When people and institutions attempt to ameliorate oppressive conditions based on narrowly defined identities, the “getting it. not getting it” tango operates with alarming frequency.

At the University of Michigan, “access” is defined on a case-by-case basis, based on the needs of each group petitioning for greater access rather than a broad, inclusive definition (how we can provide access to the greatest number of people across the broadest settings possible?).

This familiar behavior leads to:

The University now allowing for a “preferred name” field that overrides a birth name or given name on all documents (I characterize this action as a case of getting it, especially for non-op and pre-op trans folks); and

A group of concerned citizens suing the University because the University is not creating enough ADA-accessible seating at the football stadium (unfortunately called “The Big House” here in Ann Arbor and among UM graduates.)

The tango continues. (Full text of pertinent articles to follow.

Preferred Names

April 2007 The University recognizes that as a community many of its members use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. As long as the use of this different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation, the University acknowledges that a “preferred name” can and should be used wherever possible in the course of University business and education.

Therefore, it is the policy of the University that any student, active or retired faculty or staff member, or alumni may choose to identify themselves within the University’s information systems with a preferred name in addition to the person’s legal name. It is further understood that the person’s preferred name shall be used in all University communications and reporting except where the use of the legal name is required by University business or legal need.

The individual is free to determine the preferred name he or she wants to be known by in the University’s information systems. However, inappropriate use of the preferred name policy (including but not limited to avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation) may be cause for denying the request.

For additional detail, see the Preferred Names FAQ.Disabled group sues over plans for stadium
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
BY MEGAN BROWN
News Staff Reporter

A lawsuit filed against the University of Michigan on Tuesday claims the $226 million renovation plans for Michigan Stadium discriminate against people with disabilities.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America by Richard Bernstein, a lawyer who is an adjunct professor in the U-M political science department.

The suit alleges the university’s planned changes to the Big House are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The suit wants U-M to add several hundred more handicapped seats to its plans.

The renovation must follow the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities because the stadium is being altered, not simply repaired, Bernstein said. If the court calls the renovation an alteration, the university would be obligated to meet the standards of accessibility that the veterans organization is seeking, he said.

Bernstein cited a lack of handicapped seating at various sightlines and price ranges, and said not enough seats are available for fans who use wheelchairs.

The suit also says the planned addition of wheelchair-accessible seating in the top row of the stadium is evidence of the university’s denial of equal access.

The stadium’s below-ground location limits the placement and accessibility of seats for people with disabilities, said U-M
spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham. The renovation plan includes a new concourse with a wheelchair-accessible elevator and a ramp, she said.

Accessible seating remains a priority of the university, Cunningham said, adding that through the design process, the university is looking for more ways to provide accessible seating.

“The university is deeply concerned with providing accessible seating for our fans,” Cunningham said. Included in the renovation plan is an increase in the number of accessible seats, from 90 to 282, plus companion seats, she said.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America are only concerned with stadium accessibility, Bernstein said. “This is seen as a basic civil rights issue, the civil rights of veterans and students,” he said. “They shouldn’t be sitting off by themselves. That’s what the ADA was designed for.”

Contact Megan Brown at mbrown@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6852.