STATE OF THE CAMPUS REPORT
Introduction
The Campus Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC) is charged with providing
advice to the college concerning all accessibility issues for campus facilities.
The committee derives its authority to speak on such issues from the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991,
and the commitment of Calvin College to serving people with disabilities.
This report summarizes the activities of the committee over the last year
and looks ahead with planning goals for the coming year.
Advancements in 1999
Accessibility Audit—the CAAC proposed an accessibility audit
for Calvin College and the President's Cabinet agreed to provide the necessary
funding. The audit performed by the Grand Rapids Center for Independent
Living (GRCIL) covered facilities, personnel policies, and programs in
a three-phase schedule. The GRCIL is presenting an oral report to the
CAAC on March 15, 2000 with the final written report following on April
19.
Modification to the Five-Year Plan—a CAAC proposal to add
an accessibility statement to Calvin's Five-Year Plan was submitted to
the President's Cabinet in May 1998. After review at several different
College levels, the Board of Trustees approved the proposed modification
at its May 1999 meeting. The addition is below:
- Enhance the accessibility of the campus so that students, faculty,
staff, and visitors find a welcoming environment in terms of facilities,
programs, services, and events.
Catalog Change—the CAAC recommended that the section of
the catalog entitled "Compliance with Legal Requirements" be changed to
bring it into compliance with the recently approved Grievance Procedure
for persons with disabilities. The 1999-2000 catalog uses the new language
for this section.
Special Grants and Projects Fund—the College made available this
fund to finance one-time special projects. The CAAC applied for and received
approval for a $12,000 grant to cover the costs of installing two door
openers; one to the East entry of the Science Building (double unit) and
another to the South entry of the FAC (single unit). The total cost for
the two locations came to $8,826 leaving $3,174 of funding for additional
accessibility projects.
Wheelchair Donations—an additional wheelchair was donated to Calvin,
bringing to four the number of wheelchairs available for use by visitors
to the campus. The wheelchairs are kept in strategic locations and may
be readily accessed by users.
Alternative Formats for College Publications—Calvin College's
Office of Publishing Services produces over 200 publications per year.
Many of these College publications are sent to the public and need to
include a statement making the information available in alternate format.
The CAAC, in cooperation with Publishing Services, will select a number
of publications that will include an alternate format statement for the
next publishing cycle. Based on this pilot program, the alternate format
statement will be extended to all Calvin publications in following publishing
cycles.
Senior Gift Project—the CAAC was invited to submit a senior gift
proposal. The Committee, in consultation with the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve
Governing Board, submitted a proposal to enhance the accessibility of
Calvin's Ecosystem Preserve. The proposal was selected for funding (~$7,000)
and will result in a formal accessibility audit of the Preserve, trail
improvements, an on-site special wheelchair for guests, and a trail expansion
with Hope Network.
Door Opener—a double-unit door opener was installed in the upper
level entry to the Physical Education Building.
Orientation at Quest—for the second year a special orientation
program was held for students with disabilities during the Quest program.
This year saw over a 100% increase with over twenty first-year students
attending this event.
Noncompliance Record
There have been three formal complaints of noncompliance brought to the
CAAC in 1999. Two of the complaints involved construction details of the
new DeVries Hall building. Doors connecting the atrium and other parts
of the building were difficult for wheelchair users to negotiate. Additionally,
locking devices on stall doors in the bathrooms were not easily usable
by persons with limited use of their hands. Both of these problems were
treated as construction defects, and the Physical Plant staff corrected
them with the cooperation of the building contractors.
The third complaint was registered by an employee of the College and
raised questions of accessibility to his office in DeVries Hall. This
faculty member has a physical condition that makes access to DeVries Hall,
even when using the ramped entrance, difficult. In this case, although
the new building complied with all state and federal building codes pertaining
to accessibility, the question raised was about an accommodation that
went beyond the level required by the law. Various meetings were held
that involved at one time or another the faculty member, members of the
CAAC, the President, and the Vice President for Administration and Finance.
In the end, a solution to this situation was found that was satisfactory
to the faculty member and the College.
Priorities for 2000
Continuing Projects—some activities from the previous year
need to be continued. In some cases, no funding is required; in the rest,
funding has already been secured and it is just a matter of carrying the
projects through to completion.
-
Signage&—main door notification in all buildings of the
locations of barrier free and accessible bathrooms. Additionally,
signage on the Calvin Campus goes beyond bathrooms to include appropriate
signage for all facilities for all persons with disabilities--students,
visitors, and employees alike. Signage will remain an important issue
that needs to be addressed holistically by the master-planner architect.
-
Accessibility Audit—the recommendations from the audit
need to be approved for action by the CAAC and with those so approved,
integrated into the College's Strategic Plan.
-
Foreign Language Accessibility—the CAAC will continue
to monitor the question of learning disabilities and foreign languages
at Calvin College.
Handrails—the provision of handrails for the Gezon Auditorium
and the FAC Auditorium is in the planning stage. Installation of these
handrails is a project the CAAC would like to see completed in 2000.
Grievance Policy—a noncompliance matter suggested changes
in the current grievance policy. The committee will revise the present
policy to meet the needs of the College's employees and students.
Web Page—the CAAC will author a Web page located on Calvin's Home
Page. The purpose of this internet site will be to increase the visibility
of the Committee within the Calvin community, provide information about
accessibility at Calvin, introduce Committee members to the College, supply
linkages to other pertinent accessibility sites, and serve as an address
for making accessibility requests and raising issues of noncompliance
by students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
Construction Review Process—the College's ability to meet
the accessibility needs of student, staff, faculty, and public depends
on good communication at the planning stage of new construction or remodeling.
The CAAC is mandated to "Review all campus renovation and new construction
projects as they relate to accessibility." Continuing to build good
communication lines between the Committee and College Architect is an
ongoing goal of the CAAC.
Conclusion
The CAAC is pleased with the progress made by the college during the
last year and for the support of the College administration and faculty.
Although the Committee did not disburse any funds in support of accessibility
at Calvin during 1999, it is gratifying to note the number of projects
completed through other funding sources. This signals an expanding sense
of responsibility for accessibility issues that extends beyond the Accessibility
Committee to include the larger College community. Accessibility concerns
are being addressed as a normal part of College business and for this,
the Committee is grateful.
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