Say “yes” to Access
gerald deo photo/the ubyssey
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
I’m the chair of the “Yes” committee for the referendum question on funding for Access UBC.
When I was a student at UVic, I participated in a vibrant and effective advocacy group: Access UVic. At UBC I was surprised to find that an on-campus organization of students with disabilities doesn’t exist.
The Disability Advocacy Centre at UVic is one of the few success stories within the history of post-secondary disabled students in Canada. Students with disabilities often attempt to organize and are met with resistance.
A student-funded group could lead the way to greater accessibility and understanding. Too often students with disabilities face barriers at university or fail to make the transition to employment despite their educational attainments. UBC is the principal university in this province and there should be a dynamic advocacy organization here. This is why I am excited to create a chapter of Access at UBC.
Fundraising is the critical first step. This would offer students with disabilities a space to meet, share experiences and organize. It would cover the cost of support staff and undertake the long-term initiatives that are needed to increase understanding, acceptance and success for students with disabilities. Community building, education and political action are all needed.
If the referendum passes, funding would not begin until September. During the interim, the legal and administrative structure would need to be put in place. The AMS and Access would obviously need to include measures to ensure accountability.
The AMS VP who received our petition was careful to ascertain whether there is an existing non-profit society before accepting our question for this referendum. I assume the AMS would need to verify our bona fides, and that a professionally drafted legal agreement would need to be created before any funding would begin.
Obviously, any money contributed by students at UBC must stay at UBC.
The names of universities cannot be registered as independent non-profit societies. Access UBC would refer to a new chapter of the registered non-profit society Access Association of Disabled Students, with Access UVic as the founding chapter.
It is up to students to decide, but I hope that Access UBC will be embraced.
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Mike Kenyon Jan 28
I’m sorry, but you’ve approached this entirely the wrong way. We have no idea who you are, what your goal is, or what you intend to do with our $100,000. Furthermore, it sounds like you don’t know these answers either. On the penultimate day of the election, your ‘organization’ finally decided it should have some sort of public appearance. Quite frankly, I am deeply disturbed with Access UBC’s expressed lack of responsibility. As noble as the cause of increased access may be, there has been absolutely no due process. As such, I am voting NO to Question 7.
Regards,
–Mike Kenyon
Reply
tanja Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Where is the irresponsibility? Why are you saying you don’t know who she is? The author has identified herself by name, and there is even a picture. To have the referendum at all she must have a committee for the YES side, so there are at least five UBC students who have provided their names and student numbers to the AMS, and stand behind this referendum.
She has also indicated that the money is for a disability advocacy centre at UBC, similar to one she knows well, and which she identifies by name. She indicates that costs will include staff and, presumeably a location on campus with accompanying operating costs. She also lists the main areas of focus, for the centre, all of which have costs associated with them.
What exactly do you mean by due process? This is a term (used more frequently in the U.S.)for administrative fairness. It is a principle applied in environments such as hearings or enquiries, or judicial court proceedings, not during election campaigns!
In a campaign, during an election, I don’t think it is reasonable to expect policy and planning details, or budgets.
Nobody does that! “Yes we can.” or “Lead the way” is the usual thing.
It seems quite sensible to me, for the Yes Committee on a referendum side, to engages with voters in the usual way. That is, with catchy slogans and upbeat generalities, like “support disabled students” or whatever. Good luck to Erica Weiss and her campaign.
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J Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I’m sorry, did you just say that due process (or due diligence, if you will) is not necessary when asking for a legally binding decision on the allocation of $150,000?
That is so stupid I don’t know what say.
If it were the establishment of a group, sure, let it be vague and have them figure it out later, but asking for money with no group to take it, no group to oversee it, and no real mandate? Thats ridiculous.
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Goldman Jan 28
You can’t just decide after the fact what the question on the referendum ‘means’. That’s unfair – students need to know what they’re voting on. There is nothing on the question or the petition that makes it clear who or what this is going to, and because the AMS would not have control of the fee, very little control over ensuring that the AMS would have control of its mandate. There is nothing in the question that says that this has to go to the “Access Association of Disabled Students”. According to the question, money has to go to Access UBC, or nowhere at all.
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Helen Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I signed the petiiton to put this question on the ballot and I talked to a very open and informative woman, who was obviously blind. She answered all my questions, was articulate and professional in her communication. I felt confidant to sign. The petition referred to Access UBC Association of Disabled Students. I have worked for several non-profit societies and it is completely normal to add a geographical marker to the name of an organization. I’ve been involved in the start up of a local chapter for a provincial non profit.This group has presented itself in a perfectly acceptable way on campus. I’m voting Yes and invite others to do the same.
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Equity! Jan 29
1. Submit request for $100,000
2. Disappear for 2 weeks and turn down requests for information
3. ???
4. Profit!
Thanks for the fluff article. It just illustrates how there has been absolutely no planning whatsoever for this organization (asides from how to get your hands on $100,000)
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J. Average Jan 29
This is a very irresponsible way to seek funding. Especially when both the Disability Resources Centre and the Access and Diversity Office have heard nothing about this organization. Wouldn’t it be sensible to first have discussions and to begin implementing the necessary administrative structures BEFORE seeking all UBC students to give to this, what I believe to be an important cause? This is just a case of individual irresponsibility tarnishing an otherwise perfectly reasonable and legit cause that could have garnered a lot of support.
I’m voting NO.
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