Creating the D Center at the University of Washington, Seattle Ann Luetzow AHEAD Conference Baltimore, Maryland July 11, 2013

Presentation Overview background 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

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)!

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 !

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 total budget of $37,673 approved, includes: FTE student employees (1.125 FTE total) supplies/materials & equipment ASL interpreter/CART captioning fund SAF highly comparable budget to 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 s, letters, proposals, agendas, meeting notes, etc. contact Ann at or