By Carla Carlton

 

Janice Baldon-Gutter is committed to making sure that everyone has equal opportunities. 

 

In February 2022, she became the coordinator for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program for the Kentucky-based Southeast ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Center, or SEADA. The SEADA Center is a project of the Burton Blatt Institute, a disability research, law and policy center at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.

 

“In this role I inform minorities, employers and employees, individuals and underserved communities about the ADA and the resources available from SEADA,” she said. “We also have a group called Serving Our Seniors dedicated to reaching out to aging populations. As we age, many people acquire a disability and are unaware that they may have protections under the ADA.”

 

 

In addition to teaching Human Resources courses online for Purdue University Global, she is learning American Sign Language and revisiting the piano, having taken lessons as a child.

 

Bellarmine has become a family tradition: Baldon-Gutter’s great-niece, Alexandria Baldon, is currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice and plans to graduate in May. 

 

Baldon-Gutter couldn’t be happier. “Bellarmine’s MBA jumpstarted and helped maintain my career,” she said. “I am forever grateful and proud to be a graduate of Bellarmine University.”

 

 

As an African-American female who is an active older adult with an acquired mobility disability, I am part of the intersectionality of race, age and disability. Working with the Southeast ADA Center has helped me merge my personal and professional passions. I am committed to community advocacy, social justice and equal opportunity for everyone. I am also interested in providing resources for caregivers and people with disabilities. And as a lifelong learner, I get to increase my knowledge of disability law on a daily basis.  

 

 

Lack of knowledge about rights under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in workplaces and communities. For example, many employees and individuals don’t have knowledge of workplace accommodations they may be entitled to or their right to privacy of their healthcare condition.

 

 

Use the computer and Google. It may sound simple, but it works! Network and learn about agencies and community organizations within your city or state. Contact local libraries and local city government offices and ask for help. In Metro Louisville government there is the Department of Aging and Disability Services–Resilience. Almost every city or state has a similar office. The Southeast ADA center serves eight southeast states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North and South Carolina and Tennessee) but also has nine other regional centers. You can email us at adasoutheast@syr.edu to be connected to your regional ADA center.

 

 

Be considerate and respectful. Remember, disabilities can happen to anyone (you, your loved ones) at any age, for any reason, and at any time in life. Remember also that disabilities include both physical and mental. Also, provide equal opportunities and accommodation to everyone in the workplace and community. It is about diversity, equity and inclusion. Most accommodations in the workplace cost $500 or less and are paid for with tax dollars in the community.

 

Bellarmine’s outreach to minority students and expanding diversity, equity and inclusion, along with her parents’ and grandmother’s research, were the major factors in her college-going decision. She had other offers, but the family wanted her to remain close. My sharing and their knowledge of my positive experience was icing on the Bellarmine hilltop!

 

Bellarmine previously was not considered diverse in the minority community. However, their reputation for outstanding quality educational programs, expansion of diverse faculty, student body minority outreach efforts, and expanded scholarship opportunities has significantly changed and improved Bellarmine’s diversity, equity and inclusion reputation in the community.

 

My granddaughter, Elle Gutter, also attended the summer camp at Bellarmine in June 2022. Her Paw Paw (Michael Gutter, her granddad) is retired and was so happy to get up and take her to camp. I remember my dad, Virgil Baldon Sr., often came and took me to school and helped me drive up that hill many Saturdays. He was so proud when I graduated with my MBA!