations to turn around. Ramps also have additional criteria for maximum lengths and various requirements for handrails.
Guest Speaker
Series:
A Veteran’s
Perspective
This fall, the committee will
bring nationally renowned
Iraq War veteran, Bryan
Anderson, to campus. Anderson, a Purple Heart recipient and one of the few
triple amputees to survive
his injuries in Iraq, has received extensive media
coverage including USA
Today, Esquire Magazine,
as well as numerous articles in major newspapers
and publications, from his
hometown Chicago Sun
Times to the LA Times and
NY Times. In 2012, Anderson won a regional Emmy
Award for his PBS television show, Reporting for
Service with Bryan Anderson. He also authored a
book entitled, “No Turning
Back: One Man's Inspiring
True Story of Courage, Determination, and Hope.”
Veterans: A Growing Population
By Robert Heckrote
Understanding that the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are calming
down and the military as a whole is downsizing across all branches, the
time for military members in higher education is now. Currently there are
several sources of monies available to military members to use toward
their education; the most profitable being the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. This
group of all volunteer Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Air Men/Women
stands to receive the most educational benefits since military educational assistance was created following World War II. These benefits are
essentially in exchange for the services and sacrifices these brave men
and women have endured and continue to endure for our freedoms and
our way of life. BU is no exception to this trend with almost 230 veterans,
service members and family members using benefits this past semester
(Spring 2014). With all five branches (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force
and Coast Guard) reducing their numbers, it is projected these soon-tobe-civilians will be seeking to use their education benefits across the
nation. In response to this trend BU has been working hard to ramp up
services for student veterans.
BU accommodates this rising group of students
With top-down, institutionally driven support, we have seen the creation
of a Student Veterans Lounge here on campus (Student Service Center
223) which offers a comfortable space for military members and supporters to network and access military specific resources. There have been
many systemic changes in support of student veterans driven by the
Veterans Advisory Committee and BUSVA (BU Student Veterans Association) Also, we have seen an overall more visible military footprint here
on campus through military support and participation. There are service
members from all over the country calling or emailing the Veterans Affairs Office on a weekly basis in order to resume studies or to become a
new student. Bloomsburg University stands ready to receive this influx of
veterans and is constantly increasing the services provided for these
selfless individuals in order to provide them with a place to call home.
Guest Speaker
Series: of all
things…
#imaginedisability
Last Spring, we had the
pleasure of hosting Mr.
Stephan J. Hamlin-Smith,
Executive Director of the
Association on Higher Education and Disability
(www.AHEAD.org), and
Executive Officer of the
Society for Disability Studies. His presentation focused on current understandings about disability
in children and adults and
offered alternative views
on disabilities and solutions in working with all
people.
Stephan J. Hamlin-Smith
Offering an Alternative View
By Tess Fosse
In April of 2014, Stephan Hamlin-Smith came to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania to speak on new perspectives in disability awareness. He is the Executive
Director of the Association on Higher Education and Disability and Executive Officer
on the Society for Disability Studies. His presentation, sponsored by the University’s
Disability Advisory Committee, asked audience members to “of all things …
#imaginedisability.” (Smith) As our mission sets forth, “Bloomsburg University of
Pennsylvania is an inclusive comprehensive public university that prepares students
for personal and professional success in an increasingly complex global environment.” (www.bloomu.edu/strategic).
Falling in line with the University’s mission, Hamlin-Smith shared unique insights on
how an “increasingly complex global environment” might look if people would
change the lenses through which they view disabilities. It is crucial that all persons
recognize the potential of all members in society and to set about overcoming
boundaries placed on this ever growing population.
“Recognize, manage and master your beliefs. They aren’t genetic. They are choices. Choose ones that serve you.”
― Christopher Babson
At the conclusion of his presentation, Stephan Hamlin-Smith invited a panel to join
him on stage. The panelists were comprised of local students, professors, and community members. Each person was able to share his or her personal and/or professional experiences with disabilities. The audience was afforded the opportunity to
ask questions and gain understanding on this topic. The Disability Advisory Committee is excited to put into practice the new perspectives here at Bloomsburg University. We hope to continue the discussion through education, presentations, and
future initiatives on campus.
Students on the Spectrum in the
University Environment
By Robert Wislock and Darlene Perner
The number of students on the spectrum attending higher education institutions has been increasing on university campuses
in the United States. Most students “on the spectrum” are students with autism or who have Asperger’s Syndrome. Students
on the spectrum who have autism or Asperger’s Syndrome have unique abilities, talents, interests and challenges. They
have many strengths. For example, students with high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome are intelligent and talented, hard-working, caring, loyal, and respectful of diversity and authority. However, they also face challenges such as misunderstanding social cues, the need for routine, a low frustration tolerance, and perseverative idiosyncratic interests. It is important to note that not all students will display all characteristics or to the same degree. Each of these characteristics has
certain implications for the students’ learning and their abilities to live on campus. The key elements to supporting students
on the spectrum is to increase one’s awareness and knowledge about students on the spectrum and to use practical methods to emphasize the students’ strengths to overcome the weaknesses (Meeks, L., 2014, June. Working with students on
the spectrum. Presentation at Penn State University).
To begin to raise one’s knowledge of this important topic, readers can access a brief YouTube program entitled
“Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome: A Professor’s Guide” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=233-3jtEZck An additional
resource for all university faculty and staff members is a practical book, Students with Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel (2009) by Lorraine E. Wolf, Jane Thierfeld Brown, and Ruth Bork. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Asperger’s Syndrome and specific recommendations for successful practices in the teaching-learning process, career development, residence life and housing, academic support services, and other departments on campuses. Two copies
of this book has been placed on reserve in the Andruss Library. (Call number X100 and X101)
Updating BU’s ADA Policy
By Kate Bauman
One of the five strategic directions of the University Disability Advisory Committee includes, “review campus policies and
their effects on individuals with disabilities and address issues of adverse impact.” As a result, an ADA (Americans with
Disabilities Act) Policy sub-committee was developed and tasked with the end goal of proposing a draft version to update Bloomsburg University’s existing PRP #2060, Americans with Disabilities Grievances, effective 1995.
The sub-committee has been researching ADA policies at a variety of colleges and universities. After critically reviewing
over 20 ADA policies at private, state and state-related institutions, the sub-committee has generated a summary overview addressing inclusive language, content, audience, organizational structure and themes of interest for further consideration. This preliminary work will be used to guide an updated draft version of Bloomsburg University’s ADA policy in
the 2014-2015 academic year to be proposed by the University Disability Advisory Committee at large.
Quick Tips: The Office of Accommodative Services
Where are we located?

Student Services Center – Room G043
Who and how do we assist?



Students with documented permanent disabilities
The director reviews with the student the documentation and his/her accommodations
Students are to provide a disclosure form for each of their current semester’s professors
What are the Exam Request Protocols?





Email request will be sent by OAS staff to professor (2) days ahead of exam, final exam 2 weeks
Professor will hand carry or email exam, sent as an attachment to the original exam request
Professor includes exam directives i.e.: use scantron, calculator allowed, class notes or open book allowed
Professor or department secretary should pick up exam in OAS
Please contact or stop in the Office of Accommodative Services with any questions or concerns
Who can we contact for more information?


Linda Tomashefski – x4265
Denise Recla – x5205
Disability Advisory Committee
Contact Us
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Newsletter Editor
Mrs. Tess Fosse
tfosse@bloomu.edu
https://www.bloomu.edu/
accommodative-services
“Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is committed to affirmative action by way of providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national
origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.”