Disabled students accepted at Kent State University

By Eman Hassouneh

Early College High school

"I've been inspired by disabled people," says Professor Gene Shelton who teaches disabled students in his classes almost every day.

"My job is to accommodate them," says Shelton. Whether it's note taking or ramps to get into buildings, disabled students at Kent State are always assisted.

Phil Rumrill, professor of rehabilitation counseling and director of the Center for Disability Studies, who happens to be blind, says, "They're just like everyone else and are entitled to the same opportunities. They look to be accepted and avoid situations where they aren't," he said.

"Students learn to accept the disabled students more and more as they see their success and begin to welcome them," Rumrill said. "Being disabled is something you just have to deal with. I get to decide how much it affects me," he said.    

In some cases like autistic student Chuyi Huang, there is no recognization of abilities.

  " Most of the time she's in her own world," says Songping Huang father and professor of the chemistry department at Kent State University.   "She can't recognize the process of thought," he says.

" She's actually very accepted," says Huang. " The community knows these problems exist," Huang said. Huang's daughter Chuyi currently takes small classes on living skills.

Students at other schools also accept students with disabilities. Freshman at Max Hayes High School Eugenia Adams said, "I would expect to be treated the same. They teach us and we teach them," she said.

  "I would feel different if I was disabled," admitted freshman Sarah Grimm from Lincoln West High School. "I feel sorry for them," she said.

"I think there is a fear or discomfort of disabled students," Shelton said. "Maybe that's what prevents people from treating them the same. They might not feel the inclusion that they want to feel," Shelton said.

Many organizations have been set up at Kent State University like the Student Accessibility Service, which assists disabled students who attend Kent State University. Other organizations like Ability Unlimited also help disabled students attending Kent State University.

"Everybody at an individual level has limitations," said Rumril. "They want the same thing that everyone else wants," he said.