Tapestry, FALL 2009 TEXT ONLY

TAPESTRY Weaving together a vibrant and inclusive community
FALL 2009 Issue 10
UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services
Fretwell 230 tel:704‑687‑0040 fax: 704‑687‑1395 email: disability@uncc.edu website: www.ds.charlotte.edu

THE OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES is:

Jo Ann Fernald, Director: 704‑687‑2351 Jill Gosnell , Student Services Coordinator: 704‑687‑6026 Kristin Kolin, Associate Director : 704‑687‑3136 Vonetta Blakely, Assistant Director: 704‑687‑3102 Janette Lawrence, Assistant Director : 704‑687‑2132 Katie Montie, Assistant Director: 704‑687‑3102 Aaron Forsyth, Assistive Technology Specialist : 704‑687‑3088

Did You Know…

There are an estimated 816,000 people in the state of North Carolina living with a disability that impacts vision, hearing, cognitive functioning, and mobility.* This is approximately 11.3% of the state’s population. The actual number of North Carolinians living with a disability far exceeds 11% when including mental health diagnoses and other medical/chronic conditions.
*Based on 2008/2009 statistical information provided by the Center for Personal Assistance at UC-San Francisco.
VB

Inside This Issue

Diversity of Disability
Dan Keplinger
MAS
Techno(te)
Important Dates
Faculty Corner

The Diversity of Disability

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” Maya Angelou
Ability is a strong thread that also contributes to the “rich tapestry” around us. Too often excluded or forgotten, the thread of disability brings a valuable and vibrant hue, worthy of inclusion.
It is within our different abilities and unique perspectives that our world is enriched. Disability needs to be redefined and reconfigured in the minds of most so the diversity of abilities can be embraced.
When viewing the word “Disabilty,” let ABILITY take the spotlight with dis playing the minor part.
Disability is often an experience where an alternate or different approach might be taken to achieve a common or shared goal. How many times in history or in your own life , has taking a “different” path or “thinking outside of the box” led to a solution otherwise hidden? Ingenuity and innovation are based in these principles. That’s not to say disability equals extra sensory, extraordinary experiences, but it should be viewed within a perspective full of possibilities instead of one laden with barriers. Possibilities are what we all should have!

Inclusion and diversity allow for opportunities where possibilities can become realized. Just as
one thread does not make a quilt, one diagnosis or label, alone, does not define a person. Much like the tapestry described by Maya Angelou, our lives are an assembly of many colorful threads representing our unique experiences and abilities.

Diversity is about noticing all the threads. When weaved together those once deemed “imperfect,” “stray,” or “outside” the color palate, bring an intensity and beauty that would be otherwise lacking. Their absence would leave behind a plain cloth, one just like any other.

Therefore, it is with this issue of our own Tapestry, the Office of Disabilty Services hopes to enrich our campus community by highlighting and honoring the true diversity of Disabilty. KJK

Dan Keplinger: “Power from Passion”

The Office of Disability Services is excited to promote diversity on campus by sponsoring Dan Keplinger’s “Power from Passion” on February 4th in Robinson Hall. Dan Keplinger is an artist, academy award winning writer (King Gimp), and motivational speaker.

At birth Dan was not breathing. The doctors believed him to be dead and he was “set aside.” However minutes later he “revived himself,” but the lack of oxygen resulted in Cerebral Palsy.
Unable to communicate easily with words, Dan uses art as a way to express his feelings. Due to limited use of his hands, Dan invented a technique and style of painting all his own, allowing his emotions to explode on to the canvas. He was the subject and writer of the Academy Award winning documentary, King Gimp, which details his life with cerebral palsy as he finds his voice through art.

Dan was featured in Cingular Wireless’ nationally acclaimed, 2001 super bowl commercial. The focus of numerous magazine articles, Dan also gives keynote addresses to federal/state agencies, corporations, universities, and disability organizations. His art is on permanent display at the Phyllis Kind Gallery and has been shown in San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, and Maryland.

Dan’s personal statement reflects his unique perspective on disability: “At a glance my work seems to be about my perception in society and how I overcome it. I include images of my wheelchair because it is my main mode of conveyance and a major part of my daily life, but these pieces are about much more than my disability. Obstacles and challenges are a universal part of the human condition. We all face them in everyday life; however we also have a choice as to how we deal with them. Many of us are likely to get discouraged during difficult times in our lives. In my work I hope to show everybody that they have the ability to persevere.” It is this ability of perseverance that unifies us. As Dan has done, we can choose to paint the picture of our lives with empowerment, vibrancy, and diversity.

