Princeton University AccessAbility Center

11/29/2022

Calling all Princeton architects, designers, and disability advocates! Join Princeton administrators Mona Fixdal, Rachel Busnardo, and Alexis Mitschler on Thursday, December 1st from 12:30 to 1:30pm in the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242) to learn how Universal Design can be applied in the digital space, physical space, and the learning environment. Lunch and reusable utensils giveaways are also provided!

To request accommodations for this event, please email [email protected].

11/06/2022

Influence how we advocate for ability, access, and difference at Princeton by completing an eight-minute survey for the AccessAbility Center: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfME-BOsj4qeO1504bb5SMgvtgNPV7-yxRejpnw3R_WLdZzjw/viewform

The Center is a gathering space designed for universal access. Our mission is to envision disability as a part of diversity. We recognize that many people in the Princeton community with and without disabilities want to support people with disabilities and promote access on our campus.

To accomplish these goals, the AccessAbility Center is creating an Ally Program to train people with campus roles that intersect with disability and inclusion, as well as those who want to advocate for accessibility. The three-hour Wintersession training will provide allies with fundamental information about disability, and open space for conversations about accessibility, ableism, and identity.

In order to prepare an effective training, we are reaching out to people with disabilities in our campus community to hear their thoughts on what makes an effective ally. We are inviting anyone on our campus who identifies as having a disability to provide their thoughts. The deadline to complete the survey is November 10th, 2022.

We're excited to hear from our community about creating a more inclusive Princeton!

11/05/2022

Recent additions to the AccessAbility Center: a puzzle, free stress balls, and whiteboard prompts on our doors. Come visit us at 242 Frist to relax and join our community!

10/31/2022

As some varsity athletes continue to compete and others prepare for their upcoming seasons, the AccessAbility Center encourages students to explore where access and athletics meet. As such, the Center is hosting a Student Spotlight on Maisie McPherson and her retirement from Princeton Varsity Water Polo after sustaining three concussions. Please join us on Wednesday, November 2nd from 12 to 1 PM in the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242) to hear from Maisie. Lunch from Jules Pizza (vegan and non-vegan options) will be provided for those in attendance!

To request accommodations for this event, please email [email protected] or call 609-258-8840.

10/24/2022

This Thursday, October 27th at 8:30 PM, join us in the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242) for our first movie night of the academic year. We'll be watching THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME—a classic Disney film about forbidden love, secrecy, disability, and monsters—just in time for Halloween! Even if you can't stay for the whole movie, feel free to stop by for the fresh popcorn and classic movie snacks. See you in Notre Dame!

09/16/2022

PAID FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Office of Disability Services is looking for first year, sophomore and junior undergraduate students to serve as an AccessAbility Center Student Fellow. One to two fellow positions are currently available. Each fellow works about 3-5 hours per week and is paid $13.50 per hour.

​The AccessAbility Center was founded in April 2017 on the premise that in order to value disability, people must understand and appreciate different abilities. The Center is a campus gathering space designed for universal access and intended to foster conversation about ability, disability, and access. Our mission is to envision disability as a part of diversity and provide opportunities for students to actively explore divergent abilities. Understanding difference enriches the educational experience and lives of our campus community.

The AccessAbility Center student fellows work with the Office of Disability Services staff to create programming, advocacy, campus outreach, and community engagement about disability and accessibility. As student representatives of the Center, the Fellows strive to build dialogue around varying abilities on campus and to build the AccessAbility Center into a visible, active, and supportive presence on Princeton’s campus.

​Apply at http://bit.ly/3CAIRqH by Wednesday, 9/21 at 11:59 pm!

09/14/2022

Welcome to the Class of 2026 and Welcome Back to the Classes of 2025, 2024, and 2023! We trust that you all explored your interests at the Academics Fair, the Employment Fair, and the Activities Fair! Princeton is filled with opportunities to engage with your interests and identities.

As you continue to explore, remember the AccessAbility Center. The Center is a gathering space designed for universal access and to foster conversation about disability. Our mission is to envision disability as part of diversity. Hopefully, the AccessAbility Center partakes in advocacy to ensure that all of the opportunities and resources at Princeton are available to all students.

If you are interested in the AccessAbility Center, stop by TODAY from 4:30 to 5:30pm for our OPEN HOUSE! Our AccessAbility Center Fellows are available to speak about disability on campus and answer questions. While you learn about the Center, grab campus's softest t-shirt or create an identity bracelet. See you soon!

05/08/2022

Finals week made better with puppy love from Princeton's own therapy dog Coach!

05/02/2022

Stressed about final exams and the end of the year? Need a sheet mask? A care package? An afternoon with some therapy dogs? If so, stop by the AccessAbility Center and relax for five minutes or a whole hour. This finals season, the Center is hosting a series of stress-relief study breaks!

On Thursday, May 5th from 4-5pm in the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242), meet Coach, campus's newest therapy dog.

On Thursday, May 5th from 5:30-7:30pm, stop by the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242) to create your own stress relief package complete with sheet masks, fidget toys, and candy.

On Monday, May 9th from 1-2pm on Frist Lawn, learn about and meet a group of seeing eye dogs.

On Thursday, May 11th from 4-5pm in the AccessAbility Center (Frist 242), there's a second chance to meet the campus therapy dog Coach!

To request accommodations for any of these events, please email [email protected] or call 609-258-8840. See you there!

04/25/2022

Trying to forget about Dean's Date for an hour? Visit the AccessAbility Center (242 Frist) this Thursday, April 28th at 8pm! We're screening the miniseries SPECIAL, based on Ryan O'Connell's critically acclaimed memoir I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves. In eight fifteen-minute mini-episodes, Ryan, a gay man with cerebral palsy, decides to redefine his identity as an accident victim and embark on independent living and the workplace. Come for the freshly popped popcorn and classic movie snacks, stay for the show!

04/13/2022

This month marks 5 years of the AccessAbility Center! Come celebrate with us on April 20th from 4-6 pm at Frist 242. Stop by our open house for sushi, cupcakes, popcorn, M&Ms, t-shirts, and more! Celebratory remarks and a special giveaway at 4:30 pm. We're so grateful for half a decade of support from the Princeton community!

04/02/2022