. Thank you for coming out on this cold December morning. Many of us, students AND professors, have a tough time making it to an 8:00 class on Monday mornings. It takes a little extra effort-leaving the warmth of our beds to brave the wintry weather. So having you join us, bright and early, for this presentation on campus policy recommendations is great. It is my pleasure to be here.

2. But here at Regal University, handicapped students report being unable to even get to class. This is because of uncleared snow left to pile up on ramps, entrances, and walkways. According to the National Climatic Data Center, our winter season’s average temperature is twenty two degrees and we have an annual snowfall of over seventy eight inches. We must come up with a workable solution to enable all students to access the campus and classrooms safely. The snow creates a dangerous situation often blocking entrances, prohibiting wheelchairs from entering. Angie, a fellow classmate of mine, was injured when she tried to get through the snow last week. Her wheelchair tipped over. She will not be back this semester. According to campus security, during November and December alone, four student injury reports involved ice or snow covered ramps.

3. Barrier-free access to public buildings is required. The uncleared snow is a barrier. We are in violation of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. This is a civil rights act that was passed by Congress and signed by the president. It is not a suggestion. It is mandatory. This act states that, “People with disabilities have the right to full and equal access to any facility or accommodation of any public place.” Accepting tuition from handicapped students and then not providing safe access to the classrooms for instruction is like having a customer pay for a brand new car, but not providing keys to the vehicle.

4. The solution is to clear the snow in appropriate areas when it accumulates to one-half inch or more. Areas that need plows to clear snow should be identified and prioritized. My proposal adds ramps and curb cutaways to the priority list of areas. I have been told by grounds safety supervisor, Steven Adams, that parking lots and stairs are the only areas currently set as a priority.

5. Please help me educate the board members and leaders of our university . Encourage them to change our snow removal plan. I have petitions on the back tables. Your signature marks your commitment to barrier free access at Regal University. All students should be able to get to their 8:00 a. m. classes!

Read the passage on the left to answer the following questions:

1)
What is the purpose of this speech?
A) to inform
B) to explain
C) to persuade
D) to describe
2)
Which BEST analyzes the central argument of this speech?
A) A policy change is needed because there are so many early morning classes at Regal University and it snows more than most places.
B) A policy change is too costly because removing snow that is allowed to accumulate in various campus areas requires expensive changes for students.
C) A policy change is needed because snow is allowed to accumulate in various campus areas, causing unsafe and unfair conditions for students at Regal University.
D) Even though a policy change would be a good idea, the Americans with Disabilities Act prevents any change that would provide fair and equal access to any public place.
3)
...Accepting tuition from handicapped students and then not providing safe access to the classrooms for instruction is like having a customer pay for a brand new car, but not providing keys to the vehicle. 3
Which BEST identifies the method used in this portion of section three?
A) analogy
B) testimonial
C) legal authority
D) anecdotal evidence
4)
Which BEST describes the evidence used in section three?
A) legal authority
B) statistical data
C) personal testimony
D) anecdotal evidence
Eliminate