TAMPA, Fla.– This semester, The University of Tampa took a massive leap toward inclusiveness and accessibility by introducing the Spartan Accessibility Alliance (SAA). It is a campus group run by students that aims to make campus life more available.
The founding of the SAA represented a significant step in creating a general atmosphere at the university where all students, despite their abilities, could successfully participate in academic and campus life. While accessibility is an ongoing topic, SAA’s mission is to not only advocate the change but also bring awareness and support for the students who need these vested accommodations to strive.
At its core, SAA nurtures a campus environment that is warm, inviting, and accessible through multiple strategies such as advocacy, ally-building, and collaboration with other campus organizations.
The mission of the alliance, according to its InvolveUT group page, is to “bring awareness and discussion to issues surrounding accessibility on UTampa’s campus to further and promote a welcoming, successful and accessible campus environment for all.” This mission aligns with the University’s greater mission relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of student life.
The organization was founded in response to the ever-growing need for open and frank dialogue about accessibility on campus at UTampa. Besides the usual hurdles of classes and studying, navigating campus life poses its own challenges for students with disabilities or chronic health issues, such as ensuring access to classrooms and campus resources and full participation in extracurricular activities is really attainable.
SAA provides a platform through which students explore experiences, discuss barriers they face, and collaborate on practical solutions. It also focuses on making the campus culture inclusive, whereby accessibility is not an afterthought in students’ lives.
“We are still in the process of planning our events for the semester and year,” said SAA president Jessie Reffue. “We hope to be ready to do a collaborative event after we host our Disability Awareness Week events.”
The organization has a full calendar of events planned and hopes to work with other student organizations to provide inclusive events for all.
Reffue is most excited about teams working with Student Productions, Student Government, and other clubs on campus.
“I believe SAA will help infuse accessibility into UTampa’s culture,” said Reffue. “Hopefully, the success of our accessible events will provide an inclusive environment for all students and influence other organizations to model behavior after our accesses.”
Beyond events, SAA is committed to the long-term work of advocacy, striving with the office of UTampa’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to support the needs of campus students requiring even temporary accommodations. SAS serves to determine what will make campus resources available for students with disabilities to be academically successful.
Students and faculty/staff members work collaboratively on developing individual plans, tailoring them to meet specific student needs. Accommodations may include extended testing time, note-taking assistance, or accessible housing.
“SAS recognizes disability as an integral part of the rich diversity at The University of Tampa,” said Gabe Wright, an Academic Program Specialist at SAS. “We work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive and equitable educational environment for students, providing them with the accommodations they need to ensure equal access to their academic experience.”
Wright also presented on how to access accommodations. Students who are admitted to UTampa and have a disability or medical or mental health condition are encouraged to request accommodation services.
“The process starts with a formal request,” shared Wright. “Once a request is submitted, a student meets with SAS staff to discuss their needs and determine reasonable accommodations.”
Amidst this, SAS ensures the student receives letters of accommodations forwarded to professors listing approved accommodations. The SAS counselors continue this support throughout the semester by pinpointing and resolving significant concerns and potential additional requests for accommodations.
It is of great importance that the SAA fills the gap between the students and SAS by providing a student voice on issues related to campus accessibility or otherwise while fostering a sense of community among students with disabilities.
“By creating an inclusive environment through our organization, we want to let students know that their needs shouldn’t hold them back from being involved on campus,” said Reffue.
This is an important message, especially since the organization is working to increase its membership and hold more awareness events with other student groups. Besides its advocacy, the SAA provided rich leadership opportunities for students interested in furthering accessibility on campus.
Members of this organization participate in productive discussions, enhance their advocacy skills, and participate in events that focus on accessibility. In all these activities, the students develop leadership skills that will be useful during their UTampa years and later in their lives.
As UTampa continues to grow, organizations such as the Spartan Accessibility Alliance will ensure this university remains a premise of completion regardless of the abilities of its students.
SAA invites all students to be involved in the conversation and to help shape a more accessible campus for current and future generations of Spartans. Whether attending an SAA meeting, participating in an event, or even becoming more informed about the daily obstacles that students with disabilities face, there is always something to do.
SAA has general meetings every Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Southard Family Building, room 288. Whether you are a student seeking support, an accessibility advocate, or simply someone curious about the ways in which you can help create change, Spartan Accessibility Alliance invites all voices to enter the table.
In a world where inclusivity is becoming more vital than ever, SAA is taking the realm into making UTampa a place that is for everyone. With the support of SAS and an enthusiastic student body, the prospects are excellent for a campus that is as accessible as it is inviting.