Navigating higher education can be challenging, especially for neurodivergent students who may struggle with accessibility and accommodations. SUNY Empire is working to change that with a groundbreaking initiative aimed at making college more inclusive for all students.

The Center for Autism Advocacy, Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) is at the forefront of this effort, providing resources designed to support students even before they disclose their needs. Advocates hope this model will be adopted throughout the SUNY system and beyond.

Aley O’Mara, a program associate at CAARES, emphasized that the goal is to remove barriers so that students and employees don’t have to fight for accommodations—they are built into the system from the start.

“Many students hesitate to seek a diagnosis due to stigma or lack of resources,” O’Mara explained. “By creating universal supports, we ensure that everyone has access, even before disclosing their neurodivergence.”

The program, in partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism, is developing new ways to improve accessibility in classrooms and workplaces, ensuring that neurodivergent students have the support they need to succeed.

Advocates believe that as universities become more inclusive, more students will feel comfortable seeking the resources they need, without fear of stigma or intimidation.