University of Nebraska Kearney > Disability Services > Students > CIA

CIA: Collegians for Integration and Accessibility

Membership: Collegians for Integration and Accessibility (CIA) membership is open to all interested students. Members experience personal growth through actions and interactions, which promote awareness of accessibility issues at UNK. CIA encourages the integration of all collegians into the campus community and addresses the needs of individual students with disabilities.

History and Goals: CIA was initiated in the academic year 92-93 as a support group for students with physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. Support groups are helpful for people dealing with similar issues and CIA is no exception. Originally the group focused on the emotional issues involved with being a college student with a disability and the greater issues of feeling different in some way and trying to fit in socially with the campus community. Additionally, CIA looked at the common problems associated with accessibility which many of the students faced every day. CIA members were interested in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 and how it might apply to their situation. Knowing the group could be instrumental in achieving positive changes, they formulated a constitution and became an active organization on campus in 1994 with a focus on:

promoting integration of all collegians,
promoting accessibility of campus and programs at UNK, and
meeting the individual needs of students with disabilities.

Campus Involvement: Thus, as CIA continued to offer support to members, the group also began to take an active role on campus by taking part in Mardi Gras, Homecoming, Christmas Window Painting, Appreciation Day, Disability Awareness Week and more. Membership in CIA is open to any enrolled student who wishes to become involved and who has an interest in the goals of the group. In fact, CIA welcomes new members and extends a special invitation to students with hidden disabilities, as well as to those students with no disabilities. And, of course, volunteers who wish to assist students with disabilities on our campus are always gladly received.

UNK Counseling Center 865-8248