Disability Resources

Equal Access and Inclusive Excellence.

Living with a Disability and a New Roommate

by

Written by Caitlin Schuler, Graduate Assistant for Disability Resources Office

Living on campus can be an adjustment for anyone. For a student it can be the first time they live away from their parents, it could be the first time that they have to come up with their own schedule, or it can be the first time they have to share a living space. This is a daunting task for anyone, but then if you add living on campus while having a disability, whether it is apparent or not, this task can seem almost impossible. Here are some tips for managing this new living situation, whether you or your roommate has a disability.

For the student with a disability, it can be hard to be open about your disability. It is especially easier when your roommates can see your disability because it could force the conversation to happen. If your disability is not apparent, the conversation could be harder to start. You might fear that your roommates won’t believe you. Or if your disability does not affect your day to day living, maybe your roommates need not know about it and so there’s no need for the conversation.

No matter the situation, communication is key. Be up front with your roommates about what you can and cannot do to contribute to your living space. In a typical residence hall where you share a room with a roommate, talk about your access to things, what kind of lighting works for you, what scents within the room might cause problems, and so on. If you live in more of an apartment style then talk about how you can keep the common areas clean and what you truly cannot do. If problems do begin to occur do not let them stew! Address the problems head on and be sure to advocate for yourself respectfully.

For roommates who are living with a student with a disability, there is a very strong possibility that this could be the first time they have lived with or even interacted with a person who has a disability. For you, also, communication is key. Talk with your roommate and ask how you can help alleviate stress. This shows that you care about the situation and are willing to adapt to what they need. You do not necessarily have to completely change your life to adjust to your roommate’s needs but you do need to be aware and considerate, as with any roommate. In addition, if you do not like something that your roommate with a disability is doing, do not target something that they have already expressed is difficult for them to complete or have no control over. Instead, talk with them to see how you can help them that day or in that situation. This shows compassion and awareness.

Essentially, the main focus for both roommates is open and honest communication. If there is a lack of communication, then the living arrangement is not going to be fun for anyone. Since there is so much to discuss when you do live with a student with a disability on campus there can be many questions about how to approach the situation. If you have any questions or need help facilitating a conversation with your roommates, please reach out to the Disability Resources Office or the Residence Life and Housing Office, both located on the ground floor of Van Hoesen Hall.

August Welcome Event

by

by Jeremy Zhe-Heimerman, Assistant Director of Disability Resources

Disability Resources held its first Welcome Event for new students the Friday before the Fall 2018 semester. The event was an opportunity for incoming first year and transfer students to meet each other and several returning students affiliated with the office. After a catered lunch, new students had the chance to learn about and discuss different models of disability, role-play meeting with a professor to discuss accommodations, visit our office locations, and learn about resources they could find useful. If you are returning to campus in August and would like to participate in the event, please let us know. Incoming students told us that meeting each other and the returning students was the best part of the event!

“When We Design for Disability… We All Benefit”

by

By Christina Papaleo, Staff Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer

In her TED talk, “When we design for disability, we all benefit,” Elise Roy emphasizes the importance of “design thinking” as a way to creatively and intentionally shift our mindset in how we perceive accommodating disability. Instead of it being a specialized practice, Roy encourages considering principles of universal design which is “a framework for the design of living and working spaces and products benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design.” There are several principles, including “1.) Equitable use, 2.) Flexibility in Use, 3.) Simple and Intuitive Use, 4.) Perceptible Information, 5.) Tolerance for Error, 6.) Low Physical Effort, 7.) Size and Space for Approach and Use.”

As an institution, we too can design for disability. Although accessibility is an ongoing process and sometimes may not come as easily due to existing infrastructures, there are programmatic barriers we can remove. Here are a few suggestions to incorporate Universal Design into campus events and programs:

  • Host programs in an accessible location with minimal barriers (i.e. first floor spaces in campus buildings, outside main entrances weather permitting, conducting mobile programming)
  • Clearly indicate allergens and gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or other options. If ordering from an outside vendor, consider communicating with them to label food items with allergens. If purchasing food from a grocery store, lean towards pre-packaged foods that are clearly labeled with allergens and dietary needs.
    • *Note of language use: Using the phrase “dietary needs” instead of “dietary restrictions” conveys a more positive message that a particular dietary lifestyle provides accessibility rather than restriction*
  • If your program includes an activity, provide multiple methods for participants to engage in the activity. This also accommodates different styles of learning (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)
  • Consider multiple ways of presenting content:
    • Utilizing social media (i.e. Facebook Live, Instagram Live) and/or smart device apps
    • Zoom (a video conferencing site) provides accessibility options and can be used for students who are unable to physically access your event/program
    • Showing video clips from YouTube (they have an option to include closed captioning)
    • Providing printed materials of content (consider larger print for those with low vision and always save as a PDF for those who use screen readers)
    • Verbally describe any visual aids, including slides and handouts, used during presentations.

If you have questions regarding accessibility and program planning, please do not hesitate to contact the Disability Resources Office at 607-753-2967.

Partnering with SGA – Accessibility and Sustainability Committee

by

By Frank Gravano, Graduate Assistant for Disability Resources

This year I am serving on the Student Government Association’s Accessibility & Sustainability Committee. It aims to raise awareness to SGA and all members of campus of the many issues concerning the topics of accessibility and sustainability in campus. Students involved with the committee offer concerns, ideas, and solutions to problems which arise concerning these topics. The committee is dedicated to reviewing campus building situations. A current goal is to improve accessible doors, making sure there is a plan in place for students when certain buildings are under renovation. The Committee also aims to work with ASC to improve their reusable water bottle program and add more water bottle filling stations around campus. Going forward the committee is excited to work along with clubs such as LEAP, SFAAC, and other committees to continue to improve the Cortland campus for everybody. The Disability Resources Office is learning from SGA’s work and collaborating with other offices to improve campus accessibility.