AccessibleOHIO week aims to dismantle campus stigmas surrounding accessibility, disability

Ohio University Student Senate will host AccessibleOHIO, an inaugural week-long series created to dismantle barriers between students and the stigmas they might possess surrounding accessibility and disability.

AccessibleOHIO events are scheduled to occur from Sunday, Feb. 17 through Saturday, Feb. 23.

“I believe that by embracing disability and accessibility as a diversity issue, we can all increase our understanding of the world around us,” said Jordyn Zimmerman, OHIO Student Senate minority affairs commissioner. “This is particularly important as President Nellis works to create an environment through his Strategic Pathways where "difference in all forms is welcomed and celebrated." 

Planned AccessibleOHIO events include:

• Sunday, Feb. 17 - Silent game night will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., Athens, Ohio.
   

• Monday, Feb. 18 – The AccessibleOHIO Resource Fair will be held in the Baker University Center second floor lobby from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is being held to create awareness about the many accessibility services available on campus and in the community. Representatives from many campus and area services will be in attendance to answer questions and provide information.
   
• Tuesday, Feb. 19 - Disability at the Athena Cinema will feature the movie, “Keep the Change,” at 7 p.m. For more information about the movie, visit http://athenacinema.com/keepthechange/. The theater is located at 20 S. Court St. Athens, Ohio, and free popcorn will be available to the first 50 customers.
   
• Wednesday, Feb. 20 – The Disability in the #MeToo era event will be led by the OHIO Survivor Advocacy Program from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Baker University Center 239. During the event, SAP and Campus Involvement Center representatives will discuss how sexual assault affects people with disabilities and how to support sexual assault survivors.
   
• Thursday, Feb. 21 - Melissa Day, an advocate from Disability Rights Ohio, will speak at 7 p.m. in Baker University Center 239. In 1994, she became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio in 2003 and later earned her Juris Doctorate from Capital University with a concentration in dispute resolution.
   
• Friday, Feb. 22 – Accessibility Walk. For details, contact Jordyn Zimmerman at Senate.MinorityAffairs@ohio.edu.

• Saturday, Feb. 23 – Ohio Late Nights will be held at the Living Learning Center located at 111 S. Green Drive. The event will feature free pizza and accessibility themed crafts from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
   

"I commend Student Senate for planning and leading this important AccessibleOHIO series," said Dr. Gigi Secuban, Ohio University’s vice president for Diversity and Inclusion. "These inaugural events highlight the compassion of our student body and underscore their commitment to ensuring that our campus community is a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone."

For more information about AccessibleOHIO week, please contact OHIO Student Senate Minority Affairs Commissioner Jordyn Zimmerman at Senate.MinorityAffairs@ohio.edu.