Disabled and Neurodiverse Aggies (DNA)

The Disabled and Neurodiverse Aggies (DNA) is a student-led club inside the Inclusion Center that is co-advised through the Disability Resource Center. DNA strives to build awareness, promote self-advocacy, and combat ableism. They provide a safe atmosphere where students can feel welcome, valued, build a community, and have fun.

DNA is committed to fostering fully inclusive intersectional accessibility at USU! The club is open to students who identify as physically disabled, experience chronic pain, or are neurodivergent. The group is also welcoming to able-bodied allies.

History

The Disabled and Neurodiverse Aggies was officially founded in the Spring of 2021 when Anna Peterson and Derek Darley compiled a list of 40 fellow Aggies who were interested in forming a club for disabled and neurodiverse students. They were advised by Storee Powell in the DRC and had operated in the past as an unofficial club called BLEU (Believing, Learning, Educating, and Uniting). They reached out to the Inclusion Center as a potential department sponsor and were able to secure funding for them through the Women and Gender Program. The club also had advisors/liaisons in the Aggies Elevated Program and the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice. Given concerns with COVID, club meetings were primarily held virtually and almost exclusively were support groups.  They have since gone on to host events such as Get the Scoop, Pumpkin Painting, Wand Making, and more, and continue to grow their members and reach. 

Looking for leadership opportunities? Chat with us about our student officer positions.

Position	Officer
President	Brendan French
Vice President	Sophie Christensen
Secretary	Victoria Bowers