Moses Cone

I was unable to attend with the class, but on April 15 my friends and I made a trip to Moses Cone. It was my first time and I enjoyed the experience very much and was impressed with the whole area.

First off, it was beautiful to hike. The trail had an easy slope and the geography was diverse, with mostly hills and trees, but the clearings made the hike different from other ones I've gone on. We had no problem walking the entire thing and made it to the Fire Tower more quickly by taking a few shortcuts. It was a beautiful day spring day with blue skies, and it was comfortable outside. We didn't have a chance to go into the Manor, but I was able to find plenty of Universal Design principles in the hiking trail.

The trail was gravel but at a gentle slope, so that someone of any physical ability could be able to walk it. Even if someone could not walk the entire hike, even walking a few minutes down the trail gave way to a new part of the landscape. The Manor and land has a unique history that is important to Boone, which added to the interest of the place, as if the beauty wasn't enough. It is probably the most accessible, availiable/interesting to all age groups, and low-key trail I've been on. We say hikers like us, people running, walking their dogs, and even riding horses. The wide trail and open spaces also allows for many visitors and safety precautions, something important to consider for any attraction.

The only problem I saw was the gravel, because the average wheelchair would not be able to move forward very easily. A special chair would be needed, or the visitor would have to take in the view from the overlook. Of course, the Manor itself seemed to be accessible, so that is always another option for someone who is physically disabled or cannot be outside for long periods of time, especially in extreme temperatures.

Moses Cone was a very positive and beautiful experience, and I hope to take my family to it next time they visit!



(Individual, Moses Cone)

IJM

IJM stands for International Justice Mission, and on April 5th the organization had their first big meeting on App's campus. It was founded in 1997 by Gary Haugen as a group that fights slavery by freeing slaves using the law. They have freed hundreds of slaves around the world, and this meeting was an informative presentation of the organization and their partners.

The meeting was held in the Turchin Center, in one of the lower rooms. At first I thought this was a bad choice because of the amount of people that showed up to the meeting, but even though people had to sit in the aisles it gave the meeting a feeling of unity and closeness, a group of people tied together to fight injustice. The room was otherwise easy to get to, accessibility wise. it was downstairs and there was a ramp to the door, perfect for anyone.

The impact of the meeting was much more than I would have ever expected. They introduced their Freedom Project, mission, founder, and partners from other organizations. Gary told personal stories of slaves IJM has rescued, and it gave us students plenty of opportunities to get involved. I was even able to talk to some of the leaders afterwords to get a sense of where this chapter of IJM is going. As an international organization, it is only improving, growing, and changing lives.

"Ignorance is not an excuse, indifference is not an option."

(Individual, Club)

Banff Film Festival

As part of the Banff Film Festival World Tour, Banff brought clips of the top films created for the Festival to Boone. On March 30, I attended the Friday night showing of the films in Farthing Auditorium.

The film festival was one of the events that i've enjoyed most out of the ones I've attended over the semester. Like the Power of Design Lecture, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I knew that it involved films from all over the world and nature, but that was about it.

My first impression was the audience. Almost every seat in Farthing was full, and the noise was astounding - people yelling and cheering for the speakers and their favorite films. It never died out, and that's how I knew that I'd stumbled onto something great. Farthing is a huge auditorium, and yet isn't the most accessible place on campus. It's up a hill, has stairs in all the hallways, and has narrow bathrooms. Not the best for the disabled, physical or otherwise. But it was on campus, which catered to students who wished to attend.

And the films themselves were mind-boggling. Urban skiing, a trip across Europe that lasted over three years, advanced cinematography, beautiful landscapes. It all came alive immediately, and appeals to those of all ages, regardless of experience. It was a beautiful thing to see an audience of all kinds of people come together for an event like this, despite the limited seating and location. And the website was clear and simple, making it easy for me to find out more after the films were over. It was definitely an experience you wouldn't want to miss.

(Group, Banff Film Festival)

Power of Design

This was Appalachian's fifth annual Power of Design lecture, but the first that I was able to attend. Hosted by Nancy Skolos and Tom Wedell on March 27, the lecture lasted about an hour and a half and was located at the Broyhill Inn.

The lecture certainly went beyond my expectations - I expected talk about graphic design software and fonts, with basic instruction on principles of design. It was so much more than that. Tom was the speaker, and he absolutely blew my mind. He and Nancy have been in the business since before computers were the primary method of the design. They merge photography, cubism, fonts, and live models into their designs, rather than just doing 2-D art on a computer. It was inspiring and well worth my time.

As far as the location goes, the Broyhill Inn was a beautiful location and certainly suited the topic, but it's location in relation to the rest of App's campus. It's at the very edge of campus and up a hill - my friend Andrew and I didn't realize this when we walked. It was a steep hill and someone with a physical disability - no matter the kind - would definitely need to take a bus or drive. The building itself, once you get to it, was accessible, however. It had wide hallways and doorways, as well as smooth flooring. So the location itself was the only problem.

