Student with Down syndrome Ousted from Southern Oregon University Class

In November, Southern Oregon University’s dean of students upheld the school’s decision to drop a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome from auditing a university-level ceramics class because she was not academically qualified, despite an outpouring of support for the student from the community, disability advocates and her fellow students who pointed out that she simply wanted the experience of attending college like anyone else.

Eliza Schaaf received a certified letter just before Thanksgiving from Dean of Students Laura O'Bryan stating that no accommodations are available to Schaaf that would enable her participation without altering the coursework. The school objected to the presence of a personal assistant to help Eliza and had sent her a letter earlier ending her enrollment with just seven classes remaining in the course. Eliza’s supporters were surprised by the notice, contending that she had initially been accepted by the school and was seemingly doing fine in her class.

 Read the blog post.

Michigan is Institution Free!

Thanks to the tireless work of The Arc of Michigan, its members, partners and countless advocates through the years, Michigan has the distinction of being Institution free for persons with developmental disabilities and has no one living in a public or private ICR/MR. Michigan is the largest state (pop. 10,000,000+) to accomplish either task and one of only two states to accomplish both.

2011 Disability Policy Seminar Early Registration Ends January 11

On the heels of a game changing election, The Arc and its partners in the intellectual and developmental disability community are preparing for the 2011 Disability Policy Seminar February 14-16. The deadline for reserving rooms and taking advantage discounted rates is January. Book your room at reduced seminar rates and sign up for a savings of $80 off now.

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