With April 1 marking the start of World Autism Month, two recently established organizations at Saint Mary’s College are attempting to foster spaces for students with disabilities to be recognized.
The Saint Mary’s chapter of Delta Alpha Pi (DAPi) and the Disabled Student Alliance (DSA) are Saint Mary’s first two student groups to focus on disabilities.
Saint Mary’s is now one of more than 200 schools to host a chapter of the DAPi International Honor Society. Associate professor Michael Waddell and assistant professor Kaycee Bills are co-advisors of the newly established branch on campus, also known as Iota Phi.
Since March, the two have been sending emails to inform students about the organization and its requirements to join.
“As a professor, I made it my primary goal to start a chapter at Saint Mary’s College, so students with disabilities would not have to wait as long as I did to be recognized for their achievements and have a voice regarding the diversity they bring to campus,” Bills said.
Bills also added that having been a college student with a disability, it frustrated her that there was a lack of representation of students with disabilities.
“I would see student groups and honor societies for just about every population except students with disabilities,” she explained. “Being a member of Delta Alpha Pi was the first time that [I] not only felt my achievements were recognized, but my diversity was also celebrated.”
In order for a student to be able to apply to DAPi, they must identify with having a disability, have at least a 3.1 GPA if an undergraduate or a 3.2 GPA if a graduate student and have completed 24 credit hours by the time of being inducted.
“Each year, we will have an induction ceremony where new members will receive a Delta Alpha Pi pin and official membership into the honor society,” Bills said. “Seniors will receive a blue and gold cord to wear at graduation. Once students become a member, they qualify for scholarships that they can apply for directly through Delta Alpha Pi.”
DSA is also extending its reach toward students with disabilities. The club recently hosted their first event: Coloring with DSA. The event was held at the Common Good Lounge and allowed students with disabilities and allies to have casual conversations while creating art.
“What made me want to join DSA is I was diagnosed with autism my freshman year and have wanted to connect with other students who have disabilities,” an anonymous student said. “I do plan on affiliating with DSA in the future because it helps me feel less out of place.”
Freshman Aislynn Fuller, the president of DSA, noted that the event’s turnout was much bigger than expected. Fuller described the goals of the organization and how they plan to build a community on campus.
“We’ve got two big things … The first one is to spread awareness and acceptance of various issues and aspects of disabled life … The second thing is to create a community for disabled students and also allies of disabled students,” Fuller said.
