Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
ACCOMMODATING DISABILITIES
From Therese Ruth & Don Woodside, Renaissance Society, California State University, Sacramento,
CA
The Renaissance Society would like to know how other LIRs accommodate handicapped members.
Do they provide any special services for them? We are especially interested in any services provided
to deaf or blind members. Thank you for any help you can give us with our inquiry.
From John Kane, Academy for Lifelong Learning, NJ
The Academy for Lifelong Learning in Toms River New Jersey is affiliated with Ocean County
College. The College has a unit called Disabilities Resource Center that caters to students with
mental and physical disabilities. They have specialists to assist the blind and the deaf. Since the
Academy enrolls senior students, they are considered students of the college and so these resources
become available to us. Our campus is fully accessible to most disabilities and has resources to assist
them... whether it be signers for the deaf, special large print monitors for the blind or facilities access
for the physically challenged student.. plus other resources too numerous to mention...If that unit
didn't exist on campus particular disabilities normally have state and local chapters to assist these
populations, like the State Office of the Blind, etc. and they have resources available as well.. If you
need more specifics contact the Ocean County College Disability Resource Center and ask for Ms.
Maureen Reustle, Executive Director. This unit is known nationally and many colleges visit that site
to investigate our process and program. We are proud of that fact. The number is 732-255-0400 ext
2253... good luck.
From Sharon Sokoloff, Brandeis Adult Learning Institute (BALI), MA
Good and tough question. By definition, BALI is supposed to follow the rules of Brandeis
University to make everything accessible to people with disabilities, all kinds of disabilities.
However, we have not really been put to the test. What follows are a few examples of what we do
in different circumstances. I don't think it's going to be too useful to Renaissance Society.
1. In situations where people are hard of hearing, we have a couple of microphones (one small, one
a large system) that we make available to study group leaders and classes. Sometimes it helps,
sometimes not.
2. We also bought a piece of equipment that we've never used. It is something that sits in the
middle of a table and somehow helps people hear. That's a poor description. I've heard it helps
but don't know from experience.
3. Visual Impairment: We haven't done anything to accommodate the one person who is legally
blind. She makes arrangements for herself to manage her needs.
4. Parking: We have arrangements for "handicapped parking" for people with disabilities. We have
several people in wheelchairs who manage in the facility we are in. A couple of times a year we
have to meet in a building that isn't accessible...what we do for the wheelchair bound is to make
sure the classes they are in ARE in accessible building.
Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Diana Marsilje, Hope Academy of Senior Professionals, Hope College, Holland, MI
We have not had a great deal of experience accommodating disabilities. Our classroom is on the
second floor and the building is elevator equipped. Although we have several members with very
limited sight, we do not have any blind members. Holland provides special reading machines for
public use but HASP does not own one of its own. With deafness, our experience is the same. We
do not have any totally deaf members. However, a relatively young Hope College professor was
losing his hearing. While traveling in Europe he encountered the induction loop system for the
hearing impaired. He has brought the technology to Holland and our classroom is wired for the
hearing impaired. Members with pronounced hearing loss tell me that the loop brings our
presentations directly to their ears as if speaking one-on-one. It is installed in such a way that
everything which goes through our microphone, CD, VCR, etc. is carried by the loop. In a case of
total deafness or blindness I'm afraid we would have to rely on the close bonds of friendship our
members develop to handle the situation.
From Anne Myers, Institute for Learning in Retirement, Hagerstown CC, MD
Our programming Equal Opportunity Statement is inclusive of Maryland State Higher Learning
regulations, allowing for special accommodations to be made for all participants.
When an organization is operating as its own entity, legal council for state and federal regulations
should be understood and applied.
From Kali Lightfoot, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, S. Maine University, Portland
Our members are considered students of USM and are given the same access to the Disability
Services office that regular students would have, which means that books and materials can be
audiotaped for visually impaired members, and we can take advantage of other services (I don't
know if we have used services other than taping, but that office hires
interpreters and can do just about anything to accommodate students). We also raised funds to put
speaker systems in most of the classrooms that we use on campus, so our OLLI faculty can use
microphones if our students have a hard time hearing them. We also outfitted the computer labs on
campus with speakers that filter out ambient noise. And we have funded other accommodations in
the computer labs that help our students.
From Sandy Kinney, ILR, Nicolet College, WI
Interesting question, one that we have not truly faced. Obviously we have some people with some
loss of hearing, which coupled with some of the off-campus locations we use for classes, has
sometimes posed some difficulties with people being able to hear optimally. We have purchased a
portable sound system for those instances. But I don't believe we have any members who are legally
deaf or blind. There was an instance when a member wished to bring along an adult child who was
blind to some classes, and he did so, but no service accommodations were made.
