Disability Awareness Training

Message from President Michael T. Nietzel

Dr. Nietzel

As Missouri State University prepares to meet the challenges of the 21st century, we continue to recognize the importance of fostering an educational environment that promotes dignity and respect for the individual in the marketplace of ideas. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to uphold these ideals in accordance with our mission. To that end, Missouri State University is committed to providing all members if our community a place of study and work free of discrimination based on disability.

In keeping with our commitment and in collaboration with Penn State University, Missouri State University is implementing an interactive online training program entitled “In Their Shoes” to prepare you to work more effectively with individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this program is to enhance basic knowledge, skills and comfort level in working with individuals with disabilities. This interactive program should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. This program focuses on students’ perspectives as they engage with faculty and staff through higher education and is designed to develop an improved understanding of what it is like to walk… in their shoes.

As a University community, our goal must be to foster an environment that recognizes the worth and potential of every individual and communicates respect among all members. I am fully committed to this goal and know you share my resolve to ensure a campus atmosphere that advances both the University mission and its reputation for excellence.

It's mandatory

In accordance with the Prohibition of Discrimination and Harassment Policy passed by the Board of Governors on September 16, 2005, all University employees are required to successfully complete the on-line Equity and Diversity training program.

All current full-time and part-time faculty members, staff members, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and student workers are required to successfully complete this component of the Equity and Diversity online training program no later than May 11, 2007.

All newemployees are required to complete this training online AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and no later than 30 days from your date of employment.

How to access the training program

  1. Click on the "Take the Course" button at the bottom of this page.
  2. Enter your Missouri State User ID and password.
  3. An introduction to the In Their Shoes program will appear.
  4. You will be given the choice of either a “Flash Presentation” or “Text Only” version of the program. For those of you who do not have “Flash Plug In”, you may either call the “Help Desk” to have the plug in installed or use the “Text Only” version of the program. The “Text Only” version can be completed faster than the “Flash Presentation” version. If you are using screen-reader software such as "JAWS," we recommend you use the "text only" version of the program.
  5. Following the introduction, an Informed Consent Acknowledgement will appear – this section is for Penn State faculty and staff ONLY.
  6. The College ID for Missouri State University employees is missouristatetraining
  7. If this is your first time using the program, enter the College ID (missouristatetraining), leave the user ID box empty, and hit the submit box. Once you have submitted the pass word, training, you will be assigned a User ID number.
  8. If you are returning to the program and were previously assigned a User ID, enter the College ID (missouristatetraining) and your user ID.
  9. At the end of the program, you will be asked to complete a 10 question test. Passing to test requires you to achieve an 80% or higher. In other words, 8 of the 10 questions on the test must be answered correctly.
  10. Upon successful completion of the test, a Certificate of Completion will appear. Type your name and department on the Certificate, print it, and provide it to your immediate supervisor.

Computer access

If you do not have access to a personal computer to complete the on-line Equity and Diversity training, you may use a computer in one of the various computer labs on campus.

  • Cheek Hall Computer Lab - located in room 150 is open Monday - Thursday 24 hours each day; Friday until 11 pm; Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm; and Sunday opens at noon until midnight.
  • Glass Hall Computer Lab - located in rooms 228, 229, 234, & 235 is open Monday - Thursday 8 am - midnight; Friday 8 am - 11 pm; Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; and Sunday 2 pm - 11 pm.
  • Strong Hall Computer Lab - located in room 107 is open Monday - Thursday 8 am - 11 pm; Friday 8 am - 10 pm; Saturday 11am - 5 pm; and Sunday 3 pm - 10 pm.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office for Equity and Diversity at 417-836-4252 (voice) or 417-836-3257 (tty) should you have any questions or need assistance. Thank you!