What’s In a Name: Implications of Position Titles in Disability Resources AHEAD 2015 Grace Moskola Kimberly Tanner Accessibility Consultant Director Student Accessibility Services Access Office University of Central Florida Valdosta State University

Agenda Introductions Overview of Medical and Social Model of Disability Reframing Why reframe? How to reframe? Historic perspective from UCF and VSU Job titles & Office names Changes and the resulting impact Refocus resource Discussion/ Q&A

“Two Models of Disability” Gill, C. (1994). Two models of disability “Two Models of Disability” Gill, C. (1994). Two models of disability. Chicago Institute of Disability. University of Chicago. Medical Model Socio-political Model Disability is a deficiency or abnormality Being disabled is negative Disability resides in the individual The remedy for disability-related problems is cure or normalization of the individual The agent of remedy is the professional who affects the arrangements between the individual and society Disability is a difference Being disabled, in itself, is neutral Disability derives from interaction between individual and society The remedy for disability-related problems is a change in the interactions between the individual and society The agent of remedy can be the individual, and advocate, or anyone who affects the arrangements between individual and society

How do we reframe? “A frame, or frame of reference, is a complex schema of unquestioned beliefs, values and so on that we use when inferring meaning. If any part of that frame is changed (hence ‘reframing’), then the meaning that is inferred may change.” To reframe: Consider the message you are sending? Does the message reflect your intentions? What “reality is being created” when using a particular frame? Reconsider your message using a different “lens.” Be intentional with your words and actions. Reframing allows us to recreate our reality. http://changingminds.org/techniques/general/reframing.htm

Reframing Our Language: How does the tone/focus change to match the true nature of our jobs? Focus on Disability Focus on Accessibility Disability Specialist Disability Resource Center Disability Awareness Accessibility Consultant Accessibility Services Accessibility Awareness

Hidden Meanings in Job Titles Rule Maker Legal Manager Director Coordinator Specialist Assistant Counselor Advisor Consultant Helper Cheerleader Controller Medical Enforcer

Who are you? Specialist Consultant Definition: a person who devotes himself or herself to one subject or to one particular branch of a subject or pursuit. Title: “Disability Specialist” Meaning: A person who devotes him/herself to knowledge about various disabilities Definition: a person who gives professional or expert advice Title: “Accessibility Consultant” Meaning: A person who gives professional advice regarding creating an accessible environment

A Tale of Two Offices… University of Central Florida Office name Past & Present Position title(s) Valdosta State University

Reactions from Campus: Office Name Student Accessibility Services/Access Office “Promotes inclusion and not labeling of a group of people” “Access encompasses all groups of people” “Using the word Accessibility instead of Disability removes the negative stigmas.”

Reactions from Campus: Position Title Accessibility Consultant/Strategist “Emphasizes collaboration between student and staff, gains student trust and buy-in.” “More positive and less intimidating than the word “Coordinator.” “The job title reflects what we do to help students accomplish their goals” The title of “Disability Specialist” would indicate that “everyone on campus and elsewhere will be looking to me for all the right answers related to disability…specialist means important and most knowledgeable in their field-like physicians specializing in neurology, cardiology, etc.” “I felt very intimidated by the word ‘specialist’…” “That is a cool title” and it is “the best description of what [is done].”

Resources to Help with Reframing Refocus: Viewing the work of disability services differently Grace’s email address: Grace@ucf.edu Kimberly’s email address: katanner@valdosta.edu