THE INFORMER PAGE 3

NOVEMBER 8, 1989

Mountain Access

“Even Rick Hansen would have a tough time getting around
this campus,” says Cap’s Special Needs Advisor Paul Jones.
“Unless you are a wheelchair athlete or have an electric
wheelchair, getting up some of these grades is impossible,” says
Paul. In a wheelchair himself, Paul is on intimate terms with the
physical barriers our mountain topography presents. Paul would
like to see Cap become a “zero gradient” campus in the next few
years. This is possible, he says, if buildings are constructed
similar to the H model, with pathways connecting the third level
of one to the second level of another, for example. But, in the
mean time, he would be happy to see overall awareness raised
around the campus. With a larger population than ever of
physically challenged students (close to 40 this year) it is
important that the community be aware of the extra difficulties
these students face.

Paul, who is getting his M.Ed. in Special Education next
week at UBC, says Cap’s accessibility problems are accentuated
by its relatively small population. “At UBC, I could get out there
in the traffic flow and stick out my thumb. Here, you can be all
alone between classes.” Maneuvering from south to north can
take upwards of 20 minutes, with hills and the circuitous route
through H building to take into account. Upper classrooms in J
Building are still completely inaccessible to wheelchair-bound
students.

Never knowing what sort of problems he will face each day,
Paul has to be prepared for almost anything. “There is a huge
spectrum of physical disability,” says the advisor. Often, his
most serious problem is that people don’t plan in advance. “We
need at least three months’ notice to adequately assist people in
making the transition. Often we don’t see them until the middle
of term when they’re in a crisis situation.”

Along with arranging for a guided tour of the campus before
term begins, Paul provides maps showing accessibility, assists
with admission and registration procedures, arranges for a
special parking permit, notifies instructors about a student’s
disability, provides an interpreter for the deaf, orders taped
versions of text books or finds a reader for the blind, offers free
photocopying services, finds a notetaker or scribe, assistance in
the library, typing assistance for term papers, exam adaptations,
and equipment, including talking computer devices, four-track
tape recorder, large print typewriter, computer, visualteks,
brailler, and telephone for the deaf.

Paul is especially interested in seeing how the campus
shapes up in the next few years. Paul would like to see support
for accessibility in post-secondary institutions match what is
provided in the K - 12 range. Right now, the discrepancy is
“formidable” says Jolene Bordewick, who, as transition
coordinator, helps students make the adjustments as they move
into or leave Cap’s environment.

Presently, a Transitional Steering Committee is looking at
the range of needs at Cap and our delivery of service.

Contacts at Cap for Special Needs:

2971 Jolene Bordewick, coordinator of Transition Liaison.
Jolene communicates with high schools, community groups and
government agencies to help ease the transition from, or to Cap.
2919 Ruth d’Hollander, coordinator of the Achievement
Resource Centre. ARC provides assistance to students with
learning disabilities.

2945 Dr. Dennis Wright, Assessment Services, conducts
formal and informal assessments to help define the nature of a
student’s learning disability.

2945 Paul Jones, Special Needs Services. Paul assists students
with physical disabilities.

2535 Ethelyn McInnes-Rankin, coordinator of counselling
services. Personal and academic counselling and referrals to
appropriate community resources.

2544 Donna Savage, Nurse, health counselling, health care, and
other medical assistance.

Programs:

2971 Don Kirkby, coordinator of the Alternative Career
Training Programs. ACT is an employment exploration _
program for students with special developmental leamming needs.
2982 Jolene Bordewick also coordinates the Career Choices
program in conjunction with Canada Employment for students
with learning disabilities and special developmental learning
needs.

Thin is not in!

That was the theme for Eating Disorder
Awareness Week, which was October 23 - 29, The
week may be over, but the issues remain the same.

Health professionals are concerned about an
apparent rise in the incidence of Anorexia Nervosa
and Bulimia Nervosa. The National Eating Disorder
Information Centre (at Toronto General Hospital)
sponsored the week in order to raise awareness
about weight preoccupation.

Some warning signs of Anorexia and Bulimia
include:

e excessive concern about weight, shape,

and calories;

e unusual eating habits;

e irregular menstruation;

e depression or irritability;

¢ guilt or shame about eating;

e feeling fat when not overweight;

e noticeable weight loss or frequent weight

fluctuation.

If you have questions or concerns about
eating disorders, call Health Services at 2964 or
drop in to see us in M103.

CAPILANO COLLEGE HEALTH SERVICES (2964)