Carleton University

I am a fourth-year student at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, presently completing a degree in Commerce. And I credit the Carleton Residence Attendant Services Program (CRASP) for making it all possible.

Having cerebral palsy, one of my primary concerns when selecting a university was the extent of its services for students with disabilities. The main reason I chose to attend Carleton University was the Attendant Services Program, which is operated by Counselling and Student Life Services. Carleton is one of only three post-secondary institutions in Canada to offer such a program, which provides 24-hour service to students with disabilities living in residence.

The campus itself is very accessible. One of the most unique features of the university is the set of underground tunnels that connect every building on campus. The tunnels provide simple and direct routes without the concern of stairs, curbs or inaccessible entrances. The tunnels are especially useful in the winter; one is able to travel anywhere on campus without having to venture outside into the cold and snow.

Above ground, also, I have very few problems getting around. I can go just about anywhere in my wheelchair without difficulty. Although it is not perfect, Carleton is committed to making the campus barrier-free. Each year, the dedicated Access Fund Committee disburses $100,000 to renovate areas of the campus that have been targeted by the committee membership: installing electric door openers, ensuring that curb cuts exist throughout the campus, and establishing highly visible signage for persons with visual disabilities.

When my parents dropped me off at Carleton University, it was the first time in my life that I had been away from home, Nakina, a small town in northern Ontario. Now I was in the "big city," away from all those I knew, trying to tackle a university education -- and on top of everything else, I was, of course, worried about my personal care needs. Since my parents had always assisted me, I was a little nervous about having a stranger help me. I wasn’t even sure what the term "attendant services" meant. I assumed someone would get me up in the morning, help out with meals and help me into bed at night, and that I would try to fend for myself the rest of the time. I soon discovered that I could call at any time, 24 hours a day, even if it was for something trivial, and an attendant would respond within 10 minutes.

Although my first couple of weeks at Carleton were difficult, I began to realize that I would be all right here. I began to feel comfortable with the Attendant Services Program. If I was hesitant about receiving assistance from a female attendant, I had the right to choose a male. CRASP has set itself apart by making this guarantee to provide same-sex attendants to every client.

In addition, the program regularly presents a seminar entitled "Sexuality and Disability" to clients and attendants in order to educate everyone involved on issues such as sexual harassment and abuse. The seminar attempts to dispel some of the common myths concerning sexuality and people with disabilities.

The fact that most of the attendants are also students has made me feel at ease. They know what it is like to be away from home, to cram for exams and to have to write an essay that is due the next day. After a few weeks with CRASP I realized that although I missed my own family, I was now part of another, larger family. Members of CRASP share a friendship that goes far beyond the consumer-attendant relationship; there is an atmosphere of caring here which may not exist in other attendant service programs.

Another factor that has contributed to my satisfaction with the program is the philosophy of client-directed care. I can control my services by telling attendants exactly what I want done. Attendants are hired by a committee made up mostly of consumers, and the attendants must pass regular evaluations by clients. Even the new coordinator was hired by the committee. I have served on this committee and also on the Attendant Services Management Steering Committee, which revises and updates the policies and procedures that govern the daily operation of the program.

Another positive experience I have had was being hired to coordinate the creation, publication and distribution of the Carleton Residence Attendant Services Guide. Program coordinator Matthew Cole and I put together this guide, which has been distributed to many different organizations for people with disabilities, and also to many high schools. I enjoyed working on the project, which I really believed in. I am hopeful that the guide will encourage other students to come and share in some of the experiences that I have lived for the past four years.

With graduation fast approaching, I will soon be moving on to the next stage of my life. Although I am excited about the prospect of going to new places and meeting new challenges, I am saddened to be leaving CRASP. My four years here as a member of CRASP’s family have provided me with many fond memories, and I will never forget the friendships that I have made.

For more information on the Carleton University Residence Attendant Services Program, please contact Matthew Cole, Coordinator, at: CRASP, Rm. 223, Residence Commons, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; or phone (613) 788-6615.