Accessibility at Michigan State University

MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

In fall 1965 Judy K. Taylor enrolled at MSU and is the first known student wheelchair user. She and other students advocated for greater accessibility at MSU. The Office of Special Programs was established in 1971 to provide support for students with disabilities. In 1972, the Handicapped Service Program was created and administered by Taylor (by then known as Judy Gentile). The name of the office changed several times and expanded their services to become the office we know today as the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Source

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities Office, Founding to Future: Our History

MSU’s Tower Guard

The Tower Guard, a campus honorary society, began in 1933 as the Q Girls. In 1934, the name changed to Tower Guard and they held their meetings in Beaumont Tower. One of their early primary activities was reading class materials to visually impaired MSU students. Over time their service activities evolved to support the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Source

MSU Archives, UA 12.2.45, Tower Guard records, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities Office, Founding to Future: Our History

University Archives and Historical Collections

University Archives and Historical Collections has many photos, materials, and records that document accessibility and disability at MSU throughout the years.

Featured Items

First page of the Accessibility Progress Report

Title: Accessibility Progress Report
Description: MSU begins to make buildings more accessible. The first page of a progress report detailing changes to make buildings easier to enter, 1975. (MSU Archives UA 4.7 Office of Facilities Planning and Space Management records)
Audio Description: Audio file
PDF: Accessibility Progress Report PDF

A person standing next to a green van with dorrs wide open and a ramp lowered

Title: MSU Accessible Van image
Description: An accessible van, circa 1980. Through MSU's then Handicapped Service Program, accessible transportation became available in 1972. (MSU Archives, UA 3.28.4 Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities records
Audio Description: Audio file

A document with text and pictures of people gathered in an office room

Title: Office of Special Programs Bulletin, circa 1976
Description: First page of the Office of Special Programs Bulletin, circa 1976 describing the offices services for students. (MSU Archives UA 3.28 Office of Special Programs records)
Audio Description: Audio file
PDF: Office of Special Programs Bulletin circa 1976 PDF

People standing next to a white painted rock and pose for a photo

Title: Rock Painted with Rolling Rock
Description: People pose next to The Rock painted to promote accessibility, circa 1980. (In this photo The Rock is located at its previous location near Beaumont Tower. The rock was moved to its current location in September 1985) (MSU Archives, UA 3.28.4 Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities records)
Audio Description: Audio file

A sketch of Michigan State University Beaumont Tower

Title: Tower Guard Handbook
Description: The cover and select pages from the 1956-1957 Tower Guard handbook. (MSU Archives, UA 12.2.45, Tower Guard records)
Audio Description: Audio file

A woman sitting down and reading to a man

Title: Tower Guard Reading to Student
Description: A Tower Guard member reads class materials to a visually impaired student in 1996
Audio Description: Audio file