Meet Noemi Delgado, 澳门六合彩开奖结果's new director of Accessibility Services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.
鈥淚鈥檒l be providing accommodations for students, whether it be housing, academics, or any meal exemptions related to a disability and/or medical condition,鈥 Delgado said.
Delgado鈥檚 role unifies many responsibilities that were previously split across the Center for Academic Success (CAS), making it easier for a student鈥檚 accommodation needs to be quickly and effectively addressed.
鈥淲e want the new process to be consistent and create an equitable opportunity for all students to have access to the accommodations they need,鈥 Delgado said.
Accessibility Services is now part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.聽Students can find additional information on the Accessibility Services webpage, including a link to request accommodations.
Adding efficiencies
Delgado, who joined the Lawrence team earlier this year, walked us through the process. First, students submit a request for accommodations by uploading documentation and completing an eligibility form. Answers to these questions are private and confidential, viewed by Delgado so she can better understand the impact of the student鈥檚 situation. She reviews the form and does external research if necessary, and then schedules a one-on-one meeting with the student.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what is really good about this process,鈥 Delgado said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not just seeing this student on paper; I鈥檓 getting an opportunity to meet with them.鈥
This process helps Delgado gain a better sense of each student鈥檚 needs, which allows her to make highly informed choices to best accommodate Lawrentians with disabilities.
鈥淎ccommodations are provided to give students with disabilities equal access to the residential and academic opportunities as their peers,鈥 Delgado said. 鈥淚f a request does not demonstrate a connection between their functional limitation due to their disability or diagnosis and their need for the accommodation, it might not be approved.鈥
Accessibility Services works to accommodate students with visible and invisible disabilities. Delgado said she appreciates how growing awareness of disabilities and mental health has helped destigmatize them.
In addition to her role as director of Accessibility Services, Delgado said she鈥檚 excited to serve as Lawrence鈥檚 ADA coordinator.
鈥淐ampus is beautiful; we want to keep and create safe spaces where all students can go and have the same accessibility they have here [in the Center for Academic Success],鈥 Delgado said, pointing to the wider, wheelchair-accessible hallways and doors on the second floor of the Seeley G. Mudd Library. 鈥淲e want to make sure we鈥檙e working with everyone, whether it be Facility Services or building designers, so we鈥檙e meeting those regulations and being an accessible campus.鈥
Feeling at home
Delgado is thrilled to be part of the Lawrence community and loves the college town vibe of Appleton.
鈥淚 went to school in Boulder, Colorado,鈥 Delgado said. 鈥淢y best friend from college lives here. When I would come visit, I was like, 鈥楾his feels like Boulder.鈥欌
After working with a behavioral company in California, Delgado moved to Appleton. She worked with the local school district before coming to Lawrence. Delgado loves how her position combines her passions for accessibility and education, and she is excited to help make Lawrence a place for everyone.
Delgado urges students with any questions about accessibility and Accessibility Services to visit their webpage, newly updated by Joanna Morey, or email her directly at noemi.delgado@lawrence.edu.