ACUI Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Special Accommodations

    Posted 05-17-2023 11:39

    I am looking for advice and verbiage to be used in our student center to support those with special accommodations. How do you support those needing special accommodations in your student center without saying "You must contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities." I have been asked to purchase a few XL chairs for guests, but I want to know if you have done anything else in your union outside of braille, auto doors, and wheelchair access. 

    Do you have some type of event policy encouraging the host to be mindful of potential needs? 



    ------------------------------
    Denesha Henderson
    Associate Director of Events and Technical Services
    Sam Houston State University
    Huntsville TX
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Special Accommodations

    Posted 05-18-2023 09:48

    Hi Denesha,

    Our Student Access and Accommodation Services office has information on their website about event accommodations. You may find some of that information useful.



    ------------------------------
    KatePiper
    Assistant Dean, Student Activities
    Illinois State University - Normal, IL
    katepiper@illinoisstate.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Special Accommodations

    Posted 05-19-2023 09:34

    A few other things we have done to improve accessibility in the Armstrong Student Center at Miami University are:

    Installation of floor and armchair level elevator buttons for the main passenger elevators (Accessibility Upgrades in Armstrong Student Center)
    Listening devices that stream room audio directly into assisted hearing devices (we are investigating new technology that operates wirelessly)
    Removing a couple of chairs from large room sets to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices
    Ensuring that even smaller meeting rooms have the option for microphones and advising event planners on the need to use them

    Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss any of these things.



    ------------------------------
    Katie Wilson
    Director, Armstrong Student Center
    Miami University
    Oxford OH
    wilso106@MiamiOH.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Special Accommodations

    Posted 05-18-2023 09:55

    Hi Denesha!

    What specific type of support are you inquiring about? While it's always great to point students with disabilities directly to the department on campus that has the most knowledge, it's also really important to train student workers with some base knowledge and disability etiquette. At our Student Center one thing we have done in the past is bring in our school's Disability Resources and Services department and have them present at our staff trainings. This gives student staff additional knowledge on the services the department offers disabled students in general and as well as offering recommendations on how the student workers can best assist clients/patrons that may need accommodations. Overall, this has benefited both the workplace and our students personally. 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Feldman
    Operations Manager
    Temple University
    Philadelphia PA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message