William.Mcqueen@f415.n259.z1.fidonet.org (William Mcqueen) (07/25/90)
Is anyone aware of a programme which is in place in any institution for higher
education which a) encouraged persons with aids to attend their institution, or
b) provides a special needs service for persons with aids,or c) has undertaken
an awareness building or sensitizing of the population in their institutions as
to the needs of persons with aids, or d) undertaken an educational programme
to educate this population about their risks with aids.
Any direction or contacts would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!259!415!William.Mcqueen
Internet: William.Mcqueen@f415.n259.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Scully@f401.n250.z1.fidonet.org (David Scully) (07/27/90)
WM> Is anyone aware of a programme which is in place in any
WM> institution for higher education which a) encouraged persons
WM> with aids to attend their institution, or b) provides a special
WM> needs service for persons with aids,
WM> or c) has undertaken an awareness building or sensitizing of the
WM> population in their institutions as to the needs of persons
WM> with aids, or
WM> d) undertaken an educational programme to educate this
WM> population about their risks with aids.
Several Canadian universities have adopted policies on AIDS that forbid
discrimination based on HIV status and include public education programs
for faculty, students and/or staff. But as far as I'm aware, none has
gone as far as to encourage PLWAs to attend by providing for their
special needs
ds
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Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!250!401!David.Scully
Internet: David.Scully@f401.n250.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Scully@f401.n250.z1.fidonet.org (David Scully) (07/29/90)
WM> mentioned in my original message. Could you provide me with the
WM> names of these institutions which
WM> have formal anti-discrimination policies or contacts if you are
WM> aware of
WM> them (the responsible officer). Thanks very much, David!
My information came from research I conducted in writing the following
article, which appeared in a U.S. publication in Oct. 1988. Since then,
I'm certain that more universities have adopted programs of one sort or
another. I don't know the name of any specific campus contacts, but you
might try the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
(613/564-1236; media liason: Michele Albagli) or the campus ombudsman
(where one exists) at individual institutions. As a resolution by the
Canadian Association of University Teachers is what prompted my piece,
you might try them as well (613/237-6885; press contact: Tim Stutt). I'm
not sure about the present status of the Ministry of Colleges and
Universities' AIDS advisory committee. You might try to chase down the
fellow at Queen's I spoke to or check with communications at MCU here in
Toronto (963-3967). Good luck....
By the way, what kind of board is The Homestead?
Here's the article....
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Association of University Teachers has urged all
universities in the country to set up AIDS-related education and
information programs and to ban discrimination against students and
members of the faculty and staff who have AIDS or have tested positive
to the HIV antibody.
It also called on universities to adopt other measures to protect
both the civil rights of people with AIDS and the health of everyone on
campus.
Few Canadian universities are believed to have comprehensive
policies with regard to AIDS, although an official at the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada said most institutions had AIDS-
education programs in place.
"There's a need for universities to have clear, effective,
reasonable policies on a wide range of AIDS issues," said Donald Savage,
executive director of the 29,000-member association. "Otherwise they
will be vulnerable to local hysteria campaigns."
He said it was just such a campaign in Nova Scotia earlier this
year that prompted his association to look at how universities should
respond to the AIDS crisis. In the incident, parents in a small Nova
Scotia community threatened to remove their children from school if a
teacher, whose positive HIV test result had been leaked from his medical
file, were allowed to continue teaching.
In a policy statement adopted last month, the C.A.U.T. said: "It is
not necessary to restrict faculty and students with the virus from
regular university activities, including laboratories, medical work or
sports."
As well, it took a stand against compulsory testing of students or
staff for HIV antibodies. Instead, it said, free, confidential testing
and "frank" counselling should be made available on a voluntary basis,
and the identity of those with the virus should be protected "within the
limits of the law."
Similar guidelines were approved last month by Dalhousie
University. The Universities of Calgary and New Brunswick have also
adopted AIDS policies.
In Ontario, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities has formed an
AIDS advisory committee to survey the situation at individual
institutions and make recommendations to the minister.
"My own view is that it would be a good idea to ensure that
everyone has a policy that ensures no discrimination and no sanctions,"
said Frank McElligott, a member of the Ontario committee and associate
dean of medicine at Queen's University.
An indication of the growing concern among Canadian education
authorities is an Oct. 21 conference on AIDS: A Challenge for Educators,
organized by a Toronto-area consulting firm that specializes in
occupational health and safety issues.
Canadian student associations have also become involved in AIDS
education and prevention. About 20,000 information packages and condom
"wallets" -- small vinyl pouches containing condoms and emblazoned with
the legend, "don't get screwed, use condomsense" -- were distributed
across the province last month by the Ontario Federation of Students.
The C.A.U.T. policy statement included a call for universities to
"take the lead in encouraging governments to provide adequate resources
for research on AIDS and for palliative care."
It statement also opposed any changes to university life, health or
disability insurance plans that would discriminate against people with
AIDS or who are HIV-positive.
"If universities stand firm as a group, the insurance industry will
find it difficult to insist on such changes," said Mr. Savage. If it
does, he said, universities should form an insurance cooperative as they
did earlier this year with liability insurance. It will now be up to
member associations to lobby their administrations to implement the
policy statement's recommendations, he said.
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