CARBONDALE, Ill. -- SIU is making a stride to become more physically inclusive.
The school's aviation program announced a partnership with the nonprofit group Able Flight on Saturday. The goal of this project is to allow students with physical disabilities to undergo flight training.
Able Flight will present five scholarships to disabled students who will receive training and housing on campus. By the end of the program, these students will receive Sport Pilot Certificates.
“SIU Carbondale has a long and proud history of accessibility for people with disabilities, so we are very excited about our partnership with Able Flight, which shares our values of providing opportunities,� said Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, Robert D. Morgan. “This collaboration allows us to further develop much-needed pilots for the aviation workforce and to ensure a rich learning environment for our students.�
Officials aim to start the new training courses in late May.
One of two planes the school plans to use for this training arrived at the airport on Friday. Crews will install controls for the disabled students to use for flying between now and the start of classes.
Able Flight and SIU will evaluate the success of this year's program and hope to continue it into future years.
