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

2. Presentation Overview background 2011-2013 overview support & awareness funding naming mission statement photos future questions

3. 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

4. 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)!

5. 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!

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.”

10. 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.

11. D Center Coordinators 2013 Lee Steadman - Financial and Operations Coordinator Hannah Langlie - Outreach & Programming Coordinator Christine Liao - Media & Publications Coordinator

12. D Center on facebook

13. D Center website

14. 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 262.994.5663ann.luetzow@gmail.com