As institutions continue to increase support services for our students and colleagues, it is vital that we, as financial aid professionals, are aware of the available resources for specific student populations as well as for ourselves. Institutional, state, and national disability resources identify services and programs available to create an equitable and inclusive campus environment for students and faculty/staff with disabilities. The National Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) website (https://www.ahead.org/) has a list of general resources available.

Due to the variation of disabilities present within the campus environment, it important that we communicate effectively and respectfully and recognize the diversity among our students and peers. To further our discussion and understanding relative to disability resources, the Access, Equity, and Diversity Committee invites you to join us for a lunch and learn on Thursday, February 24th from 2-3PM EST. Please join using the Teams link included below. The lunch and learn panel will feature professionals throughout the state and will offer an opportunity to engage with our colleagues on potential steps our offices can take to increase support efforts for students and colleagues with disabilities. Through this session, we hope to expand the availability of resources and encourage engagement with disability resource centers on each of our campuses.

Link to meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OWM4ODg0NDYtNjI0MC00Mjg0LTg4YTUtNTM5NDc3NDVkMTdk%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%224130bd39-7c53-419c-b1e5-8758d6d63f21%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2240364c73-7398-41a8-b723-d96a6228b0ea%22%7d.

Please contact the Access, Equity, and Diversity co-chairs, Danielle Hayden ([email protected]) or Alex DeLonis ([email protected]) with questions or concerns.