From Wendy Kerr, PLATO, U of WI-Madison
We do not provide any extra services for disabled LIR participants at this time.
From Noreen Frye, IRP, University of Miami, FL
The only needs that we have had to meet are wheelchair-related.....and, that's as easy as moving a
chair out of the way. We do have one person who has severe vision limitations but she handles
most things on her own with an occasional "can you write this for me" request. Sorry I don't have
any other help to offer.
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Michael I. Markowitz, Institute for Retired Professionals, New School, NY
We at New School IRP have been institutionalizing our response to these problems over the past
few years. This is no doubt a response to the facts that we are growing younger at the same time
long-term members are achieving greater longevity. Because we emphasize the individual student's
responsibility to the community, students have been looking at ways that we can keep our own
heros as productive members of our group. We have a small committee called the Changing Eye
and Ear Committee which works with people to help them adjust to their condition and obtains
information about glaucoma, cataracts, etc. They work closely with local groups for the hard-ofhearing and hard-of-sight. We have a larger, newer and more formal committee called the
Information and Referral Committee composed of former social workers who deal with a wide
range of problems with the group. Affiliated with them is our Sunshine Committee which
contacts people who are out with injuries, etc. to arrange to help them with shopping, travel or
reading assistance. We have purchased assisted hearing devices that are rather inexpensive. No one
uses them. Our Bulletin lists all IRP study groups. It uses a symbol for those groups for which
large type texts or recorded materials are available. This task is handled by members of the
Changing Eye and Ear group. We maintain close contact with the university's Director of Disability
Services —- more to assist his office then to deal with our own needs. For example, a half dozen of
our students are now trained to assist undergraduates with learning disabilities to do their school
work. Our developing philosophy seems to be that there is a continuum and we want to create a
community in which the able assist those who "have paid their dues" to the organization and are
now in need of help.
From Edward N. Aqua, ILR, Nova Southeastern University, FL
At our ILR, we have one member with Alzheimer's who is accompanied by an aide; no problems for
at least one year. We had a blind women with an assist dog and an aide who only helped the blind
person to her seat on an aisle; members were quite solicitous, concerned for their well-being and
respected the dog; no interference; that lasted several months until the women died. We are on the
ground floor so there are no steps to climb.
Otherwise, nothing special.
From Marianne Varney, Creative Retirement Center, International College, FL
We are unable to provide any special services other than parking, seating, access, etc. No hearing or
visual aids are available at this time.
From Pam LeMay, Creative Retirement Institute, Edmonds CC, Lynnwood, WA.
As college students, our CRI members are entitled to the same services as academic students. We
have made accommodations for sight impaired students and have a policy in place if a student with a
walker or, wheelchair is attending an offsite fieldtrip. All participants must notify us at the time of
registration for any accommodation that is required. We check to see if we can accommodate their
request prior to processing the registration.
From Eileen Duggan, LIR Institute, George Mason University, VA
We have handicapped parking reserved for members in the parking lot where classes are held, but
we make no other provisions for disabled individuals. Several of our more severely disabled
members attend classes accompanied by aides or family members. We are affiliated with our
University, but are a 501 (c )(3) non-profit corporation.
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Sandra Kerr, LIFE, Ryerson University, Ontario
This is certainly an issue when dealing with older adults. At Ryerson University, LIFE Institute
created an ad hoc committee [called the Access Committee] to look at some of the disability issues
for older adults. They surveyed their membership to see what issues were of course, and created a
brochure for members (which goes out with membership) and a flyer directed to class moderators to
help them provide as much support as possible. This includes things like, ensuring there is room at
the front of the class for seniors in wheelchairs and with walkers, inviting those hard of hearing to
sit at the front of the class, using a microphone [they bought a special portable unit and the
university does provide one for class use if it is booked], encouraging class moderators to repeat
questions asked so that everyone hears, using larger fonts on hand outs, etc. I would be glad to mail
a copy of this out to them if they would be interested. I will need a contact to do so. This certainly
doesn't answer all the situations, but we try as much as possible to provide support. Hope this helps.
From Lorene Porsild, C.V. ElderCollege, Courtenay, B.C. Canada
With regards to your e- mail regarding "Accommodating Disabilities", we are advising that we have
this year installed handrails in the aisles of our Theater where our Lecture Series is held. This has
been well received and as well two front rows are reserved for those with physical and hearing
disabilities. The regular classrooms are on the ground level and are
accessible to wheel chairs but are not equipped for hearing disabilities. We do however, review this
matter on an annual basis and encourage those with eye or ear problems to sit in the front rows in
the classrooms.
