Director of Accessibility Services Joins National Panel on Disability

In the world of Accessibility, C-GCC’s own Director of Accessibility Services Catherine Carlson of Palenville,, is a guiding star.

Carlson, also past president of the New York State Disability Services Council, served as a speaker this month for the Lifting the Hood on Disability Services—Time for a Tune Up! Higher Ed Equity Session, lead by GlobalMindED — a non-profit organization that aims to close the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline.

Part of a larger, virtual series titled Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable moderated by Ryan Ross, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, and Inclusion for the Colorado Community College System, Lifting the Hood focused on the lessons of the past and present in Accessibility Services, and how to best apply those lessons for the future.

“Accessibility Services started as a Civil Rights movement, and while we have made great progress, we still have work to do and will always have work to do,” said Carlson, adding that currently, she sees the most important role of Accessibility Services professionals as meeting all students “where they are.”

“Student success is what we should be focusing on, and when we do that, accessibility can’t be missed — it’s something all students need to succeed,” she said.

The sessions also included Lesley Owens-Pelton, director of the Office of Disability Services at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Penn., and Emily Perry, access and equity services professional with Colorado Community College Online.

GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for least-resourced students, returning adults, First Gen-to-College, and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.