Public schools and universities have a wide range of students, mainly due to the efforts of these institutions to promote diversity in their student body.

One group that may be overlooked is students who have disabilities.

Robert Pleasant, the coordinator of diversity and inclusion at Ohio University Southern, was recently honored for his work as an advocate for these students.

Pleasant was presented with the 2017 Accessibility All Award at the 2017 University College Honors Ceremony in Athens last week.

University officials said Pleasant has worked hard to make OUS a welcome place for all students and to provide education to those with disabilities.

Pleasant’s efforts could be seen at this year celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which featured student Davin Marcum, a brain tumor survivor who is a leader of disability efforts on campus.

In the months following the event, the campus has led a “Communication>Fear” campaign to encourage students to come forward and share their stories, and hosted the Envision Access conference in March, which provided a forum on disability issues.

OUS and Pleasant’s efforts are important in that they not only highlight disability issues, but help to make a college education easier for all.