On Aug. 19, the University of North Georgia’s Gainesville campus welcomed a new registered student organization: Expanding Career, Education, Learning, Events for Representing Students with Special Needs (EXCELERS).
Among the attendees of the opening meeting were President Christopher Hale, Vice President and co-founder Daniel Greene, Reservation Designee and co-founder Susannah Hooton and Faculty Advisor Tracey Hurd. The meeting, which featured discussions about future plans and snacks, was open to all and was attended by 21 students from various backgrounds, reflecting the diverse interests and needs of the campus community.
Hale and Greene expressed enthusiasm about establishing the presence of EXCELERS to the UNG Gainesville campus, highlighting the organization’s potential to enrich the student experience.
“We noticed there was no club for students with disabilities on the Gainesville campus. There is one on the Dahlonega campus, but we don’t have a presence here.” — Daniel Greene, EXCELERS Vice President and Political Science Major
EXCELERS’ motto is INCLUDE, reflecting the organization’s commitment to integrated employment, needs-based support, collaboration, learning, understanding, diversity and equity. Members advocate for improved accessibility, supporting the diverse needs of disabled individuals and working to ensure fair outcomes across different communities.
The mission of EXCELERS is to support and advocate for students with special needs. The organization seeks to raise awareness about various disabilities and empower individuals with conditions ranging from neurodivergent conditions to those with various physical disabilities. Through education initiatives and peer support, EXCELERS aims to foster a more inclusive campus environment.
EXCELERS currently plans to host and participate in on-campus events such as dances, workshops and recreational activities. Additionally, the group is working on creating sensory rooms across campus, aiming to provide calming stimuli to support students’ needs. There will also be community service and leadership opportunities, providing members with valuable experiences and a platform to make a positive impact.
The support group’s goals are to promote integrated employment by using accessible infrastructure and tools to address wage disparities between able-bodied and disabled individuals. The organization also aims to ensure there are recreational events where able-bodied and disabled people can fully participate and to emphasize diversity within the disabled community.
EXCELERS meetings, for the foreseeable future, will be held Mondays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 of the Student Center. Students and faculty are encouraged to join and contribute to the organization’s mission of fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment.
