MEET YOUR SITE LEADERS!
|
Samira Dani
4th year Biology major How did I get involved with IMPACT? After hearing my friends rave about how incredible their IMPACT trips were during my freshman year, I knew I needed to go on a trip. I went on my first trip during spring break of my sophomore year, and it is by far one of the best things I did during my time at UGA. I fell in love with IMPACT, and after my second trip during the spring break of my junior year, I knew I wanted to be a site leader. I love the idea that IMPACT can make a group of strangers a family in only a few days through helping a community. This is my first time leading a trip, and I could not be more excited to become a family with my participants, learn and grow together, and serve others. Why Disability/Ability Access and Awareness? I really wanted to learn more about the disability/ability community and the issues it faces regarding resource accessibility and awareness. The community is often stigmatized and issues overlooked, and I think it’s important that we all recognize those issues and do what we can to reduce some of the disparities they face. Fun fact In 8th grade I sang the National Anthem at the Braves game! |
|
|
Hannah Echols
706.993.6707 hee36789@uga.edu How I Got involved with IMPACT: I got involved with IMPACT my freshman year at UGA. I heard about it through the grapevine and thought it would be a great way to meet new people and get a cheap trip to the beach! Little did i know that my experience in Fort Myers, Florida, would begin to cultivate an understanding of identity, passion for service learning, and heart for leadership in me. The next year I went to Asheboro, North Carolina and focused on affordable housing. I learned so much about the power of sustainable community relationships and love through that trip, and it spurred the desire within me to become a site leader. Last year I led the trip on Immigration Awareness and Farmworker Justice to Immokalee, Florida, with my co Allison and it was INCREDIBLE. I have stayed with impact all four years because it truly brings together people despite any differences they may have for a common good. Why I am interested in my trip focus: I wanted to pursue Disability/ability awareness as my focus this year because I realized it was a total blind spot in my exposure to different identities even though many people in my life deal with intersections of this focus on a daily basis. Whether it be mental health or knee trouble, i am frustrated that different pressures cause people i love to feel burdened and ‘less than’ because of their state of being rather than empowered and motivated for who they are. And i know it goes much deeper than that. i want to know how people to learn from people and empower them to embrace the fullness of who they are and walk into their purpose . I also want to open up dialogues that i often shy away from out of fear of being politically correct. I want to learn more in order to get real surrounding discussions of disability/ability. Fun Fact about me: I can lick my elbow! Also, I enjoy freestyle rapping when I feel comfortable around you. But it is kind of just like glorified rhyming. |
Learn about our trip focus!
Terms:
Accessible: In the case of a facility, readily usable by a particular individual; in the case of a program or activity, presented or provided in such a way that a particular individual can participate, with or without auxiliary aid(s); in the case of electronic resources, accessible with or without assistive computer technology
Access barriers: Any obstruction that prevents people with disabilities from using standard facilities, equipment and resources.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): A comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, and telecommunications.
Assistance Device: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Barriers (Architectural): Some common building standards under both the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines (ADAAG) that eliminate common physical and architectural barriers. Examples of some architectural barriers may include:
Deaf/deaf: Uppercase “Deaf” refers to a group of people who share a language (American Sign Language) and a culture. Lowercase “deaf” is used to refer to the audiological condition of not hearing.
Disability: Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
Major life activities: Functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, working, and participating in community activities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
Physical or mental impairment: Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
Facts:
United States and the world-
Accessible: In the case of a facility, readily usable by a particular individual; in the case of a program or activity, presented or provided in such a way that a particular individual can participate, with or without auxiliary aid(s); in the case of electronic resources, accessible with or without assistive computer technology
Access barriers: Any obstruction that prevents people with disabilities from using standard facilities, equipment and resources.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): A comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, and telecommunications.
