Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About Cougar print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1976-1977 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1976)
Thursday, October 6, 1976 Clackamas Community College >I.|X, No. 2 Conflict: art major seeks to change Smuckers Bpnnie Nelson is an art major enrolled Clackamas Community College but there ah obstacle standing in the path toward ■ associate degree. She has Multiple Scler- s and a wheelchair is her basic mode of ibjlity. Although CCC does provide some facili- >|or handicapped students, Nelson's situ- on is a special one involving several hplications. She enrolled this term as a full-time dfent, taking the painting, drawing, cer- ics and sculpture class taught at the luckers Art Center building. Two of her scted courses are taught on the main or of that building and the remaining sses are situated on the second floor. Trie Art Center was originally a part of ! Smuckers Berry Processing Company i-was purchased by CCC in 1968. As she prepared to attend her first class, Ispn was surprised to find no ramp or vator leading to the second floor. She limed an offer of being carried up to her ssroom. "I don't want to be carried up J flown the steps like a piece of furniture," ■ the mother of two. "If a piece of nlture is dropped, the damage can be •ajred, but if a human being is dropped, ¡ damage may be irrepairable." The former Portland State student possess- some validation for her argument. The tance between both floors is 18 feet and ! width of the hallway is 5 feet. A wheel- ait and its occupant moving through this lalcould be a hazard to both the handi- jped person and his or her helper, as well anyone traveling up or down the stairs. Under Section 504 of the Vocational habilitation Act, all federal and state in- tutions are required to provide a safe and sessible location for handicapped persons pursue their schooling or employment. Nelson and her husband Larry, wno op- ites a small store near Redland, are con- -nfed not only with the safety aspect of the ablem but also view the lack of proper importation facilities as an inconvenience fature handicapped students. Nelson, who hopes to start an art design idio, believes her situation to be the first ablem of its kind at CCC. Handicapped woman begins attempts to 'rehabilitate’ art center By Harry Bielskis News Editor "I realize that Smuckers is an old building and the Art Department has fought hard to secure that location because of the scenic view the Ecology Pond offers. I don't expect to be the only handicapped person in the future to take art and I can only place the blame for this problem upon the school's short-sightedness in not allowing for situ ations such as this to have been resolved while the college was still in its planning stage." The serious brunette then offered some solutions. "The most conceivable idea would be far less expensive than a regular elevator and allow future use by other handicapped students." A stair elevator is an electric movable chair that connects to the stair rail and can be dismounted after its use, allowing for no obstruction to other stu dents. "I've taken this problem to the admini stration and as yet have received no re sponse," Nelson said. "After contacting several community agencies, a local tele vision station interviewed me. "Perhaps this will bring needed attention to the situation," said Mrs. Nelson. Her persistence did spark some comments from administrative personnel. "In its planning stage, Smuckers was not part of the college," said Donald Fisher, Developmental Planning of CCC, "and up to this point there has never been a need or demand for a ramp or elevator. However, we are looking into the costs of these facili ties." "We are making every attempt to correct this situation," stated CCC President John Hakanson. "In the meantime, instructors, deans, and the administration have been working with her to seek alternatives until the problem can be resolved." Art instructor Norman Bursheim said, "The art students and staff will be happy to carry her up and down those stairs any time she wants us to. The gesture is a generous one and the concept of personal contact would promote a feeling of warmth and sharing. Over the summer, a handicapped young lady did some secretarial work in our office and she liked the friendliness and attention she received from the persons carrying her. This is the best alternative we can offer until a solution." Nelson however, does not like the idea of being carried to and from her classrooms 8 times a week for 12 weeks and has refused to attend her classes on the second floor. "I don't want to make trouble," she said, "I just want to get to my classes in one piece." ‘I don’t want to be carried up and down the steps like a piece of furniture. / realize that Smuckers is an old building . . . ’ H A L loi — — ........ !■ — r 0| 1111 11 11 f 11 1 1111 11211111 1111311111111 14 11 1111 ' 1151 1 1111 |s s f n 1 I ! kfMA ■ 16(M) 17 18(B) I 19 I 20 I 21 49.25 -0.16 0.01 38.62 -0.18 -0.04 28.86 0.54 0.60 16.19 -0.05 0.73 8.29 -0.81 0.19 3.44 -0.23 0.49 0.75 0.98 1.24 1.67 2.04 2.42 I 22 31.41 20.98 -19.43 I ■ ■ B centimeters l|6lll|llll|7lll|lllljJilliTiTl|glll|llii|jo 23 24 72.46 -24.45 55.93 72.95 16.83 68.80 25 29.37 13.06 -49.49 I 26 54.91 -38.91 30.77 I 27 I 43.96 52.00 30.01 | 28 I 82.74 3.45 81.29 | • 29 30 52.79 50.88 -12.72 50.87 -27.17 -29.46 I- Ì b* Colors by Munsell Color Services Lab