The Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) Student Hub and Sensory Space is a dedicated area for UWM students with disabilities, with sensory spaces developed with neurodivergent students in mind. UWM students, faculty, staff are invited to visit the space to focus on self-care, to develop and regulate coping skills, and to spend time together in community.
Development of the Sensory Spaces was made possible in part with a grant from the UW System Student Behavioral Health Initiative and confirms ARC’s and UWM’s mission of creating a fully inclusive campus by celebrating disability and diversity.
The ARC Student Hub is located in Mitchell Hall Room 295 and will be open Monday – Friday, 10:00-3:00.
Areas in the Hub that students can explore or utilize include:
- The Book Nook. Come sit in a relaxing environment to complete any reading or homework for a class. Private study desks are available, as well as chairs to hang out in and read one of the books from our ARC Student Hub little free library. We also provide original Buddha Board art sets for creative, mindful, water painting.
- Dark Space Sensory Room. Relax and Disengage in the tranquility of a darkened room, illuminated by soothing bubble lamps, while listening to calming music or sounds. Reduce sensory overload by spending time in this room, to allow for improved regulation of the sensory system, stress reduction, and promotion of overall wellbeing. A variety of seating is available: a bean bag, adult sensory swing, and rocker chair.
- Energize Room. Got some extra energy you need to burn? Or do you need a space to settle into your favorite yoga pose? This room provides a small trampoline — which can improve attention, body awareness, and muscle tone. There are also resistance bands, yoga mats, along with prompts for exercise or stretches on the wall.
- Kitchen. Every community space needs a kitchen, and we have one available for you to prepare a meal and/or eat a meal in semi-private environment, reducing the sensory overload that can be experienced in larger university dining areas. Treat the kitchen as if this was yours at home and clean up after yourself, including the microwave, fridge, or sink.
- Light Space Sensory Room. From seaside decor to a sandy zen garden, this room of tranquility and mindfulness takes you out of the city and straight to the sea. Aimed at providing sensory stimulation, this room includes a variety of fidget and tactile items and experiences. A variety of seating is also available: a seaside hanging chaise lounge chair, a bean bag, and egg chairs.
- Meeting Room. Use this space to meet 1:1 for tutoring, meetings with ARC staff, or staff from community organizations like DVR. Please contact an ARC representative if you would like to reserve this space.
- Student Activity Space. This is your place for meeting with student groups, such as the Neurodivergent Social Club and DREAM. With the addition of a whiteboard, students can use this room to brainstorm ideas, get to know each other, and play games in a calm, quiet environment. You’ll find board games, sling-puck, puzzles, Legos, and adult coloring books.
- Student Lounge. Sit back and relax in a comfortable chair or couch, while taking a break from academics. You may also use the screen projector to connect to your personal digital device and watch a favorite video, show, or movie.
- Study Spaces. The perfect place for studying, working on a project, or group work. These rooms provides small desk spaces and much less distraction than some bigger study areas on campus. Study Space 1 houses several smaller desks, while Study Space 2 provides larger desks.
All UWM students are welcome at the Hub.