SBU faculty, staff explore tools to enhance accessibility

Oct 22, 2025, 15:35 by Susan Anderson

SBU faculty and staff explored new ways to support students with diverse learning needs during a series of informational workshops this fall.

St. Bonaventure University faculty and staff explored new ways to support students with diverse learning needs during the Assistive Services Series, a set of informational workshops presented this fall by SBU’s DePerro School of Health Professions in collaboration with the Accessibility Services & Accommodations Office and the Faculty/Staff Resource Center.

The three-part series offered insights into the resources, assistive technology (AT), and best practices that enhance accessibility and inclusion across campus.

Workshops included:

"AT Assistive Devices/Software and Students with Accommodations," presented by Molly Vaughan, clinical assistant professor of Occupational Therapy, and Cody Childs, student success specialist.
An overview of the TRAID program, which provides access to assistive technology through free equipment loans, presented by Vaughan, who oversees the program, and Dr. Aime Rizzuto, clinical assistant professor of Occupational Therapy.
"ADA for Students with Physical Impairments," presented by Dr. Derien Braxton, assistant professor in the Physician Assistant Studies program.

Each session provided participants with practical knowledge to better accommodate students with disabilities in the classroom and across campus settings.

"Our goal was to provide direct engagement with accessibility experts to equip faculty and staff with actionable strategies," said Vaughan. "By strengthening our understanding of assistive tools and accommodations, we can continue fostering an inclusive environment across campus."

Read&Write software is available to all members of the campus community, including on-campus and online students, faculty and staff. The software provides a suite of tools to support reading, writing and studying. Campus members can download Read&Write to their personal devices through MySBU. Funding for the university-wide license was made possible through a three-part Martine Endowment grant awarded to Vaughan. The grant covered the software license, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology trainings led by Vaughan for areas like the Student Success Center.

The satellite TRAID office at SBU also serves the region, offering individuals with disabilities free access to a wide range of assistive devices for loan. Those interested in learning more about the program or borrowing equipment, can make an appointment with Vaughan.

Recordings and additional resources from the series are available at SBU's Faculty/Staff Resource Center.

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).