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 . . . ’
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