Please join us on Thursday, February 4, 2010, as we welcome Dan Keplinger to campus. Dan will present “Power from Passion” in Robinson Hall’s Belk Theatre on February 4th from 3:30 – 5:00.
Dan’s presentation will explore how finding your own passion improves the world around you. A viewing of his third film, “King of Arts”, will also be shown, followed by a question and answer period.
Find out more about Dan Keplinger by visiting his website: http://www.kinggimp.com/
KM & JL

Campus Spotlight: MultiCultural Academic Services

Originally an office dedicated to African American students, the Office of Multicultural Academic Services (MAS) has widened their scope to match the ever changing needs of the UNC Charlotte campus. MAS honors students of diverse backgrounds and offers programs that support academic achievement for those often under represented (including students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds, first generation university students, and students with disabilities).

MAS Director, Dr. Samuel Lopez, joined the UNC Charlotte community over a year ago. He and the MAS team are valued advocates for diversity on campus. MAS’ programs are all about enriching and fostering diversity at UNC Charlotte:

•UTOP (The University Transition Opportunities Program): Facilitates students’ transition from high school to college through an intensive 5 week summer experience. Students take 3 summer classes, participate in workshops geared towards study skills and writing, and are involved in extracurricular activities.
•UTOP Learning Community: Offered to all students who complete the UTOP summer program, the learning community is designed to engage students in coursework and activities that emphasize a liberal arts education,, and campus connections.
•SAFE (Student Advising for Freshmen Excellence): Targeted towards under represented student populations, SAFE is a collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs that offers freshmen individual tutoring, study sessions, interaction with faculty and staff, goal setting, and leadership development.
•PRODUCE : Funded by the National Science Foundation through the NC Louis Stokes Alliance for
Minority Participation (NC- LSAMP), PRODUCE is designed to recruit, retain, and graduate under represented students majoring in one of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines at UNC Charlotte.
•Building Better Brothers (B3): B3’s central purpose is to support black males’ successful
matricultion through their collegiate career at UNC Charlotte by offering mentoring and academic support programs.

In addition to MAS’ programs, they also serve as an invaluable resource for connecting students to campus and community resources. Dr. Lopez is encouraged that our campus continues to support initiatives that encourage the development of differences. He is hopeful that this dedication to diversity will continue to grow and flourish!

For more information about MAS, visit their website, http://www.mas.uncc.edu, or stop by Fretwell 318!
KJK

TECHNO(te)

Students in college regularly use many different forms of technology in their studies. Standards such as computers, to more advanced technology like classroom “clickers,” there is a wide range of technologies at UNC Charlotte. A type of technology that many might be unfamiliar with is Assistive Technology (AT).AT is widely used to assist people living with disabilities. Technology comes in many forms and enables students with disabilities to perform inside and outside of the classroom.
AT devices serve to break down barriers for students with a wide variety of disabilities. For example, AT allows students with mobility, vision, learning, and hearing impairments to live their lives with a greater degree of freedom. Technology can be software based, such as magnification software, on-screen keyboards, voice recognition, or screen reading programs. AT can also be hardware based, including devices such as a head mouse, trackballs, eye gaze response systems, and closed-caption televisions (CCTVs). All of these assistive technologies act as inclusionary devices for individuals with disabilities within a world that can often be difficult to navigate. AF

IMPORTANT DATES

Finals Deadline November 20th
This is the last day to notify DS if you plan on taking your finals in our office
Thanksgiving Break November 25th-27th
Finals December 11th-18th
Please contact the DS office to verify testing times prior to the beginning of finals
Commencement December 19th
Congratulations Graduates!!!!! Contact our office prior if you require assistance for the ceremony.
Winter Break/ University is Closed December 24th– January 1st, 2010
Relax and have a happy and safe New Year!
Spring classes begin January 11th
Guest Speaker Dan Keplinger February 4th
Visual artist and national speaker. Writer of the Academy Award winning documentary, “King Gimp”
Workforce Recruitment Interviews February 5th Visit www.ds.charlotte.edu for more information
Deadline for Scholarship Applications February 12th
Visit www.ds.charlotte.edu for more information
JG

Faculty Corner : Promoting Disability Awareness

The Office of Disability Services frequently receives requests from faculty for students with disabilities to speak about their experiences. These opportunities allow students who may not have had prior experience with a person with a disability to “see” the environment from a different perspective. People with disabilities are one of the largest diverse groups and often offer a
very compelling way of thinking about physical space and institutional systems.
Additionally, learning about disability better prepares students for the world beyond the University where they may work closely with a person with a disability. The Office of Disability Services passes requests for student panels to the
Disability Services Student Advisory Board. Several members of the Student Advisory Board will speak to the class sharing their views and experiences.
If you would like to have students speak about disabilities with your class, contact the Office of Disability Services at least two weeks in advance.
JAF

The Office Of Disability Services is part of Academic Services

Question, comments, or suggestions about Tapestry ? Contact Kristin Kolin: kjkolin@uncc.edu

Editor: Kristin Kolin