News

Facility, services open

By Heather Nicholson
The Daily Cougar

The new Center for Students with Disabilities opened with an official ribbon-cutting Thursday, offering more service and an improved environment in honor of the "father of the disability movement," UH alumnus Justin Dart Jr.

Trying to advance services and outreach to students with disabilities, center officials have been deeply involved in the project.

"Itis been a real learning experience for me," said Cheryl Amoruso, director of the Center for Students with Disabilities, said. "I wanted to make sure this building was the most accessible building possible." 

Before the project began, Amoruso researched textbooks on architecture for the disabled and received tips and ideas from the National Disabled Veterans Association. The biggest struggle has been accommodating all types of disabilities, said Amoruso.

The building was named in honor of a wheelchair-bound Dart, who began his disability activism on campus after being rejected from the Department of Education. 

"Justin came to the University of Houston to major in education, to receive a teaching certificate," said UH President Arthur K. Smith at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "His goals were denied to him because he was a wheelchair user." 

The Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with Disabilities doesnit deny any student with a disability, but hopes that the beautification of the building, new furniture and modern technology encourages students to use the facility.

The new building includes testing rooms with voice-activated systems, computer labs equipped with large monitors, sound proof booths for students with Attention Deficit Disorder, and counselors are on hand to work with students to "develop an accommodation plan," said Amoruso.

"You have the power, live the dream" is the centeris new motto and a famous quote by its honoree, Justin Dart Jr. 

Although Dart was in a wheelchair, his mission was to promote diversity for all minorities: "People with disabilities, different ethnic backgrounds, women, gays and lesbians, everybody," said Amoruso.

His legacy includes working with former president George Bush in passing the Disability Rights Act, beginning the first organization at UH to promote diversity and former president Bill Clinton gave a eulogy at his funeral.

The center is "in honor of a person recognized throughout the world for his passion and persistence in a fight for the rights of Americais disability and the rights for all people," said Smith.

Currently, 735 students are registered with the disability center.

"We try to spread the word about our services," said Amoruso, "but many students will go unregistered."

The centeris services arenit limited to students with physical ailments, but welcome people with learning disabilities as well.
 

 Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu