Amanda’s presentation, titled Supporting Students with Disabilities in College, shined a light on the variety of disabilities today’s college students have and all the ways in which her department offers accommodations so students can have a successful college career. Amanda’s presentation began with a quick breakdown of statistics related to disabilities of college students. Nationwide, 19% of undergrads, or 1 in 5 students, has a disability. Disabilities vary from psychological (depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar), learning, medical to physical. In addition, 25% of student veterans have a disability as do 11% of graduate students. At the KSU Main campus there are 2,000 students served by her office.

 

Amanda came to KSU in 2011. Since that time, the Accessibility Services department has put a focus on mental health of students. Amanda reported that since she came to KSU her department has seen an 80% increase in students reporting a psychological disability. This is exacerbated by the COVID pandemic and a recent nationwide poll showed that 60% of college students reported an increase in mental health issues like anxiety and depression related to the pandemic.

 

Amanda’s department assists students to the best of their ability, though unlike students in elementary, middle and high school, her department relies on students reporting their disability to the university. There is no burden to find or identify students needing assistance. Once a student begins working with the department they can receive assistance finding appropriate accommodations. Her department has a list of 250 accommodations available. Accommodations include anything that removes a barrier for a student, whether it is physical, social, educational, or calendar related. The department also seeks to change the culture on campus around those with disabilities and includes educating faculty and staff, parents, campus leaders, and state legislators. Amanda and her team advocate for proactive inclusivity and universal design on campus and in the community.

Todd Kamenesh delivered a nice introduction to our speaker today – Kent City Manager, Dave Ruller, who has prepared remarks on how the pandemic has affected the city.

 

To the surprise of no one, Dave stated that the city was not immune to the effects of the pandemic.  Approximately 50% of the city’s workforce was either diagnosed or has COVID.  Many businesses have been hurt with a number of pandemic-induced closures. 

 

For all of the bad, Dave believes the city is better for the experience.  In a way, the city has become an ecosystem of sorts – provoking various departments to learn how to work differently by working smarter.  A “unified command model” has led to better coordination of department duties, as well as developing a healthy reliance on each other.  Words such as “collaboration”, “cooperation” and “leadership” served as a rallying cry to leave no stone unturned and to seek and invite creative solutions.  As Dave opined…”it is open season on good ideas.”