Today is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark legislation passed on July 26, 1990 that provides protections to people with disabilities that are similar to those provided everyone on the basis of race, gender, national origin, age, and religion by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Thanks to the ADA, individuals with physical disabilities such as deafness, blindness, or paraplegia; diseases like multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or cancer; as well as emotional or mental illness and learning disabilities cannot be discriminated against in any area of public life, including education, employment, transportation, and access to all places that are open to the general public.
Like every public college and university, NECC has a “Statement of Non-Discrimination” that guarantees our students, employees, and members of the public that we will not discriminate against anyone based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected qualities.
Recognizing that simply not discriminating and providing required access is not enough to ensure the success of our students and employees, however, as we celebrate today’s ADA anniversary, NECC is also proud to say that we are taking steps to do more.
Nationwide, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 21% of undergraduates on college campuses report having some kind of disability. While some of those disabilities may be physical and noticeable, the overwhelming majority, such as learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, asthma, fibromyalgia, and many more, are not.
For the past several years, a special Accessible Media Team, led by Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources and Services Susan Martin and Director of the Center for Instructional Technology Melba Acevedo, with help from talented, committed educators like nationally recognized graphic designer and retired Accessible Media Specialist Lance Hidy, has been at the heart of the college’s efforts to ensure that every electronic resource we have, from web sites to videos and online course materials, is available to everyone, regardless of ability.
As a result, we are prepared this year for implementation of the ADA’s “Final Rule for Digital Accessibility,” which requires that all government web sites and mobile applications are completely accessible to people with disabilities.
This team of champions for accessibility includes many other faculty and staff at NECC who are in demand as presenters at regional and national workshops and conferences.
Inspired by their work, Professor Hidy designed a special disability awareness poster that features “Famous People with Disabilities,” and earned a mention in Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education, a book about creating accessible teaching materials written by Thomas Tobin and Kirsten Behling.
Working closely with the state’s Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and their “Accessibility Initiative,” NECC has also been making significant improvements to the grounds, buildings, and classrooms on both our Haverhill and Lawrence campuses in order to make them more accessible to everyone.
So far, this has included features such as improved access to accessible parking spaces, restrooms, and drinking fountains; more navigable sidewalks, building entrances, and doorways; and greater attention to the information provided about accessibility everywhere from signs in buildings to the college’s web pages.
The most significant current project underway now is a more than $20 million renovation of the Haverhill campus’ B and E Buildings, which were built in 1971 and will be the last two buildings on campus to be outfitted with modernizations including a full-size elevator, and ADA-compliant bathrooms, ramps, and handrails.
NECC’s commitment to serving individuals with disabilities extends to our community collaborations, too. A decade ago, we helped Opportunity Works, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting adults with disabilities, relocate their headquarters near our Havrerhill campus.
One of our earliest collaborations with our new neighbor has become one of the most successful and beloved programs on campus: Project SEARCH is an internship program that prepares people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and on the Autism spectrum with secure integrated, competitive employment.
Since launching Project SEARCH a decade ago, over 100 Opportunity Works participants have been interns in more than 30 departments all across the college.
For an entire academic year, from September to May, participants intern for three, 10-week periods with three different departments on campus, including our Health and Wellness Center, the library, café, childcare center, Public Safety office, buildings and grounds, academic division offices, and many more.
In addition to the work experience, they begin and end each day with work readiness classes covering topics like job interviews, resume writing, teamwork, professionalism, self-advocacy and technology in the workplace.
The next time you are on our Haverhill campus and craving a snack, you can stop by the fruits of this labor: The Perfect Blend Café is operated by a team of paid employees, volunteers, and interns from Opportunity Works and Project SEARCH, and helped the college solve the longstanding challenge of providing continuous, affordable, fresh food options for students.
In addition, the café offers meaningful employment training for Project SEARCH participants, many of whom have gone on to secure jobs in the local community. Past interns and café staff are now employed at places such as Market Basket, Kohl’s, Marshalls, Golden Seal Apothecary, Crosby’s Market, and Governor’s Academy.
We are not yet where we want to be with providing full, unhindered access to our facilities, programs, and services for everyone, regardless of ability.
We are a continual work in progress.
And we are committed to doing all we can to ensuring our mission—to provide a welcoming environment focused on teaching and learning—is available to everyone.
Happy Anniversary, ADA—and thank you.
#ThanksToTheADA
#ADA35
