Davey McNelly, MSW, LSW

IRONTON, Ohio – Ohio University Southern will host the second annual “Envision Access Conference: Supporting Students with Disabilities” Friday, March 9 at the Ironton campus. 

According to Accessibility and Veteran’s Services Coordinator Teresa McKenzie, the event is an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of trends in addressing the needs of students with disabilities. “This conference is devoted to the awareness, education and inclusion of all students,” McKenzie said. “It’s our goal to create a positive space for the development of community connections, and the fostering working relationships with secondary and post-secondary institutions along with community organizations.”

Luncheon keynote speaker is Davey McNelly. McNelly dedicates his time to inclusion for people with disabilities – he often writes and speaks on the topic. As someone living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, McNelly draws from personal experience and more than 15 years working in the non-profit, disability and mental health field. 

McNelly currently works at the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where his main priority is to help people who live in segregated settings, such as nursing homes, to move to community living. He is also founder and director of Friends, Allies, and Neighbors of Athens County, which is a grassroots movement to assist people with disabilities to join clubs, volunteer and develop community.

Other sessions will include:
* Same Path, Different Shoes: The Educational Journey for Students with Autism
* Assistive Technology and Higher Education—Tech that works
* Panel on Addiction Recovery and Academic Impacts
* Appalachian Identity and Pathways to College for People with Disabilities

Registration is $40 for professionals and $15 for students. Register online at https://www.ohio.edu/southern/events/eaconference.cfm#registration. College Credit and CEU Credit are available. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation

For more information contact Robert Pleasant, Associate Director, Student Resource Commons, pleasanr@ohio.edu, 740.533.4608 or Teresa McKenzie, Accessibility Coordinator, mckenzt1@ohio.edu, 740.547.3875. 
 

Student Resource Commons staff show off the banner at the 2017 Envision Access conference.