Here at the University of Oregon, there are multiple student-led opportunities for our students to get connected and create a sense of community! There are numerous groups on campus that focus on the different disability-related experiences that our students might encounter in their day-to-day lives. The groups listed below are non-exhaustive, and there are always new groups being created by students!
AccessAbility Student Union (AASU)
AccessABILITY Student Union is a cross-disability student group. We are students with disabilities and nondisabled allies who believe that disability can be a valued and celebrated part of identity and community. Our mission is (1) to raise awareness on campus about disabilities and disability culture, (2) to advocate for equal access in physical, academic, and social environments, and (3) to have fun and support one another. Our activities include holding regular meetings to plan and socialize, organizing disability awareness events that involve films, panels, or cultural activities, and inviting locally and nationally recognized speakers with disabilities to UO to share their experiences. We would love to have you join us! Meetings on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 in EMU, Multicultural Center Suite 109c and on Zoom.
Join our Discord server.
Contact Email: aability@uoregon.edu
AASU Instagram Link
American Sign Language Club
American Sign Language Club is a student-run organization at the University of Oregon where students of any experience level can congregate to converse in American Sign Language and learn about Deaf culture. Our meetings are accessible for all levels of ASL fluency, and beginners are highly encouraged! For the Fall Term of 2024, our meetings are held on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 5 pm in Peterson room 102. Be sure to check out our Instagram each week for updates! You can expect to learn new ASL vocab at our meetings, practice signing, play fun games, and meet new people! Questions? Please email us at oregon.aslclub@gmail.com or message us on Instagram or Facebook @uoasl!
Contact Email: oregon.aslclub@gmail.com
ASL UO Club Instagram Link
Ducks with Diabetes
Ducks with Diabetes is a club dedicated to connecting all diabetic ducks by spreading awareness and building the diabetes community at UO. Ducks with Diabetes is the UO's chapter of The Diabetes Link, a nationwide organization dedicated to helping "teens and young adults navigate their diabetes in an ever-changing and fast-paced world." We meet up about twice a term to do anything from having craft or game nights, attending diabetes advocacy events in the community, or grabbing a bite to eat and catching up over pizza at Bartolotti's. You do not need to have diabetes to be a part of the club; please reach out via email if you have any questions. We'd love to see you at our next event!
Contact Email: duckswithdiabetes@thediabeteslink.org
Ducks with Diabetes Instagram Link
Neurodiversity Alliance
The Neurodiversity Alliance at UO is a space where neurodivergent students can connect with each other, work together to advocate for the success of neurodivergent students at UO, and mentor each other through getting connected with resources, accomplishing our academic and career goals, and brainstorming ideas that can help make college easier for diverse minds. This is a fantastic opportunity to get some leadership experience on your resumé, as we are extremely accommodating and are looking for help at all levels, from event planning to social media management to simply being willing to provide mentoring and advice to newer students.
If you are a neurodivergent student (no formal diagnosis necessary) interested in participating in leadership or mentoring in the Neurodiversity Alliance, email Leah Blankenship at lmcdowel@uoregon.edu. If you’re interested in learning more about the organization or just becoming a member, check out our Engage page!
Email: lmcdowel@uoregon.edu
Nontraditional Student Union (NSU)
Who qualifies as a nontraditional student? Most likely, it's you! Nontrad students can be transfer students, parents, veterans, those over the age of 24, and so much more! The NSU caters to a multitude of different students with different situations, and we're more than happy to help. What does the NSU do? The University of Oregon is a big place. The NSU wants you to be acknowledged, not lost. We are dedicated to providing resources and assisting students. We aim to support you in successfully achieving your goals at the University of Oregon. Our resources include a resource board, study space, computer lab with free printing, conversation, and school supplies. Our goal is to continually evolve to accommodate the needs of nontrad students. Come to the NSU to relax, study, eat, connect with, and support others. Our office hours are posted each week to our office door as well as virtually on our Teams channel.
To become a member of the Nontraditional Student Union, a student run organization, look for us and join us on Engage, or contact us to subscribe to our email list. A great way to get involved and meet other nontraditional students is to attend our meetings and events held throughout the year or stop by the office in EMU 212 (office hours listed on Engage).
Quacking for Epilepsy Awareness
At our organization, we make it a priority to host monthly support meetings that cater to individuals who are affected by seizures and auras. These meetings are centered around addressing common triggers such as stress and time management. Our goal is to increase awareness about epilepsy within our campus community and provide education about the condition to those who may not know much about it.
