BSU is seen as trailblazing in the work that we do. Our programming is focused on helping people find their space. To help people feel like they belong. It’s our job to help people get there.
The natural light filtering into room 106 inside the Rondileau Student Union creates a feeling of warmth, making the space feel comfortable and cozy, even on a winter day when temperatures are below freezing.
“That’s exactly what we are going for,” said Jenna Shales, director of Bridgewater State University’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS), located within the Academic Achievement Center.
A ribbon cutting was held at RSU106 on Jan. 22 to mark the opening of the SAS Suite.
The staff of SAS works with students that have documented learning, intellectual, or cognitive disabilities; medical diagnoses or physical challenges; psychological diagnoses or autism. Their work involves identifying and removing barriers to full participation in the university experience. Students may receive classroom or campus-community accommodations, access to assistive technology, and referrals to additional resources.
“The SAS mission is to help students fully access the university experience the way they want to access it,” Shales said.
This extends beyond the traditional academic supports.
“We’re empowered to go beyond that. We work across all divisions with the same goals. We want to provide students with accommodations in places like resident life and housing, in clubs and organizations, operations,” Shales said.
The SAS Suite was designed after students voiced their desire to have a designated space that incorporates a variety of elements promoting accessibility. Students asked for sensory opportunities, comfortable furniture, natural lighting, private meetings areas, and, generally, a space they could be proud of.
Bridgewater was able to accommodate these requests and more. The suite also includes extra-wide doorways, adjustable-height desks, low-skid flooring, size-inclusive seating, weighted blankets, and push-button door access.
According to Shales, under the leadership of President Frederick W. Clark Jr, Bridgewater has taken a very clear stance as being an institution the believes every student, no matter what their circumstances, should not only succeed but experience university life on their terms.
“BSU is seen as trailblazing in the work that we do,” Shales said. “Our programming is focused on helping people find their space. To help people feel like they belong. It’s our job to help people get there.”
That help extends beyond the walls of the SAS Suite, Shales said, it includes the entire community.
“Regardless of the role you play on campus, whether you are faculty, staff, administrator, a neighbor of BSU...we’re here to partner with you and help you figure out what you can do, to continue to work together,” Shales said. “We want people to be more aware that we are here as a resource and will continue to work to keep the momentum moving forward.”
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