Accessibility at WPI

Accessibility at WPI is supported through collaboration with members of our campus community (faculty, students and staff), Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Worcester area organizations and other community partners.  

We define accessibility from a social perspective and use the principles of Universal Design to guide our work on and off-campus. Read below to learn more about ways you could get involved. We will be continually updating collaboration opportunities and information, so come back often!  

On Campus Accessibility

ACCESS: Students advocating for campus and educational accessibility. Comprised of students with disabilities and allies, ACCESS stands for Awareness, Community, Collaboration, Empowerment, Support and Success. ACCESS members seek to support their peers and the WPI community in developing a welcoming, supportive and universally accessible campus.

Accessibility Advisory Council (AAC) – A Council comprised of faculty, staff, and student representatives, AAC members serve to inspire and promote accessibility and disability advocacy by joining together once per term to share and learn about new and emerging accessibility initiatives all over campus. Members can be directly involved with projects and initiatives and/or serve to bring the information back their respective departments and organizations. If you’d like to be involved with the AAC or would like to collaborate with us, contact the Director of Disability Services to get connected!

Off-Campus Collaboration

AANE – The Asperger's Association of New England (AANE) works with individuals, families, andprofessionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profilesbuild meaningful, connected lives. We do this by providing information, education, community, support, and advocacy, all in an atmosphere of validation and respect.

LifeMap – AANE’s Life Management Assistance Program (LifeMAP) provides practical assistance to individuals with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and related conditions. LifeMAP provides intensive, highly individualized coaching by professionals with expertise in both AS and specific content areas. Coaches focus on identifying and overcoming the specific barriers each client faces so that the clients can increase their levels of independence towards reaching their full potential.

Easter Seals, MA – Provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. WPI partners with the Assistive Technology Regional Center, which helps people with disabilities make informed decisions about assistive technology they can use at home, on the job or in school.

ADAPT – Cousin student disability advocacy group to ACCESS; Assumption Disability Awareness Promotion Team was created to increase awareness of the diverse spectrum of individuals with disabilities on the Assumption College campus and to promote community outreach.

Learn more about:

Universal Design in Learning - http://www.cast.org/index.html

Accessible web design guidelines and practices - http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php

Physical Accessibility and Architecture; Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) - http://www.mass.gov/eopss/architectural-access-board.html