French graduate student, Sean Killackey was recently awarded the Access Achievement Award for 2013!
The Access Achievement Awards is an annual celebration of individuals
who support and contribute to access at the University of Minnesota.
Disability Services alone does not make the University of Minnesota
accessible. We rely on every member of our community. The celebration is
to recognize the people who go above and beyond the expected on making
the University steps closer to a fully accessible University for
everyone.
Sean Killackey is an amazing teacher! In Summer Session 2013, I was lucky enough to have Sean as my instructor for French 1003. Sean’s creativity and attention to detail made taking his class one of the best experiences I have had at the University of Minnesota! I informed Sean of my visual disability and we set up a plan for accessing the class. Although this was normal for every class that I have taken, he stood above all others in how he met my needs.
He never once forgot to bring enlarged print materials for me. He posted all slides on Moodle so that I had access to them before each class. In addition, he never made my eyesight an issue; it was never discussed in class. He handed out my tests and papers with the other students’ and never pointed out their difference. For the first time, my disability faded completely into the background and I felt like I could be seen just like everyone else. His support and encouragement made a very difficult class seem fun! He is truly an asset to this institution and a gift to any student who has the privilege to work with him.
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