How to Live on Campus With A Disability

Hello All,
Take it from someone who knows all too well, living on campus with a disability isn't always easy, but it is definitely worth it, if you can afford it, and can overcome some mobility issues

For this post, I would like to take blurbs and ideas from an article I wrote for a Magazine Writing class in February of 2008.

***The biggest challenge for any physically impaired college resident is recognizing his or her own abilities and disadvantages when navigating the campus. Whether your disability causes you to be in a wheelchair, on crutches, or lack balance, make sure there are no surprises on move-in day.

***Second, make your presence known. The two greatest rewards of living on campus with a disability are claiming independence and bringing a unique form of diversity to the community. On the first day of class after hitting the snooze button ten times and dragging yourself out of bed, visit the disability services office. Explain who you are and depending on your situations what accommodations you may need for your room or class. If you need a table to sit at instead of a desk or you need a chair in your shower...let them know... they are there to help you.

***Lastly know your social boundaries. There is no doubt that the college life is full of parties. Whether you are into partying or not, any social event can present challenges.

The following is a quote from Central student with Spina Bifida

"It's quite hard to go to house parties because you don't know if you will be able to get up and down the stairs or in and out of the bathroom unless you have been to the house before. It doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't go, it just means its better to know the house layout and the person that owns it” --Danny Friar, 20

Also, I am no way promoting underage drinking, but if you are going to drink, know how it affects your disability and the human body.

Overall, your "living on campus checklist" may be different than the average persons', but the key to living on campus and claiming independence is simply to plan ahead!

Introduction and some disability student statistics

Hello, my name is Susan Kondracki, a fourth year journalism student at Central Connecticut State University. As one of my last requirements for my BA, which I will receive in December, I must create a beat blog for my Web Journalism class.
Having a minor case of cerebral palsy, I felt disability issues for college students was perfect for this project.

Welcome to "Know No Limits"- a blog written by and dedicated to Connecticut State University students with physical disabilities. It may also include learning disability information, but for the most part I would like to have it solely surround physical disabilities.

According to the National Center for Education April 2005 Statistics, nearly 45.8% of undergraduate students and 8.5% graduate students 15-23 of had a disability. Of undergrads 24-29, 15.5% had a disability and 33.9% of grad students had one also. Overall, you are not alone.

Having a disability does not make your college experience any less rewarding. Whether you live on campus or at your home, you can and will succeed regardless of minor or severe impairment and your university is there to help you with learning centers and disability services.

"Know No Limits" is here to help you and will address issues such as:
--Handicap Accessibility
--Disability Laws
--Campus Disability Services
--Physical Disability and the CT DMV
--Dorm Life and Disability
--College Social/Dating Scene and Disability
--And Much More...

I will do most of the posting, but if any of you have information that I cannot access that you believe will be beneficial to others, by all means, you can contribute. I wish to bring CSU students with physical disabilities together.