In honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month, a panel of students recently discussed the struggles they face as college students with disabilities and what steps UCM can take to make their college experience better.

More than 40 people attended the event Tuesday, Oct. 24, which was hosted by Spotlight in the Elliott Student Union.

The panelist were Jessica Farris, Kathleen Keller, Teresa Scarborough, Deanne Swaringen, Patrick Chapman and Christopher Cooper.

Farris, who is blind, commutes to UCM. She transferred from a Kansas City community college where she was involved in campus activities. She said it’s important that she continues to be involved because it helps keep her motivated. However, she said staying involved has been difficult for her since coming to UCM.

“I’m completely reliant on the shuttle bus here,” Farris said. “Events during the day conflict with my class schedule and there’s no transportation for night events.”

She said the university should have buses that run at night for students who want to attend late events on campus.

Scarborough, a senior art major, has vision and hearing impairments. She said professors should remember to read the descriptions given to them about a student’s disability before the semester begins because it can help the student and professor.

“One professor never forgets that I need a large font but some of them do,” Scarborough said. “I have to stop them and ask them to make it bigger.”

Scarborough also said professors should stick to the written accommodations listed on a student’s description because it can become frustrating for the student.

“For me, professors are given little ear pieces with a mic to wear so I can hear them,” she said. “Sometimes you get the professors that are like, ‘Oh no that’ll bother me if I wear it. I’ll just speak louder.’”

She said that makes her uncomfortable and it also could make a student want to drop out.

Cooper said he suffers from anxiety and chronic muscle spasms. He said people often judge him based on his appearance and he wants that to stop.

“They assume because of the way that I look that I am a strong and capable person,” Cooper said.

However, he said he could be in extreme pain due to the muscle spasms.

The panelists also provided some advice.

Keller, who has social anxiety, said if a person believes they may have a disability, they should contact the Office of Accessibility Services. She said the staff will know the right resources to suggest for specific disabilities. She said she was introduced to the THRIVE program and hasn’t looked back since.

“Joining the THRIVE program has changed my whole life,” Keller said. “I found my closest friends. I can’t even explain it in words because it’s been so amazing.”

Chapman, a sophomore THRIVE student, has Down syndrome and said one of the biggest challenges he faces on campus is people not understanding him when he speaks. He wants people to stop saying, “OK, forget it. I don’t understand.”

“When you first meet someone and they ask what’s your name, it’s OK for you to ask them to write it down or to repeat it,” Chapman said.

Keller said people should understand that disabilities are not diseases. They are simply differences.

For more information, contact the Office of Accessibilities at 543-4421 or visit the office in the Elliott Student Union, Room 224.