As for the topic of the lecture, the beauty of art is that no matter who you are, you can appreciate it. For the visually impaired, it would be more difficult to see and admire the art, but for the most part it appeals to all audiences. His speaking style was a bit repetitive, but all in all I'm definitely planning on making attendance an annual thing.

(Group, Power of Design lecture)

The Last Mountain

On Tuesday, March 20, the last of the three part Sustainability Film Series was shown in I.G. Greer Theater. It was the only one of the films that I was able to attend, but I was not disappointed.

The film (titled "The Last Mountain") was about coal mining in West Virginia - or more specifically, the practice of blasting mountains apart to more easily obtain the coal beneath. But these blastings are dangerous for more than just the appearance of the mountains. The entire landscape is changed, resulting in flooding and ground that is incapable of growing plants. The air and water is poisoned, and a giant silo of coal hangs over an elementary school, endangering the future of the town. Massey, the leading coal company of the area, is criticized most as the cause for the destruction.

I.G. Greer was chosen to present the film, and made a good location. Because it was on campus and free, anyone could come, even a college freshman like me. The aisles were wide and there was enough seating for everyone, which made it ideal. The only problems I really saw were that there was no elevator, so someone who is disabled would be limited to sitting in the bottom section, and even then would have difficulty finding a seat. Because Greer is older, the bathrooms were also difficult to get to - they are located in the back of the theater, through doors and a long hallway. If someone has trouble finding a seat, they'd definitely have problems accessing to single-room bathrooms. Luckily, App's newer buildings are much more accommodating.

The film certainly opened my eyes to a very startling reality that is seldom covered in the media, and kept my attention. I walked away wondering what else was going on in the world that the average citizen is not aware of.

(Group, Sustainability Film Series)

Hike and Parkway

The weekend before spring break a few of my friends from high school came to visit me, and I took them hiking on the Parkway to get the full Appalachian experience. We were out for about three hours on a warm, sunny, afternoon, and we stopped at several places.

The first place was Price Lake. This was the second most accessible stop. The Lake is just down a short hill near the parking lot, and is extremely easy to get there. The Lake is beautiful and general accessibility is not an issue, because swimming is prohibited anyway!

We also stopped at a mountain outlook. This was the most accessible stop because all it is is an outlook, so no climbing or walking is required. The view is beautiful no matter where you stood, and we had fun taking jumping pictures and goofing off.

The final stop was Rough Ridge,  which goes without saying is not accessible. The trail goes through the woods with various climbing spots of rocks and trees, and at the very top the view is incredible. While it is probably still doable with someone who has trouble walking, the gaps between rocks and logs on the trail would be difficult, as well as for young kids.

Regardless of physical ability, the Blue Ridge Parkway was a good example of having something enjoyable for everyone - even if you just drive through to enjoy the sights.

(Individual, Athletic)

Bo's

The main club I'm involved with here at App State is Cru, which is short for Campus Crusade for Christ. We regularly meet every week, but on February 9th we went down to Lenoir for the night to go bowling and play arcade games at a place called Bo's. It was college night, so the building was definitely crowded, but the design landed itself well to crowds. It had all the makings of a fun place, complete with laser tag and lots of bowling allies.

I'd never been there before, and I was very impressed by how well designed it was. Most of the building was a big open room, with other rooms joining off it, so there weren't any narrow hallways to work around. Even the arcade area was well-deigned; there was plenty of room for wheelchairs.

There were a few downsides, however. Laser tag, as expected, was not accessible. It took up two levels and although there were ramps, they were too steep for someone in a wheelchair to be able to use them. Bowling is also hard for someone who has trouble walking because of the sleek floors, and most of the arcade games (like DDR) require being able to move your feet and walk.

Although it was a fun night, I probably won't bring my sister there next time she visits. I'd be too frustrating for both of us to find things that she could safely and easily do. We wouldn't get our money's worth, and I know there'd be things she'd much rather do. So it's a fun place to go, but limited to the younger and more able.

(Individual, Club)

(Individual, Club)

Watauga Humane Society

Last fall my friends and I spent our Saturday volunteering at the Wagauga Humane Society. Most of our time was with the dogs and puppies. We walked them, washed week-old puppies, and helped clean up. It was a lot harder than I expected, but overall very rewarding.

The nice thing about the Humane Society is that it's built so that everyone can participate. The hallways are wide and there are big open spaces around the building and the entryway. This allows room to play with the pets, but also so if someone has to use a wheelchair or other aid they can get around easily. The back rooms and washrooms were the same way. The newly remodeled building was clean and attractively designed.

The main problem I saw were the cages the dogs were kept in. The cats had a few rooms where they could walk around free, but the dogs were kept two to a cage. The doors were difficult to open and a were sufficiently more narrow than the rest of the doorways. A dog would have to be brought out of the cage by someone else and the limited access limits volunteer opportunities for the disabled.

