Grinnell College to Launch Disability Cultural Center Pilot Project

Grinnell College has announced the creation of a pilot project for a Disability Cultural Center (DCC) on campus. The Access Student Center (ASC) in Steiner 205 will serve as the temporary location for the DCC while the community comes together to discuss the goals and needs for the center and what kind of programming it should provide. The DCC will be informed by responses to the needs assessment survey, small group conversations, and site visits to established DCCs on college campuses around the country. 

The pilot project will kick off on Tuesday, April 4, at 4:30 p.m. with a gathering at the ASC. Throughout the spring semester, the College plans to host workshops and discussions to engage in conversations about disability culture. 

The College invites all interested parties to participate in the DCC’s development by completing the survey, participating in focus group discussions, and watching for future communication. Those who would like to be kept up to date on DCC developments and events can email dcc@grinnell.edu and indicate that they would like to be added to the mailing list. 

Autumn Wilke, associate chief diversity officer for disability resources, says, “The creation of a Disability Cultural Center has been a work in progress for several years, and the launch of this pilot project is an opportunity to expand disability community at Grinnell. While the Disability Resource Office ensures access through accommodations, the focus of a Disability Cultural Center is not on accommodation but rather on connection, identity exploration, and prioritizing disabled ways of being and knowing on campus.”  

Emmy Potter ’24 shared, “I was thrilled to hear about the DCC project and I was incredibly eager to get involved because I feel that there is such a need for this community and space on campus. While I feel grateful for the emphasis on diversity and intersectionality within our campus community, I feel like disability is rarely addressed, and I struggle a lot to find understanding from peers, professors, and other members of the campus community. I feel that the DCC is a means to bring people with different experiences together and support each other. The presence of this dedicated space and community serves to support and uplift students with disabilities and provide a support system, while helping those who don’t have disabilities to learn and understand our lived experiences.” 

Grinnell College is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture, and the launch of the Disability Cultural Center is a significant step toward achieving that goal. The DCC team looks forward to welcoming the community to the center and fostering a greater sense of community on campus.