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������ý’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) marked a milestone on Sept. 27 with a celebration commemorating its 50th anniversary. The event, held in conjunction with the ������ý Institute for Child Development (ICD), honored five decades of advocacy, innovation and support for students with disabilities.

The anniversary event, held in the Hinman Multipurpose Room, brought together a diverse group of attendees, including notable alumni, current students, faculty, staff and community partners who have contributed to the growth and evolution of SSD since its founding in 1975. The gathering featured speeches, historical displays and panel discussions highlighting the office’s enduring impact on campus life.

“Over the past 50 years, accessibility and inclusion at ������ý have thrived,” Director of SSD Christen Szymanski said. “When the office started in 1975, less than 20 students were registered with the office. In 2025, over 2,500 students are connected and receiving services.”

The event also highlighted the personal impact SSD has had on students across generations. As guests enjoyed a delicious brunch spread, Kayden Stockwell ‘18 shared how his time with both ICD and SSD shaped his academic journey. Stockwell discussed how his experiences and relationships that he built with SSD staff shaped not only his college journey, but also his dissertation research.

������ý’s history as a trailblazer in services for those with disabilities was also celebrated.

“������ý established services for students with disabilities prior to the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990,” Szymanski said. “From lift vehicles, to door actuators, to digital access materials, ������ý has been and continues to be committed to assuring all students have the best Bearcat journey.”

Special guests included people played key roles in the development of disability services on campus, such as Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose and B. Jean Fairbairn, former director of SSD from 1977 to 2016. Fairbairn emphasized the support of SSD by campus administrators, the progress made by the organization over the course of its existence and the continuing importance of community and advocacy.

“There’s a real commitment by people to see all students succeed here,” Fairbairn said. “It’s a commitment to ensuring that students grow academically, but also grow as compassionate, resourceful, caring individuals that seek community and seek to make a better world for everyone.”