University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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r - I TELEPi REST ROOfv . - 1 H ; OB In the 1960 ' s, segregation referred to the highly emotional issue of separation of black and white Americans. W e have come a long way from separate but equal. In the 1970 ' s, segregation refers to another minority group, separated not by emotional issues, but by physical obstacles — the physically handicapped. A small step which we hop over without a thought can be a major obstacle to someone in a wheelchair. A flight of stairs can become a mountain to a person who must use braces and crutches to walk. However, with more people becoming aware of the problems of the handicapped, and new laws designed to help them, we are continuing to make molehills out of mountains. .-i ' , A. . ,( rX ' In almost every building on campus, changes can be seen. Ramps leading into many classroom and resident buildings are now commonplace. Parking spaces for the disabled are placed near all major areas on campus. The faculty and staff try to accomodate many students by scheduling classes on the ground floor, or in buildings with ramps and elevators. The handicapped student has become an integral member of the campus community. They are accepted by their peers for their abilities, not their disabilities. As we enter the 1980 ' s, we still have a long way to go. We can only hope that someday the need for special accommodations for the handicapped will be completely realized. Until then, however, we must continue to help the handicapped to become not separate, but equal. 4 ' ' ,: -V J 30