When I was looking at different college campuses, I quickly learned that I just could not go anywhere because of my use of a powerchair. Colleges were either disability friendly or just could not meet my needs to have a “regular” college experience. I had always been told about how accessible and friendly the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus was, but I never wanted to be a part of that University.
Living around a campus town, everyone just assumes that you will go to that University because why not. I never wanted that because I was not a big fan of the University and I wanted to get out to see the other parts of our nation, until I took a tour of the Beckwith floor and the UIUC Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES).
Taking the tour allowed me to see how accessible and friendly the campus was towards an individual with a disability. After meeting others and talking to those who would be assisting me with services, I knew that this campus would be the best fit for me.
This campus allowed me to learn more about myself and who I wanted to be. I met so many other individuals with disabilities who could understand what it was like being a college student with a disability. I found the community that I had not realized that I needed. It was nice to finally have others who understood what my life was like and who could give me advice when I needed it. I began to find my voice and work with the University on what needed to be fixed around campus to make it easier for those of us who had a disability because of the rich disability history that is rooted on this campus.
UIUC has such a rich disability history. Dr. Tim Nugent did so much work on accessibility with getting the WWII disabled veterans to be allowed to come to school here at UIUC and leading the way to making some parts of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Without him and those all over the nation who fought for the ADA, I would not be where I am today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for fighting for those changes. Thank you, for showing me how important it is to use my voice to make changes. Thank you, for letting me be the person that I am today and allowing me to meet so many others on this campus who have assisted in shaping my life. Our disability community is because of all the work that was done before the ADA and you fighting for us (even though you did not know us.)
Oh, and HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY ADA (July, 26!)
