Senior Nursing Student Breaks Boundaries Through the Art of Words
When you ask Tess Carichner about Accessing Disability Culture (ADC), her eyes light up with passion and determination. A senior nursing student at the University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN), Tess has created a digital anthology that showcases and celebrates the voices and experiences of students with disabilities. Her work was nurtured within the University of Michigan Digital Accessible Futures Lab and promises to be a game changer in the landscape of U-M disability culture and advocacy.
A Journey Rooted in Personal Experience
Tess’s journey into nursing and disability advocacy began long before her college years. Her oldest brother, who has cerebral palsy, offered Tess a unique lens through which she viewed daily life, constantly considering accessibility and representation. “I’ve always been concerned about making sure everyone's story gets told,” she says.
Attending health equity talks during high school, particularly a transformative lecture on Black health disparities by Dr. Patricia Tillman-Meakins, clinical assistant professor at UMSN, solidified Tess's interest in using storytelling as a powerful tool in medicine.
These formative experiences set Tess on a path of not only studying nursing but also founding Disability Justice at Michigan, an organization focused on promoting disability justice in health care education and practice.
The Birth of ADC: A Lab Network Project
But Tess’s pride and joy lies with ADC, as part of the Digital Accessible Futures Lab, a segment of the broader DISCO (Digital Inquiry, Speculation, Collaboration, and Optimism) network. This network spans several universities, including two other BIG 10 schools, all united by themes of social justice, anti-racism, and digital media studies. Through this collaborative environment and guided by her mentor, Dr. Remi Yergeau, associate professor of English language and literature at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Tess nurtured the ADC project.
A Digital Anthology with Powerful Voices
The ADC anthology stands out for its inclusivity, featuring submissions from fellow students who share their unique perspectives and experiences as individuals with disabilities. This collection aims to dismantle the medicalized and often negative perceptions of disability, presenting it instead as an integral part of human diversity.
Among the included works are contributions from three UMSN students, including Tess herself. Her piece, “Ode to Headphones” is featured along with the compelling poem, "I Bite My Tongue" by UMSN graduate student Madeline Ferris. Additionally, Tomas Richey, a Doctor of Nursing Practice candidate, contributed with his piece, “Narcolepsy.”
Spreading the Word and Expanding Reach
While the ADC project is complete, Tess’s mission to spread its message has only begun. Tess envisions ADC as a living entity that could expand to include ongoing contributions, perhaps even evolving into a physical format like a magazine. By chronicling the ever-shifting landscape of disability culture on campus, ADC could serve as both a historical record and a continuous source of empowerment and community.
Tess highlights that ADC is not just about celebrating achievements but also about calling for consistent investment in the disability community. The stories reflect both the joys and challenges faced by students – from navigating inaccessible college dorms to managing compromised immune systems in the post-COVID world.
Looking to the Future
With notable progress already made—such as the establishment of a Disability Studies minor, which Tess is pursuing, and the creation of a small library within UMSN focusing on anti-ableism—Tess remains optimistic about future endeavors.
“I hope ADC will encourage more colleges and universities across the country to adopt similar initiatives and serve as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and advocacy.”
For those interested in contributing to or learning more about ADC, Tess remains a point of contact, welcoming collaboration and involvement.
For more information, please reach out to Tess at [email protected]. The journey toward a more accessible and inclusive world continues, and your voice could be a part of it.
