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Faculty, administrative staff and students checked out obstacles to movement for the disabled one

dey last week at Northwest Community College..One who discovered significant problems was

college preside

smmmnithiinsinnenlbnesatamiinin

nt Don Anderson (foreground), who was unable to reach his office in a wheelchair.

Up steep ramps, through
snow, over door sills, into

elevators, and into washrooms
not easily accessible, par--.

ticipants in Northwest Com-
munity College’s Awareness
Day wheeled their chairs —
wheelchairs, that is.

by Betty Barton

Feb. 13 was declared
Awareness Day at Northwest

Community College Terrace

campus. The idea arose when

_ Dee Rogers from the Premier’s

Advisory Council for the Dis-
abled visited Terrace last

November. Okanagan College

had conducted such a day last

_ year, and.its success inspired
" NWCC to try it.

The main objective of

’ Awareness Day was to make

everyone cognizant of the

obstacles and frustrations faced
by the disabled every day. The

students of the Human Service
Worker program took the

‘challenge of ‘‘being blind” by

blindfolding themselves for the
lunch hour, Everyone agreed
that it was a frightening, but en-
lightening experience, which
they hope never to repeat.

Participants for the

wheelchair exercise included
volunteers from the library

staff, an ABE (Adult Basic

_- , Education) instructor, a nursing
- instructor, a computer program-
met, a switchboard operator, a

student advisor, two students,
an early childhood education co-
ordinator and a student from
that same program. (The stu-

acted as.an organizer and an ad-
visor for the day.) NWCC presi-
dent Don Anderson and campus

‘director Garry Morrison also

volunteered to spend the day ina
wheelchair,

Ten of the chairs were
donated by local wheelchair
athlete Dr. Paul Clark. Each

participant was given a kit con-_

taining ‘‘tips’’ on assisting
challenged individuals; a button,
**We love a challenge! NWCC”’,
donated by the students’
association; an agenda for the
day, and maps of the campus on
which participants were to
highlight problem areas for
disabled students and _staff..

There are presently two.

‘wheelchair-bound students at-
tending NWCC in Terrace.
At the end of the day, the i2
wheelchair volunteers gathered
for a debriefing of their findings
and experiences, One participant.
complained that she was stiff

and sore and obviously not in.

good enough shape to handle a
wheelchair for a full day. One
person tipped their chair three

times.. A few were frustrated’

that they needed to ask for help
with everything from opening

doors to being pushed up the

ramp in the cafeteria. The snow
and gravel on the ramp and in
the wheels made traction very
poor going up and. very
dangerous going down. Some-
one else felt claustrophobic in the
elevator and had no choice but
to use it. _

There was concern that the

college troubléshoots mobility

dent, Julie Kirkbright, is really
_gsonfined to a wheelchair and

chair lift from the main floor in-
to the library and resource
center in the basement of the ad-
ministration. building was dif-
ficult to operate and not accessi-
ble unless one had a key,
Mirrors in the washrooms
were too high, fountains were
too high, there were no handles
in many of the washrooms.
Ramps were too steep, especially
if the person was also carrying
books. Exterior pathways were
poorly cleared. Doors were
heavy to open. Getting into the
washroom cubicles was easy.
Getting out was hardf One stu-
dent complained that he
couldn’t see the dessert shelf in
the cafeteria. Someone else had
to ask for help to reach the tea-
pots and the condiments. There
was hot enough room between
tables in the cafeteria to
manoeuver a wheelchair,
without asking others to move.
In addition to the verbal
discussion by participants and
organizers of Awareness Day, a
written evaluation of the day

‘and of the’ facilities was col-
lected. Results should be com-

piled shortly.

Organizer Elizabeth Snyder
says that: the. college has been
very responsive to any sugges-
tions to ease mobility for the dis-
abled. She gives credit to
maintenance supervisor Peter
Crompton. Some of the minor
changes identified during
Awareness Day can be handled

‘through the maintenance depart-

ment on campus, she adds. The
provincial government can pro-
vide funding for larger projects,

ARIES
Mar. 21-Apr. 19

A flew moon phase starts the week. It’s time to
break through inhibitions that act as impediments
to progress.

TAURUS Aspects favor stepping forth in your own right,

Apr.20-May20 as you enjoy a position of wide ranging promi-
nencein worldly affairs,

GEMINI You havea marvelous awareness of just the right

May21-June20 = thingtosay anddo. Keepasteady course,

CANCER Proceed diplomatically in relationship matters.

A heavy obligation rests on your shoulders. Pleas-

June 21-Jaly 22
; ant news bringsaray of sunshine.

LEO Clean up details involving work, income, and

July 23-Aug. 22. status. Take care of obligations and get your
‘recordsin order,

VIRGO A partner will help you turn the screws to make

Aug. 23-Sept.22 some majoradjustments in your lifestyle.

LIBRA Allow others to pay their fair share in expenses at
Sept.23-Oct.22 home, as wellasinsocial affairs.

SCORPIO Experience the pleasure of promoting interests of
Oct, 23-Nov-21 = the younger set. Introduce educational and in-

spirational activities into home and family affairs.
SAGITTARIUS — Have all the facts on hand before entering into

Nov.22-Dec.21 agreements of any kind. Neighborhood gossip
could be right on target.
CAPRICORN Responsibilities are heavy, but accomplishments
Dec. 22-Jan.19 = can be great. Focus your attention on your inner
_,. Selfandlookforguidance.
AQUARIUS A change takes place in dealing with people and
Jan. 20-Feb.18 — situations. Clear away any barriers that standin
your way.
PISCES Identify yourself with a group or organization,

Feb. 19-Mar.20 and be ready to take on some responsibilities in

the furtherance of abetter world,

+ eats; Chegses, European:
-Newvelties, super.
* Bandwiches,.[resh. salads
“We cater for large and
“sfnall parties.and picnics.” -