April 2024 Edition of Inside Equal Access

Alison Haynes and Dr. Amanda Feaster

SPRING FINALLY ARRIVES!

Hello, Flashes family! The dark months of winter are particularly hard on people with disabilities, so we at Equal Access are particularly glad to see the sun peeking out and the nights staying above freezing. Cold temperatures tighten muscles, poor weather enforces isolation, and snow and ice increase chances of falling. 

Spring doesn't mean that disability complexities disappear, but it does bring more opportunities to engage with life and support each other. Learning about and taking advantage of the support and tools available is key, and we explore that in this issue. Thanks for coming along for the ride - and happy spring!

On April 8, 2024, the Kent community stopped for a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. While most spectators watched the total solar eclipse, some listened to it.The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and the Department of Physics at Kent State University held an event at the Schwebel Room Ba

ABLE exists to support KSU employees in the disability community. Membership includes faculty, staff, and student employees from across the Kent system with a strong representation from the regional campuses.  Not all members identify as disabled but rather join to learn more about how to accommodate employees with disabilities and their concerns.

As the spotlight on mental health gradually brightens, institutions are having the realization that it’s not just a personal battle–it’s a potential disability. With this recognition comes a vast change in how we approach accommodations. With the limitations of both the environment and the accommodations themselves, discrepancies are bound to arise. However, we have the tools to navigate it. The services provided by SAS help you in-classroom and give you the resources needed to be successful as a member of Kent State community. 

 

Welcome to another edition of Tools of the Trade: Assistive Technology! Assistive technology enables and promotes inclusion and participation, especially of people with disabilities, aging populations, and people with non-communicable diseases.“The primary purpose of assistive products is to maintai