OXFORD, OH - After finishing a meeting with The Miami Student, Megan Zahneis rushed to her next student-run organization meeting. Dressed in all black business attire, she took the five-minute walk up Spring Street from the Armstrong Student Center to McGuffey Hall on Miami University’s Campus. A group of fifteen people gathered on a Wednesday afternoon to engage in conversation and enjoy coffee and snacks. Five board members of the Students with Disabilities Advisory Council shared stories, expressed their concerns and answered questions pertaining to their experiences at Miami. Megan Zahneis is one of 50 cases in the world born with a rare neurological disorder. When she was born on Christmas Day, the doctors didn’t know what was wrong
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Over the years her hearing aids slowly stopped working and physicians encouraged getting cochlear implants. By the age of eleven, she had implants in both ears. “Luckily, in the years leading up to my implants, before I lost all sense of hearing, I was able to develop the strong speaking skills I have today,” said Zahneis. Deaf culture has recently experienced a breakthrough in society through pop culture. In the United States alone there are over 4,000,000 people with a hearing disability. Popular television shows are now incorporating individuals who are deaf into their programs and social media sites are flooded with inspirational videos associated with the deaf community. This awareness is also prevalent at Miami. Miami’s Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Club holds a “Silent Week” where multiple events are available to allow students to be exposed to deaf culture. More than 800 students at Miami are registered for assistance through Student Disability Services. According to Cynthia Steidle, Miami’s accommodation coordinator for Students with Disabilities, 15 of these students have hearing impairments, while some students choose to keep their disability …show more content…
Zahneis knew she couldn’t venture too far from home because she needs the support and assistance from her family. She visited many different colleges in Ohio, but there was something about Miami that stuck with Zahneis. She raved about the acceptance, sincerity and concern Andrew Zeisler, director of Students with Disabilities Services, had toward her. “He sat for over an hour with us and answered all of our questions,” said Zahneis. “For the first time, he made us feel like college would be possible, he made it a reality.” Upon arriving to Miami, Zahneis wanted to major is Journalism. Despite her social struggles and self-consciousness, Zahneis forced herself to become involved. “Students here are more understanding and open-minded,” said Zahneis. “Coming to Miami has given me a chance to reinvent myself.” In her freshman year, Zahneis has become the news editor for the Miami Student, the communications officer for Stamps Scholars, the divisional media representative for the University Academic Scholars Program and the is co-president and founder for Students with Disability Advisory
Over the years her hearing aids slowly stopped working and physicians encouraged getting cochlear implants. By the age of eleven, she had implants in both ears. “Luckily, in the years leading up to my implants, before I lost all sense of hearing, I was able to develop the strong speaking skills I have today,” said Zahneis. Deaf culture has recently experienced a breakthrough in society through pop culture. In the United States alone there are over 4,000,000 people with a hearing disability. Popular television shows are now incorporating individuals who are deaf into their programs and social media sites are flooded with inspirational videos associated with the deaf community. This awareness is also prevalent at Miami. Miami’s Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Club holds a “Silent Week” where multiple events are available to allow students to be exposed to deaf culture. More than 800 students at Miami are registered for assistance through Student Disability Services. According to Cynthia Steidle, Miami’s accommodation coordinator for Students with Disabilities, 15 of these students have hearing impairments, while some students choose to keep their disability …show more content…
Zahneis knew she couldn’t venture too far from home because she needs the support and assistance from her family. She visited many different colleges in Ohio, but there was something about Miami that stuck with Zahneis. She raved about the acceptance, sincerity and concern Andrew Zeisler, director of Students with Disabilities Services, had toward her. “He sat for over an hour with us and answered all of our questions,” said Zahneis. “For the first time, he made us feel like college would be possible, he made it a reality.” Upon arriving to Miami, Zahneis wanted to major is Journalism. Despite her social struggles and self-consciousness, Zahneis forced herself to become involved. “Students here are more understanding and open-minded,” said Zahneis. “Coming to Miami has given me a chance to reinvent myself.” In her freshman year, Zahneis has become the news editor for the Miami Student, the communications officer for Stamps Scholars, the divisional media representative for the University Academic Scholars Program and the is co-president and founder for Students with Disability Advisory