Accessibility Awareness Is for Everyone
One of my favorite quotes is by Scottish Minister Ian McLaren. In an 1897 Christmas publication, he says, “Be pitiful, for every man is fighting a hard battle.” This really hits home for me, as I know many people who are fighting their own silent battles. When I first heard about Accessibility Awareness Week, I was beyond thrilled. As someone who battles her own physical challenges, I was excited that my fellow EFSC students would have the chance to experience what I and so many others experience on a day-to-day basis.
The events were organized by SAIL (Student Accessibility for Improved Learning). A SAIL team member was stationed at each of the four different exercises: audio, visual, physical and mental. For the first exercise, I got the chance to see (hear) how students with hearing impairments might face challenges in the classroom. I was given a spelling assignment and a set of huge headphones to wear. The instructor then had me write down what I heard her say, and she got quieter with each new word. Trying to complete the assignment was incredibly frustrating, as I felt like I had no control. By the end, I had gotten only three out of six words correct! The SAIL team member then showed me what the school can offer students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, including extra time for testing, or one-on-one time with instructors.
The next station represented those with visual impairments. The assignment was to hold up a “challenging view” trick card to my eye, creating an obstruction, then to try and read an essay. The more I tried to read the essay, the more challenging it became, ultimately leaving me upset. I was then told about some of the accessibility accommodations Eastern Florida offers students with visual impairments, such as magnifiers that boost text size. It really opened up my eyes (no pun intended) to the challenges students who are blind or visually impaired can face in a school environment.
The third exercise was all about physical challenges. I was handed a math test and a tiny calculator, but I had to wear a large oven mitt while taking the test. Oh, and did I mention it was timed? I truly had a difficult time with this one! I only got through about three of the 20 questions in the time I was given, which was a little discouraging. It gave me a new appreciation for all that SAIL does to accommodate those with physical disabilities. For example, EFSC can set students up with transcribers, who help them with typing, writing and more throughout their time here!
The last station represented people with mental disabilities. A SAIL team member gave me a word search and a headset, through which loud, random snippets of songs were playing. I had a really hard time focusing on my assignment with all of these loud thoughts rolling through my head, and I ended up not finding a single word in the word search. I then had a wonderful conversation with the SAIL team member about what they do to help people with mental disabilities succeed at EFSC, like offering private testing rooms to block out distractions (which could otherwise lead to an overwhelming testing environment).
All in all, going to this event was a truly wonderful experience. It took the focus off my personal struggles and helped me to better understand the challenges others navigate on a day-to-day basis. In the end, my Accessibility Awareness Week experience really softened my heart—and in addition to all of the incredible things I learned, I even made new friends and got to have some ice cream!
I highly recommend reaching out to SAIL for any of your accessibility needs, big or small. There are many wonderful people in the department, and they truly have a heart for helping students succeed at Eastern Florida State College. Not only do they have a lot to offer, but they also genuinely care about you. Be sure to get in touch today so you can start the next term on a positive note!
- Men Behind the Megaphone - March 4, 2020
- Accessibility Awareness Is for Everyone - November 20, 2019
