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Access at SIUE Providing reasonable curricular and co-curricular accommodations to diverse learners with major life

Here we grow again!Access at SIUE is pleased to announce to many and reintroduce to others, the newest member of our adm...
29/07/2026

Here we grow again!

Access at SIUE is pleased to announce to many and reintroduce to others, the newest member of our administrative team, Statistics and Assessment Specialist, Caleb Kamplain!

Caleb Kamplain joined ACCESS in June 2026 as a Statistics and Assessment Specialist. His duties include assisting with annual budget tracking, data collection, assessment, analysis, reporting, and ensuring data quality and accuracy using statistical and data management software, i.e., Accommodate. His responsibilities also include interpreting findings and preparing reports and presentations for stakeholders. Caleb’s educational and professional experiences have provided a strong foundation and passion for mixed-methods research, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. With a background in community psychology, Caleb prioritizes social justice, educational access, civil rights, and understanding equity, diversity, and inclusion from systemic and ecological perspectives. His broader research interests focus on promoting inclusion and social well-being among students, staff, and faculty by identifying and addressing the cultural, ideological, and structural barriers that contribute to inequality within higher education.

Caleb received his associate degree from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges-Lincoln Trail College. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana and earned a Master of Arts in Community Psychology at National Louis University in 2024. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Community Psychology at National Louis University.

Please help us welcome Caleb to the SIUE Family!

At Access at SIUE we’re committed to student success at every step. We're committed to providing reasonable curricular a...
23/04/2026

At Access at SIUE we’re committed to student success at every step. We're committed to providing reasonable curricular and co-curricular accommodations to diverse learners so that students can come to college with more than just an expectation to attend, they can graduate!

In doing so, we often use a variety of resources to support a wide array of needs to remove barriers to learning and provide pathways to success for ACCESS Students!

Things like Reader Pens for students taking exams, software like Genio and NaviLens, our Cougar Shuttle initiative to provide door-to-door transportation for students with mobility issues, and evacuation chairs for safe exit in emergency scenarios. We also rely on support for our annual Camp Launch for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing students ages 14.5+ learning job readiness skills and enjoying the opportunities to socialize and engage with likeminded peers exploring the possibilities of college. We also (just today) began discussing a similar camp for our visually impaired prospective students.

We're always looking for opportunities to best support students with disabilities and diverse learners on campus. But we can do so much more, so much faster with your support!
Consider giving to One Day, One SIUE today! Click on the link below and under "make a gift" select: 4087 - Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) Development Fund

Give today by visiting: https://connect.siue.edu/g/access

Your support will directly impact our initiatives which ultimately improve graduation and retention rates for ACCESS students! Thank you in advance for your giving!

For more information about ACCESS and all we do, visit our website at https://siue.edu/access

What an amazing time was had at the 7th Annual, Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration! Tuesday night, we had...
02/04/2026

What an amazing time was had at the 7th Annual, Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration! Tuesday night, we had the honor of recognizing Faculty, Staff and Students who operate in ways that honor the memory of Ed Roberts, the father of the independent living movement. Congratulations to our Faculty Defender of Equity, Jennifer Stock; our Staff Defender of Equity, the Instructional Design and Learning Technologies (IDLT) department; and our Student Messenger of Inclusion, Madison Proctor!

We'd also like to thank our State of Accessibility speakers, Senator for Students with Disabilities and Public Health major, Brynna Allen; Social Work major, Sidney Horn; Elementary Education major, Madison Proctor; Business/Accounting major, Rebecca Davis, and Graduate Social Work student Kaitlyn Hall.

Congratulations to all our award winners and nominees: (Faculty) Dr. Jill Anderson, Aidan Ferguson, Dr. Brett Frederickson, Jr.; and Gerald (Jerry) Covell. (Staff) Melissa Bigtas, and (Student) Liz Davis and Brynna Allen.

A big thank you to our friends at IATP (Illinois Assistive Technology Program) for hosting a Cooking Class for our visua...
01/04/2026

A big thank you to our friends at IATP (Illinois Assistive Technology Program) for hosting a Cooking Class for our visually impaired students on campus. With their instruction, Kaity, Daniel, Sydney and Lacey used induction burners, microwave containers and vegetable choppers and knives to make a spaghetti dinner!! Special thanks to our Visually Impaired Services Coordinator, Leighann Fuller for setting everything up and to Kaity and Sidney for allowing us to use their kitchen!

Shout out to our Deaf Services Coordinator, Amy Barnfield-Miller and our Visually Impaired Services Coordinator, Leighan...
26/03/2026

Shout out to our Deaf Services Coordinator, Amy Barnfield-Miller and our Visually Impaired Services Coordinator, Leighann Fuller for being recognized at SIUE’s annual Phenomenal Wom*n’s Luncheon!! We at Access at SIUE already know you’re amazing; we’re glad everyone else knows it too! The recognition is not obvious but well deserved. The impact you have on students and the surrounding campus community make us more thoughtful, inclusive and most importantly; accessible educators. We’re lucky to have you!!

26/03/2026


Colorful QR codes appearing in the MUC are part of NaviLens, a system designed to help visually impaired students navigate campus when their surroundings are unfamiliar.

11/02/2026

Today our Director took two of our visually impaired students and our Visually Impaired Services Coordinator, Leighann Fuller through the Chimega Mart so they could provide feedback on navigating the space.

They had a little trouble aligning the camera for the “Get Mobile” app with the barcode for entry, but once inside he described the space as well as what items were available. They also discussed future plans for NaviLens codes to describe shelf options and provide greater independence. In the interim, the plan is to connect students with Cougar Companions to operate as sighted assistants whenever possible.

Part of the process is being transparent and involving the community in the review and remediation process. Keeping communication lines open and actively seeking feedback.

Overall the students enjoyed the novelty of the experience even if there were shortcomings, but ones we’re actively working to amend.

One service on campus offered through the Access at SIUE office I'm especially proud of is the Campus Companions program...
28/01/2026

One service on campus offered through the Access at SIUE office I'm especially proud of is the Campus Companions program. An initiative started in partnership with the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, now housed within our department. We utilize the social media app "GroupMe" to set up a central chat where our students can request assistance from a Cougar Companion volunteer to aid a visually impaired student with campus navigation, helping with shopping/dining assistance, carrying items like backpacks or class projects, help pushing a manual wheelchair, etc.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Campus Companion, and a member of the SIUE campus community, you can join by visiting tinyurl.com/SIUECC today!

We’re moving and increasing access on campus by introducing NaviLens codes to signage in a strategic roll out.NaviLens i...
23/01/2026

We’re moving and increasing access on campus by introducing NaviLens codes to signage in a strategic roll out.

NaviLens is an innovative, high-density smart marker system designed for blind and visually impaired users to navigate environments independently. Using a smartphone camera, the app instantly scans specialized, high-contrast, colored, QR-style codes from up to 60 feet away (12 times farther than traditional codes) without needing to focus.

Through use of the NaviLens or NaviLens Go (for sighted individuals), users can receive audio guidance and real time feedback on signage previously inaccessible without braille while also providing invaluable way finding support.

The Access at SIUE office has already installed NaviLens codes labeling staff offices and amenities. In the coming months we’ll be working with campus partners in the Morris University Center, Student Success Center and Dining as well to add additional code labels to increase accessibility for campus community members. We’ll be sure to keep everyone informed about updates and locations where NaviLens is featured as they become available.

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