Name Change Updates

Why the change to the Disability Resource Center?

There are a few reasons that ACCESS Center is changing names: 

1. The reimagining of the Division of Access, Belonging, and Compliance has changed the scope of the word access, including programs that promote access to UWL. 
2. Disability Resource Center clarifies our role on campus. Our office has received requests for a variety of access-related needs such as account passwords, ID card replacements, and key replacements. The DRC reaffirms our commitment to create and promote access for students with disabilities.
3. In order to make UWL more accessible we want to be sure that we as a campus acknowledge that disability is not a bad word. Disability is an important part of the fabric of our society and all people with disabilities deserve to have the access they need to fully participate at UWL. For more information We recommend you check out the following resources: 
   1. Watch disability pioneer Stella Young's Ted Talk about the myths surrounding disability.
   2. Read Disability is Not a Bad Word: Why 'Unique Abilities' Isn't as Nice as it Sounds a blog post by Disability Rights: Florida.
   3. Read Disability is not a dirty word; ‘handi-capable’ should be retired, an article highlighting rehabilitation psychology research about language and disability. 

We recognize that students, staff, and instructors have different reactions to change, especially related to disability support. We hope that this guide can offer insights on how to support a colleague or student who may have some concerns with the name change from ACCESS Center to Disability Resource Center. 

Here are some helpful steps if someone expresses concern: 

1. Offer to listen to their concerns about this change. 
2. Let them know that their feelings about this change are valid.
3. Acknowledge your own feelings or thoughts about the name change. 
4. Recognize that change is difficult and it is normal to feel upset and uncomfortable.  
5. Ask if it would be okay to provide some context to the change.

If it is okay to provide context, you could use some of the following prompts... 

• Share that UWL does not believe that disability is a bad or offensive word by openly using the word we are confronting and acknowledging the stigma surrounding it. 
• Explain that disability is a spectrum that includes a wide variety of physical, emotional, mental, intellectual, developmental, and learn conditions. 
  • Disability is a spectrum and UWL recognizes that everyone with a disability may have specific access needs. 
• Offer resources about Disability Rights History and current understanding of disability language and identity development. 
• Share this webpage so that they can learn more about the current state of disability services in higher education
• Remind them that ACCESS/DRC Staff are always willing to discuss this change and provide support.

If someone needs more time...

• Offer to follow-up at a later time and send them a follow-up in a couple days and share this webpage.
• Remind them that ACCESS/DRC Staff are always willing to discuss this change and provide support.

Please see the resources we have collected below. We recognize that these resources are only a beginning of what can be learned about the rich history and culture of the disability community. 

Disability and Language

Below are some resources about disability and language that have helped guide our change.

• Watch disability rights pioneer Stella Young's Ted Talk about the myths surrounding disability.
• Read Disability is Not a Bad Word: Why 'Unique Abilities' Isn't as Nice as it Sounds a blog post by Disability Rights: Florida.
• Read Disability is not a dirty word; ‘handi-capable’ should be retired, an article highlighting rehabilitation psychology research about language and disability. 
• Read the Association on Higher Education and Disability's Statement on Language.

Disability Rights History

Learn more about the disability rights movement below.

• Watch the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
• Read the National Park Service's Disability History: The Disability Rights Movement

Disability Identity

Like many other social identities, disability identity is an important developmental and social process for individuals with disabilities. 

Forber-Pratt and Zape's Disability Identity Development Model identifies four developmental statuses see table below:

Table: Forber-Pratt and Zape's Model of Social & Psychosocial Disability Identity Development