Campus Connection

SAPA celebrates those making UWL more accessible

Jess Hollenback, UWL associate professor of history; Colleen Dixon, a staff member in the ACCESS Center; and UWL’s Occupational Therapy Department have received the 2016 Most Accessible Awards. The awards, presented by Students Advocating Potential Ability (SAPA), recognize professors, staff members and departments that go out of their way to make accessibility a priority and help make UWL accessible to all students no matter what their abilities are. Awards were announced Tuesday, March 29, at the 33^rd Annual Most Accessible Awards Ceremony. [caption id="attachment_37701" align="alignright" width="211"] Chantel Banks, UWL senior and executive board member of SAPA.[/caption] “SAPA has been and will continue to work toward recognizing ability within disability, as well as fight the stigma that the word disability holds,” says UWL senior Chantel Banks, an executive board member of SAPA. “We cannot do it without the UWL support system we honored last week.” Since 1983, students with disabilities, as well as ACCESS Center staff and students, have nominated a faculty member for the Most Accessible Award. Winners are selected through an anonymous voting process. Starting in 1996 and 1997, respectively, a department and staff member have also been selected. During the ceremony, Patricia Ardovino, a lecturer in Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, spoke of inclusion and what it means to address diversity. Ardovino explained that inclusion begins with those in a position of authority and includes everyone. She challenged those attending to be respectful of differences and strive for acceptance. [caption id="attachment_45575" align="alignleft" width="240"] Jess Hollenback, UWL associate professor of history.[/caption] “Inclusion demands the help of all who are the backbone of this school. Change is hard. It requires action. It requires stepping outside of our comfort zone and pushing boundaries,” explains Banks. “We cannot be afraid to challenge the norms that this world has set. Inclusion is the goal, but it takes every one of us to make it happen.” Banks and several other SAPA members will graduate this year. “We are so excited about the future, but sad that we are closing this chapter of our lives,” says Banks. “We have faith that the Most Accessible Awards tradition will continue because honoring those who are striving to make UWL accessible is something to forever celebrate.” [caption id="attachment_45576" align="alignright" width="240"] Colleen Dixon, ACCESS Center staff member.[/caption] SAPA urges members of the campus community to remember what makes them different and stand out. “Honor those differences and help make UWL the place to be,” says Banks. About SAPA: SAPA is a UWL student organization committed to raising awareness of disability issues. The organization strives to address not only physical accessibility, but also academic accessibility. Learn more about SAPA at https://www.uwlax.edu/ACCESS-Center/Students-Advocating-Potential-Ability/.