Creating the D Center at the University of Washington, Seattle

Ann Luetzow

AHEAD Conference

Baltimore, Maryland

July 11, 2013

Presentation Overview

background 2011-2013 overview support & awareness funding naming mission statement photos future questions

D Center Background

long history of disability activism Sue Kroeger external review Autumn 2010 series of memos between students and

administrators, Spring 2011 DRS renovation announced Spring 2011

DRS = Disability Resources for Students students claim student space adjacent to

DRS remodel the space was intended for use by students to

create a cultural center

2011-2012 overview

Autumn 2011 DRS renovation committee, architect selection “what will happen in this space?”

My role as Director of the Student Disability Commission

Winter 2012 acquisition of support & awareness of initiative Services & Activities Fee (SAF) funding application

Spring 2012 regular student work group meetings The entire SAF budget was approved (very rare)!

2012-2013 overview

Summer 2012 Designing of positions and preliminary planning Hiring of Financial and Operations Coordinator

Autumn 2012 Hiring of Outreach & Programming Coordinator and Media &

Publications Coordinator Winter 2012

Planning Spring 2012

Grand Opening Party! April 5, 2013 Re-awarding of SAF Funding for 2013-2014!

support & awareness

conversations with administrators for support from VP offices

collection of 26 letters of support for SAF funding proposal presentations at student group meetings, student

government, boards & councils, meetings with administrators, unit directors, students, etc.

continued conversations with university and greater community

facebook, blog, student work group

funding

Student Life funding for DRS renovation & D Center creation

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity $7,500/year for 3 years, programming money

SAF 2012-2013 total budget of $37,673 approved, includes:

3 .375 FTE student employees (1.125 FTE total) supplies/materials & equipment ASL interpreter/CART captioning fund

SAF 2013-2014 highly comparable budget to 2012-2013 approved

naming

tensions between the Disability and Deaf communities on campus

first vote: Disability Cultural Center Deaf community’s participation contingent on

“Disability” not appearing in name of Center final name: The D Center

attempt to be as inclusive as possible, can represent “Disability” “Deaf” “Diversity,” etc.

also reflects our goal of “de-centering” norms to center diverse experiences & perspectives

mission statement

“The D Center strives to create an inclusive, accessible space affirming of all bodies, minds and identities by fostering a culture of social justice and pride.”

mission statement continued

The D Center strives to better our Communities by: Fostering a community of d/Disability and d/Deaf pride. Centering & promoting social justice through creating an

inclusive anti-oppressive environment. Sharing resources and tools for self-advocacy and

empowerment. Developing and supporting social, cultural & educational

programming. Collaborating to build stronger communities and coalitional ties. Engaging students, faculty, staff and community members with

the principles of Universal Design. Promoting a socio-cultural understanding of disability to

transform our society.

D Center Coordinators 2013

Lee Steadman - Financial and Operations Coordinator

Hannah Langlie - Outreach & Programming Coordinator

Christine Liao - Media & Publications Coordinator

D Center on facebook

D Center website

questions

Do you have any questions?

any/all documents relevant to D Center available upon request, including a detailed history with supplemental emails, letters, proposals, agendas, meeting notes, etc.

contact Ann at ann.luetzow@gmail.com or 262.994.5663