A final requirement of the customer service standard is that faculty, staff members and student leaders know what do to if they encounter a person with a disability having difficulties accessing services or goods on campus or if they observe something that may interfere with accessibility.
Again, this is not about everyone becoming experts. Rather, it is about becoming more aware of challenges that persons with disabilities have with accessibility on our campuses and helping address those challenges. Let’s say you notice someone in a wheelchair having difficulties accessing the paper towel dispenser in the washroom because the garbage receptacle is in the way. What would you do?
We hope that you would offer to assist, perhaps by moving the garbage receptacle. You should then bring the issue to the attention of the appropriate unit.
Tips
Here are a few other situations you might encounter on campus where you can easily offer assistance:
While selecting some books from the library stacks, you may assist someone who uses a walker with getting the books they need from the top shelf.
You could call physical plant services when you notice that a power door opener doesn’t work after trying it yourself while carrying several bags and your coffee.
You could read aloud some written materials that were circulated during a meeting of a committee that includes a member who has vision loss.
You should call physical plant services if you notice that the elevator in your department is out of service, expressing concern that that there are some individuals on the upper floors who depend on the elevator to exit the building.
You might suggest to a receptionist who is having difficulties communicating with someone with a speech disability that he offer to use a pen and paper.
You could repeat each question during a question/answer period in class that includes a student who is hard of hearing.
You could offer to escort a student who is in significant distress to the mental health services on your campus.
You might offer to assist a person using a white cane cross a busy intersection after you notice she seems to be having trouble distinguishing the sloped sidewalk from the street.
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