• Julie Curless (Chair), Instructor – Speech Pathology and Audiology
• Megan Corbett, Instructor – Computer Sciences
• Carl Ervin, Director – Office of Justice, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
• Casey LaFrance, Professor – Political Science
• Angela McClanahan-Simmons, Assistant Professor – WIU QC Museum Studies
• Kristi Mindrup, President
• Kaitlyn Crisantos, Student - VP of DEI Student Government Association
• Katy Valentin, Director – Multicultural Center
• Curtis Williams, Director of Student Services Quad Cities Campus

Past Members of the IIAC

• Julie Eggleston, Instructor – Recreation, Park, Tourism, and Hospitality
• Kyle Ramlow, Student- President Student Government Association
• Winter Unverzagt, Student - VP of DEI Student Government Association

Locations:
Macomb campus - 445 Morgan Hall
Quad Cities campus - Riverfront Hall 217

Western Illinois University has long been committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, staff, and community members alike. As part of this ongoing effort, we have acquired a space that will serve as a Sensory Room—a haven of support and resources for individuals facing challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, and related conditions. This Sensory Room is a critical addition to our campus and community.

The Sensory Room is more than just a space—it is a sanctuary, on our WIU campuses, designed to provide a low sensory, safe environment for those who may experience anxiety, hyperstimulation, panic, or other discomfort. In this space, users will have access to adaptive technology and occupational therapy tools, as well as a wealth of resources and information on these conditions and strategies to manage them effectively.

When the door to the Sensory Room in Morgan Hall 445 is locked, request a key at the Department of Political Science office, located at the end of the hallway.

• Neurodiversity Strategies: William & Mary University
  • Faculty: https://www.wm.edu/sites/neurodiversity/resources/forfaculty/
  • Students: https://www.wm.edu/sites/neurodiversity/resources/forstudents/
• Autistic Self-Advocacy Network https://autisticadvocacy.org/
• College Autism Network https://collegeautismnetwork.org/
• Central Illinois Autism Association https://autismpeoria.com/
• WIU University Counseling Center https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/ucc/
• Student Affairs Now: Autistic & Neurodivergent College Students https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAEs_cp-fug
• Different Brains: Supporting Neurodiversity https://www.youtube.com/@DifferentBrains
• What It’s Like to Be ADHD and Black https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh-3ULQJiEY
• TEDx Talks: Autism and Neurodiversity: Different Does Not Mean Broken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8X-SZfCWPw
• The Extraordinary Power of Neurodiversity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaanJc7sI4k
• Are You Using Neurodiversity Superpowers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyQA5ZSIuw
• TEDx Talks: Neurodiversity: The Untapped Competitive Advantage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYAJGkNU9Rw
• Workshop: Understanding Sensory Processing and Integration in Adults with Learning Disabilities.
  • https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/courses/understanding-sensory-processing-and-integration-in-adults-with-learning-disabilities
  • This short course from the UK will help you better understand the senses and how we process information from our senses. It will introduce you to what sensory issues can look like in an adult with learning disabilities, behavior and engagement, and give you a toolkit of ideas on how to support a person’s sensory needs at home.

• The Conversation: Neurodiversity – News, Research and Analysis https://theconversation.com/us/topics/neurodiversity-103349
• Autism makes travel a challenge. Here’s how I learned to cope. The Guardian. April 22, 2024, Allie Mason. https://amp.theguardian.com/travel/2024/apr/22/autism-makes-travel-a-challenge-heres-how-i-learned-to-cope
• The Maine Millennial: On autism, awareness and acceptance. My level-one diagnosis, later in life, lifted a weight off my shoulders. Portland Press Herald. April 21, 2024, Victoria Hugo-Vidal. https://www.pressherald.com/2024/04/21/the-maine-millennial-on-autism-awareness-and-acceptance/
• WIU Foundation Student Spotlight - Kyle Ramlow. Western Illinois University. April 18, 2024. WIU Foundation. View Kyle's Spotlight video on YouTube.
• WIU Receives $500 Grant from Walmart for Sensory Environments. University E-News. April 16, 2024, University Communications. View the news release for details.
• Autism Can Boost Cognitive Performance, And We May Finally Know Why. Science Alert. March 31, 2024. Pratik Raul, Jeroen van Boxtel, & Jovana Acevska. https://www.sciencealert.com/autism-can-boost-cognitive-performance-and-we-may-finally-know-why
• Bodycam video shows fatal shooting of teen with autism as he approached California deputy with a gardening tool. CNN. March 14, 2024, Cindy Von Quednow. https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/14/us/ryan-gainer-shooting-san-bernardino-county-deputies/index.html
• ADHD Traits May Have Evolved To Provide Foraging Advantages, Study Says. Science Alert. Feb. 22, 2024, Carly Cassella. https://www.sciencealert.com/adhd-traits-may-have-evolved-to-provide-foraging-advantages-study-says
• US colleges offering sensory rooms to students with anxiety, autism and ADHD. Independent. Feb. 2, 2020, Karen Weintraub. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/college-sensory-room-anxiety-autism-adhd-ptsd-student-a9313311.html

• The IIAC focuses on expanding accessibility for all students and campus visitors. Since its inception in August '23, the committee has primarily focused on initiatives to support and include neurodiverse students (those with ASD, PTSD, ADHD, etc.)
• Estimates for ASD prevalence in the population range from 1-3% or so. When ADHS, PTSD, and other ND conditions are factored in, we are reaching at least 10% of the population. It is also very likely that, due to historical healthcare access inequities, women and people of color are vastly under-diagnosed. TikTok and other social media outlets have raised awareness about Autism and related ND conditions, so there is interest from others who haven't been formally diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition.
• SGA President Kyle Ramlow received recognition from the WIU Board of Trustees for his work on the Sensory Room. He cultivated a gift from The Ability Experience, the philanthropic arm of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and others to raise $5,500 for the initiative.
• The Central Illinois Autism Association (Peoria Autism) awarded a grant of $1,000 for the Sensory Room
• There is a ND Student Group on campus. WINDS: Western Illinois NeuroDiverse Support
• The Neurodiversity Network features WIU as one of only fourteen universities on their list of universities with Neurodiverse Initiatives! For more info visit neurodiversitynetwork.net.
• Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) donated books and resources to the WIU Sensory Room. For more info visit autisticadvocay.org and autismpeoria.com
• The WIU Faculty Senate in its January 23, 2024 meeting unanimously passed a resolution in support of neurodiversity: “WIU embraces the neurodivergent paradigm, striving to create an environment where all members can thrive academically, socially, and personally, as evidenced in the creation and maintenance of resources and opportunities for all students and community members. Download the Resolution: Embracing Neurodiversity at WIU (pdf) .
• In 2023 the collegiate athletic programs at Vanderbilt University, Michigan State University, and Penn State University opened Sensory Rooms in their athletic stadiums and /or auditoriums.
• In 2023 the professional baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays opened a Sensory Room in their stadium.
• In 2019 a number of NFL teams, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, opened Sensory Rooms in their stadiums.