» By BRITTANY WESTER – [email protected]

To make people aware of the different disabilities and the services provided to those with disabilities, the Office of Disability Services is hosting a whole month of events promoting disability awareness. President Timothy Hall has named April the “Disability Awareness Month.”

A lot of people are unaware that not all disabilities are visible.

Sophomore, Alisha Stone, a Radiology Technology major, has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). She said it is difficult for her to focus in a classroom setting. So, instead, she uses an area provided in the office of Disability Services to take her exams and uses an assigned note taker who takes notes for her in needed classes.

If you were to sit down and talk with Stone, it may not appear to you that she has a disability. She says a lot of people don’t recognize it. But, those who recognize a disorder or disability like hers sometimes do not understand it and make their own assumptions about people who have the disorder. These assumptions people make can be negative and hurtful.

The Office of Disability Services provides many services on campus to students with disabilities. It also provides opportunities for APSU students to volunteer their services. The Office of Disability Services’ mission has always been to ensure access for students with disabilities to all curricular and co-curricular opportunities offered by APSU, as stated on their website.

Disability Month is a tradition that started in 2008, when President Timothy Hall had it ordained by an official announcement. TAS