From Claudia Boles, Anderson College LIfelong Learning, SC
We are a small private church related college so out situation may be a little bit different. We
accommodate a number of quite elderly folks and our biggest problem is securing classroom space
on the ground floor (which we always do) and providing parking within reasonable walking distance.
We offer campus security escort service for our seniors to cars just as we do for our traditional
students anytime they want it. We have this year begun using an amp system that we purchased for
one of our large classrooms. I believe difficulty hearing is one of our seniors biggest problems.
We have accommodated wheel chair senior students. I believe that we could accommodate a blind
student but since nearly all our classes are discussion groups I don't know how we would make
classes meaningful to a deaf student.
From Sharon Simson, Legacy College for Lifelong Learning, MD
We prevailed on the building management to install a handicapped accessible lavatory and automatic
door openers to the outside doors. We have a committee, Audio Communications, that conducts
educational programs for members and study group leaders, surveys members needs, and handles
concerns. Our sponsor, the Center on Aging, is very helpful and responsive.
From Susan McGough, OLLI, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA
Like most CSU campuses we have a Disability Resource Center on campus. Since our LLI is not a
state-funded program, we do have to pay for the services, but we have to do that for all of our
programs. As a public agency, we are required by law to provide these services to learners. When
we do something at the beach, we try to make a sand friendly wheel chair available.
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Jeanie Sumner, LIFE at Pierce College, Puyallup, WA
We are able to provide access to disabled individuals. Since our host does not provide meeting
spaces, we use local libraries. These buildings have been modified to provide access. We have not
dealt with the issues of blind or deaf individuals.
From Vonnie Wheeler, VIVA! University of Denver, CO
Our classrooms and parking lot are on the same level. We only have one classroom downstairs. So,
we try to arrange classes in that room that don't have physically handicapped members enrolled. We
have had a few blind members. They have been accompanied by another individual, and in one case
a seeing-eye dog. Accommodating the hard of hearing is always a problem. We have individual
label microphones for facilitator's with soft voices. We have looked into separate mikes along the
tables, and even tried it one term. It is not satisfactory as it discourages people from participating in
discussions. We stress the importance of speaking up and the facilitator repeating questions asked.
We too, are looking for a workable solution for this problem.
From Gloria Burke, ElderVision, Lourdes College, Sylvania OH
We have never been faced with this; however, I would do my best to work out accommodations
should the need arise
From Janet McLean, The Round Table, Stony Brook, NY
At The Round Table at StonyBrook, we have wide doors so that rooms are wheel chair accessible it's the code. Also, we have a system for our hard of hearing members.
From The Collegium for Lifelong Learning: Senior Study Groups, Westchester CC, NY
Since the program is housed on campus we are completely handicap accessible. We will provide for
any need
From Barbara Reinish, Northwestern University, ILR, IL
We try to accommodate handicapped members by making sure that our classrooms are accessible,
and that, when possible, they have access to handicapped parking near our classrooms. Often,
individual members will help their colleagues with assignments, but the ILR program is really unable
to provide additional special services. If asked, we have information about medical and social service
providers affiliated with the University. Northwestern has an office for students with disabilities
which you might want to look at - <http://www.northwestern.edu/disability/>
From William J. Hooker, USF Senior Academy, Sarasota, FL
We provide classrooms with wheelchair handicap access on either the first floor of our buildings or
on the second floor with an elevator nearby. We have no facilities or support staff for deaf students,
but we have several legally blind students that routinely attend our regular classes with transportation
provided by their family or Legally Blind support group.
From Marilyn Blumsack, TILL, Tufts University, MA
Tufts Institute for Lifelong Learning offers special parking facilities to its handicapped sgm's and
their classrooms are more accessible. We had a blind sgm last year and she had her "dog" with her.
We announced that to all the other classmates in case anyone had an allergy problem... NO
problem....
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Nancy Leich, Seminle Adult Learning Institute, FL
Volunteers are assigned to assist disabled students.
From Bo Williams Loomer, Adult Learning Institute, New York
Our host facility, Columbia-Greene Community College meets all requirements for the Individuals
w/Disabilities Act. We do have in our college library a machine for assisting people w/visual
impairments.
From Linda Bailey, Veritas Society, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY
We have not had any "experiences" with the deaf or blind. However, one semester we had a
member who could not walk well. The Society rented a wheelchair so that she could finish out the
semester. Another member pushed her from one class to another. After another member died,
her family donated her wheelchair to the Society. So.......if we ever have the need for a chair again,
we have it stored in our offices.
From Carol Duhart, Lifelong Learning, Northern Essex CC, MA
Other than handicap accessibility to our buildings Life Long Learning at Northern Essex
Community College has no special programs or services for the physically disabled.
From Claus Oldenburg, WCTC, Pewaukee, WI.