Assistance Device: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Barriers (Architectural): Some common building standards under both the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines (ADAAG) that eliminate common physical and architectural barriers. Examples of some architectural barriers may include:
- Walkways – 4 feet minimum width
- Doorways – 32 inches minimum clear opening
- Telephones – highest operable part not more than 48 inches from floor
- Bathroom Stalls – not less than 60 inches clear floor space to accommodate a wheelchair turning radius
- Slopes and inclines – for every one-inch drop between level surfaces, a one foot ramped incline
Deaf/deaf: Uppercase “Deaf” refers to a group of people who share a language (American Sign Language) and a culture. Lowercase “deaf” is used to refer to the audiological condition of not hearing.
Disability: Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
Major life activities: Functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, working, and participating in community activities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
Physical or mental impairment: Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
Facts:
United States and the world-
- According to the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau, 12.6% (nearly 40 million) of the American civilian (non-institutionalized) population is living with a disability
- 10% of the world’s population, or around 650 million people, live with a disability
- 29% of people with disability aged 18-64 are living in poverty
- The Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities was founded in 1957
- Destination Dawgs is a non-degree certificate program that supports students with intellectual disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood an opportunity to prepare for a career and independent living over the course of 5 spring/fall semesters. Students will audit UGA courses, gain valuable job skills, and build a social network based on individualized plans supported by peer mentors. It was started in January 2017
- The Georgia Disability Rights movement started in the 1960s
- In 1964 the Governor's Commission for Efficiency and Improvement in Government issued a report to the governor and the Georgia General Assembly entitled "Treatment Programs for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Retarded in Georgia," with the aim of documenting and offering solutions to the widespread problems in the state's institutions.
- in 1967 UGA created the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), which works "with individuals with disabilities, their family members, federal and state agencies, service providers, and others" to create opportunities for people with disabilities.
- The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (DD Council) was created in 1970 to "promote public policy that creates an integrated community life for persons with developmental disabilities."
- From 1999 to 2016, the DD Council sponsored the annual Disability Day at the Georgia state capitol, which featured a community rally to "promote access, opportunity and meaningful community living for all Georgians."
- ADAPT, formed in 1983 as American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit in Denver, Colorado, established an Atlanta chapter in 1986. It advocates for accessible public transportation and other disability rights issues. Atlanta’s MARTA was the first public transit system in Georgia to install lifts on buses to assist riders.
- Shortly after the 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, the city also hosted the 1996 Paralympic Games, in which 3,259 athletes from 104 countries participated. The 1996 Paralympic Games were distinguished from previous Paralympic Games for several reasons: the event was the first to attract worldwide corporate sponsorship; it focused on disability rights in politics and economics as well as in sports; and it was the first to give competitors with intellectual disabilities full medal status.
Educational Articles and Videos!
General Education on Disability/Ability Awareness
The Universal Symbol for Disability Needs a Redesign
https://www.fastcompany.com/90216071/does-the-universal-symbol-for-disability-need-a-redesign
Can’t Get There from Here
http://bittersoutherner.com/cant-get-there-from-here-sidewalk-disrepair-disability/
Why Is Our Existence as Humans Still Being Denied?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/opinion/why-is-our-existence-as-humans-still-being-denied.html
Losing Touch, Finding Intimacy (If you want to cry)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/19/opinion/disability-multiple-sclerosis-losing-touch.html
Intersectionality:
Because intersectionality depends on the interconnectedness of multiple oppressions and social justice issues, many of these articles could fall under different trip foci as well. We just placed them in the category we found to be most predominant!
Environmental Justice-
Why People with Disabilities want Bans on Plastic Straws to be More Flexible
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/07/11/627773979/why-people-with-disabilities-want-bans-on-plastic-straws-to-be-more-flexible
Educational Awareness-
Disability Awareness: The Fight for Accessibility
https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v532/n7597/full/nj7597-137a.html
Educational Videos
I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9Gg164Bsw
Cecilia's Life with Schizophrenia (Living with Hallucinations)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7csXfSRXmZ0
