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Phoenix Sister Cities DAC-Grenoble Delegation Trip
The PSC Grenoble and Disabilities Awareness Committees’ delegation traveled to our sister city of Grenoble, France for a Europe-wide accessibility conference. Members of the delegation included: PSC Disabilities Awareness Committee (DAC) Chair Michael Sleeseman, DAC Vice-Chair Mary Jane Trunzo, ADA Coordinator/ Disabilities Service Manager Nanette Odell, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Jay Whipple and PSC Grenoble Committee Vice-Chair Janine Bobin.
The six-day intensive program involved presentations from both the Grenoble/DAC Committee and various Grenoble disabilities-focused organizations within the business, medical, educational, and public/ nonprofits fields. Mary Jane Trunzo gave a presentation about Phoenix Sister Cities and the Disabilities Awareness Committee’s award-winning activities and initiatives.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Jay Whipple, presented on accessibility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to the innovate research and development staff of the CEA Tech, Minatec Campus. Jay Whipple’s presentation analyzed the Roots of Orientation and Mobility (M & O) which go back hundreds of years. The overview included a look at the systematic and technique based training that began shortly after World War I that has evolved and still used today.