But the positives outweigh the negatives, so if you are looking for a good volunteer opportunity, I would highly recommend the Humane Society. The staff members and other volunteers are nice and ready to help, especially if you come ready to love on a pet.

(Individual, Volunteer)

Skiing

Every Wednesday for five weeks, a few of my friends and I drive up to Appalachian Ski Mountain for our beginning ski class. Having never skied before this class, it's been quite an interesting experience, but I don't regret a minute of it.

My first impression of the ski lodge was how well-designed it was. Granted, people with physical disabilities usually require special equipment, but I'll come back to that in a minute. It's a simple building that made it easy for my friends and I to get our equipment and lift ticket without hassle. The mountain consists of a range from slight slopes for learning basic skills to a Black Diamond for advanced skiers. It's primarily a teaching mountain, but is still aesthetically pleasing and easy to get around.

As far as Universal Design goes, the lifts are simple, slow enough to minimize falls and fast enough to to be timely. The stairs and inside of the lodge have textured floors and a few drainage areas to minimize falling and tripping. And for beginning skiers like me, there was plenty of instruction before lettings us roam freely on the slopes. 

For someone like my sister who can't walk, there are ski teams and special equipment that accommodate a sitting person, with room for legs and shorter poles for balance, like this: 

Although there wasn't anyone on the mountain who used these, it's a creative and accessible way for everyone to learn how to ski. Although I would recommend that you layer up - I fell more than expected, and even though it's been a mild winter and the snow wasn't real, it was cold. So wear protective ski pants, gloves, and a hat for sure. But even my friends who were taking snowboarding agreed that it was a fun environment, and the music playing helped to boost our moods, even when we hit the snow. Without a double, I would highly recommend Appalachian as a good location, no matter how little you know about skiing.

(Individual, Winter Activity)

Angela Davis

Angela Davis has dedicated her life to speaking against injustice, and her speech on January 24, the week after MLK Day, definitely reflected that. She spoke in Farthing Auditorium at 6 p.m. I sat in the back row in the balcony, with offered an interesting viewpoint from the perspective of Universal Design.

The presentation began with a gospel choir. The choir was loud and got everyone in the audience up and singing, but I was so far back and unfamiliar with the songs, so I was unable to understand what they were saying. Once Angela Davis began speaking, however, her voice was clear and understanding was not a problem, although reading her face was a bit difficult. But she was an engaging speaker, and her message made me think about my perspective on race and economic circumstances. Overall I'd rate her speech fairly high.

Farthing as a location served well for Angela Davis. Her first request was to "raise the house lights" so she could see the audience, and the wide open room helped visibility. I was seated on the back row, which consisted of a wide space and folding chair along the wall. This allowed plenty of room for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, or crutches, should someone need space for those. If someone was content with this back row, getting into the seating would not pose any additional hassle.

However, should someone want to sit farther forward on the balcony, there would be a few problems. The hallway accommodates the slope of the seating with sets of stairs al the way down, instead of a gradual slope like on the first floor. The elevator is in an unclear location, and the hill leading to Farthing poses a problem for a student who has difficulty walking.

If I could, I would remodel the upper level hallway to model the lower level, or make sure a few seats on the lower level are reserved for disabled people at all times. Otherwise, all things considered, it's a fairly accessible location for all the events that it hosts.

(Individual, Lecture)

Mountaineers vs. Catamounts

The first Saturday after classes started, my friends and I decided to go to the App vs. Western basketball game.

I'd only ever been to high school games before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. A lot of it was the same; loud, fans cheering, the school colors all over the stands. But what I didn't expect was seeing the band and a full student section. Luckily, we got to the game early enough to get close seats, although we weren't in the student section. Even though by halftime it was evident App was going to win, it was still a fun and exciting game.

It was held in the Convocation center, which presented several difficulties. While there was wheelchair seating, it was limited to entryways and the ground floor of the game, limiting the disabled or elderly to only a few seats. The steps are steep and would could also pose a problem. After the game, I went to the Convocation Center website to see what solutions they offered for accessibility, and there's a whole page on parking, seating, and even hearing devices for those who might need it. here's a screenshot of it:

After seeing that, I was much more impressed by the design of the room than before. The room is also very open, and offers a good view of the game no matter where you happen to be sitting, as I learned from experience during Convocation in the fall.

Overall, it was a good and fun experience, and I rate the Convocation Center as a 8 out of 10 for accessibility!

Goofing off after the game :)

(Individual, Sports Event)

First Things First.

This blog (aka my online journal) for my freshman seminar is just that - my thoughts, critiques, and pictures from the various activities I'll go to for the class.

I'm a graphic design major, and my younger sister uses a wheelchair. So the topic of design is very near and dear to my heart, hence the title. I believe design should be beautiful. It should be artistic. It should be unique. But it should also be functional.

So here's my take on it. Enjoy!