News Release:
New Disability Adviser speaks from experience
| Date 3/2/04 No 019/04 Kathryn Stephens, the University of New England's new Disability Adviser, has a unique perspective on UNE: she has been both a blind and a sighted student at the University. Blinded as a result of a car accident in 1992, Kathryn moved from a career in economics (with Westpac Bank in Sydney) to an involvement in social services back in her home town, Wauchope. A UNE graduate (Bachelor of Economics, 1989), she moved back to Armidale in 2000 to take up University studies in Social Science. Since returning to the pleasantly familiar scene of her undergraduate days, she has worked with church youth groups and has served on the Northern Tablelands Community Transport Advisory Committee. She remains a member of the Senior Common Room at UNE's Duval College, where she lived as an undergraduate. "Because I'd known Armidale and UNE as a sighted person, it was very easy to come back," she said. Kathryn began her work as Disability Adviser yesterday [February 2]. Her predecessor, Mrs Wallis Lenehan, retired last September after six years in the position, during which time she established UNE's high reputation among students with special needs. "I have a strong commitment to UNE," Kathryn said, "and am very excited about my new position here." She is prepared for a busy year ahead: not only is the University enrolling an ever-increasing number of students with disabilities, but national standards being developed in the wake of new legislation will need to be addressed. |
"Considering all this, my main challenge will be finding time to introduce some of my new ideas," she said. Many of those ideas aim at facilitating day-to-day communication between student-support staff and students with disabilities, and raising awareness, around the campus, of the special needs of such students. Kathryn feels her work in Wauchope and Port Macquarie during the eight years following her accident, as well as her subsequent involvement in New England social services, has prepared her for the task she faces. She served on Hastings Council's Access Committee, Community Services Committee, and Social Planning and Policy Committee, and was part of an externally-funded student support scheme at Wauchope High School. "With this background, having encountered a wide range of disabilities, I'm able to bring a broad perspective to the position," she explained. UNE's Equity Manager, Bronwyn Pearson, said: "We are delighted about Kathryn's appointment. Her unique combination of dedicated enthusiasm and experience will be invaluable as we pursue our commitment to equity for all students in a climate of newly-enforceable standards." Kathryn will be assisted in her work by her guide dog, Jayar. She and Jayar have been together for seven years, and Jayar takes his work so seriously that he has had his bean bag and food bowl installed in Kathryn's office. Media contact: Kathryn Stephens, Equity Office, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3487 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049. A photograph of Kathryn Stephens and Jayar is available for download. |
