Abilities First! is designed for students who want to explore accessibility at Wheaton. The program is open to all students and gives students the opportunity to explore supports with Accessibility Services prior to the start of the semester. Students who participate may be planning to register with the Office of Accessibility or may want to develop a deeper understanding of accessibility at Wheaton.

Led by Accessibility Services.

 The Fall 2025 schedule will be posted when available. In the meantime, please see the 2024 schedule below to get an idea of what to expect.

On this page:

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Move-In to Residence Halls/Check-In to EAP
New Students sign in to their Early Arrival program and pick up their room keys and information packets.

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Dinner
Chase Dining Hall

6:00-8:00 p.m.
Game night
Meet some of your peers as well as some of our student leaders as enjoy some games!

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast – O.L. (Orientation Leader) Meet and Greet
Chase Dining Hall

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Intro to Abilities 1st: Planning for Success
Examine the biggest differences between high school and college regarding laws and accommodations. Develop your accommodation and self-advocacy plan.

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Wellness Wheaton and you
Learn about how the counseling center can support you to make your time at Wheaton healthy and fulfilling!

10:45-11:30 a.m.
Individual Support and Campus Exploration
A fun, relaxing opportunity to explore the campus and address individual accessibility questions and concerns. Ask an orientation leader to help you find your classes!

12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch 
Chase Dining Hall

1:30  – 2:30 p.m.
Finding Your Way
Tours of the library including finding assistive technology and other library resources
Wallace Library

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Choose one of the following: 
LGBTQ @ Wheaton
Counseling
Accessibilty @ Wheaton

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Choose one of the following:
Counseling
Resource Librarian
Writing Center/tutoring center

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Choose one of the following:
Surviving Freshman Year: School/life balance
Boundaries and Healthy Relationships
Conflict Resolution

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Dinner

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Target Takeover
Get last minute essentials or browse for some fun school outfits!

Thursday, August 22, 2024

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Cohort Coffee and donuts

9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Library tours

Meet some of our library staff and learn about the many resources the library offers to you as a college student. Go on a tour of the Library to find some great study spaces.

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Finding Your Free Time
Led by Accessibility Specialist Frannie Palmer. Discuss common concerns and strategies for managing the stresses of balancing schoolwork with the rest of life on Wheaton campus

11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Academic Excellence
Learn how Academic Advising can set you up for success!

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WheaBelong 

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Break

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Dinner 

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Evening Programming

Friday, August 23, 2024

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Chase Dining Hall

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Telling their stories

10:00 -10:30 a.m.
Reflections and Closing 

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Break

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch 

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Break

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Convocation