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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office for Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) held an orientation for both students and parents on Thursday, Sept. 14.

“I take medicine and I shake sometimes and that’s why I need help with notes. But by looking at me you wouldn’t see that,” said senior and self-described non-traditional student Jeri Bonine-Burton. “With ACCESS they see you and they hear you. So it’s very important to become a part of them.”

Bonine-Burton appeared on a three-person panel who shared challenging experiences as members of the disability community. For them, ACCESS ensured positive campus encounters.

Dominic Dorsey, the director of ACCESS, moderated the panel. He prefaced their testimonies with an introductory talk outlining the grave difference between high school accommodations accompanied by family support and college accommodations for independent living.

“You have to figure out your study skills and take personal responsibility to embody and create the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college,” said Dorsey.

Winter Racine, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed the importance of self-care. “Be aware of what you’re entitled to, and don’t look at something like it’s a burden. It is your right as a human being.”

Racine encouraged students to join the New Horizons student organization dedicated to raising disability awareness. She also shared the importance of wearing a sunflower lanyard or accessory that identifies invisible disability. According to ACCESS, the SIUE campus is the first to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program that originated in the UK.

ACCESS staff recommends students in need of services visit their offices early and continue to check in throughout their academic career. Visit the ACCESS web page and in person in the Student Success Center for resources to increase skills in learning, time management and test-taking.