RSU Elections

No rallying for students with disabilities at Ryerson Student Union and executives elections

Donna Ryder at RSU elections
(Ryerson University/Tashika Gomes)

Tonight, Ryerson Student Union directors, presidents and committee members gave up their seats as new representatives were elected. However, the only person rallying for better services and representation for students with disabilities was Donna Ryder, who sat in a wheelchair.

“There are students with disabilities who are paying RSU fees who are not getting services that are fair. We’re being discriminated against constantly, we’re being oppressed constantly,” said Ryder who is running for course union director .

The prospective electives were asked to give a 2 minute speech indicating their platform and ways they plan to improve student life before the voting process took place. However, there was no mentioned of improving conditions for students with disabilities. Various topics were repeated by canidates, such as, bringing the various student groups together for joined events and
making media equipment and room-bookings more accessible.


Events displayed at RSU elections
(Ryerson University/Tashika Gomes)

Ryder also claims that the annual Ryerson Parade and Picnic does not provide an accessible float for students with disabilities, but instead they are told to use the disability bus. She also mentioned that for this year’s student protest Drop Fees Campaign, although there was a disability bus, it was blocked with a sign.

“Are they ashamed of us?” asked Ryder.

“I would have preferred as the course union director, if she had come to me. That’s what I was there for; for students to actually voice their opinion to me. Students who came to me about their event problems or their grants or room booking, I actually came and helped them but this is the first time I’m actually hearing about it (students with disabilities feeling as though they are not well-represented by the RSU)….,” said last year’s Course Union Director David Hoang.

He also said, given the opportunity he would have had a survey to evaluate what students were interested in pursuing and would meet other groups to discuss this issue.

"I never heard this concern from any executives… now hearing from you, I wouldn’t say that’s it’s a shock, but I’d be willing to do something, if first I’d heard about it,” said Hoang who represents more than 40 course unions.

Ryerson's course union president for social work refused to comment on the issue.


Students at RSU elections
(Ryerson University/Tashika Gomes)