Contact Email: quack4epilepsy@gmail.com
Students Impacted by Chronic Conditions
SICC aims to provide a space for students to connect with peers who are going through similar experiences managing a significant chronic health condition. Peer support can help students find community, connect with resources, and learn coping strategies and perspectives from other students.
Contact Email: sicc@uoregon.edu
Student Organization for Autism Advocacy (SOFFA)
We are a group of autistic UO students advocating for autistic equity and visibility in the issues that affect us. We look to educate the UO community about the inherent value of autistic voices, the necessity of our presence, and the way we experience the world. SOFAA provides a space for autistic university students to self-advocate for their needs, with the support of a larger community. Our values are derived from the disability rights movement; therefore, intersectionality is at the heart of our advocacy, and we are guided by the motto “nothing about us without us". We are a newly created organization seeking ASUO recognition this coming year, 2023-2024. If you'd like to join us, please email Adrian at adrielle@uoregon.edu!
Student Veterans Center
The Student Veterans Center, located in the Erb Memorial Union, recognizes the unique needs of student veterans, dependents, and family members. We provide a variety of services and resources for you, including study and meeting space, computer and printing stations, staff to help you with personal and academic needs, and community veteran service providers. The center is a space for you to connect with other students and be a part of a community. We strive to create an environment that helps you reach your academic goals and be involved on our campus.
The Student Veterans Center is located in EMU 015 and is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. during the academic year. Hours may vary during breaks and holidays.
Email: uovetscenter@uoregon.edu
Synapse National University of Oregon Chapter
Synapse National is a student-run, nonprofit organization with 22 chapters across the country. Synapse originated from an original group at MIT, after which another group was started at Stanford University, before expanding nationally in 2016. Our purpose is to serve and support local brain injury survivors. We intend to provide opportunities for socialization by hosting a bi-monthly peer support group and a one-on-one buddy program pairing undergraduates with individuals with brain injury. Our goal for these programs is to form lasting friendships and to foster encouragement for brain injury survivors through their journey. We invite physicians, researchers, and specialists within the community to become partners who add insight into the population we serve. We also invite them to act as educators for occasional guest lectures for the University of Oregon and as guest speakers for our peer support group. We hope to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals with brain injury, their caregivers, their family, and friends, as well as our student volunteers. Furthermore, we hope to increase brain injury awareness in the greater Eugene/Springfield community.
Contact Email: synapse.uoregon@gmail.com
UO Outdoor Program
The UO Outdoor Program is happy to support students with disabilities in exploring the outdoors. Contact Hira Shamsuddin, Director of the Outdoor Program, at hira@uoregon.edu for more information. As a student, you already have membership with your UO Outdoor Program (OP)! There are plenty of ways you can get involved with the OP this year. You can find out about upcoming outings on Instagram, the newsletter, or the UO Events Calendar.
OP Outings: OP staff lead low-cost guided trips around Eugene. Trips are a terrific way to meet new people and get to know the area! OP partners with the Hilyard Community Center to provide Adaptive Cycling Equipment for any outings and events, and with the Access Ability Student Union (AASU) for adaptive trips in line with our goal of “Redefining Outdoorsy”: becoming a more inclusive program to marginalized groups on campus, as well as providing scholarship opportunities to students who may have physical or financial barriers to participation.
Common Adventure Trips: students can attend a "Trip Initiator Clinic" and lead their own outings with the OP!
EMU Bike Program (EMU 008): OP bike mechanics will help you fix your bike or wheelchair for free! You also have access to our tools, how-to manuals, and wilderness guidebook library. If you want to rent a bike, fix your own, or learn about more biking resources, this is the place for you!
Rental Barn (1225 E. 18th Ave.): Rent low-cost adventure gear for your next trip! We have gear for kayaking, snow sports, backpacking, camping, and more!
Office: EMU 008
Email: opwww@uoregon.edu
UO Outdoor Program Website UO Outdoor Program Instagram Link
Women with ADHD Support Group
The Women with ADHD Support Group is a student-led initiative aimed at creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space for women with ADHD at the University of Oregon. This group is designed to foster a sense of community where members can share experiences, navigate challenges, hold each other accountable, and celebrate the unique strengths of living with ADHD. Whether it’s discussing strategies for managing college life, finding balance, or simply connecting with others who understand, this group strives to provide the understanding and support many of us wish we had earlier in our journeys.
Contact A.K. Foster at 720-469-0117 or afoster4@uoregon.edu.