[vicsireland] Re: UCD access services medal
- From: "gerard shanahan " <gershan@xxxxxx>
- To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2018 21:19:35 +0100
Hi Gerry,
Congratulations, each individual's contribution crteates a better
environment and opportunity for others coming down the line.
-----Original Message-----
From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Flor Lynch
Sent: 01 June 2018 23:29
To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: UCD access services medal
Well done, Gerry.
I probably benefitted in part from your experience at UCD, because (helped
by Professor Kelly initially, I think) Roslyn Park then started up a
'pre-university course' for any dreamers with disabilities such as I who
wished to attend uni at some stage in their lives - a 'second chance' to get
points, if you will - and - at least for a while - do what they really
wanted to 'do'. I went to UCC (after the year I spent at Roslyn Park, then
in the ownership of what was then Rehab, back in 1991.) Hard work? Yes.
Enjoyable? For me, yess.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerry Ellis
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:45 PM
To: irelandvipnews@xxxxxxxx
Cc: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vicsireland] UCD access services medal
Hi,
This is something of which I am extremely proud, so pardon me if I rant on a
little.
I started to study for a Degree in Economics as a night student in UCD in
around September 1986, having lost the remainder of my very poor sight
during that Summer. Finding no services for students with disabilities and
at best an attitude of "sit in if you like, but you're on your own" attitude
from most lecturers, I approached the president of the college to demand
services for UCD students with disabilities. He deferred me to the Registrar
(i.e. the vice President), Professor John Kelly. Right away, John and Carmel
Beven from his office, took on the issue. We formed a committee of staff
from various departments e.g. buildings, technology, etc to take a root and
branch review of accessibility throughout the college. I am a little vague
about this, but I think I was the only student on that committee at that
time.
Elaine Howley started in UCD in 1987 and was pivotal in the formation of a
committee of students with disabilities. She and the committee not only got
involved in the accessibility activities that were already in progress, but
enlarged the scope and depth of actions. Slowly but surely, barriers were
identified, solutions were implemented and accessibility was on the map in
UCD.
John had tremendous contacts right throughout the Irish educational system.
He got other colleges in volved and soon our committee included very senior
academics from Trinity, then Cork, then Galway, then elsewhere. Out of this
came the birth of the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability
(AHEAD) in 1988. Both Elaine and I were deeply involved with its birth.
AHEAD is now a tremendous force forpositive change and there are student
supports in every third level institution in Ireland.
www.ahead.ie
I completed my Degree in 1989. At the time I was told by the college that I
was the first fully blind person to be awarded a Degree in UCD but I have no
evidence to say that this is absolutely true. I remained on the board of
AHEAD for many years and I am proud to still consider John a friend.
This year, UCD is marking 30 years of support services for students with
disabilities and AHEAD is celebrating 30 years since it was formed.
Professor John kelly, Carmel Bevan (in her absence as she is very ill),
Elaine Howley and I were awarded medals today at the UCD Access Symposium in
Belfield to recognise our pioneering actions all those years ago.
Take care,
Gerry Ellis
If you don't know where you're going,
How will you know when you get there?
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