Disability Pride Guide
October is Disability Pride Month at Michigan State University! While Disability Pride Month is nationally celebrated in July to honor the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we choose to recognize it in October to ensure that all Spartans can engage with programming.
Join University Health and Wellbeing, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, and other campus partners in celebrating and honoring the contributions of the disability community. Together, we can foster a more inclusive campus community.
This guide provides stories, perspectives and resources to learn about disability and our campus community. Submit feedback to inclusion@msu.edu.
The concept of this guide and the identification of its resources is attributed to Access Specialist Colleen Floyd in the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD. We thank Colleen and RCPD for increasing MSU's understanding of the need to support access for all.
The Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance is pleased to announce the launch of MSU’s Disability and Accessibility Policies Training for faculty and staff on the unversity's legal responsibilities. Learn more
UPDATE: 2026 Disability Summit planning has started. Visit civilrights.msu.edu to submit session topics and learn more.
Campus stories
Additional stories
MSU students design adaptive fashion for NYC runway
Staff voice: Advocating for disability awareness
MSU alum advocates for developmentally disabled using her MSU education
MSU research wins grants to improve speech therapy for Parkinson's
MSU Libraries celebrates Disability Pride Month with new Sensory Room
MSU pediatric researcher receives NIH Director's Transformative Research Award in neuroscience
MSU hosts event showcasing community advocacy for mental health
MSU students reimagine prosthetics with help from MSU Bikes
MSU faculty member publishes book on creating theatre with neurodiverse audiences in mind
School-based asthma therapy improves student health, lowers medical costs
MSU researcher finds in-person mental health treatment more successful for young patients
Psychologist Henry Cowan awarded for work with people living with schizophrenia in Michigan
AgrAbility is helping MSU AgBioResearch center implement assistive technology to support farmers
Disability Pride Month Collaborations
10/1 - 10/9 — Disability Studies Book Display at the MSU Library
Celebrate Disability Pride Month at MSU by learning about disability studies. Check out the MSU Library’s disability studies book display in the Main Library lobby.
All October — Alex’s Great State Race “What’s Your 64?” Challenge
For over a decade, MSU and UM ROTC cadets have honored Alex Powell by carrying the annual MSU vs. UM game football 64-miles between the two campuses in the middle of the night. This year, the tradition is evolving into a new challenge that invites everyone to carry Alex’s legacy forward!
Choose your own 64, complete it and film a short video, and challenge someone else to do theirs. Your 64 can be anything: 64 minutes of something, 64 repetitions, 64 laps, 64 pages, 64 acts of kindness or something meaningful to you. There is no single way to complete a 64. The goal is participation, connection and carrying the challenge forward. Please direct any questions and submit your completed video to uhw.comms@msu.edu. Visit the AGSR GivingTo webpage to learn more.
Upcoming events
10/2 — Disability Summit Keynote
Join the MSU community for the 3rd Annual Disability Summit, a day of learning, collaboration and dialogue focused on accessibility, belonging and innovation in higher education. This year's theme, “The Future of Disability in Higher Education”, explores what is possible when disability perspectives are centered across teaching and learning, technology, employment and campus life. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Sami Schalk, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities, the Summit will inspire meaningful conversations and help shape a more accessible and inclusive future at MSU. Register for in person or virtual attendance and learn more on the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance website.
10/7 — Council of Students with Disabilities General Meeting
Join the Council of Students with Disabilities in Bessey Hall Room 313 at 6 p.m. for an educational night as they discuss their disability experiences. Interested members will provide 3–5-minute presentations about “Things we wish non-disabled people knew”. Participants will leave with a broader understanding of disability and access. All are welcome!
10/9 — Disability Summit Virtual Session
“Beyond Compliance: Disability Justice, Dignified Supervision, and Building Workplaces Where Everyone Can Do Their Best Work” by Dr. Swapna Hingwe. Register for the Virtual Disability Summit session.
10/13 — Banned Together: Voices Uncensored
A collaborative event hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center and University Activities Board in the Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room 1015 at 6 p.m. Join for bedazzling book cover crafts, pastries from a local bakery and an opportunity to learn about the importance of reading banned books by diverse authors, including queer stories, disabled writers and authors of color! All are welcome!
10/21 — Disability Pride Night
Join the Council of Students with Disabilities, Tower Guard, the BOND Program, the Chronic Health Support and Awareness Group and more campus partners in STEM Room 3202 at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate disability pride! Drop by for a fun night of DIY crafting, community building and free food. All are welcome!
10/23 — Disability Summit Virtual Presentation
“Disability in Med School: Supporting Medical Students in the Boards Accommodations Process” by Hannah Huey-Jones, Dr. Karen Stanley-Kime, Dr. Amy Greenberg, Cara Ludlow, Jeffrey Truong and Alicia Knickerbocker. Register for the Virtual Disability Summit session.
10/23 — Disability Summit Virtual Presentation
“Embracing Slowness for Our Futures of Disability Justice” by Chloe Grigsby. Register for the Virtual Disability Summit session.
All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected identity.
Disability perspectives
Videos
STRIDE/RCPD student job placement program on campus. To learn more, check out the Building Opportunities for Spartan Success.
