I’m a science major, which necessarily means that lab classes are part of the curriculum. As a visually impaired student, the words “lab class” are two of my least favorite words after the single word “microscope”. Had it not been for my accommodations provided by the Miller Center, it would have been many times worse. Coming to Miami, I was secure in the knowledge that I had a support system in place to ensure that I wouldn’t be on my own when I needed to use a microscope in class or when in a lecture course I couldn’t read the black board. The Miller Center provided nearly all the same accommodations that I used in high school, making the transition from high school much easier, reducing the list of start-of-term worries that every college freshman feels.
My accommodations have allowed me to participate in class alongside my peers. I was able to sit in classes and know that I was able to get the appropriate accommodations to make sure that I was not put at a disadvantage in comparison to my non-visually impaired classmates.
Not long into my first year at Miami I became a member of the Students with Disabilities Advisory Council (SDAC) which serves to provide a forum to discuss issues of inclusion on the Miami University’s campus. I have participated in panels (including our event held every semester, Coffee and Conversations) and tabling events to communicate with other members of the Miami community and to share my experiences and listen to others share their personal experiences. As of this fall, I am one of the co-presidents of SDAC and hope to be able to lead the organization in continuing to bring inclusion to the forefront of conversation on Miami’s campus with faculty, staff and students.
