President's Council on Disability makes campus more accommodating

By Marisol Ramirez

Have you ever had any problems with the buildings on campus?

Perhaps a phone not working?

How about not being able to go from one floor to another, bumps in the sidewalk or, better yet, not being able to attend a class because it doesn’t suit your needs?

The President’s Council on Disability is an organization on campus with a main purpose of fitting the needs of about 600 to 700 disabled students and faculty members. The disabilities might range from mobility to metabolic disabilities, learning disabilities to blindness.

However, this organization doesn’t only focus on the needs of the disabled, but of all people.

One of the council’s main focuses is to make all buildings on campus accessible to everyone. They work with contractors and architects to better the buildings for everyone’s need. Also, they work closely with many departments on campus, such as student affairs, the health center and advising.

“ What we do is plan multiple projects throughout the school including the library, restaurants and having pathways light up at night,” Virginia Chadwick, chairwoman of the President’s Council on Disability said.

Part of the job is also planning operation for the buildings, such as improving the alarm system in the Science Building.

Besides working closely with contractors, the council also helps make sure classes accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

Working closely with professors allows them to be more efficient in helping all students to have an accessible class environment or location, allowing them to be in an environment where they are able to learn more effectively.

For more information, or to join the President’s Council on Disability, contact Virginia Chadwick at 278-4248 or by e-mail at virginia@csufresno.edu.

Everyone is encouraged to join this group, but the council especially encourages those with disabilities.