By Christina Papaleo, Staff Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer
Christina Papaleo, Staff Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer, recently developed a Campus Accessibility Events Checklist for Events and Programs. This was adapted and used with permission by Cornell University’s Division of Human Resources. The goal of this resource is to provide students, faculty, and staff with guidelines to ensure that their events and programs are equitable. It is by no means a complete checklist, but rather a catalyst in supporting SUNY Cortland’s vision to be a “college of opportunity.”
“What some people misunderstand about accessibility is that it is not just for people with disabilities,” Papaleo said. “Oftentimes, accommodations are made for only a handful of people, without the acknowledgement that these actions may ultimately further marginalize someone who identifies with a disability–or even stigmatize the idea that receiving an accommodation is an extra step in a program, rather than something that can influence it.”
This checklist can become a way for campus community members to hold themselves accountable in maintaining the College’s commitment to equity and inclusion. To access the checklist, please visit the Disability Resources Office web page.