[nabs-l] Student orgs related to disability

Thu Apr 2 10:13:04 UTC 2015

Kaiti and all,
	This is a fabulous idea!
One way you may want to approach the barrier of confidentiality with the DS Office is by bringing them up to speed with what you all are looking to do with this organization. While they cannot directly provide you with various names of students who are disabled, I am sure they could reach out to them personally and give the disabled students your contact information. This, of course, would need permission by you.
In this way, you are giving the okay for them to utilize your name and that would bridge the gap, allowing the students to then proceed with not contacting you or deciding to opt into the organization.

It may be a good idea to also converse with the Director of Student Engagement/Campus Organizations. He/she could fill you in on any existing organizations such as American Sign Language Club, etc.
I think the best way to ignite the involvement is by having a dinner/lunch/get together rather than diving in head first into disability issues. This will encourage an initial foundation for the members. I always find it beneficial to have somewhat social events so members of an organization feel comfortable and welcome before addressing touchy topics.

Please feel free to email me off list with any questions or concerns.
Again, this is a phenomenal idea and I wish you luck going into it!
Best,
Kathryn

Kathryn C. Webster
Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
President | North Carolina Association of Blind Students
Treasurer | Connecticut Association of Blind Students
Board Member | The Science and Engineering Division
(Coordinator | Connecticut BELL Program
Executive Editor | The Federationist Newsletter
203) 273-8463
kathrynwebster.nfb at gmail.com

On Apr 1, 2015, at 11:08 AM, Kaiti Shelton via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> Thanks for your suggestions.  Some are things the other student and I
> have thought up in passing, and others are brand new.  I'd love to set
> up some sort of Goalball intermural for the club or with the campus
> community, and possibly even see if a team from Wright State (the
> other college in the area) might be interested in playing.
> 
> I agree, Elif, the main thing that sparked this club was that we felt
> like the confidentiality used by the DS office, although
> understandable, was getting in the way of fixing some real problems on
> campus.  The biggest challenge for the other student and I is that
> although we can talk about the problems and good things as they
> pertain to blind people on campus we can't speak for the challenges
> and good things experienced by those with other disabilities on
> campus.  We're hoping the organization, which she and I have taken the
> liberty of naming "Insight" will foster understanding of all types of
> disabilities in the campus community.  The name "Insight" has a double
> meaning; not only is it a punn since the two students starting this
> organization are blind, but it also has the goal of providing some
> insight into disability issues.
> 
> Derek, I am interested in going to the Provost for an accessibility
> talk once we've got a few students together.  I'll email you off-list
> for more information.
> 
> On another note, the president of Delta Alpha PI, an international
> honors society for students with disabilities, just got back to me
> with instructions on how to set up a chapter.  This is something we're
> thinking of tying into Insight itself, but it may also be a
> stand-alone honors society if the DS office agrees to sponsor it in
> addition to the student org.
> 
> Any more suggestions are welcome.  I'm trying to gather as many ideas
> and suggestions of what would be helpful as possible.
> 
> 
> 
> On 4/1/15, Helga Schreiber <helga.schreiber26 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> And Kaiti, one last question, how can afeliate with Alpha Delta Phi, the
>> international Organization for Students with Disabilities? I apologize for
>> the misspelling of the name. I think this organization is a great one! This
>> is actually my first time that i heard about it! guys! Thank you again! :)
>> 
>> Helga Schreiber
>> 
>> Fundraiser Coordinator for Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Delta Iota chapter.
>> Member of National Federation of the Blind and Florida Association of Blind
>> Students.
>> Member of the International Networkers Team (INT).
>> Independent Entrepreneur of the Company 4Life Research.
>> Phone:  (561) 706-5950
>> Email: helga.schreiber26 at gmail.com
>> Skype: helga.schreiber26
>> 4Life Website: http://helgaschreiber.my4life.com/1/default.aspx
>> INT Website: http://int4life.com/
>> 
>> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
>> believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Mar 31, 2015, at 2:12 PM, Kaiti Shelton via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I am excited to report that after meeting another blind student on my
>>> campus she and I are working to establish a student organization for
>>> students with and without disabilities to discuss accessibility, raise
>>> awareness of disability issues, etc.  We were particularly struck by
>>> the fact that we would have never met had a professor we've both had
>>> not thought to encourage both of us to join an ensemble this semester;
>>> we have spent the past 2 and a half years of our college careers
>>> separately thinking we were the only blind student on campus.  We have
>>> since found out we were both in the same dorm building our freshman
>>> year, and I even had a friend I visited frequently on her floor.
>>> While we understand the need for the disability services staff to
>>> maintain confidentiality, it was striking to find out that we were
>>> experiencing the exact same problems on campus and because there
>>> wasn't a united front nothing was being done to fix them.
>>> 
>>> We wondered if this was effecting anyone else on campus, so we
>>> approached our DS office about faculty sponsorship for the
>>> organization.  They agreed to it, but have let the other girl and I
>>> spearhead things.  They're providing the space and possibly some light
>>> refreshments for an info session in a few weeks.
>>> 
>>> We have a few ideas in mind for the club, but I'm interested in
>>> getting input from other students.  We know we want to do some
>>> outreach on campus and possibly form a fundraiser by selling something
>>> to raise awareness of disability issues.  We know we'd like to
>>> affiliate with Delta Alpha Pi, the international honors society for
>>> students with disabilities.  Since she and I both have experience in
>>> martial arts we'd also like to make a membership activity in the
>>> future a self-defence workshop aimed towards people with disabilities.
>>> Any other ideas?
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Kaiti
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/helga.schreiber26%40gmail.com
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Kaiti
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kathrynwebster.nfb%40gmail.com