My Body Doesn't Oppress Me, Society Does
I'm Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much
Podcasts
Disability Visibility hosted by Alice Wong
Disability Activist and Media Maker Alice Wong talks about life through a disabled lens. The podcast features conversations on politics, culture and media with disabled people.
The Loudest Girl in the World hosted by Lauren Ober
Host and Producer Lauren Ober shares the understanding and journey of what it means to be on the autism spectrum, and how to navigate life as a newly diagnosed autistic person.
Books
Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the 21st Century, edited by Alice Wong
As a collection of contemporary essays written by disabled people, this book brings the conversation of disability justice to the forefront and explores the urgency and importance of being represented in the media.
Ways to get involved
Council of Students with Disabilities
CSD is an undergraduate student organization at MSU for students with disabilities and their support system that focuses on awareness, advocacy and support. The group strives to empower students with disabilities by offering a safe and welcoming environment where conversations can be had about concerns, experiences and ideas. The CSD hosts meetings throughout the semester as well as engaging and accessibility events. This fall, the group meets on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in Bessey Hall Rm 114. Find more information on their Instagram.
Alex Powell Spartan Experience Leadership Endowment
Alex’s Great State Race occurs each year in honor of Alex Powell to raise money to support students with disabilities. Proceeds from the race support the Alex Powell Spartan Experience Leadership Endowment, which provides funding for professional development focused on capacity and specialized assistance to those facing challenges around difficult disability dynamics. To donate and learn more, visit the giving page.
Accessibility on campus
Learn more about digital accessibility to help remove barriers at MSU
Accessible Design helps to remove barriers when it comes to internet usage as a way to ensure the success of internet users. MSU provides resources, training and guidance on the Accessibility and Universal Design website.
Inclusive restrooms on campus
MSU has restrooms on campus designed for single-occupancy. Students, employees and visitors may use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. There is a map that provides the locations of accessible and inclusive restrooms throughout campus, with instructions on how to differentiate between the various types of bathrooms available.
Outreach services to support employee readiness
The STRIDE Center provides various outreach services to ensure and support employee readiness. Each of the programs focus on accommodation and training, which can be found on the STRIDE website.
Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy
MSU is committed to full inclusion of persons with disabilities. To ensure that inclusion is supported and incorporated on campus, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance created a Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy.
Tools and support
Disability and accommodation training (Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities)
The self-enroll D2L course, RCPD Disability and Accommodation Training, helps MSU instructional staff become more informed about the experiences of disabled students and improve their effectiveness with facilitating accommodations. Using text, videos and resources from various disability scholars and activists, the course covers disability education, RCPD office and accommodation information and accessibility best practices.
Assistive technology support
RCPD Assistant Director of Assisitive Technology Innovation Tyler Smeltekop is available to meet with students to help with Assistive Technology by appointment both in person and virtually. Connect with him via email to set up an appointment (smeltek5@msu.edu).
Assignment tracker
The Assignment Tracker is a tool that can be used to input homework, projects and other assignments from your classes to have them organized by their due date. This template can be copied and used for future semesters.
Tower Guard support
Tower Guard is a second-year student organization that volunteers with RCPD to support all students in an effort to make MSU a more accessibility community. Students can complete this form to submit a request and be matched with a Tower Guard member.
MSU places and spaces
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, was created as a response for equal access to a university education for all students. The center strives to create a welcoming environment, fortify capacity and compassionately challenge each person to reach their fullest ability. Team RCPD assists students, employees and visitors with resources that build a community of opportunity through a variety of sources.
Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders
The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences seeks to advance the understanding of speech, language, voice, swallowing and hearing. They strive to translate scientific discovery to improve diagnostic and treatment approaches for individuals with disorders through cultivating knowledge. The department offers a masters and doctoral degree, as well as several undergraduate preparatory classes.
STRIDE
STRIDE is a Center designed to support and train underserved people with disabilities, their families and other community stakeholders. The Center aims to provide training, conduct research, engage with communities and fulfill the land-grant missions of MSU. STRIDE offers a variety of services and programs to help aid in creating a more accessible community.
Office of the ADA Coordinator
The Office of the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator facilitates MSU’s compliance with its Disability and Reasonable Accommodation, Anti-Discrimination and Web Accessibility policies, as well as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Act of 1975 and other laws and regulations prohibiting disability discrimination and harassment. In addition, the office oversees the Presidents Advisory Committee on Disability Issues that ensures broad institutional input on matters relating to persons with disabilities of all characteristics at MSU.
Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
CEPSE is a department within the College of Education, and is dedicated to the study of human learning and development in individuals. The department has five program areas of different levels and modes of study with the opportunity to learn and collaborate across disciplines.
Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling Program
The College of Education offers a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling Program offers opportunities to advance expertise in the areas of counseling, the social and psychological aspects of disability, the vocational rehabilitation process, case management, ethical practices, independent living, disability management, transition from school to work, vocational assessment, career development and employment strategies. The degree program is dedicated to preparation and promotion in effective delivery of rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
Spaces
- Multicultural Center centers universal design
- MSU Libraries' Sensory Room
- Breslin Center Family Sensory Room
- Bessey Hall multi-sensory patio
Student organizations
Council of Students with Disabilities (CSD)
Graduate Student Accessibility and Support Network (GSASN)
Spartan Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity (SADIE)
Additional resources
Digital accessibility training
Join the conversation
@MSUCSD
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