In answer to your e-mail, we have no deaf or blind members that I am aware of. We have many
people who are using walkers or canes, and the college does have sidewalk ramps and elevators for
their use.
From Kathleen Gratzek, Learning in Retirement, Inc., Athens, Georgia
We do not provide any special services for handicapped individuals. We do plan our events at
handicapped accessible facilities. We have not had a request for such services as of this date.
From Sr. Hilegard Grogan, The LINC Program, Neumann College, PA
Our participants who are hard of hearing do well with their hearing aids and when necessary a
microphone. We have not had anyone blind apply so have not made provisions although the
College has made provisions for individuals as needed and we would probably do the same.
From Kay Goins, Lifelong Learning, Mayland College, NC
We have not had that problem, but here at the college we have the
necessary equipment to handle hearing and sight problems if necessary.
Most of our Seniors have some hearing loss and we arrange our rooms for
the best sound possible.
From Mardi McDaniel—King, Leisure Learning Society, U of West FL
Because our Leisure Learning Society is associated with a state university - we have to meet all ADA
requirements and the University takes care of that. Whatever is available to student and community
through the university is available to us for our use while conducting our ILR business.
From Marvin Schlaffer, RUALL, Rutgers University, NJ
We have a ramp to the main entrance and all but two classrooms on the main level have switched
room assignments to accommodate students with disabilities.
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From Marge Yanker, The Learning Exchange, University of SC-Beaufort.
We put a note in our curriculum guide, asking for members to contact our office if they have special
needs. So far the only requests we have had are for those who need help in getting in the classroom
(we move classes when necessary), need to sit close to front (for hearing or sight loses) or need a
special chair (straight back, or extra chair for a raised leg, etc.) or for a seat near a window, door,
ventilation for sensitivity to odors. No one yet has asked for total blindness or deafness
accommodation. We have become more concerned of late to how to field requests more serious
than those we have had to date.
From Nancy Kress,Quest, Walla Walla Community College, WA
I purchased two "hearing helpers" that are an FM system that a hard of hearing person can use to
better hear a speaker and they are used occasionally. We have an ADA disabilities coordinator on
campus who responds if a person self-identifies to her office that he/she needs help to
accommodate a disability. By law the college needs to accommodate them if there is a request for
assistance and the college needs to pay for it. At this point we have not had anyone in Quest with a
serious disability request that kind of assistance.
From Richard Di Vecchio, Norwalk Community College, Lifetime Learners Institute, Norwalk,
CT
The Norwalk Community College where Lifetime Learners Institute is situated, accommodates
handicapped individuals according to Federal standards. There are elevators with Braille indicators
and bells to indicate floors, ramps or level doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and defibrillator
units on campus. However, we realize that other things are important, such as accommodating a
caregiver for a handicapped person without charge, which we do, and providing hearing devices for
partially deafened persons. The caregiver program is, of course free to us, but the enhanced hearing
capability devices are costly. We were fortunate to receive a grant from a foundation to provide the
needed equipment. We also make sure that people with hearing or sight problems are seated as close
to the front of the class as possible. While we do not to my knowledge, have any totally blind
persons in our classes, we have several with macular degeneration problems, and who use a state
sponsored program to obtain books on tape. I believe there is a federally sponsored program which
does the same thing. Class handouts are the responsibility of our Facilitators, who are advised that
all class handouts should be printed in large type (that helps almost everybody). A tape recorder for
blind people to record lectures and class comments would I believe, be extremely helpful. These
can be purchased at a relatively low cost. A suggestion: if the blind or deaf problem affects a large
number of people, perhaps the state or a private foundation may be approached to help provide an
answer.
From Yvonne Jones, Elderwise, Ann Arbor, MI
Elderwise has the following accommodations for handicappers: Automatic powered entrance main doors to building - Wide doors to classroom and rest rooms - Elevators to lover level where
some events take place. There are no other special services provided.
From Janice Olson, LIR, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, WI
Handicapped parking: There are required number of spots on campus. Hearing or visually impaired
needs would be referred to our Disability Resource Services office for solutions. Special service
would be provided.
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Nancy Merz Nordstrom, M.Ed.
Elderhostel Institute Network
March, 2004
From A. ANN TAI, Learning in Retirement, Ann Arbor, MI
We try to be sensitive to the needs of all of our members. Whenever possible, we have all out
documents in 14 type, we use phonic ears whenever possible, use microphones, I try to make sure
all our classes are in buildings that are handicap accessible. We have not had to make special
accommodations to the blind. A lot of our members are hard of hearing, have cataracts and are
limited in walking over uneven surfaces or walk great distances. In our large lectures, we try to seat
those that read lips up front and have the speaker's face well lighted. All questions asked are
repeated by the speakers.
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