The University of Winnipeg’s Disability Student Advisory Group is launching a letter-writing campaign to have the Disability Resource Centre permanently relocated. The group has been calling for the DRC to be moved for the past two years.

Jesse Turner, member of the Disability Student Advisory Group, hopes the campaign will force the university to finally take action.

“It is on everyone’s radar that the DRC needs to be moved,” she said. “But from this campaign we are hoping to get a statement from Dr. Axworthy as to when and where the DRC will be moved.”

The group plans to invite students who use the DRC to write to the administration.

“I think a letter-writing campaign is a good way for students to tell their own personal stories about the DRC and how important [it] is to them,” Turner said.

The group also plans to approach organizations outside the university, such as Society for Manitobans with Disabilities and Barrier-Free Manitoba, to gain support for the campaign. A petition will accompany the campaign to bring awareness of the issue to U of W students at large.

The current location of the DRC, on the mezzanine level of Graham Hall, is accessible only by elevator and by a set of stairs. If there is a power shortage or emergency, this poses a problem for those who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairment.

Turner had a frightening experience last year during a power outage.

“We had to co-ordinate ... four people to get me and my wheelchair up the stairs,” she said. “I am not comfortable leaving my safety in someone else’s hands.”

Turner said that in addition to its inaccessibility, the current DRC has limited space and no accessible washrooms within close proximity.

Neil Besner, vice-president students and international, said having the DRC moved is a priority, but due to space constraints at the university he could not say when the move would take place.

“The campus is in the grip of a space crunch,” he said. “But let me assure you [that] people are thinking about it.”

Besner said one space being considered for the relocation is the area currently occupied by the bookstore.

Although the space would be an improvement in terms of accessibility, it would not be large enough to accommodate the entire DRC. As well, the DRC would have to wait until the bookstore moves to its new location, which will likely not be until spring.

Published in Volume 64, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 15, 2009)