SUNY Morrisville students were among those championing for additional legislative funding and support for students with disabilities enrolled in colleges and universities across New York State during this year’s Student Empowerment Day.
The event, hosted virtually by the New York State Disability Services Council, gathered more than 300 students, advocates and policymakers, including 14 SUNY Morrisville students and leaders — all highlighting the urgent need for more funding to ensure the fair access and essential support for students with disabilities.
“SUNY Morrisville is at the forefront of the advocacy, demonstrating its dedication to fostering an inclusive academic environment where all students can succeed,” said Leanne Hofstead, assistant director of the college’s Accessibility Services Center (ASC).
“Empowerment Day was an exciting and informational way to draw attention to the need for funding and support for students with disabilities in college,” Hofstead said. “Events like Empowerment Day are important because students should feel celebrated for their differences and unique abilities, regardless of background and disability status.”
“I enjoyed seeing current college students on the Zoom call sharing what their college uses disability funding for,” said Matthew Bellinger, an equine science student from Clifton Park. “It was nice to see that the funding helps real students in so many awesome ways.”
“I liked the small group feel of the event and listening to legislators speak,” said Delia Adams, an applied psychology student, from Homer.
Participating in the event were the following students:
Delia Adams, applied psychology, Homer
Abdullai Bah, accounting, Bronx
Matthew Bellinger, equine science, Clifton Park
Sierra Benson, business administration, Moravia
Ethan Cossette, applied psychology, Oneida
James Hoffman, applied psychology, Ilion
Preston Kese, individual studies, Bronx
Rebecca Kench, exercise science, Henrietta
Mya Luna, business administration, Raleigh, North Carolina
Emileah Morgan, agricultural science – agricultural outreach and education, Cato
Paige Whipple, applied psychology
Also participating and assisting from the ASC were:
Lesley Owens-Pelton, director
Leanne Hofstead, assistant director
Simone Spencer, assistant