[NFBMI-Talk] Access Celebration: Western Michigan University Steps Forward

[Scott Davert]

Wow!A huge congratulations to all who were involved with this effort!
I understand from various sources that it has been a very long road.
BRAVO!!!!

Regards,
Scott Davert
(WMU graduate in 2010)

On 9/28/23, Steve Cook via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Awesome, great job!
>
> Steve Cook
> You are invited to join us on the 1st and 2nd Friday of each month at 8:00
> PM Eastern for audio described movies using the below Zoom platform!
> https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09
> Meeting ID: 803 254 3777
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Robert
> Parsons
> via NFBMI-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 7:29 PM
> To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List' <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: rob.parso3389 at gmail.com
> Subject: [NFBMI-Talk] Access Celebration: Western Michigan University Steps
> Forward
>
> Good Evening Federation Family!
>
>
>
> I write this email with excitement and a sense of pride. Many of our
> members
> can recall the dedicated efforts of the Michigan Association of Blind
> Students, a proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan, and the Kalamazoo chapter during the pandemic to bring about
> increased accessibility to facets of Western Michigan University that
> students were not able to fully participate in. Some of this included:
>
> *	Online Learning Platforms
> *	Library Databases
> *	Virtual Texts and Journal Articles
> *	Virtual Statistical Platforms
>
> The advocacy that the Kalamazoo chapter members and student division
> demonstrated at the time and throughout the pandemic was not in vain. Their
> efforts; including writing letters to the university provost and DEI
> office,
> increasing awareness to faculty and staff, and working with our affiliate
> to
> produce an official resolution informing the university of its shortcomings
> in meeting minimum expectations of access; had lasting effects that ushered
> in change for current and former students of Western Michigan University.
>
> Beginning Monday, September 26, 2023, Western Michigan University has
> officially become an Aira Access Partner. As an access partner, the campus
> and all properties of WMU has been officially geofenced, providing blind
> students, visitors and community members access to the service. This
> service
> covers all WMU campus facilities on the main, east and downtown Grand
> Rapids
> campus; as well as:
>
> *	WMU Football Stadium
> *	WMU Ice Plex
> *	WMU New Student Center
> *	WMU Downtown Kalamazoo Surplus Store
>
> Western Michigan University is the first and currently the only college or
> university in the state that is an Aira Access Partner. Current blind
> students at Western Michigan University are also eligible to receive an
> Aira
> Explorer Account as a reasonable accommodation. This accommodation is
> intended for students that are not on campus and are registered for courses
> online using eLearning and other virtual platforms. Blind students enrolled
> at WMU can reach out to the Disability Student Services (DSS) office to
> inquire about receiving an Explorer account.
>
> This change would not be done without acknowledging the efforts of the
> members of our affiliate, both present and former, that put so much work
> into the previously mentioned advocacy actions. Members of our affiliate
> that have graduated from WMU, like Rachel Pavone, Taylor Arndt, Monae
> Payne,
> Osman Koroma and Lisa Irving are wonderful examples of how our movement
> lays
> the groundwork for the next generation of blind students and blind people
> to
> thrive. Finally, we must thank Victor Marques, the At Large chapter
> Secretary, for his continued advocacy in Kalamazoo, even after graduation.
> His work with blind students in preparing them for college through training
> means so much more knowing that it is accompanied with the ability to
> advocate for access. Your efforts are all appreciated and congratulations
> to
> everyone involved in the movement to raise expectations of blind people as
> we turn dreams into reality.
>
>
>
> With Love, Hope and Determination,
>
>
>
> Robert Parsons, Jr., M. A., CRC, CVRT, LLPC
>
> President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
>
> (269)216-8640
>
> www.nfbmi.org
>
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