Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 10, 1982)
Handicapped resource center receives delayed report By Mike Rose Of The Print Although it’s two years late, an audit of the College’s services and facilities for han dicapped students has finally been released by the Depart ment of Health and Welfare (formerly the Department of Health, Education and Welfare). The purpose of the study was to see how well the Col lege was complying with federal regulation 504, design ed to protect the rights of han dicapped persons. The College, after doing a “Handicapped Self-Evaluation Study” in June, 1978, re quested an in-depth investiga tion by HEW. By law, accom modations for handicapped students must be made, such as handicapped access and special, education programs. The team of HEW in vestigators conducted the survey on campus the week of Jan. 30, 1980, and had pro mised to release its findings within 90 days; HEW representatives told the College that the study was late because of personnel cutbacks and other priorities. According to the study, the College must make some improvements. College ad ministrator, Lee Fawcett, assis tant dean of support services, said these improvements will cost the College “under $5,000.” One improvement the College will have to make is in the wheelchair ramp to the Stu dent Health Center. The ramp is a steep, straight incline, without a level spot at the top. “It’s hard for a person in a wheelchair to open the door to the Health Center, and at the same time keep himself from rolling backwards down the ramp,” Fawcett said. Another barrier that the College will have to remove is the loose gravel pathways in the greenhouse. The pathways are difficult for wheelchair travel. The showers in Randall Hall pose another access pro blem: The threshold lip is cur rently too high for a wheelchair to roll over. Also, grab bars to allow a handicapped person to stand in the showers will have to be installed to meet the federal regulations. The HEW study noted that the information on han dicap services in the College catalog was too general and will have to be rewritten in more specific language, Fawcett said. Since the Pauling Center was not completed when the team of HEW investigators were on campus in 1980, the building was not included in the study. However, Fawcett said the building meets federal regulations. He added, “They made it clear that the study on ly included existing construc tion in January of 1980.” At present, no plans are being made for another audit by the health and welfare department of the Pauling Center’s handicapped access. Debbie Bennett of the Handicapped Resource Center said that when HEW in vestigators were on campus to present the findings of the 504 compliance study last February, “They didn’t even want to go over and look at the Pauling Center. The only way that would happen is if a com plaint was filed with their office,” she said. Bennett said the College is already very accessible for han dicapped students, but after the compliance study recommen dations are made, the campus will be completely accessible. Miller times su» College may host Special Olympics By Darla Weinberger Of The Print Plans to gain more college involvement in the publicity and recruitment for the Clackamas County Special Olympics was the topic of discussion at the Feb. 25 han dicapped resource center meeting held at the College. Debbie Bennett, han dicapped resource specialist, and Mike Sanford, coordinator of the Oregon State Special Olympics, discussed possible competitor recruitment ideas which would include flyers, posters and greater media coverage. The College public information staff would help to develop the campaign. In past years, the Special Olympics have been held in Molalla. But due to transporta tion problems, Lake Oswego residents organized their own Special Olympics for those communities unable x to attend the Molalla meet. Bennett and Sanford resolved that the county should be split into two districts; north * (Oregon City, West Linn, Gladstone, Lake Oswego and Milwaukie) and south (all towns south of the College). Bennett said the College will put most of its efforts into recruiting handicapped people who would like to compete in the Lake Special Olympics to be held May 1 at the Lake Oswego High School. She is currently serving as the co-area coordinator for the summer track and field events. Bennett noted the reason the Special Olympics were not being held at the College was because of conflicts with the College’s athletic schedule. However, she said she hoped the event could be held at the College next year. Wednesday, March 10, 1982 c 1981 Beer Brewed by Miller Brewing Co.. Milwaukee. Wis„ page 5