KSG convenes Accessibility Committee
Lisa Thompson
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: KSG News
The KSG Administration has established an Accessibility Committee in response to student concerns over the school's accessibility to students with disabilities. Senior Associate Dean Joseph McCarthy welcomed both students and staff to the inaugural meeting on March 1 and suggested that the group should become an official school Standing Committee.
McCarthy introduced guest speaker Governor Jeanne Shaheen, Director of the Institute of Politics, who spoke of her excitement in learning of the accessibility-focused group. Shaheen was a strong advocate for disabilities issues during her three terms as Governor of New Hampshire. Shaheen and I first discussed KSG accessibility after a fire in the Belfer building elevator trapped me on an upper floor of the building.
Shannon Ashford (MPP2), KSG Disability Coordinator Erin Ward Bibo and I conceptualized the committee as a mechanism to support Ward Bibo in her ongoing efforts to improve accessibility at KSG.
The first meeting discussed recommendations for accessibility
improvements by both students and staff. Ward Bibo also introduced the KSG Students with Disabilities website. The website is designed to educate new admits about KSG accessibility offerings. It launches in March.
Short- and long-term goals, including institutionalizing accessibility at KSG, will be developed at future meetings.Student participants included Shannon Ashford (MPP2), Frank Aguilo (MPP2), Katie Selenski (MPP2), Pamela Goldstein (MC/MPA), Allison Ohle (MPP1), Cody Keenan (MPP1), Hedieh Rahmanou (MPP2) and Nelly Nieblas (MPP2).
Staff participants included Marie Trottier, University Disability Coordinator, Ward Bibo; Larry Black, Buildings Manager; Scott McDonald, Building Services Coordinator; Judy Kugel, Assistant Dean; and Manuel Stefanakis, MPA Program Director.
Future meetings will be chaired by Timothy Bowman, Associate Dean of Human Resources and Facilities Management. The committee's next meeting is March 15. Please contact Erin Ward Bibo at erin_ward_bibo@ksg.harvard.edu with comments or questions.
McCarthy introduced guest speaker Governor Jeanne Shaheen, Director of the Institute of Politics, who spoke of her excitement in learning of the accessibility-focused group. Shaheen was a strong advocate for disabilities issues during her three terms as Governor of New Hampshire. Shaheen and I first discussed KSG accessibility after a fire in the Belfer building elevator trapped me on an upper floor of the building.
Shannon Ashford (MPP2), KSG Disability Coordinator Erin Ward Bibo and I conceptualized the committee as a mechanism to support Ward Bibo in her ongoing efforts to improve accessibility at KSG.
The first meeting discussed recommendations for accessibility
improvements by both students and staff. Ward Bibo also introduced the KSG Students with Disabilities website. The website is designed to educate new admits about KSG accessibility offerings. It launches in March.
Short- and long-term goals, including institutionalizing accessibility at KSG, will be developed at future meetings.Student participants included Shannon Ashford (MPP2), Frank Aguilo (MPP2), Katie Selenski (MPP2), Pamela Goldstein (MC/MPA), Allison Ohle (MPP1), Cody Keenan (MPP1), Hedieh Rahmanou (MPP2) and Nelly Nieblas (MPP2).
Staff participants included Marie Trottier, University Disability Coordinator, Ward Bibo; Larry Black, Buildings Manager; Scott McDonald, Building Services Coordinator; Judy Kugel, Assistant Dean; and Manuel Stefanakis, MPA Program Director.
Future meetings will be chaired by Timothy Bowman, Associate Dean of Human Resources and Facilities Management. The committee's next meeting is March 15. Please contact Erin Ward Bibo at erin_ward_bibo@ksg.harvard.edu with comments or questions.
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