Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is on May 15 and Carleton experts are available to discuss related issues with the media. The purpose of the day is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital accessibility and users with different disabilities. Carleton has a long history of emphasizing accessibility on its campus and in its research.

Suzanne Blanchard
Associate vice-president (Students and Enrolment) and university registrar, co-chair of the International Summit on Accessibility 2014.

Phone: 613-520-2874
Email: SuzanneBlanchard@Cunet.Carleton.Ca

Blanchard has a proven track record in managing and leading student-centered services, as well as the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the student support and enrolment management portfolio in providing an exceptional student experience for Carleton University students. She is well versed in Carleton initiatives that aim to make the university as accessible as possible and the Paul Menton Centre falls under her leadership.

Dean Mellway
Acting director of Carleton’s READ Initiative

Phone: 613-520-2600, ext. 1144
Email:dean_mellway@carleton.ca

Mellway became a member of Carleton’s staff in 1990 as the co-ordinator of Physical Disability Programs.

He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to the development of paralympic sport in Canada.

Katie Roepke
Fourth-year student in the School of Industrial Design

Roepke can be contacted through Steven Reid, media relations officer.

Phone:613-520-2600 ext. 8718
Email:Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca

Roepke tied for third place this week in theCouncil of Ontario Universities IDeA Competition. She created “Ami-Go,” a discreet bracelet device that visually-impaired students can wear to know if their friends are in the room and where to locate them. The bracelet vibrates when a friend is near the user and vibrations on different sides of it direct the user toward the friend. Friends can download an app on their cellphones that connects them to the bracelet; when the phones are present, they set off the user’s bracelet.

Media Contact
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 ext. 8718
613-265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca

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