DSS director begins year

By Molly Chiu     10/7/10 7:00pm

Alan Russell took the helm of Disability Support Services at the beginning of the academic year. As director, he said he wants to remove physical and academic barriers for disabled students at Rice."Disability is a social issue, not a medical issue," Russell said. "Lack of access to [education, jobs and the physical environment] is what disables a person."

By alleviating problems due to impairments, Russell seeks to create an inclusive work and study environment.

Disability Support Services, located on the first floor of the Allen Center, provides students, staff and faculty with physical and academic assistance. According to Russell, its goal is to establish an environment where impairments are not a barrier to schoolwork or living arrangements. Support may include negotiating additional time to complete tests or coordinating workspace adjustments like handicap-accessible desks.

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Russell hopes to help bring Rice into the modern age as far as disability services are concerned.

"University campuses were built at a time when people with disabilities were not considered," Russell said.

Rice has already started the effort by making most doors handicap-accessible. Next Russell plans to make sidewalk surfaces smoother and paths more accessible for disabled students.

Russell said he feels equipped for his job because he can empathize with disabled students. He has first-hand experience dealing with life-long mobility impairment and permanent use of crutches or a wheelchair. He said he understands the trials a disabled student must go through to be successful and uses this knowledge to make the campus a more accessible place.

Past job experience also helps Russell in his new position. Before coming to Rice three months ago, he served as the assistant director of the disability program at the University of Houston for three years. In addition, he worked as an access auditor in London, suggesting ways to make businesses more handicap-accessible.

Students are joining Russell to advise on disability issues. Disability Advocacy Resource Education, or DARE, Society is a committee of students, advised by Russell, which consults on ways to improve disability support.

DARE formed last spring as an effort by disabled students to gather to communicate their challenges and to share solutions for making Rice a more inclusive environment. The organization wants to include disability in Rice's discussions about diversity, DARE President Emily Pyle said. DARE is also currently in the process of creating a peer mentorship program for disabled students. Pyle said she is excited to help other students with disabilities because she can relate.

"I could not be at Rice today without these individuals' guidance, comfort, empowerment, advocacy and support," Pyle, a McMurtry College junior, said. "I hope that as a leader in DARE, I am able to help make direct, impactful changes at Rice in attitudes, policy and practice."

Pyle said she commends Russell on his job thus far.

"He has had an active presence and provided much encouragement and guidance for DARE leaders," Pyle said.

Russell said he is happy to get student input.

"I recognize that I cannot be an expert on every issue," Russell said. "I want to include students because I learn from them as well."

Russell is also getting to know students as a staff associate at Baker College. He said he is excited about becoming a member of the Rice community.

"It's a positive and supportive environment to work in," Russell said. "Everyone is very approachable."

Russell urges disabled students to approach him about their support issues. He stressed that all help is confidential and accommodations can be made with the proper medical documentation.

"I want to help students achieve their full potential," Russell said. "No one should admit defeat.

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