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Disability may keep ECU student from staying in dorm room: Disability may keep student from staying in dorm room [The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City](Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 9--Berty cannot comment on Jackson's situation because of privacy laws. She said in higher education it is the student's responsibility to alert school officials if accommodations are needed. The university can do some things within reason, but others are the student's responsibility. "It's not the student's disability that is discussed," she said. "It's the accommodation. We try to exhaust every option to make them." Jackson said he filled out his application to live in the dorms and indicated he is in a wheelchair and needs a room large enough for a hospital bed. He didn't state he needed an overnight aide. He also included medical information from his doctor. He said he has worked with the university's financial aid office to find grants and loans he might be eligible for, but even with assistance, he would be left with thousands of dollars in bills. "If it's a question of hiring an aide to be with me eight hours a night, I can't afford it," he said. Berty said the school cannot pay for an overnight aide. A letter sent to Jackson in October signed by Berty states he could remain on campus without an assistant until the end of the semester, but he would be, "assuming any risks, including death, by residing in the residence hall." "It's a behavioral conduct issue -- that's the hallmark we work from," Berty said. She said because he can't evacuate his dorm on his own at night, he is violating school codes and residence hall rules. Without the aide, Jackson said he will likely have to live in an adult home or with family outside of Ada. This would put even more strain on his fixed income and would give him less time for school work. "I just wanted to focus on my education," he said. "I didn't want to have to worry about anything else and I wanted to have the same opportunities as other students." To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |