Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

7 '4 Campus group promt Bv Beth Harrrison Several projects to help people become more aware of the needs of the handicapped will be sponsored this year by Students For Accessibility. The USC-chartered organization is open to handicapped and non-handicapped students. "We don't discriminate," president Richard Porter said. Some think SFA is only for people confined to wheelchairs, but the group's membership includes those with visual and hearing impairments and even hidden handicaps, Porter said. One of the group's past presidents was a hemophiliac, he said. TWO OF the group's tenative plans for the academic year are a wine and cheese reception in December and a Handicap Awareness Day in the spring, Porter said. In 1981, when SFA was first formed, legislators, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation officials, USC faculty members and university President James Holderman attended an SFA reception held at the Top of Carolina restaurant. This reception was covered by WIS-TV 10 news and helped "create a positive image about the disabled," according to SFA vice president Vivian Yacu. Two handicapped students, Roddy Williams and Melissa ; i , , , ? , I . t ,;?!?!' : ' . . ; 1 1 ?' i I I ?':: Dtes positive attitud Gillispie, were each awarded grants of $250. The money fo the grants was raised by selling raffle tickets for Columbi Mets season tickets during Handicap Awareness Day, Porte said. A similar grant may be awarded this year, he said. HANDICAP AWARENESS Day was a big success this pa! spring, Porter said. Wheelchair races highlighted the event Circle K, a service ganization, helped put on the eveni Porter said. The purpose of the wheelchair races was to help people t understand the problems that people in wheelchairs g through every day, Porter said. The races paired handicapped people with non-handicappe people, handicapped people with each other and nor handicapped people with each other. "People enjoyed it, Porter said. "They felt that they got something out of it." SFA has 15 members, about half of whom are i wheelchairs. "I think we've seen a positive attitude in th members," Porter said. "IT (POSITIVE attitude) hasn't always increased as steac ly as we've hoped, but it's growing. As we incorporate nc e toward disabled people into the group, it's not hard for them to adjust," he i said. Porter said he became aware of the needs of handicapped people during his freshman and sophomore years when he lived on campus with some disabled students. t "After seeing their needs and problems, I knew there needed to be an awareness," he said. "They're people too. Not to say that people don't think thev are. but there do seem to be some natural difficulties ) when people first encounter handicapped people," Porter > said. 1 "IT (SFA) helps people relate easier to the handicapped," said SFA member Bart Brock. ? "We encourage students to come see what we're like," Porter said. "We are available, along with Disabled Student i Services, to the handicapped students if they feel like they s need help," The group holds meetings Monday nights at 6:30 on the third floor of Russell House. Room numbers for meetings will be posted on the bulletin near the main entrance on the second n _ _ r t-fc it r * [_ noor 01 Kusseit nouse. h For more information, call 777-5339 or 777-1306. iiirrrwrinffTaiwHWBTnaB nimi i iiiiini mr iw -r ? g CAROLINA'S SHOWPLACE ROCK CLUB 3 1 CONCEFiT HALL II !1THE WOODSTOCK LEGEND . . .11 ALvm 1 Ill FOUNDER OF ENGLAND'S i II TEN YEARS AFTER fl j| SPECIAL MIDNIGHT SHOW || |? ALSO APPEARING . . . "HYJ1NX" <X| |? ADM. ... $6 ... ($5 with ZZ TOP TICKET STUB) SI Iff SATURDAY Mil WM BOURBON $ 1.50 g?S |||l |f$ TUE.-WED SCJBWflY Ijjj8 $$ THURS.-SAT CONTROL QROUP |$g 903 HUGER ! ^jjETWEENj*LOSSOJ/^^ wnnriwnMwmm?wmmmumnmnmnmtmmtm imiwhimmiii?biiii ?\ II I gtfgjggglg . I I PRESENTS \ THE PEDESTRIANS With Special Guest The Accelerators f Midnite Friday Sept. 16 \ I 1 \ Iff Russell House Ballroom 1 | The All Niter 1 | Admission 1 *1.00 with student I D. *2.00 Public | wumwJ i simi I I 8 I