By Cassy Sottile
News Editor
Washington College students are taking action to raise awareness of disability access issues on campus by establishing a DREAM chapter in partnership with administrators from the Office of Academic Skills.
“As the number of students identified as having a visible or invisible disability continues to rapidly increase, the need for a group like DREAM becomes even more paramount,” Disability Access Specialist Maggie Harris said.
DREAM, which stands for Disability, Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring — advocates for student rights, increased accessibility, and social and policy change. It aims to provide support and mentorship to local campus disability groups and individual students, according to Harris.
“The goals of the national DREAM organization include developing and maintaining a communications network to promote peer support and exchange of ideas between students with disabilities in the United States,” Harris said.
Harris said the DREAM chapter will focus on “collecting and disseminating information on topics of relevance to disabled students, tracking and responding to local and national disability issues that affect post-secondary institutions and initiating national and local dialogues about issues that are in need of attention,” Harris said.
While DREAM is required by national chapter rules to have an advisor, it will be a group for students, led by juniors Calisa Gayle and Rebecca Railson.
“I really think there’s a need for a group like DREAM on campus. Disabilities like anxiety disorder and depression aren’t being taken seriously on campus, and I really want students to know that there’s a safe space to discuss their struggles,” Railson said.
In order for the WC DREAM chapter to be recognized within the national DREAM organization, there are some requirements that must be met, according to Harris. The chapter must be made up of college students of any age at the undergraduate or graduate level who can identify to have or not have a disability.
“Some student groups are focused on charity, curing disability, or other medical aspects of disability. DREAM is focused on community, pride, activism, and education,” Harris said.
Students will be able to lead and engage in conversations that focus on issues related to accessibility in academia and other aspects of their college life that they may have been uncomfortable discussing previously, according to Harris.
“College life is a significant adjustment for students, especially those with disabilities and can introduce potential barriers that negatively impact one’s overall college experience,” Harris said. “Students may feel disconnected from others who they perceive to be ‘different’ from them which makes them feel withdrawn, isolated, and alone. A group for individuals with disabilities and their allies like DREAM can connect students of different backgrounds, disabilities, and experiences and provide them with a safe haven.”
Members with or without disabilities are urged to participate in the group. Students can attend monthly meetings and participate in virtual activities such as special topics surveys, or potential activities held on campus or within the community, according to Harris.
“Active participation in a group like DREAM can help create a more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff alike,” Harris said.
Currently, DREAM is a special interest group for students.
Harris said that she hopes the group will become a recognized club on campus in the future after completing the Student Government Association’s requirements for clubs.
“Anyone who wants to be here should be, and it’s a personal goal of mine to increase awareness of disability and make this school more accessible for disabled students before I graduate,” Railson said.
DREAM had its first meeting on Oct. 8, and will meet again sometime within the next month. If anyone is interested in getting involved in the group or learning more about it, contact Maggie Harris at mharris5@washcoll.edu and visit DREAM’s website www.dreamcollegedisability.org.