BY Tom Bratt

Guest Writer

On Saturday, March 2, between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Calvin community can help out its disabled members at the 2002 Walk and Roll.

Held at the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Ford Fieldhouse, sponsored by Center for Independent Living (CIL), event organizers hope to raise money for the disabled in the Grand Rapids area.

The CIL is a disability advocacy and resource agency that empowers people with disabilities to instigate change and achieve independence. Donations gathered during the Walk and Roll will be given to CIL's Business Services Program and used to educate employers about how they can service disabled employees.

According to CIL Fundraising Supervisor Jocelyn Dettloff, many businesses are afraid to hire disabled persons because they do not know how to make accommodations for helping them move and work efficiently.

The money raised through the Walk and Roll will give that education and take away the fear involved in hiring, Dettloff said.

Because they are ignorant about the disabled, employers make assumptions--often negative--about the disabled.

``Ignorance is a disability itself, sometimes even more detrimental than a physical disability,'' said Dettloff.

Every dollar raised by the Walk and Roll will be matched by three dollars from government foundations; thus, if the $50,000 goal by the CIL is attained, it will be turned into $200,000 dollars.

This amount of money can do much in the way of helping the CIL to raise awareness for disabilities, said Dettloff.

Participants collect donations by asking others to sponsor them. The CIL is offering prizes to individuals and groups who collect $100, $150 or $1,000.

To organize and coordinate the Walk and Roll, the CIL put together teams from different local colleges; June DeBoer, Assistant Coordinator of Services to Students with Disabilities, is organizing Calvin's team.

According to DeBoer, the Walk and Roll is ``a great opportunity for college students to participate in a fundraising effort to benefit people with disabilities. I think it increases our awareness of people with disabilities in the Calvin community, and also the greater community.''

DeBoer also believes the event is important because it can help members of the Calvin community learn about others and gain a better understanding of people's gifts in all areas.

``I am all for any organization like the CIL that is willing to go out and raise public awareness of disabled person's issues,'' said senior Nate Schmid, whose grandfather has been in a wheelchair since Schmid was two.

``Our society typically doesn't think about the lives of the disabled,'' he said. I believe we need to put ourselves in the shoes of a disabled person, in order to fully meet their needs. CIL and the Walk and Roll are doing this; I am all for it.''

One learning experience for Schmid was helping his parents build a house designed to meet his grandfather's needs.

``Building the house started making me aware of the fact that not everybody is the same. The government is starting to take strides to accommodate for that, but still has a way to go.''

Students who cannot attend the Walk and Roll but would like to make a donation should send their contributions, designated for CIL, to Student Academic Services, Hiemenga Hall 446, by Feb. 27. Students who would like to attend but not participate are also welcome, said Dettloff. Refreshments and entertainment will be available the Ford Fieldhouse.

For more information about the event, call (616) 949-1100, ext. 237.